Giant piezoelectricity on Si for hyperactive MEMS

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) incorporating active piezoelectric layers offer integrated actuation, sensing, and transduction. The broad implementation of such active MEMS has long been constrained by the inability to integrate materials with giant piezoelectric response, such as Pb(Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))O(3)-PbTiO(3) (PMN-PT). We synthesized high-quality PMN-PT epitaxial thin films on vicinal (001) Si wafers with the use of an epitaxial (001) SrTiO(3) template layer with superior piezoelectric coefficients (e(31,f) = -27 ± 3 coulombs per square meter) and figures of merit for piezoelectric energy-harvesting systems. We have incorporated these heterostructures into microcantilevers that are actuated with extremely low drive voltage due to thin-film piezoelectric properties that rival bulk PMN-PT single crystals. These epitaxial heterostructures exhibit very large electromechanical coupling for ultrasound medical imaging, microfluidic control, mechanical sensing, and energy harvesting.     

Large variations in Southern Hemisphere biomass burning during the last 650 years

We present a 650-year Antarctic ice core record of concentration and isotopic ratios (δ(13)C and δ(18)O) of atmospheric carbon monoxide. Concentrations decreased by ~25% (14 parts per billion by volume) from the mid-1300s to the 1600s then recovered completely by the late 1800s. δ(13)C and δ(18)O decreased by about 2 and 4 per mil (‰), respectively, from the mid-1300s to the 1600s then increased by about 2.5 and 4‰ by the late 1800s. These observations and isotope mass balance model results imply that large variations in the degree of biomass burning in the Southern Hemisphere occurred during the last 650 years, with a decrease by about 50% in the 1600s, an increase of about 100% by the late 1800s, and another decrease by about 70% from the late 1800s to present day.     

In vitro antioxidant, lipoxygenase and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities of fractions from Cienfuegosia digitata Cav., Sida alba L. and Sida acuta Burn f. (Malvaceae)

In this study polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, lipoxygenase (LOX) and Xanthine Oxidase (XO) inhibitory effects of n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of aqueous acetone extracts from S. alba L., S. acuta Burn f and Cienfuegosia digitata Cav. were investigated. The total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols and total tannins were determined by spectrophotometric methods using Folin-ciocalteu, AlCl3 reagents and tannic acid, respectively. The antioxidant potential was evaluated using three methods: inhibition of free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydramzyl (DPPH), ABTS radical cation decolorization assay and Iron (III) to iron (II) reduction activity (FRAP). For enzymatic activity, lipoxygenase and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities were used. This study shows a relationship between polyphenol contents, antioxidant and enzymatic activities. Present results showed that ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions elicit the highest polyphenol content, antioxidant and enzymatic activities.     

Advancing growth vigor of seed potatoes by a haulm application of gibberellic acid and storage temperature regimes

Seed tubers that are planted soon after their harvest give low yields because of dormancy and low growth vigor. In the research reported in this paper, we investigated the advancing effect of a haulm application of gibberellic acid (750 g GA/ha) 6 days before haulm pulling and its interaction with storage temperature regimes on the growth vigor of immaturely harvested seed tubers of three cultivars. The effects on tuber yield were also examined in one experiment. The storage regimes were: 18 C continuously, hot pre-treatments of different duration (different periods at 28 C and subsequently 18 C) and a cold pre-treatment (20 days at 2 C and subsequently 18 C). Both a foliar spray with GA and storage at 28 C enhanced physiological aging of the tubers and greatly advanced the growth vigor, without negative effects on the morphology of the plants. There was a clear interaction between the GA treatment and the storage temperature regime. At early planting, the effect of the treatments on tuber yield were small for Diamant (short dormancy), but strongly positive for Désirée and Draga (long dormancy).     

Relationships between numbers of main stems and yield components of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Erntestolz) as influenced by different daylengths

Summary The relationshops between numbers of main stems and some measures of growth and yield, as well as total tuber yield, were examined for potatoes grown under different daylengths. Leaf area, tuber number and tuber yield per plant increased significantly with increasing daylength and number of main stems. Numbers of main stems and leaf area were correlated positively with tuber number and tuber yield and negatively with average tuber weight. The correlations were stronger with stem number than with leaf area and were differently affected by daylength. Standard regression coefficients indicated that stem number has strong positive and negative relationships with tuber number and average tuber weight, respectively. Since tuber number was a better determinant of yeild than average tuber weight, the final relationship between the numbers of main stems and tuber yield remained positive for all daylengths. Determinants that will best explain variation in tuber total yield, tuber number, and average tuber weight are suggested.     

