The effects of vegetation density and habitat disturbance on the spatial distribution of ixodid ticks (Acari: Ixodidae)

Larval, nymphal, and adult Amblyomma americanum (L.), and adult Dermacentor variabilis (Say) ticks were collected using timed dragging techniques, in an attempt to examine how different habitat variables affect models that describe the distribution of ticks in Virginia, USA. Tick count data were modeled using two approaches: (i) habitat and edge, and (ii) habitat, edge, vegetation density and levels of disturbance. Nymphs and adults tended to follow a forest edge distribution when analysed by habitat and edge. Using all variables, we detected a positive relationship with forest edges and negative associations with high-density vegetation. When larvae were modeled by habitat and edge, we failed to detect associations with the edges of habitats. When all variables were included in the larval analysis, disturbed meadow edges emerged as important in the first year, and the categories of disturbed and maturing habitat in the second year. Vegetation density and levels of disturbance were marginally important towards explaining the distribution of nymphs and adults; however, levels of disturbance were potentially more important to the distribution of larvae, than habitat types. Using the habitat and edge variables, and predicted mean encounter rates for all stages of A. americanum and adult D. variabilis, we successfully cross-validated our predictions of high, moderate and low tick densities in both years. The results for nymphs and adults were combined to develop a colour-coded threat assessment map. We estimated that the majority of ticks were located on ~ 20% of the landscape. The potential uses of geographical information system-based threat maps are discussed

U.S. SPACE FORCE (USSF) ACQUISITION OCCUPATIONAL COMPETENCY INTEGRATION INTO A TALENT OPERATIONS PLATFORM

The idea of using competencies as a vehicle for effective talent management has been an idea explored by many organizations. Recently all service components across the Department of Defense (DOD) have begun a revolution within talent management, particularly with job placement. The DOD’s newest component, the United States Space Force (USSF), actively seeks to implement a competency-based process as dictated by the Guardian Ideal. This capstone report provides USSF with recommendations on effectively integrating a scalable competency-driven system into a talent operations platform that manages Guardian talent during assignment placement. The team evaluated civilian and governmental talent operations systems and processes through interviews with relevant talent management personnel within the DOD and industry. This qualitative analysis fueled the team’s development of a simulation model to identify the effects of competency integration on the system and its interaction with external variables. Throughout the research, the team confirmed that all services desire the effective integration of competencies but lack the implementation of accountable competencies by a validation method. The team recommends Space Force develop a way to validate and input competency assessments by implementing the competency framework within a software system in terms of a scoring algorithm to provide a clear picture for Guardians and Commanders to determine the best fit for vacant billets.Space Force Talent Management Office (ETMO)Major, United States ArmyCaptain, United States ArmyCaptain, United States ArmyCaptain, United States ArmyCaptain, United States ArmyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Mites (Oribatida and Mesostigmata) and vegetation as complementary bioindicators in peatlands

Vegetation is widely used in the assessment of the quality of peatlands, while the invertebrate fauna of peatlands is relatively poorly studied. We compared the bioindicator values of vegetation with two arthropod groups widespread in peatlands, saprophagous Oribatida (Acariformes) and predatory Mesostigmata (Parasitiformes) mites. Samples were collected from ecotones at the edges of peatland ponds in Poland, including four in near-natural condition (i.e., peatlands unaffected by human activity) and three in previously disturbed but now recovering peatlands. A set of abiotic parameters was measured at each site: pond area, mean annual temperature, annual precipitation, and water parameters (pH, conductivity, colour, total nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and organic carbon). Overall, 63,635 specimens of Oribatida and 448 of Mesostigmata were recovered in the sampling. Species richness of Oribatida (56 species) was higher than that of flora (46) and Mesostigmata (15). Vegetation was significantly associated with annual precipitation in the years 1998–2007 which accounted for 29.1 % of the variation in vegetation communities. Oribatida variability was significantly associated with the content of organic carbon in water accounting for 32.4 % of variation. In contrast, variation in the Mesostigmata was not significantly associated with any of the abiotic parameters. Vegetation at ponds in previously disturbed and now recovering peatlands had higher bush cover than at near-natural ponds and the pond in the cutaway peat had lowest moss cover and the highest number of associate species (i.e., species with wide tolerance not characteristic of the certain community). Mite communities did not differ consistently between near-natural and recovering peatlands. Sphagnum divinum Flatberg et Hassel was recorded from Poland for the first time.publishedVersio

