Co-application of biochar and compost with decreased N fertilizer reduced annual ammonia emissions in wetland rice

Ammonia (NH3) emission from rice fields is a dominant nitrogen (N) loss pathway causing negative impacts on farm profitability and the environment. Reducing N fertilizer application to compensate for N inputs in organic amendments was evaluated for effects on N loss via volatilization, rice yields and post-harvest soil properties in an annual irrigated rice (Boro) – pre-monsoon rice (Aus) – monsoon (Aman) rice sequence. That experiment was conducted using the integrated plant nutrition system (IPNS; nutrient contents in organic amendments were subtracted from the full recommended fertilizer dose i.e., RD of chemical fertilizers) where six treatments with four replications were applied in each season: (T1) no fertilizer (control), (T2) RD, (T3) poultry manure biochar (3 t ha−1; pyrolyzed at 450°C) + decreased dose of recommended fertilizer (DRD), (T4) rice husk ash (3 t ha−1) + DRD, (T5) compost (3 t ha−1) + DRD, and (T6) compost (1.5 t ha−1)+ biochar (1.5 t ha−1) + DRD. The N loss via volatilization varied twofold among seasons being 16% in irrigated rice and 29% in the pre-monsoon rice crop. In irrigated rice, T6 had significantly lower NH3 emissions than all other treatments, except the control while in pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons, T6 and T3 were alike. Pooling the three seasons together, biochar (T3) or biochar plus compost (T6) reduced NH3 loss via volatilization by 36-37% while compost alone (T5) reduced NH3 loss by 23% relative to RD. Biochar (T3) and biochar plus compost mixture (T6) reduced yield-scaled NH3 emissions by 40 and 47% relative to the RD of chemical fertilizer (T2). The organic amendments with IPNS reduced the quantity of N fertilizer application by 65, 7, 24, and 45% in T3, T4, T5, and T6 treatments, respectively, while rice yields and soil chemical properties in all seasons were similar to the RD. This study suggests that incorporation of biochar alone or co-applied with compost and decrease of N fertilizer on an IPNS basis in rice-based cropping systems can reduce N application rates and NH3 emissions without harming yield or soil quality.

Runoff and leaching of dissolved phosphorus in streams from a rainfed mixed cropping and grazing catchment under a Mediterranean climate in Australia

Managing phosphorus (P) is a global priority for environmental water quality due to P lost from agricultural land through leaching, runoff and subsurface flow. In Western Australia (WA), following decades of P fertiliser application to crops and pastures in low rainfall regions, questions have been raised about this region's contribution to environmental P loss. This study was conducted on the Fitzgerald River catchment in the south Western Australia (WA) with mixed cropping and grazing land uses and a Mediterranean climate with low mean rainfall (~350 mm yr^-1). Phosphorus forms were monitored continuously over a three-year period in five separate streams, each draining a defined sub-catchment. The P concentrations in streams consistently exceeded Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council (ANZECC) trigger values throughout the monitoring period. Of the measured total P concentration, ~75% was dissolved P (DRP; <0.45 μm) and 80% of that fraction was in the filterable reactive form (FRP). These water quality measurements and other independent soil investigations at this site, suggest that transport of dissolved P rather than erosion of sediment-bound P was dominant in this environment. Based on extractable soil P (Colwell P) and the P buffering index (PBI), predicted concentrations of dissolved reactive P (DRP) in soil solution in topsoils (0-10 cm) across this catchment, generally exceeded ANZECC's values of 0.07 mg PL^-1. The level of exceedance was spatially variable. Streams draining areas with the lowest predicted DRP concentrations also had the lowest measured FRP concentrations. Elsewhere stream water FRP concentrations depended on both DRP concentration and the PBI of the land being drained. Our findings suggest that deployment of practices that physically filter runoff, for example riparian vegetation, would be ineffective in restricting P transport into stream in this environment. This conclusion is consistent with previous findings of the ineffectiveness of riparian buffers on coarse textured sandy soils in higher rainfall areas of southwest WA. A reduction in DRP losses without yield loss could be achieved by following evidence-based fertiliser advice from soil testing to limit losses of legacy P".

