bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are motivational signs to increase stair use a thing of the past? A multi‐building study
Authors: Engelen Lina , Gale Joanne , Chau Josephine Y. , Bauman Adrian
Published: March 2017

Issue addressed

Only half of Australia's adult population is sufficiently physical active. One method thought to increase incidental physical activity at work is the use of stair‐promoting interventions. Stairs are readily available and stair climbing is considered vigorous physical activity. Motivational signs have been extensively and effectively trialled to increase stair use, but are they suitable for contemporary populations?

Methods

Participants were occupants of three selected University of Sydney buildings using the elevators or stairs. Infrared people counters were installed to monitor stair and elevator use for 24 h/day during two baseline weeks, followed by two intervention weeks, where motivational and directional signs were placed at points of choice.

Results

At baseline there was a large between‐building variation in the change in stair to elevator proportion, where we observed a small increase in two buildings (81–84%, odds ratio (OR): 1.16 (1.09, 1.23), and 26–27%, OR: 1.09 (1.03, 1.15)), and a decrease (30–25%, OR: 0.75 (0.72, 0.77) in the third building.

Conclusions

Differences in stair use among buildings could be due to building design and function. Motivational and directional signs to promote stair use showed small or nil effects. The future of interventions promoting stair use in occupational settings may need more interactive or personalised intervention methods.

So what?

The implications of this study are that posters to promote stair use might be a thing of the past and this should be considered in future workplace health promotion efforts to increase physical activity. More novel and interactive methods using new media are recommended.
Knowledge-based entropies improve the identification of native protein structures
Authors: Sankar Kannan , Jia Kejue , Jernigan Robert L.
Published: March 2017

Significance

The protein folding process is dictated by the free-energy landscape and thus accurate prediction of the native structures of proteins requires reliable estimates of free energies. Computed energies of proteins are at present significantly more reliable than entropies. In this work, we introduce an innovative method to estimate the local conformational entropies of protein structures by using statistical data from observed amino acid contact changes during conformational transitions within a set of diverse protein structures. Combining these new entropies with cooperative potential energy functions yields significant gains in the ability to distinguish between native structures of proteins and their nonnative decoys.
Hysteresis of KcsA potassium channel's activation– deactivation gating is caused by structural changes at the channel’s selectivity filter
Authors: Tilegenova Cholpon , Cortes D. Marien , Cuello Luis G.
Published: March 2017

Significance

Hysteresis in hyperpolarization-gated ion channels determines a normal heartbeat, a stable rhythmic firing of pacemaking neurons, and synaptic integration. Hysteresis in ion-selectivity changes of the two-pore K
+
channels regulates dynamically cell excitability, and recently it was shown that Kv7-channel's hysteretic gating mediates the Retigabine (an anticonvulsant)-dependent reduction of neuronal excitability. Given the ever-growing significance of this process in human physiology, it is imperative to determine its underlying structural bases. In this work, we have identified the molecular determinants of a hysteretic behavior in the prototypical ion channel, KcsA. Our results indicate that hysteresis or molecular “memory” in tetrameric cation-selective channels can arise from an allosteric coupling between the channel's activation gate and selectivity filter.
Classroom sound can be used to classify teaching practices in college science courses
Authors: Owens Melinda T. , Seidel Shannon B. , Wong Mike , Bejines Travis E. , Lietz Susanne , Perez Joseph R. , Sit Shangheng , Subedar Zahur-Saleh , Acker Gigi N. , Akana Susan F. , Balukjian Brad , Benton Hilary P. , Blair J. R. , Boaz Segal M. , Boyer Katharyn E. , Bram Jason B. , Burrus Laura W. , Byrd Dana T. , Caporale Natalia , Carpenter Edward J. , Chan Yee-Hung Mark , Chen Lily , Chovnick Amy , Chu Diana S. , Clarkson Bryan K. , Cooper Sara E. , Creech Catherine , Crow Karen D. , de la Torre José R. , Denetclaw Wilfred F. , Duncan Kathleen E. , Edwards Amy S. , Erickson Karen L. , Fuse Megumi , Gorga Joseph J. , Govindan Brinda , Green L. Jeanette , Hankamp Paul Z. , Harris Holly E. , He Zheng-Hui , Ingalls Stephen , Ingmire Peter D. , Jacobs J. Rebecca , Kamakea Mark , Kimpo Rhea R. , Knight Jonathan D. , Krause Sara K. , Krueger Lori E. , Light Terrye L. , Lund Lance , Márquez-Magaña Leticia M. , McCarthy Briana K. , McPheron Linda J. , Miller-Sims Vanessa C. , Moffatt Christopher A. , Muick Pamela C. , Nagami Paul H. , Nusse Gloria L. , Okimura Kristine M. , Pasion Sally G. , Patterson Robert , Pennings Pleuni S. , Riggs Blake , Romeo Joseph , Roy Scott W. , Russo-Tait Tatiane , Schultheis Lisa M. , Sengupta Lakshmikanta , Small Rachel , Spicer Greg S. , Stillman Jonathon H. , Swei Andrea , Wade Jennifer M. , Waters Steven B. , Weinstein Steven L. , Willsie Julia K. , Wright Diana W. , Harrison Colin D. , Kelley Loretta A. , Trujillo Gloriana , Domingo Carmen R. , Schinske Jeffrey N. , Tanner Kimberly D.
Published: March 2017

