Values Of Bd Research Articles

End-user verification results of two serum separator tubes for clinical chemistry analytes according to CLSI GP34-A and CLSI GP41-A6

Tube manufacturers use different composition of gels and blood clot activator formulations in serum tube production. Our aim was to investigate the within-tube (repeatability) and between-tube variation, concordance between comparison results of BD and VacuSEL tubes. Blood samples were collected from control subjects (n = 20) and patients (n = 30) in accordance with the CLSI GP41-A6 and CLSI GP34-A guidelines. Twenty-three clinical chemistry parameters were analysed via Roche Cobas C702 Chemistry Analyzer on T0 (0 hour) and T24 (24 hour). Mean differences % were compared with Wilcoxon matched pair test. Clinical significance was evaluated based on desirable bias according to total allowable error (TEa). VacuSEL tubes demonstrated acceptable performance for the results of 20 parameters with regards to desirable bias % limits. Lactate dehydrogenase (LD) [mean difference % (%95 confidence intervals (CI) values of BD and VacuSEL tubes at T0 [6.41% (4.80–8.01%)]; sodium (Na) and total protein (TP) at T24 [-0.27% (-0.46 to −0.07%) and −1.39% (-1.87 to −0.91), respectively] were over the desirable bias limits (LD: 4.3%, Na: 0.23% and TP: 1.36%, respectively) but not exceeding total biological variation CV % [Na: 0.5 (0.0–1.0) % and TP: 2.6 (2.3–2.7) %). %95 confidence intervals (CI) of T0 LD values overlap with within-subject biological variation % (CI) limits (LD: 5.2 (4.9–5.4) %). The differences between two tubes were not medically significant and necessarily conclusive. VacuSEL serum tubes presented comparable performance with BD serum tubes.

Assessment of Selected Physical and Chemical Soil Properties and Organic Carbon Stock, Under Different Land-Uses in Melka Gura Subwatershed of North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

A study conducted in Melka Gura Subwatershed to assess soil properties across three types of land uses plantation forest, grazing land, and cultivated land from 2022 to 2023 found that all land uses had loam soil, except for the plantation forest, which had sandy loam. The mean soil BD in the study area ranged from 1.06 to 1.39 g/cm3. Conversely, plantation forest soil and grazing land had the highest mean AWC (194.8 mm/m) at 0–20 cm depth. The highest mean values of sand, silt, TP, pH, AP, exchangeable basic cations, CEC, SOC, TN, and SOC stock (68.62-ton ha-1) were registered in the soil of plantation forest land. The highest mean values of BD (1.39 g/cm3), clay content (19%), Ex. A, and Ex. Al were recorded in the soil of cultivated land. The average values of clay, BD, FC, PWP, pH, PBS, and exchangeable bases all indicated an increasing trend from the surface toward the subsurface. The highest mean value of SOCS (68.62 tons’ ha-1) was discovered in plantation forest land and the lowest in cultivated land. The differences in soil management practices could be the major reasons for variations in soil properties across land-use types. Further studies are needed on the effects of land-use change on fertility-related soil properties in relation to integrated soil and water conservation practices to reduce further land degradation.

Probabilistic human health risk assessment of 1,3-butadiene and styrene exposure using Monte Carlo simulation technique in the carpet production industry

Chemicals containing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are commonly used in the machine carpet production. 1,3-butadiene and styrene are main components of the carpenter’s glue used in carpet factories. Exposition to these chemicals can lead to a number of adverse health effects. This is the first study of the human health risk assessment due to inhalational exposure to 1,3-butadiene (BD) and styrene (ST) performed among workers in the carpet factories in Kashan city, Iran. The importance of the study was related with the fact of high popularity of carpet production in the South Asia countries. Inhalation exposure to BD and ST were measured based on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 1024 and 1501 methods, respectively. The cancerogenic risk (CR) and non-cancerogenic risk described as Hazard Quotient (HQ) values were calculated based on the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) method. The sensitivity and uncertainty analysis were performed by the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) technique. The average concentration measured of BD and ST during work shifts of employees were 0.039 mg m−3 (0.017 ppm) and 12.108 mg m−3 (2.84 ppm), respectively. The mean ± SD value of estimated cancerogenic risk in inhalation exposure to BD and ST were equal to 5.13 × 10–3 ± 3.85 × 10–4 and 1.44 × 10–3 ± 2.36 × 10–4, respectively exceeding the acceptable risk level of 10–6 defined by USEPA. The average non-carcinogenic risk (HQ) values of BD and ST were equal to 8.50 × 100 and 5.13 × 100, respectively exceeding the acceptable risk level of 1. As the results of our studies exceeded both cancerogenic and non-carcinogenic risk values it indicates that adverse health effects due to inhalational exposure to BD and ST for workers in the machine carpet industry are very likely. To avoid negative health effects protective measures for employees in the factories should be introduced immediately and furher detailed research are recommended.

