Mutualism between euryhaline tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron heudelotii and Chlorella sp.—Implications for nano-algal production in warmwater phytoplankton-based recirculating systems

The West-African euryhaline tilapia, Sarotherodon melanotheron heudelotii shift from visually feeding on zooplankton when juveniles to mostly filter feeding on phytoplankton when adults. When reared using an appropriate ration in intensive aquaculture systems, S. m. heudelotii also consume algal-based detritus, and contribute to sediment mineralization, clean up their environment, and ultimately stimulate and sustain algal growth. We analysed such practical advantages for phytoplankton-based recirculating systems, using S. m. heudelotii and Chlorella sp. as biological material originating from the prototype of such a system operated in Senegal. We performed a 24-h factorial design experiment in 36 tubs, cross-classifying three levels of S. m. heudelotii (fishless control, unfed fish, and fed fish) with four levels of Chlorella initial density.Chlorella overall mean density increased significantly from fishless, to unfed fish, and fed fish treatments, and with Chlorella initial density. S. m. heudelotii did not alter nitrogen nor phosphorus concentrations, only affected by algal initial densities. Most ammonia excreted by fish was probably uptaken by Chlorella. Bacteria-mediated diurnal nitrification was possibly an alternative ammonium loss mechanism at highest oxygen concentrations. Algae were not limited by nitrogen or phosphorus but most likely by low dissolved organic carbon availability. Chlorella differential responses with fed vs. unfed Sarotherodon suggest that CO₂ supplied by heterotrophic S. m. heudelotii respiration played a key role. Observed Chlorella growth rates were similar to the highest rates obtained in algal mass cultures, enriched with CO₂, nitrate and phosphate, under artificial lighting.Our results suggest the existence of a Sarotherodon-Chlorella mutualism in our systems, where S. m. heudelotii provide CO₂, the major limiting factor of Chlorella growth, whereas Chlorella oxygenate and detoxify the water media from ammonia, promoting S. m. heudelotii production. This mutualism could be used to optimize photosynthetic suspended-growth aquaculture systems, particularly in the Tropics where light is abundant and temperature is continuously high.     

Serum immunoglobulin concentrations in cattle naturally infected with bovine leukemia virus

In order to elucidate whether natural infection of BLV in cattle might induce humoral immunological responses, changes in IgG1, IgG2, and IgM concentrations in the sera of infected cattle were determined. Twelve BLV-infected cattle were used. Cattle of different breeds were classified serologically and haematologically into BLV + PL+, BLV + PL- and BLV-free groups. Ig concentrations in the sera of the three groups were quantitated using a commercial single radial immunodiffusion assay. The findings were compared to those of BLV-free cattle. The serum IgM concentrations were significantly lower in cattle with PL (P less than 0.001) than in BVL + PL- and BLV-free cattle. The IgM concentrations tended to be lower in BLV+ PL- than those of BVL-free cattle. There were no significant differences in IgG1 and IgG2 serum concentrations between the three experimental cattle groups. IgG1 was the predominant subtype in the sera of all cattle groups.     

The Value of a Net‐Cage as a Fish Aggregating Device in Southern California

There is an urgent need for primary data that can be used to quantify the value of marine aquaculture facilities that also describe influences on the surrounding natural ecosystem and its wild fish communities. Divers completed 360 transect replicates below a net‐cage and at nearby and distant rocky reefs off Catalina Island, California, estimating the species abundance and size class of all conspicuous fishes in the water column. We observed 10,234 fishes aggregating below the net‐cage with a mean annual density of 142 (SE ± 30) per 100 m² and diversity H′ 2.29. At the adjacent reference reef, we counted 8452 fishes with a mean annual density of 117 (SE ± 20) and H′ 1.45 and at Reference Reef 2, located 500 m away, there were 8958 fishes with a density of 124 (SE ± 20) and H′ 1.13. The total density of fishes was the same between the study sites (ANOVA; P = 0.24); however, the spatial density of fishes in the water column was different between the net‐cage and reference reefs. Additionally, the density of juvenile fish was significantly lower at the net‐cage (ANOVA; P = 0.02), while the density of subadult and adult fishes was higher (ANOVA; P = 0.03). Feeding guild analysis ranked the net‐cage highest (3507), while Reference Reef 1 (2149), and Reference Reef 2 (2241), had lower values, a relationship often found between artificial and natural reefs. This suggests the importance of available trophic resources to the adult population of wild fishes, and has implications in the artificial reef attraction–production debate. The results of this study not only reproduce a pattern of fish attraction to net‐cages in the marine environment reported in previous studies but also demonstrate a relative habitat value compared in both time and space, of the fish community at a net‐cage compared with vibrant kelp bed communities.     

