Role of Potassium Bearing Minerals in Desorption of Reserved Potassium in Some Soils of Northern Iraq

A laboratory study was conducted in order to explain successive extractions of reserved potassium by using concentrated HCI under reflux for 13 surface and sub-surface soil samples representing three chosen pedons of soil series （472 ECC Bashika, 463 EKC Rabeaa and 461 ECC Talafar） locations of Nineveh Province in Northern of Iraq. The aim is to investigate role of clay minerals on release of reserved potassium from soils. Results showed that dominated clay minerals were （smectite 〉 illite 〉 kaolinite 〉 chlorite） for both 472 ECC and 461 ECC soil series and were （illite 〉 smectite 〉 kaolinite 〉 chlorite） for 463 EKC soil series. Also results appeared that exchangeable K＋ released values were 2,483-4,575 mg/kg at 461 ECC and 463 EKC soil series, respectively; non-exchangeable phase ranged from 752-1,390 mg/kg at 461 ECC and 472 ECC soil series, respectively. Soil fertility was evaluated according to its K＋ mica release referring for high K＋ release content with range between 3,324-5,516 mg/kg at 461 ECC and 463 EKC soil series, but rate ofK~ released was very law according to parabolic diffusion me,del with range from 195-359 mg/kg at latter soil series respectively. Results reflect effect of clay minerals on potassium release as amount and rates in arid and semi-arid regions. It can be concluded the study soils have a high amount of potassium content with low rate release of it, in turn these soil need particular management.     

Consequence of Cryptosporidiosis on the immune response of vaccinated broiler chickens against Newcastle disease and/or avian influenza

The consequence of cryptosporidiosis on the immune response of vaccinated chickens against Newcastle disease and/or avian influenza was studied by using 240, 1 day old, male, white Hy-Line chicks and divided into 8 groups and subgroups. Each group or subgroup was consisting of 30 chicks (15?×?2 replicates). The first and second groups were kept as unvaccinated control, G1uninfected and G2 infected. G3, G4 and G5 contained 2 subgroups A&B (G3A, G3B, G4A, G4B, G5A and G5B). Chicks of subgroup A were vaccinated only while chicks of subgroup B were infected and vaccinated. These chicks were orally inoculated with 5?×?10⁵ oocysts of Cryptosporidium baileyi (C. baileyi) at 2 days of age. Chickens were vaccinated intraocular with live Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine (Hitchner on day 7th and LaSota on day 17th of chicken life) (G3) or vaccinated by subcutaneous route with Volvac®- H5N2- AI vaccine on day 10 of chicken life (G4). Last group (G5) was infected similarly and vaccinated with ND and AI vaccines with the same day, dose and route of vaccination for each one. Random blood samples were collected for 3 weeks post-vaccination for investigation of humoral immune response against Newcastle and/or avian influenza vaccines by the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. The results showed that H5N2 vaccine at day 10 of chicken life is effective in chickens indicated by the geometric mean of HI titer against AI virus. The findings of this study showed that the infection with Cryptosporidia in the broiler chicken has a depressive effect on the immune status of the birds vaccinated against ND and/or AI vaccination. Moreover, the obtained protection rates against challenge with virulent ND virus observed to be parallel to the results of HI- test. Also, by using 2 different antigens (one commercial and field prepared antigen) to avian influenza virus, lower Geometric mean (GM) HI titer were appeared in infected and vaccinated group than vaccinated group only. A study of the relative lymphoid organs weight such as bursa of Fabricius from the experimental chicks indicated that those organs were comparable between the groups infected-vaccinated and vaccinated only. Non significant variations in final live weight between uninfected control and infected groups were indicated. Also, H5N2-AI vaccination at 10 days old did not affect the final live weight. ND and/or AI Vaccination could not be a substitute to application of good hygienic measures and fecal examination of the birds especially for protozoal diseases such as cryptosporidiosis. It could be concluded that cryptosporidiosis could be one cause of ND and/or AI vaccination failure in poultry farms.     

