Volume holographic storage and retrieval of digital data

A multiple page fully digital holographic data storage system is demonstrated. This system is used to store and retrieve digital image and compressed video data with a photorefractive crystal. Architecture issues related to spatio-rotational multiplexing and novel error-correcting encoding techniques used to achieve low bit-error rates are discussed.     

Role of voltage-dependent anion channel in cardiomyocytes subjected to anoxia/reoxygenation

AIM: To investigate the role of voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) in H9c2 cardiomyocytes subjected to anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R).METHODS: The shRNAs targeting VDAC1 mRNA were inserted into pSUPER plasmid.H9c2 cells were randomly divided into 5 groups as follows: control group, A/R group, anoxia preconditioning (APC) group, pSUPER-VDAC1-A/R group and pSUPER-A/R group. The expression of VDAC1 was detected by Western blotting. Cellular injury was evaluated by measuring the cell viability and the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK). The mitochondria membrane potential was determined by flow cytometry.RESULTS: VDAC1 expression was up-regulated in A/R group and was inhibited in APC group. Similarly, down-regulation of VDAC1 expression by shRNA protected H9c2 cells from A/R injury. Moreover, we found that, with silencing VDAC1 expression, mitochondrial membrane potential was well preserved in H9c2 cells subjected to A/R.CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of VDAC1 protects H9c2 cells against A/R injury and its possible mechanism appears to be related to the regulation of mitochondial permeability transition pore opening.     

大沽河下游地区地下水及地表植被对截渗墙的响应

为了解大沽河下游地区在建设地下截渗墙之后对地下水位、水质及地表植被的影响,在野外调查、观测及资料收集的基础上,利用地学理论、数理统计方法及3S技术,对该地区浅层地下水位、水质时空变化及其对NDVI指数的影响等进行了深入分析。结果表明:1)大沽河下游地区年内地下水位呈现出单峰单谷曲线,最高水位发生频率最高的时期是9~10月,最低水位发生频率最高的时期是6~7月。截渗墙明显起到了涵养水源的作用,抬升了截渗墙北侧的地下水位,平复了截渗墙的地下水漏斗。2)至2011年截渗墙北侧地下水中Cl-含量下降明显,水质变好。3)研究区域NDVI总体呈逐渐增加的态势,一定程度上表明区域植被覆盖状况明显增加。     

不同活力种子的萌发与出苗特性

摘要：研究测定了老化处理后几种禾本科牧草种子的萌发、幼苗以及出苗期的相关指标,进一步分析其相关性。结果表明,1）除羊草（Leymus chinensis）种子外,老化处理显著降低其他参试种子的发芽势、发芽率、发芽指数、活力指数,胚根、胚芽以及幼苗长度,出苗率、出苗速率;2）牧草种子的耐老化能力因种而异,休眠可显著提高种子自身的耐老化能力,如羊草;3）除羊草种子外,其他种子的发芽势、发芽率、发芽指数、活力指数,胚根、胚芽以及幼苗长度与出苗率、出苗速率极显著正相关(P<0.01);4) 相比其他萌发指标,发芽率用于种子活力批次的划分在所有物种中表现相对较好。     

Pop hole use by hens with different keel fracture status monitored throughout the laying period

The aim of this work was to study the effect of keel fractures on the extent to which free-range hens access the range through pop holes. Over two consecutive laying periods (two production years) a total of 1100 individual birds from one half of a house, divided into four separated flocks, were caught at 25, 35, 45, 55 and 65 weeks, palpated to assess the prevalence and severity of keel fractures and tagged with RFID transponders. Their use of pop holes was subsequently monitored in some cases from week 25 to end of lay at 68 to 70 weeks. At regular intervals (every 10 weeks), the tagged birds were re-caught to assess changes in keel fracture prevalence and severity. The average percentage of birds with fractured keels at 25, 35, 45, 55, 65 and at end of lay (68 to 70 weeks of age) was 5.5, 25.5, 49, 63, 66.5 and 78.5, respectively, across both production years. The effect of keel score on pop hole use was modelled statistically, adjusting for weather conditions and age of the birds. There were significant effects of most of the weather variables recorded, as well as age of the bird, on use of pop holes and also a significant effect of keel score. Higher keel scores resulted in a reduction in pop hole use. A significant statistical interaction between keel score and ambient temperature revealed an accelerated reduction in use as the temperature decreased and keel score increased. It is concluded that the occurrence of keel fractures may affect the birds' ability or willingness to utilise the outdoor range provided by free-range housing systems, thereby reducing the potential welfare advantages of this type of housing.     

