Field performance of four vibrating-wire piezometer installation methods

Vibrating wire piezometers provide a number of advantages over the traditional hydraulic piezometer design. There are currently many methods and configurations for installing vibrating-wire piezometers, the most common being: single piezometers in sand packs (SP), multilevel piezometers in sand packs (MLSP), and fully-grouted multilevel piezometers using either bentonite (FGB) or cement-bentonite grout (FGCB). This study assesses the performance of these four different installation methods at a field site possessing complex stratigraphy, including glacial and marine sediments. To accomplish this objective, pore pressure data recorded between December 2017 and July 2019 were analyzed. Data indicate that SP, MLSP, and FGB piezometers performed most reliably, based on the fact that piezometers installed at the same depth with these methods recorded similar pressure variations that were coherent with the hydrogeological setting. Of the two fully-grouted installations using cement-bentonite grout, one installation failed completely due to a hydraulic short circuit, likely caused by preferential flow occurring along the wires of the embedded instruments. The lack of a standard method for mixing cement-bentonite grout at the time of construction likely contributed to the failure of the FGCB installations, as the grout mixture used in this study was likely too viscous to provide a suitable seal.

Delays during PBMC isolation have a moderate effect on yield, but severly compromise cell viability

Background: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBCs) are a versatile material for clinical routine as well as for research projects. However, their isolation via density gradient centrifugation is still time-consuming. When samples are taken beyond usual laboratory handling times, it may sometimes be necessary to pause the isolation process. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of delays up to 48 hours after the density gradient centrifugation on PBMC yield, purity and viability. Methods: PBMCs were isolated from samples of 20 donors, either with BD Vacutainer CPT tubes (CPT) or with the standard Ficoll method. Isolation was paused after initial density gradient centrifugation for 0, 24, or 48 hours. PBMC yield, purity and viability were compared. Results: The yield did not change significantly over time when CPT were used (55%/52%/47%), but did after isolation with the standard method (62%/40%[p<0.0001]/53%[p<0.01]). Purity was only affected if CPT were used (95%/93%[p=n.s./92%[p<0.05] vs. 97% for all time points with standard method). Whereas viable PBMCs decreased steadily for CPT isolates (62%/51%[p<0.001]/36%[p<0.0001]), after standard Ficoll gradient isolation, cell apoptosis was more pronounced already after 24h delay, and viability did not further decrease after 48h (64%/44%[p<0.0001]/40%[p<0.0001]). Conclusions: In conclusion, our data suggests that post-centrifugation delays of up to 48h might have only a minor effect on cell yield and purity. However, at the same time, a relevant decrease in cell viability was observed, which could be partially compensated by the use of CPT if the isolation was resumed latest the day after blood withdrawal.

Human Resources Accounting Disclosure Practices (HRADP)

The objective of this paper is to determine the benefits and challenges of valuation and disclosure of human resources based on prior art. The study found low adoption rate of HR accounting, no standard method for valuation of human resource, no legal provision for the adoption of it, and disclosure of the same in the annual reports of the organization. The study recommended adopting the HRAP as there is evidence of an increase in the profitability and increase in the efficiency of the employees.

Estimation Method of the Consolidation Potential of Rural Residential Land considering Farmers’ Willingness

The work of rural residential land consolidation is related to several aspects, such as optimization of the structure of rural layout and improvement of the ecological environment in rural areas. Therefore, the work of rural residential land consolidation must be carried out rationally and effectively on the basis of scientific estimation of the real potential of rural residential land consolidation. However, according to the existing estimation method of the consolidation potential of rural residential land, it ignores the willingness of farmers who are closely related to it and cannot meet the current requirements of rural residential consolidation. Under the background of rural revitalization and based on the new requirements of standardizing rural land improvement work, this study organically combines rural residential land consolidation and the protection of farmers’ land rights and interest from the perspective of farmers’ wishes. The research uses a multimethod integrated approach (the per-capita construction land standard method, per-household construction land standard method, and town system planning method) to measure theoretical potential of the rural residential land consolidation and constructs a correction index system in two dimensions: natural conditions and economic feasibility. And then, this study further optimizes the correction index system from the perspective of farmers’ willingness. Finally, the feasibility of the estimation method is verified by a case. The research will initiate new ideas for estimating land consolidation potential in residential areas and provide references for the work and the special plan of rural residential land consolidation in various localities.

