Polyethylene mulch use is common in vegetable production, but disposal of mulch is problematic for growers and of significant environmental concern. Biodegradable fabrics and plastic films are compostable and can be incorporated into the soil at the end of the growing season, but questions remain about the durability, performance, and rate of decomposition of these products after soil incorporation. Three trials were conducted in field and high tunnel cucumber (Cucumis sativus) cropping systems to compare performance and decomposition after use among two bioplastic films and four experimental spunbond, nonwoven biofabrics. Soil temperature and moisture, mulch durability and deterioration, weed suppression, and crop yield data were collected in each growing season. All biomulches were soil incorporated after the growing season and recovered up to 11 months after incorporation to estimate relative rates of decomposition. One bioplastic film increased field soil temperature by 2 °C in 2013, but temperatures under the biofabrics were not different from bare soil. Bioplastics and biofabrics increased soil moisture relative to bare soil. Bioplastic films were less durable and deteriorated sooner than biofabrics, especially in the field environment (as early as 34 days after transplanting). All biomulches suppressed weed emergence relative to bare soil, but weeds were visibly growing beneath the most translucent biofabric. Marketable yield of cucumber was trending highest in the most durable and opaque biofabric (1827 g·m−2), but was not significantly different from weed-free bare soil (1251 g·m−2). Relative rate of mulch decomposition up to 11 months after soil incorporation was not different among bioplastic and biofabric products. Results suggest that the tested biofabrics will be most useful to growers when soil warming is not necessary (e.g., warm climates), but moisture conservation and weed control are critical (e.g., organic cropping systems). Moreover, biofabrics are permeable and may be useful to growers dependent on sprinkler irrigation or rainfall to meet crop water demands.
eGovernment services are delivered in many settings, including public libraries, which have increasingly assumed the role of service provider for users of these services. The U.S. IMPACT Studies are examining use patterns and impacts of eGovernment services (among other uses) in populations using libraries for their primary or secondary means of Internet access. A mixed methods approach-national telephone survey (N≈1130), web survey (N≈45,000), and five field studies (317 interviews)-is providing a comprehensive picture of this activity across the country. Preliminary findings show 22-37% of public access computer or wireless Internet users in public libraries engage in some form of eGovernment use, with evidence that use on behalf of others (LIMB) may extend the impact even further than previously thought. An emergent theme from the case study analysis indicates that a primary use factor may be the trust that users have in the public library setting.
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Global Libraries initiative), and the Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA), at the University of Washington Information School, believe that the library and ICTD fields are at a point in their evolutions where each may be able to provide significant value to the other. They have organized a series of 'bridging' convenings to bring together interested stakeholders in both fields to advance activities that will realize tangible benefits for the two communities. Libraries and ICTD share an interest in the use of technology to achieve their ultimate goals. While their contexts come from very different histories and intentions, there are many areas of commonality that are worth exploring as possible collaborative efforts. A two-level view of the fields is proposed, starting with the overall characteristics that determine the character of each field as a necessary context for thinking about possible intersections, and ending with a proposal for exploration of potential areas for joint work at a more practical level. Possible projects in the areas of user services, training and technology are suggestions for further investigation.
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