bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Allelopathic Effects of Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) and Other Plant Residues in Soil
Authors: Menges Robert M.
Published: May 2019

Several crop and weed species were field grown to maturity and their residues incorporated with soil to determine the effects of the plant residues on the growth of subsequent plantings in a spring-fall planting sequence in 1980 to 83. Growth of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeriS. Wats. # AMAPA) was studied in 1984 and 1985, and the effects of soil-incorporated Palmer amaranth on the growth of cabbage (Brassica oleraceavar.CapitataL.) and carrot (Daucus carotaL. var.sativa) seedlings were studied in 1985. Under warm, moist, saline soil conditions and intense sunlight following the spring plantings of the 1980 to 83 study, soil-incorporated residues of Palmer amaranth inhibited the growth of carrot 49% and onion (Allium cepaL.) 68%. Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepenseL. Pers. # SORHA) residues inhibited the growth of onion 67%, and in one of two years inhibited the growth of cabbage 26% and common sunflower (Helianthus annuusL. #HELAN) 10%. In 1984 and 1985, Palmer amaranth grown at population densities of 300 plants/m2attained heights of nearly 2 m and biomass of 2 to 3 kg/m2within 10 weeks after planting. Phytotoxicity with these biomasses persisted 11 weeks in cabbage and carrot plantings. In 1985, phytotoxicity was dissipated 16 weeks after soil incorporation of the weed.
The Structure of Weed Communities in Saskatchewan Fields
Authors: Dale Mark R. T. , Thomas A. Gordon
Published: May 2019

This paper describes the communities of weeds in cereal and oilseed crops in Saskatchewan, using data collected in a 4-yr survey that sampled more than 400 fields. The survey data for the 40 most common weeds were analyzed in an attempt to distinguish natural groups of weed species and to compare the weed communities associated with the different crops and with different soils. The crops were barley (Hordeum vulgareL.), flax (Linum usitatissimumL.), oats (Avena sativaL.), rape (Brassica campestrisL.,Brassica napusL.), and wheat (Triticum aestivumL.). Phytosociological association and cluster analysis indicated that the associations of the weed species were more or less independent of the crop, although some differences existed and were determined more by soil or the associated climate. The 40 most common species were divided into three groups related to the soil and climatic subregions of the province.
Effect of Herbicide Incorporation Methods on Shattercane (Sorghum bicolor) Control in Corn (Zea mays)
Authors: Hayden Thomas A. , Burnside Orvin C.
Published: May 2019

Field experiments were conducted at Lincoln, NE, in 1983 and 1984 to determine the effectiveness of subsurface jet injection of herbicides on a simulated shattercane [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench # SORVU] infestation in corn (Zea maysL.). Alachlor [2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide] and EPTC (S-ethyl dipropyl carbamothioate) plus dichlormid (2,2-dichloro-N,N-di-2-propenylacetamide), incorporated with a disc or applied from the subsurface and surface with a jet injector attached to a sweep plow, generally produced higher corn yields and shattercane control than herbicides applied with the sweep to the subsurface only. EPTC plus dichlormid controlled shattercane better than alachlor. Cultivation improved shattercane control by at least 10% in conjunction with most jet injection and disc-incorporated alachlor treatments. Cultivation increased corn yields by about 10 to 20% when averaged over all herbicides and application patterns. A subsurface plus surface herbicide injection system supplemented with cultivation would be a possible method of incorporating herbicides in reduced tillage to selectively control shattercane in corn.
Interaction BetweenColletotrichum coccodesand Thidiazuron for Control of Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)
Authors: Wymore L. A. , Watson A. K. , Gotlieb A. R.
Published: May 2019

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrastiMedik. # ABUTH) is difficult to control with existing weed control strategies. Some measure of control can be obtained with a fungus,Colletotrichum coccodes(Wallr.) Hughes, used as a bioherbicide, but when the bioherbicide application was combined with the plant growth regulator thidiazuron (N-phenyl-N′-1,2,3-thidiazol-5-yl-urea), weed control was substantially improved. Thidiazuron alone interfered with normal development of velvetleaf, causing stunting and initiation of axillary bud growth. Tank mix applications ofC. coccodesand thidiazuron acted synergistically to increase velvetleaf mortality. WhenC. coccodeswas applied 10 days after thidiazuron as a split application, weed control was less than for tank mix applications. However, two applications ofC. coccodesplus thidiazuron were more effective than equivalent single tank mix applications. Under laboratory conditions, high concentrations of thidiazuron (2× field application rates) inhibited growth ofC. coccodes, but at field application rates thidiazuron did not reduce disease development. Combinations of thidiazuron andC. coccodesmay provide effective control of velvetleaf in the field.
Detecting Huisache (Acacia farnesiana) and Mexican Palo-verde (Parkinsonia aculeata) by Aerial Photography
Authors: Everitt James H. , Villarreal Ricardo
Published: May 2019

