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Abstract Soil physical properties can be related to other soil properties and crop yields, but their evaluations as soil health indicators relating to extensive soil properties and long-term crop yields need further exploration. We evaluated the long-term (14 and 36 year) effect of cropping systems and N fertilizations on selected soil physical properties and related them to 66 soil physical, chemical, biological, and biochemical properties and mean crop yields across years at two dryland farming sites in the semiarid region of the northern Great Plains, USA. Treatments were rotations of no-tillage and conventional tillage spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), pea (Pisum sativum L.), and fallow with or without N fertilization. Soil samples collected in April 2019 were analyzed for physical, chemical, biological, and biochemical properties and mean crop yields were determined. The average slake aggregate (ASA), wet aggregate stability index (WASI), and intact core available water holding capacity (IAWHC) were associated with most soil physical, chemical, biological, and biochemical properties and clay concentration was associated with nutrient concentrations. These parameters were also better related to mean crop yields across years than other soil physical properties. Because of the enhanced relationship with soil properties and crop yields and simple and inexpensive measurement, ASA can be used as a potential soil health indicator in dryland cropping systems in semiarid regions.

Tillage management practices have a dynamic impact on soil hydraulic properties and processes. There is a need for information about the effect of tillage practices on soil hydraulic properties for crops growing under sprinkler irrigation in the northern Great Plains. A long-term study was conducted from 2014 to 2018 to examine the effect of no tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) on the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) of a sandy loam soil in a two-year corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation. In situ Ks measurements were taken in the center of crop rows within NT and CT plots using a pressure ring infiltrometer at the soil surface (0–15 cm) and a constant head well permeameter at the subsurface (15–30 cm). Results indicated that Ks values were well described by a log-normal distribution at both depths. Results showed that logarithmic Ks (log Ks) was not significantly impacted by tillage. Averaged over the five-year study, the log-transformed Ks of 100 measurements was not significantly affected by tillage in the surface layer under either corn or soybean nor in the subsurface layer under soybean. However, the mean soil log Ks in CT plots (1.784 mm h−1) was significantly greater than that in NT plots (1.186 mm h−1) in the 15–30 cm layer under corn, while Ks was nearly 50% greater in CT than in NT. Large values for the coefficient of variation (CV%) of Ks measurements exhibited significant spatial variations of Ks among plots within each tillage treatment at both the soil surface and subsurface layers under corn and soybean. Thus, more studies under different soils and cropping systems with a larger sample size per treatment are needed to lower spatial variability within treatments and validate the effect of tillage on soil hydraulic properties.

Core Ideas Management strategies are lacking to enhance dryland pea growth, yield, and quality. Pea yield and quality were studied in various crop rotations and cultural practices. Pea yield and N uptake were greater with alternate‐year than stacked crop rotation. Stand count was greater with the improved than the traditional cultural practice. Alternate‐year rotation and improved cultural practice enhanced pea yield and quality. Dryland pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important pulse crop that can replace fallow or be added to existing crop rotations to sustain crop yields in arid and semiarid regions. Yet, we lack management practices to enhance yield and quality of dryland pea. This study evaluated the effect of crop rotation and cultural practices on dryland pea growth, yield, and quality from 2006 to 2011 in the northern Great Plains, USA. Stacked rotations were durum (Triticum turgidum L.)–durum–canola (Brassica napus L.)–pea (DDCP) and durum–durum–flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)–pea (DDFP), and alternate‐year rotations were durum–canola–durum–pea (DCDP) and durum–flax–durum–pea (DFDP). Traditional cultural practice included a combination of conventional till, recommended seed rate, broadcast N fertilization, and reduced stubble height, and improved cultural practice a combination of no‐till, increased seed rate, banded N fertilization, and increased stubble height. Pea pod number, plant height, grain yield, and N uptake were 4 to 18% greater with DCDP and DDCP than other rotations. Improved cultural practice increased stand count by 29% over traditional cultural practice. Biomass yield, N uptake, and grain protein concentration varied with crop rotations and cultural practices in various years. Seed number, seed weight, harvest index, and N harvest index were not influenced by treatments. Pea yield and N uptake increased with alternate‐year rotation due to increased pod number and plant height. Stand count increased with improved cultural practice. Alternate‐year crop rotations and improved cultural practice enhanced dryland pea yield and quality.

