Nutrient digestibility of angling baits for carp, Cyprinus carpio, with implications for groundbait formulation and eutrophication control

Abstract  To evaluate the suitability of angling groundbaits as a fish feed and the potential for nutrient loss, the macronutrient digestibility of four groundbaits was investigated in carp, Cyprinus carpio L., using a sieving method of faeces collection and chromic oxide. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of protein and lipids were >80% for all angling baits. ADCs of nitrogen-free extracts and phosphorus (P) differed significantly between the test diets, probably because of divergent feed compositions and ingredient treatments. The generally high digestibility estimates indicated that fish feeding on angling groundbait will benefit from this food source. The differences in nutrient digestibility suggested that type of groundbait and ingredient used will have a major effect on potential eutrophication and fish production caused by groundbaiting. The principle of groundbaits to protect the environment should be to minimise the P-content of the groundaits and maximising P-digestibility and P-retention efficiency.     

Effect of oak (Quercus persica) acorn level on apparent digestibility,ruminal fermentation,nitrogen balance and urinary purine derivatives in pregnant goats

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary oak (Quercus persica) acorn (OA) level on dry matter intake (DMI), apparent nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) utilization, ruminal fermentation, protozoa population and urinary purine derivatives (PD) during the last 60 days of goat pregnancy. Twenty‐four multiparous pregnant goats (41.7 ± 2.3 kg BW) were assigned to one of three experimental diets consisted of control diet (C, without OA) and diets containing 20 (OA₂₀) or 40 g/100 g of OA (OA₄₀) on a DM basis in a completely randomized block design. Goats fed OA₄₀ had lower DMI (p < .01), DM (p < .01), OM (p < .01) and NDF (p < .05) digestibility, ruminal NH₃‐N concentration (p < .01), N intake (p < .01) and N retention (p < .01). Crude protein digestibility and ruminal acetate and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration were lower in animals fed OA‐contained diets (p < .01), whereas ruminal propionate concentration was higher in goats fed the C diet (p < .01). Animals fed OA₄₀ had higher faecal N excretion and lower urinary N excretion (p < .01). Urinary PD was lower in goats fed diets containing OA in relation to those fed the C diet (p < .01). Total protozoa population decreased linearly with increasing OA level in the diet (p < .05). These results suggest that feeding OA, especially high level, has negative impacts on DMI, nutrient digestibility, VFA concentration, N retention and urinary PD excretion that may have adverse effects on metabolism and performance of pregnant goats.     

SoilFlex‐LLWR: linking a soil compaction model with the least limiting water range concept

Soil compaction impacts growing conditions for plants: it increases the mechanical resistance to root growth and modifies the soil pore system and consequently the supply of water and oxygen to the roots. The least limiting water range (LLWR) defines a range of soil water contents within which root growth is minimally limited with regard to water supply, aeration and penetration resistance. The LLWR is a function of soil bulk density (BD), and hence directly affected by soil compaction. In this paper, we present a new model, ‘SoilFlex‐LLWR’, which combines a soil compaction model with the LLWR concept. We simulated the changes in LLWR due to wheeling with a self‐propelled forage harvester on a Swiss clay loam soil (Gleyic Cambisol) using the new SoilFlex‐LLWR model, and compared measurements of the LLWR components as a function of BD with model estimations. SoilFlex‐LLWR allows for predictions of changes in LLWR due to compaction caused by agricultural field traffic and therefore provides a quantitative link between impact of soil loading and soil physical conditions for root growth.     

Day-to-Day variation of the urine protein: creatinine ratio in female dogs with stable glomerular proteinuria caused by X-linked hereditary nephropathy

BACKGROUND: Interpretation of serial urine protein:creatinine (UPC) values is confounded by a lack of data regarding random biologic variation of UPC values in dogs with stable glomerular proteinuria. HYPOTHESIS: That there is minimal day-to-day variability in the UPC of dogs with unchanging proteinuria and the number of measurements needed to reliably estimate UPC varies with the magnitude of proteinuria. ANIMALS: Forty-eight heterozygous (carrier) female dogs with X-linked hereditary nephropathy (XLHN) causing stable proteinuria. METHODS: Urine samples were obtained daily by cystocentesis for 3 consecutive days on 183 occasions (549 samples). The UPC was measured for each sample with a single dry-film chemistry auto-analyzer. Data were analyzed retrospectively by a power of the mean model because the variance of UPC values within the 3-day evaluation periods increased as the magnitude of proteinuria increased. RESULTS: To demonstrate a significant difference (P < .05) between serial values in these proteinuric dogs, the UPC must change by at least 35% at high UPC values (near 12) and 80% at low UPC values (near 0.5). One measurement is adequate to reliably estimate the UPC when UPC <4, but 2-5 determinations are necessary at higher UPC values. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: These guidelines for interpretation of serial UPC values in female dogs with XLHN may also be helpful for interpretation of UPC values in dogs with other glomerulopathies.     

