Mapping plant diversity in cocoa-based agroforestry systems to improve overall productivity

In cocoa-based agroforestry systems (CAFS), the cocoa trees are associated with other cultivated plant species at variable densities. There, the spatial distribution of the cultivated plants can be regular, random or aggregated, and their age may vary even in the same species. Variables of (i) density, (ii) spatial distribution and (iii) age can thus influence the overall productivity of CAFS and its distribution in space. We studied the relationships between these 3 variables and CAFS productivity based on data collected in 34 experimental yield tracking plots placed in agroforestry fields of producers in the Dominican Republic. A mapping of the cultivated plants was carried out on each plot at their installation and harvests of the ripe products of each individual plant were carried out every two weeks over a period of one year. The first results of this study indicate that optimal CAFS productivity can be maintained along a decreasing density gradient of crops, associated with cocoa tree ageing. In addition, regular and random spatial distribution of all plant species may increase overall productivity. The analysis of the variability of cocoa, fruit, tuber and timber yields allows us to provide recommendations on the most suitable species and the optimal distance between plants to improve overall productivity and therefore the producer's income

Australia\u27s Medical Marijuana Subterfuge

It is a little known fact that medical cannabis has been legally available on prescription from General Practitioners for more than 18 years in Australia. The curious media calls to ‘legalise’ an already legal medication has generated the illusion that medical cannabis has always been as illegal as its recreational use, and that State and Federal Governments really do need to make the legality of medical cannabis a reality. So why has the Australian media almost uniformly been keeping the Australian public in the dark about the already legal status of medical cannabis, and why has it campaigned so strongly and deceptively about something we have long had, albeit rarely used? This discussion informs educators and potentially their students, particularly in areas within current personal development and health curricula

Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Alienation Among the Aged Participants of the East Baton Rouge Parish Council on Aging Senior Centers.

The objective of this research was to investigate the level of alienation among a sample of aged respondents from East Baton Rouge Parish Council on Aging Senior Centers. The second objective was to determine if black aged respondents would be more alienated than white aged respondents, and the third objective was to determine the relationship between seven independent variables (RACE, EDUCATION, CHURCH WORK, LIVING ARRANGEMENT, VOLUNTEER WORK, INCOME and HEALTH RATING) and four subtypes of alienation (PERSONAL ISOLATION, GROUP ISOLATION, POWERLESSNESS and NORMLESSNESS). The sample was comprised to 200 respondents who were selected through a stratified random sampling procedure. The statistical techniques used were analysis of variance and multiple regression analysis. The study found that alienation existed to a significant degree among the aged respondents. The variable race was significant across four subtypes of alienation. Blacks were more alienated than whites for all subtypes. Income and health rating were found to be significant across each of the four subtypes. Respondents whose incomes were low were more alienated than those respondents whose incomes were high. Respondents who were in poor and fair health were more alienated than those who were in good or excellent health. The variable education was consistent across three subtypes of alienation (GROUP ISOLATION, POWERLESSNESS, and NORMLESSNESS). Respondents who had received less education were more alienated than respondents who had received higher levels of education. The social participation variable church work, did not prove to be significant for the four subtypes. Volunteer work was significant for the subtype group isolation. Living arrangement was significant for the subtype powerlessness. The multiple regression technique revealed that the independent variables health rating, race and education were the best predictor variables for alienation. The variable volunteer work was significant for the subtype group isolation. Income was significant for the subtype powerlessness. Health rating was revealed as being significant for the subtypes personal isolation, group isolation and normlessness. It was found not to be inversely related to alienation as hypothesized. Living arrangement and church work did not prove to be good predictors for any of the subtypes

FEASIBILITY OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING FOR VIBRATION ISOLATION SYSTEMS

During transport sensitive payloads can become subject to a multitude of vibration or shock environments that can lead to damage. Using only additive manufacturing we seek to design an isolation system that can provide enough vibration and shock damping to properly protect the payload. Using modern FEA software we were able to quickly analyze a variety of solutions and determine the best one. Based on the results we have achieved through analysis, as well as pushing the manufacturing capabilities of 3D printers, we believe it is plausible to use additive manufacturing to create a fully capable vibration isolation system

