131 research outputs found
Dissolved organic carbon dynamics in a UK podzolic moorland catchment: linking storm hydrochemistry, flow path analysis and sorption experiments
Better knowledge of spatial and temporal delivery of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in small catchments is required to understand the mechanisms behind reported long-term changes in C fluxes from some peatlands. We monitored two storms with contrasting seasons and antecedent conditions in a small upland UK moorland catchment. We examined DOC concentrations and specific UV absorbance (SUVA at 285 nm), together with solute concentrations required to undertake end-member mixing analyses to define dominant flow paths contributing to streamflow. This was combined with laboratory soil-solution equilibrations. We aimed to resolve how seasonal biogeochemical processing of DOC and flowpath changes in organo-mineral soils combine to affect DOC exported via the stream. An August storm following a dry period gave maximum DOC concentration of 10 mg l<sup>−1</sup>. Small DOC:DON ratios (16–28) and SUVA (2.7–3.6 l mg<sup>−1</sup> m<sup>−1</sup>) was attributed to filtration of aromatic compounds associated with up to 53% B horizon flow contributions. This selective filtration of high SUVA DOC was reproduced in the experimental batch equilibration system. For a November storm, wetter antecedent soil conditions led to enhanced soil connectivity with the stream and seven times greater DOC stream-load (maximum concentration 16 mg l<sup>−1</sup>). This storm had a 63% O horizon flow contribution at its peak, limited B horizon buffering and consequently more aromatic DOC (SUVA 3.9–4.5 l mg<sup>−1</sup> m<sup>−1</sup> and DOC:DON ratio 35–43). We suggest that simple mixing of waters from different flow paths cannot alone explain the differences in DOC compositions between August and November and biogeochemical processing of DOC is required to fully explain the observed stream DOC dynamics. This preliminary evidence is in contrast to other studies proposing hydrological controls on the nature of DOC delivered to streams. Although our study is based only on two storms of very different hydrological and biogeochemical periods, this should promote wider study of DOC biogeochemical alteration in headwaters so that this be better incorporated in modelling to predict the impacts of changes in DOC delivery to, and fate in, aquatic systems
Characterisation of Laser Wakefield Acceleration Efficiency with Octave Spanning Near-IR Spectrum Measurements
We report on high efficiency energy transfer in a GeV-class laser wakefield
accelerator. Both the transfer of energy from the laser to the plasma
wakefield, and from the plasma to the accelerated electron beam were diagnosed
experimentally by simultaneous measurement of the deceleration of laser photons
and the accelerated electrons as a function of acceleration length. The
extraction efficiency, which we define as the ratio of the energy gained by the
electron beam to the energy lost by the self-guided laser mode, was maximised
at % by tuning of the plasma density, plasma length and incident laser
pulse compression. At higher densities, the laser was observed to fully
redshift over an entire octave, from 800~nm to 1600~nm.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure
Control of Length and Spatial Functionality of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube AFM Nanoprobes
Single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) nanofibrils were assembled onto conductive
atomic force microscopy (AFM) probes with the help of dielectrophoresis (DEP).
This process involved the application of a 10 V, 2 MHz, AC bias between a
metal-coated AFM probe and a dilute suspension of SWNTs. This exerted a
positive dielectrophoretic force onto the nanotubes that caused them to align
while precipitating out onto the probe. The gradual removal of the AFM probe
away from the SWNT suspension consolidated these nanotubes into nanofibrils
with a high degree of alignment as demonstrated with polarization Raman
experiments. By varying the pulling speed, immersion time, and concentration of
the SWNT suspension, one can tailor the diameter and thus the stiffness of
these probes. Precise length trimming of these nanofibrils was also performed
by their gradual immersion and dissolution into a liquid that strongly
interacted with nanotubes, (i.e., sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution).
Vacuum annealing these nanoprobes at temperature up to 450 degree C further
increased their stiffness and rendered them insoluble to SDS and all other
aqueous media. Regrowth of a new SWNT nanofibril from the side or at the end of
a previously grown SWNT nanofibril was also demonstrated by a repeated
dielectrophoretic assembly at the desired immersion depth. These SWNT
nanofibril-equipped AFM probes are electrically conductive and mechanically
robust for use as high-aspect-ratio electrochemical nanoprobes
Opportunities for mobilizing recalcitrant phosphorus from agricultural soils: a review
Background : Phosphorus (P) fertilizer is usually applied
in excess of plant requirement and accumulates in soils
due to its strong adsorption, rapid precipitation and
immobilisation into unavailable forms including organic
moieties. As soils are complex and diverse chemical,
biochemical and biological systems, strategies to access
recalcitrant soil P are often inefficient, case specific and
inconsistently applicable in different soils. Finding a
near-universal or at least widely applicable solution to
the inefficiency in agricultural P use by plants is an
important unsolved problem that has been under investigation
for more than half a century.
