Partnership Between CAB International and China in Information Access,Management and Dissemination: Past,Present and Future

ABSTRACT

The partnership between CAB International (CABI) and China which began in 1980 reached a major milestone in 1992 with agreement to collaborate on a national information project financed by a grant from the Asian Development Bank. China became a Member Country of CABI in 1995. This opened the way to further partnership between CABI and China in working toward capacity building of Chinese agricultural information systems and improvement of information access, management and dissemination in China. China's joining CABI was also a major boost to full internationalisation of CABI and led to a considerable expansion of CABI's interests and activities throughout Asia.     

Utilization of Agricultural Information on Ere Agbe Radio Broadcasts Among Farmer-Listeners in Oke-Ogun Area of Oyo State,Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study assessed farmers' utilization of agricultural information on Ere Agbe radio broadcasts in the Oke-Ogun Area of Oyo State. Data were collected on appropriateness, utilization of agricultural information, and constraints to access, from 160 farmer-listeners using an interview schedule. The appropriateness of information was low (51.9%); 47.5% utilized information highly; irregular power supply (M = 1.3125) was the main constraint to information access. The perceived appropriateness (r = .89, p ≤ .05) and constraints faced (r = ?0.29, p ≤ .05) were significantly related to utilization of agricultural information. Broadcasts should address farmers' needs, while cheap, alternative power sources should be explored.     

Database Publishing and Increasing Access to Food Science Information

ABSTRACT

This paper reviews current developments that facilitate increased access to food science information, with examples from the Web, from search engine producers, and from disseminators and producers of specialised abstracting and indexing (A&I) databases. The diversity of developments is reviewed in the context of blogs, wikis, Facebook, YouTube, Connotea, and examples of increasing Web access with Google Scholar and Windows Live Search Academic are provided. Examples of A&I search platform developments which are discussed include CSA Illustrata, EBSCOhost visual search, and ISI Web of Knowledge. A simple case study is included which indicates user preferences for search engines, databases, and search interface features for accessing food science information. It is concluded that information providers are successfully using a number of development strategies designed to help the food science information community with its needs.     

32P distribution in white radish roots at various fertilization rates

Abstract

The uptake and distribution of ³²P from labelled monocalcium phosphate by white radish (Raphanus Sativus) roots at five phosphorus fertilization rates were studied.

After on initial period of degradation (approximately 6 weeks), there is a sharp decline of phosphorus uptake. Graphical representation in Tables and Figures of the phosphorus distribution is presented.     

Intellectual Property: Information Ownership in the Electronic Age: The Government Perspective: Government's Role in Striking a Balance in the Public Interest

ABSTRACT

An overview of the National Agricultural Library's eleven specialized information centers is presented that includes information on electronic access to their databases, publications, and information.     

Agricultural Information via the Cleveland Free-Net

ABSTRACT

In 1993, the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center became an agricultural information provider on the Cleveland Free-Net, the first community-based computer system. The benefits of participation have been increased visibility for the Center among the citizens of northeast Ohio and an opportunity to help meet the information needs of the Free-Net users.     

Information Poor,Information Rich: Rural America and the Internet

ABSTRACT

Rural America has traditionally lagged behind urban areas in the delivery of information goods and services. Two major barriers to enhanced information access: distance and a limited number of information resources, can be negated by telecommunications networks such as the Internet. Using three common Internet telecommunications systems, the Cooperative Extension Service is examined as a developing resource of networked information for rural America.     

Engagement Through Information: Supporting Technology Commercialization

ABSTRACT

This article provides a framework for encouraging further dialogue concerning the role of information professionals in supporting the technology commercialization efforts of entrepreneurs, researchers, and small businesses. After a brief introduction to the technology commercialization process, the roles of university engagement in commercialization activities are discussed. The paper concludes with questions for consideration focused on the role of the information professional.     

Integrated approach of multiple environmental datasets for the assessment of sediment contamination in marine areas affected by long-lasting industrial activity: the case study of Bagnoli (southern Italy)

Purpose

The Bagnoli’s brownfield site (southern Italy) is an environmental priority for the Italian Government and is currently considered as a case study for the definition and application of innovative approaches to ecosystem recovery after a prolonged pollution history and eventual steel plant decommissioning.

