Academic literature on the topic 'Quality measures for link keys'
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Journal articles on the topic "Quality measures for link keys":
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Nguyen, Long, Mark Stoové, Douglas Boyle, Denton Callander, Hamish McManus, Jason Asselin, Rebecca Guy, Basil Donovan, Margaret Hellard, and Carol El-Hayek. "Privacy-Preserving Record Linkage of Deidentified Records Within a Public Health Surveillance System: Evaluation Study." Journal of Medical Internet Research 22, no. 6 (June 24, 2020): e16757. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/16757.
Abstract:
Background The Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance (ACCESS) was established to monitor national testing and test outcomes for blood-borne viruses (BBVs) and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) in key populations. ACCESS extracts deidentified data from sentinel health services that include general practice, sexual health, and infectious disease clinics, as well as public and private laboratories that conduct a large volume of BBV/STI testing. An important attribute of ACCESS is the ability to accurately link individual-level records within and between the participating sites, as this enables the system to produce reliable epidemiological measures. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of GRHANITE software in ACCESS to extract and link deidentified data from participating clinics and laboratories. GRHANITE generates irreversible hashed linkage keys based on patient-identifying data captured in the patient electronic medical records (EMRs) at the site. The algorithms to produce the data linkage keys use probabilistic linkage principles to account for variability and completeness of the underlying patient identifiers, producing up to four linkage key types per EMR. Errors in the linkage process can arise from imperfect or missing identifiers, impacting the system’s integrity. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the quality of the linkages created and evaluate the outcome of the linkage for ongoing public health surveillance. Methods Although ACCESS data are deidentified, we created two gold-standard datasets where the true match status could be confirmed in order to compare against record linkage results arising from different approaches of the GRHANITE Linkage Tool. We reported sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values where possible and estimated specificity by comparing a history of HIV and hepatitis C antibody results for linked EMRs. Results Sensitivity ranged from 96% to 100%, and specificity was 100% when applying the GRHANITE Linkage Tool to a small gold-standard dataset of 3700 clinical medical records. Medical records in this dataset contained a very high level of data completeness by having the name, date of birth, post code, and Medicare number available for use in record linkage. In a larger gold-standard dataset containing 86,538 medical records across clinics and pathology services, with a lower level of data completeness, sensitivity ranged from 94% to 95% and estimated specificity ranged from 91% to 99% in 4 of the 6 different record linkage approaches. Conclusions This study’s findings suggest that the GRHANITE Linkage Tool can be used to link deidentified patient records accurately and can be confidently used for public health surveillance in systems such as ACCESS.
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Weed, Richard M. "Development of Composite Quality Measures." Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board 1712, no. 1 (January 2000): 103–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.3141/1712-13.
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Statistical construction specifications based on multiple quality characteristics frequently use pay equations that include a separate term for each of the quality characteristics so that the resultant pay adjustment is a function of the combined effect of all quality measures. An alternate method that can be used to accomplish the same purpose is to base the pay equation on a single quality measure that is a composite of the individual quality measures. The latter approach, because it keys the various decision-making steps to a single performance indicator, simplifies the procedure and offers several practical advantages. It is believed that this approach makes significant strides toward the ultimate goal of developing quality assurance procedures that are at the same time technically sound, fair and effective, and easy to understand and apply. Examples of a two-variable case for hot-mix asphalt pavement and a general three-variable case are presented.
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Rudnev, Valery, Aaron Goodwin, Steven Fillip, William West, Jim Schwab, and Steve St Pierre. "Keys to Long-Lasting Hardening Inductors: Experience, Materials, and Precision." AM&P Technical Articles 173, no. 9 (October 1, 2015): 56–60. http://dx.doi.org/10.31399/asm.amp.2015-09.p056.
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Abstract Induction coils are considered the weakest link in an induction hardening system, so advanced designs and precise fabrication are paramount to ensure long life while producing high quality treated parts. This article describes material selection and fabrication techniques for conventional inductors and new breakthrough designs.
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Roslow, Sydney, J. A. F. Nicholls, and John Tsalikis. "Time And Quality: Twin Keys To Customer Service Satisfaction." Journal of Applied Business Research (JABR) 8, no. 2 (October 18, 2011): 80. http://dx.doi.org/10.19030/jabr.v8i2.6168.
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Customers expect satisfaction when employing a service. We have explored the applicability of two elements of service satisfaction: time and quality. The time element utilized two measures: consumption time and waiting time. The five elements of quality we utilized were: courtesy, attentiveness, ability, accuracy, professionalism. We found that the time factor was somewhat more significant than the quality factor in determining consumers satisfaction in the service experience situation and in the service accomplishment. Although this study was based on banking services the time and quality dimensions are generally present in all service industries.
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Ganguly, Kunal. "Establishing link between quality management and supply chain risk management." TQM Journal 32, no. 5 (November 22, 2019): 1039–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/tqm-05-2019-0125.
Abstract:
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive framework for quality-related performance measures linked to supply chain risk (SCR) by analyzing and framing them into a hierarchical structure. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, quality-related performance measures (QM) are identified on the basis of literature survey and expert opinion. The quality measures are formulated as hierarchy structure and fuzzy AHP as a multi attribute decision-making tool is applied to judge the viable candidates. Findings Based on a fuzzy AHP approach, a revised risk matrix with a continuous scale was proposed to assess the QMs’ classes. The result classifies the QMs in different categories (extreme, high, medium and low). Based on this result, some management implications and suggestions are proposed. Originality/value The present work proposes an assessment methodology for quality-related performance measures linked to SCR. The revised risk matrix with continuous scale for risk assessment in this field is a novel approach. This study contributes to the supply chain management and quality management literature, and provides suggestions for managers to adopt different strategies for different risk classes.
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Li, Juan, and Hai Ying Jiang. "Speeding up Based on the Process Optimization of High Voltage Business Expanding." Applied Mechanics and Materials 556-562 (May 2014): 1950–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.556-562.1950.
Abstract:
As the primary link and the accepting link of power supply and sale, the quality of business expansion is directly related to the economic benefits and social profile of the power company. By many measures, such as reducing the link of process and delayering business expansion process, realizing multi link synchronous operation and integrally operating all qualified links, the process of high voltage business expansion project is optimized. The practice proves that these measures effectively reduce the average time of power access, and improve the level of power supply service. Keywords: power supply company; business expanding; process optimization; average power access time
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Yang, Wei Jun, Peng Xiao Jiang, Jiang Sheng Liu, and Jian Yu Yang. "The Exploration of the External Teaching Base Construction of Civil Engineering in Excellent Engineer Cultivation." Applied Mechanics and Materials 256-259 (December 2012): 3103–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.256-259.3103.
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This paper analyzed the necessity of building the external teaching base of civil engineering in excellent engineer cultivation plans, proposed measures of the external teaching base construction from three links, including: the practice team link, construction enterprise link and project manager link. The analysis has positive significance to enhancing the education quality of civil engineering specialty production practice.
