Gender effects on performance in Bulgarian private enterprises

Many of the newly established private enterprises in transition economies in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) are owned and managed by women (Degtiar, 2000). However, there are limited research and knowledge on gender, management, and organization in CEE (Metcalfe and Afanassieva, 2005) and, particularly, on the performance of female-owned companies. Sporadic empirical evidence shows that female-owned companies have worse performance than male-owned companies in transition economies (Drnovsek and Glas, 2006; Aidis, 2006). The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, we study the factors that affect the performance of female-owned companies in a transition context. Second, we compare how performance varies between female and male-owned businesses in such a context. Combining the Feminist Theory, the Institutional Theory, and the literature on determinants of firm performance, we derive hypotheses about the determinants of the performance of female-owned companies and about gender differences in performance. The proposed hypotheses are tested in a sample of 501 private Bulgarian companies. Our results indicate that a number of individual, organizational, and environmental characteristics are significant determinants of the performance of both female and male-owned companies. Although there are gender differences in performance, they disappear when other factors are controlled for. We conclude with some recommendations for policy implications and place the current results in respect to future research.

Beyond splitting: observer-rated defense mechanisms in borderline personality disorder

Defense mechanism is a key concept in the psychoanalytic psychopathology of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Theoretical and empirical elaborations on this question are briefly reviewed and discussed with respect to process assessment of defense mechanisms; we put forward observer-rater methodology as an accurate means of assessing unconscious in-session processes. A sample of 25 patients presenting with BPD were interviewed, as were subjects from a matched control group without psychiatric symptoms (n = 25), using a psychodynamic interview paradigm. These interviews were transcribed and rated using the Defense Mechanisms Rating Scales. The results indicate that, compared to controls, patients with BPD used higher percentages of a action, borderline, disavowal, narcissistic, and hysteric defenses, along with lower levels of mature and obsessional defenses. Overall defensive functioning was significantly lower in the patients with BPD, compared to controls. Narcissistic defenses were related with symptom level. These results are discussed in light of previous studies on defensive functioning of BPD and the literature on psychoanalytic psychopathology. These results have several important clinical implications.

Desenvolupament de problemes virtuals i interactius per a l’aprenentatge de la Microbiologia

La finalitat del projecte ha estat desenvolupar un espai virtual teòric-pràctic per a l’aprenentatge de la Microbiologia. Aquest espai virtual, basat en l'aprenentatge a través de problemes, s’ha anomenat “Microbiologia Interactiva” i proposa a l’alumne les següents àrees temàtiques: Introducció a les tècniques de la Microbiologia; Estructura i funció de la cèl.lula microbiana; Creixement i control microbià; Microbiologia molecular; Fisiologia i metabolisme microbians; Virologia; Ecologia Microbiana; Diversitat microbiana. Per a cada temàtica s’han definit unes competències a assolir a través de la resolució de problemes teòrics o pràctics. En aquest darrer cas, se li proposa a l’alumne que entri en el laboratori virtual per a la resolució dels casos pràctics plantejats. A més, per a la resolució dels problemes, l’alumne disposa d’un seguit de recursos per a cada temàtica. Finalment, també s’inclouen activitats de relació i d’ampliació per tal d’estimular la discussió, l’esperit crìtic, el treball en grup i la recerca bibliogràfica. A més, per tal de facilitar el seu ús, el web disposa també d'un tutorial. El web “Microbiologia Interactiva” es va introduir de forma pilat en l’ensenyament de l'assignatura de Microbiologia de la Llicenciatura de Biologia i de la de Microbiologia I de la llicenciatura de Biotecnologia de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) durant el curs 2007-08. Al llarg d'aquest curs es va valorar la seva utilitat i acceptació per part dels alumnes mitjançant enquestes. Els bons resultats obtinguts van aconsellar que aquesta eina fora ja utilitzada en totes les assignatures generals de Microbiologia de les llicenciatures de Biologia, Biotecnologia, Bioquímica, Química, Enginyeria Química, Ciències Ambientals i Ciència i Tecnologia dels Aliments de la UAB. Actualment el web s’està també utilitzant amb molt bons resultats a les assignatures de Microbiologia dels nous graus que ofereix la Facultat de Biociències de la UAB. Així doncs, en aquest projecte s’han assolit amb escreix els objectius previstos. Es pot consultar el web desenvolupat a l’adreça http://microbiologia.uab.cat//Microbiologia_Interactiva_Web/.

