The occurrence of carbendazim resistance in Rhynchosporium secalis on winter barley in England and Wales in 1992 and 1993

In 1992, samples of Rhynchosporium secalis from 19 winter barley crops in England and Wales were examined for carbendazim resistance. Of the 120 isolates obtained, 14·2% were resistant to carbendazim. A larger survey was carried out in England and Wales in 1993 when samples from 74 crops were examined. On this occasion 16·6% of the 639 isolates obtained were resistant to carbendazim, and resistant isolates were detected in 46% of crops.     

Sodium fertilizer application to pasture. 3. Rumen dynamics

The objective of the present experiment was to examine the effects of 0 (Nil), 32 (Low), 66 (Medium) or 96 (High) kg sodium (Na) ha^-1 yr^-1, applied as fertilizer to zero-grazed perennial ryegrass pasture, on rumen digestion and feed and water intake of steers. Herbage Na contents increased with increasing Na up to the Medium Na treatment and no further at the High. Dry matter (DM) contents were increased by Na fertilizer but not affected by the level. Herbage crude protein (CP), true protein (TP) and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) fractions were not affected by treatment. Application of Na fertilizer increased the modified acid detergent fibre (MADF) and ash and total cation content of herbage, particularly at the Medium and High treatments. Faecal DM and TP contents were not affected by treatment, but the CP, NPN, MADF and ash and total cation contents were increased by Na fertilizer. Herbage DM intake increased in proportion to dietary Na content. Water intake increased with increasing Na fertilizer level. Rumen pH was increased by Na fertilizer but ammonia concentration was not affected. The rapidly (a), slowly (b) and potentially (a + b) soluble fractions of degradable DM and the effective degradability (P) of DM increased in direct proportion to amount of Na fertilizer applied up to the Medium level, above which b was reduced and a, a + b and P did not increase further. Solid and total outflow rates were not affected by treatment. Liquid outflow rates were greater in the Medium and High treatments than in the Nil and Low treatments. The immediately soluble fraction of MADF was increased in the Na-applied treatments but the increase declined with each additional Na level. The degradability of MADF increased with increasing dietary Na, particularly in the High treatment. Na increased the proportion of small particles and those with a high specific gravity. It is suggested that the high dilution rates that accompanied the high water intakes and the increased rumen pH are essential factors enabling increased DM intake and rumen digestion when high Na herbages are fed to steers.     

Nasal vascular hamartoma in a Domestic Shorthair cat

A nasal mass in a Domestic Shorthair cat was causing facial deformity, sneezing and intermittent epistaxis. Biopsy samples obtained previously had been non-diagnostic. Computed tomography images revealed an irregular, contrast-enhancing mass occupying a large portion of the righthand side of the nasal cavity. Previously described criteria for malignancy were not present. A ventral surgical approach combined with temporary, ipsilateral, common carotid arterial occlusion provided excellent access for debulking the lesion and collecting samples for histopathology. A nasal vascular hamartoma was diagnosed and clinical signs resolved postoperatively. This is the first documentation of this abnormality in the cat. Hamartomatous abnormalities should be included on the list of differential diagnoses for feline nasal mass lesions. The prognosis for hamartomatous lesions postoperatively is good, in keeping with their limited propensity for growth after maturity.     

Triblock copolymer syntheses of mesoporous silica with periodic 50 to 300 angstrom pores

Use of amphiphilic triblock copolymers to direct the organization of polymerizing silica species has resulted in the preparation of well-ordered hexagonal mesoporous silica structures (SBA-15) with uniform pore sizes up to approximately 300 angstroms. The SBA-15 materials are synthesized in acidic media to produce highly ordered, two-dimensional hexagonal (space group p6mm) silica-block copolymer mesophases. Calcination at 500 degrees C gives porous structures with unusually large interlattice d spacings of 74.5 to 320 angstroms between the (100) planes, pore sizes from 46 to 300 angstroms, pore volume fractions up to 0.85, and silica wall thicknesses of 31 to 64 angstroms. SBA-15 can be readily prepared over a wide range of uniform pore sizes and pore wall thicknesses at low temperature (35 degrees to 80 degrees C), using a variety of poly(alkylene oxide) triblock copolymers and by the addition of cosolvent organic molecules. The block copolymer species can be recovered for reuse by solvent extraction with ethanol or removed by heating at 140 degrees C for 3 hours, in both cases, yielding a product that is thermally stable in boiling water.     

Sodium fertilizer application to pasture. 2. Effects on dairy cow production and behaviour

Fifty-four lactaling dairy cows were grazed for 24 weeks on pasture receiving 0 (Nil), 32 (Low) or 64 (High) kg Na ha^-1 yr^-1 and with (+) or without (-) 100g NaHCO₃ buffer included in a maize gluten concentrate supplement. Cattle grazed the Na-fertilized pasture to a lower height, particularly in the High treatment. Cows grazing pasture with Na fertilizer produced more milk, and milk fat concentration increased in direct proportion to amount of Na fertilizer applied and with NaHCO₃. This increase was greatest in early season. Milk protein concentration was not affected by Na fertilizer application or NaHCO₃ buffer addition. Milk lactose concentration was increased by Na fertilizer application but not by NaHCO₃ supplementation. Cows in the Na-applied treatments gained more live weight but there was no effect of treatment on condition score change. Grazing time and drinking frequency increased linearly with increasing pasture Na. Ruminating time and biting rate were similar at the Low and High treatments and greater than the Nil treatment. NaHCO₃, supplementation increased drinking frequency and decreased the rate of concentrate intake. Cow reproductive performance was not significantly affected by Na fertilizer application. During the residual period, cows that had previously grazed the Na-fertilized pasture had reduced milk fat and protein contents.     

CHARACTERIZATION OF WATER DISPLACEMENT IN SOILS USING SIMPLE CHROMATOGRAPHIC THEORY

Simple chromatographic equations were adapted to describe frontal water displacement by tracer-containing water in soils where only partial displacement occurs. The equations were shown to give excellent agreement with experimental data in five field experiments where tracer was added in artificial rainfall. The consequences of partial displacement for soil water replenishment in the root zone, salt leaching and ground water recharge are discussed.     

Prolactin,a factor in promoting survival of hypophysectomized killifish in fresh water

The naturally occurring corticosteroids, cortisol and aldosterone, failed to promote survival of hypophysectomized Fundulus heteroclitus in fresh water. Extracts of Fundulus interrenal tissue, carp corpuscles of Stannius, and hog renin were ineffective. Injection of whole rat-pituitary brei was partially successful. Highly purified prolactin maintained survival, although the recipients did not eat normally. A synergic action of prolactin with some unidentified pituitary hormone is suspected.