Solution of the personnel classification problem with the method of optimal regions

The personnel classification problem is identified mathematically with other problems in the social and biological sciences. This mathematical problem is shown to be a special case of the general mathematical problem of linear programming. It is proposed here that the personnel classification problem may be solved directly by methods particularly appropriate to it as well as by the simplex method, which is a standard method for solving the general linear programming problem. The method of optimal regions is derived and illustrated in this paper.Much of the basic research covered in this paper was carried out while the author was working on the problem of personnel classification in his capacity as Consultant, Personnel Research Branch, Adjutant General's Office, Department of the Army. Some of the material was presented in a conference which was held at Personnel Research Branch in August, 1952. The author wishes to express his appreciation to the Department of the Army for permission to use these materials in this paper. The opinions expressed are those of the author and are not to be construed as official or as those of the Department of the Army.     

The evaluation of determinants

The numerical evaluation of determinants with a modern computing machine is discussed. Various methods are presented and their relations to each other are indicated. The methods presented parallel those developed in the previous paper on “The Solution of Simultaneous Equations.” Especially emphasized are the Abbreviated Doolittle and the Compact methods. Additional topics include the evaluation of partially symmetric determinants by means of symmetric methods and the evaluation of determinantal ratios.     

The evaluation of multiple and partial correlation coefficients from the factorial matrix

This paper shows how to compute multiple correlation coefficients, partial correlation coefficients, and regression coefficients from the factorial matrix. Special emphasis is given to computation technique and to approximation formulas. The method is extremely flexible in application since it may be applied to any subset of the original set of observed variables. It is also extremely useful when many of these coefficients are desired.     

What Happens when History Does Not Walk as We Wish?

The modern ecumenical movement calls the churches to pray together and to stay together. Through the World Council of Churches, this call has been supported by theological reflection, most notably on baptism, eucharist and ministry and, more recently, ecclesiology. It has also been nurtured by the missionary movement and its practical calls to common witness and service. This article sets out the context of the work of a parish church in Edinburgh, UK. It provides context to ecumenical and interfaith relations in the parish and to pastoral work within what is called the pink triangle. It concludes with a reflection on John Zizioulas's local church and considers the implications of an ecclesiology and missiology that reflect the life of the parish: “While cherishing the unity of the Spirit in the one Church, it is also important to honour the ways in which each local congregation is led by the spirit to respond to its own contextual realities.” 1     

Thinking the impossible

The article looks at the structure of impossible worlds, and their deployment in the analysis of some intentional notions. In particular, it is argued that one can, in fact, conceive anything, whether or not it is impossible. Thus a semantics of conceivability requires impossible worlds.     

Drugs,Sex, and Condoms: Identification and Interpretation of Race‐Specific Cultural Messages Influencing Black Gay and Bisexual Young Men Living with HIV

Black gay and bisexual young men carry a disproportionate burden of HIV in the United States. This study explored Black gay and bisexual young men living with HIV's identification and interpretation of race‐specific cultural messages regarding substance use, sexual activity, and condom use. A total of 36 Black gay and bisexual young men living with HIV (ages 16–24, mean = 20.6 years) from four geographically diverse regions of the United States participated in qualitative in‐depth interviews. Results from this study elucidate the ways in which these young men interpret various forms of race‐specific cultural messages and experiences regarding substance use, sexual activity, and condom use. Participants discussed cultural messages and experiences promoting and discouraging condoms and substance use. Regarding sexual activity, only messages and experiences promoting sex were reported. Across all three categories, messages and experiences promoting risk were predominant. Data further revealed that socially transmitted cultural messages received by young men emanated from multiple sources, such as family, peers, sexual partners, community/neighborhood, and the broader society. Race‐specific cultural messages and experiences should be addressed in interventions for this population, and programs should assist young men in developing a critical consciousness regarding these messages and experiences in order to promote health and well‐being.     

Are All Preferences Nosy?

The significance which any human action carries for normative reasoning is held to include its causal preconditions as well as its causal consequences. That claim is defended against a series of natural objections. The point is then extended from actions to preferences via discussion of Barry and Dworkin. The grounds for excluding nosy preferences from aggregation must involve appeal not just to rights and intention but also to the consequences of acting on them. But then some of the features in virtue of which nosy preferences are held to be objectionable will also be present in any other preference. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.