STATISTICA Blogs

Recently, I sat down with Richard Miller with Legis Corp to understand why and how he uses STATISTICA. 

• Tell us about your background (career, education, etc.). I have an M.A. in sociology with additional hours in chemistry, physiology, and physics. I spent eight years with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration enforcing health and safety regulations. I have co-authored two peer-reviewed journal articles in epidemiology, and authored two books on safety and six books on nuclear testing. I hold a patent for 3D weather radar, which I hope will allow average Internet users to not only “call in” data (using swarm technology) but also see a 3D composite of weather systems as they occur.
   
• What challenges did you face that drove you to use STATISTICA? I wanted to develop a method that would allow investigators to determine the legacy of terrorist-based nuclear detonations. I had found that each nuclear device emits a characteristic spectrum of radioisotopes, so I thought it should be possible to characterize a device based upon its radioisotope spectrum. 
   
• How do you use STATISTICA? Which modules? Using STATISTICA’s Cluster modules, I was able to categorize the known isotope emissions from 57 nuclear detonations. I discovered that certain radioisotopes were associated with thermonuclear devices, while the presence of other radioisotopes indicated the presence of certain types of neutron shielding. Using this information, an investigator could determine whether a nuclear device involved in a terrorist attack came from a nation’s stockpile or was cobbled together using less expensive materials.
  
  As it turns out, I am using the same Cluster modules for my 3D weather project. Cluster modules are a quick way to categorize and classify micro-weather boundary layer patterns and may eventually be useful in predicting local weather events such as low-level (<4000 ft AGL) “spin-ups” that can morph into full-blown tornadoes.
   
• Why did you choose to use STATISTICA over another product? STATISTICA is easy to use and is very robust.
   
• Did STATISTICA give you the solution you were seeking? Yes.
   
• STATISTICA strengths? It is very easy to learn and use. Additionally, the graphics are very good.
   
• Would you recommend STATISTICA to a colleague or friend? Why? I would recommend STATISTICA without reservation.