Scope : In this paper we critically review the strategies
proposed for the remobilization of recalcitrant soil phosphorus for crops and pastures worldwide. We have
additionally performed a meta-analysis of available soil
31P–NMR data to establish the potential agronomic
value of different stored P forms in agricultural soils.
Conclusions : Soil inorganic P stocks accounted on average
for 1006 ± 115 kg ha−1 (57 ± 7%), while the
monoester P pool accounted for 587 ± 32 kg ha−1
(33 ± 2%), indicating the huge potential for the future
agronomic use of the soil legacy P. New impact driven
research is needed in order to create solutions for the
sustainable management of soil P stocks
Understanding cycle tourism experiences at the Tour Down Under
Sport tourism experiences are subjective and emotional, laden with symbolic meaning. This study explores the experiences of participants who adopted the multiple roles of both an active participant and event spectator, within the parameters of one chosen sporting event. A professional cycling race event, the Tour Down Under in South Australia was chosen for this investigation, and 20 face-to-face individual interviews were conducted with cycle tourists. The three main themes emerging from the data were the interaction of people and temporary spaces on a sport tourism ‘stage’; the co-creation of authentic personal experiences and meanings; and identity reinforcement and the development of a sense of belonging. Consequently, a model for understanding sport event tourism experiences is proposed. The findings suggest that providing tourists with authentic and memorable experiences lies at the heart of what constitutes sport tourism. Whilst the results demonstrate that cycling events provide the individual with a sense of belonging or membership to a wider social group, they also illustrate that there is a continued need for more focused and nuanced approaches towards understanding sport tourism experiences that reflect the ever-increasing diversity and complexity of the interaction between sport, events and tourism
Inter- and intra-species intercropping of barley cultivars and legume species, as affected by soil phosphorus availability
Aims: Intercropping can improve plant yields and
soil phosphorus (P) use efficiency. This study
compares inter- and intra-species intercropping,
and determines whether P uptake and shoot biomass
accumulation in intercrops are affected by
soil P availability.
Methods: Four barley cultivars (Hordeum vulgare L.)
and three legume species (Trifolium subterreneum,
Ornithopus sativus and Medicago truncatula) were selected
on the basis of their contrasting root exudation
and morphological responses to P deficiency. Monocultures
and barley-barley and barley-legume intercrops
were grown for 6 weeks in a pot trial at very limiting,
slightly limiting and excess available soil P. Aboveground
biomass and shoot P were measured.
Results: Barley-legume intercrops had 10–70%
greater P accumulation and 0–40% greater biomass
than monocultures, with the greatest gains occurring
at or below the sub-critical P requirement for
barley. No benefit of barley-barley intercropping
was observed. The plant combination had no significant
effect on biomass and P uptake observed
in intercropped treatments.
Conclusions: Barley-legume intercropping shows
promise for sustainable production systems, especially
at low soil P. Gains in biomass and P uptake
come from inter- rather than intra-species
intercropping, indicating that plant diversity resulted
in decreased competition between plants for P
E-health: Determinants, opportunities, challenges and the way forward for countries in the WHO African Region
BACKGROUND: The implementation of the 58(th )World Health Assembly resolution on e-health will pose a major challenge for the Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region due to lack of information and communications technology (ICT) and mass Internet connectivity, compounded by a paucity of ICT-related knowledge and skills. The key objectives of this article are to: (i) explore the key determinants of personal computers (PCs), telephone mainline and cellular and Internet penetration/connectivity in the African Region; and (ii) to propose actions needed to create an enabling environment for e-health services growth and utilization in the Region. METHODS: The effects of school enrolment, per capita income and governance variables on the number of PCs, telephone mainlines, cellular phone subscribers and Internet users were estimated using a double-log regression model and cross-sectional data on various Member States in the African Region. The analysis was based on 45 of the 46 countries that comprise the Region. The data were obtained from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) sources. RESULTS: There were a number of main findings: (i) the adult literacy and total number of Internet users had a statistically significant (at 5% level in a t-distribution test) positive effect on the number of PCs in a country; (ii) the combined school enrolment rate and per capita income had a statistically significant direct effect on the number of telephone mainlines and cellular telephone subscribers; (iii) the regulatory quality had statistically significant negative effect on the number of telephone mainlines; (iv) similarly, the combined school enrolment ratio and the number of telephone mainlines had a statistically significant positive relationship with Internet usage; and (v) there were major inequalities in ICT connectivity between upper-middle, lower-middle and low income countries in the Region. By focusing on the adoption of specific technologies we attempted to interpret correlates in terms of relationships instead of absolute "causals". CONCLUSION: In order to improve access to health care, especially for the majority of Africans living in remote rural areas, there is need to boost the availability and utilization of e-health services. Thus, universal access to e-health ought to be a vision for all countries in the African Region. Each country ought to develop a road map in a strategic e-health plan that will, over time, enable its citizens to realize that vision