Ammonia fluxes and emission factors under an intensively managed wetland rice ecosystem

Nitrogen (N) loss from rice production systems in the form of ammonia (NH₃) can be a significant N loss pathway causing significant economic and environmental costs. Yet, data on NH₃ fluxes in wetland rice ecosystems are still very scarce which limits the accuracy of national and global NH₃ budgets. We measured the NH₃ fluxes in situ in a wetland rice field and estimated emission factors (EF) under two soil management systems (i.e. conventional tillage, CT and strip tillage, ST); two residue retention levels (i.e. 15%, LR and 40% crop residue by height, HR); and three N fertilization rates (i.e. 108, 144 and 180 kg N ha^-1) in two consecutive years (2019 and 2020). The highest NH₃ peaks were observed within the first 3 days after urea application. The mean and cumulative NH₃ fluxes significantly increased with the increases in N fertilization rates and were 18.5% and 18.6% higher in ST than in CT in 2020 but not in 2019. Overall, the highest mean NH₃ fluxes were in 180 kg N ha^-1 coupled with either HR or LR and ST or CT. In 2019, the NH₃ EF was unchanged by any treatments. In 2020, the lower EF was in CT coupled with LR (15%) than all other treatment combinations, where ST with HR showed the highest EF (20%). Likewise, the lowest N rate (108 kg N ha^-1) in ST had the highest NH₃ EF (20%) that was similar to higher N rates (144 and 180 kg N ha^-1) in the same tillage treatment and to 180 kg N ha^-1 in CT. Our results highlight that NH₃ fluxes in rice field particularly the effects of ST correlated with higher soil pH and NH₄⁺ content and lower redox potential. Our results highlight that NH₃ fluxes are a potentially large N loss pathway in wetland rice under conventional and decreased soil disturbance regimes.

Morphological and physiological responses of rice (Oryza sativa) to limited phosphorus supply in aerated and stagnant solution culture

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Rain-fed lowland rice commonly encounters stresses from fluctuating water regimes and nutrient deficiency. Roots have to acquire both oxygen and nutrients under adverse conditions while also acclimating to changes in soil-water regime. This study assessed responses of rice roots to low phosphorus supply in aerated and stagnant nutrient solution.

METHODS

Rice (Oryza sativa 'Amaroo') was grown in aerated solution with high P (200 micro m) for 14 d, then transferred to high or low (1.6 micro m) P supply in aerated or stagnant solution for up to 8 d.

KEY RESULTS

After only 1 d in stagnant conditions, root radial oxygen loss (ROL) had decreased by 90 % in subapical zones, whereas near the tip ROL was maintained. After 4 d in stagnant conditions, maximum root length was 11 % less, and after 8 d, shoot growth was 25 % less, compared with plants in aerated solution. The plants in stagnant solution had up to 19 % more adventitious roots, 24 % greater root porosity and 26 % higher root/shoot ratio. Rice in low P supply had fewer tillers in both stagnant and aerated conditions. After 1-2 d in stagnant solution, relative P uptake declined, especially at low P supply. Aerated roots at low P supply maintained relative P uptake for 4 d, after which uptake decreased to the same levels as in stagnant solution.

CONCLUSIONS

Roots responded rapidly to oxygen deficiency with decreased ROL in subapical zones within 1-2 d, indicating induction of a barrier to ROL, and these changes in ROL occurred at least 2 d before any changes in root morphology, porosity or anatomy were evident. Relative P uptake also decreased under oxygen deficiency, showing that a sudden decline in root-zone oxygen adversely affects P nutrition of rice.

Boron supply into wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Wilgoyne) ears whilst still enclosed within leaf sheaths

The present study investigates whether there is significant remobilization of (10)B previously loaded in the flag and penultimate leaves into the young, actively growing ear enclosed within the sheaths of flag and penultimate leaves. It also explores whether B transport into the enclosed ear declines when air humidity in the shoot canopy increases. After 5 d (10)B labelling during the period from early to full emergence of the flag leaf, the plants were transferred into nutrient solutions containing either 10 microM (11)B or no added B for 3 d. Regardless of the subsequent B supply levels to the roots, (10)B contents in the ear continued to increase by up to 5-fold 3 d after the end of (10)B supply in the nutrient solution. During these 3 d, the ear experienced a rapid increase in biomass. However, the majority of B in the ear during the 3 d treatment period was from the newly acquired (11)B from root uptake, rather than retranslocation of (10)B previously deposited in the leaves. By comparing the relative distribution of (10)B, Rb (xylem-to-phloem transfer marker) and Sr (xylem-marker) in the ear and the flag leaf, the distribution of (10)B resembled that of Rb more than Sr. Canopy cover treatment greatly suppressed leaf transpiration and decreased the amount of newly acquired (10)B in the flag leaf and the ear, but not in the upper stem segments. The results suggest that whilst the young ear was still fully enclosed within the leaf sheaths without any significant transpiration activity, B transport into the ear is predominantly dependent on the long-distance B transport in the xylem driven by leaf transpiration and, therefore, on concurrent B uptake from the roots.

Clinical and pathologic findings in human keratolimbal allograft rejection

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the clinical and pathologic features of cadaveric keratolimbal allograft (KLAL) rejection.

DESIGN

The study design is descriptive.

PARTICIPANTS

Four patients (five eyes) with KLAL rejection are reported.

