bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Radiofrequency Identification Automated Technologies for Predictive Analytics of Signaling Factors to Determining In-Patient Post Treatment Sleep Quality
Authors: Hudson Haley , Jones Erick , Aberra Dawit , Gupta Shalini , Jefferson Felicia
Published: December 2016

The supply chain has incorporated products by putting them into hair scarfs. This study introduces the use of mini chips in health and beauty products and can reduce fatigue through enhanced sleep patterns. The mini chip could be placed in the scarf and used as a prototype. RFID technology provides the supply chain with specific information that is used to identify products and make communication easier. (Muhammad, et. al. 2013) This paper presents a new tool herein referred to as a scarf prototype which is developed to analyse EMG (electromyogram), ECG (electrocardiography), EEG (electroencephalogram), and EOG (electro-oculogram) signals that focuses in the area of sleep disorders. The mini chips used can be used to determine a solution for sleep disruption by using automated analytics. This could lead to improvement in our understanding of sleep disruption and overall sleep physiology. Automated technology allows repeated measurements, evaluation of sleep patterns, and provide suggestions to improve a person’s quality of sleep. This analysis compares the use of polysomnography and the scarf prototype. The analytics provide models and shows correlation between variables, such as EMG, ECG, EEG, and EOG. This study shows that the results from the scarf prototype is just as reliable as the original method, polysomnography.
An Experimental Combined Objective and Subjective Investigation of Thermal Comfort Perception in a Non-Air-Conditioned Lyceum School Building
Authors: Papazoglou Eleni , Moustris Konstantinos , Nikas Konstantinos-Stefanos , Nastos Panagiotis , Statharas John
Published: December 2016

The Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and the Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied (PPD) indices are used to assess the indoor environment in terms of human thermal comfort-discomfort. In this study, an experimental combined objective and subjective investigation of thermal comfort perception has been performed in students between 16-18 years old, in a non-air-conditioned school building. The objective approach included instrumentation measurements and data processing according to ISO 7730, whereas, the subjective one was based on answers collection following ISO 10551. The study is mainly devoted to the verification of Fanger’s approach in a building, in free running conditions, under a mild (moderate) climate.The comparison between instrumentation data and questionnaire results presented an underestimation of the mean vote, predicting a cooler sensation than the actual one.
The Causal-Effect between Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Forestry Production and Trade: A Case Study in Ghana
Authors: Asumadu-Sarkodie Samuel , Owusu Phebe Asantewaa
Published: December 2016

In this study, the causal-effect between carbon dioxide emissions and forestry production and trade was investigated in Ghana by employing a data spanning from 1961 to 2014 by using the VECM and ARDL model. Evidence of the long-run equilibrium relationship in the VECM shows that, a 1% increase in veneer sheet production reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 1.47% in the long-run. There was evidence of a bidirectional causality between carbon dioxide emissions and veneer sheet production, carbon dioxide emissions and wood charcoal production, and a unidirectional causality running from carbon dioxide emissions to wood fuel production and plywood production to carbon dioxide emissions. Evidence from the long-run equilibrium relationship in the ARDL model shows that; a 1% increase in plywood production will increase carbon dioxide emissions by 0.17% in the long-run, a 1% increase in sawnwood production will increase carbon dioxide emissions by 0.17% in the long-run, a 1% increase in wood charcoal production will increase carbon dioxide emissions by 0.36% in the long-run and a 1% increase in wood fuel production will increase carbon dioxide emissions by 0.37% in the long-run.
Effect of stocking density on water and soil quality, growth, production and profitability of farming Indian major carps
Authors: Bag Narayan , Moulick Sanjib , Mal Bimal Chandra
Published: December 2016

Indian major carps (IMCs), catla (Catla catla); rohu (Labeo rohita) and mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) were cultured at stocking densities of 20000 (T1), 35000 (T2) and 50000 (T3) fingerlings ha-1 for a period of 300 days in nine numbers of polythene lined ponds having an average water area of 150 m2. Stocking ratio of catla, rohu and mrigal were 4:3:3. Fishes were fed 35% protein diet twice daily. Water pH was maintained within the ideal range (6 - 9) by intermittent liming. Significantly lower (p<0.05) levels of dissolved oxygen and higher values of total ammonia- nitrogen were recorded at higher stocking densities compared to lower ones. Significantly higher (p<0.05) specific growth rate (SGR) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded in T1 compared to T2 and T3. However, maximum production was recorded in T3 followed by T2 and T1. Highest values of investment as well as income were recorded in T3 followed by T2 and T1. However, the maximum net return was obtained in T1 (`140147±7048) followed by T3 (` 133694±7931) and T2 (`101944±4857). Further, significantly higher (p<0.05) profitability (PI) was recorded in T1 (85.51%) compared to T2 (45.03%) and T3 (45.04%). The results clearly showed that profitability of the culture system could not be increased only by increasing stocking densities.
Reproductive biology of the freshwater murrel Channa punctatus (Bloch, 1793) from River Gomti of Lucknow region, Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Kashyap Ankur , Awasthi Madhu , Serajuddin M.
Published: December 2016

