Lignin Characteristics of Steam Exploded Bamboo Residue during Hot Pressing

bamboo(Phyllostachys edulis) residue was subjected to steam explosion treatment to produce superior fibers for binderless boards.Then,lignin was isolated from extract-free bamboo meal,steam exploded pulp,and binderless boards with characteristics being determined by thermo-gravimetry (TG),differential scanning calorimetry (DSC),and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).Results showed that:1) the yield of lignin directly extracted with dioxane-water from steam exploded bamboo pulp(SEBPL) and binderless board (SEBBL) was higher than that of milled bamboo lignin (MBL).Also,the yield of SEBBL was lower than that of SEBPL.2) FTIR results showed cleavage of ester and ether bonds between lignin and p-coumaric acid during steam explosion treatment.3) SEBBL showed two glass transitions at 115℃and 200℃, while MBL gave one glass transitions at 155℃.And 4) the modulus of rupture(MOR) and modulus of elasticity(MOE) decreased with an increase in steaming time;whereas internal bonding(IB) increased.In all cases the dimensional stability of boards did not exceed the maximum requirements for type GB/T 11718- 1999.     

Effect of SCD and SREBP genotypes on fatty acid composition in adipose tissue of Japanese Black cattle herds

Fatty acid composition of beef adipose tissue is one of important traits because high proportions of monounsaturated fatty acid are related to favorable beef flavor and tenderness. In this study, we investigated effects of genetic factors such as stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) on beef carcass traits including fatty acid composition using two cattle populations. Sire effect was significantly related to almost all traits except BMS, suggesting that the trait examined in this study is highly controlled by genetic factors. The effect of SCD genotype on fatty acid composition was detected remarkably in both cattle groups, especially on stearic and oleic acids. This result was consistent with our previous studies and suggests that SCD is associated with fatty acid composition. Unlike SCD genotyping, the effect of SREBP genotype was not identified in this study. Our results suggested that SCD genotype would contribute to improving beef quality in field populations. Further studies about the relationship among these factors will bring an insight into the molecular mechanism of fatty acid metabolism in cattle.     

Identification of priority areas for controlling soil erosion

Conservation prioritization is an important consideration for planning of natural resources management, allowing decison makers to implement management strategies that are more sustainable in the long-term. However, only a current erosion status or a relative index cannot exactly identify priority area for conservation. The objective of this paper is to identify conservation priorities by a specific multicriteria evaluation method. Trends in erosion risk indicate regions of increasing erosion risk and are also chosen as one of the evaluation criteria to identify the priorities based on the instability of soil erosion in the Yongding river basin. In this paper, vegetation cover, land-use, and slope gradient are used to assess erosion risk and trends in erosion risk are obtained by comparing the results of erosion risk between 2000 and 2006. Using this information, the priority conservation areas are graded into six levels. The two highest priority levels cover the regions with severe erosion or a substantial recent increase in erosion risk (4722.56 km², or 11.82% of the study area), and are recommended as erosion control regions with appropriate conservation strategies. The middle two levels cover the regions with stable erosion status or slight change, needing only minor measures. The method presented is fast and straightforward, showing good potential for successful application in other areas.     

基于ARM9和GPS的农田面积测量仪设计

全球定位系统(GPS)在精细农业中起着很重要的作用,应用也越来越广泛.为此,介绍了一种基于ARM9微处理器芯片S3C2410和GPS接收模块E531的农田面积测量仪.同时,阐述了GPS农田位置信息采集模块、WINCE.NET操作系统等软硬件的设计思路和实现方法.该测量仪便于携带,具有很好的通用性和扩展性,可满足精细农业需要.     

