Incentivizing Creativity in Virtual Groups

Creativity is the key element of organizational success. Yet, adequately incentivizing people to be creative remains a problem without uniform solution. This study investigates the effect of incentive systems that rely on supervisor discretion on creativity of virtual groups. Adopting Social Interdependence Theory, we experimentally assess the effect of forced distribution rating systems (FDRS) and unrestricted distribution rating systems (UDRS) on idea generation and idea selection of groups collaborating in a virtual setting. We show that the competitive FDRSs – in which not every group member can obtain a top ranking - enhance idea generation, idea selection and overall creativity of virtual groups. We contribute to the literatures on creativity, virtual collaboration and incentive systems

Influence of the magnetic field on microorganisms in the oral cavity

Since the beginning of their lives, all living organisms are exposed to the influence of geomagnetic fields. Objectives : With respect to the positive effects that magnetic fields have on human tissues, especially the bactericidal effect, this investigation aimed to assess their influence on the reduction of oral microorganisms. Material and Methods : In order to obtain adequate specimens of dental plaque deposit, microbes such as Streptococcus parasanguinis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Rhodococcus equi and Candida albicans were isolated from the human mouth. To establish the intensity of microbial growth on the basis of the modified optical density (OD) of agar turbidimetry assay, microbial count and spectrophotometry were applied. The study was carried out with two microbial concentrations (1 and 10 CFU/ml) after periods of incubation of 24 and 48 h and using micromagnets. Results : A positive effect of the magnetic field, resulting in the reduction of dental plaque microbes in vitro, was found. In the first 24 hours of exposure to the magnetic field, the number of all isolated microbes was significantly reduced. The most potent influence of magnets and the most intensified reduction after 24 hours were evident in Candida albicans colonies. The decrease in the influence of magnets on microbes in vitro was also detected. Conclusions : Magnets reduce the number of microbes and might be recommended as a supplement in therapy for reduced periodontal tissues. This is important because periodontal tissues that are in good conditions provide prolonged support to the oral tissues under partial and supradental denture

Where Sustainable School Meets the ‘Tthird Teacher’: Primary School Case Study From Barcelona, Spain

Participatory evaluation of aspiring sustainable schools and their pedagogical potential has recently come into focus. A few authors have made a significant start in examining schools as both environmentally and socially sustainable environments, which might simultaneously represent the ‘third teacher’. However, discussion around this idea is new in Spain. This paper describes a participatory post-occupancy study conducted with teachers and pupils in Fort Pienc School, Barcelona, Spain. Findings reveal the pedagogical potential of the school’s spaces and fabric, characterised as ‘sustainable’, and highlight the aspects that the research participants feel are performing and underperforming. The paper concludes that if we want sustainable schools to be a strategy for renovating the educational process and for leading us towards a better tomorrow globally and locally, new models for exploring the pedagogical potential of sustainable schools should be developed and the efforts of all relevant parties synchronised; from architects to governments, from pupils to teachers

Activités proinflammatoires du VEGF et des angiopoïétines

Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal

Saturated VSD model of a six-phase induction machine

In this paper, a saturated model of an asymmetrical six-phase induction machine is presented. The model is based on the vector space decomposition approach, and it includes main and leakage flux saturation, as well as the mutual coupling between orthogonal planes, while using the Gamma equivalent circuit approach. The accuracy of the proposed model in unbalanced operating modes that are characteristic for multiphase machines, such as post-fault and power sharing operation, makes it advantageous compared to existing models. The model is developed assuming that the machine operates in asymmetrical conditions and that, therefore, there is fundamental frequency excitation in both planes. The inter-plane coupling effect is examined using finite element analysis and an experimental procedure for its quantification is developed. The model is verified by comparison with the experimental results obtained from a prototype asymmetrical six-phase induction machine, and its advantages compared to existing models are emphasized

An assessment of possibilities for stronger inclusion of upper-middle-income economies in the fairtrade system : case study Serbia

During the last two decades, the Fair Trade literature has constantly questioned the basic theoretical assumptions of dominant economic orthodoxies and the Fairtrade system has challenged mainstream businesses with its market successes. In the heart of this rapidly growing system is its general modus operandi stating, firstly, that all low-income, lower-middle-income and upper-middle-income economies (i.e. developing countries) are welcomed to join as countries where Fairtrade products are produced in primary production, traded and consumed. Secondly, that the high-income economies (i.e. developed countries) are the countries where Fairtrade products are traded (or processed in secondary production) and consumed. However, the Fairtrade system's practice is inconsistent with its internal normative and operational bases in the case of nine European upper-middle income economies, which are allowed to have Fairtrade traders (or processors in secondary production) and consumers, however, their poor and marginalised small-scale producers are forbidden from entering the Fairtrade system as primary producers. Therefore, they are under a direct threat of becoming double-losers, potentially excluded from both non-Fairtrade and Fairtrade economy. This inconsistency is important because the greater integration of all upper-middle-income economies may in practice be another step towards the creation of a more global Fairtrade system. In this envisioned state, firstly, the poor and marginalised small-scale producers and workers from nine excluded upper-middle-income economies will gain a new perspective to develop and thrive, by being included in the Fairtrade system. Secondly, more poor and marginalised small-scale producers and workers from other countries of the world will gain additional and stronger access to new markets in these nine upper-middle-income economies once they are fully included. One of these "producer-excluded" upper-middle-income economies - Serbia, and its full Fairtrade potentials, which have never been fully on the Fair Trade radar before, will be in the focus of my doctoral research

ПІДВИЩЕННЯ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ ВИЯВЛЕННЯ ЗАКЛАДНИХ ПРИСТРОЇВ, ЩО ПЕРЕДАЮТЬ ІНФОРМАЦІЮ РАДІОКАНАЛОМ

Пропонується вдосконалення методики пошуку закладних пристроїв, що передають інформацію радіоканалом. Описується аналітична залежність між потужністю закладного пристрою та максимальним радіусом можливого прийому його сигналу з урахуванням характеристик контрольованої зони

A nanoflare model of quiet Sun EUV emission

Nanoflares have been proposed as the main source of heating of the solar corona. However, detecting them directly has so far proved elusive, and extrapolating to them from the properties of larger brightenings gives unreliable estimates of the power-law exponent $\alpha$ characterising their distribution. Here we take the approach of statistically modelling light curves representative of the quiet Sun as seen in EUV radiation. The basic assumption is that all quiet-Sun EUV emission is due to micro- and nanoflares, whose radiative energies display a power-law distribution. Radiance values in the quiet Sun follow a lognormal distribution. This is irrespective of whether the distribution is made over a spatial scan or over a time series. We show that these distributions can be reproduced by our simple model.Comment: 13 pages, 18 figures, accepted for publication by A&