bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improvement of native grassland in the uplands
Authors: Newbould P. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. Recent progress in the techniques for improving the quality and quantity of herbage produced from indigenous hill pasture is described. There is general agreement on the main technical requirements for most situations. Knowledge of hill soils and vegetation and of the proposed grazing strategies for hill sheep are required initially so that the most economical and biologically appropriate method can be selected.In brief, soil pH must be raised by liming to at least 5.5; for each hectare, between 40–60 kg P and 80–100 kg K must be added plus a starter dressing of between 50–100 kg N after which a seeds mixture of grasses and white clover (25–30 kg seed ha−1) should be sown. Inoculation of clover seed with rhizobia is advised for all hill soil types but is essential for white clover sown in deep peat. Seeds must be sown in April or May, cultivation should be limited as far as possible for both technical and financial reasons, and new pastures should be grazed lightly initially, with subsequent rest periods to aid the persistence of white clover. Maintenance dressings of lime and fertilizer are required, more so in wetter areas. Careful monitoring of stock grazing recently improved hill pasture is advised to check for the occurrence of trace element problems.It is clear that the key to more efficient livestock rearing in the hills and uplands lies in pasture improvement and optimum utilization and maintenance of the upgraded pastures.
A trial to determine the lime requirement for reseeded grassland on a peaty hill soil
Authors: Dampney P.M.R. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. Lime was applied in summer 1981 at rates up to 201 ha−1 prior to reseeding an unimproved peaty hill soil. A marked pH gradient with depth developed showing that 3 years after application lime had very little effect below a depth of 5 cm. Soil pH values for 0–7.5 cm samples were: nil lime‐4.2; 1 t ha−1‐pH 4.3; 2 tha−1‐pH 4.6; 4 t ha−1‐pH 5.0; 6 t ha−1‐pH 5.6. In the 0–2.5 cm layer pH values were much higher.In all years at least 80% of maximum yield was achieved from an initial application of 21 ha−1 lime. Botanical analysis showed that maximum persistence of sown species, perennial ryegrass and timothy, occurred from 2 t ha−1 lime; 6 t ha−1 lime was necessary for maximum persistence of clover. Lime application had only small effects on the mineral composition of the herbage.
Soil acidification during more than 100 years under permanent grassland and woodland at Rothamsted
Authors: Johnston A. E. , Goulding K. W. T. , Poulton P. R. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract Soil samples have been taken periodically from unlimed plots of the 130‐year‐old Park Grass Experiment and from the 100‐year‐old Geescroft Wilderness at Rothamsted. Changes in the pH of the samples show how acidification has progressed. The soils are now at, or are approaching, equilibrium pH values which depend on the acidifying inputs and on the buffering capacities of the soils. We have calculated the contributions to soil acidification of natural sources of acidity in the soil, atmospheric deposition, crop growth and nutrient removal, and, where applicable, additions of fertilizers. The relative importance of each source of acidification has changed as the soils have become more acid. Acid rain (wet deposited acidity) is a negligible source, but total atmospheric deposition may comprise up to 30% of acidifying inputs at near neutral soil pH values and more as soil pH decreases. Excepting fertilizers, the greatest causes of soil acidification at or near neutral pH values are the natural inputs of H+ from the dissolution of CO2 and subsequent dissociation of carbonic acid, and the mineralization of organic matter.Under grassland, single superphosphate and small amounts of sodium and magnesium sulphates have had no effect on soil pH, whilst potassium sulphate increased soil acidity slightly. All of these effects are greatly outweighed under grassland, however, by those of nitrogen fertilizers. Against a background of acidification from atmospheric, crop and natural inputs, nitrogen applied as ammonium sulphate decreased soil pH up to a maximum of 1.2 units at a rate in direct proportion to the amount added, and nitrogen applied as sodium nitrate increased soil pH by between 0.5 and 1 unit.
