Risk factors associated with sero-positivity to Toxoplasma gondii in captive neotropical felids from Brazil

From September 1995 to February 2001, blood samples were collected from 865 neotropical felids belonging to 8 different species. These animals were housed in 86 institutions located in 78 cities of 20 Brazilian states. Our goal was to identify the risk factors associated with sero-positivity to Toxoplasma gondii in captive neotropical felids from Brazil. All serum samples were tested by the modified agglutination test (MAT), using formalin-fixed whole tachyzoites and mercaptoethanol. For each animal an individual questionnaire was filled with questions about tattoo number, felid species, age, sex, origin, number of animals in the group, introduction of new animals in the group, time in the institution, eating meat previously frozen for a period <7 days in the last 6 months, eating meat of run-over or euthanized animals in the last 6 months, predation of rodents or birds in the last 6 months and presence of domestic cats near the enclosures in the last 6 months. The total sero-prevalence was 55% (95% CI: 52%, 57%). We estimated a prevalence of 46% (95% CI: 40%, 54%) for jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi); 58% (95% CI: 53%, 63%) for ocelot (Leopardus pardalis); 50% (95% CI: 45%, 56%) for oncilla (L. tigrinus); 54% (95% CI: 46%, 62%) for margay (L. wiedii); 12% (95% CI: 4%, 31%) for Pampas-cat (L. colocolo); 83% (95% CI: 65%, 93%) for Geoffroy's-cat (L. geoffroyi); 64% (95% CI: 50%, 68%) for jaguar (Panthera onca) and 48% (95% CI: 42%, 54%) for puma (Puma concolor). Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between the variables in the questionnaire and sero-positivity to T. gondii. We concluded that the independent risk factors for toxoplasmosis were: age >3 years (OR = 4.75 [2.75; 8.2]), eating meat previously frozen for a period <7 days (OR = 2.23 [1.24; 4.01]), and consumption of animals that were run-over or euthanized (OR = 1.64; [1.14; 2.37]).     

Comprehensive transcriptional profiling and functional study of lymphangiogenic growth factor in placentome of early-stage pregnant water buffalo

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression and localization of lymphangiogenic factors (VEGF-C and VEGF-D), their receptor (VEGFR3) and lymphatic endothelial marker (LYVE1) in buffalo placenta during early pregnancy [EP], and to investigate the functional role of lymphangiogenic growth factors in placental lymphangiogenesis. The mRNA and protein expression of VEGF-C, VEGF-D, their receptor VEGFR3 and LYVE1 showed significant expression in EP1 (29–42 days) and EP2 stages (51–82 days) both in caruncle (maternal part) and cotyledon (foetal part) of the buffalo placenta. Immunoreactivity of VEGF-C, VEGF-D and LYVE1 was observed around the endometrial gland, in lymphatics and trophoblast cells, whereas VEGFR3 mainly localized in lymphatics of the caruncle and cotyledons. Cultured trophoblast cells were treated with VEGF-C/VEGF-D (50, 100 and 150 ng/ml) and combined doses of VEGF-C and VEGF-D (150 ng/ml) each for different time durations (24, 48 and 72 h). The mRNA expression of LYVE1 and PCNA was significantly (p < .001) upregulated with VEGF-C and VEGF-D and combined treatment (@150 ng/ml), as well as significantly downregulating Caspase-3 at 48 and 72 h. Thus, the present study provides evidence that lymphangiogenic factors are expressed in buffalo placental compartments and they may play a significant role in the regulation of placental function in water buffaloes.     

刈割强度对大针茅草原植物群落特征和土壤理化性质的影响

探究不同刈割强度对大针茅典型草原植物群落特征以及土壤理化性质的影响,可为大针茅草原制定合理科学的刈割制度提供理论依据。本研究以大针茅典型草原为对象,于2020年在内蒙古锡林浩特市毛登牧场刈割实验平台进行野外植被调查和取样。该实验平台于2014年建立,以不刈割为对照（CK）,设置轻度（LM）、中度（MM）及重度刈割（HM）3个处理。本研究通过计算物种重要值和多样性指数,测定植物群落地上、地下生物量以及土壤理化性质,探究群落特征与土壤理化性质的关系。结果表明：1）与不刈割相比,不同刈割强度均增加了新物种,且中度刈割的物种数最多;与不刈割相比,不同刈割强度均显著增加了群落的丰富度和Shannon-Wiener指数,且轻度刈割显著增加了优势度和均匀度指数,表明轻度刈割最有利于群落多样性的维持;不同刈割强度对大针茅草原的生产力均无显著影响;2）土壤全碳、全氮和pH均在中度刈割时最高,且显著高于不刈割,表明中度刈割对土壤养分有积极影响;3）硝态氮是影响草地生产力的主要土壤因子,土壤含水量是影响草地群落多样性的主要土壤因子。本研究可为大针茅典型草原群落结构、物种多样性以及生产力等方面的研究提供重要参...     

