Short-term Impacts of Tillage and Fertilizer Treatments on Soil and Root Borne Nematodes and Maize Yield in a Fine Textured Cambisol.

Conservation agriculture (CA) based on the principles of minimum soil disturbance, crop residue retention, and crop rotation has been the focus of intensive research in recent years. A study was carried out to determine the effects of tillage and fertilizer on the population densities of plant-parasitic nematodes in maize. Three tillage regimes, (i) basin planting, (ii) rip line seeding, and (iii) conventional tillage, were combined with four fertilizer regimes: (i) no-fertilizer, (ii) low fertilizer rate, (iii) medium fertilizer rate, and (iv) high fertilizer rate. The experiment was arranged as a split plot in randomized complete block design, replicated three times with tillage as the main plot factor and fertilizer as the sub-plot factor. The study was conducted on fine-textured Cambisol soils at Chinhoyi University of Technology farm, Zimbabwe, over two cropping seasons between December 2014 and April 2016. Eight plant-parasitic nematode genera were observed belonging to five groups based on their feeding sites: (i) sedentary endoparasites ( Meloidogyne and Rotylenchulus ), (ii) migratory endoparasites ( Pratylenchus ), (iii) semi-endoparasites ( Scutelonema and Helicotylenchus ), (iv) ectoparasites ( Xiphinema and Trichodorus ), and (v) algal, lichen or moss feeders ( Tylenchus ). In both cropping seasons, semi-endoparasitic nematodes were double under rip line seeding and triple under basin planting compared to conventional tillage. Basin planting had higher plant-parasitic nematode richness than rip line seeding. Nematode densities did not have a measurable effect on maize grain yield. Maize grain yield was higher in rip line seeding (37%) and planting basins (52%) than conventional tillage during 2014/15 cropping season. On the other hand, during 2015/16 cropping season, maize grain yield was 78% and 113% higher in rip line seeding and basin planting, respectively, compared to conventional tillage. The results show that under the environmental and edaphic conditions of this specific study site, semi-endoparasitic nematodes were higher under rip line seeding and basin planting compared to conventional tillage. The authors conclude that (i) plant-parasitic nematode genera exhibited differential responses to different tillage systems but were not affected by fertilizer application, and (ii) in the present study, maize grain yield response under different tillage and fertilizer regimes was overall not related to nematode population density and composition.

Participation, characteristics and retention rates of HIV-positive immigrants in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Data from observational cohorts may be influenced by population structure and loss to follow-up (LTFU). Quality of care may be associated with participation in cohort networks. We aimed to study the participation, characteristics and retention rates of immigrants in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS). METHODS: We compared enrolment over time (1996-1999, 2000-2003 and 2004-2008) and LTFU between individuals from different geographical regions. In 2008, we performed a cross-sectional survey to investigate the proportion of individuals not participating in the SHCS but who were in care at SHCS institutions. Predictors for LTFU were analysed using Cox proportional hazard models, and those for nonparticipation using logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 7840 individuals entered the SHCS during the observation period. The proportion of immigrants increased over time, especially the proportion of women from sub-Saharan Africa, which increased from 21 to 48% during the observation period. Overall LTFU was 3.76 [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.58-3.95]/100, with the highest hazard ratio in men from sub-Saharan Africa (2.82/100 patient-years; 95% CI 2.30-3.46/100), compared with men from northwestern countries. Other predictors for LTFU were age <30 years, lower education, injecting drug use, and higher baseline CD4 cell counts. Participants taking antiretroviral therapy had reduced LTFU. The survey showed that 84% of HIV-infected patients in care at SHCS institutions were enrolled in the cohort. Nonparticipation was more likely among men from non-European regions (odds ratio 2.73; 95% CI 2.29-3.24), women from sub-Saharan Africa (odds ratio 3.01; 95% CI 2.40-3.77) and women from Latin America/Caribbean (odds ratio 2.10; 95% CI 1.30-3.39). CONCLUSIONS: Numbers of HIV-infected immigrants are increasing but they are underrepresented in the SHCS, and immigrants are more likely to be lost to follow-up.

Contributions of sensory input, auditory search and verbal comprehension to cortical activity during speech processing.

We studied eight normal subjects in an fMRI experiment where they listened to natural speech sentences and to matched simple or complex speech envelope noises. Neither of the noises (simple or complex) were understood initially, but after the corresponding natural speech sentences had been heard, comprehension was close to perfect for the complex but still absent for the simple speech envelope noises. This setting thus involved identical stimuli that were understood or not and permitted to identify (i) a neural substrate of speech comprehension unconfounded by stimulus acoustic properties (common to natural speech and complex noises), (ii) putative correlates of auditory search for phonetic cues in noisy stimuli (common to simple and complex noises once the matching natural speech had been heard) and (iii) the cortical regions where speech comprehension and auditory search interact. We found correlates of speech comprehension in bilateral medial (BA21) and inferior (BA38 and BA38/21) temporal regions, whereas acoustic feature processing occurred in more dorsal temporal regions. The left posterior superior temporal cortex (Wernicke's area) responded to the acoustic complexity of the stimuli but was additionally sensitive to auditory search and speech comprehension. Attention was associated with recruitment of the dorsal part of Broca's area (BA44) and interaction of auditory attention and comprehension occurred in bilateral insulae, the anterior cingulate and the right medial frontal cortex. In combination, these results delineate a neuroanatomical framework for the functional components at work during natural speech processing, i.e. when comprehension results from concurrent acoustic processing and effortful auditory search.

