Implementing reduced-risk integrated pest management in fresh-market cabbage: improved net returns via scouting and timing of effective control

During 1998-2001, field studies were done to assess the efficacy of an integrated pest management (IPM) program using an action threshold and "reduced-risk" insecticides. The IPM program was compared with a conventional grower-based program. Program performance was evaluated based on management of Trichoplusia ni (Hiibner), Pieris (=Artogeia) rapae (L.), and Plutella xylostella (L.), as well as the economic impact of each program on net returns. The action threshold used in the IPM program consisted of 10% plants infested with T. ni larvae, based on previous small-plot experiment station trials. In all years of the study, the IPM program resulted in significantly lower percentages of plants infested than the conventional program or untreated check. The mean reduction in insecticide applications for the IPM program compared with the conventional program was 23.5%, whereas, on average, the costs of the IPM program were 46.0% higher than the conventional program. Pest reduction in the IPM program resulted in an average of 10.5% higher marketable yields than the conventional program. Percentages of marketable heads in the IPM program ranged from 82 to 99% and from 63 to 96% in the conventional program. Mean net returns for the IPM program exceeded the conventional program by $984.20/ha. These results indicated that the IPM program reduced insecticide use overall, even though costs of the IPM program, with either spinosad or indoxacarb, were sometimes higher. Overall, net returns of the IPM program were higher due to active pest scouting, improved application timing, and increases in marketable yield. Given the potential decrease in insecticide applications and increases in net profit resulting from this IPM program, additional analyses should be conducted to quantify the economic risk, or consistency of the results, to fully evaluate the benefits of the IPM program compared with a conventional program.     

Community based rehabilitation program for people with musculoskeletal conditions

Community based rehabilitation program in people with musculoskeletal conditions was evaluated using Dartmouth COOP Functional Health Assessment Charts/WONCA (COOP/WONCA charts). The program consisted of educative and training protocol in a primary healthcare setting. It had two parts, both with six visits, in the first part three times a week and in the second part once a week. Clients with musculoskeletal conditions (N = 204) were included if they agreed to take active part in the rehabilitation process. The first part of the program was completed by 77 clients, and complete program by 52 subjects. Positive changes on the COOP/WONCA charts were achieved by more than 50% of the subjects that completed the program, in all categories but Social Activities. The program proved effective in terms of short-term evaluation with COOP/WONCA charts in those that complete the program. The high dropout rate and long-term efficiency have yet to be investigated.     

Establishing a master's degree programme in bioinformatics: challenges and opportunities

The development of the Bioinformatics MS degree program at the University of Illinois, the challenges and opportunities associated with such a process, and the current structure of the program is described. This program has departed from earlier University practice in significant ways. Despite the existence of several interdisciplinary programs at the University, a few of which grant degrees, this is the first interdisciplinary program that grants degrees and formally recognises departmental specialisation areas. The program, which is not owned by any particular department but by the Graduate College itself, is operated in a franchise-like fashion via several departmental concentrations. With four different colleges and many more departments involved in establishing and operating the program, the logistics of the operation are of considerable complexity but result in significant interactions across the entire campus.     

One falls,we all fall: How boys of color develop close peer mentoring relationships

The aim of this study was to investigate the processes involved in developing close peer mentoring relationships among African American and Latino male adolescents in a school-based, group peer mentoring program. Qualitative one-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted with six school staff members, who administer the program, and 26 program participants about their experiences in the mentoring program. Data analysis revealed five program processes that led to close mentoring relationships: (a) rapport-building activities, (b) safe space, (c) mutual support, (d) group identity, and (e) trust. These processes ultimately led to bonding and friendship among program members, which further solidified the previous processes. Implications and future directions are discussed.     

Effects of a 12-wk resistance exercise program on skeletal muscle strength in children with burn injuries.

The posttraumatic response to burn injury leads to marked and prolonged skeletal muscle catabolism and weakness, which persist despite standard rehabilitation programs of occupational and physical therapy. We investigated whether a resistance exercise program would attenuate muscle loss and weakness that is typically found in children with thermal injury. We assessed the changes in leg muscle strength and lean body mass in severely burned children with >40% total body surface area burned. Patients were randomized to a 12-wk standard hospital rehabilitation program supplemented with an exercise training program (n = 19) or to a home-based rehabilitation program without exercise (n = 16). Leg muscle strength was assessed before and after the 12-wk rehabilitation or training program at an isokinetic speed of 150 degrees /s. Lean body mass was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We found that the participation in a resistance exercise program results in a significant improvement in muscle strength, power, and lean body mass relative to a standard rehabilitation program without exercise.     

