Frequentist and Bayesian Sample Size Determination for Single-Arm Clinical Trials Based on a Binary Response Variable: A Shiny App to Implement Exact Methods

Sample size determination typically relies on a power analysis based on a frequentist conditional approach. This latter can be seen as a particular case of the two-priors approach, which allows to build four distinct power functions to select the optimal sample size. We revise this approach when the focus is on testing a single binomial proportion. We consider exact methods and introduce a conservative criterion to account for the typical non-monotonic behavior of the power functions, when dealing with discrete data. The main purpose of this paper is to present a Shiny App providing a user-friendly, interactive tool to apply these criteria. The app also provides specific tools to elicit the analysis and the design prior distributions, which are the core of the two-priors approach.

A circular zone counting method of identifying a Duffing oscillator state transition and determining the critical value in weak signal detection

Identifying state transition and determining the critical value of the Duffing oscillator are crucial to indicating external signal existence and have a great influence on detection accuracy in weak signal detection. A circular zone counting （CZC） method is proposed in this paper, by combining the Duffing oscillator＇s phase trajectory feature and numerical calculation for quickly and accurately identifying state transition and determining the critical value, to realize a high- efficiency weak signal detection. Detailed model analysis and method construction of the CZC method are introduced. Numerical experiments into the reliability of the proposed CZC method compared with the maximum Lyapunov exponent （MLE） method are carried out. The CZC method is demonstrated to have better detecting ability than the MLE method, and furthermore it is simpler and clearer in calculation to extend to engineering application.

TLE orbit determination using simplex method

Two-Line Element(TLE)datasets are the only orbital data source of Earth-orbiting space objects for many civil users for their research and applications.The datasets have uneven qualities that may affect the reliability of the propagated positions of space objects using a single TLE.The least squares approach to use multiple TLEs also suffers from the poor quality of some TLEs,and reliable error information cannot be available.This paper proposes a simplex algorithm to estimate an optimal TLE from multiple TLEs and obtain the uncertainty of each element.It is a derivative-free technique that can deal with various orbit types.Experiments have demonstrated that using the TLE estimated from the simplex method is more reliable,stable,and effective than those from the batch least squares method.As an application example,the optimal TLE and its uncertainty are used for predicting the fallen area,keeping the actual fallen site in the prediction areas.

APPROACHES DETERMINING EVAPOTRANSPIRATION OF A NATURAL SECONDARY WHITE BIRCH FOREST

Evapotranspiration of a natural secondary white birch (Betula populifolia)forest in Maoershan Ecological Station was determined by water balance method, heat balance method and water and heat combination method. Results showed that the total evapotranspiration of the forest in the growing season was 3. 6mm/d. of which evapotrans piration from canopy xvas 2. 91 mm/d and that from forest floor was 0. 57 mm/d. and that in the non-growing season was 0. 8 mm/d.

Comparison of two different methods for determining flow direction in catchment hydrological modeling

Digital elevation models （DEMs） are widely used to define the flow direction in distributed hydrological models for simulation of streamflow. In recent decades, numerous methods for flow direction determination have been applied successfully to mountainous regions. Nevertheless, some problems still exist when those methods are used for flat or gently sloped areas The present study reviews the conventional methods of determining flow direction for such landscapes and analyzes the problems of these methods. Two different methods of determining flow direction are discussed and were applied to the Xitiaoxi Catchment, located in the Taihu Basin in southern China, which has both mountainous and flat terrain. Both the agree method and the shortest path method use drainage networks derived from a remote sensing image to determine the correct location of the stream. The results indicate that the agree method provides a better fit with the DEM for the hilly region than the shortest path method. For the flat region where the flow has been diverted and rerouted by land managers, both methods require observation of the drainage network to determine the flow direction. In order to clarify the applicability of the two methods, both are employed in catchment hydrological models conceptually based on the Xinanjiang model and implemented with PCRaster. The simulation results show that both methods can be successfully applied in hydrological modeling. There are no evident differences in the modeled discharge when using the two methods at different spatial scales.

