Academic literature on the topic 'Alliages II-VI'

In the aftermath of WWII, the United States emerged as a predominant global power and exerted its influence in various domains including politics, economics, and security. This paper provides an overview of the United States' ascent to global prominence, examining key events such as establishing the Bretton Woods system, forming international institutions like the United Nations, and implementing the Marshall Plan. By analyzing these historical milestones, it is aimed to shed light on how the United States shaped the post-World War II global order. Through a concise and informative lens, this paper explores the far-reaching impact of American policies, alliances, and cultural exports on the international stage. The significance of this paper is contributed by the comprehensive understanding of the historical events that propelled the United States to become the influential power it is today.

The crisis of cultural journalism is a contemporary debate in many countries. Various research explores that the media’s focus of cultural journalism is increased on the coverage of pop cultural content (service and entertainment) instead of serious traditional high art forms like theatre and literature. The present study examines the space and coverage of literary content in national Urdu newspapers of Pakistan in the last 6 years (2013 – 2018) through quantitative content analysis. Moreover, findings show a huge decline in the daily national Urdu newspaper’s attention to literature as the size of literary content decreased by 37% from 13824 cm in 2013 to 8848 cm in 2018. The study also gives insights to understand the approaches of newspapers towards the coverage of literary content which are based on their ideological & political alliances and set agendas that as a result used intermittently to shift cultural trends and decline of literary coverage.

The objective of this study was to identify the challenges that the Central Reserve Bank of Peru has faced with the issuance of a digital currency that can be used as a substitute for cash in retail transactions. The study was carried out by using the hypothetical-deductive method with a basic descriptive approach rather than an experimental one. To estimate the probability of creating the Digital Currency of the Central Bank and the economic variables that explain its challenges and cross-sectional information obtained from the 2020 National Household Survey with the discrete choice model (Logit). According to the research results, i) the possibility of using a digital currency increases by 46.83% if you have a formal job compared to an informal job. ii) If the individual has an internet connection, the probability of using digital currency is 8.54%. iii) If he lives in a rural area, the probability of using digital currency is 1.79. iv) The educational level influences the probability of the use of digital currency by 1.47% if they have secondary education 16.34% have no higher education and 26.44% having university education. v) Individual’s age is important for the use of a digital currency. Older people are less likely to adapt to technology than people between the age of 18 and 24 with 8.74% use of digital currency. vi) People considered poor will have a probability of reduction of 2.26% by the use of digital currency. These findings allow the researcher to conclude that public policies should be undertaken to increase financial inclusion, close connectivity gaps and create alliances with private investment to enhance people's digital skills and the adoption of digital means of payment.

Among Justinian the Great’s (527–565) successors, the personality and career of Byzantine warlord and politician Tiberius stand out. Despite the lack of statements about Tiberius’ early life, there were enough facts about the circumstances that led to his rise in the hierarchy of late Roman society. Emperor Justin II (565–578) trusted him personally, and he also participated in diplomatic negotiations with barbarians, where he represented Roman interests. Along with the weak health of Justin, these circumstances contributed to the following adoption of a future warlord by the Emperor’s Family. Relationship with Avar Khanate had already been in priority for Tiberius before he was elected Justin’s co-ruler in 576. Taking part in talks with nomads, Tiberius focused on the necessity of renewing alliances with the Avars and directing military power toward the tribes that posed a constant threat to the Empire. In perspective, Tiberius’ course of appeasement with the nomads brought an end to the war in 568–570. His actions provided the Empire with the possibility of strengthening political and military might in the Danube limes in the next few years and also politically neutralized the Avars through permanent military conflicts with their closest neighbors. In practice, the Nomad noble, being enriched with money from Constantinople, made peace with Romeis. The Avars increased their military strength by focusing their efforts on conquering Slavs. This circumstance in one way let the nomads to start their foreign policy pressure on Empire again. Political vicissitudes of the last quarter of the VI cent. were accompanied by the exchange of ambassadorial missions, the provision of gifts, as a means of influencing third parties to a specific political course in the early Middle Ages.

