Above-average Mean Research Articles

Antecedents of organizational citizenship behavior among the academic staff in Begemidir college of teacher education

The purpose of this study was to examine the organizational citizenship behavior of the staff and its precursors at Begemidir College of teacher education. A correlational survey design that involved 96 instructors recruited through a comprehensive sampling technique was employed. Questionnaire was used to collect data that were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result indicated that instructors demonstrated above-average mean scores in all the dimensions of organizational citizenship behavior. It also revealed that organizational support and job satisfaction had a moderate relationship with altruism, civic virtue and sportsmanship while they had a modest relationship with courtesy and conscientiousness. On the other hand, there was a strong relationship between organizational commitment and altruism, civic virtue, courtesy, and sportsmanship. Overall, while OCB had a strong relationship with organizational commitment, it had a moderate relationship with organizational support and job satisfaction. Whereas organizational commitment has a positive and significant contribution to all organizational citizenship dimensions; job satisfaction did not influence all of them. Organizational support has a significant contribution to altruism, civic virtue, sportsmanship, and organizational citizenship behavior. Hence, it was suggested that the college should constantly work on the functions of organizational commitment and support to promote organizational citizenship behavior and ensure sustainable organizational development.

Relationship between Nurses’ Attitudes and Satisfaction with Bedside Shift Reports and Patient Safety Culture

Background: A thoroughly standardized nurse bedside shift report, including effective communication, may improve nurses’ satisfaction and patients’ safety. However, a few studies were found that measure the relationships between nurses’ attitudes and satisfaction with bedside shift reports and patient safety outcomes.Purpose: This study aimed to measure nurses’ attitudes and satisfaction with bedside shift reports and their relationships with patient safety culture.Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted between May to August 2021 among 90 bedside nurses conveniently recruited from a public hospital in Lebanon. The Bedside Handover Report Staff Nurses’ Satisfaction Survey and the Survey on Patient Safety (SOPS) were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics, i.e., Pearson correlation coefficient.Results: The results showed that satisfaction scores were high in all the questions in the bedside shift reporting. The participants showed relatively positive attitudes towards bedside shift reports where all the statements recorded above-average mean values. The highest-ranking statement “bedside shift report is completed in a reasonable time” was recorded with a mean value of 3.35 (SD=0.87), while the lowest-ranking statement was “bedside shift report is relatively stress-free” with a mean value of 2.03 (SD=0.86). There were significant relationships between nurses’ satisfaction with shift reports and some patient safety culture composites, such as between nurses’ satisfaction with bedside shift reports and communication about errors and reporting of patient safety events (p<0.05) and between nurses’ attitudes toward bedside shift reports and communication about errors (p<0.001)Conclusion: Implementation of the bedside shift report improves nurses’ levels of satisfaction, enhances positive attitudes toward work, and enhances patients' safety. Nursing leaders should encourage nurses to implement bedside handover reports in their hospitals.

Genotype × environment interactions of potato tuber quality characteristics by AMMI and GGE biplot analysis

Potato is the most important non-grain crop worldwide, whose quality characteristics are always affected by genotype × environment interaction (GEI). Knowledge about the influence of GEI on potato quality could be very important to develop new or existing potato genotypes with high quality characteristics coupled with stability at varying environmental conditions. In this research, for the first time, additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and genotype (G) main effects plus genotype × environment (E) interaction (GGE) biplot analyses were used to dissect GEI in potato quality traits by evaluating six potato genotypes (Arizona, Cayenne, Generosa, Laudine, Salad Blue and Vogue) over four locations and two consecutive years (eight environments). Pooled ANOVA revealed a P ≤ 0.001 significance of ANOVA components for all traits under study, with G that attributed the highest variation on dry matter, citric acid, DPPH and washability, and E that contributed more on total phenolics, vitamin C, reducing sugars ad FRAP. After assessing a small but significant proportion to total variance of GEI for all qualitative traits, it was found that almost all of the variance was explained by the cumulative contribution of IPC1 and IPC2 for AMMI and by PC1 and PC2 for GGE. From AMMI and GGE biplots clearly emerged that, despite qualitative performances of genotypes fluctuated considerably across the environments, Salad Blue was the most suitable genotype for dry matter, total phenolics, vitamin C and FRAP throughout the 8 environments due to its above-average mean values and stability. On the contrary, no clear differentiations were found between environments, indicating that the choice of the “ideal” environment depended on the quality trait. Our results suggested the importance of AMMI and GGE analysis in identifying qualitatively high and stable genotypes over multi-environmental trials. This approach could be useful in providing scientific strength for the setup of potato protected geographical identifications.

GGE Biplot Analysis to Explore the Adaption Potential of Italian Common Wheat Genotypes

Given the substantial variation in global wheat yield, insufficient research in cultivar selection for climate change, and the lack of suitable germplasm in sustainable agroecosystems, there is a requisite for soft wheat genotypes, with stable grain yield as well as quality parameters. The present study was aimed at genotype evaluation (GGE biplot for “mean performance versus stability”) not only for yield, but also for technological, phytosanitary and functional quality parameters of 24 Triticum aestivum L. genotypes (eight landraces, old and modern varieties, respectively) within a single organic farm location (Argelato, Emilia-Romagna, Italy) over three consecutive years. Overall, high yield stability was shown for the landraces and old varieties. In particular, the landraces Piave and Gamba di Ferro, as well as the old variety Verna, showed high stability with above-average means for numerous quality parameters of interest. Additionally, relative stability combined with above-average mean for quality parameters was also demonstrated for the high-yielding Gentil Bianco and Guà 113. Aside from Verna, these “unrecognized” resilient genotypes were also shown to meet the requisites for suitable germplasm in sustainable agroecosystems. Future potential utilization of these more stable landraces in addressing climate change would also ultimately facilitate the survival of valuable genetic resources.

Examining the relationship between solution-focused thinking skills and self-efficacy levels of nursing students in Turkey.

Learning and developing communication skills fundamental to solution-focused thinking increases the confidence of nursing students towards individuals and improves their self-efficacy, thereby enabling these students to plan appropriate care. To evaluate solution-focused thinking skills and self-efficacy levels of nursing students and to determine the factors affecting these variables as well as the relationship among them. This was a descriptive and correlational study. The study was conducted between March and June 2019 with 337 nursing students from two universities with different curricula. Data were collected using a "personal information form," the "solution-focused inventory," and the "self-efficacy scale." A statistically significant positive relationship was observed in the total scores on the solution-focused inventory and self-efficacy scale and the mean scores on the completing behavior and dealing with obstacles on the self-efficacy scale. In addition, a moderate relationship (r=0.447, p<0.01) was observed between the total solution-focused inventory scores and mean scores of completing behavior on the self-efficacy scale. The nursing students had above-average mean scores on the solution-focused inventory and self-efficacy scales. However the students can further enhance their problem-solving ability by improving their solution-focused skills and self-efficacy.

Support mechanisms for research generation and application for postgraduate students in four universities in Uganda

BackgroundA large proportion of postgraduate students the world over complete a research thesis in partial fulfilment of their degree requirements. This study identified and evaluated support mechanisms for research generation and utilization for masters’ students in health institutions of higher learning in Uganda.MethodsThis was a self-administered cross-sectional survey using a modified self-assessment tool for research institutes (m-SATORI). Postgraduate students were randomly selected from four medical or public health Ugandan universities at Makerere, Mbarara, Nkozi and Mukono and asked to circle the most appropriate response on a Likert scale from 1, where the “situation was unfavourable and/or there was a need for an intervention”, to 5, where the “situation was good or needed no intervention”. These questions were asked under four domains: the research question; knowledge production, knowledge transfer and promoting use of evidence. Mean scores of individual questions and aggregate means under the four domains were computed and then compared to identify areas of strengths and gaps that required action.ResultsMost of the respondents returned their questionnaires, 185 of 258 (71.7%), and only 79 of these (42.7%) had their theses submitted for examination. The majority of the respondents were male (57.3%), married or cohabiting (58.4%), and were medical doctors (71.9%) from Makerere University (50.3%). The domain proposal development for postgraduate research project had the highest mean score of 3.53 out of the maximum 5. Three of the four domains scored below the mid-level domain score of 3, that is, the situation is neither favourable nor unfavourable. Areas requiring substantial improvements included priority-setting during research question identification, which had the lowest mean score of 2.12. This was followed by promoting use of postgraduate research products, tying at mean scores of 2.28 each. The domain knowledge transfer of postgraduate research products had an above-average mean score of 2.75.ConclusionsThis study reports that existing research support mechanisms for postgraduate students in Uganda encourage access to supervisors and mentors during proposal development. Postgraduate students’ engagement with research users was limited in priority-setting and knowledge transfer. Since supervisors and mentors views were not captured, future follow-on research could tackle this aspect.

Assessing yield stability in African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) performance using year effect

Abstract Maintaining yield stability in the African yam bean (AYB) (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) under year-to-year variability is crucial to its sustained productivity. Exploring yield stability in crops is vital in identifying how stable and consistent the yield of such crops is. Cultivation of AYB, an underutilized traditional legume in a specific environment, will further popularize the crop and enhance the acceptance as a cheap protein source thereby reducing hunger and malnutrition especially in regions where climate change has negatively affected legume crop production. Field trials were carried out to study the performance of 23 AYB genotypes in four-year environments. Two seeds of each genotype were sown in a single 5 m row plot spaced at 1 m between and within rows; the trial was conducted during the cropping season of 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 and was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. At harvesting, five plants from each row were separately harvested; seeds of all the sampled plants in each plot were bulked and weighed, and the seed yield per plant was then determined. A combined analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to test for the significance of genotypes, year, and genotype by year interaction. Before combined ANOVA, a test for homogeneity of residual variances was performed using Bartlet’s test; stability of the genotypes over the years was ascertained numerically and graphically using additive main effects and multiplicative interaction and Genotype X Genotype X Environment interaction (GGE) biplot analyses. Rainfall distribution between 680 and 1,700 mm with an average temperature of 28.50°C under sandy-clay soil type supported high and stable seed yield production in AYB. This environment was found adequate during the 2014 (E1) growing season. Genotypes TSs118, TSs12, TSs109, TSs148, TSs5, TSs61, and TSs69 produced an above-average mean yield across the years and were found to be productive and stable in all the year environments. TSs82 and TSs6 with above-average mean seed and tuber yield can be considered for cultivation where seed and tuber dual-purpose production is to be maximized, while TSs111, TSs49, and TSs96 with high tuber yield ranking above average total tuber yield can be further enhanced for tuber production.

Evaluation of Grain Yield Stability Analysis in Bread Wheat (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Triticum aestivum&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L.) Genotypes Using Parametric Method

Multi-environment trials have a significant role in selecting the best genotypes to be used at different locations. The study aimed to determine grain yield and stability of 15 bread wheat genotypes in Ethiopia using parametric stability method. Fifteen bread wheat genotypes were evaluated using RCBD with four replications at six locations in Ethiopia in 2017/18 main cropping season. Considering environment, grain yield of environments over genotypes ranged from 2.8 t ha-1 for Bekoji to 5.15 t ha-1 for Kulumsa. Grain yield of genotypes over environments ranged from 1.53 t ha-1 to 4.93 t ha-1. Among the genotypes with above-average mean grain yield (>3.8 t ha-1), ETBW8084 and Hidase were declared stable by all parametric stability parameters except by S2i and CV (%) while ETBW8427 was declared stable by all parametric stability parameters. These three genotypes ranked 6th, 3th and 4rd by mean grain yield and contributed only 4.5, 4.0 and 4.5% to SS of GxE interaction, respectively. Hence, they can be recommended for wide adaptation. The genotype ETBW8065 was also among the stable and high yielding genotypes contributing only 6.3% to GEI. ETBW8078, ETBW8311 and ETBW8459 were low yielding and stable genotypes contributing 1.2, 3.9 and 3.5% to GEI. ETBW9470, ETBW8070 and ETBW9037 were among the highest yielding genotypes ranking 1st, 2nd and 5th, respectively. However, they were declared unstable by most stability parameters except ETBW8070 which was declared stable by S2i, CV (%) and Pi stability models. Generally based grain yield ETBW9470 and ETBW8070 genotypes were recommended to crossing block.

Cold Season Southwest Asia Precipitation Sensitivity to El Niño–Southern Oscillation Events

Abstract The sensitivity of southwest Asia (25°–40°N, 40°–70°E) precipitation during the November–April rainy season to four types of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, eastern Pacific (EP) and central Pacific (CP) El Niño and La Niña, is assessed using an ensemble of atmospheric model simulations forced by 1979–2015 boundary conditions. Sensitivity is assessed in terms of 1) the spread of precipitation across the ensemble members around the ensemble mean, 2) the probability of precipitation falling into the upper and lower terciles of the historical distribution, and 3) the relationship between the tropical atmosphere and southwest Asia precipitation during ENSO. During CP La Niña, the magnitude of the below-average mean precipitation exceeds the magnitude of the precipitation spread, thereby conditioning the probability of lower-tercile southwest Asia precipitation to greater than 70%. By contrast, EP La Niña does not alter the odds of southwest Asia precipitation terciles, as the magnitude of the near-zero mean precipitation is overwhelmed by the magnitude of the precipitation spread. EP and CP El Niño similarly result in above-average mean precipitation whose magnitude approaches the magnitude of the precipitation spread, thereby conditioning the probability of upper-tercile southwest Asia precipitation to around 50% region-wide. However, the notable effect of the precipitation spread during El Niño allows for a 20%–30% probability that the regional precipitation falls into the lower tercile. ENSO types simultaneously modify the probability of eastern Indian Ocean precipitation and southwest Asia precipitation, supporting the hypothesis that the tropical eastern Indian Ocean atmosphere serves as the medium by which ENSO forcing is communicated to southwest Asia.

