Local and landscape effects of field margins on aerially dispersing beneficial insects and spiders

Field margins were implemented in UK agri-environment schemes with the aim to increase farmland biodiversity. Recently aerially dispersing aphid enemies have been shown to provide the majority of aphid control in winter wheat fields but there is a lack of research conducted on the aerial predator guild. This thesis examines the effect field margins have on aphid predators at the single field scale, the landscape scale and, using results from a marking study, examines the direct use of a pollen and nectar rich field margin by Episyrphus balteatus. At the single field scale, field margins had a positive effect of the numbers of Cantharidae, Empididae, Linyphiidae and Tachyporus spp. in fields with sown margins compared to those without during wheat growth and total aphid predator numbers were significantly higher in fields with margin surrounds in early May but not later in the year. At the landscape scale, results from twelve winter wheat fields with varying densities of surrounding field margins showed predatory Tachyporus spp. to exhibit a positive correlation at scales above 500m radius and Cantharidae to exhibit a negative correlation at local scales. Implications for field margins exerting both positive and negative influences on the presence of aerially dispersing aphid predators in winter wheat fields are discussed. A marking study using rubidium chloride proved direct utilisation of a pollen and nectar rich field margin by the Syrphid Episyrphus balteatus, and the traps used in this study also highlighted the association in distributions between Empididae and cereal aphids. Overall it was concluded that the presence of field margins does have an effect on the spatial and temporal distributions of some aerially dispersing aphid predators, but the response of each predator group varies depending on numerous interlinking components of their life history and directions for future research are discussed

The relationships and supports that matter to children looked after (CLA) in long term voluntary accommodation (Children Act 1989, s 20)

The overall aim of this practitioner-led research project was to explore relationships and conceptualisations of ‘permanence in foster care’ from the young person’s perspective. A multidimensional conceptualisation of permanence, with a focus on supportive networks, was used to identify the relationships that a group of looked after young people viewed as significant to them and to explore which relationship groups they accessed for social support. Participants were a convenience sample of six (two male, four female) young people (aged 13 – 16) who were voluntarily accommodated (Children Act 1989, s.20) in the long term care of the local authority. Four participants were living with foster carers and two were in residential homes. Participants constructed a personal network map, placing themselves at the centre of a concentric circles diagram and the names of the people in their support network in the surrounding circles. To ascertain participants’ perceptions of who provides what type of support, they were asked how they would respond in three scenarios that were designed to elicit specific measures of social support (affective support, self-affirmation, and instrumental assistance). The results showed that the young people considered a wide variety of relationships as important to them and were able to utilise a range of relationships as sources of social support. Significantly, despite their physical absence, sibling relationships were unanimously viewed as important and appeared to hold the potential to provide much support. This research suggests the potential value in moving beyond physical conceptualisations of permanence and instead adopting a systemic relationships-based approach, which recognises a young person’s entire social network. Recommendations for practice include providing support to strengthen all significant relationships, regardless of their physical presence. This research project hopes to highlight the potentially unique needs of voluntarily accommodated young people. The discussion suggests the importance of reinforcing the implementation of voluntary accommodation as it was intended, as “support for children and families” (Children Act 1989, part 3)

Teaching and Professional Fellowship Report 2004/5 : Structured vivas as accommodated assessment for dyslexic students

The central goal of this report was to produce guidelines in audio and written form for dyslexic students wishing to undertake accommodated assessment, specifically the viva voce within creative degrees at UAL. The avenues of exploration were to work with course teams and students in advancing the accessibility of the viva. This was ambitious and only one team within one school had to review their learning outcomes and participate in the process of implementing the viva. One case study was documented and completed as the time frame and support did not permit any other candidates to apply for accommodation. An innovative approach to teaching, learning and assessment was achieved and dissemination of material has started to take place. Contributions to CLTAD and other conferences were made as noted and referenced. Staff development will be undertaken on the teaching certificate programme at CLTAD. Planned developments arising from the fellowship include the compilation of an educational pack, which will be distributed internally within the University and sold externally

Non-Profit Hospitals, Tax Exemption, and Community Benefits

Research Associate Heather Devlin explores the recent literature on non-profit hospitals, tax exemption, and community benefit laws and their implications for Georgia. (January 2009

E-LIS : the Open Archive for Library and Information Science

Founded in 2003, E-LIS is an open access archive for library and information studies. It is free for searching and depositing. E-LIS is hosted by the CILEA group in Italy, and managed by an international group of volunteer editors from over 45 countries. The archive supports 22 languages

The Efficacy of Spraying Fungicides to Control Fusarium Head Blight Infection in Spring Malting Barley

Public interest in sourcing local foods has extended into beverages, and the current demand for local brewing and distilling ingredients is quickly increasing. One new market that has generated interest of both farmers and end-users is malted barley. This only stands to reason since the Northeast alone is home to over 175 microbreweries and 35 craft distillers. Until recently, local malt was not readily available to brewers or distillers. However, a rapid expansion of the fledgling malting industry will hopefully give farmers new markets and end-users hope of readily available malt. To date, the operating maltsters struggle to source enough local grain to match demand for their product. In addition to short supplies, the local malt barley that is available often does not meet the rigid quality standards for malting. One major obstacle for growers is Fusarium head blight (FHB) infection of grain. This disease is currently the most important disease facing organic and conventional grain growers in the Northeast, resulting in loss of yield, shriveled grain, and most importantly, mycotoxin contamination. A vomitoxin called Deoxynivalenol (DON) is considered the primary mycotoxin associated with FHB. The spores are usually transported by air currents and can infect plants at flowering through grain fill. Eating contaminated grain greater than 1ppm poses a health risk to both humans and livestock

Speaking of Stigma and the Silence of Shame: Young Men and Sexual Victimization

This study addresses male sexual victimization as that which is both invisible and incomprehensible. Forensic interviews with young men following reports of suspected sexual assault reveal patterns of heteronormative scripts appropriated to make sense of sexual victimization. These scripts show that victimhood is largely incompatible with dominant notions of masculinity. Sexual coercion and assault embodied threat to boys’ (hetero)gendered selves, as they described feelings of shame and embarrassment, disempowerment, and emasculation. These masks of masculinity create barriers to disclosure and help to explain the serious underreporting of male sexual victimization. Questions of coercion and consent are addressed, as it relates to matters of legitimacy, sexuality, and power. With few exceptions, boys’ constructions of sexual violence have received little attention. This study adds the voices of young men to the developing empirical and theoretical research on male victims of sexual assault