Note on local applications of paleopedology in central North Island,New Zealand

Paleosols at the land surface and others that are buried are formed almost entirely from tephra parent materials. Current information on nutrient uptake by trees, on highway construction, pipe corrosion, and construction of earthworks is summarized briefly in this paper.     

Effects of intravesical hydrostatic pressure and volume on the distensibility of the canine prostatic portion of the urethra

Positive-contrast retrograde urethrocystograms were obtained serially on 12 male dogs weighing 11.4 to 23.2 kg before, during, and after the injection of contrast medium until the urinary bladder neck and prostatic and membranous portions of the urethra remained open and distended as viewed by fluoroscopy. Correlations of intravesical volumes and pressures required to achieve maximum distension of the midprostatic portion of the urethra with body weight and surface area were not significant. Because of the variability in intravesical volumes and pressures encountered at maximum distension of the prostatic portion of the urethra, a dose of contrast material expressed relative to body weight or surface area could not be determined for consistently providing maximum distension of the prostatic portion of the urethra.     

Morphological Study of the Surface Structure of the Omasal Laminae in Cattle, Sheep and Goats

The mucosal relief of the omasum in cattle, sheep and goats was examined by the naked eye, stereoscopic microscope and scanning electron microscope. The mucosal relief of the omasum showed wide variations both between and within these species. Omasal papillae on the laminae varied highly in shape, i. e. conical, rounded, claw-like, wart-like, finger-like etc. They decreased gradually in size from the oral to the aboral region of the omasal lamina. Ridge-like structures and linear arrangements of the papillae were also seen on the omasal laminae of cattle and sheep. Many grooves and folds were found on the lateral surface of the omasal papillae in adult cattle and on the inter-papillar surface of the laminae of all three species. The mucosal relief of the omasum in cattle seemed to be more well-developed than those of sheep and goats. Dietary effects on the omasal mucosa were also discussed.     

Field variability and vulnerability index to identify regional precision agriculture opportunity

Innovations in precision agriculture (PA) have created opportunities to achieve a greater understanding of within-field variability. However, PA adoption has been hindered by uncertainty about field-specific performance and return on investment. Uncertainty could be better addressed by using innovative analyses that provide insights into variability among fields and across a region. The objectives of this research were to: (1) generate a within-field soil clay-content variability index (VI_c), (2) create a regional-scale growing-season precipitation variability index (VI_p), and (3) integrate the soil and weather indices with the USDA NRCS soil erosion vulnerability index (SVI) to produce a final index that incorporated both variability and vulnerability (VVI). The interpretation of the outcomes represented by each objective supports unique decisions that land managers may consider for reducing uncertainty about implementing PA. All indices were derived using publically available information for Missouri, USA. The VI_c was the ratio between the maximum and minimum clay content within fields. The VI_p was calculated as the standard deviation of the total growing-season precipitation from 2006 to 2015. Significant clustering of VI_c and VI_p were observed along the Missouri River corridor, northeast and northwest Missouri. Fields with high VVI were mostly in the claypan soil region of northeast Missouri, and along a portion of the Missouri River dominated by loess soils on steep slopes. Southeast Missouri displayed the greatest diversity in soil and weather variability, but had low vulnerability. This research could be used as a decision-support tool to aid producers and PA service and product providers in determining where PA opportunities exist.