scholarly journals Security Transitions

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 (7) ◽  
pp. 2275-2308
Author(s):  
Thiemo Fetzer ◽  
Pedro C. L. Souza ◽  
Oliver Vanden Eynde ◽  
Austin L. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Civil Conflict ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Signaling Model ◽  
Military Presence ◽  
Conflict Outcomes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Instrumental Variables Approach ◽  
Roll Out

How do foreign powers disengage from a conflict? We study this issue by examining the recent, large-scale security transition from international troops to local forces in the ongoing civil conflict in Afghanistan. We construct a new dataset that combines information on this transition process with declassified conflict outcomes and previously unreleased quarterly survey data of residents’ perceptions of local security. Our empirical design leverages the staggered roll-out of the transition, and employs a novel instrumental variables approach to estimate the impact. We find a significant, sharp, and timely decline of insurgent violence in the initial phase: the security transfer to Afghan forces. We find that this is followed by a significant surge in violence in the second phase: the actual physical withdrawal of foreign troops. We argue that this pattern is consistent with a signaling model, in which the insurgents reduce violence strategically to facilitate the foreign military withdrawal to capitalize on the reduced foreign military presence afterward. Our findings clarify the destabilizing consequences of withdrawal in one of the costliest conflicts in modern history, and yield potentially actionable insights for designing future security transitions. (JEL D74, F51, F52, O17)

scholarly journals The impact of foreign fighters on civil conflict outcomes

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 205316801772205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffany S. Chu ◽  
Alex Braithwaite
Keyword(s):  
Civil Conflict ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Civil Conflicts ◽  
Negotiated Settlement ◽  
Rebel Groups ◽  
The Government ◽  
Foreign Fighters ◽  
Conflict Outcomes ◽  
The Impact

There has been a great deal of discussion about the large volumes of foreign fighters involved in civil conflicts in Syria and Iraq over recent years. Yet, there remains little systematic evidence about the effect, if any, that foreign fighters have upon the conflicts they join. Existing literature distinguishes between the resources fighters bring to rebel groups and the liability they represent in regards to campaign cohesion. We seek to establish preliminary evidence as to whether or not foreign fighters contribute to the success of the campaigns they join. Our multinomial logistic and competing risks regression analyses of civil conflicts between 1946 and 2013 suggest that foreign fighters are associated with a decreased likelihood of government victory. Furthermore, we offer partial evidence to suggest that foreign fighters from non-contiguous countries are more likely to help rebels achieve a negotiated settlement or to continue their struggle against the government, but not to directly help them achieve victory.

scholarly journals RAPID DATA COLLECTION FOR THE AUDIT OF MONUMENTS & MEMORIALS IN SOUTH AFRICA

2021 ◽  
Vol XLVI-M-1-2021 ◽  
pp. 313-320
Author(s):  
C. Jackson ◽  
M. Nkhasi-Lesaoana ◽  
L. Mofutsanyana
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
National Audit ◽  
The Public ◽  
Funding Mechanism ◽  
History Of ◽  
Monuments And Memorials ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Roll Out

Abstract. The tradition of memorialising people and events through physical constructions such as statues and monuments like in many countries, has shaped the public space of a modern South Africa. Considering the colonial and apartheid history of South Africa, these physical markers, often uncontextualized, continue to maintain positions of prominence within the modern streetscape.Since the turn of the democratic era in South Africa, a pressing need has existed to assess the impact of the markers on the heritage landscape of the country. An endeavour made more difficult by a lack of a comprehensive inventory of these resources across the country.The National Audit of Monuments and Memorials (NAMM) was designed to address this gap through a full national survey of monuments and memorials, conducted under the auspices of a job creation stimulus package designed to create short term employment in the wake of the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. Undertaking this project under this funding mechanism required that all phases of the project be undertaken within a six-month period.The compressed timeframes associated with this project required an approach that could support a level of fluidity to address the challenges of undertaking a project of this nature, whilst ensuring that the data collected by field surveyors can be monitored and included in the inventory of the national estate in an effective manner.The aim of this paper is to discuss and showcase the tools and workflows used to roll out and manage the large-scale national audit of monuments and memorials across South Africa.

scholarly journals TDD Dynamics: Understanding the Impact of Test-Driven Development on Software Quality and Productivity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yahha Rafique
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Extreme Programming ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Moderator Variables ◽  
Empirical Measures ◽  
Test Driven Development ◽  
The Impact

Test-Driven Development (TDD) is one of the cornerstone practices of the Extreme Programming agile methodology. Today, despite the large scale adoption of TDD in industry, including large software firms such as Microsoft and IBM, its usefulness with regard to the quality and productivity constructs it still under question. Empirical Research has failed to produce conclusive results; all possible results have been reported for both constructs. This research adopts non-empirical measures to gain a deeper understanding of TDD. A two-phased approach has been undertaken towards the goal. The first phase involves conducting a meta-analysis of past empirical research. The meta-analysis quantitatively combines the results of individual empirical studies and identifies moderator variables that could potentially govern the performance of TDD. The second phase of the approach involves the construction of a simulation model of a TDD-based development process. The presented model further analyzes the impact of changes in moderator variables.

scholarly journals ‘Getting to Know Me’: The second phase roll-out of a staff training programme for supporting people with dementia in general hospitals

Dementia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Elvish ◽  
Simon Burrow ◽  
Rosanne Cawley ◽  
Kathryn Harney ◽  
Mark Pilling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Dementia Care ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
General Hospitals ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Point Increase ◽  
Care Training ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Roll Out

Objectives The aims were to evaluate a second phase roll-out of a dementia care training programme for general hospital staff and to further develop two outcome scales: the Confidence in Dementia scale for measuring confidence in working with people with dementia and the Knowledge in Dementia scale for measuring knowledge in dementia. Method Following a ‘training the trainers’ phase, the study involved the delivery of the ‘Getting to Know Me’ training programme to a large number of staff (n = 517) across three National Health Service (NHS) Trusts situated in North-West England. The impact of the programme was evaluated using a pre–post design which explored: (i) changes in confidence in dementia, (ii) changes in knowledge in dementia, and (iii) changes in beliefs about behaviours that challenge. Results Statistically significant change was identified between pre–post training on all outcome measures (Confidence in Dementia: eight point increase, p < 0.001; Knowledge in Dementia: two point increase p < 0.001; controllability beliefs scale: four point decrease, p < 0.001). Medium to large effect sizes were demonstrated on all outcome measures. The psychometric properties of the Confidence in Dementia and Knowledge in Dementia scales are reported. Conclusion Staff knowledge in dementia and confidence in working with people with dementia significantly increased following attendance at the training sessions. The findings are consistent with preliminary findings and strengthen current knowledge about the impact of dementia care training in general hospitals. The Confidence in Dementia and Knowledge in Dementia scales continue to demonstrate psychometrically sound properties and demonstrate utility in the field of dementia research.

scholarly journals The metabolic response ofPseudomonas taiwanensisto NADH dehydrogenase deficiency

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salome C. Nies ◽  
Robert Dinger ◽  
Yan Chen ◽  
Gossa G. Wordofa ◽  
Mette Kristensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Chain ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Nadh Dehydrogenase ◽  
Metabolic Response ◽  
Metabolic Flexibility ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Type I ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Nadh Dehydrogenases ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObligate aerobic organisms rely on a functional electron transport chain for energy generation and NADH oxidation. Because of this essential requirement, the genes of this pathway are likely constitutively and highly expressed to avoid a cofactor imbalance and energy shortage under fluctuating environmental conditions.We here investigated the essentiality of the three NADH dehydrogenases of the respiratory chain of the obligate aerobePseudomonas taiwanensisVLB120 and the impact of the knockouts of corresponding genes on its physiology and metabolism. While a mutant lacking all three NADH dehydrogenases seemed to be nonviable, the generated single or double knockout strains displayed none or only a marginal phenotype. Only the mutant deficient in both type 2 dehydrogenases showed a clear phenotype with biphasic growth behavior and strongly reduced growth rate in the second phase. In-depth analyses of the metabolism of the generated mutants including quantitative physiological experiments, transcript analysis, proteomics and enzyme activity assays revealed distinct responses to type II and type I dehydrogenase deletions. An overall high metabolic flexibility enablesP. taiwanensisto cope with the introduced genetic perturbations and maintain stable phenotypes by rerouting of metabolic fluxes.This metabolic adaptability has implications for biotechnological applications. While the phenotypic robustness is favorable in large-scale applications with inhomogeneous conditions, versatile redirecting of carbon fluxes upon genetic interventions can frustrate metabolic engineering efforts.ImportanceWhilePseudomonashas the capability for high metabolic activity and the provision of reduced redox cofactors important for biocatalytic applications, exploitation of this characteristic might be hindered by high, constitutive activity of and consequently competition with the NADH dehydrogenases of the respiratory chain. The in-depth analysis of NADH dehydrogenase mutants ofPseudomonas taiwanensisVLB120 presented here, provides insight into the phenotypic and metabolic response of this strain to these redox metabolism perturbations. The observed great metabolic flexibility needs to be taken into account for rational engineering of this promising biotechnological workhorse towards a host with controlled and efficient supply of redox cofactors for product synthesis.

