A Module to Calculate Primary Particulate Matter Emissions and Abatement Measures in Europe

Primary particulate matter is emitted directly into the atmosphere from various anthropogenic and natural sources such as power plants (combustion of fossil fuels) or forest fires. Secondary particles are formed by transformation of SO₂, NO_x, NH₃, and VOC in the atmosphere. They both contribute to ambient particulate matter concentrations, which may have adverse effects on human health. Health hazards are caused by small particulate size, high number of especially fine (< 2.5 µm) and ultra-fine (< 0.1 µm) particles and/or their chemical composition. As part of an integrated assessment model developed at IIASA, a module on primary particulate matter (PM) emissions has been added to the existing SO₂, NO_x, NH₃ and VOC sections. The module considers so far primary emissions of total suspended particles (TSP), PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 from aggregated stationary and mobile sources. A primary PM emission database has been established. Country specific emission factors for stationary sources have been calculated within the module using the ash content of solid fuels.     

Finnish lake survey: the role of organic and anthropogenic acidity

A lake survey consisting of 987 randomly selected lakes was conducted in Finland in autumn 1987. The survey covered the whole country, and the water quality of the lakes can be considered as representative of the approximately 56 000 lakes larger than 0.01 km² in Finland. The median TOC concentration is 12 mg L^-1 and the median pH 6.3. The proportion of lakes with TOC concentrations > 5 mg L^-1 in the whole country is 91 %. Organic anion is the main anion in the full data set (median 89 μeq L^-1). The high organic matter concentrations in Finnish lakes are associated with catchment areas containing large proportions of peatlands and acid organic soils under coniferous forest. The survey demonstrated that organic matter strongly affects the acidity of lakes in Finland. The decreasing effect of organic matter on the pH values was demonstrated by both regression analysis and ion balances. At current deposition levels of ^*SO₄ the pH of humic lakes in Finland is determined to a greater extent by high TOC concentrations than by ^*SO₄ in most areas. In lakes with pH values lower than 5.5 the average organic anion contribution is 56 % and non-marine sulfate contribution 39 %. However, in the southern parts of the country, where the acidic deposition is highest, the minerogenic acidity commonly exceeds the catchment derived organic acidity.     

Specific rates of net methylmercury production in lake sediments

Specific rates of Hg (²⁰³HgCl₂) methylation and McHg (¹⁴CH₃HgI) demethylation in aerobic and anaerobic conditions were determined in samples of surface sediments (0 to 2 cm) taken from five small headwater lakes in Southern Finland. The highest rates of methylation were measured in anaerobic conditions. However, the importance of aerobic methylation increased with increasing Fe and Mn content in sediment. There was little difference between aerobic and anaerobic demethylation. The results demonstrate that the net McHg production in lake sediments depends on the individual characteristics of the lake, particularly pH and and sediment properties. These characteristics seem to affect demethylation in anaerobic conditions and methylation in aerobic conditions.     

LOW FIELD MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE CANINE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a relatively new method of medical imaging. MR studies on the normal canine central nervous system were performed using a low field MR scanner. The regions of interest were the head, neck, and lumbar region. The MR findings in two patients with brain atrophy and cervical neck disc protrusion were also evaluated. Based on our findings it appears that low-field scanners will be satisfactory for use in veterinary diagnostic imaging.     

Prevalence of canid herpesvirus-1 infection in stillborn and dead neonatal puppies in Denmark

Background

Canid herpesvirus-1 (CaHV-1) infection in puppies less than three weeks of age is often reported to be associated with a lethal generalized necrotizing inflammation and since the discovery of the virus in 1965 several reports of neonatal infections have been published. However, the significance of CaHV-1 for peri- and neonatal mortality in puppies remains unclear. Therefore, we examined stillborn and dead neonatal puppies in Denmark to determine the prevalence of infection and further to correlate infection levels with necropsy findings to assess the possible significance of the infection.

Results

From a cross-sectional study of 57 dead puppies, 22.8% (n = 13) were confirmed positive for CaHV-1 by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of tissue pools of lung/liver and/or spleen/kidney. Specimens from PCR positive cases were further investigated by histology and in situ hybridization (ISH). High levels of CaHV-1 DNA were present in only one case in which lesions and ISH staining consistent with CaHV-1 infection were found as well. CaHV-1 concentrations in the other cases were low and a range of lesions not consistent with CaHV-1 were found. Similar, ISH staining was mostly negative in these except for one case with a few positive cells.

Conclusion

CaHV-1 infection in stillborn and dead neonatal puppies in Denmark seems to be common, but the direct significance for puppy mortality remains unclear as only one of 13 PCR positive puppies (7.7%) had pathognomonic lesions.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13028-014-0092-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Epidemiology of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in guide dogs in Finland

Background

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) and Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are common multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria in dogs. In 2012–2013 three dogs of the Guide Dog School of the Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired were found to be MRSP positive. Guide dogs have regular contact with each other during their first year of life and prolonged contact when in training. Since dogs are placed in different parts of Finland after training, there is a risk for national spread of MDR bacteria. In this study the prevalence of MRSP and MRSA, as well as the risk factors for MRSP were determined in the Finnish guide dog population. MRSP isolates were investigated using molecular methods and compared to the earlier isolates.

