Academic literature on the topic 'Incubation Support'

This chapter outlines the natural history of infections caused by a variety of organisms. These organisms may already colonize a patient (endogenous) or come from another source (exogenous). They vary in the time it takes to cause symptoms (incubation period). Some are more infective than others, and the infective period varies depending on the organism. A range of diagnostic methods are used to identify the disease, from growing the organism (culture) to using molecular techniques to identify characteristics unique to the organism. Understanding what is causing an infection is important in public health management to support outbreak identification and management. Advanced techniques can identify whether the organism is likely to be transmitted from one individual to another. Antimicrobial resistance is becoming more and more problematic and can lead to difficulties of treatment of even simple infections.

Creative cognition has long been hypothesized to rely on spontaneous as well as controlled cognitive processes. This chapter starts by giving a brief overview of pertinent dual process models of creative thought. It then reviews empirical research supporting the relevance of controlled and spontaneous processes in creative cognition (mostly defined by divergent thinking and insight problem solving). The relevance of controlled processes is mainly supported by verbal protocol studies and individual differences research on executive functions and intelligence. The relevance of spontaneous processes is mainly supported by research on incubation and neuroscientific investigations. The chapter concludes by considering potential ways of interaction between goal-directed, controlled thought and undirected, spontaneous thought, both from the short-term perspective of immediate creative problem solving as well as from the long-term perspective of extended creative work.

AbstractWithin the European Big Data Ecosystem, cross-organisational and cross-sectorial experimentation and innovation environments play a central role. European Innovation Spaces (or i-Spaces for short) are the main elements to ensure that research on big data value technologies and novel applications can be quickly tested, piloted and exploited for the benefit of all stakeholders. In particular, i-Spaces enable stakeholders to develop new businesses facilitated by advanced Big Data Value (BDV) technologies, applications and business models, bringing together all blocks, actors and functionalities expected to provide IT infrastructure, support and assistance, data protection, privacy and governance, community building and linkages with other innovation spaces, as well as incubation and accelerator services. Thereby, i-Spaces contribute to building a community, providing a catalyst for engagement and acting as incubators and accelerators of data-driven innovation, with cross-border collaborations as a key aspect to fully unleash the potential of data to support the uptake of European AI and related technologies.

AbstractThe purpose of this chapter is to introduce a higher education social enterprise program and explore how it is shaping the field of social entrepreneurship. Social enterprise related university programs are an emerging trend. Entrepreneurial university theory and ecosystem framework are used to illustrate how the university social enterprise program, in turn, develops the field of social entrepreneurship. An example of an existing social enterprise program is discussed to highlight how it can be designed. Cases of social enterprises emerged as the result of the program are used to outline the different impacts that such support to social entrepreneurship might have. The research chapter reveals the multi-dimensional nature of the social enterprise program and its impact on students establishing their own social enterprises. It suggests that the incubation and other support activities should expand beyond the university program including a variety of network partners. The chapter provides empirical evidence of social enterprise development in a higher education institution and contributes to the global body of knowledge about fostering social enterprise development. As the provision of social entrepreneurship education is new in Estonia and the discussions on social enterprises are premature, the number of social entrepreneurship development partners is limited and hence the empirical data is currently scarce. The journey towards an entrepreneurial university is limited due to the lack of legal support and suitable infrastructure which would enhance project-based learning, support ‘spin-offs’ and patenting and rather engenders a more traditional academic learning environment.

Abstract This study explores the intersection of social innovation, universities, and territorial dynamics, focusing on how these elements foster the development of social innovation hubs, specifically university incubators. Addressing gaps in existing literature, the research examines the institutional configurations, power relations, and strategies that support these processes, with a particular emphasis on the mutual relationship between social innovation and spatialisation processes. The research involved a comparative analysis of university incubators in Brazil, Argentina, and Italy, regions with significant yet distinct experiences of social innovation environments. Quantitative research analyzed 186 incubators in Brazil, 91 in Argentina, and 197 in Italy, followed by qualitative case studies of five incubators (two each in Brazil and Argentina, and one in Italy) deemed particularly relevant. The study employed qualitative methods, including biographical reconstructions of innovators and assessments of incubation approaches, to identify governance models of social incubators. Key findings reveal that in Latin American contexts, social incubators emerged as responses to economic crises, initially fostering grassroots solidarity and later serving as mechanisms for job creation and economic regeneration. The Brazilian and Argentinian incubators demonstrated a participatory and circular governance model, aligning with the Open Innovation paradigm, while the Italian case displayed a more unidirectional approach from university to territory. All the analyzed cases highlighted the critical role of universities in weaving relational networks among diverse actors, including educators, students, technicians, local businesses, artisans, and marginalized community members. This aligns with an infrastructuring approach that transcends traditional stakeholder frameworks, fostering ecosystem-based incubation to promote social and territorial innovation. The Latin American experiences were particularly notable for engaging traditionally marginalized actors through participatory methodologies, confirming the efficacy of quadruple and quintuple helix models in transforming social relations. Despite these advancements, the Italian case struggled to empower local actors fully, reflecting challenges in achieving capability-building—a key element in social innovation. The study identifies specific capabilities required to involve territorial actors in the quintuple helix model and emphasizes the importance of participatory, inclusive, and collaborative governance in transforming social relations to achieve economic, psychological, social, and political empowerment. While offering valuable insights into university-led social incubators, the study calls for further exploration of diverse forms of social innovation hubs across broader contexts and countries.

