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This study evaluated four sensor technologies (near-infrared (NIR), Raman spectroscopy, electro-chemical, and colorimetry) to determine a feasible approach for an in-field soil phosphorus (available P) measurement system. The dataset consisted of 12 North American Proficiency Testing Program (NAPT) soils and 12 wet Kansas soils (P range of 5 to 156.0 mg kg-1). An NIR spectrometer showed an R² ≥ 0.43 and a ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD) of 1.372, which did not reach the goal (RPD = 2 and R² ≥ 0.70). For a Raman spectrometer, a partial least squares (PLS) regression and a simple linear regression method of calibration were tested; however, both methods showed poor results (RPD = 1.21 and R² = 0.27 or lower). Customized cobalt ion-selective electrodes were tested in Mehlich 3 extraction solutions and resulted in poor results (R² = 0.44 and RPD = 1.33) for NAPT soils. A rapid colorimetric method was developed consisting of a shortened extraction (1 min), rapid filtration (syringe filter), and rapid color development (1 min with stirring at 50°C), which had an excellent R² of 0.98 for each change independently. The rapid colorimetric method was compared to the standard colorimetric analysis. This test resulted in an R² of 0.85 and an RPD of 1.94 for all NAPT samples, and soils with P < 80 mg kg-1 had an R² of 0.95 and an RPD of 4.74. For field soils, the R² was 0.85 and the RPD was 1.91 for all ranges, and an R² of 0.83 and an RPD of 2.12 was found for soils with P < 80 mg kg-1. Considering that it is not necessary to measure soil P contents precisely in areas where fertilizer does not need to be applied, this rapid colorimetric method would be used for in-field soil P measurement systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES:The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing throughout Asia. Since the 1950s, there has been substantial migration from South Asia (India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh) to the United Kingdom. The aim of this study was to define the clinical phenotype of IBD in UK South Asians living in North West London, and to compare the results with a white Northern European IBD cohort.METHODS:The phenotypic details of 367 South Asian IBD patients (273 ulcerative colitis (UC) and 94 Crohn's disease (CD)), undergoing active follow-up in five North West London hospitals, were compared with those of 403 consecutively collected white Northern European IBD patients (188 UC and 215 CD).RESULTS:The phenotype of IBD differed significantly between the two populations. 63.0% of South Asian UC patients had extensive colitis compared with 42.5% of the Northern European cohort (P<0.0001). Proctitis was uncommon in South Asian UC patients (9.9 vs. 26.1% in Northern European patients, P<0.0001). In the South Asian CD cohort, disease location was predominantly colonic (46.8%). CD behavior differed significantly between the groups, with less penetrating disease compared with Northern Europeans (P=0.01) and a reduced need for surgery (P=0.003).CONCLUSIONS:The phenotype of IBD in South Asians living in North West London is significantly different from that of a white Northern European IBD cohort. Knowledge of ethnic variations in disease phenotype may help to identify key genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors contributing to the development of IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Post-stroke neglect is common and an independent predictor of functional outcome. Assessment of neglect is very demanding, the treatment extremely difficult and the literature vast; we performed a literature search for all aspects of this difficult subject. Methods: We searched the PubMed, EMBASE databases and historical manuals for authoritative studies on post stroke neglect between 1951 and 2011. Findings: There is a great dearth of randomised controlled data on neglect because standardised assessment does not occur frequently. Eighty-eight manuscripts were identified in the literature, which were quite heterogeneous in their content and addressing diverse aspects of this clinical entity. Interpretation and Implications: The most important historical papers were selected along with the most widely accepted and proven strategies for assessment and treatment. Standardised assessment of neglect does not always occur, but several useful strategies are available and are described in the following sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]