Calculating Dry Deposition and Canopy Exchange with the Canopy Budget Model: Review of Assumptions and Application to Two Deciduous Forests

The canopy budget model simulates the interaction of major ions within forest canopies based on throughfall and precipitation measurements. The model has been used for estimating dry deposition and canopy exchange fluxes in a wide range of forest ecosystems, but different approaches have been reported. We give an overview of model variations with respect to the time step, type of open-field precipitation data, and tracer ion, and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different assumptions on ion exchange within forest canopies. To examine the effect of model assumptions on the calculated fluxes, nine approaches were applied to data from two deciduous forest plots located in regions with contrasting atmospheric deposition, i.e. a beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) plot in Belgium and a mixed sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) plot in Quebec. For both forest plots, a semi-annual time step in the model gave similar results as an annual time step. Na⁺ was found to be more suitable as a tracer ion in the filtering approach than Cl^? or ${\text{SO}}_4^{2 - } $ . Using bulk instead of wet-only precipitation underestimated the potentially acidifying deposition. To compute canopy uptake of ${\text{NH}}_4^ + $ and H⁺, ion exchange with K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ as well as simultaneous cation and anion leaching should be considered. Different equations to allocate ${\text{NH}}_4^ + $ vs H⁺ uptake had most effect on the estimated fluxes of the cation that was less important at a plot. More research is needed on the relative uptake efficiency of H⁺, ${\text{NH}}_4^ + $ , and ${\text{NO}}_{_3 }^{\text{ - }} $ for varying tree species and environmental conditions.     

Moisture movement and thickness swelling in oriented strandboard,part 1. Analysis using nuclear magnetic resonance microimaging

A procedure was developed to observe the water absorption characteristics of small specimens of oriented strandboard (OSB) and solid wood in a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) microimaging facility. The procedure allowed a specimen to be surrounded in water while remaining in a fixed position within the imaging coil, after which the water could be removed and the specimen immediately imaged. This technique permitted images of the specimen to be taken after a number of different periods of water soak without having to remove and replace the specimen, thus easily maintaining the same image location. Both the distribution of free water and its movement as a function of time were observed using this technique. Inter-strand voids within OSB were shown to be the main route for moisture movement through a specimen of this type. The influence of the inherent anisotropy of OSB on moisture movement was investigated by sealing selected surfaces of a specimen with silicone to observe moisture absorption in predetermined directions.     

A high-morbidity outbreak of Johne’s disease in game-ranched elk

Following an outbreak of Johne’s disease on an elk farm in northern Alberta, Canada, fecal culture, fecal polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests were performed on individual animals. The magnitude of the outbreak is described and the challenges associated with poor test agreement, as well as herd management options, are discussed.     

Recovery of Moraxella ovis from the bovine respiratory tract and differentiation of Moraxella species by tDNA-intergenic spacer PCR

The purpose of the present study was to identify Moraxella (M.)—like organisms recovered from calves suffering from respiratory disease down to species level by means of tDNA-intergenic spacer length polymorphism analysis (tDNA-PCR), and to perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing of these isolates using an agar dilution technique. A total of 16 isolates originating from 12 unrelated occasions were identified as Moraxella ovis, and tDNA fingerprinting showed clear delineation from other Moraxella species. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (in μg/mL) for 90% of the investigated isolates were ≤0.03 for ampicillin; 0.25 for ceftiofur; 0.5 for oxytetracycline; 8 for gentamicin; 64 for spectinomycin; 0.5/9.5 for the combination trimethoprim-sulfonamides; 4 for erythromycin; 8 for tilmicosin; 1 for florfenicol and 0.125 for enrofloxacin.     

