bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determining the Needs for Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
Authors: Yildirim Filiz , Abukan Bilge , Oztas Duygu
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this study was to compare the needs for assistance programs of employees who work in private and public sector and to validate the Turkish version of the needs for Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) scale. It was conducted on 198 employees, who work in Ankara, Turkey. As data collecting tool, the needs for EAPs scale and personal information form were used. The results showed that the Turkish version of the scale was valid and reliable. The needs of individuals for the assistance programs on personal and working issues did not indicate significant variation by the sectors. It was found that gender and having children variables had effect on the variation of the needs for assistance programs of the employees. Although this study has filled a significant gap in the literature in Turkey in terms of EAPs needs and the fact that the services in the scope of programs should be structured in accord with the problems of employees, more research is needed on the topic.
i-Leadership
Authors: Barron Ivan , Novak Daniel Alexander
Published: November 2016

The United States' workforce is going through an enormous generational shift as Baby Boomers exit the workforce and Millennials launch their careers. The awareness of generational differences in learning styles and attitudes has been particularly acute in colleges and universities as Millennials make their way through higher education. In this regard, institutions of higher education are in a unique position to begin shaping the leadership values, identities, and experiences of the future leaders of our society. This chapter seeks to fill some of the gaps in the literature about the design of education programs to increase leadership expertise in Millennials through observation of a leadership program designed and taught by undergraduate students at a large university in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Findings include insights into how Millennial students define and value leadership, self-organized to create systems of peer learning and mentorship, and how these digital natives did (and did not) use technology.
Leadership Convergence and Divergence in the Era of Globalization
Authors: Jeong Shinhee , Lim Doo Hun , Park Sunyoung
Published: November 2016

To sustain or enhance corporate competitiveness in the 21st century, it is important for organizations to comprehensively understand the influences of globalization on their businesses. The purpose of this study is to review and analyze existing literature about globalization trends and their impact on leadership, and to integrate major themes to present what constitutes effective leadership behaviors emerging as convergent and universal, or divergent and contingent. This chapter provides an overview of global convergence, divergence, and crossvergence in Human Resource practice and leadership. It also suggests a definition of global leadership and reviews global leadership competency models in the current literature. Utilizing content analysis, this chapter analyzes the existing literature and presents emerging themes for effective leadership behaviors that include universal and converging, and contingent and diverging. Finally, future research directions as well as practical implications are presented.
Organizational Learning and Change
Authors: You Jieun , Kim Junghwan , Lim Doo Hun
Published: November 2016

This chapter discusses organizational learning as a strategic approach for organizational change. In the face of turbulent and uncertain environments, continuous involvement in organizational change is necessary. However, most organizations encounter resistance to change, thus fail to accomplish organizational change despite change efforts. Previous literature explains that resistance to change results from cognitive and psychological processes, social and power relationships, and organizational structural inertia. Given the findings from the previous research, organizational learning theories can provide strategic interventions to effectively deal with resistance and to achieve organizational change goals. The learning organization embrace learning activities – unlearning, experimentation, exploration, double-loop learning, and action learning - to develop the adaptability to environmental changes. This chapter suggests that HR/HRD should play a role in building the learning organization and facilitating organizational learning for change as a change agent.
Retention Factor
Authors: Umamaheswari S. , Krishnan Jayasree
Published: November 2016

Globalization has increased considerably the mobility of skilled employees in search of better opportunities. On the other hand, due to tough competition worldwide, well developed and economically sound countries also face turnover problems. India is also affected by attrition menace and it is revealed by survey. This necessitated the organizations to retain the talented and skilled employees for their survival. By improving considerably the retention strategies which provides unobjectionable business benefits and employee satisfaction to remain with the organization, the goal of retaining skilled can be achieved. There are so many factors influencing employee's retention. One among is work life balance& policies derived from literature reviews. This article explores the effects of non-monetary employee retention factor work life balance and polices over different category of employees (differs by age groups, years of service and working departments) in ceramic manufacturing industries in India Statistical tools such as ANOVA and Duncan multiple range tests were used for analysis. The analysis concluded that there is significant difference between years of service of employees and departments they work with work life balance and policies. But age groups of employees were not having any significant difference. The study also revealed that higher level of significance is exerted by 10-15 years of experienced employees and working in production department with work life balance and policies and least significant by employees of 5-10 years of experience and working in finance department. Suggestions for the organizations were also incorporated.
The Measurement of Human Capital in Family Firms
Authors: Bronzetti Giovanni , Baldini Maria Assunta , Sicoli Graziella
Published: November 2016

