High-yield Areas Research Articles

Hydrological control rule on coalbed methane enrichment and high yield in FZ Block of Qinshui Basin

Hydrological control on coalbed methane (CBM) running through CBM pooling, enrichment and high yield, is one of major scientific problems in CBM development. Therefore, hydrological control rule on CBM enrichment and high yield in high-rank coal of FZ Block in Qinshui Basin is discussed and hydrological indices of CBM enrichment and high yield are established by physical simulation, hydrodynamic analysis, hydrochemical analysis and mathematical statistics on the basis of comprehensive analysis of well logging interpretation, analysis test, physical simulation and field exploitation data. The study shows that areas with stagnant groundwater–weak runoff are high in salinity and desulfurization coefficient, and low in sodium and chloride coefficient, conducive to CBM enrichment; within the same enrichment area, the section where change value of groundwater δD/δ18O is less than 0.5 is likely to produce CBM at high rate. On this basis, hydrological indices of CBM enrichment and high yield have been established and 3 possible CBM high yield areas have been selected.

Evaluating the importance of surface soil contributions to reservoir sediment in alpine environments: a combined modelling and fingerprinting approach in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park

Abstract. Soil in alpine environments plays a key role in the development of ecosystem services and in order to maintain and preserve this important resource, information is required on processes that lead to soil erosion. Similar to other mountain alpine environments, the Benasque catchment is characterised by temperatures below freezing that can last from November to April, intense rainfall events, typically in spring and autumn, and rugged topography which makes assessment of erosion challenging. Indirect approaches to soil erosion assessment, such as combined model approaches, offer an opportunity to evaluate soil erosion in such areas. In this study (i) the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) hydrological and erosion model and (ii) sediment fingerprinting procedures were used in parallel to assess the viability of a combined modelling and tracing approach to evaluate soil erosion processes in the area of the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park (central Spanish Pyrenees). Soil erosion rates and sediment contribution of potential sediment sources defined by soil type (Kastanozems/Phaeozems; Fluvisols and Cambisols) were assessed. The SWAT model suggested that, with the highest specific sediment yields, Cambisols are the main source of sediment in the Benasque catchment and Phaeozems and Fluvisols were identified as the lowest sediment contributors. Spring and winter model runs gave the highest and lowest specific sediment yield, respectively. In contrast, sediment fingerprinting analysis identified Fluvisols, which dominate the riparian zone, as the main sediment source at the time of sampling. This indicates the importance of connectivity as well as potential differences in the source dynamic of material in storage versus that transported efficiently from the system at times of high flow. The combined approach enabled us to better understand soil erosion processes in the Benasque alpine catchment, wherein SWAT identified areas of potential high sediment yield in large flood events but sediment fingerprinting identified areas that, due to high connectivity, contribute more to channel-stored sediment deposits.

Health care providers’ use of a drug information service for pregnancy-related inquiries

ObjectivesTo characterize pregnancy and lactation-related medication inquiries to a drug information center to identify classes of medications of most concern to providers. A secondary objective was to identify any trends in provider inquiries over the study period. DesignA retrospective descriptive study of pregnancy and lactation-related inquiries to the University of North Carolina Health Care System Drug Information Center database between January 2001 and December 2010. SettingUniversity of North Carolina Health Care System Drug Information Center. InterventionProvider inquiries and responses were extracted and characterized by indication for treatment and reason for inquiry. Comparison of the first and second 5-year periods was performed to delineate trends. Descriptive statistics, Fisher's Exact and χ2 tests were used for analysis. Main outcome measuresInquiry origin, time, and subject. Results433 inquiries were retrieved over the study period from physicians (50%), pharmacists (21%), and nurses (18%). Inquiries were most often made during the antepartum period (34%), followed by the postpartum (28%) and preconception (22%) periods. The most frequent indications for inquiry were psychiatry (15%) and infectious diseases (14%), which remained constant throughout the study period. Safety was the most common reason for inquiry (52%). The responses provided to callers were limited due to lack of information availability 37% of the time. ConclusionPsychiatry and infectious disease-related indications are the most frequent subjects of provider inquiry regarding medication use in pregnancy. Rates of inquiry remained constant throughout the past decade in most therapeutic areas. These findings are consistent with previous observations in other developed countries and suggest high-yield areas for pharmacist education.

