Journal articles on the topic 'University Extension Division'

In a unique partnership. the University of Kentucky Dept. of Horticulture, the Cooperative Extension Service, and the Kentucky State Division of Forestry are teaming up to produce two training packages for “train-the-trainer” workshops throughout the state. The workshops will be open to people interested in urban/community trees and arboriculture. The first training session will be held in 1993 and will cover five modules: 1) Designing the planting site to compensate for a disturbed environment; 2) Species selection for the existing site; 3) Scientific planting techniques; 4) Post-planting care: and 5) Integrated pest management. The second training session will be held in 1994 and will cover the following topics: 1) Establishing a scientific management program for the urban forest; 2) Preparation and administration of grants: 3) Fund-raising and efficient use of volunteers; 4) Developing an urban tree inventory; 5) Recognition of hazard trees; and 6) Selecting quality nursery stock. The training packages will consist of a written manual, videos, and slide sets. Training sessions are open to foresters, county agents, city planners, developers, and others in Kentucky who are interested in returning to their communities and training others on the topics covered.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between facial sensory abnormalities and lesional topography in eight patients with lateral medullary infarcts (LMIs). METHOD: We reviewed eight sequential cases of LMIs admitted to the Neurology Division of Hospital das Clínicas/ São Paulo University between July, 2001 and August, 2002 except for one patient who had admitted in 1996 and was still followed in 2002. All patients were submitted to conventional brain MRI including axial T1-, T2-weighted and Fluid attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) sequences. MRIs were evaluated blindly to clinical features to determine extension of the infarct to presumed topographies of the ventral trigeminothalamic (VTT), lateral spinothalamic, spinal trigeminal tracts and spinal trigeminal nucleus. RESULTS: Sensory symptoms or signs were ipsilateral to the bulbar infarct in 3 patients, contralateral in 4 and bilateral in 1. In all of our cases with exclusive contralateral facial sensory symptoms, infarcts had medial extensions that included the VTT topography. In cases with exclusive ipsilateral facial sensory abnormalities, infarcts affected lateral and posterior bulbar portions, with slight or no medial extension. The only patient who presented bilateral facial symptoms had an infarct that covered both medial and lateral, in addition to the posterior region of the medulla. CONLUSION: Our results show a correlation between medial extension of LMIs and presence of contralateral facial sensory symptoms.

Background: Thoracic inlet view radiograph is an investigation for assessing patients with goitre in many centres in the sub-Saharan-region. However, there is paucity of information on its usefulness in the diagnosis of retrosternal goitre (RSG) and in planning for thyroidectomy.Method: A review of patients with goitre managed in the Division of Endocrine Surgery, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, between 2002 and 2014 was done. Data were obtained from Operating Theatre Log and electronic data archive of the Division. Clinical RSG (CRSG) was taken as a gland that the examining fingers could not get below its lower margin and Radiological RSG (RRSG) on thoracic inlet view was any extension of the thyroid gland beyond the thoracic inlet. Intra-operatively, if any part of the gland extends beyond the thoracic inlet it was considered as an RSG.Results: 221 (96.5%) of the 229 patients who had thoracic inlet plain radiograph were included in this study. The Male to Female ratio was 1:5.5. WHO grade III goitre was seen in 56.1% of the patients and 43.9% had grade II goitre. The CRSG, RRSG and Intra-operative RSG were seen in 7.7%, 16.7% and 17.6% respectively. The specificity and sensitivity of clinical examination in determining RSG was 88.7% and 94.1% and that of Thoracic inlet radiograph was 97.8% and 94.6% respectively. Conclusion: It is a useful study for screening patients with goitre for retrosternal extension, however it could not be used to determine the need for extra-cervical surgical access during thyroidectomy.

Inbar and Lammers asked members of APA Division 8 (personality and social psychology) about their political orientation, hostility experienced related to their political orientation, and their willingness to discriminate against others based on perceived political orientation. In this replication and extension, 618 faculty members from various academic disciplines across four California State University campuses completed an online questionnaire that added parallel questions about the liberal experience to the original questions about the conservative experience. Participants were overwhelmingly liberal in self-report across all academic areas except agriculture. The conservative minority reported experiencing more hostility than the liberal majority, but both groups expressed similar “in-group/out-group” attitudes. Results supported the ideological-conflict hypothesis for discrimination and a “birds of a feather flock together” interpretation of the lack of political diversity among the professoriate.

Mutual improvement, an early form of lifelong learning, was widespread among the nineteenth-century working classes and has been portrayed as a variable and relatively unstructured phenomenon. This essay challenges this view by examining the movement in north-east Scotland in the nineteenth century and its symbiotic relationship with library activity as libraries provided information to facilitate debate. The movement originated in the 1830s and flourished until the end of the century. Mutual improvement activity was fuelled by religious division and a relationship with the Liberal Party. The principal ideologue of the movement, which peaked in the 1850s, was Robert Harvie Smith, who articulated a sophisticated lifelong learning ideology supported by specific learning objectives, prioritised in order. A notable feature was the involvement of women in the movement. Most of the participants were tradesmen or small tenant farmers, and the subjects of their debates reflected their preoccupations: modern farming, religious controversy, and the ‘farm servant problem’. The movement anticipated the university extension movement by about thirty years. Because the north-east had its own university and was a self-contained learning culture, mutual improvers might proceed to university, thus anticipating modern ideas about received prior learning (RPL) and articulation. Mutual improvement activity demonstrates the continuing intellectual vitality in rural Scotland in the late nineteenth century.

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are directed to instill change in the people of their community and implementing extension programs and services is one of the modalities. This study assessed the impact of the “Write Here, Right Now” extension project of the College of Teacher Education of one state university in Laguna. “Write Here, Right Now” is a set of training aimed to develop skills in campus journalism, such as news writing, feature writing, sports writing, editorial writing, editorial cartooning, literary writing, photojournalism, and layout design with students of one elementary school in the Department of Education Sta. Maria District is the beneficiary of the project. This mixed methods research utilizing the sequential exploratory design intends to explore the attainment of the objectives of the project and the impact of the project on the social aspect of its beneficiaries. The responses of the total enumeration of the beneficiaries were considered in the analysis of the evaluation of the project and two participants for the case study were interviewed. All the training conducted was rated excellent and beneficiaries have gone from zero to adequately skilled in campus journalism due to the competencies acquired from the project. Triangulated results showed that the “Write Here, Right Now” extension project has contributed significantly to the improvement in the knowledge and skills of the students as evidenced by the establishment of a school paper and awards received in district-wide and division-wide press conferences. It is therefore recommended to replicate the project in a different locale and with an increase in the number of beneficiaries.

A situation-based or modified case study approach to learning has been adopted in an upper division fruit production course that is taught at Oregon State University in the Department of Horticulture. A new case study, which will have a high probability of generating discussion on key pomological themes, is developed each term. On the first meeting day of class, students identify relevant themes in the case study. A modified jigsaw cooperative learning strategy is then used to cover the relevant subject matter throughout the term. While using this strategy, groups of two to three students become experts on a theme and are responsible for sharing their knowledge with their peers. The instructor mentors the experts by reviewing assignments created by them, checking answers to assignments, and administering quizzes on the themes. About midterm, larger groups of six to seven students begin their preparation of an oral presentation and written synthesis of the goals and possible pathways for achieving the targets of the primary stakeholders (i.e., orchardists, field representatives, extension faculty, etc.) that are presented in the case study. The groups make their presentations to the stakeholders at the end of the term. Students are required to prepare an individual written report. This learning approach links theory with practice, gives students practice in extensively analyzing a situation, enables students to become conversant in and knowledgeable of basic pomology, builds positive relationships between fellow students, and provides multiple experiences for communicating information and student's discoveries.

Misinformation relating to horticulture can spread quickly among laypersons. Although some misinformation may be harmless, such as the myth that bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) fruit can be either male or female, other misinformation is generated to sway consumer decisions. The demand from Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents for support to combat the spread of horticultural misinformation, horticulture specialists at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service (UACES) created a “Horticulture Fact or Fiction” series of blog posts that targeted common horticulture myths with science-based explanations and used graphics interchange format (GIFs) to promote the blog posts on social media. The integrated social media campaign was shared on the authors’ UACES Horticulture social media accounts and by eight UACES agents during 2021. The effort reached 13,397 social media users, and the blog posts had a total of 45,544 pageviews. Although social media was not the major driver of traffic to the blog post series, GIF-based outreach on social media did direct more than 1000 additional users to the blog posts. Through this integrated approach of using social media and GIFs shared by both specialists and CES agents, we were able to connect a large number of stakeholders to research-based content, resulting in higher average traffic to our webpage-based blogs than the average UACES webpage. This type of integrated approach using multiple online means of communication including GIFs, blogs, and social media to create a toolkit of resources for CES agents may be useful for extension professionals targeting stakeholders online.

This paper investigates constraints and complexities affecting entrepreneurial and Agri-business small-scale communal cattle farming success and sustainability in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. The respondent entrepreneur farmers were randomly selected (n=55) amongst 183 other farmers for primary data collection. A semi-structured cross-language (English-Tshivenda) questionnaire was employed to gather the data. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were also employed. The results of this paper revealed that the entrepreneur farmers’ formal school educational levels and basic literacy skills in addition; subtraction; multiplication and division were reasonably higher while technological skills in farm risk management and production, and managerial competence in business financial skills; budgeting and marketing were low amongst the farmers. Government extension service could be employed to improve some of these deficient skills through skills training programmes for the farmers. Institutions of higher learning such as the University of Venda and Madzivhandila Agricultural College could be utilized for the trainings.

Purpose: This study investigates the correlation between the work environment and the psychological wellbeing of teachers within Universities in Cameroon: The Case of the Chattered University Institute of Cameroon-CUIC Drawing on theories such as Herzberg's Motivation-hygiene theory, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, and the Affective Events Theory, the research explores how factors like classroom teaching space and office space availability influence the psychological wellbeing of educators. Materials and Methods: Using a quantitative-based cross-sectional design and purposive sampling, data were collected via a Likert scale questionnaire from 10 participants across seven departments. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for data analysis. Findings: The findings reveal significant positive relationships between both the availability of classroom teaching space and office space with the psychological wellbeing of teachers. The study underscores the importance of a conducive work environment in enhancing teachers' psychological wellbeing. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: It recommends measures for improving classroom and office space provisions to support teacher satisfaction and effectiveness. These findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on the role of the work environment in promoting teacher wellbeing and, by extension, student learning outcomes.

Aims: The present research aimed to analyse the constraints and challenges of the certification of cocoa in the mbam division, center region of cameroon. Study Design: In this study, the simple random sampling method was used for the selection of cocoa farmers in the study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the ombessa and bokito sub divisions of the mbam and inoubou division, center region of cameroon in 2022. Methodology: A total of 300 respondent cocoa farmers were randomly selected from two different sub divisions: ombessa (170) and bokito (130) farmers. Other stakeholders, exporters and agricultural extension experts were also consulted. Results: Field findings revealed that 66% of cocoa farmers in mbam have adopted certification against 34% who have not yet adopted with regards to gender, there is a high proportion of adopters of cocoa certification (65.96% for men and 66.67% for women) than the non-adopters (34.04% for men against 33.33% for the women). furthermore, majority (80%) of the respondents who have adopted cocoa certification are below 35 years of age against 20% who have not adopted. regarding the level of education, field findings also revealed that 100% of respondents with university studies have adopted the certification while a greater percent (80%) of those who have never been to school have not adopted. the results also show that majority (39%) of the respondents have an experience of 21 to 30 years in cocoa farming. Furthermore, it was found on the field that the production of certified cocoa is a decreasing function of the area exploited; it is 83.33% at less than 5ha, to 54.17% for farms of more than 10ha. majority (70.83%) of the adopters of cocoa certification here belong to producer organizations (gic, cooperatives) against 53.57% who adopted without belonging to any producer organizations. furthermore, findings also show that producers of both certified and non-certified cocoa have a better total income with an average of 5,578,812.5 fcfa, than those who produce only certified cocoa and non-certified producers. Conclusion: The study concluded that there is an inverse relationship between the size of the cocoa plantation and the adoption of certification. it also shows that the producers of certified cocoa have a better technical and economic performance than the others. The study therefore recommends that institutions should multiply financial incentives and other facilities for certified cocoa producers so that the remuneration for their effort is fair and equitable to enable them live a decent life.

