Soil productivity indices and soil properties of some major soil series of the Missouri Ozarks (1985)

This report presents a method for arriving at a productivity index (PI) for major soils of the Missouri Ozarks that are underlain by carbonate rocks. The PI model was developed by Kiniry, Scrivner and Keener (1983). It was explained and applied to soils of Missouri in University of Missouri Extension Circular 947 (EC947) entitled "Soil Productivity Indices and Soil Properties for Farm-Field Sites in Missouri" (Scrivner, Conkling and Koenig, 1985a). Soils of the Missouri Ozarks were not included in EC947 because the soils studied were in farm-fields of com or soybeans. Neither crop is grown extensively in the Missouri Ozarks.Introduction -- Major soil series of the Missouri Ozarks -- Methods for estimating soil properties. Estimates of PAWC ; estimates of pHs ; Profiles of pHs for typic subgroubs of Fragiudalfs, Fragiudults and Paleudults ; Profiles of pHs and depth to carbonate rock ; Profiles of pHs for mollic subgroups of Fragiudalfs ; Estimates of Soil bulk density ; Profiles of density for Fragiudalfs and Fragiudults ; Profiles of density for Paleudults and Paleudalfs ; Profiles of density in soils with carbonate rock at depths between 10 and 200 cm -- Productivity indices for 22 soil series of the Missouri Ozarks. PI's and yields -- Possible interpretations from the 44 PI figures -- Summar

Soil productivity indices and soil properties for farm-field sites in Missouri (1985)

"2/85/1.2M."This report is designed to provide access to, and interpretation of, Missouri soil data generated in a study of 500 farm-field plots in 1978 and 1979. The objective of the study was to quantify the relationships between soil properties and soil productivity. The study procedure was to sample and characterize soils at randomly located plots in fields where com or soybeans were being grown, and from that characterization, to estimate soil productivity. The results of the study were two-fold. First, soils information was generated. Second, a model called a soil productivity index was developed (Neill 1979, Kiniry et al. 1983) that converted soil properties into estimates of soil productivity.Introduction -- The soil productivity index (PI) -- Soil properties and productivity indices for selected field plots in Missouri -- How to read and interpret the data sheets. Productivity index and predicted root fractions ; Soil properties ; Soil description ; Landscape position and stratigraphy of materials ; Classification -- Potential uses of this report. Data inputs for on-site evaluation ; Assessment of the effects of soil modifications including soil erosio

Forage or Biofuel: Assessing Native Warm-season Grass Production among Seed Mixes and Harvest Frequencies within a Wildlife Conservation Framework

Native warm-season grasses (NWSG) are gaining merit as biofuel feedstocks for ethanol production with potential for concomitant production of cattle forage and wildlife habitat provision. However, uncertainty continues regarding optimal production approaches for biofuel yield and forage quality within landscapes of competing wildlife conservation objectives. We used a randomized complete block design of 4 treatments to compare vegetation structure, forage and biomass nutrients, and biomass yield between Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass) monocultures and NWSG polycultures harvested once or multiple times near West Point, MS, 2011–2013. Despite taller vegetation and greater biomass in Switchgrass monocultures, NWSG polycultures had greater vegetation structure heterogeneity and plant diversity that could benefit wildlife. However, nutritional content from harvest timings optimal for wildlife conservation (i.e., late dormant season-collected biomass and mid-summer hay samples) demonstrated greater support for biofuel production than quality cattle forage. Future research should consider testing various seed mixes for maximizing biofuel or forage production among multiple site conditions with parallel observations of wildlife use

90Y-clivatuzumab tetraxetan with or without low-dose gemcitabine: A phase Ib study in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer after two or more prior therapies

