bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MANAGEMENT OF APPENDICITIS THROUGH AYURVEDIC MEDICINES: A CASE REPORT
Authors: M Arjun , Gharote Archana Prashant , P Salini , Ramugade Divya , T Reshma
Published: March 2024

Appendicitis is inflammation of the vermiform appendix. It has an approximate incidence of 233 per 100,000 people. This is a case of a 7-year-old boy diagnosed with appendicitis and suggested appendicectomy by the modern fraternity. His parents were reluctant to do surgery and took him to our Outpatient Department (OPD). The appendix was distended with a diameter of 7.3 mm in the Ultra Sono Graphy (USG) report. After detailed evaluation and dosha dushya assessment, the treatment adopted was that of Pitta Kapha Gulma and Antar vidradhi and given OP-level treatment. Pathya ahara (appropriate diet regimen) was strictly advised along with medicines. After one month of treatment, the size of the appendix was reduced to 5.3 mm. The medicines were discontinued and Charngeryadi ghrita was given for 2 months. The patient was completely recovered, and no recurrence has been observed.
Global Trends and Correlations in Mental Health Disorders: A Comprehensive Analysis from 1990 to 2019
Authors: Thornton Owen R. , Wenjun Li
Published: March 2024

This original paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the prevalence and trends in mental health disorders (n=6,420) from 1990 to 2019. Utilizing a sourced dataset, statistical methods are used to explore the increasing rates of mental health disorders, with a focus on healthcare workers, gender disparities, and geographical variations. The study reveals a significant increase in the prevalence of mental health disorders over the past three decades. Healthcare workers were found to be at a particularly higher risk for adverse mental health outcomes. Additionally, the data showed notable geographical variations, indicating the need for region-specific healthcare policies. Gender disparities were also evident, emphasizing the importance of gender-specific mental health interventions. Policymakers and healthcare providers should consider these findings to implement effective mental health programs, especially for at-risk groups like healthcare workers. The study also highlights the need for future research to provide a more comprehensive understanding of mental health trends globally.
Management of Dipteran Pests Through Entomopathogenic Nematodes
Authors: Devi Gitanjali
Published: March 2024

Dipteran insects are most destructive agricultural pests. They are also vectors of many diseases of human and animal. Much effort has been made to control this pest through chemical treatment. The application of biological control agents has been advocated as an ecofriendly control method for insect pests. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are obligate insect parasites that can be effective biocontrol agents for many agricultural pests including many Dipteran insect pests. EPNs pose much less threat to the environment than chemical pesticides. However, several biotic and abiotic factors along with method of application influence the bioefficacy of this organism against Dipteran insects. This review paper provides an overview of developments in entomopathogenic nematode research and evaluation of their potential for use against Dipteran insect pests.
Enhancing Uniform Sprouting, Yield, and Quality in Grapevines: The Impact of Hydrogen Cyanamide (50% S.L) Treatment
Authors: Kokare H. D. , Ramteke S. D. , Varma S. , Sawant N. V. , Mapari A. R. , Banerjee D.
Published: March 2024

Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is considered as one of the most important commercial fruit crops in temperate, tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In India grape cultivation in tropical and subtropical regions assumes great significance, but one of the biggest issues preventing grapes from being produced in warm climates has been the lack of or insufficient winter chilling. Under these circumstances, there is uneven bud bursting, flowering, and delayed fruit development. The most crucial component of grape development is, consistent bud breaking is required to increase grape quality and maturity. Many plant growth regulators are used to promote bud burst and increase the proportion of bud break. Several locations across the world utilize plant growth regulators to intentionally cause bud break. The application of Hydrogen Cyanamide (H2CN2) during pruning time of grapes, helps to enhance growth uniformity, encourage earlier and more even bud break, raises the proportion of fruit buds, berry set, number of clusters per vine, weight of clusters, and dimensions of clusters. It also gives positive response to various metabolic activities; maximize yield and Maturity, Fruit quality, as well as production efficiency. In grape orchards, it is commonly used to promote consistent and improved bud burst, shortened flowering period, and boost output.
γ‐Radiation‐induced graft copolymerization of acrylic acid onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) films: A study by thermal analysis
Authors: Kattan M. , El‐Nesr E.
Published: July 2006

The grafting of acrylic acid onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) films with γ radiation was carried out. The effects of different parameters, such as the monomer concentration, inhibitor concentration, and irradiation dose, on the grafting yield were investigated. The grafting yield depended on these parameters, and its maximum value was obtained at a 1.5% inhibitor concentration and a 40% monomer concentration. The obtained grafting films were characterized with water swelling measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results of differential scanning calorimetry showed decreases in the heat capacity step and the glass‐transition temperature with increasing grafting yield. The ability of poly(ethylene terephthalate) to crystallize and the size of the crystalline domains were affected by the grafting. The grafted poly(ethylene terephthalate) that was obtained was tested as an ion exchanger for copper, nickel, cobalt, and lead. The capacity of the grafted films for ion recovery was dependent on the grafting yield. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 198–203, 2006
Precision branching in ethylene copolymers: Synthesis and thermal behavior
Authors: Berda Erik B. , Baughman Travis W. , Wagener Kenneth B.
Published: July 2006

