Crystalluria. Observations, interpretations, and misinterpretations

Crystalluria results from oversaturation of urine with crystallogenic substance. However, oversaturation may occur as a result of in vitro as well as in vivo events. The microscopic appearance of crystals only represents a tentative identification of their composition because variable conditions associated with their formation, growth, and dissolution may alter their appearance. Definitive identification is dependent on physical methods such as optical crystallography, x-ray diffraction, and electron microscopic analysis.     

Long-term application of animal slurries to grassland alters soil cation balance

Abstract. Soil samples from a 32-year grassland field experiment were taken from 0–5, 5–10, and 10–15 cm soil depths in February 2002. Plots received annual treatments of unamended control, mineral fertilizer, three rates of pig slurry and three rates of cow slurry, each with six replicates. Samples were analysed for cation exchange capacity (CEC), exchangeable cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺), pH and Olsen P. Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) was calculated as a sodicity indicator. Mean ESP was generally greater for slurry treatments than the control, with a trend of increasing ESP with application rate. This was particularly marked for cow slurry. At 0–5 cm depth ESP increased from 1.18 in the control to 1.75 at the highest rate of pig slurry and 5.60 at the highest rate of cow slurry. Similar trends were shown for CEC, exchangeable Na⁺, K⁺ and Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Olsen P. The build-up of soil P due to slurry applications, together with this combination of physical and chemical factors, may increase the risk of P loss to surface waters, particularly from soils receiving high rates of cow slurry.     

Sensitivity,specificity, and predictive values of reagent test strip estimations of blood urea nitrogen

Azostix-reagent-tests(R) strips (Ames, Miles, Inc., Diagnostic Division, Elkhart, IN) were used to measure blood urea nitrogen values in blood samples from 125 dogs and cats at the North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. Results of the tests were compared with standard serum urea nitrogen results. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive values were high (86.4, 90.3, and 96.5%, respectively). Positive predictive value was low, 65.5% of the dogs and cats with elevated blood urea nitrogen values were correctly classified as abnormal The test performs well when the prevalence of abnormal values is near 50%.     

绵羊卵泡发育过程中关键信号通路研究进展

卵泡从原始卵泡发育为成熟卵泡，直至排卵、黄体发育等过程都受到精密的调控，产生大量的优势卵泡是绵羊产多羔及实现快速扩繁的关键因素。研究发现，相关信号通路和转录因子通过影响绵羊卵泡中卵母细胞、颗粒细胞的生长，进而调控卵泡的发育成熟，对这些信号通路进行深入了解，有助于探索卵泡发育的调控机制，早日实现绵羊高效繁育。Notch是卵泡发育过程中发挥重要作用的高度保守信号通路，PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路各成员都是广泛存在于细胞内的信号转导分子，在卵泡发育早期发挥了主要作用，还有间隙连接（gap junction，GJ）和跨带突触（transzonal projections，TZPs）等物理连接方式，在细胞间的交流通讯起到重要作用。作者详细介绍了Notch信号通路、PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路、间隙连接及跨带突触的结构功能在绵羊卵泡发育中的调控作用，为进一步探明绵羊卵泡发育的调控机制提供参考。     

以全产业链思维优化甘肃省“粮改饲”生产力布局

用全产业链思维优化“粮改饲”生产力布局具有重要的现实意义和理论价值。本文以甘肃省为例,总结甘肃省“粮改饲”工作已取得的工作成效和不足,论述了“粮改饲”构建全产业链的必要性,初步探讨了甘肃省“粮改饲”全产业链模式和布局优化,并提出完善相关支持政策、培育壮大龙头企业、高度重视品牌建设和创新科技带动引领4条对策建议。 [关键词]全产业链|粮改饲|生产力布局|甘肃省     

Management strategy influences landscape patterns of high-severity burn patches in the southwestern United States

Landscape Ecology - Spatial patterns of high-severity wildfire in forests affect vegetation recovery pathways, watershed dynamics, and wildlife habitat across landscapes. Yet, less is known about...     

高寒区多源降水产品精度与水文模拟效果评估——以雅鲁藏布江流域和拉萨河流域为例

卫星降水产品在缺资料地区开展水文气象研究及径流模拟中发挥着至关重要的作用,然而卫星降水产品的精度可能会影响径流模拟效果。采用多种统计指标和VIC水文模型综合评估5种卫星降水产品(CMORPH-BLD、GSMaP＿Gauge、CMFD、MSWEP和PERSIANN-CDR)在雅鲁藏布江流域的精度和拉萨河流域的水文模拟效果。结果表明：(1)CMORPH＿BLD和GSMaP＿Gauge在少雨季存在低估,CMFD在少雨季与观测值具有很好的一致性。MSWEP和PERSIANN-CDR在多雨季和少雨季存在高估。降水量方面,CMORPH-BLD和CMFD均较为接近观测值,其他降水产品存在不同程度的高估。(2)日尺度上,除CMFD外其他卫星降水数据与观测值具有较小的相关性(0.26～0.45),CMORPH-BLD和CMFD和观测值具有较好的一致性,CMFD和MSWEP探测小降水事件(0.1,0.5,1 mm/d)的能力优于GSMaP＿Gauge。各卫星降水产品在探测强降水(2,5,10 mm/d)方面能力不足。日降水2 mm/d的降水阈值为各分类指数的变化点。(3)月尺度上,各降水产品与观测值具有很...     

Effects of an extreme flash flood on the native fish assemblages across a Mediterranean catchment

Abstract  The effects of an extreme flash flood on the native fish assemblages across a Mediterranean catchment in Southwest Portugal were investigated. The fish community structure and habitat were surveyed at 10 sites pre- and post-flood. Overall species richness and rank abundances changed little after the flood, despite there being a consistent decline in the abundance of small cyprinids. Pre- and post-flood habitat correlates of abundance changed for at least some species, and variability in assemblage structure was associated with flood, depth and pH. These results indicate that extreme floods occurring early in the wet season may have little disruptive effects on the overall structure of native fish assemblages in Mediterranean streams, although may at least partially influence population dynamics for some species. Habitat quality and complexity are likely to play a role in mediating species responses to flooding.