Biochar Phosphate Fertilizer Loaded with Urea Preserves Available Nitrogen Longer than Conventional Urea

Biochar, a carbon-rich material obtained by pyrolysis of organic wastes, is an attractive matrix for loading nutrients and producing enhanced efficiency fertilizers. In this study, poultry litter (PL) was enriched with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and MgO to produce a biochar-based fertilizer (PLB), which was loaded with urea in a 4:5 ratio (PLB:urea, w/w) to generate a 15–15% N–P slow-release fertilizer (PLB–N) to be used in a single application to soil. A greenhouse experiment was carried out in which a common bean was cultivated followed by maize to evaluate the agronomic efficiency and the residual effect of fertilization with PLB–N in Ultisol. Six treatments were tested, including four doses of N (100, 150, 200, and 250 mg kg−1) via PLB–N in a single application, a control with triple superphosphate (TSP—applied once) and urea (split three times), and a control without N-P fertilization. The greatest effect of PLB–N was the residual effect of fertilization, in which maize showed a linear response to the N doses applied via PLB–N but showed no response to conventional TSP + urea fertilization. Biochar has the potential as a loading matrix to preserve N availability and increase residual effects and N-use efficiency by plants.

Community College Presidential Leadership: How Presidents Think and Act to Support the Holistic Needs of Their Students

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore how public community college presidents draw upon data, their core values, and lived experiences to make decisions about how they can best respond to the holistic needs of their students. Method: Utilizing secondary elite focus group data with 15 community college presidents in Texas, we employed a general qualitative approach to analyze the data through a conceptual framework that integrates community college leadership and holistic student development theory. Results: Our findings revealed that community college presidents make decisions primarily through select data sources such as external survey organizations and their own core belief systems. Although community college presidents agreed on the most pressing day-to-day issues affecting community college students today, the way in which they framed their decisions and perceptions varied across individuals and institutional contexts. As such, common strategies for addressing holistic student support are presented in this study. Contributions: The residual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to impact community colleges in the short and long term. As a result, community college presidents are pressed to develop leadership competencies to enhance their decision-making process. This study offers timely implications closely tied to community college leadership and student development theory to inform how community college leaders can enact relevant, data-driven policies, and practices to support their students holistically.

Influence of weather and nutrients (FYM, N and P) on RGR, LAD, NAR and CGR to determine the productivity of maize, wheat and green gram in a cropping system

In a field experiment, conducted during 2018-19 and 2019-20 at the Research Farm, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, factorial combinations of two levels of FYM (0, 10 Mg ha−1) applied to maize; four levels of nitrogen (0, 60, 120, 180 kg N ha-1) and three levels of phosphorus (0, 30, 60 kg P2O5 ha−1) applied to both maize and wheat and subsequent residual effects on green gram were compared. The RGR was at peak in maize at 29oC and in wheat at 12-13 oC. Integral of LAD and incidental solar radiation has significantly improved CGR. The LAD and CGR also shown significant relationship with grain/ seed yield in all three crops. Slightly higher NAR in combination with LAD and SRD can significantly contribute to overall performance of crops. Results indicated that variation in yield across years due to weather fluctuations, irrespective of treatments, was about 16.7 per cent in maize (kharif), 7.93 per cent in wheat (rabi) and 16.8 per cent in green gram (summer).

Pollinator-friendly flora in rangelands following control of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum): a case study

Invasive winter annual grasses, such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) are considered serious threats to regional biodiversity. Pollinator populations that depend on the native flora are likely to be negatively impacted as these native species may be displaced by the invasive grass species. Colonization by cheatgrass is also predicted to increase risk of wildfires, as dead plant parts provide fuel in the already dry and arid regions of the western United States. Biocontrol, grazing, prescribed burning, or use of broad-spectrum nonselective herbicides have been suggested as possible means to control B. tectorum. Efficient control may facilitate regrowth of native flora that could in turn support other ecosystem functions. Reporting our findings as a case study, we describe here the results of the application of a preemergent herbicide, indaziflam, that limits germination of B. tectorum seeds. Herbicide was applied to the study locations during the months of December 2016, January 2017, and February 2017. The data reported here on the diversity of flowering plants were collected between May through September 2018. Herbicide-treated plots showed an increase in diversity and abundance of flowering plants compared to the untreated control within two seasons after cheatgrass control was implemented, suggesting that effective reduction of the population of the invasive annual cheatgrass may help facilitate the growth of native forbs. Further studies are necessary to understand mechanisms that facilitate reestablishment of native flowering species, the long-term consequences of reducing invasive annual grasses and to document any residual effects of the herbicide on ground-nesting pollinators.

