bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical Analysis and Painted Colours: the Mystery of Leonardo's Sfumato
Authors: Walter Philippe
Published: April 2013

At the end of the 15th century, Italian painters explored the new effects made possible by the use of the oil medium. They created a sense of depth and relief by following the Flemish technique of glazes, which allowed the spreading of very thin and translucent layers, rich in medium and with low pigment content. A striking example is given by the realization of the shadows in the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci: the Master used the so-called ‘sfumato’ technique based on the use of glazes to obtain a ‘smoky’ aspect for the creation of flesh tones, with very subtle contours that seem to have no hard edges. Since the 16th century, his technique was famous due to the perfection of the works of art that glazes have allowed artists to reach. Analytical characterizations of painting materials have helped us to improve our knowledge about this technique. X-ray fluorescence measurements were carried out on seven paintings by Leonardo da Vinci preserved in the Louvre museum. This technique is widely used for qualitative determination of the pigments but it is very difficult to interpret the data quantitatively in the case of layered structures such as easel paintings. As well as the characterization of the palette, we obtain in-depth information on how Leonardo modelled his shadows. Comparisons between the different paintings of Leonardo highlight the specific features in the Leonardo technique.
Amino Acids and the Asymmetry of Life
Authors: Meierhenrich Uwe J.
Published: April 2013

‘How did life start on Earth?’ and ‘Why were left-handed amino acids selected for the architecture of proteins?’ A new attempt to answer these questions of high public and interdisciplinary scientific interest will be provided by this review. It will describe most recent experimental data on how the basic and molecular building blocks of life, amino acids, formed in a prebiotic setting. Most amino acids are chiral, that is that they cannot be superimposed with their mirror image molecules (enantiomers). In processes triggering the origin of life on Earth, the equal occurrence, i.e. the parity between left-handed amino acids and their right-handed mirror images, was violated. In the case of amino acids, the balance was tipped to the left – as a result of which life's proteins today exclusively implement the left-handed form of amino acids, called l-amino acid enantiomers. Neither plants, nor animals, including humans, make use of d-amino acids for the molecular architecture of their proteins (enzymes). This review addresses the molecular asymmetry of amino acids in living organisms, namely the preference for left-handedness. What was the cause for the violation of molecular parity of amino acids in the emergence of life on Earth? All the fascinating models proposed by physicists, chemists, and biologists will be vividly presented including the scientific conflicts. Special emphasis will be given to amino acid enantiomers that were subjected to chiral photons. The interaction between racemic molecules and chiral photons was shown to produce an enantiomeric enrichment that will be discussed in the context of absolute asymmetric synthesis. The concluding paragraphs will describe the attempt to verify any of those models with the chirality-module of the Rosetta mission. This European space mission contains probe Philae that was launched on board the Rosetta spacecraft with the aim of landing on the icy surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and analysing whether chiral organic compounds are present that could have been brought to the Earth by comet impacts.
Notes Towards a (More) Cosmopolitan History of European Literature
Authors: De Medeiros Paulo
Published: April 2013

Was den Kern der europäischen Identität ausmacht, ist freilich mehr der Charakter schmerzlicher Lernprozesse als dessen Ergebnis. Die Erinnerung an den moralischen Abgrund, in den uns der nationalistische Exzess geführt hat, verleiht unserem heutigen Engagement den Stellenwert einer Errungenschaft. (Jürgen Habermas1)
Statius on parade: performing Argive identity inThebaid6.268–95
Authors: Lovatt Helen
Published: April 2013

In book 6 of theThebaid, Statius puts on a funeral for a baby prince (Opheltes) accidentally crushed by the flick of a giant serpent's tail, while his nurse is busy telling her life story to the leaders of the Argive army on their way to Thebes. The Argives hold full-scale funeral games, which represent an opportunity to play with epic predecessors and create a new world between Greece and Rome, epic and reality. At 268–95, nine days after Opheltes' funeral pyre has burnt out, after the crowd have arrived for the games and before the chariot race, Statius stages a procession. I give the full passage:

exin magnanimum series antiqua parentum

inuehitur, miris in uultum animata figuris.

primus anhelantem duro Tirynthius angens

pectoris attritu sua frangit in ossa leonem.

haud ilium impauidi quamuis et in aere suumque

Inachidae uidere decus. pater ordine iuncto

laeuus harundineae recubans super aggere ripae

cernitur emissaeque indulgens Inachus urnae.

Io post tergum, iam prona dolorque parentis,

spectat inocciduis stellatum uisibus Argum.

ast illam melior Phariis erexerat aruis

Iuppiter atque hospes iam tunc Aurora colebat.

