THE ROLE OF INDUSTRY IN DEVELOPING NEW MATERIALS FOR VERTEBRATE PEST CONTROL

In the first paper presented to you today by Dr. Spencer, an expert in the Animal Biology field and an official authority at the same time, you heard about the requirements imposed on a chemical in order to pass the different official hurdles before it ever will be accepted as a proven tool in wildlife management. Many characteristics have to be known and highly sophisticated tests have to be run. In many instances the governmental agency maintains its own screening, testing or analytical programs according to standard procedures. It would be impossible, however, for economic and time reasons to work out all the data necessary for themselves. They, therefore, depend largely on the information furnished by the individual industry which naturally has to be established as conscientiously as possible. This, among other things, Dr. Spencer has made very clear; and this is also what makes quite a few headaches for the individual industry, but I am certainly not speaking only for myself in saying that Industry fully realizes this important role in developing materials for vertebrate control and the responsibilities lying in this. This type of work - better to say cooperative work with the official institutions - is, however, only one part and for the most of it, the smallest part of work which Industry pays to the development of compounds for pest control. It actually refers only to those very few compounds which are known to be effective. But how to get to know about their properties in the first place? How does Industry make the selection from the many thousands of compounds synthesized each year? This, by far, creates the biggest problems, at least from the scientific and technical standpoint. Let us rest here for a short while and think about the possible ways of screening and selecting effective compounds. Basically there are two different ways. One is the empirical way of screening as big a number of compounds as possible under the supposition that with the number of incidences the chances for a "hit" increase, too. You can also call this type of approach the statistical or the analytical one, the mass screening of new, mostly unknown candidate materials. This type of testing can only be performed by a producer of many new materials,that means by big industries. It requires a tremendous investment in personnel, time and equipment and is based on highly simplified but indicative test methods, the results of which would have to be reliable and representative for practical purposes. The other extreme is the intellectual way of theorizing effective chemical configurations. Defenders of this method claim to now or later be able to predict biological effectiveness on the basis of the chemical structure or certain groups in it. Certain pre-experience should be necessary, that means knowledge of the importance of certain molecular requirements, then the detection of new and effective complete molecules is a matter of coordination to be performed by smart people or computers. You can also call this method the synthetical or coordinative method.

EROSION LOSSES FROM RUNOFF: INTERACTION OF SOIL COVER AND EROSION CONTROL PRACTICE

The flow of sediment from cropped land is the main pollutant of water sources in rural areas. Due to this fact, it is necessary to develop and implement technologies that will reduce water and sediment discharges. Accordingly, an experiment was conducted in the Department of Biosystems Engineering - ESALQ / USP, Piracicaba - SP with the objective to evaluate the effect of different soil cover (bean, grass and bare ground) and erosion control practices (wide base terraces and infiltration furrows in slopes (no practices to control erosion)) while measuring water losses in runoff. The statistical design adopted was randomized blocks in a 3x3 factorial scheme resulting in 9 treatments with 3 replicates (blocks). The period of rainfall data collection was December 6, 2007 to April 11, 2008. A 21.1 cm diameter rain gauge was installed in the experimental area. Terraces were the most efficient practices for reducing erosion losses in the treatments with infiltration furrows being better than the control treatment. Bean was more effective than grass in reducing erosion. Bare ground was the least efficient.

