Improving the availability of biopesticides : an interdisciplinary research project

There is a need for new, biologically-based crop protection products to serve as alternatives to or to complement synthetic chemical pesticides. An interdisciplinary research team from the natural and social sciences considered whether regulatory barriers were preventing more biopesticides reaching the market. The research coincided with a realisation by policy makers that more needed to be done to facilitate biopesticide registration, exemplified by the UK's Biopesticides Scheme. However, important differences remain between the UK and other countries such as the USA. Changes in regulatory arrangements need careful handling. The scientific work undertaken in the project provided a better understanding of the population biology of microbial control agents. Interdisciplinary work permitted a contribution to the policy debate

A Comparison of Descriptive and Injunctive Norms Brief Interventions for College Drinkers

College drinking remains a major public health concern. One contributing factor is the overestimation by college students of their peers\u27 alcohol use (DN: descriptive norm) and their peers\u27 acceptability of excessive drinking (IN: injunctive norm). Normative re-education interventions have traditionally focused on changing descriptive norms even though the Theory of Normative Conduct identifies both DN and IN as beliefs that motivate behavior. The current study developed a brief, manualized, personalized, IN intervention, delivered face-to-face, in a Motivational Interviewing style that can be used as a stand alone treatment or added to existing descriptive norms interventions. This randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy of the newly developed IN intervention against a DN only condition, a combined DN and IN condition, and an assessment only control condition. In addition, the current study examined actual-ideal discrepancy, and positive and negative affect as potential mechanisms of behavior change following norms feedback. The results indicated that all three norms intervention conditions changed both DN and IN equally. In addition, heavy drinking students reported greater reductions in drinking following the IN only or the combined intervention then heavy drinking students in the DN only condition. Tests of indirect effects from treatment condition to actual-ideal discrepancy to positive or negative affect to alcohol use and consequences were only significant for light drinkers. This study provides evidence that changes in DN and IN result from either form of feedback, and that these changes do not necessarily result in changes in drinking. Further, changes in actual-ideal discrepancy were highly associated with affective changes, but affective changes were not associated with outcomes

Smart microsystems for cell manipulations

This thesis documents the design, manufacture and testing of a passive and non-invasive micro-scale planar particle-from-fluid filter for segregating cell types from a homogeneous suspension. The microfluidics system can be used to separate spermatogenic cells from testis biopsy samples, providing a mechanism for filtrate retrieval for assisted reproduction therapy. The system can also be used for point-of-service diagnostics applications for hospitals, lab-on-a-chip pre-processing and field applications such as clinical testing in the third world. Various design concepts are developed and manufactured, and are assessed based on etched structure morphology, robustness to variations in the manufacturing process, and design impacts on fluid flow and particle separation characteristics. Segregation was measured using image processing algorithms that demonstrate efficiency is more than 55% for 1 µl volumes at populations exceeding 1 x 107. the technique supports a significant reduction in time over conventional processing, in the separation and identification of particle groups, offering a potential reduction in the associated cost of the targeted procedure. The thesis has developed a model of quasi-steady wetting flow within the micro channel and identifies the forces across the system during post-wetting equalisation. The model and its underlying assumptions are validated empirically in microfabricated test structures through a novel Micro-Particle Image Velocimetry technique. The prototype devices do not require ancillary equipment nor additional filtration media, and therefore offer fewer opportunities for sample contamination over conventional processing methods. The devices are disposable with minimal reagent volumes and process waste. Optimal processing parameters and production methods are identified with any improvements that could be made to enhance their performance in a number of identified potential applications

Integrating Sustainability in Asian Business Schools

This chapter discusses the ProSPER.Net initiative to integrate sustainability into business schools in the Asia-Pacific region. The project deserves scrutiny, as it led to positive change within each of the partner universities, involving innovative research, curricular transformation and the development of regional case studies. As such, the project is an instructive case in its own right, highlighting the successes, as well as the obstacles encountered, in introducing and coordinating education for sustainable development (ESD) in diverse organizations. The experience of the project clearly shows that whereas there is a recognized need to promote ESD in business schools throughout Asia, the process of achieving this is difficult and complex. Through a consideration of the achievements and frustrations of the project, it is hoped that this chapter will contribute to a better understanding of these issues, and will help in subsequent efforts to integrate sustainability in business education

