Soil organic nitrogen: an overlooked but potentially significant contribution to crop nutrition.

Background: For more than a century, crop N nutrition research has primarily focused on inorganic N (IN) dynamics, building the traditional model that agricultural plants predominantly take up N in the form of NO and NH . However, results reported in the ecological and agricultural literature suggest that the traditional model of plant N nutrition is oversimplified.

Scope: We examine the role of organic N (ON) in plant N nutrition, first by reviewing the historical discoveries by ecologists of plant ON uptake, then by discussing the advancements of key analytical techniques that have furthered the cause (stable isotope and microdialysis techniques).

Evaluation of biochars as carriers for .

Peat is the standard carrier material used for commercial microbial inoculants produced in Canada and the United States. Peat is a slowly renewable resource and its production is extremely vulnerable to variable weather conditions. Furthermore, it may not be widely available in all countries.

Mineralisation and degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid dimethylamine salt in a biobed matrix and in topsoil.

Background: Biobeds are used for on-farm bioremediation of pesticides in sprayer rinsate and from spills during sprayer filling. Using locally sourced materials from Saskatchewan, Canada, a biobed matrix was evaluated for its effectiveness for mineralising and degrading 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid dimethylamine salt (2,4-D DMA) compared with the topsoil used in the biobed matrix.

Results: Applying 2,4-D DMA to the biobed matrix caused a 2-3 day lag in CO2 production not observed when the herbicide was applied to topsoil.

Using the flipped classroom in graduate nursing education.

A flipped classroom is a pedagogical model that involves having students view online lectures, read current evidence-based articles, and complete text readings prior to class. Students then come to class ready to actively engage in collaborative learning through case scenarios, small group discussion, or other meaningful, interactive activities. The flipped classroom model described here was an overwhelming success for both students and faculty.

Staff nurses revitalize a clinical ladder program through shared governance.

After 20 years of a static clinical ladder program at our institution, the clinical ladder program was completely redesigned using a staff nurse-led shared governance structure to re-envision the program as an innovative, staff leadership model to meet our organizational nursing mission and vision strategic plans around retention and professional development. The literature demonstrated a lack of outcome-driven findings on the sustainability of hospital-based clinical ladder programs. The authors cover the rationale for our clinical ladder model, the process used for revision, the implementation strategies, and the specific outcomes tracked regarding nurse satisfaction, affiliation, retention, and participation of staff nurses advancing to the optional upper levels of the ladder.

Repeat-pulse 13CO2 labeling of canola and field pea: implications for soil organic matter studies.

Both the quantity and quality of plant residues can impact soil properties and processes. Isotopic tracers can be used to trace plant residue decomposition if the tracer is homogeneously distributed throughout the plant. Continuous labeling will homogeneously label plants but is not widely accessible because elaborate equipment is needed.

Comparison of media used to evaluate Rhizobium leguminosarum bivar viciae for phosphate-solubilizing ability.

Rhizobium leguminosarum is well known for its ability to fix nitrogen (N). In addition, its capacity to solubilize phosphate (Ph) has been receiving attention in recent years. Our ultimate objective was to select a R.

Beliefs and self-care practices of adolescents with asthma.

The purpose of this qualitative pilot study was to identify beliefs and self-care practices of adolescents with asthma in a private high school, where the incidence of asthma is nearly 20%. Analysis of the data from 10 individual audiotaped interviews, using a semistructured questionnaire, yielded major themes of knowledge acquisition, self-efficacy, and social support that are associated with behaviors that control asthma with better outcomes. Specifically, the greatest knowledge acquisition and symptom recognition were associated with exposure to multiple educators, especially school-based programs.

Ability of cold-tolerant plants to grow in hydrocarbon-contaminated soil.

Phytoremediation of hydrocarbons in soil involves plants and their associated microorganisms. Differences in environmental conditions and restrictions on species importation mean that each country may need to identify indigenous plants to use for phytoremedation. Screening plants for hydrocarbon tolerance before screening for degradation ability may prove more economical than screening directly for degradation.