University of Nebraska–Lincoln

About: University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a education organization based out in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 28059 authors who have published 61544 publications receiving 2139104 citations. The organization is also known as: Nebraska & UNL.

Observation of the suppression of the flux of cosmic rays above 4x10(19) eV

Abstract: The energy spectrum of cosmic rays above 2.5 x 10;{18} eV, derived from 20,000 events recorded at the Pierre Auger Observatory, is described. The spectral index gamma of the particle flux, J proportional, variantE;{-gamma}, at energies between 4 x 10;{18} eV and 4 x 10;{19} eV is 2.69+/-0.02(stat)+/-0.06(syst), steepening to 4.2+/-0.4(stat)+/-0.06(syst) at higher energies. The hypothesis of a single power law is rejected with a significance greater than 6 standard deviations. The data are consistent with the prediction by Greisen and by Zatsepin and Kuz'min.

Developing the psychological capital of resiliency

Abstract: In these turbulent times, we propose the importance of developing the psychological capital dimension of resiliency. After providing the theoretical background and meaning of psychological capital in general and resiliency in particular, the authors present proactive and reactive human resource development (HRD) strategies for its development. The proactive HRD includes increasing psychological assets, decreasing risk factors, and facilitating processes that allow human resources to enhance their resilience. The reactive HRD largely draws from a broaden-and-build model of positive emotions and self-enhancement, external attribution, and hardiness. The article includes specific guidelines for HRD applications and an agenda for future needed research.

Areawide Suppression of European Corn Borer with Bt Maize Reaps Savings to Non-Bt Maize Growers

Abstract: Transgenic maize engineered to express insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has become widely adopted in U.S. agriculture. In 2009, Bt maize was planted on more than 22.2 million hectares, constituting 63% of the U.S. crop. Using statistical analysis of per capita growth rate estimates, we found that areawide suppression of the primary pest Ostrinia nubilalis (European corn borer) is associated with Bt maize use. Cumulative benefits over 14 years are an estimated $3.2 billion for maize growers in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, with more than $2.4 billion of this total accruing to non-Bt maize growers. Comparable estimates for Iowa and Nebraska are $3.6 billion in total, with $1.9 billion for non-Bt maize growers. These results affirm theoretical predictions of pest population suppression and highlight economic incentives for growers to maintain non-Bt maize refugia for sustainable insect resistance management.

The lincoln declaration on drought indices: Universal meteorological drought index recommended

Abstract: What: Fifty-four participants from 22 countries, including drought experts from each of the six WMO regions, met to discuss the development of standards for drought indices and guidelines for drought early warning systems WheN: 8–11 December 2009 Where: Lincoln, Nebraska spoNsors: WMO; National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) and the School of Natural Resources (SNR), both at the University of Nebraska– Lincoln; NOAA/National Integrated Drought Information System; U.S. Department of Agriculture; and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Secretariat I mproved drought monitoring and early warning systems are urgently needed to cope with current and potentially changing drought patterns as we move into the future. Drought is a slow-moving natural hazard that can affect virtually all climatic regimes. Generally defined, drought is a deficiency of precipitation relative to what is expected (i.e., “normal”) that, when extended over a season or a longer period of time, results in the inability to meet the demands of human activities and the environment. As countries around the world begin to establish national drought strategies, one critical component should be the development of a comprehensive drought monitoring system that has the ability to provide an early warning of the drought’s onset, determine drought severity and spatial extent, and convey that information to decision-making groups in a timely manner. This information can then be used to either reduce or avoid the impacts of drought. With this in mind, drought experts from nearly two dozen nations,1 including from all six regions of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), were brought together for the Inter-Regional Workshop on Indices and Early Warning Systems for Drought, which was a four-day workshop focused on developing standards for drought indices and guidelines for drought early warning systems (DEWS). The motivation behind this workshop came out of the primary recommendations from the February 2009 International Workshop on Drought and Extreme Temperatures in Beijing, China, where one of the main recommendations was for the WMO to identify AFFILIATIONS: hayes, svoboda, Wall, aNd WidhalM—National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Nicole Wall, 819 Hardin Hall, National Drought Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska– Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583 E-mail: nwall2@unl.edu