Estimating ecosystem naturalness using Benford’s Law and Generalized Benford’s Law

A new method was proposed to estimate ecosystem naturalness. Three species-plot (S Χ A) datasets were used. Those data sets belong to Sultan mountain sub-district (BS) (60 Χ 96) Dedegül mountain sub-district (BD) (89 Χ 119) and, Beyşehir Watershed (B) (98 Χ 215) consisting of both of the sub-districts. Firstly, chi square test (χ^2 ) was applied to define the statistical goodness of fit between the first digit observed probabilities (〖d_1 p〗_o ) and the theoretical probabilities of Benford’s Law (d_1 p_e ). It was found that χ^2 (e_BS )=16.579 and χ^2 (e_BD )=2.406. Secondly, to find the fittest theoretical probabilities for BS and BD, generalized Benford’s Law (GB(d;γ)) was applied. Minimal χ^2 values were obtained at γ=0.65 and γ=0.07 for BS and BD respectively (χ^2 (e_BD^γ )=4.992, χ^2 (e_BD^γ )=2.209). As expected, χ^2 values of the sub-districts decreased by generalized Benford’s Law. The most dramatic χ^2 decrease occurred in BS. The number of sample plots of the sub-districts are different. Two random iterative processes happened 10000 times were therefore performed considering the number of sample plots of the sub-districts in B dataset. As a result 10000 χ^2 values were obtained for each sub-district. Average values of those χ^2 values were then used ((_ ^k)(χ^2 ) ̅ (E_BS^γ )=6.747 and (_ ^k)(χ^2 ) ̅ (E_BD^γ )=6.176) to calculate calibration coefficients of each sub-district. Naturalness values of BS and BD were found to be 4.992 and 2.414 respectively due to calibration coefficients of BS= ((_ ^k)(χ^2 ) ̅ (E_max^γ ))⁄((_ ^k)(χ^2 ) ̅ (E_BS^γ ) )=1 and BD=((_ ^k)(χ^2 ) ̅ (E_max^γ ))⁄((_ ^k)(χ^2 ) ̅ (E_BD^γ ) )=1.093. Since the perfect naturalness value is theoretically equal to 0, the obtained results indicate that BD ecosystems are more natural than BS ecosystems.

EFFECT OF SOME SOIL CONDITIONERS ON PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF NORTH SINAI SANDY SOILS

A pot experiment was carried out during the early winter of 2016-2017 at the Experimental Farm of Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences, Arish University, to evaluate the use of some soil conditioners on physical and chemical properties of Arish sandy soil, Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.,CV Sakha 94) plants were grown in pots, A surface sandy soil sample (0-15cm) from the Experimental Farm of the Faculty was used in the study. Each conditioner was homogenously distributed on the soil surface and then were mixed with the upper 15 cm of soil surface. Grains of wheat were sown in each pot containing 20 Kg soil. NPK fertilizers were added as recommended. Vinasse, humic acid and polyacrylamide were added at three rates (0.5,1.0 and1.5(W/W)). The experimental design was complete randomized with four replicates for each treatment. Results of pH showed that the effect of applied both vinasse and humic acid to the soil in different rates led to slightly decrease on pH values gradually by increasing the rate of application. The result of acrylamide polymer show that the effect of the application to the soil led to increase pH values gradually by increasing the rate of application. Results of EC in soil show that the effect of applied vinasse, humic acid and acrylamide polymer to the soil in different rates led to increase on EC values gradually by increasing the rate of application. Also, data showed an increase in available N, P and K at all application, the higher value of N observed on application of vinasse on rates of V2 at the initial soil sampling periods, V3 at the mid-season and harvesting soil sampling periods. The higher value of P observed on application of vinasse on rates V3 at the initial soil sampling periods and HA3 at the mid-season and harvesting soil sampling periods and the higher value of K observed with application of V3 at all experiment periods. Except vinasse treatments, the mean values of organic matter, significantly increased with increasing the rates of the application the higher value HA3. Also, data indicate that for all studied levels of vinasse significantly increase soil organic matter values comparing to control treatments, HA3 achieve the highest increasing values of OM while application of PAM3 treatment was the superior for increasing soil OM. All studied levels of vinasse significantly increased soil bulk density. Apparently, HA2 and HA3 achieved the highest reducing values of BD. Such decreases represent about 8.05% and 7.89% lower than control treatment for the previously mentioned two HA rates and PAM3 treatment was the superior to other PAM3 for reducing soil BD, such decrease was 0.13 Mg m-3at the development stage of soil sampling and represent about 8.87% lower than control treatment. Results also revealed that there was a pronounced decreasing in soil Ks at the Initial period of soil sampling. Soil moisture content in both field capacity and witting point were increase along most of the studied soil sampling stages. The highest N, P and K content in grains was found for addition V3. Also, the highest grains yield was found for addition (vinasse)V3 while the control treatment had the lowest values.