Occupation and COVID-19 mortality in England: a national linked data study of 14.3 million adults

ObjectivesTo estimate occupational differences in COVID-19 mortality and test whether these are confounded by factors such as regional differences, ethnicity and education or due to non-workplace factors, such as deprivation or prepandemic health.MethodsUsing a cohort study of over 14 million people aged 40–64 years living in England, we analysed occupational differences in death involving COVID-19, assessed between 24 January 2020 and 28 December 2020.We estimated age-standardised mortality rates (ASMRs) per 100 000 person-years at risk stratified by sex and occupation. We estimated the effect of occupation on COVID-19 mortality using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for confounding factors. We further adjusted for non-workplace factors and interpreted the residual effects of occupation as being due to workplace exposures to SARS-CoV-2.ResultsIn men, the ASMRs were highest among those working as taxi and cab drivers or chauffeurs at 119.7 deaths per 100 000 (95% CI 98.0 to 141.4), followed by other elementary occupations at 106.5 (84.5 to 132.4) and care workers and home carers at 99.2 (74.5 to 129.4). Adjusting for confounding factors strongly attenuated the HRs for many occupations, but many remained at elevated risk. Adjusting for living conditions reduced further the HRs, and many occupations were no longer at excess risk. For most occupations, confounding factors and mediators other than workplace exposure to SARS-CoV-2 explained 70%–80% of the excess age-adjusted occupational differences.ConclusionsWorking conditions play a role in COVID-19 mortality, particularly in occupations involving contact with patients or the public. However, there is also a substantial contribution from non-workplace factors.

Performance of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) Varieties under Different Soil Amendments in Ndokwa, Delta State, Nigeria

Background: Pigeon pea is an important legume worldwide that is not cultivated by the farmers in Ndokwa, Delta State. Hence, the study looked at the possibility of evaluating the potential of pigeon pea in Ogume, a community in Ndokwa. Methods: Top soils were collected from a fallowed land mixed thoroughly and filled into 4 kg bags and were divided into 3. The 1st was amended with poultry manure, 2nd was NPK 15:15:15 amended and 3rd was without amendment, tested with two varieties of Cajanus cajan. The experiment was a 2 by 3 factorial, in a completely randomized design with 3 replicates. Residual effects of the amendments were evaluated in 2020. Soil samples were taken to establish the fertility status before amendment and at harvest. Data were taken on the agronomic and yield parameters and were analyzed using ANOVA while means were separated using LSD at P≤0.05. Result: Result obtained showed that the tallest plants (9.83±0.51) were observed in the poultry manure in 2019 while the fallowed plots had the tallest plants (11.17±0.49) in 2020, while in both years, the number of pods and dry pod weight was insignificant among the treatments and varieties. This shows that farmers do not need to spend much finance in amending the soil for pigeon pea cultivation in Ndokwa community, Delta State.

Ex-situ Spectroscopic Characterization of Residual Effects of Thermomechanical Loading on Polyurea

The residual effect of thermally and mechanically loaded polyurea samples was investigated in this study using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS), operating in the transmission mode. Samples of different thicknesses were submerged in liquid nitrogen and reached cryogenic isothermal condition before equilibrating at room temperature. Another set of samples were extracted from quasi-statically loaded strips. All samples were then interrogated using THz-TDS since terahertz waves exhibit nonionizing interactions with polymers, eliminating the need for any post-loading preparatory steps of the samples. The time-domain terahertz signals were used to extract the optical and electrical properties as a function of sample thickness and loading conditions. The residual effect was prominent in the mechanically loaded samples compared to a nearly negligible presence in thermally loaded ones. On average, the thermally loaded polyurea results were subtle compared to the results of the unloaded samples, whereas samples that were mechanically stretched showed a considerable difference. Spectral analysis reported the frequency-dependent, complex refractive index of virgin and loaded polyurea as a function of thickness and spectral peaks associated with fundamental vibrational modes of the polyurea structure. The spectral peaks were in good agreement with previous research while elucidating the residual effect via the disappearance of three peaks in the low terahertz regime for mechanically loaded samples. In general, the refractive index was dependent on the loading conditions. Terahertz spectroscopy was shown to be a promising tool for future in situ and in operando investigations of field-dependent polymer responses.

ASSESSMENT OF RESIDUAL EFFECTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF COVID-19 IN ELDERLY AND SENILE PEOPLE IN SHYMKENT

