Straw Mat Research Articles

IgG4-related autoimmune diseases: Polymorphous presentation complicates diagnosis and treatment.

IgG4-associated autoimmune diseases are systemic diseases affecting multiple organs of the body. Autoimmune pancreatitis, with a prevalence of 2.2 per 100,000 people, is one such disease. Because these multi-organ diseases present in highly variable ways, they were long thought just to affect individual organ systems. This only underscores the importance of familiarity with these diseases for routine clinical practice. This review is based on pertinent articles retrieved by a selective search in PubMed, and on the published conclusions of international consensus conferences. The current scientific understanding of this group of diseases is based largely on case reports and small case series; there have not been any randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to date. Any organ system can be affected, including (for example) the biliary pathways, salivary glands, kidneys, lymph nodes, thyroid gland, and blood vessels. Macroscopically, these diseases cause diffuse organ swelling and the formation of pseudotumorous masses. Histopathologically, they are characterized by a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate with IgG4-positive plasma cells, which leads via an autoimmune mechanism to the typical histologic findings--storiform fibrosis ("storiform" = whorled, like a straw mat) and obliterative, i.e., vessel-occluding, phlebitis. A mixed Th1 and Th2 immune response seems to play an important role in pathogenesis, while the role of IgG4 antibodies, which are not pathogenic in themselves, is still unclear. Glucocorticoid treatment leads to remission in 98% of cases and is usually continued for 12 months as maintenance therapy. Most patients undergo remission even if untreated. Steroid-resistant disease can be treated with immune modulators. IgG4-associated autoimmune diseases are becoming more common, but adequate, systematically obtained data are now available only from certain Asian countries. Interdisciplinary collaboration is a prerequisite to proper diagnosis and treatment. Treatment algorithms and RCTs are needed to point the way to organ-specific treatment in the future.

Effect of Straw Mulch on Runoff and NPS Pollution Reduction from Experimental Plots under a Climate Change Scenario in Korea

AbstractThis study attempted to quantify the effects of rice straw mulches on runoff and nonpoint source (NPS) pollution under a future climate change scenario. For this, regression equations between the observed rainfall and runoff curve number (CN) were developed to estimate NPS pollution from radish fields. Rainfall data from the special report on emissions scenarios (SRES) A1B were applied to the regression equations in order to predict future runoff and NPS pollution by surface covers. The results show that future rainfall was estimated to increase by 0.8% in the 2020s, 14.4% in the 2050s, and 15.1% in the 2080s. Under the projected rainfall conditions, the loose straw and the straw mat mulches were estimated to reduce runoff by 65.7 to 66.8% and 95.8 to 96.9%, respectively, while the selected pollutants were reduced by 44.1 to 98.8% and 58.9 to 94.9%, respectively. Both types of straw mulch were effective in controlling both runoff and NPS pollution, and thus offer a very promising means to cope wit...

Teknik Konservasi Tanah serta Implementasinya pada Lahan Terdegradasi dalam Kawasan Hutan

Large of degraded forest areas in Indonesia namely 19.5 million ha and its rate start from 1.8 to 2.84 million ha years-1. Initially in the form of virgin forests, they were degraded become low potential forest, scrub, bush, grass land to critical land. The critical land is very dangerous for natural resources establishment because happened the high erosion and menacing flood. The solutions to minimize the environmental damage in the critical land are developing the soil conservation technique in the sites. This research was aimed to collect and analyze some soil conservation techniques and its implementation in the degraded land of forest regions. The research was conducted with literature and fields study in the PT. Gunung Meranti areas, Kapuas District, Central Kalimantan Province. Some soil conservation techniques that applied in the degraded land of forest regions are wet masonry, stone terrace works, gabion works,log retaining works,log grib works,bamboo and wicker terrace, soil bag terrace works and straw mat terrace works. To support the civil and vegetation soil conservation technique, commonly using the water channels as sod water channel works, stone water channel works, soil bag water channel works and catchment pipe culvert.

