Soil aggregate formation and stability induced by starch and cellulose

Soil aggregate (SA) can be formed and stabilized when soil organic matter (SOM) is decomposed in the soil. However, the relationships between the SA dynamics and SOM with different decomposition rates have not been clarified. Therefore, this study examined the effects of the addition of polysaccharides to soil on SA formation and stability. A Japanese tropical soil was incubated for 99 d at 30 °C in a dark environment following the addition of 0.5% (w/w) starch or cellulose. The decomposition rates of the amendments, and SA formation and stability were evaluated by measuring soil respiration rates, and distribution fractions of soil aggregate sizes and mean weight diameter (MWD) of SA, respectively. The cumulative soil respirations with all treatments rapidly increased until Day 12 of the incubation. The initial slope of the cumulative soil respiration in the soil with starch was significantly higher than that in the soil with cellulose. In either soil with starch or cellulose, the fractions of macro-aggregates (>1000 μm in diameter) significantly increased, respectively, compared with control soil. However, the fractions of meso-aggregates (250–1000 μm) and nano-aggregate (<20 μm) in the soil with starch significantly decreased, while those fractions in the soil with cellulose fluctuated until Day 6. The MWDs reached the maximum on Day 6, indicating the SA formation in the soils with starch or cellulose. The increasing rate of the SA formation in the starch-amended soil was greatly higher than that in the cellulose-amended soil. After Day 6, the MWDs in the soils with either polysaccharide decreased with similar trends with no significant differences between treatments, indicating similar stability of the SA in both treatments. This study showed that the different decomposability of the organic amendments might influence the SA formation differently, but not the SA stability.     

紫花苜蓿太阳能干燥系统干燥箱的结构设计

紫花苜蓿是世界范围内种植量最广的牧草之一,低温干燥是常用的贮存方法,可有效保存苜蓿当中的营养成分。太阳能干燥箱可以为苜蓿提供干燥环境,保证干燥温度。为此,设计了一种立式箱式结构干燥箱,并对其工作原理、制作方式、内外部的结构形式及保温材料进行了相应的研究。     

枸杞的微波干燥特性及其对品质的影响

为了缩短枸杞的干燥时间、节约干燥成本,运用微波试验装置,通过选择不用的干燥功率和物料铺放厚度,研究了枸杞微波干燥特性及其对干燥后产品品质的影响。研究结果表明:微波干燥作用于枸杞干燥降速干燥阶段可以大幅缩短枸杞干燥周期,微波组合干燥较自然晾晒缩短时间约65h,约占自然晾晒干燥周期的72%;干燥功率和物料层厚度是影响微波干燥时间的重要因素,微波功率越大,物料层厚度越小,则物料干燥时间越短;不同的微波干燥参数对干后产品品质有不同影响,微波功率为1k W,当物料层厚度平铺为2cm时,干燥后产品多糖保存率和感官品质最好。     

紫花苜蓿根腐新病原-厚垣镰孢菌生物学特性研究

针对紫花苜蓿根腐致病菌厚垣镰孢菌(Fusarium chlamydosporum)在不同温度、光照、p H和多种碳氮源条件下的生物学特性,采用菌饼法进行了测定,并对不同碳氮源下菌落产色素情况进行了连续观察。结果表明:该病原菌在5~40℃均可生长,最适温度为25℃;当p H 4.0~12.0时均能生长,最适宜p H为7.0;全黑暗条件有利于菌丝生长,菌丝生长最适碳源、氮源分别为山梨醇和蛋白胨,碳源氯醛糖及除蛋白胨以外8种氮源均不利于菌丝的生长。含不同碳氮源培养基可诱导菌丝产生不同色素,且颜色变化差异大,在不同的生长阶段,色素颜色也会发生变化。     

Effects of 2 concentrations of sodium citrate on coagulation test results, von Willebrand factor concentration, and platelet function in dogs

BACKGROUND: Blood collection tubes containing 3.2% (0.109 M) sodium citrate, instead of 3.8% (0.129 M) sodium citrate, have recently become available in the United States. These tubes are visually indistinguishable from the traditional 3.8% sodium citrate tubes, except for wording on the label. Consequently, samples for hemostatic evaluation are frequently collected in tubes containing the lower concentration of sodium citrate. HYPOTHESIS: Results of hemostasis assays are different in samples collected in 3.2% versus 3.8% sodium citrate. ANIMALS: Twenty healthy dogs. METHODS: This study aimed at determining whether results of standard coagulation tests, von Willebrand factor concentration (vWF:Ag), and platelet function with the platelet function analyzer PFA-100a were affected by the different concentrations of sodium citrate. Blood samples were collected in tubes containing either 3.2% or 3.8% sodium citrate concentrations and processed routinely for coagulation assays (one-stage prothrombin time [OSPT], activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT], fibrinogen concentration, and platelet count), vWF:Ag, and platelet function assays with a PFA-100. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between samples collected in 3.2% versus those collected in 3.8% sodium citrate for OSPT, aPTT, fibrinogen concentration, platelet count, or vWF:Ag. The closure times with collagen/adenosine diphosphate were significantly shorter (66 +/- 8.1 versus 74.8 +/- 9.7 seconds; P < .0001) with the 3.2% than with 3.8% sodium citrate concentration, and the hematocrit was significantly higher (47.9 +/- 5.6 versus 46.0 +/- 4.7 seconds; P = .03) in samples collected in 3.2% than in those collected in 3.8% sodium citrate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: There is no clinically relevant effect of collection of blood into 3.2% or 3.8% sodium citrate.     