Production and Spad Reading in Marandu Palisadegrass Fertilized with Nitrogen and Magnesium

The increase in tropic grass production and its estimation by the SPAD value can be related to combined supply of nitrogen and magnesium. The objectives were to check the effect of magnesium (Mg) rates on the productive response of Marandu palisadegrass to nitrogen (N) rates; correlate the supply of N and Mg with the SPAD reading; establish the use of SPAD reading as a way of predicting the N and Mg concentrations in diagnostic leaves (DL) and shoot dry matter (SDM). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse. Five N rates and five Mg rates were used in nutrient solutions, in a fractionated 5 × 5 factorial design with four replications. High N and Mg rates resulted in high dry mass yield and leaf area, in greater numbers of leaves and tillers. The correlations between SPAD reading and SDM, N and Mg in DL were high, high and low, respectively.

Modeling sediment sources and yields in a Pyrenean catchment draining to a large reservoir (Ésera River, Ebro Basin)

The study aimed to use the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model to simulate erosion processes in an alpine–prealpine catchment in order to provide data and information that may be relevant for managers so as to minimize reservoir siltation and water quality degradation. The main objective was to assess sediment production across the catchment and sediment supply to the main reservoir. The Barasona reservoir catchment (1,509 km2) is located in the Central Spanish Pyrenees, in the Ebro Basin. This catchment was selected for the case study given the regional significance of the Barasona reservoir and its siltation problems. The catchment has a mountain climate, with strong altitudinal and north–south gradients. The catchment is characterized by heterogeneous topography and lithology, resulting in a varied mosaic of slopes, soil types, and land covers. The Jueu karst system and two small headwater reservoirs were parameterized and calibrated in the model. The SWAT model sediment calibration for the catchment was based on a prior monthly hydrologic calibration, and the model validation was based on the sediment depositional history of the Barasona reservoir. The simulation period (2003–2006) and the validation period (1993–2002) produced average sediment yields to the reservoir of 643,000 and 575,000 t year−1, respectively. Large variations in sediment production were found between the subcatchments in the Barasona catchment due to differences in rock outcrops, land cover, and slope gradient. Sediment loss in the Jueu karst system was 15,500 t and the two small headwater reservoirs retained 31,200 and 50,300 t. Sediment production in relation to precipitation showed high temporal variability, with specific sediment yields to the Barasona reservoir ranging from 2.74 to 8.25 t ha−1 year−1. Strong lithological control was observed for sediment production in the subcatchments. The main sediment sources were located in the badlands developed on marls in the middle part of the catchment (internal depressions). The proposed model has proved useful for identifying areas where significant erosion processes take place in large alpine–prealpine catchments at a regional level and also for assessing discharge losses by the karst system and the sedimentary role of the small reservoirs. The information obtained through this research will be of interest in assessing the spatial distribution of sediment sources and areas of high sediment yield, which will be useful to establish criteria for remediation strategies.

Studies on Fungal Strains of Selected Regions of Ludhiana and their Biochemical Characterization

Conservation methods often are focused on maintaining the biodiversityof a specific landscape or ecosystem. Scientist’soften provide species richness as an indicator of biodiversity. However,species richness data are problematic when attempts are madeto enumerate microfungi, particularly those from the soil. Manysoil fungi fail to sporulate, making identification difficult.Other means of assessing the importance of fungi to ecosystempreservation must be developed. Otherwise, microfungi mightbe overlooked in discussions of ecosystem management and conservationissues. Herein, we have described the varieties of fungi was isolated from soils from high and low yield areas of a field sites of selected regions of Ludhiana. Fungal Diversity was analyzed by isolation and purification of fungal cultures. In the present investigation a total Forty Two Fungal strains have been isolated from fourteen sites of Ludhiana region. The morphological study revealed that these microbial forms have multiple occurrences at multiple sites. Finally nine fungal strains were purified and physicochemical characterized to check the effect of pH (3-9) and effect of temperature (25-45o C) on their growth. The colony diameter was measured regularly between 24 hr duration. Among all fungal strains maximum strains showed the maximum growth at pH-6; while in case of other samples the maximum growth was observed in pH range of 3-9. All the fungal samples were grown at their optimum pH which has been observed to check the effect of temperature on the growth. It was observed that all the fungal strains show maximum growth at 25o C indicating their mesophilic nature. On the basis of morphological & enzyme production capacity, it was found that most of the fungal strains were of Aspergillus sp. and Fusariumsp. They were potential producers of amylase and cellulose. Some strains of Aspergillus were able to produces both enzyme at the 4th day of incubation. The cellulose production capacities were more as compared to rest of enzymes

