Strategic Change Capability in Marketing Organizations: Conceptualization, Scale Development, and Validation

In dynamic and uncertain business environments, marketing organizations need to be constantly ready to enact strategic changes. However, a robust measure for capturing the organizational capabilities and underlying marketing activities required to achieve effective marketing-related strategic changes is lacking. This study addresses this gap by developing a measurement tool for strategic change capability (SCC). Drawing on interviews with marketing consultants and senior marketing managers, the authors conceptualize SCC as a multidimensional dynamic marketing capability that comprises five dimensions: establishing the business case for change, preparing employees for change, setting up the organization for implementing change, institutionalizing change, and assessing and adjusting implementation. Following rigorous scale development procedures, including (1) item generation, (2) expert evaluation, (3) scale purification, (4) scale validity, (5) nomological and predictive validity, and (6) scale generalizability studies, a psychometrically sound and reliable measure of SCC is developed. The SCC scale facilitates different types of strategic marketing change and predicts performance outcomes better than established constructs (i.e., strategic flexibility, agility, adaptiveness, and responsiveness). This study contributes to the dynamic capabilities theory and provides empirically substantiated guidance for marketing organizations on how to prepare for and effectively enact strategic changes in dynamic business environments

Το φαινόμενο του σχολικού εκφοβισμού (bullying) σε μαθητές με διαφορετική εθνοπολιτισμική προέλευση: τρόποι πρόληψης και αντιμετώπισης από τους εκπαιδευτικούς

Ο σχολικός εκφοβισμός αποτελεί μια ανθρώπινη συμπεριφορά που εκδηλώνεται όλο και πιο έντονα στο σχολικό περιβάλλον και συνδέεται συχνά με ζητήματα εθνοπολιτισμικής ετερότητας. Σκοπός της παρούσας μελέτης είναι να διερευνήσει το φαινόμενο του εκφοβισμού, τους τρόπους πρόληψης και αντιμετώπισης του φαινομένου από τους εκπαιδευτικούς στο ελληνικό σχολείο. Η μεθοδολογία έρευνας που ακολουθείται είναι η ποσοτική έρευνα με τη χρήση ενός τυποποιημένου ερωτηματολογίου. Το δείγμα της έρευνας αποτελούν δάσκαλοι Πρωτοβάθμιας Εκπαίδευσης που εργάζονται σε Δημοτικά σχολεία στην Περιφερειακή Ενότητα της Αττικής. Το ερευνητικό εργαλείο που χρησιμοποιήθηκε για την περιγραφική και επαγωγική ανάλυση που εφαρμόστηκαν είναι το SPSS 23. Τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας έδειξαν ότι οι βασικότεροι παράγοντες θυματοποίησης του εκφοβισμού είναι η εθνικότητα και η ανικανότητα του θύματος να αμυνθεί. Η κυριότερη μορφή εκφοβισμού που λαμβάνει χώρα από τους γηγενείς μαθητές είναι ο λεκτικός εκφοβισμός. Ο εκπαιδευτικός εφαρμόζει την καλή εποπτεία του σχολικού χώρου και τη συνεργασία με τους γονείς ως τρόπους πρόληψης/προσέγγισης των μαθητών με διαφορετικό εθνοπολιτισμικό υπόβαθρο. Ο ρόλος του είναι καθοριστικός στο να προτρέπει τα παιδιά να «αγκαλιάσουν» το νέο μέλος στη τάξη. Επίσης, εφαρμόζει αποτελεσματικές μεθόδους αντιμετώπισης του εκφοβισμού όπως βίντεο μέσα στη τάξη για να μην αναπτύξουν συμπεριφορές εκφοβισμού και παιχνίδια ρόλων. Όσον αφορά την κατάρτιση των εκπαιδευτικών, η πλειονότητα έχει παρακολουθήσει κάποιο επιμορφωτικό πρόγραμμα πάνω στη Διαπολιτισμική/Αντιρατσιστική Εκπαίδευση και στο σχολικό εκφοβισμό. Τέλος, από τα αποτελέσματα διαφαίνεται ότι υπάρχουν στατιστικά σημαντικές διαφορές μεταξύ των απόψεων των δασκάλων, με βάση τα εξής δημογραφικά τους στοιχεία: φύλο, ηλικία, σπουδές, έτη προϋπηρεσίες, εμπειρία σε τάξεις με μαθητές με διαφορετική εθνοπολιτισμική προέλευση, σχολείο εργασίας, εργασιακή σχέση, φοίτηση ή όχι μαθητών με εθνοπολιτισμική ετερότητα στο σχολείο. Συμπεραίνεται ότι οι δάσκαλοι συζητούν με τους εμπλεκόμενους μαθητές (θύτες-θύματα), προκειμένου να αντιμετωπίσουν τα περιστατικά του εκφοβισμού στο σχολικό περιβάλλον αλλά θα πρέπει να υποστηρίζονται με ειδικά στοχευμένες παρεμβάσεις.School bullying is a human behavior that manifests itself more and more strongly in the school environment and is often linked to issues of ethno-cultural diversity. The purpose of this study is to investigate the phenomenon of bullying, the ways to prevent and deal with the phenomenon by teachers in the Greek school. The research methodology followed is quantitative research using a standardized questionnaire. The research sample consists of Primary Education teachers who work in Primary schools in the Regional Unit of Attica. The research tool used for the descriptive and inductive analysis applied, is SPSS 23. The results of the research showed that the main factors of victimization of bullying are the nationality and the inability of the victim to defend himself. The main form of bullying that takes place by native students is verbal bullying. The teacher implements good supervision of the school space and cooperation with parents as ways of prevention/approaching students with different ethno-cultural backgrounds. His role is crucial in urging the children to "embrace" the new member of the class. It also implements effective anti-bullying methods such as videos in the classroom to prevent them from developing bullying behaviors and role plays. Regarding teacher training, the majority have attended some training program on Intercultural/Anti-Racist Education and school bullying. Finally, the results show that there are statistically significant differences between the opinions of the teachers, based on the following demographic data: gender, age, studies, years of service, experience in classes with students from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, work school, work relationship, attendance or not, of students with ethno-cultural differences in school. It is concluded that teachers talk with the involved students (bullies-victims) in order to deal with the incidents of bullying in the school environment but they should be supported with specially targeted interventions