Abstract Toward Sustainable Clusters in Agribusiness through Learning in Entrepreneurship (2SCALE) is the largest incubator for inclusive agribusiness in Africa. Part of this program supports agribusinesses in developing nutritious products that specifically target base of the pyramid (BoP) consumers in local markets. This product development process is complemented with marketing and distribution strategies to ensure these products reach BoP consumers. In an effort to build sustainable and scalable business cases, all strategies are first tested and implemented in short-term pilots. The lessons learned during the implementation of these pilots are presented in this chapter. The goal of this chapter is to showcase the approach, results, and lessons learned while implementing pilots. Under the 2SCALE program, more than 20 agribusinesses have developed new nutritious products and have run marketing and distribution pilots. The lessons derived from this experience can be useful for both agribusinesses themselves and incubating programs. The first section of this chapter highlights the opportunity at the BoP and the rationale behind implementing pilots, including the importance of BoP-specific marketing and distribution strategies. The second one runs through the approach and stages of developing and implementing pilots. This section is followed by an overview of tools and strategies being used in pilot development, whereas the final two sections explain lessons learned and the next steps.

Abstract Reproductive fitness is the crucial link by which lineages persist and evolve. The fundamentals of every field of study are manifested in this linkage: genetics, embryology, development, physiological regulation, and the behaviour of nest siting and construction, incubation, and acquisition and management of energy and food matter·all quantities of which are size-dependent. Hummingbirds (Order Apodiformes, Family Trochilidae) are some of the smallest birds and they lay some of the smallest eggs, in small clutches (Table 14.1). Mass-specific metabolic rates (kJ d-1 g-1 body mass), like egg mass g-1 body mass, are inversely proportional to body size and are most intense in the size range of hummingbirds ( Calder 1996; Brown and West 2000). In order to collect floral nectar, its main energy source, a hummingbird usually relies upon hovering flight which is energetically very expensive. In fact, when hovering, the rufous hummingbird(Selasphorus rufus) has the highest metabolic rate recorded for animals (Suarez 1992). In order to support this activity, the hummingbird needs a high daily nectar intake.

Entrepreneurship fuels economic growth, with education and government initiatives playing a pivotal role in fostering innovation and job creation. This study examines how the Indian government supports educational institutions and incubation centers to promote entrepreneurship, challenging the perception that most successful Indian entrepreneurs are college dropouts.The research reviews youth entrepreneurship, government schemes, and the challenges faced by young entrepreneurs while analyzing their impact on employment and technological progress. Using data from 2018–2022, it identifies a significant correlation between the growth of startups and the number of incubation centers, showcasing the government's commitment to building a vibrant startup ecosystem.The findings emphasize the critical interplay between education and policy in driving entrepreneurship and innovation. By addressing a key research gap, the study provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders to strengthen entrepreneurial initiatives in India.

Business incubators provide a business environment, where incubatee entrepreneurs can nurture their startup ventures successfully. By offering green infrastructural support, networking, green investors, and mentoring, business incubators can assist entrepreneurs in achieving enhanced business performance, successful market penetration, and financial success. Notwithstanding the emerging interest in the business incubation domain, the green incubation process for innovation and entrepreneurial success remains limited. The author therefore proposes the design of a green business incubation ecosystem and incubation process framework (initiative and context, green incubation facilities, and outcomes). Admittedly, establishing green incubation processes would enhance early-stage entrepreneurial success, foster green innovation, minimize startup challenges, and expand employment opportunities. Thus, the contribution of this chapter would broadly support the development of green business incubators, nascent entrepreneurial success, green innovation, and sustainable development worldwide.