Proposed Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax: Health Impact Assessment

The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) was requested by the Department of Health (RoI) to undertake a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of a proposed tax on sugar sweetened drinks (SSDs) in 2012. The public health priority for this proposal was to consider the potential of such a tax to address the problem of overweight and obesity in Ireland. The HIA was overseen by the Special Action Group on Obesity (SAGO) and guided by a steering group. The HIA process involved a population profile, a stakeholder consultation event and a literature review. This information, paralleled by a modelling exercise undertaken by Dr. Mike Rayner and his team in the University of Oxford was presented to the steering group to inform their conclusions.

Proposed Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax: Health Impact Assessment Technical Report

The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) was requested by the Department of Health to undertake a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of a proposed tax on sugar sweetened drinks (SSDs) in 2012. The public health priority for this proposal was to consider the potential of such a tax to address the problem of overweight and obesity in Ireland. The HIA was overseen by the Special Action Group on Obesity (SAGO) and guided by a steering group. The HIA process involved a population profile, a stakeholder consultation event and a literature review. This information, paralleled by a modelling exercise undertaken by Dr. Mike Rayner and his team in the University of Oxford was presented to the steering group to inform their conclusions.  This is the Technical Report.

Appropriateness of methadone maintenance treatment for opiate addiction: evaluation by an expert panel.

With some 30,000 dependent persons, opiate addiction constitutes a major public health problem in Switzerland. The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has long played a leading role in the prevention and treatment of opiate addiction and in research on effective means of containing the epidemic of opiate addiction and its consequences. Major milestones on that path have been the successive "Methadone reports" published by that Office and providing guidance on the care of opiate addiction with substitution treatment. In view of updating the recommendations for the appropriateness of substitution treatment for opiate addiction, in particular for the prescription of methadone, the FOPH commissioned a multi-component project involving the following elements. A survey of current attitudes and practices in Switzerland related to opiate substitution treatment Review of Swiss literature on methadone substitution treatment Review of international literature on methadone substitution treatment National Methadone Substitution Conference Multidisciplinary expert panel to evaluate the appropriateness of substitution treatment. The present report documents the process and summarises the results of the latter element above. The RAND appropriateness method (RAM) was used to distil from literature-based evidence and systematically formulated expert opinion, areas where consensus exist on the appropriateness (or inappropriateness) of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and areas where disagreement or uncertainty persist and which should be further pursued. The major areas which were addressed by this report are Initial assessment of candidates for MMT Appropriate settings for initiation of MMT (general and special cases) Appropriateness of methadone supportive therapy Co-treatments and accompanying measures Dosage schedules and pharmacokinetic testing Withdrawal from MMT Miscellaneous questions Appropriateness of other (non-methadone) substitution treatment Summary statements for each of the above categories are derived from the panel meeting and presented in the report. In the "first round", agreement was observed for 31% of the 553 theoretical scenarios evaluated. The "second round" rating, following discussion of divergent ratings, resulted in a much higher agreement among panellists, reaching 53% of the 537 scenarios. Frank disagreement was encountered for 7% of all scenarios. Overall 49% of the clinical situations (scenarios) presented were considered appropriate. The areas where at least 50% of the situations were considered appropriate were "initial assessment of candidates for MMT", the "appropriate settings for initiation of MMT", the "appropriate settings for methadone supportive treatment" and "Appropriateness of other (non-methadone) substitution treatment". The area where there was the least consensus on appropriateness concerned "appropriateness of withdrawal from MMT" (6%). The report discusses the implications and limitations of the panel results and provides recommendations for the dissemination, application, and future use of the criteria for the appropriateness of MMT. The RAND Appropriateness Method proved to be an accepted and appreciated method to assess the appropriateness of methadone maintenance treatment for opiate addicts. In the next step, the results of the expert panel process must now be combined with those of the Swiss and international literature reviews and the survey of current attitudes and practices in Switzerland, to be synthesized into formal practice guidelines. Such guidelines should be disseminated to all concerned, promoted, used and rigorously evaluated for compliance and outcome.

