Empty Box Research Articles

Influence of different box preparations on creep performance of corrugated fibreboard boxes subject to constant and cycling relative humidity environments

AbstractTo understand the effect of load and relative humidity (RH) on box creep in cool storage conditions, standard tests are performed. However, these test conditions are oversimplified compared with actual shipping conditions. Our aim is to develop test conditions that more closely mimic those encountered during refrigerated conditions to investigate their influence on creep performance and box lifetime. We compared three box preparations: (i) empty boxes used as a control, (ii) filled boxes, and (iii) boxes with only two side panels exposed to the atmosphere. A controlled environment test facility was used to subject sets of 24 boxes to 30% of their ultimate failure load under different cyclic and constant relative humidity conditions. Results indicate that filled boxes had substantially reduced performance in terms of secondary creep rate and lifetime. The fill in the box contributed to out‐of‐plane displacement of the side panels which manifested earlier than in the control, resulting in a higher creep rate. Boxes with only two exposed panels had lower moisture uptake and performed substantially better than the control. These findings demonstrate how creep performance and box lifetime depend on the box conditions including fill and the area of the box that is exposed for moisture transfer. Alternative box preparations which mimic supply chain conditions are worthy of investigation in creep analysis as they will help predict more accurately box performance in the cold supply chain.

An ocular motor index of rapid face recognition: The ‘looking-at-nothing’ effect

In the looking at nothing effect, subjects performing a task involving stimuli that are no longer visible tend to fixate the regions on an empty screen where those stimuli had been located. We performed three experiments to examine whether this effect could serve as an index of short-term face recognition. Subjects saw a short video of a person’s face and then saw briefly a choice screen of four faces, followed by a screen with empty boxes, after which they responded whether the learned face was one of the four. Fixations made while the screen without faces was present were more likely to be directed towards the target face when it had been shown, and this was the case not only on hit trails, but also on miss trials. Examining fixations made during a 3-second window showed that this looking at nothing effect was present for the first fixation only, after which subjects were more likely to fixate the other empty boxes, a ‘looking away from nothing’ effect. Including data from all three experiments showed an age-related decline in discriminative sensitivity but not in the looking at nothing effect. However, there was a positive correlation between discriminative sensitivity and the looking at nothing effect. We conclude that the looking at nothing effect can index rapid face recognition, that it is related to explicit discriminative performance, and that its short-term dynamics bear similarities to inhibition of return.

Modeling the metabolic reductions of a passive back-support exoskeleton.

Despite several attempts to quantify the metabolic savings resulting from the use of passive back-support exoskeletons (BSEs), no study has modeled the metabolic change while wearing an exoskeleton during lifting. The objectives of this study were to: 1) quantify the metabolic reductions due to the VT-Lowe's exoskeleton during lifting; and 2) provide a comprehensive model to estimate the metabolic reductions from using a passive BSE. In this study, 15 healthy adults (13 males, 2 females) of ages 20-34 yr (mean = 25.33, SD = 4.43) performed repeated freestyle lifting and lowering of an empty box and a box with 20% of their bodyweight. Oxygen consumption and metabolic expenditure data were collected. A model for metabolic expenditure was developed and fitted with the experimental data of two prior studies and the without-exoskeleton experimental results. The metabolic cost model was then modified to reflect the effect of the exoskeleton. The experimental results revealed that VT-Lowe's exoskeleton significantly lowered the oxygen consumption by ∼9% for an empty box and 8% for a 20% bodyweight box, which corresponds to a net metabolic cost reduction of ∼12% and ∼9%, respectively. The mean metabolic difference (i.e., without-exo minus with-exo) and the 95% confidence interval were 0.36 and (0.2-0.52) W/kg for 0% body weight and 0.43 and (0.18-0.69) W/kg for 20% body weight. Our modeling predictions for with-exoskeleton conditions were precise, with absolute freestyle prediction errors of <2.1%. The model developed in this study can be modified based on different study designs, and can assist researchers in enhancing designs of future lifting exoskeletons.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We present a new model of the metabolic cost of repetitive lifting, and how that is affected by wearing a passive back support exoskeleton. We compute the effective biomechanical efficiencies of moving the body and a carried load during lifting, and determine the effect of an exoskeleton's efficiency on its metabolic reduction. This model is useful for understanding the effects of exoskeletons on the body and for designing future exoskeletons.

