Preventing or escaping the suppression mechanism : intervention conditions

The benefits of strategically balancing exploitation and exploration are well documented in the literature. However, many firms tend to overemphasize exploitation efforts, even in the face of the strong need to step up their exploration activities. A process theory behind this phenomenon, the suppression mechanism, is further explored here. This process describes the interplay between top management (developing a perceived need to explore influenced by management myopia) and the board of directors as gatekeepers of the capital market (generating an external pressure to exploit) as severely limiting for the formation of a profitable and sustainable exploitation-exploration balance. We draw on system dynamics modeling to identify the critical intervention conditions required for organizations to prevent, or escape, the suppression mechanism. As such, the main theoretical contribution of this paper is the identification of critical intervention conditions (i.e. target, timing, size and duration)

Ambidexterity and getting trapped in the suppression of exploration : a simulation model

The benefits of strategically balancing exploitation and exploration are well documented in the literature. However, many firms tend to overemphasize exploitation efforts, even in the face of the strong need to step up their exploration activities. We draw on system dynamics modeling and a case study to address this gap in the literature, and develop a theoretical framework of ambidexterity as a capacitated delay process. This framework describes how the interplay between cognitive processes and motivational factors at the top management level severely limits the formation of ambidextrous capability. As such, this paper provides a micro-level theory of how individual and interactional processes at the managerial level inhibit the development of ambidextrous capability

DNA transfer in forensic science: A review

© 2018 Elsevier B.V. Understanding the variables impacting DNA transfer, persistence, prevalence and recovery (DNA-TPPR) has become increasingly relevant in investigations of criminal activities to provide opinion on how the DNA of a person of interest became present within the sample collected. This review considers our current knowledge regarding DNA-TPPR to assist casework investigations of criminal activities. There is a growing amount of information available on DNA-TPPR to inform the relative probabilities of the evidence given alternative scenarios relating to the presence or absence of DNA from a specific person in a collected sample of interest. This information should be used where relevant. However, far more research is still required to better understand the variables impacting DNA-TPPR and to generate more accurate probability estimates of generating particular types of profiles in more casework relevant situations. This review explores means of achieving this. It also notes the need for all those interacting with an item of interest to have an awareness of DNA transfer possibilities post criminal activity, to limit the risk of contamination or loss of DNA. Appropriately trained forensic practitioners are best placed to provide opinion and guidance on the interpretation of profiles at the activity level. However, those requested to provide expert opinion on DNA-related activity level issues are often insufficiently trained to do so. We advocate recognition of DNA activity associated expertise to be distinct from expertise associated with the identification of individuals. This is to be supported by dedicated training, competency testing, authorisation, and regular fit for purpose proficiency testing. The possibilities for experts to report on activity-related issues will increase as our knowledge increases through further research, access to relevant data is enhanced, and tools to assist interpretations are better exploited. Improvement opportunities will be achieved sooner, if more laboratories and agencies accept the need to invest in these aspects as well as the training of practitioners

DNA Transfer in Forensic Science: Recent Progress towards Meeting Challenges.

Understanding the factors that may impact the transfer, persistence, prevalence and recovery of DNA (DNA-TPPR), and the availability of data to assign probabilities to DNA quantities and profile types being obtained given particular scenarios and circumstances, is paramount when performing, and giving guidance on, evaluations of DNA findings given activity level propositions (activity level evaluations). In late 2018 and early 2019, three major reviews were published on aspects of DNA-TPPR, with each advocating the need for further research and other actions to support the conduct of DNA-related activity level evaluations. Here, we look at how challenges are being met, primarily by providing a synopsis of DNA-TPPR-related articles published since the conduct of these reviews and briefly exploring some of the actions taken by industry stakeholders towards addressing identified gaps. Much has been carried out in recent years, and efforts continue, to meet the challenges to continually improve the capacity of forensic experts to provide the guidance sought by the judiciary with respect to the transfer of DNA

Epidemiologic typing of Escherichia coli using RAPD analysis, ribotyping and serotyping

AbstractObjectiveTo compare random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis and ribotyping with serotyping for epidemiologic typing of Escherichia coli.MethodsThirty-two epidemiologically unrelated strains, nine cerebrospinal fluid isolates with the O7K1 serotype from nine patients, and nine sets of epidemiologically related E. coli isolates from nine patients were typed by RAPD analysis, ribotyping and serotyping.ResultsAmong the 32 epidemiologically unrelated E. coli isolates, 29 types were distinguished by RAPD analysis, 25 by ribotyping and 27 by serotyping. Indistinguishable patterns were obtained by RAPD analysis and ribotyping within the collection of nine cerebrospinal fluid isolates. For the epidemiologically related isolates, intrapatient variation was only found by RAPD analysis among the isolates of one set and by ribotyping among the isolates of two sets. No interpatient variation was observed between three sets of isolates. With serotyping, the epidemiologically related isolates yielded similar typing relationships to those obtained by RAPD analysis and ribotyping.ConclusionsRAPD analysis had the highest discriminatory capacity for typing E. coli isolates. RAPD analysis, ribotyping and serotyping can all be used for assessment of strain relationships

A novel hybrid password authentication scheme based on text and image

Considering the popularity and wide deployment of text passwords, we predict that they will be used as a prevalent authentication mechanism for many years to come. Thus, we have carried out studies on mechanisms to enhance text passwords. These studies suggest that password space and memorability should be improved, with an additional mechanism based on images. The combination of text and images increases resistance to some password attacks, such as brute force and observing attacks. We propose a hybrid authentication scheme integrating text and recognition-based graphical passwords. This authentication scheme can reduce the phishing attacks because if users are deceived to share their key passwords, there is still a chance to save the complete password as attackers do not know the users' image preferences. In addition to the security aspect, the proposed authentication scheme increases memorability as it does not require users to remember long and complex passwords. Thus, with the proposed scheme users will be able to create strong passwords without sacrificing usability. The hybrid scheme also offers an enjoyable sign-in/log-in experience to users

Vleesconsumptie en klimaatbeleid

In deze studie wordt de mogelijke invloed van dieetveranderingen op de kosten van ambitieuze klimaatdoelstellingen verkend. Doel van de studie is uitsluitend om in te schatten wat de wereldwijde bijdrage van dieetverandering kan zijn. De vleesconsumptie wordt aangepast in vier varianten van dieetverandering: GeenHerkauwers (geen vlees van herkauwers), GeenVlees (geheel geen vlees), GeenDierproducten (geen enkel dierlijk product) en WilettDieet (een 'gezond' dieet). Hiervoor wordt het geïntegreerde model IMAGE (Integrated Model to Assess the Global Environment) gebruikt. Ook worden resultaten voor landgebruik en biodiversiteit gegeve