Within-Plant Distribution of Two-Spotted Spider Mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), on Strawberries: Decision of an Optimal Sampling Unit

It is known that two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), a major pest of strawberry, is difficult to manage. This study was conducted to determine the optimal sampling unit to increase management efficiency of T. urticae in strawberries. The sampling unit was determined by characterizing within-strawberry distribution of T. urticae and by comparing coefficient of variation (CV) and correlation coefficient (r2) among potential sampling units. There was a significant (p < 0.05) difference in densities within a strawberry according to the leaf age. However, there was no significant difference in its density within a trifoliate leaf. More T. urticae were found on young-fully-opened (moderately old) leaves than on young and old ones. Moreover, these leaves had lower CV and r2 values than others. More specifically, optimal sampling units of T. urticae were fifth, fifth or sixth, and sixth oldest leaves for motiles (immatures and adults), all stages (motiles and eggs), and eggs, respectively. The required sampling number should be determined depending on the density. However, for management purposes, one and two leaflets would be acceptable for eggs and motiles, respectively. By using this small number of suitable sampling unit, the sampling and management for T. urticae in strawberries could be more efficient than before.

On estimating the shape and dynamics of phenotypic distributions in ecology and evolution

Estimating the distribution of phenotypes in populations and communities is central to many questions in ecology and evolutionary biology. These distributions can be characterized by their moments: the mean, variance, skewness, and kurtosis. Typically, these moments are calculated using a community-weighted approach (e.g. community-weighted mean) which ignores intraspecific variation. As an alternative, bootstrapping approaches can incorporate intraspecific variation to improve estimates, and also quantify uncertainty in the estimate. Here, we compare the performance of different approaches for estimating the moments of trait distributions across a variety of sampling scenarios, taxa, and datasets. We introduce the traitstrap R package to facilitate inferences of trait distributions via bootstrapping. Our results suggest that randomly sampling ~9 individuals per sampling unit and species, focusing on covering all species in the community, and analysing the data using nonparametric bootstrapping generally enables reliable inference on trait distributions, including the central moments, of communities.

Spatio-Temporal Distribution and Fixed-Precision Sampling Plan of Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Florida Blueberry

Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood is an invasive and foliar pest of Florida blueberry that reduces plant growth by feeding on new leaf growth. A sampling plan is needed to make informed control decisions for S. dorsalis in blueberry. Fourteen blueberry fields in central Florida were surveyed in 2017 and 2018 after summer pruning to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of S. dorsalis and to develop a fixed-precision sampling plan. A sampling unit of ten blueberry shoots (with four to five leaves each) was collected from one blueberry bush at each point along a 40 × 40 m grid. Field counts of S. dorsalis varied largely ranging from zero to 1122 adults and larvae per sampling unit. Scirtothrips dorsalis had aggregated distribution that was consistent within fields and temporally stable between summers, according to Taylor’s power law (TPL) (aggregation parameter, b = 1.57), probability distributions (56 out of 70 sampling occasions fit the negative binomial distribution), Lloyd’s index (b > 1 in 94% occasions), and Spatial Analysis by Distance IndicEs (31% had significant clusters). The newly developed fixed-precision sampling plan required 167, 42, seven, or three sampling units to estimate a nominal mean density of 20 S. dorsalis per sampling unit with a precision of 5%, 10%, 25%, or 40%, respectively. New knowledge on S. dorsalis distribution will aid in evaluating the timing and effectiveness of control measures.

UNEXUP, a robotic exploration technology for underground flooded mines

&lt;p&gt;UNEXUP is an EIT RawMaterials supported project (Project Number 19160) with the aim to improve and commercialize the robot-based technology developed in the H2020 UNEXMIN project (2016-2019). In UNEXMIN three underwater robot prototypes (UX-1 a,b,c) were built with geoscientific and navigational instruments capable of collecting valuable geological, mineralogical and spatial information from flooded mines without causing harm to the environment, risk to human lives, or high dewatering costs. This technology was tested in five different field trials and proved to be an efficient exploration method to sustainably evaluate the potential for mineral resources in these mines. For example, scanning sonars and structured light systems can map the environment even with near-zero visibility, the visible light cameras allow the identification of structural and geological features, the gamma-ray counter helps to identify minerals with natural radiation, and the pH, EC and water sampler allow the characterization of the waters in these sites.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In UNEXUP (2020-2022) the objective is to further improve this robot-based technology, test it in real-life environments, and commercialize it as an exploration service. The UNEXUP technology will comprise two new robots, which will add to the three UX-1s that were developed in UNEXMIN. These new robots consider the feedback and requirements from potential customers (e.g., mining companies and Geological Surveys) and other stakeholders of the predecessor project.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The first robot, UX-1Neo, is an upscaled version of UX-1, with the same dimensions and functionalities. This robot was built to address the limitations and malfunctions found in the previous line of robots, and it has software improvements that allow reduction of the number of operators, with faster mission setup time, and more efficient data collection and processing. With hardware improvements, it is a lighter, modular robot with better thruster control, an additional camera, and easily swappable batteries. The second robot, UX-2, to be built in 2021, will be a more complex unit with increased modularity, higher TRL, and greater operational depth. The modularity of both robots allow the sharing of some geoscientific instruments that are being developed, such as multispectral camera, water sampling unit, water chemistry measurement, and fluxgate magnetometer. In addition, there will be a rock sampling unit supported by a robotic arm, which will be developed exclusively for UX-2.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The robots will demonstrate their capabilities under real-life environments during the project. A real service-to-client approach is being carried out, and commercial missions have already been scheduled for the UX-1Neo in 2021. Some examples include a 3D inspection of a water well, geoscientific survey of a flooded salt mine, as well as other survey missions under discussion in Europe and worldwide.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Both robots are equipped with navigational and geoscientific instruments to address surveying requirements in flooded mines. However, there is a range of other applications for this technology, including: inspection of water wells and reservoirs, cultural heritage sites, cave exploration, environmental risk evaluation, and many other underwater structures that can benefit from this technology.&lt;/p&gt;

