Linking size‐based trophodynamics and morphological traits in marine fishes

The rule of thumb in marine trophodynamics indicates that the bigger an organism, the higher its trophic level (TROPH). This generalization leads to the assumption that fishes increase their TROPH with growth. However, a recent review showed that for many species, TROPH does not increase with body size, suggesting that size‐independent feeding is not rare in marine fishes. Here, we assessed some morphological traits of marine fishes that could potentially be used as indicators for the ability to vary TROPH with body size. Stable isotope values of nitrogen were used as a proxy TROPH. The specific objectives were as follows: (a) to evaluate the relationship between the oral gape and the trophodynamic trend and (b) to quantify the relevance of 11 external morphological traits in determining the size‐based trophodynamics. We used random forest models to identify the morphological traits that would help predict which species would have the potential to increase TROPH with growth and which would have not. The selected traits included the pelvic fin relative position, the dorsal fin shape, total length, and relative mouth size. Our results also showed a marked relationship between the rate of increase in the oral gape and TROPH. The analyses presented here provide the first comprehensive and quantitative review aiming at linking the trophodynamics of marine fishes with external morphological traits.     

Screening oat germplasm for better adaptation to cold stress in the Southern Great Plains of the United States

Oat (Avena sativa L.) is one of the most important forage crops in the Southern Great Plains of the United States. However, it is more sensitive to cold stress than other small grains. In this study, diverse oat germplasm was evaluated for winter survival across multiple years and locations in the region. Field screening started with an observation trial of 1,861 diverse genotypes in the 2012–2013 season and was followed by four seasons of replicated trials from 2013 to 2017. Selection of good winter survivors was started in 2014–2015 season. All trials were laid out in randomized complete blocks with replications of two in 2013–2014 and 2014–2015, four in 2015–2016, and three in 2016–2017. Winter survival was scored in a 1‐to‐9 scale. Data were analysed for each year and location separately. Additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis were carried out on combined data of 35 genotypes that were commonly grown in each year and location. Highly significant (p < 0.001) variations were observed among genotypes, environments and genotype‐by‐environment interaction (GEI). The first three interaction principal components (IPCs) were highly significant (p < 0.001), explaining 96% of GEI. Broad sense heritability ranged from 46% to 93%, while heritability for all environments combined was relatively low (24.6%). At the end of the two cycles (2014/2015‐to‐2016/2017) of selection, mean winter survival was improved by more than 38% per cycle compared with the base population mean. Genotypes CIav 4390, CIav 6909 and CIav 7618 showed significantly higher winter survival than the standard checks Okay and Dallas. Genotypes CIav 4390 showed 20% and 35% improvement over the standard checks Okay and Dallas, respectively. Winter survival improvement in oat will remain a difficult task because of high GEI and low heritability. The identified superior genotypes will be used as crossing parents to transfer cold tolerance genes to other elite lines.     

Factors Affecting Sensory Quality of Cooked japonica Rice

The sensory quality of cooked rice is an important factor in determining its market price, as well as consumer acceptance and breeding efforts aimed at improvement of rice grain quality. In this study,the sensory quality and physicochemical properties of three japonica rice varieties harvested in two different growing locations(Xiangshui and Hangzhou of China) were compared to determine the most important factors affecting the sensory quality. All the three varieties had higher scores for overall sensory quality in Xiangshui than in Hangzhou, indicating that the growing location is a key factor in determining the sensory quality of cooked japonica rice. In addition to growing location, variety(genotype) also had an important effect. Longdao 18 scored the highest for overall sensory quality in the two locations, whereas Longdao 30 had the lowest score in Xiangshui, and both Longdao 20 and Longdao 30 had the lowest scores in Hangzhou. Many physicochemical properties, such as apparent amylose content, protein content, thermal properties and free amino acid contents, showed significant differences between the two locations. Correlation analysis showed that apparent amylose content and protein content had contrasting effects on all the sensory attributes. The overall sensory quality was negatively correlated with protein content(r =-0.89, P 0.01) and positively correlated with gel hardness(r = 0.91, P 0.01),indicating that the protein content and hardness are important physicochemical properties for predicting the sensory quality of japonica rice. These findings will provide guidance for selection from the diverse genotypes available to develop new varieties with the desired eating and cooking quality.     

