Relaxation of monotone coupling conditions: Poisson approximation and beyond

It is well-known that assumptions of monotonicity in size-bias couplings may be used to prove simple, yet powerful, Poisson approximation results. Here we show how these assumptions may be relaxed, establishing explicit Poisson approximation bounds (depending on the first two moments only) for random variables which satisfy an approximate version of these monotonicity conditions. These are shown to be effective for models where an underlying random variable of interest is contaminated with noise. We also give explicit Poisson approximation bounds for sums of associated or negatively associated random variables. Applications are given to epidemic models, extremes, and random sampling. Finally, we also show how similar techniques may be used to relax the assumptions needed in a Poincar\'e inequality and in a normal approximation result.Comment: 19 page

Evidence-Based Interventions: Improving Influenza Vaccination Rate Among Health Care Workers (HCWs) Targeting Direct Care-Givers

Background: Influenza is a contagious disease affecting over three million people every year. It is associated with yearly seasonal outbreaks which increases the risk of mortality among immune-compromised, hospitalized clients, clients in long-term care facilities and also enhances the risk of infection in healthcare workers (HCWs). Nosocomial infections and employees’ absenteeism are often associated with the flu. A high influenza vaccination rate in health care professionals reduces the risk of influenza infection as well as being a cost- effective strategy to reduce lost work hours. A Joint Commission criterion for accreditation for healthcare facilities is to achieve a 90% or better vaccination rate by 2020. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was, to educate and increase HCWs awareness of the impact of influenza, remove barriers to taking the vaccine, consequently improving vaccination rate. Methods: This project evaluated the impact of a comprehensive educational program guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM), and a leadership-modeled intervention; administering pre and post-questionnaires to a group of HCWswho either worked in acute or long-term care facility or declined the flu vaccine in 2016/17 season. Results/conclusion: There was a 45% increase in vaccination rate in acute and 36.3% increase in LTC among N= 110 participants.Vaccination rate for the organization improved from 66% to 82.2%. Use of education and active leadership support increased HCWs understanding of influenza illness, and removed important barriers that affected decisions to be vaccinated. Keywords: Influenza vaccine, health behaviors, healthcare workers, vaccination rate, hospital

Ferrous Scrap Disposition Strategies: An Analytical Model Of Residual Disposal

Firms which generate ferrous scrap as a by-product of their manufacturing process ( generators ) need to decide how to dispose of their scrap; their options include selling to steel mills, foundries or ferrous scrap processing companies ( processors ). The primary focus of this thesis is an examination of the alternative strategies available to generators.;An analytical framework was tested at twelve sites, with data collection and analysis guided by three research questions and eleven propositions. A range of variables was identified as influencing ferrous scrap disposal strategies which were classified as either drivers, moderators or outcomes; trade-offs among these variables defined the disposal strategies for each of the sites.;The volume driver highlighted the trade-offs in ferrous scrap disposition; three volume groups were observed, each having a distinctly different set of ferrous scrap disposal options. Specifically, volume was found to influence the duration of generator-processor contracts, logistics, the frequency with which generators switched processors, the recovery value received and the level of resources employed in the disposition process.;Although striking differences exist between the three volume groups, the boundaries are indistinct. Characteristics of plants located on the margins demonstrate certain elements of the adjacent group. Contrasts between the volume groups are, therefore, most conspicuous when comparing plants at the midpoints of the three categories.;Cost recovery was found to be the dominant outcome variable. Most of the plants in this study, typically, did not effectively manage the ferrous scrap disposal process, although opportunities exist within each of the volume groups to provide competitive advantages to the firm through effective disposal strategies. Opportunities to develop capabilities in order to pursue additional outcomes, such as cost reduction, were noticeably absent in the medium and low volume groups.;The ferrous scrap disposal network represents an efficient residual management system, applications from which can be applied to other by-products. The research framework developed as part of this study represents a starting point for evaluating plant disposition strategies and an opportunity to apply aspects of a market driven disposal system to other materials

Emerging economy sourcing: Implications of supplier social practices for firm performance

As firms search the world for suppliers that provide the best combination of cost, quality and latest technology, they have been confronted with the challenges of managing the sustainability performance of their global supply chains. Specifically, companies have come under increased scrutiny from various stakeholder groups for the labour and human rights practices of suppliers located in emerging economies. Drawing on the sustainability, supplier relationship management, and stakeholder literature, this research examines the relationship between emerging economy sourcing, the use of purchasing teams, and the impact on enforcement of supplier social practices, and firm financial performance. Using data from a survey and archival sources from a sample of large U.S. firms, findings confirm the mediated role of the use of purchasing teams resulting in better enforcement of supplier social practices and improved firm performance. Findings also provide important implications for supply chain and purchasing executives. While the results of this research demonstrate the performance benefits of sourcing from emerging economies, findings also suggest that organizations should make investments to support capabilities related to enforcement of supplier social practices. Opportunities for future research are also identified

Evaluating Multiple Arthropod Taxa as Indicators of Invertebrate Diversity in Old Fields

Biodiversity, often quantified by species richness, is commonly used to evaluate and monitor the health of ecosystems and as a tool for conservation planning. The use of one or more focal taxa as surrogates or indicators of larger taxonomic diversity can greatly expedite the process of biodiversity measurement. This is especially true when studying diverse and abundant invertebrate fauna. Before indicator taxa are employed, however, research into their suitability as indicators of greater taxonomic diversity in an area is needed. We sampled invertebrate diversity in old fields in southern Michigan using pitfall trapping and morphospecies designations after identification to order or family. Correlation analysis was used to assess species richness relationships between focal arthropod taxa and general invertebrate diversity. Relationships were assessed at two fine spatial scales: within sampling patches, and locally across four sampling patches. Cumulative richness of all assessed taxa increased proportionately with cumulative invertebrate richness as sampling intensity increased within patches. At the among-patch scale, we tentatively identified Hemiptera and Coleoptera as effective indicator taxa of greater invertebrate richness. Although Hymenoptera, Araneae and Diptera exhibited high species richness, their total richness within patches was not associated with overall invertebrate richness among patches. Increased sampling throughout the active season and across a greater number of habitat patches should be conducted before adopting Hemiptera and Coleoptera as definitive indicators of general invertebrate richness in the Great Lakes region. Multiple sampling techniques, in addition to pitfall trapping, should also be added to overcome capture biases associated with each technique