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Interpretation Methods (interpretation + methods)
Selected AbstractsLeast-square support vector machine applied to settlement of shallow foundations on cohesionless soilsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL AND ANALYTICAL METHODS IN GEOMECHANICS, Issue 17 2008Pijush Samui Abstract This paper examines the potential of least-square support vector machine (LSVVM) in the prediction of settlement of shallow foundation on cohesionless soil. In LSSVM, Vapnik's ,-insensitive loss function has been replaced by a cost function that corresponds to a form of ridge regression. The LSSVM involves equality instead of inequality constraints and works with a least-squares cost function. The five input variables used for the LSSVM for the prediction of settlement are footing width (B), footing length (L), footing net applied pressure (P), average standard penetration test value (N) and footing embedment depth (d). Comparison between LSSVM and some of the traditional interpretation methods are also presented. LSSVM has been used to compute error bar. The results presented in this paper clearly highlight that the LSSVM is a robust tool for prediction of settlement of shallow foundation on cohesionless soil. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Improving methods of assessing natural killer cell cytotoxicityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 1 2006Sandra E. Sephton Abstract Natural killer (NK) cells are a class of lymphocytes important in immune resistance to viral and other serious diseases. The cytotoxic function, or ,killing activity' of NK cells has become important in studies of the effects of stress and other psychosocial factors on physical health. Unfortunately, research on NK cell function has been plagued by discrepancies in the methods of interpreting NK cytotoxicity data. We briefly review some of the variations in measuring NK cell activity and present a new model for interpreting these results, introducing maximal target cell lysis (A) and the slope of the cytolytic curve (k) as parameters that attempt to make full use of the information and the statistical power in NK cell cytotoxicity data. Examples of these interpretation methods are presented using NK cytotoxicity data from a group of metastatic breast cancer patients. This approach will be useful in applications of NK cell measurement in psychoneuroimmunology research. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Directional asymmetry of long-distance dispersal and colonization could mislead reconstructions of biogeographyJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 5 2005Lyn G. Cook Abstract Aim, Phylogenies are increasingly being used to attempt to answer biogeographical questions. However, a reliance on tree topology alone has emerged without consideration of earth processes or the biology of the organisms in question. Most ancestral-state optimization methods have inherent problems, including failure to take account of asymmetry, such as unequal probabilities of losses and gains, and the lack of use of independent cost estimates. Here we discuss what we perceive as shortcomings in most current tree-based biogeography interpretation methods and show that consideration of processes and their likelihoods can turn the conventional biogeographical interpretation on its head. Location, Southern hemisphere focus but applicable world-wide. Methods, The logic of existing methods is reviewed with respect to their adequacy in modelling processes such as geographical mode of speciation and likelihood of dispersal, including directional bias. Published reconstructions of dispersal of three plant taxa between Australia and New Zealand were re-analysed using standard parsimony and maximum likelihood (ML) methods with rate matrices to model expected asymmetry of dispersal. Results, Few studies to date incorporate asymmetric dispersal rate matrices or question the simplistic assumption of equal costs. Even when they do, cost matrices typically are not derived independently of tree topology. Asymmetrical dispersal between Australia and New Zealand could be reconstructed using parsimony but not with ML. Main conclusions, The inadequacy of current models has important consequences for our interpretation of southern hemisphere biogeography, particularly in relation to dispersal. For example, if repeated directional dispersals and colonization in the direction of prevailing winds have occurred, with intervening periods of speciation, then there is no need to infer dispersals against those winds. Failure to take account of directionality and other biases in reconstruction methods has implications beyond the simple misinterpretation of the biogeography of a taxonomic group, such as calibration of molecular clocks, the dating of vicariance events, and the prioritization of areas for conservation. [source] Steady-state field-scale gas permeability estimation and pore-gas velocity calculation in a domain open to the atmosphereREMEDIATION, Issue 4 2000Dominic C. Digiulio Field-scale estimation of gas permeability and subsequent computation of pore-gas velocity profiles are critical elements of sound soil venting design. It has been our experience, however, in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) technical assistance program, provided by the Office of Research and Development in support EPA regional offices, that many venting practitioners are unaware of equations and data interpretation methods appropriate for gas permeability estimation and pore-gas velocity computation. To ameliorate this situation, we use data collected at a U.S. Coast Guard Station in Traverse City, Michigan, to demonstrate gets permeability estimation and pore-gas velocity calculation for steady-state, axisymmetric, two-dimensional gas flow in a domain open to the atmosphere. For gas permeability estimation, we use random guesses constrained with decreasing intervals of radial and vertical permeabilityand analysis of root mean square errors to ensure attainment of a global versus local minimum. We demonstrate confidence in permeability estimation by providing plots of observed versus simulated pressure response. Finally, we illustrate how plots of pore-gas velocity as a function of distance and flow rate can be helpful in venting design. [source] Prompt magnetic investigations of archaeological remains in areas of infrastructure development: Israeli experienceARCHAEOLOGICAL PROSPECTION, Issue 3 2001Lev V. Eppelbaum Abstract Magnetic prospecting is the most widely used method for the investigation of archaeological remains in the world. This method is often applied before and during various engineering exploration (e.g. road construction, preparing areas for various types of building) and areas of agricultural utilization. Taking into account an extremely high concentration of archaeological sites of different age at Israeli territory, prompt geophysical,archaeological assessment of areas allocated for engineering and agricultural utilization, is a necessary preliminary component of the design process. However, noise both of natural and artificial origin strongly complicates interpretation of observed magnetic anomalies. The most significant disturbing factors are oblique magnetization (magnetization vector in the Israeli territory is inclined about 45°), complex geological structure (presence of a variety of disturbing bodies) of investigated site, influence of rugged topography, as well as influence of modern iron-containing objects. The non-conventional procedures developed by the authors are intended for application in such complicated environments and include elimination of noise from various sources, selection of ,useful' anomalies against the noise background, qualitative and quantitative interpretation of anomalies and three-dimensional physical,geological modelling. Effective integration of these procedures with other interpretation methods allowed rapid localization of tens of archaeological remains and their protection from unpremeditated destruction. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||