Interpersonal trust and formal controls in hierarchical relationships

This paper examines the influence of the level of interpersonal trust between superior and subordinate managers on the control behaviour of the former. On the basis of a questionnaire survey and interviews of senior managers from business organisations in Sri Lanka, and a survey of managers in Beijing-China the study explores the control behaviour of superior managers when their trust in a subordinate is high or low. Sri Lanka and China, societies in which the dependence on interpersonal trust is believed to be high, were chosen for the study to maximise the effect of interpersonal trust.

The findings of this study indicate that a superior’s high (low) trust in a subordinate is associated with a low (high) level of monitoring and a high (low) level of social interactions. The hypothesis that a superior’s high (low) level of trust is associated with a low (high) level of reliance on formal control was supported only in the Sri Lankan sample. These findings are at least indicative of control behaviour of superior managers in Sri Lanka and China and possibly of other countries in Asia. An understanding of the trust-sensitive control behaviour of managers in this region is particularly important for designing and implementing effective control systems for international organizations operating in the region.

Interpersonal trust and formal controls in low systemic trust societies

This study is concerned with the role of interpersonal trust in management control. On the basis of a questionnaire survey and interviews of senior managers from business organisations in sri lanka, the study explores the control behaviour of superior managers when they trust or distrust their subordinates. Sri lanka, a society in which the dependence on interpersonal trust is high, was chosen for the study to maximise the effect of interpersonal trust.

The findings of this study indicate that a superior's high trust in a subordinate is associated with a low level of monitoring, a high level of social interactions, and a low reliance on formal controls. In contrast, a superior's low level of trust in a subordinate is associated with a high level of monitoring, a low level of social interactions, and a high reliance on formal controls. Because the data emanate from experienced senior managers, these findings are at least indicative of control behaviour of superior managers in sri lanka and possibly of similar countries in asia. An understanding of the control behaviour of managers in this region is particularly important for designing and implementing effective controls systems for firms, subsidiaries, branches or joint-ventures operating in the region.

An electromyographic comparison of neck conditioning exercises in healthy controls

The purpose of this study was to compare surface electromyography (EMG) activation levels of selected neck muscles for two common neck-training modalities (Thera-Band and Cybex). Seventeen asymptomatic subjects (eight men and nine women) with a mean age 23.4 years were recruited. EMG activation normalized to maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) was measured with subjects performing exercises with green, blue, and black Thera-Bands and 50%, 70%, and 90% of 3RM for the Cybex modality. Four variables were used to depict exercise intensity: average and peak EMG activation in the concentric and eccentric phases. Significant differences (P <= 0.05) in EMG activation were evident when comparing intensities of the Cybex modality with each other and when comparing the Cybex intensities with Thera-Band intensities in most cases. Minimal differences were found among differing intensities of Thera-Band. Thera-Band exercise resulted in low-level EMG activation (range, flexion 3.8-15.7% MVIC; range, extension 20.2-34.8% MVIC); therefore, such exercise may be useful in rehabilitation programs. Cybex exercise (range, flexion 20.9-83.5% MVIC; range, extension 40.6-95.8% MVIC) may be useful for occupation-related injury prevention. However, exercise prescription should be undertaken with care as the mechanical loading on passive spinal structures is unknown.

Nestling testosterone controls begging behaviour in the pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca

Begging signals and endogenous testosterone (T) levels of young birds have been shown to be positively correlated. If T is causally involved in controlling the level of begging effort, an endocrine control mechanism could explain the evolution of begging as a costly signal reflecting need. We tested experimentally whether elevated circulating T levels enhanced begging behaviour in nestling pied flycatchers, Ficedula hypoleuca. A pilot study confirmed that nestling T levels could be elevated within a natural physiological range using an oral dose of T. After T-dosing, nestling begging behaviour was measured as: i) the duration of begging displays and ii) the maximum height of begging stretches. Our results show that nestling T levels were elevated at 90 min post dosing and that at this time point both measures of begging behaviour were performed more intensely by T-dosed nestlings than controls. Nestling begging displays in response to dosing varied between individuals, which in part was explained either by the date in the breeding season or nestling mass. The results of this study confirm the causal nature of T in controlling nestling begging signals and suggest that it may be part of the mechanism that controls begging behaviour in nestling birds.

