BACKGROUND Bayesian mixing models have allowed for the inclusion of uncertainty and prior information in the analysis of trophic interactions using stable isotopes. Formulating prior distributions is relatively straightforward when incorporating dietary data. However, the use of data that are related, but not directly proportional, to diet (such as prey availability data) is often problematic b...

4 Antoniewicz compared estimates of total household liabilities from the 1989 and 1992 surveys to estimates from the flow of funds accounts (FFA). For 1989, SCF total household liabilities equal $3.1 trillion, whereas the FFA estimate is about $29 billion less, and for 1992, the SCF estimate is $3.6 trillion, while FFA is about $116 billion higher. Estimates of consumer credit from the SCF are ...

The ontology consumer analysis tool, OntoCAT, provides a comprehensive set of metrics for use by the ontology consumer or knowledge engineer to assist in ontology evaluation for re-use. This evaluation process is focused on the size, structural, hub and root properties of both the intensional and extensional ontology. It has been used on numerous ontologies from varying domains. Results of appl...

This study examined the impact of declaring consumer bankruptcy on the physical and mental health of adult women and if outcomes differed depending on whether the filer received automatic debt discharge under Chapter 7 compared to a debt repayment plan with Chapter 13. Sample data consisted of women from the NLSY79 cohort who completed the age 40 and 50 health modules as of the most recent wave...

Prior research on regret has assumed a consideration set of only two-alternatives. The authors have relaxed that assumption and have developed hypotheses to examine the influence of the unawareness set and order effects in the measurement of consumer regret in a post-purchase evaluation. The results demonstrated that the brands consumers were previously unaware of, do indeed influence consumer ...

Consumer research using Distinctiveness theory implies that targeted advertisements will be most effective in contexts where the targeted group is a numeric minority. This paper investigates the influence of social status in addition to numeric status. Results demonstrate that incorporating social dimensions increases the explanatory value of distinctiveness theory for consumer research. We dis...

by Audra T. Wenzlow, John Mullahy, Stephanie A. Robert, and Barbara L. Wolfe We explore the relationship between health and wealth and between health and income using the Survey of Consumer Finances. We focus on the working-age population, describing the shape of the health-income and health-wealth gradients for individuals between ages 25 and 54. We find that the health-wealth relationship is ...

Utah ranks first in the nation in the number of consumer bankruptcies per household. This study describes 2,567 Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Utah in 1997. Median debt level was $31,981 for Chapter 7 and $41,626 for Chapter 13 cases. While Utah boasts a high proportion of Chapter 13 repayment plans, only 10.8% of these cases were successfully completed. D...

 Rollover IRAs account for 43.2 percent of all IRA and Keogh assets, with regular IRA assets following very closely behind at 42.7 percent, while Roth IRAs account for 11.1 percent and Keoghs 3.0 percent. Among total IRA assets, rollover IRAs account for 44.5 percent of assets, regular IRAs 44.1 percent, and Roth IRAs 11.4 percent. Therefore, rollover IRAs account for a larger share of assets ...

Current US federal dietary guidance recommends regular consumption of seafood (fish + shellfish) to promote health; however, little is known about how well Americans meet the guideline, particularly population subgroups that may be at risk for inadequate intake. The purposes of this study were to describe the prevalence of seafood consumption and, among consumers, the amounts of seafood eaten b...