Evaluation of the Confirmation Light System at Signalized Intersections in Medium to Large Iowa Communities to Reduce Red Light Running Violations”, TR-657, 2015

Red light running continues to be a serious safety concern for many communities in the United States. The Federal Highway Administration reported that in 2011, red light running accounted for 676 fatalities nationwide. Red light running crashes at a signalized intersections are more serious, especially in high speed corridors where speeds are above 35 mph. Many communities have invested in red light countermeasures including low-cost strategies (e.g. signal backplates, targeted enforcement, signal timing adjustments and improvement with signage) to high-cost strategies (e.g. automated enforcement and intersection geometric improvements). This research study investigated intersection confirmation lights as a low-cost strategy to reduce red light running violations. Two intersections in Altoona and Waterloo, Iowa were equipped with confirmation lights which targeted the through and left turning movements. Confirmation lights enable a single police officer to monitor a specific lane of traffic downstream of the intersection. A before-after analysis was conducted in which a change in red light running violations prior to- and 1 and 3 months after installation were evaluated. A test of proportions was used to determine if the change in red light running violation rates were statistically significant at the 90 and 95 percent levels of confidence. The two treatment intersections were then compared to the changes of red light running violation rates at spillover intersections (directly adjacent to the treatment intersections) and control intersections. The results of the analysis indicated a 10 percent reduction of red light running violations in Altoona and a 299 percent increase in Waterloo at the treatment locations. Finally, the research team investigated the time into red for each observed red light running violation. The analysis indicated that many of the violations occurred less than one second into the red phase and that most of the violation occurred during or shortly after the all-red phase.

Characterization of OsMIK in a rice mutant with reduced phytate content reveals an insertion of a rearranged retrotransposon.

The rice low phytic acid (lpa) mutant Os-lpa-XS110-1(XS-lpa) has ~45 % reduction in seed phytic acid (PA) compared with the wild-type cultivar Xiushui 110. Previously, a single recessive gene mutation was shown to be responsible for the lpa phenotype and was mapped to a region of chromosome 3 near OsMIK (LOC_Os03g52760) and OsIPK1 (LOC_Os03g51610), two genes involved in PA biosynthesis. Here, we report the identification of a large insert in the intron of OsMIK in the XS-lpa mutant. Sequencing of fragments amplified through TAIL-PCRs revealed that the insert was a derivative of the LINE retrotransposon gene LOC_Os03g56910. Further analyses revealed the following characteristics of the insert and its impacts: (1) the inserted sequence of LOC_Os03g56910 was split at its third exon and rejoined inversely, with its 5' and 3' flanking sequences inward and the split third exon segments outward; (2) the LOC_Os03g56910 remained in its original locus in XS-lpa, and the insertion probably resulted from homologous recombination repair of a DNA double strand break; (3) while the OsMIK transcripts of XS-lpa and Xiushui 110 were identical, substantial reductions of the transcript abundance (~87 %) and the protein level (~60 %) were observed in XS-lpa, probably due to increased methylation in its promoter region. The above findings are discussed in the context of plant mutagenesis, epigenetics and lpa breeding.

Mapping of quantitative trait loci for thermosensitive genic male sterility in indica rice

The objective of this work was to select and use microsatellite markers, to map genomic regions associated with the genetic control of thermosensitive genic male sterility (TGMS) in rice. An F2 population, derived from the cross between fertile and TGMS indica lines, was used to construct a microsatellite-based genetic map of rice. The TGMS phenotype showed a continuous variation in the segregant population. A low level of segregation distortion was detected in the F2 (14.65%), whose cause was found to be zygotic selection. There was no evidence suggesting a cause-effect relationship between zygotic selection and the control of TGMS in this cross. A linkage map comprising 1,213.3 cM was constructed based on the segregation data of the F2 population. Ninety-five out of 116 microsatellite polymorphic markers were assembled into 11 linkage groups, with an average of 12.77 cM between two adjacent marker loci. The phenotypic and genotypic data allowed for the identification of three new quantitative trait loci (QTL) for thermosensitive genic male sterility in indica rice. Two of the QTL were mapped on chromosomes that, so far, have not been associated with the genetic control of the TGMS trait (chromosomes 1 and 12). The third QTL was mapped on chromosome 7, where a TGMS locus (tms2) has recently been mapped. Allelic tests will have to be developed, in order to clarify if the two regions are the same or not.