Measurement, interpretation and modelling of soil compaction
Authors: Smith D.L.O. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. The analysis of some experimental field results is used to illustrate the problem of measuring and evaluating compaction treatment effects below wheel ruts of different depths. A solution to the problem is described which traces vertical soil movement to allow comparisons between treatments to be made using soil elements which derive from the same depth in the undisturbed profile, irrespective of their depths in the compacted profile.A soil compaction model, which predicts the changes in dry bulk density resulting from the passage of wheels, is briefly described. Examples are given of its use in comparing the compaction caused by various types and arrangements of wheels and in assessing the contribution made by a particular input variable.
Amelioration on some physical properties and nutrient availability of an exposed B horizon of red‐brown earth
Authors: Greene R.S.B. , Wilson I.B. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. Following removal of the upper 40 cm of soil, the physical properties of the exposed B horizon of a red‐brown earth (Goulburn clay loam) were ameliorated using a combination of gypsum (5.4 ha−1) and rye grass. Phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilizers were added to improve nutrient availability. The ameliorated properties of the exposed B horizon were compared with those of equivalent depths from an adjacent intact profile of Goulburn clay loam.Initially, during the establishment phase of the rye grass, the gypsum increased the electrolyte concentration in the 0–10 cm layer, and stabilized the soil surface against mechanical dispersion. After 18 months all the gypsum in the 0–10 cm layer had dissolved. However, in the presence of rye grass, the soil surface was no longer susceptible to dispersion by the mechanical impact of water. The rye grass improved soil physical properties mainly in the upper 20 cm of the exposed B horizon. Water‐stable aggregation > 2000 μm and macroporosity increased, and bulk density and penetrometer resistance of the soil decreased.Continuous applications of P, N and K fertilizers resulted in a gradual improvement in the nutritional properties of the exposed B horizon. However, because of the large phosphorus adsorption by the exposed clay, 300 kg P ha−1 was required to provide sufficient available phosphorus in the 0–10 cm layer.
Land evaluation using the FAO Framework: an example from Zambia
Authors: Chinene V. R. N. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. The suitability of the University of Zambia farm for selected crops was assessed using the principles and concepts of the FAO Framework for Land Evaluation. Moisture and nutrient availability were found to be the most limiting land qualities, but moisture availability is a more important consideration because the farm is managed with high inputs. Heavy dependence on rainfall makes the farm very vulnerable to drought which has had a devastating impact on yields in recent years.Soyabean, potato and wheat are the best‐suited crops. Sunflower is not recommended because of the low market value. Maize is not a suitable crop because of its sensitivity to water stress and nutrient availability. Rhodes grass is recommended in mapping units where other crops have little economic value.The FAO Framework for Land Evaluation can be used in Zambia. It can identify land utilization types that are physically and economically suitable. Based on these findings an appropriate land use plan of the University Farm has been developed and implemented.
Estimating leaching losses from sub‐surface drained soils
Authors: Magesan G.N. , White R.E. , Scotter D.R. , Bolan N.S. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. Leaching losses of solutes can be calculated if two variables, the amount of water passing through the soil and the concentration of solute in that water (a flux concentration), are known. Two simple approaches, soil extraction and suction cup sampling, were used to estimate the concentration of solutes in the water moving through a silt loam soil. The results were compared with actual concentrations measured in the drainage water from a sub‐surface (mole‐pipe) drained soil.Seasonal leaching losses were calculated as the sum of the products of estimated monthly drainage and the estimated average monthly solute concentration in the soil solution. These results were compared with the leaching losses measured in drainage water from the mole‐pipe system. For non‐reactive solutes such as bromide (an applied solute) and chloride (a resident solute), the suction cup data provided better estimates of the leaching losses than did the soil extraction data. The leaching losses calculated using volume‐averaged soil solution concentrations (obtained by soil extraction) overestimated the loss for the resident solute, but under‐estimated the loss for the surface‐applied solute. On the other hand, the data for non‐reactive solutes suggest that measurements on suction cup samples may be representative of the flux concentration of a solute during leaching. For nitrate, a biologically reactive solute, there was no clear pattern in the differences between the estimated and measured leaching losses. The flux‐averaged concentration in the drainage water was about midway between those measured in the suction cup samples and in the soil solution.
