Comparison of two methods to assess the root architecture as the potential factor influencing the diversity of a stand

In this article we describe two methods for acquisition and examination of the root architecture of trees in order to evaluate the possible influence on stand diversity and horizontal structure. The roots and belowground biomass in semi-arid areas of south Portugal can be understood as the main competition area for the trees so understanding of their growth and architecture is essential for understanding of growth, interaction among plants and finally the diversity of the stand

Automatic measurement of propositional idea density from part-of-speech tagging

The original publication is available at www.springerlink.comThe Computerized Propositional Idea Density Rater (CPIDR, pronounced “spider”) is a computer program that determines the propositional idea density (P-density) of an English text automatically on the basis of partof-speech tags. The key idea is that propositions correspond roughly to verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, and conjunctions. After tagging the parts of speech using MontyLingua (Liu, 2004), CPIDR applies numerous rules to adjust the count, such as combining auxiliary verbs with the main verb. A “speech mode” is provided in which CPIDR rejects repetitions and a wider range of fillers. CPIDR is a user-friendly Windows .NET application distributed as open-source freeware under GPL. Tested against human raters, it agrees with the consensus of two human raters better than the team of five raters agree with each other [r(80) = .97 vs. r(10) = .82, respectively]

Cork Oak Seedling Growth under Different Soil Conditions from Fertilisation, Mycorrhizal Fungi and Amino Acid Application

Regeneration process deals with some constrains related with the livestock management, pasture rotations, and dependence of a sequence of favourable climatic years, among others, which can lead to a continuous delay in the initiation of the regeneration process. The purpose of this study is to promote an increase of cork oak seedling growth in order to decrease the time required for regeneration and also to contribute to avoid the effect of post-transplant stress on cork oak. With this objective, a study was carried out on a greenhouse, where the effect of fertilisation, mycorrhizal fungi inoculation, and amino acid supply were tested. Results showed that cork oak seedling capability to growth, expressed as total seedling dry weight, was positively affected by treatments, except when only fertilisation was applied. We verified that cork oak seedlings inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi presented better results in terms of aerial structures growth. Any of the treatments was suitable to contribute positively for tap root and total belowground dry weight accumulation. Only fine roots structures were sensitive to treatments effects; it was verified that both inoculated and non-inoculated seedlings subjected to fertilisation were capable to invest largely on the production of these structures (33 and 30%, respectively). To reinforce the cork oak seedling growth, the equilibrium between fertilisers and mycorrhizal fungi inoculation would probably be the better option to enhance the cork oak regeneration process. Thus, the balance between shoot and root systems growth would be guaranteed, fertilisation mainly for root system and mycorrhizal fungi inoculation for shoot growth

Medicine Plus Mindset: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of a Novel Mindset-Focused Training for Primary Care Teams

Objectives Patient mindsets influence health outcomes; yet trainings focused on care teams’ understanding, recognizing, and shaping patient mindsets do not exist. This paper aims to describe and evaluate initial reception of the “Medicine Plus Mindset” training program. Methods Clinicians and staff at five primary care clinics (N = 186) in the San Francisco Bay Area received the Medicine Plus Mindset Training. The Medicine Plus Mindset training consists of a two-hour training program plus a one-hour follow-up session including: (a) evidence to help care teams understand patients’ mindsets’ influence on treatment; (b) a framework to support care teams in identifying specific patient mindsets; and (c) strategies to shape patient mindsets. Results We used a common model (Kirkpatrick) to evaluate the training based on participants’ reaction, learnings, and behavior. Reaction: Participants rated the training as highly useful and enjoyable. Learnings: The training increased the perceived importance of mindsets in healthcare and improved self-reported efficacy of using mindsets in practice. Behavior: The training increased reported frequency of shaping patient mindsets. Conclusions Development of this training and the study’s results introduce a promising and feasible approach for integrating mindset into clinical practice. Practice Implications Mindset training can add a valuable dimension to clinical care and should be integrated into training and clinical practice

Emerging Perspectives on Children in Migratory Circumstances: Selected Proceedings of the Working Group on Childhood and Migration June 2008 Conference

The pieces you see in this e-book provide rich data from the lives of migrant children and sometimes their families. Chantal Tetreault’s piece among transnational Algerian teen girls in Paris and Kendall King’s study in Ecuador are linguistic in focus, bringing up the ways that performance in language is part of the practice of immigrant experience (Tetreault) and highlighting how regard for globalization and attention to language are deeply intertwined for immigrant communities (King). Most of the pieces provide in depth points of view from child migrant perspectives—data that is often difficult to obtain and portray sensitively. Child-centered data is exceptionally valuable in helping us to grasp the micro-forces by which childhood is changing through migration and how children experience or activate agency under trying conditions. Laure Bjawi-Levine among Palestinians in Jordan, Lauren Heidbrink among Spanish speakers in immigration detention in the U.S., and Jill White among Mexican children in U.S. labor and schooling environments demonstrate ways in which children’s self-understanding is constrained by state and economy in ways that determine a marked life course. Kanwal Mand’s also deeply child-centered analysis shows us how migrant childhoods can be notably shaped and sometimes constrained largely by urban housing and schooling environments, in this case for Pakistani second-generation children in London. Cati Coe’s interviews with informants in Ghana, and Catríona Ní Laoire’s study on return Irish migrants examine strains across the generations that affect the emotional management of families and individuals to handle the spatial and temporal challenges of migration. And finally, Michelle Moran-Taylor provides a rich analysis of the gendered and socioeconomic strategies that families use to negotiate the challenge of child-rearing in the home area when families are geographically separated, drawing especially on data from Guatemala

Physical activity and nutrition program for seniors (PANS): protocol of a randomized controlled trial

Background Along with reduced levels of physical activity, older Australian's mean energy consumption has increased. Now over 60% of older Australians are considered overweight or obese. This study aims to confirm if a low-cost, accessible physical activity and nutrition program can improve levels of physical activity and diet of insufficiently active 60-70 year-olds. Methods/Design This 12-month home-based randomised controlled trial (RCT) will consist of a nutrition and physical activity intervention for insufficiently active people aged 60 to 70 years from low to medium socio-economic areas. Six-hundred participants will be recruited from the Australian Federal Electoral Role and randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 300) and control (n = 300) groups. The study is based on the Social Cognitive Theory and Precede-Proceed Model, incorporating voluntary cooperation and self-efficacy. The intervention includes a specially designed booklet that provides participants with information and encourages dietary and physical activity goal setting. The booklet will be supported by an exercise chart, calendar, bi-monthly newsletters, resistance bands and pedometers, along with phone and email contact. Data will be collected over three time points: pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention and 6-months post-study. Discussion This trial will provide valuable information for community-based strategies to improve older adults' physical activity and dietary intake. The project will provide guidelines for appropriate sample recruitment, and the development, implementation and evaluation of a minimal intervention program, as well as information on minimising barriers to participation in similar programs