Short- and long-term variations, spatial analysis along with cancer health risk assessment associated with 1, 3-butadiene

In this study, spatial analysis and chronic cancer risk of ambient values of 1, 3-butadiene (BD) were investigated in the eastern USA. In addition, the temporal variation of BD was assessed in Beaumont, Texas. Both spatial and temporal analyses indicated that in addition to traffic emissions, some other sources such as forest fires and industrial activities may contribute locally to the release of BD in the atmosphere. A combined method of TBATS and Prophet was utilized for the first time for multi-seasonal decomposition of BD between 2014 and 2018 along with time series forecasting indicating the existence of an annual seasonality in daily values of BD. The time series forecasting by Prophet proved that the trend of BD is expected to decrease from 2019 to 2021 with higher values in the cold seasons in comparison with the summertime. Based on the findings of both deterministic and probabilistic health risk assessment (PRA), the children were exposed to a higher risk due to inhalation of BD. For instance, regarding PRA, the respective median, mean and maximum risk values for the children were 6.72 × 10−6, 3.17 × 10−5 and 4.24 × 10−3, respectively demonstrating that the true risk may be higher if the uncertainty in the input parameters is taken into account. Meanwhile, with respect to the findings for the children, 42.40% of the local residents were exposed to a higher acceptable risk level of 1 × 10−5 while only 6.84% are exposed to an immediate risk greater than the threshold level of 1 × 10−4.

Bedside Ultrasonography of the Optic Nerve Sheath in Brain Death

Increased intracranial pressure has successfully been detected by using bedside optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) ultrasonography. ONSD ultrasonography has become one of the current methods used to detect potential brain death in recent years. In this study, we carried out ONSD ultrasonography for patients who were diagnosed with brain death and in comatose state. Mean ONSD values obtained from the patients with brain death were compared with ONSD values of patients in a comatose state. There was no significant difference between the mean ONSD values of the right and left eye and no significant difference in transverse and sagittal plane measurements in all groups. Mean ONSD values of Group BD were significantly higher than both Group CT (P < .05) and Group CM values (P < .05). Some of the patients with a history of intracranial hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, or traumatic brain injuries who remain in a comatose state in intensive care units may ultimately result in brain death. Therefore, it may be kept in mind that intermittent ONSD measurements of patients in deep comas might have an important role for diagnosing brain death early for purposes of cadaveric organ donation. In conclusion, transorbital ONSD measurement using bedside ultrasonography, an inexpensive, comfortable, and noninvasive test for patients in deep comas, may be helpful in determining potential brain death.

Critical values of physical attributes of an Ultisol under uses in South of Brazil

Changes in the soil structural quality have caused alterations in root growth and agricultural yield. With the purpose of finding critical values of physical parameters and alternative, viable and suitable ways of minimize the soil degradation, this study aimed at quantifying aggregate tensile strength (TS), friability (F), bull density (Bd), total porosity (Tp), macroporosity (Ma), penetration resistance (PR) and total organic carbon (TOC). Relations were established to estimate the structural quality of some parameters of an Ultisol under different uses. The study was carried out on a farm, in the rural area of RS, inserted in the Arroio Moreira waterbasin, Brazil. Disturbed and undisturbed samples were collected from the 0.00 to 0.10 m layer. Regarding TS and soil use, 900 samples were selected, totalling 2700 aggregates. Undisturbed samples (135) were collected for the evaluation of Bd, porosity and PR. The TOC was quantified using 45 aggregates through the dry combustion method. All physical parameters with exception of F are important in monitoring the structural quality.The lowest values of TS, PR and Bd were verified in the soil under fallow, and the highest ones in the soil under pasture. An inverse relation between TS and TOC and between Bd and TOC was verified. Critical values of Bd and TS to crop development might be estimated from the PR.

