Diaspore characteristics and ecological adaptation of Bromus tectorum L. from different distribution regions

The invasion of nonnative plants is considered one of the main threats to the structure and function of North American ecosystems.Moreover,they can alter ecosystem processes and reduce biodiversity.In arid and semi-arid region of North America,the species of European annual grass Bromus tectorum L.is an outstanding example of these problems,which not only increase the fire density and change the fire regime,but replace native communities.Therefore,there are amount of researches on B.tectorum,including resource acquisition,water use efficiency and growth.Whereas the relevant research on the morphology of diaspore is scare.Diaspores have a fundamental role in seed germination and seedling establishment.Besides,as an important link between different generations,diaspores have a vital significance on individual reproduction and population extension.Hence,diaspores under selection for studying have an important implication.This study compares differences in seed morphology for Bromus tectorum collected from the United States,Kazakhstan,and Xinjiang of China.The following indices of B.tectorum diaspores were analyzed:size,thickness of covering layers,and micromorphological characteristics of the base,middle and transition area of diaspores as well as of the awn.Micromorphology of the lemma and the cross-section of the diaspore were observed by scanning electron microscopy.Results showed that thickness of the lemma and the palea of diaspores from B.tectorum-infested grasslands in the United States were reduced(P<0.05),likely because of environmental influences.This reduction facilitated the germination of diaspores and lowered the resistance of B.tectorum to adverse environmental conditions.The length of the awn also increased significantly(P<0.05),which helped in dispersal and anchoring of diaspores.Therefore,B.tectorum adapted ecologically to its new environment in the United States by strengthening its establishment ability.However,the defense capability of B.tectorum decreased.These results fit the evolution of increased competitive ability hypothesis(EICA)of invasive species.Analysis of various cells on the lemma revealed that prickle densities and collapsed,long epidermal cells were easily influenced by environmental factors such as temperature and moisture because of the physiologic function of these structures on silicon accumulation.However,the form and the position of silica cells,which were not greatly influenced by environmental factors,might be genetically controlled.Studying these structures at the microscopic level helps define the relationship between the diaspore and its environment.This study has a reference value for future studies on B.tectorum.     

Present-day impact cratering rate and contemporary gully activity on Mars

The Mars Global Surveyor Mars Orbiter Camera has acquired data that establish the present-day impact cratering rate and document new deposits formed by downslope movement of material in mid-latitude gullies on Mars. Twenty impacts created craters 2 to 150 meters in diameter within an area of 21.5 x 10(6) square kilometers between May 1999 and March 2006. The values predicted by models that scale the lunar cratering rate to Mars are close to the observed rate, implying that surfaces devoid of craters are truly young and that as yet unrecognized processes of denudation must be operating. The new gully deposits, formed since August 1999, are light toned and exhibit attributes expected from emplacement aided by a fluid with the properties of liquid water: relatively long, extended, digitate distal and marginal branches, diversion around obstacles, and low relief. The observations suggest that liquid water flowed on the surface of Mars during the past decade.     

Hypolipidemic and anti‐inflammatory effects of aorta and heart tissues of cattle and pigs in the atherosclerosis rat model

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aorta and heart tissues obtained from cattle and pigs on atherosclerosis disorders. Atherosclerosis model rats were provided with the respective diets consisting of aorta and heart tissues. Administration of each tissue suppressed body weight gain as compared to that of the control. In particular, the aorta tissues of pigs and cattle demonstrated significant suppressions in body weight gain in the model rats. The aorta tissues of pigs and cattle showed a significant increase and decrease in the serum high‐density lipoproteins and atherogenic index, respectively, which was correlated with the increase in apolipoprotein A1. Hematological analysis revealed that aorta tissues of pigs and cattle clearly reduced the ratio of granulocytes/lymphocytes in the atherosclerosis rats. Serum vascular cellular adhesion molecule‐1 levels in the atherosclerosis rats, which were administered these aorta tissues, were also significantly reduced. Additionally, there was an increase in von Willebrand factor in the rat serum. Based on the results obtained, the aorta tissues of pigs and cattle, in particular, demonstrated positive effects in the atherosclerosis rats due to the alteration of lipid metabolism and reduction in inflammation related to atherosclerosis.     

Phytogeography of the northeastern coast of the Caspian Sea： native flora and recent colonizations

The northeastern coast of the Caspian Sea is one of the youngest territories for plant colonization in Kazakhstan,and the flora of the most recent portion of this coastal area,the New Caspian marine plain,was chosen to study phytogeographical characteristics of plant species,especially as related to alien origin and invasive potential.Because of the recent formation of this flora,I expected that a large proportion of the species may be alien and invasive.After compiling a comprehensive species list from previous research,I identified the taxonomic,life form,ecological,and geographical structures of the flora.The area belongs to the northern type of deserts with continental climate and low annual precipitation.Taxonomic and life form structures show that the flora is specific to Central Asian deserts.Ecological structure demonstrates a high percentage of halophytes,which resulted from their adaptation to soil salinity and shallow ground waters that occur throughout the study area.Geoelements of the flora indicate allochtonous properties of the flora(i.e.species derived from areas outside the study area) with a low proportion of native(Caspian) plants.Alien species are estimated to comprise 12%-19% of the flora.Although some species have invasive features,severe arid environmental conditions and high salinity of soils and ground waters decrease invasive capacity of exotic plants.However,a threat of expansion of potentially invasive plants exists in the New Caspian marine plain due to the fast growth of anthropogenic habitats associated with recent oil developments.