Successful Extension Research Articles

Well-defined epoxide-containing styrenic polymers and their functionalization with alcohols

Polymers containing electrophilic moieties, such as activated esters, epoxides, and alkyl halides, can be readily modified with a variety of nucleophiles to produce useful functional materials. The modification of epoxide-containing polymers with amines and other strong nucleophiles is well-documented, but there are no reports on the modification of such polymers with alcohols. Using phenyloxirane and glycidyl butyrate as low molecular weight model compounds, it was determined that the acid-catalyzed ring-opening of aryl-substituted epoxides by alcohols to form β-hydroxy ether products was significantly more efficient than that of alkyl-substituted epoxides. An aryl epoxide-type styrenic monomer, 4-vinylphenyloxirane (4VPO), was synthesized in high yield using an improved procedure and then polymerized in a controlled manner under reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization conditions. A successful chain extension with styrene proved the high degree of chain-end functionalization of the poly4VPO-based macro chain transfer agent. Poly4VPO was modified with a library of alcohols and phenols, some of which contained reactive functionalities, e.g., azide, alkyne, allyl, etc., using either CBr4 (in PhCN at 90 °C for 2–3 days) or BF3 (in CH2Cl2 at ambient temperature over 30 min) as the catalyst. The resulting β-hydroxy ether-functionalized homopolymers were characterized using size exclusion chromatography, 1H NMR and IR spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 1132–1144

A RAD-based linkage map of kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis Pl.) as a tool to improve the genome assembly and to scan the genomic region of the gender determinant for the marker-assisted breeding

Kiwifruit breeding still largely relies on phenotypic observation of cross progeny grown in the field to fruiting maturity, without any selection prior to the juvenility being overcome. Developing markers for the selection of traits of interest would greatly help breeders to rapidly screen breeding populations. With the aim of mapping several traits of interest in kiwifruit, a F1 population of diploid (2n = 58) Actinidia chinensis was produced by combining parents with contrasting phenotypic traits. Ninety-four individuals were preliminarily analyzed to obtain a saturated genetic map based on 167 SSRs from the literature and 12,586 segregating restriction-site-associated DNA (RAD) loci obtained through an approach known as genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) based on haplotype calling of SNP markers identified by a modified double digest restriction-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) protocol as proposed by Peterson et al. (2012). To improve the accuracy of genotype calling, restriction-site-associated reads were aligned to the scaffolds of the recently published kiwifruit genome (Huang et al. 2013). This strategy provided genetic anchoring to 557 Mbp (90 %) of the assembly, helping also to anchor some 120 unmapped Mbp and to identify some mis-joined scaffolds. The analysis of the region controlling the dioecy in kiwifruit, spanning 16 scaffolds in the pseudomolecule 25 of the genome assembly (approximately 4.9 Mbp), with RAD markers that co-segregated with the gender determinant, allowed to sort out markers suitable for marker-assisted selection for the gender in the mapping population with successful extension to further controlled crosses having parents at different ploidy level and belonging to the A. chinensis/Actinidia deliciosa complex.

A simplified electrochemically mediated ATRP synthesis of PEO-b-PMMA copolymers

Poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) amphiphilic copolymers were prepared via electrochemically mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (eATRP) utilizing only 50 ppm of CuII complex, rather than previously reported concentrations of catalyst of ca. 1,000–30,000 ppm. The copolymers were also prepared via a simplified electrochemically mediated ATRP (seATRP) procedure utilizing an aluminum wire sacrificial anode as a counter electrode, which was directly immersed into the reaction flask, without the need of its separation. This seATRP system works under both potentiostatic and galvanostatic conditions. In each case the polymerization results showed similar molecular weight evolution while maintaining a narrow molecular weight distribution throughout the reactions. The successful chain extension and formation of block copolymers confirmed the living nature of the poly(alkyl methacrylates) prepared by eATRP and seATRP.