Analisis Pasangan Calon Tunggal Dalam Pemilihan Kepala Daerah Kota Pematang Siantar Tahun 2020

The purpose of this study was to analyze a single candidate pair in the regional head election of Pematang Siantar City in 2020. The purpose of this study was to explain why there was a single candidate pair in Pematang Siantar City. The legality of the Constitutional Court Decision number 100/PUU-XII/2015 is a legal force to uphold the meaning of democracy in political contestation, in this case regional head elections. Besides that, the essence of democracy which promises freedom to be elected and to vote is an additional power to bring up a single candidate pair. The failure to regenerate political parties is another trigger for the emergence of a single candidate pair in the post-conflict local election. Not only in Pematang Siantar City but also throughout Indonesia. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative with interview instruments involving political party administrators and political observers in Pematang Siantar City in addition to references to single candidate pairs. The weak cadre of political parties with the presence of wholesale parties makes incumbents not get support in Pematang Siantar City. The legal power of the Constitutional Court's decision and the meaning of democracy to be elected and voted made the single candidate pair in Pematang Siantar City win the post-conflict local election against an empty box.

Design of multi-array shaking table tests under uniform and non-uniform earthquake excitations

The feasibility of the shaking table test based on the multi-array shaking table system of Beijing University of Technology was verified by a self-designed rigid model box subjected to uniform and non-uniform excitations. The parameters of the shaking table and model box were elaborated, and the similarity ratio relationship was determined according to test conditions. The fundamental frequency tests of the empty model box and box–soil system were implemented, and observations were compared with numerical results. The boundary effect of the free-field shaking table test under uniform and non-uniform excitations was analyzed. The results showed that resonance could be avoided as a result of the fundamental frequency difference between the model box and model soil. The boundary effect could be avoided when the distance of observation objects from the model box boundary exceeds 0.25 m. Under uniform excitation, the response difference at the bottom of each box was less than 5%, which satisfied the requirements of uniform input. The time delay of seismic responses between two adjacent boxes was identical with expected values. Moreover, the spectral curves of the two active boxes were virtually the same under non-uniform excitation, satisfying the requirements of this excitation. The foregoing indicates that the model box was properly designed, and the shaking table test was feasible.

ANALISIS PROSES DAN FAKTOR PENYEBAB LAHIRNYA PASANGAN CALON TUNGGAL VERSUS KOTAK KOSONG PADA PILKADA SERENTAK TAHUN 2020

This study was conducted to see how the process and factors that cause the birth of a single candidate versus an empty box in the 2020 gunungsitoli mayor/deputy mayoral election. The study was conducted in the city of Gunungsitoli in August 2020. &#x0D; The study used descriptive quality research methods with interview data collection techniques, and documentation to retrieve data from data sources in the form of writing, behavior, actions, events, events, words. The informants in this study are key informants of the Chairman of the DPC of the gunungsitoli city democratic party, the main informant of figures or candidates failed in the gunungsitoli election in 2020 and additional kpud informants and academics / communities.&#x0D; The results showed that the process of the birth of a single candidate in the gunungsitoli city election in 2020 began with political lobbying and the lack of intention from the public to run because the candidate who eventually became the sole candidate had enormous power or power.&#x0D; The factors that cause the birth of the candidate are influenced by the power of power (oligarchy) and material power that allows transactional politics (cartel politics) can be carried out by the incumbent candidate by buying the party in the dprd of gunungsitoli city so that the election is carried out with a single candidate versus an empty box.

