Leadership and Subordinate Engagement: A Meta-Analytic Examination of its Mechanisms using Self-Determination Theory

Although past research has suggested ineffective leadership to be the most common reason for low levels of employee engagement, little is known about the mediating mechanisms underlying this relationship. To address this gap in research, I tested a theoretical model based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 2000) in which two focal mechanisms, leader-member exchange (LMX) and empowerment, functioned in sequential order to predict the relationship between Full Range Leadership and subordinate engagement. Results showed that transactional leadership had positive and negative indirect effects on engagement, suggesting that transactional leadership comprises a double-edged sword as a predictor of subordinate engagement. In contrast, the indirect effects between transformational leadership and engagement were consistently positive. As such, current mediation models used in leadership can benefit by drawing from SDT to investigate the unfolding process of leadership through sequential mediation

Perceived Lack of Teacher Empathy and Remedial Classroom Conflicts

In light of earlier research pertaining to empathy, it is reasonable to believe that certain teachers feel empathic toward students in remedial classrooms. It is also evident that teacher empathy is something that students relish. However, a perceived lack of teacher empathy among students in remedial classes is a concern. The general problem addressed in the study was the effect of teachers’ lack of empathy on remedial college students’ perceptions of teacher–student conflict. The specific problem addressed in the study was the limited research on the impact of teachers’ empathy on remedial students’ perceptions. The purposes of the study were to understand remedial students’ perceptions of teachers’ empathy and to assess the perceived impact of lack of teacher empathy on teacher–student conflict. Participants consisted of 10 students enrolled at Cuyahoga Community College remedial English classes in Cleveland, Ohio. The phenomenological study explored the lived experiences and perceptions of these students in developmental/remedial classes. Students participated in face-to-face recorded interviews. Data were analyzed using NVivo software. Four main themes and several subthemes emerged from the data. Recommendations were offered to help facilitate resolution of teacher–student conflicts that may emerge out of perceived lack of teacher empathy

Anomalies of Limb Regeneration in the Adult Salamander, Ambystoma annulatum

Regeneration in the adult salamander, Ambystoma annulatum, parallels that of the adult newt (Iten & Bryant, 1973). However, a number of unique features become apparent upon examination of anomalies of adult regenerates. Two regenerates which displayed gross abnormalities revealed, upon histological examination, unique features which give insight into a possible pattern of digit formation in this species of adult salamander. Normal regenerates show 4 or 5 digits radiating distal to the same respective number of bones (distal carpals) present in the distal row of wrist bones. The first anomaly showed only two large, fused distal carpals and two lateral digits. The second anomaly contained three bones in the distal row of wrist bones and three digits. From the above observations, one might postulate that since the number of digits that will eventually occur corresponds to the number of wrist bones found in the distal row, then the presence of a proper number of wrist bones in the distal row is essential for normal digit development

Epidermal Ridge Formation During Limb Regeneration in the Adult Salamander, Ambystoma annulatum

Regeneration was studied in the Ambystoma annulatum by the amputation of the right forearm of twenty-four adults, over a twelve month period. At the termination of the experiment the limbs were reamputated 1-2 mm proximal to the original amputation site. The regenerated portions were staged, examined at the gross morphological level, and prepared for histological examination. Gross examination revealed a thickened, ridge-like projection along the distal edge of all regenerating forelimbs at the Early Bud through Middle Palette Stages. Histological examination confirmed the existence of this structure as early as Wound Healing and continuing through Middle Palette to a pseudo-epidermal ridge in the Late Palette Stage. This epidermal ridge is continuous with the adjacent epidermis, but the epidermal ridge extends only along the dorsal distal edge of the regenerate. The epidermis proximal to the original amputation site was, at the maximum, 4-5 cells thick, whereas the epidermal ridge proved to be 60-65 cells at its maximum thickness. It is significant that an epidermal ridge appears on the distal tip of a regenerating adult forelimb in the stages Wound Healing through Middle Palette. A comparable structure, the apical ectodermal ridge, occurs during similar stages in embryonic chick limb development and embryonic amphibian limb development and has been considered a unique, embryonic feature. One might postulate that the function of the epidermal ridge during forelimb regeneration in the adult salamander parallels the function of the apical ectodermal ridge of chick limb bud as an inducer for continued mesodermal outgrowth