Grasslandsandmeadowsoccur on seasonally moist and fresh soils, nearsnowfields, temporaryand permanent streams, springs and brooks, in the low and middle mountain ranges in Murmansk Region (Fig. 1). They occupy relatively small areas, but support high diversity of species and represent “lieblichsten Erscheinungen“, as R. Nordhagen (1928: 353) wrote. Syntaxonomy of this vegetation is still not clear and far from unambiguous explanation. From literature, these communities in Fennoscandiаn mountain tundra are related to several classes: Juncetea trifidi, Saliceteaherbaceae, Thlaspietea rotundifolii and Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, which differ greatly both to habitats and vegetation. In Russian phytocoenology, some researchers include tundra grasslands with dominance of Nardus stricta and Avenella flexuosa in general typology (Ramenskaya, 1958), along with floodplain and dry grasslands and meadows, but other consider such vegetation in mountain tundra as independent type, related to grasslands and meadows in alpine belt (Gorodkov, 1938; Aleksandrova, 1977). Classification of mountain tundra grasslands and meadows in Murmansk Region based on 103 field descriptions and published relevés, with Braun-Blanquet approach applied. Prodromus of syntaxa is provided. Six vegetation associations were related to 4 alliances and 2 classes, three associations were described as new (Table 1). Ass. Carici bigelowii–Nardetum strictae (Zlatník 1928) Jeník 1961 (Table 2), withdiagnostic species Diphasiastrum alpinum and Nardus stricta, includes early snow-bed, poor of species vegetation with dominance of matgrass N. stricta. Аss. Anthoxantho alpini–Deschampsietum flexuosae Nordh. 1943 (Table 3; Fig. 2), with diagnostic species Anthoxanthum alpinum, Avenella flexuosa, includes early snow-bed grasslands, with dominance of Carex bigelowii, Avenella flexuosa, Anthoxanthum alpinum, and presence of diagnostic species of alliance Phyllodoco–Vaccinion myrtilli (Phyllodoce caerulea, Vaccinium myrtillus). Ass. Salici herbaceae–Caricetum bigelowii Koroleva et Kopeina ass. nov. hoc loco (Table 4, holotypus — relevé 8 (84/93)), with diagnostic species Alchemilla alpina, Cardaminebellidifolia, Carex bigelowii (dominant), Diplophyllum taxifolium, Lophozia wenzelii, represents rich of species early snow-bed, with dwarf-shrub- and-grass and moss layers. Ass. Hieracio alpini–Caricetum bigelowii Koroleva et Kopeina ass. nov. hoc loco (Table 5, holotypus — relevé 10 (46/01)), with diagnostic species Antennaria dioica, Carex bigelowii (dominant), Hieracium alpinum,includes communities rich of grasses and herbs on south-exposed gentle slopes, near springs and brooks. Аss. Potentillo crantzii–Polygonetum vivipari Nordh. 1928 (Nordhagen, 1928: 356–357: «Potentilla crantzii–Polygonum viviparum Ass.»; Kalliola, 1939: 132–135: «Polygonum viviparum–Thalictrum alpinum-Soz.». Table 6, lectotypus hoc loco — relevé 16), diagnostic species Carex atrata, Cerastium alpinum, Erigeron uniflorus, Festuca vivipara, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Potentilla crantzii, Rhodiola rosea, Saussurea alpina, Thalictrum alpinum, Viola biflora.The association is the holotype of the alliance Potentillo–Polygonion vivipari Nordh. 1937 and includes rich of species low-herb meadows in mountain tundra. Association includes three variants: Oxyria digyna (Table 6, № 1–10; Nordhagen, 1928: 356–357, Table, Bestanden I, II), typica (Table 6, № 11–20; Nordhagen, 1928: 356–357, Table, Bestanden III, IV) and Agrostis borealis (Table 6, № 21–29; Kalliola, 1939: 132–135, Table 19, № 3–11). Ass. Salici reticulatae–Trollietum europaei Koroleva et Kopeina ass. nov. hoc loco (Table 7, holotypus — relevé 10 ( m1/16); Fig. 3) with diagnostic species Geranium sylvaticum, Juncus trifidus, Nardus stricta, Salix reticulata,represents species-rich meadows near springs and on gentle slopes, sometimes with patches of low willows and dwarf birch. The association is transitional to the tall-herb shrubs and forests of alliance Mulgedion alpini, class Mulgedio-Aconitetea. To arrange the syntaxa described in Murmansk Region in higher units correctly, we used the first descriptions of following alliances in Fennoscandia: alliance Potentillo–Polygonion vivipari, incl. Potentilla crantzii–Polygonum viviparum Ass. (Nordhagen, 1928: 356–357, Table, Bestanden I–IV) and Polygonum vivparum–Thalictrum alpinum-Soz. (Kalliola, 1939: 132–133, Table 19, № 3–11); alliance Ranunculo–Poion alpinae, incl. Trollius europaeus-soc. (Gjaerevoll, 1950: 420–421, Table XIII, № 1–10); alliance Deschampsio-Anthoxanthion, incl. ass. Deschampsietum flexuosae and ass. Caricetum bigelowii (ibid.: 393–394, Table I, Stands I–V; 396–397, Table II, Stands I, II); alliance Saxifrago stellaris–Oxyrion digynae, incl. ass. Oxyrietum digynae (ibid.: 406–407, Table VI, Stands I–III); alliance Kobresio-Dryadion, incl. Carex rupestris–Encalypta rhabdocarpa sos. (Nordhagen, 1943: 576–577, Table 99, Serie I–III) and аss. Dryadetum octopetalae (Nordhagen, 1955: 76–81, Table III, no. 17–33), as well as descriptions of ass. Polygono vivpari–Thalictretum alpini (Kalliola 1939) Koroleva 2006 from the Barents Sea shore. In total 113 relevés were analyzed with use of Program ExStatR (Novakovskiy, 2016) based on the Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMS), and hierarchical clustering with grouping by arithmetic means UPGMA. In both methods, the Sjørensen-Chekanovsky coefficient was used as a measure of similarity/distance. All relevés represent rather