Characterization of common bean wild populations for their in situ conservation in Northwestern Argentina

In situ conservation of wild species is a method of conservation that allows keeping populations in their natural environments, and set the strategies for maintaining the natural populations. The Active Bank of Northwestern Argentina (BANOA) is in charge of the in situ conservation of wild populations of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Northwestern Argentina (NOA), and has an ex situ collection of 401 landraces and 221 wild accessions from the NOA. We evaluated the phenotypic diversity of 68 common bean wild populations from the NOA both in protected and unprotected areas, finding a moderate variation among them. Ten phenotypic reproductive characteristics related to pod and seed displayed significant differences in the analysis of variance; these traits together with the seed weight were the basis for the multivariate analysis. The cluster analysis ordered the populations in 12 groups but trends in geographical distribution or phenotypical variation were not recognized. For the conservation in situ of the wild bean populations, their diversity should be considered. Two types of populations can be highlighted: (i) candidates for in situ conservation in order to preserve the novel variation generated by convergence with cultivated sympatric germplasm (populations 433, 437, 471, 509, 513 and 517) and (ii) those whose phenotype represents clearly the wild status and should be preserved in situ as such in their current status (populations 480, 495, 496, 525 and 533).     

Protective Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Juglans regia</Emphasis> L. Walnut Extract Against Oxidative DNA Damage

Walnuts (Juglans regia L.) are relevant components of the Mediterranean diet providing important macronutrients, micronutrients and other bioactive constituents including unsaturated fatty acids, proteins, fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytosterols and polyphenols. Although the walnut beneficial effects in human health are widely recognized by a lot of epidemiologic studies very little is known regarding its effect on damaged DNA. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Juglans regia L. ethanolic extract from kernel on the induction of DNA strand breaks by thiol/Fe³⁺/O₂ mixed function oxidase, tert-butyl hydroperoxide or UVC radiations in acellular and cellular models. Plasmid DNA cleavage and fast Halo assay were used to monitor oxidative damage to DNA. Both approaches showed protection of oxidatively injured DNA. These results agree with a lot of scientific proofs which recommend walnut as dietary adjunct in health promotion and prevention as well as in treatment of lifestyle-related oxidative diseases.     

Soil organic carbon fractions and humic substances are affected by land uses of Caatinga forest in Brazil

Caatinga is a Brazilian dry ecosystem that occupies around 1 million km² and is one of the largest tropical dry forests of the world. About 46% of the area that was originally covered has been deforested. Land use can cause pronounced reduction in soil carbon stocks that play a major role in the global carbon cycle. The objective of this study was to improve our understanding of the effect of land use on oxidizable carbon fractions, total carbon stocks and humic substances in different layers of soil in a Brazilian semi-arid region. We analyzed soils from tropical dry forest (TDF), forest succession with Anadenanthera falcata (ANA), with Tabebuia alba (TAB), secondary scrubby regeneration (SCR), and non-irrigated maize (MS). Forests showed larger fractions of more labile carbon, except for TDF. The most recalcitrant fraction of carbon stock, humin fraction stock, with the different land use decreased by 38–53% compared to TDF. Oxidizable carbon fractions, carbon stocks, and humic fraction stocks were able to differentiate the successional land uses and agricultural cover from TDF, mainly in the 0–5?cm layer. Our results show that changes in land use, especially with ANA forest succession, showed a larger labile carbon fraction, indicating easy decomposition and loss. Our results provide an alternative tool for the management of deforested areas in tropical dry caatinga ecosystems. This would contribute to the conservation of dry forest systems and could serve as guideline for sustainable management of agriculturally impacted caatinga areas.     

