Modelling runoff and soil erosion in logged forests: Scope and application of some existing models

Predictive erosion models are useful tools for evaluating the impact of land-use practices on soil and water properties, and as often used by environmental protection authorities, for setting guidelines and standards for regulation purposes. This study examines the application of three erosion models of varying complexity and design for predicting runoff and soil erosion from logged forest compartments in south eastern Australia. These are: the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP), and TOPOG, a physically based hydrologic modelling package. Data on rates of soil loss and redistribution collected during a series of large-scale rainfall simulator experiments were used as model input parameters and validation. The models were evaluated in terms of general ease of use, input data requirements and accuracy of process understanding and prediction. Results suggest that in this application the USLE overestimated soil loss, and have the limitation that it does not predict sediment yield or sediment redistribution for specific storm events. When used at the hillslope scale, WEPP and TOPOG have predicted runoff and soil loss reasonably well, particularly on disturbed surfaces such as skid trails. On less disturbed surfaces such as the general harvesting area, both models performed less accurately, generally under-predicting soil loss and sediment yield, notably on sites with low observed values. The complexity and data requirements of WEPP and TOPOG limit their usability as a general-purpose, erosion hazard predicting tool. In terms of process understanding, none of the existing models accurately depict the nature and extent of sediment redistribution quantified in the rainfall simulator experiments. In order to advance the application and accuracy of modelling tools in forestry environments, this redistribution process should be considered integral to the refinement and redevelopment of future models.     

Surgical resolution of an avulsion fracture of the peroneus tertius origin in a giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata)

A 4-mo-old, 185-kg male giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) was presented due to stifle effusion and lameness of 3-wk duration. Radiographs revealed a fracture of the extensor fossa of the lateral trochlear ridge of the femur at the origin of the peroneus tertius. Under anesthesia, dysfunction of the reciprocal apparatus was documented by flexing the stifle while the tarsus remained extended. An avulsion fracture of the origin of the peroneus tertius and extensor digitorum longus muscle was diagnosed. An exploratory arthroscopy of the femorotibial joint was followed by arthrotomy to excise the large bone fragment from its soft tissue attachments. Because of the fractious temperament of the animal, postoperative care was restricted to stall rest for 3 mo, and no postoperative complications arose. Only a mild residual lameness remained by 6 mo after surgery.     

Economic analysis of monosex culture of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii De Man): a case study

All‐male monosex culture of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man) has emerged as a popular practice in India, especially in the state of Andhra Pradesh. A study was conducted to compare the economics of all‐male, mixed and all‐female culture in 15 adjacent, rectangular ponds of 4000 m² each by stocking juveniles previously reared in a nursery for 60 days. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with three treatments; T₁ (all male), T₂ (mixed) and T₃ (all female), and five replicates for a period of 5 months after the nursery phase. Statistical analysis showed highly significant (P<0.01) differences among the three types of culture. The cost of production was estimated and the economic feasibility of the culture methods was evaluated by cost‐return and partial budgeting analysis. The average weight, productivity and specific growth rate were the highest for all male culture, being 80.92±2.41 g, 1532 kg ha^?1 and 1.97±0.02 respectively. All‐female culture registered significantly higher survival (89.16±0.77%) and the best apparent feed conversion ratio of 1.26±0.02. The economic analysis revealed that all‐male monosex culture of M. rosenbergii was 63.13% and 60.20% more profitable than mixed and all‐female cultures respectively.     

Cancer proliferation gene discovery through functional genomics

Retroviral short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated genetic screens in mammalian cells are powerful tools for discovering loss-of-function phenotypes. We describe a highly parallel multiplex methodology for screening large pools of shRNAs using half-hairpin barcodes for microarray deconvolution. We carried out dropout screens for shRNAs that affect cell proliferation and viability in cancer cells and normal cells. We identified many shRNAs to be antiproliferative that target core cellular processes, such as the cell cycle and protein translation, in all cells examined. Moreover, we identified genes that are selectively required for proliferation and survival in different cell lines. Our platform enables rapid and cost-effective genome-wide screens to identify cancer proliferation and survival genes for target discovery. Such efforts are complementary to the Cancer Genome Atlas and provide an alternative functional view of cancer cells.     

Radiographic Calibration for Analysis of Bone Mineral Density of the Equine Third Metacarpal Bone

Digital radiography represents the primary diagnostic tool the veterinarian uses to diagnose skeletal injuries in the horse. Advances in digital radiography have provided the veterinarian with opportunities to make simple radiographic assessments from calibrated digital radiographs such as dimensional analyses; however, more complex variables such as radiographic opacity have yet to be standardized. Therefore, we investigated the quantification of bone mineral density (BMD) via computed radiographic absorptiometry at various radiographic exposure intensities (kV), times (sec), and milliamps (mA) in the third metacarpal in the horse. By developing a brightness/darkness index (BDI), the grayscale of radiographs, calibrated with an aluminum (Al) marker of various known thicknesses and uniform densities, can be compared to the average BMD of a region of interest at various radiographic exposures. Al BDI was a significant predictor of bone BDI (r² = 0.960, P < .001) and BMD (r² = 0.971, P < .001). This method of calibration can be used for quantitative noninvasive bone mineral analysis and allows direct comparison of radiographs taken under different exposure settings.     

