Estimation of Runoff,Peak Discharge and Sediment Load at the Event Scale in a Medium‐Size Mediterranean Watershed Using the Annagnps Model

In this paper, the Annualized Agricultural Non‐Point Source (AnnAGNPS) model has been used to estimate runoff, peak discharge and sediment load at the event scale in a Mediterranean watershed. The study area is the Carapelle torrent, Southern Italy (area = 506 km²), where continuous rainfall, streamflow and sediment load data are available. Nineteen flood events have been registered in the period 2007–2009 and were used for the application of the model. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the model at the event scale, in a medium‐size watershed, given the specific conditions of the semi‐arid environments. A sensitivity analysis has been carried out to assign the correct parameterization: the mean normalized output variation of the most meaningful input parameters pointed out the influence of the curve number on runoff, peak discharge and sediment load predictions (values greater than 1); the MN Manning's roughness coefficient and K, C and P factors of the universal soil loss equation showed a moderate influence on sediment load simulations (values between 0·5 and 1). The selection of the Soil Conservation Service synthetic storm types has been based on the observed storm events analysis to improve the peak discharge simulations. The model prediction has proved to be good for runoff (R² = 0·74, NSE = 0·75, W = 0·92) and peak discharge (R² = 0·85, NSE = 0·70, W = 0·94), and satisfactory for sediment yield (R² = 0·70, NSE = 0·63, W = 0·91). The relative error is lower for high events; this result is quite interesting in semi‐arid environments, where most of the annual sediment yield is concentrated in a few, severe events. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Relationship between serum cortisol levels and some physiological parameters following reining training session in horse

The changes of cortisol, red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) were evaluated after a reining training session in eight Quarter Horses. All parameters were measured before exercise (T0), immediately after exercise (T1), 1 h after exercise (T2), 2 h after exercise (T3) and 24 h after exercise (T4). One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures, followed Bonferroni's post hoc test, showed a significant effect of the reining training session (P < 0.0001) on cortisol, RBC, Hb, Hct, HR, RR and RT. Simple linear regression analysis showed the positive correlation (P < 0.05) between cortisol changes and variations of studied parameters in T1, T3 and T4. Exercise‐induced cortisol concentrations reflect the physiological response of reining training, suggesting that the changes observed are useful to assess the performance in reining horses and their reining training adaptability.     

Comparative Study of the Adsorption Selectivity of Cr(VI) onto Cationic Hydrogels with Different Functional Groups

Two types of hydrogels with different functional groups, trimethylamine on quaternary ammonium and dimethylethoxyamine on quaternary ammonium, were synthesized. Type 1 and type 2 hydrogels were characterized with Fourier transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and zeta potential analysis. The anion selectivity of these two hydrogels was investigated. The surface charges of the type 2 hydrogel were lower than those of type 1, probably because of the presence of the hydroxyl group in the ethoxy group. The Cr(VI) removal capacity of type 2 hydrogel was, therefore, less than that of type 1 hydrogel, although their adsorption rates were similar. The anion selectivity of the hydrogels was found to have a similar order: Cr(VI) > sulphate > bromide > As(V). Under the co-presence of Cr(VI) and sulphate conditions, type 2 hydrogel shows a higher selectivity towards Cr(VI). The higher hydrophobicity was caused by the presence of the ethoxy group on the quaternary ammonium in type 2 hydrogel and thus increased in selectivity towards monovalent ions (i.e. HCrO₄⁻). In addition, the hydrogels have a high reusability. Compared with type 1 hydrogel, type 2 hydrogel has an advantage for applications in Cr(VI) removal and recovery processes.     

