Terms Of Traits Research Articles

Light spectra of biophilic LED-sourced system modify essential oils composition and plant morphology of Mentha piperita L. and Ocimum basilicum L.

Investigating morphological and molecular mechanisms that plants adopt in response to artificial biophilic lighting is crucial for implementing biophilic approaches in indoor environments. Also, studying the essential oils (EOs) composition in aromatic plants can help unveil the light influence on plant metabolism and open new investigative routes devoted to producing valuable molecules for human health and commercial applications. We assessed the growth performance and the EOs composition of Mentha x piperita and Ocimum basilicum grown under an innovative artificial biophilic lighting system (CoeLux®), that enables the simulation of natural sunlight with a realistic sun perception, and compared it to high-pressure sodium lamps (control) We found that plants grown under the CoeLux® light type experienced a general suppression of both above and belowground biomass, a high leaf area, and a lower leaf thickness, which might be related to the shade avoidance syndrome. The secondary metabolites composition in the plants' essential oils was scarcely affected by both light intensity and spectral composition of the CoeLux® light type, as similarities above 80% were observed with respect to the control light treatments and within both plant species. The major differences were detected with respect to the EOs extracted from plants grown under natural sunlight (52% similarity in M. piperita and 75% in O. basilicum). Overall, it can be speculated that the growth of these two aromatic plants under the CoeLux® lighting systems is a feasible strategy to improve biophilic approaches in closed environments that include both plants and artificial sunlight. Among the two plant species analyzed, O. basilicum showed an overall better performance in terms of both morphological traits and essential oil composition. To increase biomass production and enhance the EOs quality (e.g., higher menthol concentrations), further studies should focus on technical solutions to raise the light intensity irradiating plants during their growth under the CoeLux® lighting systems.

Transcriptome and anatomical studies reveal alterations in leaf thickness under long-term drought stress in tobacco

Drought is one of the foremost environmental factors that limit the growth of plants. Leaf thickness (LT) is an important quantitative trait in plant physiology. The experiment was carried out in a growth room and the plants were divided into two groups such as well-watered and drought-stressed. This work investigated leaf growth in terms of leaf surface growth and expansion rate, leaf stomata traits, LT, anticlinal growth, and leaf cell layers. The results showed that the leaf area and leaf surface expansion rate were decreased by drought stress (DS). Similarly, LT, anticlinal expansion rate, palisade and spongy tissue thickness, and their related expansion rates were also decreased at different days’ time points (DTP) of DS. However, a steady increase was observed in the aforementioned parameters after 12 DTP of DS. The stomatal density increased while stomata size decreased at 3 DTP and 12 DTP (low leaf water potential and relative leaf water content at these time points) and vice versa at 24 DTP compared with the well-watered plants indicating adaptations in these traits in response to DS, and thus the leaf water status played a role in the regulation of leaf stomata traits. The cell length decreased in the upper epidermis, palisade and spongy tissues by DS up to 12 DTP led to lower LT while an increase was observed after 12 DTP that resulted in higher LT. The increase in the LT was supported by the upregulation of starch and sucrose metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum pathways at 18 DTP along with the differentially expressed genes induced that were related to cell wall remodeling (cellulose, expansin, xyloglucans) and cell expansion (auxin response factors and aquaporin). The results explain the response of leaf thickness to drought stress and show alterations in LT and leaf stomatal traits. This study might serve as a valuable source of gene information for functional studies and provide a theoretical basis to understand leaf growth in terms of leaf anatomy and leaf stomatal traits under drought stress.

