CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE IN KENTUCKY: INVESTIGATING NITROGEN LOSS AND DYNAMICS IN CORN SYSTEMS FOLLOWING WHEAT AND HAIRY VETCH COVER CROPS

Unintentional nitrogen (N) loss from agroecosystems produces greenhouse gases, induces eutrophication, and is costly for farmers; therefore, adoption of conservation agricultural management practices, such as no-till and cover cropping, has increased. This study assessed N loss via leaching, NH3 volatilization, N2O emissions, and N retention in plant and soil pools of corn conservation agroecosystems across a year. Three systems were evaluated: 1) an unfertilized organic system with cover crops Vicia villosa, Triticum aestivum, or a mix of the two; 2) an organic system with a Vicia cover crop employing three fertilization schemes (0 N, organic N, or a cover crop N-credit approach); 3) a conventional system with a Triticum cover crop and three fertilization techniques (0 N, urea N, or organic N). During cover crop growth, species affected N leaching but gaseous emissions were low across all treatments. During corn growth, cover crop and fertilizer approach affected N loss. Fertilized treatments had greater N loss than unfertilized treatments, and fertilizer type affected gaseous fluxes temporally and in magnitude. Overall, increased N availability did not always indicate greater N loss or yield, suggesting that N conserving management techniques can be employed in conservation agriculture systems without sacrificing yield

Medication Adherence after Post Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: An Educational Intervention

Purpose: The purpose of this evidenced-based education project was (i) assess current barriers and determining factors associated with medication adherence and how this coincides with health outcomes, (ii) assess whether medication adherence and hospital re-admission rates were improved with a comprehensive medication discharge educational plan. Setting: The project took place on a 35 bed post interventional care unit (4IC) located in a 433 bed community care hospital in Central Kentucky. Population: The population for this study was a sample of 10 acute myocardial infarction patients post percutaneous coronary intervention. Thirty percent of participants were female and 60% were male. Mean age was 63.6 years old (SD=10.5). Inclusion Criteria: English speaking subjects who were post percutaneous coronary intervention and discharged on anti-platelet medication. Access to a phone for the 7 day post discharge phone call was a requirement for study participation. Design and Methods: Data analysis was performed using SPSS® version 23.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Pre and post tests were scored and statistically analyzed to assess mean scores prior to, and following educational intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Paired T-tests were conducted to compare the differences in mean scores. This study considered values of p \u3c 0.0001 significant for the analysis. Enrolled patients were seen on the morning of hospital discharge and the following activities occurred: A medication chart was given to patients that included anti-platelet medication name, dosage, indication, and frequency. The teach-back method was employed to assess patient understanding and retention. One week postdischarge patients were phoned to confirm discharge medications were filled as well as assessment of understanding and timing of anti-platelet medications via the teach-back method. Patients were reminded of their 30 day clinic appointment and the importance of attending this visit. Patients were seen at their 30 day standard of care clinic visit to assess adherence at 30 days. Results and Conclusion: Participation in this project ultimately yielded a significant increase in anti-platelet medication knowledge from pre-test to post test. Baseline mean pre-test score of 1.30 (SD=.483); participants’ mean score significantly increased to 3.00 (SD=.000). There was no significant difference between 7 day and 30 day adherence rates and knowledge. Seven day mean pre-test score of 2.90 (.316) and mean post test score of 3.00 (SD=.000). 100% of study subjects were taking anti-platelet medications at 7 days and 90% of subjects were taking medications at 30 days. One study subject was seen in the emergency room within 30 days of index procedure with reports of shortness of breath and angina. A full cardiac workup concluded that the stent was patent and anti-platelet medication was changed. It was thought by the overseeing cardiology service that this subject was a poor responder to current therapy. It is unknown if this subject was adherent at 30 days because she did not attend the 30 day clinic visit

Cover Crops and Fertilization Alter Nitrogen Loss in Organic and Conventional Conservation Agriculture Systems

Agroecosystem nitrogen (N) loss produces greenhouse gases, induces eutrophication, and is costly for farmers; therefore, conservation agricultural management practices aimed at reducing N loss are increasingly adopted. However, the ecosystem consequences of these practices have not been well-studied. We quantified N loss via leaching, NH3 volatilization, N2O emissions, and N retention in plant and soil pools of corn conservation agroecosystems in Kentucky, USA. Three systems were evaluated: (1) an unfertilized, organic system with cover crops hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum), or a mix of the two (bi-culture); (2) an organic system with a hairy vetch cover crop employing three fertilization schemes (o N, organic N, or a fertilizer N-credit approach); and (3) a conventional system with a winter wheat cover crop and three fertilization schemes (o N, urea N, or organic N). In the unfertilized organic system, cover crop species affected NO3-N leaching (vetch \u3e bi-culture \u3e wheat) and N2O-N emissions and yield during corn growth (vetch, bi-culture \u3e wheat). Fertilization increased soil inorganic N, gaseous N loss, N leaching, and yield in the organic vetch and conventional wheat systems. Fertilizer scheme affected the magnitude of growing season N2O-N loss in the organic vetch system (organic N \u3e fertilizer N-credit) and the timing of loss (organic N delayed N2O-N loss vs. urea) and NO3-N leaching (urea \u3e\u3e organic N) in the conventional wheat system, but had no effect on yield. Cover crop selection and N fertilization techniques can reduce N leaching and greenhouse gas emissions without sacrificing yield, thereby enhancing N conservation in both organic and conventional conservation agriculture systems