Virtual nitrogen tank to monitor frozen cell stocks

We developed a program to facilitate the monitoring of biological samples (cell lines, sera, etc.) that are stored in liquid nitrogen containers. The program consists of a "virtual" container in which scientists can store their samples and a program that records the location of each sample, cell characteristics, storage dates, names of the manipulators and much more. Additional comments and a photograph can be associated with each vial, allowing for reliable tracking of samples. Vials can then be identified according to any parameter of interest to the scientist, including associated comments. Once identified, the program visually presents the location of these vials, which simplifies retrieving them from the real container. The program records the thawing of vials, along with the date and the name of the operator. Any academic laboratory requesting this standalone program will be granted a free license for its use.     

Why it's time for a national health program in the United States.

The United States lacks a coherent national health program. Current programs leave major gaps in coverage and recently have become more restrictive. Influential policies that have failed to correct crucial problems of the health-care system include competitive strategies, corporate intervention, and public-sector cutbacks with bureaucratic expansion. A national health program that combines elements of national health insurance and a national health service is a policy that would help solve current health-care problems. Previous proposals for national health insurance contained weaknesses that would need correction under a national program. Based on the experiences of other economically advanced countries, a national health program could provide universal entitlement to health care while controlling costs and improving the health-care system through structural reorganization. Current proposals for a national health program contain several basic principles dealing with the scope of services, copayments, financing, cost controls, physician and professional associations, personnel and distribution, prevention, and participation in policy making. Support for a national health program is growing rapidly. Such a program would help protect all people who live in this country from unnecessary illness, suffering, and early death.     

Staff matter: Gender differences in science,technology, engineering or math (STEM) career interest development in adolescent youth

We explore the understudied role of program staff in an out-of-school time (OST) program at a large science museum, which may be especially relevant for supporting underrepresented minority (URM) youth’s interest in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) careers. Using a sequential explanatory mixed-method design, we surveyed 167 program alumni on their science attitudes, career interests, and memories about how the program compared to experiences at home, school, and with friends. We followed that with 49 interviews with alumni. Findings show that, while in the program, alumni who identify as women reported a much greater increase in their STEM career interest than those who identify as men. Interviews suggest this may be related to different types of staff relationships between the genders. We interpret results through the lens of positive youth development and offer recommendations for OST program providers and researchers.     

Computer treatment of gas-liquid chromatographic data, with special reference to fatty acid methyl esters

A computer program is described which analyzes output punched directly onto paper tape from a gas-liquid chromatograph. Although this program was written specifically for samples of fatty acid methyl esters derived from adipose tissue triglycerides which are eluted within 1 hr, modification of the dimension statements in the program would enable it to deal with samples which require a longer time to come off the column. The salient features of the rationale of the program are discussed in detail, particularly the procedures for base line correction and for estimating the contributions from components which are not perfectly separated in the column. Examples are given of the program in practice, of comparing the results it gives with those obtained by manual triangulation of the areas on a recorder chart, and of indicating the range of column load over which we have found that it operates satisfactorily. A sample computer print-out from the program is presented and interpreted.     

A simple tool for drawing proteolytic peptide maps

SUMMARY: I describe a simple standalone program that assists in the preparation of peptide digestion maps. These are useful for comparative studies and for locating peptides within a primary sequence. The program creates an output file as scalable vector graphics that can then be viewed in a web browser or imported into a graphics-editing program. AVAILABILITY: The program, as a standalone executable, is available upon request from the author. CONTACT: r.beynon@liv.ac.uk.     

Preparing faculty to teach in a problem-based learning curriculum: the Sherbrooke experience.

Over the last 6 years Sherbrooke Medical School has undertaken a major reform of its undergraduate curriculum. A new student-centred, community-oriented curriculum was implemented in September 1987. Problem-based learning (PBL) is now the main educational method. To adequately prepare teachers for the curriculum a series of faculty development programs in pedagogy were offered: first, a 2-day introductory workshop to initiate teachers into educational principles and their application in the new program; second, a 1-year basic training program in medical pedagogy; third, a 1-day workshop on PBL; and fourth, a comprehensive 3-day training program in PBL tutoring. Over 60% of all full-time teachers attended the introductory program and 80% the tutor training program. The 1-year basic training program was completed by 33% of the faculty members. The implementation of these programs, coupled with a high participation rate, resulted in a more student-centred educational philosophy and a greater interest in medical education. This had a significant impact when the new curriculum was instituted. Lessons learned from the experience are discussed.     

