title: Global Zero: The new old agenda

authors: Smith, Ron C.

subjects: nuclear weapon

abstract: The project of abolishing all nuclear weapons has been given fresh impetus but the old questions remain. Having regard to the manifold problems of definition and verification, is 'Global Zero' realistic in a world in which proliferation seems more likely than abolition? Is it even desirable under present and foreseeable security conditions? Familiar arguments for extended deterrence still seem to underpin security judgments about the possibility of war between the major states and the complexities of the nuclear fuel cycle continue to present a major challenge to international control.

text: Global Zero: The new old agenda The project of abolishing all nuclear weapons has been given fresh impetus but the old questions remain. Having regard to the manifold problems of definition and verification, is 'Global Zero' realistic in a world in which proliferation seems more likely than abolition? Is it even desirable under present and foreseeable security conditions? Familiar arguments for extended deterrence still seem to underpin security judgments about the possibility of war between the major states and the complexities of the nuclear fuel cycle continue to present a major challenge to international control.

year: 2009

title: Beyond agropiracy: the case of Italian pasta in the United States retail market

authors: Cembalo, Luigi

subjects: traditional European food style

abstract: Together with the benefit due to the worldwide increase in consumer interest in traditional European food style, a growing phenomenon of agropiracy has taken place. Firms' marketing strategies tend to concentrate on product purity while we believe there exists a well-defined path worth: 1. introduction of a traditional (original) product on international markets; 2. local firms' imitation of the successful good; 3. local firms redesigning original products according to local consumption models and preferences. A representative sample of American consumers were interviewed in 12 US cities. Econometric analysis results suggest that a strategy aimed at emphasizing the authenticity of the origin of any product may not lead to any improvement in its market share, but it might very likely affect that market as a whole. Products should be offered as part of a sort of traditional product package to promote food habits rather than just commodities.

text: Beyond agropiracy: the case of Italian pasta in the United States retail market Together with the benefit due to the worldwide increase in consumer interest in traditional European food style, a growing phenomenon of agropiracy has taken place. Firms' marketing strategies tend to concentrate on product purity while we believe there exists a well-defined path worth: 1. introduction of a traditional (original) product on international markets; 2. local firms' imitation of the successful good; 3. local firms redesigning original products according to local consumption models and preferences. A representative sample of American consumers were interviewed in 12 US cities. Econometric analysis results suggest that a strategy aimed at emphasizing the authenticity of the origin of any product may not lead to any improvement in its market share, but it might very likely affect that market as a whole. Products should be offered as part of a sort of traditional product package to promote food habits rather than just commodities.

year: 2008

title: Translated application interfaces - issues of engagement

authors: Mato, Paora James

abstract: In New Zealand, English is the language that dominates contemporary technologies. Usability testing was completed on a range of applications, available with a Māori-language interface, to gauge levels of awareness, engagement and perception. Nearly all of the respondents were unaware of the availability of these interfaces but most indicated they would prefer to use the Māori-language versions. In terms of engagement and usability, users initially engaged using Māori but switched to English when they wanted to quickly complete the task at hand. Few remained fully engaged with the Māori-language interfaces. High levels of language switching were reported and some frustration as the participants encountered new and unfamiliar uses of words. At face value the feedback suggests the translated interfaces contained unnecessary complications and that better design and content might have enhanced the user experience. However, there is evidence that extended use would enable users to become more familiar with the interfaces alluding to initial barriers created by a previous competence in another language -- in this case English. With this previous competence in mind it might be more useful to employ design concepts that would alleviate initial difficulties and serve to keep the user engaged in the target language for longer periods of time.

text: Translated application interfaces - issues of engagement In New Zealand, English is the language that dominates contemporary technologies. Usability testing was completed on a range of applications, available with a Māori-language interface, to gauge levels of awareness, engagement and perception. Nearly all of the respondents were unaware of the availability of these interfaces but most indicated they would prefer to use the Māori-language versions. In terms of engagement and usability, users initially engaged using Māori but switched to English when they wanted to quickly complete the task at hand. Few remained fully engaged with the Māori-language interfaces. High levels of language switching were reported and some frustration as the participants encountered new and unfamiliar uses of words. At face value the feedback suggests the translated interfaces contained unnecessary complications and that better design and content might have enhanced the user experience. However, there is evidence that extended use would enable users to become more familiar with the interfaces alluding to initial barriers created by a previous competence in another language -- in this case English. With this previous competence in mind it might be more useful to employ design concepts that would alleviate initial difficulties and serve to keep the user engaged in the target language for longer periods of time.

year: 2015