Interannual variability in North American grassland biomass/productivity detected by SeaWinds scatterometer backscatter

We analyzed 2000–2004 growing-season SeaWinds Ku-band microwave backscatter and MODIS leaf area index (LAI) data over North America. Large anomalies in mid-growing-season mean backscatter and LAI, relative to 5-year mean values, occurred primarily in the western Great Plains; backscatter and LAI anomalies had similar spatial patterns across this region. Backscatter and LAI time series data for three ∼103 km2 regions in the western Great Plains were strongly correlated (r2 ∼ 0.6–0.8), and variability in mid-growing season values was well-correlated with annual precipitation (October through September). The results indicate that SeaWinds backscatter is sensitive to interannual variability in grassland biomass/productivity, and can provide an assessment that is completely independent of optical/near-infrared remote sensing instruments

Using the space-borne NASA scatterometer (NSCAT) to determine the frozen and thawed seasons

We hypothesize that the strong sensitivity of radar backscatter to surface dielectric properties, and hence to the phase (solid or liquid) of any water near the surface should make space-borne radar observations a powerful tool for large-scale spatial monitoring of the freeze/thaw state of the land surface, and thus ecosystem growing season length. We analyzed the NASA scatterometer (NSCAT) backscatter from September 1996 to June 1997, along with temperature and snow depth observations and ecosystem modeling, for three BOREAS sites in central Canada. Because of its short wavelength (2.14 cm), NSCAT was sensitive to canopy and surface water. NSCAT had 25 km spatial resolution and approximately twice-daily temporal coverage at the BOREAS latitude. At the northern site the NSCAT signal showed strong seasonality, with backscatter around −8 dB in winter and −12 dB in early summer and fall. The NSCAT signal for the southern sites had less seasonality. At all three sites there was a strong decrease in backscatter during spring thaw (4–6 dB). At the southern deciduous site, NSCAT backscatter rose from −11 to −9.2 dB during spring leaf-out. All sites showed 1–2 dB backscatter shifts corresponding to changes in landscape water state coincident with brief midwinter thaws, snowfall, and extreme cold (Tmax\u3c−25°C). Freeze/thaw detection algorithms developed for other radar instruments gave reasonable results for the northern site but were not successful at the two southern sites. We developed a change detection algorithm based on first differences of 5-day smoothed NSCAT backscatter measurements. This algorithm had some success in identifying the arrival of freezing conditions in the autumn and the beginning of thaw in the spring. Changes in surface freeze/thaw state generally coincided with the arrival and departure of the seasonal snow cover and with simulated shifts in the directions of net carbon exchange at each of the study sites

Teacher Candidate Success on State Mandated Professional Tests: One Predictive Measure

This article presents a predictive model using teacher candidates\u27 Grade Point Average (GPA) and its relationship to candidate success on two professional state mandated teaching exams. The 196 subjects for the study were traditional undergraduate teacher education candidates at a major university in Virginia. Specifically, the majority of courses were presented in the face-to-face setting, with a few online courses available. Subject selection was based upon completion of the Virginia Communication Literacy Assessment (VCLA) and the Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA). Data were collected for three consecutive years. Analysis of the relationship between GPA and scores on the VRA and VCLA demonstrated a statistically significant relationship between (a) GPA and mean score on the VRA, and (b) GPA and mean score on the VCLA. These results indicate that better overall performance in the classroom, as measured by grade point average (GPA), produces a higher mean score on both professional assessments

Welfare to Web to Work: Internet Job Searching Among Former Welfare Clients in Florida

This study provides the first empirical test of whether searching for jobs on the Internet can help people gain access to high quality jobs. Using new data from former welfare clients in Florida, we present results from a multivariate regression analysis of Internet job searching on wages and on a number of job benefits. On average, Internet job searchers receive better jobs than people who conducted more traditional job searches, net of numerous control variables. These findings suggest that welfare recipients have a great deal to gain from searching for their jobs on the Internet

From Conflict to Bridges: Towards Constructive use of Conflict Frames in the Control of Bovine Tuberculosis

This is the final version. Available on open access from Wiley via the DOI in this recordControl of bovine tuberculosis in cattle (bTB) in England and Wales is characterised by conversational and policy impasses, particularly in relation to badger culling. We created four online discussion groups comprising of badger cull supporters, cull-opponents, aligned antagonists (mixing supporters and opponents affiliated with farming or an environmental/conservation group) and non-aligned antagonists (mixing supporters and opponents who were not affiliated with a particular group). We held five different discussions with each grouping over the course of a week. We aimed to identify frames held by the opposing groupings within the bTB control controversy, which could either contribute to conflict and impasse, or alternatively could provide a potential conversational bridge between those who differed. Our analysis identified elements of the framings of the bTB control problem, which, particularly in the mixed groupings, lead to deadlock. We also identified some aspects of the framings which allowed those who differed to communicate together more effectively. We argue that these more transformative frames can be used to bridge conflict.Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC

Converting systematic reviews to Cochrane format: a cross-sectional survey of Australian authors of systematic reviews

BACKGROUND: Despite the growing reputation and subject coverage of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, many systematic reviews continue to be published solely in paper-based health care journals. This study was designed to determine why authors choose to publish their systematic reviews outside of the Cochrane Collaboration and if they might be interested in converting their reviews to Cochrane format for publication in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of Australian primary authors of systematic reviews not published on the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews identified from the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness. RESULTS: We identified 88 systematic reviews from the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness with an Australian as the primary author. We surveyed 52 authors for whom valid contact information was available. The response rate was 88 per cent (46/52). Ten authors replied without completing the survey, leaving 36 valid surveys for analysis. The most frequently cited reasons for not undertaking a Cochrane review were: lack of time (78%), the need to undergo specific Cochrane training (46%), unwillingness to update reviews (36%), difficulties with the Cochrane process (26%) and the review topic already registered with the Cochrane Collaboration (21%). (Percentages based on completed responses to individual questions.) Nearly half the respondents would consider converting their review to Cochrane format. Dedicated time emerged as the most important factor in facilitating the potential conversion process. Other factors included navigating the Cochrane system, assistance with updating and financial support. Eighty-six per cent were willing to have their review converted to Cochrane format by another author. CONCLUSION: Time required to complete a Cochrane review and the need for specific training are the primary reasons why some authors publish systematic reviews outside of the Cochrane Collaboration. Encouragingly, almost half of the authors would consider converting their review to Cochrane format. Based on the current number of reviews in the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness, this could result in more than 700 additional Cochrane reviews. Ways of supporting these authors and how to provide dedicated time to convert systematic reviews needs further consideration

Suvien: Impact, Usability and Effectiveness

Suvien is a new tablet-based app that can display personalized multi-media content to facilitate conversation with an individual who has dementia. The Sheridan Centre for Elder Research, in partnership with the Ontario Brain Institute and the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, conducted a small 6-week pilot study to evaluate the impact, usability and effectiveness of the app on the caregiving process. Participants agreed to use the app over the course of their regular caregiving duties for at least a 2-3 times per week. A total of seven family caregivers (5 female, 2 male) and a program worker who used the app with three older adults attending a day program participated in the pilot. Participants completed pre and post measures about their caregiver experience, their use of technology, frequency and quality of interactions and emotional affect. They were provided with a journal to record their observations. At the end of the 6 weeks participants attended a debriefing interview about their experience with the app. Results showed that the app provided an easy-to-use, accessible and enjoyable conversational tool with potential as a mood changer, a distractor, and a prompt for storytelling. Interface issues identified in the trial were conveyed to the Suvien team for consideration before a public launch

USING STRATEGIC MODELS IN ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION INVESTMENT PLANNING

ABSTRAC

Application of Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar to Monitoring Seasonal Ecological and Hydrologic Processes in Boreal Forest

Freezehaw transitions in boreal landscapes drive critical dynamics in ecosystem and hydrologic activity. A capability for accurate, repeated, and reliable monitoring of landscape freezekhaw dynamics would improve our ability to quantify the interannual variability ofboreal hydrology and river runoff/flood dynamics and to assess the period of photosynthetic activity in boreal and arctic ecosystems, thus improving estimates of annual carbon budgets and of the interannual variability of regional carbon fluxes. Results from BOREAS experiments have indicated that the boreal forest has a net annual carbon flux near zero. A first step in assessing and monitoring year-to-year changes in the boreal carbon flux is to determine the annual variation in growing season length. Weapply imagery from the ERS spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radars (SARs) to estimate landscape freezekhaw dynamics over selected areas of the BOREAS region of Canada. A temporal series of freeze/thaw maps are derived that provide fractional estimates of frozen and thawed landscape. The inferred landscape freezehhaw state is validated against temperature measurements obtained from a distributed temperature monitoring network and from meteorological observations. We examine the relationships of radar-estimated thaw patterns with topography and landcover. SAR-derived timing ofspring thaw is comparred with initiation of streamflow. Ecological process models are used to estimate Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) and Net Primary Productivity (NPP) on the landscape scale. Model results are comparred with timing and spatial distribution of freeze and thaw events. As the timing of spring thaw is a major factor influencing the net annual cabon flux, we seek to incorportate the radar-based measure of landscape freezeithaw dynamics as direct input to ecological process models to provide a capability for improved ecosystem carbon flux estimates at regional scales using spaceborne rad