Outbreaks of severe myositis in cultured white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus L.) associated with Streptococcus iniae

Outbreaks of an infectious disease affecting cultured white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) were investigated. Clinical signs included erratic swimming, arching of the back and mortality. Necropsy findings included poorly demarcated yellow to dark-red and friable lesions in the epaxial muscle, ulcerative skin lesions and haemorrhages in the swim bladder and coelomic wall. Histological evaluation revealed areas of necrotizing and heterophilic myositis with aggregates of bacterial cocci. The lumen of blood vessels in the dermis, under ulcerated areas, and in the posterior kidney, was occluded by fibrin thrombi. Aggregates of Gram-positive cocci were observed in the muscle lesions and within the fibrin thrombi in the dermis and kidney. Genetically homogeneous Streptococcus iniae strains were recovered from affected fish from different outbreaks. The isolates shared high degree of similarity at gene locus (gyrB) with previously characterized S. iniae from cultured fish in California, confirming the emergence of this particular strain of S. iniae in US aquaculture.     

Beef quality traits of heifer in comparison with steer,bull and cow at various feeding environments

The present review has been focused largely on the sex type differences in beef quality among heifers, cows, steers and bulls in various feeding environments. Genetic groups, feeding systems and gender are the major factors that change carcass characteristics and fatty acid profiles of cattle. Studies identified that heifer beef has super characteristics in eating quality and a better healthy composition in fatty acids than steer, cow and bull. Diet influences the variation of fatty acid profile; particularly the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) interacts with breed and sex. Animals finished in pasture systems were reported to show better ratios of PUFA/ saturated fatty acids and n‐6/n‐3. Carcasses of roughage‐fed beef are lighter and have less marbling and lower quality grades but have higher cutability than carcasses of grain‐fed bulls. Heifers and cows are reported to deposit more fat than steers and bulls. Among males, lower production of testosterone by steers favors more fat thickness compared with bulls. Marbling greatly varies among cattle belonging to different sexes, and particularly, females have genetic makeup that efficiently controls deposition. The current review identified that heifers can be a premium beef brand, while steer beef currently take a large part of market share across the world.     

Multi-Step Competitive Sorption and Desorption of Chlorophenols in Surfactant Modified Montmorillonite

Single- and bi-solute sorption and desorption of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (2,4,5-TCP) in montmorillonite modified with hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) were investigated using multi-step sorption and desorption procedure. Effect of pH on the multi-step sorption and desorption was investigated. As expected by the magnitude of octanol-water partition coefficient, K _ow , both sorption and desorption affinity of 2,4,5-TCP was higher than that of 2,4-DCP at pH 4.85 and 9.15. For both chlorophenols, the protonated speciation (at pH 4.85) exhibited a higher affinity in both sorption and desorption than the predominant deprotonated speciation (about 95% and 99% of 2,4-dichlorophenolate and 2,4,5-trichlophenolate anions at pH 9.15, respectively). Desorption of chlorinated phenols was strongly dependent on the current pH regardless of their speciation in the previous sorption stage. Freundlich model was used to analyze the single-solute sorption and desorption data. No appreciable desorption-resistant (or non-desorbing) fraction was observed in organoclays after several multi-step desorptions. This indicates that sorption of phenols in organoclay mainly occurs via partitioning into the core of the pseudo-organic medium, thereby causing desorption nearly reversible. In bisolute competitive systems, sorption (or desorption) affinity of both chlorophenols was reduced compared to that in its single-solute system due to the competition between the solutes. The ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) coupled to the single-solute Freundlich model successfully predicted bisolute multi-step competitive sorption and desorption equilibria.     

Rapid harvest schedules and fruit removal as non-chemical approaches for managing spotted wing Drosophila

Spotted wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), has caused significant economic losses to small fruit and berry growers throughout the USA and Europe since its invasion. This pest can lay many eggs over its lifetime within ripening and ripe berries, causing yield loss and the risk of fruit contamination. Zero tolerance for this pest has led to increased use of broad-spectrum insecticides to control it, which are costly and pose many other sustainability and pest management concerns. There is an urgent need to evaluate management strategies that can decrease reliance on chemical controls and mitigate economic losses. Over two growing seasons, we compared harvest schedules for their effect on infestation by D. suzukii, revealing that fruit harvested every 1 or 2 days had significantly fewer D. suzukii larvae than a 3-day harvest schedule. Furthermore, we found that yield per unit effort was highest on a 2-day schedule. Sanitation of the crop is another important component of a successful integrated pest management program, and we found that bagging infested waste berries killed 99% of larvae after 32 h, with higher fruit temperatures in clear bags than white or black bags. In combination, these methods can reduce the effects of this invasive pest on raspberry production. This study will provide guidance to growers on culturally based IPM tactics to decrease reliance on chemical management.     