실경작지 밭의 비점오염물질 저감을 위한 지표피복재 적용

Four actual cultivations were prepared and a variety of soybean was cultivated. A H-flume, an automatic water level gauge and an automatic water sampler were installed at the outlet of each plot equipped for the measurement of flow rate and its water quality. The amount of rainfall of the study area in 2013 was measured as 975.6 mm which was much lower than the annual average rainfall of 1,271.8 mm, resulting in less occurrences in rainfall-runoff events. Rainfall-runoff events were occurred three times during the rainfall event of 4~5 July, 23 and 24 August. The characteristics of NPS pollution discharge of the plots and the reduction effect of the selected BMPs were analyzed during these events. The reduction effect of straw mat and soil amendments (Polyacrylamide (PAM) and Gypsum) on runoff ratio ranged between 38.2 and 92.9% (average 71.6%). The NPS pollution load reduced between 27.7 and 95.1% (average 70.0%) by the application of rice straw mat and soil conditioner when compared with that of control plot. Soybean yield (2,133.3 kg/ha) of the straw mat covered plots increased by 14.3% when compared with control (1,866.7 kg/ha). The effect of straw mat on the yield was not economically viable if the material and accompanying labor costs were considered. The data collected and analyzed on different soil textures and crops in this study are expected to be a fundamental reference for the expansion of the results to the application nationwide and the development of NPS pollution management policies.

고랭지 밭의 비점오염부하 저감을 위한 지표피복재와 토양개량제의 효과

We investigated the effect of straw mat cover and soil amendments on the reduction of runoff, non-point source pollution load and yield of a Chinese cabbage from alpine fields. Two plots on sandy loam soil were prepared. Experimental treatments were control and rice straw mat cover (3,300 kg/ha)+Polyacrylamide (PAM) (5 kg/ha)+Gypsum (1 ton/ha) (SPG). A variety of Chinese cabbage was cultivated and runoff was monitored during a growing season in 2012. Monitoring was conducted to seven times. Runoff rate of SPG plot was lower than those of control plot. The reduction rate of runoff from SPG plot was 29.4 % compared to control plot. The reduction rate of suspended solids (SS), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) load of SPG plot was 86.5 %, 34.7 % and 39.1 %, respectively. Yield of a Chinese cabbage from SPG plot (39,646 kg/ha) was greater than that of control plots (28,482 kg/ha). It was concluded that the use of SPG on soil surface could not only reduce the NPS pollution loads in receiving waters but also help increase the crop yield.

Identification of Risk Factors for Plague in the West Nile Region of Uganda

Plague is an often fatal, primarily flea-borne rodent-associated zoonosis caused by Yersinia pestis. We sought to identify risk factors for plague by comparing villages with and without a history of human plague cases within a model-defined plague focus in the West Nile Region of Uganda. Although rat (Rattus rattus) abundance was similar inside huts within case and control villages, contact rates between rats and humans (as measured by reported rat bites) and host-seeking flea loads were higher in case villages. In addition, compared with persons in control villages, persons in case villages more often reported sleeping on reed or straw mats, storing food in huts where persons sleep, owning dogs and allowing them into huts where persons sleep, storing garbage inside or near huts, and cooking in huts where persons sleep. Compared with persons in case villages, persons in control villages more commonly reported replacing thatch roofing, and growing coffee, tomatoes, onions, and melons in agricultural plots adjacent to their homesteads. Rodent and flea control practices, knowledge of plague, distance to clinics, and most care-seeking practices were similar between persons in case villages and persons in control villages. Our findings reinforce existing plague prevention recommendations and point to potentially advantageous local interventions.

“Yaedatami” or an eightfold straw mat is a tatami specially prepared for use in religious services. A craftsman folds “tatamiomote” or woven soft rush straws with edging of specially designed Nishijin brocade several times over so as to perfectly align patterns of creases of the folded edgings. We use the design to schematically illustrate the somitogenesis in vertebrates. As the

