Nontraditional Area Research Articles

Growth and Productivity of Coffea arabica var. Esperanza L4A5 in Different Agroforestry Systems in the Caribbean Region of Costa Rica

This study focused on evaluating the growth and productivity of Coffea arabica var. Esperanza L4A5 in different agroforestry systems in the Caribbean region of Costa Rica, a non-traditional area for coffee cultivation due to its low altitude and challenging climatic conditions. Three tree coverages were investigated, in combination with two types of differentiated fertilization (physical and chemical), comparing the results with full sun coffee plots as a control: (1) Albizia saman, (2) Hymenaea courbaril + Erythrina poeppigiana, and (3) Anacardium excelsum + Erythrina poeppigiana. The results showed that tree associations significantly reduced the mortality of coffee plants and increased both the height and mature cherry production compared to full sun treatments. In particular, the tree coverages associated with chemical and physical fertilization achieved the highest growth and production rates, with A. excelsum + E. poeppigiana and H. courbaril + E. poeppigiana standing out with maximum mature cherry productions of 3.35 t/ha and 3.28 t/ha, respectively. Growth analysis revealed that rapid initial growth, especially under chemical fertilization, is crucial for maximizing productivity, although a rapid slowdown in growth was also observed after reaching the peak. These findings underscore the importance of combining tree coverages with appropriate fertilization strategies to optimize coffee production in agroforestry systems, particularly in low-altitude areas like the Costa Rican Caribbean. This study concludes that agroforestry systems not only improve the resilience of coffee crops to adverse environmental conditions but can also be a viable strategy for increasing productivity in non-conventional regions. This suggests the need for further research to assess the long-term impacts on soil health, biodiversity, and the economic viability of these systems.

PGPR mediated enhancement of saffron corm production in non-traditional area of Himachal Pradesh, India

In India, saffron (Crocus sativus) cultivation is being extensively promoted in non-traditional areas mainly in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In this regard, the availability of good quality planting material (large corms) is a major limitation. Hence, efforts were made to increase the production of daughter corms in farmers’ fields through the application of thermotolerant PGPR FS2 which could retain its growth-promoting potential over a wide temperature regime. The bacterial community was assessed through metagenomic approach. The PGPR FS2 was isolated from the bacterial community associated with the saffron rhizosphere. Stringent screening processes were adopted to select appropriate PGPR to successfully produce bigger-size saffron corms which are of economic importance. The study highlights the positive role of Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in promoting the commercial cultivation of saffron in nontraditional areas of HP India through organic argopractice.

Impact of shade net intensities on herb, essential oil yield and quality in holy basil, <em>Ocimum tenuiflorum</em> L. elite germplasm INGR18044

Ocimum species reveal a huge variation in growth, biomass production, oil composition and yield based on different growing conditions including light intensities. Therefore, here, we analyzed the light requirement of tulsi in the nontraditional area to harvest the maximum quantity of leaf and essential oil yield. An elite germplasm ‘INGR18044 (DOS-1)’ was evaluated for its quantitative and qualitative traits under green coloured shade-net of different light intensities. The fresh leaf yield, stem weight, root weight, root length, root diameter, dry leaf yield and essential oil yield from fresh leaves were found highest under control conditions. Sole crop compared with intercrop in agroforestry module, intercrop in fruit crop module and crop under shade-net (50%) conditions were compared and significantly higher yield was observed in control. However, the sole crop resulted in small sized leaves with early maturity. The total chlorophyll and carotenoid content were maximum in 90% shade-net intensity and minimum in control conditions; while, Methyl eugenol was maximum in control and it was found minimum under 90% shade-net intensity. The fresh leaf yield, seed yield, essential oil yield, number of PGs per unit leaf area and methyl eugenol (ME) content showed a negative relationship and leaf area, total chlorophyll and carotenoid content showed a positive relationship with increased shade-net intensities. The poor leaf yield and oil yield were observed under different SNIs(Shade Net Intensities) but large-sized leaves stayed green and a continuous supply of fresh leaves was made possible under shade conditions and as an intercrop crop.