A total of 187 samples of Channa punctatus (Bloch, 1793) from River Gomti of Lucknow region, Uttar Pradesh were studied during 2011. The sex ratio of 1: 0.84 was not significantly different from 1:1. Monthly variation in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and maximum number of stage IV gonads encountered in the months of May to August indicated that the spawning season extends for about 4 months and spawning was high during the monsoon season. Absolute fecundity varied from 11000 to 28000, with an average value of 14920. Fecundity was found to be highly correlated to the total length (r = 0.9201), body weight (r = 0.9133) and weight of ovary (r = 0.8536) with all correlation coefficients being highly significant (p<0.0001). Total length (TL) of fish and weight of the ovary also highly correlated (r = 0.9551, p<0.0001). This study provides primary information on reproductive parameters of C. punctatus from River Gomti which can be utilised for management of the resource.
Mixed culture of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) and flathead grey mullet Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) in floating cages
Authors: Ghosh Shubhadeep , Ranjan Ritesh , Megarajan Sekar , Pattnaik Phalguni , Dash Biswajit , Edward Loveson
Published: December 2016

The study explored the possibility of integrating the grey mullet Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) along with Pacific white shrimp  Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931) in floating cage culture in Godavary Estuary, India. Post-larvae (PL 12) of L. vannamei (3 lakhs nos.), were acclimatised and nursed in five hapas for 28 days at a density of 3333 nos. m-2, with survival of 60%. L. vannamei juveniles having mean weight of 0.86 g, stocked at a density of 1060 nos. m-2, were cultured along with and without pre-stocked M. cephalus, in three floating cages each. Six thousand fry of M. cephalus (mean length 4.17 cm; mean weight 1.22 g) were stocked in three cages at uniform density of 23.5 nos. m-3, three months prior to stocking of L. vannamei. Shrimps were fed commercial pellets @ 3-8% of body weight, four times daily and harvested after 68 days. Fishes were fed with pelleted feed and after five months attained mean length of 23.7 cm and mean weight of 274.1 g. Survival was 46.4% and the average production obtained was 250.2 kg. At harvest, L. vannamei in monoculture system attained mean weight of 13.3 g and in the mixed culture system, average weight obtained for the shrimps was 13.5 g. Survival, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and production of L. vannamei from monoculture were 64.7%, 2.0 and 258.9 kg and from mixed culture 76.8%, 1.6 and 311.5 kg respectively. Daily weight increment and specific growth rate (SGR) of L. vannamei was 0.18 g and 4.06 for monoculture and 0.19 g and 4.01 for mixed culture, resepectively. Feed conversion, survival and production of L. vannamei were significantly (p<0.05) better in mixed culture, confirming technical superiority of mixed culture over monoculture.
Socio-economic development of fishers in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states in India
Authors: Ponnusamy Kuppusamy , Sendhil R. , Krishnan M.
Published: December 2016

A study was conducted across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states among 647 fisher households comprising five major sectors viz., brackishwater, freshwater, reservoir and marine fisheries as well as procurement and marketing sectors to understand the level of socio-economic development of fishers. Fishers development index (FDI) was constructed based on health, income and literacy dimensions. Analysis of data indicated that the literacy level was highest among marine fishers (51.45%), followed by brackishwater aquaculture (45.61%) and fish procurement and marketing sector (36.26%). Fishers in coastal areas tend to have better access to education than the fishers of inland water bodies. Incidence of common diseases (annual frequency) was more in the brackishwater aquaculture relative to other sectors in the study region. The position of educational and health status of fishers warrants a strong need to improve the access of fishers to health related services for overall development. High income from the marine sector and a relatively higher weightage (37%) to the income dimension played a major role for its FDI score. Freshwater aquaculture took the top score in health, while reservoir fisheries ranked first in literacy. A multi-dimensional approach would enhance the income and employment generation of the fishers to match with the development of the rest in the society.
Variations in growth rates of cage cultured Asian seabass Lates calcarifer (Bloch, 1790) and cobia Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1766) in relation to environmental quality of marine farm at Karwar, India
Authors: Loka Jayasree , Philipose K.K. , Vaidya N.G. , Sonali S.M. , Dube Praveen
Published: December 2016

Growth rates of cage cultured Asian seabass Lates calcarifer (Bloch, 1790) and cobia Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1766) in relation to the water and sediment quality of marine farm at Karwar for two consecutive crops (2012-13 and 2013-14) were analysed. No significant variation was observed in the specific growth rate (SGR) of both the species between the crops. But within a crop, variations were observed in the SGR and absolute growth rate (AGR) of both the species (p<0.05). Specific growth rate of cobia was 0.75 and 0.78 % day-1 in 210 days of culture for the years 2012-13 and 2013-14 respectively. Physico-chemical parameters of water at cage and reference sites did not vary significantly, except for ammonia-nitrogen and nitrate-nitrogen levels at cage site between and within the crops. No significant variation was observed in total bacterial and Vibrio loads of water in cage site between the crops but significant variation was observed within the crop. The results revealed that temperature (r = +0.61 for 2012-13 and +0.63 for 2013-14) and salinity (r = +0.6 for 2012-13 and +0.5 for 2013-14) played a major role on SGR of cobia during both the crops with higher AGR recorded during summer months. In case of Asian seabass, no significant impact of temperature and salinity on SGR was noticed during the experimental period.
Assessment of impact of fishing on Indian mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier, 1816) in Tuticorin, south-east coast of India
Authors: Sivadas M. , Sathakkathullah S. Mohamed , Kumar K. Suresh , Kannan K.
Published: December 2016

