Predictors of aggression among Palestinians in Israel and Gaza: Happiness,need to belong,and self-control

The present study examined a strong need for belonging (sensitivity to social rejection) as a risk factor and happiness and self-control skills as protective factors in predicting peer-directed aggression among 292 Israeli Palestinian Arab adolescents and 398 Gazan Palestinian Arab adolescents of similar ages (mean ~ 14 years). Findings demonstrated that the two Palestinian groups showed similar aggression rates, but Israeli Palestinians revealed higher self-control, higher happiness, and higher need for belonging than their Gazan peers. Moreover, each of the three predictors, separately, was significantly linked to aggression for the Israelis but not for the Gazans. Possible explanations are discussed related to sex, cultural differences, and life conditions.     

Adjusting ROC curves for covariates in the presence of verification bias

The ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve is frequently used for describing effectiveness of a diagnostic marker or test. Classical estimation of the ROC curve uses independent identically distributed samples taken randomly from the healthy and diseased populations. Frequently not all subjects undergo a definitive gold standard assessment of disease status (verification). Estimation of the ROC curve based on data only from subjects with verified disease status may be badly biased (verification bias). In this work we investigate the properties of the doubly robust (DR) method for estimating the ROC curve adjusted for covariates (ROC regression) under verification bias. We develop the estimator's asymptotic distribution and examine its finite sample size properties via a simulation study. We apply this procedure to fingerstick postprandial blood glucose measurement data adjusting for age.     

Estimates of mortality from infant mortality rates

Estimates of mortality rates and expectation of life at birth, using infant mortality rates, are examined on the basis of 150 life tables for both sexes. Least squares linear estimates are given as well as estimates of their variances. Model life table calculations, as proposed by the U.N. Population Branch, are then compared with these unbiased minimum variance estimates and shown to overestimate the expectation of life by more than two years on the average, and to be at most 68% efficient. Though better estimates are provided in this paper, their variance is still so large as to cast doubt on the practical usefulness of anv estimates based exclusively on infant mortality rates.     

Sales territory alignment for sparse accounts

A sales territory alignment problem for sparse accounts where travel time is a major component of the salesman's worktime is presented and analyzed. The objective is to minimize total driving distance of salesmen while equalizing driving distance between salesmen. A mixed integer programming formulation and an interactive heuristic algorithm in the context of a practical application are discussed.     

Children's drawings as a self-report measurement

The present exploratory paper addresses school-aged children's assessments of treatment outcomes using drawing as a self-report measure with usefulness for assessment and therapy. The process of using drawing in therapy can provide information on how a particular child perceives and conceives his or her own world. Examples are presented of drawings by three children with oppositional defiant disorder aged 10–11 years who participated in group intervention aiming to reduce aggressive behaviour. All three were asked to draw themselves twice on the same day at the end of treatment: (1) a retrospective drawing of themselves as they had been at the beginning of intervention; and (2) a drawing of themselves as they were now, after intervention. Children then described what they had drawn, revealing the change they perceived. Drawing as a self-report measure added information regarding: the child's ability for self-awareness; the link between thoughts, emotions and behaviours; and the process of change.     

Youth leadership program for changing self-image and attitude toward people with disabilities

Society has a negative attitude toward people with intellectual disabilities or psychiatric disabilities. It is well documented that they are subjected to prejudice, stigma, and negative attitudes (Di Giulio, 2003 ; Finger, 1994 ). Professional literature indicates that information about disabilities and encounters with persons with disabilities can change negative attitudes (Carter, Hughes, Copeland, & Breen, 2001 ; Krajewski & Flaherty, 2000 ). This study accompanied 164 9th-grade students from various junior high schools throughout Israel. Half of the students participated in an integration program for changing attitudes toward persons with disabilities, and the other half served as the control group. The research examined the existence and the degree of relationship between participation in the program, changes in attitudes toward people with disabilities, and self-image. The research findings pointed to a positive change in attitudes of the participants of the program in comparison with the control group, resulting mainly from personal contact with people with disabilities. No relationship was found between levels of self-image of the research group and attitudes toward people with disabilities.     

On the invariance of accounting principles to business models: a discussion of the Singleton-Green and Page articles

Let me first begin by saying that I agree in general with Brian’s proposition that the theory of the firm provides insights into requisite financial reporting systems. I also agree with Mike’s characterization of business models as diverse, subjective, and mostly aspirational and if I may add, essentially vacuous. I disagree with the notion that financial reporting and recognition and measurement principles should be tailored to business models. Rather, I shall make the argument that recognition and measurement principles should be invariant to diverse business models. Indeed, the theory of the firm would suggest universal recognition and measurement principles that apply independently of the business models. The role of business models, I contend, is to facilitate proper quantifications—the required output of applying the universal recognition and measurement principles.