Soil Responses to Various Farming Systems in Western Kentucky

The interactions among the farming systems and the soil, water, biota, and atmosphere control the effects of cultivation on soil properties. Land conversion from forest or pasture ecosystems into crop fields altered soil properties due to the loss of soil organic matter (SOM) and the increase of soil compaction. However in Kentucky, the magnitude of the changes varied among the soil properties. Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate the changes of selected soil properties include SOM, soil pH, and compaction under different crop fields such as corn-soybean-tobacco rotation (Field #1), continuous corn field (Field #2), hemp field (Field #3), wheat field (Field #4), pasture with animal grazing (Field #5), and canola field (Field #6). The prominent soil textures in all fields are silt loam and silty clay loam. Disturbed soil samples were taken from the depth of 0-7 cm and 7-23 cm to measure SOM and soil pH. There were three replications from each field. The results indicated that the canola field, which has been under no-till for over fifteen years, had the highest SOM at an average of 4.2% in 0-7 cm. At similar depth, continuous cornfield had the second lowest amounts of SOM which was 2.8%. The canola field and the continuous corn field had soil pH of 6.7 and 5.37, respectively indicating the highest and the lowest level of acidity. The average of soil compaction from all fields were 159 psi in 0-7 cm depth, and 427 psi in 7-23 cm. depth The highest compaction was found in the field under animal grazing at 561 psi the lowest was under tobacco at 243.5 psi. The results provide a solid background regarding to the relationship between farming systems and soil’s responses which determine how agricultural production affects the quality of soils

Experimenting on difference: women, violence, and narrative in Zola's naturalism

This dissertation examines the role of women in four of Émile Zola's novels, in particular their privileged position as the conduits through which he exerted his "experimental" literary method. Zola has long been recognized as subjecting his female characters to extreme violence, but scholars have not yet thoroughly explored how the ways in which he represents this violence provide insight into the nature of his narrative practice. For Zola, literary fiction offers access to a scientific truth, and the female body and its capacity for procreation is the source material for his investigation. By subjecting his female characters to analysis and ultimately dissection, Zola violently exploits the creative potential of their bodies and builds a literary empire upon them. In La Curée, Zola presents one of his first experimental heroines, a bored and pampered wife whose identity is constructed through reflections and refractions via a series of mirrors, both visually and narratively. This multiplicity of interferences effaces the female voice and subjectivity while exploiting the visual appeal of the female body. Nana offers a counterpoint on the same theme, featuring a woman who, through the desirability of her body, reverses the paradigm and exerts control over those around her with masterful manipulation of optics and language. Nana's body inscrutably defies analysis and playfully disrupts gender constructs by assuming contradictory sexual characteristics that are only indirectly observable. Zola shifts his narrative focus from the women themselves to the broader notion of sexual difference in La Bête humaine, in which the female body signifies the difference that drives male desire and destabilizes civilized society. The representability of sex becomes increasingly problematic as female speech, filtered through the body, puts the reliability of language into question. The problematics of the legible body that Zola develops in these texts can be traced all the way back to Thérèse Raquin, in which he conducts a literary investigation into the relationship between bodies and texts. This short novel, Zola's first of the genre, is particularly interested in the different (pro)creative capacities of male and female bodies and the representational possibilities inherent in them

U.S. Multinational Services Companies: Effects of Foreign Affiliate Activity on U.S. Employment

This working paper examines the effect that U.S. services firms’ establishment abroad has on domestic employment. Whereas many papers have explored the employment effects of foreign direct investment in manufacturing, few have explored the effects of services investment. We find that services multinationals’ activities abroad increase U.S. employment by promoting intrafirm exports from parent firms to their foreign affiliates. These exports support jobs at the parents’ headquarters and throughout their U.S. supply chains. Our findings are principally based on economic research and econometric analysis performed by Commission staff, services trade and investment data published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and employment data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the aggregate, we find that services activities abroad support nearly 700,000 U.S. jobs. Case studies of U.S. multinationals in the banking, computer, logistics, and retail industries provide the global dimensions of U.S. MNC operations and identify domestic employment effects associated with foreign affiliate activity in each industry

Observing Soil Changes Under Common Cropping Practices in Kentucky

Cropping production and tillage systems lead to loss of soil organic matter (SOM), lowering soil pH, and soil compaction in Kentucky. However, the magnitude of the changes varied among the soil properties. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the changes in SOM, soil pH, and soil compaction under different cropping systems like corn-soybean-tobacco rotation (Field #1), continuous corn field (Field #2), hemp field (Field #3), wheat field (Field #4), pasture with animal grazing (Field #5), and canola field (Field #6). The prominent soil textures in all fields are silt loam and silty clay loam. Disturbed soil samples were taken at the depth of 0-7 cm and 7-23 cm to measure SOM and soil pH. There were three replications from each field. The results indicated that the canola field which has been under no-till for over fifteen years had the highest SOM at an average of 4.2% in 0-7 cm. At similar depth, continuous cornfield had the second lowest amounts of SOM which was 2.8%. The canola field and the continuous cornfield had soil pH of 6.7 and 5.37, respectively indicating the highest and the lowest level of acidity. The averages of soil compaction from all fields were 159 psi in 0-7 cm, and 427 psi in 7-23 cm. The highest compaction was found in the field under animal grazing at 561 psi the lowest was under tobacco at 243.5 psi. The findings from this study revealed that SOM, soil pH, and soil compaction changed as affected by cropping practices

