COLOR DOPPLER ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN PREDICTION OF THE REDUCIBILITY OF INTUSSUSCEPTED BOWEL IN 15 YOUNG DOGS

Color Doppler ultrasonography was performed in 15 young dogs with intestinal intussusception to test the hypothesis that color Doppler findings can be used as a predictor of the manual reducibility of the intussusception at celiotomy. Color flow Doppler ultrasonography indicated blood flow within mesentery of the intussuscepted bowel in 12 of 15 dogs and reduction was achieved in nine of these 12 dogs (75%). In the remaining three dogs and in three dogs where no color Doppler signal were observed, an irreducible intussusception was confirmed at celiotomy. Color Doppler ultrasonography is a useful method for predicting the reducibility of intussusception in dogs.     

基于修正双作物系数模型估算温室黄瓜不同季节腾发量

为估算温室黄瓜植株蒸腾与土面蒸发,该研究基于FAO-56推荐的双作物系数模型,应用温室内实测微气象、叶面积指数(LAI)及土壤水分数据,对模型中基础作物系数(Kcb)和土面蒸发系数(Ke)进行修正,并基于修正后FAO-56Penman-Monteith(P-M)模型,确定温室参考作物蒸发蒸腾量(ET0),进而估算温室黄瓜蒸发蒸腾量(ETc)和植株蒸腾(Tr)。基于Venlo型温室内黄瓜不同种植季节(春夏季和秋冬季)Lysimeter和茎流计观测的黄瓜ETc和Tr,对修正后的双作物系数模型预测结果进行验证。结果表明,应用修正后的双作物系数模型估算的温室黄瓜ETc和Tr与实测值具有较好地一致性,春夏季温室黄瓜全生育期ETc估算值与实测值的日均值分别为3.05和2.94 mm/d,秋冬季分别为2.53和2.76 mm/d。修正后的双作物系数模型估算春夏季温室黄瓜日ETc的决定系数(R2)、均方根误差(RMSE)和模型效率系数(Ens)分别为0.95、0.41 mm/d和0.93;估算秋冬季ETc的误差计算结果依次为0.91(R2)、0.48 mm/d(RMSE)和0.90(Ens)。修正后的双作物系数模型估算春夏季日平均Tr与实测值分别为2.37和2.19mm/d,秋冬季分别为1.43和1.34 mm/d。研究结果还显示,不同种植季节温室黄瓜全生育期日平均Tr占ETc的比例分别为64.62%(春夏季)和68.59%(秋冬季)。该研究成果不仅为制定准确的温室黄瓜灌溉制度提供了理论依据,而且对实现温室环境智能化控制及减少温室内无效的土面蒸发具有重要意义。     

The generation and persistence of genetic variation in foot-and-mouth disease virus

Genetic variation in foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is of interest for at least two reasons. First, changes to the genes encoding capsid proteins results in antigenic variation, and affects vaccine efficiency and effectiveness of vaccination programs; second, genetic changes can lead to important insights into the transport of virus between countries, regions, herds, and even possibly individuals. Current estimates of RNA virus mutation rates suggest that an average of about one base mis-incorporation is likely to occur each time a single FMDV genome replicates. This should result in the introduction of every possible 1-step mutation from the progenitor genotype into the viraemia of a single infected animal many times a day. In the absence of purifying selection, a single infected animal should therefore generate a genetically very diverse population of virus.Viral-capsid sequences obtained from infected animals sampled over long-term FMDV epidemics suggest that these genetic changes accrue in a remarkably linear 'clock-like' fashion and at rates of around 1% change per year. While such a rate is generally regarded as quite high, it is actually somewhat lower than one might expect based on the rate at which viral diversity could be generated within a single animal. The difference might be explained in a variety of possible ways: (1) the mutation rate has been overestimated; (2) purifying selection is stronger than predicted; (3) only a restricted subset of excreted virus is actually infectious; (4) infected animals only excrete virus from a small partitioned subset of amplified virus, and that most of the generated viral diversity is unable to exit the animal; or (5) only a small fraction of all infected animals participate in the actual disease-transmission process.     