Response of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) cultivars to nitrogen in non-traditional areas of Bihar

A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Bihar during summer season of 2017 and 2018 to assess the production potential of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) cultivars as influenced by nitrogen levels. Treatments consisting 4 nitrogen levels (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg/ha) as main-plot and 09 sorghum cultivars including 5 hybrids (CSH 13, CSH 14, CSH 16, CSH 25 and CSH 30) and 04 varieties (CSV 15, CSV 20, CSV 23 and CSV 27) as sub-plot, were replicated thrice in a split-plot design. Results revealed that increasing levels of nitrogen from 40–120 kg/ha brought significant improvement in yield attributes and yield over control. Application of 120 kg N/ha produced a maximum grain yield (4.82 t/ha) and net returns (`79.5×103 /ha). Amidst cultivars, CSH 30 recorded significantly higher grain yield (4.92 t/ha), net returns (`82.3×103/ha), benefit-cost ratio (3.34) and economic efficiency (`843 ha/day). Hence, sorghum cultivar CSH 30 grown along with 120 kg N/ha was proved significantly better in terms of crop productivity and profitability in summer season, and may be adapted as choice of viable alternative in non-traditional area of eastern India.

Nutrients Status in Arabica Coffee (Coffea Arabica L) Soils of Non-Traditional Area (NTA)

Coffee growing areas in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa (non-traditional area - NTA) are characterized by undulating topography with terraced slopes having narrow valleys with scattered coffee farms across the elevation of the Eastern Ghats of Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Koraput (Orissa) districts. Under this situation plant available nutrients will become non-available and the nutrients are stored in several pools as inorganic and organic forms in soil exchange complex are very much essential for coffee plants for its growth and development. Hence, a study was conducted to know the soil nutrient status of coffee growing region of NTA. A total of 693 surface soil samples were collected at depth of 22cm randomly from each coffee growing mandals of NTA and assessed the nutrient status (soil pH, OC, available P and K) at Regional Coffee Research Station, Narsipatnam. Results of the soil test results indicated that most of the Arabica coffee soils of NTA are acidic in reaction (72 %) and soil pH > 6.0 in these soils was 28 % in the tested soils. Plant available phosphorous (P) in the soil is low with 33 % soils and 46 % of the soils are medium in range. However, only 21 % of the soils tested are high in available phosphorous content in these soils. The majority of the soils of this region are high in available potassium about 54 % and 31 % of the soils are medium in range but only 15 % of the soils are low in available K status. Coffee soils of NTA are rich in organic carbon status and almost 47 %. 33 % of the tested soils are medium in range but 19 % of soils were low in organic carbon status. Soils are slightly acidic in reaction and were rich in organic carbon and available potassium status.

Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Growth, Yield and Quality of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) Cv. Winter Dawn under Open Field Conditions of South Gujarat

Background: The South Gujarat hilly part is considered to be a non-traditional area of strawberry cultivation in India. The poor farmers of this region are cultivating strawberries under open field condition. Both, the yield and quality of strawberry fruits of this region are not up-to-the-mark as there in other parts of the country. Hence, a low-cost improved production technology is required to maximize yield as well as improve the quality of strawberry fruits. Method: Uniform runners of strawberry cv. Winter Dawn were grown in open field under paddy straw as bedding material. Foliar spraying of plant growth regulators viz. NAA (50, 75, 100 and 125 mg l-1) and GA3 (50, 75, 100 and 125 mg l-1) were done at 30 and 60 days after planting. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with control plants receiving no spray treatments and replicated thrice. Result: The plant growth parameters like plant spread, number of leaves, number of crowns, leaf area, length of petiole, number of runners were recorded maximum with the application of 100 mg l-1 GA3. This treatment was also found to be the best in respect of number of flowers, number of fruits, fruit weight, marketable and total fruit yield of strawberry. Strawberry fruits with the highest total soluble solid, ascorbic acid, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar and total sugar content were recorded in the plants which received 125 mg l-1 NAA. However, the plant growth regulator treatments failed to influence any significant effect on days taken to 50.0% flowering, fruit firmness and acidity content of strawberry fruits.

