Flowering phenology of a herbaceous species (Poa annua) is regulated by soil Collembola

The role of soil organisms as possible driver of flowering has never been investigated. We hypothesized that Collembola (microarthropods) will change plant allocation to reproductive modes by changing soil nutrient availability. Individual seedlings of Poa annua were planted in microcosms, in the presence or absence of Collembola. Collembola affected biotic (fungal biomass) and abiotic ($\text{N}-{{\text{NO}}_3}^{-}$, P₂O₅) soil properties and some morphological (number of leaves, root biomass) and chemical (C:N, K, Mg, N) traits of P. annua. As a result, flowering of P. annua was promoted by the presence of Collembola. This provides experimental evidence that soil microarthropods can affect the reproduction strategy and phenology of a plant.     

Assessment of the hip reduction angle for predicting osteoarthritis of the hip in the Labrador Retriever

Hip palpation has been used to provide semiquantitative information regarding passive joint laxity and susceptibility to hip dysplasia. The purpose of this study was to: (1) evaluate the intra- and inter-examiner repeatability of the hip reduction angle measured at 4 months of age by three examiners using manual goniometry and an electromagnetic tracking system; (2) compare the hip reduction angle measured with manual goniometry to the hip reduction angle measured with the electromagnetic tracking system; and (3) evaluate the hip reduction angle, distraction index and Ortolani manoeuvre at 4 months of age as predictors of the development of hip osteoarthritis at 12 months of age in 11 Labrador Retriever dogs. Intra- and inter-examiner repeatability was demonstrated for both the manual and electromagnetic goniometric measurement of the hip reduction angle (coefficient of variation < 4.3% and < 6.1%; and P = 0.163 and P = 0.836 respectively). The hip reduction angle measured by manual goniometry was moderately correlated to the hip reduction angle measured by the electromagnetic tracking system (r = 0.603, P < 0.0000). The hip reduction angle measured by manual and electromagnetic goniometry was a poor predictor of osteoarthritis at 12 months of age (r = 0.231, P < 0.062, and r = 0.321, P < 0.01). The distraction index was moderately correlated with the development of osteoarthritis by 12 months of age (r = 0.493, P < 0.0000). The Ortolani sign was sensitive (100%) but not specific (41%) for the development of osteoarthritis at 12 months of age. The hip reduction angle did not further quantify the Ortolani manoeuvre as a predictor of osteoarthritis in Labrador Retrievers.     

Natural hybridization between wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and its wild relatives Aegilops geniculata Roth and Aegilops triuncialis L.

BACKGROUND

Cultivated bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) spontaneously hybridizes with wild/weedy related Aegilops populations, but little is known about the actual rates at which this hybridization occurs under field conditions. It is very important to provide reliable empirical data on this phenomenon in order to assess the potential crop–wild introgression, especially in the context of conducting risk assessments for the commercialization of genetically modified (GM) wheat, as gene flow from wheat to Aegilops species could transfer into the wild species genes coding for traits such as resistance to herbicides, insects, diseases or environmental stresses.

RESULTS

The spontaneous hybridization rates between wheat and A. geniculata and A. triuncialis, which are very abundant in the Mediterranean area, have been estimated for the first time in the northern part of the Meseta Central, the great central plateau which includes the largest area of wheat cultivation in Spain. Hybridization rates averaged 0.12% and 0.008% for A. geniculata and A. triuncialis, respectively. Hybrids were found in 26% of A. geniculata and 5% of A. triuncialis populations, at rates that can be ≤3.6% for A. geniculata and 0.24% for A. triuncialis.

CONCLUSION

The detection of Aegilops spp.–wheat hybrids in Aegilops populations indicates that gene flow can occur, although wheat is considered a crop with a low-to-medium risk for transgene escape. These data on field hybridization rates are essential for GM wheat risk assessment purposes. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.     