An acellular aortic matrix of buffalo origin crosslinked with 1‐ethyl‐3‐3‐dimethylaminopropylcarbodiimide hydrochloride for the repair of inguinal hernia in horses

An acellular aortic matrix (AAM) crosslinked with 1‐ethyl‐3‐3‐dimethylaminopropylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) was evaluated for the repair of inguinal hernias in 5 horses. The aorta from buffalo was acellularised using 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and 0.25% trypsin. The AAM was crosslinked with 1% EDC. Under anaesthesia, inguinal hernias were repaired with EDC‐crosslinked AAM graft using an inlay graft technique. Blood samples collected on Days 0, 15 and 30 post implantation, were used for SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis to assess the animals' serum protein concentration, and gelatin zymography for the identification of matrix metalloproteinases. All animals that underwent hernia repair demonstrated successful healing without clinical signs of wound dehiscence, infection or recurrence during a 6‐month follow‐up period. SDS‐PAGE analysis of serum protein concentrations revealed that, this was increased at Day 15 and had decreased again at Day 30. Gelatin zymography of serum of implanted horses expressed a band of 92 kDa, corresponding to MMP‐9 activity. The relative amount of the 92 kDa band was higher at Day 15 as compared to Days 0 and 30. It may be concluded that EDC‐crosslinked AAM of buffalo origin can be used safely in horses for the repair of inguinal hernia with adequate strength and minimal foreign body reaction.     

Increased excitability and metabolism in pilocarpine induced epileptic rats: Effect of Bacopa monnieri

We have evaluated the acetylcholine esterase and malate dehydrogenase activity in the muscle, epinephrine, norepinephrine, insulin and T3 content in the serum of epileptic rats. Acetylcholine esterase and malate dehydrogenase activity increased in the muscle and decreased in the heart of the epileptic rats compared to control. Insulin and T3 content were increased significantly in the serum of the epileptic rats. Our results suggest that repetitive seizures resulted in increased metabolism and excitability in epileptic rats. Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A treatment prevents the occurrence of seizures there by reducing the impairment on peripheral nervous system.     

Acute Effects of Pomegranate Extract on Postprandial Lipaemia, Vascular Function and Blood Pressure

We investigated whether a test drink enriched in pomegranate polyphenols, consumed with a high-fat meal, can reduce postprandial lipaemia and improve vascular function and blood pressure compared to placebo. Nineteen young, healthy men completed a randomized, controlled crossover trial. The active drink (containing a pomegranate extract) was consumed during a high-fat meal (ET-DUR) or 15 min before (ET-PRE), and the placebo drink (no pomegranate extract) was consumed during the high-fat meal (CONTROL). Postprandial lipaemia was assessed by venous plasma TAG 0–2 h, and capillary plasma TAG 0–4 h. Blood pressure and digital volume pulse, to measure reflection index (DVP-RI) and stiffness index (DVP-SI), were monitored at baseline, 2 and 4 h. There was no inhibition of postprandial lipaemia by the active drink compared to CONTROL. ET-PRE caused a greater increase in the venous plasma TAG at 2 h compared to CONTROL and ET-DUR (treatment effect P?=?0.001). The incremental area under the curve 0–4 h for capillary plasma TAG was not significantly different between treatments. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) increased in the ET-PRE and ET-DUR groups to a lesser extent than the CONTROL group (treatment effect P?=?0.041). There were no treatment effects for DVP-RI, DVP-SI or diastolic blood pressure. In conclusion, the consumption of a single drink containing ET-rich pomegranate extract did not decrease postprandial plasma TAG concentrations, but suppressed the postprandial increase in SBP following the high-fat meal.     

Fracture in Norway spruce wood treated with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Physisporinus vitreus</Emphasis>

Changes in the fracture behaviour of Norway spruce tonewood after fungal treatment were studied. Specimens were incubated for 6, 9 and 12 months with Physisporinus (P.) vitreus. Fracture tests were performed in a compact-tension fracture experiment set-up, and the results were compared with the morphological analysis of the degraded wood structure and transverse sections of the crack tip viewed under light and fluorescence microscopy. It was evident that both the failure load and critical stress intensity factors were reduced in wood after prolonged incubation periods. Weight losses were significantly higher in sapwood than in heartwood. With prolonged incubation periods, the frequency of unstable fracture and brittle behaviour of the wood increased. In untreated wood, cracks were initiated in the earlywood. The process involved both delamination of the cells within the middle lamellae and rupture of the cell walls, inducing a zigzag crack tip pattern. In fungally treated wood, cracks often commenced from the intersection between late- and earlywood, resulting in a straight tangential crack line. Micrographic images showed that P. vitreus was more active in the secondary walls of latewood tracheids. In this region of the wood, the cell walls were strongly degraded after 9–12 months of incubation, resulting in a reduction in tensile strength, even though the wood did not show strong features of decay at the macroscopic level.