gan The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Workers’ Skills: Upskilling and Reskilling in Organisations By Published On :: 2023-02-22 Aim/Purpose: This paper examines the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on professional skills in organizations and explores strategies to address the resulting challenges. Background: The rapid integration of AI across various sectors is automating tasks and reducing cognitive workload, leading to increased productivity but also raising concerns about job displacement. Successfully adapting to this transformation requires organizations to implement new working models and develop strategies for upskilling and reskilling their workforce. Methodology: This review analyzes recent research and practice on AI's impact on human skills in organizations. We identify key trends in how AI is reshaping professional competencies and highlight the crucial role of transversal skills in this evolving landscape. The paper also discusses effective strategies to support organizations and guide workers through upskilling and reskilling processes. Contribution: The paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge by examining recent trends in AI's impact on professional skills and workplaces. It emphasizes the importance of transversal skills and identifies strategies to support organizations and workers in meeting upskilling and reskilling challenges. Our findings suggest that investing in workforce development is crucial for ensuring that the benefits of AI are equitably distributed among all stakeholders. Findings: Our findings indicate that organizations must employ a proactive approach to navigate the AI-driven transformation of the workplace. This approach involves mapping the transversal skills needed to address current skill gaps, helping workers identify and develop skills required for effective AI adoption, and implementing processes to support workers through targeted training and development opportunities. These strategies are essential for ensuring that workers' attitudes and mental models towards AI are adaptable and prepared for the changing labor market. Recommendation for Researchers: We emphasize the need for researchers to adopt a transdisciplinary approach when studying AI's impact on the workplace. Given AI's complexity and its far-reaching implications across various fields including computer science, mathematics, engineering, and behavioral and social sciences, integrating diverse perspectives is crucial for a holistic understanding of AI's applications and consequences. Future Research: Looking ahead, further research is needed to deepen our understanding of AI's impact on human skills, particularly the role of soft skills in AI adoption within organizations. Future studies should also address the challenges posed by Industry 5.0, which is expected to bring about even more extensive integration of new technologies and automation. Full Article
gan The Relationship between Perceived Organizational Support (POS) and Turnover Intention: The Mediating Role of Job Motivation, Affective and Normative Commitment By Published On :: 2023-02-22 Aim/Purpose: The study aims to examine the mediating role of job motivation and affective and normative commitment on the relationship between perceived organizational support (POS) and job turnover intention. Background: POS refers to employees’ beliefs and perceptions concerning the extent to which the organization values their contributions, cares about their well-being, and fulfils their socio-emotional needs. To date, research has shown that employee turnover is a complex construct resulting from the interplay of both individual and organizational variables, such as motivation and climate. Methodology: Cross-sectional data were collected from 143 employees of an Italian industrial company. Paper-and-pencil questionnaires were used to assess respondents’ POS, job motivation, affective and normative organizational commitment, and turnover intentions. Contribution: Specifically, in this research, we aim at examining (i) the indirect effect of POS on turnover intention via (ii) job motivation and (iii) normative and affective commitment. Findings: Results show that high POS is associated with high levels of job motivation and affective and normative commitment, which in turn are negatively linked to turnover intentions. Recommendation for Researchers: Researchers should not lose sight of the importance of studying and delving into the concept of turnover intention given that, from an organizational point of view, losing personnel means losing competencies, which need to be replaced through assessment, selection, training, and development, processes that are often challenging and expensive. Future Research: Future research should further investigate the role of motivation and commitment, other than additional variables, for POS and turnover intention. Longitudinal studies and further testing are required to verify the causal processes stemming from our model. Future research could consider linking employees’ self-reported measures with objective data concerning turnover rates. Full Article
