Aglaya Play: Designing a software solution for group compositions in the music classroom

This article details the design for Aglaya Play, a proposed software system that aims to meet three basic needs in the music classroom: the incorporation of creative processes, the adoption of collaborative-cooperative strategies and the reduction of reading–writing- and theory-based learning in the early stages of music education. The text contextualizes the needs that the software intends to meet and describes its phases of construction from a design-based research perspective. Finally, a full description of the system is offered based on its functions, and suggestions for its didactic implementation are provided.

Humanization and policy support: A replication-extension on group-composition framing

Evaluations of beneficiary groups matter for individual levels of policy support. A variety of cues and heuristics shape evaluations. One particularly consequential heuristic concerns the beneficiary’s perceived level of humanity. Recent work shows that individuals, individuals within groups (group compositions), and unitary groups evoke different levels of perceived humanity, and that these differences have downstream effects on sympathy and willingness to help. We replicate these findings, and then extend them to government policy support. We find that individuals and group compositions evoke higher levels of support than groups, and that perceived humanity explains this effect. We focus on the Roma, a tough, critical test given pervasive dehumanization and anti-Roma prejudice. Finally, we demonstrate the value of cross-disciplinary extension-replications.

The exploration of Thermococcus barophilus lipidome reveals the widest variety of phosphoglycolipids in Thermococcales.

One of the most distinctive characteristics of Archaea is their unique lipids. While the general nature of archaeal lipids has been linked to their tolerance to extreme conditions, little is known about the diversity of lipidic structures Archaea are able to synthesize, which hinders the elucidation of the physicochemical properties of their cell membrane. In an effort to widen the known lipid repertoire of the piezophilic and hyperthermophilic model archaeon Thermococcus barophilus, we comprehensively characterized its intact polar lipid (IPL), core lipid (CL), and polar head group compositions using a combination of cutting-edge liquid chromatography and mass spectrometric ionization systems. We tentatively identified 82 different IPLs based on five distinct CLs and 10 polar head group derivatives of phosphatidylhexoses, including compounds reported here for the first time, e.g., di-N-acetylhexosamine phosphatidylhexose-bearing lipids. Despite having extended the knowledge on the lipidome, our results also indicate that the majority of T. barophilus lipids remain inaccessible to current analytical procedures and that improvements in lipid extraction and analysis are still required. This expanded yet incomplete lipidome nonetheless opens new avenues for understanding the physiology, physicochemical properties, and organization of the membrane in this archaeon as well as other Archaea.

Cultural intelligence predicts intercultural negotiation effectiveness

<p>The current research project aims to replicate Imai and Gelfand’s (2010) study examining cultural intelligence (CQ) as a predictor of intercultural negotiation effectiveness in an experimental setting. Research on culture and negotiation to date has mainly focused on comparing negotiation processes and styles within mono-cultural teams across cultural boundaries rather than examining them in intercultural settings (with negotiators from different cultures interacting with each other). There is now evidence suggesting that negotiators behave differently in intra- and intercultural negotiation settings. Furthermore, outcomes for intercultural negotiations are generally suboptimal compared to intracultural negotiations. Correlational findings by Imai and Gelfand (2010) suggested that CQ functions as a predictor of intercultural negotiation outcomes. We hypothesise that CQ, an individual’s ability to adapt and perform effectively in intercultural situations, can predict intercultural negotiation effectiveness beyond individual characteristics that have been shown to predict intracultural negotiation effectiveness (i.e., cognitive ability, emotional intelligence, and the Big 5 personality traits). We experimentally manipulated group compositions to examine the effect of CQ on intercultural negotiation. Findings support the hypothesis that cultural intelligence predicts intercultural negotiation effectiveness, while controlling for cognitive ability, emotional intelligence, and personality. Examining the importance of individual CQ dimensions, we found overall CQ to drive intercultural negotiation outcomes rather than any one particular factor. Theoretical and applications implications are discussed.</p>

Cultural intelligence predicts intercultural negotiation effectiveness

<p>The current research project aims to replicate Imai and Gelfand’s (2010) study examining cultural intelligence (CQ) as a predictor of intercultural negotiation effectiveness in an experimental setting. Research on culture and negotiation to date has mainly focused on comparing negotiation processes and styles within mono-cultural teams across cultural boundaries rather than examining them in intercultural settings (with negotiators from different cultures interacting with each other). There is now evidence suggesting that negotiators behave differently in intra- and intercultural negotiation settings. Furthermore, outcomes for intercultural negotiations are generally suboptimal compared to intracultural negotiations. Correlational findings by Imai and Gelfand (2010) suggested that CQ functions as a predictor of intercultural negotiation outcomes. We hypothesise that CQ, an individual’s ability to adapt and perform effectively in intercultural situations, can predict intercultural negotiation effectiveness beyond individual characteristics that have been shown to predict intracultural negotiation effectiveness (i.e., cognitive ability, emotional intelligence, and the Big 5 personality traits). We experimentally manipulated group compositions to examine the effect of CQ on intercultural negotiation. Findings support the hypothesis that cultural intelligence predicts intercultural negotiation effectiveness, while controlling for cognitive ability, emotional intelligence, and personality. Examining the importance of individual CQ dimensions, we found overall CQ to drive intercultural negotiation outcomes rather than any one particular factor. Theoretical and applications implications are discussed.</p>