Intangibles are the key elements underpinning the competitiveness of enterprises. Among them a decisive role is certainly represented by the skills, knowledge, skills and experience possessed by members within organizations, as fundamental drivers thanks to which delineate identity and strategic objectives. Intangible assets became the determinants and foremost sources of company success (Drucker, 1993). The literature on human capital proposed that firms require to recruit, nurture and retain talents so that the knowledge base can be extended, which has the capacity to improve an organization's overall productivity (Boxall, 2003; Lin & Wang, 2005, Lim et al., 2010; Mehralian et al., 2013). The management of human capital as an important component of intangible assets often creates and sustains an organization's wealth and competitive advantage (Lim et al., 2010). The main aim of this paper is to define a list of indicators that can be to measure human capital intangibles identified in family firms.
Using IT-Supported Knowledge Repositories for Succession Planning in SMEs
Authors: Durst Susanne , Aggestam Lena
Published: November 2016

In the context of succession planning a huge number of critical knowledge can be at risk. This challenges smaller firms in particular. Based upon this, the chapter intends to highlight the contribution of IT-supported repositories to small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) succession planning as a promising approach to better cope with the risk of knowledge loss. More precisely, the aim of this chapter is to analyze different types of knowledge loss in the capture process with SME succession planning to demonstrate the potentials and deficiencies with IT-supported knowledge repositories. The findings presented in this chapter will hopefully contribute to a better understanding of how to deal with knowledge loss in the capture process when using IT-supported knowledge repositories for SME succession planning.
Studying Abroad to Inform Teaching in a Diverse Society
Authors: Hitchens Carolyn Walker , Clark Patricia , Kline Anthony , Mucherah Winnie , Popplewell Scott , Thomas Kendra J
Published: November 2016

This chapter presents information about Ball State University's Study Abroad Program within the Department of Elementary Education. A general description of students enrolled in the Elementary Education program is given, both historically and currently. Then the origins of the Ball State Elementary Education Study Abroad program are explained, followed by a description of countries and program types that have occurred over the years. A general overview of program considerations, including making contacts, recruiting students, and working with schools is then provided. Next, three travel programs in the department are described, including development, recruitment, and vignettes focusing on experiences in each program. Next, research about program experiences is presented, including the impact of study abroad experiences on students. Personal reflections from instructors who have participated will then be shared. Finally, suggestions about developing and implementing programs will be identified.
Consortium Models
Authors: Cartwright Angela M. , Mills Michael T.
Published: November 2016

The purpose of the chapter is to explore the type of study abroad programming available to pre- and in-service teachers through the lens of a participant. The authors' experiences with the various programming options provide a unique perspective on the options available to both participants and their educational and professional institutions. The data indicates that international education experiences are of particular value to those in the teaching profession, and the authors' experiences point to the consortium model of international education as a uniquely promising model for providing transformational educational experiences to pre- and in-service teachers.
Creating a Studying Abroad Experience for Elementary Teacher Candidates
Authors: Parker Audra , Webb Kelley E. , Wilson Eleanor Vernon
Published: November 2016

Study abroad experiences provide teacher candidates with opportunities to explore teaching and learning while immersed in diverse international and intercultural settings. International pre-service teaching experiences range from short trips to expose teacher candidates to diverse cultures to extensive internships in which teacher candidates complete their student teaching. In this chapter, the authors created a 4-week intensive field experience for teacher candidates and studied the key features of program design and implementation as well as the impact of participation on teacher candidates' professional development.
Learning about Culture and Teaching During a Short-Term Immersion-Based Study Abroad
Authors: Bradley Barbara A. , Emerson Andrea M.
Published: November 2016

Culturally responsive teaching is grounded in an understanding of students' cultural backgrounds. However, how do preservice teachers learn about culture? While coursework and field placements can help preservice teachers to begin to understand what culture is, a study abroad program in which participants are immersed in a community and schools can help them move beyond surface-level ideas of culture to a deeper understanding of it. This chapter describes a 4-week summer study abroad program in Italy in which each preservice teacher lives with a host family and observes and teaches in an Italian school. It presents findings from preservice teachers' reflections on culture and teaching based on blog entries. Finally, it provides suggestions for future research related to better understanding and preparing preservice teachers to engage in culturally responsive teaching.
Developing a Multicultural Cross-Curricular Study Abroad Experience
Authors: Sableski Mary-Kate , Arnold Jackie M. , White John
Published: November 2016

Study abroad experiences can and should be inherently two-fold. Before, during, and after the study abroad commitment, students experience and live both their curricular content as well as their culturally diverse experiences. In the Department of Teacher Education at the University of Dayton, our mission is to engage students in experiences that will support their ability to be reflective practitioners in a diverse society. This chapter will describe the development of a study abroad program designed to assist preservice teachers in developing and utilizing these skills and dispositions in a global setting. The study abroad experience required courses from both teacher education and general education content. An overarching goal of our program was to facilitate students' ability to utilize a multicultural lens both in their study abroad experience and throughout their lives. This chapter will describe how three professors integrated cross-curricular projects grounded in children's and young adult literature, historical literacy, and understanding diverse populations.
Embracing Teaching as Social Activism
Authors: Gambrell James A.
Published: November 2016