gan Observations on Arrogance and Meaning: Finding Truth in an Era of Misinformation By Published On :: 2024-07-09 Aim/Purpose: The paper discusses various factors contributing to disagreements, such as differing experiences, perspectives, and historical narratives, leading to disagreements within families and societies. It explores how beliefs, values, and biases feed into disagreements, with confirmation bias affecting decision-making and the media. Cultural values also play a role, showcasing conflicts between meritocracy and inclusivity in ethical decision-making. Haidt's Moral Foundations Theory highlights differences in value priorities between Western and Eastern societies. The impact of Western values like rationalism, freedom, and tolerance, under threat from Marxist illiberalism on campuses, is dis-cussed. The text also delves into disinformation, emotions in warfare, and the use of fake information and images for propaganda purposes. The need for diligent reporting to avoid spreading disinformation is emphasized, given its potential to create misconceptions and harm diplomatic relations. Full Article
gan Dimensions of anti-citizenship behaviours incidence in organisations: a meta-analysis By www.inderscience.com Published On :: 2024-07-29T23:20:50-05:00 Research growth in organisational behaviour research, has increased the importance of paying attention to anti-citizenship behaviours. The current research with the aim of quantitative combination, has examined the results of research in effect of underlying factors of organisational anti-citizenship behaviours using meta-analysis method and CMA2 software and 55 articles during the time period of 2000-2020. The results showed a positive significant link between underlying factors of organisational anti-citizenship behaviours and occurrence of these behaviours and this influence was 0.389, 0.338, 0514 and 0.498 (structural, organisational, managerial, employment and professional and socio-economic and cultural factors). The level of connection found relating to each four occurrences is '68 links, 49 links, 93 links and 71 links'. Findings indicate that minute attention has been paid to organisational anti-citizenship behaviours, especially to job and professional factors in research works. Research should be conducted to control and manage these behaviours more purposefully in organisations. Full Article
gan Advancements in the DRG system payment: an optimal volume/procedure mix model for the optimisation of the reimbursement in Italian healthcare organisations By www.inderscience.com Published On :: 2024-08-06T23:20:50-05:00 In Italy, the reimbursement provided to healthcare organisations for medical and surgical procedures is based on the diagnosis related group weight (DRGW), which is an increasing function of the complexity of the procedures. This makes the reimbursement an upper unlimited function. This model does not include the relation of the volume with the complexity. The paper proposes a mathematical model for the optimisation of the reimbursement by determining the optimal mix of volume/procedure, considering the relation volume/complexity and DRGW/complexity. The decreasing, linear, and increasing returns to scale have been defined, and the optimal solution found. The comparison of the model with the traditional approach shows that the proposed model helps the healthcare system to discern the quantity of the reimbursement to provide to health organisations, while the traditional approach, neglecting the relation between the volume and the complexity, can result in an overestimation of the reimbursement. Full Article
gan Managing the Consequences of Organizational Stigmatization: Identity Work in a Social Enterprise By amj.aom.org Published On :: Fri, 27 Mar 2015 21:05:31 +0000 In this inductive study, we shift the focus of stigma research inside organizational boundaries by examining its relationship with organizational identity. To do so, we draw on the case of Keystone, a social enterprise in the East of England that became stigmatized after it initiated a program of support for a group of migrants in its community. Keystone's stigmatization precipitated a crisis of organizational identity. We examine how the identity crisis unfolded, focusing on the forms of identity work that Keystone's leaders enacted in response. Interestingly, we show not only that the internal effects of stigmatization on identity can be managed, but also that they may facilitate unexpected positive outcomes for organizations. Full Article
gan Classical Deviation: Organizational and Individual Status as Antecedents of Conformity By amj.aom.org Published On :: Fri, 10 Apr 2015 14:31:38 +0000 Beside making organizations look like their peers through the adoption of similar attributes (which we call alignment), this paper highlights the fact that conformity also enables organizations to stand out by exhibiting highly salient attributes key to their field or industry (which we call conventionality). Building on the conformity and status literatures, and using the case of major U.S. symphony orchestras and the changes in their concert programing between 1879 and 1969, we hypothesize and find that middle-status organizations are more aligned, and middle-status individual leaders make more conventional choices than their low- and high-status peers. In addition, the extent to which middle-status leaders adopt conventional programming is moderated by the status of the organization and by its level of alignment. This paper offers a novel theory and operationalization of organizational conformity, and contributes to the literature on status effects, and more broadly to the understanding of the key issues of distinctiveness and conformity. Full Article