Generation and identification of a wheat–Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. 3P chromosome addition line and substitution line

Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. (2n = 4x = 28, PPPP), which is a wild relative of common wheat and has a P genome, has many excellent characteristics (for example, it is disease-resistant, stress-resistant, and high yielding) and has important utilization values for the genetic improvement of wheat. In this study, the wheat–A. cristatum 3P addition line I-27 and 3P(3B) substitution line I-15 were identified for the first time via in situ hybridization (ISH) and specific molecular marker (EST-STS) from wheat–A. cristatum-derived lines, which are a representative and important material for the utilization of the excellent genes from the A. cristatum chromosome 3P for wheat genetic improvement. In terms of agronomic traits, the tiller number and spike length of the 3P addition line I-27 were significantly higher than those of Fukuhokomugi. The spike length and spikelet number per spike of the 3P substitution line I-15 were significantly greater than those of Fukuho. Additionally, the wheat–A. cristatum 3P substitution line I-15 was resistant to wheat leaf rust. The generation of the 3P addition line I-27 and the 3P substitution line I-15 was essential for the transfer of the excellent genes of the A. cristatum 3P chromosome into common wheat, and resulted in the wheat–A. cristatum addition line containing a complete set of genetic research materials, laying the foundation for comparative studies of the P genome and subsequent fine mapping.

Examining the Methods of Coping with Jealousy in Romantic Relationships of University Students in Terms of Personality Traits

Examining the Methods of Coping with Jealousy in Romantic Relationships of University Students in Terms of Personality Traits

Introgression of Drought Tolerance into Elite Basmati Rice Variety through Marker-Assisted Backcrossing

Drought is one of the major abiotic threat to rice production in the context of climate change. Super Basmati is an elite, fine grain basmati rice variety grown in Punjab, Pakistan. Due to drought sensitive in nature, its yield has been facing an alarming situation in production because of gradual decrease in irrigated water for a couple of years. Three reported novel QTLs for drought tolerance were selected for incorporation into Super Basmati by employing marker assisted selection strategy. IR55419-04 with novel QTLs was used as a donor parent. Foreground selection was performed by applying PCR based QTL linked SSR markers followed by recombinant selection by using 2–4 flanking markers. Background selection was exercised by using polymorphic SSR markers for maximum genome recovery of the Super Basmati. The individuals homozygous at the target QTLs and with maximum background of Super Basmati at the rest of the non-target genome was selected for evaluation of drought tolerance. Under drought stress conditions, the yields of all introgressed lines (ILs) were 44.2%–125.7% higher than recurrent parent. Six superior ILs that are drought tolerant and very similar to Super Basmati in terms of agronomic and grain quality traits are marked for release as drought-tolerant varieties in arid regions or for use in breeding programs of high grain quality and drought-tolerant parents.

Drought Tolerance in Mung Bean is Associated with the Genotypic Divergence, Regulation of Proline, Photosynthetic Pigment and Water Relation

Drought is one of the critical conditions for the growth and productivity of many crops including mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek). Screening of genotypes for variations is one of the suitable strategies for evaluating crop adaptability and global food security. In this context, the study investigated the physiological and biochemical responses of four drought tolerant (BARI Mung-8, BMX-08010-2, BMX-010015, BMX-08009-7), and four drought sensitive (BARI Mung-1, BARI Mung-3, BU Mung-4, BMX-05001) mung bean genotypes under wellwatered (WW) and water deficit (WD) conditions. The WW treatment maintained sufficient soil moisture (22% ± 0.5%, i.e., 30% deficit of available water) by regularly supplying water. Whereas, the WD treatment was maintained throughout the growing period, and water was applied when the wilting symptom appeared. The drought tolerant (DT) genotypes BARI Mung-8, BMX-08010-2, BMX-010015, BMX-08009-7 showed a high level of proline accumulation (2.52–5.99 mg g−1 FW), photosynthetic pigment (total chlorophyll 2.96–3.27 mg g−1 FW at flowering stage, and 1.62–2.38 mg g−1 FW at pod developing stage), plant water relation attributes including relative water content (RWC) (82%–84%), water retention capacity (WRC) (12–14) as well as lower water saturation deficit (WSD) (19%–23%), and water uptake capacity (WUC) (2.58–2.89) under WD condition, which provided consequently higher relative seed yield. These indicate that the tolerant genotypes gained better physiobiochemical attributes and adaptability in response to drought conditions. Furthermore, the genotype BMX- 08010-2 showed superiority in terms of those physio-biochemical traits, susceptibility index (SSI) and stress tolerance index (STI) to other genotypes. Based on the physiological and biochemical responses, the BMX-08010-2 was found to be a suitable genotype for sustaining yield under drought stress, and subsequently, it could be recommended for crop improvement through hybridization programs. In addition, the identified traits can be used as markers to identify tolerant genotypes for drought-prone areas.

