Long-term effects of agronomic practices on the soil organic carbon sequestration in Chernozem

The study was based on data from selected long-term field trials established at the Experimental Fields of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad (Serbia). The effect of tillage systems on SOC concentration and SOC stock was most pronounced at 0–10 cm depth. In a 0–40 cm soil layer, in a 7-year period, no-till (NT) sequestrated 863 kg SOC ha^?1 yr^?1 more compared to moldboard plow tillage (PT), while the effects of disc tillage (DT) and chisel tillage (CT) were not significantly different. Unfertilized three-crop rotation (CSW) compared to two-crop rotation (CW) enhanced SOC storage in a 0–30 cm soil layer by 151 kg C ha^?1 yr^?1 in a 56-year period. Within fertilized treatments, SOC concentration was highest under continuous corn (CC). Mineral fertilization (F) non-significantly increased the SOC stock compared to no fertilization in corn monoculture in a 32-year period. The incorporation of mineral fertilizers and harvest residues (F + HR) and mineral fertilizers and farmyard manure (F + FYM) sequestered 195 and 435 kg C ha^?1 yr^?1 more than the unfertilized plot, respectively, in a 0–30 cm soil layer, in a 35-year period. Irrigation did not significantly affect SOC sequestration.     

Immunological studies of sporidesmin: Production of antibodies to azo-linked derivatives of 2-amino-5-chloro-3,4-dimethoxy benzyl alcohol

2-Amino-5-chloro-3,4-dimethoxy benzyl alcohol (ACD-MBA), a compound similar to part of the substituted tryptophan in the sporidesmin molecule was synthetized. It was coupled to bovine gamma-globulin through azo linkages and used to immunize guinea-pigs and rabbits or coupled to various bacteria and used to immunize guinea-pigs. Antibodies to ACDMBA were demonstrated by a complement fixation test. Hapten-inhibition of complement fixation showed that the anti-ACDMBA antibodies cross-reacted with sporidesmin and some derivatives of sporidesmin.     

Post-implantation histology of composite autografts used as conduits in the systemic circulation

Aortic allografts, which are often used as conduits in reconstructive surgery for congenital cardiac malformations, usually become continuously calcified and so lose their ability to increase in diameter in response to the needs of the growing child. We examined the growth potential of an alternative conduit composed of a longitudinal strip of autologous aortic wall incorporated into an autologous pericardial tube. Ten such composite autografts were implanted in the descending thoracic aortas of lambs for 12 months. Sequential radiological examinations demonstrated appropriate growth, with an increase of more than 200% in the area of the aortic strip. Histological examination of the explanted grafts showed proliferation of a deep band of aortic intima over the surface of the adjacent pericardium, invasion of the intimallpericardial tissue by aortic smooth muscle cells, and the formation of new elastic fibres where smooth muscle replication was most advanced. Thus, the model demonstrated true growth potential. Such composite autografts may well be superior to other types of conduit for clinical reconstructive procedures in young, growing patients.     

An atmosphere-ocean model for integrated assessment of global change

This paper describes the atmosphere-ocean system of the integrated model IMAGE 2.0. The system consists of four linked models, for atmospheric composition, atmospheric climate, ocean climate and for ocean biosphere and chemistry. The first model is globally averaged, the latter are zonally averaged with additional resolution in the vertical. The models reflect a compromise between describing the physical, chemical and biological processes and moderate computational requirements. The system is validated with direct observations for current conditions (climate, chemistry) and is consistent with results from General Circulation Model experiments. The system is used in the integrated setting of the IMAGE 2.0 model to give transient climate projections. Global surface temperature is simulated to increase by 2.5 K over the next century for socio-economic scenarios with continuing economic and population growth. In a scenario study with reduced ocean circulation, the climate system and the global C cycle are found to be appreciably sensitive to such changes.     