Background: The location of the tumor and its accompanying symptoms, which include substantial epistaxis and nasal obstruction, cause the Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma, a histologically and physiologically benign tumor with aggressive activity. Methods: The Otolaryngology & Head Neck Surgery division at Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in Dhaka carried out this retrospective cross-sectional study. The research was done in 2012, from February to November. 30 people made up the study's entire sample size. Result: The majority of individuals (54%) who have nasopharyngeal angiofibroma are between the ages of 16 and 20. People living in rural area (53.33%) are more sufferers from nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. The majority of patients have similar symptoms such epistaxis, nasal blockage, nasal discharge, anemia, and masses in the nasal cavity. Maximum (90%) has varying degree anaemia at presentation. All patient has soft tissue mass in Nasopharynx, half of the patient has pterygopalatine fossa extension at presentation. Maximum (56.66 %) patient admitted with stage II nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. Conclusion: It is necessary to acquire preoperative clinical staging and imaging parameters from data of one of the largest NA case series.

IntroductionThe HORIZON 2020 project PoCOsteo aims (1) to develop a multidimensional fracture risk assessment tool which would take into account all factors known to be related to an individual’s fracture risk. The fracture risk model is intended to be developed in two different populations, namely a European and a Middle Eastern one; (2) to develop a medical device, which would measure and/or quantify proteomic as well as genomic factors as present in whole blood samples collected through finger prick; (3) to test the clinical applicability and the validity of prototypes of the to be developed point of care device at both clinical centres.Methods and analysisThis article presents the protocol of this prospective cohort that will be carried out independently at two different centres (Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology at the Medical University of Graz (MUG) as a clinic-based cohort, and Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute (EMRI) at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) as a population-based cohort). The final aim is to develop a fracture risk assessment model, which would include clinical risk factors, biochemical markers of bone turnover, as well as specific genomic factors. The derivation cohorts will consist of individuals aged 50 years and above. The period of observation for each patient will be 12 months; an extension phase, which would last for another 2 years, is also planned.Ethics and disseminationThese studies are conducted in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki. The Iranian part was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of EMRI, TUMS. The Austrian part was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medical University of Graz. Based on the gathered information, a multidimensional fracture assessment tool will be designed which will later be added to the PoCOsteo device.

A workshop on ticks and tick-borne diseases (T&TBDs) was held on June 25 and 26, 2019, at the Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Diseases Vector Control, Arusha, Tanzania. The objectives of the workshop were to discuss the current situation and to formulate actionable strategies to improve surveillance and control of T&TBDs in Africa. The workshop was funded by the National Research Foundation and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and attended by livestock health providers, farmers, and researchers from East, West, and Southern African countries. During the workshop, experts presented recent surveillance data focused on T&TBDs; participants discussed research opportunities and community engagement. The primary outcome of the workshop was the creation of a new research consortium known as The African Consortium for T&TBDs. The consortium is intended to function as a community for researchers, students, farmers, policymakers, extension workers, and community members who are interested in the advancement of T&TBD control. The consortium will engage in research activities that focus on comprehensive surveillance of T&TBDs, developing tick acaricide resistance, alternative tick control programs, and policy development and education. These areas were identified as top priorities to be developed to improve T&TBD control on the continent.

The Assam Agricultural University, in collaboration with RARS, Shillongani, has introduced high yielding varieties (HYV) of jute to farmers to double their incomes. So, this study was carried out to ascertain the relationship between extent of adoption of High Yielding Jute Verities and their associated practices with Social Economic and Psychological characteristics of the farmers of Nagaon District. Thus, Nagaon sub-division was purposively selected for the study with a dependent variable ‘Extent of Adoption’ and 16 independent variables categorized in different factors viz. socio-economic, personal, communication, and socio-psychological etc. 120 farmers were selected for the study. Interviews were conducted using a pretested schedule, and data was analysed by Chi-Square test, Karl Pearson’ Co-efficient of Correlation and Multiple Regression Analysis. The study revealed that operational land holding, area under jute crop, annual income, extension contact, economic motivation and knowledge level on HYV jute cultivation were found positive and significant relationship with the extent of adoption and accordingly educational level, family type, farming experience, farm machinery and equipment’s, training exposure of the farmers had significant association with extent of adoption of HYV jute varieties. Together, the 16 variables contributed 54.20 % to variation in extent of adoption of high yielding jute varieties.

AbstractAccording to the United States Census, California is the most urban state in the nation. Although there are many outstanding examples of urban farms in California, in general, urban agriculture (UA) has been slower to gain momentum here than in some other states with large urban populations. Over the past several years, urban agriculture's popularity in California has begun to escalate, with strong emerging interest in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, San Diego, Los Angeles and other metropolitan communities. One challenge for urban farmers and municipal decision makers engaged with UA in California has been limited availability of relevant information and technical assistance. A new project team at the University of California Cooperative Extension, part of the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) is working to develop web-based educational resources that will be grounded in a needs assessment that is currently underway. The needs assessment includes a literature review, an internal survey of UC ANR personnel, and community clientele interviews. This paper will report on preliminary findings and analyses of the needs assessment, particularly how UC ANR personnel are engaged with UA, and what tools they think would best serve urban farmers. We suggest implications for those involved with UA, such as personnel of land-grant universities, local governments and non-profits seeking to address the needs of urban farmers in an environment of constrained resources.

Practitioners in health departments, university extension programs, and nonprofit organizations working in public health face varied challenges to publishing in the peer-reviewed literature. These practitioners may lack time, support, skills, and efficacy needed for manuscript submission, which keeps them from sharing their wisdom and experience-based evidence. This exclusion can contribute to literature gaps, a failure of evidence-based practice to inform future research, reduced ability to educate partners, and delays in advancing public health practice. Our article describes the writing workshops offered to Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded programs in 2021. This project consisted of three 60-minute introductory writing webinars open to all recipients, followed by a Writing for Publications workshop, an 8- to 9-week virtual learning/writing intensive for selected writing team applicants. The Society for Public Health Education staff, consultants, and CDC/DNPAO staff developed, refined, and presented the curriculum. The workshop for public health practitioner writing teams was offered to two cohorts and included extensive coaching and focused on potential submission to a Health Promotion Practice supplement, “Reducing Chronic Disease through Physical Activity and Nutrition: Public Health Practice in the Field” (see Supplemental Material), which was supported by CDC/DNPAO. We describe the webinars, the workshop design, modifications, evaluation methods and results.

INNOTeach is a joint extension project between the University of Southeastern Philippines and the Department of Education-Davao City. This paper aimed to disclose the INNOTeach way of writing-up classroom-based action researches by the teachers. It discussed the progress and highlights of the project while revealing the behavioral impressions of the teacher participants. It is anchored on Kurt Lewin’s theory emphasizing that action researches are made to solve social problems. Narrative-qualitative research was employed in this paper. Remarkably, the INNOTEach way of writing-up an action research is simply a reflective writing exercise using customized worksheets and templates. This revealed further that the series of trainings produced organics trainers and research proposals approved by the office of the Schools Division Superintendent of Davao City. One implemented research became an entry of DepEd-Region XI to the national paper contest; while the project itself has already been given awards in conferences. Finally, this paper revealed that the INNOTeach way of doing action research enabled the teachers to become reflective of their work, being passionate for research, and not anymore intimidated seeing children with problems. This leads to the conclusion that no matter how difficult a thing is, when it is done reflectively, it can produce new things. To adopt the INNOTeach way of doing things is highly recommended at all levels of education.

Analysed at the division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences. The soil texture of the experimental area varied from sandy loam to . In general, the top soil had higher sand fraction then the lower layers. The study revealed that the range of bulk density was varied from 1.32-1.47 Mg m-3, the bulk density was increased with increasing the depth as the compaction increases. The range of particle density was from 2.36 to 2.49 Mg m-3 and the pore space 37.77 to 44.17 %, respectively. The water retention capacity (WRC) of soil was ranged between 43.56 to 57.28. The pH of soils was in the range between pH 6.67 - 7.75. The electrical conductivity of soil of entire studied area were less than 1.00 dSm-1. The soil organic matter, ranges from 0.13 to 0.38 %. The available nitrogen content of entire studied area was low (162 to 310 kg ha-1). The available phosphorus and potassium content varied in between 15 to 52 kg ha-1 and 125 to 255 kg ha-1. The available zinc, copper, manganese and iron of experimental soil ranged between 0.30 to 0.82 mg kg-1, 0.36 to 1.32 mg kg-1, 1.50 to 6.04 mg kg-1 and 2.36 to 9.62 mg kg-1. The fertility data base would be very useful for extension functionaries, agricultural officers, scientist and above all the farmers for a sustainable crop production.

Since 1984 the Italian groups of the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) and Italian Universities, collaborating with the DOE laboratory of Fermilab (US) have been running a two-month summer training program for Italian university students. While in the first year the program involved only four physics students of the University of Pisa, in the following years it was extended to engineering students. This extension was very successful and the engineering students have been since then extremely well accepted by the Fermilab Technical, Accelerator, and Scientific Computing Division groups. Over the many years of its existence, this program has proven to be the most effective way to engage new students in Fermilab endeavors. Many students have extended their collaboration with Fermilab with their Master’s Thesis and PhD. Since 2004 the program has been supported in part by DOE in the frame of an exchange agreement with INFN. Over its almost 40 years of history, the program has grown in scope and size and has involved more than 550 Italian students from more than 20 Italian Universities, Several Institutes of Research, including ASI and INAF in Italy, and the ISSNAF Foundation in the US, have provided additional financial support. Since the program does not exclude appropriately selected non-Italian students, a handful of students from European and non-European Universities were also accepted over the years. Each intern is supervised by a Fermilab Mentor responsible for performing the training program. Training programs spanned from Tevatron, CMS, Muon (g-2), Mu2e, and Short Baseline Neutrino Experiments and DUNE design and experimental data analysis, development of particle detectors (silicon trackers, calorimeters, drift chambers, neutrino and dark matter detectors), design of electronic and accelerator components, development of infrastructures and software for exascale data handling, research on superconductive elements and on accelerating cavities, and theory of particle accelerators. Since 2010, within an extended program supported by the Italian Space Agency and the Italian National Institute of Astrophysics, a total of 30 students in physics, astrophysics, and engineering have been hosted for two months in the summer at US space science Research Institutes and laboratories. In 2015 the University of Pisa included these programs within its educational programs. Accordingly, Summer School students are enrolled at the University of Pisa for the duration of the internship and are identified and ensured as such. At the end of the internship, the students are required to write summary reports on their achievements. After positive evaluation by a University Examining Board, interns are acknowledged credits for their Diploma Supplement. The program was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic but restarted successfully in 2022. We believe this program can be taken as a model and easily adopted by interested institutions.