This chapter focuses on the role played by business incubators in developing and facilitating knowledge transfer, networks, and business support to tenant firms through a sustainable ecosystem. The authors conduct an in-depth qualitative case-study of one tech-based business incubator in Portugal—IPN, created in 1991 by the University of Coimbra—to provide insight on how the incubator's direction/management board and a group of incubatees perceive incubation and its impact. Primary data was collected via participant observation/focus group involving the incubators' CEO and six team members. Semi-structured interviews were carried out among the CEOs and top managers from 11 companies supported by IPN whether as (1) incubates, (2) under acceleration, and (3) graduates. Results show a positive impact of incubation on internationalization and growth for incubatees and companies under acceleration. However, there is a need for new post-incubation follow-up mechanisms and a normative context promoting richer interactions with graduates.

Abstract Stationary potentiokinetic and cyclic anodic polarization methods were used to investigate the pitting behavior of 6061 alloy aluminum in synthetic ocean water. Irreproducible breakdown potentials (Ep) and reproducible repassivation potentials (Eprot) were determined from the cyclic anodic polarization technique. Reproducible breakdown and repassivation potentials were found from the stationary potentiokinetic technique; however, the breakdown potential values were shifted in the electronegative direction relative to the cyclic anodic polarization technique due to the allowance of a longer incubation time. These results support the theory that with sufficient incubation time pit initiation and propagation will occur at potentials above the repassivation potential, and that value is the only characteristic potential for aluminum. The stationary potentiokinetic method used for Eprot determination provides a reproducible electrochemical method for obtaining Eprot after minimal pit growth. Cyclic anodic polarization can also be used for determining a reproducible repassivation potential if surface damage subsequent to pit initiation is minimized.

Abstract Apart from pinhole leaks, MIC (microbiologically influenced corrosion) can also cause catastrophic failures such as pipe rupture and support beam collapse due to mechanical strength degradation or stress corrosion cracking. In this work, X80 pipeline steel dogbone coupons and square coupon were immersed in 150 mL Desulfovibrio vulgaris (a sulfate reducing bacterium or SRB) broths for up to 14 days. The headspace volumes in the anaerobic bottles were varied from 150 mL to 300 mL to increase MIC severity. After 14 days of incubation at 37oC, the sessile cell counts were 6.5×107 cells/cm2 for 150 mL, 2.3×108 cells/cm2 for 200 mL and 1.4×109 cells/cm2 for 300 mL headspace volumes, respectively owing to reduced H2S toxicity in the broth with a larger headspace. Weight losses were 1.7 mg/cm2, 1.9 mg/cm2 and 2.3 mg/cm2 for 150 mL, 200 mL 300 mL headspace volumes, respectively. The corresponding pit depths were 2.6 μm, 4.2 μm and 6.2 μm for 150 mL, 200 mL and 300 mL headspace volumes, respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), linear polarization resistance (LPR) and potentiodynamic polarization results corroborated the increasing weight loss and pitting data trends. Tensile testing after the 14-day immersion indicated that more severe MIC pitting led to a higher ultimate strain loss by up to 22%, while the ultimate strength losses for all headspace volumes were quite small (5% and below).

Abstract The existing component lifetime design and evaluation codes for cracking in engineering structures (e.g., the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Sections III & XI) are empirically-based rules for tolerance to cyclic loading. As such, they to not account for time dependent crack advance or for the continuum in water and material chemistry. Alternative approaches based on fundamental models of environmental cracking have quantified with reasonable accuracy the effects of loading, environment and material variables for metallurgically and chemically "long" cracks. While directly applicable to life evaluation of cracked components, the use of these models for design and overall prediction of component lifetime requires understanding of crack "initiation" (i.e., pre-detection) behavior, where the time required to develop a "long" crack can be a substantial portion of the component lifetime. The delineation of "initiation" invariably depends on semantics and crack detection sensitivity, although a reasonable definition can be based on short crack behavior, i.e., the depth or time required to develop an occluded crack chemistry and/or "long" crack mechanics. Short vs. long crack chemistry can be understood in terms of a critical aspect ratio for enhanced crack tip chemistry; this has been the primary focus of the experimental work to date and can be used, for example, to interpret the effects of creviced geometries. Short vs. long crack mechanics can be understood in terms of their effects on crack tip strain rate, a fundamental parameter in environmentally assisted cracking. Our objective is to refine the concept of crack "initiation" by examining the crack growth rate behavior in a crack length regime which is shorter than commonly studied. Ongoing experiments are designed to study the behavioral transition from incubation, to "short", to "long" cracks by observing changes in crack growth rate under controlled conditions of constant crack tip chemistry. These studies show that in short cracks, growth rates are limited to ≈≤50 µm and are retarded compared to long cracks. Also, analyses are presented based on ("long") crack growth rate modeling to predict component lifetimes; this approach is based on crack advance from a small intrinsic defect, with comparisons between predicted and actual component lifetime for stainless steel piping from numerous BWR plants. The assumptions and conclusions of the analyses, particularly in terms of the intrinsic defect size, are supported by the experimental data.

