Fitting probability forecasting models by scoring rules and maximum likelihood

Probability forecasting models can be estimated using weighted score functions that (by definition) capture the performance of the estimated probabilities relative to arbitrary “baseline” probability assessments, such as those produced by another model, by a bookmaker or betting market, or by a human probability assessor. Maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) is interpretable as just one such method of optimum score estimation. We find that when MLE-based probabilities are themselves treated as the baseline, forecasting models estimated by optimizing any of the proven families of power and pseudospherical economic score functions yield the very same probabilities as MLE. The finding that probabilities estimated by optimum score estimation respond to MLE-baseline probabilities by mimicking them supports reliance on MLE as the default form of optimum score estimation.     

An instrumental case study examining the introduction and dissemination of the Baby Friendly Health Initiative in Australia: Participants’ perspectives

Background

Australia experiences high breastfeeding initiation but low duration rates. UNICEF introduced the global breastfeeding strategy, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, to Australia in 1992, transferring governance to the Australian College of Midwives (ACM) in 1995. In 2017 23% of facilities were registered as ‘baby-friendly’ accredited.

Field Placement and the Impact of Financial Stress on Social Work and Human Service Students

While significant research has been undertaken exploring the pedagogical benefits of undertaking lengthy social work and human services field placements, there has been very little consideration given to the potential financial stress involved for students. This study sought to address this knowledge gap. Research was conducted in 2014 using quantitative and qualitative methods with students and academic and professional staff from six Queensland universities. The findings show a significant relationship between unpaid placements and financial hardship, creating considerable stress for students and at times a compromised placement learning experience. The limited flexibility in requirements from professional bodies and universities for how placements are undertaken has been identified as a key contributor to financial hardship. Addressing the complexities inherent in this issue requires a collaborative effort from multiple stakeholders and should not be regarded as a problem for students to endure and manage.     

Applying a knowledge translation model to the uptake of the Baby Friendly Health Initiative in the Australian health care system

BackgroundThe Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative is a global, evidence-based, public health initiative. The evidence underpinning the Initiative supports practices promoting the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding and encourages women's informed infant feeding decisions. In Australia, where the Initiative is known as the Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) the translation of evidence into practice has not been uniform, as demonstrated by a varying number of maternity facilities in each State and Territory currently accredited as ‘baby friendly’. This variance has persisted regardless of BFHI implementation in Australia gaining ‘in principle’ support at a national and governmental level as well as inclusion in health policy in several states. There are many stakeholders that exert an influence on policy development and health care practices.AimIdentify a theory and model to examine where and how barriers occur in the gap between evidence and practice in the uptake of the BFHI in Australia.ResultsKnowledge translation theory and the research to practice pipeline model are used to examine the identified barriers to BFHI implementation and accreditation in Australia.ConclusionAustralian and international studies have identified similar issues that have either enabled implementation of the BFHI or acted as a barrier. Knowledge translation theory and the research to practice pipeline model is of practical value to examine barriers. Recommendations in the form of specific targeted strategies to facilitate knowledge transfer and supportive practices into the Australian health care system and current midwifery practice are included.     

The Development of Anticipatory Postural Adjustments in Infancy

Efficient voluntary action requires postural adjustments that compensate for potential balance disturbances before they occur. These anticipatory postural adjustments have been widely investigated in adults, but relatively little is known about their development, especially during infancy. This study examined the early development of anticipatory postural activity in support of pulling action while standing. A total of 34 infants between 10 and 17 months were tested. The task required infants to open a cabinet drawer to retrieve toys while a force resisting the pulling action was applied to the drawer. The experiment included between 9 and 13 pulling trials. The force resisting the pull was doubled after the first 4 initial trials and returned again to its original value after another 4 trials. Electromyographic activity from the gastrocnemius and biceps brachii muscles was recorded. The proportion of pulls involving anticipatory activity in the gastrocnemius muscles progressively increased between 10 and 17 months. In addition, infants with considerable experience in opening drawers learned to recruit greater strength of their anticipatory postural adjustments for heavier pulls. Implications for the role of motoric experience in anticipatory postural activity are discussed.     

Elite Perceptions of Poverty and Inequality

The editors open by explaining why they chose to approach thestudy of poverty by examining how national elites perceive it.This was in no way to devalue the experiences or the perceptionsof the poor themselves or their potential roles in reducingpoverty and inequality. On the contrary, the poor know moreabout poverty than elites living in luxury: elites who may beconsidered to be more part of the problem than the solution.The intellectual and practical values of researching poor     

Child protection training for primary health care teams: making a difference?

The role of health professionals in child protection is central to effective interagency working, yet there has been in the past criticism of their contribution to the process and recognized difficulty in engaging some health professionals in relevant training. In 2001 the author, working as Child Protection Adviser for an NHS Trust in Scotland, obtained funding to deliver child protection training to 23 primary health care teams across the region. Participants included those seen as having a key role in child protection and those often overlooked such as clerical and reception staff. Learning outcomes were established in response to the identified needs of the target group, national recommendations and the requirements of the funding body. A number of methods of evaluation, both planned and opportunistic, were used during the 1‐year project. All evaluations indicated that, in the short term, the training had been effective and the learning outcomes had been achieved. Results of an internal audit suggested that the training had resulted in a significant increase in awareness and knowledge. Further audit and evaluation will, however, be required to establish the extent of any lasting changes in practice. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.