The effect of sowing date and nitrogen on the dry‐matter yield and nitrogen content of forage rape (Brassica napus L.) and stubble turnips (Brassica rapa L.) in Ireland

Two field experiments were conducted at Teagasc, Moorepark, Ireland, to determine the effect of sowing date and nitrogen application on the dry‐matter (DM) yield and crude protein (CP) content of forage rape and stubble turnips. The first experiment consisted of three sowing dates (1 August, 15 August and 31 August) with four rates of fertilizer N (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha^?1) on forage rape DM yields. The second experiment consisted of three sowing dates (1 August, 15 August and 31 August) with four rates of fertilizer N (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha^?1) over two soil sites (fertile or nitrogen depleted) on forage rape and stubble turnip DM yields. A delay in sowing from 1 to 31 August characterized a 74·5% decrease in forage rape DM yield, while stubble turnip DM yield decreased by 55·5%. Forage rape DM yields increased positively up to 120 kg N ha^?1 at the first two sowing dates over both sites. In contrast, stubble turnips showed less response beyond 40 kg N ha^?1 on site 1 in the first two sowing dates, while DM yield increased positively up to 120 kg N ha^?1 on the less fertile site. The results indicate that the optimal sowing time for forage rape and a stubble turnip in Ireland was early August.     

A method for applying fluvial geomorphology in support of catchment‐scale river restoration planning

• 1. This paper reports on an extension to the use of Fluvial Audit survey to include a subjective and adaptive multi‐criteria assessment (MCA) process that integrates scientific literature and observational data to develop three reach‐scale indices of: (a) channel modification; (b) channel function (sediment store or source); and (c) naturalness. These indices are nested within an overall conceptual model of channel evolution and used to underpin catchment scale river restoration.
• 2. The approach is described and applied to a small groundwater dominated river in the UK. The results show that over 48% of the total main river was in a degraded state relative to a conceptual model of a natural reference state. Only 23% of the river was in a near‐natural state.
• 3. MCA classifications were translated into a set of management actions necessary to return each reach to a near‐natural condition. These are described.
• 4. The method offers a transparent decision support for stakeholders that can incorporate differing scientific evidence. The use of MCA enables flexibility in terms of the relative importance of scores and weights placed upon factors in the final classification. This makes the approach amenable to stakeholder and public consultation.

Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Monitoring infection with Piscine myocarditis virus and development of cardiomyopathy syndrome in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in Norway

An epidemiological study was carried out in Norway in 2015–2018, investigating the development of infection with Piscine myocarditis virus (PMCV) and development of cardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS) in farmed Atlantic salmon. Cohorts from 12 sites were followed and sampled every month or every other month from sea transfer to slaughter. PMCV was detected at all sites and in all sampled cages, and fish in six sites developed clinical CMS. The initial infection happened between 1 and 7 months post‐sea transfer, and the median time from infection with PMCV until outbreak of CMS was 6.5 months. Generally, fish from sites with CMS had higher viral titre and a higher prevalence of PMCV, compared to sites that did not develop clinical CMS. The virus persisted until the point of slaughter at most (11 out of 12) of the sites. The detection of PMCV in all sites suggests that PMCV is more widespread than previously known. Screening for PMCV as a tool to monitor impending outbreaks of CMS must be supported by observations of the health status of the fish and risk factors for development of disease.     

Early effects of COVID‐19 on US fisheries and seafood consumption

The US seafood sector is susceptible to shocks, both because of the seasonal nature of many of its domestic fisheries and its global position as a top importer and exporter of seafood. However, many data sets that could inform science and policy during an emerging event do not exist or are only released months or years later. Here, we synthesize multiple data sources from across the seafood supply chain, including unconventional real‐time data sets, to show the relative initial responses and indicators of recovery during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We synthesized news articles from January to September 2020 that reported effects of COVID‐19 on the US seafood sector, including processor closures, shortened fishing seasons and loss of revenue. Concerning production and distribution, we assessed past and present landings and trade data and found substantial declines in fresh seafood catches (?40%), imports (?37%) and exports (?43%) relative to the previous year, while frozen seafood products were generally less affected. Google search trends and seafood market foot traffic data suggest consumer demand for seafood from restaurants dropped by upwards of 70% during lockdowns, with recovery varying by state. However, these declines were partially offset by an increase (270%) in delivery and takeout service searches. Our synthesis of open‐access data sets and media reports shows widespread, but heterogeneous, ramifications of COVID‐19 across the seafood sector, implying that policymakers should focus support on states and sub‐sectors most affected by the pandemic: fishery‐dependent communities, processors, and fisheries and aquaculture that focus on fresh products.     

Word learning in a domestic dog: evidence for "fast mapping"

During speech acquisition, children form quick and rough hypotheses about the meaning of a new word after only a single exposure-a process dubbed "fast mapping." Here we provide evidence that a border collie, Rico, is able to fast map. Rico knew the labels of over 200 different items. He inferred the names of novel items by exclusion learning and correctly retrieved those items right away as well as 4 weeks after the initial exposure. Fast mapping thus appears to be mediated by general learning and memory mechanisms also found in other animals and not by a language acquisition device that is special to humans.     

Something old,something new: Historical perspectives provide lessons for blue growth agendas

The concept of “blue growth,” which aims to promote the growth of ocean economies while holistically managing marine socioecological systems, is emerging within national and international marine policy. The concept is often promoted as being novel; however, we show that historical analogies exist that can provide insights for contemporary planning and implementation of blue growth. Using a case‐study approach based on expert knowledge, we identified 20 historical fisheries or aquaculture examples from 13 countries, spanning the last 40–800 years, that we contend embody blue growth concepts. This is the first time, to our knowledge, that blue growth has been investigated across such broad spatial and temporal scales. The past societies managed to balance exploitation with equitable access, ecological integrity and/or economic growth for varying periods of time. Four main trajectories existed that led to the success or failure of blue growth. Success was linked to equitable rather than open access, innovation and management that was responsive, holistic and based on scientific knowledge and monitoring. The inability to achieve or maintain blue growth resulted from failures to address limits to industry growth and/or anticipate the impacts of adverse extrinsic events and drivers (e.g. changes in international markets, war), the prioritization of short‐term gains over long‐term sustainability, and loss of supporting systems. Fourteen cross‐cutting lessons and 10 recommendations were derived that can improve understanding and implementation of blue growth. Despite the contemporary literature broadly supporting our findings, these recommendations are not adequately addressed by agendas seeking to realize blue growth.     

Diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia in a dog using morphologic,cytochemical, and flow cytometric techniques

Abstract: Chronic myelogenous leukemia was diagnosed in a 3.5-year-old neutered male Golden Retriever. The diagnosis was based on persistent leukocytosis (>73.0×10³/μL), composed of a proportionate left shift to pro-granulocytes with no evidence of underlying inflammation, infection, or neoplasia. Marked dysplasia was evident in neutrophils and platelets in peripheral blood. Bone marrow and splenic aspirates were dominated by mature and immature neutrophils with < 2% myeloblasts. Cytochemical and flow cytometric assays confirmed that cells in the peripheral blood and spleen were of committed neutrophil lineage. The dog responded initially to treatment with hydroxyurea, but developed acute undifferentiated leukemia approximately 83 days after initial presentation.