Relationship between corn stalk strength and southwestern corn borer penetration

Studies were conducted to determine if corn stalk strength had an effect on southwestern corn borer (Diatraea grandiosella Dyar) survival during different growth stages. In 2006 southwestern corn borer larvae were placed on corn during the tassel stage near the ear and base of the plant. Survival was higher near the ear than near the base of the plant. In 2007, five varieties of corn were planted at three locations in Mississippi. Plants were infested with five 3rd instar larvae at the ear zone during tassel, dough and dent development stages. After five days stalk strength and borer survival were measured. Survival decreased as the corn progressed from tassel to dent stage. Survival varied among corn varieties. The relationship between stalk strength and borer survival was not consistent, indicating that there are likely factors more directly limiting borer survival than physical stalk strength

Development of a detect-and-avoid sensor solution for the integration of a group 3 large unmanned aircraft system into the national airspace system

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) face one common challenge when integrating with the existing manned aircraft population in the National Airspace System (NAS). To unlock the full efficiency of UAS, the UAS integrator must comply with an onboard pilot’s requirement to see-and-avoid other aircraft while operating. Commercially available Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) sensor technologies have been developed to attempt to comply with this requirement. UAS integrators must use these sensors to meet or exceed the performance of a human pilot. This thesis covers research done to integrate an array of commercially made DAA sensors with a large Group 3 UAS both in hardware and software that was later flight tested and evaluated for usability. A fast-time simulation is presented using the principles of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration\u27s (NASA) Detect-and-AvoID Alerting Logic for Unmanned Systems (DAIDALUS). Last, open-source tools are presented to assist future integrators in validating their DAA solutions

The Examination of Grit in Southern Baptist Lead Pastors in Alabama

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to understand the attribute of grit in current Sothern Baptist Convention (SBC) lead pastors in Alabama. Having first been coined as a separate attribute in 2007, there was much still to learn about grit and its qualities. This study attempted to research the impact of grit in Christian ministry. Grit was coined by Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, & Kelly (2007) and is defined as the perseverance and passion for long term goals and the attainment of those goals. In this mixed-method study, grit was examined in lead pastors of SBC churches in Alabama with an in position tenure of eight years or more. Data was collected first by utilizing the Grit-S Survey from A. Duckworth (2016). Thereafter, qualitative data was collected in the form of video conference and phone interviews detailing past experiences of the research subjects. Finally, a correlation was attempted between the research subjects and a close subordinate for each member, utilizing the same research instruments. The data suggests grit to be a key attribute for goal achievement in ministry leadership. Results of the 90 lead pastors studied highlight that grit is highly possessed by those in ministry leadership with average grit scores of 3.86 on a 5.0 scale. Grit was also suggested to be learned throughout life and that one of the most significant factors in grit development was having a calling from God on one’s life

The role of cytoplasmic polyadenylation element sequence on mRNA abundance in porcine embryogenesis

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on June 4, 2010).The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.Vita.Thesis advisor: Dr. Randall Prather.M.S. University of Missouri--Columbia 2010.Development of a porcine germinal vesicle oocyte (GVO) to a 4-cell stage embryo occurs during a transcriptionally silent period when the oocyte/embryo relies on maternally derived mRNA to encode proteins required for development. Regulation of translation and degradation of maternal mRNA is thought to be partially dependent upon cytoplasmic polyadenylation elements (CPEs) within the 3' untranslated region of the mRNA. The goal of this study was to determine how CPE sites affect the abundance of mRNA during embryogenesis and parthenogenetic development, and how cordycepin, a 3'-deooxyadenosine (3'-dA) which inhibits poly (A) tail formation, affects polyadenylation and transcript abundance. Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from oocytes and 4-cell stage embryos were scanned for the presence of five consensus CPEs. Nineteen different transcripts containing one to three putative CPEs were selected and transcript abundance was determined in GVO, metaphase II, 2-cell and 4-cell stage embryos via real-time PCR; and the length of the poly (A) tail was determined by using a Poly (A) tail PCR (PAT) assay. Real time PCR was performed on three biological and two technical replicates for each stage. There was no direct correlation between poly (A) tail length, transcript abundance and the CPE. Cordycepin prevented polyadenylation of transcripts that normally undergo noticeable polyadenylation. Thus CPEs may not be the only factors that regulate message stability, and parthenogenetic activation does not result in changes in transcript abundance that mimic in vitro fertilization.Includes bibliographical references

Evaluation of Masters Choice Corn Silage on Growing Steer Performance

A growing study evaluated three corn silage hybrids on growing steer performance. Th e three hybrids were: a conventional hybrid- Farm Choice (CON) commonly grown in Eastern Nebraska which served as the control, Masters Choice hybrids MCT6365 RIB (MC1) selected to improve fi ber and starch digestion and MCT6733 GT3000 (MC2) that has been selected to improve fi ber digestion in cattle. Relative to CON, feeding hybrid MC1 resulted in similar DMI, but numerically increased ADG which significantly improved F:G compared to CON. Feeding MC2 led to greater DMI, similar ADG, and poorer (greater) F:G compared to CON. Feeding Masters Choice hybrid MCT6365 RIB (MC1) corn silage at 80% of the diet DM likely improved digestion and energy availability to the steers, which allowed greater ADG and improved F:G, while the opposite was true for MC2. Differences in hybrids exist when fed to growing cattle at 80% of the diet