This chapter discusses “Becky's” (pseudonym) awakening to the possibility of education as a vehicle for social justice (Ladson-Billings, 1998). Among the participants in this study (N = 8), Becky demonstrated the greatest degree of transformation toward critical social thought (Brookfield, 2012). She came to see her role as a future educator as one in which she celebrated and actively included the cultures and language(s) of her English learners in her classroom (Johnson-Bailey, 2012). Although scholarship on transformative learning indicates that feeling cultural or linguistic “otherness” during study abroad increases critical social thought and action (Morgan, 2010; Ross, 2010), the author postulates that it was Becky's sense of cultural inclusion that impacted her development of social awareness. This newfound socio-political transformation led her to seek certifications in both English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and special education following the study-abroad program.
From Cultural Immersion to Professional Growth
Authors: Hong Carrie E. , Kopp Samantha , Williams Shanthia
Published: November 2016

This chapter presents a case study that explores impacts of the cultural immersion afforded from a study abroad program on teachers' professional growth over time. First, the study examined two teachers' cultural immersion process from their reflections and survey answers collected before, during, after the study abroad. Second, impacts of the study abroad experiences on classroom instruction were explored, using descriptive case study and phenomenology methods. Data from semi-structured interviews and teacher lesson observations were analyzed to explore to what extent the teachers infused diversity and multiculturalism in their instruction. The results of the study describe lived experiences of the two teachers who participated in a summer study abroad program that allowed unique experiences of cultural immersion and professional growth as a classroom teacher. The chapter also includes suggestions for future research that explores impacts of study abroad programs on teachers and their students.
Understanding Fairness, Equality, and Police Legitimacy
Authors: Egharevba Stephen
Published: November 2016

For decades, research on minority predisposition to comply or cooperate with the police has evolved, as citizens' encounter and experiences with the police can affect their sense of self-belonging in societies. However, less attention has been given to the issues of police act and behaviour in accordance with the laid down principles of policing in their interaction with citizens. For instance, some of the difficulties of the police in fostering its' legitimacy are the events in Totteham, London in the UK in 2011, and the USA in 2014, 2015 and 2016. This introduction analyses how the police engage with minorities and treat them fairly in order to improve their legitimacy and how violence, brutality and racial profiling has been utilized in police practices. The result revealed a perceived unjust policing and a high level of violence across many societies in the world. Finally, we have tried in this book to identify how police, courts and the penal system officials can improve and facilitate a fair, equal and understanding in their practices in general towards minorities.
Crime Witnesses' Non-Cooperation in Police Investigations
Authors: Ojedokun Usman Adekunle
Published: November 2016

The importance of crime witnesses in policing and crime control cannot be overemphasized. In Nigeria, a constant impediment in the effective operation of the criminal justice system machineries is the non-cooperation of crime witnesses with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force. Against this background, this paper examines the causes and consequences of crime witnesses' non-cooperation in police investigations in Nigeria. Rational choice theory was employed for its theoretical anchorage. A wide range of socio-cultural factors were identified as sustaining the traditional communication gap between the Police and crime witnesses that possess vital information which can aid their crime investigation. The Nigeria Police Force is urged to develop a holistic road-map through which the level of public confidence in its operation can be boosted.
Exploring the Complexities Associated to Victimization
Authors: Hutton Erica
Published: November 2016

The following chapter addresses both the presence and complexities that are associated to the reports of victimization within the media in direct correlation to the element of how racial disparities sensationalize certain incidents of crime. The terminology pertaining to news coverage is also identified and described in regards to the modality of planning in the report of the news; in addition, the perspectives of racial conflict is expounded upon to include the sociological influences, ecological effects, and the criminological theories that best describe the cyclical reactions of race-related bias in the media. The discussion explores previous literature centered upon racial bias in media coverage and the areas that appear to be sensationalized more so than not. The goal of news broadcasting and narrowcasting are delineated upon as well as correlating measures associated to the perception of unequal treatment and fear of crime.
Collaborative Learning on Decentralized Ubiquitous Environments
Authors: Barbosa Jorge Luis Victória , Barbosa Débora Nice Ferrari , Rigo Sandro José , Machado de Oliveira Jezer , Junior Solon Andrade Rabello
Published: November 2016

The application of technologies in the improvement of education strategies is called Ubiquitous Learning. This chapter discusses the collaborative learning and proposes the integration between two models dedicated to support ubiquitous learning environments, called Global and CoolEdu. CoolEdu is a generic collaboration model for decentralized environments. Global is an infrastructure designed to create ubiquitous learning environments. Global provides software agents that perform tasks common to ubiquitous learning processes. By extending these agents or adding new ones, a system can be specialized to support ubiquitous learning environments. The CoolEdu/Global integration created a collaborative and decentralized ubiquitous learning environment. The resulting environment was evaluated through a simulated scenario dedicated to explore its functionalities. The results showed the potential of deploying the environment in real situations.
Adoptability of E-Textbooks Featuring Educational Online Games
Authors: Kim Do Kyun , Dinu Lucian F. , Kim Chang Geun
Published: November 2016

