Two-season Period Research Articles

Seasonal variation and human health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in pharmaceutical effluents around Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria.

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are widely released into the environment as a result of increased urban and industrial development in recent years. The bulk of PTEs are cancer-causing and harm human health by producing free radicals. As a result, it is crucial to monitor, evaluate, and limit the effects of the elements on human health. In this study, levels of PTEs (As, Cr, Cd, Ni, Co, and Pb) in pharmaceutical effluents discharged along the Asa River around the Ilorin metropolis and their seasonal variations were evaluated. Water samples were collected from eight different locations over a two-season period along the river and analyzed for PTEs using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, and Co had mean PTE values in the effluents (both seasons) of 0.0258, 0.0233, 0.00193, 0.0176, and 0.0164mg/L, respectively, with As and Pb surpassing the WHO standard. Maximum temperature and pH were measured for the physicochemical parameters in the wet season, whereas electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids were seen in the dry season. The average values of the metals in the human risk assessment for carcinogenicity were As > Cd > Pb > Cr > Ni > Co, with As above the recommended threshold in several locations. However, all of the metal hazard indices were < 1, indicating that the waters were suitable for domestic purposes. Nonetheless, the relevant authorities should mandate that pharmaceutical effluents be treated before being released into bodies of water.

Time to level the playing field between men and women — Given similar injury incidence: A two-season analysis of match injuries in elite men and women's (Super League) rugby league

ObjectivesTo compare match injury incidence, severity and burden in men's and women's elite rugby league. DesignA prospective cohort epidemiological study. MethodsTime loss match injury data were collected from all men's (11,301 exposure hours) and women's (5,244 exposure hours) Super League clubs. ResultsInjury incidence and burden were not different between men and women (mean [95 % CI]; 54 [45 to 65] vs. 60 [49 to 74] per 1000 match-hours; p = 0.39, and 2332 [1844 to 2951] vs. 1951 [1560 to 2440] days lost per 1000 match-hours; p = 0.26). However, injury severity was greater for men than women (42 [35–50] vs. 35 [29 to 42]; p = 0.01). Lower limbs accounted for 54 % and 52 % of injuries for men and women, with the head/face the most frequently injured location due to concussion (12 [10 to 15] and 10 [8 to 14] per 1000 match-hours for men and women). Injuries to the knee had the greatest burden for men and women (708 [268–1868] and 863 [320–2328] days lost per 1000 match-hours). Being tackled was the most common injury mechanism for men and women (28 % and 38 %) with greater burden (p < 0.01) than other injury mechanisms. ConclusionsMale and female rugby league players have similar injury incidence and burden; however, injury severity was higher in men. Head/face injuries have the highest injury incidence and knee injuries have the highest burden. These injuries should be the focus for prevention initiatives at a league (via laws), player, and coach level, with equal and specific focus for both men's and women's rugby league players.

A high incidence of injury among male university student rugby players requires urgent injury prevention strategies

ObjectivesDetermine the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of training and match injuries in university student rugby players over a two-season period. DesignProspective cohort. SettingVarsity Cup (VC) and Young Guns (YG) rugby tournaments (2018 and 2019). Participants171 male university student rugby players. Main outcome measuresFor time-loss injuries: injury incidence (injuries per 1000 player-hours), injured player proportion (% of injured players) and the frequency (n, %) of injury characteristics (new or recurrent, anatomical region, body area, severity. ResultsThe injury incidence was 2.4 per 1000 player-hours for training injuries and 131.1 per 1000 player-hours for match injuries. The overall injured player proportion was 59.6%. New injuries (83.9%) were more frequent than recurrent injuries. Most injuries occurred in the lower limb involving muscle/tendon (56.7%) and ligament/joint capsule (27.2%). The shoulder (19.6%) and ankle (15.7%) were the most common body areas of injury during matches and training, respectively. ConclusionsThere was a high injured player proportion and match injury incidence among university student rugby players. Most injuries were new. Lower limb injuries were most common in training whereas upper limb injuries were most common in matches. These findings highlight the need to prioritise future injury prevention among university student rugby players.

Workloads of Different Soccer-Specific Drills in Professional Players.

