National Research Institutes Research Articles

Analysis of the adaptability of black bean cultivars by means of quantile regression

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to use quantile regression (QR) to characterize the effect of the adaptability parameter throughout the distribution of the productivity variable on black bean cultivars launched by different national research institutes (research centers) over the last 50 years. For this purpose, 40 cultivars developed by Brazilian genetic improvement programs between 1959 and 2013 were used. Initially, QR models were adjusted considering three quantiles (τ = 0.2, 0.5 and 0.8). Subsequently, with the confidence intervals, quantile models τ = 0.2 and 0.8 (QR0.2 and QR0.8) showed differences regarding the parameter of adaptability and average productivity. Finally, by grouping the cultivars into one of the two groups defined from QR0.2 and QR0.8, it was reported that the younger cultivars were associated to the quantile τ = 0.8, i.e., those with higher yields and more responsive conditions indicating that genetic improvement over the last 50 years resulted in an increase in both the productivity and the adaptability of cultivars.

Evaluating the Usability of a Moroccan University Research Management Web Platform

Abstract The success of any system or interface depends on the satisfaction of the user and users are only satisfied when they are able to do their job in a simple and effective way [1]. The purpose of the SIMARECH information system [2], [3] is the piloting of research in Moroccan universities, their institutions and structures, to support researchers and enhance their scientific output. Ensuring the proper use of the SIMARECH information system has always been a real concern of the Abdelmalek Essaadi University (UAE) in Moroccan universities and national research institutions. The purpose of this study is to investigate usability issues and provide recommendations for achieving the system goal within the UAE university institutions. The objective of this research paper is to evaluate the usability of the SIMARECH platform based on a complete test methodology. The study was conducted from January to March 2018 based on Jakob Nielsen methodology [4] and the methods of data collection Nielsen’s Attributes of Usability Questionnaire (NAU) [4]. The results showed a high level of usability for the platform, but it should be further improved. It is found that the followed approach can effectively assess the usability of scientific research information systems.

Triatomine dispersion rates and their association with socioeconomic and environmental conditions in Northeastern Brazil, from 2009 to 2013.

ABSTRACTTriatomines are vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi , the etiological agent of Chagas disease, which affects between 6 and 12 million people in Latin America, with an incidence rate of 12 thousand cases per year. In the Ceara State, the predominance of the caatinga biome, coupled with a large rural area with precarious human habitations, provides several s shelters for these insects. In this study, we determined the spatiotemporal distribution of triatomine dispersion rates in the Cariri region, Southern Ceara and ascertained the possible association between these rates with socioeconomic and environmental factors. Dispersion rates (number of positive localities/number of searched localities × 100) were analyzed regarding 13 municipalities from the Ceara State, from 2009 to 2013. Socioeconomic and environmental variables collected from national research institutes were associated with the dispersion rates and their local empirical Bayesian estimates. All the municipalities recorded dispersion rates over 10% in all years, and 11 municipalities had average rates over 40% for the period of study. Significant differences were observed among the municipality means. The highest rates were observed in Antonina do Norte and Potengi. According to the correlation analysis, the proportion between the occupied population and the total population showed a significant negative correlation, as well as the percentage of the population who lives under adequate sanitary conditions. Both, the percentage of revenues from external sources and the percentage of urban households in reforested blocks had a significant positive correlation. Our results show that socioeconomic and environmental variables can be factors that contribute to both, the maintenance and the reduction of the elevated dispersion rates observed in the study area. Similar researches that encompass more municipalities from that region may reinforce Chagas disease surveillance and control in the Northeast of Brazil.

ITER: A Quarterly Indicator of Regional Economic Activity in Italy

This work documents the construction of the new quarterly indicator of regional economic activity (Indicatore Trimestrale dell’Economia Regionale – ITER), which uses a parsimonious set of regional variables and combines them by means of temporal disaggregation techniques to obtain a quarterly index that is consistent with the official data on national and regional GDP and marked by a small lag compared with the reference period. The methodology was implemented to produce quarterly indicators for the economies of Italy’s four macro-areas in the period 1995-2017. With a view to assessing the performance of the quarterly indicator, a forecasting exercise was conducted regarding annual GDP growth in the four macro-areas for the period 2014-17. The forecasting performance of ITER is in line with that of the indicators developed by other national research institutions.

