My Career as an Artist, and My Association With Mr. DeGruson

Fifth Annual Gene DeGruson Memorial Lecture. Ted Watts, speakerhttps://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/degruson_lecture/1004/thumbnail.jp

Contagion or Confusion? Why Conflicts Cluster in Space

Civil wars cluster in space as well as time. In this study, we develop and evaluate empirically alternative explanations for this observed clustering. We consider whether the spatial pattern of intrastate conflict simply stems from a similar distribution of relevant country attributes or whether conflicts indeed constitute a threat to other proximate states. Our results strongly suggest that there is a genuine neighborhood effect of armed conflict, over and beyond what individual country characteristics can account for. We then examine whether the risk of contagion depends on the degree of exposure to proximate conflicts. Contrary to common expectations, this appears not to be the case. Rather, we find that conflict is more likely when there are ethnic ties to groups in a neighboring conflict and that contagion is primarily a feature of separatist conflicts. This suggests that transnational ethnic linkages constitute a central mechanism of conflict contagion. © 2008 International Studies Association

Molecular tools for bathing water assessment in Europe:Balancing social science research with a rapidly developing environmental science evidence-base

The use of molecular tools, principally qPCR, versus traditional culture-based methods for quantifying microbial parameters (e.g., Fecal Indicator Organisms) in bathing waters generates considerable ongoing debate at the science-policy interface. Advances in science have allowed the development and application of molecular biological methods for rapid (~2 h) quantification of microbial pollution in bathing and recreational waters. In contrast, culture-based methods can take between 18 and 96 h for sample processing. Thus, molecular tools offer an opportunity to provide a more meaningful statement of microbial risk to water-users by providing near-real-time information enabling potentially more informed decision-making with regard to water-based activities. However, complementary studies concerning the potential costs and benefits of adopting rapid methods as a regulatory tool are in short supply. We report on findings from an international Working Group that examined the breadth of social impacts, challenges, and research opportunities associated with the application of molecular tools to bathing water regulations

Survivorship and improving quality of life in men with prostate cancer

Context: Long-term survival following a diagnosis of cancer is improving in developed nations. However, living longer does not necessarily equate to living well. Objective: To search systematically and synthesise narratively the evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of supportive interventions designed to improve prostate cancer (PCa)-specific quality of life (QoL). Evidence acquisition: A systematic search of Medline and Embase was carried out from inception to July 2014 to identify interventions targeting PCa QoL outcomes. We did not include nonrandomised studies or trials of mixed cancer groups. In addition to database searches, citations from included papers were hand-searched for any potentially eligible trials. Evidence synthesis: A total of 2654 PCa survivors from 20 eligible RCTs were identified from our database searches and reference checks. Disease-specific QoL was assessed most frequently by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate questionnaire. Included studies involved men across all stages of disease. Supportive interventions that featured individually tailored approaches and supportive interaction with dedicated staff produced the most convincing evidence of a benefit for PCa-specific QoL. Much of these data come from lifestyle interventions. Our review found little supportive evidence for simple literature provision (either in booklets or via online platforms) or cognitive behavioural approaches. Conclusions: Physical and psychological health problems can have a serious negative impact on QoL in PCa survivors. Individually tailored supportive interventions such as exercise prescription/referral should be considered by multidisciplinary clinical teams where available. Cost-effectiveness data and an understanding of how to sustain benefits over the long term are important areas for future research. Patient summary: This review of supportive interventions for improving quality of life in prostate cancer survivors found that supervised and individually tailored patient-centred interventions such as lifestyle programmes are of benefit.</p

Poem: The Passion of Research

Poem: The Passion of Researc

Improving the efficiency of sporting venues through capacity management - The case of the Sydney (Australia) Cricket Ground Trust

Capacity management seeks to improve organizational effectiveness through improved operational efficiency and reduced congestion. The article contends that there are major similarities between manufacturing organizations and sporting venues with respect to issues of capacity management. This article reports the findings of two capacity management studies undertaken at a major sporting venue in Sydney, Australia, and relates the findings to capacity management theory articulated in current capacity literature and exhibited in existing management practice. It is proposed that by understanding the well-developed techniques presented in the production capacity literature, venue managers may be able to identify pockets of idle capacity and bottleneck problems. This identification should facilitate the control, if not the elimination, of specific areas of waste, which in turn should remove some of the hidden costs of capacity, thereby increasing the profit potential of an organization

Financial planning in Australia: industry or profession?

Purpose - This paper tests whether financial planning in Australia remains an industry or can be considered a profession Design/Method/Approach - A set of attributes of professionalism were derived from the literature-public/societal responsibility, a systematic body of theory, professional authority and ethical responsibility - sample of 78 financial planners were asked to provide attitude statements relating to professionalism as well as demographic information of their business. Findings - Evidence from the attitude statements provide by the respondents to the attributes of professionalism failed to achieve a satisfactory level of professionalism for any attribute. Research limitations - The financial services operators surveyed represented a fraction of the sector. The geographical area surveyed is in the middle to upper socioeconomic strata and may not represent a fair cross-section of the financial planning sector. No attempt was made to weight the professional attributes tested. These factors could also influence the generalization of the research findings to other groups. Practical limitations - Public concern with recent collapses of financial planners has made the question of the professionalism of financial planning the subject of debate. Results of this study may assist with changing the practices of the financial planning sector

Improving outcomes by improving student satisfaction: a case study of a small accounting program

This paper documents the intervention strategies implemented by members of the Accounting Discipline within the School of Business and Informatics at the Australian Catholic University, to improve the status of the Bachelor of Business (Accounting) program by improving student satisfaction during 2003 and 2004. Five areas were targeted with the expectation of improving student satisfaction and through this the status of the program. These were the effective use of sessional staff, the effective allocation of full-time staff, the proactive response to student evaluations, greater commitment by sessional staff and the introduction and use of common subject outlines. It is argued that improvements in these areas lead to improvements in several key performance indicators of teaching and learning displayed in the 2003 and 2004 University Subject Evaluation Program. This resulted in dramatic improvements in the areas of good teaching, generic skills and overall satisfaction, as measured by the Federal Government\u27s Course Experience Questionnaire. Improvements in the accounting program\u27s entry score were also identified, although numerous factors outside the control of the University make it difficult to state with any certainty that a relationship exists