Urinary catecholamine and metanephrine to creatinine ratios in healthy dogs at home and in a hospital environment and in 2 dogs with pheochromocytoma

BACKGROUND: Measurement of high concentrations of urine catecholamines and metanephrines is useful in diagnosing pheochromocytoma in humans. Stress increases catecholamine excretion in urine. HYPOTHESIS: Stress of a hospital visit increases urinary catecholamine and metanephrine excretion in dogs. ANIMALS: Fourteen clinically normal dogs, 2 dogs with pheochromocytoma. METHODS: Voided urine samples were collected by the owners 7 days before (t-7), during the hospital visit immediately after diagnostic procedures (t0), as well as 1 (t1) and 7 days (t7) after the hospital visit. Urine catecholamine and metanephrine concentrations were measured using high-pressure liquid chromatography and expressed as ratios to urine creatinine concentration. RESULTS: In client-owned dogs epinephrine and norepinephrine ratios at t0 were significantly higher compared with ratios at t7. Metanephrine and normetanephrine ratios at t-7, t0, and t1 did not differ significantly from each other; however, at t7 they were significantly lower compared to values at t-7. In staff-owned dogs no significant differences were detected among the different collecting time points for any variable. Metanephrine and normetanephrine ratios were significantly higher in client-owned dogs compared to staff-owned dogs at t-7, t0, and t1 but not at t7. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Stress associated with a hospital visit and with the sampling procedure causes increases in urine catecholamine and metanephrine excretion. Urine collection for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma probably should take place at home after adaptation to the sampling procedure.     

简单屋顶绿化的滞蓄特性

设计了模拟降雨与数据采集系统,研究了短时强降雨下简单屋顶绿化基质(配比：陶粒57.0%、草炭41.5%、保水剂1.5%)的降雨产流过程,基于37次模拟降雨实验,归纳了降雨产流的一般过程、规律和特性,分析了降雨强度、基质厚度和基质初始含水率对简单屋顶绿化滞流蓄水特性的影响。结果表明：基质厚度和基质初始含水率对简单屋顶绿化的蓄水特性有显著影响,基质初始含水率越低、基质厚度越厚时蓄水特性越佳。建立了产流时间数学模型,简单屋顶绿化降雨产流时间与降雨强度呈负相关,同时也受初始含水量和基质厚度影响。随着干湿循环次数增加,基质的厚度总体呈现下降趋势,储水性能逐渐下降,延迟产流时间逐渐缩短。     

祁连山东段高寒植被类型对土壤理化特征的影响

[目的]探讨祁连山东段不同高寒植物的土壤理化特征,为区域水资源合理利用提供理论依据.[方法]对祁连山东段6种灌丛植被和高寒草地的土壤基本性状、土壤持水能力和土壤渗透性进行了相关指标的测定.[结果]①祁连山东段高寒植被的土壤容重随着土层深度的增加而增大,土壤含水量则随着土层深度的增加而降低.②祁连山东段土壤总孔隙度随着土...     

生态沟渠对农田面源污染的消减机理及其影响因子分析

农业生产过程中肥料和农药的大量施用,造成农田面源污染问题日益突出,开发农田面源污染的减控技术对生态修复具有重要的意义。生态沟渠不仅兼具农田排水沟的过水功能,同时是有效消减面源污染且适合中国农情的重要生态措施之一。该研究阐述了生态沟渠对农田面源污染的消减机理（底泥吸附及植物阻抗作用、植物/微生物吸收作用、降解去除作用）;通过整理分析559组生态沟渠野外观测试验数据,剖析了污染物初始浓度、水力停留时间、植物种类、生物量这4个主要影响因子对农田排水中N、P及农药去除率的影响;进而采用多元线性回归模型将多因子影响与N、P及农药去除率之间建立定量关系。结果表明总氮和总磷的去除率随单一因子污染物初始浓度、水力停留时间或生物量增大而增大,但与植物种类没有显著关系（P>0.05）;且多元线性回归模型结果表明污染物初始浓度的对总氮/总磷去除率的贡献大于生物量。农药的去除率随水力停留时间、生物量增大而增大,随污染物初始浓度增大而减小,与植物种类没有显著关系（P>0.05）。研究可为生态沟渠的合理构建和设计提供理论和技术支撑。     

复合井修复地下水硝酸盐污染的效果

为探寻更适用于农田周边硝酸盐污染地下水的原位生物修复技术,该研究构建了A、B、C3套试验装置,分别刻画管井(A)、大口井与管井组成的复合井(B、C)。基于3套物理试验模型,定量对比分析了管井与复合井修复地下水硝酸盐污染的效果。结果表明:受水力停留时间的影响,相同流速条件下,A、B、C三套修复系统的硝酸盐负荷分别介于75～100、100～125、125～150 mg/L之间;在允许硝酸盐负荷范围内,去除率均可达到95%以上,且不会出现亚硝酸盐累积及氨氮超标现象,表明了复合井修复系统的可行性,可以实现地下水开采与修复同步进行,提高了地下水水源地供水安全保证率。