Human Versus Machine: How Do We Know Who Is Winning? ROC Analysis for Comparing Human and Machine Performance under Varying Cost-Prevalence Assumptions

Background Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis is commonly used for comparing models and humans; however, the exact analytical techniques vary and some are flawed. Objectives The aim of the study is to identify common flaws in ROC analysis for human versus model performance, and address them. Methods We review current use and identify common errors. We also review the ROC analysis literature for more appropriate techniques. Results We identify concerns in three techniques: (1) using mean human sensitivity and specificity; (2) assuming humans can be approximated by ROCs; and (3) matching sensitivity and specificity. We identify a technique from Provost et al using dominance tables and cost-prevalence gradients that can be adapted to address these concerns. Conclusion Dominance tables and cost-prevalence gradients provide far greater detail when comparing performances of models and humans, and address common failings in other approaches. This should be the standard method for such analyses moving forward.

Control of Common Vole (Microtus arvalis) in Alfalfa Crops Using Reduced Content of Anticoagulants

The common vole, Microtus arvalis, which is prone to cyclic overpopulation, poses a significant threat to sustainable alfalfa production by either chewing shoots periodically or gnawing and damaging roots permanently. In areas with established vole colonies, the density of alfalfa plants was shown to decrease 55.3–63.4%. Simultaneously, the number of alfalfa shoots decreased by 60.9–71.7%. These experiments were conducted in compliance with an EPPO standard method in alfalfa fields at three geographically remote sites. The experiment tested the efficacy of the most widely used acute rodenticide zinc phosphide (2%), and anticoagulants applied at significantly reduced doses of active ingredients, i.e., bromadiolone (25 ppm) and brodifacoum (25 ppm), as well as a combination of these active ingredients at a low concentration (10 + 10 ppm). Three weeks after treatment, zinc phosphide and brodifacoum achieved the highest average efficacy, at 98.5% and 92.05%, respectively, while the average efficacy of the anticoagulant combination and bromadiolone was 87.2% and 75.5%, respectively. The achieved efficacy of baits based on brodifacoum and the combination of brodifacoum and bromadiolone in controlling common voles indicates their possible utilization in the field. Baits with 25 ppm of brodifacoum and the combination of bromadiolone and brodifacoum (10 + 10 ppm) showed satisfactory results and their introduction could significantly improve pest management programs for rodent control. At the same time, the use of anticoagulant rodenticides with reduced contents of active ingredients would significantly reduce their exposure to non-target animals, especially predators and vultures. By further improving the palatability of tested baits for target rodent species, their efficacy and safety of application would be significantly improved.

Assessing Ecologically Valid Methods of Auditory Feedback Measurement in Individuals With Typical Speech

Purpose: Auditory feedback is thought to contribute to the online control of speech production. Yet, the standard method of estimating auditory feedback control (i.e., reflexive responses to auditory–motor perturbations), although sound, requires specialized instrumentation, meticulous calibration, unnatural tasks, and specific acoustic environments. The purpose of this study was to explore more ecologically valid features of speech production to determine their relationships with auditory feedback mechanisms. Method: Two previously proposed measures of within-utterance variability (centering and baseline variability) were compared with reflexive response magnitudes in 30 adults with typical speech. These three measures were estimated for both the laryngeal and articulatory subsystems of speech. Results: Regardless of the speech subsystem, neither centering nor baseline variability was shown to be related to reflexive response magnitudes. Likewise, no relationships were found between centering and baseline variability. Conclusions: Despite previous suggestions that centering and baseline variability may be related to auditory feedback mechanisms, this study did not support these assertions. However, the detection of such relationships may have required a larger degree of variability in responses, relative to that found in those with typical speech. Future research on these relationships is warranted in populations with more heterogeneous responses, such as children or clinical populations. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.17330546