Mental health in the veterinary profession: an individual or organisational focus?

The veterinary profession is experiencing a shortage of veterinarians, with attrition recognised as a substantial contributor. Research has also indicated increased levels of mental ill health and alarming suicide rates in practitioners. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the impact of eleven modifiable workplace factors on mental health outcomes, job appreciation and intention to leave the veterinary profession. The second aim was to ascertain whether workplace factors influence mental health outcomes after controlling for individual resilience. An online survey was completed by 73 practising Australian veterinarians. Unfavourable workplace factors correlated with adverse outcomes including depression, stress, reduced job appreciation and increased likelihood of leaving both the role and the profession. Workplace factors remained linked with the outcomes of job appreciation, depression and stress whilst controlling for practitioner resilience. Job appreciation was a significant predictor of intention to leave both the current role and the profession. Via multiple linear regression, two categories were identified as associated with improved psychological outcomes and job appreciation. These were workplace factors that represent breaks from workload and control or decision latitude in the workplace. Whilst resilience represents a key area for intervention, workplace factors potentially represent an easier-to-modify area for intervention.     

条形浅基础极限承载力的滑移线解

当网格剖分足够密时，采用差分解法可得到具有足够精度的有重土静力极限平衡数值解。根据大量计算分析，揭示了有效旁侧荷载宽度L、无量纲极限承载力 / 与内摩擦角 、无量纲参数λ的内在规律，据此将滑移线法数值解拟合为简洁的解析表达式，并在理论上证明了这一规律。通过与几种经典承载力公式的比较和分析，综合对该拟合公式的可靠度分析，论证了其正确性和可行性。     

Biodegradation of Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonate

The paper researches on the degradation of LAS (Linear Alkyl benzene Sulphonate) by combining AS1.860 immobilized with low intensity ultrasonic irradiation. The paper also discusses the influence of pH, rotary velocity, LAS concentration and the condition of low intensity ultrasonic irradiation on the degradation of LAS, the degradation rate of LAS is the main index of our experiment, the results of orthogonal test shows that low ultrasonic irradiation can increase the metabolizing of microorganism cells and facilitate the biodegradation of immobilized cells to LAS, here we research the degradation condition of 50mg/L LAS simulation wastewater with low ultrasonic irradiation, and the results show that the influence is obvious, the optimization degradation rate is about 83%, nine point five percent higher than that of the immobilized cells without ultrasonic irradiation.     

日光温室茄子冠气温差与环境因子之间的关系研究

系统地研究了日光温室内茄子冠气温差的变化规律与环境因子之间的关系,运用回归方法建立了主要气象因子与冠气温差之间的数量关系。深入分析了不同土壤水分条件下日光温室内茄子冠气温差与土壤含水量的关系,并建立了二者之间的相关方程,得出了诊断茄子水分状况的指标。     

黄麻工艺纤维细度的研究

研究表明：圆果种比长果种工艺纤维支数高65公支左右；品种间差异极显著；工艺纤维细度与单株原麻重等5个经济性状呈极显著负相关，与出麻率等性状呈显著正相关；麻株各部位中以中部工艺纤维支数最高，梢部次之，基部最低；适时播种、适当密植、适量适时施肥，适时早收等栽培技术措施能提高工艺纤维支数。通过对构成产量和工     

不同光照条件下番茄主要性状的变化及相关分析

耐弱光性不同的番茄品种（品系）对光照条件反应不同，确定番茄耐弱光鉴定指标，可以快速有效地从大量种质资源中筛选耐弱光的番茄品种，提高品种耐弱光选择效率；试验对耐弱光性不同的4份番茄品种（品系）于定植后进行遮光处理，分别研究各品种在不同光照下的光合特性、经济性状的变化，并对11个性状进行相关及通径分析。试验结果表明，在透光率为25%（平均光照强度的光通量约为230μmol/）的光照条件下，净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率、坐果率、单果重、单株产量均有不同程度的下降，且弱光下坐果率、弱光下净光合速率、弱光下胞间CO2浓度与相对单株产量直接通径系数分别为1.92、1.76、2.13，相关系数分别为0.53、-0.09、0.48。可见，弱光下的坐果率是鉴定番茄耐弱光性的可靠指标，弱光下净光合速率和胞间CO2浓度可作为耐弱光性鉴定的重要辅助指标。