25 research outputs found

    Equity theory predictions of the effects of participation in justice or Police studies on the promotional expectations of members of the Western Australian Police Force

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    Before 1988 police in this State were promoted solely on seniority. No university courses for officers existed locally and education played little part in promotion. Promotion is now on the basis of merit and Edith Cowan University conducts courses in Police and Justice Studies. This study investigates possible links between the factors of higher education and merit based promotion. Predictions of student officers\u27 of the benefits of higher education, organisational commitment and various aspects of non-promotion were examined by use of a questionnaire. The results showed that student officers placed a higher value on education for basic police work and managerial ranks. They also considered that they should receive preference for promotion over officers without degrees. There was no differences in current levels of organisational commitment but student officers appeared more likely to experience greater reductions in work effort and desire to remain with the Force if not promoted. They were also found to place greater value on positions using their qualifications as compensation for lack of promotion. Problems and suggested solutions arising from these findings are discussed

    Kinetics of Hydrogen Storage on Catalytically-Modified Porous Silicon

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    Porous silicon has been demonstrated as a hydrogen storage media with surface-bound hydrogen content as high as 6.6% by weight. Hydrogenated porous silicon is readily synthesized by electrochemical etching in a solution of hydrofluoric acid. Hydrogen gas can be released thermally at temperatures starting at 280 °C. It has been proposed that a suitable catalyst at the pore mouth can both reduce the desorption temperature and facilitate gaseous recharge of the silicon matrix. This work presents a detailed kinetic study using density functional theory (DFT) of a reversible hydrogen storage system based on porous silicon via the mechanisms of dissociation, spillover, and bond-hopping of hydrogen atoms. For each of these steps, activation energy values and vibrational frequency has been determined. Using these activation energies along with vibrational frequency values evaluated from the micro level DFT study, the kinetic performance of catalytically-modified porous silicon as a potential hydrogen storage material has been completed for the first time. The energy difference between full and empty charge is computed at the atomic scale and compared to macroscopic calculations, showing close agreement. These results show the potential for rapid recharge at 8 bar at temperatures commensurate with waste heat from a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell

    A Purpose-Focused Approach To Decisions About Returning To In-Person Office Work

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    This paper proposes a philosophically informed decision-making methodology, inspired by Aristotle, that encourages constructive discussions amongst employers and employees; is directed towards shared higher-level goals; is consistent with planning frameworks already in place in many businesses; can be amended over time without disruptive disputes; and accounts for the particularities of each industry, enterprise, workplace, and job. It seeks to establish a more fundamental basis for discussions about the remote office work: specifically, the purpose and nature of the work of those affected. If these matters can be decided, then subsequent discussions might be focused more upon the shared outcomes to which stakeholders are committed and less upon individual preferences and ‘hunches.

    Analytical study of waterlogged ivory from the Bajo de la campana site (Murcia, Spain)

