Ecological forecasts: an emerging imperative

Planning and decision-making can be improved by access to reliable forecasts of ecosystem state, ecosystem services, and natural capital. Availability of new data sets, together with progress in computation and statistics, will increase our ability to forecast ecosystem change. An agenda that would lead toward a capacity to produce, evaluate, and communicate forecasts of critical ecosystem services requires a process that engages scientists and decision-makers. Interdisciplinary linkages are necessary because of the climate and societal controls on ecosystems, the feedbacks involving social change, and the decision-making relevance of forecasts.     

抗草甘膦大豆的遗传研究

以3个大面积推广的春大豆品种（宁镇3号、灰荚2号和日本晴3号）为母本与3个转基因抗草甘膦品种（ARG4、ARG5和ARG6）杂交，对杂交后代F1、F2、F3和BC1的抗除草剂特性进行遗传分析，结果表明大豆对除草剂的抗性受一对显性核基因控制。     

Gastropexy with an automatic stapling instrument for the treatment of gastric dilatation and volvulus in 20 dogs

Surgical stapling equipment was used to create a gastropexy in 20 dogs undergoing emergency surgery for gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV). The technique involved creation of a tunnel between the seromuscular layer and the submucosa of the pyloric antrum, and a matching tunnel beneath the right m. transversus abdominis. The arms of a gastrointestinal anastomosis stapling device were introduced into the tunnels, and the device was fired to create the gastropexy. One dog died of systemic sequelae of GDV during the early postoperative period. None of the remaining 19 dogs developed a recurrence of GDV during follow-up periods ranging from 5 to 43 months. In 11 dogs, the integrity of the gastropexy was evaluated by abdominal ultrasonography and either negative contrast gastrography or double contrast gastrography; in these dogs, the radiographic and/or the ultrasonographic findings were suggestive of an intact gastropexy. There were no complications involving the gastropexy staple line. The results of this study indicate that an effective and consistent permanent gastropexy can be created, using surgical stapling equipment.     

Characterization of topical antiinflammatory compounds in Rosmarinus officinalis L

The topical antiinflammatory activity of three extracts at increasing polarity (n-hexane, chloroform, and methanol) from the leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Labiatae) has been tested using the croton oil ear test in mice. Both the n-hexane and the chloroform (CE-1) extracts from the leaves showed a dose-dependent activity, the last one possessing an antiinflammatory potency similar to that of indomethacin, the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug used as a reference drug (ID50 = 83 and 93 microg/cm2, respectively). The bioassay-oriented fractionation of CE-1 led to the identification of tritepenes, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and micromeric acid as the main antiinflammatory principles. Furthermore, the CE-1 extract obtained from the residue of the steam distillation of the leaves (extract A) showed the same antiinflammatory potency of CE-1, suggesting this waste product as a source of antiinflammatory products.     

Determination of 2,3-butanediol and 2-hydroxybutanone stereoisomers in batteries of traditional balsamic vinegar

The absolute quantities and the stereoisomeric ratios of R, S-2-hydroxybutanone and R, R-, S, S-, R, S ( meso)-2,3-butanediol were determined in batteries of traditional balsamic vinegar (TBV) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), using a chiral capillary column, to evaluate if such parameters could be used to differentiate TBV differently aged and from different producers. Results showed that the initial amounts of 2-hydroxybutanone and 2,3-butanediol were quite variable, as a function of the producer of the vinegar; moreover, the 2-hydroxybutanone amount decreased during aging while 2,3-butanediol increased. Initially, the R-2-hydroxybutanone form prevails, and then the R/ S ratio decreased regularly during aging with some exceptions attributed to the addition of new barrels during the battery management. With regard to the 2,3-butanediol isomers, the most abundant was the R, R form, slowly transformed into the R, S and S, S isomers during aging. The GC-MS method used is easy and fast and could allow for a quick control of the maturation level of the vinegar.     

Performance and impact on the seabed of an existing- and an experimental-otterboard: Comparison between model testing and full-scale sea trials

A new door has been designed to reduce hydrodynamic drag coefficient and increase spread of door commonly used in the Mediterranean commercial demersal trawl fisheries. Flume tank testing and engineering sea trials provide data which allow us to illustrate the performance and impact on the seabed of an existing door and a new door design. In the flume tank, each model was tested over a range of attack angles and for a limited range of otterboard heels. Curves of spreading-, drag- and down-force coefficients have been calculated. In the case of sea trials in order to extract the hydrodynamic coefficients an analysis has been applied and a mathematical model was used to calculate attack angle functions. From analysing the differences between engineering sea trials and flume tank tests we have deduced some conclusions about additional ground contact forces on sea trials that affect the performance of the doors. Moreover, a comparison between reaction forces of the flume tank and the estimation of reaction forces at sea has been given. Finally, this study allowed us to notice important differences between traditional and experimental otterboards.