The advent of horticulture, backed by research, teaching, and extension in the State of Minnesota during the 1800s, had long-term ramifications for initiating opportunities for the newly formed University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Minnesota State Horticultural Society—all of which worked closely together. The founding of the horticulture department in 1888, then known as the Division of Horticulture and Forestry, provided long-term commitment to address the needs of the horticulture field. The integration of female students in 1897 provided inclusivity of gender perspectives in horticulture and enabled essential services during World War I (WWI), when male students, faculty, and administrators were drafted into military service. After the sudden death of Dr. Samuel Green, the first Department Head, in 1910, Dr. LeRoy Cady (who served as an Acting Department Head) instituted a novel idea at the time of having weekly departmental seminars. These formally commenced on 13 Jan. 1913, with the first seminar entitled “Organization of the Seminar.” A survey across the country of horticulture or plant science-based departments revealed its uniqueness as being the oldest seminar series in the country and, undoubtedly, the world. An early seminar tradition included taste-testing of fruit. Early seminars were conducted in the department office of the newly built Horticulture Building (opened in 1899). This idea of the seminar format—as a valuable mechanism of exchanging ideas and increasing department associations—was spread by faculty and Dr. Cady at national and regional meetings of the American Society for Horticultural Science. The seminar concept stretched across the country to other universities and colleges with horticulture programs to make such a forum commonplace to convey research, teaching, and outreach findings in academic settings. Knowledge of the history of the seminar series remained obscure until the record book was discovered in 2010, which provided documentation of its founding and the early years of knowledge-sharing in seminar format. To mark this unique event in horticultural science, a centennial celebration of the seminar series occurred on 13 Jan. 2013. An estimated total of 1899 seminars have been presented during this century-long period. However, a gap in the seminars during 1916 to 1925 was unexplained in the record book. Examination of the departmental, college, and university archives during this time period revealed two primary reasons for this: WWI and the 1918 influenza epidemic. The War Department’s takeover of all college and university campuses in 1918 resulted in the decimation of the faculty and student body by mandatory service (all males age 18–45 years), the institution of a wartime curriculum (which limited the number and types of horticulture classes), the takeover of essential departmental functions by nondrafted men and all female students/faculty, the building of barracks (many of which were on horticultural research plots), and the cessation of all activities, including the seminar. Concurrently, the 1918 influenza outbreak prohibited social gatherings, thus limiting interactions such as seminars. Only a few photographs exist of students wearing masks in 1918, but the impact of the flu seriously affected the ability of students to return to the University of Minnesota after WWI. One subtle benefit in 1918 was the first-ever admission of disabled students (veterans) to horticulture classes. The deaths of students, faculty, and administrators on WWI battlefields, in training camps, or by influenza, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder, devastated the department for years. Lessons learned from these tragedies resonate with the modern-day continuation of the seminar series in the context of the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Capsicum is a genus of the Solanaceae family, where the different types of domesticated peppers are found. They are bushy plants, originating from the Americas, producing fruits that are generally used in cooking. The Garden of the School of Agronomy, at the Federal University of Goiás, has a collection of peppers with 167 accessions, where part of these accessions (57) was evaluated to verify their suitability as an ornamental plant. This work was carried out in the experimental area of the Garden of the School of Agronomy at the Federal University of Goiás, in Goiânia – GO Brazil, in the Horticulture sector. The experiment was installed in August 2022 with sowing carried out in resistant plastic trays, with 50 cells, kept in a greenhouse and transplanting carried out in the open area. 5 (five) seedlings were used per accession, where for every 10 (ten accessions of the collection, 5 (five) seedlings of round potted commercial red pepper were transplanted, also added to the collection, with the code (UFGMH070) and the experiment outlined in enlarged blocks. The studied accessions were characterized agronomically, using fifteen descriptors recommended by IPGRI (1995). Among these descriptors, eight are quantitative in nature (plant height (PH), crown diameter (CD), fruit length (FRL), fruit width (FRW), pericarp thickness (PT), number of locules (NL), pericarp weight (PW) and seed weight (SEW) and seven have a qualitative nature (flower color (FLC), position fruit size (FRP), fruit color (FRC), fruit shape (FRS), fruit surface (FRS), seed color (SEC), seed surface (SES). For data analysis, a matrix was estimated of dissimilarity, through the joint analysis of quantitative and qualitative variables, with this matrix, a dendrogram was obtained. The grouping of accesses was obtained using the UPGMA (Unweighted Pair-Group Method Using an Arithmetic Average) method. The data were analyzed by the computational software R. To establish the ornamental value of the plants, the criteria of the Veiling cooperative in Holambra were used, where the variables plant height and position of flowers and fruits, among the descriptors evaluated, are the most important. According to the cluster analysis, there was a division into seven groups and it was possible to observe that Group III had the highest number of accesses, 63.16%, followed by Group II with 15.79%, Group IV with 12.28%. %, Group V with 3.51% and those who were isolated, in groups with only one access Group I 1.75%, Group VI 1.75% and Group VII 1.75%, of the total accesses. Within the dendrogram, the group with the largest number of accessions is Group 3, where in this group are the plants that presented ideal plant height, white flowers and fruits with an upright arrangement, ideal characteristics for their use as an ornamental plant. Agronomic characterization, based on quantitative and qualitative descriptors, enabled an interpretation of genetic dissimilarity, which allows better targeting, for the producer, research, as well as for extension.

Lecturer assistants are apprentice students whose job is to assist lecturers in teaching and learning activities in class. There are 10 students who are doing internships as teaching assistants. At the end of each semester the Training Division in a university conducts an evaluation of the assessment of students who are apprentices as teaching assistants. However, currently the training department has not yet found the right method for making decisions to determine teaching assistants who deserve to be extended for internships in the following semester. Currently, decision making is based on an assessment of the ability to explain the material when the lecturer concerned is unable to attend, although there are still many assessment criteria that can be considered in decision making. To solve this problem, this study adopts a method in making decisions on the extension of teaching assistants by using the Profile Matching method which includes several assessment criteria including attendance, neatness of dress, loyalty, work performance, responsibility, obedience, honesty, cooperation, initiative and leadership. From this criterion, it will be included in the Core Factor and Secondary Factor with the criteria of very good, good, pretty good, not good and very bad scores, so that in this research a decision was made to extend teaching assistants in the following semester, namely by choosing 4 teaching assistants who each has the following assessment results: AST9 with a value of 4.9, AST10 with a value of 4.8, AST1 with a value of 4.4 and AST8 with a value of 4.4. Keywords: Assistant Performance, Decision, Matching Profile Abstrak Asisten dosen merupakan mahasiswa magang yang tugasnya membantu dosen dalam kegiatan belajar mengajar di kelas. Terdapat 10 orang mahasiswa yang sedang magang menjadi asisten dosen. Pada setiap akhir semester bagian pelatihan yang terdapat dalam suatu Universitas mengadakan evaluasi penilaian terhadap mahasiswa yang magang sebagai asisten dosen. Namun saat ini bagian pelatihan masih belum menemukan metode yang tepat dalam melakukan pengambilan keputusan untuk menentukan asisten dosen yang layak diperpanjang untuk magang di semester berikutnya. Saat ini pengambilan keputusan berdasarkan penilaian dari kemampuan menjelaskan materi pada saat dosen yang bersangkutan berhalangan hadir, walaupun masih banyak kriteria penilaian yang dapat menjadi pertimbangan dalam pengambilan keputusan. Untuk memecahkan masalah tersebut, penelitian ini mengambil metode dalam pengambilan keputusan perpanjangan asisten dosen dengan menggunakan metode Profile Matching yang meliputi beberapa kriteria penilaian diantaranya Absensi, Kerapihan berpakaian, Kesetiaan, Prestasi Kerja, Tanggung Jawab, Ketaatan, Kejujuran, Kerjasama, bPrakarsa dan Kepemimpinan. Dari kriteria ini akan dimasukkan ke dalam Core Factor dan Secondary Factor dengan keriteria nilai sangat baik, baik, cukup baik, kurang baik dan sangat kurang baik, sehingga dalam penelitam ini dihasilkan sebuah keputusan perpanjangan asisten dosen di semester berikutnya yaitu dengan memilih empat asisten dosen yang masing-masing memiliki hasil penilaian sebagai berikut: AST9 dengan nilai 4,9, AST10 dengan nilai 4,8, AST1 dengan nilai 4,4 dan AST8 dengan nilai 4,4. Kata Kunci: Keputusan, Kinerja Asisten, Profile Matching

The article provides a few new and innovative system solutions a realized extension of the DB&A of Lublin University of Technology called Eastern Innovation Centre of Architecture. The object is “an integrating zone of practical education.” The form of the spatial sculpture of object was achieved via significant overhanging of the assembly hall accommodating 200, supported by the slanted wall, coming from the line of the facade and three cubic elements firmly in the construction of the building. The interior patio emphasizes “the unity of the aims of open education” and also provides additional light for the exhibition space. The mobility of the interior divisions allows “flexible shaping of functional divisions”. The external shutters being electronically controlled, in particular sections on the facade allow for “interactive participation” of the users in the aesthetic creation of the facade. In case of strong winds the external shutters are shut automatically.

Abstract Background Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a debilitating mental illness characterized by a highly complex, heterogeneous, non-mendelian genetic background. Recent progress in dissecting genetic architecture of SCZ has accelerated over the last decade due to new advanced technologies. Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) on extremely large samples of patients identified and replicated hundreds of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPs), each exhibiting only a modest effect. The analysis of genomic Copy Number Variations (CNVs) clarified the role of rare structural variants conferring significant risk by disrupting multiple genes involved in neurodevelopmental pathways, and linked to SCZ. In this scenario, the aim of our study is to carry out a genetic characterization of a cohort of patients affected by SCZ, in order to assess the risk of recurrence, to elucidate putative pathogenetic mechanisms and, whenever possible, to conceive tailored interventions and therapies. Methods 34 patients (8 women and 26 men) affected by SCZ and admitted to Day Hospital at Psychiatric Division for Treatment Resistant Psychosis of the University of Naples Federico II were recruited, and underwent: i) psychopathological evaluation and assessment of clinical response to antipsychotics; ii) genetic counseling; iii) further diagnostic investigation by using Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) + Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) microarray with 2x400k Agilent’s platform “GenetiSure” for detecting unbalanced chromosomal abnormalities and regions of homozygosity (ROHs). Results Structural pathogenetic rearrangements resulted in 9 (27%) patients. Those identified were the following: 15q13.3 deletion, 16p13.11 duplication, 22q11.22 deletion (TOP3B), 22q11.22 (PRODH, DGCR5, DGCR6), RBFOX1 deletion, TCF4 deletion, derivative X chromosome (X;Y translocation). Potentially pathogenic rearrangements, involving genes associated with psychiatric disorders or implicated in neurodevelopment, resulted in 15 patients (44%). No relevant CNVs were detected in 10 patients (29%), although they showed the presence of ROHs that may contain susceptibility loci, since many neurodevelopmental genes map onto or near these specific regions. Certain of these rearrangements occur in many patients, and certain patients showed likewise multiple rearrangements. Discussion The analysis of CNVs and SNPs allowed us to characterize the genetic disease structure in the whole cohort of patients and helped to refine the diagnosis in a few cases, thereby ascertaining an underlying specific genetic condition. A further extension of the study, in terms of sample size and more accurate investigations (i.e genetic mapping of ROHs) is underway. According to literature, rare risk-associated CNVs account for 2% of SCZ cases, but their higher prevalence (27%) in our sample may be influenced by a larger percentage of Treatment Resistant and more severely ill patients (since they were recruited in a highly specialized Unit for Treatment Resistant Psychosis). Therefore, our future purpose is to demonstrate a robust genetic modulation of Treatment Resistant endophenotypes of SCZ. Moreover, we believe that the role of genetic counseling in psychiatric services should be emphasized, and that genetic testing in this field should not be restricted to suspected childhood neuropsychiatric disorders. According to the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of SCZ, that suggests a brain development disruption in early life (due to genetic and early environmental factors), prompting to a subsequent later emergence of the disease in adulthood, even chronic complex adult mental illness, such as SCZ, deserves detailed investigations and a more exhaustive genetic evaluation.