Currently, the South Korean government is in the process of transforming school textbooks from a paper-based platform to a computer-based digital platform. Along with this effort, interactive online educational games (edu-games) have been examined as a potential component of the digital textbooks. Based on the theory of diffusion of innovations, this study examined how 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students perceive an interactive online edu-game and whether or not their communication attributes predict their willingness to diffuse the game. A hierarchical regression analysis revealed that four perceptions of the innovation – relevant advantage, complexity, compatibility, and observability – were statistically significant predictors of students' willingness to diffuse an online edu-game as indicated by the theory of diffusion of innovations, while only trialability was not. Based on these results, this study provides some implications for the diffusion of interactive online educational games as a potential component of the digital textbook.
Technology-Infused Education
Authors: Klaus Tim , Changchit Chuleeporn
Published: November 2016

Technology can be a useful tool to educate students. Online courses take advantage of these tools and provide students with the flexibility to complete the courses remotely. However, student perceptions of online classes will not be the same as they complete the course remotely, rather than interacting with other students and the instructor in a traditional classroom. This study seeks to better understand the factors of the online course environment and examines the impact that various online environmental factors have on student satisfaction. This study identifies factors that affect students' satisfaction toward the online class. These findings should help instructors teaching online classes concentrate more on factors that are considered to be important to their students.
The Philosopher's Teahouse
Authors: Royal Wendy Ann
Published: November 2016

In this chapter the author discusses The Philosopher's Teahouse initiative which provides a forum for students across cultures, linguistic backgrounds and disciplines to dialogue on current social issues and learn from each other's cultural perspectives, thereby building relationships of inclusion and empowerment. The author explores the research and theoretical framework that informed The Teahouse, including an explanation of critical multicultural language pedagogy, the connection between language and power and how critical multicultural language pedagogy addresses these issues. She discusses how she applied the theory to establish a student-focused multicultural forum at a Canadian university, outlining the objectives, past themes, the organizational process involved and the impact of the program on students and faculty. She ends the chapter with an analysis of the challenges and implications of The Teahouse in preparing students for equal and active participation in a pluralistic society.
The Collective Creation of Civil Commons
Authors: Baruchello Giorgio
Published: November 2016

Since the dawn of civilisation, human communities have collectively allowed for the creation, and regularly taken advantage, of concepts, social arrangements and simple as well as complex tools aimed at fulfilling life-enabling ends for their members, under remarkably diverse circumstances. Natural and artificial languages, food recipes, universal health plans, urban sewers, open paths in the countryside, sports and games, pollution controls, old-age pensions, and regulated maximum working hours and minimum wages have all been tokens of “civil commons”, a term coined in the 1990s by Canadian value theorist John McMurtry, meaning the “social constructs which enable universal access to life goods”. In this chapter, McMurtry's axiology is presented, explained and applied, so as to highlight its implications for responsible and sustainable business practice.
Discussion Questions for the Case Studies
Authors: Metcalfe Amy Scott
Published: November 2016

The case studies presented offer several perspectives from which to better understand knowledge management in higher education. The questions provided below may be used with any of the case studies, or the chapters contained in this book. When asking students to answer the questions, it may be helpful for them to consider similar issues in their own institutions.
Image Registration for Biomedical Information Integration
Authors: Wang Xiu Ying , Feng Dagan
Published: November 2016

The rapid advance and innovation in medical imaging techniques offer significant improvement in healthcare services, as well as provide new challenges in medical knowledge discovery from multi-imaging modalities and management. In this chapter, biomedical image registration and fusion, which is an effective mechanism to assist medical knowledge discovery by integrating and simultaneously representing relevant information from diverse imaging resources, is introduced. This chapter covers fundamental knowledge and major methodologies of biomedical image registration, and major applications of image registration in biomedicine. Further, discussions on research perspectives are presented to inspire novel registration ideas for general clinical practice to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare.
Application of Thermosensitive Poloxamer-Based Hydrogel in the Development of Transdermal Therapy Containing Herbal Medicine
Authors: Wang Wen Yi , Hui Patrick Chi Leung , Ng Frency S.F. , Kan Chi Wai , Lau Clara B.S. , Leung Ping Chung
Published: November 2016

Poloxamer 407 exhibits remarkable reversible sol gel transition which makes it attractive and promising in the application of transdermal therapy. This study mainly reports the skin permeation properties of model drug from poloxamer 407 based transdermal hydrogel therapy with the presence of chemical penetration enhancers. Poloxamer 407 based hydrogel was shown porous structure which faciliates the diffusional release of model drug. Compared with borneol and 1,2-propanediol, azone was the most effective enhancer for gallic acid skin permeation, and 3% of azone presented the optimal enhancement effect. This study also demonstrated that the selection of enhancers is of great importance for the skin permeation of model drug.
Dectin-1 Plays an Important Role in House Dust Mite–Induced Allergic Airway Inflammation through the Activation of CD11b+ Dendritic Cells
Authors: Ito Takashi , Hirose Koichi , Norimoto Ayako , Tamachi Tomohiro , Yokota Masaya , Saku Aiko , Takatori Hiroaki , Saijo Shinobu , Iwakura Yoichiro , Nakajima Hiroshi
Published: November 2016