Significance

Although the United States needs to expand its STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) workforce, United States postsecondary institutions struggle to retain and effectively teach students in STEM disciplines. Using teaching techniques beyond lecture, such as pair discussions and reflective writing, has been shown to boost student learning, but it is unknown what proportion of STEM faculty use these active-learning pedagogies. Here we describe DART: Decibel Analysis for Research in Teaching, a machine-learning–derived algorithm that analyzes classroom sound to predict with high accuracy the learning activities used in classrooms, and its application to thousands of class session recordings. DART can be used for large-scale examinations of STEM teaching practices, evaluating the extent to which educators maximize opportunities for effective STEM learning.
Resistance mechanisms to TP53-MDM2 inhibition identified by in vivo piggyBac transposon mutagenesis screen in an Arf
−/−
mouse model
Authors: Chapeau Emilie A. , Gembarska Agnieszka , Durand Eric Y. , Mandon Emeline , Estadieu Claire , Romanet Vincent , Wiesmann Marion , Tiedt Ralph , Lehar Joseph , de Weck Antoine , Rad Roland , Barys Louise , Jeay Sebastien , Ferretti Stephane , Kauffmann Audrey , Sutter Esther , Grevot Armelle , Moulin Pierre , Murakami Masato , Sellers William R. , Hofmann Francesco , Jensen Michael Rugaard
Published: March 2017

Significance

Emergence of resistance to targeted therapy constitutes a limitation to long-term clinical benefits in many instances. To anticipate potential mechanisms of resistance to double minute 2 protein (MDM2) inhibitors, we performed a piggyBac insertional mutagenesis screen in a cohort of allografts with an underlying
CDKN2A
deletion, in the presence and absence of the MDM2 inhibitor HDM201. Among the most frequent events conferring resistance, we found several mechanisms converging on direct or indirect loss-of-function inactivation of tumor protein 53 (TP53), as well as activation of the antiapoptotic B-cell lymphoma-extra large (
Bcl-xL
) gene. Importantly, our findings were confirmed in patient-derived xenograft models, underlining the benefit of large-scale in vivo forward genetic screening to identify potential resistance mechanisms to targeted therapeutics.
Reconstitution of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
DNA polymerase ε-dependent mismatch repair with purified proteins
Authors: Bowen Nikki , Kolodner Richard D.
Published: March 2017

Significance

By performing reconstitution studies with purified
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
proteins, this study provides the first demonstration of eukaryotic mismatch repair (MMR) reactions dependent on DNA polymerase ε (Pol ε) in addition to the previously described DNA Pol δ (Pol δ)-dependent MMR reactions. The MutS homolog 2 (Msh2)–MutS homolog (or Msh2–MutS homolog 3)-dependent MMR reactions that Pol ε was found to promote in vitro include both short-patch and long-patch MutL homolog 1 (Mlh1)–postmeiotic segregation 1 (Pms1)-independent, exonuclease 1 (Exo1)-dependent MMR and Mlh1–Pms1 endonuclease-dependent, Exo1-dependent MMR. The availability of these reconstituted MMR reactions provides a unique foundation for biochemical reconstitution studies whose ultimate goal is to reconstitute leading-strand and lagging-strand DNA replication-coupled MMR using purified proteins.
Characterization of NiFe oxyhydroxide electrocatalysts by integrated electronic structure calculations and spectroelectrochemistry
Authors: Goldsmith Zachary K. , Harshan Aparna K. , Gerken James B. , Vörös Márton , Galli Giulia , Stahl Shannon S. , Hammes-Schiffer Sharon
Published: March 2017

Significance

The conversion of water to oxygen and hydrogen molecules is essential for a variety of renewable energy technologies. Nickel–iron (NiFe) oxyhydroxide is an important, earth-abundant electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction. A combined experimental and computational study of pure Ni oxyhydroxide and mixed NiFe oxyhydroxide thin films elucidates the chemistry governing their different electrochemical and optical properties. The Ni and Fe oxidation states in each system are assigned as a function of applied potential based on quantum-mechanical calculations, cyclic voltammetry, and UV-visible spectroscopy. In the more catalytically active NiFe system, oxidation to Fe4+coincides with the onset of oxygen evolution. Synergy between experiment and theory provides a detailed, atomistic understanding of this robust catalyst.
Can executive functioning contribute to the diagnosis of SLI in bilingual children?
Authors: Laloi Aude , de Jong Jan , Baker Anne
Published: March 2017