Manuel Miró received his M.Sc. (1998) and Ph.D. (2002) in Chemistry from the University of the Balearic Islands, Spain. He has conducted post-doctoral research in several universities, including the Technical University of Berlin, Technical University of Denmark and University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences. He is currently Full Professor in Analytical Chemistry at the University of the Balearic Islands (since September 2017); Guest Professor at Charles University (Czech Republic) (since 2014); and member of the IUPAC Chemistry and Environment Division (Subcommittee on Chemical and Biophysical Processes in the Environment). He has completed and consolidated four teaching periods (each of 5 years) and three research periods (each of 6 years). Dr. Miró is the Reviews Editor of the journal Analytica Chimica Acta (Elsevier, IF: 6.91, the second highest IF across scientific journals for general analytical chemistry) and Associate Editor of the Encyclopedia of Analytical Science, 3rd Edition, Elsevier, positions that he has held since 2007 and 2016, respectively. His publication record shows over 220 refereed publications, including 14 book chapters and a foreword, with an h-index of 42 and over 5600 citations. He has published 24 articles in the prestigious journal ‘Analytical Chemistry’ from the American Chemical Society and is the corresponding author of 110 articles. Dr. Miró has delivered 70 oral presentations (60 as plenary, keynote, or invited lecturer) at international conferences on analytical chemistry, sample preparation, nanotechnology, environmental chemistry, and automation based on flow methodology. He has also presented over 180 poster communications in international conferences and symposiums. He has supervised 10 Ph.D. students in national and international universities (Technical University of Denmark, Mahidol University and Chiang Mai University in Thailand, University of the Balearic Islands in Spain, and Federal University of Bahia in Brazil). He has been actively engaged in 34 national and international research projects (e.g., University of Melbourne in Australia and Charles University in Czech Republic), including 16 as the Principal Investigator. Dr. Miró’s research interests are focused on the development of on-line sample processing strategies for isolation and/or preconcentration of trace levels of environmental pollutants, exploiting 3D printing in the generation of various flow injections, including 3D-printed µFIA and Lab-on-a-Valve mesofluidic platforms, in conjunction with modern analytical instrumentation.

This account of the development and achievements of the animal sciences in Australia is prefaced by a brief history of the livestock industries from 1788 to the present. During the 19th century, progress in industry development was due more to the experience and ingenuity of producers than to the application of scientific principles; the end of the century also saw the establishment of departments of agriculture and agricultural colleges in all Australian colonies (later states). Between the two world wars, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research was established, including well supported Divisions of Animal Nutrition and Animal Health, and there was significant growth in research and extension capability in the state departments. However, the research capacity of the recently established university Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Science was limited by lack of funding and opportunity to offer postgraduate research training. The three decades after 1945 were marked by strong political support for agricultural research, development and extension, visionary scientific leadership, and major growth in research institutions and achievements, partly driven by increased university funding and enrolment of postgraduate students. State-supported extension services for livestock producers peaked during the 1970s. The final decades of the 20th century featured uncertain commodity markets and changing public attitudes to livestock production. There were also important Federal Government initiatives to stabilise industry and government funding of agricultural research, development and extension via the Research and Development Corporations, and to promote efficient use of these resources through creation of the Cooperative Research Centres program. These initiatives led to some outstanding research outcomes for most of the livestock sectors, which continued during the early decades of the 21st century, including the advent of genomic selection for genetic improvement of production and health traits, and greatly increased attention to public interest issues, particularly animal welfare and environmental protection. The new century has also seen development and application of the ‘One Health’ concept to protect livestock, humans and the environment from exotic infectious diseases, and an accelerating trend towards privatisation of extension services. Finally, industry challenges and opportunities are briefly discussed, emphasising those amenable to research, development and extension solutions.

Objective. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the linear and volumetric measurements of the maxillary sinus in relation to sex and side on cone beam computer tomographic (CBCT) images in a Sri Lankan population. Methods. A total of 20 sets of CBCT images selected from the database at the Division of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, were evaluated. Linear measurements were obtained in a craniocaudal (height), anteroposterior (length), and mediolateral (width) dimensions. Volume was computed by using the same data using a computerized 3D modeling software developed for 3D measurements and calculations. Results. The maximum mean craniocaudal dimension was at the level of the 1st and the 2nd molar tooth bilaterally. The largest average craniocaudal, mediolateral, and anteroposterior extensions of the maxillary sinus using CBCT were 31.71 ± 5.44 mm , 21.28 ± 5.09 mm , and 32.92 ± 4.31 mm , respectively. The differences between the sides and sex showed no statistical significance ( P > 0.05 ), except for the maximum average value in craniocaudal dimension which showed a statistically significant difference in relation to gender ( P = 0.02 ). Conclusion. There is no significant difference in the largest average craniocaudal, mediolateral, and anteroposterior extensions of the maxillary sinus when gender and side were compared. However, the maximum average value in craniocaudal dimension had a statistically significant difference in relation to gender. This study provides valuable knowledge of the anatomical dimensions of the maxillary sinus which may help clinicians in treatment planning.

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility in terms of safety and quality of life in a sample of Italian patients affected by advanced ovarian cancer and submitted to either extensive upper abdomen or standard surgery, through validated questionnaires.MethodsFrom January 2006 to November 2011, a prospective, observational study was conducted to compare quality of life in patients affected by advanced ovarian cancer and submitted to primary cytoreduction in the Division of Gynecology of the University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome. After surgery patients were stratified into 2 groups (group A: standard surgery or group B: extensive upper abdomen surgery). All patients were submitted to standard chemotherapy. At completion of treatment, during the first follow-up visit, all eligible patients were asked to fill in Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (QLQ-C30) (version 3.0) and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-OV28 (QLQ-OV28) questionnaires.ResultsEighty-nine patients were enrolled into our study. Nine were excluded, so finally 80 patients were considered in this study. Group A included 40 patients and underwent standard surgery (pelvic surgery); group B, included 40 patients and underwent extensive upper abdomen surgery. There were no statistical differences in terms of major surgical complication rates (15% vs 10%). We registered same times of beginning of chemotherapy (median, 19 vs 21 days) and no severe related toxicities. Quality-of-life scores of both questionnaires were comparable between groups, with the exception of Global Health Status in QLC-30.ConclusionsUpper abdomen surgery is a feasible and safe therapeutic option. Patients present same times of beginning of chemotherapy without an increase in chemorelated toxicities and experience the same general quality of life.

The higher education development Strategies for 2010 – 2020 as well as the universities development Strategies include sections indicating the key role of the teacher in the framework of providing the quality of the education and the university rank, by extension. However, it does not specify the ways and means of supporting the teacher professional growth. The urgency of this scientific research is based on the theoretical substantiation of the individual strategy of teacher professional growth as an effective mechanism for supporting their professional growth.The purpose of this scientific intelligence is to consider and theoretically substantiate the individual strategy of the teacher professional growth as an innovative technology for supporting the professional growth of teachers of the management departments in the universities of the Republic of Poland. The issues associated with the implementation of development strategies in Polish universities are characterized.It is established that the process of creating a growth strategy for teachers of management departments in the universities of the Republic of Poland should include the following stages: preparatory (analysis of own potential, motivation, coordination of the individual strategy with the strategy of university and its structural divisions development); formative (formation of a strategic goal, strategic targets, tasks; building up a professional growth trajectory, vertical or horizontal one); content-procedural (formal, informal, informational education; development strategies for 4 components of the professional activity of teachers of the management departments in the universities of the RP); the fourth stage is reflexive (monitoring of own professional activity, stimulation, self-esteem, its comparison with the assessment of the head of the department, students and adjustment actions).

Abstract Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a premalignant disorder characterized by the asymptomatic presence of a monoclonal protein. It is defined by an M protein < 3 gm/dl, less than 10% clonal plasma cells in the bone marrow, and the absence of anemia, hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency and bone lesions. In 2010 the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) advocated for MGUS patients to be stratified into low risk disease, which carries a 5% risk of progression to multiple myeloma at 20 years, and high risk disease, which represents a 20% risk at 20 years. This stratification model categorizes patients as low risk if they have an IgG paraprotein with an M-component < 1.5 g/dl and a normal free light chain (FLC) ratio. As such, it is suggested that the initial workup be comprised of a serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), an immunofixation (IFE), and a FLC ratio. A bone marrow biopsy (BM) and bone survey should only be performed if anemia, hypercalcemia or an elevated creatinine of unclear etiology is noted. If these studies place a patient into the low risk, it is suggested the patient follow up at 6-months with only an SPEP. If the SPEP is stable, the next follow-up is recommended to occur at 2 to 3 year intervals unless symptoms arise suggestive of a plasma cell dyscrasia. The risk stratification of MGUS patients was validated in 2013 by Turesson et al. in a Swedish cohort (Blood, 2014; 123:338-345). Nevertheless, the risk model is not universally accepted and unnecessary office visits along with laboratory studies are performed on low risk patients. The purpose of this study was to perform an internal retrospective review of our patients diagnosed with low risk MGUS, evaluating excess medical costs incurred when patients were not risk stratified by the IMWG recommendations. Methods: MGUS patients seen in the Hematology Oncology Division of Drexel University between 2014 and 2016 were retrospectively categorized into high and low risk based on the IMWG criteria. Those determined to be low risk were evaluated over two years for extra costs incurred outside the IMWG recommendations. Extra cost was tallied based on initial workup and surveillance studies performed up to two years from diagnosis. Costs per test and follow up visits were based on our office appointment pricing and BM biopsy charges. Laboratory costs were obtained based on pricing from ACCU reference lab. Cost per test (varies by lab/provider) SPEP $67 UPEP $130 Serum IFE $200 Urine IFE $72 IgA $27 IgG $27 IgM $27 K/L ratio $120 B2 microglobulin $42 Office Visit $40 - $100 Bone Survey $500 - $1200 BM biopsy $500- $1000 Results: Sixty patients seen between 2014 and 2016 met the criteria for MGUS. Twenty-eight patients were determined to have low risk disease. Of the 28 patients, five were diagnosed prior to 2010 and were excluded. In the remaining 23 patients, four followed up at exactly six months from diagnosis and only one had an SPEP. The most common test ordered was quantitative immunoglobulins (QI) aside from a CBC and CMP. The total number of excess office visits was 49. Three patients had unnecessary BM biopsies (total cost $1,000 - $2,000), and 11 had unnecessary bone surveys (Total $5,500 - $13,200). The total cost of unnecessary lab tests within 2 years was $6,024 and the total cost of unnecessary office visits within 2 years was $1960 - $4900. Thus, the average excess spent per patient was $630 - $1135, for a total excess cost for the 23 patients of $14,484 - $26,124. Conclusion: This internal review highlights the excess medical costs incurred when patients are not risk stratified by the IMWG recommendations. Ideally, no further health care dollars should be spent for low risk MGUS patients who have a stable SPEP at the 6-month visit until the 2 or 3 year follow up visit. The actual excess amount spent in our office in 2 years for these patients was $14,484 - $26,124 beyond the cost of the standard of care recommended by the IMWG guidelines. Additionally, these values did not include excess basic labs such as a CBC or CMP and it did not include extension of our investigation out to three years which would result in further unnecessary costs. One patient was noted to accumulate excess cost due to his co-morbid condition of prostate cancer, which led to increased surveillance for his low risk MGUS. The risk stratification model allows physicians to offer patients a better understanding of their disease, decrease the patient's burden and reduce the cost on healthcare. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Introduction: The approach to the airways is a common practice in medical life, being a delicate situation susceptible to complications, which requires skill. The objective of this work is to analyze the profile of airway instruction of students in the sixth year of medicine at a Federal University. Methods: Students answered an airway questionnaire. Theoretical knowledge about airway predictors, such as Mallampati and Cormack-Lehane classification, practices and mastery in orotracheal intubation, and use and knowledge of auxiliary devices for airway management were addressed. Answers were coded into spreadsheets for analysis. Results: Fifty students participated in the research (adherence of 62.5%), with a mean age of 25.5 years (22-37 years old) and equal gender divisions. The analysis showed that 100% of academics know the Mallampati Classification, but only 38% know the Cormack-Lehane. As for the practice of orotracheal intubation, 68% performed at least one orotracheal intubation in patients during graduation. About the knowledge of auxiliary and supraglottic devices, 86% say they know the Bougie and 82% at least one supraglottic device. As for the need to establish a surgical airway, 32% reported being able to establish it. Conclusion: Despite the teaching of anesthesiology in the mandatory curriculum at our institution, there is a need for new approaches at different times in the academic course. The practice of activities in the fields of teaching, research and extension aimed at consolidating knowledge of predictors and training in situations of airway management and the use of auxiliary devices should be encouraged.

