地埋式橡塑渗灌滴头的研制及其性能测试

针对橡塑渗灌管变异系数高、在线源式灌溉过程中水头损失大等问题,本文以橡塑渗灌管为柱状出流面,再结合迷宫流道技术设计了一种点源式灌溉的地埋式橡塑渗灌滴头。通过水力性能测试、短周期抗堵塞试验以及土壤入渗试验对滴头性能进行了分析。结果表明,滴头流量变异系数为4.17%,压力-流量关系式为q=0.6435h^0.4161,符合国家生产标准,并具备一定的压力补偿性能;在3种泥沙浓度(W1=0.5 g·L^-1,W2=0.1 g·L^-1,W3=1.5 g·L^-1)、100 kPa工作压力下,滴头有效灌溉次数分别为15、11、5次,达到灌水器抗堵塞性能平均标准;将滴头深埋30 cm进行土壤入渗试验,在100 kPa工作压力下,未出现深层渗漏现象,湿润锋在580 min后到达土壤表面,可有效减少灌溉水蒸发,节约水资源。该地埋式橡塑渗灌滴头水力性能优秀,抗堵塞性能良好,湿润体体积大,土壤含水率分布均匀,可广泛适用于果园灌溉以及科研试验等。     

Competitive adsorption between beta-casein or beta-lactoglobulin and model milk membrane lipids at oil-water interfaces

This study investigated the competitive adsorption between milk proteins and model milk membrane lipids at the oil-water interface and its dependence on the state of the lipid dispersion and the formation of emulsions. Both protein and membrane lipid surface load were determined using a serum depletion technique. The membrane lipid mixture used was a model milk membrane lipid system, containing dioleoylphosphatidylcholine, dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine, milk sphingomyelin, dioleoylphosphatidylserine, and soybean phosphatidylinositol. The model composition mimics the lipid composition of natural milk fat globule membranes. The interactions were studied for two proteins, beta-lactoglobulin and beta-casein. The mixing order was varied to allow for differentiation between equilibrium structures and nonequilibrium structures. The results showed more than monolayer adsorption for most combinations. Proteins dominated at the oil-water interface in the protein-emulsified emulsion even after 48 h of exposure to a vesicular dispersion of membrane lipids. The membrane lipids dominated the oil-water interface in the case of the membrane lipid emulsified emulsion even after equilibration with a protein solution. Protein displacement with time was observed only for emulsions in which both membrane lipids and beta-casein were included during the emulsification. This study shows that kinetics controls the structures rather than the thermodynamic equilibrium, possibly resulting in structures more complex than an adsorbed monolayer. Thus, it can be expected that procedures such as the mixing order during emulsion preparation are of crucial importance to the emulsification performance.     

The seroprevalence of Lawsonia intracellularis in horses in The Netherlands

Equine proliferative enteropathy caused by Lawsonia intracellularis is an emerging disease of weanling foals and affects their growth and development. The prevalence of Lawsonia intracellularis in The Netherlands is not known. The aim of the study was to investigate the seroprevalence of Lawsonia intracellularis in horses in The Netherlands. Blood samples were taken from healthy foals before and after weaning and from healthy yearlings and mature horses on farms throughout The Netherlands. These samples were analysed for the presence of Lawsonia intracellularis-specific antibodies with a blocking ELISA. White blood cell count, packed cell volume, and total protein concentration were also measured in all foals. Information regarding housing, pasture access, and contact with pig manure on the premises was obtained for all animals. The prevalence of Lawsonia intracellularis antibodies in foals increased significantly from 15% before weaning to 23% after weaning (p = 0.019); it was 89% in yearlings and 99% in horses older than 2 years. There was no significant difference in seroprevalence between the pasture-kept and stable-confined adult horses (97% and 100%, respectively), and there was no significant influence of contact with pig manure. None of the sampled animals showed clinical disease. In conclusion, the results suggest that Lawsonia intracellularis is widespread in The Netherlands and that seropositivity is not necessarily associated with clinical problems. The high seroprevalence in adult horses suggests long-term persistence of antibodies against Lawsonia intracellularis or constant exposure to the bacterium.     

Supplementation of plasma with olive oil phenols and extracts: influence on LDL oxidation

Phenols present in olive oil may contribute to the health effects of the Mediterranean lifestyle. Olive oil antioxidants increase the resistance of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) against oxidation in vitro, but human intervention studies have failed to demonstrate similar consistent effects. To better mimic the in vivo situation, plasma was incubated with either individual olive oil phenols or olive oil extracts with different phenolic compositions, and LDL was subsequently isolated and challenged for its resistance to oxidation. The results show that the ortho-dihydroxy phenols (hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein-aglycone) are more efficient than their mono-hydroxy counterparts (tyrosol and ligstroside-aglycone) in increasing the resistance of LDL to oxidation. However, the concentration of antioxidants required to inhibit LDL oxidation when added to whole plasma was substantially higher as compared to previous data where antioxidants are directly added to isolated LDL. In conclusion, this study supports the hypothesis that extra virgin olive oil phenols protect LDL in plasma against oxidation. The explanation that in vitro studies show protective effects in contrast to the lack of effect in the majority of human studies may be that the dose of the phenols and thus their plasma concentration in humans was too low to influence ex vivo LDL oxidizability. Further studies are required to gain a better understanding of the potential health benefits that extra virgin olive oil may provide.