Development of a regional curve to relate discharge and drainage area to hydraulic geometry for the Red River of the North Basin

Restoration of riparian corridors and stream channels is important for many reasons, including preserving water quality, maintaining channel stability and controlling floods. Regional hydraulic geometry curves allow estimation of stable hydraulic geometry relationships that are necessary to engineer successful restoration projects. These curves can also be used to approximate discharge data for ungaged streams with lmown hydraulic geometry and drainage area. Hydraulic geometry data were collected in the field for twenty-five stream gage sites in the Red River of the North Basin. Recurrence intervals for bankfull ranged from 1.2 to 1.6 years, with an average recurrence interval of 1.4. Discharge and drainage area data were then plotted in groupings using Level III ecoregions (Omernik et al 1998), watershed accounting unit (State of North Dakota 1974), Rosgen stream type, and entrenched versus unentrenched streams. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the most accurate strategy for grouping data to generate the regional curve. Regional curves in the Red River of the North Basin were found to be most accurate based on USGS accounting units. The average correlation coefficient for this strategy was 0.62. The best fit in this grouping compared contributing drainage area (CDA) to ball discharge (BFQ), with a correlation coefficient of 0.86. The lowest fit in this category compared total drainage area (TDA) to mean depth (MD), with a correlation coefficient of only 0.39, suggesting that this equation be used with extreme caution. The best fit overall using linear regression compared bankfull discharge (BFQ) to bankfull cross-sectional area (XSA) by entrenchment, with a correlation coefficient of 0.87, however, the overall category correlation coefficients ranged from 0.13 to 0.87, with an average of only 0.42, so this grouping does not show a good fit overall. While it should be used with caution, and similar reaches on the same stream should also be taken into consideration, a regional curve for the Red River of the North Basin based on USGS accounting units provides a valuable tool for estimating stable hydraulic geometry measurements for restoration projects

PTO performance and NOx emissions with D2, B20, and B100 fuels in a John Deere 3203 compact tractor

Tests were conducted in fall 2006 on a John Deere 3203 diesel tractor to determine differences in specific fuel consumption, power take-off (PTO) torque, PTO power, thermal efficiency, and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions between No. 2 diesel (D2), 20% biodiesel (B20), and 100% biodiesel (B100). Four 1-hour tests were conducted on each fuel. The results indicated no statistically significant differences (p≤.05) between D2 or B20 on any variable of interest. However, B100 resulted in significantly (p≤.05) increased, specific fuel consumption and thermal efficiency and decreased PTO torque and PTO power over both D2 and B20. These data suggest that farmers could switch from D2 to B20 without any performance losses, but a switch to B100 would result in the use of more fuel and a loss of power and torque

An Examination of Louisiana\u27s State Governance Structure in Higher Education and Its Impact on Public State-Funded College and University System Board Members\u27 Voting Behavior: A Case Study

This dissertation identifies and analyzes factors of influence shaping the voting behavior of public state-funded university system board members in the State of Louisiana. The study focuses on university board members voting decisions in budget & finance, academic & student affairs and personnel agenda item issues at their respective board meetings. Eleven (11) factors of influence were from drawn from previous literature on legislative voting behavior. In this study, the factors are referred to as Board member colleagues, Board chairperson, Committee member chairpersons, University constituents (i.e. administrators, faculty, staff, students and parents), Fiscal impact to the University, Governor, Legislature, Media & Research (i.e. personal reading through the internet, books, newsletters, etc…), Non-university community (i.e. Community and/or Business & Industry), Re-appointment to the board, and the System President. The method utilized for this case study was in-depth individual interviews, direct observations, along with surveys to identify the most salient factors of influence on the voting behavior of university board members. A purposeful sampling of twenty-eight (28) surveys and sixteen (16) individual interviews with university board members were conducted in the spring and summer of 2014. Twenty-eight questions were designed from the survey to elicit spontaneous responses from university board members. Findings indicated that fiscal impact on the university, the role of the systems president, the board and committee chairperson and university constituents were considered high factors of influence on the voting behavior of public state-funded university board member voting behavior in the state of Louisiana. This study is the first to examine factors influencing the voting behavior of the public state-funded university board members. A surprising finding revealed that institutional culture of the colleges and universities the board members represented played a significant role in university board members voting behavior.By providing an analysis of Louisiana’s governance structure in higher education, this study broadens the understanding on the voting behavior of public state-funded university board members; as well as provides insight on the present-day vital role governing board members play in shaping higher educational policy on the institutional level and the sustainability of the colleges and universities they serve

