Indigenous vegetation types of Hamilton Ecological District

The following descriptions of indigenous vegetation types and lists of the most characteristic species have been compiled for the major landform units of the Hamilton Ecological District, which lies within the Waikato Ecological Region (McEwen 1987). The boundaries of the Hamilton Ecological District correspond approximately to those of the Hamilton basin, with the addition of parts of hills and foothills at the margins of the basin. The vegetation descriptions and species lists are based on knowledge of the flora of vegetation remnants in the ecological district, historical records (e.g., Gudex 1954), and extrapolation of data from other North Island sites with similar environmental profiles

A Proposal to Amend Section 2032A to Reduce Restrictions on Cash Leasing of Farm Property

In the United States, one of the primary goals of agricultural policy has long been, and continues to be, saving the family farm. Section 2032A of the Internal Revenue Code, which reduces the estate tax burden for agricultural land owners, is one example of this type of agricultural policy. However, restrictions that section 2032A places on cash leasing of farmland lead to outcomes inconsistent with that goal. This article describes these inconsistencies and proposes amendments to the statute that would align the effects of the statute with Congress\u27s stated goal of saving the family farm. First, the article presents a brief background to the passing of section 2032A. Second, the article summarizes generally the application of the statute. Third, it introduces cash leases and describes how Congress, the Treasury Department, and federal courts have interpreted the statute to restrict cash leasing. Fourth, it analyzes the congressional purpose behind section 2032A, describes the real world effects of the restrictions on cash leasing, and demonstrates why these effects are contrary to the congressional purpose. Finally, the article proposes amendments to section 2032A that would align more closely the effects of the statute with the purpose behind it

Ackermann Steering Geometry Applied to a Skateboard Truck

Conventional skateboard trucks are currently unable to meet the challenges of the modern enthusiast. They are lacking in key performance metrics such as handling, stability, and traction. Longboard enthusiasts, whom rely heavily on handling performance, are hungry for new and innovative technology to help bring the sport to the next level. The aim of this project was to solve these problems by applying specific aspects of automotive steering geometry and best engineering practices. Three successive prototypes were designed, with the first two prototype sets being manufactured and extensively tested. The first prototype served as a proof of concept, but suffered from design and manufacturing complexities and would have been too expensive to be mass produced. Positive and negative feedback was obtained from enthusiasts which was used to design the second prototype set. More testing was done and while the second prototype set showed major improvement across all key metrics, problems still existed. A third prototype design was developed to solve the remaining problems and is currently being manufactured. Overall, the result of the project is a longboard truck system that is superior to current products in terms of stability and handling. Its simple design and ease of manufacture allow for a potentially very competitive price point. Furthermore, the new technology will be a basis for future developments and refinement much like the roller skate truck has been since the 1940s

A Multilevel Meta-Analysis of Paired Oral Reading Methods in Elementary Classrooms

For decades, researchers and practitioners have supported developing readers via synchronous oral reader with a stronger peer or adult tutor. These methods–collectively known as Paired Oral Reading—are purported to promote reading achievement for tutee readers. However, despite nearly 60 years of investigation, no known research has adequately reviewed and synthesized the effects of similar practices commonly known as Paired Oral Reading. This dissertation systematically reviewed the published literature on the various methods of Paired Oral Reading with elementary-age students then meta-analyzed the quantitative studies that met pre-established inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis calculated the effect of Paired Oral Reading outcomes on tutee reading achievement and subsequently investigated differential outcomes for various factors such as tutor type, time variables, and reading outcome (fluency/comprehension). The results indicate that tutees receiving Paired Oral Reading support experience greater achievement with adult tutors over peer tutors and in reading comprehension versus oral reading fluency. The systematic review and meta-analysis of these data demonstrate that strategic use of these methods can support weak or developing elementary readers. Further, it is proposed that future research and application of these techniques are framed as a single family of methods; Synchronous Partnered Oral Reading Techniques (SPORT). Other implications for future research and classroom application of SPORT are discussed

Restoring Ubuntu: Ecosystemic, Biopsychosocial, Afrocentric Networks for the Trauma-Healing of Sexual Violence Survivors in Eastern Congo

The purpose of this paper is to propose that trauma healing in the Congo should be directed by the agency of Africans, characterized by an ubuntu-based systems epistemology, and facilitated throughcreative, multi-modal networks

Gauging the Commitment of Clandestine Group Members

Since the attacks of September 11th, 2001, there has been a great deal of attention given to understanding the inner workings of terrorist organizations in order for the United States to be successful in the Global War on Terrorism. Group dynamics has been one area of interest pursued to gain more insight into a terrorist\u27s cognitive battlespace. Until a few years ago, most research on individual commitment and organizational cohesion has been based primarily on questionnaires and open observations on groups that desire to be understood. However, terrorist organizations are clandestine; they constantly employ operations security (OPSEC) to ensure protection and mission accomplishment. This thesis uses Decision Analysis principles, specifically a Value-Focused Thinking-like approach, to develop an initial hierarchical model of significant factors influencing an individual s commitment to a terrorist organization, or any clandestine group of violent extremists. Individuals are evaluated and scored according to the model to identify exploitable vulnerabilities in their commitment level. This information is then used to identify fissures of the entire organization that can be used to diminish the cohesion of the group

Analysis of data systems requirements for global crop production forecasting in the 1985 time frame

Data systems concepts that would be needed to implement the objective of the global crop production forecasting in an orderly transition from experimental to operational status in the 1985 time frame were examined. Information needs of users were converted into data system requirements, and the influence of these requirements on the formulation of a conceptual data system was analyzed. Any potential problem areas in meeting these data system requirements were identified in an iterative process

How political parties adjust to fixed voter opinions

We propose a new version of the spatial model of voting. Platforms of five parties are evolving in a two-dimensional landscape of political issues so as to get maximal numbers of voters. For a Gaussian landscape the evolution leads to a spatially symmetric state, where the platform centers form a pentagon around the Gaussian peak. For a bimodal landscape the platforms located at different peaks get different numbers of voters.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures. Accepted in Int. J. Modern Phys.