Workplace conflict: a phenomenological study of the types, processes, and consequences of small business conflict

This dissertation concerns the conflicts experienced by small businesses. A small business is defined in this study as a business less than 10 years old with 5 to 50 employees. According to the U.S. Census, the majority of American employees work in small businesses. The literature shows that most of these small business owners report spending a substantial amount of their time and money dealing with conflicts. This dissertation analyzes the types of conflicts reported by small business owners, and some possibilities for resolving those conflicts. The literature suggests that conflicts are inevitable in the workplace, but that there are multiple processes to resolve those conflicts. To study these conflicts and processes, small business owners were surveyed to discuss their experience with conflict. Three variables were examined: (a) the types of conflict, (b) the processes for resolving those conflicts, and (c) the consequences of those conflicts. This was a mixed-methods study, including first a survey and then an interview. The participants were owners of American small businesses. The study revealed the prevalence that bad communication has in creating conflict, and the importance of good communication in resolving conflict. The study also revealed that there are certain conflict resolution processes that increase the likelihood of a positive consequence of conflict. The study\u27s results provided indicators of effective conflict resolution steps for small business owners. The researcher identified what were the most common types of conflict, conflict resolution processes, and conflict consequences. Finally, the researcher examined what elements of the study were consistent with the literature and what results were unanticipated. These results helped the researcher develop a prospective 5-step model for resolving workplace conflict effectively

Higher order and CP-violating effects in the neutralino and Higgs boson sectors of the MSSM

Complete one-loop results are presented for neutralino and Higgs decay processes of the form chi^0_i->chi^0_j h_a and h_a->chi^0_i chi^0_j in the MSSM with CP-violating parameters. An on-shell renormalisation scheme is developed for the chargino–neutralino sector that consistently takes into account imaginary parts arising from complex parameters and absorptive parts of loop integrals. The genuine vertex contributions are combined with two-loop Higgs propagator-type corrections to obtain the most precise prediction currently available for this class of processes. In the CP-violating CPX benchmark scenario, the corrections to the neutralino decay width are found to be particularly large – of order 45% for a Higgs mass of 40GeV. We find that in this unexcluded parameter region, which will be difficult to cover by standard Higgs search channels at the LHC, the branching ratio for the decay chi^0_2->chi^0_1 h_1 is large. This may offer good prospects of detecting such a light Higgs boson in cascade decays of supersymmetric particles. We also study the full Higgs production and decay processes in scenarios where the intermediate Higgs bosons are nearly mass degenerate and interference effects can have a significant impact. We find that an on-shell approximation gives results in good numerical agreement with the full momentum-dependent Higgs propagator matrix calculation and we develop a generalised narrow width approximation to be used in such a situation. We use these methods to study the asymmetry between the production of left-handed and right-handed neutralinos in Higgs decays at the LHC in the presence of CP-violating phases. Large asymmetries are found to be possible for large M_H^± > 500GeV and tan beta < 10, where the decay into neutralinos may be the only possibility to detect the heavy Higgs bosons

The effects of sildenafil on ciliary beat frequency in patients with pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria disease: A phase I/II trial

Rationale: Pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease (PNTM) has increased over the past several decades, especially in older women. Abnormal mucociliary clearance and abnormal nasal nitric oxide (NO) have been associated with PNTM disease in other patient cohorts. Mucociliary clearance can be affected by NO-cGMP signaling, and therefore modulation of the pathway may be possible with phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as sildenafil as a novel therapeutic approach. Objective: To define ex vivo characteristics of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease affected of sildenafil. Methods: Subjects with PNTM infections were recruited into an open-label dose escalation trial of sildenafil. Laboratory measurements and muccociliary measurements: ciliary beat frequency, nasal nitric oxide, and 24-hour sputum production, were collected throughout the study period. Patients received sildenafil daily during the study period, with escalation from 20 mg to 40 mg three times daily. Measurements and Main Results: Increased ciliary beat frequency occurred after a single dose of 40 mg sildenafil and after extended dosing of 40 mg sildenafil. The increase ciliary beat frequency was not seen with 20 mg sildenafil dosing. There were no changes in sputum production, nasal nitric oxide production, Quality of Life- Bronchiectasis- NTM module (QOL-B-NTM) questionnaire, or the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire during the study period. Conclusion: Sildenafil, 40 mg, increased ciliary beat frequency acutely as well as with extended administration.National Institute of Healt

Systematic reviews of and integrated report on the quantitative, qualitative and economic evidence base for the management of obesity in men