Abstract Soil inorganic carbon (SIC) constitutes a large proportion of soil total carbon (STC) under dryland cropping systems in arid and semiarid regions. Information on the effect of management practices on SIC is scarce. We evaluated the effect of 1‐ to 4‐yr no‐till diversified crop rotations on SIC at the 0‐ to 120‐cm depth in Sidney and Friod, MT. The SIC increased from the soil surface to 90‐cm depth and then declined. Crop rotations did not affect SIC and STC, except at 90–120 cm in Sidney where barley (Hordeum vulgare L) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L) in rotation with pea (Pisum sativum L.) had higher SIC than other crop rotations. The SIC contributed from 0% of STC at 0–15 cm for most crop rotations to 78% at 60–90 cm for barley–pea rotation. Long‐term studies are needed to evaluate the effect of dryland crop rotations on SIC in the northern Great Plains.

Information on the long-term effect of management practices on soil C and N stocks is lacking. An experiment was conducted from 2004 to 2011 in the northern Great Plains, USA to examine the effects of tillage, crop rotation, and cultural practice on annualized crop residue (stems + leaves) returned to the soil and grain yield, and soil total C (STC) and total N (STN) stocks at the 0–120 cm depth. Tillage practices were no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) and crop rotations were continuous spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (CW), spring wheat-pea (Pisum sativum L.) (W-P), spring wheat-barley (Hordeum vulgaris L.) hay-pea (W-B-P), and spring wheat-barley hay-corn (Zea mays L.)-pea (W-B-C-P). Cultural practices were traditional (conventional seed rates and plant spacing, conventional planting date, broadcast N fertilization, and reduced stubble height) and improved (variable seed rates and plant spacing, delayed planting, banded N fertilization, and increased stubble height). Crop residue and grain yield were greater with CW and W-P than W-B-P and grain yield was greater with the traditional than the improved practice. The STC at 10–20 and 90–120 cm was greater with CW or W-P than other crop rotations in CT and greater with CW than W-B-P in NT. The STN at 20–40 cm was greater with W-P than CW and W-B-P in CT. With NT and the improved cultural practice, STN at 0–5, 5–10, 20–40, and 60–90 cm was greater with W-P and W-B-C-P than other crop rotations. The STN at 0–10 cm correlated with annualized crop residue and grain yield (r = 0.94–0.97, P ≤ 0.05). Increased crop residue returned to the soil increased soil C stock with CW and W-P and N stock with W-P, but removal of aboveground crop biomass for hay decreased stocks with W-B-P. Increased soil N stock had a beneficial effect on crop grain yield.

Eighteen pan lysimeters were installed at a depth of 1.2 m in a Hagerstown silt loam soil in a corn field in central Pennsylvania in 1988. In 1995, wick lysimeters were also installed at 1.2 m depth in the same access pits. Treatments have included N fertilizer rates, use of manure, crop rotation (continuous corn, corn-soybean, alfalfa-corn), and tillage (chisel plow-disk, no-till). The leachate data were used to evaluate a number of nitrate leaching models. Some of the highlights of the 11 years of results include the following: 1) growing corn without organic N inputs at the economic optimum N rate (EON) resulted in NO3–-N concentrations of 15 to 20 mg l-1 in leachate; 2) use of manure or previous alfalfa crop as partial source of N also resulted in 15 to 20 mg l-1 of NO3–-N in leachate below corn at EON; 3) NO3–-N concentration in leachate below alfalfa was approximately 4 mg l-1; 4) NO3–-N concentration in leachate below soybeans following corn was influenced by fertilizer N rate applied to corn; 5) the mass of NO3–-N leached below corn at the EON rate averaged 90 kg N ha-1 (approx. 40% of fertilizer N applied at EON); 6) wick lysimeters collected approximately 100% of leachate vs. 40–50% collected by pan lysimeters. Coefficients of variation of the collected leachate volumes for both lysimeter types were similar; 7) tillage did not markedly affect nitrate leaching losses; 8) tested leaching models could accurately predict leachate volumes and could be calibrated to match nitrate leaching losses in calibration years, but only one model (SOILN) accurately predicted nitrate leaching losses in the majority of validation treatment years. Apparent problems with tested models: there was difficulty estimating sizes of organic N pools and their transformation rates, and the models either did not include a macropore flow component or did not handle macropore flow well.

