Yield of Williams Hybrid Banana in Relation to Fertility, Plants Size and Climate

Bananas (Musa asuminata cv. 'Williams Hybrid') were grown continuously for over seven years from an original planting under 48 levels of nitrogen and potassium fertilization (6N x 8K) in a continuous function design with eight replicated blocks. Total production of untrimmed bunches ranged from 33 mt/ha/yr (zero N, moderate K) to 101 mt/ha/yr (high N, high K) over all years. Response to N was observed each year, primarily due to increased numbers of pseudostems in high N treatments. Average bunch weight differences due to K were clear only after 4 years. Average bunch weight decreased over time in all treatments but increased numbers of bunches were harvested each year. Depressions in total yield which occurred in most treatments were due to production of smaller bunches resulting most likely from increased density, soil compaction and diseases. Bunch weight and components of yield were related to climate up to 8 months prior to harvest. Bunch weight was not closely correlated with concentration of N or K in the plant at harvest, but total uptake of N and K were related to the size of pseudostems. Bunch weight was closely related to the size of the pseudostem, as measured by height and girth at bunch emergence and to the size of the leaves sampled at harvest. Equations relating bunch weight to pseudostem measurements were modified by N and K fertilization status, climate and crop age. Reductions in bunch weight occurring relative to pseudostem size were determined to be due to reduced leaf area caused by poor nutrition, high density and diseases. A survey of commercial banana plantings showed that variations in pseudostem size of 3 cultivars was not closely related to levels of plant and soil nutrients, probably because of widely varying irrigation, disease levels and other management practices

The Orthogonal Cultural Identification Scale In Asian Indian International Exchange Students: A Qualitative Study Of Meanings Ascribed To Scale Items

Thesis (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2008In order to facilitate greater cultural competency, a study regarding the use of the Orthogonal Cultural Identification Scale (OCIS) in a sample of Asian Indian exchange students was conducted. The specific research questions to be answered were: (a) what meanings would participants ascribe to key terms and phrases on the OCIS, (b) what meanings would participants apply to differences in categorical placement on the OCIS, and (c) what themes would the participants associate with cultural identification? To answer these questions, 47 participants completed the OCIS and a demographic questionnaire, while 8 of these participants also participated in a semi-structured individual interview and group feedback interview. A phenomenological method and participant feedback were used to analyze and summarize the data. Internal consistency of the OCIS subscales was good, while the White American or Anglo and the Asian Indian subscales correlated positively to a significant extent. The OCIS term, "traditions," was associated with festivals, family, puja, and special foods. The OCIS phrase, "way of life," connoted Hinduism, family-centered, day-to-day activities, gender differences, and intra-cultural variation. Finally, the term, "success," connoted karma, family life, education/knowledge, social life, and practical considerations. Because no previous study has investigated the meanings of key terms or phrases on the OCIS, this study adds to the literature by providing: (a) an initial indication of the meanings ascribed by Asian Indian exchange students to items on the OCIS, and (b) a model for similar investigations in other cultures

Otto Stern (1888-1969): The founding father of experimental atomic physics

We review the work and life of Otto Stern who developed the molecular beam technique and with its aid laid the foundations of experimental atomic physics. Among the key results of his research are: the experimental determination of the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of molecular velocities (1920), experimental demonstration of space quantization of angular momentum (1922), diffraction of matter waves comprised of atoms and molecules by crystals (1931) and the determination of the magnetic dipole moments of the proton and deuteron (1933).Comment: 39 pages, 8 figure

Examination of the 3x2 Achievement Goal Model in Collegiate Recreation: Comparison Across Sport Programs

Sport is a central achievement context through which participants’ direct competence-related behavior to achieve desired outcomes. Achievement goal theory provides a framework for understanding self-directed behavior in achievement contexts. Theorists postulate that achievement goals reflect one’s purpose and anticipated outcomes which guide behavior. To assess this psychological construct, several achievement goal measures have been developed, from a dichotomous model (Nicholls, 1989) to the most recent 3x2 model (Elliot, Murayama, & Pekrun, 2011). In the present research, the 3x2 achievement goal model (i.e., task-approach, task-avoidance, self-approach, self-avoidance, other-approach, other-avoidance) was translated for the collegiate recreational sport domain and tested against alternative theoretical models. A questionnaire was developed and administered to recreational sport participants (N = 614) at a large, post-secondary institution in the United States. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the researchers found the 3x2 model to provide a better fit than the alternative theoretical models. These findings support the most recent theoretical advancement of the achievement goal construct. Through use of multivariate analysis of variance, significant differences across the six achievement goals were found between intramural and sport club participants. These results have implications for researchers and recreational sport practitioners seeking to measure and understand the motivational differences across sport participants

(e,2e) measurements on xeon: reexamination of the fine-structure effect

The process of electron scattering from heavy target atoms is of considerable interest due to the enhanced role of relativistic effects and distortion of the electron trajectories resulting from the large value of nuclear charge. Here we present (e,2e) ionization measurements and distorted-wave Born approximation calculations for the scattering of spin-polarized electrons from xenon atoms in which the fine-structure levels of the residual ion are resolved. Comparison of measurements performed using a high-sensitivity toroidal analyzer spectrometer with the predictions of sophisticated calculations provide an improved understanding of the ionization dynamics of heavy target atoms and the treatment of electron exchange processes

(e,2e) Measurements on Xenon: Reexamination of the Fine-Structure Effect

The process of electron scattering from heavy target atoms is of considerable interest due to the enhanced role of relativistic effects and distortion of the electron trajectories resulting from the large value of nuclear charge. Here we present (e,2e) ionization measurements and distorted-wave Born approximation calculations for the scattering of spin-polarized electrons from xenon atoms in which the fine-structure levels of the residual ion are resolved. Comparison of measurements performed using a high-sensitivity toroidal analyzer spectrometer with the predictions of sophisticated calculations provide an improved understanding of the ionization dynamics of heavy target atoms and the treatment of electron exchange processes