Probing dark energy beyond z=2z=2 with CODEX

Precision measurements of nature's fundamental couplings and a first measurement of the cosmological redshift drift are two of the key targets for future high-resolution ultra-stable spectrographs such as CODEX. Being able to do both gives CODEX a unique advantage, allowing it to probe dynamical dark energy models (by measuring the behavior of their equation of state) deep in the matter era and thereby testing classes of models that would otherwise be difficult to distinguish from the standard $\Lambda$CDM paradigm. We illustrate this point with two simple case studies.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures; submitted to Phys. Rev.

The influence of service climate, identity strength, and contextual ambidexterity upon the performance of public organizations

Improving the performance of public organizations has become a major concern among researchers and managers, rendering the search for the factors that distinguish the best performers a fundamental endeavor. Despite the abundant empirical research conducted about this topic, there are still inconsistencies in how management and other organizational elements determine organizational performance, calling for more theory-oriented research. In this paper, we join this line of reasoning and suggest that service climate, organizational identity strength, and contextual ambidexterity, variables coming from very different theoretical traditions, predict the performance of public organizations, as perceived by their members. In order to test this proposition, we surveyed a sample of 618 civil servants working for two different organizations. In this survey, we included measures of the three predictors (service climate, organizational identity strength, and contextual ambidexterity) and the variable of interest (organizational performance). Using hierarchical regression analysis, we found evidence supporting a positive relationship between organizational performance and service climate, identity strength, and especially, contextual ambidexterity, with some differences between the two organizations regarding the intensity of these relationships. Besides contributing to broadening the discussion about the antecedents of public organizations’ performance, this study also supports the validity of the three theoretical perspectives. Considering the management of public organizations, our study challenges managers to play a fundamental role in orchestrating routines and work practices that allow configuration of the most relevant organizational capacities leading to better performance.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Patient reactions to community pharmacies' roles: evidence from the Portuguese market

Background: There is little knowledge about how patients perceive and react to the extended role of community pharmacies. Aim: To develop a model describing the expanded role of Portuguese community pharmacies as comprising three roles - medicines supplier, advice provider and community health promoter - and two important patient reactions: satisfaction and loyalty. Design: In 2010, 1200 face-to-face interviews were conducted with patients of community pharmacies in Portugal. A model comprising the three pharmacy roles and the two patient reactions was developed and tested using structural equation modelling. Results: The results showed that the model was appropriate and that the roles of medicines supplier, advice provider and community health promoter were positively related to patients' satisfaction and loyalty. Conclusions: These results show that patients are aware of the different roles played by community pharmacies in Portugal. The data support the idea that the movement of Portuguese pharmacists' extended role, framed within a global context where society sends expectations regarding the role of organizations in the community in which they operate, is producing positive results for both patients and pharmacists.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Utilização de óleo de girassol “Alto oleico” na alimentação de porcos Alentejanos: Efeitos sobre o crescimento e as características da carcaça.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo a utilização de óleo de girassol rico em ácido oleico na alimentação de suínos Alentejanos destinados à produção de carne para consumo em fresco. O ensaio foi realizado em condições de exploração

Utilização de óleo de girassol “Alto oleico” na alimentação de porcos Alentejanos: Efeitos sobre o crescimento e as características da carcaça.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo a utilização de óleo de girassol rico em ácido oleico na alimentação de suínos Alentejanos destinados à produção de carne para consumo em fresco. O ensaio foi realizado em condições de exploração