The ‘rule of experts’ in making a dynamic micro-insurance industry in India

India is reported to have the most dynamic micro-insurance market in the world and the largest weather-index insurance market among developing countries. This is interesting because, paradoxically, reports readily suggest that the primary hindrance for the industry is the widespread lack of effective demand for insurance. This paper seeks to identify, understand and problematize the paradox of resolutely promoting micro-insurance and its apparent rapid growth despite a manifest absence of demand for insurance. Neo-classical theories about risk-averse behaviour do not explain the current lack of appeal of insurance among the poor. Rather, I draw on a postcolonial political economy framework to argue that expert investment in getting prices and culture right while safeguarding micro-insurance supply currently explains the celebrated dynamism of Indian micro-insurance. I argue that promoting comprehensive institutional reform for an ideal investment and entrepreneurial climate involves securing mutually beneficial linkages, collaborations and knowledge within a broad assemblage of profit motives, insurance expertise, policy-makers and professionals. Insurance experts rule by promoting the micro-insurance sector while simultaneously investing in and gaining from discursive, material and pedagogical construction of this industry. Future research should address whether such processes and products are effective in managing financial risks of the poor.     

Changes in calls for police service with changes in routine activities and the arrival and passage of weather fronts

Proceeding on the assumptions that the day of the week is the best predictor of the levels of calls for police service, that calls for police service emanate from the pursuit of routine activities, and that weather influences routine activities, this paper examines how the expected change in the level of calls for service for a particular day of the week in Chicago is altered with the arrival and passage of weather fronts. Fronts taking 1 day to pass Chicago have a broader effect on the changes in calls across the days of the week than fronts taking 2 days in passage. On the whole, the 2-day fronts significantly alter calls for service during the weekdays but not on the weekend, while 1-day fronts significantly alter calls on both weekdays and weekends. In general, cold fronts decrease calls for service, and warm fronts increase calls for service.     

The effects of weather on homicide

This article examines the correlation between weather features and homicide in. Baltimore, Maryland, over an 8-year span of time. The consistent meteorological-measure of importance is the number of previous days in a row in which the discomfort index (a temperature and humidity measure) has been over the physiologically relevant level of 79. In all cases, however, the variance explained is quite small. The results are used to compare physiological and interactional explanations of weather or heat effects, leading to the conclusion that the repertoire of habits and adaptations available to the individual conditions his or her reactions to physiological stress induced by the weather.     

The Pledge to Reform

正The annual National People’s Congress(NPC)and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC)took place in Beijing from March 3 to March 13 amid brisk,early spring weather.During the two sessions,China’s development direction in domestic and diplomatic affairs was publicized.The new messages they conveyed made headlines in Chinese and foreign media,and projected a bright future for the country.     

FOCUS

正Photo News February 17,2014Ballet dancer Zhang Yashu performs in front of Australia’s iconic landmarks,the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge,in Sydney.She is among a group of celebrated Chinese artists who will give a series of performances in Sydney and Melbourne.     

Adipocere Formation in Subtropical Climate of Northern India: A Retrospective Study

Adipocere formation depends upon multiple environmental factors. In comparison with temperate countries, it usually develops early in the subtropical climate. We have studied a retrospective data of 31 cases with adipocere formation at Department of Forensic Medicine at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Most of the cases were recovered during the month of May to October from closed rooms at home, open grounds, open forest areas, various water sources, and riverbanks. The time duration of recovery from the time of death was from 12 h to 7 days 12 h. In 10 cases, adipocere formation was seen within 2 days, and in four male cases among them, the adipocere formed within a day. Most of the bodies showing adipocere formation within 2 days were recovered from land. These facts showed that subtropical climate having hot and humid weather promotes early adipocere formation compared to temperate climate.     

人工影响天气权解析

人工影响天气是气候资源开发利用的重要方式,国家行使人工影响天气权力往往会和相关利益群体发生冲突。人工影响天气权是一种国家的行政管理权,在对人工影响天气诉求存在冲突的情况下,应运用利益衡量原则,平衡各方利益,并就因人工影响天气而受损的合法权益进行适当补偿。     

论人工影响天气致损的法律责任

人工影响天气是人类利用科技手段减少自然灾害和改善气候环境的一项现代文明成果,其实施过程中也会造成他人的人身或财产损失.人工影响天气侵权产生的责任包括行政赔偿责任、行政补偿责任和民事赔偿责任,人工影响天气过程中产生的自然灾害属于自然现象,人工影响天气实施者对由此造成的损害不必进行赔偿.     

DRAWING UP A NEW BLUEPRINT

正Local governments plan to tackle pollution and change growth modes for 2014 Choking smog lingered,covering an area of 1.43 million square km in central and east China,an area more than twice the size of France,for a whole week starting from February 20.Beijing and part of the neighboring Hebei Province suffered most.On February 25,readings of PM 2.5,fine particulate matter 2.5     

The Ascent Of Haba Snow Mountain

正IN 1995,a group of Chinese mountaineers reached the summit of Haba Snow Mountain,5,396 meters above sea level,making it the highest snow peak in Yunnan Province to be conquered by humans.The mountain,in the eyes of professional mountaineers,is"entry level."However,to amateurs,it is a game for the brave.At 10 a.m.on October 5,2013,I,along with 17teammates and a group coordinator,reached the top of Haba.Standing next to the altitude mark,I texted"I made it!"to my family.The message was simple but we all knew it was hard earned.