Probabilistic Analysis of Slope Using Finite Element Approach and Limit Equilibrium Approach around Amalpata Landslide of West Central, Nepal

The stability study of the ongoing and recurring Amalpata landslide in Baglung in Nepal’s Gandaki Province is presented in this research. The impacted slope is around 200 meters high, with two terraces that have different slope inclinations. The lower bench, located above the basement, consistently fails and sets others up for failure. The fluctuating water level of the slope, which travels down the slope masses, exacerbates the slide problem. The majority of these rocks are Amalpata landslide area experiences several structural disruptions. The area’s stability must be evaluated in order to prevent and control more harm from occurring to the nearby agricultural land and people living along the slope. The slopes’ failures increase the damages of house existing in nearby area and the erosion of the slope. Two modeling techniques the finite element approach and the limit equilibrium method were used to simulate the slope. The findings show that, in every case, the terrace above the basement is where the majority of the stress is concentrated, with a safety factor of near unity. Using probabilistic slope stability analysis, the failure probability was predicted to be between 98.90% and 100%.

A METHOD FOR DETERMINING EXTREME WAVE HEIGHT

A method to determine the design value of the extreme wave height is introduced in this paper. The method is, based on the theoretical distribution of wave heights or the experiential probability distribution of wave heights, to calculate the mode of the extreme wave height and the design value with good assuredness. In fitting the experiential distribution of the observed wave heights, the paper adopts the simulating function of F(x) = 1 - exp[ ?axb exp( -cxd )] and the non-linear parameter in the function is determined by the Non-Linear Least Square Method. The practical application of the method has proved that it is not only simple and convenient, but also very effective in engineering design practice.

A New Method for Determining the Equation of State of Aluminized Explosive

The time-dependent Jones Wilkins-Lee equation products for aluminized explosives. To obtain the of state （JWL-EOS） is applied to describe detonation state time-dependent JWL-EOS parameters, cylinder tests and underwater explosion experiments are performed. According to the result of the wall radial velocity in cylinder tests and the shock wave pressures in underwater explosion experiments, the time-dependent JWL-EOS parameters are determined by iterating these variables in AUTODYN hydroeode simulations until the experimental values are reproduced. In addition, to verify the reliability of the derived JWL-EOS parameters, the aluminized explosive experiment is conducted in concrete. The shock wave pressures in the affected concrete bodies are measured by using manganin pressure sensors, and the rod velocity is obtained by using a high-speed camera. Simultaneously, the shock wave pressure and the rod velocity are calculated by using the derived time-dependent JWL equation of state. The calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental data.

A New Method for Determining J_(IC) of High StrengthHigh Fracture Toughness Steels by SingleThree Point Bend Specimen

A single three point bend specimen compliance method for determining JIC of high strength high fracture toughness steels is presented and a formula for calculatinff J-integral is proposed as follows.It is simple and valid for high strength high fracture toughness steels. The values of JIC and KIC measured by this method are in good agreement with those measured by standard test method.

Teaching Method for Comprehensive English Integration of Grammar-translation Method and Communicative Approach

Comprehensive English is a very basic and important course for English majors,according to the features of the text-book A New English Course,teachers should adopt the integration of grammar translation method and communicative approach to improve students' linguistic competence and communicative competence.

A Possible Approach to Introduce Word Memorizing Methods into College English Teaching

Words acquisition should be the most decisive and basic part, though modern English education does not take enough attention, especially in college English teaching. A recent survey on the Internet reveals that college students are worrying about their words power very much, eager to find an efficient and effective way. Hence, various modes of word memorizing methods are collected and a brief classification and remark are available. By an overall analysis of those methods, a new approach compromised by different kinds of methods turns out. This new approach completely abides by the philosophy of pragmatism, and every idea with practical use will be introduced to it, e.g. psychology of language and so on.