Morphological development and nutritive value of herbage in five temperate grass species during primary growth: analysis of time dynamics

In a 2‐year field experiment, morphological development and measures of the nutritive value of herbage for livestock during primary growth in Meadow foxtail, Tall oatgrass, Cocksfoot, Perennial ryegrass and Yorkshire fog were investigated. All measured variables were affected significantly by both species and sampling date, and their interaction (P < 0·001), in the period of primary growth. Changes with time in mean stage weight for Meadow foxtail and Cocksfoot were different from the other species due to their indeterminate growth habits. Mean stage weight of Tall oatgrass and Yorkshire fog increased more rapidly than that of Perennial ryegrass with time. Changes in mean stage weight with time were described by linear, parabolic and sigmoid relationships. Crude protein (CP) concentration of herbage was higher for Cocksfoot and Meadow foxtail than for Perennial ryegrass. A parabolic relationship of CP concentration with time was typical for all the species. Concentrations of neutral‐detergent fibre (NDF) and acid‐detergent fibre (ADF) in herbage of the species differed most during the mid‐period of primary growth. Their increases with time showed curvilinear (sigmoid and parabolic) relationships. Perennial ryegrass had lower concentrations of both NDF and ADF in herbage than the other species. Differences between the in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility among the grasses increased in mid‐ and late periods of primary growth. Perennial ryegrass had higher values for in vitro DM digestibility but the difference from other species was small in the early period of primary growth and from cocksfoot in the late period of primary growth. In vitro DM digestibility showed, in most cases, a sigmoid and, in others, a linear decrease with time. Principal component analysis showed that perennial ryegrass and meadow foxtail were the most distinctive of the species in characteristics relating to morphological development and the nutritive value of herbage to livestock.     

Interacting effects of yak dung deposition and litter quality on litter mass loss and nitrogen dynamics in Tibetan alpine grassland

The effects of grazing‐induced dung deposition on plant growth and soil attributes are well established, but little is known about dung effects on litter decomposition. Here, we tested effects of yak dung on litter decomposition and nutrient content in a Tibetan alpine meadow. We incubated litter of four common alpine meadow species using litter bags in the field. Two low‐quality species (Kobresia capillifolia and Elymus nutans) with low nitrogen (N), high C/N and Lignin/N, and two high‐quality species, (Saussurea nigrescens and Thermopsis lanceolata) were incubated in monoculture with and without dung addition. Mass loss of leaf litter, fibre fraction (cellulose, hemi‐cellulose and lignin), N and phosphorus (P) were measured after 6, 12 and 18 months of incubation in the field. Dung addition significantly increased decomposition constants for low‐quality litter species, but not for high‐quality litter species. Dung addition promoted cellulose and hemi‐cellulose loss, but lignin loss was not affected by dung addition, except after 12 months for high‐quality litter species. Dung reduced N immobilization after 6 months and did not affect subsequent release in low‐quality litter species, and promoted N release after 6 and 12 months in high‐quality litter species. Regardless of litter quality, dung increased P release after 6 and 12 months. Our results suggest grazing‐induced dung deposition may accelerate C and nutrient turnover, primarily through increasing the mass loss of low‐quality litter, P release from litter and N release from high‐quality litter. The mechanisms underlying the effects of dung deposition need to be clarified in future studies.     

Performance and environmental effects of forage production on sandy soils. V. Impact of grass understorey, slurry application and mineral N fertilizer on nitrate leaching under maize for silage

A field experiment with maize for silage was conducted to assess the effects of mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rates (0, 50, 100, 150 kg ha^?1), slurry application rates (0, 20, 40 m³ ha^?1) and the use of an understorey with perennial ryegrass on nitrate (NO₃)‐leaching losses. Leachate was collected using ceramic suction cups. Soil mineral N (SMN) was determined to a depth of 90 cm at the end of the growing season. Higher levels of N supply with mineral fertilizer or slurry resulted in higher leaching losses. The grass understorey significantly reduced the losses. The amount of N lost to the groundwater was positively related to SMN at the end of the growing season, with leaching losses representing less than 0·45 of SMN on average. Leaching losses were positively related to the N surplus, which was calculated from the difference between N input (N from fertilizer, slurry and atmospheric deposition) and N output (N removed with maize herbage mass and bound in the understorey biomass in spring). In view of the large variation in weather conditions between the experimental years, it is suggested that for the sandy soils in this experiment N‐leaching losses under maize can be estimated satisfactorily from SMN and the calculated N surplus.     

杂交早稻K优619高产制种技术

K优619系温州市农科院选育的籼粳型早杂新组合，制种易获高产，1998～1999年在遂昌县制种9.98 hm2，平均单产3.05 t/hm2，其中1.6 hm2连片制种单产达4.32 t/hm2。对其高产制种技术进行了总结。     

Epipolythiodiketopiperazines from the Marine Derived Fungus Dichotomomyces cejpii with NF-κB Inhibitory Potential

The Ascomycota Dichotomomyces cejpii was isolated from the marine sponge Callyspongia cf. C. flammea. A new gliotoxin derivative, 6-acetylmonodethiogliotoxin (1) was obtained from fungal extracts. Compounds 2 and 3, methylthio-gliotoxin derivatives were formerly only known as semi-synthetic compounds and are here described as natural products. Additionally the polyketide heveadride (4) was isolated. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 dose-dependently down-regulated TNFα-induced NF-κB activity in human chronic myeloid leukemia cells with IC_50s of 38.5 ± 1.2 µM, 65.7 ± 2.0 µM and 82.7 ± 11.3 µM, respectively. The molecular mechanism was studied with the most potent compound 1 and results indicate downstream inhibitory effects targeting binding of NF-κB to DNA. Compound 1 thus demonstrates potential of epimonothiodiketopiperazine-derived compounds for the development of NF-κB inhibitors.