Main Related Issues Research Articles

Recycling and Implications for Neanderthal Productive Strategies in the Stratigraphic Unit viii of the El Salt Rockshelter (Alcoi, Eastern Iberia)

ABSTRACT Recycling was an activity carried out by ancient hunter-gatherer populations. It has been demonstrated by many studies on this matter. However, there are main issues in relation to it that are still under debate: what we call recycling, how we identify it, and what implications it has for the technoeconomic dynamics of these groups. In order to contribute to this topic, we present here the Neandertal flint materials from the stratigraphic unit viii of the El Salt rockshelter (Alcoi, Alacant, eastern Iberia). We have selected a series of artifacts exhibiting time-dependent postgenetic alterations (i.e. white patinas and thermal alteration) that affect previous technical intervention and, additionally, display subsequent anthropogenic actions that reveal an intermediate stage between the initial and the second use. The data obtained point to a principal relationship of recycling with mobility dynamics, and entail implications for Neandertal lithic technology and provisioning.

Preface to the theme issue 'Durability and ageing of composite materials'.

The issue focuses on ageing and durability of composite materials for industrial applications. Ageing and durability are two fundamental topics within the context of design and optimization of materials and structures: ageing may induce degradation and leads to premature failure. Therefore, understanding the main ageing mechanisms is of paramount importance for predicting material durability. These topics are still barely studied systematically and the main related issues are debated within mechanical, chemical, and solid-state physics research communities. This issue aims to update the current research state of the art, clarifying the interplay between chemical and physical mechanisms involved in degradation processes, and providing test protocols and design rules that account for ageing and durability. This article is part of the theme issue 'Ageing and durability of composite materials'.

Rules for Attending Wedding Banquets in Early Medieval Europe. A Matter of Fun, Excess and Moral Integrity

Banquets played a fundamental social role in early medieval marriages, and both secular and ecclesiastical authorities wished to exert control over them. This was due, among other things, to the enduring success of the consensus theory as opposed to the copula theory of marriage. This paper examines norms which aimed at regulating the attendance of monks, churchmen and laypeople at wedding banquets, and focuses on two main related issues: firstly, their dangerous similarities with non-Christian feasts and, secondly, their importance in the public expressions of consent (by the spouses) and endorsement (by priests). Wedding banquets are also critically compared with other forms of late antique and early medieval banquets, but the concepts of fun and abundance are also explored in the framework of biblical and pastoral traditions, with particular attention to the two key evangelical representations of wedding banquets: John 2:1-11 and Matthew 22:1-14.

Evaluation of optimal FVDs for inter-storey isolation systems based on surrogate performance models

Inter-storey seismic isolation is increasingly gaining attention. One of the main related issues is the need to limit the relative displacement between substructure and superstructure, while maintaining a good seismic performance of the superstructure. As shown in some studies, fluid viscous dampers (FVDs) mounted in isolation systems are effective in reducing isolator deflection but can be harmful by amplifying inter-storey drifts and floor accelerations. Additionally, the effectiveness of FVDs for inter-storey applications was investigated only recently, and specific approaches for their optimisation and performance evaluation are missing. Therefore, this paper proposes a method for the optimal multi-objective design of FVDs, based on the definition of appropriate surrogate response models, which allows for rationally comparing the FVD effects for a wide range of dampers and structures. In particular, the optimal FVD parameters are provided in a dimensionless form, so that they can be predicted by design equations of general validity within the range of the structures analysed. This method is applied to a stock of regular structures with various vibration periods of superstructure, isolation and substructure, examining a linear and a non-linear isolation system and a set of natural records, in order to comprehensively assess the effects of FVDs and their non-linearity on the seismic performance of these structures. Finally, prediction models of optimal FVD parameters are provided based on the results obtained and are applied to three case studies as an example.