Change is necessary in a biological engineering curriculum

Success of a Biological Engineering undergraduate educational program can be measured in a number of ways, but however it is measured, a presently successful program can translate into an unsuccessful program if it cannot adjust to different conditions posed by technical advances, student characteristics, and academic pressures. Described in this paper is a Biological Engineering curriculum that has changed significantly since its transformation from Agricultural Engineering in 1993. As a result, student numbers have continued to climb, specific objectives have emerged, and unique courses have been developed. The Biological Resources Engineering program has evolved into a program that emphasizes breadth, fundamentals, communications skills, diversity, and practical engineering judgment.     

A nonlinear regression program for small computers

A BASIC computer program for performing weighted nonlinear regression is described and a listing of the program is given. The program, which is small and simple to use, has been designed to be run by users with little knowledge of mathematics or computers. Robust methods of analysis are described which may be applied to data in which experimental errors are not normally distributed, and the program incorporates one such method. It is shown that the program is useful for the analysis of data conforming to the Michaelis-Menten equation, a single exponential, and to binding equations, and other applications are discussed.     

A 12-week structured education and exercise program improved climacteric symptoms in middle-aged women

In the present study, 40- to 60-year-old women with climacteric symptoms were placed on a 12-week structured education and exercise program to ascertain the effects of this program on climacteric symptoms, quality of life (QOL), and attitude towards exercise. A total of 35 women served as subjects. Twenty women were enrolled in an educational and exercise program that involved learning about menopause and participating in physical activity at least three times a week (Group E). For comparison, the other 15 women did not participate in this program and were instructed to refrain from exercising during study period (Group C). The effects of the 12-week interventional program on climacteric symptoms, QOL, and attitude towards exercise were thereby investigated. The program demonstrated significant effects on climacteric symptoms in terms of Kupperman index and psychosomatic symptoms, especially paresthesia and nervousness. In other words, climacteric symptoms improved significantly in Group E. Furthermore, scores for QOL and attitude towards exercise improved in Group E after the 12-week program; however, these trends did not reach statistical significance. Hence, the 12-week structured education and exercise program was shown to be effective in alleviating climacteric symptoms.     

Using telehealth to increase participation in weight maintenance programs

Objective: To compare weight regain, satisfaction, and convenience among three weight maintenance programs: telehealth, traditional classes, and no program. Research Methods and Procedures: This quasi‐experimental study compared weight change, satisfaction, and convenience among three program types. The telehealth participants interacted with a registered dietitian (RD) through the web and e‐mail, traditional program participants attended a traditional classroom program, and no program participants received no interaction. Eighty‐seven subjects (14 men and 73 women) were enrolled in the study: 31 traditional, 31 telehealth, and 25 no program participants. Eligibility included participation in a community‐based weight loss program (Colorado Weigh) and minimum 7% weight loss before enrollment. Results: Subject characteristics at baseline were as follows: age, 50 ± 9.3 (standard deviation) years; height, 1.68 ± 0.09 m; weight, 80.5 ± 18.4 kg, with no significant differences between groups. Over 6 months, the traditional group lost 0.5 ± 4.3 kg, the telehealth group lost 0.6 ± 2.5 kg, and the no program group gained 1.7 ± 3.0 kg. Weight change among all three groups was significant (p = 0.02); no program participants gained significantly more weight than the telehealth and traditional groups. There were no differences in overall satisfaction between the telehealth and traditional groups (p = 0.43), but individuals in the telehealth group rated their program as more convenient compared with the traditional group (p = 0.0001). Discussion: These results show the usefulness of telehealth programs in long‐term weight loss maintenance. They may be a useful alternative for those who successfully lose weight in a structured behavioral program but do not choose to participate in a formal behavioral weight loss maintenance program.     

