Conflicts of Interest at Foundations: Avoiding the Bad and Managing the Good

Conflicts of interest should either be avoided or managed in such a way that the foundation and its board and managers are protected from liability or unwelcome publicity. By answering the following five questions and by following the processes recommended in this paper, foundations can minimize legal risks; protect themselves and their board members and foundation managers against bad publicity; and most of all, ensure the integrity of their decision-making process. The five questions are: Is this transaction a conflict of interest or could it be perceived as such by others?Is it prohibited by the self-dealing rules under the Internal Revenue Code?Even if the transaction is not prohibited by the self-dealing rules, is it unfair to the foundation?i.e., does it improperly benefit another person or organization?Does the transaction create an appearance problem? How would it look on the front page of tomorrow's newspaper or to the foundation's founders?Has the foundation followed its conflict-of-interest policy and documented that fact?This paper outlines the law and the factors that should be considered when answering these questions. It also includes examples of situations that foundation regulalry encounter to offer the reader an opportunity to test his or her understanding

Rethinking Responsibility for Patient Injury: Accelerated-Compensation Events, a Malpractice and Quality Reform Ripe for a Test

The accelerated-compensation events (ACE) approach in medical malpractice reform was studied. Reforms based on ACE best address the twin goals of making compensation more equitable and avoiding bad outcomes in medical care

Measurement-induced macroscopic superposition states in cavity optomechanics

We present a novel proposal for generating quantum superpositions of macroscopically distinct states of a bulk mechanical oscillator, compatible with existing optomechanical devices operating in the readily achievable bad-cavity limit. The scheme is based on a pulsed cavity optomechanical quantum non-demolition (QND) interaction, driven by displaced non-Gaussian states, and measurement-induced feedback, avoiding the need for strong single-photon optomechanical coupling. Furthermore, we show that single-quadrature cooling of the mechanical oscillator is sufficient for efficient state preparation, and we outline a three-pulse protocol comprising a sequence of QND interactions for squeezing-enhanced cooling, state preparation, and tomography.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Reestablishing stability and avoiding a credit crunch: Comparing different bad bank schemes

This paper develops a model to analyze two different bad bank schemes, an outright sale of toxic assets to a state-owned bad bank and a repurchase agreement between the bad bank and the initial bank. For both schemes, we derive a critical transfer payment that induces a bank manager to participate. Participation improves the bank's solvency and enables the bank to grant new loans. Therefore, both schemes can reestablish stability and avoid a credit crunch. However, an outright sale will be less costly to taxpayers than a repurchase agreement only if the transfer payment is sufficiently low. --bad banks,financial crisis,financial stability,credit crunch

Bad banks: The case of Germany

This paper discusses the instrument of equalisation claims, which has successfully been used in two previous German debt crises as a method for stabilizing the balance sheets of financial institutions. A modern version of this method would swap temporarily illiquid assets for government bonds with open maturit , in order to avoid the problem of evaluating the toxic assets in advance. Not only will this method save taxpayers' money, but it also upholds the market principle of liability, thereby avoiding incentives for inefficient risk-prone behaviour in the financial sector. The current German bad bank approach principally follows this approach, but severely suffers from unnecessary complexity and voluntary participation. --Financial Crisis,Bad Banks,German History,equalisation claims

Stress dan Cara Menguranginya

Stress and How to Reduce It. Everyone experiences stress or tension but it will vary from person to person. The difference lies in its intensity and the way to respond to its causes. Some ways to reduce stress include, among others, consuming healthy and nutritious foods, maintaining physical fitness, doing breath exercises, doing relaxation exercises, doing fun activities, taking a vacation, establishing harmonious relationship, avoiding bad habits, planning daily routines, keeping plants and animals, sparing time for oneself or families, and avoiding loneliness. A stress-reducing program can be successful if it is seriously carried out with discipline

Improving the implementation of regulation: time for a systemic approach

The importance of an ‘efficient and effective regulatory environment’ (Offices of the Ministers of Finance and Regulatory Reform, 2013) has never been more prominent in New Zealand than it is at the present time. The New Zealand Productivity Commission’s Regulatory Institutions and Practices report, which is both a product of and contributor to this enhanced prominence, noted that there is growing interest in regulation in New Zealand stemming from the increased importance of individual freedoms and human rights, the growing awareness of the impacts of both good and bad regulation, the way government now organises itself to provide services and implement policy, and the diversity of society and its range of attitudes to risk and expectations about government’s actions. There are many ways to enter into a discussion about an efficient and effective regulatory environment: for example, through the lens of boosting New Zealand’s productivity growth, international competitiveness and living standards (Minister of Finance and Minister of Regulatory Reform, 2009); in relation to the increasing focus on good public sector management, which includes regulatory system stewardship (Treasury, 2013); or by addressing the importance of avoiding, responding to and learning from regulatory disasters (Black, 2014). Discussions may or may not include philosophical perspectives on the place or volume of regulation. But, whatever the view on more or less regulation, or the entry point to the discussion (broad economic performance, regulatory stewardship or avoiding regulatory failures), we probably all agree that regulation that is in place should provide benefits that would not accrue in its absence, at reasonable cost

Positive Thinking and Action: The Key to Success

Positive thinking is a mental and emotional state that focuses on the positive side of life and expects favorable results. Positive thinking is the best way to internally support yourself to pursue your dreams. It brings inner peace, success, improved relationships, better health, happiness and satisfaction. It also helps the everyday life move more easily and makes life brighter and promising. However, positive thinking really means approaching life's challenges with a positive outlook. It does not necessarily mean avoiding or ignoring the bad things; instead, it involves making the most of the potentially bad situations, trying to see the best in other people, and viewing yourself and your abilities in a positive glow