distinctive groups in ordination space (Fig. 4), with few transitional ones. Two well-expressed gradients explain the variation in grasslands and meadows: (1) snow-depth and calcium-availability and (2) height above the sea level, together with steepness of the slope and coarseness of substrata. On the one end of the axis 2 there are communities of the ass. Carici bigelowii–Nardetum strictae (Table 2; Fig. 4, group 3) with diagnostic species Nardus stricta and Diphasiastrum alpinum. They represent closed and species-poor (39 species in syntaxon, 11 species per relevé in average) mono-dominant vegetation in snow-bed depressions, which are water-inundated in the beginning of the growing season, but dry up quickly. Rather compact group of communities of Kobresio-Dryadion (Fig. 4, groups 14 and 15), described by Nordhagen in Ca-rich habitats in Scandinavian mountains, with constant species Dryas octopetala, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Carexrupestris, Alectoria nigricans, A. ochroleuca, Flavocetraria cucullata and F. nivalis occupies an opposite end. Second gradient (axis 1) starts with meadows associated with the moderate snow and moisture conditions in zonal tundra in Murmansk Region (Fig. 4, group 4: Polygono vivpari–Thalictretum alpini; Koroleva, 2006). It finishes with relevés of Gjaerevoll’s (1950) ass. Oxyrietumdigynae (all. Saxifrago stellaris–Oxyrion digynae), which occurs on stony and moist substrata on steep slopes of high Scandinavian ranges (Fig. 4, group 13). Among constant species there are mosses and liverworts Andreaea rupestris, Anthelia juratzkana, Hymenoloma crispulum,hygro-, and mesophytic herbs Epilobium anagallidifolium and Saxifraga stellaris. In close position on the ordination diagram are early snow-beds in Murmansk Region, ass. Salici herbaceae–Caricetum bigelowii, with diagnostic species Alchemilla alpina, Carex bigelowii, Cardaminebellidifolia, Diplophyllum taxifolium, Lophozia wenzelii (Table 4; Fig. 4, group 1). Ass. Anthoxantho alpini–Deschampsietum flexuosae with diagnostic species Anthoxanthum alpinum, Avenella flexuosa (Table 3; Fig. 4, group 2) comprises vegetation in transitional habitats from late snow-beds to moss-blueberry tundra and has large portion of dwarf shrubs of Phyllodoco–Vaccinion myrtilli. On the ordination diagram, these communities differ from Gjaerevoll’s (1950) relevés of Deschampsio-Anthoxanthion (Fig. 4, group 12); they are ecologically similar with snow-bed communities. Central parts of the both gradients are occupied by the meadows of following associations: Hieracio alpini–Caricetum bigelowii (Table 5; Fig. 4, group 8), Potentillo crantzii–Polygonetum vivipari (Fig. 4, group 6) and Salici reticulatae–Trollietum europaei (Table 7; Fig. 4, group 7). All of them belong to alliance Potentillo–Polygonion vivipari (diagnostic species: Anthoxanthum alpinum, Bartsia alpina, Bistorta vivipara, Distichium capillaceum, Luzula spicata, Poa alpina, Potentilla crantzii, Ranunculus acris, Salix reticulata, Sanionia uncinata, Saussurea alpina, Selaginella selaginoides, Silene acaulis, Taraxacum croceum, Trollius europaeus, Veronica alpina, Viola biflora). They represent the richest tundra meadows (to 134 species in association and 41 species in community), with dominance of mesophytic herbs, high number of dwarf-shrubs, presence of mosses and liverworts. The alliance is well presented on the cluster dendrogram (Fig. 5). The first reference to alliance Potentillo–Polygonion vivipari was published by Nordhagen (1937: 37–43) and contained synoptical table and direct reference to Potentilla crantzii–Polygonum viviparum Ass. (Nordhagen, 1928: 356–357) as the most characteristic type of the alliance. So the alliance could be considered effectively and validly published (ICPN: Art. 1, 2b). Since Potentilla crantzii–Polygonum viviparum Ass. represents the only element published with the valid name with direct reference in the original diagnosis of the alliance, it must therefore be accepted as the holotype (ICPN: Art. 18a), and the name should be corrected to Potentillo crantzii–Polygonetum vivipari Nordh. 1928 (ICPN: Art. 41b). Later on, R. Kalliola (1939) and N. Koroleva (2006) also published one syntaxon in this alliance: publication of holotype by Koroleva (2006) is superfluous, because original diagnoses of Nordhagen (1937) is accompanied by clear reference to type association in the paper by Nordhagen (1928) (ICPN: Art. 21). The original diagnosis of Gjaerevoll’s (1950) alliance Ranunculo–Poion alpinae, ass. Ranunculo acris–Poetum alpinae Daniёls 2016 (based on Trollius europaeus-soc., Gjaerevoll, 1950: 420–421, Table XIII) (Fig. 4, groups 9, 10) coincides with the original diagnosis of Nordhagen’s alliance (Table 1), so Nordhagen’s name would have the priority over the Ranunculo–Poion alpinae which is a syntaxonomic synonym (ICPN: Art. 29с). T. Ohba (1974) considered Potentillo–Polygonion vivipari as synonym of Kobresio-Dryadion (Fig. 4, groups 14 and 15). Both alliances share some of the species pool, and ecologically and floristically are separated from each other (Fig. 4 and 5; Table 1). Kobresio-Dryadion comprises mainly xero-, mesophytic dwarf shrubs- and sedges-dominated communities on calcium-rich substrata. Potentillo–Polygonion vivipari includes species-rich tundra meadows with prevalence of mesophytic herbs. Alliances are clearly distinguished from each other in species composition, in habitats and in geographic distribution: Potentillo–Polygonion vivipari is likely restricted to Fennoscandia, whilst Kobresio-Dryadion has Eurasian distribution (Koroleva, 2015). Original diagnoses and nomenclatural types of alliances are different, so they cannot be considered as synonyms. Alliance Potentillo–Polygonion vivipari is not yet disposed in some higher units — order and class.

