A picture is worth a thousand words: The perplexing problem of indexing images

Indexing images has always been problematic due to their richness of content and innate subjectivity. Three traditional approaches to indexing images are described and analyzed. An introduction of the contemporary use of social tagging is presented along with its limitations. Traditional practices can continue to be used as a stand-alone solution, however deficiencies limit retrieval. A collaborative technique is supported by current research and a model created by the authors for its inception is explored. CONTENTdm® is used as an example to illustrate tools that can help facilitate this process. Another potential solution discussed is the expansion of algorithms used in computer extraction to include the input and influence of human indexer intelligence. Further research is recommended in each area to discern the most effective method

Fiscal Decentralization and Government Size

Numerous studies have attempted to model the possible factors contributing to universal growth in public sectors. This paper analyzes one device that appears capable of controlling some of that growth: fiscal decentralization. The results reported here also support the use of monopoly government assumptions in models of public policy. The author gratefully acknowledges the comments of Angelo R. Mascaro, Gordon Tullock and an anonymous referee. Views expressed here are of the author alone and do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Department of Treasury

Tobacco Control Programs and Tobacco Consumption

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Privatization and Government Size

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The Efficient Mix of Staffing Resources

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Honestly, Who Else Would Fund Such Research? Reflections of a Non-Smoking Scholar

Many public-health researchers are quick to raise charges of bias to explain away the few studies that reach politically incorrect conclusions. Claims of bias are often thrown at researchers who are funded by the industries targeted for aggressive intervention. This paper discusses whether it makes sense that bias is a relevant issue only when researchers have connections to private industry or find fault with government intervention. I focus on the issue of whether smoking bans harm any restaurant or bar owners. This area of research has experienced a large number of claims of bias and deception, leveled against research that does not enthusiastically support expanded intervention. This paper diagnoses the groupthink and deep biases of the structures and cultures within which pro-ban research comes into being. It also shows how intimidation is used to silence dissent and enforce taboos. It shows why it is important that we address the question: Who else would fund research that might come to politically incorrect conclusions on such issues

Analysis of the effects of Brexit on the UK’s ability to achieve the climate change acts target 2030

Purpose: This paper evaluates the UK’s departure from the European Union (EU) and how this will influence the emissions output. Methodological approach: Relationships between emissions and empirical generalizations related to the UK’s departure from the EU were detected through an extensive literature review adopting an inductive approach. The delphi methodology was used to collect the opinion of experts via semi structured interviews from where themes were identified with the use of Nvivo. Finally, a triangulation was made by synthesizing the qualitative data with the literature to determine the impacts of the UK’s departure from the EU on emissions. Findings: The work provides evidence that the UK’s decisions to leave the EU will have multiple detrimental long-term consequences to the achievability of the fifth carbon budget. Research limitation: This study considers the opinion of a limited group of experts and consequently, more in depth research is required to better assess the wider range of variables and perspectives affecting the current decision making process and policy related with the UK’s environmental commitments Originality and value: Under the actual eclectic dynamic surrounding the Brexit, a plethora of distorted empirical studies addressing its consequences have emerged. This work provides a comprehensive overview of a largely understudied set of opinions and analysis of possible consequences Brexit poses. This paper opens a debate and invites new perspectives to be included to an increasingly neglected contemporary issue, and contributes as a reference for the future discussion of environmental policy in the UK. Key Words: Collaboration, Legislation, Emissions, Investment, Climate change target 2030, sustainability Research Pape

Markets, the Environment and Liberty: The Case of Elephants and Air Quality

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Smoking Laws and Their Differential Effects on Restaurants, Bars, and Taverns

This article examines the effect of restrictive smoking laws on restaurants, bars, and taverns. Supporters of these laws often argue that they do not harm firms and may even raise profits. Opponents argue that owners cater to customer smoking preferences, and laws mandating specific policies will negatively impact profits. This article provides a framework for examining the distribution of effects that smoking laws exert on businesses, and demonstrates that changes in total sales or tax revenues do not provide a meaningful understanding of the economic implications because smoking laws exert different effects on different firms. The distribution of these effects is examined using data from a nationwide survey of 1,300 restaurant, bar, and tavern owners. While some subsets of firms are predicted to suffer revenue declines, bars are predicted to be more than twice as likely to experience losses as restaurants. An important implication is that the increasing level of governmental restrictions on smoking in the hospitality sector could gradually impact the types of service available to the public

Investigation of quantitative measures related to reading disability in a large sample of sib-pairs from the UK

We describe a family-based sample of individuals with reading disability collected as part of a quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping study. Eighty-nine nuclear families (135 independent sib-pairs) were identified through a single proband using a traditional discrepancy score of predicted/actual reading ability and a known family history. Eight correlated psychometric measures were administered to each sibling, including single word reading, spelling, similarities, matrices, spoonerisms, nonword and irregular word reading, and a pseudohomophone test. Summary statistics for each measure showed a reduced mean for the probands compared to the co-sibs, which in turn was lower than that of the population. This partial co-sib regression back to the mean indicates that the measures are influenced by familial factors and therefore, may be suitable for a mapping study. The variance of each of the measures remained largely unaffected, which is reassuring for the application of a QTL approach. Multivariate genetic analysis carried out to explore the relationship between the measures identified a common factor between the reading measures that accounted for 54% of the variance. Finally the familiality estimates (range 0.32–0.73) obtained for the reading measures including the common factor (0.68) supported their heritability. These findings demonstrate the viability of this sample for QTL mapping, and will assist in the interpretation of any subsequent linkage findings in an ongoing genome scan