INTERVENTION

All patients were subjected to slit-lamp biomicroscopy, treatment of rejection, and ultimately required repeat KLAL surgery. In three patients (four eyes), specimens obtained at the time of repeat surgery were subjected to immunohistochemical staining against the following immune and surface human antigens: CD4, CD8, CD19, CD3, DR, CK19, CK3, and vimentin.

RESULTS

Signs of allograft rejection included intense sectoral injection, diffuse or perilimbal conjunctival injection, edema, and infiltration of the KLAL grafts, leading to punctate epithelial erosions, epithelial defects, and surface keratinization. Rejected specimens revealed T-lymphocyte infiltration (CD4:CD8, 2:1) with strong HLA-DR (MHC class II) expression. The epithelium stain results were positive for cytokeratin 19 and weakly positive to absent for cytokeratin 3. The epithelial stain results were weakly positive for vimentin in only one specimen.

CONCLUSIONS

KLAL rejection is a newly recognized entity. Pathologic findings of rejected specimens indicate that this is a T-cell mediated rejection phenomenon. The pattern of cytokeratin staining provided little evidence that the epithelium covering KLALs had a corneal phenotype. The scarcity of vimentin-positive epithelial cells suggests that the stem-cell/transient-cell pool was probably depleted. Early recognition of clinical rejection is important, as treatment with immunosuppressive therapy may reverse the process.

Incorporating Geological Effects in Modeling of Revegetation Strategies for Salt-Affected Landscapes

/ This paper synthesizes results of research into the impact that major faults have on dryland salinity and the development of revegetation treatments in the wheatbelt of Western Australia. Currently, landscape planning does not routinely incorporate geology, but this research shows that faults can have a dramatic impact on land and stream salinization and on the effectiveness of revegetation treatments, and evidence exists that other geological features can have a similar influence. This research shows that faults can be identified from airborne magnetic data, they can be assigned a characteristic hydraulic conductivity based on simple borehole tests, and four other geological features that are expected to affect land and stream salinity could be identified in airborne geophysical data. A geological theme map could then be created to which characteristic hydraulic conductivities could be assigned for use in computer groundwater models to improve prediction of the effectiveness of revegetation treatments and thus enhance the landscape planning process. The work highlights the difficulties of using standard sampling and statistical techniques to investigate regional phenomena and presents an integrated approach combining small-scale sampling with broad-scale observations to provide input into a modeling exercise. It is suggested that such approaches are vital if landscape- and regional-scale processes are to be understood and managed. The way in which the problem is perceived (holistically or piecemeal) affects the way treatments are designed and their effectiveness: past approaches have failed to integrate the various scales and processes involved. Effective solutions require an integrated holistic response.KEY WORDS: Dryland salinity; Geology; Landscape; Revegetation integrationhttp://link.springer-ny.com/link/service/journals/00267/bibs/24n1p99.html

Long-term results and complications after trabeculectomy with a single per-operative application of 5-fluorouracil

We retrospectively evaluated a consecutive series of 45 patients (45 eyes) who underwent trabeculectomy augmented with a single intra-operative 5 minute application of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; 25 mg/ml). All patients were at an increased risk of subconjunctival fibrosis and surgical failure. The mean follow-up period was 24 months (range 12-42, SD 6.9). The mean pre-operative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 29.1 mmHg (SD 6.1) and the mean IOP at the last post-operative visit was 16.6 mmHg (SD 6.4) (p < 0.0001) with a mean IOP reduction of 42%. The number of medications reduced from a mean of 2.3 (SD 0.7) pre-operatively, to 0.8 (SD 0.7) post-operatively (p < 0.0001) and 22 eyes (49%) required no topical treatment for IOP control. An IOP of 21 mmHg or less with or without medications was achieved in 80% of cases. There was no significant difference in final IOP or success rate over time between low- and high-risk patients, although the low-risk patients did better in the first 12-18 months. Complications included hypotony maculopathy in 2 cases (4%), leaking bleb in 5 cases (11%) and giant bleb in 1 case (2%), giving a total of 8 cases (18%) with bleb-related sequelae. In the short to medium term, a single per-operative application of 5-FU is a useful adjunctive treatment during glaucoma filtering surgery for low- to moderate-risk cases, although a steady increase in the failure rate was associated with increasing length of follow-up.

