Corporate responsibility, supply chain partnership and performance: An empirical examination

This is the post-print version of the final paper published in International Journal of Production Economics. The published article is available from the link below. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. Copyright @ 2012 Elsevier B.V.Unlike corporate and business levels, there is little research examining corporate responsibility (CR) at the functional level of the firm including supply chain strategy. The results of a firm-level survey show that CR internal awareness, and monitoring CR performance are positively related to the supply chain partnership approach, however sharing CR best practices is negatively associated. Furthermore, the impact of CR on firm performance is mediated by the functional behaviour of supply chain partnership formation. Our study provides support for including CR awareness building and monitoring in the development of partnerships but cautions against imposing CR best practices on suppliers

Bacterial microevolution and the Pangenome

The comparison of multiple genome sequences sampled from a bacterial population reveals considerable diversity in both the core and the accessory parts of the pangenome. This diversity can be analysed in terms of microevolutionary events that took place since the genomes shared a common ancestor, especially deletion, duplication, and recombination. We review the basic modelling ingredients used implicitly or explicitly when performing such a pangenome analysis. In particular, we describe a basic neutral phylogenetic framework of bacterial pangenome microevolution, which is not incompatible with evaluating the role of natural selection. We survey the different ways in which pangenome data is summarised in order to be included in microevolutionary models, as well as the main methodological approaches that have been proposed to reconstruct pangenome microevolutionary history

Examining Cell Movements in the Neurulating Chick Embryo

The avian embryo is a popular animal model because it is widely available (Antin et al., 2004), it is easily manipulated, and it can provide important insights into normal and abnormal embryo development (Kulesa, 2004). While in vivo and in vitro cultures of chick embryos are common, in ovo cultures are rarer, and none have been designed where the egg did not have to be resealed afterwards. The present study aimed to develop a set-up in which the egg would be windowed without resealing the egg so that the embryo would remain accessible for experimental manipulation. As well, this study aimed to track cell movement during neurulation by microinjecting points of dye along the embryo. Two prototypes were developed based on the concept that temperature and moisture controlled air passing over the windowed egg would serve as a blanket. When these prototypes were unable to keep the embryo alive, a protocol developed by Kulesa and Fraser (2004) was adapted for the study. This protocol involved the construction of a Teflon window which was placed in the windowed egg and sealed with beeswax. Initial microinjection tests with Fast Green FCF showed that the dye dissipated quickly after injection, most likely because of the hydrophilicity of the dye. Therefore, a list of non-fluorescent, hydrophobic dyes were chosen and tested for suitability to cell tracking. Time restrictions prevented the actual cell tracking experiments from taking place, but it was found that Oil Red O fulfilled the criteria. As Oil Red O is usually used to identify lipids in static experiments, it remains to be seen whether it would function as a vital dye. Future experiments include expanding the set-up for use with a confocal microscope for a 4-D rendering of cell movement, and taking advantage of the symmetrical nature of neurulation in the chick embryo to examine perturbations to the normal progress of development, via drugs such as valproic acid

The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment: Exploring Fundamental Symmetries of the Universe

The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early Universe, the dynamics of the supernova bursts that produced the heavy elements necessary for life and whether protons eventually decay --- these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our Universe, its current state and its eventual fate. The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) represents an extensively developed plan for a world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions. LBNE is conceived around three central components: (1) a new, high-intensity neutrino source generated from a megawatt-class proton accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, (2) a near neutrino detector just downstream of the source, and (3) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber deployed as a far detector deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. This facility, located at the site of the former Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota, is approximately 1,300 km from the neutrino source at Fermilab -- a distance (baseline) that delivers optimal sensitivity to neutrino charge-parity symmetry violation and mass ordering effects. This ambitious yet cost-effective design incorporates scalability and flexibility and can accommodate a variety of upgrades and contributions. With its exceptional combination of experimental configuration, technical capabilities, and potential for transformative discoveries, LBNE promises to be a vital facility for the field of particle physics worldwide, providing physicists from around the globe with opportunities to collaborate in a twenty to thirty year program of exciting science. In this document we provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess.Comment: Major update of previous version. This is the reference document for LBNE science program and current status. Chapters 1, 3, and 9 provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess. 288 pages, 116 figure

"Are you Chinese enough?": Reflections on identity and Chinese language learning among mixed-heritage adults in the U.S.

