Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass Storage Covers to Reduce Ammonia Emissions from Dairy Manure

Manure storages, and in particular those storing digested manure, are a source of ammonia (NH₃) emissions. Installing floating manure covers provide resistance to gas transfer from manure storage surface to air and reduces NH₃ emissions; however, performance can be limited to durability. Biochar and steam-treated wood have strong potential as manure storage covers as they are capable of repelling water, resistant to microbial degradation, and could be applied to crop acreage. An additional benefit of biochars as a cover is their capability of NH₃ sorption trapping TAN (total ammoniacal N) before it is volatilized resulting in further abatement. Installation of permeable manure storage covers is difficult and adding covers with agitators could facilitate implementation. This study measured NH₃ emissions from laboratory scale storages of digested manure with raw wood (white birch, Betula papyrifera), steam-treated wood, wood biochar, and corncob biochar covers. Additional treatments included mixing biomass treatments into manure storages to measure the reduction potential of incorporated biomass. All treatments reduced emissions of NH₃ from the control by 40 to 96%. The highest NH₃ emissions reductions of 96% were achieved with the wood biochar cover. The primary mechanism for treatment was resistance to gas transfer provided by the physical barrier of covers as NH₃ sorption did not correspond to reductions. Covering digested manure storages with any of the treatments can reduce NH₃ emissions; biochar covers are a more effective barrier to NH₃ emissions and are recommended to minimize NH₃ manure storage losses.     

Rice Germin-Like Proteins: Allelic Diversity and Relationships to Early Stress Responses

Germin-like protein (GLP) markers were associated with quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to the rice blast pathogen, Magnaporthe oryzae in multiple rice (Oryza sativa) mapping populations. Twelve paralogous OsGLP gene family members are located within the physical QTL region on chromosome 8, and gene silencing studies suggest that they contribute collectively to the resistance phenotype. We compared sequence and expression profiles of OsGLP alleles in two resistant and two susceptible parental rice lines to find functional polymorphisms that correlated with the resistant phenotype. Based on coding and promoter sequences, the genes belong to two germin subfamily groups (GER3 and GER4). OsGLP members from both subfamilies were constitutively expressed and developmentally regulated in all cultivars. Transient induction above constitutive levels was observed for some OsGLPs, especially GER4 subfamily members, at early time points after M. oryzae infection and mechanical wounding. Varying 5′ regulatory regions and differential expression of some family members between resistant and susceptible cultivars corresponded with differential hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation after the same stimuli. OsGLP of both GER subfamilies localized to the plant cell wall. The protein location and early gene induction suggest that OsGLPs protect rice leaves at early stages of infection before fungal penetration and subsequent ingress. Our data suggest that regulation of OsGLP genes defines resistant versus susceptible phenotypes.     

Quantitative trait loci for stomatal density and size in lowland rice

Genotypic variation in stomatal density and size has been reported but little is known of the genetic mechanisms behind these leaf traits. Using 101 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between a tropical japonica, IR69093-41-3-2-2 and an indica variety, IR72, we conducted a field study to determine stomatal density and size and identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling these traits under lowland conditions. Ten QTLs for stomatal density and four QTLs for size were identified across growth stages and leaf surfaces (adaxial and abaxial). The contribution of each QTL to total phenotypic variation ranged from 9.3 to 15.2% for stomatal density and 9.7 to 14.3% for size. The allele from IR72 increased stomatal density and that from IR69093-41-3-2-2 increased size. The expression of the QTLs for stomatal density and size differed by growth stage indicating that these traits might be genetically controlled depending on growth stage or that each QTL had a different function by growth stage. Significant negative genetic correlations between stomatal density and size at both vegetative (r = −0.308**) and heading (r = −0.484**) stages were observed but no common QTL for these traits was detected across growth stages and leaf surfaces. These results indicate that the QTLs for density and size may neither be genetically linked nor pleiotropically controlled and findings can be used as basis for selection at the leaf level on the balance of carbon and water uptake. Further study is needed to fully understand the mechanism underlying the observed genetic association and to elucidate the function of the QTLs involved.     

A comparison of the clinical manifestations of feeding whole and hydrolysed chicken to dogs with hypersensitivity to the native protein

Twenty‐six dogs with known adverse food reactions were fed whole chicken for 14 days. From this group, 12 dogs with cutaneous manifestations following exposure to chicken meat were selected and randomly divided into two groups (n = 6). Each group was then fed hydrolysed chicken or hydrolysed soy for 14 days in a blinded crossover design with a 17‐day washout period between each diet. Assessments of a CADESI (Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index) score and pruritus were performed throughout the entire study, and combined in a global score (GS). Serum was collected weekly for the measurement of chicken‐ and soy‐specific IgG and IgE. Dogs displayed the most severe clinical response when eating whole chicken compared to baseline (P < 0.001). The GS was significantly reduced in 11 of the 12 dogs when fed hydrolysed chicken were compared to those fed whole chicken (3.58 ± 2.81 versus 20.38 ± 14.65, P < 0.01). Serum immunoglobulin G and E responses were variable and did not show relationship with specific dietary exposure.     

