The analysis of multiple ties in longitudinal egocentric network data: A case study on bidirectional relationships between trust and drug use

We extend multi-level models to examine single egocentric network ties to the joint analysis of paired dynamic ties. Two analytic challenges are addressed. First, inference needs to account for multiple layers of nesting: ties are nested within pairs, pairs are nested within time points, and time points are nested within egos. Second, the focus is on the relationship between two dynamic ties; specification of outcome and predictor may be difficult. Instead, we treat both ties as outcomes. Our approach is used to analyze trust and reported drug use between egos and alters over time in a Bayesian framework.     

Shape-constrained Gaussian process regression for surface reconstruction and multimodal,non-rigid image registration

We present a new statistical framework for landmark ?>curve-based image registration and surface reconstruction. The proposed method first elastically aligns geometric features (continuous, parameterized curves) to compute local deformations, and then uses a Gaussian random field model to estimate the full deformation vector field as a spatial stochastic process on the entire surface or image domain. The statistical estimation is performed using two different methods: maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference via Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling. The resulting deformations accurately match corresponding curve regions while also being sufficiently smooth over the entire domain. We present several qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the proposed method on both synthetic and real data. We apply our approach to two different tasks on real data: (1) multimodal medical image registration, and (2) anatomical and pottery surface reconstruction.     

Organisationsentwicklung in M&A Prozessen

Technical issues like legal matters or different types of due diligence predominate during the execution of mergers and acquisitions. Personnel issues only get considered during the post-merger integration phase. However, the success of mergers and acquisitions depends considerably on the early and correct involvement of the human resource and organization development (OD) department in every phase of the merger.     

Promoting object constancy. Writing as a nursing intervention

1. Object constancy is an important developmental milestone that many psychiatric patients have not achieved. 2. Asking patients to write down thoughts and feelings will assist the nurse in reinforcing a continuous experience of self as a necessary antecedent to self and object constancy. 3. Object constancy allows the patient to be more autonomous in relationships. Writing will help the patient become more independent in managing thoughts and feelings. 4. Using an object relations framework for this commonly prescribed nursing intervention will assist nurses in providing a focus and goal for the use of writing.     

Predicting above-median and below-median growth rates

Multiannual periods of consecutive above-median or below-median growth rates in operating performance, called runs, have a substantial influence on firm valuations. For estimating the probability of an above-median or below-median run and utilizing information efficiently, we employ a stepwise regression to automatically identify the parsimonious indicator-specific set of economically and empirically meaningful variables. Our novel approach uses logit models to distinguish firms that will persistently grow above or below the median over a period of up to 6 years. The predictive power for sales growth rates is highest to discriminate between above-median and below-median growth rates, while the future behaviour of operating income and net income growth rates can partially be explained for below-median growth rates.     

Developmental Trajectories of Social Justice Values in Adolescence: Relations with Sympathy and Friendship Quality

This study examined developmental trajectories of social justice values (SJV) in a representative sample of Swiss adolescents (N = 1258) at 15 (Time 1), 18 (Time 2), and 21 years of age (Time 3). SJV and friendship quality were measured via self‐reports. Sympathy was assessed via self‐ and mother‐reports. Latent class growth analysis revealed three developmental trajectories of SJV: high‐stable (80 percent), moderate‐decreasing (17 percent), and low‐increasing (3 percent). Adolescents with low levels of self‐ and mother‐reported sympathy were more likely to be members of the low‐increasing than the high‐stable or moderate decreasing trajectory groups. Adolescents who reported low levels of sympathy and friendship quality at 15 years of age were more likely to be members of the moderate‐decreasing trajectory group than the high‐stable trajectory group. Results are discussed with respect to the potential significance of sympathy and friendship quality for understanding the development of SJV during adolescence.     

Multiple Coordination Patterns in Infant and Adult Vocalizations

The study of vocal coordination between infants and adults has led to important insights into the development of social, cognitive, emotional, and linguistic abilities. We used an automatic system to identify vocalizations produced by infants and adults over the course of the day for fifteen infants studied longitudinally during the first 2 years of life. We measured three different types of vocal coordination: coincidence‐based, rate‐based, and cluster‐based. Coincidence‐based coordination and rate‐based coordination are established measures in the developmental literature. Cluster‐based coordination is new and measures the strength of matching in the degree to which vocalization events occur in hierarchically nested clusters. We investigated whether various coordination patterns differ as a function of vocalization type, whether different coordination patterns provide unique information about the dynamics of vocal interaction, and how the various coordination patterns each relate to infant age. All vocal coordination patterns displayed greater coordination for infant speech‐related vocalizations, adults adapted the hierarchical clustering of their vocalizations to match that of infants, and each of the three coordination patterns had unique associations with infant age. Altogether, our results indicate that vocal coordination between infants and adults is multifaceted, suggesting a complex relationship between vocal coordination and the development of vocal communication.     

Strategic Development of Business Models: Implications of the Web 2.0 for Creating Value on the Internet

There is virtually a consensus that, to remain competitive, firms must continuously develop and adapt their business models. However, relatively little is known about how managers can go about achieving this transformation, and how, and to what extent, different types of business models should be adapted. To illustrate the differential effect of environmental changes on different business model types, this article draws from the ‘4C’ Internet business model typology to elaborate on how a recent wave of changes on the Internet – the emergent Web 2.0 phenomenon – is affecting each of its four business model types. We argue that Web 2.0 trends and characteristics are changing the rules of the ‘create and capture value’ game, and thus significantly disrupt the effectiveness of established Internet business models. Since systematic empirical knowledge about Web 2.0 factors is very limited, a comprehensive Web 2.0 framework is developed, which is illustrated with two cases and verified through in-depth interviews with Internet business managers. Strategic recommendations on how to what extent different Web 2.0 aspects affect each business model type are developed. Executives can use the ideas and frameworks presented in the article to benchmark their firm's efforts towards embracing the changes associated with the Web 2.0 into their business model.     

Mindful Leadership: Sind achtsame F��hrungskr?fte leistungsf?higere F��hrungskr?fte?

In the last years, mindfulness became the focus of increasing research interest in the health sciences. More than hundred studies highlight the positive impact of mindfulness based interventions on a variety of health relevant parameters. Mindfulness became a well-established intervention in clinical and non-clinical contexts such as stress prevention, substance abuse treatment or relationship counselling in couples. The concept has until now not received much attention in business contexts; implications and applications in this field are highlighted in this article. In particular, it is described how mindfulness may help leaders and managers to perform their tasks more successfully and in a much more relaxed way.