Coating performance on glutaraldehyde-modified wood

Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris L.) panels were modified with glutaraldehyde(GA) to various weight percent gains and subsequently coated with several commercial coatings. The drying rate and adhesion of the coatings on the modified wood were measured; the coated/modified woods were exposed outdoors to analyze how the wood modifications influence the coating deterioration. The results showed that GA modification caused an increase in the drying rate of the waterborne coatings, but had no influence on drying of tested solvent-borne coatings. GAmodification did not change the dry adhesion but reduced the wood strength in a pull-off test. Wet adhesion of waterborne coatings was improved, while that of the solvent-borne coatings tended to be somewhat reduced. During 22 months of outdoor weathering, the coated/modified samples exhibited lower moisture content than the coated/unmodified samples, but GA modification didn't contribute a substantially synergistic effect with surface coatings on resistance to weathering.     

Correlations between acute radiation scores and pain scores in canine radiation patients with cancer of the forelimb

Objective To determine whether there is a correlation between skin acute radiation score (ARS) and pain scores and to determine if skin ARSs can be used to predict future pain scores and increased need for analgesia in dogs undergoing radiation therapy for cancer of the forelimb. Study design Prospective observational study. Animals Seven middle‐aged dogs of various breeds with cancer of the forelimb. Methods Each neoplasm was surgically removed and a histologic diagnosis was obtained. Curative intent radiation therapy was initiated 2½–4½ weeks after surgery. Curative intent radiation therapy was delivered as prescribed. Two trained observers scored the dogs using a visual analog pain scale (VAS), Glasgow composite measure of pain scale, short form (GCMPS) and skin ARS prior to each day’s therapy. Daily scores were averaged and scatter plots were developed. Generalized estimating equation regressions were used to calculate standard error, 95% confidence interval, and p‐values for each relationship. Confidence and prediction bands were plotted. Results A statistically significant correlation between skin ARS and VAS and GCMPS pain scores was identified indicating that as the skin ARS increased so did the pain scores. A general correlation between VAS and GCMPS scores was observed. Early (fraction days 1–6) GCMPS scores were significantly influenced by anxiety behavior unrelated to pain. Skin ARS was found to predict precisely current and future presence of pain, but could only predict a range of potential future pain scores based on the pain management approach in use during this study. Conclusions Skin ARS can provide valuable information for initiating preemptive analgesia and intensifying pain management during curative intent radiation therapy. Daily pain scoring with an acceptable pain scale should be used in conjunction with the skin ARS to improve patient pain management. Clinical relevance Pain is an anticipated consequence of curative intent radiation therapy. Understanding the correlation between pain and skin ARS may facilitate more effective pain management.     

Finding suitable growth models for turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) in aquaculture 1 (length application)

Growth data of two different commercial turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) strains reared in recirculating aquaculture systems were analysed with the aim to determine the most suitable model for turbot. To assess the model performance three different criteria were used: (1) The mean percentage deviation between the estimated length and actual length; (2) the residual standard error with corresponding degrees of freedom and (3) the Akaike information criterion. The analyses were carried out for each strain separately, for sexes within strains and for a pooled data set containing both strains and sexes. We tested a pre‐selection of six models, containing three to four parameters. Models were of monomolecular shape or sigmoid shape with a flexible point of inflection including the special case of monomolecular shape in defined cases of their parameters. The 4‐parametric Schnute model achieved best fit in 62% of all cases and criteria tested, followed by the also 4‐parametric generalized Michaelis–Menten equation in 48% and the 4‐parametric Janoschek model (38%). The von Bertalanffy growth function achieved only 29%, Brody 24% and a new flexible function 19% best fit. In a 1–1000 day growth‐simulation sigmoid shaped curves were produced by the Schnute model in 71% of cases. The Janoschek and the Michaelis–Menten model each produced sigmoid curves in 57% of all cases. This indicates that a flexible 4‐parametric function reflects the growth curve of turbot the best and that this curve is rather sigmoid than monomolecular shaped.     

A Method for In vivo Propagation of the Necrotizing Hepatopancreatitis Bacterium (NHPB) in Litopenaeus vannamei

The necrotizing hepatopancreatitis bacterium (NHPB) is difficult to preserve and has not been propagated in vitro. NHPB can be maintained continuously by simply adding specific pathogen free (SPF) shrimp to tanks containing NHPB‐infected shrimp. However, obtaining large amounts of highly concentrated infectious material free of contaminating bacterial flora for repeating challenge experiments was found to be exceedingly difficult using the current published methods. Therefore, a system was implemented using visible implant elastomer (VIE) tags to identify animals within a propagation tank by introduction group. Utilizing this method allowed for continuous reproduction of NHP within propagation tanks and provided researchers with access to infectious material allowing for consistent replication of challenge experiments and concentrated material for preservation.     

Trace elements bioavailability to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dendrobaena veneta</Emphasis> in a multielement-contaminated agricultural soil amended with drinking water treatment residues

Purpose

The in situ stabilization of multielement-contaminated agricultural soils has limited effectiveness when using common single amendments. This study examined the use of drinking water treatment residues (WTR), based on (hydr)oxides of Fe, Al, or Mn, as a cost-effective solution to optimize the immobilization of metals (Cd, Pb, Zn) and As.