News Article

News Article

Marketing strategy decisions for brand extension success

This study looks at the marketing strategies used by fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) firms in developing brand extensions and determines which of these strategies may lead to extension success. First, a qualitative study was done involving in-depth interviews with brand or marketing managers in 12 FMCG firms regarding the development of 19 extensions both successful and unsuccessful. Qualitative data was combined with past research to design a conceptual framework that was used in the second stage of the study. In the second phase, a survey was carried out involving personal interviews of brand/marketing managers or marketing directors in 15 FMCG firms regarding the development of 112 brand extensions. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire and analysed using the PLS method. Results show that there are five marketing strategy components that affect brand extension success significantly, quality of distribution strategy; quality of positioning; quality of product development strategy; extent of promotional investment and extent of market research. Within the quality of product development strategy the most important components are brand extension development quality and brand product portfolio similarity whereas in the quality of distribution strategy shelf quality is very important. Based on the marketing strategy components that were identified as important, a model is developed for analysing marketing strategy decisions for successful brand extensions. This model responds to the need for more structured methodologies in estimating success or failure of brand extensions.

The Cooperative Extension Program Development Model: Adapting to a Changing Context

For over 100 years, Cooperative Extension in the United States has used a consistently articulated program development model including program planning, design and implementation, and evaluation that involves stakeholders in the process. This issue of the Journal of Human Sciences and Extension examines the history and evolution of the program development model for successful Extension work and adaptations to that model that have emerged due to the changing educational context. This issue provides information on how elements of the model have changed over the last 100 years; delves into contemporary issues and challenges; and provides important analysis, implications, lessons learned, and applications for current and future success of Extension programs. In this article, we provide a definition of a program, the rationale for using a program development model in Extension work, the Extension Program Development Model, other program development models used by Extension professionals, and the changing context surrounding Extension work that impacts the Program Development Model.

Fundamental Dimensions and Essential Elements of Exemplary Local Extension Units

Collaborative efforts between federal, state, and local government agencies enable local Extension units to deliver a high level of educational opportunities to local citizens. These units represent land-grant institutions by delivering non-formal education that aim to address local, regional, and state concerns. The purpose of this study was to establish consensus that defines the characteristics of an exemplary local Extension unit of the Cooperative Extension Service. This effort is significant because the extent to which these Extension partners have agreed on the components of successful Extension units has never been clearly defined and was unknown. Determining the characteristics of an exemplary local Extension unit will facilitate consistency in the delivery of non-formal education through Extension. Using a modified Delphi technique to survey administrators responsible for the operation of the local Extension unit, this study identified six fundamental dimensions of an exemplary local Extension unit: adequate facilities and infrastructure, well-prepared Extension educators, well-developed educational programs, organizational accountability, effective county unit leadership, and adequate financial capacity. Within these six fundamental dimensions, the study further identified 77 essential elements of exemplary local Extension units. Results of this study will provide the foundation for the development of standards to guide the improvement of local Extension offices.

On a propagation-invariant, orthogonal modal expansion on the unit disk: going beyond Nijboer–Zernike theory of aberrations

Nijboer-Zernike's circle polynomials are broadly used for the evaluation of aberrations of optical systems or, more generally, wavefront analysis. This is because they are orthogonal over a unit circle and are directly related to the balanced classical aberrations for imaging systems with circular pupils. However, such expansion and successive extensions of the original theory suffer from a key limitation: it does not preserve its form under propagation. This means that even if a Nijboer-Zernike expansion for a field is known on a given reference plane, as soon as another plane is considered, a new, different set of polynomials for the same field appears. The origin of this problem is to be ascribed to the fact that Nijboer-Zernike polynomials are a useful mathematical tool which, however, are not bound to the physics of the electromagnetic problem they are employed in. In this work, we show that a more appropriate modal expansion does exist that is not only orthogonal on the unit disk but is also invariant on propagation. Besides impacting the field of aberrations analysis and retrieval, the modal expansion introduced here holds an enormous potential for digital classical and quantum optical communications, optical metrology, and adaptive optics too. The practical implementation, physical interpretation, and visualization of this new modal expansion are all very straightforward.

A perturbed hard sphere chain equation of state for refrigerants

The present work shows a successful extension of a recently developed modified perturbed hard sphere equation of state to liquid refrigerants. Our objective is the prediction of a reliable model to describe the volumetric properties of refrigerants. In this regard, we have applied our previously developed equation of state to R12, R13, R13b1, R22, R23, R32, R123, R124, R134a, R141b, R142b, R143a, R170, R218, R227ea, R290, R1150 and R1270. Two temperature dependent parameters which are universal functions of the reduced temperature and just one adjustable parameter that can be calculated by fitting to a few experimental data exist in this equation of state. Boiling point constants are utilized as scaling factors. In order to evaluate the model, we compared the predicted densities to the literature data. This led to very encouraging results. The results of four other equations of state are presented for comparison. Our results seem to be promising in view of application to mixtures of refrigerants and long-chain hydrocarbons. In this respect the paper can be regarded as a necessary step towards the prediction of the mixture behavior of refrigerants and the effect of the presence of the lubricant oil in the mixture.

