Two-way learning in west/east mergers & acquisitions: Short term and long term viewpoints

This paper reviews the literature in the fields of learning, knowledge creation and storage in organisations and links the theories in these fields to mergers and acquisitions. Specifically, mergers and acquisitions (M&As) of East German ex-combines by western firms are examined from the viewpoint of - does the dominant culture always win or is it possible for two-way learning? The answer to these questions seems to depend upon the mode of acquisition, the level of acculturation and on the length of time elapsed. These three factors and others are combined into a model to predict potential results of M&As. The theory section is supported by data collected from six western M&As in East Germany where a total of 36 in-depth, open ended interviews were held. Dem vorliegenden Artikel wird ein Literaturüberblick zum organisationalen Lernen sowie der Wissenserzeugung und -speicherung von Wissen in Organisationen vorangestellt. Die entsprechenden Theorien werden auf das Spezialthema dieser JEEMS-Ausgabe übertragen. Es werden Übernahmen von ostdeutschen Kombinaten durch westliche Unternehmen untersucht. Folgende Frage steht dabei im Mittelpunkt: Gewinnt immer die dominante Kultur oder ist auch ein wechselseitiges Lernen möglich? Die Art des Zukaufs, der wahrgenommene Grad der Akkulturation und die seit der Übernahme vergangene Zeit scheinen hierauf Einfluß zu haben. Es wird ein Arbeitsmodell entwickelt, um die möglichen Folgen von Unternehmenszusammenschlüssen vorhersagen zu können. Aussagen aus 36 Interviews in sechs untersuchten ostdeutschen Betrieben bekräftigen die theoretischen Vorannahmen

Two-way learning in west/east mergers & acquisitions: Short term and long term viewpoints

This paper reviews the literature in the fields of learning, knowledge creation and storage in organisations and links the theories in these fields to mergers and acquisitions. Specifically, mergers and acquisitions (M&As) of East German ex-combines by western firms are examined from the viewpoint of - does the dominant culture always win or is it possible for two-way learning? The answer to these questions seems to depend upon the mode of acquisition, the level of acculturation and on the length of time elapsed. These three factors and others are combined into a model to predict potential results of M&As. The theory section is supported by data collected from six western M&As in East Germany where a total of 36 in-depth, open ended interviews were held. Dem vorliegenden Artikel wird ein Literaturüberblick zum organisationalen Lernen sowie der Wissenserzeugung und -speicherung von Wissen in Organisationen vorangestellt. Die entsprechenden Theorien werden auf das Spezialthema dieser JEEMS-Ausgabe übertragen. Es werden Übernahmen von ostdeutschen Kombinaten durch westliche Unternehmen untersucht. Folgende Frage steht dabei im Mittelpunkt: Gewinnt immer die dominante Kultur oder ist auch ein wechselseitiges Lernen möglich? Die Art des Zukaufs, der wahrgenommene Grad der Akkulturation und die seit der Übernahme vergangene Zeit scheinen hierauf Einfluß zu haben. Es wird ein Arbeitsmodell entwickelt, um die möglichen Folgen von Unternehmenszusammenschlüssen vorhersagen zu können. Aussagen aus 36 Interviews in sechs untersuchten ostdeutschen Betrieben bekräftigen die theoretischen Vorannahmen

BODIPY-based conjugated polymers for broadband light sensing and harvesting applications

The synthesis of novel low band-gap polymers has significantly improved light sensing and harvesting in polymer-fullerene devices. Here the synthesis of two low band-gap polymers based on the 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene core (BODIPY), and either bis(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (bis-EDOT) or its all-sulfur analogue bis(3,4-ethylenedithiathiophene) (bis-EDTT) are described. The polymers demonstrate ambipolar charge transport and are shown to be suitable for broadband light sensing and solar energy harvesting in solution-processable polymer-fullerene devices

The role of structural and electronic factors in shaping the ambipolar properties of donor-acceptor polymers of thiophene and benzothiadiazole