Automatically Enforcing Security SLAs in the Cloud

Dealing with the provisioning of cloud services granted by Security SLAs is a very challenging research topic. At the state of the art, the main related issues involve: (i) representing security features so that they are understandable by both customers and providers and measurable (by means of verifiable security-related Service Level Objectives (SLOs)), (ii) automating the provisioning of security mechanisms able to grant desired security features (by means of a security-driven resource allocation process), and (iii) continuously monitoring the services in order to verify the fulfillment of specified Security SLOs (by means of cloud security monitoring solutions). We propose to face the Security SLA life cycle management with a framework able to enrich cloud applications with security features. In this paper we (i) present a novel Security SLA model and (ii) illustrate a security-driven planning process that can be adopted to determine the (optimum) deployment of security-related software components. Such process takes into account both specific implementation constraints of the security components to be deployed and customers security requirements, and enables the automatic provisioning and configuration of all needed resources. In order to demonstrate the applicability of the approach, we present and discuss a practical application of the model on a real case study.

Measuring conflicts in the management of anthropized ecosystems: Evidence from a choice experiment in a human-created Mediterranean wetland

Economic valuation of ecosystem services provides valuable information for the management of anthropized environments, where individual preferences can be heterogeneous and even opposed. Here, we discuss how these ecosystem services were approached in the literature and we address the main issues in relation to their economic valuation. We consider that avoiding misspecifications in economic valuation surveys requires considering the linkages between anthropized ecosystems and human intervention. To illustrate, we analyse the case study of a human-created Mediterranean wetland (El Hondo, SE Spain) using a Choice Experiment. Our findings suggest that management strategies in El Hondo should be oriented to improve the water ecological status, to enhance biodiversity and to develop ecotourism, whereas hunting should be strictly limited and controlled. Our measures of conflict (trade-off between ecosystem services and willingness to pay values) can help to find the optimal allocation of public and private goods and services and for the implementation of compensation schemes in the area. According to public preferences, a conservationist management strategy would generate 331,100 €/year in terms of environmental benefits, whereas a tourism-based management strategy would benefit society with 805,200 €/year.

Perceptions of risk allocation methods and equitable risk distribution: a study of medium to large Southeast Queensland commercial construction projects

Economic upheaval and project complexity often lead to unequal risk allocation between contractual parties. A review of the literature identifies major problems in relation to the fairness and equality of the risk allocation process. However, most existing studies have been conducted from the client's perspective rather than that of contractors or consultants and do not focus specifically on risk misallocation. This paper aims at determining the factors involved by a questionnaire survey of the perceptions of contractors and consultants of the main issues in relation to medium to large commercial construction projects in South East Queensland, Australia. The findings are generally consistent with existing research results in that approximately half the respondents feel that their contractual risk allocation is unfair. In addition, there is a lack of use of formal risk management methods, and the arbitrary passing down of risks from the client has increased in recent years. A better understanding is provided of the issues contributing to unequal risk allocation, decision-making and management that will help promote fairness and equality between the contractual parties in the current process of risk management.

A distributed virtual traffic light algorithm exploiting short range V2V communications

The correct and prompt definition of priorities at intersections is one of the key issues for vehicular safety and efficient traffic management. Traffic lights currently control only a limited number of intersections and increasing their number is clearly infeasible due to the high costs of deployment and maintenance. A new solution will be possible in a near future, when vehicles will be equipped with wireless technologies. Their capability of communicating and coordinating to each other will create the conditions for the implementation of a virtual traffic light (VTL) architecture, where priorities are autonomously defined by the involved vehicles. With this scenario in mind, we describe a novel VTL algorithm aiming at defining the priorities of the intersections in a distributed and controlled way. Besides the algorithm description, the main related issues are thoroughly discussed. In addition, a real implementation is detailed and the validation of the algorithm is provided. The testbed, based on the IEEE 802.11p short range wireless technology, has been reproduced in a controlled laboratory environment and in a field trial with equipped vehicles.

