High resolution carbon isotope stratigraphy of the basal Silurian stratotype (Dob's Linn, Scotland) and its global correlation

Since its designation as the Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Silurian System, the choice of Dob's Linn, Southern Scotland, has received criticism due to the difficulties of relating its well constrained graptolite biostratigraphy to shallow water sequences elsewhere. Kerogen samples from across the Ordovician-Silurian boundary interval at Dob's Linn have yielded carbon stable isotope signatures consistent with those recorded elsewhere, in particular showing a clear positive δ13C excursion in the terminal Ordovician. The architecture of the δ13C curve from Dob's Linn enables very high resolution stratigraphic subdivision and direct correlation between the deep water Dob's Linn section and time equivalent carbonate shelf deposits. An integrated stratigraphic scheme using isotope stratigraphy and biostratigraphy of graptolites, conodonts and shelly faunas has been constructed. This direct correlation shows that the shallow water successions, including the former stratotype candidate at Anticosti Island, are generally incomplete, with hiatuses related to the rapid sea level changes during the Hirnantian stage. This confirms and greatly increases the global utility of Dob's Linn as a boundary stratotype

Ultrasound by emergency physicians to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms: a UK case series

Early identification of abdominal aortic aneurysms in some patients can be difficult and the diagnosis is missed in up to 30% of patients. Ultrasound cannot be used to identify a leak, but the presence of an aneurysm in an unstable patient is conclusive. With minimal training emergency physicians can easily identify the aorta and thus in the early phase of resuscitation an aneurysm can be confidently excluded. The purpose of the examination is not to delineate the extent of the aneurysm, but to identify those patients that will need emergency surgery. A series of patients presented to the department in an unstable condition with equivocal abdominal signs. An ultrasound scan in the resuscitation room by members of the emergency department revealed an aneurysm, which was enough to convince the vascular surgeons to take the patient straight to theatre with good results. In patients who are stable, computed tomography will continue to be used to evaluate the extent of the aneurysm and identify a leak

Examining a Ripple Effect: Do Spouses’ Behavior Changes Predict Each Other’s Weight Loss?

Background. Including spouses in obesity treatment has been found to promote weight loss. We assessed whether spouses’ diet and activity changes impacted each other’s weight loss when both members attended an active weight loss program (TOGETHER) or only the primary participant attended treatment (ALONE). Methods. Heterosexual couples () enrolled in an 18-month randomized controlled weight loss trial were weighed and completed measures of dietary intake and physical activity at baseline and 6 months. We conducted dyadic data analyses using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model. Results. Participants’ weight loss was not predicted by their partners’ behavior changes. However, partners’ weight loss was predicted by their participants’ changes in calorie and fat intake. When partners were coupled with a participant who did not reduce their own calorie and fat intake as much, these partners had higher weight loss when treated in the TOGETHER group but lower weight loss when they were untreated in the ALONE group. There were no reciprocal effects found with physical activity changes. Conclusions. Direct treatment had the greatest impact on participants and partners who were treated. Untreated partners’ weight losses were positively impacted by their spouses’ dietary changes, suggesting a ripple effect from treated spouses to their untreated partners

The Role of Empathy in Design and the Responsibility of Designers to Create With Their User in Mind

By looking at several professional and personal design case studies, I aim to identify the weight of responsibility of a designer in a fast-paced, aesthetically driven world through the lens of human-centered design. This study observes how putting people first might not be a quick money-maker but will ultimately create a more successful, well-received project designed for the people it is intended for

Buried weed seeds

n/

A descriptive survey of a select population of commercial fruit and vegetable producers in Tennessee

