The effect of extreme HCL deposition on soil acid neutralization following simulated shuttle rocket launches

This study evaluated the effect of extreme HCl deposition on soil acid neutralization following simulated shuttle rocket launches. Four soils along a soil chronosequence from Vandenberg Air Force Base were selected and evaluated as a function of pH spike addition (pH=1.0, 2.5, 4.0, and 5.6) and time (0 to 4 mo) in a leaching-incubation experiment. The pH=1.0 treatment led to a rapid soil extract pH decrease to 2.5 in poorly buffered soils and increased leaching of basic cations (Ca, Mg, K, and Na), Al, and Si. In general, there were no significant differences among the pH= 2.5, 4.0, and 5.6 treatments. Acid neutralization capacity increased with increasing soil age. The acid neutralization process involved two steps. In Step 1, acid is neutralized by direct or indirect exchange with exchangeable basic cations. The most likely mechanisms for this step are: (1) the direct exchange of H′ for basic cations followed by an interchange reaction between surface H′ and structural Al, and (2) the indirect exchange through H⁺ neutralization by polyhydroxyl-Al complexes with concurrent base displacement. Acid neutralization by a gibbsite-like mineral is an unlikely mechanism controlling the initial acid neutralization step. Eventually a pure acidic (H-A l) complex develops. In Step 2, further acid neutralization is governed by mineral dissolution via the acidic cations (H′, All').     

Using a GnRH agonist to obtain an index of testosterone secretory capacity in the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) and sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)

Objective   Validation of a stimulation test for determining the steroidogenic capacity of the parrot testis. The major aim was to characterise testosterone secretion after injection of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), then use the test to investigate seasonal reproduction in the male cockatiel.
Procedure   A synthetic GnRHa (buserelin; 8.0 µg of peptide/kg bodyweight) was injected IM into male cockatiels (n = 7) and sulphur-crested cockatoos (n = 3) and serial blood samples collected at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after administration. Once validated, the technique was subsequently used to examine seasonal changes (23 months) in the testosterone profile of a captive cockatiel population.
Results   Injection of buserelin resulted in a significant increase in the testosterone concentration of cockatiel plasma, with maximal concentrations occurring at approximately 60 (1.33 ± 0.08 ng/mL) to 90 min (1.22 ± 0.08 ng/mL) after injection. Although no clear pattern of seasonal variation in testosterone secretion was detected in cockatiel plasma, samples taken 60 and 90 min after administration showed a significant increase in all seasons. Injection of buserelin in the sulphur-crested cockatoo also resulted in increased testosterone secretion, with maximal concentrations obtained after 90 min.
Conclusion   Buserelin can be used to obtain a reliable index of the prevailing testosterone capacity of the cockatiel and cockatoo testis. With further studies, this test may be incorporated into clinical assessment of reproductive status.     

Laminar chemokine mRNA concentrations in horses with carbohydrate overload-induced laminitis

Chemokines play a vital role in leukocyte activation and emigration that reportedly plays a central role in laminar injury in equine laminitis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pattern of laminar chemokine expression in horses in the classical carbohydrate overload (CHO)-model of laminitis. Laminar samples were obtained 24h following water administration in the control group (CON, n=8), and at the onset of fever (≥ 102°F, 12-22 h post CHO, DEV group, n=8) and at the onset of lameness (20-48 h post CHO, LAM group, n=8) in induced horses. Real time quantitative PCR was performed on all samples in order to determine laminar mRNA concentrations of both CXC chemokines (CXCL1, CXCL6, CXCL8) and CC chemokines (CCL2 [MCP-1], CCL3 [MIP-1α], and CCL8 [MCP-2]). Data were subjected to ANOVA followed by Student-Newman-Keuls (P<0.05). Laminar mRNA concentrations for all CXC chemokines were increased (P<0.05) at both the DEV and LAM horses when compared to the control horses, whereas mRNA concentrations of CCL2 and CCL8 were only increased in the LAM horses when compared to controls and the DEV horses. When taken in context with our previous studies, CXCL1, CXCL6 and CXCL8 increases precede peak laminar leukocyte accumulation. Additionally, CCL2 and CCL8 expression corroborate previous reports of monocyte/macrophage accumulation in affected laminae. Compared with previous studies, our findings demonstrate that increased laminar CXC chemokine expression consistently precedes peak leukocyte accumulation and onset of lameness in CHO laminitis models. Chemokine antagonists may be considered as possible therapeutic targets to decrease the influx of leukocytes that occurs during the development of equine laminitis.     

