The Utilization Of Performance Appraisal In Local Governments: Extent And Challenges

This study examines the utilization of employee performance appraisal in a sample of 59 Detroit-area suburban communities. Despite the emphasis placed on employee performance appraisal in the literature, over half of the communities do not possess formal systems of employee appraisal. Also two variables help explain performance appraisal usage: form of government and extent of unionization. Importantly, respondents in non-utilizing communities often acknowledge the benefits of systems of performance appraisal but they cite various reasons for not having such systems in place, with the opposition of municipal unions being cited most often. This was true even though many jurisdictions with high levels of unionization did have appraisal systems in place, even for their unionized workers. The jurisdictions with appraisal systems appeared to be doing a reasonably good job in following best practices in performance appraisal and management. At the same time, like their counterparts in non-utilizing communities, respondents cite a number of obstacles and challenges associated with the process including: subjectivity, ratings inflation, employees experiencing anxiety, and supervisors being uncomfortable with the appraisal process and lacking adequate training in how to do a good performance appraisal. The majority of the respondents believe in the potential value of evaluating the performance of their workforce. But they worry that such systems in practice often fail to work as hoped. These concerns echo those often raised in the debate over merit-pay. The study concludes with suggestions for implementing performance appraisal in highly-unionized work settings

Monitoring Rock Blasting for Tunnel Construction

A program for the monitoring of rock blasting operations for the construction of a sewer tunnel has been discussed. A summary of observations together with pertinent conclusions and recommendations regarding the blasting operations, the potential for damage to nearby structures and criteria for safe blasting operations has been presented. It is recommended that peak particle velocity be restricted to two inches per second in horizontal direction at the nearest existing structure to prevent cracking of walls

Ten Key Decisions in Creating Early Colleges: Design Options Based on Research

Where do you turn if you want to know how to design an Early College? While there are lots of resources on this topic, there is no summary of the research that provides direction on making key design decisions. Since 2002, the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools and Teaching (NCREST) at Teachers College, Columbia University has been involved in research and development projects related to Early Colleges. We have worked with a range of schools and intermediaries, but the majority of our work has been carried out in partnership with the Middle College National Consortium. We wrote this publication to share the findings of our studies and those of many other researchers whose work can be used in making key design decisions. Ultimately, our goal is to support school leaders in creating great Early Colleges – those that offer life‐changing experiences to traditionally underserved students and lead to excellent educational outcomes

The contrasting chemical reactivity of potent isoelectronic iminopyridine and azopyridine osmium(ii) arene anticancer complexes

A wide variety of steric and electronic features can be incorporated into transition metal coordination complexes, offering the prospect of rationally-designed therapeutic agents with novel mechanisms of action. Here we compare the chemical reactivity and anticancer activity of organometallic OsII complexes [Os(η6-arene)(XY)Z]PF6 where arene = p-cymene or biphenyl, XY = N,N′-chelated phenyliminopyridine or phenylazopyridine derivatives, and Z = Cl or I. The X-ray crystal structure of [Os(η6-p-cym)(Impy-OH)I]PF6·0.5CH2Cl2·H2O (Impy-OH = 4-[(2-pyridinylmethylene)amino]-phenol) is reported. Like the azopyridine complexes we reported recently (Dalton Trans., 2011, 40, 10553–10562), some iminopyridine complexes are also potently active towards cancer cells (nanomolar IC50 values). However we show that, unlike the azopyridine complexes, the iminopyridine complexes can undergo aquation, bind to the nucleobase guanine, and oxidize coenzyme nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NADH). We report the first detection of an Os-hydride adduct in aqueous solution by 1H NMR (−4.2 ppm). Active iminopyridine complexes induced a dramatic increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in A549 lung cancer cells. The anticancer activity may therefore involve interference in the redox signalling pathways in cancer cells by a novel mechanism

Effects of hydroxyl group variations on a flavonoid backbone toward modulation of metal-free and metal-induced amyloid-?? aggregation

Amyloid-?? (A??) and metal ions are suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer???s disease(AD). Cu(II) and Zn(II) can interact with A?? and facilitate peptide aggregation producing toxic oligomeric peptide species. Additionally, redox-active metal-bound A?? is shown to generate reactive oxygen species(ROS). Although the interaction of metal ions with A?? and the reactivity of metal-associated A?? (metal-A??) are indicated, the relationship between metal-A?? and AD etiology is still unclear. Some naturally occurring flavonoids capable of redirecting metal-A?? peptides into nontoxic, off-pathway A?? aggregates have been presented as valuable tools for elucidating the role of metal-A?? in AD. The structural moieties of the flavonoids responsible for their reactivity toward metal-A?? are not identified, however. To determine a structure-interaction-reactivity relationship between flavonoids and metal-free A?? or metal-A??, four flavonoids (morin, quercetin, galangin, and luteolin) were rationally selected based on structural variations(i.e., number and position of hydroxyl groups). These four flavonoids could noticeably modulate metal-A?? aggregation over metal-free analogue to different extents. Moreover, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS) studies reveal that the direct interactions of the flavonoids with metal-free and/or metal-bound A?? are distinct. Overall, our studies demonstrate that alternation of the hydroxyl groups on the B and C rings of flavonoids (structure) could differentiate their metal/metal-free A??/metal-A?? interactions (interaction) and subsequently direct their effects on metal-free A?? and metal-A?? aggregation in vitro and A??-/metal-A??-triggered toxicity in living cells (reactivity), suggesting a structure-interaction-reactivity relationship.open

