Reasonable Proposition Research Articles

Beyond conventional therapies: exploring the role of Pilates in neurological physical therapy – a review of the latest research

Pilates exercise method, characterized by its holistic approach, underscores core stability, strength, and flexibility, coupled with meticulous muscle control, optimal posture, and focused attention on breathing. Widely embraced in both general and clinical fitness realms, this study aims to evaluate the integration of Pilates into physical therapy practices for patients with neurological disorders.
 Existing studies indicate the potential efficacy of Pilates in diverse rehabilitation contexts. However, neurological disorders, specifically multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD), have been the primary focus. While systematic reviews and meta-analyses suggest Pilates as a plausible option in physiotherapy for PD and MS patients, a paucity of research on this subject necessitates a comprehensive review of recent original studies.
 Analysis of gathered data suggests that Pilates, when incorporated, may yield benefits for patients with various neurological disorders. Consideration of Pilates as a supplementary element to physical activity for those with PD and MS emerges as a reasonable proposition. The study also encourages contemplation of Pilates in rehabilitation research across a broader spectrum of neurological disorders. Subsequent investigations, incorporating relevant considerations, will contribute to a nuanced understanding of Pilates' potential benefits and its comparative advantages over traditional interventions for neurological disorders.

Developing a Yield Table and Analyzing the Economic Feasibility for Acacia Hybrid Plantations in Achieving Carbon Neutrality in Southern Vietnam

To achieve the goal of carbon neutrality, overseas plantation projects have been conducted in several countries, including Vietnam. In the present study, stand growth models and a yield table were developed and used to analyze the economic feasibility of Acacia hybrid plantations in southern Vietnam. Diameter at breast height, tree height, and number of trees were determined in the field; basal area, mean height, dominant tree height, stand density, and stand volume were estimated using in situ data. The initial number of trees increased for five years and reached 4947 trees ha−1; tree numbers then decreased to 1987 trees ha−1 until the stands reached ten years of age. The highest current annual increment of stand volume was shown to be 46.23 m3 ha−1 yr−1 when stands were 7 years old. For 7 years of stand age, the net present value was USD 1566/ha, and the internal rate of return was 13%, exceeding the market interest rate (4%). Therefore, an A. hybrid plantation is a reasonable proposition for an overseas plantation project in southern Vietnam and the growth models will be useful for the management of an A. hybrid plantation.

Simulation for converting of two phase of water in complex container with finite element approach

In this work, the freezing process has been expedited with elevating the concentration of nanoparticles and increasing their shape factor. The driving force of solidification is conduction mode and it is reasonable proposition to neglect the buoyancy force in deriving the mathematical model. Due to absence of velocity term, only temperature equation with involve of unsteady source term of phase changing have been involved. For better visual presentation of speed of freezing, solid front has been portrayed for various cases. The impacts of shape factor and volume concentration of copper oxide have been demonstrated in outputs. The patterns of grid demonstrate the adaptive grid and the code were verified according to previous publication. With growth of concentration of CuO, the period declines around 11.72% which is associated with elevation of conductivity. Moreover, outputs revealed that with imposing higher shape factor, the process finished in lower time about 5.96%.

The Mystery of Mucormycosis in COVID-19: A Multifactorial Menace or an Enigmatic Delta Variant Associated Phenomenon? An Exploratory Study from a Tertiary Care Centre in North India with a Brief Literature Review.

Background:There was a global surge in cases of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients during the second wave of the pandemic in 2021, reported especially from India. Various predisposing factors such as diabetes mellitus, rampant use of corticosteroids, and COVID-19 per se may be responsible for this spike. Some public health experts have postulated that the epidemiological link between the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 and mucormycosis should be explored.Material and Methods:A retrospective exploratory study was conducted, in which data of 15 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 with mucormycosis and/or aspergillosis co-infections were collected after obtaining approval from the institute's ethics committee. These patients were admitted to the Mucor wards of our hospital. The positive COVID-19 status of these patients was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The residual SARS-CoV-2 RNA containing elutes of these patients were stored at −80°C in deep freezers and subjected to whole-genome sequencing in June 2021 at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), New Delhi, India as part of the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG) program. Concomitant fungal infections in these patients were diagnosed by KOH wet mount and fungal culture as per standard guidelines. Descriptive statistics in the form of percentages and median were used to report the findings.Results:Periorbital swelling and ocular pain (14/15; 93.33%), followed by facial swelling (11/15; 73.33%) and nasal obstruction (9/15; 60%), were the most common clinical features observed in these patients. Rhizopus arrhizus was the most common causative fungal agent (12/15; 80%). The majority of the patients (9/13; 69.23%) were infected with the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2.Conclusion:COVID-associated mucormycosis seems to be multifactorial in origin. Although there may be a possible association between mucormycosis and the Delta variant, more studies should be conducted to explore this seemingly reasonable proposition.