Fenomena Kotak Kosong dalam Pemilukada Serta Implikasinya dalam Sistem Ketatanegaraan Indonesia

The decision of Indonesian Constitutional Court No. 100/PUU-XII/2015 legitimizing single candidate give solution for democracy deadlock in some regions.Based on that decision, The Election Commission make a regulation giving alternative for some regions having only one candidate for choosing the picture of candidate against empty box.These battle in the beginning seems not fair because of political intention, empty box has no resources to compete with candidate. But, in the local election 2018, in some regions, empty box success to gain more voters than his rival. Winning of empty box in contestation of democracy became a proof that people feel tired because the system of regeneration in political parties not running well, other proof that single candidate that bring up by all political parties not always supported by voters. In the Indonesia constitutional law, the phenomenon of empty box surely implicate tomany problems. This writing will try to see this phenomenon and its implication according to Indonesian constitutional law.

Political Actors in Oligarchy Power the phenomenon of a Single Candidate in the Implementation of Democracy in Regional Head Elections in Indonesia

The number of single candididates against the empty box in every regional head election continues to increase, as a result of the decision of the Constitutional Court Number 100/PUU-XIII/2015. After this decision, it is as if the regional elections were held democratically. This process tends to be form of killing the democratic process, because it runs unfairly and equally. Likewise, political parties are considered to have failed in preparing a leader every five years. Although a single candidate is legally valid, and is regulated in Law No. 10 of 2016. However, political parties as entry points to democracy must maintain an equal and fair democratic process, not the political oligarchy that controls the party. This study aims to look at the role of a political actor in preparing local leader candidates and the factor of the occurrence of a single cindadate against the empty box. The method used is descriptive qualitative to describe social events that exist in society. The results of this research show that the role of a political actor is very important and powerful in Regional Head Elections in Indonesia.

Democracy without Contestation: The Victory of the Empty Box in the Local Election of Makassar City, South Sulawesi Indonesia in 2018

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; This study aims to explore how the political dynamics in the local election of Makassar City in 2018. In particular, this study reconnoitered the causes of the victory of empty box and analyze the role of political parties and incumbents in the candidacy process and election. Qualitative research methods were used in this research. Documentation was carried out to obtain data related to actor networks in the local election, vote acquisition, election regulations and as well as political party support in the local election, which is obtained from books, journals and news in the mass media. In addition, FGD was carried out from stakeholders inviting academics, students and NGO activists to obtain data and interpretations of the collected data. Qualitative descriptive analysis was carried out by interpreting the collected data, verifying and generalizing the data to conclude this research. This research revealed that the empty box in the local election of Makassar City is actually not an empty box, nonetheless it is the representation of the incumbent who was disqualified from the local elections. Most of the political parties supported the sole candidate formally. It was found that there was a difference between party policy at the local level and party policies at the national level. Further, the party decision making was found to be centralized.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Molecular and MRD-Based Characterization of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Mexico: Experience from the Mexico in Alliance with St. Jude “Bridge Project”

