Ease of predication does not account for imageability effects in performance: a reply to [Jones, 2002]

In this paper we defend our views against [Jones, 2002] claim that the criticism of the ease of predication hypothesis ( [Jones, 1985]) made by [de Mornay Davies and Funnell, 2000] is “fundamentally flawed.” Jones raises five issues concerning the content of the text, the reliability of effects of ease of predication, the generation of predicates, semantic features, and memory retrieval. We address each of these issues in turn and show that either a critical point raised is not made, or the point is mistaken. More importantly we show that our empirical findings, which are entirely overlooked by Jones, unequivocally support the view that ease of predication does not account for imageability effects in performance

Neoliberalism, consultants and the privatisation of public policy formulation: The case of Britain's rail industry

This paper identifies the importance of policy advisers, particularly consultants, in promoting neoliberal prescriptions in public policy formulation in the recent history of British Government. It examines a consultant-dominated attempt to reform British Rail in the 1980s and the fundamental contribution of advisers to the flawed fragmentation and subsequent privatisation of the rail industry. Concepts drawn from Latour's Sociology of Translation are adopted to examine the attempts by Conservative Governments and their private advisory allies to establish networks of support for privatisation. In each of the episodes along the path to privatisation the paper examines attempts to undermine opposition and gain acceptance of the proposed changes with the production of knowledge claims by consultants, that is Latour's process of purification, followed by the consequences for the rail industry. The paper uses critical financial analysis to contrast the knowledge claims made by consultants with the outcomes of rail privatisation, which include extensive, ongoing transfers from taxpayers to private companies. It concludes by highlighting the dangers ensuing from dogmatic and excessive neoliberal public policy formulation

Registration of N614, A3N615, N616, and N617 Shattercane Genetic Stocks with Cytoplasmic or Nuclear Male Sterility and Juicy or Dry Midribs

Four shattercane [Sorghum bicolor subsp. drummondii (Nees ex Steud.) de Wet ex Davidse] genetic stocks—N614 (Reg. No. GS-652, PI 665684), A3N615 (Reg. No. GS-651, PI 665683), N616 (Reg. No. GS-653, PI 665685), and N617 (Reg. No. GS-654, PI 665686)—with A3 cytoplasmic male sterility or the nuclear male sterility gene ms3 containing either juicy (dd) or dry (DD) culms were developed jointly by the USDA-ARS; the Iowa Agricultural and Home Economics Experiment Station, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University; and the Agricultural Research Division, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska. The stocks were released in July 2011. The source material for these genetic stocks was isolated from an archetypical shattercane population found near Lincoln, NE. Release of these genetic stocks makes available shattercane lines with both A3 cytoplasmic male sterility, and ms3 genetic (nuclear) male sterility to facilitate crossing. These genetic stocks also contain juicy (dd) or dry (DD) culms, a visible genetic marker to facilitate screening progeny resulting from crosses. The genetic stocks have immediate application for basic research involving gene flow from cultivated sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] to shattercane and on the fitness of offspring resulting from such crosses

Design and construction of earth dams.

This thesis deals with the design and construction of rolled-fill earth dams with the standard methods of practice, taking the Hirakud Dam as the basis. The field operations of the investigation to obtain observational information and to secure samples for the laboratory testing include observation of rain gauge and river gauge readings, taking river water samples, digging test pits, drilling grout holes, opening drifts, digging borrow pits and conducting detailed topographical surveys. Laboratory tests are conducted on the samples and the results are plotted in graphs. Rainfall and run-off statistics are plotted in graphs. Observational information of geology is plotted in log sheets and the field data of survey works is made use of for the preparation of the topographical maps. From the results of the investigation it is found that the Hirakud Dam has a firm foundation and there is sufficient quantity of material for the embankment at site. The annual rainfall is 47.49 inches yielding a run-off of 50 million sore feet over a catchment area of 32,200 square miles. The stability of the embankment is computed by the slip circle method and the seepage water from the flow net method. The dam is designed for 100 years with a reservoir capacity of 5.98 million acre feet at the maximum water level elevation 625 feet, the bed level being elevation 500 feet. The dead storage is 2.24 million acre feet corresponding to elevation 590 feet, and the maximum submerged area corresponding elevation 625 feet is 150,380 acres. The minimum factor of safety for the upstream slope is 1.68 and that for the downstream slope is 1.19. The seepage water is 0.264 cubic feet per lineal foot per year. The dam is to be constructed as per the design and the specifications. The compaction is attained by the mechanical effort at the optimum moisture content. The mechanical effort is influenced by the type of roller, its weight and the number of passes. Field control is affected by vigilant supervision, needle penetration, ring test and sand test. The construction is to be carried out according to a plan of seven stages. A comparison and contrast is drawn between the U.S.A. and India to bring out the inherent difficulties of construction operations of large dams in India. Importance is given to the sequence of the subject matter since no text book gives all the relevant portions as used in practice. Reference is given to the text books from which the formulas are taken so that a student who is interested in theory, derivation and explanation of the formulas may study the available literature. The procedures employed and the conclusions drawn are based on the experience, observation and the research study of the author both in India and the United States of America

Field damage of sorghum (\u3ci\u3eSorghum bicolor\u3c/i\u3e) with reduced lignin levels by naturally occurring insect pests and pathogens

