AN ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF SOYBEAN STINK BUG CONTROL ALTERNATIVES FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

Methyl parathion or Penncap M (an encapsulated methyl parathion) are used extensively throughout the United States for controlling stink bug pests in soybeans, Glycine Max (L.) Merrill. However, this insecticide is highly toxic to mammals, birds, and non-target arthropods, and thus is less environmentally sound than other insecticides. For environmental and human health considerations, investigating alternative insecticides for control is desired. For this investigation, research based on field experimental data from Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana during the 1988 and 1989 growing seasons were employed. Results indicate that alternative, currently available, and less toxic insecticides may reduce producer costs, increase yield, and improve soybean quality. These alternative insecticides include Scout (tralomethrin), Karate (lambda-cyhalothrin), Orthene (acephate), and Baythroid (cyfluthrin). In terms of improved profits these alternative insecticides may dominate methyl parathion or encapsulated methyl parathion.Crop Production/Industries,

Impacts of cognitive-behavioural interventions on sleep effort, objective and subjective sleep quality among adults with insomnia.

Background: Insomnia is a highly prevalent sleep disorder that negatively impacts overall health-related quality of life. Cognitive-behavioural interventions including cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and paradoxical intention therapy (PI) have been developed to improve insomnia. Research suggests mixed findings on the impacts of CBT-I on objective and self-reported measures of sleep. Moreover, existing studies examining the effectiveness of PI among adults with high sleep effort are lacking. Methods: This thesis portfolio aimed to address gaps within current literature around CBT-I and PI. First, a systematic review was carried out to describe and synthesise studies that assessed the effectiveness of CBT-I on both objective and self-reported sleep measures. Second, a two-arm, randomised controlled trial was conducted to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of PI among adults with insomnia and high sleep effort. Results: The systematic review identified 15 eligible studies. Most studies found significant improvements in sleep diary parameters (e.g., sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset) and subjective sleep-related questionnaires following CBT-I. Conversely, mixed findings were found on objective sleep measures whereby the direction, magnitude and significance of change varied across studies. The feasibility study indicated that PI shows good potential as a standalone psychological intervention for adults with insomnia. Significant improvements were reported on self-reported sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency and wake after sleep onset. PI also improved sleep effort, overall subjective sleep quality and depression symptoms across time. Notably, there was a lack of agreement between actigraphy and sleep diary outcomes. Conclusion: CBT-I and PI show effectiveness in improving self-reported sleep quality. However, there remains scope for research to investigate the effectiveness of these interventions, with considerations to objective/self-reported discrepancies and symptom presentations of adults with insomnia (e.g., presence of high sleep effort and/or depressive symptoms). Implications and directions for future research are discussed

Experimental laser-machining of silicon wafer

This thesis deals with laser machining of silicon wafer at various process parameters. The objective of this thesis is to investigate the effect of laser machining parameters on the cut surface quality and determine the feasible laser machining parameters that can machine silicon wafer. The thesis describes how machining parameters and air assist gas affects cut surface quality. The silicon wafer was machined by laser with and without air assists. Principally, two experimental sets with different cutting speed and laser power were designed in statistical software. The kerf widths and quality were observed under microscopes. The results then were analyzed using statistica software. The analysis indicated that cutting speed has significant effect to the kerf width and laser cutting with air assists produced wider kerf. Result obtained also showed that laser cutting without air assists produced better cut surface quality. The feasible machining parameter of silicon is estimated at 1.0-2.0 mm/min for cutting velocity, 0.80-0.94 watt for laser power in laser cutting without air assist and 1.0-4.0 mm/min for cutting velocity, 0.80-0.90 watt for laser power in laser cutting with air assist

CENTRAL-LOCAL GOVERNMENT TUSSLE IN CHINA'S PUSH TO END POVERTY

Master'sMASTER OF SOC.SCI. (RSH-FASS

Information theoretic models of preprocessors and decision aids

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1984.MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING.Includes bibliographical references.by Gloria Hiu-Lai Chyen.M.S

AN ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF SOYBEAN STINK BUG CONTROL ALTERNATIVES FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

Methyl parathion or Penncap M (an encapsulated methyl parathion) are used extensively throughout the United States for controlling stink bug pests in soybeans, Glycine Max (L.) Merrill. However, this insecticide is highly toxic to mammals, birds, and non-target arthropods, and thus is less environmentally sound than other insecticides. For environmental and human health considerations, investigating alternative insecticides for control is desired. For this investigation, research based on field experimental data from Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana during the 1988 and 1989 growing seasons were employed. Results indicate that alternative, currently available, and less toxic insecticides may reduce producer costs, increase yield, and improve soybean quality. These alternative insecticides include Scout (tralomethrin), Karate (lambda-cyhalothrin), Orthene (acephate), and Baythroid (cyfluthrin). In terms of improved profits these alternative insecticides may dominate methyl parathion or encapsulated methyl parathion

Mask-related facial dermatoses in an asian pediatric population in the era of COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Mask-related dermatoses have been widely reported in adults since the global COVID-19 pandemic. Compulsory mask wearing has been mandated in many countries. As pediatric dermatologists, we aim to characterize different types of mask-related dermatoses in the pediatric population, evaluate the prevalence, and potential exacerbating and mitigating factors to improve compliance in children in this era of regular mask wearing. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from November 1, 2020, to January 31, 2021, at a tertiary hospital in the form of an anonymous online questionnaire. This included all children aged (2–20 years old) in our pediatric dermatology clinics, tertiary education students (16–20 years old), and children of hospital/health-care cluster staff (2–20 years old). Results: Of the 577 participants who reported regular mask wearing, 140 (24.3%) reported symptoms. The most common symptoms were itching (74.5%), dryness (49.6%), dyspnea (32.1%), and oily skin (29.9%). The most common rashes were acne (48.9%), eczema (27%), dryness/peeling (23.4%), urticaria (18.2%), and cheilitis (16.8%). The most statistically significant risk factors for developing mask-related symptoms and/or rashes were (a) prolonged duration of mask wearing/day and (b) preexisting dermatoses and/or atopic history (especially atopic dermatitis). Conclusions: As the pediatric population remains vulnerable to emerging COVID-19 variants and other respiratory viruses, masks remain an important form of protection in daily life. Like in adults, regular mask wearing can lead to various facial symptoms/dermatoses in pediatric wearers, adding to dermatological burden during a pandemic. Those with preexisting risk factors should be made aware of this. We recommend all pediatric mask wearers should not exceed continuous mask wearing for 4 h and to take scheduled “mask breaks” in safe, well-ventilated areas