Gauss or Bernoulli? A Monte Carlo comparison of the performance of the linear mixed-model and the logistic mixed-model analyses in simulated community trials with a dichotomous outcome variable at the individual level

This Monte Carlo study compares performance of the linear and the logistic mixed-model analyses of simulated community trials having event rates of 37%, 13%, or 5%, intraclass correlations between 0.01 and 0.05, and 17 or 5 denominator degrees of freedom. Type I or Type II error rates showed no essential difference between the two analysis methods. They showed depressed error rates when the event rate or the denominator degrees of freedom were small. The authors conclude that in studies with adequate denominator degrees of freedom, the researcher may use either method of analysis but should accept negative estimates of components of variance to avoid depression of error rates.     

“So They’ll Have Somewhere to Go”: Establishing Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) for Children with Autism in the People’s Republic of China

Despite policy calling for compulsory education in China, many children with autism are not in school. This article examines the establishment of autism-related non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in China to meet needs not being met by the state. We focus on the background and motivation in founding and running these NGOs, after first considering the broader context of state decentralization and NGOs roles in supplementing welfare needs in reforming societies, and the educational policy context of China. This study used mixed methods, including questionnaires with open-ended and limited choice questions, and follow-up discussion email. The goals of NGO leaders—more than 50% of whom are parents of children with autism—are to make up for where government implementation of educational policy is insufficient; help others and advocate for inclusion in society; and do meaningful work. Implications from these findings are discussed.

     

Rewilding in the Garden: are garden hybrid plants (cultivars) less resilient to the effects of hydrological extremes than their parent species? A case study with Primula

Urban Ecosystems - Urban green infrastructure, such as gardens, can mitigate some of the consequences of climate change, e.g. reducing flash-flooding or urban heat islands. Green infrastructure,...