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We examine how gaps between students' chosen target grades and actual midcourse grades relate to their exam studying intentions and subsequent grade improvements. We further investigate whether those relationships are moderated by students' academic ability (as measured by high school averages) and implicit theory of intelligence or mindset (as measured by questionnaire scores). Our study involved 250 undergraduate students in a first-year business course. The study used linear regression to analyze survey responses at the course's beginning, survey responses near the course's end, and actual course grades. The analysis showed students had greater studying intentions and grade improvements when midcourse grades were farther below initial target grades. Mindset moderated the relationship between grade gaps and studying intentions, whereas academic ability moderated the relationship between grade gaps and grade improvements. These results enhance our knowledge of how students respond to grade feedback and could help instructors assist students to make better decisions about their studying.

This experiment enabled undergraduate business students to better assess their progress in a course by quantitatively forecasting their own end-of-course grades. This innovation provided them with predictive feedback in addition to the outcome feedback they were already receiving. A total of 144 students forecast their grades using an instructor-prepared spreadsheet, and then responded to a brief survey. Of these participants, 29% said the forecast grades were lower than expected, while 6% said they were higher. Subsequent to the forecast, 47% of the respondents said they were studying more than planned, while 3% said they were studying less. The relative difference between the students' forecast grades and their prior expectations showed no direct influence on subsequent motivation or studying effort. Instead, increased studying was reported by students who had experienced increased anxiety, increased motivation, or positive impressions subsequent to the forecasting experience, as well as by students who had received low absolute grade forecasts.

The difficult transition from high school to university means that many students need to repeat (retake) 1 or more of their university courses. The authors examine the performance of students repeating first-year core courses in an undergraduate business program. They used data from university records for 116 students who took a total of 232 repeated courses across 6 subjects. The results show that the students' original course grades and cumulative grade point averages were positively associated with the new grades obtained in the repeated courses. Conversely, the original course grades were negatively associated with the extent of improvement obtained by repeating.

Introduction: There were repeated reports of increased cannabis sales, use and health impacts in Canada during the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, it was unclear whether the increases were due to pandemic effects or industry expansion. Methods: We performed interrupted time series regressions of monthly per capita legal cannabis sales from March 2019 to February 2021, first with national averages, then with provincial/territorial data after adjusting for store density. We considered two interruption alternatives: January 2020, when product variety increased; and March 2020, when pandemic restrictions began. Results: The provincial/territorial regression with the January interruption explained R2 = 69.6% of within‐jurisdiction variation: baseline monthly per capita sales growth averaged $0.21 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15, 0.26), sales immediately dropped in January by $1.02 (95% CI −1.67, −0.37), and monthly growth thereafter increased by $0.16 (95% CI 0.06, 0.25). With the March interruption, the regression instead explained 68.7% of variation: baseline sales growth averaged $0.14 (95% CI 0.06, 0.22), there was no immediate drop and growth thereafter increased by $0.22 per month (95% CI 0.08, 0.35). Discussion and Conclusions: Increasing cannabis sales during the pandemic was consistent with pre‐existing trends and increasing store numbers. The extra increased growth was more aligned with January's new product arrivals than with March's pandemic measures, though the latter cannot be ruled out. We found little evidence of pandemic impacts on Canada's aggregate legal cannabis sales. We therefore caution against attributing increased population‐level cannabis use or health impacts primarily to the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2006.02.036 Byline: Lani Haque (a), Michael J. Armstrong (b) Keywords: Queueing; Maintenance; Reliability; Machine interference problem; Machine repairman problem Abstract: This paper surveys the research published on the machine interference problem, also called the machine repairman problem, in which machines interfere with each other's service. Our emphasis is on work that has appeared since the 1985 review by Stecke and Aronson. After describing the basic model and the scope of our study, we discuss the literature along several dimensions. We describe some of the more interesting papers, and offer some suggestions for topics holding particular promise for future studies. We conclude with comments about how the research has evolved over the past two decades. Author Affiliation: (a) Centre for Operational Research and Analysis, Department of National Defence, Canada (b) Sprott School of Business, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1S 5B6 Article History: Received 6 September 2004; Accepted 8 February 2006

A mathematical model using queuing theory for evolving a procedure enabling the businessmen in receiving venture capital funding is presented. The various aspects such as allocation decision, productivity and human resources are duly considered therein.

A generalized arbitration model for quantitative models of final offer arbitration, conventional arbitration, and some proposed alternatives to them has been presented. Analysis of difference between risk averse disputants' equilibrium and the width of the contract zone has resulted in superior outcomes of final offer arbitration than those of conventional arbitration.