Huisache [Acacia farnesiana(L.) Willd. # ACAFA] and Mexican palo-verde (Parkinsonia aculeataL. # PAKAC) are native woody legumes that often occur together on rangelands of southern Texas and northern Mexico. Huisache produces a profusion of orange-yellow flowers during February or March giving it a conspicuous golden appearance. Mexican palo-verde produces a heavy bloom of yellow flowers in mid-April or early May giving it a yellow-green coloration. Plant canopy light reflectance measurements of flowering huisache showed that its reflectance at the 0.55- and 0.65-μm visible wavelengths was significantly higher than that of Mexican palo-verde in the vegetative stage and four other associated plant species or mixture of species. Conversely, reflectance measurements of flowering Mexican palo-verde showed that its reflectance at the 0.55-μm visible wavelength was significantly higher than that of huisache in the vegetative stage and the same four associated plant species or mixtures of species. Flowering huisache had a golden color on conventional color (0.40-to 0.70-μm) aerial photos that made it distinguishable from other plant species, whereas flowering Mexican palo-verde had a pink image on color-infrared (0.50- to 0.90-μm) aerial photos. However, immature plants of both species cannot be detected using this technique. Computer-based image analyses of conventional color film positive transparencies showed that huisache infestations could be quantified from associated rangeland species. This technique can permit ‘percent land area infested’ estimates of mature huisache on rangelands. These results show that aerial photography may be a useful tool to detect and monitor the spread of huisache and Mexican palo-verde on rangelands, and to delineate areas needing control.
Application of Herbicides on Rangelands with a Carpeted Roller: Shrub Density Influences Volume, Dosage, and Rate
Authors: Mayeux Herman S.
Published: May 2019

Herbicide solutions of known concentration were applied to honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosaTorr. # PROJG) with a tractor-mounted carpeted roller. The volume of solution applied was measured, and average height and density of the honey mesquite stands were also determined. The volume of solution applied ranged from about 3 to 20 L/ha and was positively correlated with stand density (r2= 0.71). Height of the stand had no influence on volume of solution applied. Amounts of herbicide applied at concentrations of 30, 60, and 120 g/L averaged about 0.2, 0.6, and 1.25 kg ae/ha, respectively. Calculated amounts of active ingredient of herbicide applied to individual plants (dosage) ranged from 0.3 to more than 3 g/shrub and decreased curvilinearly with increasing stand density, suggesting that the carpeted roller is most efficient in treating sparse stands.
Development of Triazine Resistance in Crops by Classical Plant Breeding
Authors: Beversdorf Wallace D. , Kott Laima S.
Published: May 2019

The appearance of triazine resistance in a number of weed species has provided some opportunities for plant breeders to develop triazine-resistant crop varieties through classical breeding techniques. The sources of genes utilized by plant breeders for desirable characteristics are usually limited by the normal reproductive barriers that distinguish species. The occurrence of a triazine-resistant biotype of birdsrape mustard (Brassica campestris L. # BRSRA) has allowed for the development of commercially useful triazine-resistant varieties of canola (low erucic acid, low glucosinolate oilseed rape, B. napus L.). The cytoplasm of triazine-resistant birdsrape mustard was transferred interspecifically to oilseed rape, by a technique commonly known as back-crossing, in conjunction with selection for chromosome number. ‘OAC Triton′, the first triazine-resistant canola variety, appears to be finding commercial acceptance in Canada, in spite of some limitations in agronomic performance. Although it should be possible to transfer this triazine-resistant cytoplasm to other economic Brassica species including the cole crops and mustards, conventional plant breeding techniques cannot separate the gene conferring triazine resistance from other genes in the resistant weed biotype's cytoplasm. This problem may limit the utility of triazine-resistant cytoplasms from weed biotypes in classical crop breeding.
Correlation Between the Rates of Foliar Dark Respiration and Net Photosynthesis in Some Tropical Dicot Weeds
Authors: Rajendrudu G. , Prasad J. S. Rama , Das V. S. Rama
Published: May 2019

The rates of foliar dark respiration and net photosynthesis in attached leaves of 25 C3, C4, and C3-C4 intermediate dicotyledonous weed species were determined using the infrared gas analyzer. The ratio of dark respiration to photosynthesis per unit leaf area in attached leaves of each species was inversely proportional to leaf age. Highly significant, positive linear correlation was observed between the rates of foliar dark respiration and net photosynthetic CO2 uptake in dicot weeds irrespective of the photosynthetic type. The higher foliar dark respiration rate found in some of the weed species can be attributed in part to the higher carbohydrate levels as generated by a rapid photosynthetic CO2 assimilation. The significance of higher dark respiration rate in relation to carbon and energy economy of weeds is discussed.
Dispersal of Leafy Spurge Seeds (Euphorbia esula) by Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura)
Authors: Blockstein David E. , Maxwell Bruce D. , Fay Peter K.
Published: May 2019

The potential of mourning doves (Zenaida macrouraL.) as dispersers of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esulaL. # EPHES) seeds was investigated by examing digestive tract contents and feces. Very few intact seeds passed through the digestive systems of wild or captive adult mourning doves. An average of less than one intact leafy spurge seed/g was recovered from fecal material found in dove nests. These results suggest that adult mourning doves are primarily consumers of leafy spurge seeds and rarely act as dispersal agents. It appears that dispersal is only possible when seeds passing through the digestive tracts of nestlings are deposited in the nest and the nest later falls.
Estimating Yield Losses of Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) Caused by Nightshade (Solanumspp.) Interference
Authors: Weaver Susan E. , Smits Nancy , Tan Chin S.
Published: May 2019

