Mapping tree root systems with ground-penetrating radar

A ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technique was used to study the three-dimensional distribution of root systems of large (DBH = 14 to 35 cm) oak trees (Quercus petraea (Mattusch.) Liebl.) in relatively dry, luvisoil on loamy deluvium and weathered granodiorite. We used a pulse EKKO 1000 GPR system, a profile grid of 0.25 x 0.25 meters, at 0.05 m intervals, and a signal frequency of 450 MHz, to assure resolution of about 3 cm in both directions (further increases in resolution up to 1 cm are possible with the system). Coarse root density was 6.5 m m(-2) of stand area and 3.3 m m(-3) of soil volume. Maximum rooting depth of the experimental oaks was 2 m, and the root ground plan was significantly larger (about 1.5 times) than the crown ground plan. Based on earlier studies of Quercus robur L. from floodplain forests, where the extent of the root systems was much smaller (root ground plan:crown ground plan ratio of 0.6), we conclude that the high root ground plan:crown ground plan ratio indicates less favorable conditions of water supply at the experimental site than in the floodplain forest. The ground-penetrating radar system is noninvasive and allows relatively rapid and repeated measurements of the distribution of coarse root systems of trees.     

松茸SCAR标记的建立

松茸群全球共报道15个种1变种,我国记载5个种1变种(臧穆,1990).长白山区有2种,即松茸(Tricholoma matsutake)和假松茸(T.bakamatsutake),同属于口蘑属.松茸是与松属(Pinus)树木共生的一种外生菌根菌,不仅菌肉肥厚、营养丰富、风味绝佳,而且具有抗癌作用(傅伟杰等,2005).     

Effect of combined nitrogen and sulphur fertilization on yield and qualitative parameters of Camelina sativa [L.] Crtz. (false flax)

Abstract

Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crtz., false flax) is described as a species requiring fewer inputs than other oilseed crops thus making it an interesting alternative in sustainable cropping systems. As information on the combined effects of nitrogen and sulphur on camelina yield and quality parameters is meagre, a pot fertilization experiment was carried out with nitrogen applied as NH₄NO₃ at three increasing rates equivalent to a range from 63 up to 127 kg ha^?1. These treatments were combined with sulphur additions applied as (NH₄)₂SO₄ to achieve a soil sulphate content of 25 or 45 mg kg^?1, respectively (equivalent to 75 and 135 kg S ha^?1). The medium and high nitrogen rates combined with the low sulphur fertilization level increased the number of branches per plant compared with the lowest nitrogen fertilization at the same sulphur rate. Camelina seed yield increased with increasing nitrogen doses at the same low sulphur level, whereas straw yield increased only at the highest rate of nitrogen. Thousand-seed mass increased at the highest nitrogen dose and with the low sulphur application rate. In addition, the increase in nitrogen fertilization reduced seed oil content from 39.8% to 37.1%. A highly negative correlation was observed between oil and protein content of seeds. Nitrogen fertilization increased total oil yield and total protein yield. Differences in crop parameters between the sulphur treatments were not significant statistically, although the higher sulphur treatment tended to increase seed yield as well as oil and protein content compared with the low sulphur treatment. Thus, the combined application of N and S as mineral fertilizers is only recommended when growing camelina on sulphur-deficient soils if the aim is to achieve both high oil and protein production.     

Genetic IS901 RFLP diversity among Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium isolates from four pheasant flocks

IS901 RFLP analysis of 36 Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (MAA) isolates from 15 pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) and two goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) from four pheasant farms was performed. Using this method, six different IS901 RFLP types (E, F, G, M, Q, and V) were identified. The distribution of IS901 RFLP profiles was tightly linked to individual flocks. Matching IS901 RFLP profiles observed in the present study indicate MAA transmission between pheasants and goshawks in the same locality. In two flocks, different pheasants within a flock as well as in various organs of five individual pheasants were found to have two distinct IS901 RFLP profiles.     

Laboratory Study of Stormwater Biofiltration in Low Temperatures: Total and Dissolved Metal Removals and Fates

Stormwater biofilters, which are recommended for application in both Water-Sensitive Urban Design and Low Impact Development, can remove up to 80% or 90% of total metals found in stormwater. However, their winter operation is a common concern. That was addressed in this study by investigating the metal removal effectiveness of replicate laboratory biofilter mesocosms at 2°C, 8°C and 20°C. As recommended for cold climate bioretention, coarse filter media were implemented and in the top 100 mm layer topsoil was added to increase the sorption capacity. Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations measured in the biofilter effluent were far below those in the influent and this significantly improved the treated stormwater quality. Contrary to a common notion that coarse media in the main filter body impair dissolved metal sorption, satisfactory removals of dissolved metals were found in this study with most metal burdens retained in the top layer of the filter in which the sorption capacity was enhanced by topsoil. Some metal uptake by the plants was also detected. Temperature did not affect Cd, Pb and Zn removals in general, but Cu removals increased with decreasing temperatures. This was explained by increased biological activities in the filters at warmer temperatures, which may have led to an increased release of Cu with dissolved organic matter originating from root turnover and decomposition of organic litter and debris. Furthermore, plant uptake and biofilm adsorption may also be influenced by temperature. However, even in the worst case (i.e. at 20°C), Cu was removed effectively from the stormwater. Further research needs were identified including the effects of road salts on stormwater biofiltration during the winter period.     

