Root trait variability in Coffea canephora genotypes and its relation to plant height and crop yield

Co ee breeding based on root traits is important to identify productive genotypes under adverse environmental conditions. This study assessed the diversity of root traits in Co ea canephora and its correlation with plant height and crop yield. Undisturbed soil samples were collected down to 60 cm from 43 co ee genotypes, in which one of them was propagated by seed and all others by stem cutting. The roots were washed, scanned, and processed to quantify root length density, root volume, root superficial area, and root diameter. Additionally, plant height and crop yield were also assessed. Root length density ranged from 40 to 1411 mm cm3, root volume from 6 to 443 mm3 cm3, root superficial area from 61 to 1880 mm2 cm3, and root diameter from 0.6 to 1.1 mm. Roots were concentrated in the topsoil (0–20 cm) for most genotypes. In deeper depths (30–60 cm), root length density, root volume, and root superficial area were higher in genotypes 14, 25, 31, and 32. Positive correlations were found between root traits and both plant height and crop yield. The results of this work may contribute to the overall cultivation of C. canephora, specially for crop breeding in adverse environmental conditionsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Physical-chemical characteristics of soy-protein derived in extruded diets for dogs

A soja é um grão rico em proteínas e lipídeos, a partir do qual se obtém diversos derivados proteicos de alto valor nutricional. Em virtude disso, realizou-se este estudo com o objetivo de analisar a composição bromatológica de derivados proteicos de soja, bem como as características físico-químicas dos extrusados formados a partir destes. Foram formuladas seis dietas para cães, uma referência e cinco contendo 30% de derivados de soja (farinha desengordurada - FDS, micronizada, farelo, grão integral e grão tostado), as quais foram extrusadas. Os derivados de soja e as dietas foram submetidos a análises bromatológicas e de qualidade do processamento. A FDS e o farelo de soja apresentaram os maiores teores de proteína bruta, enquanto os grãos de soja integral e tostado e a soja micronizada apresentaram os maiores teores de extrato etéreo em hidrólise ácida e energia bruta. A soja grão integral apresentou a maior atividade ureásica e inibitória de tripsina, mesmo após a extrusão da dieta. Os extrusados contendo as sojas grão e micronizada apresentaram as maiores densidades e as menores durezas, índice de absorção de água e grau de gelatinização do amido. Derivados proteicos de soja apresentam alto valor nutricional, entretanto, devem ser termicamente processados antes da extrusão para completa inativação do inibidor de tripsina. Além do mais, derivados contendo alto teor de lipídeos, como soja grão e micronizada, quando adicionados em 30% da fórmula, comprometem a qualidade do extrusado.Soy is a grain rich in protein and lipids, from which its obtained different protein products of high nutritional value. This study aimed to analyze the chemical composition of different soy-protein products, as well as the characteristics of the extruded produced. Six diets were formulated, a reference and five with 30% soy product (defatted soy flour - DSF, micronized, soybean meal, crude grain or toasted grain), which were extruded. Soy products and diets were submitted to chemical analyses and process quality. The DSF and soybean meal presented the highest crude protein content, while the toasted and crude soybeans and micronized soy presented the highest acid hydrolyses ether extract and crude energy content. The crude soybean presented the highest ureatic activity and trypsin inhibitor activity, even after the diet extrusion. The soy beans and micronized soy extruded presented the highest density and the lowest hardness, water absorption index and starch gelatinization degree. Soy-protein products present high nutritional value, however they should be heated before extrusion to complete inhibition of trypsin inhibitor. Besides, soy products with high fat content, such as soybean and micronized soybean, when added to 30% reduced the extruded quality

Competitiveness in a Multipolar Port System: Striving for Regional Gateway Status in Northeast Asia

publisher: Elsevier articletitle: Competitiveness in a Multipolar Port System: Striving for Regional Gateway Status in Northeast Asia journaltitle: The Asian Journal of Shipping and Logistics articlelink: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajsl.2016.05.005 content_type: articl

