Spatial and temporal processes affecting nitrogen availability at the landscape scale

Nitrogen dynamics in soils are affected by spatial and temporal processes. Drainage class is generally regarded to be the most significant source of variability for N in temperate humid climates. A 5-year study was conducted including four rates of N fertilizer and three drainage classes within a 15 ha maize (Zea mays L.) field. Variance component analysis showed that N response was minimally affected by drainage class, but showed strong yearly variations, apparently related to early-season precipitation. Annual field-averaged economic optimum N rates had a range of 65 kg ha⁻¹ with lower rates being associated with years with low early-season precipitation. A calibrated LEACHMN model and site-specific weather data were used to evaluate the effects of early-season weather conditions on N rate and availability. During wet years, soil N availability was reduced by approximately 35–50 kg ha⁻¹ compared to dry years, largely independent of drainage class. For well-drained soils, most losses were attributed to leaching (especially in years with wet early-season), while poorly drained soils mainly experienced denitrification. It is concluded that limited benefits may be gained from spatially variable N applications within fields based on drainage class or soil type, but considerable economic and environmental gains are possible from yearly adjustment of supplemental N rates based on model simulations of N dynamics using information on early-season weather conditions.     

Evaluation of temporal, spatial, and tillage-induced variability for parameterization of soil infiltration

Model simulation of water and chemical transport requires information on soil hydraulic properties. Recently, independent parameterization methods have been developed to characterize soil type, tillage, temporal and spatial effects of soils. This study determines the relative magnitude of tillage-induced, temporal (yearly and seasonal), and spatial (within fields and between rows) variability in a combined analysis of soil infiltration in an agricultural field and evaluates the appropriateness of various parameterization scenarios. Infiltration measurements were obtained in the row and interrow position under plow-tilled and ridge-tilled corn (Zea mays L.) in four replicates on multiple dates in a wetter (1990) and dryer year (1991). Measurements exhibited significant temporal variability within a growing season, especially in a dry year under plow till when soil cracking resulted in higher infiltration. Position with respect to the row was the most significant source of variability under ridge till, but not under plow till. Row and interrow differences in a ridge-tilled soil are the result of dense soil and lack of disturbance in the interrow. Yearly variations and field variability were relatively low. Differences between tillage practices were primarily expressed in variable susceptibility to spatial and temporal variation. Adequate parameterization of soil infiltration on agricultural fields requires recognition of various sources of variability under different tillage management systems, weather and climatic conditions, and soil types. High intrinsic variability of soil infiltration must be accounted for through increased sampling (e.g. duplicate measurements) and the use of stochastic methods.     

Antioxidant effect of phenolic compounds, alpha-tocopherol, and other minor components in virgin olive oil

The effect of acidity, squalene, hydroxytyrosol, aldehydic form of oleuropein aglycon, hydroxytyrosyl acetate, tyrosol, homovanillic acid, luteolin, apigenin, alpha-tocopherol, and the mixtures hydroxytyrosol/hydroxytyrosyl acetate, hydroxytyrosol/tyrosol, and hydroxytyrosol/alpha-tocopherol on the oxidative stability of an olive oil matrix was evaluated. A purified olive oil was spiked with several concentrations of these compounds and, then, subjected to an accelerated oxidation in a Rancimat apparatus at 100 degrees C. Acidity, squalene, homovanillic acid, and apigenin showed negligible effect. At the same millimolar concentrations, the different o-diphenolic compounds yielded similar and significant increases of the induction time, alpha-tocopherol a lesser increase, and tyrosol a scarce one. At low concentrations of o-diphenols and alpha-tocopherol, a linear relationship between induction time and concentration was found, but at high concentrations the induction time tended toward constant values. To explain this behavior, a kinetic model was applied. The effect of the mixtures hydroxytyrosol/hydroxytyrosyl acetate was similar to that of a single o-diphenol at millimolar concentration equal to the sum of millimolar concentrations of both compounds. Concentrations of tyrosol >0.3 mmol/kg increase the induction time by 3 h. The mixtures hydroxytyrosol/alpha-tocopherol showed opposite effects depending on the relative concentrations of both antioxidants; so, at hydroxytyrosol concentrations <0.2 mmol/kg, the addition of alpha-tocopherol increased the induction time, whereas at higher hydroxytyrosol concentrations, the alpha-tocopherol diminished the stability.     

