Learning as researchers and teachers: the development of a pedagogical culture for social science research methods

In light of calls to improve the capacity for social science research within UK higher education, this article explores the possibilities for an emerging pedagogy for research methods. A lack of pedagogical culture in this field has been identified by previous studies. In response, we examine pedagogical literature surrounding approaches for teaching and learning research methods that are evident in recent peer-reviewed literature. Deep reading of this literature (as opposed to systematic review) identifies different but generally complementary ways in which teachers of methods seek to elucidate aspects of the research process, provide hands-on experience and facilitate critical reflection. At a time when the advancement of research capacity is gaining prominence, both in the academy and in reference to the wider knowledge economy, this paper illustrates how teachers of methods are considering pedagogical questions and seeks to further stimulate debates in this area

Analyst Following, Capital Market Pressure, and Real Activity Manipulation

I investigate the impact of analyst following on real activity manipulation. Because analysts follow firms and serve as information intermediaries, analyst following should reduce earnings management through real activity manipulation. However, given the negative ramifications of missing analysts\u27 earnings forecasts, the fact that analysts are watching and issuing forecasts might actually create capital market pressures as managers try to ensure that they do not miss earnings targets. Because managers can engage in earnings management through real activities manipulation and accrual manipulation, I control for accrual manipulation in examining the relationship between analyst following and real activity manipulation. I find that analyst following is associated with more real activities earnings management. I also find evidence that discretionary accrual manipulation and real activity manipulation are used as substitutes to manage earnings. These findings provide valuable information for model specification for future research that investigates earnings management

Machbarkeit und Nutzwertanalyse eines Portals zur Unterstützung des Managements von IT-Projekten an den SLK-Kliniken auf Basis einer Open Source Lösung

In einer vorangegangenen, erst kürzlich abgeschlossenen Bachelorarbeit wurde festgestellt, dass durch die Einführung eines Projektportals das Projektmanagement in der IT-Abteilung der SLK-Kliniken verbessert werden kann. Bisher befindet sich keine Applikation im Einsatz, mit deren man alle nützlichen Features verwalten kann. Ebenfalls ist noch nicht klar welche Anforderungen solch ein Produkt überhaupt erfüllen muss. Da noch nicht ganz klar ist, was für Anforderungen die Applikation besitzen muss und bisher nur eine sehr teure Komponente getestet wird, wird in dieser Bachelorarbeit ermittelt, was für Anforderungen für solch ein Produkt nötig sind. Mit Hilfe eines Wegwerfprototyps wird getestet, ob das Open Source Produkt Liferay Portal den Anforderungen gerecht wird und ob das Produkt in den Betrieb der Klinik integrierbar ist. Ein Analysekatalog zu erstellen ist ein Weiteres Ziel dieser Arbeit. Mit diesem können auch weitere Systeme analysiert und verglichen werden. Zudem wird eine Empfehlung auszusprechen sein, ob es sinnvoll ist das Produkt einzusetzen

Identifizierung und Charakterisierung von Bindepartnern der metabotropen Glutamatrezeptoren mGluR6 und mGluR8