Research Trends and Issues to Improve Military HRD in South Korea

본 연구의 목적은 군 인적자원개발의 연구동향을 분석하고 이를 토대로 한국군 인적자원개발의 발전방향을 제시하는데 있다. 따라서 연구대상과 범위를 군 인적자원개발로 한정하여 학문적 현주 소를 탐색하고, 그동안 연구논문과 국가연구관의 연구보고서, 정책보고서 등을 문헌분석 하였다. 연구결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 군 인적자원개발에 대한 정의와 구성요소(범주)를 재정립할 필요가 있다. 정의와 범주가 명확해야만 현재 교육과 인사부서의 혼재의 상태를 조정할 수 있기 때문이 다. 둘째, 군 인적자원개발을 HRD의 4가지 구성요소를 통해 살펴보았는데, 조직개발, 경력개발, 수행관리, 개인개발의 영역으로 확대되고 있다는 점이다. 이는 기존의 인적자원개발이 조직의 성과를 위해 조직원들이 갖추어야 할 역량과 기술, 지식 등을 강조하는데 중점을 두었다면, 조직으 로부터의 영역과 개인의 영역으로 구분되어 발전하고 있다고 볼 수 있다. 셋째, 군 인적자원개발의 정책과 실천영역의 변화는 개인적으로 ‘군 복무 중 자기개발의 기회제공’에서 ‘생산적 군 복무 활성화’로 변화하고 있다. 따라서 조직의 입장에서는 고수준 전투원 육성을 통해 조직전체의 수행 성과 향상이라는 목표유지와 더불어 개인적 직무향상을 강조하고 있다는 것이다. 이러한 연구결과는 군 인적자원개발에 대한 보다 합리적인 영역의 재설정이 요구되고, 전투력 유지 및 향상이라는 조직의 목표와 개인목표를 조화롭게 달성할 수 있는 정책과 실천영역이 개발되어야 한다는 시사 점을 제공하고 있다.The purpose of this study is to analyze the research trends of military HRD and to suggest a direction based on this research. Therefore, the scope of the research is limited to the development of military human resources, and the academic present situation is explored, and the research reports and policy reports of the national research institutes have been analyzed. The results of the study are as follows. First, it is necessary to redefine the definition and components of military human resources development. The definition and the category must be clear, so that the current state of education and the HR department can be coordinated. Second, military human resource development has been examined through the four components of HRD, which is expanding into the areas of organization development, career development, performance management, and individual development. Third, the policies and practice areas of military HRD are changed from providing opportunities for self-development during military service to activating productive military service . Therefore, from the standpoint of the organization, it emphasizes the improvement of personal performance as well as the improvement of the organizational performance through the cultivation of high-level combatants. These studies suggest that the new definition of military HRD is needed and the policy and practice should be developed to achieve organizational goals and personal goals in a harmonious fashion.

Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 3-Induced Metabolic Reprogramming Is a Vulnerable Target of Pancreatic Cancer