Acyclic diene metathesis polymerization allows the synthesis of sequenced polyethylene copolymers via step‐growth propagation, thereby avoiding the inherent side reactions associated with chain polymerization. Here we review the synthesis and thermal behavior of ADMET polyethylene (PE) as well as ethylene/propylene (EP), ethylene/butene (EB), ethylene/octane (EO), and ethylene/vinyl ether (EVE) copolymers prepared by ADMET. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4981–4989, 2006
Well‐defined polymers with acetal side chains as reactive scaffolds synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization
Authors: Li Ronald C. , Broyer Rebecca M. , Maynard Heather D.
Published: July 2006

The synthesis of a polymer with acetal functionalized side chains, deprotection to aldehydes, and conjugation of aminooxy‐modified molecules is reported. Poly(3,3′‐diethoxypropyl methacrylate) (PDEPMA) was prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Kinetic investigation of the ATRP of DEPMA from ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate in methanol with copper (I) bromide and 2,2′‐bipyridine (BIPY) at ambient temperature revealed a controlled polymerization. Altering the initial monomer to initiator ratios resulted in 75–93% conversion to polymers with different molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions (PDIs < 1.3). Reactive aldehyde groups were produced by hydrolysis of the acetals in dilute acid. Aminooxy‐functionalized oligo(ethylene glycol) and O‐(carboxymethyl)hydroxylamine were conjugated to the side chains via oxime linkages. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5004–5013, 2006
The Wilms tumor gene,
Wt1
, is required for
Sox9
expression and maintenance of tubular architecture in the developing testis
Authors: Gao Fei , Maiti Sourindra , Alam Nargis , Zhang Zhen , Deng Jian Min , Behringer Richard R. , Lécureuil Charlotte , Guillou Florian , Huff Vicki
Published: July 2006

Mutation of the transcription factor and tumor suppressor gene
WT1
results in a range of genitourinary anomalies in humans, including 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis, indicating that
WT1
plays a critical role in sex determination. However, because knockout of
Wt1
in mice results in apoptosis of the genital ridge, it is unknown whether
WT1
is required for testis development after the initial steps of sex determination. To address this question, we generated a mouse strain carrying a
Wt1
conditional knockout allele and ablated
Wt1
function specifically in Sertoli cells by embryonic day 14.5, several days after testis determination.
Wt1
knockout resulted in disruption of developing seminiferous tubules and subsequent progressive loss of Sertoli cells and germ cells such that postnatal mutant testes were almost completely devoid of these cell types and were severely hypoplastic. Thus,
Wt1
is essential for the maintenance of Sertoli cells and seminiferous tubules in the developing testes. Of particular note, expression of the testis-determining gene
Sox9
in mutant Sertoli cells was turned off at embryonic day 14.5 after
Wt1
ablation, suggesting that WT1 regulates
Sox9
, either directly or indirectly, after
Sry
expression ceases. Our data, along with previous work demonstrating the role of
Wt1
at early stages of gonadal development, thus indicate that
Wt1
is essential at multiple steps in testicular development.
Red blood with blue-blood ancestry: Intriguing structure of a snail hemoglobin
Authors: Lieb Bernhard , Dimitrova Konstantina , Kang Hio-Sun , Braun Sabrina , Gebauer Wolfgang , Martin Andreas , Hanelt Ben , Saenz Steven A. , Adema Coen M. , Markl Jürgen
Published: July 2006

The phylogenetic enigma of snail hemoglobin, its isolated occurrence in a single gastropod family, the Planorbidae, and the lack of sequence data, stimulated the present study. We present here the complete cDNA and predicted amino acid sequence of two hemoglobin polypeptides from the planorbid
Biomphalaria glabrata
(intermediate host snail for the human parasite
Schistosoma mansoni
). Both isoforms contain 13 different, cysteine-free globin domains, plus a small N-terminal nonglobin “plug” domain with three cysteines for subunit dimerization (total
M
r
≈ 238 kDa). We also identified the native hemoglobin molecule and present here a preliminary 3D reconstruction from electron microscopical images (3 nm resolution); it suggests a 3 × 2-mer quaternary structure (
M
r
≈ 1.43 MDa). Moreover, we identified a previously undescribed rosette-like hemolymph protein that has been mistaken for hemoglobin. We also detected expression of an incomplete hemocyanin as trace component. The combined data show that
B. glabrata
hemoglobin evolved from pulmonate myoglobin, possibly to replace a less-efficient hemocyanin, and reveals a surprisingly simple evolutionary mechanism to create a high molecular mass respiratory protein from 78 similar globin domains.
The inflammatory NADPH oxidase enzyme modulates motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice
Authors: Wu Du-Chu , Ré Diane Bérangère , Nagai Makiko , Ischiropoulos Harry , Przedborski Serge
Published: July 2006

