Showing papers by "Heidelberg University (Ohio) published in 2008"

Unintentional drinking-water contamination events of unknown origin: surrogate for terrorism preparedness

Abstract: Drinking-water is a direct conduit to many human receptors. An intentional attack (e.g. terrorism) on drinking-water systems can shock and disrupt elements of national infrastructures. We report on an unintentional drinking-water contamination event that occurred in Tel Aviv, Israel in July, 2001. Initially of unknown origin, this event involved risk management strategies used by the Ministry of Health for abating a potential public health crisis as might be envisaged of water contamination due to terrorism. In an abrupt event of unknown origin, public health officials need to be responsible for the same level of preparedness and risk communication. This is emphasized by comparison of management strategies between the Tel Aviv event and one of dire consequences that occurred in Camelford, England in 1988. From the onset of the Tel Aviv incident, the public health strategy was to employ the precautionary principle by warning residents of the affected region to not drink tap water, even if boiled. This strategy was in contrast to an earlier crisis that occurred in Camelford, England in 1988. An outcome of this event was heightened awareness that a water crisis can occur in peacetime and not only in association with terrorism. No matter how minor the contamination event or short-term the disruption of delivery of safe drinking-water, psychological, medical and public health impact could be significant.

Entrepreneurship as a Liberal Art

Abstract: This article looks at the role liberal arts colleges or universities can play in developing individuals with a comparative advantage in new enterprise creation. The thesis is that entrepreneurship is a creative act and, as such, has more in common with the liberal arts than the narrower fields of both market economics and business. The article concludes by integrating entrepreneurship, creativity, and liberal arts. It is shown that entrepreneurship can be the foundation of a liberal education because: (1) entrepreneurship will create a distinctive competency and generate increased value added in the liberal arts experience of students; (2) entrepreneurship will promote learning through applications of the consilience of inductions; (3) it will integrate the curriculum, reduce time, and subject compartmentalization of the curriculum; and (4) entrepreneurship will minimize external competitive threats to the liberal arts college. Implications of this conclusion for the curriculum in American colleges are suggested.