gan ORGANIZATIONAL HOSTILITY: A FRAMEWORK OF ATYPICAL COMPETITIVE ENGAGEMENTS By amp.aom.org Published On :: Tue, 16 Jun 2015 21:27:10 +0000 Competitive dynamics theory overlooks an entire class of attackers who pose a serious threat to commercial firms—nonmarket players (NMPs) such as activists, environmentalists, social entrepreneurs, and NGOs. Using an institutional perspective, this conceptual manuscript advances competitive dynamics theory by developing a framework of organizational hostility. The framework profiles NMPs according to their propensity to engage firms; it also classifies firms based on their vulnerability and initial reaction to NMP attacks. Corroborated with a mathematical model (Appendix), the conceptual framework explains which NMPs are most hostile to firms; why some NMPs issue threats whereas others quickly strike commercial firms; and which firms are most vulnerable to such hostility. Full Article
gan When Experts Become Liabilities: Domain Experts on Boards and Organizational Failure By amj.aom.org Published On :: Wed, 01 Jul 2015 17:12:16 +0000 How does the presence of domain experts on a corporate board—directors whose primary professional experience is within the focal firm's industry—affect organizational outcomes? We argue that under conditions of significant decision uncertainty, a higher proportion of domain experts on a board may detract from effective decision making and thus increase the probability of organizational failure. Building on exploratory interviews with board members and CEOs, we derive hypotheses from this argument in the context of local banks in the United States. We predict that the greater the level of decision uncertainty—due to rapid asset growth or operation in less predictable markets—the stronger the relationship between the proportion of banking expert directors and the probability of bank failure. Longitudinal analyses of 1,307 banks between 1996 and 2012 support this prediction, even after accounting for both the overall level of professional diversity among directors and banks' different propensities to have an expert-heavy board. We discuss implications for the key dimensions of board composition, the conditions under which the professional background of directors is more or less consequential, and the mechanisms whereby board composition affects organizational outcomes. Full Article
gan Conceptualizing Historical Organization Studies By amr.aom.org Published On :: Mon, 13 Jul 2015 16:21:25 +0000 The promise of a closer union between organizational and historical research has long been recognized. However its potential remains unfulfilled: the authenticity of theory development expected by organization studies and the authenticity of historical veracity required by historical research place exceptional conceptual and empirical demands on researchers. We elaborate the idea of historical organization studies, organizational research that draws extensively on historical data, methods and knowledge to promote historically informed theoretical narratives attentive to both disciplines. Building on prior research, we propose a typology of four differing conceptions of history in organizational research: history as evaluating, explicating, conceptualizing, and narrating. We identify five principles of historical organization studies - dual integrity, pluralistic understanding, representational truth, context sensitivity and theoretical fluency - and illustrate our typology holistically from the perspective of institutional entrepreneurship. We explore practical avenues for a creative synthesis, drawing examples from social movement research and micro-history. Historically informed theoretical narratives whose validity derives from both historical veracity and conceptual rigor, afford dual integrity that enhances scholarly legitimacy, enriching understanding of historical, contemporary and future-directed social realities. Full Article
gan "I IDENTIFY WITH HER," "I IDENTIFY WITH HIM": UNPACKING THE DYNAMICS OF PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION IN ORGANIZATIONS By amr.aom.org Published On :: Tue, 14 Jul 2015 15:03:16 +0000 Despite recognizing the importance of personal identification in organizations, the literature has rarely explored its dynamics. We define personal identification as perceived oneness with another individual, where one defines oneself in terms of the other. While many scholars have found that personal identification is associated with helpful effects, others have found it harmful. To resolve this contradiction, we distinguish between three paths to personal identification -threat-focused, opportunity-focused, and closeness-focused - and articulate a model that includes each. We examine the contextual features, how individuals' identities are constructed, and the likely outcomes that follow in the three paths. We conclude with a discussion of how the threat-, opportunity-, and closeness-focused personal identification processes potentially blend, as well as implications for future research and practice. Full Article
