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The execution of operational improvement projects can create new knowledge that can be used to contribute to the success of future projects. A paradox exists, in that new knowledge is seldom transferred to future projects, and so the associated value-adding opportunities are lost. The objectives of this study are to determine whether lessons learned are captured during operational improvement projects, and to identify contextual factors that support or hinder the knowledge transfer processes. Through the use of interviews and subsequent data analysis, the research shows that the transfer of knowledge can be better facilitated by addressing the knowledge transfer inhibitors, recognising the valueadding potential of knowledge transfer during the execution of improvement projects, and creating a culture that is conducive to sharing knowledge - in particular, the lessons learned from mistakes and poor management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Before any acquired knowledge is used or adds value to the receiving project (members), it must be accepted by its recipients, leading to an increase in their positive attitudes towards, and intended use of, the acquired knowledge. To be willing to accept knowledge, the receiving project's team members must perceive it to have value and be easy to use. The focus of this exploratory paper is to develop and empirically test relevant sub-dimensions of perceived value and ease-of-use. The subdimensions were identified through a literature review, and measurement scales were developed empirically by applying a well-established scale development methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The desire to gain knowledge about the quality and timing of construction projects delivered to clients has become an increased focus point in the field of construction management. Clients have expectations that are often based on their assumptions about the validity of making the learning curve theory applicable to construction projects. This research aims to determine what criteria need to be met for the learning curve theory to have some validity for construction projects. The results from the questionnaire survey, completed by professionals from the construction industry, show that several concepts were found to be of importance: project specifications, design, scope, budget, site management, planning, monitoring and controlling, and quality. If these concepts correspond between two projects, the chance of successfully applying the learning curve theory increases. Practical recommendations are made that highlight the concepts identified as critical for the successful application of the learning curve theory to construction projects, and that can be used by clients and contractors as a basis for negotiating project schedules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tobleria bicuspis, a coniferophyte seed cone, is described from the Jambi Palaeoflora, Sumatra of Asselian (early Permian) age. A morphometric analysis based on cones, paired fertile units, and fertile and sterile scales, demonstrates their close relationship. Small paired fertile units occur mainly in cones. Mediumsized paired fertile units occur mainly on scales. And large paired fertile units are mainly dispersed. The cones are considered female and the paired fertile units are considered to represent the seeds. The cones are composed of helicoidal, bilaterally symmetrical and deeply incised scales with paired seeds. A comparison can be made with the Voltziales female taxon Schizolepis from the Triassic and Jurassic. Tobleria is regarded as having a voltzian Voltziales affinity and dates from approximately 16 to 26 million years before any other such cones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • The Karing Volcanic Complex and the Dusunbaru Pluton represent a volcaniccentre. • Volcanicity took place over 630,000 years within the Asselian Stage of the Permian. • The West Sumatra Permian Block was a southern continuation of the Indochina Block. Abstract The Karing Volcanic Complex and the Dusunbaru Pluton comprise an Early Permian volcanic-plutonic centre in the Volcanic-Plutonic Arc on the western margin of the Kluet-Kuantan basin of the West Sumatra Block in Sumatra, Indonesia. The Karing Volcanic Complex is mostly composed of 'Monotonous Intermediate Type' tuffs which interfinger with the volcaniclastics and coastal and marine sediments of the Mengkarang Formation. Eight lithological Intervals each commencing with tuffs overlain by volcaniclastics and sediments, have been mapped in the Merangin river section. The climax of the volcanicity occurred in Interval IV. In the waning stages of volcanism basalt flows were extruded and the volcanic pile was eroded by lahars and debris flows. Zircon CA-IDTMS dates from tuff beds at the base and top of the section bracket the volcanic activity as having taken place over a period of 630,000 years within the Asselian Stage of the Permian. The Dusunbaru pluton is composed of Gabbroids, Granitoids with subordinate Metabasalts and Metatuffs occurring as xenoliths. These lithologies are present as lithic clasts within the Karing Volcanic Complex tuffs, and it is considered that the Dusunbaru Pluton represents a former magma chamber from which the tuffs were vented. The Mildly-alkaline to Sub-alkaline Metabasalts and Gabbroids, were derived from the N-MORB sector of the lithospheric 