bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social spending and democratic institutions in Southeast Asia
Authors: Putra Fadillah
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse how democratic institutions affects social spending formations in the context of developing countries. Furthermore, this essay will also challenge the theory that the government system (majoritarian versus consensus democracy) influences the magnitude of social spending and welfare commitment, especially in Southeast Asian democracies, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses descriptive statistics and qualitative data to match social spending with the development of democratisation in four cases.

Findings

The main argument is whether the presence of democratic institutions encourages the government to be more open, citizen-oriented and responsive or whether the inclusive political conditions will create more open public participation in the policymaking process. Thus, in the context of developing countries, public participation will be more likely to demand social policies.

Research limitations/implications

It has not been able to undertake a more detailed impact evaluation assessment of the development and change of democratic institutions towards policy outcomes within a shorter temporal scope. In addition, this thesis does not also provide details or explanations about the interaction process between particular democratic institutions and specific social policy sectors.

Practical implications

The process of interactions between particular electoral systems. For instance, the contribution to the emergence of policy in the health services sector or conducting research in normative democratic institutions such as public awareness of the importance of public participation in shaping and directing the implementation of poverty reduction policies could be studied, by using the historical institutionalism approach.

Originality/value

The impact of certain political institutions on public policy has become a very important discussion in the new institutionalism perspective. Social policy (social spending) as a manifestation of government’s commitment towards welfare is the result of institutional arrangement. In the context of developing countries, where social policy is needed to fulfill the basic needs of citizens, it is important to identify what kind of institutional formations are conducive to the development of social policy. This essay will analyse how democratic institutions affects social spending formations in the context of developing countries.
A quest for teacher leadership in the twenty-first century – emerging themes for future research
Authors: Wang Mo , Ho Dora
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a research synthesis of findings drawn from studies of teacher leadership published in English-based journals from 2000 to 2018. The goal of the research synthesis was to develop new insights into teacher leadership through a theoretical discussion and to identify emerging themes for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology employed in this study was systematic review. The study first identifies a body of relevant literature and research on teacher leadership from the English-based journals from 2000 to 2018. Information concerning the nature of the studies as well as substantive findings was extracted from each of the articles. Synthesis of findings was accomplished by identifying key themes in the literature.

Findings

The synthesis yielded four themes: “the notion of teacher leadership,” “the theoretical perspectives are used for understanding teacher leadership,” “the factors are influencing the development of teacher leadership,” and “the approach to build and develop leadership capacity.”

Originality/value

This paper attempts to offer a critical review on the current literature and research on teacher leadership, reveal if there are any gaps in the ongoing debate, and identify the agenda for future research. This paper not only explores “what there is,” but also examines “what is missing,” and “what could be improved upon” by reviewing research findings that emerged in the teacher leadership literature produced from 2000 to 2018. The paper could shed light on the existing research about teacher leadership.
Development and validation of an instrument measuring core job characteristics
Authors: Tsigilis Nikolaos , Koustelios Athanasios
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Much of prior research focused on the dimensionality of the part of Job Diagnostic Survey that measures the core job characteristics, with mixed findings. The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate an instrument assessing core job characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Public school teachers (n=685) serving in elementary and secondary schools filled in the Core Job Characteristics Inventory (CJCI). CJCI comprises 29 items to assess job autonomy, task significance, task identification, skill variety and feedback from the job. The development of the CJCI undergone the following stages: development of an initial pool of items, examination of its content validity by ten experts and a pilot study.

Findings

Exploratory factor analysis revealed five factors with satisfactory internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analysis showed mixed results. Application of exploratory structural equation modeling procedures revealed that a correlated five-factor model yielded an adequate fit to the data. Associations among the five work features were significant, positive and yielding moderate values. Correlations among the five-core job characteristics and two affective job responses (job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion) provided evidence of CJCI concurrent validity.

Practical implications

Human resources managers can use CJCI to measure core job characteristics or to evaluate interventions in the work places.

Originality/value

A new instrument was developed to measure core job characteristics, and to address previous shortcomings reported in the literature. The rigorous methodological procedure, which followed for the development of the CJCI combined with a cross-validation approach best guarantees its applicability.
Thematic analysis of marketing messages in UK universities’ prospectuses
Authors: Mogaji Emmanuel , Yoon Hyunsun
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Prospective students are exposed to abundant choices, and they are eagerly searching for information to select the best universities for themselves. Likewise, prospectuses are regularly produced by universities to meet this information needs; the purpose of this paper is to examine the key marketing messages used in their prospectuses.