Fishery of the Indian mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier, 1816) from Tuticorin was studied for the period 2011-2014. Indian mackerel formed fishery round the year in Tuticorin with peak during June to November in trawl and October to December in gillnet. The annual catch varied from 1650 to 5101 t (average 2968 t) in gillnet and from 815 to 1716 t (average 1231 t) in trawl. Total length (TL) of the fishes ranged from 10 to 30.5 cm. Length-weight relationship estimated was W = 0.0038777*L3.3 (r2 = 0.99, n = 535, L=TL in cm, W in g). The fishes were found to be continuous spawners with peak spawning during January to August and November. The von Bertalanffy growth equation derived was Lt = 31.2 [1-e -1.3(t+t0)]. The species attained TL of 22.7 cm in 12 months and 28.9 cm by the end of second year. Longevity estimated was 2.3 years, Phi-prime index (ᴓ) was 7.143, while Z and M were 4.36 and 2.132 respectively. Thompson and Bell model showed continuous increase of yield even after considerable rise in F-factor. Spawning stock biomass (SSB) was 79% at an f-factor of 3.5. F0.1 using Beverton and Holt Y/R model was 3.4 whereas the present F was 2.23 indicating that the current level of fishing is not affecting the stock adversely.
Scomber indicus, a new species of mackerel (Scombridae: Scombrini) from Eastern Arabian Sea
Authors: Abdussamad E. M. , Sukumaran Sandhya , K. O. Ratheesh Arun , Koya K. Mohamed , Koya K. P. S. , Rohit Prathibha , Reader Sally , Akhilesh K. V. , Gopalakrishnan A.
Published: December 2016

Scomber indicus, a new species of mackerel is described based on the specimens collected from the eastern Arabian Sea. The species is differentiated from its nearest congener Scomber australasicus, in having 29-32 gill rakers on lower limb of first gill arch, posteriormost part of hypohyal blunt, with presence of a pit between the hypohyal and the ceratohyal and also in having a posteriorly directed haemal spine which is deeply curved in the basal region. Genetic differentiation and divergence between the newly described species and the 4 valid species of the genus Scomber viz., S. scombrus, S. japonicus, S. australasicus and S. colias were compared using cytochrome c oxidase 1 and cytochrome b gene sequences. The new species was found closest to S. colias followed by S. japonicus with Kimura 2 parameter (K2P) values of 1.4 and 1.8% respectively. In the phylogenetic tree, sequences of Scomber indicus sp. nov. formed a distinct well separated clade with significant bootstrap values as compared to the sequences of S. scombrus, S. japonicus, S. australasicus and S. colias indicating their distinctiveness and separate species status.
Comparison of reproductive performance of Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758) collected from three Indian rivers
Authors: Charan Ravi , Dube Kiran , Babu P. P. Suresh , Roy S. Dam , Sharma Rupam , Rao P. Srinivasa , Prasad J. Krishna , Angel J. Raymond Jani
Published: December 2016

A study was conducted to compare the reproductive performance of Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758) collected from three different rivers viz., Krishna in Andhra Pradesh, Godavari in Maharashtra and Narmada in Madhya Pradesh. Twenty pairs of brooders from each location were randomly selected and induced with pituitary extract (P) and ovaprim (O). Reproductive performance in terms of stripping percentage, pseudo gonado-somatic index, spawning, fecundity, fertilisation rate, hatching rate  and survival rate as well as fry rearing performance in terms of percentage weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR) and survival rate were monitored. Brooders collected from Godavari exhibited significantly (p<0.05) higher values for all the reproductive performances indicators compared to brooders collected from Narmada and Krishna rivers. But fishes collected from Krishna River exhibited significantly higher (p<0.05) fry survival. Fry produced from Godavari brooders attained highest (p<0.05) percentage weight gain (1085.88±37.41), SGR (17.61±0.19) and fry survival rate (43.67±1.45) in comparison to Narmada. Results clearly indicated that reproductive performance varied significantly among the brooders collected from the three different rivers.
Mensurando sistemas nacionais de inovação: evidências a partir da análise multivariada de dados
Authors: Tolentino Camila Maria de Andrade , Silva Leandro Alves , Rocha Gustavo de Britto
Published: December 2016

