Soil genesis and classification in the Whiteoak Mountain fault block in East Tennessee

Geological processes have forged an atypical region of geomorphic and stratigraphic diversity in the Ridge and Valley physiographic region of East Tennessee. Soils developing in the melange of parent materials reflect this heterogeneity. Objectives of this study were 1) to better understand the geological stratigraphy of the Ridge and Valley area, 2) to determine the genesis of soils forming in a variety of parent materials, 3) to examine soils forming in specific parent materials to discern properties uniquely characteristic to those soils, 4) to identify specific properties utilizable for field recognition of these soils, and 5) to classify these soils to the family level. Within the Whiteoak Mountain fault block, geologies range from the Cambrian Rome Formation to the Ordovician Moccasin Formation. Properties of each rock unit vary to some extent. This complexity has induced a great diversity in soil genesis. Sixty-one pedons from the Whiteoak Mountain thrust block were sampled for soil genesis and classification. A transect of thirteen soils was examined over a sequence of Cambrian to Ordovician aged geological units including the Rome Formation, Knox Group, and the Chickamauga Group. Soil genesis of forty-eight pedons directly related to the Copper Ridge Formation and the Maryville Formations were studied in Roane and Anderson Counties, Tennessee. Soil morphology was described for each site. Horizonization, texture, structure, consistency, redoximorphic features, and any other observable property was noted during excavation. Laboratory analyses for soil characterization included pH, total carbon, particle size, free iron oxides, cation exchange capacity, percent base saturation, total acidity, KCl extractable aluminum, and hydroxylamine-HCl extractable manganese. Parent materials in the thirteen soil transect included alluvium, colluvium, and residuum. Soils evolved from Chickamauga Group geologies were classified as Typic Paleudults and Typic Hapludalfs. Classification of soils developing in materials from members of the Knox Group IV included Typic Paleudults, Typic Fragiudults, Typic Kandiudults, Typic Hapludalfs and Typic Hapludults. The Rome Formation had weathered to form soils classified as Ultic Hapludalfs and Typic Hapludults. Soils derived from fault breccia and an alluvial/colluvial deposition were classified as a Typic Hapludalf and Typic Hapludult, respectively. The primary differences among these pedons resulted from the influences of geological parent material, site position, slope, and erosion. Soil formation in Copper Ridge parent materials resulted in development of low activity clays with kandic horizonization. Of the 24 pedons examined, 54% had developed kandic horizons. Kandic horizons with hues of 5YR and 2.5YR had average clay contents of 49 and 68%, respectively. Non-kandic argillic horizons averaged 34 and 55% clay in the 5YR and 2.5YR horizons. Kandic horizons had developed in both colluvial and residual materials. For field identification, intense redness of soil matrix color along with high clay content in soils forming in Copper Ridge colluvium/residuum would present a greater than 54% possibility that kandic horizonization had occurred. Soil evolution in Maryville parent materials was very consistent over the twenty-four pedons examined. These soils were not very deeply weathered. Paralithic contact occurred at less than 100 cm in 75% of the pedons. Particle size class was predominantly clayey. Classification varied primarily due to thickness of the argillic horizon. Forty-two percent were Ochreptlc Hapludults, while the remaining 58% were Typic Hapludults. Weathering of the diversity of rock units in the Ridge and Valley physiographic region has resulted formation of a variety of soils. Soils properties were directly related to the geological parent material with variations primarily resulting from differences in site position. Knowledge of the geological lithologies of a region is a valuable tool in the examination of soil genesis and classification

Spatial variability of soil solution nitrates and soil morphology as effected by long term management on a Highland Rim site

