Time Of Major Change Research Articles

Coalition and co-creation: the genesis of Archive Service Accreditation

The recent creation of Archive Service Accreditation as a new standard for UK archives (2008–2013) is a major development in the archive and museum sectors, involving strategic and professional bodies across the home nations. This article explores the making of the new standard, revealing its close relationship with the UK’s long-running Museum Accreditation standard and the debate and deliberation that went into building a complementary scheme. The article revisits the original aims of Archive Service Accreditation, setting the context and chronology for the standard’s development during a time of major change for the archive and museum sectors. The innovative co-creation approach to writing the standard is explored, reflecting how this process shaped subsequent approaches to archives developments and what it revealed about professional worldviews. Most importantly, the article discusses key decisions and areas of difference which shaped the eventual approach to the standard, highlighting those areas of discussion which emerged through co-creation and the learning from Museum Accreditation in the design of the programme. The implementation of Archive Service Accreditation in the years following co-creation allows for a long view, reflecting on where areas of debate remain and which elements of Accreditation have become core to archive work.

Facing forwards, looking backwards: Coming to terms with continuing uneven development in Europe

At a time of major changes in the geography of the global economy, and following the major financial and economic crises of 2007/2008, the European Union (EU) is marked by deepening uneven economic development, between and within the territories of its 28 (for now) member states. This is one expression of neo-liberalisation as the dominant political force in the EU, combined with deep austerity policies in response to the crises of 2007/2008. Within the Eurozone, a common currency without a common fiscal policy further intensified inequalities, especially between the economies of the north and south of the EU. These developments had profound political ramifications as the promise of increasing economic growth and material well-being has been rudely shattered for many people and unemployment, poverty and ill-being have burgeoned in many parts of the EU. The political response to this – in ways reminiscent of the 1930s – has been a resurgence of regressive virulent right-wing nationalisms, sometimes with fascistic tendencies, as people have come to see the EU, and neoliberal globalisation, as inimical to their interests. This tendency has been further intensified by inflows of migrants and refugees, many in response to neo-imperialist ventures in the Middle East. This is most starkly (so far) the case in the UK, leading to the British Exit from the European Community (BREXIT) vote to leave the EU. There are counter-tendencies, locally based political movements that espouse a more humane social democratic model of the EU, but there seems little chance of these cohering politically to challenge the dominant view.

L&O Letters: Why we need a new journal for the aquatic sciences

<i>L&amp;O Letters</i>: Why we need a new journal for the aquatic sciences

Astronomically tuned age model for the early Eocene carbon isotope events: A new high-resolution δ13 Cbenthic record of ODP Site 1263 between ~ 49 and ~ 54 Ma

The early Eocene represents a time of major changes in the global carbon cycle and fluctuations in global temperatures on both short-and long-time scales. These perturbations of the ocean-atmosphere system have been linked to orbital forcing and changes in net organic carbon burial, but accurate age models are required to disentangle the various forcing mechanisms and assess causal relationships. Discrepancies between the employed astrochronological and radioisotopic dating techniques prevent the construction of a robust time frame between ~ 49 and ~ 54 Ma. Here we present an astronomically tuned age model for this critical time period based on a new high-resolution benthic δ13C record of ODP Site 1263, SE Atlantic. First, we assess three possible tuning options to the stable long-eccentricity cycle (405-kyr), starting from Eocene Thermal Maximum 2 (ETM2, ~ 54 Ma). Next we compare our record to the existing bulk carbonate δ13C record from the equatorial Atlantic (Demerara Rise, ODP Site 1258) to evaluate our three initial age models and compare them with alternative age models previously established for this site. Finally, we refine our preferred age model by expanding our tuning to the 100-kyr eccentricity cycle of the La2010d solution. This solution appears to accurately reflect the long-and short-term eccentricity-related patterns in our benthic δ13C record of ODP Site 1263 back to at least 52 Ma and possibly to 54 Ma. Our time scale not only aims to provide a new detailed age model for this period, but it may also serve to enhance our understanding of the response of the climate system to orbital forcing during this super greenhouse period as well as trends in its background state.