The National Commission on Physician Payment Reform: Recalibrating Fee-for-Service and Transitioning to Fixed Payment Models

The National Commission on Physician Payment Reform: Recalibrating Fee-for-Service and Transitioning to Fixed Payment Models

Ecosystem services reinforce Sumatran tiger conservation in land use plans

Ecosystem services have clear promise to help identify and protect priority areas for biodiversity. To leverage them effectively, practitioners must conduct timely analyses at appropriate scales, often with limited data. Here we use simple spatial analyses on readily available datasets to compare the distribution of five ecosystem services with tiger habitat in central Sumatra. We assessed services and habitat in 2008 and the changes in these variables under two future scenarios: a conservation-friendly Green Vision, and a Spatial Plan developed by the Indonesian government. In 2008, the range of tiger habitat overlapped substantially with areas of high carbon storage and sediment retention, but less with areas of high water yield and nutrient retention. Depending on service, location and spatial grain of analysis, there were both gains and losses from 2008 to each scenario; however, aggregate provision of each ecosystem service (except water yield) and total area of tiger habitat were higher in the Vision than the Plan, likely driven by an increase in forest cover in the Vision. Sub-watersheds with high levels of several ecosystem services contained substantially more tiger habitat than random subsets of sub-watersheds, suggesting that prioritizing ecosystem services could benefit tiger conservation. Our analyses provided input to government-led spatial planning and strategic environmental assessments in the study area, indicating that even under time and data constraints, policy-relevant assessments of multiple ecosystem services are feasible.

Energy Rebound Effect in Guangdong

Since the view that energy efficiency improvement would increase rather than reduce energy consumption, so-called rebound effect, was put forward and has been the focus that is encouraging a fierce debate within mainstream economics. This paper tries to introduce an improved estimation model by efficiency share decomposed from energy intensity, based on IPAT equation to estimate the rebound effect of three major regions in Guangdong, together with redistricting Guangdong applying hierarchical clustering analysis. The result shows the average rebound effect of low-intensity high-yield area, high-intensity low-yield area, and low-intensity low-yield area, is 17.91%, 10.82% and 8.10%, correspondingly. While the empirical study provides support of existence of rebound effect, it does suggest we should not only rely on improving energy efficiency, but also using market instruments such as resources taxes, to reinforce the energy savings.

Response of Wild Blueberry Yield to Spatial Variability of Soil Properties

Crop management practices within wild blueberry fields are implemented uniformly, with inadequate attention being given to substantial variations in soil properties and fruit yield. These variations emphasize the need for precise and site-specific crop management based on proper characterization and quantification of spatial soil variability. The objective of this research was to characterize and quantify the spatial patterns of variability in soil properties and fruit yield. A grid pattern of sampling points was established at each experimental site to collect soil and fruit yield samples during 2009 to 2010 at North River and Carmal sites, Nova Scotia, Canada. The soil samples were collected from 0- to 15-cm depth at each grid point. These soil samples were analyzed for soil organic matter, pH, texture, electrical conductivity, and inorganic nitrogen (N). The volumetric moisture content (&thetas;v) was recorded at each grid point using time domain reflectometry. Ground conductivity readings were also recorded using dual EM conductivity meter at same selected grid points. Fruit yield was mapped using calibrated digital color photography during the crop year. The coefficient of variation of the soil properties and fruit yield suggested moderate to high variability (coefficient of variation >15%) except for soil pH. The results of correlation analysis indicated that the values for inorganic N, soil organic matter, electrical conductivity, clay, and &thetas;v were generally higher in high-yielding areas and vice versa. The trend was opposite for sand and silt content, which were higher in low-yielding areas. Most of the soil properties had a large spatial variation with semivariogram range of 20 to 50 m and varied greatly within field. Kriged maps of soil properties and fruit yield also showed substantial variation within field. Characterization of spatial soil variability in wild blueberry fields would assist in planning future soil sampling in new fields showing soil and/or yield variability. The selection of soil sampling should be based on the sampling interval suggested by the variogram range (<20 m). Proper soil sampling can help in identifying yield-limiting soil properties and develop prescription maps for site-specific nutrient management to ameliorate unproductive areas and reduce environmental contamination.