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    [EN] This work reports an analytical study conducted prior to the conservation intervention of a collection of elephant tusks excavated from a wreck site of a 600-500 BC Phoenician trading vessel in Bajo de la campana (Murcia, Spain). The conservation state of ivory, determined by prolongated immersion in a marine environment, was established by a multi-technique methodology: light microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy X-ray microanalysis (FESEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), spectrophotometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The analyses demonstrated that the structure and composition of both tusk parts, namely the inner ivory and outer cementum, were altered due to characteristic diagenetic processes of a marine environment. Ca enrichment was observed in both tusk parts, which gave higher Ca/P molar ratio values than for ideal hydroxyapatite. Mg leaching was observed, together with uptake of exogenous elements (F, Cl, Si, Al, S, Na, Fe, Cu, Sr, Pb, Sn, Ag, V, Ni, Cd and Zn), which were prevalently identified in the external tusk part. Uptake of S and Fe was associated with the neoformation of pyrite framboids. The high carbonate content measured by FTIR, which agreed with the higher Ca/P ratios found in the archaeological tusk, was ascribed to the carbonate substitution of phosphate groups (type-B) in the bioapatite accompanied by some authigenic calcium carbonate that infilled ivory. An increased degree of crystallinity was observed when comparing the values of several crystallinity indices found in the archaeological bioapatite with those of a modern tusk, used as the reference material. Increased crystallinity prevalently took place in the cementurn. In accordance with increased crystallinity, the HPO42- content index indicated that the hydrated layer of bioapatite nanocrystals diminished in the archaeological tusk, and prevalently in the cementum. All these changes correlated with the significant organic matter loss reported for the archaeological tusk. Interestingly, remaining collagenous matter noticeably altered with enrichment in glycine and depletion in acid amino acids. Changes in the secondary structure of proteins were also recognised and associated with collagen gelatinisation. In addition to proteinaceous materials, small amounts of long-chain fatty acids, monoglycerides and cholesteryl oleate were identified by GC-MS. Cholesteryl oleate was associated with blood, which could have precipitated at the time of specimen death. The identification of large amounts of pyrite framboids and the high oleic acid/palmitic acid ratio in the archaeological tusk suggested minimal oxidative degradation processes, probably due to the slightly anoxic conditions of the underwater Bajo de la campana site environment. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.The authors wish to thank CITES Espana and Direccion General de Bienes Culturales y Ensenanzas Artisticas, de la Consejeria de Educacion, Cultura y Universidades de la Comunidad Autonoma de la Region de Murcia, Museo Nacional de Arqueologia Subacuatica. Financial support is gratefully acknowledged from Spanish "I + D + I MINECO" projects CTQ2011-28079-CO3-01 and 02 and CTQ2014-53736-C3-1-P supported by ERDEF funds. The authors also wish to thank Mr. Manuel Planes and Dr. Jose Luis Moya, technical supervisors of the Electron Microscopy Service of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.Domenech Carbo, MT.; Buendía Ortuño, MDM.; Pasies Oviedo, T.; Osete Cortina, L. (2016). Analytical study of waterlogged ivory from the Bajo de la campana site (Murcia, Spain). Microchemical Journal. 126:381-405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2015.12.022S38140512

    Diagenesis of archaeological bone and tooth

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    An understanding of the structural complexity of mineralised tissues is fundamental for exploration into the field of diagenesis. Here we review aspects of current and past research on bone and tooth diagenesis using the most comprehensive collection of literature on diagenesis to date. Environmental factors such as soil pH, soil hydrology and ambient temperature, which influence the preservation of skeletal tissues are assessed, while the different diagenetic pathways such as microbial degradation, loss of organics, mineral changes, and DNA degradation are surveyed. Fluctuating water levels in and around the bone is the most harmful for preservation and lead to rapid skeletal destruction. Diagenetic mechanisms are found to work in conjunction with each other, altering the biogenic composition of skeletal material. This illustrates that researchers must examine multiple diagenetic pathways to fully understand the post-mortem interactions of archaeological skeletal material and the burial environment

    Problem solving policing in the police service of Western Australia: the impact of organizational structure and culture

