A comparative study of distillation and vaporisation

Imperial Users onl

Capturing complexity: developing an integrated approach to analysing HRM in SMEs

This article presents a framework to evaluate HRM in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), using an open systems theoretical perspective. In presenting an open systems perspective the objective is to overcome the limitations of existing theorising in HRM, in particular to facilitate a move away from the ‘small is beautiful’ versus ‘bleak house’ stereotypes evident in much of the literature concerned with HRM in SMEs. The evidence is drawn from six SMEs operating in the Republic of Ireland, using a case study method. The findings show that a complex interplay of external structural factors and internal dynamics shaped HRM in each of the companies. HRM was not the coherent set of practices typically identified in the literature but rather was often informal and emergent. It is argued that the open systems theoretical framework enables a move beyond mere recognition of the complexity and heterogeneity of HRM in SMEs, towards an understanding, accommodation and explanation of particularistic factors

"Tinseltown as teacher" : a case study of historical feature films as interpretive sources of history within an educational context

There has been a burgeoning growth in the production and popularity of historical feature films, as well as in the academic literature devoted to the impact of such films, over the past decade. While a major concern of this literature has been the influence of feature films on historical perception and the need for visual literacy, the majority of the discussion has failed to offer concrete suggestions either for assessing the influence of such films or for developing visual literacy. This study, using a small-scale qualitative approach, examines the influence of historical feature films on their audiences' perception of history and offers a model for integrating feature films into the discipline of history. The specific audience examined in this study is a group of Grade Eleven students enrolled in a university level Advanced Placement European history class at St. George's High School--a private, English language, co-educational school in Montreal, Quebec. Some of the issues addressed in this thesis are: the suitability of film as an academic source of historical knowledge, the persuasiveness of filmed presentations of historical events, the need to develop visual literacy skills akin to those used for understanding traditional printed material, and practical approaches to teaching with feature films. The thesis concludes with sample units from a course designed to teach visual literacy skills within the framework of history and film

Motivation for slushflow classification

Source at https://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/.Slushflows are a type of rapid mass movement where water saturated snow flows downhill. Slushflows come in many different sizes, have different triggering mechanisms, and contain debris ranging from simply snow and ice to soil, rock and vegetation. Slushflows are often misclassified as debris flows, wet snow avalanches or river/stream ice jam processes. Norway reports 5 to 20 larger slushflows each year which have economic impacts such as damage to infrastructure, road closures, and even fatalities. For improved slushflow hazard assessment a robust classification system must be used to precisely describe what size and type of process is being forecasted, modeled, or investigated. A classification system would be beneficial for both scientific research, data collection, and operational hazard mitigation strategies. Slushflows have been well defined as a sub-category of mass flows classified by the composition of the mass. However, they have not been systematically broken down into sub-categories that describe the formation, type of movement, size, and quantity of entrained material. These sub-categories are needed because the types of slushflow, the terrain from which they initiate, and the triggering mechanism can differ greatly. Extreme rain on snow or melt events have predictive power for slushflow activity when all slushflow types and sizes are analyzed together. However, many slushflow events occur during periods of moderate rain on snow or melt events, defying forecasts. Weather and snowpack data alone are not able to predict slushflow activity during moderate rates of melt or rain. Some of the nuances of slushflow formation may be uncovered when single slushflow types and/or sizes are investigated independently. Independently investigating slushflow types and sizes will also help define the spatial patterns of slushflow formation. We propose a classification system which includes some traits of snow avalanche classification, such as size and release mechanisms, and build on this to include other unique traits such as water availability and indication of debris materials. A classification system will allow further research on precise sub-classes of slushflow, because as a whole slushflow behavior is too diverse to describe as a single process

