University of Maine Marketing and Communications_Class of 2020 Recognition Email

UMaine Commencement Alert email from Mike Kirby, Manager of Digital Communications, University of Maine Division of Marketing and Communications regarding the recognition of the Class of 2020 in a Class of 2020 Yearbook during the COVID-19 pandemic

Selenate-enriched urea granules are a highly effective fertilizer for selenium biofortification of paddy rice grain

Citation: Premarathna, Lakmalie, Mike J. McLaughlin, Jason K. Kirby, Ganga M. Hettiarachchi, Samuel Stacey, and David J. Chittleborough. “Selenate-Enriched Urea Granules Are a Highly Effective Fertilizer for Selenium Biofortification of Paddy Rice Grain.” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 60, no. 23 (June 13, 2012): 6037–44. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf3005788.We examined the effects of applied selenium (Se) species, time of application, method of application and soil water management regime on accumulation of Se in rice plants. Plants were grown to maturity in a temperature- and humidity-controlled growth chamber using three water management methods: field capacity (FC), submerged until harvest, and submerged and drained two weeks before harvest; two Se species: selenate (SeO[subscript 4] ˉ²) and selenite (SeO[subscript 3]ˉ²) applied at a rate equivalent to 30 g haˉ¹; and four application methods: i) Se applied at soil preparation, ii) Se-enriched urea granules applied to floodwater at heading iii) foliar Se applied at heading and iv) fluid fertilizer Se applied to soil or floodwater at heading. Total Se concentrations in rice grains, husks, leaves, culms and roots were measured, as well as Se speciation in grains from the Se-enriched urea granule treatment. Highest Se concentrations in the grain occurred with SeO[subscript 4] ˉ² and with fertilizer applied at heading stage; SeO[subscript 4]ˉ²-enriched urea granules applied at heading increased grain Se concentrations 5 to 6 fold (by 450-600 μg kgˉ¹) compared to the control (no fertilizer Se applied) in all water treatments. Under paddy conditions other Se fertilization strategies were much less effective. Drainage before harvesting caused Se to accumulate in/on rice roots, possibly through adsorption onto iron plaque on roots. Rice grains contained Se mainly in the organic form as selenomethionine (SeM) which comprised over 90 % of the total grain Se in treatments fertilized with SeO[subscript 4]ˉ² -enriched urea granules. The results of this study clearly show of the fertilizer strategies tested that biofortification of Se in rice grains can best be achieved in lowland rice by broadcast application of SeO[subscript 4]ˉ² -enriched urea granules to floodwater at heading stage

Montezuma Quail Management in Arizona: Addressing Needs of a Consistent, Dedicated Public With a Variable, Inconsistent Resource

Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) are unique among species of quail in habitat, diet, and behavior; these distinctions combined with an exotic appearance, and distribution in warmer climates in the United States have made them a popular game bird among a dedicated cadre of upland bird hunters. Montezuma quail are not, however, unique in population fluctuations which are largely affected by climatic factors. The history of harvest management for Montezuma quail in Arizona has generally been one of increasing season lengths and bag limits since the first 2-day hunt in 1960. There have, however, been several instances when season dates and bag limits have been changed, largely in response to public demand from individuals and groups that believed efforts to reduce harvest would protect populations and reduce fluctuation of bird numbers. Research directed specifically at the influence of harvest on Montezuma quail populations has found quail numbers fluctuate independent of potential harvest levels. Density-dependent survival, compensatory mortality, and self-regulating hunter numbers are often invoked to explain fluctuation of quail numbers independent of harvest regulations. We reviewed current literature relative to these issues and investigated Montezuma quail harvest characteristics to inform management options. Hunter numbers, based on hunter questionnaire data collected between 1987 and 2009, had greater influence (r2 1⁄4 0.616) on Montezuma quail harvest than either birds/day (r2 1⁄4 0.474), or days/hunter (r2 1⁄4 0.229) suggesting restricting hunter numbers would affect harvest more than reducing bag limits or season length. The average Montezuma quail hunters in Arizona harvested , 2 birds/day, , 6 birds/season, and hunted , 4 days/season. Dedicated hunters typical of those seeking harvest restrictions are not ‘average’ hunters and often have inflated views of the impact of hunting on annual fluctuations in bird numbers. Efforts to control harvest commensurate with perceived bird populations would be ineffective at maintaining reliable bird numbers and would be inconsistent with the current state of knowledge relative to effects of hunting on Montezuma quail numbers. Alternative management options including increasing public information and education efforts may be more effective at satisfying the needs of the dedicated community of Montezuma quail enthusiasts

The impact of 3D stereoscopic visualisation on performance in electron skin apposition techniques using VERT

Abstract Introduction: The Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT) is a simulator used to train radiotherapy students cost-effectively with limited risk. VERT is available as a two-dimensional (2D) and a more costly three-dimensional (3D) stereoscopic resource. This study aimed to identify the specific benefits afforded by stereoscopic visualisation for student training in skin apposition techniques. Method: Eight participants completed six electron skin apposition setups in both 2D and 3D views of VERT using a 7 cm × 10 cm rectangular applicator setup to 100 cm focus skin distance (FSD). The standard deviation (SD) of the mean distance from each corner of the applicator to the virtual patient’s skin surface [which we define as apposition precision (AP)] was measured along with the time taken to achieve each setup. Participants then completed a four-question Likert-style questionnaire concerning their preferences and perceptions of the 2D and 3D views. Results: There was little difference in mean setup times with 218·43 seconds for 2D and 211·29 seconds for 3D (3·3% difference). There was a similarly small difference in AP with a mean SD of 5·61 mm for 2D and 5·79 mm for 3D (3·2% difference) between views. The questionnaire results showed no preference for the 3D view over the 2D. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the 2D and 3D views result in similar setup times and precision, with no user preference for the 3D view. It is recommended that the 2D version of VERT could be utilised in similar situations with a reduced logistical and financial impact. </jats:sec

Public attitudes to the sentencing of drug offences

Qualitative research into public attitudes to sentencing for drug offences was conducted on behalf of the Sentencing Council for England and Wales by the Institute for Criminal Policy Research

Space, the universe and everything : listening to visitors to the Luxmuralis son et lumiere installation at Liverpool Cathedral in 2022

High profile (and sometimes controversial) events and installations have drawn attention to innovation and public engagement within Anglican cathedrals. One strong category of such events and installations has promoted clear engagement with scientific themes. Taking the Luxmuralis son et lumiere installation, Space, the Universe and Everything, as an example of such engagement, the present study examined the demographic and religious profile of 283 visitors to this installation at Liverpool Cathedral and explored their views on the connection between science and religion. The data demonstrated that 94% of the participants agreed that a cathedral is an ideal place for this type of installation. Reflecting on their experience of the installation in Liverpool Cathedral, 73% agreed that we need both science and religion in our lives

Effect of Heifer Development System on Reproduction and Subsequent Gain as a Pregnant Heifer

Weaned heifers grazed corn residue, upland range, or were fed 1 of 2 drylot diets differing in energy. Heifer development diets did not impact their resulting AI or final pregnancy rates. Cost per pregnant heifer was similar among treatments. A subset of AI- pregnant heifers was placed in a Calan Broadbent individual feeding system during late gestation. As a pregnant heifer, feed efficiency was not impacted by development system. These results indicate producers may utilize their most readily available and/or cost- effective feed resources with no detriment to pregnancy rates or feed efficiency as first- calf heifers

Diagnostic and therapeutic radiography MSc dissertations: A rich source of clinically relevant research and development

Conference: UK Imaging and Oncology Congress Online 2021, 7-25 June 202