gan REPUTATION AS A BENEFIT AND A BURDEN? HOW STAKEHOLDERS' ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTIFICATION AFFECTS THE ROLE OF REPUTATION FOLLOWING A NEGATIVE EVENT By amj.aom.org Published On :: Fri, 24 Jul 2015 15:30:26 +0000 Research about the effects of an organization's general reputation following a negative event remains equivocal: Some studies have found that a high reputation is a benefit because of the stock of social capital and goodwill it generates; others have found it to be a burden because of the greater stakeholder attention and violation of expectations associated with a negative event. We theorize that stakeholders' level of organizational identification helps explain which mechanisms are more dominant. We test our hypotheses on a sample of legislative references associated with NCAA major infractions from 1999-2009. Our results indicate that a high reputation is a burden for an organization when considering low-identification stakeholder support: As the number of legislative references increases, a high-reputation university will receive fewer donations from non-alumni donors than universities without this asset. In contrast, a high reputation is a benefit when considering high-identification stakeholder support: As the number of legislative references increases, a high-reputation university will receive more donations from alumni donors than universities without this asset. However, an exploratory investigation reveals that alumni donations to high-reputation universities decline as the number of legislative references increases, suggesting that the benefit of a high reputation has a limit. Full Article
gan Devolution of Researcher Care in Organization Studies and the Moderation of Organizational Knowledge By amle.aom.org Published On :: Tue, 28 Jul 2015 14:46:07 +0000 In this paper, we critically assess how the devolution of researcher care moderates knowledge development in organization studies. Defining researcher care as what scholars are concerned and passionate about, we consider the extent to which individuals researchers lose their personal voice in researching organizations. This bounding of care by the research community is a reflection of the way that researchers knowingly alter their care in researching organizations to gain associated career and reputational benefits. We describe how the field's institutional logic for researching organizations enables this devolution to take hold and how larger institutional forces reinforce how it progressively moderates organizational knowledge. We offer preliminary suggestions for addressing the devolution of researcher care in organization studies and ameliorating its threat to knowledge development. Full Article
gan Protecting Market Identity: When and How Do Organizations Respond to Consumers' Devaluations By amj.aom.org Published On :: Wed, 29 Jul 2015 15:20:05 +0000 This article examines the conditions under which organizations publicly respond to unfavorable consumer evaluations that challenge their market identity. Because organizations' market identities are certified by expert evaluations, consumers' devaluations that challenge these expert evaluations represent an identity threat. However, organizations do not always react to consumers' devaluations because of the risks associated to public responses. Hence, we first predict that organizations are more likely to respond to severe devaluations than to weaker ones; second, we propose that organizations, when faced with severe devaluations, are more likely to craft responses that justify their actions and behaviors. We further contend that, for any market identity under consideration, an organization's reputation amplifies these relationships. Analyses of a dataset of London hoteliers' responses to online reviews posted on TripAdvisor during the period 2002-2012 lend substantial support to our hypotheses. Full Article
gan Beginning's end: How founders psychologically disengage from their organizations By amj.aom.org Published On :: Tue, 18 Aug 2015 20:27:16 +0000 Exit is a critical part of the entrepreneurial process. At the same time, research indicates that founders are likely to form strong identity connections to the organizations they start. In turn, when founders exit their organizations, the process of psychological disengagement might destabilize their identities. Yet, limited research addresses how founders experience exit or how they manage their identities during this process. Through a qualitative, inductive study of founders of technology-based companies, I developed a theoretical model of founder psychological disengagement that delineates how founder work orientations relate to the disengagement paths that founders follow when leaving one organization and starting another. In elaborating theory on psychological disengagement, this study has implications for understanding the psychology of founders, how founders exit and begin again, and psychological disengagement, more broadly. Full Article
