Globalisation and insecurity

We construct a simple model of the e¤ect of increased interna-tional openness on risk bearing in an environment in which the onlyrisk-sharing institutions are self-enforcing agreements. We showhow increased openness can weaken long-term relationships, andhence risk sharing, by increasing the e¤ectiveness of the market,much as some critics of globalization have argued. However, theharm thereby done is tempered by the fact that in order to havesuch a negative indirect e¤ect, openness must have a direct e¤ectthat reduces risk. It is shown that on balance, globalization reducesrisk and raises welfare for those in small countries, but increases riskand reduces welfare for those in large countries. We construct a simple model of the e¤ect of increased interna-tional openness on risk bearing in an environment in which the onlyrisk-sharing institutions are self-enforcing agreements. We showhow increased openness can weaken long-term relationships, andhence risk sharing, by increasing the e¤ectiveness of the market,much as some critics of globalization have argued. However, theharm thereby done is tempered by the fact that in order to havesuch a negative indirect e¤ect, openness must have a direct e¤ectthat reduces risk. It is shown that on balance, globalization reducesrisk and raises welfare for those in small countries, but increases riskand reduces welfare for those in large countries

Acute Effects of Walking on The Deformation of Femoral Articular Cartilage

Background and Purpose: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by a progressive loss of the articular cartilage, increasing the amount of friction in the joint, resulting in pain and decreases in mobility and function. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that frontal plane lower extremity (LE) malalignment (e.g., varus, valgus) is associated with onset and progression of OA. Previous studies showed that static loading of 50% body weight at the knee results in more cartilage deformation in those with knee OA compared to healthy controls. As walking produces forces in the knee that are 2-3 times body weight, it may result in greater cartilage deformation. The purpose of our study was to compare the acute effects of walking on the femoral cartilage deformation between individuals with and without knee OA and determine whether LE alignment is associated with greater cartilage deformation. Subjects: 10 subjects without OA (5 females and 5 males; 55.0 ± 1.8 yrs; 78.8 ± 14.0 kg; 1.8 ± 0.2 m) and 9 subjects with OA were recruited (4 females and 5 males; 55.6 ± 4.5 yrs; 97.4 ± 15.0 kg; 1.7 ± 0.1 m). Methods: Each subject underwent X-ray and MRI assessment. For X-ray assessment, persons with Kellgren/Lawrence grades 2-3 were assigned to the OA group whereas subjects with grades 0-1 were assigned to the control group. During MRI assessment, 3T, frontal-plane MRI was obtained before and immediately after 30 minutes of treadmill walking at 3-4 mph. LE alignment was obtained by measuring the angle between the long axes of femur and tibia using a goniometer. To obtain cartilage deformation post-walking, the medial and lateral femoral cartilage of the weight-bearing areas were segmented on subjects’ MRI. Cartilage thickness was quantified by computing the perpendicular distance between opposing voxels defining the edges of the femoral cartilage. Cartilage volume was quantified by multiplying the segmented area by slice thickness. Independent t-tests were used to compare cartilage deformation (i.e., percent changes in medial and lateral cartilage thickness/volume) in response to walking between the 2 groups. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to assess the association between cartilage deformation and LE alignment of all subjects. Results: Independent t-tests revealed no significant difference in percent change of cartilage thickness between OA group and control group in medial (p=0.873) or lateral (p=0.688) femur. Additionally, there was no difference in percent change of cartilage volume between the two groups in medial (p=0.159) or lateral (p=0.327) femur. Pearson correlation coefficient analyses revealed a significant correlation between reductions in lateral femoral cartilage thickness and increased knee valgus alignment (p=0.030)

Alaska- Golden Land of Opportunity

Alaska always meant snow, ice, igloos and Eskimos to me until I landed in the heart of it last summer. Now it means a golden land of opportunity

Socialisation and the work-related norms of marketing practitioners

This paper empirically describes the influences of professional and organisational socialisation on the norms of marketers. Based on a survey of 5,000 practitioners, it finds that the socialisation of marketers into their profession and organisations positively influences their marketing-related norms. This research appears to be the first investigation in the marketing ethics literature of the relationships among these constructs. The paper explains how the learning of professional and organisational rules, guidelines, and values influence the work-related norms of marketers. The findings have important implications for marketing managers and managers of professional associations.<br /

NFC, moral position, socialisation and ethical decision-making

Absolutism (deontology and teleology), moral relativism (individual moral position), and individual and environmental factors are at the crossroads of descriptive ethics research. For several decades, researchers have espoused teleological aspects, such as the punitive influence of codes of ethics, as managerial tools that enhance ethical conduct in organisations. The current study modelled the individual factors of need-for-cognition (NFC), individual moral position, and occupational socialisation as influences on the work-norms of marketers. The findings from a survey of marketers suggest that NFC influences the ethical idealism, professional socialisation, and work-norms of marketers positively. The research identifies that encouraging cognitive activities among marketers may be a useful alternative when developing appropriate deontological work-norms and decision-making under ethical conditions in marketing.<br /

Montana's IMBCR Program: Utility of Seven Years of Statewide Landbird Monitoring Data

The 2016 field season marks the 7th consecutive year of statewide implementation of the Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions program (IMBCR) for monitoring bird populations in the state of Montana.  Using a spatially-balanced, hierarchical study design, the IMBCR program provides density and occupancy estimates for bird species at various geographic extents (strata) across the western U.S.  Based largely on agency investment, primary sampling occurs in all USFS R1 National Forests and extensive grassland/sagebrush habitats on Montana BLM lands statewide.  Significant sampling also occurs in various habitats on private lands.  Using these data, as well as tools available on the Rocky Mountain Avian Data Center web console, agencies and NGO partners can evaluate avian distribution and population dynamics statewide.  As an effective monitoring program, the IMBCR program informs research questions, landscape-level management and conservation action.  The design and current applications of the IMBCR program are summarized

Plenary Panel: Empowered or overpowered: How should students and educators respond to AI?

Join Liam McLaren (University of Tasmania Student Association President and honours student in geography), Sarah-Jane Gregory (Lecturer in the School of Environment and Science, Griffith University), Miriam Sullivan (Learning Advisors Team Leader, Edith Cowan University), Ryan Brunton (Manager Digital Futures in the College of Sciences and Engineering, University of Tasmania), and Danny Liu (Associate Professor in the DVC (Education) Portfolio, University of Sydney) for a frank discussion about generative AI impacts on educators, leaders, and students. Bring your tricky questions and open minds to consider whether generative AI is overpowering or empowering – or both

Geelong region survey of business trends 2014

The Deakin Business School and the Geelong Chamber of Commerce undertook a survey of business confidence and industry activity in the Geelong region in 2014. The main objectives of the research were to measure current and future business confidence, activity, and profitability and to provide information relevant to the needs of businesses and industry for planning and other purposes. Information wascollected by an on-line survey of 1,571 businesses with 194 usable responses representing a 12.3% response rate. The findings are relevant to responses frombusinesses registered with the Geelong Chamber of Commerce and the Geelong Central Marketing group. The report contains information about business activity, perceptions about the future of business in Geelong and the barriers that have to be addressed to ensure success