Reductions in yields of processing tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentumMill. ‘H2653’ and ‘Earlirouge′) caused by interference from eastern black nightshade (Solanum ptycanthumDun. # SOLPT) and hairy nighthsade (S. sarrachoidesSendt. # SOLSA) were estimated for transplanted and seeded tomatoes at two locations in southern Ontario. Tomato yield losses were significantly greater in seeded than in transplanted tomatoes. Stomatal conductance and transpiration rates of seeded tomatoes decreased more rapidly with increased nightshade density than did those of transplanted tomatoes. Percent yield losses also differed between sites. Seeded tomatoes grown at high density in twin rows (33 300 and 45 000 plants/ha) had higher yields and lower percent yield losses than did tomatoes grown at low density in single rows (12 500 to 22 500 plants/ha). Nightshade dry weight and seed production decreased per plant but increased per unit area with increasing nightshade density. Nightshade dry weights and seed production did not vary with site or method of tomato establishment. A hyperbolic model provided an excellent fit to data on both tomato yield losses and nightshade seed production as a function of nightshade density.
Influence of Date of Planting on the Growth of Yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus)
Authors: Thullen Robert J. , Keeley Paul E.
Published: May 2019

Plants produced by yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentusL. # CYPES) tubers planted in a field at the U.S. Cotton Research Station, Shafter, CA, at monthly intervals were harvested 2, 4, or 8 weeks after planting or at the end of a full season that varied from 12 to 37 weeks. In the 2 yr of the study, 1982 and 1983, tubers were slow to sprout in March and April, taking up to 8 weeks. From June through October about 60% of the plants emerged within 2 weeks of the planting date. Parent plants produced daughter plants by the 4-week harvest except for March, April, and October 1982, and March 1983 planting periods. All planting periods had daughter plants by the 8-week harvest. In 1982, plants of the June full-season planting had significantly more daughter plants than plants of other full-season treatments even though the June full season was 12 weeks shorter than the March full season. In 1983, the number of daughter plants produced by plants for the full-season harvest was equal for all monthly plantings regardless of the length of the full season. In 1982, for the May through September plantings, more tubers were produced by plants at the 8-week harvest than the number of tubers originally planted. In 1983, only plants of the June and August plantings produced more tubers by the 8-week harvest than had been planted. In both years, plants that grew for a full season produced more tubers than the number planted, up to 200-fold more.
The Effect of Wounding on Primary Dormancy in Wild Oat (Avena fatua) Caryopses
Authors: Foley Michael E.
Published: May 2019

Mechanical wounding broke dormancy and promoted germination of primary dormant pure-line wild oat (Avena fatua L. # AVEFA) caryopses that were in the first physiological stage of dormancy. Caryopses incubated in petri dishes responded to wounding by germinating more rapidly than wounded caryopses incubated in soil. There was no difference in germination between wounded and lanolin-covered wounded caryopses when incubated in soil. The less dormant AN265 caryopses responded to the wounding treatment more rapidly than the more dormant caryopses of M73 in both petri dish and soil incubation systems. Chlorocholine chloride (CCC), an inhibitor of gibberellic acid (GA) biosynthesis, reduced the germination rate of wounded AN265 and M73 caryopses above and at 1 mM, respectively. Application of 25 mM CCC to wounded dormant AN265 caryopses decreased the level of hexose in the embryo to 47% of the control level. There was no significant effect of CCC on the endosperm hexose, embryo and endosperm imbibed fresh weight, and sucrose and starch content. The results suggest GA or GA biosynthesis is the limiting factor to germination.
Development and Germination of Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) Seeds
Authors: Sung Shi-Jean S. , Leather Gerald R. , Hale Maynard G.
Published: May 2019

Barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli(L.) Beauv. # ECHCG] spikelets were collected from greenhouse-grown plants at various developmental stages. Caryopses contained in a single spikelet were dormant at maturity, but dormancy was overcome when the spikelets were dry afterripened at 23 C or were treated with high temperatures, acid scarification, or punctured with a scalpel. The season at which anthesis occurred affected the length of time for afterripening. Enhanced germination due to puncturing and scarification was not related to removal of a restriction to water entry. The effectiveness of puncturing in overcoming dormancy depended on moisture content of the spikelets at the time of puncturing. Above 18% moisture content germination percentage was low regardless of the dormancy-releasing treatment.
Evaluation of Pine Kraft Lignins for Controlled Release of Alachlor and Metribuzin
Authors: Riggle Bruce D. , Penner Donald
Published: May 2019

The controlled release of metribuzin [4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one] and alachlor [2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide] from pine kraft lignin was studied using14C-labeled herbicides and3H-labeled lignin with soil thin-layer chromatography. NB-5203-58 series and PC940 series kraft lignins adsorbed and desorbed metribuzin as soil plates were developed with water. PC671, a formulated kraft lignin control release product, did not provide controlled release with metribuzin. NB-5203-58B and PC940C were the most effective of their respective series of kraft lignins. PC940C also provided controlled release of alachlor.
Response of Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum) to Herbicides
Authors: Wicks Gail A. , Nordquist Paul T. , Schmidt John W.
Published: May 2019

