84 research outputs found
E-leadership Effectiveness Through Virtually Enacted Discourse
No full textUsing a quantitative, non-experimental design, this study analyzed the relationships between the degree of virtuality (i.e., for virtual, hybrid, and colocated employees), tools and techniques of leader communication, and employee perceptions of leadership effectiveness among full-time, currently employed faculty at an American university’s campus in Singapore. A Generalized Linear Model (GLM) regression analysis was used to explain and predict the extent to which specific factors of communication (frequency, predictability, responsiveness, clarity, and mode) lessen or strengthen the relationship between the degree of virtuality and employee ratings (i.e., perceptions) of leadership effectiveness. A second GLM regression analysis was performed to explain and predict the extent to which the degree of virtuality attenuates or strengthens the relationship between factors of communication and perceptions of leadership effectiveness. For the first analysis, the overall model showed that communication tools and techniques moderate the relationship between virtuality and employee ratings of leadership effectiveness. The second model could not support virtuality moderating the relationship between communication tools and techniques and employee ratings of leadership effectiveness. In both analyses, only the communication tools and techniques variable was significant in model fit tests. A one-way ANOVA was also performed to identify whether there was a significant difference in perceptions of leadership effectiveness between virtual, hybrid, and colocated employees. No significant difference could be identified in part due to the sample size of virtual employees being inadequate to produce meaningful results. Nonetheless, the overall results of this study support communication tools and techniques being significantly correlated with employee ratings of leadership effectiveness. This has implications for how leaders lead in virtual, hybrid, and colocated contexts with an emphasis on leader communication behaviors and overall leader effectiveness
Young women's use of a microbicide surrogate: The complex influence of relationship characteristics and perceived male partners' evaluations
No full textThis is the post-print version of the article. The official published version can be found at the link below.Currently in clinical trials, vaginal microbicides are proposed as a female-initiated method of sexually transmitted infection prevention. Much of microbicide acceptability research has been conducted outside of the United States and frequently without consideration of the social interaction between sex partners, ignoring the complex gender and power structures often inherent in young women’s (heterosexual) relationships. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to build on existing microbicide research by exploring the role of male partners and relationship characteristics on young women’s use of a microbicide surrogate, an inert vaginal moisturizer (VM), in a large city in the United States. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 young women (18–23 years old; 85% African American; 47.5% mothers) following use of the VM during coital events for a 4 week period. Overall, the results indicated that relationship dynamics and perceptions of male partners influenced VM evaluation. These two factors suggest that relationship context will need to be considered in the promotion of vaginal microbicides. The findings offer insights into how future acceptability and use of microbicides will be influenced by gendered power dynamics. The results also underscore the importance of incorporating men into microbicide promotion efforts while encouraging a dialogue that focuses attention on power inequities that can exist in heterosexual relationships. Detailed understanding of these issues is essential for successful microbicide acceptability, social marketing, education, and use.This study was funded by a grant from National Institutes of Health (NIHU19AI 31494) as well as research awards to the first author: Friends of the Kinsey Institute Research Grant Award, Indiana University’s School of HPER Graduate Student Grant-in-Aid of Research Award, William L. Yarber Sexual Health Fellowship, and the Indiana University Graduate and Professional Student Organization Research Grant
Cash flow is cash and is a fact. Net income is just an opinion