Soccer is a predominantly tactical sport and, therefore, tactical training has become the most widely used strategy to improve players' performance. The objective of the present study was to assess the workload of soccer-specific drills in professional players over a two-season period in an established context. GPS technology was used to record the data. One hundred and thirty-two (n = 132) soccer-specific drills were studied and grouped by categories. The individual demands of each task were related to the individual competitive profile of each player. The level of physical demand was significantly different in relation to the specific soccer drills analysed. Total distance covered, high-speed running, and the total number of high accelerations and decelerations were significantly higher in competition than in drills used for training sessions (p < .001). The Large-Sided Games (LSG), Big-Position Games (BPG) and Position Games (PG) showed higher maximum running speed values than the rest of the exercises (p < .01). The sum of high accelerations and decelerations values was greater in the Small-Sided Games (SSG) than in BPG (p < .001), Small-Position Games (SPG) (p < .001) and Physical-Technical Circuits (PTC) (p < .001). Significant differences were observed in the exercises analysed according to the player's position. The current findings provide a detailed description of conditional demands placed on soccer players in different soccer-specific drills during training sessions, in a professional soccer context and according to their playing position, which may be helpful in the development of individualized training programs in other contexts.

Growth, physiological and yield response of provitamin A biofortified maize cultivars to different natural environments

Malnutrition remains a main problem in sub-Saharan Africa regardless of the applied interventions to combat food and nutrition insecurity. Biofortication of staple crops has been regarded as the latest intervention strategy to combat micronutrient diseases such as vitamin A deficiency in developing countries in southern Africa. The aim of the study was to determine the response of provitamin A biofortified maize cultivars under different environmental conditions. A randomized complete block design with five cultivars, two provitamin A varieties and three common maize varieties were planted in two on farm trails located under different agro-ecological zones (Bulwer and KwaDlangezwa) of KwaZulu-Natal in a two-season period (2015/16 and 2016/17). The five cultivars namely Border king (BK), provitamin A biofortified maize (PVABM), local landrace (LL), SC 506 and SC510 recorded a highly significant (P&lt;0.001) plant growth (height and leaf number) in both experimental sites across two seasons (2015/16 and 2016/17). Chlorophyll content showed no significant differences for both trial sites in both 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons. For the first season, no significant differences (P&lt; 0.05) were observed for biomass among the maize varieties in both trial sites. However, it was observed that SC510 had higher biomass (2.33 t/ha), while BK recorded lowest biomass (0.66 t/ha) in Bulwer. In KwaDlangezwa, the biomass ranged from 0.713 t/ha (PVA) to 1.66 t/ha (SC510). For the second season (2016/17), Biomass in Bulwer ranged from 0.86 t/ha (LL) to 1.52 t/ha (SC510) and 0.94 t/ha (BK) to 1.44 (SC510) in KwaDlangezwa. The performance of the provitamin A biofortified varieties (SC510 and PVABM) showed that they can adapt and produce similarly to common varieties. It is noted that there is potential for these varieties to adapt under different environmental conditions of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The provitamin A biofortified varieties can be produced for human consumption at common smallholder farming systems. Key words: SC510, chlorophyll content, KwaDlangezwa, Bulwer, yield, vitamin A deficiency, planting, smallholder, biofortification

Quantifying the Training and Match-Play External and Internal Load of Elite Gaelic Football Players

The current investigation quantified the training and match-play load of elite Gaelic football players across a two-season period using global positioning system technology (GPS), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and sessional rating of perceived exertion (sRPE). Total weekly workload variables were collected across GPS, RPE, and sRPE across thirty-six elite Gaelic footballers (mean ± SD, age: 26 ± 5 years; height: 177 ± 8 cm; mass: 81 ± 7 kg) from one elite squad during a two-season observational period. External training load variables included: Total distance (m), High speed running (m; ≥ 17.1 km·h−1), Sprint distance (m; 22 km·h−1), Accelerations (n), Average metabolic power (W·kg−1), High-power distance (m; ≥ 25 W·kg−1). Internal load variables included: sRPE and RPE. Repeated measures ANOVA were used to understand the differences in loading patterns across phases, position, and week types when significant main effects were observed a Tukey’s post hoc test was applied and standardized effect sizes were calculated to understand the practical meaning of these differences. When total weekly loading across phases was considered total load was significantly greater in club 1 and provincial 1 with these phases showing the highest loading for players when compared to all other phases (p ≤ 0.001; ES: 2.95–7.22; very large). Furthermore, in-season 1 was greater for total loading when compared to in-season 2 and both championship phases (p ≤ 0.05; ES: 0.47–0.54; small). Total distance in training was greater during preseason 1 when compared to all other phases of the season (p ≤ 0.001; ES: 2.95–7.22; very large). During the in-season period, training based total distance was higher during provincial 1 when compared to other phases with similar trends across all measures (p ≤ 0.005). Finally, a positional profile for load measures was observed, with weekly context (match or non-match) having an impact on the internal and external loading players experienced across phases. The current data provide useful information for practitioners on the training periodization currently present within the elite Gaelic football training process. Specifically, the data provide positional profiles of loading across weekly and segmented phased of an elite Gaelic football season. These data can increase understanding as to the periods of increased and decreased loading across different phases of an elite Gaelic football season, while providing a framework for future analysis concerning Gaelic football periodization.