Causal associations between erectile dysfunction and high blood pressure, negative psychology: a Mendelian randomization study

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has been closely associated with both high blood pressure (HBP) and psychological traits, but the causal relationship between them remains unclear. Herein, we aimed to identify the causal risk factors for ED. We conducted univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses using genetic variants associated with metabolic syndrome and psychology traits at the genome-wide significance (p < 5 × 10−8) level obtained from corresponding genome-wide association studies. We used summary-level statistical data for ED from the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) database of complete Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) summary data. We also conducted reverse causality and performed power calculations for MR. Our results showed that HBP was associated with increased odds of ED (odds ratio (OR) = 1.66 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.13–2.45), a p-value for the inverse variance-weighted method (PIVW ) = 1.06 × 10−2, Power = 100%), as were myocardial infarction (OR = 1.09 (95% CI, 1.02–1.17), PIVW = 1.18 × 10−2, Power = 56%) and ischemic stroke (OR = 1.21 (95% CI, 1.02–1.43), PIVW = 2.87 × 10−2, Power = 10%). In terms of psychological traits, irritable mood (OR = 1.86 (95% CI, 1.14–3.02), PIVW = 1.30 × 10−2, Power = 96%) and neuroticism (OR = 1.36 (95% CI, 1.04–1.79), PIVW = 2.66 × 10−2, Power = 80%) were associated with increased odds of ED. Mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) showed no evidence of pleiotropic bias, and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of our results. We have established a causal link between HBP and ED, and we have also found evidence suggesting a causal relationship between irritable mood and ED.

Effects of management practices for using the SaaS system on performance of hospitality firms in Norway

ABSTRACT The earlier literature either measured management practices in terms of the general management traits or did not account for the effects on firm performance. However, the transformation of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems from general to more specific practices, the counteractive managerial goals and standardization and measurement issues requires the measures with more specific goals in a specific setting. The current paper aims at filling the gaps in measuring management practices and its effects on production costs and technical efficiency using daily data of 92 hospitality firms, i.e. chain hotels, in Norway from 2012 to 2014. We measured management practices in an index constructed from multiple criteria that capture managers' user patterns of the software-as-a-service (SaaS) systems. The empirical model identified inefficiency using a translog stochastic frontier input distance function (IDF). The findings show, on average, a 10% improvement in management practices increases production costs by 1.2%, but it improves efficiency by 0.9%. However, the marginal effect of improved management practices on the production cost is found to be U-shaped, while the marginal impact on inefficiency gradually declines to zero. The study also provides managerial implications on how to effectively use the ERP system and improve firm performance.

High killing rate of nematode and promotion of rice growth by synthetic volatiles from Bacillus strains due to enhanced oxidative stress response.

