Neurological diseases of ruminant livestock in Australia. II: toxic disorders and nutritional deficiencies

The second in this series of clinical reviews on neurological diseases in ruminant livestock in Australia examines toxic disorders associated with plant and microbial toxins as well as the neurological effects of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The aim of these reviews is to assist in the surveillance of neurological diseases, especially the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.     

兰州市尘暴过程中降尘粒度特征探析

通过对兰州市两次强度上有较大差异的尘暴样的采集、粒度分析及其与自然降尘样的对比研究,揭示出兰州市尘暴降尘粒度特性的一些细微特征。不论是自然降尘样还是尘暴样,皆以4～63μm的粉砂为主,说明粉砂粒级的颗粒是兰州地区自然降尘与沙尘暴所携带的主要组分;虽然含量甚微,但是尘暴样中存在近源低空气流所搬运的粒径(181.97～724.44μm)较大的粗颗粒物质。在粒径-体积百分含量曲线上,尘暴样基本上为三峰分布模式,区别于自然降尘样的双峰模式。同时,尘暴样具有向粗、细颗粒区间(尤其是细颗粒区间)延伸并富集的特点,尘暴强度越大,其延伸富集的程度也越明显,而且,随着尘暴强度的增大,其主峰的众数粒径呈减小趋势。     

Microbial and biochemical soil quality indicators and their potential for differentiating areas under contrasting agricultural management regimes

The aim of this study was to examine interrelationships between functional biochemical and microbial indicators of soil quality, and their suitability to differentiate areas under contrasting agricultural management regimes. The study included five 0.8 ha areas on a sandy-loam soil which had received contrasting fertility and cropping regimes over a 5 year period. These were organically managed vegetable, vegetable-cereal and arable rotations, an organically managed grass clover ley, and a conventional cereal rotation. The organic areas had been converted from conventional cereal production 5 years prior to the start of the study. All of the biochemical analyses, including light fraction organic matter (LFOM) C and N, labile organic N (LON), dissolved organic N and water-soluble carbohydrates showed significant differences between the areas, although the nature of the relationships between the areas varied between the different parameters, and were not related to differences in total soil organic matter content. The clearest differences were seen in LFOM C and N and LON, which were higher in the organic arable area relative to the other areas. In the case of the biological parameters, there were differences between the areas for biomass-N, ATP, chitin content, and the ratios of ATP: biomass and basal respiration: biomass. For these parameters, the precise relationships between the areas varied. However, relative to the conventionally managed area, areas under organic management generally had lower biomass-N and higher ATP contents. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus colonization potential was extremely low in the conventional area relative to the organic areas. Further, metabolic diversity and microbial community level physiological profiles, determined by analysis of microbial community metabolism using Biolog GN plates and the activities of eight key nutrient cycling enzymes, grouped the organic areas together, but separated them from the conventional area. We conclude that microbial parameters are more effective and consistent indicators of management induced changes to soil quality than biochemical parameters, and that a variety of biochemical and microbial analyses should be used when considering the impact of management on soil quality.