An integrated assessment of land-use change impact, seasonal variation of pollution indices and human health risk of selected toxic elements in sediments of River Atuwara, Nigeria

River sediments contain environmental fingerprints that provide useful ecological information. However, the geochemistry of River Atuwara sediments has received less attention over the years. One hundred and twenty-six sediments from 21 locations were collected over a two-season period from River Atuwara, and a detailed investigation of the land use and land cover (LULC) change between 1990 and 2019, analysis of selected toxic and potentially toxic metal(oid)s (TPTM) (Cu, As, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Zn, Fe, Co and Al) using ICP-OES, pollution index assessment, potential source identification (using center log-transformation approach), potential ecological, and human health risk assessment were conducted. The results of the LULC change revealed that the built-up area increased by 95.58 km2, at an average rate of 3.186 km2/year over the past 30 years. The mean concentration of metal(oid)s increased in the order of Cd < As < Cr < Pb < Co < Ni < Cu < Zn < Fe < Al, and Cd < As < Cr < Co < Pb < Ni < Cu < Zn < Fe < Al during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Meanwhile, the statistical analysis of the data spectrum inferred possible contamination from lithological and anthropogenic sources. According to the pollution load index, 90.48% of the sediment samples are polluted by the metal(oid)s. Potential ecological risk assessment identified Ni, As, and Cd as problematic to the ecological community of River Atuwara. Regarding the metal-specific hazard quotient via ingestion route, the risks are in order of Co ≫ As ≫ Pb > Cr > Cd > Al > Ni > Cu > Zn > Fe for both seasons and the carcinogenic risk for children via ingestion route presented a value higher than the safe limits for As, Cd, Cr, and Ni during both seasons. This outcome highlights the need for prompt action towards the restoration of environmental quality for communities surrounding River Atuwara.

Effect of intercropping madumbe (Colocasia esculenta) and rice (Oryza sativa L.) on yield and land productivity under different irrigation water management techniques with effluent water

The need for the optimal use of land, without a yield penalty, in urban and peri-urban (UP) settlements is vital. This study investigated the effect of intercropping madumbe and rice with respect to yield and land productivity when irrigated with anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) effluent under different irrigation water management techniques. It was hypothesized that intercropping under different irrigation water management techniques has no effect on the yield and land productivity. Field trials were conducted in the 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons with ABR effluent (without fertilizer) at the Newlands Mashu Experimental Site, Newlands East, Durban, South Africa. A randomized complete block design with 3 replications; cropping treatments of sole madumbe, sole rice and madumbe + rice (intercrop) and irrigation treatments of alternate wetting and drying (AWD), continuous flood irrigation (CFI) and wetting without flooding (WWF) was used. Growth and yield parameters at harvest were determined. Thereafter, land equivalent ratio (LER) was calculated to evaluate the productivity of the intercrop. The effect of intercropping was significant (P &lt; 0.05) on the total number of irrigation events and total water use. There was a significant reduction (P &lt; 0.05) in plant heights of both madumbe and rice at intercrop. However, the effect on plant height for treatment CFI was positive but not significant (P &gt; 0.05) for both seasons. A significant (P &lt; 0.05) reduction also occurred in the number of madumbe leaves/plant, and panicles/plant and tillers/plant for rice. Intercropping significantly reduced (P &lt; 0.05) madumbe corm and rice grain yield over the two seasons relative to sole cropping. LER showed that intercropping madumbe with rice was not more productive (LER &lt; 1) than sole cropping of madumbe. It was concluded that over the two-season period, intercropping madumbe and rice do not yield appreciably under any of the three irrigation management techniques applied and the study hypothesis is thus rejected.

