Second round of an interlaboratory comparison of SARS-CoV2 molecular detection assays used by 45 veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States

The COVID-19 pandemic presents a continued public health challenge. Veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States use RT-rtPCR for animal testing, and many laboratories are certified for testing human samples; hence, ensuring that laboratories have sensitive and specific SARS-CoV2 testing methods is a critical component of the pandemic response. In 2020, the FDA Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN) led an interlaboratory comparison (ILC1) to help laboratories evaluate their existing RT-rtPCR methods for detecting SARS-CoV2. All participating laboratories were able to detect the viral RNA spiked in buffer and PrimeStore molecular transport medium (MTM). With ILC2, Vet-LIRN extended ILC1 by evaluating analytical sensitivity and specificity of the methods used by participating laboratories to detect 3 SARS-CoV2 variants (B.1; B.1.1.7 [Alpha]; B.1.351 [Beta]) at various copy levels. We analyzed 57 sets of results from 45 laboratories qualitatively and quantitatively according to the principles of ISO 16140-2:2016. More than 95% of analysts detected the SARS-CoV2 RNA in MTM at ≥500 copies for all 3 variants. In addition, for nucleocapsid markers N1 and N2, 81% and 92% of the analysts detected ≤20 copies in the assays, respectively. The analytical specificity of the evaluated methods was >99%. Participating laboratories were able to assess their current method performance, identify possible limitations, and recognize method strengths as part of a continuous learning environment to support the critical need for the reliable diagnosis of COVID-19 in potentially infected animals and humans.     

双螺杆挤压机螺杆元件类型对扭矩和压力的影响

以食用脱脂低温豆粕为原料,以Brabender DSE-25型双螺杆挤压膨化实验室工作站为加工设备,研究了不同几何参数的输送元件、捏合块和齿型盘6种螺杆元件对挤压过程中扭矩和压力的影响。结果表明:螺杆元件对扭矩和压力有显著影响;对扭矩影响的主次顺序为反向输送元件;齿型盘、捏合块、正向输送元件;有反向螺旋角或错裂角或对物料剪切强度大的元件能够显著增加扭矩;元件对压力的影响规律不明显。对系统稳定性的初步分析认为,错列角为45°和90°的捏合块具有较好的混炼效果,而齿型盘和错列角为-45°的捏合块的混炼效果较差。     

Biological activity and organic matter mineralization of soils amended with biowaste composts

This study aims to elucidate the significance of compost and soil characteristics for the biological activity of compost‐amended soils. Two agricultural soils (Ap horizon, loamy arable Orthic Luvisol and Ah horizon, sandy meadow Dystric Cambisol) and a humus‐free sandy mineral substrate were amended with two biowaste composts of different maturity in a controlled microcosm system for 18 months at 5 °C and 14 °C, respectively. Compost application increased the organic matter mineralization, the C_mic : C_org ratio, and the metabolic quotients significantly in all treatments. The total amount of C_org mineralized ranged from < 1 % (control plots) to 20 % (compost amended Dystric Cambisol). Incubation at 14 °C resulted in 2.7‐ to 4‐fold higher cumulative C_org mineralization compared to 5 °C. The C_mic : C_org ratios of the compost‐amended plots declined rapidly during the first 6 months and reached a similar range as the control plots at the end of the experiment. This effect may identify the compost‐derived microbial biomass as an easily degradable C source. Decreasing mineralization rates and metabolic quotients indicated a shift from a compost‐derived to a soil‐adapted microbial community. The C_org mineralization of the compost amended soils was mainly regulated by the compost maturity and the soil texture (higher activity in the sandy textured soils). The pattern of biological activity in the compost‐amended mineral substrate did not differ markedly from that of the compost‐amended agricultural soils, showing that the turnover of compost‐derived organic matter dominated the overall decay process in each soil. However, a priming effect occurring for the Dystric Cambisol indicated, that the effect of compost application may be soil specific.     

Prevalence and risk factors of Coxiella burnetii seropositivity in Danish beef and dairy cattle at slaughter adjusted for test uncertainty

Antibodies to Coxiella burnetii have been found in the Danish dairy cattle population with high levels of herd and within herd seroprevalences. However, the prevalence of antibodies to C. burnetii in Danish beef cattle remains unknown. The objectives of this study were to (1) estimate the prevalence and (2) identify risk factors associated with C. burnetii seropositivity in Danish beef and dairy cattle based on sampling at slaughter.     