Monitoring Inter- and Intra-Seasonal Dynamics of Rapidly Degrading Ice-Rich Permafrost Riverbanks in the Lena Delta with TerraSAR-X Time Series

Arctic warming is leading to substantial changes to permafrost including rapid degradation of ice and ice-rich coasts and riverbanks. In this study, we present and evaluate a high spatiotemporal resolution three-year time series of X-Band microwave satellite data from the TerraSAR-X (TSX) satellite to quantify cliff-top erosion (CTE) of an ice-rich permafrost riverbank in the central Lena Delta. We apply a threshold on TSX backscatter images and automatically extract cliff-top lines to derive intra- and inter-annual CTE. In order to examine the drivers of erosion we statistically compare CTE with climatic baseline data using linear mixed models and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Our evaluation of TSX-derived CTE against annual optical-derived CTE and seasonal in situ measurements showed good agreement between all three datasets. We observed continuous erosion from June to September in 2014 and 2015 with no significant seasonality across the thawing season. We found the highest net annual cliff-top erosion of 6.9 m in 2014, in accordance with above-average mean temperatures and thawing degree days as well as low precipitation. We found high net annual erosion and erosion variability in 2015 associated with moderate mean temperatures but above average precipitation. According to linear mixed models, climate parameters alone could not explain intra-seasonal erosional patterns and additional factors such as ground ice content likely drive the observed erosion. Finally, mean backscatter intensity on the cliff surface decreased from −5.29 to −6.69 dB from 2013 to 2015, respectively, likely resulting from changes in surface geometry and properties that could be connected to partial slope stabilization. Overall, we conclude that X-Band backscatter time series can successfully be used to complement optical remote sensing and in situ monitoring of rapid tundra permafrost erosion at riverbanks and coasts by reliably providing information about intra-seasonal dynamics.

Assessment of Breast Cancer Risk and Belief in Breast Cancer Screening Among the Primary Healthcare Nurses.

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. Early detection of breast cancer is known to increase survival rates significantly after diagnosis. This research was carried out to determine the level of breast cancer risk among primary healthcare nurses and their belief in breast cancer screening. In this descriptive research, the data were collected in face-to-face interviews with the participants. The researchers contacted all primary healthcare nurses currently working in the province. The data collection tools included a questionnaire form on sociodemographic characteristics, breast cancer risk assessment form, and Champion's Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS) for breast cancer screening. In data analysis, descriptive statistics, t test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used. The mean age of nurses was 35 ± 3.6. The mean score for the breast cancer risk assessment form was calculated as 82.9 ± 18.7. The subscale scores for the CHBMS for breast cancer screening were as follows: susceptibility 7.3 ± 1.8, seriousness 19.5 ± 4.1, benefits of breast self-exam 15.5 ± 2.6, barriers to breast self-exam 15.1 ± 2.8, self-efficacy 40.3 ± 7.0, and motivation 19.5 ± 4.1. The risk of breast cancer was found to be low in the study group. The analysis of the subscale scores for the CHBMS for breast cancer screening revealed that nurses had a below-average susceptibility perception, a somewhat lower perception of seriousness, an above-average mean score for perceived benefits, a moderate barrier perception, a relatively high perceived self-efficacy, and motivation above average.

Consistency of performance of early-maturing maize cultivars in Striga-infested and Striga-free environments