Selectivity in a trawl codend during haul-back operation—An overlooked phenomenon

The selectivity of a 99 mm trawl codend was assessed using a codend cover fitted with a MultiSampler, which was acoustically triggered to take separate samples at three different phases of the haul. The first sample was collected during towing, the second during haul-up and the third at the surface. A total of 18 hauls were conducted with a commercial fishing vessel west of Scotland. It was demonstrated that escapes take place not only during the tow but also in the short period when the trawl is hauled back from the seabed and when the codend is at the surface. For haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), whiting (Merlangius merlangus) and Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus), respectively, the mean percentages escaping at the surface were 16, 12 and 38% of the total escape while 17, 8 and 28% escaped during the haul-up phase. Compared to towing, the escape rate (no./min) increased for haddock by a factor 2.7 during haul-up and by a factor 1.7 at the surface, whereas the escape rates of whiting were similar for the three phases. The escape rate of Norway lobster increased by a factor of approximately 7 for both the haul-up and surface phases, compared to the towing phase. The selectivity parameters L50 (50% retention length) and SR (selection range = L75–L25) were estimated and compared for the three different phases and for the whole haul for haddock, whiting and Norway lobster. For all three species there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in L50 between the three phases of the haul. There was also no significant difference for whiting and Norway lobster when comparing the SR of the three phases, whereas the SR was significantly lower for haddock when comparing the surface phase with towing and haul-up. The estimate of L50 when towing was about 6 cm lower for haddock and whiting and 9 mm for Norway lobster compared to the selection curve estimated conventionally for the whole haul. Finally, the effect of sea state, duration and codend catch on the selectivity parameters were estimated for the individual phases and for the whole haul. A significant effect of at least one variable was found in all phases.     

Analysis of soil-vegetation systems' sensitivity to changes of climate-dependent carbon turnover parameters

 The nonlinear model of the carbon cycle in soils (NAMSOM) was used to analyze the sensitivity of soil organic matter levels to variations in carbon turnover parameters. We were able to predict the sensitivity of soil organic matter levels to variations of climate-dependent carbon turnover parameters, which allowed us to compare the sensitivity of soil organic matter levels to net primary productivity of plant communities and plant debris decomposition rate constants across the range of soils in the European part of Russia. The results indicate that meadow steppes show the lowest sensitivity to variations of these parameters. In passing from meadow steppes to the northern taiga and to semideserts, the sensitivity increases. In general, soil organic matter levels of boreal forest ecosystems are about 2–3 times more sensitive to input and decomposition of plant debris than to decomposition of humus. In subboreal grassland ecosystems the sensitivity to humus decomposition increases and becomes closer to the degree of sensitivity shown by soil organic matter levels to variations of productivity and decomposition of plant debris. The proposed method may be useful for predicting the response of ecosystems to climatic change. Received: 1 December 1997     

EDTA Extraction of Heavy Metals from Different Soil Fractions and Synthetic Soils

A laboratory-prepared contaminated soil was partitioned into four fractions, namely carbonate, Fe/Mn oxides, organic matter and clay mineral, according to the form in which the heavy metal bound with soil constituents. Individual contaminated soil fractions and synthetic soils were prepared for the study of soil extraction using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The effect of contact time and EDTA concentration were evaluated for both individual soil fractions and synthetic soils. The extraction reached equilibrium rapidly, after about 30 min. A 0.01 M EDTA solution was less effective than a 0.05 M or a 0.10 M EDTA. EDTA was proved to be effective for metal removal from the four individual soil fractions and synthetic soils. In general, approximately 90% of metals were removed from synthetic soils by 0.10 M EDTA. EDTA extraction of Pb from a contaminated carbonate fraction was thought to be affected by the formation of lead carbonates. A simple equation based on the sum of the released heavy metal from the individual components is used to check if there are interactions among the different soil components when mixed. The estimated values agreed well with the experimentally measured results only for the 0.10 M EDTA system.     