BUDAYA INTI, SIKAP BAHASA, DAN PEMBANGUNAN KARAKTER BANGSA: KASUS PENUTUR BAHASA-BAHASA DAERAH UTAMA DI INDONESIA

This article addresses three main issues in relation to culture’s core values, language attitude and maintenance, and character building. Using a theory previously developed by Smolicz and Secombe (1985), this study deviced instruments that enabled us to understand respondents’ perceptions about their culture’s core values. The respondents were recruited voluntarily from four major speakers of local languages in Indonesia, including speakers of Javanese, Sundanese, Minangnese, and Bataknese. They were given a set of questionnaires and when relevant were interviewed to further clarify their responses. The analyses found that each group viewed their culture’s core values differently, i.e. Javanese see language as their core cultures. Sundanese believe that a real Sundanese will stay in the Sundanese Land, embrace Islam, and speak in Sundanese. They also regard traditional music of kecapi suling and Cianjuran as the real Sundanese culture. On the other hand, Minang language speakers believed that it is the ability to appreciate — through making and tasting — traditional food that has made them true Minangnese. Meanwhile, it is strongly believed that you cannot become a true Bataknese until you know, feel, and fully understand the ways people of Batak origins speak, including tone, pitch, and intonation.

The Occupied Palestinian Territory and international humanitarian law: a response to Peter Maurer

In his article ‘Challenges to international humanitarian law: Israel's occupation policy’, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mr Peter Maurer, addresses the challenges that the application of international humanitarian law (IHL) faces in the Middle East in general and in the context of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict in particular. Mr Maurer focuses on three main issues in relation to Israel's military occupation of the Palestinian territory: East Jerusalem, settlements and the Annexation Wall. Furthermore, he touches on the ICRC's confidentiality policy and suggests that the ICRC engage in public dialogue with parties to the conflict, especially when confidential dialogue fails to improve the lives of the affected people.

Double incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DILC) with routinary intra-operative cholangiography (IOC)

Laparoscopic approach for cholecystectomy is, actually, the gold standard for gallbladder surgical benign diseases. Single transumbilical incision can further reduce abdominal wall trauma. Two main related issues are still to be enlighten: difficulty in obtaining a clear exposure of the Calot's triangle and routinely use of intra-operative cholangiography (IOC). A standardized technique of double incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DILC) with routine IOC is described. Between January and May 2012, 30 consecutive patients scheduled for elective cholecystectomy underwent DILC with IOC. Exclusion criteria were: clinical and/or radiological suspect of gallbladder malignancy/acute cholecystitis (AC)/common duct stones; ASA > 3; previous extensive abdominal surgery. Follow-up was performed at 7, 30 and 60 days postoperatively. Three 5-mm trocars through the umbilicus and one 3-mm subcostally on the right are used, along with a 30° laparoscopic camera. IOC is performed through the 3-mm channel. Median age was 49.5 years (range 24-78); female/male was 21/9. Median BMI was 27.4 (range 16.2-38.9). AC was encountered in five cases (17 %). Synchronous AC and choledocolithiasis occurred in one case (3 %), requiring conversion to laparoscopic choledocolithotomy. Additional ports were required in these latter five patients (17 %). IOC was routinely attempted in all patients, succeeding in 26 (86 %). Median operative 'skin to skin' time was 47.8 min (range 25-75). In the subgroup not receiving IOC, median operative time was 35 min (range 25-45); 51.5 min as median time (range 25-75) was reported for the subgroup undergone the entire planned procedure. No intraoperative complications occurred. Median length of stay was 1.51 days (range 1-5). Postoperative minor complications occurred in three patients (10 %) and wound umbilical infection occurred in one (3.4 %). DILC with the routine use of IOC seems to be repeatable and safe. Even if DILC seems more easily learnt, further studies are needed to address this issue.

Transition Between Primary and Secondary School: Why it is Important and How it can be Supported

This paper identifies and critiques literature on the experience of transition between primary and secondary school; how and why it is seen as critical and in what ways it can be supported. The aim of this literature review is to remind readers of this important period on the lives of young people and the diverse range of issues which they face. There is general consensus in the literature that welldesigned and implemented transition approaches can assist in the process of supporting students, their families and school staff. Teachers are crucial in supporting children and young people moving in, between and out of school and making these transitions positive experiences. Therefore, pre-service teacher education needs to include awareness and understanding of the main issues in relation to transition. Teacher educators need to consider how they can incorporate transition programs and strategies in their courses to ensure that graduate teachers have the skills and knowledge to mediate some of the pressures that their students are facing when dealing with transitions.