Simulation-Based Team Training in Healthcare

Simulation-based team training (SBTT) in healthcare is gaining acceptance. Guidelines for appropriate use of SBTT exist, but the evidence base remains limited. Insights from other academic disciplines with sophisticated models of team working may point to opportunities to build on current frameworks applied to team training in healthcare. The purpose of this consensus statement is threefold: (1) to highlight current best practices in designing SBTT in healthcare and to identify gaps in current implementation; (2) to explore validated concepts and principles from relevant academic disciplines and industries; and (3) to identify potential high-yield areas for future research and development. We performed a selective review and critical synthesis of literature in healthcare simulation related to team learning as well as from other relevant disciplines such as psychology, business, and organizational behavior. We discuss appropriate use of SBTT and identify gaps in the literature. Healthcare educators should apply rigorous curriculum development processes and generate learning opportunities that address the interrelated conceptual levels of team working by addressing learning needs at the level of the individual, the team, the organization, and the healthcare system. The interplay between these conceptual levels and their relative importance to team-based learning should be explored and described. Instructional design factors and contextual features that impact the effect of SBTT should be studied. Further development of validated assessment tools of team performance relevant to professional practice is a high priority and is essential to provide formative, summative, and diagnostic feedback and evaluation of SBTT. Standardized reporting of curriculum design and debriefing approaches, although difficult, would help move the field forward by allowing educators to characterize effective SBTT instruction. Much work is needed to establish a robust and defensible evidence base for SBTT. The complexity and expense of SBTT require that specific programs or interventions are appropriately designed, implemented, and evaluated. The healthcare sector needs to understand how team performance can be optimized through appropriate training methods. The specific role of simulation in team training needs to be more clearly articulated, and the training conditions that make SBTT in healthcare effective need to be better characterized.

Effect of Light Intensity Field on Wheat Yield in Agriculture Ecosystems

This paper based on the measured of light intensity and wheat production within the shelterbelt, with surfer graphics software, correlation analysis and regression analysis of classical statistical methods to analyze relation between wheat yield and light intensity within agro-forestry system. The results showed that the order of average light intensity was: south > west > east > north of the shelterbelt. Wheat yields can be divided into four regions: greater than 810 g/m2 for the high yield areas; between 740.51 and 809.35 g/m2 for the level-producing areas; 600-740.51 g/m2 were cut areas; less than 600 g/m2 were serious cut areas. Judged by wheat yield divided regions above, wheat yield reduction was not serious, but relatively large distributed of area on the east side of shelterbelt; seriously cut areas mainly distribute in the north of shelterbelt; east and south of shelterbelt almost did not have serious cut areas; The size of correlation between light intensity and yield per unit area was north of shelterbelt (0.850) > south of shelterbelt (0.564) > west of shelterbelt (0.554) > east of shelterbelt (0.474). The relationship between light and yield in north of shelterbelt was consistent with Compound model, the south of shelterbelt is consistent with Exponential model; the scale of shading was: north of shelterbelt was about 0-0.7H, south of shelterbelt was about 0-0.3H, east of shelterbelt was about 0-0.3H, west of shelterbelt was about 0-0.5H.

Comparing high density LIDAR and medium resolution GPS generated elevation data for predicting yield stability

High density light detection and ranging (LIDAR) imaging has been shown to be able to define yield stability areas of a field for multi-cropping. Since LIDAR imaging is expensive and not widely available, it was hypothesized that medium resolution GPS elevation data which is commonly collected with variable rate technology (VRT) controllers and crop yield monitors could be used in lieu of LIDAR imaging. If proven, growers would be able to construct yield stability maps of their fields without the expense of obtaining LIDAR imaging. After substituting medium resolution GPS elevation data derived from the crop yield monitors, the procedure developed for developing a crop yield stability map was invoked and tested. The hypothesis that medium resolution GPS data could be used in lieu of LIDAR data was found to be invalid as the map generated incorrectly identified both high yield and medium yield areas of the field as low yielding areas as well as the inverse. While disappointing, high resolution GPS data from real-time kinetics (RTK) systems is yet to be tested and may offer an additional avenue to developing crop yield stability maps.