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    In 1996 the Police Service of Western Australia embarked on a major and ongoing period of change regarding all aspects of local policing. Part of this program involved the adoption of a number of practices that included an undertaking to pay increased attention to issues such as a customer focus, problem solving, a commitment to developing and motivating personnel, a localised delivery of policing services and improved management practices. This research was conducted for the purpose of uncovering the factors that create the unique environment of the Police Service of Western Australia and exploring how these might impact upon the manner in which officers conduct their daily duties. More specifically the purpose was to determine if there existed any aspects of organizational culture or structure that have an influence on the ability and/or willingness of officers to carry out their duties according to the processes and procedures of either the problem solving or the problem-oriented policing philosophy. The research methodology was guided by the grounded theory approach. Twenty-eight interviews were conducted with constables, sergeants, inspectors and superintendents as it was considered that these ranks best represented the views of the members of the organization in terms of numbers and those most affected by day-to-day events. The data analysis revealed the existence of 13 factors that all exhibit negative aspects and collectively create a Basic Social Problem that has been termed 'Feeling Vulnerable'. Although all of these factors have been well known for many years, the current research integrates these in a new way in order to produce a model of the organization that demonstrates how they combine to create an environment that is counter-productive to the implementation of a problem-solving or problem-oriented approach to policing by members of The Police Service of Western Australia at many levels. The Basic Social Process disclosed by the current research has been termed 'Controlling By Avoidance'. It is based on four tactics used by officers to control their working environment. The employment of one or more of these tactics by officers is designed to give the impression of engaging with issues while simultaneously exerting control over events in order to prevent the occurrence of outcomes that experience tells them are likely to have undesirable personal consequences. The intention is to create an environment where they hope to be safe from the consequences of problems that will inevitably occur at some time. As well as providing an explanation for the conduct of officers under the problem solving model the analysis also provides an insight into why the organization has apparently avoided coming to grips with the implementation of the full Goldstein model of problem-oriented policing. This appears to be due to concerns on the part of senior management about the likelihood of a loss of control over subordinate ranks and the personal problems that this would generate for them. Recommendations are made about the need to adopt the Goldstein model and the steps required to successfully implement this approach are listed

    Who's Afraid of Leadership?

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    ‘Leadership’ has become one of the most used and little defined buzzwords of our time. This article explores what one might think of as the sceptical position against accounts of leadership through the lens of ‘fear and loathing’. It explores what we are and should be concerned about regarding notions of leadership in contemporary culture and discourse.This article begins with an account of why we should be interested in the concept of leadership and the roles it plays in our culture. It then examines what we might call the case against leadership, that is, the range of concerns and fears we have about what is presented as ‘leadership’ as well as the legitimate fears that leadership theory can mask. These are some of the difficulties any successful theory of leadership must avoid. The article then outlines a proposed solution that captures essential aspects of what we want from the concept of leadership (and from leaders). Finally, it outlines and addresses a potential problem that this theory of leadership faces

    Leadership and Ethics

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    This edited volume examines fundamental questions about the nature of leadership from a range of philosophical perspective

    Density Functional Theory (DFT) Study of Hydrogen Storage in Porous Silicon

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    Based on plane wave DFT calculation, we carried out micro level investigation of hydrogen storage in nanoporous silicon (npSi). One quarter of a hexagonal pore with Palladium catalyst placed at the surface has been studied for hydrogen dissociation, spillover, bond hopping, and diffusion for both single catalyst atom and small catalyst cluster consisting of multiple catalyst atoms. All the DFT computations were done in one of the biggest research supercomputer facilities of the world, Big Red II. We opted ABINIT, an open source DFT tool for our computations. Our calculation revealed low dissociation, spillover, and bond hoping energy barrier. The energy required to be provided from external sources to fully recharge the storage medium from a gaseous source at a completely empty state has also been evaluated. Hydrogen diffusion along the inner surface of the pore as a means of bond hopping and the possibility of quantum tunneling, a low temperature phenomena used to spontaneously go over an otherwise less likely high energy barrier have been studied as well. Using these micro level parameter values evaluated from the DFT study, the performance of any potential hydrogen storage material can be compared to a set of characteristics sought in an efficient storage media. Thus, the micro scale feasibility of this novel npSi material based hydrogen storage technology was studied as a part of a STTR Phase I project

    Must Leadership Be Undemocratic?

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    Theories of leadership and democracy and their underlying assumptions both speak to our relationship to power. The core question common to discussions ranging from political legitimacy, to democracy, to Machiavellianism, to Platonism, is what, if any, power that some individuals have over others is (morally as well as legally) legitimate and why? At one extreme are cases such as Machiavellianism and political realism, which come close to suggesting that whatever actual power individuals or states can maintain as just is legitimate. At the other extreme is the sceptical position that believes no power of individuals over others is legitimate. Theories of leadership and democracy both offer alternative kinds of answers to this question, both accepting that some types are legitimate and with limiting factors. Both democracy and leadership can be seen as centrally including claims for the right and safe allocation of power
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