Effect of intercropping madumbe (Colocasia esculenta) and rice (Oryza sativa L.) on yield and land productivity under different irrigation water management techniques with effluent water

The need for the optimal use of land, without a yield penalty, in urban and peri-urban (UP) settlements is vital. This study investigated the effect of intercropping madumbe and rice with respect to yield and land productivity when irrigated with anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) effluent under different irrigation water management techniques. It was hypothesized that intercropping under different irrigation water management techniques has no effect on the yield and land productivity. Field trials were conducted in the 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons with ABR effluent (without fertilizer) at the Newlands Mashu Experimental Site, Newlands East, Durban, South Africa. A randomized complete block design with 3 replications; cropping treatments of sole madumbe, sole rice and madumbe + rice (intercrop) and irrigation treatments of alternate wetting and drying (AWD), continuous flood irrigation (CFI) and wetting without flooding (WWF) was used. Growth and yield parameters at harvest were determined. Thereafter, land equivalent ratio (LER) was calculated to evaluate the productivity of the intercrop. The effect of intercropping was significant (P &lt; 0.05) on the total number of irrigation events and total water use. There was a significant reduction (P &lt; 0.05) in plant heights of both madumbe and rice at intercrop. However, the effect on plant height for treatment CFI was positive but not significant (P &gt; 0.05) for both seasons. A significant (P &lt; 0.05) reduction also occurred in the number of madumbe leaves/plant, and panicles/plant and tillers/plant for rice. Intercropping significantly reduced (P &lt; 0.05) madumbe corm and rice grain yield over the two seasons relative to sole cropping. LER showed that intercropping madumbe with rice was not more productive (LER &lt; 1) than sole cropping of madumbe. It was concluded that over the two-season period, intercropping madumbe and rice do not yield appreciably under any of the three irrigation management techniques applied and the study hypothesis is thus rejected.

Physical characteristics and match performances in women’s international versus domestic-level football players: a 2-year, league-wide study

ABSTRACT Objective This study examined the role of physical qualities and physical match performances in distinguishing between elite performance levels in women’s football. Methods Over a two-season period (2016–2017), a league-wide study was conducted in which physical qualities and match external loads were collected in all players (n = 220) competing in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the USA. During the first week of each pre-season, the standing broad jump, 30 m sprint, and the 30–15 intermittent fitness test were conducted under standardized conditions. In each competitive league fixture (3,268 individual match observations), 10 Hz GPS data were collected in all players who completed full matches and playing position was categorized. Total distance, and the distances covered above high (≥12.5 km h–1), very-high(≥19.0 km h–1), and sprinting velocities (≥22.5 km h–1) were used to quantity match physical performances. Players were further categorized as international (INT) or domestic-level (DOM) players according to their country’s squad selections during each season. Results There were few meaningful differences between INT and DOM players for either physical qualities or physical match performances. Conclusion Whilst physical qualities and match performances may impact upon performance outcomes, they generally do not distinguish between performance levels in elite women’s football.

Extending Class A pan evaporation for a shallow lake to simulate the impact of littoral sediment and submerged macrophytes: a case study for Keszthely Bay (Lake Balaton, Hungary)

