Station Director Research Articles

Western Water Network: A Case Study in Water Network Formation

AbstractIncreased water scarcity and drought frequency are creating water management challenges for many communities in the western U.S. In response, the Western Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors sponsored a virtual summit in August 2020 to develop a framework for identifying and addressing the most pressing water issues in the western United States (the West). Summit attendees were research scientists, university extension specialists and professionals, and federal/state agency representatives with knowledge and expertise of water management in the West. The summit elicited opinions from 54 experts on pressing water issues and possible methods for addressing them. A follow‐on survey of 49 individuals increased the depth and breadth of perspectives collected. Summit and survey results show that water scarcity is a growing concern among water scientists and other experts. Increased water scarcity is leading to overallocated river basins, depleted aquifers, and elevated tensions between water use sectors. Summit and survey participants emphasized the need for increased integration—across research, extension, and education efforts; across the social and physical sciences; across uses (including ecological); and across surface and groundwater systems. These results serve as a sensing of what many of our colleagues believe to be the major western water issues over the next 30 years and, in some cases, possible solutions for addressing them. The expert opinions elicited through the summit and survey informed the creation of the Western Water Network, whose mission is to advance collaborative, proactive, science‐based water decision‐making that supports dynamic human and natural systems in the West.

Western U.S. multistate research project on “water movement in soils”: A retrospective

AbstractTo prioritize agricultural research in the United States and to improve its competitiveness globally, Multistate Research Funds (MRFs) were set aside under the Research and Marketing Act of 1946. To implement the act, Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) Directors in the western United States met regularly to evaluate, fund, and review multistate research projects (MRPs), with membership of AES scientists named by the Technical Committee. This article highlights the history of research collaboration in the soil and vadose zone scientific community that was initiated in the western United States. The scientific interactions that started in 1958 with 10 scientists in western land‐grant universities and the USDA to address “Water Movement in Soil” have grown in membership and scope through successive 5‐yr projects. We highlight the value of such collaboration and the scientific advances in soil science and vadose zone hydrology.

One Voice Many Languages, Colonial Radio in India

Languages knit people together, but at All India Radio we witness the reverse trajectory. Radio's first 20 years, 1927–47, coinciding with the last 20 of British rule, saw the subcontinent's kaleidoscopic linguistic profile creating havoc. Three emotive stumbling blocks emerged, affecting radio: did a nation need a single language or was a multilingual state sustainable; could an alien language gain acceptance; and could there be consensus on a language imposed for institutional convenience. With heavy dependence on English, the dominant language of broadcast, station directors, had the authority to allocate rest of the time to prevailing languages, juggling diverse vernaculars. Complications surfaced at most stations, but most prominent at northern stations where language from being socio-cultural indicators became religious pointers, Hindi associated with Hindus and Urdu with Muslims. All India Radio adopted Hindustani, the confluence of both for practical reasons; instead of two languages, it was easier to cater in just one. This espousal led to heated disputes, with Hindi supporters alleging that radio's Hindustani leaned heavily towards Arabic, and the Urdu clique seeing a definite predisposition towards Sanskrit. The epicentre of controversy were the news programmes. The radio policy of British India was generally to be cautious and to avoid needless controversy.

THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF THE GENERAL CEMENT COMPANY IN LIGHT OF VIRAL MARKETING- AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF OPINION FOR SAMPLE FROM ITS LEADERS

The research aims to examine the correlation and the impact of Viral Marketing on Financial Performance in General Cement Company , Starting from the importance of research in public organizations and the importance of these organizations to the community, it is rely descriptive analytical methods in achievement of this research, the research involved board of directors, Data has collected from (84) respondents, represent the respondent society exclusively and comprehensively, it involved the general directors, assistant general directors and heads of department and directors of stations and their assistants, The research relied programs (Excel 2010, Spss V.28), moreover, some of descriptive statistics methods to test research's Hypotheses (Mean , St .D, Correlation and Regression), The researcher is attain to the existence of relationship and impact of Viral Marketing in Financial Performance, the research included four axes first went to the methodology and second to theoretical frame and the third to view and analyze the results and test hypotheses while the fourth was devoted to the conclusions and recommendations.