Examination of EMG normalisation methods for the study of the posterior and posterolateral neck muscles in healthy controls

The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability of normalisation methods used in the study of the posterior and posterolateral neck muscles in a group of healthy controls. Six asymptomatic male subjects performed a total of 12 maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) and 60%-submaximal isometric contractions (60%-MVIC) against the torque arm of an isokinetic dynamometer whilst surface and intramuscular electromyography (EMG) was recorded unilaterally from representative posterior and posterolateral locations. Reliability was calculated using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), relative standard error of measurement (%SEM) and relative coefficient of variation (%CV). Maximal torque output was found to be highly reliable in the directions of extension and right lateral bending when the first of three MVIC contractions was excluded. When averaged across contraction direction, high reliability was found for both surface (MVIC: ICC = 0.986, %SEM = 7.5, %CV = 9.2; 60%-MVIC: ICC = 0.975, %SEM = 10, %CV = 13.7) and intramuscular (MVIC: ICC = 0.910, %SEM = 20, %CV = 19.1; 60%-MVIC: ICC = 0.952, %SEM = 16.5, %CV = 13.5) electrodes. Intramuscular electrodes displayed the least reliability in right lateral bending. The use of visual feedback markedly increased the reliability of 60%-MVIC contractions.

Multi-envelope HIV-1 vaccine devoid of SIV components controls disease in macaques challenged with heterologous pathogenic SHIV

A central obstacle to the design of a global HIV-1 vaccine is virus diversity. Pathogen diversity is not unique to HIV-1, and has been successfully conquered in other fields by the creation of vaccine cocktails. Here we describe the testing of an HIV-1 envelope cocktail vaccine. Six macaques received the vaccine, delivered by successive immunizations with recombinant DNA, recombinant vaccinia virus and recombinant envelope proteins. Following vaccination, animals developed a diversity of anti-envelope antibody binding and neutralizing activities toward proteins and viruses that were not represented by sequence in the vaccine. T-cells were also elicited, as measured by gamma-interferon production assays with envelope-derived peptide pools. Vaccinated and control animals were then challenged with the heterologous pathogenic SHIV, 89.6P. Vaccinated monkeys experienced significantly lower virus titers and better maintenance of CD4+ T-cells than unvaccinated controls. The B- and T-cell immune responses were far superior post-challenge in the vaccinated group. Four of six vaccinated animals and only one of six control animals survived a 44-week observation period post-challenge. The present report is the first to describe pathogenic SHIV disease control mediated by a heterologous HIV-1 vaccine, devoid of 89.6 or SIV derivatives.

Controls on body size during the Late Permian mass extinction event

This study examines the morphological responses of Late Permian brachiopods to environmental changes. Quantitative analysis of body size data from Permian–Triassic brachiopods has demonstrated significant, directional changes in body size before, during and after the Late Permian mass extinction event. Brachiopod size significantly reduced before and during the extinction interval, increased for a short time in more extinction-resistant taxa in the latter stages of extinction and then dramatically reduced again across the Permian ⁄ Triassic boundary. Relative abundances of trace elements and acritarchs demonstrate that the body size reductions which happened before, during and after extinction were driven by primary productivity collapse, whereas declining oxygen levels had less effect. An episode of size increase in two of the more extinction-resistant brachiopod species is unrelated to environmental change and possibly was the result of reduced interspecific competition for resources following the extinction of competitors. Based on the results of this study, predictions can be made for the possible responses of modern benthos to present-day environmental changes.

