Whatever the problem, entrepreneurship is the solution! Confronting the panacea myth of entrepreneurship with structural injustice

A topic of growing interest in entrepreneurship research is how entrepreneurial ventures address grand challenges. This literature, we argue, tends to produce a panacea myth by suggesting that entrepreneurship is the universal remedy for existing social and environmental ills. Starting from the claim that the persuasive power or ‘stickiness’ of the panacea myth depends not only on what it explicitly says (in terms of ideas and beliefs) but also on what it leaves out, we suggest that the exclusion of explicitly political and holistic explanations of grand challenges such as Iris Marion Young's theory of structural injustice, which we use as an illustrative example, precipitates a ‘constitutive absence’ whose mythic function is to sanitize the image of entrepreneurship as the preferred solution to grand challenges. In an effort to denaturalize the panacea myth, we first identify three ‘figures of thought’ – coined ‘extrapolation fallacy,’ ‘political agnosticism,’ and ‘positive acculturation’ – that define the content of the panacea myth while simultaneously excluding theoretical concepts and frameworks, such as structural injustice, that conceptualize grand challenges as structural, multidetermined, and inherently political problems that are not necessarily amenable to stand-alone entrepreneurial approaches and solutions. Second, to loosen the grip of the panacea myth, we suggest rethinking entrepreneurship research in terms of who is involved, what methods are used, and how we talk about it. Taken together, these tactics create an opening in entrepreneurship research for a more complexity-sensitive and political understanding of grand challenges that cultivates a more humble and realistic depiction of entrepreneurship's problem-solving capacity

Preliminary results from an assessment of the South African P. delagoae rock lobster resource to investigate the recovery of the resource between two periods of experimental trap-fishing

Data from two trap-fishing experiments carried out on the east coast of South Africa targeting the P.delagoae rock lobster, along with trawl-catch information for the years 1985-2009, are used to develop a population assessment for this species. The assessment aims to investigate the extent, if any, of the recovery of the rock lobster between the two periods of fishing, as well as assess the current stock level and potential future sustainable catch. The model is an age-structured model and includes ageto-length conversions in order to assess the fit of the model-predicted catches to length data available from the trap experiments

Assessments of the Southern Hemisphere humpback whale Breeding Stock B: Results for the models and sensitivities proposed at and following the 62nd meeting of the Scientific Committee of the IWC

This document reports on the results of several models and sensitivities proposed at the 62nd meeting of the Scientific Committee (SC) of the IWC for the assessment of the Southern Hemisphere humpback whale Breeding Stock B, as well as some additional models and sensitivities that were proposed intersessionally. These models and sensitivities explore various stock structure hypotheses and alternative input data. Prior incoherence resulting from the implementation of genetic Nmin constraints was found to be a problem throughout the analyses, and the preferred way of including these constraints was the use of a global Nmin constraint for the Gabon and WSA regions combined. The estimated intrinsic growth rate for B1 ranges from 0.039 to 0.052 for the main models and 0.043 to 0.069 for B2. The estimated 2010 abundance relative to pristine level ranges from 0.508 to 0.750 for B1, and 0.045 to 0.124 for B2

Is the length distribution of C1 and C3 humpback whale catches consistent with an age-structured version of the resident model

A sex- and age-structured BALEEN II population model is fitted to population abundance and trend as well as photo-id capture-recapture data for the C1 and C3 humpback whale breeding sub-stocks. The model is of the “Resident” type, i.e. no interchange between breeding grounds, though the whales do mix on the feeding grounds. Uniform selectivity on the 1+ population is assumed for both regions. A particular aim is to address the question of whether length distribution differences between the two regions are a reflection of different levels of past exploitation. Comparison with length distribution data for both regions does however indicate a greater proportion of larger males than anticipated in the C3 catches, and the reverse effect for both males and females in the C1 catches

Preliminary results for a combined assessment of all seven southern hemisphere humpback whale breeding stocks

This paper reports preliminary results from the development of an assessment process that aims to include all seven Southern Hemisphere humpback whale breeding stocks in a single joint assessment, with the purpose of allowing highlatitude historic catches (i.e. catches taken south of 40˚S, where mixing amongst the populations occurs), to be allocated to breeding stocks in proportion to abundance, rather than on set ratios. The approach can be broadened to allow for uncertainties in the placement of the boundaries assumed to link high latitude catches to breeding stocks. Because of the interaction between populations arising from the procedure to allocate high latitude catches amongst breeding stocks, the conventional SIR-based Bayesian approach proved impractical to expand. Instead uniform priors on the various preexploitation level (K) parameters were assumed with the intent to later iteratively adjust these to account for their being informative about the values of the intrinsic growth rate (r) parameters. Initial results (which will need later refinement) are presented purely for the purposes of illustrating the application of the approach

Comparison of H2O2 screen-printed sensors with different Prussian blue nanoparticles as electrode material

In order to determine hydrogen peroxide condensing from gaseous and liquid phases screen-printed electrodes with controlled and adjustable thickness, shape and size of the working electrode as well as electrode paste composition were investigated. For this purpose Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles with a different particle size distribution of 20- 30 nm (synthesized) and 60-100 nm (commercially available) were mixed with carbon paste and screen-printed on Al2O3 templates to establish H2O2-sensitive electrode. These two types of screen-printed sensors were compared to the commercial one during measurements in H2O2/water solutions at concentrations between 10-5 and 10-2 M H2O2. The linear signal in the investigated concentration range was found only for the sensor with the commercially available PB particles. Thus, this sensor prepared with PB particles of the size 60-100 nm showed the most reproducible and time-stable response versus the analyte in comparison to the others. This result offers the possibility to create sensors with adjustable design adapted to the concrete functionality. Thin films of collecting electrolytes based on agarose gels were printed on the sensor structures. They showed a distinct response on the application of H2O2-containing aerosols and gaseous phase

