Character | Jotup

Dungeons and Dragons at 50: how the role-playing game may soon be used as a form of therapy

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Personality, D&D, Fantasy, Noise, Empathy, Risk, Character, Mental health, Research, Trauma, Empowerment, Creativity, Thumb, Anecdote, Scouting

Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is crossing a new frontier, as the game may soon be used as a form of psychological therapy.

Key Points:

Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is crossing a new frontier, as the game may soon be used as a form of psychological therapy.
Over the last five years, I have researched possibilities for the game’s clinical implementation, as well as potential hurdles.
The therapeutic interest in the game only arose in the last five years, when D&D experienced a renaissance.

Playing safely

Released in 1974, there was something of a “Satanic panic” around the game, which was seen by some as a cradle of Satanic occultism.
Despite this, some clinicians still view playing D&D as cause of mental health issues.
Another reason for the hesitancy is that there can be a real risk involved in using D&D in therapy with no proper plan in place.
Since our research in 2023, at least 16 theoretical guidelines have been published, drafting ideas or sharing anecdotes of good practice.
And more importantly, more research is being released showing successful implementation in the community and even in forensic services.

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Sören Henrich does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

A new measure of firm-level competition: an application to euro area banks

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Thursday, April 18, 2024

Glass, RPD, Journal of Economic Perspectives, Goldberg, Employment, Lead, Competition, SCP, Research Papers in Economics, TCF, Intuition, Laboratory, Euromoney, Bank of Canada, Calendar, International political economy, Manufacturing, Oxford Economic Papers, Harvard University Press, Paper, Linearity, R2, Environment, Delicatessen, System, Website, Panzar, Working paper, World Bank, Elzinga, Friends, Madiga, CPB, Investment, Lerner index, Statistics, Croatian National Bank, PDF, Elsevier, ECB, Industrial organization, Policy, Social science, JEL, Operations research, Internet, Journal, Research, Literature, European Central Bank, Journal of Economic Surveys, MRP, Commercial, Section 5, Financial intermediary, Ministry of Social Affairs, Elasticity, National bank, Government, Developed country, Cell, Tarazi, Wealth, Publishing, Springer Nature, Prudential, Marketing, Law, The Economic Journal, Lerner, L16, Business economics, OECD, International Monetary Fund, Section 4, Database, Section 3, Krieger, EMU, Section 2, Pressure, Central bank, Economics Letters, Bank, Jorgenson, Character, Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe, Life, EDS, American Economic Review, K2, Appendix, Applied economics, CEE, Palgrave Macmillan, Livret A, Bell Labs, GDP, Part, Country, Public policy, De Economist, Management, Publication, Motivation, Cooperative, Reproduction, IMF, Edward Elgar Publishing, Housing, Handbook, G21, Real estate

Abstract

Key Points:

Abstract
This paper extends Boone (2008) by introducing a competition measure at the individual
firm level rather than for an entire market segment.
We apply this extended Boone indicator to individual bank-level competition
in the loan market in the four largest euro area countries and Austria.
Our new measure of firm-level competition enriches and complements
other competition measures and provides a promising starting point for future market
power analyses.
The only measure among non-structural measures that is based on the
concept of competition as a process of rivalry is the Boone (2008) indicator.
We introduce
a new performance measure of competition by extending the Boone indicator to the
individual firm level.
Introduction
The ability to reliably measure competition is valuable to researchers, analysts, and
policymakers, especially antitrust authorities, financial supervisors, and central banks.
One broad
category of indicators often used to measure competition are structural competition
measures, such as static concentration measures, and dynamic measures, e.g., entry and
exit rates.
Out of these measures, the only measure based on the
concept of competition as a process of rivalry is the Boone indicator.
This study introduces a new performance measure of competition by extending the
Boone indicator to the individual firm level.
It thus measures the
increase in profits in percent of one percentage point increase in efficiency, with marginal
costs as measure of efficiency.
We extend the theoretical
underpinning of the measurement of competition for the entire market of Boone (2008) by
a new measure of individual firm-level competition.
A concern of the literature is the gap
between the practical application and the theoretical framework of Boone (2008).
We introduce within the same theoretical
framework a new measure of competition on firm level, the MRP.
Our new
measure significantly augments the antitrust evaluative framework by shedding light on
whether a merger results in a less competitive market.
Our novel indicator focuses on
firms? incentives to enhance their relative efficiency, as manifested in the elasticity
between relative profits and efficiency.
However, an inefficient firm that is foreclosed could be more
competitive than the larger efficient firm that relies on its scale economies.
Our new metric of competition unveils
banks? ability to influence their profitability in the short term by cutting costs relative to
their peers.
The new MRP indicator provides the ability to assess the impact
of individual banks? competitiveness on their interest rate-setting behaviour in loan
markets.
Incorporating this information promises a more refined understanding of the impact and
timing of monetary policy rates changes on the real economy.
Section 3 introduces within the Boone
(2008) theoretical framework our new measure of individual firm-level competition,
including the interpretation of the MRP.
Section 4 provides an application of our new
ECB Working Paper Series No 2925
6