Badu-Apraku, B., Yallou, C., Oyekunle, M., Akinwale, R., Aweke, G. and Kamara, A. 2015. Consistency of performance of early-maturing maize cultivars in Striga-infested and Striga-free environments. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 1073–1084. Despite the immense potential of maize (Zea mays L.) in savannas of West and Central Africa (WCA), production and productivity is constrained by Striga hermonthica parasitism. Sixteen early-maturing cultivars were evaluated at two locations in Nigeria and three locations in the Republic of Benin from 2007 to 2009 to assess the grain yield, stability and the consistency of the rankings of the cultivars under Striga-infested and Striga-free environments. The combined analysis of variance showed significant (P&lt;0.01) cultivar and cultivar×environment interactions for grain yield and other traits under Striga-infested and Striga-free environments. The test of concordance was significant (P&lt;0.001) for grain yield (W=0.68), number of emerged Striga plants (W=0.74) and Striga damage (W=0.56) under Striga infestation, indicating stability of resistance in the cultivars developed from diverse sources under artificial S. hermonthica infestation across environments. There was high consistency of the rankings of the cultivars for grain yield and other Striga-resistance traits under Striga-infested and Striga-free environments in Benin and Nigeria. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) biplot analysis for grain yield revealed POOL15SR/ACR94TZECOMP5-W/ACR94TZECOMP5-W and 2004 TZE-Y Pop DT STR C4 as the most stable cultivars with above-average mean grain yield in Striga-infested environments and they can be combined with other crop management options to control the parasite in the Striga endemic environments. Cultivars TZE Comp 5-W C7F2 and TZE Comp5-Y C6 S6 (Set B) had less Striga damage and number of emerged Striga plants across test environments. These cultivars could therefore serve as unique sources of favorable alleles for improving Striga resistance in maize in different production environments and farming systems.

An Exploratory Study on Outcomes of Social Enterprises in South Africa

This article investigates social enterprises in terms of their outcomes. Few studies focus on social entrepreneurs that incorporate an impact assessment of their social enterprises. The article responds to calls where it has been noted that the rapidly expanding social enterprise sector of the economy is evolving without effective evaluation tools that can provide reliable measurement and impact assessment.The study is conducted in two major cities in South Africa, where social entrepreneurship has unequivocal application, considering that traditional government initiatives are unable to satisfy the entire social deficit, and where challenges to non-profit accountability are acute. Social outcomes are measured in terms of the following dimensions: impact/reach, innovativeness of solution, replicability/expandability and sustainability. A survey is used to collect data from 165 social enterprises and is interpreted using descriptive statistics.Results on sample characteristics indicate that a diverse group of individuals are involved in a wide range of social enterprise activities. Descriptive statistics across the dimensions reflect above-average mean scores suggesting favourable perceptions of social outcomes.By providing an elementary measuring tool for social outcomes, researchers can test its validity across different contexts. Social enterprises need to demonstrate solid impact and reach of their outcomes, so they can replicate interventions, build partnerships, and remain sustainable by meeting the needs of groups who have been failed by previous government attempts in social redress.The article provides a much needed account of the evaluation of social enterprise outcomes in an emerging market context.

Cortical and Trabecular Bone Density in X-Linked Hypophosphatemic Rickets

X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets is caused by mutations in PHEX. Even though the disease is characterized by disordered skeletal mineralization, detailed bone densitometric studies are lacking. The aim of the study was to assess volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) in X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets using forearm peripheral quantitative computed tomography. The study was conducted in the metabolic bone clinic of a pediatric orthopedic hospital. Thirty-four patients (age, 6 to 60 years; 24 female) with PHEX mutations were studied, of whom 7 children (age, 6 to 11 years) were actively being treated with calcitriol and phosphate supplementation. Twenty-one patients (age, 16 to 40 years) had received the same therapy before but had discontinued the treatment; 6 patients (age, 12 to 60 years) had never received this treatment. Trabecular and cortical vBMD of the radius. Trabecular vBMD was elevated (mean age-specific and sex-specific z-score: +1.0) when all patients were analyzed together, due to very high results in currently treated patients (mean z-score: +2.4) and slightly above-average mean values in the other patients. Cortical vBMD was low when the entire cohort was analyzed together (mean z-score: -3.3), but was higher in currently treated patients (mean z-score: -1.3) than in patients who had discontinued therapy (mean z-score: -3.8) or who had never been treated (mean z-score: -4.1). Patients with PHEX mutations have elevated trabecular vBMD at the distal radius while receiving calcitriol and phosphate supplementation, but low cortical vBMD at the radius diaphysis. Low cortical vBMD presumably reflects the underlying mineralization defect that is not entirely corrected by current treatment approaches.