Boundaryless Career and Career Outcomes: The Mediating Role of Individual Career Management Behaviours

The main objective of this paper is to study individuals’ attitude towards mobility both psychological and physical and the behavioural paths that people may use to experience career success. In a structural equation model, we consider boundaryless career attitudes and the mediating role of career management behaviours to career outcomes. Psychological mobility appears to be a better predictor of career satisfaction and career advancement than physical mobility. All career strategies have a positive effect on career advancement, except for extended work involvement. Relationships oriented career strategies are not linked with career satisfaction. Physically mobile people adopt to a lesser extent relationship- oriented career strategies. Our results showed that people with a psychological mobility attitude are more likely to achieve career satisfaction through remaining flexible in their career. This knowledge is very important for practitioners and managers working with psychologically mobile personnel, as it underlines the need for employers to provide opportunities for training, skill development and challenging work. The study adds to the existing literature in that it provides empirical evidence regarding the career behavioural paths individuals with a boundaryless career attitude may use when they expect to advance their careers. Our findings help us understand better the psychological mobility attitude which has been examined less in the literature

Brand personality as a consistency factor in the pillars of CSR management in the new normal

ABSTRACT During such a complex crisis as the one experienced by humanity since the first quarter of 2020, it is necessary to develop tools that contribute to creating the corporate image for organizations that are currently interested in being identified as brands with high social and environmental commitment. Likewise, elements that contribute to building strong brands during a context that has changed consumption priorities are required. For this reason, this paper aims at adapting the dimension of socially responsible brand personality (SRBP), proposed by Mayorga (2017), taking the situationexperienced dueto theCOVID-19 pandemicas anew context. The objectiveof thisresearch is to contribute to the management of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by providing, from a communicative perspective, a tool that optimizes the creation of a socially responsible image by the different stakeholders. The results allow us to conclude that there is a structural modification of the brand personality proposed by Mayorga, which can be presumed to be generated by the current environment, and which, therefore, can be established as a pillar of CSR management in the new normal, from a relational point of view. The findings clearly identify the virtue of integrity in brand personality, which is made up of two attributes, which, in turn, are made up of 17 traits that can identify a socially responsible brand

Retrieval of aerosol parameters from multiwavelength lidar : Investigation of underlying inverse mathematical problem

This is the accepted version of the following article: Eduard Chemyakin, Sharon Burton, Alexei Kolgotin, Detlef Muller, Chris Hostetler, and Richard Ferrare, ‘Retrieval of aerosol parameters from multiwavelength lidar: investigation of the underlying inverse mathematical problem’, Applied Optics Vol 55(9): 2188-2202 (2016). Under embargo. Embargo end date: 16 March 2017. The final, published version is available online via doi: https://doi.org/10.1354/AO.55.002188 © 2016 Optical Society of America.We present an investigation of some important mathematical and numerical features related to the retrieval of microphysical parameters (complex refractive index, single-scattering albedo, effective radius, total number, surface area, and volume concentrations) of ambient aerosol particles using multiwavelength Raman or high-spectral-resolution lidar. Using simple examples we prove the non-uniqueness of an inverse solution to be the major source of the retrieval difficulties. Some theoretically possible ways of partially compensating for these difficulties are offered. For instance, an increase in the variety of input data via combination of lidar and certain passive remote sensing instruments will be helpful to reduce the error of estimation of complex refractive index. Also we demonstrate significant interference between Aitken and accumulation aerosol modes in our inversion algorithm and confirm that the solutions can be better constrained by limiting the particle radii. Applying a combination of analytical approach and numerical simulations, we explain statistical behavior of the microphysical size parameters. We reveal and clarify why the total surface area concentration is consistent even in the presence of non-unique solution sets and is on average the most stable parameter to be estimated, as long as at least one extinction optical coefficient is employed. We find that for a selected particle size distributions the total surface area and volume concentrations can be quickly retrieved with fair precision using only a single extinction coefficients in a simple arithmetical relationship.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Environmental firms' better attitude towards nature in the context of corporate compliance

