Globally, the forestry sector is the second largest contributor of greenhouse gases, and sustainable forest management is a major target of international environmental policy. However, there is the assumption underlying many policy recommendations that an increase in above-ground carbon stocks correspond to long term increases in ecosystem carbon stocks, the majority of which is stored in soils. We analyzed soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics in forest soils that had undergone twenty years of organic inputs manipulations as part of the Detritus Input and Removal Treatment (DIRT) network. There was no statistically significant effect of the rate of litter or root inputs on the carbon or nitrogen in bulk soil, on respiration rates of soil in laboratory incubations, on the non-hydrolyzed fraction of soil organic matter, or on any organic matter associated with any density. However, there is evidence for positive priming due to increased litter inputs; doubling the rate of litter inputs decreased C and N contents of bulk soil and decreased respiration rates of soil. Furthermore, there is evidence that roots influence soil organic matter dynamics more strongly than above-ground inputs. Both of these results trends match data from other DIRT sites, and are supported by the literature. / Graduation date: 2012

This item was digitized as part of the Million Books Project led by Carnegie Mellon University and supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Cornell University coordinated the participation of land-grant and agricultural libraries in providing historical agricultural information for the digitization project; the University of Arizona Libraries, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the Office of Arid Lands Studies collaborated in the selection and provision of material for the digitization project.

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This diploma thesis is focused on the topic of content marketing for businesses with an emphasis on creation of a content strategy, which is an important anchor in building a relationship with the customer. The first part focuses on the essential theory which was used as a starting point for the development of this paper. In the practical part of this thesis, there was executed a survey, which aimed to identify the online shopping behavior of current and potential customers of VinoPortugal. On the basis of this survey and several additional analyzes, the in-depth content strategy for this company was created. Creation of this strategy was the main goal of this thesis.

The work deals with the content strategy, methods and techniques how to prepare, design and create web content according to established goals. The theoretical part defines role of the content strategy, introduces methods, content life cycle and potential benefits and outputs of the content strategy in its phases: preparation, analysis, creation, evaluation and content management. Work also discussed the interaction with other fields of web design and legal limits, which affect online content in the Czech Republic. The main objective of this diploma thesis is to design new web content strategy for organization. After describing the initial situation and goals, mentioned methods are used to the systematic management of web content. Thanks to the results of this content strategy (target group definition, competitive content analysis, existing content inventory, keyword analysis, information architecture, style guide, content plan, content model, creation process and content management), readers get the guidance, which can inspire them in their practice.

Rice is an important human staple food for over half of the world’s population. Amylose content (AC), gelatinization temperature (GT), grain protein content (GPC), percentage grain chalkiness (PGC), and mineral content are important parameters for evaluating rice quality, which attracts customers and breeders. Only limited genes or QTLs (OsAAP6, OsGluA2, OsASN1, Chalk5, OsHMA3, etc.) are reported regulating rice GPC, PGC, and mineral content due to the lack of genetic knowledge and molecular markers. To dissect the genetic architecture of rice grain quality regulation, genome wide association studies (GWAS) were performed using two populations (USDA-mini core collection and a panel of 662 rice accessions from the 3K Rice Genomes Project). A total of 28, 11, 4, 3, 40, 3, 4, 3, and 10 QTLs were identified associated with Cd, Co, Cu, K, Mo, Ni, Rb, Sr, and Zn under flooded environment, while, 23, 7, 7, 7, and 3 QTLs were detected to be associated with Cd, Fe, Mo, Ni, and Zn under unflooded environment, respectively. Moreover, 6, 5, and 2 significant QTLs were tightly associated with kernel length, kernel rate, kernel width, respectively. Furthermore, 44, 7, 27, and 20 QTLs were identified associated with AC, GT, GPC, and PGC, respectively. Overall, 53 (~ 20.08%) of the 264 QTLs were coinciding with previously reported QTLs/genes, and 211 (~ 79.92%) were novel QTLs. A candidate gene, OsPCAT (putative cationic transporter), associated with GPC in the dry season was selected for further analysis. The OsPCAT gene belongs to the amino acid transporters (AATs) family with nine closely related members reported in Oryza Sativa. The classification and evolution of the CAT family (a subgroup of AATs family) using 61 species were studied. The over-expression lines (OsPCAT-OX) and CRISPR-Cas9 knock-out lines (OsPCAT-KO) were developed to study the function of OsPCAT gene. The preliminary results showed the GPC in OsPCAT-OX lines was increased and OsPCAT-KO lines were decreased compared to WT. Overall, a large number of new and reported QTLs associated with rice grain quality have been identified. This work lays the foundation for marker development in breeding and further investigation on rice grain quality regulation.

