title: Three variations of observation equivalence preserving synthesis abstraction

authors: Mohajerani, Sahar

subjects: computer science

abstract: In a previous paper we introduced the notion of synthesis abstraction, which allows efficient compositional synthesis of maximally permissive supervisors for large-scale systems of composed finite-state automata. In the current paper, observation equivalence is studied in relation to synthesis abstraction. It is shown that general observation equivalence is not useful for synthesis abstraction. Instead, we introduce additional conditions strengthening observation equivalence, so that it can be used with the compositional synthesis method. The paper concludes with an example showing the suitability of these relations to achieve substantial state reduction while computing a modular supervisor.

text: Three variations of observation equivalence preserving synthesis abstraction In a previous paper we introduced the notion of synthesis abstraction, which allows efficient compositional synthesis of maximally permissive supervisors for large-scale systems of composed finite-state automata. In the current paper, observation equivalence is studied in relation to synthesis abstraction. It is shown that general observation equivalence is not useful for synthesis abstraction. Instead, we introduce additional conditions strengthening observation equivalence, so that it can be used with the compositional synthesis method. The paper concludes with an example showing the suitability of these relations to achieve substantial state reduction while computing a modular supervisor.

year: 2011-01-26

title: Motivations for Corporate Social Reporting and Non-Reporting in Malaysia: An Exploratory Study From a Public Relations Perspective

authors: Tee, Keng Kok

subjects: Corporate Social Reporting

abstract: Corporate social reporting, embracing the triple bottom line reporting concept, entails
the reporting of economic, social and environmental performance as opposed to the
more narrow focus on conventional financial reporting. Many corporations are now
engaging in environmental and social reporting in an effort to communicate the social
and environmental effects of organisations‟ operations to particular interest groups
within society.
The main objective of this thesis is to examine corporate motivations and hesitations
to undertake social reporting in Malaysia. Most studies have so far applied
quantitative method on themes identification to determine rationales for corporate
social reporting. Little attention has been given to in-depth primary and secondary
data to understand rationales for corporate social reporting in a national context. In
addition to motivation, this study fills the gap in the literature by investigating
corporate reluctance for social reporting.
A qualitative approach was adopted for this study. A mixed method of data
collection, consisting of both semi-structured interviews and corporate social reports,
was used. A total of 20 interviews were conducted with representatives of six
reporting and six non-reporting corporations, and eight non-corporate respondents
representing the Malaysian political and social sectors. In addition to primary data,
corporate social information in annual reports and corporate websites of six reporting
corporations was also collected to support the interviews. Thematic analysis was
applied to identify salient themes to explain both corporate motivation and hesitation
for social reporting. The analysis was divided into two levels: corporation and
society.
At the corporate level, results identify public relations as the central motivation for
social reporting. More specifically, the concepts of image and identity, issues
management, two-way symmetrical and asymmetrical communication, autocommunication,
and publicity are used to explain the adoption of social reporting.
Image and identity and issues management were also among the concepts applied to
explain corporate hesitation for social reporting. However, the results also support
stockholder theory and reveal the lack of public relations understanding to be the
cause of the low acceptance of social reporting. In-depth analysis revealed
organisational legitimacy as the main reason to explain both motivation and
hesitation for social reporting.
Corporations require stakeholder support for their continual existence. At the societal
level analysis, the concept of political economy was applied to explain the limited
social reporting practice in the Malaysian context. Finally, the implications for both
practising as well as neglecting social reporting are discussed using the concept of the
risk society.

text: Motivations for Corporate Social Reporting and Non-Reporting in Malaysia: An Exploratory Study From a Public Relations Perspective Corporate social reporting, embracing the triple bottom line reporting concept, entails
the reporting of economic, social and environmental performance as opposed to the
more narrow focus on conventional financial reporting. Many corporations are now
engaging in environmental and social reporting in an effort to communicate the social
and environmental effects of organisations‟ operations to particular interest groups
within society.
The main objective of this thesis is to examine corporate motivations and hesitations
to undertake social reporting in Malaysia. Most studies have so far applied
quantitative method on themes identification to determine rationales for corporate
social reporting. Little attention has been given to in-depth primary and secondary
data to understand rationales for corporate social reporting in a national context. In
addition to motivation, this study fills the gap in the literature by investigating
corporate reluctance for social reporting.
A qualitative approach was adopted for this study. A mixed method of data
collection, consisting of both semi-structured interviews and corporate social reports,
was used. A total of 20 interviews were conducted with representatives of six
reporting and six non-reporting corporations, and eight non-corporate respondents
representing the Malaysian political and social sectors. In addition to primary data,
corporate social information in annual reports and corporate websites of six reporting
corporations was also collected to support the interviews. Thematic analysis was
applied to identify salient themes to explain both corporate motivation and hesitation
for social reporting. The analysis was divided into two levels: corporation and
society.
At the corporate level, results identify public relations as the central motivation for
social reporting. More specifically, the concepts of image and identity, issues
management, two-way symmetrical and asymmetrical communication, autocommunication,
and publicity are used to explain the adoption of social reporting.
Image and identity and issues management were also among the concepts applied to
explain corporate hesitation for social reporting. However, the results also support
stockholder theory and reveal the lack of public relations understanding to be the
cause of the low acceptance of social reporting. In-depth analysis revealed
organisational legitimacy as the main reason to explain both motivation and
hesitation for social reporting.
Corporations require stakeholder support for their continual existence. At the societal
level analysis, the concept of political economy was applied to explain the limited
social reporting practice in the Malaysian context. Finally, the implications for both
practising as well as neglecting social reporting are discussed using the concept of the
risk society.

