A New Challenge for Global Companies: Successfully Managing MLO and NGO Relationships

A telltale sign of the growing importance of multilateral organizations (MLOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to companies today is the increased human resources dedicated to managing relationships with them. Multinational companies today are investing the time and talent to ensure that their relationships with MLOs and NGOs are active and positive. Although the field is awash in articles about the importance of MLOs and NGOs to companies, remarkably little is documented about how companies can best engage these multilateral and nonprofit actor

Ahead of the Curve: Insights for the International NGO of the Future

International NGOs have a unique and important role to play in addressing today's complex global challenges. But few of them are living up to their full potential. With support from the Hewlett Foundation, FSG researched how the most innovative INGOs are adapting to the disruptions in the global development sector and embracing four approaches to create greater impact

Competing by Saving Lives: How Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Companies Create Shared Value in Global Health

This report looks at how pharmaceutical and medical device companies can create shared value in global health by addressing unmet health needs in low- and middle-income countries. Companies have already begun to reap business value and are securing competitive advantages in the markets of tomorrow

Pore-Size Distributions From Nuclear Magnetic Resonance And Corresponding Hydrocarbon Saturations In The Devonian Three Forks Formation, Williston Basin, North Dakota

Pore-size distributions of four lithofacies from the Three Forks Formation were obtained using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The upper Three Forks was divided into three lithofacies with the fourth coming from the uppermost section of the middle Three Forks. In ascending order the lithofacies studied were: 1) massive green to greenish-gray mudstone, 2) highly deformed, interlaminated pinkish-tan silty dolostone and green to greenish-gray mudstone, 3) thinly laminated pinkish-tan silty dolostone and 4) interlaminated green to greenish-gray mudstone and pinkish-tan silty dolostone. Core samples (one sample per lithofacies) of various sizes and shapes were selected for six western North Dakota wells. Samples were prepared for NMR by saturating with 300,000 ppm NaCl brine solution under 100 psi of compressed air for a minimum of 60 days. Pore size distributions were obtained from NMR transverse relaxation (T2) analysis via Oxford Instruments GeoSpec2 core analyzer coupled with Green Imaging Technology software. Pore size distributions were calculated using T2 cutoff values to partition total porosity measurements into micropores (less than 0.5 microns), mesopores (0.5 to 5 microns), and macropores (greater than 5 microns). Although average core measured porosity and permeability values (5.4% to 7.9% and 0.076 mD to 0.127 mD respectively) remain relatively consistent in each lithofacies, average water saturations increase from 30% to 45% in the upper Three Forks to over 72% in the massive green mudstone of the middle Three Forks. NMR T2 data averaged within each lithofacies suggest that fluid saturations are related to pore size distributions. As mesopore and macropore percentages of total porosity increase, oil saturations increase. As micropore percentages of total porosity increase, water saturations increase

Smarter Programming of the Female Condom: Increasing Its Impact on HIV Prevention in the Developing World

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relative value of the female condom for HIV prevention within heterosexual relationships in the developing world. In the last ten years, the world has witnessed both historic financial commitments to HIV/AIDS and new prevention options, including biomedical prevention research, male circumcision, and a dramatic scale-up of voluntary counseling and testing. At the same time, where HIV remains at epidemic levels in many countries, there has been a growing commitment to treatment access alongside prevention programs. However, portions of populations, particularly youth and women, remain highly vulnerable to HIV infection. Accordingly, the global health community can benefit from a better understanding of how existing prevention options should be effectively and efficiently delivered to reduce HIV in the developing world. This report provides guidance for the global health community for considering how the female condom fits within the set of prevention interventions currently available

Evaluation of Ellipsometric Monitors for Process Control of High Temperature Superconductors

Current methods of manufacturing high temperature thin lm superconductors require increasingly more precise and accurate thin lm diagnostics to ensure high quality superconductors. There are several diagnostic tools for monitoring thin lms. However, due to the complex nature of superconducting thin lm stacks, ellipsometric methods are well suited for this application. This study investigates various ellipsometric methods in simulated process control environments. A computer program was developed to generate ellipsometric data for given film stack characteristics and experimental geometry, and to analyze simulated ellipsometric data to recover optical parameters of the given film stack. The program was used to investigate the effects of systematic errors in the angle of incidence, one of the primary sources of systematic error in a process control environment. It is found that for the given expected film characteristics, the experimental geometry can be selected to minimize the effects of angle of incidence error

Lobbying for Good

In their efforts to be socially responsible, most companies fail to wield their most powerful tool: lobbying. Yet corporations such as Mary Kay, Royal Dutch Shell, and General Motors are increasingly leveraging their deep pockets, government contacts, and persuasive powers for the cause of good. Not all kinds of socially responsible lobbying are created equal, however. This article explores which forms of lobbying are best for companies and for society