Search

bibliog

This review was conducted to synthesize current knowledge, learn producer and Extension specialist perspectives, and identify gaps in understanding of the role of soil health in sustaining production in high tunnel (HT) systems. This synthesis includes findings from scholarly resources related to soil health in HTs, including research and Extension-based literature, perspectives from experienced HT producers and technical assistance providers, and the direct observations of a broad network of university research and Extension personnel working with HTs. Findings are intended to identify knowledge gaps and additional research and Extension resource needs of greatest priority to the HT producer community and technical assistance providers that support them at the time of publication. A review of 68 research articles and 58 Extension resources was conducted. Focus group interviews were conducted with small groups of experienced HT farmers in four regions of the eastern half of the United States, with in-depth farm case studies conducted in individual farmers in three of these regions. Growers across regions identified soil fertility management, soil borne diseases, soil compaction, and lack of consistency of soil analyses specific to HTs as the greatest soil-related challenges to HT production. Research and resources for technical assistance providers on mitigation strategies to remediate yield- limiting HT soil conditions, such as excessive soil salinity and high pathogen populations, were also lacking. As such, process-based research on techniques such as leaching, soil steaming, solarization, and anaerobic soil disinfestation in tunnels that consider short- and long-term costs, benefits, and effects on soil and plant productivity should be prioritized in the future when considering the impact of HT production on soil health. Interviews also indicated a need for networking opportunities for technical assistance providers across agencies (e.g., Natural Resources Conservation Service, Extension, nongovernmental organizations). Despite a high and increasing rate of adoption, there is currently a lack of information about maintaining HT systems. Given that HTs play a critical and growing economic role for specialty crop growers throughout the eastern United States, comprehensive intervention across the research--Extension spectrum to sustain productivity in HT systems is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lot of research on stock market and property market bubbles but limited investigation of an individual investor's property purchase/sale decision under the framework of either behavioral finance [...]

IntroductionNovel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed for Mycobacterium aviumcomplex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD). Human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can directly inhibit MAC growth, but their effect on intracellular bacilli is unknown. We investigated the ability of human MSCs to reduce bacterial replication and inflammation in MAC-infected macrophages and in a murine model of MAC-PD.MethodsHuman monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) were infected with M. aviumChester strain and treated with human bone marrow-derived MSCs. Intracellular and extracellular colony-forming units (CFUs) were counted at 72 hours. Six-week-old female balb/c mice were infected by nebulisation of M. aviumChester. Mice were treated with 1×106intravenous human MSCs or saline control at 21 and 28 days post-infection. Lungs, liver and spleen were harvested 42 days post-infection for bacterial counts. Cytokines were quantified by ELISA.ResultsMSCs reduced intracellular bacteria in MDMs over 72 hours (median 35% reduction, p=0.027). MSC treatment increased extracellular concentrations of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (median 10.1-fold rise, p=0.002) and reduced tumour necrosis factor-α (median 28% reduction, p=0.025). Blocking MSC PGE2 production by cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition with celecoxib abrogated the antimicrobial effect, while this was restored by adding exogenous PGE2. MSC-treated mice had lower pulmonary CFUs (median 18% reduction, p=0.012), but no significant change in spleen or liver CFUs compared with controls.ConclusionMSCs can modulate inflammation and reduce intracellular M. aviumgrowth in human macrophages via COX-2/PGE2 signalling and inhibit pulmonary bacterial replication in a murine model of chronic MAC-PD.

Background: Remote research methods and interventions for mental health disorders have become increasingly important, particularly for conditions like eating disorders (EDs). Embodiment illusions, which induce feelings of ownership over another person?s body or body parts, offer valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying self-perception issues in EDs and potential interventions. However, existing research using these illusions has been limited to face-to-face settings. We illustrate a novel online protocol to induce the enfacement illusion (embodiment illusion principles applied to one’s face) in an ED-based sample. Methods: Participants complete a 2-hr virtual session with a researcher. First, baseline trait/state ED psychopathology measures and a self-face recognition task occur. Second, participants experience two testing blocks of the enfacement illusion involving synchronously and asynchronously mimicking a pre-recorded actor’s facial expressions. After each block, subjective and objective enfacement illusion measures occur alongside state ED psychopathology reassessment. Discussion: Successfully inducing enfacement illusions online could provide an affordable, accessible virtual approach to further elucidate the mechanistic role of self-perception disturbances across psychopathologies such as EDs. Moreover, this protocol may represent an innovative, remotely-delivered intervention strategy, as ‘enfacement’ over another face could update negative self-representations in a cost-effective, scalable manner.