Marketing is an integral part of a successful commercial produce enterprise. It also represents a significant challenge to the producers in this industry. Basic information regarding current production and marketing channels is needed by producers and other industry participants to make better use of existing resources and to provide a basis for beneficial change. Knowledge of background details is required to facilitate the marketing process. These details include grower population, types and amounts of production, methods of risk management, grading and standardization procedures, and market outlets used. This study examined the market structure of the commercial produce industry in a selected study area of Tennessee. Emphasis was placed on the supply-side of the market. Specific objectives were to 1) identify the population of commercial fruit and vegetable growers in the study area, 2) ascertain the diversity and extent of production, 3) analyze producer behavior regarding standardization and grading, market outlets and information, and risk management, and 4) analyze the performance of existing packing facilities and market outlets. The study area encompassed the Tennessee counties of Bledsoe, Coffee, Franklin, Grundy, Marion, Sequatchie, Van Buren, and Warren. The extension agent of each of county furnished a list of the commercial fruit and vegetable producers in his/her county. From this population, a random sample was drawn for the purpose of conducting a survey. Each grower in the random sample was interviewed personally. The data collected from this survey was coded and entered into a spreadsheet in Lotus 1-2-3. The coded data was transferred to SAS for statistical analysis. A description of the supply-side of the commercial produce market in the study area was derived from the results of this analysis. In identifying the producer population in the study area, several distinguishing characteristics were observed. These commercial fruit and vegetable growers either received nearly all of their household income or a small amount of their household income from farming. Few of the growers interviewed were in the realm between these two extremes. Nearly 30 percent of the producers surveyed worked at least 40 hours a week at jobs off the farm. Over one-half of the producers derived 100 percent of their total 1986 farm incomes entirely from their produce enterprises. The majority of the 38 growers received none of their total 1986 farm income from crops other than produce. Half of the surveyed growers have over 25 years of farming experience. Seventy-five percent have been farming for more than fifteen years. Nearly 70 percent of the producers interviewed were between the ages of 30 and 60 years old. Over 40 percent of the growers did not finish high school. Over 70 percent of the farm operators said that at least one other family member was involved with their commercial produce enterprise. Sixty percent hired non-family labor which was used primarily in the harvesting stage of production. Based on the sample of growers interviewed, a wide range of both fruits and vegetables was grown in the study area in both 1986 and 1987. Each producer grew either fruits or vegetables, but not both. Vegetables grown included bell peppers, cabbage, cantaloupe, cucumbers, Indian corn, Irish potatoes, okra, pimento peppers, pumpkins, snapbeans, squash, sweet corn, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and watermelons. Fruits grown were apples, blueberries, cherries,grapes, nectarines, peaches, plums, raspberries, and strawberries. Commercial production of fruits and vegetables in the study area was limited by nine different factors. The surveyed growers ranked these factors, naming weather as the most limiting factor. Other significant factors that limit commercial production were prices received, diseases, available labor, and insects. Of particular interest was that only five of the 38 agricultural producers interviewed named debt level as a factor limiting production. Four methods of risk management were used by the growers who were surveyed -- spreading sales, enterprise diversification, obtaining market information, and production contracts. Various approaches were used by the growers to prepare their produce for marketing. Only 21 percent of the producers conformed to U.S.D.A. grading standards. Just over a fourth used U.S.D.A. standards to size their produce. Produce was channeled through at least twelve different market outlets. The growers who were surveyed sold to wholesalers in Atlanta, Knoxville, Nashville, and other regions. Retailer outlets in Chattanooga and other local areas were used, as well as farmers\u27 markets in Atlanta, Chattanooga, and Nashville. Produce was also sold to processors and through other unspecified market outlets. Producer reaction to prices offered by buyers was varied. The only producers who felt that they must accept the price offered by the buyer were those producers who dealt with wholesalers. Many agricultural producers feel that they receive below-cost (or unfair) prices for their commodities. However, the majority of the growers who were surveyed felt that they had received fair prices for their most important crops. The majority of the producers who were interviewed rated the quality of locally grown produce as superior to produce from other origins. The majority were also unaware of the Pick-Tennessee-Products logo designed to promote locally grown produce. While only 34.3 percent believed that the logo would actually help them as a producer, 63.2 percent felt that the logo would influence shoppers to buy local produce. Twenty-four of the surveyed growers believed that a new or improved farmers\u27 market in Chattanooga would increase their- sales to urban customers. Seventy-four percent of the producers had access to a privately owned packing facility should they choose to use one. Only one grower had ever sold produce through a marketing cooperative. Fewer than half of the growers were interested in forming a marketing cooperative with other producers. While some of the producers who were interviewed appeared to be satisfied with their present marketing situation, others were interested in change. Producer response to several survey questions implies that there is potential within the study area for market improvements and innovations. Improvements in grading and standardization procedures could increase the appeal of local produce to wholesale markets. The market power of local producers could be augmented if enough growers could be persuaded to join a cooperative. Overall market performance in the study area could be improved if local market facilities were upgraded

Disturbance and community structure: An experimental study of bioturbation in marine soft-bottom environments

Bioturbators alter the sediment surface in the following ways: by depositing sediment on the surface in the form of feces or in the process of tunnelling, and by transporting sediment about the surface while feeding or while burrowing…

Social-Emotional Development Assessment: Scale Development for Kindergarten through Second Grade Youth Universal Screening

The goal of this project was to address a significant gap in the research literature with regard to available screening tools that allow young children to self-identify needs related to their social-emotional development. A review of current evidence-based social-emotional tools led to the identification of seven domains most frequently utilized: self-regulation, emotional regulation, social skills, self-concept, school connectedness, social responsibility, and optimism/positivity. To accomplish this endeavor, two studies were conducted to develop a screening measure that demonstrated adequate psychometric properties, but also minimized cost related to time for implementation. The first study was a review of 105 pilot scale items by kindergarten through second grade teachers (n = 12). Teachers ranked items based on importance that students demonstrate these skills at this developmental stage and also the readability of items. Rankings were then compared to that of the principal investigator. A balance of items from the seven domains with the highest rankings were taken to develop a 30-item pilot survey. The second study was a pilot of a self-report survey completed by kindergarten through second grade students (n = 384) from two different districts in the Northeast. This survey was completed by students via group administration. Special consideration was given to the survey design to maximize the likelihood that students would remain engaged and provide reliable information. Students were presented with visuals and additional prompts to aid in administration of the tool. Classic item analysis approaches found one item that was an outlier and was removed from analysis. The remaining 29 items were reviewed by an exploratory factor analysis. It was found that this scale presents with unidimensionality and explained 30.5% of the variance. Items were then compared utilizing a graded response model of item response theory. Following this review, 12 items were identified for future research from five of the seven original domains (self-regulation, social skills, school connectedness, social responsibility, and optimism). This scale will require future assessments to further validate the measure, but marks an important step in the potential development of a scale which allows young students to self-report social-emotional needs and receive early intervention supports