Bronze Age ceramics – A source of information on communication and social interaction in Bronze Age DenmarkIf not avoided completely, Bronze Age ceramics have generally been dealt with in terms of either Early or Late Bronze Age. Attempts to classify the ceramics within these periods according to ordinary typological conventions have mostly failed. It is therefore argued that Bronze Age ceramics should be viewed in a much broader chronological framework. It is also emphasised that ceramics should be seen in a social context and in relation to functional change. Therefore, all published ceramics from periods I to V from Jutland and Funen have been subjected to an investigation of the chronological and functional implications of groupings in form and attributes (figs. 1-2). As a result, it can be concluded that certain types of vessels that have not previously been classified are diag nostic for periods II-III and IV-V, respectively. Other types of vessels appear sporadically from period II and become frequent from period IV onwards, while yet further types are current during the entire Bronze Age (fig. 3). There is certain agreement with the Swedish A/B-phase partition in the investigated material, such that a Western Danish A-phase can be dated primarily to period IV (with a few exceptional occurrences in the Early Bronze Age), and the B-phase to periods V and VI (with a few occurrences in period IV) (figs. 4-5). Although the A/B-features are chronologically significant there seems to be some overlap between the two phases in Jutland and on Funen, which is also the case in Southern Sweden. It is therefore argued that future research on the subject is necessary and could provide better means of dating Late Bronze Age ceramics (fig. 6). The changing stylistic traits seen in the ceramics at the transition from Early to Late Bronze Age can be considered from a communicational point of view. In proposing this, the European context becomes very relevant. Different levels of similarity between the Continental and the Western Danish ceramics can be pointed out. Cases of very accurate copying and even possible import of foreign vessels are seen in both the Early and Late Bronze Age. But also a more general form of inspiration can be traced. In particular, three themes in vessel shape are omnipresent: Bi-conical vessels, quadri-partite vessels and carinated bowls. Also the tradition of face and house urns is a Pan-European phenomenon. Although some of these Lausitz-inspired vessel types occur sporadically in the Early Bronze Age, European influence on the Danish ceramics tradition seems to become radically more standardised and thorough from period IV onwards. By examining relationships between form and archaeological context it has been attempted to examine the functions of ceramics in a wider perspective. Probable practical functions are discussed briefly on the basis of settlement ceramics, archaeological field observations and general knowledge concerning form and function deduced from ethnographic studies. Attention is drawn to a certain combination of large vessels and smaller cups or bowls that can be recorded in settlement context. It is suggested that this “set” represents storage vessels and individual service. The function of ceramics in relation to burial practice is also discussed. Through comparison of ceramics from settlements and graves it can be stated that grave ceramics in both the Early and Late Bronze Age represent a wide range of vessel types. In contrast, certain types do not occur at settlements, for example, the three Lausitzinspired shape themes bi-conical, quadripartite vessels and carinated bowls in the Early Bronze Age, and face urns and house urns in the Late Bronze Age. Ceramics form a part of the formal transition from inhumation to cremation and urn graves. Apparently, proportional factors were dominant when it came to choosing a vessel for burial. Primarily small beakers were chosen for inhumation and, not surprisingly, large vessels were used as urns, combined with bowls placed upside down as lids. In cremation graves without urns, ceramics were used in much the same way as in inhumation graves. Also the earliest urn graves seem to reflect a transitional phase bet ween different uses of ceramics (fig. 7). The small vessels in the Early Bronze Age inhumation graves could be seen as being linked to a general drinking cult related to burial rites as has been suggested for cups made of other materials, e.g. bronze and gold. This possible drinking cult clearly has European implications. Additionally, it seems that vessels in Early Bronze Age inhumation graves were primarily a masculine privilege as was also the case with other kinds of containers. On the other hand, the earliest ceramic urns seem to have been reserved entirely for women and children as far as can be concluded from the sparse evidence. The latter brings to mind the fact that the earliest cremation graves on the Continent are likewise those of women. The combination of large vessels and bowls that can be seen in both settlement- and grave assemblages also seems to have its roots in Continental practising of the urn-grave custom (fig. 8). Bronze Age society is often regarded as an exogamic and patriarchal