Genetic parameters and correlations among linear type traits in the first lactation of Holstein Dairy cows

The main objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters and relationships of 10 linear type traits in the first lactation of Holstein dairy cows. 3274 records for type traits was used (Ag, angularity; Sta, stature; Bdp, body depth; Rw, rump width; Rs, rear leg side view; Fa, foot angle; Fu, fore udder attachment; Ruh, rear udder height; Sl, suspensory ligament and Ud, udder depth) for the first lactation of Iranian Holstein cows collected during 1980 to 2004 at Animal Breeding Center of Iran.Estimations were performed using restricted maximum likelihood method under an animal model and estimated variance components from single-trait analysis using MATVEC software and covariance components from four-trait analysis using DF-REML software was obtained. Heritability estimates for type traits were low to moderate, from 0.075 for rear leg side (Rs) to 0.376 for rump width (Rw). Genetic correlations between type traits ranged from 0.72 for udder depth (Ud) and fore udder attachment (Fu)to 0.75 for foot angle (Fa) and rump width (Rw). The results of this study showed favorable and high genetic correlation among the mammary system traits such as Ud, Fu, Ruh and Sl. Body conformation traits such as Ag and Bdp were unfavorable and negative for the genetic correlation with mammary system traits including Fu, Ruh and Ud.Key words: Genetic parameter, type traits, Iranian Holsteins

Trace Elements Removal from Waster water by <i>Ceratophyllum demersum</i>

Trace element contamination in aquatic ecosystems is one of the most important concerning of environmental health. Submerged aquatic plants can be used for the removal of Trace elements. The aim of this study was to investigate how Ceratophyllum demersum could affect on wastewater quality for recycling the wastewater to reuse for other purposes in agriculture and industrial fields. In this survey, two treatments in four replications were designed. The treatments were included raw municipal wastewater (RMW) and treated municipal wastewater (TMW). The experiment performed in outdoor of Khorasgan University area without aeration through 18 days period. In this study Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, Pb and Cd were measured in wastewater through experiment. The average of removal efficiency of Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, Pb and Cd from TMW were 40%, 47.5%, 90.82%, 96.55%, 100% and 100% respectively. Removal efficiency of Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, Pb and Cd from RMW were 67.5%, 37.5%, 94.21%, 94.21%, 100% and 97.77% respectively. The results indicated that Ceratophyllum demersum had high capabilities to remove trace elements directly from the contaminated water. Therefore it can conclude that Ceratophyllum demersum could be used for refining the wastewater.Key words: Trace elements, Aquatic ecosystems, Ceratophyllum demersum, wastewate

Saltcake Dissolution Studies in Single-Shell Tank Retrieval

Results of column dissolution experiments designed to evaluate the physical and chemical processes inherent to saltcake dissolution are presented along with model chemical equilibrium calculations. Two different compositions representing saltcakes in Hanford tanks were characterized, and porosities and permeabilities for a third composition based upon the saltcake waste in Tank 41H at the Savannah River Site (SRS) were also evaluated. Whereas the surrogates are all chemically similar, the presence of high phosphate loadings for the Hanford (HNF) simulants was noted as significantly affecting draining. The permeability was higher for the SRS saltcake, and the sodium nitrate loading in this saltcake was roughly 80% by weight compared to less than 60% by weight for the HNF compositions. Average values of the permeability and porosity were reduced for the surrogates based on Hanford Tanks S-112 and S-101. Here a secondary layer formed above the saltcake bed and was found to contain a large amount of gibbsite, Al(OH)3. Experiments with 3 molal (m) NaOH as a diluent, compared to water, did not result in additional layer formation that has been attributed to a change in local pH thereby altering the solid liquid equilibrium. Chemical analysis of the two HNF saltcakes indicated solids re-precipitation as a function of diluent added. The events were signified by large decreases in the nitrate and carbonate anion concentrations and were confined to low % dilution by weight values. Solids re-precipitation is noted as arising from the mixing of the dissolved saltcake stream with pockets of saturated interstitial liquor

Kinetics of Aluminum Formation in the Caustic Side Solvent Extraction (CSSX) Process -11046

ABSTRACT The Caustic Side Solvent Extraction Process (CSSX) process is used for cesium separation at the Savannah River Site (SRS). The CSSX process is comprised of 4 steps: 1) extracting cesium into the solvent; 2) scrubbed of the loaded solvent to remove co-extracted sodium and potassium; 3) stripping to transfer the cesium out of the solvent; and 4) washing of the stripped solvent to remove solvent degradation products if present. During the scrubbing process, aluminum precipitation has been observed. This is a concern as solids formation may have undesirable consequences during operation. The work reported was undertaken to identify conditions under which solids formation may occur and to identify an operating region where solids formation is avoided or minimized. Room temperature experiments on the CSSX scrubbing process were conducted using simulants based on various dissolution fractions of SRS Tank 25F contents. Simulants representing dissolution fractions of 10, 40 and 50 % by weight were prepared in the laboratory. A small fraction of this stream may be transferred into the 0.05 M nitric acid scrub solution. Thus, experiments were performed as a function of the % carryover of the dissolved stream in the nitric acid scrub solution. Carryover percentages of 0.5 % to 10 % by volume were examined, where x mL of the Tank 25F simulant stream were combined with (100-x) mL of the nitric acid stream. The aluminum concentration and solution pH were measured for the resulting solutions. Simulation of the experiments was also carried out using the Environmental Simulation Program (ESP) and comparisons made. For a select subset of carryover percentages, solids formation was identified. This subset of carryover percentages was different for each of the transfer streams, ranging from 2 to 5 % for the dissolution fraction of 10%, and from 4 to 6% for the dissolutions fractions of 40 and 50 %. The common feature for these ranges was that the resulting mixed stream (dissolution fraction plus nitric acid) possessed a pH in the range of 4 to 10. ESP calculations predicted the formation of dawsonite in this range of pH. For these mixtures, a second set of solutions were prepared in the laboratory. The aluminum concentration in each sample was monitored as a function of time, until solids formation was visually observed. For the majority of these solutions, solids formation occurred within two weeks, and equilibrium was established by the stabilization of aluminum concentration over time. After solids had formed, the solutions were filtered. Recovered solids were dried and WM2011 Conference, February 27-March 3, 2011, Phoenix, AZ examined using an Olympus Polarized Light Microscope (PLM) and in select cases, using x-ray diffraction (XRD). The resulting temporal aluminum concentration data were fit to a first order reversible rate expression, and forward and backward reaction rate constants determined. Forward rate constants were in the range of 0.007 to 0.32 hr -1 , while reverse rate constants were in the range of 0.001 to 0.009 hr -1