At-sea distribution of waved albatrosses and the Galápagos Marine Reserve

Albatross populations worldwide are threatened by incidental takes in longline fishery operations. The recent establishment of the Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR) is relevant to the longline bycatch issue, as it prohibits industrial longlining in the vicinity of the major nesting site of waved albatrosses (Phoebastria irrorata). However, the legality of the fishing protections is being challenged, highlighting a need for data on use of the GMR by albatrosses. We used satellite tracking over a total of four breeding seasons to determine the distribution of waved albatrosses inside and outside the GMR, and thereby assess the degree of protection that GMR provisions offer to this species. During the incubation period, breeding adults made commuting trips from the nesting island (Isla Española) to the Peruvian upwelling zone, traveling north, east, and south after leaving the nest. During the brooding period, the distribution contracted markedly, and most satellite fixes were within the GMR. During the rearing period, breeders performed both long trips outside the GMR and short trips within. The southeastern portion of the GMR is used throughout the incubation, brooding, and early rearing periods by breeding waved albatrosses. Indirect information from non-breeding adults indicates that they are likely to use the waters of the GMR extensively.     

Aerobic microbial respiration in 86-million-year-old deep-sea red clay

Microbial communities can subsist at depth in marine sediments without fresh supply of organic matter for millions of years. At threshold sedimentation rates of 1 millimeter per 1000 years, the low rates of microbial community metabolism in the North Pacific Gyre allow sediments to remain oxygenated tens of meters below the sea floor. We found that the oxygen respiration rates dropped from 10 micromoles of O(2) liter(-1) year(-1) near the sediment-water interface to 0.001 micromoles of O(2) liter(-1) year(-1) at 30-meter depth within 86 million-year-old sediment. The cell-specific respiration rate decreased with depth but stabilized at around 10(-3) femtomoles of O(2) cell(-1) day(-1) 10 meters below the seafloor. This result indicated that the community size is controlled by the rate of carbon oxidation and thereby by the low available energy flux.     

Relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and changes in soil gas diffusivity in a field experiment with biochar and lime

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from arable soil while maintaining productivity is a major challenge for agriculture. Biochar is known to reduce N₂O emissions from soil, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. This study examined the impact of green waste biochar (20 Mg ha^?1) and lime (CaCO₃; 2 Mg ha^?1) application on soil gas transport properties and related changes in these to soil N₂O and CO₂ emissions measured using automated chambers in a field experiment cropped with maize. In situ soil water content monitoring was combined with laboratory measurements of relative soil gas diffusion coefficient (D_p/D₀) at different matric potentials, to determine changes in D_p/D₀ over time. Cumulative N₂O emissions were similar in the control and lime treatment, but much lower in the biochar treatment. Cumulative CO₂ emissions decreased in the order: lime treatment > biochar treatment > control soil. When N₂O emissions were not driven by excess N supply shortly after fertilisation, they were associated with D_p/D₀ changes, whereby decreases in D_p/D₀ corresponded to N₂O emissions peaks. No distinct pattern was observed between CO₂ emissions and D_p/D₀. Cumulative N₂O emissions were positively related to number of days with D_p/D₀ < 0.02, a critical limit for soil aeration. These results indicate that improved soil gas diffusivity, and hence improved soil aeration, may explain the effect of biochar in reducing N₂O emissions. They also suggest that knowledge of D_p/D₀ changes may be key to explaining N₂O emissions.     

A gain-of-function mutation in a cytokinin receptor triggers spontaneous root nodule organogenesis

Legume root nodules originate from differentiated cortical cells that reenter the cell cycle and form organ primordia. We show that perception of the phytohormone cytokinin is a key element in this switch. Mutation of a Lotus japonicus cytokinin receptor gene leads to spontaneous development of root nodules in the absence of rhizobia or rhizobial signal molecules. The mutant histidine kinase receptor has cytokinin-independent activity and activates an Escherichia coli two-component phosphorelay system in vivo. Mutant analysis shows that cytokinin signaling is required for cell divisions that initiate nodule development and defines an autoregulated process where cytokinin induction of nodule stem cells is controlled by shoots.