Biological and DNA evidence of two dissimilar populations of the Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick group (Acari: Ixodidae) in South America

In this work, the biology, mitochondrial DNA and fertility of hybrids from two strains of Rhipicephalus sanguineus, from Brazil and Argentina, were compared. Engorged larvae, nymphs and adults from Argentina weighed more and the engorgement period of adult females was significantly longer than those of their Brazilian counterparts, whereas adult female tick yield rate was higher for the Brazilian strain. High intraspecific divergence of mitochondrial DNA was detected between R. sanguineus from Brazil and Argentina. On the other hand, a strong genetic relationship was detected between European and Argentinean R. sanguineus populations while the Brazilian population appeared to be related to the African Rhipicephalus turanicus. Adult hybrid females laid eggs, which were mostly unviable, whereas a mean of more than 1400 larvae hatched per egg mass from pure Brazilian and Argentinean strains. These results showed that differences between these strains are greater than previously assumed and that the biosystematic status of R. sanguineus ticks from South America should be re-evaluated. Wide variations, such as these might account for the reported worldwide differences in biology and vector capacity of this species.     

The physiological response of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., to a single experimental challenge with sea lice, Lepeophtheirus salmonis

The sea louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis , is an ectoparasitic copepod of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., capable of causing severe damage. This study was conducted to examine the physiological response of salmon to the stress of sea lice infestation. Smoltified salmon were acclimatized in 30‰ saltwater and exposed to high levels of lice infestation. The number of copepods per fish ranged from 15 to 285, with a mean of 106. The infested salmon were sampled six times over the 29-d experimental duration and examined for alterations in the primary and secondary stress indicators, including plasma concentrations of cortisol, glucose, electrolytes, thyroid hormones T3 and T4, as well as the haematocrit level. The results were examined for correlations between the stress indicators, the number of copepods per fish and the life stage of the copepods. The presence of L. salmonis elevated stress indicators in relation to the specific sea lice stage. By day 21, both cortisol (mean 63.1 nmol L−1 controls: 179.8 nmol L−1 for parasitized) and glucose (mean 3.545 mmol L−1 controls: 4.567 mmol L−1 for parasitized) levels were significantly increased due to the presence of the lice. This was believed to be a direct result of the sea lice development into the larger life stages, thus increasing the level of host damage.     

Rectal leiomyosarcoma in a horse

A mass originating from the dorsal rectal wall of a 4-year-old mare was diagnosed as a leiomyosarcoma. General anesthesia and meticulous surgical dissection were required to effect removal. In spite of incomplete excision, as indicated by histologic sections, the mass has not recurred in the 18 months since removal.     

Bleeding canker of horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) in Ireland: incidence,severity and characterization using DNA sequences and real‐time PCR

A survey of bleeding canker disease, caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. aesculi, was undertaken across Ireland. Incidence has become severe and can be considered epidemic, as 61% of the 1587 horse chestnut trees surveyed showed symptoms of the disease. Bacteria were isolated from a sample of trees and characterized using gyrBDNA sequencing. DNA was also extracted directly from wound tissue. The Irish P. syringae pv. aesculi genotype was identical to genotypes previously sequenced with gyrB from the UK and some other locations in Europe. Real‐time PCR, using existing primers and a newly designed, more pathovar‐specific primer set, was assessed for use in disease screening. With molecular screening, a total of 11 trees from a sample of 55 tested positive for P. syringae pv. aesculi in Ireland. It was more efficient to extract DNA directly from wound tissue, especially fresh bark, for disease detection than to undertake bacterial isolation with subsequent molecular analysis. A further set of sequencing primers was developed for the amplification of the gyrB gene from P. syringae pv. aesculi and their specificity was shown using a diverse sample of bacterial isolate DNAs. The study also isolated and identified other bacterial species from diseased material; some of these are known pathogens (Brenneria nigrifluens, P. marginalis and P. syringae) or have previously been identified as potentially beneficial endophytes of host trees (Erwinia billingiae, E. tolentana, P. fluorescens, P. putida and Raoultella).     

Appraisal of the sustainability of dairy goat systems in Southern Spain according to their degree of intensification

This investigation aims to classify, describe and evaluate the sustainability of dairy goat production systems (GPS) in South Spain Sierra de Cadiz. The research took place throughout 25 goat farms during the 2001–2002 campaigns, with the method posed by Masera et al. (1999) [Masera, O., Astier, M., S., López-Ridaura. 1999. Sustentabilidad y manejo de recursos naturales. El marco de evaluación MESMIS (Sustainability and natural resource management. The MESMIS evaluation framework). Mundi-Prensa, S.A., Gira, IE-UNAM, México. 109 pp.] and adapted to animal production systems, as the guideline and framework to evaluate sustainability.

The principal component, namely energy input from grazing (eigenvalue 1.329) which comprises the indicators total area per goat (factorial value 0.664) together with net energy obtained from grazing (factorial value 0.903) allowed to differentiate significantly between semi extensive (SES), semi intensive (SIS) and intensive (IS) goat production systems.

Intensification of the GPS tends to be inefficient, especially in terms of net margin per litre of milk produced (p < 0.05). A higher degree of adaptability of IS (64.8%) derives from a higher investment on new production strategies. Likewise, higher self-management capacity of SES (60.9%) fosters standards of productivity (76.0%) and stability (42.9%). The SIS presented the highest equity values (67.8%).

On the whole, sustainability of GPS tends to decrease as the degree of intensification increases: SES = 57.3%; SIS = 55.7% and IS = 53.1%. The reduction of the dependency on external input alongside with the optimization of natural resources management would surely improve the standard of sustainability.