Weak Convergence of the Wild Bootstrap for the Aalen–Johansen Estimator of the Cumulative Incidence Function of a Competing Risk

Abstract. We give a rigorous study of weak convergence of the wild bootstrap for non‐parametric estimation of the cumulative event probability of a competing risk. The data may be subject to independent left‐truncation and right‐censoring. Inclusion of left‐truncation is motivated by a study on pregnancy outcomes. The wild bootstrap includes as one case a popular resampling technique, where the limit distribution is approximated by repeatedly generating standard normal variates, while the data are kept fixed. Simulation results and a data example are also presented.     

TIME SERIES AND CROSS-SECTIONAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE DEMAND FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

This paper focuses on enrollment demand, making use of both aggregate and disaggregate data. In a time series analysis we explore the economic environment affecting freshman enrollments over time. Stratifying by type of school reveals significant differences among institutional segments. In particular, community college enrollments appear more sensitive to financial variables and the availability of alternative activities. To further investigate these differences, cross-sectional analysis is carried out using survey responses from students currently enrolled in each institutional segment. These results, obtained from linear discriminant analysis, show additional, important differences among segmental populations.     

Michel Foucault,Body Politics and the Rise and Expansion of Modern Anatomy*

Abstract The New Science and the arts flourished vigorously in the seventeenth century Netherlands. Of special importance were the anatomical theatres in Leiden. Delft and Amsterdam. These theatres were important cultural centres in the sense that they were centres of arts and sciences, meeting places for artists and scientists, and places with a public function. What role did anatomy played in the rise and expansion of modern science. Many scholars assume that religion, and more generally speaking, morality, was strongly opposed to anatomy, but then it is difficult to explain how anatomy and anatomical theatres could be of such central significance. It is Michel Foucault's thesis, however, that there was no hindrance by religion and morality, but an antagonism between two medical discourses, the clinical (life) and the anatomical (death). This thesis is tested by exploring anatomy practices and regulations in early-modern Italy. Holland. England and France. The results indicate that, not only antagonism between medical discourses, but also conflicting opinions on teaching and the conditions for scientific progress, and. most of all, the interest taken by government in anatomy, played a part. The question as to whether moral standards were a hindrance to the advance of science, was primarily dependent on body politics.     

SIMULATION EXPLORATION OF THE POWER OF MARGINAL REGRESSION ANALYSIS*

In either simple or multivariate regression models, measured coefficients represent a kind of average of co-variant relationships implicit in the data. For time-series data, if co-variant relationships follow no particular pattern over the sample period, use of this average in forecasting is rational. However, if relationships among independent and dependent variables is undergoing change over time, then measured regression coefficients are likely to be poor tools for prediction. This paper is an exploratory study of this general problem area. It develops implications as to the predictive impact of the problem and offers preliminary suggestions as to a method of developing predictions under such circumstances.     

A New Kernel Distribution Function Estimator Based on a Non-parametric Transformation of the Data

Abstract.  A new kernel distribution function (df) estimator based on a non-parametric transformation of the data is proposed. It is shown that the asymptotic bias and mean squared error of the estimator are considerably smaller than that of the standard kernel df estimator. For the practical implementation of the new estimator a data-based choice of the bandwidth is proposed. Two possible areas of application are the non-parametric smoothed bootstrap and survival analysis. In the latter case new estimators for the survival function and the mean residual life function are derived.     

After Cleveland: a crisis of confidence

SUMMARY. The article argues that social work is experiencing a crisis of confidence about child abuse. This lack of confidence is examined from various points of view; the social work skills needed to work with abused children and their families; the theoretical framework underpinning assessment and intervention; public confidence in social work; the legal processes; and departmental policy and practice. It suggests ways of overcoming the problems associated with the crisis of confidence including increased and better quality training, a more open approach to the community and an acceptance of professional independence     

Integrity—Clarifying and Upgrading an Important Concept for Business Ethics

This article discusses the concept of integrity. Often, integrity is used as a characteristic of individuals showing a high fidelity to generally praised norms. Here, a more independent meaning is suggested so that the concept implies a clear distance to integration instead of mixing up the two concepts. Integrity implies integration within the individual of beliefs, statements, and action. To what degree can society and companies accommodate a pluralism created by individuals with integrity? Here, it is argued that integrity is a useful virtue and that a more integrity‐friendly environment in companies would be beneficial by stimulating the empowered employee to make improved contributions. The concept is central for business ethics and crucial for the company's choice of such policies. A priority of integrity also affects organizational theory and the practical organizing of the company. Integrity is also vital for society at large for both citizens and companies, providing an ideological support for pluralism and a check on demands for conformism. The article also discusses how a virtue such as integrity can function as guidance for the individual operating in a complex world.     

Towards a Theory of Social Work Expertise

Correspondence to Prof. Jan Fook, School of Social Inquiry, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3217, Australia Summary This paper begins by summarizing the results of a qualitativeexploratory study of thirty experienced social workers whichwas undertaken in order to identify some characteristics ofsocial work expertise. Some of the features identified includea confidence with professional identity and an ability to dealwith complexities. Participants were also able quickly to prioritizerelevant factors and were aware of constraints and resources,but made conscious use of formal theory only minimally. Thefull results of this study are reported elsewhere (Fook et al.,in press). The main purpose of this paper is to explore theimplications of these results in developing a theory of socialwork expertise. The issues examined include the debates aroundthe relationship between theory and practice in social work,the generic versus the specialist nature of social work, therelevance of existing theories of expertise to social work,and the affirmation of artistic elements of social work practice.     

Examining the Causes of Stress in Families with Severely Mentally Handicapped Children

Summary Though it is recognized that the presence of a mentally handicappedchild may be a source of stress for a family, less is knownabout precisely which impairments are particularly stressful.This question was investigated in a study of 200 families withseverely mentally handicapped children living in two healthdistricts in South East England. Interviews were carried outwith the people responsible for the day-to-day care of the childrenand stress was measured by means of the Malaise Inventory. Theresults suggested that the highest levels of stress were associatedwith the presence of a child with behaviour disorders or withmultiple impairments; the stressfulness of these conditionswas exacerbated by adversity. A regression analysis showed thatthe factors causing most stress in carers were, in order ofimportance: behaviour problems in the child, night-time disturbance,social isolation, adversity in the family, multiplicity of impairments,difficulty in settling the child at night, problems with thechild's health, problems with the child's appearance, and moneyworries. The article ends with recommendations for the developmentof services aimed at reducing stress in families with mentallyhandicapped children.