On the drivers of UK direct investment in the Spanish regions: A spatial Durbin approach

This paper empirically examines the key factors driving UK direct investment in the Spanish regions over the period 2000–2016 and, consequently, tries to unveil its main motivation. Applying a spatial Durbin panel model to capture spatial linkages, the results point to the existence of complementarity between the FDI received by a region and that of the remaining ones. This outcome, along with a positive and statistically significant spillover effect of market potential, reveals that complex-vertical FDI motivation with agglomeration economies prevails among UK MNEs investing in Spain. Additionally, our findings unveil the role played by some other FDI drivers, such as wages and infrastructure. Furthermore, the paper is unique in decomposing the average direct and spillover effects by region and pairs of regions, so that remarkable differences can be identified. This breakdown has strong significance from a policy perspective since it can guide regional policy makers. In short, our findings point out to the fact that FDI policy should be jointly designed by those regions presenting strong bilateral spillover effects. Thus, greater cooperation among policy makers would be welcome.     

High vegetative compatibility diversity of Cryphonectria parasitica infecting sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) in Britain indicates multiple pathogen introductions

Chestnut blight, caused by Cryphonectria parasitica, was identified in Devon, UK, in December 2016. Intensive surveys detected the disease at further sites in Devon (seven), Berkshire (one), Dorset (one), Derbyshire (four) and a cluster of eight sites in southeast London. Over 570 survey samples were tested, and 227 were positive for C. parasitica by isolation and real-time PCR. A total of 227 isolates were tested for mating type, and 197 screened for vegetative compatibility group (VCG) and compared with VCGs known from mainland Europe. The same isolates were also screened for the presence of Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV-1). Eleven VCGs were identified within the UK population. Five corresponded to already known European VCGs but six were unique. The European VCGs mainly came from the Devon, Dorset, Berkshire and Derbyshire disease outbreaks, whilst unique VCGs were almost exclusively from the southeast London cluster. Both mating types were detected, but only one mating type was present at each site, with the exception of a single Devon site. Perithecia of C. parasitica were never observed at any site. CHV-1 was found in seven isolates from three different locations and was always subtype-I, which has limited hypovirulence. Therefore, although CHV-1 is associated with C. parasitica at some outbreaks, it probably has limited impact on virulence. The diversity of VCGs and their distribution at outbreak sites, together with findings of CHV-1, suggests C. parasitica has been introduced to the UK multiple times over at least two decades through international plant trade.     

Phosphorus fractions and dynamics as affected by land-use changes in the Central Mexican highlands

Land-use change from forest to agriculture in the volcanic ash-derived soils of Mexico has increased over recent decades. It is likely that land uses and management practices, particularly fertilizer use have affected phosphorus (P) distribution and availability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of land-use types (native forest and maize mono-cropping), and the related P addition, on the forms and distribution of soil P and their isotopic exchangeability. An Andisol, sampled from a cropping site, along with the contiguous area under native forest was treated with ³²P-labelled potassium phosphate (KH₂³²PO₄). The soil samples were extracted after incubation times of 7, 21, 35 and 49 days. Phosphorus content and ³²P recovery in fractions sequentially extracted were assessed for each incubation time. Total soil P was dominated by inorganic fractions (79 to 86%) in both land-use types. Resin-Pi, bicarbonate extractable inorganic P (Bic-Pi) and sodium hydroxide extractable inorganic P (NaOH_0.1-Pi) were all raised with P addition. However, the proportion of organic P fraction was reduced under cropped soil. The recovery of ³²P in soils with P addition indicates that resin-Pi, Bic-Pi and NaOH_0.1-Pi comprised nearly all the exchangeable P. In native soils with no P addition, more than 19% of the ³²P was recovered in Bic-Po and NaOH_0.1-Po forms. This finding indicates that organic P cycling is crucial when soil Pi reserves are presented in an inadequate amount. Ecologically based management has to be designed for replenishment and succeeding maintenance of soil organic P compounds to increase sustainable agricultural production.     

