On the modelling of biological effects on morphology in estuaries and seas

Morphological modelling aims to explain and predict the changes in rivers, seas and estuaries due to these interaction. In recent history, a lot of progress has been made, especially with stability analysis approaches. However, so far only the physical interactions have been taken into account. It is known however, that biological factors are important to the dynamics of the water systems. In this paper a first step is made in the inclusion of biology into the morphodynamic models. This inclusion is based on the effect that benthic organisms have on the erodibility of the bed. This can easily be included by a change of the critical bed shear stress. These changes in the critical bed shear stress then influence the morphology. This idea has been applied to two cases. The results of the first case indicate that this approach can reproduce the influence of benthic organisms on the mud content of the bed in estuaries. The second case shows that even low numbers of organisms can influence the characteristics of large bed forms

Інтернет-скрипт як новітній різновид спортивного репортажу

Стаття присвячена жанровим ознакам Інтернет-скриптів. Розкривається проблема термінологічної ідентифікації текстів електронного спортивного репортажу, з’ясовується співвідношення Інтернет-скрипта з жанровими ознаками традиційного радіо- і телерепортажу, вивчаються можливості використання в Інтернет-скриптах аудіо- та відеоряду, паравербальних засобів, а також аналізується проблема позиції коментатора у репортажі.Статья посвещена жанровым признакам Интернет-скриптов. Раскрываются проблемы терминологической идентификации текстов электронного спортивного репортажа, рассматривается соотношение Интернет-скрипта с жанровыми признаками традиционного радио- и телерепортажа, изучаются возможности использования в Интернет-скриптах аудио- и видеоряда, паравербальных средств, а также анализируется проблема позиции коментатора в репортаже.The article deals with the genre features of Internet-scripts. The focus is on the problems of the terminological identification of the texts of electronic sport reports, the correlation of Internetscripts with genre features of traditional radio- and TV-reports, the usage of nonverbal means and the means of audio and video signals in Internet-scripts. The position of a commentator in sport report is regarded

Presence and species identity of rumen flukes in cattle and sheep in the Netherlands

The purpose of the study was to gain knowledge about the prevalence and identity of rumen flukes (RF) in cattle and sheep in the Netherlands. Routine faecal examinations of diagnostic submissions between May 2009 and September 2014 showed a mean annual herd or flock RF prevalence of 15.8% for cattle and 8.0% for sheep. Prevalence in cattle was higher after 2012 than before, which may reflect a change in detection method as well as an increase in true prevalence. During November and December 2014, an abattoir survey was conducted to allow for scoring of rumen fluke burden and to obtain specimens for molecular species characterization. Over 8 visits to 5 abattoirs in areas deemed to pose a high risk for trematode infection, 116 cows and 41 sheep from 27 herds and 10 flocks were examined. Prevalence of RF was higher in beef cattle than in dairy cattle and higher in cattle than in sheep. Median fluke burden was >100 specimens per animal for most positive animals. Using a semi-quantitative RF density score as a gold standard, sensitivity and specificity of a modified quantitative Dorsman egg counting method were estimated at 82.6% and 83.3%, respectively. Of 14 collected adult rumen flukes, twelve (8 bovine and 4 ovine specimens) were identified as Calicophoron daubneyi. The other two, of bovine origin, were identified as Paramphistomum leydeni, which was unexpected as in other European countries all recently collected rumen flukes in both cattle and sheep were identified as C. daubneyi. The findings implicate that multiple rumen fluke species, intermediate host species and transmission cycles may play a role in rumen fluke infections in the Netherlands

Quantification noise in single cell experiments

In quantitative single-cell studies, the critical part is the low amount of nucleic acids present and the resulting experimental variations. In addition biological data obtained from heterogeneous tissue are not reflecting the expression behaviour of every single-cell. These variations can be derived from natural biological variance or can be introduced externally. Both have negative effects on the quantification result. The aim of this study is to make quantitative single-cell studies more transparent and reliable in order to fulfil the MIQE guidelines at the single-cell level. The technical variability introduced by RT, pre-amplification, evaporation, biological material and qPCR itself was evaluated by using RNA or DNA standards. Secondly, the biological expression variances of GAPDH, TNFα, IL-1β, TLR4 were measured by mRNA profiling experiment in single lymphocytes. The used quantification setup was sensitive enough to detect single standard copies and transcripts out of one solitary cell. Most variability was introduced by RT, followed by evaporation, and pre-amplification. The qPCR analysis and the biological matrix introduced only minor variability. Both conducted studies impressively demonstrate the heterogeneity of expression patterns in individual cells and showed clearly today's limitation in quantitative single-cell expression analysis