Abstract Background Gastrojejunostomy junction perforation is a rare yet critical complication associated with enteral tube placement, presenting unique challenges in patients with a history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Case presentation A 63-year-old white female with a complex medical history, including heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stage 4 chronic kidney disease, and prior Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in 2015, experienced a significant decline in her health. She was discharged to a skilled nursing facility after a fall but deteriorated rapidly in the 2 weeks before admission. She presented with symptoms of failure to thrive, abdominal/back pain, inability to eat or drink, constipation, and stool incontinence. Lab tests showed anemia, electrolyte imbalances, and acute kidney injury. Imaging confirmed Roux-en-Y gastric bypass anatomy and a small hiatal hernia. Despite treatment attempts, her condition worsened. Nutrition discussions led to a temporary Dobhoff tube placement, considering her Roux-en-Y gastric bypass history, with plans for a gastrostomy tube. However, Dobhoff tube placement posed challenges, and imaging later revealed perforation near the gastrojejunostomy junction. After consulting with the family, the decision was made to transition the patient to comfort care due to her overall condition. Yearly education of staff about Roux-en-Y gastric bypass anatomy and updated Dobhoff placement protocol was implemented with physician oversight. Further imaging protocol in a patient who had had a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was updated to include fluoroscopic guidance when endoscopic placement was unavailable. Conclusions This case highlights the intricacies of managing patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass history and underscores the need for meticulous planning and consideration of anatomical variations when performing procedures involving the gastrointestinal tract and the importance of involving multiple healthcare disciplines in complex decision-making and preventive measures to enhance patient safety in similar cases.

Let $K = \mathbb{Q} (\alpha) $ be a pure number field generated by a complex root $\alpha$ of a monic irreducible polynomial $ F(x) = x^{2^r\cdot3^k\cdot7^s} -m \in\bb{Z}[x]$, where $r$, $k$, $s$ are three positive natural integers. The purpose of this paper is to study the monogenity of $K$. Our results are illustrated by some examples.

Introduction: From the beginning of suicide research by Durkheim (1897); the relationship between religiosity and suicidal risk has been seen as a crucial issue. During the last decade, studies on this question have given variable results. However, such studies became a gateway to multiple questions, not only on the relationship between religion and suicide risk but more specifically among patients with depressive disorders, in particular. This study’s main objective is to assess the influence of religiosity on suicidal ideation; suicidal intentionality and on the severity of depressive symptoms in patients with depressive disorders diagnoses or bipolar depression episodes. We carried out an observational, descriptive, and analytical study of 324 patients with a current diagnosis of a major depressive disorder or a bipolar depressive episode. Patients were all Muslims and were interviewed using the Beck Depression Inventory; Suicide Intent Scale and Mini International neuropsychiatric interview Suicide Risk. The religiosity was assessed using the BIAC (Belief Into Action) adapted to Muslims in Morocco. We found that higher religiosity scores were associated with older age (>50 years), marriage, no negative impact of depression on work, presence of bipolar depression, and regularity of medical follow-up. Similarly, higher scores of religiosity were associated with lower scores of depression, suicidal intentionality, or suicidal risk. It will be useful to compare our results with other published results to appraise the positive impact of religiosity on reducing suicidal ideation and behavior among different populations, regardless of their religious affiliations.