Prognosis of boron deficiency in oilseed rape (Brassica napus) by plant analysis

In areas where soils are low in boron (B), the ability to predict B deficiency by plant analysis depends on the development of calibrated standards and offers the potential of preventing or minimising losses in seed yield. The present study aimed at establishing relationships between seed yield in winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and B concentrations in defined leaves during growth before fiowering and from them to determine critical values for the prognosis of B deficiency. Oilseed rape cv. Zheyouyou 2 was grown in 10 field experiments in Zhejiang province, south-east China, with B rates from 0 to 3· 3 kg/ha. At 4 of the sites, oilseed rape was resown in the following year to assess seasonal effects on critical concentrations. Experiments were conducted on the 3 main soil groups on which oilseed rape is grown in south-east China. The youngest open leaf (YOL) was selected as the sampling part because its B concentrations were strongly responsive to increasing B supply and well correlated with seed yield response. In this study, the best model of the relationship between YOL B concentration and yield was the Mitscherlich equation, which explained 68-89% of the variation in the data. The calculated critical range in the YOL at seedling stage was 20-25 mg B/kg and appeared to be valid in 2 seasons and on 3 soil types. The critical B range for prognosis of B deficiency was found to predict consistently those crops in farmers" fields that had low seed yield and low soil B, but needs to be evaluated in other growing environments especially those for spring rape.

Airborne hexavalent chromium in southwestern Ontario

This study reports the first field measurements of airborne hexavalent chromium (Cr(vi)) in southwestern Ontario. Hexavalent chromium was identified as an inhalation carcinogen and an air toxic of concern during the 1991-93 Windsor Air Quality Study. The results of that study indicated that approximately 20% of the routinely monitored ambient airborne chromium (Cr) was in the hexavalent form. In addition, the range of carcinogenic health risks attributable to airborne Cr(vi) was determined to be between 1.4 x 10(-5) and 3.0 x 10(-4) for people living in the Windsor area. During the summer of 1993, analyses of concurrent indoor and outdoor 24-hour air quality samples taken at 33 residences in Hamilton resulted in geometric mean Cr(vi) concentrations of 0.20 ng/m3 and 0.55 ng/m3, respectively, and little or no relationship between the indoor and outdoor sample sets. During the summer of 1994, an airborne Cr(vi) size-fraction study was conducted in Hamilton, the results of which suggested that the majority of the Cr(vi) was in the inhalable fraction.

Blow-out fracture of the orbit associated with inflation of an airbag: a case report

We report a case of blow-out fracture of the orbit in a 37-year-old woman which was caused by deployment of an airbag following collision with a stationary vehicle whilst travelling at 30 m.p.h. The fracture did not become evident until she blew her nose some hours later. She was treated with antibiotics orally and made a full and complete recovery. Therefore, refinements in the design of airbags are warranted.

The diagnostic outcome of new glaucoma referrals

A retrospective cohort study of the case notes of 295 patients referred to the glaucoma clinic at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh between October 1993 and March 1994 was performed. The purpose of the study was to determine the diagnostic outcome of new referrals suspected of having glaucoma, all of whom were examined by a single glaucoma specialist. The largest diagnostic group was ocular hypertension (113, 42%), just over half of which were started on treatment. A new diagnosis of glaucoma was confirmed in 46 patients (17%). In total, 107 patients (39%), required treatment (46 glaucoma and 61 ocular hypertension). Thirty-six percent of new referrals were either discharged (80, 29%) or had other ocular conditions unrelated to glaucoma (19, 7%). A proportionately high number of new glaucoma cases (15 out of 46) had normal intraocular pressures, which emphasises the important role of ophthalmoscopy and perimetry in case detection. In conclusion, the number of newly diagnosed cases of glaucoma (17%) is considerably less than previous reports (22-39%), with a high proportion of referrals (2 in every 5) having ocular hypertension.

Accuracy of referral to a glaucoma clinic

The accuracy of referral to the glaucoma clinic in Edinburgh was evaluated retrospectively by case note analysis. Two hundred and ninety-five patients suspected of having glaucoma were referred during a 6 month period. Optometrists accounted for 96% of referrals with the remainder being referred directly by the GP. The highest overall detection rates (glaucoma + glaucoma suspects) were amongst those optometrists who combined tonometry with either a field assessment, ophthalmoscopy or both (66-78%). Despite this there was a high false positive rate with 36% of referrals being discharged or having conditions unrelated to glaucoma. To improve referral efficiency it is recommended that optometrists should routinely combine tonometry with ophthalmoscopy and perimetry, and tests should preferably be repeated prior to referral if an abnormality is suspected. The accuracy of referrals could be improved by the use of Goldmann applanation tonometry and by better interpretation of perimetric findings.

Warming lignocaine reduces the pain of injection during local anaesthetic eyelid surgery

The injection of local anaesthetic solutions is frequently a painful and unpleasant experience for patients. A double-masked randomised controlled trial was performed to study the potential benefit of warming lignocaine during local anaesthetic minor surgical procedures on the eyelids. The pain of subcutaneous injection of 1.5 ml of 2% lignocaine at room temperature (cold) and body temperature (warm) was compared in 60 patients during the surgical incision of solitary meibomian cysts of one eyelid. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either warm or cold lignocaine. Pain was assessed subjectively by the use of a linear analogue pain scale ranging from 0 to 100. The median pain score for the group receiving cold anaesthetic (19.5) was found to be greater than that for the warm group (10.0; p = 0.02). In conclusion, the simple process of warming lignocaine to 37 degrees C was found to reduce the pain associated with its injection significantly. It is recommended that this technique be more widely adopted in order to minimise patients' discomfort.