冰糖橙果实品质无损伤在线检测分级技术的建立与应用

【目的】冰糖橙果实外观分级与内部品质不一致极大地影响了其市场声誉,建立冰糖橙果实品质分级标准和果实快速规模化无损伤品质检测分级技术,并进行在线应用,为快速分选不同糖酸度冰糖橙产品提供技术支持。【方法】在利用常规果实品质分析方法对主产区的冰糖橙果实进行多年品质分析的基础上,找出果实外观和内在品质的相关性,确定不同果型横径与糖酸度含量的关系,形成冰糖橙果实分级标准。在此基础上,采集710-960 nm波段近红外透射光谱建立果实无损伤检测模型,利用常规品质分析数据对原始光谱反复进行校正并验证,确定无损伤检测的准确性,并在分级线上进行应用;调查统计应用无损伤检测生产线分级后各级冰糖橙的产量、销售单价和销售额。【结果】（1）根据果实横径大小进行初选分级,68-74 mm为大果型,62-67 mm为中果型,56-61 mm为小果型,再按果实的糖度（可溶性固形物Brix度）和酸度不同将冰糖橙划分为4个等级：糖度≥14、酸度≤0.4%为特级果;12≤糖度＜14、酸度≤0.4%为一等果;糖度≥14、0.6%≥酸度＞0.4%为二等果;糖度＜12、酸度≤0.4%为合格果。通过反复矫正,建立了冰糖橙果实品质分级标准。（2）通过多次进行单果糖度和酸度的分析矫正,建立了冰糖橙果实糖度和酸度的检验线。第1次建立的冰糖橙糖度检量线检测范围为10.1-14.9 Brix,再利用常规品质分析验证无损伤检测结果,合格率仅为26%。第2次建立的糖度检量线延长高糖检测范围,为10.1-16.2 Brix,经验证后合格率达90%。第3次建立的糖度检量线扩大低糖检测范围,为9.8-16.2 Brix,经验证后合格率为90%。第1次建立的冰糖橙酸度检量线检测范围为0.1%-1.26%,再利用常规品质分析验证无损伤检测结果,合格率仅为64%。第2次建立的酸度检量线延长高酸检测范围,为0.1%-1.37%,经验证后合格率达94%。第3次建立的酸度检量线继续扩大高酸检测范围,为0.1%-1.53%,经验证后合格率为92%。（3）新建立无损伤糖酸度校正和验证模型,糖度有效检测范围为8.7-15.1 Brix,酸度有效检测范围为0.14%-2.0%,经验证后糖度合格率达到98%,酸度合格率为98%。应用该分级技术,分选速度达到10个冰糖橙/秒,品质分级后最高单价48元/kg,年产量4 500 t,实现产值9 122万元。【结论】研究结果预测糖酸度准确,测量范围全面涵盖冰糖橙商品果的糖酸度,能大批量、快速、高质量和无损伤在线鉴别冰糖橙果实内在品质,结合外观品质分级标准,分选出内外品质均一的产品。     

Blood and liver biopsy for the non‐destructive screening of tilapia lake virus

Detection of tilapia lake virus (TiLV) in tilapines is mainly from visceral organs of killed fish. However, lethal sampling might not be viable to broodstock and economically important ornamental cichlids. To contribute towards screening of the virus in asymptomatic infected fish, a subclinically infected population of Nile tilapia adults obtained from a local farm was preliminarily tested to compare different non‐lethal sampling methods, for example liver biopsy, gill biopsy, fin clip, mucus, faeces and blood for detection of TiLV. Only liver and blood samples gave positive results by PCR. Since blood sampling is relatively simpler, it was further used for five naturally co‐cultured juvenile fish species from above‐mentioned farm including 40 red tilapia broodstock and 20 Nile tilapia adults from two other different farms. The results showed that from the tested fish, 4 of 5 Nile tilapia, 2 of 5 hybrid red tilapia and 3 of 5 giant gourami blood samples tested positive, while 38 of 40 blood samples of red tilapia tested positive for TiLV in second‐step PCR. Sequencing representative PCR amplicons of positive samples confirmed sequence identity to TiLV. In conclusion, both blood and liver biopsy are practical non‐destructive sampling platforms for TiLV screening in cichlids with blood being more convenient, especially for tilapia broodstock.