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Purpose: The goals were to ascertain if differences in imaging/clinical characteristics between women and men were associated with differences in fusion for lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis. Methods: Patients had preoperative standing radiographs, CT scans, and intraoperative fluoroscopic images. Symptoms and comorbidity were obtained from patients; procedure (fusion-surgery or decompression-alone) was obtained from intraoperative records. With fusion surgery as the dependent variable, men and women were compared in multivariable logistic regression models with clinical/imaging characteristics as independent variables. The sample was dichotomized, and analyses were repeated with separate models for men and women. Results: For 380 patients (mean age 67, 61% women), women had greater translation, listhesis angle, lordosis, and pelvic incidence, and less diastasis and disc height (all p ≤ 0.03). The rate of fusion was higher for women (78% vs. 65%; OR 1.9, p = 0.008). Clinical/imaging variables were associated with fusion in separate models for men and women. Among women, in the final multivariable model, less comorbidity (OR 0.5, p = 0.05), greater diastasis (OR 1.6, p = 0.03), and less anterior disc height (OR 0.8, p = 0.0007) were associated with fusion. Among men, in the final multivariable model, opioid use (OR 4.1, p = 0.02), greater translation (OR 1.4, p = 0.0003), and greater diastasis (OR 2.4, p = 0.0002) were associated with fusion. Conclusions: There were differences in imaging characteristics between men and women, and women were more likely to undergo fusion. Differences in fusion within groups indicate that decisions for fusion were based on composite assessments of clinical and imaging characteristics that varied between men and women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dinuclear bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) borane adduct 2 rapidly reacts with tritylium salts at room temperature but the outcome is strongly impacted by the respective counter‐ion. Using tritylium tetrakis(perfluoro‐tert‐butoxy)aluminate affords – depending on the solvent – either the bis(boronium) ion 4 or the hydride‐bridged dication 5. In case of tritylium hexafluorophosphate, however, H/F exchange occurs between boron and phosphorus yielding the dinuclear BF3 adduct 3 along with phosphorus dihydride trifluoride. H/F exchange also takes place when using the mononuclear N‐heterocyclic carbene BH3 adduct 6 and hence provides a facile route to PH2F3, which is usually synthesized in more complex reaction sequences regularly involving toxic hydrogen fluoride. DFT calculations shed light on the H/F exchange between the borenium ion and the [PF6]− counter‐ion and the computed mechanism features only small barriers in line with the experimental observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study explored the beliefs and attitudes of university faculty members towards climate change from Midwestern and Northeastern universities in the U.S. Findings from this study suggest that participants' experiences were mostly associated with extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall or drought. Diverse opinions were presented on addressing climate change and often participants' expertise guided those opinions. Several suggestions were expressed on climate change accountability, including individuals' responsibility, the importance of active social movements, and the role of corporations, governments, and technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assessing the impact of spine disorders such as lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS) on overall health is a component of quality of care that may not be comprehensively captured by spine-specific and single-attribute patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Purpose: We sought to compare PROMs to the Lumbar Surgery Expectations Survey ("Expectations Survey"), which addresses multiple aspects of health and well-being, and to compare the relevance of surgeon-selected versus survey-selected Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) items to LDS. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 379 patients with LDS preoperatively completed the Expectations Survey, Numerical Rating Pain Scales, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and PROMIS computer-adaptive physical function, pain, and mental health surveys. Expectations Survey scores were compared to PROMs with correlation coefficients (indicating strengths of relationships) and probability values (indicating associations by chance). Surgeons reviewed physical function questions to identify those particularly relevant to LDS. Results: Patients' mean age was 67 years, 64% were women, and 83% had single-level and 17% had multiple-level LDS. Probability values between the Expectations Survey and PROMs were reliable, but strengths of relationships were only mild to moderate, indicating PROMs did not comprehensively capture the impact of LDS. None of the surgeon-selected PROMIS physical function questions were posed to patients. Conclusion: This cross-sectional study found PROMs to be reliably associated but not strongly correlated with the Expectations Survey, which addresses the whole-patient impact of LDS. New measures that complement PROMIS and ODI should be developed to capture the whole-person effects of LDS and permit attribution of LDS treatments to overall health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionospheric variability produces measurable effects in Doppler shift of HF (high-frequency, 3–30 MHz) skywave signals. These effects are straightforward to measure with low-cost equipment and are conducive to citizen science campaigns. The low-cost Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS) network is a modular network of community-maintained, open-source receivers, which measure Doppler shift in the precise carrier signals of time