Structural integrity of aging steel bridges by 3D laser scanning and convolutional neural networks

For steel bridges, corrosion has historically led to bridge failures, resulting in fatalities and injuries. To enhance public safety and prevent such incidents, authorities mandate in-situ evaluation and reporting of corroded members. The current inspection and evaluation protocol is characterized by intense labor, traffic delays, and poor capacity predictions. Here we combine full-scale experimental testing of a decommissioned girder, 3D laser scanning, and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to introduce a continuous inspection and evaluation framework. Classification and regression CNNs are trained on a databank of 1,421 naturally inspired corrosion scenarios, generated computationally based on point clouds of three corroded girders collected in lab conditions. Results indicate low errors of up to 2.0% and 3.3%, respectively. The methodology is validated on eight real corroded ends and implemented for the evaluation of an in-service bridge. This framework promises significant advancements in assessing aging bridge infrastructure with higher accuracy and efficiency compared to analytical or semi-analytical approaches

Failure mode and load prediction of steel bridge girders through 3D laser scanning and machine learning methods

Corrosion poses a significant threat to the longevity of steel bridges, impacting overall structural integrity. To effectively assess the structural condition of corroded steel bridges, conventional methods rely on visual inspections or single point measurements. To enhance and modernize this approach, this study introduces a novel framework integrating laser scanning data, computational models, and convolutional neural networks (CNNs). The CNN models are trained on a data set consisting of more than 1400 artificial corrosion scenarios generated by parameterizing real scan data from naturally corroded girders. This innovative method predicts the residual capacity and failure mode of corroded beam ends, achieving a low error rate of up to 3.3%. Unlike established evaluation procedures, the proposed evaluation framework directly utilizes post‐processed laser scanner output, eliminating the need for feature extraction and calculations

On software modernisation due to library obsolescence

Software libraries, typically accessible through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), enhance modularity and reduce development time. Nevertheless, their use reinforces system dependency on third-party software. When libraries become obsolete or their APIs change, performing the necessary modifications to dependent systems, can be time-consuming, labour intensive and error-prone. In this paper, we propose a methodology that reduces the effort developers must spend to mitigate library obsolescence. We describe the steps comprising the methodology, i.e., source code analysis, visualisation of hot areas, code-based transformation, and verification of the modified system. Also, we present some preliminary results and describe our plan for developing a fully automated software modernisation approach

