Simulation Modeling and Analysis: A Collateral Application and Exposition of RFID Technology

RFID technology provides in‐depth, real‐time visibility into the status of assets throughout the supply chain. However, the deployment of RFID technology may have collateral value in the high‐quality data generated by these assets. This study explores the potential value of RFID data for tactical and strategic purposes and the redesign of processes within supply chain through the deployment of simulation modeling and analysis. We present a simulation study conducted at a regional hospital for which data related to trauma patient movement was collected with an RFID‐based system. We find that not only does this data serve as the basis for successful simulation modeling, but that RFID technology may address several data‐related challenges previously identified in the simulation literature.     

A Hierarchical Model for the Skew-normal Distribution with Application in Developmental Neurotoxicology

The distribution of the mean of a random sample drawn from a skew-normal population was derived by Chen et al. (2004). Here, we consider a hierarchical structure and derive the distribution of the sample mean when the location parameter itself is a random variable with a normal distribution. In neurotoxicological bioassay experiments with laboratory animals, often the response of interest is continuous in nature and the mean of responses is used for inferential purposes (Chen, 2006). However, in developmental neurotoxicity experiments where the neurological effect of a compound on the developing fetus is of interest, because of the intra-litter correlation, the mean of the response distribution may vary from one litter to another. The unconditional distribution of the litter sample mean is derived and its application in the analysis of data from developmental neurotoxicology is described. An example with real experimental data is used to provide further illustration.     

Place attachment in disaster studies: measurement and the case of the 2013 Moore tornado

Population and Environment - Place attachment has gained considerable attention in disaster studies, though there is little consensus on how to conceptualize or measure this construct in...     

Women’s Well-Being in Iran: Territorial Analysis Using a Multidimensional Approach

This paper employs a multidimensional index for assessing women’s well-being in Iranian provinces using demographic and health survey macro data. Besides economic status as a traditional dimension for objective well-being, other factors such as health, education, risk, and technology as well as self-reported life satisfaction and happiness (psychological well-being) have been included as non-material well-being dimensions. We found that the values of women’s well-being are distributed unequally across the provinces. Southern provinces demonstrate the worst performances and central provinces have the best. Generally, Iranian women are in poor condition in terms of economic variables (e.g. income and participation in the job market), psychological well-being (life satisfaction), HIV literacy, use of the internet, and access to mass media. On the other hand, in recent years, they have made significant progress in education (such as the rate of literacy, high school degree), and health (safe pregnancy care and nutritional supplements).     

The comparison of attachment styles among Iranian lesbian,gay, and bisexual and heterosexual people

This study was conducted in order to compare the attachment styles of sexual minorities and their heterosexual counterparts. The study participants consisted of a non-probability sample of 62 lesbians and gay men (LG) and 13 bisexual men and women (mean age = 25.50, SD = 5.09) living in various cities in Iran. There were also 75 heterosexuals selected from the general population and matched with the study group based on age, sex, and educational level. Each person completed the Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS) and a demographic data sheet. In addition, the groups of sexual minorities were also asked to address additional items related to their status as sexual minorities. The results showed that, compared to heterosexual participants, lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people scored significantly higher on the anxiety subscale of RAAS. Among sexual minorities, there was no significant difference between bisexual and LG people's attachment styles. Also, those who were not satisfied with their orientation were less dependent and more anxious. Different developmental experiences and negative social attitudes toward LGB people could explain the more anxious attachment style in the LGB group.     

On the Correlation Coefficient Between the TD50 and the MTD

The existence of correlation between the carcinogenic potency and the maximum tolerated dose has been the subject of many investigations in recent years. Several attempts have been made to quantify this correlation in different bioassay experiments. By using some distributional assumptions, Krewski et al .⁽¹⁾ derive an analytic expression for the coefficient of correlation between the carcinogenic potency TD₅₀ and the maximum tolerated dose. Here, we discuss the deviation that may result in using their analytical expression. By taking a more general approach we derive an expression for the correlation coefficient which includes the result of Krewski et al .⁽¹⁾ as a special case, and show that their expression may overestimate the correlation in some instances and yet underestimate the correlation in other instances. The proposed method is illustrated by application to a real dataset.     

Economic and economic-statistical designs of the T2 control charts with SVSSI sampling scheme

Recent studies have shown that the adaptive T² chart with two different sampling interval and three sample sizes (SVSSI) shows a good performance in detecting small to large shifts in the process mean. This paper investigates the economic and economic statistical designs of the SVSSI T² charts. We use the Markov chain approach to developing the cost model proposed by Costa and Rahim (Journal of applied statistics 2001; 28: 875–885). A genetic algorithm approach is used to find the optimal solutions. Using numerical examples, we illustrate the performance of the proposed model and compare the statistical, economic, and economic statistical designs of the SVSSI T² chart with respect to the economic and statistical criteria. Furthermore, we compare the performance of the SVSSI T² chart with the other T² control schemes.     

Pension system generosity and reform in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia

Pension systems in the North African countries of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia are facing a certain number of difficulties. Presenting the characteristics and organizational structure of each, this article identifies the specificities of, as well as the common problems confronting, these countries' pension systems. With reference to authorizing legislation and case simulations, the high level of generosity of the different pension systems is discussed and an analysis presented. In a context of population ageing, it is argued that current levels of generosity cannot be maintained; reform is needed. The article discusses different reform options, the challenges of implementation and the possible macroeconomic impacts of reform.     

Teachers' Attitudes toward Reporting Child Sexual Abuse: Problems with Existing Research Leading to New Scale Development

This paper details a systematic literature review identifying problems in extant research relating to teachers' attitudes toward reporting child sexual abuse and offers a model for new attitude scale development and testing. Scale development comprised a five-phase process grounded in contemporary attitude theories, including (a) developing the initial item pool, (b) conducting a panel review, (c) refining the scale via an expert focus group, (d) building content validity through cognitive interviews, and (e) assessing internal consistency via field testing. The resulting 21-item scale displayed construct validity in preliminary testing. The scale may prove useful as a research tool, given the theoretical supposition that attitudes may be changed with time, context, experience, and education. Further investigation with a larger sample is warranted.