Inter- and intra-species intercropping of barley cultivars and legume species, as affected by soil phosphorus availability
Aims Intercropping can improve plant yields and soil phosphorus (P) use efficiency. This study compares inter- and intra-species intercropping, and determines whether P uptake and shoot biomass accumulation in intercrops are affected by soil P availability. Methods Four barley cultivars (Hordeum vulgare L.) and three legume species (Trifolium subterreneum, Ornithopus sativus and Medicago truncatula) were selected on the basis of their contrasting root exudation and morphological responses to P deficiency. Monocultures and barley-barley and barley-legume intercrops were grown for 6 weeks in a pot trial at very limiting, slightly limiting and excess available soil P. Aboveground biomass and shoot P were measured. Results Barley-legume intercrops had 10–70% greater P accumulation and 0–40% greater biomass than monocultures, with the greatest gains occurring at or below the sub-critical P requirement for barley. No benefit of barley-barley intercropping was observed. The plant combination had no significant effect on biomass and P uptake observed in intercropped treatments. Conclusions Barley-legume intercropping shows promise for sustainable production systems, especially at low soil P. Gains in biomass and P uptake come from inter- rather than intra-species intercropping, indicating that plant diversity resulted in decreased competition between plants for P
Linking the depletion of rhizosphere phosphorus to the heterologous expression of a fungal phytase in Nicotiana tabacum as revealed by enzyme-labile P and solution 31P NMR spectroscopy
Root exudation of phytase could improve the ability of plants to access organic forms of soil phosphorus (P), thereby minimizing fertilizer requirements and improving P use efficiency in agroecosystems. After 75 days growth in a high available P soil, shoot biomass and P accumulation, soil pH, and rhizosphere P depletion were investigated in Nicotiana tabacum wild-type and transgenic plant-lines expressing and exuding Aspergillus niger phytase (ex::phyA), or a null-vector control. Solution 31P NMR analysis revealed a 7% to 11% increase in orthophosphate and a comparable depletion of undefined monoester P compounds (-13 to -18%) in the rhizosphere of tobacco plants relative to the unplanted soil control. Wild-type plants had the greatest impact on the composition of rhizosphere P based on the depletion of other monoester P, polyphosphate, and phosphonate species. The depletion of phytase-labile P by ex::phyA plants was associated with decreased proportions of other monoester P, rather than myo-InsP6 as expected. Rhizosphere pH increased from 6.0 to 6.5–6.7 in transgenic plant soils, beyond the pH optimum for A. niger phyA activity (pH=5), and may explain the limited specificity of ex::phyA plants for phytate in this soil. The efficacy of single exudation traits (e.g., phytase) therefore appear to be limited in P-replete soil conditions and may be improved where soil pH matches the functional requirements of the enzyme or trait of interest
Response-based selection of barley cultivars and legume species for complementarity:root morphology and exudation in relation to nutrient source
Phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) use efficiency may be improved through increased biodiversity in agroecosystems. Phenotypic variation in plants’ response to nutrient deficiency may influence positive complementarity in intercropping systems. A multicomponent screening approach was used to assess the influence of P supply and N source on the phenotypic plasticity of nutrient foraging traits in barley (H. vulgare L.) and legume species. Root morphology and exudation were determined in six plant nutrient treatments. A clear divergence in the response of barley and legumes to the nutrient treatments was observed. Root morphology varied most among legumes, whereas exudate citrate and phytase activity were most variable in barley. Changes in root morphology were minimized in plants provided with ammonium in comparison to nitrate but increased under P deficiency. Exudate phytase activity and pH varied with legume species, whereas citrate efflux, specific root length, and root diameter lengths were more variable among barley cultivars. Three legume species and four barley cultivars were identified as the most responsive to P deficiency and the most contrasting of the cultivars and species tested. Phenotypic response to nutrient availability may be a promising approach for the selection of plant combinations for minimal input cropping systems
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