Design/methodology/approach

The 2017 undergraduate prospectuses of 121 universities in the UK (out of the 134 members of University UK) were thematically analysed using NVivo10.

Findings

Messages were predominantly about the location, the course, student experience, credibility and career progression. They are framed in an appealing way, filled with facts and figures, images of beautiful buildings and smiling students, testimonials of facilities and experiences that form a sense of compatibility and belonging.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides insights for the higher educational institutions to enhance their future marketing communications strategies in terms of effectively differentiating one university from another by highlighting the predominantly used appeals among 121 prospectuses and the need for adopting a more consistent approach between the clearing period and non-clearing period in terms of designing the prospectuses. This study has considered only the print platform, and therefore future studies should also look at social media and university websites in the context of the integrated marketing communications.

Practical implications

Accurate and coherent narratives should be provided, taking into consideration the diverse nature of target audience. Universities need to realise that they can be held responsible for the promises presented in their prospectuses. Using the city appeal by many universities may be challenging, as there is need to attract students not just to the city itself, but to the university’s campus.

Originality/value

Having a significantly larger sample than any other previous studies in this field, the empirical evidence provided in this paper is rich and in-depth, thanks to the size and age of the sample as well as the integrated and combined methodological approach. Five keys themes with sub-themes, descriptions and examples were provided, suitable for future research in higher education marketing.
Managing a short international study trip: the case of China
Authors: Mu Fengli , Hatch James
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the major planning and implementation practices that should be followed in a short term international study trip (IST). The focus throughout is on how to utilize experiential learning to establish cultural competence.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper shows how to plan and manage an international MBA study trip to China using a specific case to illustrate the methods employed.

Findings

The use of a highly structured approach to an experiential learning exercise combined with a focus on key elements of cultural competencies creates a positive environment and leads to significant focused learning.

Originality/value

This paper fills three key gaps in the literature. First it uniquely focuses on the implementation of a conceptual framework that incorporates the types of cultural competency related learning that are to take place. Second, it illustrates how to design and implement an IST highlighting two key aspects of experiential learning: providing challenging experiences and encouraging reflection. Third, it focuses on a trip to China which, although one of the most popular destinations for business students, is lightly reviewed in the literature. This study fills a significant gap in the literature dealing with the management of short term study trips.
Academic leaders’ double bind: challenges from an Indonesian perspective
Authors: Arquisola Maria Jacinta , Zutshi Ambika , Rentschler Ruth , Billsberry Jon
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the mechanisms that explain the complexities Indonesian higher education (HE) academic leaders (ALs) experience in performing leadership roles. The research addresses the questions: How do Indonesian ALs perceive their roles in HE? What are the challenges facing Indonesian ALs in their roles in the Indonesian HE context? To what extent does gender impact how ALs act and are perceived?

Design/methodology/approach

In sum, 35 ALs from six Indonesian universities representing top executive positions were interviewed. Data were analysed thematically using a retroductive process followed by a series of on-site member-checking activities to establish credibility and authenticity of the findings.

Findings

The religious principles ofamanah(the “altruistic calling” of their functions needing dedication, commitment, and passion) unique to the Indonesian cultural experience influence ALs views of leadership. ALs face role constraints due to resource limitations, experiencing a double bind, while harmonising differences due to ascribed social status and position.

Research limitations/implications

Supportive structures effective for academic leadership practice must be created, further studies on male ALs’ roles in promoting the leadership ascent of female ALs and promoting work-life balance will improve ALs’ visibility and salience in steering institutional growth.

Originality/value

This is the first study to focus a critical lens on the complexities of context-based leadership practice as it is influenced byamanah. Layers of constraints confronting female ALs were documented due to exigencies of gender role expectations and resource limitations, yet they exhibited paternal navigational skills beyond the maternal and pastoral calling of their roles.
Organizational learning and patient safety: hospital pharmacy settings
Authors: Abdallah Wael , Johnson Craig , Nitzl Cristian , Mohammed Mohammed A.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between organizational learning and patient safety culture in hospital pharmacy settings as determined by the learning organization survey short-form (LOS-27) and pharmacy survey on patient safety culture instruments, and to further explore how dimensions of organizational learning relate to dimensions of pharmacy patient safety culture.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from three public hospital pharmacies and three private hospital pharmacies in Kuwait. Partial least square structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.