Coincident reflection and refraction data, collected in the austral summer of 1988/89 by Stanford University and the Geophysical Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Zealand, imaged the crust beneath the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica. The Ross Ice Shelf is a unique acquisition environment for seismic reflection profiling because of its thick, floating ice cover. The ice shelf velocity structure is multilayered with a high velocity‐gradient firn layer constituting the upper 50 to 100 m. This near surface firn layer influences the data character by amplifying and frequency modulating the incoming wavefield. In addition, the ice‐water column introduces pervasive, high energy seafloor, intra‐ice, and intra‐water multiples that have moveout velocities similar to the expected subseafloor primary velocities. Successful removal of these high energy multiples relies on predictive deconvolution, inverse velocity stack filtering, and frequency filtering. Removal of the multiples reveals a faulted, sedimentary wedge which is truncated at or near the seafloor. Beneath this wedge the reflection character is diffractive to a two‐way traveltime of ∼7.2 s. At this time, a prominent reflection is evident on the southeast end of the reflection profile. This reflection is interpreted as Moho indicating that the crust is ∼21-km thick beneath the profile. These results provide seismic evidence that the extensional features observed in the Ross Sea region of the Ross Embayment extend beneath the Ross Ice Shelf.

ABSTRACT Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L) commonly known as ragi is an important crop used for food, forage and industrial products. Finger millet has a wide ecological and geographical adaptability and resilience to various agro-climatic adversities hence, it is highly suited to drought condition and marginal land and requires low external input in cultivation.. Farmers participatory field demonstrations of ragi variety Arjun and Bhairabi were conducted at two villages ie Pedawada of Malkangiri block and MPV -1 of Kalimela block of Malkangiri district, comprising 40 farmers in cluster approach in Kharif 2018 and 2019 , by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Malkangiri , in South Eastern Ghat Zone of Odisha . Conducting front line demonstrations on farmer’s field help to identify the constraints and potential of the finger millet in the specific area as well as it helps in improving the economic and social status of the farmers. Observation on growth and yield parameters were taken and economic analysis was done. The final seed yield was recorded at the time of harvest and the gross return in (Rs ha -1) was calculated based on prevailing market prices. The results from the demonstration conclusively proved that finger millet variety Arjun (OEB-526) recorded the higher yield ( 18.8 q ha-1) , followed by Bhairabi ( 15.3 q ha-1) and farmer’s traditional variety Nali Mandia ( Dasaraberi) recorded an average yield of (8.6 q ha-1 ) . HYV Finger millet variety Arjun with proper nutrient management and plant protection measures gave 118 % higher over farmer’s practices. The technological and extension gap was 1.9 q ha-1 and 12.07 q ha-1 respectively. Similarly, technological index was 8.2 percent. The benefit cost ratio was 2.4 and 1.9 in case of Arjun and Bhairabi respectively and in case of farmer’s variety Nali Mandia it was 1.4. Hence the existing local finger millet variety can be replaced by HYV Arjun ans Bhairabi , since it fits good to the existing rainfed farming situation for higher productivity. By conducting front line demonstrations on millet on large scale in farmer’s field, yield potential of finger millet can be enhanced largely which will increase in the income level of farmers and improve the livelihood condition of the farming community. Introduction Among small millets, finger millet (Elusine coracana L,) locally known as Ragi/Mandia is the most important crop grown in tribal districts of Odisha and it is the staple food of the tribals. It was originated about 5000 years ago in east Africa (possibly Ethiopia) and was introduced into India, 3000 years ago (Upadhyaya et al., 2006) and it is highly suited to drought condition and marginal land and requires low external input in cultivation. Millet is a collective term referring to a number of small seeded annual grasses that are cultivated as grain crops, primarily on marginal lands in dry areas in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions (Baker, 1996). Nutritionally finger millet is superior to major cereal crops and rich source of micronutrients such as calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and iron. And it has several health benefits. Finger millet grains contain higher amount of proteins, oils and minerals than the grains of rice, maize or sorghum (Reed et al., 1976). Vadivoo and Joseph (1998) mentioned finger millet grains contain 13.24% moisture, 7.6% protein, 74.36% carbohydrate, 74.36% carbon, 1.52% dietary fiber, 2.35% minerals, 1.35% fat and energy 341.6 cal/100g. (Joshi and Katoch, 1990; Ravindran, 1991). It is a rich source of micronutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron. Cysteine, tyrosine, tryptophan and methionine are the right spectrum of amino acids found in finger millet protein (Rachie, 1975). The increase in global temperature leads to climate changes that directly affect crop production and increase people's hunger and malnutrition around the world.. With regard to protein (6-8%) and fat (1-2%) it is comparable to rice and with respect to mineral and micronutrient contents it is superior to rice and wheat (Babu et al., 1987). It is also known for several health benefits such as anti-diabetic, anti-tumerogenic, atherosclerogenic effects, antioxidant, which are mainly attributed due to its polyphenol and dietary fiber contents. Being indigenous minor millet it is used in the preparation of various foods both in natural and malted forms. Grains of this millet are converted into flours for preparation of products like porridge, puddings, pancakes, biscuits, roti, bread, noodles, and other snacks. Besides this, it is also used as a nourishing food for infants when malted and is regarded as wholesome food for diabetic's patients. Diversification of food production must be encouraged both at national and household level in tandem with increasing yields. Growing of traditional food crops suitable for the area is one of the possible potential successful approaches for improving household food security. Malkangiri is one of the seven districts where a flagship programme called “Special Programme for Promotion of Millets in Tribal Areas of Odisha (hereafter, Odisha Millets Mission, (OMM)” has been launched by Department of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment, Odisha in order to revive millets in rainfed farming systems and household consumption. It was started in kharif 2017 in four blocks of the district, namely Chitrakonda, Korkunda, Mathili and Khairiput. The Government of Odisha launched Odisha Millets Mission (OMM) also known as the Special Programme for Promotion of Millets in Tribal Areas of Odisha in 2017 to revive millets in farms and on plates. The aim was to tackle malnutrition by introducing millets in the public distribution system (PDS) and other state nutrition schemes. The focus is on reviving millets in farms and putting it on plates.” Millet, a nutritious and climate-resilient crop, has traditionally been cultivated and consumed by tribal communities in the rainfed regions of southern Odisha. Technology gap, i.e. poor knowledge about newly released crop production and protection technologies and their management practices in the farmers’ fields is a major constraint in Ragi production. So far, no systematic approach was implemented to study the technological gap existing in various components of Ragi cultivation. Awareness of scientific production technology like HYV of ragi, seed treatment with fungicide, use of insecticide and bio-fertilizers, is lacking in Malkangiri district which were a key reason for low productivity. The production potential could be increased by adopting recommended scientific and sustainable management production practices with improved high yielding varieties and timely use of other critical inputs. Objective The field experiment was undertaken to study the performance of three finger millet varieties Local Mandia (Nali Mandia), Bhairabi and Arjun in rainfed upland situation in kharif season. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the field performance of newly released finger millet varieties Arjun and Bhairabi under rainfed condition. The demonstrations were carried out in Malkangiri district covering two villages like Pedawada and MPV-6 to find out the existing technological and extension gap along with technology index with an objective to popularize the ragi varieties having higher yield potential. Material and methods The study was carried out in operational area of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Malkangiri during Kharif season in the year 2018 and 2019. The study was under taken in Malkangiri and Kalimela blocks of Malkangiri district of Odisha and the blocks were selected purposefully as Finger millet is the major cereals crop grown in large area in Kharif season. The demonstrations were conducted in two different adopted villages Pedawada and MPV-6 in cluster approach. The Front Line Demonstration (FLD) is an applied approach to accelerate the dissemination of proven technologies at farmer’s fields in a participatory mode with an objective to explore the maximum available resources of crop production and also to bridge the productivity gaps by enhancing the production in national basket.The necessary steps for selection of site and farmers and layout of demonstrations etc were followed as suggested by Choudhary (1999). Forty numbers front line demonstrations on HYV Ragi were conducted in two clusters comprising 40 numbers of farmers. All the participating farmers were trained on various aspects of Ragi production technologies and recommended agronomic practices and certified seeds of Ragi variety Arjun and Bhairabi were used for demonstration. The soil of demonstration site was slightly acidic in reaction (pH-5.0 to 5.25) with sandy loam in texture and EC was 0.134 (dS m −1). The available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was between 214 .00, 22 .00, 142 .00 (Kg ha−1) respectively with 0.48 (%) Organic Carbon. The crop was sown in under rainfed condition in the first to second week of July. The crop was raised with recommended agronomic practices and harvested within 4th week of November up to 2nd week of December. Krishi Vigyan Kendra ( KVK), Malkangiri conducted front line demonstration with HYV varieties like Bhiarabi and Arjun and farmer’ local var Dasaraberi as check Finger millet Variety Arjun (OEB-526) is having Maturity duration 110 days and average yield 20.7q/ha with moderate resistance to leaf, neck and finger blast and brown seed and Bhairabi is a HYV of Ragi with Maturity duration 110 days and average yield 17.6 q/ha. Moderate resistance to leaf, neck blast and brown seeded and protein content 81%. Local variety Dsaraberi or Nali Mandia is having 105 days duration and drought tolerant variety used as farmers variety as local check . The technologies demonstrated were as follows: Popularization of high yielding Ragi variety, Seed treatment with Trichoderma viride @ 4g kg-1 seed , Line sowing with, soil test based fertilizer application along with need based plant protection measures. The field was ploughed two times and planking was done after each plugging, Need based plant protection measures were taken; along with soil test based fertilizer application was done with fertilizer dose 40:30:60 kg. N: P2O5: K2O kg ha -1. In case of local checks existing practices being used by farmers were followed. The observations were recorded for various parameters of the crop. The farmers’ practices were maintained in case of local checks. The field observations were taken from demonstration plot and farmer’s plot as well. Parameters like Plant height, number of fingers per plant, length