Recursive location and scale estimators

It is shown that a recursive estimator with the same asymptotic properties as the median has convergence properties in finite samples which depend heavily on the scale of the data. A simple modification which adjusts for the scale is suggested and its application illustrated on simulated data. The modified estimator has much improved properties which are similar to those of the sample (non-recursive) median.     

Drinking Game Participation Among Undergraduate Students Attending National Alcohol Screening Day

Abstract

Objectives, Participants, Methods: Drinking game participation has increased in popularity among college students and is associated with increased alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems. The current study investigated drinking game participation among 133 undergraduates attending National Alcohol Screening Day (NASD) in April of 2007. Results: A large percentage of the sample reported lifetime (77%) and recent (52%) drinking game participation. Males were more likely to report recent participation and reported higher levels of consumption while playing drinking games. Drinking game participants were more likely to experience a range of alcohol-related problems, and the relationship between drinking game participation and alcohol-related problems was mediated by weekly alcohol consumption. Conclusions: These results suggest that drinking game participation is a risk factor for elevated levels of alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems. Programs should be developed to educate students about the risks of drinking game participation, and prevention programs like NASD should address drinking games.     

Appraising companies for acquisition

The author was involved in the 1973–1974 acquisition chase in the U.K. and in the Pacific Basin while working for a British company noted for its acquisitiveness. A mystique has grown up around those people who buy companies and individuals who surround themselves with secrecy and charisma are hiding one essential fact; appraising target companies is not very different from appraising any other direct investment. In fact the task lends itself to a combination of simple economics and plenty of common sense.     

Three simple steps to determine optimum plant capacity

Plant investment decisions are frequently crowded with folk-lore, even though basic economics may provide a ready guide to optimum capacity.Increasing emphasis on corporate accountability is producing the need to accept a more numerate approach to business decision taking while the overall scope for off-the-cuff decisions is rapidly diminishing. One important area of business decision taking concerns plant investment and in this paper an approximation routine is outlined for determining by economic analysis the optimum plant size for new ventures. Attention is also drawn to the importance of organization structure for investment planning.     

The Relationship Between Infant Holdout and Gives,and Pointing

We provide an analysis of holdout and giving (Ho&G) behaviours in prelinguistic infants and investigate their relationship with index finger pointing. The frequency of Ho&Gs at 10 and 11 months along with the length of the following social interaction correlated with index finger pointing at 12 months. We conclude that Ho&Gs are a precursor to index finger pointing and that this provides support for social‐pragmatic approaches to communicative development.     

Did tax incentives play any part in increased giving?

Since 2000, increased taxation incentives along with other measures have been used by the government to encourage philanthropy in Australia. Since the new incentives were introduced, claimed gift tax deductions have increased. However, generally, donors are not aware of the new tax incentives for giving and in any case they report that their motivation for giving is not primarily, if at all, to obtain tax incentives. This article examines this paradox and seeks some possible explanations.     

Old People Living Alone—Is Organized Observation Necessary?

A survey of 192 old people was carried out to assess the need for a paid daily visitor as a means of ensuring prompt help in cases of illness or accident. The survey found evidence of a comprehensive network of care from neighbours for the elderly people living near them. Neighbour observation and support made a daily Street Visitor Scheme superfluous.     

Demand for health risk reductions: A cross-national comparison between the U.S. and Canada

Using a large stated preference survey conducted across the U.S. and Canada, we assess differences in individual willingness to pay (WTP) for health risk reductions between the two countries. Our utility-theoretic choice model allows for systematically varying marginal utilities for avoided future time in different adverse health states (illness-years, recovered/remission years, and lost life-years). We find significant differences between Canadian and U.S. preferences. WTP also differs systematically with age, gender, education, and marital status, as well as a number of attitudinal and subjective health-perception variables. Age profiles for WTP are markedly different across the two countries. Canadians tend to display flatter age profiles, with peak WTP realized at older ages.