bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comfort: A Project for Cultural Studies
Authors: Hickey Andrew
Published: December 2018

Taking as its provocation the recent observation by Larry Grossberg that “knowledge is relatively powerless to affect the conditions and directions of social change” (Tilting at Windmills 149-150) this paper will suggest that it is with the explication of comfort that a valuable response to the challenge of the current conjuncture can be found. Following a brief survey of the nature and purpose of Cultural Studies scholarship in this present moment, attention will turn to how comfort comes to be encoded into everyday practices and routines of lifestyle. Accordingly, this paper will assert that Cultural Studies, with its concern for “the quotidian experiences of lives lived” (Martin and Hickey 149), is well-placed to launch inquiry into the “conditions” of comfort-conditions that mark the dimensions of late capitalist social formation. A call for a research agenda within Cultural Studies that positions comfort as a prompt for scholarly attention will be outlined as an “activated” form of cultural inquiry focused on the clarification of the “everyday” dimensions of living now.
Stability and hyperstability of a quadratic functional equation and a characterization of inner product spaces
Authors: Kim Gwang Hui , El-Fassi Iz-iddine , Park Choonkil
Published: December 2018

We have proved theHyers-Ulam stability and the hyperstability of the quadratic functional equation f (x + y + z) + f (x + y − z) + f (x − y + z) + f (−x + y + z) = 4[f (x) + f (y) + f (z)] in the class of functions from an abelian group G into a Banach space.
Fight or flee? Lessons from insects on aggression
Authors: Rillich Jan , Stevenson Paul A.
Published: December 2018

Aggression between members of the same species serves to secure resources, but the costs can quickly outweigh benefits. Hence, for aggression to be evolutionarily adaptive, animals must decide when best to flee, rather than fight. How its done, is arguably best understood in crickets. These insects implement the decision by simply modulating the behavioural threshold to flee. This threshold is raised by potentially rewarding experiences (e. g. resource possession), via the amine octopamine, so that the animal is less prone to flee and persists longer in fighting. Conversely, the threshold is lowered by nitric oxide, released in response to aversive stimuli (e. g. the opponent’s agonistic signals), thus increasing the tendency to flee. A cricket then flees, when the sum of its opponent’s actions exceeds the threshold. Subsequently, serotonin keeps the threshold low, so that losers remain submissive; possibly by inhibiting dopamine, which is necessary for recovery of aggression in losers.
Immanuel Kant’s Theory of Objects and Its Inherent Link to Natural Science
Authors: Meer Rudolf
Published: December 2018

In the theoretical philosophy of Immanuel Kant, the term object has an extensive and far-reaching significance, and it can therefore be understood as a theory of objects. This becomes particularly clear when it is observed that all of his guidelines can be traced to different concepts of objects and their combination. With his concept of the object of experience, he attempts to mediate incompatible aspects in this: in relation to the object of experience, we have apodictic claims but at the same time our knowledge of the object develops and contains the possibility of historical progress. This theory of objects was elaborated by Kant with regard to natural science and the claim of its metaphysical foundation. For this reason, Kant’s concept of object is inherently linked with his concept of science. Astronomy is at the core of his investigation, because it represents a perfect example of a so-called proper and rational natural science.
“Seeking Refuge in God against God”: The Hidden God in Lutheran Theology and the Postmodern Weakening of God
Authors: Stopa Sasja Emilie Mathiasen
Published: December 2018

Martin Luther emphasizes the affective experience of the living God rather than God as an abstract, metaphysical idea. Luther explains this experience of God by distinguishing between God as Deus absconditus in his hidden majesty and God as Deus revelatus suffering on the cross. According to Luther, sinners experience the hidden God as a terrifying presence causing them to suffer. Through faith, however, sinners are able to recognize that this wrathful God is one with the God of love and mercy revealed in Christ. Based on this paradoxical understanding of God, Luther admonishes Christians to seek refuge in God against God. In recent decades, Luther’s accentuation of the revealed God has inspired postmodern philosophers and theologians in their efforts to recast the notion of God in light of the Nietzschean outcry on the death of God and Heidegger’s critique of ontotheology. Hence, John D. Caputo and Gianni Vattimo have weakened the notion of an omnipotent God in favour of an anti-metaphysical understanding of “god” kenotically denouncing his power and occurring as an ethically obliging event. Conversely, postmodern thinking have inspired contemporary Lutheran theologians to reinterpret the notion of God. In this article, Luther’s theology serves as a resource for critiquing these postmodern attempts at post-metaphysically rethinking God the central claim being that they are unable to proclaim the saving promise of a reconciliatory union between God hidden and revealed and between sinful human beings and Christ. As a result, theology is reduced to an ethical manifesto or to compassionate anthropology leaving despairing humans without a language with which to express their sufferings.
Multimodal indexicality in Korean: “doing deference” and “performing intimacy” through nonverbal behavior
Authors: Brown Lucien , Winter Bodo
Published: December 2018

