Local influence regression diagnostics for gamma data

The local influence diagnostics proposed in general terms irl Cook (1986), Thomas and Cook (1989) and Billor and Loynes (1993). arc adapted for gamma data. A data set prcviously analysed using different methods is then reexamined, and conclusions based on wing the new approach are made.     

Determinants of sexual arousal and the accuracy of its self‐estimation in sexually functional males

Men with and without sexual dysfunction present with varying patterns of agreement between subjective estimates of sexual arousal and more objective psychophysiological measures of the same construct. This relative accuracy seems to be associated with sexual function, with men who have sexual dysfunction presenting less accurate estimations (mostly reporting below measured arousal levels). The purpose of this study is to clarify the processes underlying sexual arousal and the accuracy of its self‐estimation. We looked at potential predictors of sexual arousal (subjective and physiological) and accuracy in estimating objective sexual arousal in a sample of 60 sexually functional males. Predictors included pre‐existing sexual attitudes (erotophobia), both trait and state positive and negative affect, self‐focused attention, and interoceptive awareness. Results indicate that this sexually functional sample generally reported below their own erection level. Interestingly, trait negative affect was associated with somewhat lower levels of subjective arousal and higher levels of physiological arousal. On the other hand, state positive affect facilitated both subjective and objective arousal and increased somewhat the accuracy of estimates of erectile responding. Pre‐existing sexual attitudes as well as variations in self‐focused attention and interoceptive awareness evidenced little effect on sexual arousal or the accuracy of its estimation.     

Human Service Education Programs: Their Nature and Significance for Social Work

This paper examines emerging human service education programs at the community college, baccalaureate, and graduate levels. These programs bear a variety of titles such as mental health, social services, community development, and applied social sciences, as well as the more general human services label. Because they are relatively new phenomena, the nature and purposes of these programs are not widely known or understood. They appear to share some common purposes with social work education, while at the same time the potential for competition or conflict exists. Their significance for social work education programs and their graduates are considered.     

Risk Perception in Context: The Savannah River Site Stakeholder Study

Environmental managers are increasingly charged with involving the public in the development and modification of policies regarding risks to human health and the environment. Involving the public in environmental decision making first requires a broad understanding of how and why the public perceives various risks. The Savannah River Stakeholder Study was conducted with the purpose of investigating individual, economic, and social characteristics of risk perceptions among those living near the Savannah River Nuclear Weapons Site. A number of factors were found to impact risk perceptions among those living near the site. One's estimated proximity to the site and relative river location surfaced as strong determinants of risk perceptions among SRS residents. Additionally, living in a quality neighborhood and demonstrating a willingness to accept health risks for economic gain strongly abated heightened risk perceptions.The Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP)The Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP)The Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP)     

Teaching Social Work Students to use Advocacy Skills Through the Mass Media

Teaching social work students and practitioners to work effectively with the media is a valuable component of efforts to provide skills to influence the development of social policies and services addressed to vulnerable populations. The author focuses on mass media communications research, examples drawn from social work and other human service professions, and instructional activities in social work education to examine and illustrate how participation in the mass communication network can further the social policy goals of the social work profession.     

Confronting Academic Dishonesty

At some time in his or her career, almost every instructor will be confronted with student academic dishonesty. The misconduct may take several forms: plagiarising, cheating on an examination, reusing one of his or her papers or someone else’s for credit, or falsifying data for some project. This article explores the issue of academic dishonesty, focusing primarily on plagiarism. Legal cases involving dishonesty are reviewed; one school of social work’s policy on student academic misconduct is presented; and other avenues of intervention and prevention are discussed.     

Gambling Revenues as a Public Administration Issue: Electronic Gaming Machines in Victoria

Gambling activities and the revenues derived have been seen as a way to increase economic development in deprived areas. There are also, however, concerns about the effects of gambling in general and electronic gaming machines (EGMs) in particular, on the resources available to the localities in which they are situated. This paper focuses on the factors that determine the extent and spending of community benefit-related EGM-generated resources within Victoria, Australia, focusing in particular on the relationships between EGM activity and socio-economic and social capital indicators, and how this relates to the community benefit resources generated by gaming.     

I've Got You Under My Skin: Marital Biography and Biological Risk

Social relationships shape adult health in profound ways. This study informs our understanding of this association by investigating how the transitions, timing, and exposures to marriage are associated with types of biological risk presumed to serve as pathways to disease and disability. Drawing on the 2005–2006 National Social Health and Aging Project (N = 1,062), the authors evaluated how marital biography was associated with cardiovascular, metabolic, and chronic inflammation risk. The results showed that the effects of marital biography were highly sensitive to gender, the dimension of marital biography, and type of biological risk. For example, marital exposure was protective of cardiovascular risk for women, but not men, whereas an earlier age at first marriage had a pernicious effect on chronic inflammation among men, but not women. Health behaviors did not explain these associations. The implications of these findings are discussed as they pertain to under‐the‐skin risk processes and chronic morbidity.