Needs and Attitudes of Older Chronic Back Pain Patients towards a Wearable for Ultrasound Biofeedback during Stabilization Exercises: A Qualitative Analysis

Chronic back pain has a high prevalence, especially in older adults, and seriously affects sufferers' quality of life. Segmental stabilization exercise (SSE) is often used during physiotherapy to enhance core stability. The execution of SSE requires the selective contraction of deep abdominal and back muscles. Motor learning can be supported using ultrasound imaging as visual biofeedback. ULTRAWEAR is a mobile ultrasound system that provides deep learning-based biofeedback on SSE execution, which is currently under development. We interviewed 15 older chronic back pain patients (CBPPs) to investigate their pain management behavior, experience with SSE, as well as their needs and requirements for ULTRAWEAR. We also gathered information about future-usage scenarios. CBPPs reported a high willingness to use the system as a feedback tool both in physiotherapeutic practices and at home. The automated detection and evaluation of muscle contraction states was highlighted as a major benefit of the system compared to the more subjective feedback provided by traditional methods such as palpation. The system to be developed was perceived as a helpful solution to support learning about SSE

Does simvastatin stimulate bone formation in vivo?

BACKGROUND: Statins, potent compounds that inhibit cholesterol synthesis in the liver have been reported to induce bone formation, both in tissue culture and in rats and mice. To re-examine potential anabolic effects of statins on bone formation, we compared the activity of simvastatin (SVS) to the known anabolic effects of PTH in an established model of ovariectomized (OVX) Swiss-Webster mice. METHODS: Mice were ovariectomized at 12 weeks of age (T0), remained untreated for 5 weeks to allow development of osteopenia (T5), followed by treatment for 8 weeks (T13). Whole, trabecular and cortical femoral bone was analyzed by micro-computed tomography (micro CT). Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) was used to detect the presence of SVS and its active metabolite, simvastatin β-hydroxy acid (SVS-OH) in the mouse serum. RESULTS: Trabecular BV/TV at T13 was 4.2 fold higher in animals treated with PTH (80 micro-g/kg/day) compared to the OVX-vehicle treated group (p < 0.001). However, the same comparison for the SVS-treated group (10 mg/kg/day administered by gavage) showed no significant difference (p = NS). LC/MS detected SVS and SVS-OH in mouse serum 20 minutes after gavage of 100 mg SVS. A serum osteocalcin assay (OC) demonstrated that neither bone formation nor osteoblast activity is significantly enhanced by SVS treatment in this in vivo study. CONCLUSIONS: While PTH demonstrated the expected anabolic effect on bone, SVS failed to stimulate bone formation, despite our verification by LC/MS of the active SVS-OH metabolite in mouse serum. While statins have clear effects on bone formation in vitro, the formulation of existing 'liver-targeted' statins requires further refinement for efficacy in vivo

Wie die BFH unternehmerische Initiativen fördert

Das Unternehmertum hat sich stark verändert. Neu gehören soziales oder nachhaltiges Unternehmertum, Impact Unternehmen, Low-end Innovation oder Benefit Corporations dazu. Wie die BFH das Spektrum des Unternehmertums in Forschung und Lehre abdeckt, schildern drei Dozierende

The identification and management of ADHD offenders within the criminal justice system: a consensus statement from the UK Adult ADHD Network and criminal justice agencies.

The UK Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN) was founded by a group of mental health specialists who have experience delivering clinical services for adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) within the National Health Service (NHS). UKAAN aims to support mental health professionals in the development of services for adults with ADHD by the promotion of assessment and treatment protocols. One method of achieving these aims has been to sponsor conferences and workshops on adult ADHD.This consensus statement is the result of a Forensic Meeting held in November 2009, attended by senior representatives of the Department of Health (DoH), Forensic Mental Health, Prison, Probation, Courts and Metropolitan Police services. The objectives of the meeting were to discuss ways of raising awareness about adult ADHD, and its recognition, assessment, treatment and management within these respective services. Whilst the document draws on the UK experience, with some adaptations it can be used as a template for similar local actions in other countries. It was concluded that bringing together experts in adult ADHD and the Criminal Justice System (CJS) will be vital to raising awareness of the needs of ADHD offenders at every stage of the offender pathway. Joint working and commissioning within the CJS is needed to improve awareness and understanding of ADHD offenders to ensure that individuals are directed to appropriate care and rehabilitation. General Practitioners (GPs), whilst ideally placed for early intervention, should not be relied upon to provide this service as vulnerable offenders often have difficulty accessing primary care services. Moreover once this hurdle has been overcome and ADHD in offenders has been identified, a second challenge will be to provide treatment and ensure continuity of care. Future research must focus on proof of principle studies to demonstrate that identification and treatment confers health gain, safeguards individual's rights, improves engagement in offender rehabilitation programmes, reduces institutional behavioural disturbance and, ultimately, leads to crime reduction. In time this will provide better justice for both offenders and society.RIGHTS : This article is licensed under the BioMed Central licence at http://www.biomedcentral.com/about/license which is similar to the 'Creative Commons Attribution Licence'. In brief you may : copy, distribute, and display the work; make derivative works; or make commercial use of the work - under the following conditions: the original author must be given credit; for any reuse or distribution, it must be made clear to others what the license terms of this work are