Twenty-five winter wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) cultivars were sprayed with herbicides when in the tillering stage in April at North Platte, NE. In 1978, ‘Lindon’ and ‘Vona’ stands were reduced and grain yields of ‘Larned′, Lindon, ‘Roughrider′, 'Sage′, 'Scout 66′, 'Sentinel′, ‘Turkey′, and Vona cultivars were reduced by metribuzin [4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one] plus pendimethalin [N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine] at 0.3 plus 2.8 kg ai/ha. There were no differences among cultivars in response to herbicides in 1979, 1981, and 1982. During 1980, wheat was more tolerant to a mixture of pendimethalin and 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] than metribuzin plus pendimethalin. In 1981 and 1982, combinations of 2,4-D with pendimethalin or metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide] did not reduce wheat yields. The mixture of pendimethalin plus 2,4-D performed satisfactorily in 4 yr of use.
Remote Sensing of Broom Snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) and Spiny Aster (Aster spinosus)
Authors: Everitt James H. , Pettit Russ D. , Alaniz Mario A.
Published: May 2019

Field spectroradiometric plant canopy measurements showed that broom snakeweed [Gutierrezia sarothrae(Pursh.) Britt. and Rusby # GUESA] and spiny aster (Aster spinosusBenth. # ASTSN) had lower near-infrared (0.85-μm) reflectance than did other associated rangeland shrubs and herbaceous vegetation. The low near-infrared reflectances of both species were attributed to their erectophile (erect leaf/stem) canopy structures. These low near-infrared reflectance values caused broom snakeweed to have a dark-brown to black image on color-infrared aerial photos (0.50- to 0.90-μm), whereas spiny aster had a dark reddish-brown to black image. Other rangeland plant species had light-brown, red, or magenta images. Computer-based image analyses of color-infrared film positive transparencies showed that broom snakeweed and spiny aster infestations could be quantitatively differentiated from associated rangeland species. Computer analyses can permit “percent land area infested” estimates of broom snakeweed and spiny aster infestations on rangelands.
Persistence of Welfare Receipt and Unemployment in Germany: Determinants and Duration Dependence
Authors: HOHMEYER KATRIN , LIETZMANN TORSTEN
Published: May 2019

Although the German economy managed the last economic recession comparatively well, it suffers from high and stagnating long-term unemployment and benefit receipt. This article is the first to study the duration and determinants of welfare benefit (“unemployment benefit II”) receipt in Germany as a whole, with special attention on duration dependence. The recipients of the means-tested household benefit are not necessarily registered as unemployed, but are, for example, employed with insufficient earnings, in training measures or economically inactive. Due to the heterogeneous situations of welfare recipients, separately studying welfare receipt and unemployment is necessary. By using exceptionally rich administrative data on a 1% random sample of welfare recipients from between 2005 and 2014, we estimate discrete-time hazard rate models that control for unobserved heterogeneity. The first benefit and unemployment episodes for first welfare recipients between 2006 and 2012 (n = 26,163) are traced monthly until 31 December 2014. Recipients leave unemployment more quickly than welfare. Sociodemographic characteristics, labour market resources and the duration seem to affect both processes. Household composition is less important for leaving unemployment than for leaving welfare. Overall, the results indicate that leaving unemployment and leaving welfare receipt are two different processes that need distinct policies.
Learning and Reproduction of Therapist’s Semi-Periodic Motions during Robotic Rehabilitation
Authors: Martinez Carlos , Tavakoli Mahdi
Published: May 2019

The demand for rehabilitation services has increased in recent years due to population aging. Due to the limitations of therapist’s time and healthcare resources, robot-assisted rehabilitation is becoming an appealing, powerful, and economical solution. In this paper, we propose a solution that combines Learning from Demonstration (LfD) and robotic rehabilitation to save the therapist’s time and reduce the therapy costs when the therapy involves periodic or semi-periodic motions.We begin by modeling the therapist’s behavior (a periodic or semi-periodic motion) using a Fourier Series (FS). Later, when the therapist is no longer involved, the system reproduces the learned behavior modeled by the FS using a robot. A second goal is to combine the above with Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) and Gaussian Mixture Regression (GMR) to obtain a more flexible and generalizable reproduction of the therapist’s behavior. This algorithm allows learning and imitating repetitive movement tasks. Our experimental results show the application of these algorithms to repetitive motion task.
Wading birds and wildfowl of the estuary and Firth of Forth, Scotland
Authors: Bryant D. M.
Published: May 2019

