Disconnections in management theory and practice: poetry, numbers and postmodernism

This essay is concerned with what Abbinnett described as fundamental to the discourses of social science: truth and its construction. The central problem around which the narrative is built is a growing disconnection in one area of social science, management research, between how truth is frequently defined and used and the approaches taken to constructing that truth. The result of this is an intellectual impurity whereby management research occupies an incoherent intellectual space somewhere between modernism and postmodernism. Our argument is that, for a host of probable reasons, management research in many areas is dominated by the search for rational and scientific truth through the use of quantitative methodologies underpinned by a positivist philosophy. The result of this is frequently truth diluted rather than truth distilled. The essay discusses different routes to establishing a type of truth, the location of management research within a modern-postmodern continuum and the implications of this for management researchers. We begin, however, with a brief discussion of the nature of truth in social science

Is there really a value in entrepreneurship education?

This paper considers whether entrepreneurship education has a value outside of the education institutions in which it takes place. The paper takes an indirect form of enquiry and argues that entrepreneurship education is driven by three factors; the growing emphasis on supply side policy interventions in the economy; the emphasis placed on the agency of management in the growing literature on globalisation and international reforms to public sector organisations. The paper concludes that there is a tension between the activity as descriptive and the activity as promotion and until this tension is resolved it is unlikely that there will be clarity about the value of this form of education

Gigantic Stomach: A Rare Manifestation of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by degeneration and atrophy of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscles after a latent period of apparently normal development and function. The gastrointestinal manifestations start in the second decade of life and are mainly due to atrophy of smooth muscle layers. Refractory gastroparesis and chronic constipation can lead to severe gastric and small bowel dilatation, which can be life threatening. Here, we present a case of a 21-year-old male with a gigantic stomach secondary to DMD resolved with conservative management and no surgical intervention

Exploring Entrepreneurship Education Effectiveness at British Universities – An Application of the World Café Method

Universities have made significant investments in entrepreneurship programs for decades, but the scope, relevance and usefulness of entrepreneurship education are still questioned. This study aims to explore the meaning of effectiveness as it relates to entrepreneurship education in a grounded and holistic sense, recognizing both the range of stakeholders involved in the design, delivery and experience of entrepreneurship education and the underlying complexity of the issue at hand. Two World Café events, a method designed to elicit grounded knowledge, were organized to seek insights from a diverse range of stakeholders. Results confirm and illustrate the complex nature of effectiveness in entrepreneurship education. The purpose of specific educational initiatives, diverse audiences’ expectations and contextual factors must be considered in any meaningful attempt at identifying effectiveness. Findings also revealed a consensus that effectiveness relates to creating a transformational process, which leads to a shift in attitudes towards entrepreneurship. This shift prepares students for careers that go beyond the launch of a new venture. The role of time lags in assessing effectiveness was also identified. We suggest an agenda for future research and practical implications

A novel leaf rust resistance gene transferred from Aegilops caudata L. to Triticum aestivum L. maps on chromosome 5D

Relatório do estágio realizado no Museu de Lanifícios da Universidade da Beira Interior, no âmbito do 2º Ciclo em Gestão e Programação do Património Cultural, apresentado à Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Coimbra.Das ruínas das antigas fábricas de lanifícios, reflexos da desindustrialização, despoletou a instituição responsável pelo renascimento da cidade, e que se se transformou ela própria uma marca inapagável da história da Covilhã: a Universidade da Beira Interior, que se tornou, ao tomar parte deste património, igualmente, responsável pela história da cidade, assumindo como encargo a salvaguarda e preservação dos vestígios que herdou desta forma de produção têxtil milenar. A UBI teve o mérito de valorizar a Covilhã, criando o Museu de Lanifícios da Universidade da Beira Interior, responsável pela salvaguarda da área das tinturarias da antiga manufatura de estado, fundada pelo Marquês de Pombal, em 1764. O Museu garante a preservação, manutenção e divulgação deste património, o instrumento mais eficaz na transmissão da história e dos factos em torno do labor às gerações seguintes, honrando as memórias dos construtores desta indústria e os vários momentos dessa construção. No entanto, nem sempre os mais jovens, temporalmente afastados desta importante industria, demonstram o interesse que seria esperado pelo Museu, que, para se tornar suficientemente atrativo, carece de uma constante adaptação. Neste contexto, após uma reflexão sobre a importância da indústria e dos seus vestígios, desenvolveu-se um estudo cujo propósito é contribuir para o aumento do conhecimento do Museu de Lanifícios sobre o público jovem universitário da UBI, a nível dos seus hábitos e motivações culturais. Conhecer o perfil deste público possibilitou o desenvolvimento de estratégias de melhoramento da imagem do Museu, através de ações adaptadas aos seus gostos, ao nível de comunicação e da programação. Através destas propostas, procedeu-se ao desenvolvimento de projetos, que visaram a valorização e rentabilização do património que se encontra sobre a alçada do MUSLAN, assim como a ampliação da sua oferta cultural.The ancient ruins of the wool factories, triggered the institution responsible for the rebirth of the city itself in a indelible mark in the history of Covilhã: the University of Beira Interior. This, to be part of this heritage, has also become responsible for the city's history, assuming the duty to safeguard and preserve the traces which inherited from this industry. UBI had the merit to value Covilhã, creating the Wool Museum of the University of Beira Interior, responsible for safeguarding the area of the former dye manufacturing state, founded by Marquês de Pombal in 1764. The MUSLAN ensures the preservation, maintenance and dissemination of this heritage, the most effective tool in conveying the story and the facts surrounding the labor to succeeding generations, honoring the memories of the builders of this industry and the various moments of this construction. However, not always the younger, temporally away from this important industry, demonstrate the interest that would be expected by the Museum, lacking the constant adaptation to become attractive enough. In this context, after a discussion about the importance of this industry and its traces, a study was developed, whose purpose is to contribute to the increase in knowledge of the Wool Museum on UBI's young audience, regarding their habits and cultural motivations. Knowing the profile of this audience enabled the development of strategies to improve the image of the museum, through actions tailored to their tastes, in the level of communication and programming. Through these proposals, several projects were developed, aimed at the appreciation and profitability of the patrimony which is about the scope of MUSLAN, as well as the expansion of its cultural offerings