Yield mapping, soil fertility and tree gaps in an orange orchard

The current high competition on Citrus industry demands from growers new management technologies for superior efficiency and sustainability. In this context, precision agriculture (PA) has developed techniques based on yield mapping and management systems that recognize field spatial variability, which contribute to increase profitability of commercial crops. Because spatial variability is often not perceived the orange orchards are still managed as uniform and adoption of PA technology on citrus farms is low. Thus, the objective of the present study was to characterize the spatial variability of three factors: fruit yield, soil fertility and occurrence of plant gaps caused by either citrus blight or huanglongbing (HLB) in a commercial Valencia orchard in Brotas, São Paulo State, Brazil. Data from volume, geographic coordinates and representative area of the bags used on harvest were recorded to generate yield points that were then interpolated to produce the yield map. Soil chemical characteristics were studied by analyzing samples collected along planting rows and inter-rows in 24 points distributed in the field. A map of density of tree gaps was produced by georeferencing individual gaps and later by counting the number of gaps within 500 m² cells. Data were submitted to statistical and geostatistical analyses. A t test was used to compare means of soil chemical characteristics between sampling regions. High variation on yield and density of tree gaps was observed from the maps. It was also demonstrated overlapping regions of high density of plant absence and low fruit yield. Soil fertility varied depending on the sampling region in the orchard. The spatial variability found on yield, soil fertility and on disease occurrence demonstrated the importance to adopt site specific nutrient management and disease control as tools to guarantee efficiency of fruit production.

Quality Control in the Healthcare Industry: An Analysis of Surgery Turnover Times

For virtually all hospitals, utilization rates are a critical managerial indicator of efficiency and are determined in part by turnover time. Turnover time is defined as the time elapsed between surgeries, during which the operating room is cleaned and preparedfor the next surgery. Lengthier turnover times result in lower utilization rates, thereby hindering hospitals’ ability to maximize the numbers of patients that can be attended to. In this thesis, we analyze operating room data from a two year period provided byEvangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, to understand the variability of the turnover process. From the recorded data provided, we derive our best estimation of turnover time. Recognizing the importance of being able to properly modelturnover times in order to improve the accuracy of scheduling, we seek to fit distributions to the set of turnover times. We find that log-normal and log-logistic distributions are well-suited to turnover times, although further research must validate this finding. Wepropose that the choice of distribution depends on the hospital and, as a result, a hospital must choose whether to use the log-normal or the log-logistic distribution. Next, we use statistical tests to identify variables that may potentially influence turnover time. We find that there does not appear to be a correlation between surgerytime and turnover time across doctors. However, there are statistically significant differences between the mean turnover times across doctors. The final component of our research entails analyzing and explaining the benefits of introducing control charts as a quality control mechanism for monitoring turnover times in hospitals. Although widely instituted in other industries, control charts are notwidely adopted in healthcare environments, despite their potential benefits. A major component of our work is the development of control charts to monitor the stability of turnover times. These charts can be easily instituted in hospitals to reduce the variabilityof turnover times. Overall, our analysis uses operations research techniques to analyze turnover times and identify manners for improvement in lowering the mean turnover time and thevariability in turnover times. We provide valuable insight into a component of the surgery process that has received little attention, but can significantly affect utilization rates in hospitals. Most critically, an ability to more accurately predict turnover timesand a better understanding of the sources of variability can result in improved scheduling and heightened hospital staff and patient satisfaction. We hope that our findings can apply to many other hospital settings.

Spatial analysis of cardiovascular disease mortality and air pollution in Harris County, Texas

The association between fine particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality was spatially analyzed for Harris County, Texas, at the census tract level. The objective was to assess how increased PM2.5 exposure related to CVD mortality in this area while controlling for race, income, education, and age. An estimated exposure raster was created for Harris County using Kriging to estimate the PM2.5 exposure at the census tract level. The PM2.5 exposure and the CVD mortality rates were analyzed in an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model and the residuals were subsequently assessed for spatial autocorrelation. Race, median household income, and age were all found to be significant (p<0.05) predictors in the model. This study found that for every one μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 exposure, holding age and education variables constant, an increase of 16.57 CVD deaths per 100,000 would be predicted for increased minimum exposure values and an increase of 14.47 CVD deaths per 100,000 would be predicted for increased maximum exposure values. This finding supports previous studies associating PM2.5 exposure with CVD mortality. This study further identified the areas of greatest PM2.5 exposure in Harris County as being the geographical locations of populations with the highest risk of CVD (i.e., predominantly older, low-income populations with a predominance of African Americans). The magnitude of the effect of PM2.5 exposure on CVD mortality rates in the study region indicates a need for further community-level studies in Harris County, and suggests that reducing excess PM2.5 exposure would reduce CVD mortality.^

Evaluation of Bt and Non-Bt Corn with and without Soil Insecticides for Control of Corn Rootworm

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Bt corn and soil insecticides, either alone or in combination, for the control of corn rootworm. Evaluation of Bt hybrids included SmartStax, SmartStax with refuge in a bag, and Herculex XTRA. Soil insecticides evaluated were SmartChoice-SB, Counter-SB, Aztec, and Force.

