The foundations of decision theory: An intuitive,operational approach with mathematical extensions

A new axiomatic basis for the foundations of decision theory is introduced and its mathematical development outlined. The system combines direct intuitive operational appeal with considerable structural flexibility in the resulting mathematical framework.     

Civil society challenges the global food system: the International Monsanto Tribunal

ABSTRACT

The global food system has severe implications for human health, soil quality, biodiversity, and quality of life. This paper provides an analysis on how transnational alliances challenge the global food system. We illustrate this by focusing on the activities and hearings of the International Monsanto Tribunal (IMT), held in the Hague in 2016. The IMT provided a platform for civil society and enabled transnational alliances to demand attention for local struggles and legal disputes in relation to Monsanto’s products. With the involvement of independent and renowned experts, the knowledge exchange between local victims and civil society was enhanced, and the IMT reinforced social movement’s goals towards demanding justice for the negative effects associated with the global food system. The advisory opinion determined that Monsanto’s practices are in violation with human rights standards. The IMT exemplified that there is an immediate need for structural change in the current global food system.     

Let's stay close: An examination of the effects of imagined contact on behavior toward children with disability

In line with current developments in indirect intergroup contact literature, we conducted a field study using the imagined contact paradigm among high-status (Italian children) and low-status (children with foreign origins) group members (N = 122; 53 females, mean age = 7.52 years). The experiment aimed to improve attitudes and behavior toward a different low-status group, children with disability. To assess behavior, we focused on an objective measure that captures the physical distance between participants and a child with disability over the course of a five-minute interaction (i.e., while playing together). Results from a 3-week intervention revealed that in the case of high-status children imagined contact, relative to a no-intervention control condition, improved outgroup attitudes and behavior, and strengthened helping and contact intentions. These effects however did not emerge among low-status children. The results are discussed in the context of intergroup contact literature, with emphasis on the implications of imagined contact for educational settings.     

Sequencing Rules for Productivity Improvements in Underground Coal Mining*

In this paper, we report on a unique two-machine, dynamic sequencing problem that was involved in a project designed to improve the productivity of underground coal mining operations. It was discovered that mine output was dependent on the particular sequence of faces the continuous miner and bolter worked. The problem is characterized by two unique features. First, the problem is unique because of the geological and safety constraints that must be satisfied by the sequence. Second, the scheduling problem is dynamic because the available job sets change as work progresses, and the production times change as coal is mined. Three heuristic approaches were developed and tested using mine parameters. The best heuristic had a worst case scenario of being within 2.7 percent of the optimal sequence and only a 1.1 percent chance of determining a better sequence. This heuristic resulted in an 8.1 percent productivity improvement.