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Highlights: [•] Five land use systems were studied for SOC and TN accumulation potentials. [•] Soils under OP, SP and AF showed more SOC and TN accumulations than RF. [•] SOC and TN can be increased by adopting grass and tree based land use systems. [•] SOC and TN in OP, SP land uses are accumulated in the top soil layers. [•] Conversion from OP and SP land use to RF will have a risk of CO2 emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of nitrogen (N at 0, 100 and 180 kg N ha-1) and sulfur (S at 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg S ha-1) on crop yield, nutrient uptake, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and amino acid composition of two bread wheat cultivars, 'Shehan' and 'Enkoy,' grown in Andisols and Cambisols in randomized blocks with three replications were evaluated. Both cultivars responded significantly (P < 0.05) to N and S applications and S application with N improved the NUE by 28%. The yield increase for the two cultivars by N and S application ranged between 0.8 to 2.4 Mg ha-1. The N concentration increased significantly from N0 to N2 in both cultivars. Sulfur fertilization increased the concentration of cysteine and methionine by 27% and 14%, respectively, as compared to N alone. The grain yield, NUE, N, and S uptake, and the S-amino acid concentration of 'Enkoy' were significantly higher than 'Shehan' cultivar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Nutrient transport in surface runoff associated with sediment constitutes an important nutrient loss in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, but little information is available on this aspect. This paper analyses runoff coefficient, runoff volume, sediment yield and sediment-associated nutrient losses under different land uses (cultivated, grazing, eucalyptus plantation, and exclosure lands) in the Tigray highlands. Two years data on rainfall, runoff volume, sediment yield and sediment-associated nutrient losses were collected from 31 runoff plots of 20m2. Results show that runoff coefficient, runoff volume and sediment yield are significantly higher in cultivated land than in the other land uses. On average, runoff volume from cultivated land is two times higher than in open grazing land at Gum Selassa, but at Maileba it is 5, 6, 16 times higher than in plantation, open grazing, and exclosures, respectively when extreme rainfall events were excluded. The respective values for sediment yield from cultivated land at Maileba are 4, 5 and 27 times higher. Variation in total rainfall amount that produced runoff explained 69% of the annual runoff volume variability, and this in turn explained 76% of the annual sediment yield variability. Among the plot variables, vegetation ground cover was significantly and negatively correlated with runoff coefficient; and runoff generation tends to be negligible when the ground cover exceeds 72%. Concentration of sediment-associated nutrient losses decreased with increasing sediment yield, supposedly related to the important nutrient dissolution effect of high runoff volumes. Rainfalls with low amount and intensity are important for selective removal of nutrient-rich sediments. Annually, on average, nutrient and OC losses varied between 14.4 and 263.4kgha−1 y−1 for OC, 2.1–32.8kgha−1 y−1 for N, 0.02–0.2kgha−1 y−1 for available P and 0.35–5.25kgha−1 y−1 for available K, with the lowest values in all cases on exclosures and highest on cultivated land. The present study demonstrates the effectiveness of exclosures and plantation in controlling runoff, sediment and sediment-associated nutrient losses on steep degrading lands of the region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aqueous extract of leaf (LE), fruit (FE) and seed (SE) of Moringa oleifera was assessed to examine the ability to inhibit the oxidative DNA damage, antioxidant and anti-quorum sensing (QS) potentials. It was found that these extracts could significantly inhibit the OH -dependent damage of pUC18 plasmid DNA and also inhibit synergistically with trolox, with an activity sequence of LE>FE>SE. HPLC and MS/MS analysis was carried out, which showed the presence of gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, ferulic acid, kaempferol, quercetin and vanillin. The LE was with comparatively higher total phenolics content (105.04mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g), total flavonoids content (31.28mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/g), and ascorbic acid content (106.95mg/100g) and showed better antioxidant activity (85.77%), anti-radical power (74.3), reducing power (1.1 ascorbic acid equivalents (ASE)/ml), inhibition of lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, OH -induced deoxyribose degradation, and scavenging power of superoxide anion and nitric oxide radicals than did the FE, SE and standard α-tocopherol. Eventually, LE and FE were found to inhibit violacein production, a QS-regulated behavior in Chromobacterium violaceum 12472. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to determine antioxidant activity, the five extracts/fractions of red onion peel were studied for their total content of phenolics (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), antioxidant activity (AOA), free radical scavenging activity (FRSA), assayed by DPPH radical in the terms of anti-radical power (ARP) and reducing power (RP), expressed as ascorbic acid equivalents (ASE)/ml. High TPC (384.7±5.0mg GAE/g), TFC (165.2±3.2mg QE/g), AOA (97.4±7.6%), ARP (75.3±4.5) and RP (1.6±0.3 ASE/ml) were found for the ethyl acetate (EA) fraction. EA fraction had markedly higher antioxidant capacity than butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in preventive or scavenging capacities against FeCl3-induced lipid peroxidation, protein fragmentation, hydroxyl (site-specific and non-site-specific), superoxide anion and nitric oxide radicals. EA fraction also showed dose dependent antimutagenic activity by following the inhibition of tobacco-induced mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains (TA102) and hydroxyl radical-induced nicking in plasmid pUC18 DNA. HPLC and MS/MS analysis showed the presence of ferulic, gallic, protocatechuic acids, quercetin and kaempferol. The large amount of polyphenols contained in EA fraction may cause its strong antioxidant and antimutagenic properties. This information shows that EA fraction of red onion peel can be used as natural antioxidant in nutraceutical