It is well known that sensitization against fungi is closely associated with severity of asthma. Dectin-1 (gene symbol Clec7a), a C-type lectin receptor, recognizes the fungal cell wall component β-glucan, as well as some component(s) in house dust mite (HDM) extract. However, the roles of Dectin-1 in HDM-induced allergic airway inflammation remain unclear. In this study, we used Dectin-1–deficient (Clec7a−/−) mice to examine whether Dectin-1 is involved in HDM-induced allergic airway inflammation. We found that HDM-induced eosinophil and neutrophil recruitment into the airways was significantly attenuated in Clec7a−/− mice compared with that in wild-type mice. In addition, HDM-induced IL-5, IL-13, and IL-17 production from mediastinum lymph node cells was reduced in HDM-sensitized Clec7a−/− mice. Dectin-1 was expressed on CD11b+ dendritic cells (DCs), an essential DC subset for the development of allergic inflammation, but not on CD103+ DCs, plasmacytoid DCs, or lung epithelial cells. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the expression of chemokine/chemokine receptors, including CCR7, which is indispensable for DC migration to draining lymph nodes, was decreased in Clec7a−/− DCs. In accordance with these results, the number of HDM-labeled CD11b+ DCs in mediastinum lymph nodes was significantly reduced in Clec7a−/− mice compared with wild-type mice. Taken together, these results suggest that Dectin-1 expressed on CD11b+ DCs senses some molecule(s) in HDM extract and plays a critical role in the induction of HDM-induced allergic airway inflammation by inducing the expression of chemokine/chemokine receptors in DCs.
Mixed Finite Element Methods for Fourth Order Elliptic Optimal Control Problems
Authors: Manickam K. , Prakash P.
Published: November 2016

In this paper, a priori error estimates are derived for the mixed finite element discretization of optimal control problems governed by fourth order elliptic partial differential equations. The state and co-state are discretized by Raviart-Thomas mixed finite element spaces and the control variable is approximated by piecewise constant functions. The error estimates derived for the state variable as well as those for the control variable seem to be new. We illustrate with a numerical example to confirm our theoretical results.
A Multiple Interval Chebyshev-Gauss-Lobatto Collocation Method for Ordinary Differential Equations
Authors: Wang Zhong-Qing , Mu Jun
Published: November 2016

We introduce a multiple interval Chebyshev-Gauss-Lobatto spectral collocation method for the initial value problems of the nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODES). This method is easy to implement and possesses the high order accuracy. In addition, it is very stable and suitable for long time calculations. We also obtain thehp-version bound on the numerical error of the multiple interval collocation method underH1-norm. Numerical experiments confirm the theoretical expectations.
Bivariate Polynomial Interpolation over Nonrectangular Meshes
Authors: Qian Jiang , Zheng Sujuan , Wang Fan , Fu Zhuojia
Published: November 2016

In this paper, bymeans of a new recursive algorithm of non-tensor-product-typed divided differences, bivariate polynomial interpolation schemes are constructed over nonrectangular meshes firstly, which is converted into the study of scattered data interpolation. And the schemes are different as the number of scattered data is odd and even, respectively. Secondly, the corresponding error estimation is worked out, and an equivalence is obtained between high-order non-tensor-product-typed divided differences and high-order partial derivatives in the case of odd and even interpolating nodes, respectively. Thirdly, several numerical examples illustrate the recursive algorithms valid for the non-tensor-product-typed interpolating polynomials, and disclose that these polynomials change as the order of the interpolating nodes, although the node collection is invariant. Finally, from the aspect of computational complexity, the operation count with the bivariate polynomials presented is smaller than that with radial basis functions.
Case Study - Alpha
Authors: Leybourne Stephen
Published: November 2016

This case study was developed from an actual scenario by Dr. Steve Leybourne of Boston University.  The case documents the historical evolution of an organization, and has been used successfully in courses dealing with organizational and cultural change, and the utilization of ‘soft skills’ in project-based management.This is a short case, ideal for classroom use and discussion.  The issues are easily accessible to students, and there is a single wide ranging question that allows for the inclusion of many issues surrounding strategic decision-making, and behavioural and cultural change.Alpha was one of the earlier companies in the USA to invest in large, edge-of-town superstores, with plentiful free vehicle parking, selling food and related household products.Alpha was created in the 1950s as a subsidiary of a major publicly quoted retail group.  It started business by opening a string of very large discount stores in converted industrial and warehouse premises in the south of the United States. In the early days shoppers were offered a limited range of very competitively priced products.When Alpha went public in 1981 it was the fourth largest food retailer in the US, selling an ever-widening range of food and non-food products.  Its success continued to be based on high volume, low margins and good value for money, under the slogan of ‘Alpha Price.’
Industrial Megaprojects: Concepts, strategies and practices for success
Authors: Sankaran Shankar
Published: November 2016