[Immigrants with female circumcision in Switzerland: background information and recommendations for medical practice]. / Migrantinnen mit genitaler Verstümmelung in der Schweiz: Hintergrundinformation und Vorschläge für die ärztliche Praxis.

Due to increasing international migration Switzerland hosts women who have undergone female genital mutilation. Complications of female genital mutilation call for a comprehensive medically, socially and culturally adapted care. Health care providers in Switzerland are not adequately prepared to meet the specific needs of the women concerned, particularly because they are rarely exposed and have no national guidelines to rely on. This article based on qualitative research provides recommendations with the aim to improve the care for concerned African immigrant women in the Swiss health care system.

A rate-controlled indentor for in vivo analysis of residual limb tissues.

A tissue tester was designed to enable rate-controlled indentation of the bulk soft tissues of lower extremity residual limbs. The tissue tester employs a digital linear actuator that implements rate-controlled indentation, and a load cell that measures the reaction force resulting from tissue indentation. Viscoelastic phenomena such as preconditioning, hysteresis and force relaxation can be assessed, and the effect of varying indentation rates on soft tissue stiffness can be investigated. The device accommodates indentor excursions up to 30 mm, indentation at rates of 0 to 10 mm/s, reaction forces up to 44 N, and multiple loading/unloading cycles. The tissue tester is controlled via a notebook personal computer with a PCMCIA data acquisition card. The tissue testing trials are automated and the entire test system is portable and amenable for use in a clinical or research environment. System output consists of force-displacement curves from cyclic loading, and force-time curves following ramped-step indentation. The mean indentor positioning error was 0.071 (+/-0.75)% of the desired displacement. This error varied as a function of indentation and was approximately independent of the indentation rate. Indentation rates were accurate to within 0.94(+/-0.68)% of the desired value and also varied with indentation. Indentation of a viscoelastic foam yielded force-displacement curves that were consistent with that obtained from an Instron universal testing machine.

Successful management of aortoesophageal fistula due to thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Aortoesophageal fistulas due to atherosclerotic thoracic aneurysms are usually fatal, with few reported survivors. We report an aortoesophageal fistula managed successfully in one stage by resection and replacement of the aortic aneurysm with a prosthetic graft and total esophageal resection. Immediate esophageal reconstruction was attained using orthotopic gastric interposition with omentopexy around the prosthetic aortic graft.

Traumatic rupture of the descending thoracic aorta.

The management of acute traumatic rupture of the descending thoracic aorta at Groote Schuur Hospital between January 1984 and December 1989 is reviewed. Aortic rupture was diagnosed angiographically in 18 of 150 patients (12%), who underwent aortography because this injury was suspected. However, 3 of these patients had false-positive angiograms. The diagnosis was initially missed in 31% of patients, and this contributed to morbidity and mortality. Simple aortic cross-clamping (N = 8) was used before September 1988 and 3 patients died--1 intra-operatively from cardiac arrhythmia and 2 postoperatively, where major peri-operative haemorrhage had occurred. In contrast, partial heparin-less bypass (N = 5) using a centrifugal vortex pump was used after September 1988, and there were no haemorrhagic or paraplegic complications or mortality in this group. This technique is safe and appears to be superior to simple aortic cross-clamping in managing this condition.

[The ceramic system In-Ceram in the prosthetic dentistry--clinical and experimental results]. / Das In-Ceram-Keramiksystem in der Prothetik Klinische und experimentelle Ergebnisse.

The ceramic system In-Ceram is a metal-free method to manufacture ceramic crowns and bridges. The metal framework is replaced by a sintered, glass infiltrated aluminium oxide substructure of high strength. Due to improved material properties the implementation of ceramic dental restorations allows a wider range of application. The paper presents own clinical experiences as well as recommendations concerning the dimensions of the aluminium oxide substructure.

[Reexamination of cantilever bridges-a cross-section study]. / Untersuchungen zur Extensionsbrücke-eine Querschnittsstudie.

In the present study reexaminations of 28 cantilever bridges and 26 conventional bridges were carried out. The aim was to evaluate the periodontal conditions and to give recommendations for use. Parameters were PI, GI, tooth mobility, pocket depth, gingival recession and BOP. Deducing from the results, which were statistical analysed, we recommend the cantilever bridges by right using. Special attention should be directed to antagonistical dentition.

[Investigations on secondary emission of metallic implant materials Ti and Ta following radiation]. / Untersuchungen zur Sekundäremission der metallischen Implantatwerkstoffe Titan und Tantal bei Bestrahlung.

Two implant materials, titanium and tantalum, were investigated for their electron emission in response to therapeutic tumor irradiation and were compared, in this context, to a substance equivalent to bone. The reaction of titanium was found to be similar to that of bone, whereas substantive increase in radiation was caused by tantalum which, consequently, should be removed from the radiation field.