The plant parasitic nematode Aphelenchoides besseyi is a major pest that poses serious threats to different vegetables and crop plants. In the present study, volatiles isolated from Bacillus spp. were utilized as green biocontrol agents to overcome nematodes. In in vitro experiment, Bacillus spp. GBSC56, SYST2, and FZB42 showed the strongest nematicidal activity with killing rates of 80.78%, 75.69%, and 60.45%, respectively, as compared with control. The selected synthetic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), namely albuterol, benzaldehyde (BDH), 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one (1,2-HIT), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), 2-undecanone (2-UD), and 1,3-propanediole (1,3-PD), exhibited strong nematicidal activity, with A. besseyi killing rate of 85.58%, 82.65%, 81.75%, 80.36%, 84.45%, and 82.36%, respectively, at 400 μg/mL. Microscopic analysis proved that the rapid mortality was due to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Molecular docking attributed this ROS production to the nematicidal effect of synthetic VOCs on NADH DEHYDROGENASE SUBUNIT 2, which is known to play a critical role in the suppression of ROS in nematode models. In a greenhouse experiment, the Bacillus strains GBSC56, SYST2, and FZB42 and their synthetic VOCs significantly improved the physiological parameters in terms of growth promotion traits. In addition, selected genes related to growth promotion and defense genes showed a significant upregulation of their expression in rice seedlings treated with those synthetic VOCs. Overall, these findings revealed that the selected Bacillus strains and their synthetic VOCs possess high potential against A. besseyi. Moreover, this study also sheds new light on the mechanisms by which specific Bacillus nematicidal VOCs influence important genes involved in rice plant growth promotion and could effectively be used to suppress plant parasitic nematodes.

Comparing Word-of-Mouth (WOM) and Viral Marketing: Behavior Analysis of Consumer Consumption, Information Traits, and Credibility

The way consumers collect information before making a purchase has a significant effect on their decision. Today, the widespread use of the Internet and smartphones has enabled consumers to collect extensive information via viral marketing. This study aimed to compare word-of-mouth (WOM) and viral marketing strategies on consumption patterns, information traits, and credibility. On/offline surveys were distributed to adults over 20 in Republic of Korea. The final analysis was conducted on data from 269 consumers who had purchased sporting goods based on information in the form of WOM or viral marketing. SPSS 23.0 was used to conduct a statistical analysis (scale validity, reliability, and Multivariate analysis of variance) of the data collected. As a result, in consumption patterns, the viral marketing group showed conspicuous, conformity, and impulsive consumption patterns, while the WOM marketing group showed economical consumption patterns. In terms of purchase information traits, while viral marketing information showed relatively high equivalence and timeliness, WOM marketing information showed high neutrality. Finally, consumers perceived WOM marketing as more credible. This study provides objective data to enable practitioners to better understand which approach will be a suitable strategy based on their product and target market. It can serve as a reference, as it specifically analyzes each marketing strategy against the backdrop of today's unlimited information. Keywords: viral marketing, word-of-mouth marketing, consumption patterns, information traits, credibility. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.60.32

Big Five Personality Domains and their Impact on Problematic Mobile Phone Use among Medical Students in a Rural Tertiary Care Centre in Tamil Nadu India: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The increasing usage of smartphones across the globe has resulted in considerable changes in people's daily lives, especially in terms of personality traits among adults. Research shows that the Big Five personality traits influence Problematic Mobile Phone Use (PMPU). Aim: To estimate the prevalence of PMPU using the Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale (MPPUS-10) and to evaluate the personality predictors of PMPU using the Big Five Inventory (BFI) questionnaire. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 289 medical students at a rural tertiary care centre in Tamil Nadu, India from November 2021 to April 2022. The questionnaire consisted of three sections. The first section collected demographic characteristics, the second section included questions on the MPPUS-10, and the third section contained questions from the BFI questionnaire. Reliability analysis was conducted to assess the internal validity of the MPPUS-10 questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis using principal component analysis with varimax rotation and Kaiser normalisation was performed to measure the structural validity of the MPPUS-10 scale. A multiple linear regression model was applied to determine the relationship between PMPU and the personality domains. Results: The prevalence of PMPU among medical students was found to be 106 (36.7%). Spearman's rank correlation revealed a negative correlation between agreeableness personality (r=- 0.307, p-value <0.001) and conscientiousness personality (r=-0.369, p-value <0.001) with PMPU. Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between neurotic personality and PMPU (r=0.325, p-value <0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism significantly predicted 44.4% of the scores on the PMPU (F=23.276, p-value <0.001 at the 1% level). Therefore, individuals with lower levels of agreeableness, conscientiousness, and higher levels of neuroticism scored higher on the MPPUS-10 scale. Conclusion: The prevalence of PMPU among medical students was found to be high, requiring attention. Individuals with lower levels of agreeableness and conscientiousness, as well as higher levels of neuroticism, were more likely to exhibit PMPU.

