The rectilinear local crossing number of KnK_n

We determine ${\bar{\rm{lcr}}}(K_n)$, the rectilinear local crossing number of the complete graph $K_n$ for every $n$. More precisely, for every $n \notin \{8, 14 \},$ $${\bar{\rm{lcr}}}(K_n)=\left\lceil \frac{1}{2} \left( n-3-\left\lceil \frac{n-3}{3} \right\rceil \right) \left\lceil \frac{n-3}{3} \right\rceil \right\rceil,$$ ${\bar{\rm{lcr}}}(K_8)=4$, and ${\bar{\rm{lcr}}}(K_{14})=15$.Comment: 6 Figures. Changes from v1: Added keywords, MSC2010 codes, a single formula to consider all cases together, and the resolution of the case n=14 that remained as a conjecture on the previous version. Changes from v2: A minor error in Lemma 2 was corrected. Some typos were fixed. Figure 1 was eliminated and Figures 2 and 5 were improved slightly. The last section was split into two section

Analysis of the purchase and consumer behaviour towards direct purchase of food

The paper presented the methodic as well as selected results of own empiric research (face-to-face questionings in seven different questioning regions, n = 1488) to the analysis of the shopping behaviour and the attitudes towards direct purchase. To the analysis of the buying patterns a Kaufverhaltensindex (KVI) was introduced. In the regional comparison will be clear that the questioning regions of Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia show KVI by far highest, while the eastern questioning-regions (particularly Thuringia) are marked by the lowest KVI. Within the attitude measurement (factor analysis) six attitude-dimensions could be extracted. In particular are these: confidence in the emotional product quality, price- consciousness, socio-political motivation, confidence in the conventional food-offer, the orientation to convenience food and health consciousness. The analysis of the buying patterns-relevance (regression analysis) showed the distinct dominance of the attitude dimension to price consciousness. From the segmentation of the whole random check (cluster analysis) result four clusters (DV-sympathizers, price-conscious not-DV- buyers, direct buyers oriented to organic farming and a conventionally oriented DV-cluster). The analytic interpretation of buying patterns and soziodemographic variables as well as the regional affiliation allows a continuing characteristic and differentiation of the found clusters

A Comparison of Quality of Life Measures in Husbands of Women with Breast Cancer

The Quality of Well-Being Scale (QWB-SA) and Medical Outcome Study SF-36 short form (SF-36) are popular health-related quality of life (HRQOL) assessment tools; however, it is unclear whether these measures overlap enough to be interchangeable, and if not, which might be a better choice. This study examined conceptual overlap, validity, and relation with psychosocial functioning of the QWB-SA and SF-36 in a sample of partners of women undergoing adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. Partners (n = 79) of breast cancer patients, recruited in a chemotherapy infusion clinic, completed the QWB-SA and SF-36 and additional psychosocial measures. Descriptive content review shows that both instruments provide a breadth of HRQOL coverage including physical health, mental health, social functioning, role functioning and general health perceptions; however, more QWB-SA scales suffered floor effects. Subscales correlated, with the strongest correlations between the QWB-SA total score and the mental health scales of the SF-36. The QWB-SA and the SF-36 Mental Health Component Summary score, but not the SF-36 Physical Component Summary score were strongly correlated to measures of mood, satisfaction with life, burden, and social support. The QWB-SA and SF-36 measure distinct aspects of HRQOL. Each instrument presents distinct advantages and disadvantages in coverage of particular domains. Labels assigned to SF-36 scales more accurately reflect what they measure. The SF-36 appeared more sensitive to the impact that psychological health played on overall assessment of HRQOL in these partners

Ways to open innovation: main agents and sources in the Portuguese case

Facing increasing open innovation trends, Portuguese enterprises are considering the related processes and impacts. Thus, this work aims to identify the sectors whose enterprises most engage in open innovation (such as cooperation on this issue) and which sources/agents are most used. This is analyzed by sector and type of innovation as an interesting way of differentiation for better open innovation strategy delineation. Using the data from the Community Innovation Survey (CIS-2012), it first appraises the nature of the innovation process, either cooperative or firm-based, as the starting level of analysis. Then, it differentiates the results by sector illustrating which cooperation sources/agents are most used (scope) and relative intensity of use (scale). This is important to assess levels of openness and related factors. Results show that main innovating sectors in Portugal are of three types: research-based, knowledge-based and service-based. They reveal an increasing focus on knowledge and services, trends that have been leading to more active openness towards innovation. For instance, health and construction are increasing their openness for innovating and internationalizing processes. However, Portuguese innovation is still more firm-based (in-house) than cooperation-based, especially concerning new products' launching. This work and future analyzes around it can contribute to encourage the open innovation strategy in more sectors of the economy as an easy and effective way to cope with rapid trends and changes. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Multiferroic behavior of Aurivillius Bi4Mn3O12 from first-principles

The multiferroic behavior of the hypothetical Aurivillius compound Bi4Mn3O12 has been explored on the basis of density functional calculations. We find that the tetragonal paraelectric phase of this material is ferromagnetic, showing ferroelectric and antiferrodistortive instabilities similar to the ones observed in its ferroelectric parent compound Bi4Ti3O12 . Our results indicate, however, that the presence of Mn+4 ions at the B-sites shrinks the cell volume and consequently the unstable polar mode, associated with the ferroelectric polarization, is overcame by an antiferrodistortive distortion. In this way, Bi4Mn3O12 exhibits incipient ferroelectricity at its equilibrium volume. We show that the ferroelectric state can be favored by strain or partial substitution of Mn with Ti.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure