Pests of germinating grain crops in southern Australia: an overview of their biology and management options

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (12) ◽  
pp. 1560 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Micic ◽  
A. A. Hoffmann ◽  
G. Strickland ◽  
A. R. Weeks ◽  
J. Bellati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Driving Forces ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Grain Crops ◽  
Crop Establishment ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Wide Scale ◽  
Chemical Inputs

Grain crops in southern Australia are subject to attack by countless pests, with greater than 40 invertebrate species threatening seedling establishment. Control tactics for crop establishment pests rely heavily on the application of pesticides, especially in canola, which is the most susceptible crop to invertebrate damage. There is genuine interest in integrated pest management (IPM) among growers, but relatively little adoption of classical IPM in broadacre farming in southern Australia. The driving forces behind the lack of adoption are unknown, although over-reliance on broad-spectrum pesticides – which are inexpensive and often applied prophylactically as a means of negating the need to monitor crops – is undoubtedly a key factor. Recent control failures against important pests due to pesticide resistance, increased restrictions on pesticide applications, environmental concerns about pesticide applications and strong support for grain quality assurance programs by exporters, highlight the need to consider IPM principles as a means of reducing chemical inputs. IPM guidelines for broadacre farming systems are limited in scope and there is a need to develop practical management tools that encompass a whole system approach. This paper provides an overview of the main invertebrate pests affecting crop establishment and identifies gaps hindering the wide-scale adoption of IPM.

scholarly journals Giving Birth With Epidural Analgesia: The Experience of First-Time Mothers

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryoko Hidaka ◽  
Lynn Clark Callister
Keyword(s):  
Pain Management ◽  
Epidural Analgesia ◽  
Epidural Administration ◽  
Birth Experience ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
And Control ◽  
First Time ◽  
Experiences Of Women

The purpose of our qualitative descriptive study was to describe the birth experiences of women using epidural analgesia for pain management. We interviewed nine primiparas who experienced vaginal births. Five themes emerged: (a) coping with pain, (b) finding epidural administration uneventful, (c) feeling relief having an epidural, (d) experiencing joy, and (e) having unsettled feelings of ambivalence. Although epidural analgesia was found to be effective for pain relief and may contribute to some women’s satisfaction with the birth experience, it does not guarantee a quality birth experience. In order to support and promote childbearing women’s decision making, we recommend improved education on the variety of available pain management options, including their risks and benefits. Fostering a sense of caring, connection, and control in women is a key factor to ensure positive birth experiences, regardless of pain management method.

scholarly journals Management control systems, organization and impact on performances: Evidences from Italy

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-257
Author(s):  
Elisa Truant
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Incentive Systems ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Corporate Managers ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Depth Study

The value creation is the primary goal of each organization and intellectual capital is certainly a key factor for long-term success. The intellectual capital variables have to be managed and measured within advanced management systems, in order to facilitate the communication and translation of strategy’s tangible and intangible elements into operational terms. This study focuses on a sample of medium-sized Italian firms and is based on multiple sources of evidence: the in-depth study of internal documents and interviews with corporate managers holding key positions within the organization. The research aims at investigating if managers identified, measured and monitored intellectual capital variables within advanced management accounting systems, over a period of 5 years. Because the strategy and the organizational structure are highly interdependent, this study also focuses on evaluation and incentive systems implemented within selected companies. Then, it was decided to analyze whether the use of managerial and organizational tools influence firms’ performances. This research contributes to extend existing literature on intellectual capital and management systems: the results revealed that companies able to manage and monitor intellectual capital within advanced management tools, as well as implement evaluation and incentive systems, achieved higher and more stable performances. The main limit of this study is strictly related to the choice of these variables: in fact, company’s performances are influenced by a significant number of factors, endogenous and exogenous to the organization. Future researches can involve a greater number of companies and organizational variables, in order to validate or confute the actual findings.

Standards for Skill Training and Development

2009 ◽  
pp. 810-816
Author(s):  
Lichia Yiu ◽  
Raymond Saner
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Skill Training ◽  
Formal Schooling ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Skill Levels ◽  
Ongoing Training ◽  
Continued Education ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
The Government

Human capital is seen as one of the key factor conditions contributing to national competitiveness and economic performance (Porter, 2002). Productivity performance of OECD countries tends to correspond to the skill levels of the workforce in specific countries. Hence, governments increasingly view human capital formation, both quantity and quality of workforce, as one of the key levers in ensuring sustained productivity gains and standard of living. Skill development of the workforce requires major investments beyond formal schooling. It demands ongoing training investment in continued education and workplace training in order to help the workforce keep pace with technological innovations and continued adoption of new technology in the workplace. Private and public partnership in this context dictates both the government and private companies and organizations participate in the training effort. Investment in training requires effective and efficient methods, which in turn calls for sound and robust management tools and standards at the micro (firm) level to ensure continuity and sustained efforts. This article examines two training related standards, “Investors in People” (IIP) and ISO 10015, in order to identify similarities and differences of these two instruments.

scholarly journals Experience of living with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of qualitative studies

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e030060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason A Wallis ◽  
Nicholas F Taylor ◽  
Samantha Bunzli ◽  
Nora Shields
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Structural Damage ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Reporting Data

ObjectivesSystematically review the qualitative literature on living with knee osteoarthritis from patient and carer perspectives.DesignSystematic review of qualitative studies. Five electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus) were searched from inception until October 2018. Data were synthesised using thematic and content analysis.ParticipantsStudies exploring the experiences of people living with knee osteoarthritis, and their carers were included. Studies exploring experiences of patients having participated in specific interventions, including surgery, or their attitudes about the decision to proceed to knee replacement were excluded.ResultsTwenty-six articles reporting data from 21 studies about the patient (n=665) and carer (n=28) experience of living with knee osteoarthritis were included. Seven themes emerged: (i) Perceived causes of knee osteoarthritis are multifactorial and lead to structural damage to the knee and deterioration over time (n=13 studies), (ii) Pain and how to manage it predominates the lived experience (n=19 studies), (iii) Knee osteoarthritis impacts activity and participation (n=16 studies), (iv) Knee osteoarthritis has a social impact (n=10 studies), (v) Knee osteoarthritis has an emotional impact (n=13 studies), (vi) Interactions with health professionals can be positive or negative (n=11 studies), (vii) Knee osteoarthritis leads to life adjustments (n=14 studies). A single study reporting the perspectives of carers reported similar themes. Psychosocial impact of knee osteoarthritis emerged as a key factor in the lived experience of people with knee osteoarthritis.ConclusionsThis review highlights the value of considering patient attitudes and experiences including psychosocial factors when planning and implementing management options for people with knee osteoarthritis.Trial registrationnumberCRD42018108962

scholarly journals Frequency or Amplitude?—Rheo-Electrical Characterization of Carbon Nanoparticle Filled Epoxy Systems

Polymers ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hauke Meeuw ◽  
Valea Wisniewski ◽  
Bodo Fiedler
Keyword(s):  
Epoxy Resin ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Electrical Characterization ◽  
Electrical Network ◽  
Applied Frequency ◽  
Mechanical Dispersion ◽  
Oscillatory Shear Flow ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Network States ◽  
The Impact

Dispersion of carbon nanoparticles in epoxy resin is the key factor to adjust the resulting electrical and mechanical properties of the nanocomposite. A profound understanding of the driving forces of standard methods like ultrasonic and mechanical dispersion is necessary. To derive the impact of applied frequency and strain on the resulting dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-filled epoxy resin, this work addresses the strain and frequency dependency of oscillatory shear flow-induced network changes. Strain- and frequency-sweeps were performed for a wide parameter set with in-line measurement of electrical DC resistance to monitor changes in the MWCNT network. Changes in electrical resistance reveal destruction and formation of the MWCNT network. A fundamental novel finding is the governing dependency of changes in the electrical network on applied shear amplitude. The applied frequency barely induces network changes. Applied shear rates do not correlate with particular network states.

scholarly journals Benefits and Limitations of Decision Support Systems (DSS) with a Special Emphasis on Weeds

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Kanatas ◽  
Ilias S. Travlos ◽  
Ioannis Gazoulis ◽  
Alexandros Tataridas ◽  
Anastasia Tsekoura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Decision Support Systems ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Management Options ◽  
The Right

Decision support systems (DSS) have the potential to support farmers to make the right decisions in weed management. DSSs can select the appropriate herbicides for a given field and suggest the minimum dose rates for an herbicide application that can result in optimum weed control. Given that the adoption of DSSs may lead to decreased herbicide inputs in crop production, their potential for creating eco-friendly and profitable weed management strategies is obvious and desirable for the re-designing of farming systems on a more sustainable basis. Nevertheless, it is difficult to stimulate farmers to use DSSs as it has been noticed that farmers have different expectations of decision-making tools depending on their farming styles and usual practices. The function of DSSs requires accurate assessments of weeds within a field as input data; however, capturing the data can be problematic. The development of future DSSs should target to enhance weed management tactics which are less reliant on herbicides. DSSs should also provide information regarding weed seedbank dynamics in the soil in order to suggest management options not only within a single period but also in a rotational view. More aspects ought to be taken into account and further research is needed in order to optimize the practical use of DSSs for supporting farmers regarding weed management issues in various crops and under various soil and climatic conditions.