The benthic impacts of a large cod farm — Are there indicators for environmental sustainability?

A cod farm in Vidlin Voe, Shetland was at the time of the study the largest cod farm in Europe, and was started in 2003. Run according to organic principles, the farm consisted of 17  32 m diameter cages in the 3 km long sea loch (locally known as voe), which though extremely exposed at the mouth, is sheltered near the cages.Benthic macrofauna and physical/chemical sediment parameters were measured in the summer months of 2004, 2005 and 2006 as biomass increased in the growing cycle. A range of biotic indices showed the benthic environment was enriched at peak biomass of the farm, but by contrast, surficial CHN levels and organic matter were low and uniform. The commonly used sediment indicators redox, total organic carbon and total organic nitrogen did not correlate well with biotic indicators at this site. Predictions from a near-field particle tracking and resuspension model (CODMOD) and a simple nutrient enhancement box model of the voe system (Equilibrium Concentration Enhancement (ECE) model), were used to assess the assimilative capacity of the system.     

Population changes in Phytophthora infestans in Taiwan associated with the appearance of resistance to metalaxyl

In recent years, late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont) De Bary, has increased in severity in many parts of the world, and this has been associated with migrations which have introduced new, arguably more aggressive, populations of the pathogen. In Taiwan, late blight has been endemic on outdoor tomato crops grown in the highlands since the early 1900s, but recent epidemics have been more damaging. To ascertain the present status of the Taiwanese population of P infestans, 139 isolates of the pathogen collected and maintained by the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC) were characterized using mating type, metalaxyl sensitivity, allozyme genotype, mitochondrial haplotype and RFLP fingerprinting. Up to 1997, all isolates were found to belong to the old clonal lineage of P infestans (US-1 and variants), but in isolates from 1998 a new genotype appeared, and by 2000 this had apparently completely displaced the old population. This new genotype was an A1 mating type and has the dilocus allozyme genotype 100/100/111, 100/100 for the loci coding for glucose-6-phosphate isomerase and peptidase, respectively. These characters, together with RG57 fingerprinting, indicated that these isolates belonged to the US-11 clonal lineage, a minority (11%) being a previously unreported variant of US-11. Whereas metalaxyl-resistant isolates were not detected in the old population, 96% of the new genotypes proved resistant, with the remainder being intermediate in sensitivity. It may be inferred from this sudden, marked change in the characteristics of the Taiwanese P infestans that a new population of the pathogen was introduced around 1997-98 and that this may well have already been metalaxyl-resistant when it arrived, although a role for in situ selection cannot be excluded.     

An inter-laboratory comparison of multi-enzyme and multiple substrate-induced respiration assays to assess method consistency in soil monitoring

The use of indicators in soil monitoring schemes to detect changes in soil quality is receiving increased attention, particularly the application of soil biological methods. However, to date, the ability to compare information from different laboratories applying soil microbiological techniques in broad-scale monitoring has rarely been taken into account. This study aimed to assess the consistency and repeatability of two techniques that are being evaluated for use as microbiological indicators of soil quality: multi-enzyme activity assay and multiple substrate-induced respiration (MSIR). Data were tested for intrinsic (within-assay plate) variation, inter-laboratory repeatability (geometric mean regression and correlation coefficient) and land-use discrimination (principal components analysis). Intrinsic variation was large for both assays suggesting that high replicate numbers are required. Inter-laboratory repeatability showed diverging patterns for the enzyme assay and MSIR. Discrimination of soils was significant for both techniques with relatively consistent patterns; however, combined laboratory discrimination analyses for each technique showed inconsistent correspondence between the laboratories. These issues could be addressed through the adoption of reliable analytical standards for biological methods along with adequate replication. However, until the former is addressed, dispersed analyses are not currently advisable for monitoring schemes.     