This study investigates the nonverbal behaviors used in two interconnected relational practices in Korean: “doing deference” towards status superiors and “performing intimacy” towards status equals. We extracted 154 interactions from Korean televised dramas that represented these two relational practices, and annotated the data for various nonverbal behaviors, including body position and orientation, facial expressions, manual gestures, and touching. Our analyses showed that the protagonists in the dramas altered their nonverbal behavior between the two relational practices according to all of the categories that we annotated. Doing deference featured erect but constrained body positions, direct bodily orientation towards the status superior, and suppression of gestures and touching. These behaviors display decreased animatedness and freedom, as well as increased effort, and increased submissiveness. In contrast, performing intimacy displayed more relaxed and reciprocal body positioning, as well as frequent gestures and touching behaviors. The results call into question analyses of politeness phenomena that solely focus on verbal elements in previous descriptions of Korean deference. Ultimately, our results demonstrate the need for more multimodal studies in politeness research.
One-Pot Synthesis and Rheological Study of Cationic Poly (3-acrylamidopropyltrimethyl ammoniumchloride) P(APTMACl) Polymer Hydrogels
Authors: Shah Luqman Ali , Javed Rida , Khan Abbas , Bibi Irum , Khattak Noor Saeed , Alam Sultan
Published: December 2018

The main objective of this research work is to explore the complete and extensive rheological studies of cationic poly (3-acrylamidopropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride) P(APTMACl) hydrogel, prepared by free radical polymerization method at room temperature. Hydrogel was characterized by various techniques such as SEM, FTIR and TGA, whereas rheological properties of synthesized hydrogel were obtained using frequency sweep and frequency curve analysis in different temperature range. Storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G′′) were investigated as a function of angular frequencies and shear stress at various temperatures. Rheological models like Bingham plastic model, modified Bingham and Ostwald power law were applied to understand the rheological performance of the gels. Flow curves obtained at different temperatures indicate that P(APTMACl) hydrogel shows a non-Newtonian pseudo plastic behavior. All results concluded that rheology is a powerful tool to study the complete visco-elastic behavior of polymer hydrogel for multiple applications.
Data in Time
Authors: Sepkoski David
Published: December 2018

One of the best arguments for approaching the history of information processing and handling in the human and natural sciences as a “history of data” is that it focuses our attention on relationships, convergences, and contingent historical developments that can be obscured following more traditional areas of focus on individual disciplines or technologies. This essay explores one such case of convergence in nineteenth-century data history between empirical natural history (paleontology and botany), bureaucratic statistics (cameralism), and contemporary historiography, arguing that the establishment of visual conventions around the presentation of temporal patterns in data involved interactions between ostensibly distinct knowledge traditions. This essay is part of a special issue entitled Histories of Data and the Database edited by Soraya de Chadarevian and Theodore M. Porter.
Die Grenzen zum steuerlichen Gestaltungsmissbrauch sowie zur Marktmanipulation bei der Verlustrealisierung durch gegenläufige Wertpapiergeschäfte
Authors: Ostermann Ansgar
Published: December 2018

Kursverluste von Wertpapieren lassen sich unter bestimmten Voraussetzungen nutzen, um die Steuerschuld zu reduzieren. Erfordert die Verlustnutzung einen Verkauf, möchte sich der Anleger aber wirtschaftlich nicht von einer Wertpapierposition trennen, könnte in Erwägung gezogen werden, die mit Verlust veräußerten Wertpapiere leicht zeitversetzt oder auch zeitgleich zurückzukaufen. Oftmals ist den Anlegern jedoch nicht bewusst, dass solche gegenläufigen Wertpapiertransaktionen mit steuerlichem Gestaltungsmissbrauch und Marktmanipulation in Verbindung gebracht werden können.
Middle Ear Infection in Children and Its Association with Dental Caries
Authors: Kashyap Nilotpol , Katlam Tulsi , Avinash Alok , Kumar Brij , Kulshrestha Reena , Das Pooja
Published: December 2018

Introduction. Middle ear infection affects mostly infants and children, associated with elevatedlevel of S. mutans, which increases the chances of developing caries.Aim. To evaluate the difference in level of Streptococcus mutans between normal children & children affected by middle ear infection.Method. This descriptive study was carried out on 120 children aged 5 years and younger. They were selected randomly from schools and medical hospitals. S. mutans was counted from saliva sample and a questionnaire was given to be filled by their parents about the feeding method, pattern and specific childhood illness.Result. Out of 120 children examined, 62 were boys and 58 were girls. Mean CFU in middle ear infection group was 5.60+9.53, whereas in children with no middle ear infection it was 1.70+3.34. Unpaired ‘t’ test revealed statistically significant difference among the two groups (p value = 0.001).Conclusion. S. mutans count was comparatively higher in children having middle ear infection rather than non-infected children, which may cause dental caries in the future.
THE OBSTETRIC COMPLICATIONS IN WOMEN WITH HEREDITARY THROMBOPHILIA
Authors: Mitriuc Diana , Popușoi Olga , Catrinici Rodica , Friptu Valentin
Published: December 2018

All congenital thrombophilias are associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) during pregnancy. Several studies have confirmed the increased risk of obstetric complications in women with congenital thrombophilias. Case-control, cohort and transversal studies have shown that hereditary thrombophilia is more prevalent in the cohorts of women with pregnancy losses, early onset preeclampsia, abruptio placentae and IUGR. However, despite the increase in the relative risk, the absolute risk of VTE and adverse pregnancy outcomes is low. There is convincing evidence that the deficiency of natural anticoagulants (AT, protein C, protein S) is a risk factor for late fetal loss. The mutations of the FVL (G1691A) gene and the prothrombin (G20210A) gene are associated with a double risk for unexplained RPL and non-recurrent late fetal loss. The association of congenital thrombophilia and preeclampsia is much more uncertain, being, probably, limited to the FVL G1691A gene mutation and more severe cases of preeclampsia. Fewer data are available for IUGR and abruptio placentae. In addition, genetic and epidemiological research suggest that obstetric complications during pregnancy have a polygenic multifactorial etiology, with a risk determined by the interaction of multiple genetic variants and other risk factors.
Material suplementario Artículo 68251. Evaluación de viabilidad de semillas de 17 especies tropicales altoandinas por la prueba de germinación y la prueba de tetrazolio
Authors: Mancipe-Murillo Carolina , Calderón-Hernández Manuela , Pérez-Martínez Laura Victoria
Published: December 2018

Anexo 1. Artículos con diferentes métodos para evaluar la viabilidad de semillas. La X muestra que método fue utilizado en cada estudio, en algunos artículos fueron utilizados dos métodos.
Weak compactness of direct sums in locally convex cones
Authors: Motallebi Mohammad Reza
Published: December 2018

We discuss the weakly compact subsets of direct sum cones for the upper, lower and symmetric topologies and investigate the X-topologies of the weak upper, lower and sym-metric compact subsets of direct sum cones on product cones.
STUDY ON APPLICATION OF MULTIPLEX LIGATION-DEPENDENT PROBE AMPLIFICATION (MLPA) ASSAY IN MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS OF RETINOBLASTOMA
Authors: Nhung Vu Phuong , Thanh Hoa Nguyen Thi , Huyen Thuong Ma Thi , Bich Ngoc Tran Thi , Ton Nguyen Dang , Duong Nguyen Thuy , Hai Nong Van , Ha Nguyen Hai
Published: December 2018

Retinoblastoma (Rb) is a malignant retinal tumor on young children which is often founded before the age of 5. This cancer disease appears when both of RB1 alleles on 13q14.2 chromosome are mutated. The aim of this research is to evaluate the ability of Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) in screening of RB1 gene insertion/deletions in Vietnamese patients with Rb. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood of the research subjects and subsequently analyzed by MLPA technique. To prove the results of MLPA, quantitative real-time PCR was used for determining the RB1 gene copy number for all samples. Two significant deletion mutations were identified on two different Rb patients, one is the deletion from exon 4 to exon 27 recorded on KVM38 sample, and the other is the complete removal of an allele on KVM21 sample. The MLPA showed a complete correlation with real-time PCR results. These are the disease causing mutations, can be inherited and they are important evidences for genetic counseling and clinical management. Those results have proven the high speed and reliability of MLPA method in identifying deletion/duplication mutations on Rb patients.
Cardiac Rhythm Vigilance in Ketogenic Diet
Authors: Kalra Sanjay ,   Department of Endocrinology, Barti Hospital, Karnal, India, Kishor Kamal ,   Department of Cardiology, Rama Hospital, Karnal, India, Khandelwal Deepak ,   Department of Endocrinology, Maharaja Agrasen Hospital, New Delhi, India
Published: December 2018

Ketogenic diet is a popular mode of treatment for weight loss, diabetes and seizures, which must be followed under medical supervision. This brief communication reviews literature related to the pro-arrhythmogenicity of the ketogenic diet. Modern ketogenic diet, followed with attention to electrolyte and mineral balance, is safe, and is not associated with arrhythmias. However, electrocardio vigilance is required while initiating and continuing ketogenic diet.
Comparative study between endoscopic cartilage myringoplasty and endoscopic temporalis fascia myringoplasty
Authors: Chozhan P. , Sankara Subramanian M. , Kannathal D. , Malarvizhi R.
Published: December 2018

Background: Myringoplasty is a common ear surgery performed all over the world. This study is focused on prospective comparative study using two different graft materials.

Methods: This was a prospective study done in the Department of ENT Stanley Medical College, Chennai during the period from March 2013 to September 2013. Sample size was 60 patients. Follow up was done till 6 months.  

Results: Graft acceptance was achieved in 28 patients (93%) who underwent palisade cartilage myringoplasty, whereas it was achieved in 24 patients (80%) in the temporalis fascia myringoplasty group.

Conclusions: The outcomes in our patient series indicate that cartilage myringoplasty achieves good results. Cartilage, a very effective material for the reconstruction of the TM and grafts can provide an excellent anatomical result, perfect stability and good functional outcome.
Educational strategies and resources for Geosciences teaching in basic education
Authors: Ponte Maxwell L. , Piranha Joseli M.
Published: December 2018