year: 2009

title: Ecological, genetic and cultural status of Solanum aviculare, poroporo (Solanaceae)

authors: Weavers, Graeme Morris

subjects: Solanum aviculare

abstract: Solanum aviculare, endemic to Australasia, is an opportunist pioneer secondary successional plant occupying disturbed and open lowland habitats, and was an important medicinal and cultural species to Māori known as poroporo. It is currently in 'decline', the ecological decline appearing to correspond to a decline in knowledge and cultural use of the species. To gain understanding of the reasons for the decline, enhance ecological knowledge, assist conservation and cultural restoration of Solanum aviculare this research documented the successional role and cycle of regeneration dynamics and tactics, established morphological characteristics, investigated the genetic diversity and recorded cultural and conservation information.
The successional status and role was identified. Growth data identified cohort development and inter-site differences, metadata found height and crown spread growth to be significantly correlated and likely part of an early reproduction and dispersal strategy. Germination of soil cores from differing depths confirmed a viable seed bank exists sufficient for species maintenance. Viable seed spread via animal gut passage was determined by germination and chemical tests, results showed rats passed higher rates of viable seed than birds. Seed germination trials with stratified and fresh seed confirmed temporal and depth behaviour, flowering observation documented temporal differences with the closely allied species Solanum laciniatum, indicating a relationship to stasis induction. Leaf morphology studies documented differences between the two allied species and proposed further nomenclature.
Genetic diversity was investigated through the use of PCR/ISSR techniques. Chloroplast DNA was extracted by CTAB and DNA kit protocols. CTAB extraction was unable to effectively remove RNA, although use of DNA samples with high quantities of RNA confirmed that RNA was not an inhibiting factor in PCR production. The production of consistent reliable ISSR bands proved difficult, with no technical explanation found. ISSR findings indicate that Solanum aviculare is highly monomorphic, consisting of predominant invariant monomorphic loci. Twenty primers were tested with no polymorphic loci
identified and no intra species variation documented. Indications were also that Solanum aviculare and Solanum laciniatum are inter species invariant on monomorphic loci. Monomorphic loci may possibly be the evolutionary markers of generic differentiation within Solanum.
Surveys identified Solanum aviculare as uncommon and rare, existing mainly as single plants or small groups in the majority of areas surveyed. The Threatened and Uncommon Plant listing of Solanum aviculare as an 'at risk declining' species is confirmed and a further Recommendation category proposed. Ecological decline and corresponding decline in cultural use and knowledge of Solanum aviculare was identified through specialist interviews; appearing to be related to removal from Māori of control over their land. The name poroporo being now associated mainly with non indigenous Solanum species. Māori cultural concepts in practice were highlighted as fundamentally important to reversing the decline, with an example of a successful traditional practice based (tikanga) integrative collaborative restoration program being documented.
This research forwards that optimal collaborative solutions, programs integrating scientific and tikanga knowledge and practices, provide the best opportunity of reversing the declining trend and for increasing and maintaining knowledge associated with the traditional role of poroporo.

text: Ecological, genetic and cultural status of Solanum aviculare, poroporo (Solanaceae) Solanum aviculare, endemic to Australasia, is an opportunist pioneer secondary successional plant occupying disturbed and open lowland habitats, and was an important medicinal and cultural species to Māori known as poroporo. It is currently in 'decline', the ecological decline appearing to correspond to a decline in knowledge and cultural use of the species. To gain understanding of the reasons for the decline, enhance ecological knowledge, assist conservation and cultural restoration of Solanum aviculare this research documented the successional role and cycle of regeneration dynamics and tactics, established morphological characteristics, investigated the genetic diversity and recorded cultural and conservation information.
The successional status and role was identified. Growth data identified cohort development and inter-site differences, metadata found height and crown spread growth to be significantly correlated and likely part of an early reproduction and dispersal strategy. Germination of soil cores from differing depths confirmed a viable seed bank exists sufficient for species maintenance. Viable seed spread via animal gut passage was determined by germination and chemical tests, results showed rats passed higher rates of viable seed than birds. Seed germination trials with stratified and fresh seed confirmed temporal and depth behaviour, flowering observation documented temporal differences with the closely allied species Solanum laciniatum, indicating a relationship to stasis induction. Leaf morphology studies documented differences between the two allied species and proposed further nomenclature.
Genetic diversity was investigated through the use of PCR/ISSR techniques. Chloroplast DNA was extracted by CTAB and DNA kit protocols. CTAB extraction was unable to effectively remove RNA, although use of DNA samples with high quantities of RNA confirmed that RNA was not an inhibiting factor in PCR production. The production of consistent reliable ISSR bands proved difficult, with no technical explanation found. ISSR findings indicate that Solanum aviculare is highly monomorphic, consisting of predominant invariant monomorphic loci. Twenty primers were tested with no polymorphic loci
identified and no intra species variation documented. Indications were also that Solanum aviculare and Solanum laciniatum are inter species invariant on monomorphic loci. Monomorphic loci may possibly be the evolutionary markers of generic differentiation within Solanum.
Surveys identified Solanum aviculare as uncommon and rare, existing mainly as single plants or small groups in the majority of areas surveyed. The Threatened and Uncommon Plant listing of Solanum aviculare as an 'at risk declining' species is confirmed and a further Recommendation category proposed. Ecological decline and corresponding decline in cultural use and knowledge of Solanum aviculare was identified through specialist interviews; appearing to be related to removal from Māori of control over their land. The name poroporo being now associated mainly with non indigenous Solanum species. Māori cultural concepts in practice were highlighted as fundamentally important to reversing the decline, with an example of a successful traditional practice based (tikanga) integrative collaborative restoration program being documented.
This research forwards that optimal collaborative solutions, programs integrating scientific and tikanga knowledge and practices, provide the best opportunity of reversing the declining trend and for increasing and maintaining knowledge associated with the traditional role of poroporo.

year: 2010