Psychosocial assessment of male patients with persistent idiopathic facial pain—a pilot study

Studies have shown that up to 70% of patients with depressive and anxiety disorders may also experience chronic pain. This study aimed to examine the correlation between depression, anxiety symptoms, sleep quality and personality traits in male patients with persistent idiopathic facial pain. The research protocol was registered to international clinical trials registre. Adult patients who had visited the Hospital of University of Health Sciences clinics between 2019 and 2021 with a diagnosis of G50.1 (International Clasification of Disease Tenth revision (ICD-10)) “Atypical Facial Pain” were included in the study. The control group comprised patients with an obvious cause of chronic pain—unilateral post-fracture mandibular pain. The factors assessed in this study were pain, the tendency towards depression and anxiety, sleep quality and personality traits. Of the 20 patients eligible, we found no significant differences between the two groups in terms of personality traits, anxiety, depression and sleep quality. However, we found that pain score was significantly correlated with higher depression scores and that anxiety and depression scores were positively intercorrelated in the experimental group. Our findings indicate that male patients with persistent idiopathic facial pain may present with prominent, but not dominant, depression and anxiety symptoms, and a significant proportion may also have sleep disorders. Neuroticism appears to be associated with both mood disorders and poor sleep quality in male patients with persistent idiopathic facial pain.

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND COOKING QUALITY TRAITS OF SELECTED BLACK RICE (Oryza sativa L.) VARIETIES

In this research, six black rice varieties cultivated in Kharif 2021 namely BPT 2841, BPT 2848, BPT 3136, BPT 3137, BPT 3145 and Burma Black (control) were studied for different quality traits such as physical, chemical and cooking quality traits. All the parameters showed significant variance. Thousand grains weight showed positive correlation with hulling per cent (r=0.748), milling percent (r=0.981), head rice recovery (r=0.594), kernel length (r=0.947) and kernel breadth(r=0.932). In terms of physical quality, 1000 grain weight of Burma black showed greater value due to its large grain size which is treated as undesirable. In terms of chemical quality traits, all the rice varieties except control had intermediate amylose content (20-25%) and intermediate alkali spreading value (4-5). These were considered as key characteristics to improve rice grain quality.

Psychological Characteristics of Children with Psoriasis

Background The disease, regardless of its nosology, involves the child in a different deficient social situation. It creates two restraint conditions for the sick child: restriction of motions or restriction of cognitive activity. The interview with paediatric patients with psoriasis showed that 65% of them were stigmatised in the form of bullying, insults, and humiliation. Concerns about constant skin peeling and odour affect leisurely activity in 15-30% of children with psoriasis. This stigmatisation can lead to changes in behaviour, depression, anxiety, and apprehension. In adolescents with psoriasis, apprehension is increasingly mediated by the features of the attitude toward oneself and is of a contradictory, conflicting nature during this period. A persistently high anxiety level in childhood leads to a wide range of problems, the consequence of which can be impaired development of individual structures and functions and, ultimately, impaired formation of the personality structure as a whole. Objective The article aims to determine the psychological characteristics of children with psoriasis aged 8–12 years. Materials and Methods Characterological and behavioural traits were studied in 54 children with psoriasis aged 8–12 years using R. Cattell's multi-factor test (junior version). Characteristics of personality traits in terms of factor scoring were carried out by grouping them by communicative and emotional-volitional components. Results It was determined that the majority of 8–12-year-old children with psoriasis have an average scoring of the basic factors by both communicative and emotional-volitional components. In addition, half of the children were found to have a low score of factor A “outgoingness” and factor Q3 “self-control”, while a third of the children had a low score of factors C “self-confidence” and F “risk proneness”. High scores were revealed for factors D “excitability” and O “apprehension”. The correlation analysis revealed a significant number of correlations between the bipolar factor indicators. Conclusion The analysis using R. Cattell's Children's Personality Questionnaire identified the characteristic personality traits of children aged 8 to 12 years with psoriasis. The children are fairly adapted to society, showing activity and moderate sensitivity, and the ability to observe moral standards of behaviour. However, the disease's impact on the formation of psychological characteristics can already be traced: 50% of children with psoriasis have hyperexcitability and lack of self-control; one-third of patients have depressed moods, increased apprehension, seclusiveness, resentfulness, mistrustfulness and nervous tension, increased responsibility for their own actions and deeds, and lack of self-confidence; every fifth patient has a poor concentration of attention, fatigue and a simplified approach to problem-solving. The determined significant number of correlational pleiads between the bipolar factor scores in 8–12-year-old children with psoriasis allows designing approaches to individual and group psychocorrective and psychotherapeutic counselling.