Enhancement of post trabeculectomy bleb formation by laser suture lysis

AIMS

To study the efficacy of laser suture lysis in the promotion of filtration and bleb formation during the early postoperative period after trabeculectomy.

METHODS

This was a prospective study of 20 eyes from 20 patients undergoing trabeculectomy. Patients were entered into the study if, after a trial period of ocular massage, the intraocular pressure (IOP) was greater than 21 mm Hg 48 hours after surgery. Other criteria for inclusion were a deep quiet anterior chamber, no bleb formation, and a patent internal ostium on gonioscopy. Suture lysis was performed using a frequency doubled neodymium YAG (532 nm) laser and a Hoskins lens. The IOP was measured within 5 minutes of lysis and gentle ocular massage was employed if there was no spontaneous bleb formation. A further suture was lysed if at this stage there was still no bleb associated with a high IOP.

RESULTS

Suture lysis was successful in all cases in the early postoperative period. The mean IOP before lysis was 33.8 (SD 8.9) mm Hg and the IOP immediately after lysis was 13.2 (7.9) mm Hg. Eighteen (90%) patients had successfully controlled IOP (mean 14.1 (3.6) mm Hg) without medication after a mean follow up of 6 months.

CONCLUSION

Laser suture lysis is a safe and effective method of promoting filtration following trabeculectomy. It can avoid surgical manipulation of the scleral flap with its associated risks of bleb failure and thereby contributes to a successful operative outcome.

Reality monitoring in recovering alcoholics

OBJECTIVE

The major aim of this study was to provide confirmation of the lack of metamemory deficits found in previous research, and we chose reality monitoring as our empirical arena. Reality monitoring is defined as the ability to distinguish between memories for events that have actually occurred and memories for imagined events, with actual events characterized by higher levels of sensory-perceptual information. Further, since detoxified alcoholics have demonstrated perceptual, especially visual, deficits, this study examined whether that would have an adverse effect on reality-monitoring performance.

METHOD

Young adult, male, detoxified alcoholics (n = 60) and appropriate controls (n = 29) participated in reality-monitoring tasks using, primarily, either visual or verbal information.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the two subject groups on either of the reality-monitoring tasks, and no significant contributions from descriptive, background or educational variables on these tasks.

CONCLUSIONS

Convergent validation of the previous finding of no metamemory deficits with young, male, recovering alcoholics was obtained. The results also were discussed briefly in the context of alcoholics' quality of memory in therapeutic situations.

Warming lignocaine reduces the pain of injection during peribulbar local anaesthesia for cataract surgery

AIMS

To test if the simple technique of warming lignocaine reduces the pain of injection during local anaesthetic cataract surgery.

METHODS

Sixty patients undergoing peribulbar local anaesthesia for cataract surgery were allocated randomly to receive either warm (37 degrees C) or cold (room temperature) plain 2% lignocaine for the injection. Pain was assessed subjectively by asking the patients to score their pain from 0 (no pain) to 10 (most severe pain imaginable).

RESULTS

The mean pain score for the warm group was 2.3 (SD 1.3) in comparison with a mean score of 5.5 (1.0) for the cold group (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The process of warming lignocaine to 37 degrees C has been found to reduce significantly the pain of injection during peribulbar local anaesthesia. It is recommended that this technique be more widely adopted in order to minimise patient's discomfort.

Non-penetrating corneal foreign body injuries: factors affecting delay in rehabilitation of patients

A review of 783 patients with non-penetrating, superficial corneal foreign bodies (FBs), indicated that delay in rehabilitation was related to two factors: (1) the size of the abrasion following removal of the FB, larger abrasions requiring longer duration of antibiotic ointment, and (2) inadequate removal of corneal rust. Allergy to chloramphenicol 1% ointment (5.5 in 1000), commonly used in the management of corneal abrasions, is unpredictable and can also impair rapid rehabilitation.

The polio survivor as expert: implications for rehabilitation nursing research

Clients' personal experiences with illness or tragedy can uniquely qualify them as experts in many research-relevant content areas. Nurse researchers can benefit from this expertise by involving such clients in important decision-making aspects of research planning. The advantages of consulting with client-experts in the early and subsequent stages of research are discussed in this article, which uses as an example the way such consultation has worked in the development of a study of coping in polio survivors. Consultation with client-experts is especially appropriate when research involves sensitive issues or the measurement of subjects at vulnerable periods in their lives. It is advocated as a means of helping to ensure that participants are questioned in the most ethical, sensitive way possible and that the research will address the needs and concerns of the target population.