Evaluation of Active Fire Protection Facilities at gas stations in Indragiri Hulu Regency

Fire is a threat to human safety, property and the environment. Fire incidents at gas stations often occur, at least from 2018-2020 there have been two fire cases in Indragiri Hulu Regency which resulted in physical and material losses. The fire occurred due to the unavailability and lack of monitoring of active fire protection facilities at gas stations. This type of research is a case study qualitative research which is determined by purposive sampling. The informants in this study consisted of 6 people, namely operators, field coordinators, technical staff, supervisors, leaders and directors of gas stations. The results obtained are that the gas station already has 2 fire detectors but does not meet the standard of SNI 03-3985-2000, Gas stations already have fire alarms but not yet installed in all buildings, gas stations already have 4 fire extinguishers and are not in accordance with Pertamina Regulation and PU Ministerial Regulation No. 26/PRT/M/2008, there is an absorbent in the form of sand with a blue tub and it is not in accordance with Pertamina standards, it already has a hydrant that meets the standard and already has hose reels. It is suggested to gas stations to increase the number of fire detectors, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, hydrants and absorbents in accordance with Pertamina standards.

The Utilization of User Fees to Subsidize Greenhouse and Growth Chamber Facilities at Public and Land Grant Universities

Greenhouse and growth chamber operating and maintenance costs continue to escalate while budgets remain stagnant. As a result, many universities struggle to find the necessary funds for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of basic research infrastructure needs. A survey was conducted to develop an understanding of how user fee systems contribute to funding stability, and how they are designed and managed in support of greenhouse and growth chamber facilities at colleges of agriculture throughout the United States. Where user fees have been implemented, the majority of greenhouse and growth chamber facilities are managed centrally, and are administered by agricultural experiment station (AES) directors or facility managers. Regardless of the administrative authority, most systems use an advisory committee to set fee schedules and determine policies. The majority of user fees are allocated back to the specific facility, with the majority of funds in general used to help pay for indirect expenses. The findings also indicate that user fees make more efficient use of space by providing faculty with a financial incentive to minimize their project area and to conduct experiments quickly.

Pandemics, Power, and Conspiracy Theories

Pandemics, Power, and Conspiracy Theories

Threats to Freshwater Fisheries in the United States: Perspectives and Investments of State Fisheries Administrators and Agricultural Experiment Station Directors

Freshwater fisheries provide human benefits (e.g., food, recreation) but are increasingly threatened by climate change, invasive species, and other stressors. Our purpose was to survey fisheries administrators from state fisheries agencies and Agricultural Experiment Stations (AESs) about their perceptions of, and resource investment toward, threats to freshwater fisheries in the United States. Our rationale for studying these two types of fisheries administrators simultaneously was to inform state fisheries professionals about the fisheries relevance of AESs, elevate the profile of fisheries within AESs, and promote mutually beneficial state agency–AES partnerships. Survey respondents generally agreed that recreational, socioeconomic, and ecological services of fisheries were more important than nutritional and commercial benefits. The greatest perceived fisheries threats were water quality/quantity impairment, land‐use change, and invasive species—but, interestingly, not climate change. State fisheries agencies invested more personnel and finances into issues rated as less important but more controllable (e.g., fish production, habitat management) than issues rated as more important but larger in scale and more difficult to control (e.g., water quality/quantity, invasive species). Our research underscores the importance of ensuring that state agencies can address long‐term, socio‐ecologically critical management issues (e.g., climate change) amid budgetary constraints. We call for state agencies to collaborate with new partners (e.g., AESs) to mitigate fisheries threats by expanding fisheries management to more fully encompass terrestrial and human systems; promoting receptiveness to novel research/management ideas; actively predicting, monitoring, and planning for future stressors; and enhancing fisheries’ social–ecological resilience.

