An Understory Survey of Baber Woods, Edgar County, Illinois

Several vegetation studies have been undertaken in Baber Woods, Edgar County, Illinois, in the past 20 years. After looking at the data of these studies it was decided that an additional study was needed to determine if the increasing importance value (IV) of Acer saccharum was indeed important. It appears that this species is starting to take over the native oak-hickory woods as well as decreasing the diversity of the herbaceous understory (Ebinger, 1986). The present study was undertaken to determine of Acer saccharum has increased enough to justify implementation of some type of forest management. Environmental parameters at the study site were measured for 24 hours during each season, May 2, 3, and 4, July 14 and 15, and October 2, 3, and 5, 1986. During these 24 hour periods the following were recorded: soil temperature at the 4 underground level, relative humidity and air temperature at the 1m level. Wind speed and incident solar radiation were monitored during the sample times during maximum radiation at the 1m mark. Vegetative sampling was done by establishing four east/west transects 100m long, randomly located throughout the woods. Along each transect 100 1/10m circular plots were randomly located at one meter intervals. Once the quadrate was in place all herbaceous and woody species under 1m in height were counted by a harvest method. A total of 54 species were recorded from the plots. During the spring the number of individuals of all species was 151.1 plants per square meter. It should be noted, however, that of the 151.1, 112.8 of that density was from two species, Claytonia virginica and Dentaria laciniata. The number of individuals dropped dramatically during the summer when there were 14.66 plants per square meter. And again in the fall there was a drop to 8.78 plants per square meter. Acer saccharum and Ulmus rubra seedlings were not present in relatively high numbers the other woody species were not commonly encountered. By converting density to number per acre. Acer saccharum shows the largest increase, the 1965 count showed 5,369 individuals per acre, 1983, 2,421 plants, and in the present, 1986 study there were 13,466 individuals per acre. The spring had an overall herbaceous density of 142.6 individuals (per square meter). In the summer the overall herbaceous density dropped to 9.35 individuals per square meter with the most common species being Smilacina racemosa. The fall density dropped to 3.16 with the most abundant species being Ozmorhiza longistylis with 1.4 individuals per square meter. Only three species were found during all three sampling periods, Circaea latifolia, Ozmorhiza longistylis, and Sanicula greggaria

An Understory Survey of Baber Woods, Edgar County, Illinois

Several vegetation studies have been undertaken in Baber Woods, Edgar County, Illinois, in the past 20 years. After looking at the data of these studies it was decided that an additional study was needed to determine if the increasing importance value (IV) of Acer saccharum was indeed important. It appears that this species is starting to take over the native oak-hickory woods as well as decreasing the diversity of the herbaceous understory (Ebinger, 1986). The present study was undertaken to determine of Acer saccharum has increased enough to justify implementation of some type of forest management. Environmental parameters at the study site were measured for 24 hours during each season, May 2, 3, and 4, July 14 and 15, and October 2, 3, and 5, 1986. During these 24 hour periods the following were recorded: soil temperature at the 4 underground level, relative humidity and air temperature at the 1m level. Wind speed and incident solar radiation were monitored during the sample times during maximum radiation at the 1m mark. Vegetative sampling was done by establishing four east/west transects 100m long, randomly located throughout the woods. Along each transect 100 1/10m circular plots were randomly located at one meter intervals. Once the quadrate was in place all herbaceous and woody species under 1m in height were counted by a harvest method. A total of 54 species were recorded from the plots. During the spring the number of individuals of all species was 151.1 plants per square meter. It should be noted, however, that of the 151.1, 112.8 of that density was from two species, Claytonia virginica and Dentaria laciniata. The number of individuals dropped dramatically during the summer when there were 14.66 plants per square meter. And again in the fall there was a drop to 8.78 plants per square meter. Acer saccharum and Ulmus rubra seedlings were not present in relatively high numbers the other woody species were not commonly encountered. By converting density to number per acre. Acer saccharum shows the largest increase, the 1965 count showed 5,369 individuals per acre, 1983, 2,421 plants, and in the present, 1986 study there were 13,466 individuals per acre. The spring had an overall herbaceous density of 142.6 individuals (per square meter). In the summer the overall herbaceous density dropped to 9.35 individuals per square meter with the most common species being Smilacina racemosa. The fall density dropped to 3.16 with the most abundant species being Ozmorhiza longistylis with 1.4 individuals per square meter. Only three species were found during all three sampling periods, Circaea latifolia, Ozmorhiza longistylis, and Sanicula greggaria

Introduction: What is the Unique Contribution of Volunteering to International Development?