Language tests often fail to diagnose specific language impairment (SLI) in bilinguals due to the confounding impact of SLI and bilingualism on language. The present study focuses on the contribution of executive functioning to the diagnosis of SLI in bilinguals. Performance of monolingual and bilingual children with and without SLI on a task tapping response inhibition was assessed. Results revealed a negative effect of SLI but no effect of bilingualism. The diagnostic accuracy of the task was also estimated. Sensitivity and specificity were low, suggesting that response inhibition could not be considered as a reliable clinical marker of SLI. Although the results at the group level showed that children with SLI seemed more at risk than their typically-developing peers for a deficit in response inhibition, our results on diagnostic accuracy challenge the hypothesis of a relationship between deficits in language and deficits in inhibition in children with SLI.
Identifying partially schematic units in the code-mixing of an English and German speaking child
Authors: Quick Antje Endesfelder , Lieven Elena , Carpenter Malinda , Tomasello Michael
Published: March 2017

Intra-sentential code-mixing presents a number of puzzles for theories of bilingualism. In this paper, we examine the code-mixed English-German utterances of a young English-German-Spanish trilingual child between 1;10 – 3;1, using both an extensive diary kept by the mother and audio recordings. We address the interplay between lexical and syntactic aspects of language use outlined in the usage-based approach (e.g.Tomasello, 2003). The data suggest that partially schematic constructions play an important role in the code-mixing of this child. In addition, we find, first, that the code-mixing was not mainly the result of lexical gaps. Second, there was more mixing of German function words than content words. Third, code-mixed utterances often consisted of the use of a partially schematic construction with the open slot filled by material from the other language. These results raise a number of important issues for all theoretical approaches to code mixing, which we discuss.
Non-conservative forces in bulk systems
Authors: Todorov Tchavdar N. , Cunningham Brian , Dundas Daniel , Horsfield Andrew P.
Published: March 2017

The ability of electrons and phonons to equilibrate is fundamental to the thermodynamic and transport properties of solids. Nonetheless in mesoscopic systems, sufficiently high current densities can lead to situations where the phonon subsystem can no longer reach a steady state. In previous work, this phenomenon was connected with the demonstration that interatomic forces under current are non-conservative, with dramatic dynamical effects. Here we consider these effects in bulk systems. We arrive at a critical current density beyond which current flow results in the uncompensated stimulated emission of a blast of phonons. The result is illustrated with simulations of long atomic wires. It is hoped that the paper will stimulate research into the possible relevance of the effect to electropulsing.

This paper is part of a themed issue on Materials in External Fields.
Obstacles and opportunities in the functional analysis of extracellular vesicle RNA – an ISEV position paper
Authors: Mateescu Bogdan , Kowal Emma J. K. , van Balkom Bas W. M. , Bartel Sabine , Bhattacharyya Suvendra N. , Buzás Edit I. , Buck Amy H. , de Candia Paola , Chow Franklin W. N. , Das Saumya , Driedonks Tom A. P. , Fernández‐Messina Lola , Haderk Franziska , Hill Andrew F. , Jones Jennifer C. , Van Keuren‐Jensen Kendall R. , Lai Charles P. , Lässer Cecilia , di Liegro Italia , Lunavat Taral R. , Lorenowicz Magdalena J. , Maas Sybren L. N. , Mäger Imre , Mittelbrunn Maria , Momma Stefan , Mukherjee Kamalika , Nawaz Muhammad , Pegtel D. Michiel , Pfaffl Michael W. , Schiffelers Raymond M. , Tahara Hidetoshi , Théry Clotilde , Tosar Juan Pablo , Wauben Marca H. M. , Witwer Kenneth W. , Nolte‐'t Hoen Esther N. M.
Published: March 2017

The release of RNA‐containing extracellular vesicles (EV) into the extracellular milieu has been demonstrated in a multitude of different in vitro cell systems and in a variety of body fluids. RNA‐containing EV are in the limelight for their capacity to communicate genetically encoded messages to other cells, their suitability as candidate biomarkers for diseases, and their use as therapeutic agents. Although EV‐RNA has attracted enormous interest from basic researchers, clinicians, and industry, we currently have limited knowledge on which mechanisms drive and regulate RNA incorporation into EV and on how RNA‐encoded messages affect signalling processes in EV‐targeted cells. Moreover, EV‐RNA research faces various technical challenges, such as standardisation of EV isolation methods, optimisation of methodologies to isolate and characterise minute quantities of RNA found in EV, and development of approaches to demonstrate functional transfer of EV‐RNA in vivo. These topics were discussed at the 2015 EV‐RNA workshop of the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles. This position paper was written by the participants of the workshop not only to give an overview of the current state of knowledge in the field, but also to clarify that our incomplete knowledge – of the nature of EV(‐RNA)s and of how to effectively and reliably study them – currently prohibits the implementation of gold standards in EV‐RNA research. In addition, this paper creates awareness of possibilities and limitations of currently used strategies to investigate EV‐RNA and calls for caution in interpretation of the obtained data.
Protein ligands for studying ion channel proteins
Authors: Chavan Tanmay , Maduke Merritt , Swartz Kenton
Published: March 2017

Chavan et al. highlight work showing that a monobody can inhibit a fluoride channel using a mechanism similar to that of a scorpion toxin blocker of potassium channels.
Quantifying circular RNA expression from RNA-seq data using model-based framework
Authors: Li Musheng , Xie Xueying , Zhou Jing , Sheng Mengying , Yin Xiaofeng , Ko Eun-A , Zhou Tong , Gu Wanjun
Published: March 2017

Motivation

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that are widely expressed in various cell lines and tissues of many organisms. Although the exact function of many circRNAs is largely unknown, the cell type—and tissue-specific circRNA expression has implicated their crucial functions in many biological processes. Hence, the quantification of circRNA expression from high-throughput RNA-seq data is becoming important to ascertain. Although many model-based methods have been developed to quantify linear RNA expression from RNA-seq data, these methods are not applicable to circRNA quantification.

