Augmented-limited regression models with an application to the study of the risk perceived using continuous scales

Studies of risk perceived using continuous scales of [0,100] were recently introduced in psychometrics, which can be transformed to the unit interval, but the presence of zeros or ones are commonly observed. Motivated by this, we introduce a full inferential set of tools that allows for augmented and limited data modeling. We considered parameter estimation, residual analysis, influence diagnostic and model selection for zero-and/or-one augmented beta rectangular (ZOABR) regression models and their particular nested models, which is based on a new parameterization of the beta rectangular distribution. Different from other alternatives, we performed maximum-likelihood estimation using a combination of the EM algorithm (for the continuous part) and Fisher scoring algorithm (for the discrete part). Also, we perform an additional step, by considering other link functions, besides the usual logistic link, for modeling the response mean. By considering randomized quantile residuals, (local) influence diagnostics and model selection tools, we identified that the ZOABR regression model is the best one. We also conducted extensive simulations studies, which indicate that all developed tools work properly. Finally, we discuss the use of this type of models to treat psychometric data. It is worthwhile to mention that applications of the developed methods go beyond to Psychometric data. Indeed, they can be useful when the response variable in bounded, including or not the respective limits.     

Environmental consequences of exurban expansion in an agricultural area: the case of the Argentinian Pampas ecoregion

Exurban land use growth has been documented for at least thirty years in various regions around the world. Land use planners and land use/land cover change researchers have been concerned about the low-density residential developments scattered on a natural or agricultural matrix, due to their ecological and environmental impacts. In this paper, exurban sprawl in the Pampas ecoregion (Buenos Aires province, Argentina), is characterized and assessments are taken of the magnitude of two important consequences: agricultural land conversion, and excess CO₂ emission resulting from commute. The exurban developments concentrate between 50 and 70 km from Buenos Aires city, mainly at walking distances from compact towns, from 1 to 6 km of main roads, and no further than 25 km from them. Most of the exurban developments are located on the higher elevations in the study area (25 to 30 m above sea level). Even though exurban land use covers a very small proportion of land, the results show a tendency for conversion of land in the highest soil productivity capacity classes. While the best agricultural lands accounted for 29% of the land in the study area, it accounted for 54% of the exurban development. Preference of exurban land use conversion for good quality agricultural soils is observed even in those counties with a scarcity of good soils. However, there are great differences among counties in the relative proportion of land converted to exurban land use in each soil productivity capacity class. At the county level, from 0 to 100% of the highest production capacity lands have been converted to exurban uses, regardless of the proportion of land in each soil productivity capacity class for individual counties. Excess CO₂ equivalents emission was calculated for both the actual and the potencial number of households in the exurban developments. According to the automobile marque, range and fuel type, the actual emission ranges from 81,065 to 190,446 tons/year, and the potential from 296,643 to 696,908 tons/year. The excess emission per household is higher than that produced by domestic energy consumption within the Buenos Aires city during the same time period. The amount of CO₂ emitted in a year by personal vehicle transportation, in the study area, is equivalent to that captured by 16,000 ha of temperate forests or 27,600 ha of temperate grasslands during the same time period.

The suitability of the design of handbags to the tropical climate

This work encourages the exercise of consideration, observation and critical reading of the design of handbags and the relation to the conditions imposed by tropical climate. Our purpose is to highlight some critical and conceptual thoughts on the matter of the design of fashion accessories in Brazil, ergonomics and aesthetic- functional relation. Through physical concepts is possible to propose consistents solutions compatible with the reality of the costumers living on Brazilian coast.     

Ergonomics, automation and logistics: practical and effective combination of working methods, a case study of a baking company

The aim of this study was to combine three different analytical methods from three different disciplines to diagnose the ergonomic conditions, manufacturing and supply chain operation of a baking company. The study explores a summary of comprehensive working methods that combines the ergonomics, automation and logistics study methods in the diagnosis of working conditions and productivity. The participatory approach of this type of study that involves the feelings and first-hand knowledge of workers of the operation are determining factors in defining points of action and ergonomic interventions, as well as defining opportunities in the automation of manufacturing and logistics, to cope with the needs of the company. The study identified an ergonomic situation (high prevalence of wrist-hand pain), and the combination of interdisciplinary techniques applied allowed to improve this condition in the company. This type of study allows a primary basis of the opportunities presented by the combination of specialized methods of different disciplines, for the definition of comprehensive action plans for the company. Additionally, it outlines opportunities for improvement and recommendations to mitigate the burden associated with occupational diseases and as an end result improve the quality of life and productivity of workers.     