Inhibition of oviposition in the cattle tick Boophilus microplus by certain acaricides

Doses of ten acaricides, ranging from 2.5 to 10 μg, induced about 10-60% mortality and inhibited oviposition in engorged Boophilus microplus as well as preventing larval hatching from the eggs. The effects of the acaricides were dose dependent. The efficacy of acaricides in reducing the reproductive potential (inhibition of oviposition × inhibition of hatching/100) was in the following order: dimethoate > dioxathion > naled > diazinon > chlordimeform > carbaryl > trichlorphon > phosphamidon > gamma-HCH > fenitrothion. Most of the acaricides also retarded the oviposition cycle, delaying the peak activity by 4-8 days. The ovarian development in control ticks reached its peak between the 5th and 7th days before decreasing gradually and ceasing completely between the 16-20th days after engorgement. The protein content of the ovaries and the rate of incorporation of [¹⁴C]glycine into the tissues followed a similar pattern. Carbaryl, fenitrothion and naled inhibited these activities. Chlordimeform stimulated [¹⁴C]glycine incorporation and increased the ovarian protein content up to the 13th day before resorption of the oocytes. The eggs from treated ticks were mostly non-viable and contained more protein; those from dioxathion, carbaryl and chlordimeform treatments had a higher dry weight than the control.     

The role of ear environment in postharvest susceptibility of maize to toxigenic Aspergillus flavus

A kernel screening assay (KSA) was used to assess the genetic and environmental effects on the vulnerability of maize to aflatoxin accumulation. Kernels of 26 inbred lines that had been grown in seven environments, and 190 lines of the Intermated B73xMo17 (IBM) population grown in one location in the United States, were inoculated with a toxigenic strain of A. flavus and incubated in the dark at 30°C for 6 days. Percent kernel colonization (PKC), sporulation and aflatoxin were influenced by the maize genotypes (G), the location (“ear environment” or E) and the GxE interactions. Overall, low broad‐sense heritabilities were observed for PKC, sporulation and aflatoxin. PKC was significantly correlated with sporulation in all environments. Aflatoxin was positively correlated with colonization for two and with sporulation for all ear environments. Higher grain sulphur or magnesium in IBM was associated with less colonization or aflatoxin. Postharvest susceptibility of maize to aflatoxin is thus influenced by factors that are modulated by the ear environment. In a KSA, sporulation could be a proxy test for aflatoxin accumulation.     

Biochar use in a legume–rice rotation system: effects on soil fertility and crop performance

The aim of this study was to determine whether by applying biochar, it is possible to augment the beneficial effects of legume–crop rotation systems on soil fertility and crop performance. Repeated experiments were established in 2012 and 2013 in South-western Benin using a split-split plot design. Two legumes, Mucuna pruriens (mucuna) and Vigna unguiculata (cowpea), were planted for 42 days on biochar-amended and unamended plots and subsequently cut and applied as mulch 5 days before planting rice. Rice plants were either fertilized or not using a fertilizer rate of 60, 30, and 30 kg ha^?1 of N, P₂O₅, and K₂O, respectively. The results showed that the application of legume green manures and fertilizer, either singly or in combination, improved soil nutrient availability, CEC, shoot yield, and grain yield of rice on both biochar-amended and unamended plots. However, the effect was significantly (p < 0.05) greater on biochar-amended plots. The mean grain yield for all cropping seasons was 1.8 t ha^?1 for biochar-amended plots and 1.3 t ha^?1 for unamended plots. The greater grain yield of rice on biochar-amended plots was associated with improved soil fertility and increased N uptake.     

Sustainable Management of Nutrients in Forage-Based Pasture Soils: Effect of Animal Congregation Sites (5 pp)

Background, Aim and Scope   Grazing animals have a dominant effect on the movement and utilization of nutrients through the soil and plant system, and thus on the fertility of pasture soils. Grazing can accelerate and alter the timing of nutrient transfers, and increase the amount of nutrients cycled from plant to soil. Long periods, position of shade, and water resources for grazing cattle can influence the spatial distribution of soil biochemical properties including soil organic carbon (C), total extractable inorganic nitrogen (TEIN), and Melich 1 extractable total phosphorus (TP). The objective of this study is to test whether cattle congregation sites typical on most Florida ranches, such as mineral feeders, water troughs, and shade areas are more nutrient-rich and may contribute more nutrients to surface and groundwater supply than in other pasture locations under Florida conditions. Materials and Methods: Baseline soil samples around and beneath three congregations sites in established (>10 yr) grazed beef cattle pastures at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Subtropical Agricultural Research Station (STARS), Brooksville, FL, were collected in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Results: The levels of soil TEIN and TP were significantly (p ≤ 0.001) affected by the interaction of congregation sites and distance away from the center of the sites. Mineral feeders had the highest concentration of TP followed by shades and water troughs. The concentrations of soil TP decreased almost linearly with distance (x = meter) away from the center of the mineral feeders (-5.24x + 55.10; R2 = 0.92; p ≤ 0.001) and the shades (-6.25x + 57.21; R2 = 0.85; p ≤ 0.001). However, the level of TP around the water troughs (-0.25x + 16.91; R2 = 0.09) does not appear to change significantly with distance, staying close to about 13-18 mg kg-1. The levels of TEIN decreased linearly with distance away from the mineral feeders from the center of the shades. A linear model can describe the relationship between TEIN and distance away from the center of shades: -11.3x + 78.2; R2 = 0.95; p ≤ 0.001. The shaded sites (34.25 ± 1.7 mg kg-1) had higher levels than the mineral feeders (7.22 ± 0.60 mg kg-1) or water troughs (10.06 ± 0.8 mg kg-1) sites. Discussion: The higher soil TP near and around the mineral feeders can be attributed to the presence of phosphorus in the supplemental feeds. The average level of soil TP in the mineral feeders of 34.05 ± 0.44 mg kg-1 was not high enough to be of environmental concern. Losses of soil phosphorus by overland flow are becoming a big concern when the concentrations for soil phosphorus exceeded 150 mg kg-1 in the upper 20 cm of soils. With TN, the shaded sites (34.25 ± 1.7 mg kg-1) had either higher levels than the mineral feeders (7.22 ± 0.60 mg kg-1) or water trough (10.06 ± 0.80 mg kg-1) sites. Higher TEIN content at the shade sites may have been more likely due to frequent urination of animals and lack of vegetation immediately adjacent to shades. The lack of vegetation within and/or near the shades then had no uptake mechanism for removal of inorganic nitrogen, unlike the heavy demand for inorganic nitrogen by bahiagrass in other areas of the pasture. An accumulation of TEIN immediately adjacent to shades could lead to a potential point source that would be susceptible to leaching or gaseous losses to the environment. Conclusions: Early results of the study are suggesting that cattle congregation sites in beef cattle operations in Florida are not nutrient-rich, therefore may not contribute more nutrients to surface and groundwater supply under Florida conditions. Recommendations and Perspectives: Since there is no apparent vertical build up or horizontal movement of TEIN and TP in the landscape, we can then surmise that cattle congregation sites may be considered not a potential source of nutrients at the watershed level, at least on the sand ridge soils in Florida. Further research is continuing, including sampling at cattle congregation sites at other locations in north and south Florida, which started in July 2004.     

Long-term electricity production from soil electrogenic bacteria and high-content screening of biofilm formation on the electrodes

Purpose

This study was conducted to determine the existence of soil bacteria in soil by soil microbial fuel cell (SMFC). The main objectives were (1) to differentiate the type of soil which will influence the electricity production, (2) to demonstrate the impact of different volume of soil in the MFC and feeding MFC for long-term electricity production, and (3) to conclude that electricity production is directly proportional to the biofilm formation on the anode surface.

Materials and methods

MudWatt kits were purchased from Keego Technologies USA, and 22 identical SMFCs were designed to study the electricity production from agricultural soil (S1) and vermicompost soil (S2). Ten milliliters of bioslurry is fed in SMFC to study the stability of electricity production at different stages. Microbes were isolated and characterized from the surface of the electrode. Biofilm analyses were done by high-content screening (HCS) system using 10 μl of acridine orange (100 μg/ml) at different stages of biofilm, and scanning electron microscopy is applied to confirm the matured biofilm on the surface of the anode.

