The effect of anthropogenic nutrient addition on the growth and competitive abilities of selected lichen species

The effects of anthropogenic nutrient addition and species combination on the growth and competitive abilities of four widespread foliose lichens was investigated using two replicated factorial nutrient addition experiments conducted in conjunction with field studies. The first was carried out on thallus fragments of P. caperata (Pc), P. saxatilis (Ps) and X. parietina (Xp) transplanted onto a saxicolous substrate (roofing slate). Thallus growth rates were dependent on lichen species (F=12.76; PPCompetition (number of thallus overlaps) was also dependent on both lichen species (F=5.62; PIn the second transplant experiment using P. caperata and P. reddenda (Pr), growth rates were again dependent on lichen species (F=8.31; PIn the second transplant experiment using P. caperata and P. reddenda (Pr), growth rates were again dependent on lichen species (F=8.31; PBoth species exhibited symmetrical competition under experimentally elevated nutrient conditions. Field studies suggest asymmetrical competition occurs between P. caperata & X. parietina (Pc—>Xp) where no experimentally elevated nutrient conditions exist. However, competition between P. caperata & P. saxatilis and P. saxatilis & X. parietina remains symmetrical (PcPs; PsXp). On beech, under conditions of no experimentally elevated nutrients, competition between P. reddenda and P. caperata was symmetrical (Pr—>Pc). Furthermore there is evidence to suggest niche separation occurs between these two species and that this becomes less important under conditions of nutrient enhancement. These results suggest elevated nutrient levels alter growth rate and competition which affect lichen community structure

PISA Performance and Australian Education : myths and realities

Australia's record as one of the higher performing nations on therecent PISA tests occasioned more interest internationally than domestically. Not with standing this success however, it is argued that its overall national success on the PISA tests is something of a myth, masking wide differences between the overall majority, and certain disadvantaged minorities. Disaggregating the performance data reveals the actual situation with respect to indigenous Australians, certain ethnic minorities and the effects of social class, which in each case is complemented with analysis of test performance differentials from PISA and NAPLAN. This examination reveals the reality that Australia is less successful than several other countries in extending high levels of school performance to key minorities. Given this failure, the myth of Australian high performance needs to be re-examined: much more needs to be done to boost the educational success of disadvantaged minorities.Los resultados de Australia, como uno de los países como uno de los países con los mejores resultados en el reciente estudio PISA han interesado más fuera de sus fronteras que dentro de ellas. A pesar de este éxito, sin embargo, se argumenta que los buenos resultados nacionales en los test de PISA encierran algo de mito y enmascara amplias diferencias entre la inmensa mayoría y ciertas minorías desaventajadas. Realizando un examen desagregado de los datos de Australia se pone de manifiesto la situación actual respecto a los indígenas de ese continente, ciertas minorías étnicas y el efecto de la clase social que se complementa en cada caso con el análisis de los diferenciales de rendimiento entre PISA y NAPLAN. El examen revela que Australia en realidad es menos exitosa que algunos de otros países a la hora de extender elevados niveles de rendimiento escolar a determinadas minorías clave. Ante este fracaso, el mito del alto rendimiento australiano necesita ser revisado: es necesario hacer mucho más para mejorar el éxito educativo de las minorías desaventajadas

Evolving ASEAN-Australia relations in Higher Education. Towards a Regional Knowledge Network?

Australia’s attitude towards ASEAN has waxed and waned over recent decades, including in higher education. In part a reflection of tensions between its geography and history, it highlighted the question of the extent to which Australia saw itself as an Asian country (an uncertainty shared by number of its ASEAN neighbours). Reviewing changes in several key indices (Asian languages strategy, International student policy, Education as Aid), the prospects for a regional knowledge network comprising Australia, ASEAN and China are assessed, with the conclusion that the whole would be greater than the sum of the parts, but that for the prospect to be realised, greater consistency in Australian government policy towards the region is needed.

L’Australie se considère-t-elle comme un pays asiatique ?

Cet article analyse les relations complexes et changeantes de l’Australie avec l’Asie, en particulier les pays de l’Anase, en matière d’enseignement supérieur. Depuis 1974, ces relations se sont structurées autour de trois thèmes principaux de coopération éducative : les langues asiatiques, l’éducation comme modalité de l’aide internationale et la mobilité internationale des étudiants. Plus récemment, la collaboration universitaire est également devenue un thème majeur des échanges entre l’Australie et ses voisins asiatiques. Pourtant, le potentiel pour approfondir et développer les relations entre l’Anase et l’Australie en matière d’enseignement supérieur reste encore largement inexploité.This article analyses the complex and changing relationship between Australia and Asia – in particular the ASEAN countries – in the area of higher education. Since 1974 this relationship has been structured around three main themes of educational cooperation: Asian languages, education as a form of international aid and the international mobility of students. More recently, collaboration between universities has also become a major part of exchanges between Australia and its Asian neighbours. However, the potential to deepen and develop relations between the ASEAN countries and Australia with regard to higher education remains largely unexploited.Este artículo analiza las relaciones complejas y cambiantes de Australia con Asia, en particular los países de la ASEAN, en materia de enseñanza superior. Desde el año 1974, estas relaciones se estructuraron en torno a tres temas principales de cooperación educativa: las lenguas asiáticas, la educación como modalidad de ayuda internacional y la movilidad internacional de los estudiantes. Más recientemente, la colaboración universitaria se convirtió también en un tema mayor en los intercambios entre Australia y sus vecinos asiáticos. Sin embargo, el potencial para profundizar y desarrollar las relaciones entre la ASEAN y Australia en el campo de la enseñanza superior queda por explotar en gran parte