standard stations. The primary goal of this paper is to explain the types of measurements this instrument can make and some of its use cases, demonstrating its role as the building block for a large-scale ionospheric and HF propagation measurement network which complements existing professional networks. Here, data from the PSWS network are presented for a period of time spanning late 2019 to early 2022. Software tools for the visualization and analysis of this living dataset are also discussed and provided. These tools are robust to data interruptions and to the addition, removal or modification of stations, allowing both short- and long-term visualization at higher density and faster cadence than other methods. These data may be used to supplement observations made with other geospace instruments in event-based analyses, e.g., traveling ionospheric disturbances and solar flares, and to assess the accuracy of the bottomside estimates of ionospheric models by comparing the oblique paths obtained by ionospheric ray tracers with those obtained by these receivers. The data are archived at 10.5281/zenodo.6622111. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: Retrospective case series. Objective: To report contemporary rates of complications and subsequent surgery after spinal surgery in patients with skeletal dysplasia. Methods: A case series of 25 consecutive patients who underwent spinal surgery between 2007 and 2017 were identified from a single institution's skeletal dysplasia registry. Patient demographics, medical history, surgical indication, complications, and subsequent surgeries (revisions, extension to adjacent levels, or for pathology at a non-contiguous level) were collected. Charlson comorbidity indices were calculated as a composite measure of overall health. Results: Achondroplasia was the most common skeletal dysplasia (76%) followed by spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (20%); 1 patient had diastrophic dysplasia (4%). Average patient age was 53.2 ± 14.7 years and most patients were in excellent cardiovascular health (88% Charlson Comorbidity Index 0-4). Mean follow up after the index procedure was 57.4 ± 39.2 months (range). Indications for surgery were mostly for neurologic symptoms. The most commonly performed surgery was a multilevel thoracolumbar decompression without fusion (57%). Complications included durotomy (36%), neurologic complication (12%), and infection requiring irrigation and debridement (8%). Nine patients (36%) underwent a subsequent surgery. Three patients (12%) underwent a procedure at a non-contiguous anatomic zone, 3 (12%) underwent a revision of the previous surgery, and another 3 (12%) required extension of their previous decompression or fusion. Conclusions: Surgical complication rates remain high after spine surgery in patients with skeletal dysplasia, likely attributable to inherent characteristics of the disease. Patients should be counseled on their risk for complication and subsequent surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While grain farming has seen a major shift toward organic production in recent years, the USA continues to lag behind with domestic demand continuing to outpace domestic supply, making the USA an all-around net importer. The Midwestern USA is poised to help remedy this imbalance; however, farmers continue to slowly transition to organic production systems. Existing literature has identified three prevalent narratives that farmers use to frame their organic transition: environmentalism, farm-family legacy and economic factors, in addition to a four and untested religiosity narrative. This study sought to better understand how these different narratives frame grain farmers' thought processes for transitioning from conventional production systems to certified organic production systems. We co-created narratives around organic production with farmers, which resulted in four passages aligned with the literature: farm-family legacy, economic values, environmental values and Christianity and stewarding Eden. Then, we mailed a paper survey to conventional, in transition and certified organic Indiana grain farmers in order to test how these different narratives motivated organic production. We found that the most prevalent narrative around organic production is the farm-family legacy, which specifically resonated with midsize farmers. We also found that the religious stewardship narrative resonated with a substantial number of organic and mixed practice farmers, which is likely due to Amish farmers within the sample. These results shed light on the role that narratives and associated values play in organic practice use and can inform the organic efforts of agricultural professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quantitative computed tomography (qCT) efficiently measures 3-dimensional vertebral bone mineral density (BMD), but its utility in measuring BMD at various vertebral levels in patients with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS) is unclear. Purpose: We sought to determine whether qCT could differentiate BMD at different levels of LDS, particularly at L4-L5, the most common single level for LDS. In addition, we sought to describe patterns of BMD for single-level and multiple-level LDS. Methods: We conducted a study of patients undergoing surgery for LDS who were part of a larger longitudinal study comparing preoperative and intraoperative images. Preoperative patients were grouped as single-level or multiple-level LDS, and qCT BMD was obtained for L1-S1 vertebrae. Mean BMD was compared with literature reports; in multivariable analyses, BMD of each vertebra was assessed according to the level of LDS, controlling for covariates and for BMD of other vertebrae. Results: Of 250 patients (mean age: 67 years, 64% women), 22 had LDS at L3-L4 only, 170 at L4-L5 only, 13 at L5-S1 only, and 45 at multiple levels. Compared with other disorders reported in the literature, BMD in our sample similarly decreased