Para compreendermos melhor as transformações econômicas e sociais de um conjunto heterogêneo de países, um possível caminho seria nos voltarmos para sua dinâmica tecnológica. Uma vez que indicadores econômicos tradicionais nos dizem pouco sobre sua capacidade de inovar, o presente estudo se propõe a construir um indicador agregado para caracterizar seus sistemas nacionais de inovação (NSI) por meio de análise multivariada de dados. Assim, busca-se enfatizar seu caráter sistêmico na construção de uma medida sintética que nos permita compará-los em termos da capacidade de geração de inovações. A análise culmina na construção de um ranking de países com base no indicador construído.
Exploring the Benefits of School Gardening for Children in Taiwan and Identifying the Factors Influencing these Benefits
Authors: Chang Yuan-Yu , Su Wei-Chia , Tang I-Chun , Chang Chun-Yen
Published: December 2016

There is a growing body of literature that explores the benefits of school gardening for children, but few studies have been conducted in Taiwan. Even fewer studies have examined which factors influence the benefits that children derive from these activities. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the benefits of school gardening for children in Taiwan and also identify the factors influencing these benefits. This study used qualitative research methods, which consisted of interviewing 43 elementary school students who had extensive experience with gardening, and used a general inductive approach to analyze the data. The study also used a quantitative approach to statistically compare gender differences, which found that there were some differences in preference for gardening between boys and girls in Taiwan. The results also identify seven benefits children can derive from school gardening, including increasing life skills, producing pleasant feelings, improving relationships and having plants as companions, acquiring new knowledge, experiencing the aroma and flavor of fruits and vegetables, improving health, and increasing connection to nature. Some of these benefits of school gardening have not been mentioned in previous studies and can be considered to be new, such as having plants as companions. Additionally, this study found 20 factors that influence the benefits of school gardening. Of these, eight were about plants, seven about activities, two about outdoor environments, and three about other participants. Most of the factors provide more than one benefit. The factors with the greatest impact have the most number of benefits that influence children and include “appearance, odor and texture,” “hands-on,” and “outdoor natural elements.” These factors help us to realize the unique characteristics of gardening, highlight the distinctiveness, and increase the indispensability of gardening activities.
Suitable Drying Temperature for Preserving Cucurbitacins in Fruit of Wild Cucumber and Wild Watermelon
Authors: Shadung Kagiso Given , Mashela Phatu William , Mphosi Maboko Samuel
Published: December 2016

The thermostable cucurbitacin A and B from mature fruit of wild cucumber (Cucumis myriocarpus) and wild watermelon (Cucumis africanus), respectively, are used in product development for various industries. Mature fruit from wild cucumber and wild watermelon suffer from high incidents of postharvest decays. Drying fruit at the recommended temperatures of 30 to 40 °C for medicinal plants resulted in molds developing on the material, with optimum temperature to prevent decays being at 52 °C. The influence of 52 °C and higher temperatures on active ingredients in the two fruit had not been documented. The objective of this study, therefore, was to determine the relative effects of increasing drying temperatures above the 52 °C standard on concentrations of cucurbitacin A and B in fruit of wild cucumber and wild watermelon. Fruit pieces were oven-dried at 52, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 °C for 72 hours. Relative to 52 °C, higher temperatures resulted in 25% to 92% less cucurbitacin compared with the maximum produced at 60 °C. In contrast, relative to 52 °C, higher temperatures reduced concentrations of cucurbitacin B by 47% to 86%. In conclusion, the compromise temperature of 52 °C for preserving fruit pieces in wild cucumber and wild watermelon from decay should also be viewed as the optimum temperature for preserving cucurbitacin A and B.
Reproduction of Walnut Twig Beetle in Black Walnut and Butternut
Authors: Hefty Andrea R. , Coggeshall Mark V. , Aukema Brian H. , Venette Robert C. , Seybold Steven J.
Published: December 2016

The walnut twig beetle [WTB (Pityophthorus juglandis Blackman)] is the primary insect vector for a pathogen that causes thousand cankers disease (TCD), a disease complex that leads to mortality in species of walnut (Juglans L.). We performed field and laboratory trials to determine if reproduction by WTB varies between two black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) parent trees of a full-sib mapping population of 323 offspring, and between black walnut and butternut (Juglans cinerea L.). These two tree species are native to eastern North America. In field trials, we found no significant differences in colonization density or mean number of adult offspring per female among branch sections from black walnut parent trees or among branch sections from black walnut and butternut, respectively. In laboratory trials with controlled colonization densities of WTB, we found that significantly fewer adult offspring developed in branch sections of the black walnut maternal ‘Sparrow’ parent than the paternal ‘Schessler’ parent over three summer months and one winter month. In the field, high colonization densities likely limited reproduction due to increased intraspecific competition beneath the bark. In the laboratory, where we established a lower colonization density, reproduction was likely influenced by differences in host quality. In laboratory trials, no differences were detected in the number of adult offspring emerging from black walnut and butternut accessions. This finding suggests that butternut is a suitable host for WTB. Future screening of the full-sib mapping population of 323 offspring of black walnut parent trees for WTB resistance is a warranted next step in developing alternative management strategies for TCD in black walnut.
An Assessment of Oklahoma City Commercial Businesses’ Willingness to Adopt Irrigation Water Conservation Methods
Authors: Boyer Tracy A. , Jayasekera D. Harshanee W. , Moss Justin Q.
Published: December 2016