ALS is a fatal paralytic disorder characterized by a progressive loss of spinal cord motor neurons. Herein, we show that NADPH oxidase, the main reactive oxygen species-producing enzyme during inflammation, is activated in spinal cords of ALS patients and in spinal cords in a genetic animal model of this disease. We demonstrate that inactivation of NADPH oxidase in ALS mice delays neurodegeneration and extends survival. We also show that NADPH oxidase-derived oxidant products damage proteins such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) receptors, which are located on motor neurons. Our
in vivo
and
in vitro
data indicate that such an oxidative modification hinders the IGF1/Akt survival pathway in motor neurons. These findings suggest a non-cell-autonomous mechanism through which inflammation could hasten motor neuron death and contribute to the selective motor neuronal degeneration in ALS.
The cerebrocortical response to hyperinsulinemia is reduced in overweight humans: A magnetoencephalographic study
Authors: Tschritter Otto , Preissl Hubert , Hennige Anita M. , Stumvoll Michael , Porubska Katarina , Frost Rebekka , Marx Hannah , Klösel Benjamin , Lutzenberger Werner , Birbaumer Niels , Häring Hans-Ulrich , Fritsche Andreas
Published: July 2006

Animal studies have shown that the brain is an insulin-responsive organ and that central nervous insulin resistance induces obesity and disturbances in glucose metabolism. In humans, insulin effects in the brain are poorly characterized. We used a magnetoencephalography approach during a two-step hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp to (
i
) assess cerebrocortical insulin effects in humans, (
ii
) compare these effects between 10 lean and 15 obese subjects, and (
iii
) test whether the insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 Gly972Arg polymorphism in the insulin-signaling cascade modifies these effects. Both spontaneous and stimulated (mismatch negativity) cortical activity were assessed. In lean humans, stimulated cortical activity (
P
= 0.046) and the beta and theta band of spontaneous cortical activity (
P
= 0.01 and 0.04) increased with insulin infusion relative to saline. In obese humans, these effects were suppressed. Moreover, the insulin effect on spontaneous cortical activity correlated negatively with body mass index and percent body fat (all
r
< −0.4; all
P
< 0.05) and positively with insulin sensitivity of glucose disposal (theta band,
r
= 0.48,
P
= 0.017). Furthermore, insulin increased spontaneous cortical activity (beta band) in carriers of wild-type IRS-1, whereas, in carriers of the 972Arg allele, this insulin effect was absent (
P
= 0.01). We conclude that, in lean humans, insulin modulates cerebrocortical activity, and that these effects are diminished in obese individuals. Moreover, cerebrocortical insulin resistance is found in individuals with the Gly972Arg polymorphism in IRS-1, which is considered a type 2 diabetes risk gene.
Singular value decomposition of genome-scale mRNA lengths distribution reveals asymmetry in RNA gel electrophoresis band broadening
Authors: Alter Orly , Golub Gene H.
Published: July 2006

We describe the singular value decomposition (SVD) of yeast genome-scale mRNA lengths distribution data measured by DNA microarrays. SVD uncovers in the mRNA abundance levels data matrix of genes × arrays, i.e., electrophoretic gel migration lengths or mRNA lengths, mathematically unique decorrelated and decoupled “eigengenes.” The eigengenes are the eigenvectors of the arrays × arrays correlation matrix, with the corresponding series of eigenvalues proportional to the series of the “fractions of eigen abundance.” Each fraction of eigen abundance indicates the significance of the corresponding eigengene relative to all others. We show that the eigengenes fit “asymmetric Hermite functions,” a generalization of the eigenfunctions of the quantum harmonic oscillator and the integral transform which kernel is a generalized coherent state. The fractions of eigen abundance fit a geometric series as do the eigenvalues of the integral transform which kernel is a generalized coherent state. The “asymmetric generalized coherent state” models the measured data, where the profiles of mRNA abundance levels of most genes as well as the distribution of the peaks of these profiles fit asymmetric Gaussians. We hypothesize that the asymmetry in the distribution of the peaks of the profiles is due to two competing evolutionary forces. We show that the asymmetry in the profiles of the genes might be due to a previously unknown asymmetry in the gel electrophoresis thermal broadening of a moving, rather than a stationary, band of RNA molecules.
A Standardized Method for Analysis ofMedicago truncatulaPhenotypic Development
Authors: Bucciarelli Bruna , Hanan Jim , Palmquist Debra , Vance Carroll P.
Published: July 2006

Medicago truncatula has become a model system to study legume biology. It is imperative that detailed growth characteristics of the most commonly used cultivar, line A17 cv Jemalong, be documented. Such analysis creates a basis to analyze phenotypic alterations due to genetic lesions or environmental stress and is essential to characterize gene function and its relationship to morphological development. We have documented morphological development of M. truncatula to characterize its temporal developmental growth pattern; developed a numerical nomenclature coding system that identifies stages in morphological development; tested the coding system to identify phenotypic differences under phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) deprivation; and created visual models using the L-system formalism. The numerical nomenclature coding system, based on a series of defined growth units, represents incremental steps in morphological development. Included is a decimal component dividing growth units into nine substages. A measurement component helps distinguish alterations that may be missed by the coding system. Growth under N and P deprivation produced morphological alterations that were distinguishable using the coding system and its measurement component. N and P deprivation resulted in delayed leaf development and expansion, delayed axillary shoot emergence and elongation, decreased leaf and shoot size, and altered root growth. Timing and frequency of flower emergence in P-deprived plants was affected. This numerical coding system may be used as a standardized method to analyze phenotypic variation in M. truncatula due to nutrient stress, genetic lesions, or other factors and should allow valid growth comparisons across geographically distant laboratories.
The Plant-Like C2 Glycolate Cycle and the Bacterial-Like Glycerate Pathway Cooperate in Phosphoglycolate Metabolism in Cyanobacteria
Authors: Eisenhut Marion , Kahlon Shira , Hasse Dirk , Ewald Ralph , Lieman-Hurwitz Judy , Ogawa Teruo , Ruth Wolfgang , Bauwe Hermann , Kaplan Aaron , Hagemann Martin
Published: July 2006