Prospectus, November 14, 1972

MEGAHURTZ\u27 AT PARKLAND; Vets Used Book Store; Parkland Choir Invites Public To Participate; Counselor from W.I.U.; Debate Team To Visit Bradley; Oops!; Placement Services; Cruisin\u27 \u2772; True Happenings; Birth, Life: Overpopulation; mutant child; College Rec Tournaments; Feeling Left Out; Marv on the Move; Why Women Fear Success; Parkland Runners 2nd in State; New Cross Country Coach; The Design of Multi-Media Events; Final Exams Schedule; Parkland College Leadership Conference; Sex Education: The Role of Parents; Guranteed Student Loans; Intro to Corrections; Population, Resources, Environmenthttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1972/1002/thumbnail.jp

Prospectus, December 12, 1972

SWEETHEART CONTEST; SIU guest day; Parkland Art Association revived; Unusual Gifts; Cruisin\u27 \u2772; True happenings; christmas; Christmas without Christ; Actual gripes; Black women\u27s lib?; Parkland volunteer news; What do your tax dollars buy?; bigot; Prof Spectus; Theta Epsilon established at Parkland; New Student Government president; Speaking of Sports; Sample Ballot; Parkland\u27s dental hygiene program; Death of the Moody Blues; Will you have enough credits for a degree or certificatehttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1972/1000/thumbnail.jp

Discrimination, labour markets and the Labour Market Prospects of Older Workers: What Can a Legal Case Teach us?

As governments become increasingly concerned about the fiscal implications of the ageing population, labour market policies have sought to encourage mature workers to remain in the labour force. The ‘human capital’ discourses motivating these policies rest on the assumption that older workers armed with motivation and vocational skills will be able to return to fulfilling work. This paper uses the post-redundancy recruitment experiences of former Ansett Airlines flight attendants to develop a critique of these expectations. It suggests that policies to increase older workers’ labour market participation will not succeed while persistent socially constructed age- and gender- typing shape labour demand. The conclusion argues for policies sensitive to the institutional structures that shape employer preferences, the competitive rationality of discriminatory practices, and the irresolvable tension between workers’ human rights and employers’ property rights

Prospectus, November 28, 1972

TOYS FOR TOTS; Parkland vets Attend Regional Meeting; True Happenings; She Dislikes Park Area Modernization; Wasted Votes; leave the dead dead; Quiet; Prof Spectus; Rec Tournaments; Special Edition of Cruisin\u27 \u2772; A New Party?; Info for Students on Guaranteed Loan Program; Amphetamines: You don\u27t have to be \u27Street people\u27 to be hooked; Cold Vaccine; Speaking of Sports; New Cheerleaders Selected; Intramurals Winter Quarter; Parkland College Varsity Basketball Schedule November & Decemberhttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1972/1001/thumbnail.jp

A HPLC-Based Chloramphenicol Acetyltransferase Assay for Assessing Hair Growth: Comparison of the Sensitivity of UV and Fluorescence Detection

Peer Reviewe

Comparative Maps of Safety Features for Fission and Fusion Reactors

Abstract The differences between nuclear fission and fusion have been discussed widely in the literature. However, little has been done to investigate the key differences in safety designs and regulatory requirements between the nuclear reactor types. In this study, an innovative methodology was successfully developed to map nuclear safety features to the fundamental safety principles set out by the nuclear regulators. Three safety cases were assessed in the mapping study, a research fusion reactor (Joint European Torus), a research fission reactor (Tsing Hua Open-pool Reactor) and a commercial fission reactor (Hinkley Point C). The graphical representation allowed a comparative analysis of the safety features and fundamental principles which revealed differences between the hazard profiles of fission and fusion reactors and provided important insights for the creation of a similar map for a future commercial fusion device.</jats:p