Electrical anisotropy below slow- and fast-moving plates: paleoflow in the upper mantle?

Upper mantle electrical conductivities can be explained by hydrogen diffusivity in hydrous olivine. Diffusivity enhances the conductivity of olivine anisotropically, making the a axis the most conductive of the three axes. Therefore, the hypothesis that plate motion induces lattice-preferred orientation of olivine can be tested with the use of long-period electromagnetic array measurements. Here, we compared electrical anisotropies below the slow-moving Fennoscandian and fast-moving Australian plates. The degree of olivine alignment is greater in the mantle below the Fennoscandian plate than below the Australian plate. This finding may indicate that convection rather than plate motion is the dominant deformation mechanism.     

Modelling decomposition of sugar cane surface residues with APSIM–Residue

Since residues on the soil surface affect the soil hydrological and nitrogen cycles, cropping system models need to accurately predict the decomposition of surface residues through time. Recent field measurements of sugar cane residue decomposition have found that rates of residue decomposition are slower than those predicted by the agricultural productions systems simulator (APSIM) cropping system model. To improve predictions of sugar cane residue decomposition in APSIM, a new function relating decomposition rate to mass of residues was developed, and parameter values in other functions modified in the APSIM–Residue model. Predictions were compared to measurements of residue decomposition made over 1 year in five field experiments located at sites with contrasting climates in the Australian sugar industry. The new function was found to provide more accurate predictions of decomposition of large (>10 t DM ha⁻¹) masses of residue that are common with sugar cane crops. To better predict residue masses below 5–7 t ha⁻¹, the values of parameters describing the potential decomposition rate (i.e., decomposition without environmental or residue quality constraints) and constraints to decomposition from sub-optimal temperatures were determined by applying a numerical optimisation technique to measurements made at two of the field experiments. These two experiments were chosen because they had a large difference in initial residue mass (7.7 and 19.6 t ha⁻¹) and included data on soil moisture. These latter measurements, which were not made in the other experiments, provided rigorous data for the function describing the moisture limitation to residue decomposition. Using the optimised parameter values, predictions of residue decomposition in the other three experiments were close to measured values. This study illustrates the potential importance of considering initial residue mass in predictions of decomposition in sugar cane systems. The function relating decomposition rate to mass of residues may be useful for other models applied in cropping systems with high residue masses. The study also provided further evidence that some parameters in APSIM–Residue, notably the potential decomposition rate, may be crop-specific.     

Detection of virulence to septoria tritici blotch (STB) resistance conferred by the winter wheat cultivar Cougar in the Irish Zymoseptoria tritici population and potential implications for STB control

Septoria tritici blotch (STB) caused by the fungal pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici continues to be the most economically destructive disease of winter wheat throughout Ireland. Due to the widespread development of fungicide resistance in the Irish Z. tritici population, integrated strategies to control STB are increasingly necessary. A key component of such strategies will be the deployment of winter wheat cultivars with improved levels of STB resistance. Unfortunately, due to the nature of Z. tritici, such resistances are at risk of being overcome by the pathogen. In late summer 2020, foci of STB were observed across a range of winter wheat cultivars under evaluation for recommendation in Ireland. Common amongst these was the cultivar Cougar in each of their pedigree. To determine if the foci observed in 2020 resulted from strains virulent to Cougar, isolate collections were established and virulence screens conducted on Cougar and a range of the cultivars currently under evaluation. These confirmed the presence of Cougar-virulent strains in the Irish Z. tritici population, and that this virulence affects not just Cougar, but also cultivars derived from it. Although the foci observed in 2020 were in both fungicide-untreated and -treated plots, there was no evidence that these strains are more sensitive or resistant to fungicides compared to the wider Irish Z. tritici population, with moderate resistance to the SDHIs and azoles dominating. Combined, the present study confirms the need to ensure a diversity of control measures for STB, including ensuring a range of STB resistances are used.     

Leaf chlorophyll readings as an indicator of nitrogen status and yield of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) grown in soils amended with Luecaena leucocephala prunings

A field study was conducted to evaluate the nitrogen status and yield of spinach grown in soils amended with prunings of Leucaena leucocephala, (applied at a rate of 3, 5, 7 or 11 t ha^?1). A ‘no fertilizer’ 0 nitrogen (N) and 150 kg N ha^?1 (recommended) were the control treatments. SPAD readings were recorded for the top six leaves. Nitrogen sufficiency indices were used to indicate the N status of plants. Application of L. leucocephala prunings increased spinach yields (8.98–13.86 t DM ha^?1) relative to the 0N treatment (1.35 t DM ha^?1) and yields increased with increasing rate of pruning application. SPAD readings showed a linear increase with the increase in applied prunings. There was preferential distribution of N to upper leaves. The relationship between shoot N concentration and SPAD readings was linear and strongest for the top three leaves (r² = 0.84–0.92). The results indicate the potential of chlorophyll meter readings in assessing N status of leafy vegetables grown on soils amended with different levels of legume tree prunings.     