of finger , no of fingers per year, 1000 seed weight and seed yield were recorded at maturity stage and the gross returns (Rs ha -1 ) were calculated on the basis of prevailing market price of the produce. The extension gap, technology gap, technology index along with B: C ratio was calculated and the data were statistically analyzed applying the statistical techniques. Statistical tools such as percentage, mean score, Standard deviation, co-efficient of variation, Fisher‘s “F” test, were employed for analysis of data. The farmer’s practices (FP) plots were maintained as local check for comparison study. The data obtained from intervention practices (IP) and famers practices (FP) were analyzed for extension gap, technological gap, technological index and benefit cost ratio study as per (Samui et al., 2000) as given below. Technology gap = Pi (Potential yield) - Di (Demonstration yield) Extension gap = Di (Demonstration Yield) - Fi (Farmers yield) Technology index = X 100 Result and Discussion The results obtained from the present investigation are summarized below. The Table 1 depicts the major differences observed between demonstration package and farmer’s practices in ragi production in the study area. The major differences were observed between demonstration package and farmer’s practices were regarding recommended varieties, seed treatment, soil test based fertilizer application, keeping optimum plant population by thinning, weed management and plant protection measures. The data of Table 1 shows that under the demonstrated plot only recommended high yielding variety, proper weeding and optimum plant population maintaining by thinning and the farmers used herbicides and the farmers timely performed all the other package and practices. It was also observed that farmers were unaware about balanced fertilizer application, seed treatment, and use of fertilizers application and maintenance of plant population for enhancing the yield. Majority of the farmers in the study area were unaware about use of weed management practices. The findings are in corroborated with the findings of (Katar et al., 2011) From the Table 2 it was revealed that in the district Malkangiri the productivity of finger millet was 6.38 (q ha-1) as compare to state average productivity 8.67 (q ha-1), but there exists a gap between potential yield and farmers yield, which can be minimized by adoption High yielding varieties with improved management practices. The productivity of finger millet was very low in the district as the crop is mostly grown along the hillsides on sloppy land on light textured soil. It was also coupled with negligence in adoption of improved varieties no input like fertilizers use and no plant protection measures and improper method and time of sowing. However, there is a wide gap between the Potential and the actual production realized by the farmers due to partial adoption of recommended package of practices by the growers. Several constraints contributed to yield fluctuation on Ragi production, including: unreliable rainfall; lack of high yielding variety ,disease tolerant varieties; pests and diseases incidence; low producer prices; poor agronomic practices; and lack of institutional support (Bucheyeki et al., 2008; Okoko et al., 1998). One of the central problems of ragi production and processing in this district is due to an uncertain production environment owing to rain fed cultivation, the low resource base of smallholder farmers and processors, and no scope for post harvest management and value addition facilities and poor marketing facility. The results clearly indicated from the Table 3 that the positive effects of FLDs over the existing practices. HYV Ragi Arjun recorded higher yield 18.8(q ha-1) followed by Bhairabi 15.53 (q ha-1) which was 21 % more and the yield performance of these two HYV varieties was higher than the farmer’s variety. This is due to higher of panicle length, more number of tillers and more number of fingers per panicle in HYV of ragi as compared to local variety. The results are in conformity with the findings of (Tomar et al. , 2003). The results clearly indicated the positive effects of FLDs over the existing practices towards enhancing the productivity. It is revealed form table 4 that, as the calculated ‘F’ value at α=0.05 level was found to be larger than table value, indicating significant difference in yield between farmer’s variety and recommended varieties. There was significant difference between average yield of ragi under Farmers practice (FP) and Recommended practice (RP) in variety Arjun under this demonstration. It was concluded that the yield of these HYV ragi varieties was significantly higher as compared to farmer’s variety. The economics and B:C ratio of farmers practice and Demonstration practice has been presented in Table 6. From the table it was revealed that Benefit: Cost ratio (B:C) was recorded to be higher under demonstrations against control treatments during all the years of experimentation. The cost of cultivation in HYV variety was higher due to more labour cost involved in transplanting and also it included cost of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals and also net returns was higher as compared to farmer’s practice. The B: C ratio was found to be 2.4 in case of variety Arjun as compared to 1.9 in case of variety Bhairabi. The results on economic analysis indicated that HYV ragi Arjun and Bhairabi performed better than local variety Ragi. The HYV variety Arjun recorded higher gross return upto Rs 54,332 and followed by Bhairabi Rs 44,289 per ha which was significantly higher than farmers practice and it was due to higher productivity of varieties under demonstration. Conclusion The results revealed that in Malkangiri district finger millet variety Arjun rerecorded highest yield followed by Variety Bhirabi with proper package and practices under rainfed upland condition. From the above study it was concluded that use of finger millet varieties like Arjun or Bhairabi with scientific methods and technological practices of can reduce the technological gap and enhance the productivity in the district. Yield improvement in Finger Millet in the demonstration was due to use of HYV seed and scientific management practices adopted by the farmers. Yield of Finger Millet can be increased to a great extent by conducting effective front line demonstrations in larger area with proven technologies. Finger millet is one of future smart food crop of India and can be grown in the drought condition. This crop is rich in nutrient for food insecurity and within few years because of increase in population of world and depletion of area of production.. The principal reasons of lower productivity of finger millet in the district Malkangiri were lack of knowledge among the farmers about cultivation of HYV finger millet varieties and improper fertilization, late season sowing and severe weed infestation in crop at critical stages. From the above findings, it can be concluded that use of scientific methods of Finger millet cultivation can reduce the technology gap to a considerable extent thus leading to increased productivity of millets in the district. Moreover, extension agencies in the district need to provide proper technical support to the farmers through different educational and extension methods to reduce the extension gap for better production. Acknowledgments The OUAT Bhubaneswar and ICAR-ATRI Kolkata, is acknowledged for financial support to the research program. Conflicts of interest The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References: Babu, B. V.; Ramana, T.; Radhakrishna, T.M. Chemical composition and protein in hybrid varieties of finger millet. Indian J. Agric. Sci. 1987, 57(7), 520-522. Biplab, M.; Samajdar, T. Yield gap analysis of rapeseed-mustard through Front Line Demonstration. Agricultural Extension Review. 2010, 16-17. Bucheyeki, T. L.; Shenkalwa, E. M.; Mapunda, T. X.; Matata, L.W. On-farm evaluation of promising groundnut varieties for adaptation and adoption in Tanzania. African Journal of Agricultural Research. 2008, 3(8), 531-536. Chandra, D.; Pallavi S C.; Sharma A.K. Review of Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn): A power house of health benefiting nutrients. Food Science and Human Wellness. 2016, 5( 3), 149-155. Choudhary, B. N. Krishi Vigyan Kendra - a guide for KVK managers. Division of Agricultural Extension, ICAR, 1999, 73-78. De Onis M.; Frongillo E.A.; Blossner, M. “Is malnutrition declining? An analysis of changes in levels of child malnutrition since, 1980.” Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 2000, 1222–1233. Gull, A.; Jan, R.; Nayik, G. A.; Prasad, K.; Kumar, P. Significance of Finger Millet in Nutrition, Health and Value added Products: A Review. Journal of Environmental Science, Computer Science and Engineering & Technology, JECET. 2014, 3(3), 1601-1608. Gupta, S .M.; Arora, S.; Mirza, N.; Pande, A.; Lata, C.; Puranik, ; Kumar, J.; Kumar, A. Finger Millet: A “Certain” Crop for an “Uncertain” Future and a Solution to Food Insecurity and Hidden Hunger under Stressful Environments. Frontiers on Plant Sci. 2017, 8, 643 Joshi, H. C.; Katoch, K. K. Nutritive value of millets: A comparison with cereals and pseudocereals. Himalayan Res. Dev. 1990, 9, 26-28. Kande, M.; Dhami, N B.; Subedi, N.; Shrestha, J. Arjun. Field evaluation and nutritional benefits of finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) 2019. Katare, S.; Pandey, S.K.; Mustafa, M. Yield gap analysis of Rapeseed-mustard through front line demonstration. Agriculture update. 2011, 6(2), 5-7. Lupien, J.R. Sorghum and millets in human nutrition. FAO, ICRISAT. At: ao.org. 1990, 86. Mohanty, B. Odisha Millet Mission: The successes and the challenges. 2020. "Baseline Survey: Malkangiri District 2016-17, Phase-1 (Special Programme for Promotion of Millets in Tribal Areas of Odisha or Odisha Millets Mission, OMM)," Nabakrushna Choudhury Centre for Development Studies, Bhubaneswar. 2019. Nigade, R. D.; Jadhav, B. S.; Bhosale, A. S. Response 0f long duration finger millet(Elusine coracana L,) variety to different levels of nitrogen under rainfed condition. J agrc Sci. 2011, 7(1), 152-155. Odisha Agriculture Statistics, Govt of Odisha. 2013-2014. Rachie, K. O. The Millets: Importance, Utilization and Outlook. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad, India. 1975, 63. Ravindran, G. Studies on millets: proximate composition, mineral composition, phytate, and oxalate contents. Food Chem. 1991, 39(1), 99- 107. Ravindran G. Seed proteins of millets: amino acid composition, proteinase inhibitors and in vitro digestibility. Food Chem. 1992, 44(1), 13- 17. Reed C. F. Information summaries on 1000 economic plants. USDA, USA. 1976. Samui, S K.; Maitra, S.; Roy, D K.; Mandal, A. K.; Saha, D. Evaluation of front line demonstration on groundnut. Journal of Indian Society of Coastal Agricultural Research. 2000, 18(2), 180-183. Singh, J.; Kaur, R..; Singh, P. Economics and Yield gap analysis of Front Line Demonstrations regarding Scientific practices of Indian Mustard in district Amritsar. Indian Journal of Economics and Development. 2016, 12(1a), 515. Singh, P.; Raghuvanshi. R. S. Finger millet for food and nutritional security. African Journal of Food Science. 2012, 6(4), 77-84. Srivastava, P.P.; Das, H.; Prasad, S. Effect of roasting process variables on hardness of Bengal gram, maize and soybean. Food Sci. Technol. 1994, 31(1), 62-65. Tomar, L. S.; Sharma, B. P.; Joshi, K. Impact of front line demonstration of soybean in transfer of improved technology. Journal of Extension Research. 2003, 22(1), 139. Upadhyaya, H.D.; Gowdaand C.L.L.; Reddy, V.G. Morphological diversity in finger millet germplasm introduced from Southern and Eastern. African Journal of SAT Agriculture Research. 2007, 3(1). ejournal.icrisat.org. Vadivoo, A.S.; Joseph, R. Genetic variability and diversity for protein and calcium contents in finger millet (Elusine coracona (L.) Gaertn) in relation to grain color. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition Dordrecht. 1998, 52, 353-364. Department of Botany, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Deemed University, Coimbatore, TN, 641 043, India.

