Diversity in daytime and night‐time transpiration dynamics in barley indicates adaptation to drought regimes across the Middle‐East

A challenge to breeding drought‐tolerant barley in the Middle‐East is that precipitation and evaporative demand patterns dictate opposite water use strategies (conservative vs. risk‐taking). To characterize these strategies, we examined high‐resolution, whole‐plant transpiration rate (TR) responses to increasing vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and nocturnal TR (TR_N) dynamics among 25 local barley genotypes, using a novel phenotyping system. These traits were specifically selected because they exist under modalities enabling the expression of both strategies. The genotypes were selected from locations spread across a large aridity gradient represented by temperature and precipitation data spanning 30 years. Here, we uncovered a substantial diversity in TR responses to VPD where slopes of the linear responses correlated negatively with local maximal temperatures, pointing to opposite drought tolerance strategies. Low canopy conductance (low slopes) was associated with higher aridity, likely to enable water‐saving, while higher conductance was associated with wetter areas, likely to enable a more aggressive water use to maximize physiological activity. TR_N was highly diverse and represented up to 15% of maximal daytime TR, pointing to the possibility of increasing water‐saving by reducing TR_N. Furthermore, we detected pre‐dawn variation in TR_N that negatively correlated with local precipitation, indicating that a tighter circadian control is associated with adaptation to drought, consistently with a circadian resonance mechanism. These findings indicate that canopy conductance and TR_N are potentially beneficial to design drought‐tolerant barley germplasm adapted to different drought regimes taking place in the Middle‐East.     

Characterization of the trade in manta and devil ray gill plates in China and South‐east Asia through trader surveys

1. Dried gill plates from manta and devil rays, some of the world's most biologically vulnerable fishes, have become a valued commodity in Asian dried‐seafood and traditional Chinese medicine markets. This trade is a primary driver of fisheries, which have led to declines in many mobulid populations.
2. With no reliable trade statistics and scarce data on mobulid fisheries, this study estimates the number and species of mobulids required to supply this trade, and investigates the consumers and suppliers involved and drivers of demand. Following preliminary market research, 525 trader surveys were conducted in Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, Taiwan, and southern China.
3. Guangzhou, China was identified as the centre of the trade accounting for 99% of total estimated market volume of 60.5 tons of dried gill plates in 2011, increasing to 120.5 tons by 2013. The estimated number of mobulids converted from tons of gill plates more than doubled over the period to 130 000, comprising 96% devil rays, Mobula japanica, Mobula thurstoni, and Mobula tarapacana, and 4% Manta spp. By 2015 the Guangzhou market had declined sharply, reportedly due to conservation campaigns and government policies. However Hong Kong's gill plate sales increased dramatically between 2011 and 2015.
4. China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and India were reported most frequently as gill plate sources.
5. Vendors recommend gill plates (trade name pengyusai) for ailments ranging from acne to cancer and as a general health tonic. While pengyusai is a new addition to traditional Chinese medicine literature and is rarely prescribed by traditional medicine practitioners, it is readily available over the counter and aggressively marketed by vendors.
6. Working in concert with consumer demand reduction efforts, increased measures to restrict mobulid fisheries and trade are recommended to prevent further population declines of these highly vulnerable species.

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantifying subjective human dimensions of recreational fishing: does good health come to those who bait?

Recreational fishing is a popular sport and leisure activity in many countries worldwide. There has been growing interest by recreational fishing groups and researchers in the perceived physical and psychological health and social (or ‘biopsychosocial’) benefits of recreational fishing. However, quantifying the key subjective ‘human dimensions’ of fishing that satisfy both the needs of recreational fishing groups and fishery managers is a major obstacle. We propose the use of psychometrically valid health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) measures widely used in the medical and health sciences – namely the Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36) – as rapid, reliable and cost‐effective instruments for quantifying HRQOL of recreational fishers. The widespread use of SF‐36 and availability of population normative data allows comparisons of the HRQOL of recreational fishers across multiple temporal and spatial scales, with participants of other activities, and the general population. The use of such measures in periodic surveys allows the biopsychosocial status of a recreational fishery's participants to be assessed using a modified Kobe plot, a graphical format that is easily interpretable and consistent with existing reporting formats used in fisheries stock assessment. Future biopsychosocial research in recreational fisheries can further benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration to develop a suite of standardized psychometrically valid and reliable instruments for assessing specific issues that commonly affect recreational fisheries from regional to international scales, such as drivers of fisher motivation, behaviour and satisfaction.     

试论平衡压力对胶合板鼓泡缺陷的影响

介绍了胶合板热压过程中平衡压力对鼓泡的影响.     