▪Background: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Mexico among children 5-14 years. In 2017, Mexico in Alliance with St. Jude (MAS), a multi-site intersectoral collaboration, explored reasons for suboptimal outcomes for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Results showed 82% of patients to be classified as high-risk and 30% of patients be missing standard molecular or minimal residual disease (MRD) studies needed to inform risk- group stratification. Making sense of the molecular characteristics was challenging in the context of variable access and lack of common denominators. These findings led to the development of the “Bridge Project”; a prospective quality improvement demonstration project aiming to bridge this access and quality gap through multi-site collaboration, centralization, and standardization.Methods: Six MAS collaborating hospitals, located in six different states (Mérida, Guadalajara, Sinaloa, Baja California, Chiapas, and Veracruz), have sent diagnostic samples for children 0-18 years old with suspected ALL to Hospital Infantil Teletón de Oncología (HITO), in Queretaro, which serves as the centralized laboratory for the MAS cooperative group. Access to the diagnostic panel is secured upfront through dedicated funding obtained from a local foundation. The first sample was shipped in July 2019. The consensus-derived diagnostic panel includes morphology, immunophenotype, karyotype, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), molecular biology (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry (FC) MRD at two time points. Protocols vary by institution and MRD evaluation is only done if the institutional protocol incorporates MRD-evaluation into the risk-group stratification. Hospitals send several empty boxes prior to shipping patient samples to assess their regional shipping vendors and timelines. The also standardize data collection processes and use PDSA cycles to monitor sample quality and address issues with sample quality. HITO produces FC results (for diagnosis or MRD evaluation) and FISH/cytogenetic results within 3 to 21 days of sample arrival.Results: As of July 2021, the centralized lab has received samples from 217 patients with suspected ALL through this project and 93% of these samples have arrived within the 48hr target. Of these, 176 (81.1%) had confirmed ALL and 14 (6.4%) had acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 2 (0.9%) cases had other malignant conditions, and in 25 (11.5%) of the cases leukemia was ruled out. Among the 176 cases of confirmed ALL, 162 (92%) had B-cell lineage and 14 (8%) had T-cell lineage. FISH was reported for 172 (97.7%) patients and positive in 126 (73.2%) cases; 46 (26.7%) cases had reported gains, 34 (19.7%) detected t(12;21), 18 (10.4%) detected iAMP cr21, 8 (4.7%) detected breaks of the MLL gene t(4;11), 7 (4%) detected t(1;19), and 6 (3.4%) detected t(9;22). Four T-cell ALL cases had breaks CDKN2A del(9)(p21) and three cases had TRA/D rearrangement (14) (q11.2). Karyotype alterations were detected in 90 (52.3%) of the samples, of which 41 (23.8%) showed hyperdiploidy and 13 (7%) showed complex karyotype. One case of hypodiploid was identified. Day 15 MRD was assessed in 131 (80%) patients with B-cell lineage, Day 84 MRD was assessed in 99 (61.1%) patients with B-cell lineage, and Day 29 MRD in 8 (57.1%) patients with T-cell lineage whose treatment schema utilizes MRD-based stratification. Among B-lineage patients, 84% had MRD <1% at Day 15 and 94.9% MRD <0.01% at Day 84. Among T-cell lineage patients, 75% had MRD <0.01% at Day 29 and 80% MRD <0.01% at Day 84, but numbers for T-cell lineage were small.Conclusions: Given proper structural and financial supports, patients with suspected childhood ALL in Mexico can access a comprehensive diagnostic panel following a centralized laboratory approach. Preliminary results from the Bridge Project allow characterizing childhood ALL to a degree that has not been previously possible in Mexico. In this cohort, favorable characteristics such a t(12;21), gains, and hyperdiploidy are observed in frequencies similar to those reported in Hispanic cohorts in high-income countries. MRD results are for B-cell lineage are also consistent with the literature. Continued engagement in this project from hospitals in diverse geographic settings and with diverse patient populations will allow the MAS cooperative group to continue to improve the characterization of childhood ALL in Mexico. [Display omitted] DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Mixed Integer Linear Programming Models to Solve a Real-Life Vehicle Routing Problem with Pickup and Delivery

This paper presents multiple readings to solve a vehicle routing problem with pickup and delivery (VRPPD) based on a real-life case study. Compared to theoretical problems, real-life ones are more difficult to address due to their richness and complexity. To handle multiple points of view in modeling our problem, we developed three different Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) models, where each model covers particular constraints. The suggested models are designed for a mega poultry company in Tunisia, called CHAHIA. Our mission was to develop a prototype for CHAHIA that helps decision-makers find the best path for simultaneously delivering the company’s products and collecting the empty boxes. Based on data provided by CHAHIA, we conducted computational experiments, which have shown interesting and promising results.