Abstract Primary hemorrhagic stroke is an uncommon but serious complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) with mortality from 20 to 65%. Proposed risk factors include previous ischemic stroke, aneurysms, low steady-state hemoglobin, high steady-state leukocyte count, acute chest syndrome, and transfusion. We performed a retrospective case-control study to evaluate risk factors for primary hemorrhagic stroke in adults (age &gt;18 years) with SCD from Johns Hopkins and Barnes- Jewish Hospitals and Duke University Medical Center from January 1989 to April 2008. Cases had SCD and intraparenchymal (IPH), subarachnoid (SAH), or intraventricular (IVH) hemorrhage confirmed by neuroimaging or analysis of cerebrospinal fluid; traumatic hemorrhages and hemorrhagic conversion of ischemic strokes were excluded. Controls had SCD and ischemic stroke (focal neurological deficits with corresponding cerebral infarcts by neuroimaging). Both were identified by searching the hospital discharge database using ICD-9 codes for acute stroke and SCD and reviewing divisional records. We compared continuous variables by Student’s t-test and calculated odds ratios with exact methods. We identified 19 cases (mean age 29 years, range 18 – 66, 42% male) and 18 controls (mean age 34 years, range 19 – 61, 39% male). Most cases (14/18) had sickle cell anemia (HbSS) and 22% had a prior overt stroke; controls had HbSS (9/17), HbSB0thalassemia (1), or HbSC (7) and 41% had a history of overt stroke. Cases presented with headache (89%) and seizure (37%) and less frequently hemiparesis (27%). Controls presented with hemiparesis (78%), headache (57%), and rarely seizure (11%). Twelve cases had IPH including those with extension to the ventricles (1), subarachnoid (2) or both (2); six had SAH including ventricular extension (1). Potential causes of hemorrhagic stroke included moyamoya (4), aneurysms (3), anticoagulation (1) and ateriovenous malformation (1). Four cases (21%) and no controls died during the initial hospitalization. More cases (82%) than controls (44%, P&lt;0.05) had elevated systolic blood pressure at the time of stroke. At steady-state, cases had lower hemoglobin (mean ± SEM 8.5 ± 0.6 g/dl vs. 9.7 ± 0.6 g/dl), lower blood pressures (systolic 121 ± 4 vs. 127 ± 6 mm Hg, diastolic 71 ± 4 vs. 72 ± 9 mm Hg) and higher platelet counts (399,231 ± 74,024/ul vs. 362,200/ul ± 39,927/ul) than controls, but these differences were not statistically significant. Mean hemoglobin concentration at the time of stroke increased 1.3 g/dl (19%) from steady-state in cases and 0.01 g/dl (2%) in controls (p&lt;0.05). Seven cases had simple transfusions (between 1 and 11 days before their primary hemorrhagic stroke) in preparation for surgery (3), and for aplastic crisis (1), bacteremia (1), acute renal failure (1), or suspected acute chest syndrome (1). Only 1 control was transfused; and 1 with HbSS had a hemoglobin of 14.5 g/dl at the time of stroke (from excessive erythropoietin administration). In this group of adults with SCD, primary hemorrhagic stroke was associated with antecedent transfusion. Identifiable causes include moyamoya from obstructive cerebral vasculopathy, aneurysms and other vascular malformations, and rarely coagulopathy. Mortality was similar to that previously described. The association of recent transfusion and cerebral vasculopathy with hemorrhagic stroke suggests caution in the use of simple transfusion in adults with SCD and moyamoya or cerebral aneurysms. Table 1: Associations with Primary Hemorrhagic Stroke Variable Odds Ratio (95% CI) P-value Genotype (HbSS vs. other) 3 (0.6 – 17) NS Moyamoya 5 (0.4 – 260) NS Transfusion in the last 14 days 13 (1.3 – 630) &lt;0.02 NSAID in the last 14 days 2.9 (0.3 – 36) NS

With the growing participation of women in the social and political life of European countries, their role in sports became more important. From the second half of the nineteenth century, in Ukraine, primarily in Galicia, Bukovina, Transcarpathia, and later with the extension to Volyn, Podillya, Polesie, the Dnieper and the Administrative Sea, cultural and educational, and with them a number of sports and physical, gymnastics and fire, "Sich" and "Sokil" formation, scout and tourist organizations. The "Sich" and "Sokil" sports associations had women's divisions, where Ukrainian girls and women increasingly participated in training and competitions in various types of sports, which served as a basis for the further development and participation of women in sports. Based on the material of sports notes and announcements of the newspaper "Renaissance", the effective participation of Ukrainian women in sports associations, competitions, and the organization of children's sports grounds by place of residence on the territory of the Ukrainian People's Republic during the Hetmanate period (1918–1919) was investigated and established. Women's departments of sports associations operated in Kyiv, for example, at the Ukrainian State University, and other cities and towns, the network of which was growing. The "Sports Society of Physical Development of Women" was founded in Kyiv. For the wider involvement of young people, including girls, in sports, women took the most active part in arranging children's, mainly summer, sports grounds ("sports platforms", "sports fields", "gymnastic grounds-beaches"), where children played during the day, and in the evenings a large number of supporters of games, gymnastics and other sports gathered. The range of sports in which women participated was quite wide. The most popular sports included fencing, dancing, running and jumping in athletics, and games, but their list was constantly growing with the introduction and popularization of new sports disciplines. In order to ensure proper conditions for the development of sports, women directly participated in lectures, training courses for pedagogical personnel on physical education among young people, which were attended by well-known sportsmen, teachers, and doctors of that time. In Kyiv, the initiative group for physical development, with the support of the Ministry of Public Education, opened the first "Courses for the training of teachers of gymnastics, dance and other sports" in Ukraine with a two-year full and a three-month shortened period of study. Residents of the provinces were preferred in admissions, and a "boarding" (dormitory) was organized for the students to live in during the courses. The training of specialists in physical education made it possible to increase the methodological level of classes in general and, first of all, in regional cities, and expanded the geography of women's participation in sports.

Skjern Castle – an archaeological investigation of a castle through the Middle Ages and RenaissanceIn the very middle of the river Nørreå’s extensive meadowlands, 15 km west of Randers, lies the striking castle mound of Gammel Skjern. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance period this site was the centre of a manorial complex which at times was one of the largest in Denmark and some of the country’s most influential noble families resided here. Its location, where the highway between Viborg and Randers crosses the river today, was one of the few good crossing points over Nørreå (fig. 1). A major transport junction such as this was of strategic interest; here it was possible to both display and exert power.Concentrated around this ford location we find two rune stones, the parish church, the significant fortification of Gammel Skjern itself and its successor, the manor Skjern Hovedgård. In addition, there was also settlement here during Viking times and the Middle Ages, as well as a mill. Skjern parish extends along both sides of Nørreå. This is unusual as watercourses often form boundaries, and it must be presumed to reflect the family’s strong position of power in the area during the Late Viking period and Early Middle Ages. The area’s cultural topography shows that very extensive changes took place in settlement structure during the course of Viking times and the Middle Ages.Skjern Church is a small Romanesque ashlar building from around AD 1200. Today, it stands alone, but metal detector finds and aerial reconnaissance show that there was a settlement here from the 8th to the 14th century (fig. 2). This settlement can presumably be linked to the high-ranking farming family which, in the Late Viking Age, permitted itself to be commemorated on two rune stones. These stones stand today by the church: a monumental and well-preserved stone bearing a mask (fig. 3) and a slightly smaller fragment on which only a few words can be deciphered. The large mask stone was found in 1843 at the castle mound and the fragment in the church’s foundation wall at the end of the 1830s. They probably originally stood by the ford. Here people passed by, here the stones were seen, the family remembered and the power demonstrated and consolidated.In connection with the turbulent times of the 14th century, the magnate farm moved for defensive reasons away from the church and out to a stronghold in the bog (fig. 4). In the 1840s, a large amount of earth was dug away from the fortification and on this occasion the east wing of the castle and a little of both the north and south wings were exposed. From Kruuse’s survey, carried out in 1843, we know that a four-winged structure stood on the platform (figs. 5-6). In the summers of 2001-4 and 2006, the Department of Medieval and Renaissance Archaeology at the University of Aarhus carried out a small archaeological investigation of the structure. As a significant proportion of the fortification is scheduled, the excavations took place by special permission and on the condition that fixed constructions were not removed. In parallel with this, a detailed contour survey was carried out of the area (fig. 7), as well as a geophysical/magnetometer survey of parts of the site and a number of dendrochronological dates were obtained from bridges and bank constructions (fig. 8). As the excavation only constituted a minor intervention, the extent of the finds and the building components located is very limited and these give only a small insight into the life and the activities which have taken place at the castle (figs. 22-29).On the basis of the archaeological investigations it is possible to sketch the development of the stronghold from a single platform to a striking defensive complex with several banks and ditches (fig. 30). The front and middle bank, and also the main platform, were. Many of the posts are still visible in the wet meadow, and the closely-spaced stakes show that the bridge piers were replaced as many as six or seven times. Samples were taken for dendrochronological dating from the posts in two bridge piers, one pier from each bridge. The earliest dendrochronological date is AD 1335 and the latest is after AD 1492. The fact that the earliest bridge phase is not represented in both of the bridge piers investigated, and that the castle’s 16-17th century phase is not represented at all, shows that the bays were moved somewhat through time. Accordingly, the dates do not, thereby, cover the total life of the castle.The stronghold was constructed in the meadows in AD 1335, or perhaps even earlier. Consequently, it is finally possible to link Lord High Steward Peder Vendelbo’s previously unknown ‘Karmark Castle’, as it is referred to in AD 1340, and the Skjern Castle, which are mentioned in the Lord High Steward’s estate in 1347 as being one and the same structure. The excavation provided a tiny glimpse of the surface of the oldest castle, almost 2 m below the courtyard of the Renaissance castle, the present-day surface of the main platform. The platform was in its first phase only about 1 m high. The magnetometer survey of the main platform revealed weak and deeper-lying deflections, presumably from an earlier structure of approximately the same extent as the familiar structure from the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance. The earliest castle appears merely to have consisted of this platform, linked to dry land and the farm buildings by a 60 m long wooden bridge and a 175 m long turf-built causeway in continuation of this.In 1392/93, Kristian Vendelbo extended the structure with a lateral bank to the east of the main bank. He was probably also responsible for a corresponding (undated) bank to the west as well as a bank to the north of here, the middle bank. He was loyal to Queen Margrethe at a time when the magnates of Jutland were against her, and he needed a strong castle. In the construction of the left lateral bank, use was made of a natural sand bank in the terrain. Only very few traces of activity were preserved here. The eastern lateral bank was constructed of turf. The inner side of the bank was partially reinforced with hammered-in posts which have been dated dendrochronologically to AD 1392 and AD 1392/93 (fig. 12). On the middle bank, which functioned as a paddock, foundations and floor layers relating to four buildings were recorded. One of the buildings could be identified as a gateway; another was probably a tower (figs. 9-11). Due to the limited extent of the excavation, it has not been possible to relate these buildings to Kruuse’s plan. This was also the case with the results of the magnetometer survey. The bank was built of turf and slightly raised in height using demolition material from brick-built buildings. A reinforcement of the edge comprising large field boulders was supplemented with a row of robust posts. Dendrochronological dating of these to AD 1461/62 shows that the middle bank was either established or reinforced at this time.In AD 1465/66, Lord High Steward Erik Ottesen Rosenkrantz carried out a further extensive reinforcement of the castle, this time with a cover bank to the east and west of the front bank in continuation of the causeway. Structures in the terrain suggest that a building stood in the eastern part of the front bank. To the west, the cover bank had a robust post construction, presumably a palisade. A corresponding construction is not seen at the eastern cover bank. Whether this is due to the posts having been removed, or whether the bank facing out towards the open bog was not as heavily fortified, is unknown. The eastern cover bank was built on to the eastern lateral bank, and the increased width provided sufficient space for a building (fig. 13). Dendrochronological dating of the constructional timbers to after AD 1465 shows that this could have been built immediately following the extension. Faint traces in the terrain to the south of the main bank indicate yet another cover bank.During this phase at the latest, the height of the main platform was raised to around 3 m above the surrounding terrain. The complex had four wings and two stair turrets towards the north around an enclosed castle courtyard. Towards the west, remains of standing walls can still be seen. It is not inconceivable that at least the core of the building complex can be attributed to Erik Ottesen. On the latter’s death, the value of the buildings was assessed at 7000 marks, a considerable sum. The archaeological investigations have only touched upon the east wing which was the part most exposed by the earth removal in the 19th century (fig. 14). A comparison between Kruuse’s elevation plan of the east wall and its present state reveals the degree of the destruction (figs. 15-16). The best preserved wall was that in towards the castle courtyard, with 12 courses. The building was built with a cellar covered by a flat barrel vault (fig. 17). The west wall had subsided very heavily, and this definitely contributed to or was the main reason that the cellar vault and possibly also parts of the wing at some time or other collapsed. The cellar was subsequently filled up with building materials. Pieces of the painted window panes and a terracotta base from a facade ornament from the final quarter of the 16th century show that the building may have been beautifully fitted out according to the latest fashion of the times (figs. 18-20). On top of the filled-in cellar, new light foundations were laid as the basis for joists for a floor or internal partition walls on the ground floor. After 1561, when Christoffer Nielsen died, the manor estate underwent a drastic process of division, and there appear not to have been obvious investors for new prestige building works. It is therefore interesting that several alterations could have been carried out during this period. The excavation also touched upon parts of foundations belonging to the castle’s NE stair turret (fig. 21). The tower proved to be secondary to the east wing, and its tile floor was laid on top of the existing cobbled pavement of the castle courtyard.During the second half of the 16th century, a hurried division of the manor began, and by the 17th century only three large farmsteads remained.Jan KockMette Svart KristiansenAfdeling for Middelalder- og Renæssancearkæologi Aarhus Universitet