&lt;b&gt;Background&lt;/b&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Obesity increases the risk of many serious illnesses such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis. More men than women are overweight or obese in the UK but men are less likely to perceive their weight as a problem and less likely to engage with weight-loss services.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Objective&lt;/b&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; The aim of this study was to systematically review evidence-based management strategies for treating obesity in men and investigate how to engage men in obesity services by integrating the quantitative, qualitative and health economic evidence base.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Data sources&lt;/b&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects and the NHS Economic Evaluation Database were searched from inception to January 2012, with a limited update search in July 2012. Subject-specific websites, reference lists and professional health-care and commercial organisations were also consulted.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Review methods&lt;/b&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Six systematic reviews were conducted to consider the clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and qualitative evidence on interventions for treating obesity in men, and men in contrast to women, and the effectiveness of interventions to engage men in their weight reduction. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with follow-up data of at least 1 year, or any study design and length of follow-up for UK studies, were included. Qualitative and mixed-method studies linked to RCTs and non-randomised intervention studies, and UK-based, men-only qualitative studies not linked to interventions were included. One reviewer extracted data from the included studies and a second reviewer checked data for omissions or inaccuracies. Two reviewers carried out quality assessment. We undertook meta-analysis of quantitative data and a realist approach to integrating the qualitative and quantitative evidence synthesis.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Results&lt;/b&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; From a total of 12,764 titles reviewed, 33 RCTs with 12 linked reports, 24 non-randomised reports, five economic evaluations with two linked reports, and 22 qualitative studies were included. Men were more likely than women to benefit if physical activity was part of a weight-loss programme. Reducing diets tended to produce more favourable weight loss than physical activity alone (mean weight change after 1 year from a reducing diet compared with an exercise programme -3.2 kg, 95% CI -4.8 kg to -1.6 kg). The type of reducing diet did not affect long-term weight loss. A reducing diet plus physical activity and behaviour change gave the most effective results. Low-fat reducing diets, some with meal replacements, combined with physical activity and behaviour change training gave the most effective long-term weight change in men [-5.2 kg (standard error 0.2 kg) after 4 years]. Such trials may prevent type 2 diabetes in men and improve erectile dysfunction. Although fewer men joined weight-loss programmes, once recruited they were less likely to drop out than women (difference 11%, 95% CI 8% to 14%). The perception of having a health problem (e.g. being defined as obese by a health professional), the impact of weight loss on health problems and desire to improve personal appearance without looking too thin were motivators for weight loss amongst men. The key components differ from those found for women, with men preferring more factual information on how to lose weight and more emphasis on physical activity programmes. Interventions delivered in social settings were preferred to those delivered in health-care settings. Group-based programmes showed benefits by facilitating support for men with similar health problems, and some individual tailoring of advice assisted weight loss in some studies. Generally, men preferred interventions that were individualised, fact-based and flexible, which used business-like language and which included simple to understand information. Preferences for men-only versus mixed-sex weight-loss group programmes were divided. In terms of context, programmes which were cited in a sporting context where participants have a strong sense of affiliation showed low drop out rates and high satisfaction. Although some men preferred weight-loss programmes delivered in an NHS context, the evidence comparing NHS and commercial programmes for men was unclear. The effect of family and friends on participants in weight-loss programmes was inconsistent in the evidence reviewed - benefits were shown in some cases, but the social role of food in maintaining relationships may also act as a barrier to weight loss. Evidence on the economics of managing obesity in men was limited and heterogeneous.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Limitations&lt;/b&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; The main limitations were the limited quantity and quality of the evidence base and narrow outcome reporting, particularly for men from disadvantaged and minority groups. Few of the studies were undertaken in the UK.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Weight reduction for men is best achieved and maintained with the combination of a reducing diet, physical activity advice or a physical activity programme, and behaviour change techniques. Tailoring interventions and settings for men may enhance effectiveness, though further research is needed to better understand the influence of context and content. Future studies should include cost-effectiveness analyses in the UK setting

The effects of sildenafil on ciliary beat frequency in patients with pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacteria disease: phase I/II trial.