Synopsis

The estuary and Firth of Forth support an outstanding number and variety of wildfowl and waders at migration seasons and in midwinter. Although populations of wildfowl and waders fell from 25–35,000 and 50–65,000 respectively in the 1970s, to 10–15,000 and 30–40,000 by the mid-1980s, the Forth remains one of few British estuaries to support more than fifteen waterfowl species of national importance for conservation. The ecology and decline of diving ducks off Edinburgh and population studies of shelduck have been given particular attention by researchers. Among waders, distributions, movements and feeding have been studied in detail. The causes of the recent declines amongst waders, notably for knot (Calidris canutus) and dunlin (Calidris alpina) on the estuarine Forth, remain uncertain, but are likely to include natural factors as well as those linked to man's activities.
An Econometric Model of the Market For Fresh New England Groundfish with Emphasis on the Role of Canadian Imports
Authors: Felixson Tryggvi , Allen P. Geoffrey , Storey David A.
Published: May 2019

Most econometric studies of the groundfish sector have suggested that either imports are not sensitive to U.S. prices, or that domestic prices are not much affected by imports, or both. Using a six equation model of the domestic fresh groundfish market we obtained contrasting results. For example, a 5.82 percent tariff of the type proposed by the U.S. International Trade Commission in 1986 would, if it applied to both whole fish and fillets, lower imports of fresh fish 3.7 percent and raise domestic ex-vessel prices 2.6 percent in the long run. The main reasons for the different results appear to be our inclusion of exchange rate effects and a more accurate measure of total fresh imports.
The Distributional Impact of 1981 and 1982 Federal Income Tax Legislation: Which Farmers Benefit?
Authors: Lowenberg-DeBoer J. , Boehlje Michael
Published: May 2019

Simulation was used to analyze the distribution of benefits from the 1981 and 1982 federal income tax legislation for farm types that exhibit various tax characteristics. The results indicate that distributional effects are largely attributable to the reduced progressivity of the tax rate schedule. The largest farms benefited relative to the smaller farms of all farm types. Intensive livestock farms and producers of perennial crops experience additional benefits relative to other farm types primarily because of the large reduction in useful life for tax purposes of specialized livestock facilities, orchards, and vineyards.
Prospects for Special Education: The Decade Ahead
Authors: Thorley Bernie , Martin Meredith , Jardine Joan
Published: May 2019

The past decade saw a movement towards consensus in special education as personnel increasingly directed their attention to a literal interpretation of special education. At the same time, there was a shift from the old concern with extensive diagnosis and categorization of child-centred, organically based deficits, as the poor returns of this approach became apparent to parents, to teachers and to all other personnel involved with children needing assistance in learning.

In essence, special education is about preventing, remedying, reducing and offsetting the effects of learning problems. Facts about what can or cannot be done to expand learning and learning ability provide the basic propositions from which all conclusions in special education must be drawn. Special educators recognise that learning ability within a domain is, to a large extent, learned and that failures need not be predictable nor inevitable.

Influential in bringing about this new conceptualisation was the effect of the most exciting development in special education in the last two decades: an extensive and rapid growth in the power of instruction. This improvement was particularly apparent to those people who had access to the latest developments, on a worldwide basis, and who had the opportunity to check their magnitude in model projects. Almost overnight it became clear that special education services had to change completely. At the same time the most frustrating and disappointing feature of this era was the fact that so much of the newly created potential for helping special children remained largely unexploited as far as the vast number of “at risk” children was concerned. Consequently, the great expectations that were generated were often comprehensively and persistently thwarted as professionals, schools and systems failed to make the necessary adjustments. “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” This paper looks at prospects both from the point of view of new advances in instructional research, their origins and potential, and also at ways in which we can encourage professionals, schools and systems to adjust to these advances.
Integration — Who Benefits?
Authors: Schiefelbusch Richard L.
Published: May 2019

Old ideas give way slowly; for they are more than abstract logical forms and categories. They are habits, predispositions, deeply engrained attitudes of aversions and preference.

John Dewey, 1909

One of the most difficult tasks faced by the collective leadership of a nation is the design and maintenance of its schools. Leaders must decide what is to be taught, by whom, and who to teach. The membership of the teacher and the student groups, in turn, help determine how the subject matter is to be taught. Thewhat, who, andhowissues are further complicated by rapid changes in cultural values and priorities, political and economic issues and legal interpretations. These complications require strenuous policy discussions and often agonizing reappraisals as the nation’s political leaders interact with their constituents, including groups representing parents, educators, scientists and economists.
Size matters: the importance of particle size in a newly developed injectable formulation for the treatment of schizophrenia
Authors: Jain Rakesh , Meyer Jonathan , Wehr Angela , Rege Bhaskar , von Moltke Lisa , Weiden Peter J.
Published: May 2019