Predictions of Cleavage Fracture in Welded Components Incorporating Strength Mismatch Effects: A Weibull Stress Based Approach

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio Ruggieri
Keyword(s):  
Cleavage Fracture ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Failure Strain ◽  
Pipeline Steel ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Weld Strength ◽  
J Integral ◽  
X80 Pipeline Steel ◽  
Loading Parameter ◽  
Weibull Stress

This work describes the development of a toughness scaling methodology incorporating the effects of weld strength mismatch on crack-tip driving forces. The approach adopts a nondimensional Weibull stress, σ¯w, as a the near-tip driving force to correlate cleavage fracture across cracked weld configurations with different mismatch conditions even though the loading parameter (measured by the J-integral) may vary widely due to mismatch and constraint variations. Application of the procedure to predict the failure strain for an overmatch girth weld made of an API X80 pipeline steel demonstrates the effectiveness of the micromechanics approach. Overall, the results lend strong support to use a Weibull stress based procedure in defect assessments of structural welds.

scholarly journals Spatial Differences in Carbon Intensity in Polish Households

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 3108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edyta Sidorczuk-Pietraszko
Keyword(s):  
Regional Differences ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Policy Instruments ◽  
Carbon Intensity ◽  
Greenhouse Gasses ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Per Capita

Knowledge about the driving forces behind greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions is crucial for informed and evidence-based policy towards mitigation of GHG emission and changing production and consumption patterns. Both national and regional-level authorities are capable of addressing their actions more effectively if they have information about the spatial distribution of phenomena related to the policies they conduct. In this context, the main aim of this paper is to explain the regional differences in carbon intensity in Poland. The differences in carbon intensity between regions and the national average were analysed using index decomposition analysis (IDA). Aggregate carbon intensity for regional economies as well as the carbon intensity of households was investigated. For both levels of analysis: total emissions and emission from households economic development is the key factor responsible for the inter-regional differences in carbon emission per capita. In the case of total emissions, the second important factor influencing these differences is the structure of the national power system, i.e., its concentration and the production of energy from fossil fuels. For households, disposable income per capita is a key factor of differences in CO2 emission per capita between regions. Higher households’ incomes contribute to higher emission per capita, mostly due to the shift in consumption towards more energy- and material-intensive goods. The contribution of energy emissivity is quite low and not as varied as in the case of income. This suggests that policy instruments targeted at the consumption of fuels can be rather uniform across regions, while more developed regions should also be subject to measures supporting less energy-intensive consumption. On the other hand, policy in less developed regions should prevent them from following the path of per capita emissions growth.

Organic Farming For Sustainable Agriculture: A Comparative Analysis Of Organic Versus Conventional Rice And Cotton

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 196-207
Author(s):  
R.V. Sujatha ◽  
K. Suhasini ◽  
Y. Eswara Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Agricultural Crops ◽  
Recent Past ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Oil Seeds ◽  
Rural Employment ◽  
Chemical Inputs

Organic farming is not new to Indian farming community.  Several forms of organic farming are being successfully practiced in diverse climate, particularly in rain-fed, tribal, mountains and hill areas of the country. Among all farming systems, organic farming is gaining wide attention among farmers, entrepreneurs, policy makers and agricultural scientists for varied reasons such as  it minimizes the dependence on chemical inputs (fertilizers; pesticides; herbicides and other agro-chemicals) thus safeguards/ improves quality of resources, and environment. It is labour intensive and provides an opportunity to increase rural employment and achieve long term improvements in the quality of resource base.Organic farming has received considerable attention in India in the recent past. In India, the per cent area under organic farming is only 0.03 per cent of the total area under agriculture when compared to Austria (11.30%), Switzerland (9.70%) and Italy (7.94%) according to SOEL Survey, February 2003. Some of the major organically produced agricultural crops in India include crops like plantation, spices, pulses, fruits, vegetables and oil seeds etc

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