Formulation of Environmentally Sound Waste Mixtures for Land Application

Major impediments to the land application of coal combustion byproducts (fly ash) for crop fertilization have been the presence of heavy metals and their relatively low and imbalanced essential nutrient concentration. Although nutrient deficiencies, in particular N, P, and K, may be readily augmented by adding organic wastes such as sewage sludge and animal manure, the indiscriminate application of mixtures to crops can cause excessive soil alkalinity, imbalanced nutrition (P, Mg), phytotoxicities (B, Mn, ammonia, nitrite), and unspecified contamination of the food chain by elements such as As. In this study, nutrient availability data and linear programming (LP) were used to solve these problems by formulating fly ash-biosolid triple mixtures which complied with both plant and soil fertilization requirements, and met existing U.S.A. environmental regulations for total As application in sewage sludge (EPA-503). Thirteen different fly ash samples were LP-formulated with sewage sludge, poultry manure, CaCO₃, and KCl to yield 13 unique mixtures, which were then evaluated in greenhouse pot experiments. Results indicated that normal growth and balanced nutrition of sorghum (Sorghumbicolor L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) crops were achieved in all mixtures, comparable to a balanced fertilizer reference treatment, and significantly better than the untreated control. Phytotoxic levels of B, NH₃, NO₂ ^-, overliming problems, and excessive As levels which were previously encountered from indiscriminate use of these waste materials, were all well controlled by LP-formulated mixtures. Most fly ash quantities in mixtures were limited by either available B (< 4 kg ha^-1) or total As (< 2 kg ha^-1) restrictions during formulation, while the most alkaline fly ash was limited by its high calcium carbonate equivalence (CCE = 53.9%). These results confirmed that fly ash land application should not be at arbitrary fixed rates, but should be variable, depending on the soil, crop, and particularly the fly ash chemistry.     

Verrucosamide,a Cytotoxic 1,4-Thiazepane-Containing Thiodepsipeptide from a Marine-Derived Actinomycete

A new cytotoxic thiodepsipeptide, verrucosamide (1), was isolated along with the known, related cyclic peptide thiocoraline, from the extract of a marine-derived actinomycete, a Verrucosispora sp., our strain CNX-026. The new peptide, which is composed of two rare seven-membered 1,4-thiazepane rings, was elucidated by a combination of spectral methods and the absolute configuration was determined by a single X-ray diffraction study. Verrucosamide (1) showed moderate cytotoxicity and selectivity in the NCI 60 cell line bioassay. The most susceptible cell lines were MDA-MB-468 breast carcinoma with an LD₅₀ of 1.26 µM, and COLO 205 colon adenocarcinoma with an LD₅₀ of 1.4 µM. Also isolated along with verrucosamide were three small 3-hydroxy(alkoxy)-quinaldic acid derivatives that appear to be products of the same biosynthetic pathway.     

Effect of Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Freshwater Mussel Elliptio complanata Filtration on the Phytoplankton Community of Partitioned Aquaculture System Units

Growers produce over 2.8 million kg of catfish (over $350 million wholesale revenue) annually in the United States. The microbiology of the phytoplankton community in culture water affects the growth and flavor of the catfish and is a consideration for growers. Filter feeders, like silver carp and freshwater mussels, in controlled growth systems are used to adjust the phytoplankton species. Our goal was to successfully control the algal populations with filter feeders in catfish production. We used silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix as a filter feeder in Partitioned Aquaculture System (PAS) water. Silver carp completely eliminated the cyanobacteria Microcystis by size and biovolume reduction. This created the desired effect of small green algae dominating the algal community. A significant but opposite change was observed when freshwater mussels Elliptio complanata filtered PAS water resulting in Microcystis biovolume and size dominance in the PAS; a less desirable algal community. This study also showed an immediate shift in the phytoplankton community when silver carp and mussels were interchanged between PAS waters. The size-selective filtration by the two filter-feeding taxa was important in determining the composition of the PAS phytoplankton community, and it was apparent that filtration with silver carp successfully depleted undesirable algae.     

Synthesis and fungicidal activity of phenanthridinotriazines: A structure–activity relationship study

A series of analogous tetracyclic 1, 12b-dihydro-4H-1,2,4-triazino[4,3-f] phenanthridines and 4H,12bH-1,2,5-oxadiazino[5,6-f]phenanthridines was prepared and tested for control of Erysiphe graminis f. sp. tritici (the causal agent of powdery mildew in wheat). Several analogs showed exceptional activity at doses as low as 6.25 mg litre^?1 with substituted analogs VII, X , and XIV being the most potent. Singly substituted tetrahydrotriazinyl or oxadiazenyl rings with lipophilic aromatic components appeared to be the key requirements for optimal powdery mildew control. Substitution of the heterocyclic ring with multiple groups attenuated activity.     

Influence of long-time transportation stress on re-activation of Salmonella typhimurium DT104 in experimentally infected pigs

In this study a Salmonella Typhimurium infection model in swine was used in order to investigate the influence of pre-mortal stress induced by long time period transportation on the re-activation of Salmonella in experimentally infected pigs. Salmonella free pigs were exposed to a highly virulent strain of Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 by direct intragastrical administration. Clinical parameters were monitored and the shedding rate in faeces was qualitatively and quantitatively determined by standard bacteriological procedures for 21 days. The distribution of the challenge organism in 14 different internal organs of transported and nontransported animals was determined. All infected animals developed clinical signs of salmonellosis 12 to 24 hours post infection. About 88 to 100% of the fecal samples were culture-positive up to post exposure day 6, and then varied from 71 to 92% until slaughter, respectively. At necropsy S. Typhimurium was recovered most frequently from caecum and ileocolic lymph nodes (83%), colon (79%), palatine tonsils (71%) and mandibular lymph nodes (62.5%). A negative impact of transportation stress on the shedding rate and the general condition of the animals was observed.     

Identification of focal adenomyosis as a uterine lesion in two dogs

A focal uterine adenomyosis is described in two bitches. In both cases, the uterus showed knobbly enlargements of 4 to 8 cm in diameter, which resulted in distinct clinical symptoms. Other pathological changes of the uterus were not present. One bitch was presented because of a history of vaginal discharge of several months' duration. Radiographs, as well as ultrasonography, revealed a soft tissue lesion at the cervix. The other bitch showed a marked reduction in its general condition and a sudden onset of a tense abdomen. Radiologically, a lesion of soft tissue opacity was observed in the mid-abdomen and was seen to originate from the left uterine horn during exploratory laparotomy. A torsion of the lesion was present, which explained the clinical signs in this second case.     

Sebaceous adenitis in the Akita: clinical observations, histopathology and heredity

Ninety-seven pure-bred Akitas were examined clinically and histologically for sebaceous adenitis. The diagnosis was established histologically in 23 Akitas by demonstrating an inflammatory reaction targeted against the sebaceous glands or a reduction in the number of glands. The clinical course of sebaceous adenitis in the Akita was similar to that seen in other breeds. The first skin lesions occurred mainly on the dorsal midline and ears. Compared with the Poodle, the age at first onset of the disease was more variable and the hair loss affected mainly the undercoat. The progression of sebaceous gland destruction varied between dogs and was not seen in all cases. Because bud-like sebaceous gland proliferation could be identified, it seems that regeneration of the sebaceous glands may occur. An autosomal recessive inheritance appears to be possible. Apart from a genetic background, immune-mediated factors possibly influence the onset and course of sebaceous adenitis.