preparations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The antioxidant and anti-quorum sensing activities of eight extracts were studied in green pods of Acacia nilotica. The specific phenolic compositions and their quantifications were performed by HPLC and MS/MS, which showed that the HEF (pH 4) was higher in gallic acid, ellagic acid, epicatechin, rutin, and GTs. In order to find antioxidant potential of various extracts, their activities were studied for TPC, AOA, FRSA, RP, inhibition of LPO, FIC activity, HO and scavenging activities. Among them HEF (pH 4) has shown potent antioxidant activity. HEF (pH 4) was also found effective in protecting plasmid DNA and HAS protein oxidation induced by HO . Pre-treatment of HEF (pH 4) at 75 and 150mg/kg body weight for 6 days caused a significant increase in the levels of CAT and SOD and decrease in the level of MDA content in liver, lungs, kidneys and blood when compared to CCl4-intoxicated rats. Eventually, the extracts were also screened for anti-QS activity. Of these extracts two showed QS inhibition: HEF (pH 4) and HCE. The results obtained strongly indicate that green pod of A. nilotica are important source of natural antioxidants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A method for the establishment of callus tissue from infected Gladiolus (Gladiolus psittacinus var. Hookeri cv. Red) corms, regeneration and elimination of viruses, viz. Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) from callus tissue was developed. The callus tissue, from infected central bud slices of cormels was raised and subjected to various concentrations of virazole (ribavirin, 1-β-d-ribofuranosyl-1, 2, 4-triazole-3-carboxamide) for elimination of viruses. The tissues were screened for the presence of virus (es) after culturing them on to the virazole supplemented media for a period of 6–8 weeks which successfully eliminated both BYMV and CMV in callus tissue cultures of Gladiolus. The tissues were then differentiated into plantlets/corms and tested for the presence/absence of virus (es) employing serological (electroblot immunoassay, EBIA) and nucleic acid-based (nucleic acid spot hybridization, NASH and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, RT-PCR) techniques. Additionally, duplex RT-PCR was also developed for simultaneous detection of BYMV and CMV in Gladiolus tissues at various developmental stages. The tissues were regenerated and certified virus-free corms/Gladiolus plantlets were produced. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We screened serum samples of 1024 goats slaughtered for chevon in Bareilly in Northern India for Salmonella antibodies with indirect ELISA, MAT-H (microagglutination test using flagellar antigens e, n, x and 1, 5) and MAT-O (microagglutination test using somatic antigens 4, 12 and 3, 10, 15). Salmonella antibodies were detected in 48, 8 and 40%, goats using Salmonella-cytotoxi-I ELISA, MAT ‘H’ and MAT ‘O’, respectively. After adjusting for test accuracy, the seroprevalence were highest for Salmonella-cytotoxi-I ELISA (46%) followed by agglutinins against ‘O’ 3, 10, 15 (15%) and negligible for other agglutinins. With all 5 tests, prevalence of Salmonella antibodies was significantly higher in females than in males. No significant difference was evident in prevalence of Salmonella antibodies to different antigens in different age groups of male goats except for e, n, x agglutinins that were significantly more prevalent in young adult (<6–18 months) males than in adult (>18 months of age) or young (≤6 months of age) goats. On the other hand, in females, prevalence of Salmonella-cytotoxin-I antibodies and e, n, x agglutinins differed significantly among three age groups, being the most prevalent in adult goats. As expected, the results of different tests had little or no correlation because the different tests targeted antibodies to different antigens. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A 3-yr (2003–2005) study was conducted to assess the effect of two tillage methods: conventional tillage (CT, with four ploughings using a traditional plough, maresha) and minimum tillage (MT, with a single pass prior to sowing) and of N-fertilization, on tef yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), weed infestation and soil properties at two locations in the rainfed semiarid conditions of Ethiopia. The experimental design was a split plot with three replications, with tillage treatments as main plots and N-rates as subplots. The N-fertilization rates were 0kgNha−1 (ZN), 30kgNha−1 (LN), 60kgNha−1 (MN) and 90kgNha−1 (HN). The minimum tillage practice produced as high yields as conventional tillage. Both total dry matter (DM) and grain yields were increased by N-fertilization. At both locations and in all years, there was a linear increase in dry matter production when N was increased from ZN to HN. The grain yield showed a similar increasing trend up to MN level but decreased from MN to HN. Available moisture content was relatively higher for minimum till (MT) than for conventional till (CT). In the dry years of the 2003 and 2004 cropping seasons, the average available moisture content in the plough layer was higher in MT than in CT by 0.004m (2003) and 0.003m (2004). Weed infestation was significantly higher in MT than in CT, with weed numbers 96 higher and weights 102gm−2 higher in MT. Nitrogen use efficiency decreased with increased N but was not affected by tillage methods. Average N recoveries for CT and MT were generally similar (about 43%). Nitrogen fertilization significantly affected the soil total N and C/N ratio at lower depth (0.15–0.30m). Average total N at the lower depth increased by 35.2kgha−1 yr−1 (203%) when N application rate was increased from MN to HN, suggesting that higher N levels are to be avoided to reduce excessive leaching to lower depths. Thus, the adoption of MT in the semiarid conditions could benefit soil and moisture conservations and reduce costs for resource poor farmers in Ethiopia without significantly affecting yield. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Out of 204 slaughtered goats examined, 35(17.6%) yielded Salmonella. Salmonella could be isolated either from mesenteric lymph nodes (11) or from gall bladder (15) or from both of the organ (9) of the goats examined. A total of 60 Salmonella isolates included 34 from gall bladder (of 24 goats) and 26 from mesenteric lymph node (of 20 goats) samples. On serotyping, 29 isolates were found to be rough strains while 31 could be serotyped in to 17 serovars, viz. one each to S. Paratyphi B var Java, S. Altona, S. Weltevreden, S. Rovaniemi, S. Sarajane, S. Louga, S. I. 52: r: 1, 5; S. I. 1, 3, 19: r: z6; S. I. 3, 19: r: 1, 5; S. I. 28: b: e, n, x and S. I. 6, 7: r: Z6, two each to S. Chicago, S. Czernyring, S. Kirkee, and S. I. 3, 10: z6: -; five to S. Paratyphi B and seven to S. I. 28: b: 1, 2. Of these serovars, S. Czernyring, S. Louga, S. Rovaniemi, S. Kirkee, S. Sarajane, S. Altona have not been reported earlier from India. On the basis of drug resistance, the isolates could be classified into 40 resistotypes. All the isolates were sensitive to imipenem and chloramphenicol, while 70% were resistant to nitrofurantoin. Multiple drug resistance (resistant to >3 drugs) was evident in 51.67% isolates (31) while 13.3% (8) isolates were sensitive to all the drugs evaluated under the study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and nutrient stocks in the soil profile (0–80 cm) in four dominant land uses [forest, upland maize and millet (Bari), irrigated rice (Khet), and grazed systems)] and 0–15 cm depth along elevation gradient 1000 to 3000 m, and aspects in the Mardi watershed were measured. Soil properties at 0–15 cm depth were also measured in undisturbed forest, forest with free grazed system, managed forest, and grassland to compare the soil quality index (SQI) of topsoils. The SOC and nutrient concentration decreased with increasing profile depth. The SOC and N contents in the 0–15 cm depth of forest soils were significantly greater than the corresponding depth in upland maize and millet, irrigated rice, and grazed systems. On the other hand, available P and K concentrations at the same depth were significantly greater in upland maize and millet compared to irrigated rice, grazed system, and forest land uses. The SOC and N stocks (0–15 cm) increased from agricultural land at the valley bottom at about 1000 m above mean sea level (a.s.l.) (24 and 3 Mg ha -1 ) compared to undisturbed forest (74 and 5.9 Mg ha -1 ) at 2600 m a.s.l, demonstrating the effects of cover and elevation. Both SOC and N stocks decreased sharply in grassland (54 and 4.5 Mg ha -1 ) at elevations of 2600 to 2800 m a.s.l. compared with undisturbed forest. Above 2800 m a.s.l. the cover type changed from grass to coniferous forest, and the SOC and N stocks steadily increased at the summit level (3200 m a.s.l.) to 65 and 6.9 Mg ha -1 , respectively. Slope and aspect significantly affected SOC with the northwest aspect having significantly higher concentrations (46 g kg -1 ) than other aspects. Similarly, SOC concentration at the lowest slope position (39 g kg -1 ) was significantly higher than the middle or upper positions (25 and 13 g kg -1 ). Integrated soil quality index (SQI) values varied from 0.17 to 0.69 for different land uses, being highest for undisturbed forest and lowest for irrigated rice. The SQI demonstrated the degradation status of land uses in the following ascending order: irrigated rice?>?grazed system?>?forest with free grazing?>?upland maize and millet?>?managed forest?>?grass land?>?undisturbed forest. The irrigated rice, grazed system, upland maize and millet, and freely grazed forestlands need immediate attention to minimize further deterioration of soil quality in these land uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The GaAs/anodic oxide interface formation was changed by anodizing GaAs at different low electrolyte temperatures. The resulting interface properties are analysed using conventional MOS theory. Effects of growth temperature on GaAs surface conditions and interface properties are presented. Our results qualitatively support the ISB model proposed by Sawada and Hasegawa (1979). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capacitance-voltage technique has been employed to study the instability phenomenon in silicon dioxide films, intentionally contaminated with water vapour. The temperature, voltage and time dependence on initial drift and recovery waveform are reported. Variation of contamination level and study of ion migration kinetics have been used to propose a new qualitative model to explain the result. Non-bridging oxygen situated at the metal-oxide interface acts an attractive site for positive ions. When the system is exposed to water, a complex is formed, which dissociates the positively charged ions, causing the observed instability. The above phenomenon is observed only when a catalytic impurity is present on the oxide surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The behaviour of the capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics of M-O-S capacitances prepared on n-type (10 cm) silicon surfaces has been described. The effect of gate voltage during irradiation on the C-V characteristic, radiation-induced excess charge with time and the annealing of the device due to temperature and U.V. radiation are reported here. The effect of visible light on the devices is also reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent surface researches are focused on oxidized silicon surfaces because of their practical importance in the 'Planar' device structure. The C-V characteristics of M-O-S structure are usually used as a sensitive detector to study the charge transport and polarization effects in the oxide or the insulator. However, the surface charge is found to depend upon the oxide thickness, the temperature and the annealing treatments. This type of work has been done by workers, viz. Terman (1962), Lehovec et al. (1963), Grove et al. (1965) and Badcock and Lamb (1968). In this short communication we report the effect of temperature on the surface state density computed from the experimental and theoretical C-V characteristics of M-O-S structure. Measurements were made on a number of devices fabricated on n-type 10 cm silicon wafers and were found to be about 417 10 cm per unit area. The result of a representative device is reported here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feasibility of simultaneous treatment of multiple wastes via co-digestion was studied in semi-continuous mode at meso philic conditions. The obtained results indicated that sewage sludge, organic fraction of municipal waste (OFMSW) and grease trap sludge (GTS) possess complementary properties that can be combined for successful anaerobic digestion. During the co-digestion period, methane yield and VS removal were significantly higher in comparison to digestion of sewage sludge alone. Addition of GTS to digesters