Measuring and Achieving Equity in Multiperiod Emergency Material Allocation

Emergency material allocation is an important part of postdisaster emergency logistics that is significant for improving rescue effectiveness and reducing disaster losses. However, the traditional single‐period allocation model often causes local surpluses or shortages and high cost, and prevents the system from achieving an equitable or optimal multiperiod allocation. To achieve equitable allocation of emergency materials in the case of serious shortages relative to the demand by victims, this article introduces a multiperiod model for allocation of emergency materials to multiple affected locations (using an exponential utility function to reflect the disutility loss due to material shortfalls), and illustrates the relationship between equity of allocations and the cost of emergency response. Finally, numerical examples are presented to demonstrate both the feasibility and the usefulness of the proposed model for achieving multiperiod equitable allocation of emergency material among multiple disaster locations. The results indicate that the introduction of a nonlinear utility function to reflect the disutility of large shortfalls can make the material allocation fairer, and minimize large losses due to shortfalls. We found that achieving equity has a significant but not unreasonable impact on emergency costs. We also illustrate that using differing utility functions for different types of materials adds an important dimension of flexibility.     

无意识心理活动与科学创造

无意识是一种不为意识所知的特殊心理活动,在科学创造中起着非常重要的作用.本文试就无意识心理活动与科学创造的关系问题加以探讨,重点分析无意识的深隐性、可解性、偶现性的内在和谐以及三者之间的和谐互动在科学创造中的作用.     

价值管理:会计的一场革命

由于会计环境的巨大变化 ,现有会计体系呈现出固有的缺陷 ,会计变革已迫在眉睫。传统会计是一个经济信息系统的观点 ,已束缚了会计学科的发展。价值管理已成为当今企业管理的核心内容。从价值管理角度诠释会计新概念 ,可以克服现有会计体系的固有缺陷 ,极大地扩展了会计学科的视野。新会计体系将包括价值信息管理(财务会计、管理会计和审计等 )、价值活动管理 (财务管理、内部控制制度等 )     

权力机关撤销具体行政行为探析

从抽象行政行为和具体行政行为二者的关系及权力机关的职能诸方面看 ,权力机关撤销具体行政行为十分必要 ,撤销具体行政行为的原则方法必须适当     

四种企业成本控制模式的比较分析及启示

面对日趋激烈的市场竞争环境 ,成本控制成为决定企业生存与发展的关键因素。对目前国内外较为典型的四种成本控制模式的比较分析 ,将为我国企业成本控制模式的选择提供有益的启示     

植物液泡膜H+-ATPase及其在胁迫中的响应

V-ATPase存在于所有已知的真核生物中,在植物的生长、发育、信号转导和胁迫适应过程中发挥着重要的作用.近年来对V-ATPase的结构、功能和调节机制的研究进展较快,V-ATPase主要亚基已经完成序列测定及分析,并对各亚基生理功能、V-ATPase全酶复合体的组装、调控也有了较为深入的研究.该文在阐述植物细胞液泡膜H -ATPase的基本结构的基础上,介绍V-ATPase亚基组成、编码基因及在胁迫应答中的响应.     

论学术道德建设的运行机制

学术道德建设的机制是多种机制的整合。学术道德建设主要应形成学术道德教育培养机制、学术道德舆论引导机制和学术活动规范综合运行机制。这些机制的良性运行 ,才能促进学术活动的健康有序发展     

Creating a reference to a complex emergency situation using time series methods: war in Guinea-Bissau 1998-1999

Impacts of complex emergencies or relief interventions have often been evaluated by absolute mortality compared to international standardized mortality rates. A better evaluation would be to compare with local baseline mortality of the affected populations. A projection of population-based survival data into time of emergency or intervention based on information from before the emergency may create a local baseline reference. We find a log-transformed Gaussian time series model where standard errors of the estimated rates are included in the variance to have the best forecasting capacity. However, if time-at-risk during the forecasted period is known then forecasting might be done using a Poisson time series model with overdispersion. Whatever, the standard error of the estimated rates must be included in the variance of the model either in an additive form in a Gaussian model or in a multiplicative form by overdispersion in a Poisson model. Data on which the forecasting is based must be modelled carefully concerning not only calendar-time trends but also periods with excessive frequency of events (epidemics) and seasonal variations to eliminate residual autocorrelation and to make a proper reference for comparison, reflecting changes over time during the emergency. Hence, when modelled properly it is possible to predict a reference to an emergency-affected population based on local conditions. We predicted childhood mortality during the war in Guinea-Bissau 1998-1999. We found an increased mortality in the first half-year of the war and a mortality corresponding to the expected one in the last half-year of the war.     

An analysis of other countries’ international public relations in the U.S.

The purpose of this study was to examine the various aspects of international public relations by other countries in the U.S. Based on the Foreign Agency Registration Act (FARA) report in 2002, this study analyzed client, activity types, purpose of activity, and key U.S. partners for activity. This study found that (1) business organizations and central governments were major clients of international public relations in the U.S., (2) meeting with governmental officials and congressional leaders was the primary type of activity followed by information dissemination, and (3) economic purpose led by trade promotion was the primary motive for these activities.     

People and their waste in an emergency context: The case of Monrovia, Liberia

Liberia has gone through civil crisis for over a decade which has resulted in the destruction of infrastructure and disruption of basic services delivery particularly in Monrovia, the capital city. Most of the 1.3 million people living in Monrovia are without adequate environmental sanitation and waste management services which situation poses a serious health risk to the residents. The current waste management service coverage is less than 20% and disposal is by indiscriminate open dumping. In 2003, there were series of outbreaks of cholera epidemics in the city during which time a total of 26,651 cases were reported with many dying.The waste management plan was initiated as an exit strategy of UNICEF following an intervention response programme to assist the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) whose capacity in this area had been crippled as a result of years of war, through the provision of support in solid waste collection and disposal.The objectives of the plan were to:

(a) Improve waste management services delivery in the city.

(b) Strengthen the ability of the MCC to plan and manage the waste services delivery.

(c) Enhance cooperation of service beneficiaries through comprehensive and effective health education and service promotional campaign.

(d) Enhance revenue generation and community participation through the promotion of private sector and CBOs/NGOs active involvement in the waste management service delivery.

The general methodology adopted for the assignment entailed the following:Desk study and review of existing reports on Water and Environmental Sanitation (WES) in Monrovia and other relevant literature, consultation with stakeholders, site visits and participatory planning which aimed at soliciting the opinions of the various stakeholders involved with the respective components to capture their aspirations and experiences. It also covered collection and analysis of available information and data to facilitate the plan preparation and facilities design.The three-phased strategy (short, medium and long term) covering a period of 10 years (August 2004–December 2014), recommended a combination of technical options for collection based on the pursuit of staged development to allow for the adoption of realistically attainable standards within a framework of continuous and systematic improvements as economic conditions improved and new knowledge gained through practice. The plan sought to blend the capacity within the City Corporation with that of the private sector and NGOs/CBOs to respond to the diverse service demands of the city taking into consideration housing and infrastructural conditions, service costs and cost recovery to ensure sustainability. It also identified sources of financing and allocated financing responsibilities to facilitate effective plan implementation.