Ecological resilience at semi-arid and temperate boundaries of the Mediterranean-type Fynbos Biome, South Africa, during the Holocene

Mediterranean-type ecosystems are amongst the most vulnerable to global change. Threats from desertification are projected due to rapid expansion of adjacent semiarid systems. Changes in fire frequency and intensity can alter ecosystem composition and structure, and potentially facilitate transitions between alternative stable states. Given the outstanding biodiversity of the Mediterranean-type fynbos biome in the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) of South Africa, understanding of the longterm impacts of global change are particularly important. In this study, palaeoecological data are used to assess the effects of changes in climate, fire and land use on vegetation at the semi-arid and temperate margins of the fynbos biome. Previous palaeoecological studies have shown stable fynbos during the recent geologic past, which restricts interpretation of the long-term ecological processes that determine biome resilience. This study sourced sediment cores directly from presentday fynbos-succulent karoo (semi-arid) and fynbos-afrotemperate forest biome boundaries to emphasise ecological dynamics. Fossil pollen, spores and charcoal were extracted from radiocarbon dated sediment cores to provide proxies for vegetation, hydrology, large herbivore abundance and fire. Constrained hierarchical clustering (CONISS), optimal sequence splitting by least-squares, and Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) was applied to the fossil data to identify distinct assemblages in the record, and to further elucidate ecosystem trajectories through time. At the semi-arid boundary at Groenkloof (5,500 cal yrs BP - near present), decreased moisture and fire from 4,000-735 cal yrs BP allowed colonisation of fynbos by a possible 'no-analogue' community dominated by Asteraceae and Poaceae. From 735 cal yrs BP however, climatic amelioration allowed fynbos to re-establish. The system can therefore be viewed as resilient through a capacity for 'recovery' and persistence through turnover in internal composition of fynbos taxa. This sensitive response to climatic forcing reflects the dominant influence of physiological stress at the semiarid limits of Mediterranean-type ecosystems, as well as a Gleasonian type community composition with loose species associations. In contrast, ecosyste

Hard to reach communities and a hard to reach university

We propose a methodology capturing the perception of geographical, monetary and transportation distance between secondary state schools in some Scottish remote communities and a hard to reach university located in a small town on the north-east coast of rural Fife, i.e. the University of St Andrews. The location of St Andrews and the absence of a railway station mean that it is often interpreted as being geographically isolated. As a result, the University of St Andrews is frequently perceived as hard to reach. We show that by combining representations in terms of mileage, journey duration and fare we can create an index that reflects the difficulty of geographical access to the University of St Andrews from these Scottish communities. This index is not dependent on the local authority in which the institutions are located, nor on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation associated with each institution data zone, nor on the percentage rate of progression to higher education from these secondary schools. It is dependent on how distance may be perceived in terms of geographical access, monetary costs, and transportation. This index represents an alternative way of measuring remoteness. It could be easily (1) extended to many higher education institutions and (2) integrated into a contextualised admissions system in which applicants from Scottish remote communities would be signalled.PostprintPeer reviewe

Organizational learning from hidden improvisation

Research has identified improvisation as a creative and open activity that can be harnessed to encourage innovation and learning within the organization. In this paper, we present improvisation as a covert phenomenon, occurring in a climate of mistrust and fear of censure, and disconnected with wider organizational learning. Drawing on qualitative evidence of a Fire Service in the United Kingdom, we explore hidden improvisation, and identify the conditions and processes that can connect these local deviations to wider processes of learning. We show that while most improvisations remain hidden and contained to avoid wider scrutiny, certain conditions of frequency, connectedness and scale escalate events to become more visible to supervisors and managers. The learning outcomes from these visible improvisations will then depend on management’s interpretation, evaluation and translation of improvising behaviours. Dependent on prior relationships of trust and credibility, middle management perform a key brokering role in this process, connecting previously hidden improvisation to wider organizational systems and structures.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Power and inter-organizational learning: intertwining new knowledge