Rock fragments IL Their impact on soil physical properties and biomass production under Mediterranean conditions
Authors: Danalatos N.G. , Kosmas C.S. , Moustakas N.C. , Yassoglou N. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. The effects of rock fragments on soil temperature, soil moisture conservation, night time water vapour absorption and wheat biomass production were investigated. Under conditions of moderate water stress, water conservation was generally greater in the stony soils. Under conditions of pronounced drought the opposite occurred, with stony soils conserving less water than soils free of stones, though soils with large cobbles on the surface conserved the most water.Stony soils were generally warmer during daytime and cooler at night than soils free of rock fragments. In the warmest month (July) the diurnal amplitude reached 14.3 °C in the control soil and 24.1 °C in the stony soils. Night time absorption of water vapour in the upper 15–20 cm was less for the stony soil (17.8% cobble cover), than for the stone‐free soil. Cobbles on the soil surface increased biomass production by increasing moisture conservation. After removing all the stones from the surface of 16 plots, total dry matter yield of rainfed wheat was on average 20% less than from plots with stones on the surface.
An investigation of the relationship between soil mineral nitrogen in the autumn or spring and optimum nitrogen rate for winter cereals
Authors: Harrison R. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. Data from 143 nitrogen (N) response trials on winter cereals carried out at sites across England during the period 1981–1988 were reviewed. Linear regression models for the relationship between optimum N requirements and soil mineral nitrogen (SMN) were evaluated. Multiple regression analyses and F tests were used to determine whether separate regression lines for different combinations of soil group and N Index, substituting for cropping history, were justified, and whether the additional terms used to account for SMN in the 30–60 cm and 60–90 cm depth bands significantly improved the regression model used to fit the data.The results indicated that optimum N requirement can be predicted from SMN 0–30 cm and 30–60 cm data. However, although the slope of the regression line does not change for different combinations of soil group and N Index, the intercept does. If no allowance is made for differences between sites which alter this intercept, the amount of variation in optimum N requirement accounted for by the regression models is considerably reduced. Factors which should be considered are mineralization of previous crop residues, organic manures and indigenous organic N, and the depth to which SMN is accessible by plant roots.
Validation of a FAO land evaluation method by comparison of observed and predicted yields of five food crops in Burundi
Authors: Hennebert P.A. , Tessens E. , Tourenne D. , Delvaux B. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. A land evaluation using unsophisticated data successfully predicted yield ranges of various crops in Burundi. Yields of wheat, pea, bean, maize and potato predicted from data for climate, soil and land use technology were compared with observed yields from farm trials and from seed station and research station trials. The predicted range of yield for each crop suitability class enclosed the mean farm yields 13 times out of 16 and yields on seed stations and research stations 10 times out of 15 and 14 times out of 21 respectively. The variability of the observed yields exceeded the predicted range of yields. The method is considered as validated. The method appears to be applicable for multi‐year studies at a broad scale, but yield variation according to the weather from year to year is not accounted for. The variances of the yields on farms are greater than the variances in seed station and research station trials.Since the method predicts correctly the mean regional farm yields, it could be useful for land use planning, research into optimal regional cropping specialisation, studies on food policy, and for evaluation of economic return and sustainability of different crops.