Dog erythrocyte antigens 1.1, 1.2, 3, 4, 7, and Dal blood typing and cross‐matching by gel column technique

Background: Testing for canine blood types other than dog erythrocyte antigen 1.1 (DEA 1.1) is controversial and complicated by reagent availability and methodology. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to use available gel column technology to develop an extended blood‐typing method using polyclonal reagents for DEA 1.1, 1.2, 3, 4, 7, and Dal and to assess the use of gel columns for cross‐matching. Methods: Dogs (43–75) were typed for DEA 1.1, 1.2, 3, 4, 7, and Dal. Methods included tube agglutination (Tube) using polyclonal reagents, a commercially available DEA 1.1 gel column test kit (Standard‐Gel) using monoclonal reagent, and multiple gel columns (Extended‐Gel) using polyclonal reagents. Blood from 10 recipient and 15 donor dogs was typed as described above and cross‐matched using the gel column technique. Results: Of 43 dogs typed for DEA 1.1, 23, 25, and 20 dogs were positive using Standard‐Gel, Extended‐Gel, and Tube, respectively. Typing for DEA 1.2 was not achievable with Extended‐Gel. For 75 dogs typed for DEA 3, 4, and 7, concordance of Extended‐Gel with Tube was 94.7%, 100%, and 84%, respectively. Dal, determined only by Extended‐Gel, was positive for all dogs. Post‐transfusion major cross‐matches were incompatible in 10 of 14 pairings, but none were associated with demonstrable blood type incompatibilities. Conclusions: Gel column methodology can be adapted for use with polyclonal reagents for detecting DEA 1.1, 3, 4, 7, and Dal. Agglutination reactions are similar between Extended‐Gel and Tube, but are more easily interpreted with Extended‐Gel. When using gel columns for cross‐matching, incompatible blood cross‐matches can be detected following sensitization by transfusion, although in this study incompatibilities associated with any tested DEA or Dal antigens were not found.     

Diviner Lunar Radiometer observations of cold traps in the Moon's south polar region

Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment surface-temperature maps reveal the existence of widespread surface and near-surface cryogenic regions that extend beyond the boundaries of persistent shadow. The Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) struck one of the coldest of these regions, where subsurface temperatures are estimated to be 38 kelvin. Large areas of the lunar polar regions are currently cold enough to cold-trap water ice as well as a range of both more volatile and less volatile species. The diverse mixture of water and high-volatility compounds detected in the LCROSS ejecta plume is strong evidence for the impact delivery and cold-trapping of volatiles derived from primitive outer solar system bodies.     

A lack of large-diameter logs and snags characterises dead wood patterns in Irish forests

Dead wood is an important component of forest ecosystems and volumes vary depending on forest age, management intensity and productivity. This is the first large-scale study to quantify dead wood in Irish forests and to compare them to forests in other locations. We measured the volume and size distribution of logs, the density and size distribution of snags and the volume of dead wood contained in stumps in Oak (Quercus spp.) and Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) forests and in Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) plantations throughout Ireland. We also assigned each log, snag and stump to one of three decay classes (intact, part-rotted and well-rotted). We found no significant difference in log volume between any of the forest types. The majority (>90%) of logs were less than 20 cm in diameter, and large logs (>40 cm diameter) were scarce. We found a relatively high density of snags in all forest types but, as in the case of logs, over 90% of snags were <20 cm DBH and large snags (>40 cm DBH) were rare. The volume of dead wood contained in stumps was significantly higher in plantations than in Oak or Ash forests as a result of thinning and harvesting. Most logs and snags were moderately decayed but, in plantations, most stumps were intact. Log volume and the size of logs and snags were considerably lower than in old-growth forests in other regions. These patterns may reflect historical use of Irish forests for coppice and timber production. Management for biodiversity should aim to accelerate dead wood accumulation to increase the frequency of large-diameter logs and snags. Although management seeking to replicate the dead wood volumes of old-growth forests is ideal, it may be unrealistic in the short term.     

Is risk consistent across tier‐based harvest control rule management systems? A comparison of four case‐studies

There can be substantial differences in data quality and quantity among fished species. Consequently, the quality and type of assessments can also vary substantially. However, all species, especially those that are targeted, need to be managed. Several jurisdictions have developed hierarchical tier systems that categorize stocks based on, for example, the data available for assessment purposes and/or the extent to which quantities on which management advice is based can be estimated. Four case‐studies (Australia's Southern and Eastern Scalefish and Shark Fishery, the USA west coast groundfishery, the USA Alaskan crab fishery and EU fisheries) are used to contrast the types of hierarchical tier systems available, and to assess the extent to which each system constrains risk to be equivalent among the tiers (termed risk equivalency). Only the Australian system explicitly aims to achieve risk equivalency. However, this intent has not been fully operationalized. Our review reveals that best practice is not to define tiers simply on data availability, but also on what the assessments based on those data are capable of estimating. In addition, clearly differentiating the quantification of uncertainty from how decision‐makers wish to address that uncertainty would simplify justification of buffers (the gap between the assessment‐produced target catch or effort and the final management decision that accounts for uncertainty and risk). Risk equivalency can be achieved using management strategy evaluation to select the values for control variables, which determine the buffer given the uncertainty associated with the assessment.