No Brasil, a desterritorialização das Geociências nos currículos escolares resultam no ensino descontextualizado e fragmentado desta ciência. Assim, destaca-se a relevância do desenvolvimento de estratégias e práticas pedagógicas diferenciadas que, em atenção ao caráter interdisciplinar e prático que esta Ciência requer, possibilitem sua inserção na educação básica. Neste trabalho são apresentados materiais e práticas lúdico-educativas, elaborados no âmbito de uma investigação-ação que envolveu a participação de estudantes de Ensino Médio em estudos no contraturno escolar. As estratégias adotadas e os recursos desenvolvidos promoveram a integração de conceitos geocientíficos aos Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais para a educação básica, potencializando a aprendizagem pertinente à compreensão do local onde vivem. Além disso, apresenta-se, oportunamente, dificuldades vivenciadas durante as atividades com os estudantes, que envolvem a carência de conhecimentos geocientíficos, a concepção bancária de ensino predominante na educação básica e a cultura escolar.
Optimization of Radiators, Underfloor and Ceiling Heater Towards the Definition of a Reference Ideal Heater for Energy Efficient Buildings
Authors: Ferrantelli Andrea , Võsa Karl-Villem , Kurnitski Jarek
Published: December 2018

Heat emitters constitute the primary devices used in space heating and cover a fundamental role in the energy efficient use of buildings. In the search for an optimized design, heating devices should be compared with a benchmark emitter with maximum heat emission efficiency. However, such an ideal heater still needs to be defined. In this paper we perform an analysis of heat transfer in a European reference room, considering room side effects of thermal radiation and computing the induced operative temperature both analytically and numerically. By means of functional optimization, we analyse trends such as the variation of operative temperature with radiator panel dimensions, finding optimal configurations. In order to make our definitions as general as possible, we address panel radiators, convectors, underfloor (UFH) and ceiling heater. We obtain analytical formulas for the operative temperature induced by panel radiators and identify the 10-type as our ideal radiator, while the UFH provides the best performance overall. Regarding specifically UFH and ceiling heaters, we find optimal sizes that identify the according ideal emitters. The analytical method and quantitative results reported in this paper can be generalized and adopted in most studies concerning the efficiency of different heat emitter types in building enclosures.
Regulatory Limits to Corporate Sustainability: How Climate Change Law and Energy Reforms in Mexico May Impair Sustainability Practices in Mexican Firms
Authors: Lloret Antonio , Domenge Rogerio , Castro-Hernández Mildred
Published: December 2018

This paper aims to show that sustainable behavior by firms may be impaired by regulatory restrictions. We challenge the assumption that regulation aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) on the form of a target to meet the Country’s GHG emissions commitments will promote sustainable corporations. We argue that, in fact, such regulation may impair sustainability practices because it creates unintended consequences. This paper tackles the efficiency of the institutional framework chosen through the lenses of the analytical themes of fit, scale and interplay, then we use a systems dynamic approach to represent how regulation in the arenas of energy efficiency and GHG emissions reduction may withhold competitive business outcomes and corporate sustainability schemes. We exemplify and simulate a single regulation scheme and found that as a result of the institutional scheme chosen, the system is dominated by negative feedback processes resulting in lesser outcomes that would be better tackled by firms not being subject to the restrictions imposed by the regulation.
A Comprehensive Evaluation of Approaches for Built-up Area Extraction from Landsat OLI Images Using Massive Samples
Authors: Zhang Tao , Tang Hong
Published: December 2018

Detailed built-up area information is valuable for mapping complex urban environments. Although a large number of classification algorithms about built-up areas have been developed, they are rarely tested from the perspective of feature engineering and feature learning. Therefore we launched a unique investigation to provide a full test of the OLI imagery for 15-m resolution built-up area classification in 2015, in Beijing, China. Training a classifier requires many sample points, and we propose a method based on the ESA's 38-meter global built-up area data of 2014, Open Street Map and MOD13Q1-NDVI to achieve rapid and automatic generation of a large number of sample points. Our aim is to examine the influence of a single pixel and image patch under traditional feature engineering and modern feature learning strategies. In feature engineering, we consider spectra, shape and texture as the input features, and SVM, random forest (RF) and AdaBoost as the classification algorithms. In feature learning, the convolution neural network (CNN) is used as the classification algorithm. In total, 26 built-up land cover maps were produced. Experimental results show that: (1) the approaches based on feature learning are generally better than those based on feature engineering in terms of classification accuracy, and the performance of ensemble classifiers e.g., RF, is comparable to that of CNN. Two dimensional CNN and the 7 neighborhood RF have the highest classification accuracy of nearly 91%. (2) Overall, the classification effect and accuracy based on image patches are better than those based on single pixels. The features that can highlight the information of the target category (for example, PanTex and EMBI) can help improve classification accuracy.
Methodological Principles of Implementation of International Health Regulations (2005) in the Territory of the Russian Federation
Authors: Onischenko G. G. , Pakskina N. D. , Toporkov V. P. , Toporkov A. V. , Shiyanova A. E. , Kutyrev V. V.
Published: December 2018