家禽屠体的堆肥

加拿大安达略省家禽生产者对死禽处理通常有以下几种方法:选择经认证的死畜禽处理公司,坑埋,焚烧,堆肥.本文描述了使用堆肥法成功堆肥家禽屠体的一些关键因素. 堆肥是一个狭长的可被生物降解的有机物质堆,有很大的表面积以便氧气良好地渗透.堆肥通过需氧微生物分解生物有机物质制成一个稳定的、类似土壤的物质,称为腐殖质.为了刺激微生物快速降解,有必要给这些生长增殖的微生物提供最理想的环境.     

Determination of Young's modulus for spruce, fir and isotropic materials by the resonance flexure method with comparisons to static flexure and other dynamic methods

Summary Dynamic methods provide rapid and accurate means to determine Young's modulus, i.e. the modulus of elasticity, of wood. For dry, clear specimens of épicéa commun (Norway spruce, picea excelsa) and sapin pictiné (silver fir, abies amabilis) we present a comparison of results from tests by a resonance flexure method with results obtained from four-point static flexure tests. For a wide range of specimen size the resonance flexure method provides a simpler, more rapidly performed alternative to the classical static flexure method, giving Young's modulus values which are for the spruce and fir specimens of this study, nearly identical to those calculated from the static flexure tests. Results are also presented which show that a resonance longitudinal method yields higher values of Young's modulus and an ultrasonic method yields still higher values. We provide also a comparison of the four test methods applied to isotropic materials.The authors wish to thank Pierre Michel and André Perrin for preparing the test specimens and components of the test apparatus for this study     

Thermal optima of photosynthetic functions and thermostability of photochemistry in cork oak seedlings

Temperature effects on photosynthesis were studied in seedlings of evergreen Mediterranean cork oak (Quercus suber L.). Responses to changes in temperature and the temperature optima of maximal carboxylation rate (V(cmax)) and maximal light-driven electron flux (J(max)) were estimated from gas exchange measurements and a leaf-level photosynthesis model. The estimated temperature optima were approximately 34 and 33 degrees C for V(cmax) and J(max), respectively, which fall within the lower range of temperature optima previously observed in deciduous tree species. The thermostability of the photosynthetic apparatus was estimated according to the temperature at which basal chlorophyll a fluorescence begins to increase (T(c)). The T(c) was highly variable, increasing from 42 to 51 degrees C when ambient temperature rose from 10 to 40 degrees C, and increasing from 44 to 54 degrees C with decreasing soil water availability while net CO(2) assimilation rate dropped to almost zero. When a heat shock was imposed, an additional small increase in T(c) was observed in drought-stressed and control seedlings. Maximal T(c) values following heat shock were about 56 degrees C, which, to our knowledge, are the highest values that have been observed in tree species. In conclusion, the intrinsic temperature responses of cork oak did not differ from those of other species (similar T(c) under ambient temperature and water availability, and relatively low thermal optima for photosynthetic capacity in seedlings grown at cool temperatures). However, the large ability of cork oak to acclimate to drought and elevated temperature may be an important factor in the tolerance of this evergreen Mediterranean species to summer drought and high temperatures.     

