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Palynology and chronology of hyaena coprolites from the Piñar karstic Caves Las Ventanas and Carihuela, southern Spain
No full textThis paper presents pollen analyses and radiocarbon dating on Crocuta coprolites from Las Ventanas (LV) and Carihuela (Car) Caves in southern Spain (Granada), with the aim of reconstructing the environmental conditions of these hominin sites. The LV coprolites are radiocarbon dated from c. 37,890 to 6980 cal yr BP, and the Car coprolites from c. 31,063 to 7861 cal yr BP. Overall, the palaeoecological scenario inferred from both coprolite series display similar patterns, with Pinus, Poaceae, and Artemisia as dominant during the full Pleistocene, and an important contribution of Quercus in the most recently dated coprolite samples. While the palynology is consistent with results of former investigations on the past environments in the region as obtained from other deposits (peat bogs, cave infills), the Late Glacial and Holocene chronology of several coprolites in both sites is in conflict with the generally accepted timing of extinction of Crocuta in western Europe. A discussion on the taphonomical processes and potential sources of carbon contamination of the radiocarbon samples is provided. The correlation between pollen from coprolites and from sedimentary records, and the paucity of the fossil bone record suggests nevertheless, that a late survival of Crocuta in southern Spain should not be categorically discarded
Developing and Delivering a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Level Course for the Public Sector:SI: Service Improvement (special issue)
No full textIThe appetite for Lean Six Sigma in the public sector is strong, due to the current austerity agenda and the need to provide high quality public services with reducing budgets. Lean Six Sigma is a high-performance methodology, with known benefits drawn from empirical data of application in the manufacturing and service sector. A partnership was developed between a County Council Transformation team and a Higher Education Institution to develop a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Level Program. The program to be delivered to transformation consultants at the council and to colleagues and students at the university. The presentation describes and critically reflects on the development of the 6 day program. Trello was used as the platform for delivery, and an agile approach with 2 week sprints was used as the development approach. 4 Cohorts (60+ consultants) have been through the training. The program has been improved at the end of each cycle, living the values of lean, and ensuring lessons learnt are incorporated. The strength of the program is the foundation of lean principles, the DMAIC (define measure analyse improve and con- trol) and the development of a ‘Gemba Game’ enabling the immersion of participants in a service based case change management and Game-storming (an approach to de- signing and leading workshops) within the program. This has provided a key enabler for consultants to develop their competence and confidence in lean six sigma. The program was designed with Kolbs learning cycle in mind (Theory, Action, Reflection and Pragmatism) and the Business Model Canvas (2010). Significant savings are being sought in this sector, and the program should have significant impact for building capability in this area
The impact of skin barrier cream on variation in sub-epidermal moisture readings.
No full textThe costs to healthcare systems of pressure ulcer (PU) prevention and management programmes remain high, and although PU risk assessment toolsexist, they generally have poor predictive value. It has been demonstrated that PU are preceded by subtle tissue changes that are invisible to the naked eye before skin breakdown occurs. One such change is an increase in sub-epidermal moisture (SEM) which can be identified by biocapacitance. Aim: To investigate the effect of skin barrier cream on biocapacitance readings made with the SEM Scanner 200 (BBI LLC (CA, USA). Methods: SEM Scanner 200 delta readings were recorded on the heels and sacrums of healthy volunteers with and without barrier cream. This was a two part investigation. In part one participants had barrier cream applied to one heel (right) and not to the other (left). In part two participants were allocated into one of two groups full application or partial application of barrier cream. Results: No difference in SEM delta values was observed in participants between the right and left heel. With sacral application there was a significant rise in SEM Scanner 200 readings when barrier cream was only applied to a small area compared to those with full coverage though thisrapidly resolved with time and skin cleaning. Conclusions: Even distribution of barrier creams over scanned areas did not affect SEM readings though uneven application might adversely affect readings
Masculinities in Old Norse Literature
