Novel application of square-wave adsorptive-stripping voltammetry for the determination of xanthohumol in spent hops

This paper reports the development of a novel electrochemical assay for xanthohumol (XN) by square-wave adsorptive-stripping voltammetry (SWAdSV) with a hanging mercury drop electrode. The method showed good repeatability (CV < 2%) and linearity (between 10 and 250 μg L(-1)), as well as suitable limits of detection (2.6 μg L(-1)) and quantification (8.8 μg L(-1)). The method was applied for the quantification of this compound in spent hops, and the results obtained were compared with the HPLC-UV method. XN contents determined by the SWAdSV method were 16 ± 1 and 100 ± 4 μg L(-1) for aqueous and methanolic extracts, respectively. The developed new methodology considerably reduces the analysis time, approximately from 25 min (HPLC-UV method) to 7 min, enabling a high sample throughput. In addition, the detection and quantification limits were approximately 5-fold lower than those obtained with the chromatographic method.     

The dispersal of Culicoides brevitarsis in eastern New South Wales and associations with the occurrences of arbovirus infections in cattle

Distributions of the vector Culicoides brevitarsis Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) (determined from light trap data) and 2 arboviruses (determined from seroconversions in sentinel cattle) were studied in eastern New South Wales in 1993–94. C brevitarsis was recorded progressively from endemic areas on the north coast, to Nowra on the south coast, and westward to Scone, in the Hunter Valley. C brevitarsis also survived through winter at Paterson, in the Hunter Valley. Its apparently focal reappearance in this marginal area had no obvious effect on the broad pattern of its progression or the dispersal of Akabane and bluetongue viruses. These viruses were first recorded from foci near Coffs Harbour, on the mid-north coast. Their first occurrences at different locations were associated with those of C brevitarsis, but not with each other. The viruses were found only within the recorded limits of the vector's distribution. Delays between the initial occurrence of C brevitarsis and first evidence of virus transmissions at locations ranged from 2 to 7 months. The delays decreased away from the points of focus and were negatively associated with the time of initial occurrence of the vector. Seroconversions to the viruses were related to the presence of C brevitarsis. However, the densities of C brevitarsis had no apparent effect on the initial numbers of cattle seroconverting to either virus. The results support the conclusion that the progressions of C brevitarsis and Akabane and bluetongue viruses were the result of gradual movements by the vector.     

Network interventions

The term "network interventions" describes the process of using social network data to accelerate behavior change or improve organizational performance. In this Review, four strategies for network interventions are described, each of which has multiple tactical alternatives. Many of these tactics can incorporate different mathematical algorithms. Consequently, researchers have many intervention choices at their disposal. Selecting the appropriate network intervention depends on the availability and character of network data, perceived characteristics of the behavior, its existing prevalence, and the social context of the program.     

Optimization of phosphorus content in high plant protein practical diets for Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis,Kaup 1858) juveniles: influence on growth performance and composition of whole body and vertebrae

Practical diets containing PP sources were elaborated. Increasing levels of di‐calcium phosphate were added to diets leading to five different dietary available P levels: 2.5, 3.2, 6.0, 6.5 and 8.0 g kg^?1 dry diet. The dietary treatments were tested in 13.5 g Senegalese sole juveniles throughout an 82‐day experimental period. Dietary P content had no effect on the productive parameters, while nutrient intake was also similar among dietary treatments, except P intake. Dry matter ADC ranged between 54.9% and 64.0%, and the highest P ADCs value (47.2 ± 0.7%) was achieved in fish fed AP6.0. Dietary phosphorus level significantly influenced body lipid and P compositions. Regression analysis performed on whole‐body P and ash contents fitted to quadratic models. Vertebral bone P content was low but increased significantly with increasing dietary P levels. Bone density and deformities occurrence were, however, similar between experimental conditions. An altered status of bone formation–resorption processes in soles fed the lowest P content diet might be inferred from ALP and TRAP activities. In conclusion, overall results state a high tolerance of Senegalese sole to low P content diets and support the utilization of practical diets with high plant protein content.     

