Formulation of Environmentally Sound Waste Mixtures for Land Application

Major impediments to the land application of coal combustion byproducts (fly ash) for crop fertilization have been the presence of heavy metals and their relatively low and imbalanced essential nutrient concentration. Although nutrient deficiencies, in particular N, P, and K, may be readily augmented by adding organic wastes such as sewage sludge and animal manure, the indiscriminate application of mixtures to crops can cause excessive soil alkalinity, imbalanced nutrition (P, Mg), phytotoxicities (B, Mn, ammonia, nitrite), and unspecified contamination of the food chain by elements such as As. In this study, nutrient availability data and linear programming (LP) were used to solve these problems by formulating fly ash-biosolid triple mixtures which complied with both plant and soil fertilization requirements, and met existing U.S.A. environmental regulations for total As application in sewage sludge (EPA-503). Thirteen different fly ash samples were LP-formulated with sewage sludge, poultry manure, CaCO₃, and KCl to yield 13 unique mixtures, which were then evaluated in greenhouse pot experiments. Results indicated that normal growth and balanced nutrition of sorghum (Sorghumbicolor L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) crops were achieved in all mixtures, comparable to a balanced fertilizer reference treatment, and significantly better than the untreated control. Phytotoxic levels of B, NH₃, NO₂ ^-, overliming problems, and excessive As levels which were previously encountered from indiscriminate use of these waste materials, were all well controlled by LP-formulated mixtures. Most fly ash quantities in mixtures were limited by either available B (< 4 kg ha^-1) or total As (< 2 kg ha^-1) restrictions during formulation, while the most alkaline fly ash was limited by its high calcium carbonate equivalence (CCE = 53.9%). These results confirmed that fly ash land application should not be at arbitrary fixed rates, but should be variable, depending on the soil, crop, and particularly the fly ash chemistry.     

Characterization of house dust mite and scabies mite allergens by use of canine serum antibodies

OBJECTIVE: To identify the major allergenic proteins from the 3 main species of dust mites to which dogs react (Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus, and Euroglyphus maynei) and evaluate the potential cross-reactivity of dust mite allergens with antigens from the ectoparasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei var canis. SAMPLE POPULATION: Sera from 83 dogs with atopic dermatitis. PROCEDURE: Sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting using serum from atopic dogs was used to identify IgE-binding proteins in extracts of the 4 mite species. RESULTS: Sera of atopic dogs contained IgE against 23, 17, 25, and 17 allergens from D. farinae, D. pteronyssinus, E. maynei, and S. scabiei, respectively. Unlike the situation for humans, the major allergens for dogs are mostly proteins that are larger than 90 kd molecular weight. Dermatophagoides farinae and E. maynei appear to be more allergenic for dogs than is D. pteronyssinus. Some dogs with serum IgE against dust mites also had IgE against antigens of S. scabiei var canis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Multiple dust mite allergens induce an IgE response in dogs. These allergens are mostly greater than 90 kd molecular weight.     

Electrocardiographic functional diagnosis of the autonomic nervous system in cattle. 1. Electrocardiographic determination of maximum dose for the beta-adrenergic substance isoprenaline

Reference is made to the importance of functional diagnosis of the autonomic nervous system in cattle, and a concept is described by which higher methodological reliability should be obtainable for intra-organic diagnosis of sympathetic nerve activity. What is needed, among others, is to eliminate the autonomous cardiac effect through pharmacological blockade by means of the parasympathetic atropine and the beta-receptor blocker propanolol. The beta-adrenergic substance isoprenaline, required to estimate propranolol blocking action upon the beta-adrenegic receptors, then was injected through indwelling catheters to the external jugular veins of cattle. The doses were between 50 microgram and 560 microgram. Isoprenaline doses between 200 microgram and 250 microgram were established as maximum doses by electrocardiographic examination, determination of heart rate, and clinical observation. Such maximum isoprenaline doses were found to be suitable for checking the extent to which beta-adrenergic blockade of the heart has been caused by beta-receptor blockers. However, sub-maximum isoprenaline doses of something between 100 microgram and 150 microgram should be used to establish the extent to which beta-receptors have caused relaxation of smooth musculature.     

Effect of hens fed dietary flaxseed with and without a fatty liver supplement on hepatic,plasma and production characteristics relevant to fatty liver haemorrhagic syndrome in laying hens

1. Two long-term experiments were conducted with Single Comb White Leghorn (SCWL) hens (line UCD-003) predisposed to fatty liver haemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS). The first investigated the effect of adding a fatty liver supplement to the diet of laying hens prior to the onset of lay, and continuing either until peak production or throughout 39 weeks into lay. The second experiment, lasting 9 months into lay, investigated the effect of adding a fatty liver supplement, with or without 100 g/kg dietary ground flaxseed, to the diet. Body weight, feed intake, plasma triglycerides (in experiment 2) and egg production were measured throughout the experiment. Liver weight, liver fat content, liver malondialdehyde (MDA) content and liver haemorrhage score and fatty acid content of liver fat (in experiment 2) were measured at the end of each experiment. 2. In experiment 1, hens given diets containing the fatty liver supplement had higher egg production and eggshell strength, but there was no difference in liver parameters including MDA content or haemorrhage score compared with controls. 3. At the end of experiment 2, hens on 100 g/kg flaxseed diets had lower body weight, liver weight, liver dry matter and fat content, and plasma triglyceride concentrations than hens given the control diets. 4. Liver haemorrhage score was positively correlated with liver weight, but not with liver fat content, plasma triglyceride concentration or liver MDA content. This suggests that reducing the liver lipid content or feeding fatty liver supplements may not be as effective in controlling FLHS as controlling the size of the liver.     

Nitrogen and amino acid resorption in the small intestine of growing swine. 1. Animal study method, nitrogen content and amino acid composition of the small intestine chyme by administration of various proteins

The amount of endogenous N in the chyme at the end of the small intestine and the amino acid composition of the ileum chyme were ascertained with growing pigs with ileorectostomy after feeding qualitatively differentiated protein sources. In dependence on the protein used, distinct differences turned out for some amino acids with regard to their content in the ileum chyme. Bacteriologic and histologic investigations subsequent to the dissection of the test animals showed that - in comparison to the control animals-the functions of the small intestine remained the same during the time of the experiment. The experiment method described appears to be suitable for absorption investigations up to the end of the small intestine of growing pigs.     

Carbon isotopic composition, gas exchange, and growth of three populations of ponderosa pine differing in drought tolerance

Effects of water supply on gas exchange, carbon isotopic composition, and relative growth rate were compared among seedlings from three populations of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) grown in a controlled environment chamber. The three populations were chosen to represent high, moderate and low drought tolerance. There was no indication that drought tolerance was related to high water-use efficiency. Populations differed (P < 0.05) in relative growth rate (RGR), but did not differ (P > 0.10) in gas exchange variables or carbon isotope ratio (delta(13)C). Well-watered seedlings had significantly higher RGR, xylem pressure potential (Psi(xpp)), net photosynthesis (A), stomatal conductance to water vapor (g), and lower delta(13)C and instantaneous water-use efficiency than water-stressed seedlings. With decreasing Psi(xpp), A decreased linearly, whereas g decreased exponentially. Seedlings of the highly drought-tolerant population were more sensitive to water availability than seedlings from the other populations; they used water quickly when water was available, but closed their stomata in response to water stress. We conclude that, in ponderosa pine, the drought avoidance mechanism is more important for survival and growth in arid and semiarid environments than the efficient use of water.