Wealth and welfare? Can fisheries management succeed in achieving multiple objectives? A case study of Lake Victoria,East Africa

Fisheries policies often pursue multiple objectives, which may, in some instances, be in conflict or competition with each other. It may not be possible, for example, to create or maintain employment and generate increasing volumes of revenue for government whilst also sustaining stocks and biodiversity. Two approaches to fisheries management, one focused on capturing wealth and limiting access and the other on maintaining access for employment and providing community development and welfare, present contrasting policy advice, with different points of emphases and objectives. This article examines the case of Lake Victoria, where the three main commercial fisheries are seen to contribute to different objectives for the lake's fisheries. Insights from the debate between wealth‐based and welfare‐based approaches to fisheries management provide a framework for the analysis of fisheries policy and practice on the lake. From the analysis, it is concluded that whilst there is much rhetoric in support of a wealth‐based approach, this has not been followed through in implementation, reflecting the lack of political support for new taxation and limiting access. The welfare functions of the fisheries are significant, but could be substantially strengthened through greater investment in the provision of services to fisheries communities. The approaches are not mutually exclusive, but pursuing wealth‐based management must support livelihoods, employment and development, as well as fisheries management objectives. Without the incorporation of welfare objectives, fisheries policies will not be politically accepted or fully implemented, suggesting the need for a balance between wealth and welfare objectives and measures.     

Congenital supravalvular mitral stenosis in 14 cats

ObjectivesTo describe the clinical features of congenital supravalvular mitral stenosis (SVMS) in cats.BackgroundSupravalvular mitral stenosis is an uncommon congenital cardiac defect that has not been previously reported in a series of cats.Animals14 cats with SVMS.MethodsMedical records, relevant diagnostic studies and preserved pathology specimens were reviewed.ResultsCats were presented over a wide age range (5 months–10 years; median 3 years); males (n = 9) and the Siamese breed were over-represented. Presenting complaints included respiratory distress (n = 6), hindlimb paralysis due to aortic thromboembolism (n = 5) and asymptomatic heart murmur (n = 3). Echocardiographic examination often identified pulmonary hypertension (PHT) (n = 7) and concurrent cardiac abnormalities (n = 7), especially partial atrioventricular septal defect (PAVSD) (n = 4). Status 12 months following diagnosis was known for 9 cats; 8 of these had died or were euthanized.ConclusionsCats with SVMS are usually presented as young adults for respiratory signs attributable to congestive heart failure, aortic thromboembolism or incidental murmur identification. Congestive heart failure, PHT and concurrent congenital cardiac abnormalities (specifically PAVSD) are common. Long-term prognosis for symptomatic cats is poor.     

Development of reagents to study the turkey's immune response: cloning and characterisation of two turkey cytokines, interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-13

The cDNAs of two turkey cytokines, interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-13, were cloned using oligonucleotide primers designed from their chicken orthologues. The coding regions of the chicken and turkey genes are highly conserved, with IL-10 and IL-13 exhibiting 94.1% and 90% nucleotide and 92% and 79.9% amino acid identity respectively. Both showed consistent mRNA expression in turkey lymphoid and gut tissues. Expression in non-lymphoid tissues was more variable but generally highest in the skin and trachea. Recombinant turkey IL-10 was expressed and bioactivity demonstrated by inhibition of IFN-γ synthesis from activated splenocytes. Chicken and turkey IL-10 cross-reacted in functional assays.     

Cinnamon Shows Antidiabetic Properties that Are Species-Specific: Effects on Enzyme Activity Inhibition and Starch Digestion

Despite considerable research the evidence around the antidiabetic properties of cinnamon remains equivocal, and this may be due to varietal differences which is an aspect that is understudied. This study systematically compared the anti-hyperglycaemic properties of the four major commercial cinnamon types used around the world (Chinese; Cinnamomum cassia [CC], Indonesian; C. burmanii [IC], Vietnamese; C. loureirii [VC], and Ceylon; C. zeylanicum [SC]). LC-MS analysis showed distinct diffrences in the phytochemical profiles of cinnamon with SC showing the lowest coumarin concentration. CC and IC had the highest polyphenol levels and antioxidant potential, and all four types differed significantly in their content (P?<?0.001). All cinnamon types showed potent species-specific effects on starch digestion enzyme activity inhibition (P?<?0.001), CC was most effective against α-amylase and all four strongly inhibited α-glucosidase compared to acarbose. Cinnamon significantly reduced starch breakdown during oral (P?=?0.006) and gastric (P?=?0.029) phases of gastro-intestinal digestion with IC and SC showing consistent effects. No effects of cinnamon were seen in the intestinal phase. IC, VC and SC showed the greatest potential to inhibit formation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) during digestion. In conclusion, cinnamon demonstrates anti-hyperglycaemic properties, however effects are species-specific with best overall properties seen for Ceylon cinnamon.