Exact fisher information for censored samples and the extended hazard rate functions

The question of how much information is contained in an ordered observation was studied by Tukey (1964) in terms of a linear sensitivity measure. This paper deals with exact Fisher information for censored data. The concept of hazard rate function is extended and some fundamental moment relations are established between them and the score functions. Some new moment equalities are obtained for the normal and gamma distributions.     

Exact confidence regions for scale and location parameters based on sample quartiles

In this paper we present relatively simple (ruler, paper, and pencil) nonparametric procedures for constructing joint confidence regions for (i) the median and the inner quartile range for the symmetric one-sample problem and (ii) the shift and ratio of scale parameters for the two-sample case. Both procedures are functions of the sample quartiles and have exact confidence levels when the populations are continuous. The one-sample case requires symmetry of first and third quartiles about the median.

The confidence regions we propose are always convex, nested for decreasing confidence levels and are compact for reasonably large sample sizes. Both exact small sample and approximate large sample distributions are given.     

Variance component estimation in multiple regression models having a nested error structure

Multiple regression when regressors are measured on two different sized experimental units involves a nested error structure. This nested error structure consists of two variance components. Sufficient conditions are presented under which UMVU estimators of these variance components exist. When these conditions are not met, two alternative estimators for the two variance components are considered and compared when possible.

This paper considers multiple regression models when regressor variables are associated with different sized experimental units resulting in a nested error structure. Nested error structures occur because of restrictions placed on randomizations. This results in experiments similar to splitplot type experiments which involove two different sizes of experimental units. Data resulting from these type of experiments consists of measurements made on larger sized experimental units as well as measurements made on smaller sized experimental units. Split-plot type experiments occur when certain combinations of the treatment factors are randomly assigned to larger sized experimental units after which these units are split or divided and other combinations of the treatment factors are randomly assigned to the split units.     

Embodied Technological Change and Tests of the Internal-Adjustment-Cost Hypothesis

Standard unit-root and cointegration tests are sensitive to atypical events such as outliers and structural breaks. In this article, we use outlier-robust estimation techniques to examine the impact of these events on cointegration analysis. Our outlier-robust cointegration test provides a new diagnostic tool for signaling when standard cointegration results might be driven by a few aberrant observations. A main feature of our approach is that the proposed robust estimator can be used to compute weights for all observations, which in turn can be used to identify the approximate dates of atypical events. We evaluate our method using simulated data and a Monte Carlo experiment. We also present an empirical example showing the usefulness of the proposed analysis.     

Prevalence Estimates of Gambling Participation and Problem Gambling among 16–18-year-old Students in Iceland: A Comparison of the SOGS-RA and DSM-IV-MR-J

The aim of this study was to estimate gambling participation and problem gambling among Icelandic adolescents. Participants were 750 16–18-year-old students, 371 girls and 379 boys. The rate of problem gambling was estimated with the SOGS-RA and DSM-IV-MR-J. Results indicated that 96% of adolescents had gambled in their lifetime, 79% at least once in the preceding year and about 10% gamble at least once a week. A psychometric evaluation of the two screening scales revealed satisfactory reliabilities and factor structures for both scales. The DSM-IV-MR-J identified 2% of the participants as problem gamblers while SOGS-RA identified 2.7%, and problem gambling was more common among boys than girls. It was concluded that problem gambling among adolescents is an area of concern for the Icelandic community that needs to be further investigated.     

With the best of intentions: Singapore volunteers and donors and the tsunami reconstruction

Charities and humanitarian organisations in Singapore that were involved in post-Tsunami relief and reconstruction work are repeatedly queried by volunteers, donors, and journalists. The world has pledged and donated billions to Tsunami relief and reconstruction, and I have personally given money to Singapore charities. Why do I still read about needy people in temporary shelters? Where has the money gone? Another question reflects similar sentiments of puzzlement, even frustration: I am moved by the devastation and would like to help by volunteering my time and expertise. I have signed up to volunteer with several humanitarian organisations. I am highly qualified and could help people. Why am I still not sent overseas? These are good questions that deserve solid answers. This article discusses the latest thinking in relief circles as to which volunteers are best sent overseas and how donations can most responsibly be used for effective and sustainable reconstruction. The authors draw on Singapore's experience with providing relief in the aftermath of the Tsunami along with the Dr. Tan Tay Keong's observations of relief and rehabilitation efforts in the Tsunami-affected areas of Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The article finds that volunteering requires much more than just a giving heart. Also, donations may be used most effectively by thinking long term rather than just short term. Further, donations are best administered in a way coordinated with local relief plans and in consultation with local people. The article closes by considering lessons for volunteers, donors, and humanitarian relief agencies from the Tsunami's aftermath.     

Krise im Betrieb

Since 2008 European societies are confronted with fundamental economic, political and social crises. While southern European countries are especially struck by the ongoing economic crisis, economic data suggests a relative stability for Austria. But what remains from the crisis also in Austria are strong feelings of insecurity and uncertainty within the Austrian population. The concrete perceptions of the economic crisis were therefore analyzed with the aid of semi-structured, quantitative interviews with workers?? councils (n?=?99). The survey concentrated itself on questions such as what the crisis means for workers, whether there are connections between the perceptions of the crisis and feelings of insecurity and uncertainty and which societal consequences these feelings of insecurity and uncertainty could have.     

The Mentoring FAN: A Promising Approach to Enhancing Attunement within the Mentoring System

ABSTRACT

Youth mentoring is a popular tool in positive youth development, with most programs utilizing a model through which youth and non-parental adults are “matched.” Using an adaptation of the Facilitating Attuned Interactions framework, this study sought to explore the effectiveness of the Mentoring FAN in enhancing interpersonal attunement among mentoring staff at two youth mentoring programs in the U.S. Upon completion of the Mentoring FAN training, quantitative (n = 28) and qualitative (n = 15) data were collected from program staff at both sites. Open-ended data from a subset of mentors (n = 27) was also gathered. Results revealed that mentoring staff experienced significant increases in empathy following the Mentoring FAN intervention. Participant interviews revealed increased attunement, increased listening ability, and increased collaboration in the supervisory relationship. Findings support the continued delivery and rigorous testing of Mentoring FAN training, with great promise for enhancing attunement across the mentoring system as a means of strengthening the relationships so critical to this intervention. The study also has important implications for the development of mentor support practices within mentoring organizations, as well as policies designed to meet the needs of youth served by mentoring programs in the U.S.     

Reviews

Abstract

Jill M. Church reviews Exploring Discovery: The Front Door to Your Library's Licensed and Digitized Content; Scott Johnson reviews Now You're a Manager: Quick and Practical Strategies for New Mid-level Managers in Academic Libraries.