The occurrence of a photorespiratory 2-phosphoglycolate metabolism in cyanobacteria is not clear. In the genome of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803, we have identified open reading frames encoding enzymes homologous to those forming the plant-like C2 cycle and the bacterial-type glycerate pathway. To study the route and importance of 2-phosphoglycolate metabolism, the identified genes were systematically inactivated by mutagenesis. With a few exceptions, most of these genes could be inactivated without leading to a high-CO2-requiring phenotype. Biochemical characterization of recombinant proteins verified that Synechocystis harbors an active serine hydroxymethyltransferase, and, contrary to higher plants, expresses a glycolate dehydrogenase instead of an oxidase to convert glycolate to glyoxylate. The mutation of this enzymatic step, located prior to the branching of phosphoglycolate metabolism into the plant-like C2 cycle and the bacterial-like glycerate pathway, resulted in glycolate accumulation and a growth depression already at high CO2. Similar growth inhibitions were found for a single mutant in the plant-type C2 cycle and more pronounced for a double mutant affected in both the C2 cycle and the glycerate pathway after cultivation at low CO2. These results suggested that cyanobacteria metabolize phosphoglycolate by the cooperative action of the C2 cycle and the glycerate pathway. When exposed to low CO2, glycine decarboxylase knockout mutants accumulated far more glycine and lysine than wild-type cells or mutants with inactivated glycerate pathway. This finding and the growth data imply a dominant, although not exclusive, role of the C2 route in cyanobacterial phosphoglycolate metabolism.
A Gain-of-Function Mutation in the Arabidopsis Pleiotropic Drug Resistance Transporter PDR9 Confers Resistance to Auxinic Herbicides
Authors: Ito Hironori , Gray William M.
Published: July 2006

Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) contains 15 genes encoding members of the pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) family of ATP-binding cassette transporters. These proteins have been speculated to be involved in the detoxification of xenobiotics, however, little experimental support of this hypothesis has been obtained to date. Here we report our characterization of the Arabidopsis PDR9 gene. We isolated a semidominant, gain-of-function mutant, designated pdr9-1, that exhibits increased tolerance to the auxinic herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Reciprocally, loss-of-function mutations in PDR9 confer 2,4-D hypersensitivity. This altered auxin sensitivity defect of pdr9 mutants is specific for 2,4-D and closely related compounds as these mutants respond normally to the endogenous auxins indole-3-acetic acid and indole-butyric acid. We demonstrate that 2,4-D, but not indole-3-acetic acid transport is affected by mutations in pdr9, suggesting that the PDR9 transporter specifically effluxes 2,4-D out of plant cells without affecting endogenous auxin transport. The semidominant pdr9-1 mutation affects an extremely highly conserved domain present in all known plant PDR transporters. The single amino acid change results in increased PDR9 abundance and provides a novel approach for elucidating the function of plant PDR proteins.
THE STUDY OF SOIL STRUCTURE IN THE FIELD AND THE LABORATORY
Authors: LOW A.J.
Published: July 2006

Summary After defining the sense in which the term soil structure is used in the paper, the various methods for studying it are discussed, followed by a brief survey of recent literature. Descriptions are then given of adaptations of various methods which have been found suitable for studying structural changes in soils in long‐term rotation experiments under the climatic conditions of Britain. As an indica‐tion of the usefulness of the methods, some results typical of those obtained in the field and laboratory are given.
SOME MOVING SOILS IN SPITSBERGEN
Authors: SMITH J.
Published: July 2006

A reconnaissance soil survey of an area of 160 sq. km. (60 sq. miles) was made in central Vestspitsbergen and the distribution of soils interpreted as a catena in which denudation has a more prominent role than in temperate regions; the more important soil characters were related to slope. The paper includes some observations on solifluction, polygonal soils, and perennially frozen ground. Finally the soils described are tentatively named according to the classifications of Kellogg & Nygard, and Kubiena.
ALPINE SOILS OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS1
Authors: RETZER J. L.
Published: July 2006

A field and laboratory study was made of soils developed in the alpine region of the Rocky Mountains. The region is a grassland above the general elevations of 10,500 ft. in Wyoming, 11,500 ft. in southern Colorado. Cold inhibits soil development.

Three groups of soils occur. Their gross characteristics are determined by drainage and variations in parent rocks from which the soils developed. The groups are described and given the names of Alpine Turf, Alpine Meadow, and Alpine Bog soils.