One of the challenges with initiating long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic regimens is achieving relevant drug levels quickly. After first injection of the LAI antipsychotic aripiprazole lauroxil (AL), the lag to reaching relevant plasma aripiprazole levels was initially addressed using supplemental oral aripiprazole for 21 days. A 1-day AL initiation regimen using a NanoCrystal® Dispersion formulation of AL (ALNCD; Aristada Initio®) combined with a single 30 mg dose of oral aripiprazole has been developed as an alternative approach. We compared the 1-day AL initiation regimen (ALNCD + 30 mg oral aripiprazole for 1 day) with the 21-day AL initiation regimen (AL + 15 mg/day of oral aripiprazole for 21 days) using kinetic modeling. Observed and modeled data demonstrate that the 1-day AL initiation regimen provides continuous aripiprazole exposure comparable to the 21-day AL initiation regimen. Each component of the 1-day AL initiation regimen (30 mg oral aripiprazole, ALNCD, and AL) contributes to aripiprazole plasma levels at different times, with oral aripiprazole predominating in the first week, then ALNCD and AL over time. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1 study in patients with schizophrenia, the 1-day initiation regimen resulted in rapid achievement of relevant plasma aripiprazole levels comparable to those from the 21-day initiation regimen. Safety and tolerability of the 1-day regimen were consistent with the known profile of aripiprazole. Each part of the 1-day initiation regimen, together with AL, is necessary for continuous aripiprazole exposure from treatment initiation until the next regularly scheduled AL injection is administered.
Mid-upper arm circumference cut-offs for screening thinness and severe thinness in Indian adolescent girls aged 10–19 years in field settings
Authors: Sethi Vani , Gupta Neha , Pedgaonkar Sarang , Saraswat Abhishek , Dinachandra Singh Konsam , Rahman Hifz Ur , de Wagt Arjan , Unisa Sayeed
Published: May 2019

Objective:

(i) To assess diagnostic accuracy of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) for screening thinness and severe thinness in Indian adolescent girls aged 10–14 and 15–19 years compared with BMI-for-age Z-score (BAZ) <−2 and <−3 as the gold standard and (ii) to identify appropriate MUAC cut-offs for screening thinness and severe thinness in Indian girls aged 10–14 and 15–19 years.

Design:

Cross-sectional, conducted October 2016–April 2017.

Setting:

Four tribal blocks of two eastern India states, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

Participants:

Girls (n 4628) aged 10–19 years. Measurements included height, weight and MUAC to calculate BAZ. Standard diagnostic accuracy tests, receiver–operating characteristic curves and Youden index helped arrive at MUAC cut-offs at BAZ < −2 and <−3, as gold standard.

Results:

Mean MUAC and BMI correlation was positive (0·78, P = 0·001 and
r
2 = 0·61). Among 10–14 years, MUAC cut-off corresponding to BAZ < −2 and BAZ < −3 was ≤19·4 and ≤18·9 cm. Among 15–19 years, corresponding values were ≤21·6 and ≤20·7 cm. For both BAZ < −2 and BAZ < −3, specificity was higher in 15–19 v. 10–14 years. State-wise variations existed. MUAC cut-offs ranged from 17·7 cm (10 years) to 22·5 cm (19 years) for BAZ < −2, and from 17·0 cm (10 years) to 21·5 cm (19 years) for BAZ < −3. Single-age area under the curve range was 0·82–0·97.

Conclusions:

Study provides a case for use of year-wise and sex-wise context-specific MUAC-cut-offs for screening thinness/severe thinness in adolescents, rather than one MUAC cut-off across 10–19 years, depending on purpose and logistic constraints.
Trade and nutrition policy coherence: a framing analysis and Australian case study
Authors: Baker Phillip , Friel Sharon , Gleeson Deborah , Thow Anne-Marie , Labonte Ronald
Published: May 2019

Objective:

Maximising synergies and minimising conflicts (i.e. building policy coherence) between trade and nutrition policy is an important objective. One understudied driver of policy coherence is the alignment in the frames, discourses and values of actors involved in the respective sectors. In the present analysis, we aim to understand how such actors interpret (i.e. ‘frame’) nutrition and the implications for building trade–nutrition policy coherence.

Design:

We adopted a qualitative single case study design, drawing on key informant interviews with those involved in trade policy.

Setting:

We focused on the Australian trade policy sub-system, which has historically emphasised achieving market growth and export opportunities for Australian food producers.

Participants:

Nineteen key informants involved in trade policy spanning the government, civil society, business and academic sectors.

Results:

Nutrition had low ‘salience’ in Australian trade policy for several reasons. First, it was not a domestic political priority in Australia nor among its trading partners; few advocacy groups were advocating for nutrition in trade policy. Second, a ‘productivist’ policy paradigm in the food and trade policy sectors strongly emphasised market growth, export opportunities and deregulation over nutrition and other social objectives. Third, few opportunities existed for health advocates to influence trade policy, largely because of limited consultation processes. Fourth, the complexity of nutrition and its inter-linkages with trade presented difficulties for developing a ‘broader discourse’ for engaging the public and political leaders on the topic.

Conclusions:

Overcoming these ‘ideational challenges’ is likely to be important to building greater coherence between trade and nutrition policy going forward.
Consumer choice as experienced in the user-choice food pantry environment: motivations and situational influences on food selection
Authors: Jones Christina L , Coffey Monica C
Published: May 2019

Objective:

While scholarship has investigated how to provide more healthy food options in choice pantry environments, research has just begun to investigate how pantry users go about making decisions regarding food items when the ability to choose is present. The present analysis sought to investigate the factors prohibiting and inhibiting food decision making in choice pantries from the perspective of frequent pantry users.

Design:

Six focus group interviews were conducted with visitors to choice food pantries, to discuss the decision-making process involved in food selection during choice pantry visits. Each was provided a $US 15 remuneration for taking part.