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Mohmed, Abobaker, Antoinette Flynn, and Colette Grey. "The link between CSR and earnings quality: evidence from Egypt." Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies 10, no. 1 (November 14, 2019): 1–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jaee-10-2018-0109.
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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and earnings quality, as proxied by accrual earnings management, in Egyptian firms. This research is conducted in a bidirectional fashion using simultaneous equations and considers two theoretical perspectives. Design/methodology/approach The study employs CSR annual scores from the Egyptian environmental, social and governance index (S&P/ESG index) for the 100 highest scoring firms from 2007 to 2015. It utilizes three earnings quality measures, in addition to considering reverse causality and endogeneity. Findings The results indicate that CSR has a positive association with earnings quality only in the top CSR scoring firms (top 30 ranked firms according to the index). Engaging in CSR in such firms enhances the quality of their earnings. This suggests that firms with relatively lower CSR scores (bottom 70 ranked firms according to the index) may use CSR to “greenwash” weaker earnings. Research limitations/implications The findings suggest that researchers, analysts and policy makers should consider earnings quality when estimating the real value of a firm’s CSR score. In particular, the Egyptian S&P/ESG index committee could further develop the index by incorporating earnings quality measures. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature by exploring in-depth the causal relationship between CSR practices and accrual earnings management in an emerging market. The results provide a nuanced story of CSR practices, with accruals earnings management (earnings quality) acting as a mediator of CSR’s inherent value.
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Sbarra, David A., and James A. Coan. "Relationships and Health: The Critical Role of Affective Science." Emotion Review 10, no. 1 (January 2018): 40–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1754073917696584.
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High-quality social relationships predict a range of positive health outcomes, but no broadly accepted theory can explain the mechanisms of action in this area. The central argument of this article is that affective science can provide keys for integrating the diverse array of theoretical models concerning relationships and health. From nine prominent theories, we cull four components of relational affect that link social resources to health-related outcomes. This component model holds promise for integrating research from the different theoretical perspectives and for generating new, mechanistic questions about the connection between relationships and health. The article closes by outlining three empirical study ideas that illustrate ways in which the different components can be studied together in the context of mechanism-focused research.
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Firth, Ian C. "Musical Key Perception in Relation to Color." Psychological Reports 115, no. 3 (December 2014): 748–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.2466/03.49.pr0.115c30z3.
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A link between musical keys and colors is common among musicians, although there has never been any agreement about which color matches which key. This study tested two alternative key-color associations: E is red and E b is green, or vice versa. 21 participants (10 men, 11 women; M age = 20 yr., SD = 3.3) with absolute pitch listened to melodies beginning with an anacrusis and a perfect cadence which were played through in C major. Then the melodies began in another key, while four or two colored squares were displayed (in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively). Participants were asked to chose the color which best matched the quality of the new key. The results showed strong support for the E red / E b green linkage.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic "Quality measures for link keys":
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Abbas, Nacira. "Formal Concept Analysis for Discovering Link Keys in the Web of Data." Electronic Thesis or Diss., Université de Lorraine, 2023. http://www.theses.fr/2023LORR0202.
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Le Web des données est un espace de données global qui peut être considéré comme une couche supplémentaire au-dessus du Web des documents. Le liage des données est la tâche de découverte des liens d'identité entre les ensembles de données RDF (Resource Description Framework) sur le Web des données. Nous nous intéressons à une approche spécifique pour le liage des données, qui repose sur les “clés de liage”. Cette clé a la forme de deux ensembles de paires de propriétés associées à une paire de classes. Par exemple, la clé de liage ({(designation,titre)},{(designation,titre), (createur,auteur)},(Livre,Roman)) indique que si une instance “a” de la classe “Livre” et “b” de la classe “Roman” partagent au moins une valeur pour les propriétés “createur” et “auteur” et que “a” et “b” ont les mêmes valeurs pour les propriétés “designation” et “titre”, alors “a” et “b” désignent la même entité. Ainsi, (a,owl:sameAs,b) est un lien d'identité sur les deux ensembles de données. Cependant, les clés de liage ne sont pas toujours fournies, et divers algorithmes ont été développés pour découvrir automatiquement ces clés. Les algorithmes découvrent d'abord des “clés de liage candidates”. La qualité de ces candidates est ensuite évaluée à l'aide de mesures appropriées, et les clés de liage valides sont sélectionnées en conséquence. L'Analyse Formelle des Concepts (AFC) a été étroitement associée à la découverte de clés de liage candidates, ce qui a conduit à la proposition d'un algorithme basé sur l'AFC à cette fin. Cependant, les algorithmes de découverte de clés de liage présentent certaines limitations. Premièrement, ils ne spécifient pas explicitement les paires de classes associées aux candidates découvertes, ce qui peut conduire à des évaluations inexactes. De plus, les stratégies de sélection utilisées par ces algorithmes peuvent également produire des résultats moins précis. On observe aussi une redondance parmi les ensembles de candidates découvertes, ce qui complique leur visualisation, évaluation et analyse. Pour remédier à ces limitations, nous proposons d'étendre les algorithmes existants sur plusieurs aspects. Tout d'abord, nous introduisons une méthode basée sur les Pattern Structures, une généralisation de l'AFC pour les données non binaires. Cette approche permet de spécifier explicitement les paires de classes associées à chaque clé de liage candidate. Deuxièmement, basée sur la Pattern Structure proposée, nous présentons deux méthodes de sélection de clés de liage. La première méthode est guidée par les paires de classes associées aux candidates, tandis que la deuxième méthode utilise le treillis générée par la Pattern Structure. Ces deux méthodes améliorent la sélection par rapport à la stratégie existante. Enfin, pour remédier à la redondance, nous introduisons deux méthodes. La première méthode est basée sur une Partition Pattern Structure, qui identifie et fusionne les candidates générant les mêmes partitions. La deuxième méthode est basée sur le clustering hiérarchique, qui groupe les candidates produisant des ensembles de liens similaires en clusters et sélectionne un représentant pour chaque cluster. Cette approche réduit efficacement la redondance parmi les clés de liage candidatesThe Web of data is a global data space that can be seen as an additional layer interconnected with the Web of documents. Data interlinking is the task of discovering identity links across RDF (Resource Description Framework) datasets over the Web of data. We focus on a specific approach for data interlinking, which relies on the “link keys”. A link key has the form of two sets of pairs of properties associated with a pair of classes. For example the link key ({(designation,title)},{(designation,title) (creator,author)},(Book,Novel)), states that whenever an instance “a” of the class “Book” and “b” of the class “Novel”, share at least one value for the properties “creator” and “author” and that, “a” and “b” have the same values for the properties “designation” and “title”, then “a” and “b” denote the same entity. Then (a,owl:sameAs,b) is an identity link over the two datasets. However, link keys are not always provided, and various algorithms have been developed to automatically discover these keys. First, these algorithms focus on finding “link key candidates”. The quality of these candidates is then evaluated using appropriate measures, and valid link keys are selected accordingly. Formal Concept Analysis (FCA) has been closely associated with the discovery of link key candidates, leading to the proposal of an FCA-based algorithm for this purpose. Nevertheless, existing algorithms for link key discovery have certain limitations. First, they do not explicitly specify the associated pairs of classes for the discovered link key candidates, which can lead to inaccurate evaluations. Additionally, the selection strategies employed by these algorithms may also produce less accurate results. Furthermore, redundancy is observed among the sets of discovered candidates, which presents challenges for their visualization, evaluation, and analysis. To address these limitations, we propose to extend the existing algorithms in several aspects. Firstly, we introduce a method based on Pattern Structures, an FCA generalization that can handle non-binary data. This approach allows for explicitly specifying the associated pairs of classes for each link key candidate. Secondly, based on the proposed Pattern Structure, we present two methods for link key selection. The first method is guided by the associated pairs of classes of link keys, while the second method utilizes the lattice generated by the Pattern Structure. These two methods improve the selection compared to the existing strategy. Finally, to address redundancy, we introduce two methods. The first method involves Partition Pattern Structure, which identifies and merges link key candidates that generate the same partitions. The second method is based on hierarchical clustering, which groups candidates producing similar link sets into clusters and selects a representative for each cluster. This approach effectively minimizes redundancy among the link key candidates
Books on the topic "Quality measures for link keys":
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Jackman, Simon. Measurement. Edited by Janet M. Box-Steffensmeier, Henry E. Brady, and David Collier. Oxford University Press, 2009. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199286546.003.0006.
