Distant Partners Research Articles

Technology for helping people with neuromotor, intellectual, and speech disabilities engage in leisure and communication activities: a proof-of-concept study.

We extended the assessment of our recently developed technology to help people with neuromotor, intellectual, and speech disabilities access (listen to) music, communicate with distant partners, and answer questions. The technology included a tablet (1) fitted with an Internet connection, a SIM card, WhatsApp Messenger, and MacroDroid application, and (2) interfaced with different pairs of response sensors. Six participants were included in the study, which was carried out according to a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design across participants. During the baseline phase (5-8 sessions carried out over 1-2 weeks), participants were unable to access music, make video calls, or answer questions using a regular tablet. During the intervention phase (50-102 sessions carried out with the technology over 2-4 months), however, they activated means of 4.7-7.6 songs and 0.4-3.6 video calls per session. Moreover, they answered correctly a mean of 69-96% of the questions presented to them. These results suggest that our technology solution is a viable and potentially valuable resource for people with extensive disabilities.

People with Neuro-motor Impairment, Lack of Speech, and General Passivity Can Engage in Basic Forms of Activity and Communication with Technology Support

Abstract Objectives People with neuro-motor impairment, lack of speech and general passivity live in a marginalized and isolating condition. This study used a technology-aided program to help three of these people achieve basic activity (i.e., accessing music videos and listening to stories and/or answering questions) and communication (i.e., video calling or sending messages to preferred partners). Methods The study was carried out according to a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across participants. During the intervention, the participants were provided with the technology system that entailed a tablet and two touch or two optic sensors. Within each session, the tablet presented the participants with choice periods (i.e., periods in which they could choose between music videos and communication with distant partners) interspersed with stories plus questions or questions periods. Results During the baseline (without the technology system), the participants were not able to make choices (failing to access music videos or communication events) or to answer questions. During the intervention sessions, all participants used the technology successfully to access music videos and communication events and to answer questions independently. Conclusions The results suggest that simple technology can be adapted to help people like the participants of this study achieve basic forms of functional activity and communication.

Kierunki pozaeuropejskie paradyplomacji polskich województw

The main purpose of this article is to present the directions of foreign activity (paradiplomacy) of Polish regional governments with partners from outside Europe. The first, theoretical part shows the essence of paradiplomacy, which is understood as the ability of local government units to conduct political interactions beyond country borders. The empirical part discusses the spatial directions of paradiplomacy of Polish local governments, Polish-chinese regional partnerships and other partnerships from outside Europe. The hypothesis was verified that regional governments, in addition to european and neighbourhood cooperation, also cooperate with geographically distant partners from outside the european continent. The article uses methods typical of social sciences, including case studies and quantitative and qualitative analysis.

(341) Prevalence of Sexual Disorders in a Sample of Patients Suffering from Breast Cancer

Abstract Introduction There is scarce evidence on prevalence of sexual disorders at large and particularly in the region where I work and practice psychiatry and sexology. Not to mention, lack or research and evidence in regard to sexual disorders among females suffering from Breast Cancer. Objective Assess the prevalence of females suffering from a sexual disorder in my region is a challenge on its own - checking in the prevalence of females suffering from a sexual disorder while in the course of treatment from Breast Cancer is another challenge since sex could be the last thing they want to talk about – possibly. Methods 1000 female patients were randomly selected at the outpatient clinic of a national cancer hospital over the course of four consecutive months by initial simple questionnaire inquiring about mood, sleep, appetite, level of energy, relationship with partner, intimacy with partner and frequency of having sex and if there is any problems or pain experienced during sex. Those reported to have any sexual symptoms or complaints were taken to sexual interview using the PLISSIT model. When necessary, the partner was called in for assessment too. To implement the first simple survey - I had to psychosexual educate personnel in Pain clinic - where the survey was distributed beside psychiatry clinic - and recruit 4 psychology students under training to help conducting the survey - so I could reach the 1000 sample within the course of four months. Symptoms of depressive mood, disturbed appetite and disturbed sleep, lack of energy, were associated with sexual disorder. Results N 708 patients 70 % reported turbulent marital relationship and distant partners before or after illness. N 738 patients reported suffering from a diagnosable sexual disorder mainly Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder plus or minus vaginal dryness as a sequel of chemotherapy regimen indicated at the time. N 200 patients 20% reported partners to be suffering from a diagnosable sexual disorder mainly erectile disorder and/or sexual disorder due to substance use disorder. While N 292 30% reported good relationship with their caring husbands and flowing sexual life fostered by warm intimacy. Conclusions Sexual disorders are widespread and remarkably under diagnosed and overlooked in the treatment of breast cancer while prevalence is approaching 80 %. It would be interesting to take this research to the next level and study the prevalence of female sexual interest/arousal disorder in relation to each and every chemotherapeutic agent versus surgery and radiotherapy as well as hormonal therapy between females who underwent female genital mutilation surgery (circumcised) versus those who are not circumcised. It is very important to early diagnose and treat sexual disorders to restore intimacy and create a better quality of life for females suffering from breast cancer - better adherence on follow up and less stress to counteract relapse of cancer. Disclosure No