A new diversity index

We introduce here a new index of diversity based on consideration of reasonable propositions that such an index should have in order to represent diversity. The behaviour of the index is compared with that of the Gini–Simpson diversity index, and is found to predict more realistic values of diversity for small communities, in particular when each species is equally represented and for small communities. The index correctly provides a measure of true diversity that is equal to the species richness across all values of species and organism numbers when all species are equally represented, as well as Hill’s more stringent ‘doubling’ criterion when they are not. In addition, a new graphical interpretation is introduced that permits a straightforward visual comparison of pairs of indices across a wide range within a parameter space based on species and organism numbers.

An expert system for circular economy business modelling: advising manufacturing companies in decoupling value creation from resource consumption

Shortcomings in manufacturing companies’ capabilities to execute circular economy business modelling have delayed a broader dissemination of circular business models beyond the stage of pilot projects in niche markets. Circular economy poses additional uncertainties for innovation that are not common for manufacturing companies’ traditional activities and business as usual. To cope with such challenges, they lack systematised practices and proactive advice, which are scant in available literature and approaches. The paper presents the development of the tool Circular Economy Business Modelling Expert System within manufacturing companies, intended to address these limitations. Based on systematised business modelling practices for circular economy and proactive advice on potential circular business model configurations, the expert system enhances strategic thinking for circular economy, supporting companies to come up with varied alternative business models with reasonable and viable value propositions to deploy circular benefits accordingly. The expert system was streamlined based on literature review, development, testing and evaluation with 12 practitioners from 10 companies. The paper discusses the main functionalities of the expert system and the results of its application into varied manufacturing companies. The application of the expert system has demonstrated to benefit companies with: inspiration for best practices on circular business modelling, a structured framework for confirming assumptions and a logic structure that prompts decision-making and reduces uncertainties.

Analysis on WH cement composite thermal insulation material for increasing efficiency of building

Abstract Because of the restricted gracefully of characteristic assets, quick urbanization causes a shortage of conventional structure materials. Then again, the vitality devoured by customary structure materials is contaminates air, water and land. There is a need to actualize practical, earth amicable innovation and update conventional methods with available neighborhood materials to fulfill the ever-expanding need for vitality proficient structure materials. Agro-mechanical and other strong garbage removal is another major issue of worry in creating nations. Simultaneously, obtrusive amphibian weeds like water hyacinth (WH) are presenting serious financial and ecological issues in India. At present agro squanders are utilized as a crude material for bio warm protection materials. This paper surveys a reasonable proposition for use of WH as a warm protection material. The different techniques to plan the water hyacinth concrete composite board and diverse physical, warm properties are examined in the ebb and flow audit. Water hyacinth based warm protection materials are assessed for their strategies for creation and physic-warm properties and contrasted these and agro-squander based warm protection materials. The utilization of WH in the development business would add to a cleaner situation. To sum things up, it tends to be expressed that self-supporting WHP–concrete sheets could be utilized as an option in contrast to warm protection material. This material expands the vitality proficiency of working in regions where WH is an interminable issue.

Free Flap Harvesting from Paralytic Lower Limb in GNE Myopathy: a Case Report

GNE myopathy is a rare disease, and there are no case reports of treatment for GNE myopathy with comorbid head and neck cancer. In the case presented here, we performed reconstruction using a free flap for patient with tongue cancer and comorbid GNE myopathy. Preservation of normal trunk and upper limb function via flap transplantation from a paralytic lower limb is a reasonable proposition. Several cases of harvesting flaps from polio infection-related paralytic limbs have been reported, and we observed similar findings to those reports in our case. With careful attention to the fibrosis of the connective tissue, harvesting flaps from paralytic limbs is a viable option and can be used safely.

