Yield and N Recovery by Grass Species in Response to Long Term Applications of Manure and Mineral Fertilizer in a Cool Maritime Climate

Liquid manure is an important source of nutrients on many modern dairy farms. Nitrogen (N) use efficiency of slurry is usually less than chemical fertilizer, but the difference is less when tested in trials lasting at least 7 years than in short term trials (Schröder et al., 2007). The efficiency of slurry manure N can be improved by minimizing loss of ammonia after application using low emission applicators. In grass stands where injection is impractical, mitigation methods often involve spreading the slurry in narrow bands directly on the soil surface. Losses of N as ammonia, nitrous oxide and leaching have been measured in many trials, but few have measured all three, while other N pathways such as runoff, denitrification to N2, and immobilization into stable soil N often go unmeasured. An alternative approach to determine total losses is to calculate the N balance (losses=inputs-outputs), but long term trials are needed to allow recovery of legacy N from manure and to account for soil N changes. This 7-year study was set up on a long term study with seven previous years of nutrient applications, where the slurry was applied with a low-emission trailing shoe applicator. The objective of the study was to assess crop yield, N use efficiency and N recovery, and to infer N losses by three important forage grasses: perennial ryegrass (PRG, Lolium perenne L.), orchardgrass (OG, Dactylis glomerata L.) and tall fescue (TF, Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)

Nitrogen Management of Forages in Relation to Gaseous Emissions – New Approaches and Considerations

Forages have a high N demand, a long growing season, and an effective root system all contributing to effective nutrient capture. However forages are restrictive in methods available for mitigating gaseous losses both as NH3 and as N2O, due to both practical and cost considerations. Strategies are needed to address the challenges of both N efficiency and N losses. Agronomic techniques in long term experiments can enhance estimates of N loss pathways and N efficiency, and demonstrate the importance of integrated multinutrient approaches. The dual manure stream concept divides manure into a thin fraction suitable as an N source for grass and a sludge fraction suitable as a P source for corn. While this represents an integrated approach, questions remain about alternate loss pathways. While grazing greatly reduces ammonia emissions it is not clear that grazing improves N use relative to confinement systems. The current levels of prospective mitigation of emissions are perhaps modest. However new approaches such as acidifying manure, novel nitrification inhibitor products, more durable legume stands, ongoing improvements in manure application methodology with increasing adoption by farmers, and novel integrated approaches will continue to make incremental improvements in reducing losses of nitrogenous gases and other reactive N species and improving nutrient efficiency of forages

Turbulence and Wave Dynamics Across Gas–Liquid Interfaces

Mechanisms are reviewed here for the distortion of turbulent flows near thin density interfaces and their effects on transfer processes across them. Firstly the results of rapid distortion calculations show how the in homogeneous eddy structure depends on whether the turbulence is generated above or below the interface, or in both regions. The flow is unstratified and the buoyancy forces are stable and strong enough relative to the inertial forces that the interface is continuous. It is shown that as the surface blocks the vertical turbulent eddy motions, horizontal straining motions are induced which affect the surface viscous layers and can then induce motions some distance from the interface on the opposite side from where the turbulence is generated. Secondly the paper reviews the physical mechanisms controlling how wind flows over monochromatic and groups of surface waves. The results of triple deck theory for turbulent shear flows, i. e. combining sheltering and unsteady critical layer mechanisms, explain why groups are the most efficient mechanism for waves to extract energy from the wind and therefore enhance transfer properties between atmosphere and water bodies. The third section of the paper reviews the mechanisms for the generation of turbulence coherent roll structures in the ocean surface layer, resulting from surface shear turbulence (normal stress variations), wave-mean shear vortex stretching and rotation, i.e. Langmuir cells, and unstable buoyancy forces (i.e. cooling at the surface) plus mean shear also via vortex rotation. Since these mechanisms are generally additive - exceptional situations exist - they are effective in transporting fluxes downwards into the ocean surface layers

The Future in Their Hands: The Perceptions of Practice Educators on the Strengths and Challenges of “Generation Y” Occupational Therapy Students

Those born between 1982 and 2002 are termed “Generation Y”. This younger generation is thought to have unique characteristics, due to the societal and technological influences that they experienced in their formative years. In occupational therapy, this group has been found to have unique attributes that have impacted on practice education. This study replicated an earlier study to affirm or refute the existence of the Generation Y student in occupational therapy from practice educator perspectives. An Australian university previously developed and administered the survey tool. In this current study, the electronic survey was sent to all practice educators listed on the database of another Australian university. Of the 54 respondents, most considered that there is a Generation Y student. Using summative content analysis, categories were generated, which were collapsed into four main themes: (a) self-assured, go getters that are team players and easily bored; (b) demanding and motivated learners; (c) technologically savvy; and (d) no difference. Practice educators viewed Generation Y students as possessing unique attributes that may contribute significantly to the profession but that also present challenges in practice education. Acknowledgment of generational differences and the value of mentorship from older generations are indicated to maximize this generation’s potential

A Report on the Status of Standards for Tenure and Promotion in Debate

In what follows, we first provide an overview of debate in order to explain the importance of the activity and then review the status of tenure and evaluation standards among directors/coaches in various types of programs across the country. A mass email was used to ask directors/coaches to submit information about the nature of their current appointment (tenure track, term appointment, and so forth) and the standards through which their performance is evaluated. In addition to seeking information about appointment and evaluation standards for current coaches, we reviewed material from previous developmental conferences and the Quail Roost document, as well as information about how faculty in theater and academic professionals in positions similar to that of a debate director/ coach are evaluated. Following the review of current appointment and evaluation practices, we develop a case for the proposed two tracks for evaluating the performance of debate coaches. We conclude with draft standards

