Suchergebnisse

This chapter studies the behavior of international (i.e., emerging and advanced) stock market excess returns, both at the country and sector level, in a dynamic and globally integrated context. A preliminary analysis confirms that emerging stock markets have compensated international investors with generous excess returns and tend to be highly unstable. In addition, the correlation between international stock market excess returns is increasing over time. Preliminary statistics also suggest that emerging stock market excess returns have been largely influenced by the domestic shocks of the late 1990s and early 2000s (i.e., emerging crises). In contrast to existing empirical findings, this chapter shows that financial market liberalizations do not necessarily imply economic integration. Using the R 2 of a multi-(. artificial) model as a robust measure of financial integration and the trade-to-GDP ratio as a measure of real integration, it is shown that (i) there is a delay between financial market liberalizations and de facto integration; (ii) international stock markets are increasingly integrated; and (iii) average excess returns rise as de facto integration rises. The empirical findings of this chapter might have strong implications for the estimation of the cost of capital and the implementation of international portfolio diversification strategies.

The article analyses the Romanian cereal sector in the last decades. The analysis gives a special attention to the sector development level and its evolution by regions. We analyze areas, productions, yields and the trade with cereals, at national and regional level. We try to identify how competitive the sector is and the main factors of influence, based on some quantitative indicators. Moreover, we identify the negative factors which influenced it. The statistical analysis is based on long data series and concentrates on the years before and after Romania's accession into EU. We use data provided by the National Institute of Statistics. The results presented show the evolution of the cereal sector after 1989, its decline for about ten years, but also the recovery, especially after the EU accession. The article opens new discussions about the role of the cereal sector in the Romanian economy and the ways of development in the context of a high level of competitiveness among European Union countries and other countries in the world. At the same time, by the present analysis we want to show how the regional performances can contribute to the development of the cereal market in Romania.

My research project consisted of delving through over nine hundred pension records from the files of fifteen African American soldiers who participated in the Civil War. These documents are comprised of general affidavits, witness statements, physicians' certificates, military enlistment records, marriage certificates, military roll/attendance records, certificates for discharge, and documentation of receipt of or rejection of pension requests. Using these documents I investigated the cases of these soldiers in order to discover why they did or did not receive their military pensions, the length of time the process of attaining their pensions required, and I also explored the stories of the soldiers and their famlies, which were behind each case. Using a combination of my findings and a variety of secondary source materials, this work will illustrate that in addition to their opportunities to receive pension assistance, the livelihood and quality of life of black soldiers and their families after the Civil War were adversely affected by the prejudiced treatment they received from the United States pension system. The primary goal of my research is to add a personal dimension to the statistics from my secondary source materials, which infers that the military pension system was prejudiced against African American soldiers.

A study was conducted to analyze the socio-economic factors influencing commercialization of rabbit production in communal areas of Mt Darwin district of Zimbabwe. A study sample of 85 smallholder rabbit farmers was randomly selected across the study area. Data were collected by means of questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that 81.2% of respondents had attained some form of education and 63.5% had more than 6 years of rabbit farming experience. It was also observed that access to agricultural extension services, rabbit producer price, agricultural education and experience in rabbit keeping significantly (P < 0.05) influenced commercialization of rabbit farming by the farmers. It was concluded that improved access to agricultural extension services by a farmer, good rabbit producer prices, level of agricultural training attained by a farmer and years of rabbit farming experience of a farmer ease farmer's ability to adopt commercial rabbit production and hence a higher production level. It was recommended that Zimbabwe national government create an enabling environment that promotes adequate technology transfer to farmers. Also, an investment in agro-industries that deal with the value chain components of rabbitory could be embarked upon by the government in order to improve on value-addition by farmers which would in-turn lead to more favourable prices.

This paper argues that, using the UK census data from 1961-1981 as a case study, the age of data limits the availability of matching data, and the disclosure risk through spontaneous recognition. Dissemination of data from which individual identity can be deduced from the data, by themselves or with published information is prohibited under the Statistics and Registration Service Act (SRSA) in the UK, and by similar legislation elsewhere. Disclosure can arise from matching data on common keys, spontaneous recognition of oneself, acquaintances or of those in the spotlight. Disclosure also arises by recognizing identifiable combinations of characteristics known to the intruder. Contributing factors to the reduced disclosure risk are: (i) mortality of data subjects, using the English Life Tables, this paper estimates mortality rates for data subjects in the UK census data; (ii) lack of availability of matching data, by law organisation are limited in time they can keep personal data; (iii) memory loss, forgetting one's own past, as well as that of other data subject; (iv) churn, the tendency for data to become outdated as circumstances of data subjects change. Arguably, the contributing factors above are independent and their effect on disclosure risk therefore additive.