Comment on “Explaining virtual water trade: A spatial-temporal analysis of the comparative advantage of land, labor and water in China,” published by Zhao et al. [Water Research (2019) 153: 304-314

The virtual water hypothesis offers the reasonable proposition that if water-abundant regions export water-intensive products to water-scarce regions, the latter could devote their scarce resources instead to uses yielding higher economic returns. Zhao et al. show that trade flows in China do not adhere to this hypothesis, use the economic theory of comparative advantage to explore why, and seek a solution where both the hypothesis and the theory are apparently satisfied. However, they have not fully utilized the power of the theory: this is made evident by the fact that their calculations quantify what they call “the comparative advantage of land, labor and water,” as stated in the title of the article. This Comment describes the significance of comparative advantage for this inquiry and our comparable investigation for the regions of Mexico. It concludes with the case for a collaborative effort to situate such single-country studies in the context of a model of global comparative advantages.

Expanding Eligibility for the Ross Procedure: A Reasonable Proposition?

BackgroundAlthough the Ross procedure offers potential benefits in young adults, technical complexity represents a significant limitation. Therefore, the safety of expanding its use in more complex settings is uncertain. The aim of this study was to compare early outcomes of standard isolated Ross procedures vs expanding elgibility to higher-risk clinical settings. MethodsFrom 2011 to 2016, 261 patients (46 ± 12 years) underwent Ross procedures in 2 centres. Patients were divided into 2 groups: standard Ross (n = 166) and expanded eligibility Ross (n = 95). Inclusion criteria for the expanded eligibility group were previous cardiac surgery, acute aortic valve endocarditis, severely impaired left ventricular (LV) function and patients undergoing concomitant procedures. All data were prospectively collected and are 100% complete. ResultsHospital mortality was 0% in the standard group (0/166) vs 2% in the expanded eligibility group (2/95) (P = 0.13). Sixteen patients (10%) developed acute renal injury in the standard group vs 13 (14%) patients in the expanded eligibility group (P = 0.31). There were no postoperative myocardial infarctions, no neurological events, and no infectious complications. Median intensive care unit (ICU) stay in the standard group was 2 vs 3 days in the expanded eligibility group (P = 0.004), whereas median hospital stay was 6 vs 7 days, respectively (range: 3–19 days) (P < 0.001). ConclusionAside from longer ICU and hospital lengths of stay after the Ross procedure in higher-risk clinical scenarios, perioperative mortality and morbidity is similar to standard Ross procedures. Expanding the use of the Ross operation in young adults is a safe alternative in centres of expertise.

Naming Names: The Prudence, Propriety and Potential Ramifications of Employing 'Terrorist' Nomenclature for Militant Separatists in Eastern Ukraine

The term carries with it significant connotations. It may unite governments and peoples against a common foe. It can trigger specific legal mechanisms, created to deal with a unique threat. It may appropriately label the conduct of a specific individual or group. However, it may also serve to alienate and strengthen those who are enemies of the state, regardless of the propriety of their actual conduct. In short, it is a very loaded term. This paper asks whether militant separatists in eastern Ukraine are appropriately labelled as terrorists. From a positivist, state-centric perspective, labelling the militants at terrorists is a wholly reasonable proposition. The elements of the Ukrainian definition are met, as are those of the Russian definition. Many of the acts arguably meet regional and international definitions and even most of the more theoretical approaches. Yet such definitions are almost invariably subject to criticism both in their lack of specificity (or alternatively their limited inclusivity) and in their uneven application. Far more concerning, however, is the extension of the terrorist rubric to all separatists. It is not clear that such application is definitionally accurate, or, more importantly, a step that will assist in addressing the violence in the Ukraine, particularly where the end goal is to ameliorate the threat. Delineating between discrete acts of terrorism and the broader separatist movement seems a wise course, unless and until there is no question that 'terrorist' attacks are part of a coordinated strategy by particular groups of separatists. At that point, distinguishing between those specific groups and the broader separatist movement would again be prudent.

