Reducing Light Use With Gain-and Loss-Framed Prompts: Field Experiments

Over the past decade, permanent absentee voting, or “Vote-by-Mail” (VBM), has become increasingly popular. More than half the U.S. states offer their citizens the option to vote by mail. Yet until now, we have known relatively little about which voters are most likely to use this option when it is available, and what (if anything) can be done to convert voters effectively to permanent VBM status. In this paper, we address both these issues. We conduct a field experiment with all registered voters in California’s San Joaquin County as our subjects, where a randomly chosen treatment group receives postcards – a low-cost conversion option – offering them the chance to easily obtain permanent VBM status. We supplement this experiment with a survey of a subset of these voters, allowing identification of what types of voters are most likely to convert to VBM. Though the low-cost postcard treatment did significantly increase conversion to permanent VBM status, this effect shows up at disproportionately high rates among groups that already vote at higher rates.

To enhance sugarcane yield, phosphorus is generally applied to soil in the form of NPK fertilizer. However, phosphorus (P) fertilizer is known as a source of Cd and some other metals. Besides, phosphorus to be uptake to plant may affect the uptake of other ions including Cd and Zn. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate phosphorus in fertilizer on available Cd and Zn in soil and hence in sugarcane. The study was conducted both in field and in pot experiment. In field experiment, soil and sugarcane samples were collected from three areas difference in the range of Cd concentration in soil (< 3, 3-20 and >20 mg Cd/kg) in Mae Sot district, Tak province, Thailand. These areas was applied with 16-16-8 NPK fertilizer at the rate of 50 kg fertilizer/rai in the first month after cultivation and a repeat application of fertilizers was conducted at the same rate in the fifth month. Pot experiment was set up in order to investigate the effect of P in the fertilizer on available Cd and Zn in soil and its uptake to sugarcane under the control conditions at various rates of fertilizer application. The soil used for pot experiment was taken from Cd contaminated areas in Mae Sot district with the range of < 3 mg Cd/ kg. In each experimental pot sugarcane was planted by a piece of mature cane stem as normally practice. The 16-16-8 NPK fertilizer was applied to every experimental pot at rate 0 (control), 50, 100 and 200 kg fertilizer/rai in the first month and the fifth month. Soil and sugarcane samples were collected at the end of the second and sixth months after cultivation, respectively for both field and pot experiment. As expected, the result from field experiment showed that available Cd and Zn in soil were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the area contaminated Cd at the rate of >20 mg Cd/kg as compared to the other two areas (<3 and 3-20 mg Cd/kg). Consequently, the accumulation of Cd and Zn in sugarcane cultivated in the area of Cd contaminated >20 mg Cd/kg areas was higher than the other two areas. This is because the higher total Cd and Zn concentrations in soil tend to provide higher available Cd and Zn in soil and hence in sugarcane. For pot experiment, the fertilizer application rate showed insignificant affects on the total accumulation of Cd and Zn in soil. In contrast, the different fertilizer application rates affect on available Cd and Zn concentrations in soil and in sugarcane. The results showed that the higher the rate of the fertilizer application, the lower the available Cd and Zn concentration in soil and the lower Cd and Zn concentration in sugarcane. This may be explained by the higher P through increasing fertilizer application rate competed with Cd and hence reduced its uptake to the plant. The results also indicated that concentrations of Cd and Zn were highest in root and lowest in juice for both field and pot experiment.

A field experiment was conducted from February to June, 2020 at Bhatkanda, Dadeldhura, Nepal to assess the effectiveness of plastic mulches in potato production. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications comprising of five treatments viz: T1: white plastic mulch (white on black colored), T2: silver plastic mulch (silver on black colored), T3: perforated black plastic mulch, T4: black plastic mulch and T5: control (without mulch). Results revealed that the black plastic mulch significantly increased the rate of emergence while perforated black plastic exhibited highest values of all other studied growth parameters, yield components and quality parameters. The highest marketable tuber yield was obtained in perforated black plastic (6.05 kg/m2) followed by silver plastic (5.62 kg/m2), white plastic (5.46 kg/m2), black plastic (5.14 kg/m2) and lowest marketable tuber yield was obtained in control condition (4.07 kg/m2). Similarly, temperature difference between controlled and mulched condition at 15 cm depth of soil was observed up to 2.8°C with its highest value in black plastic mulch and lowest in control condition. The perforated black plastic mulch was found most economical with maximum value of net return (NRs. 1904.31 thousands/ha) and B: C ratio (5.83). This study concludes that the use of perforated black plastic mulch is most economical with optimum plant growth and yield, producing best quality potatoes under climatic condition of Dadeldhura, Nepal.

