Using GIS and landowner survey to determine if the Forest Stewardship Program is effective at generating involvement in forest health issues in West Virginia

A risk rating map created from 22 shapefiles of pest and disease activity data was used to produce maps of individual properties distributed to half of survey subjects along with a postcard questionnaire. In total, 933 landowners were surveyed; 21% responded. The affects of three factors---the Forest Stewardship Program (FSP), region, and a map---on landowner interest were investigated using ANOVA and logistic regression. The affects of covariables risk rating and acreage were evaluated using ANCOVA. Logistic regression identified preferred delivery methods and pests and diseases relevant to landowners. FSP participation significantly affected interest level, the selection of gypsy moth, and requests for information. Region significantly affected risk rating and the selection of Beech Bark Disease. Map reception did not significantly affect any dependent variable. Acreage and risk rating were insignificant covariables. Sudden Oak Death and information sheets were the most often chosen pests and delivery methods

Ecological factors influencing incidence and severity of beech bark disease

American beech have long been observed to escape both signs and symptoms of beech bark disease (BBD). Some may be resistant to Cryptococcus fagisuga (beech scale), a primary component of the BBD complex; research indicates about 1-2% of American beech inherit resistance to beech scale. At the landscape level a variety of environmental factors may induce ecological resistance, a transient condition allowing potentially susceptible individuals to remain disease-free. This project investigated factors that may contribute to ecological resistance, focusing on biotic and abiotic stand characteristics and their relation to BBD incidence and severity. Plots were established at fifteen sites in the Appalachian region; overall, 3,142 beech were evaluated for disease incidence and severity on 102 plots. Over 100 parameters were generated from sampling and compared with Cryptococcus infestation or Neonectria infection. Correlation was used to characterize relationships between recorded parameters and scale infestation or Neonectria infection. Principal Component Analysis identified four important Principal Components (latent variables) composed of recorded parameters. Principal Component 1 (PC1) explained 9.39% of variation in the data; PC2 explained 6.40% of variation; PC3 explained 5.51% of variation; PC4 explained 4.58% of variation. Stepwise multiple regression analyses used Cryptococcus infestation, Neonectria infection, and Principal Components (latent variables) as predictors for the responses Cryptococcus infestation or Neonectria infection. Principal Component 1 (p = 0.0014) and PC4 (p = 0.0015) were significant for Cryptococcus infestation. The interactions of Cryptococcus infestation, PC1, and PC4 (p = 0.0147) and Cryptococcus infestation, PC1, PC3, and PC4 (p = 0.006) were significant for Neonectria infection. Spatial analyses indicate there is spatial dependence for infestation at Blackwater Falls, WV (variability explained = 79.2%) and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN (variability explained = 52.9%); and for infection at Allegheny National Forest, PA (variability explained = 68.6%) and Cranberry Wilderness, WV (variability explained = 60.9%). This spatial dependence can partially be explained by inherited resistance and parameters composing significant latent variables. Finally, unusual blocky cankers regularly observed on beech but lacking viable Neonectria perithecia were sampled. Fusarium spp. were isolated from 85% of blocky cankers sampled; Fusarium colonies easily outcompeted and grew over Neonectria colonies when paired in culture and were statistically larger (p \u3c 0.005). Overall, this investigation supports observations that some beech trees remain disease-free by some mechanism other than inherited resistance, and numerous factors were identified that potentially influence dispersal and survival of BBD causal agents

Reclaiming social work? an evaluation of systemic units as an approach to delivering children’s services

This report presents the findings of an evaluation of the systemic unit model as an approach to the delivery of Children‘s Social Services. The systemic unit model has sometimes been referred to as the ―Hackney Model‖ or ―Reclaiming Social Work‖ (Cross et al, 2010; Munro, 2011a; Trowler and Goodman, 2012). The evaluation is an in-depth comparative description of practice and the factors shaping it in three local authorities. One of the authorities used the systemic unit model; the other two authorities differed but both had a more conventional model for the structure of services. This involved individual allocation to social workers who received supervision from a line manager

Bed roughness feedback in TELEMAC-2D and SISYPHE

Water Qualit

Spectral and Polarization Sensitivity of the Dipteran Visual System

Spectral and polarization sensitivity measurements were made at several levels (retina, first and third optic ganglion, cervical connective, behavior) of the dipteran visual nervous system. At all levels, it was possible to reveal contributions from the retinular cell subsystem cells 1 to 6 or the retinular cell subsystem cells 7 and 8 or both. Only retinular cells 1 to 6 were directly studied, and all possessed the same spectral sensitivity characterized by two approximately equal sensitivity peaks at 350 and 480 nm. All units of both the sustaining and on-off variety in the first optic ganglion exhibited the same spectral sensitivity as that of retinular cells 1 to 6. It was possible to demonstrate for motion detection and optomotor responses two different spectral sensitivities depending upon the spatial wavelength of the stimulus. For long spatial wavelengths, the spectral sensitivity agreed with retinular cells 1 to 6; however, the spectral sensitivity at short spatial wavelengths was characterized by a single peak at 465 nm reflecting contributions from the (7, 8) subsystem. Although the two subsystems exhibited different spectral sensitivities, the difference was small and no indication of color discrimination mechanisms was observed. Although all retinular cells 1 to 6 exhibited a preferred polarization plane, sustaining and on-off units did not. Likewise, motion detection and optomotor responses were insensitive to the polarization plane for long spatial wavelength stimuli; however, sensitivity to select polarization planes was observed for short spatial wavelengths

Remineralization Of Enamel Lesions Proximal To Dentin Cavitated Lesions Restored With Resin Modified Glass Ionomer In The Primary Dentition

Poster presentation of research proposal addressing: the evaluation of dental hard tissue remineralization proximal to glass ionomer restorations. It is hypothesized that glass ionomer used in class II restorations will provide significantly more bioavailable fluoride and hard tissue remineralization on the proximal surface of adjacent teeth as compared to the same restoration completed using resin composite materials.https://dune.une.edu/cdm_studpost/1001/thumbnail.jp

A randomized controlled trial of training in Motivational Interviewing for child protection.

There has been interest in developing more evidence-based approaches to child and family social work in the UK in recent years. This study examines the impact of a skills development package of training and supervision in Motivational Interviewing (MI) on the skills of social workers and the engagement of parents through a randomized controlled trial. All workers in one local authority were randomly assigned to receive the package (n = 28) or control (n = 33). Families were then randomized to trained (n = 67) or untrained (n = 98) workers. Family meetings with the worker shortly after allocation were evaluated for MI skill. Research interviews gathered data including the WAI. Follow-up interviews 20 weeks later repeated the WAI, and other outcome measures including Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) and rating of family life. Between group analysis found statistically significant difference in MI skills, though these were not substantial (2.49 in control, 2.91 MI trained, p = .049). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in any other outcome measures. The package of training and supervision did not create sufficient increase in MI skills to influence engagement or outcomes. Implications for understanding the relationship between skills, engagement and organizational change are discussed