Extended paretian rules and relative utilitarianism

This paper introduces the 'Extended Pareto' axiom on Social welfare functions and gives a characterization of the axiom when it is assumed that the Social Welfare Functions that satisfy it in a framework of preferences over lotteries also satisfy the restrictions (on the domain and range of preferences) implied by the von-Neumann-Morgenstern axioms. With the addition of two other axioms: Anonymity and Weak IIA* it is shown that there is a unique Social Welfare Function called Relative Utilitarianism that consists of normalizing individual utilities between zero and one and then adding them

Interpreting the management of information systems security

The management of adverse events within organisations has become a pressing issue as the perceptions of risk continue to heighten. However the basic need for developing secure information systems has remained unfulfilled. This is because the focus has been on the means of delivery of information, i.e. the technology, rather than on the various contextual factors related to information processing. The overall aim of this research is to increase understanding of the issues and concerns in the management of information systems security. The study is conducted by reviewing the analysis, design and management of computer based information in two large organisations - A British national Health Service Hospital Trust and a Borough Council. The research methodology adopts an interpretive mode of inquiry. The management of information systems security is evaluated in terms of the business environment, organisational culture, expectations and obligations of different roles, meanings of different actions and the related patterns of behaviour. Findings from the two case studies show that an inappropriate analysis, design and management of computer based information systems affects the integrity and wholeness of an organisation. As a result, the probability of occurrence of adverse events increases. In such an environment there is a strong likelihood that security measures may either be ignored or are inappropriate to the real needs of an organisation. Therefore what is needed is coherence between the computer based information systems and the business environment in which they are embedded. In conclusion, this study shows that to resolve the problem of managing information systems security, we need to understand the deep seated pragmatic aspects of an organisation. Solutions to the problem of security can be provided by interpreting the behavioural patterns of the people involved

Patient safety: are we maximizing the potential of the pharmacist's role? [Editorial]

Original article can be found at: http://www.medicinescomplete.com/journals/ijpp/current/ Copyright Pharmaceutical Press.Peer reviewe

Use of Emoji in Pain Level Assessment in Pediatric Dental Patients

USE OF EMOJI IN PAIN LEVEL ASSESSMENT IN PEDIATRIC DENTAL PATIENTS Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of a pain scale with Emoji images in comparison to the commonly used Wong-Baker FACES® pain scale. Methods: Healthy, English-speaking patients aged 4-17 presenting to the VCU Pediatric Dental clinic and the operating room and presenting to the MCV Pediatric Emergency Room were asked to rate their pain using the Wong-Baker FACES® and Emoji scales. These patients were then asked to select which pain scale they preferred. Results: A total of 151 children were enrolled in the study. The proposed Emoji scale was preferred by 86% of enrolled children (n=151). Children rated their pain the same on the two scales 78% of the time indicating a weak overall agreement between the two scales as defined by Cohen’s Kappa (k=0.5863, 95% CI: 0.47-0.70). In the instances of disagreement, 82% were within one image on the pain scale. There was a roughly even split between which scale corresponded to the higher pain level (56% Wong-Baker was higher and 44% Emoji was rated higher). Conclusions: A majority of the patients surveyed presented with no pain. The Emoji scale showed moderate agreement with the Wong-Baker FACES scale. A majority of the patients preferred the Emoji scale demonstrating the strong communicative utility of Emoji

The Nova-like Variables

We review optical observations and theoretical models of the non-magnetic nova-like variables (UX UMa, VY Scl and SW Sex stars). A brief discussion of the classification scheme is followed by a statistical overview of the observed properties. The most important features of each of the sub-classes are then reviewed, concluding with a summary of the theoretical models invoked to understand these systems.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures; published in Cataclysmic Variables and Related Objects, Proceedings of the 158th colloquium of the IAU held at Keele, edited by A. Evans and Janet H. Wood, p.3 (1996