Studies in the storage rots of potatoes caused by Phoma species

Examination of the results of Series II inoculations shows that in each variety tested, susceptibility to Gangrene, as caused by either isolate, increases with the length of the storage period. The varieties are immune at lifting and during most of the dormant period. However, with sprouting, susceptibility is increased. Isolates 1 and 2 differed in their pathogenicity depending on the tuber variety concerned. Thus, Doon Star, Catriona and Kerr's Pink were more susceptible to isolate 1, and Golden Wonder and Home Guard were more susceptible to isolate 2. As regards susceptibility to isolate l,the varieties may be placed in the following order:- a) Catriona and Home Guard, b) Doon Star, c) Golden Wonder and Kerr's Pink. Similarly, with isolate 2 the varieties are placed in the order, a) Home Guard b) Golden Wonder, c) Doon Star and Kerr's Pink and d) Catriona. No conclusive evidence was produced regarding the pathogenicity of isolate 5 on any of the varieties tested. It seemed that this isolate was not a virulent parasite. The results of Series III inoculations show that storage at a higher temperature before inoculation renders the tubers more susceptible to Gangrene. However, storage at a low temperature subsequent to inoculation increases susceptibility to Gangrene, the rots formed being more extensive in the tubers kept in the insulated store room than in those kept at room temperature. Series III inoculations also indicated that different potato varieties can be graded according to their susceptibility. The first set of inoculations showed that the tubers tested could be placed in the following order of increasing susceptibility with regard to isolate 1: a) Kerr's Pink,b) Doon Star and Arran Banner,c) Golden Wonder,d) Arran Pilot,e) Catriona and Home Guard. Similarly, with regard to isolate 2, the order of the varieties is a) Kerr's Pink,b) Golden Wonder,c) Arran Banner and Doon Star, d) Arran Pilot,e) Home Guard,f) Catriona. In the second set of inoculations the order of increased susceptibility to isolate 1 is a) Home Guard, Doon Star and Kerr's Pink, b) Arran Pilot, c) Arran Banner, d) Golden Wonder and e) Catriona. With isolate 2 the sequence is a) Doon Star, Kerr's Pink and Golden Wonder, b) Arran Pilot, c) Arran Banner, d) Home Guard and e) Catriona. It is also evident from the results that some varieties, e.g. Kerr's Pink, Arran Banner and Catriona were more susceptible to isolate 2 in both sets of inoculations. In addition, Doon Star tended to be more susceptible to this isolate in the later set of inoculations. Series IV inoculations showed conclusively, that soil and storage conditions can be responsible for the development of a Skin Necrosis type of rot on infected tubers. The Skin Necrosis symptoms developed on only 51.3% of those tubers which were grown on peat soil and kept under low temperature storage conditions. The remaining tubers all developed deeper rots which , although shallow, were quite distinct from those showing Skin Necrosis symptoms

Art. XV.—Note on the Saltness of the Red Sea

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Drive-Line Generator Dynamometer Design

The goal of this project was to design a dynamometer to test a driveline generator. Dynamometer component designs were created, analyzed and iterated until all function requirements were met. All components were designed with safety factors greater than two except the shaft, which had a safety factor or 1.282 in the keyways. Using Solidworks, each component was modeled and Finite Element Analysis was completed. Upon satisfactory completion of the design, component drawings were made for future manufacturing

Collaboration During Visual Search

Three experiments examine how collaboration influences visual search performance. Working with a partner or on their own, participants reported whether a target was present or absent in briefly presented search displays. The search performance of individuals working together (collaborative pairs) was compared to the pooled responses of the individuals working alone (nominal pairs). Collaborative pairs were less likely than nominal pairs to correctly detect a target and they were less likely to make false alarms. Signal detection analyses revealed that collaborative pairs were more sensitive to the presence of the target and had a more conservative response bias than the nominal pairs. This pattern was observed when the search difficulty was increased and when the presence of another individual was matched across pairs. The results are discussed in the context of task sharing, social loafing and current theories of visual search

Coming to terms: an investigation of free-choice learning, scientific literacy and health literacy