Only the Alpine Turf soils were studied in the laboratory. They are characterized by an organic‐carbon content of 5–20 per cent. in the surface 5–7 in. and coarse, gravelly, or sandy textures throughout. The largest amounts of sift and clay occur in the surface. The range in pH is from 4.5 to 8.4, depending on the kind of parent rock, but no marked variations occur in any horizon of any soil. Preliminary studies revealed the presence of some of the common clay minerals in the fine soil fractions. This was taken as evidence that these soils are starting on the nonnal course of soil development. The morphology is simple, consisting of an A‐B‐C profile. Horizons are more distinct in the turf soil than in either the meadow or bog soils.
NUMBERS OF BACTERIA AND ACTINOMYCETES IN A KENYA SOIL
Authors: MEIKLEJOHN JANE
Published: July 2006

The estimates of numbers of bacteria and actinomycetes derived from plate counts made from soil samples taken at Muguga, Kenya, varied with the extent to which the soil was diluted. Low dilutions gave small, and high dilutions large, estimates.

The ratio between direct counts and plate counts on the same sample was wide at first, but became narrow as the drought of early 1953 was prolonged.

The percentage of actinomycete colonies on plates was less than 30 at first but rose to over 90 when the drought was well established.

It is concluded that the drought‐resistant part of the microflora in this surface soil is almost entirely composed of actinomycete spores.
STUDIES ON SOIL MANGANESE
Authors: HEINTZE SIGNE G.
Published: July 2006

1. While results of extractions, performed in the presence of reducing agents, of mineral soils low in organic‐matter content suggested that manganese higher oxides approaching the manganese‐dioxide type are present or formed by oxidation of added manganese, results obtained with other extractants lend support to the suggestion by Dion and Mann that hydrated manganese oxides may occur in such soils.

2. From the distribution of manganese in various extracts of alkaline organic soils with or without added manganese materials, it was concluded that no difficultly reducible higher oxides of manganese are present or formed. Some evidence was presented for the view that manganese of a higher valency form may remain in combination with the organic matter or may be retained in this manner after oxidation of added manganese.

3. Divalent manganese present as a complex of the organic matter of alkaline organic soils could be estimated by extraction with a monocalcium disodium versenate solution. It constituted 10–20 per cent. of the total manganese content. Manganese added to such soils and not present as readily soluble manganese was recovered by this extractant shortly after application; manganese did not, however, remain in this form after some weeks contact with soils.

4. The organic matter of various soluble organic‐matter fractions migrated anionically over a wide pH range; that of lignin solutions remained at the iso‐electric point. Manganese already present in soluble organic‐matter fractions migrated anionically in contrast to manganese added and retained by such fractions that moved predominantly as a cation.

5. The oxidizable carbon or total nitrogen content of soluble organic‐matter fractions was not closely related to the amounts of manganese retained by such fractions in a form that was non‐dialysable against potassium chloride. Some evidence was obtained that different types of complexing groups may be present in water extracts subsequent to extraction by sodium chloride of an alkaline fen and of an acid raw‐humus peat.
THE CLASSIFICATION OF SOILS
Authors: Kubiëna W. L.
Published: July 2006

There are two possible ways of ordering natural formations: (1) by simplification in order to save time and to make possible an easy grouping by forgoing detailed specification (ordering by one or by a limited number of definite properties); (2) by forgoing simplification and by giving full weight to detailed specification in the establishment of the systematic units, in order to make possible the application of the system in every branch of general and applied science that deals in some way or other with the natural formation to be defined and ordered (ordering by differential diagnosis with no restriction to number or kind of properties).

Both the above systems of ordering are possible with soils. Both are justified, their respective application depending on aims, purposes, and necessities. They could neither fight nor help each other; they are divided from the very beginning by their different principles and goals which lead necessarily to two independent branches of soil systematics.
THE SOILS OF KERMAN, SOUTH PERSIA
Authors: BECKETT P. H. T.
Published: July 2006

No mature soils were observed in the area round Kerman, much of which was occupied by lithosols and regosols. The profiles of immature soils on the fine outwash alluvium occupying some of the broad valleys suggested that the zonal Great Soil Group would be a Reddish Desert Soil. Phosphate and potassium levels of cultivated soils on the fine alluvium are adequate or good; the total nitrogen content is low, though higher on cultivated than on uncultivated soils.
SOME CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ‘TERMITE SOILS’ IN KENYA COFFEE FIELDS
Authors: ROBINSON J. B. D.
Published: July 2006

Chemical data are presented for a number of related topsoil, subsoil, and termite‐soil samples collected in mulched coffee established on a laterized red loam coffee soil.

The comparisons of mean values for soil organic carbon, total base‐exchange capacity, total exchangeable bases, exchangeable calcium, and exchangeable magnesium show that there is no statistically significant mean difference between the topsoil and termite‐soil sample results. The subsoil sample results, however, are significantly lower than either the topsoil or termite‐soil samples in all these results.

Similar comparisons of the mean values for soil pH and exchangeable calcium plus magnesium, when expressed as a percentage of the total exchangeable bases, show that the soil has been altered by Odontotermes badius(Hav.) in constructing the ‘runs; it is left with a higher pH value and with an increased proportion of the total exchangeable bases present as calcium plus magnesium.

It is not possible from these results to say conclusively whether the termite soil samples are derived from the adjacent topsoil or subsoil.

