Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS, Shin splints) is very common in military personnel accounting for up to 35% of incidences, which is almost twice the incidence seen in the average active individual. Each year there is in increase number of injuries in Army recruits. Though Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs are known for commissioning approximately 60% of 2nd Lieutenants and 40% of generals on active Army duty, no research has been done examining MTSS occurrences in relation to military management practices. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between military management practices and the prevalence of shin splints in Army ROTC cadets. The study consisted of 63 Army ROTC cadets. The data was explored by addressing frequencies, descriptive statistics, crosstabs and correlations of the data. MTSS incidences had a significant relationship with days missed, endurance training, ROTC classification and ROTC club participation.

No description available.

No description available.

No / By comparing the views of managers working at the interface of two consensus-oriented societies, Japan and the Netherlands, we show important differences between the consensus decision-making processes as seen by Japanese and Dutch managers. These differences relate to how complete the agreement of opinion should be in order to speak of consensus, with the Japanese managers demanding a more complete consensus than the Dutch. The processes and conditions that Japanese and Dutch managers see as leading to consensus also differ. Japanese consensus is based on a more ordered, sequential process than Dutch consensus. Our respondents differed deeply regarding the role of the hierarchy in their own and the others consensus processes, with both Japanese and Dutch managers seeing their own consensus process as less hierarchical. Our findings show that the concept of consensus is interpreted quite differently by Japanese and Dutch managers. This is an important warning for companies operating at the interface of these two societies. More in general our research illustrates the usefulness for international management research of detailed comparative studies focusing not on stark contrasts but on more subtle differences between management practices.

Forests of the Southeastern United States produce approximately 12% of all the world's wood products and represent 40% of all U.S. timberland, thus emphasizing the importance of Southeast in support of the United States' role as the world's largest timber producer. Producing such quantities of timber requires a substantial areas of forest harvest operations, which have the potential to disturb soils, facilitate erosion and potentially reduce water quality. Harvest sites routinely contain operational features such as skid trails, harvest areas, haul roads, decks/landings and stream crossings, all of which have the potential to influence erosion and sediment deposition in streams. Forestry best management practices (BMPs) were created to minimize the effects of harvesting operations on sedimentation and are implemented at varying levels throughout the Southeastern U.S. We quantified the area of these features on 111 recent harvest sites throughout 11 Southeastern states and three physiographic groupings (Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain). No significant differences were found between the groupings with regard to the percent of area occupied by each operational feature. Decks, haul roads, skid trails, and stream crossings comprised an average of 1.43%, 3.21%, 7.03%, and 0.19% of the harvest operations. Roads, decks, skid trails, and structures were combined into an access feature category. These combined access features occupied 13.0% of harvests in the Mountains, 10.2% in the Piedmont, and 10.4% in the Coastal Plain (10.4%). A companion study was developed to trap sediment delivered to the stream and quantify the sediment delivery ratios (SDRs) on a subset of harvests sites in order to determine the average amount of eroded material that could reach a stream from each specific operational feature following a harvest. Across all groupings, stream crossings had the highest average SDR (34.32%), while skid trails had the second highest SDR (21.04%). Substantial site variability resulted in large SDR differences with few meaningful significant differences, but stream crossings, skid trails, and haul roads had sufficiently high sediment delivery ratios across all groupings to warrant additional BMP focus on these areas. / Master of Science / The Southeastern United States is a major producer of forests and forest products, comprising about 40% of US timberland and 12% of global wood products. Support of this industry requires that over 4 million acres of forests are harvested annually across the southeastern U.S. and improper or under usage of forestry best management practices could result in soil erosion and subsequent transport to streams as sediment. Previous research indicates that different operational and access features found on logging sites have different erosion rates yet little data exists which document the percentages of erosion that is delivered as sediment to streams. Skid trails (trails that forestry equipment use within a harvesting operation) compromised the largest access feature average percent area (second to harvest area), followed by haul roads, then decks (area where equipment is kept and logs are processed and loaded), and finally stream crossings with the smallest average area. Stream crossings, skid trails and haul roads consistently had the highest average sediment delivery ratios for all groupings combined. However, substantial site variability resulted in large sediment delivery ratio differences with few meaningful significant differences.

