Randomization Bias in Field Trials to Evaluate Targeting Methods

This paper studies the evaluation of methods for targeting the allocation of limited resources to a high-risk subpopulation. We consider a randomized controlled trial to measure the difference in efficiency between two targeting methods and show that it is biased. An alternative, survey-based design is shown to be unbiased. Both designs are simulated for the evaluation of a policy to target lead hazard investigations using a predictive model. Based on our findings, we advised the Chicago Department of Public Health to use the survey design for their field trial. Our work anticipates further developments in economics that will be important as predictive modeling becomes an increasingly common policy tool

All crystal clear: 18th-century glass à la façon de Bohème from the cistercian nunnery of Clairefontaine, Belgium

Excavations at the Cistercian nunnery of Clairefontaine, located near Arlon in the south of Belgium, revealed an assemblage of 18th-century colorless glass. The morphology of the vessels and the engraved decoration suggest a central European origin or, at least, stylistic inspiration. The composition of the glass points to a recipe combining silica, lime, and potash: a colorless potash glass à la façon de Bohème. This article considers the technology, morphology, and origin of the vessels. The art-historical analysis is supported by chemical research (scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy [SEM-EDX]). The finds are also discussed in light of the emerging northwestern European glass industry, changing consumer practices during the 18th century, and their meaning for the inhabitants of the abbey

Effect of Irrigation and Potash Levels on Keeping Quality of Potato

Irrigation and fertilizer are the most dominating factors, in deciding the keeping quality of potato. It is, therefore, essential to formulate the efficient, reliable and economically viable irrigation management strategy with the use of potassium nutrient in order to produce better keeping quality. The investigation comprising four levels of irrigation (25, 30, 35 and 40 mm CPE (Cumulative pan evaporation) and four levels of potash (0, 100, 125 and 150 kg/ha) was carried out at Research Farm of the Department of Vegetable Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, (Haryana) Hisar, India during two years to find out the optimum level of irrigation and potash for obtaining higher yield of potatoes with better keeping quality at ambient room temperature. The potato variety used for the investigation was Kufri Bahar. The treatments were laid out in a split plot design with three replications. The increasing levels of irrigation and potash showed significant improvement in keeping quality parameters of potato. Likewise, the values for physiological loss in weight and decay loss of potato tubers (%) at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after harvest were the lowest with irrigation level 40 mm CPE and application of potash @ 150 kg/ha. The two years results suggest that the irrigation level 40 mm CPE along with potash @ 150 kg/ha has shown the best treatment combination for the storage of potato at ambient room temperature under semiarid conditions of Hisar (Haryana)

Kalilannoitusta koskevia tutkimuksia : Selostus kiinteillä koekentillä vuosina 1932-59 suoritetuissa eri kalimääärien kokeissa saaduista tuloksista

vokInvestigations on potash fertilization results of field trials with different rates of potash carried out in the years 1932-5

The Mountain Pass Rare-Earth Deposits

Rare-earth minerals were discovered near Mountain Pass in northeastern San Bernardino County, Calif., in April 1949, and in the following year the Sulphide Queen carbonate body was found. This body is the world's greatest known concentration of rare-earth metals with a tonnage larger than the total of all rare earths used in the world prior to 1950. The rare earths in the Mountain Pass district are chiefly cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium. These elements occur principally in bastnaesite, a rare-earth fluocarbonate, heretofore reported from only about 10 localities in the world. The bastnaesite was discovered in samples from Mountain Pass obtained by H. E. Woodward and Clarence Watkins of Goodsprings, Nev., and its identity was established in laboratory studies by E . T. Schenk of the U. S. Bureau of Mines and D. F. Hewett of the U. S. Geological Survey. Subsequent prospecting by individuals and geologic investigations by the U. S. Geological Survey resulted in the discovery of bastnaesite in the Sulphide Queen carbonate body and numerous other deposits in a belt 6 miles long. Investigations by the U. S. Geological Survey since 1949 (Olson et al., in preparation) include detailed mapping of the site of the initial discovery-the Birthday claims-by L. C. Pray and W. N. Sharp; geologic mapping of the district by J. C. Olson; detailed mapping of the Sulphide Queen carbonate body and several smaller deposits by D. R. Shawe and W. N. Sharp; and laboratory mineralogic investigations by H. W. Jaffe

Mimeo Circular 10

Alaska's Extension Service was fortunate in again obtaining the services of Dr. George D. Scarseth, Director of Research for the American Farm Research Association. His task during the 1956 growing season was to review the fertility status of potato fields and to diagnose the potato malady that has reduced yields in recent years. Having familiarized himself with the symptoms during the 1955 season, he came back to Alaska in August of this year to study in greater detail the onslaught of this malady and to help interpret the results of studies designed to: explore basic causes and possible corrective measures. Dr. Scarseth's report is here reproduced in full for the guidance of farmers and agencies dealing with food production in Alaska.In cooperation with UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUR

Petrographic Studies of Potash Feldspar from the Yamato Sanmyaku, East Antarctica

The Yamato Sanmyaku is a mountain range located about 200km south of Prins Harald Kyst, East Antarctica. The mountains are composed of charnockitic group and granitic group rocks which were described geologically and petrographically by K. KIZAKI (1965). The present paper deals with the potash feldspars from the charnockitic group and pegmatites. The occurrence of the potash feldspars and their optical characteristics are described first, revealing the mechanism of albitization of potash feldspars which have a wide range in the optical axial angle. Next, the two-feldspar geothermometry method is applied to the potash feldspars from the Yamato Sanmyaku and the results are compared with that of the Norwegian potash feldspars and also with the data of Japanese plutonic rocks. The formation temperatures estimated from the distribution coefficient k, triclinicity and 2Vx value are discussed on the basis of the subsolidus phase relation, the relation between the formation temperature and crystal symmetry, and the relation between the optical axial angle and triclinicity. These relations well support the conclusion held from the geological and petrographical points of view that the charnockitic rocks were originally formed under a granulite facies condition, but their characters were influenced more or less by the subsequent granitization under an amphibolite facies condition