Materials and methods

Here, we analyse high-quality datasets that constrain the distribution patterns and sources of contaminants in the coastal zone facing the site where the steel plant operated for almost one century. Innovative statistical approaches provide new insights into the temporal and spatial distribution of anthropogenic impacts, documented over the last 30 years, following lines of evidence emerging from investigations on grain size, TOC, heavy metals, PAHs, PCBs and high-resolution morpho-bathymetric information.

Results and discussion

The results derived from statistical analysis, referred also to the seafloor morphological variability, highlighted the presence of recent disposal of highly contaminated sediments and their potential pathways of dispersion to wider and deeper water zones.

Conclusions

The adopted multidisciplinary approach yields fundamental information towards an effective and proper ecosystem recovery of highly contaminated marine coastal areas and provides at the same time, a sound base for the refitting of decommissioned industrial plants.

     

Occurrence of 7,7′-biphyscion in Japanese soils

Abstract

A variety of higher plants and microorganisms, especially soil fungi, form anthra-quinone pigments (Thomson 1987) and, although many of these compounds are biologically active as antibiotics, chelating agents and possible contributors of humic substance formation (Kumada 1987), little information is available about their distribution and role in soil systems.     

Tapping Technology: Creating Web-Based Tutorials for Master Gardeners

ABSTRACT

Many successful Extension programs depend on the knowledge and expertise of volunteer Master Gardeners. It is important that Master Gardeners take advantage of research-based information and tips and tricks to finding quality information on the Web. This article outlines a successful cooperative project in which segments of a traditional classroom instruction session for Master Gardeners were modified into tutorials. The tutorials were then offered via the Web and used as part of the Master Gardener training.     

Russian Libraries in the Time of Transition

ABSTRACT

Russian librarianship is going through an exciting period of change from the world of tight party control and service to the official propaganda to the world of free access to information. However, the new initiatives are not necessarily always supported financially. Issues facing Russian librarianship at present are analyzed by an ALA/USIA Library Fellow.     

Humic Substance Fractions and Attributes of Histosols and Related High‐Organic‐Matter Soils from Brazil

Abstract

Knowledge of the distribution of soil organic matter (SOM) fractions is important in managing soils toward a sustainable agricultural system in a tropical environment. However, data on Histosols is limited. This study developed 19 profiles of Histosols and soils with high organic-matter content from different regions of Brazil. Soil organic matter was fractionated into fulvic acids (FAF), humic acids (HAF), and humin (HUM). The ratios HAF/FAF and AE (alkaline extract)/HUM were calculated. The objectives were to evaluate the method for SOM fractionating in Histosols and related soils and to correlate the distribution of organic fractions with other soil attributes. The humic fractions presented significant correlations with other soil attributes, the best being the correlation between FAF and nutrient level. The HAF and HUM presented high correlation with cationic exchange capacity, active acidity (H⁺) and pH. Humin and the alkaline extract absorbance measured at 380 nm and 465 nm and presented good correlation with total organic carbon.     

Human health risk assessment and risk source analysis of arsenic in soil from a coal chemical plant in Northwest China

Purpose

Arsenic (As) is a potentially toxic element and poses risks to human health during coal chemical technology application. Human health risk of As in coal chemical industry was seldom reported. The results of As human health risk distribution for the entire coal chemical plant in our study may provide theoretical and practical support to reduce human health risk of As in coal chemical industry.

Materials and methods

We collected 153 soil samples with a chessboard sampling method in a coal chemical plant in northwestern China. Arsenic concentrations in the soil were measured with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after the soil samples were digested. Human health risk of As was assessed through three exposure pathways including inhalation, skin contact, and oral intake. A human health risk distribution map of As for the entire plant was obtained by kriging method.

Results and discussion

The integrated carcinogenic risk of As in the soil was 8.59–13.31 times of the acceptable standard (1.00E-06), which was established by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of China, while the hazard quotient was within the acceptable range (<?1.00). Oral intake, through which 76.61% of the total carcinogenic risk was contributed, was the main pathway of As to human body and gave the smallest control threshold (1.59 mg kg^?1) among the three exposure pathways. The smallest control threshold was recommended as the safety control threshold of As in this plant. Moreover, the highest carcinogenic risk and the largest hazard quotient were found in the Power Unit and its downwind direction (in the southeast of plant) because of As disposal and the local prevailing wind.