AIMS This study aimed to investigate the comparison between sex and manual aiming control in different cognitive and motor constraints of the task. METHODS Eighty-four right-handed participants (42 women) performed 110 trials of a manual aiming task with a non-inking pen on a digitizing tablet. The aiming task required four different conditions of execution. The control condition appeared on the computer screen in 70% of the trials, and the other three conditions, (a) distractor, (b) inhibition of response and (c) higher index of difficulty, each appeared in 10% of the trials. RESULTS Compared with women, men produced shorter movement and response times, as well as higher peak velocity in the control and distractor conditions. When the index of difficulty of the task increased, men produced only higher peak velocity. Women produced more corrective movements to achieve the target only in the control condition. CONCLUSION Our results corroborate those of previous studies that indicate sex-specific response strategies when the sensory motor system is challenged by different task constraints.

Yield advantage and cadmium decreasing of rice in intercropping with water spinach under moisture management.

Future vertical lift (FVL) missions will be characterized by increased agility, degraded visual environments (DVE) and optionally piloted vehicles (OPVs). Increased agility will induce more frequent variations of linear and angular accelerations, while DVE will reduce the structure and quality of the out-the-window (OTW) scene. As rotorcrafts become faster and more agile, pilots are expected to navigate at low altitudes while traveling at high speeds. In nap of the earth (NOE) flights, the perception of self-position and orientation provided by visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive cues can vary from moment to moment due to visibility conditions and body alignment as a response to gravitoinertial forces and internally/externally induced perturbations. As a result, erroneous perceptions of the self and the environment can arise, leading ultimately to spatial disorientation (SD). In OPVs conditions, the use of different autopilot modes implies a modification of pilot role from active pilot to systems supervisor. This shift in paradigm, where pilotage is not the primary task, and where feedback from the controls is not available, has consequences. Indeed, space perception and its geometric properties can be strongly modulated by the active or passive nature of the displacement in space. In view of the link between the level of automation and Sense of Agency (SoA), it is of particular interest to examine whether agency mechanisms can modulate the level of visuo-vestibular integration in tasks of action perception and control. An experiment was conducted using the NASA Ames vertical motion simulator (VMS) to evaluate the effects of optical and gravitoinertial cues in the assessment of altitude in contour terrain flight. Seven U.S. Army pilots participated in the experiment. The aim of the proposed research was a) to establish the relative contribution of visual and gravitoinertial cues as a function of the quality of the visual cues (good vs. degraded), and the presence or absence of gravitoinertial cues, b) to determine the role of manual control vs. supervisory monitoring control on the estimation of altitude, and c) study the interactions between the nature and the quality of the sensory cues and the type of control. For the supervisory control condition, the results showed that the gravitoinertial component played a significant role in the estimation of ground height, but only in the case where the optical structure did not efficiently specify the actor-environment interaction. The improvement of the tracking performance in the visuo-vestibular setting as compared to a visual only setting when the visual cues were poor indicates some level of multisensory integration. Preliminary results for the manual control condition suggest the gravitoinertial cues contribute to an increased safety margin in presence of obstacles, particularly in DVE. Altitude accuracy and precision will then be compared for the manual and supervisory control tasks and discussed in the context of the Sense of Agency theory.

Decomposition of crop residues in the field: evaluation of a simulation model developed from microcosm studies

The results of isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) on hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD) and its precursor hexamethylenetetramine (hexamine) is presented. HMTD was prepared from hexamine using several different sources of hexamine under both controlled laboratory conditions and in field experiments that represent the less controlled conditions that are likely to be observed in forensic casework scenarios. Precursor and product carbon isotope δ values consistently fit a linear relationship regardless of precursor or conditions. The magnitude of the isotope fractionation observed is affected by the efficiency of the reaction, with greater yielding reactions giving rise to HMTD with δ values more similar to the precursor material than lower yielding reactions. Nitrogen isotope δ values comparing precursor with product show some linearity when the reaction conditions are carefully controlled; however, results indicate a poor fit with linearity when synthesis conditions are more variable. Despite the greater variation, the HMTD product consistently has a more positive δ value compared with the hexamine precursor. The results observed from these experiments suggest hexamine reacts to form HMTD in a 1:1 ratio. Having prepared multiple HMTD samples from various precursors using a range of experimental conditions, we have observed results that may be useful in forensic investigations of improvised explosive materials.