Functionalized Metamaterials Enable Frequency and Polarization Agility in a Miniaturized Lightweight Antenna Package

Electromagnetic metamaterials share a perceived disadvantage with miniature radio communication antennas: limited operating bandwidths. In conventional radio systems, tuning has been confined to the radio, requiring broadband antennas and materials. With the advent of software defined and digital radios, adding the antenna into the plethora of tunable radio subsystems can become a reasonable proposition, allowing miniaturized antennas with narrow instantaneous (channel) bandwidths to be tuned across entire communications bands, depending on the channel in use. Moreover, the antenna will provide an effective filtering stage before the signal reaches the radio. The tunable metamaterial presented herein enables an antenna showcasing this functionality and more. Dramatic size reductions are made possible by a tunable, lightweight, miniaturized metamaterial. Tuning the metamaterial and antenna in tandem provides a dynamic operating channel, with a tunable, nearly arbitrary polarization response as an added benefit. Finally, this antenna provides one of the first examples in the literature of a practical device improved by functionalized metamaterials, which has been tested on a real‐world platform.

Multi-epoch sub-arcsecond [Fe ii] spectroimaging of the DG Tau outflows with NIFS – I. First data epoch

Investigating the outflows emanating from young stellar objects (YSOs) on sub-arcsecond scales provides important clues to the nature of the underlying accretion-ejection process occurring near the central protostar. We have investigated the structures and kinematics of the outflows driven by the YSO DG Tauri, using the Near-infrared Integral Field Spectrograph (NIFS) on Gemini North. The blueshifted outflow shows two distinct components in [Fe II] 1.644 micron emission, which are separated using multi-component line fitting. A stationary recollimation shock is observed, in agreement with previous X-ray and FUV observations. The presence of this shock indicates that the innermost streamlines of the high-velocity component are launched at a very small radius, 0.01-0.15 AU, from the central star. The jet accelerates and expands downstream of the recollimation shock; the 'acceleration' is likely a sign of velocity variations in the jet. No evidence of rotation is found, and we compare this non-detection to previous counter-claims. Moving jet knots, likely the result of the jet velocity variations, are observed. One of these knots moves more slowly than previously observed knots, and the knot ejection interval appears to be non-periodic. An intermediate-velocity component surrounds this central jet, and is interpreted as the result of a turbulent mixing layer along the jet boundaries. Such lateral entrainment requires the presence of a magnetic field of strength a few mG or less at hundreds of AU above the disc surface, which is argued to be a reasonable proposition. In H2 1-0 S(1) 2.1218 micron emission, a wide-angle, intermediate-velocity blueshifted outflow is observed. Both outflows are consistent with being launched by a magnetocentrifugal disc wind, although an X-wind origin for the high-velocity jet cannot be ruled out.

Pro-oxidative and antioxidative controls and signaling modification of polyphenolic phytochemicals: contribution to health promotion and disease prevention?

Polyphenolic phytochemicals (PPs) have been extensively studied as potential nutriceuticals for maintenance of health and treatment of cancer, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. However, the reported beneficial outcomes are inconsistent. The biological activities of PPs have been attributed to their pro-oxidative and antioxidative actions and effects on signaling mechanisms and epigenomic modifications. These diversified properties were described or postulated on the basis of a variety of experimental studies using cell culture and animal models, even though most have not been replicated and results are not validated. This review attempts to give an overview of biological properties of PPs, based on the coherent results from relevant studies, and evaluate critically the experimental conditions and possible artifacts. Complicated molecular mechanisms and multitargeting genomic interactions of PPs are discussed, with a view that reasonable mechanistic propositions are usually obtained from well-designed in vivo studies.

Engaging with stakeholders is critical when leading change

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate what would happen if we were to ignore relationships when leading change. Many believe that project management, change management, and related fields, are a matter of marshalling stuff: working the right processes and tasks, writing the correct documents, having good governance mechanisms in place, etc. People just distract and get in the way. Some tend to concentrate on these technicalities working their computer tools, rather than leaning towards people. The result is huge waste. Organisational change will always cut across different business functions, boundaries and across silos of working. This is where stakeholder engagement leads to successful outcomes. Design/methodology/approach – It is a surprise to many, but listening is probably the most powerful influencing strategy of all. The key is to ask the person you seek to influence, first for their thoughts, fears, and aspirations. If you can show you are genuinely interested, you begin to break down any barriers to change. This helps focus on the need for change rather than present the solution first. Yes, time is money, but often we can let this get in the way of engaging successfully. Conversations like this do take time. It feels counter-intuitive. Findings – There is growing evidence that people who make better leaders have a leaning towards action, they are never victims of “paralysis by analysis”. The self-aware, pro-active manager leading change understands that relationships are central to success and are thinking about their relationships in a real and active way. They think about their mental landscape and on that landscape they see the vital importance of stakeholders and are prepared to spend a far higher proportion of their discretionary time devoted to engaging with other people, quite apart from the structured meetings and emails that we usually describe as “communicating”. Originality/value – Most management books are written with the assumption that the business world is rational, but when it comes to change, it appears this is far from the case. We are taught to put a reasonable proposition to people, the business case, the plan, and so on, then expect people to mull it over for a while, then jump into action – reason – analyse – act. But nearly always the actual sequence is – see – feel – act. There is little doubt that people engage with their stakeholders better if there is some kind of emotional connection.