Regulation of replication fork progression through histone supply and demand

DNA replication in eukaryotes requires nucleosome disruption ahead of the replication fork and reassembly behind. An unresolved issue concerns how histone dynamics are coordinated with fork progression to maintain chromosomal stability. Here, we characterize a complex in which the human histone chaperone Asf1 and MCM2-7, the putative replicative helicase, are connected through a histone H3-H4 bridge. Depletion of Asf1 by RNA interference impedes DNA unwinding at replication sites, and similar defects arise from overproduction of new histone H3-H4 that compromises Asf1 function. These data link Asf1 chaperone function, histone supply, and replicative unwinding of DNA in chromatin. We propose that Asf1, as a histone acceptor and donor, handles parental and new histones at the replication fork via an Asf1-(H3-H4)-MCM2-7 intermediate and thus provides a means to fine-tune replication fork progression and histone supply and demand.     

Entangling the spatial properties of laser beams

Position and momentum were the first pair of conjugate observables explicitly used to illustrate the intricacy of quantum mechanics. We have extended position and momentum entanglement to bright optical beams. Applications in optical metrology and interferometry require the continuous measurement of laser beams, with the accuracy fundamentally limited by the uncertainty principle. Techniques based on spatial entanglement of the beams could overcome this limit, and high-quality entanglement is required. We report a value of 0.51 for inseparability and 0.62 for the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen criterion, both normalized to a classical limit of 1. These results are a conclusive optical demonstration of macroscopic position and momentum quantum entanglement and also confirm that the resources for spatial multimode protocols are available.     

An oncogene-induced DNA damage model for cancer development

Of all types of DNA damage, DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) pose the greatest challenge to cells. One might have, therefore, anticipated that a sizable number of DNA DSBs would be incompatible with cell proliferation. Yet recent experimental findings suggest that, in both precancerous lesions and cancers, activated oncogenes induce stalling and collapse of DNA replication forks, which in turn leads to formation of DNA DSBs. This continuous formation of DNA DSBs may contribute to the genomic instability that characterizes the vast majority of human cancers. In addition, in precancerous lesions, these DNA DSBs activate p53, which, by inducing apoptosis or senescence, raises a barrier to tumor progression. Breach of this barrier by various mechanisms, most notably by p53 mutations, that impair the DNA damage response pathway allows cancers to develop. Thus, oncogene-induced DNA damage may explain two key features of cancer: genomic instability and the high frequency of p53 mutations.     

Technological Properties of Yeast Produced Surface Active Compounds in Connection with Their Application in Clean-Up Technologies

Biologically produced surfactants （SACs） can mobilize and solubilize non-aqueous phase liquids （NAPL） adsorbed onto soil constituents. The interest in microbial surfactants has increased during recent years due to their lower toxicity, higher biodegradability, selectivity and specific activity under extreme conditions than synthetic SACs. Main output of the project represents preparation of this yeast biosurfactant intended for washing of matrices contaminated by NAPL. The influence of cultivation media composition on biosurfactant production was studied and basic properties （critical micelle concentration （CMC）, minimum surface tension） of isolated biosurfactants were compared with properties of synthetic surfactant with surface tension measurement. The interracial tension of the systems containing aqueous solutions of different concentrations and non-polar substances was measured with petroleum compounds （kerosene Jet A-l）, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons （represented by toluene and hexane）. The solution of biosurfactant Yarrowia lipolytica （YAR） in the concentration range of 0-500 mg/L reduced interracial tension by 80% in all representative systems with model contaminants; biosurfactant Candida bombicola （CAN） was less efficient. Solubilization properties were proved with toluene and hexachlorocyclohexane （HCH） isomers alpha and gamma, and effective concentration of biosurfactants was determined as 100 mg/L for toluene and HCH. SACs produced by lipophilic yeast with non-toxic and non-pathogenic status （Yarrowia lipolytica, Candida sp., etc.） seem to be very promising. The results obtained will be used for the application of biosurfactants in the clean-up technologies as agents for the mobilization of non-polar contaminants as well as for stimulation of bioremediation processes.