Determination of lactate concentrations in blood plasma and peritoneal fluid in horses with colic by an Accusport analyzer

BACKGROUND: Intestinal hypoperfusion can lead to increased lactate concentrations in plasma and peritoneal fluid of horses with colic. HYPOTHESIS: The purposes of this study were to (1) evaluate the reliability of the Accusport analyzer to assess peritoneal fluid lactate (PFL) concentrations in healthy horses and those with colic, (2) identify clinical features associated with abnormal blood plasma lactate (BPL) and PFL concentrations, and (3) evaluate the prognostic value of BPL and PFL. ANIMALS: BPL and PFL were determined in 20 healthy horses and in 106 horses with colic. RESULTS: The Accusport was reliable for determining BPL concentrations < 13 mM and PFL concentrations < 20 mM. Multivariate analysis indicated that PCV and the need for intestinal resection were independently associated with the BPL; pulse, PCV, venous pO2, the presence of necrotic intestine, an increased amount of peritoneal fluid, and fluid total protein content were independently associated with PFL. With a 1 mM increase in BPL or PFL, the respective odds ratios for required abdominal surgery increase to 1.23 (BPL) and 1.58 (PFL), odds ratios for a required intestinal resection increase to 1.20 (BPL) and 1.41 (PFL), and odds ratios for developing ileus increase by 1.33 (BPL) and 1.36 (PFL). PFL concentrations of 1, 6, 12, and 16 mM correspond to a probability of death of 11, 29, 63, and 82%, respectively, in horses without strangulating obstruction and of 25, 52, 82, and 92%, respectively, in horses with strangulating obstruction. CONCLUSION: PFL is more useful and sensitive than BPL for prognostic purposes in horses with colic.     

Water use and technical efficiencies in horticultural greenhouses in Tunisia

We measure the technical efficiency of unheated greenhouse farms in Tunisia, and propose a measure for irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) using an alternative form of the data envelopment analysis (DEA) model. Technical efficiency measures the degree to which (all) farm inputs are used efficiently. IWUE is a measure of the efficiency of irrigation water use when other inputs and output are kept constant. As a second stage, a tobit model is used to identify the degree to which technical efficiency and IWUE correlate with a set of explanatory variables. A comparison of the efficiency scores obtained from constant returns to scale (CRS) and variable returns to scale (VRS) specifications shows that most farmers in our sample are producing at an efficient scale. Under the CRS assumption, the average technical efficiency of the sample was 67.3%. A similar pattern of scores was shown for IWUE; although in this case the average IWUE was even lower (42%). This implies that when all other inputs remain constant, the current output could be produced using, on average, 58% less irrigation water. We conclude that farmers’ technical training in greenhouse management, investments in water saving technologies and the existence of a fertigation technique on farm have a significant and positive effect on their level of IWUE. However, IWUE is significantly and negatively affected by the proportion of total farm land allocated to greenhouses.     

Relationship between crystallization behavior, microstructure, and macroscopic properties in trans-containing and trans-free filling fats and fillings

The objective of this study is to investigate the architecture to feature physical functionality of filling fats. This means an investigation of the different structure levels (crystallization, microstructure, macrostructure, etc.) that lead to good technological functionality. The isothermal crystallization behavior of two filling fats (one trans-containing and one trans-free) was examined by differential scanning calorimetry and microscopy. Furthermore, the hardness of the samples was examined after cooling in a water bath at two different temperatures and at three different storage times. The trans-containing filling fat crystallized faster and in smaller crystals as compared to the trans-free filling fat. The crystallization behavior of the trans-free filling fat was more complex, with the formation of different polymorphic forms. The hardness of the fillings was not only governed by the amount of solid fat present in the network but also by the structure of this network. The filling matrix components seem to have a pronounced influence on the microstructure and thus on the macroscopic properties.     

Relationship between crystallization behavior, microstructure, and macroscopic properties in trans containing and trans free coating fats and coatings

The objective of this study is to gain further understanding into the relationship between crystallization behavior, microstructure, and macroscopic properties in coating fats. The isothermal crystallization behavior of two coating fats (one trans containing and one trans free) was examined, both as pure fats and in coatings, by DSC and microscopy. Furthermore, the hardness of the samples was examined after cooling in a water bath at two different temperatures and at three different storage times. Both fats seemed to show an alpha-mediated beta' crystallization at lower temperatures and a direct beta' crystallization at higher temperatures. The trans free coating fat clearly crystallized faster and in smaller crystals. The hardness was governed not only by the amount of solid fat present in the network but also by the structure of this network. The coating matrix components seem to have a pronounced influence on the microstructure and thus on the macroscopic properties.     