Genes to CellsVolume 19, Issue 4 p. i-i Cover ImageFree Access “Yaedatami” or an eightfold straw mat is a tatami specially prepared for use in religious services. A craftsman folds “tatamiomote” or woven soft rush straws with edging of specially designed Nishijin brocade several times over so as to perfectly align patterns of creases of the folded edgings. We use the design to schematically illustrate the somitogenesis in vertebrates. As the U-shaped presomitic mesoderm moves tailward, periodic waves of gene expression form pairs of somites one after another from the anterior end. “Otoshine” or the top cushion has a mark of an embryo woven into it. If you carefully look at the edging of “otoshine”, you can find it bears the process of segmentation in Drosophila, a species which forms all of its segments simultaneously. Cooperated by Isogaki Tatami (Kyoto, Japan); Designed by TRAIS Co., Ltd. (Kobe, Japan) Correction(s) for this article Corrigendum Volume 19Issue 6Genes to Cells pages: 539-539 First Published online: May 23, 2014 First published: 24 March 2014 https://doi.org/10.1111/gtc.12148AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume19, Issue4April 2014Pages i-i RelatedInformation

기장산성 집수지의 구조와 변화양상

This paper looked into the structure of and changes in the building process of Gijang mountain fortress and its receiving reservoir by analyzing data from an excavation investigation. The structure of the receiving reservoir may be classified into a flat form, stone sheath, floor facility, wall facility, and entry and exit facility. The flat form of the Gijang mountain fortress and receiving reservoir is round. Concerning the sectional form, the wall was obliquely excavated in the trapezoid. As a stone sheath building method, it was built by undertaking a range work of oblong stone materials in a clockwise direction on a stamped soil floor. Then, it was treated with stamping using double layers of gray clay and yellowish brown clay on the floor and the wall. Also, in a space between the stamped layers on the floor, herbal plants and a straw mat were laid for waterproofing as well as to prevent sinking. As an entry and exit facility, two facilities were confirmed symmetrically in the southeast and in the northwest. It is believed that they were built additionally during rebuilding after the initial construction. The building process was revealed to have been carried out in 8 stages. Given the structure and excavated remains, the building period is estimated to be the early to mid 7th century for the initial building, the later 9th to 11th centuries for the primary rebuilding, and the later 16th to early 17th centuries for the secondary rebuilding.

Assessment of Vegetation Establishment on Tailings Dam at an Iron Ore Mining Site of Suburban Beijing, China, 7 Years After Reclamation with Contrasting Site Treatment Methods

Strip-mining operations greatly disturb soil, vegetation and landscape elements, causing many ecological and environmental problems. Establishment of vegetation is a critical step in achieving the goal of ecosystem restoration in mining areas. At the Shouyun Iron Ore Mine in suburban Beijing, China, we investigated selective vegetation and soil traits on a tailings dam 7years after site treatments with three contrasting approaches: (1) soil covering (designated as SC), (2) application of a straw mat, known as "vegetation carpet", which contains prescribed plant seed mix and water retaining agent (designated as VC), on top of sand piles, and (3) combination of soil covering and application of vegetation carpet (designated as SC+VC). We found that after 7 years of reclamation, the SC+VC site had twice the number of plant species and greater biomass than the SC and VC sites, and that the VC site had a comparable plant abundance with the SC+VC site but much less biodiversity and plant coverage. The VC site did not differ with the SC site in the vegetation traits, albeit low soil fertility. It is suggested that application of vegetation carpet can be an alternative to introduction of topsoil for treatment of tailings dam with fine-structured substrate of ore sands. However, combination of topsoil treatment and application of vegetation carpet greatly increases vegetation coverage and plant biodiversity, and is therefore a much better approach for assisting vegetation establishment on the tailings dam of strip-mining operations. While application of vegetation carpet helps to stabilize the loose surface of fine-structured mine wastes and to introduce seed bank, introduction of fertile soil is necessary for supplying nutrients to plant growth in the efforts of ecosystem restoration of mining areas.

Field studies on the effects of three geotextiles on runoff and erosion of road slope in Beijing, China

Runoff and soil loss from bare slopes resulting from road construction are serious. Geotextiles are a possible temporary alternative before vegetation establishes itself, and offer immediate soil protections on slopes. In order to examine the effects of three kinds of geotextiles (shade net, non-woven fabrics and straw mats) on road slopes in decreasing runoff and soil loss, a self-made rainfall simulator was calibrated and used in a field experiment on slopes of Jing–Cheng (Beijing–Chengde) highway in China. Forty rainfall simulations were carried out on four road slopes covered with straw mats, shade net, non-woven fabrics and nothing, respectively. The three kinds of geotextiles all significantly (P < 0.001) decreased runoff and sediment concentration compared with the bare slope. Furthermore, straw mats had the best effect among them, resulting in the lowest runoff coefficient (10.9%) and sediment yield (8.5 g m− 2).

