Being Different Yet Feeling Similar: The Influence Of Demographic Composition And Organizational Culture On Work Processes And Outcomes

Drawing from self-categorization theory, we tested hypotheses on the effects of an organization's demographic composition and cultural emphasis on work processes and outcomes. Using an organizational simulation, we found that the extent to which an organization emphasized individualistic or collectivistic values interacted with demographic composition to influence social interaction, conflict, productivity, and perceptions of creativity among 258 MBA students. Our findings suggest that the purported benefits of demographic diversity are more likely to emerge in organizations that, through their culture, make organizational membership salient and encourage people to categorize one another as having the organization's interests in common, rather than those that emphasize individualism and distinctiveness among members.(.)Managemen

Personal Web Use in the Workplace: Why Does it Persist in a Context of Strict Security and Monitoring?

Over the last decade, Personal Web Use (PWU) in the workplace has received considerable attention. This study examined factors that both inhibit and encourage PWU behaviors. The context was a municipal government agency in the U.S. with strong policy and electronic restrictions on PWU. Our study builds on extant research byinvestigating both self-reported PWU (from an online survey of 116 users atthe agency) and objective reports fromthe agency’s electronic monitoring (EM) of PWU. Results of our hypothesis tests indicated that group norms,individual moral norms, and perceived time availability had an effect on PWU while boredom had no effect. Group norms moderated individual moral norms’ effect on PWU. Discrepancies between individuals’ self-reports and the agency’s electronic reports of PWU are explained in terms of differing perceptions of what defines PWU. We describe implications important to both scholars and practitioners

Feasibility study concerning the actual implementation of a joint cross-border procurement procedure by public buyers from different Member States

Joint procurement refers to a situation in which two or more contracting authorities conduct a procurement procedure together. The key characteristic of this specific procedure is that only one tender is published on behalf of all participating contracting authorities. The notion of joint procurement does not automatically imply any cross-border element as such. Joint cross-border procurement refers to the particular procurement procedure which involves contracting authorities from different Member States conducting a common tender by bundling their demands and acting jointly in the award of the contract. There have already been some attempts to conduct JCBPP procedures in the European Union, despite the fact that until the implementation of Directive 2014/24/EU there were no explicit legal provisions to facilitate such forms of cooperation. Therefore contracting authorities faced both legal and practical difficulties, mostly due to conflicts between national public procurement rules and barriers preventing recourse to other Member States’ central purchasing body or the joint cross-border award of public contracts. Currently existing literature still offers only a few contributions describing the use and impact of JCBPP and the limited practical experience there is in conducting such procedures has not been presented in an aggregated form so far. This analysis is intended to help identify the best solutions for implementing JCBPP projects and offers concrete recommendations which should serve as a guideline for all interested stakeholders. The aim of the study is not to assess theoretical scenarios of JCBPP between contracting authorities in different Member States or to offer a legal analysis of factors that can influence the implementation of such projects. Its scope is to practically analyse projects that have been implemented in the past months or years and to highlight how they have been conducted, the obstacles or difficulties experienced by the participating contracting authorities and how they managed to overcome them. Centralised – and therefore “joint” – purchasing techniques are successfully used in most Member States and the idea of exploring a cross-border dimension is generating more and more interest as it facilitates cooperation between contracting authorities across Europe and at the same time enhances the benefits of the Internal Market by creating better business opportunities for economic operators. Thus, this feasibility study on the possible implementation of a JCBPP procedure consists of an analysis of relevant JCPPP projects, including a cost benefit analysis, and draws conclusions based on the main issues which need to be considered when conducting a JCBPP. The results of the feasibility study have allowed the drafting of recommendations for the implementation of JCBPP procedures. The feasibility study focuses on the legal, administrative and procedural aspects encountered in four selected JCBPP projects, taking into consideration country and sector-specific characteristics relevant to the implementation of such procedures

Cross-sectional TEM preparation of hybrid inorganic/organic materials systems by ultramicrotomy

Preparation of hybrid inorganic-organic systems (HIOS) for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in cross sectional view is the key for understanding the interfacial structure. Strikingly different materials properties like hardness, cleavability and heat sensitivity limit the number of applicable preparation strategies. Successful preparation of a HIOS system combining ZnO and para-sexiphenyl (6P) is realized by ultramicrotomy. It is shown that the alignment of the cutting plane with respect to the (0001) cleavage plane of ZnO plays a decisive role for successful preparation of extended TEM lamellae and the preservation of the HIOS structure. In particular, for (0001) oriented ZnO substrates the optimum cut direction is parallel to the HIOS interface. In cross-sectional high-resolution TEM images (100) lattice planes of 6P are observed proving the appropriate preparation strategy.Peer Reviewe

Physical and chemical research microsheres obtained by plasma methods based on technogenic waste

In this paper, we present the results of research based on microspheres of ash waste of Ekibastuz GRES-1 obtained by the plasma method. Held XRF and IR spectral analyzes of the resulting microspheres. When comparing the infrared spectra of the feedstock, and the resulting microspheres based ASW plasma method, a shift of the fundamental absorption bands in the shortwave frequency range (absorption band at 1062.12 cm-1)