The recent publishing of the Criminal Code Reform, known as the Corporate Governance Code and by which companies are prosecuted for the crimes they have committed, is contributing towards improving the management of companies involved in using natural resources. This study explores the disposition of environmental companies towards respect for nature in the context of the new Spanish Criminal Code 1/2015. Over 916 companies, including 104 environmental companies, have been asked about their knowledge of the code and the consequences it has for them through a survey. The paper explores the influence of regulatory compliance, coercive enforcement and cooperative actions on environmental companies to develop better attitudes towards nature. Partial Least Squares (PLS) Path Modelling was used to build an interaction model among variables. The results of the research reveal how environmental companies are more inclined to developing organizational standards (Cooperative Environmental Protocols) and to improving compliance with environmental law (coercive regulation). The model has a moderate predictive effect, explaining 54.1% of environmental companies’ Better Attitude towards Nature. The findings may have important implications for environmental authorities when deterring environmental crimes

Aerosol plume transport and transformation in high spectral resolution lidar measurements and WRF-Flexpart simulations during the MILAGRO Field Campaign

The Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) experiences high loadings of atmospheric aerosols from anthropogenic sources, biomass burning and wind-blown dust. This paper uses a combination of measurements and numerical simulations to identify different plumes affecting the basin and to characterize transformation inside the plumes. The High Spectral Resolution Lidar on board the NASA LaRC B-200 King Air aircraft measured extinction coefficients and extinction to backscatter ratio at 532 nm, and backscatter coefficients and depolarization ratios at 532 and 1064 nm. These can be used to identify aerosol types. The measurement curtains are compared with particle trajectory simulations using WRF-Flexpart for different source groups. The good correspondence between measurements and simulations suggests that the aerosol transport is sufficiently well characterized by the models to estimate aerosol types and ages. Plumes in the basin undergo complex transport, and are frequently mixed together. Urban aerosols are readily identifiable by their low depolarization ratios and high lidar ratios, and dust by the opposite properties. Fresh biomass burning plumes have very low depolarization ratios which increase rapidly with age. This rapid transformation is consistent with the presence of atmospheric tar balls in the fresh plumes

Integration of Cost andWork Breakdown Structures in the Management of Construction Projects

Scope management allows project managers to react when a project underperforms regarding schedule, budget, and/or quality at the execution stage. Scope management can also minimize project changes and budget omissions, as well as improve the accuracy of project cost estimates and risk responses. For scope management to be effective, though, it needs to rely on a robust work breakdown structure (WBS). A robust WBS hierarchically and faithfully reflects all project tasks and work packages so that projects are easier to manage. If done properly, the WBS also allows meeting the project objectives while delivering the project on time, on budget, and with the required quality. This paper analyzes whether the integration of a cost breakdown structure (CBS) can lead to the generation of more robust WBSs in construction projects. Over the last years, some international organizations have standardized and harmonized different cost classification systems (e.g., ISO 12006-2, ISO 81346-12, OmniClass, CoClass, UniClass). These cost databases have also been introduced into building information modeling (BIM) frameworks. We hypothesize that in BIM environments, if these CBSs are used to generate the project WBS, several advantages are gained such as sharper project definition. This enhanced project definition reduces project contradictions at both planning and execution stages, anticipates potential schedule and budget deviations, improves resource allocation, and overall it allows a better response to potential project risks. The hypothesis that the use of CBSs can generate more robust WBSs is tested by the response analysis of a questionnaire survey distributed among construction practitioners and project managers. By means of structural equation modeling (SEM), the correlation (agreement) and perception differences between two 250-respondent subsamples (technical project staff vs. project management staff) are also discussed. Results of this research support the use of CBSs by construction professionals as a basis to generate WBSs for enhanced project management (PM)