A comparison of estimation techniques for the three parameter pareto distribution

This paper compares minimum distance estimation with best linear unbiased estimation to determine which technique provides the most accurate estimates for location and scale parameters as applied to the three parameter Pareto distribution. Two minimum distance estimators are developed for each of the three distance measures used (Kolmogorov, Cramer‐von Mises, and Anderson‐Darling) resulting in six new estimators. For a given sample size 6 or 18 and shape parameter 1(1)4, the location and scale parameters are estimated. A Monte Carlo technique is used to generate the sample sets. The best linear unbiased estimator and the six minimum distance estimators provide parameter estimates based on each sample set. These estimates are compared using mean square error as the evaluation tool. Results show that the best linear unbaised estimator provided more accurate estimates of location and scale than did the minimum estimators tested.     

Assessment of sexual orientation

This paper reviews the multitude of methods which have been utilized to assess sexual orientation. The basic assumption of most of the previous methods of assessment is that sexual orientation is determined by one's gender or genitalia and the gender or genitalia of the individual one is attracted to. This assumption is challenged and the complexity of sexual orientation is illustrated. Consequently, a model for assessment of sexual orientation is proposed which includes nine dimensions: current relationship status, self-identification identity, ideal self-identification identity, global acceptance of their current sexual orientation identity, physical identity, gender identity, sex-role identity, and sexual orientation identity as measured by behavior, fantasies and emotional attachments, and finally the individual's past and present perception of their sexual identity compared to their idealized future.     

Integration of male bisexuality and marriage

Eighteen couples who had originally entered therapy because of conflicts created by the husband's bisexuality were studied to determine the dynamics and adjustment of their marriages. All the couples, to varying degrees, had been openly dealing with the husband's bisexuality for at least two years. Through questionnaires and psychological instruments, couples indicated that openness and communication helped the relationship. The greatest difficulties they encountered were in their sexual relationships. Marital satisfaction and adjustment was found to be negatively correlated with increasing age, number of children, later onset of homosexual activities, increased emotional involvement with male partners, increased numbers of people who know about the husband's homosexual activities, and increased sexual dissatisfaction and conflict. Basically, this study reinforced the notion that some marriages can survive by way of open communication, acceptance and understanding, dynamics which help compensate for the inherent conflicts these couples face.     

A Developmental Stage Hypothesis For Non-Marital Dyadic Relationships*

Within diverse sets of nonmarital relationships it is postulated that similar developmental stages emerge. Delineation of these stages provides a framework for understanding the many complexities of nonmarital interacting systems. Such a paradigm further helps those who encounter these relationships, either professionally or personally, to face the resulting conflicts in a way which does not impede future growth of the relationships. Five hypothetical developmental stages are presented and applied to two types of nonmarital dyads. Case studies further explain the conceptual model.     

Interviewers' Voices and Refusal Rates in Telephone Surveys

Interviewers' voice characteristics are related to refusal ratesin telephone interviews. Judges reliably rated vocal and personalcharacteristics of telephone interviewers from recordings ofthe first one-half minute of interview introductions. Interviewerswith low refusal rates were judged as having comparatively higherpitched voices, greater ranges of variation in pitch, greaterloudness, faster rates of speaking, and clearer and more distinctpronunciation. They also were judged as more competent and ashaving a more positive approach to the respondent and the interview.     

Multiple window discrete scan statistic for higher-order Markovian sequences

Accurate and efficient methods to detect unusual clusters of abnormal activity are needed in many fields such as medicine and business. Often the size of clusters is unknown; hence, multiple (variable) window scan statistics are used to identify clusters using a set of different potential cluster sizes. We give an efficient method to compute the exact distribution of multiple window discrete scan statistics for higher-order, multi-state Markovian sequences. We define a Markov chain to efficiently keep track of probabilities needed to compute p-values for the statistic. The state space of the Markov chain is set up by a criterion developed to identify strings that are associated with observing the specified values of the statistic. Using our algorithm, we identify cases where the available approximations do not perform well. We demonstrate our methods by detecting unusual clusters of made free throw shots by National Basketball Association players during the 2009–2010 regular season.     

初中生良好家庭教育环境的构建

初中生所处的时期既是"黄金期"又是"危险期",对他们的教育更显得重要。然而家长最了解,也最容易影响孩子;孩子很依赖父母,也就最容易接受父母的教育;家庭教育又是人生所受的第一个教育,也具有其它教育无法比拟的优势,所以家长要意识到家庭教育环境的重要性、提高自身素质、掌握初中生的身心特点、为他们营造良好的家庭教育环境,进而更好地配合学校及社会对他们的教育。     

An Efficient Zero-One Formulation of the Multilevel Lot-Sizing Problem

This paper presents a zero-one linear formulation of the multilevel lot-sizing problem for materials requirement planning systems without capacity constraints. The model is an efficient statement of the problem and has a structure that is particularly convenient for research work. In addition, it is demonstrated that the relaxed linear programming solution to this formulation will always be integer. The results of a rather large computational history are reported along with a variable reduction methodology that allows for the solution of reasonably sized research problems.     

SPC as a tool for creating a successful business measurement framework

Many companies are trying to get to the bottom of what their main objectives are and what their business should be doing. The new Six Sigma approach concentrates on clarifying business strategy and making sure that everything relates to company objectives. It is vital to clarify each part of the business in such a way that everyone can understand the causes of variation that can lead to improvements in processes and performance. This paper describes a situation where the full implementation of SPC methodology has made possible a visual and widely appreciated summary of the performance of one important aspect of the business. The major part of the work was identifying the core objectives and deciding how to encapsulate each of them in one or more suitable measurements. The next step was to review the practicalities of obtaining the measurements and their reliability and representativeness. Finally, the measurements were presented in chart form and the more traditional steps of SPC analysis were commenced. Data from fast changing business environments are prone to many different problems, such as the short previous span of typical data, strange distributions and other uncertainties. Issues surrounding these and the eventual extraction of a meaningful set of information will be discussed in the paper. The measurement framework has proved very useful and, from an initial circulation of a handful of people, it now forms an important part of an information process that provides responsible managers with valuable control information. The measurement framework is kept fresh and vital by constant review and modifications. Improved electronic data collection and dissemination of the report has proved very important.