Early heat wave and heat stroke during distance running, April 2017, France

Introduction A 10 K run was organized in southwestern France in early April 2017. Several dozens of runners had discomforts, some of them very serious faint. Early health care was provided by first aid workers on site. Fire and emergency Service and the local hospital activated their emergency response plan. The Regional Health Agency called on the local Poison Control Center (PCC) and the Regional office of the French National Agency for Public Health to investigate the outbreak. The purpose of the survey was to describe the event and to determine the causes of these discomforts, and the risk factors of their occurrence. Methods An exploratory survey was set up to describe the event. Telephone interviews were conducted with the race organizer, the first aid station director, paramedics and the local hospital. People transported to the hospital were asked about their consumption (water, food, doping substances, medication, etc.) before and during the race, their risk factors for hyperthermia, as well as their symptoms through an individual questionnaire. A telephone survey was conducted by an epidemiologist. Emergency and hospitalization reports as well as the results of biological and toxicological analyses were evaluated by a toxicologist from the regional PCC. Results The running event gathered 4280 participants, including 70 dropouts. The event started at 6:30 PM. First participants arrived on site at 4:30 PM, which implied a 2-hour-wait under unusual heat for the season (27 °C at 6 PM). The first aid station took care of 31 people during and after the event for severe dehydration and hypoglycemia, especially after the 7th and the 8th km A total of 17 people (2 women and 15 men, between 23 and 52 years old) were transported to the hospital, 15 of them for a medical consultation and 2 were hospitalized in intensive care. They all recovered; no deaths were reported. Individual risk factors could be investigated for 7 men who were transported to hospital, including the 2 admitted to intensive care. Of these, 2 were overweight, 1 reported chronic pathology (asthma). None had used alcohol or other psychoactive substances within 24 hours of the race. It was the first participation to such an event for only one man. However, this man practiced running on a regular basis. Four runners spontaneously reported a lack of water or difficulties to access to the water, particularly at the 7th km. Eight hospitalization reports were sent to regional PCC. The clinical and biological analyses of these patients were consistent with heat stroke. Toxicology tests did not indicate any presence of toxic substances. For one of the patients, the consumption of a prescribed medication (corticoid) may have contributed to the occurrence of the heat stroke. Discussion The investigation was consistent with heat stroke. Relatively hot conditions, prolonged exposure to heat before the race, limited access to water stations and some unclear waypoints may have been aggravating factors. A delay in preventive health care (rehydration–cooling) was also reported. These elements were taken into account by the organizers for the organization of the next races. The organization of a sport's events during a heat wave requires specific precautions to be taken by the organizers and by participants. Prompt medical assistance during the race is needed.

PROPOSED RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR FUEL STATIONS

The aim of this study is to identify the proposed system for managing the risks and irregularities resulting from the gas stations in light of the laws and mechanisms available to support the environment and solve the environmental problems faced by the state due to the failure to apply the occupational safety and health standards for the station employees as well as the residents of the gas stations. In order to achieve this objective, the researcher relied on the theoretical rooting through the inductive method of books, references, and Arab and foreign studies, and then conducting a field study by designing a survey list of fuel stations and comprehensive data about them and the employees and supervisors and the owners of the stations as well as data on administrative and legal violations of the station, The sample of the study in the fuel stations in Shubra Al-Kheima city consists of (308) samples represented by (station directors, station supervisors, finance workers, laundry workers, oil change workers, tire change workers) D out of 20 fuel stations distributed in the city Shubra Al Khaimah. Ministry of Environment or Occupational Safety and Health Officer) in the supervision and control of Shubra El-Kheima stations with 15 supervisors. Of the Ministry of Petroleum and 8 employees of the catering offices and 7 employees of the Ministry of Environment, Peace and Occupational Health to become the total sample of the study outside the station (30) and the total of the year of the first category and the second category (total study population 338) The study concluded that the fuel of a correlation relationship was significant and significant between the risks of fuel stations and fuel station violations. The study recommended developing a proposed system for managing these risks and irregularities. Which is produced by the fuel stations in order to support the preservation of the environment and the elimination of environmental pollution resulting from those environmental waste as well as legal and administrative violations.

Message from the President: First Message to Members with Some Thoughts on Graduate Student and Early Career Scientist Professional Development

Message from the President: First Message to Members with Some Thoughts on Graduate Student and Early Career Scientist Professional Development

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS FOR PRODUCTION TRAITS OF LOCAL CHICKEN AND ISA BROWN IN KGR-IRAQ

The research work has been constructed at Sulaimani Research Station–Director of Agricultural Research to study the effect of three lines of local chickens: Pure black (line 1), Black with brown Neck (line 2), White (line 3) and Isa Brown (line 4) at four periods (19-32, 33-43, 44-60 and 61-75 weeks) on egg production traits. The age at first day of egg production, first week of production, sexual maturity, when reach to 50% and peak egg production and long duration of peak egg production were recorded. In addition to estimate the egg/hen/all periods, egg/hen/week, egg/ hen/ all period% and hen day egg production%. No significant difference between lines on age at first day of egg production, first week of production, sexual maturity and reach to peak production. Line 2 significantly (p<0.05) reach to 50% before other lines about 8-21 weeks. Moreover, line 3 significantly (p<0.05) has the shorter duration of egg production compared with other lines. Hen day egg production% at age at sexual maturity, at 50% production and throughout long duration of production did not significantly differed between lines. Peak production% of line 2 was significantly (p<0.05) higher than other lines. Egg weight was significantly (p<0.05) higher in line 4 compared with lines 1,2 and 3, but did not significantly differed with line 3 in egg/ hen/ all periods and egg/ hen/ week. As for percentage of egg production, line 2 was significantly (p<0.05) higher in percentages (33.20 and 34.30%) for egg/ hen/ periods% and Hen Day Production%, respectively. As the age increased the egg weight was increased, while egg/ hen/ period, egg/ hen/ week and percentage of egg production were significantly (p<0.05) higher at period 3.

