Application of a thermodynamic model to experiments on nonisothermal diffusion of moisture in wood

Summary Five series of nonisothermal diffusion experiments originally analyzed by two theoretical equations were reanalyzed using a model derived from irreversible thermodynamics.     

Lack of negative effects of fasting of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) breeders during the spawning period on maternal and egg nutrient composition,fertilization success,and early embryo/larval development

The effect of fasting on spawning performance, maternal, and egg nutrient composition, and on embryo/larval development was monitored in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Two broodstocks were fasted during two consecutive years, for a period of 43 and 54 days within the spawning season, in a preliminary (year 1, 5-year-old breeders) and the main study (year 2, 6-year-old breeders), respectively. Mean daily fecundity showed a declining trend during fasting in the main study only, while fertilization success was high in both years and it was not affected by fasting, as was hatching and 5-day larval survival. There was a loss of 23.5% of maternal body mass due to fasting, and a reduction in gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indexes, as well as crude protein in maternal muscle and gonads, but not in the liver. After fasting, muscle Σω-6 PUFA and C18:3ω-3 were reduced while C20:4ω-6, 20:5ω-3/20:4ω-6, and C22:6ω-3/20:4ω-6 increased; in the liver, significant reductions were observed in C16:0, C18:3 ω-3, 20:5ω-3/C22:6ω-3 and increases in C18:0, C20:5ω-3, Σω-6 PUFA, and 20:5ω-3/20:4ω-6; in gonads, C15:0, ΣMUFA, 20:5ω-3/C22:6ω-3, 20:5ω-3/20:4ω-6 were increased, while C18:1ω-9 and C20:5ω-3 decreased. Contrary to maternal tissues, the energy density and proximate composition of the eggs did not change due to fasting. The study suggests that fasting of gilthead seabream breeders for 6–8 weeks during the spawning period does not affect spawning performance, egg proximate composition, or embryo and early larval development since maternal nutrient reserves are mobilized to maintain optimal egg nutrient composition.

     

The Big Biosphere Experiment

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution -     

The effect of insect meal as a feed ingredient on survival,growth, and metabolic and antioxidant response of juvenile prawn Palaemon adspersus (Rathke, 1837)

For successful prawn aquaculture, feeds should be based on readily consumed ingredients that promote survival and optimal growth performance. This pilot study investigates the rearing of juvenile Baltic prawn Palaemon adspersus. Two feeding trials were carried out for 60 days; both incorporated insect meals, the first one in fishmeal‐based diets, whereas the second one in plant meal ones. Insect meals derived from larvae of Tenebrio molitor (TM), Hermetia illucens (HI) and Musca domestica (MD) were tested as feed ingredients. This study indicated that the inclusion of HI in fishmeal diets resulted in significantly higher growth performance and survival of the prawns, whereas the MD diet led to similarly high growth performance reducing significantly their survival. Growth performance was not affected by the insect inclusion in the plant‐based diets, but survival was higher in the TM and HI inclusion diets. The inclusion of TM and HI resulted in higher protein and energy content of the prawns’ muscle when incorporated in fishmeal and plant meal diets respectively. No significant differences were observed in the activities of hepatopancreas’ amino acid‐catabolizing enzymes. Concluding, the combinations fishmeal–HI and plant meal–TM can be used for the successful rearing of Baltic prawn.     

Effect of dietary water on growth of dentex <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dentex dentex</Emphasis>

ABSTRACT:   This study is concerned with the effect of hyrdated diets on growth and feed performance of Dentex dentex . Three levels of dietary water were tested: 7%, 20% and 40%. For the 7% level a commercial feed was used and the 20% and 40% water levels were obtained after adding an appropriate amount of deionized water to the commercial feed and mixing the pellets well. The diets were offered to fish by self-feeders, by which fish were allowed continuous access to diets after activating the self-feeders; by belt feeders, by which the diets were fed continuously and in excess over a 12 h interval; and by hand to apparent satiation two times a day. After 151 days of feeding, the group fed on the 20%-water diet showed significantly ( P  < 0.05) higher growth rate than the 7 and 40% groups, while no significant differences were observed in feed conversion rate or daily feed consumption. The means of feed delivery did not influence growth rate. Self-feeder, belt and hand feeding all gave comparable growth. Fish fed the more condensed 7%-water diet had smaller stomachs than fish fed the larger volume 40%-water diet. In the stomach, all groups of fish hydrated their digesta within 2 h after feeding to a moisture content of around 60%. Apparently no difference in digestive process was observed between groups. It was concluded that the addition of water in diet at the level of 20% has a beneficial effect on dentex growth.     