Reactivity of Metal-Free and Metal-Associated Amyloid-?? with Glycosylated Polyphenols and Their Esterified Derivatives

Both amyloid-?? (A??) and transition metal ions are shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer???s disease (AD), though the importance of their interactions remains unclear. Multifunctional molecules, which can target metal-free and metal-bound A?? and modulate their reactivity (e.g., A?? aggregation), have been developed as chemical tools to investigate their function in AD pathology; however, these compounds generally lack specificity or have undesirable chemical and biological properties, reducing their functionality. We have evaluated whether multiple polyphenolic glycosides and their esterified derivatives can serve as specific, multifunctional probes to better understand AD. The ability of these compounds to interact with metal ions and metal-free/-associated A??, and further control both metal-free and metal-induced A?? aggregation was investigated through gel electrophoresis with Western blotting, transmission electron microscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and NMR spectroscopy. We also examined the cytotoxicity of the compounds and their ability to mitigate the toxicity induced by both metal-free and metal-bound A??. Of the polyphenols investigated, the natural product (Verbascoside) and its esterified derivative (VPP) regulate the aggregation and cytotoxicity of metal-free and/or metal-associated A?? to different extents. Our studies indicate Verbascoside represents a promising structure for further multifunctional tool development against both metal-free A?? and metal-A??.open0

Mono- and tetra-nuclear copper complexes bearing bis(imino)phenoxide derived ligands:Catalytic evaluation for benzene oxidation and ROP of ε-caprolactone

Complexes of the type [Cu(L)₂] (1) and [Cu₄L₂(μ₄-O)(OAc)₄] (2) have been obtained from the reaction of the phenoxydiimine 1,3-(2,6-R²₂C₆H₃N=CH)₂-5-R¹ C₆H₂OH-2 (LH) (where R¹ = Me, tBu, Cl; R² = Me, iPr) with copper(II) acetate [Cu(OAc)₂]; changing the molar ratio of the reactants affords differing amounts of 1 or 2. Reaction of the parent dialdehyde [1,3-(CHO)₂-5-MeC₆H₂OH-2] with [Cu(OAc)₂] in the presence of Et₃N afforded, following work-up, a polymeric chain (3) comprising {[Cu₂(OAc)₄]OAc}n, HNEt₃ and MeCN. The crystal structures of 1 (R¹ = Me, R² = iPr 1a; R¹ = Cl, R² = iPr 1b), 2 (R¹ = Me, R² = Me 2a; R¹ = Me, R² = iPr 2b; R¹ = tBu, R² = Me 2c; R¹ = Cl, R² = Me 2d; R¹ = Cl, R² = iPr 2e; R¹ = tBu, R² = iPr 2f) and 3 are reported (synchrotron radiation was necessary for 3). The magnetic properties of the cluster 2b are presented. Complexes of type 2 and 3 were screened for the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone, with or without benzyl alcohol present, under a variety of conditions, however only trace polymer was isolated. The electrochemistry of all complexes was also investigated, together with their ability to catalyze benzene oxidation (using hydrogen peroxide); although low conversions were observed, the tetra-nuclear complexes exhibited excellent selectivity

CREATIVE MARKETING STRATEGY AND EFFECTIVE EXECUTION ON PERFORMANCE IN PAKISTAN

The purpose of the current research is to determine the influence of creative marketing strategies and effective execution on business unit performance. Moreover, strategic orientation and environmental uncertainty are used as moderating variables. Data are collected from 368 key informants working in Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), banking, pharmaceutical, chemical, insurance, and engineering industries using a multi-stage random sampling technique. Factor analysis and multiple hierarchal regressions are used to test the study hypotheses. The results indicate that creative marketing strategy and effective execution are positively associated with business performance. Moreover, environmental uncertainty and strategic orientation play a moderating role in the above relationships

Jutlus teksti üle Matt. 10, 34-39 ühes eksegeetilis-homileetiliselt põhjendatud dispositsiooniga

Digiteeritud Rahvusarhiivi koordineeritud MKMi rahastatud SF-projekti „Vaba rahvas vabal maal (1920-1940)“ raames OÜ Andmevara Services poolthttps://www.ester.ee/record=b3605149*es