'Mantle Array' while the compositions of the Granitoids (including gabbroid-granitoid hybrid rocks) were influenced by the reaction of basic magmas with the lower crust. The Sub-alkaline and High–K Late Basalt Lava flows were derived from the melting of basalt below the crust-mantle interface. The rock suites were variably hydrated as a result of alterations. Magmatic alteration has affected the Metabasalts, Gabbroids, Granitoids, their xenoliths and the Late Basalts. Hydrothermal alteration has weakly affected the aubaerial tuffs and strongly changed the mineralogy of some of the Late Basalt flows, in particular the entablatures. The chemistry of the Dusunbaru Pluton is of Cordilleran-type, typical of continent margin volcanic-plutonic arcs. The Dusunbaru Pluton was likely originally emplaced at the interface between the Kuantan Formation (Visean to Permian) and a Proterozoic gneissic basement. A late hydrothermal event/tectonic event during which the Dusunbaru Pluton was faulted against the Karing Volcanic Complex, is attributed to the collision of the Woyla oceanic terrains with Sumatra in the late-mid Cretaceous. The stratigraphy of the West Sumatra Volcanic Arc and the Kluet-Kuantan Basin resembles that of the Sukhothai Volcanic Arc and associated basin sediments in the Indochina Block. A palaeogeographical reconstruction suggests that the West Sumatra Block originally was an appendage to the Indochina Block at a palaeolatitude between 5 and 15° S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Merangin River section in Sumatra exposes the Permian Mengkarang Formation. This is composed of eight intervals showing upwards fining and thinning of volcanic tuffs and volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks, overlain by their reworked alluvial products. Isotopic age evaluation of the top and the base of the Merangin section indicates an average duration of 630,000 years (from 296.77 ± 0.04 to 296.14 ± 0.09 Ma). Extrapolation of the eight intervals onto neighbouring tributaries by using earlier geological studies and the strike of the beds allows for the integration of the data assembled in recent expeditions, and those from 1925, leading to the lithostratigraphic assignment of more than 2,000 palaeobotanical specimens. The compilation of all assembled palaeobotanical data indicates there is a change in composition from a palaeoflora dominated by Cordaites, ferns, or club mosses to one in which seed ferns were dominant. These changes, coupled to eustatic sea‐level fluctuations, indicate a climatic origin for this transition and extend palaeofloral trends perceived earlier in Far Western low latitudes to the Far Eastern Palaeotethys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge dissemination, as part of the knowledge exchange process, is particularly challenging in any project environment due to the temporary nature of projects. Although several studies in the earlier literature studied the factors that influence knowledge exchange, very few examined them from the 'knowledge push' perspective. This study aims, therefore, to highlight the critical factors that impact knowledge dissemination in a project environment. This empirical research found ten critical factors, such as individual experience, trust, source credibility, shared understanding, motivation, and articulability. These individual factors seem to have a dominant influence on knowledge dissemination from the view point of the knowledge source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education policy stakeholders attempt to counteract teacher shortages by recruiting persons from outside of the teacher career. However, teachers' job satisfaction, a key predictor for teacher retention, often differs between those originally trained as a teacher and those from different career pathways. Applying multiple indicator multiple causes (MIMIC) bifactor models on PISA data (N = 125,764 teachers), we found that first career teachers show higher job satisfaction. Furthermore, the curricular preparedness by initial education is more important for those, who always intended to become teachers when compared to those arriving from alternative routes. Based on findings in this study, we recommend improvements of alternative certification programs, working conditions, and professional development opportunities for persons who did not initially plan to become teachers to increase overall teachers' job satisfaction. • A study on N = 125,764 first and second career teachers' job satisfaction across 13 countries. • First career teachers show higher job satisfaction than second career teachers. • Teachers' preparedness is an important predictor of their job satisfaction. • Initial education is more important for first career teachers' job satisfaction when compared to second career teachers. • The contribution of professional development to job satisfaction does not differ between first and second career teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Project Management Office (PMO) has been associated with organisational project management competence. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence to support this perception. This study examines the relationship of PMO maturity and the nine knowledge areas that describe Organisational Project Management (OPM) by collecting data from 129 PMO executives, staff, and project managers in South African Government Infrastructure Departments (SAGID) using a structured questionnaire. The results show that a PMO's 'strategic' maturity has the highest impact on all nine areas of OPM. It is thus recommended that public organisations need to accelerate the strategic maturity of their PMOs to benefit from them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Projects that fail, for whatever reason, can impact negatively on society, organisations, and other stakeholders. A number of researchers have identified various critical success factors (CSFs) that can influence the outcome and success of a project. This research therefore aims to determine the CSFs that influence various success measures of small- to medium-sized projects at a South African mining company, Exxaro Resources' Grootegeluk Coal Mine. Other objectives of this research include determining the extent of the impacts of these CSFs on the different success measures of a project. The investigation suggests that there are correlations among CSFs, and that certain factors impact the outcome of projects far more than others. This research finds that the single most important CSF for small- to medium-sized projects is the selection of a competent project manager. The competent project manager is characterised by a group of interrelated CSF factors: good leadership, commitment, and learning from past experiences. Based on the research results, other CSFs are discussed and explored in order for recommendations to be made on how this mining company, and possibly other organisations, can achieve greater project success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although araucarioid wood is poor in diagnostic characters, well in excess of 200 Late Paleozoic species have been described. This study presents a largescale anatomical analysis of this wood type based on the fossil wood collections from the Early Permian Mengkarang Formation of Sumatra, Indonesia. Principal Component Analysis visualisation, in conjunction with uni- and multivariate statistical analyses clearly show the wood from the Mengkarang Formation to be a contiguous micromorphological unit in which no individual species can be distinguished. Pycnoxylic wood species described previously from this collection or other collections from the Mengkarang Formation fall within the larger variability described here. Based on comparison with wood from modern-day Araucariaceae, the Early Permian specimens can be differentiated from extant (but unrelated) "araucarioids" by a few (continuous) characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past studies of performance management systems (PMS) have focused more on designing the framework and less on the effect it has on employees. Moreover, employees in developing countries may not be knowledgeable or familiar with PMS. This paper proposes two competing statistical models to examine the roles that supervisor support (SS) has in engineering organisations. It was found that SS is a mediator, but not a moderator, in the relationship between PMS and employee job satisfaction. In other words, SS partially explains why employees have positive perceptions of their jobs based on their evaluation of the current PMS; SS thus enhances the PMS in engineering organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Six Sigma deployment methodology is known for its results in operational excellence associated with improved business practices. Organisations worldwide have shown significantly reduced costs and increased profits when successfully deploying Six Sigma. This paper reports a longitudinal study of a set of indicators and success factors for Six Sigma deployment, using Lonmin PLC, a mining company in South Africa, as a case. The results suggest a shift of indicators from heartfelt personal involvement in 2006 to a mechanistic performance-based culture in 2010. Practical recommendations are made regarding the nine success factor components to be included during Six Sigma deployment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method is presented to measure strain over a large area of a single crystal. The 4D-ED data are collected by recording a 2D diffraction pattern at each position in the 2D area of the TEM lamella scanned by the electron beam of STEM. Data processing is completed with a new computer program (available free of charge) that runs under the Windows operating system. Previously published similar methods are either commercial or need special hardware (electron holography) or are based on HRTEM, which involves limitations with respect to the size of the field of view. All these limitations are overcome by our approach. The presence of defects results in small local changes in orientation that change the subset of experimentally available diffraction spots in the individual patterns. Our method is based on a new principle, namely fitting a lattice to (a subset of) measured diffraction spots to improve the precision of the measurement. Although a spot to be measured may be missing in some of the patterns even the missing spot can be precisely measured by the lattice determined from the available spots. Application is exemplified by heavily boron-doped silicon with intended usage as a low-temperature superconductor in qubits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Zonguldak -- Amasra Coal Basin in north-westem Turkey has Carboniferous terrestrial deposits ranging in age from Arnsbergian to late Asturian or possibly early Cantabrian. They yield macrofloras that allow detailed biostratigraphical