3,488 research outputs found

    Aerospace Medicine and Biology: A continuing bibliography with indexes, supplement 192

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    This bibliography lists 247 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in March 1979

    Source-tracking cadmium in New Zealand agricultural soils: a stable isotope approach

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    Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal, which is accumulated by plants and animals and therefore enters the human food chain. In New Zealand (NZ), where Cd mainly originates from the application of phosphate fertilisers, stable isotopes can be used to trace the fate of Cd in soils and potentially the wider environment due to the limited number of sources in this setting. Prior to 1997, extraneous Cd added to soils in P fertilisers was essentially limited to a single source, the small pacific island of Nauru. Analysis of Cd isotope ratios (ɛ114/110Cd) in Nauru rock phosphate, pre-1997 superphosphate fertilisers, and Canterbury (Lismore Stony Silt Loam) topsoils (Winchmore Research Farm) has demonstrated their close similarity with respect to ɛ114/110Cd. We report a consistent ɛ114/110Cd signature in fertiliser-derived Cd throughout the latter twentieth century. This finding is useful because it allows the application of mixing models to determine the proportions of fertiliser-derived Cd in the wider environment. We believe this approach has good potential because we also found the ɛ114/110Cd in fertilisers to be distinct from unfertilised Canterbury subsoils. In our analysis of the Winchmore topsoil series (1949-2015), the ɛ114/110Cd remained quite constant following the change from Nauru to other rock phosphate sources in 1997, despite a corresponding shift in fertiliser ɛ114/110Cd at this time. We can conclude that to the present day, the Cd in topsoil at Winchmore still mainly originates from historical phosphate fertilisers. One implication of this finding is that the current applications of P fertiliser are not resulting in further Cd accumulation. We aim to continue our research into Cd fate, mobility and transformations in the NZ environment by applying Cd isotopes in soils and aquatic environments across the country

    Factors Associated with Success in PARE Testing Among RCMP Officers

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    The purpose of this integrated article dissertation was to examine the predictive factors for success in the RCMP’s Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE) in a retrospective observational study of 13, 709 unique records and a divisional subset of 620 for study two and three. Study one assessed the relative predictive power of the pursuit and body control times, while including covariates of height, weight, age. Significant (p\u3c 0.05) and equally strong effects were for pursuit log odds (LO) of 2.95% CI [2.49, 3.11], and body control time LO of 2.80, 95% CI [2.51, 3.14] with a weak predictor , LO of 0.53, 95% CI [0.38, 0.72]. Not significant were height, weight, and sex with 99 % modeling accuracy. Study two compared sex and performance factors on six repeated PARE pursuit circuit laps for pacing for both divisional data (535 men, 85 women) and 61 age and BMI matched male/female pairs. Results divisional data: significant strong performance (pass/fail) effects F(1,616)=288.3, p\u3c .00, partial η2 = .32 but weak sex (male/female) effects F(1,616) = 27.2, p =.03, partial η2= .01, interaction was significant, F(1,616)=50.7, p\u3c .01, but weak, partial η2 = 0.014. Repeat laps were significant, F(3.7, 229)=195.1, p2=0.24; performance*laps interaction was significant F(3.7, 229)=4.5, p =.02, with weak effects, partial η2 = .007. Significant repeat lap contrasts were lap 1-2, strong effects and lap 2-3, lap 3-4, lap 4-5 weak effects, and not significant was lap 5-6. Results matched pairs data supported significant strong performance effects, F(1,118)=90.9, p2=.44 and weak sex effects, F(1,118)=13.5, p2=.10 not clinically significant. Significant repeat laps contrasts: laps 1-2, strong effect, lap 3-4 and lap 4-5, weak effect, lap 2-3 and lap 5-6 contrast was not significant. Men and women officers paced PARE repeat laps with slight ordinal interaction at lap three and six. The purpose of study three was to assess self-reported physical activity (PA) frequency and intensity as potential additional significant predictors of PARE success. PA frequency of 3.5 day/week, and intensity of 2.2 of 3.0, did not support additional predictors. There appears to be insufficient PA to affect a maximal test. Additional self-reported mode and dimensions of PA might increase PA predictability

    DIGITISING AGRIFOOD Pathways and Challenges. November 2019

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    As climate change increasingly poses an existential risk for the Earth, scientists and policymakers turn to agriculture and food as areas for urgent and bold action, which need to return within acceptable Planet Boundaries. The links between agriculture, biodiversity and climate change have become so evident that scientists propose a Great Food Transformation towards a healthy diet by 2050 as a major way to save the planet. Achieving these milestones, however, is not easy, both based on current indicators and on the gloomy state of global dialogue in this domain. This is why digital technologies such as wireless connectivity, the Internet of Things, Arti cial Intelligence and blockchain can and should come to the rescue. This report looks at the many ways in which digital solutions can be implemented on the ground to help the agrifood chain transform itself to achieve more sustainability. Together with the solution, we identify obstacles, challenges, gaps and possible policy recommendations. Action items are addressed at the European Union both as an actor of change at home, and in global governance, and are spread across ten areas, from boosting connectivity and data governance to actions aimed at empowering small farmers and end users

    Aerospace medicine and biology: A continuing bibliography with indexes (supplement 339)

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    This bibliography lists 105 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information System during July 1990. Subject coverage includes: aerospace medicine and psychology, life support systems and controlled environments, safety equipment, exobiology and extraterrestrial life, and flight crew behavior and performance
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