Findings

A total of 272 surveys (59.1 percent response rate) were completed and returned. The results indicated a significant positive relationship between organizational learning and patient safety culture in hospital pharmacy settings (path coefficient of 0.826, p-value <0.05 and R2 of 0.683). Several dimensions of the organizational learning showed significant links to the various dimensions of the pharmacy patient safety culture. Specifically, training (TRN), management that reinforces learning (MRL) and supportive learning environment (SLE) had the strongest effects on the pharmacy patient safety culture dimensions. Moreover, these effects indicated that MRL, SLE and TRN were associated with improvements in most dimensions of pharmacy patient safety culture.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to assess the relationship between organizational learning, patient safety culture and their dimensions in hospital pharmacy settings.
Responsible management education in Egyptian public business schools
Authors: Mousa Mohamed , Abdelgaffar Hala A. , Ayoubi Rami M.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Out of 24 public business schools in Egypt, the purpose of this paper is to focus on three in order to investigate how responsible management education is perceived and exercised by academics there.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 168 academics were contacted and interviewed in 42 focus groups. The length of each focus group was about 45 min, and all of them were conducted in Arabic because the majority of respondents are not fluent in English. The authors used thematic analysis to determine the main ideas in the transcripts.

Findings

Based on data analysis of the perceptions of academics concerning business education, research and management process at the target business schools, the authors of this paper found that responsible management education is not considered a priority in the work agendas of the Egyptian public business schools. Furthermore, the authors believe that besides issues with the general acceptance of the need for responsible management education, there are functional, procedural and edu-academic barriers that these schools need to overcome first before proceeding with implementation and expecting positive outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

This research maybe subject to criticism because the authors address only the perspectives of academics in the chosen business schools while neglecting other academic partners, particularly those in managerial positions, such as rectors and heads of departments. Future researchers may use the same research questions to investigate a managerial level perspective to depict a more holistic picture of the situation. Moreover, including Egyptian private business schools may also enrich the findings. In fact, the authors suggest that scholars from different academic disciplines such as sustainability management, business ethics, higher education, sustainability and cultural diversity work together to produce more interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary research on the global responsibility themes business schools have to manage.

Originality/value

This paper contributes by filling a gap in sustainability, HR management, business ethics and higher education literature in which empirical studies on responsible management education and the responsible practices of academics have been limited so far.
Student mothers’ experiences of workplace internship
Authors: Dickson Martina
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Within any vocational university degree, a placement in a workplace normally forms an integral part of developing professional skills and provides an opportunity for students to put into practice theoretical knowledge they have acquired through academic courses. For student mothers, keeping up with their studies whilst juggling their domestic responsibilities can become even more challenging than usual during work placements. This paper aims to document the narratives of ten student mothers who have been carrying out workplace internships in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses qualitative methodology to explore, by interview, the experiences of student mothers undertaking a 12-week teaching internship during their final degree year. The study aimed to document the factors which have allowed the students to successfully complete their internships, as well as their comparative thoughts on the differences between college and workplace settings. An additional aim was to find out the student mothers’ own suggestions and advice to institutions, and to others in their situations, to optimize support and preparation prior to work placements.

Findings

It was found that while the student mothers experienced stresses such as arranging childcare, coping with different commutes and working schedule patterns, peers and school mentor teachers were an enormous source of support and empathy for the students. Supportive school mentors often influenced the students’ outcomes. Personal emotional reserves and intrinsic motivation were also key to success. Ways in which student mothers can be supported and retained by both workplaces and educational institutions are discussed.

Originality/value

The study of student mothers is unique both in its geographical context and in that the study looks specifically at both how they cope with the challenges of the workplace and how this is experienced differently to their normal lives at university.
Optimization of machining parameters under MQL turning of Ti-6Al-4V alloy with textured tool using multi-attribute decision-making methods
Authors: Singh Rupinder , Dureja Jasminder Singh , Dogra Manu , Randhawa Jugraj Singh
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the application of multi-attribute decision-making methods (MADMs) to ascertain the optimal machining parameters while turning Ti-6Al-4V alloy under minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) conditions using Jatropha-curcas oil (JCO) bio-based lubricant.

Design/methodology/approach

The experiments were designed and performed using Taguchi L27 design of experiments methodology. A total of 27 experiments were performed under MQL conditions using textured carbide cutting tools on which different MADMs like Analytic hierarchy process (AHP), Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and Simple additive weighting (SAW) were implemented in an empirical manner to extract optimize machining parameters for turning of Ti-6Al-4V alloy under set of constrained conditions.