The ability to learn from customers and suppliers is key to improvements in productivity and longer-term competitive advantage in smaller firms. However, SMEs lack the internal structures, routines and procedures by which larger organizations absorb knowledge. Therefore, we suggest that inter-organizational links are essential if owner-managers are serious about institutionalising new knowledge. To demonstrate how this process operates we re-conceptualise the 4I learning framework to incorporate inter- as well as intra-organizational linkages. The 5I framework suggests that SMEs must maintain a balance between exploration and exploitation if the firm is to remain competitive. We also extend the original model by suggesting the ‘feedback’ learning processes are shaped by the power of ownermanagers. Two case studies provide clear illustrations of the way in which ownermanagers can mediate the absorption of new knowledge from external organizations, but also the role that external organizations can play in encouraging organizational learning in small firms

Élelmiszerek szeléntartalmának meghatározása és szintfelmérése II. : gyors étkeztetésben kínált készételek szeléntartalma Skóciában

Egy 109 termék vizsgálati adatait tartalmazó tanulmányból bemutatott 35 gyorsétkeztetésben kínált készételben, köztük 12 vegetáriánus készítményben meghatározott szeléntartalmat elemeztük. A készételek fõleg Dél-Skóciából származtak, de néhány angol készételt is bevontunk a vizsgálatokba. Az eredmények szerint a csiperkegomba, paraj, hal, belsõségek és csirkehús tartalmaz szelént nagyobb mennyiségben. Marha-, ill. sertéshús általában kevesebb szelént tartalmazott. Vegetariánusok, akik elegendõ mennyiségû gombát és parajt fogyasztanak, valószínûleg elkerülhetik a szelénhiányos állapotot. As part of an extended study with 109 analysed products the selenium concentration of 35 fast and convenience foods, among which 12 vegetarian products were discussed. The foods were mainly purchased in Southern Scotland but some were obtained in England. The results indicated considerable amounts of selenium in mushrooms, spinach, fish, offals and chicken based products. Beef and pork were generally found to contain less selenium. It can be concluded that vegetarians consuming sufficient amounts of spinach and mushrooms seem not to be at risk of a selenium deficiency. Verfasser diskutieren den Selengehalt von 35 in Schnellgaststätten angebotenen Fertiggerichten und darunter in 12 Gerichten für Vegetarier auf der Grundlage einer die Untersuchungsdaten von 109 Produkten enthaltenden Studie. Die Fertiggerichte stammten hauptsächlich aus Südschottland, aber auch einige englische Produkte wurden in die Untersuchungen einbezogen. Gemäß den Untersuchungsergebnissen enthalten Champignon, Spinat, Fisch, Innereien und Geflügel Selen in größeren Mengen, Rind- bzw. Schweinefleisch dagegen im allgemeinen weniger. Vegetarier, die genügend Pilze und Spinat verzehren, können wahrscheinlich einen Selenmangel vermeiden

Network learning in a high-tech SME: expanding entrepreneurial capabilities

This paper examines the process of learning, both technological and organizational, which has taken place in this small-sized firm located in a relatively remote area of northwest England. With relations to supply chain management and innovation network theory, it is argued that it is the relational elements of inter-firm transactions and interactions that provide organisations with opportunities to expand their capability. The importance of supply chain management, therefore, is that it provides a process in which closer relations are both desirable and can potentially create opportunities to grow organisational capability. The paper is focused on the following aspects of learning: the first is the evolutionary nature of the accumulation of technological capability; the second is the firm-specific absorptive capability developed through its close relationship with BNFL and other firms within the supply chain. The case study organisation is instrumental in building a network of suppliers and customers, which has enhanced the learning opportunities and capabilities of both. In doing so, it has created virtual clusters of innovation through the supply network that reach well beyond the traditional regional institutional support mechanisms

