Binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. AG G causing root rot in yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) in Brazil

A new rot caused by a binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. affecting the tuberous root cortex of the domesticated yacon ( Smallanthus sonchifolius ) has been observed in Brazil. Isolates of a binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. were collected from roots with rot symptoms and characterized by the number of nuclei per cell, hyphal anastomosis, RAPD molecular markers, ITS-5·8S rDNA sequence and pathogenicity tests. All isolates had a mean of 1·9–2·2 nuclei per cell and anastomosed with the binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. AG G-tester strain. RAPD analysis was carried out between 11 isolates recovered from yacon and 11 AG (A, Ba, Bb, Bo, C, D, F, G, O, P, Q) standard testers of binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. Genetic similarities of 94·8–100% were observed among isolates of the binucleate Rhizoctonia sp. from yacon and all isolates were genetically more closely related to the AG G tester than other strains according to upgma analysis using RAPD markers. Homologies of complete ITS nucleotide sequences were 100% between binucleate isolates of Rhizoctonia sp. from yacon and the AG G tester. According to pathogenicity tests, the isolates caused typical rot symptoms of yacon tubers 90 days after inoculation     

Determination of whole blood cholinesterase in different animal species using specific substrates

Whole blood cholinesterase was measured using acetyl-, butyryl- and propionylthiocholine as substrates in 10 healthy adult dogs, cats, horses, pigs, goats, sheep and cows, in order to determine and characterise the cholinesterase activity in whole blood of the main domestic animals. An in vitro exposure test with two anticholinesterase compounds, the organophosphate insecticide coumaphos and the carbamate insecticide imidocarb, was also performed. In whole blood of ruminants and pigs, acetylthiocholine yielded the highest cholinesterase activity and other substrates were poorly hydrolysed; in dogs and cats, although acetylthiocholine showed the highest cholinesterase activity, butyryl- and propionylthiocholine also produced high cholinesterase values; in horses, propionylthiocholine was the substrate that yielded the highest cholinesterase activity, closely followed by butyrylthiocholine. All within- and between-run coefficients of variation observed in whole blood samples were less than 5 and 7 per cent, respectively, except when butyrylthiocholine was used as substrate in ruminant blood samples. Butyryl- and propionylthiocholine were the substrates that yielded higher inhibitions after coumaphos exposure, whereas the use of acetylthiocholine showed the highest cholinesterase inhibition after imidocarb exposure. The use of at least two substrates (acetyl and butyrylthiocholine) is recommended for whole blood cholinesterase analyses in domestic animals since it will allow monitoring of both acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase activities, respectively, and a more accurate detection of exposure to anticholinesterase compounds. However, acetylthiocholine could be used as a unique substrate for whole blood cholinesterase determination in porcine and ruminant samples since butyrylcholinesterase activity is very low in these species. Additionally, propionylthiocholine could be used as an alternative substrate to butyrylthiocholine in horse whole blood samples.     

Agrochemical assessment of bog phosphates in Western Siberia

Bog phosphates of Western Siberia were characterized; the agrochemical properties of vivianite in peat deposits were studied, and its positive effect on the phosphate pool of zonal soils was revealed. A high and prolonged effect of peat vivianite on the main agricultural crops was experimentally proved. It was shown that the wide use of bog phosphates as fertilizers offers much promise for the regional agriculture.     

Inhalation toxicology.

Two kinds of problems associated with developing standardized procedures for the safety evaluation of new compounds are identified. The first of these is the question of the desirability of using such standard methods. It is concluded that a basic set of procedures is to be recommended, but this should be supplemented with special tests as may be indicated. The second problem is connected with the technical difficulties of any given type of assay and is normally dealt with in terms of the state of the art at the time. Assays by the inhalation route tend to be custom designed and do not follow standard protocols. One of the causes of this situation is the propensity of individual investigators to design de novo the equipment used to effect exposure of animals to airborne substances. Second, some confusion exists because investigators do not always appreciate that the concentration-time product is not the same as the true dose received by the exposed subjects and this may lead to anomalies when dose-response relationships are being characterized. It is suggested that interlaboratory studies be undertaken to ascertain the variability that might be expected in independent assays of inhalation toxicity.     

Morphological Study of the Surface Structure of the Omasal Laminae in Cattle, Sheep and Goats

The mucosal relief of the omasum in cattle, sheep and goats was examined by the naked eye, stereoscopic microscope and scanning electron microscope. The mucosal relief of the omasum showed wide variations both between and within these species. Omasal papillae on the laminae varied highly in shape, i. e. conical, rounded, claw-like, wart-like, finger-like etc. They decreased gradually in size from the oral to the aboral region of the omasal lamina. Ridge-like structures and linear arrangements of the papillae were also seen on the omasal laminae of cattle and sheep. Many grooves and folds were found on the lateral surface of the omasal papillae in adult cattle and on the inter-papillar surface of the laminae of all three species. The mucosal relief of the omasum in cattle seemed to be more well-developed than those of sheep and goats. Dietary effects on the omasal mucosa were also discussed.     

基于反馈回归法的用电量预测模型研究

多元线性回归法是用电量预测中常用的一种方法,带反馈的多元线性回归法是一种改进的回归方法,具有更高的精度.本文在此基础上进行了多次反馈,即利用带多次反馈的多元线性回归法,结合SPSS软件进行统计分析,并以陕西省用电量为例探究分析多次反馈的多元线性回归法在用电量预测中的应用,从而得到更精准的用电量预测模型.最后以四川省的用电量数据对模型进行了验证,体现出了该模型的优越之处.     

Avoidance sessions as aversive events

Rats living continuously in conditioning chambers were permitted to work for food before and after their daily avoidance sessions. The avoidance procedure disrupted this responding reinforced by food, a result that indicates conditioned suppression on a time scale much greater than that previously studied in nonhuman animals.