Abstract
This study reports on the assessment of a multivariate heat wave vulnerability index (HVI) developed for London, United Kingdom. The HVI is assessed in terms of its ability to predict whether mortality and ambulance callout attain above average levels during heat wave events. Three approaches to assessment were adopted: 1) calculation of categorical statistics and associated skill scores for the dichotomous situation that above average mortality or ambulance callout occurred or not, 2) the degree to which relative risk of the aforementioned health outcomes changed with an increase in heat vulnerability as established using Poisson regression analysis, and 3) an independent samples test of the difference of mean mortality and ambulance callout between census units with and without high heat exposure and high vulnerability. The assessment results reveal that the HVI and a simple single variable index that represents age as a heat risk factor (the elderly index) offer potential as a priori indicators of the level of ambulance callout and mortality for all summer days and heat wave events, respectively. Based on the assessment results the utility of the HVI for heat risk management is discussed.

Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. Social media such as Twitter is an emerging surveillance tool that may assist researchers in tracking suicide risk factors in real time. Aims: To identify suicide-related risk factors through Twitter conversations by matching on geographic suicide rates from vital statistics data. Method: At-risk tweets were filtered from the Twitter stream using keywords and phrases created from suicide risk factors. Tweets were grouped by state and departures from expectation were calculated. The values for suicide tweeters were compared against national data of actual suicide rates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results: A total of 1,659,274 tweets were analyzed over a 3-month period with 37,717 identified as at-risk for suicide. Midwestern and western states had a higher proportion of suicide-related tweeters than expected, while the reverse was true for southern and eastern states. A strong correlation was observed between state Twitter-derived data and actual state age-adjusted suicide data. Conclusion: Twitter may be a viable tool for real-time monitoring of suicide risk factors on a large scale. This study demonstrates that individuals who are at risk for suicide may be detected through social media.

Background. HIV continues to be a major concern among MSM, yet Black MSM have not been enrolled in HIV research studies in proportionate numbers to White MSM. We developed an HIV prevention research brand strategy for MSM. Methods. Questionnaires and focus groups were conducted with 54 participants. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses were performed and qualitative data were transcribed and content analyzed to identify common themes. Results. Formative research results indicated that younger Black MSM (18–29 years) were less likely to think about joining prevention studies compared to older (≥30 years) Black MSM (x2=5.92, P=0.015). Qualitative and quantitative results indicate four prominent themes related to brand development: (1) communication sources (message deliverer), (2) message (impact of public health messaging on perceptions of HIV research), (3) intended audience (underlying issues that influence personal relevance of HIV research), and (4) communication channels (reaching intended audiences). Conclusion. The findings highlight the importance of behavioral communication translational research to effectively engage hard-to-reach populations. Despite reservations, MSM in our formative study expressed a need for active involvement and greater education to facilitate their engagement in HIV prevention research. Thus, the brand concept of "InvolveMENt" emerged.

This article is based on an empirical comparative analysis of South Koreans studying at institutions of higher education in Japan and China. Focusing on the phenomenon of 'regionalization of higher education,' the study examines South Korean students' mobility within Asia and the transferability of human capital. Data for this study came from a larger survey of Asian students who were enrolled as international students in South Korea, Japan and China. The survey was conducted between October 2012 and April 2013. Of the 1,036 students who participated in the survey, this study draws on data from 135 Korean students in Japan and 188 Korean students in China. Findings on students' future career plans reveal that 40–50 percent of Korean students plan to return home five years after studying abroad and about 20 percent plan to migrate to a third country. Considering these statistics, the mobility of Korean students within Asia is closer to brain circulation than brain drain or brain gain. Also, many Korean students believe that their education from the home country is transferable in the host country, and that their education abroad is recognized both in their home as well as in a third county.

Abstract

Cover Story


Use your institution's net price calculator as a recruitment tool


Leverage net price calculator to be transparent about costs with prospective students, families


Adjust strategies for changing environment


Educate families about financial aid, costs


Help families complete the FAFSA to boost knowledge, goodwill


Idea File


Consider customized programs to meet local business needs


Review ED statistics that show rise in student borrowers, debt


Benchmark grad‐student enrollment against national trends


Learn how new global platform facilitates student records exchange


Research


Survey findings about adult enrollment can help with program decisions


Policies & Procedures


Ease transfer process with a transfer articulation office


Advise transfer students to help them maximize their credit


Managing Your Office


Apply nutritional science's discoveries to administration


What Would You Do?


How can admissions officers balance time with students, parents?


