A matching prior based on the modified profile likelihood in a generalized Weibull stress‐strength model

Bayesian inference of a generalized Weibull stress‐strength model (SSM) with more than one strength component is considered. For this problem, properly assigning priors for the reliabilities is challenging due to the presence of nuisance parameters. Matching priors, which are priors matching the posterior probabilities of certain regions with their frequentist coverage probabilities, are commonly used but difficult to derive in this problem. Instead, we apply an alternative method and derive a matching prior based on a modification of the profile likelihood. Simulation studies show that this proposed prior performs well in terms of frequentist coverage and estimation even when the sample sizes are minimal. The prior is applied to two real datasets. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 41: 83–97; 2013 © 2012 Statistical Society of Canada     

The Harris Extended Exponential Distribution

A new lifetime distribution is proposed and studied. The Harris extended exponential is obtained from a mixture of the exponential and Harris distributions, which arises from a branching process. Several structural properties of the new distribution are discussed, including moments, generating function and order statistics. The new distribution can model data with increasing or decreasing failure rate. The shape of the hazard rate function is controlled by one of the added parameters in an uncomplicated manner. An application to a real dataset illustrates the usefulness of the new distribution.     

Significance levels for use in the analysis of combination drug trials

Proof of efficacy of fixed combination drugs under current guidelines requires that the combination be statistically significantly superior to each component and that, to insure model validity, each component be statistically significantly superior to a placebo. Simulations indicate that if each of these four tests is performed at a significance level of 0,05 then the actual test of effectiveness of the fixed combination drug is done at a significance level that can be as small as 0.0001. This would seem to be excessively conservative. Further simulations indicate that significance levels of approximately 0,10 to 0.20 should be employed for all tests except in unusual circumstances.     

Attitudes of mental health professionals about changing ages of legal majority

Questionnaires were sent to mental health professionals surveying their attitudes toward legal age limits which govern the rights of the young to make decisions for themselves. Inquiries were also made about respondents' opinions of the impact that increasing those rights might have on their professional interactions with young people. Responses were received from 69 predominantly young professionals and reflected a fairly libertarian outlook toward the rights of minors. Discussion emphasized the value of consulting with mental health professionals who work with children when shaping and interpreting new standards of autonomous decision making.     

Bivariate control charts for testing x data patterns

A new control chart, called the θ chart, for monitoring the mean of a process with bivariate quality characteristics is proposed. It can identify a rotation, shift or alternation between the subgroups of the process mean. The conventional application of X² chart to identify a sudden shift of the process mean is also expanded to identify a change of the process mean or a change of the process dispersion. Furthermore, when used together, the θ and X² charts could provide further insight into the process.     

“3＋X”下政治教学模式探索

"3 X"提出了新的高考模式及其命题指导思想的转变,给思想政治课教学带来新的机遇和挑战.本文探讨如何适应现代教学体制,更加有效地组织好本学科教学,促进学生全面发展,培养学生的创新意识和实践能力,提高综合素质.     

Protectionism: Old wine in new bottles

This paper addresses some new types of arguments that have recently arisen in defense of protectionism in developing and developing countries. The new sources of protectionism in developing countries discussed are: (1) recession-debt-crisis costs; (2) protection in the world economy; (3) wages and labor markets; (4) political requirements. The new arguments for protectionism in developed countries discussed are: (1) shift to the service economy; (2) defense; (3) threat of protection to induce foreign investment.     

Job stressors,coping, and psychological distress among Japanese employees: Interplay between active and non-active coping

In this study the sole and the combined effects of active and non-active forms of coping on psychological distress across various kinds of job stressors were examined. Data on job stressors, coping and psychological distress were obtained from 4487 male employees of a research institute in the automobile industry in Japan (mean age=36.27 years, SD = 7.43). A hierarchical moderated multiple regression analysis was conducted to estimate and test the significance of the main effects and their interactions. The results show that although active coping was effective in decreasing psychological distress regardless of the type of job stressor, the effectiveness was weaker in situations that require effortful coping, such as role ambiguity and insufficient authority. Furthermore, the effectiveness of active coping was influenced by the other strategies, especially in effortful coping situations. While distancing or seeking social support improved the effectiveness, restraint coping reduced it. These results suggest that the type of non-active coping that individuals combine with active coping can be critical in determining health outcomes in more complex and effortful coping situations. Consideration of the coping combinations, not merely the situational context, is important in explaining how the work environment influences employees' psychological distress.