Asymptotically optimal progressive censoring plans based on Fisher information

Considering the Fisher information about a single parameter contained in a progressively Type-II censored sample, the problem of optimal progressive censoring plans arises. By introducing the notion of asymptotically optimal designs, we show that right censoring is ‘almost’ optimal for many important distributions including scale families of extreme value, normal, logistic, and Laplace distributions. Moreover, it turns out that for the extreme value distribution right censoring is the only asymptotically optimal one-step censoring scheme.     

Nach dem Betriebsrat

This article explores works council chair persons as “paradoxical leaders”. Over time their role has changed from that of a monitor to a co-designer of the company’s development. The ambivalent position that consultants (Coaches) have regarding works councils is contrasted to the key results of works council research. The management’s constructive interaction with the works council is identified as a central aspect of good leadership. The second part of this article presents the results of a research project on the question as to why works council chair persons leave their positions, as well as which career options they follow afterwards.     

Jury Selection in Child Sex Abuse Trials: A Case Analysis

Child sex abuse cases have been the target of considerable psycho-legal research. The present paper offers an analysis of psychological constructs for jury selection in child sex abuse cases from the defense perspective. The authors specifically delineate general and case-specific jury selection variables. General variables include authoritarianism, dogmatism, need for cognition, pretrial knowledge, and race/socioeconomic status. Case-specific variables include sexual attitudes, homonegativity, juror abuse history, and beliefs about children. The paper also provides a factual background of a representative case, incorporates relevant case law, identifies sources for voir dire and juror questionnaire items, and discusses lessons from the primary author's first experience as a trial consultant for the defense.     

Using arts-based materials to explore the complexities of clinical decision- making in a social work methods course

High-impact educational practices through use of arts-based materials (ABM) enrich student learning by deepening emotional and cognitive understanding of others, providing new perspectives on issues, and engaging students in critical reflection. As a form of multimodal learning, using ABM in the classroom engages students in visual, verbal, nonverbal, and experiential learning, which has been shown to contribute to improved learning outcomes. This article describes a high-impact, whole-minded, project in an MSW clinical practice course that involved ABM. The authors provide recommendations for others who are interested in incorporating high-impact ABM projects into their teaching.     

Changing Forest Service Values and Their Implications for Land Management Decisions Affecting Resource-Dependent Communities1

Abstract Employees of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Forest Service (USFS) are frequently confronted with difficult trade-off decisions in establishing multiple-use priorities that affect rural communities economically dependent on national forests. Although such decisions are often tied to laws and agency policies, in many cases they may also reflect the value orientations of USFS personnel. This study utilizes survey data collected from a nationwide sample of USFS employees to examine value orientations and management priorities across the different levels of USFS line officers. Results indicate sharp differences between established ongoing management practices and the directions these officers believe the agency should be moving, with greater emphasis given to noncommodity uses such as recreation and wildlife rather than timber.     

On a Correction of the Scale MLE for a Two-Parameter Exponential Distribution Under Progressive Type-I Censoring

In this article, we present a corrected version of the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) of the scale parameter with progressively Type-I censored data from a two-parameter exponential distribution. Furthermore, we propose a bias correction of both the location and scale MLE. The properties of the estimates are analyzed by a simulation study which also illustrates the effect of the correction. Moreover, the presented estimators are applied to two data sets. Finally, it is shown that the correction of the scale estimator is also necessary for other distributions with a finite left endpoint of support (e.g., three-parameter Weibull distributions).     

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Birthweight: The Role of Income and Financial Assistance

This paper attempts to explain the differences in birthweight observed between blacks, white Anglos, Chicanos, and other racial and ethnic groups. The analysis focuses on the role of income and financial assistance from relatives and public programs. Using data from the NLS Youth Panel, I construct a causal model of birthweight containing exogenous social and demographic risk factors and intervening proximate determinants of birthweight. A substantial part of the gap in birthweight between white Anglos and other ethnic groups (especially blacks) can be explained by the unfavorable socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the latter. On the other hand, blacks and other minorities smoke less and have other favorable proximate characteristics that depress differences in birthweight. When these proximate determinants are controlled, large ethic differences in birthweight remain unexplained by income and other sociodemographic factors.