The strategic evolution of Aer Lingus from a full-service airline to a low-cost carrier and finally positioning itself into a value hybrid airline

Aer Lingus has been an unique airline as it transitioned from a full-service airline to a low-cost carrier and is currently positioned as a value hybrid airline. It has coexisted with Ryanair for decades and it encountered three imminent periods where bankruptcy prevailed from 1993 to 2009. The research aims to uncover the various strategies that were applied to structurally re-engineer the carrier in order to adapt to its evolving competitive landscape. The key pillars underpinning Aer Lingus’ turnaround as a value hybrid were as follows: strict adherence to capacity discipline; relentless cost control and value-adding, consumer-driven product differentiation; innovative partnerships including contract flying to alleviate its problematic seasonality issues inherent in Aer Lingus markets; and by re-engineering its Dublin-based hub airport. A visionary master plan for the hub was fabricated to capitalize on Ireland’s geographical positioning which targeted the traffic flows between UK/European and North American destinations through its synchronized connection network at Dublin

Alien Registration- Connolly, John F. (Portland, Cumberland County)

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REVENUE AND TAXATION Ad Valorem Taxation of Property: Create an Appeal Process for Fulton County and City of Atlanta

The Acts create a new system for appeals of ad valorem taxes in the City of Atlanta and Fulton County. First, the Acts require that the Atlanta-Fulton Joint Board of Tax Assessors hear appeals and review assessments in accordance with the general laws of the State of Georgia. Second, the Acts provide for the creation of boards of equalization for every 10,000 parcels of property within the city and county. Third, the Acts require that through 1996, the City of Atlanta must contract with Fulton County to provide for the assessment of ad valorem taxes and hear and dispose of all appeals of such assessments for property within the City of Atlanta which is located in DeKalb County. Finally, it allows the City of Atlanta to contract with Fulton County for such services after 1996

Altair Lunar Lander Development Status: Enabling Lunar Exploration

As a critical part of the NASA Constellation Program lunar transportation architecture, the Altair lunar lander will return humans to the moon and enable a sustained program of lunar exploration. The Altair is to deliver up to four crew to the surface of the moon and return them to low lunar orbit at the completion of their mission. Altair will also be used to deliver large cargo elements to the lunar surface, enabling the buildup of an outpost. The Altair Project initialized its design using a "minimum functionality" approach that identified critical functionality required to meet a minimum set of Altair requirements. The Altair team then performed several analysis cycles using risk-informed design to selectively add back components and functionality to increase the vehicle's safety and reliability. The analysis cycle results were captured in a reference Altair design. This design was reviewed at the Constellation Lunar Capabilities Concept Review, a Mission Concept Review, where key driving requirements were confirmed and the Altair Project was given authorization to began Phase A project formulation. A key objective of Phase A is to revisit the Altair vehicle configuration, to better optimize it to complete its broad range of crew and cargo delivery missions. Industry was invited to partner with NASA early in the design to provide their insights regarding Altair configuration and key engineering challenges. NASA intends to continue to seek industry involvement in project formulation activities. This paper will update the international coimmunity on the status of the Altair Project as it addresses the challenges of project formulation, including optinuzing a vehicle configuration based on the work of the NASA Altair Project team, industry inputs and the plans going forward in designing the Altair lunar lander

Blended Learning: Overview and Recommendations for Successful Implementation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify key themes within the blended learning literature and to develop a series of practical recommendations to facilitate the successful adaptation and implementation of a ‘‘blended approach to learning delivery’’. Design/methodology/approach – The literature was reviewed and informed a series of recommendations for organisations considering adopting or implementing blended approaches to teaching and training. Findings – Several key themes centering on the importance of evaluation, skills training, pedagogy, human factors, technology and implementation were identified. The emerging themes informed a series of practical recommendations to assist organisations considering blended learning approaches. Findings highlight the current limitations in the evidence base. Practical implications – The identified key themes and practical recommendations provide a useful assist to organisations considering adopting and implementing blended approaches to teaching and training. Originality/value – The paper highlights key areas for development in the blended learning literature and at the organisational level