A study of the effects of long term management and soil morphology on distribution of soil solution nitrates and chlorides was conducted at the Highland Rim Experiment Station in Robertson County, Tennessee. The site area was a soil fertilization study which had been under continuous corn for 28 years. Two sites were fertilized annually with 336 kg ha-1 nitrogen, 112 kg ha-1 phosphorus, 336 kg ha-1 potassium, and 56 kg ha-1 of a minor element supplement. Two other sites received this same treatment plus 10 tons/acres of manure. Two control sites were sampled in undisturbed native soils on the same landscape. Six pedons were sampled to study spatial variability of the soil taxon. The effect of manuring and long term management on measured soil chemical properties was determined. Fourteen points in each of two plots were randomly sampled to determine distribution and quantity of soil solution nitrates and chlorides. Field morphology included horizon designations, depth, boundary distinctness, texture, color, consistence, and structure. Observations of concretions, fossils,and other soil components were noted. Laboratory data included total carbon analysis, cation exchange capacity, percent base saturation, pH, particle size analysis, KCl total acidity, hydroxylamine-hydrochloride manganese, citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite iron, and Mehlich I extraction of eighteen elements. The soils in pedons 1 and 2 were classified as fine-silty, siliceous, thermic Fragic Paleudults. Pedons 3 and 8 were classified as fine-silty, siliceous, thermic Typic Paleudults. Pedons 4 and 7 were classified as fine-silty, siliceous, thermic Typic Hapludults. Parent material generally was loess over alluvium over residuum. Movement of soil solution nitrates and chlorides was influenced by soil texture, structure, chemical composition, and the presence of pans or discontinuities. Nitrates were concentrated in the horizons above a plow pan at approximately 28 centimeters and above a paleosol at approximately 85 centimeters. The nitrates were moving laterally downslope over the paleosol. Additions of high amounts of nitrogen had no direct correlation with soil solution nitrates. Long term additions of manure and fertilizer amendments influenced the chemical and physical composition of the soil. Total carbon was a good indicator of total nitrogen. A similar relationship was exhibited between Mehlich I extracted manganese and hydroxylamine hydrochloride extracted manganese. Long term management did influence soil morphology. Both management and morphology had an effect on concentration and distribution of nitrates as well as other chemical components in the soil

Adding 6 months of androgen deprivation therapy to postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a comparison of short-course versus no androgen deprivation therapy in the RADICALS-HD randomised controlled trial

Background Previous evidence indicates that adjuvant, short-course androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves metastasis-free survival when given with primary radiotherapy for intermediate-risk and high-risk localised prostate cancer. However, the value of ADT with postoperative radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy is unclear. Methods RADICALS-HD was an international randomised controlled trial to test the efficacy of ADT used in combination with postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Key eligibility criteria were indication for radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, prostate-specific antigen less than 5 ng/mL, absence of metastatic disease, and written consent. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to radiotherapy alone (no ADT) or radiotherapy with 6 months of ADT (short-course ADT), using monthly subcutaneous gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue injections, daily oral bicalutamide monotherapy 150 mg, or monthly subcutaneous degarelix. Randomisation was done centrally through minimisation with a random element, stratified by Gleason score, positive margins, radiotherapy timing, planned radiotherapy schedule, and planned type of ADT, in a computerised system. The allocated treatment was not masked. The primary outcome measure was metastasis-free survival, defined as distant metastasis arising from prostate cancer or death from any cause. Standard survival analysis methods were used, accounting for randomisation stratification factors. The trial had 80% power with two-sided α of 5% to detect an absolute increase in 10-year metastasis-free survival from 80% to 86% (hazard ratio [HR] 0·67). Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN40814031, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00541047. Findings Between Nov 22, 2007, and June 29, 2015, 1480 patients (median age 66 years [IQR 61–69]) were randomly assigned to receive no ADT (n=737) or short-course ADT (n=743) in addition to postoperative radiotherapy at 121 centres in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. With a median follow-up of 9·0 years (IQR 7·1–10·1), metastasis-free survival events were reported for 268 participants (142 in the no ADT group and 126 in the short-course ADT group; HR 0·886 [95% CI 0·688–1·140], p=0·35). 10-year metastasis-free survival was 79·2% (95% CI 75·4–82·5) in the no ADT group and 80·4% (76·6–83·6) in the short-course ADT group. Toxicity of grade 3 or higher was reported for 121 (17%) of 737 participants in the no ADT group and 100 (14%) of 743 in the short-course ADT group (p=0·15), with no treatment-related deaths. Interpretation Metastatic disease is uncommon following postoperative bed radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy. Adding 6 months of ADT to this radiotherapy did not improve metastasis-free survival compared with no ADT. These findings do not support the use of short-course ADT with postoperative radiotherapy in this patient population