Results

Here, we proposed a novel strategy that transforms circular transcripts to pseudo-linear transcripts and estimates the expression values of both circular and linear transcripts using an existing model-based algorithm, Sailfish. The new strategy can accurately estimate transcript expression of both linear and circular transcripts from RNA-seq data. Several factors, such as gene length, amount of expression and the ratio of circular to linear transcripts, had impacts on quantification performance of circular transcripts. In comparison to count-based tools, the new computational framework had superior performance in estimating the amount of circRNA expression from both simulated and real ribosomal RNA-depleted (rRNA-depleted) RNA-seq datasets. On the other hand, the consideration of circular transcripts in expression quantification from rRNA-depleted RNA-seq data showed substantial increased accuracy of linear transcript expression. Our proposed strategy was implemented in a program named Sailfish-cir.

Availability and Implementation

Sailfish-cir is freely available at https://github.com/zerodel/Sailfish-cir.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Mixing Survey Modes and Its Implications
Authors: Atkeson Lonna Rae , Adams Alex N.
Published: March 2017

Mixed mode surveys are defined as surveys that involve mixtures of different contact and response modes. They have become increasingly popular as a way to mitigate problems of coverage and response error related to single mode options. However, differences in survey mode, especially the presence or absence of an interviewer, may influence item response and nonresponse through social desirability, primacy or recency effects, and visual response. This chapter considers the advantages and disadvantages of various modes and of combining modes. Each research design should consider the costs, including “house” costs and costs to the respondent, and benefits of a mixed mode design before implementation.
Stochastic Actor Oriented Models for Network Dynamics
Authors: Snijders Tom A. B. , Pickup Mark
Published: March 2017

Stochastic Actor Oriented Models for Network Dynamics are used for the statistical analysis of longitudinal network data collected as a panel. The probability model defines an unobserved stochastic process of tie changes, where social actors add new ties or drop existing ties in response to the current network structure; the panel observations are snapshots of the resulting changing network. The statistical analysis is based on computer simulations of this process, which provides a great deal of flexibility in representing data constraints and dependence structures. In this Chapter we begin by defining the basic model. We then explicate a new model for nondirected ties, including several options for the specification of how pairs of actors coordinate tie changes. Next, we describe coevolution models. These can be used to model the dynamics of several interdependent sets of variables, such as the analysis of panel data on a network and the behavior of the actors in the network, or panel data on two or more networks. We finish by discussing the differences between Stochastic Actor Oriented Models and some other longitudinal network models. A major distinguishing feature is the treatment of time, which allows straightforward application of the model to panel data with different time lags between waves. We provide a variety of applications in political science throughout.
European Palaeolithic Rock Art and Spatial Structures
Authors: Clottes Jean
Published: March 2017

This chapter examines the question of spatiality/spatial structure in rock art by focusing on European Upper Palaeolithic art, commonly known as cave art. More specifically, it considers the existence of structural principles, both physical and mental, important in understanding the artists’ ways of thinking. After discussing the role of the landscape in rock art, the chapter explains how Palaeolithic peoples of Europe dealt with a wide range of spatial choices and possibilities: for example, when a site was chosen as appropriate for artworks, or whether people developed one or more spatial models that they would apply or adapt to their chosen sites. It provides evidence showing that Upper Palaeolithic peoples held beliefs and customs that were reflected in the nature and structure of the paintings, engravings, and carvings that they created in hopes of establishing contact with the spirit world and deriving benefits from such connections.
Mathematics and Root Interdisciplinarity
Authors: Fisher Erik , Beltran-del-Rio David
Published: March 2017

“Mathematics and Root Interdisciplinarity: Historical Perspectives” examines how mathematics meets criteria in the age of the inter- and transdisciplinarity of being a discipline that lies at the root of other disciplines. The chapter surveys the historical range of mathematics as directly applicable to a wide set of phenomena, practices, and developments in many other fields of learning and human endeavor. This brief reflection suggests that the application of mathematics to other domains is partially at least a function of what mathematics is considered to be.
New Public Service through Coproduction
Authors: Salm Jr. José Francisco , Pacheco Roberto C. S.
Published: March 2017

