RATIONING DISCRETIONARY ECONOMIC RESOURCES: A MULTIOBJECTIVE APPROACH

Prior research involving capital rationing has focused on capital budgeting issues: given a limited resource pool, which major long-lived fixed assets should be acquired? However, capital rationing can be extended to include not only new fixed-asset purchases but also expenditures for any other discretionary activity such as advertising, research and development, or maintenance. In this broader situation, measuring the contributions of certain discretionary activities to a single objective (e.g., maximize profits) or to multiple objectives often is hindered by a lack of reliable revenue estimates. This problem severely hampers the usefulness of traditional mathematical programming approaches to capital rationing. In this paper, we modify the usual multiobjective capital rationing procedures by treating each discretionary activity as an objective in itself. In this manner, we can mitigate the difficulties associated with revenue measurement problems and allow a decision maker systematically to explore the various trade-offs between competing discretionary investments.     

Assessing manual lifting tasks based on segment angle interpolations

This study investigates the effects of the number of interpolation points on the prediction accuracy of segment angle trajectory during lifting. Ten participants performed various lifting tasks while a motion tracking system recorded their movements. Two-point through ten-point equal time-spaced segment angles extracted from major segment trajectory data captured by the motion tracking system were used to re-generate the whole body lifting motion by using polynomial and cubic spline interpolation methods. The root mean square error (RMSE) between the reference (motion tracking system) and the estimated (interpolation method) segment angle trajectories were calculated to quantify the prediction accuracy. The results showed that the cubic spline interpolation will yield a smaller RMSE value than one based on the polynomial interpolation. While increasing the number of interpolation points can reduce the RMSE of the estimated segment angle trajectories, there was a diminishing advantage in continuing to add interpolation points. A sensitivity analysis suggests that if the estimation of the segment angles at each interpolation point deviates considerably from the real value, and cannot be controlled at a low level (<10 (), the use of higher number of interpolation points will not improve the estimation accuracy.     

Examination of computer task exposures in radiologists: a work systems approach

Radiologists are intensive computer users as they review and interpret radiological examinations using the Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS). Since their computer tasks require the prolonged use of pointing devices, a high prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) is reported. The first phase of this study involved conducting a Cognitive Work Analysis in conjunction with a Participatory Ergonomics approach to perform a total work system analysis. We also conducted an ergonomic survey as well as collected computer use data, specifically for the mouse and keyboard. The goal of the study was to reduce the physical exposures for radiologists. This paper presents Phase I results describing the analyses and redesign process of the radiologists tasks, training design, computer use, and selected survey results.     

Ecological influences on parenting and child development

Summary The development of children and young people and their subsequentlife chances in adulthood are the product of a complex set ofinteracting factors, at individual, family and community levels.An ecological framework is used to examine the mutual influencesbetween the different systems that are important during childhood.The links between poverty and health and the influence of socialexclusion and structural inequalities on family and communityfunctioning are considered in some depth, utilizing findingsfrom a wide range of research disciplines, in different partsof the world. The identification, development and protectionof sources of informal social support, available to familiesliving in impoverished circumstances, are identified as keytasks for social workers and other welfare professionals. Togetherwith features of resiliency, found amongst children and familiescoping successfully in high-risk environments, this knowledgeis used to point the way towards features of effective, ecologicalassessment and intervention strategies.     

Strategic control of factory automation

This article identifies strategic control as an unexpected difficulty in implementing the ‘factory of the future’ and as a major stumbling block to firms in their automation efforts. The concept of strategic control is discussed and an example is given. The results of a study in this area are then described and used to explain how managers have unknowingly relinquished control of the manufacturing operation. The article concludes with advice for managers in setting up strategic control systems in their firms that will facilitate rather than hinder the progress of factory automation.     

有关荒地的法律基础与管理依据——中国西北部地区环境与习惯法讨论

在过去150多年里,西方普遍认为中国的荒地,包括林地和草场在内,都是缺乏管理和保护的。但是研究表明,在历史上荒地一直都受到了细心的管理和控制,并且存在着不同于农耕地的独特的荒地管理方式,而且林地和草场有些时候是由地方公共组织进行管理的。不幸的是,上世纪起,国家运动和非地方性的管理方式却导致了环境的恶化。而在分配有关树木和荒地的权利时考虑到习惯法的地方,所有制的类型及其激励机制显示出了他们异乎寻常的对于变化的灵活性,并且直到今天这些习惯法依然存在。     

Preparing MSW Students for Integrative Mind–Body-Spirit Practice

Knowledge of new developments in social work education supports clinical practitioners’ professional development and their supervision of students and early career social workers. Integrative mind–body-spirit (IMBS) practice is a holistic paradigm that is emerging in social work education and the profession. IMBS modalities have a growing evidence base and are congruent with the healing practices of many cultures, thereby supporting culturally competent practice. This article explores the development, implementation, and outcomes of an elective MSW course designed to critically examine the IMBS and biomedical paradigms and introduce students to IMBS practice. Two sections of this course were piloted (n = 35) and pre- and post-assessments administered. Findings suggest that experienced clinicians can support the professional development of novice practitioners by encouraging ongoing exploration and critical assessment of the IMBS and biomedical paradigms and incorporation of evidence-based mind–body-spirit practices in their clinical work and self-care.     

Evaluation of family planning program performance: A critical review

Family Planning Program Evaluation is not a well-developed art, much less an exact science. The evaluation of the performance of such programs has received a good deal of attention but the methodologies are still controversial and the results inconclusive. This is due to a wide variety of constraints, not all of which are technical, and most of which are not unique to family planning. The prospects for improvement of FPPE depend, to a great extent, on overcoming these constraints.