Remote Meetings in Problem-Based Learning: A Tool for Selection Research in Times of Pandemic

Active methodologies have been widely used in education to provide greater involvement in the teaching-learning process. In the face of the current pandemic scenario, remote activities are strategies to spread knowledge but require adaptations of face-to-face education. However, no records were found of its use to support research groups, which traditionally are based on personal contacts. The article reports the experience of selecting participants in the development of research in the area of starch prospecting, with an adaptation of the Problem Based Learning (PBL) technique. The proposed problem was the characterization and evaluation of cassava starch for food industries application, using a sample limited to one gram. The PBL technique used research with a qualitative approach, applied nature, descriptive objective, and action research procedures. The five members that constituted the discussion group were from different professional areas and were selected among those who made up a larger group, with starch as the central theme. The PBL technique was adapted to be completed in three videoconference meetings, with intervals of 15 days. Based on the suggestions proposed and improved during the event, it was possible to outline the solution right at the first meeting. An analytical methodology can also be established within the specified limit, capable of prospecting its food industries application. Therefore, PBL as a strategic tool to develop research topics proved effective and flexible, and suitable for remote activities. It is recommended that it be better explored as a team leader and scientific research growth.

GROWTH OF ANNUAL SEEDLINGS OF LARGE-FRUITED APPLE VARIETIES IN THE SUBURBAN AREA OF KRASNOYARSK

The article presents a study of the growth rates of annual seedlings of large-fruited varieties of domestic apple (Malus domestica Borkh), grown in the conditions of the upper terrace of the Botanical Garden named after M. Kru-tovsky, Krasnoyarsk. The seeds for cultivation were collected from mother trees growing on the lower and upper terrac-es of the garden. The height of the terraces differs by 28 m. It was revealed that the phenological form of apple varie-ties also affects the growth rates of seed progeny. Large size of aboveground part and weight of one leaf is noted in seedlings of winter varieties. The presence of intervarietal variability in indicators of apple seedlings was established. Fast-growing varieties (Anisik ordinary, Antipaskhalnoe, Papirovka, Pepin saffron) and individual half-sibs (Papirovka No. 44, Cinnamon striped No. 30, Grushovka Moskovskaya No. 34, White filling No. 8 and 27, Slavyanka No. 28, Aport Central Russian No. 1, Titovka No. 1, General Orlov No. 43, variety No. 22 No. 29, etc.), characterized by a greater height and diameter of the stem of annual seedlings, for further selection research

Fault line selection research of single phase grounding circuit based on improved Hilbert-Huang transform

For single-phase ground fault in resonant grounded power supply system, it is difficult to detect the fault line, while the existing methods have the shortcomings such as slow speed and large amount of computation. In our work the system natural oscillation wave contained in the zero sequence current is found to have opposite polarity and greater amplitude in fault line compared to that in non-fault line, and is proved to have a corresponding relationship with the first intrinsic mode function (IMF1) extracted from the same zero sequence current by empirical mode decomposition (EMD) of (Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT). Therefore, a new method for determining the single-phase ground fault line is proposed by finding the IMF1, extracted from the zero sequence current of each line by EMD of HHT, with the largest amplitude and opposite polarity compared to that of other lines. Meanwhile, EMD algorithm is improved to further enhance the fault detection rate based on the system natural oscillation wave’s frequency and its attenuation trend in resonant grounding system. Simulation experiment and real data analysis indicate that the mentioned method is correct and fast.

Synthesis and Outlook

In this final chapter I want to briefly recap what I presented in the previous chapters and provide a few ideas on what might be done in the future to move the field forward. All three factors I discussed as relevant in male mate choice—male investment in reproduction, sex ratios, and variability in partner quality—are still emerging fields in sexual selection research and need more theoretical and empirical work. I suggest that variability in female quality is more important and more complex than currently known. The same is true for sex ratios. On the other hand, I suggest that sheer investment in gametes may be a little less important than currently assumed. Most importantly we need to explore the interactions of these three pathways to male mate choice. Female competition and also female ornamentation are still somewhat enigmatic and both topics are likely to grow in importance for our understanding of sexual selection. I think considering male and female choice together, as well as female and male competition will ultimately provide a more complete picture of Darwinian sexual selection.

Evaluation of Two Commonly Used Field Tests to Assess Varroa destructor Infestation on Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Colonies

Assessment of colony infestation by Varroa destructor is a crucial part of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) applied to beekeeping. Natural mite fall, quantified by counting the mites on sticky sheets, is considered a reference method to estimate varroa infestation level in honey bee colonies. However, in recent years, alternative methods that can be used in field conditions have been investigated. In this paper, we report the results of the evaluation of two different methods to estimate the levels of varroa infestation. The experiment involved 151 honey bee colonies in nine apiaries of four countries (Algeria, Croatia, Italy, Poland). After the main honey flow, we compared the 10-day natural mite fall and the powdered sugar roll methods with the varroa population in each colony. According to our results, the powdered sugar roll method could be suggested to beekeepers as a suitable IPM tool for varroa control, while natural mite fall represents a more accurate method that could be adopted for selection/research purposes.

Should you follow your gut? The impact of expertise on intuitive hiring decisions for complex jobs

As jobs become increasingly complex, organizations are challenged with finding effective ways to select and hire successful employees. The high level of uncertainty generally associated with hiring decisions is greater for complex jobs where it is difficult to identify the predictors of good job performance. Intuition research has found expert intuition to be effective in highly uncertain decision environments. However, most employment selection research dismisses the use of intuition and argues that even expert interviewers should not rely on their intuition. To bridge the two research streams, this paper addresses the research question: for complex jobs, can the intuition of expert decision-makers enhance the effectiveness of hiring decisions? The hypotheses were tested via an experimental study design using expert and nonexpert interviewer samples. The results demonstrate that, when recruiting for complex jobs, interviewer expertise does increase the quality of intuitive hiring decisions.