Orbital cellulitis--an unusual presentation and late complication of severe facial trauma

We report an unusual case of orbital cellulitis in a patient with only one seeing eye and severe facial asymmetry secondary to a road traffic accident twenty two years previously. Facial trauma sustained in the road traffic accident created continuity between the right orbit and the adjacent ethmoidal cells. The abnormal communication between the ethmoidal labyrinth and the right orbit rendered this patient highly susceptible to an orbital cellulitis from an adjacent paranasal sinus infection. However, this case is unusual with regard to the length of time that elapsed before such an infection became manifest and the presence of gross distortion of anatomy masked the usual presentation and thereby caused a delay in diagnosis.

Diagnosis and prognosis of molybdenum deficiency in black gram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) by plant analysis

Diagnosis and prognosis of molybdenum (Mo) deficiencies in black gram crops by plant analysis is difficult because Mo standards have not been set and tested in the field. Therefore, critical Mo concentrations, for the diagnosis of Mo deficiency at early flowering and for diagnosis and prognosis at pod filling in black gram, were determined in two glasshouse experiments by examining the relationship of Mo concentrations in young leaves and nodules to shoot nitrogen content or seed dry matter in plants treated with seven levels of Mo supply on a Mo-deficient sandy loam. In severely Mo-deficient plants, shoot dry matter (DM) and shoot nitrogen (N) content were depressed. Molybdenum concentrations in plant parts increased with increasing Mo supply and were closely related to shoot N content. shoot DM, and seed DM. Critical Mo concentrations for diagnosis of hi0 deficiency were obtained from the relationship between N content and &lo concentrations in leaves and nodules. and for prognosis of Mo deficiency were obtained from the relationship between seed yield and Mo concentrations in plant parts. Critical Mo concentrations were much higher in nodules than in leaves, and among young leaf blades, they increased with decreasing leaf age. For diagnosis of Mo deficiency, blades of the leaf immediately older than the youngest fully expanded leaf (YFEL+lb) and nodules are recommended plant parts. Their respective critical concentrations were 22 and 9600 ng Mo/g DM at flowering, and 22 and 3378 ng Mo/g DM at initial pod set. Molybdenum concentrations in the YFEL+lb and nodules at podding were also related to seed production at maturity. Recommended critical h10 concentrations in the YFELflb and nodules at initial pod set for the prognosis of IbIo deficiency for seed DM were 18 and 3000 ng Mo/g DM respectively.

Continuously distributed random variables in factorial designs

Age as a variable in lifespan research usually is sampled as several age blocks which, in turn, are combined with additional variables in a factorial design. Sampling a continuous variable in discrete blocks increases the difficulty in obtaining adequate sampling, reduces power, and prevents a fine grain analysis of age x treatment interactions. Age can be sampled as a continuously distributed variable, factorially combined with treatment groups, and analyzed as an analysis of variance by the use of regression analysis and comparison of multiple R2 coefficients. The advantages of such a sampling strategy include both practical sampling advantages as well as statistical advantages when compared with the usual sampling approach.

External calcium requirements for growth and nodulation of six tropical food legumes grown in flowing culture solution

Six tropical food legumes, peanut cv. Red Spanish, pigeonpea cv. Royes, guar cv. Brooks, soybean cv. Fitzroy, and cowpea cv. Vita 4 and CPI 282 15, were grown for 20 days at six constant solution calcium concentrations (2, 12, 50, 100, 500 and 2500 8M ) in flowing solution culture with adequate inorganic nitrogen (500 8M NO3 and with controlled nutrient concentrations. Bradyrhizobium CB756 was added at a rate of approximately 105 cells/ml of nutrient solution. Growth of all genotypes except guar was satisfactory at >12 8M calcium, with 75-100% of maximum root and shoot yield being obtained. Solution calcium concentrations required for maximum top growth were 12 8M for cowpea CPI 28215, 50 8M for peanut, 100 8M for soybean, and 2500 8M for cowpea cv. Vita 4, guar and pigeonpea. Root growth responded to solution calcium concentrations in the same way as top growth, except for cowpea cv. Vita 4 and pigeonpea, which both produced maximum root dry matter at 12 8M calcium. External calcium requirements for unrestricted growth may have been overestimated in guar because phosphorus deficiency appeared to limit growth at <500 8M calcium. Effects of suboptimal calcium concentrations included prevention of nodulation, delays in nodule appearance and a reduction in both nodule numbers and the proportion of plants which nodulated. Guar and pigeonpea formed nodules only at a 50 8M calcium, whereas cowpea and peanut formed nodules at 2 8M calcium. Maximum nodule numbers were recorded at lower (peanut), higher (cowpea cv. Vita 4, CPI 28215 and pigeonpea) or the same (guar) solution calcium concentration as that required for maximum root growth. Nodule formation in peanut was satisfactory at solution calcium concentrations as low as 12 8M. The results are discussed in relation to reports on the adaptation of these legumes to highly weathered soils low in calcium.