A simple smartphone-aided program to support meaningful occupation in people with severe neuro-motor and speech disabilities.

We assessed a simple smartphone-aided program to help three participants with severe neuro-motor and speech disabilities access preferred songs, call or send messages to distant partners, and call the caregiver. The program relied on the use of a smartphone, five cards with identification tags, and a mini speaker. The participants could select one of the cards (engagement options) by touching it with the smartphone. Using the program, all participants managed to access songs, reach partners, and call the caregiver independently and engaged in the related forms of leisure and communication/interaction throughout the 10-min sessions available. The results suggest that the program might be a valuable aid for people with severe neuro-motor and speech disabilities.

Once upon a time in a foreign market: The role of cultural distance in the economic performance of multilateral non-equity partnerships

As a consequence of globalization and advancements in technology, international collaborations, which bring together partners from different cultural backgrounds, have become increasingly prominent in the business world. While several studies have examined the impact of cultural distance on the performance of such partnerships, they have tended to focus on bilateral relationships, and the results they have produced are conflicting. By building on the resource-based view and distinguishing the differences between the concepts of cultural distance among partners and the cultural distance of partnerships from target markets, the present study provides insights into the role of cultural distance in the performance of multilateral project-based non-equity collaborations. Drawing on a sample of 1183 movies that were released in the U.S. between the years 2000 and 2020, this study demonstrates that while projects co-produced by culturally distant partners have yielded higher revenues, the cultural distance of partnerships from target markets can have a negative impact on economic performance. Furthermore, the results show that partnerships formed with firms that originated in countries that have greater diversity perform better in the target market, and such partnerships manage cultural distance more efficiently.

Low-Cost Technology-Aided Programs for Supporting People With Motor, Visual, and Intellectual Disabilities in Functional Forms of Occupation and Communication: Proof-of-Concept Study.

People with motor, visual, and intellectual disabilities may have serious problems in independently accessing various forms of functional daily occupation and communication. The study was aimed at developing and assessing new, low-cost technology-aided programs to help people with motor or visual-motor and intellectual disabilities independently engage in functional forms of occupation and communication with distant partners. Two programs were set up using a smartphone interfaced with a 2-switch device and a tablet interfaced with 2 pressure sensors, respectively. Single-subject research designs were used to assess (1) the first program with 2 participants who were blind, had moderate hand control, and were interested in communicating with distant partners through voice messages; and (2) the second program with 2 participants who possessed functional vision, had no or poor hand control, and were interested in communicating with their partners through video calls. Both programs also supported 2 forms of occupational engagement, that is, choosing and accessing preferred leisure events consisting of songs and music videos, and listening to brief stories about relevant daily topics and answering questions related to those stories. During the baseline phase (when only a conventional smartphone or tablet was available), 2 participants managed sporadic access to leisure or leisure and communication events. The other 2 participants did not show any independent leisure or communication engagement. During the intervention (when the technology-aided programs were used), all participants managed to independently engage in multiple leisure and communication events throughout the sessions and to listen to stories and answer story-related questions. The findings, which need to be interpreted with caution given the nature of the study and the small number of participants, seem to suggest that the new programs may be viable tools for helping people with motor or visual-motor and intellectual disabilities independently access leisure, communication, and other forms of functional engagement.

