BRAND ORIGIN DAN PERSEPSI KONSUMEN TERHADAP KUALITAS PRODUK SMARTPHONE ANDROID

This research aims to find out how respondents perceived quality of smartphone android brand origin from Japan, Indonesia, and South Korea. The population in this research is the users of smartphone android in Yogyakarta. The sample used was 200 students of 5 universities in Yogyakarta, such as UAJY, UII, UNY, UMY and USD. Tools analyze for 4 hypotheses in this research use paired sample t-test, independent sample t-test, and simple regression linear. The result of this research yields that the respondents use the perception of brand origin in deciding perceived quality of the product. The higher GDP of the brand origin country, the respondent evaluation of quality is better. This research shows that ethnocentrism has a good influence and significant toward the perception of the smartphone android from Indonesian brand origin. Practical implication from this research is smartphone companies which located in the countries that have positive associations should make the communication process that shows where the origin of their brand, so costumers know it

Analysis of Neanderthal Biodistance using Non-Metric Features of the Dentition

The Neanderthals lived in small communities of hunters and gatherers and were present in a large geographical area extending from Portugal to Siberia. This expansive range implies that Neanderthals lived in a great diversity of climatic conditions. Paleoanthropologists agree, in their observations, that there are differences between European and Middle Eastern Neanderthals, and that this variation covers an east to west cline. Research based on mtDNA simulation has defined three subgroups, a Western subgroup, a Southern subgroup and an Eastern subgroup. This study of Neanderthal biodistance, based on non-metric features of the dentition, aims to address the dental character variability among Neanderthals. This point would permit to determine the presence of Neanderthal subgroups, and, if so, the existence of an east to west cline. From the dental data and the subgroup distribution, the Neanderthal population emigration can be estimated. Results of this research indicate that there is variation in the frequencies of Neanderthal dental characters, the molars showing the most variation, and that this variation can be used to identify four Neanderthal subgroups. This variation is consistent with an east to west, clinal distribution of Neanderthals, and provides evidence of movement patterns within this species

Urban trees – for better or for worse : differences in regulating and supporting ecosystem services between broadleaved and conifer trees in the urban environment

Träd har en viktig roll i att klimatanpassa städer genom att leverera ekosystemtjänster. I nordiska städer planteras mest lövträd eftersom det historiskt funnits ett kulturellt motstånd mot barrträd. Flera barrträd tål dock stadens ogästvänliga ståndort och eftersom de flesta barrträden är städsegröna kan de leverera ekosystemtjänster året om. I denna uppsats undersöks skillnader mellan löv- och barrträd utifrån sex reglerande och stödjande ekosystemtjänster med hjälp av en systematisk litteraturstudie. Resultaten visar att barrträd, som har komplexare bladstruktur, större sammanlagd bladyta och städsegrön krona kan vara effektivare på ekosystemtjänsterna luftrening, dagvattenhantering och vindskydd. Lövträd kan, med bredare kronor och lövfällning, vara effektivare på temperaturreglering. Kolupptagning/kolinlagring kan anses vara likvärdiga för löv- och barrträd och i stället bero på andra faktorer såsom trädets biomassa, tillväxthastighet och växtbäddsförhållanden. För biologisk mångfald med avseende på habitat och föda för andra organismer kunde det konstateras att löv- och barrträd fyller olika funktioner och därför behövs båda trädslag i staden. Lokal artsammansättning och om träden är inhemska eller inte kan dock anses vara viktigare faktorer för denna ekosystemtjänst. Resultatet indikerar att skillnaden mellan löv- och barrträd är större för luftrening men mindre för dagvattenhantering i det syd- och mellansvenska klimatet än vad internationell forskning visar. För svenskt klimat är det framför allt rumslig komposition som avgör skillnaden i temperaturreglering och vindskydd. Trädets förmåga att leverera de sex undersökta ekosystemtjänsterna beror på fler faktorer såsom platsen, växtbädd, skötsel, artsammansättning, komposition, förekomst och ålder (tid) och dessa bör tas i beaktning vid trädval. Denna uppsats redogör för vilka ekosystemtjänster man kan förväntas få från löv- och barrträd i stadsmiljö och kan vägleda till ett medvetet trädval.Trees play a significant role in climate adaptation by delivering ecosystem services. Broadleaved trees are commonly planted in Nordic cities because of the historic cultural resistance towards conifers. Yet, many conifers tolerate the harsh urban environment and have potential to deliver ecosystem services all year round since most conifers are evergreen. This essay will investigate differences between broadleaved and conifer trees in six regulating and supporting ecosystem services through systematic literature studies. The results show that conifers, which have a more complex leaf structure, bigger total leaf area and evergreen canopies can be more effective at removing pollutants, managing storm water and to create wind protection. However, broadleaved trees can by being deciduous and by having broader canopies be more effective at mitigating temperature. Carbon sequestration and storage can be considered equal for broadleaved and conifer trees and depend more on other factors like biomass, growth rate and soil conditions. For biodiversity concerning habitat and food provisioning for other organisms, broadleaved and conifer trees have distinct roles and are both needed in urban areas. However, local species composition and whether the trees are native or not could be more crucial factors for this ecosystem service. The results indicate that the differences between broadleaved and conifer trees are bigger for air purification but smaller for storm water management in the climate of south and central Sweden than what international research shows. For Swedish climate, especially spatial composition decides the difference in temperature mitigation and wind protection. The trees’ capacity to deliver these ecosystem services depend on additional factors such site, soil, management, species and spatial composition, frequency and age (time) and these should be considered in tree selection. This essay covers which ecosystem services one can expect from broadleaved and conifer trees in urban areas and can guide a conscious tree selection