Late levels of nested occupancy scheme in random environment

Consider a weighted branching process generated by a point process on whose atoms sum up to one. Then the weights of all individuals in any given generation sum up to one, as well. We define a nested occupancy scheme in random environment as the sequence of balls-in-boxes schemes (with random probabilities) in which boxes of the jth level, are identified with the jth generation individuals and the hitting probabilities of boxes are identified with the corresponding weights. The collection of balls is the same for all generations, and each ball starts at the root and moves along the tree of the weighted branching process according to the following rule: transition from a mother box to a daughter box occurs with probability given by the ratio of the daughter and mother weights. Assuming that there are n balls, we give a full classification of regimes of the a.s. convergence for the number of occupied (ever hit) boxes in the jth level, properly normalized, as n and j = jn grow to Here, is a sequence of positive numbers growing proportionally to We call such levels late, for the nested occupancy scheme gets extinct in the levels which grow super-logarithmically in n in the sense that each occupied box contains one ball. Also, in some regimes we prove the strong laws of large numbers (a) for the number of the jth level boxes which contain at least k balls, and (b) under the assumption that the mean number of the first level boxes is finite, for the number of empty boxes in the jth level.

Fatherhood and gender relations in the manosphere: Exploring an Italian non-resident fathers’ online forum

In the last few years, the informal network – called manosphere – of forums, websites and blogs, where commentators are mainly men and focus on issues relating to masculinity, has been gaining members and visibility. The article’s objective is to explore the politics of fatherhood and masculinity that an Italian non-resident fathers’ online forum engages in to assess whether the claims for fathers’ rights are a move towards a new form of involved fatherhood or if they are only useful to rebuild a solid traditional male identity. By conducting an explorative content analysis on their Facebook group and page, we found that fatherhood is an ‘empty box’ and that fathers’ rights are used in a strategic way to justify hegemonic masculinity, gender-based violence, as well as antifeminist and antifeminine ideas, and to promote political advocacy cooperating with right-wing parties. The article also reflects on the connections between hegemony and power using the concept of hybrid masculinities.

Kotak Kosong dalam Perspektif Hak Memilih dan Dipilih pada Pilkada Kabupaten Kebumen 2020

The 2020 Kebumen Regional Election Contest was followed by a single candidate for the incumbent pair Arif Sugiyanto and Ristawati Purwaningsih. To choose between an empty box or a defense candidate pair, is something new, especially for the people of Kebumen Regency, however the presence of this phenomenon is different, presenting a different political spirit, but on the other hand it should put political decisions into an election method that does not require an option in order to reduce participation. society in a democracy. This writing aims to understand the causal scope of the empty boxes in the 2020 Pilkada of Kebumen Regency, which present single nominees and empty boxes. This research method is carried out by qualitative research methods using descriptive analysis techniques because in this study aims to reveal reality, and present the conditions and circumstances that occur. Data collection techniques are obtained by secondary data in the form of journal articles, news, and other library studies related to this research. The results of this study indicate that in the implementation systematics there is no complete fulfillment of rights that the pilkada followed by single candidate pairs and empty boxes is evidence of the implementation of democracy in accordance with a human rights perspective.

Determination of the Environmental Effects of Plant Protection Products in Fighting Pests in Greenhouse Vegetable Production: Batman Province Example