tribal system. Cases of women buried with a complete set of equipment originating from a different region to that in which they were interred are normally interpreted as evidence of intermarriage and alliances between distant tribes. Five very similar vessels have been found dispersed from Hammah, near Hamburg, through Northern Germany to the southwestern and eastern coasts of Jutland and as far as Thy in Northern Jutland. It is an interesting thought to see these as an expression of related women married into different regions passing on a certain ceramic tradition. It is proposed that potters in the Early Bronze Age were very much at liberty to express themselves in creating vessels, being limited only by the broad conventions implied in bodily rooted patterns shared by cultural groupings (so called Motor Habits). Early sporadic occurrences of certain vessel types from period II onwards can be seen within this framework. The changes, which ceramics underwent between periods III and IV, seem rather radical and must be explained in another way. Inspired by Pierre Bourdieu, an attempt has been made to connect different kinds of “symbolic capital” to the ceramics. It is argued that ceramics have more to do with the domestic sphere and the changes in burial customs than with prestige and political alliances in a classical sense. Ceramics and urn burials could also be connected with the female sex. It has previously been documented that there could have been a change in the status of the female gender during the Bronze Age (figs. 9-12). It is therefore stated that the development in pottery tradition, towards new vessel types and a higher degree of standardisation and possibly specialisation, should be seen in the light of a new role in society for the female gender, implying new ritual and social skills internally on the settlements, and in external communication. Using Michael B. Shiffer’s thoughts on communication and material culture, it is recommended to focus attention on the receiving part in a communication process. In this way the transformations in ceramic production between the Early and Late Bronze Age can be seen as an expression of changing associations in the mind of the receiver. Vessels in the Early Bronze Age might only have signalled individual factors, whereas ceramics in the Late Bronze Age were associated with certain Pan-European conventions connected to burial customs and women. The standardisation of the ceramic production and higher degree of similarity in vessel shape and ornamentation across large geographical areas might indicate a different kind of group identity, at least for female potters. Such identification can happen “down the line” between small local groups, or it can involve some sort of imagined community over larger areas. In addition, an attempt has been made to sketch a possible cognitive framework behind the perception and use of ceramics in the Bronze Age. It is suggested that Early Bronze Age use of grave ceramics reflects a tradition where the vessel is a container either for provisions on the journey to an after-world or for ritual consumption during burial. The urn in the Late Bronze Age, on the other hand, can be seen as a metaphorical house and/or likewise metaphorical body for the remaining part of a pluralistic soul, while the bowl could be a symbolic roof and/or head on the “urn house/body”. These deduced connotations may to some extent have formed common ground in large communities as variations on a theme. Finally it is stated that synthetic studies such as this are sometimes necessary in order to move in archaeological research, forward although not all data can be handled with equal profundity. This article aims to draw attention to the interesting aspects of a ceramic record, which deviates from the general typological development, and recommends keeping the potential of this source in mind when dealing with interpretations of Bronze Age society.Julie LolkMoesgård Museum

Objective To describe an innovative doctors’ health service (Professional Support Unit) utilising systems therapy to support individual medical leaders across an Australian local public health district. Method Therapeutic interventions were informed by systems theory, the study of social systems, coherent entities with hierarchical orders united by organising relations of rules, roles, structures and alliances. Systems therapy addresses these relations to effect change. Working with leaders individually was based on the premise of effecting change in the system by changing part of the system, particularly the ‘decider subsystem’ of the medical lead. Results Support was provided to 30 medical leaders (50% of potential cohort). All but five self-referred with zero dropouts. Referrals snowballed gradually and exponentially following psychoeducation sessions normalising struggling and seeking help. Diversity of themes presented or emerging included requests for: (i) psychological support for lead/family, or staff/family; (ii)didactic sessions regarding impairment, ageing doctor, performance management and mental health first aid for doctors; (iv) anger management; (v) difficult staff; and (vi) being undermined or placed in untenable positions. Interventions were accordingly diverse and tailored. A vulnerable-resilience model was developed with practical tips. Conclusions Supporting medical leaders using therapeutic interventions grounded in systems theory may go towards addressing organisational duty of care to maintain safe work systems.

