Understanding and Authenticating Evidence from Social Networking Sites

Social networking is a popular form of online interaction that combines several types of electronic communication in a single user interface. An attorney working with evidence found on social networking sites should have a general understanding of how users create and access content on social networking platforms. Before such evidence may be presented to the jury, an attorney must make a showing of authenticity. The proponent of the evidence may need to use different authentication methods depending on the type of communication involved. This Article provides background information about social networks and explores how to authenticate common types of evidence available on social networking sites

Alternative Media and Mulches in Organic Vegetable Production

Reducing or eliminating waste from organic vegetable production can conserve money as well as resources. Conventional greenhouse production of vegetable transplants often relies on abundant fertigation which produces large amounts of polluted runoff, and the field production of organic vegetables frequently relies on the use of polyethylene mulch. A greenhouse study was conducted to determine if organic transplants can be successfully produced in a greenhouse under reduced soil moisture in order to reduce leaching of nutrients and potential water pollution. To test this, we compared the effect of reduced irrigation volumes to the standard practice of irrigating with 120% of container capacity on plant growth. A second and more detailed aspect of our study investigated the influence of irrigation levels on nutrient changes in the media throughout transplant production. We compared unfertilized organic media to a conventional medium which was fertilized with every irrigation, which is the standard conventional industry practice. Three concurrent experiments were carried out on lettuce, tomato and pepper transplants over the course of six weeks. EC and pH of soil leachate as well as plant height, leaf number, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight were compared. We found that the choice of potting medium influences transplant production, with some organic media performing comparably to the conventional control. Additionally, it was discovered that organic transplants can be produced under 80% volumetric water content (VWC) deficit irrigation. These findings will allow organic producers to implement production protocols that conserve water and reduce the financial impact of fertilizer use. In a field experiment we compared soil moisture retention, soil temperature regulation, and sweet pepper yield using the organic mulches hay, wool, leaf litter, two sizes of conventional polyethylene mulch with hand weeding and no weeding (control). Four blocks containing the seven treatments were laid out with treatments placed randomly within each block. Soil moisture and temperature probes were placed in the center of each plot and connected to centrally located data loggers. Data were recorded hourly over the course of the experiment (90 days). Pepper fruits were evaluated in terms of harvestable weight per plot. We found that plots with plastic-mulch were hotter and drier and had greater yield than plots with organic mulch. Among organic mulches, wool had the greatest yield, and all mulches were superior to the control. These findings will hopefully allow producers to make informed choices regarding mulch use in organic vegetable production

Institutional development and poverty reduction

The persistence of poverty in sub-Saharan Africa cannot be attributed to a single cause; its roots are multiple, complex and inter-related. Institutions, as formal organizations, informal community groups and networks, or the rules and traditions that guide the actions which affect the lives of the poor, are influential, however. They may help preserve the status quo or they may be a powerful force for change – and their role is crucial in the implementation of poverty reduction programmes and policies. The focus of this paper is the development of organizations to enhance their capacity to include the rural poor

A Study of the Unionidae of Tinkers Creek, Ohio

We present data on freshwater mussel (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionidae) distributions for Tinkers Creek, a small Ohio stream that previously had not been surveyed for its unionid fauna. The distribution of these mussels was mapped against the changing habitat of the stream, with special attention paid to two zones of human manipulation, a wastewater treatment plant and a stretch of the river where the bed was relocated to enable development. At least five unionid species live in Tinkers Creek. These are Pyganodon grandis, Lampsilis radiata luteola, Fusconaiajlava, Lasmigona costata, and Lasmigona compressa. Fresh shells suggested the presence of three others: Strophitus undulatus, Toxolasma parvus, and Alasmidonta marginata. The region of Tinkers Creek where the mussels are most common extends through Twinsburg, Ohio, and upstream to a waterfall just below the confluence with Pond Brook. Relocation of the river channel eliminated mussels from a 0.5 km stretch in eastern Twinsburg. Furthermore, the impact of effluent from a wastewater treatment plant was minor, at most. Mussel diversity diminished from five to three species commonly found below this facility. A change in river habitat to faster flow, however, provided an alternate explanation for this faunal change. The most striking difference was the replacement of Lasmigona costata, a species usually found in medium and large rivers, by L. compressa, a species common in small streams and headwaters

A Study of the Unionidae of Tinkers Creek, Ohio

We present data on freshwater mussel (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionidae) distributions for Tinkers Creek, a small Ohio stream that previously had not been surveyed for its unionid fauna. The distribution of these mussels was mapped against the changing habitat of the stream, with special attention paid to two zones of human manipulation, a wastewater treatment plant and a stretch of the river where the bed was relocated to enable development. At least five unionid species live in Tinkers Creek. These are Pyganodon grandis, Lampsilis radiata luteola, Fusconaiajlava, Lasmigona costata, and Lasmigona compressa. Fresh shells suggested the presence of three others: Strophitus undulatus, Toxolasma parvus, and Alasmidonta marginata. The region of Tinkers Creek where the mussels are most common extends through Twinsburg, Ohio, and upstream to a waterfall just below the confluence with Pond Brook. Relocation of the river channel eliminated mussels from a 0.5 km stretch in eastern Twinsburg. Furthermore, the impact of effluent from a wastewater treatment plant was minor, at most. Mussel diversity diminished from five to three species commonly found below this facility. A change in river habitat to faster flow, however, provided an alternate explanation for this faunal change. The most striking difference was the replacement of Lasmigona costata, a species usually found in medium and large rivers, by L. compressa, a species common in small streams and headwaters

A case of acute myeloid leukemia with promyelocytic features characterized by expression of a novel RARG-CPSF6 fusion

Key Points Novel RARG-CPSF6 fusion in an AML case with promyelocytic features and no evidence of PML-RARA or X-RARA fusion. Gene fusions involving RARG can initiate AML with promyelocytic morphological features.</jats:p

Developing New Value Chains for Small‐Scale and Emerging Cattle Farmers in South Africa

In this paper we look back on the first year of a three‐year project which aims to undertake the researchnecessary to develop a wider range of market outlets, products and value chains for beef produced by thesmall‐scale and emerging sector in South Africa. We discuss the difficulties encountered in designing andimplementing the project, and we review progress towards achieving the economic, social and environmentaloutcomes that we are seeking

The Spoken Word Project: Using Poetry in Community Dialogue and Mobilization for HIV Prevention

Spoken word, a form of performance poetry, is a promising approach to HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, as it has the potential to encourage dialogue among and within communities and address concerns regarding the social stigma present in rural communities. The purpose of this study is to describe the development and implementation of the Spoken Word Project (SWP), an HIV/AIDS pilot intervention in rural North Carolina designed to improve HIV-related attitudes and self-efficacy and decrease stigma through the use of performance poetry. Spoken word is a collaborative effort between residents of two rural counties in North Carolina and Project GRACE (Growing, Reaching, Advocating for Change and Empowerment), a community-based participatory research collaboration aimed at reducing health disparities in African American communities. The project included 15 adult and youth participants. Results indicated that spoken word has the ability to build upon local resources, generate community reflection, and engage a broad spectrum of performers and audiences. Our findings also showed that the effect of stigma and limited community conversations about HIV in rural communities can be abated through the use of spoken word