Findings

The results evaluated through MADMs exhibit the optimized set of machining parameters (cutting speedVc= 80 m/min, feed ratef = 0.05 mm/rev. and depth of cutap= 0.10 mm) for minimizing the average surface roughness (Ra), maximum flank wear (Vbmax), tangential cutting force (Fc) and cutting temperature (T). Further, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and traditional desirability function approach was applied and results of TOPSIS and SAW methods having optimal setting of parameters were compared as well as confirmation experiments were conducted to verify the results. A SEM analysis at lowest and highest cutting speeds was performed to investigate the tool wear patterns. At the highest speed, large cutting temperature generated, thereby resulted in chipping as well as notching and fracturing of the textured insert.

Originality/value

The research paper attempted in exploring the optimized machining parameters during turning of difficult-to-cut titanium alloy (Ti-6AL-4V) with textured carbide cutting tool under MQL environment through combined approach of MADMs techniques. Ti-6Al-4V alloy has been extensively used in important aerospace components like fuselage, hydraulic tubing, bulk head, wing spar, landing gear, as well as bio-medical applications.
The concentration of people and investments in the capital of a country of Latin America
Authors: Coronado Francisco
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the population growth, migration, poverty, economic, political, environmental aspects and the management of the budget at national and municipal levels, including information of other cities in Peru, to define the effect on the quality of life of the population and formulate a management recommendation to help improve the quality of life in Lima and on intermediate cities.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of the study consisted on collect, review and select important factors that influence the quality of life in a big city, in this case in Lima, the concentration of people of Peru in Lima, migration and poverty, the coverage and quality of services, the concentration of the economy, public and private investments and services in Lima, some political aspects and a view of the available budget and the needed investment.

Findings

The deficiencies in the habitability conditions of the residents of Lima were verified considering the limited infrastructure and public services, the low level of investments and the limited effectiveness of the technical and administrative work of the municipal authorities and the central government. Although studies on other important cities in Peru are more limited, it could be said that similar limitations are being presented for example in transportation.

Research limitations/implications

The main obstacle to the study is the limited availability of information of such broad aspects that characterize a city that could not be covered in one paper.

Practical implications

The result of the study supports the need to implement appropriate management decisions about urban planning and investment policies for Metropolitan Lima, as well as to raise municipal and central government technical and legal conditions that are attractive for residents and investors for other cities in the country seeking their development, as well as to help counteract the concentration of people in Lima to control the demands of their habitability.

Social implications

The study could impact not only in the habitability conditions of about 10m inhabitants of Lima, but to all the 30m inhabitants of Perú.

Originality/value

Presents an unified vision of the social, economic and political deficiencies to the provision of services to a city concentrating the population of a country.
Ovarian tissue cryopreservation: Low usage rates and high live‐birth rate after transplantation
Authors: Hoekman Ellen J. , Louwe Leoni A. , Rooijers Maxime , van der Westerlaken Lucette A. J. , Klijn Nicole F. , Pilgram Gonneke S. K. , de Kroon Cornelis D. , Hilders Carina G. J. M.
Published: September 2019

Introduction

The likelihood of survival after cancer treatment among young women with cancer has increased considerably, quality of life after treatment has drawn more attention. However, in young fertile women, fertility preservation is an important issue with regard to quality of life. One of the options of fertility preservation is ovarian tissue cryopreservation. The purpose of this follow‐up study is to present our clinical experiences and evaluate the long‐term follow up of ovarian cryopreservation to improve future patient selection.

Material and methods

From July 2002 to December 2015 at the Leiden University Hospital, the Netherlands, 69 young women underwent ovarian tissue cryopreservation when they were at risk of iatrogenic premature ovarian insufficiency. Follow‐up data with regard to ovarian function were obtained until October 2018, from medical records and questionnaires.

Results

Of the 69 women in whom ovarian tissue cryopreservation was performed, 12 died (15.9%), 57 were approached to participate, of which 6 were lost to follow up. The indications for ovarian tissue cryopreservation were malignant (81.1%) and benign (18.9%) diseases in which gonadotoxic treatment was scheduled. In total, twenty women (39.2%) are known to have premature ovarian insufficiency due to gonadotoxic treatment. Fifteen women conceived spontaneously, and delivered 25 babies. In this cohort, the usage rate of autotransplantation is 8.7% (7/69). In total, nine autotransplantations of cryopreserved ovarian tissue were performed in seven patients (of which 1 ovarian tissue cryopreservation was performed in another hospital) after which 6 babies were born to four women, giving a live‐birth rate of 57%.

