Tail reconnection triggering substorm onset

Magnetospheric substorms explosively release solar wind energy previously stored in Earth's magnetotail, encompassing the entire magnetosphere and producing spectacular auroral displays. It has been unclear whether a substorm is triggered by a disruption of the electrical current flowing across the near-Earth magnetotail, at approximately 10 R(E) (R(E): Earth radius, or 6374 kilometers), or by the process of magnetic reconnection typically seen farther out in the magnetotail, at approximately 20 to 30 R(E). We report on simultaneous measurements in the magnetotail at multiple distances, at the time of substorm onset. Reconnection was observed at 20 R(E), at least 1.5 minutes before auroral intensification, at least 2 minutes before substorm expansion, and about 3 minutes before near-Earth current disruption. These results demonstrate that substorms are likely initiated by tail reconnection.     

烤烟新品种南江3号在贵州烟区的生态适应性研究

以K326为对照,研究了烤烟新品种南江3号在贵州五大具有生态代表性烟区的农艺性状、生育期性状、抗病特征、经济性状、外观质量及吸食品质等指标。结果表明:与K326相比,南江3号在贵州烟区长势强、生育期长、抗病力强、产量和产值高、烟叶外观质量好,吸食品质与K326相当,在贵州烟区具有很好的生态适应性。     

Bird habitat preferences drive hemoparasite infection in the Neotropical region

The role that the environment plays in vector-borne parasite infection is one of the central factors for understanding disease dynamics. We assessed how Neotropical bird foraging strata and habitat preferences determine infection by parasites of the genera Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon, and Trypanosoma and filarioids, and tested for phylogenetic signal in these host–parasite associations. We performed extensive searches of the scientific literature and created a database of hemoparasite surveys. We collected data on host body mass, foraging strata, habitat preference, and migratory status, and tested if host ecological traits predict each hemoparasite occurrence and prevalence using a phylogenetic Bayesian framework. Species of Plasmodium tend to infect birds from tropical forests while birds from altitudinal environments are likely to be infected by species of Leucocytozoon. The probability of a bird being infected by filarioid or Trypanosoma is higher in lowland forests. Bird species that occur in anthropic environments and dry habitats of tropical latitudes are more susceptible to infection by species of Haemoproteus. Host foraging strata is also influential and bird species that forage in the mid-high and canopy strata are more prone to infection by species of Haemoproteus and filarioids. We also identified phylogenetic signal for host–parasite associations with the probability of infection of Neotropical birds by any hemoparasite being more similar among more closely related species. We provided a useful framework to identify environments that correlate with hemoparasite infection, which is also helpful for detecting areas with potential suitability for hemoparasite infection due to land conversion and climate change.     

低磷胁迫对小麦镉吸收的影响

为探究低磷胁迫下小麦根系生理和形态的变化及其对镉的吸收能力的影响,以Ca₃（PO₄）₂作为磷源,通过砂培试验研究了在低磷胁迫下小麦根系形态和分泌物变化特征,以及这些变化对难溶态镉（CdCO₃）的活化与吸收的影响。结果表明,在低磷处理中,小麦地下部生物量显著低于对照,降幅为27.3%（P<0.05）,根长度、根表面积和根体积均显著变小（P<0.05）。此外,低磷胁迫下小麦地上部和地下部磷含量均显著降低,降幅分别为35.4%和23.1%（P<0.05）,但是显著促进了难溶态磷的溶解（P<0.05）。同时还发现低磷胁迫显著提高了小麦植株Cd含量和Cd的总活化量,增幅分别为190.8%和82.8%（P<0.05）。低磷胁迫下培养基pH降低了0.3,同时根中草酸根和苹果酸根含量显著升高,增幅分别为1 588.1%和37.7%（P<0.05）,由此可见,低磷胁迫下小麦通过分泌质子和羧酸根促进了磷的活化,并促进了Cd的活化,进而导致小麦Cd吸收的增加。这些结果阐明了低磷胁迫影响小麦Cd吸收的机制。     

Investigation of an outbreak of Taenia saginata cysts (cysticercus bovis) in dairy cattle from two farms

The paper describes the epidemiological investigation carried out on two dairy farms with cattle infected with Taenia saginata cysts. On the first affected farm it was estimated using Bayesian techniques that approximately 65% of 1400 mixed-age cattle were infected with Taenia saginata cysts. The investigation aimed to determine potential exposure pathways of cattle to Taenia saginata with a view to finding the human source of infection and to describe the epidemiology of the outbreak on the affected farms. In order to determine potential exposure pathways, investigation was centred on how feed or water could have been contaminated with eggs. The plausibility of pathways was determined by examining the spatial and temporal association between factors related to the pathway and the prevalence of infection in cattle strata. We describe the investigation carried out on affected farms.     

Field comparison of the interferon-gamma assay and the intradermal tuberculin test for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis

An extensive field comparison of the gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) assay and the single intradermal tuberculin test for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis was conducted in Australia. The specificity of the IFN-gamma assay was determined by testing more than 6000 cattle from tuberculosis-free herds and varied from 96.2% to 98.1%, depending on the cut-off point chosen to define a positive reactor. For the sensitivity trial, cattle from herds being de-populated because of bovine tuberculosis were examined with both assays. The sensitivity of the IFN-gamma assay was shown to be significantly higher than the single intradermal tuberculin test and varied from 76.8% to 93.6% depending on the method of interpretation. A maximum overall sensitivity of 95.2% was obtained by testing with the IFN-gamma and the tuberculin test in parallel. The superior sensitivity of the IFN-gamma assay and the ability to adjust the sensitivity of the system depending on the task involved, will provide the Australian Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign with a valuable additional test to enable it to accomplish its goals.     

Anesthetic Potency of Desflurane in the Horse: Determination of the Minimum Alveolar Concentration

Objective — To determine the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of desflurane (DES) in the horse.
Study Design — Prospective study.
Animals — Six healthy adult horses (three males and three females) weighing 370 ±16 kg and aged 9 ±2 years old.
Methods — Anesthesia was induced with DES vaporized in oxygen via a face mask connected to a large-animal, semiclosed anesthetic circle system. The horses were endotracheally intubated and positioned in right lateral recumbency. Inspired and end-tidal DES were monitored using a calibrated Ohmeda RGM 5250 multigas analyzer (Ohmeda-BOC, Spain). The MAC of desflurane that prevented gross purposeful movement in response to 60 seconds of noxious electrical stimulation of oral mucous membranes was determined.
Results — The time from the start of DES administration to lateral recumbency was 6.1 ±0.9 min. The MAC of DES in these horses was 7.6 ±0.4%. Time required for the animal to regain sternal recumbency after 98 ±4 minutes of anesthesia was 6.6 ±0.5 minutes and the time to standing was 14.3 ±2.7 minutes.
Conclusions — The MAC of desflurane in these horses was 7.6 ±0.4%. DES provided a rapid induction to, and recovery from, anesthesia.
Clinical Relevance — Desflurane offers the potential for more precise control during anesthesia, and may allow a faster and uneventful recovery. It is important to know the MAC of an inhalant to use it clinically.     

贵南县高寒草地荒漠化及其控制技术与措施

通过简述贵南县高寒干旱区草地类型、分布区域及荒漠化特征 ,从气候变化、鼠害、盲目开垦及超载过牧等自然、人为因素方面 ,分析总结了草地荒漠化引发机理 ,提出了防止草地荒漠化的对策及治理技术。