Regional characterization of the long‐term change in soil organic carbon under intensive agriculture
Authors: Van Meirvenne M. , Pannier J. , Hofman G. , Louwagie G. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. To study the change in soil organic carbon (SOC) since it was recorded during the Belgian National Soil Survey some 40 years ago, we recently revisited 939 locations still under use as arable land. The study area comprised almost the entire province of West Flanders (about 3000 km2) characterized by profound changes in its arable land management.Taking the increased ploughing depth (by 9.8 cm on average) into account, a significant (P= 0.001) increase of the SOC content by 0.2% on average was found. Expressed as an amount, the SOC in the topsoil rose by 9.3 t/ha on average, representing an increase of 25%. This is comparable with the conversion of arable land into grassland for 2 to 3 decades.Geostatistical tools were used to map the SOC at the two times of observation. These showed that most of the spatial variation occurred within about 4 km. Since the community level is the smallest spatial resolution on which agricultural statistics are gathered officially, a detailed modelling of the change in SOC was impossible. However, by selecting communities with extreme changes in SOC, we found indications that the major source of increase in SOC was due to the large increase in pig breeding.
Developing the prerequisites for sustainable land use in Albania
Authors: Zdruli P. , Eswaran H. , Almaraz R. , Reich P. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract. When Albania emerged from its seclusion in 1991, the scientific community had its first opportunity to interact with its international counterparts. Soil resource assessment was made with systems developed in the early 1950s, laboratory facilities to provide supporting data were poor, and it was recognized that a new assessment was urgently needed.The country faces a major challenge in reforestation and soil conservation against a background of overgrazing by sheep and goats and clearing of trees and scrubs for fuelwood. Even orchard and olive trees were used as fuelwood during the winters of 1990 and 1991. Since then, gully and rill erosion has accelerated on many of the sloping lands. In addition to reforestation and conservation measures to reduce the pressures on the sloping land, it is necessary to enhance productivity on the fertile valley bottom soils where most of the agriculture is confined. In the recent past, grain yields have declined due to reduced fertilizer use (low purchasing capacity), and poor management practices. More recently productivity has slowly improved, but land degradation, particularly erosion, has visibly increased.USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in collaboration with the Land Resources Institute of Albania, initiated work on a new national soil map through collation of existing information and field studies. The land unit for land use planning, evaluation, and general management decisions, is the Major Land Resource Area (MLRA). Each MLRA encompasses geographically associated soils, the majority of which have broadly similar patterns ofclimate, water resources, and land uses. The MLRAs presented here are based on the soil map of Albania at 1 : 200 000 scale. The MLRA information provides an overview of the landscape and natural resources. It can be used to assess land suitability for various crops, opportunities to achieve self sufficiency in food production, selection of areas for both field crops and highvalue crops for export, and identification of appropriate farming system technologies. Each MLRA will have a set of degradation processes which can be flagged, therefore each of them becomes a unit for decision making with respect to investments in research and mitigating technologies. The task is far from complete. Appropriate databases are needed to support the decisions that are being made at national level. To complement the MLRA and related database, decision support systems are needed for the important task of developing policy options.
The transfusion of neutrophil‐specific antibodies causes leukopenia and a broad spectrum of pulmonary reactions
Authors: Fadeyi Emmanuel A. , De Los Angeles Muniz Maria , Wayne Alan S. , Klein Harvey G. , Leitman Susan F. , Stroncek David F. 
Published: February 2007

BACKGROUND: Antibodies to neutrophil‐specific antigens are the best characterized cause of transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI).CASE REPORT: A double‐apheresis platelet (PLT) component was divided and transfused into two patients. One experienced chills, rigors, and dyspnea and the other experienced chills and headache. Transient leukopenia developed in both patients.RESULTS: Evaluation of donor plasma revealed an anti‐HNA‐2a and no HLA Class I antibodies. The donor had donated 26 previous apheresis PLT components. The 27 donations resulted in 39 separate transfusions and 12 transfusion reactions in 9 patients. Five reactions occurred immediately after the transfusion, 10 within 1 hour, and all within 2.5 hours. Nine of the reactions involved symptoms or signs of pulmonary dysfunction. The symptoms were mild to moderate in nature. None of the inpatients required intensive care transfer nor did any outpatients require hospital admission. Recipient white blood cell (WBC) counts were measured within 8 hours after 38 of 39 transfusions. Leukopenia occurred in 9 of 12 (75%) transfusions with reactions and in 9 of 26 (35%) transfusions without. The reactions did not correlate with pretransfusion WBC count.CONCLUSIONS: Neutrophil antibodies cause a wide variety of transfusion reactions that do not necessarily meet the definition of TRALI. Donors of blood products causing even mild pulmonary reactions or leukopenia should be tested for neutrophil‐specific antibodies.
