Inter-plant communication through mycorrhizal networks mediates complex adaptive behaviour in plant communities

Adaptive behaviour of plants, including rapid changes in physiology, gene regulation and defence response, can be altered when linked to neighbouring plants by a mycorrhizal network (MN). Mechanisms underlying the behavioural changes include mycorrhizal fungal colonization by the MN or interplant communication via transfer of nutrients, defence signals or allelochemicals. We focus this review on our new findings in ectomycorrhizal ecosystems, and also review recent advances in arbuscular mycorrhizal systems. We have found that the behavioural changes in ectomycorrhizal plants depend on environmental cues, the identity of the plant neighbour and the characteristics of the MN. The hierarchical integration of this phenomenon with other biological networks at broader scales in forest ecosystems, and the consequences we have observed when it is interrupted, indicate that underground ‘tree talk’ is a foundational process in the complex adaptive nature of forest ecosystems.

Host and habitat filtering in seedling root-associated fungal communities: taxonomic and functional diversity are altered in ‘novel’ soils

Climatic and land use changes have significant consequences for the distribution of tree species, both through natural dispersal processes and following management prescriptions. Responses to these changes will be expressed most strongly in seedlings near current species range boundaries. In northern temperate forest ecosystems, where changes are already being observed, ectomycorrhizal fungi contribute significantly to successful tree establishment. We hypothesised that communities of fungal symbionts might therefore play a role in facilitating, or limiting, host seedling range expansion. To test this hypothesis, ectomycorrhizal communities of interior Douglas-fir and interior lodgepole pine seedlings were analysed in a common greenhouse environment following growth in five soils collected along an ecosystem gradient. Currently, Douglas-fir’s natural distribution encompasses three of the five soils, whereas lodgepole pine’s extends much further north. Host filtering was evident amongst the 29 fungal species encountered: 7 were shared, 9 exclusive to Douglas-fir and 13 exclusive to lodgepole pine. Seedlings of both host species formed symbioses with each soil fungal community, thus Douglas-fir did so even where those soils came from outside its current distribution. However, these latter communities displayed significant taxonomic and functional differences to those found within the host distribution, indicative of habitat filtering. In contrast, lodgepole pine fungal communities displayed high functional similarity across the soil gradient. Taxonomic and/or functional shifts in Douglas-fir fungal communities may prove ecologically significant during the predicted northward migration of this species; especially in combination with changes in climate and management operations, such as seed transfer across geographical regions for forestry purposes.

The quest for quality: translation of a mythical idea in a global corporation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the model of the translation of particularly important ideas for the organization and its context, called mythical ideas. Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on ethnographic research. Findings – It is found that change processes based on mythical ideas are especially dynamic but also very vulnerable. The consequences of failure can be vital for the organization and its environment. Originality/value – The paper explores the outcomes to which the translation of a mythical idea can lead. The findings are of value for people involved in organizational change processes.

Implementing systematic review techniques in chemical risk assessment: challenges, opportunities and recommendations

Systematic review (SR) is a rigorous, protocol-driven approach designed to minimise error and bias when summarising the body of research evidence relevant to a specific scientific question. Taking as a comparator the use of SR in synthesising research in healthcare, we argue that SR methods could also pave the way for a “step change” in the transparency, objectivity and communication of chemical risk assessments (CRA) in Europe and elsewhere. We suggest that current controversies around the safety of certain chemicals are partly due to limitations in current CRA procedures which have contributed to ambiguity about the health risks posed by these substances. We present an overview of how SR methods can be applied to the assessment of risks from chemicals, and indicate how challenges in adapting SR methods from healthcare research to the CRA context might be overcome. Regarding the latter, we report the outcomes from a workshop exploring how to increase uptake of SR methods, attended by experts representing a wide range of fields related to chemical toxicology, risk analysis and SR. Priorities which were identified include: the conduct of CRA-focused prototype SRs; the development of a recognised standard of reporting and conduct for SRs in toxicology and CRA; and establishing a network to facilitate research, communication and training in SR methods. We see this paper as a milestone in the creation of a research climate that fosters communication between experts in CRA and SR and facilitates wider uptake of SR methods into CRA.