gan How Do Leader-Departures Affect Subordinates' Organizational Attachment?: A 360-Degree Relational Perspective By amr.aom.org Published On :: Mon, 28 Sep 2015 19:30:29 +0000 Management scholars have noted that leader departures often foreshadow higher turnover intentions (or lower organizational attachment) by subordinates left behind, especially when relationships between the departing leader and the subordinates, or leader-member exchanges (LMX), had been of high quality. In this paper, we posit that the quality of subordinates' relationships with all members of their relational system, not only their leader, must be considered to better understand how leader departures affect subordinates' organizational attachment. Our proposed relationships are illustrated in a theoretical model that includes phenomena at the individual-level (i.e., a subordinate's identification with the departing leader and with his/her organization), at the group-level (i.e., turnover contagion), and at the organizational level (i.e., organization-wide developmental climate). As such, we propose that elucidating how leader-departures affect organizational attachment requires multi-level theorizing and constructs. Theoretical and practical implications of such a 360-degree relational perspective on leader-departure effects are discussed. Full Article
gan Sindh Assembly passes resolution against Gandapur By tribune.com.pk Published On :: Tue, 10 Sep 24 21:57:52 +0500 Demands ECP action against K-P CM for using 'indecent language' about women Full Article Sindh Pakistan
gan Sania Saeed can’t get enough of Nadia Afgan’s wit on screen By tribune.com.pk Published On :: Sat, 13 Jul 24 08:13:46 +0500 Actor shared a clip on IG praising her fellow star Full Article Gossip
gan Megan Thee Stallion and BTS' RM reveal 'Neva Play' collaboration set to drop this Friday By tribune.com.pk Published On :: Mon, 02 Sep 24 08:55:19 +0500 Megan wrote on Instagram, “NEVA PLAY WITH RM OUT FRIDAY HOTTIES X ARMY #MEGJOON.” Full Article Entertainment
gan Mishi Khan criticises Arshad Nadeem over viral video, calls out ‘arrogance’ By tribune.com.pk Published On :: Thu, 29 Aug 24 15:07:16 +0500 Former actress accuses Olympian of letting fame get to his head after a video shows him ignoring a reporter Full Article Life & Style
gan Imran Khan defends K-P CM, urges PTI to remove 'cowards' who apologised for Gandapur By tribune.com.pk Published On :: Tue, 10 Sep 24 09:25:05 +0500 PTI's founding leader reiterates claims of betrayal by the establishment, state negotiations are now off the table. Full Article Pakistan
gan Prime suspect in gang murder arrested By tribune.com.pk Published On :: Wed, 11 Sep 24 20:54:25 +0500 Police discover multiple motorcycles, rickshaws tied to killing of Javed Butt Full Article Punjab Pakistan
gan Imran Khan upset over Ali Amin Gandapur's 'excessive' remarks about journalists By tribune.com.pk Published On :: Thu, 12 Sep 24 10:34:34 +0500 Imran Khan had earlier defended Gandapur, calling on PTI to expel the 'weak cowards' who had apologised for the K-P CM Full Article Pakistan
gan FO responds to K-P CM Gandapur’s Afghan plan, says foreign policy is federal subject By tribune.com.pk Published On :: Thu, 12 Sep 24 15:55:59 +0500 Provincial authorities do not have the mandate for foreign policy, says Mumtaz Zahra Baloch Full Article Pakistan
gan Why Political Organizations Always Drift Off Left: O’Sullivan’s Law, Experienced By falkvinge.net Published On :: Thu, 18 Aug 2022 15:19:00 +0000 Activism: As the Pirate Party slowly veered to the left in politics, I got to experience Sullivan’s Law, which states that organizations that don’t outright declare themselves otherwise will inevitably drift off to the political left. The law doesn’t explain this phenomenon, but I think I can. The Pirate Party was unique in its composition of activists. Whereas most political organizations can plot the political attitudes of their activists to a bell curve on the political left-to-right scale, that is, the organization can identify a clear peak and center mass where they lie politically, the Pirate Party instead had a complete empty trough in the middle, with waves crashing into the left and right wall on the left-to-right spectrum plot. We had the most fervent anarchocapitalists and the most fervent anarchocommunists. At the same time. Cooperating. That was probably something of a political first. It also allowed me to see differences between these two groups that weren’t clear from the outset, and which might explain why organizations drift left over time. O’Sullivans Law states that any organization that is not expressly right-leaning in politics will change over time to become left-leaning. There are some hypotheses as to why, including the observation that right-wing people will tolerate and even welcome left-wing people in an otherwise unpolitical organization, but that left-wing people will generally not tolerate right-wing people. While this observation can be made, I believe it is not enough for an entire organization to shift politically. The explanation is far simpler, and it’s been hiding in plain sight for everyone. Left-wing people are collectivists. They believe that the greater good shall have precedence over the wishes and desires over the individual, and organize to achieve this. Conversely, they do not feel at home when somebody tells them to promote a cause in whatever way they themselves think is best in their individual situation. Right-wing people are individualists. They believe that the greatest good, even for the worst-off people, is best achieved by giving individuals as free reign as possible so that innovation and creativity can take place. Conversely, they do not feel at home when somebody is trying to dictate to them what to do and not to do. This is almost