Migration pathways,speed and mortality of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts in a Scottish river and the near‐shore coastal marine environment

Long‐distance migration of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is known to result in high levels of mortality. For a species experiencing global population decline, it is thus vital to better understand migration behaviour, both in the river and marine stages. Atlantic salmon smolts (n = 50) were tracked using acoustic telemetry in the River Deveron, Scotland, and adjacent coastal area. Higher rates of mortality were observed in the river (0.77% per km) than the early marine stage of migration (0.0% per km). Mortality likely resulted from predation. Higher swim speeds were recorded in the early marine stage compared with the river (marine = 7.37 ± 28.20 km/day; river = 5.03 ± 1.73 km/day [mean ± SD]), a potential predator avoidance behaviour. The majority of smolts leaving the river did so in darkness and on a flooding tide. Overall river and marine migration success were linked to nights of lower lunar brightness. Marine migration speed decreased with increasing environmental noise levels, a finding with implications for fisheries management. The migration pathway in the early marine environment did not follow obvious geographical features, such as the coastline. Thus, we suggest that early marine environment pathways are more influenced by complex water currents. These findings highlight factors that influence smolt migration survival and behaviour, areas on which future research should focus.     

温湿处理环境对木塑复合材弯曲性能的影响

木塑复合材在使用时应考虑不同的环境条件对材料性能的影响，本文研究了不同密度的聚丙烯基木塑复合材经高/低温和浸水处理后材料的弯曲性能的变化情况，为木塑产品的生产和应用提供依据。     

高校师范生专业素养提升的环境要素分析

河南省第十二届师范生教学技能大赛于2014年11月7日至9日在河南新乡举办,参赛选手以先进的教学理念、娴熟的教学技能于流畅的语言表达,展示了扎实的学科基本功和良好的精神面貌。郑州师范学院参赛选手虽准备充分,全情投入,但终因微弱劣势未获理想成绩。大赛让学生打开了视野,增长了见识,锻炼了队伍,发现了问题并明确了努力方向。作为此项赛事的亲历者,现结合大赛情况就郑州师范学院教学质量提升进行研究反思,以期抛砖引玉。     

水稻工厂化育秧生长信息智能模拟采集系统的设计

水稻工厂化育秧可有效提高生产效率,确保国家粮食安全。为了给水稻工厂化育秧生长管理提供更为迅速、可靠的信息判决依据和决策支持,设计了一种水稻工厂化育秧生长信息智能模拟采集系统,包括针对水稻秧苗生长情况的高光谱图像信息采集系统和监测水稻生长环境各项参数指标的环境信息采集系统(CO2采集单元、温度采集单元、土壤水分采集单元、光照强度采集单元)。同时,采用Keil C语言开发系统的工作软件,以AT8 9 S5 2单片机为控制器、LCD1 6 0 2为液晶显示器等设计了系统正常工作的软硬件系统。     

自动清粪机器人路径规划方法的研究与实现

自动清粪机器人的工作环境复杂,不仅有静态障碍物(如牛栏),且动态障碍物众多(如人和牲畜等)。为此,提出了一种基于行为方法的路径规划法。该方法非常适合于动态环境下机器人的运动规划,其原理简单、计算快捷、容易实现。根据该算法,确立了一套完整的软件系统和设计方案,并在此基础上制造出了样机。经过样机在奶牛养殖场的工作和测试,验证了该方法的实时性、准确性和可操作性。     

广谱植物内生真菌枫香拟茎点霉生态功能的研究进展

旨在证明枫香拟茎点霉(Phomopsis liquidambari)有潜力成为广谱内生菌的模式菌株之一,有利于促进内生真菌与宿主植物之间的研究更加系统化、完整化。本研究综述了一株广谱植物内生真菌P.liquidambari在改善土壤化学特性,修复受污染的土壤,优化农业生态,提高农作物产量方面的作用。并从真菌定殖情况、植物生理响应和土壤环境优化三个方面,将该菌株与当前研究较多的印度梨形孢(Piriformospora indica)进行比较,并展望了P.liquidambari的研究前景。