The function of the central nervous system highly depends on correct transport, localisation and function of cell surface receptors by interacting proteins. Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are subdived into three groups. Group III mGluRs (mGluR6, mGluR7 and mGluR8) all show an interesting localisation in the retina: mGluR6 is only expressed on the tips of ON-bipolar cells, mGluR7 is asymetrically localized at bipolar cell ribbon synapses and mGluR8 is the only glutamate receptor in photoreceptors. Here, a Yeast 2-hybrid screen with the intracellular C-termini of mGluR6, mGluR8a and mGluR8b identified 24 proteins as potential interactors. While the binding partners for mGluR6 could not be verified, the interaction of mGluR8a and mGluR8b with archain1, mDj4, Rap1, PCBP1, KIAA, 4.1B and 4.1G was confirmed. Because only the band 4.1 proteins 4.1B and 4.1G showed a mGluR8-like localisation in the retina, they were analysed further. The band 4.1 protein family consists of five members (4.1B, 4.1G, 4.1N, 4.1R and 4.1O) which have three highly conserved domains (MBD, SAB, CTD) and three unique sequences (U1, U2, U3). Band 4.1 proteins are part of the cytoskeleton and anchor receptors to the cytoskeleton via interaction of their SAB domain with spectrin and actin and their MBD and CTD with cytoplasmic receptor C-termini (e.g. mGluR1a). Band 4.1B interacted with both mGluR8 isoforms, but not with other group III mGluRs. Exons 19-20 of 4.1B-CTD and four basic amino acids in the proximal region of the mGluR8 C-termini are responsible for the interaction. Bioinformatical methods predicted a PDZ-like fold of the 4.1B-CTD. Although this would require the complete CTD of 4.1B, N- and C-terminal exons of this domain could be deleted without altering the interaction with the mGluR8 C-termini. Furthermore, most PDZ-like interactions are mediated by the distal three amino acids of the ligand, but mutation of these amino acids did not significantly diminish the interaction with 4.1B. The binding partners co-localized at the outer membrane and in processes of transfected mammalian cells. Co-expression of both mGluR8 isoforms and 4.1B enhanced cell surface expression of the glutamate receptors and reduced their G-protein coupled signal cascades. Besides the 4.1B-CTD, also the CTDs of 4.1G, 4.1N and 4.1R interacted with both mGluR8 isoforms. The main C-terminal splice variants of 4.1B in the retina lacked exon 21, while 4.1G and 4.1N splice variants lacked exon 19 respectively exon 20. Assuming a similar binding mechanism of 4.1G and 4.1N as 4.1B, their interaction would depend on the expressed splice variant. In the retina, band 4.1 proteins 4.1B, 4.1G, 4.1N and 4.1R show a mGluR8-like localisation in both synaptic layers and in the ganlion cell layer, suggesting the identified protein interaction occurs in vivo. The results of this work indicate a dual function of 4.1 proteins in the central nervous system. On one hand, they enhance the cell surface localization of mGluR8. A molecular mechanism therefore could be the simultaneous binding of band 4.1 proteins to the cytoskeleton (with their SAB) and to mGluR8 (with their CTD). On the other hand, band 4.1 proteins regulate G-protein coupled signal cascades of mGluR8, thereby influencing the concentration of intracellular second messengers (e.g. cAMP).Für die Regulation des Zentralnervensystems sind die Interaktionen von Oberflächenrezeptoren mit Proteinen, die deren Transport, Lokalisation und Funktion regulieren, von großer Bedeutung. Metabotrope Glutamatrezeptoren (mGluRs) werden in drei Gruppen unterteilt. Die Rezeptoren der Gruppe III (mGluR6, mGluR7 und mGluR8) weisen eine interessante Lokalisation in der Retina auf: mGluR6 ist ausschließlich auf Dendriten von ON-Bipolarzellen lokalisiert, mGluR7 zeigt eine asymmetrische Verteilung an Bandsynapsen von Bipolarzellen, und mGluR8 ist der einzige Glutamatrezeptor der Photorezeptoren. In dieser Arbeit wurden durch Yeast 2-Hybrid Screens 24 Proteine als potentielle Bindepartner der cytoplasmatischen C-Termini von mGluR6, mGluR8a und mGluR8b identifiziert. Während die für mGluR6 gefundenen Interaktionen nicht verifizierbar waren, konnten die Bindungen von mGluR8a und mGluR8b an Archain1, mDj4, Rap1, PCBP1, KIAA, 4.1B und 4.1G bestätigt werden. Nach Immunlokalisation dieser Kandidaten in der Retina erschienen die Bande 4.1 Proteine 4.1B und 4.1G aufgrund ihrer zu mGluR8 ähnlichen Expression als besonders vielversprechend. Die Bande 4.1 Proteinfamilie besteht aus fünf Mitgliedern (4.1B, 4.1G, 4.1N, 4.1R, 4.1O), die drei konservierte Domänen (MBD, SAB und CTD), sowie drei spezifische Sequenzabschnitte (U1, U2 und U3) besitzen. Bande 4.1 Proteine binden mit ihrer SAB Domäne an Spektrin und Aktin und interagieren mit ihrer MBD und CTD mit Oberflächenrezeptoren (z.B. mGluR1a), die auf diese Weise am Cytoskelett verankert werden. Bande 4.1B interagierte mit beiden mGluR8 Isoformen, nicht aber mit anderen Gruppe III mGluR Typen. Die für die Bindung verantwortlichen Proteinregionen wurden auf die Exone 19-20 der 4.1B-CTD und auf vier basische Aminosäuren im proximalen Bereich der mGluR8 C-Termini eingegrenzt. Für die 4.1B-CTD wurde mit bioinformatischen Methoden eine PDZ-ähnliche Faltung vorhergesagt. Obwohl hierfür die vollständige CTD notwendig wäre, konnten N- und C-terminale Exone dieser Domäne ohne Einfluss auf die Interaktion mit mGluR8 deletiert werden. Zudem ließen sich die distalen drei Aminosäuren des mGluR8a C-Terminus ohne Verlust der Bindung mit 4.1B mutieren. Beide Befunde sprechen gegen eine PDZ-Geometrie der 4.1B-CTD. In transfizierten Säugetierzellen zeigte sich eine Co-Lokalisation der Bindepartner an der Zellmembran und in Zellfortsätzen. Nach Co-Expression mit 4.1B wurde eine Erhöhung der Oberflächenlokalisation beider mGluR8 Isoformen und eine Reduktion ihrer G-Protein gekoppelten Signalkaskade beobachtet. Außer der 4.1B-CTD interagierten auch die CTD von 4.1G, 4.1N und 4.1R mit beiden mGluR8 Isoformen. In der Retina war für 4.1B hauptsächlich eine C-terminale Splicevariante ohne Exon 21, für 4.1G und 4.1N ohne Exon 19 bzw. 20 nachweisbar. Daher könnte bei einem zu 4.1B vergleichbaren Bindungsmechanismus die Bindungen von 4.1G und 4.1N an mGluR8 durch die exprimierte Splicevariante reguliert werden. In der Retina waren die Bande 4.1 Proteine 4.1B, 4.1G, 4.1N und 4.1R ähnlich zu mGluR8 in beiden synaptischen Schichten und in der Ganglienzellschicht exprimiert, was auf eine Funktion der identifizierten Proteininteraktionen in vivo schließen lässt. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit deuten auf eine duale Funktion der Bande 4.1 Proteine im zentralen Nervensystem hin. Zum Einen erhöhen sie die Oberflächenlokalisation von mGluR8. Ein molekularer Mechanismus hierfür könnte die gleichzeitige Bindung der Bande 4.1 Proteine an das Cytoskelett (mit Hilfe ihrer SAB-Domäne) und an mGluR8 (durch ihre CTD) darstellen. Zum Anderen regulieren Bande 4.1 Proteine die G-Protein gekoppelten Signalkaskaden von mGluR8 und beeinflussen auf diese Weise die Konzentration intrazellulärer „second messenger“ (z.B. cAMP)