Varietal Screening of Short Day Onions (Allium cepa L.) under Coastal Saline Area

Background: Onion is an economically important bulbous vegetable crop widely cultivated in India. Onion produced in West Bengal can only partially meet up its domestic need and thus extremely depends upon supply from other Indian States during lean period. Bringing more area under cultivation with improved varieties can boost the production and productivity of onion in West Bengal. The present situation leads to explore the scope of onion cultivation in non-traditional area. The objective of the study was to know the production and storage performance of onion varieties under Coastal Saline Zone of West Bengal, with the greater aim to explore this non-traditional onion growing area in future.Methods: Sixteen short day onion varieties were evaluated in Rabi 2014-15 and 2015-16 in Ramkrishna Ashram KVK, Nimpith following Randomized Block Design with three replications. Eight field parameters, three laboratory parameters and four storage parameters were studied. Result: Enough variation was noticed for different growth, yield, quality and storage attributes among the onion cultivars. The bulb yield, bulb weight, bulb equatorial and polar diameter was ranged from 62.8 to 124.5q/ha, 38.9 to 78.5 g, 32.5 to 47.6 cm and 34.7 to 47.3 cm respectively. The average TSS and pyruvic acid content was noted 12.7 ºBrix and 11.2 µmol/g respectively. After six month of storage in ambient condition, average PLW, rotting, sprouting and total losses was found 33.6%, 24.8%, 1.3% and 59.7% respectively. Among the varieties, Sukhsagar followed by Arka Niketan registered minimum storage losses of 20% and 35.1% at the end of storage period. Onion variety, Sukhsagar, Agrifound Light Red, Bhima Shakti, NHRDF Red-2, Pusa white Flat and NHRDF Red-3 were identified as top performers.

Making Job Postings More Equitable: Evidence Based Recommendations from an Analysis of Data Professionals Job Postings Between 2013-2018

Abstract Objective - Over the last decade, many academic libraries have hired data professionals to offer research data services. As these positions often require different types of experience than traditional librarian positions, there is an increased interest in hiring professionals from outside the typical library and information science (LIS) pipeline. More broadly, there has also been an increased interest in academic libraries and higher education to incorporate the principles and practices of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI&A) into their work. These phenomena allow an opportunity to examine the growing area of data professionals and library hiring practices through the lens of DEI&A. Data was collected from 180 data professional job positions, including education, experiences, and skills, to better understand the evolving and complex landscape of data professionals and to provide evidence based recommendations regarding how the profession can enact meaningful and lasting change in the areas of DEI&A. Methods - The qualifications and responsibilities listed in data professional job postings from 2013 to 2018 were examined. Prior to analyzing the job postings, a codebook of 43 variables was developed. The 177 data professional job postings (corresponding to 180 positions) were independently analyzed, noting the presence of each variable, including the locations and the degrees of complexity sought. After coding, discrepancies were mutually resolved. Overall, the coding process had 94% intercoder agreement, which indicates a high level of agreement. Results - Over one-third of postings (n = 63, 35%) did not use the word “librarian” in the job title. Eighty-eight percent (n = 159) required a Master’s in LIS degree, but 67% (n = 119) also accepted an equivalent degree. Over half of the positions (n = 108, 60%) were also looking for an additional degree, most frequently a graduate degree. The median salary of the positions listing a quantitative value was $57,000; however, this value may not be accurate because only 26% of job positions (n = 47) gave a quantitative salary. From the research data management skills mentioned, general data management (n = 155, 86%), data repositories (n = 122, 68%), and data curation (n = 101, 56%) appeared most frequently. Libraries were also looking for traditional LIS skills and experiences, including instruction (n = 138, 77%), consultation (n = 121, 67%), and a public services perspective (n = 69, 38%). Conclusion - The results show that academic libraries are trying to recruit candidates from outside the traditional academic library pipeline. Research data activities (a non-traditional area for LIS) and traditional LIS areas were both frequently mentioned. Overall, these job positions should be written through a more intentional lens of DEI&A. This would help to make data professional positions more diverse and inclusive, while also helping academic libraries to reach their goal of recruiting outside of LIS. A set of concrete DEI&A recommendations are provided that are applicable for writing all library positions, so that readers can put these results into action and enact meaningful change within the profession.

