Estimating Vessel Efficiency Using a Bootstrapped Data Envelopment Analysis Model

Technical efficiency, which measures how well a firm transforms inputs into outputs, gives fishery managers important information concerning the economic status of the fishing fleet and how regulations may be impacting vessel profitability. Data envelopment analysis (DEA), and the stochastic production frontier (SPF) have emerged as preferred methods to estimate efficiency in fisheries. Although each of the approaches has strengths and weaknesses, DEA has often been criticized because it is "deterministic" and fails to account for noise in the data. This paper presents a method for examining the underlying statistical structure of DEA models using bootstrap methods and readily available software. The approach is then applied to a case study of the U.S. mid-Atlantic sea scallop dredge fleet. Results show that the 95% confidence interval for technically efficient output is well above the maximum sustained yield (MSY) level of output.Bootstrap methods, data envelopment analysis, technical efficiency., Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, C44, Q22,

A queueing model of pilot decision making in a multi-task flight management situation

Allocation of decision making responsibility between pilot and computer is considered and a flight management task, designed for the study of pilot-computer interaction, is discussed. A queueing theory model of pilot decision making in this multi-task, control and monitoring situation is presented. An experimental investigation of pilot decision making and the resulting model parameters are discussed

Clinical relevance and treatment possibilities of bipolar rapid cycling

Bipolar rapid cycling (RC) is defined as 4 or more affective episodes within 1 year. It has been postulated that RC is related to a poor response to lithium, to the same extent as mixed episodes or other atypical symptoms of the illness. This article reviews the current status of alternative pharmacological or otherwise supportive therapies of RC. Biological parameters and characteristics of the illness associated with RC like gender prevalence in women, hyperthyroid ism, catecholamine-O-methyltransferase allele, the influence of sleep, different subtypes of bipolar disorder and the risk of antidepressant-induced cycling will be discussed in detail. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

Pilot interaction with automated airborne decision making systems

An investigation was made of interaction between a human pilot and automated on-board decision making systems. Research was initiated on the topic of pilot problem solving in automated and semi-automated flight management systems and attempts were made to develop a model of human decision making in a multi-task situation. A study was made of allocation of responsibility between human and computer, and discussed were various pilot performance parameters with varying degrees of automation. Optimal allocation of responsibility between human and computer was considered and some theoretical results found in the literature were presented. The pilot as a problem solver was discussed. Finally the design of displays, controls, procedures, and computer aids for problem solving tasks in automated and semi-automated systems was considered

The Stanley Foundation Bipolar Network: Results of the naturalistic follow-up study after 2.5 years of follow-up in the German centres

The Stanley Foundation Bipolar Network (SFBN) is an international, multisite network investigating the characteristics and course of bipolar disorder. Methods (history, ratings and longitudinal follow-up) are standardized and equally applied in all 7 centres. This article describes demographics and illness characteristics of the first 152 German patients enrolled in them SFBN as well as the results of 2.5 years of follow-up. Patients in Germany were usually enrolled after hospitalisation. More than 72% of the study population suffered from bipolar I disorder and 25% from bipolar 11 disorder. The mean +/- SD age of the study participants was 42.08 +/- 13.5 years, and the mean SD age of onset 24.44 +/- 10.9 years. More than 40% of the sample reported a rapid-cycling course in history, and even more a cycle acceleration overtime. 37% attempted suicide at least once. 36% had an additional Axis I disorder, with alcohol abuse being the most common one, followed by anxiety disorders. During the follow-up period, only 27% remained stable, 56% had a recurrence, 12.8% perceived subsyndromal symptoms despite treatment and regular visits. 27% suffered from a rapid-cycling course during the follow-up period. Recurrences were significantly associated with bipolar I disorder, an additional comorbid Axis I disorder, rapid cycling in history, a higher number of mood stabilizers and the long-term use of typical antipsychotics. Rapid cycling during follow-up was only associated with a rapidcycling course in history, a higher number of mood stabilizers and at least one suicide attempt in history. Copyright (c) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

Aboriginal People ‘Talking Back’ to Policy in Rural Australia

How does a geographically remote Australian Aboriginal community ensure that culturally and locally important priorities are recognised in policy? This paper discusses a case study of Indigenous community engagement in policy making, revealing some of the challenges community leaders face and the strategies they implement in their struggle for a strong say and hand in designing appropriate policy responses to local problems. The case study community is Walgett, a remote New South Wales community with a large Aboriginal population, distinguished in history for its part in the 1965 Freedom Ride which highlighted racial segregation and discrimination across outback Australia. Today Walgett ranks as one of Australia’s most disadvantaged communities (Vinson, 2007), and hence was chosen as one of 29 priority remote Aboriginal communities to be the focus of the Australian Government’s Remote Service Delivery commitment, part of the Closing the Gap agenda

On the effect of current pulses on the material behavior during electromagnetic metal forming

Electromagnetic sheet metal forming (EMF) is an example of a high-speed forming process driven by the dynamics of a coupled electromagnetic-mechanical system. Basic physical processes involved in EMF, such as e.g. inelastic and hardening behavior or inertia, have been considered in previous works [1, 2]. The purpose of the current work is the investigation of temperature development during EMF and a possible reduction in the yield stress due to electric currents. While thermoelastic and viscoplastic effects are well-understood in this context [3], the possible influence of electric currents on dislocation motion, generally referred to as the electro-plastic effect [4, 5], is still an unresolved issue. In agreement with previous works [e.g., 6], it is concluded here that such an effect is at most of second-order and can most likely be safely neglected in the modeling and simulation of industrial EMF

Measurement of the 18Ne(a,p_0)21Na reaction cross section in the burning energy region for X-ray bursts

The 18Ne(a,p)21Na reaction provides one of the main HCNO-breakout routes into the rp-process in X-ray bursts. The 18Ne(a,p_0)21Na reaction cross section has been determined for the first time in the Gamow energy region for peak temperatures T=2GK by measuring its time-reversal reaction 21Na(p,a)18Ne in inverse kinematics. The astrophysical rate for ground-state to ground-state transitions was found to be a factor of 2 lower than Hauser-Feshbach theoretical predictions. Our reduced rate will affect the physical conditions under which breakout from the HCNO cycles occurs via the 18Ne(a,p)21Na reaction.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication on Physical Review Letter

Aplikasi Pengukuran Risiko Transformasi Organisasi (Studi Kasus Pada Perusahaan Telekomunikasi)

. The aim of this study is to perform quantitative risk assessment oforganizational transformation at PT X and develop its risk mitigation. The design ofthis study based on business risk analysis model by Fekete (2000), which are consist 4steps: (1) risk identification; (2) qualitative analysis; (3) quantitative analysis; and (4)risk response. The result of study showed there are significance risks of organizationaltransformation at PT X with the biggest risk level in consecutive order are systemreadiness factor, organization factor, and culture factor