Soul Line Dancing Among African American Women in the Church: an Expectancy-value Model Approach

Guided by the expectancy value model of achievement choice, this study examined the relationships among expectancy value constructs (expectancy related beliefs and subjective task values), effort and intention for future participation in a culturally specific dance, soul line, among African American adult women in the church setting. Participants were 100 African American women who were members of the women’s ministries from four predominantly African American churches in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area. Participants completed a 20-minute soul line session and responded to survey questions, validated in previous research, assessing their expectancy-related beliefs, subjective task values, effort, intention for future participation and physical activity. This was the first study to use the expectancy value model as a guide to determine motivations attached to physical activities among African American adult women. Usefulness, a component of subjective task values, emerged as a predictor of intention for future participation. Eighty-one percent of the women did not meet physical activity guidelines for aerobic activity. Of those inactive women 60% indicated an interest in doing soul line dancing often at their church after one short exposure to the activity as indicated by the strongest possible response to both intention questions. A slightly smaller percent of the active women provided with a strong positive response for future intention. These findings suggest that soul line dancing is a practical avenue to increase physical activity among African American women in the church. Future research should test this theoretical model on a wider variety of individuals who are sedentary to physically active, measure actual participation, and directly measure BMI and physical activity

Commuter Routes to Leisure Facilities: Walking the South Downs Way through Painting

The focus of this practice-led research is the landscape of the South Downs National Park, examined through painting. The study will take the reader on a walk, through paintings, along the South Downs Way, walking from the seventeenth century through to today. In so doing it will examine land management and behavioural patterns through deep mapping and bricolage to identify sequences and models that have contemporary relevance, such as the impact and influence the picturesque has had on contemporary landscapes, considered through historical aesthetics bound up in pastoral paintings, used strategically to promote on-going ideals. To frame the investigation, I employed the checkpoints for walkers found in the 2016 Official South Downs Way National Trail Guidebook to locate paintings that are now collected within the Digital-Art-Index (DAI) - a database of landscape paintings featuring the national park constructed as part of this research. This framework enabled me to demonstrate, through painting, a palimpsest of social history relevant to contemporary concerns. The visual analysis also led to a deconstruction of key components of these paintings and how a cultural response to landscape through painting is shaped by taste thereby influencing the way landscape is viewed and interpreted today. To recognise detail and to structure my argument, I walked the 100-mile South Downs Way National Trail, along with other paths in the National Park. The slow acts of walking and painting brings to the attention detail, involving topography, weather, flora and fauna, nuances observed and sensed, informing preparatory work in the field and painting in the studio, as well as endorsing detail found in paintings in the DAI database. The act of walking also established a theory concerning carparks performing as ancestral portals, with tributary processional-paths leading mourners to places where they can maintain a bond to the deceased. This is manifest by being able to anticipate when a carpark is close and can be witnessed by the increase in volume of people on the path. Demonstrating that few people walk far from their cars would suggest that a right to roam would not have a detrimental impact on the landscape. Landscape also affords a connection through death to the natural world, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, forming new arguments surrounding how and why ancient sites are being accessed and used today. Throughout this investigation painting is foregrounded and analysed as a means of investigating the South Downs National Park landscape, offering ways to measure change, by catching sight of the past through historical paintings and texts, resulting in a contemporary body of work that is firmly rooted in the present, reflective of the past and combined with reimagining a future. The research establishes for the first time a link between a national park and paintings of the same landscape held in regional art collections, which brings to prominence the importance of ownership and access to public places, specifically footpaths and regional art galleries