painfully clear when working with both groups at the same time in a political organization. Ah yes, that’s the magic word, right there. Organization. A Non-profit organization, specifically. Do you know how these are run? Basically without exception, they are run as a general assembly, where people are elected to positions and decisions are taken with a majority vote. …decisions are taken with a majority vote. It became painfully clear to me, that the form of a neutral association — the form we have, or had, accepted as neutral — is actually nothing of the sort. It turns out, that an organization that takes collective decisions promotes people who like collective decision-making, and turns away people who prefer individual initiatives. The association with its board, its general assembly, and its majority votes isn’t neutral. It is pushing its membership left, through its very nature, by selecting for those who enjoy collective decision-making and procedural trickery, and marginalizing those who prefer individual initiatives. This is why, if I were to found a new political organization today, I would never use the traditional Non-profit Association format, for it is not neutral and it will ruin whatever original vision you had. For this same reason, I have come to be sceptical of center-right political parties who are run by this majority vote. They’ll never be as powerful as they can be, had they instead organized by individual initiatives — because they are competing against left-wing political parties who feel right at home in this form of organization, which they usually mandated to be the norm for everyone. Full Article Activism Swarm Management collective left majority o'sullivan organization political right
gan 20 years of kunstform (2003): How it all began?! By www.kunstform.org Published On :: 2023-10-16 14:56:58 20 Years of kunstform: How It All Began?! Around the 2000s, Stuttgart, partly due to the excellent BMX Flatland spot 'Haus der Geschichte' and riders like Stephan 'Ass' Dietrich and Philip Jakober, held a magical allure. Many BMX riders from all over Germany, including Sebastian Pospischil, Florian Sailer, Moritz Edschmid, Philip Früh, Roman Rommel, and later, Daniel Fuhrmann, John Krämer, Oliver Radunz, and many more, moved to Stuttgart. The scene thrived, and it gave rise to unforgettable parties and events like the BMX Contest series 'Battle in the Club' and many BMX jams. Sebastian Pospischil, while studying, initiated the kunstform project from his BMX flatshare in 2003. Initially, he imported smaller BMX brands like Artzone, Jim Bob, and FlatTV. The first website went live under the domain www.kunstform.org, and the initial team riders, Chris Böhm, Daniel Hennig, and Sven Steinbach, received support through kunstform. Full Article
gan Russia bans 'child-free propaganda' to try to boost birth rate By www.geo.tv Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 21:57:00 +0500 Blogger and marketer Alina Rzhanova, 33, walks with her eight-month-old son Igor during an interview with Reuters in the city of Yaroslavl, Russia October 3, 2024. — ReutersRussia's lower house of parliament voted unanimously on Tuesday to ban what authorities cast as... Full Article
gan Maryland frontrunner Alsobrooks sweats out challenge from Hogan in Senate race By www.washingtontimes.com Published On :: Tue, 05 Nov 2024 19:18:14 -0500 An unusually competitive Senate race in Maryland went down to the wire Tuesday night with Democrat Angela Alsobrooks hoping her robust polling lead turned into victory against Republican Larry Hogan, a former two-term governor banking on his popularity to fuel an upset win the deep-blue state. Full Article
gan Democrat Angela Alsobrooks defeats popular ex-Gov. Larry Hogan in Maryland Senate race By www.washingtontimes.com Published On :: Tue, 05 Nov 2024 21:37:44 -0500 Democrat Angela Alsobrooks won the Senate race in deep-blue Maryland on Tuesday over Republican Larry Hogan, a former two-term governor who failed to convert his popularity into an upset win. Full Article
gan Obama's singular arrogance By www.washingtontimes.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 14:43:34 -0500 Amid the smoldering wreckage of last Tuesday's elections, Democrats must ask themselves a simple question: Who is in charge? Full Article
gan A new generation database to help ecological research on marine organisms By www.eubon.eu Published On :: Tue, 28 Jan 2014 18:55:00 +0200 Ecosystem functioning, or the role which organisms play in an ecosystem, is becoming increasingly important in marine ecological and conservation. To facilitate such studies an international team of scientists lead by S. Faulwetter from the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HMRC) present the Polytraitsdatabase that aims to provide re-usable, and accessible data on marine bristle worms. The paper describing the new database was published in the innovative Biodiversity Data Journal, a pioneer in the publication of integrated biological data. Benthic organisms participate in a number of biological processes in world water basins. Their functional diversity is an important community property demonstrating the role organisms have in the ecosystem and helping to understand how the community reacts to environmental changes. Polychaetes, or bristle worms, are marine worms famous for their peculiar