The water table management simulation model, DRAINMOD-S, was evaluated under semi-arid conditions using field data from the Maruit experimental field in the western delta of Egypt for three cropping seasons; maize 1999, wheat 1999/2000 and maize 2000. Two water table management systems (conventional drainage (FD) and controlled drainage (CD)) were applied in the study area. The recorded data included daily ground water table depths, drain outflows during flow events, soil salinity to depth of 1.20 m from the soil surface (0.30 m interval), and relative crop yield. DRAINMOD-S was run to simulate the applied water table management systems for the same study periods. The reliability of the model was evaluated by comparing measured and predicted values of the daily ground water table depth, cumulative outflow based on total monthly outflow, soil salinity during each season, and relative crop yield. Good agreement was found between the measured and predicted values. DRAINMOD-S predicted values within an absolute deviation ranged from 11.0 to 16.0 cm for ground water table depth, from 18 to 75 mm for drain outflows, from 0.22 to 1.08 dS m −1 for soil salinity, and from 4.62 to 4.86% for relative crop yield. The model showed the potential for long-term simulation and planning of ground water (CD)) ontété appliquésàla superficie de l'étude. Le data qui s'est remis en ordre s'inclut les mesures des profondeurs de la table d'eau souterraine, lesécoulements des drains pendant lesévènements de l'écoulement, la salinité du sol au profondeur de 1.20 m souterrain aux intervalles de 30 cm, etles produits agricoles relatifs. DRAINMOD-S S'est mis en courant pour simuler l'application des systèmes de la direction pour la même période d'étude. La véracité du modèle aétéévaluée en comparant les valeurs mésurées avec lcelles des produits agricoles sur le profondeur de la table d'eau quotidien, l'écoulement cumulatif basé sur l'écoulement total du mois, la salinité du sol pendant chaque saison, et les produits agricoles relatifs. On a trouvé un bon accord entre les valeurs mésurées et celles qu'on

Field experiments were conducted for two years in the Western Delta of Egypt to investigate the effects of controlled drainage on the quality of subsurface drainage outflows. Two water table management methods were applied in the 2.54 ha experimental field: free conventional subsurface drainage and controlled drainage. Controlled drainage was applied at 60 cm depth during both seasons. Drain discharge volumes and nitrate-N and orthophosphate-phosphorus concentrations were monitored during the growing seasons. The controlled drainage (CD) treatment significantly reduced the total drainage outflow by 68% during the summer season and by 28% during the winter of 1999-2000 at 99% confidence level, compared to free conventional drainage (FD) treatment. The CD also reduced the total nitrate-N in drainage water by 73%, and 32% during the summer and the winter seasons respectively, compared to the FD treatment.The CD treatment reduced the total orthophosphate-phosphorus losses by 77% during summer of 1999 and by 30% during winter of 1999 -2000 compared to the FD treatment; however, in general the total mass loss was low in both treatments. The results of the experiment showed the potential environmental and economic benefits with the application of controlled drainage in semi-arid regions.

Introduction: The few studies that have investigated patterns of routine checkup (hereafter routine checkups) among Saudis have found overall low rates of use. Those studies focused mainly on understanding the influence of individual characteristics on use of routine checkup. Aims: The main purpose of this study was to consider a wider array of factors beyond individual characteristics, including system-based factors, beliefs, attitudes, and satisfaction, and to examine their influence on use of routine checkup among Saudi students studying in the United States. Methods: A cross-sectional survey targeting Saudi students studying in the United States aged 19 years or older was conducted to gather information about their sociodemographic characteristics, needs for healthcare, use of routine checkup and satisfaction with access to primary care services. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were conducted to determine factors influencing use of routine checkup among Saudis. Results: 381 surveys were eligible to be included in the analyses. Among the included participants, only 25.5% had a routine checkup after the age of 18 years. The likelihood of having routine checkup after the age of 18 was significantly higher among those who trusted provided primary care, believed in the importance of routine checkup, had health insurance, had chronic conditions and were physically active, and was significantly lower among married individuals. Conclusions: The use of routine checkup is low among Saudis and this study has laid the foundation for future research that can inform policy and decision-making related to improving use of routine care in Saudi Arabia.

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La-doped SrTiO 3 thin films with high structural quality were homoepitaxially grown by the metal−organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) technique. Thermogravimetric characterization of the metal−organic precursors determines suitable flash evaporator temperatures for transferring the liquid source materials in the gas phase of the reactor chamber. An adjustment of the charge carrier concentration in the films, which is necessary for optimizing the thermoelectric power factor, was performed by introducing a defined amount of the metal−organic compound La(tmhd) 3 and tetraglyme to the liquid precursor solution. X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy verified the occurrence of the pure perovskite phase exhibiting a high structural quality for all La concentrations. The electrical conductivity of the films obtained from Hall-effect measurements increases linearly with the La concentration in the gas phase, which is attributed to the incorporation of La 3+ ions on the Sr 2+ perovskite sites by substitution inferred from photoemission spectroscopy. The resulting structural defects were discussed concerning the formation of occasional Ruddlesden−Popper-like defects. The thermoelectric properties determined by Seebeck measurements demonstrate the high potential of SrTiO 3 thin films grown by MOVPE for thermoelectric applications.

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