Technical competency and challenges in coffee production in Odisha, India

Coffee is a brewed drink prepared by processing of roasted coffee beans. It differentiated from other beverage in aroma, taste and quality drinks. Most of the countries have grown, processed and consumed as well as exports coffee products to get good income. In this race, India also takes part and has a great role in coffee production and export to international markets. Indian coffee fetched an international trade value for it’s special characters like blending quality, mild and less acidic nature. India divided into two parts as traditional and non-traditional region of coffee production. Almost 97% of coffee produced from traditional area having Western Ghats and rest 3% from non-traditional area having Eastern Ghats and north-eastern states. South-western part of Odisha covered by Eastern Ghats has evidence of coffee production since 1930’s. Coffee production started a long year ago but a number of constrains and challenges reduce quantity and quality of coffee in Odisha. Lack of education and awareness among tribal plays an important factor for lesser amount of cultivation. Unavailability of land, laborers, uncertainty in seasonal rainfall ceases production. Inappropriate market structure, large marketing channels and selling price is not satisfactory to attract new growers. Biological challenges like insect pest infestation, newly emerging diseases are harmful for quality coffee beans. Except all dearth of interest and government supports coffee cultivation is merely difficult in Odisha. This article aims to forecast a clear view of coffee production and challenges in Odisha region.

Evaluation of physicochemical properties in three raspberries (Rubus idaeus) at five ripening stages in northern China

To evaluate the physicochemical properties of raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) at five ripening stages in Shanxi, northern China (non-traditional area of cultivation), 25 physicochemical indexes including 5 anthocyanins and 10 phenolic compounds by HPLC-MS, fruit weight, moisture content, soluble solids content, sugar-acid ratio (SAR), of three commercial cultivars, cv. Reveille, Tulameen and Heritage, were investigated. The fruit qualities of the three cultivars were close to those of fruit produced in the traditional cultivation areas, especially cv. Tulameen at the overripe stage (Stage 5), which had the largest fruit weight of 4.20 g, and the highest SAR of 4.01 and total anthocyanin content of 103 mg 100 g−1 fresh weight. By intercropping the annual-fruiting ‘Heritage’ and the biennial-fruiting ‘Reveille’ and ‘Tulameen’, the raspberry season in Shanxi, China was extended without a break from mid-June to early October. The unripen raspberries (Stages 1 and 2) with high levels of non-anthoycanin phenols, especially ellagictannin were suitable as a plant-derived polyphenol materials. The ripe raspberries (Stages 3 and 4) with a high anthocyanin level and SAR, were suitable for fresh use and processing. The overripe raspberries (Stage 5) which quickly rotted, with the highest anthocyanin level, moisture content and SAR, were suitable as raw materials for anthocyanin extraction. Cyanidin-3-sophoroside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, and cyanidin-3-rutinoside were the main anthocyanins in cv. Heritage, Tulameen, and Reveille, respectively. Thus, commercial raspberries can be utilized on the basis of their properties and active compounds at different ripening stages, and we provide basic data for their production in Shanxi, northern China.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Yield and Quality of Basmati Rice Varieties

A 2-year study conducted to determine the effect of integrated nutrient management on yield and quality of basmati rice varieties in non-traditional area with 54 plots in split plot design. Variety HUBR 10-9 produced 18.8% higher mean grain yield and superior quality parameters than HUBR 2-1. Mean milling, head rice recovery, amylose content and alkali digestion value noted higher with HUBR 10-9 by 4.1%, 4.1%, 8.5% and 15.1% over HUBR 2-1, respectively. Addition of 75% recommended dose of fertilizers with 25% recommended dose of nitrogen as farmyard manure produced higher mean values by 3.1%, 4.2% and 4.0% for hulling, milling and head rice recovery respectively over 100% recommended dose applied as inorganic sources. Combined use of bio-inoculants (blue green algae plus Azospirillum) exhibited higher values for yield and quality parameters. HUBR 10-9 be grown using 75% recommended dose of fertilizers with 25% nitrogen as farmyard manure and blue green algae plus Azospirillum for enhancement in yield and quality in non-traditional areas of eastern Uttar Pradesh. Further investigation required under diverse conditions.

Eco-restoration of coal mine overburden dump

Energy is needed for economic growth and more than 70% of the energy generation capacity in India is by using coal. The production of coal was 430.83 Mt out of which opencast contributed to around 373 Mt in 2006 with an estimated overburden removal of 600 million m3. In India, opencast mining is most prominent method of coal excavation. However, each year hundreds of acres of pristine forest and productive agricultural land are brought in the gambit of open cast coal mining. Moreover, open cast mining leaves behind a lot of over burden which is an environmental problem. Faced with a burgeoning population, agriculture in India must bring under its gambit the non-conventional or non-traditional area, to feed the teeming millions. Reclaimed coal mine areas could be the non-traditional areas. Among the two methods of restoration, physical methods are costly and not viable. Biological methods are of low cost hence most appropriate. Among biological technique using tree species to restore coal mine spoil holds great promise because it accelerate the soil-forming processes, control erosion, build up organic matter, develop microbial communities, initiate nutrient cycling, decreases air and water pollution, reduces geo-environmental disasters, maintain biodiversity and enhance overall aesthetics of the area.

