Auswirkung mechanischer Belastungen auf die Redoxpotentiale von 3 Bodenmonolithen - ein Laborversuch

Compression effects on redoxpotential values in three soils The influence of a compaction on the changes of redoxpotential values in differently pretreated mountainous soils has been investigated. The results show that due to mechanical stresses the redoxpotential values are reduced, whereby discharging leads to a preload dependent increase of the values. A spatial and load dependent variation of the redoxpotential values can be measured, due to secondary pores which are built up because of that discharge. The results are discussed with regard to soil genetic questions as well as to soil physical problems.     

Anionenbestimmung in natürlichen wässrigen Lösungen: ein Methodenvergleich von ionenchromatographischen und Continuous-Flow-Verfahren

Analysis of anions in natural waters: a comparison of methods including ionchromatography and continuous-flow-technics Using waters from different compartments of forest ecosystems, standard solutions, moreover samples containing known internal standards, several analytical methods were tested for the comparability of nitrate, sulfate and chloride results in an inter-laboratory study. The analytical instruments were ion chromatographs with and without suppression as well as continuous-flow-analyzers. A cluster analysis showed a strong correlation between the obtained data and the analytical method used for nitrate, and a poorer relation for sulfate. Concerning nitrate-analysis, the IC-systems showed a better detection limit and a higher recovery of standards. Mean standard deviation among all tested analytical methods was calculated to be 15% for nitrate, 10% for sulfate and 14% for chloride. These results represent deviations as they may occur during laboratory routine analyses with a high amount of samples and the need for simultaneous determination of several anions. For the examined anions no significant correlation was obtained between the variation of the analytical results and the dissolved organic carbon concentrations of the samples.     

Die Bedeutung der Aggregierung für die Nährstoffsorption in Böden

The role of structure for nutrient sorptivity of soils The influence of the aggregation in 2 differently textured and structured soils (Haplumbrept and Chromudert) on the cation exchange capacity CEC was investigated. The results clearly demonstrated, that from the total soil (< 2 mm), natural and disturbed aggregates (Ø 5–8 mm) and the separated outer and inner part of those aggregates, the undisturbed aggregates had the lowest CEC. Furthermore, the aggregate skin was more chargeable than the inner part, due to a higher amount of silt and clay in that part. Because of higher bulk densities of the aggregates and theoretically increased tortuosity, the solution of elements in percolating water, especially in clay soils, is limited to the interaggregate pores. Thus, measured differences between the element distribution in different compartments can be explained.     

Tensiometrische Untersuchungen an Aggregaten in homogenisiertem Löß

Investigations to the soil suction behaviour of aggregates embedded in homogenized loess Aggregate from loess and clay soils were artificially embedded in homogenized loess. During sorption and desorption processes, soil suctions inside and outside the aggregates were measured with mini- and microtensiometers. The observed dynamics support the idea of mobile and immobile regions in structured media. Soil suction imbalances between aggregates and the surrounding loess were found to occur during rapid changes of the hydraulic conditions as well as during gradual desorption. This behaviour was also observed in aggregates without measurable differences of the hydraulic conductivities compared to the surrounding loess. Thus, it is concluded that the observations were caused not only by different hydraulic conductivities, but also by hydraulic barriers due to inhomogeneities at the aggregate surfaces.     

Impacts of major health conditions affecting the Australian sheepmeat value chain: a review

Major health conditions in sheep contribute to substantial economic losses throughout the sheepmeat supply chain in Australia. A systematic review was undertaken to explore the measurable impact of six conditions: arthritis, sheep measles, pleurisy, pneumonia, grass seeds and rib fractures, on the production of lamb and mutton across the meat value chain. Peer‐reviewed scientific literature from three databases and non‐peer‐reviewed articles and reports from Australian government and non‐government websites were searched between 11 and 17 November 2019. Original articles, including studies conducted in Australia and New Zealand, that had measurable impacts on conditions of interest were included. The search yielded 16 articles and reports and were classified as producer impact and/or processor impact studies. Mortalities were quantified for pneumonia and arthritis, with pneumonia having the highest impact for producers. Grass seed infestation resulted in the highest impact on carcase and liveweight losses compared to arthritis and pneumonia. Arthritis had the highest trim weight losses for both lamb and mutton and the highest rate of carcase condemnation. Grass seed was the only condition where other impacts on the processor (chain speed and staff relocation to the boning room) were quantified. Although quantifiable production and processing losses were available for some conditions, this review has highlighted that limited quantifiable data based on scientifically sound research were not available for other conditions. The evidence for some conditions found in this review can be used to target future research activities and to further assist producers in making informed management decisions on prevention and control.     

ECG-gated dynamic magnetic resonance imaging method for examination of the pig heart.

A dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method was developed for in vivo examination of the pig heart. Measurements were carried out on 15 meat-type pigs of different liveweight using a 1.5 T equipment. Inhalation anaesthesia was applied, then data acquisition was synchronised by ECG gating. Depending on the heart rate and heart size, in each case 8 to 10 slices and in each slice 8 to 14 phases were acquired prospectively according to one heart cycle. During the post-processing of the images the left and the right ventricular volumes were determined. The values measured at 106 kg liveweight are 2.5 times higher than those obtained at 22 kg, while the ejection fractions are equal. The calculated cardiac output values were 3.5 l (22 kg, 132 beats/min.), and 6.0 l (106 kg, 91 beats/min.), respectively. After measuring the wall thickness, the contraction values were also determined for the septum (70%), and for the anterior (61%), posterior (41%) and lateral (54%) walls of the left ventricle. Three-dimensional animated models of the ventricles were constructed. Based on the investigations performed, the preconditioning, the anaesthetic procedure, the specific details of ECG measurement and the correct MR imaging technique were worked out.     

The use of toltrazuril for the prevention of coccidiosis in piglets before weaning

SUMMARY: To determine the efficacy of toltrazuril as a prophylactic treatment for coccidiosis in piglets caused by Isospora suis (I suis) , a single 1.0 mL dose of toltrazuril was administered orally to 1056 piglets between 3 and 6 days of age, in 5 piggeries. Prophylactic treatment of piglets reduced the occurrence of coccidiosis in litters from 71% to 22%. The number of antibacterial treatments given and the number of piglets affected per litter were also significantly reduced, resulting in some improvement in growth rates to weaning. The severity of diarrhoea was significantly reduced, as was the amount of oocyst excretion. The number of days that piglets excreted oocysts in the faeces was reduced from 4.9 days to 2.5 days. The detection of J suis in piglets with diarrhoea was reduced from 84% in the untreated piglets to 6% in the piglets given the prophylactic treatment.     

Distribution and population patterns of the threatened palm Brahea aculeata in a tropical dry forest in Sonora, Mexico

The use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) has great potential for the conservation of natural resources and rural development. Palms are important NTFPs, providing numerous products, including leaves. The harvest of palm leaves rarely results in the immediate death of individuals and can be considered one example of the sustainable use of forest resources. However, in most cases basic ecological information, such as distribution and abundance of the species is unknown, as is information on the ecological implications of human impacts, such as leaf harvest and livestock grazing. In the tropical dry forests of northwest Mexico, leaves from the threatened palm Brahea aculeata are harvested for roofing material and represent an important NTFP. In this study, we assessed the distribution and abundance patterns of this species across 52 plots in the tropical dry forest of Sierra de Álamos-Rio Cuchujaqui Reserve (SARCR) in Sonora, Mexico. We also evaluated patterns of leaf harvest and cattle browse intensity on palm populations. We found that B. aculeata density is highly variable across the landscape with a mean (±SE) of 121.7 ± 36.3 ha⁻¹. Results indicate that B. aculeata is primarily distributed near to arroyos and rivers. The highest densities were found in sites with low incidence radiation (<0.06 MJ cm⁻²) and narrow stream width of arroyos/rivers (<9.5 m). Palm abundance also varied within the plots, and B. aculeata attained its highest densities near to the arroyo edge (first 20 m from the edge), perhaps indicating a microhabitat effect on palm demography. Overall, fewer than 6% of the stems were seedlings. Leaf harvesting and browsing appear to affect demographic vital rates of the species; specifically we found a significant effect of harvesting and browsing activity on the proportion of reproductive active adults. Thus, low levels of seedlings in the populations may be the result of reduced fruit production by adults and higher mortality rates of seedlings due to livestock herbivory. Result from interviews with land owners also indicated that past land use, especially along arroyos might also have important impacts on the observed distribution, low densities and absence of recruitment in some areas. We believe current distribution and abundance of NTFP, such as B. aculeata at SARCR may be a result of combined effects of environmental factors and human impacts. Results from this study will be used to develop appropriate conservation, management and restoration plans of B. aculeata in the area.     

Disorder in Al-li-cu and Al-mn-si icosahedral alloys

Faceted dendrites of icosahedral AL(6)Li(3)Cu have been studied by high-resolution x-ray scattering. The samples display long-range icosahedral symmetry both in their diffraction patterns and in their macroscopic morphology. Despite the appearance of well-defined facets, the samples have a high degree of atomic disorder. The Bragg peaks have symmetry-dependent shapes and widths that scale linearly with G perpendicular (phason momentum). The peak widths are surprisingly similar to those found in icosahedral Al-Mn-Si alloys in both their absolute magnitude and their dependence on G perpendicular. The origin of these features in models for the icosahedral phase is discussed.