A probabilistic threshold model: Analyzing semantic categorization data with the Rasch model

According to the Threshold Theory (Hampton, 1995, 2007) semantic categorization decisions come about through the placement of a threshold criterion along a dimension that represents items' similarity to the category representation. The adequacy of this theory is assessed by applying a formalization of the theory, known as the Rasch model (Rasch, 1960; Thissen & Steinberg, 1986), to categorization data for eight natural language categories and subjecting it to a formal test. In validating the model special care is given to its ability to account for inter- and intra-individual differences in categorization and their relationship with item typicality. Extensions of the Rasch model that can be used to uncover the nature of category representations and the sources of categorization differences are discussed

Dry Forages: Process and techniques (OK-Net EcoFeed Practice Abstract)

To obtain the best forage quality, cutting at the correct time is important, when cellulose and lignin content is not too high. During spring, cutting early is the best option to preserve forage quality; for grasses, the correct time is beginning of heading; for leguminous plants, it is beginning of blooming. However delaying cutting increases dry matter (DM) content, which speeds up the drying process. Favourable weather conditions can reduce drying costs. Making hay decreases the moisture content to 15 % and increases dry matter (DM) to 85 %. Cutting height (Figure 2) is important for a perennial crop, affecting speed and quantity of regrowth. Generally is not recommended cutting too close to the ground, because basal buds are the slowest to refill and have low vigour. • Spreading the grass at cutting helps to decrease drying time and minimise forage quality and quantity losses. On field crushing of stems using a conditioner, increases water loss by up to 30 % and increases DM. The drying process can be completed on the field or in drying rooms, where forage quality is highest. At the end of the drying process, the hay can be baled and stored

Improving the effectiveness of extension and input delivery systems for wider adoption of agricultural technologies

Poster prepared for a share fair, Addis Ababa, May 201

Methane dry reforming over nickel perovsikite catalysts

In recent years dry reforming of methane (DRM) has received considerable attention as a promising alternative to steam reforming for synthesis gas (H2 and CO) production. This process could be industrially advantageous, yielding a syngas with a H2/CO ratio close to 1, suitable for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis to liquid hydrocarbons and for production of valuable oxygenated chemicals. The major drawback of the process is the endothermicity of the reaction that implies the use of a suitable catalyst to work at relatively low temperatures (923-1,023 K). Higher temperatures would make the process unaffordable for an industrial development and would increase the risk of undesirable side reactions, such as coke formation, that are the main causes of catalyst deactivation. In this work the activity of nickel perovskite catalysts were studied and the results were compared with rhodium perovskite. It is well known that rhodium is very active and stable for dry reforming but its high cost makes its utilization limited. The Ni, due to its low cost, is a promising substitute even if it is more susceptible to coking. The perovskite structure allows a high dispersion of the metal into the catalyst increasing the catalytic activity. In this work the Ni perovskite was obtained with two methods (auto-combustion and modified citrate methods). The results pointed out that the Ni perovskite obtained with the auto-combustion method is a promising route for the use of Ni in this process. The experimental tests show that with Ni catalyst very good activity can be achieved from temperature of 973 K

Dry Bean Seeding Rate Trial

Dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), a high-protein pulse crop, have been grown in the Northeast since the 1800’s. As the local food movement expands, consumers have requested stores stock more and more locally-produced foods and heirloom dry beans are no exception. Currently, the demand for heirloom dry beans has exceeded the supply. Little agronomic information exists for production of dry beans in New England. In 2015, as part of a USDA NE-SARE Partnership Grant (PG15-045) the UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program established a dry bean seeding rate trial to determine the optimal seeding rates for three types of dry beans

Heirloom Dry Bean Variety Trial

Dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), a high-protein pulse crop, have been grown in the Northeast since the 1800’s. As the local food movement continues to diversify and expand, consumers are asking stores to carry more and more locally-produced foods, and dry beans are no exception. Currently, the demand for heirloom dry beans has far exceeded the supply. In an effort to support and expend the local bean market throughout the northeast, the University of Vermont Extension Northwest Crops and Soils (NWCS) Program, as part of a USDA NE-SARE Partnership Grant (PG15-045), established trials in 2015 to evaluated heirloom dry bean varieties under organic management to see which ones thrive in our northern climate. The trials were established at the Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, VT and at our partner farm, Morningstar Meadows farm in Glover, VT

Dry Bean Pest Scouting Report

A survey of dry bean pests was conducted on farms throughout Vermont during the 2016 season. Plant diseases and insect pests were scouted on five Vermont farm locations in the towns of Alburgh, Cambridge, Danby, Glover, and North Ferrisburg. Unknown disease and insect samples were taken and identified with assistance from the UVM Plant Diagnostic Laboratory (PDC)

A new dry biomedical electrode

Electronic circuitry contains new operational amplifier which incorporates monolithic super-gain transistors. Electrode does not provide voltage amplification; instead, it acts as current amplifier to make it possible to pick up electrical potentials from surface of highly resistant dry skin