Effects of Feeding Levels on Growth Response,Body Composition,and Energy Expenditure in Blackspot Seabream,Pagellus bogaraveo,Juveniles

Although reported as a slow growing species, to date information regarding nutritional dynamics of blackspot seabream, Pagellus bogaraveo, is limited, especially during ongrowing phase. This study determined the effects of different feeding levels on growth response, body composition, and energy expenditure of blackspot seabream juveniles (initial weight = 64 g). Fish were allocated in nine indoor tanks (15 fish per tank) and fed a basal diet twice daily at increasing levels (2.5, 3.3, and 4.1 g feed/kg^0.8/d) for 138 d. Growth response decreased with decreasing feeding levels, but only at 2.5 g feed/kg^0.8/d (P < 0.001). Differences in growth rates were positively correlated with body lipid content (r² = 0.90). Net protein utilization decreased with each increase in feeding level. The energy requirement for zero growth (maintenance) and the estimated energy loss on starvation were calculated as 22.6 and 17.9 kJ/kg^0.8/d, respectively. The energy cost for protein and lipid gain was calculated as 3.8 and 1.4 kJ/kJ energy deposited, respectively. This study suggested that blackspot seabream may grow slower than the other close‐related species because of its higher demand of dietary protein energy in favor of lipid deposition.     

Apparent digestibility coefficients of processed agro‐food by‐products in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles

Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of processed agro‐food by‐products were assessed in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Each experimental diet was obtained by replacing 300 g/kg of a commercial‐based diet used as reference (REF) with a test ingredient: wheat germ (GERM), okara meal (OKA), poultry by‐product meal (POULT), steam hydrolysed (FeHY) and enzyme‐treated feather meal (FeENZ), beta‐lactoglobulin (β‐Lg) and peptide fractions >3,000 Da obtained from brewer's yeast (YeastP) and fish by‐products (FishP). Dry matter ADC was highest in β‐Lg (95%) and lowest in OKA (40%). Protein ADCs were high in β‐Lg, FishP, GERM and POULT (>93%); intermediate in FeHY and FeENZ (85%–88%); and moderate in OKA and YeastP (70%–78%). The essential amino acids' ADC mean was above 91% in POULT, β‐Lg, GERM and FishP, 84%–89% in FeHY and FeENZ and 73%–76% in YeastP and OKA. Energy ADC was highest in POULT and β‐Lg (89%–95%) and lowest in YeastP and OKA (61%–64%). Lipid ADC was highest for POULT and GERM (100%). Phosphorus ADC was lowest in GERM (19%) and highest in β‐Lg (88%). FeHY, FeENZ, POULT, GERM, FishP and β‐Lg are highlighted as protein sources for European seabass.     

Comparison of different PCR tests to identify Monilinia fructicola

Monilinia fructicola was until very recently a regulated pest in the European Union, and EU countries were requested to monitor its presence on their territories. As accredited laboratories should use validated tests, the mycological laboratory of CRA‐PAV carried out a validation process for the multiplex based PCR test (Coté et al., 2004 ), that is one of the most widely used tests for the identification of M. fructicola, although this test is not described in the EPPO diagnostic protocol PM 7/18 (2) because the validation data were lacking. The performance characteristics of this multiplex PCR test were established according to the EPPO Standard PM 7/98 (1) and the test was compared in a collaborative study with the end point PCR test (Ioos & Frey, 2000 ), considered as the ‘standard test’. The validation data were obtained using different isolates of M. fructicola, M. laxa, M. fructigena and Monilia polystroma, as well as different fruit tissues. Four series of the DNA target at different concentration, repeated three times, were analyzed in four Italian laboratories. The results showed that the multiplex PCR detection test (Coté et al., 2004 ) was fit for diagnostic purpose, although the analytical sensitivity was significantly lower compared to the conventional PCR ‘standard test’.     

Modelling interception loss from evergreen oak Mediterranean savannas: Application of a tree-based modelling approach

In a previous study, it was shown that an isolated, fully saturated tree-crown behaves like a wet bulb, allowing evaporation of intercepted rainfall to be estimated by a simple diffusion equation for water vapour. This observation was taken as the basis for a new approach in modelling interception loss from savanna-type woodland, whereby the ecosystem evaporation is derived by scaling up the evaporation from individual trees, rather than by considering a homogeneous forest cover. Interception loss from isolated trees was estimated by combining the aforementioned equation for water vapour flux with Gash's analytical model. A new methodology, which avoids the subjectivity inherent in the Leyton method, was used for estimating the crown storage capacity. Modelling performance was evaluated against data from two Mediterranean savanna-type oak woodlands (montados) in southern Portugal. Interception loss estimates were in good agreement with observations in both sites. The proposed modelling approach is physically based, requires only a limited amount of data and should be suitable for the modelling of interception loss in isolated trees and savanna-type ecosystems.