区域耕地保护目标的合理选择——以浙江省为例

尽管我国已经制定了世界上最严格的耕地保护制度,却仍未能控制住耕地的流失.区域耕地保护目标的合理选择是耕地保护政策能够有效实施的重要保障.为此,采用了AMIRA(1,1,1)和GM(1,1)、信息熵及多元回归等多种预测方法,以耕地资源贫乏的浙江省为例,从耕地生产粮食和提供农民收入的功能出发,确定保证粮食安全和农民增收所需的区域耕地保护规模;对耕地减少和增加的途径分析,得出耕地的供给量,计算耕地供需平衡指数,得出以保证人们生存安全为2007-2020年浙江省的耕地保护目标.这一目标既能保证特殊时期的粮食安全问题,又能满足社会各业用地,实现了浙江省经济社会的持续发展.     

Age-related histological changes in the canine substantia nigra

Age-related changes in the canine substantia nigra, were examined using immunostaining for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neurofilament (NF), ubiquitin, single stranded DNA (ssDNA), and alpha-synuclein (alphaSN). Brain sections from 34 necropsied dogs, ranging from 2 months to 18 years old, were used for this study. On general histological examinations, several age-related changes, including lipofuscin deposition, polyglucosan bodies, amorphous basophilic inclusions and eosinophilic crystal inclusions, were found in the aged dogs. Immunohistochemically, TH-positive neurons were located only in the substantia nigra. The number of TH-positive neurons was well preserved in all dogs examined, however, the ratio of TH-positive neurons to GFAP-positive glial cells tended to show slight decrease in aged dogs. By ssDNA immunostaining for apoptotic cells, there were no significant results in the number of ssDNA-positive neurons. The number of ubiquitin- and NF-positive swollen neurites was increased markedly in aged dogs. Ubiquitin immunostaining revealed a small number of basophilic and eosinophilic inclusions, although both types of inclusions were negative for NF. By alphaSN immunostaining, no neurons were immunoreactive and no basophilic or eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions were revealed. These results indicate that in the substantia nigra of aged dogs the dopaminergic neurons are well preserved, but intracytoplasmic inclusions and ubiquitin-positive degenerative neurites are commonly found.     

Occurrence of conjugated linoleic acid in ruminant products and its physiological functions

Milk and meat products derived from ruminants contain a mixture of positional and geometric isomers of C_18:2 with conjugated double bonds, and cis‐9, trans‐11C_18:2 (conjugated linoleic acid, CLA) is the predominant isomer. The presence of CLA in ruminant products relates to the biohydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids by rumen bacteria. Although, it has been suggested that cis‐9, trans‐11 CLA is an intermediate that escapes complete ruminal biohydrogenation of linoleic acid, is absorbed from the digestive tract, and transported to tissues via circulation. Its major source is endogenous biosynthesis involving Δ⁹‐desaturase with trans‐11C_18:1 produced in the rumen as the substrate. CLA has recently been recognized in animal studies as a nutrient that exerts important physiological effects, including anticarcinogenic effects, prevention of cholesterol‐induced atherosclerosis, enhancement of the immune response, reduction in fat accumulation in body, ability to enhance growth promotion, antidiabetic effects and improvement in bone mineralization. The present review focused on the origin of CLA in ruminant products, and the health benefits, metabolism and physiological functions of CLA.     

欧洲和北美地区退化泥炭地修复技术与借鉴

泥炭地是重要的自然湿地类型，具有固碳、水文调节、生物多样性维护等多种生态系统服务功能。受侵蚀、火灾等自然灾害以及排水疏干、过度放牧和基础建设等强烈的人为干扰，全球泥炭地面积不断缩减，成为全球气候变化背景下的碳源。文中从水文修复、植被修复和生态监测与评估等方面，综述了欧洲和北美国家退化泥炭地修复技术研究进展，结合若尔盖湿地修复技术现状进行了研究展望，旨在为我国高原退化湿地的生态修复提供参考。     

Behavioral changes in laying hens after introduction to battery cages, furnished cages and an aviary