Stratégies de conservation pour l’aire d’estivage du papillon monarque (danaus plexippus)

Cet essai a pour objectif de proposer des stratégies de conservation pour l’aire d’estivage du papillon monarque (Danaus plexippus) et d’identifier les actions pertinentes pour sa conservation. La problématique de conservation du papillon monarque est présentée, en particulier la question du déclin de l’espèce dans son aire d’estivage et l'identification des effets anthropiques ou naturels qui provoquent ce déclin, tout particulièrement en ce qui a trait à la population de l’est de l’Amérique du Nord. Ensuite, une analyse de l’historique et du contexte de conservation du papillon monarque à partir des conventions internationales, des législations à l’échelle trilatérale et des outils de protection actuels dans son aire d’estivage, aux échelles nationale et internationale, a été réalisé. Ceci a permis de proposer des actions pertinentes pour la conservation du papillon monarque dans un contexte trilatéral. Les stratégies suggérées permettent que l’espèce rencontre les ressources dont elle a besoin lors de son parcours migratoire. Les actions de conservation dans l’habitat du monarque sont proposées là où elles sont réalisables. Ceci a pour but d’augmenter la connectivité entre les parcelles d’habitats dans l’aire d’estivage et plus précisément dans le corridor migratoire. Ces actions prévoient la restauration d’habitat par la promotion d’alternatives économiques comme la production de la fibre d’asclépiade pour l’industrie textile. De plus, ces actions incluent la valorisation de l’asclépiade en tant qu’élément clé dans la lutte biologique contre les punaises nuisibles aux cultures de coton. On recommande l’utilisation des servitudes écologiques pour encourager, au moyen d’outils fiscaux, la restauration de zones spécifiques comme les droits de passage des services publics tels que les emprises des lignes à haute tension et les bords des routes. Finalement, il est suggéré de prévoir la désignation, la restauration et la connectivité des habitats à la limite de la distribution actuelle du papillon monarque et ce, en vue des changements climatiques

