Why did hunting weapon design change at Abri Pataud? Lithic use-wear data on armature use and hafting around 24,000–22,000 BP

Projectile technology is commonly viewed as a significant contributor to past human subsistence and, consequently, to our evolution. Due to the allegedly central role of projectile weapons in the food-getting strategies of Upper Palaeolithic people, typo-technological changes in the European lithic record have often been linked to supposed developments in hunting weaponry. Yet, relatively little reliable functional data is currently available that would aid the detailed reconstruction of past weapon designs. In this paper, we take a use-wear approach to the backed tool assemblages from the Recent and Final Gravettian layers (Levels 3 and 2) of Abri Pataud (Dordogne, France). Our use of strict projectile identification criteria relying on combinations of low and high magnification features and our critical view of the overlap between production and use-related fractures permitted us to confidently identify a large number of used armatures in both collections. By isolating lithic projectiles with the strongest evidence of impact and by recording wear attributes on them in detail, we could establish that the hunting equipment used during the Level 3 occupations involved both lithic weapon tips and composite points armed with lithic inserts. By contrast, the Level 2 assemblage reflects a heavy reliance on composite points in hunting reindeer and other game. Instead of an entirely new weapon design, the Level 2 collection therefore marks a shift in weapon preferences. Using recent faunal data, we discuss the significance of the observed diachronic change from the point of view of prey choice, seasonality, and social organisation of hunting activities. Our analysis shows that to understand their behavioural significance, typo-technological changes in the lithic record must be viewed in the light of functional data and detailed contextual information.

Open Innovation in Times of Crisis: An Overview of the Healthcare Sector in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused huge and disruptive technological changes in the healthcare sector, transforming the way businesses and societies function. To respond to the global health crisis, there have been numerous innovation projects in the healthcare sector, including the fast design and manufacturing of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical devices, and testing, treatment, and vaccine technologies. Many of these innovative activities happen beyond organizational boundaries with collaboration and open innovation. In this paper, we review the current literature on open innovation strategy during the pandemic and adopt the co-evolution view of business ecosystems to address the context of change. Based on a detailed exploration of the COVID-19-related technologies in the UK and global healthcare sectors, we identify the key emerging themes of open innovation in crisis. Further discussions are conducted in relation to each theme. Our results and analysis can help provide policy recommendations for the healthcare sector, businesses, and society to recover from the crisis.

Structural Changes and Sustainable Economic Development of the Republic of Serbia in a Pandemic

The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic are important and relevant for sustainable development. The aim of this chapter is to review the existing model of economic development, because the COVID-19 pandemic has called into question the effects of structural changes in the economy and manufacturing industry in Serbia. The main contribution of this chapter is the review of development results which show that Serbia is in the process of economic recovery, but that it has not yet embarked on the path of sustainable economic development due to numerous structural problems. Serbia has experience with unsustainable economic development, and this is a strong argument in favor of sustainable concept implementation. In addition, this chapter provides empirical research on structural and technological changes. The obtained results can be used by economic and industrial policy makers to influence the consequences of COVID-19 and to avoid the slowdown of structural reforms. There will be numerous economic, environmental, social, and especially health challenges whose solutions must be sustainable.

Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty for Online Food Services Provider in Jharkhand state -An Empirical Study

In the food sector, customer have been voting by their feet since ages. However, due to the technological changes clubbed with present COVID-19 pandemic, the trend has changed rapidly. Customers are confined to their home and technology has emerged as the only saviour. Increase in the number of downloads of food ordering app is an indication of both popularity of this app and helplessness of the present age customer. With restricted movement, they have these apps to either get the food delivered at their doorstep or take away with pre-orders. Hence, it becomes imperative for the app designer and food service provider to brainstorm and develop an app which can focus on the customer ease rather than forcing their design and interface to the customer. In this backdrop, the present study is a novel attempt which primarily focuses on the relationship between app quality and customer satisfaction.

Contextualising Artisanal Interplay and Technological Changes on Iron Age Naxos (Cyclades). Some Preliminary Observations

Iron Age Naxos in the Cyclades offers a nuanced insight into potting traditions of fine and coarse wares. Geometric Naxian coarse-ware pots belong to a hand-building tradition that was practised alongside Naxian wheel-made fine wares. Although hand-built, certain Naxian coarse vessels, i.e., storage amphorae and cooking jugs, from the second half of the 8th century BC onwards, show the use of rotational devices in roughouts and shaping to varying degrees, as preserved in the Tsikalario cemetery in inland Naxos. This thematic review, which serves as an introduction to on-going research, sets out the goals and approaches of a technological study which is also investigating the use of rotational devices on Iron Age Naxian vessels alongside other co-existing (hand-made) potting traditions. It is argued that such technological phenomena/changes observed are part of a wider picture that includes interactions and cross-fertilisation between ceramic artisans in the Iron Age settlements of the island.

Taoist Culture Design: The Development of the Design Ideas

The cultural development of “Tao” and “Qi” has lasted for thousands of years. The theory of “Tao” began with Laozi and Zhuangzi. Through “The Book of Changes · Xici,” it is developed as “the metaphysical is the Tao, and the figurative is the Qi [1]”. “Tao” and “Qi” are interdependent as philosophical concepts. It first guided the philosophy of Taoism, Confucianism and other scholars in the pre-Qin period, and then promoted the development of national system in Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasty, which gave birth to the aesthetic system of the ancient imperial court. With the development of modern design ideas, the design ideas of “Tao” and “Qi” are integrated. After thousands of years of civilization development and technological changes, today’s ideas of “Tao” and “Qi” are booming, and have in-depth exchanges and integration with foreign cultures.

Related rights: conceptual approaches, definition and key features

The development of technologies contributes to the emergence of new intangible objects that have potential value and are aimed at spreading the results of creativity and information. In this regard, the society is interested in encouraging the activities of entities that create such objects. One of the options for the protection of such objects is to grant the related rights. Considering the technological changes in society associated with the use of information and telecommunication networks and artificial intelligence, the issues of granting related rights to new entities gain relevance. In order to identify the possibility of expanding the institution of related rights and determine the directions of such expansion, the article analyzes the main approaches to the formation of the institute of related rights, their characteristics, and attempts to deliver a working definition of the concept of related rights. On the basis of a comparative analysis, the author considers Russian and foreign legislative acts in the field of intellectual property, international treaties on copyright and related rights, as well as legal literature. The most supported idea of the formation of the institute of related rights is the functional purpose of the activities of subjects of related rights, acting as intermediaries between authors and representatives of the public. However, the institute itself is evolving and recognition of related rights for new subjects depends not only on the functional purpose of the activity, but also on their organizational and/or economic contribution aimed at processing and disseminating works and information. It can be assumed that the institute of related rights will continue to expand with the development of technologies and the public demand for new services provided by new technologies.

Pushing the Boundaries: A Tentative Taxonomy of Money in New Zealand Private Law

This article seeks to define the boundaries of money in the context of proprietary taxonomy in New Zealand. It suggests that the traditional legal concept of money exclusively based on state issued (fiat) currency is dated, as does not accommodate the near-universal use of bank money in commercial transactions, nor the recent technological changes introduced by virtual currencies. As long as something functions as a means of payment and the holder has the right to exchange it for legal tender, the divide between mutually agreed payment obligations into those made on the base of fiat currencies and those not, becomes artificial. In providing responses to similar commercial arrangements and parties' legitimate expectations, not only coins and banknotes, but also balances held by customers in banking institutions, foreign money, and digital currencies, should qualify as money for private law purposes.