Electromagnetic induction (EMI) has been used to characterize the spatial variability of soil properties since the late 1970s. Initially used to assess soil salinity, the use of EMI in soil studies ...has expanded to include: mapping soil types; characterizing soil water content and flow patterns; assessing variations in soil texture, compaction, organic matter content, and pH; and determining the depth to subsurface horizons, stratigraphic layers or bedrock, among other uses. In all cases the soil property being investigated must influence soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) either directly or indirectly for EMI techniques to be effective. An increasing number and diversity of EMI sensors have been developed in response to users' needs and the availability of allied technologies, which have greatly improved the functionality of these tools. EMI investigations provide several benefits for soil studies. The large amount of georeferenced data that can be rapidly and inexpensively collected with EMI provides more complete characterization of the spatial variations in soil properties than traditional sampling techniques. In addition, compared to traditional soil survey methods, EMI can more effectively characterize diffuse soil boundaries and identify areas of dissimilar soils within mapped soil units, giving soil scientists greater confidence when collecting spatial soil information. EMI techniques do have limitations; results are site-specific and can vary depending on the complex interactions among multiple and variable soil properties. Despite this, EMI techniques are increasingly being used to investigate the spatial variability of soil properties at field and landscape scales.
•We review the use of electromagnetic induction (EMI) techniques in soils studies.•EMI allows the rapid collection of large amounts of spatially-oriented data.•Diffuse boundaries between soil map units can be well characterized with EMI.•A wide range of soil properties can be characterized.
Patients with structural heart disease (SHD) are at increased risk of adverse outcomes from the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) due to advanced age and comorbidity. In the midst of a global ...pandemic of a novel infectious disease, reality-based considerations comprise an important starting point for formulating clinical management pathways. The aim of these “crisis-driven” recommendations is (1) to ensure appropriate and timely treatment of SHD patients, (2) to minimize the risk of COVID-19 exposure to patients and healthcare workers, and (3) to limit resource utilization under conditions of constraint. While the degree of disruption to usual practice will vary across the United States and elsewhere, we hope that early experiences from a Heart Team operating in the current global epicenter of COVID-19 may prove useful for others adapting their practice in advance of local surges of COVID-19.
The search for unmarked and clandestine graves is a labor-intensive, time-consuming, and often frustrating task. Several geo-physical methods are available, which can be expediently used with little ...or no disturbances to sites, among which ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is often considered the most useful tool to delineate possible graves. This paper is the result of many years of GPR testing for unmarked graves in Connecticut. Natural and cultural conditions are considered in the failure and/or success of detection, and the use of GPR in archaeological studies.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has risen over the past 20 years as a safe and effective alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement for treatment of severe aortic stenosis, and ...is now a well-established and recommended treatment option in suitable patients irrespective of predicted risk of mortality after surgery. Studies of numerous devices, either newly developed or reiterations of previous prostheses, have been accruing. We hereby review TAVI devices, with a focus on commercially available options, and aim to present a guide for prosthesis tailoring according to patient-related anatomical and clinical factors that may favor particular designs.
The objective of this study was to investigate whether oxyanionic phosphate (P) and sulfate (S) fertilizer management could influence selenium (Se) uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum) in medium and ...high Se areas. Field studies were established at two locations for two growing seasons in central South Dakota, USA. Phosphate fertilizer was applied using three different methods (banded with seed, surface-broadcasted in the fall, or surface-broadcasted in the spring) using six different P rates. Sulfate fertilizers were broadcasted at four rates in the fall. Selenium concentration in wheat grain was significantly influenced by the interaction of P application methods and rates, but it was dependent on location. Grain Se concentration decreased in high Se availability soil when P fertilizer was applied, due to the dilution effect. Grain Se concentration and uptake was significantly decreased as S applications increased due to the competition effect, but the depression was apparent in high Se availability soil. The results from this study showed that P and S fertilizer management can influence Se level in wheat grain grown in naturally high Se areas, even though overall grain Se level was strongly associated with location variation.