Tantalus inde parens, non qui fallentibus undis

inminet aut refugae sterilem rapit aera siluae,

sed pius et magni uehitur conuiua Tonantis.

parte alia uictor curru Neptunia tendit

lora Pelops, prensatque rotas auriga natantes

Myrtilos et uolucri iam iamque relinquitur axe.

et grauis Acrisius speciesque horrenda Coroebi

et Danae culpata sinus et in amne reperto

tristis Amymone, paruoque Alcmena superbit

Hercule tergemina crinem circumdata luna.

iungunt discordes inimica in foedera dextras

Belidae fratres, sed uultu mitior astat

Aegyptus; Danai manifestum agnoscere ficto

ore notas pacisque malae noctisque futurae.

mille dehinc species, tandem satiata uoluptas

praestantesque uiros uocat ad sua praemia uirtus.

(Thebaid6.268-95)
Notes on Mycenaean spelling
Authors: Meißner Torsten
Published: April 2013

Ever since the decipherment of Linear B, a large amount has been written on Mycenaean spelling. The basic rules were established very quickly, although the debate is still continuing as to the theoretical basis of Mycenaean spelling; various models have been proposed here. One of the most serious problems for all existing models is that at the edges, there is spelling variation that simply cannot be captured by one and the same algorithm. Here, we shall look at two such cases:

• the graphic rendering of the subphonemic glidesjandwas in e.g.i-je-re-u,a-re-ku-tu-ru-wowhich can be contrasted with later Greek ἱερεύς and ἀλεκτρυών where the glides are not or not routinely indicated;

• and so-calledplene writing; this term is used in a variety of meanings. Here, we shall deal with the graphic rendering of consonants in the coda of final syllables where the standard spelling rules would predict their omission, e.g.wa-na-karendering /wanaks/ where the spelling rules would predict a renderingwa-na.
The paintings on the Hermes tomb under San Sebastiano: a new Interpretation
Authors: Logan Alastair H. B.
Published: April 2013

How early did Christians make their presence felt in the ancient cemetery under the present church of San Sebastiano in Rome? In this present article I will argue that enigmatic paintings on the attic of a second-century tomb, the tomb of Clodius Hermes, whose subject-matter and provenance is much disputed, are best interpreted as Christian and as representing three Lukan parables from chapters 14–15 (the Lost Sheep, the Great Supper and the Prodigal Son). I will suggest they were the work of a Christian slave or freedman of the household, perhaps a member of thetitulus Byzantison the Clivus Scauri, seeking to win over those coming to honour their dead relatives in the cemetery. It was such a community that was responsible for choosing the site for the joint cult of Peter and Paul in 258. My methodology will be, in the light of scholarly disagreement over the interpretation of the paintings as Christian, (a) to demonstrate the logic of the three scenes as representing linked parables, the likely identity of their author(s) and their apologetic function, with literary support from Tertullian; (b) to show the lack of obvious pagan parallels and argue for the plausibility of parables in the light of their occurrence and function elsewhere; (c) to suggest that such evidence of a Christian presence makes more comprehensible the later choice of the site for the joint cult.
Neoptolemus grows up? ‘Moral development' and the interpretation of Sophocles’Philoctetes
Authors: Fulkerson Laurel
Published: April 2013

Sophocles'Philoctetes, first performed in 409 BCE, is a complex play, engaging with a number of issues that have guaranteed it a great deal of attention through the ages. Among other things, from what we know about the Aeschylean and Euripidean versions, Sophocles offers a far more dynamic work than either of the other two playwrights, involving many plot twists, false resolutions, and, all-but uniquely, a character who seems to grow up in the course of the play. Although Philoctetes is generally considered the key figure of the play, as it revolves around his willingness to use his bow in the service of his enemies, Neoptolemus too is of great interest to many (modern) readers, as it is in him that we see the clearest case in extant tragedy of a decision rethought on moral grounds; Neoptolemus' struggle may well render him one of the most compelling characters in Greek tragedy (Reinhardt (1979) 166; cf. Gill (1996) 1–18).
King of his castle: Plutarch,Demosthenes1–2
Authors: Zadorojnyi Alexei V.
Published: April 2013

The introductory chapters of the PlutarchanLivesof Demosthenes and Cicero are much relied on for personal information about the author. It is here that Plutarch tells us that he wrote theParallel Liveswhile residing in his home town of Chaeronea, and that he had been to Italy; his knowledge of Latin was, however, limited. As a matter of course, numerous scholars have paid attention to these statements, often with far-reaching interpretive implications. If the passage is accepted at face value, Plutarch comes across as a placid yet honourable man of letters, not a social climber but a morally upstanding gent who was loyal to his clan as well as one who disliked, could not afford, or was apprehensive about living in a big city. Alternatively, one might mistrust Plutarch and unscramble his voice as plea by a wily loser in the literary and political competition of his day. Donald Russell sensed that Plutarch was left on the fringe because his career somehow did not take off. Russell's intuition is filled out by Glen Bowersock's robust conjecture that Plutarch's (relative) seclusion in Chaeronea during Trajan's reign was not quite voluntary: having compromised himself in the 90s with his pro-Flavian biographies of the Caesars, Plutarch laboured to clinch a comeback by means of theParallel Livesand essays.
‘Reading for the moral’ in Valerius Maximus: the Case ofseveritas
Authors: Langlands Rebecca
Published: April 2013

This paper sets out to contribute to our understanding of the wayexemplafunctioned in Roman culture through a close study of ethics in our only major extant collection ofexemplafrom ancient Rome, Valerius Maximus'Facta et dicta memorabilia. I develop what Matthew Roller in a recent article calls the ‘discourse of exemplarity’ by demonstrating what Valerius Maximus can tell us about the dynamic process of reading and learning fromexemplain ancient Rome, and also by suggesting that one role ofexemplain Roman culture was to promote ethical deliberation within a tradition of ‘controversial thinking’. The main part of the paper analyses Valerius' treatment of the theme ofseueritasand his presentation of pertinentexempla(especially in chapters 2.7 and 6.3) in order to illustrate the claims about Valerius' work and about Romanexemplamore generally that I shall outline in this introductory section. In summary my contention is that Valerius' arrangement ofexemplain sequence under ethical categories is designed to tell Roman readers not simply what to think buthowto think ethically, enabling Roman readers both to explore the scope of those moral categories and to develop their skills of moral reasoning.
Does the developmental plasticity hypothesis have application to Irish Travellers? Findings from the all Ireland Traveller Health Study birth cohort 2008–2011
Authors: Hamid N. A. , Fitzpatrick P. , Rowan A. , McGorrian C. , Daly L. , Kelleher C. C.
Published: April 2013

There is little record of birth weight of Irish Travellers, a minority group in Ireland. Travellers are known to have higher rate of adult chronic disease and to be exposed to life-long disadvantage. The aim of this study was to establish whether the birth weight and infant mortality rate patterns in Ireland's Travellers were consistent with the developmental plasticity hypothesis. A 1-year follow-up birth cohort study was conducted with linkage data from maternity hospital records of Traveller infants born on the island of Ireland over a 12-month period to self-identifying Traveller and general Irish population mothers from the Lifeways Cross-Generation Cohort Study. The main outcome measure was the rate of birth weight <3000 g in a cohort of Traveller children. There were 987 confirmed Traveller births, 500 of whose mothers consented to linkage to their records. A social gradient was observed in the distribution of birth weight in the general population and Traveller infants constituted the highest proportion of all social classes in the birth weight range of 3 kg or less (16.3%). There was a high rate of persistent smoking among Traveller mothers (53%). After adjustment for smoking and alcohol consumption in pregnancy, the birth weight differential persisted (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.4–8.1). Infant mortality rate at 12.0/1000 births (95% CI 5.5–19.7) was almost four times that of the general population. This analysis confirms Travellers had a greater than expected incidence of low birth weight and high infant mortality with high rates of premature adult chronic diseases from all causes already demonstrated previously.
Linkage control between molecular and supramolecular chirality in 21-helical hydrogen-bonded networks using achiral components
Authors: Sasaki Toshiyuki , Hisaki Ichiro , Miyano Tetsuya , Tohnai Norimitsu , Morimoto Kazuya , Sato Hisako , Tsuzuki Seiji , Miyata Mikiji
Published: April 2013

Chiral molecules preferentially form one-handed supramolecular assemblies that reflect the absolute configuration of the molecules. Under specific conditions, however, the opposite-handed supramolecular assemblies are also obtained because of flexibility in the bond length and reversibility of non-covalent interactions. The mechanism of the handedness selectivity or switching phenomenon remains ambiguous, and most phenomena are observed by chance. Here we demonstrate the construction of chiral hydrogen-bonded twofold helical assemblies with controlled handedness in the crystalline state based on crystallographic studies. Detailed investigation of the obtained crystal structures enabled us to clarify the mechanism, and the handedness of the supramolecular chirality was successfully controlled by exploiting achiral factors. This study clearly reveals a connection between molecular chirality and supramolecular chirality in the crystalline state.
Obesity-driven synaptic remodeling affects endocannabinoid control of orexinergic neurons
Authors: Cristino Luigia , Busetto Giuseppe , Imperatore Roberta , Ferrandino Ida , Palomba Letizia , Silvestri Cristoforo , Petrosino Stefania , Orlando Pierangelo , Bentivoglio Marina , Mackie Kenneth , Di Marzo Vincenzo
Published: April 2013

Significance

Endocannabinoids act retrogradely at presynaptic sites to activate cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB
1
) receptors, thereby inhibiting neurotransmitter release and fine-tuning synaptic transmission. In murine models of obesity with leptin deficiency, we report that orexin-A neurons undergo a shift from predominant control by CB
1
-expressing excitatory to CB
1
-expressing inhibitory inputs. In addition, endocannabinoid biosynthesis is increased in these neurons. CB
1
activation by endocannabinoids reduces the inhibition of orexinergic neurons in obese mice, thereby enhancing orexin-A release in target brain areas and contributing to hyperphagia and increased body weight, as well as to alterations of hormone levels typical of obesity.
Quantification of cellular penetrative forces using lab-on-a-chip technology and finite element modeling
Authors: Sanati Nezhad Amir , Naghavi Mahsa , Packirisamy Muthukumaran , Bhat Rama , Geitmann Anja
Published: April 2013

