R-squared and prediction in regression with ordered quantitative response

This paper is concerned with the use of regression methods to predict values of a response variable when that variable is naturally ordered. An application to the prediction of student examination performance is provided and it is argued that, although individual scores are unlikely to be well predicted at the extremes of the range using the conditional mean, conditional on covariates, it is possible to usefully predict where an individual is likely to feature in the rank order of performance.     

24/7 SM slavery

This study describes the nature of 24/7 SM slavery as practiced within the SM (sadomasochistic) community. These SM participants, who attempt to live full-time in owner-slave roles, represent a small proportion of those with SM interests. SM slaves have not been studied systematically to determine if and how they differ from other SM practitioners. An online questionnaire was used to obtain responses from individuals who self-identified as slaves. A total of 146 respondents participated, 53% female and 47% male, ranging in age from 18 to 72. We explored the depth of their relationships, how well they approximated "slavery," and how their relationships were structured to maintain distinct roles. Data showed that in long-term SM slave relationships, a power differential exists which extends beyond time-limited SM or sexual interactions. Owners and slaves often use common, daily life experiences or situations, such as the completion of household chores, money management, and morning or evening routines, to distinguish and maintain their respective roles. In addition, contrary to the perception of total submission, results revealed that slaves exercise free will when it is in their best interests to do so. These relationships were long-lasting and satisfying to the respondents.     

Baghdadi Jews in Hong Kong: converting cultural,social and economic capital among three transregional networks

This article is an analysis of the attempts of Baghdadi Jewish traders in Hong Kong in the second half of the nineteenth century to construct and convert cultural, social and economic capital within and between the transregional networks of the Baghdadi diaspora, the Jewish diaspora and the British colonial elite. The analysis of the multiple and multi‐directional intersections between the cultural, social and economic characteristics of the three networks shows that Baghdadi social capital accounted for significant ruptures and disjunctures between the increasing cosmopolitanization, deterritorialization and hybridization of the Baghdadi traders' cultural identities and the definition of Baghdadi cultural capital. An understanding of the role of Baghdadi social capital in accounting for the construction and convertibility of cultural, social and economic capital among these three transregional networks helps to explain the reproduction of social inequalities under increasing conditions of globalization, that is, under conditions that potentially augmented the number of sources defining cultural capital.     

Death by disconnection: the missing public health voice in newspaper coverage of a fuel poverty-related death

Determinants of population health such as fuel poverty (inability to afford adequate household temperatures) are difficult to highlight in the media. In this paper we analyse newspaper reports of the death of a Pacific migrant, Mrs Muliaga, who could not afford her electricity bill, and reflect on using individual cases to highlight the importance of the social determinants of health, such as fuel poverty. We undertook a thematic analysis of 368 articles published in major New Zealand newspapers. Four key themes were identified: personal tragedy, conflicting evidence, institutionalised racism, and responsibility. The on-going focus on the medical status of Mrs Muliaga continued the media trend of highlighting personal behaviours as the root cause of health problems in New Zealand, and justified a medically focused policy response. We argue that public health advocates should consider using media advocacy to make fuel poverty a priority on the policy agenda.     

AN EMPIRICAL EVALUATION OF CONSTANT AND ADAPTIVE COMPUTER FORECASTING MODELS FOR INVENTORY CONTROL

This study compares the performance of one constant model with two adaptive models. MAD and bias were used as criteria for evaluating performance. The results of testing the adaptive models with the constant model were contrary to the expected better performance of the adaptive models; no significant differences were found between the models over known horizontal, trend, and seasonal demand patterns. However, some of the practical advantages of adaptive forecasting models in business suggest their continued use.