AbstractBackgroundFor patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma, there are no approved or established treatments beyond the 2nd line. A Phase Ib study of fractionated radioimmunotherapy was undertaken in this setting, administering 90Y-clivatuzumab tetraxetan (yttrium-90-radiolabelled humanised antibody targeting pancreatic adenocarcinoma mucin) with or without low radiosensitising doses of gemcitabine.MethodsFifty-eight patients with three (2–7) median prior treatments were treated on Arm A (N=29, 90Y-clivatuzumab tetraxetan, weekly 6.5mCi/m2doses×3, plus gemcitabine, weekly 200mg/m2 doses×4 starting 1week earlier) or Arm B (N=29, 90Y-clivatuzumab tetraxetan alone, weekly 6.5mCi/m2doses×3), repeating cycles after 4-week delays. Safety was the primary endpoint; efficacy was also evaluated.ResultsCytopaenias (predominantly transient thrombocytopenia) were the only significant toxicities. Fifty-three patients (27 Arm A, 26 Arm B, 91% overall) completed ⩾1 full treatment cycles, with 23 (12 Arm A, 11 Arm B; 40%) receiving multiple cycles, including seven (6 Arm A, 1 Arm B; 12%) given 3–9 cycles. Two patients in Arm A had partial responses by RECIST criteria. Kaplan–Meier overall survival (OS) appeared improved in Arm A versus B (hazard ratio [HR] 0.55, 95% CI: 0.29–0.86; P=0.017, log-rank) and the median OS for Arm A versus Arm B increased to 7.9 versus 3.4months with multiple cycles (HR 0.32, P=0.004), including three patients in Arm A surviving >1year.ConclusionsClinical studies of 90Y-clivatuzumab tetraxetan combined with low-dose gemcitabine appear feasible in metastatic pancreatic cancer patients beyond 2nd line and a Phase III trial of this combination is now underway in this setting

Promotion of couples' voluntary counselling and testing for HIV through influential networks in two African capital cities

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Most new HIV infections in Africa are acquired from cohabiting heterosexual partners. Couples' Voluntary Counselling and Testing (CVCT) is an effective prevention strategy for this group. We present our experience with a community-based program for the promotion of CVCT in Kigali, Rwanda and Lusaka, Zambia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Influence Network Agents (INAs) from the health, religious, non-governmental, and private sectors were trained to invite couples for CVCT. Predictors of successful promotion were identified using a multi-level hierarchical analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In 4 months, 9,900 invitations were distributed by 61 INAs, with 1,411 (14.3%) couples requesting CVCT. INAs in Rwanda distributed fewer invitations (2,680 vs. 7,220) and had higher response rates (26.9% vs. 9.6%), than INAs in Zambia. Context of the invitation event, including a discreet location such as the INA's home (OR 3.3–3.4), delivery of the invitation to both partners in the couple (OR 1.6–1.7) or to someone known to the INA (OR 1.7–1.8), and use of public endorsement (OR 1.7–1.8) were stronger predictors of success than INA or couple-level characteristics.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Predictors of successful CVCT promotion included strategies that can be easily implemented in Africa. As new resources become available for Africans with HIV, CVCT should be broadly implemented as a point of entry for prevention, care and support.</p

Forage or Biofuel: Assessing Native Warm-season Grass Production among Seed Mixes and Harvest Frequencies within a Wildlife Conservation Framework

Native warm-season grasses (NWSG) are gaining merit as biofuel feedstocks for ethanol production with potential for concomitant production of cattle forage and wildlife habitat provision. However, uncertainty continues regarding optimal production approaches for biofuel yield and forage quality within landscapes of competing wildlife conservation objectives. We used a randomized complete block design of 4 treatments to compare vegetation structure, forage and biomass nutrients, and biomass yield between Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass) monocultures and NWSG polycultures harvested once or multiple times near West Point, MS, 2011–2013. Despite taller vegetation and greater biomass in Switchgrass monocultures, NWSG polycultures had greater vegetation structure heterogeneity and plant diversity that could benefit wildlife. However, nutritional content from harvest timings optimal for wildlife conservation (i.e., late dormant season-collected biomass and mid-summer hay samples) demonstrated greater support for biofuel production than quality cattle forage. Future research should consider testing various seed mixes for maximizing biofuel or forage production among multiple site conditions with parallel observations of wildlife use

Paleoecologic analysis and age of a late Pleistocene fossil assemblage from upper Newport Bay, Newport Beach, Orange County, California

Volume: 47Start Page: 183End Page: 19