Characterization of Soil-Water Retention with Coarse Fragments in the Densu Basin of Ghana

The presence of coarse fragments can have profound impact on soil moisture retention characteristics. The study was conducted to assess the effects of coarse fragments on the moisture retention characteristics of 16 soil series, developed over five different parent materials in the Densu basin. Soil profiles were excavated at five locations, to depths within 1.5 m in the field. Undisturbed soil core samples and disturbed samples were taken in triplicates from the major genetic horizons of each soil type within the effective root depth of 1 m. Coarse fragments content of soil more than 2 mm was measured on mass basis by sieving through a 2-mm mesh. Soil moisture retention was determined using the pressure plate apparatus at suctions of pF 1 (1.0 kPa), pF 2 (10.0 kPa), pF 2.5 (33.0 kPa) and pF 3 (100.0 kPa) for the undisturbed and pF 4.2 (1500 kPa) for the disturbed samples.The volumetric moisture content between field capacity (FC) pF 2.5 (33.0 kPa) and permanent wilting pointing (PWP) pF 4.2 (1500.0 kPa) was used to evaluate the available water content (AWC) by volume and then converted to root zone available water capacity (RZAWC) in millimetres (mm) assuming an effective root depth of 1 m within the basin. Results showed that soils formed over granite and its associations have high percentage of coarse fragments while soils developed over phyllites and its associations have high clay percentage. Soil organic matter was high in the topsoil of all profiles, ranging from 0.81 to 4.44% compared with the horizons below, and the bulk density of the topsoils were less than the limiting value of 1.6 Mg m-3. Site-specific moisture retention characteristics of the various soil series have been delineated. It was evident from the analyses that soils containing high clay content gave high RZAWC values compared with soils with high coarse fragments. Most of the topsoils of the profiles gave high RZAWC values compared with sub-layers with high amounts of coarse fragments. Critical water for plants establishment within the basin in the surface layer was quite favourable

Responsiveness of the order fulfilment process

This paper discusses evidence from field studies undertaken to investigate the responsiveness of the order fulfilment process in a number of companies. The evidence is analysed in the context of the literature on responsiveness and related areas such as time-based competition. Similarities and differences are analysed across a number of industrial sectors with respect to order fulfilment processes and the interpretation and significance of responsiveness. Generic factors that influence different types of companies are identified. Four components of responsiveness - stimuli, awareness, capabilities and goals - emerge from an analysis of the literature. The field and case study evidence allows the development of more precise definitions and descriptions of each of these components. The study also allows a generic responsiveness framework to be developed that incorporates both strategic and operational viewpoints. The need for more field studies on responsiveness is noted. More work is advocated on the assessment and measurement of responsiveness and on developing appropriate responsiveness interventions, particularly with respect to the order fulfilment process

Digital supply chain surveillance using artificial intelligence: definitions, opportunities and risks

Digital Supply Chain Surveillance (DSCS) is the proactive monitoring and analysis of digital data that allows firms to extract information related to a supply network, without the explicit consent of firms involved in the supply chain. AI has made DSCS to become easier and larger-scale, posing significant opportunities for automated detection of actors and dependencies involved in a supply chain, which in turn, can help firms to detect risky, unethical and environmentally unsustainable practices. Here, we define DSCS, review priority areas using a survey conducted in the UK. Visibility, sustainability, resilience are significant areas that DSCS can support, through a number of machine-learning approaches and predictive algorithms. Despite anecdotal narrative on the importance of explainability of algorithmic results, practitioners often prefer accuracy over explainability; however, there are significant differences between industrial sectors and application areas. Using a case study, we highlight a number of concerns on the unchecked use of AI in DSCS, such as bias or misinterpretation resulting in erroneous conclusions, which may lead to suboptimal decisions or relationship damage. Building on this, we develop and discuss a number of illustrative cases to highlight risks that practitioners should be aware of, proposing key areas of further research

Potential effect of prior raccoonpox virus infection in raccoons on vaccinia-based rabies immunization

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The USDA, Wildlife Services cooperative oral rabies vaccination (ORV) program uses a live vaccinia virus-vectored (genus <it>Orthopoxvirus</it>) vaccine, Raboral V-RG^®(V-RG), to vaccinate specific wildlife species against rabies virus in several regions of the U.S. Several naturally occurring orthopoxviruses have been found in North America, including one isolated from asymptomatic raccoons (<it>Procyon lotor</it>). The effect of naturally occurring antibodies to orthopoxviruses on successful V-RG vaccination in raccoons is the focus of this study.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall, raccoons pre-immunized (n = 10) with a recombinant raccoonpox virus vaccine (RCN-F1) responded to vaccination with V-RG with lower rabies virus neutralizing antibody (VNA) titers than those which were not pre-immunized (n = 10) and some failed to seroconvert for rabies VNA to detectable levels.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results suggest that the success of some ORV campaigns may be hindered where raccoonpox virus or possibly other orthopoxvirus antibodies are common in wildlife species targeted for ORV. If these areas are identified, different vaccination strategies may be warranted.</p

Promoting the achievement of looked after children and young people in the City of Nottingham

As of March 2016, there were 70,440 children and young people in care in England. The number of looked after children has continued to increase steadily over the last eight years. Sixty per cent of these children are in care because of abuse or neglect and three-quarters are placed in foster care arrangements. Children and young people who are in or have experienced care remain one of the lowest performing groups in terms of educational outcomes. Last year, 14% of looked after children achieved five or more A*–C GCSEs or equivalent, including English and mathematics. As a consequence, they also experience poorer employment and health outcomes after leaving school compared to their peers. They are over-represented amongst the offender population and those who experience homelessness. However, research is emerging to show that children and young people in care can have very positive experiences of school and are supported effectively to reach their full potential academically and socially. The purpose of this report is to share practice in selected City of Nottingham schools that is contributing to improved outcomes and school experiences for children and young people in care. In July 2015, the City of Nottingham Virtual School (VS) commissioned UCL Institute of Education to run their Promoting the Achievement of Looked After Children (PALAC) programme with seven schools in the Local Authority (LA). This report presents an account of the programme, including the activities undertaken by the participants and the outcomes of the programme to date for pupils in care and staff in the participating schools