The influence of different thiophene donor units on electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of benzothiadiazole based donor–acceptor π-conjugated organic materials is studied. Two different structure modification vectors of the donor units are being considered – one addressing the intermolecular interactions through off-conjugation side chain architecture, and the other focusing on intramolecular interactions tuned by in-conjugation substituents. Electrochemical and simultaneous in situ EPR-UV-Vis-NIR spectroelectrochemical studies of the oxidative (p-) and reductive (n-) doping processes, which are responsible for the optoelectronic properties of these materials, revealed their disparate course and dissimilar effects of redox reactions of the conjugated π-bond. While p-doping prevalent species were found to comprise intensively interacting spin bearing and spinless charge carriers, the n-doping state was found to involve only one type of negatively charged carrier, with spin carrying species being selectively generated at due cathodic potentials. No spin pairing of these negative polarons was observed with their increasing population behaving like a collection of localised charge carriers. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons between the p- and n-doping carrier populations provided independent support for the spin pairing phenomena of positive charge carriers. Steric effects of varying alkyl side chain substitution have demonstrated predominant impact on the electrochemical properties of investigated polymers, and, thereto related, stability of n-doped state, while mesomeric effects of different 3,4-ethylenechalcogenide thiophene functionalities have been found to shape the energy level related spectral properties of these polymers, with particular reference to p-doping induced charged states. These findings provide new insights into the factors requiring attention during structure tailoring of donor–acceptor assemblies for organic optoelectronic applications

Miniature nitro and peroxide vapor sensors using nanoporous thin films

With the increased and continuous threat of terrorist attacks in public areas, new sensors are required to safeguard the public from home-made explosive devices. Current commercial sensors for explosive vapors are high-cost, bulky equipment not amenable to mass production, thus limiting their widespread deployment within society. We are conducting research on polymer-based microsensors that can overcome these limitations. Our devices offer an approach to the realization of low-cost sensors that can readily be placed as a network of electronic sentinels that can be permanently located in areas of public access. The polymers are chemically tailored to have a high affinity for nitro and peroxide vapors and are grown electrochemically on microelectrodes. Novel nanoporous polymer-based sensors are demonstrated with a detection level of 200 ppb of nitro vapors. In addition, a prototype reversible sensor for peroxide vapors is demonstrated to low ppm concentrations

Quantifying gross vs. net agricultural land use change in Great Britain using the Integrated Administration and Control System

Land use change has impacts upon many natural processes, and is one of the key measures of anthropogenic disturbance on ecosystems. Agricultural land covers 70% of Great Britain's (GB) land surface and annually undergoes disturbance and change through farming practices such as crop rotation, ploughing and the planting and subsequent logging of forestry. It is important to quantify how much of GB's agricultural land undergoes such changes and what those changes are at an annual temporal resolution. Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) data give annual snapshots of agricultural land use at the field level, allowing for high resolution spatiotemporal land use change studies at the national scale. Crucially, not only do the data allow for simple net change studies (total area change of a land use, in a specific areal unit) but also for gross change calculations (summation of all changes to and from a land use), meaning that both gains and losses to and from each land use category can be defined. In this study we analysed IACS data for GB from 2005 to 2013, and quantified gross change for over 90% of the agricultural area in GB for the first time. It was found that gross change totalled 63,500 km2 in GB compared to 20,600 km2 of net change, i.e. the real year-on-year change is, on average, three times larger than net change. This detailed information on nature of land use change allows for increased accuracy in modelling the impact of land use change on ecosystem processes and is directly applicable across EU member states, where collection of such survey data is a requirement. The modelled carbon flux associated with gross land use change was at times >100 Gg C y−1 larger than that based on net land use change for some land use transitions

The μ opioid agonist morphine modulates potentiation of capsaicin-evoked TRPV1 responses through a cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A pathway

