Nitrogen fertilizer requirements of corn after alfalfa

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) contributes substantial amounts of N to corn (Zea mays L.) crops that follow, but there is uncertainty concerning the amounts contributed. This causes uncertainty concerning amounts of fertilizer that should be applied to the corn. Such uncertainty is a matter of concern because rates of N fertilization influence both the profitability and the environmental costs of corn production;Studies were conducted to determine optimal rates of N fertilization for first- and second-year corn after alfalfa. Yield response trials involving seven rates of N in first-year corn were conducted at 29 locations during four years. Yield response trials involving ten rates of N in second-year corn were conducted at 24 locations during four years. The late-spring soil test and the end-of-season cornstalk test were evaluated as tools that enable development of recommendations that do not use the concept of fertilizer-N equivalence;Fertilizer significantly increased yields at 6 of the 29 trials in first-year corn. The most profitable rate of N fertilization across the 29 trials was mainly determined by cost of fertilization and value of grain, but ranged from 0 to 25 lbs N/acre at prices prevailing in the Corn Belt. These rates are lower than most producers apply, and use of the soil and tissue tests should help producers avoid unnecessary fertilization;Fertilizer significantly increased yields at 8 of the 24 trials in second-year corn. The profitability of fertilization was largely determined by ability to identify responsive trials, and the soil test was shown to have this ability. Profits would have been maximized by applying 75 lbs N/acre to trials testing less than 8 ppm by the soil test and no fertilizer to trials testing greater than 8 ppm;Overall the results show that use of the late-spring soil test and the end-of-season cornstalk test should help producers increase their profits by reducing costs of fertilization for corn after alfalfa. Additional benefits would include substantial reductions in the environmental costs associated with the use of N fertilizer

A course in local history for the public schools of Somerville, Massachusetts.

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Peer-Based Life Skills Approach to Substance Use Prevention: :The Philippine Experience

This research examines the Philippine experience in utilizing a peer-based life skills approach to substance use prevention. Recognizing the need to achieve the sustainable development goal on ensuring healthy lives and promoting healthy wellbeing for all at all ages, this intervention addresses the need to develop the students’ life skills and practical competencies. Given the strategic position of peers in shaping an adolescent’s health behavior, the program capacitated 15 youth facilitators in three public schools in Metro Manila who met the following criteria: role model, 12-15 years old, with charismatic personality, has good communication skills, willing to devote time for the training and teaching peers, and committed to helping others. The peer facilitators underwent a 4-day training and 2-day booster session on building self-esteem, personal skills, decision-making, communication, assertion, refusal, group facilitation, social and presentation skills. The skills inventory revealed that the trained peer facilitators have improved their life skills after taking part in the program. Moreover, after passing the readiness assessment, they in turn capacitated 15 of their peers per school, and a booster session was conducted to sustain positive health outcomes. Using participant observation, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions, the study revealed that the peer approach was effective in developing knowledge and life skills of junior students. It was also evident that prevention messages embedded in these life skills were more valued as young people apply them in their everyday life. It improved their relationships not only with their peers, but also with their parents and teachers. This study recommends that parents be targeted substance use prevention and that schools engage student leaders and other stakeholders for program sustainability

An experimental investigation into the origin of incised lines on a 4000-year-old engraving from Wonderwerk Cave, Northern Cape Province

An experimental investigation into the origin of incised lines on a 4000-year-old engraving from Wonderwerk Cave, Northern Cape Provinc

A Comparative Study of Qualitative and Quantitative Courses Across Three Educational Delivery Modalities

This study investigated differences in student satisfaction between qualitative and quantitative courses across three modalities: online, on ground and blended. With 21,000 respondents results indicate there are significant differences in student satisfaction between qualitative and quantitative courses. Satisfaction was higher for qualitative courses across all three modalities; it was highest for the online modify for both qualitative and quantitative courses

Mehodological Issues in the Classification of Attention-Related Disorders

The classification and identification of children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and related disorders involving learning and behavior are only rudimentarily developed. A major problem is the substantial overlap among children with attention, learning, and behavioral problems. The science of classification provides conceptual and methodological approaches addressing these problems. For successful classification of these children, major issues include (a) the need to provide explicit studies of identification criteria, (b) the need for systematic sampling strategies, (c) development of hypothetical classifications, and (d) systematic assessment of reliability and validity of hypothetical classifications. With the methodological advances provided by classification-oriented research, investigators and practitioners may be able to address issues involving definition and identification of children with attention and related disorders

Post weaning diarrhea in pigs: risk factors and non‑colistin‑based control strategies

Post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) is one of the most serious threats for the swine industry worldwide. It is commonly associated with the proliferation of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in the pig intestine. Colistin, a cationic antibiotic, is widely used in swine for the oral treatment of intestinal infections caused by E. coli, and particularly of PWD. However, despite the effectiveness of this antibiotic in the treatment of PWD, several studies have reported high rates of colistin resistant E. coli in swine. Furthermore, this antibiotic is considered of very high importance in humans, being used for the treatment of infections due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). Moreover, the recent discovery of the mcr-1 gene encoding for colistin resistance in Enterobacteriaceae on a conjugative stable plasmid has raised great concern about the possible loss of colistin effectiveness for the treatment of MDR-GNB in humans. Consequently, it has been proposed that the use of colistin in animal production should be considered as a last resort treatment only. Thus, to overcome the economic losses, which would result from the restriction of use of colistin, especially for prophylactic purposes in PWD control, we believe that an understanding of the factors contributing to the development of this disease and the putting in place of practical alternative strategies for the control of PWD in swine is crucial. Such alternatives should improve animal gut health and reduce economic losses in pigs without promoting bacterial resistance. The present review begins with an overview of risk factors of PWD and an update of colistin use in PWD control worldwide in terms of quantities and microbiological outcomes. Subsequently, alternative strategies to the use of colistin for the control of this disease are described and discussed. Finally, a practical approach for the control of PWD in its various phases is proposed

The Recognition of STEMI by Paramedics and the Effect of Computer inTerpretation (RESPECT): a randomised crossover feasibility study

Background : The appropriate management of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) depends on accurate interpretation of the 12-lead ECG by paramedics. Computer interpretation messages on ECGs are often provided, but the effect they exert on paramedics’ decision-making is not known. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of using an online assessment tool, and collect pilot data, for a definitive trial to determine the effect of computer interpretation messages on paramedics’ diagnosis of STEMI. Methods : The Recognition of STEMI by Paramedics and the Effect of Computer inTerpretation (RESPECT) feasibility study was a randomised crossover trial using a bespoke, web-based assessment tool. Participants were randomly allocated 12 of 48 ECGs, with an equal mix of correct and incorrect computer interpretation messages, and STEMI and STEMI-mimics. The nature of the responses required a cross-classified multi-level model. Results : 254 paramedics consented into the study, 205 completing the first phase and 150 completing phase two. The adjusted OR for a correct paramedic interpretation, when the computer interpretation was correct (true positive for STEMI or true negative for STEMI-mimic), was 1.80 (95% CI 0.84 to 4.91) and 0.58 (95% CI 0.41 to 0.81) when the computer interpretation was incorrect (false positive for STEMI or false negative for STEMI-mimic). The intraclass correlation coefficient for correct computer interpretations was 0.33 for participants and 0.17 for ECGs, and for incorrect computer interpretations, 0.06 for participants and 0.01 for ECGs. Conclusions : Determining the effect of computer interpretation messages using a web-based assessment tool is feasible, but the design needs to take clustered data into account. Pilot data suggest that computer messages influence paramedic interpretation, improving accuracy when correct and worsening accuracy when incorrect