treating sewage sludge resulted in increased VS removal and methane yield up to 13% (from 50 to 56.4) and 52% (from 300 to 456,547 m 3 /Mg VS add ), respectively. While the use of OFMSW as the next co-substrate in the feedstock, can boost methane yield and VS removal up to 82% (300–547 m 3 /Mg VS add ) and approximately 29% (from 50% to 64.7%), respectively. Moreover, the results of the present laboratory study revealed that the addition of co-substrates to the feedstock had a significant influence on biogas composition. During the experiment methane content in biogas ranged from 67% to 69%. While, the concentration of LCFAs was increasing with the gradual increase in the share of co-substrates in the mixtures, wherein only the oleic acid was higher than some inhibition concentrations which have been reported in the literature. However, it did not significantly affect the efficiency of the co-digestion process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the effect of ionizing radiation on the interface properties of Al/Ta2O5/Si metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) capacitors using capacitance–voltage (C–V) and current–voltage (I–V) characteristics. The devices were irradiated with X-rays at different doses ranging from 100 rad to 1 Mrad. The leakage behavior, which is an important parameter for memory applications of Al/Ta2O5/Si MOS capacitors, along with interface properties such as effective oxide charges and interface trap density with and without irradiation has been investigated. Lower accumulation capacitance and shift in flat band voltage toward negative value were observed in annealed devices after exposure to radiation. The increase in interfacial oxide layer thickness after irradiation was confirmed by Rutherford Back Scattering measurement. The effect of post-deposition annealing on the electrical behavior of Ta2O5MOS capacitors was also investigated. Improved electrical and interface properties were obtained for samples deposited in N2ambient. The density of interface trap states (Dit) at Ta2O5/Si interface sputtered in pure argon ambient was higher compared to samples reactively sputtered in nitrogen-containing plasma. Our results show that reactive sputtering in nitrogen-containing plasma is a promising approach to improve the radiation hardness of Ta2O5/Si MOS devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To investigate the efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum NBRI-1055 (denoted as ' T-1055') in suppression of seedling blight of sunflower caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kühn and their impact on host defence responses. Methods and Results T-1055 was applied as seed treatment, soil application and combined application (seed treatment + soil application). Higher protection afforded by combined application of T-1055 was associated with the marked induction of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase ( PAL), polyphenol oxidase ( PPO), peroxidase ( PO) and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase ( CAD) activities. The activities of PAL and PPO reached maximum at 10 days after sowing ( DAS), while PO and CAD levels reached maximum at 12 DAS. This was further supported by the accumulation of total phenolic content that showed an increase up to threefold at 14 DAS. In addition, HPLC analysis revealed that the contents of ferulic and p-coumaric acids increased by 6·3 and 4·6 times, respectively, at 14 DAS. Amount of gallic acid was also little more than double. Lignin deposition in sunflower root increased by 2·7, 3·4 and 3·7 times through combined application of T-1055 at 16, 18 and 20 DAS, respectively. Combined application also increased the accumulation of PR-2 and PR-3 proteins by 3·3 and 3·9 times, respectively, at 12 DAS in followed by seed treatment alone. Conclusions The combined application of T-1055 triggered defence responses in an enhanced level in sunflower than the soil and seed alone and provided better protection against Rhizoctonia seedling blight. Significance and Impact of the Study Rhizospheric fungal bioagent ' T-1055' can enhance protection in sunflower against the R. solani pathogen through augmented elicitation of host defence responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study aimed at characterizing land cover dynamics for four decades in Eastern Mau forest and Lake Nakuru basin, Kenya. The specific objectives were to: (i) identify and map the major land cover types in 1973, 1985, 2000 and 2011; (ii) detect and determine the magnitude, rates and nature of the land cover changes that had occurred between these dates, and; (iii) establish the spatial and temporal distribution of these changes. Land cover types were discriminated through partitioning, hybrid classification and spatial reclassification of multi-temporal Landsat imagery. The land cover products were then validated and overlaid in post-classification comparison to detect the changes between 1973 and 2011. The accuracies of the land cover maps for 1973, 1985, 2000 and 2011 were 88%, 95%, 80% and 89% respectively. Six land cover classes, namely forests-shrublands, grasslands, croplands, built-up lands, bare lands and water bodies, were mapped. Forests-shrublands dominated in 1973, 1985 and 2000 covering about 1067 km2, 893 km2 and 797 km2 respectively, but were surpassed by croplands (953 km2) in 2011. Bare lands occupied the least area that varied between 2 km2 and 7 km2 during this period. Overall, forests-shrublands and grasslands decreased by 428 km2 and 258 km2 at the annual average rates of 1% each, whereas croplands and built-up lands expanded by 660 km2 and 24 km2 at the annual rates of 6% and 16% respectively. The key hotspots of these changes were distributed in all directions of the study area, but at different times. Therefore, policies that integrate restoration and conservation of natural ecosystems with enhancement of agricultural productivity are strongly recommended. This will ensure environmental sustainability and socio-economic well-being in the area. Future research needs to assess the impacts of the land cover changes on ecosystem services and to project the future patterns of land cover changes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The high seed rate and labor requirement are common problems associated to traditional sowing of bold seeds. For bold seeds such as maize, cotton, groundnut and pigeon pea planting and fertilizer placement are the two different unit operations performed either by