Background: The biological function of protein arginine methyltransferase 3 (PRMT3) is not well known because very few physiological substrates of PRMT3 have been identified to date. Methods: The clinical significance of PRMT3 in pancreatic cancer was studied by database analysis. The PRMT3 protein level in human pancreatic tumors was detected by immunoblotting. PRMT3-associated proteins and the methylation sites on the proteins were investigated using mass spectrometry. Capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry and seahorse bioscience were performed to analyze metabolic reprogramming. Combination index analysis and xenograft animal model were conducted to explore the effects of combination of inhibitors of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and oxidative phosphorylation on tumor growth. Findings: We find the expression of PRMT3 is upregulated in pancreatic cancer, and its expression is associated with poor survival. We further demonstrate that GAPDH is methylated at R248 by PRMT3 in vivo. The methylation of GAPDH by PRMT3 enhances its catalytic activity while the mutation of R248 abolishes the effect. In cells, PRMT3 overexpression triggers metabolic reprogramming and enhances glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration simultaneously in a GAPDH-dependent manner. PRMT3-overexpressing cancer cells are addicted to GAPDH-mediated metabolism and sensitive to the inhibition of GAPDH and mitochondrial respiration. The combination of inhibitors of GAPDH and oxidative phosphorylation induces a synergistic inhibition on cellular growth in vitro and in vivo. Interpretation: Our results suggest PRMT3-induced metabolic reprogramming is a vulnerable target of pancreatic cancer. Funding Statement: This work was supported by the grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST-103-2314-B-037-075; MOST-104-2314-B-037-004; MOST-105-2314-B-037-001; MOST-107-2320-B-400-006-MY3 to M.-R.P. and W.-C.H. and MOST-106-2321-B-400-007 to L.-T.C.). This study was also supported by the grant from National Research Institutes (NHRI-107A1-CACO-02181811 to Y.-S.S.) and the Yen-Hsu Education Foundation to W.-C.H. Declaration of Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. Ethics Approval Statement: Human pancreatic tumor tissues were obtained from patients undergoing surgical resection at Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center (Taipei, Taiwan) and National Cheng Kung University Hospital (Tainan, Taiwan) under the guidelines approved by the Institution Review Board at National Health Research Institutes. Written informed consent was obtained from each patient. All animal experiments were approved by Animal Care Committee of National Health Research Institutes.

Regional preferences for the living environment and mobility of researchers and general workers: the case of Korea

Since 2005, the Korean government has relocated national research institutes from the Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA) to other parts of the nation. The main purpose of this relocation is to ameliorate disparities in population and economic power across regions. However, it turns out that only 27% of researchers in the SMA have actually relocated. This implies that researcher’s preference for a living environment should be reflected in the planning process. Hence, this paper attempts to specify the migration behaviors of researchers by comparing their preferences with those of general workers. Here, regional living environment is represented by a function of two attributes: regional labor market conditions and living environments. The paper shows that regional living environments have a more decisive impact on the migration of researchers, relative to general workers. Also, researchers are found to be slightly more sensitive to regional living environments especially crime than regional labor market conditions. Finally, the paper suggests a policy direction for balanced development among regions in Korea based on the results obtained.

India National Gas Hydrate Program Expedition-02: Operational and technical summary

Abstract The India National Gas Hydrate Program is being steered by the government of India's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) with participation of Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), and the National Oil Companies and Research Institutes of India. The India National Gas Hydrate Program Expedition 01 (NGHP-01) established the presence of gas hydrate in the Krishna Godavari (KG) and Mahanadi Basins and in the offshore area of the Andaman Sea Basin. However, the gas hydrates discovered during NGHP-01 were mainly distributed as fracture-filling material in fine-grained clay-rich sediments. The India National Gas Hydrate Program Expedition 02 (NGHP-02) was carried out with an objective to discover gas hydrate in sand-rich sediment along the eastern offshore margin of India. ONGC planned and executed NGHP-02 on the behalf of the MoPNG. NGHP-02 started on March 3, 2015 and was completed on July 28, 2015 (total 147 days) using the Japanese scientific Drilling Vessel Chikyu (D/V Chikyu). During NGHP-02, 42 holes at 25 sites were drilled, cored, and/or surveyed with downhole logging tools. These sites were located in four areas along the eastern margin of India and formally named Area A (Mahanadi Basin, three sites), Area B (northern part of the KG-Basin, twelve sites), Area C (central part of the KG-Basin, six sites), and Area E (southern part to the KG-Basin, four sites). All 25 sites established during NGHP-02 were first drilled and logged with logging-while-drilling (LWD) tools and an additional 17 holes were then drilled and/or cored with conventional coring tools (HPCS/ESCS) or pressure coring tools (PCTB). Wireline logging was conducted in 10 holes and formation tests using a dual packer Modular Formation Dynamics Tester (MDT) tool were carried out in two holes. The onboard science team used the laboratory facilities on the D/V Chikyu to examine and analyse the physical properties, geochemistry, and sedimentology of all the cores collected during the expedition. Core samples were also analysed in additional post-expedition shore-based studies conducted in numerous domestic and international gas hydrate research laboratories. The NGHP-02 sediment cores were archived at the National Gas Hydrate Core Repository in Mumbai (India), which is associated with the ONGC Gas Hydrate Research and Technology Centre (GHRTC). The necessary data for characterizing the occurrence of gas hydrate, such as interstitial water chlorinities, core-derived gas chemistry, physical and sedimentological properties, thermal images of the recovered cores, pressure core and downhole measured logging data (LWD and/or conventional wireline log data), were obtained from most of the drill sites established during NGHP-02. Almost all the drill sites yielded evidence for the occurrence of gas hydrate; however, the inferred in situ concentration of gas hydrate varied substantially from site to site. For the most part, the interpretation of downhole logging data, core thermal images, interstitial water analyses, and pressure core images from the sites established during NGHP-02 indicate that the occurrence of concentrated gas hydrate is mostly associated with coarser grained (sand-rich) sediments. This paper presents the operational and technical summary of NGHP-02.

