Comparing Two Methods for Measuring Soil Bulk Density and Moisture Content

Soil bulk density and moisture content are dynamic properties that vary with changes in soil and field conditions and have many agricultural, hydrological and environmental implications. The main objective of this study was to compare between a soil core sampling method (core) and the CPN MC-3 EliteTM nuclear gauge method (radiation) for measuring bulk density (ρB) and volumetric moisture content (θv) in a clay loam soil. Soil ρB and θv measurements were determined using the core and radiation methods at 0 - 10 and 10 - 20 cm soil depths. The mean values of soil ρB obtained using the core method (1.454, 1.492 g·cm−3) were greater than those obtained using the radiation method (1.343, 1.476 g·cm−3) at the 0 - 10 and 10 - 20 cm depths, respectively. Mean ρB and θv values averaged across both depths (referred to as the 0 - 20 cm depth) measured by the core method were 4.47% and 22.74% greater, respectively, than those obtained by the radiation method. The coefficients of variation (CV) of soil ρB values measured by the core method were lower than the CV values of those measured by the radiation method at both depths;however, the CV’s of ρB values for both methods were larger at the 0 - 10 cm depth than those measured at the 10 - 20 cm depth. Similarly, the CV values of soil θv values measured by the core method were lower than the CV values of those measured by the radiation method at both depths. There were significant differences between two methods in terms of ρB and θv, with the core method generating greater values than the radiation method at the 0 - 20 cm depth. These discrepancies between the two methods could have resulted from soil compaction and soil disturbance caused by the core and radiation techniques, respectively, as well as by other sources of error. Nevertheless, the core sampling method is considered the most common one for measuring ρB for many agricultural, hydrological and environmental studies in most soils.

Diversified Teaching Methods in Nursing:Using Animal Experimentation to Promote Core Professional Competencies in Basic Nursing Training

Objective： The aim of this project was to train highly professional and specialized nursing students from medical colleges to adapt to bedside clinical care by exploring and discussing various methods of injection and IV infusion in animal experimentation to hone the core professional nursing competencies. Methods： Two classes from the 2012 senior graduating nursing class were randomly selected by a computer to conduct the diversified practical teaching methods based on animal experimentation. A hospital environment was simulated by requiring students to perform different types of injections and practical IV infusion techniques. A comprehensive evaluation of the core professional competencies, as well as other integrated competencies, was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the teaching methods. Results： Two-sampled, pairwise u-tests were performed between the scores of the experimental （nursing class 2） and control （nursing class 1） groups. These findings showed that the overall test scores were significantly higher in the experimental group compared to the control group and that the average P-values for the competencies in various categories were 〈0.01, which indicated statistically significant results. Conclusions： Based on the data from this project, diversified teaching methods for basic nursing training founded on animal experimentation can help nursing students perfect their core professional competencies and improve their overall professional standing. The introduction of animal experimentation requires further verification, and an increased acknowledgement of its benefits through the widespread dissemination of this information.

Magic wavelengths for 6s_(1/2)→5d_(3/2,5/2)transitions of Yb~+ions

The wave functions,energy levels and matrix elements of Yb+ions are calculated using the relativistic configuration interaction plus core polarization(RCICP)method.The static and dynamic electric dipole polarizabilities of the ground state and low-lying excited states are determined.Then,the magic wavelengths of the magnetic sublevel 6s_(1/2,m=1/2)→5d_(3/2,m=±3/2,±1/2)and 6s_(1/2,m=1/2)→5_(d5/2,m=±5/2,±3/2,±1/2)transitions in the linearly,right-handed,and left-handed polarized light are further determined.The dependence of the magic wavelengths upon the angle between the direction of magnetic field and the direction of laser polarization is analyzed.

Charge density at the nucleus and radial behavior of ground state for lithium-like ions with Z=21 to 30

By using the full-core plus correlation （FCPC） type wave functions, the accurate charge densities p（0） at the nucleus and the radial expectation values of the ground states for the lithium-like systems with Z =- 21 to 30 are obtained. The determinantal conditions and the electron-nucleus cusp condition are used to calculate the inequalities of the upper and the lower bounds to p（0） with two or more expectation values. These inequalities, derived by Angulo and Dehesa [Phys. Rev. A 44 1516 （1991）], are verified to be also valid for these ions with higher nuclear charge. The present results show that the wave functions used in this paper are satisfactory in the whole configuration space for these ions with higher nuclear charge.

Oscillator Strengths for 2s~2-2p~2P Transitions of the Lithium IsoelectronicSequence from NaIX to CaXVIII

The nonrelativistic dipole-length, -velocity and -acceleration absorptionoscillator strengths for the 1s~22s-1s~22p transitions of the lithium isoelectronic sequence from Z= 11 to 20 are calculated by using the energies and the multiconfiguration interaction wavefunctions obtained from a full core plus correlation (FCPC) method. In most cases, the agreementbetween the oscillator strengths values from the length and velocity formula is up to four or fivedigit. Our results are aiso in good agreement with previous theoretical data available in theliterature.

Total Atomic Scattering Factors of 1s^23s ~2S States for Lithium Isoelectronic Sequence

Total atomic scattering factors for the 1s^23s ^2S stages for the lithium isoelectronic sequence from Z = 3 - 10 are calculated by using the full core plus correlation wave function. The influence of electron correlation on total atomic scattering factors is considered sufficiently in our calculation. For the 1s^2 3s ^2S states of the lithium isoelectronic sequence, the general functional behaviour of total atomic scattering factors is analyzed together for each state of the isoelectronic sequence.

Long-term variability of root production in bioenergy crops from ingrowth core measurements

Aims Long-term determination of root biomass production upon land-use conversion to biofuel crops is rare.To assess land-use legacy influences on belowground biomass accumulation,we converted 22-year-old Conservation Reserve Program(CRP)grasslands and 50+-year-old agricultural(AGR)lands to corn(C),switchgrass(Sw)and restored prairie(Pr)biofuel crops.We maintained one CRP grassland as a reference(Ref).We hypothesized that land-use history and crop type have significant effects on root density,with perennial crops on CRP grasslands having a higher root biomass productivity,while corn grown on former agricultural lands produce the lowest root biomass.Methods The ingrowth core method was used to determine in situ ingrowth root biomass,alongside measurements of aboveground net primary productivity(ANPP).Ancillary measurements,including air temperature,growing season length and precipitation were used to examine their influences on root biomass production.Important Findings Root biomass productivity was the highest in unconverted CRP grassland(1716 g m?2 yr?1)and lowest in corn fields(526 g m?2 yr?1).All perennial sites converted from CRP and AGR lands had lower root biomass and ANPP in the first year of planting but peaked in 2011 for switchgrass and a year later for restored prairies.Ecosystem stability was higher in restored prairies(AGR-Pr:4.3±0.11;CRP-Pr:4.1±0.10),with all monocultures exhibiting a lower stability.Root biomass production was positively related to ANPP(R2=0.40).Overall,attention should be given to root biomass accumulation in large-scale biofuel production as it is a major source of carbon sequestration.