Ecology and management of earthworm casting on sports turf

Earthworm activity is beneficial in most natural and agricultural systems, but excessive earthworm casting is a problem on sports fields worldwide. Expulsion of soil-rich earthworm fecal matter, or casts, as mounds of soil on the turf canopy can muddy the surface, reduce photosynthesis, and lead to thinning, weed invasion and surface softening. Casts affect ball roll on sports fields, cause fouling of maintenance equipment, and dull mower blades. Build-up of cast material on reel mower units can affect height and quality of cut. Casting activity is dependent on environmental conditions such as soil texture, temperature, moisture, pH, and organic matter. Response to environmental conditions varies by species. Management options are limited, because no pesticides are specifically labeled for earthworm control at this time, and cultural control methods such as soil modification, turfgrass clipping removal, and sand topdressing have limited and inconsistent efficacy. Products containing plant-derived saponins and irritants show promise for earthworm management. Pest management practices to mitigate excessive earthworm casting will likely need to be species-specific, but limited knowledge of earthworm identification by end-users further inhibits the efficacy of control measures. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

The costing out of operational expenses between the Veterans Administration and the Air Force at the New Mexico Regional Federal Medical Center

The purpose of this pilot study was to identify the cost of providing care to Veterans Administration (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD) patients eligible for care in the Emergency Department of the New Mexico Regional Federal Medical Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Medical records for the Emergency Department (N = 456) were reviewed for individual medical supply item and medication usage. Cost data were then tabulated for each item and each group, respectively. The results indicated that the DOD and VA shared equally in the consumption of expendable medical supply and medication funds in the Emergency Department.

Effect of low-calcium rickets on dentin and bones in guinea pigs treated with large or small doses of vitamin C

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUA

LE EFFECTOS RESULTANTE DE RHACHITIS A CARENTIA DE CALCIUM INTRA LE DENTINA E LE OSSOS DE PORCOS DE INDIA TRACTATE CON GRANDE O MICRE DOSES DE VITAMINA C.-In le majoritate del animales mantenite con dietas a basse contento de calcium supplementate per 50 mg de acido ascorbic per die, alterationes typic de rhachitis se disveloppava in le ossos e le dentes (latitude anormal de osteoides, excesso del latitude in le cartilagine epiphysee, calcification globular de dentina, e latitude anormal de predentina). In porcos de India mantenite con dietas rhachitogenic con le augmento de micre doses diurne de vitamina C, nulle alterationes typic de rhachitis appareva in le ossos e nulles in le dentes. Tamen, esseva notate sub iste conditiones un reduction del ossification enchondral, insimul con osteoporosis e myelophthisis.

The effect of ascorbic acid deficiency on enamel formation in the teeth of guinea pigs

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