DashBoard

Modern gamers are always looking for new and exciting ways to play board games. Our senior project, DashBoard, is intended to capitalize on this interest and upgrade board games to have pre-programmed moves and easy piece moving. It is a proof-of-concept project for a programmable chess-style game board using an electromagnet array to move the pieces around the board. With an easily programmable interface with the Raspberry Pi 3, users can make their own programs or find ones others have made online to move pieces in creative ways

Nimbus-7 ERB Solar Analysis Tape (ESAT) user's guide

Seven years and five months of Nimbus-7 Earth Radiation Budget (ERB) solar data are available on a single ERB Solar Analysis Tape (ESAT). The period covered is November 16, 1978 through March 31, 1986. The Nimbus-7 satellite performs approximately 14 orbits per day and the ERB solar telescope observes the sun once per orbit as the satellite crosses the southern terminator. The solar data were carefully calibrated and screened. Orbital and daily mean values are given for the total solar irradiance plus other spectral intervals (10 solar channels in all). In addition, selected solar activity indicators are included on the ESAT. The ESAT User's Guide is an update of the previous ESAT User's Guide (NASA TM 86143) and includes more detailed information on the solar data calibration, screening procedures, updated solar data plots, and applications to solar variability. Details of the tape format, including source code to access ESAT, are included

Technology and Opportunity: People with Serious Mental Illness and Social Connection

Objective: Little information exists regarding how individuals with serious mental illness use technology and whether this usage facilitates social connections. This study contributes to filling this knowledge gap by examining ways in which a sample of persons with serious mental illness use cell phones and the Internet. Methods: Interviews with 50 consumers living in supported housing were asked about their use of cell phones and computers and their perceptions of social connections. Results: Cell phones and computers allowed greater linkage with social, medical, mental health, and employment resources. Nearly all obtained phones through publicly funded programs. “Running out of minutes” was common and associated with disrupted communication and safety concerns. Few people owned computers, resulting in restricted access. Conclusion: Policymakers should consider providing free or discounted hardware, subsidizing unlimited plans, and promoting computer literacy

Professionals\u27 Application of Intersectionality with Marginalized Youth: Considerations for Teen Dating Violence Prevention Programming and Beyond

Marginalized youth disproportionality experience adverse outcomes such as increased rates of mental health issues and teen dating violence. Addressing their compounding concerns requires an approach that considers their interlocking marginalized identities and the oppressive systems impacting them. Intersectionality incorporates both elements, yet the literature on how frontline practitioners understand and apply this complex theory within their practice remains sparse. This integrated-article dissertation explored how professionals working with marginalized youth within various settings, including teen dating violence prevention contexts, understood and applied intersectionality. The first paper (chapter two) used group concept mapping to explore how 12 professionals applied intersectionality. Results yielded six distinct clusters: 1) organizational elements, 2) self-reflection and awareness, 3) values, beliefs, and actions, 4) considerations for creating an anti-oppressive and safe environment, 5) practices for person-centred care, and 6) promotion of self-reflection and personal development among youth. These findings illustrated organizational and individual factors related to applying intersectionality in practice and professionals\u27 perspectives on how these approaches impact youth outcomes. The second research paper (chapter three) drew from thematic analysis to explore how ten professionals working with marginalized youth in diverse community settings and implementing a healthy relationships program understood intersectionality. Further, this study sought to understand professionals\u27 internal reflective processes when considering intersectionality in their practice. The following three main themes were identified: 1) understanding intersectionality as a framework, 2) professionals\u27 self-reflection: examination of positionality, privilege, and continued learning, and 3) professionals\u27 journey toward applying an intersectional approach. These themes capture professionals\u27 diverse experiences grappling with intersectionality and offer practical considerations related to critical practice. Finally, the third research paper (chapter four) utilized the same interviews from chapter three to explore how professionals apply intersectionality broadly within their work and, more specifically, within TDV prevention programming contexts. The following main themes were identified: 1) professionals\u27 application of intersectionality, 2) intersectionality in the context of teen dating violence prevention programming, and 3) benefits of an intersectional approach for youth. Together, the results from these studies highlight a variety of concrete strategies and considerations from professionals aiming to enact systemic change in the lives of marginalized youth through bridging theory and application

Gender and work-family conflict : the moderating role of a job's gender-type

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)With an increased interest in work-family conflict, researchers have recently turned much of their attention to understanding what puts people at risk of experiencing higher levels of work-family conflict. The purpose of this paper is to examine how gender might influence work-family conflict (WFC) experienced. While past research has explored this topic, results have remained inconclusive. Although some research indicates that women experience more conflict, other research indicates that men experience more conflict, while still other research indicates no gender difference. It is proposed here that these mixed results indicate other factors may be present which moderate the effect of gender on work-family conflict. Drawing on the theory of work-family conflict and role congruity theory, this paper looks specifically at how the gender-type of a job moderates the relationship between gender and experienced levels of work-family conflict. Data from alumni from a large Midwestern University were analyzed using hierarchical regression. Job gender-type (i.e., femininity) was found to moderate the relationship between gender and work-family conflict such that women in jobs that were less stereotypically feminine reported higher levels of time based-conflict than women working in jobs that were more stereotypically feminine. Men reported similar levels of WFC regardless of their job type. Directions for future research on gender and WFC are discussed