Katalyst: development of a fifth-grade novel approach to health and science experiential learning

The Katalyst intervention program was piloted in fifth-grade classrooms at two Appalachian schools during the 2017–18 academic year as a potential educational resource to tackle the rising rates of obesity and chronic diseases in this region. The program consisted of four 60-minute modules, each based on a specific organ system. Each module incorporated hands-on lessons in physiology with an emphasis on preventing chronic disease through diet, nutrition, physical activity, and abstinence from drug and tobacco use. The modules were led by medical students and undergraduate volunteers who completed a two-day training. A 37-item survey assessing knowledge and perceptions regarding healthy lifestyles was administered to fifth grade participants prior to and following the intervention in order to assess the impact of the program. Additionally, educators at intervention schools were given a questionnaire post-intervention to provide feedback on the program. This paper describes the rationale, program design and execution, and conclusion of the Katalyst intervention program. It is anticipated that this program will reinforce current educational standards regarding diet, nutrition and physical activity in order to empower target students to establish healthy lifestyle behaviors and that programs modeled after the Katalyst curriculum may serve as a novel, viable option to health educators.     

GEL--a computer tool for DNA sequencing projects.

The GEL program for entry and analysis of DNA sequencing information is discussed, and examples of interaction with the program are presented. The current version of the program represents the last of several revisions to the first GEL program, reported previously in this journal (1). Improvements and additions have been made, making the current GEL a particularly useful laboratory tool for molecular biologists engaged in DNA sequencing projects.     

The Education and Training of Biology Teachers

A technique for the numerical identification of bacteria using normalized likelihoods calculated from a probabilistic database is described, and the principles of the technique are explained. A simple computer program, which can be used to perform the calculations and identifications on a microcomputer in undergraduate classes, is presented. The program is annotated so that the steps in the calculation can be linked to the equivalent steps in the program to assist in teaching the principles of programming. Specimen results from the program, and examples of how they should be interpreted and explained, are given. It is expected that the program will be of use to teachers of undergraduates to teach the principles of numerical identification and an important use of computers in biology.     

Computer programs in nucleic acid synthesis: synthetic strategy development using solid-phase chemical techniques with data storage, retrieval and analysis capabilities.

A computer program has been designed to aid development of synthetic strategies for oligonucleotides produced by solid-phase chemical techniques. The program reduces the time required to develop a strategy and a data file from hours to minutes. The program contains inventories, provides cost analyses, and generates and stores other associated data. The program searches an inventory of sequences for that sequence to avoid duplicate synthesis. If the sequence is not in the inventory the program devises a synthetic strategy, calculates the amounts of reagents and labor costs necessary to complete the synthetic oligonucleotide. The program also deducts the reagents from inventory files. Physical data is also calculated. A file is generated in a sequence inventory for storage of the data as well as other data that will be generated during the purification processes. All variable parameters can be easily edited. The programs were designed to provide a cross-referencing feature for data analysis and can use several parameters as a constant.     

Free-Roaming Dog Population Estimation and Status of the Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Program in Dhaka City,Bangladesh

Beginning January 2012, a humane method of dog population management using a Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (CNVR) program was implemented in Dhaka City, Bangladesh as part of the national rabies control program. To enable this program, the size and distribution of the free-roaming dog population needed to be estimated. We present the results of a dog population survey and a pilot assessment of the CNVR program coverage in Dhaka City. Free-roaming dog population surveys were undertaken in 18 wards of Dhaka City on consecutive days using mark-resight methods. Data was analyzed using Lincoln-Petersen index-Chapman correction methods. The CNVR program was assessed over the two years (2012–2013) whilst the coverage of the CNVR program was assessed by estimating the proportion of dogs that were ear-notched (processed dogs) via dog population surveys. The free-roaming dog population was estimated to be 1,242 (95 % CI: 1205–1278) in the 18 sampled wards and 18,585 dogs in Dhaka City (52 dogs/km²) with an estimated human-to-free-roaming dog ratio of 828:1. During the two year CNVR program, a total of 6,665 dogs (3,357 male and 3,308 female) were neutered and vaccinated against rabies in 29 of the 92 city wards. A pilot population survey indicated a mean CNVR coverage of 60.6% (range 19.2–79.3%) with only eight wards achieving > 70% coverage. Given that the coverage in many neighborhoods was below the WHO-recommended threshold level of 70% for rabies eradications and since the CNVR program takes considerable time to implement throughout the entire Dhaka City area, a mass dog vaccination program in the non-CNVR coverage area is recommended to create herd immunity. The findings from this study are expected to guide dog population management and the rabies control program in Dhaka City and elsewhere in Bangladesh.