基于MaxEnt模型预测梨火疫病菌的潜在地理分布

为探究梨火疫病菌解淀粉欧文氏菌Erwinia amylovora在全球的潜在地理分布,基于其全球分布数据和筛选得到的环境变量,利用MaxEnt模型对其在当前气候和未来气候条件下的潜在地理分布进行预测,并利用刀切法和皮尔逊相关性分析法筛选对梨火疫病菌分布有重要影响的环境变量。结果显示,对梨火疫病菌分布有重要影响的环境变量包括2月平均最高温度、1月平均降水量、7月平均最低温度、温度变化方差、昼夜温差月均值和7月平均降水量,表明春季和夏季的温度和降水对梨火疫病菌的分布有较大影响。在当前气候条件下,梨火疫病菌在全球的适生区分布较广,适生区总面积达到5.58×10⁷ km²,且高适生区主要分布在北美洲沿海地区、地中海沿岸和亚洲中部及东部的部分地区;梨火疫病菌在我国的适生区总面积为7.36×10⁶ km²,占全国陆地总面积的76.70%;在未来气候SSP126和SSP585情景下,梨火疫病菌在全球的适生区总面积分别为5.52×10⁷ km²和5.24×10⁷ km²。表明梨火疫病菌对我国大部分地区有潜在威胁,应加强监测与防控。     

中国草地固碳减排研究现状及其建议

随着经济的快速发展,温室气体的排放量不断增加,加之人类对自然资源的利用强度逐渐增加,导致全球生态系统的固碳能力减弱,大气中的温室气体浓度达到新高,所造成的温室效应已经成为国际社会普遍关注的重大全球性问题。中国草地碳汇资源得天独厚,发展草原碳汇经济成为履行国际承诺、打造碳汇新经济、建设美丽中国的重要载体。综述中国草地固碳减排现状及其影响因素,包括草地碳汇和家畜生产减排研究、气候变化背景下的草地碳汇、人工草地建设等方面,并提出中国草地固碳减排发展建议,以期为中国实现碳达峰、碳中和及草地固碳减排的贡献提供理论基础,为推动我国社会高质量发展、创造高品质生活提供坚实的技术支撑。     

陕北农牧交错带牧草生产力分析

根据陕北农牧交错带的生态环境特点以及牧草生长发育过程对水热资源的要求和利用效率,运用迈阿密模型定量估算陕北农牧交错带七县区牧草自然生产力。并与牧草现实生产力进行比较。研究表明:陕北农牧交错带牧草现实生产力仅为自然生产力的30.80%。基本掌握了该区牧草生产力状况和特点,并据此提出了相应的开发战略和实施途径。     

Reference Efficiency of Planetary Gear Train

Reference efficiency of a pair of gear drive without planetary motion is the base to calculate efficiency of the whole planetary gear train. The authors find reference efficiency for speed increase is higher than that of the same drive used for speed reduction. This is different from the earlier viewpoint. New equations are derived for correctly calculating the reference efficiency of spur gear and helical gear with internal conjugate and external conjugate either in the state of speed increase or speed reduction respectively. The equations are also used to calculate efficiency of 2K-H planetary gear train.     

Current Status of DIMOX in Synthesizing Al/Al2O3 by Aluminum Alloy

The processes, microstructures, properties and mechanisms of DIMOX in synthesizing Al/Al 2O 3 by Al-Mg-Si alloy are reviewed and their problems are considered mainly as following:non_homogeneous oxidation growth of Al/Al 2O 3 at the surface of melts and the porosity of Al/Al 2O 3 limites structural application of Al/Al 2O 3 composite. The mechanisms and models of microchannel,magnesium action,silicon action,and induction are outlined. Several problems which need to be noticed are pointed out,which are diffusion and transfer of oxygen in aluminium melts;the role of MgO and MgAl 2O 4 at outer layer;the reaction feature of solid_gas in the oxidation microstructures of Al_Mg_Si alloy;SiO 2 induction mechanism of silicon and its correlation with the mechanism of magnesium action in Al_Mg_Si alloy.     

A Study on the Reduction of Hexavalent Chromium Ion in the Process of Sintering and Ironmaking

The basic principle of using chromium leach residue as melting flux of blast furnace is introduced in this paper.The reduction thermodynamics of Na 2CrO 4 and chromium oxides in the process of sintering and ironmaking is studied,and the simulating experiments in the laboratory and industrial experiments in 600 m 3 blase furnace are carried out.The results of thermodynamical study and experimental study show that hexavalent chromium ion in the burden can be well eliminated in the process of sintering and ironmaking.