The effect of different carotenoid sources on skin coloration of cultured red porgy (Pagrus pagrus)

This study presents data on the effect of carotenoid sources on skin coloration of red porgy (Pagrus pagrus). Three experiments were conducted: in the first, fish were fed an astaxanthin (Naturose^®)‐supplemented diet, while the second fish received diets supplemented with β‐carotene (Rovimix β‐caroten^®) or lycopene (Lyc‐O‐Mato^®): Carotenoids were added to the level of 100 ppm in each diet, while a non‐carotenoid‐supplemented diet served as a control. In the third experiment, the effect of dietary protein/carbohydrate ratio on melanin content in the skin was investigated. For this experimentation, four diets were formulated to contain 50/23, 40/32, 30/48 and 20/59 protein/carbohydrate ratio. Naturose^® astaxanthin increased total carotenoid content in the dorsal skin area while β‐carotene and lycopene seem to have had no significant effect. Naturose^® was the only carotenoid source that had a significant effect on skin hue, promoting a reddish coloration to the dorsal skin area and a ventral hue similar to wild red porgy. No apparent effect of carotenoid source on skin melanin content was observed. In contrast, dietary protein/carbohydrate ratio affected melanin content in the skin. The fish fed the 50/23 diet showed significantly higher values. Farmed red porgy had eight times higher dorsal‐skin melanin content than wild ones.     

First data on growth of cultured brown meagre Sciaena umbra using diets with different protein and fat contents

ABSTRACT:   Brown meagre Sciaena umbra Linnaeus 1758 is a demersal species living at depths of 0–200 m with a wide distribution in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and eastern Atlantic Ocean. It exhibits nocturnal behavior and occupies bottom caves and seabeds covered with vegetation. This study presents the first data on brown meagre growth under culture conditions and contributes some basic information on its dietary protein requirement by feeding isoenergetic diets with different protein–lipid ratios by means of self-feeders. Fish with 78.8 ± 15.8 g (mean ± standard deviation) body weight were divided into four groups and subjected to four different feeding regimes with three replications for 77 days. In the first group, fish were supplied with a high protein and low fat diet (HPLF, 52 : 8 w/w fat–protein ratio), the second one a medium protein and medium fat diet (MPMF, 42 : 14), the third with a low protein and high fat diet (LPHF, 31 : 23). In the fourth group, fish had access to both HPLF and LPHF diets. Fish fed on HPLF and MPMF diets showed significantly better growth and feed conversion ratios than fish fed on the LPHF diet. Fish with access to HPLF and LPHF diets exhibited comparable growth to the HPLF group but their feed conversion ratio was significantly higher. The condition factor and hepatosomatic index revealed no significant differences between dietary regimes. The liver of brown meagre may serve as a depository organ for energy, judging from its relatively high lipid content (39–43%).     

Desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon in the forelimb of 24 horses 2 years and older

Objective: To report outcome after desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT) in adult horses (≥2 years) for treatment of desmitis of the ALDDFT or flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint (FDDIJ). Study Design: Case series. Animals: Horses with desmitis of the ALDDFT (n=9) and FDDIJ (n=15). Methods: Records (April 1996–July 2008) of 24 adult horses (mean age, 6.7 years) that had ALDDFT desmotomy were reviewed. Follow‐up data was obtained 12–120 months after desmotomy. Results: Outcome was available for 22 horses; 18 (82%; 6 of 8 horses with desmitis of the ALDDFT and 12 of 14 with FDDIJ) returned to their intended use within 6–24 months (mean, 12 months). Conclusion: In mature horses, ALDDFT desmotomy resulted in successful return to intended use in most horses with ALDDFT desmitis (75%) or FDDIJ (86%).