Abstract Background Despite three decades of policy initiatives to improve integration of health care, delivery of health care in New Zealand remains fragmented, and health inequities persist for Māori and other high priority populations. An evidence base is needed to increase the chances of success with implementation of large-system transformation (LST) initiatives in a complex adaptive system. Methods This research aimed to identify key elements that support implementation of LST initiatives, and to investigate contextual factors that influence these initiatives. The realist logic of enquiry, nested within the macro framing of complex adaptive systems, formed the overall methodology for this research and involved five phases: theory gleaning from a local LST initiative, literature review, interviews, workshop, and online survey. NVivo software programme was used for thematic analysis of the interview, workshop, and the survey data. We identified key elements and explained variations in success (outcomes) by identifying mechanisms triggered by various contexts in which LST initiatives are implemented. Results The research found that a set of 10 key elements need to be present in the New Zealand health system to increase chances of success with implementation of LST initiatives. These are: (i) an alliancing way of working; (ii) a commitment to te Tiriti o Waitangi; (iii) an understanding of equity; (iv) clinical leadership and involvement; (v) involved people, whānau, and community; (vi) intelligent commissioning; (vii) continuous improvement; (viii) integrated health information; (ix) analytic capability; and (x) dedicated resources and time. The research identified five contextual factors that influenced implementation of LST initiatives: a history of working together, distributed leadership from funders, the maturity of Alliances, capacity and capability for improvement, and a continuous improvement culture. The research found that the key mechanism of trust is built and nurtured over time through sharing of power by senior health leaders by practising distributed leadership, which then creates a positive history of working together and increases the maturity of Alliances. Discussion Two authors (KMS and PBJ) led the development and implementation of the local LST initiative. This prior knowledge and experience provided a unique perspective to the research but also created a conflict of interest and introduced potential bias, these were managed through a wide range of data collection methods and informed consent from participants. The evidence-base for successful implementation of LST initiatives produced in this research contains knowledge and experience of senior system leaders who are often in charge of leading these initiatives. This evidence base enables decision makers to make sense of complex processes involved in the successful implementation of LST initiatives. Conclusions Use of informal trust-based networks provided a critical platform for successful implementation of LST initiatives in the New Zealand health system. Maturity of these networks relies on building and sustaining high-trust relationships among the network members. The role of local and central agencies and the government is to provide the policy settings and conditions in which trust-based networks can flourish. Other This study was approved by the Victoria University of Wellington Human Ethics Committee (Ethics Approval Number 27,356). The research was supported by the Victoria University of Wellington research grant (222,809) and from the University of Auckland Department of Medicine research fund (H10779).

L’amélioration de la qualité des matériaux II-VI est une étape essentielle pour maintenir de hautes performances à des températures de fonctionnement des détecteurs infrarouges refroidis plus élevées (technologies HOT). En effet, la qualité et la stabilité de l’image sont affectées par l’activité électrique parasite (bruits basse fréquence) induite par certains défauts cristallins. L’objectif de ces travaux de thèse est alors de caractériser plusieurs variantes de qualité matériau de l’épitaxie active de Hg1-xCdxTe et son substrat de Cd1-xZnxTe à partir de techniques spectroscopiques, et d’établir un bilan comparatif des signatures physico-chimiques des défauts ponctuels. Dans ce but, les populations de défauts ont été investiguées dans les deux composés par spectroscopie à annihilation de positons (PAS). L’antiparticule de l’électron est particulièrement sensible aux défauts lacunaires, intrinsèquement présents en concentration importante dans les alliages considérés. Des profils de concentration de lacunes en proche surface ont été obtenus avec un faisceau de positons lents. L’étude des substrats a été approfondie par des mesures de cathodoluminescence résolue spectralement (CL). Cette technique est particulièrement puissante à basse température où les défauts responsables des mécanismes radiatifs ont pu être identifiés. La CL permet également de cartographier les propriétés de luminescence à une échelle submicronique