Geochemical Characteristics of Expelled and Residual Oil from Artificial Thermal Maturation of an Early Permian Tasmanite Shale, Australia

Lipid biomarkers play an important role in defining oil-source rock correlations. A fundamental assumption is that composition (or ratios) of biomarkers in oil is not significantly different from that in bitumen in the source rock. In order to compare the geochemical characteristics of expelled oil and residual oil, a Permian Tasmanite oil shale was used for an artificial maturation experiment to simulate the oil generation period. The results show that the Tasmanite oil shale generated high amounts of hydrocarbons (731 mg HC/g TOC) at low maturation temperatures (340 °C). The hydrocarbon (HC) group compositions are different between the expelled oil (with more aromatic HC and saturated HC) and the residual oil (with more resin fraction and asphaltene). The Pr/Ph ratio (up to 4.01) of the expelled hydrocarbons was much higher than that in residual oil (<1.0). Maturity-related biomarkers Ts/(Ts + Tm), and αααC29-20S/(20S + 20R) and C29-αββ/(ααα + αββ), also showed complicated variations with pyrolysis temperature, especially at post peak oil generation. C27-, C28-, and C29- sterane distributions showed variations with pyrolysis temperature. Therefore, without considering the influence of maturity on the abundance of compounds, either source, maturity and/or organic matter type from the chemical characteristics may not be correct.

The Invitation to the Dance. An intertextual reassessment

With its original manifestation generally dated to c. 150 BC, the Invitation to the Dance is a textbook example of Hellenistic sculpture. But despite much scholarly attention there is still no consensus as to what motif the sculpture group depicts. Inspired by intertextual theory, this study catalogues and re-examines 35 sculptures of the female figure and 34 sculptures of the satyr. The article focuses on preserved sculptures, rather than a reconstructed model image. Variations of the repeated forms are highlighted as significant for the interpretation of the types. The reading of the Invitation to the Dance thus put forward suggests that the group composition displays the moment after the satyr has pulled the female’s garment down from her upper body. It is furthermore emphasized that both satyr and female figure were at times—perhaps even predominately—displayed as solitary figures. The satyr’s foot-clapper is suggested to have been included primarily in instances where the satyr was displayed on his own. Sculptures of the female figure fending off —though not touching—an intrusive companion could have been paired with other Dionysian figures as well, a practice that might be reflected in sculptures that show this female type in other group compositions.

Cracking of the paraffins on catalysts from natural zeolite of Kazakhstan Shankanay field

Cracking of paraffins was held to obtain long chain α-olefins using the catalysts from natural zeolite of Shankanay field modified with 1N HCl at the temperature range of 500-570°С and atmospheric pressure on a fixed layer. Liquid and gaseous reaction products were analyzed by gas chromatography; regeneration of the catalyst was carried out with a steam-air mixture until total absence of CO2 in the contact gases. To evaluate the structure and texture of the obtained catalysts, the methods of Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-Ray diffractometry analysis, and elemental analysis using scanning electron microscopy were used. As results, zeolite modification allowed doubling the activity of the catalysts and increasing the selectivity by 23.8-44.8%. The group compositions of olefins, alkanes and gaseous products were detected. Iron form under α-Fe2O3, ε-FeOOH and γ-FeOOH was present. The modified and blank form of catalysts under 1N hydrochloric acid solution washing phase content was detected; partial destruction of the crystalline carcass of clinoptilolite was observed.

Behavioural Diversity Study in Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Groups and Its Implications for Welfare Assessments

In the recent past, animal welfare studies have tried to determine the best animal welfare measures and indicators. Expression of behavioural diversity is considered a potential positive welfare indicator, and to the authors’ knowledge, it has not been validated nor studied in cetaceans. For the first time, a behavioural diversity study on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) groups was conducted at six European facilities. The study was carried out by the animal care staff, biologists and veterinarians and included 54 dolphins housed in several group compositions at the different participating facilities. The goal of our study was to analyse behavioural diversity in bottlenose dolphins at the group level to investigate how particular factors might impact the diversity of behaviours within the group and to discuss its implications for dolphin welfare assessments. Eight factors (i.e., “observer location”, “number of individuals”, “age class”, “sex”, “social grouping”, “presence/absence of leading male”, “presence/absence of visitors” and “enrichment provision”) impacted the behavioural diversity of the observed groups, while no significant impact of the factors “time of day” and “activity before/after observation” could be found. Our study showed the feasibility of this kind of approach for cetaceans under professional care and the relevance to considering this parameter in dolphin welfare studies, despite certain limitations that warrant further research.