Germination and vigour of black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) seed from plants grown with and without boron

Black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) cv. Regur was grown to maturity in three potted soils [Badgingarra (Sl), Lancelin (S2) and Quailing (S3)] with (+B) or without (-B) added H3BO3. The subsequent germination and vigour of seeds from treated plants was tested by germinating them for 7 days with 2000 8M CaSO4 and 98M H3BO3and, for S2 and S3 only, by staining with tetrazolium. No symptoms of B deficiency were observed in plants on any soil:leaf B concentrations at early vegetative and flowering stages were above values regarded as critical for this species (7-8 mg kg-1). On S1, B depressed pod and seed dry matter (DM), weight per seed and % hard seed (14 v. 58); it enhanced % non-viable imbibed seed (18 v. 5) and abnormal seedlings (37 v. 2). On S2, -B had no effect on reproductive yield or % hard seed but increased the % abnormal seedlings (32 v. 0) and depressed the tetrazolium rating for seed vigour, and weight per seed. No effects of B were observed on seeds from plants grown on S3 soil. When considered over all replicates of all treatments, a B concentration of 6 mg kg-1 DM seed was critical for viability of imbibed seed and production of normal seedlings. The results suggest that the subsequent germination and morphology of seeds and seedlings are more sensitive to low B supply during seed production than are growth of the plant and the amount of seed produced. It is thus likely that black gram crops low in B but with no symptoms of B deficiency may produce seed with low % germination and a high % abnormality in their seedlings.

The Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties: a critical analysis

The Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (CPS) is the most widely used source of drug information in Canada, and is heavily financed by the pharmaceutical industry. A close examination of its contents comparing a computer-drawn, randomized sample of monographs from its "White Pages" to standard pharmacological reference works demonstrates certain of its characteristics: it uncritically includes many inadequate preparations; it overstates the benefits and understates the adverse qualities of many preparations; and it contains little or no information on relative indications, efficacy, or price. These characteristics serve to promote the marketing goals of the drug manufacturers and severely limit the volume's usefulness as an objective source of drug information. The role of the CPS and similar publications in the overall context of current drug company marketing strategies is discussed. Finally, suggestions for improvements are made involving the elimination of direct manufacturer financing, and the creation of an objective, independent, nonprofit publishing agency supported by professional and governmental organizations.

Effects of early experience on the learning ability of yearling horses

Twenty-four yearling Quarter Horse fillies were divided into three groups (I) very limited handling, (II) intermediate handling and (III) extensive handling. At about 14 months of age, each horse was preconditioned for 2 weeks and then run in a simple place-learning T-maze test in which it had to locate its feed. Thirty trials were run daily for 20 days, with the location of the feed changed each day. To retire from the maze, a horse had to meet the criterion: 11 correct responses in 12 tries, with the last eight being consecutive. Horses in Group II required the fewest trials to reach criterion. These horses also learned more and had the highest percentage of correct responses (P less than .05). Mean trainability tended to predict learning ability; however, trainability and trials to criterion were not significantly correlated. Mean emotionality scores indicated a tendency for horses in the intermediately handled group to be less emotional than those in Group I or III. Results indicated that horses with an intermediate amount of handling scored higher on an intermediate test of learning. All handled horses scored higher on learning tests than those not handled.

Interactive effects of parity and early pup stress on the open field behavior of laboratory rats

Pups of primiparous and multiparous Sprague Dawley rats received 0-, 2-, or 5-min cold stress on Days 2-6 postpartun. Stressed offspring of primiparous mothers had shorter latencies to move in an open field than did control offspring of primiparous mothers. However, stressed offspring of multiparous mothers had longer latencies than did the controls. The results suggest differences in maternal responsiveness immediately following return of stressed pups to the nest.

Effects of differential early experience upon parental behavior in Mus musculus

Infant mice, reared with both parents were subjected to 1 of 4 different early experience contingencies at 3, 6, 9, and 12 days of age. Observation of parental behaviors following return of the pups to the nest revealed that mothers attended more to pups subjected to intermediate levels of stress, with the differences in maternal behavior persisting across the age span without change. Fathers exhibited marked changes in responsiveness to young across the ages observed, with their attention to young correlating directly with rate of ultrasonic calling by the young.

Neonatal ultrasounds elicited by odor cues

Ultrasounds were monitored from neonatal rats following placement on 1 of 5 types of bedding material. Odors associated with the home cage or an adult male inhibited neonatal ultrasonic signaling. Odors associated with a novel lactating female elicited initially high rates of signaling, the rate lowering across the age range of pups tested. Odors associated with a novel virgin female or with an absence of animal odors elicited increasing rates of signaling across the age range tested.