Salmonella has been shown to survive in soils for extended periods. Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) represents a promising alternative to fumigation used to manage soilborne diseases and pests; however, little is known about ASD's impact on Salmonella. The study aimed to compare Salmonella die-off following inoculation in ASD and non-ASD processed soil and compare Salmonella die-off in amended and non-amended soils following ASD. Two independent experiments were arranged in randomized complete block designs (four replications per treatment). Sandy-loam soil was inoculated with a Salmonella cocktail (5.5±0.2 log CFU/g) and amended with field-applicable rates of rye (R), rapeseed (RS), hairy vetch (HV), or pelletized poultry litter (PPL). Non-amended, anaerobic (ANC) and non-amended, aerobic controls (AC) were performed in parallel. Soils were irrigated to saturation and covered with plastic mulch. ASD was terminated by removal of plastic (3-weeks). Triplicate soil samples were collected pre-ASD and 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 31, 35, 38 and 42d post-ASD. Post-ASD soil was irrigated weekly. Salmonella was quantified using standard methods and a modified MPN enrichment protocol. Concentrations between treatments and time-points were analyzed for significance (P≤0.05). Separate log-linear models were used to examine effect of amendment and irrigation on Salmonella die-off during ASD and post-ASD. Salmonella concentrations decreased in all treatments during ASD with the greatest decrease being observed in ASD and non-ASD controls. Among ASD-processed, amended soil, the rye and rapeseed amendments had the greatest decrease in Salmonella concentrations. Salmonella concentrations decreased by ~1 log between pre-ASD and post-soil saturation (95% Confidence Interval (CI) =-1.31, -0.99), and by approximately 2 logs between pre-ASD and termination of ASD (CI=-2.14, -1.83). Salmonella concentrations were ~1 log higher in ASD-processed, pelletized poultry litter-amended soil, compared to the ASD control (CI=0.81, 1.26). The average daily die-off rate of Salmonella post-ASD was -0.05 log per g (CI=-0.05, -0.04). Following irrigation, Salmonella concentrations were 0.14 log greater, compared to no irrigation within 7 d (CI=0.05, 0.23). Salmonella serovar distribution differed by treatment, with >70% survival of Newport in pelletized poultry litter. ASD does not eliminate Salmonella concentrations in soil; instead some amendments may enhance Salmonella survival. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is the process of removing soilborne weeds, soilborne diseases and insect by creating an anaerobic environment in the soil by incorporating easily decomposable soil amendments, covering with plastic mulch, and irrigating to saturation. The anaerobic soil environment persists for two- to six-weeks. ASD represents a promising alternative to fumigation used to manage soil-borne diseases and pests. However, little is known about ASD's impact on Salmonella, which has been shown to survive in soils for extended periods of time and can contaminate the edible part of produce. This study aimed to determine if ASD is an effective strategy to reduce or eliminate Salmonella from soils that contain typical amendments added to promote soil health, determine the distribution of Salmonella serovars in ASD treated soils, and examine the impact of irrigation. Two independent experiments were conducted in growth chambers. A common soil type in produce growing regions of the Eastern Shore of VA, sandy-loam soil was inoculated with a five-serovar Salmonella cocktail (~5.5±0.2 log CFU/g) and mixed with field-applicable rates of rye, rapeseed, hairy vetch, or pelletized poultry litter. ASD processed soils were irrigated to field saturation, covered with plastic mulch, and left for 3 weeks. Post-ASD, soils were irrigated weekly. Salmonella was quantified at least once per week for up to 6 weeks in soil samples collected in triplicate pre-ASD, post-field saturation, and post-ASD. The three-week anaerobic soil environment, created during ASD, allowed for greater Salmonella survival, compared to the aerobic soil environment. Salmonella survival in ASD processed soil was dependent on amendment. Salmonella concentrations decreased in all treatments during ASD with the greatest decrease being observed in ASD and non-ASD controls. Among ASD-processed, amended soil, the rye and rapeseed amendments had the greatest decrease in Salmonella concentrations. Pelletized poultry litter amended soil, in combination with ASD, had the highest Salmonella concentration, while rye had the lowest at each time-point post-ASD. Salmonella serovar distribution differed by treatment with greater survival of S. Poona in rye, S. Braenderup in hairy vetch and S. Newport in pelletized poultry litter. , Salmonella concentrations were 0.14 log greater, compared to no irrigation within 7 d. Overall, ASD did not eliminate Salmonella in soils. Compared to non-ASD processed soil, ASD processed soil had greater survival of Salmonella and the soil amendment used influenced the survival ability. While more research is needed on ASD and different soil amendments, the findings of this research would suggest pelletized poultry litter not be used as an amendment (i.e., carbon source in ASD) for fields used to grow produce eaten raw, especially when soils are potentially contaminated with Salmonella.