New Public Service (NPS) is a proposal for public administration structured on a foundation of public interest, democratic ideals, citizenship and community participation. NPS offers principles and premises to conceive of and to implement public services based on citizen and governmental coproduction. This goal requires citizen participation in elaboration, design, implementation, and evaluation of public policies, all based on common interest. From an academic perspective, NPS requires an interdisciplinary view, combining knowledge from disciplines such as public administration, law, political and social sciences. In ‘New Public Service through Coproduction,’ we discuss the conceptual and practical implications of relating NPS and transdisciplinary knowledge. We have listed several fields of applications where coproduction and society participation have open room for studying the multidimensional relationship between NPS and coproduction.
Administering Interdisciplinary Programs
Authors: Holley Karri
Published: March 2017

The lengthy history of interdisciplinary activity in higher education offers important lessons about developing, administering, and assessing interdisciplinary programs. A deepening body of literature surrounding higher education studies and organizational theory surrounds these lessons. This literature acknowledges that, like any other system, higher education institutions face multiple influences from both internal and external stakeholders. This interaction requires an understanding of the environment in which higher education institutions operate. This chapter begins from the position of a changing environment for higher education to consider the challenges associated with administering interdisciplinary programs. After establishing organizational norms unique to higher education institutions, the chapter considers three specific areas: (1) the role of boundaries in shaping the university, and how interdisciplinary programs negotiate these boundaries; (2) the persistence of disciplinary cultures, and their impact on interdisciplinary programs; and (3) the resource challenge for contemporary higher education, and how this debate affects interdisciplinary activities.
What Is Food-water and Why Do We not Account for It?
Authors: Keulertz Martin , Allan Tony
Published: March 2017

With 92 percent of the water used by society for food-water, the behavior of consumers determines the demand for food and water. This chapter examines the extent to which global society can manage sustainably the water resources on which its food security depends. Many market players ensure the demand for food is met in supply chains that are embedded in the global food system, linking farmers, agri-industries that supply inputs, food traders, food manufacturers, and food retailers. Food-water risk highlights the importance of the food choices of consumers, as their wasteful practices squander volumes of water and energy along the food supply chains. It is important to recognize that food supply chains are often blind to the costs of blue and green water as an input and to the impacts of misallocating and mismanaging water. This chapter thus discusses the politics of food and the need to account for water.
Thucydides and Attic Comedy
Authors: Henderson Jeffrey
Published: March 2017

The Attic comic poets, despite their focus on celebrities and popular culture, their portrayal of Pericles as tyrannical, and their one-sidedly elite and rightist partisanship, nevertheless share with Thucydides an essentially coherent narrative of Athenian acme and decline after Pericles, exemplified politically by Cleon. Moreover, Thucydides often silently takes comic material into account when formulating his own narrative. This chapter examines the connections between Attic comedy and Thucydidean historiography in respect to shared and contrasting attitudes and responses to the political and social life of 5th century Athens. It proceeds chronologically through the war, examining the responses of historiography and the comic poets to the emerging events, issues, and leaders.
The Pentecontaetia
Authors: Kallet Lisa
Published: March 2017

The term “Pentecontaetia” refers both to the narrative in Thucydides’ History for the fifty-year period between the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars, 478–431 bce (1.89–118) and to the historical period during that time. This chapter aims above all to further appreciation of how Thucydides understood this crucial period in Greek history that saw the emergence of the Athenian empire. Themes and emphases include the origins of the Delian League and the nature of the tributary empire; the Pentecontaetia and the “true cause” of the Peloponnesian War; the Samian Revolt; the emphases on criticism of chronology and omissions; the impact of the revolution in epigraphic dating; Persians and Thucydides; Athens, Sparta, and Corinth.
Mantinea, Decelea, and the Interwar Years (421–413 bce)
Authors: Bearzot Cinzia
Published: March 2017

The chapter examines Thucydides’ account of the interwar years. The work discusses its introductory sections (5.25–26), which set forth the thesis of the unity of the war, and sequentially considers the crisis of Spartan hegemony in the Peloponnesus from the Peace of Nicias to the Battle of Mantinea; the intervention of Athens in Peloponnesian issues and Alcibiades’ projects in the Peloponnesus; the events related to Melos; Alcibiades’ flight to Sparta after the scandal of the Herms, the importance of his advice to the enemy on the Sicilian expedition, and the occupation of Decelea. The chapter also considers the unusual narrative and historiographical features of Thucydides’ account in this part of his work, among which, in particular, is the inclusion of a large number of transcribed documents. These documents are discussed in the light of the debate on the possible incompleteness of Book 5.
Thucydides on the First Ten Years of War (Archidamian War)
Authors: Hunt Peter
Published: March 2017

Thucydides’ narrative of the first ten years of the Peloponnesian War (the Archidamian War) encompasses a large number of varied military activities and structures them to present a comprehensible if simplified version of the war. This chapter considers both the accuracy of his narrative and the way he organizes it, especially the choices he makes of which trends to emphasize and which to play down. Thucydides is not perfectly accurate, but when we have other sources of information about the war, they often confirm his account. Included among the themes that Thucydides highlights and those that he has been suspected of neglecting are the following: the basic strategies of Athens and Sparta, Athenian leadership, the Helots, the Plague, Athenian financial difficulties, and the Peace of Nicias.
Characterization of Individuals in Thucydides’ History
Authors: Stadter Philip
Published: March 2017

