Linearity of regression for the past weak and ordinary records

In this paper we study the property of linearity of backward regression for non-adjacent records. In the case of weak records, a characterization of the geometric distribution is obtained. It also appears that a related characterization for ordinary records does not hold, showing the difference in conditional behaviour between weak and ordinary records.     

A longitudinal study of the relationship between empowerment and burnout among registered and assistant nurses

The relation between empowerment and burnout was investigated using a two-wave and two-variable panel model. A questionnaire was completed on two occasions, one year apart, by 1,356 nurses. The paths in the model were estimated using regression analyses and the following results were obtained: (a) empowerment is a stable state; (b) higher levels of empowerment are related to lower levels of burnout, when empowerment and burnout are studied at the same point in time; (c) higher prior levels of empowerment can be associated with higher later levels of burnout, when empowerment and burnout are studied at different points in time; (d) for assistant nurses, but not for registered nurses, prior higher levels of burnout resulted in lower later levels of empowerment, indicating a reciprocal relation between the two concepts. The results imply that what is a protective factor from a cross-sectional perspective may be a risk factor from a longitudinal perspective.     

Approximation of the Fisher price index by using the Lloyd–Moulton index: Simulation study

The Lloyd–Moulton price index does not make use of current-period expenditure data and, as it is commonly known, it allows us to approximate superlative indices, in particular the Fisher price index. This is a very important property for the inflation measurement and the Consumer Price Index bias calculations. In this article, we verify the utility of the Lloyd–Moulton price index in the Fisher price index approximation. We propose a simple modification of that index which reduces the variation of the estimator of an unknown parameter in this index formula. We also examine the influence of the price volatility on the quality of estimation of the parameter from the Lloyd–Moulton formula.     

Bounds for the expected value of the stochastic Divisia's price index

In this article, we estimate bounds for the expected value of the stochastic Divisia's price index, that is, we assume that prices and quantities of the given commodities are stochastic processes with continuous time. We consider some special case of the stochastic model in which prices and quantities are described by the geometric Brownian motion. It is shown that the precision of this estimation depends rather on the volatility of prices than quantities volatilities.     

Sample Heterogeneity and the Measurement Structure of the Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale

Several measurement assumptions were examined with the goal of assessing the validity of the Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS), a measure of adolescents’ satisfaction with their family, friends, living environment, school, self, and general quality of life. The data were obtained via a cross-sectional survey of 8,225 adolescents in British Columbia, Canada. Confirmatory factor and factor mixture analyses of ordinal data were used to examine the measurement assumptions. The adolescents did not respond to all the MSLSS items in a psychometrically equivalent manner. A correlated five-factor model for an abridged version of the MSLSS resulted in good fit when all negatively worded items and several positively worded items (the least invariant) were excluded. The abridged 18-item version of the MSLSS provides a promising alternative for the measurement of five life domains that are pertinent to adolescents’ quality of life.     

Differences in biometry and body condition of the House Sparrow (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Passer domesticus</Emphasis>) in urban and rural population during breeding season

Data collected out of the breeding season suggest that House sparrows (Passer domesticus) from the urban populations are characterized by a smaller body size and poorer body condition compared to birds from rural populations. Considering an urbanized Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) and other potential predators, a new predator-prey dependency is developing that can also be a reason for the House sparrow’s poorer condition. This study was aimed at comparing the multivariate biometrical characteristics and few body condition indices of adult birds from urban and rural populations during the breeding season. It was hypothesized that a higher predation risk during the breeding season concerns mainly males, thus affecting their poorer condition. Most of the condition indices of males were significantly lower in the urban population. Males from the urban populations had lower body mass, shorter tarsus, longer alula, greater Kipp’s distance and higher wing pointedness index in comparison to the birds from rural populations, whereas these differences were not found between females. We suggest that the lower body condition and biometric differences in the analyzed birds are a means of adapting to the new predator-prey scheme in accordance to the tradeoff theory between starvation and predation risks. A lower condition of birds in poor foraging urban habitats and higher predation risk may be indicative of a declining population.     

Approximation of the Fisher price index by using Lowe,Young, and AG Mean indices

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) approximates changes in the costs of household consumption assuming the constant utility (COLI, Cost of Living Index). In practice, the Laspeyres price index is used to measure the CPI despite the fact that many economists consider the superlative indices to be the best approximation of COLI. The Fisher index is one of the superlative indices and additionally it satisfies most of tests from the axiomatic price index theory. Nevertheless, the Fisher price index makes use of current-period expenditure data and its usefulness in CPI measurement is limited. In this article, we verify the utility of using the Lowe, Young, and AG Mean indices for Fisher price index approximation. We confirm this utility in a simulation study and we provide an empirical proof.     

Barriers in Access to the Treatment for People with Gambling Disorders. Are They Different from Those Experienced by People with Alcohol and/or Drug Dependence?

A prevalence of gambling disorders is diversified depending on the region of the world. Almost three quarters of pathological gamblers had never sought a professional treatment as well as an assistance in self-help groups. Reasons why they do not initiate a treatment are complex. The aim of the article is to compare barriers to the treatment for people with gambling disorders found in presented study and barriers to alcohol and drug treatment identified in the available literature. The semi structured interviews were applied and conducted with people with gambling disorders, social workers, therapists employed in the addiction treatment facilities, General Practitioners and psychiatrists. Selection of the respondents was based on purposive sampling. In total, 90 interviews were completed. Respondents identified individual barriers as well as structural ones. Individual barriers include internal resistance and a fear of the treatment. In turn structural barriers apply to the organization of the therapy, infrastructure, personnel, and the therapeutic program. A comparison of barriers experienced by people with gambling disorders and substance use disorders showed that they are largely similar, but people with gambling disorders also experience specific barriers. Empirical studies focused specifically on treatment needs of people experiencing gambling disorders may improve an offer of help for them. More adequate treatment options could contribute to the increasing in the number of people who start the treatment. It can result in improving their quality of life and may have positive impact on public health.     

Comparison of elementary price indices

Abstract

Most countries use the Dutot, Jevons or Carli index for the calculation of their Consumer Price Index (CPI) at the lowest (elementary) level of aggregation. The choice of the elementary formula for inflation measurement does matter and the effect of the change of the index formula was estimated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It has been shown that difference between elementary indices can be explained in terms of changes in price dispersion. In this article, we extend these results comparing both population and sample elementary indices. We assume that prices from two compared time moments are log-normally distributed and correlated. Under the above-mentioned assumption, we provide formulas for biases and mean-squared errors of main elementary indices.