Growth components and zinc recovery efficiency of upland rice genotypes

The objective of this work was to evaluate Zn use efficiency by upland rice genotypes. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, with ten upland rice genotypes grown on an Oxisol (Typic Hapludox) with no application, and with application of 10 mg kg-1 Zn, applied as zinc sulfate. Shoot dry weight, grain yield, Zn harvest index, Zn concentration in shoot and in grain were significantly influenced by soil Zn levels and genotypes. However, panicle number and grain harvest index were significantly affected only by genotype. Genotypes CNA8557, CNA8540 and IR42 produced higher grain yield than other genotypes. Genotypes showed significant variability in Zn recovery efficiency. On average, 13% of the applied Zn was recovered by upland rice genotypes. Genotypes with high Zn recovery efficiency could be used in breeding of Zn efficient upland rice cultivars. Higher level of soil Zn (10 mg kg-1) increased significantly the concentrations of plant Cu and Mn. However, Fe concentrations in plant (shoot and grain) were not influenced by soil Zn levels.

Optimización de la distribución de LNG en una red paneuropea de transporte pesado de mercancías de larga distancia por carretera por medio de programación lineal

Actualmente, el transporte por carretera de mercancías de larga distancia está dominado por vehículos propulsados por diésel. Este combustible fósil derivado del petróleo puede ser parcialmente sustituido por otro combustible alternativo: el gas natural licuado (LNG). Su uso proporcionará una disminución de la dependencia de los estados productores de petróleo, es comparable en energía específica y densidad energética al diésel, es seguro, disminuye las emisiones contaminantes, en nivel de ruido y es actualmente más económico. Recopilar datos reales sobre el transporte por carretera en la EU27 (energía utilizada por este tipo de transporte, localización de las terminales de LNG operativas, determinar las reservas disponibles, calcular la población que va a cubrir y calcular la energía necesaria disponible para dar cobertura a esa población según la cantidad de energía per cápita utilizada para este tipo de transporte). Determinar las interconexiones a cubrir por la red paneuropea de transporte propuesta y decidir las localizaciones de las EESS a ser construidas para cubrir las recomendaciones de la EC de manera que ningún tramo supere los 400 km dentro de esos itinerarios. Calcular todas las distancias que separan cada terminal de LNG operatica de cada EESS (1300 distancias calculadas). Construir el modelo de programación lineal. Resolver, interpretar, validar y comprobar que es posible su utilización para la puesta en práctica del modelo propuesto, asumiendo la distribución total del LNG disponible y la minimización de los costes globales de distribución del mismo, desde el punto de vista económico. Se procederá buscando los datos en fuentes fiables que nos permitan realizar los cálculos necesarios para construir el modelo y resolviéndolo con el software adecuado a un modelo de estas dimensiones. Se ha conseguido una solución óptima, con la distribución total del LNG y minimizando los costes globales. Además, se ha obtenido movimiento de combustible en 76 de las 1300 variables, que han mostrado un déficit de terminales de almacenamiento de LNG para su distribución en el norte y centro de Europa, que se ve compensando con un flujo de transporte de este combustible desde la península ibérica principalmente y, en menor medida, desde Italia.

Las TIC como instrumento para la colaboración en red, en el ámbito de la Formación Profesional: Una aplicación de Software Libre para colaboración entre centro-empresa en el I.E.S El Palau.