Variation of Maximum Tree Height and Annual Shoot Growth of Smith Fir at Various Elevations in the Sygera Mountains, Southeastern Tibetan Plateau

Little is known about tree height and height growth (as annual shoot elongation of the apical part of vertical stems) of coniferous trees growing at various altitudes on the Tibetan Plateau, which provides a high-elevation natural platform for assessing tree growth performance in relation to future climate change. We here investigated the variation of maximum tree height and annual height increment of Smith fir (Abies georgei var. smithii) in seven forest plots (30 m×40 m) along two altitudinal transects between 3,800 m and 4,200/4,390 m above sea level (a.s.l.) in the Sygera Mountains, southeastern Tibetan Plateau. Four plots were located on north-facing slopes and three plots on southeast-facing slopes. At each site, annual shoot growth was obtained by measuring the distance between successive terminal bud scars along the main stem of 25 trees that were between 2 and 4 m high. Maximum/mean tree height and mean annual height increment of Smith fir decreased with increasing altitude up to the tree line, indicative of a stress gradient (the dominant temperature gradient) along the altitudinal transect. Above-average mean minimum summer (particularly July) temperatures affected height increment positively, whereas precipitation had no significant effect on shoot growth. The time series of annual height increments of Smith fir can be used for the reconstruction of past climate on the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. In addition, it can be expected that the rising summer temperatures observed in the recent past and anticipated for the future will enhance Smith fir's growth throughout its altitudinal distribution range.

Dramatic interannual changes of perennial Arctic sea ice linked to abnormal summer storm activity

[1] The perennial (September) Arctic sea ice cover exhibits large interannual variability, with changes of over a million square kilometers from one year to the next. Here we explore the role of changes in Arctic cyclone activity, and related factors, in driving these pronounced year-to-year changes in perennial sea ice cover. Strong relationships are revealed between the September sea ice changes and the number of cyclones in the preceding late spring and early summer. In particular, fewer cyclones over the central Arctic Ocean during the months of May, June, and July appear to favor a low sea ice area at the end of the melt season. Years with large losses of sea ice are characterized by abnormal cyclone distributions and tracks: they lack the normal maximum in cyclone activity over the central Arctic Ocean, and cyclones that track from Eurasia into the central Arctic are largely absent. Fewer storms are associated with above-average mean sea level pressure, strengthened anticyclonic winds, an intensification of the transpolar drift stream, and reduced cloud cover, all of which favor ice melt. It is also shown that a strengthening of the central Arctic cyclone maximum helps preserve the ice cover, although the association is weaker than that between low cyclone activity and reduced sea ice. The results suggest that changes in cyclone occurrence during late spring and early summer have preconditioning effects on the sea ice cover and exert a strong influence on the amount of sea ice that survives the melt season.

Assessment of the value of tropospheric ozone concentration dependingon meteorological conditions as exemplified by the Widuchowa station (North-West Poland).

kalbarczyk r., kalbarczyk e.: Assessment of the value of tropospheric ozone concentration depending on meteorological conditions as exemplified by the Widuchowa station (north-West Poland). ekologia (Bratislava), vol. 29, no. 4, p. 398-411, 2010. The aim of the work was to find the temporal distribution of tropospheric ozone in connection with the course of meteorological conditions by night and daytime according to months, days and, next, hours and wind direction and to isolate a weather complex which was accompanied by the highest concentration of o3. The foundation of the study was hourly values of o3 concentration in 2005–2008, and hourly data on five meteorological elements (total solar radiation, air temperature, relative air humidity, atmospheric pressure and direction and velocity of wind) in April 2006, from the Widuchowa station located at the Polish–German border in north-West Poland. The effect of meteorological conditions on ozone concentration values was determined with the use of Pearson’s correlation analysis and cluster analysis. The highest mean concentration of ozone, out of the 48 analysed months in 2005–2008, was recorded in April 2006, by daytime, with the wind coming from westerly, easterly, south-westerly and southerly directions. The following weather situation was conducive to the highest o3 concentrations, amounting, on average, to about 127 μg.m -3: above-average mean total solar radiation (about 237 W.m-2), above-average mean air temperature (11.5°C), below-average relative air humidity (about 52%), above-average atmospheric pressure (about 1016 hPa) and above-average mean wind velocity (2.4 m.s-1).

Genotypic stability analysis of eight potato varieties tested in a series of ten trials

Genotypic stability analyses were carried out for five characteristics of eight potato varieties which had been tested in the New Brunswick Variety Trial in the past ten years, 1961–1970. Special attention was paid to three economic traits, i.e., marketable yield, specific gravity and dry matter yield. General adaptability was defined in this paper as having average genotypic stability and above-average mean performance. Kennebec showed the best general adaptability of marketable yield, Hunter for specific gravity and Netted Gem dry matter yield. No variety was ranked at the top for both marketable tuber yield and specific gravity. Some implications of this study on potato breeding are discussed.