A new methodology for the quantitative visualization of coherent flow structures in alluvial channels using multibeam echo-sounding (MBES)

In order to investigate the interactions between turbulence and suspended sediment transport in natural aqueous environments, we ideally require a technique that allows simultaneous measurement of fluid velocity and sediment concentration for the whole flow field. Here, we report on development of a methodology using the water column acoustic backscatter signal from a multibeam echo sounder to simultaneously quantify flow velocities and sediment concentrations. The application of this new technique is illustrated with reference to flow over the leeside of an alluvial sand dune, which allows, for the first time in a field study, quantitative visualization of large-scale, whole flow field, turbulent coherent flow structures associated with the dune leeside that are responsible for suspending bed sediment. This methodology holds great potential for use in a wide range of aqueous geophysical flows

A Recreation Department’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has severely impacted the operation and financial vitality of recreation, fitness, and sports industries (Byrne, 2020; Dolesh & Colman, 2020). This case study addressed how recreation and fitness sectors were impacted by the outbreak of virus and described how the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) department of a satellite city near the National Capital, Washington D.C., operated its facility with proper emergency responses and best practices under the guidelines of Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State Health Department. In addition, challenges (i.e., staffing and financial compensation) faced during different phases of reopening are also discussed. Mask wearing, maintaining proper social distance, contact tracing, and taking extra safety precautions are advocated as the key elements to minimize the increase of infected cases, keep the community safe and reopened, and avoid a draconian shutdown

New Technologies for Weed Eradication—Invasive Plants Have No Place to Hide When DNA Is Involved

Building on the advances in molecular technology, two genetic based tools are being developed by Biosecurity Queensland to improve conventional invasive plant detection, monitoring and control. Sporobolus is a genus of almost 200 grass species from tropical and subtropical parts of the world. In Australia, 19 Sporobolus species are endemic and 8 species are introduced. Of these, 10 (5 natives and 5 introduced) are closely allied species and overlapping morphological traits makes accurate identification very difficult. Five of the introduced weedy Sporobolus grasses including Giant Rat’s Tail Grass (GRT), threaten to cost the grazing industry of eastern Australia $60 million per annum, having the potential to infest 60% of Queensland and 30% of Australia. The success of four GRT biological control programs in Australia, hinge on the accurate identification of the host plant. The GRT project relies on a molecular approach to delimit and accurately identify these Sporobolus species, allowing for a more accurate and targeted control strategy to be used in the paddock. The second molecular project focuses on the dioecious Mexican bean tree (Cecropia spp.), a restricted pioneer tree that has invaded rainforests in tropical and subtropical Queensland. Molecular markers are being used to genotype an eradicated population to identify if there are any undetected parent trees within surveyed areas that may be residing in inaccessible rainforest patches, thereby preventing extirpation to occur. Dust monitoring devices to capture pollen are being trialed as an eDNA surveillance method for detecting unknown Mexican bean tree populations in remote rainforest locations

Experiments on the Effects of Fee Shifting and Discovery on the Efficient Settlement of Tort Claims

In this paper, we apply the methods of experimental economics pioneered by 2002 Nobel Prize winner Vernon Smith to the study of the effects of several proposed tort reform options. Specifically, we study the effects of fee shifting and discovery on the efficient use of the courts. Because it is difficult, if not impossible, to measure efficiency in the real world, we believe that controlled experiments offer valuable contributions to the debate on tort reform. The experiments presented in this paper point to the following main conclusions: First, a symmetric cost-shifting rule, as embodied in Section 998, California Code of Civil Procedure (similar to proposed changes to Rule 68 of the Federal Rule of Civil Procedure), produces no difference in pre-trial settlement rates when compared to an environment without cost-shifting. Second, the inclusion of attorneys’ fees as recoverable costs under Section 998 improves settlement rates. Third, liberal discovery rules, which improve information symmetry, cause an improvement in pre-trial settlement rates. Finally, when efficiency is measured relative to the final bargaining positions in pre-trial negotiations, we find a much greater inefficiency in the use of the courts when attorneys’ fee are included over when they are not. This last conclusion suggests that policies directed towards tort reform are in fact ignoring an important feature of tort settlements, i.e., the hardening of positions as parties attempt to reduce their disagreement over a reasonable settlement

Seizing the Moment: Realizing the Promise of Student-Centered Learning

This brief outlines policy recommendations for supporting student-centered learning at the local, state, and federal level

Persistence of scrapie infectivity within a farm environment after cleaning and decontamination

Scrapie of sheep/goats and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) of deer/elk are contagious prion diseases where environmental reservoirs are directly implicated in the transmission of disease. In this study the effectiveness of recommended scrapie farm decontamination regimes was evaluated by a sheep bioassay using buildings naturally contaminated with scrapie. Pens within a farm building were treated with either 20,000ppm free chorine solution for one hour, or were treated to same but were followed with painting and full re-galvanisation or replacement of metalwork within the pen. Scrapie susceptible lambs of the PRNP genotype VRQ/VRQ were reared within these pens and their scrapie status was monitored by RAMALT. All animals became infected over an 18-month period, even in the pen that had been subject to the most stringent decontamination process. This data suggests that recommended current guidelines for the decontamination of farm buildings following outbreaks of scrapie do little to reduce the titre of infectious scrapie material and that environmental re-contamination could also be an issue associated with these premises

Circulation of prions within dust on a scrapie affected farm

Prion diseases are fatal neurological disorders that affect humans and animals. Scrapie of sheep/goats and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) of deer/elk are contagious prion diseases where environmental reservoirs have a direct link to the transmission of disease. Using protein misfolding cyclic amplification we demonstrate that scrapie PrPSc can be detected within circulating dusts that are present on a farm that is naturally contaminated with sheep scrapie. The presence of infectious scrapie within airborne dusts may represent a possible route of infection and illustrates the difficulties that may be associated with the effective decontamination of such scrapie affected premises

Exploring player communication in interactions with sport officials

Abstract. oðciating, but player-oðcial in- teraction is diðcult to train and unresearched. This study interviewed team captains from di erent sports and used video elicitation and Go man’s (The presentation of self in everyday life, 1959, Interaction ritual: Essays in face-to-face behaviour, 1967) dramaturgical sociology of social inter- action to explore ways players interact and attempt to influence oðcials. Players were found to behave irrationally sometimes, but mostly they are strategic. Player attitudes to interactions range from fatalistic acceptance to whatever the oðcial decides, through selective complaint, to continu- ous opportunism. Players attempt to influence oðcials directly and indirectly through complaining, questioning, flattery or praise. These findings deepen our understanding of the balance – between authority, accountability and respectfulness – that characterises e ective communication and inter- action with players

Skilled interaction: Concepts of communication and player management in the development of sports officials

Communication and player management are integral to effective sport of ciating, but most research has focused on physical performance and decision making. The few previous studies of of ciating communication tended to use “transmission” conceptualizations of communication (e.g., decision communication, impression management). Eleven of ciating-development managers and coaches from 7 peak Australian sport bodies were interviewed to explore conceptualizations of communication and player management, the way of cials improve, and the role of the sport bodies in improvement. Four salient themes emerged in conceptual- izations of effective of ciating communication and player management: personal qualities of the of cial, 1-way-communication direction giving and impression management, situation monitoring (interpreting player and context), and skilled interaction (adapting communication appropriately for context). The ndings highlight a mismatch between (a) interpretive and interactive communication skills perceived to be most important and challenging and (b) the training that is currently provided to of cials. There was general commonality in practice and training issues across sport codes. The article makes theoretical contributions to the study of sport-of cial communication and practical recommendations for improving approaches to training skilled communication and player management