Exchange Rate Volatility and Macroeconomic Performance in Hong Kong.

In this paper evidence on whether Hong Kong's currency board arrangement, in place since 1983, has affected volatility of real macroeconomic variables is presented. Simple evidence on the relative volatilities of relevant macroeconomic variables pre and post 1983 is presented, before a more formal econometric framework is utilised to examine the linkages between the exchange rate and the real economy. It is found that the currency board period has been one of relative stability in Hong Kong, though it has also been a period where external factors have been relatively benign. Even after controlling for the external environment it is found that the currency board period is one of low macroeconomic volatility.EXCHANGE RATE ; MACROECONOMICS ; FORECASTS

Examination of the Relationship Between Perfectionism and Religiosity as Mediated by Psychological Inflexibility

The relationship between perfectionism and religiosity is clarified when the adaptive and maladaptive dimensions of both constructs are compared. Literature in both areas implicates the idea of a rigid and inflexible personality style as a possible mediator in the relationship. This investigation examined the relationship of perfectionism and religiosity, using adaptive and maladaptive dimensions, as mediated by psychological inflexibility. Measures of perfectionism, religiosity, and psychological inflexibility were given to 376 undergraduate college students in an anonymous online survey. Adaptive perfectionism was found to be significantly correlated with adaptive religiosity. Maladaptive perfectionism was found to be significantly correlated with maladaptive religiosity. Psychological inflexibility was found to be significantly correlated with the maladaptive dimensions of both perfectionism and religiosity. It was also shown to mediate the relationship between maladaptive religiosity and maladaptive perfectionism using the test of mediation proposed by Baron and Kenny. Implications and future directions are discussed

Development of a Live Fish Market Through the Use of a New Live Holding Gear That Will Reduce Fish Mortality

The purpose of this project was to develop a live fish market through the use of new live holding gear that would also reduce fish mortality. There is a need for watermen to learn how to keep their fish product alive, as opposed to the current practice of icing fish down. Fish that are iced down will only keep for twenty-one days, as far as safe consumer food consumption is concerned. The market buyer knows this and the market price reflects this. If the watermen were able t.o develop a process in which to hold the fish alive and sell the product alive, it would create a fresher and higher value product. It would also increase the time that the waterman could hold his product, and generate a higher price at the market

Preliminary evaluation of a girls\u27 empowerment program: the effects of dance on self-esteem and body-image

Adolescence is a time of numerous physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. Adolescent girls often experience a decline in body-image and/or self-esteem which can negatively impact mental health. While programs exist that are designed to address these concerns, empirical support for these programs is minimal and has often failed to demonstrate significant findings. This author evaluated a community-based empowerment and dance program for adolescent girls to evaluate the impact of participation on self-esteem and body-image. Pre-test and post-test data was collected from 5 adolescent girls using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) and the Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA). Data analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in overall body-image and weight satisfaction at post-test. Measures of self-esteem and two additional body-image subscales revealed moderate-to-large effect sizes; however, the results failed to have sufficient power due to the small sample size. Analysis of archival qualitative data, collected by the same program during two previous academic years, revealed overarching themes relating to social relationships, confidence, self-expression, body-image, self-esteem and enjoyment of the program, indicating that participants reported making gains in these areas. When considering the negative consequences associated with poor body-image and low self-esteem, programs that focus on improving self-esteem and body-image could have long-term implications for the well-being of numerous youth. These results suggest that further research should be conducted to substantiate these findings and build empirical support for similar community-based programs

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for the Treatment of Compulsive Pornography Use: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Compulsive pornography use (CPU) is generally defined by the inability to control the use of pornography and the resulting negative effects on quality of life or general functioning including damaged relationships, loss of productivity, impaired performance at work or school, job loss, financial expenses, guilt/shame, and personal distress. Statistics indicate that CPU may be as common as other psychological disorders and that the effects of the behavior can be just as severe. It is estimated that 1.5% to 3% of the adult population of the United States meets the criteria for compulsive pornography use. A review of the literature found no randomized controlled investigations of psychosocial treatments for this problem. This study reports the results of a randomized clinical trial of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for the treatment of compulsive pornography use comparing an active treatment condition (n = 14) with a waitlist control (n = 14). The results showed a significant 93% decrease in self-reported hours viewed per week from pretreatment to posttreatment compared to the control condition, which experienced a 21% decrease. In a 20-week follow-up assessment, the treatment group did not change significantly from posttreatment to follow-up with an 84% decrease, indicating relative maintenance of the treatment gains. The control condition received the active treatment after the waiting period and was combined with the treatment group to calculate an overall effect size from pretreatment to posttreatment of 1.86. This is supported by clinical effectiveness data that shows 54% of the participants completely stopped viewing at posttreatment and another 39% of participants reduced viewing by at least 70% of pretreatment levels by posttreatment. Additional measures of quality of life, sexual compulsivity, and negative outcomes of sexual behavior were also completed and support the behavioral self-report results. These results are significant because they provide the first randomized group evidence of an effective treatment for compulsive pornography use. Implications and future directions are discussed

A Model for the Application of Test and Evaluation Concepts by the Air Element of the Canadian Forces During the Materiel Acquisition and Support Lifecycle

Recent experience has proven that the Test and Evaluation (T&E) terms and responsibilities described in Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces policies and orders – particularly those related to the Category flight test system – are poorly understood and frequently in conflict with contemporary approaches to Materiel Acquisition & Support. As a result, financial and airworthiness authorities may not be recognizing the benefits inherent to the timely application of T&E by the Air element of the Canadian Forces during the Materiel Acquisition & Support lifecycle. At the same time, the on-going inconsistent application of T&E is resulting in frustration between T&E agents and project managers, in the inefficient use of resources, and in delays in achieving project objectives. This paper proposes a rationalized model for Air T&E as it relates to the Materiel Acquisition & Support lifecycle. The model has been developed by linking legal requirements and the Department of National Defence accountability framework with T&E concepts that are consistent with current airworthiness and financial management policies, and with Materiel Acquisition & Support milestones. Implementation of these Air T&E concepts will provide clarity and consistency to Materiel Acquisition & Support processes leading to needed operational capability being fielded as quickly and cost effectively as possible; project management staff and Air T&E agents will benefit from a common basis from which to plan T&E activities. Additionally, clarification of the associated roles and responsibilities will focus available resources where they are needed, and when they will have the most consequence