Analysis of Spatial Distribution of Canada Thistle (Cirsium Arvense) in Notill Soybean (Glycine Max)

The nonuniform spatial distribution of weeds across a field landscape complicates sampling and modeling, but allows site specific rather than broadcast management of weed populations. Where weeds are aggregated, densities measured at random locations are not independent, but rather spatially related or autocorrelated. Geostatistical methods were used to describe and map nonrandom distribution and variation of shoot density across ten well established patches of Canada thistle, a perennial weed, in a 65 hectare notillage soybean field in Moody county, South Dakota in 1996. Canada thistle densities were determined by counting the number of shoots present in a 20 by 50 cm (0.1m2 ) rectangle. Shoot densities were recorded at 3.04 m increments in 8 .directions from the center of each patch using adaptive sampling. The boundary of the thistle patch on each axis was arbitrarily defined as having 2 consecutive measurements of 0 shoots per 0.1 m2 . Contour maps of weed densities were generated and overlaid on field topography maps. A contour map was generated to estimate the size and density of each thistle patch. Generally, the highest densities of Canada thistle appear in the center of the patches. Shoot density within the patches declined as the distance from the center of the patch increased. Near infrared images were generated with a digital camera and compared to weed maps produced with ground scouting

Race and Sex Differences in Correlates of Systolic Blood Pressure in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Objectives: To describe correlates of measured systolic blood pressure (SBP) among community-dwelling older African American and White Medicare beneficiaries. Methods: Participants completed an in-home assessment and factors significantly correlated with SBP were tested using multivariable models. Results: Among the 958 participants (mean age= 75.3 [SD = 6.8]; 49% African American; 49% female; 52% rural) African Americans were more often diagnosed with hypertension, more likely on anti-hypertensives, and on more anti-hypertensive medications. SBP was 2.7 mmHg higher in African Americans than Whites (p=.03). SBP was higher in women than men. Multivariable models revealed differences in the factors associated with SBP by race/sex specific groups. Having a history of smoking and reports of being relaxed and free of tension were associated with higher SBP among African American men. Discussion: Although more likely prescribed anti-hypertensives, mean SBP was higher for older African Americans than Whites. Results support the hypothesis that behavioral and psychosocial factors are more important correlates of SBP levels among older African Americans than among Whites

Phase diagram of the one dimensional Hubbard-Holstein Model at 1/2 and 1/4 filling

The Hubbard-Holstein model is one of the simplest to incorporate both electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions. In one dimension at half filling the Holstein electron-phonon coupling promotes onsite pairs of electrons and a Peierls charge density wave while the Hubbard onsite Coulomb repulsion U promotes antiferromagnetic correlations and a Mott insulating state. Recent numerical studies have found a possible third intermediate phase between Peierls and Mott states. From direct calculations of charge and spin susceptibilities, we show that (i) As the electron-phonon coupling is increased, first a spin gap opens, followed by the Peierls transition. Between these two transitions the metallic intermediate phase has a spin gap, no charge gap, and properties similar to the negative-U Hubbard model. (ii) The transitions between Mott/intermediate and intermediate/Peierls states are of the Kosterlitz-Thouless form. (iii) For larger U the two transitions merge at a tritical point into a single first order Mott/Peierls transition. In addition we show that an intermediate phase also occurs in the quarter-filled model.Comment: 10 pages, 10 eps figure

Theoretical Derivation of Stable and Nonisotopic Approaches for Assessing Soil Organic Carbon Turnover