En la era digital actual, Internet forma parte de nuestras vidas, y ha aportado cambios a lasociedad globalizada. Algunos de estos cambios nos permiten nuevas formas de relacionarnos y degestionar el conocimiento, dando sentido al término que hoy entendemos como sociedad-red.Por eso, en el entorno que nos envuelve existen continuamente acciones colaborativas globales quefomentan la comunicación y se comparte información de diversos tipos, con la finalidad deaprender y mantenerse constantemente informado. Específicamente, los centros educativos no sequedan al margen ya que requiere preparar estudiantes para esta sociedad.Estos cambios en la sociedad presentan grandes desafíos para el centro educativo, que nopermiten ser afrontados solamente desde el aula. Los centros requieren adaptarse a un modelocompatible con la sociedad-red, y por ello, se sugieren un modelo centro-red, que presente unaestructura de una organización compatible con la era en el que estamos inmersos.Las redes de colaboración en los centros permite intercambiar información y aportar valor a laeducación con el objetivo de la mejora educativa. En este sentido, los centros educativos debendisponer de características que permitan ser flexibles, adaptarse a los agentes y organizaciones quele envuelven. Pero la estructura actual de un centro educativo es rígida y por tanto esta evoluciónrepresenta uno de los mayores desafíos para el sistema educativo.En esta linea, en los centros de Formación Profesional existe una tendencia hacia modeloscolaborativos con el tejido empresarial, entre otros agentes, y es en este punto donde este proyectopretende centrar el foco de la investigación. Con más exactitud, en la creación de una red decolaboración con el agente que el centro educativo seleccione.Específicamente las TIC forman un papel esencial, y se deben poner al servicio del problemaque apuntábamos para ayudar a solventarlo. En este sentido, es adecuado un diseño del artefactocon Software Libre que tiene múltiples beneficios para este objetivo, pero que destacamos el que ami parecer es el más importante; la vinculación con la filosofía de compartir el conocimiento, quegarantiza la simbiosis con la red colaborativa y es por esta razón que el tema de la investigación esrelevante para el centro educativo.Tal y como se mencionaba previamente, las TIC pueden ayudar a fomentar la red colaborativa,pero no sólo el artefacto TIC generado en este proyecto debe cumplir características como laflexibilidad, también es crítico que el centro educativo y los agentes de la red interioricen la culturacolaborativa en sus acciones con la implicación y compromiso que se requiere. Pero como podemosPágina 6Universitat Oberta de Catalunya Trabajo Final de Máster - Software Libreimaginar, ese cambio de cultura, no es una tarea sencilla y presenta problemas. Para mitigarlos yfomentar la cultura en red, se requieren procesos específicos que permitan incorporarla en la medidade lo posible. Para ello, la combinación de la innovación sistémica y el diseño de la investigación eneducación resultan metodologías apropiadas.Por eso, investigaremos durante este proceso cómo las redes de colaboración y el SoftwareLibre permiten adaptar el centro al entorno, cómo pueden ayudar al centro a potenciar la FormaciónProfesional y garantizar la durabilidad de las acciones, con el objetivo que perdure el conocimientoy la propia red de colaboración para una mejora educativa.

Propability of bark stripping damage by red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Austria

Abstract

Rhizosphere properties of rice genotypes as influenced by anoxia and availability of zinc and iron

The objective of this work was to study possible mechanisms involved in root-induced changes of rhizosphere physicochemical properties of rice genotypes, under anoxia and low supply of Zn and Fe. Two rice genotypes, including an upland and a lowland ones, were grown in hydroponic medium under adequate and low supply of Zn and Fe, with or without aeration. Anoxia increased shoot dry weight, root length and uptake of Zn and Fe in lowland Amol genotype, but reduced these parameters in upland Gasrol-Dashti genotype. The amount of oxygen released by roots was statistically higher in 'Amol'. The highest acidification potential of roots was observed in the lowland genotype under low supply of Zn, and in the upland genotype under Fe starvation. The highest oxalate (only organic acid detected) exudation from roots was observed in Zn and Fe deficient Gasrol-Dashti genotype. Zinc deficiency caused reduction of alcohol dehydrogenase and stimulation of lactate dehydrogenase activity, particularly in shoot. The ability to induce changes in the rhizosphere properties has a great contribution for the adaptation of both lowland and upland rice genotypes to specific soil conditions.