Tip-growing cells have the unique property of invading living tissues and abiotic growth matrices. To do so, they exert significant penetrative forces. In plant and fungal cells, these forces are generated by the hydrostatic turgor pressure. Using the TipChip, a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip device developed for tip-growing cells, we tested the ability to exert penetrative forces generated in pollen tubes, the fastest-growing plant cells. The tubes were guided to grow through microscopic gaps made of elastic polydimethylsiloxane material. Based on the deformation of the gaps, the force exerted by the elongating tubes to permit passage was determined using finite element methods. The data revealed that increasing mechanical impedance was met by the pollen tubes through modulation of the cell wall compliance and, thus, a change in the force acting on the obstacle. Tubes that successfully passed a narrow gap frequently burst, raising questions about the sperm discharge mechanism in the flowering plants.
Aptamer to ErbB-2/HER2 enhances degradation of the target and inhibits tumorigenic growth
Authors: Mahlknecht Georg , Maron Ruth , Mancini Maicol , Schechter Bilha , Sela Michael , Yarden Yosef
Published: April 2013

Aptamers, oligonucleotides able to avidly bind cellular targets, are emerging as promising therapeutic agents, analogous to monoclonal antibodies. We selected from a DNA library an aptamer specifically recognizing human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (ErbB-2/HER2), a receptor tyrosine kinase, which is overexpressed in a variety of human cancers, including breast and gastric tumors. Treatment of human gastric cancer cells with a trimeric version (42 nucleotides) of the selected aptamer (14 nucleotides) resulted in reduced cell growth in vitro, but a monomeric version was ineffective. Likewise, when treated with the trimeric aptamer, animals bearing tumor xenografts of human gastric origin reflected reduced rates of tumor growth. The antitumor effect of the aptamer was nearly twofold stronger than that of a monoclonal anti–ErbB-2/HER2 antibody. Consistent with aptamer-induced intracellular degradation of ErbB-2/HER2, incubation of gastric cancer cells with the trimeric aptamer promoted translocation of ErbB-2/HER2 from the cell surface to cytoplasmic puncta. This translocation was associated with a lysosomal hydrolase-dependent clearance of the ErbB-2/HER2 protein from cell extracts. We conclude that targeting ErbB-2/HER2 with DNA aptamers might retard the tumorigenic growth of gastric cancer by means of accelerating lysosomal degradation of the oncoprotein. This work exemplifies the potential pharmacological utility of aptamers directed at cell surface proteins, and it highlights an endocytosis-mediated mechanism of tumor inhibition.
Mechanism of somatic hypermutation at the WA motif by human DNA polymerase η
Authors: Zhao Ye , Gregory Mark T. , Biertümpfel Christian , Hua Yue-Jin , Hanaoka Fumio , Yang Wei
Published: April 2013

Somatic hypermutation is programmed base substitutions in the variable regions of Ig genes for high-affinity antibody generation. Two motifs, RGYW and WA (R, purine; Y, pyrimidine; W, A or T), have been found to be somatic hypermutation hotspots. Overwhelming evidence suggests that DNA polymerase η (Pol η) is responsible for converting the WA motif to WG by misincorporating dGTP opposite the templating T. To elucidate the molecular mechanism, crystal structures and kinetics of human Pol η substituting dGTP for dATP in four sequence contexts, TA, AA, GA, and CA, have been determined and compared. The T:dGTP wobble base pair is stabilized by Gln-38 and Arg-61, two uniquely conserved residues among Pol η. Weak base paring of the W (T:A or A:T) at the primer end and their distinct interactions with Pol η lead to misincorporation of G in the WA motif. Between two WA motifs, our kinetic and structural data indicate that A-to-G mutation occurs more readily in the TA context than AA. Finally, Pol η can extend the T:G mispair efficiently to complete the mutagenesis.
The long, the short and the weak: the origin of gamma-ray bursts
Authors: Piran Tsvi , Bromberg Omer , Nakar Ehud , Sari Re’em
Published: April 2013

The origin of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) is one of the most interesting puzzles in recent astronomy. During the last decade a consensus has formed that long GRBs (LGRBs) arise from the collapse of massive stars, and that short GRBs (SGRBs) have a different origin, most likely neutron star mergers. A key ingredient of the collapsar model that explains how the collapse of massive stars produces a GRB is the emergence of a relativistic jet that penetrates the stellar envelope. The condition that the emerging jet penetrates the envelope imposes strong constraints on the system. Using these constraints we show the following. (i) Low-luminosity GRBs (
ll
GRBs), a subpopulation of GRBs with very low luminosities (and other peculiar properties: single-peaked, smooth and soft), cannot be formed by collapsars.
ll
GRBs must have a different origin (most likely a shock breakout). (ii) On the other hand, regular LGRBs must be formed by collapsars. (iii) While for BATSE the dividing line between collapsars and non-collapsars is indeed at approximately 2 s, the dividing line is different for other GRB detectors. In particular, most
Swift
bursts longer than 0.8 s are of a collapsar origin. This last result requires a revision of many conclusions concerning the origin of
Swift
SGRBs, which were based on the commonly used 2 s limit.
Interpreting signals from astrophysical transient experiments
Authors: O’Brien Paul T. , Smartt Stephen J.
Published: April 2013