Surface Faulting Caused by the 2016 Central Italy Seismic Sequence: Field Mapping and LiDAR/UAV Imaging

The three mainshock events (M6.1 24 August, M5.9 26 October, and M6.5 30 October 2016) in the Central Italy earthquake sequence produced surface ruptures on known segments of the Mt. Vettore–Mt. Bove normal fault system. As a result, teams from Italian national research institutions and universities, working collaboratively with the U.S. Geotechnical Extreme Events Reconnaissance Association (GEER), were mobilized to collect perishable data. Our reconnaissance approach included field mapping and advanced imaging techniques, both directed towards documenting the location and extent of surface rupture on the main fault exposure and secondary features. Mapping activity occurred after each mainshock (with different levels of detail at different times), which provides data on the progression of locations and amounts of slip between events. Along the full length of the Mt. Vettore–Mt. Bove fault system, vertical offsets ranged from 0–35 cm and 70–200 cm for the 24 August and 30 October events, respectively. Comparisons between observed surface rupture displacements and available empirical models show that the three events fit within expected ranges.

공공기관의 내부감사 품질 고도화를 위한 감사위험분석과 내부통제절차 보완 사례연구 : 국가 R&D 평가기관을 중심으로

본 연구는 국가 R&D 기관을 대상으로 위임전결규정과 직제시행규칙 상의 분장업무에 대한 업무절차의 흐름과 통제요소를 식별하고, 내부감사업무 절차의 연계정도, 내부감사 업무관련 규정과 내부통제요소에 대한 검토를 통해 감사위험을 식별하고, 내부감사 업무의 효과성과 품질 제고를 위한 방안을 고찰하였다. 이를 위하여 외부감사(국회, 감사원, 산업자원부 등) 지적사항에 대한 원인분석과 함께 시정요구 및 지적사항의 발생원인을 토대로 업무수행과정에서 발생가능한 부정･오류의 위험을 고유위험과 통제위험으로 나누어 내부감사위험을 평가하는 절차를 problem tree analysis 기법을 적용하여 제시하였다. 그리고 내부감사업무 수행부서인 자체감사기구가 통제･감독해야 할 핵심 관리분야를 기관 공통 및 경영지원부문과 사업관리부문으로 나누어 업무수행에 따른 위험수준을 평가하고, 취약부문에 대하여 통제절차의 보완방안으로 모니터링 효과를 가져올 수 있도록 경영지원부문에 대해서는 옴브즈만 활동과 계약업무의 예정가격에 대한 통제절차를 제시하였다. 사업관리부문에 대해서는 평가과정 및 평가위원 운용, 수행기관 및 업체, 정밀재정산 대상 과제 선정기준 및 선정절차, 위탁정산기관의 품질제고를 통한 정산업무 통제효과로 나누어 제시하였다. 이와같이 감사위험분석을 토대로 내부통제절차를 보완함으로써 내부감사의 품질을 고도화할 수 있을 뿐만 아니라, 현재 자체감사기구에서 수행하는 내부감사대상의 우선순위를 조정하거나, 감사자원의 추가 투입 등 중･장기감사계획의 수립을 위한 토대를 마련하는 데 기여할 수 있을 것이다.