Developing the Intercultural Competence of Algerian University Students through Virtual Intercultural Exchanges

Virtual milieus are becoming a setting for a great deal of intercultural contact. Learners engaged in virtual exchanges are likely to encounter users from different nationalities who bring with them their culturally-grounded behaviors, beliefs and expectations as to what is most appropriate for intercultural interactions. Against this background, learners need specific skills, attitudes and knowledge to establish working relationships and collaborate with distant partners, namely intercultural competence. The present paper explores the effectiveness and relevance of participating in virtual intercultural exchanges to develop Algerian University learners’ intercultural competence(or lack thereof). The particular significance of this study lies in shedding light on the importance of scaling up virtual intercultural exchanges to become an expected activity in Algerian Higher education. We opted for the quasi-experimental design as an appropriate research strategy for the present study. Data were gathered from attitudinal surveys administered to 38 students enrolled at the department of English language of Abou Bakr Belkaid University, Algeria. Participants were not selected randomly. They were grouped into two groups: a focus group entailing 19 students who participated in a telecollaborative partnership offered in the fall of 2020, and a control group of 19 students who were not involved in intercultural exchange programs. This initiative attempts to present some preliminary findings to show that virtual intercultural exchanges can assist Algerian learners in developing their intercultural competence under the guidance of their instructor.

Controlled quantum teleportation between discrete and continuous physical systems

Quantum teleportation of an unknown state basing on the interaction between discrete-valued states (DV) and continuous-valued states (CV) presented a particular challenge in quantum technologies. Here we consider the problem of controlled quantum teleportation of an amplitude-matched CV qubit, encoded by a coherent state of a varied phase as a superposition of the vacuum- and single-photon optical states among two distant partners Alice and Bob, with the consent of controller, Charlie. To achieve this task, we use an hybrid tripartite entangled state (interaction between the discrete and continuous variables states) as the quantum resource where the coherent part belongs to Alice, while the single-photon belongs to Bob and Charlie and the CV qubit is at the disposal of Alice. The discrete-continuous interaction is realized on highly transmissive beam-splitter. We have shown that the perfectly of teleportation fidelity depends on the phase difference between the phase of the state to teleport and the phase of the sender’s mode, we found that for a difference which approaches 0 or π, near perfect controlled quantum teleportation can be obtained in terms of the fidelity and independently of the amplitude α and the squeezing parameter ζ. Experimentally, this proposed scheme has been implemented using linear optical components such as beam splitter, phase shifters and photon counters.

SME OPEN INNOVATION: DIFFERENCES WITHIN THE SIMILAR ACROSS THE R&D INTENSITY SPECTRUM

Innovation management theory has its origins heavily grounded in studies of the routines and practices of large-scale and research and development (R&D) intensive enterprises, with a reduced understanding of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) context. Through a cross-case analysis of 12 case studies along the R&D-intensity spectrum (6 low-medium technology (LMT) and 6 medium-high/high-technology (HMHT) case studies selected), this research study explores our understanding of SMEs’ differences within the similar by asking the following question—how does open innovation manifest itself within the heterogeneous context of SMEs innovation practices? Our findings reinforce the heterogeneity of OI SME innovation practices by revealing the following. First, the rationale and importance of OI adoption differs—principally operational (LMT) vs. strategic (HMHT). Second, distinct OI partners are leveraged depending on the R&D intensity of the SME namely LMT SMEs typically partner with smaller scale SME partners known to them whereas for HMHT SMEs, there is a tendency to partner with larger scale, more geographically and cognitively distant partners. OI adoption for LMT SMEs tended to be short-term in duration, demonstrating a tendency to switchback to a closed innovation paradigm once OI motivating constraints were addressed. In contrast, our findings highlighted how HMHT SMEs explored more coupled OI modes. This study further reveals how OI SME can be peripheral in nature with many SMEs at a competitive disadvantage in the long term as the collaborative capabilities derived from engaging in deeper modes of OI are not being explored.

People with intellectual and multiple disabilities access leisure, communication, and daily activities via a new technology-aided program.

