Item response theory (IRT) has become the mainstream measurement approach in social sciences concomitant with rising concerns about classical measurement techniques approach estimated item and person parameters. Related to this concern is how comparisons between different test forms could lead to somewhat inconsistent results. With IRT, comparable person estimates can be achieved irrespective of the specific set of items taken. Consequently, results from studies using different test forms can be combined. Also, comparable item estimates can be obtained irrespective of the specific group of subjects taking them. Further, IRT methods place persons and items on the same measurement scale and make comparisons between persons and items feasible. Applications of IRT models are increasingly used in developing a variety of test items in fields such as economics, education, psychology, and medicine. This entry focuses on three binary models: one-parameter logistic/Rasch, two-parameter logistic, and three-parameter logistic models followed by a brief introduction of some widely used polytomous models. Applications of IRT methods in computerized adaptive testing, linking, differential item functioning, item generation, and item banking are then discussed. Finally, a description of some popular software assisting in IRT modeling is provided with examples on how analyses are conducted.

After waking up, the queen, who had spent a lot of money, saw that the environment around her was not good. The quilt was thin and hard, the clothes were old and short, and he ate without stopping. Was this still a human life? The heavens were merciful to her. In her previous life, there had never been anyone who had asked after her, so they simply rewarded her already prepared husband. How should he live his days? Fortunately, she had brought her husband and daughter along with her to do business ...

This book examines the uses and potential risks of location-based services (LBS) in the context of big data, with a focus on location privacy protection methods. The growth of the mobile Internet and the popularity of smart devices have spurred the development of LBS and related mobile applications. However, the misuse of sensitive location data could compromise the physical and communication security of associated devices and nodes, potentially leading to privacy breaches. This book explores the potential risks to the location privacy of mobile users in the context of big data applications. It discusses the latest methods and implications of location privacy from different perspectives. The author offers case studies of three applications: statistical disclosure and privacy protection of location-based big data using a centralized differential privacy model; a user location perturbation mechanism based on a localized differential privacy model; and terminal location perturbation using a geo-indistinguishability model. Linking recent developments in three-dimensional positioning and artificial intelligence, the book also predicts future trends and provides insights into research issues in location privacy. This title will be a valuable resource for researchers, students, and professionals interested in location-based services, privacy computing and protection, wireless network security, and big data security.

"Design Engineering for Industry 4.0 (DE4.0) represents the 'human-cyber-physical view of the systems realization ecosystem “that is necessary to accommodate the drivers of Industry 4.0 (IoX) and provide an open ecosystem for the realization of complex systems. Seamless integration of digital threads and digital twins throughout the product design, the development and fulfillment lifecycle; the ability to accommodate diverse and rapidly changing technologies; and the mechanisms to facilitate the creation of new opportunities for the design of products, processes, services, and systems are some of the desired characteristics of DE4.0." Jiao, R., Commuri, S. Panchal, J., Milisavljevic-Syed, J, Allen, J.K., Mistree, F. and Schaefer, D., "Design Engineering in the Age of Industry 4.0," ASME Journal of Mechanical Design, 143(7), 070801, 25 pages. In keeping with the Design Engineering 4.0 construct the authors describe architecting a computer platform to support human designers make decisions associated with the realization of complex engineered systems. The platform is designed to facilitate end-to-end digital integration, customization and personalization, agile collaboration networks, open innovation, co-creation and crowdsourcing, product servitization and anything-as-a-service. Recognizing that simulation models are abstractions of reality the authors opt for a satisficing strategy instead of an optimization strategy. They include fundamentals and then describe tools for architecting a knowledge-based platforms for decision support. Challenges associated with developing a computational platform for decision support for the realization of complex engineered systems in the context of Design Engineering 4.0 are identified. Constructs for formulating design decisions (e.g., selection, compromise, and coupled decisions), knowledge modelling schemes (e.g., ontologies and modular templates), diagrams for designing decision workflows (e.g., the PEI-X diagram), and some analytical methods for robust design under uncertainty are presented. The authors describe integrating the knowledge-based platform to architect a cloud-based platform for decision support promoting co-design and cloud-based design communication essential for mass collaboration and open innovation for Design Engineering 4.0. This book is a valuable resource for researchers, design engineers, and others working on pushing the boundary of digitized manufacturing to include Design Engineering 4.0 principles in designing products, processes, and services.

Materials for Additive Manufacturing covers the materials utilized in the additive manufacturing field, including polymers, metals, alloys and ceramic materials. A conceptual overview of the preparation and characterization of the materials and their processing is given, beginning with theoretical aspects that help readers better understand fundamental concepts. Emerging applications in medicine, aerospace, automotive, artwork and rapid manufacturing are also discussed. This book provides a comprehensive overview of materials, along with rapid prototyping technologies. - Discusses the preparation and characterization of materials used for additive manufacturing - Provides descriptions of microstructures and properties of the parts produced by additive manufacturing - Includes recent industrial applications of materials processed in additive manufacturing

In this chapter, we provide a comprehensive review of multimode communications using OAM. The fundamentals of OAM are introduced first followed by the techniques for OAM generation, multiplexing/demultiplexing, and detection. We then present recent research efforts to free-space communication links and fiber-based transmission links using OAM multiplexing together with optical signal processing using OAM (data exchange, add/drop, multicasting, monitoring, and compensation). Future challenges of OAM communications are discussed at the end.

The Rudiments of Mandarin is designed for foreign students who have no prior knowledge of the Chinese language. It introduces the learner to the Chinese phonetic system Hanyu Pinyin and authentic dialogues for everyday situations. The chapters focus on interesting themes like self-introduction, campus life, transportation, shopping, food, and travel. The drills and discussions equip the learner with useful grammar and key vocabulary, both of which will help them communicate in Chinese more efficiently. The authors have also made every effort to include Hong Kong–specific elements, such as local lexical items and culture notes, in each chapter. The Rudiments of Mandarin is unique among Chinese-language textbooks because it is specifically designed for learners who are studying and living in Hong Kong. This book is accompanied by downloadable mp3 files, which include audio recordings of the text, vocabulary, and listening exercises.