Multi-Omics-Based Discovery of Plant Signaling Molecules

Plants produce numerous structurally and functionally diverse signaling metabolites, yet only relatively small fractions of which have been discovered. Multi-omics has greatly expedited the discovery as evidenced by increasing recent works reporting new plant signaling molecules and relevant functions via integrated multi-omics techniques. The effective application of multi-omics tools is the key to uncovering unknown plant signaling molecules. This review covers the features of multi-omics in the context of plant signaling metabolite discovery, highlighting how multi-omics addresses relevant aspects of the challenges as follows: (a) unknown functions of known metabolites; (b) unknown metabolites with known functions; (c) unknown metabolites and unknown functions. Based on the problem-oriented overview of the theoretical and application aspects of multi-omics, current limitations and future development of multi-omics in discovering plant signaling metabolites are also discussed.

Implementation of the EPPO Regulation from the Slovak Perspective

Nowadays, 22 Member States are participating in enhanced cooperation for establishment of the European Public Prosecutor's Office. Due to the fact that the establishment and exercise of powers of the European Public Prosecutor's Office significantly changes the current concept of EU criminal law, it was necessary for the participating Member States to adapt to this change. To ensure effective application of the Regulation in practice, the Member States had to adopt different implementing measures. As in other Member States, also the national authorities of the Slovak Republic needed to consider necessary legislative measures ensuring effective application of the EPPO Regulation for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting criminal offences affecting financial interests of the EU.

Applying Interactive Teaching Methods in a For-eign Language Classroom

Nowadays, higher education requires not only the development of new educational standards, but also changes in the methodology of teaching foreign languages. One of the high-priority goals is to enhance teaching methods by using new tools and technologies. That is the gist of the new educational paradigm, which offers not only a different content and approaches, but also a new attitude to them. Interactive methods of teaching a foreign language make it possible to shift the educational process from passive to active learning, providing the implementation of activity-based leaning and learner-centered approaches. Goal. The goal is to consider the principles of using interactive teaching methods in the process of foreign language teaching at a higher school and to analyze the peculiarities of these methods in the context of their effective application. Methodology. When achieving the goal, the following methods of research were used: observation, descriptive and comparative methods as well as deduction, induction, analysis and synthesis. Results. We conclude from this study that the effectiveness of using interactive teaching methods at a higher school is ensured by the implementation of the following pedagogical conditions, namely the creation of a dialogic space in higher education classroom; the application of social skills training approach to in-class and out-of-class activities; monitoring students’ personal qualities and professional orientation; the formation of teachers’ psychological readiness to use interactive technologies aimed at self-development of students. Originality. The principals for effective application of interactive methods in a foreign language classroom at the university are suggested and the conditions required for developing students’ foreign language competence in the process of interactive learning are specified. Practical value. By following the proposed principals and recommendations, it is possible to increase the level of students’ engagement in the learning process, to foster their motivation for learning foreign languages, develop students’ creativity as well as improve their communication and interpersonal skills. They can also be useful for teachers who want to facilitate their professional performance.

Application of Due Process in Recruitment and Selection of Personnel into the Federal Civil Service. Part 1

This study was conducted to investigate the constraint to the effective application of due process in the recruitment and selection of personnel into the federal civil service. Four objectives and four research questions guided the study. A sampling technique was used in carrying out the work. A total number of three hundred (300) respondents were used for the study. The instruments for data collection were a questionnaire and observation checklist. Three hundred (300) copies of the questionnaire were distributed to the staff of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Abuja and two hundred and seventy-six (276) were returned representing a 92% return rate. The frequency table and Mean were the statistical measures employed for the data analysis. The findings revealed that there were no strategies or methods of recruitment and selection of staff into the federal civil service. However, the findings also revealed that practices such as political interference and corruption during recruitment and selection in federal civil service tend to undermine the principle of due process. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the federal civil service commission should formulate sound policies and practices that will minimize the degree of politicization and corruption in the recruitment and selection of staff into the federal civil service; make use of modern sources and techniques of recruitment and selection such as, E-recruitment process and Information Communication Technology (ICT)-based selection resources as their source of recruitment and selection; and develop strategies or methods that will result in the effective application of due process in their recruitment and selection exercises.

Understanding Complex Relationships between Human Well-Being and Land Use Change in Mozambique Using a Multi-Scale Participatory Scenario Planning Process

The path for bringing millions of people out of poverty in Africa is likely to coincide with important changes in land use and land cover (LULC). Envisioning the different possible pathways for agricultural, economic and social development, and their implications for changes in LULC, ecosystem services and society well-being, will improve policy-making. This paper presents a case that uses a multi-scale participatory scenario planning method to facilitate the understanding of the complex interactions between LULC change and the wellbeing of the rural population and their possible future evolution in Mozambique up to 2035. Key drivers of change were identified: the empowerment of civil society, the effective application of legislation and changes in rural technologies (e.g., information and communications technologies and renewable energy sources). Three scenarios were constructed: one characterized by the government promoting large investments; a second scenario characterized by the increase in local community power and public policies to promote small and medium enterprises; and a third, intermediate scenario. All three scenarios highlight qualitative large LULC changes, either driven by large companies or by small and medium scale farmers. The scenarios have different impact in wellbeing and equity, the first one implying a higher rural to urban area migration. The results also show that the effective application of the law can produce different results, from assuring large international investments to assuring the improvement of social services like education, health care and extension services. Successful application of these policies, both for biodiversity and ecosystem services protection, and for the social services needed to improve the well-being of the Mozambican rural population, will have to overcome significant barriers.