correlations with sequences in Europe. These correlations suggest there are substantial gaps in the Zonguldak- Amasra succession, with middle to upper Namurian, upper Langsettian, Duckmantian and lower Asturian strata apparently being missing. This in turn suggests the area was subjected to significant tectonic instability during Pennsylvanian (late Carboniferous) times and that this might have been instrumental in initiating the progressive change in composition and eventual collapse of the coal swamp biome across Variscan Euramerica during Westphalian times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There were numerous complaints regarding the quality of building projects performed by the Department of Building and Engineering Services (DBES) in Botswana. This empirical study has two objectives: first, to evaluate participants in DBES projects by using 16 identified factors in the project design phase that may influence the quality of building projects; second, to explore the inter-relationships between the 16 factors in the project design phase and the five measures of which the design phase takes cognisance. The study applied a quantitative research methodology. A total of 115 survey questionnaires were distributed to collect data. A descriptive and a multivariate analysis was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article evaluates the influence that quality concepts and tools in a manufacturing environment may have on parameters possibly affecting the future design and development of products in the same company. It attempts to establish how quality results can be utilised to determine the level of quality control tools used, such as Quality Function Deployment and Concurrent Engineering, in a company that designs for manufacture. By establishing links from quality results and customer requirements, the research determines what critical quality tools are necessary to determine the capability to manufacture an item without the use of excessive planning resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gigantopterids are a pan-palaeotropical Late Palaeozoic (to Early Mesozoic) plant group with unknown affiliations. Two gigantopterid species, both sole representatives of their respective genera, are known from the Early Permian Mengkarang Formation of Jambi (Sumatra, Indonesia). Through an emendation of the Jambi gigantopterids, based on the old and newly collected material, and a subsequent analysis of the leaf morphology of several gigantopterid genera, we conclude that the Jambi species are similar to the other gigantopterids, but do not appear to be related to them directly. We propose a possible scenario for the evolution of gigantopterid leaf morphology, based on marginal leaf growth, with implications for the validity of the gigantopterids as a natural group. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 161, 302–328. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Recent expeditions to the Early Permian formations of Jambi, Sumatra, have produced material of a new species of peltasperm affinity, Comia variformis nov. sp., with a remarkably broad morphological range that touches on several other Permian taxonomic groups. It is found in association with material attributable to the callipterid genus Rhachiphyllum, in addition to Supaia-like material and an Autunia fructification, corroborating a peltasperm affinity. Palaeogeographic relationships of the morphologies found in C. variformis and the other material show strong relationships with North China and even the Angaran region, suggesting a migration zone running from the North China Block to the West Sumatra–West Myamar terrane. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: New material of the Early Permian alethopterid genus Macralethopteris is examined in detail. The material stems from different locations and statistical comparison of the morphological differences between collections suggests that the material is derived from several populations of a single species. Comparison is made with related Cathaysian and Euramerican species, showing the isolated occurrence of Macralethopteris in the Cathaysian region. Characteristics of the species and possible ecological implications suggest that Macralethopteris hallei grew in more mesic circumstances than usually associated with alethopterids. It is argued that M. hallei might have been a relatively small alethopterid with possible cormous growth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is critical for energy (ATP) production in eukaryotic cells. It was previously shown that genes coding for mitochondrial proteins involved in energy production co-express at the RNA level. Because the OXPHOS enzymes are multimeric complexes, we tested the hypothesis that genes coding for components of specific complexes are also co-regulated at the transcriptional level, and share common regulatory elements in their promoters. Results: We observed for the first time that, not only OXPHOS genes as a group co-express, but there is a co-expression of genes within each of the five OXPHOS enzyme complexes, showing a higher degree of complexity in gene co-regulation. In silico analysis of homologous promoter sequences in mammals identified the likely core promoter elements for most genes encoding OXPHOS subunits/assembly factors. The results included a significant abundance of previously identified sites (e.g. NRF1, NRF2, ERRA and YY1), as well as several