An algorithmic approach to construct D-optimal saturated designs for logistic model

In this paper, locally D-optimal saturated designs for a logistic model with one and two continuous input variables have been constructed by modifying the famous Fedorov exchange algorithm. A saturated design not only ensures the minimum number of runs in the design but also simplifies the row exchange computation. The basic idea is to exchange a design point with a point from the design space. The algorithm performs the best row exchange between design points and points form a candidate set representing the design space. Naturally, the resultant designs depend on the candidate set. For gain in precision, intuitively a candidate set with a larger number of points and the low discrepancy is desirable, but it increases the computational cost. Apart from the modification in row exchange computation, we propose implementing the algorithm in two stages. Initially, construct a design with a candidate set of affordable size and then later generate a new candidate set around the points of design searched in the former stage. In order to validate the optimality of constructed designs, we have used the general equivalence theorem. Algorithms for the construction of optimal designs have been implemented by developing suitable codes in R.     

Parameter estimation of Lindley step stress model with independent competing risk under type 1 censoring

Abstract

In literature, Lindley distribution is considered as an alternative to exponential distribution to fit lifetime data. In the present work, a Lindley step-stress model with independent causes of failure is proposed. An algorithm to generate random samples from the proposed model under type 1 censoring scheme is developed. Point and interval estimation of the model parameters is carried out using maximum likelihood method and percentile bootstrap approach. To understand the effectiveness of the resulting estimates, numerical illustration is provided based on simulated and real-life data sets.     

Rewriting dominant narratives of the academy: women faculty of color and identity management

Drawing on Delgado and Yosso’s counterstory, Yosso’s community cultural wealth, and Alsup’s borderland discourses, the authors, who are women of color academics, use narratives from their lives to discuss the ways in which they draw on resources in managing and reconfiguring their multiple identities within the academy. These include identities of scholars, mentors, teachers, community members, mothers, and partners. They suggest that rather than merely being socialized into cultural reproduction, as much of the literature oriented toward women of color advises them to do in order to become successful, they seek to actually engage in transforming their roles and that of the academy by consciously and repeatedly making present and visible facets of identity that have previously been more-or-less absent in higher education. By presenting these counter-narratives the authors attempt to engage with ways of self-positioning that are, especially for women of color in academia, not frequently discussed or presented.     

Family,marital, and occupational satisfaction for recovering pathological gamblers

This paper describes the efforts of a private gambling treatment program to conduct a retrospective study of pathological gamblers treated in a publicly supported residential program. The Johns Hopkins Center for Pathological Gambling treated approximately 100 pathological gamblers nationwide from 1979 to 1983 in its residential component. Twenty-six gamblers were assessed regarding their recovery status with specific focus on family, marital status and occupational satisfaction. It was hypothesized that the more satisfied patients would display lower frequencies of gambling and that gambling frequency was dependent upon the level of satisfaction. Thirty-one percent of these gamblers reported abstinence. Regression analyses indicated that the recovery of pathological gamblers as measured by frequency of gambling is significantly influenced by job satisfaction, and moderately influenced by marital status and family life satisfaction. Consequently, these factors should be addressed by mental health professionals in research and treatment of pathological gambling.     

Reflective Practices for Engaging in Trauma-Informed Culturally Competent Supervision

ABSTRACT

Race, ethnicity, and culture are critical components that affect and shape the supervisory relationship, yet literature about ways to acknowledge and actively engage them from a trauma-informed approach has been limited. To enhance the discussion of this issue, this article first reviews leading theoretical aspects of supervision designed to train practitioners in the field of mental health, followed by a discussion of race, ethnicity, and culture in supervision and, finally, provides reflective practices for engaging in trauma-informed culturally competent supervision.     

Minimally changed run sequences in factorial experiments

Randomization of run sequences in factorial experiments may result in large number of changes in factor levels which will make the experimentation expensive, time-consuming and difficult. Experiments in which it is difficult to change the levels of factor(s) use of minimally changed run sequences may often be preferable to a random run sequence. In the present paper, we have developed method for obtaining minimally changed run sequences for factorial experiments. The general expression of factor-wise number of level changes for the developed minimally changed run sequences has also been obtained. A relationship has been established between the time count effect of a lower order factorial with minimally changed run sequences and that of a higher order factorial with minimally changed run sequences obtained through the lower order minimally changed run sequences. For providing a readymade solution to the end users, a SAS macro has also been developed for generating these minimally changed run sequences along with its parameters.     

Optimal Block Designs With Interference Effects From Neighboring Units Under a Non Additive Model

Here, the optimality of block design with interference effect from neighboring unit under a general non additive model is investigated, which allows for the presence of interactions among the treatments applied in the adjacent plots. A non additive model with interference × direct effects of treatments is considered as these effects contribute significantly to the response. A class of complete block designs balanced for interference effects from left neighboring unit is shown to be universally optimal for the estimation of direct and interference effects of treatments and two such series of designs have been constructed. Furthermore, considering direct treatment × block non additivity with interference effects, the optimality is studied and the optimal designs are obtained.     

Optimal block designs with non additive mixed effects interference

This paper deals with optimality aspects of block designs balanced for interference effects from neighboring units on both sides under a general non additive model along with random block effects. Here, a class of complete, circular block designs strongly balanced for interference effects has been shown to be universally optimal for the estimation of direct effects and interference effects (left and right) of treatments under a non additive mixed effects model.     

Critical Analysis of the Relationship between Local Ownership and Community Resiliency*

Abstract Collectively, current resource‐development literature has given little attention to organizational features of ownership as important variables in community resilience. By drawing from six local buyout cases in Canada's forest sector, we reveal the complexity and numerous constraints on local ownership and expose a more nuanced context than most sociologists tend to consider. Our findings suggest that the meaning of local ownership and community resilience varies depending upon the composition (e.g., private vs. public; mill vs. forest license vs. coupled mill & forest license), type (social, cooperative, trust and/or direct‐share ownership), extent of ownership (percentage of local versus extra‐local shares), and the level of control (e.g., proportion of locally held seats on the Board of Directors) associated with ownership. Future research on local ownership should more carefully differentiate between the nature of local ownership and its associated outcomes.     

Trends and challenges of developing human capital in India

With the population touching 1.2 billion, half of which is around 25 years of age, India is set to be among one of the top countries for human capital in the next two decades. While the country has been making rapid progress economically, human capital additions may remain marginal and may not keep up with the pace of economic growth unless accompanied by planned development of manpower. The Indian corporate sector was the first to start a dedicated HR function 30 years ago and the nation was the first to have a Ministry of HRD 20 years ago. Despite the early start, the last two to three decades have provided a mixed bag of experiences and expectations. Conservative HRD policies have not helped India's skill base to develop at the same rate as economic progress. An inadequate research base and the low quality of people entering the HR profession have prevented corporate HRD from becoming more productive than it is now. A lot of attention is directed towards recruitment, retention and compensation strategies rather than to talent multiplication. At the same time, innovative leaders and chief executive officers (CEOs) who have taken up the mantle of HR have made a mark. The future of human capital formation will be bright at the national level if the government makes more intense efforts to build human capital and becomes more innovative and expansive. At the corporate level, the credibility of HR is still suspect as it has not been able to match its steps with those of India's more innovative leaders. Preparation of a new breed of HR professionals combined with education of CEOs in what good HR can do may go a long way in helping Indian HR develop a strong footing.