Evaluation of the portable furrow infiltrometer
Abstract Twenty infiltrometer tests were conducted to compare infiltration rates estimated by the recirculating infiltrometer (RIF) and the newly developed portable infiltrometer (PIF). Two types of furrows commonly used in the western United States; small and steep, and large and less steep; were considered in high and low infiltration soils. Comparison of the PIF and RIF infiltration rate measurements indicated that PIF was most accurate in estimating steady infiltration rates. Use of the PIF for predicting infiltration rate functions was not recommended because of the need for collecting accurate measurements early during the infiltration process. Considering ease of installation, accuracy in measuring steady infiltration rates, and ability to collect data during irrigation, the PIF is a promising device for use in surface irrigation management.
Spatial and Seasonal Variation of Furrow Infiltration
Infiltration was measured with a newly developed flow‐through infiltrometer at 20–27 sites in a 21 ha (52‐acre) cotton field in the northern region of the San Joaquin Valley of California. The results were comparable with infiltration measured with a neutron probe. The infiltrometer allowed water to flow through the infiltrometer when a rate test was not being conducted. Furthermore, the water level and quality inside the infiltrometer was the same as the water flowing past in the remainder of the furrow. Variability contributed by soil infiltration characteristics and intake opportunity time was quantified for preirrigation as well as for three postplant irrigations. The mean and variability of infiltration were greater for the preplant than the postplant irrigations, and soil variability contributed more to total infiltration variability than did the variability in intake opportunity time. Because the infiltration pattern was temporally correlated between postplant irrigations, representative sites rath...
Laboratory Animal Models for Brucellosis Research
Brucellosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Brucella spp., a Gram-negative facultative intracellular pathogen that affects humans and animals, leading to significant impact on public health and animal industry. Human brucellosis is considered the most prevalent bacterial zoonosis in the world and is characterized by fever, weight loss, depression, hepato/splenomegaly, osteoarticular, and genital infections. Relevant aspects of Brucella pathogenesis have been intensively investigated in culture cells and animal models. The mouse is the animal model more commonly used to study chronic infection caused by Brucella. This model is most frequently used to investigate specific pathogenic factors of Brucella spp., to characterize the host immune response, and to evaluate therapeutics and vaccines. Other animal species have been used as models for brucellosis including rats, guinea pigs, and monkeys. This paper discusses the murine and other laboratory animal models for human and animal brucellosis.