The future of maritime cyber security

The Maritime environment is not immune to the radical ability of modern digital communications and computing to be disruptive. In order to gain the advantages of modern technology those operating in the maritime must also become aware and develop strategies to handle the inevitable security issues that modern computing systems bring with them. This report presents a first step on the road to this understanding by presenting the findings from a joint workshop run by Security Lancaster and the Developments, Concepts and Doctrine Centre with participants from a range of government and commercial stakeholders. Here we present the salient points that we discussed within a framework that underpins a repeatable approach to scenario planning based on assessing key traits and trends in three key elements of the cyber maritime domain: Information, People and Technology. This report identifies how the use of technology is extending the scope for maritime security far beyond traditional littoral boundaries and the key influences shaping the cyber maritime environment

Security Challenges in Ghana, the Imperative, of States Security Agencies: A Study of the Ghana Police Service

Security is necessary for a stable democracy as well as flourishing development Security challenges are prevalent in both developing as well as developed countries However a historical as well as recent security challenge in less developed countries suggests a rather interesting picture in comparison to developed countries This study sought to unravel the security challenges in Ghana and the imperative of Ghana Police Service as a security agency The mixed-method of data collection was used The study established that armed robbery cybercrime and political vigilantism are the major security challenges in Ghana It was revealed that the inefficiency of the police is as results of political interference lack of logistics poor condition of service like accommodation unfair treatment of junior officers among others The insight gained led to the following recommendations depoliticizing the police institution upgrading their system to enhance effective communication organization of periodic refresher courses among other

An Integrative framework of buyer-supplier negative relationship quality and dysfunctional interfirm conflict

Purpose: Problems of relationship quality and interfirm conflict in business to business settings are serious concerns that need to be addressed. Thus, the authors have engaged in an extensive review to promote an understanding of these complex issues. This paper develops an integrated framework for analyzing wide-ranging relations between individual representatives and patterns of interfirm incompatibility for managerial control. Methodology/Approach: The review involves numerous sources that include articles and monographs. A theoretical framework is constructed to integrate fragmented empirical data. In particular, social identity and commitment-trust theories are mobilized for this framework. Findings: The review of studies has a substantial consistency with the theoretical framework. The paper outlines a causal chain from interpersonal agent dissimilarities to dysfunctional buyer-supplier relations, culminating in interfirm pathological conflict. Moderating factors in the causal chain are: agent identity differentiation (for interpersonal dissimilarity), supplier relations mismanagement (for buyer-supplier relationship quality), and interfirm opportunism (for interfirm pathological conflict). Buyer-supplier interfirm incompatibility mediates the causal link between interpersonal dissimilarity and buyer-supplier relationship quality. Identity differentiation, the validation of one’s self-image, is introduced as a process that determines buyer-supplier agent interpersonal dissimilarity judgments. This framework employs a contextual perspective. It describes interactions between observations of micro-level phenomena of interpersonal dissimilarities and macro-level models of interfirm fit. From a managerial perspective, interpersonal relations between individual buyer and supplier agents may be further strengthened by such strategies as expanding the scope of the interpersonal relationship, relaxation of role responsibilities, and volunteering business-related contact referrals. Originality/Value: A new theoretical framework has been devised to predict and explain relationship quality and interfirm pathological conflict in the B to B context. The framework contributes to the value of the knowledge base by serving as a means for building new diagnostic tools for assessment of interfirm behavioral issues affecting exchanges. New concepts are introduced to enhance current literature on B to B marketing. The framework provides concrete indicators that operationally define ideas and enable or improve measurement for empirical modeling

'Policing Rural Communities in North America': An International Society for the Study of Rural Crime Roundtable

Rural crime and criminal justice practices and responses face different challenges from those experienced in urban contexts. A practitioner-focused roundtable, convened by The International Society for the Study of Rural Crime (www.issrc.net), investigated challenges and innovations in international contexts on issues surrounding rural policing with a specific focus on rural policing in Canada and the United States. The roundtable was held online on 15 September 2021 and was moderated by Dr. Jessica Peterson, formerly of the University of Nebraska at Kearney (now an Assistant Professor at Southern Oregon University). Panellists were asked to respond to three key questions: What is the key element to successful community policing in your community? What is one initiative in which you have successfully engaged the community in crime-reduction efforts? What is the most significant challenge to successfully reducing crime in your community? The following are transcripts of the four presentations from the panelists on this Roundtable