A resample-replace lasso procedure for combining high-dimensional markers with limit of detection

In disease screening, a biomarker combination developed by combining multiple markers tends to have a higher sensitivity than an individual marker. Parametric methods for marker combination rely on the inverse of covariance matrices, which is often a non-trivial problem for high-dimensional data generated by modern high-throughput technologies. Additionally, another common problem in disease diagnosis is the existence of limit of detection (LOD) for an instrument – that is, when a biomarker''s value falls below the limit, it cannot be observed and is assigned an NA value. To handle these two challenges in combining high-dimensional biomarkers with the presence of LOD, we propose a resample-replace lasso procedure. We first impute the values below LOD and then use the graphical lasso method to estimate the means and precision matrices for the high-dimensional biomarkers. The simulation results show that our method outperforms alternative methods such as either substitute NA values with LOD values or remove observations that have NA values. A real case analysis on a protein profiling study of glioblastoma patients on their survival status indicates that the biomarker combination obtained through the proposed method is more accurate in distinguishing between two groups.     

Shame, Embarrassment, and Formal Sanction Threats: Extending the Deterrence/Rational Choice Model to Academic Dishonesty

Following the lead of Grasmick and Bursik (1990), we propose that significant others and conscience both function as agents of social control to deter illicit behavior in a manner similar to that provided by the law and more formal, bureaucratic organizations. All three–conscience, significant others, and formal organizations–entail potential threats and costs (i.e., shame, embarrassment, and formal sanctions). Actors consider these potential threats and costs, and assess the certainty and severity of them, in deciding whether or not to engage in criminal or deviant behavior. In the research reported here, data from a sample of undergraduate students are employed to examine the effects of perceived certainty and severity of shame, embarrassment, and formal sanction threats of the self-reported prevalence of involvement in a variety of forms of academic dishonesty. The results suggest rather limited support for the deterrence/rational choice model, nearly all of which is due to the influence of conscience (shame).     

“Please Ask Me How I Am”: Experiences of Family Homelessness in the Context of Single Mothers' Lives

An increasing number of studies in recent years have examined the issue of family homelessness. The majority of this research has taken a quantitative approach, focusing primarily upon the demographics and characteristics of homeless mothers and children and the conditions of shelter facilities. The goal of this study was to examine the experience of family homelessness from an alternative perspective through interviews with formerly homeless mothers about their lives before and after leaving the shelter system. In-depth interviews with 24 formerly homeless single mothers in New York City were conducted and subsequently analyzed employing a qualitative-narrative approach. Major themes that emerged from the women's life stories are elucidated: poverty, neglect, abuse, troubled interpersonal relationships, and mental health concerns. Surprisingly, a majority of women spoke of their experience in the shelter system in positive terms. This and other findings are discussed in the context of the women's life experiences and support services provided by the New York City shelter system. Social policy issues and recommendations for future research and program development are presented.     

MANAGERIAL DECISION MAKING UNDER INTRANSITIVE CONDITIONS: AN INTERNATIONAL STUDY OF THE VOTER'S PARADOX

Researchers and scholars have been concerned for many years with the normative aspects of amalgamating individual preferences to form a group decision. The present paper studies how managers actually make decisions involving intransitive preference functions by examining how the Voter's Paradox Conflict (VPC) is actually resolved by homogeneous groups of subjects from five different populations (Denmark, England, Switzerland, U.S. Private, and U.S. Military). The results showed that level of cooperation, the reward structure (real versus imaginary money), and experience with the VPC are the major factors relating to the solution obtained. Nationality differences explained little of the variance in decision outcomes. Intrasitivity in preferences seems to be handled similarly by executives in the countries studied. Interpretations are drawn in the context of cooperative and competitive decision theory and for cross-cultural decision research.     

The Joy of Social Work Administration: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Human Service Administrators’ Positive Perceptions of Their Work

Positive organizational psychology suggests that researchers should focus on the rewarding elements of work life, yet those in the fields of social work and nonprofit administration have not conducted research in line with this admonition. Indeed, the current focus on administrative challenges and problems may be part of the reason there is currently a leadership crisis in human services nonprofits. This article describes an exploratory qualitative study of human service executives’ perceptions of their work, focusing on what brings them joy in their jobs. We found five categories of joyful experiences. Implications for future practice, education, and research are included.     

Health Care Reform and the Behavioral Health Workforce

Health care reform will increase the number of individuals who have access to substance abuse services. This impending influx of consumers has the potential of overwhelming the service capacity of providers within the field. Provisions included in the reform legislation might fall short of their intended goal to expand the number of service providers needed to deliver services. This article discusses unmet treatment need in the United States, the current numbers of service providers, and provisions within the reform legislation to increase the labor force. Recommendations are set forth that could help expand the number of providers in the field.     

An Alternative Approach to Dietary Exposure Assessment

The method of dietary exposure assessment currently used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Dietary Residue Evaluation System (DRES), combines a consumption distribution derived from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1977-1978 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey (NFCS) with a single estimate of residue level. The National Academy of Sciences'¹' recommended that EPA incorporate both the distribution of residues and the distribution of consumption into their exposure assessment methodology and proposed using a Monte Carlo approach. This paper presents an alternative method, the Joint Distributional Analysis (JDA), that combines the consumption and residue distributions, without relying on random sampling or fitting theoretical distributions like the Monte Carlo method. This method permits simultaneous analysis of the entire diet, including assessing exposure from residues in different foods.