Results

Out of 132 tested dogs 4 were MRSP positive thus giving the prevalence estimate of 3% (95% CI: 1–8%) for MRSP in the target population. MRSA was not detected (prevalence estimate 0%, 95% CI: 0–3%). Risk factors associated with MRSP were being a breeding bitch (OR = 8.4; 95% CI: 1.1–64.1, P = 0.012), the number of veterinary visits (OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.0–1.5, P = 0.025) and number of antimicrobial courses (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.0–2.55; P = 0.035). Identified MRSP isolates belonged to five different sequence types (ST45, 71, 402, 403 and 404). All ST71 isolates carried SCCmec II-III, while the SCCmec type of the ST45 and ST402 (a single locus variant of ST45) isolates were non-typeable with the method used.

Conclusions

MRSP and MRSA had low prevalence in the studied dog population despite the close contact between dogs, and the MRSP population was heterogenic. Antimicrobial therapy and veterinary visits are risk factors for MRSP even among a small case group.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13028-015-0129-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Subconjunctival hibernoma in a dog

A 10‐year‐old, castrated male, German Shepherd mixed‐breed dog was presented to Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center for evaluation of a subconjunctival swelling in the ventral fornix of the left orbit. The owner elected to pursue excision of the mass 2 years after initial consultation following a sudden change in the size and color of the lesion. An excisional biopsy was performed, and the mass along with its associated capsule were submitted to the Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory of Wisconsin for histopathologic evaluation, which confirmed the diagnosis of a hibernoma. Fourteen months following excision, the patient showed no evidence of tumor regrowth.     

Effects of soil amendments on antimony uptake by wheat

Purpose

Environmental chemistry of antimony (Sb) is still largely unknown. Many questions remain about its availability to plants and effects of fertilizers on mobility of Sb in the rhizosphere soil. In this work, we focused on the following problems: (1) uptake of Sb by wheat seedlings grown in soil enriched with this metalloid and (2) impact of soil amendments on the plant growth, Sb uptake from soil, and its transfer from roots to upper plant parts.

Materials and methods

To obtain further information on the possible transfer of Sb into plants, greenhouse pot experiments were carried out. Soil was spiked with 15 mg kg^?1 of Sb and amended with either chicken manure or natural growth stimulator Energen. Wheat Triticum aestivum L. seedlings were grown in the soil during 17 days. Plants together with rhizosphere soil were collected several times in the course of the experiment. The ICP-OES and ICP-MS techniques were applied to determine the concentrations of macro- and trace elements in the plant and soil material.

Results and discussion

Growth of wheat seedlings in Sb-spiked soil resulted in Sb accumulation in roots and leaves of the plants. Energen and especially chicken manure were capable of stimulating transfer of Sb to more mobile and, as a consequence, more available to the plants form, thus enhancing both uptake of Sb from soil and its transfer from roots to upper plant parts. The accumulation of Sb by plants led to a decrease of Sb concentration in the rhizosphere soil with time, and the most significant decrease was observed after amendment of soil with fertilizers.

Conclusions

Fertilizers may be used to increase phytoextraction of Sb and its removal from contaminated soils. However, such an amendment of soil should be done with caution in order to exclude or at least reduce the negative effects on plants.     

OBSERVATIONS OF A VISITOR ON TIMBER DRYING IN SOUTH AFRICA

The final results are presented of a comprehensive N, P,K and dolomitic lime factorial experiment with Eucalyptus grandis planted on a fully cultivated Mispah soil series. On this marginal site, fertilising had a marked effect on the growth of E. grandis as measured at clearfelling at eight years and three months. The response to single fertiliser elements was greatest for potassium, followed by phosphorus and nitrogen, dolomitic lime having a depressive effect. The best N:P elemental fertiliser ratio was 3:1, while that for P:K was 1:3. Overall, an elemental N:P:K mixture of 3:1:3 was superior, increasing growth with rate of application. Fertilising with 100 g LAN (26% N), 100 g single superphosphate (8,3% P) and 50 g potassium chloride (50% K) increased yields at clearfelling from 56,7 t/ha for no fertiliser to 85.0 t/ha, an improvement of 49,8%. This fertiliser application is recommended for planting E. grandis on shallow soils derived from Ecca shale. Fertiliser treatments also affected form factor significantly, ranging from 0,370 to 0,411 and resulting in volume differences of 11.1% for trees with the same D.B.H. and height. Not only was the response to fertilising highly profitable in itself, but it also rendered the establishment of E. grandis to be viable on an otherwise uneconomically suitable site.