Consideration on Vocational Students' Participation in Class:With Special Reference to Task-based Approach and Traditional Method

This paper covers an experimental study on vocational students' participation in the class under task-based approach and traditional grammar-translation teaching method.As vocational colleges in China have developed rapidly,teachers are still exploring and experimenting with different teaching approaches in order to find the suitable one(s).Using the theory of task-based approach,the grammartranslation method,the author conducts an experiment by recording.The following key issue has been addressed and some conclusive results have been made.The paper intends to find an answer to the following question:Under which teaching approach can students participate in the class more actively? Based on the above research work,the following result has been reached:Task-based approach can promote students' mastering of vocabulary and grammar,and students participate in the class more actively.The author would like to share her experiences with others in pedagogical studies of teaching vocational college students English.

On the Reforms of the College English Teaching—More Advantages of the Communicative Approach over the Grammar-Translation Method

With the world globalization, China's communication with other countries has become more frequent. It is in great demand that a large number of college graduates who not only master their major but also do well in communication in English with English speakers. However, such graduates are scare because the backward teaching method-the Grammar-Traditional Method, cannot meet what the contemporary Chinese society demands. The reforms of the college English teaching are urgent and necessary. This paper first explores the major problems existing in the college English teaching. Furthermore, it introduces the basic theory of the Communicative Approach and analyzes its advantages in college English teaching.

One Step Positive Approach for Sheet Metal Forming Simulation Based on Quasi-conjugate-gradient Method

In one step inverse finite element approach, an initial blank shape is normally predicted from the final deformed shape. The final deformed shape needs to be trimmed into a final part after stamping, the trimmed area, therefore, needs to be compensated manually before using one step inverse approach, which causes low efficiency and in consistency with the real situation. To solve this problem, one step positive approach is proposed to simulate the sheet metal stamping process. Firstly the spatial initial solution of one step positive method is preliminarily obtained by using the mapping relationship and area coordinates, then based on the deformation theory the iterative solving is carried out in three-dimensional coordinate system by using quasi-conjugate-gradient method. During iterative process the contact judgment method is introduced to ensure that the nodes on the spatial initial solution are not separated from die surface. The predicted results of sheet metal forming process that include the shape and thickness of the stamped part can be obtained after the iterative solving process. The validity of the proposed approach is verified by comparing the predicted results obtained through the proposed approach with those obtained through the module of one step inverse approach in Autoform and the real stamped part. In one step positive method, the stamped shape of regular sheet can be calculated fast and effectively. During the iterative solution, the quasi-conjugate-gradient method is proposed to take the place of solving system of equations, and it can improve the stability and precision of the algorithm.

Deterministic and fuzzy-based methods to evaluate community resilience

Community resilience is becoming a growing concern for authorities and decision makers.This paper introduces two indicator-based methods to evaluate the resilience of communities based on the PEOPLES framework.PEOPLES is a multi-layered framework that defines community resilience using seven dimensions.Each of the dimensions is described through a set of resilience indicators collected from literature and they are linked to a measure allowing the analytical computation of the indicator’s performance.The first method proposed in this paper requires data on previous disasters as an input and returns as output a performance function for each indicator and a performance function for the whole community.The second method exploits a knowledge-based fuzzy modeling for its implementation.This method allows a quantitative evaluation of the PEOPLES indicators using descriptive knowledge rather than deterministic data including the uncertainty involved in the analysis.The output of the fuzzy-based method is a resilience index for each indicator as well as a resilience index for the community.The paper also introduces an open source online tool in which the first method is implemented.A case study illustrating the application of the first method and the usage of the tool is also provided in the paper.