It is concluded that the presence of the termite soil which eventually becomes intimately mixed with the topsoil during cultivation and weed‐control operations is not a point to be considered against Odontotermes badius(Hav.) when assessing the ‘pros and cons’ of its presence in mulched coffee.
STUDIES ON THE BASALTIC SOILS OF NORTHERN IRELAND IV. MINERALOGICAL STUDY OF THE CLAY SEPARATES (<2μ)
Authors: McALEESE D. M. , MITCHELL W. A.
Published: July 2006

The clay separates (<2μ) isolated from the horizons of ten basaltic soil profiles are shown by X‐ray analysis to have a mixedmineralogical composition; the type and amount of each mineral present being dependent on the drainage conditions within the profile.

Kaolin, the end product of weathering, generally predominates in surface horizons. Vermiculite is formed in well‐drained profiles, but where gleying symptoms are evident vermiculite is replaced by montmorillonite, the amount of which increases with increased degree of waterlogging. Illite occurs in only two profiles to any appreciable extent.

It is inferred that soil separates other than clay are contributing to the cationexchange capacity of these soils.
NOTES ON WEATHERING ZONES AND SOILS ON GRANITIC ROCKS IN TWO TROPICAL REGIONS
Authors: BERRY LEONARD , RUXTON BRYAN P.
Published: July 2006

In both Hong Kong and the Sudan weathered granitic rock between the soil and the fresh bedrock can be differentiated into distinct weathering zones which often form a characteristic weathering profile.

Weathering profile formation and erosion are most active on concave faceted hillslopes. On footslopes, valley‐side strips, pediments, and plains active soilprofile formation occurs above complete or truncated weathering profiles.

A clear distinction between soils and weathering profiles is a pre‐requisite to an understanding of landform development and soil patterns in tropical regions.
THE DIFFUSION OF GASES THROUGH POROUS MEDIA
Authors: MARSHALL T. J.
Published: July 2006

The effect of the obstruction of solid on the permeability of porous media is examined. From this it is concluded that, in Penman's equation for diffusion of gases through porous media, the constant 0.66 should be replaced by at where a is the porosity.
THE ADSORPTION OF HUMIC AND FULVIC ACIDS BY CLAYS
Authors: EVANS L. T. , RUSSELL E. W.
Published: July 2006

The adsorption from suspension of the humic‐ and fulvic‐acid components of a soil organic‐matter extract by bentonite was extremely rapid, and was unaffected by temperature. For the humic fraction the extent of adsorption was: Ca and Mg systems > acid systems > K and Na systems; for the fulvic fraction: acid > Ca > Mg > K and Na systems. Only in the K systems was there an approach to the saturation of adsorption, although cation‐exchange‐capacity reductions ceased at a low level of adsorption. In the absence of exchangeable calcium there was a sharp fall in the extent of adsorption with rise in pH, particularly above pH 3.5.

Only a small proportion of the organic carbon in both the fulvic and humic fractions was usually adsorbed by the bentonite. The remainder of both fractions was found to be relatively unadsorbable, while the re‐extracted adsorbed proportion remained highly adsorbable.

Adsorption by kaolin in K systems was as extensive as that by bentonite, but in the acid and Ca systems it was much less. For adsorption of humic carbon the order of effectiveness was Ca > acid > K, and for fulvic carbon, acid > Ca > K, as in the bentonite systems. Lepidocrocite, goethite, β‐Fe2O3.H2O, and gibbsite also removed much fulvic and humic carbon from suspension, particularly at lower pH values.

Mechanisms for the adsorption of organic colloids by clays are considered in the light of these results.
A STUDY OF AN EAST AFRICAN CATENA
Authors: RADWANSKI S. A. , OLLIER C. D.
Published: July 2006

The Buwekula catena occupies a tor landscape which was formed in two stages, as in Linton's two‐cycle theory. Weathering under present conditions has been traced from the proportions of minerals. Feldspar and magnetite show weathering trends and among non‐opaque heavy minerals there is an order of weatherability in the series biotite, muscovite, and epidote.

The soil sequence from summit to valley is as follows. Buwekula Shallow occurs on the upper slopes and is a comparatively youthful soil. Buwekula Red occurs on the upper and middle sections of pediments and is a deeply and thoroughly weathered soil the parent material of which has sustained more than one cycle of weathering. Buwekula Brown is a topohydric variant of Buwekula Red and occurs in the lower sections of the pediments. Two alluvial series (Buwekula Yellow‐Brown and Buwekula Grey) are derived from weathering and erosion products of the deeply weathered upland associates.

Mineralogical and geomorphic evidence indicates that much weathering took place before the present land surface evolved and that the upland soils are being formed to a large extent on pre‐weathered material. Since the formation of the present land surface further weathering has given rise to the present soil profiles which appear to be in equilibrium with their environment, so that the development of soil horizons is keeping pace with all the processes responsible for their removal.

The distribution of individual soil series of this catena has a considerable influence on the land‐use pattern of the area. Despite the ample and favourably distributed rainfall the Buwekula soils are not as productive agriculturally as some other soils in Uganda under similar climate. The main reasons for this are their high acidity associated with extremely low percentages of base saturation and their liability to accelerated erosion.
INCREASES IN THE CARBON AND NITROGEN CONTENTS OF TROPICAL SOILS UNDER NATURAL FALLOWS
Authors: GREENLAND D. J. , NYE P. H.
Published: July 2006

The rate of increase of humus carbon in soils rested under natural fallows has been calculated, assuming that the rate of decomposition of the humus carbon is proportional to the amount present, and that the rate of addition, by humification of litter and roots, remains constant. The rate of decomposition has been derived from a knowledge of the maximum humus level the soil attains under the fallow vegetation, and the rate of addition has been estimated from data on litter production. The rate of increase of nitrogen has also been calculated assuming that the C/N ratio in the soil remains constant. Under the native practice of shifting cultivation in forest the alternation of cropping and fallowing leads to relatively small fluctuations in soil humus at about 75 per cent. of the maximum level. The rates of increase of soil nitrogen at this level are between 20 and 50 lb. per acre per annum in forest and 4 and 10 lb. per acre per annum in savannah. Rates at other levels for which the assumptions made are valid may readily be calculated from the data presented. It is shown that provided vegetation re‐establishes itself rapidly a crop: fallow ratio of about 1:3 should maintain the humus level in forest soils at the 75 per cent. of equilibrium level, a result which accords well with experience.
DETERMINATION OF ORGANIC CARBON IN SOIL AND PLANT MATERIAL
Authors: SHAW K.
Published: July 2006

A wet‐oxidation technique for determining organic carbon in soil, plant material, and aqueous plant extracts is described. The oxidation is carried out by heating the soil or plant sample (containing 50–100 mg. carbon) with a mixture of potassium dichromate, sulphuric, and phosphoric acids for 10–15 min., and the carbon dioxide liberated is determined gravimetrically after absorption in soda‐lime. With slight modifications, the method has proved useful for the determination of carbon in plant extracts and would also appear suitable for a soil extract. A method is described for the removal of carbonates without loss of organic carbon. It is shown that heating a wet soil at 105° C. causes considerable loss of organic carbon. Inert carbonaceous material, such as coal or charcoal, is oxidized by this wet‐digestion method, thus producing erroneously high results for the carbon content of soil organic matter.

The method is at least as accurate as the conventional dry‐ combustion technique, and is less time‐consuming, only one hour being required for a determination. The apparatus is of simple design and with the exception of the needle valve can be readily constructed from normal laboratory glassware. The method can deal with fairly large samples of materials, thus preserving an essential feature of established macro‐methods.

This technique of determining carbon is convenient for the fairly rapid analysis of soils and plant materials where an accurate total‐carbon value is required.
THE STONY TABLELAND SOILS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE AUSTRALIAN ARID ZONE AND THEIR EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY
Authors: JESSUP R. W.
Published: July 2006

The stony tableland soils which are paleosols of Quaternary age have a clay profile, high proportion of exchangeable sodium, strong salinity, large amounts of stone in the upper few inches of the profile, a surface stone pavement, low carbonate but high gypsum contents and gypsum at shallower depths than carbonate. The surface of the soil layer has a gilgai micro‐relief.

The soils formed on deposits of wind‐blown clays. Underlying the soil layer is a discontinuous layer of wind‐deposited gypsite. These wind‐blown materials (called lakulangite) were derived from lacustrine sediments; deflation of these sediments led to the formation of wind‐excavated hollows that are often of large extent.

Stones originally buried beneath the clay deposit have been moved upwards and concentrated on or near the soil surface.
LATERITES AND LATERITIC SOILS IN SOUTH‐WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Authors: MULCAHY M. J.
Published: July 2006

A short general account of the distribution and characteristics of the laterites of south‐western Australia is given in relation to past and present climates and to climatically controlled processes of landscape development.

A number of erosional and depositional surfaces have been identified near York, Western Australia, the older of which are lateritic, and the characteristics of the laterites and the soils associated with them have been shown to vary with the age of the land surface on which they occur. Extensive sandy deposits derived by the weathering and stripping of the ferruginous horizons of the laterites have been recognized. It is suggested that the 'sand plains' of Western Australia, hitherto considered to be intact or only slightly modified fossil laterites, originated in this way.
COMPOSITION OF THE solUBLE AND EXCHANGEABLE IONS OF THE SALTY SOILS OF THE MIRROOL IRRIGATION AREA (NEW SOUTH WALES)
Authors: GROENEWEGEN H.
Published: July 2006

Salty soils of the Mirrool Area were found to be formed mainly by salt accumulation from lower soil layers. Under these conditions saline soils, or saline‐alkali soils containing gypsum, were generally formed. The exception was one profile in which precipitation of carbonates had resulted in the formation of a saline–alkali soil not containing gypsum.

The soluble Na+ percentage increased and the soluble Ca++ percentage decreased with depth in all but one profile. A high variability of these percentages in the A and B, horizons was attributed to precipitation of divalent ions, and application of fertilizers.