The 1977 Soviet Constitution: A Historical Comparison

Throughout the Soviet Union\u27s history, its four constitutions have been a reflection of the political climate of the particular period. The documents thus viewed provide a historical and political benchmark against which life and thought in the U.S.S.R. may be fairly accurately gauged. When Brezhnev addressed the USSR Supreme Soviet on October 4, 1977, to recommend the inevitable adoption of the 1977 Constitution, he again stressed the historical perspective in which the document must be viewed. He stated: We will adopt the new Constitution on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution. This is not merely a coincidence ....The new Constitution, it might be said, is the concentrated result of the entire 60-year development of the Soviet state. It is striking evidence of the fact that the ideas proclaimed by [the] October [Revolution] and Lenin\u27s behests are being successfully implemented. This article will attempt to analyze the new Basic Law of the U.S.S.R. in light of this historical and political context in which it was obviously intended. The authors, however, will attempt to separate out the legitimate from the rhetorical, and will point out the aspects of the new Constitution which have been included principally for their propaganda value

L1 libration point manned space habitat

Second generation stations or Manned Space Habitats (MSHs) are discussed for an Earth-Moon libration point and in lunar orbit. The conceptual design of such a station is outlined. Systems and subsystems described reflect anticipation of moderate technology growth. The evolution of the L1 environments is discussed, several selected subsystems are outlined, and how the L1 MSH will complete some of its activities is described

The role of nitric oxide in plant biology:Current insights and future perspectives

Nitric oxide (NO) is a redox-active gaseous signal uniformly present in eukaryotes, but its formation, signalling, and effects are specific within the plant kingdom in several aspects. NO synthesis in algae proceeds by mechanisms similar to that in mammals, but there are different pathways in higher plants. Beyond synthesis, the regulatory processes to maintain steady-state NO levels are also integral for the projection of NO function. As a key redox molecule, NO exhibits a number of pivotal molecular interactions, for example with reactive oxygen species, hydrogen sulfide, and calcium, with these molecular interplays largely underpinning NO bioactivity. In this context, NO has emerged as a key regulator in plant growth, development, and environmental interactions. In this special issue, a collection of reviews discusses the current state-of-the-art and possible future directions related to the biology and chemistry of plant NO function

Forces between functionalized silica nanoparticles in solution

To prevent the flocculation and phase separation of nanoparticles in solution, nanoparticles are often functionalized with short chain surfactants. Here we present fully-atomistic molecular dynamics simulations which characterize how these functional coatings affect the interactions between nanoparticles and with the surrounding solvent. For 5 nm diameter silica nanoparticles coated with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) oligomers in water, we determined the hydrodynamic drag on two approaching nanoparticles moving through solvent and on a single nanoparticle as it approaches a planar surface. In most circumstances, acroscale fluid theory accurately predicts the drag on these nano-scale particles. Good agreement is seen with Brenner's analytical solutions for wall separations larger than the soft nanoparticle radius. For two approaching coated nanoparticles, the solvent-mediated (velocity-independent) and lubrication (velocity-dependent) forces are purely repulsive and do not exhibit force oscillations that are typical of uncoated rigid spheres.Comment: 4 pages, 3 fig

Empowerment through friendship: A process view of community-based tourism

This paper explores the ‘alternative’ empowerment roles of catalyst, facilitator and advocate in community-based tourism in the context of community development practice, drawing on findings from four community-based tourism (CBT) ethnographic case studies in Kenya. The paper uncovers the ‘friend’ or ‘neighbour’ relationship as a possible combination of these roles, proposing that the various roles may be points or positions in a continuum, a relationship that develops over time. Arguably, these roles could be realized between a community and an individual from within or outside the community. It is further proposed that understanding the roles and the relationships provides possibilities for community empowerment and sustainable community development within CBT settings. The findings point towards opportunities for the enhancement of empowerment, either driven by deliberate efforts of development practitioners or brought about in non-deliberate, organic manner through collaborative work of a wide range of actors. Research in this area has the potential to contribute towards understanding the processes through which sustainable community development and public social policies affecting communities can achieve global agendas such as poverty alleviation, partnerships and sustainability in what are considered marginal areas