Photosynthetic utilization efficiency of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation by Scots pine and birch forest stands in the southern Taiga

Absorption and utilization of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were investigated in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and birch (Betula pendula Roth.) stands that were 41 years old at the end of the experimental period. Canopy depth of the Scots pine stand was about half that of the birch stand (6.5 versus 11.0 m), but absorption of PAR was similar in the two stands. The Scots pine forest canopy, with a leaf area index of 8.9, absorbed 90% of the incoming PAR (APAR), whereas the birch forest canopy, with a leaf area index of 5.9, absorbed 92% of APAR. During maximum foliage development, the upper Scots pine canopy absorbed more PAR than the upper birch canopy (75 versus 66%). The upper, middle and lower layers of the Scots pine canopy contained 37, 48 and 15% of the total needle surface area, respectively. The corresponding distribution of foliage surface area in the three layers of the birch canopy was 50, 30 and 20%, respectively. Measurements of photosynthetic rate were combined with estimates of leaf area index and stand phytomass to determine rates of primary production on a sunny day, a cloudy day, and on an annual basis. The energy equivalents of short- and long-term carbon gain were used with determinations of APAR to calculate photosynthetic utilization efficiency. Throughout the growing season, photosynthetic utilization efficiency of APAR in the upper canopy layer of the Scots pine forest was almost twice that in the lower canopy layer. In the birch forest, photosynthetic utilization efficiency was greater in the lower canopy layer than in the upper canopy layer. In all cases, utilization efficiency was higher in the birch stand than in the Scots pine stand (52 versus 29 J kJ(-1)). Taking account of respiration of the non-photosynthetic parts of each stand (night respiration of needles or leaves; respiration of branches, trunk and roots), estimated utilization efficiency of APAR for net primary production was 11 J kJ(-1) for Scots pine and 19 J kJ(-1) for birch. Solar conversion ratios, expressed as whole-plant net primary productivity per unit of APAR for the growing season, were 0.81 g MJ(-1) for Scots pine and 0.93 g MJ(-1) for birch.     

Fuel-powered artificial muscles

Artificial muscles and electric motors found in autonomous robots and prosthetic limbs are typically battery-powered, which severely restricts the duration of their performance and can necessitate long inactivity during battery recharge. To help solve these problems, we demonstrated two types of artificial muscles that convert the chemical energy of high-energy-density fuels to mechanical energy. The first type stores electrical charge and uses changes in stored charge for mechanical actuation. In contrast with electrically powered electrochemical muscles, only half of the actuator cycle is electrochemical. The second type of fuel-powered muscle provides a demonstrated actuator stroke and power density comparable to those of natural skeletal muscle and generated stresses that are over a hundred times higher.     

Influence of soil pH-sorption interactions on imazethapyr carry-over

Soil pH affects imazethapyr sorption-desorption, which in turn can affect persistence and bioavailability. Long-term imazethapyr carry-over has been observed in soil that is below pH 6.5, resulting in significant sugarbeet damage. Imazethapyr concentration decreased rapidly in field soil, regardless of pH. Despite similar amounts of imazethapyr remaining in aged soils at different pH levels, there were differences in bioavailability, which can be explained by sorption-desorption. At low pH more imazethapyr was sorbed than at high pH, but it readily desorbed. At high pH less imazethapyr was sorbed initially, but it did not readily desorb. Thus, after 3 months, the remaining imazethapyr in low-pH soil was desorbable and bioavailable, resulting in injury to canola and sugarbeet. Liming aged, low-pH soil released bound imazethapyr residues, which would then be degraded and result in less carry-over.     