Immune check-point inhibitors (ICPi) are immunomodulating agents, which have revolutionized the management of advanced metastatic cancers. Being immunomodulating agents, they are predisposed to causing colitis. This descriptive review article emphasized on the management of ICPi-associated colitis in advanced metastatic cancers. We used PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Embase databases for literature review, and terminologies commonly searched were “management,” “immune check-point inhibitors,” “colitis,” “metastatic,” “cancers,” “literature,” and “review.” We reviewed a total of 11 articles done in the last 15 years relevant to ICPi colitis and its management; all the articles showed that diarrhea and colitis are the most common adverse effects observed in patients on ICPi, but prior to establishing the diagnosis of ICPi-causing colitis, possibility of Clostridium difficle or cytomegalovirus infections should be ruled out. Once the diagnosis of ICPi colitis is established, treatment should be started depending upon the severity of colitis. In mild severity, discontinuation of ICPi can resolve the symptoms but, in most of the patients with moderate to high severity of colitis, corticosteroids are considered a cornerstone treatment. Patients unresponsive to steroid treatment should be re-evaluated for infections after which anti-TNF therapy—infliximab or vedolizumab, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil—can be considered.

This research study delves into the complex relationship between parental educational background and student participation in lesson activities in the context of secondary school education in Sri Lanka. This study explores whether student participation in lesson activities differs based on parent education. The stratified sampling method selected the sample from Grade 10 secondary school children in Sri Lanka. A carefully selected sample of 1,350 secondary school students was surveyed using a questionnaire instrument to assess their self-perceived levels of engagement in lesson activities and their parents' educational backgrounds. The study employs rigorous statistical analysis, including Two-Way Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) tests and post hoc analyses, to explore the impact of parental Education on student participation. The findings reveal that, based on the highest educational level of the mother, significant differences exist in student participation in lesson activities. Students whose mothers hold tertiary education degrees exhibit the highest mean scores, demonstrating that maternal educational attainment positively influences student engagement. However, no significant disparities were observed based on the father's educational level, emphasizing the unique role of the Education of mothers in shaping student participation. The study also underscores the absence of a significant interaction effect between the educational levels of fathers and mothers concerning student participation. This implies that the impact of parental Education on student engagement operates primarily through the mother’s educational background. Overall, this research provides critical insights into the influence of parental educational experience on student participation in lesson activities. The results demonstrate that parents with higher academic qualifications contribute significantly to their children's active involvement in the learning process, ultimately enhancing their educational experiences. These findings have implications for educators, policymakers, and parents, as they underscore the importance of fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment to promote equitable student participation in lesson activities. Furthermore, the study recommends parental involvement through workshops, media, and educational resources for parents with lower academic levels to bridge the educational gap and enhance student engagement.

AimInternet addiction is a mental health issue that can have detrimental effects on an individual’s life. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of Internet Addiction and identify the risk factors associated with this behavioral addiction.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in 6 universities in southern Morocco, involving 1,690 students who completed a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire collected socio-demographic data, and information on substance use, and included validated tools to assess Internet addiction (Young’s IADQ), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire. PHQ-9), and social phobia (Mini Neuropsychiatric International Interview. M.I.N.I).ResultsThe findings of our study indicate that the prevalence of Internet addiction was 30.60% (95% CI), depressive symptoms were present in 44.10% of participants, and the prevalence of social Phobia was 30.20%. A significant correlation was identified between early initiation of tobacco and Internet addiction (p = 0.05). The multivariate regression model revealed a possible association between cocaine use and Internet Addiction (OR = 5.67, IC 95%: 0.45 to 10.80) (p = 0.03), as well as a significant association between social phobia and a higher internet addiction score (OR = 3.45, IC 95%: 1.70–5.02) (p

Introduction: Menopause is the beginning of a new era in a woman's life. This period, like all other stages of life, has positive and negative aspects. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Pilates exercises on serum BDNF level, balance, and quality of life in menopausal and non-menopausal women.Methods: The current study was a quasi-experimental research with a pre-test and post-test design that included two experimental and two control groups. The sample consisted of 60 menopausal and non-menopausal women (age 45.77±1.77 years) who were voluntarily selected and randomly assigned into four groups of 15 people. Fasting blood was drawn from all the participants 48 hours before the start of training and after the end of the training period. Then both experimental groups performed Pilates exercises for 12 weeks, three sessions per week and each session lasted 60 minutes. Also, the participants similarly performed the Y dynamic balance test and completed the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) questionnaire in pre-test and post-test.Results: The results of Mixed ANOVA showed a significant difference between the pre-test and the post-test of menopausal and non-menopausal women in relevant variables, so it can be said that probably 91%, 76%, and 94% of the changes in serum BDNF levels, balance and quality of life of menopausal and non-menopausal women are influenced by Pilates exercises. However, no significant effect was observed in the relevant variables of control groups (P≤0.05).Conclusion: Pilates exercises can be an effective strategy to improve serum BDNF levels, balance, and quality of life in menopausal and non-menopausal women.