Middle–late Miocene palaeoenvironments, palynological data and a fossil fish Lagerstätte from the Central Kenya Rift (East Africa)

AbstractThe Miocene epoch was a time of major change in the East African Rift System (EARS) as forest habitats were transformed into grasslands and hominids appeared in the landscape. Here we provide new sedimentological and palynological data on the middle–upper Miocene Ngorora Formation (Tugen Hills, Central Kenya Rift, EARS), together with clay mineral characterizations, mammal finds and a description of the Ngorora fish Lagerstätte. Furthermore, we introduce a revised age ofc. 13.3 Ma for the onset of the Ngorora Formation. The older part of the Ngorora Formation (c. 13.3–12 Ma) records low-energy settings of lakes, floodplains and palaeosols, and evidence of analcime indicates that lakes were alkaline. The palynomorph spectrum consists of tree pollen (Juniperus, Podocarpus), Euphorbiaceae pollen (Acalypha, Croton) and herbaceous pollen of Poaceae and Asteraceae, suggestive of wooded grasslands or grassy woodlands. Alkaline lakes, floodplains and palaeosols continue upsection (c. 12–9 Ma), but environmental fluctuations become more dynamic. Paucity of palynomorphs and the presence of an equid may point to progressively drier conditions. A total of about 500 articulated fish fossils were recovered from distinctive layers of almost all sections studied and represent different lineages of the Haplotilapiines (Pseudocrenilabrinae, Cichlidae). Some of the fish kills may be attributable to rapid water acidification and/or asphyxiation by episodic ash falls. Repeated instances of abrupt change in water depth in many sections are more likely to be due to synsedimentary tectonic activity of the Central Kenya Rift than to climatic variation. Overall, the preservation of the Ngorora fish Lagerstätte resulted from the interplay of tectonics, formation of alkaline lakes and explosive volcanism. As records of grasslands that pre-date late Miocene time are rare, our finding of middle Miocene (12–13 Ma) grassy savannah in the Central Kenya Rift is also relevant to models of human evolution in East Africa.

Holocene environmental changes inferred from biological and sedimentological proxies in a high elevation Great Basin lake in the northern Ruby Mountains, Nevada, USA

Multi-proxy analyses were conducted on a sediment core from Favre Lake, a high elevation cirque lake in the northern Ruby Mountains, Nevada, and provide a ca. 7600 year record of local and regional environmental change. Data indicate that lake levels were lower from 7600 to 5750 cal yr BP, when local climate was warmer and/or drier than today. Effective moisture increased after 5750 cal yr BP and remained relatively wet, and possibly cooler, until ca. 3750 cal yr BP. Results indicate generally dry conditions but also increased climatic variability from 3750 to 1750 cal yr BP, after which effective moisture increased. The timing of major changes in the Favre Lake proxy data are roughly coeval and in phase with those recorded in several paleoclimate studies across the Great Basin, suggesting regional climatic controls on local conditions and similar responses at high and low altitudes.

Performativity, work-related emotions and collective research identities in UK university education departments: an exploratory study

The paper reports the findings of an investigation into academic staff perceptions of a rapidly changing research work environment in UK university education departments. The study sheds light on the emotional landscape of an environment shaped by performance-driven change. Based on an integrated triplex framework of analysis, the study addresses the complex interrelationship between performativity, work-related emotions and collective research identities. The findings highlight concerns about the emotional impact of work intensification and barriers to collective research identities. However, there is also evidence of strong motivation and a performativity that is internally and intrinsically driven. The implications for research leaders are considered, both in terms of leadership strategy and the leadership of staff in building vibrant research cultures at a time of major change in the sector in response to global challenges and opportunities.

Cultivating support for nonprofit news organizations: commitment, trust and donating audiences

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance of relationship fundraising and cultivating committed donors for nonprofit news outlets seeking financial sustainability, particularly during a time of major changes in the journalism industry.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines four nonprofit news organizations and their audiences of financial contributors. Results from a survey of 465 donors and subsequent interviews with donors are discussed.FindingsNonprofit news organizations rely heavily upon individual supporters who typically give often but in small chunks. Donors tend to favor nonprofit journalism organizations that report quality, local news stories not usually found in other news sources. Donors place a premium on developing a relationship with journalists in their communities and are likely to support their local nonprofit news source once the news outlet has earned their trust.Research limitations/implicationsNews organizations were allowed to choose which donors received invitations to take the survey, and donors to one news organization provided the vast majority of responses. Future research should explore how nonprofit journalism donors differ from donors to other types of nonprofit organizations.Practical implicationsThis paper reveals new data about audiences of emerging media organizations. The interests and behaviors of donors help to provide new insights into audience engagement.Originality/valueThe paper profiles donors to four relatively new nonprofit organizations and investigates their motivations for providing financial support. Managers of communication organizations could benefit from new strategies for audience cultivation.

Insulin-like growth factor and insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins in the bovine uterus throughout the oestrous cycle

The aims of the present study were to assess several components of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in bovine uterine flushings across different days of the oestrous cycle and to examine the relationship between the IGF system and systemic progesterone concentrations. Uterine flushings and plasma were collected from cows on Days 3, 7, 11 and 15 of the oestrous cycle. The IGF-1 concentration was more than 5-fold higher in the uterus compared with plasma on Days 7 and 11 of the cycle, with values similar on Days 3 and 15. Similarly, uterine concentrations of IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-2 and IGFBP-3 were up to 10- and 4-fold higher than in plasma, respectively, suggesting synthesis and/or transportation of the IGFBPs into the uterus. In addition, concentrations of IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3 were higher in the uterine horns, ipsilateral to the corpus luteum, on Day 15. This difference could indicate a local controlling mechanism with progesterone possibly playing a role in regulating the concentration of IGFBPs between the uterine horns. There was no significant relationship between systemic progesterone concentrations and IGFBP concentrations on Day 7 of the oestrous cycle. The present study shows that uterine concentrations of IGFBPs are cycle stage specific and also suggests IGF-dependent and -independent functions for IGFBPs during a time of major change in the developing embryo.

AGREEMENT BETWEEN CLINICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE HEALTH DATABASES FOR MEDICATION USE IN SASKATCHEWAN'S LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS

IntroductionThe Resident Assessment Instrument Minimum Data Set (RAI-MDS) is a clinical tool intended to provide comparable and consistent information about the functional status and care needs of residents of long-term...

The San Nicolás succession of the Cauca paleolake: a late Holocene laminated ria lake record from the Neotropics

The stratigraphic, geochemical, and organic matter study of the late Holocene San Nicolas succession of the Cauca paleolake (Santa Fe–Sopetran pull-apart basin) in the middle Cauca Valley, northern Colombia, suggests that it was deposited in a ria lake environment, at sedimentary accumulation rates in excess of 600 cm ky−1 between ~3500 and ~500 yr BP. Laminated deposition occurred, first under igapo (black-water), and then under varzea (white-water) conditions. The transition occurred ca. 3000 yr BP, a time of major change in El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) behavior in the Cariaco Basin, thus reflecting the southern migration of the intertropical convergence zone and intensified rain upstream the Cauca Valley. A second, but less conspicuous change occurred ca. 2000 yr BP, which apparently corresponds to the intensified and/or more frequent ENSO activity in the Galapagos Islands. Our contribution describes, for the first time, a ria lake sedimentary succession from the northern Andes and demonstrates the high potential of these hitherto undervalued deposits for the reconstruction of the paleohydrological history of the northern Andes.

Respect and reputation key to success in India – and India's success

PurposeThis paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsIt is common in times of major change for people to turn to history, both to understand current events and in some way interpret the future for themselves and society. Historians and artists tell us there is much to be learned by the lessons of history, and therefore as the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) shows no sign of abating in 2012, there is much to tempt us into opening up the history books to see what might befall us.Practical implicationsThe paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to digest format.

Subspecialization in neurology: the role of the united council for neurologic subspecialties

AAN= : American Academy of Neurology; ABMS= : American Board of Medical Specialties; ABPN= : American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology; ACGME= : Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education; ANA= : American Neurological Association; AUPN= : Association of University Professors of Neurology; CNS= : Child Neurology Society; PCN= : Professors of Child Neurology; RCPSC= : Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; UCNS= : United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties. In recent decades, there has been considerable growth in neurologic subspecialties. In response to this trend, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), American Neurological Association (ANA), Association of University Professors of Neurology (AUPN), Child Neurology Society (CNS), and Professors of Child Neurology (PCN) helped establish the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS) in order to provide accreditation of training (fellowship) programs in neurologic subspecialties and certification of graduates of these programs (and, during a limited “practice track” period, practitioners qualified by their substantive experience). This article reviews the reasons why UCNS was established, how it operates, and what it has accomplished. In the first issue of Neurology ® in 1951, an article by Pearce Bailey, MD, entitled “The past, present, and future of neurology in the United States,” noted that by the end of World War II, neurology had not yet attained “unchallenged professional autonomy as a medical specialty.”1 Bailey pointed to the establishment of the AAN in 1948 as reason for hope that there would be “a new renaissance of neurology in the near future” and he concluded that “[t]he time has come for neurology as a specialty to assume responsibility for the total medical treatment of neurologic patients.” In the decades since Bailey's article, AAN has undertaken many initiatives to help neurologists achieve this goal. In 1998, AAN President Francis I. Kittredge, Jr, MD, FAAN, appointed a Commission on Subspecialty Certification that was chaired by Stephen M. Sergay, MB BCh, FAAN. This was a time of major change in neurology. Neuroscience was advancing at an explosive rate. New technologies and treatments were developed that promised dramatic advances in neurologic care. The boundaries between emerging areas of practice in neurology and other specialties were becoming blurred. The number of AAN sections was growing fast, and new subspecialties did …