A variety of investigations into alternative systems and furnished cages for laying hens have been conducted, mainly in the European Union. However, comparative studies about the behavior of laying hens just after introduction to these housing systems are few. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the changes of location and behavior of laying hens just after introduction to three housing systems. In total, 181 White Leghorns were used. Thirty‐six birds were allocated to 12 battery cages with three birds per cage (613 cm²/bird); 36 birds were allocated to nine furnished cages with four birds per cage (1170 cm²/bird); and 109 birds were allocated to an aviary (1130 cm²/bird). Direct observations using scanning techniques were conducted over 2 weeks for 4 h/day from the day following the introduction. Scan samples of location and behavior were taken at 10 min intervals. The proportion of birds that stayed at each location in the furnished cages was stable during the observation period. In the aviary, 78% of birds were observed on the floor on the first day, and thereafter the proportion linearly decreased (P < 0.01). The proportions of birds eating in both the battery and furnished cages were stable, indicating that the caged birds would adjust to these environments within a short period. Display of aggression was lower in both the cages (both 0.3 ± 0.1%) than in the aviary (3.5 ± 1.0%, P < 0.001), which indicates the early establishment of social order in both cage systems. In the aviary, the birds were observed eating less frequently than in both the cages on the first day, and the proportion thereafter linearly increased (P < 0.01), and the use of tiered wire floors with feeders accompanied this (P < 0.01). Comfort behaviors, including dust bathing, were noted less in the aviary than in the furnished cages throughout the observation period (both P < 0.05). These results suggest that adjustment of aviary birds to their new environment had been delayed compared with caged birds because of the prerearing conditions and the environmental complexity of the aviary.     

Effects of an environmental enrichment using a drum can on behavioral, physiological and productive characteristics in fattening beef cattle

To evaluate the effects of environmental enrichment on behavioral, physiological and productive characteristics, 71 Japanese Black × Holstein steers (8 months of age; 299.5 ± 22.6 kg) were allocated to three pens in two repetitive experiments. Pen C (n = 11 and 12) consisted of a feeding alley for grain feed, a trough for dry hay, a water bowl and a resting space as a control pen. Pen D (n = 12 and 12) included a drum can (58 cm diameter × 90 cm height) containing hay. Pen GD (n = 12 and 12) included a drum can that was placed around artificial plastic turf (30 × 120 cm) for grooming. The drum cans were removed after 5 months of installation. Behavioral observations were made for 2 h at 10 min intervals after feeding on three successive days each month for 10 months. Agonistic interactions were also continuously observed for 1 h after feeding to assess the dominance order (DO). Sampling blood and measuring bodyweight were performed bimonthly. The steers used the drum can frequently for 3 months after installation (1st, 2nd, 3rd months vs 4 months, all P < 0.05). The frequency of total eating of grain feed and hay was higher in pen D and pen GD than in pen C (both P < 0.01), while it was lowest in pen GD after removal of the drum can (P < 0.05). Grooming at the drum can was observed more frequently in pen GD than in pen D (P < 0.05). After they finished eating the grain feed, they ate hay at the drum can that contained additional hay rather than at the trough for hay (P < 0.01). Plasma dopamine concentrations were higher in pen D than in pen C (P < 0.05), and serum triglyceride concentrations were higher in pen C than in pen GD (P < 0.05) during the installation of the drum can. After removal of the drum can, serum total cholesterol concentrations became higher in pen D and GD than in pen C (both P < 0.05). Average daily gain correlated positively with the frequency of eating hay at the drum can in pen D (r_s = 0.52, P < 0.01). In pen GD, the frequency of using the drum can correlated negatively with DO (r_s = ?0.59, P < 0.01). Carcass belly fat was thicker in pens D and GD than in pen C (both P < 0.01). In pen GD, the frequency of eating hay (r_s = 0.79, P < 0.01) and grooming at the drum can (r_s = 0.63, P < 0.05) correlated positively with the marbling score. Although social factor affected the steers using the drum can, installing it in the early fattening stage encouraged the steers to eat and groom there and resulted in better carcass characteristics through the prolonged physiological positive effects.