Impact of different cropping systems on properties of soil and water in different micro watersheds

Studies on soils of Navsari Agricultural University (NAU) having different cropping system were carried out in the four micro watersheds that exist in the 400 ha University campus. Soil samples from 0-15 cm depth and water samples from adjacent bore wells were collected and analyzed from different locations of micro watersheds. Soils of watersheds showed that soils texture was clay in nature, having more than 65 % clay, whereas silt was more in watershed ‘A’. Soil organic carbon content (SOC) was 0.32 %, found in the field near University play ground and the highest 0.88 %, in Forestry farm, thus underlining the need of forest species in agricultural farms. SOC levels have reduced significantly due to intensive cultivation in all the watersheds. The result of exchangeable sodium percent (ESP) is supported by the topographic features, as, ESP was more in watershed ‘B’ (5.15) than C (2.95), this showed that infiltration rate was lesser in ‘B’ as compared to ‘C’ due to availability of more sodium (Na). Available N was highest in watershed ‘A’ (246 kg/ha) followed by ‘C’ (225 kg/ha) than ‘B’ (203 kg/ha), the reason was watershed ‘A’ had only horticulture crops whereas B and C had different crops of the region. Electrical conductivity (EC) of ground water collected from wells in watershed ‘C’ was found to be very high both before (3.44 dS/m) and after monsoon (2.95 dS/m), showing that water is highly saline and not fit for surface irrigation and there is need of ground water recharging

Acting Like a Baby Boomer? Birth-Cohort Differences in Adults’ Personality Trajectories During the Last Half a Century

Society and developmental theory generally assume that there are wide generational differences in personality. Yet evidence showing historical change in the levels of adult Big Five traits is scarce and particularly so for developmental change. We tracked adult trajectories of personality in 4,732 participants (age: M = 52.93 years, SD = 16.69; 53% female) from the Seattle Longitudinal Study (born 1883–1976) across 50 years. Multilevel models revealed evidence for historical change in personality: At age 56, later-born cohorts exhibited lower levels of maturity-related traits (agreeableness and neuroticism) and higher levels of agency-related traits (extraversion and openness) than earlier-born cohorts. Historical changes in agreeableness and neuroticism were more pronounced among young adults, but changes in openness were less pronounced. Cohort differences in change were rare and were observed only for agreeableness; within-person increases were more pronounced among later-born cohorts. Our results yield the first evidence for historical change in the Big Five across adulthood and point to the roles of delayed social-investment and maturity effects.national institute of child health and human development https://doi.org/10.13039/100000071national institute on aging https://doi.org/10.13039/100000049Peer Reviewe

Microstructural evolution under low shear rates during Rheo processing of LM25 alloy

© ASM InternationalMicrostructural features of LM25 alloy processed by two different routes: (1) conventional casting, and(2)shear casting based on inclined heated surface are studied. The microstructures of the primary phase for the shear-cast samples show rosette or ellipsoidal morphologies. Heat transfer of contacting melt with the inclined tube surface and shear stress exerted on the layers of the melt as result of gravitational force are crucial parameters for the microstructural evolution. Compared to those produced by conventional casting, shear-cast samples have a much improved tensile strength and ductility due to globular microstructure

Positive and negative affect are associated with salivary cortisol in the everyday life of older adults: A quantitative synthesis of four aging studies

Research on time-fluctuating links between positive affect and cortisol is inconsistent and mostly based on young to middle-aged samples. The current project investigated how moment-to-moment changes in positive and negative affect are associated with moment-to-moment changes in cortisol levels in older adults’ daily lives and whether those associations are moderated by differences in health status (as indicated by the number of comorbidities). Affect and cortisol data collected in four separately conducted momentary assessment studies with parallel protocols were pooled to obtain a sample of N=476 individuals aged 56–88 years (Mage=71.9, SD=6.6; 52% female). Participants provided affect reports and collected salivary cortisol 5–7 times a day for a 7-day period and reported the presence of 13 different health conditions. Data were analyzed using multilevel models, with time since waking, daily behaviors associated with cortisol secretion, age, and sex controlled. Feeling more positive affect than usual was associated with lower momentary cortisol. In contrast, feeling more negative affect than usual was associated with higher momentary cortisol. Associations of momentary positive and negative affect with cortisol were weaker among participants in worse as compared to those in better health. Trait positive affectivity was associated with more curvature of waking cortisol profiles and trait negative affectivity was associated with smaller cortisol awakening responses. Findings suggest that HPA axis responses fluctuate with everyday changes in positive and negative affect in older adults, and that higher HPA reactivity may indicate preserved health in this age group

Demographical Factors, Not Lifestyle Factors, Associated with the Increase of Random Blood Glucose in Coastal Areas

Introduction: Blood glucose is an important component in the body produced by the consumption of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. A blood glucose imbalance causes an increase in the blood glucose level in the body. The occurrence of economic changes due to tourism may lead to a change in diet that can lead to increased blood glucose levels. This study aims to analyse the factors related to random blood glucose in people living in coastal tourism areas in Banyuwangi Methods: The study used a cross-sectional survey. A total of 112 respondents were recruited using the random sampling method, using two-stage cluster sampling techniques taken from the Head of household data in multiple villages. The factors studied included demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and family health history. Results: The results showed that men had 28% higher random blood glucose compared to woman. People living in Bangsring had 31% higher random blood glucose compared to those in Buluagung. Conclusion: Local health care services should put extra effort into include men and those living in Bangsring in programs to prevent Diabetes Mellitus in coastal areas

New insight into the effects of lead modulation on antioxidant defense mechanism and trace element concentration in rat bone

Risks of heavy metals-induced severe bone disorders generate interest to their toxicity. The present study was undertaken to monitor the biochemical and antioxidant status of bone of 30 and 80 days old male Wistar rats exposed to 5 week lead treatment. At the end of study, the rats were sacrificed, their long bone i.e. femur were excised, cleaned of soft tissue, minced and homogenized. Nucleic acid content, alkaline phosphatase, lipid peroxidation, catalase, glutathione S-transferase and superoxide dismutase were determined in bone. In both groups of treated animals lead treatment increased the production of malondialdehyde, while reducing activities of catalase, glutathione S-transferase and superoxide dismutase, indicating that it causes oxidative stress. Parallely with these effects lead significantly reduced the nucleic acid content and the activity of alkaline phosphatase, considered as biomarkers of osteoblast's function, conditions and development of bones. Moreover the concentrations of copper, zinc, iron and sodium were reduced in the excised bones. The present study indicates that the lead induced bone toxicity and its deteriorated development is the consequence of a primary oxidative stress. Our results may be helpful in understanding the modulation of biochemical parameters under lead toxicity