Improving II-VI material quality is an essential step to maintain high electro-optical performances at higher operating temperature of cooled infrared detectors (HOT technologies). Indeed, image quality and stability are challenged by the electrical activity (low-frequency noises) induced by some crystal defects. The aim of this thesis work is to characterize several crystal qualities of the epitaxial Hg1-xCdxTe as well as its Cd1-xZnxTe substrate by spectroscopic techniques, and to establish a comparative review of the physico-chemical fingerprints of point defects. For this purpose, defect populations were investigated in both compounds by positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS). The electron antiparticle is particularly sensitive to open-volume defects, intrinsically present in high concentrations in the considered alloys. Vacancy concentration profiles in the near-surface region can then be obtained with a slow positron beam. The substrate study was extended with spectrally resolved cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements. This technique is especially powerful at low temperature where defects involved in radiative mechanisms have been identified. CL also allows to map luminescence properties at the sub-micrometer scale

Nos travaux sont consacrés à la promotion du modèle de percolation phénoménologique en employant des méthodes indépendantes et libres de tout paramètre. Nous avons utilisé à cet effet des codes ab initio existants (PWscf et SIESTA) et développé une méthode semi-empirique pour étudier les propriétés vibrationnelles des alliages AxB1 xC. Les paramètres techniques du code PWscf ont été testés sur les composés binaires ZnSe, ZnTe et BeSe pour lesquels nous avons confronté nos résultats aux données expérimentales et théoriques disponibles. La validation du modèle de percolation a et e effectué sur l alliage Zn(Se,Te) appartenant à la catégorie des semi-conducteurs 1-liaison ! 2-modes. Nous avons confirmé le caractère général du comportement bimodal prévu par le modèle de percolation en montrant son existence pour chacune des liaisons Zn Se et Zn Te. Les propriétés vibrationnelles et structurales de Zn(Se,Te) ont et e calculées à différentes concentrations avec des cellules optimisées à 64 atomes. Les résultats obtenus sont en bon accord avec l expérience. Nous présentons en détail notre méthode semi-empirique de calcul de spectre de phonons, applicable en principe à tous les alliages sans restriction sur la taille des super-cellules. La mise au point a été réalisé sur les alliages (Zn,Be)Se et (In,Ga)As avec des cellules à64 atomes relaxées d une façon ab initio. L application de notre méthode à(In,Ga)As à 50% simulé par une super-cellule à 8.103 atomes relaxée avec un potentiel harmonique met en évidence que l étude des phonons demande des super-cellules qui reflètent fidèlement le désordre d un alliage
Our work is devoted to promoting the percolation model using phenomenological methods which are independent and free from any need of external parameters. We used for this purpose existing ab initio codes (PWscf and SIESTA) and developed a semiempirical method to study the vibrational properties of AxB1 xC alloys. The technical parameters of the PWscf code were tested on ZnSe, BeSe ZnTe binary compounds, for which we have confronted our results with theoretical and experimental data available. The percolation model validation was done on the alloy Zn(Se, Te) belonging to the category of 1-bond ! 2-modes semi-conductors. We have confirmed the general bimodal behavior provided by the percolation model showing its existence for each bond Zn Se and Zn Te. The vibrational and structural properties of Zn(Se, Te) were calculated for different concentration using optimized cells of 64 atoms. The results are in good agreement with experiments. We present in detail our semi empirical method of calculating the spectrum of phonons, in principle applicable to all alloys without restriction on the size of super-cells. The development was carried out on (Zn, Be)Se and (In, Ga)As alloys with cells of up to 64 atoms relaxed from first principles. The application of our method to (In, Ga)As at 50% simulated by a super-cell of 8.103 atoms with a harmonic relaxation potential underlines the fact that the study of phonons in alloys requires the use of supercells which adequately describe the alloy disorder

Il s'agit d'aborder du point de vue theorique et experimental le probleme de la localisation des excitons dans les alliages semiconducteurs ii-vi: 1) sur le plan experimental des experiences de photoluminescence et de photoluminescence excitee selectivement ont ete menees sur quelques alliages zn#xhg#1##xte riches en zinc. A basse temperature, les spectres de luminescence sont domines par une raie (l) situee en dessous du seuil excitonique et interpretee comme etant due a des excitons localises dans une queue de densite d'etats (dos) derivee des fluctuations de potentiel. Par ailleurs, en dessous de la raie principale apparait une bande plus large (b), qui se deplace vers les basses energies quand la temperature augmente. Cette bande provient d'excitons lies a des centres isoelectroniques constitues d'agregats d'atomes hg isoles dans la matrice znte; 2) sur le plan theorique, nous proposons un modele simple de (dos), obtenu en minimisant la fluctuation d'entropie associee a la fluctuation de composition moyennee sur un volume v, pour une energie de localisation donnee. Nous introduisons egalement un volume d'interaction critique v#c, defini comme etant le plus petit volume dans lequel la fluctuation peut exister. Partant de cette forme de (dos), nous avons modelise la forme de la raie de luminescence (l) a basse temperature. Pour rendre compte egalement de l'evolution, en fonction de la temperature, de la raie (l) nous avons etendu ce modele en y incluant les termes relatifs a l'activation thermique entre etats localises