sites that had not been previously detected. Although we identified patterns that correlated to OXPHOS gene expression, we did not detect an OXPHOS complex-specific arrangement of transcription factor binding sites within the core promoter that could explain the tight co-expression of these functionally related genes. Conclusion: This study mapped the core promoters of most OXPHOS related genes and provided an example of gene expression regulation based on the final protein arrangement within a linear metabolic pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A preliminary taxonomic revision of the Early Permian Jambi flora results in a lower number of taxa, a number of new determinations and several new combinations (Dicranophyllum molle (Jongmans & Gothan) comb. nov., Oligocarpia posthumii (Jongmans & Gothan) nov. comb., Callipteridium strictinervis (Jongmans & Gothan) comb. nov.). Cones containing the bicuspidate seeds Tobleria bicuspis are recorded for the first time. The exact stratigraphic position of the Jambi flora is unknown, but brachiopods and fusulinids indicate an Early Permian age. Comparisons with the East Asian Permian floras of the Cathaysian realm indicate that the Jambi palaeoflora can best be compared to a relatively xeric Cathaysian flora, possibly indicative of relatively high latitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the effects of growing land pressure on the distribution and quality of cropland allocations on customary tenured land (CTL) in Swaziland. Within the wider Sub-Saharan context, the reform of indigenous tenure systems is now generally seen as a process of adaptation rather than replacement. The legal recognition of (existing and future) user rights is considered a practical way forward. This essentially rights-based approach may divert attention from technical inadequacies indigenous systems may have, particularly under conditions of increasing land pressure. The case of CTL substantiates such shortcomings. CTL has seen a marked growth in population and land allocations since Independence. This had led to concerns on the land distribution efficiency in view of the improved agricultural production required to sustain the increasing number of rural households. By analysing historical changes in the number, size and quality of cropland allocations in selected rural communities, this paper demonstrates the occurrence of a high degree of inconsistency in cropland distribution at the community level, as well as inefficient land distribution at higher levels of scale. These shortcomings threaten the sustainability of the local agricultural production systems, and will need to be addressed in any meaningful reform process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A complete system for path and route finding through arbitrary complex three-dimensional (3D) polygonal worlds is presented. The system is fully automated and can quickly map a complete digital environment without the need for human intervention. Arbitrary complex polygonal worlds can be processed within a few minutes on today’s computers. The processed information allows a robot with a limited number of degrees of freedom to efficiently navigate around obstacles and find routes through the environment. The system is especially suitable for route finding and navigation through buildings which are typically designed with the use of computers these days. As such, digital polygonal representations of buildings are readily available. Not only can the system be used for robot navigation, it can also be used to guide people through buildings. Being able to quickly compile an arbitrary building into a route and path finding system can be especially useful for firemen and tactical military units to invade buildings and reach specific locations. When a building is partly destroyed or inaccessible for other reasons, the digital representation of the building can easily be adjusted by adding or removing polygons and the system presented here can be used to quickly recalculate routes. The system has been successfully implemented and employed in the popular computer game Quake III Arena. The artificial players in this game use the system for path and route finding through complex 3D polygonal worlds. Many other computer games can also benefit from the system presented here. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pyramidal neurons in hippocampal subregions are selectively vulnerable in certain disease states. To investigate, we tested the hypothesis that selective vulnerability in human hippocampus is related to regional differences in neuronal cell death and cell receptor gene expression in CA1 vs. CA3 subregions. We used laser capture microdissection to remove approximately 600 CA1 and 600 CA3 pyramidal neurons each from five fresh-frozen normal post-mortem brains, extracted total RNA and double-amplified mRNA. This was reverse transcribed and labeled for hybridization onto human cDNA array chips containing probes to 10,174 genes and unknown ESTs. RNA from additional microdissections was pooled for replicate hybridizations and quantitative RT-PCR validation. Gene expression differences were few (<1%). We found 43 enriched genes in CA1 neuronal samples that included peripheral benzodiazipine receptor-associated protein, nicotinic cholinergic receptor, two chemokine receptors (CCR1 and CCR5) and several transcriptional factors. We found 17 enriched genes in the CA3 neuronal samples that included