Influence of mesoscale eddies on ichthyoplankton assemblages in the Gulf of Alaska

Mesoscale eddies (100–200 km in diameter) propagating along the shelf‐break in the Gulf of Alaska are ubiquitous and have been shown to influence the ecosystem, but their influence on ichthyoplankton species composition and diversity has not been described. Evidence for larval fish entrainment in these eddies was examined using data from a cruise in 2005 that sampled three eastern Gulf of Alaska mesoscale eddies, and sampling that compared shelf to slope ichthyoplankton assemblages in the northern Gulf of Alaska (2002–2004). Hierarchical cluster analysis of oceanographic data showed that stations grouped according to location within an eddy. Species hierarchical cluster analysis revealed a latitudinal turnover in species composition, and an abundant species group. Species richness was correlated with distance from eddy center (P = 0.00025), and assemblages within eddies were significantly different (P < 0.05) from those in surrounding basin and shelf waters. These results suggest that mesoscale eddies propagating along the continental shelf‐break influence larval fish assemblages over the shelf and slope, which has implications for the timing and extent of larval fish distribution in the Gulf of Alaska.     

The nutritional evaluation of dried earthworm meal (Eisenia foetida, Savigny, 1826) included at low levels in production diets for rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson

Abstract. Dried earthworm meal derived from the species Eisenia foetida was nutritionally evaluated as a replacement for herring meal in production diets from rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson. Increasing levels of dried E. foetida meal, from 5 to 30% by weight, were included in the diet and the response of fish fed these diets was compared to fish fed a control diet without earthworm meal inclusion. There was no evidence of any adverse effect on the growth performance or feed utilization efficiency of fish fed diets containing these low levels of dried E. foetida meal. There was. however, a significant increase in the whole carcass lipid content of fish fed diets containing 5. 10 and 20% dried E. foetida meal. Concent rations of iron, zinc, lead, copper and cadmium within the whole fish carcass were not significantly elevated as a result of including these low levels of the dried E. foetida meal in diets for rainbow trout.     

Nonsurgical Management of Ulnar Fractures in the Horse: A Retrospective Study of 43 Cases

Forty-three cases of nonsurgically managed ulnar fractures in the horse were reviewed. Twenty-three per cent of the horses were euthanized, 44% survived but were unsound, and 33% of the horses were sound when surveyed 6 months to 11 years following fracture. Best results were obtained when treating distal semilunar notch fractures (70% sound). Prognosis was poorest for horses with fractures of the olecranon affecting the semilunar notch (0% sound).     

Effect of a Novel Oil Extraction Method on Avocado (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Persea americana</Emphasis> Mill) Pulp Microstructure

Avocado (Persea americana Mill) is an oil-rich fruit, the pulp containing up to 33% of the oil. It is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, and has nutritional properties similar to olive oil. However, there is no widespread commercial method for oil recovery from avocado pulp. The aim of this study is to contribute to the limited knowledge about the micro- and ultrastructure of avocado. It presents a micro- and ultrastructural study of avocado pulp before and after three different oil recovery methods, in order to relate the quality and yielding of the oil to the cellular changes in the pulp. This study was made using light, scanning electron, and electron transmission microscopy.The microwave–squeezing method yielded 67% of the oil, preserved the shape of the cell by causing only a slight modification, and gave the best quality oil. Hexane extraction yielded 59%, causing the idioblastic oil cells to become irregularly shaped and rough-surfaced. Acetone extraction yielded 12%, and deformed the cellular wall while the oil remained inside, giving a poor quality oil.On the basis of these results, the microwave–squeezing method is suggested as a new option for oil recovery from avocadopulp. This method could be adapted for industrial processing.     

THE EFFECTS OF BENSULIDE ON THE GROWTH, MORPHOLOGY AND ANATOMY OF OAT ROOTS

Summary. Oat seedlings were grown by two different methods in various concentrations of bensulide. Root growth was inhibited, the roots were sometimes curved and root hairs were often present close to the root tip. Structural features of the treated roots included epidermal cells which were greatly elongated radially; short, pitied trachcary elements differentiated close to the root tip; and occasional lesions. One of the primary effects of bensulide appears to be inhibition of root growth, though it does not completely inhibit mitosis.     