Effect of handling on maternal behavior following return of pups to the nest

Handling rat pups during the 1st week after birth altered adult behavior in the open-field, whereas simply spearating the pups from their mothers during the same period produced differences in body weight at weaning. Observations of mother-infant interaction following pup treatment yielded different patterns of maternal behavior. Moreover, pups receiving early treatment were more active as adults in a novel environment and had a greater body weight at weaning. The quality of maternal care and the immediate effects of infantile stimulation on the mother-infant relation should be considered in specifying a mediating mechanism for the effects of early experience.

Interactive effects of parity and pup stress on the maternal behavior of Rattus norvegicus

Litters of primiparous and multiparous rat mothers received 0,2, or 5 min of cold stress for the 1st 5 days postpartum. Primiparae showed increasing maternal responsiveness over the treatment period. Multiparae were initially maternally responsive to moderate stress cues from pups, but habituated to them over days. From Days 6 to 20, when pups were not stressed, lactation behavior of stressed groups declined in primiparous mothers but not in multiparous mothers.

Maternal behavior: a determinant of amphetamine toxicity in rats

At 130 days of age, 31 female rats that had been subjected in infancy to handling, mother-separation, both, or neither, were injected with d-amphetamine (100 mg/kg, 50 mg/ml, i.p.). The subjects form handled, mother-present litters were the only group that showed increased latency to death. This finding indicated that the maternal behavior elicited by early handling, rather than early handling or maternal presence alone, resulted in reduced amphetamine toxicity in the offspring, tested in adulthood.

Maternally determined susceptibility to D-amphetamine-induced stereotypy in rats

During the first week after parturition, rat pups were removed and returned to a mother-present nest, were removed and returned to a mother-absent nest, were separated from their mothers by removal of the mothers, or were undisturbed. In adulthood when repeatedly injected with a dose of D-amphetamine which induces progressively higher levels of stereotypy (2.5 mg/kg), only subjects which had been removed and returned to a mother-present nest in infancy showed a retarded rate of increase in stereotypy.

The influence of early auditory experience on later auditory and tactual variation seeking in the rat

Albino rats were raised under 1 of 4 conditions of auditory stimulation from 22-35 days of age. At 40 days, preferences for auditory and tactual variation were assessed in separate runway tests. Results were analyzed in a split-plot design for each of 2 measures of variation seeking. Subjects experiencing more-variable early stimulation scored higher than subjects receiving less-variable stimulation on 1 measure of variation-seeking and lower on the 2nd measure. The effect was intermodal since these results were obtained for tactual as well as auditory variation seeking.

Ophthalmologic findings in malaria

During the Vietnamese conflict, malaria in epidemic proportions constituted a serious health hazard to our forces. Although rarely encountered worldwide, Falciparum malaria proved to be an extremely lethal and dangerous complicating factor. Ophthalmologic complications of malaria are discussed and particular attention is placed on Falciparum malaria with the report of a case in detail and the presentation of unusual fundus findings.

The ontogeny of ultrasounds in two strains of Rattus norvegicus

The developmental course of ultrasonic signaling by neonatal rat pups (Rattus norvegicus) was monitored under varying degrees of hypothermic stress. Signal rate, peak frequency, duration, and complexity of signals were analyzed separately for two different laboratory stocks. Sprague-Dawley and Wistar/Furth. Additionally, preliminary data were obtained on maternal retrieval latencies during the 1st 4 days post-partum and compared with the emission rate of neonatal ultrasounds. On the basis of these and other data, there is evidence that mothers play an important role in mediating many early experience effects. The data suggests that rate of neonatal ultrasounds may provide an index of some aspects of rat of maturity; that there may be different periods of maximum sensitivity to external stimulation in various stocks of laboratory animals; and that differential maternal responsiveness in different stocks of laboratory animals may correlate with differences in neonatal ultrasonic calling. Implications for comparative, genetic, and developmental studies are discussed.

Experimental unconfounding of age and maternal responsiveness in rodents: prenatal CER conditioning to neonatal ultrasounds

Prior to mating, virgin female Long-Evans Rattus norvegicus received 30 classical CER trials with shock as the UCS and either taped neonatal ultrasounds or a belltone as the CS. Additional animals were placed in groups controlling for exposure to shock, the ultrasounds, the belltone, and placement in the conditioning apparatus. Following mating and parturition mother-infant observations revealed that those mothers previously conditioned to neonatal ultrasounds spent more time in the lactation posture than did mothers from the other groups. The results suggest that naive mothers can be "primed" to exhibit greater maternal responsiveness than is characteristic of primiparous mothers.