Hemoglobin as a Nitrite Anhydrase: Modeling Methemoglobin‐Mediated N2O3 Formation

Nitrite has recently been recognized as a storage form of NO in blood and as playing a key role in hypoxic vasodilation. The nitrite ion is readily reduced to NO by hemoglobin in red blood cells, which, as it happens, also presents a conundrum. Given NO's enormous affinity for ferrous heme, a key question concerns how it escapes capture by hemoglobin as it diffuses out of the red cells and to the endothelium, where vasodilation takes place. Dinitrogen trioxide (N(2)O(3)) has been proposed as a vehicle that transports NO to the endothelium, where it dissociates to NO and NO(2). Although N(2)O(3) formation might be readily explained by the reaction Hb-Fe(3+)+NO(2)(-)+NO⇌Hb-Fe(2+)+N(2)O(3), the exact manner in which methemoglobin (Hb-Fe(3+)), nitrite and NO interact with one another is unclear. Both an "Hb-Fe(3+)-NO(2)(-)+NO" pathway and an "Hb-Fe(3+)-NO+NO(2)(-) " pathway have been proposed. Neither pathway has been established experimentally. Nor has there been any attempt until now to theoretically model N(2)O(3) formation, the so-called nitrite anhydrase reaction. Both pathways have been examined here in a detailed density functional theory (DFT, B3LYP/TZP) study and both have been found to be feasible based on energetics criteria. Modeling the "Hb-Fe(3+)-NO(2)(-)+NO" pathway proved complex. Not only are multiple linkage-isomeric (N- and O-coordinated) structures conceivable for methemoglobin-nitrite, multiple isomeric forms are also possible for N(2)O(3) (the lowest-energy state has an N-N-bonded nitronitrosyl structure, O(2)N-NO). We considered multiple spin states of methemoglobin-nitrite as well as ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic coupling of the Fe(3+) and NO spins. Together, the isomerism and spin variables result in a diabolically complex combinatorial space of reaction pathways. Fortunately, transition states could be successfully calculated for the vast majority of these reaction channels, both M(S)=0 and M(S)=1. For a six-coordinate Fe(3+)-O-nitrito starting geometry, which is plausible for methemoglobin-nitrite, we found that N(2)O(3) formation entails barriers of about 17-20 kcal mol(-1) , which is reasonable for a physiologically relevant reaction. For the "Hb-Fe(3+) -NO+NO(2) (-) " pathway, which was also found to be energetically reasonable, our calculations indicate a two-step mechanism. The first step involves transfer of an electron from NO(2)(-) to the Fe(3+)-heme-NO center ({FeNO}(6)) , resulting in formation of nitrogen dioxide and an Fe(2+)-heme-NO center ({FeNO}(7)). Subsequent formation of N(2)O(3) entails a barrier of only 8.1 kcal mol(-1) . From an energetics point of view, the nitrite anhydrase reaction thus is a reasonable proposition. Although it is tempting to interpret our results as favoring the "{FeNO}(6)+NO(2)(-) " pathway over the "Fe(3+)-nitrite+NO" pathway, both pathways should be considered energetically reasonable for a biological reaction and it seems inadvisable to favor a unique reaction channel based solely on quantum chemical modeling.

