Seasonal Fluctuations of N, P and K in Leaves Influenced Nutrient Requirement During Fruit Development Stages in Different Olive Genotypes

Abstract: Olive is grown in semi-arid climatic conditions; however, little is known about mineral changes in olive plant and nutrient requirements during the production period. Hence, the current study was conducted under Pothwar agro-climatic conditions in order to select appropriate stage of macronutrients (N, P, K) application in relation to soil and leaf nutritional status during 2017 and 2018 growing seasons. Soil and leaf analysis were performed at four different phenological stages (i.e. flowering, fruit setting, fruit enlargement and fruit maturity stages). The results revealed that the assessed macronutrient in leaf and soil varied significantly among varieties, phenological stages and growing year. The results revealed also that nitrogen level was found to decrease from fruit set (1.56%) to fruit enlargement stage (1.47%). Leaf and soil N, P and K contents were found higher before the flowering (stage 1) and depleted after fruit harvesting (stage 4), regardless of olive varieties. However, high yielding varieties showed lower nutrients after fruit harvesting (stage 4). Therefore, N content in leaf and soil gradually decreased during fruit growth and development. Whereas, K content in leaf and soil sharply declined from fruit maturity to fruit ripening stage. Overall, the trend of nutrient depletion showed that plants need phosphorus for fruit setting, nitrogen before and after fruit setting, and potash after pit hardening or at oil accumulation stages.

Relationship between energy, investment, human capital, environment, and economic growth in four BRICS countries.

This study empirically evaluates the impact of energy, environmental pollution, human capital, financial development, and physical capital on economic growth in countries like Brazil, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS-4) from 1981 to 2015. Relevant diagnostic tests, the Panel Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (F.M.O.L.S.), Robust Least Squares (R.L.S.) methods, and the Dumitrescu-Hurlin Panel causality test are implemented for empirical investigation. The key outcomes from the F.M.O.L.S. and R.L.S. methods indicate that energy consumption, physical capital, human capital, and financial development contribute to economic growth, while environmental pollution attenuates economic growth. Moreover, the Dumitrescu-Hurlin Panel causality test results reveal about the bidirectional and unidirectional causality between energy consumption, environmental pollution, investment, human capital, and financial sector expansion and growth. Thus, based on the findings, this study recommend that the BRICS countries' policy makers need to formulate public policy to ensure adequate energy supply, enhance foreign investments, improve health sector, develop financial sector, and regulate environmental pollution to achieve sustainable development.

Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in New York City: An Autopsy Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and severity of nonalcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) in children in a diverse population sample in New York City. STUDY DESIGN: Liver specimens were examined from children 2-19 years old who died of unexpected causes within 48 hours of medical presentation and underwent autopsy in New York City from 2005 to 2010. Records were reviewed for age, sex, weight, height, and race. Two hepatopathologists evaluated each liver specimen to determine pathologic diagnosis. RESULTS: The final study cohort (n = 582) was 50% black, 33% Hispanic, 12% white, 3% Asian, and 2% other; 36% had a body mass index >85%. There were 26 cases of NAFLD (4.5%) of which 10 had nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (1.7%). There were no cases with severe fibrosis or cirrhosis. One percent (3/290) of black children had NAFLD and none had nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. White and Hispanic children had the highest percentages of NAFLD at 8.3% and 7.9%, respectively. In multiple logistic regression models, we observed that body mass index z-score (P < .001) was associated with NAFLD, and that white (P = .003) and Hispanic (P = .005) children had higher odds of having NAFLD compared with black children. CONCLUSIONS: This review of liver tissue demonstrates a lower prevalence and severity of NAFLD in black children compared with the general obese pediatric population. Hispanic children did not have a significantly increased rate of NAFLD compared with white children, most likely related to the large proportion of Caribbean Hispanic children in New York City.