琼·德拉戈斯风格 令人一见钟情的美

琼·德拉戈斯著名室内设计师,人造装饰绘画家,室内设计协会成员。拥有自己的室内设计公司。不凡的设计品味和杰出的搭配能力令其享有盛誉,曾获多项室内设计奖和人造装饰绘画创作奖。     

黄土丘陵区4种典型植物根系分布特征及对土壤分离速率的影响

以黄土丘陵区4种典型植物种群(狼牙刺、白羊草、铁杆蒿、达乌里胡枝子)为研究对象,采用野外采样、室内模拟试验与分析相结合的方法,对0—30cm土层的各径级根系密度参数(根长密度、根体积密度、根表面积密度)与土壤理化性质、土壤分离速率间的关系进行了研究。结果表明:(1)4种植物的根系径级主要集中在0D≤1.0mm之间,86%~93%的根长和46%~61%的根表面积分布在此范围内,且根系径级越大,根系各密度参数越小;(2)4种植物各径级根密度参数对土壤理化性质(容重、有机质、团聚体)的影响各不相同;狼牙刺根系直径为0D≤1.0mm的根密度参数与土壤容重、有机质含量呈极显著相关;铁杆蒿在0D≤1.0mm径级的根密度参数与土壤容重呈极显著负相关,与土壤有机质含量呈极显著正相关,所有径级的根密度参数与土壤团聚体均呈显著正相关;白羊草在0D≤5.0mm径级区间内的根可有效改善土壤的容重,在0D≤2.0mm径级根密度参数与土壤有机质、团聚体呈显著正相关;达乌里胡枝子在3.0D≤5.0mm径级的根对土壤容重影响显著,直径D1.0mm的根对土壤团聚体有显著的影响;(3)土壤分离速率与根系各密度参数呈负相关。除达乌里胡枝子外,其他3种植物在0.0D≤1.0mm径级上根密度参数与土壤分离速率均呈极显著负相关。     

Self-incompatibility in Brassicaceae crops: lessons for interspecific incompatibility

Most wild plants and some crops of the Brassicaceae express self-incompatibility, which is a mechanism that allows stigmas to recognize and discriminate against “self” pollen, thus preventing self-fertilization and inbreeding. Self-incompatibility in this family is controlled by a single S locus containing two multiallelic genes that encode the stigma-expressed S-locus receptor kinase and its pollen coat-localized ligand, the S-locus cysteine-rich protein. Physical interaction between receptor and ligand encoded in the same S locus activates the receptor and triggers a signaling cascade that results in inhibition of “self” pollen. Sequence information for many S-locus haplotypes in Brassica species has spurred studies of dominance relationships between S haplotypes and of S-locus structure, as well as the development of methods for S genotyping. Furthermore, molecular genetic studies have begun to identify genes that encode putative components of the self-incompatibility signaling pathway. In parallel, standard genetic analysis and QTL analysis of the poorly understood interspecific incompatibility phenomenon have been initiated to identify genes responsible for the inhibition of pollen from other species by the stigma. Herewith, we review recent studies of self-incompatibility and interspecific incompatibility, and we propose a model in which a universal pollen-inhibition pathway is shared by these two incompatibility systems.     

Development and identification of a introgression line with strong drought resistance at seedling stage derived from Oryza sativa L. mating with Oryza rufipogon Griff

Drought stress is severely damaging during seedling stage of rice (Oryza sativa L.), which can lead to significant yield reductions. Dongxiang common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff., hereafter referred to as DXWR), with strong drought resistance, could be a favorable genetic resource to improve the drought resistance of cultivated rice. Xieqingzao B (O. sativa L. ssp. indica, hereafter referred to as XB) is a representative maintainer line in hybrid rice breeding system in China. By using DXWR as donor parent, XB as recurrent parent, through continuous selfing, backcrossing and strict drought-resistant screening, we developed a strong and stable drought-resistant introgression line IL395 (BC₅F₁₀), whose ability of drought resistance was significantly increased than that of the recurrent parent XB at the seedling stage. Meanwhile, no significant differences existed among other major agronomic traits under normal condition, except for plant height. Physiological assessment revealed that IL395 exhibited a significant increase in levels of free proline and soluble sugars, which was associated with drought resistance. Whole genome marker analyses identified genomic segments of DXWR linking with RM171 and RM590 (chr. 10) and RM235 (chr. 12) that require further analysis as possible sources of drought resistance trait. These results suggest that DXWR could be a favorable genetic resource to improve the drought resistance of cultivated rice, and the IL395 might be a useful resource for excavating the drought-resistant genes from DXWR.     

黄土坡面薄层流产流过程试验研究

薄层流径流过程是最基本的坡面水文过程,揭示黄土坡面薄层流产流过程机理对于认识坡面产流理论具有重要意义。试验采用人工模拟降雨试验方法,对黄土坡面薄层流产流过程进行研究,取得了如下结果:(1)坡面薄层流径流率随降雨历时的增长呈增加趋势,可用幂函数方程很好地描述,开始产流后的2~10 min内增加很快,以后逐渐趋于平缓、稳定;(2)不同坡度条件下,坡面薄层流径流深均随雨强的增大而呈显著增加,可用线性方程很好地表示;(3)不同雨强条件下,坡面薄层流径流深随坡度的变化趋势相似,皆可用对数线性方程描述;(4)不同雨强条件下,薄层流径流深随坡长增大总体呈增加趋势,可用倒数线性方程描述;(5)雨强、坡度、坡长对坡面薄层流径流深的综合影响可表述为三元线性经验方程,其中雨强的影响最大,坡度和坡长的影响小。     

山西优质杂粮开发成本效益对策研究

对山西杂粮的加工、流通、绿色认证等情况进行了全面的调查,结果显示：山西省小杂粮商品量占总产量的10%,加工量仅为2%;小杂粮加工企业基本上是种类齐全、加工产品多样的中、小型企业,以销定产,营销手段灵活,带有粮油综合加工性质;山西省的一大批杂粮获奖产品,甚至很多的高档次获奖产品,并没有得到规模开发,也没有对基地发展发挥强大的带动作用。在此基础上,找出了山西目前优质杂粮产业存在的优势,提出了山西优质杂粮产业发展的对策。