Effects of temperature on development and mortality of Atlantic mackerel fish eggs

The development of Northeast Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) eggs, obtained from artificial fertilisation during the spawning season in the Biscay Bay area, was monitored at five temperatures (ranging from 8.6 to 17.8 °C). The times to intermediate stages (III–V) and total hatching, obtained in this study, agree with the results of previous studies undertaken some years ago. However, the times over stages IA, IB and 50% hatching indicate that development rates differed significantly between the studies; this could be related to an effect of the previous thermal history of the eggs, or to experimental biases. Daily mortality (Z) during the embryonic period was found to vary between 0.17 and 0.38, using traditional exponential decay models. The estimates of mortality rate were found to range consistently with those derived from previous studies on Northwest Atlantic mackerel eggs without predation. However, the shape of the survivorship-curve during the development pursued in this study has indicated that mortality is not constant in time. Similarly, the suitability of an exponential model to describe daily mortality should be considered.     

Identification of toxigenic Pasteurella multocida in atrophic rhinitis of pigs by in vitro characterisation

Toxigenic strains of Pasteurella multocida were readily differentiated from non-toxigenic strains by an agarose overlay method using bovine turbinate cells or bovine lung cells. Cells which were young and densely confluent were best suited to this assay. The incubation period required to distinguish toxigenic strains was dependent on the confluence of the monolayers, which was affected by the seeding rate, cell passage level and growth time prior to overlay. The agarose overlay method correctly identified 11 of 11 reference strains of Pasteurella multocida, and visible cytotoxic changes were present in the monolayers after 48 to 65 h. Outbreaks of the enzootic form of atrophic rhinitis in 2 New South Wales piggeries were associated with the isolation of toxigenic type D strains of P. multocida.     

Evaluation of an Immunochromatographic Test to the Diagnosis of Canine Brucellosis Caused by Brucella canis

This study evaluated the performance of an immunochromatographic test (ICT) for the diagnosis of canine brucellosis caused by Brucella canis, comparing its results with that of the rapid slide agglutination test with and without the use of 2‐mercaptoethanol and the agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID). The microbiological culture, PCR and clinical examination were used as reference. According to the results obtained in clinical examination, blood culture, culture of semen and vaginal swab and PCR in blood, semen and vaginal swab, a total of 102 dogs were divided into three groups: B. canis‐infected dogs (Group 1), B. canis‐non‐infected dogs (Group 2) and dogs with suspected brucellosis (Group 3). The diagnostic sensitivity of RSAT, 2ME‐RSAT, AGID and ICT in Group 1 was, respectively, 75%, 37.5%, 27.8% and 89.58%. The diagnostic specificity of RSAT, 2ME‐RSAT, AGID and ICT in Group 2 was, respectively, 91%, 100%, 100%, and 100%. In dogs with suspected brucellosis, 9.67% were RSAT positive, none was positive by 2ME‐RSAT, 3.22% were AGID positive and 6.45% were ICT positive. The main drawback concerning canine brucellosis diagnosis is the lack of a highly sensitive serological assay to be used as a screening test to the rapid identification of infected animals. The ICT showed a high diagnostic specificity and a diagnostic sensitivity value greater than that observed in the RSAT, 2ME‐RSAT and AGID. However, 10.41% of infected dogs had negative results by ICT. These dogs were positive by microbiological culture and/or PCR, indicating active infection and consequently a higher potential of spreading Brucella. Although rapid and simple to perform, the ICT lacked sensitivity to be used as a screening test.     

The Seismic Structure of the Sun

Global Oscillation Network Group data reveal that the internal structure of the sun can be well represented by a calibrated standard model. However, immediately beneath the convection zone and at the edge of the energy-generating core, the sound-speed variation is somewhat smoother in the sun than it is in the model. This could be a consequence of chemical inhomogeneity that is too severe in the model, perhaps owing to inaccurate modeling of gravitational settling or to neglected macroscopic motion that may be present in the sun. Accurate knowledge of the sun's structure enables inferences to be made about the physics that controls the sun; for example, through the opacity, the equation of state, or wave motion. Those inferences can then be used elsewhere in astrophysics.     

膜下滴灌制种玉米需水量与需水规律的研究

[目的]定位监测高产膜下滴灌制种玉米田间土壤水分动态变化,为膜下滴灌制种玉米拔节后水分管理提供理论依据.[方法]采用时域反射仪(TDR)对膜下滴灌制种玉米田间土壤水分动态变化连续监测并分析干物质的积累情况,运用水分平衡法计算膜下滴灌制种玉米各生育时期耗水量和水分生产率.[结果]拔节期至灌浆期45d左右是玉米耗水高峰期,日平均耗水强度为6.4 mm;灌浆期日耗水强度为3.2 mm.[结论]制种玉米拔节后根区的土壤体积含水量总是维持在23.5;～31.4;(田间持水量的60;～80;).