Measuring the degree of virtualization. An empirical analysis in two Austrian industries.

Strategic management literature suggests that especially in young and dynamic industries Virtual Corporations are more likely to emerge, as this type of organization is flexible enough to deal with rapidly changing environments. This paper challenges the proposition that environ-mental uncertainty and technological change lead to organizational adaptation towards virtual structures. We analyzed companies of two Austrian industries, data processing and engineering, which are characterized by different rates of innovation and environmental uncertainty, and compare their strategic, structural, and process characteristics by measuring their Degree of Virtualization. Results indicate almost no difference in the Degree of Virtualization. From these findings, we draw implications for the theoretical concept of Virtual Corpora-tions as well as for empirical research. (author's abstract)Series: Report Series SFB "Adaptive Information Systems and Modelling in Economics and Management Science

Some XBT-observations on the thermal structure of theWarmwassersphäre in equatorial and lower latitudes of the eastern Atlantic

Two megameter long XBT sections passing through the Atlantic between the Iberian Peninsula and the equatorial Brazilian shelf, and between the Peninsula and the Cape region of South Africa were obtained during supply cruises to the antarctic in November 1980 and March 1981. Most of the individual probes reached an observation depth of nearly 800 m allowing statements on the thermal stratification and zonation of theWarmwassersphäre in the open ocean. Our new data are compared with a number of earlier long sections. As a general result we identify five zones dividing different hydrographic regions. Zone 1 is characterized by the clear influence of the Mediternean Undercurrent on the lower boundary of theWarmwasserphäre creating nearly thermostatic conditions below 300 m off Portugal. The adjacent zone 2 is identical with the Subtropical Convergence, where theWarmwassersphäre reaches its maximum depth (15°C isotherm at about 300 m). We call the equatorial region zone 3 and present an improved scheme of its current system and its thermal stratification. Zone 4 is marked by the Benguela Current and its northern extension. In a final zone 5 we show the influence of the Agulhas Current extension on the stratification

Work-life conflicts and health among Swiss physicians--in comparison with other university graduates and with the general Swiss working population

QUESTION UNDER STUDY: The present study aimed to compare the prevalence of work-life conflicts and the health status of physicians, with a representative sample of university graduates as well as with a representative sample of the general Swiss working population. Furthermore, it aimed to analyse whether work-life conflicts correlate with the health of physicians, as it does in the general working population. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study analysed data from 2007 originating from the SwissMedCareer Study (a prospective cohort study of physicians who graduated in 2001; n = 543) and the Swiss Household Panel (a representative Swiss survey on living and working conditions; university graduates of the same age range: n = 172, general working population of the same age range: n = 670). Data were analysed with Chi2 tests, correlations and logistic regressions. RESULTS: Physicians reported strong time-based as well as strain-based work-life conflicts more frequently than university graduates and the general working population. Significantly more physicians reported "moderate" to "very poor" health than the other two samples. Surprisingly, on the other side of the scale ("very good" health), physicians outnumbered the other samples too. Strong associations between work-life conflict and self-rated health as well as various health complaints were found for physicians. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of work-life conflicts may explain the comparably high prevalence of poor self-rated health in the physicians' sample

Development of life satisfaction in young physicians: results of the prospective SwissMedCareer Study

Purpose: The objectives of the study were to investigate the gender-related development of life satisfaction in young physicians over an 8-year period of residency, to compare it with a representative sample, and to analyze the relationships between both person- and health-related factors and life satisfaction. Methods: A prospective study was carried out including five measurement points among a cohort of 337 Swiss physicians. Measurements include domain-specific life satisfaction (FLZM), sense of coherence (SOC-13), anxiety and depression (HADS-D), chronic stress (TICS) and socio-demographic variables. Data were analyzed with multivariate procedures. Results: Life satisfaction in physicians of both genders is lower compared to a representative sample. Over the 8-year period of residency, the course of life satisfaction seems to be rather unstable and domain-specific. Female physicians are more satisfied with life than their male counterparts. Depressive symptoms and stress experience are highly negatively associated with life satisfaction in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: To study the development of life satisfaction over time, it is more appropriate to use a domain-specific life satisfaction questionnaire than a total score. Furthermore, it is a matter of concern that—compared to a representative sample—physicians in residency show lower life satisfaction at all measurement points. Depressive symptoms and chronic stress are found to diminish life satisfaction. This could keep some physicians from staying in the medical profession. Senior physicians should be aware of the negative impact of chronic stress on life satisfactio

C–H arylations of 1,2,3-triazoles by reusable heterogeneous palladium catalysts in biomass-derived γ-valerolactone