Setting:

A school-based choice food pantry in Anderson, Indiana, USA, a small Midwestern community.

Participants:

Thirty-one men and women, largely aged 45–64 years, who made use of choice food pantries at least once monthly to meet their family’s food needs.

Results:

Choice pantry visitors indicated that the motivation to select healthy food items was impacted by both individual and situational influences, similar to retail environments. Just as moment-of-purchase and place-of-purchase factors influence the purchasing of food items in retail environments, situational factors, such as food availability and the ‘price’ of food items in point values, impacted healthy food selection at choice pantries. However, the stigmatization experienced by those who visit pantries differs quite dramatically from the standard shopping experience.

Conclusions:

Choice pantries would benefit from learning more about the psychosocial factors in their own pantries and adapting the environment to the desires of their users, rather than adopting widely disseminated strategies that encourage healthy food choices with little consideration of their unique clientele.
Local government retail incentives for healthier food retailers in the USA, 2014
Authors: Lange Samantha J , Moore Latetia V , Galuska Deborah A
Published: May 2019

Objective:

National public health organizations recommend that local governments improve access to healthy foods. One way is by offering incentives for food retailer development and operation, but little is known about incentive use nationwide. We aimed to describe the national prevalence of local government reported incentives to increase access to healthy food options in three major food retail settings (farmers’ markets, supermarkets, and convenience or corner (smaller) stores) overall and by municipality characteristics.

Design:

Cross-sectional study using data from the 2014 National Survey of Community-Based Policy and Environmental Supports for Healthy Eating and Active Living.

Setting:

USA, nationally representative survey of 2029 municipalities.

Participants:

Municipal officials (e.g. city/town managers or planners; n 1853).

Results:

Overall, 67 % of municipalities reported incentives to support farmers’ markets, 34 % reported incentives to encourage opening new supermarkets, and 14 % reported incentives to help existing convenience or corner stores. Municipality characteristics significantly associated with incentive use were larger population size (all settings), location in Midwest v. West (supermarkets, smaller stores), higher poverty level (farmers’ markets) and ≤50 % of the population non-Hispanic White (supermarkets, smaller stores). The most commonly reported individual incentives were permission of sales on city property for farmers’ markets, tax credits for supermarkets and linkage to revitalization projects for smaller stores.

Conclusions:

Most municipalities offered food retail incentives for farmers’ markets, but fewer used incentives to open new supermarkets or assist existing smaller stores. National data can set benchmarks, provide relative comparisons for communities and identify areas for improvement.
Seasonal trends of nutrient intake in rainforest communities of north-eastern Madagascar
Authors: Golden Christopher D , Vaitla Bapu , Ravaoliny Laurent , Vonona Miadana A , Anjaranirina EJ Gasta , Randriamady Hervet J , Glahn Raymond P , Guth Sarah E , Fernald Lia CH , Myers Samuel S
Published: May 2019

Objective:

We collected dietary records over the course of nine months to comprehensively characterize the consumption patterns of Malagasy people living in remote rainforest areas of north-eastern Madagascar.

Design:

The present study was a prospective longitudinal cohort study to estimate dietary diversity and nutrient intake for a suite of macronutrients, micronutrients and vitamins for 152 randomly selected households in two communities.

Setting:

Madagascar, with over 25 million people living in an area the size of France, faces a multitude of nutritional challenges. Micronutrient-poor staples, especially rice, roots and tubers, comprise nearly 80 % of the Malagasy diet by weight. The remaining dietary components (including wild foods and animal-source foods) are critical for nutrition. We focus our study in north-eastern Madagascar, characterized by access to rainforest, rice paddies and local agriculture.

Participants:

We enrolled men, women and children of both sexes and all ages in a randomized sample of households in two communities.

Results:

Although the Household Dietary Diversity Score and Food Consumption Score reflect high dietary diversity, the Minimum Dietary Diversity–Women indicator suggests poor micronutrient adequacy. The food intake data confirm a mixed nutritional picture. We found that the median individual consumed less than 50 % of his/her age/sex-specific Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for vitamins A, B12, D and E, and Ca, and less than 100 % of his/her EAR for energy, riboflavin, folate and Na.

Conclusions:

Malnutrition in remote communities of north-eastern Madagascar is pervasive and multidimensional, indicating an urgent need for comprehensive public health and development interventions focused on providing nutritional security.
Dosimetric variations for high-risk prostate cancer by VMAT plans due to patient’s weight changes
Authors: Miguel David , de la Llana Victor , Martinez Daniel , del Castillo Angel , Alonso Delfín , de Frutos Jesús-María , Andrés Carlos , Agulla Manuel , Torres Ricardo , López-Lara Francisco
Published: May 2019

Purpose:

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of anatomical changes in prostate cancer patients on the target coverage when using 6 MV beams-VMAT therapy and to propose strategies that allow us to evaluate the dose or correct it by normalization without having to perform a new simulation.