볏짚거적과 토양개량제를 활용한 경사지 밭의 비점오염원 저감평가

The objective of the research was to describe the effect of straw mat cover and soil amendments on the reduction of runoff and non-point source load from steep sloped highland agricultural fields. Four <TEX>$5{\times}30$</TEX> m plots on sandy loam soil with 28 % slope were prepared. Experimental treatments were bare (control), rice straw mat cover (3,000 kg/ha) (S), PAM (5 kg/ha)+Gypsum (1 ton/ha) (PG) and rice straw mat cover+PAM+Gypsum (SPG). A variety of lettuce was cultivated and runoff was monitored during a growing season in 2011. Natural monitoring was conducted to three times. Runoff rate of S, PG and SPG plots were significantly lower than those of control plot. Especially, the runoff rate is zero in SPG plot at a first rainfall events. The reduction rate of runoff from the S, PG and SPG plots was 30.8 %, 29.0 % and 81.8 % compared to control plots, respectively. The reduction rate of NPS pollution load of S, PG and SPG was ranged of 50~90 %, 30~70 % and 90~100 %, respectively. Yield of lettuce from S, PG and SPG plots was respectively 400 (567 kg/ha), 320 (453 kg/ha) and 760 (1,067 kg/ha) that of compared to control plots greater than that from control plots (140 kg/ha). We speculated that the experimental treated plots could hold more nutrients and moisture than the control and helped the crop grow healthier. When analyzing the above results, in terms of reduction of runoff and NPS pollution load and crop yields, SPG experimental treatment had the best effect. It was concluded that the use of rice straw mats cover and soil amendments on soil surface could not only reduce the NPS pollution loads in receiving waters but also help increase the crop yield.

Effects of rice straw mats on runoff and sediment discharge in a laboratory rainfall simulation

The effects of loosely woven rice straw mats on runoff, sediment discharge, and suspended solids (SS) were investigated in laboratory rainfall simulations in an effort to identify conditions that could reduce erosion and improve water quality in farming districts. Small runoff plots of 1×1×0.5m in size were filled with loamy sand. Experimental treatments were rice straw mat cover of 0 (control), 300, 600, and 900gm−2; slopes of 10% and 20%; and rainfall intensities of 30 and 60mm/h. Runoff volume from covered plots was significantly smaller than that from control plots at α=0.05. Runoff reduction by mat treatment varied between 22.1% and 100% of control values. The runoff coefficient varied with runoff volume. Sediment was dramatically reduced by rice straw mat cover. In a 30mm/h rainfall simulation, very little sediment discharge occurred for 10% and 20% slopes. In a simulation of more severe conditions, 60mm/h rainfall and 20% slope, no sediment was yielded if mat cover was 900gm−2. SS concentration from covered plots was significantly lower than that from controls. It was observed that once runoff occurred, even with good mulching, a certain degree of SS was likely to remain because small particulates in suspension were neither filtered nor deposited easily. Rice straw mats were proven to ameliorate runoff, sediment discharge, and SS concentration in laboratory simulations, necessitating their application in the field to validate these results.

Effect of surface cover on the reduction of runoff and agricultural NPS pollution from upland fields

