Composition of pulp,skin and seeds of prickly pears fruit (Opuntia ficus indica sp.)

The proximate composition of pulp, skin and seeds of prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) was investigated and is reported on a dry weight basis. The most abundant component of the pulp and skin was ethanol-soluble carbohydrates. Pulp contained glucose (35%) and fructose (29%) while the skin contained essentially glucose (21%). Protein content was 5.1% (pulp), 8.3% (skin) and 11.8% (seeds). Starch was found in each of the three parts of the fruit. Pulp fibers were rich in pectin (14.4%), skin and seeds were rich in cellulose (29.1 and 45.1%, respectively). Skin was remarkable for its content of calcium (2.09%) and potassium (3.4%). Prickly pear is a neglected nutritional source which should be more widely used because of its potential nutrient contribution.     

Effects of water-saving irrigation on weed infestation and diversity in paddy fields in East China

The purpose of the article is to investigate the effects of water-saving irrigation on weed infestation and diversity in paddy fields; a two-year field experiment was conducted in Gaoyou Irrigation District, China. The responses of two irrigation treatments, controlled irrigation (CI) and traditional irrigation (TI), were observed and compared. The irrigation water use, yield, weed density, coverage ratio, height, species richness, density, dominant species, Shannon–Wiener index, and Pielou index were examined to analyze the water productivity, weed infestation, and diversity in paddy fields under the two treatments. The results showed that the water conditions were similar before the late tillering stage, and thereafter the CI fields were alternatively dry and wet with shallow standing water and low soil water content, while the TI fields were mostly continuously flooded by deep standing water and high soil water content. Irrigation water use for CI was 46.8% lower than TI. The CI treatment reduced weed density by 38.0%, decreased coverage ratio by 13.8%, and resulted in a 39.0% increase in weed height. Fewer species were found in CI fields than TI fields. The Shannon–Wiener index decreased by 11.5%, and the Pielou index increased by 3.2%. The changed water regime under CI not only impeded the growth of dominant species but also placed the whole weed community at a relatively stable level with reduced weed density. Meanwhile, aquatic weeds were well controlled; however, semi-aquatic weeds became the dominant species. In general, CI effectively reduced the risk of weed outbreaks, and weed diversity also decreased when it reduced irrigation water use.     

Showcasing the sovereignty of non‐self‐governing islands: New Caledonia

Since 1983, no non‐self‐governing island connected to a (neo‐) colonial European or American metropole has acquired full Westphalian sovereignty and these islands continue to operate within constitutional frameworks that connect them to these metropoles. Large majorities in referendums on several of these islands have rejected full sovereignty. This paper opens with a review of the essential elements of the concept of sovereignty in a historical and global context, before studying how sovereignty is unfolding in new forms in non‐self‐governing islands in the Pacific and the Caribbean. As a case study, an analysis is presented of how pro‐France (loyaliste) and pro‐independence (indépendantiste) parties in New Caledonia are negotiating sovereignty with France. Evidence is given of how these New Caledonian parties are creatively using classic Westphalian signifiers of sovereignty normally reserved for sovereign states such as flags, diplomatic representations and international treaties, while still negotiating New Caledonia's sovereignty with France. This suggests that in contrast to Westphalian sovereignty, a unique ‘Islandian’ concept of sovereignty is emerging. Islands that are not sovereign in a Westphalian sense can creatively disassemble and reassemble signifiers of Westphalian sovereignty to strengthen their continuous negotiations with their metropoles and their neighbours.     

Selection of potential impact odorants and sensory validation of their importance in typical chardonnay wines

The aim of the present study was to validate the joint sensory impact of target compounds on the typicality degree of wine. Target compounds were selected from previous gas chromatography-olfactometry analysis. The preliminary experiment consisted in selecting odorants thought to have a positive effect on typical Chardonnay wines. Two sets of target compounds were chosen with regard to expected relationships between their concentrations and typicality scores. Target compounds were quantified in 20 wines. The second experiment was dedicated to the sensory evaluation of aroma models obtained by supplementation in wines. Three Chardonnay wines with intermediate typicality scores were supplemented with 6- or 10-compound combinations. The typicality degree of 24 samples was assessed by expert orthonasal perception. Wines supplemented with the 6-compound combinations were judged to be intermediate, whereas wines including the 10-compound combinations were considered to be quite representative of the Chardonnay concept. Such results confirm the active contribution of the 10 combined target compounds to typical Chardonnay wines.     

Carbon dioxide and energy flux partitioning between the understorey and the overstorey of a maritime pine forest during a year with reduced soil water availability

Carbon dioxide, water vapour and energy fluxes were measured above and within a maritime pine forest during an atypical year with long-lasting reduced soil water availability. Energy balance closure was adequately good at both levels. As compared with what is usually observed at this site the ecosystem dissipated less energy via latent heat flux and more via sensible heat flux. The understorey canopy was responsible for a variable, significant component of the whole canopy fluxes of water vapour and carbon dioxide. The annual contribution of the understorey was 38% (154 mm) of the overall evaporation (399 mm) and 32% (89 mm) of the overall sensible heat flux (274 mm). The participation of the understorey reached 45% of the overall evaporation and 30% of the daytime overall assimilation during significant soil water deficit periods in summertime. Even during winter, understorey photosynthesis was consistent as it compensated soil and understorey respiration. The ecosystem behaved as a sink of carbon, with a negative annual carbon budget (−57 g C m⁻²). However, due to high soil water deficit, the annual ecosystem GPP was 40% less than usually observed at this site. This budget resulted from a sink of −131 g C m⁻² for the overstorey and a source of +74 g C m⁻² for the understorey. Moreover, on an annual basis the overstorey layer contributed to almost two-thirds of the ecosystem respiration. Finally, the effect of long-lasting soil water deficit on the maritime pine forest was found more important than the effect of the heat wave and drought of summer 2003.     

