A Place for Every Tool and Every Tool in Its Place: Cognitive Integrative Perspective for Coherence on the New Frontier of Mind and Body Practice

There is currently a growing research and clinical knowledge base regarding the application of Eastern traditions, especially mindfulness and other forms of meditation, to direct practice. As we incorporate new tools for intervention into our toolkit, it is important to expand our theoretical framework so that we can know when to utilize these tools, how their mechanism fits with the tools we already have, and what kinds of change or outcomes we should expect from utilizing them. These new tools are powerful across many experiences of distress, but clear guidelines are necessary to maximize their benefit. Berlin’s cognitive-integrative perspective provides a framework that allows for reflective understanding and application of mind/body/spirit that is consistent with social work values and what we currently know about the underlying science of mind. Using concrete examples from direct practice, this paper will lay out the framework that is consonant with Siegel’s interpersonal neurobiology, discussed in this volume, and also firmly rooted in the person-in-environment perspective that is characteristic of social work.     

A Lagrangian Non Central Negative Binomial Distribution of the First Kind

A Lagrangian probability distribution of the first kind is proposed. Its probability mass function is expressed in terms of generalized Laguerre polynomials or, equivalently, a generalized hypergeometric function. The distribution may also be formulated as a Charlier series distribution generalized by the generalizing Consul distribution and a non central negative binomial distribution generalized by the generalizing Geeta distribution. This article studies formulation and properties of the distribution such as mixture, dispersion, recursive formulas, conditional distribution and the relationship with queuing theory. Two illustrative examples of application to fitting are given.     

The Physical Housing Environment and Subjective Well-Being Among Older People Using Long-Term Care Services in Japan

Abstract

For older people using long-term care services, the conditions of their life-space may be critical. The relationships between the physical housing environment and aspects of health were examined among older people in Japan (aged 65+ years, N?=?1,928) by multivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Lack of safety, low access to emergency assistance, low or high indoor temperature, poor sanitary conditions, and state of home disrepair were significantly associated with negative aspects of health among people with low activities of daily living (ADL) independence. Home care service providers and policymakers need to consider the importance of appropriate environmental conditions for the most vulnerable groups.     

The Information Geometric Structure of Generalized Empirical Likelihood Estimators

The generalized empirical likelihood (GEL) method produces a class of estimators of parameters defined via general estimating equations. This class includes several important estimators, such as empirical likelihood (EL), exponential tilting (ET), and continuous updating estimators (CUE). We examine the information geometric structure of GEL estimators. We introduce a class of estimators closely related to the class of minimum divergence (MD) estimators and show that there is a one-to-one correspondence between this class and the class GEL.     

Kin-related social organization in a winter population of the voleClethrionomys rufocanus

Kinship amongClethrionomys rufocanus was investigated during the winter of 1992/93 in a 3-ha enclosure using both molecular and catch-mark-release techniques. Forty-six adult voles (22 males and 24 females) having high heterozygosities, which were collected from several natural populations, were released into the enclosure on 29 September 1992. Most fall-born individuals of both sexes stayed in their natal site during the non-breeding period (December–March), although reproductively active females dispersed during the fall breeding season (October–November). These philopatric individuals aggregated and formed an maternal family in the winter. Several females which failed to reproduce were solitary during this season. Some individuals which were derived from several families also aggregated into a mixed lineage group. Survival rate of fall-born voles from earlier litters was higher than that from later ones. Maternal families broke up soon after the onset of spring reproduction. Most females established a territory near the wintering site and made a kincluster, in which close relatives neighbored each other. Maternal families in winter bring about female kin-clusters in spring, which may influence reproductive output in the breeding season.     

Properties of Lagrangian distributions

Abstract

Lagrange’s expansion is the power series expansion of the inverse function of an analytic function, and it leads to general Lagrangian distributions of the first kind as well as of the second kind. We present some theorems in which different sets of two analytic functions provide a Lagrangian distribution. Potential applicability of the theorem to tandem queueing process is studied.     

Convolution of Binomial and Negative Binomial Variables

This paper considers a distribution formed by convolution of binomial and negative binomial variables. The distribution has the flexibility to adapt to the model under, equi, and over dispersion. Some properties of the proposed distribution are discussed, including characterization. Three stochastic processes leading to the distribution are also considered: (1) a three-dimensional random walk; (2) a birth, death, and immigration process; and (3) a thinned stochastic process.     

Social organization of the voleClethrionomys rufocanus and its demographic and genetic consequences: A review

Recent findings on the relationship between social interaction and demographic process in the gray-sided voleClethrionomys rufocanus are reviewed with reference to the findings in other microtine rodents. Social behavior was particularly focused on spacing and dispersal, and their effects on population dynamics are discussed. Female territoriality can limit a population abundance as a density-dependent factor, although its regulatory effect is controversial. Female philopatry and male-biased dispersal should bring about the clumped distribution of female relatives and genetically random distribution of males during the breeding season. The sexual difference in dispersal patterns can contribute to the mating behavior of the vole; promiscuous mating and low frequency of incestuous mating. However, effects of social structure, including kinship, on reproduction and survival of individuals still remains to be clarified. Molecular markers may help to solve these issues and provide new field of population ecology in microtine rodents.     

CAN GUEST WORKERS SOLVE JAPAN'S FISCAL PROBLEMS?

The labor force in Japan is projected to fall from 64 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2100, signaling unprecedented tax/transfer adjustments to achieve fiscal sustainability. In this paper, we develop a quantitative overlapping generations model to measure the impact of guest worker programs in Japan. Against a baseline general equilibrium transition in which the consumption tax adjusts to achieve fiscal sustainability, we compute alternative transitions with guest worker programs. Depending on the size and skill distribution of guest workers, these programs may mitigate Japan's fiscal imbalance problem with a relatively manageable increase in the consumption tax. (JEL E2, E6, H5, J11, J15)