Competing for tots: operating objectives and characteristics of for-profit and not-for-profit child care centres in the Pacific Northwest

Child care services are provided by profit-oriented businesses, not-forprofit agencies and governmental units. This paper compares goal priorities and operating characteristics of not-for-profit and for-profit child care centres in parts of Canada and the United States. Directors of 292 Pacific Northwest centres responded to a survey about their financial and non-financial operating objectives. The relative rankings of objectives were similar for not-for-profit and for-profit centres, and for centres in both countries. Non-financial objectives were rated higher than financial objectives. Satisfying the developmental and educational needs of children was the single most important operating objective. Providing access to eligible children was the next most important objective, particularly for not-for-profit centres and for those with government-subsidised children. The remaining objectives, in order of importance, were minimising costs, maximising utilisation, maximising revenues and maximising profits. Profit maximisation was ranked low by both not-for-profit and for-profit respondents. Not-for-profit and for-profit centres exhibited differences on a number of operating characteristics, services provided and employee benefits. Such characteristics were found to be associated with auspices (not-for-profit or for-profit) and location (US or Canada). Results suggest that centres operating under both auspices are capable of altruistic behaviour. Differences in motivation between organisational forms were very small. However, variations in operating characteristics and services suggest that the objectives are achieved in dissimilar ways.     

Admissible tests for exponential families with finite support 2

We state some necessary and sufficient conditions for admissibility of tests for a simple and a composite null hypotheses against ”one-sided” alternatives on multivariate exponential distributions with discrete support.

Admissibility of the maximum likelihood test for “one –sided” alternatives and z χ²test for the independence hypothesis in r× scontingency tables is deduced among others.     

Comparison of Robust Estimators of Standard Deviation in Normal Distributions Within the Context of Quality Control

Pitman criterion is used in simulation to determine the “closer” estimator of the standard deviation among selected choices. The initial simulation utilizes a standard normal distribution from which samples are taken of specific sizes. Popular and commonly used estimators of standard deviation are compared with the known population standard deviation in this study. Closeness criterion is calculated for each comparison and sample size. A secondary simulation applies the findings to variables control charts, in order to verify the ability of each estimator to identify out-of-control conditions.     

Computing Probabilities of Type I Error and Type II Error of Sequential Bayesian Procedures for Testing One-Sided Hypotheses

In this article, it is shown how to compute, in an approximated way, probabilities of Type I error and Type II error of sequential Bayesian procedures for testing one-sided null hypotheses. First, some theoretical results are obtained, and then an algorithm is developed for applying these results. The prior predictive density plays a central role in this study.     

Construction of a Frailty Indicator with Partially Ordered Sets: A Multiple-Outcome Proposal Based on Administrative Healthcare Data

Social Indicators Research - Given the progressive aging of Italian and European populations, the number of cases with chronic diseases is steeply increasing. This calls for new strategies for...     

Supporting Traditional African Mediators Project (STAMP) for Family Violence

Supporting Traditional African Mediators Project (STAMP) is a program that has been working with African/Australian community leaders to prevent family violence. This program has been carefully developed through building long‐term relationships, transparency and openness with an emphasis on navigating the intersection of cultures in order to enhance understanding and collaboration around family violence prevention. The training program has successfully engaged both men and women and enhanced participation, cross cultural learning and positive outcomes by creating an open and safe environment. The paper highlights the knowledge gained by participants and project workers and explores the challenges experienced by people who emigrate from other countries when responding to family conflict in an Australian context. It introduces the formation of a support group Marula that has added value and support to Traditional African Mediators in their work to address family violence within their communities.     

Edge lifting and total domination in graphs

Let u and v be vertices of a graph G, such that the distance between u and v is two and x is a common neighbor of u and v. We define the edge lift of uv off x as the process of removing edges ux and vx while adding the edge uv to G. In this paper, we investigate the effect that edge lifting has on the total domination number of a graph. Among other results, we show that there are no trees for which every possible edge lift decreases the total domination number and that there are no trees for which every possible edge lift leaves the total domination number unchanged. Trees for which every possible edge lift increases the total domination number are characterized.