Curative effect of topical treatment of digital dermatitis with a gel containing activated copper and zinc chelate

The efficacy of two topical treatments for painful ulcerative stage (M2) of bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) lesions was compared in a clinical trial conducted on five dairy farms in 2009 to 2010. The first treatment was a water-based gel with active components copper and zinc (Intra Hoof-fit gel [IHF]) and the second treatment was a topical chlortetracycline spray (CTC spray). The experimental unit for this study was the hindleg with the presence of a BDD lesion. Cure was defined as the transition of an M2 lesion into a healed (M0) or a non-painful chronic stage (M4) of BDD at D28. On day 0, cows with M2 BDD lesions were photographed and were treated with either IHF or CTC. Subsequently, feet were photographed and scored on D28. The cure rate of M2 BDD lesions treated with IHF at D28 was 0.92 (CI 0.84 to 0.96) and was significantly better than for M2 BDD lesions treated with CTC, which was 0.58 (CI 0.47 to 0.68)

The effect of rotation, tillage, and fertility on rice grain yields and nutrient flows

ABSTRACT Rice is one of the most intensively cultivated row crops in America. In order to move away from current tillage practices it will be necessary to maintain current yield levels. A key to successful no-till rice production will be to maintain plant fertilizer efficiency in a system that is flooded much of the growing season and not increase nutrient runoff. A study was established in 2000 that compares fertility, variety, and conventional-and no-till rice rotations. Rice grain yields, across all treatments, were between 140 and 195 bu a -1 . Yields were most affected by rotation and tillage. Continuous rice grain yields averaged 34 bu a -1 lower than a rice-soybean rotation. Plant P and K uptake varied significantly between rotation treatments but not between tillage, fertility, or variety treatments. Phosphorus concentrations in run off liquid were significantly higher in the no-till plots. Total P in runoff was lower in the no-till plots because of reduced P being carried in solids. Total nitrogen uptake was lower in the continuous rice rotation compared to the rice-soybean rotation with soil N uptake higher for the no-till compared to conventional-till in both rotations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Field #8 at the University of Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center was selected for this study and cut to a 0.15% slope in February, 1999. This site had not been previously used for rice research because irrigation water was not available. Soil at the site is referred to as a Stuttgart silt loam and classified as a fine, smectitic, thermic Albaqultic Hapludolf. Initial soil samples showed a pH range of 5.6 to 6.2 with carbon content averaging 0.84% and nitrogen 0.08%. Plots measuring 250' x 40' were laid out in a north-south direction. These plots were then divided in half east-west with each side randomized as conventional or no-till treatments. Each tillage treatment was then split into a standard and high fertility treatment. For rice, 'standard' fertility consisted of a single preflood N application of 100 lbs urea a -1 plus 40 lbs a -1 P 2 O 5 , and 60 lbs a -1 K 2 O applied prior to planting. Rates increased to 150 lbs a -1 N, 60 lbs a -1 P 2 O 5 , and 90 lbs a -1 K 2 O for the 'enhanced' treatment with application times remaining the same. Two varieties of each crop species were planted in a continuous strip across the conventional-and no-till treatments. In March, soil samples were collected for fertility evaluations. Soil samples were ground and dried. Phosphorus and potassium determinations were made using a Melich III extraction at a 1:10 extraction ratio. Plant samples were collected following physiological maturity but before leaf senescence for nutrient determinations in 1999, 2000, and 2001. Plants were divided into grain, leaf, and stem portions for analysis. Plant analysis was completed using a HNO 3 digest and read with a ICP (Spectro Model D). The following rotations were started in 1999: 1) continuous rice, 2) ricesoybean, 3) soybean-rice, 4) rice-corn, 5) corn-rice, 6) rice (wheat) rice (wheat), 7) rice (wheat)-soybeans (wheat), 8) soybeans (wheat)-rice (wheat), 9) rice-corn-soybeans, 10) rice-corn (wheat)-soybeans. Yield data and nutrient uptake will be presented for the continuous rice and rice-soybean rotations. 2