Intercropping wheat with pea for improved wheat baking quality

Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and wheat (Triticum sativum L.) were either sole cropped or intercropped in a complete design of five relative proportions and five density levels to determine the effects of interspecific interaction in an intercrop on wheat baking quality. It is shown how pea interspecific competitive ability for factors such as light and water results in an increase in wheat protein content without reducing other important quality parameters. Density and relative crop frequency can be used as “regulators” when specific objectives such as bread making quality are wante

Predictors of spiritual care provision for patients with dementia at the end of life as perceived by physicians : a prospective study

Background: Spiritual caregiving is part of palliative care and may contribute to well being at the end of life. However, it is a neglected area in the care and treatment of patients with dementia. We aimed to examine predictors of the provision of spiritual end-of-life care in dementia as perceived by physicians coordinating the care. Methods: We used data of the Dutch End of Life in Dementia study (DEOLD; 2007-2011), in which data were collected prospectively in 28 Dutch long-term care facilities. We enrolled newly admitted residents with dementia who died during the course of data collection, their families, and physicians. The outcome of Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) regression analyses was whether spiritual care was provided shortly before death as perceived by the on-staff elderly care physician who was responsible for end-of-life care (last sacraments or rites or other spiritual care provided by a spiritual counselor or staff). Potential predictors were indicators of high-quality, person-centered, and palliative care, demographics, and some other factors supported by the literature. Resident-level potential predictors such as satisfaction with the physician's communication were measured 8 weeks after admission (baseline, by families and physicians), physician-level factors such as the physician's religious background midway through the study, and facility-level factors such as a palliative care unit applied throughout data collection. Results: According to the physicians, spiritual end-of-life care was provided shortly before death to 20.8% (43/207) of the residents. Independent predictors of spiritual end-of-life care were: families' satisfaction with physicians' communication at baseline (OR 1.6, CI 1.0; 2.5 per point on 0-3 scale), and faith or spirituality very important to resident whether (OR 19, CI 5.6; 63) or not (OR 15, CI 5.1; 47) of importance to the physician. Further, female family caregiving was an independent predictor (OR 2.7, CI 1.1; 6.6). Conclusions: Palliative care indicators were not predictive of spiritual end-of-life care; palliative care in dementia may need better defining and implementation in practice. Physician-family communication upon admission may be important to optimize spiritual caregiving at the end of life

Estimated N leaching losses for organic and conventional farming in Denmark

The impact of organic compared to conventional farming practices on N leaching loss was studied for Danish mixed dairy and arable farms using an N balance approach based on representative data. On mixed dairy farms a simple N balance method was used to estimate N surplus and N leaching loss. On arable farms the simple N balance method was unreliable due to changes in the soil N pool. Consequently, the FASSET simulation model was used to estimate N surplus, N leaching loss and the changes in the soil N pool. The study found a lower N leaching loss from organic than conventional mixed dairy farms, primarily due to lower N inputs. On organic arable farms the soil N pool was increasing over years but the N leaching loss was comparable to conventional arable farms. The soil N pool was primarily increased by organic farming practices and incorporation of straw. The highest increase in the soil N pool was seen on soils with a low level of soil organic matter. The level of N leaching loss was dependent on soil type, the use of catch crops and the level of soil organic matter, whereas incorporation of straw had a minor effect. N leaching was highest on sandy soils with a high level of soil organic matter and no catch crops. The study stresses the importance of using representative data of organic and conventional farming practices in comparative studies of N leaching loss

Globaliseringen og økologiske fødevarer

The presentation discusses recent trends of globalization within organic food and farming in relation to the challanges, prospects and principles of organic farming. Furthermore selected results from DARCOF II are presented

Impact of Organic farming on aquatic environment

The effects of conversion to organic farming on N leaching are discussed in the presentation. Problems in European aquatic environment are presented along with the development of organic farming in Denmark and the rest of Europe. Recent Danish studies on the N leaching effects by conversion of mixed dairy and arable farms are presented. The studies estimate that N leaching is lower from organic compared to conventional mixed dairy farms, whereas N leaching at organic arable farms are comparable to conventional arable farms

Increased Microvascular Water Filtration and Blood Flow in Extensive Skin Disease

The rate of microvascular fluid transfer was estimated in 11 patients with extensive skin disease from the capillary filtration coefficient as measured by strain-gauge plethysmography on the forearm. Capillary filtration of the patients was significantly increased when compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Blood flow was increased to the same extent as capillary filtration, thus resulting in a normal mean ratio between the capillary filtration coefficient and the blood flow. On this background it is concluded that an increased capillary surface area available for exchange of fluid can explain the increased microvascular water filtration

Warmer, Wetter, Wilder? Climatic Evidence from the Grain Markets

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Cerebellar abiotrophy in an Icelandic horse

Background Cerebellar abiotrophy (CA) is an uncommon hereditary neurodegenerative disorder affecting the cerebellar Purkinje cells. Equine CA has been reported in several breeds, but a genetic etiology has only been confirmed in the Arabian breed, where CA is caused by an autosomal recessive mutation. Case presentation. Clinical and histological findings consistent with CA are reported in an 8.5-month-old Icelandic filly. The filly showed a perceived sudden onset of marked head tremor, incoordination, ataxia, lack of menace response and a broad-based stance. Cerebrospinal fluid, hematological and biochemical findings were all within the normal range, ruling out several differential diagnoses. Post mortem histopathological examination revealed Purkinje cell degeneration accompanied by astrogliosis. Assessment of the filly's pedigree revealed that its parents shared a common ancestor. Conclusions To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of CA in the Icelandic breed. The identification of a common parental ancestor makes autosomal recessive inheritance of CA in this filly possible, but this would need to be confirmed by further studies. Veterinarians and breeders working with Icelandic horses should be aware of this condition and report suspected cases in order to support genetic investigation

Autentisk muntlig kommunikasjon i russiskundervisningen

I denne studien undersøker jeg hvordan tre ulike læremidler, som brukes i russiskundervisningen i norsk skole, formidler og forbereder elever på autentisk muntlig kommunikasjon. Studien tar utgangspunkt i Sosedi 1 (2000), Møde i Petersborg (1999) og Min russiske reise (2021). Jeg har benyttet meg av læremiddelanalyse som metode, og har basert undersøkelsen på to kommunikasjonssituasjoner fra hvert av læremidlene. Kommunikasjonssituasjonene jeg har valgt å undersøke, er 1. å gå på kafé/restaurant og 2. å handle på matbutikk/marked. Analysen tar i hovedsak for seg utvalgte leksjoners innhold, med vekt på hovedtekster, fordeling av oppgavetyper og oppgaveautentisitet. Jeg undersøker også om læremidlene dekker utvalgte kompetansemål i fremmedspråk (LK20) som omhandler muntlig kommunikasjon. Analysen viser at læremidlene har ulike prioriteringer når det gjelder valg av oppgavetyper og grammatiske temaer. Konklusjonen er at ingen av leksjonene tilrettelegger for bruk av muntlig språk i autentiske kommunikasjonssituasjoner i den grad man skulle ønske. I noen tilfeller finnes det mangler i modelleringen av kommunikasjonssituasjonene gjennom tekst, mens i andre tilfeller mangler oppgaver som fremmer autentiske situasjoner. Læremidlene fungerer til å dekke ulike områder av kompetansemålene, men ingen av læremidlene bør brukes uten at læreren kompletterer med annet materiale