Sorption of Pb in chemical and particle-size fractions of soils with different physico-chemical properties

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Lead (Pb) sorption capacity (PbSmax) and distribution in chemical and particle-size fractions of six soils with different physico-chemical properties were...     

Effects of corn particle size on nutrient utilization in pigs evaluated under optimal and heat stress conditions

The effects of corn particle size on nutrient digestibility and energy utilization in pigs were determined under optimal (experiment 1, 25?±?1 °C) or heat stress (experiment 2, 37?±?1 °C) conditions. In Exp. 1 and 2, five experimental diets were tested using a 5?×?5 Latin square design involving five barrows (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc, average initial body weight of 30?±?1 kg and 45.0?±?1.8 kg, respectively, in individual metabolic cages). Dietary treatments were as follows: 200-, 300-, 400-, 600-, 800-μm corn particle sizes obtained by mesh screens. Under optimal thermal conditions, digestibility of dry matter (DM) and crude fiber (CF) from 200-μm diet was higher (P?<?0.05) compared to that from the 300-μm and 400-μm diets. The digestibility of crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) was the highest (P?<?0.05) at the 200-μm particle size. The apparent total tract digestibility of energy was significantly higher (P?<?0.05) on the 200-μm diet. Under heat stress, digestibility of CF when corn was ground to 600 μm was higher (P?<?0.05) compared to 300 and 400 μm. Digestibility of NDF and ADF was the highest (P?<?0.05) at 600-μm corn particle size. In conclusion, grinding corn to 200-μm corn particles had a positive effect on DM, CP, EE, and CF under optimal thermal condition, while the 600-μm corn particle size had positive effects on digestibility of CF, NDF, and ADF than 200-μm corn particle size under heat stress.

     

Reclamation of desert land to continuous cotton cropping affects soil properties and microbial communities in the desert-oasis ecotone of Xinjiang,China

Purpose

A large area of desert land in the desert-oasis ecotone in northwestern China is being reclaimed for continuous cotton production for several decades. However, little is known about the possible effect of reclamation and long-term monocultural cotton cultivation on soil properties and microbial communities in the desert-oasis ecotone area.

Materials and methods

Soil samples were collected from the 0–20-cm mineral soil from croplands that had been continuously planted cotton for 5, 25, and 50 years after reclamation, as well as a desert land (t?=?0, before reclamation, used as the control). Soil physical and chemical properties, enzyme activities, and bacterial and fungal community diversities were determined.

Results and discussion

Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and enzyme activities increased up to 25 years after reclamation, and further monocultural cotton cropping was not beneficial to improve soil quality. Soil urease, alkaline phosphatase, and sucrase activities increased by 121~205%, 100~167%, and 206~719% in croplands as compared with the desert land, respectively, after reclamation with the highest value at 25 years of cotton cultivation. Bacterial richness and diversity increased from desert land to the 5-year-old cropland and then remained stable after 5 years of cotton cropping, and soil fungal richness and diversity were not affected by reclamation and cropping years.

Conclusions

Crop rotation or fallow should be considered to maintain or improve soil quality over the long-term monocultural cropping.

     

Detection of nutrient elements and contamination by pesticides in spinach and rice samples using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

The laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique was applied to quantify nutrients (Mg, Ca, Na, and K) in spinach and rice and to discriminate pesticide-contaminated products in a rapid manner. Standard reference materials (spinach leaves and unpolished rice flour) were used to establish a relationship between LIBS intensity and the concentration of each element (Mg, Ca, Na, and K) (i.e., calibration line). The limits of detection (LODs) for Mg, Ca, Na, and K were found to be 29.63, 102.65, 36.36, and 44.46 mg/kg in spinach and 7.54, 1.76, 4.19, and 6.70 mg/kg in unpolished rice, respectively. Concentrations of those nutrient elements present in spinach and unpolished rice from a local market were determined by using the calibration lines and compared with those measured with ICP-OES, showing good agreement. The data also suggested that the LIBS technique with the chemometric method (PLS-DA) could be a great tool to distinguish pesticide-contaminated samples from pesticide-free samples in a rapid manner even though they have similar elemental compositions. Misclassification rates were found to be 0 and 2% for clean spinach and pesticide-contaminated spinach, respectively, by applying the PLS-DA model established from the training set of data to predict the classes of test samples.     

Modular microcomputer software to estimate fish population parameters, production rates and associated variance

Abstract– Microcomputer software to estimate fish population parameters, production rates, and associated variances was developed using established procedures. Pop/Pro Modular Statistical Software is a series of portable programs written in English that run on Macintosh^(R) or IBM^(R) (and compatible) computers. Population parameters can be estimated using either a single-census mark-recapture method or a removal method. Production and component parameters can be estimated with either the instantaneous growth rate method or the increment summation method. Output may be stratified by fish length, age or sampling interval and includes variance estimates for all parameters. The software was developed for use with fish data but may be applicable to other taxa.     

Flood vulnerability assessment in the light of rice cultivation characteristics in Mekong River flood plain in Cambodia

Demographic changes, such as aging and depopulation in rural areas, are major reasons for the recent abandonment of the terraced paddy fields in Japan. In addition, the low productivity of terraced paddy fields, due to their small area and the difficulty of using machinery on the plots, further abet this trend. Recent research has shown a growing interest in multifunctional conservation and maintenance of the ecosystem and traditional agro-culture of terraced paddy fields. This paper aims to elaborate on the conservation activities of endangered terraced paddy fields in Japan, by using the case of Shiroyone Senmaida to discuss conservation experience and lessons, and recommend future strategies for adaptive management of the rice terraces under the GIAHS framework, as well as the next necessary steps for research. As an outstanding cultural landscape and tourist attraction in Noto Peninsula, the conservation scheme combining financial support from governmental subsidy, the “owner system” of interaction with urban dwellers, and labor support by conservationist volunteers has contributed to the conservation of traditional farming on Senmaida’s terraced paddy fields. Still, as is the case in other parts of Japan, lack of financial support and an aging farming population threaten conservation of terraced paddy fields in Noto Peninsula.     

Fucoidan as a Marine Anticancer Agent in Preclinical Development

Fucoidan is a fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharide derived from brown seaweeds, crude extracts of which are commercially available as nutritional supplements. Recent studies have demonstrated antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, and anticancer properties of fucoidan in vitro. Accordingly, the anticancer effects of fucoidan have been shown to vary depending on its structure, while it can target multiple receptors or signaling molecules in various cell types, including tumor cells and immune cells. Low toxicity and the in vitro effects of fucoidan mentioned above make it a suitable agent for cancer prevention or treatment. However, preclinical development of natural marine products requires in vivo examination of purified compounds in animal tumor models. This review discusses the effects of systemic and local administration of fucoidan on tumor growth, angiogenesis, and immune reaction and whether in vivo and in vitro results are likely applicable to the development of fucoidan as a marine anticancer drug.