2,079 research outputs found
Estimating within-household contact networks from egocentric data
Acute respiratory diseases are transmitted over networks of social contacts.
Large-scale simulation models are used to predict epidemic dynamics and
evaluate the impact of various interventions, but the contact behavior in these
models is based on simplistic and strong assumptions which are not informed by
survey data. These assumptions are also used for estimating transmission
measures such as the basic reproductive number and secondary attack rates.
Development of methodology to infer contact networks from survey data could
improve these models and estimation methods. We contribute to this area by
developing a model of within-household social contacts and using it to analyze
the Belgian POLYMOD data set, which contains detailed diaries of social
contacts in a 24-hour period. We model dependency in contact behavior through a
latent variable indicating which household members are at home. We estimate
age-specific probabilities of being at home and age-specific probabilities of
contact conditional on two members being at home. Our results differ from the
standard random mixing assumption. In addition, we find that the probability
that all members contact each other on a given day is fairly low: 0.49 for
households with two 0--5 year olds and two 19--35 year olds, and 0.36 for
households with two 12--18 year olds and two 36+ year olds. We find higher
contact rates in households with 2--3 members, helping explain the higher
influenza secondary attack rates found in households of this size.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/11-AOAS474 the Annals of
Applied Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aoas/) by the Institute of
Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org
Estimating within-school contact networks to understand influenza transmission
Many epidemic models approximate social contact behavior by assuming random
mixing within mixing groups (e.g., homes, schools and workplaces). The effect
of more realistic social network structure on estimates of epidemic parameters
is an open area of exploration. We develop a detailed statistical model to
estimate the social contact network within a high school using friendship
network data and a survey of contact behavior. Our contact network model
includes classroom structure, longer durations of contacts to friends than
nonfriends and more frequent contacts with friends, based on reports in the
contact survey. We performed simulation studies to explore which network
structures are relevant to influenza transmission. These studies yield two key
findings. First, we found that the friendship network structure important to
the transmission process can be adequately represented by a dyad-independent
exponential random graph model (ERGM). This means that individual-level sampled
data is sufficient to characterize the entire friendship network. Second, we
found that contact behavior was adequately represented by a static rather than
dynamic contact network.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/11-AOAS505 the Annals of
Applied Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aoas/) by the Institute of
Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org
Corporate Racial Responsibility
The 2020 mass protests in response to the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor had a significant impact on American corporations. Several large public companies pledged an estimated $50 billion to advancing racial equity and committed to various initiatives to internally improve diversity, equity, and inclusion. While many applauded corporations’ willingness to engage with racial issues, some considered it further evidence of corporate capitulation to extreme progressivism at shareholders’ expense. Others, while thinking corporate engagement was long overdue, critiqued corporate commitment as insincere.
Drawing on historical evidence surrounding the passage of Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, this Article engages with the debate on corporate “racial” responsibility to demonstrate that corporate engagement on race is not new. Indeed, during the struggle to desegregate public accommodations, corporate social responsibility was invoked to encourage voluntary desegregation and avoid federal intervention. Segregation was good business for some; for others, maintaining white supremacy justified any pecuniary losses.