C–H arylations were accomplished with a user-friendly heterogeneous palladium catalyst in the biomass-derived γ-valerolactone (GVL) as an environmentally-benign reaction medium

Minutes of UNO Fellowship & Scholarship Review Committee Meeting

Applications were distributed and the scoring process was described. Each application received three completed reviews. The total score was then computed and applications were ranked in based on the total score. Brent Bowen abstained from voting on the entire undergraduate process. The committee agreed that in the event of a tie, the decision will be made by a higher level authority. Lincoln engineering student applications were deferred to the UNL competition. Michaela Schaaf presented the underrepresented scholarship procedures for approval by the committee. The scholarship was advertised to all high school liaisons as a new scholarship which all students are eligible for, but preference will be given to underrepresented minorities. A summer research internship will be provided to a student who has typically completed their junior year. Upon successful completion of the internship and satisfactory academic performance, a four-year tuition and fees scholarship will be awarded to UNO for the aviation or space related field. The committee approved the process. (UNO\u27s Aviation Institute will contribute an out-of-state tuition waiver each year when applicable. Approved Dec. 16, 1996) The committee approved a new policy under which research scholars will not accumulate more than two weeks of time owed to a project. This will ensure that students do not have too large a load at the end of the semester. If no research work is available, the award will be reallocated. The committee approved the following travel grants as awarded. Fred Hansen, Graduate Student, awarded to attend the FAA Explosives Detection Technology and Aviation Security Technology Convention from Year 5 funds. Becky Lutte, Aviation Institute, awarded to attend the Global Aviation Safety and Security Conference from year 5 funds. Peter Suzuki, Urban Studies, awarded to attend the Transportation Research Board Meeting from year 5 funds. Willa Bruce, Public Administration, awarded to attend the Society for Practical and Professional Ethics Annual Conference and to present her Space Grant research paper from year 6 funds. The following students were awarded as a result of the review committee=s ranking. Further details of the committee=s ranking are available from the Nebraska Space Grant and EPSCoR Office if necessary. (These are not in any specific order.) Under represented Research: Darnetta Sanders (H.S. Senior) and Jacquelyn Jones (H.S. Junior) Undergraduate Research: John Carrico, Shadric Thomas, Joe Bell and Lyle Jones Undergraduate Course Work: Ben McPeck, Mary Schaffart Undergraduate Flight: Antonia Krajicek Graduate Research: Becky Lutte, Fred Hansen, Amanda Talmadge, Duane Boyle, Scott Vlasek, Alicia Martin and Aimee Freeman, Tim Gleason, Jr. Graduate Course Work: John Papazafiropoulos, June Evans, Mike Turner, Ron Bojanski, Steve Morrissett

A new shoe sole technology that transfers the ground composition to the sole of the foot : a user experience evaluation

Introduction: Neither comfortable, shock-absorbing shoes nor minimal shoes do stimulate the mechanoreceptors of the sole of the foot. This lack of stimulation leads to worse proprioception, poor posture and risk of injuries [1] A new sole technology is introduced, which transfers the ground composition to the sole of the foot and may provide enough stability through an integrated footbed (Figure1). Methods: The stimuli transmitting shoe sole technology is performed mechanically. The shoe sole consists of hard plastic balls, which are pushed towards the sole of the foot due to uneven surfaces (Figure2). This technologies’ user experience was evaluated. The tests consisted of a two-week user study that evaluated three shoe sole in daily life as well as a one-hour monitored parcourse evaluating the shoe sole on specific grounds. All participants were healthy with shoe size EU38-43. The user study included 20 participants (Ø 64 years). Additionally, 10 persons (Ø 41 years) participated in the parcourse. Questionnaires covered intensity of sensory transmission, general walking comfort and complaints and the effect of the ground composition on comfort. Answering options were on a Likert scale as well as open questions. Results & Discussion Intensity: Most of the participants rated the stimulus transmission as very or rather strong. Nobody rated it as very weak. In the parcourse, the strongest sensation was on coarse stones and pavement transitions, followed by the forest floor (Figure3). Comfort & complaints: The majority perceived the shoe sole as very or rather comfortable. Participants perceived the stimuli strongest in the forefoot, where also most of the complaints occurred. The complaints were reported as tired feet, pain, pressure and burning feet, and occurred roughly every third day. Conclusions: All participants perceived the stimuli transmission of the shoe sole. However, the product polarizes. While some considered the stimuli as comfortable, others found them too strong. The forefoot was the part with the strongest stimuli sensation, but also with the most complaints