Responses of soybean ancestral lines and cultivars to simulated acid rain

During 1985, 1986, and 1987, field and greenhouse experiments were conducted on four ancestral lines and two cultivars from each of the northern and southern gene pools. The ancestral lines have contributed approximately 80% of the genes to their respective gene pools. Representatives from the northern germplasm collection included Mandarin, Manchu, AK Harrow, Richland, \u27Amsoy 71\u27, and \u27Williams 82\u27. The southern germplasm collection was represented by CNS, S 100, PI 54610, Tokyo, \u27Lee 74\u27, and \u27Essex\u27. Spray-to-wet applications of simulated acid rain (SAR) were applied at three acidity levels (pH 2.8, 3.2, and 4.3). Field experiments were grown under optimum and sub-optimum soil conditions (pH and fertility) at two diverse locations to determine if soybean response to SAR was affected by edaphic factors. In general, SAR had no effect on seed yield. In cases where yield was affected, there were more positive than negative effects. There was no consistent trend with respect to optimum vs sub-optimum soil conditions. Seed weight was affected by SAR for some lines but was not necessarily related to yield. In general, photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal frequency were not affected by SAR. Early stages of plant growth (leaf and stem weight) in the greenhouse was affected by SAR, but measurements taken on the same characteristics during later growth stages were not significant. These results indicate that soybean cultivars in general will not be detrimentally affected by acid rain based on the response of their ancestral lines and evaluations of selected cultivars derived from them

Abandoning Abuse: Acknowledging Adoption in the 21 Century

The inspiration for this set of pieces arose from a friendship with fellow grad student Morgen Cavanah. Morgen and I were both adopted as children, and it this common background that gave rise to these pieces. The poems chosen were written by Morgen about individuals or events in her life. Though I had planned to set 9 of the original 12 poems, this set is comprised of my four favorites. Each piece uses repetitive piano motives that underlie the melodic lines of the voice, flute, and cello. This choice explores harmonic and melodic possibilities that expand minimal accompaniment. Much of the harmonic language is flavored with jazz through the use of extended chords. To Eli, aims to expand the idea of a ballad. Morgen’s background in opera inspired me to recreate a recitative-like section where the piano acts as harmonic accompaniment for solo voice that is separated by flute and cello interludes. The original melodic material returns as the final cadence is extended in anticipation until the voice concludes the piece measures later. For Witt is a strophic waltz set in a minor mode, but conveying a message of hope. The central moment appears before the final verse, as the flute and cello perform stacattoo pulses in the set 3/4 meter while the vocal line and piano are syncopated to create a 4/4 feel. The third movement, Attn: Chase, is my favorite. It opens with waves as the piano arpeggiates two alternating chords that share 4 common tones: C-E-A-D. The idea of water continues as the voice imitates rain while singing “trickle down.” The piece ends with acapella voice repeating the last line of the poem. This was done to emphasize that we as humans can only do so much to fix or heal our issues, and our problems should be put into higher hands. Dear Joanna is the most light-hearted of the pieces. Inspired by Sufjan Stevens, I decided to use 7/8 time because of its whimsical nature and the unbalanced lilt that gives a strong momentum

Exploring working relationships between midwifery support workers and midwives in a community setting

This qualitative study explores the working roles and relationships that exist between midwifery support workers (MSWs) and midwives in a community setting. This research is distinctive from previous studies, as it offers alternative perspectives examining how the role and identity of midwifery support workers were perceived by practitioners involved directly in integrating this new role into an established midwifery service. In recent years the employment of midwifery support workers in the community has become commonplace, seemingly in response to the reducing numbers of practicing midwives, the economic climate and the need to reduce employment costs within the National Health Service (NHS), balanced against the increasing demands placed on NHS maternity service provision by the UK’s policymakers and the increasing expectations of child-bearing women. A flexible qualitative design was required to explore midwifery support workers and midwives’ experiences and opinions of their prevailing relationships. The study assumes a feminist perspective that is used to frame the accounts of the midwifery support workers and midwives. One midwifery support worker and one midwife participated in the pilot study that informed the main study. The remaining four midwifery support workers and a further six midwives agreed to participate in the main study. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather the data. The recorded words of the midwifery support workers and midwives were transcribed and analysed using Mauthner and Doucet’s ‘Listening Guide’, based on their original voice-centred relational methodology. The data revealed the complex issues of integrating a new role into an established service and the impact on the lives of the midwifery support workers and midwives involved directly in these changes. Issues of power, professionalism and patriarchy featured as a new occupational group aligned itself alongside an established professional group and began to carve out its own areas of practice and define its boundaries. Interviews supported by a feminist perspective enabled the midwifery support workers and midwives to describe and provide details about their experiences of their roles and relationships, thus aligning with the study’s qualitative approach

