In vitro validation of a Pitot-based flow meter for the measurement of respiratory volume and flow in large animal anaesthesia

Objective  To remodel and validate commercially available monitors and their Pitot tube-based flow sensors for use in large animals, using in vitro techniques.
Study design  Prospective, in vitro experiment.
Methods  Both the original and the remodelled sensor were studied with a reference flow generator. Measurements were taken of the static flow-pressure relationship and linearity of the flow signal. Sensor airway resistance was calculated. Following recalibration of the host monitor, volumes ranging from 1 to 7 L were generated by a calibration syringe, and bias and precision of spirometric volume was determined. Where manual recalibration was not available, a conversion factor for volume measurement was determined. The influence of gas composition mixture and peak flow on the conversion factor was studied.
Results  Both the original and the remodelled sensor showed similar static flow–pressure relationships and linearity of the flow signal. Mean bias (%) of displayed values compared with the reference volume of 3, 5 and 7 L varied between −0.4% and +2.4%, and this was significantly smaller than that for 1 L (4.8% to +5.0%). Conversion factors for 3, 5 and 7 L were very similar (mean 6.00 ± 0.2, range 5.91–6.06) and were not significantly influenced by the gas mixture used. Increasing peak flow caused a small decrease in the conversion factor. Volume measurement error and conversion factors for inspiration and expiration were close to identity.
Conclusion  The combination of the host monitor with the remodelled flow sensor allowed accurate in vitro measurement of flows and volumes in a range expected during large animal anaesthesia.
Clinical relevance  This combination has potential as a reliable spirometric monitor for use during large animal anaesthesia.     

Rates and timing of phosphorus fertilizer on growth and yield of direct-seeded rice in rain-fed conditions

Abstract

Phosphorus deficiency in soil and erratic rainfall limit rice production in Northeast Thailand. The objective of this study was to investigate rice's response to different rates and times of phosphorus fertilizer. A field trial was conducted in a farmer's field with a split plot design. Main plots were established using three rates: 15, 30, and 60 kg P ha^?1. Five types of sub-plot were established as follows: (1) P fertilizer was applied by banding below the seeds' depth before seeding (BBS), (2) broadcasting and incorporation into the soil before seeding, and (3) topdressing at three different DAS (days after seeding). Fertilizer was spread onto the soil surface at 10, 20, and 30 DAS. Significant grain-yield increases were affected by time or rate of fertilizer application. Grain yields were maximized by a rate of 60 kg P ha^?1. Fertilizer application by BBS produced higher grain yield than did other treatments, giving higher root-length density and shoot growth, phosphorus uptake, and greater phosphorus-use efficiency than did fertilizer applied by broadcasting or delayed topdressing. BBS resulted in the highest phosphorus enrichment in soil volume with a rate of 60 kg P ha^?1. The high solubility of fertilizer in a localized placement may satisfy the seedlings' high initial demand of phosphorus and provide sufficient phosphorus availability to allow high productivity. Based on these data, in regions with low soil phosphorus availability where rainfall is also erratic, the management of sub-seed banding placement at the start of a crop at the rate of 60 kg P ha^?1 is recommended as the optimum phosphorus fertilizer practice.     

Influence of genotype and environment on the content of 5-n alkylresorcinols,total phenols and on the antiradical activity of whole durum wheat grains

The 5-n-alkylresorcinol (AR) contents of thirty different cultivars of durum wheat grown in two years (2009 and 2010) in two Italian locations were determined and related to the total soluble phenolic content (TPC) and antiradical activity (AA). On average, AR and TPC ranged from 161.3 to 405.8 μg/g (dry matter, DM) and from 19.0 to 192.4 μg/g (DM), respectively. AA (EC₅₀ values) ranged from 70.9 to 289.2 mg of dry whole milled wheat grain (DM). The results showed that the environment (E) and the genotype (G), as well as their interactions (G × E), significantly influenced the phytochemical profiles of the samples. The contribution of G × E to the total variance was much lower than that due to the separate effects (G and E). Principal component analysis identified genotypes that were richer in ARs and more stable across environments. There were significant negative correlations between ARs and TPC (p < 0.05) and between TPC and AA (p < 0.01), but not between ARs and AA. Graphical representation was efficient in summarizing the overall antiradical profiles of the durum wheat grain in each environment.     

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa): a species with a high capacity for cadmium (Cd) accumulation and growth stimulation in the presence of low Cd concentrations

Summary

Cadmium (Cd) is a metal pollutant that accumulates in cultivated soils and has detrimental consequences in terms of food safety. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) can be characterised as having a high capacity to accumulate Cd in its tissues. An analysis of Cd tolerance and Cd accumulation was carried out using two varieties of lettuce (‘Divina’ and ‘Melina’). A wide range of CdCl₂ concentrations was used (0.0, 0.1, 0.6, 3.0, and 15.0 µM CdCl₂). The lowest concentration (0.1 µM CdCl₂) stimulated growth, while the two highest concentrations resulted in a reduction in biomass. Cadmium concentrations were found to be twice as high in roots as in shoots. ‘Divina’ displayed lower concentrations of Cd than ‘Melina’ in nearly all treatments. A strong negative correlation was observed between Cd concentration and Cd tolerance in the roots and shoots (R² > 0.87) of both ‘Melina’ and ‘Divina’. Lettuce grown in the presence of 15.0 µM CdCl₂ had leaf Cd concentrations that were 100-fold higher than the legal maximum level for vegetable products marketed for human consumption, but showed no symptoms of dehydration, chlorosis, or necrosis. This result represents an important alert for lettuce consumers and growers.     

Genetic and environmental variability in total and soluble β-glucan in European oat genotypes

A growing interest in oat (Avena ssp.) soluble fibre (β-glucan) is related to its role in the promotion of human health, and to its utilization in the production of functional foods with increased health benefits. Genetic variability and environmental conditions can exert significant effects on the grain β-glucan content. In this study 658 European oat genotypes grown in different environments in 2008 or 2009 within the European Project “Avena genetic resources for quality in human consumption” were analysed for total β-glucan content; the soluble fraction of β-glucan was also determined in a sub-set of 165 samples. Total β-glucan content ranged from 2.85 to 6.77% d.m. and the soluble fraction from 2.05 to 5.29% d.m. The estimated percentage of the soluble fraction ranged from 50.7 to 87.0%. β-glucan content and solubility were significantly influenced by both genotype and growing environment. Hierarchical cluster analysis allowed accessions with similar β-glucan compositions to be grouped. The accessions with the highest contents of both fractions included Avena sativa varieties from several countries and wild species. Finally, the data obtained were used to develop a NIRS calibration equation to predict the contents of total and soluble β-glucan in both naked and husked genotypes.