Fibril angle variability in earlywood of Norway spruce using soft rot cavities and polarization confocal microscopy

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the variability of the fibril angle of tracheids in earlywood of Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.). Polarization confocal microscopy was chosen and compared with the method utilizing the orientation of soft rot cavities. There was a significant correlation between the soft rot and polarization confocal microscopy methods, which showed the same trend of high fibril angles in the first part of the earlywood followed by a decrease toward the end of earlywood. This declining trend was less pronounced in annual rings containing compression wood. Moreover, large variations in fibril angle occurred between neighboring tracheids. The investigation also emphasized the differences between X-ray diffraction and microscopic methods, as the large variation seen by the latter methods is not seen by the X-ray diffraction approach because of its large area of measurement. No correlation was found between fiber morphology (i.e., average length, width, density) and the average fibril angle in the investigated annual rings.     

Measuring the productivity and physical workload of brushcutters within the context of a production-based pay system

Forestry occupations are known to be physically demanding, and workers are often paid on a piece rate basis. This pay system is largely used in silvicultural treatments such as plantation and vegetation management. An ill adjusted piece rate system may induce workforce recruitment difficulties or increase accident rates and work related illnesses. A study combining work measurement, ergonomics and economics was undertaken to better understand the factors influencing a worker's workload. Mathematical relations between site factors, worker's production and heart rate variation during work have been examined based on time and motion studies of 38 brushsaw operators performing regeneration release (cleaning) in northern forests. Results show that a piece rate pay system that considers only the area treated without taking into account site factors may lead workers to behave in ways that may compromise their health and safety. The use of a pay system that integrates the influence of site factors on work performance is therefore suggested.     

Biomass production,nutrient cycling and distribution in age-sequence Chinese fir (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cunninghamia lanceolate</Emphasis>) plantations in subtropical China

Biomass production and nutrient (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) accumulation, distribution and cycling were quantified in young, mature and over-mature (10-, 22-, and 34-year old) Chinese fir [Cunninghamia lanceolate (Lamb.) Hook] plantations in southern China. Total stand biomass of young, mature and over-mature stands was 38, 104 and 138 t ha^?1 respectively. Biomass production increased significantly with age. Stem wood represented the highest percentage of stand biomass, accounting for 41, 55 and 63 % in the young, mature and over-mature plantations respectively. Nutrients concentration was highest in live needles and branches, and lowest in stem wood. The plantations accumulated more N, followed by K, Ca, Mg, and P. Nutrient return amount, nutrient utilization efficiency, nutrient turnover time, the ratio of nutrient return and uptake increased with stand age, which implies that young Chinese fir deplete soil nutrients to maintain growth, and efficiently utilize nutrients to decrease dependence on soil nutrients as they age. Harvesting young Chinese fir plantations would therefore lead to high nutrient loss, but prolonging the rotation length could improve soil recovery, and help sustain productivity in the long-term. Improved nutrient return through litterfall as stands get older may also be beneficial to nutrient pool recovery.     

Characterization of wood-based multi-material systems under dynamic impact stress

ABSTRACT

Due to its naturally grown properties, wood has played a rather subordinate role as a material for technical applications up to now. In this paper, multi-material systems based on veneers of beech (Fagus sylvatica) with different reinforcing variants were investigated. In addition to the influence of different adhesive systems (urea formaldehyde and polyurethane), the effect of reinforcing by aramid fiber fabric and stainless steel foil in different climates was examined. At the center of the investigations were dynamically sudden loads, in the form of impact bending and dart drop tests (penetration and impact mode). It has been shown that the use of the reinforcing materials leads to a significant improvement in material properties. The penetration energy of the composites reinforced with the aramid fiber fabric could be increased by 43%. The maximum force in the dart drop test (impact mode) could be increased by 29% with the stainless steel foil, the damping decreased by 48%. The aramid fiber reinforcement achieved an increase in impact resistance by 27% in impact bending test, the steel reinforced achieved an increase of 39%. A clear dependency on both, the climate and the adhesive within the composite, could be demonstrated.