Techniques for measuring soil organic C (SOC) turnover in production fields are needed. The objectives of this study were to propose and test nonisotopic and 13 C stable isotopic techniques for assessing SOC turnover. Based on SOC equilibrium and mass balance relationships, an equation was derived: NHC/SOC initial=[1/(SOC× k NHC)](dSOC/dt)+ k SOC/k NHC, where dSOC/dt is the annual change in SOC, NHC is nonharvested C returned to soil, k SOC is the annual mineralization rate of SOC, and k NHC is the annual mineralization rate of NHC. This equation was used to calculate maintenance rates. An isotopic approach based on simultaneously solving the equations was developed to determine C budgets:(i) SOC retained=[SOC final (Δ soil final− Δ PCR)/(Δ SOCretained− Δ PCR)];(ii) Δ SOC retained= Δ soc initial−[ε ln (SOC retained/SOC initial)],(iii) Δ PCR= Δ NHC−[ε ln (PCR/NHC)]; and (iv) SOC fina

A systematic review of language and literacy interventions in children and adolescents with English as an additional language (EAL)

This systematic review presents a synthesis of evidence regarding the effectiveness of language and literacy interventions targeting children with EAL. It updates the systematic review by Murphy and Unthiah [2015. A systematic review of intervention research examining English language and literacy development in children with English as an additional language (EAL). http://www.naldic.org.uk/Resources/NALDIC/Research and Information/Documents/eal-systematic-review-prof-v-murphy.pdf.], using the same methodology. Four databases were searched resulting in 2217 records identified. After screening 25 interventions, found in 26 studies, were eligible for inclusion. The results provide collective evidence that explicit vocabulary instruction and targeted oral language practice yield language gains for EAL learners, with a tendency for larger intervention gains in learners with the lowest initial pre-test scores. Shared reading interventions show positive effects when combined with the pre-teaching of vocabulary, embedded definitions into the text, or post-reading reinforcement activities. The review also highlights the paucity of interventions in the UK and in particular, a lack of interventions for adolescents, especially those in upper secondary school (ages 14-18)

Broaching the brook : daylighting, community and the ‘stickiness’ of water

Over the last century, under the modern hydraulic model, waterways across the world have been heavily canalized and culverted, driven into underground pipes, drains and sewers. This hydraulic approach has hardwired an isolated water network into the urban fabric, fragmenting erstwhile patterns and dynamics of life, both human and nonhuman. Ecologically, it has been hugely damaging, reducing water quality and biotic diversity, but also socially, disconnecting citizens from the waterways that service and characterize the city. Consequently, since the 1990s, waterway restoration has become widespread as a design solution to degraded rivers and streams, reinstating compromised hydrological, geomorphological and ecological processes. Deculverting or ‘daylighting’, the focus of this paper, is a radical form of restoration, opening up subterranean, culverted waterways often forgotten by communities above ground. Yet, as this paper emphasizes, waterway restoration has tended to privilege ecological over social objectives, while public engagement in project conceptualization has been limited, conducted ‘downstream’ subsequent to planning and design stages. Restoration schemes have therefore tended to reflect the concerns of professionals rather than communities, overlooking their potential for social renewal and change. Drawing on workshop data collected through participatory mapping exercises, this paper explores the case for daylighting a culverted brook in Urmston, Greater Manchester, focusing in particular on the preferences, concerns and knowledge of local residents. The paper compares professional and community perspectives on the preferred scheme design and potential benefits of daylighting, drawing out differences and tensions between them, temporarily ‘unblackboxing’ the brook. It is ventured that daylighting can unleash the social ‘stickiness’ of water, its proclivity to draw and bind together, to revitalize the park, enhancing connection to wildness, attachment to place and sense of community. This is particularly crucial in the face of decreased local authority funding and related crises in park management

The Role of Customer Loyalty to the Salesperson in Generating Premium Revenue for Retailers

The findings of this research underscore the relative importance of loyalty to the salesperson, when compared with retailer trust and satisfaction, on outcomes such as loyalty to the retailer and a consumer’s willingness to pay price premiums. This research also demonstrates that loyalty to the salesperson has a diminished effect on both outcomes when the merchandise is perceived as being high quality. The findings suggest that managers need to be aware of potential contingency factors that may affect relationships within the service profit chain. Moreover, the results reveal that consumers make holistic evaluations of services and consider both the physical goods and service provided by employees when determining their loyalty to the retailer