Open innovation (OI) is the actual framework for doing innovation. Business incubators are OI places because beyond the office space and other services, they ensure networking and facilitate OI collaborations both inside the incubator among entrepreneurs and outside with external stakeholders. Thus, instead of playing a mere passive role, incubators now facilitate OI for their inhabitants by providing relevant services. The “Business Incubation and Open Innovation ABC” as the guidelines for business incubators are one of intellectual results in the project “Open Innovation, No1.1.1.2/VIAA/3/19/426” funded by Postdoctoral Research Support Aid programme of Latvia. This article identifies the structure of national business incubation (BI) guidelines focusing on BI process through OI approach, namely partners, competences, strategies (inside-out and outside-in), sustainability. The article reveals the incubation and OI trends based on: 1) the literature review and 2) empirical qualitative research. The empirical qualitative research comprised: 1) national business incubation service analyses from OI perspective, 2) the international practice analysis of incubation programmes at Aalto University, Finland, and TalTech in Estonia, based on eight expert interviews, and 3) national business incubation expert and management (23) focus group discussion results. The pandemic facilitated the online co-creation, co-petition, and collaboration in business incubation. Although business incubators reorganized their cycle and services, incubator operators, managers and tenants still lack the overall recognition of OI approach in BI, even though, OI activities are practiced. This article provides national BI guideline’s structure as a novelty for business incubation practitioners, academia, entrepreneurship support policy makers and tenants explaining business incubation role, OI practices and strategies applied to business incubation and incubators as OI partners.

The results of research on the treatment of incubation quail eggs with a phytopreparation of plant origin – an aqueous solution of fir concentrate are presented. The experiment was conducted at SibNIIP, a branch of the Omsk National Research University and on the basis of a poultry farm. Control and experimental groups on the principle of analogues were formed from incubation eggs. The eggs were treated with phytopreparation twice, aerosolized at the rate of 0.1 liters of the drug per 1 m2. The eggs of the control group were treated with formalin according to the instructions. As a result of the research, it was found that the treatment of incubation eggs with a phytopreparation reduced the microbial contamination of the shell by 42-91% and increased the hatchability of eggs by 4%, the output of quail by 3%.

The entrepreneurial venture is a high-risk endeavor but an effective generator of economic activity that is realized through the entrepreneurial process, whose success depends not only on the abilities and personal commitment of the entrepreneur, but also on the level and adequacy of support provided to them. In this regard, the focus of research in this paper is on supporting the entrepreneurial process. The paper starts from the assumed general Model of Entrepreneurial Process Support, which consists of the entrepreneurial process and support. The entrepreneurial process is represented by its structure (periods, parts, and phases), while support is represented by various forms of financial and nonfinancial assistance. Thus, the key forms of support are first identified based on the structure of the entrepreneurial process, such as workshops, events, announcements, consulting, mentoring, software systems, incubation, networking, and similar activities, and they are then systematized according to the parts of the entrepreneurial process. The resulting structure of support for the entrepreneurial process can be used to determine the most appropriate forms of support in each specific entrepreneurial process, thereby reducing the risk of entrepreneurial venture failure to a reasonable level.

This case study engages with the journey of Villgro, a social enterprise “incubator” founded in 2001 by Paul Basil. Initially coming into being with a focus on rural, grassroots innovators and entrepreneurs, Villgro looked to scout for, support and grow their ideas into viable enterprises, with the ultimate goal of rural prosperity and wealth creation. It has today grown into an important part of the social enterprise landscape in India. This case traces Villgro’s journey in laying the foundations for and contributing to the development of an ecosystem able to support and nurture early-stage innovations; and explores in detail what an end-to-end incubation process entails.

The Menzies School Leadership Incubator (the Incubator) is a national trans-disciplinary initiative to design, test and learn about transformative innovations that will support lasting systems change in Australian schools’ leadership. This review explores the successes, challenges and learning from work in the Incubator to date, from the perspective of a collaborative seeking longstanding systems change. The design of the review is informed by thinking in the innovation literature, principally communities of practice and socio-technical systems theory. This review was undertaken as a rapid exploration of experiences and learning, drawing on interviews with eight individuals from within the Incubator (six interviews) and collaborating partners (two interviews).