Journalists’ Safety in the World’s Most Restricted Regime: The Case of Eritrea, Northeast Africa

The TV station located within the premises of the Ministry of Information in Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea, went out off air on the 21 st of January 2013 for the entire day. There were reports that 200 mutinied soldiers seized the station with the help of two tankers compelling the station director to announce the release of political detainees and journalists, who were held since independence, and demanded the implementation of ratified constitution. It was indeed a demand in pending for the past two decades, ever since Eritrea turned into a free nation. The mutiny came to an end with the soldiers surrendering their arms. In February 2009, the government of Eritrea raided a tiny radio station located in the downtown Asmara, adjacent to the Ministry of Education, detaining the entire staff and crew of Radio Bana that broadcasts programmes for adults and neo-literates. They were arrested without any charges and were never produced in the court. Six journalists of Radio Bana were released by January 2015 after prolonged imprisonment. These two incidents provide only a glimpse of the ongoing, never-ending, government-sponsored terror on the journalists of Eritrea. In a country where free political debate, freedom of expression, freedom of movement, right to academics, and freedom of religion are denied and suppressed, it is absolutely not possible to study journalist’s safety. Based on fieldwork and personal interviews with journalists, students and citizens serving indefinite national service, the study aims to illustrate the government- sponsored terror on the people of Eritrea in general and journalists in particular.

Obstacles to the Adoption of Self-Service Technology at Cairo International Airport

Due to the advancement and proliferation of information and communication technologies in today's world, self-service technology applications have become increasingly prevalent. Self-service technology (SST) is a technology that enables users to produce a service independent of direct service employee involvement. As more and more airlines have introduced technology-based self check-in services, it has become increasingly important to understand the factors affecting airline passengers’ attitudes toward this new form of check-in services and also their intentions. Therefore, this paper aims at investigating passengers' intention toward using check-in kiosks and exploring the obstacles to applying self-service check-in kiosks at Cairo International Airport. The field study is based on in-depth interviews with 20 Executive directors of Cairo International Airport, Station directors, employees of Egypt Air, and 30 passengers at Cairo International Airport. The results indicate that passengers are not commonly using Self-service check-in kiosks and had rejected the kiosks due to some obstacles. Finally, this study suggests that airlines should persuade passengers to acquire a more positive attitude toward the new check-in kiosks and should consider implementation of incentive strategies in encouraging passengers to adopt the self check-in service.

University of Wyoming Outdoor Studio Art Class

Since its inception as a Summer Innovative Course in 2000, the Department of Art Summer Outdoor Studio class has been exceptionally grateful for the opportunity to stay and work at the AMK Research Station as part of the three week summer intensive course. For art students, the dramatic setting and accommodation are inspiring and it is a highlight of the experience. From the AMK Ranch, students have full access to Grand Teton NP, Yellowstone NP as well as the National Wildlife Museum in Jackson. Last year we scheduled a docent tour of the Wildlife museum and attended an informative lecture on Native Art in the National Parks at the Coulter Bay Visitors Center. Art students appreciate the interaction with student researchers from different science disciplines. Often those conversations have direct impact on the creative work students produce during their stay. The AMK staff and, in particular, Professor Hank Harlow have offered us incredible hospitality and generosity. Professor Harlow’s knowledge of the geology, biology, and history of Grand Teton National Park is invaluable to this course. Also, his enthusiasm for art and scientific research is infectious. Our stay at the AMK always culminates in an exhibition of student and faculty creative work, hosted by Hank Harlow, UW NPS Research Station Director.

University of Wyoming Outdoor Studio Art Class

Since its inception as a Summer Innovative Course in 2000, the Department of Art Summer Outdoor Studio class has been exceptionally grateful for the opportunity to stay and work at the AMK Research Station as part of the three week summer intensive. For art students, the dramatic setting and accommodation are inspiring and it is a highlight of the experience. From the AMK Ranch, students have full access to the Teton NP, Yellowstone NP as well as the National Wildlife Museum in Jackson. Art students also appreciate the interaction with students from different disciplines in the sciences and often those conversations have direct impact on the creative work student’s produce during their stay. The AMK staff and in particular Professor Hank Harlow have offered us incredible hospitality and generosity. Professor Harlow’s knowledge of the geology, biology, and history of Teton National Park is invaluable to this course. Also, his enthusiasm for art and scientific research is infectious. Our stay at the AMK always culminates in an exhibition of student and faculty creative work, hosted by Hank Harlow, UW NPS Research Station Director.

