Spatially explicit methodology for coordinated manure management in shared watersheds.

Increased clustering and consolidation of livestock production systems has been linked to adverse impacts on water quality. This study presents a methodology to optimize manure management within a hydrologic region to minimize agricultural phosphorus (P) loss associated with winter manure application. Spatial and non-spatial data representing livestock, crop, soil, terrain and hydrography were compiled to determine manure P production rates, crop P uptake, existing manure storage capabilities, and transportation distances. Field slope, hydrologic soil group (HSG), and proximity to waterbodies were used to classify crop fields according to their runoff risk for winter-applied manure. We use these data to construct a comprehensive optimization model that identifies optimal location, size, and transportation strategy to achieve environmental and economic goals. The environmental goal was the minimization of daily hauling of manure to environmentally sensitive crop fields, i.e., those classified as high P-loss fields, whereas the economic goal was the minimization of the transportation costs across the entire study area. A case study encompassing two contiguous 10-digit hydrologic unit subwatersheds (HUC-10) in South Central Wisconsin, USA was developed to demonstrate the proposed methodology. Additionally, scenarios representing different management decisions (storage facility maximum volume, and project capital) and production conditions (increased milk production and 20-year future projection) were analyzed to determine their impact on optimal decisions.

National Association of Psychometrists: 2015 professional practices and salary survey of U.S. and Canadian psychometrists.

OBJECTIVE: The National Association of Psychometrists (NAP) conducted a salary survey to collect data regarding common practices and income of individuals employed as psychometrists. METHODS: An email with a survey link was sent to NAP members and posted on the NAP website. There were 118 responses; most from the United States. RESULTS: Canadian data was excluded from compensation analysis due to imprecision in the survey/exchange rates. Most respondents reported full time employment. Respondents' educations were equally split between bachelor's and master's degrees. More than half reported hourly compensation. Most psychometrists see one patient a day and the most frequent age range was adults between 17-59 years old. Administration times ranged from 3-5 h, except in young pediatric populations. Two hours was the most commonly reported amount of time needed to score a test battery. The average hourly wage was $23.00 ± 4.96. Certified psychometrists reported higher average hourly wages (M = 24.57, SD = 4.73) compared to those who are not certified (M = 21.53, SD = 4.76). This difference was statistically significant (p < .001) with a medium effect size (d = .64). Results of the survey also showed a significant increase in income based on years of experience as a psychometrist. CONCLUSIONS: The current survey may be used as a baseline for further study of the income and practices of psychometrists in the United States and Canada.