Beneficial use of reclaimed wastewater (RW) and biosolids (BS) in soils is accompanied by large input of sewage-originated P. Prolonged application may result in P accumulation up to levelsBeneficial use of reclaimed wastewater (RW) and biosolids (BS) in soils is accompanied by large input of sewage-originated P. Prolonged application may result in P accumulation up to levels that impair plant nutrition, increase P loss, and promote eutrophication in downstream waters. This study aims to shed light on the RW- and BS-P forms in soils and to follow the processes that determine P reactivity, solubility, availability, and loss in RW and BS treated soils. The Technion group used sequential P extraction combined with measuring stable oxygen isotopic composition in phosphate (δ18OP) and with 31P-NMR studies to probe P speciation and transformations in soils irrigated with RW or fresh water (FW). The application of the δ18OP method to probe inorganic P (Pi) speciation and transformations in soils was developed through collaboration between the Technion and the UCSC groups. The method was used to trace Pi in water-, NaHCO3-, NaOH-, and HCl- P fractions in a calcareous clay soil (Acre, Israel) irrigated with RW or FW. The δ18OP signature changes during a month of incubation indicated biogeochemical processes. The water soluble Pi (WSPi) was affected by enzymatic activity yielding isotopic equilibrium with the water molecules in the soil solution. Further it interacted rapidly with the NaHCO3-Pi. The more stable Pi pools also exhibited isotopic alterations in the first two weeks after P application, likely related to microbial activity. Isotopic depletion which could result from organic P (PO) mineralization was followed by enrichment which may result from biologic discrimination in the uptake. Similar transformations were observed in both soils although transformations related to biological activity were more pronounced in the soil treated with RW. Specific P compounds were identified by the Technion group, using solution-state 31P-NMR in wastewater and in soil P extracts from Acre soils irrigated by RW and FW. Few identified PO compounds (e.g., D-glucose-6-phosphate) indicated coupled transformations of P and C in the wastewater. The RW soil retained higher P content, mainly in the labile fractions, but lower labile PO, than the FW soil; this and the fact that P species in the various soil extracts of the RW soil appear independent of P species in the RW are attributed to enhanced biological activity and P recycling in the RW soil. Consistent with that, both soils retained very similar P species in the soil pools. The HUJ group tested P stabilization to maximize the environmental safe application rates and the agronomic beneficial use of BS. Sequential P extraction indicated that the most reactive BS-P forms: WSP, membrane-P, and NaHCO3-P, were effectively stabilized by ferrous sulfate (FeSul), calcium oxide (CaO), or aluminum sulfate (alum). After applying the stabilized BS, or fresh BS (FBS), FBS compost (BSC), or P fertilizer (KH2PO4) to an alluvial soil, P availability was probed during 100 days of incubation. A plant-based bioassay indicated that P availability followed the order KH2PO4 >> alum-BS > BSC ≥ FBS > CaO-BS >> FeSul-BS. The WSPi concentration in soil increased following FBS or BSC application, and P mineralization further increased it during incubation. In contrast, the chemically stabilized BS reduced WSPi concentrations relative to the untreated soil. It was concluded that the chemically stabilized BS effectively controlled WSPi in the soil while still supplying P to support plant growth. Using the sequential extraction procedure the persistence of P availability in BS treated soils was shown to be of a long-term nature. 15 years after the last BS application to MN soils that were annually amended for 20 years by heavy rates of BS, about 25% of the added BS-P was found in the labile fractions. The UMN group further probed soil-P speciation in these soils by bulk and micro X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES). This newly developed method was shown to be a powerful tool for P speciation in soils. In a control soil (no BS added), 54% of the total P was PO and it was mostly identified as phytic acid; 15% was identified as brushite and 26% as strengite. A corn crop BS amended soil included mostly P-Fe-peat complex, variscite and Al-P-peat complex but no Ca-P while in a BS-grass soil octacalcium phosphate was identified and o-phosphorylethanolamine or phytic acid was shown to dominate the PO fraction that impair plant nutrition, increase P loss, and promote eutrophication in downstream waters. This study aims to shed light on the RW- and BS-P forms in soils and to follow the processes that determine P reactivity, solubility, availability, and loss in RW and BS treated soils. The Technion group used sequential P extraction combined with measuring stable oxygen isotopic composition in phosphate (δ18OP) and with 31P-NMR studies to probe P speciation and transformations in soils irrigated with RW or fresh water (FW). The application of the δ18OP method to probe inorganic P (Pi) speciation and transformations in soils was developed through collaboration between the Technion and the UCSC groups. The method was used to trace Pi in water-, NaHCO3-, NaOH-, and HCl- P fractions in a calcareous clay soil (Acre, Israel) irrigated with RW or FW. The δ18OP signature changes during a month of incubation indicated biogeochemical processes. The water soluble Pi (WSPi) was affected by enzymatic activity yielding isotopic equilibrium with the water molecules in the soil solution. Further it interacted rapidly with the NaHCO3-Pi. The more stable Pi pools also exhibited isotopic alterations in the first two weeks after P application, likely related to microbial activity. Isotopic depletion which could result from organic P (PO) mineralization was followed by enrichment which may result from biologic discrimination in the uptake. Similar transformations were observed in both soils although transformations related to biological activity were more pronounced in the soil treated with RW. Specific P compounds were identified by the Technion group, using solution-state 31P-NMR in wastewater and in soil P extracts from Acre soils irrigated by RW and FW. Few identified PO compounds (e.g., D-glucose-6-phosphate) indicated coupled transformations of P and C in the wastewater. The RW soil retained higher P content, mainly in the labile fractions, but lower labile PO, than the FW soil; this and the fact that P species in the various soil extracts of the RW soil appear independent of P species in the RW are attributed to enhanced biological activity and P recycling in the RW soil. Consistent with that, both soils retained very similar P species in the soil pools. The HUJ group tested P stabilization to maximize the environmental safe application rates and the agronomic beneficial use of BS. Sequential P extraction indicated that the most reactive BS-P forms: WSP, membrane-P, and NaHCO3-P, were effectively stabilized by ferrous sulfate (FeSul), calcium oxide (CaO), or aluminum sulfate (alum). After applying the stabilized BS, or fresh BS (FBS), FBS compost (BSC), or P fertilizer (KH2PO4) to an alluvial soil, P availability was probed during 100 days of incubation. A plant-based bioassay indicated that P availability followed the order KH2PO4 >> alum-BS > BSC ≥ FBS > CaO-BS >> FeSul-BS. The WSPi concentration in soil increased following FBS or BSC application, and P mineralization further increased it during incubation. In contrast, the chemically stabilized BS reduced WSPi concentrations relative to the untreated soil. It was concluded that the chemically stabilized BS effectively controlled WSPi in the soil while still supplying P to support plant growth. Using the sequential extraction procedure the persistence of P availability in BS treated soils was shown to be of a long-term nature. 15 years after the last BS application to MN soils that were annually amended for 20 years by heavy rates of BS, about 25% of the added BS-P was found in the labile fractions. The UMN group further probed soil-P speciation in these soils by bulk and micro X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES). This newly developed method was shown to be a powerful tool for P speciation in soils. In a control soil (no BS added), 54% of the total P was PO and it was mostly identified as phytic acid; 15% was identified as brushite and 26% as strengite. A corn crop BS amended soil included mostly P-Fe-peat complex, variscite and Al-P-peat complex but no Ca-P while in a BS-grass soil octacalcium phosphate was identified and o-phosphorylethanolamine or phytic acid was shown to dominate the PO fraction.

