Root Growth Potential and Field Survival of Container Loblolly Pine Seedlings Fall Fertilized with Nitrogen

Two studies investigated the effects of fall nitrogen fertilizer applications on the root growth potential (RGP) and field performance of container loblolly pine seedlings (Pinus taeda L.). The seedlings were sampled at 4 chilling levels ranging from 100 to 550 hours (0 to 8\u27 C). Seedlings propagated for the first study may have had a hidden nutrient deficiency and therefore the fall diammonium phosphate (DAP) application at rates of 202 kg N/ha and 67 kg N/ha increased RGP 43% and 32%, respectively. The growing season mineral fertilizer application rate was increased in the second study which may explain why nitrogen applications at 202 kg N fall/ha did not increase RGP. In general, RGP increased as exposure to chilling hours increased. Fall fertilization increased total seedling weight. Analysis of covariance indicated that RGP may be a function of total seedling weight and not a direct response to fertilizer treatment or chilling level. For the first study, survival was not significantly affected by the fall DAP treatments

The Cost of Antitrust Law to Malaysia's Financial Services Sector

Judging by only economic incentives, Malaysian financial institutions (particularly banks) should completely ignore the Competition Act. The data show that Malaysian banks probably benefit from anti-competitive behaviour. Political and family connections likely facilitate such behaviour. Given that the Malaysian Competition Commission will likely lack the resources to investigate and sanction anti-competitive behaviour in Malaysia’s banking industry – the banks’ best response to the Act probably consists of ignoring it. Maximum fines of 10 million ringgit and revenue-tied penalties of only 10% of worldwide revenue mean that banks still have strong incentives to engage in anti-competitive behaviour and to pay any low fine that might be levied. The best compliance programme for banks in Malaysia likely consists of actions that avoid detection rather than detecting and preventing anti-competitive behaviour. Private rights of action are unlikely to provide any stronger economic incentives for Malaysian banks to adopt strong antitrust compliance programmes and internal audit programmes. By staying the course, Malaysian banks can continue to earn about 15 billion ringgits (approximately US $4.6 billion in anti-competitive rents).preprin

Effects of Fall Fertilizer Applications of Mitotic Index and Bud Dormancy of Loblolly Pine Seedlings

A series of studies examined the effects of fall fertilization with diammoniwn phosphate (DAP) on mitotic index and bud donnancy [as measured by mean days to budbreak (DBB)] of two half-sib seed sources of loblolly pine. The first study tested different rates of DAP (0, 67, and 202 kg Nlha), the second study compared DAP with ammoniwnnitrate, and the third study examined the effect of different application dates (September 28, October 19, and November 9). An increase in mitotic index of unfertilized seedlings was observed during October and was due to developmental activity which follows initial budset. Differences in mitotic index were observed between families in all three studies.Overall, the Georgia family has a higher mitotic index, but in one study, the Virginia family had higher values in the spring. Both families tended to reach a minimum level of mitotic index at the same time (mid- to late December). However, the Virginia family reached maximum rest (as measured by days to bud break) about 1 to 2 weeks prior to the Georgia family. Fertilization with DAP in the fall (after bud set in September) did not delay the progression of the bud dormancy cycle as measured by days to bud break in a greenhouse. The overall effect of fall fertilization on increasing the mitotic index was temporary and only lasted for about three weeks after fertilization. These findings indicated that a direct relationship may not exist between the bud dormancy cycle and mitotic index

Examining Variability in the Mechanical Properties of Parts Manufactured via PolyJet Direct 3D Printing

In Objet’s PolyJet process, part layers are created by selectively inkjetting photopolymers onto a build substrate and then cured with ultraviolet lamps. With an eye towards using PolyJet as a manufacturing process to fabricate end-use products, the authors examine the sensitivity of part material properties to variation in process parameters. Specifically, a design of experiments is conducted using a full-factorial design to analyze the effects of three parameters on the specimens’ tensile strength and tensile modulus: the in-build plane part orientation (X-Y), the out-of-build plane part orientation (Z), and the distance between specimens. Results show that part spacing has the largest effect on the tensile strength, but the three parameters produced no statistically significant effects on the tensile modulus. Orienting specimens in XZ orientation with minimal part spacing resulted in the highest tensile strength and modulus. Whereas, orienting specimens in the YZ orientation at the farthest part spacing led to the lowest mechanical properties.Mechanical Engineerin

Student Equity: Discouraging Cheating in Online Courses

As online programs at conventional universities continue to expand, administrators and faculty face new challenges. Academic dishonesty is nothing new, but an online testing environment requires different strategies and tactics from what we have had to consider in the past. Our university has recently adapted successful face-toface programs in financial management, both graduate and undergraduate, for delivery in a fully-online format. This paper discusses our experiences moving to a new environment, the challenges of student attempts to cheat and plagiarize, and techniques that we have found to prevent both cheating on high-stakes assessments and plagiarism.We present a number of essential ideas for creating an awareness of an honesty culture among both students and faculty, and we stress that the most important aspect of any campaign against academic dishonesty is prevention

How Do Communities Use a Participatory Public Health Approach to Build Resilience? The Los Angeles County Community Disaster Resilience Project.

Community resilience is a key concept in the National Health Security Strategy that emphasizes development of multi-sector partnerships and equity through community engagement. Here, we describe the advancement of CR principles through community participatory methods in the Los Angeles County Community Disaster Resilience (LACCDR) initiative. LACCDR, an initiative led by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health with academic partners, randomized 16 community coalitions to implement either an Enhanced Standard Preparedness or Community Resilience approach over 24 months. Facilitated by a public health nurse or community educator, coalitions comprised government agencies, community-focused organizations and community members. We used thematic analysis of data from focus groups (n = 5) and interviews (n = 6 coalition members; n = 16 facilitators) to compare coalitions' strategies for operationalizing community resilience levers of change (engagement, partnership, self-sufficiency, education). We find that strategies that included bidirectional learning helped coalitions understand and adopt resilience principles. Strategies that operationalized community resilience levers in mutually reinforcing ways (e.g., disseminating information while strengthening partnerships) also secured commitment to resilience principles. We review additional challenges and successes in achieving cross-sector collaboration and engaging at-risk groups in the resilience versus preparedness coalitions. The LACCDR example can inform strategies for uptake and implementation of community resilience and uptake of the resilience concept and methods