This is a review of a recent book on Megaprojects written by an experienced practitioner and researcher of megaprojects who has been writing about them over the last three decades. It focuses on industrial megaprojects covering mainly megaprojects in the Oil & Gas Production, Petroleum Processing and Refining, Minerals and Metals, Chemical, LNG, Power Generation and Pipelines. The book is written mainly from the perspective of project owners but contains some good advice to project managers as well.
Adopting Results Based Management in the Non-Profit Sector: Trócaire’s Experience
Authors: McKernan Eoghan , Kennedy Karen , Aldred Allison
Published: November 2016

The increasing emphasis on aid effectiveness, accountability and   impact measurement in international development and humanitarian work has generated a requirement for high quality internal systems for the management of programmes. To help to address this requirement, Trócaire adopted Results Based Management in the 20 countries in which it works. This paper provides an overview of Trócaire’s RBM journey, including the process of embedding the new approach in the organisation, lessons learnt from this process, the subsequent benefits that are emerging at field programme level and the challenges going forward.
Observational evidence for aerosols increasing upper tropospheric humidity
Authors: Riuttanen Laura , Bister Marja , Kerminen Veli-Matti , John Viju O. , Sundström Anu-Maija , Dal Maso Miikka , Räisänen Jouni , Sinclair Victoria A. , Makkonen Risto , Xausa Filippo , de Leeuw Gerrit , Kulmala Markku
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Aerosol–cloud interactions are the largest source of uncertainty in the radiative forcing of the global climate. A phenomenon not included in the estimates of the total net forcing is the potential increase in upper tropospheric humidity (UTH) by anthropogenic aerosols via changes in the microphysics of deep convection. Using remote sensing data over the ocean east of China in summer, we show that increased aerosol loads are associated with an UTH increase of 2.2 ± 1.5 in units of relative humidity. We show that humidification of aerosols or other meteorological covariation is very unlikely to be the cause of this result, indicating relevance for the global climate. In tropical moist air such an UTH increase leads to a regional radiative effect of 0.5 ± 0.4 W m−2. We conclude that the effect of aerosols on UTH should be included in future studies of anthropogenic climate change and climate sensitivity.
The metabolic response of thecosome pteropods from the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans to high CO2 and low O2
Authors: Maas Amy E. , Lawson Gareth L. , Wang Zhaohui Aleck
Published: November 2016

Abstract. As anthropogenic activities directly and indirectly increase carbon dioxide (CO2) and decrease oxygen (O2) concentrations in the ocean system, it becomes important to understand how different populations of marine animals will respond. Water that is naturally low in pH, with a high concentration of carbon dioxide (hypercapnia) and a low concentration of oxygen, occurs at shallow depths (200–500 m) in the North Pacific Ocean, whereas similar conditions are absent throughout the upper water column in the North Atlantic. This contrasting hydrography provides a natural experiment to explore whether differences in environment cause populations of cosmopolitan pelagic calcifiers, specifically the aragonitic-shelled pteropods, to have a different physiological response when exposed to hypercapnia and low O2. Using closed-chamber end-point respiration experiments, eight species of pteropods from the two ocean basins were exposed to high CO2 ( ∼  800 µatm) while six species were also exposed to moderately low O2 (48 % saturated, or  ∼  130 µmol kg−1) and a combined treatment of low O2/high CO2. None of the species tested showed a change in metabolic rate in response to high CO2 alone. Of those species tested for an effect of O2, only Limacina retroversa from the Atlantic showed a response to the combined treatment, resulting in a reduction in metabolic rate. Our results suggest that pteropods have mechanisms for coping with short-term CO2 exposure and that there can be interactive effects between stressors on the physiology of these open ocean organisms that correlate with natural exposure to low O2 and high CO2. These are considerations that should be taken into account in projections of organismal sensitivity to future ocean conditions.
A stable Faroe Bank Channel overflow 1995–2015
Authors: Hansen Bogi , Húsgarð Larsen Karin Margretha , Hátún Hjálmar , Østerhus Svein
Published: November 2016