The work of the Menzies School Leadership Incubator suggests we need a new approach to leadership that supports school leaders to better manage transformational change and deepen collaborative capacity necessary to cultivate collective efficacy to improve student learning outcomes. This paper provides a description of the work of the Menzies School Leadership Incubator (“the Incubator’) and insights generated so far. The Incubator has identified five leadership domains which underpin the leadership of Collective Efficacy: Understanding Collective Efficacy; Systems Leadership; Change Leadership; Team Leadership; and Collaborative Capacity.

Chemical composition and biological role of the surface coat (SC) of the root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp. are described. SC proteins of M. incognita race 3 infective juveniles (J2) were characterized by electrophoresis and western blotting of extracts from radioiodine and biotin-labelled nematodes. J2 labelled with radioiodine and biotin released 125I and biotin-labelled molecules into water after 20 hours incubation, indicating that SC proteins may be loosely attached to the nematode. Antiserum to the principal protein reacted with the surface of live J2 and with surface proteins previously separated by electrophoresis. Human red blood cells (HRBC) adhered to J2 of several tylenchid nematodes over the entire nematode body. HRBC adhered also to nylon fibers coated with SC extracted from M. javanica J2; binding was Ca++/Mg++ dependent, and decreased when the nylon fibers were coated with bovine serum albumin, or pre-incubated with fucose and mannose. These experiments support a working hypothesis that RBC adhesion involves carbohydrate moieties of HRBC and carbohydrate-recognition domain(s) (CRD) distributed on the nematode surface. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a surface CRD i the phylum Nematoda. Gold-conjugated lectins and neoglycoproteins combined with silver enhancement have been used for the detection of carbohydrates and CRD, respectively, on the SC of M. javanica J2. Biotin reagents were used to trace surface proteins, specifically, on live J2. The labile and transitory nature of the SC was demonstrated by the dynamics of HRBC adherence to detergent-treated J2, J2 at different ages or fresh-hatched J2 held at various temperatures. SC recovery was demonstrated also by a SDS-PAGE profile. Monoclonal antibodies developed to a cuticular protein of M. incognita J2 gave a slight, but significant reduction in attachment of Pasteuria penetrans spores. Spore attachment as affected by several enzymes was inconsistent: alcian blue, which specifically blocks sulfyl groups, had no afffect on spore attachment. Treatment with cationized ferritin alone or catonized ferritin following monoclonal antibody caused significant decreases in spore attachment. Those results suggest a role in attachment by negatively charged groups.