Class A pan evaporation rate, Ep with sediment cover (S) and submerged aquatic macrophytes (Ps) was analysed in a temperate freshwater shallow lake at Keszthely (Hungary), over three growing seasons between 2014 and 2016. The aim was to identify the importance of this water body’s natural components (S and Ps) on Ep. Measured Ep together with reference E of Shuttleworth (E0) and the FAO-56 equation ET were also derived. Pan coefficient, Ka for filled in pans with S and Ps were computed as the ratio of Ep of the planted pan (Ps/S) and Ep. Ka values determined on-site were tested in the estimation of E for an open water body, namely Keszthely Bay of Lake Balaton. Overall seasonal mean evaporation rate was lower for Ep (3.2 ± 1.05 mm day−1) than the seasonal daily average Ep of S (3.7 ± 1.16 mm day−1) and the Ep of Ps (4.0 ± 1.28 mm day−1). Interannual variation of Ep was controlled by variations in seasonal air temperature, Ta. Data of the wet 2014 season showed a significant suppression of Ep, and this was related to humid and cooler weather conditions causing late emergence and early senescence of the submerged macrophytes (Potamogeton perfoliatus L., Myriophyllum spicatum L. and Najas marina L.) at Keszthely Bay. Overall seasonal mean Ka was greater than 1.0 as determined for the three-season time period in pans with S and Ps (Kas: 1.14 ± 0.04; Kap: 1.20 ± 0.05). Except for a previous study from our group (Anda et al., 2016, J Hydrol 542: 615–626) over a two-season period, no such ratio or coefficients have been published, until now. The dominant component of the energy balance was latent heat flux, which accounted for more than 60% of net radiation in Keszthely Bay, depending on Class A pan filling (S and Ps). Diurnal variation in heat storage of the pan also changed due to the occurrence of sediment cover and macrophytes inside the evaporimeters. The most important daily meteorological variables were used to develop the Ep model and to validate S and Ps. Our results show that linear models, even with more input variables, performed better than tree-based models with respect to mean absolute errors (MAE), root mean square errors (RMSE) and determination coefficient (R2) in predicting daily Ep of S and Ps. The use of pan coefficients Kas and Kap increased seasonal E of Keszthely Bay by 4.2, 14.4 and 17.1% during the 2014–2016 seasons, respectively. Total seasonal increments for Keszthely Bay (surface area is about 39 km2) accounted for 0.97, 4.31 and 3.91 million m3 throughout 2014–2016, respectively. In the warmer seasons, an increasing trend in the growth of Keszthely Bay’s E was detected. These results indicate that Class A pan Ep rates need to be modified to take into account sediment cover and submerged macrophytes to derive open water E. This approximation may lend additional credit to the estimation of E in lakes. Given that appropriate estimation of E can effectively impact the management of an ecologically functional lake’s water, maintaining the proper water level and quality can contribute to the sustainability of lakes in the long run.

Overcoming the organization-practice barrier in sports injury prevention: A nonhierarchical organizational model.

The organization of sports at the national level has seldom been included in scientific discussions of sports injury prevention. The aim of this study was to develop a model for organization of sports that supports prevention of overuse injuries. The quality function deployment technique was applied in seminars over a two-season period to develop a national organizational structure for athletics in Sweden that facilitates prevention of overuse injuries. Three central features of the resulting model for organization of sports at the national level are (a) diminishment of the organizational hierarchy: participatory safety policy design is introduced through annual meetings where actors from different sectors of the sporting community discuss training, injury prevention, and sports safety policy; (b) introduction of a safety surveillance system: a ubiquitous system for routine collection of injury and illness data; and (c) an open forum for discussion of safety issues: maintenance of a safety forum for participants from different sectors of the sport. A nonhierarchical model for organization of sports at the national level - facilitated by modern information technology - adapted for the prevention of overuse injuries has been developed. Further research is warranted to evaluate the new organizational model in prospective effectiveness studies.

Injury patterns of South African international cricket players over a two-season period

Objective. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence and nature of injury patterns of South African international cricket players. Methods. A questionnaire was completed for each cricketer who presented with an injury during the 2004 - 2005 (S1) and 2005 - 2006 (S2) cricket seasons to determine the anatomical site, month, diagnosis and mechanism of injury. Results. The results showed that 113 injuries were sustained, with a match exposure time of 1 906 hours for one-day internationals (ODIs) and 5 070 hours for test matches. The injury prevalence was 4% per match, while the incidence of injury was 90 injuries per 10 000 hours of matches. Injuries occurred mostly to the lower limbs, back and trunk, upper limbs and head and neck. The injuries occurred primarily during test matches (43%), practices (20%) and practices and matches (19%). Acute injuries comprised 87% of the injuries. The major injuries during S1 were haematomas (20 %), muscle strains (14%) and other trauma (20%), while during S2 the injuries were primarily muscle strains (16%), other trauma (32%), tendinopathy (10%) and acute sprains (12%). The primary mechanisms of injury occurred when bowling (67%), on impact by the ball (batting – 65%, fielding – 26%) and when sliding for the ball (19%). Conclusion. The study provided prospective injury incidence and prevalence data for South African cricketers playing at international level over a two-season period, high-lighting the increased injury prevalence for away matches and an increased match injury incidence for test and ODI matches possibly as a result of increased match exposure time.

