What about Communication? Action Learning in e-Learning Environment

For more than forty years many organisations have trained theiremployees by using the concept of action learning. In action learningsmall and stable groups work together at realorganisational problems with no easily identified solutions. Duringthe process of problem solving the learning process is as much a goalas the finding of solutions. In contrast, e-learning (electroniclearning) is a more recent phenomenon. In this working paper wediscuss the relationship between both forms e-learning and actionlearning. A fundamental question we try to answer is whether it ispossible to apply e-learning in action learning, a concept with astrong emphasis on personal contact, communication and mutuallearning. And should the answer be positive, then in what waye-learning supports action learning.In this paper, we describe the application of e-learning by BOSNO, anorganization with more than thirty years experience in the field ofaction learning. BOSNO is a collaborative effort between several Dutchcompanies, which have pooled their resources to educate jointly theirmiddle management and staff. Recently BOSNO has experimented withe-learning environment in its international program. After thedescription of the lessons learned by BOSNO, we try to draw sometentative conclusions on whether, and to what extent, e-learning canplay a role as learning environment in communication-rich learningconcepts, such as action learning. The BOSNO experience shows thate-learning is a useful support for action learning. An interestingfinding is that asynchronous communication in the e-learningenvironment appears to offer several advantages, whereas synchronouselectronic communication is less appreciated by both the programmanager as the participants. Further research on the relation betweene-learning and other learning concepts and especially betweene-learning and communication is recommended

New CHARMM force field parameters for dehydrated amino acid residues, the key to lantibiotic molecular dynamics simulations

Lantibiotics are an important class of naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides containing unusual dehydrated amino acid residues. In order to enable molecular dynamics simulations of lantibiotics, we have developed empirical force field parameters for dehydroalanine and dehydrobutyrine, which are compatible with the CHARMM all-atom force field. The parameters reproduce the geometries and energy barriers from MP2/6-31G*//MP2/cc-pVTZ quantum chemistry calculations. Experimental, predicted and calculated NMR chemical shifts for the amino protons and alpha-, beta- and carbonyl carbon atoms of the dehydrated residues are consistent with a significant charge redistribution. The new parameters are used to perform the first molecular dynamics simulations of nisin, a widely used but poorly understood lantibiotic, in an aqueous environment and in a phospholipid bilayer. The simulations show surface association of the peptide with membranes in agreement with solid state NMR data and formation of beta-turns in agreement with solution NMR

Following the Nonthermal Phase Transition in Niobium Dioxide by Time-Resolved Harmonic Spectroscopy

Photoinduced phase transitions in correlated materials promise diverse applications from ultrafast switches to optoelectronics. Resolving those transitions and possible metastable phases temporally are key enablers for these applications, but challenge existing experimental approaches. Extreme nonlinear optics can help probe phase changes, as higher-order nonlinearities have higher sensitivity and temporal resolution to band structure and lattice deformations. Here the ultrafast transition from the semiconducting to the metallic phases in polycrystalline thin-film NbO2 is investigated by time-resolved harmonic spectroscopy. The emission strength of all harmonic orders shows a steplike suppression when the excitation fluence exceeds a threshold (∼11-12 mJ/cm2), below the fluence required for the thermal transition - a signature of the nonthermal emergence of a metallic phase within 100 ± 20 fs. This observation is backed by full ab initio simulations as well as a 1D chain model of high-harmonic generation from both phases. Our results demonstrate femtosecond harmonic probing of phase transitions and nonthermal dynamics in solids.</p

Air pollution exposure estimation using dispersion modelling and continuous monitoring data in a prospective birth cohort study in the Netherlands

Previous studies suggest that pregnant women and children are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of air pollution. A prospective cohort study in pregnant women and their children enables identification of the specific effects and critical periods. This paper describes the design of air pollution exposure assessment for participants of the Generation R Study, a population-based prospective cohort study from early pregnancy onwards in 9778 women in the Netherlands. Individual exposures to PM10 and NO2 levels at the home address were estimated for mothers and children, using a combination of advanced dispersion modelling and continuous monitoring data, taking into account the spatial and temporal variation in air pollution concentrations. Full residential history was considered. We observed substantial spatial and temporal variation in air pollution exposure levels. The Generation R Study provides unique possibilities to examine effects of short- and long-term air pollution exposure on various maternal and childhood outcomes and to identify potential critical windows of exposure

Protein intake in infancy and kidney size and function at the age of 6 years: The Generation R Study

Background: High protein intake has been linked to kidney growth and function. Whether protein intake is related to kidney outcomes in healthy children is unclear. Methods: We examined the associations between protein intake in infancy and kidney outcomes at age 6 years in 2968 children participating in a population-based cohort study. Protein intake at 1 year was assessed using a food-frequency questionnaire and was adjusted for energy intake. At age 6 years we measured the kidney volume and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) of all participating children, and we estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using serum creatinine and cystatin C levels. Results: In models adjusted for age, sex, body surface area, and sociodemographic factors, a higher protein intake was associated with a lower ACR and a higher eGFR but was not consistently associated with kidney volume. However, after further adjustment for additional dietary and lifestyle factors, such as sodium intake, diet quality, and television watching, higher protein intake was no longer associated with kidney function. No differences in associations were observed between animal and vegetable protein intake. Conclusions: Our findings show that protein intake in early childhood is not independently associated with kidney size or function at the age of 6 years. Further study is needed on other early life predictors of kidney size and function in later life

地方公共団体に対する国の行政的関与の方式 : 英国に於ける行政統制に関する一考察

Purpose: High protein intake in infancy has been linked to obesity. We aimed to examine the associations of protein intake in early childhood with cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes at school age. Methods: This study was performed in 2965 children participating in a population-based prospective cohort study. Protein intake at 1 year was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire and was adjusted for energy intake. At the children’s age of 6 years, we measured their body fat percentage (BF%), blood pressure (BP), and insulin, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride serum levels. These measures were incorporated into a cardiometabolic