Comprehensive description of body shapes, sizes and plumage colorations of domestic pigeons in Benue State of Nigeria

The domestic Pigeons (Columbia livia domestica) are hardy birds that can be raised with little effort. They are able to survive in hostile climates and fend for themselves, often ranging over many kilometers in attempt to locate seeds and edible scraps. In Nigeria pigeons are well distributed in the different agro-ecological zones of the country. In Benue State and indeed Nigeria, the available domestic pigeon population is largely genetically and phenotypically uncharacterized. Considering this fact, the present study was conducted on Comprehensive Description of Body Shapes, Sizes and Plumage Colorations of Domestic Pigeons in Benue State, Nigeria. Field data collection phase of the study was carried out through combined use of questionnaire and fortnightly visits for a period of six months. A total of sixty pigeon farmers and three hundred domestic pigeons were covered during the survey. Mature body weights were measured to the nearest grammes on all the adult birds covered during the field data phase using a 5kg capacity weighing scale. Plumage, beak and shank colourations/colour patterns were measured via visual observations during the two phases of the experiment. Body, shank, beak, thigh and wing lengths and breast girth were measured at maturity using a graduated linear scale (rule) and tailor’s tape. Bird height (from leg on the ground up to the level of the back of the bird) was also measured. Qualitative data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics such as percentages and averages, while the data quantitative (economics) traits were analyzed through the use of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) technique and correlation analysis based on the SPSS II programme. Ash plumage predominated other colours, constituting 16.94% of all the observed plumage colours. This was closely followed by brown (12.78%), black (12.22%) and white (12.22%) with black and grey colour being the rarely observed (1.39%). About 56% of the pigeons surveyed had muffed feet (feathered feet). The overall mean weight of 326.63±1.69 for male and 312.25±1.83 for female pigeons kept on semi-intensive system is slightly lower. In terms of morphological traits, the pigeons demonstrated a great deal of variations and complexities in plumage, shank and beak colourations. The variations observed in other quantitative traits such as linear body measurements (body, shank and beak lengths breast girth and bird height) revealed no significant difference ((P>0.05).

Сорт рапса ярового Баланс

The variety Balance was developed by intraspecific hybridization of the variety Viking-VNIIMK and breeding line No 4801 with subsequent selection by self-pollination in 2012–2022 at V.S. Pustovoit All-Russian Research Institute of Oil Crops. In competitive trials, the variety Balance (No 1015) was characterized by consistently high seed yield – 1.49–3.24 t/ha – and exceeded the standard variety Tavrion on average over five years by 0.20 t/ha. In terms of seed oil content, the variety Balance was 0.7 % lower than the standard variety Tavrion but exceeded the standard in oil yield by 0.07 t/ha. The new variety was characterized by larger seeds, thousand-seed weight during the trials years was 3.09 g, while the standard was 2.77 g. The duration of the growing season and the protein content of the seeds were at the level of the standard. The content of glucosinolates in seeds of the new variety differed from the standard insignificantly. In terms of morphobiological traits, the variety Balance was characterized by a lower plant height, but a higher number of lateral branches com-pared to the previous varieties. The onset of flowering and ripening were almost identical to the variety Viking-VNIIMK, and it did not differ from the standard in lodging resistance. Fusarium blight affection and the percentage of manifestation intensity of this dis-ease is lower by 3.5% compared to the variety Tavrion. The variety Balance is recommended for the cultivation for grain in the North-West, Central, Volga-Vyatka, Central Chernozem, North Caucasus, Middle Volga, Lower Volga, Ural, West Siberia, and East Siberia regions of the Russian Federation.