The Legacy of State Farms on Ethiopia’s Spatial Structural Transformation

This paper analyzes the determinants of Ethiopian commercial farm and agroprocessing agglomeration patterns. State farm investments during the Derg regime (1974-1991) altered the geospatial distribution of commercial farmland, and concurrently agroprocessing production. Agglomeration patterns have stronger relationships with horticulture state farms due to infrastructure investments implemented by state farm planners. Agroprocessing firms also gain productivity advantages by sourcing inputs domestically, but recent value added growth in the agroprocessing sector was not attributed to commercial farm production growth. Finally, without the government acting as the main coordinating agency to develop commercial farm infrastructure within low-lying regions, high-value cash crop and agro-processing production will be constrained by historic state farm determinants

Eruption Dynamics and Petrology of the Most Recent Eruptions of Nevado Del Ruiz Volcano, Colombia, South America

Field measurements and petrographic analyses of pumices from the most recent tephra deposits of Nevado del Ruiz volcano provide a context in which to view the disastrous eruption of 13 November, 1985 (R0). The pumices are all crystal-rich, two-pyroxene andesites to dacites with whole rock SiO2 contents of 62 - 66 wt.%, and magma water contents estimated to be between 1 - 4 wt.%. The 1985 tephra has greater petrologic diversity than earlier deposits which may be related to an input of a hotter, more basic magma into the Ruiz system, as suggested by xenocrystic olivine which is most abundant in the tephras of R1 (1845) and R0. Maximum pumice and lithic isopleth maps were used to define dispersal axes, classify eruptive styles and estimate theoretical column heights. Isopach maps were used to estimate individual deposit volumes. Results indicate that the pre-1985 eruptions were less intense (lower column heights) than R0, but of greater magnitude (total volume), producing up to 15 times the volume of the 1985 deposit. R6 is petrographically and petrologically unique, and may have originated from a currently inactive crater. Calculated volumes for eruptions R8 - R0 range from 0.02 - 0.29 km3 with estimated column heights of 18 -26 km. All eruptions, except R1 and R6, can be classified as plinian in nature. A cumulative isopach map of the tephra layers from the active Arenas crater reveals that the deposits have accumulated in a nearly circular pattern around the volcano, which is slightly elongate along an axis directed S-SW from the summit. We propose that a revision of the current Ruiz ashfall hazard map is necessary, and should reflect a more balanced consideration of the distribution and volumes of the pre-1985 deposits

A Disciplined Option Writing Strategy Outperforms a Passive Dow 30 Total Return Index

We have tested a simple option strategy of writing cash collaterized puts and covered calls based on data provided by the IVY Option Metrics Database. This database contains the actual put and call prices from December 31, 1995 to December 31 2010 used in this study. Our base case period for our option strategy (December 31, 1999 to December 31, 2010) has resulted in annualized returns ranging from 5.08% to 5.88% depending upon which P/E multiple cut off we used in our model. Comparatively, the DJIA delivered investors a total return of only 2.41%. Furthermore, our strategy, depending on the P/E cut-off, produced a standard deviation ranging from 4.06% to 5.99% versus the DJIA which had a considerably higher standard deviation of 15.77% for the same period measured. Our results beg the question: on a risk adjusted basis is writing of puts and calls a better strategy than simply investing in a passive index such as the Dow 30 index? The portfolio started with a notional $225,000 investment so as to compare it to a passive index investing strategy. The advantage of a simple, non-levered options writing strategy are significant as it handily outperforms a non-options passive index approach when measured on a risk adjusted basis

Millimeter Wave Substrate Integrated Waveguide Antennas: Design and Fabrication Analysis

The paper presents a new concept in antenna design, whereby a photo-imageable thick-film process is used to integrate a waveguide antenna within a multilayer structure. This has yielded a very compact, high performance antenna working at high millimeter-wave (mm-wave) frequencies, with a high degree of repeatability and reliability in antenna construction. Theoretical and experimental results for 70 GHz mm-wave integrated antennas, fabricated using the new technique are presented. The antennas were formed from miniature slotted waveguide arrays using up to 18 layers of photo-imageable material. To enhance the electrical performance a novel folded waveguide array was also investigated. The fabrication process is analysed in detail and the critical issues involved in the fabrication cycle are discussed. The losses in the substrate integrated waveguide have been calculated. The performance of the new integrated antenna is compared to conventional metallic, air-filled waveguide antennas, and also to conventional microstrip antenna arrays operating at the same frequencies