The term free-choice learning has received relatively recent support, having been favoured by John Falk from around 2001. Free-choice learning can be described most simply as “the type of learning that occurs most frequently outside of school” (Falk, 2001, p.6). Free-choice science learning has connections with the research areas of science communication, the public understanding of science, public engagement with science and, in particular, informal learning. Additionally, Falk introduced the idea of working knowledge of science as, “knowledge generated by the learner’s own interests and needs” (Falk, Storksdieck and Dierking, 2007, p.464). This thesis explored the terms free-choice learning and working knowledge of science in order to gain a better understanding of their meaning and their importance. The work was carried out to address the following research questions: 1. Can the BodyWorks exhibits be used as a tool to provide evidence of free-choice learning and working knowledge? 2. Can the BodyWorks exhibits be used as a tool to gain a better understanding of free-choice learning and working knowledge? 3. What can be gained from revisiting scientific and health literacy concepts from the perspective of free-choice learning and working knowledge? 4. Can best practice with regards to free-choice learning and working knowledge be shared between the fields of scientific and health literacy? Glasgow Science Centre’s BodyWorks exhibits were used as a tool to empirically investigate free-choice learning and working knowledge. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews and staff diaries. It was found that 93% of participants referred to some type of free-choice learning experience when discussing the BodyWorks exhibits. A better understanding of free-choice learning and working knowledge was achieved. Free-choice learning and working knowledge were used as a lens through which to revisit the concepts and definitions of scientific literacy and health literacy. This theoretical work provided an insight to key themes developing in this literature and directions for future research. The results of both the empirical and theoretical parts of this thesis combined to produce implications for free-choice learning providers, formal education, the health sector and society. Most importantly the results presented ideas on how these groups could utilise free-choice learning and working knowledge to their benefit

Towards a Theory of Visual Concealment

The goal of this dissertation is to take initial steps towards understanding concealment behaviour and ultimately developing a theory of visual concealment. Since there are relatively few studies of concealment in the literature and given the natural relationship between search and concealment, five strategies used in the development of traditional visual search theory and scene-based search theory were applied to the study of concealment. These strategies are: 1) establish a methodology, 2) identify dimensions, 3) categorize dimensions, 4) prioritize dimensions, and 5) integrate results into a theoretical framework that may involve inferences about the mechanisms involved. In Chapter 2, participants placed target objects within luggage in locations that were easy or hard to find (i.e., the placement task). Participants’ subjective reports of their thought processes and strategies were analyzed to identify dimensions that are important during concealment in real-world settings. Once a list of dimensions was generated, the dimensions were then categorized into three categories: Stimulus Properties dimensions such as visual similarity, Embodiment dimensions such as confrontation, and Higher Order dimensions such as schema. In Chapter 3, the dimensions uncovered in Chapter 2 were used in a forced-choice task, and participants’ choices were evaluated to determine whether the dimensions affected hiding behaviour. To further develop the methodological techniques available to study concealment behaviour and to examine the generalizability of previous findings, in Chapter 4, the placement task was used in another context – an office environment – and the locations chosen by participants to make objects easy or hard to find were coded on relevant dimensions. In Chapter 5, an initial attempt was made to prioritize the dimensions. The forced-choice task was used in a new way to explore the relative importance of the dimensions by examining which dimensions participants chose to use over other dimensions. Finally in the General Discussion in Chapter 6, an attempt was made to integrate available results and previous theories and to make inferences about the mechanisms involved in visual concealment. Methodological considerations and future directions for the study of visual concealment are also discussed

Acceptability of Telegenetics for Families with Genetic Eye Diseases

Healthcare providers around the world have implemented remote routine consultations to minimise disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual clinics are particularly suitable for patients with genetic eye diseases as they rely on detailed histories with genetic counselling. During April–June 2019, the opinion of carers of children with inherited eye disorders attending the ocular genetics service at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (MEH) were canvassed. Sixty-five percent of families (n = 35/54) preferred to have investigations carried out locally rather than travel to MEH, with 64% opting for a virtual consultation to interpret the results. The most popular mode of remote contact was via telephone (14/31), with video call being least preferred (8/31). Hence, 54 families who had received a telephone consultation mid-pandemic (November 2020–January 2021) were contacted to re-evaluate the acceptability of telegenetics using the Clinical Genetics Satisfaction Indicator and Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire. Overall, 50 carers participated (response rate 93%); 58% of participants found teleconsultations acceptable and 54% agreed they increased their access to care, but 67.5% preferred to be seen in person. Patient satisfaction was high with 90% strongly agreeing/agreeing they shared and received all necessary information. Ocular genetics is well-suited for remote service delivery, ideally alternated with face-to-face consultations