Time-domain astronomy has come of age with astronomers now able to monitor the sky at high cadence, both across the electromagnetic spectrum and using neutrinos and gravitational waves. The advent of new observing facilities permits new science, but the ever-increasing throughput of facilities demands efficient communication of coincident detections and better subsequent coordination among the scientific community so as to turn detections into scientific discoveries. To discuss the revolution occurring in our ability to monitor the Universe and the challenges it brings, on 25–26 April 2012, a group of scientists from observational and theoretical teams studying transients met with representatives of the major international transient observing facilities at the Kavli Royal Society International Centre, UK. This immediately followed the Royal Society Discussion Meeting ‘New windows on transients across the Universe’ held in London. Here, we present a summary of the Kavli meeting at which the participants discussed the science goals common to the transient astronomy community and analysed how to better meet the challenges ahead as ever more powerful observational facilities come on stream.
On the application of a single-crystal κ-diffractometer and a CCD area detector for studies of thin films
Authors: Sønsteby Henrik Hovde , Chernyshov Dmitry , Getz Michael , Nilsen Ola , Fjellvåg Helmer
Published: April 2013

A multipurpose six-axis κ-diffractometer, together with the brilliance of the ESRF light source and a CCD area detector, has been explored for studying epitaxial relations and crystallinity in thin film systems. The geometrical flexibility of the six-axis goniometer allows measurement of a large volume in reciprocal space, providing an in-depth understanding of sample crystal relationships. By a set of examples of LaAlO3thin films deposited by the atomic layer deposition technique, the possibilities of the set-up are presented. A fast panoramic scan provides determination of the crystal orientation matrices, prior to more thorough inspection of single Bragg nodes. Such information, in addition to a broadening analysis of families of single reflections, is shown to correlate well with the crystallinity, crystallite size, strain and epitaxial relationships in the thin films. The proposed set-up offers fast and easy sample mounting and alignment, along with crucial information on key features of the thin film structures.
Libraries and the homeless
Authors: Bunić Sanja
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to present three models of organising library services for the homeless. The work experience of Zagreb City Libraries in each of the models provides a better insight into the challenges of each model and into the ways of overcoming them. Furthermore, it may indicate to others what to expect during the implementation of such models.

Design/methodology/approach

The study presents first‐hand real‐life experiences in organising the project for the homeless and its programs. The project of Zagreb City Libraries “A Book for a Roof” was made possible by the grant awarded by the international non‐profit organisation EIFL (Electronic Information for Libraries).

Findings

The author's experience shows that each model poses certain challenges and opportunities for the library and its partners regardless of the location of the library services – whether they were organised in the library or the shelter – and regardless of the necessary attendance – regular or occasional.

Originality/value

The author's experience from the pioneering project of the Zagreb City Libraries “A Book for a Roof” is particularly valuable in that the project has the goal of empowering the homeless to become actively involved in the labor market. Furthermore, most of the project was implemented at the largest homeless shelter in Zagreb. Librarians in public libraries thus found themselves in front of new and more complex challenges in organising services for the homeless.
The European Social Fund: a very specific case instrument of HRD policy
Authors: Tomé Eduardo
Published: April 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to review the intervention of the European Social Fund (ESF) as an instrument of human resource development (HRD) policies in the European labor market.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses an economic background, and reviews the official documents produced by the ESF during its history to try to define its economic impact.

Findings

The paper concludes that the ESF was mainly a force of absorption of funds, which were sent from the European Union (EU) budget to certain regions.

Research limitations/implications

The absorption logic has the implication that it is doubtful that the ESF completely pursued its aims, because the urge to absorb money somehow overshadowed the need to use it efficiently.

Originality/value

This is the first time the ESF action has been reviewed in one single paper from an economic point‐of‐view.
Team learning beliefs and behaviours in response teams
Authors: Boon Anne , Raes Elisabeth , Kyndt Eva , Dochy Filip
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Teams, teamwork and team learning have been the subject of many research studies over the last decades. This article aims at investigating and confirming the Team Learning Beliefs and Behaviours (TLB&B) model within a very specific population, i.e. police and firemen teams. Within this context, the paper asks whether the team's beliefs about the interpersonal context and the occurrence of three team learning behaviours (construction, co‐construction and constructive conflict) play a role in building and maintaining mutually shared cognition in a collaborative learning environment leading to a higher effectiveness. Self‐efficacy was added to the original model. Furthermore, the effect of team meeting frequency on the TLB&B model was investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

All constructs were measured using the validated Team Learning Beliefs and Behaviours Questionnaire completed with the self‐efficacy scale. Data were collected from 126 teams (nindividuals=769) and analysed using stepwise multi‐level regression analyses and analyses of variance.