Security sector reform and the confusion and competition nexus : the case of Kosovo

This work examines security sector reform (SSR) in post-conflict states. It proposes that intergovernmental organisations (IGOs) are significantly impeded in their pursuit of coherent and effective SSR programmes by internal and external rivalry and contradictory agendas. These difficulties occur at both systemic and actor levels. Current institutional theory has little to say on the role of confusion, rivalry and competition in shaping IGO behaviour when operating in the security sector. As SSR is a crucial but challenging component of peacebuilding it is essential to identify the sources of these influences, explain their impact, and suggest ways by which impediments to SSR outcomes may be mitigated. Using the 2006 Kosovo Internal Security Sector Review (ISSR) as a case study, the thesis analyses how inter- and intra-IGO relationships affect SSR. It explores the lack of a clear definition of SSR and the dispute over its scope and application. It then evaluates relationships between international and local actors and the efficacy of SSR monitoring methods. The thesis reveals that confusion, competition and rivalry are common in a SSR programme. By diverting attention from the objectives of SSR, inter-and intra-organisational and inter-personal enmities are key factors in undermining security reform initiatives. Dispute over the practical application of local ownership of SSR and how programme effectiveness is measured serve also to dilute the impact of SSR. The thesis provides policy recommendations intended to reduce the effects of inter-and intra-organisational rivalry and competition. It proposes greater inclusion of the private sector and academic institutions in the planning and execution of SSR. It suggests areas where academics and practitioners might direct their efforts to improve SSR planning, employment and evaluation thereby producing a more effective approach to future security sector reform activities.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Ho Chi Minh meets the market: Public and private higher education in Viet Nam

The current Vietnamese higher education system is a site of contradiction, between the demands of socialism and the trend towards a market economy. While moves to extend market principles in Viet Nam continue, the role of its higher education system and its Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in promoting socialism has been retained. Significant cultural differences remain between a more entrepreneurial South, and a more conservative and cultural North. Various social, political and historical constraints have persisted to slow or prevent reforms in the higher education sector. The mix of public and private universities raises problems such as lack of resources, over-enrolment, entry standards, and especially the quality of education. Even so, and within the framework of socialism, it is likely that private sector growth will outstrip growth in the public sector in the future in an attempt to meet growing educational demand

In Search of Sovereignty: Central and Eastern Europe, 1956-1989

International theory is replete with contested concepts, none more than state sovereignty. Although embodied in the UN Charter, it came under continuous strain during the early Cold War, culminating in the crucial year of 1956. Subsequent Soviet ideologists sought to justify the invasion of Czechoslovakia as „limited sovereignty”, dubbed by US analysts the "Brezhnev Doctrine". A few Western scholars thought this ended with the "non-invasion" of Poland in 1980-1981, but Russian archives reveal that it was not annulled until spring 1989

Evasion of autophagy mediated by Rickettsia surface protein OmpB is critical for virulence.

Rickettsia are obligate intracellular bacteria that evade antimicrobial autophagy in the host cell cytosol by unknown mechanisms. Other cytosolic pathogens block different steps of autophagy targeting, including the initial step of polyubiquitin-coat formation. One mechanism of evasion is to mobilize actin to the bacterial surface. Here, we show that actin mobilization is insufficient to block autophagy recognition of the pathogen Rickettsia parkeri. Instead, R. parkeri employs outer membrane protein B (OmpB) to block ubiquitylation of the bacterial surface proteins, including OmpA, and subsequent recognition by autophagy receptors. OmpB is also required for the formation of a capsule-like layer. Although OmpB is dispensable for bacterial growth in endothelial cells, it is essential for R. parkeri to block autophagy in macrophages and to colonize mice because of its ability to promote autophagy evasion in immune cells. Our results indicate that OmpB acts as a protective shield to obstruct autophagy recognition, thereby revealing a distinctive bacterial mechanism to evade antimicrobial autophagy

The first intron of ARF7 is required for expression in root tips.

Auxin regulates plant growth and development through the transcription factors of the AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR (ARF) gene family. ARF7 is one of five activators that bind DNA and elicit downstream transcriptional responses. In roots, ARF7 regulates growth, gravitropism and redundantly with ARF19, lateral root organogenesis. In this study we analyzed -regulation, using different non-coding sequences of the locus to drive GFP. We show that constructs containing the first intron led to increased signal in the root tip. Although bioinformatics analyses predicted several transcription factor binding sites in the first intron, we were unable to significantly alter expression of GFP in the root by mutating these. We instead observed the intronic sequences needed to be present within the transcribed sequences to drive expression in the root meristem. These data support a mechanism by which intron-mediated enhancement regulates the tissue specific expression of in the root meristem