This editorial article introduces this IDS Bulletin on the value of volunteering. The issue is based on the global action research project Valuing Volunteering, undertaken in partnership between Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and IDS, which explored how volunteering contributes to poverty reduction and sustainable positive change in Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal and the Philippines, and the factors that prevent it from doing so. Two core research approaches were used to collect and analyse insights about volunteering; participatory systemic inquiry (PSI) and systemic action research (SAR). In total, some 3,700 people reflected on volunteering during the research process. While recognising the issues that many current forms of volunteering can create, this collection of articles highlights the potential of volunteering, when understood as a relational and collaborative endeavour, which is sometimes at odds with the pressures on the sector to professionalise and compete

What if something goes wrong? A grounded theory study of parents’ decision-making processes around mode of breech birth at term gestation

Objective. To explore factors that influence parents' decision-making for mode of breech birth at term gestation. Design. A grounded theory study conducted using a constructivist approach. Semi-structured telephone interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and analysed using the software NVivo for Mac version 11.4.0. Setting. England, UK. Participants. Twelve parents with breech presentation confirmed by ultrasound at ≥36+0 weeks gestation were recruited from several UK social media forums. Findings. Two core themes impacting on a parent's decision-making process for term breech birth were identified. Firstly, a framework of potential influences including partner and relationship, family and friends, health professionals, own birth culture, self, shared experiences and the time available for decision-making. Secondly, mortality salience, or parental focus on risk of potential injury or death associated with birth, was found to be central to every participant's narrative. Key conclusions. This study highlights the individuality and wider framework of parent's decision-making influences for term breech birth, and demonstrates to care providers the conflicted emotions that may be experienced. The findings of this study may guide midwives and other professionals in providing person-centered, non-judgmental, balanced and evidence-based mode of term breech birth counselling. Implications for practice. Health professionals should adopt a parentcentred approach to counselling for mode of term breech birth, considering parents' wider influences in their decision-making and the fear of injury or death surrounding both vaginal breech birth and caesarean section. They can also facilitate parents to understand the influences that might be guiding their own decision-making

Work with Us: How People and Organisations Can Catalyse Sustainable Change

This report provides a synthesis of studies conducted by the Participate Participatory Research Group (PRG) in 29 countries, and attempts to identify and draw out the patterns of change that emerge across them from people's accounts of their own experiences of moving in or out of poverty and marginalisation. The Participate PRG is a network of organisations committed to bringing knowledge from the margins into decision-making at every level of society. In all 18 studies, PRG members conducted research using diverse participatory approaches, ranging from oral testimonies to Theatre for Development. The aim of this research, unlike that of parallel studies that have contributed to the post-2015 debate, is not to get a representative sample of the priorities of people living in extreme poverty and marginalisation, or even to map their poverty. The aim has been to get an in-depth understanding of how people living in extreme poverty and marginalisation experience change in their lives, and the different factors that contribute to either negative orpositive change. Most of all, this research calls us to bear witness to the depth of insight and intelligence of people who face extremely difficult circumstances – and pay attention to what this can offer those who seek to promote development. The stories within this research challenge our view of what is common to the experience of poverty and marginalisation, in that there is less in common than assumed by dominant forms of international assistance, but there is more in common than just a collection of parables about the importance of context

Understanding the independent dancer: roles, development and success

Little research has been published about the varied role of the independent dancer. The aim of this study was to provide insight into the work independent dancers undertake and how their careers change over time. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 independent dancers. Content analysis revealed that the dancers had multifaceted careers that relied on both formal and informal activities, and varied according to three distinct stages (early, middle, late). The experiences reported by the dancers indicated that the realities of the independent dancer's role are not sufficiently recognised or supported within the industry

Four-Week Pedometer-Metered Step Walking Decreases Waist and Hip Circumference in Healthy College Students: A Pilot Study

Background and Purpose: Positive effects of pedometer-metered steps and motivation on body composition have not been documented in healthy adults. This study determined the effects of: 1) 4- weeks of pedometer-metered walking and steps on body composition, fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood pressure (BP), diet changes, waist-to-hip ratios (WHR), and 2) daily motivation on step count. Methods: For 4-weeks, participants (n=29, 24 ± 3.8yo) wore a pedometer and recorded daily steps. Subjects were randomized into two groups: 1) daily motivational quotes (MQ) (n=19) to determine changes in step counts and 2) a control group (no MQ). Measurements were performed baseline, at study end; and 3 randomized 3-day diet records were collected. Results: Waist and hip circumference decreased significantly (p=0.002 & p=0.03) in both groups and decreased fat free mass (FFM) approached significance (p=0.06). Decreased fruit intake was observed in the second (p=0.007) and third (p=0.023) diet records. Conclusion: Motivation did not increase steps or changes in FBG and BP. However, WHR decreased in both groups suggesting that 4-weeks of pedometer walking results in positive abdominal changes. Additional longer-term studies are needed to examine these physical changes as well as investigate the decreased fruit intake

Cognitive and behavioral predictors of light therapy use

Objective: Although light therapy is effective in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and other mood disorders, only 53-79% of individuals with SAD meet remission criteria after light therapy. Perhaps more importantly, only 12-41% of individuals with SAD continue to use the treatment even after a previous winter of successful treatment. Method: Participants completed surveys regarding (1) social, cognitive, and behavioral variables used to evaluate treatment adherence for other health-related issues, expectations and credibility of light therapy, (2) a depression symptoms scale, and (3) self-reported light therapy use. Results: Individuals age 18 or older responded (n = 40), all reporting having been diagnosed with a mood disorder for which light therapy is indicated. Social support and self-efficacy scores were predictive of light therapy use (p's<.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that testing social support and self-efficacy in a diagnosed patient population may identify factors related to the decision to use light therapy. Treatments that impact social support and self-efficacy may improve treatment response to light therapy in SAD. © 2012 Roecklein et al