Limitations of RAMMS:Debrisflow as a slushflow simulation tool

Source at https://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/.Slushflows are defined as water-saturated snow (slush), that moves rapidly downslope as a gravitational mass flow. The high-water content of the flow results in a high density, posing a significant danger to construction, infrastructure and people in its path. To reduce this danger, it is important to predict where slushflows may initiate and travel in the terrain. Numerical modelling of the runout process is a valuable tool for both hazard mapping as part of the spatial planning process, and to identify areas that may require early warning systems or mitigation. RAMMS:Debrisflow is a gravitational mass flow runout simulation tool that has been parameterized for debris flows. To use RAMMS:Debrisflow to simulate slushflows the assumptions made in simulation must be checked and the parameterization must be adapted. The parameterization must be adapted from the friction and density of sediments to slush material. To establish a parameter set for slushflows a catalog of slushflow events are needed for model calibration and validation. Several parameter sets have been proposed already for slushflow simulations with RAMMS:Debrisflow, however these were only built on a few events, so further validation is needed. To this end, three events from winter/spring 2023 in Northen Norway were digitized for simulation of the runout. While the parameters represent slushflow runout to some extent, a shortcoming is the simulated runouts are sensitive to the input data. The slushflows released in gentle slopes, however, the model cannot replicate these starting conditions. The solution was to create release areas for events in the part of the slushflow where it rolled over into steeper terrain. To analyze the sensitivity of the flow path to different release conditions we simulated the known slushflow events with varying slope gradients, surface areas and fracture depth. We conclude that input parameters (release areas and release volume) are too sensitive to truly test the capabilities of RAMMS:Debrisflow to simulate slushflows. There must be more work done to standardize the method to delineate the release areas

Difficultés de recrutement dans les PME québécoise: Quelques causes et solutions possibles

Il existe une difficulté majeure de recrutement de main-d'oeuvre de production qualifiée dans les PME québécoises. Ce texte expose les résultats d'une étude visant à mieux comprendre ce problème dans le sous-secteur de la machinerie. Les auteurs ont vérifié auprès de propriétaires-dirigeants quelques hypothèses relatives aux circonstances et au degré d'intensité de cette difficulté managériale. Plusieurs facteurs concourent à l'existence de cette dernière, mais le degré d'originalité du produit fabriqué par l'entreprise et le niveau de formation-expérience exigé dans son recrutement paraissent déterminer grandement l'ampleur du défi de trouver un personnel spécialisé adéquatMany small and medium-sized businesses experience serious diffïculties in finding competent production personnel. The present article represents an attempt to better understand this complex problem. The empirical research was conducted in fîrms of the machinery and equipment industry in the province of Quebec.Objectives and methodologyThe specifie objectives of this study were to identify instances where the problem appears and explore, with the owner-managers, its causes as well as its possible solutions. It was also hoped to assess the severity of this problem and estimate its persistence in the years ahead. The research was conducted in two stages. The question was firstly explored through ten interviews with owner-managers who were experiencing the problem at different degrees. A schematic representation of the gênerai structure of the situation was developed from the opinions of this preliminary sample relative to instances, causes, consequences and possible solutions. This allowed then the development of working hypotheses. They were tested through a questionnaire answered by 65 owner-managers of business firms ranging in size from 5 to 250 employees. ResultsFour out of five working hypotheses were supported by the data. The level of experience and the level of education required appear to be strongly associated with the degree of difficulty in recruting qualified production employees. Also, the more standardized the products and the more agressive the firm becomes on the market, the more effective the recruitment process seems to be. At the time of the study a majority of firms did reveal recruitment problems, but at varying degrees. Approximately one third of the owner-managers believed that the difficulty would persist in the coming years.DiscussionWhen education and experience are aggregated into a single measure of required job knowledge, this combination really seems to determine the extent of recruitment difficulty. When a small or medium-sized business searches for a worker both educated and experienced the risk to meet with problems is quite understandable. There are relatively few very well prepared workers in certain crafts; also a number of them prefer to be full-time employees in larger firms. Further analysis of the data shows that the degree of innovation required to conceive and fabricate the products, as ordered by customers, has much to do with the entire issue. When the job is repetitive, overall knowledge is less of a pre-requisite.The work can sometimes be learned by low-skilled laborers which are usually avallable in greater numbers. But when the products are mainly made-to-order, the flow of orders is not always regular, especially when sales planning is not practiced.Since manufacturing for inventory is more often useless, production planning is somewhat problematic. The firm needs people with a variety of skills in order to meet the requirements of diverse product configurations. But jobs cannot be assured on a continuous basis even for the specialized workers.Thus, when the small firm with a high degree of originality in each product tries to recruit knowledgeable people, it is bound to meet with difficulties. The challenge is even greater when the managers practice little sales planning and develop a pattern of hiring and firing in accordance with the variations in the level of orders over time. In order to stay at a relatively low level of work-force, some factories favor overtime or outside sub-contracting during peak periods. Those short-term solutions can have other dysfunctional consequences. Two other factors were also mentioned by the respondents: poor capacity to pay by the small firm and inadequacy of education and training programs. The former is sometimes real but also often times compensated by other working conditions. The latter is becoming increasingly serious with the introduction of more and more technologically sophisticated fabricating equipment. Many executives are open to joint business and school education. This could be a promising path to a valuable solution.Small and medium-sized businesses should also certainly look at other possibilities of enhancing their overall planning. Dealing with the market in a more systematic and agressive way by setting objectives and following-up on potential clients can help insure continuity in demand. Manufacturing proprietary-products and standardizing some phases of operations can also contribute to more steadiness and regularity on the shop-floor. Such practices are usual pre-requisites to manpower planning in any context. Very few small business owner-managers have attained this level of sophistication in their management. But those who have are generally able to find and retain their best employees