Thucydides presents the words and deeds of individuals chiefly in terms of their importance for understanding the war. He characterizes leading actors through their speeches, indications of motivation, authorial comments, and the narrative itself. These techniques allow remarkable nuance, even ambiguity, of interpretation. This chapter examines the representations of Pericles, Nicias, Alcibiades, Brasidas, and Thucydides himself, highlighting the similar and contrasting traits that unite them. In Thucydides’ narrative, Pericles’ pride in Athens, refusal to yield to Sparta, and brilliant oratory lead Athens into the war. Nicias evaluates the expedition to Sicily with Periclean prudence, but his fear of a change in fortune and of the Athenian assembly lead to the expedition’s defeat. Alcibiades shares Pericles’ aristocratic background and strategic imagination, but his self-centeredness and contempt for customs twice cause the Athenians to lose trust. Through delineating these individual characteristics and behaviors, Thucydides clarifies the war's narrative.
Leaders and Leadership in Thucydides’ History
Authors: Nichols Mary P.
Published: March 2017

This essay explores what Thucydides teaches about leadership, by focusing on four prominent leaders in his History: Pericles, Brasidas, Alcibiades, and Nicias. Successful leaders operate within the confines of particular cities, regimes, and their ways of life, but find space for freedom by articulating goals and standards for action. Pericles instructs Athenians about their city’s purpose and its demands, while presenting himself as a model of freedom. Brasidas represents Spartan dedication to freedom from oppression, but to the larger world rather than to the Spartans themselves. Alcibiades carries Athenian freedom to the point of betraying cities, and Nicias betrays that freedom by refusing to exercise it. Leadership demonstrates that freedom is possible for human beings, but that it must be cultivated by leaders themselves. Thucydides judges leaders by their success in doing so.
Writing History Implicitly through Refined Structuring
Authors: Rawlings Hunter
Published: March 2017

Thucydides self-consciously composed his history for an elite audience of reader-listeners who would pay close attention to his work, not simply hear parts of it recited once. On the surface, he organized it tightly according to rigidly heeded principles: strict focus on war and political decision-making; rigorous ordering of time and space by consecutive summers and winters, and by theaters of action. Behind these overt structures Thucydides imposed a number of implicit designs, which lead perceptive readers to see and appreciate recurring patterns in history, particularly in political leaders’ decision making and in the morale of their cities. Structural parallelisms, juxtapositions, and the ordering of the accounts, for instance, are important Thucydidean means of making readers engage with his history and with their own; verbal linkages also provoke readers to note the ironies, paradoxes, and incongruities of the events.
Polybius and Sallust
Authors: Wiater Nicolas
Published: March 2017

This chapter examines Thucydides’ influence on Polybius and Sallust. It demonstrates the various ways in which these two authors drew on and adapted the concepts, methods and ideas, style, and narrative technique of their famous predecessor as part of the creation of their own original interpretations of the past. In respect to Polybius, the chapter argues that the Thucydidean paradigm had a marked effect both on Polybius’ conceptions of historical causation and on his style. In the case of Sallust, the paper argues that Thucydides provided a writing style and ethical concepts with which to describe the crisis of the late Roman Republic. However, neither author simply “imitates” Thucydides. Both engage creatively and often critically with the various aspects of his work. They rewrite, elaborate on, and “correct” Thucydides as much as they are inspired by him.
Writing with Posterity in Mind
Authors: Damon Cynthia
Published: March 2017

Thucydides and Tacitus are both uncomfortable authors whose unsparing commitment to revealing the truth results in grim depictions of the amoral deployment of political power—power for the sake of power—in idiosyncratic and difficult idioms. However, Tacitus never announces a program of Thucydides-imitation, whether pertaining to methodology or theme. Nor do ancient commentators link Tacitus to his Greek predecessor. Nevertheless, the two are much alike in important aspects of their historiographical achievements. The chapter explores a pair of passages in which the two historians treat one of history’s “repeating events”—defection from an imperial power. In examining the narratives of the Mytilenean and Batavian revolts (Thuc. 3.2–6, 8–18, 23–33, 35–50; Tac. H. 4.12–37, 54–79, 5.14–26), it gives due attention to “each new permutation of circumstances,” the important proviso that Thucydides attaches to his prediction about recurrence (3.82.2).
Campaign and Battle Narratives in Thucydides
Authors: Foster Edith
Published: March 2017

This chapter reviews the campaign and battle narratives of Thucydides’ History. It discusses the structural role of campaign narratives in the History, and then focusses on the prologues, actions, and speeches of the campaign narratives themselves. It also takes several battle narratives under examination, asking what questions these battle stories answer and how they function in the larger narrative. Finally, the chapter engages with the question of how these stories related to their ancient Athenian audience, which was the very first audience, as far as we know, to be able to read accounts of the military events of a recent war.
Critical Pedagogy as Choral Pedagogy
Authors: Abrahams Frank
Published: March 2017