No full textA company's profit after tax (or net income) is quite an arbitrary figure, obtained after assuming certain accounting hypotheses regarding expenses and revenues. On the other hand, its cash flow is an objective measure, a single figure that is not subject to any personal criterion. In general, to study a company's situation, it is more useful to operate with the cash flow (equity cash flow, free cash flow or capital cash flow) as it is a single figure, while the net income is one of several that can be obtained, depending on the criteria applied. Profit after tax (PAT) is equal to the equity cash flow when the company is not growing, buys fixed assets for an amount identical to depreciation, keeps debt constant, and only writes off or sells fully depreciated assets. Profit after tax (PAT) is also equal to the equity cash flow when the company collects in cash, pays in cash, holds no stock (this company's working capital requirements are zero), and buys fixed assets for an amount identical to depreciation. When making projections, the dividends and other forecast payments to shareholders must be exactly equal to expected equity cash flows.Cash flow; Net income; Equity cash flow; Free cash flow; Capital cash flow;
Marton, north Lincolnshire: a Romano-British settlement in its context
No full textThis thesis seeks to reconstruct and interpret the form and extent of the Romano- British settlement at Marton, North Lincolnshire. The site at Marton has previously been the subject of no formal programme of archaeological research. However it offers a rich potential for applying non-intrusive archaeological survey, and this study is based on the results obtained from a combination of different survey techniques. Although the site has received very little formal archaeological attention in the past, uncontrolled metal-detection has been intensive over recent years. The unrecorded leaching of material, coupled with the diverse range of artefacts known to have been retrieved in detection has been one of the principal catalysts behind the adoption of this survey. The data was collected both from previous aerial photographic surveys and metal detectorists with whom a working relationship had been established, and in geophysical survey and field walking undertaken by the author. Survey methodology and the results of the different components of the survey are presented in chapters 2 to 6. Initial interpretations of the features identified from the aerial photographic and geophysical survey are proposed and the main chronological and spatial trends m the distribution of pottery, coins and other small finds are summarised. Chapter 7 compares the results obtained from the different classes of evidence and refines the interpretations offered for the development of the site through time and space. Specific issues considered are the origins of the settlement, its internal organisation and extent and its relationship with nearby Littleborough. The final chapter compares Marton with other sites in the region and sites of a similar type in Roman Britain. A series of hypotheses are then proposed concerning the nature of the site and its function and evolution in its local landscape
Photochemical ribonucleotide reductase for the study of proton-coupled electron transfer
No full textThesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Chemistry, 2007.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Includes bibliographical references.Charge transport and catalysis in enzymes often rely on amino acid radicals as intermediates. The generation and transport of these radicals are synonymous with proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET), which intrinsically is a quantum mechanical effect as both the electron and proton tunnel. The caveat to PCET is that proton transfer (PT) is fundamentally limited to short distances relative to electron transfer (ET). This predicament is resolved in biology by the evolution of enzymes to control PT and ET coordinates on very different length scales. In doing so, the enzyme imparts exquisite thermodynamic and kinetic control over radical transport and radical-based catalysis at cofactor active sites. New tools are needed to study PCET reactions of amino acid radical in biology. This thesis describes methods for photogeneration of amino acid radicals, with particular emphasis on tyrosine. Unnatural fluorotyrosine amino acids are developed to vary the driving force for proton and electron transfer in PCET reactions of tyrosyl radical (Ye), and to provide unique spectroscopic handles to study enzymes utilizing multiple Yes. These tools allow for an in-depth study of the PCET mechanism of tyrosyl radical generation, both in solution and within the ribonucleotide reductase enzyme. Enzymatic acitivity of class I E. coli ribonucleotide reductase requires the transport of charge from an assembled diiron-tyrosyl radical cofactor to the enzyme active site over 35 A away via an amino acid radical hopping pathway spanning two protein subunits.(cont.) To study the mechanism of this radical transport, we have developed photochemical RNRs wherein radical generation, transport, and enzymatic turnover can be initiated by UV-vis excitation of a peptide bound to the subunit containing the enzyme active site. This method allows us to observe Y*s competent for initiating turnover on the peptide bound to the protein subunit. Turnover assays with the wild-type and mutant proteins show that both the electron and proton move along a unidirectional pathway to affect radical transport in this subunit.by Steven Y. Reece.Ph.D
