Effects of Acid rain on freshwater ecosystems

Acid-vulnerable areas are more numerous and widespread than believed 7 years ago. Lakes and streams in acid-vulnerable areas of northeastern North America have suffered substantial declines in acid-neutralizing capacity, the worst cases resulting in biological damage. Many invertebrates are very sensitive to acidification, with some disappearing at pH values as high as 6.0. However, the recent rate of acidification of lakes is slower than once predicted, in part the result of decreases in sulfur oxide emissions. A discussion of some of the processes that have contributed to the acidification of lakes as well as those that have protected acid-sensitive freshwaters is presented. The author is in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Freshwater Institute, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N6, Canada.     

Feline Leprosy: A Review of Forty-four Cases from Western Canada

Forty-four files of cats diagnosed as having feline leprosy were reviewed. All except one were from along the Pacific coast in the Province of British Columbia. The majority of cats were between one and three years of age and there was an increase in the number of diagnosis during the winter months.

Two types of granulomatous responses similar to the tuberculoid and lepromatous phases of human leprosy were recognized. In spite of the overall similarities in the cellular response to human leprosy there were, however, significant differences such as areas of caseous necrosis and constant lack of nerve involvement. Still as there is presently no way to prove that Mycobacterium leprae is not the cause of feline leprosy the public health significance remains uncertain

The treatment of choice would appear to be surgical removal.

     

A Homoeotic Mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana with Leafy Cotyledons

Cotyledons are specialized leaves produced during plant embryogenesis. Cotyledons and leaves typically differ in morphology, ultrastructure, and patterns of gene expression. The leafy cotyledon (Iec) mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana fails to maintain this distinction between embryonic and vegetative patterns of plant development. Mutant embryos are phenotypically abnormal, occasionally viviparous, and intolerant of desiccation. Mutant cotyledons produce trichomes characteristic of leaves, lack embryo-specific protein bodies, and exhibit a vascular pattern intermediate between that of leaves and cotyledons. These results suggest that lec cotyledons are partially transformed into leaves and that the wild-type gene (LEC) functions to activate a wide range of embryo-specific pathways in higher plants.     

The agriculture grants program

The Competitive Research Grants Office was established in 1978 by the federal government to encourage and support basic research related to agriculture. The effort has been enfeebled by controversy and continues to teeter on the edge of congressional extinction. The origins of the Competitive Research Grants Office and its first 3 years of operation make an interesting portrait of the problems of science and government in these times.     

Suspected panosteitis in a camel

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 6-month-old male Bactrian camel was examined because of a 3-week history of lameness of the left hind limb. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Lameness was initially detected in the left hind limb but resolved and was detected in the right hind limb during treatment. Lameness increased during periods of rapid growth. Radiography revealed multiple small opacities of the medullary cavity of several long bones throughout treatment. Core bone biopsies of lesions in the tibiae revealed lamellar bone with areas of loose connective tissue, osteoblasts in the medullary cavity, and periosteal new bone formation, all which were consistent with panosteitis. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Palliative treatment was attempted with epidural and transdermal administration of analgesics. Flunixin meglumine was administered PO, which coincided with an abrupt increase in serum creatinine concentration. Performance of multiple diagnostic bone biopsies led to remission of clinical signs of pain. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Panosteitis should be a differential diagnosis for shifting limb lameness in young camels. Bone biopsies can be useful for diagnosis of panosteitis and possible relief of pain associated with the disease. Bactrian camels may be susceptible to the renal toxicity of flunixin meglumine, especially when dehydrated.     

气象因子对芒果园桔小实蝇种群动态的影响

桔小实蝇[Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel)]是芒果的重要害虫之一。试验利用性引诱剂对芒果园桔小实蝇的全年种群动态进行监测,分析气象因子与其种群数量变动的相关性。结果表明,芒果园桔小实蝇雄虫种群数量一年有2个明显高峰,2月为短时高峰,3月种群活动有所下降;5月开始数量逐渐升高,至8月达到高峰,9月开始逐渐下降,到12月至1月为发生低谷。经逐步回归分析发现,气象因子显著影响桔小实蝇雄虫的数量,主要受月平均气温、月平均最低气温和月降水量综合影响。     

Modeling transport kinetics in clinoptilolite-phosphate rock systems

Nutrient release in clinoptilolite-phosphate rock (Cp-PR) systems occurs through dissolution and cation-exchange reactions. Investigating the kinetics of these reactions expands our understanding of nutrient release processes. Research was conducted to model transport kinetics of nutrient release in Cp-PR systems. The objectives were to identify empirical models that best describe NH4, K, and P release and define diffusion-controlling processes. Materials included a Texas clinoptilolite (Cp) and North Carolina phosphate rock (PR). A continuous-flow thin-disk technique was used. Models evaluated included zero order, first order, second order, parabolic diffusion, simplified Elovich, Elovich, and power function. The power-function, Elovich, and parabolic-diffusion models adequately described NH4, K, and P release. The power-function model was preferred because of its simplicity. Models indicated nutrient release was diffusion controlled. Primary transport processes controlling nutrient release for the time span observed were probably the result of a combination of several interacting transport mechanisms.     

施用茚虫威饵剂后红火蚁的蚁巢迁移及弃尸行为

红火蚁Solenopsis invicta是典型的社会性昆虫, 在防控过程中容易引起红火蚁巢体迁移和弃尸等现象, 影响防控效果。本研究对标记好的蚁巢施用茚虫威饵剂, 然后定时观察新增加的蚁巢数量和工蚁弃尸量。结果表明, 施用0.08%和0.1%茚虫威饵剂后, 所有处理均有新蚁巢出现, 施药后5~10 d, 新蚁巢大量出现, 随后蚁群趋向稳定, 新增蚁巢减少, 至处理后25~30 d, 再次出现新蚁巢。0.1%茚虫威饵剂15 g/巢处理在施药后5 d出现8个新蚁巢, 药后10 d和30 d分别又新增5个蚁巢, 其他时间新增蚁巢数较少。按处理剂量, 药后30 d, 2种药剂15 g/巢处理出现的新巢数量均显著高于25 g/巢处理。0.1%茚虫威15 g/巢处理, 校正蚁巢累计增加率高达124.98%, 0.08%茚虫威饵剂15 g/巢处理为89.05%; 0.08%和0.1%茚虫威饵剂25 g/巢处理, 校正蚁巢累计增加率分别为12.00%和51.34%。施用15 g/巢饵剂后2 d开始有大量工蚁尸体被丢弃, 至药后4 d弃尸量达最大值, 0.08%和0.1%茚虫威饵剂处理弃尸量分别为330.5头/巢和300.2头/巢, 随后呈逐步下降趋势, 至14 d, 弃尸量降至最低。施药后8 d内弃尸量达总弃尸量75.26%以上, 至药后10 d, 已达总弃尸量的90.08%以上。施用0.08%和0.1%茚虫威饵剂25 g/巢的处理新蚁巢出现较少, 表明施用相对低剂量的饵剂, 更容易引起蚁巢迁移。红火蚁的弃尸行为主要发生在饵剂施用后的前8 d。