In this study, two types of simulations were performed. First, indoor rainfall simulation revealed that runoff ratio (0–63.3 %) decreased dramatically with surface cover, compared with no surface cover condition (55–85.3 %), and sediment load and concentration also decreased. With additions of PAM, sawdust, and rice hull to rice straw mat, the runoff ratio decreased to 52.8, 36.6, and 53.2 %, compared with only rice straw mat condition (runoff ratio of 63.3 %). When gypsum was added, no runoff was observed in case of rainfall intensity of 30 mm/h. Under 60 mm/h rainfall condition, 50 % or more runoff reduction was observed. These could be explained in that surface cover reduces detachment of soil particles and keeps infiltration rate by reducing surface sealing with detached soil particle which could happen under non-surface cover condition. Second, when rice straw mat was applied to soybean field, no runoff was observed until rainfall intensity of 5.8 mm/h or greater, while runoff was observed with rainfall intensity of 1.5 mm/h at no surface covered soybean field. In addition, 89.7–99.4 % of pollutant reductions were observed with rice straw mat at the soybean field. When rice straw mat with additions of wood shaves was applied to Chinese cabbage and radish fields, 4.3–75.8 % of runoff reductions and 28–80.8 % of pollutant reductions were observed. In case of Chinese cabbage, 122.1 % yield increase was observed and 153.4 % yield increase in case of radish.

Effects of Compost Sources and Seeding Treatments on Germination and Emergence of Four Turfgrass Species

Greenhouse pot trials were conducted to compare the effects of compost sources and planting treatments on turfgrass germination and emergence. Eight seeding treatments and 4 turfgrass types were factorially combined and replicated four times in a completely randomized block design. The seeding treatments were: 1) seed planted on surface of 2.6 cm compost overlying soil, 2) seed planted on soil surface below 0.65 cm compost, 3) seed planted on soil surface below 1.3 cm compost, 4) seed planted on soil surface below 2.6 cm compost, 5) seed planted on soil surface covered with a 2.6 cm straw mat, 6) seed planted below 1.3 cm soil, 7) seed planted below 1.3 cm of 1:1 compost:soil mix, and 8) seed planted on soil surface. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.), and zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) were used as the bioassay crops. The experimental design was repeated over time using composts produced with the following feedstocks: yard waste, food waste, dairy manure, biosolids, and paper mill sludge. Emerged seedlings were counted at 11 days for tall fescue, at 3 weeks for Kentucky bluegrass and at 7 weeks for bermudagrass and zoysiagrass. There were significant (P<0.05) effects of seeding treatment x turfgrass type on germination and emergence for each compost type. All of the composts appeared to be well stabilized using routine compost laboratory testing except the biosolids compost, whose use resulted in the lowest overall germination and emergence rate. The highest rates of germination and emergence occurred in the treatments in which the seeds were planted on the surface, regardless of whether the surface was compost or soil. The lowest rate of germination and emergence occurred where the seed was placed under 2.6 cm compost, regardless of compost maturity.

볏짚거적과 토양개량제를 이용한 강우유출 모의

The objective of this research was to experimentally test the effect of rice straw mats on the reduction of runoff, sediment discharge and turbidity under a laboratory scale. We used the small runoff plots of 1 m <TEX>${\times}$</TEX> 1 m <TEX>${\times}$</TEX> 0.65 m (<TEX>$L{\times}W{\times}H$</TEX>) in size filled with loamy sand. Experimental treatments were bare (control), rice straw mat cover of straw mats + PAM + Gypsum (SPG), rice straw mats + Chaff + PAM + Gypsum (SCPG) and rice straw mats + Sawdust + PAM + Gypsum (SSPG); slope of 10 % or 20 %; and rainfall intensity of 30 mm/hr. Runoff volume and rate of covered plots were significantly lower than those of control plot. Average runoff rate of covered plots, slope of 10 % and 20 %, decreased 85.6 % and 72 % in respectively. Sediment reduction ratio was more than 99 % regardless of slope. The differences runoff and sediment discharge among different cover materials were not significant. It was also shown that even if runoff reduction by surface cover were low, sediment discharge reduction could be very significant and contribute to improve the water quality of streams in sloping agricultural regions. It was concluded that the use of straw mat and soil amendments (PAM and Gypsum) on sloping agricultural fields could reduce soil erosion and muddy runoff significantly and help improve the water quality and aquatic ecosystem in receiving waters. But mixing effect of PAM and Gypsum was minimal.

