Immediate changes in organic matter and plant available nutrients of Haplic Luvisol soils following different experimental burning intensities in Damak Forest, Hungary

One of the major pedological changes produced by wildfires is the drastic modification of forest soil systems properties. To our knowledge, large research gaps are currently present concerning the effect of such fires on forest Haplic Luvisols soils in Central Europe. In this study, the effects of experimental fires on soil organic matter and chemical properties at different burning intensities in a Central European forest were examined. The study was conducted at Damak Forest, in Hungary, ecosystem dominated by deciduous broadleaf trees, including the rare Hungarian oak Quercus frainetto Ten. The experimental fires were carried out in nine different plots on Haplic Luvisol soils transferred from Damak Forest to the burning site. Three types of fuel load were collected from the forest: litter layer, understorey and overstorey. Groups of three plots were burned at low (litter layer), medium intensity (litter and understorey) and high intensity (litter, understorey and overstorey). Pre-fire and post-fire soil samples were taken from each plot, analysed in the laboratory and statistically compared. Key plant nutrients of organic matter, carbon, potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus were analysed from each sample. No significant differences in soil organic matter and carbon between pre- and post-fire samples were observed, but high intensity fires did increase soil pH significantly. Calcium, magnesium and phosphorus availability increased significantly at all fire intensity levels. Soil potassium levels significantly decreased (ca. 50%) for all intensity treatments, in contrast to most literature. Potassium is a key nutrient for ion transport in plants, and any loss of this nutrient from the soil could have significant effects on local agricultural production. Overall, our findings provide evidence that support the maintaining of the current Hungarian fire prevention policy. © 2019 by the authors

Studies on the physiology of the geotropic response of the wheat culm

Abstract not available

Intern experience at Exxon Research and Engineering Company: an internship report

"Submitted to the College of Engineering of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Engineering.

A Computer Model for Analysis of Alternative Burley Tobacco Harvesting Practice

Agricultural operations and practices have been the subject of many computer models and simulations. Holtman et al. (1970) developed a corn harvesting simulator, and Morey et al. (1971) used simulation techniques to analyze net profit of a corn harvesting and handling system during a particular weather year. Further, Loewer et al. (1977) advanced a model that assessed alternative beef production strategies for the individual farm with land, energy and capital as constraints. Bridges et al., (1979) developed a design simulation oriented toward the individual producer that examines corn harvesting systems and compares them regarding investment and annual cost. The CATCH (Computer Analysis of Tobacco Cutting and Housing) simulation model (Bridges et al., 1980) was written to apply similar principles to the analysis of burley tobacco systems

Economic Comparison of Alternative Burley Tobacco Harvesting Practices by Computer

The computer model CATCH (Computer Analysis of Tobacco Cutting and Housing) was developed to provide the individual tobacco producer with management information concerning alternative methods of harvesting burley tobacco. CATCH utilizes specific producer in-puts to analyze 24 alternative burley production systems and presents up to four economic rankings containing costs, equipment and labor for each system. The economic rankings aid the producer in decision making with regard to his own operation

Simulation of Burley Tobacco Harvesting-Housing Systems

A computer model has been developed using systems analysis techniques to simulate the labor and equipment aspects of harvesting burley tobacco. By varying the parameters of the model the user can determine a harvesting and housing strategy based on labor and equipment availability

Atmospheric electron X-ray spectrometer development

The development of a portable surface elemental analysis tool based on the excitation of characteristic X-rays at ambient pressure with an electron beam is described. This instrument relies on the use of a thin electron transmissive membrane to isolate the vacuum of the electron source from the ambient atmosphere. The major advantages offered by this instrument include rapid spectrum acquisition, nondestructive evaluation of elemental composition, and high spatial resolution in comparison to similar portable instruments. The instrument proof-of-principle has been demonstrated by obtaining energy dispersive X-ray spectra from metal and mineral samples. SEM experiments have been carried out to determine beam spot size and quantitative analysis limits. Modeling has been performed to study performance limits and to understand the influence of membrane and atmosphere interactions on the focused electron beam

Race and pre-trial assessments of criminal defendants: Perceptions and process in legal decision-making

This study focuses on how defendants’ race or ethnicity influence the formation of court officials’ perceptions and assessments. In particular, our study moves beyond black/white differences, by including other racial and ethnic groups. Our analysis combines information from pre-trial screeners’ written accounts and administrative data for a sample of adult pre-trial decisions. This study finds that the mechanisms mediating the influence of race and ethnicity on negative assessments of criminal defendants varies depending on the defendant’s racial or ethnic group. Most interestingly, we found that “being Hispanic” had an independent, direct effect. We discuss the implications of this finding with brief qualitative excerpts from interviews with pre-trial screeners