Conclusions

In the present study, As spatial distribution in the soil was obtained. A map of As human health risk distribution for the entire coal chemical plant was obtained with kriging method based on limited sampling points, which was more robust compared with traditional methods. Arsenic human health risk sources were also analyzed. The results may be applied in the process of reducing human health risk of As in coal chemical industry.

     

Dynamics of Agricultural Information and Effect on Income of Melon Farmers in Enugu-Ezike Agricultural Zone of Enugu State,Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The study assessed effects of agricultural information on the income of melon farmers. Ninety melon farmers constituted the sample for the study. Data were collected through an interview average annual income of the respondents from melon only was ?7,455.4, while their total average schedule, while percentage mean score and correlation were used in the analysis. Findings reveal that the monthly income was ?1,223. About 62 and 42% of the respondents, respectively, did not receive information on melon production and general agriculture. Thus, a positive and significant relationship exists between the number of times respondents received information on melon/general agriculture and their incomes.     

Distribution and availability of fungicide-derived copper in soil aggregates

Purpose

Soil consists of various sizes of aggregates, and different soil aggregates vary in their abilities to adsorb or transport metals. This study aimed to investigate the distribution behaviors of Cu from different fungicides in soil aggregates after a 15-month incubation.

Materials and methods

Bordeaux mixture (CuSO₄/Ca(OH)₂?=?1/1 by weight, BR), copper nitrate (Cu(NO₃)₂·4H₂O, CN), and copper oxychloride (3Cu(OH)₂·CuCl₂, CO) were applied to a representative Chinese Mollisol to reach the Cu content 200 mg kg^?1. Five soil aggregate fractions, i.e., >?2000 μm, 2000–1000 μm, 1000–500 μm, 500–250 μm, and <?250 μm, were obtained by the wet sieving method. The modified Bureau Communautaire de Références (BCR) sequential extraction was applied to assess the Cu distribution among the main soil fractions.

Results and discussion

The highest Cu mass loading was found for the >?2000-μm soil aggregate. The input Cu was mainly in stable fractions, and the highest proportion was found for the residual fraction. The bioavailability and mobility of Cu from different fungicides in soils varied from each other, and they presented an order of CO > CN > BR. High bioavailability and transferring coefficients were found in the <?250-μm and >?2000-μm soil aggregates.

Conclusions

This study indicated that the input Cu from fungicides mainly distributed in the >?2000-μm soil aggregates. Moreover, the CO-derived Cu presented a higher availability than the BR- and CN-derived Cu in the soil.

     

Seventeen Interviews With Virginia Tech CALS Faculty: State of Research and How Information Professionals Can Help

ABSTRACT

This article is a report of the 17 interviews conducted in 2016 at Virginia Tech by the agriculture librarian to examine the current state of research and how information professionals can support agricultural researchers. This is one of the reports connected with the larger Ithaka S+R Agriculture Project.     

Utilization of some organic wastes as growing media for lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plants

Abstract

The environmental impact of crop wastes and the high cost of peat moss (PM) force scientists to find alternative growing media. In a pot experiment, peanut shell (PS) and corn wastes (CWs) were evaluated as growing media in comparison with PM in three different mixing ratios with washed sand. The mixing ratio were M₁?=?1:1 raw material to sand, M₂?=?1:2 raw material to sand, and M₃?=?1:3 raw material to sand. The tested plant was lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The obtained results showed that PS medium contained available nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) higher by 121% and 38% above the PM medium. Availability of potassium (K) in CW medium was higher by 167% than PM. The EC, pH, OC, and C/N ratio of PM were higher by 227%, 4%, 128%, and 99% above the CW and by 1,473%, 9%, 74%, and193% above the PS, respectively. The highest significant values of growth parameters were recorded in PM medium. The highest total cost and lowest net profit were recorded with the use of PMM₁, whereas the lowest cost and the highest net profit were obtained with PSM₂. Physiochemical characteristics of peanut shell suggested that it can be economical alternative growing media for PM.