Evaluation of Foliar Insecticide Application Timing for the Control of Western Bean Cutworm in Field Corn, 2018

The objective of this field trial was to determine if application timing affects the efficacy of single applications of foliar insecticides at preventing feeding damage by the western bean cutworm (WBC), an important pest of corn and dry beans in the North American Corn Belt. This study was located at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln’s Henry J. Stumpf International Wheat Center in Perkins County, NE (40.856851°N, −101.701335°W). The experimental design used was an RCB design with a total of 10 treatments (three insecticides applied at three application timings, plus an untreated check) and four replications; the treatment design was an incomplete 4 × 3 factorial in which the UTC occurred during the ideal application timing only. Seeds of DKC62-95 (Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO), a non-Bt hybrid with RR2 herbicide tolerance, were planted on 5 May 2018 using a commercial 8-row planter at 32,000 seeds/acre at approximately 1.40–1.75 inches deep in 30-inch rows. Individual plots measured 20 ft (8 rows) wide x 35 ft long. Standard agronomic practices for the region were followed for irrigation, fertilization, and weed management inputs. No insecticide applications were made other than the experimental treatments

Patient satisfaction for the adults with Down Syndrome Specialty Clinic

The Adults with Down Syndrome Specialty Clinic (ADSSC) was established in 2008 to better meet the unique needs of adults with Down syndrome due to many concerns regarding the health care that patients with Down syndrome receive. The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of care that the patients and families receive at this clinic and determine any additional resources that need to be incorporated into the patients’ care. A satisfaction survey was developed and mailed to all of the patients (N=75) and 24 responses were obtained. The Likert scale questions were analyzed using weighted calculations and the written narrative responses were reviewed. There were six categories that were analyzed which include: ease of getting care, waiting, provider, nursing staff, all other staff, and facility. Overall, the patients were satisfied with the care that they are receiving at the ADSSC. However, two main concerns for the patients were better location of the facility and better parking. Many of these adults face difficulty finding services that can meet their individual needs. As a result of this study we hope to provide more access to resources as well as high quality healthcare to this population.UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS SCHOOL OF NURSING BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING HONORS PROGRAMSELF REPORTED HEALTH PROMOTION BEHAVIORS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITIES IN A WEIGHT LOSS INTERVENTION Biethman, E Hamera, E PATIENT SATISFACTION FOR THE ADULTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME SPECIALTY CLINIC Bowman, S Peterson, M BUILDING STUDENT RESOURCES FOR THE KANSAS CENTER FOR NURSING SCHOLARSHIP & LEADERSHIP Feighny, M Teel, C EXPLORING BARRIERS TO EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG ADOLESCENT LATINA WOMEN Hansen, L L Wambach, K FAMILY CAREGIVER STRAIN AND RESIDENT DISTRESS IN THE DEMENTIA POPULATION OF NURSING HOME FACILITIES Harris, B Bott, M J COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY/CARE TO RELIEVE PEDIATRIC CANCER-THERAPY RELATED SYMPTOMS IN THAILAND Shanberg, R Williams, P D Piamjariyakul,

Evaluation of Foliar Insecticides for the Control of Western Bean Cutworm in Field Corn, 2018

The objectives of this field trial were to evaluate the efficacy of single applications of foliar insecticides at preventing feeding damage by the western bean cutworm (WBC), an important pest of corn and dry beans that has undergone a rapid range expansion into the eastern Corn Belt during the last 18 yr. This study was conducted within the historic range of WBC, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Henry J. Stumpf International Wheat Center in Perkins County, NE (40.856851°N, −101.701335°W). An RCB design with a total of 16 treatments (including an untreated check) and four replications was used. Plots measured 20 ft (8 rows) wide × 35 ft long. The trial was planted on 5 May 2018 using a commercial 8-row planter at 32,000 seeds/acre at an approximate depth of 1.40–1.75 inches in 30-inch rows. The seeds planted were DKC62-95 (Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO), non-Bt hybrid with RR2 herbicide tolerance. Irrigation, fertilization, and weed management inputs in plots followed standard agronomic practices for the region, with no insecticide applications other than the experimental treatments

Prevalence and Practice for Rare Diseases in Primary Care: A National Cross-Sectional Study in the USA

