University of Lincoln

About: University of Lincoln is a education organization based out in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Higher education. The organization has 2341 authors who have published 7025 publications receiving 124797 citations.

The radiation of cynodonts and the ground plan of mammalian morphological diversity

Abstract: Cynodont therapsids diversified extensively after the Permo-Triassic mass extinction event, and gave rise to mammals in the Jurassic. We use an enlarged and revised dataset of discrete skeletal characters to build a new phylogeny for all main cynodont clades from the Late Permian to the Early Jurassic, and we analyse models of morphological diversification in the group. Basal taxa and epicynodonts are paraphyletic relative to eucynodonts, and the latter are divided into cynognathians and probainognathians, with tritylodonts and mammals forming sister groups. Disparity analyses reveal a heterogeneous distribution of cynodonts in a morphospace derived from cladistic characters. Pairwise morphological distances are weakly correlated with phylogenetic distances. Comparisons of disparity by groups and through time are non-significant, especially after the data are rarefied. A disparity peak occurs in the Early/Middle Triassic, after which period the mean disparity fluctuates little. Cynognathians were characterized by high evolutionary rates and high diversity early in their history, whereas probainognathian rates were low. Community structure may have been instrumental in imposing different rates on the two clades.

Identifying social innovations in European local rural development initiatives

Abstract: Social innovation is attracting increasing attention in research and policy, heightened by continuing austerity across Europe Therefore, this paper examines earlier research into community-led local development (CLLD) initiatives in rural areas of Europe to develop our understanding of the meaning and scope of rural social innovation We draw on a Schumpeterian view where innovations emerge from new combinations of resources that bring about positive changes and create value in society A Schumpeterian social innovation framework is derived as the basis for re-analysing data from previous evaluations of LEADER policy in five different national contexts This elicits a clearer understanding of social innovation in a rural development context, identifying different processes and outcomes that create social value As the CLLD agenda and the demand for innovation in Europe gather pace, our aspirations are to inform future research and other initiatives on how to integrate social innovation into the design and evaluation of new rural development policies and programmes

Developing Mental Toughness: From Research to Practice

Abstract: This article reviews recent evidence concerning the development of mental toughness in young athletes, from first involvement in sport through to early adulthood. The role and importance of genetics, environmental factors, and psychological-skills training in the development of mental toughness is discussed. In particular, environmental factors that can be manipulated and influenced by coaches and parents are emphasized to aid the transfer of knowledge from scientific research into applied practice. Of central importance is the development of independent problem-solving and personal responsibility through a challenging yet supportive learning environment. We argue that to develop mental toughness, young athletes must be gradually exposed to, rather than shielded from, demanding situations in training and competition in order to learn how to cope. Also, as athletes become more emotionally mature, they should become increasingly involved in making decisions regarding their own development. Athletes should b...

The [Limited] Impact of Weather on Tourist Behavior in an Urban Destination

Abstract: This study evaluated the impact of actual weather encountered and perceptions of the comfort of the weather on tourist movements in Hong Kong. Data were collected using both questionnaire surveys and Global Positioning System tracking devises. Prior research conducted in nonurban areas suggests that weather has a significant impact on tourist behavior. This study determined that urban tourists are more weather resilient, as neither actual nor perceived weather affected behavior to any great extent. Perceived comfort levels did affect satisfaction for a small minority of visitors.