Evaluation of Bt and Non-Bt Corn with and without Soil Insecticides for Control of Corn Rootworm

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Bt corn and soil insecticides, either alone or in combination, for the control of corn rootworm. Evaluation of Bt hybrids included SmartStax, SmartStax with a blended refuge (refuge in the bag), and Herculex XTRA. Soil insecticides evaluated were SmartChoice-SB, Counter-SB, Aztec, and Force.

Soil characteristics and Collembola and Acari abundance in control and warming plots at Abisco Research Station

Extreme weather events can have negative impacts on species survival and community structure when surpassing lethal thresholds. Extreme winter warming events in the Arctic rapidly melt snow and expose ecosystems to unseasonably warm air (2-10 °C for 2-14 days), but returning to cold winter climate exposes the ecosystem to lower temperatures by the loss of insulating snow. Soil animals, which play an integral part in soil processes, may be very susceptible to such events depending on the intensity of soil warming and low temperatures following these events. We simulated week-long extreme winter warming events - using infrared heating lamps, alone or with soil warming cables - for two consecutive years in a sub-Arctic dwarf shrub heathland. Minimum temperatures were lower and freeze-thaw cycles were 2-11 times more frequent in treatment plots compared with control plots. Following the second event, Acari populations decreased by 39%; primarily driven by declines of Prostigmata (69%) and the Mesostigmatic nymphs (74%). A community-weighted vertical stratification shift occurred from smaller soil dwelling (eu-edaphic) Collembola species dominance to larger litter dwelling (hemi-edaphic) species dominance in the canopy-with-soil warming plots compared with controls. The most susceptible groups to these winter warming events were the smallest individuals (Prostigmata and eu-edaphic Collembola). This was not apparent from abundance data at the Collembola taxon level, indicating that life forms and species traits play a major role in community assembly following extreme events. The observed shift in soil community can cascade down to the micro-flora affecting plant productivity and mineralization rates. Short-term extreme weather events have the potential to shift community composition through trait composition with potentially large consequences for ecosystem development.

El sector industrial en Jujuy : Un análisis desde la teoría de la localización y la problemática del medio ambiente

La estructura productiva de Jujuy en los últimos cincuenta años se ha caracterizado por la transición desde una economía centrada en la producción primaria (predominante hasta comienzos de la década de 1960) hacia otra con preeminencia creciente del sector terciario (desde mediados de la década de 1970 hasta la actualidad). El sector secundario nunca llegó a ser el más importante en el contexto económico provincial. Sin embargo, en una desagregación mayor, es la industria uno de los sectores que más aporta al producto bruto geográfico en los últimos quince años, con la particularidad de encontrarse concentrada en unas pocas localidades de la provincia. En ese marco, el presente trabajo se propone comprender la ubicación de las industrias en el territorio jujeño a partir de las teorías de la localización, con un análisis particular del caso de Palpalá (por su diseño de parques industriales destinado a aprovechar las economías de escala) y de la problemática ambiental generada por el sector. Se pretende responder a algunos de los siguientes interrogantes: ¿Qué criterios fueron tomados en cuenta para decidir la ubicación de cada fábrica? ¿Cómo incidieron los cambios políticos en la radicación industrial en territorio jujeño? ¿Qué reconversiones se fueron logrando a partir de una industria básica como la siderúrgica? ¿Cómo fue resolviéndose la demanda de bienes finales e intermedios ante el crecimiento poblacional y la inserción/reinserción de la mano de obra? ¿Qué vinculaciones se observan entre la provincia y la región desde el punto de vista de la ocupación del espacio económico? ¿Qué problemas sobre los recursos naturales suscita la industrialización? ¿Cómo responden el Estado y la actividad privada en la prevención y solución de los inconvenientes ambientales? El análisis se realiza sobre la base de la transferencia de teoría a la situación real, entrevistas a informantes especializados y relevamiento de información en organismos estatales (para interiorizarse de aspectos político/económicos), interpretándose luego de modo interdisciplinar los datos relevados. Las respuestas a los distintos interrogantes van elaborándose a medida que se encuentran las relaciones entre las razones que la historia reciente registra y la respuesta social y productiva de los actores económicos de la provincia. En ese sentido, entre las conclusiones se destaca la escasez de aportes foráneos en la construcción del sector industrial local, la necesidad de políticas que incentiven al sector manufacturero a nivel regional, así como la importancia de que se desplieguen acciones con respecto al control de la contaminación, su prevención y la restauración de recursos naturales: agua, suelo, atmósfera y biomas

