An Alternative to Warner’s Randomized Response Model

A modification to Warner’s (1965) Randomized Response Model is suggested. The suggested model is more efficient than the original model

Optimal Allocation in Stratified Randomized Response Model

A Warner (1965) randomized response model based on stratification is used to determine the allocation of samples. Both linear and log-linear cost functions are discussed under uni and double stratification. It observed that by using a log-linear cost function, one can get better allocations

GIS-based Analysis of Ice-Breeding Seal Strandings in the Gulf of Maine

Phoca groenlandica (harp seals) and Cystophora cristata (hooded seals), two species of ice-breeding seals, are being sighted more frequently onshore in the Gulf of Maine since 1990, but little is known about their behavior in this ecosystem. We obtained records of 904 ice-breeding seal stranding locations in the Gulf of Maine between 1996 and 2002 from NOAA Fisheries and used a geographic information system (GIS) to conduct group-wise comparisons by species (using non-parametric techniques), and to determine the predictors of high seal-stranding density (using ordinal logistic regression analysis). Compared to harp seals, hooded seals stranded closer to deep water, farther north, and near different intertidal shoreline types, Predictors of high seal-stranding density included being closer to an offshore basin, deep water, public land, and areas of lower human population. These results may reflect seal behavior and reporting bias

Estimating Prevalence of Sexual Abuse by an Acquaintance with an Optional Unrelated Question RRT Model

The main focus of this paper is on validating an Optional Unrelated Question RRT Model using real survey data. The model to be used in this study is designed to simultaneously estimate the mean of a sensitive variable and the sensitivity level of the underlying sensitive question without using the traditional split sample approach. The data were collected via a survey conducted by the authors on a sample of undergraduate female students in the age group of 17-21 years at a college of University of Delhi, India, in January 2015. The binary research question of interest was "Have you ever been a victim of sexual abuse by friend or family member?" and the quantitative research question was "How many days in a typical month do you watch pornographic clips/videos/movies on movie channels, WhatsApp, YouTube, Internet etc.?

Long-Term Observations of a Harbor Seal Haul-Out Site in a Protected Cove in Casco Bay, Gulf of Maine

We counted the numbers of seals hauled out at low tide on two near-shore ledges in a protected cove in Casco Bay, Gulf of Maine a minimum of 12 times per month, for four years starting in August 1997. The highest mean monthly counts were in August (molting season) and the lowest in either January or February. Counts during pupping season (May and June) were lower than during April or July. As no mother-pup pairs were observed, these ledges are molting but not pupping ledges. Time-series analysis revealed no overall trend in the number of seals present. but did show a decreasing trend in the fraction of days each month that seals were present. Further observations are needed to determine if this trend is continuing and if it is present in other locations on the Maine coast

A Note on Generalized Exponential Type Estimator for Population Variance in Survey Sampling

Recently a new generalized estimator for population variance using information on the auxiliary variable has been introduced by Asghar, Sanaullah  and Hanif (2014). In that paper there was some inaccuracy in the bias and MSE expressions. In this paper, we provide the correct expressions for bias and MSE of the Asghar et al. (2014) estimator, up to the first order of approximation. We also propose a new generalized exponential type estimator for population variance which performs better than the existing estimators. Four data sets are used for numerical comparison of efficiencies.Recientemente, un nuevo estimador generalizado de varianza de la población utilizando información sobre la variable auxiliar ha sido introducida por Asghar et al. (2014). En ese documento había alguna inexactitud en las expresiones de sesgo y ECM. En este trabajo, proporcionamos las expresiones correctas de sesgo y ECM de Asghar et al. (2014) hasta el primer orden de aproximación. También proponemos un nuevo estimador tipo exponencial generalizado de la varianza de la población que se comporta mejor que los estimadores existentes. Cuatro conjuntos de datos se utilizan para la comparaciónnumérica de la eficiencia

Differences in health, productivity and quality of care in younger and older nurses

