Field Evaluation of Different Modules against Insect Pest and Diseases of Soybean

Four different modules like chemical, adoptive, bio-intensive and control module tested in natural field condition for insect pest and disease management. Chemical module (ST with thiram + carboxin @ 2 g/kg + spraying with lamda-cyalothrin @ 0.05% + spray hexaconazole @ 0.01 @ 0.1% at 45 DAS followed by second spray at 60 DAS with hexaconazole @ 0.1% and spinosad @ 0.05% followed by spray with carbendazim 0.1% at 70 and 85 DAS was found best as least leaf defoliator population (3.20 /mrl) and low girdle beetle infestation (3.30 %) were observed in field. In respect of disease, minimum charcoal rot (23.26 %) and Alternaria leaf spot (10.76 %) were recorded in chemical module followed by Adoptive module (28.08 and 17.17% respectively). In regards to yield, chemical module proved in yield maximization (1383.70 kg/ha) as compare to other modules

Automating the mean-field method for large dynamic gossip networks

We investigate an abstraction method, called mean- field method, for the performance evaluation of dynamic net- works with pairwise communication between nodes. It allows us to evaluate systems with very large numbers of nodes, that is, systems of a size where traditional performance evaluation methods fall short.\ud While the mean-field analysis is well-established in epidemics and for chemical reaction systems, it is rarely used for commu- nication networks because a mean-field model tends to abstract away the underlying topology.\ud To represent topological information, however, we extend the mean-field analysis with the concept of classes of states. At the abstraction level of classes we define the network topology by means of connectivity between nodes. This enables us to encode physical node positions and model dynamic networks by allowing nodes to change their class membership whenever they make a local state transition. Based on these extensions, we derive and implement algorithms for automating a mean-field based performance evaluation

Laboratory and Field Evaluation of Essential Oils From Cymbopogon Nardus as Oviposition Deterrent and Ovicidal Activities Against Helicoverpa Armigera Hubner on Chili Pepper

The fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner) is one of the key pests of chili pepper in Indonesia. Yield loss due to this insect pest may reach up to 60%. Chemical treatment for con-trolling this insect pest is ineffective and eventually leads to environmental pollution. More environmentally safe insecticides are developed based on natural plant ingredients as their active compound such as essential oils. This study aimed to assess the potential of citronella oil for managing H. armigera on chili pepper. The experiments were conducted at the Indonesian Vegetables Research Institute from April 2009 to March 2010 and in Cirebon, West Java from November 2009 to March 2010. A field experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design with five treatments and replicated five times. Citronella oil was extracted by steam distillation from Cymbo-pogon nardus. The oil was then chemically characterized by using GC-MS and its efficacy (ovicidal and feeding deterrent) against H. armigera was tested both in laboratory and field conditions. The GC-MS result showed that major chemical compounds of the citronella oil used were citronella (35.97%), nerol (17.28%), citronellol (10.03%), geranyle acetate (4.44%), elemol (4.38%), limonene (3.98%), and citronnellyle acetate (3.51%). The laboratory experiment revealed that the highest concentration (4,000 ppm) of citronella oil reduced egg laying by 53-66%. Ovicidal activity was concentration dependent, and egg hatchability decreased by 15-95% compared to control. The field experiment showed that treatment of citronella oil at 2.0 mL L-1 significantly reduced fruit damage by H. armigera similar to the plots treated with spinosad at the recommended dose (60 g ai ha-1). Application of citronella oil significantly reduced fruit damage by 72% and increased quality of the chili pepper. Because oviposition and feeding deterrent properties are key factors in controlling the pest, therefore this study revealed that citronella oil has potential to be incorporated into the controlling program of H. armigera on chili pepper

Home Visitation: A Case Study of Evaluation at The David and Lucile Packard Foundation

This case study describes how a long-term investment in evaluation was instrumental to a foundation strategy to support home visitation and education to parents about effective interaction with their young children. The case illustrates the substantial impact an evaluation can have on a field

A Method to Evaluate the Stimulation of a Real World Field of View by Means of a Spectroradiometric Analysis

Stimulation elicited by a real world field of view is related to the color, the intensity and the direction of the information reaching the eye: different spectral power distributions of light trigger different responses. An evaluation of the stimulation provided by the field of view can be performed by measuring the spectral radiance with a spectroradiometer and weighting this data with an efficiency curve. Different weights (physical, physiological and psychological) can lead to different analyses and consequently to different results. The proposed method allows an overall and simplified evaluation of the field of view based on spectral and luminance measures and a script that processes the luminous information. The final aim of this approach is to provide further information about the light stimulation reaching the retina and to supply a qualitative evaluation of the field of view, allowing to know how much stimulation is coming from a certain area within the visual field depending on the type of surface, basing on spectral and directional information. This approach can have practical implications, allowing technicians and designers to take into consideration the possible visual fields, in order to properly shape the features of stimulation throughout the day, hence following a field of view-based dynamic design

Quality Teacher Evaluation in Alaska: Voices from the Field

This brief focuses on the results of research regarding teacher evaluation policy and practice among a pilot group of Alaska Superintendents. The results of this report are intended to guide policy makers on creating and supporting policies which enable school leaders to effectively evaluate and support classroom teachers, helping to elicit the best from teachers on behalf of Alaska students. As Darling‐Hammond (1999) states, “Despite conventional wisdom that school inputs make little difference in student learning, a growing body of research suggests that schools can make a difference, and a substantial portion of that difference is attributable to teachers.” It is critical that we identify how to enable teachers to increase desired performance for every student

Adaptation of a University Soils Mechanics Course for a Union Technician Training Program

When dealing with the term “geotechnical”, most often engineers associate this with the engineering during the design phase. However, equally important is the quality control performed during the construction phase. While great time and expense is used in the initial investigation, the field quality control is usually regulated to the lowest bidder. In 2002, the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150 started an organizing effort in the Chicagoland area. In the area of Soils, the Union relied on certifications revolving around laboratory testing and not actual field work. This is in a large part due to the fact that the in the field evaluation of soils there is not a trade organization acting as governing body (such as the American Concrete Institute, American Institute of Steel Construction, or the American Welding Society) for certification. Experience is paramount in the field as the evaluation of soils can be as much “art as science”.Cockrell School of Engineerin

Wheat rusts never sleep but neither do sequencers: will pathogenomics transform the way plant diseases are managed?

Field pathogenomics adds highly informative data to surveillance surveys by enabling rapid evaluation of pathogen variability, population structure and host genotype