Les nanocristaux de semi-conducteur colloïdaux bidimensionnelles ont émergé comme une nouvelle classe de nanomatériaux du fait de leurs propriétés optiques, électroniques et mécaniques uniques. Parmi eux, les nanoplaquettes présentent un confinement unidimensionnel selon leur épaisseur, contrôlée au niveau atomique, et de ce fait un pic d’émission extrêmement fin. Ces objets apparaissent ainsi comme des candidats sérieux pour la fabrication de dispositifs optoélectroniques. Cependant, contrairement aux nanocristaux sphériques, où l’énergie de la bande interdite peut être finement ajustée en jouant sur leurs tailles, les nanoplaquettes ne présentent pas d’émission continuellement modulable. De surcroît, la croissance de coque sur ces objets, nécessaire à l’optimisation et à la stabilisation des propriétés optiques (augmentation du rendement quantique), entraine un fort décalage dans le rouge de la longueur d’onde d’émission. Ainsi, la gamme de longueur d’onde des structures résultantes allant de 615 à 700 nm ne satisfait pas aux exigences des dispositifs d’affichage pour lesquels la couleur verte est également requise. Dans le but d’observer un décalage continu dans le bleu des longueurs d’onde d’absorption et d’émission des structures finales, une stratégie de synthèse consistant à incorporer du soufre aux cœurs de séléniure de cadmium a été développée. En outre, une nouvelle méthode d'encapsulation par procédé aérosol-gel favorisant l'implémentation des nanoplaquettes au sein de dispositifs optoélectroniques est présentée. Finalement, l'évolution des propriétés optiques des nanoplaquettes nues ou encapsulées soumises à un flux de photons à haute puissance a été étudiée
Colloidal two-dimensional semiconductor nanocrystals have emerged as a new class of nanomaterials due to their unique optical, electronic and mechanical properties. Nanoplatelets have a one-dimensional confinement along their thickness, controlled at the atomic level, and thus an extremely narrow emission line width. These objects have been considered as potential candidates for the fabrication of optoelectronic devices. However, nanoplatelets have not demonstrated continuously tunable emission when compared to quantum dots, which exhibit a band gap that can be finely tuned by adjusting nanoparticle size. Moreover, shell growth on these objects, which has been show to improve their quantum yield, causes a strong red shift in the emission wavelength. Thus, the wavelength range of these structures ranging from 615 to 700 nm does not fulfill the requirements of display devices where green is also required. In order to observe a continuous blue shift of the absorption and emission wavelengths of the final structures, a new strategy consisting of incorporating sulfur into the cadmium selenide cores has been developed. In addition, a new method of encapsulation by aerosol-gel method promoting the implementation of nanoplatelets within optoelectronic devices is presented. Finally, the evolution of the optical properties of unmodified and encapsulated nanoplatelets exposed to high power photon flux was studied and compared

This paper presents the first steps of a 2-year pilot project on prescribed burning (PB) in Greece. To re-introduce the use of fire in wildfire prevention in the country, as an accurate and effective management tool, more research is needed. Hence, we will conduct planned field PB experiments which will provide us sound knowledge about fire behaviour matched with the fire impact on soil properties, the effects on trees and the plant biodiversity. The experimental fires can serve as an excellent training tool, also, for some of the participants (firefighters, land managers and researchers). The first efforts to introduce and utilize the PB in Greece begun in the 1970s, when members of the Greek forest scientific community and the Hellenic Forest Service applied PB experimentally, analysed data and drew some preliminary conclusions. They made some steps to document the use of fire and study its impacts before introducing PB as a tool to prevent forest fires. Unfortunately, without constant funding, legal support, logistics, continuous scientific guidance and clear objectives, those sporadic attempts did not tie bonds with the forest and fire management community and the endeavour was soon abandoned. Almost half a century later, fire is still not used in fuel management and fire prevention and there is no institutional framework for the implementation of PB. Inspired by those first efforts in applying PB in Greece and guided by the fire science and the best practices for wildfire prevention, a core team of researchers and practitioners from WWF Greece, the Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems of ELGO 'DIMITRA', the Forest Directorate of Chios Island, and the Voluntary Action Team OMIKRON started in 2021 a pilot project on the implementation of the PB on the island of Chios. Fire Service of Chios Island and Municipality of Chios support the pilot project by supplying water trucks and personnel during the burns. The Project is sponsored by Procter and Gamble corporation. The project aims to introduce PB as a tool for forest fuel management, increase social ecological resilience to wildfire and contribute to a climate resilient future. More specifically, the project is expected: i. to develop the standards and procedures, through applied research, for the use of the prescribed fire in Greece, ii. to be a successful paradigm of fuel management, iii. to strengthen the role of the forest service in fuel management and build the capacity of local stakeholders on potential contribution, iv. to strengthen the horizontal cooperation among agencies, by introducing compatible methods and techniques, v. to build the capacity of the volunteer firefighters teams on issues related to the wildfire prevention and fuel management, vi. to increase knowledge and improve experience on the fire behaviour, vii. to further strengthen, improve and expand local alliances in Chios Island viii. to improve landscape resilience and prevent forest fires.