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Black History Month Poster 2025
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Fossil Leaf Cuticle: Best Practices for Preparation and Paleo-CO2 Analysis
Full text linkLeaf cuticle is the waxy envelope that protects leaves from desiccation, UV damage, and abrasion. The cuticle encodes information about a plant\u27s chemistry and leaf epidermal and stomatal cell morphology. Fossil leaf cuticle has been used to determine taxonomic affinities for almost two centuries and recognized in recent decades for its value in reconstructing paleoenvironments and paleoclimates, especially atmospheric CO2. Fossil leaf cuticle preparation techniques are typically reported as single workflows tied to individual studies, starting with finding fossils in the field through the steps of preparing cuticle for chemical and morphological analysis, including decisions about type of microscopy and level of sampling effort at different spatial scales (number of fields-of-view, leaves, and species). The siloed nature of these publications makes finding appropriate methods and workflows for new studies difficult, especially for less experienced researchers. Here, we attempt to synthesize a breadth of existing workflows and make recommendations to guide methodological decision-making for new studies, with a particular focus on paleo-CO2 reconstruction via a proxy based on leaf gas-exchange principles (the Franks model). We describe and annotate chemical procedures for preparing cuticles for analysis and include recommendations regarding leaf conditions for which each is most appropriate. For studies making repeated measures of morphology (e.g., stomatal density), we describe a resampling routine that can guide decision-making, in real time, about sampling effort
Agent-Based Modeling: Introduction and Actuarial Applications
Full text linkAgent-based modeling (ABM) has become an important and valued approach to modeling complex systems. In this paper, I advocate for actuaries to recognize the complex systems-nature of socioeconomic and risk processes and for ABM models to become a regular resource in our actuarial toolkits. These models allow for the observation of potential macro-behavior emerging from the underlying agent-level micro-activity and characteristics. Therefore, ABM models can provide significant insight into the quantification of risk and the identification of optimal strategies. This paper is an introduction and guide to ABM models, and it includes several case studies to illustrate their utility
Enhancing Consumer Trust in Displayed Information Through Digital Price Tags in Retail Marketing
Full text linkAlthough digital price tags have been widely adopted in many brick-and-mortar retailers, our understanding of their optimal use remains limited. Considering their ability to easily update prices and promotional messages remotely, concerns have emerged regarding consumer trust in the displayed information. This study examines the role of digital price tags in retail marketing, with a particular focus on their effectiveness in building consumer trust in displayed information. To explore this, three online experiments are conducted to investigate strategies for enhancing consumer trust in the use of digital price tags. Studies 1a and 1 b provide evidence that digital price tags are more effective when they align with the attributes of the endorsed product. Specifically, consumers exhibit greater trust in information when digital price tags promote digital products rather than non-digital ones. Study 2 replicates these findings in a different product category, reinforcing the robustness of this effect. Study 3 further explores the strength of consumer trust in price tag information under matched conditions, demonstrating that this alignment acts as a buffer against potential distrust. The study concludes by outlining the theoretical contributions and practical implications for both retail scholars and industry practitioners
Monitoring Academic Freedom: Reflections for Advocates
Full text linkThis paper reflects on the challenges and opportunities of academic freedom monitoring from an advocacy perspective. Based on the review of two existing academic freedom indexes and the author’s experience building scientific freedom indicators, the paper discusses three challenges: conceptual, methodological, and political. The conceptual challenges are of four kinds: undertheorization, complexity, necessity of specification, and variation. The paper concludes by identifying three strategies (theory-building, interoperability, and cosmopolitanism) to strengthen monitoring and make it a more effective advocacy tool
The Influence of Advertised Social, Academic, and Athletic Life on Decision-Making Across Different College and University Community Sizes
Full text linkThis study aims to understand how colleges use social media advertisements to promote different aspects of their school and appeal to potential students. The literature explores the impact of social media marketing by colleges and universities on students’ decision-making processes regarding their attitudes based on student life aspects and the size of the school. It emphasizes the need for targeted strategies and highlights the importance of understanding audience demographics, brand image, and effective promotion tactics to optimize resources and foster personal connections. A 3x3 experiment was conducted with the categories being campus sizes (small, medium, and large) and different aspects of student life (academics, social, and athletic life). A total of 361 students from Bryant University took part in the survey. The results indicate that social life advertisements are most positively received in small universities, while academic advertisements are preferred in large institutions. Athletic advertising received the lowest ratings across all school sizes, particularly in large universities. Additionally, engagement likelihood was highest for social ads in small and medium schools and for academic ads in large schools, suggesting that university size plays a key role in shaping advertising effectiveness
Socially Responsible Investing: The Role of Investors\u27 Demographics and Educational Background Towards Investments
Full text linkSocially responsible investing is a crucial strategy to adopt as it fosters positive outcomes for the environment and society. Sustainability is gaining traction in society because investors are creating a beneficial impact in the community. They accomplish this by focusing on factors that involve environmental sustainability, diversity, and human rights. This study employs a survey approach to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data about the educational background and demographics of investors in the stock market. The empirical analysis will incorporate a multivariate regression that attempts to measure the impact of various demographics on one\u27s socially responsible investing score. A regression model will be used to analyze the results of the survey and show how statistically relevant they are. Additionally, a review of literature will be conducted to draw conclusions based on previous studies conducted by researchers who have investigated some of the demographics of socially responsible investors. Studying a socially responsible investor\u27s age, gender, and education level are all important factors in understanding his or her attitudes toward investing
Implementation of Salary Caps in European Soccer Leagues
Full text linkThis paper explores the theoretical implications of introducing a salary cap into a sporting system that traditionally lacks such a restriction: the professional European soccer system. Common themes regarding salary caps evident in the literature include views that deem them ineffective or insufficient in enhancing competitive balance, often suggesting that their implementation primarily benefits team owners financially. Conversely, there are studies demonstrating that salary caps indeed promote competitive balance and are not merely instituted for owners\u27 financial gain. These themes will be analyzed through regression analysis of salaries and win percentages across the top four American professional sports leagues. The American sports league exhibiting the closest correlation to the European soccer system will serve as a benchmark. Subsequently, the legislative frameworks and rulings applied within this chosen American sports league will be theoretically applied to the European soccer league system