University of Bedfordshire

About: University of Bedfordshire is a education organization based out in Luton, Bedford, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Social work. The organization has 3860 authors who have published 6079 publications receiving 143448 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Luton.

Approaches to Management Zone Definition for Use of Nitrification Inhibitors

Abstract: Site-specific use of nitrification inhibitors has been proposed as one means of reducing the cost of nitrification inhibitor use on fields that vary in their potential for leaching or denitrification. This study evaluated one approach for site-specific use of the nitrification inhibitor nitrapyrin (2-chloro-6-[trichloromethyl] pyridine) based on slope and surface texture. Treatments of uniform and variable N fertilizer and nitrapyrin were applied to field length strips in a center-pivot irrigated field planted to maize (Zea mays L.) from 1995 to 1998. Nitrapyrin application was controlled spatially according to an arbitrary leaching potential derived from slope and surface soil texture. Growing seasons were grouped into dry, wet, or average precipitation years. Alternative approaches for nitrapyrin management zones based on fuzzy cluster analysis of grain yield or soil apparent electrical conductivity (EC,) were compared with the slope-texture management zone approach. There were small effects of nitrapyrin application method (none, uniform or variable) on grain yield. Uniform nitrapyrin application increased yield in a wet year. Fuzzy cluster analysis of grain yield or soil EC a identified unique patterns of yield or soil EC a . Yield clusters corresponded to patterns of water availability or excess. There were small effects of N or nitrapyrin application method on soil residual NO 3 -N. Yield Cluster 3 soils had higher residual NO 3 -N levels all 4 yr. In a wet year (1996) NO 3 -N levels were lowest in yield Cluster 2 soils-in the other 3 yr of the study, there was no difference in NO,-N levels between yield Clusters 1 and 2. Soil EC a clusters corresponded closely to soil series. There were significant correlations between soil EC a and yield clusters. Fuzzy cluster analysis has the potential to define management zones for use of nitrification inhibitors from relatively easily obtained spatial yield or soil EC a , rather than expensive grid sampling of soil chemical and physical properties.

Effects of high-fat overfeeding on mitochondrial function, glucose and fat metabolism, and adipokine levels in low-birth-weight subjects.

Abstract: Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with an increased risk of insulin resistance and downregulation of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) genes when exposed to a metabolic challenge of high-fat ov...

Soil deformation and shear strength characteristics of some clay soils at different moisture contents

Abstract: Summary The soil deformation and shear strength characteristics of three clay soils were determined at different moisture contents and spherical pressures, using a quick un-drained triaxial compression test. The soils were found to deform either in a compressive way or by brittle fissuring, depending upon the relative values of moisture content, dry density and spherical pressure. The critical state concept of soil deformation can explain qualitatively the behaviour of these spils at high moisture contents but not at low. The Bridgman concept for fracture in brittle materials describes the soil behaviour at low moisture contents. The shear strength of the clay soils tested was more closely related to the soil moisture suction and to the amount of shrinkage which occurred on drying than to the absolute dry bulk density. The influence of moisture content and spherical pressure on the effectiveness of certain cultivation operations are considered.

Location, location, location: Collecting space and place in mobile media:

Abstract: Finding our way between places, through spaces, has been documented using various techniques of mapping. Maps are often thought of as products that allow us to find our way between places. However, they have various other uses and meanings, existing as both scientific and cultural artefacts. Mobile phone technologies have evolved, allowing for the integration of global positioning systems (GPS). The inclusion of GPS in ‘smart phones’ such as the iPhone now allows users to view the spaces they are moving through in new ways. This article examines how we are now remapping places through mobile technologies, which poses the question of how our relationship with local spaces may be changing. It focuses on Foursquare, the Layar AR browser and the iPhone game Argh as examples of how our sense of place and mapping are evolving through user-generated input.