Abstract:
This article shows that the words ‘behavioural’ and ‘behaviour’ turn out to be better measures as judged by tests of criterion and convergent validity. It specifically discusses measurement problems. Further, it pertains to statistical models that link latent variables and their observed indicators as measurement models. The success of measurement — the quality of the inferences provided by a measurement model — is usually assessed with reference to two key concepts: validity and reliability. The distinct uses of measures of latent variables are reported. The article then deals with the costs of ignoring measurement error. Additionally, a quick introduction to factor analysis, item-response models, and a very general class of latent variable models are briefly given. Moreover, it describes the inference for discrete latent variables and the measurement in a dynamic setting.
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Brazier, John, Julie Ratcliffe, Joshua Saloman, and Aki Tsuchiya. Measuring and Valuing Health Benefits for Economic Evaluation. Oxford University Press, 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/med/9780198725923.001.0001.
Abstract:
This is the second edition of the first comprehensive textbook about the measurement and valuation of health benefits for economic evaluation. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and similar agencies around the word require cost-effectiveness evidence in the form of incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) in order to make comparisons across competing demands on resources, and this has resulted in an explosion of theoretical and empirical work in the field. This book addresses the theoretical and practical considerations in the measurement and valuation of health benefit with empirical examples and applications to help clarify understanding and make relevant links to the real world. It includes a glossary of key terms and provides guidance on the use of different methods and instruments. This updated edition provides an-up-to date review of the theoretical basis of the QALY; the definition of health; the techniques of valuation (including ordinal); the modelling of health state values (including mapping between measures); a detailed review of generic preference-based measures and other instruments for obtaining health state utility values (with recent developments); cross-cultural issues (including the disability-adjusted life year); the aggregation of QALYs; and the practical issues surrounding the use of utility values in cost-effectiveness models. The book concludes with a discussion on the way forward in light of the substantial methodological differences, the role of normative judgements, and where further research is most likely to take forward this fascinating component of health economics.
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Morin, Jill J. Better Make It Real. ABC-CLIO, LLC, 2010. http://dx.doi.org/10.5040/9798400617744.
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A comprehensive study of the power of differentiation as a key component of any business model, this book includes a step-by-step process to help leaders discover, achieve, express, and sustain their own authentic position. For the first time in recent history, trust is as important to corporate reputation as quality of products and services, according to the 2010 Edelman Trust Barometer. Still, nearly 70 percent of people say that organizations will revert to "business as usual" once the economy recovers. Moreover, U.S. job satisfaction is at a 22-year-low, according to a 2010 Conference Board report, and by most every measure, the consumer outlook is bleak. The good news? Organizational authenticity is attainable, declares Morin in Better Make it Real. However, it isn't the goal, she says, but the result of providing, consistently and continuously, an authentic "total experience" to your stakeholders—workers, customers, vendors, and other business partners. In other words, Morin affirms, authenticity isn't a destination—it's an ongoing journey that will serve to differentiate any organization in its marketplace, which too often is littered with fakes. Morin's recommended roadmap is Kahler Slater's Total Experience Design—a specific, step-by-step process for designing stakeholder experiences that are "authentic, intentional, and wholly integrated." In Better Make It Real, Morin offers a comprehensive guide to implementing Total Experience Design inside organizations of all types and sizes. She also shares behind-the-scenes stories from Kahler Slater projects and clients, including Google, Robert Redford's Sundance Cinemas, Monster.com, and numerous entrepreneurial enterprises. Bottom line: Organizational authenticity is sorely lacking—and urgently needed. On the heels of the Great Recession, Morin rolls out a roadmap to "real"—helping executives and entrepreneurs find their way forward.
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Ng, Wan-Fai, Arjan Vissink, Elke Theander, and Francisco Figueiredo. Sjögren’s syndrome—management. Oxford University Press, 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/med/9780199642489.003.0128.
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Management of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) encompasses confirmation of diagnosis, disease assessment, and treatment of glandular and systemic manifestations including special situations such as pregnancy and SS-related lymphoma. The American European Consensus Group classification criteria 2002 are the current gold standard for the diagnosis of SS. Salivary gland sialometry, sialochemistry, and ultrasound and tear osmolarity may be useful adjuncts. Symptoms of SS are non-specific and must be actively explored. When assessing patients with SS, it is important to consider not only objective parameters such as abnormalities in blood tests and changes in tear and salivary flow, but also patient-reported outcome measures and impact on quality of life. Current management of patients with SS is hampered by the lack of evidence-based strategies. The symptoms experienced by patients with SS are often not fully appreciated by clinicians, which may contribute to the suboptimal management of the condition. Management of fatigue remains a major challenge and a holistic, multidisciplinary approach is recommended. Factors that may contribute to fatigue should be fully addressed. Recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of SS have informed more targeted therapeutic strategies with some promising data. Optimal management of SS requires expertise from different disciplines. Combined clinics with rheumatology, oral medicine, and ophthalmology input will improve care and communications as well as reduce the number of clinic visits for patients and healthcare-related cost. Effective link between pSS specialists, dentists, opticians, and general practitioners will facilitate early diagnosis and reduce risk of long-term disability of SS.
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Ng, Wan-Fai, Arjan Vissink, Elke Theander, and Francisco Figueiredo. Sjögren’s syndrome—management. Oxford University Press, 2014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/med/9780199642489.003.0128_update_001.
