Patterned constructions of partially ballvced incomplete block design

Starting from the incidence matrix of a BIB design, we obtain PBIB designs with two or three associate classes following certain patterns for their block structures .     

On the factorial approach providing the true index of cost of living: an interpretation of a special pair of equations

This note presents an interpretation of a special pair of the six equations which were derived in the context of providing the true index of cost of living through what has been called “the factorial approache”[See Banerjee (1961a,b) and Banerjee (1975).]     

Cook's distance in linear longitudinal models

Cook's distance (1977) has become the standard influence diagnostic tool for analyzing cross–sectional regression studies. This paper introduces an analogue of Cook's distance in fixed effects models for longitudinal data. We demonstrate that this statistic is dominated by the effects of nuisance parameters, and hence its effectiveness as an influence measure in the longitudinal data setting is limited.     

The Dynamics of Income Growth and Poverty: Evidence from Districts in India

This article examines the dynamics of the income‐distribution pattern in India during the post‐1991 economic reforms. It considers district‐level per‐capita income data across agriculture, manufacturing, services, and various constituent sub‐sectors, and finds evidence in favour of a uniform process of growth across sectors and regions, which has helped to reduce poverty. In particular, the article finds that growth in agricultural income and access to finance are important for this.     

A Preliminary Qualitative Analysis on the Feasibility of Using Gaming Technology in Caregiver Assessment

This exploratory qualitative study examined the feasibility of utilizing gaming technology that will ultimately assess task performance and stress among caregivers of dementia patients. The long-term goal is to use this unobtrusive application (app) to detect caregiver burnout for the purposes of early intervention. This preliminary study examined participant interface with a specific gaming technology called CAST (Caregiver Assessment Using Serious Gaming Technology). Ten dementia caregivers participated. Participants attended a demonstration and then interacted with a preliminary version of the CAST tablet application. Social work researchers interviewed participants using open-ended questions to gauge interest, technology skill level, and comfort with the app. Participants expressed interest and identified potential ways to further develop the system in order to increase ease of use, decrease time commitment, and improve suitability for daily use. The provided feedback will be used to refine the user interface of the application, which will then be used to monitor caregivers’ stress in future development.     

IN JUSTIFICATION OF WALD'S CRITERION OF EFFICIENCY OF EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS IN RELATION TO THE WEIGHING PROBLEM1

Wald (1943), among others, examined the question of efficiency of experimental designs in general and suggested the criterion of maximization of the det. [X'X] for the purpose, where X denotes the design matrix. In the same context, Ehrenfeld (1955) recommended the maximization of the minimum eigenvalue of [X'X] as the desideratum. It has been shown in this note that for weighing designs in general maximization of det. [X'X] may be preferred to the latter criterion.     

Genetically Modified Organisms and the U.S. Retail Food Labeling Controversy: Consumer Perceptions,Regulation, and Public Policy

In this article, we address the public issue of mandatory Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) retail food labeling in the U.S., first by reviewing the policy arguments both in support and against labeling food containing GMOs; second, by describing the existing U.S. federal regulatory system pertaining to GMO labeling, and why it does not presently require labeling of food containing GMOs; third, by reviewing and interpreting the results of studies of American consumer attitudes toward mandatory GMO retail food labeling; fourth, by evaluating, through the utilization of issue life cycle analysis in the nonmarket environment, where the issue of GMO retail food labeling stands in the national public policy process; fifth, summarizing the state of scientific evidence addressing the safety of GMO foods and the existing regulatory and public policy environment for this issue; and sixth, offering legislative and litigation strategies for the mainstream food nonmarket strategy framework to formally assess the GMO industry to protect their interests and those of American consumers not concerned with GMO food ingredients, while offering a voluntary labeling strategy for firms responding to and recognizing the “rights” of American consumers who “choose” to purchase non‐GMO food products.