fibroblast growth factor receptor and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1. We found no differential gene expression for 23 calcium channel proteins; nine transporter proteins; 55 cell death and apoptotic regulator proteins; and an additional 497 cell receptors, including 24 glutamate receptors. Quantitative RT-PCR of four differentially expressed genes confirmed the microarray data. The results confirm the ability to examine gene expression profiles in microdissected neurons from human autopsy brain. They show only minor gene expression differences between two distinct neuronal populations in the hippocampus and suggest that selective hippocampal vulnerability is due to factors other than intrinsic differential expression in glutamate receptors and cell death genes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The present paper focuses on plant diversity fluctuations within three ecosystems from a volcanic slope in the sequence analytical context of three superimposed cyclicities. This analysis was possible thanks to the isotopic age evaluation of the volcanic Merangin section that bracketed the Mengkarang Formation on West Sumatra between 296.77 ± 0.04 and 296.14 ± 0.09 Ma (Asselian, Lower Permian). The Merangin section consists of a 490 m long fining and thinning tuffaceous aggregational sequence composed of eight short-eccentricity fining and thinning upwards parasequences. The palaeoflora along the sequence varies from tropical wet taxa, comprising cordaitalean and ferns, to mesic-xeric taxa, typified by seed ferns and early conifers. Herein the palaeofloral content of 14 consecutive lahars from a single volcanic accretion wedge in the seventh parasequence is described in detail. It displays a gradual increase in the ratios of (seed) ferns (Macralethopteris hallei , Sphenopteris sp. and gigantopterids) and early conifers (Dicranophyllum molle , Tobleria bicuspis), reaching a 100% in the 6th bed, and returning to 100% cordaitalean and ferns. The high ratio of seed ferns and early conifers in the 6th lahar is interpreted as reflecting a temporary lowering of the tree line caused by a glacial maximum from a high order cycle (obliquity or precession), superimposed on a short-eccentricity cycle, which in turn is superimposed on our third-order cycle palaeofloral transition described earlier for the whole sequence. Along this lower Permian section from the low latitudes from the Palaeotethys, glacial-interglacial cycles are seen to affect the fluctuations of the vegetation line in a chiefly similar way as during the Quaternary. The diversity fluctuations for three ecosystems (wetlands, lower and upper slope) are modelled for two of the three or more superimposed cycles. Emphasis is put on the appearance of a glacial palaeoflora on top of the sequence. • The fluctuation in ratio of slope and upland taxa within 14 consecutive lahars is presented. • The momentary dominance of the upland palaeoflora is interpreted as altitudinal migration. • This migration reflects a high order glacial maximum, on a short-eccentricity cycle, on a 3-rd cycle. • Palaeofloral entombment is chiefly in the Transition Systems Track of 100 kyr cycles. • Three closed ecosystems are found to respond differently to climate fluctuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skills and knowledge gaps between senior and junior staff is prevalent in engineering projects. This study aimed to identify the factors that affect knowledge transfer and methods to retain transferred knowledge between senior and junior staff in the South African engineering environment. Although several studies have examined the factors that influence knowledge transfer, very few have studied the factors affecting knowledge transfer between senior and junior staff in engineering projects. This study found that knowledge transfer is not made a priority in projects, and that there is a lack of knowledge transfer platforms and structures in projects. Incentivising knowledge transfer by making it a work outcome would improve knowledge transfer in projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relaxation behavior of single linear and ring polymers, with and without excluded volume, is studied by Brownian dynamics. The velocity, angular momentum, and end-to-end vector autocorrelation functions are investigated. It is found that the velocity and angular momentum autocorrelation functions decay exponentially and that the time dependence of the vector end-to-end autocorrelation function is mainly determined by the time dependence of its direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural intensification has led to dramatic diversity losses and impoverishment of the arable vegetation in much of Europe. We analyzed the status of farmland phytodiversity and its determinants in 2016 in northwest Germany by surveying 200 conventionally managed fields cultivated with seven crops. The study was combined with an analysis of edaphic (soil yield potential), agronomic (crop cover, fertilizer and herbicide use) and landscape factors (adjacent habitats). In total, we recorded 150 non-crop plant species, many of them nitrophilous generalist species, while species of conservation value were almost completely absent. According to a post-hoc pairwise comparison of the mixed model results, the cultivation of rapeseed positively influenced non-crop plant species richness as compared to winter cereals (wheat, barley, rye and triticale; data