Implementation of IHR (2005) in the territory of Russian Federation is beyond the scope of formal admission and technical execution. Fundamentally amended and principally new conceptual essentials of the present international document in relation to previously valid IHR (1969) are to be implemented. In view of above-mentioned, the realization of IHR (2005) is of experimental (research) character to a certain extent. In connection with this, the procedure of functioning of IHR (2005) demands the monitoring and permanent evaluation by the WHO (in the reports of Director-General) with regards to correspondence of the document to the modern epidemiological, social and economic, and geopolitical realities. The IHR (2005) realization in the territory of the Russian Federation demands the development of a certain methodology and special algorithm of activity which include the differentiation of a range of components of conceptual originality of this document, their integration into the content, principles of sanitary protection, improvement of its 3-levels system on the basis of structural and functional strengthening of the network for monitoring of infectious and parasitic diseases agents, training of specialists on IHR (2005) and sanitary protection of the Russian Federation territory.
Heterologous Anti-Rabies Immunoglobulin - Results of the First Five Years of Production
Authors: Abramova E. G. , Nikiforov A. K. , Lobovikova O. A. , Eremin S. A. , Vasin Yu. G. , Mikheeva T. A. , Zhulidov I. M. , Minaeva L. N. , Galkina M. V. , Savitskaya L. V. , Selezneva A. G. , Svintsov R. A. , Generalov S. V. , Shoulgina I. V.
Published: December 2018

Presented are the comparative data of actual and regulated indicators of the qualitative characteristics of the heterologous anti-rabies immunoglobulin produced by the RARI Microbe for the five years of serial preparation manufacturing. Modern high-technology methods to control the baromembrane processes used in immunoglobulin purification are highlighted.
Effects of Supplemental N on Plant Growth in Fresh and Aged Pine Bark
Authors: Cobb G. S. , Keever G. J.
Published: December 2018

Dwarf Japanese euonymus (Euonymus japonica Thunb. ‘Microphylla’) and Japanese holly (Ilex crenata Thunb. ‘Compacta’), grown in fresh or aged (1 year) pine bark amended with a slow-release complete fertilizer, were supplied with NH4NO3 weekly at 0, 100, 200, or 300 ppm N. Plant growth, foliar color, leaf tissue N, and leachate soluble salts increased with increasing levels of supplemental N while tissue K, Ca, and Mg decreased. Plant growth, foliar color, and leaf tissue N, P, Ca, and Mg in fresh pine bark equaled or exceeded that in aged pine bark at all levels of supplemental N. Leachate soluble salts, pH, and leaf tissue K was higher in aged pine bark.
Production Costs of Organic Vegetable Farms: Two Case Studies from Pennsylvania
Authors: Conner David , Rangarajan Anusuya
Published: December 2018

The market premiums that currently exist for many organic crops are an attractive incentive for conventional growers considering the transition to organic practices. Before making this decision, there is a need to better understand the production costs of these systems. While many factors, such as crop rotation, soil type, and marketing, influence cropping decisions, production costs are vital information for production and pricing decisions. This research evaluated crop budgets from two Pennsylvania organic farms as case studies. A critical component of these budgets was the calculation of costs related to cover cropping, rotations, and compost production or use. These farms were very different in their scale, management, and marketing strategies. The crops selected for study on each farm were also different, based upon economic value to the farm. Beech Grove Farm used horse traction and hired no production labor on about 4 acres of production; budgets for carrot (Daucus carota), onion (Allium cepa), and garlic (Allium sativum) are presented. The other, Spiral Path Farm, used machinery and a hired labor crew extensively on about 60 acres; their production costs for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), and winter squash (Cucurbita moschata) are presented. While costs could not be compared between the farms, costs per acre varied widely among crops on a farm, but less so across years. Neither farm spent a great deal on pest control inputs, relying on soil fertility and other management practices to minimize infestations and grow healthy plants. While these single-crop budgets provided some realistic measures of costs of organic vegetable production, longer-term budgets measuring multiyear rotations would better capture the tradeoffs made by diversified organic farmers.
Managers of Latino Workers in the Iowa Horticulture Industry Want Educational Programs to Bridge Language and Cultural Barriers
Authors: Justen Emilie A.K. , Haynes Cynthia , VanDerZanden Ann Marie , Grudens-Schuck Nancy
Published: December 2018

Horticulture is the fastest-growing sector of the agricultural industry, and this is true particularly in Iowa where the number of private horticultural businesses has more than doubled since 1993. The industry is relying more on non-English–speaking employees, especially Spanish-speaking workers, for golf course maintenance, landscape installation, and nursery production. Determining and serving the educational and training needs of a workforce that is not fluent in English is historically difficult for university extension programs. This study assessed educational needs and technical issues of English-speaking managers of primarily Spanish-speaking workers in the horticultural industry in Iowa, with special attention to language and cultural issues. Four focus groups were conducted, with managers recruited in cooperation with state professional horticultural associations. Communication gaps and challenges interpreting cultural differences were cited as key difficulties experienced by managers of Latino workers. The study produced a list of ideas for educational initiatives that would improve lateral (two-way) communications and delivery of Iowa-specific horticultural education and job-site training between English-speaking managers and Latino employees.
Pecan Orchard Damage and Recovery from Ice Storms
Authors: Smith Michael W. , Rohla Charles T.
Published: December 2018

Typical damage, cleanup, and recovery from four ice storms beginning in Dec. 2000, with the latest in Dec. 2007, are reported for pecan (Carya illinoinensis). Damage levels were amplified as radial ice accretion increased. Cultivar affected the amount of damage incurred. Trees less than 15 ft tall typically had the least damage. Trees 15 to 30 ft tall incurred as much or more damage than larger trees and cleanup costs were greater. Production potential was directly related to canopy loss during the first growing season. The time to recover full production potential varied with the severity of canopy loss. Cleanup costs depended upon the amount of canopy damage incurred, tree spacing, tree size, and the amount of pruning needed to remove hanging and damaged limbs from the tree.
‘Pitoma Slanopadja’, a Natural Pear Hybrid Between Pyrus amygdaliformis and P. communis
Authors: Stancevic A. , Gavrilovic J. , Stankovic D. , van der Zwet T.
Published: December 2018