Outdoor irrigation water conservation in the commercial sector has rarely been studied. Periodic drought stress in Oklahoma has forced utilities departments, including the City of Oklahoma City, to seek ways of conserving water in both the residential and nonresidential sectors. Most of these efforts largely targeted the residential sector. In this study, we determined the willingness of commercial businesses in the Oklahoma City metro area to participate in water conservation methods, such as installing soil moisture sensors (SMCs), installing smart irrigation controllers (SICs) for their businesses, and participating in voluntary landscape irrigation assessments (LIA). We conducted a mail survey of 3000 commercial customers in which we used contingent valuation (CV) questions to elicit the financial savings that would induce participation in an LIA or adoption of SIC [n = 381 (13.7% response)]. A subsample experimental group received detailed information about future block rate water increases. Results of the study indicate that at current water utilities rates, commercial businesses are unlikely to adopt these conservation methods, but including information about future rate hikes may induce a subset of individuals to participate.
Cost-benefit Analysis of Cabbage Grown Using a Plasticulture and Seepage Bare Ground Production System in Florida
Authors: Paranhos Lucas G. , Barrett Charles E. , Zotarelli Lincoln , Borisova Tatiana , Darnell Rebecca , Migliaccio Kati
Published: December 2016

Seepage is characterized as an inefficient irrigation method with regard to water and nutrient use. There is a need for an economically viable irrigation alternative to seepage, which increases crop productivity and profitability in Florida. The use of plastic mulch and drip irrigation for cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) production increases plant population per area and reduces the irrigation water requirement. However, plasticulture has a high capital investment and operating cost. The objectives of this study were to compare the profitability of plasticulture cabbage production and traditional seepage bare ground irrigation systems for Florida cabbage production, and to determine the breakeven point for cabbage grown under plasticulture given a range of market prices. The preharvest cost per acre for the plasticulture system was significantly higher than the cost for the seepage system ($4726 and $3035 per acre, respectively). However, for all planting dates considered in this study, the plasticulture system resulted in a significant increase in marketable yields when compared with the seepage system. The resulting increase in potential revenue offset the increase in preharvest costs and assured a positive net return on investment over the whole range market prices. It was also observed that low air temperatures combined with reduced solar radiation can prevent optimum plant development for cabbage transplanted between November and mid-December. Therefore, the return on investment may be reduced during less favorable climatic conditions for cabbage growth, making the plasticulture system less economically desirable for certain planting dates.
Fertilizer-nitrogen Management in an Onion and Tropical Pumpkin Rotation in Puerto Rico
Authors: Sotomayor-Ramírez David , Oliveras-Berrocales Miguel , Wessel-Beaver Linda
Published: December 2016

Onion (Allium cepa) and tropical pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) combined contribute 13% of the total gross agricultural income (GAI) for vegetable crops in Puerto Rico, which is estimated at $54.5 million. Both crops are usually rotated on an annual basis. In this study, an onion-tropical pumpkin rotation was used to test the effect of fertilizer-nitrogen (N) on agronomic indicators of onion (plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf color index, and leaf nutrient concentration), yield of both onion and tropical pumpkin, and inorganic N changes in the soil profile. Three fertilizer-N levels (140, 196, 252 kg·ha−1) were applied to onion, followed by 112 and 280 kg·ha−1 of N applied to tropical pumpkin. For tropical pumpkin, N was applied in plots with the lowest and highest fertilizer-N levels from the previous onion crop. Changes in onion agronomic indicators with increasing N fertilization were either not significant or showed no clear trend. There was no increase in total and marketable yields and number of onions with increasing fertilizer-N levels. Tropical pumpkin yields significantly increased with 280 kg·ha−1 compared with 112 kg·ha−1 of N. Using 112 kg·ha−1 as a baseline fertilizer-N application, the value/cost ratio for tropical pumpkin was $12.70 per dollar of fertilizer-N. In low fertilizer-N plots, immediately available inorganic soil N (0 to 30 cm) did not change between the onion and tropical pumpkin crop, but then decreased at the end of the rotation. In high fertilizer-N plots, immediately available soil N greatly increased after onion, but then decreased at the end of the rotation. Potentially leachable soil N (30 to 100 cm) also increased after the onion crop and then decreased after pumpkin. However, in high fertilizer-N plots, potentially leachable soil N remained 44% higher at the end, compared with the beginning, of the rotation. The increased income attainable with the highest fertilizer-N in tropical pumpkin may be offset by greater residual soil N in the lower part of the soil profile, and the potential for this N to have a negative environmental impact.
Autonomous Mower Saves Energy and Improves Quality of Tall Fescue Lawn
Authors: Grossi Nicola , Fontanelli Marco , Garramone Elisa , Peruzzi Andrea , Raffaelli Michele , Pirchio Michel , Martelloni Luisa , Frasconi Christian , Caturegli Lisa , Gaetani Monica , Magni Simone , McElroy J. Scott , Volterrani Marco
Published: December 2016