RATIONALE:Pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial (PNTM) disease has increased over the past several decades, especially in older women. Abnormal mucociliary clearance and abnormal nasal nitric oxide (nNO) have been associated with PNTM disease in other patient cohorts. Mucociliary clearance can be affected by NO-cyclic guanosine monophosphate signalling and, therefore, modulation of the pathway may be possible with phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as sildenafil as a novel therapeutic approach. OBJECTIVE:To define ex vivo characteristics of PNTM disease affected by sildenafil. METHODS:Subjects with PNTM infections were recruited into an open-label dose-escalation trial of sildenafil. Laboratory measurements and mucociliary measurements-ciliary beat frequency, nNO and 24-hour sputum production-were collected throughout the study period. Patients received sildenafil daily during the study period, with escalation from 20 to 40 mg three times per day. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:Increased ciliary beat frequency occurred after a single dose of 40 mg sildenafil and after extended dosing of 40 mg sildenafil. The increase ciliary beat frequency was not seen with 20 mg sildenafil dosing. There were no changes in sputum production, nNO production, Quality of Life-Bronchiectasis-NTM module (QOL-B-NTM) questionnaire or the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire during the study period. CONCLUSION:Sildenafil, 40 mg, increased ciliary beat frequency acutely as well as with extended administration

Surface code quantum computing by lattice surgery

In recent years, surface codes have become a leading method for quantum error correction in theoretical large scale computational and communications architecture designs. Their comparatively high fault-tolerant thresholds and their natural 2-dimensional nearest neighbour (2DNN) structure make them an obvious choice for large scale designs in experimentally realistic systems. While fundamentally based on the toric code of Kitaev, there are many variants, two of which are the planar- and defect- based codes. Planar codes require fewer qubits to implement (for the same strength of error correction), but are restricted to encoding a single qubit of information. Interactions between encoded qubits are achieved via transversal operations, thus destroying the inherent 2DNN nature of the code. In this paper we introduce a new technique enabling the coupling of two planar codes without transversal operations, maintaining the 2DNN of the encoded computer. Our lattice surgery technique comprises splitting and merging planar code surfaces, and enables us to perform universal quantum computation (including magic state injection) while removing the need for braided logic in a strictly 2DNN design, and hence reduces the overall qubit resources for logic operations. Those resources are further reduced by the use of a rotated lattice for the planar encoding. We show how lattice surgery allows us to distribute encoded GHZ states in a more direct (and overhead friendly) manner, and how a demonstration of an encoded CNOT between two distance 3 logical states is possible with 53 physical qubits, half of that required in any other known construction in 2D.Comment: Published version. 29 pages, 18 figure

Solitons in relativistic mean field models

Assuming that the nucleus can be treated as a perfect fluid we study the conditions for the formation and propagation of Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) solitons in nuclear matter. The KdV equation is obtained from the Euler and continuity equations in nonrelativistic hydrodynamics. The existence of these solitons depends on the nuclear equation of state, which, in our approach, comes from well known relativistic mean field models. We reexamine early works on nuclear solitons, replacing the old equations of state by new ones, based on QHD and on its variants. Our analysis suggests that KdV solitons may indeed be formed in the nucleus with a width which, in some cases, can be smaller than one fermi.Comment: 15 pages, 1 figur

Recursive quantum repeater networks

Internet-scale quantum repeater networks will be heterogeneous in physical technology, repeater functionality, and management. The classical control necessary to use the network will therefore face similar issues as Internet data transmission. Many scalability and management problems that arose during the development of the Internet might have been solved in a more uniform fashion, improving flexibility and reducing redundant engineering effort. Quantum repeater network development is currently at the stage where we risk similar duplication when separate systems are combined. We propose a unifying framework that can be used with all existing repeater designs. We introduce the notion of a Quantum Recursive Network Architecture, developed from the emerging classical concept of 'recursive networks', extending recursive mechanisms from a focus on data forwarding to a more general distributed computing request framework. Recursion abstracts independent transit networks as single relay nodes, unifies software layering, and virtualizes the addresses of resources to improve information hiding and resource management. Our architecture is useful for building arbitrary distributed states, including fundamental distributed states such as Bell pairs and GHZ, W, and cluster states.Comment: 14 page

Combination anti-Aβ treatment maximizes cognitive recovery and rebalances mTOR signaling in APP mice

Drug development for Alzheimer\u27s disease has endeavored to lower amyloid β (Aβ) by either blocking production or promoting clearance. The benefit of combining these approaches has been examined in mouse models and shown to improve pathological measures of disease over single treatment; however, the impact on cellular and cognitive functions affected by Aβ has not been tested. We used a controllable APP transgenic mouse model to test whether combining genetic suppression of Aβ production with passive anti-Aβ immunization improved functional outcomes over either treatment alone. Compared with behavior before treatment, arresting further Aβ production (but not passive immunization) was sufficient to stop further decline in spatial learning, working memory, and associative memory, whereas combination treatment reversed each of these impairments. Cognitive improvement coincided with resolution of neuritic dystrophy, restoration of synaptic density surrounding deposits, and reduction of hyperactive mammalian target of rapamycin signaling. Computational modeling corroborated by in vivo microdialysis pointed to the reduction of soluble/exchangeable Aβ as the primary driver of cognitive recovery