Institutional Voids and New Venture Performance: The Moderating Role of Founders’ Political Ties

Building on the institutional voids (IVs) and resource-dependence perspectives, this study examines the moderating impact of new business founders' political ties on the relationship between IVs and new venture performance (NVP). We developed and tested a unique model using data obtained from 309 new ventures in the MENA region, specifically Egypt. The results demonstrate that founders' political ties enhance firms' complementary assets and mitigate the negative effects of IVs on new venture performance in developing markets. The theoretical and practical implications concerning new venture performance in a developing market environment are examined

The Causal Relationship Between Volunteering and Social Cohesion: A Large Scale Analysis of Secondary Longitudinal Data

It is often taken for granted that social cohesion and volunteering are inextricably related. Previous research suggests both that social cohesion creates a conducive environment for volunteering to emerge and that volunteering itself facilitates feelings of social cohesion. Despite this, much of the existing evidence on this relationship is limited to cross-sectional research that precludes any assessment of potential causality. In this paper we present a secondary analysis of two large scale and longitudinal social surveys in the UK: the Understanding Society Household Longitudinal Study and the Beyond Us and Them project. Using data from these surveys we estimate a cross-lagged longitudinal model to assess the causal relationships between social cohesion and volunteering over time. Across both data sources, involving different time intervals, we find significant cross-lagged bi-directional relationships between social cohesion and volunteering. These findings provide much needed empirical support for the proposition that social cohesion and volunteering are causally related over periods of both months and years. Implications for theory and policy are discussed

Theatricality and the Endgames of Sculpture in the Work of Alik Cavaliere, 1960-1989

This thesis re-examines the practice of postwar Italian artist Alik Cavaliere (1926 - 1998), in light of the artist's private journals. The study constitutes the first substantial English scholarly examination of Cavaliere's work, with extensive excerpts from the journals translated here for the first time. Offering an unprecedented perspective on the development of Cavaliere's practice, the thesis investigates the extent to which the artist engaged with the broader landscape of contemporary art debates in Europe and the United States on the status of sculpture. From the 'death of sculpture' proclaimed by Arturo Martini in 1945 to the transformation of sculpture into monumental-anti-monumental environments in the practices of artists spanning Claes Oldenburg, Arte Povera exponents, and Louise Bourgeois, the study traces the evolution of the medium through the second half of the 20th century. This framework allows for an in-depth exploration of Cavaliere's work as a complex laboratory where contemporary questions concerning the status, boundaries, and ethical implications of sculpture as a semi-performative art form interacting with viewers and the surroundings are dissected and wrestled with. Ultimately, the thesis presents Cavaliere's practice as a case study for examining international developments in sculpture between 1960 and 1989 and for understanding these as a means of showing the contemporary significance of a medium that had been deemed outmoded

Radar and Optical Observations and Physical Modeling of Binary Near-Earth Asteroid 2018 EB

We report radar, photometric, and visible-wavelength spectrophotometry observations of NEA 2018 EB obtained in 2018. The radar campaign started at Goldstone (8560 MHz, 3.5 cm) on April 7, and it was followed by more extensive observations from October 5 to 9 by both Arecibo (2380 MHz, 12.6 cm) and Goldstone. 2018 EB was observed optically on April 5, 8, and 9 and again on October 18. Spectrophotometry was obtained on October 19 with the SOAR telescope, and the data suggest that 2018 EB is an Xk-class object. The echo power spectra and delay-Doppler radar images revealed that 2018 EB is a binary system. Radar images constrained the satellite's diameter to 0.15−0.05+0.02 km, but the data were not sufficient for shape modeling. Shape modeling of lightcurves and radar data yielded an oblate primary with an effective diameter D = 0.30 ± 0.04 km and a sidereal rotation period of 4.3−0.5+0.6 hr. Measurements of delay-Doppler separations between the centers of mass of the primary and the satellite, along with the timing of a radar eclipse observed on October 9, resulted in an orbit fit for the satellite with a semimajor axis of 0.50−0.01+0.04 km, an eccentricity of 0.15 ± 0.04, a period of 16.85−0.26+0.33 hr, and an orbit pole constrained to the ecliptic longitudes and latitudes of λ=93−43°+27° and β=48−18°+7° . The system mass was estimated to be 2.03−0.08+0.52×1010 kg, which yielded a bulk density of 1.4−0.5+0.6 g cm−3. Our analysis suggests that 2018 EB has a low optical albedo of p V = 0.028 ± 0.016 and a relatively high radar albedo of η OC = 0.29 ± 0.11 at Arecibo and η = 0.22 ± 0.10 at Goldstone

Indistinguishable behavioural and neural correlates of perceptual self-other distinction in autistic and neurotypical adults

Previous research has suggested that self-bias (i.e., enhanced cognitive processing of self-versus other-relevant information) may be atypical in autism spectrum conditions (ASC), perhaps due to difficulties with self-other distinction. However, empirical evidence for this is inconsistent, and the neural basis of processing differences remains unknown. We present two experiments that aimed to test perceptual self-bias and familiarity effects in ASC using a perceptual-association task. Participants were asked to distinguish face/label associations of the self from those of other people of differing levels of familiarity (i.e., friend vs stranger). Experiment 1 took an individual differences approach by testing whether behavioural self-bias is associated with the number of autistic traits in a neurotypical adult sample (N = 59). Experiment 2 took a case-control approach by testing whether behavioural self-bias and associated ERP responses differ between neurotypical (N = 27) and autistic (N = 30) adults. Across both experiments, behavioural results showed that participants experienced a self-bias (self > friend and stranger) and a familiarity effect (e.g., friend > stranger); neither effect was affected by the number of autistic traits or autism diagnosis. In Experiment 2, analysis of N1, N2, and P3 ERP components revealed a typical self-bias in both groups (self distinct from friend and stranger), and only the autistic group showed evidence of a familiarity effect (N2 more negative-going for stranger than friend). The findings are discussed in relation to self-other distinction ability, and the relevance of other neuropsychological and psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and alexithymia are also considered. [Abstract copyright: Crown Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Genetic Consequences Of Female Mate Choice In Black Horned Capuchin Monkeys (Sapajus nigritus)