A natural complex hybrid, ‘Pitoma Slanopadja’, between native Pyrus amygdaliformis Vill. and cultivated P. communis L., probably ‘Beurre Giffard’, was discovered in 1954 in an orchard row fence near Cacak, Yugoslavia. Tree vigor, pubescent narrowly lanceolate leaves, large fruit buds, pronounced fruit calyx, large core, and numerous large grit cells are characteristic of P. amygdaliformis. The fruit size and ovate-pyriform shape, however, combined with a high sugar content, are very characteristic of the P. communis parent. In Yugoslavia, the tree appeared highly resistant to pear scab (Venturia pyrina Aderh.), leaf spot [Mycosphaerella sentina (Fekl.) Schroet.] and pear psylla (Psylla pyri L. and P. pyrisuga Foerst.).
Cover Crop and Herbicide Combinations for Weed Control in Polyethylene-mulched Bell Pepper
Authors: Bangarwa Sanjeev K. , Norsworthy Jason K. , Gbur Edward E.
Published: December 2018

Field trials were conducted in 2006 and 2007 to evaluate the performance of ‘Caliente’ mustard cover crop and herbicide combinations for weed control in polyethylene-mulched bell pepper (Capsicum annuum). ‘Caliente’ mustard is a blend of brown mustard (Brassica juncea) and white mustard (Sinapis alba). Herbicide treatments included 1/2× and 1× rates of two pre-emergence (PRE) and two postdirected (PD) herbicides. PRE herbicides were applied 1 week before transplanting, whereas PD herbicides were applied at 4 to 5 weeks after transplanting. ‘Caliente’ mustard did not supplement weed control or improve bell pepper yield in herbicide-treated plots. There was a significant herbicide selection by application rate interaction for large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) control and bell pepper yield, but only the main effect of herbicide selection and application rate affected the control of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus), and palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri). Bell pepper injury was not more than 9% from all herbicides and application rates. Except for large crabgrass, control of all weed species improved by increasing the application rate from 1/2× to 1×. S-metolachlor PRE provided more broad-spectrum weed control than other herbicides. Halosulfuron applied PRE or PD was selective to purple nutsedge and yellow nutsedge, whereas trifloxysulfuron performed better than halosulfuron on palmer amaranth and large crabgrass. Plots treated with the 1× rate of S-metolachlor or trifloxysulfuron produced the highest marketable bell pepper yield among the herbicide treatments, but no herbicide treatment allowed for marketable yield equivalent to the weed-free treatment.
Preliminary Observations on the Traffic Tolerance of Four Seashore Paspalum Cultivars Compared to Hybrid Bermudagrass
Authors: Brosnan J.T. , Deputy J.
Published: December 2018

Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) is a prostrate, perennial turfgrass used on golf courses and athletic fields in warm-season climates. Research data on the traffic tolerance of seashore paspalum compared with hybrid bermudagrass (Cyndon dactylon × Cynodon transvaalensis) is minimal. A study was conducted in 2008 to evaluate the traffic tolerance of ‘Sea Isle 2000’, ‘Salam’, ‘Sea Dwarf’, and ‘Sea Isle 1’ seashore paspalum relative to ‘Tifway’ hybrid bermudagrass. Traffic was applied with a Cady Traffic Simulator (CTS) and traffic tolerance was assessed visually through measurements of percentage of turfgrass cover after 36, 54, 72, and 90 passes were applied with the CTS. After 90 passes (45 simulated professional football games) with the CTS, ‘Salam’, ‘Sea Dwarf’, and ‘Sea Isle 1’ seashore paspalum exhibited greater traffic tolerance than ‘Tifway’ hybrid bermudagrass; ‘Sea Isle 2000’ seashore paspalum exhibited the least amount of traffic tolerance in this study. These data suggest that some seashore paspalum cultivars may be a suitable alternative to hybrid bermudagrass on athletic fields in warm-season climates.
Agronomic and Commercial Performance of Four Spanish Carob Cultivars
Authors: Tous Joan , Romero Agustí , Hermoso Juan F. , Ninot Antònia , Plana Joan , Batlle Ignasi
Published: December 2018