University snow science courses - an analysis of student learning outcomes

Source at https://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/.The Department of Geosciences at UiT The Arctic University of Norway offers two snow and avalanche courses to its students. The bachelor course ‘Introduction to Snow and Avalanche Science’ (GEO2015) focuses on teaching the physical characteristics of the seasonal snowpack and learning appropriate techniques for snowpack observation. Its master-level counterpart, the course ‘Snow and Avalanche Science and Management’ (GEO-3139), concentrates on teaching concepts related to avalanche release and dynamics while providing students experience assessing and applying diverse avalanche risk mitigation strategies. These two courses have been taught for several years, prompting the question; do the student learning outcomes align with the lecturer’s intentions for the courses and, more broadly, how the employed learning activities in the courses differ or coincide with activities typically used in recreational or professional avalanche courses outside of the university setting. Both courses utilize a variety of teaching methods to facilitate the optimal learning environment. This includes both classroom and online lectures in addition to an emphasis on fieldwork. Additionally, guest lectures by experts on different subtopics such as meteorology, organizational mitigation strategies, and governmental administration have been arranged. The aim of this research is to assess student learning outcomes in university-level snow avalanche courses and to identify the learning methods that best resonate with the students to thereby support their learning processes. The data for this research is obtained through a survey. Students from both courses responded to questions regarding their learning outcomes rated on a Likert scale. Additionally, open-ended questions give insights into more nuanced individual learning goals and motivation. This study will benefit this year’s participants and also future students. The valuable feedback gained from the evaluation will inform suggestions, and further improvements can be stated and implemented. It is a shared mission of the Department of Geosciences at UiT and the students alike to improve snow and avalanche education at the university level. Additionally, the survey results can help to clarify which learning activities university courses can focus on to augment existing non-academic avalanche education curricula more comprehensively

Building resilience to avalanches and other climate-driven geohazards through international collaboration in education: experience from the GEOMME partnership

Source at https://arc.lib.montana.edu/snow-science/.The GEOMME international partnership for ‘Climate-driven GEOhazards Mitigation, Management, and Education’ fosters collaboration in research and education on climate-driven geohazards across South Korea, Japan, and Norway. The initiative focuses on enhancing societal resilience against gravitational mass flows through excellence in education and research, aiming to improve the adaptive capacities of partner nations via research-based education and knowledge exchange. The partnership is focusing on four emerging scientific themes: (1) understanding geohazards in a changing climate, (2) modeling hazard processes at various spatial scales, (3) monitoring and early warning, and (4) sustainable hazard and risk mitigation. Each of these themes is addressed by an educational package including an introductory online module and an in-depth, in-person course. we targeting graduate students, practitioners, and researchers. Snow avalanches, particularly challenging in Norway and Japan, are a central focus, with recent efforts emphasizing climate change considerations in hazard assessments and regional avalanche modeling. The partnership’s interdisciplinary approach, integrating expertise from other hazards like landslides, enhances both avalanche understanding and broader geohazard mitigation strategies

Estimating soil/sediment partition coefficients for organic compounds by high performance reverse phase liquid chromatography

High performance reverse phase liquid chromatography (HPRPLC) retention parameters were correlated to organic-carbon-normalized partition coefficient (Koc) values for sorption of various uncharged organic substances onto sediments and soils in an attempt to devise a model for predicting sorption behavior. The results reveal a relationship between the logarithm of HPRPLC retention time and log Koc that appears to provide a reasonable means for estimating partitioning properties from HPRPLC data. The technique was compared to methods which utilize octanol/water partition coefficients (Kow) and aqueous solubilities as surrogate predictors of sorption behavior and was found to yield superior correlations in all cases tested.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/27257/1/0000266.pd