Some saline soils were base unsaturated. These soils had a high soluble Na+ percentage, but had absorbed only small amounts of Na+. Laboratory tests showed that permeability was reduced more in base unsaturated than in base saturated soils when exchangeable Na+ was 10 per cent or higher. The relevance of these findings to the classification of salty soils is briefly discussed.
LATERITE AT THE TYPE LOCALITY, ANGADIPURAM, ICERALA, INDIA
Authors: STEPHENS C. G.
Published: July 2006

Laterite at the type locality, Angadipuram in south India, consists of a mottled, vermicular, and indurated horizon in a red‐earth type of soil associated with gneiss. The soil profile also contains deeper horizons of mottled and pale coloured clays and has a ground‐water table. The laterite is associated with a number of discrete land surfaces described in detail by Lake (1890).
A METHOD FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF THE CALCIUM DEFICIT IN SALINE SOILS
Authors: SCHOFIELD R. K. , TAYLOR A. WORMALD
Published: July 2006

The calcium deficit of a saline soil is defined as the amount of calcium which must be supplied to saturate the soil with divalent cations. A method is described whereby this amount can be measured in samples of unwashed saline soil and used to estimate the amount of gypsum needed in the field to prevent deterioration of the soil structure while it is being leached into a salt‐free condition.
THE SALT LAKE SYSTEMS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED AEOLIAN FEATURES IN THE SEMI‐ARID REGIONS OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Authors: BETTENAY ERIC
Published: July 2006

summary

Wind action has modified relics of river systems which drained the southern and central parts of Western Australia. Dunes of both coarse crystalline and fine floury gypsum and lunettes of sand, silt, or clay size material are common near to the leeward margin of salt lakes. Further removed, materials, blown out from the lake areas as aggregates of clay, silt, and sand, are deposited as sheets which are medium‐textured and have a high lime content. The latter deposits have been termed lake parnas.
THE SWELLING OF CA‐MONTMORILLONITE DUE TO WATER ABSORPTION
Authors: EMERSON W. W.
Published: July 2006

Starting with orientated flakes of dry Ca‐montmorillonite (Wyoming bentonite) about 0·2 mm. thick, the swelling of the flakes when immersed in 2 M CaCl2 was measured with a travelling microscope. The further expansion when the flakes were brought into equilibrium with successively more dilute CaCl2 solutions was also measured. The swelling of the flakes in 2 M CaCl2 was equal to that of flakes equilibrated with saturated water vapour. As the CaCl2 concentration was reduced the flakes swelled progressively, with negligible increase in the (001) spacing. This swelling was independent of the pH of the CaCl2 solutions and could not be reversed by increasing the concentration of CaCl2. Flakes prepared from clay suspensions to which 1 per cent. of CTAB had been added did not swell in dilute CaCl2 solutions.

Measurements were made of the swelling of flakes under an applied suction. Suction reduced the swelling as compared with free solution, and the swelling was less sensitive to CaCl2 concentration. There was some hysteresis in swelling between the wetting and drying cycles.

The results are consistent with the swollen Ca‐montmorillonite being in the form of a tactoid, the arms of the tactoid consisting of the clay crystals aggregated end to end. Swelling is due to the development of double layers between crystals in the pores of the tactoid. The linkages at the joints of the tactoid arise because either there is perfect orientation between the crystals at these points or there is a small number of complex ions (≤ I m.e./100 g. clay) other than Ca‐ions present on the external surfaces of the crystals. CTA+ ions, being strongly absorbed by the clay, increase the number of such linkages, so inhibiting double‐layer swelling. Whether or not Ca‐montmorillonites in general exhibit double‐layer swelling will depend critically on how many ions other than Ca‐ions are present on the clay.
THE SOIL BELOW A TERMITE MOUND
Authors: WATSON J. P.
Published: July 2006

Summay

Concentric cones of whitened soil extend approximately 20 ft. below a termite mound in Southern Rhodesia. The pale colour is due to finely divided carbonates; the outer cone contains about 4 per cent. carbonates whilst the inner cone, riddled with termite galleries, has about 2 per cent. carbonates. The pH pattern shows highest values in the inner cone due to the presence of sodium salts. Termite activity thus gives rise to calcareous and sodium‐influenced soils in an area of leached ferrallitic soils.

Physically, the soil below the mound has the same arrangement of horizons as the surrounding ferrallitic soils, namely, mineral material (M horizon), over a stone horizon (S horizon), over weathering granite (W horizon). The overlap of the inner cone and horizon W indicates that this arrangement of horizons has been brought about in part by termites carrying material up from the W horizon through the S horizon to the M horizon or mound at the surface.

Termite activity has thus influenced both the pattern of salt distribution and mineral‐soil horizons.
SOIL AND IRRIGATION CLASSIFICATION OF SHALLOW SOILS OVERLYING GYPSUM BEDS, NORTHERN IRAQ
Authors: SMITH R. , ROBERTSON V. C.
Published: July 2006

Recent reconnaissance soil surveys of proposed irrigation projects have revealed a belt of shallow soils overlying gypsum beds in the drier steppe zone of Northern Iraq.

The soil profile consists of two sharply contrasting layers—upper layer of Mesopotamian Alluvium and a lower layer of highly gypseous material. The Mesopotamian Alluvium is a brown fine‐textured material, highly calcareous but very low in soluble salts, exchangeable sodium, and gypsum. The gypseous beds underlying this shallow soil mantle are relatively soft tertiary sediments (Fars beds) or their erosion products.

Despite abundant evidence of the non‐toxicity of gypsum even in saturated solutions, observations on naturally occurring gypseous soil in steppe areas of Iraq and the U.S.S.R. show that root growth is inhibited where the gypsum content is 10 to 25 per cent, or higher, apparently because of poor transmission of air and water associated with bad structure.

Agronomic and engineering problems were considered, together with U.S. data on rooting systems of climatically adapted irrigated crops, in arriving at a classification.