La phytoremédiation des sols dans le Sertão brésilien

La contamination des sols est une problématique mondiale qui contribue à leur dégradation. Les sols sont de plus en plus sollicités par les activités humaines qui les modifient et les endommagent par, entre autres, une utilisation agricole inadaptée et non durable. Au Brésil, particulièrement dans la région semi-aride, ce phénomène n’est pas exclu et touche de nombreux habitants qui n’ont pas nécessairement les ressources pour faire face à cette problématique. De plus, les impacts environnementaux qui en découlent peuvent avoir des répercussions majeures sur le bon fonctionnement des écosystèmes. Dans une optique de durabilité des écosystèmes et d’une préoccupation de santé mondiale, ce travail se veut une porte d’entrée vers des solutions qui peuvent être apportées concrètement sur le terrain et qui concernent les habitants. L’analyse d’une technique simple et peu coûteuse est proposée: la phytoremédiation. Celle-ci utilise la croissance naturelle des plantes dans le but de décontaminer les sols pollués. Ainsi, elle pourrait être implantée chez les petits et moyens propriétaires de terres qui sont aux prises avec des sols contaminés, fruit de l’utilisation massive des produits phytosanitaires et des conséquences de l’irrigation ayant entraîné la salinisation des terres. Afin de bien comprendre le contexte dans lequel cette technique doit évoluer, l’accent est mis sur les paramètres biophysiques et sociaux de la région du Sertão brésilien, notamment le climat semi-aride, le biome particulier qui s’y trouve ainsi que la situation précaire des habitants, d’un point de vue financier et social. Ainsi, suite à une analyse de faisabilité concernant les paramètres spécifiques à la région, le Sertão brésilien serait propice à l’implantation de la phytoremédiation chez les petits et moyens propriétaires de terres. Cependant, certaines limites et contraintes avec lesquelles les utilisateurs de la phytoremédiation doivent composer restent à être considérées. En fait, la décontamination des pesticides reste une voie à explorer, bien que des études soient prometteuses. En ce qui concerne la salinisation, des projets devraient aller de l’avant, car de nombreuses informations sont déjà disponibles. Les recommandations émergentes de ce travail suggèrent de poursuivre les recherches et l’éducation dans le domaine de la phytoremédiation en sol semi-aride brésilien ainsi que de créer des réseaux entre agriculteurs, experts et subventionnaires. De plus, en promouvant de nouvelles formes de pratiques agricoles qui sont respectueuses de l’environnement, comme avec l’agriculture biologique et en s’attaquant directement à la source du problème la dégradation des sols pourrait être ralentie. Enfin, l’implication du gouvernement par l’établissement de politiques publiques et de règles plus strictes devrait encourager les bonnes pratiques de gestion des terres

Nécrologie

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Build a people & performance culture: quality analysis of personal targets to optimize the learning and development journey

The main purpose of our ICP project at Vandemoortele entails a quality check of the personal targets of all staff associates to help develop the performance culture in the company. We distinguish three key objectives in this project; a short term, a mid-term and a long term. The short-term objective is to help people understand why and how they need to upgrade (and update) their personal targets. Secondly, the mid-term objective is to make sure leaders can help their teams in updating their targets while following up on their progress using the available tools such as ‘continuous feedback’. Lastly, the long-term objective is to build the right performance culture at Vandemoortele by integrating discipline throughout the whole organization. As a consequence of COVID-19, the given timeframe was shortened which forced us to speed up the goal scoring process and analysis of the personal targets. Since no quality checks were performed previously, our project should give the company an insight in the quality level of the personal targets in all layers of the company. By providing more insights into the current performance and development process we gained some critical knowledge about the current situation and what further development objectives there were planned out. As supporting tools, the OGSAM method was introduced to ensure a smooth and aligned top-to-bottom targets cascading. In addition, principles such as SMART have been introduced in an earlier stage to staff associates for them to be used as guideline when setting personal targets. We start our report by giving in depth information about both the OGSAM method and SMART principles to provide the correct framework in which this project took place. To provide as much valuable information as possible, we split the personal targets into ‘goal’ and ‘measure’, as is the case when the employees fill in their personal targets in SuccessFactors, and score them separately on a score of 5 to come to a total score on 10 for the personal target. One employee can have up to six different personal targets, so we take the average of all personal targets as the score for one employee. In total 2423 personal targets were analysed from a total of 606 staff associates. We developed a scoring system that took into account the relevant scoring criteria, which will be elaborately discussed in the methodology. We focussed the analysis of the data on four different levels; the individual level, the department level, the country level and Vandemoortele in total on a company level. By using the department and country averages, we could benchmark these with the total company average to show which departments and countries are doing good and which could improve the most. Furthermore, we could take the average of scores of the personal targets of one employee and categorise him/her into four different categories: highly improvable, improvable, acceptable and good quality. In the next stage of our project, every employee received a mail which described in which of these four categories they belonged, with specific tips and tricks per department to help them improve their personal target setting. We delivered a general report of the quality level of personal targets, which our project supervisor presented to the Exco. In addition, we delivered country and department specific reports that entailed both quantitative and qualitative information about the goal setting performance of those respective domains, alongside specific tips and tricks to improve the quality level. Lastly, we also delivered team specific results for managers on request, which provided a manager with detailed information of the quality of the personal targets of his/her team members. In our report we will go more in detail about the content of these reports. Regarding the results of the analysis, 53% of the goals are of good quality being that they score 4 or 5 out of 5. Both the country- and department-specific findings also indicate that goals are greatly aligned with SMART at Vandemoortele as they often meet the requirements. Country wise for the goal setting, Germany has the leading position with an average of 3.56, whereas the United Kingdom finds itself as most improvable country with an average of 2.70. To further improve, all countries are encouraged to keep up the good work and to continuously challenge themselves to ultimately generate better performance. Department wise, goals also appear to be correctly set following the required guidelines. Approximately 65% of the reviewed goals scored 3 (24%) or 4 (41%) out of 5. ENG and QA are the departments gathering the highest scores within 'goals’. For R&D and PROC on the other hand, there is a lot of room for improvement regarding the goal setting.Contrarily to the goals, only 37,8% of the measures are of good quality. Within the measures, Spain obtains the first place with an average of 3.61 and Germany closes the ranking with 2.55. On the other hand, HR is the best scoring department with an average of 3.67, meanwhile, LEG is ranked last with 2.00. One main conclusion is that measure setting seems to be a cross departmental challenge. Undoubtedly, setting correct measures that will track the progress towards goals appears to be more demanding when the department is mostly made of qualitative data. In order to improve the overall measure setting, every staff associate was asked to go a step further and set very clear qualitative and quantitative measures including a timebound element whenever possible. We believe that the necessary tools were giving to every concerned employee to support them in their learning and development journey. The current practices and principles were challenged in the discussion part where we performed a literature review on other existing methodologies regarding personal target setting and strategy execution. The two methodologies we considered were FAST and NLP driven frameworks, with regard to personal target setting. For strategy execution, the Balanced Scorecard and Strategy map are elaborated. Finally, these methodologies were compared to the prevailing practices at Vandemoortele to challenge the status quo and provide new insights for the compan

