Waste-Derived Siliceous Materials as a Novel Sorbent for Removal of Ni2+ from Aqueous Solutions

In the present study, the preparation of sorbent from waste-derived siliceous materials has been investigated for the removal of nickel ion (Ni²⁺) from aqueous solutions. Three types of ashes, i.e., rice husk ash (RHA), palm oil fuel ash (PFA), and coal fly ash (CFA), were used in the preparation of sorbent. Batch studies were carried out to examine the effect of various experimental parameters, i.e., RHA/CFA/PFA ratio in the sorbent preparation, contact time, initial concentration of Ni²⁺, agitation rate, and pH. Among all the ratios of the prepared sorbent, it was found that sorbent containing RHA and PFA gave the highest Ni²⁺ removal efficiency. The optimum conditions for Ni²⁺ removal using RHA/PFA sorbent were obtained at contact time of 30?min, Ni²⁺ concentration of 100?mg/L, agitation rate of 130?rpm, and pH?4. During the optimum condition, more than 90% of Ni²⁺ could be removed in all experiment studies. It was also found that the spent RHA/PFA sorbents had a narrow range of particle size distributions as compared to prepared RHA/PFA sorbent. In addition, the surface morphology of the spent RHA/PFA sorbents had more compact structures.     

Clinical assessment and grading of back pain in horses

BackgroundThe clinical presentation of horses with back pain (BP) vary considerably with most horse''s willingness to take part in athletic or riding purpose becoming impossible. However, there are some clinical features that are directly responsible for the loss or failure of performance.ObjectivesTo investigate the clinical features of the thoracolumbar region associated with BP in horses and to use some of the clinical features to classify equine BP.MethodsTwenty-four horses comprised of 14 with BP and 10 apparently healthy horses were assessed for clinical abnormality that best differentiate BP from normal horses. The horses were then graded (0–5) using the degree of pain response, muscular hypertonicity, thoracolumbar joint stiffness and overall physical dysfunction of the horse.ResultsThe common clinical features that significantly differentiate horses with BP from non-BP were longissimus dorsi spasm at palpation (78.6%), paravertebral muscle stiffness (64.3%), resist lateral bending (64.3%), and poor hindlimb impulsion (85.7%). There were significantly (p < 0.05) higher scores for pain response to palpation, muscular hypertonicity, thoracolumbar joint stiffness and physical dysfunction among horses with BP in relation to non-BP. A significant relationship exists between all the graded abnormalities. Based on the cumulative score, horses with BP were categorized into mild, mild-moderate, moderate and severe cases.ConclusionsBP in horse can be differentiated by severity of pain response to back palpation, back muscle hypertonicity, thoracolumbar joint stiffness, physical dysfunctions and their cumulative grading score is useful in the assessment and categorization of BP in horses.     

Evaluation of the antigen relatedness and efficacy of a single vaccination with different infectious bronchitis virus strains against a challenge with Malaysian variant and QX-like IBV strains

BackgroundThe predominant infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strains detected in chickens in Malaysia are the Malaysian variant (MV) and QX-like, which are associated with respiratory distress, nephropathy, and high mortality. On the other hand, the antigenic relatedness and efficacy of IBV vaccines against these 2 field IBV strains are not well characterized.ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the antigen relatedness and efficacy of different IB vaccine strains against a challenge with MV and QX-like strains.MethodsThe antigen relatedness and the ability of different IB vaccine strains in conferring protection against MV and QX-like were assessed based on the clinical signs, macroscopic lesions, and ciliary activity.ResultsThe MV strain IBS037A/2014 showed minor antigenic subtype differences with the vaccine virus Mass H120 and 4/91 strains but showed major antigenic subtype differences with the K2 strain. The Malaysian QX-like strain IBS130/2015 showed major antigenic subtype differences with the MV strain IBS037A/2014 and the vaccine strains except for K2. Chickens vaccinated once with Mass (H120) or with non-Mass (4/91 and K2) developed antibody responses with the highest antibody titer detected in the groups vaccinated with H120 and 4/91. The mean ciliary activities of the vaccinated chickens were between 56 to 59% and 48 to 52% in chickens challenged with IBS037A/2014 and IBS130/2015, respectively. The vaccinated and challenged birds showed mild to severe lesions in the lungs and kidneys.ConclusionsDespite the minor antigenic subtype differences, a single inoculation with Mass or non-Mass vaccines could not protect against the MV IBS037A/2014 and QX-like IBS130/2015.     

Long-term productivity growth and sustainability of Greek irrigated agriculture

The present study examines the long-term productivity growth and sustainability of Greek irrigated agriculture. A log linear trend model was used to measure long-term productivity growth, and the total factor productivity (TFP) approach measures the sustainability of the irrigated production system. A time series database of inputs and outputs data were used for the production period of 1961?–?2001 (41 years) which revealed that there is an increasing trend in the irrigated area of the country. The annual growth rate of the irrigated area is 2.6% during this time period. The long-term trends in yields of crops grown in irrigated agriculture are positive. Fertilizer use rate per ha sharply increases during this period. The productivity of irrigated Greek agriculture also increases over the time period as a result of the introduction of High Yielding Variety (HYV), seed, fertilizer and water technology. The measurement of TFP indices indicates that the long-term trend in productivity growth of irrigated Greek agricultural system is positive. The result implies that the irrigated Greek agricultural production system has long-term sustainability. The result also indicates that fertilizer, fixed capital, rainfall and temperature are positively contributing to the mean production of Greek irrigated agriculture. On the other hand, pesticide, labour and fixed capital reduces variability of irrigated agriculture. To this end, long-term agricultural sustainability depends on patterns of input use.     

Potato apical leaf curl disease: current status and perspectives on a disease caused by tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Potato apical leaf curl disease (PALCD) caused by a unique bipartite virus [tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV)] has emerged as a global threat....     

Neopestalotiopsis clavispora and Pseudopestalotiopsis camelliae-sinensis causing grey blight disease of tea (Camellia sinensis) in Malaysia

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Tea (Camellia sinensis) is a popular and extensively consumed beverage in Malaysia along with many other countries around the world. Grey blight is one of the...     

Examining disadoption of gum arabic production in Sudan

Gum arabic production in Sudan has developed over the years in a well-established traditional bush-fallow system in which the gum tree (Acacia senegal) is rotated with annual crops. Following the Sahel drought, the gum area has suffered from deforestation and gum production has declined. Several programs have been developed to stimulate gum production; however, many original adopters have disadopted gum production and the bush-fallow system. In this paper we apply a logit model to study the decision-making behavior of farmers in west Sudan and to identify the socio-economic factors influencing disadoption of gum production and gum agroforestry system. Variables that measure farmer’s wealth were found significant in explaining the disadoption behavior. Off-farm work was also found to positively influence the disadoption decision. Results show that a higher level of income from annual crops decreases the probability of disadoption, which suggests that annual crops and gum production do not compete but rather complement each other within the farm household economy. Therefore, policy measures aiming to boost the production of annual crops in the region might reduce seasonal labor migration and accordingly stimulate gum production.

Molecular detection of Shiga toxin–producing and antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli isolates from buffaloes in southwest of Iran

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Three hundred fifteen bacteriological samples were obtained from feces and both external and visceral cavity surfaces of carcasses of 105 healthy buffalo...