from L1 to L3 then increased from L4 to S1, but mean BMD per vertebra in our sample was lower. Nearly half of our sample met criteria for osteopenia. In multivariable analysis controlling for BMD at other vertebrae, lower L4 BMD was associated with LDS at L4-L5, greater pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis, and not having diabetes. In contrast, in similar multivariable analysis, greater L4 BMD was associated with LDS at L3-L4. Bone mineral density of L3 and L5 was not associated with LDS levels. Conclusion: In our sample of preoperative patients with LDS, we observed lower BMD for LDS than for other lumbar disorders. L4 BMD varied according to the level of LDS after controlling for covariates and BMD of other vertebrae. Given that BMD can be obtained from routine imaging, our findings suggest that qCT data may be useful in the comprehensive assessment of and strategy for LDS surgery. More research is needed to elucidate the cause-effect relationships among spinopelvic alignment, LDS, and BMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionospheric variability due to atmospheric coupling produces measurable effects in Doppler shift of HF (high frequency, 3-30 MHz) skywave signals. These effects are straightforward to measure with low-cost equipment and are conducive to citizen science campaigns. The Personal Space Weather Station network is a modular network of community-maintained, open-source receivers, which measure Doppler shift in the precise carrier signals of time standard stations WWV, WWVH and CHU. Here, data from 5 the first prototype of the Low-Cost Personal Space Weather Station are presented for a period of time spanning late 2019 to early 2022. Software tools for the visualization and analysis of this living dataset are also discussed and provided. These tools are robust to data interruptions and to the addition, removal or modification of stations, allowing both short- and long-term visualization at higher density and faster cadence than other methods. These data are archived at www.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6622111 (Collins, 2022). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visible light communication (VLC) transceivers suffer from optical interference and ambient light saturation, which severely affect the reception of optical signals. In this paper, we discuss various techniques for the suppression of ambient light in electronic, optical, communication and wavelength domains with focus on VLC systems for vehicular communication. Designing transceivers for outdoor VLC systems is challenging due to the dynamic environment and the time-varying nature of interference from different types of ambient light sources. This is a unique study that addresses the problem of optical interference in multiple physical domains and offers qualitative insights in a systematic manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benign benign vascular tumors (e.g., hemangiomas) and malformations are commonly encountered lesions in all ages of life, especially in infancy and childhood. Hemangiomas are considered to be proliferative vascular lesions while malformations are defects of embryonal vascular morphogenesis. Less than 1% of hemangiomas within the body occur in skeletal muscle and of these approximately 15% have been reported to occur in the head and neck musculature (e.g. masseter, trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, mylohyoid, temporalis muscles) Intramuscular angioma (the preferred term for lesions formerly known as intramuscular hemangiomas by WHO Tumors of Soft Tissue and Bone Classification, 5th edition 2020) (IA) occurring in the extraocular muscles or palpebral muscles (orbicularis oculi) are extremely rare with only a few case reports in the English literature. To date, all the extraocular muscles have reportedly been involved. With the case reported herein, the medial rectus muscle appears to be the most common extraocular muscle involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a case vision-threatening sclerouveitis as a probable adverse drug reaction to ibrutinib. Case report. Ibrutinib is an inhibitor of Bruton's kinase which has shown success in the treatment of hematological malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Despite being generally well tolerated, recent studies have implicated ibrutinib in several adverse events affecting organs such as the heart, intestines, and the eyes. We present the case of a patient who developed severe sclerouveitis after approximately one year of ibrutinib therapy, and suggest this is a probable adverse drug reaction associated with ibrutinib in accordance with the Naranjo algorithm, highlighting the importance of prompt management of ocular symptoms in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Beginning farmers and ranchers (BFRs) are more likely to access land through an unrelated landowner than through family. Thus, farm and ranch owners who might transfer their land or businesses out of family are potential sources of land access for BFRs and are the most frequent participants in incentive programs to facilitate land transfer to BFRs. To assist in identifying landowners who might transfer out of family, the paper aims to explore similarities and differences between landowners according to their expectations for intra-familial versus extra-familial farm transfer. Design/methodology/approach: Pairwise and regression analysis of USA Midwestern and Plains landowners' responses to an online survey (n = 322). Findings: Landowners who might transfer out of family were likely to need the proceeds from a land sale to finance their retirement. Landowners' financial needs interacted with their widespread interest in transferring to a BFR such that 97% of owners who expected extra-familial transfer wanted to transfer to a BFR. There were also statistical patterns around the size of owners' landholdings in relation to their transfer plans. Research limitations/implications: This exploratory inquiry suggests patterns for future research to examine, especially around landowners' juxtaposition of their retirement income and their interest in transferring to a BFR and how to align these priorities and values. Originality/value: By exploring the characteristics of landowners who are the most likely to provide land access to BFRs, the authors begin to examine how to target these owners in program outreach. Patterns for further exploration point to landowners' financial needs in relation to their interest in helping a BFR to get started in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site (ESP) is a venue for public education and dialogue on contemporary as well as historical criminal justice issues. Since visitors to prison museums typically have had limited involvement with prisons, the experience they have onsite may impact their perceptions of contemporary criminal justice issues. Therefore, this study examined the influence of the onsite experiences, as well as policy narratives, policy beliefs, and underlying values on interpretive outcomes. Visitors were surveyed at the end of their visit to Eastern State Penitentiary. Multiple regression was conducted to identify which factors predicted interpretive outcomes. Results showed an increased awareness of criminal justice issues, increased empathy and appreciation for those involved in the system, and support for criminal justice reform across ideological boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Politics & Policy is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Land access for new farmers and ranchers includes transfers from owners without family successors. We compare how farm seekers’ needs align with the offerings of farm owners whose farm assets may transfer out of family in the 12-state North Central Region as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.1 In Phase 1, managers of farm link services, which connect farm owners without a successor in their family to farm seekers, estimated the patterns demonstrated by their program’s seeker and owner participants through a questionnaire. In Phase 2, managers of these and select other agricultural and rural programs circulated to their networks an online survey whose respondents included 178 farm seekers and 183 farm owners whose assets may transfer out of family. Findings denote similarities and barriers between the two groups. The biggest difference was that few owners offered an on-farm residence, which was a top need of seekers. In terms of similarities, the survey found no statistical differences in the groups’ respective locations on a rural-urban continuum, nor in land parcel sizes sought and offered. Half of farm link service providers concurred, observing a match between seeker and owner land needs. However, the other half of service providers reported wide differences, observing two patterns. First, incoming farmers preparing for commodity row crop, hay and fodder, and beef production are well-matched by owners with like type farms to offer, although new entrants often seek bigger parcels than owners offer. Second, seekers preparing for specialty crop, dairy, and hog or poultry (outdoor and indoor) production far exceed the number of owners who offer the infrastructure and scale for these production systems, particularly for parcels under 40 acres.2 Results suggest opportunities for research and intervention to target barriers and areas of alignment between owner and seeker needs, especially for affordable on-farm housing for new farm operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overabundance of white-tailed deer is a pervasive problem across the United States. Deer are blamed for increased risk of auto accidents, tick-borne diseases, and overbrowsing of native species. Lethal management techniques, cited as cost-effective and humane, are commonly employed for herd management. However, the approach frequently sparks outrage among various stakeholders who feel killing of animals is unjustified and prefer nonlethal measures. Wildlife managers then face the challenge of communicating with the public to build policy support for lethal management. The Narrative Policy Framework was used to test the effects of differing narratives on public opinion for lethal deer management. Results indicated narratives were influential in shifting attitudes toward and support for a proposed sharpshooting policy even in some cases where respondents were already familiar with the issue and held a previous opinion. This study also supported the utility of the Narrative Policy Framework for examining human dimensions of wildlife issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dramatic loss of open space in the USA over the last 50 years has led to increased conservation efforts by public, private, and non-profit entities. Amongst private landowners, conservation easements, or conditions written into a property's title that permanently limit how it may be used, are a popular form of land protection. Private land protection is vital for both the conservation of America's characteristic open spaces, and to ensure the future of many threatened and endangered plant and animal species. Yet little is known about the people who are placing conservation easements on their properties, the landscape features and land use practices currently being protected under conservation easements, or the ways in which these conservation patterns will continue into the future. Regardless, private land conservation efforts are shaping the American landscape; therefore, a thorough understanding of their characteristics is needed. Given that nostalgia, or an idealized and simplified notion of the past, underlies many of the motivations private landowners have for protecting their properties, this study suggests that there is a link between the type of nostalgia motivating private land protection and the types of land and land use practices being conserved. Further, the authors contend that