A Simple Weighted Integration Method for Calculating Surface Tension Force to Suppress Parasitic Flow in the Level Set Approach

Parasitic flows may occur in the numerical simulation of incompressible multiphase flow due to errors in the calculation of surface tension terms, specifically for the curvature and unit normal vector. An improved method for calculating the surface tension based on the level set approach is proposed, in which the contribution of not only the center node but also the rest area of a control volume to the calculation of surface tension is considered in a balanced manner. The weighted integration method (WIM) is more consistent with the concept of a banded in- terface in the level set method. It is applied to the temporal evolution of a two-dimensional neutrally buoyant liquid drop and a buoyancy driven deformable bubble in an immiscible fluid for the validation of WIM. The results show that the parasitic flows are evidently suppressed by the weighted integration method. The weight factors for WIM in 3-D cases are also suggested.

Rapid determination of Cl^- by light-absorption ratio variation approach using Cl^-eosin Y-Ag^＋ adsorptive precipitation

The adsorptive precipitation between eosin Y （EY） and AgCl colloids at pH 3.73 caused the sensitive color change of the solution. The reaction mechanism between EY and AgCl was analyzed and this reaction was used for determination of Cl^- in trace level by the light-absorption radio variation approach.

RP-HPLC Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Lisinopril and NSAIDs in API, Pharmaceutical Formulations and Human Serum

High performance liquid chromatographic method was developed valdated and applied for the simultaneous determi- nation of lisinopril and NSAIDs in bulk, pharmaceuticals formulations and human serum. A Purospher star C18 (5 μm, 25 × 0.46 cm) column was used with mobile phase consisting of methanol: water: acetonitrile (80:17.5:2.5 v/v, pH 3.0) and quantitative evaluation was performed at 225 nm with a flow rate of 1.0 mL?min–1. The retention time of lisinopril was 2.2 min while naproxen, flurbiprofen, diclofenac sodium and mefenamic acid were found to be 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 and 6.7 min respectively. Suitability of this method for the quantitative determination of the drugs was proved by validation in accordance with the requirements laid down by International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. The method is selective, precise, accurate and can be used for analysis of pharmaceutical preparations in quality control and clinical laboratories.

A Hybrid Unit Commitment Approach Incorporating Modified Priority List with Charged System Search Methods

This paper presents a new hybrid approach that combines Modified Priority List (MPL) with Charged System Search (CSS), termed MPL-CSS, to solve one of the most crucial power system’s operational optimization problems, known as unit commitment (UC) scheduling. The UC scheduling problem is a mixed-integer nonlinear problem, highly-dimensional and extremely constrained. Existing meta-heuristic UC solution methods have the problems of stopping at a local optimum and slow convergence when applied to large-scale, heavily-constrained UC applications. In the first step of the proposed method, initial hourly optimum solutions of UC are obtained by Modified Priority List (MPL);however, the obtained UC solution may still be possible to be further improved. Therefore, in the second step, the CSS is utilized to achieve higher quality solutions. The UC is formulated as mixed integer linear programming to ensure the tractability of the results. The proposed method is successfully applied to a popular test system up to 100 units generators for both 24-hr and 168-hr system. Computational results show that both solution cost and execution time are superior to those of published methods.

Pseudospin symmetric solutions of the Dirac equation with the modified Rosen-Morse potential using Nikiforov-Uvarov method and supersymmetric quantum mechanics approach

Employing the Pekeris-type approximation to deal with the pseudo-centrifugal term,we analytically study the pseudospin symmetry of a Dirac nucleon subjected to equal scalar and vector modified Rosen-Morse potential including the spin-orbit coupling term by using the Nikiforov-Uvarov method and supersymmetric quantum mechanics approach.The complex eigenvalue equation and the total normalized wave functions expressed in terms of Jacobi polynomial with arbitrary spin-orbit coupling quantum number k are presented under the condition of pseudospin symmetry.The eigenvalue equations for both methods reproduce the same result to affirm the mathematical accuracy of analytical calculations.The numerical solutions obtained for different adjustable parameters produce degeneracies for some quantum number.