Findings

The results show that the examined model generally applies to the data. Furthermore, self‐efficacy was found to be a valuable addition to the model.

Originality/value

This article validates an existing team learning model in a new context, namely that of response teams. Furthermore, it adds self‐efficacy as a predictor for team learning behaviours and team effectiveness. A multilevel‐approach was used as a valuable alternative of aggregating individual perceptions to team constructs.
Robert Owen: a historiographic study of a pioneer of human resource development
Authors: Hatcher Tim
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the ideals and activities of the nineteenth century Welsh industrialist and reformer Robert Owen (1771‐1858), and how they informed modern human resource development (HRD) concepts and practices and provided evidence of Owen as a HRD pioneer.

Design/methodology/approach

Historiography provided a method to understand how historical figures, and the context in which they lived and worked, inform contemporary research and practice.

Findings

Contextual factors of economics, politics and societal demands and the influences of Owen's early life, his immersion within the British factory system and the creation of the New Lanark mill village, Owen's great work experiment, revealed a strong impact on his thinking and actions. Thematic findings included: managing people and profit, education and training, pioneering workplace innovations, and the failure of the New Harmony, Indiana community. Themes provided unique historical evidence that education and development of workers, and the creation of humane work and community environments are linked across time and contexts to modern concepts of human resource development and thus supported Owen as a HRD pioneer.

Practical implications

Understanding the ideals and workplace experiments and contextual influences on a historical figure such as Robert Owen illustrate how modern concepts of workforce training and education, diversity, equality and justice and social responsibility originated and the importance of contexts on their development and success.

Social implications

Contexts of economics, politics and societal demands greatly influence organizations and the creation of humane workplaces that nurture human potential.

Originality/value

The study brings history and historiography as a research method to the forefront of HRD research and practice. The study provides the beginnings of a collective historical memory that can contribute to HRD defining itself and establishing its identity as a discipline.
Some new computational methods for the Allen‐Cahn equation with non‐periodic boundary conditions arising in computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Khan Yasir , Ali Ishtiaq , Islam S. , Biao Wu Qing
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present some numerical methods based on different time stepping and space discretization methods for the Allen‐Cahn equation with non‐periodic boundary conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

In space the equation is discretized by the Chebyshev spectral method, while in time the exponential time differencing fourth‐order Runge‐Kutta (ETDRK4) and implicit‐explicit scheme are used. Also, for comparison the finite difference scheme in both space and time is used.

Findings

It is found that the use of implicit‐explicit scheme allows use of a large time‐step, since an explicit method has less order of accuracy as compared to implicit‐explicit method. In time‐stepping the proposed ETDRK4 does not behave well for this special kind of partial differential equation.

Originality/value

The paper presents some numerical methods based on different time stepping and space discretization methods for the Allen‐Cahn equation with non‐periodic boundary conditions.
Numerical investigation of thermal radiation effects on open cavity with discrete heat sources
Authors: Abdollahzadeh Jamalabadi M.Y. , Ghassemi M. , Hamedi M.H.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Natural convection heat transfer combined with radiation heat transfer is used in electronic cooling. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the thermal loading characteristics of an enclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

The goal is to investigate the effect of thermal radiation on thermal and flow characteristics of the cavity. The enclosure lower wall is at constant temperature and the upper wall is adiabatic while there are several discrete heat sources inside the cavity. In addition the effect of parameters such as heating number (Nr), aspect ratio (A), the number of heaters (N), and thermal radiation on the maximum and mean temperature of system, thermal loading characteristics of the system, Nusselt number, and the maximum stream function rate is performed. To solve the governing nonlinear differential equations (mass, momentum, and energy), a finite‐volume code based on Patankar's SIMPLE method is utilized.

Findings

Heat transfer by natural convection solely and it's conjugation with thermal radiation on the thermal and flow characteristics of the system is studied. Also a parametric study illustrating the influence of the heating number, aspect ratio, the number of heaters, and thermal radiation on the maximum and mean temperature of system, thermal loading characteristics of the system, Nusselt number, and the maximum stream function rate is investigated. The results have revealed that the thermal radiation have an important effect on the thermal characteristics of system at low heating numbers.

Research limitations/implications

The relevant governing parameters were: the heating number, Nr from 0.05 to 500, the cavity aspect ratio, A=H/L from 0.1 to 1 and the number of heaters, N, is an odd number ranging from 1 to 19

Practical implications

This work is numerical investigation only but can have engineering application such as electronic cooling, transformers, fusion reactors technology, hot structures, fuel cells, fibrous insulations and solar‐energy drying systems.