Silvicultural activities, particularly forest harvesting operations, have the potential to negatively impact water quality. In order to lessen the probability that water quality degradation will occur, a suite of best management practices has been developed and adopted by southeastern states. The Clean Water Act exempts silvicultural activities from the permitting process of Section 404 as long as federally accepted best management practices are implemented to control nonpoint source pollutants. To demonstrate that these practices are being implemented, states are now inspecting and reporting on best management practice usage on a state wide basis. The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for executing the Clean Water Act and would like to use the information provided by the individual states to guide water quality protection programs at a regional scale since states have developed their own unique methods or reporting. Currently there it is difficult to compare the information provided by states, and this impedes further development of water quality protection programs. To address this issue, a state of the art review of current inspection and monitoring methods in the southeast was conducted. Forestry professionals were then surveyed to identify opportunities for standardization in the inspection and reporting methodologies employed by states. Using the information resulting from the review and survey, recommendations for standardization were made in the following areas: site selection criteria, field execution method, form design, best management practices evaluated and water quality threat assessment. A standardized form was also developed and tested across three physiographic regions. This information is helpful for future planning and modifications that state agencies can use to standardize their BMP implementation monitoring methods. / Master of Science

The impact of forest roads and skid trails on stream health is being increasingly scrutinized. Forest roads and skid trails have repeatedly been identified as forest operations having the greatest potential to produce sediment by way of non-point source pollution. The stream crossing portion of a skid trail is where sediment delivery is most likely to occur. Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) have been developed by most states to reduce both erosion and sedimentation. In general, BMPs have been proven to be effective. Few studies have quantified the impact of various levels of BMPs on sedimentation. In this study, three replications of three skid trail stream crossing BMP treatments were monitored following skidder bridge removal to determine their efficacy in reducing sedimentation: slash, mulch, and mulch plus silt fence. Water samples were collected upstream and downstream of each crossing daily for one year following timber harvesting. Samples were evaluated for total suspended solids. Results indicate that both slash and mulch treatments applied to the stream crossing approach after skidder bridge removal are effective at reducing stream sedimentation after harvest. The mulch plus silt fence treatment allowed the most sediment to enter the stream at the approach, perhaps due to silt fence installation disturbances. We do not recommend using silt fences directly adjacent to a stream bank, if other alternatives exist. / Master of Science

To protect the integrity of the United State's waters, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 promoted the establishment of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for forestry. A commonly used BMP is the reservation of Streamside Management Zones (SMZs). In this study the effectiveness of three different SMZ widths, 30.5 m (100 ft), 15.3 m (50 ft), and 7.6 m (25 ft), as well as thinning in 15.3 m SMZs were studied. The objectives of the study were to determine the effects these SMZ treatments had on carbon pools, carbon fluxes and environmental conditions in the SMZ. The benthic macroinvertebrate populations present within the stream were also examined because of their relationship to ecosystem carbon dynamics. Carbon storage in plant communities, litter layer, soil (upper 10 cm), and total organic carbon present (TOC) within streams were measured and quantified. Total CO₂ efflux and the major environmental drivers of soil CO₂ efflux, soil moisture and soil temperature, were monitored along a single transect within each SMZ. This study showed that carbon dynamics and stream biota (benthic macroinvertebrates) were not adversely effected by more narrow SMZ width and thinning within the SMZ. SMZ width did affect soil temperature, one of the environmental drivers affecting soil respiration. Based on these short-term results a 15.3 m SMZ with thinning or without thinning appears adequate to prevent changes in ecosystem function and water quality for forest applications. / Master of Science