1 online resource (PDF, 94 pages). Submitted as a Plan B paper in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a master's degree in English as a Second Language from the University of Minnesota.While much heritage language (HL) research has examined factors that help promote HL learning and maintenance among children of immigrants in the U.S., few studies to date have examined HL learning among mixed-heritage language learners, or those who have an English-speaking American parent and an HL-speaking immigrant parent. By examining the experiences of individuals who do not fit the traditional profile of heritage language learners, this study examines some of the unique challenges and considerations that individuals in mixed families face when learning a heritage language. Through in-depth, semi-structured autobiographical interviews and a Chinese proficiency survey, this study explores the background characteristics and experiences of 11 mixed-heritage adult Chinese as a heritage language (CHL) learners in terms of levels of HL proficiency, language attitudes, and motivation to learn. The interviews explored how self- and other-perceived, contested and negotiated identities (e.g., racialized, gendered) of mixed-heritage individuals relate to their HL learning and maintenance. The findings suggest that HL proficiencies and self- and other-perceived identities are varied and occasionally unpredictable. Many intersectional and contextual circumstances affected HL proficiency and HL experience, including, but not limited to: parental and familial support, HL use in the household, Chinese ethnic identity orientation, individual attitudes towards the HL, and motivation to learn the HL. The findings from this study contribute to the fields of heritage language learning, and specifically family language policy. Findings also highlight the need for more research on HL development and identity among CHL learners from mixed-heritage families.Holst, Abby Li. (2021). "Are you Chinese enough?": Reflections on identity and Chinese language learning among mixed-heritage adults in the U.S.. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/223206

E-Leadership through Strategic Alignment: An Empirical Study of Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises in the Digital Age

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in the European economy. A critical challenge faced by SME leaders, as a consequence of the continuing digital technology revolution, is how to optimally align business strategy with digital technology to fully leverage the potential offered by these technologies in pursuit of longevity and growth. There is a paucity of empirical research examining how e-leadership in SMEs drives successful alignment between business strategy and digital technology fostering longevity and growth. To address this gap, in this paper we develop an empirically derived e-leadership model. Initially we develop a theoretical model of e-leadership drawing on strategic alignment theory. This provides a theoretical foundation on how SMEs can harness digital technology in support of their business strategy enabling sustainable growth. An in-depth empirical study was undertaken interviewing 42 successful European SME leaders to validate, advance and substantiate our theoretically driven model. The outcome of the two stage process – inductive development of a theoretically driven e-leadership model and deductive advancement to develop a complete model through in-depth interviews with successful European SME leaders – is an e-leadership model with specific constructs fostering effective strategic alignment. The resulting diagnostic model enables SME decision makers to exercise effective e-leadership by creating productive alignment between business strategy and digital technology improving longevity and growth prospects

Main Streets and Green Spaces: Creating a Community Vision in Indian Orchard

Main Street and Green Spaces takes a focused look at the neighborhood of Indian Orchard and provides strategies for urban design and landscape architecture to support residents’ visions for the future. With the Studio’s partnership between the Indian Orchard Citizen’s Council, Grow IO (Wellspring Harvest), and the Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development, the overarching goal for each design team was to create a cohesive, phased plan for redeveloping Main Street around the Oak and Main intersection and Parker and the Ludlow Bridge. Special attention was requested for exploring traffic calming measures and ways to support the local businesses present

The Metagenomics and Metadesign of the Subways and Urban Biomes (MetaSUB) International Consortium inaugural meeting report

The Metagenomics and Metadesign of the Subways and Urban Biomes (MetaSUB) International Consortium is a novel, interdisciplinary initiative comprised of experts across many fields, including genomics, data analysis, engineering, public health, and architecture. The ultimate goal of the MetaSUB Consortium is to improve city utilization and planning through the detection, measurement, and design of metagenomics within urban environments. Although continual measures occur for temperature, air pressure, weather, and human activity, including longitudinal, cross-kingdom ecosystem dynamics can alter and improve the design of cities. The MetaSUB Consortium is aiding these efforts by developing and testing metagenomic methods and standards, including optimized methods for sample collection, DNA/RNA isolation, taxa characterization, and data visualization. The data produced by the consortium can aid city planners, public health officials, and architectural designers. In addition, the study will continue to lead to the discovery of new species, global maps of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) markers, and novel biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Finally, we note that engineered metagenomic ecosystems can help enable more responsive, safer, and quantified cities

The cultural roots of compositional capability in China: balanced moderation

A large number of Chinese firms lack the resources for having competitive advantages. Under this severe constraint, such firms are forced to find new paths toward developing certain competitive advantages, including the ability to combine ordinary resources into novel competitive advantages, which is referred to as compositional capability. Such a special capability underlying novel competitive advantages is related to certain cultural factors, such as the Chinese cultural tradition in the case of China. However, the potential links between compositional capability and the Chinese cultural tradition remain poorly understood and largely unspecified. This paper responds to the call for more research on identifying relevant cultural factors by explicating the inherent connections between compositional capability and the Chinese cultural value of balanced moderation