Fiscal Sustainability and Immigration in the Madrid Region

The growing number of immigrants in the Madrid region raises several questions concerning the welfare of future native generations. The debates shift from increasing concern about the congestion of public services like education or healthcare, to how immigration helps to ease tension in relation to financing those services and other benefits to the region's general welfare. In order to evaluate the global effect, our analysis uses a generational accounting method which is applied to different productivity, interest rate and growth scenarios. The results show that the impact of immigrants is positive, with intergenerational distribution towards the currently most active taxpayers.     

Distorted Lorenz curves: models and comparisons

The economic literature contains many parametric models for the Lorenz curve. A number of these models can be obtained by distorting an original Lorenz curve $L$ by a function $h$ , giving rise to a distorted Lorenz curve ${\widetilde{L}}=h\circ L$ . In this paper, we study, in a unified framework, this family of curves. First, we explore the role of these curves in the context of the axiomatic structure of Aaberge (2001) for orderings on the set of Lorenz curves. Then, we describe some particular models and investigate how changes in the parameters in the baseline Lorenz curve $L$ affect the transformed curve ${\widetilde{L}}$ . Our results are stated in terms of preservation of some stochastic orders between two Lorenz curves when both are distorted by a common function.     

Explaining Undocumented Migration to the U.S.

Using data from the Mexican Migration Project and the Latin American Migration Project, we find that undocumented migration from Mexico reflects U.S. labor demand and access to migrant networks and is little affected by border enforcement, which instead sharply reduces the odds of return movement. Undocumented migration from Central America follows primarily from political violence associated with the U.S. intervention of the 1980s, and return migration has always been unlikely. Mass undocumented migration from Mexico appears to have ended because of demographic changes there, but undocumented migration from Central America can be expected to grow slowly through processes of family reunification.     

How do people perceive urban trees? Assessing likes and dislikes in relation to the trees of a city

Cities are systems that include natural and human-created components. When a city grows without proper planning, it tends to have low environmental quality. If improving environmental quality is intended, people’s opinion should be taken into account for a better acceptance of urban management decisions. In this study, we assessed people’s perception of trees by conducting a survey with a controlled sample of citizens from the city of Morelia (west-central Mexico). Citizens liked both native and exotic tree species and rejected mainly exotic ones. Preference for trees were related to tree attributes; such as size. Trees that dropped leaves or tended to fall were not liked. The most-mentioned tree-related benefits were oxygen supply and shade; the most mentioned tree-related damages were accidents and infrastructure damage. The majority of respondents preferred trees near houses to increase tree density. Also, most respondents preferred trees in green areas as well as close to their houses, as they consider that trees provide oxygen. The majority of the respondents thought more trees were needed in the city. In general, our results show that although people perceive that trees in urban areas can cause damages, they often show more interest for the benefits related to trees and consider there should be more trees in cities. We strongly suggest the development of studies that broaden our knowledge of citizen preferences in relation to urban vegetation, and that further policy making takes their perception into account when considering creating new urban green areas, regardless of their type or size.     

Foreign market re-entry: A review and future research directions

Foreign market re-entry has increasingly attracted academic interest. However, different streams of research have developed largely independently of each other, which has hindered theory development and practical advancement in the field. By reviewing 45 relevant articles in international business and related disciplines between 1996 and 2020, this study provides a systematic review and analysis of the literature on re-entry. In addition, a framework is developed to direct future research efforts. Following the logic of ‘Antecedents-Phenomenon-Consequences’ and focusing on the time dimension, this study enables better understanding of the re-entry phenomenon and provides recommendations for future research in this area.     

The Portuguese Version of the Hartford Geriatric Social Work Competency Scale II – Assessment Subscale: Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties

The current study aimed to test the fit of the Portuguese version of the Hartford Geriatric Social Work Competency Scale II – Assessment subscale (GSWCS-A) and explore its factor structure and psychometric properties in a sample of 534 social workers working in the gerontology field. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that all items presented good factor loadings and that the single-component model fit the data well. The GSWCS-A showed very good internal consistency. Despite the existence of different theoretical perspectives on Social Work, which frame the required competencies for professional practice, the GSWCS-A Portuguese version revealed similitudes with studies conducted in other countries. Nevertheless, the different factor structures (single-component vs. bi-factorial) may indicate that different competencies are being emphasised in terms of professional training. To sum, the GSWCS-A may be a short and useful self-report instrument for addressing social workers’ assessment competencies in the gerontology setting.