tractor drawn planter or manually. Performance of tractor-drawn, commercially available raised bed planter for planting of wheat at the bed was tested. The machine has trapezoidal hopper and an inclined plate type metering unit. A suitable furrow opener system was equipped with the machine to place the seeds at the bed at desired depth. The power transmission to the metering unit is through a ground wheel by chain-sprockets system. The field trials were conducted for sowing of different seeds at farmers’ field. The performance indicators of the planter viz. field capacity and efficiency were calculated by using the observed data in the field. An average field capacity of 0.28ha/h to 0.31 was obtained for continuous operation of raised bed planter at an average speed of 2.27km/h. A field efficiency of 71–73% was observed which was in the prescribed range of 65–75% for row crop planter. The average depth of placement of seed of 10 observations randomly selected was 4.1cm. The field machine index was recorded at an average of 77.38%. The seed rate obtained was 91kg/ha for wheat and depth of sowing was 38–45mm. Average plant population (plant/m2) after germination was found under the prescribed range i.e. 141–171. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Due to increasing land-use pressure, Colombian volcanic-ash soils have been subjected to short-duration natural fallows, leading to severe degradation. The influence of planted fallows, with and without chicken manure application, on soil nitrogen availability, phosphorus and organic matter fractions, and on grain yield of maize was investigated on two on-farm experimental sites (BM1 and BM2) with the same soil type and recent cropping history. The soil at the two sites contained 33% sand and 39% clay, respectively, with a bulk density of 0.8 Mg m-3. The soils had pH (H2O) of 5.1, organic carbon content of 50 g kg-1, and exchangeable Al of 1.1 cmol kg-1. The effect of chicken manure varied in the two sites. In BM1, Tithonia diversifolia (with chicken manure), had a positive impact compared with the other fallow treatments. In BM2, Indigofera zollingeriana (with chicken manure), on average, performed better. Simple correlations between nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents in LL and LM soil organic matter (SOM) fractions, total N, NO3--N, NH4+-N, soil mineral N, potential nitrogen mineralization, NaHCO3 extractable Pi, NaHCO3 extractable Po, NaOH extractable Pi, NaOH extractable Po, and maize grain yield, were not significant. Higher values of maize grain yield ranged between 1.39-2.07 Mg ha-1 (-CM, + CM) in T. diversifolia treatment, while lower values ranged between 0.64-1.49 Mg ha~ in rotation treatment (maize and bean). Multiple regression analyses to evaluate the additive effect of several measured soil and SOM parameters in explaining the variance in maize grain yield were not significant. Our study indicates that both P and N were probably immobilized. Thus, there is a need for mineral P fertilizer to be used in conjunction with planted fallows so as to avail more P to the growing crops, especially in these severely P-deficient soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tillage systems may affect many soil properties, which in turn may alter the soil environment and consequently impact on root growth and distribution, and crop yield. In 1993, a long-term field experiment on sustainable crop rotation and ley farming systems was initiated on a Colombian acid-savanna oxisol to test the effects of grain legumes, green manures, intercrops and leys as possible components that could increase the stability of systems involving annual crops. In the present study, five agropastoral treatments (maize monoculture, maize-soybean rotation, maize-soybean green manure rotation, native savanna, maize-agropastoral rotation) under two tillage systems (no tillage and minimum tillage) were investigated. Lower bulk density and higher total porosity for all treatments and soil layers were found in no-tillage compared to the minimum tillage system. Between the two tillage systems, significantly higher maize grain yields (p<0.1) were obtained under no-tillage agropastoral treatments compared to the same treatments under minimum tillage. Maize yields on native savanna soils were markedly lower than in the rest of the treatments, indicating the need for improved soil conditions in subsoil layers for root growth of maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clostridium botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most toxic substances known. They exert potent neuroparalysis on vertebrates. C. botulinum produces seven serotypes of neurotoxin (A–G). BoNT/A, found in bacterial cultures of C. botulinum type A, is produced as a complex with a group of neurotoxin associated proteins (NAPs). Botulinum neurotoxin complex is the only known example of a protein complex where a group of proteins (NAPs) protect another protein (BoNT) against the acidity and proteases of the stomach. Here, we used sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) for separation and identification of the constituent proteins of BoNT/A complex. A range of homogenous and gradient SDS–PAGE gels was used to resolve the BoNT/A complex. These gels were run under constant voltage and constant current conditions. The molecular weight and relative amount of each protein band were determined. On a 12.5% homogenous SDS–PAGE under reducing conditions, seven protein bands were identified with average molecular weights of 118, 106, 90, 56, 36, 23 and 17 kDa. The relative amounts of these seven proteins were determined densitometrically as 10, 6, 13, 27, 22, 13 and 8%, respectively. The separation and identification of BoNT/A complex will help in understanding the molecular structure and function of BoNT/A NAPs and their interaction with the toxin, in the toxico-infection process of the botulism diseased state. In particular, the stoichiometry of the individual components is established for a typical preparation of BoNT/A complex. Furthermore, the studies reported here identify the most favorable conditions for the baseline resolution of BoNT/A NAPs proteins for other workers in this field. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Discusses the effect of residual fertilizer nitrogen, lime and Bradyrhizobium inoculum on yield, nitrogen (N) uptake and N fixation of nodulating and non-nodulating groundnuts in Kasama, Zambia. Tendency of non-nodulating plants to have increased dry matter production and total N uptake; Ability of residual lime to increase kernel yield and nitrogen fixation in nodulating plants.