this phenomenon is worthy of further investigation given its potential for environmental, social, and economic impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmers markets have flourished in recent decades as alternative distribution outlets for small-scale, organic producers. However, one persistent challenge for farmers markets is attracting a diverse range of patrons across the wide socio-economic spectrum. This issue is even more critical when focused on individuals with a limited budget for food expenditures. Thus, we surveyed SNAP and non-SNAP users who attend a Midwestern farmers market in order to investigate motivations for attendance, local food values, and the role that financial incentives play in affecting attendance. Additionally, we compared our findings with our previous research on households who receive SNAP and do not attend the farmers market. Our results underscore that the SNAP users at the market have much in common with their non-SNAP market-going counterparts. There are also several critical differences between market-going SNAP users and the non-going SNAP users. In conclusion, while our results show financial incentives work to reduce the reproduction of economic privilege at the farmers market, additional initiatives are required to address other food access barriers and to promote food justice in this important and expanding space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the positive yield (utility rate) of temporal artery biopsy (TAB) in patients with suspected giant cell arteritis (GCA). Study Design: Systematic review (CRD42017078508) and meta-regression. Materials and Methods: All articles concerning TAB for suspected GCA with English language abstracts from 1998 to 2017 were retrieved. Articles were excluded if they exclusively reported positive TAB, or only cases of known GCA. Where available, the pre-specified predictors of age, sex, vision symptoms, jaw claudication, duration of steroid treatment prior to TAB, specimen length, bilateral TAB, and use of ultrasound/MRI (imaging) were recorded for meta-regression. Results: One hundred and thirteen articles met eligibility criteria. The I2 was 92%, and with such high heterogeneity, meta-analysis is unsuitable. The median yield of TAB was 0.25 (95% confidence interval 0.21 to 0.27), with interquartile range 0.17 to 0.34. On univariate meta-regression age (coefficient 0.012, p = 0.025) was the only statistically significant patient factor associated with TAB yield. Conclusions: Systematic review revealed high heterogeneity in the yield of TAB. The median utility rate of 25% and its interquartile range provides a benchmark for decisions regarding the under/overutilization of TAB and aids in the evaluation of non-invasive alternatives for the investigation of GCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computing hardware has mostly thrashed out the physical limits for speeding up individual computing cores. Consequently, the main line of progress for new hardware is growing the number of computing cores within a single CPU. This makes the study of efficient parallelization schemes for computation-intensive algorithms more and more important. A natural precondition to achieving reasonable speedups from parallelization is maintaining a high workload of the available computational resources. At the same time, reproducibility and reliability are key requirements for software that is used in industrial applications. In this paper, we present the new parallelization concept for the state-of-the-art MIP solver FICO Xpress-Optimizer. MIP solvers like Xpress are expected to be deterministic. This inevitably results in synchronization latencies which render the goal of a satisfying workload a challenge in itself. We address this challenge by following a partial information approach and separating the concepts of simultaneous tasks and independent threads from each other. Our computational results indicate that this leads to a much higher CPU workload and thereby to an improved, almost linear, scaling on modern high-performance CPUs. As an added value, the solution path that Xpress takes is not only deterministic in a fixed environment, but also, to a certain extent, thread-independent. This paper is an extended version of Berthold et al. [Parallelization of the FICO Xpress-Optimizer, in Mathematical Software - ICMS 2016: 5th International Conference, G.-M. Greuel, T. Koch, P. Paule, and A. Sommere, eds., Springer International Publishing, Berlin, 2016, pp. 251-258] containing more detailed technical descriptions, illustrative examples and updated computational results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overpopulation of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is an increasingly common challenge for natural resource managers, especially in the Northeast, Great Lakes, and Midwest regions of the United States. Despite the pervasiveness of the issue, satisfactory resolution remains elusive for many parks, communities and natural areas. Frequently, social concerns and ecological conditions deteriorate to the point where lethal management techniques are recommended to reduce numbers quickly. However, implementing lethal management strategies to reduce overabundant white-tailed deer populations frequently engenders contentious debate, in part because trust in the managing agency is often low. In such cases, implementation challenges shift from managing deer to affecting and managing public opinion. The purpose of this case study was to examine factors that influence trust in the City of Bloomington (IN) government to properly manage the deer population at a city-owned nature preserve. Results indicated that positive evaluation of the decision-making process and positive evaluation of the science that informed decisions predicted trust in the local city government, while age and preference for hunting predicted distrust. Support for the proposed sharpshooting policy and citizen involvement in the issue, measured