pooled), maize or potato. The presence of grassy strips and ditch margins adjacent to fields increased plant richness at field edges presumably through spillover effects. In the field interiors, median values of non-crop plant richness and cover were only 2 species and 0.5% cover across all crops, and at the field edges 11 species and 4% cover. Agricultural intensification has wiped out non-crop plant life nearly completely from conventionally managed farmland, except for a narrow, floristically impoverished field edge strip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knowledge transfer role of a project management office in a matrixstructured telecommunication organisation was investigated by means of focus groups and interviews, and the results were analysed with ATLAS.ti software. The results confirmed the key role that the project management office plays in knowledge transfer. Corporate culture was found to have a greater effect on knowledge transfer than the type of organisational structure. Conflicts and other challenges typical of matrix structures did not necessarily hinder knowledge transfer, and even contributed to it. The knowledge transfer roles of the project management office were primarily perceived as a moderator of the transfer of technical information and a mediator of project and business knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Projects are unique, temporary structures that produce unique knowledge. For organisations to gain competitive advantage, this knowledge needs to be transferred effectively between projects. Knowledge transfer across projects is thus an important and decisive competitive factor. However, project teams typically focus on short-term project goals, and often fail to regard capturing and transferring project knowledge between projects as important for the long-term benefit of the organisation. This theoretical study argues that Project Management Offices (PMOs) play an important role by supporting and facilitating the flow of knowledge between projects. A conceptual framework depicting the role of PMOs in the transfer of knowledge between projects is presented here, while empirical results will be reported on in a sequel to this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dicranophyllum gallicum Grand'Eury is described by means of a morphometric analysis of eighty two samples from various old and new localities in western and central Europe. Stem, leaf cushions, leaf scars, leaves, axillary structures and potential seeds are described in detail, and discussed in comparison to earlier studies. The encountered variability in size and structure is shown to be higher than what was described earlier. The organisation of the leaf cushion and scar density vary gradually with the stem width, while stratigraphic position and ecology do not relate to it. It is concluded that the described variability represents an ontogenetic feature rather than a phylogenetic or ecologic one. The juvenile plants are characterised by small stems, a high leaf scar density and elongated leaf cushions with a dominant apical field, while mature specimens are characterized by a wide stem, a relatively low leaf scar density and relatively wide leaf cushions with a pronounced basal field. Axillary shoots and potential seeds of D. gallicum are described and illustrated in detail for the first time. A reconstruction based on the studied material is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For about 20 years models have been used on a large scale in the water management of The Netherlands. Today models are indispensable in modern water management. However, while on one hand the application ofmodels in water management still increases, on the other hand the appreciation of policy makers for models decreases, especially in the Dutch national policy. One has to look very carefully to recognize thepolicy analysis by models in the policy documents, although the number of used models and the number of calculations was larger than everbefore. Summarised it may be stated that the application of models is facing some serious problems. Especially the efficiency must increase. Together with the coming, new questions in water management, the involved participants in integrated water management are forced to join forces in the development and application of models. Therefore in The Netherlands a Standard Framework discussion started between the involved participators. The first results are very promising. Looking at the future it can be concluded that the next generation of models to be built for the fifth National Policy Document on Water Management, will not just be a model system of the national government, but a system of all involved participants in Dutch water management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] W Sumatra Lower Permian brachiopods, fusulines and palynomorphs are palaeoequatorial. [•] West Sumatra Block was not influenced by the Early Permian Gondwana glaciation. [•] West Sumatra Block was probably located at low southern latitude in the Early Permian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on introduction of a new Sterile Barrier System (SBS) constituting a significant change to the instrumentation circuit. Topics include decision having implications for the entire workflow patterns of the nursing personnel in the operating room (OR); and risk of perforation while using sheet packaging being reduced by fitting edge protection aids.