Some South Dakota soils contain high levels of available selenium (Se) for crop uptake. A field study was conducted to determine if any popular wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties demonstrate ...differential Se uptake. A total of 280 samples including eight winter wheat and ten spring wheat varieties were analyzed for grain Se concentration and uptake for two growing years. Soil samples were sequentially fractionated into (1) plant available (0.1 M KH
2
PO
4
extractable) and (2) conditionally available (4 M HCl extractable) pools and analyzed separately for total Se. Selenium concentration in wheat grain had a wide variability and the mean value over two years was 0.63 µg Se g
−1
. Grain Se concentration and Se uptake were not significantly different by wheat varieties tested in this study. Grain Se concentration was significantly correlated with soil Se levels, soil pH, and orthophosphate-P content within a location, but grain Se concentration was strongly influenced by geographical location in which different amounts of soil Se bioavailability occurred.
Current published estimates of the prevalence of hyperhidrosis in the United States are outdated and underestimate the true prevalence of the condition. The objectives of this study are to provide an ...updated estimate of the prevalence of hyperhidrosis in the US population and to further assess the severity and impact of sweating on those affected by the condition. For the purposes of obtaining prevalence, a nationally representative sample of 8160 individuals were selected using an online panel, and information as to whether or not they experience hyperhidrosis was obtained. The 393 individuals (210 female, 244 non-Hispanic white, 27 black, mean age 40.3, SE 0.64) who indicated that they have hyperhidrosis were asked further questions, including body areas impacted, severity of symptoms, age of onset, and socioemotional impact of the condition. Current results estimate the prevalence of hyperhidrosis at 4.8 %, which represents approximately 15.3 million people in the United States. Of these, 70 % report severe excessive sweating in at least one body area. In spite of this, only 51 % have discussed their excessive sweating with a healthcare professional. The main reasons are a belief that hyperhidrosis is not a medical condition and that no treatment options exist. The current study’s findings with regard to age of onset and prevalence by body area generally align with the previous research. However, current findings suggest that the severity and prevalence are both higher than previously thought, indicating a need for greater awareness of the condition and its associated treatment options among medical professionals.
To develop the Intoxicated Personality Scale (IPS).
Data were collected from 436 college students via an online survey. Through an iterative measurement development process, the resulting IPS was ...created.
The 5 subscales (Good Time, Risky Choices, Risky Sex, Emotional, and Introvert) of the IPS positively related to alcohol consumption, alcohol problems, drinking motives, alcohol expectancies, and personality.
The results suggest that the Intoxicated Personality Scale may be a useful tool for predicting problematic alcohol consumption, alcohol expectancies, and drinking motives.
Assessing and managing the spatial variability of hydropedological properties are important in environmental,agricultural,and geological sciences.The spatial variability of soil apparent electrical ...conductivity(ECa) measured by electromagnetic induction(EMI) techniques has been widely used to infer the spatial variability of hydrological and pedological properties.In this study,temporal stability analysis was conducted for measuring repeatedly soil ECa in an agricultural landscape in 2008.Such temporal stability was statistically compared with the soil moisture,terrain indices(slope,topographic wetness index(TWI),and profile curvature),and soil properties(particle size distribution,depth to bedrock,Mn mottle content,and soil type).Locations with great and temporally unstable soil ECa were also associated with great and unstable soil moisture,respectively.Soil ECa were greater and more unstable in the areas with great TWI(TWI 〉 8),gentle and concave slope(slope 〈 3%; profile curvature 〉 0.2).Soil ECa exponentially increased with depth to bedrock,and soil profile silt and Mn mottle contents(R2= 0.57),quadratically(R2 = 0.47),and linearly(R 2 = 0.47),respectively.Soil ECa was greater and more unstable in Gleysol and Nitosol soils,which were distributed in areas with low elevation(〈 380 m),thick soil solum(〉 3 m),and fluctuated water table(shallow in winter and spring but deep in summer and fall).In contrast,Acrisol,Luvisol,and Cambisol soils,which are distributed in the upper slope areas,had lower and more stable soil ECa.Through these observations,we concluded that the temporal stability of soil ECa can be used to interpret the spatial and temporal variability of these hydropedological properties.