Development of multicomponent suspensions for catalytic coatings for block ceramic supports

The compositions of multicomponent boehmite suspensions in the pH range of the dispersion medium from 1.5 to 5.4 and methods of stabilizing cerium-and platinum-containing suspensions and application on a block cordierite support were investigated. The optimum conditions of preparing the suspensions and single-stage production of highly porous, strong, and uniform coatings of the Pt-CeO2-γ-Al2O3 system with a high yield and specific surface area of 150–170 m2/g were established.

Dynamics of 13C‐labeled mustard litter (Sinapis alba) in particle‐size and aggregate fractions in an agricultural cropland with high‐ and low‐yield areas

AbstractThe application of 13C‐labeled litter enables to study decomposition processes as well as the allocation of litter‐derived carbon to different soil C pools. 13Carbon‐labeled mustard litter was used in order to compare decomposition processes in an agricultural cropland with high‐yield (HY) and low‐yield (LY) areas, the latter being characterized by a finer texture and a lower organic‐C (OC) content. After tracer application, 13C concentrations were monitored in topsoil samples in particulate organic matter (POM) and in fine mineral fractions (silt‐ and clay‐sized fractions).After 568 d, approximately 5% and 10% of the initial 13C amount were found in POM fractions of LY and HY areas, respectively. Higher amounts were found in POM occluded in aggregates than in free POM. Medium‐term (0.5–2 y) storage of the initial 13C in fine silt‐ and clay‐sized fractions amounts to 10% in HY and LY soils, with faster enrichment but also faster disappearance of the 13C signal from LY soils. Amounts of 80%–90% of the added 13C were mineralized or leached in the observed period. Decomposition of free POM was faster in HY than in LY areas during the first year, but the remaining 13C amounts in occluded‐POM fractions were higher in HY soils after 568 d. High‐yield and low‐yield areas showed different 13C dynamics in fine mineral fractions. In LY soils, 13C amounts and concentrations in mineral‐associated fractions increased within 160 d after application and decreased in the following time period. In HY areas, a significant increase in 13C amounts did not occur until after 568 d. The results indicate initially faster decomposition processes in HY than in LY areas due to different soil conditions, such as soil texture and water regime. The higher silt and clay contents of LY areas seem to promote a faster aggregate formation and turnover, leading to a closer contact between POM and mineral surfaces in this area. This favors the OC storage in fine mineral fractions in the medium term. Lower aggregate formation and turnover in the coarser textured HY soil leads to a delayed C stabilization in silt‐ and clay‐sized fractions.

Two classification methods for developing and interpreting productivity zones using site properties

Crop performance is often shown as areas of differing grain yield. Many producers utilize simple GIS color ramping techniques to produce visual yield maps with delineated clusters. However, a more quantitative approach such as an unsupervised clustering procedure is generally used by scientists since it is much less arbitrary. Intuitively the yield clusters are due to soil and terrain properties, but there is no clear criterion for the delineation. We compared the effectiveness of two delineation or classification procedures: quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) and k-nearest neighbor discriminant analysis (k-NN) for the study of how yield temporal patterns relate to site properties. This study used three production fields, one in Monticello, IL, and two in Centralia, MO. Clusters were defined using maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) yield from three seasons. The k-NN had greater and more consistent successful classification rates than did QDA. Classification success rate varied from 0.465 to 0.790 for QDA while the k-NN classification rate varied from 0.794 to 0.874. This shows that areas of certain temporal yield patterns correspond to areas of specific site properties. Although profiles of site properties differ by crop and production field, areas of consistent low maize yield had greater shallow electrical conductivity (ECshallow), than those of consistent high maize yield. Furthermore, areas of consistent high soybean yield had lower soil reflectance than those areas of consistent low yields.

Decomposition and distribution of 15N labelled mustard litter ( Sinapis alba) in physical soil fractions of a cropland with high- and low-yield field areas