People with mild to moderate intellectual or multiple disabilities may have serious difficulties in accessing leisure events, managing communication exchanges with distant partners, and performing functional daily activities. Recently, efforts were made to develop and assess technology-aided programs aimed at supporting people in all three areas (i.e., leisure, communication, and daily activities). This study assessed a new technology-aided program aimed at helping four participants with intellectual and multiple disabilities in the aforementioned areas. The program, which was implemented following a non-concurrent multiple baseline across participants design, relied on the use of a smartphone or tablet connected via Bluetooth to a two-switch device. This device served to select leisure and communication events and to control the smartphone or tablet’s delivery of step instructions for the activities scheduled. Data showed that during the baseline phase (with only the smartphone or tablet available), three participants failed in each of the areas (i.e., leisure, communication and functional activities) while one participant managed to access a few leisure events. During the intervention phase (with the support of the technology-aided program), all participants managed to independently access leisure events, make telephone calls, and carry out activities. These results suggest that the program might be a useful tool for helping people with intellectual and multiple disabilities improve their condition in basic areas of daily life.

Collaborative innovation: a technological perspective

Collaborative innovation: a technological perspective

Reshaping Global Trade: The Immediate and Long-Run Effects of Bank Failures

Abstract I show that a disruption to the financial sector can reshape the patterns of global trade for decades. I study the first modern global banking crisis originating in London in 1866 and collect archival loan records that link multinational banks headquartered there to their lending abroad. Countries exposed to bank failures in London immediately exported significantly less and did not recover their lost growth relative to unexposed places. Their market shares within each destination also remained significantly lower for four decades. Decomposing the persistent market-share losses shows that they primarily stem from lack of extensive-margin growth, as the financing shock caused importers to source more from new trade partnerships. Exporters producing more substitutable goods, those with little access to alternative forms of credit, and those trading with more distant partners experienced more persistent losses, consistent with the existence of sunk costs and the importance of finance for intermediating trade.

Multiple-Valued Logic Modelling for Agents Controlled via Optical Networks

The methods of data verification are discussed, which are intended for the distant control of autonomous mobile robotic agents via networks, combining optical data links. The problem of trust servers is considered for position verification and position-based cryptography tasks. In order to obtain flexible quantum and classical verification procedures, one should use the collective interaction of agents and network nodes, including some elements of the blockchain. Multiple-valued logic functions defined within discrete k-valued Allen–Givone algebra are proposed for the logically linked list of entries and the distributed ledger, which can be used for distant data verification and breakdown restoration in mobile agents with the help of partner network nodes. A distributed ledger scheme involves the assigning by distant partners of random hash values, which further can be used as keys for access to a set of distributed data storages, containing verification and restoration data. Multiple-valued logic procedures are simple and clear enough for high-dimensional logic modelling and for the design of combined quantum and classical protocols.

The causal effect of free trade agreements on the trade margins: Product‐level evidence from geographically distant partners

AbstractWe estimate the causal effects of free trade agreements (FTAs) on the trade margins by focusing on recent agreements involving geographically distant partners. Using border‐sharing countries as controls, our product‐level difference‐in‐differences estimates reveal that FTAs had positive and significant effects, with the extensive margin accounting for around half of the export growth. In terms of timing, the intensive margin effects preceded those of the extensive margin. At the sectoral level, our results indicate that the extensive margin drove export growth in sectors with differentiated products, whereas export growth in sectors with homogeneous products was due to the intensive margin.

Trade agreements and participation in global value chains: Empirical evidence from Latin America

AbstractThe rise of global sourcing implies a heterogeneous relationship between buyers and suppliers regarding the liberalisation scenarios in emerging countries. This paper analyses the effect of regional trade agreements (RTAs) on participation in the Global Value Chains of Latin American countries between 1995 and 2015. We combine the framework of gravity equations with the trade in value‐added, applying a Pseudo Poisson Maximum Likelihood (PPML) estimator with panel data and fixed effects to deal with endogeneity and heteroscedasticity. Heterogeneous estimations show that the deepest RTAs reinforce the position of lower technology‐industry suppliers, driven by an extra‐regional strategy of Latin American trade policy. The geography of value chains has little effect on industrial upgrading in the region, reducing the development potential. The study concludes that the region's trade policy could reduce the dependent relationship between distant partners and pay more attention to creating shorter value chains as a strategy to generate local capacities to gain competitiveness in value chains.

