Recent advances in metallic glass nanostructures: synthesis strategies and electrocatalytic applications

Recent advances in metallic glass nanostructures (MGNs) are reported, covering a wide array of synthesis strategies, computational discovery, and design solutions that provide insight into distinct electrocatalytic applications. A brief introduction to the development and unique features of MGNs with an overview of top-down and bottom-up synthesis strategies is presented. Specifically, the morphology and structural analysis of several examples applying MGNs as electrodes are highlighted. Subsequently, a comprehensive discussion of commonly employed kinetic parameters and their connection with the unique material structures of MGNs on individual electrocatalytic reactions is made, including the hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, and alcohol (methanol or ethanol) oxidation reaction. Finally, a summary of the challenges and perspective on the future research and development relevant to MGNs as electrocatalysts is provided.317FAPESP – FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO2017/11958‐

Global Unions: Challenging Transnational Capital Through Cross-Border Campaigns

To meet the challenges of globalization, unions must improve their understanding of the changing nature of corporate ownership structures and practices, and they must develop alliances and strategies appropriate to the new environment. Global Unions includes original research from scholars around the world on the range of innovative strategies that unions use to adapt to different circumstances, industries, countries, and corporations in taking on the challenge of mounting cross-border campaigns against global firms. This collection emerges from a landmark conference where unionists, academics, and representatives of nongovernmental organizations from the Global South and the Global North met to devise strategies for labor to use when confronting the most powerful corporations such as Wal-Mart and Exxon Mobil. The workplaces discussed here include agriculture (bananas), maritime labor (dock workers), manufacturing (apparel, automobiles, medical supplies), food processing, and services (school bus drivers). Kate Bronfenbrenner\u27s introduction sets the stage, followed by contributions describing specific examples from Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Bronfenbrenner\u27s conclusion focuses on the key lessons for strengthening union power in relation to global capital

An anthropological investigation of urban land development : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of M.A. in Social Anthropology at Massey University

The impetus for this project came from examples of neighbours' disempowerment in the land and property development process. There is a growing academic consensus that dominant approaches to land development fail to adequately address this issue. NeoMarxist approaches focus on conflict, power, and exploitation, but effectively eliminate the role of the actual developer in exercising power. Case study approaches, on the other hand, have been concerned with conflict and disempowerment, but have focused on specific instances of neighbourhood opposition and resistance. Explanation is often confined to local and national features of the social and geographical environment. These inadequacies pointed to the need to investigate the increasingly significant role that professional, entrepreneurial developers play at the nexus of the contemporary development process. An ethnographic methodology was used to provide a richer understanding of the land and property development process. The principal participants in the study are a set of 'entrepreneurial developers' operating in and around Palmerston North. Interviews, participant observation, and the examination of case studies are employed. This is complemented by an investigation of the Regulatory Procedure, including interviews with Council Officers, and examination of Council case studies. The research also uses interviews with neighbours, and a wide body of material published within the development industry. Planning for the study drew on Giddens' 'Theory of Structuration' (1979,1984) which stresses the interrelationship between the social structures of the development process, and the agency of developers. The research sought to elucidate the dominant forms of action and ideology which development agents acknowledge, and which therefore constitute the action and ideology of the development industry. The interpretation of the empirical data uses three interrelated perspectives: The first, provides a broad, industry-level, perspective on the local development industry. It asks, 'What are the major influences which shape and structure the contemporary development industry?'; The second, examines the level of action. It asks 'What are the actions of most significance to developers?', and 'What forms of conduct constitute the Institutional structures of the Regulatory Procedure?'; The third focuses on ideology. It asks, 'What are the dominant motivations which direct and influence developers' conduct?', and 'How do developers legitimate and rationalise conduct?'. An interesting aspect to the thesis is the extent to which developers share patterns of ideology, not only with each other, but also with a wider business community. Much of this characteristic ideology parallels findings in other ethnographic studies of capitalistic systems. The research highlights the fact that ethnography, and the notion of 'culture', provide an insightful and useful perspective of both the business world, and the study of development

Theoretical and Empirical Models of Organizational Learning Processes in Knowledge Management

Introduction. This study undertakes a comprehensive exploration of existing instructional organizational models, spanning various disciplines within contemporary educational theory and knowledge management practice. The core objective is to propose an all-encompassing model tailored specifically to the preparation of future educational managers. This model places a significant emphasis on integrated educational strategies, further enriched by the integration of organizational learning processes in the context of knowledge management. Aim and tasks. This study critically examines established models of organizational learning processes with the goal of developing a tailored model for training future educational managers. The goal is to equip aspiring educational managers with integrated didactic skills based on analyses of existing educational models that include concept analysis, model evaluation, and theoretical framework establishment. Result. Organizational learning principles drive data-driven refinement, collaborative cross-disciplinary strategies, and leadership development. Sharing best practices enhances strength, whereas iterative feedback processes mitigate its limitations. This dynamic framework encourages adaptable education, fostering continuous improvement in teaching methods, curricula, and managerial training for a sustained educational evolution. Leveraging insights from existing models, the primary aim is to establish an instructional framework that seamlessly integrates a diverse range of content. Notably, the suggested model for training educational managers integrates teaching methodologies, character development, and methodological support for cultivating cultural learning skills, all underpinned by organizational learning processes within the domain of knowledge management. Furthermore, this integrated model incorporates progressive learning objectives that progressively increase in complexity and span the methodologies and resources employed to ensure effective learning outcomes based on comprehensive feature assessment techniques that gauge understanding and competencies. Conclusions. This study navigates the landscape of models, culminating in the proposal of an integrated framework that caters to comprehensive aspiring training. This model facilitates the harmonious amalgamation of various subjects, and proficiencies introduce organizational learning processes within the domain of knowledge management. By fostering a multidisciplinary and holistic approach, this model equips future educators with the multifaceted demands of modern primary education while adequately managing knowledge within their organizational contexts

Darwinism, probability and complexity : market-based organizational transformation and change explained through the theories of evolution

The study of transformation and change is one of the most important areas of social science research. This paper synthesizes and critically reviews the emerging traditions in the study of change dynamics. Three mainstream theories of evolution are introduced to explain change: the Darwinian concept of survival of the fittest, the Probability model and the Complexity approach. The literature review provides a basis for development of research questions that search for a more comprehensive understanding of organizational change. The paper concludes by arguing for the development of a complementary research tradition, which combines an evolutionary and organizational analysis of transformation and change