Salmon prices in France and the UK: Does origin or market place matter?

Abstract

There have been several attempts to distinguish farmed Atlantic salmon by origin using trademarks. Whether there exist different regional markets for salmon, and in particular whether the UK market is separate from the market in continental Europe, is also an issue that has received attention. To address these questions, we investigate the relationship between Norwegian and Scottish salmon both in France and the UK, and between Scottish salmon in France and the UK. The analysis is carried out by investigating how the development of prices is related using co‐integration tests.     

Influence of Salinity in the Bioavailability of Zn in Sediments of the Gulf of Cádiz (Spain)

This study assesses the effect of salinity in bioavailability and toxicity of Zn by means of laboratory bioassays by observing contamination in both sediment and water, accumulation of Zn in biological tissues, and histopathological damage in the gills and guts tissues of Ruditapes philippinarum clams, which were exposed to different types of sediments from the Gulf of Cádiz (SW Spain) as well as two dilutions of toxic mud coming from an accidental mining spill. With this objective, the coefficients of distribution (K _D) for Zn between overlying water and sediments were calculated, the histopathological frequencies in the tissues of the gills and guts of clams were determined, and the biota-sediment bioaccumulation factors as well as the bioaccumulation factors were quantified in the different stations. Results showed that the greatest histopathological damages appeared when the salinity values decreased. Statistical results showed that salinity was inversely correlated with histopathological damage (p?<?0.01) for the lesion index for gills. The most outstanding results were observed in the two dilutions of toxic mud (0.3% and 7.9%) at a salinity value of 10. Salinity was inversely correlated with the concentration of Zn in biological tissues (p?<?0.05) and inversely correlated with the concentration of Zn in water and sediment. Zn mobilization to the overlying water is produced when salinity values decrease.     

A new multistage dynamic model for biological control exemplified by the host–parasitoid system <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spodoptera exigua</Emphasis>–<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chelonus oculator</Emphasis>

Over the last few decades, important advances have been made in understanding of host–parasitoid relations and their applications to biological pest control. Not only has the number of agent species increased, but new manipulation techniques for natural enemies have also been empirically introduced, particularly in greenhouse crops. This makes biocontrol more complex, requiring a new mathematical modeling approach appropriate for the optimization of the release of agents. The present paper aimed at filling this gap by the development of a temperature- and stage-dependent dynamic mathematical model of the host–parasitoid system with an improved functional response. The model is appropriate not only for simulation analysis of the efficiency of biocontrol agents, but also for the application of optimal control methodology for the optimal timing of agent releases, and for the consideration of economic implications. Based on both laboratory and greenhouse trials, the model was validated and fitted to the data of Chelonus oculator (F.) (Hym.: Braconidae) as a biological control agent against the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua Hübner (Lep.: Noctuidae). We emphasize that this model can be easily adapted to other interacting species involved in biological or integrated pest control with either parasitoid or predator agents.     

Effects of ketamine and magnesium on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane in goats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of ketamine, magnesium sulfate, and their combination on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane (ISO-MAC) in goats. ANIMALS: 8 adult goats. PROCEDURES: Anesthesia was induced with isoflurane delivered via face mask. Goats were intubated and ventilated to maintain normocapnia. After an appropriate equilibration period, baseline MAC (MAC(B)) was determined and the following 4 treatments were administered IV: saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (loading dose [LD], 30 mL/20 min; constant rate infusion [CRI], 60 mL/h), magnesium sulfate (LD, 50 mg/kg; CRI, 10 mg/kg/h), ketamine (LD, 1 mg/kg; CRI, 25 microg/kg/min), and magnesium sulfate (LD, 50 mg/kg; CRI, 10 mg/kg/h) combined with ketamine (LD, 1 mg/kg; CRI, 25 microg/kg/min); then MAC was redetermined. RESULTS: Ketamine significantly decreased ISOMAC by 28.7 +/- 3.7%, and ketamine combined with magnesium sulfate significantly decreased ISOMAC by 21.1 +/- 4.1%. Saline solution or magnesium sulfate alone did not significantly change ISOMAC. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ketamine and ketamine combined with magnesium sulfate, at doses used in the study, decreased the end-tidal isoflurane concentration needed to maintain anesthesia, verifying the clinical impression that ketamine decreases the end-tidal isoflurane concentration needed to maintain surgical anesthesia. Magnesium, at doses used in the study, did not decrease ISOMAC or augment ketamine's effects on ISOMAC.     