Gourmandizing Poverty Food: The Serpa Cheese Slow Food Presidium

This paper examines a Slow Food–sponsored project to recreate and promote Serpa Velho, a hard aged cheese historically produced in the Alentejo region of Portugal. The authors examine the historical forces behind three changes that the project sought to reverse, namely the abandonment by cheese makers of the Merino breed, the move away from aging the cheese on straw mats in the cheese room rafters to aging in refrigerated stores, and the sale of younger, softer cheeses. The authors contend that the pursuit of these aims by the project ironically contradicts Slow Food's stated aims of fostering the production of food that is ‘good, clean and fair’. The paper concludes not only that more rigorous historical analysis exposes Slow Food's romanticism and elitism, but also that such analysis is necessary to the improvement of the food we eat.

Effects of biological geotextiles on aboveground biomass production in selected agro-ecosystems

Biological geotextiles have considerable potential for soil erosion control, but few studies have been completed on their effects on aboveground biomass production. Hence, field experiments were conducted to investigate the hypothesis that the use of geotextile mats would increase aboveground biomass. We investigated the crop and weed aboveground biomass at four international sites (in China, Thailand, Vietnam and Lithuania). These sites were selected due to the severity of soil erosion problems and feasibility of using biological geotextiles in highlands. In Lithuania, imported Borassus and Buriti mats and indigenous wheat straw mats were used on roadside slopes. In China, Thailand and Vietnam, both Borassus mats and other biological geotextiles were constructed using indigenous local materials (bamboo, rice straw, wheat straw and maize stalks). Results show that biomass production was ∼6 to 53% higher in plots with biological geotextiles compared with the plots with no geotextile treatment. In Lithuania, cover of Borassus and Buriti mats during 2006–2007 increased perennial grass productivity by ∼50 and 18%, respectively, compared with plots with no cover (5.29 Mg ha −1). In China, plots with contour planting covered by rice straw mats had ∼29% higher wheat yield than the plots with no geotextile treatment (1.98 Mg ha −1). Likewise, rice straw, Borassus and maize stalk mat-cover on the plots with no geotextile treatment had significant effects in increasing yields of faber bristle grass (by ∼52%) and maize by 18% and 14% in two separate experiments in China. In Thailand, results (May 2007–June 2008) showed that plots under contour planting mulched with bamboo mats had ∼40 and 26% higher ( P < 0.05) sweet corn ( Zea mays) and lablab bean ( Lablab purpureous) yields, respectively, than plots under contour planting only. Plots under contour planting (without a geotextile cover) had 2.5 and 0.61 Mg ha −1 of sweet corn and lablab bean grain yield production, respectively. In Vietnam, Borassus, maize stalk and bamboo mat cover on bare plots had ∼53, 47 and 35% higher soybean yields, respectively, than the plots with no geotextile treatment (6.6 Mg ha −1). Increased biomass in plots under biological geotextiles was due to soil and moisture conservation. Erosion rates significantly decreased by 15–20% in Lithuania and 67–98% in South-East Asia, compared with the plots with no geotextile cover. Thus, biological geotextiles significantly increased aboveground biomass production and generally contributed to decreased soil loss under diverse soil and climatic conditions.

Arte mural tradicional en Walata: ciudad caravana en el Hawdh oriental

Walata is one of the major caravan cities in the southern Sahara located on the route from Timbuktu to the northern cities of either Sijilmassa in the Tafilalt oasis or Nul Lamta on Wadi Nun. The city has a long history stretching back to before it was named Walata which archeology has only recently (2004) begun to investigate. The city is justly famous for the unique wall art on its houses. The art is the realm of women who have passed it on from generation to generation. Local oral history states the wall art found in Walata dates to al-Murabitin period (11th century) when a number of Muslims from al-Andalus were exiled there. The wall art of Walata is unique not only to its own region of the Hawdh in eastern Mauritania, but to the whole Sahara. The art can be divided into three main types: around the main street entrance to the house, walls of the interior courtyard, and the inside of rooms. The designs are subject to change over time and recently new ones have been introduced from henna for the hands, straw mats, and Moroccan carpets while some of the older designs are no longer being done.