The interplay of innovation, brand, and marketing mix variables in line extensions

Although marketers often introduce product innovations using line extensions, extant research provides little empirical evidence on whether and how this product strategy pays off. The objective of this study is to examine the effects of innovation and the relative roles of brand and marketing mix variables in the success of new line extensions. Using data from 196 new line extensions across 23 consumer packaged goods categories, the authors employ a two-stage approach to assess how innovation and parent brand strength impact line extension trial purchase. The authors find that innovative line extensions tend to have a higher level of average trial probability. The strongest marketing driver for successful innovative line extension introductions is parent brand strength. Non-innovative line extensions gain higher trial from greater distribution. The results offer guidance on how managers can better utilize brand strength and the marketing mix when employing a line extension strategy.

Age differences in the reaction to incentives – A test of the successful ageing extension of Social Production Functions Theory

Abstract The “aging employee” has recently become a hot topic in many fields of behavioral research. With the aim to determine the effects of different incentive schemes (piece rate, competition, choice between piece rate and competition, social or increased monetary incentives) on performance of young and older subjects, we look at behavior of a group of younger and older adults on a well-established real effort task. Based on the theory of Social Production Functions, we hypothesize age effects that depend on the incentive schemes used. We show that older adults are less productive than younger adults in all conditions, but that different incentive schemes exert similar influences on productivity in both age groups. While we do not find a significant age difference in competitiveness and reject the age-related predictions of the Social Production Functions Theory, we replicate the gender difference in competitiveness found in the literature. Social incentives in men have an at least as strong or even stronger effect on performance than increased monetary incentives. Women do not show an increase in performance with social incentives.

Successful Scientific Replication and Extension of Levitt (2008): Child Seats are Still No Safer Than Seat Belts

SummaryUsing US fatality data from 1975 to 2003, Levitt (Evidence that seat belts are as effective as child safety seats in preventing death for children aged two and up, Review of Economics and Statistics 2008; 90(1): 158–163) shows that child safety seats do not significantly reduce fatalities for children aged 2–6 years as compared to standard seat belts. Although we were unable to gain access to the original programs and dataset used, we were able to replicate Levitt's () findings almost exactly. We extend Levitt () by showing that the findings also hold for the years 2004–2011 despite changing driver characteristics and restraint use patterns. We fail to find evidence that SUVs provide additional safety for children. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Facile Synthesis of Well-Defined MDMO-PPV Containing (Tri)Block—Copolymers via Controlled Radical Polymerization and CuAAC Conjugation

A systematic investigation into the chain transfer polymerization of the so-called radical precursor polymerization of poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) materials is presented. Polymerizations are characterized by systematic variation of chain transfer agent (CTA) concentration and reaction temperature. For the chain transfer constant, a negative activation energy of −12.8 kJ·mol−1 was deduced. Good control over molecular weight is achieved for both the sulfinyl and the dithiocarbamate route (DTC). PPVs with molecular weights ranging from thousands to ten thousands g·mol−1 were obtained. To allow for a meaningful analysis of the CTA influence, Mark–Houwink–Kuhn–Sakurada (MHKS) parameters were determined for conjugated MDMO-PPV ([2-methoxy-5-(3',7'-dimethyloctyloxy)]-1,4-phenylenevinylene) to α = 0.809 and k = 0.00002 mL·g−1. Further, high-endgroup fidelity of the CBr4-derived PPVs was proven via chain extension experiments. MDMO-PPV-Br was successfully used as macroinitiator in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with acrylates and styrene. A more polar PPV counterpart was chain extended by an acrylate in single-electron transfer living radical polymerization (SET-LRP). In a last step, copper-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) was used to synthesize block copolymer structures. Direct azidation followed by macromolecular conjugation showed only partial success, while the successive chain extension via ATRP followed by CuAAC afforded triblock copolymers of the poly(p-phenylene vinylene)-block-poly(tert-butyl acrylate)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PPV-b-PtBuA-b-PEG).