Review of Key Issues in Relation to Equality in the HPSS (PDF 296 KB)

The aim of this paper is to highlight the key issues as expressed by representative groups in research material and consultation responses received by the Department. Initially the majority of the issues identified have been gleaned from documentation such as press releases, research reports and a literature review commissioned by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. åÊ

A brief cognitive behavioural intervention for regular amphetamine users. A treatment guide.

A brief intervention using motivational and cognitive behavioural approaches to help change drug use. Also offer alternative brief interventions for clients not suited to the current approach. This manual is divided into five sections: Section 1. Context Key points from the National Drug Strategy Monograph No 51. Models of Intervention and Care for Psychostimulant Users are included to present the evidence supporting this type of intervention for regular amphetamine users.  A flow-chart to place the intervention in a treatment context. Section 2. Brief background to the study and summary of results of evaluation A brief description of how the study was developed, undertaken and evaluated. A brief description of the evaluation outcome data (detailed results will be published separately). Section 3. The intervention The CBT intervention is presented in a clear and easy to use format for practitioners. Section 4. Suggested alternative brief interventions for those not suitable for the current intervention This section provides an overview of recommendations for alternative interventions for psychostimulant users who are unsuitable for the CBT intervention (e.g. those who are not considering change, experimental users etc). Section 5. Other available resources This section lists a range of other resources that are currently available for practitioners working with psychostimulant users. This treatment guide has not been designed to stand alone. Rather, practitioners are encouraged to: 1. Acquaint themselves with the current research and clinical literature. The recently completed monograph Models of Intervention and Care for Psychostimulant Users is an excellent resource for current evidence supporting practice in this area. 2. Undertake training in CBT and motivational enhancement techniques if unfamiliar with these approaches. 3. Obtain ongoing clinical supervision.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

The triatominae species of French Guiana (Heteroptera: Reduviidae)

An annotated list of the triatomine species present in French Guiana is given. It is based on field collections carried out between 1993-2008, museum collections and a literature review. Fourteen species, representing four tribes and six genera, are now known in this country and are illustrated (habitus). Three species are recorded from French Guiana for the first time: Cavernicola pilosa, Microtriatoma trinidadensis and Rhodnius paraensis. The two most common and widely distributed species are Panstrongylus geniculatus and Rhodnius pictipes. The presence of two species (Panstrongylus megistus and Triatoma maculata) could be fortuitous and requires confirmation. Also, the presence of Rhodnius prolixus is doubtful; while it was previously recorded in French Guiana, it was probably mistaken for R. robustus. A key for French Guiana's triatomine species is provided.

La recepció de la narrativa catalana contemporània traduïda a l'alemany: 1975-2009