Nitrous oxide emissions are greater in silt loam soils with a legacy of manure application than without

Soil carbon (C) content, often found at elevated levels in manured soils, can play a critical role in regulating nitrous oxide emissions. Nitrate availability and oxygen status are the other primary drivers of emissions, yet the interaction of these three variables and the dynamics of the denitrification process are inadequately known. Emissions of N₂O and N₂ were measured from two New York State soils that were historically managed either with regular cattle manure applications (M) or without manure (NM). For 168 h, repacked soil cores were maintained at 80 % water-filled pore space after the application of 0, 50, 100, and 200 kg ha^?1 of labeled K¹⁵NO₃. Significant differences were found in the N₂O emission profiles between the two treatments with a simultaneous increasing trend in emissions with higher fertilizer applications. The M soil produced 53-, 15.5-, and 8.6-fold increases in N₂O emissions over the NM soil at the 50-, 100-, and 200-kg ha^?1 N rates, respectively. Additionally, the mean ratio of nitrous oxide to total denitrification (N₂O/(N₂O + N₂)) was higher for M soil. It increased to values of 0.17, 0.25, and 0.43 for fertilizer rates of 50, 100, and 200 kg ha^?1, respectively, in contrast to ratios in the NM soil of 0.01, 0.03, and 0.14.     

A preliminary investigation comparing pre-operative morphine and buprenorphine for postoperative analgesia and sedation in cats

Objective To compare the postoperative analgesic and sedative properties of buprenorphine and morphine in cats. Study Design Prospective, randomized, blinded study. Animals Thirty‐two domestic cats undergoing surgery. Methods Cats received pre‐anaesthetic medication with acepromazine (0.05 mg kg^?1) given intramuscularly and were randomly allocated to group M and given morphine (0.1 mg kg^?1) intramuscularly (IM) or to group B and given buprenorphine (0.01 mg kg^?1) IM. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with halothane in oxygen and nitrous oxide. Pain and sedation scores using visual analogue scales, and heart and respiratory rates, were measured immediately before, and 30, 60, 120, 180, 300 and 420 minutes after anaesthesia. Results Pain scores were significantly lower at 60, 120 and 180 minutes after anaesthesia in group B. Group B also had higher heart rates at 30 minutes. There were no other statistically significant differences between the groups. Clinical relevance Buprenorphine (0.01 mg kg^?1) appeared to provide better postoperative analgesia than morphine (0.1 mg kg^?1) and may also have a longer duration of action.     

Cardiopulmonary effects associated with head-down position in halothane-anesthetized ponies with or without capnoperitoneum

Objective To compare the cardiopulmonary effects of the head‐down position, with or without capnoperitoneum, in halothane‐anesthetized horses. Study design Prospective randomized study. Animals Five ponies (four mares, one stallion; bodyweight 302 ± 38.4 kg [mean ± SD]) were used. Methods The ponies were anesthetized with xylazine, guiafenesin, ketamine, and maintained with halothane/oxygen and lungs were ventilated to 40 ± 2 mm Hg (5.3 ± 0.3 kPa) end‐tidal CO₂ tension. After baseline cardiopulmonary measurements, ponies were kept in horizontal position for 30 minutes, then tilted head‐down 30° to the horizontal position for 60 minutes, and then returned to a horizontal position for final measurements. Capnoperitoneum (intra‐abdominal pressure: 12 mm Hg [1.6 kPa]) was introduced after baseline cardiopulmonary measurements, until 5 minutes before the final measurements (treatment INS). Ponies in the control treatment (CON) did not receive capnoperitoneum. Cardiopulmonary data were collected every 10 minutes following the baseline measurements until recovery. Results In the head‐down position, in both treatments, significant decreases were observed in PaO₂, and significant increases were observed in PaCO₂, right atrial blood pressure, arterial to end‐tidal CO₂ gradient, calculated V_d/V_t and ratios. During the head‐down position, in CON there was decreased cardiac index, and in INS, there were decreases in arterial plasma pH and increases in mean systemic arterial and airway pressures. Treatment INS developed ventilation–perfusion mismatch earlier in the study, and had longer recovery times compared to CON. Conclusion Cardiac index and systemic blood pressure appeared to be preserved in INS during the head‐down position, but ventilation–perfusion mismatch appeared earlier with head‐down position and capnoperitoneum. Clinical relevance Healthy ponies tolerate capnoperitoneum at 12 mm Hg (1.6 kPa) intra‐abdominal pressure when tilted head down 30° to the horizontal position.