Population Ecology and Genetics of the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly Euphydryas aurinia

The past two decades have witnessed an unprecedented decline in Lepidopteran species, with more than a third of the UK’s butterflies now either considered threatened, or already lost from the country. The vulnerable marsh fritillary, Euphydryas aurinia, after a long term loss in the UK of 73% in abundance, has become an almost iconic species as the target of many well-funded conservation projects across the UK. Despite extensive ecological studies, populations of E. aurinia are shown in Chapter 2 to still be declining in south-west UK even after recommended management strategies have been implemented. This necessitates the need for prompt research beyond that of management requirements and butterfly habitat preferences. In Chapter 3, microsatellite markers (EST-SSRs) were developed for E. aurinia and using these markers in Chapter 4, it is shown that E. aurinia populations in southern UK and Catalonia, Spain, are severely genetically differentiated at all geographical scales, and genetically depauperate, causing huge concerns for the conservation of this enigmatic and ecologically important species. Dispersal is fundamental to metapopulation existence and survival. Phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI – an enzyme in the glycolysis pathway) is a well-endorsed candidate gene for dispersal, extensively studied in the Glanville fritillary (Melitaea cinxia) and Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme). In Chapter 5, an analysis across 27 sites in the UK discovered six non-synonymous SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) within PGI. A single charge-changing SNP of interest showed no evidence of balancing selection, contrary to findings in M. cinxia, instead appearing to be neutral when analysed alongside microsatellite markers developed in Chapter 3. No link was found between genotype and flight, morphology or population trend. These findings challenge the emerging perspective that PGI could be used as an adaptive molecular marker for arthropods. Wolbachia are endosymbiotic bacteria capable of dramatically altering the reproductive system of their host. In Chapter 6, a PCR-based diagnostic in conjunction with MLST (multi-locus sequence typing) identified 100% prevalence of a single strain of Wolbachia across all sampled E. aurinia populations in the UK. Total prevalence suggests that Wolbachia probably has little phenotypic impact on its host, but the potential impacts of this endosymbiont on uninfected populations should be considered during any management plans for the conservation of E. aurinia. Current management plans will need to incorporate all areas of research, from basic ecological requirements to molecular adaptation and unseen manipulators of host biology, to be able to fully and effectively conserve declining fragmented species.Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) with CASE partner Butterfly Conservation (BC

Challenges with Sampling and Understanding Lead Corrosion Issues in Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria

In January of 2018, an NSF RAPID project was launched to analyze the water quality in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. More than 40 local drinking water taps were sampled over three sampling campaigns. This reconnaissance systematically included a collection of samples from publicly owned treatment systems (PRASA), privately owned systems operated by communities (non-PRASA), and unmonitored surface spring sources. The first sampling campaign was targeted towards gaining a holistic perspective of the water quality (e.g., bulk water quality parameters, nutrients, major ions, pathogens, DNA, disinfection byproducts (DBPs), and metals concentrations). However, elevated water lead levels in those initial results steered the following sampling events towards a more systematic lead sampling protocol, guided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) compliance procedure and alternative forensic lead sampling strategies. The results from the 2nd and 3rd sampling campaigns showed conflicting potable WLLs. Therefore, these data exemplify the challenges of rapid reconnaissance sampling when trying to implement a universal sampling approach for many different parameters. Furthermore, the variability of lead concentrations and the factors that affect corrosion contribute to this difficulty. This study compares aggressive water quality corrosion characteristics to the observed water quality in Puerto Rico distribution systems and presents the forensic fingerprints that may allow for the identification of lead sources. Overall, the results of this study illustrate the difficulty in characterizing the magnitude of corrosion issues in distribution systems. Many of systems sampled show that the water quality in Puerto Rico has aggressive water characteristics that can potentially produce elevated lead concentrations in potable water distribution systems, but sampling methods have a large impact on results and interpretation