Determining cessation of brain activity during depopulation or euthanasia of broilers using accelerometers

The threat of avian influenza virus is a major concern for poultry growers worldwide. In response to avian influenza virus outbreaks in the United States and the existence of zoonotic strains causing human infection and death in Eastern Asia, a mass emergency depopulation method using water-based foam was developed for floor-reared broilers and turkeys. During foam depopulation, birds cannot be observed directly. As a result, several methods for monitoring bird activity during field depopulation research were explored. Accelerometers were found to be a simple, effective means of detecting motion and subsequently the cessation of motion after terminal convulsions ceased. In a previous study, it was shown that motion cessation may coincide with a lack of measureable brain activity. In this study, broilers were monitored with electroencephalograph, electrocardiograph, and motion sensors and treated with 1 of 3 methods of depopulation or euthanasia (Ar-CO₂ gas, CO₂ gas, or water-based foam). The differences between the accelerometer motion cessation and electrocardiogram signal stabilization were significant, as were the differences between motion cessation and electroencephalogram silence. Although the differences are statistically significant, these do not invalidate the use of an accelerometer to detect cessation of measurable brain activity during depopulation or euthanasia research.     

Performance characterization of rigid polyurethane foam with refined alkali lignin and modified alkali lignin

The two kinds of rigid polyurethane (PU) foams were prepared with respectively adding the refined alkali lignin and alkali lignin modified by 3-chloro-1,2-epoxypropane to be instead of 15% of the polyether glycol in weight. The indexes of mechanical performance, apparent density, thermal stability and aging resistance were separately tested for the prepared PU foams. The results show that the mechanical property, thermal insulation and thermal stability for PU foam with modified alkali lignin are excellent among two kinds of PU foams and control samples. The additions of the refined alkali lignin and modified alkali lignin to PU foam have little effect on the natural aging or heat aging resistance except for decreasing hot alkali resistance apparently. Additionally, the thermal conductivity of modified alkali lignin PU foam is lowest among two kinds of PU foams and control samples. The alkali lignin PU foam modified by 3-chloro-1,2-epoxypropane could be applied in the heat preservation field.     

豫北钢板平房仓隔热控温储存大豆应用试验

严格按照施工工艺要求,通过对钢板仓内表面喷涂5cm厚的聚氨酯发泡储存大豆试验,夏季仓温相比砖混高大平房仓要低1～2.8℃,豆堆上层粮温低0.8～3.0℃,大豆储存品质也较砖混高大平房仓效果要好,证明了豫北地区钢板平房仓隔热控温储存大豆的可行性。     

Processing of microcellular nanocomposite foams by using a supercritical fluid

Polystyrene/layered silicate nanocomposites were prepared by melt intercalation. To examine the distribution of the clay in polymer matrix, small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used. Intercalated nanocomposites were obtained and their rheological properties were investigated. Microcellular nanocomposite foams were produced by using a supercritical fluid. As clay contents increased, the cell size decreased and the cell density increased. It was found that layered silicates could operate as heterogeneous nucleation sites. As the saturation pressure increased and the saturation temperature decreased, the cell size decreased and the cell density increased. Microcellular foams have different morphology depending upon the dispersion state of nanoclays.     

A new method for studying clay soils using unaltered soil blocks

The purpose of this paper is to outline a procedure for soil block extraction, which is highly appropriate for clay soils. The method described here is rapid and cheap and has been used successfully by us in clay soils in southern Spain for the last six years. A wooden box is used to shape the soil block in situ and protect it during its transport from the field to the laboratory. Polyurethane foam was selected as the bonding agent, between the wooden framework and the soil block in order to avoid any possible alterations of the soil. This type of foam is used because it is strong, durable and non-toxic. The polyurethane foam is applied to the soil block as a permanent coating. This technique allows us to extract the clay soil solution in the laboratory.     

泡沫分离器在循环水养殖系统中的水处理效果

对泡沫分离器生产运用中的注意事项进行了探讨,并对生产中不同工况下的水处理效果进行比较,结果表明泡沫分离器对水体中微小悬浮颗粒、溶解有机物有良好去除效果,并能脱去部分氨氮.在不同工况下,随着进水流量的减小,泡沫分离器对这三种水质指标的去除效率逐渐增加,分别由水力停留时间为2.5 min时的45.15%、18.71%、8.50%,增加到水力停留时间为3.8 min时的 72.66%、34.11%、18.89%;同时,泡沫分离器不同工况对流经水体的溶解氧和pH都能有很好的调节作用.     

脂肪酸二乙醇酰胺类表面活性剂合成研究

以十四酸、十六酸、硬脂酸和二乙醇胺为原料,NaOH为催化剂,经酯化和水解二步法合成C14、C16、C18脂肪酸二乙醇酰胺类非离子表面活性剂,研究了各类脂肪酸二乙醇酰胺合成条件。测定了产物表面张力并确定了3种产物的临界胶团浓度(cmc),考察了无机盐对系列产物表面张力的影响,并测试了产物的起泡能力。结果表明,C14、C16、C18脂肪酸二乙醇酰胺形成临界胶团的浓度(cmc)分别为10、5、1mg/L,对应的表面张力分别为28.91、27.57、26.15mN/m。无机电解质浓度越高,产物水溶液的表面张力降低得越多,阳离子价态数的高低对产物表面张力影响不大。合成产物的起泡能力不强,但其消泡速率比较小,在0.37～0.6ml/min之间,说明合成产物的稳泡性能较好。     

关于污水处理厂生物浮沫问题的分析

针对污水处理厂生物浮沫现象,总结了生物浮沫的危害,分析了生物浮沫的形成原因,提出了解决办法。     

Quantification of Poinsettia Root Growth by Image Scans or X-ray Computed Tomography Scans in Three Propagation Substrates at Varied Moisture Levels

ABSTRACT

The objective was to refine protocols to quantify rooting of plant cuttings and the water/air microenvironment of substrates using x-ray computed tomography (CT). Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) cuttings were propagated in three substrates (peat, rockwool, and phenolic foam) at varied moisture levels. In Experiment 1, adventitious rooting occurred in cuttings grown in rockwool or foam from 12% to 86% volumetric water content (VWC) and 12% to 80% volumetric air content (VAC). The highest root growth occurred in rockwool at 59% VWC and 33% VAC. There was an advantage to quantifying root growth by CT in rockwool and foam, in contrast to peat, because of clear differences in material density between root and substrate during image processing. In Experiment 2, root growth was quantified in peat by two-dimensional image scans under similar growth chamber environments, with rapid root growth from 52% to 63% VWC and 16% to 26% VAC. In Experiment 3, CT was used to quantify the substrate microenvironment at 0.5 cm slices to further describe the environment at the base of the plant cutting. Rapid rooting occurred in microenvironments above 56% VWC and 14% VAC, whereas the low 3% VAC in foam at high moisture may limit root growth.

Abbreviations: volumetric water content (VWC), volumetric air content (VAC), volumetric solid content (VSC)