Spirometric Assessment of Impact of Complete Dentures on Respiratory Performance: An in vitro Study

Edentulism is one of the debilitating states affecting a significant portion of the geriatric population. It is often considered as the ultimate marker for predicting the pressure and burden on oral health. Respiration is also a routine vital function running continuously through the human body and most commonly assessed by a spirometer. Hence, we planned the present study to assess the impact of complete dentures on the functioning of the respiratory system. In the present study, a spirometric assessment of the effect of complete dentures on respiratory performance was done. A total of 100 subjects were included, and diagnostic spirometer was used for carrying out the spiro-metric test at different stages of each subject. The spirometric test was carried out at four different stages: In the absence of both the denture (AODs), with both the dentures (maxillary and mandibular) inserted in the patient's mouth (BDs), with only maxillary denture inserted in the oral cavity (UDs), and finally, by inserting only the mandibular dentures in the oral cavity (LDs). Forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% (FEF25-75) were evaluated. All the results were compiled and assessed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Of the total 100 subjects included in the study, 42 were males and 58 were females. The mean FVC values of AOD, BD, LD, and UD group were 3.10, 3.02, 2.90, and 2.93 respectively. The mean PEF values of AOD, BD, LD, and UD group were 5.79, 5.60, 5.40, and 5.48 respectively; 2.39, 2.35, 2.33, and 2.32 were the mean FEV1 values observed in AOD, BD, LD, and UD group respectively. Statistically significant results were obtained while comparing AOD-FVC and BD-FVC and other oral conditions. Spirometric values of respiratory functional tests in edentulous patients might be unfavorably affected by wearing complete dentures. Since subjects without complete dentures exhibited a maximum value of respiratory functional test, respiratory exercise protocols should also be carried in denture-wearing edentulous patients for increasing the performance of the respiratory system.

Basal metabolic rate scaled to body mass within species by the fractal dimension of the vascular system and body composition

Previous investigations show that it is plausible that metabolic rates (MR) in all body organs and tissues scale with their own mass with exponent b = D/3, where D is the fractal dimension of the self-similar vascular whole body blood transport system. From the assumption that organ or tissue mass scale with body mass (BM) with exponent d, it follows that organ and tissue MR scale with BM exponents bd. By taking the median organ in vitro MR exponential scaling of 0.91 as an estimate of b, this principle is shown to be valid in porgy. With d = 0.89 and d = 1.04, the scaling exponents of viscera and white muscle are bd = 0.81 for viscera and bd = 0.95 for white muscle, respectively. The viscera value is very close to the porgy resting or basal metabolic rate (BMR) scaling exponent of c = 0.82, and white muscle is reasonably close to the average ectotherm maximum metabolic rate (MMR) scaling exponent 0.92. There are only two species, humans and crucian carp, with available scalings of MMR, BMR and viscera in terms of the exponents b, c and d. The postulate bd = c is shown to hold for both these species within the limits of experimental error, with the crucian carp evidence being especially convincing, since b, c and d are estimated from the same experimental situation. A collation of 19 ectotherm estimates of b shows highly significant differences between them. It is remarkable that the average values of b do not differ much between aquatics and terrestrials, while the average BMR exponents c differ to a remarkable extent, most likely caused by differences in d. Observed differences in d, with generally d ≥ 1 during early growth and d ≤ 1or d ≤ b during later growth, coupled with can explain the pattern of the BMR scaling with BM, with its often observed broken stick appearance during ontogeny. The examples from the literature confirm that the range of theoretical values 1, 14/15, 5/6 and 2/3 ≤ b ≤ 1, when coupled with the observed values of d, is adequate to produce values of bd corresponding to c estimated from fasting experiments. An example is shown in humans that corrections for body fat percentage, exercise level and age give the same pattern in the relationship bd = c between mature individuals differing in size, as the one observed during growth.Keywords: Maximum metabolic rate, vascular distribution network, viscera, skeletal muscle

Basal metabolic rate scaled to body mass between species by the fractal dimension of the vascular system and body composition