Textual research of origin and development of bronze acupuncture figure

The origin, development and duplication history of bronze acupuncture figure (BAF) were explored by textual research of related literature. BAF was firstly recorded in Tiansheng period of North Song dynasty, which was made by WANG Weiyi under emperor's summons. It was a standard bronze figure with acupuncture points, so it was also called Tiansheng BAF. Thereafter, BAF was duplicated in different dynasties or even oversea, such as Zhengtong BAF made in Zhengtong period of Ming Dynasty, self-made BAF made by Gaowu, Qianlong BAF made as rewards for the writers of the Golden Mirror of Medicine in Qianlong period of Qing Dynasty, and BAF made by Yue's family of Tongrentang. In addition, Guangxu BAF was made after the Zhengtong BAF was robbed by the Russian invasion army. Japan and Korea also made their own BAF. After the founding of China, the national government and scientific research institutes made new BAFs and donated it to World Health Organization as a gift in 2017.

Agro-biodiversity and ethnobotany of Lakshadweep Islands of India

The Lakshadweep is a tiny landmass of 32 km2 area (8o–12oN, 71o–74oE) constituted by a group of 27 small atolls located in the Indian territory of Arabian Sea of Indian Ocean. Studies on crop genetic diversity including wild relatives of crop plants of the region are little known except for coconut palm. This report deals with 106 collections assembled in two exploration and collection missions comprising 46 plant species under 35 genera belonging to 24 families. The plant germplasm collected during the trips are mostly useful as vegetable, fibre, medicinal plant, dye, edible tuber, timber and ecosystem service provider. The crop wild relatives collected during the study include that of sunnhemp, melon, yam, jute, pigeon pea, sugarcane, etc. A set of germplasm accessions was sent to national research institutes for regeneration. Out of the total collection, 64 accessions were assigned with national identity (Indigenous Collection or IC numbers: IC 0572014 to IC 0572077), and conserved in long term storage at National Gene Bank or in the field gene bank of ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi. The important germplasm assembled from the islands include highly pungent betel leaf and a large fruited noni. Plants of Cajanus scarabaeoides (L.) Thouars, bitter less Cucumis melo L. var. agrestis Naudin saline tolerant Canavalia cathartica Thouars, Vigna marina (Burm.) Merr. and Corchorus trilocularis L. were the unique wild relatives collected. The current report is the first of its kind on the exploration and collection of plant genetic resources (other than coconut) from Lakshadweep Islands. Wild melon accessions collected are currently employed in distant hybridization programs. During the survey, ethnobotanic information of 23 plants for medicinal and other uses was also documented. Novel uses of the native plant species in the islands indicate their potential for exploitation in other coastal ecosystems. This report aims to highlight the potential plant resources of the region for direct human use and in future breeding programs.

Evaluating Determinant Priority of License Fee in Biotech Industry

This research aimed to build a solid basis through analytic hierarchy process (AHP) analysis to develop a reliable and practical valuation model that reflects the characteristics of the biotech industry and propose a reference formula to estimate the license fee by drug class for potential business transactions. In this study, we reviewed 135 related studies and found 167 related determinants. We surveyed 25 or more specialists in the biopharmaceutical industries. The survey group consisted of National Research Institutes (‘Group 1’), Companies (‘Group 2’), and Government Agencies–Universities (‘Group 3’). The average of the total group and Group 3 showed the same tendency at a Level 3 ranking, where the priority in determining the license fee was arranged in the order of ‘the market factor, the technology factor, the financial factor, and the environmental factor’ in light of the factors, and ‘patent characteristics, licensee characteristics, and licensor characteristics’ for the characteristics. We noted that the patent characteristics were primarily significant in technology transactions and their contract fee in the groups (Total, Group 2 and Group 3), followed by licensee characteristics. In terms of the in-depth index, we noted that the development phase and attrition rate, intellectual property tradability, and licensee licensing experience, followed by quality of technology, were the most influential determinants.

