A Field Outbreak Caused by Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) caused a large epizootic of acute respiratory disease in Japan in 1968—69 (Inaba et al. 1970, Inaba et al. 1972). A much smaller outbreak occurred in Switzerland (Paccaud & Jacquier 1970). In Belgium the virus has been isolated from an outbreak of respiratory disease (Wellemans et al. 1970). BRSV has later been proved an important causal agent of respiratory disorders in the same country (Wellemans & Leiinen 1975). In England and USA the virus has caused and been isolated from outbreaks of acute respiratory disease in calves (Jacobs & Edington 1971, Rosenquist 1974, Smith et al. 1974). In Denmark BRSV has sporadically been isolated from pneumonic calf lungs (Bitsch et al. 1976).     

Emission Inventories for SO2 and NOx in Developing Country Regions in 1995 with Projected Emissions for 2025 According to Two Scenarios

Water, Air, &; Soil Pollution - Top-down inventories of anthropogenic SO2 and NOx emissions were compiled for 1995 for developing country regions. Regional emission factors were used to generate...     

Viral Plasmacytosis (Aleutian Disease) in Mink: IV. Cytoplasmic Glycoprotein Inclusions and Their Differentiation from the Viral Inclusions of Distemper

The periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) method was found to be a convenient stain for differentiating the specific intracytoplasmic inclusions of distemper from similar eosinophilic inclusions seen in plasmacytosis and occasionally in other disease conditions of mink. These latter inclusions stained strongly with PAS and appeared to be composed of glycoprotein. Although their significance is not known, it is probable that they represent abnormal globulins produced in great excess by the proliferating plasma cells. A pathogenetic hypothesis is offered.     

Variability in Mapping Acidification Risk Scenarios for Terrestrial Ecosystems in Asian Countries

Acidification has the potential to become a widespread problem in parts of Asia. Just how widespread this risk may be is discussed by comparing sulphur deposition to critical load estimates, taking into account neutralising base cation deposition from soil dust. Two scenarios for the sulphur emission in 2025 are used as inputs to the MATCH atmospheric transfer model to estimate sulphur deposition scenarios. Net acidic deposition using a low and high base cation deposition input is compared to a map of sensitivity of terrestrial ecosystems to acidic deposition. Two ranges of critical loads assigned to this sensitivity map are used. The variability in the maps showing risks of acidification using low and high estimates for critical loads and base cation deposition for two different development pathways is discussed. Certain areas are shown to be at risk in all cases whereas others are very sensitive to the values used to estimate risk.     

Effect of air temperature, rain and drought on hot water weed control

The influence of rain and drought before, and air temperature during, weed control with hot water was studied in laboratory experiments on the test weed Sinapis alba (white mustard). The plants were grown in a greenhouse and treated outdoors. There was no difference in weed control effect when S. alba plants at the four‐leaf stage were treated at the air temperatures 7°C and 18^°C. The effective energy dose for a 90% fresh weight reduction was 465 kJ m^?2 for both air temperatures. Weed control of S. alba at the four‐ to six‐leaf stage in rainfall above the rainwater run‐off level increased the required effective energy dose by 20% (i.e. 120 kJ m^?2) compared with dry plants. A short period of drought just before treatment on S. alba at the two‐ to four‐leaf stage increased the plant fresh weight reduction, which was 22% at low energy dose (190 kJ m^?2) and 44% at high energy dose (360 kJ m^?2). Hot water weed control should thus be carried out when the plants are drought stressed and avoided when the plants are wet. The air temperature seems to be of little importance in the range 7–18^°C.     

Development of Nondestructive Screening Methods for Single Kernel Characterization of Wheat

The development of nondestructive screening methods for single seed protein, vitreousness, density, and hardness index has been studied for single kernels of European wheat. A single kernel procedure was applied involving, image analysis, near‐infrared transmittance (NIT) spectroscopy, laboratory density determination, single kernel characterization system (SKCS), and finally Kjeldahl protein determination on the crushed single kernels. Single kernel NIT spectroscopy showed excellent ability to determine protein content, and some ability for determination of single kernel vitreousness. Nondestructive determination of single kernel density, either based on NIT spectroscopy or based on image analysis and kernel weight, needs to be further improved for practical use. The use of SKCS hardness index as a true single kernel hardness reference in a NIT prediction model resulted in a poor predictability. However, by applying an averaging approach, in which single seed replicate measurements are mathematically simulated, a very good NIT prediction model was achieved. This suggests that the single seed NIT spectra contain hardness information, but that a single seed hardness method with higher accuracy is needed to achieve a good NIT prediction model for single kernel hardness.     

Leaching potential and decomposition of fluroxypyr in Swedish soils under field conditions

The mobility and decomposition of the herbicide fluroxypyr (4-amino-3,5-dichloro-6-fluoro-2-pyridyloxyacetic acid) was studied under field conditions in a sandy soil and a clay soil. Leachate was collected in lysimeters with undisturbed soil (sand) and in tile-drained plots (clay). Soil samples to a depth of one metre were also collected in both soils to characterize the temporal depth distribution of fluroxypyr in the profiles. The herbicide was applied as the I-methylheptyl ester of fluroxypyr at two rates, 187.5 and 375.0 g a.e. ha^?1, representing the normal and double the dose of the compound used for spring cereals. Some lysimeters received supplementary watering. Only two leachate samples (one from each soil) had concentrations of fluroxypyr above the detection limit (1 μg litre^?1), i.e. 2 and 5 μg litre^?1. Both samples were collected within two months after application, when less than 2 mm of drainage had been collected. The methylheptyl ester of fluroxypyr was not found in any of the samples. Fluroxypyr levels above the detection limit in soil (5 μg kg^?1 dry soil), were never found below the topsoil (0.2 m) in the clay profile, while, in the sandy profile, levels just above the detection limit were found occasionally in deeper soil layers. Concentrations were reduced to undetectable or very low levels within three months after spraying.     

Evaluation of Protein Quality in Microbound Starter Diets Made with Decapsulated Cysts of Artemia and Fishmeal for Fish Larvae

Abstract.— The protein quality of carboxymethylcellulose microbound diets (MBDs) made with decapsulated cysts of Artemia andlor fishmeal as protein sources was used as an indicator of their suitability as starter feed for fish larvae. Studies on the proximate, fatty acid and amino acid composition. in vitro protein digestibility. diet solubility, and protein structure were combined with an in vivo feeding experiment with African catfish Clarias gariepinus larvae to evaluate the protein quality of the MBDs and a commercial diet. The growth of catfish larvae was higher when fed Artemia -based MBDs than with fishmeal-based MBDs, despite the higher protein and amino acid content of the latter. The in vitro protein digestibility was high for all the MBDs in comparison to a commercial diet. Differences were found in the protein molecular weight among the diets. Most of the proteins in the fishmeal-based diets had low molecular weight in the range between 7.4 and 49.2 kDa. The Artemia-based MBDs had larger protein fractions between 29.4 and 82 kDa. Decapsulated cysts improved the utilization of the MBDs when used in combination with fishmeal. Besides the effect of chemical attractants, the explanation for the positive effect of Artemia has yet to be elucidated. However, attention should be given to interactions between nutrients (e.g., protein-lipid) in live food, which might have an effect on the functional properties of food proteins.