Soil Acidification in Loess and Clay Soils in The Netherlands

To assess the impact of acid deposition on forestedloess and clay soils in the Netherlands, changes inbase saturation and soil solution concentrations weresimulated with the dynamic soil acidification modelReSAM for 38 loess soils and 16 clay soils. Theselected locations represent the range in geographicalposition and diversity in parent material occurring inforested loess and clay soils in the Netherlands. Twodeposition scenarios were used for the period1992–2050: a business as usual scenario (BAU) and ascenario in which deposition was reduced according topresent Dutch policy plans (MV-3). A comparison ofsimulated and measured soil solution concentrationsand base saturation in 1992/1993 showed that the modelsimulated concentrations and base saturation in theloess soils quite good. However, the model tended tooverestimate acidification in the top (0–10 cm) of theclay soils. Despite the reasonable agreement betweenmeasured and simulated data some uncertainty in thevalidity of the model predictions remains because timetrends to validate the model were not available. Themodel predicted a small but ongoing acidificationduring the BAU scenario in the loess soils asindicated by a decline in median base saturation andpH in the topsoil in 2050. Present policy plans (MV-3)lead to a slight recovery of the base saturation in2050 and a decline in Al concentrations. In the claysoils a strong decline in base saturation is simulatedin the topsoil, whereas an increase in base saturationis predicted for the subsoil.     

Process Parameters and Technological Quality of French Rolls Produced with Dry Sourdough to Reduce Sodium

The search for alternatives for salt reduction in bread is a challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the use of dry sourdough (DS) for the reduction of sodium in French rolls, using a 2² central composite rotatable design. Sodium chloride (NaCl) (0–2.5%) and DS (0–10%, flour basis) were added to the formulations. The reduction of NaCl decreased high‐speed mixing time, proofing time, oven spring, cut opening, and cut height. The addition of DS increased high‐speed mixing time and proofing time and, at higher concentrations, decreased oven spring, cut opening, and cut height. Color parameters also showed effect of DS. Specific volume, shape, and texture of the rolls were not affected by the variables. Thus, the use of DS was shown to be viable for the reduction of sodium in French rolls, because we reached up to 45% salt reduction at concentrations below 5% DS, with desirable technological characteristics.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF EOSINOPHILIC PULMONARY GRANULOMATOSIS IN FIVE DOGS

Canine pulmonary eosinophilic granulomatosis is a rare inflammatory pulmonary disease characterized by formation of eosinophilic granulomas that tend to obliterate the normal pulmonary architecture. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the CT characteristics of confirmed idiopathic pulmonary eosinophilic granulomatosis in a group of dogs. Five dogs met inclusion criteria. All patients were young adult dogs of variable breeds. No dog had concurrent occult heartworm disease. Computed tomographic characteristics most commonly included pulmonary masses and nodules of variable size, and lesions were most commonly located in the caudal lung lobes. Four dogs had large pulmonary masses with or without additional nodules and one dog had nodular lesions disseminated throughout the entire lung parenchyma. All large eosinophilic granulomas were smoothly margined, heterogeneous pulmonary masses displaying heterogeneous contrast enhancement. A honeycomb‐like enhancement pattern was observed in all but one mass and consisted of multiple hyperattenuating rims delineating central hypoattenuating areas, suggestive of bronchiectatic lung with peripheral enhancing airway walls and fluid‐filled, necrotic bronchial lumen. One dog had evidence of tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy. Findings indicated that canine eosinophilic pulmonary granulomatosis should be included as a differential diagnosis for dogs with CT characteristics of multiple pulmonary masses and/or nodules in caudal lung lobes, and a honeycomb‐like enhancement pattern in masses after intravenous administration of iodinated contrast medium.     

Canine and feline blood transfusions: controversies and recent advances in administration practices

ObjectivesTo discuss and review blood transfusion practices in dogs and cats including collection and storage of blood and administration of products. To report new developments, controversial practices, less conventional blood product administration techniques and where applicable, describe the relevance to anaesthetists and anaesthesia.Databases usedPubMed and Google Scholar using dog, cat, blood transfusion, packed red blood cells and whole blood as keywords.ConclusionsBlood transfusions improve oxygen carrying capacity and the clinical signs of anaemia. However there are numerous potential risks and complications possible with transfusions, which may outweigh their benefits. Storage of blood products has improved considerably over time but whilst extended storage times may improve their availability, a phenomenon known as the storage lesion has been identified which affects erythrocyte viability and survival. Leukoreduction involves removing leukocytes and platelets thereby preventing their release of cytokines and bioactive compounds which also contribute to storage lesions and certain transfusion reactions. Newer transfusion techniques are being explored such as cell salvage in surgical patients and subsequent autologous transfusion. Xenotransfusions, using blood and blood products between different species, provide an alternative to conventional blood products.     

Influence of food availability,plant productivity,and indigenous forest use on ranging behavior of the endangered samango monkey (Cercopithecus albogularis schwarzi), in the Soutpansberg Mountains,South Africa

Understanding the determinants of ranging patterns in species susceptible to habitat fragmentation is fundamental for assessing their long‐term adaptability to an increasingly human‐dominated landscape. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the influence of ground‐based food availability, remotely sensed plant productivity, and indigenous forest use on the ranging patterns of the endangered samango monkey (Cercopithecus albogularis schwarzi). We collected monthly ranging data on two habituated samango monkey groups, from February 2012 to December 2016, from our field site in the Soutpansberg Mountains, South Africa. We used linear mixed models to explore how food availability, plant productivity, and indigenous forest use influenced monthly ranging patterns, while controlling for group size, number of sample days and day length. We found that as more areas of high plant productivity (derived from remotely sensed EVI) were incorporated into the ranging area, both total and core monthly ranging areas decreased. In addition, both total ranging area and mean monthly daily path length decreased as more indigenous forest was incorporated into the ranging area. However, we found no effect of either ground‐based food availability or remotely sensed plant productivity on ranging patterns. Our findings demonstrate the behavioral flexibility in samango monkey ranging, as samangos can utilize matrix habitat during periods of low productivity but are ultimately dependent on access to indigenous forest patches. In addition, we highlight the potential of using remotely sensed areas of high plant productivity to predict ranging patterns in a small ranging, forest‐dwelling guenon, over ground‐based estimates of food availability.     

Arabidopsis, the Rosetta stone of flowering time?

Multiple environmental and endogenous inputs regulate when plants flower. The molecular genetic dissection of flowering time control in Arabidopsis has identified an integrated network of pathways that quantitatively control the timing of this developmental switch. This framework provides the basis to understand the evolution of different reproductive strategies and how floral pathways interact through seasonal progression.