Phenological and physiological evaluation of first and second cropping periods of sorghum and maize crops

Environmental conditions influence phenology and physiological processes of plants. It is common for maize and sorghum to be sown at two different periods: the first cropping (spring/summer) and the second cropping (autumn/winter). The phenological cycle of these crops varies greatly according to the planting season, and it is necessary to characterize the growth and development to facilitate the selection of the species best adapted to the environment. The aim of this study was to characterize phenological phases and physiological parameters in sorghum and maize plants as a function of environmental conditions from the first cropping and second cropping periods. Two parallel experiments were conducted with both crops. The phenological characterization was based on growth analyses (plant height, leaf area and photoassimilate partitioning) and gas exchange evaluations (net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration and water-use efficiency). It was found that the vegetative stage (VS) for sorghum and maize plants was 7 and 21 days, respectively, longer when cultivated during the second cropping. In the first cropping, the plants were taller than in the second cropping, regardless of the crop. The stomatal conductance of sorghum plants fluctuated in the second cropping during the development period, while maize plants showed decreasing linear behaviour. Water-use efficiency in sorghum plants was higher during the second cropping compared with the first cropping. In maize plants, in the second cropping, the water-use efficiency showed a slight variation in relation to the first cropping. It was concluded that the environmental conditions as degree-days, temperature, photoperiod and pluvial precipitation influence the phenology and physiology of both crops during the first and the second cropping periods, specifically cycle duration, plant height, leaf area, net assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency, indicating that both crops respond differentially to environmental changes during the growing season.     

家禽消化道酶分泌及活性影响因子的研究进展

家禽消化道酶的分泌及活性受到了包括可溶性非淀粉多糖、胰蛋白酶抑制因子、半胱胺、进食、单宁、环境温度、疾病和应激、微生态制剂以及饲料酶制剂等在内的诸多因素的影响,因此,在生产实践中,尤其是在使用外源性饲料酶制剂的过程中,应有目的地促进内源性消化酶的分泌,并提高其活性,才能达到较好的饲喂效果。     

湖南省推进兽医社会化服务发展的探索与实践

湖南省主动适应兽医工作新形势,积极推进兽医社会化服务发展,创新服务体制机制,扎实稳妥开展兽医社会化服务试点。本文总结了湖南省推进兽医社会化服务发展取得的成效,包括防疫效果提升、人员待遇提高、职能定位明确,发展空间拓宽等,分析了改革试点中存在的社会化服务组织发展困难、财政投入不足、监管体系能力薄弱等问题,提出了加强统筹协调、注重组织培育、加强财政保障、强化绩效评估等发展建议,为全面推进兽医社会化服务提供了借鉴。     

长梗润楠扦插生根对IBA、NAA和IAA的响应

长梗润楠(Machilus longipedicellata)是西南地区的特有树种之一,也是优良的绿化树种。以长梗润楠为试材,采用U_7(7~6)方法,研究了IBA、NAA、IAA对长梗润楠扦插生根的影响。结果表明:扦插9个月时,平均愈伤组织产生率、生根率、一级根数、一级根长和一级根直径分别为78.9%~85.6%、84.5%~92.2%、2.7~3.7条·株~-1、9.7~14.6cm和1.22~1.58mm;0.75g·L~(-1) IAA+0.4g·L~(-1) IBA组合的生根率、平均一级根数、一级根直径和根长分别达85.5%、3.5条·株-1、1.58mm和13.5cm,为生根性状综合指标较优的处理组合。穗条的生根率与愈伤组织产生率间呈极显著正相关(P≈0.0000.01),二者的相关模型为Y=26.846+0.629 X(R2=0.506,R2Adj=0.484)。     

基于云变换和Rough集扩展模型的判定树构造

针对现有判定树算法在处理空缺值和连续值以及知识表达上不精确性和复杂性问题，提出基于云变换和Rough扩展模型的判定树构造算法。该算法利用云变换来离散化连续属性，然后根据概念集，采用极大判定法对每个数值型属性的原始属性值进行软划分，从而得到离散属性值。最后利用特性关系下的加权平均粗糙度来选取当前结点的分裂属性来递归生成判定树。与C5.0算法相比，新算法可妥善处理空缺值、合理离散连续属性。试验结果表明,该算法具有良好的实用性。     

Immunohistochemical expression of HER - 2 and Ki - 67 in granulosa cell tumor in bitches

Granulosa cell tumour, an ovarian neoplasm of stromal origin, is an important tumour related to oestrogenic dominance syndrome and cystic endometrial hyperplasia–pyometra complex. In order to analyse ovarian tumour´s malignant potential, immunohistochemical markers can be used, such as anti-HER2 and anti-Ki-67. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of immunohistochemical markers HER-2 and Ki-67 in granulosa cell tumour from bitches´ ovaries. In HER-2 immunomarker analysis using the HercepTest^® method, most tumours were classified as 2+ (moderate labelling). Concerning Ki-67 immunomarker, only one case was described as having a high proliferative index. An association was found between immunostained cell percentage by anti-HER-2 antibodies and high pleomorphism, represented by the pattern of follicular/trabecular tumour arrangement. There was no correlation between anti-Ki-67 and anti-HER-2 antibody immunostaining intensities, probably due to only one case with a high Ki-67 index. With an effective protocol for HER-2 and Ki-67 immunohistochemical identification in granulosa cell tumours in bitches, it was possible to characterize this neoplasm proliferation profile.     