Battery-powered autonomous mowers are designed to reduce the need of labor for lawn mowing compared with traditional endothermic engine mowers and at the same time to abate local emissions and noise. The aim of this research was to compare autonomous mower with traditional rotary mower on a tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) lawn under different nitrogen (N) rates. A two-way factor experimental design with three replications was adopted. In the study, four N rates (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg·ha−1) and two mowing systems (autonomous mower vs. gasoline-powered walk-behind rotary mower equipped for mulching) were used. As expected, N fertilization increased turf quality. At the end of the trial, the autonomous mower increased turf density (3.2 shoots/cm2) compared with the rotary mower (2.1 shoots/cm2) and decreased average leaf width (2.1 mm) compared with the rotary mower (2.7 mm). Increased density and decreased leaf width with autonomous mowing yielded higher quality turf (7.3) compared with the rotary mower (6.4) and a lower weed incidence (6% and 9% cover for autonomous mower and rotary mower, respectively). Disease incidence and mowing quality were unaffected by the mowing system. The autonomous mower working time was set to 10 hours per day (≈7.8 hours for mowing and 2.2 hours for recharging) for a surface of 1296 m2. The traditional rotary mower working time for the same surface was 1.02 hours per week. The estimated primary energy consumption for autonomous mower was about 4.80 kWh/week compared with 12.60 kWh/week for gasoline-powered rotary mowing. Based on turf quality aspects and energy consumption, the use of autonomous mowers could be a promising alternative to traditional mowers.
Extension Participants and Nonparticipants Differ in Water Conservation Normative Beliefs, Intentions, and Behaviors
Authors: Warner Laura A. , Chaudhary Anil Kumar , Galindo-Gonzalez Sebastian
Published: December 2016

Uncertain future availability of water is one of the most critical current issues, and outdoor water use contributes substantially to the strain on water resources. Much of the nation’s outdoor water use is through urban landscape irrigation, and one solution for conservation of this limited resource is to change home landscape irrigation practices. Thus, households that use landscape irrigation are an important audience for Florida extension programs. Complex, statewide water conservation programs are difficult to evaluate because of program variability and limited resources, yet evaluation is an important task that reveals the success, or failure, of a program. This study compared factors between people who have or have not engaged in Florida extension programs. The targeting outcomes of programs model and theory of planned behavior were used as a basis for measuring different levels of possible outcomes. There were no differences in attitudes toward good irrigation practices and perceived ability to adopt them between extension participants and nonparticipants. There were differences between the two groups in perceived normative attitudes, intent to adopt good irrigation practices, and actual engagement in landscape water conservation practices. Findings demonstrate a relationship exists between these characteristics and engagement with extension. The greatest differences were stronger social norms and more engagement in complex conservation behaviors among people who had attended extension programs. It is not known how much externalities play a role in leading certain people to seek out extension education. Extension professionals should use the findings of this study to target nonparticipants and deliver more impactful programs.
Horticultural Activity Program for Improving Emotional Intelligence, Prosocial Behavior, and Scientific Investigation Abilities and Attitudes in Kindergarteners
Authors: Park Sin-Ae , Cho Moon-Kyoung , Yoo Mung Hwa , Kim Soo-Yun , Im Eun-Ae , Song Jong-Eun , Lee Jin-Cheol , Jun In Gun
Published: December 2016

The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of a horticultural activity program on the emotional intelligence, prosocial behavior, and scientific investigation abilities and attitudes of kindergarteners. A total of 336 children aged 5 to 7 years in public and private kindergartens and day care centers in Incheon, South Korea, participated in a 24-session horticultural activity program. This program included indoor and outdoor activities such as planting seeds, transplanting plants, making and applying eco-friendly fertilizer, watering, harvesting, using plants to make crafts, and cooking with produce. It was designed to improve the emotional intelligence, prosocial behavior, and scientific investigation abilities and attitudes of kindergarteners. Each session lasted an average of 50 minutes and was held once per week. The results of the study showed that the 24-session horticultural activity program improved the emotional intelligence, prosocial behavior, and scientific investigation abilities and attitudes of the children (P < 0.05). Satisfaction with the program was very high among both the children and their teachers and parents. Future studies should consider exploring the effects of horticultural activity programs on children in different age groups.
Relationship between High School Student Participation in State-level Future Farmers of America Career Development Events and Matriculation at the Host University: A Case Study in Horticulture at Kansas State University
Authors: Williams Kimberly A. , Miller Chad T. , Upham Ward
Published: December 2016