This study was carried out to determine the environmental awareness levels of agricultural enterprises in the province of Batman and its districts where greenhouse production was carried out in 2020. With this purpose, and based on simple random sampling method, information was obtained from 75 producers in 15 villages, 5 randomly selected villages from three districts (Central, Besiri, Sason), using a 37 question survey method and the results have been evaluated as a percentage (%). With this study, it has been determined that the education level of the greenhouse producers is high, most of them have non agricultural income and the amount of their income is above the hunger limit. Greenhouse producers take advice from vendors and the District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry to determine pesticide selection and pesticide dosage. They reported that the producers pay attention to important factors in the selection of pesticides like brand and active substance, they do not use the same pesticide against the same disease and pest continuously, they apply the recommended dose before the disease and pest appears, that the pesticides they use leave residues in the product, they pay attention to the waiting time between spraying and harvest, they reported that they use protective clothing and masks, do not throw empty pesticide boxes on the field or roadside, clean the spraying tool, but they said that they have use the spraying tool without calibration and applied pesticides as a mixture. However, it has been determined that they prefer cultural methods in addition to chemical methods and they are not aware of the concept of biopesticide. Farmers generally prefer chemical warfare methods to overcome plant protection problems, and mistaken pesticide applications bring many negative effects in terms of human and environmental health. Keywords: Greenhouse, Plant Protection Problems, Survey, Batman. DOI: 10.7176/JSTR/7-06-01

Partisipasi Masyarakat Berbasis Kearifan Lokal dalam Menumbuhkan Demokrasi di Kebumen

The undemocratic 2020 regional elections in Kebumen with a single candidate gave birth to the Community of Empty Boxes (Mas Koko) movement, which metamorphosed into the Konco Coalition of Democracy Fighters (Koko Pede) in Kebumen Regency. The momentum that paved the way for the Kebumen people's struggle so that the next local election does not present a single candidate. The results of this study are the continuity of democracy guarding by Koko Pede, after the election of the single candidate Arif Sugiyanto-Ristawati Purwaningsih as regent and deputy regent of Kebumen. This non-institutionalized movement is also an integral part of community participation based on local wisdom in fostering democracy in Kebumen. The implementation of this movement is by cooperating with other elements of society, including students, to carry out moral movements through various activities, such as discussions, both offline and online on social media (Medsos), whose recommendations reject a single candidate. Apart from that, he is cooperating with figures to carry out motions of no confidence against parties that carry out undemocratic political practices. This includes legislators from political parties who have submitted a single candidate in the 2020 Kebumen local elections.Furthermore, preparing candidates through an independent route, if all political parties submit a single candidate again in the next regional election. Even if the implementation coincides with the 2024 general election and presidential election, Koko Pede will make an even bigger move to reject a single candidate&#x0D;

Empty Axis-Parallel Boxes

Abstract We show that, for every set of $n$ points in the $d$-dimensional unit cube, there is an empty axis-parallel box of volume at least $\Omega (d/n)$ as $n\to \infty $ and $d$ is fixed. In the opposite direction, we give a construction without an empty axis-parallel box of volume $O(d^2\log d/n)$. These improve on the previous best bounds of $\Omega (\log d/n)$ and $O(2^{7d}/n)$, respectively.