by the number of personal and civic actions taken, were not significant predictors of trust in the city. Citizens' source of information on the issue influenced their evaluation of the science. Specifically, when the local newspaper was the primary source of information, respondents were more likely to agree with the conclusions of a scientific study city managers used to illustrate the deer overpopulation. We recommend natural resource managers identify and use trusted communicators to engage with the public on controversial policies. Trust should be considered a prerequisite to implementation of new policies, controversial or otherwise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative, or HTI, that the USDA expects to strengthen local and regional food production by increasing the availability of fresh, locally grown food. Goals of the HTI include improved plant and soil quality, reduced nutrient and pesticide runoff, and increased availability of fresh vegetables and fruits for local food markets. This study explored the farm-level impacts of production via high tunnels among Indiana farmers relying on the infrastructure. We identify characteristics of farmers who have obtained high tunnels through the cost-share program, to better understand the types of farm enterprises that are using the HTI to date and the effects that high tunnel implementation may have on their farms’ economic success and contributions to locally sourced food systems. Overall, results indicate that high tunnel users are able to extend the growing season, improve their farm’s economic stability, and increase the quality and yield of their crops. Our survey also finds that those farmers who have self-funded all or a portion of their high tunnels report greater increases in their farm’s economic stability from investing in high tunnels than farmers relying on the NRCS funds for their high tunnels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Service learning with ecological restoration projects can positively affect participants' attitudes, behaviors, and learning, but little is known about the longevity of these effects. Furthermore, urban green spaces are an understudied, yet increasingly important, context for eco-restoration service learning. This study examined the persistence of student outcomes of eco-restoration service-learning experiences in an urban woodland. Undergraduate courses from the Departments of Biology and Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies at Indiana University partnered with the Bloomington Urban Woodlands Project (BUWP) to restore native woodland habitat and conduct public outreach. Phenomenological analysis of student interviews demonstrated that service-learning experiences improved learning outcomes and encouraged and reinforced pro-environmental attitudes up to 14 months later. Results also demonstrate the applicability of an environmental interpretation behavior change model to college-level instruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Private land conservation mechanisms are critical components employed by policy makers and conservation professionals to support the stewardship and protection of vital ecosystem services. While most research on voluntary conservation programs focuses on motives and barriers to participation, little is known about landowner activities and ecological status once property is enrolled in programs. Our mailed survey to landowners with property enrolled in the Indiana Classified Forest and Wildlands Program in U.S.A. revealed that (1) environmental motives, (2) residential motives like family life, and (3) having more land enrolled in the program were strong predictors of individuals who implemented conservation actions such as removal of invasive species and control of erosion. We also found that landowners witnessing environmental improvements on their land reported more conservation actions than those perceiving unchanged environmental conditions. A better understanding of landowner perceptions and conservation outcomes can help policy makers improve private land conservation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community orchards are a type of urban agriculture project bringing fruit- and nut-bearing trees and shrubs to neighborhoods across the U.S. While urban agriculture is receiving substantial attention in food studies literature, community orchards are still largely absent from academic conversations. We conducted a qualitative, inductive survey of community orchard organizations in the U.S. to establish a baseline understanding. This survey was addressed to orchard organizers and focused on two questions. First, what is driving the rise of community orcharding projects in the U.S.? Second, how are the organizations affecting local food systems? Organizations were selected to be recipients of our survey, which garnered a 42.64% response rate, if they had an Internet presence and active e-mail account; identification of survey participants was Internet-based, and as a result, little is known about orchards that do not have an Internet presence. Findings showed that community orchards are primarily established on public land, often facilitated by municipal parks and recreation departments, and range in size from pocket orchards of just a few trees to multiple acres of diverse planting. Primary motivations for beginning community orchards include concern for the environment, education, and a sense of community. A preliminary understanding of this impact lies at the nexus of these final two motivations. Community orchard organizers predominately reported fruit and nuts produced in the orchard would feed residents in the geographic area immediately surrounding the site. This arrangement of public fruit and nut production and volunteer orchard management is leading to a novel form of community development that merits further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local food systems and farmers' markets across the USA have