Abstract: The nitrate-nitrogen concentration in soil is estimated based on the nitrate-nitrogen 200 nm absorption peak. In one embodiment, a device measures the attenuation spectrum of a soil-extractant mixture over a wavelength range that includes wavelengths in the vicinity of the 200 nm absorption peak (the spectral operating range) and then determines the nitrate-nitrogen concentration based on the attenuation spectrum.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for combining a soil sample and extractant in a mixing chamber to produce a liquid extractant-soil mixture. A portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture is directed from the mixing chamber through a sample measurement chamber coupled to the mixing chamber. The sample measurement chamber is coupled to a light source so that light propagates from the light source through the portion of the liquid extractant-soil mixture to an optical detector which generates an attenuation spectrum indicating light received by the detector at different wavelengths. The sample measurement chamber may include an attenuation cell having a specified optical path between a first measurement window and a second measurement window and angular surface directing particulates in the liquid extractant-soil mixture away from the attenuation cell.

Abstract: A method of treating weight loss due to underlying disease in a patient, the method comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of an agent which reduces sympathetic nervous system activity. A method of treating weight loss due to underlying disease in a patient, the method comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of any one or more of the following: a compound which inhibits the effect of aldosterone such as an aldosterone antagonist; a chymase inhibitor; a cathepsin B inhibitor; a ? receptor blocker; an imidazoline receptor antagonist; a centrally acting ? receptor antagonist; a peripherally acting ? receptor antagonist; a ganglion blocking agent; a drug that has an effect on cardiovascular reflexes and thereby reduces SNS activity such as an opiate; scopolamine; an endothelin receptor antagonist; and a xanthine oxidize inhibitor. The methods are particularly useful in treating cardiac cachexia.

Abstract: A method of treating weight loss due to underlying disease in a patient, the method comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of an agent which reduces sympathetic nervous system activity. A method of treating weight loss due to underlying disease in a patient the method comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of any one or more of the following: a compound which inhibits the effect of aldosterone such as an aldosterone antagonist; a chymase inhibitor; a cathepsin B inhibitor; a ? receptor blocker; an imidazoline receptor antagonist; a centrally acting ? receptor antagonist; a peripherally acting ? receptor antagonist; a ganglion blocking agent; a drug that has an effect on cardiovascular reflexes and thereby reduces SNS activity such as an opiate; scopolamine; an endothelin receptor antagonist; and a xanthine oxidase inhibitor. The methods are particularly useful in treating cardiac cachexia.

Abstract: A method of treating weight loss due to underlying disease in a patient the method comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of an agent which reduces sympathetic nervous system activity. A method of treating weight loss due to underlying disease in a patient the 10 method comprising administering to the patient an effective amount of any one or more of the following: a compound which inhibits the effect of aldosterone such as an aldosterone antagonist; a chymase inhibitor; a cathepsin B inhibitor; a 13 receptor blocker; an imidazoline receptor antagonist; a centrally acting tx receptor antagonist; a peripherally acting ct receptor antagonist; a ganglion blocking agent; a drug that has an effect on cardiovascular reflexes and thereby reduce SNS activity such as an opiate; scopolamine; an endothelin receptor antagonist; and a xanthine oxidase inhibitor. The methods are particularly useful in treating cardiac cachexia.