•‘Real world evidence’ via quality audit used to inform pain education objectives.•People who experienced recovery from persistent pain answered open-ended questions.•Key Learning Statements iteratively generated based on consumer and expert review.•Pain education and health campaign resources educed from Key Learning Statements.

The East Ramapo Central School District sits on a fault line where religion, culture, race, ethnicity, ideology, and education policy collide. In the surrounding areas of Rockland County, just north [...]

Before there can be a fundamental review of Australian Defence Policy to take account of major changes in our strategic environment and military technology, and the increasing costs and budgetary [...]

Injection molded plastics are a low cost alternative to glass for precision optics due to its design, manufacturing and coating properties.

Hurrah for Nick Timothy's thought-provoking article ('The crisis of conservatism', 22 June). Not a cry in the wilderness just for the partisan party politics of today nor the resuscitation of [...]

Abstract:This research estimates the effect of specific player position on salary in Major League Soccer. We expand a mincer-style wage equation with indicators for precise roles as defined by the Football Manager™ simulation. Our salary data covers 1,174 salaries for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. We match this to 17 positions and consider generalist and specialist functions in wage determination. Estimating ordinary least squares and quantile regressions, we find that defensive salary penalties are incurred only by specific peripheral defensive and wing back positions. Premia exist for versatile, attacking midfield players. We show that multi-positional players—those that play in multiple positional zones—earn a premium. The findings bring nuance to any specialist-generalist debate as versatile defensive players incur a penalty whereas versatile attacking midfield players earn a premium. Practically, the results speak to player unions, intermediaries advising players on their developmental needs, and franchises who must optimize salary budgets.

Limited work has been done to develop organic forage programs in humid subtropical regions despite growing demand for high‐value forage and organic products. Alternative crops were compared for optimizing forage production and nutritive value under organic conditions in the southeastern United States. The study was conducted at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center, in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Forage treatments consisted of (a) monoculture tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus(Schreb.) Dumort.], (b) monoculture bermudagrass [Cynodon dactlyon(L.) Pers.], (c) tall fescue and alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) mixture, (d) bermudagrass and alfalfa mixture, and (e) an annual rotation of winter wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) mixed with winter pea (Pisum sativumL.) followed by sorghum–sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench x S. sudanese(Piper) Stapf.] mixed with cowpea [Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walp.] mixture. Perennial treatments were established during the 2017–2018 growing season. Monthly production was measured in the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 growing seasons. Botanical composition of forage mass fluctuated due to establishment dynamics and weed competition, affecting forage quantity and quality. The annual rotation was the highest‐yielding treatment, producing more than 6,000 kg−1, though each tall fescue and tall fescue–alfalfa treatments produced ∼4,000 kg ha−1. Nutritive value was sufficient for most livestock operations, with forage crude protein concentration averaging ∼150 g kg−1across treatments and growing seasons. For transitioning organic producers, a perennial forage will likely favor long‐term sustainability, whereas the annual rotation may be useful during the transition period to reduce weed pressure before transitioning to a perennial forage system. Forages have advantages to grain crops when transitioning to organic production.Forage species selection is a key consideration in transitional organic production.Weed competition with forages varies depending on forage functional groups.Annual forages in rotation are highly productive species in transitioning programs.

The continuing drive toward smaller feature sizes, more transistors per chip, and higher packing densities has led to additional levels of metal interconnect. Logic manufacturing requirements drive metallization technology: a […]

AbstractGlobally, bird populations are declining. This may be caused by human alterations of habitats formerly used by birds. Migratory birds show flexibility in resource use, however, a distinct move to a different habitat type demands investigation. The objective of this study is to understand the resources available to Barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) in White Sands National Park, New Mexico (WSNP) and how this species is utilizing this arid landscape. Results show that Barn swallows are aided by resources provided by the WSNP Visitor Center. Water and mud sources, perching and foraging sites, and protection from weather extremes and predators are all present and are exploited by Barn swallows in WSNP. Future research of this population could help determine if the Visitor Center is functioning as a sink or source habitat and how the establishment of a generalist species (with certain advantages) is competing with specialist species in this area. Understanding shifts in habitat types for migratory birds is important as conservation and management modeling continue to forecast suitable and available habitats for protected birds.

Michael Henderson's sepia-tinted description of county cricket at festivals around the country (Observations, 12 July) has clearly been well researched--he has been to all of them. The audience is similar [...]