지표피복재 적용을 통한 비점오염원 저감효과 분석

Effect of rice straw mat and wood shaves on the reduction of runoff and nonpoint source (NPS) pollution loads from field plots were experimentally studied. Three runoff plots of m in size and 3 % in slope were prepared on a loamy sand field. Each plot was equipped with a flume to measure runoff and collect water samples. Experimental treatments of surface cover were bare, wood shaves (1,000 kg/ha) and rice straw mat cover (3,000 kg/ha). Under radish was cultivation. During the growing season of the radish, three rainfall-runoff events were monitored. Effect of wood shaves and straw mat cover on runoff reduction was 4~30 % and 33~75 % respectively compared to control. The effect on NPS pollution reduction was 36.8 and 64.3 % in BOD, 41.1 and 80.8 % in SS, 34.0 and 56.1 % in TP and 28.0 and 56.6 % in TN respectively. It was analyzed that the reduction of runoff and NPS pollution were mainly contributed by the decrease of rainfall energy impact and flow velocity and the increase of infiltration due to the surface cover materials. Rice straw mat showed very stable soil cover while large portion of wood shaves were lost during heavy storm events. It was concluded that straw mat was an efficient cover material to reduce NPS pollution from upland fields.

In the Quiet

In the Quiet Jennie Lin (bio) When I was twelve, I watched a show on the hazards of the restaurant business: the inner ears of busboys, dishwashers and short-order cooks were being irreversibly damaged. A restaurant kitchen might be as loud as ninety-five decibels, which was like having an electric drill to your ear. I turned, wide-eyed, to look at our own kitchen. My mother was kicking the lower cupboards because they would not stay latched shut, my sister was screeching without breathing and, as if for effect, my father punched the refrigerator. Not too long after that night, when I looked up from the television and fretted over our inner ears, my parents sent us away and then separated. [End Page 121] My sister was to go to boarding school. I was too young to attend, and we had no relatives in the States, so I was to live with my mother's sister in Taiwan, where I had visited once before. What I remembered of it was relentless sun and haze. "I'll come for you soon," my mother whispered as my sister and I sat on our hands in the living room. "I just need some time." My sister would not speak to either of us. I asked if we were on Candid Camera. I loved television, and hidden-camera shows most of all. My mother repeated, "I'll come for you," and then my terror took hold. My aunt met me in Taipei and took me by train to the village of Tsaotun. As soon as we stepped off the train, she wrapped a frayed dishcloth around my face. The country air was full of the smoke of burning fields. She led me down a road that became narrower and narrower until it seemed impossible that cars could fit. Eventually we walked through a gate that was rusted open. On the left was a three-wall garage made entirely of wooden slats. Separated from the garage and down a dirt path was my aunt's small house of stained white brick. As we passed by the open garage, a dog in a cage barked, spraying spittle. It threw itself at the wire until the cage rocked back and forth. The dog had only one eye and a mound of matted fur where the other should have been. When the cage threatened to flip over, chains prevented it, and the dog stiffened on its paws and threatened me with a growl from its gut. "He's mad from the heat," my aunt said. The way she spoke Chinese reminded me of my mother. "And he doesn't recognize you." The dog glared at me from its one eye. "Do you let him out?" I asked, making a wide semicircle as I walked past his cage. "Sometimes, to kill the lizards." Inside I greeted my uncle, my cousin and my uncle's father. I was instructed to call my uncle's father Ah Gong, even though he was not really my grandfather. Although I had met them once before, I did not recognize them. My uncle and cousin paid little attention to me, but Ah Gong smiled. He was gap-toothed and a little tattered. When he moved his arms, you could see holes in his shirt at both armpits. Ah Gong spoke no Chinese, only Taiwanese and Japanese because his generation had been brought up under Japanese rule. My mother had explained this to me in our last days. "English won't work with anyone," she said. "Chinese will work, but not with Ah Gong or Ah Ma." She paused. "Maybe you will learn some Taiwanese," she said. But I thought it more likely that I would stop speaking. [End Page 122] I never greeted the old woman I was to call Ah Ma, or Grandmother. By the time I had unpacked my small suitcase and finished dinner, I was too tired to wonder much at the sight of her asleep on a straw mat in the family room. As a blanket she used a bath towel worn thin. Ah Ma was so small she fit completely beneath the towel, only a head of...