shapes and often vivid coloration. More than 10,000 species are described in the class worldwide, most of which living in the shelf zone of the seas and oceans, burrowing in the sediment or swimming among the plankton. At present, the Polytraits database contains almost 20,000 records on morphological, behavioural and reproductive characteristics of more than 1,000 species, all referenced by literature sources. All data on these engaging organisms can be freely accessed through the project website in different ways and formats, both human-readable and machine-readable. The new database presents a rich and easy to use collection, which cover morphological, reproductive and behavioural characteristics of polychaetes, as well as information on environmental preferences in an attempt to facilitate ecological research and conservation studies. The researchers also provide a leading-edge approach to accessing, integrating and re-using the data. Through programming interfaces, the life-cycle information is automatically integrated into the Polychaetes Scratchpads, together with other data on polychaetes. Scratchpads are easy to use, adaptable, and provide powerful tools for managing biodiversity data. This taxon-centric virtual research environment allows browsing the taxonomic classification and retrieving various kinds of relevant information for each taxon, among which are also the collected biological traits. Furthermore, the data are also accessible through Encyclopedia of Life's TraitBank which currently features over 3 million records related to more than 250 attributes for 272,720 taxa, including the Polytraits data. TraitBank serves as a provider for aggregated species trait data. All data uploaded there are archived and integrated with trait information from other sources to address issues of standardization of scientific data. This is the first complex database for marine organisms to be published in such an innovative way and demonstrates yet another example of collaboration between the data publisher Pensoft and Encyclopedia of Life. Full Article News
gan Article Alert: Scientific names of organisms: attribution, rights, and licensing By www.eubon.eu Published On :: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 10:24:00 +0300 Background: As biological disciplines extend into the ‘big data’ world, they will need a names-based infrastructure toindex and interconnect distributed data. The infrastructure must have access to all names of all organisms if it is to manage all information. Those who compile lists of species hold different views as to the intellectual property rights that apply to the lists. This creates uncertainty that impedes the development of a much-needed infrastructure for sharing biological data in the digital world. Findings: The laws in the United States of America and European Union are consistent with the position that scientific names of organisms and their compilation in checklists, classifications or taxonomic revisions are not subject to copyright. Compilations of names, such as classifications or checklists, are not creative in the sense of copyright law. Many content providers desire credit for their efforts. Conclusions: A ‘blue list’ identifies elements of checklists, classifications and monographs to which intellectual property rights do not apply. To promote sharing, authors of taxonomic content, compilers, intermediaries, and aggregators should receive citable recognition for their contributions, with the greatest recognition being given to the originating authors. Mechanisms for achieving this are discussed. Original Source: Patterson et al. Scientific names of organisms: attribution, rights, and licensing, BMC Research Notes 2014, 7:79. doi: 10.1186/1471-2105-12-S15-S1 Full article available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2105-12-S15-S1 Full Article News
gan SUSTAIN-EU-ASEAN cluster meting: organic and non-organic resourches & climate actions and cities By www.eubon.eu Published On :: Tue, 17 Jun 2014 16:38:00 +0300 SUSTAIN-EU-ASEAN organises the first bi-regional cluster meeting during which projects from both Southeast Asia and Europe can meet in person! This cluster meeting will take place in Bogor, Indonesia on 19 Aug 2014, in parallel with the ASEAN Science and Technology Week (ASTW). The two tematic clusters are: Climate Action and Cities: this cluster brings together a number of projects dealing with the effects of climate change on urban space (also referring to issues like water management, etc.) Organic and Non-Organic Resources: this cluster contains projects that deal with a range of resources and materials problems crucial for economic and social well-being in Southeast Asia Purpose of the meeting/Goals: Meet and get to know fellow projects working on similar topics of relevance to ASEAN Discuss results and synergies, exchange on methodologies, plan for joint events, applications, publications, etc. or simply see what's going on in the other region in this topic. Plan concrete next joint steps with projects in the cluster. Benefit from SUSTAIN EU-ASEAN support (e.g. in your dissemination, exploitation and development activities) and inputs (on the funding environment) Share your views on thematic gaps in current research - SUSTAIN is mandated to carry the message to the European Commission Find more information in the attached brochure. Full Article Events