<p>Predictions of N mineralization are still difficult but maybe this is due to the methodologies. Many soil tests have been proposed to predict N mineralization between field and laboratory experiment. Incubations of soil in the laboratory under controlled environmental conditions are most commonly used to assess N mineralization rates both from SOM and from added organic materials. However, predicting N mineralization due to the methods (the impact of using air-dried and fresh soil) has never been assessed before. If the results differ between the methods commonly used, there is a serious problem. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the incubation methods (air-dried vs fresh soil) to predict N mineralization. The N mineralization potential from fifteen agricultural soils in West and East Flanders – Belgium, were determined by aerobic incubation methods used air-dried and fresh soil at (20 – 25<sup>0</sup>C) for 84-days in the laboratory. The results indicated that total mineral nitrogen (NH4<sup>+</sup> + NO3<sup>-</sup>) concentrations and carbon content of microbial biomass (MBC) did not differ significantly between these methods. Nitrogen was mineralized in fresh soil incubations (0.36 mg N. kg<sup>-1</sup> soil day <sup>-1</sup>) while in air-dried soil (0.31 mg N kg<sup>-1</sup> soil day <sup>-1</sup>). Thus, the results generate that it may be conceivable to predict N mineralization by these two methods in controlled conditions.</p>

Social norm interventions hold the potential to change people's behavior. Five field experiments (N = 1,163) examined the effects of a simple and easily realizable social norm nudge based on the social media format "Be like Bill." The nudge consisted of a stick figure named Toni that communicated descriptive and injunctive norms regarding pro-environmental or pro-social behaviors. Nudge conditions were compared to no-intervention control conditions. Experiment 1 (N = 179) focused on paper towel consumption in a women's restroom at a German university. The nudge condition used less paper towels than the control condition, d = 0.48. Experiment 2 (N = 183) replicated this result (d = 0.32) in a more diverse setting of a women's restroom at a German Christmas market. Experiment 3 (N = 250) examined differences in the effects of prescriptive (i.e., 'do-norm') versus proscriptive (i.e., 'do not-norm') social norms on paper towel consumption again in a university women's restroom. The effectiveness of both social norm nudge conditions was shown in comparison to the control condition (d = 0.46; d = 0.40), while the prescriptive and proscriptive social norm manipulations did not differ. Experiment 4 (N = 206) applied the nudging approach to the use of plastic lids in a coffee shop, where no effect was found. Finally, Experiment 5 (N = 345) focused on the pro-social behavior of mask wearing in a bakery toward the end of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in Germany. In the nudge condition, more visitors put on face masks compared to the control group, d = 0.39. Limitations and contextual factors regarding the applicability of our social norm nudge are discussed.

Energy consumption in buildings varies considerably depending on type and usage. However, monitoring and regulation of electrical power consumption due to user-related activities are not presently embedded in current English Building Regulations. These energy uses include lifts, server rooms, and small power loads, and are collectively referred to as unregulated energy usage. As part of a larger study of unregulated energy usage in university campus buildings, this paper describes the development and demonstration of a methodology for quantifying unregulated power usage using Building Energy Management System data for a case study university. The methodology was applied to four different buildings. This approach was applied to a Chemical Laboratory, a Physical Science Laboratory, a Library and an Administration Office. The results obtained revealed that electrical consumption was consistently much higher than traditional benchmarks suggest as being normal, particularly within the laboratories. Additionally, within the specific unregulated electricity case study, four rooms in the Physical Science Laboratory indicated very high unregulated electricity usage figures, averaging at 89 kWhm−2 per annum across just four rooms. Practical application: Unregulated energy research, within the Higher Education Sector, is undeveloped. Previous literature focuses on specific areas of unregulated energy, such as equipment usage. However, analysis based on different room types has not been completed on a wider scale. Hence, there is a gap in the current research. This research shows analysis of unregulated energy in different university buildings. It develops a methodology to further understanding on this undeveloped area. Additionally, it advises that unregulated energy must be calculated during a building’s design stage. By using a selection of case studies, this research furthers understanding on the overall effects of unregulated energy.

