Manchester Metropolitan University

About: Manchester Metropolitan University is a education organization based out in Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 5435 authors who have published 16202 publications receiving 442561 citations. The organization is also known as: Manchester Polytechnic & MMU.

Soil phosphorus constrains biodiversity across European grasslands

Abstract: Nutrient pollution presents a serious threat to biodiversity conservation. In terrestrial ecosystems, the deleterious effects of nitrogen pollution are increasingly understood and several mitigating environmental policies have been developed. Compared to nitrogen, the effects of increased phosphorus have received far less attention, although some studies have indicated that phosphorus pollution may be detrimental for biodiversity as well. On the basis of a dataset covering 501 grassland plots throughout Europe, we demonstrate that, independent of the level of atmospheric nitrogen deposition and soil acidity, plant species richness was consistently negatively related to soil phosphorus. We also identified thresholds in soil phosphorus above which biodiversity appears to remain at a constant low level. Our results indicate that nutrient management policies biased toward reducing nitrogen pollution will fail to preserve biodiversity. As soil phosphorus is known to be extremely persistent and we found no evidence for a critical threshold below which no environmental harm is expected, we suggest that agro-environmental schemes should include grasslands that are permanently free from phosphorus fertilization.

The role and status of qualitative methods in management research: an empirical account

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a piece of empirical work that investigates the current role and status of qualitative research within the management field.Design/methodology/approach – The research is based on 45 in‐depth qualitative interviews with members of a range of different stakeholder groups, including: journal editors; qualitative researchers; Doctoral Programme Leaders; practitioners; and those who fund qualitative management research.Findings – The findings suggest that there is considerable variety in definitions of qualitative research; that there are still a number of issues surrounding the status and credibility of qualitative research within the field; and there is a need for greater access to researcher training in this area.Practical implications – The paper is of practical interest to qualitative researchers in that it details some of the issues surrounding publishing qualitative work.Originality/value – The paper presents original empirical work in this field.

Is There Evidence to Support Porter-type Cluster Policies?

Abstract: McDonald F., Huang Q., Tsagdis D. and Tuselmann H. J. (2007) Is there evidence to support Porter-type cluster policies?, Regional Studies 41, 39–49. The paper examines the views, often associated with Porter, that clusters with deep collaborative networks and established local supply chains have good performance. The view that good cluster performance is not connected to the industrial sector is also assessed. Data from a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) study on UK clusters are used to assess the impact on performance (employment growth and international competitiveness) of cluster depth, the stage of development of local supply chains, and industrial sector. The results of the analysis of the DTI data on clusters do not provide strong support for Porter-type views on cluster policy. Although established clusters are linked to employment growth, deep clusters are not associated with employment growth or international competitiveness, and clusters in the services, and media, computer-related and bio...

Time course of muscular, neural and tendinous adaptations to 23-day unilateral lower-limb suspension in young men

Abstract: Muscles and tendons are highly adaptive to changes in chronic loading, though little is known about the adaptative time course. We tested the hypothesis that, in response to unilateral lower limb suspension (ULLS), the magnitude of tendon mechanical adaptations would match or exceed those of skeletal muscle. Seventeen men, (1.79±0.05 m, 76.6±10.3 kg, 22.3±3.8 years underwent ULLS for 23 days (n=9) or acted as controls (n=8). Knee extensors (KE) torque, voluntary activation (VA), cross-sectional area (CSA) (by magnetic resonance imaging), vastus lateralis fascicle length (Lf) and pennation angle (vartheta), patellar tendon stiffness and Young's modulus (by ultrasonography) were measured before, during and at the end of ULLS. After 14 and 23 days, (i) KE torque decreased by 14.8±5.5% and 21.0±7.1%, respectively (P<0.001); (ii) VA did not change; (iii) KE CSA decreased by 5.2±0.7% (P<0.001) and 10.0±2.0% (P<0.001); Lf decreased by 5.9% (NS) and 7.7% (P<0.05) and vartheta by 3.2% (P<0.05) and, (iv) tendon stiffness and modulus decreased by 9.8±8.2% (P<0.05) and 9.2±8.2% (P<0.05) at 14 days, and by 29.3±11.5% (P<0.005) and 30.1±11.9% (P<0.01) at 23 days, with no changes in the controls. Hence, ULLS induces rapid losses of KE muscle size, architecture and function, but not in neural drive. Significant deterioration in tendon mechanical properties also occurs within 2 weeks, exacerbating in the third week of ULLS. Rehabilitation to limit muscle and tendon deterioration should probably start within 2 weeks of unloading.