Paediatric Illness: The Role of Social Context in Childhood Cancer

The impact and interaction of paediatric illness on child, family and the broader social context represent key areas of concern for both researcher and practitioner. The prevalence of paediatric chronic illness has been estimated at as high as 19% (Newacheck & Stoddard, 1994). In the past many paediatric illnesses were identified, treated, and conceptualised within a biomedical context which left little room for the examination of how other factors such as social context may contribute. This was, in part, due to the dominance of the biomedical model (Ogden, 2004) but also due to the fact that, historically, many paediatric illnesses had survival rates as low as 26% (Patenaude & Kupst, 2005). This resulted in a tendency to focus on mortality and a reduction in attention to psychosocial factors (Eiser, 1994). Paediatric cancer serves as a useful example of this.div_PaSBanez, G. A., & Compas, B. E. (1990). Children's and parents' daily stressful events and psychological symptoms. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 18, 591-605. Barrera, M. (2000). Brief clinical report: Procedural pain and anxiety management with mother and sibling as co-therapist. Journal of Paediatric Psychology, 25, 117-121. Bessell, A. G. (2001). Children surviving cancer: Psychosocial adjustment, quality of life, and school experiences. The Council for Exceptional Children, 67, 345-359. Bugenthal, D. B. (2003). Thriving in the face of childhood adversity. New York and Hove: Psychology Press. Coyne, I. T. (1997). Chronic illness: the importance of support for families caring for a child with cystic fibrosis. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 6, 121- 129 Eiser, C. (1990). Psychological effects of chronic disease. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 31, 85-98. Eiser, C. (1994). Making sense of chronic disease: The 11th Jack Tizard memorial lecture. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 35, 1373-1389. Eiser, C. (1998). Practitioner review: Long-term consequences of childhood cancer. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 39, 621-633. Eiser, C., Hill, J. J., & Vance, Y. H. (2000). Examining the psychological consequences of surviving childhood cancer: Systematic review as a research method in paediatric psychology. Journal of Paediatric Psychology, 25(6), 449-460. Garrison, W. T., & McQuiston, S. (1989) Chronic Illness During Childhood and Adolescence: Psychological Aspects. Sage Publications: CA. Gattellari, M., Voigt, K. J., Butow, P. N., & Tattersall, M. H. N. When the treatment goal is not cure: Are cancer patients equipped to make informed decisions? Journal of Clinical Oncology, 20 (2), 503-513. Hagerty, R. G., Butow, P. N., Ellis, P. M., Dimitry, S., & Tattersall, M. H. N. (2005). Communicating prognosis in cancer care: a systematic review of the literature. Annals of Oncology, 16(7), 1005-1053. Helgeson, V. & Cohen, S. (1996). Social support and adjustment to cancer: Reconciling descriptive, correlational, and intervention research. Health Psychology, 15, 135-148. Hoekstra-Weebers, J. E., Jaspers, J. P., Kamps, W. A., & Klip, C. (2001). Psychological adaptation and social support of parents of paediatric cancer patients: A prospective study. Journal of Paediatric Psychology, 26, 225-235. Johnson, S. B. (1995). Insulin-Dependent diabetes mellitus in childhood. In M. C. Roberts (Ed.), Handbook of paediatric psychology (2nd ed., pp. 84-98). New York: Guilford. Kaugars, A. S., Klinnert, M. D., & Bender, B. G. (2004). Family influences on paediatric asthma. Journal of Paediatric Psychology, 29, 475-491. Kazak, A. E. (1992). The social context of coping with childhood chronic illness: Family systems and social support. In A. LaGreca, L.J. Siegel, J.L. Wallander & C.E. Walker (Eds), Stress and coping in child health (pp. 262-278). New York: Guilford Press. Kazak, A. E. (2005). Evidence-based interventions for survivors of childhood cancer and their families. Journal of Paediatric Psychology, 30, 29-39. Kazak, A. E., Barakat, L. P., Meeske, K., & Christakis, D. (1997). Posttraumatic stress, family functioning, and social support in survivors of childhood cancer and their mothers and fathers. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 65, 120-129. Kazak, A. E., Cant. C. M., Jensen, M. M., McSherry, M., Rourke, M. T., Wei-Ting Hwang, M. A., Alderfer, D. B., Simms, S., & Lange, B. J. (2003). Identifying psychosocial risk indicative of subsequent resource use in families of newly diagnosed paediatric oncology patients. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 21, 3220-3225. Kazak, A. E., Simms, S., & Rourke, M. T. (2002). Family systems practice in paediatric psychology. Journal of Paediatric Psychology, 27, 133-143. Kliewer, W. (1997). Children's coping with chronic illness. In S. A. Wolchik & I. N. Sandler (Eds), Handbook of children's coping: Linking theory and intervention (pp. 41-70). New York: Plenum Press. Kupst, A. E., Natta, M., Richardson, C., et al. (1995). Family coping with paediatric leukemia. Journal of Paediatric Psychology, 22, 749-758. Kupst, M. & Schulman, A. (1988). Long term coping with paediatric leukemia. Journal of Paediatric Psychology, 13, 7-22. Newacheck, P. A. & Stoddard, J. J. (1994). Prevalence an impact of multiple childhood chronic illnesses. Journal of Paediatrics, 124, 40-48. Ogden, J. (2004). Health psychology: A textbook. New York: Open University Press. Patenaude, A. F. & Kupst, M. J. (2005). Psychosocial functioning in paediatric cancer. Journal of Paediatric Psychology, 30, 9-27. Rait, D. S., Ostroff, J. S., Smith, K., Cella, D. F., Tan, C. & Lesko, L. M. (1992). Lives in balance: Perceived family functioning and the psychosocial adjustment of adolescent cancer survivors. Family Process, 31, 383- 393. Schapira, L. (2006). Communication as a therapeutic tool. Supportive Oncology, 4, 74-75. Schofield, P. E., Butow, P. N., Thompson, J. F., Tattersall, M. H. N, Beeney, L. J. & Dunn, S.M. (2003). Psychological responses of patients receiving a diagnosis of cancer. Annals of Oncology, 14, 48-56. Seagull, E. A. (2000). Beyond mothers and children: Finding the family in paediatric psychology. Journal of Paediatric Psychology, 25, 161-169. Stuber, M. L., Kazak, A. E., Meeske, K., Barakat, L., Guthrie, D., Garnier, H., Pynoss R., & Meadows, A. (1997). Predictors of posttraumatic stress in childhood cancer survivors. Paediatrics, 100, 958-964. Thompson, R. J., Hodges, K. A., Hamlett, K. W. & Spock, A. (1992). Psychological adjustment of children with cystic fibrosis: The role of child cognitive processes and maternal adjustment. Journal of Paediatric Psychology, 17, 741-755. Thorne, S.E, Bultz, B.D. & Daile, F. W. (2005). Is there a cost to poor communication in cancer care? A critical review of the literature. Psycho Oncology, 14, 875-884. UK Childhood Cancer Research Group, National Registry of Childhood Tumours (2004). Retrieved: 11/01/2008 from: http: //www.ukccsg.org.uk/public/ childrens_cancer/index.html Vannatta, K., Gartstein, M. A., Short, A., & Noll, R. B. (1998). A controlled study of peer relationships of children surviving brain tumors: Teacher, peer, and self-ratings. Journal of Paediatric Psychology, 23, 279-287. Wallander, J. L. & Thompson, R. J. (1992). Psychosocial adjustment of children with chronic physical conditions. In M. C. Roberts (Ed.), Handbook of paediatric psychology (2nd ed., pp. 124-141). New York: Guilford. World Health Organisation. (2003). Adherence to long-term therapies: Evidence for action. Retrieved: 11/01/ 2008 from http://www.emro.who.int/ ncd/Publications/adherence_ report.pdf34pub918pub

