Reaction products of ammonium nitrate phosphate fertilizers of varying water-soluble phosphorus content in different Indian soils

Studies were undertaken on the isolation and identification of reaction products of ammonium nitrate phosphate (ANP) fertilizers containing 30, 50 and 70 per cent water-soluble phosphorus (WSP) of total phosphorus in representative soils of the vertisol, oxisol, alfisol, entisol, mollisol and aridisol groups of India. ANP fertilizers were applied in solid form to soil, and reaction products formed at and around the site of ANP fertilizer placement were identified after six weeks incubation in moist soils by X-ray diffraction technique. DCPD (dicalcium phosphate dihydrate- CaHPO₄ · 2H₂O) was the major reaction product of ANP fertilizers containing 30 and 50 per cent WSP in vertisol, entisol, aridisol, mollisol, oxisol and alfisol, and of ANP containing 70 per cent WSP in vertisol, entisol, alfisol, aridisol and mollisol. DCP (dicalcium phosphate-CaHPO₄) was detected with ANP of 30 and 50 per cent WSP in the vertisol, alfisol, entisol, mollisol and aridisol groups of soils. In addition to DCPD, FePO₄ · 2H₂O (metastrengite) and AlPO₄ · 2H₂ O-monoclinic (metavariscite) were formed in alfisol and oxisol soils with ANP of 30 and 50 per cent WSP. FePO₄ · 2H₂O and AlPO₄ · 2H₂O (metavariscite) were identified in alfisol and oxisol soils while AlPO₄ · 2H₂O-orthorhombic (variscite) was formed in alfisol soils with ANP of 70 per cent WSP.     

Evidence of successful river spawning by lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in the Lower Niagara River,Lake Ontario

Restoration of a wild-produced lake trout Salvelinus namaycush population in Lake Ontario has not been successful despite the adult population often meeting or exceeding restoration targets. Lack of high-quality spawning habitat in Lake Ontario is suggested as one impediment to recruitment of wild lake trout, although the quantity and location of spawning habitat is poorly understood. If high-quality spawning habitat is limited in Lake Ontario, lake trout may be using uncommon spawning locations such as rivers. Anecdotal angler accounts point to the Niagara River as a lake trout spawning location. To better understand the potential of the Niagara River as a spawning location, egg and juvenile fish collections were conducted 12–14 river kilometers from the mouth of the Niagara River from 2010 to 2012; and mature female lake trout with surgically implanted acoustic tags were monitored from 2015 to 2019. Genetic analyses confirmed 60% of collected eggs and 93% of collected post-hatch juvenile fish in the Niagara River were lake trout. Tagged female lake trout returned to the Niagara River over consecutive years during the spawning season. The short duration of lake trout presence in the river (mean = 56 days/year) suggests female lake trout use the Niagara River primarily for spawning. Diversity in spawning locations may provide lake trout population’s resilience against environmental variability through a portfolio effect. Improved identification of riverine spawning locations, including their overall contribution to wild recruitment, may be a useful tool for managers to restore a wild-produced population of lake trout in Lake Ontario.     

An example of psychological science’s failure to self-correct.

This paper illustrates the impact of the human element in the scientific process by presenting the history of Broverman, Broverman, Clarkson, Rosenkrantz, and Vogel (1970), one of the most highly cited papers in psychology. Broverman et al. stimulated remarkable interest in sex bias among mental health professionals. Several articles published in major psychology journals demonstrated the paper’s fatal flaws in the 2 decades following its publication. Nonetheless, Broverman et al. was accepted with little resistance. Broverman et al. continues to be cited as empirical support for the sex bias hypothesis among mental health professionals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dietary supplement increases plasma norepinephrine, lipolysis, and metabolic rate in resistance trained men

Correction to Richard J Bloomer, Kelsey H Fisher-Wellman, Kelley G Hammond, Brian K Schilling, Adrianna A Weber and Bradford J Cole: Dietary supplement increases plasma norepinephrine, lipolysis, and metabolic rate in resistance trained men. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2009, 6: 4     

Modified Imidazoles: Degradation Inhibitors and Adhesion Promoters for Polyimide Films on Copper Substrates

Polyimide films on copper substrates that are exposed to elevated temperatures and an oxidizing environment will be subject to degradation. In order to halt this degradation without changing the properties of the system, a polymeric agent could be placed between the polyimide and the copper. This paper will investigate three such materials that will not only slow down the degradation of the polyimide and the oxidation of the copper, but will also improve adhesion within the system. Fourier transform infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (FTIR-RAS) will be used to investigate the polyimide/polymeric agent/copper system.     

Effects of body measurements and weight on calf size and calving difficulty of Holsteins

Body measurements (heart and paunch girths, wither height, chest depth, pelvic length and width, and body length), body weight, and calving evaluation data (calf birth weight, calf sex, calf presentation, and calving assistance needed) were collected from 1974 parities of 762 Holstein cows between 1968 and 1986. Degree of calving assistance was scored continuously from 1 (no assistance) to 10 (hard mechanical assistance). Phenotypic correlations of dam body traits with calf birth weight were all significantly positive when combined for all parities and ranged from .23 for paunch girth to .27 for body weight and heart girth. Correlations of dam body traits with calving assistance scores were all significantly negative across parities and ranged from -.24 to -.30. Correlations of calf birth weight with calving assistance were higher for first parity (.37) than for all parities (.20). Least squares analysis showed that cows with shorter wither height and shorter pelvises tended to require more calving assistance. Heavier calves, winter calvings, and earlier parity all were related to increased dystocia. Male calves were heavier than female calves and also were associated with greater calving difficulty.     

Considerations for the Systematic Design of Machine Self-Diagnosis

An approach is suggested for the cost-effective systematic design of product on-board diagnostics that allow simple and complex appliances to diagnose or predict failures within themselves. This methodology differs from other current less formal approaches in that it encourages a wholly integrated design philosophy. Trends indicate that on-board diagnostic capabilities will become much more important in both the eyes of the consumer and the manufacturer in years to come. As such, the lack of a formal approach could represent a significant design bottleneck. The approach offered represents a meaningful first step in avoiding such a bottleneck. Furthermore, the technique can be used for evaluation and retrofit of diagnostics on existing products. Relevant background regarding machine self-diagnostics is presented, and future research needs are identified.