Preliminary Evaluation of a Dodder Anthracnose Fungus from China as a Mycoherbicide for Dodder Control in the US

Dodder (Cuscuta spp.) is a noxious, parasitic, annual weed throughout most of the United States. A fungus used to control it in China was imported under permit for studies with U.S. dodder species in containment. The fungus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, sporulated on liquid and solid media at room temperature. Conidia from 7-12 day old cultures were diluted to 3.5 to 7 X 16⁶ spores ml^-1 for host range inoculations. Germination on water agar at 24 hrs was higher at 28 than 30 or 24 C. Inoculated plants were exposed to dew periods of 12-1 4 hrs at 24 or 28 C, then transferred to growth chambers with 1 2-hr photoperiods at constant temperatures of 24, 28, and 32C. Dodder species were severely diseased but rarely killed. Symptoms were most severe on native collections of Cuscuta campestris after 4 to 5 days incubation when this species on periwinkle seedlings was inoculated with 3.5 to 7 X 10⁵ spores ml^-1 . Cuscuta cuspidata, C. pentagona, and C. campestris from a California seedlot were also tested under optimum conditions for disease. The C. campestris from California was the most susceptible. Inoculation of 16 species in eight plant families revealed no other host except sweet potato which developed a necrotic fleck. This research indicates a need for strain improvement prior to field tests

Contribution of the antibiotic chloramphenicol and its analogues as precursors of dichloroacetamide and other disinfection byproducts in drinking water

Dichloroacetamide (DCAcAm), a disinfection byproduct, has been detected in drinking water. Previous research showed that amino acids may be DCAcAm precursors. However, other precursors may be present. This study explored the contribution of the antibiotic chloramphenicol (CAP) and two of its analogues (thiamphenicol, TAP; florfenicol, FF) (referred to collectively as CAPs), which occur in wastewater-impacted source waters, to the formation of DCAcAm. Their formation yields were compared to free and combined amino acids, and they were investigated in filtered waters from drinking-water-treatment plants, heavily wastewater-impacted natural waters, and secondary effluents from wastewater treatment plants. CAPs had greater DCAcAm formation potential than two representative amino acid precursors. However, in drinking waters with ng/L levels of CAPs, they will not contribute as much to DCAcAm formation as the μg/L levels of amino acids. Also, the effect of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) on DCAcAm formation from CAPs in real water samples during subsequent chlorination was evaluated. Preoxidation of CAPs with AOPs reduced the formation of DCAcAm during postchlorination. The results of this study suggest that CAPs should be considered as possible precursors of DCAcAm, especially in heavily wastewater-impacted waters

Creating Self: A Theatrical Exploration of Identity

This project explores the relationship between creativity and identity, specifically as they interact through artistic practice. Using research into theater, gender, identity, and creative impulse a performance piece was developed for the stage. The piece used text, improvisational and written music as well as scripted and improvised speech to explore five major area of the human experience. The first iteration of the project culminated in an invitation to stage workshop performances at a local theater and work continues on the development of the piece. While the research focused on questioning the creative impulse of others, the art making revealed that the richest answers could be discovered through looking inward. The delicate balance of engagement and observation that ensued allowed a unique look into creativity, identity, and art through the unexpected lens of my own experience

Nurses Information Appraisal Within the Clinical Setting

Information appraisal is foundational to information literacy, a necessary skill to support evidence-based practice. Little discussion in nursing literature exists regarding how nurses appraise information. If nurses lack information appraisal skills they cannot safely and effectively apply evidence in practice. Furthermore, if nurses at all levels are to engage in evidence-based practice, information appraisal in the clinical setting must be understood. The research study used an interpretive description design to define and describe the process of information appraisal in the clinical setting. Participants of this study represented a stratified purposeful sample of 44 registered nurses employed at a regional medical center in west Alabama. Most participants were middle-aged women who were licensed an average of 16 years. Emphasis was placed on how nurses describe and evaluate information as they critically reflect on acquired information in the clinical setting. The research questions were: 1) What is information appraisal within the clinical setting? and 2) How do nurses perform information appraisal in the clinical setting? Participants were assigned to one of seven audio-recorded focus groups of approximately five to seven participants. A semi-structured interview guide assisted in data collection. Participants completed a brief demographic survey. Transcripts from each focus group were coded inductively. Analysis was first done by looking at responses to each question within individual groups, then among groups. ATLAS.ti software was used to aid in data management. Findings suggest that information appraisal is described a number of ways by nurses and an agreed upon definition for the process seems to be lacking among nurses. Based on the descriptions offered by participants information appraisal contains three dimensions: information gathering, information analysis, and information application. In addition, nurses perform information appraisal by way of an unspoken algorithm with two major decision points. First, nurses determine the urgency of the situation. Next, they select the resource of choice based on prior knowledge of available resources, not the content provided by the resources. In most cases, the trusted resource served as a proxy for evaluating the information that was provided by the resource. Research with nurses in the clinical setting is challenging, however, much was gained from discussions with those that had firsthand knowledge of providing direct patient care. Understanding the perceptions of this sample has given insight into how nurses describe and perform information evaluation. Knowledge gained from this study may be used by nurse educators in the academic and clinical setting as they work to deliver relevant information that facilitates providing the highest quality care

Aerobic Rice - responding to water scarcity, An impact assessment of the ‘STAR in Asia’ project

Rice, a staple food for over 70% of Asians, is also the single biggest user of water, requiring 2-3 times more input (irrigation plus rain) water per unit of grain produced than crops such as wheat and maize. With growing populations, increased urbanisation and environmental degradation, the supply of fresh water is depleting. Recognising the water constraints to rice yield, the aim of the project entitled ‘Developing a System of Temperate and Tropical Aerobic Rice (STAR) in Asia’ was to develop water-efficient aerobic rice technologies. This paper highlights the success of that project

Financial education and asset allocation

We conduct a clinical study on a firm that restructures its 401(k) plan and simultaneously offers financial education seminars to its employees. The restructuring requires each employee to restate allocation percentages, thus we are able to analyze the specific benefits of retirement planning seminars on the asset allocation decision. We find that seminar attendance is associated with increased portfolio diversification and improved risk management. When combined with changes in return, the overall result is that seminar attendees create more efficient portfolios, which implies a better understanding of the retirement planning process

Book Reviews

Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Asset Allocation for Retirement: Simple Heuristics and Target-Date Funds

We examine common asset allocation strategies for retirement investing, considering both static and dynamic approaches, as well as those allocation policies used by leading target-date fund providers. We studied the average performance of each strategy over historical rolling periods (that is, bootstrapping), using actual annual returns starting in 1926. Then we applied the simulation method to review potential future results, as well as to provide additional insight into the structure and characteristics of each approach. We find that, over time, certain static approaches are essentially equivalent to dynamic strategies that reduce equity exposure through time. Further, we find that most target-date fund providers appear to target a dynamic 120 - age equity allocation. We suggest that financial planners consider a 100 percent equity allocation for their clients until approximately 10 years prior to a client\u27s retirement, at which point a more conservative allocation should be employed. Although the average outcome for this approach is technically better there is still significant risk associated with this strategy. Consider the outcome should the year prior to reallocation be like 2008, or the inherent difficulties of a large shift from 100 percent equity to 45 percent equity because of tax or other issues. A more moderate reallocation over a few years may be reasonable. This flexibility suggests that financial planners can play a valuable role by helping investors determine the optimal reallocation time and process, in addition to encouraging a larger equity exposure early on to capture the benefits thereof