In recent years, many horticulture departments around the United States have been concerned with recruiting and retaining an adequate number of students. One potential recruitment opportunity is the horticulture Future Farmers of America (FFA) Career Development Events (CDEs). For the time period of 1999 to 2012 (14 years), 1462 students participated in the annual state-level horticulture contests, comprising floriculture and nursery/landscape CDEs, held at Kansas State University (KSU). Using the rosters from these two CDEs, we referenced the university’s student information database to determine whether the high school students who participated as FFA horticulture CDE contestants ultimately matriculated to KSU. Fifty-two percent of former FFA horticulture CDE participants were accepted to KSU and 32% matriculated. Of these, 58% enrolled in the College of Agriculture and 19% majored in horticulture. Therefore, 3.5% of total horticulture CDE participants majored in horticulture at KSU. Students who participated in more than one horticulture CDE over time were more likely to major in horticulture at KSU compared with students who competed only once. Thirty-nine percent of students who participated in both horticulture CDEs pursued a baccalaureate program in horticulture. These two student characteristics could be used as indicator data points to target recruitment of future horticulture students. Data about the high school programs that generated contest participants were also summarized. Exceling in the CDE contests was not an indicator CDE participants would pursue a baccalaureate degree in horticulture. These analyses suggest FFA CDEs have some potential to optimize student recruitment efforts.
Performance of Broccoli Cultivars in Spring and Fall Evaluations in Pennsylvania
Authors: Sánchez Elsa , Butzler Thomas , Stivers Lee , Pollock Robert , Elkner Timothy , Bogash Steven , Lamont William
Published: December 2016

Recent hypothetical modeling suggests that increasing commercial broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) acreage in the eastern United States has the potential to notably reduce the costs of transportation within the broccoli supply chain. In this region, increasing broccoli acreage will require production improvements. Here, research was conducted to determine the best yielding commercially available cultivars for broccoli production. Eighteen to 19 cultivars of broccoli were evaluated in spring and fall evaluations using diverse production systems during 2014–15 in three locations across Pennsylvania. Data collected included production, yield, and quality attributes. Most interactions between site, year, and cultivar were significant suggesting that environmental conditions influence broccoli yield, quality, and concentration of harvest. Overall, the cultivars evaluated were not different from, Imperial, the standard used, for marketable yield, head diameter, and concentration of harvest within a site year. Blue Wind was consistently the first cultivar harvested, and Avenger and Emerald Jewel the last overall site years and growing seasons. These three cultivars may be good options for extending the growing season.
Within‐Field Profitability Analysis Informs Agronomic Management Decisions in the Mid‐Atlantic USA
Authors: Kinoshita Rintaro , van Es Harold , Dantinne John , Twining Mike
Published: December 2016

Core Ideas

Site‐specific profitability and yield constraint information can inform future management.

Removing consistently unprofitable areas can increase overall field profitability.

Temporally variable profitability areas may benefit from site‐specific in‐season management.

Yields vary spatially and temporally at the field scale, and recent adoption of yield monitoring has accumulated large amounts of yield data. We assessed within‐field spatial patterns of profitability using grower‐collected yield data and input cost information for fields in the Mid‐Atlantic United States. Three types of profitability pattern categories were identified: economically sensitive, clear profitable–unprofitable zones, and all‐profitable. For fields with areas of permanent yield constraints, we demonstrated that the removal of unprofitable areas can increase overall field profitability. The combination of site‐ and time‐specific profitability and yield constraint information can inform future management optimization, including removing field areas from crop production and improving site‐specific in‐season management strategies.
Decision Support Software for Soybean Growers: Analyzing Maturity Group and Planting Date Tradeoffs for the US Midsouth
Authors: Popp Michael , Purcell Larry , Salmerón Montserrat
Published: December 2016

Core Ideas

Modifying maturity group and planting date in soybean affects yield potential, yield risk, phenology, soybean price, and irrigation needs.

Choosing among a set of 14 planting dates and 8 relative maturity groups is complex.

Decision support software can help compare between relative maturity groups.

Among other choices, soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] producers in the Midsouthern United States face decisions regarding the optimum maturity group (MG) to select for a given planting date and location. From a profitability perspective, weather‐driven irrigation water needs and harvest date implications on seasonal sale price complicate planting choices. Using a large set of experimental trials conducted across 10 locations in the Midsouth, the DSSAT‐CROPGRO‐Soybean crop simulation model was validated. Thereafter, the model was used to create a database of simulated 30‐year yield and irrigation water needs based on past weather data for 13 locations. With that data, a spreadsheet‐based tool was developed to compare soybean planting strategies by selecting from 2 soil textures, 14 different planting weeks, and 8 relative maturity group (rMG) choices ranging from rMG 3.0 to 3.4 to rMG 6.5 to 6.9 in 0.5‐rMG intervals at each location. User‐specific comparisons allow insights on yield potential, yield risk, phenology, irrigation needs, soybean price, and irrigation cost sensitivity analysis as well as profitability assessment across MGs and planting dates.
Long‐term Effect of Open‐Spoon Aerification on Plant and Soil Properties of Community Level Sports Fields
Authors: Straw Chase M. , Grubbs Rebecca A. , Henry Gerald M. , Carrow Robert N. , Cline Van
Published: December 2016

Core Ideas

In 2013, 47% of sports turf managers reported using open‐spoon aerification.

Long‐term effect of open‐spoon aerification was minimal on measured properties.

It is recommended that sports turf managers explore other cultivation techniques.

