The Influence of edaphic factors on the level of some physiological parameters for Lycium shawii in Taba Protected Area, Egypt

Abstract: The aim of this article is assess the influence of environmental factors (especially edaphic

Agricultural producer perceptions of climate change and climate education needs for the Central Great Plains

Citation: Hibbs, Amber Campbell, Daniel Kahl, Lisa PytlikZillig, Ben Champion, Tarik Abdel-Monem, Timothy Steffensmeier, Charles W. Rice, and Kenneth Hubbard. “Agricultural Producer Perceptions of Climate Change and Climate Education Needs for the Central Great Plains.” Journal of Extension 52, no. 3 (June 2014). https://www.joe.org/joe/2014june/a2.php.The Central Great Plains Climate Education Partnership conducted focus groups throughout Kansas to gain a better understanding of farmer perceptions and attitudes towards climate change education. Results indicate concern about climatic changes, even if producers are unsure that "human caused climate change" is occurring. Participants indicated they would like access to information through Web-based programs that allow them to manipulate variables relevant to their area and situation. Participants prefer locally relevant information and identified Extension agents as trusted educators. The study provided an expanded understanding of agricultural producer perceptions that will be valuable to individuals or organizations providing climate education

Optimal multiple-steps single-tuned harmonic filters under time-varying conditions

Nowadays, considering the time-varying nature of harmonic sources is a significant trend in the power quality studies. In this research, the optimum sizing of multiple-steps passive LC compensator for maximum power factor and minimum transmission loss for non-linear loads under time varying conditions of background harmonic voltages, system impedance, and load impedance, is determined. The source harmonic voltages are varying in time independently of each other. The equivalent system impedance is given by varying the Thevenin impedance over a finite period. The functioning of the concerned LC filter is explained through a representative case study. Simulation results illustrate the viability of the suggested approach

A PILOT STUDY TO MEASURE FORCE DEVELOPMENT DURING A SIMULATED MALTESE CROSS FOR GYMNASTICS STILL RINGS

The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement procedure for the Maltese cross performed on still rings. Sixteen elite/international gymnasts participated. Two small force platforms (FPs) interfaced to a portable data logger (100 Hz sampling rate) were placed under the gymnasts’ hands in a simulated Maltese position (i.e., prone). Gymnasts attempted to rise a few centimeters to a Maltese position while vertical ground reaction forces were recorded bilaterally. Results indicated that the FPs had sufficient fidelity to differentiate gymnasts’ abilities to perform a Maltese. This method may serve to gauge the preparedness of male gymnasts performing this important skill

Equality of Participation Online Versus Face to Face: Condensed Analysis of the Community Forum Deliberative Methods Demonstration

Online deliberation may provide a more cost-effective and/or less inhibiting environment for public participation than face to face (F2F). But do online methods bias participation toward certain individuals or groups? We compare F2F versus online participation in an experiment affording within-participants and cross-modal comparisons. For English speakers required to have Internet access as a condition of participation, we find no negative effects of online modes on equality of participation (EoP) related to gender, age, or educational level. Asynchronous online discussion appears to improve EoP for gender relative to F2F. Data suggest a dampening effect of online environments on black participants, as well as amplification for whites. Synchronous online voice communication EoP is on par with F2F across individuals. But individual-level EoP is much lower in the online forum, and greater online forum participation predicts greater F2F participation for individuals. Measured rates of participation are compared to self-reported experiences, and other findings are discussed.Comment: 14 pages, 10 tables, to appear in Efthimios Tambouris, Panos Panagiotopoulos, {\O}ystein S{\ae}b{\o}, Konstantinos Tarabanis, Michela Milano, Theresa Pardo, and Maria Wimmer (Editors), Electronic Participation: Proceedings of the 7th IFIP WG 8.5 International Conference, ePart 2015 (Thessaloniki, August 30-September 2), Springer LNCS Vol. 9249, 201

A Pilot Study to Measure Force Development during a Simulated Maltese Cross for Gymnastics Still Rings

The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement procedure for the Maltese cross performed on still rings. Sixteen elite/international gymnasts participated. Two small force platforms (FPs) interfaced to a portable data logger (100 Hz sampling rate) were placed under the gymnasts’ hands in a simulated Maltese position (i.e., prone). Gymnasts attempted to rise a few centimeters to a Maltese position while vertical ground reaction forces were recorded bilaterally. Results indicated that the FPs had sufficient fidelity to differentiate gymnasts’ abilities to perform a Maltese. This method may serve to gauge the preparedness of male gymnasts performing this important skill

Prediction and Verification of the Conditions Governing the Synthesis of Tailored Zeolite a for Heavy Metals Removal

Numerous experimental trials, exhaustive analytical and testing procedures are usually undertaken, to reach the appropriate conditions for synthesis of “Zeolite A”. However, it is possible to come-up with a semi quantitative approach, through modeling and optimization techniques, to define the approximate range of initial conditions governing the preparation of a tailored zeolite with specific characteristics including silica to alumina ratio, particle size, and cation exchange capacity to be used for the removal of heavy metals. This paper is an attempt to adopt an engineering approach essentially comprising the formulation of a mathematical model relating the characteristics of zeolite A to the synthesis conditions based on numerous experimental published results, optimization to define the synthesis conditions required to produce specific zeolite A , verification of this proposed approach with experimental results for preparation of tailored zeolite A conducted at our laboratories and the assessment of its efficiency for separation of chromium (III). The composition of the synthesized zeolite A has been as anticipated and the removal of chromium (III) has been in agreement with the developed model. These results indicate that is possible to adopt this approach in a generic manner to select the optimum synthesis conditions for the preparation of zeolites having specific performance characteristics

Effects of feeding rate on growth and feed efficiency of Sobaity seabream (Sparidentex hasta) fry in nursery phase

A 30-day research was conducted to evaluate the effects of different feeding rate (formulated diet) (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% of wet body weight/day) and also fresh food (20% of wet body weight/day) on growth performance and feed utilization of Sparidentex hasta fry in nursery phase. Growth performance including final weight and specific growth rate (SGR) significantly increased with increasing feeding rate (p<0.05). The relationship between SGR (% per day) and ration level (% per day) was an asymptotic curve described as SGR = 0.2809X+1.4191. Feed efficiency ratio (FER) decreased significantly with increasing ration levels, and the relationship between FER and ration level (% per day) described as FER =-0.0586X+1.3184. Hepatosomatic index significantly increased with increasing feeding rate (p<0.05). Based on the above results, it may be concluded that a ration size of 8% of body weight per day is optimal for good growth and feed conversion efficiency of juvenile S. hasta in nursery phase

Feasibility on cage culture of the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)

The present study was carried out to evaluate the possibility of rearing the orange-spotted grouper (E. coioides) juvenile to marketable size in buoyant cages in Khuzestan province coast waters. Juvenile fishes for the study prepared from Bandar-e-Imam Marine Fish Station and reared them in 5-ton fiber glass tank for one year period using common pellet feed and trash fish to reach 50 g mean weight. Young fishes were stocked in 6 rectangular cages (3×3×3 m) to assess their growth performance with two test feeds i.e. pellet feed and trash fish (3 cages for each treatment) with the density of 30 fish /m^3 (810 fish/cage) for 143 days rearing period (started on July). Better growth with significant difference (p0.05). Results also showed that the FCR for the trash fish was acceptable, and hence it is recommended to consider the trash fish price and its labour cost befor using it as the main diet in cage culture activity