Mostly in its Backyard: Security Provisions in EU Economic Agreements

AbstractEconomic agreements concluded between the EU and third parties increasingly take on security matters, such as counter‐terrorism, nuclear proliferation and international criminal law. Highlighting the remarkable variation in the presence and content of these security non‐trade issues (SNTIs), we argue that it is best explained by the EU's intensity of foreign policy interests vis‐à‐vis its partners. Specifically, different stakeholders have divergent views on this matter: some advocate strong linkage between trade and security, while others prefer to tackle these issues separately. We expect the former perspective to determine the content of economic agreements when the partner is in the EU's backyard. The latter perspective will dominate in negotiations with more distant partners. We test these expectations with a new data set of SNTIs in EU agreements. Employing quantitative methods and controlling for several alternative explanations, we find ample support for the theoretical framework.

Who benefits from SMEs\u2019 radical innovations?\u2014empirical evidence from German biotechnology

We analyze transfer channels of radical innovations launched by small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) using an ego network approach. Based on a unique longitudinal dataset covering the observation period 1996–2016, we identify and trace back radical innovations of SMEs in German Biotech in order to analyze the extent to which SMEs themselves—or eventually also other organizations in their direct cooperation surrounding—benefit from radical innovations in terms of subsequent innovation performance. Results from negative binomial panel regressions indicate that direct cooperation partners of radical innovators show higher innovative performance than partners of the control group, i.e., statistical twin firms without radical innovations. Our results confirm that radical innovations initiate a positive impulse for innovation through direct cooperative relationships. Interestingly, geographical proximity does not play a role, and especially technologically different partners benefit from direct cooperation with radical innovators.Plain English Summary Radical innovations are rare but have a great importance for the economy. Our study shows that not only radically innovating biotech SMEs themselves but also various types of directly linked cooperation partners benefit significantly. We investigate whether directly linked cooperation partners of radically innovating firms benefit from knowledge spillover transferred through formal cooperation. A radical innovation represents a novel and often complex combination of already existing knowledge. Thus, knowledge transfer process differs for radical and non-radical innovations. Project-based formal cooperation can support the transfer of radical knowledge. In this context geographical and technological factors matter. Using the example of German small and medium-sized biotechnology firms, we show that collaboration with radical firms is positively related to innovation performance of directly linked project partners. Interestingly, this effect is higher for partners located in other regions as well as for technologically distant partners. Our study extends the research on knowledge transfer by emphasizing the role of formal collaboration projects, especially in knowledge intensive high-tech industries.

Failed and successful innovations: The role of geographic proximity and international diversity of partners in technological collaboration

We aim to clarify the role of research partnerships on the success and failure of innovation projects by examining the geographic proximity and diversity of partners. First, we argue that collaboration with geographically near partners will contribute relatively more to innovation success than it does to innovation failure, while collaboration with geographically distant partners will contribute relatively more to innovation failure than it does to innovation success. Second, we postulate that lower levels of international diversity will contribute relatively more to innovation success than it does to innovation failure, while higher levels of international diversity will contribute relatively more to innovation failure than it does to innovation success. Using a large dataset of firms for the period 2008–2013, we perform a joint analysis of failed and successful innovations. Our empirical findings support our theoretical arguments. Our results highlight the relevance of studying both failed and successful innovations and the importance of knowing their determinants to manage the innovation process successfully. Moreover, our findings should alert managers to the importance of geographic location when choosing collaboration partners. It is noteworthy that beyond a certain threshold, international diversity begins to act as a brake on innovation success and to increase the likelihood of failure.

Coordinating UK trade and climate policy ambitions: A legislative and policy analysis

The UK Government has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 but also champion open multilateral trade and pursue new trade relationships with geographically distant partners. The dynamism of policymaking in both areas, as the UK leaves the EU, provides a useful case study for the larger question of how to reconcile liberal trade policy with a net-zero target. After setting out the relevance of trade policy to the climate target, we examine areas at their intersection: current and proposed UK green subsidies, regulatory trade barriers, potential carbon border adjustment, fossil fuel subsidies and free trade agreements. We apply two analytical tests: compliance with relevant World Trade Organisation obligations and coherence with the net-zero climate target. The analysis is hindered by uncertainty, primarily regarding the extent of future global climate ambition, but there are clear areas in which the UK could strengthen its approach to climate change mitigation without undermining its commitment to open trade. Barring a major increase in global ambition, achieving the net-zero target will, however, likely require new trade restrictions. The implication is that, rather than being situated at the margins, the climate target must comprise a central objective of trade strategy.