Assessing Chinese managerial competencies from different perspectives

In this study we investigated assessments of managerial competency in the context of Chinese local government public officials. Based on data collected from a 2008 survey conducted in China’s Jiangsu Province and drawing on the competing values framework developed by Quinn and Rohrbaugh (1981, 1983), we examined discrepancies in the assessment of managerial competencies through the supervisors’ self-assessments of their own competencies, subordinates’ self-assessments of their own competencies, supervisors assessments of their subordinates’ competencies, and subordinates’ assessments of their supervisors’ competencies. We found that, significant differences existed between the managerial competency assessments of public officials with leadership positions and the assessments of their subordinates. This calls into question the validity and effectiveness of supervisors’ assessments and peer assessments of managerial competencies in Chinese government. We offer both general and specific policy suggestions for improving the measurement of managerial competencies in China.Accepted versio

Comparative growth and development of spiders reared on live and dead prey

Scavenging (feeding on dead prey) has been demonstrated across a number of spider families, yet the implications of feeding on dead prey for the growth and development of individuals and population is unknown. In this study we compare the growth, development, and predatory activity of two species of spiders that were fed on live and dead prey. Pardosa astrigera (Lycosidae) and Hylyphantes graminicola (Lyniphiidae) were fed live or dead fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster. The survival of P. astrigera and H. graminicola was not affected by prey type. The duration of late instars of P. astrigera fed dead prey were longer and mature spiders had less protein content than those fed live prey, whereas there were no differences in the rate of H. graminicola development, but the mass of mature spiders fed dead prey was greater than those fed live prey. Predation rates by P. astrigera did not differ between the two prey types, but H. graminicola had a higher rate of predation on dead than alive prey, presumably because the dead flies were easier to catch and handle. Overall, the growth, development and reproduction of H. graminicola reared with dead flies was better than those reared on live flies, yet for the larger P. astrigera, dead prey may suit smaller instars but mature spiders may be best maintained with live prey. We have clearly demonstrated that dead prey may be suitable for rearing spiders, although the success of the spiders fed such prey appears size- and species specific.5 page(s

Near complete valorisation of Hybrid pennisetum to biomethane and lignin nanoparticles based on gamma-valerolactone/water pretreatment

This study is the first to integrate gamma-valerolactone/water (GVL/water) pretreatment with anaerobic digestion (AD) for biogas production and lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) synthesis. The hydrothermal treatment was conducted at 135 to 180 degrees C with GVL at 0 to 90%. After pretreatment, the compositions of hybrid pennisetum were changed with the removal of lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose to different extent. Subsequent anaerobic digestion achieved a maximal specific methane yield of 228.00 +/- 4.37 mL/g VS, compared with that at 165.11 +/- 1.99 mL/g VS for the control. The highest actual methane yield (150 mL/g RM) was achieved by pretreatment with GVL/water (50/50) at 150 degrees C for 90 min. LNPs at 200 to 2000 nm were synthesized from the liquid waste with a yield at similar to 4 mg/mL. The mass balance of this integrated method was discussed. In general, the maximal valorisation of hybrid pennisetum was achieved based on a catalyst-free of GVL/water pretreatment

An Improved Approach for Soil Moisture Estimation in Gully Fields of the Loess Plateau Using Sentinel-1A Radar Images

As an essential ecological parameter, soil moisture is important for understanding the water exchange between the land surface and the atmosphere, especially in the Loess Plateau (China). Although Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images can be used for soil moisture retrieval, it is still a challenge to mitigate the impacts of complex terrain over hilly areas. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to propose an improved approach for soil moisture estimation in gully fields based on the joint use of the Advanced Integral Equation Model (AIEM) and the Incidence Angle Correction Model (IACM) from Sentinel-1A observations. AIEM is utilized to build a simulation database of microwave backscattering coefficients from various radar parameters and surface parameters, which is the data basis for the retrieval modeling. IACM is proposed to correct the deviation between the local incidence angle at the scatterer and the radar viewing angle. The study area is located in the Loess Plateau of China, where the main land cover is mostly bare land and the terrain is complex. The Sentinel-1A SAR data in C-band with dual polarization acquired on October 19th, 2017 was adopted to extract the VV&VH polarimetric backscattering coefficients. The in situ measurements of soil moisture were collected on the same day of the SAR acquisition, for evaluating the accuracy of the SAR-derived soil moisture. The results showed that, firstly, the estimated soil moisture with volumetric content between 0% and 20% was in the majority. Subsequently, both the RMSE of estimation values (0.963%) and the standard deviation of absolute errors (0.957%) demonstrated a good accuracy of the improved approach. Moreover, the evaluation of IACM confirmed that the improved approach coupling IACM and AIEM was more efficient than employing AIEM solely. In conclusion, the proposed approach has a strong ability to estimate the soil moisture in the gully fields of the Loess Plateau from Sentinel-1A data

The average number (±SE) of live and dead flies preyed upon by <i>Pardosa astrigera</i> at increasing prey densities.

<p>The average number (±SE) of live and dead flies preyed upon by <i>Pardosa astrigera</i> at increasing prey densities.</p

Average developmental period (days± SE) of <i>Pardosa astrigera</i> and <i>Hylyphantes graminicola</i> fed with live and dead flies as prey.

<p>Average developmental period (days± SE) of <i>Pardosa astrigera</i> and <i>Hylyphantes graminicola</i> fed with live and dead flies as prey.</p

Functional response parameters of <i>Pardosa astrigera</i> reared to maturity with live and dead prey.

<p>Functional response parameters of <i>Pardosa astrigera</i> reared to maturity with live and dead prey.</p

The average fecundity (±SE) of <i>Hylyphantes graminicola</i> reared with dead flies.

<p>The average fecundity (±SE) of <i>Hylyphantes graminicola</i> reared with dead flies.</p