Civic Engagement in Education: Insights from California\u27s Local Control Funding Formula

In this policy brief, we use the case of California\u27s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) to provide policy makers and educators guidance on how to involve the public in goal setting and resource distribution decisions. We provide clarity around who is and is not participating, why, and what broader lessons we can draw for implementing federal and state education policies mandating public engagement. Our findings indicate tremendous room for improvement. LCFF\u27s target populations (e.g., low-income, English learners) are not more likely to be aware of or participate in decisions than nontargeted groups, which suggests weak accountability for the use of public funds by the policy\u27s target populations. Although LCFF has defined a broad set of stakeholders, only a narrow segment of the public (i.e., individuals with stronger ties to and positive views of schools) is aware of and engaging with the policy. Finally, we find a substantial gap between actual participation in LCFF and interest in participation, which may relate to a lack of self-efficacy, time, trust, perceived appropriateness, and information. As states and districts respond to mandates for engagement, these results suggest the need for greater investments in: (1) communication, (2) targeting a range of stakeholders, and (3) capacity building

Mural Cells: Potential Therapeutic Targets to Bridge Cardiovascular Disease and Neurodegeneration

Mural cells collectively refer to the smooth muscle cells and pericytes of the vasculature. This heterogenous population of cells play a crucial role in the regulation of blood pressure, distribution, and the structural integrity of the vascular wall. As such, dysfunction of mural cells can lead to the pathogenesis and progression of a number of diseases pertaining to the vascular system. Cardiovascular diseases, particularly atherosclerosis, are perhaps the most well-described mural cell-centric case. For instance, atherosclerotic plaques are most often described as being composed of a proliferative smooth muscle cap accompanied by a necrotic core. More recently, the role of dysfunctional mural cells in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, is being recognized. In this review, we begin with an exploration of the mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases, such as mural cell plasticity. Next, we highlight a selection of signaling pathways (PDGF, Notch and inflammatory signaling) that are conserved across both diseases. We propose that conserved mural cell signaling mechanisms can be exploited for the identification or development of dual-pronged therapeutics that impart both cardio- and neuroprotective qualities

The take up of business support by minority ethnic enterprises: the experience of South Asian businesses in England

This research contributes to a greater understanding of minority ethnic business (MEB) needs and practices and helps identify the support needs of minority ethnic firms in relation to existing support provision. The aims are, therefore, to examine the take-up of support by minority ethnic enterprises focusing mainly on the South Asian community with some representation from the African-Caribbean and Korean communities. Fifty minority ethnic businesses across South West London were contacted and semi-structured interviews took place with the owner/owner managers. The findings suggest that policy makers need to appreciate the diversity of MEBs and policies aimed at these businesses should reflect that diversity

Recreational Physical Activity as an Independent Predictor of Multivariable Cardiovascular Disease Risk

The role of physical activity in preventing CVD has been highlighted by Professor Jerry Morris in the 1950’s. We report outcome of a 15-year prospective study with the aim to identify whether physical activity showed cardiovascular benefit independent of common risk factors and of central obesity. Baseline data of 8662 subjects, with no previous history of heart disease, diabetes or stroke, were obtained from an age- and gender- stratified sample of adults in Australian capital cities and were linked with the National Death Index to determine the causes of death of 610 subjects who had died to 31 December 2004. The study consisted of 4175 males (age 42.3±13.1 years) and 4487 females (age 42.8±13.2 years). Fasting serum lipid levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and smoking habits at baseline were recorded. The Framingham Risk Scores of 15-year mortality due to CHD and CVD were calculated using established equations. Subjects were also asked if they engaged in vigorous exercise, less vigorous exercise or walk for recreation and exercise in the past 2 weeks. Subjects in the high recreational physical activity category were 0.16 (0.06–0.43; p<0.001) and 0.12 (0.03–0.48; p = 0.003) times as likely as subjects in the low category for CVD and CHD mortality respectively. After adjusting for both the Framingham Risk Score and central obesity (Waist circumference to Hip circumference Ratio), those in the high recreational physical activity group were 0.35 (0.13–0.98) times less likely compared to the low category for CVD mortality. Recreational physical activity independently predicted reduced cardiovascular mortality over fifteen years. A public health focus on increased physical activity and preventing obesity is required to reduce the risk of CVD and CHD