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A study was conducted at 11 locations across Canada to determine if corn hybrids have different corn heat unit (CHU) requirements in different climates. The study included six hybrids, four each in the three years 1977–1979. Differences in the time between planting and emergence were attributable to slow emergence of two hybrids as well as management and weather factors at different locations. Genotypic differences were expressed mainly in the period between emergence and anthesis. At three locations, 198 CHU more were required than at other locations. In the period from anthesis to 45% ear moisture, two hybrids required more CHU than other hybrids. These extra CHU requirements were not related to hybrid rating, i.e., late-maturing hybrids did not require more CHU to complete the ripening phase. In a comparison of growing degree days (GDDi) with bases ranging from 5 to 15 °C, no one thermal unit had sufficient advantage over the CHU system to warrant its adoption in Canada. Further, calendar days were the best for predicting the duration of the period from planting to emergence. The period from emergence to 10% anthesis was least variable of all the stages and could be predicted accurately by any of the methods.Key words: Zea mays, temperature, adaptation, thermal units

BackgroundThe emergence of electric pedal-assist bicycles (e-bikes) presents an opportunity to increase active transportation by minimizing personal barriers of engaging in physical activity.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the beliefs of individuals using e-bikes for active transport and report preliminary biometric measurements while using e-bikes for physical activity compared with conventional bikes.MethodsParticipants used both conventional bicycles and e-bikes to compare energy expenditure while riding on the study route. Apple smart watches were used to track each participant’s heart rate, distance, speed, and time while riding both bicycles. A total of 3 survey instruments were used to estimate beliefs: one administered before riding the bicycles, a second administered after riding a conventional bike, and the final survey completed after riding an e-bike. Survey instruments were constructed using constructs from the theory of planned behavior.ResultsThe study sample (N=33) included adults aged between 19 and 28 years. Paired t test analysis revealed that participants believed a conventional bike was more likely than an e-bike to benefit their physical health (P=.002) and save them money (P=.005), while an e-bike was perceived to be more likely than a conventional bike to save them time (P<.001). Paired t test analysis revealed participants significantly agreed more with the statement that they could ride an e-bike most days (P=.006) compared with a conventional bike. After participants traveled approximately 10 miles on each type of bicycle, participants’ mean average heart rate while riding the e-bike was 6.21 beats per minute lower than when riding the conventional bike (P=.04), but both were significantly higher than resting heart rate (P<.001).ConclusionsThis pilot study suggests that e-bikes are an active form of transportation capable of providing much of the cardiovascular health benefits obtained during conventional bike use. E-bikes may help reduce some of the obstacles to conventional bike use, such as increased transportation time, decreased convenience, and physical fatigue.

High levels of both N and K from fertilizer were required to obtain optimum yield of timothy and also to maintain timothy as the dominant species in a grass sod. Phosphorus was required in relatively small amounts. Timothy degenerated when an imbalance of N and K was induced through fertilization and did so most rapidly when N was applied without K. Increasing N applications generally increased N content but the extent of the increase was modified when K was also applied, similarly K application increased K content but levels were modified downward when N was also applied. P content was affected only slightly by P application but levels were lowered when yields were increased by a combination of N and K. Critical nutrient concentrations of 1.6, 0.20, and 1.2% for N, P, and K respectively were determined for first-crop timothy cut at the fully headed stage. Higher levels of N and P were observed in second-cut material.

The formal role of Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) is a recent addition to the mental health field. CPSs are people in recovery employed within the mental health system, mostly by community mental health centers, to provide support through sharing life experiences with those working toward recovery from mental illness. This brief report examines participant's experiences being a CPS, responsibilities and activities as a CPS, and integration into community mental health centers. Findings suggest that CPSs demonstrate high levels of communal orientation, job satisfaction, workplace integration and organizational support and are well received in mental health centers.