Project leadership: skills, behaviours, knowledge and values

This research has sought to draw out project leadership competences from the perspective of practising project leaders, aspiring project leaders, heads of profession, project sponsors and clients. The aim of this research report is to help focus, develop and refine our understanding of project leadership so we can support continued capability building for project professionals and their organisations. To compile this report, the authors Sarah Coleman and Professor Mike Bourne conducted in-depth interviews with 38 individuals across five multinational organisations (BAE Systems, IQVIA, Jacobs, Shell and Siemens). These organisations were chosen because of their reliance on complex projects for the delivery of strategy and performance, and the individuals for their substantial knowledge and experience of project delivery, and their range of perspectives. The interviewees held and had experience of a wide variety of roles, from the aspiring leaders delivering smaller projects to the most experienced project leaders (responsible for £1bn+ budget major, complex projects), heads of profession, project sponsors and clients. Together, these individuals have over 500 years of project experience

The Future of Medicaid Long-Term Care Services in Pennsylvania: A Wake-up Call

This policy paper establishes the urgent need to reshape how Pennsylvania provides long-term care for older residents through Medicaid. It explains how demographics, demand, cost shifting to the public sector, and management issues are combining to place rapidly growing financial strains on Medicaid’s ability to fund long-term care. After providing general background on the Medicaid program, the paper discusses in detail each of the major factors contributing to this impending fiscal crisis

Carbon Nanomaterials for Nanofluidic and Membrane Applications

The successful fabrication and characterization of carbon nanomaterials as potential next generation materials for nanofluidic and membrane applications was demonstrated by this work. Ion transport through graphene oxide (GO) membranes of various thicknesses were investigated in order to determine the effect of steric interactions on ion selectivity. The diffusive transport rates of two charge equivalent ruthenium complex ions [Ru(bpy)3]^2+ and [Ru(phen)3]^2+, with a sub-angstrom size difference, were distinguishable through GO membranes and were used as a model to investigate pore and slit-dominant hindered diffusion. Analysis of experimental results suggested that ion transport is mostly facilitated by large pores (> 1.75 nm in diameter) in relatively thin GO membranes, while slits formed by GO stacking (< 1.42 nm in width) become dominant only in thick membranes. Furthermore, the interlayer spacing and overall pore structure of GO was engineered in order to optimize ion transport rates and create stimuli-sensitive membranes. This was completed by functionalizing GO with two different polymers; linear poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG-L), and poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm). The addition of both PEG-L and PNIPAm polymers altered the nanofluidic channel geometry, significantly increasing the overall ion flux relative to pristine GO membranes. Analysis of the diffusive transport rates of [Ru(bpy)3]^2+ and [Ru(phen)3]^2+ through PEGylated GO membranes showed that the shorter PEG-L polymers tightened up and closed the larger pores, increasing the flux and selectivity while the longer polymers opened up the overall porous structure, increasing flux but not altering the observed selectivity. Ion permeation was recorded through PNIPAm-functionalized membranes for two different temperatures; T LCST and observed transport rates were significantly higher than both PEGylated and pristine GO membranes. It was concluded that the grafted PNIPAm in the functionalized GO membranes does not undergo a structural change above the LCST and that enhanced ion transport rates at higher temperatures is the result of increased diffusion coefficients. The work presented herein expands the versatility of GO membranes for molecular sieving and separation applications. Furthermore, findings could give guidance to the rational design of GO membranes for high-precision ion selectivity and molecular sieving.1 yea

Complete Findings: Survey on Public Opinions and Attitudes on Outdoor Recreation in California: 2009

A Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) is required of every state in order to be eligible for grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act. The LWCF Act requires the SCORP to include the following: a) the name of the state agency with authority to act for California in dealing with the Secretary of the Interior for the purposes of the LWCF Act, b) an evaluation of the demand for and supply of the outdoor recreation resources and facilities in the state, c) a program for the implementation of the Plan, d) certification by the governor that ample opportunity for public participation has taken place in Plan development, e) other necessary information as may be determined by the Secretary. The 2007 Survey on Public Opinions and Attitudes on Outdoor Recreation in Californiaincluded a telephone survey, an adult mail survey, youth focus groups, and a youth mail survey in order to provide a comprehensive view of the outdoor recreation patterns and preferences of Californians. The measurement of various items on the surveys was changed substantially from earlier surveys (2002, 1997, etc.) in order to attempt to increase response rates, improve the readability of the survey instruments, and to provide a contemporary view of outdoor recreation in California. For example, the 2008 telephone survey focused on physical activity that occurs in parks. Similarly, the adult mail survey added components on leisure constraints, issues regarding global warming, and enhanced measures of latent demand for recreation activities. Finally, the youth survey addressed issues important to California’s youth and included items regarding the recently developed and Governor endorsed California Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights (COBR). The sampling procedures resulted in a telephone survey of 2,780 Californians of which, 1,227 also completed a mail/online survey. In addition, 397 youth participated in the youth mail survey

Smart homes, control and energy management:How do smart home technologies influence control over energy use and domestic life?