Previous investigations show that it is plausible that metabolic rates (MR) in all body organs and tissues scale with their own mass with exponent b = D/3 , where D is the fractal dimension of the self-similar vascular whole body blood transport system. From the assumption that organ or tissue mass scale with body mass (BM) with exponent d, it follows that organ and tissue MR scale with BM exponents bd . By taking the median organ in vitro MR exponential scaling of 0.91 as an estimate of b , this principle is shown to be valid in porgy. With d = 0.89 and d = 1.04, the scaling exponents of viscera and white muscle are bd = 0.81 for viscera and bd = 0.95 for white muscle, respectively. The viscera value is very close to the porgy resting or basal metabolic rate (BMR) scaling exponent of c = 0.82, and white muscle is reasonably close to the average ectotherm maximum metabolic rate (MMR) scaling exponent 0.92. There are only two species, humans and crucian carp, with available scalings of MMR, BMR and viscera in terms of the exponents b , c and d . The postulate bd = c is shown to hold for both these species within the limits of experimental error, with the crucian carp evidence being especially convincing, since b , c and d are estimated from the same experimental situation. A collation of 19 ectotherm estimates of b shows highly significant differences between them. It is remarkable that the average values of b do not differ much between aquatics and terrestrials, while the average BMR exponents c differ to a remarkable extent, most likely caused by differences in d. Observed differences in d , with generally d ≥ 1 during early growth and d ≤ 1 or d ≤ b during later growth, coupled with can explain the pattern of the BMR scaling with BM, with its often observed broken stick appearance during ontogeny. The examples from the literature confirm that the range of theoretical values 1, 14/15, 5/6 and 2/3 ≤ b ≤ 1 , when coupled with the observed values of d , is adequate to produce values of bd corresponding to c estimated from fasting experiments. An example is shown in humans that corrections for body fat percentage, exercise level and age give the same pattern in the relationship bd = c between mature individuals differing in size, as the one observed during growth. Keywords: Maximum metabolic rate, vascular distribution network, viscera, skeletal muscle

Effect of Organic and Mineral Fertilizers on Yield Parameters and Quality of Wheat Grain

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate winter wheat grain qualitative and yield parameters after the application of different organic and mineral fertilizers at two sites in the Czech Republic (S1 – Lukavec, S2 – Prague-Suchdol). For the purpose of this paper grain yield (GY, t ha−1), thousand kernel weight (TKW, g), bulk density (BD, g l−1), grain crude protein content (CP, %), and falling number (FN, s) were determined with regard to the CSN 461100-2 (2001) standard for food wheat. Significantly highest values of GY and BD at both sites and of CP at S2 were observed after the use of nitrogen in mineral form. At S1, significantly highest values of FN were obtained after the use of mineral fertilizers in combination with straw. The required limit of BD for food wheat was met for all fertilization treatments, while that of CP only at S2 by treatments with mineral nitrogen fertilizers. At S2, a strong correlation between all evaluated traits was registered. Low correlation was found at S1 between TKW and other evaluated traits.

