WHEN FLEXIBLE FORMS ARE ASKED TO FLEX TOO MUCH

Taylor series-based flexible forms cannot be interpreted as Taylor series approximations unless all data used in estimation lie in a region of convergence. When flexible forms lose their Taylor series interpretation, elasticity estimates will be biased. When the flexible form is a translog, Rotterdam, or AIDS model, the region of convergence is shown to be the entire positive orthant. Regions of convergence associated with quadratic, Leontief, and any flexible form that does not employ logged arguments are smaller and may not encompass the entire data set. Implications for production and demand analyses and experimental design are discussed.Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

A CLASS OF SEPARABILITY FLEXIBLE FUNCTIONAL FORMS

Quadratic flexible forms, such as the translog and generalized Leontief, are separability inflexible. That is, separability restrictions render them inflexible with regard to separable structures. A class functional forms is proposed that is flexible with regard to general production structures and remains flexible regarding weakly separable structures when separability restrictions are imposed, thus permitting tests of the separability hypothesis. Additionally, the restricted forms are parsimonious; that is they contain the minimum number of parameters with which flexibility can be achieved.Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

MIGRANT FARM WORKERS ON VIRGINIA'S EASTERN SHORE: AN ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC IMPACTS

The economic impact of migrant farmworkers on an agriculture-dependent region is investigated. The direct effects of inflows of state and federal dollars for migrant services, and production of high-valued commodities are computed. Indirect and induced effects are modelled through the use of the IMPLAN input output model. Various alternatives to migrant labor are investigated, including production of less labor-intensive crops, acreage retirement, and contract H2A workers. Migrants are found to create substantial economic activity on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.Economic impact, Input-output, Migrant labor, Labor and Human Capital,

Communication And Research Skills In The Information Systems Curriculum: A Method Of Assessment

Assessment of learning goals has become the norm in business programs in higher education across the country.  This paper offers a methodology for the assessment of both communication skills and research skills within a curriculum of the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Program.  Program level learning goals assessed in this paper are: (1) To be able to effectively communicate complex information system and business concepts both orally and in writing, (2)  To be able to do research of the IS literature that will allow life-long learning in the field, and (3) To understand both individual and group dynamics of project teams.   The discussion of each of the three learning goals includes: (1) the assessment methodology, (2) the assessment results and (3) recommendations on how to close-the-loop.&nbsp

Using Relational Database Software To Prepare An Archival Dataset For Importation Into A Statistical Analysis Package

Researchers frequently find that archival data that they need to test their theoretical models must undergo a variety of preparatory steps before the data are ready to be loaded into their favorite statistical analysis package.  Although some powerful software tools and techniques to handle such data preparation do exist and are relatively easy to learn, many researchers remain unaware of them.  The purpose of this paper is to introduce some of these data preparation tools and techniques by use of a hands-on demonstration.  The demonstration begins with data embedded in a Web page and shows how a spreadsheet, a word processor, and the SQL language from a relational database can be used to make the extracted “ready for prime-time.”  The original Web page data for the demonstration can be downloaded from the authors’ web page; the software packages used to prepare the data are MS Excel, MS Word, and MS Access.  Although SPSS is used for the statistical analysis described in the final phase of the process, readers do not have to have this software to benefit from the demonstration.  Any statistical analysis package could be used

Data Preparation 101: How To Use Query-By-Example To Get Your Research Dataset Ready For Primetime

Researchers are often distressed to discover that the data they wanted to use in their landmark study is not configured in a way that is usable by a Statistical Analysis Software Package (SASP). For example, the data needed may come from two or more sources and it may not be clear to the researcher how to get them combined into one analyzable dataset. Fortunately, there is hope. The query facility within database management software (DBMS), such as Microsoft Access, is particularly well-equipped to do the data reconfigurations necessary to get datasets ready for a SASP. Unfortunately, most researchers have either never been exposed to a DBMS or are unaware of the powerful data-transforming queries that they can perform. The purpose of this paper is to introduce researchers to some very helpful and relatively easy to learn techniques for solving common dataset misconfiguration problems. It is presented in three sets of hands-on examples: (1) how to import a dataset from an electronic spreadsheet into a database table, (2) how to use an easy-to-learn DBMS facility called Query-By-Example (QBE) to perform specific data reconfiguration tasks, and (3) how to import the reconfigured dataset from the DBMS into a SASP. The software used is MS Excel, MS Access, and SPSS (originally called Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). The examples are presented step-by-step so that the reader can follow along using files downloadable from the authors websit

A Conformational Switch in the Active Site of BT_2972, a Methyltransferase from an Antibiotic Resistant Pathogen B. thetaiotaomicron

Methylation is one of the most common biochemical reactions involved in cellular and metabolic functions and is catalysed by the action of methyltransferases. Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron is an antibiotic-resistant bacterium that confers resistance through methylation, and as yet, there is no report on the structure of methyltransferases from this bacterium. Here, we report the crystal structure of an AdoMet-dependent methyltransferase, BT_2972 and its complex with AdoMet and AdoHcy for B. thetaiotaomicron VPI-5482 strain along with isothermal titration calorimetric assessment of the binding affinities. Comparison of the apo and complexed BT_2972 structures reveals a significant conformational change between open and closed forms of the active site that presumably regulates the association with cofactors and may aid interaction with substrate. Together, our analysis suggests that BT_2972 is a small molecule methyltransferase and might catalyze two O-methylation reaction steps involved in the ubiquinone biosynthesis pathway

The Experiences of Practice Educator Facilitators and Academics Supporting Adult Nursing Students Completing a Paid Placement During the COVID-19

The first phase of the COVID-19 global pandemic had a significant impact on nursing students studying in the United Kingdom, heralding changes to every aspect of their lives. Practice Education Facilitators (PEFs) and academics had to respond quickly and work in close collaboration with their wider system partners, Health Education England (HEE) and the Department of Health (DH). Changes in emergency measures implemented by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) provided nursing students in their final six months of study with the opportunity of completing a paid placement. The objectives of this study were to explore the experiences of academics and PEFs supporting the nursing students and to identify examples of good practice. A phenomenological approach was used seeking to understand the lived experience of PEFs and academics within one case study site. A purposeful sample of ten participants was chosen using semi-structured interviews and focus groups to collect the data via a virtual platform. The results highlighted three themes: communication, innovative learning opportunities and the importance of support mechanisms. PEFs and academics reported how they had increased their competence and confidence in using virtual platforms. They suggested that changes they implemented during the pandemic to support staff and students would become embedded in their future practice. This study provides insights into how PEFs and academics transformed their practice to support students and clinicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Having robust virtual platforms for the development of continuing learning opportunities and enhanced communication approaches across health and academic environments was essential to this success.