University of Wyoming Outdoor Studio Art Class

Since its inception as a Summer Innovative Course in 2000, the Department of Art summer Outdoor Studio class has been exceptionally grateful for the opportunity to stay at the AMK Research Station as part of the three week summer intensive. For art students, the dramatic setting and accommodation are inspiring and it is a highlight of the experience. Art students also appreciate the interaction with students from different disciplines in the sciences and often those conversations have direct impact on the creative work student’s produce during their stay. The AMK staff and in particular Professor Hank Harlow have offered us incredible hospitality and generosity. Our stay at the AMK always culminates in an exhibition of student and faculty creative work, hosted by Hank Harlow, UW NPS Research Station Director.

Interview with Sekou Sundiata

Sekou Sundiata (1948–2007), an internationally renowned spoken word artist, activist, and teacher, came of age during the Black Arts movement of the 1960s and 1970s. His final performance project, 51st (Dream) State, responded to the September 11 attacks in New York through a multi-media presentation exploring the relationship between individual and national identity. Sundiata performed the piece in tandem with the American Project, which generated critical conversations in public gatherings that contemplated America's guiding mythologies in a quest to envision what it would mean to be a world citizen. Sundiata gave a keynote address at the 2007 Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed conference, focused on what it means to a citizen. Minneapolis-based community radio KFAI featured an interview with Sundiata by station director Janis Lane-Ewart on the day of his keynote. Sundiata passed away soon after his visit to Minneapolis and this transcript documents the final public presentation of his ideas regarding citizenship and performance.

REGIONALIZATION AND FRUIT CROPS IN THE SOUTHERN REGION: BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES FROM AN ADMINISTRATIVE PERSPECTIVE

Regional cooperative efforts such as the Southern Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Director's Advisory Committees, Development Committees, Multi-State Research Fund supported projects, and Southern Extension/Research Activities Information Exchange Groups have been in existence and have been successful for many years. However, there are opportunities and compelling circumstances for more intensive regionalized efforts, including multi-state faculty positions and multi-state cooperatives. The University of Georgia is involved in three multistate horticulture faculty positions—an orchard floor management specialist (shared with Clemson University and North Carolina State University), an apple research position (shared with Clemson University, North Carolina State University, and The University of Tennessee), and an apple extension specialist (shared with The University of Tennessee)—and one multi-state cooperative, the Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium (supported by Clemson University, North Carolina State University, The University of Georgia, and The University of Tennessee). Justification for these regional efforts includes the following: 1) federal legislation now mandates multi-institutional and integrated (research and extension) activities; 2) state boundaries form artificial barriers that are transparent to clientele groups, problems, and solutions; 3) decreasing state budgets have resulted in faculty and staff reductions at many institutions, with a subsequent decline in services to clientele groups; and 4) in times of limited funding, universities must focus on areas of excellence and collaborate with other institutions to fill in the remaining gaps. Benefits we have realized from these efforts include the following: 1) better service for minor commodities; 2) better educational programs due to larger venues and pooled overhead funds; 3) enhanced communication among institutions leading to increased cooperative efforts in other areas; and 4) reduced duplicity among institutions resulting in freed up resources to address other high priority areas. There are challenges unique to regional cooperatives: 1) travel distances for extension faculty may be increased and require a high degree of planning and coordination; 2) depending on the housing location of the shared specialist, response time can be greater than if program were housed in-state; and 3) shared programs require open, effective, and increased communications among cooperators. In our experience, the benefits of regionalization far outweigh the additional challenges encountered. However, to be successful: 1) the whole must be greater than the sum of the parts; 2) each partner must have identify preservation; 3) stakeholders must realize value from the programs and must be kept abreast of program successes to assure their continued support.

Regional Radio: A Response by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation to Democratization and Competition

In 1992, constitutional governance was re-established in Ghana, and private broadcasting made legal for the first time. This paper explores one of the responses of the state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to this novel situation, the opening of regional FM radio stations. Primary data for the paper was obtained from visits to six of the stations and interviews with station directors and other staff in July 1998. The political economic context in which the stations were established, their structures, and programming are examined. Evidence from this study indicates that with the new stations the GBC is expanding and enhancing its public service mandate. At the same time, institutional structures and scarce financial resources combine to prevent the Corporation from becoming independent of vested interests: government, commerce, or NGOs.