Geographically Weighted Negative Binomial Regression—incorporating overdispersion

Global regression assumes that a single model adequately describes all parts of a study region. However, the heterogeneity in the data may be sufficiently strong that relationships between variables can not be spatially constant. In addition, the factors involved are often sufficiently complex that it is difficult to identify them in the form of explanatory variables. As a result Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) was introduced as a tool for the modeling of non-stationary spatial data. Using kernel functions, the GWR methodology allows the model parameters to vary spatially and produces non-parametric surfaces of their estimates. To model count data with overdispersion, it is more appropriate to use a negative binomial distribution instead of a Poisson distribution. Therefore, we propose the Geographically Weighted Negative Binomial Regression (GWNBR) method for the modeling of data with overdispersion. The results obtained using simulated and real data show the superiority of this method for the modeling of non-stationary count data with overdispersion compared with competing models, such as global regressions, e.g., Poisson and negative binomial and Geographically Weighted Poisson Regression (GWPR). Moreover, we illustrate that these competing models are special cases of the more robust model GWNBR.     

Analysis and Implications of Retraction Period and Coauthorship of Fraudulent Publications

Studies have indicated that the number and frequency of fraudulent publications being retracted are not subsiding even with greater awareness of such incidents in the recent decades. In this study, the trends of retraction period, number of citations and coauthors of 5 selected researchers who had ≥ 15 fraudulent publications retracted were analyzed. The obtained results shows that the retraction period is 48.96 ± 32.16 months for the 113 publications affiliated to the 5 studied researchers. There are a total of 180 coauthors with 6.40 ± 3.26 coauthors per researcher's retracted publication. The linear regression analysis indicates that there is limited correlation (R² = .008) between the citation counts and retraction period. The p value for multiple F-tests to assess the number of coauthors to a fraudulent publication on an interresearcher basis is found to be ranging from < .001 to .458. It is also found that a better correlation (R² = .592) exists between the likelihood of a researcher to involve different individuals for isolated fraudulent publications while only selecting very few to be their frequent coauthors of their mischievous acts. With this study, the possible use of coauthors as a strategy for publishing fraudulent work and a potential approach to tighten coauthorship are discussed.     

Model‐based Prediction In Ecological Surveys Including Those with Incomplete Detection

This paper explores and develops model‐based predictors for surveys of plants and wildlife including those with incomplete detection. The methodology allows for estimating a detection function to account for objects which were not detected at the time of the survey. The model‐based theory utilises generalized linear models (GLMs) and is either new or adapted from other areas of sampling. A simulation study is used to validate the estimators and comparisons are made with an integrated likelihood approach. An aerial survey of kangaroos in western New South Wales is used to illustrate the theory. The area within 50m of the aircraft is treated as a strip transect and mark‐recapture methods are used to estimate the detection function.     

一个早期的世界网络:欧亚宗教

横亘欧亚大陆大部分地区的宗教在公元前4000年到公元200年间得到了创造性的蓬勃发展,这一时期的思想、艺术、实践得以集中共享。由于历史原因,存在于西方文化长廊末端的基督教与东方佛教之间的联系在大约5-15世纪间开始大量减少,15世纪以后,这种关系进入了重建期。基督教和佛教这两种彼此“分离”的宗教看起来十分不同。尽管每种宗教都有其自身的历史,但就其本质而言,诸宗教之间则存在着许许多多的关联。信仰间的对话不是必须的,但欧亚宗教最好被视为一个错综复杂的网络,在这个网络里,制度化的“宗教”是这个复杂网络的服务器。宗教的“象征符号”可被视为某种类似于DNA解码序列的东西。     

Women's perceptions of their healthcare experience when they choose not to breastfeed

Research questionHow do women who choose not to breastfeed perceive their healthcare experience?MethodThis qualitative research study used a phenomenographic approach to explore the healthcare experience of women who do not breastfeed. Seven women were interviewed about their healthcare experience relating to their choice of feeding, approximately 4 weeks after giving birth. Six conceptions were identified and an outcome space was developed to demonstrate the relationships and meaning of the conceptions in a visual format.FindingsThere were five unmet needs identified by the participants during this study. These needs included equity, self sufficiency, support, education and the need not to feel pressured.ConclusionWomen in this study who chose not to breastfeed identified important areas where they felt that their needs were not met. In keeping with the Code of Ethics for Nurses and Midwives, the identified needs of women who do not breastfeed must be addressed in a caring, compassionate and just manner. The care and education of women who formula feed should be of the highest standard possible, even if the choice not to breastfeed is not the preferred choice of healthcare professionals.     