Determination of Plant-Available Nutrients in Two Wood Ashes: The Influence of Combustion Conditions

Wood ashes were traditionally used as a fertilizing agent from the very beginning of working land but the fertilizing quality varies according to the combusted biomass and also the industrial burning equipment. The differences between wood ash originated from fluid and classic boiler were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Mehlich 3 and deionized water extraction procedures in relation to extraction time. The results, especially of the SEM and chemical extractions, have demonstrated that the type of burning boiler determines the portions of the leachable nutrient elements. The silica and alumina ash content conducted by the elevated temperature transforms the main proportion of calcium and potassium into the insoluble feldspars. Due to this effect only a small amount of nutrients could be released and served as a fertilizing matter.     

The spawning cycle,fry appearance and mass collection techniques for fry of Siganus rivulatus in the Red Sea

Data on the G.S.I. of adults and appearance of fry indicated a regular lunar spawning cycle of S. rivulatus within a seasonal breeding period. A mass collection technique yielding 5000–7000 fry per day was developed.     

The suitability of VIE tags to assess stock enhancement success in juvenile European lobsters (Homarus gammarus)

Assessments of stock enhancement programmes for European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) require mark‐recapture analysis of stocked individuals. However, established tag technology is deemed unsuitable for extensive use by many current lobster hatcheries, particularly upon the early juvenile stages. We tested the suitability of fluorescent Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) tags for use in 5‐month‐old juvenile lobsters. Three treatment groups comprising 348 cultured lobsters in total were used to examine survival, growth and tag retention, and to assess mobility, shelter use and moulting behaviours. Tagging had no significant effect on lobster survival, growth, mobility, shelter use or moult frequency. Survival over 7 weeks was 75% among lobsters tagged with two elastomers, 76% in those with one elastomer and 74% among untagged controls. Mortality during moulting did not increase in tagged (6%) compared to untagged lobsters (9%). We found no evidence that VIE tags cause any negative effects that would be expected to inhibit survival upon wild release, but tag loss had reached 12% in both tagged treatments after 7 weeks and showed no sign of abating. Our study suggests that VIEs effectiveness in discerning cultured lobsters long after wild release may be limited when used in smaller juveniles.     

Survey of potato spindle tuber viroid in seed potato growing areas of the United States

Fourteen United States (U.S.) seed potato certification agencies surveyed all U.S. seed potato growing areas for presence of the potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd). The survey included general surveillance, which involved searching for the occurrence of PSTVd in state seed potato certification records from 1990 through 2000, and a field survey, which involved testing selected crops for PSTVd infection by nucleic acid dot blot hybridization during 1999 through 2001. No PSTVd incident was documented in any of the state certification records, nor was PSTVd detected in the field surveys. All U.S. seed-growing areas were determined to be free of PSTVd. It is concluded that PSTVd has been eradicated and freedom from potato spindle tuber viroid has been successfully maintained in all of the seed potato growing areas in the United States.     

Synthesis of strigolactones,a strategic account

Strigolactones (SLs) constitute a new class of plant hormones that have received growing interest in recent years. They firstly became known as signalling molecules for host recognition by parasitic plants, and for symbiosis of plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Furthermore, they are involved in numerous physiological processes in plants, such as the regulation of plant architecture and the response to abiotic factors. SLs are produced by plants in extremely low quantities, and they may be unstable during the purification process. Therefore, their total synthesis is highly relevant for confirming the structures assigned on the basis of spectroscopic and other physical data. A second important theme in SL research is the design and synthesis of SL analogues that have a simplified structure while still featuring the essential bioproperties. This review summarises the strategy and synthesis of naturally occurring SLs, and the design and synthesis of SL analogues with appreciable bioactivity. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry