Describing Human–Wildlife Interaction from a European Perspective

European researchers from both the natural and social sciences show growing interest in studying interactions between society and wildlife. A wealth of theoretical frameworks, concepts, and methods are used, but an integration of perspectives is lacking. This research note summarizes results from two workshops that included 63 delegates from 25 European countries, as well as a follow-up survey of 41 respondents. Two main theoretical approaches to the study of human–wildlife interactions were identified. One approach focuses on the collective societal level relying on theories of governance, social representation, deliberative procedures, and commons theory. The other approach targets individuals or groups, and is based on theories such as the cognitive hierarchy, theory of reasoned action, and theory of planned behavior. Interdisciplinary collaboration is needed to identify the best options for wildlife conservation and management in a more politically integrated Europe.     

Determination of biogenic amines in aerobically stored beef using high-performance thin-layer chromatography densitometry

The aim of this study was to develop a high-performance thin-layer chromatography densitometry method to simultaneously evaluate levels of different biogenic amines (BAs) in beef stored aerobically at 4°C. Steaks from M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscles were overwrapped with polyvinyl chloride film and stored for 0, 4, 7, and 10 days. For this purpose, the solvent system and pH for the derivatization of BAs with dansyl chloride were optimized. Moreover, this method was also validated for linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision, and recovery. As found using this method in beef samples, spermine content decreased significantly after 7 days of storage, and tyramine and cadaverine were not detected until day 10.     

Cardiovascular effects of acute pulmonary obstruction in horses with recurrent airway obstruction

BACKGROUND: Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is common in horses. Although pulmonary artery (PA) pressure increases during RAO, cardiac function in horses with RAO has received limited attention. HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to noninvasively determine the cardiovascular effects of acute pulmonary obstruction (APO) in horses with RAO and their reversibility. ANIMALS: Five geldings with RAO, inducible by exposure to moldy hay, were studied. METHODS: Pulmonary mechanics, echocardiography, serum troponin I concentrations, arterial blood gases, and hematocrit were obtained before and after 7 days of APO. Heart rate, PA diameter and flow characteristics, right and left ventricular luminal dimensions and wall thicknesses, global cardiac performance, and evidence of myocardial damage were evaluated. Pulmonary mechanics and echocardiography were reevaluated during remission. RRESULTS: Severe, transient APO did not induce chronic cor pulmonale in horses, because cardiac anatomy and function were normal between episodes. An acute episode of APO produced anatomical and functional cardiac changes in both the right and left heart (including increased PA diameter, abnormal septal motion, and decreased left ventricular diameter and estimated stroke volume), possibly because of the development of pulmonary hypertension, without apparent myocardial damage. The decrease in stroke volume was offset by the increase in heart rate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: With APO of 7 days' duration, cardiovascular abnormalities and the functional airway changes that produce them are reversible when the offending allergens are removed.     

Preparation of protein-steroid conjugates and antisera against oestradiol-17

A conjugate of oestradiol-17β and bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been prepared by the mixed anhydride method. The conjugate was characterized by u.v.-analyses and immunoelectrophoresis, and the number of moles of oestradiol-17β per mole of BSA was found to be 25. The conjugate was used for immunization of two sheep and one rabbit in order to elict antisera against oestradiol-17β. Antibodies could be detected in all three animals after 5–16 weeks depending on the route of immunization. The antiserum from one sheep could be used in a radioimmunoassay system for oestradiol-17β in a dilution of 1:5000 and was found to cross-react with oestrone and oestradiol-17α to a lesser extent than another antiserum against oestradiol-17β.     

One-generation divergent selection on large and small yolk proportions in a White Leghorn line

1. A striking change in egg consumption from shell eggs toward egg products is taking place. Consequently, internal egg quality traits must be seen in a different light, as they may affect the profitability of the egg processing industry. In order to study the possibility of using breeding as a means to alter yolk production, a one-generation divergent selection experiment was set up. The trait was yolk proportion. The effect of hen's age on egg composition was also studied. Genetic parameters for yolk proportion, yolk weight, egg weight and albumen weight were estimated, using a multiple trait animal model, and restricted maximum likelihood. 2. Selection response was obtained for yolk proportion and correlated selection responses for yolk weight and albumen weight. In the 'high line' a decrease in egg weight and an increase in yolk weight was established, whereas in the 'low line', egg weight remained more or less the same and yolk weight decreased slightly 3. Yolk proportion, yolk weight, egg weight and albumen weight all increased with increasing age of the hen in both selection lines. The difference between selection lines in yolk proportion, yolk weight and albumen weight persisted throughout the laying period. 4. Estimated heritabilities for yolk proportion, yolk weight, egg weight and albumen weight were 0.38, 0.22, 0.34 and 0.41 respectively. The genetic correlation between yolk proportion and yolk weight was 0.52, whereas the genetic correlations with egg weight and albumen weight were -0.51 and -0.74 respectively. 5. We conclude that selection can be used to alter yolk production. Selection can be at an early age with a sustained effect throughout the laying period.     