Originality/value

The effect of radiation in enclosure with discrete heaters within fluid has not been addressed in the literature.
The need to improve double‐loop learning and design‐construction feedback loops
Authors: Henderson James R. , Ruikar Kirti D. , Dainty Andrew R.J.
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report the empirical findings of a survey aimed to investigate the need to improve cross‐phase learning between design and construction. Through exploring the need to introduce a design‐construction feedback loop, combined with the barriers against its development, an expansion of knowledge surrounding the deficiencies of current practice is provided.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports the results from an online survey conducted in spring 2011 targeted at experienced personnel in the planning, design, construction and facilities management phases of healthcare infrastructure projects.

Findings

The current approach of detecting and correcting errors is significantly hindering the extent to which learning from previous experiences is taking place. It is shown that improved integration between design and construction is required in the form of improved feedback if continuous improvement in the areas of efficiency, quality, value and general learning from previous experiences/projects is to be achieved.

Research limitations/implications

The focused population of this study limits the extent to which the findings can be generalised. However, it is viewed that this context is potentially one of the most complex and unique project participant arrangements to overcome. Therefore if the need and ability to share learning outcomes across such a complex arrangement can be achieved, then it may be easier within traditional arrangements.

Practical implications

The practical implications of moving away from single‐loop learning towards a double‐loop learning approach are provided.

Originality/value

This paper identifies that there is a distinct need for further efforts to be applied in the area of improving feedback between the phases of design and construction.
Human resource diversity in the United Arab Emirates: empirical study
Authors: Yaghi Abdulfattah , Yaghi Ihsan
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the few countries where nationals make up less than 20 percent of the total population and less than 2 percent of the workforce. Hence organizations in the public and private sectors are highly diverse in terms of their employees' nationality, language, religion, race, and gender. The purpose of this paper is to examine how employees perceive human resource diversity and what they consider successful diversity to be.

Design/methodology/approach

The main research instrument is a questionnaire which measures diversity in human resources. Exploratory factor analysis, multiple regression, and descriptive statistics were used in order to analyze 795 survey responses.

Findings

The findings reveal that perception of human resource diversity in the UAE vary by employees' gender, educational level, nationality, professional experience, job level, previous experience in diverse workplace, and second language competency. Analysis of employees' responses helped to construct a four‐factor model, which can be utilized to improve diversity practices in organizations.

Research limitations/implications

Although the literature on the UAE is limited, the study proposes four factors needed to achieve perceived successful diversity practices: legal, personnel, bureaucratic, and political factors. Researchers are encouraged to use comparative approaches to test the proposed model.

Originality/value

The study offers important insights for researchers and practitioners of human resource management in the UAE.
A comparison of different models to meet the mental health needs of adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Sheehan Rory , Paschos Dimitrios
Published: April 2013

Purpose

There is ongoing discussion around how to structure psychiatric services to meet the needs of people with intellectual disability and co‐morbid mental illness and several different models have been suggested. With research evidence lacking, there is a lack of consensus as to the best model of service provision. This paper aims to review the current knowledge in this area and discuss the salient issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a review article summarising the current debate. Evidence from original research is presented and combined with opinion from clinical experience.

Findings

The authors find a lack of robust research evidence to support any particular model of service provision. However, it seems to be increasingly accepted that purely generic models of care for people with intellectual disabilities and co‐morbid mental illness are not appropriate. Integration of the expertise from specialist services within mainstream services is presented as potentially the most advantageous approach.

Originality/value

This article will be of benefit to clinicians working in the field of intellectual disability and mental illness, and to managers and commissioners with responsibility for providing services. It will also be useful for those new to the discipline to gain an overview of the current issues and debate within service planning for this population.
Float‐transient electromagnetic method: in‐loop transient electromagnetic measurements on Lake Holzmaar, Germany
Authors: Mollidor L. , Tezkan B. , Bergers R. , Löhken J.
Published: April 2013

Lake sediments may serve as archives on paleoclimatic fluctuations, geomagnetic field variations and volcanic activities. Lake Holzmaar in Eifel/Germany is a maar lake and its lacustrine sediments provide paleoclimatic proxy data. Therefore, knowledge about the geometry and, especially, about the thickness of the sediments is very important for determining an optimum drilling location for paleoclimatic studies.

We have developed a floating in‐loop transient electromagnetic method field set up (Float‐transient electromagnetic method) with a transmitter and receiver size of 18 × 18 m2 and 6 × 6 m2 respectively. This special set up enables in‐loop transient electromagnetic method measurements on the surface of freshwater lakes that define the geometry and the thickness of sediments beneath such lakes thus helping to determine optimum drilling locations. Due to the modular design of the new Float‐transient electromagnetic method field set up, this system can be handled by two operators and can easily be transported.