Land use and management practices may influence plant C inputs and soil C[O.sub.2] emission. We evaluated the effect of a combination of irrigation, tillage, cropping system, and N fertilization on plant biomass C, soil temperature and water content at the 0- to 15-cm depth, and C[O.sub.2] emission in a sandy loam soil from April to October, 2006 to 2008, in western North Dakota. Treatments were two irrigation practices (irrigated and unirrigated) and six cropping systems (conventional-tilled malt barley [Hordeum vulgare L.] with N fertilizer [CTBFN], conventional-tilled malt barley with no N fertilizer [CTBON], no-tilled malt barley-pea [Pisum sativum L.] with N fertilizer [NTB-PN], no-tilled malt barley with N fertilizer [NTBFN], no-tilled malt barley with no N fertilizer [NTBON], and no-tilled Conservation Reserve Program [NTCRP]). Plant biomass C was greater in NTBFN than in NTBON in 2006 and 2007 but was greater in NTB-PN than in CTBON, NTBON, or NTCRP in 2008. Soil temperature was greater hut water content was lower in NTCRP than in CTBFN and NTBFN. Soil C[O.sub.2] flux peaked immediately following heavy rain or irrigation (> 15 mm). Total C[O.sub.2] flux from April to October was greater in the irrigated than in the unirrigated practice and greater in NTCRP than in annual cropping systems. Soil C[O.sub.2] emission was probably related more to soil temperature and water content or tillage than to aboveground plant C input. Because of reduced C[O.sub.2] flux compared with CTBON and NTCRP but similar biomass yield as NTBFN and CTBFN, NTB-PN may be used to reduce C[O.sub.2] emission from croplands in the northern Great Plains. doi: 10.2136/sssaj2009.0447

Tillage and cropping sequence may influence C and N sequestration, microbial activities, and N mineralization in dryland soil aggregates. We evaluated the 21-yr effect of tillage and cropping sequence combinations on C and N fractions in aggregates of a Dooley sandy loam (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, frigid Typic Argiustolls) at the 0- to 20-cm depth in eastern Montana. Tillage and cropping sequences were no-tilled continuous spring wheat (NTCW) (Triticum aestivum L.), spring-tilled continuous spring wheat (STCW), fall- and spring-tilled continuous spring wheat (FSTCW), fall- and spring-tilled spring wheat-barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) (1984-1999) followed by spring wheat-pea (Pisum sativum L.) (2000-2004) (FSTW-B/P), and spring-tilled spring wheat-fallow (STW-F). Carbon and N fractions were soil organic C (SOC), total N (STN), particulate organic C and N (POC and PON), microbial biomass C and N (MBC and MBN), potential C and N mineralization (PCM and PNM), N[H.sub.4]-N, and N[O.sub.3]-N. Aggregate proportion was greater in NTCW than in FSTCW in the 4.75- to 2.00-mm aggregate-size class at 0 to 5 cm but was greater in STW-F than in STCW in the 2.00- to 0.25-mm size class at 5 to 20 cm. After 21 yr, STW-F reduced SOC, STN, POC, and PON concentrations in aggregates by 34 to 42% at 0- to 5-cm and by 20 to 32% at 5- to 20-cm compared with NTCW and STCW. The PCM and MBC were greater in NTCW and STCW than in STW-F in the Abbreviations: FSTW-B/P, fall- and spring-tilled spring wheat-barley (1984-1999) followed by spring wheat-pea (2000-2004); FSTCW, fall- and spring-tilled continuous spring wheat; MBC, microbial biomass C; MBN, microbial biomass N; NTCW, no-tilled continuous spring wheat; PCM, potential C mineralization; PNM, potential N mineralization; POC, particulate organic C; PON, particulate organic N; SOC, soil organic C; STW-F, spring-tilled spring wheat-fallow; STCW, spring-tilled continuous spring wheat; STN, soil total N.