Conclusions

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation followed by autotransplantation is an effective method to restore fertility (live‐birth rate of 57%). The usage rate of 8.7% (6/69) indicates that more knowledge about the risk of premature ovarian insufficiency after gonadotoxic treatment is needed to be able to offer ovarian tissue cryopreservation more selectively.
S2k guidelines for the treatment of psoriasis in children and adolescents – Short version part 2
Authors: Eisert Lisa , Augustin Matthias , Bach Sabine , Dittmann Martin , Eiler Renate , Fölster‐Holst Regina , Gerdes Sascha , Hamm Henning , Höger Peter , Horneff Gerd , von Kiedrowski Ralph , Philipp Sandra , Pleimes Marc , Schlaeger Martin , Schuster Volker , Staubach Petra , Weberschock Tobias , Werner Ricardo Niklas , Nast Alexander , Sticherling Michael
Published: September 2019

The present guidelines are aimed at residents and board‐certified physicians in the fields of dermatology, pediatrics, pediatric dermatology and pediatric rheumatology as well as policymakers and insurance funds. They were developed by dermatologists and pediatric dermatologists in collaboration with pediatric rheumatologists using a formal consensus process (S2k).

The guidelines highlight topics such as disease severity, quality of life, treatment goals as well as problems associated with off‐label drug therapy in children. Trigger factors and diagnostic aspects are discussed. The primary focus is on the various topical, systemic and UV‐based treatment options available and includes recommendations for use and treatment algorithms. Other aspects addressed herein include vaccinations in children and adolescents with psoriasis as well as various disease subtypes such as guttate psoriasis, diaper psoriasis, pustular psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Finally, we also provide recommendations for imaging studies and the diagnostic workup to rule out tuberculosis prior to initiating systemic treatment.

Note: This article constitutes part 2 of the Sk2 guidelines for the treatment of psoriasis in children and adolescents. Part 1 was published in last month's issue. It contained introductory remarks and addressed aspects of diagnosis and topical treatment.
Performance of Upper Limb module for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Mayhew Anna G , Coratti Giorgia , Mazzone Elena Stacy , Klingels Katrijn , James Meredith , Pane Marika , Straub Volker , Goemans Natalie , Mercuri Eugenio ,   Pul Working Group
Published: September 2019

Aim

To report the differences between Performance of Upper Limb (PUL) versions 1.2 and 2.0, compare the measurement ability of the two versions, and compare their longitudinal performance in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Method

Rasch analysis was performed on the dual data from three centres to confirm whether the two scales measure the same construct. Change scores in natural history for the different domains were compared for the two versions.

Results

Rasch analysis demonstrated that both versions measure the same construct and that the PUL 2.0 was a better fit to the construct of motor performance and better able to detect change at 12 months in all levels of ability than the PUL 1.2. This was also true when change scores were reviewed over 2 years.

Interpretation

Our results confirm that the PUL 1.2 and 2.0 versions detect change in all domains over 2 years. They also demonstrate that simplifying the original scoring of the PUL 1.2 for the revised PUL 2.0 maintains the validity of the construct and enhances the scale measurement qualities.

What this paper adds

The original and revised Performance of Upper Limb (PUL) scales measure the same construct.

Both scales detected change in all domains over 2 years.

The PUL 2.0 enhances the measurement qualities of the scale.
Trophic rewilding establishes a landscape of fear: Tasmanian devil introduction increases risk‐sensitive foraging in a key prey species
Authors: Cunningham Calum X. , Johnson Christopher N. , Hollings Tracey , Kreger Kaely , Jones Menna E.
Published: September 2019

Global declines of large carnivores have reduced the ‘landscape of fear’ that constrains the behaviour of other species. In recent years, active and passive trophic rewilding have potentially begun restoring these lost top–down controls. The Tasmanian devil Sarcophilus harrisii has declined severely due to a novel transmissible cancer. In response to extinction fears, devils were introduced to the devil‐free Maria Island, where their abundance rapidly increased. We tested how this introduction influenced risk‐sensitive foraging in the common brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula, a major prey species for devils, using giving‐up densities (GUDs). Before the introduction of devils, possum GUDs on Maria Island were indistinguishable from the long‐diseased region of Tasmania, where devils have been rare since ~2000. Three years after devil introduction, GUDs were 64% higher on Maria Island than the control region, demonstrating that after an initial period of high mortality, possums quickly adopted risk‐sensitive foraging behaviours. Devil activity across Maria Island was variable, leading to a heterogeneous landscape of fear and highlighting that top predators must be at functional densities to elicit behavioural responses from prey. Our study provides strong evidence that top predators modify the behaviour of prey by instilling fear, causing rapid ecological change following recoveries.
Embedding patient and public involvement: Managing tacit and explicit expectations
Authors: Poland Fiona , Charlesworth Georgina , Leung Phuong , Birt Linda
Published: September 2019

Background

Evidencing well‐planned and implemented patient and public involvement (PPI) in a research project is increasingly required in funding bids and dissemination activities. There is a tacit expectation that involving people with experience of the condition under study will improve the integrity and quality of the research. This expectation remains largely unproblematized and unchallenged.