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) brown midrib (bmr) mutant lines have reduced levels of lignin, which is a potentially useful trait for bioenergy production, but the effects of this trait on insect and plant pathogen interactions are unknown under field conditions. Field-grown bmr6, bmr12, and wild-type (WT) plants were examined for insect and disease damage. In most cases, observed frequency, population, or leaf area damage caused by insects or pathogens on bmr6 or bmr12 plants were not greater than those observed on WT plants in the field or laboratory assays. European corn borers [Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner)(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)] often caused lower amounts of leaf damage to bmr6 leaves compared to bmr12 and sometimes WT leaves in the field study. Leaf damage by corn earworms [Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] and fall armyworms [Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] in laboratory assays was often lower for bmr versus WT leaves. Incidence of disease lesions was significantly higher on bmr6 compared to WT plants for one of three samplings in 2011, but the opposite trend was observed overall in 2012 and no significant differences were noted in 2013. When corn earworms and fall armyworms were fed the excised pith, bmr6 and/or bmr12 pith caused significant morality to one or both insect species in all 3 years. Damage variability between the 3 years may have been due to hotter and drier than normal conditions in 2012. Thus, bmr lines of sorghum suitable for bioenergy production have potential for sustainable production in the field

Field damage of sorghum (\u3ci\u3eSorghum bicolor\u3c/i\u3e) with reduced lignin levels by naturally occurring insect pests and pathogens

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) brown midrib (bmr) mutant lines have reduced levels of lignin, which is a potentially useful trait for bioenergy production, but the effects of this trait on insect and plant pathogen interactions are unknown under field conditions. Field-grown bmr6, bmr12, and wild-type (WT) plants were examined for insect and disease damage. In most cases, observed frequency, population, or leaf area damage caused by insects or pathogens on bmr6 or bmr12 plants were not greater than those observed on WT plants in the field or laboratory assays. European corn borers [Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner)(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)] often caused lower amounts of leaf damage to bmr6 leaves compared to bmr12 and sometimes WT leaves in the field study. Leaf damage by corn earworms [Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] and fall armyworms [Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)] in laboratory assays was often lower for bmr versus WT leaves. Incidence of disease lesions was significantly higher on bmr6 compared to WT plants for one of three samplings in 2011, but the opposite trend was observed overall in 2012 and no significant differences were noted in 2013. When corn earworms and fall armyworms were fed the excised pith, bmr6 and/or bmr12 pith caused significant morality to one or both insect species in all 3 years. Damage variability between the 3 years may have been due to hotter and drier than normal conditions in 2012. Thus, bmr lines of sorghum suitable for bioenergy production have potential for sustainable production in the field

Efficacy of Singular and Stacked \u3ci\u3ebrown midrib 6\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3e12\u3c/i\u3e in the Modification of Lignocellulose and Grain Chemistry

In sorghum, brown midrib (bmr) 6 and 12 impair the last two steps of monolignol synthesis. bmr genes were introduced into grain sorghum to improve the digestibility of lignocellulosic tissues for grazing or bioenergy uses following grain harvest. Near-isogenic grain sorghum hybrids (AWheatland X RTx430) were developed containing bmr6, bmr12, and the bmr6 bmr12 double mutant (stacked), and their impacts were assessed in a two-year field study. The bmr genes did not significantly impact grain or lignocellulosic tissue yield. Lignocellulosic tissue from bmr6, bmr12, and stacked hybrids had reduced lignin content and increased in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) compared to those of the wild type (WT). The lignin content of the stacked lignocellulosic tissue was further reduced compared to that of bmr6 or bmr12. Surprisingly, bmr12 modestly increased carbohydrates in lignocellulosic tissue, and bmr6 increased fiber and lignin content in grain. These data indicate that bmr6 and bmr12 have broader effects on plant composition than merely lignin content, which has promising implications for both livestock utilization and bioenergy conversion

Efficacy of Singular and Stacked \u3ci\u3ebrown midrib 6\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3e12\u3c/i\u3e in the Modification of Lignocellulose and Grain Chemistry

In sorghum, brown midrib (bmr) 6 and 12 impair the last two steps of monolignol synthesis. bmr genes were introduced into grain sorghum to improve the digestibility of lignocellulosic tissues for grazing or bioenergy uses following grain harvest. Near-isogenic grain sorghum hybrids (AWheatland X RTx430) were developed containing bmr6, bmr12, and the bmr6 bmr12 double mutant (stacked), and their impacts were assessed in a two-year field study. The bmr genes did not significantly impact grain or lignocellulosic tissue yield. Lignocellulosic tissue from bmr6, bmr12, and stacked hybrids had reduced lignin content and increased in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) compared to those of the wild type (WT). The lignin content of the stacked lignocellulosic tissue was further reduced compared to that of bmr6 or bmr12. Surprisingly, bmr12 modestly increased carbohydrates in lignocellulosic tissue, and bmr6 increased fiber and lignin content in grain. These data indicate that bmr6 and bmr12 have broader effects on plant composition than merely lignin content, which has promising implications for both livestock utilization and bioenergy conversion

Registration of N619 to N640 Grain Sorghum Lines with Waxy or Wild-Type Endosperm

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] lines N619 to N636 (A lines; Reg. No. GS-699 to GS-716, PI 670134 to PI 670151); N619 to N636 (B lines; Reg. No. GS-721 to GS-738, PI 671777 to PI 671794); and N637 to N640 (R lines; Reg. No. GS-717 to GS-720, PI 670152 to PI 670155) comprise nine pairs of seed parent (A/B) lines, and two pairs of pollinator (R) lines (11 pairs total) that are near-isogenic for waxy (low-amylose) or wildtype endosperm. Breeding work was conducted jointly by the USDA–ARS and the Agricultural Research Division, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, and the lines were released in May 2014. Release of these lines makes available two different waxy (wx) alleles (wxa and wxb) for development of grain sorghum as a source of lowamylose starch, whose end use is targeted to the ethanol and food industries. In particular, the release of wx and wild-type near-isogenic pairs facilitates the evaluation of agronomic performance of wx genotypes, and the release of both A/B and R lines facilitates the production of waxy grain hybrids