Measuring Public Access to the Shoreline: The Boat-Based Offset Survey Method

As cities redevelop underutilized waterfronts, opportunities exist to promote public access to the shoreline. However, planning for access is hampered by a lack of reliable data on how people utilize a specific shoreline. The boat-based offset transect survey (B-BOTS) method allows researchers to accurately record, map, and analyze shoreline access. This article discusses the use of B-BOTS along the northern part Narragansett Bay, RI. Using B-BOTS, on 52 randomly selected days over a two-season period, researchers developed a geodatabase that included the position of all shoreline users and the activity in which they were engaging. Using this geodatabase, the article demonstrates that the amount and type of shoreline use varied dramatically throughout the study area and varied in ways that would not have been predictable using conventional sources of data. The article also demonstrates that the availability of parking not only influenced the amount of shoreline use, but also the manner in which different user types distributed themselves along the shore. The article discusses the importance of such findings for developing plans for waterfront redevelopment and public access.

Injury patterns of South African provincial cricket players over two seasons

Objective. To determine the incidence and nature of injury patternsin elite cricketers over two seasons.Methods. Physiotherapists and/or doctors working with 4 provincial teams completed a questionnaire for each cricketer who presented with an injury during the 2004 - 2005 (S1) and 2005 - 2006 (S2) cricket seasons. This was done to determine: (i) the anatomical site of injury; (ii) the month of injury during the season; (iii) the diagnosis using the OSCIS injury classification system; (iv) the mechanism of injury; (v) whether it was a recurrence of a previous injury; (vi) whether the injury had recurred again during the season; and (vii) biographical data.Results. The results showed that 180 injuries (S1 – 84; S2 – 96)were sustained. On average the teams spent 2 472 hours on matches, 4 148 on practices and 1 612 on fitness training during the two-season period. The injury prevalence was 8% per match, while the injury incidence was 30/10 000 hours of match, practice and training time, with the match incidence being 74 injuries/ 10 000 hours and the training incidence 15 injuries/10 000 hours. Bowling (29%), fielding and wicket-keeping (27%) and batting (19%) accounted for the majority of injuries. The occurrence of injuries was predominantly to the lower limbs (S1 – 45%; S2 – 42%),back and trunk (S1 – 19%; S2 – 19%), upper limbs (S1 – 19%; S2 – 22%), head and neck (S1 – 6%; S2 – 3%), and related to illnesses (S1 – 11%; S2 – 14%). The injuries occurred primarily during first-class matches (39%), limited-overs matches (22%), and practices (17%), and some were of gradual onset (20%). Acute injuries comprised 78% of injuries. The majority of injuries were first-time injuries (76%), with 11% and 14% recurrent injuries from the previous and current seasons, respectively. The major injuries during S1 were haematomas (19%), muscle strains(17%) and other trauma (14%), while during S2 the injuries were primarily muscle strains (16%), other trauma (20%), tendinopathy (16%) and acute sprains (15%). The primary mechanisms of injury occurred in the delivery stride when bowling (19%) and overbowling (7%), on impact by the ball when batting (11%), and on sliding to field the ball (6%).Conclusion. The results indicate a pattern of cause of injury, withthe fast bowler most likely to sustain an acute injury to the soft tissues of the lower limb while participating in matches and practices during the early part of the season.

A study of soil moisture variability for landmine detection by the neutron technique

This paper is focused on the space and temporal variability of soil moisture experimental data acquired at a few locations near landmine fields in the Tuzla Canton, as well as on the quantification of the statistical nature of soil moisture data on a small spatial scale. Measurements of soil water content at the surface were performed by an electro-magnetic sensor over 1 25, and 100 m2 grids, at intervals of 0.2, 0.5, and 1 m, respectively. The sampling of soil moisture at different spatial resolutions and over different grid sizes has been investigated in order to achieve the quantification of the statistical nature of soil moisture distribution. The statistical characterization of spatial variability was performed through variogram and correlogram analysis of measurement results. The temporal variability of the said samples was examined over a two-season period. For both sampling periods, the spatial correlation length is about 1 to 2 m, respectively, or less. Thus, sampling should be done on a larger spatial scale, in order to capture the variability of the investigated areas. Since the characteristics of many landmine sensors depend on soil moisture, the results of this study could form a useful data base for multisensor landmine detection systems with a promising performance.