A survey on the use of rugs in Australian horses

The practice of horse rugging has important implications for horse welfare and performance, but in Australia, rugging practices have not been properly documented. The objective of this study was to obtain an understanding of Australian horse rugging practices. An online survey reviewed the management of 2659 Australian horses over 12 months. Of the reported horses a total of 84.8% were rugged, although most owners (69.5%) indicated that they were unsure whether horses needed to be rugged at all. Rugging was felt by 59.8% of owners to be a requirement for horses in competition. Riding and competition were significantly associated with the use of rugs. Nearly all respondents (89.0%) felt that ‘over-rugging’ was a concern. However, 4.8% of owners would use up to 4 rugs at any one time on their horse and 21.4% of horses were still rugged in temperatures above 20°C in Australia. Many Australian horse owners (42.8%) also believe that horses feel cold if they are not rugged. Anthropomorphism when it comes to rugging horses cannot be justified as the horse has a much wider thermoneutral zone (TNZ) than humans. Australian climate, owner opinions, equestrian discipline and whether a horse is used for riding influence Australian horse rugging practices. However, current practices are based on limited available research and are not necessarily to the benefit of the horse. The major limitation was that the survey likely attracted respondents who are interested in the topic creating a self-selection bias.     

Comparison between mainstream (Capnostat 5) and a low-flow sidestream capnometer (Capnostream) in mechanically ventilated,sevoflurane-anesthetized rabbits using a Bain coaxial delivery system

ObjectiveTo evaluate agreement between end-tidal carbon dioxide (Pe′CO₂) and PaCO₂ with sidestream and mainstream capnometers in mechanically ventilated anesthetized rabbits, with two ventilatory strategies.Study designProspective experimental study.AnimalsA total of 10 New Zealand White rabbits weighing 3.6 ± 0.3 kg (mean ± standard deviation).MethodsRabbits anesthetized with sevoflurane were intubated with an uncuffed endotracheal tube (3.0 mm internal diameter) and adequate seal. For Pe′CO₂, the sidestream capnometer sampling adapter or the mainstream capnometer was placed between the endotracheal tube and Bain breathing system (1.5 L minute^–1 oxygen). PaCO₂ was obtained from arterial blood collected every 5 minutes. A time-cycled ventilator delivered an inspiratory time of 1 second and 12 or 20 breaths minute^–1. Peak inspiratory pressure was initially set to achieve Pe′CO₂ normocapnia of 35–45 mmHg (4.6–6.0 kPa). A total of five paired Pe′CO₂ and PaCO₂ measurements were obtained with each ventilation mode for each capnometer. Anesthetic episodes were separated by 7 days. Agreement was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis and linear mixed models; p < 0.05.ResultsThere were 90 and 83 pairs for the mainstream and sidestream capnometers, respectively. The mainstream capnometer underestimated PaCO₂ by 12.6 ± 2.9 mmHg (proportional bias 0.44 ± 0.06 mmHg per 1 mmHg PaCO₂ increase). With the sidestream capnometer, ventilation mode had a significant effect on Pe′CO₂. At 12 breaths minute^–1, Pe′CO₂ underestimated PaCO₂ by 23.9 ± 8.2 mmHg (proportional bias: 0.81 ± 0.18 mmHg per 1 mmHg PaCO₂ increase). At 20 breaths minute^–1, Pe′CO₂ underestimated PaCO₂ by 38.8 ± 5.0 mmHg (proportional bias 1.13 ± 0.10 mmHg per 1 mmHg PaCO₂ increase).Conclusions and clinical relevanceBoth capnometers underestimated PaCO₂. The sidestream capnometer underestimated PaCO₂ more than the mainstream capnometer, and was affected by ventilation mode.     

Simulation Propagation of Partial Discharge UHF Signals in Transformer

Many factors affect the propagation of ultra high frequency(UHF) signals caused by partial discharge(PD) on the waveforms and energy of signals in transformer.To investigate the relationshi Pof factors and UHF signals,simulation model of transformer for PD study are established.UHF signals in simulation model of transformer caused by PD are calculated using finite difference time domain method.By means of amplitude and cumulative energy plot of simulation signals,and combing the measured result,the following factors:distance between PD source and detection position,different metallic conductor position around detection position and iron core and winding are researched,which contribute to comprehend the propagation characteristic of UHF signals and detect UHF signals accurately.     

PROBABILISTIC EVALUATION FOR STEEL FRAME COLUMNS OF TALL BUILDINGS

Based on properties of parameters and test data of dom-estic steel,this paper analyses the reliability and partial coefficient forresistance of steel frame columns of tall builings.The result may serveas a scientific basis.It is not only for domestic steel instead of importedsteel in building tall steel structures,but also for compiling concerendstandards.