Previous studies have elucidated female sexual behaviour in black horned capuchin monkeys (Sapajus nigritus). Based on proceptive behaviours, females have a clear alpha male preference. This study aims to understand the genetic consequences of this female preference through the use of microsatellite analysis on 16 loci across 70 individuals from three study groups from the Iguazú National Park, Argentina. This study has five objectives: (1) to determine whether rank can predict paternity, (2) whether a PoA determined expected success is statistically similar to observed success, (3) whether females are confusing paternity enough to prevent infanticide, (4) the utility from using microsatellite markers from a species from a different family, and (5) the utility of using DNA samples that were 5 to 12 years old. It was found that rank predicted paternity, and expected success was statistically similar to observed success. Added to this the alpha males (7 of 12 assigned offspring) were the most successful sires in the group, followed by gammas (3/12) and then deltas (2/12). Females were not confusing paternity enough to prevent infanticide. 16 of the 18 markers successfully amplified, although one was monomorphic, and eight of the remaining 15 loci, had high null allele frequencies. Old DNA samples worked best when a combination of samples and more than four repeats were performed

Challenging the narrative: social work students’ views on the impact of service user and carer-led pedagogy to knowledge and practice

Service user and carer involvement is firmly established as an integral part of social work education in the UK, with a growing body of evidence demonstrating its beneficial effects on student learning. Calls have been made to further develop its theoretical base and evaluate its impact on students’ future practice. This article contributes to these aims, by following a cohort of undergraduate UK-based social work students. Using a focus group, the research elicited the views of the students on how classroom-based learning by people with lived experience affected their learning and practice pre-qualification. The findings are underpinned by the theme of ‘challenging the narrative’. They assert the powerful effect service user narratives have on bringing issues ‘to life’ and challenging stereotypes, as well as affecting students’ practice. However, challenging the narrative also linked to students’ reflections on what counts as ‘legitimate’ and reliable knowledge and a disconnection between University-based learning and messages received in practice. The paper argues for an ongoing critical evaluation of the impact of pedagogy led by people with lived experience, with the dual aims of identifying what benefits student learning, as well as critically dissecting power, authority and knowledge

Bringing Vocational Qualifications into the Inclusivity Agenda: The Case of the BTEC

In this chapter, Mitton and Hensby foreground one of the most under-researched intersections within white-BAME attainment research: the role of entry qualifications. It provides statistical analysis of BTEC access and attainment trends, while qualitatively exploring BTEC entrants’ experiences of transitioning to higher education. The authors find that an increasing proportion of students (particularly BAME students) are entering higher education with BTEC qualifications, but they are often disadvantaged by a learning culture that presupposes and privileges A-level entrants. This undervalues key skills and attributes developed through these programmes, while helping promulgate a stigma around BTECs (along with other vocational qualifications) as inferior to A-levels. Moreover, this stigma risks creating a legitimating discourse that helps obfuscate the structural causes of the white-BAME attainment gap. Mitton and Hensby argue for the need to bring vocational entry qualifications into universities’ inclusivity agenda so that BTEC entrants’ needs and experiences are recognised and supported

Comparative Animal Law!

This contribution argues in favour of the synergy between two fields: animal law and comparative law. Comparative law will allow for the development and improvement of animal law. Animal law, for its part, can move comparative law beyond the narrow confines of its traditional research agenda. The paper highlights a select number of key issues that are particularly relevant for undertaking serious comparative legal research with respect to animals

Group-based exercise for Parkinson’s: a qualitative study of participants and partners’ perceptions of an exercise class delivered through a community-university collaboration

Background: Community-based exercise programmes (CBEPs) offer a practical and viable approach to providing people with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) the opportunity to exercise as an ancillary therapeutic benefit to pharmacological management. This study explores the perceptions of exercising participants (PwP) and non-participating partners involved in an exercise class delivered through a community-university partnership. Methods: Two separate focus group discussions were conducted: one with class participants (PwP: n = 7, H&Y scale I to III), and the other with non-participating partners of PwP (n = 4). Results: Thematic analysis of the data identified that a range of physical, psychological and social factors were perceived to influence engagement: (1) actively taking control, (2) exercise is medicine for the mind and body, and (3) a community working together to promote exercise for parkinson’s. Participants and partners felt that the support from the group, including the instructors and student volunteers, empowered and supported PwP to proactively self-manage their health, enjoy exercise in an inclusive group setting, and develop strong social connections with others in the local Parkinson’s community. Support to exercise from healthcare professionals was identified as both an enabler and barrier to participation. Conclusions: This study underscores the significance of a community-university partnership as a complementary therapeutic approach for PwP. It also provides critical reflections on its sustainability, including implications for how exercise is considered as medicine for PwP. Additionally, it offers practical recommendations to galvanise community participation and provide inclusive and viable exercise opportunities for PwP