Abstract. The Faroe Bank Channel (FBC) is the deepest passage across the Greenland–Scotland Ridge (GSR) and there is a continuous deep flow of cold and dense water passing through it from the Arctic Mediterranean into the North Atlantic and further to the rest of the world ocean. This FBC overflow is part of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which has recently been suggested to have weakened. From November 1995 to May 2015, the FBC overflow has been monitored by a continuous ADCP (acoustic Doppler current profiler) mooring, which has been deployed in the middle of this narrow channel. Combined with regular hydrography cruises and several short-term mooring experiments, this allowed us to construct time series of volume transport and to follow changes in the hydrographic properties and density of the FBC overflow. The mean kinematic overflow, derived solely from the velocity field, was found to be (2.2 ± 0.2) Sv (1 Sv  =  106 m3 s−1) with a slight, but not statistically significant, positive trend. The coldest part, and probably the bulk, of the FBC overflow warmed by a bit more than 0.1 °C, especially after 2002, increasing the transport of heat into the deep ocean. This warming was, however, accompanied by increasing salinities, which seem to have compensated for the temperature-induced density decrease. Thus, the FBC overflow has remained stable in volume transport as well as density during the 2 decades from 1995 to 2015. After crossing the GSR, the overflow is modified by mixing and entrainment, but the associated change in volume (and heat) transport is still not well known. Whatever effect this has on the AMOC and the global energy balance, our observed stability of the FBC overflow is consistent with reported observations from the other main overflow branch, the Denmark Strait overflow, and the three Atlantic inflow branches to the Arctic Mediterranean that feed the overflows. If the AMOC has weakened during the last 2 decades, it is not likely to have been due to its northernmost extension – the exchanges across the Greenland–Scotland Ridge.
Age of the Mt. Ortles ice cores, the Tyrolean Iceman and glaciation of the highest summit of South Tyrol since the Northern Hemisphere Climatic Optimum
Authors: Gabrielli Paolo , Barbante Carlo , Bertagna Giuliano , Bertó Michele , Binder Daniel , Carton Alberto , Carturan Luca , Cazorzi Federico , Cozzi Giulio , Dalla Fontana Giancarlo , Davis Mary , De Blasi Fabrizio , Dinale Roberto , Dragà Gianfranco , Dreossi Giuliano , Festi Daniela , Frezzotti Massimo , Gabrieli Jacopo , Galos Stephan P. , Ginot Patrick , Heidenwolf Petra , Jenk Theo M. , Kehrwald Natalie , Kenny Donald , Magand Olivier , Mair Volkmar , Mikhalenko Vladimir , Lin Ping Nan , Oeggl Klaus , Piffer Gianni , Rinaldi Mirko , Schotterer Ulrich , Schwikowski Margit , Seppi Roberto , Spolaor Andrea , Stenni Barbara , Tonidandel David , Uglietti Chiara , Zagorodnov Victor , Zanoner Thomas , Zennaro Piero
Published: November 2016

Abstract. In 2011 four ice cores were extracted from the summit of Alto dell'Ortles (3859 m), the highest glacier of South Tyrol in the Italian Alps. This drilling site is located only 37 km southwest from where the Tyrolean Iceman,  ∼ 5.3 kyrs old, was discovered emerging from the ablating ice field of Tisenjoch (3210 m, near the Italian–Austrian border) in 1991. The excellent preservation of this mummy suggested that the Tyrolean Iceman was continuously embedded in prehistoric ice and that additional ancient ice was likely preserved elsewhere in South Tyrol. Dating of the ice cores from Alto dell'Ortles based on 210Pb, tritium, beta activity and 14C determinations, combined with an empirical model (COPRA), provides evidence for a chronologically ordered ice stratigraphy from the modern glacier surface down to the bottom ice layers with an age of  ∼ 7 kyrs, which confirms the hypothesis. Our results indicate that the drilling site has continuously been glaciated on frozen bedrock since  ∼ 7 kyrs BP. Absence of older ice on the highest glacier of South Tyrol is consistent with the removal of basal ice from bedrock during the Northern Hemisphere Climatic Optimum (6–9 kyrs BP), the warmest interval in the European Alps during the Holocene. Borehole inclinometric measurements of the current glacier flow combined with surface ground penetration radar (GPR) measurements indicate that, due to the sustained atmospheric warming since the 1980s, an acceleration of the glacier Alto dell'Ortles flow has just recently begun. Given the stratigraphic–chronological continuity of the Mt. Ortles cores over millennia, it can be argued that this behaviour has been unprecedented at this location since the Northern Hemisphere Climatic Optimum.
Using an Autonomous Humanoid Robot as a Pedagogical Platform in the Business Classroom
Authors: Flynn Patrice
Published: November 2016

Experience using an autonomous humanoid robot as a pedagogical platform in the business classroom at a liberal arts university sheds light on ways to engage learning in the digital age when student attention is easily diverted. Measurable outcomes include: stimulating raw critical thinking, readily applying theory to practice, facilitating non-digital communication, and mediating relationships. Moreover, the robot helps directly engage students in analytical problem solving, structured v. unstructured decision making, and exploring the core functional areas of the firm – all critical to understanding the modern world of business.
La Investigación Acción como herramienta para Formación Docente. Experiencia en la Carrera Ciencias Sociales de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación de la UNAN-Managua, Nicaragua
Authors: Orozco Alvarado Julio César
Published: November 2016