Comparative study of biomass and morpho-physiological traits for different deciduous species in semi-arid afforestation region of Mongolia

Afforestation practices are useful tools for rehabilitating degraded lands in many parts of the world, as well as in Mongolia for protecting soil, water resources, and the potential of carbon sequestration to mitigate climate change. And so, regular investigation was conducted to determine the response and adaptation of Populus sibirica, Ulmus pumila, and Hippophae rhamnoides in terms of growth characteristics and leaf morpho-physiological traits to suggest and select effective and sustainable afforestation methods to suit Mongolia’s conditions. We measured the root collar diameter (RCD), height growth, leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf biomass (LB), chlorophyll concentration and leaf water potential (ψ) of the selected species. Results showed that P. sibirica (135.3±6.81cm) height growth, stem, root and total biomass were higher among the studied species, but leaf and branch biomass was higher in U. pumila (93.46±5.10cm). However, leaf morphological parameters and chlorophyll content was higher for P. sibirica (330.56±56.81µg/ml) compared with other species. Leaf water potential was found lower for U. pumila and higher in H. rhamnoides. Therefore, we suggest that U. pumila is more adaptable to low mean annual precipitation regions, requiring less water and H. rhamnoides provide good financial source for local community as they yield fruits. Our findings are relevant to ensuring the sustainability of afforestation programs in semiarid conditions in Mongolia.

Teachers’ perception of their self-efficacy from the perspective of the Five-Factor Theory of Personality

In the article, on the background of theoretical considerations on the meaning of the sense of self-efficacy in the work of a modern teacher functioning in the changing conditions of the 21st century reality and the role that personality (in terms of the Five-Factor Theory of Personality by Paul T. Costa and Robert R. McCrae) may play in shaping this key factor, the results of empirical research conducted with the participation of Polish and American teachers are presented. The analyzes proved that the respondents who were characterized by a statistically significantly higher level of self-efficacy were also characterized by such an intensity of personality traits in terms of the Big Five (neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness), which corresponded to the pattern of teacher personality, which has been present in the pedeutological discourse over the years.

Examination of Athletes' Dark Personality Traits in Terms of Demographic Variables

The aim of this research is to determine the Dark Personality Traits levels of the athletes and to examine the differences in terms of demographic variables. The Dark Triad Scale developed by Jones and Paulhus (2014) and adapted into Turkish by Agrali-Ermis, Sahin and Demirus (2018) was used as a data collection tool in the descriptive survey model, which is one of the quantitative research methods. The sample of the study consists of 817 athletes determined by random method. As a result of the research; it was determined that the dark triad characteristics of the participants were at a moderate level and the highest rate was in the dimension of Machiavellianism and narcissism. It was determined that female athletes had higher Machiavellianism scores than male athletes. In addition, it was observed that the level of narcissism increased significantly as the education level increased. When analysed according to the branches, it was determined that the participants who do team sports have both Machiavellian and psychopathic personality characteristics higher than the participants who do individual sports.

Dealing with Wicked Problems in Public Administration

"This article addresses an approach to explore and tackle some of the existential threats (wicked problems) that face public administration globally. It seeks to build on existing work to suggest some defining traits in terms of ‘wicked’ issues and problems that are being explored again by governments and international organizations such as the OECD in order to develop leadership cadres that are equipped to advance and deliver focused policies that can strategically combat these problems. The paper discusses how and why an innovative and indeed entrepreneurial approach to dealing with these issues requires effective bureaucracies and explores the barriers to public administration academics to getting involved in delivering real world support to policy makers and public servants."