Impact of learning organization on organizational effectiveness – An applied study on Five Star hotels in Jordan –: أثر خصائص منظمة التعلّم في تحقيق الفاعلية التنظيمية – دراسة ميدانية على فنادق الخمس نجوم في عمان – الأردن –

This study aims to identify the availability of learning organization characteristics and its impact on organizational effectiveness in five-star hotels in Amman. This study employed purposive sampling. The sampling unit included all employees in the administrative departments in the three hotels which consisted of (237) individuals. The results show the availability of learning organization characteristics in five- star hotels in a high degree, which indicates the awareness of five stars hotels management of the importance of learning organizations characteristics & the presence of a statistically significant effect of learning organization characteristics and its dimensions on organizational effectiveness. In light of these findings, the study provided a set of recommendations. Mainly: management of five-star hotels should give workers more freedom to do the work that is entrusted to them, and to give them more participation in the decision-making process, as well as paying more attention to financial incentives given to their employees in order to encourage continues learning among them.

Sampling unit for efficient signal detection and application to liquid chromatography-Raman spectroscopy

A new sampling unit design enhances the signal intensity and is available to combine Raman spectrometer with liquid chromatography.

Dispersion Patterns and Sample Size Estimates for Egg Masses of Spotted Lanternfly (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae)

The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (White), is a new invasive pest in the United States. To quantify spotted lanternfly population abundance, one must understand this pest’s dispersion pattern, that is, the spatial arrangement of individuals within a population. Spotted lanternflies overwinter in egg masses from late fall to May, making this life stage suitable for population assessments. We measured the dispersion pattern of egg masses at two types of sites: a suburban housing development, where we used individual trees as the sampling unit, and rural woodlots, where we used individual trees and also plots with 5.64 m radius as sampling units. Plots were the same size as those recommended for monitoring the gypsy moth, a well-studied pest with similar egg laying habit to the spotted lanternfly. Egg masses in both sampling units were counted up to a height of 3 m. With trees as the sampling unit, egg masses were aggregated in 12 of 20 rural sampling universes, randomly dispersed at 6, and completely absent at 2. Similar patterns were seen when using the 5.64-m radius rural sampling units and for suburban sampling universes. We calculated sample size requirements for a range of mean densities at a precision of 25 and 30%. Additionally, the vertical distribution of egg masses was characterized on the invasive tree of heaven [Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle], a preferred host for spotted lanternflies. For small trees, there was a positive relationship between number of egg masses in the bottom 3 m of the tree and the total count.

Pengaruh Citra Merek, Persepsi Harga dan Kualitas Produk Honda Brio Satya Terhadap Minat Beli Pelanggan di Jakarta

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of brand image, perceive price and product quality on purchase intention. The number of sample in this study was 160 respondents consisting of potential customers and the customers Honda Brio Satya of PT. Honda Prospect Motor in Jakarta. The technique to sampling unit analysis was convenience nonprobality sampling method. The results of this study as follow. First, it was found that brand image has a positive and significant effect on purchase intention. Second, perceive price has a positive and significant effect on purchase intention. Third, product quality has a positive effect on purchase intention. Fourth, brand image, price perception and product quality jointlyl effect purchase intention of Honda Brio customer. Therefore, to improve the purchase intention of the customers, the company should give a great concern to brand image, price and the quality of Honda car production.

Kompetensi Wirausaha yang Mendorong Keberhasilan Usaha (Studi pada IKM Produk Makanan Olahan Di Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Barat)

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis hubungan kompetensi wirausaha yang mendorong keberhasilan Industri Kecil dan Menengah (IKM) pengolahan makanan di Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB). Jenis penelitian asosiatif, dengan menggunakan teknik non probability sampling. Unit analisis adalah IKM yang ada di Provinsi NTB, yang mencakup wilayah Pulau Lombok, terdiri dari: Lombok Barat, Kota Mataram, Lombok Tengah, Lombok Timur, Lombok Utara, dan Wilayah Pulau Sumbawa; Sumbawa Besar. Responden penelitian adalah pemilik atau pengelola usaha IKM yang diperoleh dengan cara purposive sampling yaitu pemilihan sampel dengan kriteria tertentu. Dalam penelitian ini responden adalah IKM yang telah berdiri lebih dari 3 (tiga) tahun dengan pendapatan positif. Jumlah Responden dalam penelitian ini sebanyak 101 pengusaha. Teknik analisis data dengan menggunakan SPSS. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan terdapat hubungan yang signifikan antara kompetensi wirausaha dengan keberhasilan usaha pada IKM pengolahan makanan di Provinsi NTB.