BACKGROUND: The vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) is critical in the development of inflammatory hyperalgesia. Several receptors including G-protein coupled prostaglandin receptors have been reported to functionally interact with the TRPV1 through a cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) pathway to potentiate TRPV1-mediated capsaicin responses. Such regulation may have significance in inflammatory pain. However, few functional receptor interactions that inhibit PKA-mediated potentiation of TRPV1 responses have been described. RESULTS: In the present studies we investigated the hypothesis that the μ opioid receptor (MOP) agonist morphine can modulate forskolin-potentiated capsaicin responses through a cAMP-dependent PKA pathway. HEK293 cells were stably transfected with TRPV1 and MOP, and calcium (Ca(2+)) responses to injection of the TRPV1 agonist capsaicin were monitored in Fluo-3-loaded cells. Pre-treatment with morphine did not inhibit unpotentiated capsaicin-induced Ca(2+ )responses but significantly altered capsaicin responses potentiated by forskolin. TRPV1-mediated Ca(2+ )responses potentiated by the direct PKA activator 8-Br-cAMP and the PKC activator Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetatewere not modulated by morphine. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed that the TRPV1 and MOP are co-expressed on cultured Dorsal Root Ganglion neurones, pointing towards the existence of a functional relationship between the G-protein coupled MOP and nociceptive TRPV1. CONCLUSION: The results presented here indicate that the opioid receptor agonist morphine acts via inhibition of adenylate cyclase to inhibit PKA-potentiated TRPV1 responses. Targeting of peripheral opioid receptors may therefore have therapeutic potential as an intervention to prevent potentiation of TRPV1 responses through the PKA pathway in inflammation

Meningococcal disease in children in Merseyside, England:a 31 year descriptive study

Meningococcal disease (MCD) is the leading infectious cause of death in early childhood in the United Kingdom, making it a public health priority. MCD most commonly presents as meningococcal meningitis (MM), septicaemia (MS), or as a combination of the two syndromes (MM/MS). We describe the changing epidemiology and clinical presentation of MCD, and explore associations with socioeconomic status and other risk factors. A hospital-based study of children admitted to a tertiary children's centre, Alder Hey Children's Foundation Trust, with MCD, was undertaken between 1977 to 2007 (n = 1157). Demographics, clinical presentations, microbiological confirmation and measures of deprivation were described. The majority of cases occurred in the 1-4 year age group and there was a dramatic fall in serogroup C cases observed with the introduction of the meningococcal C conjugate (MCC) vaccine. The proportion of MS cases increased over the study period, from 11% in the first quarter to 35% in the final quarter. Presentation with MS (compared to MM) and serogroup C disease (compared to serogroup B) were demonstrated to be independent risk factors for mortality, with odds ratios of 3.5 (95% CI 1.18 to 10.08) and 2.18 (95% CI 1.26 to 3.80) respectively. Cases admitted to Alder Hey were from a relatively more deprived population (mean Townsend score 1.25, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.41) than the Merseyside reference population. Our findings represent one of the largest single-centre studies of MCD. The presentation of MS is confirmed to be a risk factor of mortality from MCD. Our study supports the association between social deprivation and MCD

Quantitative analysis of regulatory flexibility under changing environmental conditions

The circadian clock controls 24-h rhythms in many biological processes, allowing appropriate timing of biological rhythms relative to dawn and dusk. Known clock circuits include multiple, interlocked feedback loops. Theory suggested that multiple loops contribute the flexibility for molecular rhythms to track multiple phases of the external cycle. Clear dawn- and dusk-tracking rhythms illustrate the flexibility of timing in Ipomoea nil. Molecular clock components in Arabidopsis thaliana showed complex, photoperiod-dependent regulation, which was analysed by comparison with three contrasting models. A simple, quantitative measure, Dusk Sensitivity, was introduced to compare the behaviour of clock models with varying loop complexity. Evening-expressed clock genes showed photoperiod-dependent dusk sensitivity, as predicted by the three-loop model, whereas the one- and two-loop models tracked dawn and dusk, respectively. Output genes for starch degradation achieved dusk-tracking expression through light regulation, rather than a dusk-tracking rhythm. Model analysis predicted which biochemical processes could be manipulated to extend dusk tracking. Our results reveal how an operating principle of biological regulators applies specifically to the plant circadian clock