experienced unprecedented growth and development in the past 20 years. While scholarship has examined participant demographics and motives for engaging in farmers' markets, few studies have considered the coupled nature of those attending the markets with institutional governance systems used for market coordination. This study examined participation in farmers' markets under the framework of high and low market governance systems, specifically considering the demographics, values for local foods, motives for attending farmers' markets, and outcomes of the experience based on the dichotomous governance classification. Governance was characterized using four attributes: market rules or policies, paid employee(s), a rule governing geography of food origin, and affiliation with an organisation or agency. Our results suggest that market governance may impact (1) which consumers attend the market, (2) motives among those who attend the market, and (3) satisfaction outcome levels among market participants. By better understanding how the emerging governance system impacts who ultimately attends the market (and the outcomes of the experience), agencies coordinating farmers' markets and market managers can ultimately improve the market's reach and experience with greater intentionality. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Professional Geographer is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

While many state and federal programs exist to combat food insecurity, local-level community initiatives are also working to increase public access to local and healthy foods. Nevertheless, a prime venue for distributing local and healthy foods⎯ farmers markets⎯primarily serve white, middleand upper-class consumers. In an attempt to better understand the barriers and facilitators affecting consumer participation in farmers markets, we use the case of participation in a community farmers market in Bloomington, Indiana. Drawing on survey data collected from two neighborhood groupings near the farmers market⎯one mixedincome and one low-income⎯we explore behavioral facilitator and constraint concepts associated with food values and farmers market shopping decisions. Building on previous scholarship on the dynamics of farmers market participation, our results indicate that perceptions of quality/freshness, and ease/difficulty of transportation to acquire food, are key factors for both the low- and mixed-income individuals. As such, we suggest that local food advocates can best serve low- and mixed-income communities by promoting ongoing community health education efforts that emphasize the importance of fresh, healthy foods, and by facilitating the positioning of small-scale farmers markets in close proximity to such neighborhoods or bringing fresh produce to underserved neighborhoods through the use of mobile markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Conducting science for practical ends implicates scientists, whether they wish it or not, as agents in social-ecological systems, raising ethical, economic, environmental, and political issues. Considering these issues helps scientists to increase the relevance and sustainability of research outcomes. As we rise to the worthy call to connect basic research with food production, scientists have the opportunity to evaluate alternative food production paradigms and consider how our research funds and efforts are best employed. In this contribution, we review some of the problems produced by science conducted in service of industrial agriculture and its associated economic growth paradigm. We discuss whether the new concept of "ecological intensification" can rescue the industrial agriculture/growth paradigm and present an emerging alternative paradigm of decentralized, localized, biodiversity-promoting agriculture for a steady-state economy. This "custom fit" agriculture engages constructively with complex and highly localized ecosystems, and we draw from examples of published work to demonstrate how ecologists can contribute by using approaches that acknowledge local agricultural practices and draw on community participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although organic production continues to expand and remains the fastest growing segment of the U.S. agricultural economy, demand for organics continues to outpace supply, causing a lag in the supply chain. One of many important elements to remedying this issue is for more farmers to adopt organic practices and/or transition to organic certification. One state well positioned to tap into eastern U.S. metro markets is West Virginia. Our study sought to understand the factors affecting West Virginia farmers' decision to farm organically, as well as the barriers limiting pursuit of certification. Though West Virginia has the highest number of small farms in the U.S., only five farms were USDA organic-certified in 2012. We used a mixed-methods approach to explore the barriers to implementing organic practices and pursuing organic certification. The methods included interviews and mailed surveys, garnering responses from more than 230 farmers in West Virginia. We applied a social-ecological system lens for the development of a statistical model to parse out the major variables affecting transition to organic methods. Our results suggest that the decision to farm organically is largely an economic one, with a lack of perceived benefits being nearly as influential as perceived constraints as barriers. We also found that social ties to certified organic farmers reduced the likelihood of others implementing organic production practices. Finally, we propose that the choice to farm organically and pursue organic certification be studied in a holistic manner that assesses motives, constraints, and barriers to implementing organic practices in conjunction with relevant contextual attributes (farm characteristics and personal demographics) that affect the decision-making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]