Making a Decision on Ethical Decision-Making Models

Those in the helping professions, like psychology, counseling, and social work, have numerous ethical guidelines and codes to dictate ethical behavior. These codes, while extensive, do not encompass all situations. When professionals find themselves in an ambiguous situation, it is called an ethical dilemma. Many of the professional organizations that create ethical codes also recommend the use of ethical decision-making models. Ethical decision-making models provide steps, or instructions, on how to make an ethical decision when presented with an ethical dilemma. Little research has been done on ethical decision-making models, so it cannot be concluded that these models actually help make more ethical decisions. The current study compared ethical decision quality among school psychologists and school psychology graduate students who were given a common ethical dilemma to resolve. The experimental group was provided with a high quality and unfamiliar ethical decision-making model, while the control group was not provided this model. Participants provided their decisions, which were compared to a pre-written list of all possible solutions and a rating for how ethical they were. Evidence was found to support the idea that having an ethical decision-making model available results in higher quality ethical decisions. School psychology graduate students and school psychology practitioners were compared to see if one was helped more by having an ethical decision-making model available. Although not statistically significant, analyses suggest that school psychology practitioners may benefit more from having a model available. Furthermore, those who had prior explicit training on using an ethical decision-making model had higher quality ethical decisions. These results speak to the importance of having an ethical decision-making model available when faced with an ethical dilemma, as well as graduate and continuing education providing explicit instruction on ethical decision-making model use

Intensive Cultural Resources Survey of the TNMP Worsham to Wickett Transmission Line Improvements Project

The Texas and New Mexico Power Company (TNMP) is proposing to rebuild a 69 kV transmission line from the Worsham substation to the Wickett substation consisting of approximately 28 miles (mi; 45 kilometers [km]) of line in Ward and Reeves counties, Texas. In advance of the proposed project, TNMP contracted HDR, Inc. (HDR) to conduct a cultural resources survey of the portion of the project that crosses land owned by the University of Texas under the Antiquities Code of Texas (13 Texas Administrative Code [TAC] 26.12) The Area of Potential Effects (APE) included the 100-foot (ft; 30.5 meter [m])) wide transmission line right-of-way (ROW) on University of Texas land and the portions of the ROW within a 600 ft (183 m) buffer on either side of streams that are crossed by the transmission line. The general purpose of the survey was to determine the presence/absence of cultural resources by employing pedestrian survey, shovel testing, and photo-documentation. The cultural resources survey was conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 8087. The field effort was led by Melanie Johnson on July 12– 13, 2017. During the course of the survey, two stream crossings were encountered and surveyed. However, after consultation with the USACE Albuquerque office, these crossings were found not to fall under Section 404 jurisdiction. The pedestrian survey on the 4.3-mi (6.9 km) section of transmission line on University of Texas land resulted in the discovery of seven isolated surface finds consisting of historic metal and glass. Three negative shovel tests were judgmentally placed within the APE on University of Texas land based. The pedestrian survey of two stream resulted in the discovery of eight isolated surface finds including historic metal, glass, brick, and concrete. Twenty-two shovel tests were dug between the two crossings. One of these shovel tests located at the crossing of the Pecos River was positive and revealed historic glass and metal from flood deposits. One historic-age bridge was identified and documented at the Big Valley Canal survey area. Based on materials and wear, the bridge was likely built in the mid-twentieth century, possibly at the time the existing transmission line was installed. It is a singlespan, steel girder bridge with a timber and steel substructure. The resource is recommended not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). A segment of the Big Valley Canal was identified within the APE. A segment of the canal outside of the Study Area was determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) by the Texas Historical Commission (THC) in 2000 and, in consultation with SHPO, the entire linear resource is considered eligible. The canal likely dates to c. 1906, when the Big Valley Irrigation Company was established to construct an irrigation system in the Lower Pecos River Basin. The project as proposed will have no adverse effect on this historic property. In accordance with 13 TAC 26.12, no further archaeological investigations are recommended, and construction may proceed. In the event that any archaeological deposits are encountered during construction, work should cease, and the Texas Historical Commission should be notified. All records and materials generated by this project will be permanently curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas

Intensive Archaeological Survey of the Nacogdoches to Nacogdoches SE 138 kV Transmission Line Improvements Project on Stephen F. Austin State University Land

Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (Oncor) has contracted with HDR, Inc. (HDR) to conduct an intensive archaeological survey in advance of proposed improvements to the existing Nacogdoches to Nacogdoches SE 138 kV transmission line that runs through property owned by Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU) (Figure 1). The proposed improvements would involve replacing 13 existing electric transmission structures with new structures. The replacement structures will be located within the existing Oncor right-of-way (ROW) that is approximately 100 feet (ft; 30.5 meters [m]) wide. Because SFASU is a state university, the proposed developments are required to be in compliance with Chapter 191 of the Texas Natural Resources Code, also known as the Antiquities Code of Texas (13 TAC 26.12). The portion of the transmission line on SFASU property is approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) long and 100 ft (30.5 m) wide. The dimensions of the replacement tower foundations are anticipated to range from approximately 4 to 9 ft (1–2.7 m) in diameter and 20 to 30 ft (6– 9 m) in depth, but foundations could ultimately be deeper or shallower depending on the soil conditions in the area. The total Area of Potential Effects (APE) is 12.12 acres (4.9 hectares). The purpose of the cultural resources investigation is to determine the presence/absence of cultural resources within the APE and to evaluate identified resources for their eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or as a designated State Antiquities Landmark (SAL) under the Antiquities Code of Texas (13 TAC 26.12). The survey was conducted under permit number 8267. The survey was conducted by principal investigator Melanie Johnson and crew chief Amy Leuchtmann on February 12–13, 2018, resulting in a total of 16 person-hours. During the cultural resources survey of the APE, a total of 21 shovel tests were excavated, and the previously recorded site 41NA78 was revisited. No archaeological materials were found during the course of the survey. In accordance with 13 TAC 26.12, no further cultural resources investigations are recommended for the presently-defined APE, and the proposed improvements project on SFASU property may proceed. However, in the event that any archaeological deposits are encountered during construction, work should cease, and the THC should be notified

Improving Management of Mineral Bone Disease in Dialysis Patients with End Stage Renal Disease

Dialysis patients suffer from a far greater mortality rate than the general population, making health promotion and management essential to prevent hospitalizations and complications. Mineral bone disease (MBD) remains a major complication for many of these patients. Maintaining strict dietary goals is necessary in preventing this complication, as well as decreasing morbidity and mortality for those on dialysis. This project aimed to provide education related to mineral bone disease and dietary guidelines that aid in prevention, to increase patient knowledge and allow them to make better dietary choices. All patients were provided with in person education, given a booklet containing the information and dietary choices, and given a pocket guide with better food options and foods to limit. Participants in the study were requested to complete a 6-question questionnaire using a 5-point Likert scale to assess their choices and knowledge regarding foods that aid in prevention of MBD both before and after the education. There was statistically significant increase in the patient reported knowledge of mineral bone disease and a decrease in patient reported attempts to eat healthy using a 2-sample t-test. The staff at the clinics were happy with the education packets and planned to continue using the resources provided