Entre l'abril de 2007 i l'abril del 2011 vaig gaudir d'un ajut FI al Departament de Traducció i Ciencies del Llenguatge de la Universitat Pompeu Fabra. Gràcies a aquest ajut i en el marc del programa de doctorat en Comunicació Multilingüe vaig poder dur a terme un projecte de recerca sobre la recepció de la narrativa catalana traduïda a l'alemany des de 1975 fins a l’actualitat. El primer resultat d'aquest projecte és el nou treball de recerca, llegit el novembre de 2010, en el qual intento fer un balanç de les obres de narrativa d'autors catalans publicades en alemany durant els darrers 30 anys: a partir del catàleg de totes les obres da narrativa catalana traduïdes en el període estudiat, he establert una tipologia per classificar els textos en generes i per comprovar quins autors i quines obres s'han traduït majoritàriament, per quins autors i per quins generes s'han interessat més els editors alemanys i fins a quin punt es pot considerar que aquestes traduccions representen d'una manera equilibrada narrativa catalana d'aquests anys. En el treball també he analitzat les característiques de les editorials on s'han publicat les obres traduïdes i he intentat avaluar la seva recepció, a partir de la traducció dels títols i els textos de presentació de les obres. Fet aquest primer balanç, ara estic preparant quatre articles que aprofundeixen en temes plantejats al treball de recerca i que junts han de formar la meva tesi doctoral, actualment en curs d'elaboració. A banda de la meva recerca personal, l'ajut FI també m'ha permès formar-me com a investigadora, amb la publicació d'articles, la docència al departament, la participació en congressos i, sobretot, la col•laboració amb el grup de recerca TRILCAT, d'estudis de traducció, recepció i literatura catalana.

Geographic distribution of phlebotomine sandfly species (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Central-West Brazil

This study updates the geographic distributions of phlebotomine species in Central-West Brazil and analyses the climatic factors associated with their occurrence. The data were obtained from the entomology services of the state departments of health in Central-West Brazil, scientific collections and a literature review of articles from 1962-2014. Ecological niche models were produced for sandfly species with more than 20 occurrences using the Maxent algorithm and eight climate variables. In all, 2,803 phlebotomine records for 127 species were analysed. Nyssomyia whitmani,Evandromyia lenti and Lutzomyia longipalpiswere the species with the greatest number of records and were present in all the biomes in Central-West Brazil. The models, which were produced for 34 species, indicated that the Cerrado areas in the central and western regions of Central-West Brazil were climatically more suitable to sandflies. The variables with the greatest influence on the models were the temperature in the coldest months and the temperature seasonality. The results show that phlebotomine species in Central-West Brazil have different geographical distribution patterns and that climate conditions in essentially the entire region favour the occurrence of at least one Leishmania vector species, highlighting the need to maintain or intensify vector control and surveillance strategies.

El fet migratori a Catalunya i els processos d'identificació nacional en la població nouvinguda

En el marc de la recerca sobre identitats i nova ciutadania, l’objecte d’aquest treball és reconèixer elements clau dels processos d’identificació nacional a Catalunya en la població nouvinguda, i identificar els factors que n'afavoreixen la seva vinculació comunitària. La recerca s'ha desenvolupat en un primer bloc analitzant la perspectiva sociològica entorn a la idea d’identitat, així com l’evolució del discurs identitari a Catalunya, a fi de continuar desenvolupant amb profunditat el debat sobre identitat i nació en relació al fet migratori i la diversitat social existent. En un segon bloc d’anàlisi, la recerca fixa la mirada a una dotzena de casos treballats a través d’històries de vida de diverses realitats migratòries del nostre país corresponents a les diverses onades del segle XX, tant d’immigració espanyola com d'immigració de fora de l'Estat espanyol. La voluntat d’aquest segon bloc és extreure experiències socials d’interpretacions individuals que assenyalin quins elements permeten o dificulten la mobilitat social, quines experiències tenen valor identitari i de quin tipus, i quins fenòmens esdevenen rellevants en la configuració d’espais de referència i identificació nacional a nivell individual. Finalment s’incorpora un apartat d’entrevistes en profunditat a diversos actors socials i polítics rellevants a fi de reconèixer aquells elements que centren el discurs de la “nova cultura pública comuna”. L’objectiu és interrelacionar el discurs polític i filosòfic actual amb l’experiència biogràfica de les persones, assenyalant aquells elements que han estat significatius per a la seva identitat com a catalans i catalanes o, ans al contrari, que no han afavorit una situació en aquests termes. En aquest sentit la pregunta que vincula aquest espai de reflexió és: Quins elements afavoreixen la identificació nacional englobant la diversitat social existent i quins mecanismes d'adhesió hi podrien funcionar?

