Development of a Cyberinfrastructure for Assessment of the Lower Rio Grande Valley North and Central Watersheds Characteristics

Due to an increase in urbanization in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), there have been substantial modifications to hydrology causing a decline in water quality to the Laguna Madre watershed. The major concern is the inflow of freshwater from the North and Central waterways released to the Lower Laguna Madre which is designated as an impaired watershed for high concentrations of bacteria and low dissolved oxygen. The objective of this study is to perform a watershed characterization to determine potential pollution sources of each watershed by developing a cyberinfrastructure and collect a wide inventory of data. The objective will be achieved through the development of a Geographic Information System (GIS) database that will help to comprehend the major characteristics of each area contributing to the watershed supported by the analysis of the data collected. The watershed delineation is crucial for this study since it will determine the boundaries for each watershed promoting the identification of contributing potential sources of contaminants. Hidalgo Willacy Main Drain (HWMD) and IBWC North Floodway watersheds were found to have higher contribution of water impairments for their significant levels of water quality parameters along with non-point and point sources. Therefore, this study has facilitated the characterization of watersheds to better address water impairments

Yield, quality, alternate bearing and long-term yield index in pecan, as a response to mineral and organic nutrition

The pecan nut is produced in 57 countries in the world. Alternate bearing is one of the main biological problems that affect pecan cultivation. Mineral and organic fertilization is a good strategy to maintain and increase pecan nut production. In this study, several mineral and organic doses of fertilization were tested using a factorial arrangement 56 bounded to 25 treatments was used in structure Taguchi L25: nitrogen (N) 0 - 240 kg ha-1, phosphate (P2O5) 0 - 120 kg ha-1, potassium (K2O) 0 - 100 kg ha-1, calcium (CaO) 0 - 400 kg ha-1, liquid humus 0 - 3600 L ha-1 and solid humus 0 - 8000 kg ha-1. The study was carried out in Aldama city, Chihuahua (Mexico). An average yield of 2.4 t ha-1 was obtained, 157 nuts per kilogram and 58.9% of edible nut. The average alternate bearing intensity was 31.58%, and the long-term yield index (IRLP) was 9.59%. It is concluded that the factors whit the greatest impact on the analyzed variables were N and P2O5. In addition, it was found these mineral and organic fertilization systems help to reduce alternate bearing in pecan and simultaneously improve production and long-term productivity index. Optimal fertilization doses were defined: 181.4 kg ha-1 of N, 93.5 kg ha-1 of P2O5 and 3287.2 L ha-1 of liquid humus. Finally, the mineral fertilization complemented with organic fertilization is considered a good fertilization strategy for pecan trees, to increase production and with lower environmental impact

2012 Manufacturers Safety Management System Pilot Project Report Design and Manufacturing Organizations

In October, 2009, the Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) chartered a team to conduct the Manufacturers\u27 Safety Management Systems (MSMS) pilot project. The pilot project began in January, 2011, and encourages voluntary implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS) among aviation Design and Manufacturing (D&M) organizations in order to allow the FAA to assess how to provide oversight of these systems. Eleven companies representing the breadth of organizations that AIR oversees participated. The MSMS pilot project culminated in December, 2012. Information, results, and lessons learned from the pilot project were captured via the MSMS Teams\u27 final deliverable to AIR-150. The report was prepared by a number of members, including Alan J. Stolzer of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Intentos de flexibilización y nueva tipificación en el derecho societario español como medidas de adaptación a las nuevas tendencias del ámbito europeo

Teniendo en cuenta el panorama actual de un mundo globalizado en el que se ha dado la creación de figuras de integración interestatal como la Unión Europea, los países miembros se han visto en la necesidad de adaptar sus ordenamientos, en especial el derecho de sociedades, para permitir una integración de la empresa a nivel internacional. De esta manera los países han realizado diversos intentos de modernización, modificación y en especial flexibilización de su normativa societaria, la cual se ha logrado por medio de la desregulación o por la tipificación de nuevas figuras societarias, este ultimo como en el caso de países como Francia, Inglaterra e Italia. En este trabajo se estudiaran las características de la Sociedad por Acciones Simplificadas francesa, como un buen intento de flexibilización del derecho y analizar la viabilidad de la inclusión de una figura con características similares en el ordenamiento Jurídico español

Need for Cognition and Message Complexity in Motivating Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among Callers to the Cancer Information Service

This field experiment examined the impact of an individual\u27s need for cognition (NFC; the tendency to enjoy thinking deeply about issues), complex versus simple messages, and the interaction of NFC and message type on encouraging fruit and vegetable consumption. Callers to the Cancer Information Service of the National Cancer Institute (N = 517) were asked to participate in the experiment at the end of their call. Individual NFC was assessed, and participants were assigned randomly to receive a telephone message promoting fruit and vegetable consumption that was either complex and multifaceted or simple and straightforward. Similarly constructed brochures were mailed immediately following the call, and additional brochures were mailed 2 and 3 months later. Although NFC did not predict intake, complex messages were more effective than simple messages in motivating fruit and vegetable consumption 1 and 4 months later

NW RSDP Most Significant Change

During the 2014 Spring Semester, the Northwest Region of Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (NW RSDP) piloted an evaluation methodology called Most Significant Change (MSC). This report highlights the process, the results, learning, and recommendations for further implementation in other regions