Design of High Efficiency Cyclone for Tiny Cement Industry

Air pollution is assuming alarming dimensions from industries, automobiles and house hold fuel burning. Cement industry can be classified as highly air polluting industry emitting PM (Particulate Matter) into the atmosphere. This pollutant is in the form of PM (Particulate Matter) is required to be control by installing air pollution control equipment like ESP (Electrostatic Precipitators), Bag houses, Wet scrubbers and cyclone. Cyclone is considered to be cheaper having low maintenance cost. The present paper aims at designing of high efficiency cyclone by using STAIRMAND METHOD for a tiny cement plant. The efficiency achieved with this design is of the order of 91.1 %. The tiny cement plants are having a capacity of ranging from 20tpd to 50tpd. These cement plant are either based on vertical shaft kiln or rotary kiln technologies. The predominant air pollutant emitted on from such plant is SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter). Control of SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter) can be achieved by installing ESP (Electrostatic Precipitators), Bag houses and Wet scrubbers but these equipments are highly cost intensive and may not be feasible to be installed at such small scale cement plants on techno-economical front. Hence, under the present context, installation of cyclone appears to be a reasonable proposition, which is reasonable cheaper and having low operating cost (16).

No Shortcut to Stability: Democratic Accountability and Sustainable Development in Ethiopia

The link between broad based economic prosperity, political stability and accountable governance is generally acknowledged as a reasonable proposition to explain the wealth and poverty of nations. Although there is continuing debate about what accountable governance actually imply and the degree to which government accountability is related to the democratic nature of the state, there is a broad consensus that political stability is an important precondition for durable development. Modern Ethiopian history is nothing but a story of economic decline, political instability and authoritarian governance. The TPLF/EPRDF regime that has taken power after overthrowing the hated Derge regime in Ethiopia has no democratic credentials especially since the 2005 election debacle. In the absence of democratic legitimacy, the government has hoped to ease public anger and frustration over the unfulfilled expectations of democracy and meaningful ethnic equality, by changing the discourse on governance from democratic accountability to the issue of economic growth. The regime's claim, which seems to be implicitly supported by Western donors, is that it is a "developmentalist state" that can deliver stable governance through its economic achievements rather than through democratic legitimacy. This paper looks at the government's claims carefully and shows that the economic growth figures used to support the government's claims are rather dubious. It also tries to show that even if the growth figures are true, the extent of poverty in the country is too high to generate durable political stability given the hostility the government created among key ethnic and social groups in the country. Furthermore, given the geo strategic location of the country in a very troubled region of the world, Ethiopia's instability is going to have a much broader implication for regional stability. Accordingly, the paper argues for refocusing the debate on democratic accountability in Ethiopia as a necessary condition for durable stability and sustainable development in the country and the larger region.

Acoustic Transects as Units for Classifying the Benthic Habitat

The benthic habitat consists of biotic and abiotic components. Its abiotic properties are governed by the properties of the seabed and adjacent waters, which in turn affect the diversity of the biotic components, the flora and fauna. This process is directly dependent on the physical and chemical characteristics of the area and its spatial structure. This dependence on spatial structure makes directional analysis of the benthic habitat along selected transects a more reasonable proposition than measurements in regular statistical rectangles. The paper describes twelve acoustic transects in the southern Baltic Sea. Each transect is characterised by nine acoustic and environmental parameters. Their values were calculated with a resolution of one nautical mile from data collected in the autumn seasons of 1995―2003 aboard r/v Baltica. Four parameters characterised the seabed, three the hydro-logical properties of the water in the demersal zone, and two the distribution of fish. The statistical and spatial distributions of all the parameters were analysed in order to classify and compare the transects.

Evaluating the applicability of socially-oriented perspectives to the IT service level agreement negotiation process: a theory-driven exploratory study

Continuing exponential growth in the Information Technology (IT) outsourcing market implies a need to understand the negotiated Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that underlie the majority of those sourcing relationships. Knowledge of the negotiation processes that are associated with the development of IT SLAs is a necessary precondition for designing and developing Negotiation Support Systems (NSSs) intended to support those processes. To gain such knowledge, it is first necessary to identify theoretical perspectives that may be relevant to the IT SLA negotiation process, postulate reasonable propositions therefrom, and then evaluate those propositions in a practical, exploratory fashion. Accordingly, the current paper draws on socially-oriented perspectives to develop theory-driven propositions which are then evaluated in an experimental setting. The results of this study indicate that several socially-oriented theories may be relevant to the IT SLA negotiation process, and represent a starting point for the identification of context-specific IT SLA negotiation support systems.