Lawsuits & Rulings


DISMISSAL


Ph.D. student may get chance to plead his case to jury


ACADEMIC AFFAIRS


Grad student can't convince judge she was entitled to programs


FERPA


FERPA doesn't grant rights to third parties


Leaders & Innovators


ERIC MAGUIRE, VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT, ITHACA COLLEGE


Base admissions strategies on data


Review available data to improve processes, outcomes

Medications in treatment and control of diabetes can be costly for pediatric patients and families. Therefore, individuals may seek complementary and alternative therapies, such as cinnamon, in addition to traditional treatments. The objective of this study was to determine acceptability of using cinnamon in treatment of diabetes in a pediatric population with diabetes. Seventy-six pediatric diabetes patients at a diabetes clinic participated in a one-time telephone interview using an 18-item, validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were utilized to determine cinnamon acceptability and preferences. The majority of the subjects were between 16-18 years (43%, n = 33), Caucasian (62%, n = 47), and female (67%, n = 51). More than three-fourths were overweight or at risk of being overweight (80%, n = 60). Seventy-six percent stated that they would be willing to try cinnamon for treatment of their diabetes, whereas 14.5% were undecided and 9.2% unwilling. Most (n = 56, 52.5%) were willing to take the cinnamon supplement 1-2 times per day. The greatest concerns expressed by subjects were side effects, interaction with current medications, and physician's willingness to approve and prescribe. This research suggests that in consultation with health professionals, diabetic youth are willing to try cinnamon supplementation in the treatment.

Abstract
Major League Baseball is played from the beginning of April through the end of October each year, encompassing three of the four meteorological seasons: spring, summer, and fall. The 30 teams play in cities across the United States and Canada in many types of weather. This work studies the impact of temperature on a Major League Baseball game by examining the association between temperature and several Major League Baseball game statistics, including runs scored, batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, home runs, walks, strikeouts, hit-batsmen, stolen bases, and errors. Data from 22 215 games, spanning the 2000–11 regular seasons, were studied. Temperature was categorized as "cold," "average," and "warm." Analyses were performed on the following populations: all Major League Baseball games, games played in the National League, games played in the American League, and games played in 23 different stadiums that are currently being used by Major League Baseball teams. Home and away teams' performances were analyzed separately for each population of games. The results of this study show that runs scored, batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and home runs significantly increase while walks significantly decrease in warm weather compared to cold weather.

AbstractA distinguishing feature of Swedish child protection is the direct and indirect influence on decision‐making in individual cases by representatives appointed by their elected political parties. As members of local committees, they take the most interventionist and costly decisions themselves, informed by care proposals submitted by professional social workers. Other decisions are delegated to professional social workers. In direct decision‐making, they are supposed to act as laypersons using their own judgement and experience, not as politicians. The aim of this paper is to describe and analyse these committees, their role and responsibilities, and possible influence of politics on child protection. A mixed method was used, with a survey sent to 467 representatives, structured interviews with 99 secretaries of local committees and data drawn from national statistics. The Swedish model is discussed as a hybrid system influenced not only by professional, bureaucratic, political and market governance logics but also by laypersons. One conclusion is that although child protection is directly influenced by politics, the reverse is also true. By exposing politicians to the difficult life circumstances and societal shortcomings experienced by vulnerable children, the system can, in turn, have an impact on politics at the municipal level.

Background:Engaging in social interaction has, for people with psychiatric disabilities, been shown to enhance well-being and the experience of meaning and to generally prevent the worsening of mental illness.Aim:The aim of the study was to investigate how day centre attendees differed from non-attendees regarding different aspects of social interaction and to investigate how occupational factors, including day centre attendance, and previously known predictors were related to social interaction in the study sample as a whole.Methods:A total of 93 day centre attendees and 82 non-attendees with psychiatric disabilities were examined regarding social interaction, subjective perception of occupation, activity level, sense of self-mastery and socio-demographic and clinical variables. Data were analysed with non-parametric statistics, mainly logistic regression.Results:Social support was mainly provided by informal caregivers such as family members. The day centre attendees had more social relations but did not experience better quality or closeness in their relationships than non-attendees. Important factors for social interaction were subjective perceptions of daily occupation, being married/cohabiting, self-mastery and severity of psychiatric symptoms.Conclusion:Alternative ways of enhancing social interactions in the community is needed, targeting the group's feeling of satisfaction and value in daily life together with self-mastery.

Abstract
An important question for firms and policy makers is whether the recruitment of
foreign workers can boost innovation. Migration studies have demonstrated
positive economic impacts of cultural diversity on productivity and innovation
at the regional level, but the impacts at firm level are less well known.
Merging data from four different sources, provided by Statistics Netherlands, we
construct and analyze a unique linked employer-employee micro dataset of 4582
firms that includes qualitative information on firm innovation. We consider both
the number of immigrants these firms employ and their cultural diversity.
Potential endogeneity of migrant employment is addressed by an instrumental
variables approach that accounts for the past geographic distribution of
immigrants and the past culinary diversity of the municipality the firm is
located in. We find robust evidence that firms employing relatively more
migrants are less innovative. However, there is evidence of integration in that
this effect is generally less strong or even absent for second generation
immigrants. Moreover, firms employing a more diverse foreign workforce are more
innovative, particularly in terms of product innovations. The benefits of
diversity for innovation are more apparent in sectors employing relatively more
skilled immigrants.

JEL codes

D22, F22, O31