Abstract:
Management of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) encompasses confirmation of diagnosis, disease assessment, and treatment of glandular and systemic manifestations including special situations such as pregnancy and SS-related lymphoma. The American European Consensus Group (AECG) classification criteria 2002 are the current gold standard for the diagnosis of SS. Salivary gland sialometry, sialochemistry, and ultrasound and tear osmolarity may be useful adjuncts. Recently, preliminary classification criteria of the American College of Rheumatology have been introduced as an alternative to the AECG criteria. Symptoms of SS are non-specific and must be actively explored. When assessing patients with SS, it is important to consider not only objective parameters such as abnormalities in blood tests and changes in tear and salivary flow, but also patient-reported outcome measures and impact on quality of life. Current management of patients with SS is hampered by the lack of evidence-based strategies. The symptoms experienced by patients with SS are often not fully appreciated by clinicians, which may contribute to the suboptimal management of the condition. Management of fatigue remains a major challenge and a holistic, multidisciplinary approach is recommended. Factors that may contribute to fatigue should be fully addressed. Recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of SS have informed more targeted therapeutic strategies with some promising data. Optimal management of SS requires expertise from different disciplines. Combined clinics with rheumatology, oral medicine, and ophthalmology input will improve care and communications as well as reduce the number of clinic visits for patients and healthcare-related cost. Effective link between pSS specialists, dentists, opticians, and general practitioners will facilitate early diagnosis and reduce risk of long-term disability of SS.
Book chapters on the topic "Quality measures for link keys":
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Chidambaram, Bhuvanachithra. "TRAWEL: A Transportation and Wellbeing Conceptual Framework for Broadening the Understanding of Quality of Life." In Quantifying Quality of Life, 553–81. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-94212-0_24.
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AbstractTransportation has been recently recognized as a key element in the study of individual Quality of Life (QoL). However, relatively little is known about the interconnectedness between various transport dimensions and wellbeing measures. In scoping the existing literature, the chapter identifies studies reporting on a link between one of the seven transport indicators (mobility, affordability, accessibility, connectivity, externality, travel needs, and attitudes) and QoL. Based on the scoping review, a conceptual framework (TRAWEL) was deductively developed to understand wellbeing measures in five broader dimensions of transportation: transportation infrastructure, the built environment, and transport externalities at a societal level, travel and time use, and travel satisfaction at the individual level. Furthermore, the data requirements for accurate quantification and the possible study groups of interest are also discussed. The chapter concludes by summarizing the key points of the framework and by highlighting policy implications and areas for future research.
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Lerman, Israel-César, and Jérôme Azé. "A New Probabilistic Measure of Interestingness for Association Rules, Based on the Likelihood of the Link." In Quality Measures in Data Mining, 207–36. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2007. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-44918-8_9.
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Sigurðsson, Baldur, Amalía Björnsdóttir, and Thurídur Jóna Jóhannsdóttir. "Five-Year Teacher Education for Compulsory School in Iceland: Retreat from Research-Based to Practice-Oriented Teacher Education?" In Evaluating Education: Normative Systems and Institutional Practices, 209–23. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-26051-3_8.
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AbstractIn 2008 the teacher education in Iceland was extended from a three-year bachelor program to a five-year program, ending with a master’s degree. The intention was to give teacher education more solid research base, manifested in a 30 ECTS master’s thesis while simultaneously strengthening the link between theory, research, and practice.Pursuant to the extension, enrolment in teacher education dropped, students’ progress was slow, and the dropout rate rose. At the same time large cohorts of teachers retired and shortage of teachers became a problem which led schools to recruit student teachers before they had finished their degree. This situation led to even slower progress in student teachers’ studies and fewer new licenced teachers each year.To reverse this development, several measures were introduced in the years 2017–2019, involving teacher education institutions, municipalities, the teachers’ union, and the government. Among them was to make the master’s thesis optional and to offer student teachers paid internship during their final year. The measures have benefitted both the recruitment and study progress. Without the masters’ thesis, however, the balance between research and practice seems to have tilted in favour of practice, which raises questions about the quality and status of teacher education.
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Sarra, Annalina, Adelia Evangelista, and Tonio Di Battista. "Assessment of visitors’ perceptions in protected areas through a model-based clustering." In Proceedings e report, 245–50. Florence: Firenze University Press, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.36253/978-88-5518-461-8.46.
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Protected areas are well-defined geographical spaces that, in view of their recognized, natural, ecological or cultural values, receive protection. They have the twofold mandate of protection of natural resources and providing a space for nature-based tourism activities. In the last years, the nature-based tourism is experiencing positive and sustainable growth worldwide. Understanding the value attached by visitors to their destination and know their assessment on various activities in which they are engaged during their stay is a key element in shaping tourist’s satisfaction. Objective of this research was to identify the profiles of visitors to tourist destinations within Natural Park of Majella (Abruzzo region, Italy) and to assess the link with their satisfaction. The data for this study were collected by means of a structured questionnaire administrated to tourists who visited the sites of the protected area during the last three summer months. A total of 150 valid questionnaires were obtained and form the base of the data analysis. Through a Bayesian model-based clustering, better known as Bayesian Profile Regression, we partition visitors into clusters, characterized by similar profiles in terms of their demographic characteristics (age, gender, education attainment), as well as, in terms of the features of their travel behaviour (accommodation, length of stay, past visitation experience). A further benefit of the followed approach lies in the ability of that Bayesian technique of simultaneously estimating the contribute of all covariates to the outcome of interest. In our context, we explore the association of detected groups with the tourists’ satisfaction. In the survey, the global quality of tourism service is segmented into single features and respondents were asked to give their level of appreciation on a five-point Likert satisfaction scale. To estimate the latent trait measured by the items and related to the overall satisfaction we followed an IRT modelling.
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Citro, Francesca, Giovanna Lucianelli, and Serena Santis. "Financial Conditions, Financial Sustainability, and Intergenerational Equity in Local Governments." In Advances in Electronic Government, Digital Divide, and Regional Development, 101–24. IGI Global, 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-3713-7.ch005.
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The chapter offers a necessary summary of the key concepts of financial conditions, financial sustainability, and intergenerational equity in local governments through a close examination of different approaches. Focusing on a narrative literature review approach, the chapter has two main aims: first, to provide evidence on how to define the terms of theoretical and practical underpinnings to represent financial conditions in local governments in order to clarify the distinctive feature of financial conditions with a particular focus on the specific measures for budgetary solvency: sustainability, flexibility, and vulnerability; second, taking into account that the link between financial sustainability and intergenerational equity seems to be under-investigated, the authors discuss what the conditions for achieving financial health are while ensuring intergenerational equity with reference to the level of citizens' quality of life.
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Papaioannou, Elias, and Stavroula Karatza. "The Greek Justice System: Collapse and Reform1." In Beyond Austerity. The MIT Press, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/9780262035835.003.0012.
Abstract:
This chapter discusses the key structural deficiencies of the Greek justice system and proposes concrete policy reforms. The first part provides an account of the Greek legal system using cross-country indicators reflecting the formalism, quality, and speed of resolution mechanisms. The analysis shows that the Greek justice civil system has failed to perform its basic tasks. Trials in all types of courts take years to complete, in some instances seven or even ten years. At the same the quality of laws protecting investors, contracts and property, is low. Using comparative data from other EU jurisdictions, the chapter shows that the key reasons behind these failures are the absence of information technology, the lack of support staff, the absence of specialized courts and tribunals, and a hugely dysfunctional administration. At the same time there is minimal assessment of the judges' performance and limited possibilities for continuing professional development. The second part details a set of policy proposals. The proposals consist of immediate measures for clearing the large backlog and a set of ambitious medium-term reforms, many of which require a constitutional amendment. They aim to make the Greek justice system professionally administered, less formalistic, suitably flexible, and more accountable. Given the strong link between legal institutions and development, justice reform should be an absolute priority of the policy agenda, though sadly it is not.
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Fombad, Charles M. "Democracy, Elections, and Constitutionalism in Africa." In Democracy, Elections, and Constitutionalism in Africa, 19–35. Oxford University Press, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780192894779.003.0002.
Abstract:
The 1990 wave of democratization and constitutional reforms in most African countries seems to have signalled a strong commitment to the idea that competitive multiparty elections are the only legitimate basis for democratic governance. This trend was reinforced by the African Union’s adoption of a range of measures to promote democracy, good governance, constitutionalism, and the rule of law. The most important of these is the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), which came into force in 2012. Save for Eritrea and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and a few countries engulfed in conflict, such as Libya and South Sudan, multiparty elections have become the norm among African states. However, after a brief period of free and fair elections during which numerous countries saw peaceful alternations of power, the quality of elections declined, entering what has been characterized as a mild but protracted recession. Many recent elections have degenerated into little more than exercises in competitive authoritarianism. The full potential for democracy and constitutionalism in Africa is thus yet to be realized. This chapter highlights key issues that have arisen in the struggle to institutionalize an ethos of democratic governance, examining the link between democracy, elections, and constitutionalism, then identifying the main strides taken in promoting democratic governance, as well the main challenges impeding those strides. Although support for democracy is growing, there is no room for complacency: the continent’s transition to democracy remains at serious risk of degenerating into a mere exercise in attempting to contain a ‘zombie’ democracy.
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Sreedhar, G. "Quality Assurance of Website Structure." In Designing, Engineering, and Analyzing Reliable and Efficient Software, 140–48. IGI Global, 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-2958-5.ch008.
Abstract:
Today, the web is not only an information resource, but also it is becoming an automated tool in various applications. Due to the increasing popularity of WWW, one can be very cautious in designing the website. Poor and careless web design leads to hardship to public utility and does not serve the purpose. If the website is not designed properly, the user may face many difficulties in using the website. In last few years a set of website metrics were defined and specified based on the data collection point of view. Among hundred and fifty automated web metrics catalogued up to now, metrics for link and page faults, metrics for navigation, metrics for information, metrics for media, metrics for size and performance, and metrics for accessibility are important categories for evaluation of quality of web site. The website structure and navigation depicts the structure of the website. The navigation of website is dependent on structure of the web site. The present chapter is an attempt to develop a comprehensive quality assurance mechanism towards quality web design process. In this chapter, various measures and metrics for the quality of website structure are investigated as a part of quality assurance process.
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Magno, Darlyn Jasmin A., and Ronaldo V. Polancos. "Modification of SERVQUAL Model Sub-Dimensions for the Assessment of Public Service Quality in the Philippines." In Advances in Transdisciplinary Engineering. IOS Press, 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/atde230091.
Abstract:
Private organizations and public agencies deliver various services but each is driven by contrasting purposes. This implies that the quality of services may be quantified distinctively. With the everchanging expectations of consumers, a variety of stakeholders, and the criticality of issues regarding the government, the evaluation of quality public services is very challenging. The quality of services provided by public agencies in the Philippines was measured through the utilization of the Delphi method and SERVQUAL model. The key dimensions of the SERVQUAL model were adapted while sub-dimensions were formulated and modified to fit the local public service environment. Crucial factors were identified for each dimension to provide guidance and opportunities for the administration to lead its resources to appropriate resolutions and policies that are in line with the needs of its citizen. It was found that reliability (main dimension) and timeliness of provided service (sub-dimension) scored the highest overall rank of all the dimensions. The results of this paper may provide direction to public agencies with front-line services in developing policies and improving their service delivery.
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Barth, Thorsten D. "Freedom, Equality and the Quality of Democracy." In Human Rights and Ethics, 1778–804. IGI Global, 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-6433-3.ch098.
Abstract:
Freedom and equality are the content, the substance and the tension in a liberal democracy of today. Freedom and equality describe the design, stability and the quality of a democracy. Especially in a Quintuple Helix Model, the quality of democracy and sustainable development are closely related, because a high-quality democracy is a prerequisite for promoting sustainability in democracies. By investigating the quality of democracy this article develops two theses: 1.) Democracy with their quality rises or falls with the expression of freedom and/or equality; 2.) Democracy generates its stability from a balanced interaction between freedom and equality. With the concept of Democratic Life this article examines these two theses: Democratic Life as newly developed concept measures the quality of democracy with providing information about the type of a democracy and an approach to measure a democracy´s democratic development for the top 20 of the Democracy Ranking (2009). The central keys of the Democratic Life concept are the ‘Index of Classification' and the ‘Democratic-Life-Index', which are formed from an ‘Index of Freedom' and an ‘Index of Equality'. By empirical examination of the research question of Democratic Life two essential questions in the modern democratic theory can be investigated: 1.) How democratic is a democracy? 2.) How much freedom and equality does a liberal democracy need? The countries analyzed for the Democratic Life concept in this article are the United States, Australia, Sweden and Germany in comparison between 1995 and 2008. This degree of democratic quality will create a lot of problems towards developing sustainability in a democracy, because in the United States there is currently a big disparity between freedom and equality.
Conference papers on the topic "Quality measures for link keys":
1
MĂNESCU, Gabriel, Ghiță BÂRSAN, and Dorel BADEA. "APPLICATIONS OF BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS IN MANAGEMENT." In International Management Conference. Editura ASE, 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.24818/imc/2021/02.07.
Abstract:
Scientific manifestations are the main tool through which the results of research are disseminated and the feedback on their value allows the introduction of corrective measures. The paper aims to analyze comparatively two scientific events organized under the patronage of The Romanian Academic Society of Management. The bibliometric analysis focuses on the interdependence between the authors and the main concepts used during the two scientific events. The links between the authors and the key concepts are highlighted, while the main classifications’ main reference is the Total link strength. In order to determine and better illustrate the comparative analysis, the VOSviewer program was used, a program that allows the necessary correlations between different elements specific to bibliometrics. The results obtained can help to establish measures to increase the quality and visibility of the two scientific events.
2
Lu, Yan, Ligong Ling, Yu Xu, and Chen Gao. "Key Element Analysis and Suggestion for Strengthen the Quality Management of Nuclear Power Plant Fasteners." In 2021 28th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/icone28-64142.