Materials and methods

Trace elements (TE) bioavailability was assessed under semi-controlled conditions in a pot study cultivating winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Tiger) until maturity. An Fe-based WTR and a Mn-based WTR, applied at rates of 0.5 and 1% (m/m), were related to effects of lime marl (LM) application. Additionally, a bioassay with earthworms (Dendrobaena veneta) was conducted. Both bioassays were compared with measurements of NH₄NO₃-soluble, diffusive gradients in thin film (DGT)-available and soil solution TE concentrations, representing well-established surrogates for mimicking the bioavailable element fractions in soil.

Results and discussion

The application of the Fe-based WTR reduced As accumulation in vegetative wheat tissues (by up to 75%) and earthworms (by up to 41%), which corresponded with the findings from soil chemical analyses and improved plant growth and earthworm body weight. However, As concentrations in cereal grains were not affected, Cd or Pb accumulation by wheat was not mitigated, and Zn uptake was enhanced. By contrast, the Mn-based WTR effected the greatest reduction in Pb uptake, and lowered Cd transfer to wheat grain (by up to 25%). Neither the NH₄NO₃-soluble nor DGT-available concentrations matched with Cd and Zn accumulation in plants or earthworms, indicating interferences due to competition for binding sites according to the biotic ligand model.

Conclusions

The results obtained in this study suggest that a bioassay with key species prior to field application should be mandatory when designing in situ stabilization options. The application of WTR to an agricultural soil strongly affected TE bioavailability to plants and earthworms. Low application rates tended to improve biomass production of biota. Higher application rates involved risks (e.g., P fixation, TE inputs), and none of the amendments tested could immobilize all targeted elements.

     

Influence of a sodium formate/formic acid mixture on growth of juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fed different fishmeal replacement levels of detoxified Jatropha curcas kernel meal in practical,mixed diets

Intensification of cyprinid production has resulted in substantial increases in aquafeed demand for these species and a requirement for studies on new protein sources. Increased availability of presscakes from biodiesel crops may help to meet this requirement. The suitability of detoxified Jatropha curcas kernel meal (JKM), in combination with a dietary organic acid/salt blend (NDF), was tested in practical diets for juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Four treatment diets contained between 0% and 13.5% fishmeal with the fishmeal protein replaced by JKM (0%, 30%, 70%, and 100%). Four further diets of the same composition but including 0.5% NDF were also prepared, and all diets were fed to carps for eight weeks. There were no statistical differences in growth between diets containing JKM and the control. Furthermore, addition of dietary NDF significantly improved final weights, specific growth rates, feed conversion ratios, and protein efficiency ratios. Body composition analysis showed a significant impact of dietary JKM inclusion on increasing body lipid content. The addition of NDF showed a tendency to lower body lipid content (P = 0.11). JKM is a suitable protein source in diets for carp, and the inclusion of 0.5% of NDF proved to be beneficial.     

Testing a Soil Magnetometry Technique in a Highly Polluted Industrial Region in North-Eastern Germany

The paper presents the results of a study in the region Dübener Heide (Central Germany) testing the suitability of field measurements of magnetic susceptibility for the detection of historical fly-ash deposition. The measurements supported the verification of historically documented deposition zones along an emission gradient. Mean values, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation can be used to characterize the former deposition zones, although the study revealed several problems, which will be the subject of future work: (1) the volume susceptibility measurements used in the study do not allow the calculation of the actual fly-ash amount stored in the soil and thus must be calibrated with correction factors from laboratory measurements; and (2) measurements in regions with similar conditions but without fly-ash deposition are needed to obtain reference values for the natural range of magnetic susceptibility.     

Bioaccumulation of ivermectin from natural and artificial sediments in the benthic organism <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lumbriculus variegatus</Emphasis>

Purpose  

Although ivermectin is a widely used lipophilic parasiticide, data on its potential bioaccumulation in aquatic invertebrates are scarce. In this study, bioaccumulation patterns of radiolabeled ³H-ivermectin from sediments into tissues of the sediment-dwelling worm Lumbriculus variegatus were investigated and assessed.     

Quantitative estimates of freshwater fish stocking practices by recreational angling clubs in France

Although freshwater fish stocking is widely used by managers, quantitative assessments of stocking practices are lacking in many countries. The general objective of the present study was to determine the quantity and characteristics of fish stocking in metropolitan France. Using a survey-based approach, stocking practices for 2013 by recreational angling clubs in France were quantified, which represented the bulk of fish stocking undertaken in that year. Stocking was found to be practiced by 88.6% of angling clubs in France, representing, on average, 65% of their annual budget. Overall, 22 species were stocked, including 13 native and nine non-native species, with strong variations among species in terms of life stages and body sizes used for stocking. Using Bayesian modelling, a total biomass of 2.029 t, representing approximately 90 million fishes, was estimated to be stocked in France in 2013. In terms of biomass, the most widely stocked species were rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), brown trout Salmo trutta L., roach Rutilus rutilus (L.), common carp Cyprinus carpio L. and northern pike Esox lucius L. A stocking volume of approximately 60 fishes or 1.5 kg of fish biomass per angler per year seems commonplace in industrialised countries for which data are available.