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This article presents a case study of how the University of Saskatchewan Extension Division developed an action plan to strengthen its research capacity. Its Action Plan outlines 20 actions, organized into five strategic categories: cultivating a productive research climate; promoting faculty development and faculty renewal; engaging in graduate-level teaching and learning; developing research infrastructure and supportive administrative processes; and encouraging and celebrating research excellence. The body of the article contains an abridged version of the Action Plan, with details such as timelines and lines of responsibility removed. Although written for the University of Saskatchewan Extension Division, this plan is pertinent to many university continuing education units across Canada.

Planning for farm succession is vital to the longevity of the farm business. To understand the challenges with succession planning, the University of Wisconsin - Division of Extension facilitated focus group meetings across the state. These authors classified the information from the focus groups into eight codes, and each code was further subdivided into themes. The codes included Financial, Communication, Control, Change, Fair vs. Equal, Delivery, and Support, Strategies, and Educational Needs. University of Wisconsin Division of Extension Agriculture Educators utilized the information obtained from the focus groups to create a workbook that provides practical assistance when working with families planning a farm succession.

The Continuing Education Division at The University of Manitoba was established in November 1949 as the Department of Extension and Adult Education, with a major responsibility for providing advisory and coordinating services to adult education organizations in Manitoba. This paper marks some accomplishments of Stuart Tweedie over his 25 years as Director of Continuing Education at The University of Manitoba.

The Physical Plant Division, as implementing arm of the University, provides support services which include implementation of infrastructure development plan on buildings and support facilities, roads and grounds, campus amenities among others. The study focused on the level of program implementation of the Physical Plant Division in terms of infrastructure development as perceived by the different groups of stakeholders and how it affects the delivery of quality education in rela­tion to instruction, research and extension. The study used the descriptive method conducted at Mindanao State University, Marawi City, Philippines, comprising 559 administrators, faculty, staff and students. The data were analysed and interpreted through weighted means, multiple linear regression analysis and F-test. The study found out that quality education in its trilogy function: instruction, research and extension, declined through the years as perceived by the respondents and supported by records. Perception level on program implementation of the Physical Plant Divi­sion differed, and found to be moderately effective due to lack of administrative support, continuous decline in budget allocation, and low political will to imple­ment the desired programs. The study concluded that there is a significant relation­ship between program implementation of the Physical Plant Division and quality of education of the University.Keywords: Quality and excellence, educational services, program implementation

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service has been developing and refining webinar delivery practices since 2012. On the basis of a review of existing literature and our own experiences, we have established methods for necessary planning, organization of content and people, and effective delivery of high-quality webinars. We have distilled those methods into a collection of best practices. By using those best practices, which we identify in this article, Extension educators can deliver virtual learning experiences that are engaging and enjoyable for all parties involved.

A major effort in Integrated Reproductive Management (IRM) began at the University of Nebraska under the Cooperative Extension Service and the Agricultural Research Division in 1983. Research in cow/calf systems modeling and reproductive management was developed and continues. Extension developed a five year demonstration herd project. A steering committee composed of beef producers, University extension specialists and researchers, and researchers from USDA (MARC) assembled to help guide the project. In February of 1984, the steering committee selected 9 cow/calf producers to cooperate as demonstration herds from 80 nominated by agricultural agents and veterinarians across Nebraska. Selected herds had resources "typical" of their respective areas. An IRM team was developed for each cooperator composed of the local agricultural extension agent, an extension beef specialist, the veterinarian used by the cooperator, other university and non-university personnel (producer, industry representative) and the technical coordinator. The IRM team analyzed the cow/calf enterprise and recommended alternative management practices for the producer to consider that would optimize use of the available resources and increase reproductive efficiency. Production information on the cow/calf enterprise was collected beginning in 1984 and ended in 1988. Financial inputs and feed used by the cow/calf enterprise were collected in 1987 and 1988 for enterprise evaluation. This information was used to monitor changes in the cow/calf enterprise of cooperating herds. On average, percent calves weaned of females exposed increased 11.5 percentage points between 1984 and 1988. Actual and adjusted weaning weights increased 93 and 100 pounds, respectively, over the 5 years. Pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed increased 139 pounds between 1984 and 1988. Net cost per calf weaned in 1987 and 1988 was $.73 and $.74, respectively, for low cost producers and $.99 and $.92 for high cost producers. Eight field days were held to discuss IRM concepts and profitable management practices. Numerous news articles, radio tapes, proceedings, extension publications, and educational meetings were developed using information collected in the IRM demonstration herd project. A cow/calf record-keeping program (PC-COWCARD) for microcomputer was develop~d and made available commercially to producers. Cooperators "integrated" recommendations made by agents, specialists, veterinarians, nutritionists, lenders, ..... into a working management practice for their resources.

A species of scale insect new to Florida is potentially one of the most devastating pests of trees and shrubs in the state's history. The lobate lac scale, Paratachardina lobata lobata (Chamberlin) (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Kerriidae), a scale insect native to India and Sri Lanka, was found for the first time in Florida in August 1999 by personnel of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry (DPI) (Hamon 2001). This document is EENY-276, one of a series of the Department of Entomology, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Date printed: November 2002. Revised: May 2004. EENY-276/IN471: Lobate Lac Scale, Paratachardina lobata lobata (Chamberlin) (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea: Kerriidae) (ufl.edu)

Urban farming is a phenomenon rising in popular­ity across the United States. Investigating the needs of urban farmers in a predominately rural state is important in informing future programming and technical assistance for these clients. This qualita­tive study used semi-structured, in-depth interviews that investigated the perceptions, needs, and expe­riences of Arkansas urban farmers and their inter­actions with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service. Inter­views were conducted with 16 urban farmers in Northwest and Central Arkansas. The interview data revealed highly individualized needs based on the operation size, years in operation, and mission of each urban farmer interviewed. While needs var­ied, some were consistent, such as market pricing, co-ops, and access to appropriate equipment. Par­ticipants also revealed a positive perception of Extension, though they cited that the organization did not always have resources specific to small-scale, sustainable farming. Building from the Com­munity Food System Development Framework for Change and informed by the AgroEcological-Educator theory, this study provides urban farm­ers’ insights and contextualizes urban farming in a predominately rural, southern state. Potential remains for increased collaboration and communi­cation between Arkansas urban farmers and Exten­sion. This article demonstrates the diverse needs of Arkansas urban farmers, which can be used by Extension and sustainable agriculture experts to inform research about urban and sustainable farmers in their respective states.

Envy freeness is one of the most widely studied notions in fair division. Because envy-free allocations do not always exist when items are indivisible, several relaxations have been considered. Among them, possibly the most compelling notion is envy freeness up to any item (EFX). Informally speaking, EFX requires that no agent i envies another agent j after the removal of any item in j’s bundle. The existence of EFX allocations is a major open problem. We study the existence of EFX allocations when agents have general valuations. For general valuations, it is known that an EFX allocation always exists (i) when n = 2 or (ii) when all agents have identical valuations, where n is the number of agents. It is also known that an EFX allocation always exists when one can leave at most n − 1 items unallocated. We develop new techniques and extend some results of additive valuations to general valuations on the existence of EFX allocations. We show that an EFX allocation always exists (i) when all agents have one of two general valuations or (ii) when the number of items is at most n + 3. We also show that an EFX allocation always exists when one can leave at most n − 2 items unallocated. In addition to the positive results, we construct an instance with n = 3, in which an existing approach does not work. Funding: This work was partially supported by Kyoto University and Toyota Motor Corporation [Joint Project “Advanced Mathematical Science for Mobility Society”].

A seed-attacking weevil was recently found attacking Chinese privet in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida (Cuda and Zeller 1998). The insect was discovered in a sample of several hundred seeds collected for germination studies. Six weevil adults that emerged from the infested seed sample were later identified (by M.C. Thomas) as the ligustrum weevil, Ochyromera ligustri Warner. The remaining seed stock from Tallahassee was dissected and inspected for the presence of the insect. Weevil larvae were recovered from 89 of the 358 seeds examined. Overall, 24.9% of the Chinese privet seeds collected were infested with weevil larvae. Voucher specimens of the larval and adult stages of the ligustrum weevil were deposited in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods, Division of Plant Industry, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Gainesville. This document is EENY-343, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: May 2005. EENY343/IN620: Ligustrum Weevil (suggested common name), Ochyromera ligustri Warner (Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Tychiinae: Tychiini: Endaeina) (ufl.edu)

AbstractR18‐14147 (Reg. no. GP‐528, PI 705143) is a high‐protein conventional soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasm of maturity group Mid‐IV developed and released by the University of Arkansas System – Division of Agriculture Research & Extension in 2023. The germplasm is an F3:4 selection from the cross LG10‐3671‐1 × R09‐430. Plants of R18‐14147 have an indeterminate growth habit with purple flowers, gray pubescence, brown pod wall, and imperfect black hilum. Across 28 environments in Arkansas (2019–2022), R18‐14147 yield averaged 4482 kg ha−1, with broad adaptability and yield stability. Seed of R18‐14147 contains on average 429 g kg−1 and 191 g kg−1 of protein and oil on a dry weight basis, respectively, and seed weight is 15.2 g 100 seeds−1. The average seed protein content of this line is 8%–27% higher than the average protein content of the check cultivars used in various trials to evaluate R18‐14147. Additionally, R18‐14147 has been identified as resistant to stem canker. R18‐14147 presents soybean growers in the mid‐southern United States with a promising germplasm alternative combining high yield potential and elevated seed protein content for alternative crop rotation in herbicide‐tolerant cultivar systems, offering potentially seed‐saving cost benefits and serving as a valuable germplasm for new cultivar development.