Academic entrepreneurship in MMU: a case study of the Centre for Enterprise

Within the UK, universities have been obtaining additional income by engaging in the commercialisation of scientific knowledge and general economic development. This has become even more urgent for new universities (ex-polytechnics) which have been largely excluded from research funding as a result of the RAE. This paper examines the creation and growth of a centre for enterprise, based in a new university, which was established to give coherence to small firm related activities. The CfE now has 21 full-time staff and a number of associate researchers who are engaged in a wide range of activities associated with the management of SMEs and the support of nascent entrepreneurs. In the paper we draw on the concept of 'tipping points' (Bessant et al., 2005) to demonstrate the way in which a number of crises were negotiated during the CfE‘s growth. We demonstrate that issues of strategy and people management were particularly significant in pursuing a growth strategy, although strategy was incremental and evolutionary rather than based on the classical rational model associated with Ansoff. In summary, the CfE‘s strategic orientation focused on building an organization which was entrepreneurial, flexible and responsive to new opportunities

Training approaches, preferences and outcomes in manufacturing SMEs

Unlike previous studies which concentrate only on formal training, this is a detailed empirical analysis of the influence of formal and informal training on performance in manufacturing SMEs. Findings indicate that, while SME managers may prefer informal approaches, formal training is a targeted activity that contributes more significantly to performance than informal training. However, the approach and influence of training is dependent on contingent factors. A model is proposed for a detailed study of these contingent factors using a multivariate statistical analysis. Findings also suggest that policy support for SMEs should be idiosyncratic and requires a detailed understanding of context

Reflections on e-learning: pedagogy and practice in the corporate sector

The majority of the articles on e-learning inform organisations on its perceived benefits of flexibility, cost and breadth of coverage. The disadvantages are largely ignored. The pedagogical debate on e-learning concentrates on the delivery of elearning within a traditional educational forum and does not examine trends within a corporate environment. This study reflects on the directions and experiences of organisations in the FTSE 250 that are implementing e-learning. It concludes that the advantages of an online pedagogy are not fully exploited due to limitations in technology and other strategic priorities. In addition, a number of lessons have been learned by the pioneers of corporate e-learning, including the evolutionary nature of the programmes and the need to create ‘organisational readiness’. Further research is essential to consider all stakeholders’ experiences of e-learning, and the learner’s voice is significant by its absence in the debate

Investigation on mechanical and thermal properties of 3D-printed polyamide 6, graphene oxide and glass-fibre-reinforced composites under dry, wet and high temperature conditions.

This study is focused on 3D printing of polyamide 6 (PA6), PA6/graphene oxide (PA6/GO) and PA6/glass-fibre-reinforced (PA6/GF) composites. The effect of graphene oxide and glass-fibre reinforcement on 3D-printed PA6 is explored for improvement of the interfacial bond and interlaminar strength in ambient, wet and high temperature conditions relating to electric car battery box requirements. The influence of environmental conditions and process parameters on the 3D printed polymer composites quality is also examined. Commercial PA6 filament was modified with GO to investigate the thermal and mechanical properties. The modified composites were melt-compounded using a twin-feed extruder to produce an improved 3D-printing filament. The improved filaments were then used to 3D-print test samples for tensile and compression mechanical testing using universal testing machines and thermal characterisation was performed following condition treatment in high temperature and water for correlation to dry/ambient samples. The study results show the studied materials were mostly suitable in dry/ambient conditions. PA6/GF samples demonstrated the highest strength of all three samples in ambient and high-temperature conditions, but the least strength in wet conditions due to osmotic pressure at the fibre/matrix interface that led to fibre breakage. The introduction of 0.1% GO improved the tensile strength by 33%, 11% and 23% in dry/ambient, dry/high temperature and wet/ambient conditions, respectively. The wet PA6/GO samples demonstrated the least strength in comparison to the ambient and high temperature conditions. Notwithstanding this, PA6/GO exhibited the highest tensile strength in the wet condition, making it the most suitable for a high-strength, water-exposed engineering application