Red clover grown in a mixture with grasses : yield, persistence and dynamics of quality characteristics

Selostus: Puna-apilan pysyvyys apila-heinänurmessa sekä seosnurmen satoisuus ja laadun muutokset erilaisissa kasvuoloissa

Evolution of specialization: a phylogenetic study of host range in the red milkweed beetle (Tetraopes tetraophthalmus).

Specialization is common in most lineages of insect herbivores, one of the most diverse groups of organisms on earth. To address how and why specialization is maintained over evolutionary time, we hypothesized that plant defense and other ecological attributes of potential host plants would predict the performance of a specialist root-feeding herbivore (the red milkweed beetle, Tetraopes tetraophthalmus). Using a comparative phylogenetic and functional trait approach, we assessed the determinants of insect host range across 18 species of Asclepias. Larval survivorship decreased with increasing phylogenetic distance from the true host, Asclepias syriaca, suggesting that adaptation to plant traits drives specialization. Among several root traits measured, only cardenolides (toxic defense chemicals) correlated with larval survival, and cardenolides also explained the phylogenetic distance effect in phylogenetically controlled multiple regression analyses. Additionally, milkweed species having a known association with other Tetraopes beetles were better hosts than species lacking Tetraopes herbivores, and milkweeds with specific leaf area values (a trait related to leaf function and habitat affiliation) similar to those of A. syriaca were better hosts than species having divergent values. We thus conclude that phylogenetic distance is an integrated measure of phenotypic and ecological attributes of Asclepias species, especially defensive cardenolides, which can be used to explain specialization and constraints on host shifts over evolutionary time.

Las TIC como instrumento para la colaboración en red, en el ámbito de la Formación Profesional : Una aplicación de software libre para colaboración entre centro-empresa en el I.E.S El Palau

Investigaremos cómo las redes de colaboración y el softwarelibre permiten adaptar el centro educativo al entorno, cómo pueden ayudar al centro a potenciar la formación profesional y garantizar la durabilidad de las acciones, con el objetivo que perdure el conocimiento y la propia red de colaboración para una mejora educativa.

Physiological analysis of leaf senescence of two rice cultivars with different yield potential

The objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological changes that occur in different leaves during the early and late grain-filling stages of two rice genotypes (Oryza sativa subsp. indica , BRS Pelota cultivar, and O. sativa subsp. japonica , BRS Firmeza cultivar), which present differences in grain yield potential. The plants were cultivated in greenhouse. Pigment content, chlorophyll fluorescence, electron transport and oxygen evolution rate were determined in the grain-filling stage, from the first to the forth leaf (top to bottom). Pigment content, photochemical efficiency of photosystem II and electron transport decreased significantly according to the position of leaves in 'BRS Pelota'. The BRS Firmeza cultivar shows higher pigment content and higher activity of the photosynthetic apparatus in comparison to 'BRS Pelota' during the grain-filling stage.

Genetic variability of Brazilian rice landraces determined by SSR markers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic variability of rice (Oryza sativa) landraces collected in Brazilian small farms. Twelve simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers characterized 417 landraces collected in 1986, 1987 and 2003, in the state of Goiás, Brazil. The number of landraces with long and thin grain type increased in the evaluated period, probably due to market demand. Based on the molecular data, the genetic variability increased during this period and, as per to the factorial correspondence analysis, most of the accessions were grouped according to the year of collection. The incorporation of modern rice cultivars in landrace cultivation areas and the selection carried out by small farmers are the most probable factors responsible for increasing landrace genetic variability, during the evaluated period. Genotype exchange between farmers, selection practice and local environmental adaptation are able to generate novel adapted allele combinations, which can be used by breeding programs, to reinitiate the process.