Present Bias: Lessons Learned and To Be Learned

2015 ◽  
Vol 105 (5) ◽  
pp. 273-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted O'Donoghue ◽  
Matthew Rabin

While present bias is an old idea, it only took hold in economics following David Laibson's (1994) dissertation. Over the past 20 years, research has led to a much better theoretical understanding of present bias, when and how to apply it, and which ancillary assumptions are appropriate in different contexts. Empirical analyses have demonstrated how present bias can improve our understanding of behavior in various economic field contexts. Nonetheless, there is still much to learn. In this paper, we give our assessment of some lessons learned, and to be learned.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayori Kobayashi ◽  
Takashi Yoshiyama ◽  
Kazuhiro Uchimura ◽  
Yuko Hamaguchi ◽  
Seiya Kato

AbstractUniversal Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination is recommended in countries with high tuberculosis (TB) burden. Nevertheless, several countries have ceased universal BCG vaccination over the past 40 years, with scarce comparative epidemiological analyses regarding childhood TB after the policy change. We analysed data on childhood TB in countries that ceased universal BCG vaccination. Data sources included national/international databases, published papers, annual TB reports, and public health authority websites. Childhood TB notification rate increased in one of seven countries with available data. Pulmonary TB and TB lymphadenitis were the main causes of increasing childhood cases, while changes in severe forms of TB cases were minor. Maintaining high vaccine coverage for the target group was a common challenge after shifting selective vaccination. In some countries showing no increase in childhood TB after a BCG policy change, the majority of childhood TB cases were patients from abroad or those with overseas parents; these countries had changed immigration policies during the same period. Heterogeneity in childhood TB epidemiology was observed after ceasing universal BCG vaccination; several factors might obscure the influence of vaccination policy change. Lessons learned from these countries may aid in the development of better BCG vaccination strategies.


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 669-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milica Pejovic Milovancevic ◽  
Veronika Ispanovic ◽  
Dusko Stupar

Author(s):  
Alexander Kolpakov ◽  
Austin Marie Sipiora ◽  
Caley Johnson ◽  
Erin Nobler

This case study presents findings from an analysis of the emergency preparation and response for Hurricane Irma, the most recent hurricane impacting the Tampa Bay region. The Tampa Bay region, in particular, is considered one of the most vulnerable areas in the United States to hurricanes and severe tropical weather. A particular vulnerability stems from how all petroleum fuel comes to the area by marine transport through Port Tampa Bay, which can be (and has been in the past) impacted by hurricanes and tropical storms. The case study discussed in this paper covers previous fuel challenges, vulnerabilities, and lessons learned by key Tampa Bay public agency fleets during the past 10 years (mainly as a result of the most recent 2017 Hurricane Irma) to explore ways to improve the area’s resilience to natural disasters. Some of the strategies for fuel-supply resiliency include maintaining emergency fuel supply, prioritizing fuel use, strategically placing the assets around the region to help with recovery, investing in backup generators (including generators powered by alternative fuels), planning for redundancies in fuel supply networks, developing more efficient communication procedures between public fleets, hurricane preparedness-planning, and upgrading street drainage systems to reduce the threat of local flooding.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Laurente ◽  
R Mohammed ◽  
M Elmalky

Abstract Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression is a surgical emergency owing to its propensity to cause significant morbidity and mortality. Dexamethasone is prescribed to reduce oedema and promote vascular membrane stabilization. The is done so until a more definitive management has been performed. This is a retrospective study evaluating the steroid-prescribing practice for MSCC patients in 2018 at a tertiary spinal unit in Greater Manchester. Thirty-three patients who underwent stabilisation were evaluated in terms of both steroid prescribing and weaning practices. Standards used against for both were the NICE guidelines and the Edinburgh/Christie’s guidelines. Of the 33 patients evaluated, only 1 patient received the correct loading dose of 16mg, whilst 27 went straight to being given 8mg BD. 5 did not receive dexamethasone at all. In terms of discontinuation/weaning, 26 were weaned accordingly and 2 were not weaned to continue as adjuvant treatment. Dexamethasone prescribing practises has since improved over the past two years. 93% of the patients have been correctly weaned as compared to 38% in the past. In terms of prescription, much needs to be done as almost all the patients evaluated did not get the correct loading dose despite receiving the appropriate maintenance.