Symmetry of Resting Tone, Alignment, and Strength in the Pelvic Region

Background: Resting tone contributes substantially to postural alignment and stability of the spine. Muscles attached to the axial skeleton, specifically muscles crossing the SI joint such as the gluteal muscles and latissimus dorsi, could contribute to pain and dysfunction if significant differences in side-to-side resting tone exist. While studies have observed side-to-side differences in resting tone of the biceps brachii, no current studies have assessed resting tone differences across the SI joint. Methods and Measures: Data on resting tone, pelvic asymmetry, and strength were collected using the MyotonPRO myometer, PALM palpation meter, and a strength dynamometer respectively from 30 asymptomatic. Results: Normative data were collected for strength of the iliopsoas, rectus femoris, latissimus dorsi, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, hamstrings, and hip adductors. The MyotonPRO tested for bilateral tone, elasticity, creep, stiffness, and relaxation of the same muscles. Measures of pelvic alignment for tilt (ranging from 2° to 17° of anteriorly) were collected as well as symmetry of PSIS, ASIS, and iliac crest height (ranging -3° to 3° of difference). Conclusions: Side-to-side differences in resting tone, elasticity, creep, stiffness, relaxation, strength, and pelvic symmetry were noted in asymptomatic participants for SI and low back pain. This data provides information to be used in future studies for: determining correlation among tone, alignment, strength, and dysfunction; identifying impairments associated with dysfunction and response to interventions; and guiding impairment-based treatment options

Larval Performance in Relation to Labile Oviposition Preference of Crocidolomia pavonana [F.] (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Among Phenological Stages of Cabbage

Crocidolomia pavonana (=binotalis) [F.] demonstrates oviposition peaks in the field that we believe to be correlated with host plant phenology. In previous two-choice laboratory experiments, we found the highest relative proportion of oviposition on cabbage to correspond either to plant growth stages ≈7–8 wk or ≈9–11 wk old, depending on the alternate host plant with which it was presented. In cabbage-only trials, leaves from 7- to 8-wk-old plants were preferred. Inconsistency in preference led to the question of whether oviposition on either cabbage growth stage would confer adaptive advantages in offspring performance. We simulated oviposition on four phenological stages of cabbage in two ways. In a study of complete immature development, growth rate, pupal weight, and survivorship were measured. We also compared food utilization efficiency during the fourth larval instar by analyzing growth rate, efficiency of biomass accumulation, and frass production by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). For both experiments, cabbage plants of defined phenological stages were designated at the time of oviposition, and larvae were fed from these as plants continued to grow throughout larval development. Our data indicate adaptive advantages in larval growth rate and food conversion efficiency to oviposition on cabbage at ≈7–8 wk from planting. Oviposition on later cabbage growth stages resulted in comparatively poor larval performance. Possible explanations for C. pavonana oviposition behavior in light of these results are discusse

Effects of Host Plant Phenology on Oviposition Preference of Crocidolomia pavonana (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Field studies have demonstrated mixed success in trap cropping to manage Crocidolomia pavonana (=binotalis) [F.], a major pest of cruciferous crops in Asia. A possible explanation for this is an influence of host plant phenology on oviposition preference. We tested this in simultaneous two-choice oviposition bioassays under laboratory conditions. In cylindrical cardboard experimental arenas, with 5-cm2 leaf windows, individual C. pavonana females were offered eight sequential phenological stages of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L., Capitata group, cultivar Gloria) with a constant stage of preflowering Indian mustard (Brassica juncea, variety rugosa, cultivar Green Wave). Results showed a significant effect of cabbage developmental stage on oviposition preference. We continued with two-choice bioassays, using whole leaves, in screen cage experimental arenas. Females were offered the three most preferred phenological stages of cabbage and differing stages of four potential trap crop alternatives: preflowering Indian mustard; preflowering Chinese cabbage (B. rapa L., variety pekinensis [Lour.] Olsson); preflowering, flowering, and "with silique” sawi manis (B. rapa, variety parachinensis [Bailey] Tsen and Lee); and preflowering and flowering sayur pahit (B. rapa, variety parachinensis [Bailey] Tsen and Lee). Results indicated that the phenological stages of both plants had a significant effect on relative oviposition preference. However, patterns of preference changed in the context of the different plant species combinations. In addition, implicit hierarchical preference order was frequently contradicted. These results have implications for the improvement of trap cropping strategies to manage C. pavonana and for the potential success of biological control of Plutella xylostella [L.], where these pests occur in comple

Charting the trajectories of adopted children’s emotional and behavioral problems: The impact of early adversity and post-adoptive parental warmth