The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua) shows interesting prospects for some coastal Mediterranean growing areas and is widely used for industrial, agricultural, and ornamental purposes. It can be an alternative crop adapted to part-time farming and can also be used to regenerate vegetation in areas with a mild climate and erosion problems. Four Spanish carob cultivars were examined (Banya de Cabra, Duraio, Matalafera, and Rojal) to determine the one that performed the best for planting new orchards in northeastern Spain (Catalonia). The trees in this rain-fed trial (average rainfall of 500 mm) were planted in 1986 using seedling rootstocks that were budded in 1987. The trees were trained using the free-vase system and were spaced 8 × 9 m (138 trees/ha including 12% pollinators). The results showed that ‘Rojal’ was the earliest bearing cultivar. However, no significant differences were observed for cumulative pod production 18 years after budding. With respect to cumulative seed yield, ‘Duraio’ had the highest production (95 kg/tree). The lowest tree vigor (trunk cross-section) was observed in ‘Matalafera’. ‘Rojal’ trees produced the largest pods (average fruit weight of 18.9 g) and lowest seed content (11.8%), while ‘Banya de Cabra’ and ‘Duraio’ produced the smallest fruit (weighing 15.3 and 16.2 g, respectively) with the highest seed content (15.2% and 17.3%, respectively). Gum content, expressed as a percentage of the dry weight, was highest in ‘Duraio’ (56.9%) and was lowest in ‘Rojal’ (54.1%). Thus, in terms of kernel and pod production, ‘Duraio’ appeared to be the best-performing female cultivar for planting new carob orchards.
Laser Etching: A Novel Technology to Label Florida Grapefruit
Authors: Sood Preeti , Ference Chris , Narciso Jan , Etxeberria Ed
Published: December 2018

Laser labeling of fruit and vegetables is an alternative means of labeling produce in which a low-energy carbon dioxide laser beam etches the surface and reveals a contrasting underlying layer. These etched surfaces can promote water loss and may increase the number of entry sites for decay-promoting organisms. The long-term effects of laser labeling on produce quality during storage have not been examined. We conducted experiments to measure water loss, peel appearance, and potential decay in laser-labeled grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) during storage. Laser-labeled fruit stored at 10 °C and two relative humidities (i.e., 95% and 65%) for 5 weeks showed no increase in decay compared with nonetched control fruit, suggesting that laser labeling does not facilitate decay. This was confirmed by experiments where Penicillium digitatum spores were coated on fruit surfaces before and after etching. In either case, no decay was observed. In agar plates containing a lawn of P. digitatum spores, the laser etching reduced germination of spores in contact areas. Water loss from etched areas and label appearance were determined during storage. Water loss from waxed etched surfaces reached control levels after 24 h in storage. Label appearance slowly deteriorated during 4 weeks in storage and was proportional to laser energy levels and ambient relative humidity. Waxing the labeled surface reduced water loss by 35% to 94%, depending on the wax formulation used. We concluded that laser labeling provides the grapefruit industry a safe alternative to adhesive sticker labeling without enhancing decay susceptibility.
Cover Crops Influence Meadow Vole Presence in Organic Orchards
Authors: Wiman Michel R. , Kirby Elizabeth M. , Granatstein David M. , Sullivan Thomas P.
Published: December 2018

Living mulch cover crops can improve soil health and build organic matter, yet their use in fruit orchards comes with a risk of encouraging meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), a rodent that can be destructive to fruit trees. Several living mulch cover crop species were assessed in an apple (Malus ×domestica) orchard understory along with wood chip mulch and bare ground. Desired species characteristics were weed competitiveness, low growth habit, nitrogen fixation, and potential rodent repellency. Legume species included birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), medic (Medicago spp.), and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum), which were planted in solid stands as well as mixtures. Nonlegume species included sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum), sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima), creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum), and colonial bentgrass (Agrostis tenuis). Meadow vole presence was evaluated in fall and spring with point-intersect and run-length measurements. A legume mix (medic, birdsfoot trefoil, subterranean clover, and colonial bentgrass) had the highest meadow vole presence, with no reduction under the “sandwich” system of tilling either side of the tree trunks while leaving a cover crop in a narrow strip with the trunks. The nonlegume mix [colonial bentgrass, sweet alyssum, creeping thyme, and fivespot (Neomophila maculata)] had similar results. However, the sweet woodruff (planted in the “sandwich” system) had significantly lower presence of meadow voles than the other living mulches. Wood chip mulch, cultivation, and bare ground control were all similar, with very low presence, indicating low risk of meadow vole damage. The results from the sweet woodruff suggest that we need more research on the potential to select living mulches that are nonattractive or repellent to meadow voles for use in orchards.
Floral Consumption Values for Consumer Groups with Different Purchase Choices for Flowers
Authors: Huang Li-Chun , Yeh Tzu-Fang
Published: December 2018

Consumption values are theoretically believed to be the antecedents of the outcomes of consumer purchase choice. In the floral market, even though the context of floral consumption values has been explored, the relationship between floral consumption values and consumer's purchase choice regarding floral products remains unknown. This study, however, seeks to address this deficiency by attempting to evaluate the differences in floral consumption values across consumer groups that have different purchase choices for floral products. After collecting data from a consumer survey, which yielded 615 valid questionnaires, the statistical results indicated that consumers who revealed different purchase choices in regard to flowers had different floral consumption values. In descending order, showing care to others, emotion conditioning, and sensory hedonics were the floral consumption values most strongly recognized by the majority of the consumers. However, heavy users of flowers revealed different characteristics in that they more strongly recognized the psychological value of emotion conditioning rather than the social value of showing care to others. The main difference across consumer groups that had purchased flowers with different frequencies or that preferred to buy different types of flowers had to do with the epistemic value (i.e., curiosity fulfillment). The results of this study imply that consumers who have different choice behavior toward flowers possess different evaluative judgments in regard to floral products. Such differences not only lead consumers to have different purchase choices in regard to flowers, but are also very likely to influence the consumer's behavior in regard to information search and variety seeking in the floral market, which in turn, impacts the effectiveness of commercial communication in the floral market.
Postharvest Longevity and Responsiveness of Guava Varieties with Distinctive Climacteric Behaviors to 1-Methylcyclopropene
Authors: Porat R. , Weiss B. , Zipori I. , Dag A.
Published: December 2018

