Foraging Behavior of Swainson\u27s Thrushes (Catharus ustulatus) During Spring Migration through Arkansas

Foraging behavior of Swainson’s Thrushes on spring migration was studied in western Arkansas in the spring of 2013 and 2014. Observations were made in two forested field sites, one of them urban and the other suburban. The former had a significantly higher woody stem area (cm2) than the latter. For each foraging observation, the following three parameters were noted: Foraging Stratum (Ground, Shrub, Sapling, Sub canopy, and Canopy); Foraging Substrate (Ground/Litter, Herb, Foliage, Bark, and Air); and Foraging Maneuver (Glean, Probe, Dive/Glean, Hover, Jump Hover, and Hawking). We tested the hypotheses that these foraging variables differed significantly between the urban and suburban sites, and between the two years. These hypotheses were rejected for all three parameters. The consolidated data from both the sites and years revealed that a significantly higher proportion (67%) of the observations were on the Ground stratum, compared to the Shrub (13.7%) and Sapling strata (13%). Similarly, a significantly higher proportion (66%) of the foraging substrate used was Ground/Litter, followed by Foliage (16.7%) and Bark (15.8%). Gleaning was the most common foraging maneuver used (71.5%), and was significantly higher than Probing (12.3%) and Dive Gleaning (8.4%)

Endangered Species Research in the Caribbean

Although indigenous Amerindian populations adversely affected the biota of their island environments, it was not until the arrival of Europeans that populations of many plant and animal species in the Caribbean Islands declined dramatically (Snyder and others, 1987). Island species are particularly vulnerable to changes in the environment, which, in the extreme, can lead to their extinction. The small populations of many species that occupy islands have limited gene pools and typically show extremes of specialization, characteristics that place those species at high risk for decline and extinction with rapid environmental change. The most important factor in the decline of most Caribbean Island species has been the rapid increase in human population and the environmental changes related to that growth (Snyder and others, 1987)

Comparative rankings of normal school graduates and full course university students in the School of Education

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of ArtsIncludes twelve supplemental files.There has been much difference of opinion as to which group of students ranks higher in university scholarship---those who enter the School of Education as normal school graduates or those who spend full four years on the college course in Missouri University before graduation from the School of Education. Even when it is assumed that normal school graduates rank higher, the causes for such higher ranking are variously stated. It is argued that normal school graduates are older and more mature and hence have the advantage over regular graduates; that normal school graduates take a greater percent of Education courses in which higher grades are usually given than in academic courses; that normal school graduates take mostly Under Class work; that normal school graduates have had much more teaching experience and should therefore be expected to rank higher in Education courses. It is the purpose of this study to bring together facts and draw conclusions touching the above claims

The Relative Importance of Search versus Credence Product Attributes: Organic and Locally Grown

Organic foods and local foods have come to the forefront of consumer issues, due to concerns about nutrition, health, sustainability, and food safety. A conjoint analysis experiment quantified the relative importance of, and trade-offs between, apple search and experience attributes (quality/blemishes, size, flavor), credence attributes (conventional vs. organic production method, local origin vs. product of USA vs. imported), and purchase price when buying apples. Quality is the most important apple attribute. Production method—organic versus conventional—had no significant impact on preferences.conjoint analysis, organic, locally grown, credence attributes, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Marketing,

An analysis of cardiovascular and respiratory mortality as a function of ambient ozone and fine particulate matter in the Baton Rouge Air Quality Control Region

The Baton Rouge Air Quality Control Region has come under fire due to difficulties in reaching attainment of one-hour daily ozone limitations and its general perception as being a polluted place to live. Ozone is a reactive oxygen species which has been shown to result in damage to biological molecules and is detrimental to human physiology, especially in regards to cardio-respiratory structure and function. In the last decade, fine particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in mean aerodynamic diameter have been identified as a possible pollutant that is affecting public health at levels lower than the EPA’s established limits. PM2.5 has also been linked to adverse cardiovascular and respiratory health affects. The intent of this study was to examine the air quality of Baton Rouge and the surrounding five parishes and compare these concentrations to mortality cases for cardiovascular and respiratory causes of death. Poisson regression analysis found that PM2.5 had no significant effect on mortality frequency. Ozone was found to have a negative relationship; as ozone levels increased, mortality rates decreased. Multiple regression of both pollutants confirmed the results obtained individually, with no indications of synergistic or antagonistic effects

Applying choice based conjoint measurement to forcast demand for a new restaurant category

This paper examines the use of Choice Based Conjointexperimentation for forecasting demand for a new restaurant category.The results of the forecasting experiment are compared to demand forexisting restaurant categories to determine whether the choice experimentreplicates actual category shares in the sampled region. The analysisshows that Choice Based Conjoint experiments are able to predictcategory shares for existing restaurant categories. It is then shown howthe approach may be used to estimate demand for a new category