Teacher evaluations intend to cultivate quality among teachers. However, since they are traditionally dependent on observers and their reports that are likely biased, the procedures probably effectuate discords among ...Teacher evaluations intend to cultivate quality among teachers. However, since they are traditionally dependent on observers and their reports that are likely biased, the procedures probably effectuate discords among the calling-teaching professionals. An evaluation procedure that can ascertain fairness in the decisions about teacher retentions, terminations, promotions, and sanctions can capture the accordance of all teachers and teacher facilitators. This paper identifies the possibility of such an evaluation system that is built upon the existing value-added methods. Drawing upon the observations and recommendations by Chetty, Friedman, and Rockoff （2012） on value-added methods of evaluation, and considering the uniqueness of ELTs （English Language Teachers） as it was observed by Borg （2006） and Lee （2010）, this paper describes the application of the value-added evaluation method, in gauging the quality of ELTs. The paper further explicates the vantages and conformities embodied in the procedure that could boost up the morale of ELTs as independent professionals of a creative art, and help them perform to their fullest potential展开更多
Payments for ecosystem service （PES） schemes have spread all over developing countries in the last 20 years or so. PES schemes often have high opportunity costs in terms of foregone uses of goods and services offere...Payments for ecosystem service （PES） schemes have spread all over developing countries in the last 20 years or so. PES schemes often have high opportunity costs in terms of foregone uses of goods and services offered by the environment. It is within this scope that economic evaluation of environmental goods and services plays a role. In this paper we surveyed articles and studies that report application of economic environmental valuation procedures in PES schemes. Special attention was paid to data collection and analysis, to theoretical robustness of its procedures and to the aggregation of estimated value. We also scrutinize how these estimates had been incorporated into PES schemes, in particularly in the assessment phase of these schemes. Empirical data from Brazil and other Latin American countries were used, particularly those in the Amazon Basis. Our results reveal a frequent overestimation of the values of ecosystem services calculated through the use of economic valuation methods. Values have been estimated by production function methods （opportunity cost, preventive expenditures, recovering cost or dose-response methods）. As a consequence, estimated values reflect much more willingness to accept compensation by supplier and rarely willingness to pay by consumer of these ecosystem services. Besides this distance between supply and demand, application of valuation methods did not account for problems such as uncertainty, risks, and lack of information. All these limitations have led to wrong decision-making.展开更多
An overview of the delelopment of approaches to construction cost and price forcasting since the 1950’s is given. First, second and third generation models can be identified, but they all have shortcomings. This pape...An overview of the delelopment of approaches to construction cost and price forcasting since the 1950’s is given. First, second and third generation models can be identified, but they all have shortcomings. This paper puts forward a new model, fuzzy calculation model, based on lots of data of the finished proiects. Through actual application, it is proved that the model is accurate and quick in calcalation of construction.展开更多
In this paper a critical review is presented of the history and current state of the art of J-integral resistance curve testing and experimental evaluation methods in conjunction with a discussion of the development o...In this paper a critical review is presented of the history and current state of the art of J-integral resistance curve testing and experimental evaluation methods in conjunction with a discussion of the development of the plane strain fracture toughness test standard ASTM E1820 developed by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Early research efforts on this topic are reviewed first. These include the J-integral concept, experimental estimates of the J-integral for stationary cracks, load line displacement (LLD) and crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) based η factor equations, different formulations of J-integral incremental equations for growing cracks, crack growth corrected J-R curve determination, and experimental test methods. Recent developments in J-R curve testing and evaluation are then described, with emphasis on accurate J-integral incremental equations, a normalization method, a modified basic method, a CMOD direct method with use of incremental equations, relationships of plastic geometry factors, constraint-dependent J-R curve testing and correction approaches. An overview of the present fracture toughness test standard ASTM E1820-08a is then presented. The review shows that after more than 40 years of investigation and development, the J-integral resistance curve test methods in ASTM E1820 have become simpler, more cost-effective and more accurate.展开更多
The authors employ the recent stochastic-control-based approach to financial mathematicsto solve a problem of determination of the risk premium for a stochastic interest rate model,andthe corresponding problem of equi...The authors employ the recent stochastic-control-based approach to financial mathematicsto solve a problem of determination of the risk premium for a stochastic interest rate model,andthe corresponding problem of equity valuation.The risk premium is determined explicitly,by meansof solving a corresponding partial differential equation (PDE),in two forms:one,time-dependent,corresponding to a finite time contract expiration,and the simpler version corresponding to perpetualcontracts.As stocks are perpetual contracts,when solving the problem of equity valuation,the latterform of the risk premium is used.By means of solving the general pricing PDE,an efficient equityvaluation method was developed that is a combination of some sophisticated explicit formulas,and anumerical procedure.展开更多
