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Ulrich's framework of the human resource business partner model (HRBPM) suggests that both the strategic HRM roles (i.e. strategic partner and change agent) and operational HRM roles (i.e. administrative expert and employee champion) jointly add value to an organization. To deepen our understanding of the link between the HRBPM and organizational performance, this study jointly examines the influence of strategic and operational roles on organizational performance and introduces internal efficiency as a central mediating mechanism that explains how the HRBPM contributes to organizational success. In addition, we offer an institutional perspective on the HRBPM to improve our understanding of how the HRBPM is designed in different institutional contexts and whether the performance implications depend on the organization's institutional environment. Based on data from 300 medium-sized and large organizations from Germany and the UK, we found a joint impact of the HRM roles on organizational performance, mediated by internal efficiency. We also found differences in the design of the HRBPM between the UK and Germany; however, we did not find a moderated mediation for the country comparison concerning the performance implications of the HRBPM. These findings improve our understanding of the success of the HRBPM in different institutional contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in green nano-technologies is the main field under which the present paper series is firstly envisaged; therefore, advanced, research-progressive nano-science is aimed to shorten the distance from fundamental concepts to applications, devices and their implementations. It however would gather both physics and chemistry fundamental and applicative fields in dealing with solar/black body radiation as well as with new materials based on inorganic-organic hybrids, composites and electron quantum features (excitons, bondons, diffusion, electrical circuits, semiconductors, quantum dots, etc.). Such research is therefore equally highly necessary for both communities (physical engineering and chemical engineering) enlightening the dedicated international forums on quantum-dots based solar cells, as well as for giving further impetus to this new field of photovoltaics by gathering active international scientists in solar energy. The present paper offers a review on the progresses regarding the application of defective graphene and other defect-doped carbon nanostructures in the construction of solar cells devices towards introducing the semiconductor based graphenes. Competitiveness and eco-ecological aspects of such projects are also considered in a resumed scientific and innovative research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the adhesive systems used today in the European industries of particleboard, medium density fibreboard (MDF) and oriented strand board (OSB) are discussed. The structure of particleboard, MDF and OSB markets in Europe in relation to the types of adhesives and product specifications are presented as well. It is noticeable that new markets for wood-based panels like particleboard and fibreboard, known as non-furniture markets, are growing in Europe at a fast rate. It was concluded that most of the technological changes concerning the adhesive systems applied and additives have been realised from the need for niche panel products, the obligation to reach even lower formaldehyde emissions, and the necessity to decrease production costs due to the stringent competition in the market of wood-based panels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to compare the properties of oriented strand boards (OSBs) made from the following mixtures: European beech and poplar, beech and pine, poplar and pine and 100% pine (i.e. the conventional raw material for OSB in Europe). Panels with 50–50% of beech-poplar/beech-pine/poplar-pine at two density levels of 650 kg/m3and 720 kg/m3were made with 5% pMDI (poly methylene di-isocyanate) as binder at 180°C and 240s as press conditions. Results showed that panels comprising a mixture of European beech and poplar have higher mechanical properties compared to panels made with mixtures of pine-beech or pine-poplar. In addition, for all panels, when density is increased from 650 kg/m3to 720 kg/m3, mechanical properties increased. Internal bond values for all designs were in the same range, especially at higher density (720 kg/m3). The pure pine panels showed lower values between different designs. Thickness swelling, an important physical property of OSB, improved when face and core layers consisted of a mixture of beech and poplar strands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a response to a published letter by some prominent religious leaders, including the former archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, pleading for the inclusion of secular humanism within national Religious Studies (RS) exams for school pupils. This briefing sets out some of the counter-arguments for doing so. They have to do with honesty in education, with practical considerations, with legality, with philosophical and theological concerns, with educational and pedagogical imperatives. The presence of secular humanism in religious education (RE) invariably leads to a secular and secularising study of religion which is undesirable if RE in school is to serve its primary purpose of leading to the spiritual and moral development of pupils. All of these together make a strong case for not doing what these leaders have suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: We aimed to evaluate and quantify the risk of serious opportunistic infections after induction with polyclonal antibodies versus IL-2 receptor antagonists (IL-2RAs) in randomized clinical trials. Methods: PRISMA guidelines were followed and random-effects models were performed. Results: 70 randomized clinical trials (10,106 patients) were selected: 36 polyclonal antibodies (n = 3377), and 34 IL-2RAs (n = 6729). Compared to controls, polyclonal antibodies showed higher risk of serious opportunistic infections (OR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.34-2.80; p < 0.0001); IL-2RAs were associated with lower risk of serious opportunistic infections (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.68-0.94; p = 0.009). Polyclonal antibodies were associated with higher risk of bacterial (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.00-2.50; p = 0.049) and viral infections (OR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.60-3.49; p < 0.0001), while IL-2RAs were associated with lower risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.56-0.97; p = 0.032). Adjusted indirect comparison: compared to polyclonal antibodies, IL-2RAs were associated with lower risk of serious opportunistic infections (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.34-0.49; p < 0.0001), bacterial infections (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.39-0.67; p < 0.0001) and CMV disease (OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.34-0.98; p = 0.043). Results remained consistent across allografts. Conclusion: The risk of serious opportunistic infections, bacterial infections and CMV disease were all significantly decreased with IL-2RAs compared to polyclonal antibodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article seeks to evaluate universities against an ideal and finds the modern university gravely wanting in terms of its governance, staff and student relationships, and in the way it delivers its teaching and research. It is corrupted by power relationships, the lack of real accountability of SMTs, the failure to recognise the disciplines and ultimate unity envisaged in the quest for knowledge and understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Data are lacking on the risk factors and outcomes of Staphylococcus aureus infections in kidney transplant recipients. Methods: Kidney recipients with S. aureus infections ( n = 20) were retrospectively identified and compared to age- and transplant-type-matched (1:2) non- S. aureus-infected controls ( n = 40). Risk factors for S. aureus infections were identified by conditional logistic regression analysis. Results: Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was the cause of 32.1% of infections. Localizations of the infections were as follows: skin 42.9%, intra-abdominal 35.7%, blood stream 7.1%, and pulmonary 10.7%. The infections developed at a median time of 29 days (range 0-358 days) after transplantation. By univariate analysis, variables significantly associated with infection were steroid administration 4 weeks prior to infection (odds ratio (OR) 4.2, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.1-15.8; p = 0.03) and the presence of a central venous catheter 7 days prior to infection (OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.1-27.8; p = 0.03). By multivariate analysis, subjects with steroid treatment during the previous 4 weeks had a 6.13-times higher risk of developing S. aureus infection (95% CI 1.5-25.7; p = 0.01), and the risk of infection decreased by a factor of 0.65 for every 1-y increase in age (95% CI 0.44-0.97; p = 0.03); these results were adjusted for matched criteria. Post-infection outcomes (cases vs controls) included graft loss (10% vs 0%; p = 0.11) and 12-month mortality (0% vs 2.5%; p = 0.99). Conclusions: Younger age and steroid treatment were significant independent risk factors associated with S. aureus infections after kidney transplantation. Graft and patient survival were not affected, but the study was not powered for these outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the meaning of temperance by noting some cultural assumptions, raising the question as to why this classical virtue has largely disappeared from modern ethical discourse. By means of some historical notes temperance is identified as the unifying virtue in the person and in society. In its Christian form it is related to love of the transcendent goal of human life. By being similarly goal driven, education should consider the cardinal virtues and celebrate them through worship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article seeks to commend Professor Trigg on his exposure of the warped thinking and policy-making concerning religious life and its institutions in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. However, it challenges the view that the problems he has identified are best linked to deep philosophical and metaphysical positions (e.g. relativism, non-realism and the subjectivity of values). Instead it invites a more piecemeal philosophical approach and supports the call to participate in the agora of discussion and policy-making despite the secular hostility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is a historical recollection of how, for a short while, the Muslim community came to be involved in a teacher training programme and reflects on the underlying issues that had to be addressed. It also considers the impact on the host institution and implications for Muslim students, together with the lessons that should have been learned from the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the professional approach in religious education. Secularization of education and institutions; Application of "faith-based" to education; Professor Tapio Puolitmatka's analysis of Saint Augustine's approach to understanding.