Первые случаи COVID-19 в Казахстане начали регистрироваться в марте 2020г. и на середину июля по официальным данным было уже зарегистрировано почти 60 тысяч случаев, в том числе 373 летальных (0,6%). Понимание истинного бремени заболевания является важным для усиления системы общественного здравоохранения и своевременного корректирования карантинных и смягчающих мер в современном мире. Название инфекции COVID-19 появилось благодаря англоязычной аббревиатуре «Coronavirus Disease 2019». Большая часть пациентов с COVID-19 полностью выздоравливает. Однако, у части из них остаются остаточные явления - одышка при легкой физической нагрузке, легкий кашель, боли и дискомфорт в области лопаток, ухудшение показателей функции сердца, отсутствие обоняния и вкуса, снижение зрения, повышенная утомляемость, бессонница, нарушение менструального цикла, выпадение волос, депрессивное состояние. Остаточные явления в значительной степени снижают качество жизни пациентов, особенно у лиц пожилого и старческого возраста, переболевших COVID-19, мешая вести прежний образ жизни, ухудшая работоспособность и способность выдерживать психоэмоциональные нагрузки. В данной статье проведена оценка остаточных явлений и последствий COVID-19 у лиц пожилого и старческого возраста г. Шымкент. The first cases of COVID-19 in Kazakhstan began to be registered in March 2020. and by mid-July, according to official data, almost 60 thousand cases were already registered, including 373 fatal (0.6%). Understanding the true burden of the disease is important for strengthening the public health system and timely correction of quarantine and mitigation measures in the modern world. The name of the COVID-19 infection appeared due to the English-language abbreviation «Coronavirus Disease 2019». Most of the patients with COVID-19 fully recover. However, some of them have residual phenomena-shortness of breath with light physical exertion, a slight cough, pain and discomfort in the shoulder blades, deterioration of heart function, lack of smell and taste, decreased vision, increased fatigue, insomnia, menstrual cycle disorders, hair loss, depression. Residual phenomena significantly reduce the quality of life of patients, especially in elderly and senile people who have had COVID-19, preventing them from leading a previous lifestyle, impairing their performance and ability to withstand psychoemotional loads. This article evaluates the residual effects and consequences of COVID-19 in elderly and senile people in Shymkent.

Residual Effects of Red Gram [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] on Growth, Yield and Quality of Fodder Maize (Zea mays L.)

Background: Bio-recycling of crop residues is contemplated as an environment friendly soil enrichment and conservation practice that sustains agricultural productivity in the long run. Legume residues are privileged by the unique nitrogen fixing capacity and rhizospheric properties that enhance soil fertility, thereby reducing the need for chemical nutrient inputs. The present study was conducted to evaluate the residual effect of red gram on fodder maize cultivated as succeeding crop in the southern laterites of Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, India. Methods: The field experiment to assess the effect of red gram residue incorporation on the growth and yield of fodder maize was carried out in the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala during June - August 2019. Fodder maize (African tall) was sown in the plots after incorporation of crop residues of red gram varieties (APK 1 and Vamban (Rg) 3) grown under different planting geometry (40 cm x 20 cm and 60 cm x 30 cm) and NPK doses (40:80:40, 30:60:30 and 20:40:20 kg NPK ha-1) and compared with the package of practices recommendation and in randomized block design (RBD) replicated thrice. Result: Significantly higher quantities of red gram residues were realised and incorporated in the treatments involving a planting geometry of 40 cm x 20 cm and an NPK dose of 40:80:40 kg NPK ha-1 in both varieties used, Vamban (Rg) 3 and APK 1 (T7 and T1). Nutrient contents in the residues and decomposition in T1 and T7 resulted in the maximum additions in soil, available N, P and K status and dehydrogenase activity. Evaluation of the residual effects of the legume on fodder maize revealed the significantly highest growth and yields in maize raised with chemical fertilizers as per package recommendation and, among the residue incorporated treatments, maximum plant height and fodder yields were recorded in the treatment in which residues of Vamban (Rg) 3 raised at 40 cm x 20 cm spacing and fertilised with 40:80:40 kg NPK ha-1 were incorporated, on par with variety APK 1 raised under same management practice. The green fodder yield with residue incorporation was 80-90 per cent that under chemical fertilizer managed treatment. Among the quality parameters, crude protein (9.30%) was the highest with chemical fertilizer application while carbohydrate content (66.23%) was the lowest.

Can dog appeasing pheromone ameliorate stress behaviours associated with anxiety in mature domestic dogs?

PICO question Does use of dog-appeasing pheromone reduce the frequency and/or severity of non-specific stress behaviours associated with anxiety in domestic dogs, older than 6 months, when compared with no treatment? Clinical bottom line Category of research question Treatment The number and type of study designs reviewed Eight controlled trials were appraised. Four were randomised and four were either non-randomised or did not clearly describe the method of allocating subjects into treatment groups. Strength of evidence Weak Outcomes reported There was no evidence that any dog appeasing pheromone (DAP) formulation (spray, diffuser, or collar) was superior. There was moderate evidence that DAP could reduce some behavioural manifestations of fear and/or anxiety stemming from thunderstorm noise and weak evidence that it could ameliorate some non-specific stress behaviours in hospitalised patients. In shelter dogs, there was mild evidence that DAP could reduce barking intensity and increase some behaviours associated with relaxation. When behavioural changes occurred, most were observed during exposure to DAP and there were minimal residual effects post-treatment. Conclusion The evidence for using DAP to manage stress behaviours associated with anxiety in dogs over six months of age remains weak. Until there is a stronger evidentiary basis, clinicians should be aware that a true clinical benefit is undetermined. Nevertheless, DAP is unlikely to cause harm and may still provide some therapeutic benefit. Therefore, DAP may still be employed in a multimodal management plan for some behaviour cases and may exert a placebo effect. However, if an owner’s financial resources are restrictive, clinicians should not prioritise pheromone therapy at the omission of other therapies that have established clinical effects How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.