中国土壤容重特征及其对区域碳贮量估算的意义

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 中国土壤容重特征及其对区域碳贮量估算的意义 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201411222312 作者: 作者单位: 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金项目（31270519，31470506）；中国科学院战略性先导科技专项——应对气候变化的碳收支认证及相关问题（XDA05050X0X）资助；中国科学院地理科学与资源研究所可贞杰出青年学者项目（2013RC102） Evaluation of soil bulk density in Chinese terrestrial ecosystems for determination of soil carbon storage on a regional scale Author: Affiliation: Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:容重是土壤最重要的物理性质之一，不仅能反映土壤质量和土壤生产力水平，还是区域尺度土壤碳贮量估算的重要参数。由于野外测定土壤容重费时费力、并且操作过程也容易造成较大的误差，因此，土壤容重在国内外大多数清查数据库中均缺失严重。通过收集和整理中国第二次土壤普查数据、中国生态系统研究网络数据和1980-2014年论文内的中国土壤容重数据（共11845条记录），系统地探讨了中国陆地生态系统土壤容重的整体分布特征、垂直分布特征以及不同土壤类型间的差异。分析结果表明：中国陆地生态系统的土壤容重数据整体呈正态分布，平均值为（1.32±0.21）g/cm3，中值为1.35g/cm3；土壤容重随土层深度增加而增加，两者间表现为显著的幂函数关系。土壤容重与有机质含量呈显著的正相关关系，与沙粒含量的负相关关系较弱。此外，不同土壤类型间的土壤容重差异较大，高山土平均容重最低（0.93 g/cm3），而盐碱土平均容重最高（1.41 g/cm3）。结果全面阐释了中国陆地生态系统土壤容重的基本特征及其变异规律，其结论还将为准确评估区域乃至全国土壤碳贮量提供重要参数。 Abstract:Soil bulk density (BD, g/cm3) is one of most important properties of soil. BD can be used to characterize the conditions of soil quality and soil productivity and is an important parameter used for estimation of soil carbon storage within a plot or on regional and national scales. In practice, the common methods used to measure BD in the field are laborious and expensive, particularly for deeper soil layers. Moreover, it is difficult to control the quality of BD data when classical protocols utilizing soil cores are used. Therefore, large-scale field investigations of BD have not been conducted, resulting in a deficiency of BD data in databases in China and other countries. In this study, we collected BD data (11845 records) for Chinese terrestrial ecosystems from sources including the database of China's Second National Soil Survey, the database of the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network, and public publications from 1980 to 2014 in order to explore the properties of BD on a national scale and to identify general changes in BD with soil depth and types. The results showed that the reported BD data in China were normally distributed across all soil types and at different soil depths. The mean and median values of BD were (1.32±0.21) g/cm3 and 1.35 g/cm3, respectively. BD increased with increasing soil depth along the soil profile, which could be well depicted by power functions. There was a significant positive correlation between BD and soil organic matter content and a weak negative correlation between BD and sand content. Furthermore, the values of BD seemed to vary among different soil types, and the mean values of BD ranged from 0.93 g/cm3 (alpine soil) to 1.41 g cm-3 (alkali-saline soil). In summary, our study demonstrated the patterns of BD distribution among different soil depths and types on a national scale, and the findings may be used to estimate soil carbon storage both regionally and nationally. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

EFFECT OF INTEGRATED INORGANIC AND ORGANIC NITROGEN FERTILIZER ON QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF POTATOES PLANT GROWN ON NEW RECLAIMED SANDY SOIL.

The integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the yield of potatoes was evaluated in a field experiment at newly reclaimed sandy soil at El-Kattaba Region El-Monofia Governorate-Egypt, during two successive years (growing seasons of winter 2011/2012 and 2012/2013). The organic sources used were farmyard manure, poultry manure and compost. These were integrated in different proportions with mineral nitrogenous fertilizer as ammonium nitrate to supply 120 kg Nfed-1 N. All the organic fertilizers were applied at planting time and mineral fertilizer (ammonium nitrate) was applied as divided into 4 doses, the 1st dose was added after planting by 15 days and the other doses applied every 15 days. The results showed that integrated use in different proportion increased the plant height, number of stems, total chlorophyll, nitrogen concentration in potato tubers and protein content, but mineral nitrogen fertilizer individually gave higher values compared with the integrated organic and mineral nitrogen fertilizers. However, the maximum and minimum values of potato yield and nitrate content in potato tuber were obtained by application of poultry manure combined with mineral nitrogen fertilizer and organic nitrogen individually, respectively.Organic matter OF content in soil was increased in all treatments compared with sole mineral nitrogen fertilizer and contrary, the values of bulk density BD decreased generally. Therefore,the combined use of organic manure with inorganic fertilizer application was recognized as the most suitable way for ensuring high quantity and quality crop yield and reducing the harmful effects of using nitrogenous chemical fertilizers, but also for sustaining soil fertility status.

Atributos físicos de Cambissolo Háplico em vinhedos submetidos a intensidades de tráfego