Effect of dates of sowing and varieties on yield and quality of cluster bean (Cyamopsistetra gonoloba L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla (Andhra Pradesh), study the effect of different sowing dates on the yield and quality of different varieties of clusterbean. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design replicated thrice, six dates of sowing from 15th September to 1st December at fifteen days interval and two clusterbean varieties viz. RGC-936 and RGC-1003. Results revealed that growth parameters, yield attributes, yield (1568 kg ha-1) and quality parameters viz. gum content (31.6 %), protein content (30.1 %) and viscosity (3783 cP) were highest with RGC-1003 sown at 15thNovember, which was at par with 1st December sowing with same variety. The study results showed that the clusterbean crop can be grown successfully in non-traditional area as a rabi crop.

The Effect of Soil Series and Fertilizer Rates On the Growth of RRIM 3001

Rubber hectarage has decreased year by year. Thus, future planting has been pushed to the problem areas which are class TV and V soils. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the growth and physiological traits of RRIM 3001 planted in non-traditional area which is Gajah Mati and Jabil series and to measure the optimum rate of fertilizer of RRIM 3001 planted in these soils. In this study, the fertilizer rates were divided into four levels, T1 (0 g/tree per year), T2 (480 g/tree per year), T3 (720 g/tree per year) and T4 (960 g/tree per year). The fertilizer used in this study is NPK Yellow (15:15:6:4). In terms of the total plant height and girth increment, there were significant difference between Gajah Mati and Jabil series where Gajah Mati showed better performance compared to Jabil series. This is attributed to the drainage status of the soil which is well drained whereas Jabil is poorly drained. Applying fertilizer up to the rate of 658 g/tree per year responded to quadratic model with the maximum of 10.3 cm/year on Gajah Mati compared to Jabil, 715 g/tree per year which gave the maximum girth of 8.4 cm/year. From this study, it is recommended that for non-traditional area especially Jabil and Gajah Mati, fertilizer should be applied 37% extra compared to the recommended rates in Gajah Mati series, while for the Jabil series, fertilizer should be applied 49% extra compared to the recommended rates in order to obtain maximum girth (cm/year). On the other hand, the fertilizer use should contain higher K compared to the NPK Yellow (15:15:6:4).

Development of Agro-Technology to Increase Yields of a Shy-Bearer Desi Cotton Species, <I>Gossypium arboreum</I> Race Cernuum in a Non-Traditional Area of Cultivation

Development of Agro-Technology to Increase Yields of a Shy-Bearer Desi Cotton Species, <I>Gossypium arboreum</I> Race Cernuum in a Non-Traditional Area of Cultivation

An economic analysis of mulberry cultivation and cocoon production in non-traditional area

Sericulture is a farm based, labor intensive and economic activity supporting farm families and cottage and small scale sector. Being one of the important sector in Indian economy it checks poverty and migration. Sericulture involves a series of activities like mulberry cultivation, cocoon production, silk reeling and the products in different forms. Sericulture is not only limited to the few areas where it is been intensively practiced called traditional areas but also for non-traditional areas. This study aims to know the profitability of mulberry cultivation and cocoon production by using primary data collected from 120 farmers of North Karnataka, India. The cost of mulberry cultivation per acre worked out to be 12699.82/-for rearing 300 Disease Free Laying (DFL's) of which 77.95 per cent is composed of variable component mainly human labour and the rest is fixed component. The gross returns on selling of mulberry leaves and stalks amounts 9472.91/-. So it is not profitable to cultivate mulberry for selling leaves instead one could rear the silkworm by purchasing leaves, but availability of mulberry leaves during all times is not assured. The cost of rearing 100 DFL's is worked out to be 33738.84/-and returns amounts 38604.96/-with a marginal net returns of 4866.12/-. The lower net returns attributed to lower prices due to poor established markets in non-traditional areas and low productivity (cocoon yield per 100 DFL's) i.e. 59.02 kg compared to traditional areas i.e. 90.00 kg.

