Leadership and succession in Trinidadian family businesses

This research examines the qualities required for establishing effective leadership succession in private Family Businesses (pFB) in Trinidad, private meaning those still wholly-owned by family members. Trinidad’s pFB are major employers and contributors to economies globally and, yet, prior research shows that only around a quarter to a third survive to a second generation and only one-in-ten to a third. Therefore, identifying and developing the factors that support pFB continuity and transition are important both locally and internationally. This study identifies the key leadership and related elements for successful pFB continuity and succession in the Caribbean nation of Trinidad. The research is based on a qualitative approach, using in-depth, semi-structured, and open-ended interviews with eleven purposively-selected local pFB leaders. Interviewees comprised first- and second-generation leaders with ten existing pFB’s and one now-dormant pFB. The results show that none had established formal succession plans, but achieved success principally through effective face-to-face conversations between the leader, typically the parent, and the successor, typically one of the parents’ children. The research provides a valuable insight into the critical qualities deemed necessary for leaders to achieve continuity in their family business. The eight qualities identified for pFB success emanated from the data gathered (capability; honesty; and integrity), from the conceptual framework developed based on prior literature (vision; and effective communication), and from the discussions held (industry knowledge; a sound knowledge of the pFB organisational structures; and the support of the incumbent leader). These, alongside some measures of financial performance, lead to long-term success, and therefore generational continuity. This research extends current knowledge on how pFB continuity in Trinidad may be achieved, based on identifying the leadership qualities required. Further research is recommended on refining such knowledge across the Caribbean and into different territories, sectors, markets and industries

Beta defensin-2 is reduced in central but not in distal airways of smoker COPD patients

Background: Altered pulmonary defenses in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may promote distal airways bacterial colonization. The expression/activation of Toll Like receptors (TLR) and beta 2 defensin (HBD2) release by epithelial cells crucially affect pulmonary defence mechanisms. Methods: The epithelial expression of TLR4 and of HBD2 was assessed in surgical specimens from current smokers COPD (s-COPD; n = 17), ex-smokers COPD (ex-s-COPD; n = 8), smokers without COPD (S; n = 12), and from non-smoker non-COPD subjects (C; n = 13). Results: In distal airways, s-COPD highly expressed TLR4 and HBD2. In central airways, S and s-COPD showed increased TLR4 expression. Lower HBD2 expression was observed in central airways of s-COPD when compared to S and to ex-s-COPD. s-COPD had a reduced HBD2 gene expression as demonstrated by real-time PCR on micro-dissected bronchial epithelial cells. Furthermore, HBD2 expression positively correlated with FEV1/FVC ratio and inversely correlated with the cigarette smoke exposure. In a bronchial epithelial cell line (16 HBE) IL-1β significantly induced the HBD2 mRNA expression and cigarette smoke extracts significantly counteracted this IL-1 mediated effect reducing both the activation of NFkB pathway and the interaction between NFkB and HBD2 promoter. Conclusions: This study provides new insights on the possible mechanisms involved in the alteration of innate immunity mechanisms in COPD. © 2012 Pace et al

A Tribute to the Mind, Methodology and Mentoring of Wayne Velicer

Wayne Velicer is remembered for a mind where mathematical concepts and calculations intrigued him, behavioral science beckoned him, and people fascinated him. Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin on March 4, 1944, he was raised on a farm, although early influences extended far beyond that beginning. His Mathematics BS and Psychology minor at Wisconsin State University in Oshkosh, and his PhD in Quantitative Psychology from Purdue led him to a fruitful and far-reaching career. He was honored several times as a high-impact author, was a renowned scholar in quantitative and health psychology, and had more than 300 scholarly publications and 54,000+ citations of his work, advancing the arenas of quantitative methodology and behavioral health. In his methodological work, Velicer sought out ways to measure, synthesize, categorize, and assess people and constructs across behaviors and time, largely through principal components analysis, time series, and cluster analysis. Further, he and several colleagues developed a method called Testing Theory-based Quantitative Predictions, successfully applied to predicting outcomes and effect sizes in smoking cessation, diet behavior, and sun protection, with the potential for wider applications. With $60,000,000 in external funding, Velicer also helped engage a large cadre of students and other colleagues to study methodological models for a myriad of health behaviors in a widely applied Transtheoretical Model of Change. Unwittingly, he has engendered indelible memories and gratitude to all who crossed his path. Although Wayne Velicer left this world on October 15, 2017 after battling an aggressive cancer, he is still very present among us

Limitations of Water Resources Infrastructure for Reducing Community Vulnerabilities to Extremes and Uncertainty of Flood and Drought

Debate and deliberation surrounding climate change has shifted from mitigation toward adaptation, with much of the adaptation focus centered on adaptive practices, and infrastructure development. However, there is little research assessing expected impacts, potential benefits, and design challenges that exist for reducing vulnerability to expected climate impacts. The uncertainty of design requirements and associated government policies, and social structures that reflect observed and projected changes in the intensity, duration, and frequency of water-related climate events leaves communities vulnerable to the negative impacts of potential flood and drought. The results of international research into how agricultural infrastructure features in current and planned adaptive capacity of rural communities in Argentina, Canada, and Colombia indicate that extreme hydroclimatic events, as well as climate variability and unpredictability are important for understanding and responding to community vulnerability. The research outcomes clearly identify the need to deliberately plan, coordinate, and implement infrastructures that support community resiliency.Fil: McMartin, Dena W.. University of Regina; CanadáFil: Hernani Merino, Bruno H.. University of Regina; CanadáFil: Bonsal, Barrie. Environment Canada; CanadáFil: Hurlbert, Margot. University of Regina; CanadáFil: Villalba, Ricardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Cientifícas y Tecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Ocampo, Olga L.. Universidad Autónoma de Manizales; ColombiaFil: Upegui, Jorge Julián Vélez. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Poveda, Germán. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Sauchyn, David J.. University of Regina; Canad

