The effect of lime and compost amendments on the potential for the revegetation of metal-polluted, acidic soils

The revegetation of soils affected by the historic pollution of an industrial complex in central Chile was studied. Spontaneous and assisted revegetation and changes in the physicochemical properties of the soils were evaluated in field plots that were amended with lime or lime + compost. Lime had no effect on plant productivity in comparison with the control, whereas the incorporation of lime + compost into the soil increased the plant cover and aboveground biomass. The application of lime + compost increased the plant productivity of Chrysanthemum coronarium (a species sensitive to the atmospheric emissions from the industrial complex), thus showing effective in situ stabilization of soil contaminants. Regression analyses suggested that the plant response was due to the increase in the soil organic matter content rather than to the increase in the soil pH. The aboveground biomass and plant cover did not differ under the spontaneous and assisted revegetation regimes. The native soil seed bank was sufficient for attainment of the proper plant cover and biomass production after the application of the soil amendments. Although the pCu²⁺ in the amended soils was 4 orders of magnitude higher than in the unamended control, the shoot Cu concentration was similar among most of the combinations of plant species and amendments.     

Corneal calcification

Superficial calcification was produced in the normal rabbit cornea by mild irradiation with a carbon dioxide laser. The calcification was entirely extracellular and closely resemnbled that observed in human band keratopathy, which was characterized as hydroxyapatite by x-ray diffraction. The electron-mnicroscopic appearance of calcific spheriules and conglomerates in early cornteal calcification is presented. The calcific spherules arise at the basal plasma membrane surface of the epithelial cells in close relation to their basement membrane.     

Synaptic transmission in the crayfish: increased release of transmitter substance by bacterial endotoxin

Bacterial endotoxin increases the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic potentials, decreases facilitation, and increases the evoked excitatory postsynaptic potential without changing membrane resistance. These data indicate that endotoxin acts on the presynaptic nerve terminal by increasing the amount of transmitter substance released in response to an applied stimulus.     

EFFECT OF COTTONSEED MEAL WITH OR WITHOUT SOAPSTOCK,CANOLA MEAL,OR UREA ON SOIL FERTILITY AND GROWTH OF MARIGOLD AND REDBUD

The effects of incorporating or topdressing with cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum L.) meal with or without soapstock, canola (Brassica rapa L.) meal, urea, or no amendment (control) were investigated using plants of marigold (Tagetes erecta L. ‘Inca II Gold’ or ‘Inca II Yellow’) and redbud (Cercis canadensis L.) in a Norge loam (fine-silty, mixed, thermic Udic Paleustolls) at Stillwater, OK in 2008 and 2009. Fertilizers were applied in May at 4.9 g?m^?2 N based on soil test results prior to the study and nitrogen (N) recommendations for turfgrass. Soil nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N) and phosphorus (P) increased from 2008 to 2009 in marigold plots into which cottonseed meal with soapstock was incorporated, and boron (B) increased in all marigold plots regardless of treatment. In 2009, marigolds grown in plots into which cottonseed meal was incorporated were taller than plants in other treatments except the untreated control. Marigolds in plots in which cottonseed meal was topdressed, cottonseed meal with soapstock was incorporated, or urea was topdressed grew less in height than plants in plots with cottonseed meal incorporated or control plots. Shoot dry weights of marigold plants in plots topdressed with cottonseed meal with or without soapstock, urea, or control plots were lower than those of plants in other treatments. Visual ratings of marigold plants receiving a topdress of urea or no treatment were lower than visual ratings of plants in any other treatment in July, but similar in August to those of marigold plants in plots in which cottonseed meal was topdressed. Some differences within fertilizer treatments occurred between 2008 and 2009 in redbud soil concentration of NO₃-N, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfate-sulfur (SO₄-S), iron (Fe), B, and copper (Cu). Leaf P concentration differed among fertilizer treatments in 2009. Leaf and total dry weight of redbuds grown in soil incorporated with urea was greater than that of plants in any other treatment. Results indicate that cottonseed and canola meals provide N and other nutrients for growth of landscape plants. Soil incorporated cottonseed meal encouraged more growth of marigold than soil incorporated urea but less growth of redbud.     