文摘Teacher evaluations intend to cultivate quality among teachers. However, since they are traditionally dependent on observers and their reports that are likely biased, the procedures probably effectuate discords among the calling-teaching professionals. An evaluation procedure that can ascertain fairness in the decisions about teacher retentions, terminations, promotions, and sanctions can capture the accordance of all teachers and teacher facilitators. This paper identifies the possibility of such an evaluation system that is built upon the existing value-added methods. Drawing upon the observations and recommendations by Chetty, Friedman, and Rockoff （2012） on value-added methods of evaluation, and considering the uniqueness of ELTs （English Language Teachers） as it was observed by Borg （2006） and Lee （2010）, this paper describes the application of the value-added evaluation method, in gauging the quality of ELTs. The paper further explicates the vantages and conformities embodied in the procedure that could boost up the morale of ELTs as independent professionals of a creative art, and help them perform to their fullest potential
文摘Payments for ecosystem service （PES） schemes have spread all over developing countries in the last 20 years or so. PES schemes often have high opportunity costs in terms of foregone uses of goods and services offered by the environment. It is within this scope that economic evaluation of environmental goods and services plays a role. In this paper we surveyed articles and studies that report application of economic environmental valuation procedures in PES schemes. Special attention was paid to data collection and analysis, to theoretical robustness of its procedures and to the aggregation of estimated value. We also scrutinize how these estimates had been incorporated into PES schemes, in particularly in the assessment phase of these schemes. Empirical data from Brazil and other Latin American countries were used, particularly those in the Amazon Basis. Our results reveal a frequent overestimation of the values of ecosystem services calculated through the use of economic valuation methods. Values have been estimated by production function methods （opportunity cost, preventive expenditures, recovering cost or dose-response methods）. As a consequence, estimated values reflect much more willingness to accept compensation by supplier and rarely willingness to pay by consumer of these ecosystem services. Besides this distance between supply and demand, application of valuation methods did not account for problems such as uncertainty, risks, and lack of information. All these limitations have led to wrong decision-making.
文摘An overview of the delelopment of approaches to construction cost and price forcasting since the 1950’s is given. First, second and third generation models can be identified, but they all have shortcomings. This paper puts forward a new model, fuzzy calculation model, based on lots of data of the finished proiects. Through actual application, it is proved that the model is accurate and quick in calcalation of construction.
文摘In this paper a critical review is presented of the history and current state of the art of J-integral resistance curve testing and experimental evaluation methods in conjunction with a discussion of the development of the plane strain fracture toughness test standard ASTM E1820 developed by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Early research efforts on this topic are reviewed first. These include the J-integral concept, experimental estimates of the J-integral for stationary cracks, load line displacement (LLD) and crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) based η factor equations, different formulations of J-integral incremental equations for growing cracks, crack growth corrected J-R curve determination, and experimental test methods. Recent developments in J-R curve testing and evaluation are then described, with emphasis on accurate J-integral incremental equations, a normalization method, a modified basic method, a CMOD direct method with use of incremental equations, relationships of plastic geometry factors, constraint-dependent J-R curve testing and correction approaches. An overview of the present fracture toughness test standard ASTM E1820-08a is then presented. The review shows that after more than 40 years of investigation and development, the J-integral resistance curve test methods in ASTM E1820 have become simpler, more cost-effective and more accurate.
基金supported in part by the Center for Financial Engineering at the Suzhou University, Chinathe Taft Research Center at the University of Cincinnati, USA
文摘The authors employ the recent stochastic-control-based approach to financial mathematicsto solve a problem of determination of the risk premium for a stochastic interest rate model,andthe corresponding problem of equity valuation.The risk premium is determined explicitly,by meansof solving a corresponding partial differential equation (PDE),in two forms:one,time-dependent,corresponding to a finite time contract expiration,and the simpler version corresponding to perpetualcontracts.As stocks are perpetual contracts,when solving the problem of equity valuation,the latterform of the risk premium is used.By means of solving the general pricing PDE,an efficient equityvaluation method was developed that is a combination of some sophisticated explicit formulas,and anumerical procedure.