Formulation of periodical decision making models to help entrepreneurs make prudent business decisions, on developing new products and timing product launches is discussed.

The researchers examine the machine repair problem. They look at the incorporation of preventive repair for ageing machines.

We examine the problem of planning the supply of rewards in coalition loyalty programmes considering that the buyer–supplier relationships with commercial partners are governed by option contracts rather than wholesale price contracts similar to what is commonly used in practice. We develop a two-stage stochastic linear programme model with simple recourse which considers uncertain demand requirements, limited reward purchasing budgets, multiple programme partners of various sizes, point-liability control targets and overall profitability. A sampling average approximation scheme is used to solve the model. Numerical experiments show that option contracts perform better than wholesale price contracts when redemption demand uncertainty is high and the number of redemption partners is large. The results also suggest that the common practice of increasing redemption capacities is not the most effective way to cope with demand uncertainties. Programmes that reduce redemption demand variability and/or create better contracting structures are more promising in improving points-liability, redemption budget spending and overall profitability than traditional approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Measures of the importance of a component were analyzed to determine system reliability. These measures, which were defined and related to each other, include structural importance, joint reliability-importance, marginal reliability-importance, and link importance. Extensions were proposed from each importance measure that cover reliability models which emphasize dual failure-mode components instead of conventional one failure-mode.

We examine age replacement and ordering decisions for a system with only one component subject to random failure and with room for only one spare in stock. The system incurs costs for replacement, shortage, holding, and breakage; the lead time for receipt of an ordered spare is constant. We consider the solvability and desirability of jointly optimizing these two traditionally separate decisions. We show that the problem has some convexity properties that make it amenable to minimization. For our data set, we find that using separate optimization gives an average loss of 3% relative to the joint minimum; about a tenth of the time the difference was more than 10%, but in general this loss can vary from zero to arbitrarily large., 1. Introduction Consider a system containing one component subject to random failure and with room to store at most one spare. A maintenance (age replacement) policy and an inventory (spare [...]

Joint reliability importance (JRI) may be applied to measure the interaction of the two components of system which are responsible for the reliability of the system. However, the occasional appearance of covariance terms in the JRI formula makes the calculation of the actual values very difficult. JRI may be applied to real systems in which statistical independence for the components is not valid.

We examine how gaps between students' chosen target grades and actual midcourse grades relate to their exam studying intentions and subsequent grade improvements. We further investigate whether those relationships are moderated by students' academic ability (as measured by high school averages) and implicit theory of intelligence or mindset (as measured by questionnaire scores). Our study involved 250 undergraduate students in a first‐year business course. The study used linear regression to analyze survey responses at the course's beginning, survey responses near the course's end, and actual course grades. The analysis showed students had greater studying intentions and grade improvements when midcourse grades were farther below initial target grades. Mindset moderated the relationship between grade gaps and studying intentions, whereas academic ability moderated the relationship between grade gaps and grade improvements. These results enhance our knowledge of how students respond to grade feedback and could help instructors assist students to make better decisions about their studying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that examined the effect of ion bombardment on the morphology of compact lead films. Analysis of the Auger electron spectra; Evaluation of the scanning electron micrographs; Measurement of the optical properties of the lead film.