Em vinhedos, o tráfego de máquinas agrícolas causa compactação do solo que pode ser mais acentuada nas entrelinhas pela maior intensidade de tráfego. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a variabilidade dos atributos físicos do solo em razão da posição de amostragem em relação à linha de plantio, em vinhedos comerciais da variedade Bordô em pé franco, submetidos a diferentes manejos da cultura. Em fevereiro de 2012, três vinhedos foram selecionados no município de Major Gercino (SC), sendo um manejado sem a utilização de máquinas agrícolas (vinhedo 1: com seis anos de implantação) e dois que utilizam máquinas nas entrelinhas (vinhedos 2 e 3: com oito e 17 anos, respectivamente). Na linha de plantio (Lp), na linha do rodado (Lr) e entre a linha de plantio e a linha do rodado (El), foram coletadas amostras indeformadas de solo nas camadas de 0,00-0,05, 0,05-0,10, 0,10-0,15 e 0,15-0,20 m de profundidade. Avaliaram-se a densidade do solo (Ds), a resistência à penetração (Rp), as classes de poros (macroporos - MaP, mesoporos - MeP, microporos - MiP e porosidade total - PT), os índices de agregação e de estabilidade de agregados (Diâmetro médio geométrico dos agregados secos ao ar e estáveis em água - DMGsa e DMGea, índice de estabilidade de agregados - IEA), a umidade gravimétrica (Ug), a densidade das partículas e a granulometria do solo. O estado de compactação aumentou no sentido da Lp para a Lr. A ocorrência de tráfego, em geral, influenciou negativamente os atributos avaliados. Entre as posições de amostragem, os maiores valores de Ds e Rp ocorreram na Lr, em que a Rp atingiu valores críticos ao desenvolvimento de raízes; nos vinhedos mecanizados, foram encontrados elevados valores de Rp e baixos de MaP nas camadas de 0,00-0,05 e 0,05-0,10 m. Observaram-se agregados com maior diâmetro e menores IEA, o que indica deterioração da qualidade física do solo. No vinhedo 1, houve menor variabilidade dos atributos físicos, enquanto no vinhedo 2 verificou-se influência negativa do tráfego de máquinas, principalmente para os atributos relacionados à agregação e elevada MiP. No vinhedo 3, observaram-se os maiores índices de Rp e de Ds, bem como o menor valor de MaP. Portanto, em relação aos vinhedos estudados, verificou-se aumento da degradação física do solo proporcionado pelo tráfego de máquinas (vinhedos 2 e 3). Dentre as posições de coletas e os vinhedos, evidenciou-se, por meio da análise de componentes principais, a separação da posição Lr do vinhedo 3, em razão dos atributos Ds e Rp, permitindo inferir que o manejo adotado na posição Lr está ocasionando maior degradação da qualidade física do solo.

Impacts of land leveling on lowland soil physical properties

The practice of land leveling alters the soil surface to create a uniform slope to improve land conditions for the application of all agricultural practices. The aims of this study were to evaluate the impacts of land leveling through the magnitudes, variances and spatial distributions of selected soil physical properties of a lowland area in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; the relationships between the magnitude of cuts and/or fills and soil physical properties after the leveling process; and evaluation of the effect of leveling on the spatial distribution of the top of the B horizon in relation to the soil surface. In the 0-0.20 m layer, a 100-point geo-referenced grid covering two taxonomic soil classes was used in assessment of the following soil properties: soil particle density (Pd) and bulk density (Bd); total porosity (Tp), macroporosity (Macro) and microporosity (Micro); available water capacity (AWC); sand, silt, clay, and dispersed clay in water (Disp clay) contents; electrical conductivity (EC); and weighted average diameter of aggregates (WAD). Soil depth to the top of the B horizon was also measured before leveling. The overall effect of leveling on selected soil physical properties was evaluated by paired "t" tests. The effect on the variability of each property was evaluated through the homogeneity of variance test. The thematic maps constructed by kriging or by the inverse of the square of the distances were visually analyzed to evaluate the effect of leveling on the spatial distribution of the properties and of the top of the B horizon in relation to the soil surface. Linear regression models were fitted with the aim of evaluating the relationship between soil properties and the magnitude of cuts and fills. Leveling altered the mean value of several soil properties and the agronomic effect was negative. The mean values of Bd and Disp clay increased and Tp, Macro and Micro, WAD, AWC and EC decreased. Spatial distributions of all soil physical properties changed as a result of leveling and its effect on all soil physical properties occurred in the whole area and not specifically in the cutting or filling areas. In future designs of leveling, we recommend overlaying a cut/fill map on the map of soil depth to the top of the B horizon in order to minimize areas with shallow surface soil after leveling.

Estoque de carbono em Latossolo Vermelho Distroférrico sob diferentes sistemas de manejo

The introduction of agriculture in areas with native vegetation generally results in a rapid loss of organic carbon in tropical environments, resulting in decreased soil quality. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate changes in carbon stocks and in some soil physical characteristics (bulk density - BD and total pore volume - PTV) under different management systems in the &lsquo;Cerrado' region of Goi&aacute;s State, Brazil. With this purpose, areas with four different management systems were selected in the Rio Verde municipality: no-tillage system with three years of implantation (NTS-3); conventional tillage system (CTS); and planted pasture with Brachiaria brizantha (PP). These areas were compared to an area of native &lsquo;cerrado' "; stricto sensu "; (NC). In each one of these areas soil samples were collected at 0-5, 5-10 and 10-20 cm depths. The design was completely randomized, with five replications. The areas of NC and CTS had at all analyzed depths lower values of BD, and greater PTV in relation to the areas of PP and NTS-3. The NC presented carbon contents and stocks similar to the NTS-3 areas and greater the PP and CTS. These results showed that the NTS-3, characterized by the maintenance of plant residues on the soil surface, crop rotation and minimal soil disturbance (tillage only in the line / tree planting), contributed to increase or to maintain soil carbon stocks.