Accuracy of seven vapour intrusion algorithms for VOC in groundwater

Background, aim and scope  During the last decade, soil contamination with volatile organic contaminants (VOC) received special attention because of their potential to cause indoor air problems. Moreover, research has shown that people spend 64% to 94% of there time indoors; therefore, the indoor air quality is of a primary importance for exposure to VOC. Human health risks to VOC—in cases of soil contamination—are often dominated by the exposure route ‘inhalation of indoor air’. Exposure is often a result of vapour transport from the soil or groundwater to the indoor air of the building. Within human health risk assessments, a variety of algorithms are available that calculate transfer of soil gas to the indoor air. These algorithms suffer from a relatively high uncertainty due to a lack of representation of spatial and temporal variability. For such an application, these algorithms need to be further verified empirically against field observations so that they can be sufficiently reliable for regulatory purposes. This paper presents the accuracy for seven algorithms by using observed and predicted soil and indoor air concentrations from three sites, where the groundwater had been contaminated with aromatic and chlorinated VOC. Materials and methods  The algorithms for vapour intrusion that are frequently used in European countries were included in this study and were Vlier–Humaan (Flanders), CSoil (Netherlands), VolaSoil (Netherlands), Johnson & Ettinger (USA), Risc (United Kingdom), and the dilution factor (DF) algorithms from Sweden and Norway. Three sites were investigated in more detail and samples were taken synoptically from the groundwater, soil and indoor air on four occasions. On the petroleum sites, the aromatic hydrocarbons benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes were analysed and, on the dry cleaning sites, the chlorinated hydrocarbons tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene and cis 1,2-dichloroethene. To increase spatial resolution, measurements in groundwater and soil air were taken in three different zones at each site, in the close proximity of or in the building. During sampling, several relevant soil properties were measured like the bulk density, water and air filled porosity, soil temperature and depth of the groundwater. Also, building properties like the dimensions of the building and the quality of the floor were registered. The seven algorithms were applied to compare that observed with the predicted concentrations in soil and indoor air. The groundwater concentrations were used as a source contamination. The results from the algorithms were compared by using performance criteria to assess the accuracy of each algorithm. Results  All calculations are presented in a box plot that contains the predicted soil or indoor air versus the observed concentrations. Results from the applied criteria are presented for each algorithm. Discussion  Differences between predictions and observations were up to three orders of magnitude and can be partially related to the amount of parameters included in each algorithm and the mathematical concept used. For example, the inclusion or exclusion of a capillary fringe or temperature correction for the Henry constant: it is not clear why all algorithms tend to over-predict the soil air concentration. The prediction mostly starts with the calculation of a soil air concentration related to the Henry constant, followed by diffusive and/or convective transport to the soil surface and zone of influence around the building foundation. Further research is needed to investigate the over-predictions and the use of the Henry constant to calculate the soil air concentration should be reviewed. Conclusions  The algorithms with the highest accuracy were the Johnson and Ettinger and the Vlier–Humaan algorithms. The DF algorithms from Sweden and Norway resulted in higher over- and underpredictions than others. Results for the indoor air showed that all the algorithms calculate high and low concentrations in the indoor air when compared to observations. The algorithms with the highest accuracy were JEM, Vlier–Humaan and CSoil. The DF algorithm from Norway calculated concentrations that were frequently higher than observed concentrations and the Swedish DF algorithm showed frequent higher and lower concentration than observed. The conservatism of the most accurate algorithms is sufficient for regulatory purposes, and they can trigger an integrated programme of field observations (monitoring) or/and modelling. Recommendations and perspectives  The dataset used for this paper was derived from three sites with groundwater contamination and further verification of these algorithms should be done for other sites that have a vadose zone contamination.