individual firm-level competition measure to the loan market.
The StructureConduct-Performance paradigm (SCP) provides a traditional framework in the field of
industrial organization for analysing competition behaviour in markets.
Concentrated
markets ease the possibilities to collude implicitly or explicitly and therefore concentrated
markets result in higher prices and profits.
For example, a tougher competition
setup may lead to a reallocation of market shares, potentially forcing some firms to exit
the market.
This approach gives firms? strategic behaviour
central stage and focuses on the strategic interaction on prices and quantities, known as
conjectural variation.
Another measure from
this strand of literature is the H-statistic developed by Panzar and Rosse (1987).
The only competition measure from this performance literature where competition is the
outcome from a process of rivalry is the Boone indicator.
A continuous and monotonically increasing relationship exists between
RPD and the level of competition if firms are ranked by decreasing efficiency.
(2013) compare the Boone indicator with the price-cost margin
and conclude that the profit elasticity is a more reliable measure of competition.
The high
elasticity of profits to efficiency unequivocally indicates that the high market shares and
therefore high profits are due to high efficiency.
A firm that quickly passes changes to the input prices is seen as a price
taker with little market power.
Indicators of competition tend to measure different phenomenon and may provide
conflicting messages, as reported for European banking by Carbo et al.
Application 2: Test the ?quiet life? and related market structure hypotheses using the
MRP as competition or market structure measure.
Data
Our application to individual bank-level competition in the euro area loan market uses
balance sheet and income statement data from the Moody?s Analytics BankFocus for the
calendar years 2013-2020.
As such, most publications
on competition in the euro area includes the largest four member states.
Due to these restrictions the database was reduced to an unbalanced panel of up to 1862
banks (depending on the year) from five euro area countries.
Application 1: Measure bank competition using MRP
Looking at the distribution of the MRP for individual banks (Fig.
A similar finding for the four largest euro area countries as a group is
reported in Carbo et al.
Application 2: Test of market structure hypotheses using MRP
Our new measure of individual-bank competition can be used to test market structure
theories.
Euro area banks? market power,
lending channel and stability: the effects of negative policy rates, European Central Bank
Working Paper, 2790 (February).
A
new approach to measuring competition in the loan markets of the euro area, Applied
Economics, 43 (23), 3155?3167.
Impact of bank competition on the interest rate pass-through in the euro area, Applied
Economics, 45 (11), 1359?1380.

Creative Health Care Management Donna Wright Awarded the 2024 Marlene Kramer Lifetime Achievement Award

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Character, ANPD, CHCM, Publication, Nursing, Nursing research, Growth, Health administration

This prestigious honor, the pinnacle of recognition within the Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD), is awarded to individuals who have profoundly influenced the nursing profession and the organization itself.

Key Points:

This prestigious honor, the pinnacle of recognition within the Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD), is awarded to individuals who have profoundly influenced the nursing profession and the organization itself.
Established by the ANPD Board of Directors in 2016 and first awarded to Dr. Marlene Kramer in 2017, the award is a testament to enduring impact and dedication within nursing research and the nursing community.
“Creative Health Care Management (CHCM) proudly announces that our very own Donna Wright has been honored with the 2024 Marlene Kramer Lifetime Achievement Award by the Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD).
This prestigious award, to be presented at the ANPD Aspire Convention, acknowledges Wright’s significant contributions to nursing professional development.

SRM Entertainment Reports 2023 Annual Results and Business Updates

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Herschend Family Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Character, The Icee Company, Merlin Entertainments, Life, Imagination, SRM, Amusement park

JUPITER, FL, April 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SRM Entertainment, Inc., (Nasdaq: SRM) (the “Company” or “SRM”) which designs, develops, and manufactures custom products, toys and souvenirs for the world's largest theme parks and other leading entertainment venues, announced its fiscal results for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Key Points:

JUPITER, FL, April 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SRM Entertainment, Inc. , (Nasdaq: SRM) (the “Company” or “SRM”) which designs, develops, and manufactures custom products, toys and souvenirs for the world's largest theme parks and other leading entertainment venues, announced its fiscal results for the year ended December 31, 2023.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, SRM had revenues of $5,760,533 and a gross profit of $1,317,450.
In 2023, SRM welcomed industry veterans to our team, adding imagination and artistic design talent along with a product development specialist.
“The SRM team delivered strong operational performance in 2023 adding new products, new customers and continuing to be a trusted supplier for our theme park customers.

Adobe Introduces Next Generation of Frame.io To Accelerate Content Workflow and Collaboration for Every Creative Project

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Today, Adobe (Nasdaq: ADBE) introduced the all-new Frame.io V4 , a flexible, fast and intuitive creative collaboration platform that streamlines and simplifies workflows across content creation and production.

