Geographical distance of innovation collaborations

This paper explores the geographical distance of innovation collaborations in high tech small firms. We test if absorptive capacity is a key determinant. Drawing on survey data from a sample of 316 Dutch high-tech small firms, engaging in 1.245 collaborations, we find most partners to be ‘local’. However, controlling for a variety of potential influences, higher R&D expenditure is positively related to collaboration with more distant organisations.  

On the Determinants of the Reach of Innovation-related Collaboration in Small Firms

This paper takes as its starting point an item of relatively recent academic orthodoxy: the insistence that ‘…interactive learning and collective entrepreneurship are fundamental to the process of innovation’ (Lundvall, 1992, p. 9). From this, academics have frequently taken “interactive” to imply “inter-organisational” and, whilst one might be concerned by this too casual conflation, there is a growing consensus that firms’ embeddedness in collaborative networks matters for their innovative performance (Gilsing et al., 2008).

Christi Faith Freel in a Senior Voice Recital

This is the program for the senior voice recital of soprano Christi Faith Freel. Pianist Christy Burleson accompanied the performance. The recital took place on March 30, 1992, in the Mabee Fine Arts Center Recital Hall

My Life and Times at Iowa State University

https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/carver_narratives/1025/thumbnail.jp

Perception of County Extension Agents’ Organizational Fit After Participating in the Mentoring Component of the Cooperative Extension Service Onboarding Program

The purpose of this study is to determine the perception employees of the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (CES) after participating in a mentoring program. The CES implemented an onboarding program in 2010 which included a yearlong mentoring component for county extension agents because they were resigning at an alarming rate. The study aimed to illuminate if the mentoring program increased the county extension agents’ perception of fit after completing the program by determining if they felt they possessed characteristics that were compatible with the organization. This study was founded on the mentees’ viewpoints of their perceptions of person-organization (PO) fit, operationalized by the person-environment (PE) fit framework. The researcher was able to identify implications and recommendations for practice, policy, and research by analyzing the literature regarding acclimating new employees, organizational commitment, and employee fit to describe the nuances of fit within the county agent’s working environment. The four major themes to surface in the study was mentee perceptions of CES culture, history, and traditions, employability skills needed for success, what might have increased feeling of fit, and effective mentor qualities and practices. Mentees conveyed that mentor qualities and practices had varying results depending on the nature of the mentor and their chosen actions. Effective qualities and practices like being positive, approachable, encouraging, and devoting sufficient time to the mentorship resulted in the mentee feeling positive about the experience, but if the mentor was negative, difficult to approach, did not offer words of encouragement, and did not devote enough time to them the mentee developed negative feelings for the value and impact of the program. Several mentees mentioned had it not been for the mentor program, they would not have continued working for the CES. Mentees had clear opinions on what elements would have increased their feeling of fit had they been included in the mentoring program including more time with other mentees, more involvement from their direct supervisor, and having more than one mentor. Additionally, mentees would have liked an option to continue the formal mentorship for more than one year, to have an opportunity to be involved in a formal internship program, and for the CES to offer mentors additional incentives for their involvement in the mentoring program

4-H Programming for Urban Youth in Des Moines, Iowa

Within Polk County, Iowa there existed a need for additional 4-H programming in the Des Moines Metro area geared toward middle and high school aged youth. Information was gathered in regards to the barriers this age group experienced which has led to their lack of participation. Through this Creative Component I identified two key barriers, location and cost, and, along with utilizing the Positive Youth Development concepts of belonging and mastery, developed youth programming for this particular group. Once the information was gathered I created 15 hours of relevant curriculum on the topics of STEM, Cooking, and Communication and Interview skills to be delivered to middle and high school youth in Des Moines at no cost

ACTH and polymorphisms at steroidogenic loci as determinants of aldosterone secretion and blood pressure

The majority of genes contributing to the heritable component of blood pressure remain unidentified, but there is substantial evidence to suggest that common polymorphisms at loci involved in the biosynthesis of the corticosteroids aldosterone and cortisol are important. This view is supported by data from genome-wide association studies that consistently link the CYP17A1 locus to blood pressure. In this review article, we describe common polymorphisms at three steroidogenic loci (CYP11B2, CYP11B1 and CYP17A1) that alter gene transcription efficiency and levels of key steroids, including aldosterone. However, the mechanism by which this occurs remains unclear. While the renin angiotensin system is rightly regarded as the major driver of aldosterone secretion, there is increasing evidence that the contribution of corticotropin (ACTH) is also significant. In light of this, we propose that the differential response of variant CYP11B2, CYP11B1 and CYP17A1 genes to ACTH is an important determinant of blood pressure, tending to predispose individuals with an unfavourable genotype to hypertension

Christi Freel in a Sophomore Recital

This is the program for the sophomore voice recital of soprano, Christi Freel, accompanied by Krisie Holmes, pianist. The recital was held on March 30, 1990, in the Mabee Fine Arts Center Recital Hall