Epidemic Potential of Measles and Rubella

Abstract

Although there have been major declines in the incidence of measles and rubella in the United States since licensure of vaccines, the incidence of disease in adolescents and young adults has not declined nearly as markedly as that in younger children. As a result, an increasing proportion of cases have occurred in adolescents and young adults. In 1978, 26% of all reported measles cases in which age was known occurred in those 15 years of age and older, and 76% reported rubella cases occurred in this age group. Outbreaks of both diseases have been reported from high schools, military bases, colleges, and universities. During a recent outbreak of measles involving a university, a 22-year-old university employee contracted measles and died of measles encephalitis. In addition to the direct effects of these diseases, the implications of the current pattern of occurrence of two infections known to have adverse effects on the developing fetus are obvious.

Improvements in immunization levels and declines in disease incidence have been brought about effectively by the enactment and enforcement of immunization requirements for school-age children and military recruits. Colleges and universities should also institute immunization requirements as a condition of enrollment.     

Sexual Concerns and Counseling Needs of “Normal” Women Attending a Student Health Service Women's Clinic

Abstract

The responses of approximately 1000 female university students attending a Women's Health Service for gynecologic or contraceptive services are presented. A self-report questionnaire examined the frequency of sexual problems experienced by the respondents and their partners. The most common concerns expressed about themselves were orgasmic difficulties (74%), dyspareunia (58%), and body inhibitions (46%). Forty-five percent of these women expressed a desire for counseling. The most common concerns that the respondents perceived in their partners were premature ejaculation (46%), too much interest in sex (33%), and difficulty maintaining an erection (28%). Twenty percent of the women thought their partners would desire counseling. Specific types of counseling desired (e.g., individual, group, mixed group) were determined. Various self-help educational interests of the students were also evaluated. Substantial numbers of “normal” female university students expressed sexual concerns and desire for counseling services and educational aids.     

Health Services Utilization Among Graduate Students: Patterns of Use,Access, and Satisfaction

Abstract

Utilization of health services by graduate students has been a neglected area of college health research. This paper describes the access problems and utilization patterns of a systematic random sample of the graduate student population at the University of Mississippi.

Survey methodology was used to assess sociodemographic, health status, and attitudinal characteristics of the study sample. In addition to type and number of visits for various health services, other utilization-related items included access to and satisfaction with care, and information received about these health services.

The results indicated that graduate students and their dependents were reliant to a large degree on local health care. Inadequacy of information was viewed as a major problem relating to access. Satisfaction with care appeared to be a function of the quality of care received.     

Applying Relational Models to the Graduation of Disability Schedules

Age-specific rates of particular disability types are important for planning purposes and are a valuable input to estimates and projections of populations with different disabilities. However, survey estimates of schedules of disability rates display evidence of sampling variability and sub-national disability schedules are often unavailable for reasons of disclosure protection. This paper develops and evaluates a method to smooth sampling variability in national schedules of disability using a technique that has applicability to sub-national estimation of age-specific disability rates. Relational models are used to adjust the limiting long-term illness schedule for England (Census 2001) to represent different disability schedules (Health Survey for England 2000/2001) smoothing sampling fluctuations. For hearing disability a simple Brass relational model involving two parameters provides a good fit. For other disability types a modified version of the Ewbank relational model with three parameters is required. This paper illustrates that relational models can accurately capture the relationship between age-specific rates of limiting long-term illness and various disability types.