Interaction of curcumin with phosphatidylcholine: A spectrofluorometric study

Curcumin [1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3, 5-dione], the main constituent of the rhizomes of the plant Curcume longa L. (turmeric), is a powerful antioxidant in both enzymatic and nonenzymatic systems. The interactions of curcumin with egg and soy phosphatidylcholine were followed by fluorescence spectroscopy. Curcumin had very weak fluorescence in aqueous system, which was enhanced in apolar environments. Curcumin emitted at 490 nm after being excited at 451 nm in phosphatidylcholine micelles. The equilibrium constants for the interaction of curcumin with egg and soy phosphatidylcholine were (3.26 +/- 0.2) x 10(5) and (2.64 +/- 0.2) x 10(5) M(-1), respectively. From the Scatchard plot of the fluorometric data, it was inferred that one molecule of curcumin could bind six molecules of phosphatidylcholine. The equilibrium constant for the phosphatidylcholine-curcumin interaction decreased with temperature, indicating the amphiphilic nature of curcumin. The DeltaG, DeltaH, and DeltaS values obtained for the interaction of egg phosphatidylcholine-curcumin were -7.8 +/- 0.3 kcal/mol, -9.6 +/- 0.4 kcal/mol, and -6.8 +/- 0.2 cal/mol/K, respectively. The fluorescence anisotropy measurements of curcumin with phosphatidylcholine suggested that the anisotropy of the curcumin molecule did not change in phosphatidylcholine. The interaction of divalent metal ions with phosphatidylcholine-curcumin in comparison with phosphatidylcholine-1-anilino-8-naphathalenesulfonic acid complex suggested the strong binding of curcumin to metal ions.     

海南州草地类型的基本特征

1996年,以实施海南州国际农发基金农业综合开发项目为目的,对草地和牲畜资源进行了全面调查。据调查资料,全州有天然草地334．43万hm’（不包括人工草地面积2．79万hmz）,其中可利用草地面积316．25万hm’,占全州天然草地面积的94．56％,天然草地生产干物质总量2．40亿xg,占全州饲草资源总量的91．29％。天然草地的理论载畜量为328．91万羊单位,占全州饲草资源总载畜量的88．64％。海南州天然草地按中国草地分类标准可分为6个草地类,2个亚类,16个草地组,53个草地型。现将各草地类的基本特征描述如下：1高寒草甸类1·l地理环境高…     

Relative efficacy of organophosphorus insecticides against susceptible and resistant strains of the strike blowfly Lucilia cuprina (Calliphoridae) in New Zealand sheep

Four groups of five Romney lambs were treated by plunge dipping with one of four registered organophosphorus flystrike preventatives. Untreated lambs acted as controls. The sheep were challenged at weekly intervals with larval implants of organophosphate-susceptible and -resistant strains of Lucilia cuprina. All four treatments provided 19-21 weeks protection against susceptible larvae but chlorfenvinphos provided the longest protection (16-17 weeks), followed by propetamphos (15-16 weeks), dichlofenthion (10-13 weeks) and diazinon (9-13 weeks), against the resistant strain.     

Synthesis of a combinatorial library of amides and its evaluation against the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda

The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda is a polyphagous pest that causes important damage in different regions of America and mainly affects corn crops in both tropical and subtropical areas. Currently, control relies on both transgenic plants and/or chemical pesticides. In this work we describe the preparation of an indexed combinatorial library of amides and its toxic effect by contact against S. frugiperda . (E)-1-(1-Piperidinyl)-3-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-2-propen-1-one was the most active compound with an LD(50) = 0.793 μg mg(-1) of larva. This amide was also evaluated by ingestion and at the lowest concentration (1 mg kg(-1)) achieved 83.3% mortality.     

How the cucumber tendril coils and overwinds

The helical coiling of plant tendrils has fascinated scientists for centuries, yet the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Moreover, despite Darwin's widely accepted interpretation of coiled tendrils as soft springs, their mechanical behavior remains unknown. Our experiments on cucumber tendrils demonstrate that tendril coiling occurs via asymmetric contraction of an internal fiber ribbon of specialized cells. Under tension, both extracted fiber ribbons and old tendrils exhibit twistless overwinding rather than unwinding, with an initially soft response followed by strong strain-stiffening at large extensions. We explain this behavior using physical models of prestrained rubber strips, geometric arguments, and mathematical models of elastic filaments. Collectively, our study illuminates the origin of tendril coiling, quantifies Darwin's original proposal, and suggests designs for biomimetic twistless springs with tunable mechanical responses.