Field experiment is an experimental research method corresponding to lab experiment. It has received continuous attention in recent years because of its high realism and external validity. However, past research did not reach consensus on the definition of field experiment, which puzzled the readers to understand the meaning of field experiment and to carry out a real field experiment. This research gap motivated the current paper.First, we collect previous scholars’ definitions of field experiment. Based on these past definitions, we put forward a relatively clear definition of and a criterion for field experiment. In the same part, we further distinguish the definitions of field experiment between those of some other related terms such as lab experiment, quasi experiment, field study and realistic experiment in-the-field. This part is followed by introducing two subcategories of field experiment, namely, independent field experiment and collaborative field experiment, and discussing the advantages and disadvantages of field experiment. We argue that although field experiment has disadvantages in uncovering the underlying mechanism, controlling noise, analyzing data, etc, it can improve the realism and external validity of a scholarly work. Importantly, it can increase the publication likelihood of the scholarly work to some extent.Next, we analyze a total of 108 articles which include at least one field experiment in four leading marketing journals, i.e. JCR, JMR, JM and JCP. The time span of these articles ranges from August 2014 to November 2019. Based on the summary of these 108 field experiment articles, we elaborate on the general methods of IV manipulation and DV observation. Specifically, we divide IVs of these 108 articles into several categories: individual characteristics, product stimuli, environmental situations, and other categories, etc. These IVs are mainly manipulated through natural display, actual recording and language highlighting. Regarding DVs, we find that the DVs of these 108 articles are generally observed by adopting the “pay-what-you-want” paradigm, recording participants’ actual choices, recording participants’ food intake quantity and product purchase quantity, counting website visits and clicks, and recording relevant behaviors such as information sharing and information collection, etc.In the following part, we provide a few suggestions on how to conduct two different types of field experiment (independent field experiment and collaborative field experiment). For independent field experiment, researchers can consider designing experiment flexibly, placing extra emphasis on increasing the authenticity of experiment, and avoiding participants’ awareness. While for collaborative field experiment, researchers can consider using a large sample size, understanding the needs of non-academic partners, and bringing practical benefits to non-academic partners, etc. Sometimes researchers also need to meet the anonymity requirements of non-academic partners.In the final part, we discuss when researchers should carry out field experiment and when they should not. We argue that field experiment is not necessary, perfect and omnipotent, so researchers should choose appropriate research methods according to their own research objectives, research characteristics and resource constraints. We hope this paper could provide reference value for domestic researchers who plan to carry out field experiment in the future.

Field and growth chamber experiments, as well as grower trials, were conducted to determine the effects of GA3 sprays on fruit set and yield of rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) in north Florida and south Georgia. Multiple GA3 sprays at different stages during bloom increased fruit set and yield in field experiments in Florida and in grower trials in Georgia. However, GA3-treated fruit were smaller and matured later than untreated fruit. Similarly, GA3 application to non-pollinated flowers under controlled environmental conditions increased percent fruit set, decreased average fruit weight, and increased fruit development period when compared to hand-pollinated fruit. High night temperature (21 °C) reduced fruit set and average fruit weight compared to 10°C night temperature for both GA3-treated and hand-pollinated fruit. Overall, results indicate that use of GA3 under conditions of low natural fruit set in the field may significantly increase yield, although much of the yield increase ...

With a view to understanding the traits which can be used as a quick criteria for drought tolerance, field and laboratory experiments were used to evaluate nine wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes; seven local varieties with two introduced genotypes from International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). The field experiment was grown under two water regimes (stress and non stress treatments). The stress treatment induced by withholding irrigation after emergence and giving two supplementary irrigations, one after 60 days post-sowing and the other after 90 days post-sowing and non stress (well-watered). Combined analysis of variance over two seasons showed highly significant differences among wheat genotypes in all the studied traits and water stress decreased them significantly. The superior genotypes 1,2 and 6 which gave higher relative water content (RWC) accumulated more free proline (Pro) and had lower drought susceptibility index (S) values, whereas genotypes 3, 4 and 9 had the lowest RWC, Pro accumulation and had the highest S values. Indicating that accumulated Pro acts as a compatible solute regulating and reducing water loss from the cell during episodes of water deficit. High RWC and Pro over-accumulation were recognized as beneficial drought tolerance indicators and may be used as selection criteria in wheat breeding program. Effects of drought stress in laboratory experiment were induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) (0, 15 and 25%, with three replicates) and applied on germination of wheat genotypes seeds. The PEG induced a drop in the shoot, root biomass and coleoptiles length which was the greatest in genotypes 3, 4 and 9, while the decrease in genotypes 1, 2 and 6 was little under the various levels from PEG. The variability of leafproteins was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). It is concluded that leaf protein profiles could be useful marker in the studies of genetic variation and classification of adapted cultivars under control and stress conditions.

PurposeThe aim is to explore the impact of new menu labels on consumers' actual meal purchases with a field experiment undertaken in a local restaurant.Design/methodology/approachThe author used a field experiment in a natural eating environment at a restaurant to investigate the effect of restaurant menu labelling on consumers' meal choices and opinions on the use of nutritional labels on menus. The experiment included control and treatment conditions in which we offered customers unlabelled and labelled menus, respectively. After individuals' dining experience, the data on meal choices and attitudes to menu labelling was collected via a brief questionnaire. The author then performed inferential statistical analysis to test differences between the control and treatment conditions and logistic regression analysis to explore further what predicts the probability of labels being influential on meal choice.FindingsThe study finds that the information provided to the consumers on restaurant menus matters. The more useful the information is perceived by consumers, the more likely the labels will influence their choices. Calorie content and the walking minutes to burn those calories on labels were considered the most useful aspect of the menu labels.Originality/valueThe study contributes to a better understanding of the impact of menu labelling on actual meal purchases, as well as the best way to communicate calorie and nutrient information to consumers. The author also shares her experience designing a field experiment with a restaurateur for future research.