498 research outputs found

    Biodiversity and Fire in Shortgrass Steppe

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    Effects of fire at two levels of intensity on beetle diversity in shortgrass steppe were examined. The experimental design was completely randomized, with 3 treatments and 4 replicates per treatment. Treatments were two levels of fire 1) dormant-season fire (relatively hot), and 2) growing-season fire (relatively cool), and unburned plots. The response variables were arthropod species richness and abundance. The intermediate disturbance hypothesis predicts that maximum species richness occurs at intermediate levels of disturbance. Data obtained in this study support that prediction. Species richness was higher on plots of intermediate fire intensity than the more intensely burned plots, and almost twice as high as unburned plots. Abundance did not significantly differ among treatments

    Environmental Law and American Business: Dilemmas of Compliance, by Joseph F. DiMento

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    An empirical analysis of the petroleum refining industry's participation in the FASB's standard-setting process: Working paper series--99-04

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    Despite the recognized importance of constituent input in the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB's) standard-setting process, corporate participation has been limited. Results from prior research indicate that differences exist between the petroleum industry and other industries for lobbying behavior, accounting choices, and tax rates. This study explores further the participation of Fortune 500 petroleum refining corporations in the FASB's standard-setting process from 1973-1997. Results in this study indicate that while petroleum companies comprise only 6.6 percent of Fortune 500 companies, they submitted approximately 18 percent of all Fortune 500 comment letters on the 173 documents preceding FAS Nos. 1-133, with an average of 18.4 percent of petroleum companies participating per document. The level of petroleum industry participation is affected by the scope of the standard under consideration and the time period the document was issued. Substantive standards generate significantly more letters from petroleum companies than amendments or industry standards. However, industry standards in the period 1973-1977 attracted the highest level of petroleum refining industry participation driven by the oil and gas industry documents issued in that period. All of the individual petroleum refining companies that are listed on the Fortune 500 throughout the 25-year period submitted comment letters, ranging from nine to 94 letters. Compared to individual companies in other industries, petroleum companies participate much more frequently. This provides some evidence of greater benefits of participation by the petroleum refining industry which may be the result of greater government regulation than for other industrie

    The African American Sermon as an Exemplar of Culturally Relevant Adult Education

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    Historically, through different avenues, the Black Church has been culturally responsive to the needs of African American learners. One such avenue has been the African American sermon. The purpose of this study was to conduct a contextual analysis of African American sermons to identify culturally relevant themes and their applicability for use in adult education classrooms

    Prescribed Fire: A Proposed Management Tool to Facilitate Black-Tailed Prairie Dog (\u3cem\u3eCynomys ludovicianus\u3c/em\u3e) Colony Expansion

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    Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) are considered a keystone species in grassland ecosystems. Through their burrowing activities, they conspicuously alter grassland landscapes and provide foraging, shelter and nesting habitat for a diverse array of grassland species, in addition to serving as prey for the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). Due to a combination of factors, the lands currently occupied by prairie dog colonies are thought to represent less than 10% of their historical range. Black-tailed prairie dogs have difficulty colonizing areas with tall and/or dense plant cover. We examine how manipulations of grassland vegetative structure through fire may be used as a potential management tool for prairie dog colony expansion in shortgrass steppe. The occurrence of fire in grassland ecosystems plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of grasslands by influencing the rate of nutrient turnover, regulating plant communities, reducing woody species, suppressing the growth of fire-intolerant plants and discouraging invasion of non-native species. Knowledge of how the use of prescribed fire frequency and seasonality affect prairie dog colonization is vital for developing and implementing science-based land management strategies in shortgrass steppe

    Membership or Motivation: Exploring Reform Jewish Women’s Participation in Religious Education

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    Members of Reform Judaism believe that as Jews they must study Jewish tradition. Reform Jewish Temples, national organizations and community centers have a long track record of offering adult learning opportunities. This study explored what motivates or deters women from participating in Reform Jewish adult education

    Visual cue training to improve walking and turning after stroke:a study protocol for a multi-centre, single blind randomised pilot trial

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    Visual information comprises one of the most salient sources of information used to control walking and the dependence on vision to maintain dynamic stability increases following a stroke. We hypothesize, therefore, that rehabilitation efforts incorporating visual cues may be effective in triggering recovery and adaptability of gait following stroke. This feasibility trial aims to estimate probable recruitment rate, effect size, treatment adherence and response to gait training with visual cues in contrast to conventional overground walking practice following stroke.Methods/design: A 3-arm, parallel group, multi-centre, single blind, randomised control feasibility trial will compare overground visual cue training (O-VCT), treadmill visual cue training (T-VCT), and usual care (UC). Participants (n = 60) will be randomly assigned to one of three treatments by a central randomisation centre using computer generated tables to allocate treatment groups. The research assessor will remain blind to allocation. Treatment, delivered by physiotherapists, will be twice weekly for 8 weeks at participating outpatient hospital sites for the O-VCT or UC and in a University setting for T-VCT participants.Individuals with gait impairment due to stroke, with restricted community ambulation (gait spee
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