Investment Decisions: A Study of the Role Played by Past Experiences

This paper examines the effect that past experiences have on the decision to invest in protective measures. These protective measures serve to mitigate damages should the event occur again. It shows that three past experiences with negative consequences - Hurricane Andrew, the Aspen Wildfire, and the SoBig.F computer virus - have all served to increase investment in protective measures. Additionally, it uses an example of data analysis on a hurricane simulation game to show that these effects are not always pervasive and offers reasons for why this might be. Overall, changes in investment seem to be greatest when the value of the losses is high and media coverage is significant. Some policy implications to correct the problem of underinvestment before the occurrence of an event include greater government interaction and exploration of private sector solutions to increase the incentives for individuals to invest in protection

A Case Study of Strategic Metrics Use in a CMM-Based Outsourcing Environment

IT firms that specialize in outsourcing must provide assurances to their customers that they are adding value to that business relationship. The purpose of this paper is to describe a practical set of metrics that are focused on customer satisfaction and that are easily understood by both customer and developer organizations. The metrics established by Keane, Inc., a large US-based IT services firm, are based upon the goals and concepts of the Software Engineering Institute\u27s (SEI) Capability Maturity Model (CMM®) for software

Leaving the Twentieth Century Behind

Gao Xingjian, laureate of the 2000 Nobel Prize for literature, visited Hong Kong at the invitation of the French Centre for Research on Contemporary China (CEFC) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in May 2008. He took part in a series of events: an international academic conference co-organised by the CEFC and CUHK in collaboration with the University of Provence, the inauguration of an exhibition of his ink paintings, the world premiere of his play Of Mountains and Seas, and the launch of his new collection of essays, On Creation (Lun chuangzuo, Taipei, Lianjing, 2008). On this occasion, Mingpao Monthly organised a discussion between Gao Xingjian and Liu Zaifu, a prominent Chinese intellectual who has lived in the United States since 1989, and who is author of the much-debated essay Farewell to Revolution (with Li Zehou, 1995) and of the preface to Gao’s new volume. The debate was moderated by professor Park Jae-woo (Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul)

Physical Activity and Veteran Status in Obesity and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

There are few data available regarding the relationship between physical activity and veteran status in those with combined chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obesity. COPD is a common illness and a leading cause of death in the United States. Veterans represent a distinct subpopulation in the United States and are more likely to have COPD, which is a disease with a high rate of comorbidities such as obesity. Physical activity can improve outcomes for those with COPD and obesity. However, recommendations for physical activity for those with COPD and obesity are vague. This study, based on the self-determination theory, sought to explore the relationship between average weekly physical activity and veteran status while controlling for age, sex, race, ethnicity, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), education level, and annual household income in those with comorbid COPD and obesity. Also, the relationship between not meeting, meeting, and exceeding physical activity recommendations and veteran status, while accounting for variation in for age, sex, race, ethnicity, smoking status, BMI, education level, and annual household income, was explored. A case-control study was done to answer the research questions using multiple regression and ordinal regression analyses, respectively, using data from 1,430 participants from the 2015 BRFSS. Veteran status was not significantly associated with physical activity nor was it significantly associated with falling below, at, or above recommended physical activity amounts. However, it was found that increased BMI was associated with decreased physical activity. The results from this study can be used to inform policies, refine recommendations, and guide interventions for those with COPD and obesity

Archaeology in Iceland: Recent Developments

ABSTRACT: The recent archaeological emphasis on the study of settlement patterns, landscape and palaeoenvironments has shaped and re-shaped our understanding of the Viking settlement of Iceland. This paper reviews the developments in Icelandic archaeology, examining both theoretical and practical advances. Particular attention is paid to new ideas in terms of settlement patterns and resource exploitation. Finally, some of the key studies of the ecological consequences of the Norse landnám are presented

Valuing Adjuncts as Liaisons for University Excellence (VALUE) Program

Adjuncts are increasingly becoming more important in higher education and make up nearly onethird of VCU’s teaching faculty. While VCU has made strides in increasing the number of tenuretrack and term professors, the size and needs of certain departments will always make adjunct instructors necessary. A number of schools on both the Monroe Park and MCV campuses utilize professionals from the Richmond community to enhance experiential learning, thereby making a university investment in adjunct faculty a means by which to elevate VCU’s strategic mission. Adjuncts often provide a community perspective that comes from the professional work they do outside of the university setting and as a whole are reflective of VCU’s diverse student population. As a result, they serve a critical role in student success and diversity initiatives. Keeping adjuncts connected with campus resources and engaged with the larger VCU community is also an important step in making the university more inclusive. This project will study opportunities associated with the orientation and support of adjunct faculty at VCU on both Monroe Park and MCV campuses. This project is research-oriented and will serve as an important foundation for developing and implementing a plan for institutionalized adjunct support. To develop a detailed proposal for implementation, our team consulted with several key stakeholders including: academic leaders who hire and support adjuncts in the current decentralized process students who have taken classes with adjunct instructors adjunct faculty who have recently taught at VCU Through a combination of methods, we aim to determine how adjuncts are utilized across the university, identify resources currently provided, and assess additional resource needs in an effort to inform a new orientation and support program for adjunct faculty at VCU

Anticipating gender impacts in scaling innovations for agriculture: Insights from the literature

Of the world’s 570 million farmers, 72% work on two hectares or less, and women’s labor comprises at least 50% (FAO, 2014). Small farms are responsible for 80% of world food production, making them key to addressing looming global food shortages (Lowder et al., 2016). Small farms in developing countries navigate a myriad of challenges, including access to information, quality inputs, capital, markets, and among others, land (FAO, 2014). These challenges can be exacerbated for women and other marginalized groups of people due to social normatives within their communities (Petesch, Badstue, & Prain, 2018; Polar et al., 2017; Rola‐Rubzen et al., 2020). Inclusive innovation to address agriculture productivity and loss gaps is tantamount to equitable global food security (FAO, 2014; FAO, 2011). However, many innovations still fail to help stimulate disruption in gender or social inequities, and some even do additional harm. Increasing use of an innovation, referred to as ‘scaling,' is critical to impact at a community or regional level, and is often seen as necessary to support Agriculture Research for Development (AR4D) outcomes (Sartas et al., 2020). Several scaling support tools and methodologies have been developed to assist researchers and practitioners in scaling processes. However, little practical attention has been given to the specific cross-section of gender and relevant diversity within scaling tools and methodologies. This narrative literature review begins to address this by answering: 1) What are unique gender considerations when scaling agricultural innovations?; and 2) What are appropriate methods and approaches for collecting data on these unique gender considerations? Our review finds six points of attention to reflect upon unique gender considerations when innovating and scaling innovation: i) Comprising research and project teams, ii) Designing agricultural innovations, iii) Communicating and extension of innovation, iv) Choosing scale models: entrepreneurship and business development, v) Reinventing and changing technology, and vi) Engaging with the political economy of innovation. Methods to collect necessary data to accurately reflect on these considerations and avoid unintended negative consequences for more gender responsible scaling are also presented. Finally, the literature review is situated in a perspective that more attention should be given to agricultural innovation and scaling support tools and methodologies to address gender or socially marginalized groups