Tree and crop productivity in gliricidia/maize/pigeonpea cropping systems in southern Malawi

This study examined the hypothesis that incorporation of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp.) (gliricidia), a fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing tree, into agroforestry systems in southern Malawi may be used to increase the input of organic fertilizer and reduce the need for expensive inorganic fertilizers. The productivity of maize (Zea mays L.), pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) and gliricidia grown as sole stands or in mixed cropping systems was examined at Makoka Research Station (latitude 15° 30′ S, longitude 35° 15′ E) and a nearby farm site at Nazombe between 1996 and 2000. Treatments included gliricidia intercropped with maize, with or without pigeonpea, and sole stands of gliricidia, maize and pigeonpea. Trees in the agroforestry systems were pruned before and during the cropping season to provide green leaf manure. Maize yields and biomass production by each component were determined and fractional light interception was measured during the reproductive stage of maize. Substantial quantities of green leaf manure (2.4 to 9.0 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) were produced from the second or third year after tree establishment. Green leaf manure and fuelwood production were greatest when gliricidia was grown as unpruned sole woodlots (c. 8.0 and 22 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ respectively). Improvements in maize yield in the tree-based systems also became significant in the third year, when c. 3.0 Mg ha⁻¹ of grain was obtained. Tree-based cropping systems were most productive and exhibited greater fractional light interception (c. 0.6 to 0.7) than cropping systems without trees (0.1 to 0.4). No beneficial influence of pigeonpea on maize performance was apparent either in the presence or absence of gliricidia at either site in most seasons. However, as unpruned gliricidia provided the greatest interception of incident solar radiation (>0.9), coppicing may be required to reduce shading when gliricidia is grown together with maize. As pigeonpea production was unaffected by the presence of gliricidia, agroforestry systems containing gliricidia might be used to replace traditional maize + pigeonpea systems in southern Malawi. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

早熟无限结荚习性大豆子粒生长特征

大豆产量潜力受到基因型和环境条件的制约。一种基因型的密度、植株分布决定其对太阳辐射、水分和养分的利用,进而高产的形成。当群体生长所需外界要素之一不能满足时,植株间形成竞争。产量的区域间及年际间差异与这种株间竞争关系密切,最终表现为单位面积内一个或多个产量构成因子的差异,如株荚数、荚粒数、或单粒重(籽粒大小)。本研究探讨籽粒大小在调节不同密度、行距条件下产量差异及年际间产量差异的作用。多点试验表明,籽粒大小在不同节位上及不同籽粒数的荚间差异不大。然而在2粒或3粒荚内,荚基部粒比中部及顶部粒小10%,而且子叶细胞体积差异不大。在改变源库、增强光照或遮阴条件下,籽粒大小发生变化。籽粒大小与子叶细胞数相关。籽粒大小是可塑的,但即使底部节位荚较顶部节位提前15~20 d鼓粒,籽粒大小在所有节位间差异不大,所以籽粒大小与子叶细胞数的关系仍值得探讨。     

Hepatocellular carcinoma associated with erythrocytosis and hypoglycemia in a yearling filly

A yearling Arabian-type filly with a history of poor growth, erythrocytosis, hypoglycemia, and high liver enzyme activities was admitted to the hospital for evaluation. Three days after admission, the filly collapsed, deteriorated rapidly despite treatment, and was euthanatized. A metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma with capsular rupture and hemoperitoneum were found at necropsy. Primary liver tumors are rare in horses, and hepatocellular carcinoma has been reported in only 1 other horse. The systemic manifestations of the tumor in this filly included weakness, weight loss, inappetence, erythrocytosis with tumor production of erythropoietin, persistent hypoglycemia with normal serum insulin concentrations, serum alpha-fetoprotein (normally present only during fetal life), and terminal massive hemoperitoneum, all features of the syndrome in man.