Extreme ultraviolet laser excitation of isotopic molecular nitrogen: the dipole-allowed spectrum of ¹⁵N₂ and ¹⁴N¹⁵N

Extreme ultraviolet+ultraviolet (XUV+UV) two-photonionizationspectra of the b ¹Πu(v=0–9), c₃¹Πu(v=0,1), o ¹Πu(v=0,1), c′₄¹Σ⁺u(v=1) and b′¹Σ⁺u(v=1,3–6) states of ¹⁵N₂ were recorded with a resolution of 0.3 cm⁻¹ full-width at half-maximum (FWHM). In addition, the b ¹Πu(v=1,5–7) states of ¹⁴N¹⁵N were investigated with the same laser source. Furthermore, using an ultranarrow bandwidth XUV laser [∼250 MHz (∼0.01 cm⁻¹) FWHM], XUV+UV ionizationspectra of the b ¹Πu(v=0–1,5–7), c₃¹Πu(v=0), o ¹Πu(v=0), c′₄¹Σ⁺u(v=0), and b′¹Σ⁺u(v=1) states of ¹⁵N₂ were recorded in order to better resolve the band-head regions. For ¹⁴N¹⁵N, ultrahigh resolution spectra of the b¹Πu(v=0–1,5–6), c₃¹Πu(v=0), and b′¹Σ⁺u(v=1) states were recorded. Rotational analyses were performed for each band, revealing perturbations arising from the effects of Rydberg-valence interactions in the ¹Πu and ¹Σ⁺u states, and rotational coupling between the ¹Πu and ¹Σ⁺umanifolds. Finally, a comprehensive perturbation model, based on the diabatic-potential representation used previously for ¹⁴N₂, and involving diagonalization of the full interaction matrix for all Rydberg and valence states of ¹Σ⁺u and 1Πu symmetry in the energy window 100 000–110 000 cm⁻¹, was constructed. Term values for ¹⁵N₂ and ¹⁴N¹⁵N computed using this model were found to be in good agreement with experiment.The work was supported by the European Community, under the Access to Research Infrastructures initiative of the Improving Human Potential Program, Contract No. HPRI-CT-1999-00064. K.G.H.B. was supported by the Scientific Visits to Europe Program of the Australian Academy of Science