The role of ear environment in postharvest susceptibility of maize to toxigenic Aspergillus flavus

A kernel screening assay (KSA) was used to assess the genetic and environmental effects on the vulnerability of maize to aflatoxin accumulation. Kernels of 26 inbred lines that had been grown in seven environments, and 190 lines of the Intermated B73xMo17 (IBM) population grown in one location in the United States, were inoculated with a toxigenic strain of A. flavus and incubated in the dark at 30°C for 6 days. Percent kernel colonization (PKC), sporulation and aflatoxin were influenced by the maize genotypes (G), the location (“ear environment” or E) and the GxE interactions. Overall, low broad‐sense heritabilities were observed for PKC, sporulation and aflatoxin. PKC was significantly correlated with sporulation in all environments. Aflatoxin was positively correlated with colonization for two and with sporulation for all ear environments. Higher grain sulphur or magnesium in IBM was associated with less colonization or aflatoxin. Postharvest susceptibility of maize to aflatoxin is thus influenced by factors that are modulated by the ear environment. In a KSA, sporulation could be a proxy test for aflatoxin accumulation.     

低盐胁迫下松江鲈HSPB1、HSPB7和HSPB11基因的表达变化规律

为了探究小分子热休克蛋白基因HSPB1、HSPB7和HSPB11在松江鲈(Trachidermus fasciatus)应对低盐胁迫过程中的调节作用,本研究基于前期转录组数据,获取3个目标基因的序列信息并进行了系统进化分析,利用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测了3个基因在两种低盐胁迫处理下不同时间点(0 h、12 h、24 h和48 h)在鳃、肠、肾和肝组织中的表达水平。系统进化分析结果表明, HSPB1、HSPB7和HSPB11基因分别聚类形成独立分支;在各基因分支中,松江鲈与已报道的鲈形目、鲤形目和鳉形目等鱼种共同聚为硬骨鱼类分支。在两种低盐胁迫处理下, 3个基因在鳃组织中的表达量均在12h显著升高,而在肠、肾和肝组织中的表达量则呈现不同的变化趋势。肠组织中,HSPB7和HSPB11在盐度渐变低盐胁迫(盐度变化速率1.1/h)下表达量均显著升高, HSPB1表达量在48 h显著降低;盐度骤变低盐胁迫(盐度变化速率27/h)下HSPB1和HSPB7表达量在24 h显著升高, HSPB11表达量显著降低。肾组织中,HSPB1、HSPB7和HSPB11表达量均仅在盐度渐变低盐胁迫24h显著升高;盐度骤变低盐胁迫下HSPB1表达量显著降低, HSPB7和HSPB11表达量则显著升高。肝组织中, HSPB7无表达; HSPB1表达量在盐度渐变低盐胁迫下无显著变化,但在盐度骤变低盐胁迫下则显著升高;HSPB11表达量在两种处理下均显著升高。本研究比较分析了HSPB1、HSPB7和HSPB11基因在松江鲈应对不同低盐胁迫时表达变化规律的异同,相关结果为探讨小分子热休克蛋白在鱼类应激调节过程中的作用及洄游性鱼类适应盐度变化的分子调控机制提供了理论依据。     

Sorbent Materials Characterization Based on Mechanical or Thermal Pretreated Montmorillonite Modified by Surfactant Loading for Improved Chromium Retention

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - The treatment efficiency of Chlorella sorokiniana and Scenedesmus species, immobilized in sodium alginate, was evaluated for removing nitrate from groundwater....     

吉林省西部地区生态环境状况变化调查与评估——以向海国家级自然保护区为例

指出了随着社会与经济的发展、人口的增长,人类为满足自身生存与发展的需求高强度的开发和利用资源。以吉林省西部向海保护区为例,探讨了保护区周边土地利用类型的变化,生态服务功能受到的影响。分析了该区域存在土地沙化、土壤盐渍化、水资源短缺等问题。因此,提出了科学合理地开发自然资源,保护、恢复和可持续地利用本区域的生态资源已成为当务之急。     

Prediction of Genetic Gain in Sweet Corn using Selection Indexes

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - The cultivation of sweet corn is expanding in Brazil, but there are serious constraints about the availability of commercial cultivars. The selection of...     

Assessing seed desiccation responses of native trees in the Caribbean

New Forests - Native trees from the Caribbean were tested for seed desiccation responses, by adapting the “100-seed test” protocol. Ninety-seven seed lots of 91 species were collected...     

Climate change will affect the ability of forest management to reduce gaps between current and presettlement forest composition in southeastern Canada

Landscape Ecology - Forest landscapes at the boreal–temperate ecotone have been extensively altered. Reducing the gap between current and presettlement forest conditions through...