The genus Neilo in New Zealand (Mollusca: Bivalvia)

Abstract

The phylogenetic history, paleontological implications, and ecology of larger New Zealand Recent species of Neilo (sensu stricto) are discussed. N. wairoana delli, N. blacki, and N. (Pseudomalletia) aoteana are described as new. The following taxa are reduced to chronosubspecies: N. jugifera Marwick - of N. australis (Quoy & Gaimard); N. annectens Powell and N. rugata Dell - of N. sublaevis Marwick; N. sinangula Finlay - of N. awamoana Finlay.     

Agronomic properties of a volcanic ash-derived soil as affected by uncomposted organic materials

A sandy soil from the Vesuvian volcanic area, low in organic matter, was treated in pot experiments with raw farm-yard manure, green horse bean and wheat straw in order to study the effects of organic amendments on physical, chemical and biological properties. Farm-yard manure, rawly composted, caused a significant decrease of bulk density and improved water retention and the content of available phospate and potassium. It also showed the higher conversion co-efficient to stable humus during two years of the incubation period. It depressed the wheat seed germination and cotyledon growth for a one-year incubation period. Horse bean green manure was rapidly mineralized and did not remarkably improve the physical properties of the soil. Furthermore, it produced the lowest humus content and negatively affected seed development for eight months, but remarkably increased nutrient elements' contents (P and K). Wheat straw, added with N (2% urea form), improved humus formation and soil structure compared to horse bean; it increased K and P content and negatively affected seedling development for two months only.     

Photocatalytic Water Splitting for Solar Hydrogen Production Using the Carbonate Effect and the Z‐Scheme Reaction

The development of innovative technologies for solar energy conversion and storage is important for solving the global warming problem and for establishing a sustainable society. The photocatalytic water‐splitting reaction using semiconductor powders has been intensively studied as a promising technology for direct and simple solar energy conversion. However, the evolution of H₂ and O₂ gases in a stoichiometric ratio (H₂/O₂ = 2) is very difficult owing to various issues, such as an unfavorable backward reaction and mismatched band potentials. Two important findings have widened the variety of photocatalysts available for stoichiometric water‐splitting, viz. the carbonate anion effect and the Z‐scheme photocatalytic reaction using a redox mediator. The bicarbonate anion has been found to act as a redox catalyst via preferential peroxide formation and subsequent decomposition to O₂. As the Z‐scheme reaction using a redox mediator mitigates band potential mismatches, it is widely applicable for various visible‐light‐active photocatalysts. This review describes the development of photocatalytic water‐splitting for solar hydrogen production using the carbonate anion effect and the Z‐scheme reaction. Moreover, recent developments in photocatalysis–electrolysis hybrid systems, an advanced Z‐scheme reaction concept, are also reviewed for practical and economical hydrogen production.     

Catalytic Production of Liquid Fuels from Organic Residues of Rendering Plants

Anaerobic low temperature conversion (LTC) converts organic residues such as animal meal or meat and bone meal (MBM) to bio‐crude, a solid product, containing carbon and phosphorus, reaction water and non‐condensable gases. The yield of bio‐crude increases with the content of volatile solids. The efficiency of the conversion as well as the calorific value of the liquid fuel produced are favorably affected by the partial recycling of inorganic constituents, high amounts of volatile solids and a low percentage of heteroatoms present in the feeding material. Heating values are 32.3 MJ/kg for bio‐crude from animal meal and 19.5 MJ/kg for bio‐crude from MBM. Both bio‐crude and animal fat produced were effectively converted in a vertical reactor construction with a fixed bed of aluminosilicates of the zeolite family or acidic clays, respectively. Products are bio‐fuels of varying chemical qualities. Depending on the reaction temperature and the catalyst type, aliphatic hydrocarbons (T = 400 °C, ～97 %) or alkylbenzenes (T = 550 °C) are the main products. The calorific values of these bio‐fuels are in a range from 40.1 to 41.9 MJ/kg and the kinematic viscosities are between 0.9 and 2.29 mm²/s. The solid products of LTC from different biomass (sludge, animal meal, MBM) contain a significant amount of phosphorus. In the case of the solid product from MBM it was as high as 242 mg P₂O₅/g. Solubility in citric acid showed that in the case of MBM, 98.8 % of total phosphorus is potentially available to plants. Pot experiments demonstrated a similar plant growth as with other organic fertilizers.     

High body condition score combined with a reduced lambing to ram introduction interval improves the short-term ovarian response of milking Lacaune ewes to the male effect

The male effect is an effective natural technique to induce off-season ovulation and ultimately mating or artificial insemination in small ruminants. It constitutes an alternative to hormonal treatments in conventional breeding systems and, to shift and organise the yearly production cycle, is currently the only solution complying with European organic standards. However, its associated performances are still heterogeneous, both in terms of the global response and the extent of reproductive synchronisation of the females, due to complex interactions with environmental factors that limit its use on commercial farms. This study was carried out on a French organic farm under commercial conditions to investigate, in the field and across five consecutive years, the main parameters affecting the early ovarian response to a ram effect on Lacaune dairy ewes. While the within-year binary logistic regressions yielded contrasting results, the cross-year mixed-effect binary logistic regression models clearly showed that parameters associated with the nutritional state of the animals have a profound influence on the ovarian response of the ewes. Indeed, the probabilities of a spontaneous resumption of ovarian activity before the ram effect and of an early ovarian response to the ram effect were positively associated with the body condition score, total milk production and the age of the animals, while being negatively associated with the milk production level at the 3rd milk recording. The probabilities of a spontaneous resumption of ovarian activity before the ram effect were positively associated with the interval between lambing and the introduction of the rams. Altogether, these results indicate that the ovarian performances in response to a male effect follow a bell-curve pattern with optimal performances depending upon a complex combination between photoperiodic and nutritional cues. Regarding these latter, this study highlights the major contribution of body reserves and energy balance dynamics.