Physical Properties Data for Postharvest Handling of Florida Citrus

Physical properties of common Florida citrus varieties relevant to materials handling were analyzed over a two-season period. The following properties were measured: dimensional size, mass, surface roughness, mechanical strength (compressive and puncture) and coefficient of friction. Mechanical parameters and density were monitored after freezes (>4h@< 2 C) that occurred each season. The decline in density known to occur via desiccation after freezing was highly correlated with compressive and puncture properties other than maximum compression force.

A Study of the Nature and Incidence of Density Currents in a Shallow Glacial Lake

Abstract This paper outlines the findings of a study of sedimentation processes in a shallow glacial lake in which an integrated, basinwide instrumentation network, a multidimensional underwater sensor array, and a central rapid scan data-recording system were employed to obtain detailed information on processes both in and around the lake. The results presented here focus upon the nature and occurrence of density currents in the lake over a two-season period. The general character of the system includes a largely isothermal lake environment, water residency times of only 8–12 days, and considerable sediment throughput with over 30 percent of the incoming sediment load moving through the system. The lack of significant thermal stratification and the tendency toward generally isopycnal conditions precludes a conventional over-, inter-, and underflow model of density currents. It appears instead that an over- and underflow model with homopycnal mixing is more appropriate. The overflows, largely wind driven, are frequent events, and on occasion wind-driven translake overflows occur. Underflows, occurring with density differences as low as 0.19 kg m-3, are also frequent and may reach velocities capable of eroding the finer materials. Core data support many of the findings from the instrumentation network. Finally, the results point to the need for careful measurement of both input and output variables and the significance of even small variations in the entrance conditions on sedimentation processes in the lake.

The Hollywood TV Producer: His Work and His Audience.

Except for accounts of journalists, dissident employees, and an occasional congressional committee focusing on crime and unethical practices, we have known very little about how television programs are produced. The Hollywood TV Producer, originally published in 1971, was the first serious examination of constraints, conflicts, and rewards in the daily lives of television producers. Its insights were important at the time and have not been challenged. Using as her framework the social system of mass communications, Muriel G. Cantor shows how producers select stories for television series and how movies end up in prime time. In order to get a comprehensive look at the inner workings of the TV industry and its producers, the author interviewed eighty producers in Hollywood over a two-season period. She probed to discover how the people producers work for and where they work influences their decision-making. As Cantor shows, critics of television who suggest that to remain in production, a producer must first please the business organization that finances his or her operations, are largely correct. Cantor shows that content is determined by a combination of artistic and professional factors, as well as social, economic, and political norms that have developed over time in the industry.

Orbit of a bolide

River sediments contain environmental fingerprints that provide useful ecological information. However, the geochemistry of River Atuwara sediments has received less attention over the years. One hundred and twenty-six sediments from 21 locations were collected over a two-season period from River Atuwara, and a detailed investigation of the land use and land cover (LULC) change between 1990 and 2019, analysis of selected toxic and potentially toxic metal(oid)s (TPTM) (Cu, As, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Zn, Fe, Co and Al) using ICP-OES, pollution index assessment, potential source identification (using center log-transformation approach), potential ecological, and human health risk assessment were conducted. The results of the LULC change revealed that the built-up area increased by 95.58 km2, at an average rate of 3.186 km2/year over the past 30 years. The mean concentration of metal(oid)s increased in the order of Cd < As < Cr < Pb < Co < Ni < Cu < Zn < Fe < Al, and Cd < As < Cr < Co < Pb < Ni < Cu < Zn < Fe < Al during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Meanwhile, the statistical analysis of the data spectrum inferred possible contamination from lithological and anthropogenic sources. According to the pollution load index, 90.48% of the sediment samples are polluted by the metal(oid)s. Potential ecological risk assessment identified Ni, As, and Cd as problematic to the ecological community of River Atuwara. Regarding the metal-specific hazard quotient via ingestion route, the risks are in order of Co ≫ As ≫ Pb > Cr > Cd > Al > Ni > Cu > Zn > Fe for both seasons and the carcinogenic risk for children via ingestion route presented a value higher than the safe limits for As, Cd, Cr, and Ni during both seasons. This outcome highlights the need for prompt action towards the restoration of environmental quality for communities surrounding River Atuwara.