Stepping Beyond LEO

This slide presentation reviews several mission scenarios designed to take human spaceflight to points beyond low Earth Orbit (LEO). The presentation reviews future lunar missions, missions to near-earth asteroids, and missions to Mars. The use of solar electric propulsion (SEP) is involved in the mission to the asteroids and the martian mission scenarios. The technologies that are critical to these missions are reviewed

Semantic Cortical Activation in Dyslexic Readers

The combined temporal and spatial resolution of MEG (magnetoencephalography) was used to study whether the same brain areas are similarly engaged in reading comprehension in normal and developmentally dyslexic adults. To extract a semantically sensitive stage of brain activation we manipulated the appropriateness of sentence-ending words to the preceding sentence context. Sentences, presented visually one word at a time, either ended with a word that was (1) expected, (2) semantically appropriate but unexpected, (3) semantically anomalous but sharing the initial letters with the expected word, or (4) both semantically and orthographically inappropriate to the sentence context. In both subject groups all but the highly expected sentence endings evoked strong cortical responses, localized most consistently in the left superior temporal cortex, although additional sources were occasionally found in more posterior parietal and temporal areas and in the right hemisphere. Thus, no significant differences were found in the spatial distribution of brain areas involved in semantic processing between fluent and dyslexic readers. However, both timing and strength of activation clearly differed between the two groups. First, activation sensitivity to word meaning within a sentence context began about 100 msec later in dyslexic than in control subjects. This is likely to result from affected presemantic processing stages in dyslexic readers. Second, the neural responses were significantly weaker in dyslexic than in control subjects, indicating involvement of a smaller or less-synchronous neural population in reading comprehension. Third, in contrast to control subjects, the dyslexic readers showed significantly weaker activation to semantically inappropriate words that began with the same letters as the most expected word than to both orthographically and semantically inappropriate sentence-ending words. Thus, word recognition by the dyslexic group seemed to be qualitatively different: Whereas control subjects perceived words as wholes, dyslexic subjects may have relied on sublexical word recognition and occasionally mistook a correctly beginning word for the one they had expected.Peer reviewe