Plant Host Range of Verticillium longisporum and Microsclerotia Density in Swedish Soils

Verticillium longisporum is a soil-borne fungal pathogen causing vascular wilt of Brassica crops. This study was conducted to enhance our knowledge on the host range of V. longisporum. Seven crop species (barley, oat, oilseed rape, pea, red clover, sugar beet and wheat) and five weed species (barren brome, black-grass, charlock, cleavers and scentless mayweed) all common in southern Sweden were evaluated for infection by response to V. longisporum. Oat, spring wheat, oilseed rape, scentless mayweed and charlock inoculated with V. longisporum in a greenhouse showed stunting to various degrees close to the fully ripe stage. Based on the extent of microsclerotia formation, explants were separated into four groups: for pea and wheat, <5% of the samples had formed microsclerotia; for scentless mayweed, 5–10%; for oat, 10–20%; and for charlock and oilseed rape >80%. The results suggest that plant species outside the Brassicaceae can act as reservoirs of V. longisporum inoculum. Soil inoculum densities in nine fields were monitored over a period of 12 months, which ranged from 1 to 48 cfu g⁻¹ soil. Density of microsclerotia was lowest just after harvest, reaching its maximum six months later. No significant correlation between inoculum density in soil and disease incidence on oilseed rape plants was found. However, the data suggest that a threshold of 1 cfu g⁻¹ soil is needed to cause disease on oilseed rape. Species identification based on microsclerotia morphology and PCR analysis showed that V. longisporum dominated in soil of seven, and V. dahliae in two of the nine fields studied.     

Low Mw-lignin fractions together with vegetable oils as available oligomers for novel paper-coating applications as hydrophobic barrier

Lignin residues are available in large amounts as kraft lignin from chemical pulping processes. This lignin is mainly incinerated in recovery boilers. The recovery boilers are often the bottle-necks in the overall pulping process when pulp production increases are desired. Through cross-flow nano-filtration of the black liquor from kraft pulping, a low-molecular weight lignin fraction can be removed thus decreasing the organic load on the recovery boilers. The low-molecular weight lignin fraction furthermore exhibit different characteristics compared to other commercial kraft lignins and represents a new raw material source in novel applications.The low-molecular weight lignin was used together with a vegetable oil to produce a new hydrophobic lignin derivative similar to suberin. The lignin and the lignin derivative was analysed with FT-IR, UV–vis and SEC. The ability of the product to make paper surfaces hydrophobic was also evaluated.The results demonstrate the possibility to make a suberin-like lignin derivative that is potentially of interest in paper-coating applications due to its capability to interact well with wood fibres and make paper hydrophobic.     

Variation in seed oil composition of species from the genera Barbarea and Lepidium

The seed oil composition and content in a number of accessions from species of the genera Barbarea and Lepidium were analysed. The oil from most accessions of B. verna contained more than 50% erucic acid, while the oil from B. vulgaris contained ～ 30% erucic acid, and 22% each of oleic and linoleic acid. The oil from B. intermedia resembled that of B. verna. The oil content was ～ 30% in all three species. The oil composition of L. campestre and L. heterophyllum is ～ 35% linolenic acid and 23% erucic acid. Other Lepidium species had up to 47% linolenic acid in the oil. The oil content of L. campestre and L. heterophylhim was just below 20%, but other species had more than 30% oil in their seeds. The variation in oil composition found within and between species is considered sufficient for the breeding of valuable oil qualities in both genera.     

Predicting moisture content and density distribution of Scots pine by microwave scanning of sawn timber

This study was carried out to investigate the possibility of calibrating a prediction model for the moisture content and density distribution of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) using microwave sensors. The material was initially of green moisture content and was thereafter dried in several steps to zero moisture content. At each step, all the pieces were weighed, scanned with a microwave sensor (Satimo 9,4GHz), and computed tomography (CT)-scanned with a medical CT scanner (Siemens Somatom AR.T.). The output variables from the microwave sensor were used as predictors, and CT images that correlated with known moisture content were used as response variables. Multivariate models to predict average moisture content and density were calibrated using the partial least squares (PLS) regression. The models for average moisture content and density were applied at the pixel level, and the distribution was visualized. The results show that it is possible to predict both moisture content distribution and density distribution with high accuracy using microwave sensors.