By introducing new ways of automatically and remotely controlling domestic environments smart technologies have the potential to significantly improve domestic energy management. It is argued that they will simplify users’ lives by allowing them to delegate aspects of decision-making and control - relating to energy management, security, leisure and entertainment etc. - to automated smart home systems. Whilst such technologically-optimistic visions are seductive to many, less research attention has so far been paid to how users interact with and make use of the advanced control functionality that smart homes provide within already complex everyday lives. What literature there is on domestic technology use and control, shows that control is a complex and contested concept. Far from merely controlling appliances, householders are also concerned about a wide range of broader understandings of control relating, for example, to control over security, independence, hectic schedules and even over other household members such as through parenting or care relationships. This paper draws on new quantitative and qualitative data from 4 homes involved in a smart home field trial that have been equipped with smart home systems that provide advanced control functionality over appliances and space heating. Quantitative data examines how householders have used the systems both to try and improve their energy efficiency but also for purposes such as enhanced security or scheduling appliances to align with lifestyles. Qualitative data (from in-depth interviews) explores how smart technologies have impacted upon, and were impacted by, broader understandings of control within the home. The paper concludes by proposing an analytical framework for future research on control in the smart home

Terrapin technologies manned Mars mission proposal

A Manned Mars Mission (M3) design study is proposed. The purpose of M3 is to transport 10 personnel and a habitat with all required support systems and supplies from low Earth orbit (LEO) to the surface of Mars and, after an eight-man surface expedition of 3 months, to return the personnel safely to LEO. The proposed hardware design is based on systems and components of demonstrated high capability and reliability. The mission design builds on past mission experience, but incorporates innovative design approaches to achieve mission priorities. Those priorities, in decreasing order of importance, are safety, reliability, minimum personnel transfer time, minimum weight, and minimum cost. The design demonstrates the feasibility and flexibility of a Waverider transfer module

A preliminary investigation into the impact of a pesticide combination on human neuronal and glial cell lines in vitro

Many pesticides are used increasingly in combinations during crop protection and their stability ensures the presence of such combinations in foodstuffs. The effects of three fungicides, pyrimethanil, cyprodinil and fludioxonil, were investigated together and separately on U251 and SH-SY5Y cells, which can be representative of human CNS glial and neuronal cells respectively. Over 48h, all three agents showed significant reductions in cellular ATP, at concentrations that were more than tenfold lower than those which significantly impaired cellular viability. The effects on energy metabolism were reflected in their marked toxic effects on mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, evidence of oxidative stress was seen in terms of a fall in cellular thiols coupled with increases in the expression of enzymes associated with reactive species formation, such as GSH peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. The glial cell line showed significant responsiveness to the toxin challenge in terms of changes in antioxidant gene expression, although the neuronal SH-SY5Y line exhibited greater vulnerability to toxicity, which was reflected in significant increases in caspase-3 expression, which is indicative of the initiation of apoptosis. Cyprodinil was the most toxic agent individually, although oxidative stress-related enzyme gene expression increases appeared to demonstrate some degree of synergy in the presence of the combination of agents. This report suggests that the impact of some pesticides, both individually and in combinations, merits further study in terms of their impact on human cellular health

Understanding domestic appliance use through their linkages to common activities

Activities are a descriptive term for the common ways households spend their time. Examples include daily routines such as cooking, doing laundry, and Computing. Smart energy meter data can be used to generate time profiles of activities that are meaningful to households’ own lived experience. Activities are therefore a lens through which energy feedback to households can be made salient and understandable. This paper demonstrates how hourly time profiles of household activities can be inferred from smart energy meter data, supplemented by appliance monitors and environmental sensors. In-depth interviews and home surveys are used to identify appliances and devices used for a range of activities. These relationships between te chnologies and activities are captured in an ‘activity ontology’ that can be applied to smart meter data to make inferences on hourly time profiles of up to nine everyday activities. Results are presented from six homes participating in a UK trial of smart home technologies. The duration of activities and when they are carried out is examined within households. The time profile of domestic activities has routine characteristics but these tend to vary widely between households with different socio-demo graphic characteristics. Analysing the energy consumption associated with different activities leads to a useful means of providing activity-itemised energy feedback, and also reveals certain households to be high energy-using across a range of activities

Prospectus, May 13, 1974

CLASS OF \u2774 COMMENCEMENT; Openhouse Set For May 19; 648 Parkland Students Eligible To Participate; Dr. Winters To Speak At Graduation; Parkland Groups Win Awards At Jazz Fest; StuGo President Offers Welcome; Dental Students Capped At Banquet; The Short Circuit; Letters To The Editor; New Stu-Go Officer; President\u27s Report; Crosswords; Parkland College Student Life; Instructional Programs; Admission: Who may Enroll?; Tuition & Fees; Financial Aid; Counseling; Placement; Veterans; Student Life; Summer Session 1974; Academic Calendar 1974-1975; Semester System Fall 1975; In Campus Design, Parkland: Not Just Another School; No Golden Quill This Quarter; Petitioned and Qualified Candidates Spring Quarter 1973-1974; One-Punch Leads To Death Of UI Student; Movie Projector Reported Missing; A Column By and For Women; A Column By and For Men; Self-Help Clinic Set For Women; Vet\u27s Corner; Field Trip Meeting Set; Pig Guards Pot Plot From Police Raid; Blood Drive; Summer Field Course In American Southwest; P/C Student Wins Distinguished Award; Allerton Day Shows Ecological Benefits Of Park; Debate Team Finishes Best Year Ever; Monday\u27s Coach; Thank You; High-Scoring Henrichs Opts For Parkland Cage Team; Parkland Coaches Review Year; Cobras Bat Way Over .500; P/C Players Thrill Audience; Bartow On His Way; Pritchett Not To Be Outdone; On The Way Out; Classified Ads; End-Of-Year Gala Planned By Phys Ed. Dept.; Social, Religious Traditions Expressed In Roots Afrikana; Jones Cites Improvements In Prospectus; Prospectus Staff Positions Open For New School Year; Business Student Wins Award; Krannert Art Schedule; Many Financial Awards Open To Incoming Parkland Students; Parkland Vets Info Center On Wheelshttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1974/1012/thumbnail.jp