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Seeding rate recommendations for wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) are often 150–450 seeds m−2. However, we hypothesize that wheat grown with high resource availability (i.e., fertility and moisture) can maximize yield under considerably lower rates. Our objectives were to explore winter wheat response to low populations under high resource availability using yield‐contest fields as a case study. A factorial experiment evaluated four wheat varieties (i.e., Joe, WB‐Grainfield, Langin, and LCS Revere) exposed to five seeding rates (50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 seeds m−2) during five seasons in commercial wheat fields managed by yield‐contest winning producers near Leoti, KS. Fields were silt‐loam soils with high available water‐holding capacity, long‐term history of manure application with non‐limiting fertility, and adopted a sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench]–fallow–wheat rotation. Plant density ranged from 26 to 341 plants m−2and yield ranged from 3.2 to 6.8 Mg ha−1. Water use efficiency of 19.5 kg ha−1mm−1suggested no management limitations to yield. Quadratic models portrayed the grain yield–plant density relation well, with 95% of the maximum yield reached at 68 to 91 plants m−2for crops sown at the optimum date (4 out of 5 years), and at 312 plants m−2for a late‐sown crop. Greater fall temperature accumulation reduced the relative yield between the maximum and minimum seeding rates. There was no variety × plant density interaction and Langin was the most consistent yielding variety across environments. Optimum plant density for winter wheat in environments with high resource availability may be considerably lower than current recommendations. Winter wheat response to plant density depends on resource availability.Under high resource (fertility and moisture), winter wheat response to density relied on fall temperature.Note that 68–91 plants m−2reached 95% maximum yield in four out of five seasons under optimum sowing time.Note that 312 plants m−2reached 95% maximum yield in one out of five seasons with late sowing.Current seeding rate recommendations could be lowered for intensively managed fields.

A personal narrative from patient Luke Ryan is presented which explores his experience of having scars and cancer.

Functional instability of the ankle is common following inversion sprain. Factors suggested as causes of this disability include mechanical instability of the talocrural joint, peroneal muscle weakness and motor incoordination due to impaired proprioception. This study documented physical examination characteristics of functionally unstable ankles relevant to these theories. Each ankle of 45 subjects with unilateral functional instability was examined. Mechanical stability was assessed by standard clinical instability tests. Evertor and inventor muscle strength was measured using the Cybex II dynamometer. The Uni-axial Balance Evaluator (UBE) was used to assess dynamic control of the ankle and was considered capable of detecting unilaterally impaired proprioception. Mechanical instability was frequently absent in the functionally unstable ankles tested. Evertor muscle strength was similar in the normal and functionally unstable ankles. UBE results were consistent with the theory of impaired proprioception contributing to functional instability, but the need for further research is emphasised.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Who should govern Britain?" that appeared in the May 1, 2010 issue.

Features brothers and former Major League baseball players Vince, Joe and Dom DiMaggio. Family's source of income before their entry into baseball; How Joe complimented Dom; Individual achievements earned by the DiMaggio brothers.