Evaluating seashore Paspalum seed germination and enhancement, erosion abatement and potential use as a vegetative landfarm cap

Four temperatures were tested to determine the optimum temperature for seed germination of Paspalum vaginatum \u27Seaspray\u27 seed. Results indicated that Paspalum vaginatum germination percentage was greatest at 30°C. Three seed enhancement treatments were applied to Paspalum vaginatum seed to determine improvements in germination percentage and MTG of the seed. Potassium nitrate, GA, and soaking seed in distilled water yielded greater germination percentages than the dry control. Seeds subjected to enhancement treatments had significantly faster MTG rates than the dry control seeds. Seeds also had higher germination percentage with exposure to light when compared to seeds that germinated in conditions not exposed to light. MTG was not significantly different. Paspalum vaginatum seed was allowed to germinate at 0, 14, 28, and 42 days, before a simulated rainfall. Mean seed loss was significantly greater at 0, 14 and 28d before the rainfall, then 42d before the rainfall was significantly lowest in soil loss. Mean growth of seedlings after the rain simulation was highest at 0 and 14d planted before rainfall. Paspalum vaginatum was compared with Cynodon dactylon and Eragrostis curvula as a possible turfgrass selection for usage as a vegetative cap over a brine landfarm. Grasses were planted in depths of 0, 5.08, 10.16, and 15.24 cm of river silt over the brine field. Results indicated that Paspalum vaginatum assimilated significantly greater quantities of Na than Cynodon dactylon, and Eragrostis curvula. Chloride was the only analyte that was measured in significantly greater amounts when compared by species and depth. Paspalum vaginatum growing in 5.08 cm contained highest concentrations of chloride in the plant tissue, indicating that Paspalum vaginatum would be a potential brine remediator species. The combined results from the four projects indicate that Paspalum vaginatum \u27Seaspray\u27 is a suitable turfgrass selection for the Gulf Coast states, especially in areas with saline soils

Developments In Rank Correlation Procedures For Trend Detection In The Analysis Of Water Quality Parameters

Algorithms for enumerating the exact null distributions of Kendall\u27s S and Spearman\u27s D statistics, when there are ties in one or both of the rankings, are presented. An expression, which is used to provide a simple proof of the asymptotic normality of the score S when both rankings are tied, is obtained for the cumulant generating function of S. The usefulness of an Edgeworth approximation to the null distribution of S in the general case of tied rankings is investigated and compared with the standard normal approximation.;Exact and asymptotic results are developed for the distribution of Kendall\u27s partial rank correlation statistic {dollar}t\sb{lcub}12.3{rcub}{dollar}, under the complete null hypothesis. A probability model, with the property that for the associated permutations E(t) = {dollar}\tau{dollar}, is developed for the elements of an inversion vector. The variance of t under this probability model is derived, an application of this result to hypothesis testing is presented, and an algorithm for simulating rankings of size n, so that E(t) = {dollar}\tau{dollar}, is given.;An asymptotic variance estimator for {dollar}t\sb{lcub}12.3{rcub}{dollar} is derived and the asymptotic normality of {dollar}t\sb{lcub}12.3{rcub}{dollar}, under {dollar}H\sb o{dollar}: {dollar}\tau\sb{lcub}12.3{rcub}{dollar} = 0 and for the general case of variates with underlying parental correlation, is established. Monte Carlo simulation is used to show that when the magnitudes of {dollar}t\sb{lcub}13{rcub}{dollar} and {dollar}t\sb{lcub}23{rcub}{dollar} are both moderately large, {dollar}t\sb{lcub}12.3{rcub}{dollar} is not a suitable statistic for testing the hypothesis {dollar}H\sbsp{lcub}o{rcub}{lcub}\prime{rcub}{dollar}: {dollar}X\sb1{dollar} and {dollar}X\sb2{dollar} are conditionally, given {dollar}X\sb3{dollar}, independent of each other. Consequently, a simulation study of partial Spearman\u27s {dollar}\rho{dollar} is implemented. This study shows that {dollar}r\sb{lcub}s,12.3{rcub}{dollar}, when corrected for bias in {dollar}r\sb{lcub}s,12{rcub}{dollar} etc., provides a satisfactory test statistic whose asymptotic distribution under {dollar}H\sb o{dollar}: {dollar}\rho\sb{lcub}\rm s,12{rcub}{dollar} = 0 may be adequately approximated by its asymptotic distribution under the complete null hypothesis

Assessment of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) biotypes and bermudagrass interference with sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) collected from 17 Louisiana sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) fields and two sites outside sugarcane-growing area was evaluated for genetic diversity, growth characteristics and response to glyphosate. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) genetic analysis and Jacard’s similarity coefficient, a dedrogram, based on unweighted pair group mean average (UPGMA) identified two cluster groups based on presence of common alleles. Bermudagrass considered most aggressive in establishment rate based on ground cover, plant height, and biomass production included the biotypes A (St. Martinville) and Q (Port Allen) in cluster A and R (St. Gabriel) in cluster B. Biotypes J (Samuels), N (New Iberia), and T (St. Joseph) considered least aggressive were included in cluster A. Rate of establishment for biotypes J, N, and T averaged 5.3 times slower and plant height was 61% less compared with A, Q, and R. Biomass production the first year averaged 7.8 times greater for biotypes A, Q, and R compared with J, N, and T. In greenhouse and field studies, bermudagrass biotypes A, C (Baldwin), and Q in cluster A were least sensitive to glyphosate and biotypes D (Centerville) and P (Patterson) in cluster B were most sensitive to glyphosate. In a competition study, pre-sprouted single node stem cuttings of ‘HoCP 96-540’ sugarcane were planted in 26.5 L pots with one, two, or four bermudagrass plants, sugarcane shoot weight 56 days after planting (DAP) was reduced on average 58%; two and four bermudagrass plants reduced sugarcane root weight on average 39%. In another study, two bermudagrass plants did not negatively affect shoot population 56 DAP for the cultivars HoCP 96-540, ‘L 97-128’, ‘L 99-226’, ‘HoCP 00-950’, ‘L 01-283’, and ‘L 03-371’. For L 97-128 and L 99-226, shoot weight averaged 1.7 to 3.0 times greater than the average of the other cultivars and root weight averaged 1.8 to 2.1 times greater than the average of the other cultivars. When the sugarcane cultivars were watered over a 42-day period with leachate collected from actively growing bermudagrass, sugarcane tiller height, tiller number, shoot weight, and root weight were not negatively affected