Retrospective study of 108 foals with septic osteomyelitis

Objective   To determine the clinical characteristics, short-term outcome and future athletic performance of foals with septic osteomyelitis.
Design   Retrospective clinical study of 108 Thoroughbred foals with radiographic evidence of bone infection that were presented at the Scone Veterinary Hospital between August 1995 and December 2001. Medical records were reviewed and information concerning signalment, the clinical, laboratory and radiographic findings, treatment and outcome was obtained. Racing records were obtained and evaluated for surviving foals that had reached racing age.
Results   Mean age of foals at initial evaluation was 39 days (range 1–180 days); 21 foals had multiple radiographic bone lesions (19.4%), and 76 had concurrent septic arthritis (70.4%). The most frequently affected bones were the femur, tibia and distal phalanx. In total, 87 foals were discharged from the hospital (80.6%), 79 survived long-term to reach racing age and 52 raced (65.8%). Overall, 48% (52/108) of the foals treated for osteomyelitis raced. Foals less than 30 days of age at the time of diagnosis, critically ill foals and those with multiple bones or joints affected were significantly less likely to be discharged from hospital. Multiple septic joints, but not multiple bone involvement, had an unfavourable prognosis for racing.
Conclusions   The prognosis for survival of foals with septic osteomyelitis or osteitis is favourable. Multiple bone or joint involvement is an important short-term prognostic indicator; however, the involvement of multiple joints, but not multiple infected bones, is associated with an unfavourable prognosis for racing.     

Recruitment problems and the shortage of junior corporate farm managers in Germany: the role of gender-specific assessments and life aspirations

Replacements for corporate farm managers are increasingly hard to find. At the same time, there is a large pool of potential managers that has been hardly tapped into: young female professionals. Focusing on the supply side of the labor market for farm managers, we investigate how gender-specific life aspirations impact occupational intention. To explain gender-specific occupational intention, we operationalize two conceptual frameworks: (1) a behavioral economic conceptualization that focuses on the material and non-material cost and benefits associated with occupational choice (e.g., income, social reputation, inner contentment), and (2) a psychological conceptualization based on the theory of planned behavior. Our analysis of survey data among agricultural students shows that participating women are less inclined to pursue a farm manager position than participating men for two main reasons: first, they expect less internal benefits (in terms of inner contentment and enjoyment of carrying out the day-to-day tasks) from such a position. Second, they believe to be less suited to meet the professional requirements (i.e., they have lower self-efficacy evaluations).     

The Content of As and Heavy Metals in TSP and PM<Subscript>10</Subscript> Near Copper Smelter in Bor,Serbia

The content of As and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cu) in total suspended particulate (TSP) and PM₁₀ at 3 locations (Park, Institute, and Jugopetrol) near the copper smelter in Bor (Serbia) has been analyzed within the period 2004 to 2015 with the aim of investigating the seasonal and spatial changes of those pollutants in the suspended particles. The content of As in TSP and PM₁₀ was over the annual EU limit value at all measuring points during the entire period of observation, while contents of Cd and Pb were periodically above the annual EU limits. There were no statistically significant seasonal changes between mean levels of the observed elements in the cold (October–March) and warm (April–September) periods during the year. A strong and moderate positive correlation was detected between the concentrations of each particular element (except Ni) at all measuring points. Additionally, Cd was the most enriched element followed by Pb, As, and Cu, while Ni was low-enriched. The constant air pollution with As particles, sometimes in concentrations even 20 times higher than the permitted annual value, requires urgent undertaking of concrete actions in order to reduce anthropogenic emission of suspended particles in Bor.     

Consumption of wonderful variety pomegranate juice and extract by diabetic patients increases paraoxonase 1 association with high-density lipoprotein and stimulates its catalytic activities

Association of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) stabilizes the enzyme. In diabetic patients, PON1 dissociates from HDL and, as a consequence, is less biologically active. Our aim was to investigate the effects of Wonderful variety pomegranate juice (WPJ) and pomegranate polyphenol extract (WPOMxl) consumption on PON1 association with HDL in diabetic patients. Thirty patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus participated in the study. Ten male patients and 10 female patients received concentrated WPJ (50 mL/day for 4 weeks), while another group of 10 male patients received WPOMxl (5 mL/day for 6 weeks). There were no significant effects of WPJ or WPOMxl consumption on fasting blood glucose or hemoglobin A1c levels. After 4 weeks of WPJ consumption by male patients, basal serum oxidative stress was significantly decreased by 35%, whereas serum concentrations of thiol groups significantly increased by 25%. Moreover, HDL-associated PON1 arylesterase, paraoxonase, and lactonase activities increased significantly after WPJ consumption by 34-45%, as compared to the baseline levels. PON1 protein binding to HDL was significantly increased by 30% following WPJ consumption, and the enzyme became more stable. In male patients that consumed WPOMxl and in female patients that consumed PJ, a similar pattern was observed, although to a lesser extent. We conclude that WPJ as well as WPOMxl consumption by diabetic patients does not worsen their diabetic parameters. Furthermore, WPJ as well as WPOMxl consumption contribute to PON1 stabilization, increased association with HDL, and enhanced catalytic activities. These beneficial effects of pomegranate consumption on serum PON1 stability and activity could lead to retardation of atherosclerosis development in diabetic patients.