scholarly journals TDD Dynamics: Understanding the Impact of Test-Driven Development on Software Quality and Productivity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yahha Rafique
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Extreme Programming ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Moderator Variables ◽  
Empirical Measures ◽  
Test Driven Development ◽  
The Impact

Test-Driven Development (TDD) is one of the cornerstone practices of the Extreme Programming agile methodology. Today, despite the large scale adoption of TDD in industry, including large software firms such as Microsoft and IBM, its usefulness with regard to the quality and productivity constructs it still under question. Empirical Research has failed to produce conclusive results; all possible results have been reported for both constructs. This research adopts non-empirical measures to gain a deeper understanding of TDD. A two-phased approach has been undertaken towards the goal. The first phase involves conducting a meta-analysis of past empirical research. The meta-analysis quantitatively combines the results of individual empirical studies and identifies moderator variables that could potentially govern the performance of TDD. The second phase of the approach involves the construction of a simulation model of a TDD-based development process. The presented model further analyzes the impact of changes in moderator variables.

scholarly journals The Impact of an Electronic Patient Bedside Observation and Handover System on Clinical Practice: Mixed-Methods Evaluation (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Lang ◽  
Mark Simmonds ◽  
James Pinchin ◽  
Sarah Sharples ◽  
Lorrayne Dunn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Workload Management ◽  
Safety Incident ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Roll Out

BACKGROUND Patient safety literature has long reported the need for early recognition of deteriorating patients. Early warning scores (EWSs) are commonly implemented as “track and trigger,” or rapid response systems for monitoring and early recognition of acute patient deterioration. This study presents a human factors evaluation of a hospital-wide transformation in practice, engendered by the deployment of an innovative electronic observations (eObs) and handover system. This technology enables real-time information processing at the patient’s bedside, improves visibility of patient data, and streamlines communication within clinical teams. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to identify improvement and deterioration in workplace efficiency and quality of care resulting from the large-scale imposition of new technology. METHODS A total of 85 hours of direct structured observations of clinical staff were carried out before and after deployment. We conducted 40 interviews with a range of clinicians. A longitudinal analysis of critical care audit and electronically recorded patient safety incident reports was conducted. The study was undertaken in a large secondary-care facility in the United Kingdom. RESULTS Roll-out of eObs was associated with approximately 10% reduction in total unplanned admissions to critical care units from eObs-equipped wards. Over time, staff appropriated the technology as a tool for communication, workload management, and improving awareness of team capacity. A negative factor was perceived as lack of engagement with the system by senior clinicians. Doctors spent less time in the office (68.7% to 25.6%). More time was spent at the nurses’ station (6.6% to 41.7%). Patient contact time was more than doubled (2.9% to 7.3%). CONCLUSIONS Since deployment, clinicians have more time for patient care because of reduced time spent inputting and accessing data. The formation of a specialist clinical team to lead the roll-out was universally lauded as the reason for success. Staff valued the technology as a tool for managing workload and identified improved situational awareness as a key benefit. For future technology deployments, the staff requested more training preroll-out, in addition to engagement and support from senior clinicians.

scholarly journals Systems Analysis of NADH Dehydrogenase Mutants Reveals Flexibility and Limits of Pseudomonas taiwanensis VLB120’s Metabolism

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salome C. Nies ◽  
Robert Dinger ◽  
Yan Chen ◽  
Gossa G. Wordofa ◽  
Mette Kristensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Chain ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Nadh Dehydrogenase ◽  
Metabolic Flexibility ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Nadh Dehydrogenases ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Obligate aerobic organisms rely on a functional electron transport chain for energy conservation and NADH oxidation. Because of this essential requirement, the genes of this pathway are likely constitutively and highly expressed to avoid a cofactor imbalance and energy shortage under fluctuating environmental conditions. We here investigated the essentiality of the three NADH dehydrogenases of the respiratory chain of the obligate aerobe Pseudomonas taiwanensis VLB120 and the impact of the knockouts of corresponding genes on its physiology and metabolism. While a mutant lacking all three NADH dehydrogenases seemed to be nonviable, the single or double knockout mutant strains displayed no, or only a weak, phenotype. Only the mutant deficient in both type 2 dehydrogenases showed a clear phenotype with biphasic growth behavior and a strongly reduced growth rate in the second phase. In-depth analyses of the metabolism of the generated mutants, including quantitative physiological experiments, transcript analysis, proteomics, and enzyme activity assays revealed distinct responses to type 2 and type 1 dehydrogenase deletions. An overall high metabolic flexibility enables P. taiwanensis to cope with the introduced genetic perturbations and maintain stable phenotypes, likely by rerouting of metabolic fluxes. This metabolic adaptability has implications for biotechnological applications. While the phenotypic robustness is favorable in large-scale applications with inhomogeneous conditions, the possible versatile redirecting of carbon fluxes upon genetic interventions can thwart metabolic engineering efforts. IMPORTANCE While Pseudomonas has the capability for high metabolic activity and the provision of reduced redox cofactors important for biocatalytic applications, exploitation of this characteristic might be hindered by high, constitutive activity of and, consequently, competition with the NADH dehydrogenases of the respiratory chain. The in-depth analysis of NADH dehydrogenase mutants of Pseudomonas taiwanensis VLB120 presented here provides insight into the phenotypic and metabolic response of this strain to these redox metabolism perturbations. This high degree of metabolic flexibility needs to be taken into account for rational engineering of this promising biotechnological workhorse toward a host with a controlled and efficient supply of redox cofactors for product synthesis.

Impact of COVID-19 on Nuclear Medicine in Germany, Austria and Switzerland: An International Survey in April 2020

2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (04) ◽  
pp. 294-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lutz S. Freudenberg ◽  
Ulf Dittmer ◽  
Ken Herrmann
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Medicine ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Diagnostic Procedures ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Current Crisis ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Public Versus Private ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction Preparations of health systems to accommodate large number of severely ill COVID-19 patients in March/April 2020 has a significant impact on nuclear medicine departments. Materials and Methods A web-based questionnaire was designed to differentiate the impact of the pandemic on inpatient and outpatient nuclear medicine operations and on public versus private health systems, respectively. Questions were addressing the following issues: impact on nuclear medicine diagnostics and therapy, use of recommendations, personal protective equipment, and organizational adaptations. The survey was available for 6 days and closed on April 20, 2020. Results 113 complete responses were recorded. Nearly all participants (97 %) report a decline of nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures. The mean reduction in the last three weeks for PET/CT, scintigraphies of bone, myocardium, lung thyroid, sentinel lymph-node are –14.4 %, –47.2 %, –47.5 %, –40.7 %, –58.4 %, and –25.2 % respectively. Furthermore, 76 % of the participants report a reduction in therapies especially for benign thyroid disease (-41.8 %) and radiosynoviorthesis (–53.8 %) while tumor therapies remained mainly stable. 48 % of the participants report a shortage of personal protective equipment. Conclusions Nuclear medicine services are notably reduced 3 weeks after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic reached Germany, Austria and Switzerland on a large scale. We must be aware that the current crisis will also have a significant economic impact on the healthcare system. As the survey cannot adapt to daily dynamic changes in priorities, it serves as a first snapshot requiring follow-up studies and comparisons with other countries and regions.

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