Influence of storm damage on the runoff generation in two sub-catchments of the Sperbelgraben, Swiss Emmental

The project “Lothar and Mountain Torrents” investigates the effect of storm-originated deforestation on the hydrology on three scales within the Sperbelgraben catchment (Swiss Prealps). This article focuses on runoff measurements during a 3-year period in two differently affected sub-catchments (≈2 ha) and on 2-year surface runoff measurements on smaller plots (50–110 m²). The link between these two scales and the results of irrigation experiments on 1 m² areas are interpreted using a detailed map of forest site types describing soil and vegetation characteristics. Plot results show that surface runoff is generated in two distinct ways. On the one hand, high amounts of saturation overland flow were observed on wet areas of gleyic soils. On the other hand, hardly any surface runoff was measured on Cambisols, with the exception of a short hydrophobic reaction at the beginning of storms occurring on areas with a thick organic litter layer (temporary Hortonian overland flow). On the long term, the lightly damaged sub-catchment (SC1) yields less runoff than the highly damaged one (SC2). This is confirmed when direct runoff volumes during flood events are considered. However, short and intensive showers surprisingly lead to higher discharge peaks in SC1. This occurrence is explained by different geomorphologic characteristics (mainly the channel density) and the spatial distribution of the moist to wet forest site types. Effects of deforestation and local soil compaction due to forest clearing remain small on both plot and sub-catchment scale.     

Swelling pressure of semi-isostatically densified wood under different mechanical restraints

Semi-isostatically densified and native wood samples of Scots pine and European birch were soaked in water. The swelling coefficients as well as the swelling pressure, that arose when the specimens were restrained in some way prior to the swelling, were measured using a universal testing machine equipped with a high resolution load-cell and an external extensometer. As densified wood swells, the native structure is almost restored and the swelling pressure became twice as high as for native wood in the most compressed directions (radial for pine and birch). That cell-shape recovery increases the swelling pressure can explain the problems with imbalance in laminated constructions where densified wood is used. The possibility to predict the swelling pressure from basic material properties was evaluated. The correlations between swelling pressure and material properties were strong enough to yield good predictive models.     

Excitation wavelength-specific changes in lignocellulosic autofluorescence

Lignocellulose (paper sheets of thermomechanical pulp) was irradiated with specific wavelengths in an epifluorescence microscope equipped with filter cubes with excitation and emission filters commonly used for excitation of fluorophores with blue, green, and red emissions. The irradiation was shown to affect the relative autofluorescence intensity over time. Shorter wavelength excitation (λ_ex = 340–380 nm) induced photoyellowing that increased the autofluorescence. Filter cubes allowing irradiation at longer wavelengths (λ_ex = 450–490 nm and λ_ex = 515–560, respectively) caused photobleaching and a decrease in lignocellulosic autofluorescence. The increase and decrease in autofluorescence was reversible; prephotoyellowed samples could be photobleached and prephotobleached samples regained autofluorescence by shorter wavelength irradiation. Thus, the specificity of the excitation wavelength and the time-dependent autofluorescence might affect long-term imaging experiments of lignocellulose-based samples.     

Die Filterwirkung von Wäldern gegenüber staubbelasteter Luft

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Zeitschriftenschau

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An international multi-centre prospective study on the efficacy of an intraarticular polyacrylamide hydrogel in horses with osteoarthritis: a 24?months follow-up

Background

Polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG) was evaluated recently to treat osteoarthritis (OA) in horses with highly encouraging results; however no long term field-study was done to explore its clinical efficacy and lasting effect. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PAAG in improving clinical signs of OA in horses. We hypothesized that lameness grade would significantly improve and the effect would last at least 2 years in osteoarthritic joints treated with PAAG. Forty three horses older than 2 years with OA in only one joint based on clinical evaluation, intra-articular anaesthesia and imaging (radiography) were included in this study. Horses were injected with 2 ml of PAAG into the affected joint and were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Efficacy of PAAG was evaluated by blinded clinical assessment of lameness. Adverse reactions to joint injection were assessed. Data relating to case details, type of activity, joint and limb involved, lameness duration, lameness grading, previous joint treatment, joint effusion grading, radiographic grading, and owner assessment were recorded. Factors associated with the outcome measure “lameness grading” were analyzed using generalized linear mixed model for logistic regression.

Results

At 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months follow-up, 59%, 69%, 79%, 81/% and 82.5% of horses were non-lame respectively. Reduction of joint effusion was observed over time. No side effect was observed in the treated joints. There was a significant decrease in lameness grade from baseline to 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months (P < 0.0001) and a significant positive association with joint effusion (P < 0.0001). Estimates for odds ratio (OR) showed that the effect of treatment increased over time (OR for lower lameness from month 1 to month 24 relative to baseline increased from 20 to 58).

Conclusions

PAAG significantly alleviated lameness and joint effusion in osteoarthritic joints. PAAG is a safe and lasting (at least 24 months) OA treatment in horses. PAAG is a promising new treatment for OA in horses.