Abstract:
Abstract This article uses the letters and notices issued by the China National Nuclear Safety Administration on fastener quality incidents as the main line to review the process of fastener quality incidents from clues, investigation to handling. Based on the problems encountered in the process of handling this incident, the improvement direction and improvement measures for strengthening the quality management of fasteners were analyzed from the elements of quality assurance, design, procurement, manufacturing, installation, non-conformance management, inspection and testing, and documents. The design of nuclear power plants should clarify the classification and marking of fasteners, and the design of fasteners should be as universal and standardized as possible, and specifications and models should be reduced. Procurement should focus on supplier evaluation, limit the lowest bidding price, prevent cutting corners, etc.; manufacturing should set up witness points for key links, inspect the quality assurance system while witnessing; pay attention to the factory inspection of fasteners, and it is recommended to increase the re-inspection of fasteners before storage or use. Fasteners managed by equipment category are not recommended to be classified as bulk materials, but they still need to be re-inspected. Fastener re-inspection standards should take into account the requirements of different reactor types and different specification systems. Re-inspection should not only focus on mechanical properties, but also pay attention to the re-inspection of fastener surface quality. The re-inspection unit shall have a certain degree of credibility or be bound by nuclear safety regulations. The idea of establishing a professional nuclear industry fastener supply and testing platform was proposed.
3
Bortoluzo Mamone, Felipe, and Letícia Brasil Freitas. "A Brief Survey on the Characteristics of Recent Virtual Exhibitions." In LINK 2021. Tuwhera Open Access, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.24135/link2021.v2i1.127.
Abstract:
The Covid-19 pandemic and the social restriction measures that ensued have had a decisive impact on museum activities over the past two years. Research by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) indicates that about 95% of worldwide museums were closed between April and May 2020, a figure that falls to 27% in the same period in 2021. Given this scenario, there has been a notable increase in digital communications and activities of these institutions, either by making collections and exhibitions available online, managing social media, holding live events and teaching programs or by producing newsletters and podcasts. While such surveys are essential, it is also necessary to complement them with qualitative research into the ways in which these activities are being carried out. This paper will examine how a specific kind of digital activity is being developed by the museum sector, namely, the virtual exhibitions. Characterized mainly by the three-dimensionality and the immersion of the interactor, these virtual exhibition spaces carry with them both the complexity that constitutes the idea of a virtual museum and the structural deficiencies that affect cultural institutions and, in particular, their sectors of Information and Communication Technology (ICTs). Thus, two criteria were chosen to characterize these exhibits, namely, the technologies commonly used in their conception and the relationship they establish or do not establish with a tangible space. To this end, recent cases of spaces built through the use of 360º photography and 3D modeling have been selected and analyzed as to highlight the distinctive features of these technologies and how they instantiate different relationships between elements of the digital and the tangible. This analysis bring into consideration specific elements of these exhibitions, such as their interfaces and the modes of displacement and visualization they allow, the quality of the reproduction of the artworks and the possibility of accessing complementary information and media about them, the multiplicity of the points of view, their compatibility with certain devices, among others. Finally, we will reflect on the way in which these virtual exhibitions replicate, augment or dismiss physical spaces for their conception. Instead of the usual opposition between virtual and actual, such spaces express the possibility of complementation between elements restricted to the tangible or the digital - complementation, needless to say, that does not always take place. Thus, virtual exhibitions are important vectors to reflect on the advantages and difficulties that digital technologies pose for the museum sector.
4
van Doremaele, Koen, Emma Gibert-Suñé, and Emiel Meijer. "Construction in Antarctica and South Georgia: delicate works in a pristine environment." In IABSE Congress, Ghent 2021: Structural Engineering for Future Societal Needs. Zurich, Switzerland: International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.2749/ghent.2021.1330.
Abstract:
<p>This paper describes the design and construction works of the new wharves in Rothera in the Antarctic Peninsula and in the Sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, two exceptionally isolated and environmentally protected locations with extreme climate conditions. Construction in such pristine locations requires special measures and an integrated design, preparation and construction approach. Minimum impact is achieved by re-using existing materials and reducing the amount of new materials required. Strict biosecurity and environmental monitoring has been in place. Design choices were focused on limiting the extent of the works on site by pre-fabrication of the structural elements in Europe, which also ensures the quality standards can be achieved. Low maintenance and durability are also keys aspects to the design choices.</p>
5
van Doremaele, Koen, Emma Gibert-Suñé, and Emiel Meijer. "Construction in Antarctica and South Georgia: delicate works in a pristine environment." In IABSE Congress, Ghent 2021: Structural Engineering for Future Societal Needs. Zurich, Switzerland: International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.2749/ghent.2021.1330.
Abstract:
<p>This paper describes the design and construction works of the new wharves in Rothera in the Antarctic Peninsula and in the Sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, two exceptionally isolated and environmentally protected locations with extreme climate conditions. Construction in such pristine locations requires special measures and an integrated design, preparation and construction approach. Minimum impact is achieved by re-using existing materials and reducing the amount of new materials required. Strict biosecurity and environmental monitoring has been in place. Design choices were focused on limiting the extent of the works on site by pre-fabrication of the structural elements in Europe, which also ensures the quality standards can be achieved. Low maintenance and durability are also keys aspects to the design choices.</p>
6
Yoon, H. J., M. Ishii, S. T. Revankar, and W. Wang. "Mechanical Non-Equilibrium Effect on Choking Flow at Low Pressure in Air-Water Experiment." In 10th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering. ASMEDC, 2002. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/icone10-22526.
Abstract:
At low pressure and low flow conditions, the prediction of two-phase flow transients is much more difficult than at relatively higher pressure or at high flow due to the large density ratio and thermal and mechanical non-equilibrium between the phases. A mechanical non-equilibrium effect was studied with air-water two-phase critical flow in pipes at low pressure (< 1 MPa). Critical flow test were conducted in a well-scaled test facility with several on-line instruments. The slip ratio, which is the key factor in the mechanical non-equilibrium, is directly measured at the upstream of the critical section. The break geometry effect was investigated using the nozzle and orifice as critical flow sections. The experimental results showed that the slip ratio increased as the quality increased. The slip ratio value at low pressure was relatively higher than the slip ratio at the high pressure for the same flow quality. The measured critical mass flux for the nozzle was higher than the orifice at the low flow quality. Thus there is a geometry effect on critical mass flux at the low quality region, even though there is no difference in the slip ratio at the upstream of choking plane. Thus, it is concluded that there is a strong mechanical non-equilibrium at the choking plane.
7
Feng, Yaorong, Chunyong Huo, and Feng Yan. "The Corrosion Behavior of Welded Line Pipes in Wet H2S Environment." In 2002 4th International Pipeline Conference. ASMEDC, 2002. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/ipc2002-27418.