Effect of anesthetic induction with propofol,alfaxalone or ketamine on intraocular pressure in cats: a randomized masked clinical investigation

ObjectiveTo compare the effect of propofol, alfaxalone and ketamine on intraocular pressure (IOP) in cats.Study designProspective, masked, randomized clinical trial.AnimalsA total of 43 ophthalmologically normal cats scheduled to undergo general anesthesia for various procedures.MethodsFollowing baseline IOP measurements using applanation tonometry, anesthesia was induced with propofol (n = 15), alfaxalone (n = 14) or ketamine (n = 14) administered intravenously to effect. Then, midazolam (0.3 mg kg^?1) was administered intravenously and endotracheal intubation was performed without application of topical anesthesia. The IOP was measured following each intervention. Data was analyzed using one-way anova and repeated-measures mixed design with post hoc analysis. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.ResultsMean ± standard error IOP at baseline was not different among groups (propofol, 18 ± 0.6; alfaxalone, 18 ± 0.7; ketamine, 17 ± 0.5 mmHg). Following induction of anesthesia, IOP increased significantly compared with baseline in the propofol (20 ± 0.7 mmHg), but not in the alfaxalone (19 ± 0.8 mmHg) or ketamine (16 ± 0.7 mmHg) groups. Midazolam administration resulted in significant decrease from the previous measurement in the alfaxalone group (16 ± 0.7 mmHg), but not in the propofol group (19 ± 0.7 mmHg) or the ketamine (16 ± 0.8 mmHg) group. A further decrease was measured after intubation in the alfaxalone group (15 ± 0.9 mmHg).Conclusions and clinical relevancePropofol should be used with caution in cats predisposed to perforation or glaucoma, as any increase in IOP should be avoided.     

Comparison between mainstream (Capnostat 5) and a low-flow sidestream capnometer (Capnostream) in mechanically ventilated,sevoflurane-anesthetized rabbits using a Bain coaxial delivery system

ObjectiveTo evaluate agreement between end-tidal carbon dioxide (Pe′CO₂) and PaCO₂ with sidestream and mainstream capnometers in mechanically ventilated anesthetized rabbits, with two ventilatory strategies.Study designProspective experimental study.AnimalsA total of 10 New Zealand White rabbits weighing 3.6 ± 0.3 kg (mean ± standard deviation).MethodsRabbits anesthetized with sevoflurane were intubated with an uncuffed endotracheal tube (3.0 mm internal diameter) and adequate seal. For Pe′CO₂, the sidestream capnometer sampling adapter or the mainstream capnometer was placed between the endotracheal tube and Bain breathing system (1.5 L minute^–1 oxygen). PaCO₂ was obtained from arterial blood collected every 5 minutes. A time-cycled ventilator delivered an inspiratory time of 1 second and 12 or 20 breaths minute^–1. Peak inspiratory pressure was initially set to achieve Pe′CO₂ normocapnia of 35–45 mmHg (4.6–6.0 kPa). A total of five paired Pe′CO₂ and PaCO₂ measurements were obtained with each ventilation mode for each capnometer. Anesthetic episodes were separated by 7 days. Agreement was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis and linear mixed models; p < 0.05.ResultsThere were 90 and 83 pairs for the mainstream and sidestream capnometers, respectively. The mainstream capnometer underestimated PaCO₂ by 12.6 ± 2.9 mmHg (proportional bias 0.44 ± 0.06 mmHg per 1 mmHg PaCO₂ increase). With the sidestream capnometer, ventilation mode had a significant effect on Pe′CO₂. At 12 breaths minute^–1, Pe′CO₂ underestimated PaCO₂ by 23.9 ± 8.2 mmHg (proportional bias: 0.81 ± 0.18 mmHg per 1 mmHg PaCO₂ increase). At 20 breaths minute^–1, Pe′CO₂ underestimated PaCO₂ by 38.8 ± 5.0 mmHg (proportional bias 1.13 ± 0.10 mmHg per 1 mmHg PaCO₂ increase).Conclusions and clinical relevanceBoth capnometers underestimated PaCO₂. The sidestream capnometer underestimated PaCO₂ more than the mainstream capnometer, and was affected by ventilation mode.     