Linking Policy and Outcomes: A Simulation Model of Poverty Incidence

ABSTRACT Many states are striving to meet public demand for accountability by “benchmarking”—setting social goals for the state and tracking progress in meeting the goals. However, states are finding it difficult to set realistic targets and to assess the impacts of policy on achievement of the targets without a framework that models the relationships among policy targets, policy actions and social and economic forces outside the control of policymakers. This paper develops a dynamic simulation model of one “benchmark” (poverty incidence) in Oregon, linking transitions into and out of poverty to various events (increased earnings, or having a child as a teenager, for example), and linking these events to policy. The simulation results suggest that, with current policies, Oregon will come close to achieving its poverty benchmark target of 11 percent by the year 2000 if economic conditions remain favorable. The model is used to examine the impact on poverty incidence of three policy strategies: reducing high school dropout and teen pregnancy rates, increasing the effectiveness of social support programs to JOBS participants, and boosting job growth. The simulation results suggest that when assessing the state's performance or “grading” the observed trend in the poverty benchmark, policymakers should take into account the performance of the state (and national) economy. The impact of policy efforts to reduce poverty is limited because many poverty spells are caused largely by events not affected by current state policies.     

The Effect of Acute, Unilateral Transverse Venous Sinus Occlusion on Intracranial Pressure in Normal Dogs

Lateral rostrotentorial and caudal suboccipital approaches to the brain were performed on six beagles. Intracranial pressure (ICP) was measured as the two craniectomies were connected by removing the bone of the nuchal crest and occluding the transverse venous sinus. Intracranial pressure remained constant after acute occlusion of the sinus with bone wax and there was no gross evidence of brain edema. All six dogs survived the surgery and five dogs survived for a minimum of 3 months. One dog died acutely during the postoperative period. The exact cause of the cerebellar hemorrhage and infarction found at necropsy in the latter dog was not evident. Anemia occurred in three of the six dogs as a result of intraoperative hemorrhage. All dogs surviving the perioperative period had mild, transient hypermetria and conscious proprioceptive deficits, but were neurologically normal 72 hours after surgery. Results of this study indicate that acute, unilateral transverse sinus occlusion is possible without an increase in ICP. The ability to do this allows access to the rostral aspect of the ipsilateral cerebellum and brain stem.     

Barley net blotch: influence of straw disposal and cultivation methods on inoculum potential, and on incidence and severity of autumn disease

Effects of ploughing or direct drilling with three methods of straw disposal on amounts of inoculum of Pyrenophora teres , and on frequency of infection and severity of net blotch in the autumn, were studied in winter barley. Prior to ploughing, many conidia of P. teres were caught above areas where infected straw from a previous crop of winter barley had been bated and removed leaving culm bases, or where barley straw had been chopped and left in situ , but relatively few were caught above areas where straw had been burnt. Thereafter, where ploughing had buried surface residues, irrespective of the method of straw disposal, conidia were not caught for at least 3 weeks, and subsequently were substantially fewer than in direct-drilled areas where many spores were caught. Production of conidia (measured as numbers per unit length of straw) was greatest on chopped straw, less on culm bases and least on burnt straw residues. Sporulation on volunteer barley plants was much reduced by application of paraquat + diquat, but some still occurred on visually'dead'volunteer barley.
All direct-drilled barley plants were diseased within 27 days of sowing, whereas 42 days elapsed before all plants sown in ploughed areas were diseased. Disease on individual plants was also more severe in direct-drilled areas: 20% of the area of the first leaf to emerge was diseased 19 days after crop emergence in direct-drilled plots, whereas less than 9% was diseased in ploughed areas 50 days after emergence.
There was an additive effect of straw disposal methods and direct-drilling on disease, which in turn affected plant vigour. The adverse effect of direct-drilling on the incidence and severity of net blotch appeared to be far greater than that of the straw disposal methods.     

Ureterocolonlc Anastomosis in Ten Dogs with Transitional Cell Carcinoma

Ureterocolonic anastomosis (UCA) was performed in 10 dogs with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder trigone or the urethra, or both. All grossly visible tumor was excised. All of the dogs recovered from anesthesia and surgery and had anal continence with no urine leakage. One dog died of undetermined causes 7 days after surgery. Nine dogs survived 1 to 5 months. The owners of eight of the dogs considered their dog's quality of life to be acceptable. Four dogs were euthanatized because of neurologic disease, three of which also had nausea and vomiting. The neurologic and gastrointestinal signs may have been caused by hyperammonemia, metabolic acidosis, and uremia. Blood ammonia levels were elevated in two dogs with neurologic signs. Hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis that was reversible with bicarbonate therapy was diagnosed in five dogs. All of the dogs were azotemic because of intestinal recycling of urea. Serum creatinine concentrations increased in four dogs after surgery. Drug-induced renal disease may have developed in two dogs. Pyelonephritis developed in five kidneys, two of which had outflow obstruction and two had bilateral hydroureteronephrosis before the UCA. In this small number of dogs, surgical excision of transitional cell carcinoma was not curative with six dogs having confirmed metastatic lesions at the time of death.