In this chapter, the author suggests that choral directors use the tenets of critical pedagogy as the framework for the choral experience, a shift in traditional choral pedagogies. The chapter explores the roots of critical pedagogy. In particular it discusses the ways an approach grounded in critical pedagogy might remedy issues of the inappropriate uses of power, the marginalization of singers, and hegemonic practices in school politics. The text suggests rehearsal strategies and explains techniques of reciprocal teaching to better connect the ways singers engage with music and in the process develop musical agency and hone the 21st-century learning and innovation skills of collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking. Finally the chapter addresses the artistic processes of creating, performing, and responding, which are the cornerstones of the 2014 National Core Arts Standards in the United States.
The Framing of Choirs and Their Conductors
Authors: Durrant Colin
Published: March 2017

The British choral tradition is rooted in its ancient cathedrals and chapels, where the office of Evensong is sung, often daily. In addition, choral societies are to be found in most localities where singers come together and perform some of the major works in the western canon. Although singing itself occurs in a variety of forms this chapter looks at conductor-led choral singing. It does not give a fulsome picture of UK choral conducting and singing. Nonetheless, through a brief history starting from the John Curwen’s tonic sol-fa ideas for singing and culminating in a 20th century choral music renaissance; through an analysis of the English choral tradition; through a consideration of revivals of UK singing such as “Sing Up”; and through questionnaires and interviews with conductors and singers, the chapter explores some of the personal, cultural and sociological, educational, and musical issues and interests that can be found in the United Kingdom now.
Conducting Corporate Choirs in Brazil
Authors: Lakschevitz Eduardo
Published: March 2017

Corporate choirs represent a large part of choral music-making in Brazil. Many Brazilian companies hire choral directors to develop group singing activities with their employees, thanks in part to the recent Music Education Bill. These directors face very particular challenges that are rarely considered in their training at colleges and universities. Nonetheless, they are a significant part of the work of choral directors in Brazil. Leading a peripheral activity in relation to the company’s core business, lack of rehearsal time, volunteer singer participation, inappropriate physical conditions, management that is not akin to the arts field, and easy access to contemporary urban activities and gadgets are some factors that create these particular challenges. The corporate choir director must bridge these factors with musical procedures of their work, and approach with a more critical view issues such as repertory choice, conducting techniques, and rehearsal procedures.
Choral Repertoire as Pedagogy
Authors: Shrock Dennis
Published: March 2017

The study includes 1) a discussion of historical choral repertoire that was conceived with a main or substantial pedagogical intent and 2) a discussion of repertoire and programming that can be of beneficial value to choruses. The first part of the study represents and explores choral genres such as Gregorian chant, the Lutheran chorale, and the Baroque oratorio (both sacred and secular). It then moves on to modern-era compositions with didactic purposes, including works to promote nationalism but also an antiwar message. The second part of the study addresses choral programming for a) choral development that relies on transfer of learning, b) recruitment and retention of singers and audiences, c) environmental customs and expectations, d) psychological management of time in regards to ontology and flow, and e) performance practices. In summary, repertoire that serves a pedagogical purpose has the opportunity to elevate the aesthetic value of the choral experience.
The Choral Experience
Authors: Head Paul D.
Published: March 2017

Much has changed in the choral rehearsal room over the past two generations, particularly in regard to the role the choral conductor assumes—or commands—in the rehearsal process. This chapter discusses the ever-evolving stereotypical roles of the conductor, while examining alternatives to traditional leadership models with particular emphasis on the encouragement of student engagement and peer-based learning. In addition to the facilitation of collaborative learning exercises, the chapter outlines a specific process of written interaction with the choral ensemble. This section is inspired by the renowned “Dear People” letters of Robert Shaw. Finally, in response to the recently revised National Standards for Music Education in the United States, the author discusses possible implementation of the Standards in a performance-based classroom. In the shadow of the relatively recent phenomena of collegiate a cappella groups, these student ensembles have created a new paradigm for peer-led instruction.
Fostering Musical and Personal Agency
Authors: Abrahams Daniel
Published: March 2017

With the goal to create personal and musical agency in choral conductors, this chapter discusses the application of constructivist principles to choral pedagogy and the teaching of an undergraduate conducting class. In addition to teaching the requisite conducting skills, reflective practice, meaning making, and problem solving were included to foster habits of mind to prepare students to eventually conduct their own ensembles. Undergraduate students in their first conducting class provided the data, which included reflective journals, in class feedback, along with the teacher’s reflective memos. The chapter describes how conducting students navigated the challenges that called upon their previous experiences as ensemble members and their prior musical knowledge. In the end, conducting students expressed feelings of confidence and empowerment that suggested they had achieved both musical and personal agency.
Unions, the Skills Agenda, and Workforce Development
Authors: Stuart Mark , Huzzard Tony
Published: March 2017