Highways are known to be a source of several toxic pollutants including the heavy metals lead, zinc and chromium. The need to manage highway runoff in a manner which reduces or eliminates the loading of heavy metals to receiving waters is evident, but more research has been required to develop cost-effective ways of meeting this need. Recent studies have indicated that the soil is a significant "sink" for heavy metals, allowing speculation that management practices which make use of the soil to retain metals from highway runoff should be employed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ability of the soil to retain heavy metals and to document some of the soil properties and reactions which are responsible for this ability. This was accomplished through a combined effort of literature review and laboratory analysis of in situ soils from the right-of-way area of 5 Central Florida highways. A total of 13 samples were analyzed, for pH, cation exchange capacity, organic matter content, grain size, and concentrations of lead, zinc and chromium. The samples were separated into 6 fractions according to density and each fraction was analyzed for lead, zinc, and chromium. The step allowed reasonable estimates of the relative importance of soil components (clay minerals, organic matter) and/or soil-heavy metal interactions (precipitation, complex formation, etc.). It was found that the soils tested can likely retain between 10 and 500 times their existing lead content. Evidence for the formation of a dense lead compound (or precipitate) in edge of pavement surface soils was found. Organic matter was identified as an important soil component for retention of lead, zinc, and chromium. However, metal retention was found to be dependent on many soil properties and chemical reactions.

The prevalence of distressing content on social media raises concerns about users' mental well-being, prompting the use of trigger warnings (TW) and content warnings (CW). However, varying practices across platforms indicate a lack of clarity among users regarding these warnings. To gain insight into how users experience and use these warnings, we conducted interviews with 15 regular social media users. Our findings show that users generally have a positive view of warnings, but there are differences in how they understand and use them. Challenges related to using TW/CW on social media emerged, making it a complex decision when dealing with such content. These challenges include determining which topics require warnings, navigating logistical complexities related to usage norms, and considering the impact of warnings on social media engagement. We also found that external factors, such as how the warning and content are presented, and internal factors, such as the viewer's mindset, tolerance, and level of interest, play a significant role in the user's decision-making process when interacting with content that has TW/CW. Participants emphasized the need for better education on warnings and triggers in social media and offered suggestions for improving warning systems. They also recommended post-trigger support measures. The implications and future directions include promoting author accountability, introducing nudges and interventions, and improving post-trigger support to create a more trauma-informed social media environment. / Master of Science / In today's world of social media, you often come across distressing content that can affect your mental well-being. To address this concern, platforms and content authors use something called trigger warnings (TW) and content warnings (CW) to alert users about potentially upsetting content. However, different platforms have different ways of using these warnings, which can be confusing for users. To better understand how people like you experience and use these warnings, we conducted interviews with 15 regular social media users. What we found is that, in general, users have a positive view of these warnings, but there are variations in how they understand and use them. Using TW/CW on social media can be challenging because it involves deciding which topics should have warnings, dealing with the different rules on each platform, and thinking about how warnings affect people's engagement with content. We also discovered that various factors influence how people decide whether to engage with warned content. These factors include how the warning and content are presented and the person's own mindset, tolerance for certain topics, and level of interest. Our study participants highlighted the need for better education about warnings and triggers on social media. They also had suggestions for improving how these warnings are used and recommended providing support to users after they encounter distressing content. Looking ahead, our findings suggest the importance of holding content creators accountable, introducing helpful tools and strategies, and providing better support to make social media a more empathetic and supportive place for all users.

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The null hypothesis for this study was there were no differences in caloric intake, cholesterol, and sodium intakes of food prepared at home as contrasted with food prepared outside of the home when consumed by men 45-54 years old. The three dietary intakes have been associated with medical conditions that cause death in humans. This study provided information which could enable nutrition educators, foodservice managers, and men aged 45-54 who are employed at a factory to understand how consumption of these three intakes differs when foods were prepared at home as contrasted with outside of the home. Therefore, this study provided information to help lower the risk factors of heart diseases, hypertension, and obesity which are associated with caloric intake, cholesterol and sodium consumption.Participants completed three days of food frequencies and dietary records. The Sign Test was used to analyze the differences between food prepared at homeand outside of the home for caloric, cholesterol, and sodium intakes.Statistical analysis of the data revealed:(1) A significant difference in caloric intake of food prepared at home as contrasted with food prepared outside of the home when consumed by men 45-54 years old (p < 0.05).(2) No significant difference in cholesterol intake of food prepared at home as contrasted with food prepared outside of the home when consumed by men 45-54 years old (p > 0.05).(3) No significant difference in sodium intake of food prepared at home as contrasted with food prepared outside of the home when consumed by men 45-54 years old (p > 0.05). / Department of Home Economics