Coupling between snoRNP assembly and 3' processing controls box C/D snoRNA biosynthesis in yeast

RNA polymerase II transcribes genes encoding proteins and a large number of small stable RNAs. While pre-mRNA 3'-end formation requires a machinery ensuring tight coupling between cleavage and polyadenylation, small RNAs utilize polyadenylation-independent pathways. In yeast, specific factors required for snRNA and snoRNA 3'-end formation were characterized as components of the APT complex that is associated with the core complex of the cleavage/polyadenylation machinery (core-CPF). Other essential factors were identified as independent components: Nrd1p, Nab3p and Sen1p. Here we report that mutations in the conserved box D of snoRNAs and in the snoRNP-specific factor Nop1p interfere with transcription and 3'-end formation of box C/D snoRNAs. We demonstrate that Nop1p is associated with box C/D snoRNA genes and that it interacts with APT components. These data suggest a mechanism of quality control in which efficient transcription and 3'-end formation occur only when nascent snoRNAs are successfully assembled into functional particles.

Indirect government controls over Australia's social security expenditure : a Foucauldian analysis

Purpose – The aim of this study is to examine how the use of indirect government control mechanisms is used as a means of holding government agencies such as job network providers and recipients of social security benefits accountable. The mechanisms of indirect government will be examined using Michel Foucault's discourses on disciplinary power, surveillance and normalisation.

Design/methodology/approach – The mechanisms of indirect government are investigated through a survey questionnaire and focus group interviews. The questionnaire is assessed and analysed using descriptive statistics and principal component analysis with varimax rotation.

Findings – It is found that the rationing and disciplinary mechanisms of the breaching regime, through a process of disciplinary power, surveillance and normalisation, combine to help hold government agencies and recipients of social security benefits accountable, which in turn helps control the level of social security expenditure.

Originality/value – The current study extends our understanding of the functions of indirect government by providing an applied example of how the process of government works indirectly through government agencies and the abundant rules and regulations that underpin such bureaucracies.

The integration substitute : the role of controls in managing human asset specificity

As the integration solution to the problem of specific assets cannot be replicated on human asset specificity because slavery is illegal, economic theory states that control systems substitute for integration through a balanced structure to help align diverse interests. To understand the intricate design features of the balance, we examine a case-study firm. For low human asset specificity, the restriction and segregation of usable decision rights link with standards. However, incentives are traced to individuals only to the extent task deviations do not create relevant future costs that are difficult to be self-corrected. For high specificity, incentives are related to outputs rather than outcomes, because outcome variations reduce the attractiveness of maintaining the balance. Subjective assessment is used as an efficient alternate ‘balancing’ solution and decision control is shared when available subjective data are inadequate.

RAP1 controls rhoptry targeting of RAP2 in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

Rhoptry associated protein 1 (RAP1) and 2 (RAP2), together with a poorly described third protein RAP3, form the low molecular weight complex within the rhoptries of Plasmodium falciparum. These proteins are thought to play a role in erythrocyte invasion by the extracellular merozoite and are important vaccine candidates. We used gene-targeting technology in P.falciparum blood-stage parasites to disrupt the RAP1 gene, producing parasites that express severely truncated forms of RAP1. Immunoprecipitation experiments suggest that truncated RAP1 species did not complex with RAP2 and RAP3. Consistent with this were the distinct subcellular localizations of RAP1 and 2 in disrupted RAP1 parasites, where RAP2 does not traffic to the rhoptries but is instead located in a compartment that appears related to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. These results suggest that RAP1 is required to localize RAP2 to the rhoptries, supporting the hypothesis that rhoptry biogenesis is dependent in part on the secretory pathway in the parasite. The observation that apparently host-protective merozoite antigens are not essential for efficient erythrocyte invasion has important implications for vaccine design.

Enhancement of user level controls in cloud databases

Industries in developed countries are moving quickly to ensure the rapid adoption of cloud computing. At this stage, several outstanding issues exist, particularly related to Service Level Agreements (SLAs), security and privacy. Consumers and businesses are willing to use cloud computing only if they can trust that their data will remain private and secure. Our review of research literature indicates the level of control that a user has on their data is directly correlated to the level of data privacy provided by the cloud service. We considered several privacy factors from the industry perspective, namely data loss, data storage location being unknown to the client, vendor lock-in, unauthorized secondary use of user's data for advertising, targeting secured backup and easy restoration. The level of user control in database models were identified according to the level of existence in these privacy factors. Finally, we focused on a novel logical model that might help to bring the level of user control of privacy in cloud databases into a higher level.