Intracardiac Echo‐Guided Image Integration: Optimizing Strategies for Registration
Authors: FAHMY TAMER S. , MLCOCHOVA HANKA , WAZNI OUSSAMA M. , PATEL DIMPI , CIHAK ROBERT , KANJ MOHAMED , BEHEIRY SALWA , BURKHARDT J. DAVID , DRESING THOMAS , HAO STEVEN , TCHOU PATRICK , KAUTZNER JOSEF , SCHWEIKERT ROBERT A. , ARRUDA MAURICIO , SALIBA WALID , NATALE ANDREA 
Published: February 2007

Introduction: Image integration is being used in ablation procedures. However, the success of this approach is dependent on the accuracy of the image integration process. This study aims to evaluate the in vivo accuracy and reliability of the integrated image. Methods and Results: One hundred twenty‐four patients undergoing radiofrequency (RF) ablation catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) were recruited for this study from three different centers. Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) was performed in all patients and a 3D image of the left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) was extracted for registration after segmentation using a software program (CartoMerge, Biosense Webster, Inc.). Different landmarks were selected for registration and compared. Surface registration was then done and the impact on integration and the landmarks was evaluated.The best landmark registration was achieved when the posterior points on the pulmonary veins were selected (5.6 ± 3.2). Landmarks taken on the anterior wall, left atrial appendage (LAA) or the coronary sinus (CS) resulted in a larger registration error (9.1 ± 2.5). The mean error for surface registration was 2.17 ± 1.65. However, surface registration resulted in shifting of the initially registered landmark points leading to a larger error (from 5.6 ± 3.2 to 9.2 ± 2.1; 95% CI 4.2–3.05). Conclusion: Posterior wall landmarks at the PV‐LA junction are the most accurate landmarks for image integration in respect to the target ablation area. The concurrent use of the present surface registration algorithm may result in shifting of the initial landmarks with loss of their initial correlation with the area of interest.
Legal systems, institutional environment, and food safety
Authors: Brewster Neşve A. Turan , Goldsmith Peter D. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn the aftermath of the recent food scares, the United States and the United Kingdom face major challenges to maintain a safe food system. Regulators on opposite sides of the Atlantic are facing rapid product and process innovations, changes in consumption behaviors, expansion of international trade, and discovery of new food hazards. The U.K. and the U.S. demonstrate different approaches to manage safety risks. This article will focus on two issues: the reasons behind the differences in the American and English policy approaches to food safety, and how these differences impact U.S. safety outcomes. A comparative legal framework is provided to understand how food safety is elicited in the economy and the incentive implications of the different institutional settings. These two different lenses, because they differ so, teach us about the fundamental sources of safety. The U.K.'s prevalent doctrine is parliamentary sovereignty and leads to a regulatory framework, while the U.S. is based on constitutional supremacy and relies on a legal framework. The source of safety under a regulatory framework is the government bureaucracy, while the U.S. legal framework provides an important point of departure—the constitutional standing of the firm and the consumer. We argue that while the U.K. system is structured to work through a regulatory framework to enhance the supply of safety in the economy, the U.S. system is much less directed. The legal system, the subject of this article, plays an important role not only in discouraging breach but also in acting as a check on the discretionary authority of the regulator. In the end, the U.S. and the U.K. may have equally safe food systems, but what differs is the fundamental source of the safety supply. The practical implication is that safety in the food system emerges from several sources, not just through regulation. Therefore, direct importation of U.K.‐style regulatory approaches may not be effective within a U.S. constitutional setting.