Children who are adopted from care are more likely to experience enduring emotional and behavioral problems across development; however, adoptees’ trajectories of mental health problems and factors that impact their trajectories are poorly understood. Therefore, we used multilevel growth analyses to chart adoptees’ internalizing and externalizing problems across childhood, and examined the associations between preadoptive risk and postadoptive protective factors on their trajectories. This was investigated in a prospective longitudinal study of case file records (N = 374) and questionnaire-based follow-ups (N = 96) at approximately 5, 21, and 36 months postadoptive placement. Preadoptive adversity (indexed by age at placement, days in care, and number of adverse childhood experiences) was associated with higher internalizing and externalizing scores; the decrease in internalizing scores over childhood was accelerated for those exposed to lower levels of preadoptive risk. Warm adoptive parenting was associated with a marked reduction in children's internalizing and externalizing problems over time. Although potentially limited by shared methods variance and lack of variability in parental warmth scores, these findings demonstrate the deleterious impact of preadoptive risk and the positive role of exceptionally warm adoptive parenting on children's trajectories of mental health problems and have relevance for prevention and intervention strategies

American Society of Civil Engineers 2009 Assessment of Georgia’s Infrastructure

Proceedings of the 2011 Georgia Water Resources Conference, April 11, 12, and 13, 2011, Athens, Georgia.Maintenance and improvement of Georgia’s infrastructure is vital to our economy, safety, environment and quality of life. To help assure that this infrastructure meets the needs of the citizens of Georgia, the Georgia Section of ASCE developed the 2009 Georgia Infrastructure Report Card. It was released in January 2009. As was the case in the previous report card (2003), Georgia’s infrastructure once again received an overall grade of “C.” Eleven infrastructure categories were assessed: wastewater, drinking water, stormwater, energy, dams, school facilities, transit, bridges, airports, solid waste, and parks. This paper will focus on the condition of Georgia’s infrastructure within the following Water Resources categories: Wastewater “C” – Even though the City of Atlanta invested over $1 billion upgrading its aging sewer system since 2003, the majority of communities are consistently underfunding maintenance of their collection systems. Utility rate structures need to be adjusted to meet both capital improvement and maintenance costs. Drinking Water “C+” – While drinking water quality is good, much needs to be done to maintain the distribution system. There are also water supply concerns that were brought to the forefront during the recent drought. Reduced water revenues that resulted from required water conservation measures put the capital improvement programs of many municipalities in jeopardy. Stormwater “D+” – Some progress was made in the past five years; however, most of the progress was in planning with the development of the Georgia State-wide Water Plan and the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District’s Watershed Management Plan. Little has been implemented and most municipalities still do not have a dedicated funding source for maintenance of stormwater infrastructure. Dams “D” – As of January 2009, one-third of the highhazard dams in the state, which are dams that could cause the loss of life if they fail, were considered deficient. The Georgia Safe Dams Program was woefully underfunded and understaffed, which resulted in a dam failure analysis backlog of more than 500 dams. This is an area of critical investment need on the state level.Sponsored by: Georgia Environmental Protection Division U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Water Science Center U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Water Resources Institute The University of Georgia, Water Resources FacultyThis book was published by Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-2152. The views and statements advanced in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not represent official views or policies of The University of Georgia, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Georgia Water Research Institute as authorized by the Water Research Institutes Authorization Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-307) or the other conference sponsors

Epithelial cell-directed efferocytosis in the post-partum mammary gland is necessary for tissue homeostasis and future lactation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mammary glands harbor a profound burden of apoptotic cells (ACs) during post-lactational involution, but little is known regarding mechanisms by which ACs are cleared from the mammary gland, or consequences if this process is interrupted. We investigated AC clearance, also termed efferocytosis, during post-lactational remodeling, using mice deficient for MerTK, Axl, and Tyro3, three related receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) regulating macrophage-mediated efferocytosis in monocytes. MerTK expression, apoptosis and the accumulation of apoptotic debris were examined in histological sections of MerTK-deficient, Axl/Tyro3-deficient, and wild-type mammary glands harvested at specific time points during lactation and synchronized involution. The ability of primary mammary epithelial cells (MECs) to engulf ACs was assessed in culture. Transplant of MerTK-deficient mammary epithelium into cleared WT mammary fat pads was used to assess the contribution of WT mammary macrophages to post-lactational efferocytosis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>ACs induced MerTK expression in MECs, resulting in elevated MerTK levels at the earliest stages of involution. Loss of MerTK resulted in AC accumulation in post-lactational MerTK-deficient mammary glands, but not in Axl and Tyro3-deficient mammary glands. Increased vascularization, fibrosis, and epithelial hyperproliferation were observed in MerTK-deficient mammary glands through at least 60 days post-weaning, due to failed efferocytosis after lactation, but did not manifest in nulliparous mice. WT host-derived macrophages failed to rescue efferocytosis in transplanted MerTK-deficient mammary epithelium.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Efferocytosis by MECs through MerTK is crucial for mammary gland homeostasis and function during the post-lactational period. Efferocytosis by MECs thus limits pathologic consequences associated with the apoptotic load following lactation.</p