Aim To determine if younger and older hospital employed nurses have differences in their self-reported health, health related productivity and quality of care.Background An understanding of age cohort differences may assist nurse managers in understanding the health related productivity and potential quality of care concerns of their staff.Method A cross-sectional survey design was utilised. There were 1171 usable surveys returned (47% response rate). Nurses over the age of 50 made up 26% of the respondents.Result Older nurses had a higher body mass index (BMI), higher mental well-being, higher pain scores, a 12% higher prevalence of having health problems, and reported a higher health related productivity loss than younger nurses.Implications for nursing management Nurse managers must determine if their older nurses are being given more difficult, complex patients because of their experience. Perhaps older nurses, especially those with health problems, need assignments that require their assessment and critical thinking skills rather than their strength and physical abilities

Inequality, Social Support and Post Disaster Mental Health in Mexico

Disasters highlight the vulnerability of people who have limited access to resources. However, based on research from Mexico, we seek-in the context of disasters-to qualify the generalization that mental health is associated with social inequality and individual socioeconomic status. We collected data on socioeconomic status, social support, and depression in two storm-impacted cities (n=581) and four control cities (n=2,509) in Mexico. Two years after the storms, depression symptomology remained higher for disaster cities than for the control. Social support returned to better than normal levels in one impacted city, Villahermosa, during that period, but not in the other, Teziutlán-the harder hit city. Socioeconomic status appeared to have a small effect on depression, although co-correlation with perceived support suggests that social support is a stronger and more proximate cause, such that socioeconomic status-in addition to having a minor direct affect-may also work indirectly through availability of social support to affect vulnerability

Nurses’ Presenteeism and Its Effects on Self-Reported Quality of Care and Costs

Objective: Although research has been conducted on how nurse staffing levels affect outcomes, there has been little investigation into how the health-related productivity of nurses is related to quality of care. Two major causes of worker presenteeism (reduced on-the-job productivity as a result of health problems) are musculoskeletal pain and mental health issues, particularly depression. This study sought to investigate the extent to which musculoskeletal pain or depression (or both) in RNs affects their work productivity and self-reported quality of care and considered the associated costs.Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey design, a random sample of 2,500 hospital-employed RNs licensed in North Carolina were surveyed using a survey instrument sent by postal mail. Specific measures included questions on individual and workplace characteristics, self-reported quality of care, and patient safety; a numeric pain rating scale, a depression tool (the Patient Health Questionnaire), and a presenteeism tool (the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: General Health) were also incorporated. A total of 1,171 completed surveys were returned and used for analysis.Results: Among respondents, the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was 71%; that of depression was 18%. The majority of respondents (62%) reported a presenteeism score of at least 1 on a 0-to-10 scale, indicating that health problems had affected work productivity at least “a little.” Pain and depression were significantly associated with presenteeism. Presenteeism was significantly associated with a higher number of patient falls, a higher number of medication errors, and lower quality-of-care scores. Baseline cost estimates indicate that the increased falls and medication errors caused by presenteeism are expected to cost $1,346 per North Carolina RN and just under$2 billion for the United States annually. Upper-boundary estimates exceed $9,000 per North Carolina RN and$13 billion for the nation annually.Conclusion: More attention must be paid to the health of the nursing workforce to positively influence the quality of patient care and patient safety and to control costs

Factors Related to the Number of Fast Food Meals Obtained by College Meal Plan Students

Objectives: This study tested whether days on campus, financial access through a meal plan, and health consciousness were associated with number of meals that college students obtained from fast food restaurants. Participants and Methods: In April 2013, all students currently enrolled in a meal plan were invited to participate in an online survey (N= 1,246). Students were asked to report the total number of meals eaten in the past week and where they obtained them. Results: Negative binomial regression was used, and it was found that the number of meals obtained from fast food restaurants was positively associated with financial access and negatively associated with health consciousness. An association between days on campus and the number of meals obtained from fast food restaurants was not found. Conclusions: Increasing levels of health consciousness and reducing access to fast food restaurants through flex plans may reduce college students’ consumption of fast food