Assessment tools were developed to address the need for a low cost, rapid method of quantifying the quality of agricultural best management practices (BMPs). Best management practices are either cost-shared, where some or all of the capital costs of the practice were subsidized with federal, state, or local funds, or non cost-shared, where the cost of the practice and its upkeep is paid for by the landowner or farm operator. Cost-share practices are required to comply with state standards, while non cost-share practices are not subject to any standards. For this study, BMP quality is defined as the adherence to design, site selection, implementation, and maintenance criteria relating to water quality as specified by state and federal agencies promoting BMP implementation. The two objectives of this research were: 1. develop a set of assessment tools to quantify the quality of agricultural best management practices in a rapid low-cost manner, and 2. test the tools and determine if differences in quality exist between cost-share and non cost-share BMPs in the James River Basin of Virginia. Assessment tools were developed for sixteen practices: alternative water systems, stream fencing, streambank stabilization, grass filter strips, wooded buffers, permanent vegetative cover on critically eroding areas, permanent vegetative cover on erodible cropland, reforestation of erodible crop and pasture land, animal waste storage facilities, grazing land protection systems, loafing lot management systems, late winter split application of nitrogen on small grains, protective cover for specialty crops, sidedress application of nitrogen on corn, small grain cover crops-fertilized and harvested, and small grain cover crops for nutrient management. Assessment tools were developed using both Virginia BMP standards and expert knowledge. Virginia Department of Recreation and Conservation (DCR) and Virginia and national Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) BMP standards were collected and sorted into the four quality component categories; design, site selection, implementation, and maintenance. Standards that pertained directly to a BMPs' potential to protect water quality were translated into question format. Multiple-choice or yes/no questions were used as often as possible to avoid potential bias and for ease of processing. Assessment tool development involved an iterative process that included input from a research team (university-based researchers) and an expert team (public and private sector professionals and practitioners responsible for BMP design and assessment). One hundred and fifty-five cost-shared BMPs and 150 non cost-shared BMPs were assessed on 128 independent farms in the James River Basin of Virginia over a period of four months. The assessment tools were loaded onto a personal digital assistant (PDA), which facilitated data collection and eliminated the need for data transcription. Data collected on the PDA were uploaded periodically to a computer database. A digital camera was used to develop a photographic record of the assessed BMPs. Best management practice quality scores were based on five-point scale, with one being the lowest quality score and five as the highest. Statistical analyses conducted on both the overall quality scores and the quality component scores, indicate that there is not a strong significant difference (p = 0.05) in quality between the cost-shared and non cost-shared BMPs assessed for this study. Statistically significant differences between cost-share and non cost-share practices did, however, exist. For the filter/buffer strips practices (grass filter strips and wooded buffers), the implementation quality component cost-share mean (3.35) and the non cost-share mean (3.88) were statistically different at the 0.05 level (p-value = 0.026). One other statistically significant difference was found. For stream fencing, the overall quality cost-share mean was 4.68 while the non cost-share mean was 4.20; the means are statistically different at the 0.05 level (p-value = 0.043). Statistical analyses were performed to determine if age of practice, farm size, or Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) had effects on the BMP quality. No statistically significant differences (p = 0.05) were found relating to the age of an assessed BMP or farm size. One SWCD, the Robert E. Lee district, had a statistically significant difference in the design quality component means; cost-share mean = 4.21, non cost-share mean = 2.94 with a p-value of 0.048. The statistically significant differences that were detected do not establish a clear trend; it appears that for the BMPs assessed here the qualities of cost-share and non cost-share practices are roughly equal. The fact that cost-share practices and non cost-share practices do appear to be roughly equal may be the result of education and outreach programs sponsored by Virginia's SWCDs and Virginia Cooperative Extension. Non cost-share practices may be of equal quality to cost-share practices because those implementing BMPs without the benefit of cost-share may have a greater stake (both financial and personal) in those practices performing well. If no statistically significant difference in quality exists between cost-share and non cost-share practices, then non cost-share practices should be treated equally when accounting for BMPs in NPS pollution in watershed management and computer modeling. Currently, only cost-share practices are included in computer models, in part because these are the only practices tracked by the existing BMP establishment infrastructure. Estimating the numbers and distribution of non cost-share practices and incorporating them into NPS water quality modeling efforts will more accurately reflect the steps agricultural producers have and are taking to decrease the amount of NPS pollution reaching water bodies. Additionally, policy regarding NPS pollution and BMPs should reflect the apparent equal qualities of cost-share and non cost-share practices. The assessment tools developed as a part of this study can potentially be applied to determine the quality of BMPs on basin or state-wide scales to give policy makers a better understanding of the practices and populations that the policies are created for. Moreover, BMP quality scores have the potential to be used as a surrogate measure for BMP performance. Further research recommendations include correlating BMP quality scores with BMP performance, wider scale testing of the tools, continued revision of the tools, and using the assessment tool scores to diagnose BMP quality problems. / Master of Science