Oyster and Hard Clam Distribution in the Lower York River With Notes on Culture, Disease and Pollution

Outlined in this report are aspects of the distribution and. culture of clams and oysters of the lower York River. Included are two acetate overlays attached to u. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Chart 492. The first shows locations and density of the hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria; the second shows the location of public oyster and clam grounds, oyster planting ground, and half-acre plots held by riparian rights . Accompanying the latter chart is a complete list of the names and addresses of the holders of all riparian rights and lease holders (Appendix I). The area covered by this list is from the mouth of the York River to Cheatam Annex. Also included in this report are current and past shellfish cultural practices and a brief summary of oyster diseases in the area

The Influence of Engagement Upon Success and Persistence of Online Undergraduates

Institutions of higher education, states, and government agencies are seeking avenues for increasing access, improving learning outcomes, and increasing student retention. The majority of chief academic officers polled indicate that online learning is key to the growth of their institutions, while simultaneously indicating concern that online learners are less likely to succeed and persist. A common construct for how institutions can facilitate student success and persistence is the notion of engagement . Since 2000, campuses have relied upon the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) to guide institutional policies and practices supporting student success

Survey of Leased Oyster Grounds Adjacent to the James River Bridge at Newport News, Virginia

This report describes the condition of leased oyster\u27 grounds in the area which is adjacent to the proposed construction site of the second James River Bridge. This survey was accomplished by taking numerous samples of the bottom with the aid of patent tongs and counting numbers of living oysters and hard clams. The quantity of shells taken.was noted and observations were made on the nature of the· bottom. During this study, which extended frorri 31 July to 11 August, 1972, nine individual tracts of leased bottom were investigated, and ~222 samples of the bottom were collected (Table 1). A second study was conducted during September and October, 1972 by an experienced diver who swam over all nine tracts to determine the density of exposed oyster shell, the character of the bottom and the number of living oysters. A third study estimated dollar value of lands belonging to the Ballard Fish and \u27Oyster Company adjacent to the present James River Bridge (See Appendix)

A survey in the Elizabeth River for oysters, clams and shell in the vicinity of the proposed TRANSCO construction site

This study was conducted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at Gloucester Point, Virginia at the request of Woodward Envicon Inc. Its purpose was to evaluate the magnitude of populations of hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria, oysters Crassos.trea virginica, I and shell in the area of the proposed TRANSCO channel, in the Elizabeth River, Virginia

Survival and growth of cultchless spat planted by the VMRC in Nomini and lower Machodoc Creek

This report briefly summaries previous data and describes the survey for 22 October 1974. We have submitted reports to the Commission on the status of these plantings in April, 1974, and again in August, 1974. These data will not be repeated in detail, but pertinent aspects will be reviewed

A final report to the Virginia Department of Highways on hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) populations in the vicinity of the Hampton Roads bridge-tunnel (I-64)

I-564 will be constructed in Hampton Roads in an area where the hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria is fished commercially. Because of this clam 1s economic value and because Hampton Roads is the major producing region for this species, it is worthwhile that every prer:: aution be taken during construction of I-664 to minimize the possibility of damage to this resource. To achieve this objective, this study was undertaken to evaluate the pwsible impact of I-64 and of construction activities around I-64 on adjacent populations of the hard clam. The objective of the study was that if damage or potential damage is noted, construction techniques may be modified during I-664 construction so that damage in the vicinity of the new area is minimized

Health products; designed with, not for, end users

This paper describes research in progress that aims to explore the role that open design could play in the development of medical products. Including people in the development process of medical products has been shown to have benefits to both producers and users but is not universally applied. There are multiple factors from a producer’s point of view as to why a collaborative development process is not used, but similarly there are some medical conditions that preclude a person’s involvement in collaborative group work. For example, people who have the chronic condition Cystic Fibrosis are excluded from traditional collaborative design sessions due to susceptibility to certain communicable diseases. Open design offers the opportunity for people normally excluded in collaborative design processes to not only be included, but also shape the direction of the enquiry. Through the use of social media, and other collaborative internet-enabled tools the dissemination and development of ideas can occur. This goes beyond the fundamental moral and pragmatic arguments for collaborative working, since the knowledge and experience of the people participating is harnessed and available to all. This process therefore bears the hallmarks of a truly emancipatory technique, compatible with the notion of human flourishing and that the concept of a person’s ‘health’ extends beyond a mere absence of illness. The research is based around a series of practical case studies within an Action Research framework, the first of which is outlined here, where artefacts will be produced using open design; drawing upon established methods using prototypes as research and trialing the combination of physical tools (e.g. 3D printing) and virtual meeting spaces to facilitate the design activity