不同牧压梯度下高寒草甸演替及植物物种多样性分异特征

通过对不同牧压梯度导致的4个相邻高寒草甸植物群落物种多样性的调查,探讨了放牧驱动下高寒草甸演替及植物物种多样性分异特征,以期为高寒草甸合理利用提供依据。结果表明:矮嵩草时期与小嵩草草毡表层开裂期的多样性指数D差异不显著,其他3个阶段间差异显著(P0.05);多样性指数H除禾草矮嵩草时期与小嵩草草毡表层开裂期,矮嵩草时期与小嵩草草毡表层加厚期差异不显著外,其他均差异显著(P0.05);均匀度指数除矮嵩草时期与小嵩草草毡表层加厚期差异不显著,其他3个时期差异均达到显著水平(P0.05);放牧明显改变了高寒草甸的主要建群种和优势种,伴随牧压强度增大,植物群落发生更替,莎草科重要值增大,禾本科重要值减小,草甸植物群落由禾草矮嵩草时期向矮嵩草时期、小嵩草草毡表层加厚期、小嵩草草毡表层开裂期演替。     

Agreement of high definition oscillometry with direct arterial blood pressure measurement at different blood pressure ranges in horses under general anaesthesia

ObjectiveTo determine the agreement of high definition oscillometry (HDO) with direct arterial blood pressure measurements in normotensive, hypotensive and hypertensive horses during general anaesthesia.Study designExperimental study.AnimalsSeven healthy warmblood horses, aged 3–11 years, weighing 470–565 kg.MethodsMeasurements from a HDO device with the cuff placed around the base of the tail were compared with pressures measured invasively from the facial artery. High blood pressures were induced by intravenous (IV) administration of dobutamine (5 μg kg⁻¹ minute⁻¹) over ten minutes followed by norepinephrine (0.1 mg kg⁻¹ IV) and low pressures by increasing the inspired fraction of isoflurane and administration of nitroglycerine (0.05 mg kg⁻¹ IV). For analysis three pressure levels were determined: high (MAP>110 mmHg), normal (60 mmHgResultsA total of 245 paired measurements of systolic (SAP), mean (MAP) and diastolic (DAP) pressures were obtained. The HDO device underestimated blood pressure at hypertensive and normotensive levels and overestimated blood pressure at hypotensive levels. Best agreement was obtained for SAP and MAP within normotensive limits. At normotension, bias ± standard deviation for SAP, MAP and DAP were 0.1 ± 19.4 mmHg, 0.5 ± 14.0, 4.7 ± 15.6, respectively. At high pressure levels bias and SD were 26.1 ± 37.3 (SAP), 4.2 ± 19.4 (MAP), 1.5 ± 16.8 (DAP) and at low pressures -20.0 ± 20.9 (SAP), -11.4 ± 19.6 (MAP), -4.7 ± 20.1 (DAP), with HDO measurements at a MAP <50 mmHg often failing.Conclusion and clinical relevanceGood agreement with invasive arterial blood pressures was obtained with HDO at normotensive levels in horses. At high and low pressure ranges HDO was unreliable. Therefore, if haemodynamic instability is expected, invasive measurement remains preferable.     

Assessing the influence of mechanical ventilation on blood gases and blood pressure in rattlesnakes

ObjectiveTo characterize the impact of mechanical positive pressure ventilation on heart rate (HR), arterial blood pressure, blood gases, lactate, glucose, sodium, potassium and calcium concentrations in rattlesnakes during anesthesia and the subsequent recovery period.Study designProspective, randomized trial.AnimalsTwenty one fasted adult South American rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus terrificus).MethodsSnakes were anesthetized with propofol (15 mg kg⁻¹) intravenously, endotracheally intubated and assigned to one of four ventilation regimens: Spontaneous ventilation, or mechanical ventilation at a tidal volume of 30 mL kg⁻¹ at 1 breath every 90 seconds, 5 breaths minute⁻¹, or 15 breaths minute⁻¹. Arterial blood was collected from indwelling catheters at 30, 40, and 60 minutes and 2, 6, and 24 hours following induction of anesthesia and analyzed for pH, PaO₂, PaCO₂, and selected variables. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and HR were recorded at 30, 40, 60 minutes and 24 hours.ResultsSpontaneous ventilation and 1 breath every 90 seconds resulted in a mild hypercapnia (PaCO₂ 22.4 ± 4.3 mmHg [3.0 ± 0.6 kPa] and 24.5 ± 1.6 mmHg [3.3 ± 0.2 kPa], respectively), 5 breaths minute⁻¹ resulted in normocapnia (14.2 ± 2.7 mmHg [1.9 ± 0.4 kPa]), while 15 breaths minute⁻¹ caused marked hypocapnia (8.2 ± 2.5 mmHg [1.1 ± 0.3 kPa]). Following recovery, blood gases of the four groups were similar from 2 hours. Anesthesia, independent of ventilation was associated with significantly elevated glucose, lactate and potassium concentrations compared to values at 24 hours (p < 0.0001). MAP increased significantly with increasing ventilation frequency (p < 0.001). HR did not vary among regimens.Conclusions and clinical relevanceMechanical ventilation had a profound impact on blood gases and blood pressure. The results support the use of mechanical ventilation with a frequency of 1–2 breaths minute⁻¹ at a tidal volume of 30 mL kg⁻¹ during anesthesia in fasted snakes.