Abstract:
The corrosion behavior of over-bending and under-bending formed Spiral Submerged Arc Welded (SSAW) steel pipes in NACE solution has been investigated by use of the self-designed full-scale corrosion test unit. It indicates that the H2S damage of welded pipes characteristics Blister and Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC). The blister number, diameter, and crack number is increasing as the increasing of applied stress. The residual stress of welded pipes has a large effect on the H2S corrosion resistance, the tensile residual stress has a detrimental effect, and while the compression residual stress is beneficial to H2S corrosion resistance. The damage mechanism of the welded pipes in H2S containing solution under the presence of applied stress and residual stress has not only Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC), but also Stress Corrosion Cracking, and the applied stress and residual stress promote not only Stress Corrosion Cracking, but also Hydrogen Induced Cracking. The test results reveal that improving pipe’s weld surface quality, lowering tensile residual stress, and also control the operating stress are the key measures for controlling the wet H2S corrosion of welded steel pipes. Suggestions for selection of line pipes in different service conditions have been made.
8
GJOKA, Rodion. "Air Quality Status of Tirana. Temporal effects of COVID-19 restrictions on the decrease of urban air pollution." In ISSUES OF HOUSING, PLANNING, AND RESILIENT DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY Towards Euro-Mediterranean Perspectives. POLIS PRESS, 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.37199/c41000127.
Abstract:
This research paper builds on the analytical work conducted by Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development under the “Green Lungs for Our Cities” project, supported by the EU Delegation in Albania. This specific publication consists of the analysis of data from a dedicated ground-based monitoring process conducted from March 11th to May 11th, 2020 in 4 different locations of Tirana on PM2.5, PM10 and NO2, based on the protocol and practice established by the Alter- native Monitoring Methodology of the Green Lungs project (link). This in the perspective of the effect that quarantine had on specific pollutants in comparison with before and after the period of restrictions. Other sources, such as publications from the World Bank “Regional Note on Air Quality Management in Western Balkans”, +IQAir “2019 World Air Quality Report”, European Environmental Agency “Air Quality in Europe – 2019 Report” and “Assessing Air Quality through citizens science”, were also consulted during the analysis of data from this 62-days monitoring practice. The data provide an overview of how concentration levels of the selected air pollutants changed during the lockdown phase and after the removal of measures. The purpose of the mon- itoring process and the report was threefold (i) to verify the direct linkages between air pollutants and sources of pollution, (ii) raise awareness of air pollution among state and non-state actors, (iii) propose relevant measures to reduce urban air pollution for the near to mid-term future.
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Cuno, Jordan Salas, Aura Conci, Andouglas G. da Silva-Júnior, and Luiz M. G. Gonçalves. "Towards Measuring Air Quality Index with Country and States Granularity from Sentinel-5 Data." In Anais Estendidos da Conference on Graphics, Patterns and Images. Sociedade Brasileira de Computação - SBC, 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.5753/sibgrapi.est.2022.23282.
Abstract:
One of the topics that have been recently discussed with greater emphasis is air quality, not only because it is a topic directly related to climate change and the greenhouse effect, but also because it has a strong link in the transmission of respiratory diseases. Low-quality indices of air can worsen the symptoms of patients with the COVID-19 pandemic, being one of the most recent examples. Being able to identify and monitor air quality in different geographic regions of Brazil will provide information on possible measures to be taken by authorities and citizens in general. Air quality indices are currently monitored by some entities using technology of sensors strategically installed at fixed points in cities. Another type of technology available is the high-resolution spectrometer system installed on satellites that constantly monitor the surface of the planet. Sentinel-5 is one of these satellites that generates a large amount of data for climate monitoring and that is used in this research. Basically, in this work, we propose a system that takes data from the Sentinel-5 in order to provide a measure of air quality to be used in the prediction of the pandemic dynamics.
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Mukhtar, Moeed, Jonghyon Yi, and George T. C. Chiu. "Color Registration Error Reduction in Document Scanner Using Iterative Velocity Command Synthesis." In ASME 2008 Dynamic Systems and Control Conference. ASMEDC, 2008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/dscc2008-2225.
Abstract:
Document scanners enjoy widespread use for converting hardcopy documents into digital images. Improving image quality is a key issue for scanner manufacturers. This paper proposes an ILC based step timing synthesis technique for reducing color registration error in stepper motor driven document scanners with no real-time feedback. To quantify color registration error, a line pattern image based technique is devised. Based on the measured color registration error signal, a single iteration convergent iterative learning control scheme is proposed to synthesize a stepper motor step timing command for the scan region. Reduction in color registration error is achieved by compensating for velocity fluctuations in the constant speed portion of the motion. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in reducing color registration error in scanned image.
Reports on the topic "Quality measures for link keys":
1
Chong, Alberto E., and César Calderón. Volume and Quality of Infrastructure and the Distribution of Income: An Empirical Investigation. Inter-American Development Bank, April 2001. http://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0011560.
Abstract:
We provide evidence on the link between infrastructure development and the distribution of income for the period 1960-1995. To do this, we use several proxies such as roads, railways, telecommunications and energy measures. The approach is comprehensive as cross-country and panel methods are applied. In the latter case, we apply GMM dynamic panel methods in order to minimize for endogeneity problems. Both quantity of infrastructure and quality of infrastructure are negatively linked with income inequality. The quantitative link tends to be stronger in developing countries than the qualitative link. These findings hold when using different econometric methods and most infrastructure measures.
2
Jaramillo, Miguel, and Lorena Alcázar. Does Participatory Budgeting have an Effect on the Quality of Public Services?: The Case of Peru's Water and Sanitation Sector. Inter-American Development Bank, March 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0011447.
Abstract:
Since 2004 the government of Peru has implemented a process of participatory budgeting (PB), which is mandatory for every sub-national government. We analyze the link from PB to coverage and water service quality indicators. We find no statistically significant relationship between PB and our measures of coverage and service continuity, regardless of whether the outcome variables are measured in levels or in changes. Qualitative evidence collected in a sample of municipalities is consistent with this result. Further, PB in the water sector may also lead to inequitable outcomes as the poor may confront greater costs of participation. At the root of this lack of connection we find weaknesses both in the PB process itself as well as among the different actors in the process: citizens, municipalities and water service providers.
3
Chong, Alberto E., and Mark Gradstein. Inequality and Institutions. Inter-American Development Bank, April 2004. http://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0010744.
Abstract:
This paper presents theory and evidence on the relationship between inequality and institutional quality. We propose a model in which the two dynamically reinforce each other and set out to test this relationship with a broad array of institutional measures. We establish double causality between better institutional quality and a more equal distribution of income, but also demonstrate that the link from the latter dominates the former. These results are shown to be robust to various specifications and different data sources that cover various time-spans.
4
Andrabi, Tahir, Natalie Bau, Jishnu Das, and Asim I. Khwaja. Heterogeneity in School Value-Added and the Private Premium. Research on Improving Systems of Education (RISE), November 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.35489/bsg-risewp_2022/116.
