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The purpose of this chapter was to describe the development of an early childhood learning network and to understand that development through the lens of complexity theory and trans-organization development. It explores the unfolding dynamics and emerging meaning that became central to facilitating the design, development, and implementation of the complex multi-stakeholder network.

The chapter identifies 12 implications from complexity theory for practitioners of trans-organization development, and then applies those implications to the process and understanding of development stages of an NP’s early childhood education network.

The use of complexity theory as a framework allowed for identifying five key observations and conclusions, in particular the significant role that meaning-making dialogue holds as a driver of common understanding and engagement among stakeholders. Additionally, the use of building responsive processes, understanding contextual shift, impact of power as an attractor pattern, and capacity of flexibility and adaptability all become essential elements of complex network leadership.

The findings of this chapter will help trans-organization development practitioners and leaders alike. Both the implications and lessons learned will assist in building the capacity of leaders and practitioners as a means of improving effectiveness in dealing with emerging dynamics and leading in unknown contexts and complex contexts environments.

To provide an update on the impact of new instructional spaces and technologies on the class offerings and professional development efforts of the Lied Libraries' Instruction Department.

Reviews the data on increased numbers of instructional sessions and students reached. Discusses new technologies available in the classrooms and the impact on students and instructors. Provides examples of new professional development opportunities for librarians, program developments, and class offerings.

Provides information on how the Instruction Department was able to take advantage of the campus community's interest in seeing the new library and its resources to market information literacy programs and build lasting relationships with faculty. The Department has used increased contacts to sustain growth and development in programming and services.

This is not a research study, but might point to a need for further research on topics such as sustainable development in instruction programs.

This study has information on revitalizing staff development and instruction programming through marketing contacts and professional development activities.

This study is of special interest to librarians building new facilities or upgrading facilities and technologies.

In order to gain a perspective on the contemporary state of human resource management in smaller businesses, a total of 247 small firms were surveyed to investigate the degree and effectiveness of personnel/human resource practices currently being utilized. Using a data base of firms with less than 150 employees, three distinct size categories were devised to examine specific practices as small businesses grow in size. The results indicate that certain practices are more effective for smaller firms. In addition there is a higher level of sophistication in personnel practices than cited in the literature.

This paper aims to synthesize silver nanoparticles using atmospheric discharge plasma in contact with liquid at different pressure in reactor and to assess their catalytical properties for reducing 4-nanoparticles (NP).

The Ag colloidal NPs was rapidly synthesized as a result of non-equilibrium low-temperature plasma formation between an electrode and the surface of AgNO₃ solution for 5 min at different pressure in reactor. Synthesized Ag NPs were characterized with common analytical techniques. Ultraviolet–visible (UV) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, scanning microcopy analysis were used to study the formation and characteristics of silver nanoparticles.

The formation of silver colloidal solutions under plasma discharge at different pressure in reactor is characterized by the presence of surface resonance peak in the spectra. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images confirmed the formation of spherical particles having a size distribution in the range of 15-26 nm. The AgNPs solution showed excellent rapid catalytic activity for the complete degradation of toxic 4-nitrophenol (4-NPh) into non-toxic 4-aminophenol (4-APh) within 18 min.

Further studies are necessary for confirmation of the practical application, especially of deposition Ag NPs on TiO₂.

The method provides a simple and practical solution to improving the synthesis of colloidal solutions of Ag NPs for degradation of organic pollutants (4-NPh) in water and wasters water.

Atmospheric discharge plasma in contact with liquid at different pressure can be used as an effective technique for synthesis of nanomaterials with catalytic properties.

As a high-performance engineering plastic, polyimide (PI) is widely used in the aerospace, electronics and automotive industries. This paper aims to review the latest progress in the tribological properties of PI-based composites, especially the effects of nanofiller selection, composite structure design and material modification on the tribological and mechanical properties of PI-matrix composites.

The preparation technology of PI and its composites is introduced and the effects of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon fibers (CFs), graphene and its derivatives on the mechanical and tribological properties of PI-based composites are discussed. The effects of different nanofillers on tensile strength, tensile modulus, coefficient of friction and wear rate of PI-based composites are compared.

CNTs can serve as the strengthening and lubricating phase of PI, whereas CFs can significantly enhance the mechanical properties of the matrix. Two-dimensional graphene and its derivatives have a high modulus of elasticity and self-lubricating properties, making them ideal nanofillers to improve the lubrication performance of PI. In addition, copolymerization can improve the fracture toughness and impact resistance of PI, thereby enhancing its mechanical properties.

The mechanical and tribological properties of PI matrix composites vary depending on the nanofiller. Compared with nanofibers and nanoparticles, layered reinforcements can better improve the friction properties of PI composites. The synergistic effect of different composite fillers will become an important research system in the field of tribology in the future.

IT IS Wimbledon time now, my LA subscription is paid, yet I am still carrying two diaries around—one for 1982 and the other for 1981. Early in every new year I transfer the vital details from the first page of the previous year's diary to the new one: who I am, where I live, my telephone number and the name of the same old dear to be contacted in case I collapse through overwork or excitement.

Purpose: This chapter highlights the experiences of domestic violence survivors and service providers, namely firefighters and police, during the pandemic in Guatemala. It includes an overview of violence types seen and experienced during the pandemic, contributing factors to domestic violence, an overview of why individuals may or may not leave their abusers, and why they may or may not report abuses to the authorities. Policy recommendations for supporting victims in the future are provided.

Methodology/Approach: A field-based approach along with snowball sampling techniques was utilized to contact and interview survivors, police, and firefighters. Using grounded theory, interview responses were then organized by research questions and coded into emergent themes.

Findings: Emotional, psychological, and physical violence were all experienced during the pandemic. While typical, these experiences often started before the pandemic. However, they grew in intensity, as individuals experienced various forms of stress and negative emotions while being locked down in the same household together. Domestic violence was also vicarious, impacting the whole family. Most left their abusers once the lockdown was lifted; however, many stayed due to financial insecurities. Others stayed due to a fear of not being able to see their children anymore. Similar justifications were given for why individuals did not report abuse to the authorities. While a few simply mistrusted the police and believed the law was not on their side, this was not the primary reason for not reporting domestic violence. However, they did believe that current laws and policies needed to provide better services, as the law was thought to support their abuser more than them.

Originality/Value: This study contributes to our knowledge of domestic violence during pandemics by expanding on previous research in Guatemala. It also highlights how various limitations and resources which are not addressed in non-pandemic times may result in exacerbating violence during future pandemics.

Many neo-Weberians adopt the state’s authority-monopolizing aim as their theoretical expectation. Through a case study of the Peruvian state and Lima’s squatter settlements, I provide evidence in support of the opposite contention: that states may unintentionally produce non-state extractive-coercive organizations. During the mid- to late-twentieth century, Lima’s population grew rapidly. Since they had few economic resources, the new urban poor requisitioned public lands and set up dozens of squatter settlements in the city’s periphery. Other researchers have identified several novel political phenomena stemming from such urban conditions. I focus here on the impact of the state. Using secondary and primary data, I examine three periods during which the state applied distinct settlement policies and one in which it did not apply a settlement policy, from 1948 to 1980. I find that when it applied each of the settlement policies, the state produced non-state political authorities – neighborhood elites – who extracted resources from squatters and tried to control neighborhood turf even against state encroachment, and that the state’s non-involvement did not produce them.