Search results for "Statistics"

Theoretical and methodological aspects of MCMC computations with noisy likelihoods

2018

Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) [11, 42] is a popular method for Bayesian inference involving an intractable, or expensive to evaluate, likelihood function but where simulation from the model is easy. The method consists of defining an alternative likelihood function which is also in general intractable but naturally lends itself to pseudo-marginal computations [5], hence making the approach of practical interest. The aim of this chapter is to show the connections of ABC Markov chain Monte Carlo with pseudo-marginal algorithms, review their existing theoretical results, and discuss how these can inform practice and hopefully lead to fruitful methodological developments. peerReviewed

The role of motor system in action-related language comprehension in L1 and L2: An fMRI study

2018

The framework of embodied cognition has challenged the modular view of a language-cognition divide by suggesting that meaning-retrieval critically involves the sensory-motor system. Despite extensive research into the neural mechanisms underlying language-motor coupling, it remains unclear how the motor system might be differentially engaged by different levels of linguistic abstraction and language proficiency. To address this issue, we used fMRI to quantify neural activations in brain regions underlying motor and language processing in Chinese-English speakers’ processing of literal, metaphorical, and abstract language in their L1 and L2. Results overall revealed a response in motor ROIs …

Confocal laser scanning microscopy for the study of the morphological changes of the postextraction sites

2012

A better understanding of the remodeling process of postextraction sockets is essential in dental treatment planning. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) can be applied to imaging contour changes of postextraction sites, as well as to its quantification with image analysis of obtained three-dimensional images. This work describes a new application of the CLSM technique. The system used was the OLS3100-USS, LEXT model (Olympus((R))). CLSM was used for the surface analysis of the extraction site. The measurements taken with CLSM were: (1) mesio-distal distance, (2) alveolar ridge thickness, and (3) vestibular and lingual alveolar ridge heigh…

New is not always costly: evidence from online processing of topic and contrast in Japanese.

2013

Two visual ERP experiments were conducted to investigate topic and contrast assigned by various cues such as discourse context, sentential position and marker during referential processing in Japanese. Experiment 1 showed that there was no N400-difference for new vs. given noun phrases (NPs) when the new NP was expected (contrastively focused) based on its preceding context and sentential position. Experiment 2 further revealed that the N400 for new NPs can be modulated by the NP’s contrastive meaning (exhausitivity) induced from the marker. Both experiments also showed that new NPs engendered an increased Late Positivity. The reduced N400 for new vs. given supports an expectation-based lin…

Unobserved Tourism: Conceptual Aspects and Estimates

2013

Analysing tourist mobility: current issues and future challenges

2013

Tourism statistics are generally based on data collected only at one point of the travel, which, depending on the perspective of interest, can be the originating region or the destination one. Indeed, many tourism trips imply the visit to more than a single destination, since tourists move to visit several attraction to several destination or within the same destination. The analysis of tourist mobility presents several issues which are related both to the collection of information on multidestination trip behaviour and to the analysis of complex information such as the ones related with tourist itineraries. The present work aims at reviewing the main issues related with the analysis of tou…

Multi-destination trips: a survey on incoming tourism in Sicily

2012

Many pleasure trips are often characterized by the visit of more than a single destination. Despite the topic is well documented in literature, the empirical studies are limited to a few pioneering studies. This lack may be attributable to the failure of tourism organizations to collect data on multi-destination trip behaviors, as it results, for example, from the system of European statistics on tourism (according to the Council Directive 95/57 EC), where no information on the average number of destinations visited within a single trip are provided. This paper aims to analyze the main implications of multi-destination trips both on tourism statistics and in tourism planning, and to describ…

Multi-destination pleasure trip behaviors in Sicily

2010

Many pleasure trips are often characterized by the visit of more than a single destination. The topic is well documented in literature (Cooper 1981; Mings & McHugh, 1992), but the main determinants and consequences of multi-destination trips have not been adequately analyzed (McKercher & Lew, 2004). Moreover, the empirical studies on this topic are limited to a few pioneering studies (Lau & McKercher, 2007; Mings & McHugh, 1992; Wu & Carson, 2008). This lack may be attributable to the failure of tourism organizations to collect data on multi-destination trip behaviors, as it results, for example, from European statistics on tourism (according to the Council Directive 59/95 EC), where no inf…

Engine/Transmission Matching

2014

This chapter deals with the forecasting of vehicle performance on the road, according to the installed engine. It begins with Section 1, which shows the calculation of the resistance to motion, that is, the forces that the vehicle must overcome to advance on flat roads and uphill. The calculation excludes accidental resistance in curves because it is not essential for predicting the behavior of the vehicle on the road. Section 2 begins with the power characteristic, the forecast by traction–speed and power–speed diagrams, calculation of gear ratios, and then passing to the limits to the estimated acceleration, feature consumption, and distance. This chapter concludes with a section on the d…

Traffic Safety Basic Facts 2012 : Cyclists

2013

The CARE database brings together the disaggregate details of road accidents and casualties across Europe, by combining the national accident databases that are maintained by all EU member states. Access to the CARE database is restricted, however, so it is important that a comprehensive range of publications based on these data be accessible to the general public. This process was begun in the SafetyNet project that was carried out between 2004 and 2008, and the concept of the Basic Fact Sheet (BFS) Basic Fact Sheets and Annual Statistical Report (ASR) was developed. By 2008, twelve Fact Sheets were being prepared annually by researchers at five institutes. This Fact Sheet presents an over…