Alcohol Extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica L.) Seed as Nitrification Inhibitor

After removal of the ethanol solvent, the extractive, which is rich in lipid associates, was incubated in soil with 200ppm NH4-N at rates of 5 to 30% of the NH4-N. NH4-N was supplied by ammonium sulphate and urea. Inhibition of nitrification depended on the amount of the seed extract applied and on time of incubation; application at 30% of the NH4-N was effective up to 75 days

A comparison of match demands using ball-in-play vs. whole match data in elite male youth soccer players

Effective playing time in soccer is typically 90 seconds. This data allows practitioners to gain a deeper understanding of the physical demands imposed on players and plan sessions using targets that better represent match demands

Understanding carbide evolution and surface chemistry during deep cryogenic treatment in high-alloyed ferrous alloy

The study investigates the effect of deep cryogenic treatment (DCT) on a high-alloyed ferrous alloy (HAFA) and its effectiveness on carbide evolution and chemical shifts of alloying elements. With ex-situ and in-situ observations ranging from the microscopic to the nanoscopic level, we uncover the atomistic mechanism by which DCT affects carbide precipitation, resulting in a 50% increase in carbide volume fraction. Synchrotron-based scanning photoelectron microscopy provides insight into the agglomeration of carbon during exposure to DCT. We find that Mo plays a crucial role in DCT through its modification of chemical bonding states, which is postulated to originate from the loosely-formed primordial Mo2C carbides formed during exposure to cryogenic temperatures. These in turn provide energetically favorable nucleation zones that accelerate the formation of M7C3 carbides, which serve as intermediate states for the formation of M23C6 carbides, which most strongly impact the mechanical properties. These results are supported by atom probe tomography, showing the preferential formation of Mo-rich M7C3 carbides in DCT samples, resulting from greater solute mobility. This work clarifies the fundamental mechanisms on how DCT affects HAFA, solving a long-elusive problem

High Resolution Chandra Spectroscopy of Gamma Cassiopeia (B0.5IVe)

gamma Cas has long been famous for its unique hard X-ray characteristics. We report herein on a 53 ks Chandra HETGS observation of this target. An inspection of our spectrum shows that it is quite atypical for a massive star, with abnormally weak Fe XXV, XXVI lines, Ly-alpha lines of H-like species from Fe XVII, XXIII, XXIV, S XVI, Si XIV, Mg XII, Ne X, O VII, VIII, and N VII. Also, line ratios of the rif-triplet of for a few He-like ions XVII are consistent with the dominance of collisional atomic processes. Yet, the presence of Fe and Si fluorescence K features indicates that photoionization also occurs in nearby cold gas. The line profiles indicate a mean velocity at rest and a broadening of 500 km/s. A global fitting analysis of the line and continuum spectrum finds that there are 3-4 plasma emission components. The dominant hot (12 keV) component and has a Fe abundance of 0.22 solar. Some fraction of this component (10-30%) is heavily absorbed. The other 2-3 components, with temperatures 0.1, 0.4, 3 keV, are "warm," have a nearly solar composition, a lower column absorption, and are responsible for most other emission lines. The strength of the fluorescence features and the dual-column absorption model for the hot plasma component suggest the presence near the hot sites of a cold gas structure with a column density of 10^23 cm^-2. Since this value is consistent with theoretical estimates of the vertical disk column of this star, these attributes suggest that the X-rays originate near the star or disk. It is possible that the Fe anomaly in the hot component is related to the First Ionization Potential effect found in coronal structures around active cool stars. This would be yet another indication that the X-rays -rays are produced in the immediate vicinity of the Be star.Comment: 32 pages, 4 figures (Fig. 3 colorized.) To be published in 01/10/04 Astrophysical Journal, Main Journal; included figures and updated formattin

4U2206+54 - an Unusual High Mass X-ray Binary with a 9.6 Day Orbital Period but No Strong Pulsations

Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer All-Sky Monitor observations of the X-ray source 4U2206+54, previously proposed to be a Be star system, show the X-ray flux to be modulated with a period of approximately 9.6 days. If the modulation is due to orbital variability then this would be one of the shortest orbital periods known for a Be star X-ray source. However, the X-ray luminosity is relatively modest whereas a high luminosity would be predicted if the system contains a neutron star accreting from the denser inner regions of a Be star envelope. Although a 392s pulse period was previously reported from EXOSAT observations, a reexamination of the EXOSAT light curves does not show this or any other periodicity. An analysis of archival RXTE Proportional Counter Array observations also fails to show any X-ray pulsations. We consider possible models that may explain the properties of this source including a neutron star with accretion halted at the magnetosphere and an accreting white dwarf.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Pongamia glabra: constituents & uses

The literature on karanja is evaluated critically. As with any other material, there is still a vast area of research remaining uncovered but the present information does point out areas where seeds andoil available in a large amount in the country can be utilized. To mention some of the uses, the use of karanjin as a nitrification inhibitor and karanja oil as a synergist-cum-solvent for chlorinated msecti­ cides might consume considerable amounts of these materials. Similarly, karanja cake meal can be processed and used as a cheap cattle feed. The oil is already finding considerable use in soap making.Besides, it is a potential source of fatty acid

Note on the nitrification-inhibitors in the seeds, bark and leaves of Pongamia glabra Vent.

The manurial value of P. glabra seed-cake in India has been attributed to nitrification inhibitors. In laboratory experiments with soil samples, both seed and bark extracts inhibited the oxidation of NH4-N (NH4-N concn. approx. twice that of controls at 45 days), the effect being slightly greater with the seed extract. Dried leaves had no such effect. It is concluded that components of the alcoholic seed extract may be used to increase the efficiency of ammoniacal fertilizer

Use of NHS Digital datasets as trial data in the UK: a position paper

Background: Clinical trial teams increasingly want to make use of data from healthcare systems (“healthcare data”), particularly to enhance recruitment and follow-up of participants, to reduce time and cost, and to stop the duplication of effort. However, there is continued uncertainty of how regulators regard healthcare data used for trial purposes, in terms of provenance, quality and reliability. Objectives: There were two key objectives: First, to demonstrate the data integrity of two datasets held by NHS Digital (NHSD) that are most requested by trial teams; and second, to set out an approach by which any other healthcare systems datasets can be similarly evaluated. Method: The data lifecycles of the datasets were carefully documented, mapping the flow of data from the originating healthcare provider’s databases to NHSD warehouses and onwards to clinical trials teams. These were assessed for evidence of whether the datasets are accurate, reliable, complete, contemporaneous, and well-governed. Result: The assessment method was applied to (a) the Hospital Episode Statistics Admitted Patient Care (HES APC) dataset and (b) the Civil Registration of Deaths (CRD) dataset. This paper clearly demonstrates that their collection and management through NHSD systems ensure their integrity and reliability. The datasets are accurate representations of the data held by the originating providers (acute NHS trusts and local registrars). Conclusion: Based on these findings, the HES APC and CRD datasets satisfy the assessment criteria that demonstrate they are reliable transcribed copies of the original source data. Implications: First, these datasets can be used directly for clinical trial data, with trial teams focusing on the accuracy of algorithms and processes to identify particular outcomes rather than on the integrity of the data flow. Second, this assessment approach should be used to assess whether other healthcare systems datasets are ready to be used as transcribed copies of source data, and for data providers to take appropriate steps to redress this matter if they are not