Strategies for optimal fertiliser management of vegetable crops in Europe

In Europe a number of procedures are used to assist growers and advisors to determine optimal N fertiliser recommendations. The implementation of European Union (EU) legislation is encouraging the adoption of fertiliser recommendation schemes. The most widely used schemes are those based on soil testing or on the use of indices that estimate the soil nitrogen supply. Soil testing approaches that are in use, particularly in NW Europe are the Nmin, KNS and N-Expert systems; the latter is operated as a computer-based decision support system (DSS). The comprehensive RB209 Fertiliser Manual of England and Wales uses soil N supply indices, but soil analysis can also be used. Nitrogen balance calculations are widely used throughout Europe and form part of the KNS and N-Expert systems, and a number of other DSSs. The N balance considers the various soil N sources and treats mineral N fertiliser as a supplemental N source. The EU-Rotate_N simulation model is a comprehensive and versatile tool, developed for diverse European conditions, that is useful for scenario analysis simulations to stakeholders. Various DSS have been developed in different European countries, with different levels of complexity. There are a number of different DSS that calculate N fertiliser recommendations for particular cropping systems; some DSS calculate the requirements for other nutrients, and some also do so for irrigation which is particularly useful where fertigation is used. Sap analysis has been shown to be sensitive to crop nutrient status, for N and some other nutrients; currently, there is renewed interest in sap analysis. Proximal optical sensors are a promising approach for N management

Estimating nonresponse bias and mode effects in a mixed mode survey

In mixed-mode surveys, it is difficult to separate sample selection differences from mode-effects that can occur when respondents respond in different interview settings. This paper provides a framework for separating mode-effects from selection effects by matching very similar respondents from different survey modes using propensity score matching. The answer patterns of the matched respondents are subsequently compared. We show that matching can explain differences in nonresponse and coverage in two Internet-samples. When we repeat this procedure for a telephone and Internet-sample however, differences persist between the samples after matching. This indicates the occurrence of mode-effects in telephone and Internet surveys. Mode-effects can be problematic; hence we conclude with a discussion of designs that can be used to explicitly study mode-effects

Patient values in physiotherapy practice, a qualitative study

Objectives: Physiotherapy is, like all healthcare professions, relational and value-laden. Patient-centred care, evidence-based practice and value-based practices are concepts in which patient values lie at the heart of high-quality healthcare practices. Nevertheless, physiotherapists have limited awareness of what patient values are in the physiotherapy encounter. The purpose of this study is to explore these patient values. Methods: A qualitative study design using content analysis was used involving 17 adult participants with chronic or recurrent musculoskeletal pain. Data were collected during July 2015–July 2016 in three primary care physiotherapy facilities in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Two researchers analysed the interviews and derived relevant codes from the data. After an iterative process of comparing, analysing, conceptualizing, and discussing the data, a pre-existing analytic framework was refined in which distinct values were delineated. Results: Emerging patient values were encompassed in three themes, each consisting of two to four elements: (1) values about oneself (uniqueness and autonomy), (2) values regarding actions of the professional (technically skilled professional, conscientious professional, compassionate professional, responsive professional) and (3) values regarding interactions between patients and the professionals (partnership and empowerment). Conclusion: This study emphasizes the need for discussing patient values in the clinical encounter and helps physiotherapists to understand what deems to be important for patients with musculoskeletal pain in physiotherapy practice. The results of this study contribute to the existing body of knowledge of this important aspect of the quality of physiotherapy practice and may inspire clinicians and educators to actively implement patient values in clinical practice and the physiotherapy education

