A distributional survey of the birds of Sonora, Mexico

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CSR and related terms in SME owner-managers' mental models in six European countries: national context matters

As a contribution to the emerging field of corporate social responsibility (CSR) cognition, this article reports on the findings of an exploratory study that compares SME owner–managers’ mental models with regard to CSR and related concepts across six European countries (Belgium, Italy, Norway, France, UK, Spain). Utilising Repertory Grid Technique, we found that the SME owner–managers’ mental models show a few commonalities as well as a number of differences across the different country samples. We interpret those differences by linking individual cognition to macro-environmental variables, such as language, national traditions and dissemination mechanisms. The results of our exploratory study show that nationality matters but that classifications of countries as found in the comparative capitalism literature do not exactly mirror national differences in CSR cognition and that these classifications need further differentiation. The findings from our study raise questions on the universality of cognition of academic management concepts and warn that promotion of responsible business practice should not rely on the use of unmediated US American management terminology

Characteristics of participants in an HIV prevention intervention for youth in Rwanda: results from a longitudinal study

Introduction: This paper studies determinants of participation in a peer-led school-based HIV prevention intervention in Rwanda. Methods: A baseline survey among 1071 students (mean age 17 years) assessed potential determinants of participation, while a follow-up six months in the intervention measured actual participation in the intervention. Statistical models were built using multivariate linear and multinomial regression analysis predicting overall participation, participation in group discussions and individual counseling. Results: Those who recently had sex, had been tested for HIV, feel more susceptible to HIV, have a higher sexual self-concept, a more positive future perspective (only for non-sexually active), and boys, were more likely to participate in group activities. Also students from the same class as the peer educator and boarding school students were more likely to participate in group activities. Older students and those with low external health locus of control participated more in individual counseling. Discussion: Participation could be increased by investing in general well-being of young people, organizing girls-only activities, and diversifying activities

NGPaaS framework for enriched and customized virtual network functions-as-a-service

This paper describes how the novel Next Generation Platform-as-a-Service (NGPaaS) framework can facilitate major benefits for Network Operators and Vertical Service Providers (VSPs) who wish to leverage Virtual Network Functions-as-a-Service (VNFaaS) capabilities. Network Operators can benefit by providing an "on demand" PaaS with required features for the VSPs, thus generating new revenue streams but with low operational overhead due to the high degree of automation. VSPs can benefit from the PaaS-oriented approach, by being able to flexibly on-board new VNF types and "value-added" service capabilities like monitoring, healing and profiling, to deliver customized service blueprints to meet the needs of their end customers. The paper outlines the design of an early prototype, built on the Open-CORD platform and using industry-standard Virtualised Network Functions (VNFs)

Early introduction of complementary foods and childhood overweight in breastfed and formula-fed infants in the Netherlands:the PIAMA birth cohort study

To investigate whether early introduction of complementary foods (CF) is associated with an increased risk of overweight during childhood, and whether this association differs between formula-fed and breastfed infants.We included 2611 participants that were born at term from a Dutch population-based birth cohort (n = 3963) designed to investigate the development of asthma and allergies. Parents kept records of their infant's age when CF were first introduced. Weight and height were parent reported yearly from age 1 to 8 years, and at ages 11, 14 and 17 years. We used multivariate generalized estimating equations analysis to investigate the association between timing of CF introduction (before 4 months vs at or after 4 months of age) and overweight at ages 1-17 years.Children with CF introduction before 4 months had higher odds of being overweight during childhood than children with CF introduction at or after 4 months (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.19, 1.47). This association was observed in formula-fed infants (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.17, 1.94) and breastfed infants (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.19, 1.47). The duration of breastfeeding modified the association between CF introduction and overweight: children breastfed for shorter than 4 months, but not children breastfed for 4 months or longer with CF introduction before 4 months had higher odds of being overweight (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.19, 1.57 and 1.07, 95% CI 0.87, 1.32, respectively), compared to those with CF introduction at or after 4 months.In children born at term, formula-fed infants and infants who were breastfed for shorter than 4 months, but not infants who were breastfed for 4 months or longer, had a higher risk of being overweight during childhood when being introduced to CF before 4 months of age.</p

Значенння орієнталізма в музичній творчості Ц.А. Кюі і М.П. Мусоргського

Целью статьи является анализ ориентального творчества композиторов Ц.А. Кюи и М.П. Мусоргского. Исходя из целей статьи, были поставлены следующие задачи: 1. Анализ и оценка ориентального творчества Ц.А. Кюи. 2. Анализ и оценка ориентального творчества М.П. Мусоргского

DevOps for network function virtualisation: an architectural approach

The Service Programming and Orchestration for Virtualised Software Networks (SONATA) project targets both the flexible programmability of software networks and the optimisation of their deployments by means of integrating Development and Operations in order to accelerate industry adoption of software networks and reduce time-to-market for networked services. SONATA supports network function chaining and orchestration, making service platforms modular and easier to customise to the needs of different service providers, and introduces a specialised Development and Operations model for supporting developers

The role of early life factors in the development of ethnic differences in growth and overweight in preschool children: A prospective birth cohort

Background: Ethnic differences in childhood and adulthood are known, but ethnic differences in preschool overweight and associated factors are less studied. We assessed ethnic differences in pre-school age overweight, and studied the mediating role of early life factors in this association. Furthermore, we assessed body mass index (BMI) z-score development from birth to age 4 years to study ethnic-specific differences in BMI z-score trajectory. Methods. We used data on 4581 children participating in a birth cohort who were born between 2002 and 2006 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Child's ethnicity was defined according to country of birth of the parents. Weight and length/height was repeatedly measured between 1 and 45 months of age. Overweight at age 4 years was defined according to cut-off points for BMI from the international obesity task force. We performed logistic regression to obtain independent estimates of the association between ethnicity and preschool-age overweight, and to assess the mediating role of early