Gonadotrophin replacement for induction of fertility in hypogonadal men.

Congenital hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (CHH) is a rare form of infertility caused by deficient secretion or action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone. There is no consensus regarding the optimal approach to fertility treatment in CHH men. In most cases, appropriate hormonal treatment with human chorionic gonadotrophin with or without follicle stimulating hormone will induce testicular development, spermatogenesis and fertility. Recent studies have examined sequential treatment with FSH pre-treatment to optimize fertility outcomes in severely affected CHH patients. This paper reviews historical and recent literature to summarize the current evidence on therapeutic approaches for CHH men seeking fertility.

Pilot licensing after aortic valve surgery.

Background and aim of the study: Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common congenital heart malformation, and a high percentage of patients with this condition will develop complications over time. It is rare that pilots undergo aortic valve surgery, and the confirmation of flight-licensing requirements after aortic valve replacement (AVR) is a challenge for the patient's cardiac surgeon and, particularly, for the Aeromedical Examiner (AME). Only AMEs are able to determine the flight status of pilots. Furthermore, in military and in civil aviation (e.g., Red Bull Air Race), the high G-load environment experienced by pilots is an exceptional physiological parameter, which must be considered postoperatively. Methods: A review was conducted of the aeronautical, surgical and medical literature, and of European pilot-licensing regulations. Case studies are also reported for two Swiss Air Force pilots. Results: According to European legislation, pilots can return to flight duty from the sixth postoperative month, with the following limitations: that an aortic bioprosthesis presents no restrictions in cardiac function, requires no cardioactive medications, yet requires a flight operation with co-pilot, the avoidance of accelerations over +3 Gz and, in military aviation, restricts the pilot to non-ejection-seat aircraft. The patient follow up must include both echocardiographic and rhythm assessments every six months. Mechanical prostheses cannot be certified because the required anticoagulation therapy is a disqualifying condition for pilot licensing. Conclusion: Pilot licensing after aortic valve surgery is possible, but with restrictions. The +Gz exposition is of concern in both military and civilian aviation (aerobatics). The choice of bioprosthesis type and size is determinant. Pericardial and stentless valves seem to show better flow characteristics under high-output conditions. Repetitive cardiological controls are mandatory for the early assessment of structural valve disease and rhythm disturbances. A pre-emptive timing is recommended when reoperation is indicated, without waiting for clinical manifestations of structural valve disease.

The postmortem diagnosis of alcoholic ketoacidosis.

AIMS: The aim of this article is to review the forensic literature covering the postmortem investigations that are associated with alcoholic ketoacidosis fatalities and report the results of our own analyses. METHODS: Eight cases of suspected alcoholic ketoacidosis that had undergone medico-legal investigations in our facility from 2011 to 2013 were retrospectively selected. A series of laboratory parameters were measured in whole femoral blood, postmortem serum from femoral blood, urine and vitreous humor in order to obtain a more general overview on the biochemical and metabolic changes that occur during alcoholic ketoacidosis. Most of the tested parameters were chosen among those that had been described in clinical and forensic literature associated with alcoholic ketoacidosis and its complications. RESULTS: Ketone bodies and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin levels were increased in all cases. Biochemical markers of generalized inflammation, volume depletion and undernourishment showed higher levels. Adaptive endocrine reactions involving insulin, glucagon, cortisol and triiodothyronine were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic and biochemical disturbances characterizing alcoholic ketoacidosis can be reliably identified in the postmortem setting. The correlation of medical history, autopsy findings and biochemical results proves therefore decisive in identifying pre-existing disorders, excluding alternative causes of death and diagnosing alcoholic ketoacidosis as the cause of death.