El presente artículo es el resultado de una investigación documental realizada en la carrera Ciencias Sociales sobre el número de graduados por año, también se realizó una investigación en el Centro de Documentación de la Facultad de Educación e Idiomas para conocer los tipos de investigaciones que han realizado los graduados y los resultados de una sistematización de las investigaciones realizadas en la Carrera. A partir de las técnicas y acciones antes mencionadas se llegó a la conclusión que la carrera está llevando a cabo la Misión de la Universidad y de la Facultad de Educación, la cual es formar profesionales y técnicos integrales. La Misión se ha venido logrando al hacer uso del paradigma investigativo Sociocrítico y la Investigación Acción como método de investigación. Este tipo de investigaciones se ha venido desarrollando a partir de las necesidades educativas identificadas en los estudiantes de los Institutos de Educación Secundaria de nuestro país. A partir de esto, se diseñan Unidades Didácticas en las disciplinas sociales que se imparten en Educación Secundaria y se realizan intervenciones didácticas para incidir en la calidad de los aprendizajes. Los resultados encontrados en las investigaciones revisadas indican que la Investigación Acción es una herramienta efectiva para la formación del profesorado de Ciencias Sociales. Además, así lo expresan tanto los graduados de la carrera como los estudiantes de Educación Secundaria que han participado en las intervenciones didácticas realizadas por los graduados.
Caracterización del estado nutricional y las condiciones sociales existente en las familias de la micro cuenca de Moyua, ciudad Darío Matagalpa. Nicaragua, 2015
Authors: Calvo Reyes Evelyn , Cordero Rizo Marcia , Gómez Yesica Ninoska , Valdivia Waldin Omar
Published: November 2016

El estudio se realizó en cuatro comunidades rurales del municipio de Ciudad Darío Matagalpa: Moyúa, Playitas, Puertas viejas, Papayal, pertenecen al micro cuenca del rio grande de Matagalpa, Nicaragua. Con el objetivo de caracterizar el estado nutricional y las condiciones sociales existentes en las familias. La metodología utilizada fue bajo la perspectiva del enfoque cuantitativo con componentes cualitativos, de corte transversal utilizando, la estadística descriptiva, con una población de 84 familias y una muestra 42 que representa el 50% del total, se tomó de manera azar izada con los criterios: que en las familias existan por lo menos un niño o niña menor de cinco años de edad, tiempo de vivir en la comunidad de 6 años, las madres estuvieran anuentes a brindar la información. Los resultados obtenidos establecen que en las cuatro comunidades prevalece que la edad promedio de que las madres en el embarazo son 20 años y mayores de 30 en menor porcentaje, las madres realizan los controles prenatales mensualmente en su mayoría. El IMC en los infantes prevaleciendo posible riesgo de sobre peso, emaciado y obeso, las madres proporcionan leche materna a los infantes 2 a 24 meses de edad y lo sugerido por el ministerio de salud de 3- 6 meses lo que le proporciona minerales y vitaminas necesarias para su crecimiento. Las familias poseen servicios básicos desde energía eléctrica, agua potable y saneamiento, el material del piso, techo y paredes de las viviendas sobresale de tierra, zinc y paredes de ladrillos.
Revisión de estudios sobre el VIH/sida y los modelos de sexualidad nicaragüenses
Authors: Pérez Pérez Itahisa
Published: November 2016

Este artículo es producto de la revisión de estudios sobre VIH/sida desarrollados en Nicaragua, desde el año 2000 hasta la actualidad, y forma parte del proyecto denominado “Conocimientos y prácticas de riesgo en VIH/sida. Una estrategia de Cooperación en Educación para el Desarrollo en Nicaragua”, desarrollado por la Universidad Pablo de Olavide (UPO) y la Facultad Regional Multidisciplinar de Chontales (FAREM-Chontales) de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua, Managua. Con objeto de elaborar un marco teórico sobre estudios científicos en VIH/sida desarrollados en Nicaragua, y la cultura sexual que existe en la juventud nicaragüense, se ha realizado esta revisión bibliográfica de los últimos quince años. Se trata de 9 estudios realizados en Nicaragua para conocer la situación del VIH/sida en dicho país y configurar el perfil de la infección nicaragüense. Además, exponemos los modelos de sexualidad que se dan en Nicaragua ya que nos ayuda a comprender la cultura y educación sexual que existe entre la población. Concluimos que la epidemia sigue aumentando, aunque de manera controlado, en Nicaragua. Tiene un perfil de población joven, entre 15 y 39 años, mayoritariamente de hombres, y con orientación heterosexual, si bien algunos estudios señalan la posibilidad de que dentro de esa población existan Hombres que tienen sexo con otros hombres, población trans y mujeres y hombres trabajadores sexuales que, por estigmas o discriminación, no se hacen visibles. Con estos datos, se reafirma la necesidad de educar y formar a la población, sobre todo a la población joven, que es la población de riesgo y el futuro de la sociedad, para convertir los factores de riesgo en factores de protección y porque solo a través de la educación, se consigue una prevención eficiente y un verdadero cambio social.