Secondary Effluent Treatment by Slow Sand Filters: Performance and Risk Analysis

The objective of this study is to examine the reuse of wastewaterfor beneficial purposes. To accomplish this objective, the efficiency of slow sand filters in removing total coliforms (TC) was studied using a probabilistic method. Three pilot scale slowsand filters were constructed at Alkhobar wastewater treatment plant, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The removal efficiency of filters was estimated under different operating control parameters, which included filtration rate (q), sand bed depth (d) and sand grain size (c). The Type III extreme value distribution best fitted theremoval efficiency data. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to develop a relationship for mean removal efficiency as a function of control parameters. The predicted mean response and experimental results of previous studies werecompared to validate the empirical regression model. The controlparameters and influent concentrations of total coliform were used in Monte Carlo (MC) simulations for calculating the reliability index (β). The reliability index and corresponding risk were calculated for lognormally distributedsafety margins (SM). An effluent standard of 100 total coliform/100 mL was defined as capacity of the filter to ascertainthe risks of exceedence, which was approximately less than 50 for95% of the time. Pre and/or post disinfection would be necessaryto meet the stipulated effluent standards for unrestricted agriculture use.     

Effect of ascorbic acid and dehydration on concentrations of total phenolics, antioxidant capacity, anthocyanins, and color in fruits

The purpose of this investigation was to report on the total phenolics, anthocyanins, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of strawberry, peach, and apple, the influence of dehydration and ascorbic acid treatments on the levels of these compounds, and the effect of these treatments on fruit color. Results showed that fresh strawberry had the highest levels for total phenolics [5317.9 mg of chlorogenic acid equivalents (CAE)/kg], whereas lower levels were found in fresh apple and peach (3392.1 and 1973.1 mg of CAE/kg, respectively), and for anthocyanins (138.8 mg/kg), whereas lower levels were found in fresh apple and peaches (11.0 and 18.9 mg/kg, respectively; fresh strawberry had an ORAC value of 62.9 mM/kg Trolox equivalents. The fresh apple and peach were found to have ORAC values of 14.7 and 11.4 mM/kg of Trolox equivalents, respectively. The color values indicated that the addition of 0.1% ascorbic acid increased the lightness (L) and decreased the redness (a) and yellowness (b) color values of fresh strawberry, peach, and apple, sliced samples, and the puree made from them. Also, results showed that dehydration is a good method to keep the concentrations of total phenolics and anthocyanins and ORAC values at high levels.     

When is it biological control? A framework of definitions,mechanisms, and classifications

Journal of Pest Science - Biological control, or biocontrol, is the exploitation of living agents (incl. viruses) to combat pestilential organisms (incl. pathogens, pests, and weeds) for diverse...     

Correction to: When is it biological control? A framework of definitions,mechanisms, and classifications

Journal of Pest Science - A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-021-01386-z     

Use of waste water for aquaculture: an experimental field study at a sewage-treatment plant, Egypt

The primary and secondary treated waste effluents were successfully used to grow the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.). The growth rate of fish reared in treated waste water was significantly higher than that of fish reared in the natural habitat. Bacterial loads in fish organs were higher in the gills followed by the intestine and the skin and finally the edible muscles. The total aerobic bacterial count was very low (9.3 × 10² g^?1) in the edible muscles of fish grown in secondary-treated effluent and complied with the WHO guidelines (less than 10⁵ g^?1). Salmonella, Shigella and Staphylococcus were completely absent in all fish samples examined. The highest concentrations of heavy metals were found in liver tissues, followed by intestine and gills and then the muscles. Accumulation levels were within the acceptable limits when compared to the international legal standards for hazardous elements in fish and fishery products. In conclusion, chemical and bacterial analyses indicated that there is no evidence of any public health hazard associated with treated waste water reuse in aquaculture. However, the risks, if any, to the fish growers, processors and consumers should be evaluated, specially that related to viral pathogens.     

Dietary astaxanthin modulated the performance,gastrointestinal histology,and antioxidant and immune responses and enhanced the resistance of Litopenaeus vannamei against Vibrio harveyi infection

Aquaculture International - Astaxanthin (AX) is one of the commonly used feed supplements to enhance the growth performance and provide antioxidant and immune functions of several aquatic animals....