Audiograms estimated from brainstem tone-evoked potentials in dogs from 10 days to 1.5 months of age

The objective of this study was to build audiograms from thresholds of brainstem tone-evoked potentials in dogs and to evaluate age-related change of the audiogram in puppies. Results were obtained from 9 Beagle puppies 10-47 days of age. Vertex to mastoid brainstem auditory-evoked potentials in response to 5.1-millisecond Hanning-gated sine waves with frequencies octave-spaced from 0.5 to 32 kHz were recorded. Three dogs were examined at 10, 13, 19, 25, and 45 days. Four other dogs were examined at 16 days. Data from 7 dogs between 42 and 47 days of age were pooled to obtain audiogram reference values in 1.5-month-old puppies. The best auditory threshold lowered from above 60 dB sound pressure level (SPL) to values close to 0 dB SPL between 13 and 25 days of age and then stabilized. The audible frequency range widened, including 32 kHz in all tested dogs from the 19th day. In the 7 1.5-month-old puppies, the mean auditory threshold decreased by 11 dB per octave from 0.5 to 2 kHz. The auditory threshold was lowest and held the same value from 2 to 8 kHz. The mean auditory threshold increased by 20 dB per octave from 8 to 32 kHz. Near threshold, click-evoked potentials test only a small part of the audible frequency range in dogs. Use of tone-evoked potentials may become a powerful tool in investigating dogs with possible partial hearing loss, including during the auditory system maturation period.     

Optimization of extraction conditions for active components in Hypericum perforatum using response surface methodology

Optimal conditions for extraction of Hypericum perforatum were determined using response surface methodology. A 3 x 4 x 4 full factorial design representing three extraction temperatures, four extraction times, and four solvent concentrations was executed. The overall extraction efficiency was defined by comparing either the total extractable material weight or the individual component peak area to the peak area of luteolin as internal standard. Of the tested variables, the extraction temperature most significantly affected extraction efficiency. Higher temperatures gave better extraction efficiencies, but high temperature also caused decomposition of hypericin. Within the test range, responses for most variables had local maxima. Optimum ranges of time and concentration for individual variables were overlaid. Considering all variables, optimum ranges for extraction time and extraction solvent concentration (percent ethanol in acetone) were 5.0-6.7 h and 44-74% at 23 degrees C, 5.4-6.9 h and 45-72% at 40 degrees C, and 5.3-5.9 h and 44-69% ethanol in acetone at 55 degrees C, respectively.     

Repeated physical disturbances and the stability of sub‐tropical coral communities in Hong Kong,China

• 1. This paper reports on the dynamics of the coral community structure at A Ma Wan (AMW) and A Ye Wan (AYW) in Tung Ping Chau, Hong Kong, focusing on data collected before and after the summer typhoon seasons in 1997 to 1999. This period (1999) experienced the highest frequency of severe tropical cyclones to hit Hong Kong with one cyclone being the strongest to hit in the last 23 years (1984 to 2006).
• 2. This is part of a long‐term monitoring programme of subtropical coral communities that has been set up in AMW since May 1997 and AYW since May 1998 with nine fixed position 40 m long transects and 0.5 m × 0.5 m permanent quadrats laid at 5 m intervals along each transect. A total of 45 scleractinian coral species from 21 genera (12 families) was recorded, with 40 species in AMW and 32 species in AYW recorded at the beginning of the study.
• 3. Multidimensional scaling ordinations showed distinct spatial variations in the coral communities within and between sites. These variations were probably a result of the differential effects of the repeated cyclone impacts on the communities. Cyphastrea serailia, Goniopora lobata, Montipora peltiformis and Pavona decussata were the dominant species most strongly affected by cyclone impacts at AMW, experiencing a 6.2–16.2% loss of mean area cover during the study period. Some dominant species (e.g. P. decussata) in AYW also experienced a 6.5–14.3% loss of mean area cover within the same period.
• 4. Overall, these coral community structures appeared relatively stable and resistant to repeated physical disturbances. However, they may have low resilience towards more severe disturbances in the future. Preserving the resilience of coral communities/species in Tung Ping Chau should be one of the main goals of coral conservation strategies for the island.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

试析当代中国宗教的几个问题

准确把握我国传统宗教实用性和宗法性的历史特点, 分析当代中国宗教存在的自然、社会、认识、心理及传统宗教与外来宗教影响等多种原因, 认识当代中国宗教的社会功能和科学评价其消极作用, 进而预测中国宗教未来的世俗化走向, 对于我们现阶段深入地认识当代中国的宗教问题, 全面贯彻党的宗教工作基本方针有着重大的现实意义。