While this Article argues that corporations have a role to play in achieving racial equity, it cautions against reliance on corporate social responsibility to advance racial equality. Past and current iterations of corporate racial responsibility have often represented a market-fundamentalist, value-extractive approach to racial equity that reifies existing racial hierarchies. By valuing racial equity in terms of its potential profitability, corporate racial responsibility can subordinate human dignity to wealth maximization. This Article argues for a more meaningful corporate racial responsibility that addresses the structures and laws undergirding racial inequities within corporations and our larger society
Effects Of Environmental Uncertainty On Perception Of Information Systems Issues
The current study reports the results of a survey of CEOs and senior information systems managers to examine the relationship between perceived environmental uncertainty (PEU) and IS issues that have appeared repeatedly in MIS Quarterly. Senior Information Systems managers in high-PEU firms ranked a number of issues differently than those in low-PEU firms. Additionally, information systems issues overall are more important on average in high-PEU firms than in low-PEU firms. Also, high PEU results in some issues concerning external information to be deemed more important. A comparison of factor analyses for the two groups indicates firms reporting high levels of PEU view external IS issues differently than those firms with low levels of PEU; external IS issues load on a separate construct for high-PEU firms.  That construct is not found in low-PEU firms
Bioregenerative life support systems for microgravity
NASA's Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) project centers on growing plants and recycling wastes in space. The current version of the biomass production chamber (BPC) uses a hydroponic system for nutrient delivery. To optimize plant growth and conserve system resources, the content of the nutrient solution which feeds the plants must be constantly monitored. The macro-nutrients (greater than ten ppm) in the solution include nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulphur; the micro-nutrients (less than ten ppm) include iron, copper, manganese, zinc, and boron. The goal of this project is to construct a computer-controlled system of ion detectors that will accurately measure the concentrations of several necessary ions in solution. The project focuses on the use of a sensor array to eliminate problems of interference and temperature dependence
A Study of Counselor\u27s Legal Challenges and Their Perceptions of Their Ability to Respond
The authors explore the results of a study that assessed the types and frequency of legal issues encountered by counselors and counselors’ perceptions of their ability to respond to these issues. They also assessed whether the participants’ perceptions were related to practice setting, years of experience, completion of a course in ethics, recent completion of continuing education in ethics or legal issues, state licensure status, certification by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), and highest degree earned. Results demonstrate that counselors feel most prepared to deal with situations encountered most often, but that school counselors do not feel as prepared to face most ethical and legal issues
Does "IT Doesn't Matter" Matter?: A Study Of Innovation And Information Systems Issues
A new analysis of secondary data examines Carr’s controversial Harvard Business Review article of 2003 by considering the relative importance of top information systems issues according to the level of innovation in an industry. Although the majority of the subsequent literature argues that Carr was wrong, our analysis provides evidence suggesting that Carr may have been right
Ethical Considerations for Conducting Cancer Medical Studies: The Tuskegee Study Aftermath
Recruitment of African-Americans, particularly men in clinical and prevention studies, has not been successful and retention is a major challenge. The paper examines the impact of the Tuskegee Study on research in the 21st century and its effect on recruitment of African-Americans into medical studies. A total of 6 focus groups were conducted among male participants diagnosed with prostate cancer to elicit responses regarding factors influencing participation into prospective studies and trials. Sessions were transcribed and analyzed using content analysis. Echoes of the Tuskegee Public Health Study legacy was a major concern voiced by participants throughout the focus group process. Participants recognize the importance and benefit of research, however the potential for unethical practices continue to linger in the minds of participants. Attitudes and beliefs toward research and the stigma associated with the Tuskegee Public Health Study must also be addressed to increase enrollment of African-Americans in medical studies
A Study of Counselors' Legal Challenges and Their Perceptions of Their Ability to Respond
The authors explore the results of a study that assessed the types and frequency of legal issues encountered by counselors and counselors’ perceptions of their ability to respond to these issues. They also assessed whether the participants’ perceptions were related to practice setting, years of experience, completion of a course in ethics, recent completion of continuing education in ethics or legal issues, state licensure status, certification by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), and highest degree earned. Results demonstrate that counselors feel most prepared to deal with situations encountered most often, but that school counselors do not feel as prepared to face most ethical and legal issues
Ariel - Volume 3 Number 1
Editors
Richard J. Bonanno
Robin A. Edwards
Associate Editors
Steven Ager
Stephen Flynn
Tom Williams
Lay-out Editor
Eugenia Miller
Contributing Editors
Michael J. Blecker
Milton Parker
James J. Nocon
Lynne Porter
Editors Emeritus
Delvyn C. Case, Jr.
Paul M. Fernhof
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