The specific objectives of this research were the study of the physical and nutritional properties of the In Ovo Feeding (IOF) solution (i.e. theosmostic properties and the carbohydrate: protein ratio composition). Then, using the optimal solution for determining its effect on hatchability, early nutritional status and intestinal development of broilers and turkey during the last quarter of incubation through to 7 days post-hatch (i.e. pre-post hatch period) by using molecular, biochemical and histological tools. The objective for the last research phase was the determination of the effect of in ovo feeding on growth performance and economically valuable production traits of broiler and turkey flocks reared under practical commercial conditions. The few days before- and- after hatch is a critical period for the development and survival of commercial broilers and turkeys. During this period chicks make the metabolic and physiological transition from egg nutriture (i.e. yolk) to exogenous feed. Late-term embryos and hatchlings may suffer a low glycogen status, especially when oxygen availability to the embryo is limited by low egg conductance or poor incubator ventilation. Much of the glycogen reserve in the late-term chicken embryo is utilized for hatching. Subsequently, the chick must rebuild that glycogen reserve by gluconeogenesis from body protein (mostly from the breast muscle) to support post-hatch thermoregulation and survival until the chicks are able to consume and utilize dietary nutrients. Immediately post-hatch, the chick draws from its limited body reserves and undergoes rapid physical and functional development of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in order to digest feed and assimilate nutrients. Because the intestine is the nutrient primary supply organ, the sooner it achieves this functional capacity, the sooner the young bird can utilize dietary nutrients and efficiently grow at its genetic potential and resist infectious and metabolic disease. Feeding the embryo when they consume the amniotic fluid (IOF idea and method) showed accelerated enteric development and elevated capacity to digest nutrients. By injecting a feeding solution into the embryonic amnion, the embryo naturally consume supplemental nutrients orally before hatching. This stimulates intestinal development to start earlier as was exhibited by elevated gene expression of several functional genes (brush border enzymes an transporters , elvated surface area, elevated mucin production . Moreover, supplying supplemental nutrients at a critical developmental stage by this in ovo feeding technology improves the hatchling’s nutritional status. In comparison to controls, administration of 1 ml of in ovo feeding solution, containing dextrin, maltose, sucrose and amino acids, into the amnion of the broiler embryo increased dramatically total liver glycogen in broilers and in turkeys in the pre-hatch period. In addition, an elevated relative breast muscle size (% of broiler BW) was observed in IOF chicks to be 6.5% greater at hatch and 7 days post-hatch in comparison to controls. Experiment have shown that IOF broilers and turkeys increased hatchling weights by 3% to 7% (P<0.05) over non injected controls. These responses depend upon the strain, the breeder hen age and in ovo feed composition. The weight advantage observed during the first week after hatch was found to be sustained at least through 35 days of age. Currently, research is done in order to adopt the knowledge for commercial practice.

Female entrepreneurship programmes often seek women’s economic empowerment through opportunities and skills to generate higher-paid and more stable jobs. Income and jobs do not automatically empower women but can contribute as they generate the necessary resources that support agency. It is important that sufficient and decent jobs, and other employment and income opportunities, are created and made accessible for women. This paper is part of the MUVA Paper Series on female entrepreneurship. The question that it tries to answer is how to do this through the means of female entrepreneurship programmes within the context of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It analyses the case of MUVA, a social incubator based in Mozambique that aims to increase female economic empowerment through targeted and tailored innovative human-centred approaches.

MUVA is a social incubator dedicated to developing innovative approaches to the economic empowerment of women in Mozambique. This paper documents experiences from two MUVA projects supporting women’s economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, and draws out broader insights and principles of relevance to other similar programmes. Barriers to women’s economic empowerment and strategies to overcome these barriers are both individual and systemic, visible and invisible. MUVA’s approach to supporting women’s economic empowerment through entrepreneurship involves tailoring three core elements to the specific context of different profiles of women business owners, including urban informal vegetable and fruit traders (MUVA+) and owners of small businesses with untapped growth potential (PAM). Both are groups of low-income female entrepreneurs that are rarely eligible for acceleration and entrepreneurship support. Core programme elements are technical skills, personal development and opportunity generation. However, the project results show that no particular intervention generates impact. Rather, what generates impact is how interventions are tailored to entrepreneurs’ specific business needs, responding to both the external context and internal constraints each group faces, through adapting methodologies that are more often used by formal businesses and policymakers. To achieve this, MUVA bundled interventions in ways that address both visible and invisible barriers and opportunities.