Theory can mislead by ignoring detail and the practicalities of teaching situations. Understanding others requires just this attention to detail and practicalities. These observations identify the failings in the ambitions of the National Framework for RE to teach as many ‘religious’ traditions as possible. Part of the motivation of the authors of the Framework appears to reside in the commitment found in liberal education to equality. The author is not convinced that, unless this is religiously conceived, equality can be achieved amongst religions without creating serious inequalities. Attention to practical constraints given by existing language and culture suggests another way forward but in a dialogical spirit that recognizes an equality before God. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell cycle arrest by FoxO transcription factors involves transcriptional repression of cyclin D, although the exact mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we used the BCR-ABL-expressing cell line BV173 as a model system to investigate the mechanisms whereby FoxO3a regulates cyclin D2 expression. Inhibition of BCR-ABL by STI571 results in down-regulation of cyclin D2 expression, activation of FoxO3a activity, and up-regulation of BCL6 expression. Using reporter gene assays, we demonstrate that STI571, FoxO3a, and BCL6 can repress cyclin D2 transcription through a STAT5/BCL6 site located within the cyclin D2 promoter. We propose that BCR-ABL inhibition leads to FoxO3a activation, which in turn induces the expression of BCL6, culminating in the repression of cyclin D2 transcription through this STAT5/BCL6 site. This process was verified by mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses. We find that conditional activation of FoxO3a leads to accumulation of BCL6 and down-regulation of cyclin D2 at protein and mRNA levels. Furthermore, silencing of FoxO3a and BCL6 in BCR-ABL-expressing cells abolishes STI571-mediated effects on cyclin D2. This report establishes the signaling events whereby BCR-ABL signals are relayed to cyclin D2 to mediate cell cycle progression and defines a potential mechanism by which FoxO proteins regulate cyclin D2 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses several books on the Christian faith and higher education. 'Academic Freedom and Christian Scholarship' by Anthony J. Diekema; 'The Future of Religious Colleges,' edited by P.J. Dovre; 'Building the Christian Academy,' by Arthur F. Holmes.

Recently there has been a growing interest in faith-based schools (see e.g. The Times, No. 67060, 2 December 2001, pp. 1, 4). Politicians have indicated a willingness to support such schools on the assumption that religion may make a positive contribution to schooling. It is not at all self-evident that there is a clear inter-relationship between religion and education on which the assumption can be grounded. In what follows I shall seek to explore one sphere in which religion can have a bearing on schooling, notably on its understanding and practice of discipline. Before the specifically religious impact can be explored, the complex nature of discipline and reward/punishment in school is examined. The philosophy of behaviourism is rejected as inadequate for the processes of education, not least because of the insights of Nietzsche and Plato. The analysis leads to the identification of three very distinct forms of discipline, namely, authoritarian, moral and 'Socratic'. Whilst in practice schools may resort to all three, they would not necessarily do so in a coherent way as the authoritarian and moral forms of discipline are, in important respects, incompatible. The understanding of what religion is, is also shown to be of a varied nature. Differing views and features of religion can serve to reinforce the school as an authoritarian, moral or 'Socratic' community. Whilst the inherent authoritarianism of religion and the ethical dimension of religion are well known, a 'Kierkegaardian' view of religion would have strong affinities with 'Socratic' discipline and help to support the view of the school as a community for all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Part I. Comments on the position of professor J.M. Hull for the abolition of worship in schools. Factors influencing the decision of Hull; Opposition on the concept of Hull on education and worship; Features of the education claimed by Hull by excluding worship in school.