Untangling crop management and environmental influences on wheat yield variability in Bangladesh: An application of non-parametric approaches

In South Asia, wheat is typically grown in favorable environments, although policies promoting intensification in Bangladesh's stress-prone coastal zone have resulted in expanded cultivation in this non-traditional area. Relatively little is known about how to best manage wheat in these unique environments. Research is thus needed to identify ‘best-bet’ entry points to optimize productivity, but classical parametric analyses offer limited applicability to elucidate the relative importance of the multiple factors and interactions that influence yield under such conditions. This problem is most evident in datasets derived from farmer-participatory research, where missing values and skewed data are common. This paper examines the predictive power of three non-parametric approaches, including linear mixed effects models (LMMs), and two binary recursive partitioning methods: classification and regression trees (CARTs) and Random Forests. We collected yield, crop management, and environmental observations from 422 wheat fields in the 2012–13 season, across six production environments spanning southern Bangladesh, where nutrient rates and genotypes were imposed, but management of other production factors varied from farmer to farmer. Fields were grouped into categories including early- and late-sowing, depending on crop establishment before or after December 15, respectively, and in combination, across both early- and late-sowing groups. For each of these groups, we investigated how each non-parametric analysis predicted the factors influencing yield. All three approaches identified nitrogen rate and environment as the most important factors, regardless of sowing category. CART also identified assemblages of high- and low-yielding environments, although those located in saline and warmer thermal zones were not necessarily the lowest yielding, indicating that farmers can optimize crop management to overcome these constraints. The number of days farmers sowed wheat before or after December 15, days to maturity, and the number of irrigations and weedings also influenced yield, though each method weighted these factors differently. LMMs also indicated a slight yield advantage when farmers used stress-tolerant genotypes, though CART and Random Forests did not. One-to-one plots for observed vs. predicted yields from LMMs and Random Forests showed better performance by the former than the latter, with smaller root mean square and mean absolute error for the combined, early- and late-sowing groups, respectively. While the LMMs were superior in this case, Random Forests may still prove useful in the classification and interpretation of farm survey data in which no treatment interventions have been administered.

Seasonality in cocoa : Weather influence on pod characters of cocoa clones

Cocoa ( Theobroma cacao L.) is the only source of chocolate and worldwide number of people depends upon cocoa for their lively hood. Now the crop is spreading to non-traditional area and it is very much necessary to study the impact of environment of crop production. The present study included seven released selections from Kerala Agricultural University and observations were taken for three years 2012, 13 and 14. From performance analysis CCRP IV and CCRP VI were found to be the best varieties with big pods (440.887 g and 419.0 g, respectively) and high wet bean weight (110.02 g and 107.95 g, respectively). Increase in morning humidity resulted in small pods. Wet bean weight showed a negative correlation with temperature and positive correlation with rainfall and number of rainy days. Almost all varieties showed maximum potential during post monsoon season. Increase in pod and bean characters during post monsoon period can be attributed to favourable condition prevailed during monsoon.

Healthcare Experiences of Latinos in a Nontraditional Destination Area

The purpose of this study was to describe the health and healthcare experiences of immigrant Latinos compared to USA-born Latinos, Whites, and African Americans in Greater Cincinnati, Ohio, a nontraditional immigrant destination area. Immigrant Latinos had significantly worse physical and mental health than other groups and significantly more barriers to healthcare. Latinos rated the degree to which their town is socially accepting of Latinos. Lower social acceptance was correlated with worse mental health and more barriers to healthcare. Geographic information system (GIS) mapping techniques revealed geographic patterns in the association between social acceptance of Latinos and health outcomes.

Modeling fuzzy information in fuzzy extended entity-relationship model and fuzzy relational databases

Computer applications in non-traditional area have put requirement on conceptual data modeling. Some conceptual data models, being the tool of design databases, have been proposed. Information in real world application is often vague or ambiguous. Currently few researches have been done in modeling fuzziness in conceptual data model and design of fuzzy databases. In this paper, based on fuzzy set theory, different levels of fuzziness are introduced into the EER (enhanced/extended entity-relationship) model and the corresponding representations are given. The EER model is then extended to fuzzy EER model. The formal mapping of the fuzzy EER model into the fuzzy relational database schema is proposed in the paper.