High-yield (HY) areas of an agricultural cropland were characterized by different positions on a slope and lower silt and clay contents, compared to low-yield (LY) areas, and this was associated with differences in water regime and C and N turnover. To understand differences in N flows of HY and LY areas, a combination of 15N tracer techniques and physical fractionation procedures was applied. Within 570 d after application of 15N labelled mustard litter to an agricultural cropland, the distribution of 15N was measured in particulate organic matter (POM) fractions and in fine mineral fractions (fine silt- and clay-sized fractions). After 570 d, only 2.5% of the initial 15N amount was found in POM fractions, with higher amounts in POM occluded in aggregates than in free POM. After this period, stabilization of the initial 15N in fine silt- and clay-sized fractions amounts to 10% in HY, but 20% in LY soils. 70% to 85% of the added 15N were lost. Initial decomposition of labelled material was faster in HY than in LY areas during the first year, but the remaining 15N amounts in POM fractions of the different areas were similar after 570 d. 15N amounts and concentrations in mineral-associated fractions increased within 160 d after application. From 160 to 570 d, HY and LY areas showed different 15N dynamics, resulting in a decline of 15N amounts in HY, but constant 15N amounts in LY soils. The results indicate faster decomposition processes in HY than in LY areas, due to different soil conditions, such as soil texture and water regime. The higher silt and clay contents of LY areas seem to promote N stabilization in fine mineral fractions. As a whole, N flows were higher in HY compared to LY areas, thus supporting higher yields and accelerated organic matter degradation due to higher N supply.

ESTIMATION OF CITRUS FRUIT YIELD USING ULTRASONICALLY-SENSED TREE SIZE

Tree canopy mapping with an automated ultrasonic system is inexpensive, fairly straightforward and could be used to estimate fruit yield within a grove to plan site-specific management practices. Tree canopy volumes and fruit yield were measured and mapped in a 17.0-ha ‘Valencia’ grove with an automated ultrasonic system and a sensor-based automatic yield monitoring system, respectively. The spatial data were divided into 40 equal sized plots using ArcView GIS software to relate tree sizes and fruit yield. A linear calibration model with half the data showed that ultrasonically-sensed tree sizes correlated significantly (R2 = 0.80) with fruit yield. The correlation between actual and predicted fruit yield with the remaining data was used for validation and was also significant (R2 = 0.42). The average prediction accuracy was 90.6% while the standard error of prediction and root mean square error were 4.25 and 4.16 Mg/ha, respectively. The ultrasonically-sensed tree canopy volumes of plots ranged from 7421 to 20,900 m3/ha;fruit yield within the grove was also variable, ranging from 21 to 45 Mg/ha. Tree size and yield maps produced similar spatial patterns within the grove, as high-yielding areas were associated with large tree canopies. Therefore, tree canopy size could be used to estimate fruit yield within the grove. This information is valuable to forecast yields, to plan harvest schedules and to generate prescription maps for site-specific management practices on an individual tree basis.

Phosphate Adsorption by Ferrihydrite‐Amended Soils

New technology and approaches for reducing P in runoff from high sediment yield areas are essential due to implementation of increasingly rigorous water quality standards. The objectives of this research were to characterize ferrihydrite (Fe(5)HO(8).4H(2)O) in terms of its ability to adsorb P from soil solutions and relate its P adsorptive capacity to several soil properties that influence P mobility. A naturally occurring ferrihydrite, collected as an Fe oxide sludge by-product from a water treatment facility, was equilibrated with soil samples at equivalent rates of 0, 0.34, 3.36, 16.80, and 33.60 Mg ha(-1) for a 60-d period. Individual 2-g subsamples of each soil were then equilibrated with 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg kg(-1) P in 20 mL of 0.01 M CaCl(2) on a reciprocating shaker for 24 h. After 24 h, P in solution was measured by colorimetric methods, and designated as final P concentrations. The data indicated that the unamended soils with a pH of <6.0 adsorbed, in some cases, 50 times more P than soils with a pH of >7.0. The final P concentrations, averaged for all initial P concentrations and ferrihydrite rates, ranged from 0.09 to 4.63 mg kg(-1), and were most highly correlated with pH (r = 0.844; P < or = 0.01), oxalate-extractable Fe (r = -0.699; P < or = 0.10), and dithionite-extractable Fe (r = -0.639; P < or = 0.10) contents of the unamended soils. In terms of individual soils, correlation coefficients (r) for final P concentrations versus ferrihydrite amendment rates indicated a statistically significant (P < or = 0.001) negative relationship at all initial P concentrations for most A horizons. The r values for the high Fe oxide content B horizon soils did not show a statistically significant response to ferrihydrite additions. The results indicate that P adsorption, in soils amended with ferrihydrite, will be greatest under acid pH conditions below the ferrihydrite zero point of charge (pH 5.77), and low incipient Fe oxide contents.

The present and future management of malignant brain tumours: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy

While the majority of malignant brain tumours remain ultimately incurable, a variety of intermediate outcomes is nevertheless possible, depending on histological tumour type and grade. A common treatment strategy obtains...