The local guava (Psidium guajava) variety cultivated in Israel, named Ben Dov, emits a strong odor and suffers from a short postharvest life. To address these problems, we initiated a guava breeding program, and identified two new varieties, the pink-flesh King and the white/yellowish-flesh Omri, that have much better storage lives and emit fewer odors. Physiological characterization of their ripening process revealed that the traditional variety Ben Dov exhibited a classic climacteric behavior, whereas the new variety King had a suppressed-climacteric phenotype, and Omri was apparently nonclimacteric and did not exhibit any increases in respiration and ethylene production rates during ripening. Furthermore, differing concentrations of the ethylene action inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) were required to inhibit ripening in the various varieties: a high 1-MCP concentration of 500 nL·L−1 was required to delay ripening and to prolong postharvest storage life of the climacteric variety Ben Dov; a moderate concentration of 250 nL·L−1 inhibited ripening of the suppressed-climacteric variety King; and a low concentration of just 100 nL·L−1 was sufficient to inhibit ripening of the nonclimacteric variety Omri. The results of this study indicate that different guava varieties may pursue distinctive climacteric behaviors: the suppressed-climacteric variety and, to a greater extent, the nonclimacteric variety, have longer storage lives and are more sensitive to 1-MCP than the traditional variety.
Performance of Hazelnut Cultivars from Oregon in Northeastern Slovenia
Authors: Solar Anita , Štampar Franci
Published: December 2018

Three cultivars and three selections from Oregon State University's (OSU) hazelnut (Corylus avellana) breeding program were investigated in a yield trial during the period 1997 to 2007 in northeastern Slovenia with the Italian ‘Tonda Gentile delle Langhe’ as the standard. All OSU genotypes had higher cumulative yield and yield efficiency than the standard, all exceeded the kernel percentage of 45%, and all had at least 76% good kernels. OSU 228.084 is promising due to good vegetative growth and the highest yields and yield efficiency. It set many catkins and had the highest percentage of marketable kernels. Its disadvantage could be early flowering and large yield reduction due to low temperatures in early spring. Cultivars/selections that were late flowering (‘Lewis’ and OSU 244.001) had longer durations of pistillate flower receptivity (‘Willamette’ and OSU 238.125) and had lower sensitivity to unfavorable weather conditions in early spring (‘Clark’) expressed the best climatic adaptation. Unmarketable nuts were mainly blanks and poorly filled nuts. ‘Clark’ is precocious early maturing, and well-suited to the kernel market. Due to its upright growth habit, ‘Clark’ could be planted more densely than others. ‘Lewis’ yielded well and had medium yield efficiency, and is suitable for in-shell and kernel markets. Excellent pellicle removal was observed in OSU 244.001 and OSU 238.125. All OSU cultivars and selections showed relatively low susceptibility to hazelnut weevil (Balaninus nucum).
Pecan Shell Mulch Impact on ‘Loring’ Peach Tree Establishment and First Harvest
Authors: Stafne Eric T. , Rohla Charles T. , Carroll Becky L.
Published: December 2018

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) shells are waste products that are occasionally used for mulch in ornamental landscape settings, yet most shell waste is left in piles near the shelling facility or discarded by other methods. If another use for this waste product could be developed, it may add income for pecan producers and provide peach (Prunus persica) growers with another option for weed control. A block of ‘Loring’ peach trees grafted onto ‘Halford’ rootstocks was planted at a spacing of 18 × 22 ft in Feb. 2005 at the Cimarron Valley Research Station near Perkins, OK, to determine the effect of pecan shell mulch on peach trees. Five treatments were imposed: no weed control except mowing (MOW), weed-free 6- × 6-ft area maintained with glyphosate herbicide (SPRAY), 6-ft × 6-ft × 2-inch deep mulch (TWO), 6-ft × 6-ft × 4-inch deep mulch (FOUR), and 6-ft × 6-ft × 6-inch deep mulch (SIX). Yields in 2008 were poorest in the MOW treatment (13.2 kg/tree and 93 fruit/tree). All other treatments did not differ. Soluble solids concentration as a measure of fruit quality and fruit weight was unaffected by treatment. Tree height, pruning weights, and trunk cross-sectional area were similar with the exception that MOW was lower for all three growth measurements beginning in 2007. Pecan mulch appears to have the potential to reduce soil pH. Foliar analysis for nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and zinc (Zn) showed treatment differences in 2006. No treatment differences were evident in 2007 and 2008 for K and Zn, but in 2008, FOUR had greater N than MOW. Tree mortality increased with pecan mulch depth. MOW, SPRAY, and TWO had little tree loss (0%–5%), whereas FOUR and SIX had 15% and 35% mortality, respectively. Tree mortality was attributed to record rains in 2007 coupled with longer soil moisture retention under the deeper mulch.