gan Scientific names of organisms: attribution, rights, and licensing By www.eubon.eu Published On :: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 10:54:00 +0300 Full Article Events
gan Sulfate-reducing microorganisms in a Mediterranean lagoonal complex (Amvrakikos Gulf, Ionian Sea) By www.eubon.eu Published On :: Mon, 15 May 2017 15:10:24 +0300 Full Article Events
gan Megan Fox is expecting a baby with Machine Gun Kelly By www.boston.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 13:32:39 +0000 The couple spoke about experiencing a miscarriage more than a year ago. They announced their engagement in 2022. The post Megan Fox is expecting a baby with Machine Gun Kelly appeared first on Boston.com. Full Article Culture Celebs Entertainment
gan For ‘Perfect Couple’ author Elin Hilderbrand, book organization is optional By www.boston.com Published On :: Thu, 31 Oct 2024 17:01:38 +0000 At her home in Nantucket, the bestselling author keeps her collection personal, including where she puts her books: “Nobody else has to understand it.” The post For ‘Perfect Couple’ author Elin Hilderbrand, book organization is optional appeared first on Boston.com. Full Article Culture Books Nantucket
gan Christian World News - Haiti's Dangerous Gangs - November 8, 2024 By www.cbn.com Published On :: A Haitian gang leader pledges to protect missionaries and orphanages. Full Article
gan Studio 5: Reagan's Story - August 28, 2024 By www.cbn.com Published On :: On this Special Edition of Studio 5 we are focusing on the film 'Reagan'. Actors Dennis Quaid and Jennifer O'Neill talk about their role in the film. Plus, screen writer Howard Klausner explores the writing process. Full Article
gan Tim Rogan: Insulations for a Changing Climate By www.wconline.com Published On :: Fri, 01 Nov 2019 00:00:00 -0400 Perhaps there’s more money in saving our resources than there is to burn them up recklessly for profit as we have done throughout time. Full Article
gan Adeela Warley: The ‘stay or go’ social media debate must ultimately come down to organisational purpose By www.thirdsector.co.uk Published On :: Thu, 03 Oct 2024 16:47:04 +0100 Centring missions, creating space for discussion and continuing to test and learn will help every charity tailor their approach to online spaces Full Article Communications
gan Local authorities must improve engagement with voluntary organisations, report finds By www.thirdsector.co.uk Published On :: Tue, 08 Oct 2024 08:20:35 +0100 The Care Quality Commission said addressing inequalities demanded better relationships between local authorities and the voluntary sector Full Article Management
gan USG Hosts September Quarry Tour Day in Michigan By www.wconline.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Oct 2024 18:00:00 -0400 USG recently hosted a public tour of its newly opened gypsum quarry in Alabaster Township, Michigan. Full Article
gan Michigan OSHA launches emphasis program on silica By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Wed, 06 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0500 Lansing, MI — Michigan OSHA intends to conduct inspections at jobsites where workers are most likely to be exposed to respirable crystalline silica, as part of the agency’s recently launched state emphasis program aimed at reducing exposure to silica and preventing silicosis. Full Article
gan When Elegance Aligns with Convenience…Enter Evanston Gateway By www.wconline.com Published On :: Sun, 28 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0400 At the corner of Chicago Avenue and Howard Street is where you’re greeted with luxury and elegance. Evanston Gateway, just steps away from Chicago, is an apartment complex that brings together boutique living and accessibility. Full Article
gan Almost seven million people predicted to take part in this year’s Big Help Out, organisers say By www.thirdsector.co.uk Published On :: Wed, 05 Jun 2024 16:25:31 +0100 This weekend’s event is offering more than a million volunteering opportunities through its app Full Article Volunteering
gan Millions of people take part in second Big Help Out, organisers say By www.thirdsector.co.uk Published On :: Tue, 11 Jun 2024 16:08:20 +0100 The Prime Minister and the Labour Party leader all got involved in the volunteering event over the weekend Full Article Volunteering
gan Mark Dowie: ‘This organisation has lasted 200 years for a reason’ By www.thirdsector.co.uk Published On :: Fri, 28 Jun 2024 10:22:00 +0100 Lucinda Rouse speaks to the outgoing chief of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution about cycles, Covid-19 and the ‘one crew’ pledge Full Article Management
gan Michigan OSHA issues hazard alert about working near ice By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Mon, 29 Feb 2016 00:00:00 -0500 Lansing, MI – Even though winter is in its final weeks, workers need to keep taking proper precautions around ice, Michigan OSHA states in a hazard alert released in February. Full Article
gan Firefighting officially a cancer-causing profession, World Health Organization says By www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com Published On :: Wed, 17 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400 Lyon, France — The World Health Organization has reclassified firefighting as a carcinogenic profession. Full Article