The effectiveness of interventions to treat severe acute malnutrition in young children: a systematic review
No full textSevere acute malnutrition (SAM) arises as a consequence of a sudden period of food shortage and is associated with loss of a person’s body fat and wasting of their skeletal muscle. Many of those affected are already undernourished and are often susceptible to disease. Infants and young children are the most vulnerable as they require extra nutrition for growth and development, have comparatively limited energy reserves and depend on others. Undernutrition can have drastic and wide-ranging consequences for the child’s development and survival in the short and long term. Despite efforts made to treat SAM through different interventions and programmes, it continues to cause unacceptably high levels of mortality and morbidity. Uncertainty remains as to the most effective methods to treat severe acute malnutrition in young children.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to treat infants and children aged < 5 years who have SAM.Data sourcesEight databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, CAB Abstracts Ovid, Bioline, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, EconLit EBSCO and The Cochrane Library) were searched to 2010. Bibliographies of included articles and grey literature sources were also searched. The project expert advisory group was asked to identify additional published and unpublished references.Review methodsPrior to the systematic review, a Delphi process involving international experts prioritised the research questions. Searches were conducted and two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts for eligibility. Inclusion criteria were applied to the full texts of retrieved papers by one reviewer and checked independently by a second. Included studies were mapped to the research questions. Data extraction and quality assessment were undertaken by one reviewer and checked by a second reviewer. Differences in opinion were resolved through discussion at each stage. Studies were synthesised through a narrative review with tabulation of the results.ResultsA total of 8954 records were screened, 224 full-text articles were retrieved, and 74 articles (describing 68 studies) met the inclusion criteria and were mapped. No evidence focused on treatment of children with SAM who were human immunodeficiency virus sero-positive, and no good-quality or adequately reported studies assessed treatments for SAM among infants < 6 months old. One randomised controlled trial investigated fluid resuscitation solutions for shock, with none adequately treating shock. Children with acute diarrhoea benefited from the use of hypo-osmolar oral rehydration solution (H-ORS) compared with the standard World Health Organization-oral rehydration solution (WHO-ORS). WHO-ORS was not significantly different from rehydration solution for malnutrition (ReSoMal), but the safety of ReSoMal was uncertain. A rice-based ORS was more beneficial than glucose-based ORSs, and provision of zinc plus a WHO-ORS had a favourable impact on diarrhoea and need for ORS. Comparisons of different diets in children with persistent diarrhoea produced conflicting findings. For treating infection, comparison of amoxicillin with ceftriaxone during inpatient therapy, and routine provision of antibiotics for 7 days versus no antibiotics during outpatient therapy of uncomplicated SAM, found that neither had a significant effect on recovery at the end of follow-up. No evidence mapped to the next three questions on factors that affect sustainability of programmes, long-term survival and readmission rates, the clinical effectiveness of management strategies for treating children with comorbidities such as tuberculosis and Helicobacter pylori infection and the factors that limit the full implementation of treatment programmes. Comparison of treatment for SAM in different settings showed that children receiving inpatient care appear to do as well as those in ambulatory or home settings on anthropometric measures and response time to treatment. Longer-term follow-up showed limited differences between the different settings. The majority of evidence on methods for correcting micronutrient deficiencies considered zinc supplements; however, trials were heterogeneous and a firm conclusion about zinc was not reached. There was limited evidence on either supplementary potassium or nicotinic acid (each produced some benefits), and nucleotides (not associated with benefits). Evidence was identified for four of the five remaining questions, but not assessed because of resource limitation.LimitationsThe systematic review focused on key questions prioritised through a Delphi study and, as a consequence, did not encompass all elements in the management of SAM. In focusing on evidence from controlled studies with the most rigorous designs that were published in the English language, the systematic review may have excluded other forms of evidence. The systematic review identified several limitations in the evidence base for