Duration of androgen deprivation therapy with postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a comparison of long-course versus short-course androgen deprivation therapy in the RADICALS-HD randomised trial

Background Previous evidence supports androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with primary radiotherapy as initial treatment for intermediate-risk and high-risk localised prostate cancer. However, the use and optimal duration of ADT with postoperative radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy remains uncertain. Methods RADICALS-HD was a randomised controlled trial of ADT duration within the RADICALS protocol. Here, we report on the comparison of short-course versus long-course ADT. Key eligibility criteria were indication for radiotherapy after previous radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, prostate-specific antigen less than 5 ng/mL, absence of metastatic disease, and written consent. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to add 6 months of ADT (short-course ADT) or 24 months of ADT (long-course ADT) to radiotherapy, using subcutaneous gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (monthly in the short-course ADT group and 3-monthly in the long-course ADT group), daily oral bicalutamide monotherapy 150 mg, or monthly subcutaneous degarelix. Randomisation was done centrally through minimisation with a random element, stratified by Gleason score, positive margins, radiotherapy timing, planned radiotherapy schedule, and planned type of ADT, in a computerised system. The allocated treatment was not masked. The primary outcome measure was metastasis-free survival, defined as metastasis arising from prostate cancer or death from any cause. The comparison had more than 80% power with two-sided α of 5% to detect an absolute increase in 10-year metastasis-free survival from 75% to 81% (hazard ratio [HR] 0·72). Standard time-to-event analyses were used. Analyses followed intention-to-treat principle. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN40814031, and ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT00541047 . Findings Between Jan 30, 2008, and July 7, 2015, 1523 patients (median age 65 years, IQR 60–69) were randomly assigned to receive short-course ADT (n=761) or long-course ADT (n=762) in addition to postoperative radiotherapy at 138 centres in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. With a median follow-up of 8·9 years (7·0–10·0), 313 metastasis-free survival events were reported overall (174 in the short-course ADT group and 139 in the long-course ADT group; HR 0·773 [95% CI 0·612–0·975]; p=0·029). 10-year metastasis-free survival was 71·9% (95% CI 67·6–75·7) in the short-course ADT group and 78·1% (74·2–81·5) in the long-course ADT group. Toxicity of grade 3 or higher was reported for 105 (14%) of 753 participants in the short-course ADT group and 142 (19%) of 757 participants in the long-course ADT group (p=0·025), with no treatment-related deaths. Interpretation Compared with adding 6 months of ADT, adding 24 months of ADT improved metastasis-free survival in people receiving postoperative radiotherapy. For individuals who can accept the additional duration of adverse effects, long-course ADT should be offered with postoperative radiotherapy. Funding Cancer Research UK, UK Research and Innovation (formerly Medical Research Council), and Canadian Cancer Society

Older Blood Is Associated With Increased Mortality and Adverse Events in Massively Transfused Trauma Patients: Secondary Analysis of the PROPPR Trial

