不同耕作措施对旱作农田土壤水稳性团聚体稳定性的影响

为了探明陇中黄土高原旱作农田土壤水稳性团聚体崩解机制,以连续进行15年的不同耕作措施长期定位试验为研究对象,利用LB湿筛法(快速湿润法、慢速湿润法和预湿润后扰动法)和传统湿筛法探索了传统耕作(T)、传统耕作+秸秆还田(TS)、免耕(NT)、免耕+秸秆覆盖(NTS)4种耕作措施对陇中黄土高原旱作农田土壤水稳性团聚体稳定性的影响及其破坏机制。结果表明:不同耕作措施下,4种湿筛法处理后,0.25 mm非水稳性团聚体含量排序为:传统湿筛法快速湿润法预湿润后扰动法慢速湿润法;4种湿筛法处理后,团聚体平均重量直径排序为:慢速湿润法预湿润后扰动法快速湿润法传统湿筛法;不同耕作措施下,土壤团聚体相对崩解指数高于相对机械破坏指数。不同湿筛法处理后,在0~5 cm和5~10 cm土层均以NTS的水稳性团聚体含量和平均重量直径最高,且NTS处理的平均重量直径显著(P≤5%)高于NT和T处理;而10~30 cm土层,TS处理的水稳性团聚体含量和平均重量直径最高,且显著高于T处理的平均重量直径,但与NTS处理的平均重量直径无显著差异。不同耕作措施下的团聚体崩解指数和机械破坏指数均以T处理最高,NT次之,NTS处理最低。秸秆对0~5cm、5~10 cm、10~30 cm土层的团聚体崩解指数和机械破坏指数的降低均具有显著效应,而免耕仅在0~5 cm土层具有显著效应。因此,该区水稳性团聚体分散主要是由于水分入渗而引起的,且快速湿润时的破坏最大;同时,NTS处理可有效提升土壤水稳性团聚体稳定性,更有利于该区农田水土保持。     

Ovariohysterectomy in Six Mares

Six mares had ovariohysterectomy performed for chronic pyometra associated with cervical abnormalities, uterine neoplasia, or removal of a macerated fetus. Ovariohysterectomy was performed through a ventral midline incision with access to the ovarian and uterine vessels aided by traction on the uterus and retraction of abdominal viscera. Abdominal pain, the most common complication after surgery, occurred in four mares but resolved within 36 hours. Peritonitis occurred in two mares; one mare was subsequently euthanatized. Other complications that resolved with treatment included infection of the uterine stump (two mares), abdominal hemorrhage (one mare), diarrhea (one mare), and incisional infection (one mare). Complications after surgery can be reduced by removing as much of the uterus as possible, minimizing peritoneal contamination with uterine contents, and providing a secure closure of the caudal reproductive tract.     

Diets of top predators indicate pelagic juvenile rockfish (Sebastes spp.) abundance in the California Current System

Diets of top predators may be useful indicators to the availability of forage fish in marine ecosystems. Juvenile rockfish (young‐of‐the‐year Sebastes spp.) compose a significant part of the diet for many predators in the central California Current, including chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and several species of marine birds and mammals. Herein, we develop annual indices of juvenile rockfish relative abundance by collating time series data sets on: (i) the proportion of rockfish in the diet of three species of seabirds breeding on Southeast Farallon Island (1975–2002); (ii) the number of rockfish in chinook salmon stomachs (1980–99); and (iii) the abundance of rockfish captured in scientific mid‐water trawl net surveys (1983–2002). We used Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to combine indices, and refer to these as ‘Multivariate Rockfish Indices’ (MRI). Combining time series verifies the patterns shown by each alone and provides a synoptic perspective on juvenile rockfish relative abundance. The diets of predators with the largest foraging ranges (Common Murre, Uria aalge) and chinook salmon co‐varied strongly with the net samples, and appear to be the best indicators. The salmon also sampled species of Sebastes not caught in the nets. The MRI reveals interannual variability in juvenile rockfish abundance, a substantial decline in abundance in the 1990s, and a partial recovery in the early 2000s. Predator‐based sampling is a cost‐effective enhancement of scientific net sampling.     

EFFECT OF DELAYED ACQUISITION TIMES ON GADOLINIUM‐ENHANCED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE PRESUMABLY NORMAL CANINE BRAIN

A delay in imaging following intravenous contrast medium administration has been recommended to reduce misdiagnoses. However, the normal variation of contrast enhancement in dogs following a delay has not been characterized. Contrast‐enhanced MR imaging of 22 dogs was assessed, in terms of identification of normal anatomic structures, to investigate the variation associated with 10‐min delay between contrast medium administration and imaging. All dogs had a normal brain MR imaging study and unremarkable cerebrospinal fluid. Specific regions of interest were assessed both objectively, using computer software, and subjectively using three observers. Mean contrast enhancement >10% was seen in the pituitary gland, choroid plexus, meninges, temporal muscle, trigeminal nerve, and the trigeminal nerve root. Structures with an active blood–brain barrier had minimal contrast enhancement (<6%). Enhancing structures had significantly more contrast enhancement at t=1 min vs. t=10 min, except in temporal muscle, the trigeminal nerve and the trigeminal nerve root. Interobserver agreement was moderate to good in favor of the initial postcontrast T1‐weighted (T1w) sequence. The observers found either no difference or poor agreement in identification of the nonvascular structures. Intraobserver agreement was very good with all vascular structures and most nonvascular structures. A degree of meningeal enhancement was a consistent finding. The initial acquisition had higher enhancement characteristics and observer agreement for some structures; however, contrast‐to‐noise was comparable in the delayed phase or not significantly different. We provide baseline references and suggest that the initial T1w postcontrast sequence is preferable but not essential should a delayed postcontrast T1w sequence be performed.     

Distribution of genetic variation in brown trout, Salmo trutta L., in Scotland

Abstract. A total of 1680 brown trout, Salmo trutta L., from 63 different localities in Scotland were sampled and examined for 34 loci. Thirteen loci were polymorphic in one or more populations. The mean observed heterozygosity for wild populations ranged from 0.0 to 8-9% (x=4.5%) in the same range as previous studies on this species. Within drainage studies and gene diversity analysis confirms that a large proportion (33%) of total gene diversity was distributed between populations. The Ldh-5(100) allele was common in Scottish populations and its distribution would fit the hypothesis that this allele was indicative of an ancestral trout population in Scotland before the invasion of trout characterized by the Ldh-5(90) allele. The results have important implications for the management of the brown trout genetic resource.