Editor's Choice

The quality of clinical leadership is recognized as central to provision of high-quality care, creation and maintenance of supportive and innovative workplace cultures. However, leadership roles in professions differ from that in business and commerce, in that practitioners first learn the ‘craft’ of their profession, and then migrate from roles where they are primarily concerned with their own clinical practice to have oversight (and responsibility) for that of others. Whether or not any element of the clinician role is retained, a new learning process is associated with this transition, including acquiring skills of management as well as leadership. Traditionally poor at supporting staff through this, increasing awareness of individuals’ needs in relation to the demands of such a process has led to a burgeoning of leadership modules and courses for nurses, such as that provided through the Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom (http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/practice/leadership, accessed 4/12/2011). Management of change is a core element of a leader’s role. In the current climate of health care, to be in a state of change is the status quo, occurring both in pursuit of innovation/quality improvement, and in response to resourcing crises. The importance of leadership and leadership style are common themes in models of change. However, other than case study and anecdote, to date, little systematic attention has been paid to what this means on a daily basis for those charged with such roles. The study by Salmela et al. (2012) in this issue of JAN addresses this. Focused on nurses in management roles (Head Nurses and Directors of Nursing) in a time of major change (merger of two healthcare organizations, one a hospital, the other a primary healthcare centre), they set out to explore how these nurse leaders described and understood their main tasks and roles during this process. In-depth interviews were conducted in 2004, and the process of analysis using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach was undertaken over the following six years. The result was a three-dimensional model of the roles and tasks of nurse leaders for change: leading interpersonal relationships, leading processes, and leading a culture. Leading interpersonal relationships encompassed the roles of being a team player, communicating, informing and interacting with others; of being a coach, supporting, encouraging, and bringing out the best in others; of taking on a parental role, being ‘mother’ to the team. It was about concern for people, and working with and through people to achieve results. Leading processes entailed co-ordination including that of resources; of having oversight of the whole, responsibility and making choices and decisions to ensure that all the strands of activity were woven together seamlessly. This was about keeping patient care at the centre, and ensuring the processes to achieve this. Leading a culture meant engaging in open dialogue and creating an atmosphere of openness; supporting and fostering an attitude in which patient care delivery remained true to core values and yet developed in line with best evidence. This centred around the values, norms, and history of the organization as well as its individuals. Salmela et al. note that nurse leaders were interviewed immediately prior to the merger, i.e. they were ‘in the thick of it’. Interview at some later point might have resulted in different perspectives. Nonetheless, this account stands as a model of nursing leadership for change, and provides both food for thought and a template for others in similar positions. The study is a helpful addition to a science and knowledge base still in its infancy.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Teacher Education Reform

As for all teacher education programs, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have been subject to a host of policy mandates for reform over the past three decades. As a group their approach to these changes has differed from those of majority institutions and their voice in the policy reform dialogue has been muted or absent. This article examines the consequences of HBCU exclusion and calls for more active participation from these institutions and a more receptive climate for their contributions. Keywords: teacher education reform, education policy, teacher education policy, historically Black colleges and universities Introduction Perhaps one of the most difficult, yet effective, approaches to accomplishing a goal is to recognize past success, acknowledge past failure, and proceed with the collective knowledge garnered from these experiences. For the past 30 years the African American community and its colleges and universities have focused attention on the survival, maintenance, and advancement of their teacher education programs and the representation of African Americans in the teaching force. The implicit goal has been to rescue, support, and leverage those PK- 12 students whose academic achievement is unrealized. Some of the initiatives that HBCU and other supportive organizations employed have met with success while others have been less effective. During this time of major change in the PK- 12 and postsecondary education sectors, it seems appropriate to examine the accomplishments and problems in some of these efforts to inform new and on-going efforts. In recent decades, a host of socioeconomic and political issues and factors have prompted unprecedented discussion and debate regarding the quality of teaching. All colleges and universities that train individuals to teach must make adjustments, but their approaches and strategies vary by mission, goals, size, affiliation and vicinity. Although HBCUs are a subset of all postsecondary institutions, their historical roots bind them in significant ways. Therefore, it is not surprising that one finds the HBCU approach distinctly different than that of majority institutions (Dilworth, 1984, 1986). This article focuses on the approach of HBCUs to teacher education reform over the past three decades and speculates how and why these institutions by and large are often marginalized or absent in the discussions and debates of the day. Reflecting on the key issues and trends of the past and the needs of all institutions, this author argues that the absence of an HBCU voice in the educational policy arena has disadvantaged a number of teacher quality initiatives and that there are compelling reasons for these institutions to continue to do what they do best in the preparation of educators, but to simultaneously consider new directions, strategies and missions. The author approached this work with the highest regard for all those who work to advance the quality of teaching for all children. While the observations and comments are derived largely from the literature they are influenced by this author's significant involvement in the teacher education reform initiatives of recent decades. This article begins with a discussion of the mission and goals of colleges and universities that train teachers for the nation's schools highlighting the various strategies that colleges of education, generally, and HBCUs, specifically, have developed to sustain their programs. The discussion moves to a review of select events that have influenced the expectations and nature of teacher education over the past three decades, noting HBCU accomplishments and missed opportunities. The author concludes with suggestions for leveraging the HBCU presence in today's teacher quality dialogue. MISSION AND PURPOSE Nearly 30 years ago, Garibaldi (1984) argued that HBCUs need to reinforce their traditional missions and goals in order to stay viable in the postsecondary sector. …

