A study of United States Ambassador George Crews McGhee and his mission to the Federal Republic of Germany

George Crews McGhee was an American diplomat whose state Department career spanned the Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon administrations. Many valuable papers pertaining to McGhee\u27s career are located at Georgetown University. The Lauinger Library holds both the George McGhee Papers and the Georgetown University Oral History Interview collection. Also, the McGhee files at the United states Department of state provide official documentation for McGhee\u27s mission as ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany between 1963 and 1968. Though McGhee did not create new policy, he played a significant role in implementation of American policy in the Middle East and later in West Germany. While ambassador, McGhee consistently supported American policy despite his own lack of influence on its formation. A study of his twenty-three year career reveals the influence of George Kennan and Loy Henderson on the formation of McGhee\u27s own ideas concerning containment. This study also examines the major transition that affected American-west German relations during the 1960\u27s, and provides insight into the dynamics of power operating in the state Department during this time

Vocal Function Exercises for Normal Voice: With and Without Semi-Occlusion

The primary purpose of this investigation was to explore the effects of varying degrees of vocal tract semi-occlusion in Vocal Function Exercises (VFEs) on attainment of pre- established maximum phonation time (MPT) goals in individuals between the ages of 18 and 45 with normal voice. Individuals were randomized into three experimental groups: the traditional VFE with a semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT), modified /o/ with partial occlusion, and modified /a/ without significant occlusion. For six weeks, the participants completed the four exercises two times each, twice daily on corresponding vocal tract postures assigned by group. Results indicated significant change in percent of MPT goal attained for the traditional VFE group. Neither modified vocal tract group resulted in significant change. Decreased occlusion appears insufficient in producing substantial change in voice production despite increased compliance compared to the traditional VFE group

Helping the Helpers: A Learning Assessment of Domestic Violence Online Advocacy Training

The purpose of this learning assessment study was to explore how case-based examples and continuous assessment effects learner engagement for domestic violence advocates participating in online training from the Hawai`i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (HSCADV). One 60-minute module of HSCADV training curricula was revised and adapted for online participants. The module contained four types of media: a case-based video, instructional content, reference materials, and assessment questions.Abstract: The purpose of this learning assessment study was to explore how the use of case-based scenarios and continuous assessment effects learner engagement for domestic violence advocates participating in online training from the Hawai`i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (HSCADV). For this project, an online learning module on the essential elements of safety planning was developed that addressed: victim choice and autonomy, threat assessment, and safety strategies for victims who are in or planning to leave an abusive relationship. A three-part, fictional case-study video was filmed and played throughout the course of instruction to engage learners and tie the instructional content back to the learners' job-related functions. Participants in the study were also asked several questions throughout instruction that required them to relate the facts of the scenario with the training content. After rating the instruction across the affective dimensions of attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction, learners in the study generally found the training to be engaging. Advocates with learner characteristics most similar first-time advocates provided the most consistently positive ratings.Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violenc

Dissociation between Cervical Mucus and Urinary Hormones during the Postpartum Return of Fertility in Breastfeeding Women

Identifying the return of fertility with cervical mucus observations is challenging during the postpartum period. Use of urinary measurements of estrogen and progesterone can assist in understanding the return to fertility during this period. The purposes of this study were to describe the postpartum return of fertility by an analysis of total estrogen (TE) and pregnanediol glucuronide (PDG) profiles and to correlate these profiles with cervical mucus observations. Twenty-six participants collected urine samples during the postpartum period and recorded mucus scores. TE and PDG hormones were analyzed and compared with mucus scores. During amenorrhea, mucus reflected TE changes in only 35 percent of women; after amenorrhea, typical mucus patterns were seen in 33 percent of cycles. We concluded that postpartum mucus and hormone profiles are significantly dissociated but that monitoring urinary hormones may assist in identifying the return of fertility. We also identified different hormonal patterns in the return to fertility. The postpartum period is a challenging time for identifying the return of fertility. The purposes of this study were to describe the hormonal patterns during the return of fertility and to correlate these patterns with cervical mucus observations. Twenty-six postpartum women collected urine samples and recorded mucus scores. Urinary estrogen and progesterone hormones were analyzed and compared with mucus scores. Before the return of menses, mucus reflected hormonal changes in only 35 percent women and after first menses in 33 percent of cycles. We found that hormone profiles do not correlate well with mucus observations during the postpartum return of fertility

Crowded out: how crowdsourcing for startups turned into business as usual

Crowdfunding has been hailed by some as the “democratisation of finance”. To many, it is viewed as a key alternative source of finance where we can all get involved in backing new companies through either donations or the purchase of equity. Unfortunately, it hasn’t quite worked out like that.  Access article on The Conversation website: https://theconversation.com/crowded-out-how-crowdsourcing-for-startups-turned-into-business-as-usual-5202

Entrepreneurial ecosystems and public policy in action : a critique of the latest industrial policy blockbuster

The authors wish to acknowledge the funding received from the University of St Andrews Knowledge Exchange Impact Fund.Efforts to develop entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) have proliferated in recent years, marking it out as the latest industrial policy ‘blockbuster’. This paper reports the findings from a comprehensive empirical analysis of policy approaches deployed under this conceptual umbrella, enabling us to posit a basic typology of different EE policy frameworks. The findings suggest the concept is fraught with conceptual ambiguity and is predominantly (and rather crudely) used to promote ‘more’ entrepreneurship. The research suggests the concept is a “messy metaphor” open to wide-ranging misinterpretation and misuse by policy makers. Eradicating network failures, avoiding crude policy isomorphism and tailoring bespoke interventions are suggested policy recommendations.PostprintPeer reviewe

Mergers and Acquisitions, Open Innovation and UK High Growth SMEs

This paper examines the dynamics of entrepreneurial acquisitions undertaken by UK high growth small and medium enterprises (S M E s). While entrepreneurial acquisitions are increasingly deployed by S M E s, little is known about their antecedents, motivational drivers and organisational outcomes. Drawing on detailed case study evidence from Scotland, the key factor found to be driving these acquisitions was the desire to augment and exploit technological complementarities between the acquiring an d acquired firms. Acquisition can therefore be conceptualised as an advanced stage of the outside-in ‘open innovation’ strategies proactively used within these innovative S M E s. Firms executing this strategy typically have an acute propensity for risk , a desire for close customer engagement, effective business models and strong external orientation . The work suggests that greater attention should be paid within M & A theory to the dynamics of these types of smaller scale entrepreneurial acquisitions

Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: A Critique of the Latest Industrial Policy Blockbuster

Efforts to develop entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) have proliferated in recent years making it the latest industrial policy ‘blockbuster’. This paper critiques the concept and reviews its application within public policy. It reports the findings from a comprehensive comparative analysis of policy approaches deployed under this conceptual umbrella. Empirically, the findings suggests it is fraught with conceptual ambiguity and is predominantly (and rather crudely) used to promote ‘more’ entrepreneurship. Genuine systemic policy instruments to aid the functioning of ecosystems are extremely rare. The paper suggests the concept is a ‘chaotic’ one open to wide-ranging misinterpretation and indeed misuse by policy makers

An International Benchmarking Analysis of Public Programmes for High-Growth Firms

First paragraph: Scotland's business base, like those of many other European countries, is dominated by micro businesses. Only a small proportion of Scotland's businesses employ more than ten employees and there are few indigenously-owned, larger-scale companies. Indeed, Scotland, in common with the rest of the UK economy, has struggled to grow small businesses into larger businesses of "scale" that can be major contributors to economic growth through their role as large scale employers, large scale exporters, generators of supply chains for other local companies and incubators for new spin-offs (CBI, 2011)