Author(s):  
E. Kharitonova

The article focuses on the task of measuring and evaluating a state's soft power. While the soft power concept developed by Joseph Nye is currently widely accepted and used, its theoretical understanding and practical application remains challenging. Both international relations scholars and those responsible for soft power in governmental and non-state agencies are looking for the tools to assess their work and the country's standing in the world in terms of soft power. As the author of the concept and other researchers noted, evaluation and measurement may be difficult due to the number of influencing factors including the use of hard power that can overshadow soft power efforts, and also because soft power efforts can bring results only in a distant period of time. However, in response to the researchers' and policy makers' need to evaluate, measure and compare soft power related parameters, a number of international ratings evolved during the past several years, such as various ratings of soft power, nation brands, countries' reputation and presence. At the same time, such rankings have several weaknesses. First of all, they present mainly the western point of view which focuses on the parameters important for western audiences and may overlook characteristics important for other, non-western cultures. They also may be subjective due to financial reasons. Besides that, while some of the ratings aim to evaluate resources or assets of nations' soft power, other focus on results like influence or reputation. Evaluation of instruments used to enhance a country's soft power and their effectiveness is also important. In many cases, even significant resources of soft power do not guarantee strong positions in this context. Comparing certain countries' positions in different ratings helps to understand a country's standing in terms of soft power, identify strong sides and analyze whether a state's soft power potential transforms into the desired outcomes.


Author(s):  
Paul J. Stoller ◽  
Anthony LoRe ◽  
William Crellin ◽  
Robert Hauser

This paper discusses one of the key lessons learned from administering the first generation of service agreements for public owners of waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities over the past 22 years and how those experiences were incorporated into a new service agreement for the operation and maintenance of Pinellas County’s 24 year old, 3,000 tpd WTE Facility to better protect the county’s interests. Additionally, a major issue raised by the operating companies during the competitive procurement process for continue operation of the facility is discussed and how that concern was addressed in the new service agreement is also presented. Capitalized words or terms used in this paper are defined within the new service agreement.


1994 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
William A. Weimer

One of the most significant cooperative industry–higher education projects in Europe during the past decade has been EuroPACE, the European Programme of Advanced Continuing Education. In January 1993, EuroPACE ceased its broadcasts and re-entered the planning process. By the time this article has been published, EuroPACE should again be broadcasting, but with a somewhat different format and content. In this article, Bill Weimer presents a brief history of the first five years of EuroPACE and analyses the project. He examines key assumptions and decisions made, points out those which now appear to have been in error, and lists the lessons learned. Many of the assumptions and decisions made were correct; some of these are also discussed. This article will contribute the experience and lessons learned by EuroPACE to other joint industry–higher education projects. It may help them to avoid making some of the same mistakes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Gerstenblatt ◽  
Diane Rhodes ◽  
Lida Holst

A commitment on the part of the academy to address social issues has increased over the past three decades, resulting in service learning courses, volunteering opportunities, and community-university partnerships. Faculty, staff, and community practitioners collaborating to lead these efforts often carry enormous responsibility and answer to often competing interests of students, community members, and universities. Using the experience of an scholar/artist/teacher in a university-community partnership founded by the first author in a racially polarized town, this article explores the potential of arts-based methods, specifically poetry and collage, to mitigate the consequence of this work. The format is a dialogue between two engaged teacher/researcher/practitioners and friends to clarify the hidden experience of the researcher with narrative truth to articulate and share not only experiences, but also lessons learned as a contribution to our fellow teacher/researcher/practitioners.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark S Davies ◽  
Maddalena Taras

<p>Assessment processes and products are important at all levels of education, from the micro context of the classroom to national level. Expertise in assessment is assumed to be a basic attribute of lecturers.  However, given the developments of the past 20-30 years a panoply of ideals and ideas have permeated discourses so as to camouflage the basics of theoretical understanding. This study examines the beliefs of 50 science and 50 education lecturers at an English university, focusing on data collected via a questionnaire to clarify the beliefs and understanding of assessment terms and the relationship between them. The results demonstrate that there is a great variety of understanding both between and within subject disciplines. This spread, though to be expected in a thinking, developing sector, has implications for learning and teaching and for quality assurance. </p>


2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 49-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen E. Dynan

Households have experienced an expansion of financial opportunities over the past several decades. Expanded financial opportunities, such as the democratization of credit and new lending approaches, can yield benefits in terms of household economic security. However, the financial crisis that began in 2007 has powerfully illustrated that expanded financial opportunities can also pose dangers for households. By increasing the scope for investment in risky assets, people may end up with larger swings in wealth than they had anticipated. Households may borrow too much and then face obligations that are unsustainable given their resources. To explore these issues, I examine household data on wealth, assets, and liabilities going back 25 years and, in some cases, 45 years. I argue that changes in household finances in the decades leading up to the mid-1990s—including the gradual rise in indebtedness—likely increased household well-being, on balance, and contributed to a decline in aggregate economic volatility. However, changes in finances since the mid-1990s—in particular, a much sharper rate of increase in household debt—appear to have been destabilizing for many individual households and ultimately for the economy as a whole. I consider how the lessons learned in the current crisis might change household financial opportunities and choices going forward.


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