土壤胡敏酸与富里酸热力学稳定性及其驱动因素初步研究

从过程考虑,腐殖质的形成和转化主要是微生物主导的生物化学过程,但就其始态和终态的能量水平变化而言,是热力学稳定性问题。在土壤中,影响腐殖质的形成转化的因素很多,如黏粒含量和类型,植被和微生物状况,土壤湿度、温度和空气组成,土壤溶液的化学组成、浓度、酸度和氧化还原状况等。但从热力学角度,为了计算反应平衡常数(logKR)和吉普斯生成自由能(ΔGfθ),如果将温度设为25℃,我们可以将土壤条件诸多因素简化为水活度([H2O])、氧分压(PO2)和二氧化碳分压(PCO2)这3个参数。之所以简化为这3个参数,因为任何有机成分均是由含有这3种元素的物质形成的,最终又均可以分解为含有这3种元素的H2O和CO2。本文按照上述新思路,以黑土为例探讨了胡敏酸(HA)、富里酸(FA)形成转化的驱动因素和热力学稳定性的研究方法,用元素组成-土壤条件参数法计算HA、FA的logKR和ΔGfθ及热力学稳定性范围。同时通过土壤添加有机物料的模拟培养实验研究了氧气和二氧化碳等单因素对HA和FA数量积累的影响。结果表明,黑土HA和FA的元素组成分子式分别为nC21H21O9N和nC24H33O17N。FA在缺氧、多水和高浓度二氧化碳条件下较稳定;HA则相反。培养实验中,高二氧化碳和低氧气浓度处理使FA与HA的相对比例增加。这一研究方法和结果将有助于解释和推测土壤腐殖质组成的空间变异规律,指导土壤肥力、土壤固碳的调控实践。     

Design and Implementation of the ZH/EN Bilingual Retrieval System Based on the CAT/AGROVOC Mapping

For the users' convenience of accessing the AGRIS resources quickly and using them fully,the paper decomposes the structure of AGRIS Search net,analyzes the users' requirement met for conducting a bili...     

Niche differentiation among neotropical soldierless soil-feeding termites revealed by stable isotope ratios

Termites represent one of the most abundant belowground animal taxa in tropical rainforests, where their species richness is much higher than in any other ecosystem. This high diversity in soil ecosystems is however difficult to explain by classical Hutchinsonian niche theory, as there is little evidence for spatial or temporal separation between species. Using δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N isotopic ratios, we tested if resource partitioning along the humification gradient occurs in neotropical soldierless termites of the Anoplotermes-group. Two distinct sites were investigated to check if interspecific differences are transposable between sites. Significant differences in δ¹⁵N were found between species of the Anoplotermes-group. Although some species displayed higher intersite δ¹⁵N variation than others, species-average δ¹⁵N values for both sites were highly correlated, showing that sympatric soldierless soil-feeding termites feed on distinct components of the soil. Our data also suggest that some species are more likely to shift along this gradient than others, in response to overall habitat conditions or to the presence of competitors. Feeding niche differentiation can therefore account for the high species richness and diversity of soldierless soil-feeding termites in neotropical rainforests.     

Use of end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide to predict arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide in harp seals during isoflurane-induced anesthesia

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between end-tidal partial pressure of CO(2) (ETCO(2)) and PaCO(2) in isoflurane-anesthetized harp seals. ANIMALS: Three 5-month-old 25- to 47-kg harp seals (Phoca groenlandica). PROCEDURES: PaCO(2) was determined in serial arterial samples from isoflurane-anesthetized seals and compared with concomitant ETCO(2) measured with a side-stream microstream capnograph. Twenty-four paired samples were subjected to linear regression analysis and the Bland-Altman method for assessment of clinical suitability of the 2 methods (ie, PaCO(2) and ETCO(2) determinations). The influence of ventilation rate per minute (VR) on the ETCO(2) to PaCO(2) difference (P[ET-a] CO(2)) was examined graphically. RESULTS: The correlation coefficient between the 2 measurements was 0.94. The level of agreement between ETCO(2) and PaCO(2) varied considerably. Values of ETCO(2) obtained with a VR of < 5 underestimated PaCO(2) to a greater degree (mean bias, -4.01 mm Hg) and had wider limits of agreement of -13.10 to 5.07 mm Hg (-4.01 mm Hg +/- 1.96 SD), compared with a VR of > or = 5 (mean bias, -2.24 mm Hg; limits of agreement, -7.79 to 3.30 mm Hg). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results indicate that a microstream sidestream capnograph provides a noninvasive, sufficiently accurate estimation of PaCO(2) with intermittent positive ventilation at a VR > or = 5 in anesthetized harp seals.