WSU Meat Animal Evaluation, Analysis, and Technology Team Adding Value to Meat Products from Farm to Table: A Model of Successful Extension Programming

Meat animal (Beef, Lamb, Pork, and Poultry) 100, 200, and 300 programs are comprehensive educational programs that educate participants from farm to table targeting the learning needs for beginning, intermediate, and advanced producers. Topics include production management, animal evaluation, nutrition, carcass quality, quality targets, marketing, current issues, and consumer demands. As a result of these programs, a high percentage of participants indicated, not only increased knowledge, but also large increases in application outcomes

Curtailing the hydroxylaminobarbituric acid-hydantoin rearrangement to favor HNO generation.

Due to its inherent reactivity, HNO must be generated in situ through the use of donor compounds. One of the primary strategies for the development of new HNO donors has been modifying hydroxylamines with good leaving groups. A recent example of this strategy is the (hydroxylamino)barbituric acid (HABA) class of HNO donors. In this case, however, an undesired intramolecular rearrangement pathway to the corresponding hydantoin derivative competes with HNO formation, particularly in the absence of chemical traps for HNO. This competitive non-HNO-producing pathway has restricted the development of the HABA class to examples with fast HNO release profiles at physiological pH and temperature (t(1/2) < 1 min). Herein, the factors that favor the rearrangement pathway have been examined and two independent strategies that protect against rearrangement to favor HNO generation have been developed. The timecourse and stoichiometry for the in vitro conversion of these compounds to HNO (trapped as a phosphine aza-ylide) and the corresponding barbituric acid (BA) byproduct have been determined by (1)H NMR spectroscopy under physiologically relevant conditions. These results confirm the successful extension of the HABA class of pure HNO donors with half-lives at pH 7.4, 37 °C ranging from 19 to 107 min.

Electrochemically mediated ATRP of acrylamides in water

Electrochemically mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (eATRP) of acrylamide was investigated in aqueous media. The synthesis of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(acrylamide) block copolymers via eATRP under potentiostatic conditions was carried out. Various polymerization parameters were examined, including temperature, monomer concentration, ligand structure, and degree of polymerization (DP). Under optimized reaction conditions, the DP of resulting copolymers increased linearly with monomer conversion and semilogarithmic kinetic plots were linear. Successful chain extension and formation of the block copolymers confirmed the living nature of the eATRP of acrylamides in aqueous media.

Study of Extension Teaching Methods Adopted through Crop Maximization Project: A Case Study of Sindh Province

Farmers' decisions to adopt a new agricultural technology depend on complex factors. One of the factors is farmers' perception.Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MINFA) launched an integrated development programme entitled “Crop Maximization Project (CMP)” in 15 districts of the country. A successful extension teaching method can play a vital role to transfer the technology to the farming community. The role of the extension agent cannot be ignored for dissemination of information at field level. This study was conducted six districts of Sindh province comprising Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Naushahro Feroze, Khairpur and Larkana. Five villages were selected from the each district through multistage sampling techniques. Ten famers were selected from each village. Thus making a sample of 300 farmers was randomly selected for the study. A well structured interview schedule was used to collect information from the small farmers on their personal and socio-economic characteristics and effectiveness of extension teaching method at farm level. Statistical techniques like mean scores and percentages were used to analyze the data. The findings of the study showed that majority 35% of the small farmers were youth having age group (26-35 years). About 57% of the respondents were married; majority (40%) maintained a range of small farmers having land 6-12 acres. 45% of the respondents having their primary education. Almost 47% of the respondents were experienced between 6 to 10 years. The result of the study showed that land management practices and selection and sowing of certified seed at proper time ranked highest in the order of acquiring knowledge. The majority 80% farmers perceived farmers field school, while 70% farmers were identified result demonstration, 68% farmers through method demonstration as the extension teaching method used by extension personnel. It is recommended that farmers should be trained through farmer’s field school for the adoption of the technology at field level. Crop maximization project should be extended to other districts of Sindh province and knowledge of the farmers should be enhanced through extension teaching methods for crop productivity enhancement and better livelihood for the farming community. .

