Getting the Joke: Humor Effects on Information Sharing of Political News

This paper examines the role of humor in information sharing of political issues using social media. In an experiment with 164 participants from the University of Memphis, the effects of sharing and information seeking were tested using Stephan Colbert’s comedy, and the same story told as straight news. This research found people are more likely to pass along information using social media if the issue is told in a humorous way. Conversely, Colbert’s persona seems to effect information seeking rather than primarily interest

Hybrid LTA vehicle controllability as affected by buoyancy ratio

The zero and low speed controllability of heavy lift airships under various wind conditions as affected by the buoyancy ratio are investigated. A series of three hybrid LTA vehicls were examined, each having a dynamic thrust system comprised of four H-34 helicopters, but with buoyant envelopes of different volumes (and hence buoyancies), and with varying percentage of helium inflation and varying useful loads (hence gross weights). Buoyancy ratio, B, was thus examined varying from approximately 0.44 to 1.39. For values of B greater than 1.0, the dynamic thrusters must supply negative thrust (i.e. downward)

Fine-mapping of a QTL influencing pork tenderness on porcine chromosome 2

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In a previous study, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) exhibiting large effects on both Instron shear force and taste panel tenderness was detected within the Illinois Meat Quality Pedigree (IMQP). This QTL mapped to the q arm of porcine chromosome 2 (SSC2q). Comparative analysis of SSC2q indicates that it is orthologous to a segment of human chromosome 5 (HSA5) containing a strong positional candidate gene, calpastatin (<it>CAST</it>). <it>CAST </it>polymorphisms have recently been shown to be associated with meat quality characteristics; however, the possible involvement of other genes and/or molecular variation in this region cannot be excluded, thus requiring fine-mapping of the QTL.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Recent advances in porcine genome resources, including high-resolution radiation hybrid and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) physical maps, were utilized for development of novel informative markers. Marker density in the ~30-Mb region surrounding the most likely QTL position was increased by addition of eighteen new microsatellite markers, including nine publicly-available and nine novel markers. Two newly-developed markers were derived from a porcine BAC clone containing the <it>CAST </it>gene. Refinement of the QTL position was achieved through linkage and haplotype analyses. Within-family linkage analyses revealed at least two families segregating for a highly-significant QTL in strong positional agreement with <it>CAST </it>markers. A combined analysis of these two families yielded QTL intervals of 36 cM and 7 cM for Instron shear force and taste panel tenderness, respectively, while haplotype analyses suggested further refinement to a 1.8 cM interval containing <it>CAST </it>markers. The presence of additional tenderness QTL on SSC2q was also suggested.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results reinforce <it>CAST </it>as a strong positional candidate. Further analysis of <it>CAST </it>molecular variation within the IMQP F₁boars should enhance understanding of the molecular basis of pork tenderness, and thus allow for genetic improvement of pork products. Furthermore, additional resources have been generated for the targeted investigation of other putative QTL on SSC2q, which may lead to further advancements in pork quality.</p

Killing vectors in asymptotically flat space-times: I. Asymptotically translational Killing vectors and the rigid positive energy theorem

We study Killing vector fields in asymptotically flat space-times. We prove the following result, implicitly assumed in the uniqueness theory of stationary black holes. If the conditions of the rigidity part of the positive energy theorem are met, then in such space-times there are no asymptotically null Killing vector fields except if the initial data set can be embedded in Minkowski space-time. We also give a proof of the non-existence of non-singular (in an appropriate sense) asymptotically flat space-times which satisfy an energy condition and which have a null ADM four-momentum, under conditions weaker than previously considered.Comment: 30 page

Wood ash from bioenergy systems as a soil amendment for crop production

Paper presented at the 11th North American Agroforesty Conference, which was held May 31-June 3, 2009 in Columbia, Missouri.In Gold, M.A. and M.M. Hall, eds. Agroforestry Comes of Age: Putting Science into Practice. Proceedings, 11th North American Agroforestry Conference, Columbia, Mo., May 31-June 3, 2009.Wood is a renewable energy source that can be practical for many applications. Wood ash produced as a byproduct of commercial, industrial, and institutional bioenergy operations can be an economical, effective, and environmentally friendly soil amendment for crop production. Wood ash provides liming benefits along with potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and micronutrients. Research in Wisconsin has demonstrated that wood ash benefits a variety of agronomic crops and can be practical for farmers to use. We conducted greenhouse and field studies to evaluate the effects of landspreading industrial wood ash on the yield and elemental composition of forage crops and on soil nutrient levels. Biomass yields generally increased with ash application up to 20 tons/acre and decreased at applications exceeding this level (Meyers and Kopecky, 1998). Wood ash application usually produced yields greater than those obtained with the limed and fertilized control treatment. No undesirable elements accumulated in forage tissue at ash application rates up to 20 tons/acre. Clean wood ash (produced from only wood and bark without synthetic substances in the fuel stream) is permitted for organic crop production systems in the United States. It is especially valuable in areas with acidic soils, and can be landspread with equipment that is commonly used in cropping systems. Wood ash is already being used as a soil amendment in some areas of North America, but in other cases it is disposed of in landfills. Using wood ash for crop production can save money for farmers and bioenergy users and is a more sustainable stewardship practice.Mark J. Kopecky (1) and N. Larry Meyers (2) ; 1. Department of Agriculture and Agribusiness, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Price County UW-Extension, 104 South Eyder Avenue, Phillips WI (USA) 54555. 2. Professor Emeritus, Department of Plant and Earth Science, University of Wisconsin-River Falls, River Falls WI (USA) 54022.Includes bibliographical references

The antistreptolysin titre diagnostic index (Aso titre) hepatitis

series of patients suffering from hepatitis and jaundice were studied in order to  ascertain whether the ASO titre would assist in early diagnosis of these diseases, and whether it would help in the differentiation of the various types of hepatitis

HABITATTITUDE™: GETTING A BACKBONE ABOUT THE PET RELEASE PATHWAY

Many people would not consider their family complete without a pet. Unfortunately, for some pet owners, circumstances arise that prevent them from being able to properly care for their companions and pet abandonment has become one of the most common pathways of vertebrate species introduction. It is also one of the most challenging pathways to address once the animals become established, eradication and control programs face significant public scrutiny and are often challenged by “animal rights” groups. Prevention measures are thus the key to minimizing the size and impacts of the “pet release pathway.” Habitattitude™ is a proactive campaign designed and implemented by the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council and partners to prevent the introduction of unwanted pets into natural systems. The campaign has three components: (1) educating consumers to make wise pet choices, (2) providing resources to enable high standards in animal care and maintenance, and (3) encouraging pet owners to choose among several alternatives to the release of their pets if problems do arise. Habitattitude™ messages are being promoted in pet stores, product advertisements, industry trade shows, and industry-relevant magazines

Random Networks with Tunable Degree Distribution and Clustering

We present an algorithm for generating random networks with arbitrary degree distribution and Clustering (frequency of triadic closure). We use this algorithm to generate networks with exponential, power law, and poisson degree distributions with variable levels of clustering. Such networks may be used as models of social networks and as a testable null hypothesis about network structure. Finally, we explore the effects of clustering on the point of the phase transition where a giant component forms in a random network, and on the size of the giant component. Some analysis of these effects is presented.Comment: 9 pages, 13 figures corrected typos, added two references, reorganized reference