Methods and materials:

Ten patients of high-risk prostate cancer were chosen for the study. All test plans were delivered using the same isocenter and monitor units as the original plan and compared against the original unedited plan. The expansion and contraction of body contours due to size changes was mimicked by increasing and decreasing the body contour with depths of −2, −1·5, …, 1·5, 2 cm, in the anterior, and both lateral directions of the patient. A total of 90 plans were evaluated, 9 for each patient. Dose-volume histogram statistics were extracted from each plan and normalized to prescription dose.

Results:

Weight changes resulted in considerable dose modifications to the target and critical structures. Plans were found to be varied with 2·9% ± 0·3% per cm SSD change for VMAT treatment with a correlation index close to one. Therefore, doses variations were linear to the changes of depth. Gamma index evaluation was performed for the 10 renormalized plans. All of them passed criteria of 3%/3 mm in at least 98.2% of points. Eight of them passed criteria in 99% points. Gamma index 4%/4 mm passed 100% points in all patients for the chosen region of interest.

Conclusions:

The dosimetry estimation presented in this study shows important data for the radiation oncology staff to justify whether a CT rescan is necessary or not when a patient experiences weight changes during treatment. Based on the results of our study, discrepancies between real dose and planned dose were >5% for 1·7 cm of difference in external contour in the anterior and both lateral directions of the patient.
Survival of halophiles of Altai lakes under extreme environmental conditions: implications for the search for Martian life
Authors: Bryanskaya Alla V. , Berezhnoy Alexey A. , Rozanov Alexey S. , Serdyukov Danil S. , Malup Tatyana K. , Peltek Sergey E.
Published: May 2019

Mars is considered to be one of the most favourable places in the Solar System to search for past and present life. In the past Mars was warmer and wetter, so terrestrial halophiles can be regarded as analogues of hypothetical ancient Martian halophiles. In this study we used microorganisms from unique Altai region (Russia) to estimate the capability of terrestrial bacteria and archaea to survive at low temperatures and high concentration of salts and metals, similar to the Martian environment. The current report demonstrates that both halophilic archaea and halotolerant bacteria from saline lakes of the Altai region may be considered as analogues of ancient Martian organisms, since they are able to withstand conditions that hypothetically existed in subsurface layers of the early Mars (low temperatures, salt solutions with a high content of NaCl) with only slight decrease in viability. We also found that the studied microorganisms can use some organic substances found in meteorites. We consider that transfer of unicellular halophiles from Earth to Mars was possible, and, moreover, they could successfully survive and grow on early Mars. Adjusting our growth media to the chemical composition of the lakes, from which the studied strains were isolated, resulted in significant increase in survival and growth rates. Certain strains could survive several freeze–thaw cycles at −70 °C typical for Martian nights.
HPV vaccine status and sexual behavior among young sexually-active women in the US: evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2014
Authors: Leidner Andrew J. , Chesson Harrell W. , Talih Makram
Published: May 2019

Concern has been expressed that human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programs might promote risky sexual behavior through mechanisms such as risk compensation, behavioral disinhibition, or perceived endorsement of sexual activity. This study assesses whether HPV vaccination status is associated with any differences in selected sexual behaviors among young sexually-active women in the US. Our dataset includes young, adult female respondents from questionnaire data collected in the National Center for Health Statistics' National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2014. The empirical approach implements a doubly robust estimation procedure, based on inverse probability of treatment weighting. For robustness, we implement several specifications for the propensity model and the outcomes model. We find no consistent association between HPV vaccination and condom usage or frequency of sex. Specifically, we find no evidence that HPV vaccination is associated with condom usage or with whether a person had sex more than 52 or more than 104 times per year. We find inconsistent evidence that HPV vaccination is associated with a person having sex more than 12 times per year. As in previous research, HPV vaccination does not appear to have a substantive effect on sexual behavior among young sexually-active women in the US.
Transdiagnostic CBT for adult emotional disorders: A feasibility open trial from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alatiq Yousra , Al Modayfer Omar
Published: May 2019

Transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural therapy (T-CBT) provides potential for improving psychotherapy services in countries with limited resources. The primary aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and potential benefits of using T-CBT in Saudi Arabia to treat adult emotional disorders in a naturalistic open trial. A secondary aim was to measure the effect of this approach when delivered by junior psychologists as a low-intensity intervention. The overall sample consisted of 198 patients (160 in the low-intensity group). Only 33 (16.7%) patients had completed the treatment plan, 55 (27.3%) were still active in treatment, and 109 (55%) had disengaged from the treatment. The pre- and post-assessments for the clients who completed the treatment showed a significant decrease in all outcome measures. This result held true for the whole sample and the low-intensity group. This study provides initial evidence that T-CBT is suitable for clients with emotional disorders in Saudi Arabia. The study also provides support for the effect of T-CBT as a low-intensity intervention delivered by junior psychologists. However, one of the study limitations was the sample size for the group who completed the treatment and was properly discharged from service. Implications and recommendations are discussed.

Key learning aims

(1)

To examine the feasibility and potential benefits of using T-CBT in Saudi Arabia.

(2)

To measure the effect of T-CBT as low-intensity interventions delivered by junior psychologists.

(3)

To establish evidence-based practice for T-CBT in Saudi Arabia.