No full textCompared to other areas of medieval literature, the question of masculinity in Old Norse-Icelandic literature has been understudied. This is a neglect which this volume aims to rectify. The essays collected here introduce and analyse a spectrum of masculinities, from the sagas of Icelanders, contemporary sagas, kings' sagas, legendary sagas, chivalric sagas, bishops' sagas, and eddic and skaldic verse, producing a broad and multifaceted understanding of what it means to be masculine in Old Norse-Icelandic texts. A critical introduction places the essays in their scholarly context, providing the reader with a concise orientation in gender studies and the study of masculinities in Old Norse-Icelandic literature.This book's investigation of how masculinities are constructed and challenged within a unique literature is all the more vital in the current climate, in which Old Norse sources are weaponised to support far-right agendas and racist ideologies are intertwined with images of vikings as hypermasculine. This volume counters these troubling narratives of masculinity through explorations of Old Norse literature that demonstrate how masculinity is formed, how it is linked to violence and vulnerability, how it governs men's relationships, and how toxic models of masculinity may be challenged
Responsible Tourism Education of Younger Consumers: Role of Mini-Clubs in Mountain Resorts
Get PDFPurpose: The purpose of this viewpoint paper is to discuss whether children can play a role in the sustainability of the tourism industry as a whole. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is based on a literature review of key terms: sustainable tourism; mountain tourism; children; and empowerment. Findings: Children could potentially play a role in the sustainability of tourism if they are empowered to do so. mini-clubs in mountain resorts could, for instance, contribute to their social empowerment using a catalytic strategy. Practical implications: Practitioners involved in the sustainability of the tourism industry should investigate ways to make the sustainability endeavour of the industry more inclusive. As for academics, they should devote time for research on children, as they are an important stakeholder group for the industry. Originality/value: This paper focusses on children in the tourism industry. There is a dearth of research in this area
Ecumenism and Trust: A Pope on Mount Athos
Get PDFThe usual way to address interdenominational differences and even the question of the (re)union between the Eastern and the Western Church is usually modelled after legal or political negotiations, i.e. with meetings at higher levels of clergy, with extensive references to the canonical tradition, which aim to achieve some sort of theological illumination, clarity, and eventually agreement or compromise. Nevertheless, the distance between the Eastern and the Western Church today (as well as between other similar historical rifts, as well as rifts that are being formed today) is more a question of psychology and (the lack of) trust, rather than politics and philosophical theology. This pursuit of trust would necessarily include the monastic tradition (Athonite monasticism in particular), which is quite influential in the way the ecumenical movement is received in the Orthodox world. To this end, along with the ongoing theological interdenominational dialogue, it is necessary to establish ways to address the lack of trust between the Eastern and the Western Church, and to recognize the pastoral need to include the contribution and voice of monasticism in the process of rapprochement between them
Alcidamas’ Encomia: a reassessment of the sources
Get PDFAlcidamas’ Encomia are now lost. All we know about them comes from a few ancient sources that scholars have interpreted in various contrasting ways – there is disagreement even about how many and which encomia Alcidamas actually wrote. But the prominent role played by Alcidamas in the intellectual landscape of Classical Greece, and of the encomium within epideictic oratory, indicate their importance to our understanding of Classical rhetoric and the need for a new assessment of the sources. This study suggests that the only encomia, among those mentioned in the sources, that can be safely attributed to Alcidamas are the Encomium of Nais and the Encomium of Death. Based on a testimony by Cicero, this study proposes a reconstruction of the general argument and structure of the Encomium of Death and suggests that a couplet attributed to another work by Alcidamas (the Museum) might have featured in the Encomium of Death as well. Furthermore, the study considers a textually disputed passage by Menander Rhetor, and suggests, against some editors, that it should not be taken as evidence for further works by Alcidamas (Encomium of Poverty and/or Encomium of Proteus the Dog)
Book Review:Steven Roberts: Young Working-Class Men in Transition
No full textDrawing on the experiences of young working-class men in transition, this insightful book portrays and discusses the changing world of masculinities within the South-East of England. The book raises questions, and contests existing discourses, in regards to contemporary working-class masculinities. It does this by presenting interviews from a seven year (broadly) ethnographic study of the ‘missing middle’ - or young men engaged in education and work but not successful in either - to document shifts that are occurring in relation to how (these) young men construct and understand masculinity – as well as the hidden inequalities which may follow from this. The author, Steven Roberts, skilfully critiques previous studies of masculinity while providing a nuanced analysis of how these working-class men circumnavigate their transitions into adulthood. The book’s central contribution lies in challenging the stagnant portrayals of young, working-class men in the academy, and English society