El sector industrial en Jujuy : Un análisis desde la teoría de la localización y la problemática del medio ambiente

La estructura productiva de Jujuy en los últimos cincuenta años se ha caracterizado por la transición desde una economía centrada en la producción primaria (predominante hasta comienzos de la década de 1960) hacia otra con preeminencia creciente del sector terciario (desde mediados de la década de 1970 hasta la actualidad). El sector secundario nunca llegó a ser el más importante en el contexto económico provincial. Sin embargo, en una desagregación mayor, es la industria uno de los sectores que más aporta al producto bruto geográfico en los últimos quince años, con la particularidad de encontrarse concentrada en unas pocas localidades de la provincia. En ese marco, el presente trabajo se propone comprender la ubicación de las industrias en el territorio jujeño a partir de las teorías de la localización, con un análisis particular del caso de Palpalá (por su diseño de parques industriales destinado a aprovechar las economías de escala) y de la problemática ambiental generada por el sector. Se pretende responder a algunos de los siguientes interrogantes: ¿Qué criterios fueron tomados en cuenta para decidir la ubicación de cada fábrica? ¿Cómo incidieron los cambios políticos en la radicación industrial en territorio jujeño? ¿Qué reconversiones se fueron logrando a partir de una industria básica como la siderúrgica? ¿Cómo fue resolviéndose la demanda de bienes finales e intermedios ante el crecimiento poblacional y la inserción/reinserción de la mano de obra? ¿Qué vinculaciones se observan entre la provincia y la región desde el punto de vista de la ocupación del espacio económico? ¿Qué problemas sobre los recursos naturales suscita la industrialización? ¿Cómo responden el Estado y la actividad privada en la prevención y solución de los inconvenientes ambientales? El análisis se realiza sobre la base de la transferencia de teoría a la situación real, entrevistas a informantes especializados y relevamiento de información en organismos estatales (para interiorizarse de aspectos político/económicos), interpretándose luego de modo interdisciplinar los datos relevados. Las respuestas a los distintos interrogantes van elaborándose a medida que se encuentran las relaciones entre las razones que la historia reciente registra y la respuesta social y productiva de los actores económicos de la provincia. En ese sentido, entre las conclusiones se destaca la escasez de aportes foráneos en la construcción del sector industrial local, la necesidad de políticas que incentiven al sector manufacturero a nivel regional, así como la importancia de que se desplieguen acciones con respecto al control de la contaminación, su prevención y la restauración de recursos naturales: agua, suelo, atmósfera y biomas

El sector industrial en Jujuy : Un análisis desde la teoría de la localización y la problemática del medio ambiente