Abstract:
Using rich panel data from Pakistan, we compute test score based measures of quality (School Value-Addeds or SVAs) for more than 800 schools across 112 villages and verify that they are valid and unbiased. With the SVA measures, we then document three striking features of the schooling environment. First, there is substantial within-village variation in quality. The annualized difference in learning between the best and worst performing school in the same village is 0.4 sd; compounded over 5 years of primary schooling, this difference is similar in size to the test score gap between low- and high-income countries. Second, students learn more in private schools (0.15 sd per year on average), but substantial within-sector variation in quality means that the effects of reallocating students from public to private schools can range from -0.35sd to +0.65sd. Thus, there is a range of possible causal estimates of the private premium, a feature of the environment we illustrate using three different identification approaches. Finally, parents appear to recognize and reward SVA in the private sector, but the link between parental demand and SVA is weaker in the public sector. These results have implications for both the measurement of the private premium and how we design and evaluate policies that reallocate children across schools, such as school closures and vouchers.
5
Lewis, Dustin, and Naz Modirzadeh. Taking into Account the Potential Effects of Counterterrorism Measures on Humanitarian and Medical Activities: Elements of an Analytical Framework for States Grounded in Respect for International Law. Harvard Law School Program on International Law and Armed Conflict, May 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.54813/qbot8406.
Abstract:
For at least a decade, States, humanitarian bodies, and civil-society actors have raised concerns about how certain counterterrorism measures can prevent or impede humanitarian and medical activities in armed conflicts. In 2019, the issue drew the attention of the world’s preeminent body charged with maintaining or restoring international peace and security: the United Nations Security Council. In two resolutions — Resolution 2462 (2019) and Resolution 2482 (2019) — adopted that year, the Security Council urged States to take into account the potential effects of certain counterterrorism measures on exclusively humanitarian activities, including medical activities, that are carried out by impartial humanitarian actors in a manner consistent with international humanitarian law (IHL). By implicitly recognizing that measures adopted to achieve one policy objective (countering terrorism) can impair or prevent another policy objective (safeguarding humanitarian and medical activities), the Security Council elevated taking into account the potential effects of certain counterterrorism measures on exclusively humanitarian activities to an issue implicating international peace and security. In this legal briefing, we aim to support the development of an analytical framework through which a State may seek to devise and administer a system to take into account the potential effects of counterterrorism measures on humanitarian and medical activities. Our primary intended audience includes the people involved in creating or administering a “take into account” system and in developing relevant laws and policies. Our analysis zooms in on Resolution 2462 (2019) and Resolution 2482 (2019) and focuses on grounding the framework in respect for international law, notably the U.N. Charter and IHL. In section 1, we introduce the impetus, objectives, and structure of the briefing. In our view, a thorough legal analysis of the relevant resolutions in their wider context is a crucial element to laying the conditions conducive to the development and administration of an effective “take into account” system. Further, the stakes and timeliness of the issue, the Security Council’s implicit recognition of a potential tension between measures adopted to achieve different policy objectives, and the relatively scant salient direct practice and scholarship on elements pertinent to “take into account” systems also compelled us to engage in original legal analysis, with a focus on public international law and IHL. In section 2, as a primer for readers unfamiliar with the core issues, we briefly outline humanitarian and medical activities and counterterrorism measures. Then we highlight a range of possible effects of the latter on the former. Concerning armed conflict, humanitarian activities aim primarily to provide relief to and protection for people affected by the conflict whose needs are unmet, whereas medical activities aim primarily to provide care for wounded and sick persons, including the enemy. Meanwhile, for at least several decades, States have sought to prevent and suppress acts of terrorism and punish those who commit, attempt to commit, or otherwise support acts of terrorism. Under the rubric of countering terrorism, States have taken an increasingly broad and diverse array of actions at the global, regional, and national levels. A growing body of qualitative and quantitative evidence documents how certain measures designed and applied to counter terrorism can impede or prevent humanitarian and medical activities in armed conflicts. In a nutshell, counterterrorism measures may lead to diminished or complete lack of access by humanitarian and medical actors to the persons affected by an armed conflict that is also characterized as a counterterrorism context, or those measures may adversely affect the scope, amount, or quality of humanitarian and medical services provided to such persons. The diverse array of detrimental effects of certain counterterrorism measures on humanitarian and medical activities may be grouped into several cross-cutting categories, including operational, financial, security, legal, and reputational effects. In section 3, we explain some of the key legal aspects of humanitarian and medical activities and counterterrorism measures. States have developed IHL as the primary body of international law applicable to acts and omissions connected with an armed conflict. IHL lays down several rights and obligations relating to a broad spectrum of humanitarian and medical activities pertaining to armed conflicts. A violation of an applicable IHL provision related to humanitarian or medical activities may engage the international legal responsibility of a State or an individual. Meanwhile, at the international level, there is no single, comprehensive body of counterterrorism laws. However, States have developed a collection of treaties to pursue specific anti-terrorism objectives. Further, for its part, the Security Council has assumed an increasingly prominent role in countering terrorism, including by adopting decisions that U.N. Member States must accept and carry out under the U.N. Charter. Some counterterrorism measures are designed and applied in a manner that implicitly or expressly “carves out” particular safeguards — typically in the form of limited exceptions or exemptions — for certain humanitarian or medical activities or actors. Yet most counterterrorism measures do not include such safeguards. In section 4, which constitutes the bulk of our original legal analysis, we closely evaluate the two resolutions in which the Security Council urged States to take into account the effects of (certain) counterterrorism measures on humanitarian and medical activities. We set the stage by summarizing some aspects of the legal relations between Security Council acts and IHL provisions pertaining to humanitarian and medical activities. We then analyze the status, consequences, and content of several substantive elements of the resolutions and what they may entail for States seeking to counter terrorism and safeguard humanitarian and medical activities. Among the elements that we evaluate are: the Security Council’s new notion of a prohibited financial “benefit” for terrorists as it may relate to humanitarian and medical activities; the Council’s demand that States comply with IHL obligations while countering terrorism; and the constituent parts of the Council’s notion of a “take into account” system. In section 5, we set out some potential elements of an analytical framework through which a State may seek to develop and administer its “take into account” system in line with Resolution 2462 (2019) and Resolution 2482 (2019). In terms of its object and purpose, a “take into account” system may aim to secure respect for international law, notably the U.N. Charter and IHL pertaining to humanitarian and medical activities. In addition, the system may seek to safeguard humanitarian and medical activities in armed conflicts that also qualify as counterterrorism contexts. We also identify two sets of preconditions arguably necessary for a State to anticipate and address relevant potential effects through the development and execution of its “take into account” system. Finally, we suggest three sets of attributes that a “take into account” system may need to embody to achieve its aims: utilizing a State-wide approach, focusing on potential effects, and including default principles and rules to help guide implementation. In section 6, we briefly conclude. In our view, jointly pursuing the policy objectives of countering terrorism and safeguarding humanitarian and medical activities presents several opportunities, challenges, and complexities. International law does not necessarily provide ready-made answers to all of the difficult questions in this area. Yet devising and executing a “take into account” system provides a State significant opportunities to safeguard humanitarian and medical activities and counter terrorism while securing greater respect for international law.