Overcoming your child’s fears and worries: guided self-help manual for therapists working with groups

This manual for therapists accompanies ‘Overcoming your child’s fears and worries’ (Creswell & Willetts, 2007), a guide for parents to help their children overcome difficulties with anxiety

Overcoming your child’s fears and worries: guided parent delivered CBT treatment manual for therapists

This manual for therapists accompanies ‘Overcoming your child’s fears and worries’ (Creswell & Willetts, 2007), a guide for parents to help their children overcome difficulties with anxiety

The effect of targeting tolerance of children's negative emotions among anxious parents of children with anxiety disorders: a pilot randomised controlled trial

Following cognitive behavioural therapy for child anxiety a significant minority of children fail to lose their diagnosis status. One potential barrier is high parental anxiety. We designed a pilot RCT to test claims that parental intolerance of the child’s negative emotions may impact treatment outcomes. Parents of 60 children with an anxiety disorder, who were themselves highly anxious, received either brief parent-delivered treatment for child anxiety or the same treatment with strategies specifically targeting parental tolerance of their child’s negative emotions. Consistent with predictions, parental tolerance of the child’s negative emotions significantly improved from pre- to post-treatment. However, there was no evidence to inform the direction of this association as improvements were substantial in both groups. Moreover, while there were significant improvements in child anxiety in both conditions, there was little evidence that this was associated with the improvement in parental tolerance. Nevertheless, findings provide important clinical insight, including that parent-led treatments are appropriate even when the parent is highly anxious and that it may not be necessary to adjust interventions for many families.

"Det är självklart att det blir nivåskillnad" : - en studie om lärares olika individualiseringssträvanden

Denna uppsats har undersökt lärares individualiseringssträvanden i förhållande till yrkesförberedande respektive studieförberedande program på två olika gymnasieskolor. Undersökningen består av intervjuer med åtta Samhällskunskapslärare. Med hjälp av individualiseringstypologier, definierade av Monika Vinterek, kan vi utröna hur lärare individanpassar sin undervisning. Vidare har vi ställt oss frågorna om lärarna har olika individualiseringssträvanden samt om detta påverkar nivån på undervisningen i Samhällskunskap A. Resultatet visar att lärarna använder sig av olika individualiseringssträvanden samt att det görs en viss skillnad i individanpassningen beroende på vilket program som är föremål för undervisning. Vidare påverkas nivån på undervisningen i Samhällskunskap av lärarnas olika individualiseringsmetoder.

Social kompetens i förskolan : en jämförelse av hur förskollärare och barnskötare ser på förskolebarns sociala kompetenser

Syftet med vår undersökning var att utforska, beskriva och jämföra hur förskollärare och barnskötare i förskolan upplever att de i aktiviteter möjliggör för barnen att utveckla social kompetens. Vi har använt oss av en kvalitativ metod som grundat sig i enkäter och intervjuer. Undersökningsresultatet visade att båda grupperna ser social kompetens likvärdigt men när det gäller att utveckla social kompetens och hur miljön påverkar så skiljer det sig mellan svaren. Miljön för förskollärare betyder att rumsligheten är påverkande och barnskötarna ser sin egen roll i miljön som starkast. När vi talar om barns dispositioner så anger förskollärare det som att barnen kan samspela med andra, både med barn i olika åldrar men också med vuxna, barn kan agera på olika vis beroende på var de befinner sig. Barnskötarna i undersökningsgruppen poängterar leken, där de menar att förskolebarnens dispositioner märks. När det gäller barns interaktivitet kan vi läsa ut att förskollärare och barnskötare har lite olika uppfattning om faktorer som påverkar och som har betydelse. Förskollärare menar att en trygg hemmiljö är en grundsten och att många olika kontakter är nödvändiga för barnet. Barnskötare pratar om det viktiga arbetet med språket och att också låta små barn bli hörda.

Omvårdnad vid andningsproblematik och sväljproblematik hos ALS patienter

Amyotrofisk Lateral Skleros, ALS, är en neurologisk sjukdom vilken leder till att samtliga kroppens muskler förtvinas och dör. Då sjukdomen saknar bot blir all behandling symptomatisk och individuellt anpassad för varje enskild persons behov. I denna systematiska litteraturstudie har det sökts efter olika sätt att stötta denna patientgrupp då syftet att belysa hur vi som personal kan hjälpa och stötta personer med ALS relaterad dysfagi och andningsproblem till en så bra tillvaro som möjligt skulle belysas.Författarna har funnit att omvårdnaden sällan sätts i fokus. Det är istället de lösningar som tar bort symtomet som fått fokus i flertalet av de artiklar som granskats. Att hjälpa dessa personer till trygga och oberoende människor som kan fortsätta att leva istället för som många av artiklarna visade då det gjordes insatser som ledde till att personerna blev mer bundna till sina anhöriga och sina vårdare.