Residential Racial Segregation and Neighborhood Adversity: Associations with Hemoglobin A1c in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Black adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) are at increased risk for disparities in health outcomes. More research is necessary on the effects of neighborhood characteristics such as residential racial segregation (RRS) and neighborhood adversity on health. 149 Black youth with T1D were recruited from seven pediatric diabetes clinics in Detroit and Chicago to participate in a clinical trial to improve diabetes management. RRS was calculated at the census block group level based on US census data using Location Quotients. LQs represented the ratio of patients to total population in the block group compared to the same ratio in the metro area. Neighborhood adversity was assessed at the census block group level using the Neighborhood Adversity Index (NAI). Bivariate associations between RRS, NAI and HbA1c were calculated at baseline and 18-month follow-up, controlling for multiple factors including age, sex, and family income. At baseline, mean youth age =13.4 years + 1.7, mean family income = $35,276 +$27,181, and 49.7% were from single-parent households. Mean HbA1c = 11.49 ± 2.71, suggesting suboptimal control. In bivariate associations, HbA1c was significantly associated with RRS (r=.32, p=.002) and NAI (r= 0.35 p\u3c 0.001) at baseline and with RRS (r=.38, p\u3c .001) and NAI (r=.25 p=.016) at follow-up. Black adolescents with T1D residing in adverse and segregated neighborhoods are more likely to have persistently poorer glycemic control. Culturally competent physicians are vital for providing information to patients on neighborhood resources and improving glycemic outcomes

The Relationship Among Depression, Motivational Factors, and Diabetes Management In Emerging Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

Self-determination theory (SDT) posits intrinsic motivation arises from fulfilling three psychological needs – autonomy, self-efficacy, and relatedness. SDT is useful for understanding the challenges emerging adults (EA, age 18-30) living with a chronic illness, like type 1 diabetes (T1D), face including developing independence, autonomy and new relationships while parental support and involvement decrease. This places EAs at risk for sub-optimal health. Depression can further decrease motivation. The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that depressive symptoms are associated with motivation (autonomy and self-efficacy) which are associated with diabetes management (DM) in EAs with T1D. Participants (N=52) were from a larger randomized clinical trial testing an intervention to improve DM. At study entry, EAs endorsing higher depression levels also reported statistically significantly lower self-efficacy on the Perceived Health Competency Scale (PHCS; r=-0.350, p=0.011). Self-efficacy assessed by the Diabetes Empowerment Scale (DES; r=-0.217,p=0.123) was not associated with depression, nor was autonomy assessed, using the Treatment Self-Regulation Scale (TSRQ; r=-0.157,p=0.267), although both were in the hypothesized direction. EAs reports of self-efficacy (rPHCS=0.123,p=0.206; rDES=0.055,p=0.701) and autonomy (r=0.178,p=0.206) were not correlated with DM, although responses were in the intended direction. Therefore, t in this sample, there was partial support for the hypothesis that depression reduces motivation was partially supported, but there was not enough support for the relationship between motivation and –DM link

The Ethics of Play and Participation in a Tween Virtual World: Cheating Practices and Perspectives in the Whyville Community

Much attention has been paid to young people’s increased participation in digital publics and its potential impact on their development and learning. However, few studies have examined the ethics in online play and their interactions as a critical aspect in the development of youth digital culture. In this paper we turn to the issue of cheating, a widely accepted practice in many online communities, including Whyville.net, a virtual world with over 5.5 million registered players ages 8-16. Our analyses focused on culturally-relevant examples such as player-written articles on cheating and player-produced YouTube cheating videos associated with Whyville from 2000 to 2016. The findings reveal that cultural concepts like cheating are embedded and transformed in the context of youth digital interactions, productions, and reflections. In the discussion, we address implications of these findings for engaging youth with ethics in online gaming communities

Odds of Autism at 5 to 10 Years of Age for Children Who Did Not Pass Their AABR Newborn Hearing Screen, But Were Diagnosed with Normal Hearing

Background: Research has found atypical Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) activity in some children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The current study examined whether an association may also be found between ASD and pass/refer results obtained via Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) screening. As stewards of large-scale AABR data, an AABR – ASD association may be of interest to EHDI programs. Methods: State EHDI data for 29,350 children born in Maine between 2003 and 2005 were linked with education records, including special education status, for the 2010/2011 and 2013/2014 school years. Results: Children who did not pass their AABR screen but were later documented to have typical hearing were at more than eight times the odds of being identified with ASD at 5 to 7 years of age, and over six times the odds at 8 to 10 years of age. Conclusion: Newborns who did not pass their AABR screen but were subsequently diagnosed with typical hearing, experienced higher rates of ASD five to 10 years later. With further research evidence, this may create opportunities for EHDI programs to support and facilitate the work of colleagues in the ASD community, as well as further assist families already touched by EHDI systems