Relationships between cortical myeloarchitecture and electrophysiological networks

The human brain relies upon the dynamic formation and dissolution of a hierarchy of functional networks to support ongoing cognition. However, how functional connectivities underlying such networks are supported by cortical microstructure remains poorly understood. Recent animal work has demonstrated that electrical activity promotes myelination. Inspired by this, we test a hypothesis that gray-matter myelin is related to electrophysiological connectivity. Using ultra-high field MRI and the principle of structural covariance, we derive a structural network showing how myelin density differs across cortical regions and how separate regions can exhibit similar myeloarchitecture. Building upon recent evidence that neural oscillations mediate connectivity, we use magnetoencephalography to elucidate networks that represent the major electrophysiological pathways of communication in the brain. Finally, we show that a significant relationship exists between our functional and structural networks; this relationship differs as a function of neural oscillatory frequency and becomes stronger when integrating oscillations over frequency bands. Our study sheds light on the way in which cortical microstructure supports functional networks. Further, it paves the way for future investigations of the gray-matter structure/function relationship and its breakdown in pathology

Virtual Reality, Ultrasound-guided Liver Biopsy Simulator: Development and Performance Discrimination

International audienceObjectives: Identify and prospectively investigate simulated ultrasound-guided targeted liver biopsy performance metrics as differentiators between levels of expertise in interventional radiology. Methods: Task analysis produced detailed procedural step documentation allowing identification of critical procedure steps and performance metrics for use in a virtual reality ultrasound-guided targeted liver biopsy procedure. Consultant (n 5 14, male 5 11, female 5 3) and trainee (n 5 26, male 5 19, female 5 7) scores on the performance metrics were compared. Ethical approval was granted by the Liverpool Research Ethics Committee (UK). Independent t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) investigated differences between groups. Results: Independent t-tests revealed significant differences between trainees and consultants on 3 performance metrics: targeting, p 5 0.018, t 5 22.487 (22.040 to 20.207); probe usage time, p 5 0.040, t 5 2.132 (11.064 to 427.983); mean needle length in beam, p 5 0.029, t 5 22.272 (20.028 to 20.002). ANOVA reported significant differences across years of experience (0-1, 1-2, 3+ years) on seven performance metrics: no-go area touched, p 5 0.012; targeting, p 5 0.025; length of session, p 5 0.024; probe usage time, p 5 0.025; total needle distance moved, p 5 0.038; number of skin contacts, p , 0.001; total time in no-go area, p 5 0.008. More experienced participants consistently received better performance scores on all 19 performance metrics. Conclusion: It is possible to measure and monitor performance using simulation, with performance metrics providing feedback on skill level and differentiating levels of expertise. However, a transfer of training study is required

KELCH F-BOX Protein Positively Influences Arabidopsis Seed Germination by Targeting PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR1

Seeds employ sensory systems that assess various environmental cues over time to maximize the successful transition from embryo to seedling. Here we show that the Arabidopsis F-BOX protein COLD TEMPERATURE-GERMINATING (CTG)-10, identified by activation tagging, is a positive regulator of this process. When overexpressed (OE), CTG10 hastens aspects of seed germination. CTG10 is expressed predominantly in the hypocotyl, and the protein is localized to the nucleus. CTG10 interacts with PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR 1 (PIF1) and helps regulate its abundance in planta. CTG10-OE accelerates the loss of PIF1 in light, increasing germination efficiency, while PIF1-OE lines fail to complete germination in darkness, which is reversed by concurrent CTG10-OE. Double-mutant (pif1 ctg10) lines demonstrated that PIF1 is epistatic to CTG10. Both CTG10 and PIF1 amounts decline during seed germination in the light but reaccumulate in the dark. PIF1 in turn down-regulates CTG10 transcription, suggesting a feedback loop of CTG10/PIF1 control. The genetic, physiological, and biochemical evidence, when taken together, leads us to propose that PIF1 and CTG10 coexist, and even accumulate, in the nucleus in darkness, but that, following illumination, CTG10 assists in reducing PIF1 amounts, thus promoting the completion of seed germination and subsequent seedling development

Comparisons of depression, anxiety, well-being, and perceptions of the built environment amongst adults seeking social, intermediate and market-rent accommodation in the former London Olympic Athletes' Village.

The Examining Neighbourhood Activities in Built Living Environments in London (ENABLE London) study provides a unique opportunity to examine differences in mental health and well-being amongst adults seeking social, intermediate (affordable rent), and market-rent housing in a purpose built neighbourhood (East Village, the former London 2012 Olympic Athletes' Village), specifically designed to encourage positive health behaviours. Multi-level logistic regression models examined baseline differences in levels of depression, anxiety and well-being across the housing groups. Compared with the intermediate group, those seeking social housing were more likely to be depressed, anxious and had poorer well-being after adjustment for demographic and health status variables. Further adjustments for neighbourhood perceptions suggest that compared with the intermediate group, perceived neighbourhood characteristics may be an important determinant of depression amongst those seeking social housing, and lower levels of happiness the previous day amongst those seeking market-rent housing. These findings add to the extensive literature on inequalities in health, and provide a strong basis for future longitudinal work that will examine change in depression, anxiety and well-being after moving into East Village, where those seeking social housing potentially have the most to gain