Archaeological evidence for the first Mesolithic occupation of the Western Isles of Scotland

The examination of eroding coastal dunes at the prehistoric site of Northton, Harris, has produced the first archaeological evidence of Mesolithic activity in the Western Isles in the form of two midden-related deposits. The first phase of Mesolithic activity is dated to 7060-6650 cal. Bc based on AMS dating of charred hazelnut shells. This discovery appears to validate the frequent pollen-based inferences of Mesolithic impact for the area and, as predicted, allows the Atlantic fringe of Scotland to become part of the European Mesolithic mainstream. A detailed pedological analysis also suggests that these early midden layers may have been amended during the Neolithic period as part of a possible phase of cultivation.

The first five years of the EU Impact Assessment system: a risk economics perspective on gaps between rationale and practice

In 2003 the European Commission started using Impact Assessment (IA) as the main empirical basis for its major policy proposals. The aim was to systematically assess ex ante the economic, social and environmental impacts of EU policy proposals. In parallel, research proliferated in search for theoretical grounds for IAs and in an attempt to evaluate empirically the performance of the first sets of IAs produced by the European Commission. This paper combines conceptual and evaluative studies carried out in the first five years of EU IAs. It concludes that the great discrepancy between rationale and practice calls for a different theoretical focus and a higher emphasis on evaluating empirically crucial risk economics aspects of IAs, such as the value of statistical life, price of carbon, the integration of macroeconomic modelling and scenario analysis.

First-principles study of the inversion thermodynamics and electronic structure of FeM2X4 (thio)spinels (M = Cr, Mn, Co, Ni; X = O, S)

FeM2X4 spinels, where M is a transition metal and X is oxygen or sulfur, are candidate materials for spin filters, one of the key devices in spintronics. We present here a computational study of the inversion thermodynamics and the electronic structure of these (thio)spinels for M = Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, using calculations based on the density functional theory with on-site Hubbard corrections (DFT+U). The analysis of the configurational free energies shows that different behaviour is expected for the equilibrium cation distributions in these structures: FeCr2X4 and FeMn2S4 are fully normal, FeNi2X4 and FeCo2S4 are intermediate, and FeCo2O4 and FeMn2O4 are fully inverted. We have analyzed the role played by the size of the ions and by the crystal field stabilization effects in determining the equilibrium inversion degree. We also discuss how the electronic and magnetic structure of these spinels is modified by the degree of inversion, assuming that this could be varied from the equilibrium value. We have obtained electronic densities of states for the completely normal and completely inverse cation distribution of each compound. FeCr2X4, FeMn2X4, FeCo2O4 and FeNi2O4 are half-metals in the ferrimagnetic state when Fe is in tetrahedral positions. When M is filling the tetrahedral positions, the Cr-containing compounds and FeMn2O4 are half-metallic systems, while the Co and Ni spinels are insulators. The Co and Ni sulfide counterparts are metallic for any inversion degree together with the inverse FeMn2S4. Our calculations suggest that the spin filtering properties of the FeM2X4 (thio)spinels could be modified via the control of the cation distribution through variations in the synthesis conditions.

On the first terrestrial ostracod of the Superfamily Cytheroidea (Crustacea, Ostracoda): description of Intrepidocythere ibipora n. gen. n. sp from forest leaf litter in Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Of the three superfamilies of Ostracoda present in fresh water, only the Cytheroidea had thus far no records in terrestrial environments. Here, we report on a new genus and species, Intrepidocythere ibipora n. gen. n. sp., of the ostracod superfamily Cytheroidea, from forest leaf litter in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Judging from morphological similarities, this new genus is believed to be closely related to the genus Elpidium. Possible pathways that led to the colonisation of terrestrial habitats are discussed, and an overview is given on the distribution of the known terrestrial ostracod lineages. The present findings strengthen the idea that terrestrial ostracods are more common than previously thought, at least in tropical areas.

First-principles calculation of the AlAs/GaAs interface band structure using a self-energy-corrected local density approximation

We apply a self-energy-corrected local density approximation (LDA) to obtain corrected bulk band gaps and to study the band offsets of AlAs grown on GaAs (AlAs/GaAs). We also investigate the Al(x)Ga(1-x)As/GaAs alloy interface, commonly employed in band gap engineering. The calculations are fully ab initio, with no adjustable parameters or experimental input, and at a computational cost comparable to traditional LDA. Our results are in good agreement with experimental values and other theoretical studies. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2011

The first 50 years of the annual endowed accounting research lecture series at the University of Melbourne

Carnegie and Edwards (2001) suggest that the formation of an organisational body is just one of the 'signals of movement' within the dynamic process of professionalisation of an occupation and they list the sponsoring of professorial posts and research activities at universities as further examples. While the literature on this process in Australia does refer to the sponsorship of chairs of accounting (Carnegie & Williams, 2001), little has been written identifying the range of other areas of sponsorship by the organised accounting bodies. This paper presents details of the first fifty years presentations of the Annual Accounting Research Lectures held at The University of Melbourne, Australia. They have been presented continuously since 1940, when they were inaugurated with sponsorship from the Commonwealth Institute of Accountants. The paper presents the first complete listing of details relating to the presenter (including name, gender, residency and occupational area), title of the paper, date of presentation (where known) and details of publication (where appropriate). The initial and subsequent motivation for the presentation of the series and the influence of the lectures in promoting research and fostering relations between the professional bodies and the university, during a period of great significance in the development of accounting education and the professionalisation of accounting in Australia, is also discussed.

Family, school, peer and individual influences on early adolescent alcohol use: first-year impact of the Resilient Families programme

Introduction and Aims:  This study aimed to examine: (a) the influence of family factors relative to school, peer and individual influences on the development of adolescent alcohol use during the first year of secondary school; and (b) the feasibility of preventing adolescent alcohol use by modifying family factors. Design and Methods:  Twenty-four schools in Melbourne, Australia were randomly assigned to either the 'Resilient Families' intervention or a control condition. A baseline cohort of 2315 grade 7 students (mean age 12.3 years) were followed-up one year later (n = 2128 for longitudinal analyses). A sub-set of parents (n = 1166) also returned baseline surveys. Results: The prevalence of lifetime alcohol use in year 7 was 33% and rose to 47% by year 8. Student-reported predictors of year 8 alcohol use included baseline alcohol [Odds Ratio (OR) 3.64] and tobacco use (2.68), and school friend's alcohol (1.41) and tobacco use (1.64). After adjusting for other influences, student-reported family factors were not maintained as significant predictors of year 8 alcohol use. Parent-report predictors of student-reported alcohol use included allowing alcohol use in the home (2.55), parental alcohol use (1.88) and child hyperactivity (1.85). Protective factors included attendance at brief parent education (0.60) and parent involvement in school education (0.65). Discussion and Conclusions: The intervention appeared to benefit education-related outcomes, but no overall effect in reducing student alcohol use was found in year 8. Intervention effects on alcohol misuse may become significant in later secondary school once the entire program has been implemented. Considerable alcohol use was detected in early secondary school,   suggesting that interventions to reduce alcohol use may be usefully implemented prior to this period.

Fractured lives : Australian prisoners of war of the Japanese and their families

Examines how the particular nature of captivity by the Japanese during World War II intensified and complicated the impact, legacy and memory of war for POWs and their families. It presents insights into the experience of the prisoners' wives and how battalion associations protect and promote the remembrance of war.