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of high-k material HfO2 as a buffer layer for the fabrication of metal-ferroelectric-insulator-silicon (MFeIS) structures on Si (100) substrate. Design/methodology/approach: RF-sputtered Pb[Zr0.35Ti0.65]O3 or (PZT) and plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposited HfO2 films were selected as the ferroelectric and high-k buffer layer, respectively, for the fabrication of metal-ferroelectric-insulator-silicon (MFeIS) structures on Si (100) substrate. Multiple angle ellipsometry and X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out to obtain the crystal orientation, refractive index and absorption coefficient parameters of the deposited/annealed films. In the different range of annealing temperature, the refractive index was observed in the range of 2.9 to 2 and 1.86 to 2.64 for the PZT and HfO2 films, respectively Findings: Electrical and ferroelectric properties of the dielectric and ferroelectric films and their stacks were obtained by fabricating the metal/ferroelectric/silicon (MFeS), metal/ferroelectric/metal, metal/insulator/silicon and MFeIS capacitor structures. A closed hysteresis loop with remnant polarization of 4.6 µC/cm2 and coercive voltage of 2.1 V was observed in the PZT film annealed at 5000 C. Introduction of HfO2 buffer layer (10 nm) improves the memory window from 5.12 V in MFeS to 6.4 V in MFeIS structure with one order reduction in the leakage current density. The same MFeS device was found having excellent fatigue resistance property for greater than 1010 read/write cycles and data retention time more than 3 h. Originality/value: The MFeIS structure has been fabricated with constant PZT thickness and varied buffer layer (HfO2) thickness. Electrical characteristics shows the improved leakage current and memory window in the MFeIS structures as compared to the MFeS structures. Optimized MFeIS structure with 10-nm buffer layer shows the excellent ferroelectric properties with endurance greater than E10 read/write cycles and data retention time higher than 3 h. The above properties indicate the MFe(100 nm)I(10 nm)S gate stack as a potential candidate for the FeFET-based nonvolatile memory applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the structural and electrical properties of Al/SBN/Al 2 O 3 /Silicon gate stack for non-volatile memory applications. RF magnetron sputtering was used for thin film deposition of SrBi 2 Nb 2 O 9 , Al 2 O 3 and their stack on the silicon substrate. Structural characterization using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) show the perovskite structure of SBN film annealed in the temperature range of 500–800 °C. Multiple angle ellipsometric analysis carried out on the deposited film annealed at different temperatures shows the refractive index (n) in the range of 2.0941–2.1804 for the SBN and 1.7–1.73 for sputtered Al 2 O 3 . Metal-Ferroelectric-Semiconductor (MFeS), Metal-Ferroelectric-Metal (MFeM) and Metal-Ferroelectric-Insulator-Semiconductor (MFeIS) structures were fabricated to investigate the memory window, leakage current density, hysteresis and fatigue characteristics. The Effect of introducing Al 2 O 3 buffer layer, its thickness and its annealing temperature on the structural and electrical properties were investigated. The capacitance-voltage (C-V) data shows the memory window improvement from 1.977 V for MFeS to 2.88 V for MFeIS structure with 10 nm sputtered Al 2 O 3 buffer layer. MFeI (10nm) S structures shows leakage current density in the range of nA-cm −2 with no fatigue for the iteration cycles 10 11 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 government-organized pig farms between 2014 and 2016 representing seven states of India to understand the epidemiology of carbapenem resistance in the Escherichia coli. Methods and Results In this study, fecal sample ( n = 673) from non-diarrheic ( n = 501) and diarrheic ( n = 172) piglets were processed for isolation of carbapenem resistant E. coli. Of 673, E. coli isolate ( n = 112) was genotyped for confirming the carbapenem resistance and associated virulence factors. Of the 112 isolates, 23 were phenotypically resistant to carbapenem and 8 were carrying the New Delhi metallo beta-lactamase ( bla NDM) gene. The carbapenem-resistant isolates also produced extended spectrum beta-lactamases and were multidrug resistant. The PCR-based pathotyping revealed the presence of stx1 , stx2, eae and hlyA genes. The enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR dendrogram analysis of the isolates yielded three distinct clusters. The statistical analysis revealed no association between carriages of carbapenem-resistant E. coli in different breed of piglets however, location, sex, health status of piglets and age showed significant difference. The spatial analysis with Sa TScan helped in identification of carbapenem-resistant clusters. Conclusions The presence of carbapenem resistant E. coli isolates with virulence genes in the piglet poses a potential public health risk through possible access and spread via the food chain and environment. Efflux pump may also play an important role in carbapenem resistance in piglet E. coli isolates. Furthermore, identification of risk factors in relation to spatial clusters will help in designing preventive strategies for reducing the risk of spread of carbapenem resistant bacteria. Significance and Impact of the Study 1. Piglets harbor carbapenem resistant E. coli and have great public health significance. 2. Apart from carbapenemase, efflux pump is also important for carbapenem resistance. 