Sixteen in‐loop soundings were carried out on the surface of Lake Holzmaar. The transient electromagnetic method data could not be interpreted by conventional 1D inversions because of the 3D distribution of subsurface conductivity caused by the lake's geometry. Three‐dimensional finite element modelling was applied to explain the observed transients and the 3D conductivity distribution beneath the lake was recovered by taking its geometry into account. The 3D interpretation revealed approximately 55 m thick sediments beneath 20 m deep water in the central part of the lake.
Dynamics of Inventor Networks and the Evolution of Technology Clusters
Authors: He Jiang , Fallah M. Hosein
Published: April 2013

Clusters are important drivers of regional economic growth. Although their benefits are well recognized, research into their evolution is still ongoing. Most real‐world clusters seem to have emerged spontaneously without deliberate policy interventions, each cluster having its own evolutionary path. Since there is a significant gap in our understanding of the forces driving their evolution, this study uses a quantitative approach to investigate the role of inventor collaboration networks in it. Inventor collaboration networks for 30 top‐performing American metropolitan clusters were constructed on the basis of patent co‐authorship data. The selected clusters operate in hi‐tech fields: information technology, communications equipment and the biopharmaceutical industry. Starting from a widely accepted hypothesis that the ‘small‐world’ structure is an optimal one for knowledge spillovers and promotes innovation effectively, the authors statistically tested the impact of ‘small‐world’ network properties on cluster innovation performance proxied by patent output. The results suggest that the effect of the small‐world structure is not as significant as theorists hypothesized, not all clusters benefit from the presence of inventor collaboration networks, and cluster performance can be affected by policy interventions. Our analyses also suggest that cluster typology moderates the impact of inventor network properties on cluster innovation performance.
marked: an R package for maximum likelihood and Markov Chain Monte Carlo analysis of capture–recapture data
Authors: Laake Jeff L. , Johnson Devin S. , Conn Paul B.
Published: April 2013

We describe an open‐source r package, marked, for analysis of mark–recapture data to estimate survival and animal abundance.

Currently, marked is capable of fitting Cormack–Jolly–Seber (CJS) and Jolly–Seber models with maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) and CJS models with Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods. The CJS models can be fitted with MLE using optimization code in R or with Automatic Differentiation Model Builder. The latter allows incorporation of random effects.

Some package features include: (i) individual‐specific time intervals between sampling occasions, (ii) generation of optimization starting values from generalized linear model approximations and (iii) prediction of demographic parameters associated with unique combinations of individual and time‐specific covariates.

We demonstrate marked with a commonly analysed European dipper (Cinclus cinclus) data set.

The package will be most useful to ecologists with large mark–recapture data sets and many individual covariates.
The effects of cannabis use expectancies on self‐initiated cannabis cessation
Authors: Boden Matthew Tyler , McKay James R. , Long W. Robert , Bonn‐Miller Marcel O.
Published: April 2013

Aims

To prospectively investigate the relation between cannabis use expectancies and cannabis use prior to and during a self‐initiated cannabis cessation attempt.

Design

Cohort design that followed participants for 4 weeks following a self‐initiated cessation attempt.

Setting

United States Department of Veterans Affairs medical center.

Participants

One hundred cannabis dependent military veterans.

Measurements

The Marijuana Effects Expectancy Questionnaire at baseline; the timeline follow‐back procedure at baseline and during the cessation attempt.

Findings

Cannabis use at baseline was associated with positive (P = 0.01), but not negative (P = 0.25), expectancies. Cannabis lapse was associated with positive (P = 0.03) and negative expectancies (P = 0.01), and relapse was associated with positive (P = 0.04), but not negative (P = 0.21), expectancies. The trajectory of average cannabis use during the cessation period was associated with positive (P = 0.03), but not negative (P = 0.96), expectancies. Results were similar in effect and statistical significance when adjusting for demographic factors, motivation to quit cannabis, mental disorder diagnoses, and alcohol and tobacco use, and when analyzing complete data sets obtained through multiple imputation.

Conclusions

In the USA, cannabis use expectancies, especially those regarding the positive effects of cannabis use, appear to be strongly and consistently linked to cannabis use and quit failure.
Incidence and risk factors for catheter‐associated bloodstream infections in neonatal intensive care
Authors: Yumani Dana FJ , van den Dungen Frank AM , van Weissenbruch Mirjam M
Published: April 2013

Aim

To determine the incidence and potential novel risk factors for catheter‐associated bloodstream infections (CABSI) in neonates.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted for infants admitted to the VU University Medical Center neonatal intensive care unit in 2007.

Results

One hundred and ninety six infants with a total of 369 central catheters were included. The CABSI rate was 18.1 infections/1000 catheter‐days (95% CI 13.7–23.8) according to adjusted criteria used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prior to 2008. Umbilical catheters had a higher infection rate than nonumbilical central catheters: rate ratio (rate ratio 2.4, 95% CI 1.2–4.9). Longer umbilical catheter dwell‐time also increased infection rate (p < 0.05). Gestational age, birth weight, duration of parenteral nutrition and the administration of all‐in‐one feeding mixture versus parenteral nutrition administered in separate components were not related to infection rate in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

Of all catheter types, umbilical catheters carried the highest infection rate. Longer umbilical catheter dwell‐time also increased infection rate. The present data suggest that the impact of gestational age and birth weight on infection rate is mainly due to a prolonged hospital stay. The composition, way of preparation and duration of parenteral nutrition did not seem to influence infection rate.