Objective

To critically evaluate the implementation of PPI activity, including co‐research in a programme of research exploring ways to enhance the independence of people with dementia.

Design

Using critical cases, we make visible and explicate theoretical and moral challenges of PPI.

Results

Case 1 explores the challenges of undertaking multiple PPI roles in the same study making explicit different responsibilities of being a co‐applicant, PPI advisory member and a co‐researcher. Case 2 explores tensions which arose when working with carer co‐researchers during data collection; here the co‐researcher's wish to offer support and advice to research participants, a moral imperative, was in conflict with assumptions about the role of the objective interviewer. Case 3 defines and examines co‐research data coding and interpretation activities undertaken with people with dementia, reporting the theoretical outputs of the activity and questioning whether this was co‐researcher analysis or PPI validation.

Conclusion

Patient and public involvement activity can empower individual PPI volunteers and improve relevance and quality of research but it is a complex activity which is socially constructed in flexible ways with variable outcomes. It cannot be assumed to be simple or universal panacea for increasing the relevance and accessibility of research to the public.
Facile synthesis of high‐melting point spherical TiC and TiN powders at low temperature
Authors: Xiang Maoqiao , Song Miao , Zhu Qingshan , Hu Chaoquan , Yang Yafeng , Lv Pengpeng , Zhao Hongdan , Yun Fen
Published: September 2019

Preparation of high melting point sphere is of great practical value and remains a great challenge. Herein, for the first time a delicate chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process was developed for fabricating spherical TiN and TiC powders, which can hardly be attainable by conventional processes. The big equilibrium constant and released heats are key parameters for obtaining spherical TiN and TiC powders by the CVD process. Sphericity and crystallinity of these spherical powders can be controlled by adjusting nucleation and growth. The optimal TiN spheres (diameter 0.46 μm, sphericity 0.89) and TiC spheres (diameter 0.52 μm, sphericity 0.87) were obtained at 850°C under N2 and H2 and CH4, respectively. The design ideas explore a novel way to fabricate high melting point spheres.
The relationship between plumage coloration and aggression in female tree swallows
Authors: Beck Michelle L. , Hopkins William A.
Published: September 2019

Intrasexual competition is an important selective force that can favor the evolution of honest signals of fighting ability. Research has focused predominantly on male birds, but many female birds also possess plumage ornaments that could mediate the outcome of competitive interactions. We examined the relationship between blue and white structural coloration and aggression in female tree swallows Tachycineta bicolor. Tree swallows are secondary cavity nesters and females show delayed plumage maturation which may be related to intense competition for nest sites. We compared plumage reflectance of second‐year (SY) and after‐second year (ASY) females, and within‐individual changes in plumage reflectance of ASY females in two successive years. We assessed aggression by placing a caged SY female 2 m from the nest box of an ASY female and quantified the ASY female's response in relation to her own plumage coloration. We found substantial differences in plumage reflectance of SY and ASY females, but found that ASY females became greener with duller white coloration in the second year. This may be due to poor weather that made reproduction particularly costly in the first year of the study and suggests coloration is influenced by condition. We found no relationship between dorsal coloration and aggressiveness. Rather, brighter white females spent more time on their nest box and within 2 m of the intruder than females with dull breasts. Our findings suggest that brighter white ASY females may perceive a SY female as less of a threat or that there may be a trade‐off associated with aggression and parental care that is related to white brightness.
Species–area relationships in continuous vegetation: Evidence from Palaearctic grasslands
Authors: Dengler Jürgen , Matthews Thomas J. , Steinbauer Manuel J. , Wolfrum Sebastian , Boch Steffen , Chiarucci Alessandro , Conradi Timo , Dembicz Iwona , Marcenò Corrado , García‐Mijangos Itziar , Nowak Arkadiusz , Storch David , Ulrich Werner , Campos Juan Antonio , Cancellieri Laura , Carboni Marta , Ciaschetti Giampiero , De Frenne Pieter , Dolezal Jiri , Dolnik Christian , Essl Franz , Fantinato Edy , Filibeck Goffredo , Grytnes John‐Arvid , Guarino Riccardo , Güler Behlül , Janišová Monika , Klichowska Ewelina , Kozub Łukasz , Kuzemko Anna , Manthey Michael , Mimet Anne , Naqinezhad Alireza , Pedersen Christian , Peet Robert K. , Pellissier Vincent , Pielech Remigiusz , Potenza Giovanna , Rosati Leonardo , Terzi Massimo , Valkó Orsolya , Vynokurov Denys , White Hannah , Winkler Manuela , Biurrun Idoia
Published: September 2019