A Novel Grafting Technique: Tender Twig Grafting (TTG) in Bougainvillea Comm. ex Juss.

Bougainvillea Comm. ex Juss. attracted much attention all over the world due to its ornamental, medicinal and commercial importance. In India, many national research institutes has carried out research for development of different varieties. As a result, a large number of new cultivars have been developed in India. Hybridization, chemical mutagens and tissue culture are common methods of propagation and variety development in Bougainvillea but unfortunately, scientist have not paid much attention towards grafting methods for multicolour Bougainvillea flowering on a single plant. The author have working since many years on multicolour Bougainvillea with Tender Twig Grafting (TTG) with more than 75% success rate. This paper dealt with the practical approach and technique used for the development of ornamentally much demanded multicolor flowering of Bougainvillea on single stock.

Development of Testing Tool for Measuring Convergence Competency

In this study, we designed and developed the testing tool to measure convergence capabilities. We extracted the 5 core factors of convergence competency; empathic communication, understanding of other fields, humanistic thinking, diffuse creativity, and value judgment for output; from the 619 persons of the national research institutes. Based on the extracted details of convergence competency, we designed the format, content, and application strategy of the test tool. The testing tools were classified into convergence problem solving test preference and self-recognition test of convergence competency tendency. In order to verify the validity of the test tool design, we examined the content validity of 15 convergence technology experts. As a result of the test, the CVI average value of the content validity test index was 0.89, and it was analyzed that the convergence competency testing tool was validated. We developed 10 multiple choice items and 1 descriptive item for testing the convergence problem solving preference and developed 23 items for the self - recognition test of convergence competency tendency. To analyze the reliability and validity of the test items, we applied it to 175 science and technology researchers using the developed test tools and conducted three tests. Through the analysis of the agreement between the items, we revised and complemented the test items of convergence problem solving preference and finally developed 11 items. The convergence tendency test items were finally selected for 23 items with reliability of Cronbach-􀀀 value of 0.6 or higher. We also proposed an efficient application strategy and an analysis method of testing.

Is it feasible to estimate radiosonde biases from interlaced measurements?

Abstract. Upper-air measurements of essential climate variables (ECVs), such as temperature, are crucial for climate monitoring and climate change detection. Because of the internal variability of the climate system, many decades of measurements are typically required to robustly detect any trend in the climate data record. It is imperative for the records to be temporally homogeneous over many decades to confidently estimate any trend. Historically, records of upper-air measurements were primarily made for short-term weather forecasts and as such are seldom suitable for studying long-term climate change as they lack the required continuity and homogeneity. Recognizing this, the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Reference Upper-Air Network (GRUAN) has been established to provide reference-quality measurements of climate variables, such as temperature, pressure, and humidity, together with well-characterized and traceable estimates of the measurement uncertainty. To ensure that GRUAN data products are suitable to detect climate change, a scientifically robust instrument replacement strategy must always be adopted whenever there is a change in instrumentation. By fully characterizing any systematic differences between the old and new measurement system a temporally homogeneous data series can be created. One strategy is to operate both the old and new instruments in tandem for some overlap period to characterize any inter-instrument biases. However, this strategy can be prohibitively expensive at measurement sites operated by national weather services or research institutes. An alternative strategy that has been proposed is to alternate between the old and new instruments, so-called interlacing, and then statistically derive the systematic biases between the two instruments. Here we investigate the feasibility of such an approach specifically for radiosondes, i.e. flying the old and new instruments on alternating days. Synthetic data sets are used to explore the applicability of this statistical approach to radiosonde change management.