Anti-phase domains and magnetism in epitaxial magnetite layers

Recent studies show that the magnetic properties of epitaxial thin films of magnetite (Fe3O4) deviate strongly from bulk behavior: it is difficult to saturate thin films, ultrathin films may become super paramagnetic, their saturation magnetization drops to zero, and the local magnetic moments are oriented out of plane in zero field. The possible relationship between this anomalous behavior and the occurrence of anti-phase boundaries (APBs) is discussed. Transmission electron microscopy images confirm that APBs are present in our Fe3O4 films grown by molecular beam epitaxy on MgO(100). Only APBs with out-of-plane shift vectors are visible. The much higher APB density found in sputtered films suggests that preparation conditions are important. To explain the deviating saturation and the superparamagnetic behavior of thin Fe3O4 films at the same time, the magnetic coupling over the APB must be dramatically reduced due to spin disorder along the boundaries

Combined and single effects of pesticide carbaryl and toxic Microcystis aeruginosa on the life history of Daphnia pulicaria

The combined influence of a pesticide (carbaryl) and a cyanotoxin (microcystin LR) on the life history of Daphnia pulicaria was investigated. At the beginning of the experiments animals were pulse exposed to carbaryl for 24 h and microcystins were delivered bound in Microcystis’ cells at different, sub-lethal concentrations (chronic exposure). In order to determine the actual carbaryl concentrations in the water LC–MS/MS was used. For analyses of the cyanotoxin concentration in Daphnia’s body enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used. Individual daphnids were cultured in a flow-through system under constant light (16 h of light: 8 h of dark), temperature (20°C), and food conditions (Scenedesmus obliquus, 1 mg of C l−1). The results showed that in the treatments with carbaryl egg numbers per female did not differ significantly from controls, but the mortality of newborns increased significantly. Increasing microcystin concentrations significantly delayed maturation, reduced size at first reproduction, number of eggs, and newborns. The interaction between carbaryl and Microcystis was highly significant. Animals matured later and at a smaller size than in controls. The number of eggs per female was reduced as well. Moreover, combined stressors caused frequent premature delivery of offspring with body deformations such as dented carapax or an undeveloped heart. This effect is concluded to be synergistic and could not be predicted from the effects of the single stressors.

Efficacy of paracetamol, diclofenac and advice for acute low back pain in general practice: design of a randomized controlled trial (PACE Plus)

Background: Low back pain is common and associated with a considerable burden to patients and society. There is uncertainty regarding the relative benefit of paracetamol and diclofenac and regarding the additional effect of pain medication compared with advice only in patients with acute low back pain. This trial will assess the effectiveness of paracetamol, diclofenac and placebo for acute low back pain over a period of 4 weeks. Furthermore, this trial will assess the additional effectiveness of paracetamol, diclofenac and placebo compared with advice only for acute low back pain over a period of 4 weeks. Methods: The PACE Plus trial is a multi-center, placebo-blinded, superiority randomized controlled trial in primary care, with a follow-up of 12 weeks. Patients with acute low back pain aged 18-60 years presenting in general practice will be included. Patients are randomized into four groups: 1) Advice only (usual care conforming with the clinical guideline of the Dutch College of General Practitioners); 2) Advice and paracetamol; 3) Advice and diclofenac; 4) Advice and placebo. The primary outcome is low back pain intensity measured with a numerical rating scale (0-10). Secondary outcomes include compliance to treatment, disability, perceived recovery, costs, adverse reactions, satisfaction, sleep quality, co-interventions and adequacy of blinding. Between group differences for low back pain intensity will be evaluated using a repeated measurements analysis with linear effects models. An economic evaluation will be performed using a cost-effectiveness analysis with low back pain intensity and a cost-utility analysis with quality of life. Explorative analyses will be performed to assess effect modification by predefined variables. Ethical approval has been granted. Trial results will be released to an appropriate peer-viewed journal. Discussion: This paper presents the design of the PACE Plus trial: a multi-center, placebo-blinded, superiority randomized controlled trial in primary care that will assess the effectiveness of advice only, paracetamol, diclofenac and placebo for acute low back pain. Trial registration: Dutch Trial Registration NTR6089 , registered September 14th, 2016. Protocol: Version 4, June 2016