La estructura productiva de Jujuy en los últimos cincuenta años se ha caracterizado por la transición desde una economía centrada en la producción primaria (predominante hasta comienzos de la década de 1960) hacia otra con preeminencia creciente del sector terciario (desde mediados de la década de 1970 hasta la actualidad). El sector secundario nunca llegó a ser el más importante en el contexto económico provincial. Sin embargo, en una desagregación mayor, es la industria uno de los sectores que más aporta al producto bruto geográfico en los últimos quince años, con la particularidad de encontrarse concentrada en unas pocas localidades de la provincia. En ese marco, el presente trabajo se propone comprender la ubicación de las industrias en el territorio jujeño a partir de las teorías de la localización, con un análisis particular del caso de Palpalá (por su diseño de parques industriales destinado a aprovechar las economías de escala) y de la problemática ambiental generada por el sector. Se pretende responder a algunos de los siguientes interrogantes: ¿Qué criterios fueron tomados en cuenta para decidir la ubicación de cada fábrica? ¿Cómo incidieron los cambios políticos en la radicación industrial en territorio jujeño? ¿Qué reconversiones se fueron logrando a partir de una industria básica como la siderúrgica? ¿Cómo fue resolviéndose la demanda de bienes finales e intermedios ante el crecimiento poblacional y la inserción/reinserción de la mano de obra? ¿Qué vinculaciones se observan entre la provincia y la región desde el punto de vista de la ocupación del espacio económico? ¿Qué problemas sobre los recursos naturales suscita la industrialización? ¿Cómo responden el Estado y la actividad privada en la prevención y solución de los inconvenientes ambientales? El análisis se realiza sobre la base de la transferencia de teoría a la situación real, entrevistas a informantes especializados y relevamiento de información en organismos estatales (para interiorizarse de aspectos político/económicos), interpretándose luego de modo interdisciplinar los datos relevados. Las respuestas a los distintos interrogantes van elaborándose a medida que se encuentran las relaciones entre las razones que la historia reciente registra y la respuesta social y productiva de los actores económicos de la provincia. En ese sentido, entre las conclusiones se destaca la escasez de aportes foráneos en la construcción del sector industrial local, la necesidad de políticas que incentiven al sector manufacturero a nivel regional, así como la importancia de que se desplieguen acciones con respecto al control de la contaminación, su prevención y la restauración de recursos naturales: agua, suelo, atmósfera y biomas

Yield, nutrient utilization and soil properties in a melon crop amended with wine-distillery waste

In Spain, large quantities of wine are produced every year (3,339,700 tonnes in 2011) (FAO, 2011) with the consequent waste generation. During the winemaking process, solid residues like grape stalks are generated, as well as grape marc and wine lees as by-products. According to the Council Regulation (EC) 1493/1999 on the common organization of the wine market, by-products coming from the winery industry must be sent to alcohol-distilleries to generate exhausted grape marc and vinasses. With an adequate composting treatment, these wastes can be applied to soils as a source of nutrients and organic matter. A three-year field experiment (2011, 2012 and 2013) was carried out in Ciudad Real (central Spain) to study the effects of wine-distillery waste compost application in a melon crop (Cucumis melo L.). Melon crop has been traditionally cultivated in this area with high inputs of water and fertilizers, but no antecedents of application of winery wastes are known. In a randomized complete block design, four treatments were compared: three compost doses consisted of 6.7 (D1), 13.3 (D2) and 20 t compost ha-1 (D3), and a control treatment without compost addition (D0). The soil was a shallow sandy-loam (Petrocalcic Palexeralfs) with a depth of 0.60 m and a discontinuous petrocalcic horizon between 0.60 and 0.70 m, slightly basic (pH 8.4), poor in organic matter (0.24%), rich in potassium (410 ppm) and with a medium level of phosphorus (22.1 ppm). During each growing period four harvests were carried out and total and marketable yield (fruits weighting <1 kg or visually rotten were not considered), fruit average weight and fruit number per plant were determined. At the end of the crop cycle, four plants per treatment were sampled and the nutrient content (N, P and K) was determined. Soil samplings (0-30 cm depth) were carried before the application of compost and at the end of each growing season and available N and P, as well as exchangeable K content were analyzed. With this information, an integrated analysis was carried out with the aim to evaluate the suitability of this compost as organic amendment.