Overview of the activities of the European Food Safety Authority on mycotoxins in food and feed

Mycotoxins are widely occurring in foods and feeds and dietary exposure to them can induce various types of adverse health effects in humans and animals. Since its establishment in 2002, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has assessed risks of dietary exposure to mycotoxins for public health and for the health of farm and companion animals on the request of the European Commission and has assessed safety and efficacy of feed additives for the reduction of contamination of feed by mycotoxins within the European Union authorisation process for feed additives. Over 40 scientific opinions on risks of mycotoxins for human and animal health and other reports on mycotoxins have been issued by the authority for the use of the European risk managers. Mycotoxins belong to one of the important areas of the EFSA work. Occurrence data on mycotoxins submitted to EFSA by the European national food safety bodies and research institutions have been collected in the EFSA databases and have informed its scientific opinions and reports on mycotoxins. Similarly, many EFSA-funded projects conducted by the European research organisations, not only to generate data on occurrence, but also data on toxicity of mycotoxins, have provided valuable information for the risk assessments of EFSA. Aflatoxin and deoxynivalenol are the mycotoxins, for which EFSA has delivered most of its scientific mycotoxin opinions. Very recently also modified forms of mycotoxins have been included in the EFSA risk assessments. In this review paper an overview of many different EFSA activities on mycotoxins is given. It also includes a brief description how EFSA develops its scientific opinions and works.

OIQ or OEQ, which matters more: evidence from China

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare the contribution of organizational intelligence quotient (OIQ) and organizational emotional quotient (OEQ) for intelligent organizations.Design/methodology/approachThis paper develops a framework of OIQ and OEQ, based on the structure of intellectual capital (intellectual capital). Then, a specific questionnaire is designed and sent to ten national research institutes in China. Data from nine of them are analyzed as case study samples.FindingsData show that intelligent organizations are related with high OIQ as well as high OEQ. In the case of average-intelligent organizations, even if around high-IQ employees, “collective stupidity” caused by the failure of synergy of structural capital is the major gap to be a smart organization, just like a football team grouped by brilliant players always loses due to the dearth of coordination. OEQ, or the synergy between structural capital and human capital, is the critical point to avoid collective stupidity for organizations with intelligent employees.Research limitations/implicationsResearch results are based on case study in a particular country. Measurement tools for OIQ and OEQ are in bound of the IC concept.Practical implicationsThe paper helps organizations to find out the critical problems causing collective stupidity in a changing environment.Originality/valueAnalogic to human beings’ intelligence, this paper develops a frame of OIQ and OEQ, and compares their contribution to intelligent organization building in a changing environment.

An Evaluation Of The Collaborative Coursework-Based Phd Program In Economics And Management Among East African National Universities

Rapid economic growth in many sub-Saharan African countries and the consolidation of the lower education sector implies that it is becoming increasingly important to meet the demand for higher education institutions. The expansion of existing national research institutions is facing challenges related to a shortage of faculties with up-to-date skills. There is also a shift in donor countries’ allocation of development aid from production to education, training and research. Many development agencies are now looking at developing higher education sectors in emerging developing economies with increasing interest. Given the institutional and contextual constraints in developing sustainable national research institutions in several sub-Saharan countries, there is a need to discuss new and innovative approaches and mechanisms to speed up the process. This article describes a program intended to develop stronger and sustainable national research institutions through a regional collaboration for a coursework-based PhD program. The program addresses the disciplines of economics and management and involves several institutions. It is an attempt to see whether a regional collaboration between prominent national research institutions in sub-Saharan Africa based on the new model of collaboration and a broader understanding of the actions needed can speed up the establishment of sustainable national research institutions.

Automated Mobility Transitions: Governing Processes in the UK

Contemporary systems of mobility are undergoing a transition towards automation. In the UK, this transition is being led by (often new) partnerships between incumbent manufacturers and new entrants, in collaboration with national governments, local/regional councils, and research institutions. This paper first offers a framework for analyzing the governance of the transition, adapting ideas from the Transition Management (TM) perspective, and then applies the framework to ongoing automated vehicle transition dynamics in the UK. The empirical analysis suggests that the UK has adopted a reasonably comprehensive approach to the governing of automated vehicle innovation but that this approach cannot be characterized as sufficiently inclusive, democratic, diverse and open. The lack of inclusivity, democracy, diversity and openness is symptomatic of the post-political character of how the UK’s automated mobility transition is being governed. The paper ends with a call for a reconfiguration of the automated vehicle transition in the UK and beyond, so that much more space is created for dissent and for reflexive and comprehensive big picture thinking on (automated) mobility futures.