A Bayesian Analysis of Early Śramaṇic Origin Stories

When it comes to assessing the historicity of religious figures, the methodology used by the academy is severely outdated, disjointed, and unsound. Bayes\u27 Theorem, first used with a historical analysis by Richard Carrier in 2014 in relation to the historicity of Jesus, is a methodologically sound vehicle with which to examine what we have all simply, in the past, accepted. This paper addresses the historicity of the Buddha, and its implication on the early śramanic origin stories, by Bayes\u27 Theorem

A Crash at the Crossroads: Tax and Campaign Finance Laws Collide in Regulation of Political Activities of Tax-exempt Organizations

[T]his article will look at the tax law\u27s definitions of “political” activity by § 501(c)(3)s, other § 501(c)s, and § 527s, identifying the many points of congruence and the occasional important differences. We further attempt to explain why the FEC\u27s detour onto the slippery pavement of tax law led to this crash, and why attempts to follow the tax law\u27s definitions of political activity will inevitably lead regulatory efforts astray. The legal roads of tax and election law begin from different policy rationales, intersect in seemingly similar concepts, but then proceed to wildly different legal destinations. We conclude with a discussion of why, as a matter of constitutional law, laws that suffice for tax purposes are fatally flawed for election law uses. It is our hope that this analysis will at least steer proponents of campaign finance reform away from another foreseeable crash

Scotland Chikwawa Health Initiative - improving health from community to hospital

The Scotland Chikwawa Health Initiative is a three year programme funded by the Scottish Executive International Development Fund which aims to achieve measurable reductions in major causes of disease and death in four villages within the Chikwawa District of Malawi alongside improving the hospital environment for the good of both staff and patients. The initiative has developed a holistic approach to health improvements through the provision of infrastructure at both health facilities and within communities, and training of government personnel and community volunteers. Specific areas targeted have included water and sanitation, maternal health, and communicable disease control with provision of training and materials to facilitate interventions and health education. At the end of the second year the programme has already seen reductions in diarrhoeal disease (30% overall in target communities), improved access to safe water, an increase in the uptake of growth monitoring and immunisations in children under the age of five years (15% increase since training volunteers), improved safe delivery of babies within the community (245 babies delivered safely in target communities with 25 referred due to complications) and increased community health activity (training and integration of village health committees, water point committees, traditional birthing attendants and health surveillance assistants). The programme hopes to act as a model for the District to follow in other communities to achieve it’s obligations under the Malawi Ministry of Health Essential Health Package

Direct Selling in China And Its Multi-level Strategy

本文回顾了直销的一种特殊形式——多层次营销——的变革，以及在当代中国（1985年以后）所扮演的角色。进入21世纪后，直销在中国呈现上升趋势。但另一个方面，在同一时期，随着失业率的上升，某些不法机构利用直销的成功参与不道德的“金字塔营销”阴谋，给社会经济秩序和消费者利益造成极大的损失。有鉴于此，中国政府对直销采取了严厉的措施，包括严格禁止以及一些限制措施。 为了探索直销的变革和特征，本文不仅回顾了直销在中国的发展历史，同时也分析了直销的现状和未来趋势，政府新措施以及由新措施而带来的新的商业模式。本文还特别研究了安利和雅芳在中国市场的发展状况，因为这两个企业是世界直销领域的翘楚。The paper examines the evolution and role of a particular type of direct selling known as multi-level marketing in modern China (from 1985 onward). As the world was getting ready to enter the 21st century, direct selling in China was seeing record success rates. On the downside, over the same period of time, the rising unemployment encouraged unscrupulous agents to take advantage of this success t...学位：经济学硕士院系专业：经济学院国际硕士_政治经济学学号：1522008115371

Comparative cost and return analysis of cassava production by adopters and non-adopters of improved cassava varieties among farmers in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This research is a comparative cost and return analysis of cassava production by adopters and non-adopters of improved cassava varieties among farmers in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 100 respondents in a ratio of 50 adopters and 50 non- adopters. Data were collected through questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Gross margin was carried out to estimate cost and return. Results revealed that females (68 % and 64 %) were dominant for both groups of cassava farmers. Majority (88 %) of the farmers were educated, implying that they would be more amenable to adopt technologies. The cost and return analysis shows that, total variable cost per hectare was N56,455.00 and N36,850.00 with a gross margin of N77,550.00 and N36,560.00 for adopters and non- adopters respectively, indicating that, cassava farming is profitable. Determinants of cassava production for both groups of farmers were farm size, cassava cuttings, fertilizer use and extension contact. Whereas increased farm size, cassava cuttings and extension contact significantly and positively influenced output of both groups of farmers, fertilizer use had a negative but significant influence on output of adopters, implying that fertilizer use resulted in decrease output of the adopters. The adopters are advice to discontinue the use of fertilizer. Furthermore, lack of awareness and high cost of inputs were among the major constraints to full adoption of improved cassava varieties in the study area. Therefore, it is recommended that policies aimed at improving farmer’s education and awareness should be redesign for proper implementation.Keywords: Comparative, cost and return, profitability, cassava, improved varieties, production, adopters, nonadopter

The dynamics and strategic analysis of wireless communications technology in the healthcare industry

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2006.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-99).The healthcare industry like other industry is on the cross roads as a result of rising demand for healthcare delivery and service, the industry is facing declining revenues and increasing cost. As a result, one of the industry's strategic arsenal to avert the continual declines in revenue and increases operating cost is to effectively use modern technology in form of wireless computing and communications technology to change the paradigm shift to improve outcomes of clinical services, enhance physician and nurse productivity and work flow efficiency, reduce supply chain cost, improve revenue collection and practice profitability. This report presents the dynamic and strategic analysis of wireless communications technology in the healthcare industry, by first evaluating the wireless technologies, industry standards and regulations, applicable standards for the healthcare information systems and innovative healthcare technologies.(cont.) Based on an in-depth technical analysis of the wireless technology, I analyzed the market and industry by applying frameworks including Porter's 5 forces and The Delta model and system dynamics models presented to illustrate contributing factors affecting new technology adoption in the healthcare industry and a holistic view of a healthcare IT system architecture. Lastly, I analyzed emerging wireless technologies including WiMAX, UltraWide -Band and RFID, and reviewed market opportunities in the healthcare industry through 2011.by John K. Eyemaro.S.M