Study objectiveThe transfusion of older packed RBCs may be harmful in critically ill patients. We seek to determine the association between packed RBC age and mortality among trauma patients requiring massive packed RBC transfusion.MethodsWe analyzed data from the Pragmatic, Randomized Optimal Platelet and Plasma Ratios trial. Subjects in the parent trial included critically injured adult patients admitted to 1 of 12 North American Level I trauma centers who received at least 1 unit of packed RBCs and were predicted to require massive blood transfusion. The primary exposure was volume of packed RBC units transfused during the first 24 hours of hospitalization, stratified by packed RBC age category: 0 to 7 days, 8 to 14 days, 15 to 21 days, and greater than or equal to 22 days. The primary outcome was 24-hour mortality. We evaluated the association between transfused volume of each packed RBC age category and 24-hour survival, using random-effects logistic regression, adjusting for total packed RBC volume, patient age, sex, race, mechanism of injury, Injury Severity Score, Revised Trauma Score, clinical site, and trial treatment group.ResultsThe 678 patients included in the analysis received a total of 8,830 packed RBC units. One hundred patients (14.8%) died within the first 24 hours. On multivariable analysis, the number of packed RBCs greater than or equal to 22 days old was independently associated with increased 24-hour mortality (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.05 per packed RBC unit; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 to 1.08): OR 0.97 for 0 to 7 days old (95% CI 0.88 to 1.08), OR 1.04 for 8 to 14 days old (95% CI 0.99 to 1.09), and OR 1.02 for 15 to 21 days old (95% CI 0.98 to 1.06). Results of sensitivity analyses were similar only among patients who received greater than or equal to 10 packed RBC units.ConclusionIncreasing quantities of older packed RBCs are associated with increased likelihood of 24-hour mortality in trauma patients receiving massive packed RBC transfusion (≥10 units), but not in those who receive fewer than 10 units

Measurement of D-s(+) and D-s(*+) production in B meson decays and from continuum e(+)e(-) annihilation at root s=10.6 GeV

New measurements of D-s(+) and D-s(*+) meson production rates from B decays and from q(q) over bar continuum events near the Y(4S) resonance are presented. Using 20.8 fb(-1) of data on the Y(4S) resonance and 2.6 fb(-1) off-resonance, we find the inclusive branching fractions B(B-->Ds+X) = (10.93+/-0.19+/-0.58+/-2.73)% and B(B-->Ds*+X) = (7.9+/-0.8+/-0.7+/-2.0)%, where the first error is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third is due to the D-s(+)-->phipi(+) branching fraction uncertainty. The production cross sections sigma(e(+)e(-)-->Ds+X)xB(D-s(+)-->phipi(+)) = 7.55+/-0.20+/-0.34 pb and sigma(e(+)e(-)-->Ds*+/-X)xB(D-s(+)-->phipi(+)) = 5.8+/-0.7+/-0.5 pb are measured at center-of-mass energies about 40 MeV below the Y(4S) mass. The branching fractions SigmaB(B-->D-s((*)+)(D) over bar ((*))) = (5.07+/-0.14+/-0.30+/-1.27)% and SigmaB(B-->D-s(*+)(D) over bar ((*))) = (4.1+/-0.2+/-0.4+/-1.0)% are determined from the D-s((*)+) momentum spectra. The mass difference m(D-s(+)) -m(D+) = 98.4+/-0.1+/-0.3 MeV/c(2) is also measured

Measurement of Ds+ and Ds*+ production in B meson decays and from continuum e+e- annihilation at √s=10.6 GeV

New measurements of Ds+ and Ds*+ meson production rates from B decays and from qq̅ continuum events near the Υ(4S) resonance are presented. Using 20.8 fb-1 of data on the Υ(4S) resonance and 2.6 fb-1 off-resonance, we find the inclusive branching fractions B(B⃗Ds+X)=(10.93±0.19±0.58±2.73)% and B(B⃗Ds*+X)=(7.9±0.8±0.7±2.0)%, where the first error is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third is due to the Ds+→φπ+ branching fraction uncertainty. The production cross sections σ(e+e-→Ds+X)×B(Ds+→φπ+)=7.55±0.20±0.34pb and σ(e+e-→Ds*±X)×B(Ds+→φπ+)=5.8±0.7±0.5pb are measured at center-of-mass energies about 40 MeV below the Υ(4S) mass. The branching fractions ΣB(B⃗Ds(*)+D(*))=(5.07±0.14±0.30±1.27)% and ΣB(B⃗Ds*+D(*))=(4.1±0.2±0.4±1.0)% are determined from the Ds(*)+ momentum spectra. The mass difference m(Ds+)-m(D+)=98.4±0.1±0.3MeV/c2 is also measured