Mathematical Methods in Combatting Terrorism

This document is a preliminary report on the role that mathematical and statistical methods might play in the defense against terrorist attacks. In no way does this replace the efforts of law enforcement agencies or intelligence activities. The hope is that mathematical techniques can make their efforts more efficient. The ideas enumerated here utilize the notion of probabilistic risk analysis, which was developed for the purpose of assessing the safety of nuclear reactors, as well as randomization and game theory. More extensive work in these directions is contemplated for the future. The author is planning workshops to evaluate the ideas presented here and to elicit additional methodologies that may prove useful in this endeavor.     

REVIEWS

Becvar, D. S. (2001). In the presence of grief: Helping family members resolve death, dying, and bereavement issues .
Hoffman, L. (2002). Family therapy: An intimate history .
Keith, D. V., Connell, G. M., & Connell, L. C. (2001). Defiance in the family: Finding hope in therapy .
Ravicz, S. (2000). Thriving with your autoimmune disorder: A woman's mind-body guide .     

Behavioral science space contributions

In anticipation of longer missions on the space stations, Mir and Freedom, as well as a potential return to the Moon and the exploration of Mars, human survival and the quality of life aloft will be increasingly dependent upon research in the behavioral and biological sciences. This article reviews the possible contributions to space habitation of the behavioral sciences--especially anthropology, psychology, and sociology. Before space settlements become a reality, the author makes a case for the broadening of the engineering approach to human factor studies, and consideration of the integrative living systems theory in space planning and management.     

Dis-embeddedness and de-classification: modernization politics and the Greek teacher unions in the 1990s

During the 90s, PASOK, in common with the other European social democratic parties has advocated Third Way revisionism and has placed the‘modernization’of the Greek society high on its political agenda. By focusing on a series of conflictual incidents between the teacher unions and the Greek government, this paper exemplifies the repercussion of this process on teachers‐state relations. Building upon the dialecties of path shaping and path dependency, we suggest that the particular development of the modernization project and the reactions it has triggered are to be attributed to the historically determined, nationally specific, contingently activated institutional legacies and structures that, on the one hand, stand in the way of the incorporation of Greece to the EMU/ESM and, on the other, are employed by the unions to defend industrial and social citizenship.     

Risk preference and employment contract type

Summary.  We explore the possibility that a systematic relationship exists between employment within a particular type of contract and risk preference. We exploit a set of proxies for risk preference, whereby some of the proxies capture risk loving behaviour (expenditure on gambling, smoking and alcohol) whereas others capture risk averse behaviour (expenditure on life and contents insurance, and unearned income). The empirical analysis, based on pooled cross-section data from the UK Family Expenditure Survey, 1997–2000, provides evidence of a systematic relationship between employment contract type and risk preference, with, for example, self-employed workers being more or less likely to engage in the consumption of 'risky' or financial security products respectively. The results are based on the ordered generalized extreme value model, a relatively infrequently used discrete choice model, which allows for ordering and correlation in the alternatives observed.     

Wanted, psychiatric technician. Assessing decision-making skills

Psychiatric technicians are becoming increasingly important in the inpatient psychiatric setting, yet few educational programs properly prepare students for this demanding role. By structuring interviews around practical, real life dilemmas faced by technicians, the interviewer can establish which applicants are best suited for the job, thus helping to improve satisfaction and retention.     

Work study techniques in UK manufacturing industry

This paper presents some of the results of a large survey on the usage of work study techniques in British manufacturing industry. Detailed comparisons are made between various sizes of companies, companies of different nationality of ownership—particularly American vs British—and the types of company surveyed. The results reveal that, in spite of available knowledge, industry in the UK makes surprisingly low use of work study and that usage is significantly higher in American owned companies than British ones. Comments are made with respect to the improvements required in the teaching of work study.