Study to define points of entry for potential contaminants in limestone aquifers

Visual examinations of both prints and transparencies from ERTS 1 and U-2 aircraft imagery provided a method for discovering possible points of entry of potential contaminants into the limestone aquifer in Madison County, Alabama. Knowledge of the locations at which contaminants could enter the aquifer is an important consideration in water quality management, particularly for regions that depend, at least partially, on ground water for their water supply. ERTS 1 imagery recorded on December 28, 1972 in the Multispectral Scanner-5 (MSS-5) and MSS-7 bands, and a false-color composite of the MSS-4 (green), MSS-5 (red), and MSS-7 (near infrared) bands were the principal materials used, along with thermography recorded by an RS-7 infrared scanner onboard a U-2 aircraft. The results of the study are discussed in detail, providing information on prominent lineations and major fracture trends which are related to aquifer contamination. Maps depicting the observations are also presented

Potential economic gains from using forage legumes in organic livestock systems in northern Europe

This report was presented at the UK Organic Research 2002 Conference of the Colloquium of Organic Researchers (COR). Forage legumes, with their ability to fix nitrogen biologically, seem especially attractive for organic livestock production. In an attempt to assess their true potential, this study draws on a four-year trial conducted at 12 sites in northern Europe with four different forage legumes. One third of the sites were managed as organic systems, with the harvested forage being fed as silage to dairy cows. Based on the trial results, an economic assessment has been made of the potential of forage legumes to improve the competitive edge of organic dairy systems, relative to conventional grass-based ones. Although the results suggest that the organic milk price premium plays a major role in determining the comparative profitability of organic dairy systems, the use of forage legumes also gives a significant cost advantage to organic production

A framework for assessing crop production from rotations

This report was presented at the UK Organic Research 2002 Conference of the Colloquium of Organic Researchers (COR). Organic farming systems rely on the management of biological cycles for the provision of nutrients, which are crucial to maximising the production from the system. Rotations based on the use of grass-legume leys are central to the concept of organic farming systems, because they have the potential to support both animal production, and a subsequent, exploitative, arable cropping phase. A major challenge in organic farming is managing the supply of nitrogen, since it has a key role in governing both productivity and environmental impact. Hence, within a rotational system, there is a need to understand the complex interactions that are occurring between crop species and management, livestock production system and the impact of soil and climate on these processes. To understand these interactions, a framework is being developed for rotational farming systems that describes the soil nitrogen, crop growth and livestock production. The framework must address questions that are relevant to researchers and extensions workers. Typical questions relate to the management of nutrients in the short and long-term. Additionally, there are concerns over the impact of weeds, pests and diseases on productivity, as well as the impact of adopting new strategies or crops on the farming system

Competition between wild and captive-bred Penaeus plebejus and implications for stock enhancement

The mechanisms that drive density dependence are rarely studied in the applied context of population management. We examined the potential for competition for food and shelter and the resulting demographic density dependence to influence how well populations of the eastern king prawn Penaeus plebejus Hess can recover following marine stock enhancement programmes in which captive-bred juveniles are released into the wild. Specifically, manipulative laboratory experiments were used to quantify the differential effects of competition for food and competition for shelter on survival of wild and captive-bred P. plebejus as densities were increased and as each category of P. plebejus (wild or captive-bred) was supplemented with the alternate category. Increasing population densities when food and shelter were limited lowered survival for both categories. When food was limited, survival of both categories was unaffected by addition of the alternative category. Adding wild P. plebejus to their captive-bred counterparts when shelter was limited under laboratory conditions resulted in significantly higher mortality in captive-bred individuals. In contrast, adding captive-bred P. plebejus to wild individuals under these conditions did not affect wild P. plebejus. We conclude that if the current results can be extended to wild conditions, competition for shelter may lead to the loss of captive-bred P. plebejus, thereby reducing the intended outcomes of stock enhancement. This highlights the importance of investigating interactions between wild and captive-bred animals prior to stock enhancement to predict long-term outcomes and identify situations where stock enhancement could be an effective response to the loss of populations or recruitment limitation

Book Review

Vegetation of the Tropical Pacific Islands by Dieter Mueller-Dombois and F. Raymond Fosberg, Springer Verlag, New York, 1998.733 pages, 521 illustrations. ISBN 0-387-98285-X (hardcover), $135; ISBN 0-387-987-98313-9 (softcover),$59.95

Measuring device Patent

Expulsion and measuring device for determining quantity of liquid in tank under conditions of weightlessnes

Student Nurse Clinical Experience in a Dedicated Education Unit

New graduate nurses are reporting gaps in clinical expertise and knowledge when transitioning from student to new graduate nurses. The student clinical experiences are paramount to the new graduate nurses\u27 transition into practice. It is imperative that school of nursing (SON) programs and clinical settings collaborate to provide the best possible clinical experience. One clinical model that can be utilized is the dedicated education unit (DEU). In this work, I will demonstrate the clinical impact the DEU model has in increasing clinical expertise. This will be done by reviewing peer-reviewed articles that relate to the DEU clinical module, the traditional clinical module, and the new graduate transition. This evidence will be compiled to create a pilot DEU to support the learning gaps identified by newly graduated nurses. A hospital unit that can provide consistent staff as DEU mentors on the same day every week will need to be identified. A SON program and clinical group will need to join the pilot. Collaboration between hospital leadership and the SON will be essential to meet students\u27 objectives. The development of the DEU will require education and training for the DEU mentors and clinical staff. This DEU training will need contribution from SON, including course and student objectives. The goal is to confirm both a clinical student group and an inpatient acute care unit for a DEU pilot clinical group