Aerification is a common cultivation practice used on natural turfgrass sports fields to alleviate soil compaction, improve plant growth, and enhance field playability and safety. Minimal research has evaluated the effect of open‐spoon (OS) aerification on sports fields, although it is one of the most common forms of aerification. The objective of this 2‐year, in situ study was to evaluate the effect of OS aerification timing and frequency on the soil compaction (penetration resistance), surface hardness, turfgrass vigor (normalized difference vegetative index; NDVI), and root mass of two community level sports fields (sand and sandy loam soils). Treatments were applied May through September in 2013 and 2014 and included a single aerification event (late spring or midsummer) or multiple aerifications (two, three, or four times) each year. Data were collected in May 2013 (baseline), 2014, and 2015 to determine long‐term treatment effects after each year. There were no significant differences between treatments for any measured variable after 1 or 2 years on the sand field. The only significant difference observed on the sandy loam field was in 2014 with respect to surface hardness in response to four OS aerification events. However, in 2015, after 2 years of aerification, there were no observed differences between treatments for any measured variable. These results conclude that the long‐term effects of using OS aerification, up to four times per year, are minimal. It is recommended that sports turf managers explore other cultivation techniques to improve soil compaction dynamics of community level sports fields.
A Three‐Dimensional View on Soil Biogeochemistry: A Dataset for a Forested Headwater Catchment
Authors: Gottselig N. , Wiekenkamp I. , Weihermüller L. , Brüggemann N. , Berns A. E. , Bogena H. R. , Borchard N. , Klumpp E. , Lücke A. , Missong A. , Pütz T. , Vereecken H. , Huisman J. A. , Bol R.
Published: December 2016

Current understanding of the variability in soil properties and their relationship to processes and spatial patterns in forested landscapes is limited due to the scarcity of datasets providing such information. Here we present a spatially highly resolved dataset (http://teodoor.icg.kfa‐juelich.de/ibg3searchportal2/dispatch?metadata.detail.view.id=e3886301‐7252‐4142‐b1a4‐333dfe7f1ca4) that provides detailed information on the three‐dimensional variability of biogeochemical properties in the Wüstebach catchment (western Germany), a long‐term environmental observation site of the TERENO (Terrestrial Environmental Observatories) project. High‐resolution soil sampling was conducted, and physical and biogeochemical soil parameters were recorded per horizon. The dataset is helpful in the analysis of the spatial heterogeneity in biogeochemical properties within soil horizons and with depth through the soil profile. In addition, it shows links between hydrological and biogeochemical properties and processes within the system. Overall, the dataset provides a high‐resolution view into (re)cycling, leaching, and storage of nutrients on the catchment scale in a forested headwater catchment.

Core Ideas

A dataset with 3‐D views of biogeochemical soil parameters in a forested headwater catchment is described.

Dataset provides information on spatial heterogeneity and vertical distribution of nutrients.

Transdisciplinary approach: soil chemistry, soil physics, and long‐term monitoring data.
Penerapan Algoritma Minimax Pada Game Macan-macanan
Authors: Santoso Kartika Imam , Yunita Farida , Kusumo Nafi Projo
Published: December 2016

Lots of traditional games, but now the game is becoming obsolete. Many games were replaced with the modern game technology products. Modern games are becoming more practical because it did not require the terrain and many friends. Quite alone in front of the screen was a person may engage in an exciting game. One of the efforts to preserve and disseminate traditional games one of which is macan-macanan is to adapt the game into a computer game. This study aims to apply artificial intelligence using minimax algorithms and programming language ActionScript 3 in the game with a macan-macanan research methods are prototyping. The design used in this study is an artificial intelligence approach for representing the state, science, human computer interaction for designing the user experience, as well as the UML for object-based design. Results from this study is that in order to determine the value of the evaluation algorithm minimax for the end node / terminal state in the game macan-macanan, required the calculation of the total step is valid for each piece, as well as to pawn macan, necessary calculations springboard to a higher value and the weight difference the appropriate type of pawns.
Model Servqual Rule Base Asean University Network untuk Penilaian Kualitas Program Studi
Authors: Wijayanti Esti , Farikhin Farikhin , Gernowo Rachmat
Published: December 2016

As well known that AUN (Asean University Network.AUN) and ABET (Accreditation Boardb for Enginnering and Technology) are non-profit organitatinon which have. AUN (Asean University Network) were using variable with refer to AUN’s criteria’s there consist of fifteen which are: Expected Learning Outcomes, Programme Specification, Programme Structure and Content, Teaching and Learning Strategy, Student Assessment, Academic Staff Quality, Support Staff Quality, Student Quality, Student Advice and Support, Facilities and Infrastructure, Quality Assurance of Teaching/Learning Process, Staff Development Activities, Stakeholders Feedback, Output, Stakeholders Satisfaction,and adopted score's scale 7. In there here, we discuss the fifteen AUN’s of AUN in the criterias. There servqual of as can be into five dimensions, assurance, empathy, responsive, reliability and facilty in order to make the assessment's process easier. This research outcome indicated that this proposed method can be used to evaluate an education program. The validation result by using AUN's data and the analysis of servqual rule base Asean University Network almost have the same pattern with correlation value is 0,985 and this is can be accepted because its validity have reach 97%.