3. This is the first report of blaNDM in the piglets from India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims at extensively defining serpentinite quarry soils and analysing their content and distribution of heavy metals using chemical sequential extraction. The association with the different geochemical phases of the soil was verified using TOF-SIMS and SEM-EDS techniques. Seven soils were chosen in two serpentinite quarries located in Moeche (M) and Silleda (C) (Galicia, northwest of Spain). The selected areas for soil sampling were: dump sites (M1, M2 and C1), rock extraction sites (M3, C2), and quarry boundaries (M4 and C3). The total soil concentration of Co, Cr, Ni, and V varied from 1472 to 7132, 1499 to 4309, 76 to 373, and 21 to 140 mg kg − 1 , respectively. In all cases they exceed the maximum limit permitted in soils. After chemical sequential extraction it was found that the high content of Co, Cr, Ni, and V is associated with the residual fraction of the soils. In addition, Fe and Mn oxides have a high capacity for Co fixation, whereas Cr, Ni, and V are mainly associated with magnesium silicates. The fractions related to organic matter and the soluble or available forms are, respectively low and very low, not exceeding 2.5% in any of the soils. This association of the metals with magnesium silicates and Fe oxides, and the low content of metals bound to organic matter were identified by using the TOF-SIMS and SEM-EDS techniques. Both techniques confirmed and verified the results obtained during the chemical sequential extraction by checking the interaction of heavy metals with the different components of the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of the study was to assess the selenium (Se) status of sheep and cows in some of the Western Balkan countries. A total number of 105 sheep and 160 cow blood samples (from 21 and 39 farms, respectively) were collected and analyzed for Se in the whole blood (WB). Samples have been analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results showed that 85.6% of sheep and 45.6% of cows had inadequate (≤100 ng/mL) level of WB-Se concentration. The WB-Se concentration was significantly higher in both Se supplemented sheep and cows than in those without any Se supplementation. The WB-Se concentration was inadequate at all farms without Se supplementation. Therefore, Se should be supplemented to the animal feed or Se-biofortified feed used to ensure adequate level of Se in cows and sheep in all the Balkan countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present paper deals with the electrical characterization of sputtered ZrO2/Si interface deposited in N2 containing plasma. Incorporation of nitrogen in the sputter deposited films was confirmed by glancing angle X-Ray diffraction measurement. MOS C–V and I–V techniques were used for interface characterization. Nitrogen incorporated ZrO2 MOS capacitors exhibited higher breakdown voltage and lower leakage current than structures having ZrO2 dielectric films sputtered in pure argon atmosphere. Different device parameters such as flat band voltage, leakage current, breakdown voltage, charge defects were extracted and compared with and without nitrogen incorporated ZrO2/Si MOS capacitor structures. The effect of post deposition annealing on the electrical behavior of ZrO2/Si interface was also investigated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We investigated the electrical characterization of metal–ferroelectric–oxide semiconductor (MFeOS) structures for nonvolatile memory applications. Al/PZT/Si and Al/PZT/SiO2/Si capacitors were fabricated using lead zirconate titanate (PZT; 35:65) as the ferroelectric layer. The maximum C–V memory window was 6V for metal–ferroelectric semiconductor (MFeS) structures and 2.95 and 6.25V for MFeOS capacitors with a buffer layer of 2.5 and 5nm, respectively. Comparative data reveal a higher dielectric strength and lower leakage characteristic for an MFeOS structure with a 5-nm SiO2 buffer layer compared to an MFeS structure. We also observed that the leakage characteristic was influenced by the annealing conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Three thermal power plants in Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia of the Western Balkan region were expected to be metal polluting sources, and this study was performed to investigate the bioavailability and chemical speciation of trace metals in soils and soil water extracts, respectively. Surface (0–15 cm) soil samples along with maize and grass samples were collected at a gradient from the pollution source. The chemical speciation of metals was conducted using the Windereme Humic Aqueous Model (WHAM)/Model VI for water, whereas the Diffusion Gradient in Thin Films (DGT) technique was used to estimate plant availability. The chemical speciation indicated that more than 99% of all four metals in soil water extracts were complexed to fulvic acid. This is connected to relatively high soil pH (> 6.5) and high contents of soil organic matter in these soils. The accumulation of trace metals by DGT was not correlated to plant uptake. This is connected to the very low partitioning of free ions in solution, but also to the low variation in metal solubility and metal concentration in plant tissue between sites. In spite of active thermal power plants located in the areas, hardly any differences in concentration of soil metals between sites were seen and the partition of metals in soil waters was insignificant. The latter indicates that these soils have a large metal-retaining capacity. The only significant soil chemical variable affecting the variation in metal solubility was the soil pH. In a time with large infrastructure and industrial expansion in these areas, this investigation indicates the importance of protecting these high-quality soils from industrial use and degradation. High industrial activity has so far had insignificant effect on soil quality with respect to bioavailability of trace metals in these soils. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Land use, land use change and forestry activities play an important role in determining whether soil is a sink or source of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). The effects of land use change on greenhouse gases and climate change are receiving greater attention in many developing countries. We simulated changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) pool over 100 years (1950¿2050) under managed dense Shorea forest (DS), rainfed upland (Bari) and irrigated low land (Khet) of Pokhare Khola, a mid-hill watershed of Nepal, using the Century model. The model was calibrated and parameterized on the basis of biophysical and weather data of the watershed and field measurements made in September/October 2004. Historic C pool data were calculated using the IPCC inventory guidelines for the year 1976 and 1989. The Century model performed well in representing the effects of various land management systems on SOC in the Pokhare Khola watershed. There was a dramatic loss of SOC following the removal of tree biomass and conversion to agriculture. However, it was shown that partial recovery of lost SOC is possible through better forest management, especially if erosion is abated. In the cultivated land we found