Cognitive distortions predict future gambling involvement

Disordered gambling is best conceptualized as a continuum of severity. Previous research has demonstrated the utility of studying individuals at all points of this spectrum. The sequence of the development of gambling problems and change in gambling involvement along this continuum of severity is not well understood. The present study examined the interplay between cognitive distortions and gambling involvement in a population sample recruited in Alberta, Canada. Data from 1372 participants over 4 assessment waves (5 years) were used to generate a 2-factor latent structure using gambling fallacies and gambling involvement measurements. Structural equation modelling showed that cognitive distortions more strongly predicted future gambling involvement than the reverse relationship, using the comparative fit index (CFI) and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) to assess the models. In addition, cognitive distortions declined over time, whereas gambling involvement remained stable. The results of the study suggest that focusing primarily on cognitive mechanisms in public health initiatives for gambling disorders may be a more effective strategy than focusing on behavioural solutions.     

Multivariate Approach for Comparative Evaluations of Customer Satisfaction with Application to Transport Services

In problems related to evaluations of products or services (e.g. in customer satisfaction analysis) the main difficulties concern the synthesis of the information, which is necessary for the presence of several evaluators and many response variables (aspects under evaluation). In this article, the problem of determining and comparing the satisfaction of different groups of customers, in the presence of multivariate response variables and using the results of pairwise comparisons is addressed. Within the framework of group ranking methods and multi criteria decision making theory, a new approach, based on nonparametric techniques, for evaluating group satisfaction in a multivariate framework is proposed and the concept of Multivariate Relative Satisfaction is defined. An application to the evaluation of public transport services, like the railway service and the urban bus service, by students of the University of Ferrara (Italy) is also discussed.     

‘Let's Talk About Children’: Investigating the Use of a Family‐focused Intervention in the Gambling Support Services Sector

The family‐focused mental health intervention, ‘Let's Talk About Children,’ has positively influenced the lives of families affected by parental mental illness. This paper outlines the use of this brief, strengths‐based intervention for parents with gambling and other co‐occurring issues from the gamblers’ support services sector. Over a six‐month period, a training manual and accompanying resources were adapted for the gamblers’ support services sector and a targeted training session developed. Nine problem gambling counsellors from three Victorian gambling support services trialled the Let's Talk About Children intervention over a four‐month period. Qualitative data were gathered through focus groups, interviews, and practice enquiry groups to determine the impact of the Let's Talk About Children model for gambling support services. The results are presented as ‘practice wisdoms and recommendations’ reporting on the impact of the trial and to provide some guidance to support others in the implementation of a specific family‐focused intervention. This paper reports on the first exploratory trial of Let's Talk About Children for the gambler's support services sector in Australia.     

基于委托代理理论的会计信息失真问题研究

会计信息失真问题越演越烈,并且已成为一个世界性难题。可靠性、真实性、相关性是会计信息质量的生命,但一系列会计舞弊行为的发生已篡改了会计信息的本来面目,会计信息"诚信工程"摇摇欲坠。造成会计信息失真的原因有很多,就此,我国也采取了相应的措施予以治理,但效果并不显著,往往是治标不治本。本文从产生会计信息失真问题的根源出发,重点剖析了在以委托代理理论为根基的现代股份制企业中会计信息失真的原因,并提出了提高委托代理制度下的会计信息质量的相应对策。     

A stochastic procedure to solve linear ill-posed problems

In this work, we propose a stochastic procedure of Robbins–Monro type to resolve linear inverse problems in Hilbert space. We study the probability of large deviation between the exact solution and the approximated one and build a confidence domain for the approximated solution while precising the rate of convergence. To check the validity of our work, we give a simulation application into a deconvolution problem.     

苏格兰独立问题的历史与未来

苏格兰自1707年并入英联合王国后,要求独立的呼声始终未断,2007年苏格兰民族党成为执政党后,独立呼声愈演愈烈。"苏格兰的未来将由苏格兰人民来决定",2014年9月18日苏格兰进行独立公投。从历史沿革、政治权势博弈两个方面入手可把握苏格兰独立问题的整体脉络。将英国政治制度中的务实传统与当前多重利益因素综合考虑,可诠释苏格兰独立问题的产生原因、英国政府同意公投的实用主义倾向。     

道德治理的三重向度——斯密视角及其当下启示

道德治理概念的提出,既是直面当前道德问题的一种理论自觉,也成为改善当下社会道德状况、提升道德水平的现实课题。而亚当·斯密对导致道德情操败坏的原因的分析,以及对惩罚与正义、欲望与良知、报偿与信仰的理论叙述,对当下社会认识各种败德现象的成因以及就解决各种道德问题所能谋求的治理之道,提供了可资借鉴的理论资源和实践参照。     

Understanding end-user perspectives to enhance perceived value uptake of harm-minimization tools: considering gambler’s views of a pre-commitment system

Harm-minimization strategies reduce the experience of gambling-related harms for individuals and those close to them. Most policies and particularly discussions of tool design and implementation fail to involve end users and consider their concerns and needs. This study aimed to investigate the best way to introduce a harm-minimization tool for electronic gaming machines (EGMs) that will maximize the perceived value and subsequent uptake by the intended audience of gamblers. Focus groups were conducted with 31 Australian regular EGM gamblers experiencing a range of gambling problems. Participants were asked their perspectives of a pre-commitment system (features including accessing activity statements, setting limits, viewing dynamic messages, taking breaks), including concerns, and how to enhance perceived value and usefulness. Positive attitudes about the system were expressed; however, many gamblers saw the tool as relevant only for problem gamblers. Participants indicated that value could be enhanced by making the system flexible and customizable, but still easy to use. Design and implementation strategies such as incorporating flexibility in features, ease of use, appropriate terminology, and educational efforts may address gamblers’ concerns, particularly regarding privacy and potential stigma. This would enhance user perception of harm-minimization tools as relevant and may subsequently enhance effectiveness.     

基于问题解决的全面质量管理

指出了车间主管的角色在于创设工作场所，发挥员工潜力。归纳了4种类型的问题解决方法：自我否定，别人过错，鸵鸟型，问题解决型，分析了强有力车间的概念。依据全面质量管理标准，将其与问题解决相联系，给出了全面质量管理的特征，阐明了两者之间的关系。     

Multinomial Selection in the Presence of Infinite Alternatives

We propose a new procedure for the multinomial selection problem to solve a real problem of any modern Air Force: the elaboration of better air-to-air tactics for Beyond Visual Range air-to-air combat that maximize its aircraft survival probability H(θ, ω), as well as enemy aircraft downing probability G(θ, ω). In this study, using a low-resolution simulator with generic parameters for the aircraft and missiles, we could increase an average success rate of 16.69% and 16.23% for H(θ, ω) and G(θ, ω), respectively, to an average success rate of 76.85% and 79.30%. We can assure with low probability of being wrong that the selected tactic has greater probability of yielding greater success rates in both H(θ, ω) and G(θ, ω) than any simulated tactic.