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This qualitative study examines the patterns in human resource (HR) approaches to retirement across 24 organizations to explore innovative practices as well as gain understanding of the differences in how firms are dealing with major changes surrounding retirement and workforce demographics. Using organizational adaptation theory and carrying out a thorough analysis of in-depth interviews with HR managers, we identify three dimensions that differentiate organizations' approaches to retirement: (1) actions and interactions of key stakeholders in the retirement process; (2) HR information gathering focus regarding workforce issues; and (3) HR posture around changes needed in retirement policies and practices. Based on organizational profiles on these dimensions, four distinct approaches to retirement emerge and are described in some detail: gatekeeping, improvising, orchestrating, and partnering. These different approaches also provide insight into how organizations differ in their adaptation to change. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10) is a key regulator of cellular processes by shedding extracellular domains of transmembrane proteins. We have previously demonstrated that deletion of B cell expressed ADAM10 results in changes in lymphoid tissue architecture and impaired germinal center (GC) formation. In this study, mice were generated in which ADAM10 is deleted in B cells following class switch recombination (ADAM10Δ/ΔIgG1-cre+/- mice). Despite normal GC formation, antibody responses were impaired in ADAM10Δ/ΔIgG1-cre+/- mice, implicating ADAM10 in post-GC and extrafollicular B cell terminal differentiation. Surprisingly, plasma cell (PC) numbers were normal in ADAM10Δ/ΔIgG1- cre+/- mice when compared to controls. However, PCs isolated from ADAM10Δ/ΔIgG1-cre+/- mice exhibited decreased expression of transcription factors important for PC function: Prdm1, Xbp1 and Irf4. Bcl6 is a GC transcriptional repressor that inhibits the PC transcriptional program and thus must be downregulated for PC differentiation to occur. Bcl6 expression was increased in PCs isolated from ADAM10Δ/ΔIgG1-cre+/- mice at both the mRNA and protein level. These results demonstrate that ADAM10 is required for proper transcription factor expression in PCs and thus, for normal PC function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines part-time work arrangements among 78 women professionals and managers to learn more about their implications for career development. Specifically, it documents the level of success of the work arrangements, their expected career implications, and the factors distinguishing less successful arrangements. Results revealed specific career development challenges unique to part-time workers, as well as challenges common among full-time workers. Part-time workers already adopting a protean career model may fare better in alternative work arrangements. Lessons learned in dealing with diversity may be helpful to organizations in achieving fit between workers’ personal definitions of success and their work arrangements. According to Van Maanen and Schein (1977, p. 36), career development is “a lifelong process of working out a synthesis between individual interests and the opportunities (or limitations) present in the external work-related environment, so that both individual and environmental objectives are fulfilled.” Historically, the objectives of individuals have been expected to conform to those of the environment – specifically those of employing organizations (Hall and Mirvis, 1995). The result was traditional “organizational” careers that were externally-oriented, emphasizing vertical progression through positions carrying increasing responsibility, status, and rewards defined by the organization (Hall and Mirvis, 1995). The traditional career contract between workers and employers seems to be shifting, however, to a protean career model based on “self-direction in the pursuit of psychological success in one’s work” (Hall and Mirvis, 1995, p. 271). Protean careers are internally-oriented, flexible, mobile, and may involve both horizontal and vertical growth in the pursuit of goals defined by individual workers (Hall and Mirvis, 1995; Sullivan, 1999). The traditional organizat... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extrapolations in Euclidean time form a central part of nuclear lattice effective field theory (NLEFT) calculations using the projection Monte Carlo method, as the sign problem in many cases prevents simulations at large Euclidean time. We review the next-to-next-to-leading order NLEFT results for the alpha nuclei up to 28Si, with emphasis on the Euclidean time extrapolations, their expected accuracy and potential pitfalls. We also discuss possible avenues for improving the reliability of Euclidean time extrapolations in NLEFT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of conditions under which impedance is a useful concept in solving the problem of wave propagation in a duct with flow is presented with illustrative examples. Organized procedures for modeling single and multiple degree of freedom configurations both of the lumped and distributed parameter type are discussed, and data and model predictions are compared for some specific configurations. Assumptions usually made in the modeling process are pointed out, and the effect of the assumptions, particularly on the comparisons with data, are evaluated. Improved impedance models, developed more recently, are reviewed and compared with previous models and with impedance tube data. Included in the discussion are models for bulk absorber materials compatible with aircraft-engine environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]