Managing organizational capabilities: the Keystone step

PurposeThis paper seeks to contribute to the RBV by focusing on a central construct, the “Keystone step”, within the firms' capability management field. It aims at providing a conceptual framework for top managers to understand the main related issues and steps, and to position their own organizational perspective.Design/methodology/approachThe study explores the associated conceptual and empirical literature, borrowing from a strategic and a cognitive perspective, and defines and characterizes the central construct.FindingsThe author identifies a three‐step managerial process to handle capabilities: the Analytical step, the Action step, and the Keystone step. After briefly reviewing the resource‐based view, he suggests definitions and critical dimensions to design a conceptual frame articulated around the Keystone step, within which top managers can position and build their own approach. The critical founding rationale of capability management, rooted in underlying assumptions and beliefs, often implicit, hidden or neglected, increases the odds of blind managerial conceptual foundations. The author's claim focuses on the criticality of the Keystone step and the necessity of introspection to achieve sound strategic and capabilities‐related decisions.ImplicationsManagers must recognize the importance of the Keystone step, devote resources to understand their own organizational “RBV position”, and acknowledge the mental flexibility to do so. The RBV should shift from an epistemology of “possession” to an epistemology of “embodiment”.Originality/valueThe paper offers an original vision of the capabilities management within the RBV, details out the issues of the current conceptual foundation of that managerial activity, and offers propositions for the Keystone step construct.

Sexuality, Intimacy, and Marital Satisfaction in Iranian First-Time Parents

This study aims at investigating the sexual relationship and intimate of postpartum spouses and the effect of those relationships on their marital satisfaction. A sample of 128 postpartum couples having given birth to their first child (6–36 weeks postpartum) participated in this study during 2009. A nonexperimental, cross-sectional survey design was conducted using Sexual Interest and Desire Inventory, Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationship Scale and Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Using univariate and multivariate regression analysis, results suggested that there were higher levels of sexual desire reported by husbands and there was a significant positive relationship between sexuality and marital satisfaction, for both genders. Moreover, high intimacy diminished the negative effects of marital satisfaction due to reported low sexual satisfaction. Regarding negative effects of marital dissatisfaction in first-time families, it is important to assess main related issues such as postpartum sexuality and intimacy, to obtain knowledge for health care providers to provide support to the postpartum families.

Des Promenades Parisiennes D’un Immigré Hongrois ou Les Descriptions de Paris de Gyula Illyés

Gyula Illyes, Hungarian poet, fiction writer, essayist and dramatist, emigrated to Paris after the fall of the Hungarian Republic in 1919. There, he came into contact with the working class movement as well as with surrealistic circles. Strongly influenced by modern French writing, Illyes nevertheless adopted realism in his novels. He reflects upon his emigration times in Paris in his novel, Hunok Parisban [ Huns in Paris ]. The present paper focuses on the following main issues in relation to this novel: types of description, panoramic views, walks, atmosphere of certain districts, the stylistic characteristics of the descriptive sequences. Illyes’s description of Paris is a classic example of a type of urban literature that was pioneered in Paris of the 1840s, and was used to celebrate the diversity and dynamismof themodern city. At the center of his description was the figure of the flâneur , or urban stroller, who embodied and represented the quintessential qualities of urban modernity.

On the degassing state and the chemical structure of the Earth's interior inferred from noble gas isotopes-Past and recent views

The degassing state of the Earth's interior is one of the main issues in relation to the evolution of the Earth and has been discussed by many investigators over several decades. I outline some trials to reveal the state of degassing based on noble gas isotopes. Then, based on noble gas isotope signatures so far obtained, I discuss models of the chemical structure of the Earth's interior which are inevitably related to the degassing state of the Earth. I propose a preferred model which suggests the possibility for the occurrence of relatively undegassed and possibly less fractionated reservoir(s) in the Earth's deep interior, which might be located in a relatively non-convective mantle.

