Mechanical behavior of an agricultural soil

Tillage plays a major role in food production. In developed countries, farmers practice excessive tillage. Soil scientists are recommending reduced tillage practices known as conservation tillage. In developing countries such as India, farmers practice indigenous tillage which has characteristics of conservation tillage. A review of the theoretical developments in tillage mechanics showed that there exists inadequate knowledge to predict the soil failure mechanisms, to predict the tool forces, or to determine the soil modifications caused by tillage. It is shown that there is a need to develop new theoretical concepts relevant to soil failure observed in agricultural soils, and that observations in soil failure can form the bases for a better understanding of how tillage modifies soil tilth;Agricultural soils are subject to seasonal wetting and drying that create drying stress in soil. Experiments were done in a clay loam soil to investigate the effect of drying stress on soil physical properties and on soil mechanical behavior as influenced by a model tine. A dry soil was subject to three higher moisture treatments and then each of them was dried to the initial moisture content. Results showed that the dried soil physical properties significantly differed from those of the unwetted soil. Soil strength and aggregate size increased with drying stress. Soil aggregate size and tine forces were greater in dried soils as compared to the unwetted soil;Experiments in wet and dry soils showed that the tine performance and soil properties resulting from tillage depended not only on moisture content but also whether a given moisture content was obtained by wetting a drier soil or by drying a wetter soil. Results showed that, at a given moisture content, the wetted soils failed by Fracture mode and offered relatively more draft than the dried soil which failed by Preferential Fracture mode. Tine forces were higher for wetted soils than for dried soils, due to hysteresis effect caused by wetting and drying

The functions of self‐harm in young people and their perspectives about future general practitioner‐led care: A qualitative study

Background Self-harm in young people is a serious concern but a deeper understanding of the functions of self-harm in young people can tailor care and inform new clinical interventions to reduce repeat self-harm and suicide risk. General practitioners (GPs), as frontline healthcare professionals, have an important role in managing self-harm in young people. This study aimed to explore the functions of self-harm in young people and their perspectives on future GP-led care. Methods A qualitative study using interviews with young people aged between 16 and 25 years with a personal history of self-harm was conducted. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings Four distinct functions were identified: (1) handling emotional states; (2) self-punishment; (3) coping with mental illness and trauma; and (4) positive thoughts and protection. Young people valued GP-led support and felt future GP interventions should include self-help and be personalised. Conclusions These findings support clinicians, including GPs, to explore the functions of self-harm in young people aged 16–25 in a personalised approach to self-harm care. It should be noted that self-harm may serve more than one function for a young person and thus interventions should recognise this. Patient and Public Contribution A group consisting of young people with lived experience of self-harm, carers, the public, and those who work with young people who harm themselves conceived this study idea, informed recruitment methods and the interview topic guide, and supported the interpretation of findings

The CO-produced Psychosocial INtervention delivered by GPs to young people after self-harm (COPING): protocol for a feasibility study

BackgroundSelf-harm in young people is a growing concern and reducing rates a global priority. General practitioners (GPs) can intervene early after self-harm but there are no effective treatments presently available. We developed the GP-led COPING intervention, in partnership with young people with lived experience and GPs, to be delivered to young people 16–25 years across two consultations. This study aims to examine the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a fully powered effectiveness trial of the COPING intervention in NHS general practice.MethodsThis will be a mixed-methods external non-randomised before-after single arm feasibility study in NHS general practices in the West Midlands, England. Patients aged 16–25 years who have self-harmed in the last 12 months will be eligible to receive COPING. Feasibility outcomes will be recruitment rates, intervention delivery, retention rates, and completion of follow-up outcome measures. All participants will receive COPING with a target sample of 31 with final follow-up data collection at six months from baseline. Clinical data such as self-harm repetition will be collected. A nested qualitative study and national survey of GPs will explore COPING acceptability, deliverability, implementation, and likelihood of contamination.DiscussionBrief GP-led interventions for young people after self-harm are needed and address national guideline and policy recommendations. This study of the COPING intervention will assess whether a main trial is feasible

Preeclampsia

Abstract Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that if left untreated could result in maternal and/or fetal death. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy specific disorder that can affect many different body systems. That pathophysiology of preeclampsia is not completely known, but alterations in placentation are thought to cause the disorder. Signs and symptoms of preeclampsia include: elevated blood pressure, blurred or double vision, epigastric pain, severe headache, proteinuria, thrombocytopenia, kidney failure, and liver failure. Preeclampsia with severe features can lead to the development of HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets), disseminated intravascular coagulation, and eclampsia. The only cure for severe preeclampsia is delivery of the baby, however in those at risk, daily low-dose aspirin starting after 12 weeks may help prevent development of the disease. In those identified as having preeclampsia with severe features, intravenous magnesium sulfate during labor and for 24 hours postpartum may help prevent eclampsia. Early identification and education regarding prevention and treatment of preeclampsia is key in providing mother and baby a safe environment for gestation and delivery

Ionospheric TEC from the Turkish Permanent GNSS Network (TPGN) and comparison with ARMA and IRI models

Abstract: The present study investigates the ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC) variations in the lower mid-latitude Turkish region from the Turkish permanent GNSS network (TPGN) and International GNSS Services (IGS) observations during the year 2016. The corresponding vertical TEC (VTEC) predicted by Auto Regressive Moving Average (ARMA) and International Reference Ionosphere 2016 (IRI-2016) models are evaluated to realize their effectiveness over the region. The spatial, diurnal and seasonal behavior of VTEC and the relative VTEC variations are modeled with Ordinary Least Square Estimator (OLSE). The spatial behavior of modeled result during March equinox and June solstice indicates an inverse relationship of VTEC with the longitude across the region. On the other hand, the VTEC variation during September equinox and December solstice including March equinox and June solstice are decreasing with increase in latitude. The GNSS observed and modeled diurnal variation of the VTEC show that the VTEC slowly increases with dawn, attains a broader duration of peak around 09.00 to 12.00 UT, and thereafter decreases gradually reaching minimum around 21.00 UT..