Four Poems

48 ELSPETH JENSEN Four Poems • The End Thorned bridge near the end of the road. Imagine the most horrible thing that could happen. Bent figure brooding at the end of the page. Because tight rolls of film are in the freezer, an empty box is waiting to divide the spoils. The garden had a book in the grass or a book had a garden in it. Buried treasure, time capsule, empty as a house. I was looking for the glass between us: first come, first hundred years ago, or so, but what is one or two more lifetimes imagined. The left house, a room fit for dying, closed 49 windows, nights of grabbling hands, rooms filled with mouths thick as walls. Summer broke the door open; the furniture didn’t dream about me. I couldn’t, I couldn’t— pulsed through the home, how people whisper not to wake us from our own. 50 Fable with Alternate Endings A dove in a grave splits the earth a psalm bleeds ink on the palm who slashed out wires and left the milk to sour I did not know what we were in for a spider wandering a wake up call on fire and brimstone breaks from the web like an old testament god I wreck my little shadow box world I made myself a catalogue of mistakes worn like a crown a throne a murder of crows knows my face everyday keeps turning over like a brood or an engine feels like the world is ending just a little chicken I say with my head cut off by the stars my feet thrumming toward iron gates streets named after birds and birds named after streets me or the running which came first. 51 Haunted Hallway You are the mechanism, pathways turning, walls posing, little window without motive. Rooms follow other rooms. The willow was felled without weeping. You need to catch the mouse, before the sun comes pitifully peeping, because ghosts crave massacre, snapped off little match girl, breath of madness, golden seabird, duffel bag bachelor. You can need hell, but the nightstand drawer keeps a deeper tomb. Knifeslick departure, home sweet sepulcher, lamp’s last flicker. 52 Tower Everything appeared at once: Tower. Dame. Hair. Beautiful child, you are made of desire surrounded by green. Therefore, child, grow into woman. A year or two more. Another inch of hair. Endure your body, your place. We all do. Your body is a place if it needs to. A little window grants. Darling, your unheard singing is golden, like your untouched body. Untouched rampions bloom. Prince. Man. Boy. Whomever. Wanders in. Listen. Need. Let down your braids, your ladder, like you’re made to. Desire, a window. Dark tower let him in. Secrets, dear girl, don’t fit in your narrow tower, spill from the window like hair. Tell the dame, with her silver scissors, The narrator made me do it! But she separates the world again. Separates sight from eyes. His wilted petals cannot see your beautiful body. Towerless one, wander 53 everything you wanted. Blunt hair. Pitiless desert. The nothing surrounding. Feel your body swell, carrying child. Half you. Half him. Whomever. Bear this kingdom of afterward. You must sing. Your voice as before now echoes. Your body is still a tower. ...

European Starling Nest‐site Selection Given Enhanced Direct Nest Predation Risk

ABSTRACTThe European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is recognized, outside its native range, as an invasive species, and efforts to deter its nesting have generally been unsuccessful. Enhancing perceived risk at the nest site is a little‐explored route in developing a nest deterrent. Specifically, nest predation risk affects site selection, reproduction, antipredator behavior, and fitness in nesting birds. We questioned whether perceived predation risk as related to a snake model positioned inside a nest box, in striking form, moving, and present throughout the period of cavity site selection would induce European starlings to avoid or delay nest construction. We conducted our study on the 2,200‐ha National Aeronautics and Space Administration Plum Brook Station (PBS), Erie County, Ohio, USA. Our objectives were to examine nest initiation, clutch development, and hatching success by starlings relative to 4 nest‐box treatments: moving snake model, movement mechanism only, immobile snake model, and control (empty box). We applied treatments across 120 nest boxes on PBS (30 boxes/treatment) from 15 April through 17 June 2019. We observed no treatment effects on nest initiation or date of nest bowl formation. Starlings occupied (laid ≥1 egg) in 76% of nest boxes (moving snake model = 22 boxes, movement mechanism = 25 boxes, immobile snake model = 21 boxes, control = 23 boxes). We observed no effects of treatment on likelihood of starlings laying a clutch, date of first egg, clutch size, or hatching success. We suggest that starlings adapted to perceived risk because models, despite animacy, did not attack. Therefore, snake models, as developed herein, are ineffective starling nesting deterrents. Published 2021. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Carbon Footprint Comparative Analysis of Cardboard and Plastic Containers Used for the International Transport of Spanish Tomatoes

Agricultural packaging has a direct impact on the environmental performance of food. The carbon footprint (CF) of two of the most used packaging systems for international transport by road of fruit and vegetables is assessed and compared. Corrugated cardboard boxes (CCB) and polypropylene foldable boxes (PPB) in two different sizes are the object of this study. For the reusable boxes, three different scenarios are considered regarding the number of uses of each box (20, 50, and 100 uses). Product CF ISO 14067:2018 standard is applied, and requirements of ISO 14026:2017 and ISO 14044:2006 are met for a cradle-to-grave CF analysis. Product distribution and return of the empty box are the stages with the most significant impact for PPB over the manufacturing stage. CCB that does not have any returning stage or requirements of sanitation has its main impact in manufacturing. The comparison between both packaging systems of the same size, considering the functional unit and defined scope, points out CCB has a lower CF than PPB.