Objectives There are more than 7000 rare diseases in the USA, and they are prevalent in 8% of the population. Due to life-threatening risk and limited therapies, early detection and treatment are critical. The purpose of this study was to explore characteristics of visits for patients with rare diseases seen by primary care physicians (PCPs). Design The study used a cross sectional study using a national representative dataset, the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey for the years 2012–2014. Setting Primary care setting. Participants Visits to PCPs (n=22 306 representing 354 507 772 office visits to PCPs). Primary outcome measures Prevalence of rare diseases in visits of PCPs was the primary outcome. Bivariate analyses and logistic regression analyses were used to compare patients with rare diseases and those without rare diseases and examined characteristics of PCP visits for rare diseases and practice pattern. Results Among outpatient visits to PCPs, rare diseases account for 1.6% of the visits. The majority of patients with rare diseases were established patients (93.0%) and almost half (49.0%) were enrolled in public insurance programmes. The time spent in visits for rare diseases (22.4 min) and visits for more common diseases (21.3 min) was not significantly different (p=0.09). In an adjusted model controlling for patient characteristics (age, sex, types of insurance, reason for this visit, total number of chronic disease, having a rare disease and established or new patient), patients with rare diseases were 52% more likely to be referred to another provider (OR 1.52, 95% CI, 1.01 to 2.28). Conclusions Visits for rare diseases are uncommon in primary care practice. Future research may help to explain whether this low level of management of rare diseases in primary care practice is consistent with a goal of a broad scope of care

A microRNA cluster in the Fragile-X region expressed during spermatogenesis targets FMR1.

Testis-expressed X-linked genes typically evolve rapidly. Here, we report on a testis-expressed X-linked microRNA (miRNA) cluster that despite rapid alterations in sequence has retained its position in the Fragile-X region of the X chromosome in placental mammals. Surprisingly, the miRNAs encoded by this cluster (Fx-mir) have a predilection for targeting the immediately adjacent gene, Fmr1, an unexpected finding given that miRNAs usually act in trans, not in cis Robust repression of Fmr1 is conferred by combinations of Fx-mir miRNAs induced in Sertoli cells (SCs) during postnatal development when they terminate proliferation. Physiological significance is suggested by the finding that FMRP, the protein product of Fmr1, is downregulated when Fx-mir miRNAs are induced, and that FMRP loss causes SC hyperproliferation and spermatogenic defects. Fx-mir miRNAs not only regulate the expression of FMRP, but also regulate the expression of eIF4E and CYFIP1, which together with FMRP form a translational regulatory complex. Our results support a model in which Fx-mir family members act cooperatively to regulate the translation of batteries of mRNAs in a developmentally regulated manner in SCs

The Sex Specific Effect of Alcohol Consumption on Circulating Levels of CTRP3

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. The goal of this project was to establish the effect of alcohol consumption on the circulating levels of the adipose tissue derived protein C1q TNF Related Protein 3 (CTRP3). Adipose tissue secretes several adipokines, such as adiponectin and leptin, which exert a multitude of biological effects important for human health. However, adipose tissue is extremely sensitive to alcohol consumption, leading not only to disrupted fat storage, but also to disruptions in adipokine production. Changes to adipokine secretion could have widespread biological effects and potentially contribute to alcohol-induced ailments, such as alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALD). CTRP3 has been previously demonstrated to attenuate fatty liver disease, and suppression of CTRP3 with alcohol consumption could contribute to development of and progression to alcoholic fatty liver disease. To examine the effect of ethanol consumption on circulating adipokine levels, male and female mice were fed an ethanol containing diet (Lieber- DeCarli 5% (v/v) ethanol diet) for 10-days followed by a single gavage of 5 g/kg ethanol (the NIAAA model), or for 6-weeks with no binge added (chronic model). In female mice, adiponectin levels increased ~2-fold in both models of ethanol feeding, but in male mice increased adiponectin levels were only observed after chronic ethanol feeding. On the other hand, in female mice, circulating CTRP3 levels decreased by ~75% and ~50% in the NIAAA and chronic model, respectively, with no changes observed in the male mice in either feeding model. Leptin levels were unchanged with ethanol feeding regardless of model or sex of mice. Lastly, chronic ethanol feeding led to a significant increase in mortality (~50%) in female mice, with no difference in relative ethanol consumption. These findings indicate that ethanol consumption can dysregulate adipokine secretion, but that the effects vary by sex of animal, method of ethanol consumption, and adipokine examined. These findings also indicate that female mice are more sensitive to the chronic effects of ethanol than male mice. Notably, this is the first study to document the effects of ethanol consumption on the circulating levels of CTRP3. Understanding the impact of excessive alcohol consumption on adipokine production and secretion could identify novel mechanisms of alcohol-induced human disease. However, the mechanism responsible for the increased sensitivity remains elusive