Life-cycle assessment: use and application in the Australian energy context

Australia is experiencing a time of major change in its energy sector. First, there is record investment in developing new fossil fuel resources—such as coal, LNG and coal seam methane gas—for export. Second, there is an ever-increasing attention to renewable energy generation for the domestic market. The looming introduction of a price on carbon (greenhouse gas emissions) in 2012 has fuelled the debate about how clean various energy sources are, and how any/all emissions associated with their development and the generation of energy should be treated. As a market reponse, a significant increase in using life-cycle assessment (LCA) results to communicate environmental performance, particularly about greenhouse gas emissions, have been witnessed. When undertaken appropriately, a full life-cycle approach is the only acceptable methodology to compare disparate technologies or products; however, given the often technical nature of LCA studies, the results are not always conveyed accurately in the non-technical mainstream media. This extended abstract discusses case studies related to the energy sector using LCA results—their benefits and shortcomings—in Australian media; suggestions for better communication and decision making in the coming period are also discussed.

Newspapers and Parties: How Advertising Revenues Created an Independent Press

Media freedom strongly inhibits corruption and promotes good governance, but what leads to media freedom? Do economic development and higher advertising revenues tend to make media outlets independent of political groups' influence? Using data on nineteenth-century American newspapers, I show that places with higher advertising revenues were likelier to have newspapers that were independent of political parties. Similar results hold when local advertising rates are instrumented by regulations on outdoor advertising and newspaper distribution. In addition, newly created newspapers were more likely to enter the market as independents in places with higher advertising rates. I also exploit the precise timing of major changes in advertising rates to identify how advertising revenues affected the entry of new newspapers. Finally, I demonstrate that economic development, and concomitant higher advertising revenue, is not the only reason that an independent press expands; political factors also played a role.

Editorial

Editorial

Newspapers and Parties: How Advertising Revenues Created an Independent Press

Media freedom strongly inhibits corruption and promotes good governance, but what leads to media freedom? Do economic development and higher advertising revenues tend to make media outlets independent of political groups' influence? Using data on 19th century American newspapers, this paper shows that in places with higher advertising revenues, newspapers were more likely to be independent from political parties. Similar results hold when local advertising rates are instrumented by regulations on outdoor advertising and newspaper distribution. In addition, newly created newspapers were more likely to enter the market as independents in markets with higher advertising rates. The paper also uses the precise timing of major changes in advertising rates, allowing for the possibility of confounding trends, to identify the effect of advertising on entries of new newspapers. Finally, it shows that economic development is not the only cause of the growth of an independent press, as political factors also played a role.

Sulfur isotopic evidence for chemocline upward excursions during the end-Permian mass extinction

The latest Permian was a time of major change in ocean chemistry, accompanying the greatest mass extinction of the Phanerozoic. To examine the nature of these changes, samples from two well-studied marine sections that span the Permian–Triassic boundary have been analyzed: the Meishan and Shangsi sections located in Southern China. Isotopic analysis of the carbonate-associated sulfate in these samples provides a detailed record of several isotopic shifts in δ 34S CAS approaching and across the PTB, ranging from +30 to −15‰ (VCDT), with repeated asynchronous fluctuations at the two locations. We interpret the patterns of isotopic shifts, in conjunction with other data, to indicate a shallow unstable chemocline overlying euxinic deep-water which periodically upwelled into the photic zone. These chemocline upward excursion events introduced sulfide to the photic zone stimulating a bloom of phototrophic sulfur oxidizing bacteria. We hypothesize that elemental sulfur globules produced by these organisms and 34S-depleted pyrite produced in the euxinic water column were deposited in the sediment; later oxidation led to incorporation as CAS. This created the large changes to the δ 34S CAS observed in the latest Permian at these locations.