assessing the effectiveness of interventions for treating young children with severe acute malnutrition, including a lack of studies assessing the different interventions; limited details of study methods used; short follow-up post intervention or discharge; and heterogeneity in participants, interventions, settings, and outcome measures affecting generalisability.ConclusionsFor many of the most highly ranked questions evidence was lacking or inconclusive. More research is needed on a range of topic areas concerning the treatment of infants and children with SAM. Further research is required on most aspects of the management of SAM in children < 5 years, including intravenous resuscitation regimens for shock, management of subgroups (e.g. infants < 6 months old, infants and children with SAM who are human immunodeficiency virus sero-positive) and on the use of antibiotics.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Technology Assessment programme.<br/
DNA fusion gene vaccination mobilizes effective anti-leukemic cytotoxic T lymphocytes from a tolerized repertoire
No full textThe majority of known human tumor-associated antigens derive from non-mutated self proteins. T cell tolerance, essential to prevent autoimmunity, must therefore be cautiously circumvented to generate cytotoxic T cell responses against these targets. Our strategy uses DNA fusion vaccines to activate high levels of peptide-specific CTL. Key foreign sequences from tetanus toxin activate tolerance-breaking CD4+ T cell help. Candidate MHC class Ibinding tumor peptide sequences are fused to the C terminus for optimal processing and presentation. To model performance against a leukemia-associated antigen in a tolerized setting, we constructed a fusion vaccine encoding an immunodominant CTL epitopederived from Friend murine leukemia virus gag protein (FMuLVgag) and vaccinated tolerant FMuLVgag-transgenic (gag-Tg) mice. Vaccination with the construct induced epitopespecificIFN-c-producing CD8+ T cells in normal and gag-Tg mice. The frequency and avidity of activated cells were reduced in gag-Tg mice, and no autoimmune injury resulted. However, these CD8+ T cells did exhibit gag-specific cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. Also, epitope-specific CTL killed FBL-3 leukemia cells expressing endogenous FMuLVgag antigen and protected against leukemia challenge in vivo. These results demonstrate a simple strategy to engage anti-microbial T cell help to activate epitope-specific polyclonal CD8+ T cell responses from a residual tolerized repertoire
Reforming state enterprises in socialist economies : guidelines for leasing them to entrepreneurs
No full textSince the state has proven to be incompetent in its management of state owned enterprises a new structure must be found that takes into account the incompetence of the state but ensures that the state's economic interests are preserved the best way possible. Two of the most difficult tasks in this process are how to exercise ownership rights to assets and simultaneously delegate decision making to the management of the firm. This paper finds that the solution of these problems is to lease state owned enterprises to entrepreneurs through contracts derived from the principal-agent literature where the state is the principal and the agent is the lessee. Since the state needs to delegate responsibility to the management of state owned enterprises, the process of reform becomes in reality a principal-agent problem. To facilitate the reform process it is necessary to establish a credit market because the lessee may have investment plans that need to be financed. So far no country has yet tried to implement lease schemes based on principal-agent contracts. Future work needs to build a bridge between theory and reality to see whether they both can benefit from the interaction.Health Economics&Finance,International Terrorism&Counterterrorism,Economic Theory&Research,Banks&Banking Reform,Environmental Economics&Policies
Measurement of sigma (pp -> bbX) at √s=7 TeV in the forward region
No full textDecays of b hadrons into final states containing a D-0 meson and a muon are used to measure the bb; production cross-section in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV at the LHC. In the pseudorapidity interval 2 < eta < 6 and integrated over all transverse momenta we find that the average cross-section to produce b-flavoured or b-flavoured hadrons is (75.3 +/- 5.4 +/- 13.0) mu b
First observation of Bs → J/ψf0(980) decays
No full textUsing data collected with the LHCb detector in proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV, the hadronic decay is observed. This CP eigenstate mode could be used to measure mixing-induced CP violation in the system. Using a fit to the π+π− mass spectrum with interfering resonances gives . In the interval ±90 MeV around 980 MeV, corresponding to approximately two full f0 widths we also find , where in both cases the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively
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