Key Points:

Today, Adobe (Nasdaq: ADBE) introduced the all-new Frame.io V4 , a flexible, fast and intuitive creative collaboration platform that streamlines and simplifies workflows across content creation and production.
“As the demand for all content types – from video and images to design and documents – continues to skyrocket, the needs of Frame.io’s community have evolved.
While more content is being produced than ever before, creatives involved at all stages of development still experience disconnected and broken processes.
To learn more about other innovations available with Frame.io V4, visit the Frame.io blog here and view Frame.io V4 video here .

Introducing Stuzzi: Hot Sauce in Its Most Perfect Form

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Online Retail, Retail, Food, Beverage, Cooking, Taste, Character, DNA, Heat, Love, System, Multimedia, SRP, Restaurant

Making its official debut in the US, Stuzzi is the hot sauce made by and for people who know good food.

Key Points:

Making its official debut in the US, Stuzzi is the hot sauce made by and for people who know good food.
Stuzzi is the latest launch by Casa Komos Brands Group (CKBG), maker of ultra-luxury, highest-rated Tequila Komos.
View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240409422584/en/
Stuzzi Hot Sauce elevates the flavors of any dish it accompanies (Photo: Business Wire)
Nearly a decade ago, Carla and Richard fell in love with the aroma and taste of a rare Italian dried pepper.
Simply put, Stuzzi is hot sauce in its most perfect form.

CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund (NYSE: IGR) Declares Monthly Distribution for April, May and June and Announces a Webinar with Portfolio Management

Retrieved on:

Monday, April 8, 2024

Other Professional Services, Construction & Property, Finance, Asset Management, Banking, Professional Services, REIT, Other Construction & Property, Character, Policy, Sale, Real estate investment trust, Fund, Life insurance

SHAREHOLDERS WILL BE SENT A FORM 1099-DIV FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR INDICATING HOW TO REPORT FUND DISTRIBUTIONS FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES.

Key Points:

SHAREHOLDERS WILL BE SENT A FORM 1099-DIV FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR INDICATING HOW TO REPORT FUND DISTRIBUTIONS FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES.
The estimated allocations presented above are based on the Fund’s monthly calculation of its year-to-date net investment income, capital gains and returns of capital.
The Fund’s investment income is mainly comprised of distributions received from the real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other companies in which it invests.
The Fund’s net investment income is reduced by the amounts characterized by the REITs as capital gains and returns of capital.

California Supreme Court Justice Martin J. Jenkins ’77 to Address Santa Clara University Class of 2024

Retrieved on:

Monday, April 8, 2024

Martin J. Jenkins ’77, California Supreme Court Associate Justice and former Judicial Appointments Secretary to California Gov.

Key Points:

Martin J. Jenkins ’77, California Supreme Court Associate Justice and former Judicial Appointments Secretary to California Gov.
Gavin Newsom ’89, will be the keynote speaker at Santa Clara University’s 173rd commencement ceremony on June 15.
Justice Jenkins was confirmed as an Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court on November 10, 2020.
“I look forward to celebrating commencement with Santa Clara University’s Class of 2024,” said Jenkins.

Matthew Lambert Joins Power Wealth Management as a Senior Wealth Advisor

Retrieved on:

Friday, April 5, 2024

PWM, Partner, Character, Growth, Safety

ALPHARETTA, Ga., April 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Power Wealth Management is thrilled to announce that Matthew Lambert has joined the firm as a Senior Wealth Advisor.

Key Points:

ALPHARETTA, Ga., April 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Power Wealth Management is thrilled to announce that Matthew Lambert has joined the firm as a Senior Wealth Advisor.
Prior to joining Power Wealth Management, Matthew served the private wealth clients of a national financial service firm in Atlanta, where he focused on retirement planning, income planning, trusts, and multi-generational planning needs.
He looks forward to continuing this work with Power Wealth Management, enhanced by the firm's commitment to personalization and service.
The addition to the Atlanta based Power Wealth Management team reflects the firm's continued growth strategy and its commitment to hiring quality individuals in the field of wealth management and financial planning.

AssuredPartners Announces Leadership Changes in Legal Function

Retrieved on:

Friday, April 5, 2024

General counsel, Partnership, Employment, Character, Multimedia, G4S, Gunster: Rain of Bullets

ORLANDO, Fla., April 5, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- AssuredPartners, Inc. is pleased to announce the promotion of Steven Muscatello to General Counsel. In his new role, Steve will also serve as General Counsel for Accretive Insurance Solutions, Inc., the specialty and wholesale business unit of AssuredPartners. He will continue to report to Stan Kinnett in Stan's new role as Chief Legal Officer.

Key Points:

In his new role, Steve will also serve as General Counsel for Accretive Insurance Solutions, Inc., the specialty and wholesale business unit of AssuredPartners.
He will continue to report to Stan Kinnett in Stan's new role as Chief Legal Officer.
His business-minded approach to legal issues is a material asset to our executive team and entire Company.
Since that time, he has led several functions of the legal department, including litigation, employment, real estate, and regulatory matters.