Comparison of BD GeneOhm Cdiff and Seegene Seeplex ACE PCR Assays Using Toxigenic Clostridium difficile Culture for Direct Detection of tcdB from Stool Specimens

We evaluated the performances of 2 PCR assays (BD GeneOhm and Seegene ACE) for direct detection of tcdB from stool specimens. The concordance rate between BD and Seegene was 96.3%. The sensitivities, specificities, positive predictive values (PPVs), and negative predictive values (NPVs) of BD and Seegene were 95.7%, 96.5%, 91.8%, and 98.2% and 90.0%, 97.1%, 92.6%, and 96.0%, respectively.

Mapping of district-scale potential targets using fractal models

The Pulang porphyry-Cu deposit is one of the most important copper deposits discovered in China in the last five years. In this deposit, the irregular distributions of high concentrations of metals are associated with four intrusive complexes and fault structures. In the present study, fractal models including box-counting dimension (Bd), power-law frequency and Hurst exponent are applied to characterize the vertical distributions of Cu values along boreholes in the deposit, and to delineate target areas in the Pulang copper district. The resulting box-counting model shows that the vertical distributions of Cu in both mineralized and non-mineralized boreholes exhibit self-similarity, with values of Bd ranging from 1.01 to 1.43, and mineralized boreholes have values of Bd higher than those of non-mineralized boreholes. The resulting power-law frequency model shows that the vertical distributions of Cu in mineralized boreholes are bifractal whereas they are monofractal in non-mineralized boreholes. The bifractal vertical distributions of Cu values are generally associated with multiple ore-forming stages/periods or complicated ore-forming functions of geological background. The Hurst exponents of Cu data from all continuously mineralized boreholes are >0.5, indicating that the Pulang porphyry-Cu deposit has good vertical continuity of mineralization, or that the development of orebodies was relatively stable in this geological setting. High Hurst exponents (>0.85) can be utilized to identify subsurface mineralized targets, whereas lower Hurst exponents (<0.85) represent discontinuous mineralized rocks along the margins of the porphyry-Cu deposit near country rocks. Based on calculated values of average Cu grade, coefficient of variation, Bd and Hurst exponent for the Cu data along boreholes, interpolated values of these variables are excellent for mapping of potential targets. The results show that the Complex II (intrusive body) is a potential copper target in the north of the Pulang district, because it has a similar Bd as the Complex I that hosts the Pulang porphyry-Cu orebody in the south of the Pulang district. In addition, the Complex I has a potential porphyry-Cu target at depth between explorations lines 7 and 15 based on high Hurst exponents and favorable geological setting. The application of the fractal models discussed in this study is convenient, simple, rapid and direct for outlining potential exploration targets without processing multiple geological, geophysical, and geochemical datasets from disparate sources.

Response of mung bean cultivars to fly ash: Growth and yield

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of fly ash on growth and yield of three locally grown cultivars of an important leguminous plant mung bean ( Vigna radiata L.) on soil amended with different concentrations of fly ash. The values of pH, EC, WHC, soil cations, total heavy metals of the soil increased; however, values of BD, NH 4 + -N, NO 3 − -N, total N, organic carbon (OC), organic matter (OM), available P and cation exchange capacity (CEC) decreased with fly ash incorporation in the soil. Fly ash amendment led to improve the growth performance and various yield attributes. An increase in all the growth parameters was recorded in 10% fly ash amended (FAA) soil for cv M. Jyoti and M. Janpriya, while 5% FAA soil was most suitable for cv M. Jagriti. Yield (g m −2) also increased significantly by 40.6% and 33.9% for cv M. Jyoti and M. Janpriya, respectively, in 10% FAA soil and by 29.5% in cv M. Jagriti in 5% FAA soil. The experimental results depict that different cultivars of mung bean demonstrate a marked difference in response to various concentrations of fly ash under field conditions and this may indicate a genetic base for variability.