A mixed-mode bending apparatus for delamination testing

A mixed-mode delamination test procedure was developed combining double cantilever beam mode I loading and end notch flexure mode II loading on a split unidirectional laminate. By loading the specimen with a lever, a single applied load simultaneously produces mode I and II bending loads on the specimen. This mixed mode bending (MMB) test was analyzed using both finite element procedures and beam theory to calculate the mode I and II components of strain energy release rate, G sub I and G sub II, respectively. The analyses showed that a wide range of G sub I/G sub II ratios could be produced by varying the applied load position on the loading lever. As the delamination extended, the G sub I/G sub II ratios varied by less than 5 percent. The simple beam theory equations were modified to account for the elastic interaction between the two arms of the specimen and to account for shear deformations. The resulting equations agreed closely with the finite element results and provide a basis for selection of G sub I/G sub II test ratios and a basis for computing the mode I and II components of measured delamination toughness. The MMB specimen analysis and test procedures were demonstrated using unidirectional laminates

RISK AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: A TARGET-MOTAD ANALYSIS OF THE 92-YEAR "OLD ROTATION"

Target-MOTAD was used to assess the risks and returns of sustainable cotton crop rotations from Auburn University's 92-year "Old Rotation." Study results analyze rotations of continuous cotton, with and without winter legumes; two years of cotton-winter legumes-corn, with and without nitrogen fertilization; and three years of cotton-winter legumes-corn and rye-soybeans double-cropped. Ten years of observations on deviations from target income were used to identify optimal sustainable rotation(s). Study results suggest that diversification in rotations, as well as in crops, results in the least risk for a given level of target income.Risk and Uncertainty,

Anniversary

A fever, a freakout, a lesion-like spot newly risenand the frenzied drive to the clinic for a cheek-swab,negative, on our anniversary no less. Now dozinglover, I promise never to compare this laboredbreathing with the dusk the cicadas\u27 so-called singinghangs over this day

Competing Perspectives During Organizational Socialization on the Role of Certified Athletic Trainers in High School Settings

When certified athletic trainers (ATCs) enter a workplace, their potential for professional effectiveness is affected by a number of factors, including the individual\u27s ability to put acquired knowledge, skills, and attitudes into practice. This ability may be influenced by the preconceived attitudes and expectations of athletes, athletes\u27 parents, athletic directors, physical therapists, physicians, and coaches. Objective: To examine the perspectives of high school coaches and ATCs toward the ATC\u27s role in the high school setting by looking at 3 questions: (1) What are coaches\u27 expectations of ATCs during different phases of a sport season? (2) What do ATCs perceive their role to be during different phases of a season? and (3) How do coaches\u27 expectations compare with ATCs\u27 expectations

Benefits of Native Mycorrhizal Amendments to Perennial Agroecosystems Increases with Field Inoculation Density

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.Perennial polyculture cropping systems are a novel agroecological approach used to mirror some of the ecological benefits provided by native perennial ecosystems including increased carbon and nitrogen storage, more stable soils, and reduced anthropogenic input. Plants selected for perennial agroecosystems are often closely related to native perennials known to be highly dependent on microbiome biota, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. However, most plantings take place in highly disturbed soils where tillage and chemical use may have rendered the AM fungal communities less abundant and ineffective. Studies of mycorrhizal amendments include inoculation densities of 2–10,000 kg of inocula per hectare. These studies report variable results that may depend on inocula volume, composition, or nativeness. Here, we test the response of 19 crop plant species to a native mycorrhizal fungal community in a greenhouse and field experiment. In our field experiment, we chose eight different densities of AM fungal amendment, ranging from 0 to 8192 kg/hectare, representing conventional agricultural practices (no AM fungi addition), commercial product density recommendations, and higher densities more typical of past scientific investigation. We found that plant species that benefited from native mycorrhizal inocula in the greenhouse also benefited from inoculation in the field polyculture planting. However, the densities of mycorrhizal inocula suggested on commercial mycorrhizal products were ineffective, and higher concentrations were required to detect significant benefit plant growth and survival. These data suggest that higher concentrations of mycorrhizal amendment or perhaps alternative distribution methods may be required to utilize native mycorrhizal amendment in agroecology systems.Perennial Agricultural ProjectNational Science Foundation (DEB-1556664, DEB-1738041, OIA 1656006)USDA (grant 2016-67011-25166

The Relationship of Selected Variables, Including a Course of Study, to Attitude Change of School Bus Drivers

The effect of selected driver and instructional variables on attitude change of school bus drivers was examined. A total of 113 male and 69 female in-service Texas school bus drivers participated. The course of instruction, totaling 20 classroom hours, consisted of 11 units related to driving efficiency. Driver attitude was measured by a multiple-choice check list, administered prior to and following the course of instruction. A significant positive change occurred in those variables related to driver age, educational attainment, and number of classroom participants. Those variables involving course participation status and sex difference resulted in no significant positive attitude change. These findings may prove helpful in designing training programs for school bus drivers

Blood Pressure Variation in the Institutionalized Elderly

Ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitoring has been used to examine stress responses in a variety of settings and populations, demonstrating that both the environment and activities influence BP. Little is known, however, about the effects of such factors on the BP of elders, particularly those in institutional settings. This paper examines sources of variation in BP among elders living in two long-term care settings. Twentyseven residents of a nursing home (NH) facility and 29 residents from independent living (IL) facilities wore ABP monitors for approximately 24-hours. Individual pressures were transformed to z-scores and analyzed by ANOVA. Posture, mood and activity were significantly associated with systolic BP among IL while location and activity were significantly associated among NH. Posture and activity were associated with diastolic BP among IL residents. The specific effects of location, posture, and activity did not differ across settings

Marshall Space Flight Center solid waste characterization and recycling improvement study: General office and laboratory waste, scrap metal, office and flight surplus

The primary objectives of the study were to characterize the solid waste stream for MSFC facilities in Huntsville, Alabama, and to evaluate their present recycling program. The purpose of the study was to determine if improvements could be made in terms of increasing quantities of the present commodities collected, adding more recyclables to the program, and streamlining or improving operational efficiency. In conducting the study, various elements were implemented. These included sampling and sorting representative samples of the waste stream; visually inspecting each refuse bin, recycle bin, and roll-off; interviewing employees and recycling coordinators of other companies; touring local material recycling facilities; contacting experts in the field; and performing a literature search