Angiogenic gene expression and vascular density are reflected in ultrasonographic features of synovitis in early Rheumatoid Arthritis: an observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Neovascularization contributes to the development of sustained synovial inflammation in the early stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Ultrasound (US) provides an indirect method of assessing synovial blood flow and has been shown to correlate with clinical disease activity in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. This study examines the relationship of US determined synovitis with synovial vascularity, angiogenic/lymphangiogenic factors and cellular mediators of inflammation in a cohort of patients with early Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients prior to therapeutic intervention with disease modifying therapy or corticosteroids. METHODS: An ultrasound guided synovial biopsy of the supra-patella pouch was performed in 12 patients with early RA prior to treatment. Clinical, US and biochemical assessments were undertaken prior to the procedure. Ultrasound images and histological samples were obtained from the supra-patella pouch. Histological samples were stained for Factor VIII and a-SMA (a-smooth muscle actin). Using digital imaging analysis a vascular area score was recorded. QT-PCR (quantitative-PCR) of samples provided quantification of angiogenic and lymphangiogenic gene expression and immunohistochemistry stained tissue was scored for macrophage, T cell and B cell infiltration using an existing semi-quantitative score. RESULTS: Power Doppler showed a good correlation with histological vascular area (Spearman r--0.73) and angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), Angiopoietin 2 and Tie-2. In addition, lymphangiogenic factors such as VEGF-C and VEGF-R3 correlated well with US assessment of synovitis. A significant correlation was also found between power Doppler and synovial thickness, pro-inflammatory cytokines and sub-lining macrophage infiltrate. Within the supra-patella pouch there was no significant difference in US findings, gene expression or inflammatory cell infiltrate between any regions of synovium biopsied. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound assessment of synovial tissue faithfully reflects synovial vascularity. Both grey scale and power Doppler synovitis in early RA patients correlate with a pro-angiogenic and lymphangiogenic gene expression profile. In early RA both grey scale and power Doppler synovitis are associated with a pro-inflammatory cellular and cytokine profile providing considerable validity in its use as an objective assessment of synovial inflammation in clinical practice

Avaliação do modelo CANEGRO/DSSAT para quatro cultivares de cana-de-açúcar.

A parametrização do modelo DSSAT/CANEGRO para a realidade brasileira é de grande importância para a obtenção de uma ferramenta para o monitoramento de safras agrícolas e para a elaboração de cenários agrícolas futuros. O presente trabalho enfocou as cultivares R570, NCo376, RB72-454 e SP83-2847 nas condições de Piracicaba/SP. Os dados biométricos foram coletados no Centro de Tecnologia Canavieira, comparando-se os valores observados com as simulações para as seguintes variáveis: perfilhamento, altura de colmo, IAF, número de folhas verdes; e a fitomassa da parte aérea. O modelo apresentou resultados satisfatórios para todas as cultivares testadas, com exceção da NCo376, para a qual houve subestimativa da massa seca da parte aérea (-32%) e índice de área foliar (-13%).CBA 2009

Social Genomics of Healthy and Disordered Internet Gaming

Objectives: To combine social genomics with cultural approaches to expand understandings of the somatic health dynamics of online gaming, including in the controversial nosological construct of internet gaming disorder (IGD). Methods: In blood samples from 56 U.S. gamers, we examined expression of the conserved transcriptional response to adversity (CTRA), a leukocyte gene expression profile activated by chronic stress. We compared positively engaged and problem gamers, as identified by an ethnographically developed measure, the Positive and Negative Gaming Experiences Scale (PNGE-42), and also by a clinically derived IGD scale (IGDS-SF9). Results: CTRA profiles showed a clear relationship with PNGE-42, with a substantial linkage to offline social support, but were not meaningfully associated with disordered play as measured by IGDS-SF9. Conclusions: Our study advances understanding of the psychobiology of play, demonstrating via novel transcriptomic methods the association of negatively experienced internet play with biological measures of chronic threat, uncertainty, and distress. Our findings are consistent with the view that problematic patterns of online gaming are a proxy for broader patterns of biopsychosocial stress and distress such as loneliness, rather than a psychiatric disorder sui generis, which might exist apart from gamers ’ other life problems. By confirming the biological correlates of certain patterns of internet gaming, culturally-sensitive genomics approaches such as this can inform both evolutionary theorizing regarding the nature of play, as well as current psychiatric debates about the appropriateness of modeling distressful gaming on substance addiction and problem gambling

Slope Failure in Loess. A detailed investigation Allandale, Banks Peninsula

This study investigates a slope failure complex in loess at Allandale, Lyttelton Harbour. Literature relevant to the slope stability and strength of Banks Peninsula loessial soils is reviewed. Laboratory and in situ strength testing shows that both C and P layer loess in a partially saturated state displays a significant reduction in undrained shear strength with increasing degree of saturation. Strength reduction can be attributed to reduced pore water tension due to capillary suction which results from an increased degree of saturation. The moisture controlled strength component in partially saturated loess can be defined by any two of dry density, moisture content and degree of saturation. When comparing loess C and P layer remoulded strengths with peak strengths, the P layer is significantly more sensitive to remoulding than C layer. Drained direct shear testing of C layer loess produces remoulded and peak strength parameters of c'=O, Ø'=28.4° and c'=6kPa, Ø '=28.4° respectively. Drained direct shear testing of P layer loess produced remoulded and peak shear strength parameters of c'=O, Ø '=28.4° and c'=20kPa, Ø '=28.4° respectively. The slope failure complex investigated has been formed by an earthflow initiated by a tension crack in C layer loess (which acts as an unconfined leaky aquifer). Subsequent retrogressive upslope and lateral migration of the slope failure complex involves "turfmat slides" in S layer loess which also acts as an unconfined leaky aquifer, and more tension crack initiated earth flows in C layer loess. Back analysis suggests both forms of slope movement may have failed by translational sliding at the base of their respective loess layer, with a piezometric level coincident with the ground surface. Mobilisation of the "turfmat slide", requires drained remoulded shear strengths, whereas mobilisation of the earth flow is more likely to involve drained peak shear strengths