Oct4 differentially regulates chromatin opening and enhancer transcription in pluripotent stem cells

The transcription factor Oct4 is essential for the maintenance and induction of stem cell pluripotency, but its functional roles are not fully understood. Here, we investigate the functions of Oct4 by depleting and subsequently recovering it in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and conducting a time-resolved multiomics analysis. Oct4 depletion leads to an immediate loss of its binding to enhancers, accompanied by a decrease in mRNA synthesis from its target genes that are part of the transcriptional network that maintains pluripotency. Gradual decrease of Oct4 binding to enhancers does not immediately change the chromatin accessibility but reduces transcription of enhancers. Conversely, partial recovery of Oct4 expression results in a rapid increase in chromatin accessibility, whereas enhancer transcription does not fully recover. These results indicate different concentration-dependent activities of Oct4. Whereas normal ESC levels of Oct4 are required for transcription of pluripotency enhancers, low levels of Oct4 are sufficient to retain chromatin accessibility, likely together with other factors such as Sox2

Patency of arterial repairs from wartime extremity vascular injuries

Background: Extremity vascular injury (EVI) causes significant disability in Veterans of the Afghanistan/Iraq conflicts. Advancements in acute trauma care improved survival and decreased amputations. The study of wartime EVI has relied on successful limb salvage as a surrogate for vascular repair. We used imaging studies as a specific measure of arterial repair durability. Methods: Service members with EVI were identified using the Department of Defense Trauma Registry and validated by chart abstraction. Inclusion criteria for the arterial patency subgroup included an initial repair attempt with subsequent imaging reports (duplex ultrasound, CT angiography, and angiogram) documenting initial patency. Results: The cohort of 527 included 140 Veterans with available imaging studies for 143 arterial repairs; median follow-up from injury time to last available imaging study was 19 months (Q1-Q3: 3-58; range: 1-175). Injury mechanism was predominantly explosions (52%) and gunshot wounds (42%). Of the 143 arterial repairs, 81% were vein grafts. Eight repairs were occluded, replaced or included in extremity amputations. One upper extremity and three transtibial late amputations were performed for chronic pain and poor function averaging 27 months (SD: 4; range: 24-32). Kaplan-Meier analysis estimated patency rates of 99%, 97%, 95%, 91% and 91% at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively, with similar results for upper and lower extremity repairs. Explosive and gunshot wound injury mechanisms had similar patency rates and upper extremity injuries repaired with vein grafts had increased patency. Conclusions: Arterial repair mid-term patency in combat-related extremity injuries is excellent based on imaging studies for 143 repairs. Assertive attempts at acute limb salvage and vascular repair are justified with decisions for amputation versus limb salvage based on the overall condition of the patient and degree of concomitant nerve, orthopedic and soft tissue injuries rather than the presence of arterial injuries. Level of evidence: Therapeutic/care management, level IV

Blood biomarkers for cognitive decline and clinical progression in a Mexican American cohort

Introduction: The clinical translation of biofluid markers for dementia requires validation in diverse cohorts. The study goal was to evaluate if blood biomarkers reflecting diverse pathophysiological processes predict disease progression in Mexican American adults. Methods: Mexican American adults (n = 745), 50 years of age and older, completed annual assessments over a mean of 4 years. Serum collected at baseline was assayed for total tau, neurofilament light (NFL), ubiquitin carboxyl‐terminal hydrolase LI, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), soluble cluster of differentiation 14 (sCD14), and chitinase‐3‐like protein 1 (YKL‐40). Results: Higher GFAP and NFL were associated with global cognitive decline. Only GFAP was associated with increased incident dementia risk (hazard ratio: 1.611 (95% confidence interval: 1.204‐2.155)) and inclusion of additional biomarkers did not improve model fit. Discussion: Among a panel of six blood biomarkers previously associated with neurodegenerative disease, only GFAP predicted incident dementia in our cohort. The findings suggest that blood GFAP levels may aid dementia‐risk prediction among Mexican American adults

ST2 in patients with severe aortic stenosis and heart failure

Background: ST2 is a circulating biomarker that is well established for predicting outcome in heart failure (HF). This is the first study to look at ST2 concentrations in optimally treated patients with stable but significant left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) compared to patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS).Methods: Two cohorts were retrospectively studied: 94 patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valveimplantation for severe AS (63 with normal ejection fraction [EF] and 31 with reduced EF), and 50 patients with severe LVSD from non-valvular causes. ST2 pre-procedural samples were taken, and repeated again at 3 and 6 months. Patients were followed-up for 2 years. Data was analyzed using SPSS software.Results: Baseline concentrations of soluble ST2 did not differ significantly between the HF group and AS group with normal EF (EF ≥ 50%). However, in the AS group with a low EF (EF &lt; 50%) ST2 concentrationswere significantly higher that the HF group (p = 0.009). New York Heart Association class IV HF, baseline N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and gender were all independent predictors of soluble ST2 (sST2) baseline concentrations.Conclusions: Raised ST2 concentrations in the context of severe AS may be a marker for subclinical or clinical left ventricular dysfunction. More research is required to assess its use for assessment of prognosis and response to treatment