Model of time accessibility by individual car transportation

The article deals with accessibility of individual car transportation. It uses the GIS approach to focus on development of an accessibility model and on three main related issues: digital model of road network, factors influencing average speed and discussion on average speed. Two digital models were done for the territory of Czechia for the years of 1991 and 2001 censi, Le. before and after the transformation. The aim is to find out what changes occurred during the transformation and to use them in other geographical analyses. Two. maps with isochronic surfaces are enclosed to demonstrate the functionality of the models.

Research on Aging and Residential Continuity of Single Elderly People in the Tokyo Metropolis

The present paper examines the residential continuity of people aging within an urban environment. It considers the housing policy in a facility for single elderly people in Bunkyo Ward, known as the Silver Peer Housing Project. The Silver Peer Housing Project targets low-income single elderly people who cannot afford privately owned housing. The paper deals with two main related issues. The first one refers to disabilities associated with old age. The second considers the constraints of the physical and social environment of Bunkyo Ward and their effect on Silver Peer residents. The research is based on interviews with 17 occupants of three Silver Peer housing facilities in Bunkyo Ward. Our investigation clarified the following:1. Bunkyo Ward has built up over time various urban amenities and social infrastructure that support residential continuity. However, with disabilities due to aging, some of the residents cannot enjoy the convenience of such urban amenities.2. Mainly due to geographical (environmental) constraints like slopes, residents with severe physical disabilities find their mobility limited.3. The interpersonal relationships of the residents are not intimate, and neither are their relations with the local community. The residents do not have neighbors to rely on for support. As a consequence, they have to rely on “life support members, ” persons who extend aid in case of emergency. Recently, however, the role of life support members has been forced to expand, due to aging and associated disabilities of the residents.4. Disabled residents increasingly need continual support in their daily lives and must rely on outside help. However, the Nursing Insurance System puts very strict limitations on the types of service they are eligible for. The services that the residents need most are surveillance, including attendance when going out, and such services are not covered by the Nursing Insurance System. As a result, the residents must cover individually the burdening costs of such services. In the midst of a financial crisis, the Silver Peer Housing Project cannot be expected to expand. Further research is needed as the basis of effective policy steps to support residential continuity.

Victims and the International Criminal Court: Three major issues

AbstractThe Statute of the permanent International Criminal Court (the "ICC") agreed to in Rome in 1998 contains many provisions that deal with the specific concerns and rights of victims and survivors of the international crimes that the ICC will have jurisdiction over. It consolidates the work of the two ad hoc international criminal Tribunals (the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda) in this area, but also further enhances the role and rights of victims in a number of innovative ways. These three international criminal Tribunals thus collectively represent an important step forward in the recognition of the suffering and the position of victims and survivors of international crimes. This article will examine three main issues in relation to victims and the ICC. First, after identifying the protective measures for victims allowed at the discretion of the international criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, it will focus on the most controversial measure (which the ICC can also order) - the non-disclosure to the defence of the identity of witnesses. Does this protective measure violate a defendant's right to a fair trial? The Statute of the ICC also allows, for the first time in international criminal justice, for the right of victims to obtain their own legal representation, subject to the discretion of the ICC. The second issue is how is this going to work in practice in light of the fact that international crimes normally involve hundreds, if not thousands or even tens of thousands, of victims? And finally, while the ICC Statute provides for the possibility of reparations to victims, where will the money come from, and thus what are the chances of victims actually being able to receive compensation?

People With Learning Difficulties And Criminal Justice - A Role For The Probation Service

Little is currently known about the impact of professional practices on people with learning difficulties in the Criminal Justice System. David Denney highlights some of the main issues in relation to this group, and seeks to place probation practice with them in a wider legislative and penal setting. He also explores the manner in which people with learning difficulties are discriminated against as defendants in legal proceedings and makes some suggestions as to how the Probation Service might be more proactive in securing improved services.