15N-甘氨酸单剂量终产物法研究妊娠和非妊娠母猪整体蛋白质周转代谢

采用15N-甘氨酸单剂量终产物法研究了妊娠和非妊娠母猪在不同阶段整体蛋白质代谢的周转速率以及氨基酸利用效率的差异。结果表明:刚配种时,妊娠母猪与非妊娠母猪蛋白质代谢参数差异不显著(P>0.05);妊娠30d时,妊娠母猪蛋白质合成速率,降解速率、周转速率显著低于非妊娠母猪(P<0.05),但沉积速率提高了25%(P<0.05);妊娠后期,妊娠母猪氨基酸代谢库氮流量、周转速率以及蛋白质合成速率和降解速率显著(P<0.01)提高,蛋白质的沉积速率增加了71.1%(P<0.01)。     

In situ net N transformations in pine,fir, and oak stands of different ages on acid sandy soil, 3 years after liming

Summary The effect of liming on in-situ N transformations was studied in two stands of different ages of each of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Douglas fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco], and common oak (Quercus robur L.). The stands were located on acid sandy soils in an area with high atmospheric N input. The organic matter of the upper 10-cm layer of the soil, including the forest floor, had a relatively high N content (C: N ratio <25) in all stands. Using a sequential core technique, N transformations were measured in both control plots and plots that had been limed 3 years previously with 3 t ha^-1 of dolomitic lime. Limed plots had a higher net NO _inf3 ^sup- production and a higher potential for NO _inf3 ^sup- leaching than the controls in all stands except that of the younger oak. Net N mineralization did not differ significantly between limed and control plots in oak stands and younger coniferous stands but was significantly lower in the limed plots of the older coniferous stands. It is concluded that long-term measurements of net N mineralization in limed forest soils are needed to evaluate the effect of liming with respect to the risk of groundwater pollution.     

Behavior of Brick Samples in Aggressive Environments

The weathering of different brick samples ina range of aggressive environments has been studied.Brick samples were prepared using two clay types (fromGranada, Spain), different additives, and a range offiring temperatures (850–1100 °C). The brickscompositional and textural characteristics wereevaluated using XRD, SEM, hydric tests and mercuryintrusion porosimetry (MIP). The samples weresubjected to accelerate aging, including wet-dry,freeze-thaw and salt crystallization cycles. The decayof the bricks in polluted atmospheres was simulated ina static chamber containing sulfur dioxide (SO₂)at 25 °C and 50% relative humidity. Samplesfired at 1000 °C proved to be the most durable,with better hydric behavior (fast drying and slowwater absorption) and fewer micropores. However, theywere not suitable for salt-rich environments (badperformance in the salt decay test). Samples fired at850 °C turned out to be more resistant to saltdecay, but they showed a poor hydric behavior (slowdrying and rapid water absorption) and littleresistance to freeze-thaw and wet-dry cycles. Samplesfired at 1100 °C had good hydric behavior, theyperformed well in the salt decay test, but they didnot perform as well as the samples fired at1000 °C in most accelerated aging tests. Gypsumformed on all the brick samples submitted to SO₂atmosphere regardless exposure time (e.g. gypsumappears following just 24 h of exposure),composition, or firing temperature. Samples withdeposited particulate matter collected from vehicleexhausts (diesel, as well as leaded and non-leadedgasoline motor cars) resulted in the fastest gypsumdevelopment and greater abundance. On the other hand,the blank samples, and the samples withpollution-derived dust collected from historicalbuildings showed little gypsum development. Theimplications of these results in historicalbrick-building preservation in a range of aggressiveenvironments, and in polluted atmospheres inparticular, are discussed.     

浓缩风能型风力发电机的整体模型风洞实验（第Ⅲ报）

低速风洞内进行的实验结果表明：当风速为５．５０ｍ／ｓ时，浓缩风能型风力发电机模型的输出功率为１００Ｗ，是直径相等的普通型风力发电机（风力机和发电机的总机械效率为０．３３２时）的输出功率的３．８倍；其输出功率相当于目前我国草原上使用的小型风力发电机输出功率的６倍；并且该机组的起动风速比相同叶轮普通型风力发电机模型的起动风速低     

不同雨强和坡度条件下紫色土养分流失规律研究

采用室内模拟降雨装置,研究了三峡库区紫色土在不同雨强和坡度条件下的养分流失规律。结果表明,紫色土坡面流失养分主要由径流和泥沙携带,其中径流养分含量与雨强和坡度无关,但与产流过程一致。泥沙中养分含量与雨强无关,但随坡度增加而降低;泥沙养分含量与产沙量过程无关,但其流失量与产沙量过程一致。泥沙中各养分含量略大于降雨前表土养分含量,远大于径流养分含量,但由于径流中以速效养分为主,故径流携带的养分流失量不容忽视。