Effect of reflective surface on the impulse response of the secondary path of an active noise control system

Previous research has shown that a reflective surface has an impact on the control performance of an active noise control system. System identification of the secondary path is of utmost importance in the effectiveness of the control branch of an active noise control system. It is thus essential to accurately model the secondary path with the right number of filter coefficients to have acceptable performance results. In this paper, the effect of a reflective surface on the impulse response of the secondary path of a single channel ANC system is outlined and discussed. Experiments show that the reflective surface indeed has an effect on the impulse response and can affect the performance of the system. The orientation of this reflective surface can be selected in order to optimize the impulse response of the secondary path for best results.Genesis an Optis Company;Polytec;Rion Co., Ltd.Scopu

Effect of high pass filtering of the regenerated reference signal in a single channel active noise control system

An acoustic noise cancellation (ANC) system with regenerative feedback synthesizes its own reference signal based on the error signal and the adaptive filter output. The prime objective of such a configuration is to estimate the primary noise and use it as a reference signal to the control filter without the need for an additional reference sensor. This paper presents the results of and discusses the use of a high pass filter in the regenerated branch of the reference signal for a single channel active noise control system. With the high pass filter, it is seen that the speed of convergence is better. The high pass filter blocks any dc component of the signal that gets introduced in the system and stabilizes the control system. It is also noticed that for a small value of the step size, the effect is much more pronounced. With the high pass filter, the regenerative feedback system performs as well as a traditional feedforward active noise control system. It is expected that in systems where variable step size is required, the presence of the high pass filter, will be beneficial and more needed.Genesis an Optis Company;Polytec;Rion Co., Ltd.Scopu

Sources, Transformation, and Fate of Dissolved Organic Matter in the Gravel Bar of a Prealpine Stream

Gravel bars (GBs) are hotspots of biogeochemical activity, likely impacting carbon dynamics instreams and rivers. However, it remains unclear how GBs process dissolved organic matter (DOM) receivedfrom stream water and groundwater. Here we investigate the spatial and temporal variability of DOMconcentration and composition within a GB using DOM absorbance andfluorescence measurements. Wefound clear seasonal and diurnal patterns in DOM composition within the GB, indicating changingcontributions of DOM sources and transformation processes. While DOM composition was characterized bymore protein‐like DOM in summer, with increasing contributions of humic‐like DOM toward winterwithin the stream water and GB, groundwater DOM exhibited a strong aromatic and humic‐like characteryear‐round. DOM composition and concentration varied diurnally during autumn and winter within theGB and stream water, while seasonally higher groundwater inputs in summer likely muted the diurnalpattern, pointing to the importance of seasonal hydrological controls on DOM dynamics. Mixing modelanalysis showed GB DOM characteristics to differ from that predicted by stream water‐groundwater mixingwithin the GB, particularly in summer. Dissolved organic carbon concentration decreased alongflow pathsthrough the GB with increasing residence time, likely pointing to microbial uptake and/or adsorption tosediment surfaces within the GB, with concurrent clear shifts in DOM composition. While freshly producedand more humified DOM increased along GBflow paths, protein‐likefluorescence (C3) was removed,indicating the simultaneous production and removal of DOM. Together, ourfindings highlight the role of GBsin DOM removal and transformation, influenced by seasonal shifts in temperature and hydrodynamics

Sources and variability of CO 2 in a pre‐alpine stream gravel bar

Gravel bars (GBs) contribute to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from stream corridors, with CO2 concentrations and emissions dependent on prevailing hydraulic, biochemical, and physicochemical onditions. We investigated CO2 concentrations and fluxes across a GB in a prealpine stream over three different ischarge‐temperature conditions. By combining field data with a reactive transport groundwater model, we were able to differentiate the most relevant ydrological and biogeochemical processes contributing to CO2 dynamics. GB CO2 concentrations showed significant spatial and temporal variability and were highest under the lowest flow and highest temperature conditions. Further, observed GB surface CO2 evasion fluxes, measured CO2 concentrations, and modelled aerobic respiration were highest at the tail of the GB over all conditions. Modelled CO2 transport via streamwater downwelling contributed the largest fraction of the measured GB CO2 concentrations (31% to 48%). This contribution increased its relative share at higher discharges as a result of a decrease in other sources. Also, it decreased from the GB head to tail across all dischargetemperature conditions. Aerobic respiration accounted for 17% to 36% of measured surface CO2 concentrations. Zoobenthic respiration was estimated to contribute between 4% and 8%, and direct groundwater CO2 inputs 1% to 23%. Unexplained residuals accounted for 6% to 37% of the observed CO2 concentrations at the GB surface. Overall, we highlight the dynamic role of subsurface aerobic respiration as a driver of spatial and temporal variability of CO2 concentrations and evasion fluxes from a GB. As hydrological regimes in prealpine streams are predicted to change following climatic change, we propose that warming temperatures combined with extended periods of low flow will lead to increased CO2 release via enhanced aerobic respiration in newly exposed GBs in prealpine stream corridors