This chapter explores the relationship between unions and skills at the workplace. We argue that the significance of the skills agenda is broadly concomitant with a shift in the labour process beyond mass production into newer trajectories, variously described as post-Fordism, post-industrialism, flexible specialization and new production concepts. Unions are increasingly equating their members’ learning (and skills) as much as with enhancing their employability as with broader emancipation or entry into a trade. Through focusing on the contrasting cases of the UK and Sweden we show how the recent pursuit of the skills agenda has gone hand in hand with a strategic reorientation of unions, in response to more challenging bargaining environments and a declining membership base. We also argue that different approaches by unions to skills can be explained not only by national and sectoral factors but also by agency and voice mechanisms.
Skill Demands and Developments in the Advanced Economies
Authors: Smith Caroline
Published: March 2017

This chapter considers patterns of skills demand and policy developments in the advanced economies. Determining the actual and anticipated skills demands of employers and individuals are key challenges for policy makers and an area of ongoing interest for academics. This chapter considers academic debates about skills demand, including whether upskilling or deskilling is taking place, as well as the increasing focus on ‘soft’ skills rather than traditional technical skills. This discussion is followed by data on trends and forecasting of skills development. How and where policy and practice positions are formulated are considered for both Coordinated Market Economies (CMEs) and Liberal Market Economies (LMEs), as well as the shifting policy positions and policy interventions. The chapter concludes with a commentary on these debates, trends and interventions.
Projecting the Impact of Information Technology on Work and Skills in the 2030s
Authors: Elliott Stuart W.
Published: March 2017

The research literature in computer science provides a way of understanding the growing capabilities of information technology (IT) and anticipating their future effect on work and skills. This chapter reviews a set of recent computer science articles to identify the IT capabilities that have been demonstrated in research settings. These capabilities are compared to information on occupational ability requirements to identify occupations that are potentially vulnerable to displacement as demonstrated IT capabilities are refined and applied over the next couple decades. The chapter’s preliminary analysis suggests that occupations representing 82 percent of current employment will be potentially vulnerable to displacement by IT in the near future. More rigorous versions of the chapter’s preliminary analysis should be carried out once or twice each decade to track the further development of IT capabilities and regularly update our understanding of their likely consequences for work and skills.
International Skill Flows and Migration
Authors: Wickham James
Published: March 2017

Migrants are increasingly skilled. Historically British emigration was disproportionately skilled and new comparative OECD data shows the continuing brain drain from Europe to the USA. However skilled migration is best understood as skilled mobility not migration: permanent settlement in a destination country is a limiting case within a multiplicity of movements exemplified by the international commuting of the financial services elite. Immigration policies increasingly attempt to attract the best and the brightest. Rising mobility is driven by firms’ recruitment policies, but also by individuals’ motivations which are often non-financial. Skilled mobility is now claimed to benefit both origin and destination countries through circular migration and knowledge transfer. However, skilled mobility can also promote privatisation of higher education in origin countries and lower investment in training in receiving countries. A typology of skilled mobility suggests some forms can increase income inequality in destination countries.
Who Pays for Skills?
Authors: Hogarth Terence , Gambin Lynn
Published: March 2017

Debates about the need to increase investments in education and training in order to improve overall national economic performance quickly result in deliberations about who should pay for those investments. If it is the individual or the employer who are the principal beneficiaries, then there is an expectation that they should share the cost of the investment proportionate to the benefit they obtain. There are, however, a number of barriers which prevent employers and individuals making optimum levels of investment which inevitably means that the State needs to step into the breach. This chapter addresses what economics has to say about who should make the investment in training and how various barriers to those investments being made can be overcome.
Hacking Metaphors in the Anticipatory Governance of Emerging Technology
Authors: Leta Jones Meg , Millar Jason
Published: March 2017

Metaphors are essential tools for helping us to interpret new technologies, integrate them into our daily lives and govern them appropriately. Metaphors link the unfamiliar to the familiar. However, metaphors are often partial and unstable, especially in their application to emerging technologies, such as robots—robots are here, but we have yet to decide on the many roles that robots will occupy in society. Metaphors also tend to promote certain values over others. Applying a particular metaphor to a technology thus casts that technology in a political role. In this chapter, we promote metaphor hacking, a playful and practical methodology for identifying and analysing potential metaphors that might be applied in the governance of technology. We argue that metaphor hacking allows us to anticipate some of the governance and ethical issues that could emerge around a technology owing to the metaphors we choose for describing them.
Novel Foods and Risk Assessment in Europe
Authors: Lee Robert
Published: March 2017

In the 2015 revision of the EU Novel Foods Regulation, risk assessment processes remain separated from those of risk management in the regulation of novel foods. This chapter examines why this structure has emerged in Europe, and shows how both legal and political constraints ruled out a more integrated model. Although the European Commission has been strongly supportive of the science information model that emerges under the European Food Safety Authority, the chapter argues that ‘ring fencing’ questions of scientific risk assessment has proved problematic, as has excluding from that assessment wider factors that might inform it. This chapter then reviews the resultant difficulties across three areas of technology, the food products of which are regarded as novel under the Regulation: cloning, genetic modification, and nanotechnology.