Aim

Species–area relationships (SARs) are fundamental scaling laws in ecology although their shape is still disputed. At larger areas, power laws best represent SARs. Yet, it remains unclear whether SARs follow other shapes at finer spatial grains in continuous vegetation. We asked which function describes SARs best at small grains and explored how sampling methodology or the environment influence SAR shape.

Location

Palaearctic grasslands and other non‐forested habitats.

Taxa

Vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens.

Methods

We used the GrassPlot database, containing standardized vegetation‐plot data from vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens spanning a wide range of grassland types throughout the Palaearctic and including 2,057 nested‐plot series with at least seven grain sizes ranging from 1 cm2 to 1,024 m2. Using nonlinear regression, we assessed the appropriateness of different SAR functions (power, power quadratic, power breakpoint, logarithmic, Michaelis–Menten). Based on AICc, we tested whether the ranking of functions differed among taxonomic groups, methodological settings, biomes or vegetation types.

Results

The power function was the most suitable function across the studied taxonomic groups. The superiority of this function increased from lichens to bryophytes to vascular plants to all three taxonomic groups together. The sampling method was highly influential as rooted presence sampling decreased the performance of the power function. By contrast, biome and vegetation type had practically no influence on the superiority of the power law.

Main conclusions

We conclude that SARs of sessile organisms at smaller spatial grains are best approximated by a power function. This coincides with several other comprehensive studies of SARs at different grain sizes and for different taxa, thus supporting the general appropriateness of the power function for modelling species diversity over a wide range of grain sizes. The poor performance of the Michaelis–Menten function demonstrates that richness within plant communities generally does not approach any saturation, thus calling into question the concept of minimal area.
Determining the number of instars in potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) using density‐based DBSCAN clustering
Authors: Zheng Yaqiang , Wang Wenqian , Chen Bin , Zhang Limin , Phangthavong Souksamone , Su Zaotang , Zhang Linying , Xiao Guanli
Published: September 2019

The potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is an important pest of Solanaceae crops and especially devastating to potatoes. There is no significant difference in morphological characteristics of PTM from the first to third instar larvae; therefore, it is difficult to directly determine the number of instars of this pest based on morphology. In the present study, head capsule width and length and mandible width of 340 PTM individuals were measured. Density‐based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) clustering was used for instar grouping. The results of DBSCAN clustering were compared with those obtained using Gaussian mixture models and k‐means clustering; the results of the three clustering methods were verified using Brooks–Dyar rule, Crosby rule and linear regression model. The clusters obtained using the three methods were the same and comprised four PTM instars with three morphological characteristics. Moreover, the results of the three methods fit the Brooks–Dyar rule, Crosby rule, frequency analysis and logarithmic regression model well. Head capsule width was the best morphological characteristic for determining the number of instars of PTM, and this characteristic may be used for determining PTM instars in the field. These results show that the DBSCAN clustering method is a promising tool for the identification of insect instars.
Population dynamics of Macrophomina phaseolina in relation to disease management: A review
Authors: Lodha Satish , Mawar Ritu
Published: September 2019

Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. causes seedling blight, charcoal rot, leaf blight, stem and pod rot on over 500 plant species in different parts of the world. The pathogen survives as sclerotia formed in host tissues which are released into the soil as tissue decay. Low soil moisture is considered the more important predisposing factor for M. phaseolina‐induced diseases than high temperature. The intensity of the disease on a crop is related to the population of viable sclerotia in the soil and abiotic factors. The influence of various management strategies in reducing the number of viable propagules of the pathogen in the soil has been studied in order to minimize the impact of the disease. Any management approach that reduces inoculum density in the soil may reduce disease incidence on the host. However, to reduce inoculum density, quantitative determination of viable propagules from soil is necessary in order to understand the effect of management strategies on the population dynamics of this pathogen. Considerable work has been done on organic amendments, changing crop sequences with tolerant crops, fumigants, herbicides and tillage in managing M. phaseolina populations in the soil and the resulting disease. Solarization has been used in controlling M. phaseolina in different countries where this pathogen is causing disease on economically valuable crops. However, this method of soil disinfestation was effective in eliminating viable populations at the top soil layer although by combining other approaches its effectiveness was improved at lower soil depth. Use of biological control agents with or without organic amendments or after solarization has emerged to be a practical management approach in the control of M. phaseolina. In this paper, an attempt has been made to review those research findings where the influence of various management approaches on survival of M. phaseolina mainly sclerotia have been investigated.
Microbial protein formation of different carbohydrates in vitro
Authors: Pfau Friederike , Hummel Jürgen
Published: September 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the microbial protein yield of different pure carbohydrates to contribute to a more precise prediction of the microbial protein formed in the rumen. In a first experiment, sucrose, wheat starch, microcrystalline cellulose and citrus pectin were incubated for 8 and 24 hr in the modified Hohenheim gas test (HGT) system (3 runs × 2 syringes) including gas production, ammonia and short‐chain fatty acid concentration measurements. Ammonia values were used for estimation of the microbial protein formation. In a second experiment, the same substrates were incubated for 96 hr in the HGT system (2 runs × 3 syringes) and gas production was measured after 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 30, 36, 48, 60, 72 and 96 hr of incubation to obtain the fermentation kinetics and the time of half‐maximal gas production (t1/2) of the substrates. The substrates differed considerably in their fermentation kinetics, and therefore, comparison on the basis of t1/2 was chosen as the most meaningful. At t1/2, microbial protein yield [g/kg dry matter] was higher for cellulose than for sucrose and pectin and higher for starch than for sucrose. The microbial protein expressed in g/L gas production was higher for starch and cellulose than for sucrose and pectin at t1/2. Effects of carbohydrates related to ruminal pH may remain undetected in in vitro trials.
How to identify sex chromosomes and their turnover
Authors: Palmer Daniela H. , Rogers Thea F. , Dean Rebecca , Wright Alison E.
Published: September 2019

Although sex is a fundamental component of eukaryotic reproduction, the genetic systems that control sex determination are highly variable. In many organisms the presence of sex chromosomes is associated with female or male development. Although certain groups possess stable and conserved sex chromosomes, others exhibit rapid sex chromosome evolution, including transitions between male and female heterogamety, and turnover in the chromosome pair recruited to determine sex. These turnover events have important consequences for multiple facets of evolution, as sex chromosomes are predicted to play a central role in adaptation, sexual dimorphism, and speciation. However, our understanding of the processes driving the formation and turnover of sex chromosome systems is limited, in part because we lack a complete understanding of interspecific variation in the mechanisms by which sex is determined. New bioinformatic methods are making it possible to identify and characterize sex chromosomes in a diverse array of non‐model species, rapidly filling in the numerous gaps in our knowledge of sex chromosome systems across the tree of life. In turn, this growing data set is facilitating and fueling efforts to address many of the unanswered questions in sex chromosome evolution. Here, we synthesize the available bioinformatic approaches to produce a guide for characterizing sex chromosome system and identity simultaneously across clades of organisms. Furthermore, we survey our current understanding of the processes driving sex chromosome turnover, and highlight important avenues for future research.
Optimal stomatal drought response shaped by competition for water and hydraulic risk can explain plant trait covariation
Authors: Lu Yaojie , Duursma Remko A. , Farrior Caroline E. , Medlyn Belinda E. , Feng Xue
Published: September 2019

The classical theory of stomatal optimization stipulates that stomata should act to maximize photosynthesis while minimizing transpiration. This theory, despite its remarkable success in reproducing empirical patterns, does not account for the fact that the available water to plants is dynamically regulated by plants themselves, and that plants compete for water in most locations.

Here, we develop an alternative theory in which plants maximize the expected carbon gain under stochastic rainfall in a competitive environment. We further incorporate xylem hydraulic limitation as an additional constraint to transpiration and evaluate its impacts on stomatal optimization by incorporating the direct carbon cost of xylem recovery and the opportunity cost of reduced future photosynthesis as a result of irrecoverable xylem damage.

We predict stomatal behaviour to be more conservative with a higher cost induced by xylem damage. By varying the unit carbon cost and extent of xylem recovery, characterizing the direct and opportunity cost of xylem damage, respectively, our model can reproduce several key patterns of stomatal‐hydraulic trait covariations.

By addressing the key elements of water limitation in plant gas exchange simultaneously, including plants’ self‐regulation of water availability, competition for water and hydraulic risk, our study provides a comprehensive theoretical basis for understanding stomatal behaviour.