Results and discussion

Application of bioslurry at different stages of electricity production conquers the normal energy recovery of the SMFCs and S2 soil with bioslurry sample produced the highest open circuit voltage (OCV) of 2.8 V (460 days) and S1 soil sample with bioslurry produced 1.7 V (364 days). The difference between SMFCs and MudWatt kits significantly confirms that increasing the volume of soil in the anode part increases the electricity production. The maximum OCV of S1 and S2 in MudWatt kits were 1.5 V (90 days) and 1.8 V (190 days), respectively. Increased volume of soil in our SMFCs produce maximum OCV of 1.8 V (S1 for 173 days) and 2.2 V (S2 for 240 days), and HCS analysis of biofilm at different stages reveals that electricity production is directly proportional to the biofilm formation.

Conclusions

Thus, it was concluded that the nature of soil and soil bacterium is important for the electricity production, and S2 soil sample produces maximum electricity than the S1 soil sample. Feeding of SMFCs with bioslurry aids the long-term and stabilized electricity production in both the soil samples.

     

Penman-Monteith模型模拟Venlo型温室黄瓜植株蒸腾

准确模拟温室作物蒸腾对于制定科学合理的灌溉制度及温室环境调控具有重要意义,该研究基于2017年秋冬季和2018年春夏季Venlo型温室黄瓜生育期内微气象数据、黄瓜生长发育指标和植株蒸腾,对Penman-Monteith(PM)模型中关键参数—冠层阻力和空气动力学阻力进行研究。通过分析黄瓜叶片孔阻力与温室内气象因子的响应关系,构建了由黄瓜有效叶面积指数及叶片孔阻力模拟冠层阻力的子模型;采用基于风速的Perrier对数法和基于温室对流类型的热传输系数法计算温室内低风速环境下的空气动力学阻力,并评价不同方法的适用性。结果表明:叶片孔阻力与太阳辐射呈指数关系(R~2=0.89),可通过观测温室内太阳辐射计算黄瓜叶片孔阻力;应用热传输系数法确定空气动力学阻力时,温室内对流类型绝大多数时间为混合对流;2种方法计算的温室内空气动力学阻力变化幅度均较小,Perrier对数法计算的春夏季和秋冬季空气动力学阻力平均值分别为388和383 s/m,热传输系数法计算的空气动力学阻力平均值分别为141和158 s/m;基于2种空气动力学阻力计算方法,PM模型模拟的植株蒸腾与实测值均具有较好的一致性,但采用Perrier对数法计算空气动力学阻力时,PM模型低估了植株蒸腾,春夏季和秋冬季拟合线斜率分别为0.87和0.91;而采用热传输系数法计算空气动力学阻力时,PM模型可更准确的模拟该地区温室黄瓜植株蒸腾,春夏季和秋冬季拟合线斜率分别为1.00和0.94,R~2分别为0.91和0.95,均方根误差分别为46.15和12.45 W/m~2。该研究结果为实现PM模型在Venlo型温室环境的准确应用提供了参考。     

Effects of Vermicompost and Vermiwash on Plant,Phenolic Content,and Anti-oxidant Activity of Mexican Pepperleaf (Piper auritum Kunth) Cultivated in Phosphate Rock Potting Media

The aim of this investigation was to determine the effect of vermicompost, vermiwash, and phosphate rock on plant, total phenols, flavonoids, and anti-oxidant activity in Piper auritum Kunth leaves. P. auritum plants were obtained from cuttings and were planted according to the Box-Behnken experimental design with three repetitions at the central point. The factors and levels were vermicompost (10, 20, and 30 g plant^?1), vermiwash (5, 10, and 15 mL plant^?1), and phosphate rock (1, 2, and 3 g plant^?1). Plant growth parameters (plant height, stem diameter, leaves number) and chlorophyll content were measured 1 month after treatment applications. Total phenols, total flavonoids, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radical scavenging activity was measured after 4 months. Vermicompost, vermiwash, and phosphate rock had no statistically significant effect on plant growth. Plant height, stem diameter, leaves number, chlorophyll, innermost number, fresh weight stem, fresh weight leaves, fresh weight root, dry weight stem, dry weight leaves, and dry weight root were not different among treatments. Total phenolic compounds were statistically affected for both vermiwash and phosphoric rock (p < 0.05) and the anti-oxidant activity decreased by vermicompost addition. The application of 15 mL plant^?1 vermiwash, 1 g phosphate rock, and 20 g vermicompost plant^?1 increased the total phenol content.