better recovery by addition of farm yard manure and fertilizer. In all the land use systems, the SOC recovery was lower under the climate change scenario than under prevailing climate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Soil organic matter (SOM) and phosphorus (P) fractions play a key role in sustaining the productivity of acid-savanna oxisols and are greatly influenced by tillage practices. In 1993, a long-term experiment on sustainable crop rotation and ley farming systems was initiated on a Colombian acid-savanna oxisol to test the effects of grain legumes, green manures, intercrops and leys as possible components that could increase the stability of systems involving annual cereal crops. Five agropastoral treatments (maize monoculture—MMO, maize–soybean rotation—MRT, maize–soybean green manure rotation—MGM, native savanna control—NSC and maize-agropastoral rotation—MAP) under two tillage systems (no till-NT and minimum tillage-MT) were investigated. The effects of NT and MT on SOM and P fractions as well as maize grain yield under the five agropastoral treatments were evaluated. Results showed that soil total C, N and P were generally better under no-till as compared to minimum-tilled soils. While P fractions were also generally higher under no-till treatments, SOM fractions did not show any specific trend. Seven years after establishment of the long-term ley farming experiment (5 years of conventional tillage followed by 2 years alternative tillage systems), MT resulted into moderately higher maize grain yields as compared to NT. The MGM rotation treatment had significantly higher values of maize yield under both tillage systems (4.2Mg) compared to the NSC (2.3Mgha−1). Results from this study indicate that the rotational systems (maize–soybean green manure and maize-pastures) improved the soil conditions to implement the no-till or minimum tillage systems on Colombian savanna oxisol. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Tithonia diversifolia has the ability to sequester nutrients from soil in its tissues, including P, and has been shown to be useful for cycling nutrients via biomass transfer and improved fallow. We investigated the effects of its establishment from bare root seedlings (plantlets) and vegetative stem cuttings (stakes) on shoot and root growth characteristics, arbuscular-mycorrhizae (AM) associations, nutrient acquisition and utilization, and P dynamics in a fine-textured volcanic-ash soil (Oxic Dystropept) of a mid-altitude hillside in southwestern Colombia. One year after establishment, the following determinations were made: leaf area index; shoot and root N, P, K, Ca, and Mg acquisition; AM root infection; AM fungal spores per 100 g soil; soil chemical characteristics; and P fractionation into inorganic (P[sub i]) and organic (P[sub o]) pools. AM root infection in both coarse and fine roots was significantly greater in plants established from plantlets than those established from stakes with differences of 21 and 31%, respectively. Nutrient uptake efficiency (µg of shoot nutrient uptake per m of root length) and use efficiency (g of shoot biomass produced per g of shoot nutrient uptake) for N, P, K, Ca, and Mg were also greater with plants established from plantlets than those established from stakes. Improved nutrient acquisition could be attributed to relief from P stress and possibly uptake of some essential micronutrients resulting from AM association. High soil variability masked the effect of the establishment method on phosphorus pools, and neither the biologically available P (H[sub 2]O-P[sub o], resin-P[sub i], and NaHCO[sub 3]-P[sub i] and -P[sub o]) nor the moderately resistant P (NaOH-extractable P) was significantly affected, although plantlets had higher values. This study has shown that on this soil when Tithonia is to be used as a fallow species, the use of plantlets as compared to the stake method of establishment is better for... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The ESBL positive isolates from piglets and farmworkers harbored bla CTX-M and also co-harbored other beta-lactams, sulphonamide, quinolone and tetracycline resistance genes. • Piglet and pig farm worker of the same farm harbored E. coli with sequence type (ST) - 167 and IncX3 plasmid carrying bla NDM-5 in addition to bla CTXM and sul1 genes. • In India, carbapenems are not used in food animal treatment, hence carbapenem resistant E. coli in piglets possibly originated from the human contact or common environment and is of public health importance. A cross-sectional study on five organized pig farms was conducted to assess the faecal carriage of ESBL and bla NDM carbapenemase-producing E. coli in piglets and pig farmworkers. Faecal samples from piglets (n = 155) and pig farmworkers (n = 21) were processed for isolation and characterization of E. coli. A total of 124 E. coli isolates from piglets and 21 E. coli isolates pig farmworkers were recovered and screening for ESBL production showed that 44.4 % (55/124) of the isolates from piglets and 42.9 % (9/21) of the isolates from farmworkers were ESBL positive. The ESBL positive isolates from piglets and farmworkers harbored bla CTX-M and also co-harbored other beta-lactams, sulphonamide, quinolone and tetracycline resistance genes. Diarrhoeic (50%, 49/98) and crossbred piglets (52.7%, 39/74) harbored a significantly higher number of ESBL producing isolates than non-diarrhoeic (23.1 %, 6/26) and purebred piglets (32%, 16/50) (p < 0.05). Piglets and pig farmworkers harbored nine and two carbapenem-resistant isolates, respectively. Interestingly, two isolates from piglets and one isolate from farmworkers harbored the bla NDM gene. The bla NDM positive E. coli isolated from piglets and farmworkers of the same farm revealed similar antibacterial resistance patterns, resistant genes, sequence (ST-167) and plasmid type (IncX3). In India, carbapenems are not used in food animal treatment, hence carbapenem resistant E. coli in piglets possibly originated from the human contact or common environment and is of public health importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A tunable and wavelength selective pin photodiode with a full-width half-maximum of less than 0.2 nm and a free spectral range of 44 nm is presented. The structure is the first realisation of a two-chip solution of a wavelength selective Fabry-Péot element based on a micromachined tunable membrane chip and a pin photodiode chip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]