Turbine-engine-driven distributed electrical aircraft power systems [also referred to as turboelectric distributed propulsion (TeDP)] are proposed for providing thrust for future aircraft with superconducting components operating at 77 K, in order for performance and emission targets to be met. The proposal of such systems presents a radical change from current state-of-the-art aeroelectrical power systems. Central to the development of such power systems are architecture design trades which must consider system functionality and performance, system robustness, and fault ridethrough capability, in addition to the balance between mass and efficiency. This paper presents a quantitative comparison of the three potential candidate architectures for TeDP electrical networks. This analysis provides the foundations for establishing the feasibility of these different architectures subject to design and operational constraints. The findings of this paper conclude that a purely ac synchronous network performs best in terms of mass and efficiency, but similar levels of functionality and controllability to an architecture with electrical decoupling via dc cannot readily be achieved. If power electronic converters with cryocoolers are found to be necessary for functionality and controllability purposes, then studies show that a significant increase in the efficiency of solid-state switching components is necessary to achieve specified aircraft performance targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers use a mathematical model to perform a counterfactual study of the 1854 Charge of the Light Brigade. They first calibrate the model with historical data so that it reproduces the actual charge's outcome. They then adjust the model to see how that outcome might have changed if the Heavy Brigade had joined the charge and/or if the charge had targeted the Russian forces on the heights instead of those in the valley. The results suggest that all the counterfactual attacks would have led to heavier British casualties. However, a charge by both brigades along the valley might plausibly have yielded a British victory. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose -- The purpose of this paper is to highlight and discuss the unique safety and protection requirements for the electrical microgrid system in a turboelectric distributed propulsion aircraft. Design/methodology/approach -- The NASA N3-X concept aircraft requirements were considered. The TeDP system was decomposed into three subsystems: turbogenerator, distribution system and propulsors. Unique considerations for each of these subsystems were identified. Findings -- The fail-safe requirements for a TeDP system require a divergence from the standard safety case used for conventional propulsion systems. Advantages in flight control and single-engine-out scenarios can be realized using TeDP. Additionally, a targeted use of energy storage and reconfigurability may enable seamless response to propulsion systems failures. Practical implications -- The concepts discussed in this paper will assist to guide the early conceptual and preliminary design and evaluation of TeDP architectures. Originality/value -- The safety case for TeDP architectures is currently immature. The work presented here acts to frame some of the major issues when designing, evaluating and verifying TeDP conceptual architectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- This article is aims to inform aircraft propulsion system designers of the implications which fundamental power distribution design assumptions have on the effectiveness and viability of turboelectric distributed propulsion (TeDP) systems. Improvements and challenges associated with selecting alternating or direct current for normal- and superconducting distribution systems are presented. Additionally, for superconducting systems, the benefits of bi-polar DC distribution are discussed, as well as the implications of operating voltage on the mass and efficiency of TeDP grid components. Design/methodology/approach -- The approach to this paper selects several high-level fundamental configuration decisions, which must be made, and it qualitatively discusses potential implications of these decisions. Findings -- Near term TeDP architectures which employ conventionally conducting systems may benefit from alternating current (AC) distribution concepts to eliminate the mass and losses associated with power conversion. Farther term TeDP concepts which employ superconducting technologies may benefit from direct current (DC) distribution to reduce the cryocooling requirements stemming from AC conduction losses. Selecting the operating voltage for superconducting concepts requires a divergence from the present day criteria employed with terrestrial superconducting transmission systems. Practical implications -- The criteria presented in the paper will assist in the early conceptual architecting of TeDP systems. Originality/value -- The governing principles behind the configuration of multi-MW airborne electrical microgrid systems are presently immature. This paper represents a unique look and the motivating principles behind fundamental electrical configuration decisions in the context of TeDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance public understanding of the outcomes of cannabis legalization in Canada and avoid this skewed situation, provincial and territorial governments must become more transparent with their cannabis data. Despite the many potential impacts of the legalization of cannabis in Canada, provincial and territorial governments' poor disclosure of data about their recreational sales hinders researchers' efforts to study the the medical and social effects of legalization. [Extracted from the article]

We examine the performance of students repeating introductory microeconomics and macroeconomics courses, relative to that of students taking the courses for the first time. The study covers 937 grades received by 439 undergraduate business students. We find that the grades of students who previously failed or withdrew from the course are lower and more variable than the grades of students taking it for the first time. By contrast, the grades of students who previously passed the course are higher than the grades of the new students. These differences remain statistically significant after controlling for high school averages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes versions of the salvo model of missile combat where area fire is used by one or both sides in a battle. Although these models share some properties with the area fire Lanchester model and the aimed fire salvo model, they also display some interesting differences, especially over the course of several salvos. Although the relative size of each force is important with aimed fire, with area fire, it is the absolute size that matters. Similarly, although aimed fire exhibits square law behavior, area fire shows approximately linear behavior. When one side uses area fire and the other uses aimed fire, the model displays a mix of square and linear law behavior. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 60: 652-660, 2013 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This experiment enabled undergraduate business students to better assess their progress in a course by quantitatively forecasting their own end-of-course grades. This innovation provided them with predictive feedback in addition to the outcome feedback they were already receiving. A total of 144 students forecast their grades using an instructor-prepared spreadsheet, and then responded to a brief survey. Of these participants, 29% said the forecast grades were lower than expected, while 6% said they were higher. Subsequent to the forecast, 47% of the respondents said they were studying more than planned, while 3% said they were studying less. The relative difference between the students' forecast grades and their prior expectations showed no direct influence on subsequent motivation or studying effort. Instead, increased studying was reported by students who had experienced increased anxiety, increased motivation, or positive impressions subsequent to the forecasting experience, as well as by students who had received low absolute grade forecasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]