The article presents the discussion on Quality assurance in the RUMED through well-targeted process monitoring where validation involving verification and evidence-based documentation of the process effectiveness.

Aim: It is widely accepted that biodiversity is influenced by both niche-related and spatial processes from local to global scales. Their relative importance, however, is still disputed, and empirical tests are surprisingly scarce at the global scale. Here, we compare the importance of area (as a proxy for pure spatial processes) and environmental heterogeneity (as a proxy for niche-related processes) for predicting native mammal species richness world-wide and within biogeographical regions. Location: Global. Time period: We analyse a spatial snapshot of richness data collated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Major taxa studied: All terrestrial mammal species, including possibly extinct species and species with uncertain presence. Methods: We applied a spreading dye algorithm to analyse how native mammal species richness changes with area and environmental heterogeneity. As measures for environmental heterogeneity, we used elevation ranges and precipitation ranges, which are well-known correlates of species richness. Results: We found that environmental heterogeneity explained species richness relationships better than did area, suggesting that niche-related processes are more prevalent than pure area effects at broad scales. Main conclusions: Our results imply that niche-related processes are essential to understand broad-scale species--area relationships and that habitat diversity is more important than area alone for the protection of global biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on Quality assurance in the RUMED through well-targeted personnel qualification. Topics include reducing disruptions in the overall supply chain process such as postponement of surgical procedures; and personnel support, process observation, and quality control being additional quality assurance tools.

The article focuses on the use of standard operating procedure (SOPs) help to demonstrate compliance with all the hygienic and technical requirements legally specified for medical device reprocessing. Topics include SOPs describe the correct implementation of all relevant work steps in the respective workplace; and SOPs being compiled to complement a procedure for all relevant steps of the reprocessing process.

The article highlights the recommendations of Germany's Quality Task Force for maintaining hygiene standards when dealing with external persons in the Reprocessing Unit for Medical Devices (RUMED). Topics discussed include health risks facing external persons in the RUMED, hazard assessment as per the Biological Agents Regulation, and mandatory protective measures for external persons.

The article examines the implications of the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) for operators of medical devices in healthcare institutions in the European Union (EU). Topics discussed include important changes introduced by the MDR for medical device operators and manufacturers, implications of changes to the classification system, and the Medical Device Law Implementing Act in Germany.

The article presents the transport and storage not adversely affecting the medical device characteristics. Topics include sterilized medical devices (MDs) being protected against contamination when transported between the reprocessing department and the site of use; using MDs harbor potentially infectious contaminants against which the must be protected; and sterilized MDs must be transported separately from non-sterilized MDs in ruling out contamination.

The article offers information related to the implications of Medical Device Regulation (MDR) for the economic operator. It mentions about the changes introduced by MDR for economic operators including medical device identification system changes with the incorporation of a Unique Device Identifier; and need of additional documentation obligations due to new class III devices.