Fountains in Industry and Nature

Turbulent fountains arise when a localized flow, free to entrain fluid from its surroundings, is opposed by a buoyancy force. This review cites numerous examples to highlight their wide occurrence in nature and in industry. The breadth of the literature reviewed is significant, drawing from over half a century of progress, and we initially focus on axisymmetric, small–density difference fountains in uniform environments. Many aspects of their rich dynamical behavior, including that of their rise heights and fluctuations in height, are described and encapsulated within the fountain classification presented. Drawing from detailed experimental data sets, dimensional considerations, recent numerical studies, and numerous successful extensions to the original theoretical model for a fountain, we implicitly highlight the current predictive capability offered. The turbulent entrainment of ambient fluid, the effects of environmental stratification, and the role of confinement on a fountain are all discussed. Finally, we suggest future avenues of research.

On-farm characteristics and biosecurity protocols for small-scale swine producers in eastern Australia

Pigs are considered high risk for the introduction and spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Australia. Facilities where animals from different origins are commingled, such as saleyards, pose a high risk for disease spread. Sound on-farm management practices and biosecurity protocols are the first line of defence against a potential on-farm disease outbreak. This study evaluated the practices of 104 producers (vendors who sold pigs and purchasers of live pigs for grow-out) who traded pigs at 6 peri-urban and rural saleyards in eastern Australia. Specifically, management and on-farm biosecurity practices were assessed using an in-depth questionnaire. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to investigate (1) producer associations: producer type, State, motivation to keep pigs, farm type, gender, years having owned pigs, and the acquisition of formal livestock qualifications; and (2) pig associations: herd size, housing, management (husbandry and feeding) practices and biosecurity (including pig movement) practices. Backyard operations (<20 sows) were undertaken by 60.6% of participants, followed by small-scale pig operations (28.8%; 21–100 sows). Few producers (16.3%) reported residing in close proximity (<5km) to commercial operations; however, less rural producers had neighbouring hobby pig operations within 5km of their property (P=0.033). Motivation for keeping pigs was significantly associated with a number of biosecurity practices. Producers who kept pigs for primary income were more likely to provide footwear precautions (P=0.007) and ask visitors about prior pig contacts (P=0.004). Approximately 40% of backyard and small-scale producers reported not having any quarantine practices in place for incoming pigs, compared to only 9.1% among larger producers. The main reasons cited for not adopting on-farm biosecurity practices in this study included having no need on their property (43.1%) and a lack of information and support (by the industry and/or authorities; 18.5%). Up to three-quarters of all producers maintained an open breeding herd, regularly introducing new pigs to the main herd. Saleyards are an important source of income for backyard and small-scale producers as well as an important risk factor for the introduction and dissemination of endemic and emerging animal diseases. Differing management and biosecurity practices as well as the motivations of these producers keeping pigs in small numbers and trading pigs at saleyards need to be taken into account in the development of successful biosecurity extension programmes for this sector of the Australian pork industry.

Variation in irradiance, soil features and regeneration patterns in experimental forest canopy gaps

Abstract Key message Natural regeneration of beech, maple and fir was investigated in relation to irradiance, ground vegetation and soil features. Seedling establishment may be favoured by creating small and irregular gaps and by successive extension of gaps along the sun-exposed gap edge. Context To successfully manage natural regeneration, it is important to understand the interactions of forest gap micro-climates and soil features. Aim The aim of this study was to identify conditions for successful natural regeneration of European beech, sycamore maple and silver fir in mixed forests. Methods Seedling growth and survival were recorded within and around two artificial gaps, and the relationships to irradiance, ground vegetation and soil features were examined. A simple conceptual model was applied to identify optimal micro-sites for regeneration. Results Ground vegetation hindered the establishment of natural regeneration in the centre of the gaps. Small seedlings of maple and beech were more abundant within the small gap and along gap edges; beech had the highest density on sun-exposed edges and maple on shaded gap edges. Tall beech and maple seedlings were more abundant along sun-exposed gap edges. Greater variability of irradiance in the larger gap contributed to greater micro-site heterogeneity relative to the small gap. Conclusions Seedling establishment may be favoured by creating small and irregular gaps and by successive extension of gaps along the sun-exposed gap edge. Circular gaps with diameters greater than stand height contribute to increased ground vegetation coverage and hinder tree regeneration, including semi-shade tolerant maple and spruce.