Numerous studies have identified the importance of a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem in stimulating and sustaining innovation and entrepreneurship. Local entrepreneurial ecosystems are made up of both formal and informal institutions, which include legal, economic, institutional, political, social and cultural factors. As well as providing various supports, including funding and incubation programs, higher education institutions create a space at the soft skills level that inspires entrepreneurial spirit and influences entrepreneurial orientation. Yet, although some studies have explored the development of the digital startup ecosystem and the role of universities in such development, meaningful literature and research overviewing the entrepreneurship and innovation landscape in Cambodia beyond the technology sector is lacking. This exploratory study addresses knowledge gaps in academic and policy debates that often failed to fully capture the dynamic and rapid development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Cambodia over the past five years. It presents and analyses qualitative data collected from semi-structured interviews with startup founders, business and academic leaders involved in entrepreneurship centres and innovation and entrepreneurship education in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We found that the informal and micro nature of entrepreneurship in Cambodia necessitates professional development and education in business and management skills for entrepreneurs to grow their business. Universities are a pivotal actor in this regard, but experiences in France, Mexico, Singapore and the US show that it takes about two decades for university-based ecosystems to mature. Also needed is corresponding policy to ease transition from small entrepreneurial venture to more formal and high-growth oriented enterprise. This, in turn, calls for coordinated efforts by various policymaking bodies to strengthen entrepreneurship education.

The overall goal of the research was to understand the processes involved in the development of woolliness in peaches and nectarines. Four specific hypotheses were proposed and in the course of the research evidence was gathered t support two of them and to not support two others. The hypotheses and a summary of the evidence are outlined below. 1. That woolliness arises from an imbalance between the activities of the cell wall pectin degrading enzymes. Using 'Flavortop' nectarines and 'Hermoza' peaches as model systems, storage regimes were manipulated to induce or prevent woolliness. The expression (mRNA abundance), protein content (Western blotting), and activity of polygalacturonase (PG) and pectin esterase (PE) were followed. Expression of the enzymes was not different, but activity and the ratio between PG and PE activities were quite different in fruits developing woolliness or ripening normally. This was also examined by looking at the substrate, the pectin moiety of the cell wall, and i woolly fruit there were more high molecular weight pectins with regions of non-methylated galacturonic acid residues. Taking an in vitro approach it was found a) that PE activity was stable at 0oC while PG activity decreased; b) incubating the calcium pectate fraction of the cell wall with PE extracted from peaches caused the polymers to form a gel characteristic of the visual woolly symptoms in peaches. 2. That continued cell wall synthesis occurs during storage and contributes to structural changes i cell walls and improper dissolution and softening after storage. We tried to adapt our technique of adding 13C-glucose to fruit discs, which was used successfully to follow cell wall synthesis during tomato ripening. However, the difference in sugar content between the two fruits (4% in tomato and 12% in peach) meant that the 13C-glucose was much more diluted within the general metabolite pool. We were unable to see any cell wall synthesis which meant that either the dilution factor was too great, or that synthesis was not occurring. 3. That controlled atmosphere (CA) prevents woolliness by lowering all enzyme activities. CA was found to greatly reduce mRNA abundance of the cell wall enzymes compared to regular air storage. However, their synthesis and activity recovered during ripening after CA storage and did not after regular air storage. Therefore, CA prevented the inhibition of enzyme activation found in regular air storage. 4. That changes in cell wall turgor and membrane function are important events in the development of woolliness. Using a micro pressure probe, turgor was measured in cells of individual 'O'Henry' and 'CalRed' peaches which were woolly or healthy. The relationship between firmness and turgor was the same in both fruit conditions. These data indicate that the development and expression of woolliness are not associated with differences in membrane function, at least with regard to the factors that determine cell turgor pressure. In addition, during the period of the grant additional areas were explored. Encoglucanase, and enzyme metabolizing hemicellulose, was found to be highly expressed air stored, but not in unstored or CA stored fruit. Activity gels showed higher activity in air stored fruit as well. This is the first indication that other components of the cell wall may be involved in woolliness. The role of ethylene in woolliness development was also investigated at it was found a) that woolly fruits had decreased ability to produce ethylene, b) storing fruits in the presence of ethylene delayed the appearance of woolliness. This latter finding has implication for an inexpensive strategy for storing peaches and nectarines.