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

Hypersensitivity to Proton Pump Inhibitors: Lansoprasol-induced Kounis Syndrome

Proton pump inhibitors are commonly used in clinical practice for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease and gastro-esophageal reflux and are well tolerated by the patients. Their use is rarely associated with hypersensitivity and anaphylactic reactions.According to the reports in the Uppsala Monitoring Center database the frequency of hypersensitivity reactions out of all reported adverse reactions for proton pump inhibitors and H2-histamine receptor antagonists were between 0.2% and 0.7%. A few cases of hypersensitivity to lansoprazole have been reported. Herein, we report a patient who developed Kounis syndrome after taking 40 mg of lansoprazole. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Kounis syndrome associated with lansoprazole administration in the world literature

Hypersensitivity to Proton Pump Inhibitors: Lansoprazole-Induced Kounis Syndrome

Proton pump inhibitors are commonly used in clinical practice for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease and gastro-esophageal reflux and are well tolerated by patients. Their use is rarely associated with hypersensitivity and anaphylactic reactions. According to the reports in the Uppsala Monitoring Center database the frequency of hypersensitivity reactions among all reported adverse reactions for proton pump inhibitors and H2-histamine receptor antagonists were between 0.2% and 0.7%.  A few cases of hypersensitivity to lansoprazole have been reported. Herein, we report a patient who developed Kounis syndrome after taking 40 mg of lansoprazole. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Kounis syndrome associated with lansoprazole administration in the world literature

The K+-dependent GTPase Nug1 is implicated in the association of the helicase Dbp10 to the immature peptidyl transferase centre during ribosome maturation

Ribosome synthesis employs a number of energy-consuming enzymes in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. One such enzyme is the conserved circularly permuted GTPase Nug1 (nucleostemin in human). Nug1 is essential for 60S subunit assembly and nuclear export, but its role and time of action during maturation remained unclear. Based on in vitro enzymatic assays using the Chaetomium thermophilum (Ct) orthologue, we show that Nug1 exhibits a low intrinsic GTPase activity that is stimulated by potassium ions, rendering Nug1 a cation-dependent GTPase. In vivo we observe 60S biogenesis defects upon depletion of yeast Nug1 or expression of a Nug1 nucleotide-binding mutant. Most prominently, the RNA helicase Dbp10 was lost from early pre-60S particles, which suggested a physical interaction that could be reconstituted in vitro using CtNug1 and CtDbp10. In vivo rRNA–protein crosslinking revealed that Nug1 and Dbp10 bind at proximal and partially overlapping sites on the 60S pre-ribosome, most prominently to H89 that will constitute part of the peptidyl transferase center (PTC). The binding sites of Dbp10 are the same as those identified for the prokaryotic helicase DbpA bound to the 50S subunit. We suggest that Dbp10 and DbpA are performing a conserved role during PTC formation in all organisms

Trajectories of Quality of Life among an International Sample of Women during the First Year after the Diagnosis of Early Breast Cancer: A Latent Growth Curve Analysis

The current study aimed to track the trajectory of quality of life (QoL) among subgroups of women with breast cancer in the first 12 months post-diagnosis. We also aimed to assess the number and portion of women classified into each distinct trajectory and the sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors associated with these trajectories. The international sample included 699 participants who were recruited soon after being diagnosed with breast cancer as part of the BOUNCE Project. QoL was assessed at baseline and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, and we used Latent Class Growth Analysis to identify trajectory subgroups. Sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors at baseline were used to predict latent class membership. Four distinct QoL trajectories were identified in the first 12 months after a breast cancer diagnosis: medium and stable (26% of participants); medium and improving (47%); high and improving (18%); and low and stable (9%). Thus, most women experienced improvements in QoL during the first year post-diagnosis. However, approximately one-third of women experienced consistently low-to-medium QoL. Cancer stage was the only variable which was related to the QoL trajectory in the multivariate analysis. Early interventions which specifically target women who are at risk of ongoing low QoL are needed