An on-site computer system for comprehensive agricultural air quality research

Scientific studies using direct agricultural air quality (AAQ) measurement have experienced revolutionary changes since such a study was first reported in the early 1950s. Comprehensive AAQ research with multi-institutional or international collaboration, long-term monitoring, and multi-pollutant measurement has been conducted with greater frequency. On-site computer system (OSCS), consisting of data acquisition hardware, a personal computer, and custom-developed AAQ research software has become an important tool in these studies. The role of the OSCS has been expanded from exclusively data acquisition to a combination of data acquisition, control, regular and advanced data processing, and communication. This paper studied the general and specific requirements of OSCS in AAQ research and introduced a system with new methodology and technology for high level quality assurance and quality control (QAQC).Data acquisition in AAQ studies is needed for five main categories of instruments and sensors: pollutant concentrations, air exchange, weather conditions, building status, and measurement system status. Regular data processing consists of converting electrical signals to engineering units, averaging data over a given period of time, and performing data correction. Advanced data processing includes calculating location-shared analyzers and sensors (LSAS) data and instrument calibration data and generating daily reports in real-time or upon user requests. The primary control needs in AAQ research centers around the LSAS using multi-point air sampling system. Controls for sampling tubing heating and equipment cooling are often required. Computer communications to monitor system status, deliver alarms and data, and provide remote diagnosis and controls help to reduce operation costs and increase research quality and data completeness.An OSCS that offered flexibility, high capacity, user-friendliness, and high level QAQC was developed for field and laboratory AAQ research. A total of 29 OSCSs have been built and used in various AAQ studies in 13 states in USA for handling a total of more than 3.0 billion data points. The system adapted a set of data processing algorithms as well as some novel features, including All-data Display and Dynamic Run-time Configuration (DDRC), Digital Output DDRC, real-time sampling system monitoring and protection, Global Channel, traceable configuration, and post-measurement data processing. The system also integrated two stand-alone instruments, an Innova multi-gas analyzer and a 7-port Environics gas diluter, which are popular in AAQ research. The strengths, weaknesses, and future development of the system are also discussed.     

N2O, NO, and NH3 Emissions from Soil after the Application of Organic Fertilizers, Urea and Water

Agricultural soil is a major source of nitrous oxide (N₂O), nitric oxide (NO) and ammonia (NH₃). Little information is available on emissions of these gases from soils amended with organic fertilizers at different soil water contents. N₂O, NO and NH₃ emissions were measured in large-scale incubations of a fresh sandy loam soil and amended with four organic fertilizers, [poultry litter (PL), composted plant residues (CP), sewage sludge pellets (SP) and cattle farm yard manure (CM)], urea fertilizer (UA) or a zero-N control (ZR) for 38 days. Fertilizers were added to soil at 40, 60 or 80% water-filled pore space (WFPS). The results showed that urea and organic fertilizer were important sources of N₂O and NO. Total N₂O and NO emissions from UA ranged from 0.04 to 0.62%, and 0.23 to 1.55% of applied N, respectively. Total N₂O and NO emissions from organic fertilizer treatments ranged from 0.01 to 1.65%, and <0.01 to=" 0.55%=" of=" applied=" n,=" respectively.=" the=" lower=">₂O and NO emissions from CP and CM suggested that applying N is these forms could be a useful mitigation option. Comparison of the NO-N/N₂O-N ratio suggested that nitrification was more dominant in UA whereas denitrification was more dominant in the organic fertilizer treatments. Most N was lost from PL and UA as NH₃, and this was not influenced significantly by WFPS. Emissions of NH₃ from UA and PL ranged from 62.4 to 69.6%, and 3.17 to 6.11% of applied N, respectively.     

Molecular cloning of two chitinase genes from Serratia marcescens and their expression in Pseudomonas species

Two chitinase encoding EcoRI fragments from the enteric soil bacterium Serratia marcescens were cloned. From a genomic library of 5686 transductants, 21 expressed chitinase activity as indicated by clearing of a chitin-containing medium. The chitinase encoding clones could be divided into two groups. Four had an 18kb EcoRI fragment and 17 had a 9·4 kb EcoRI fragment. In Southern hybridization experiments the 18kb fragment showed no homology to the 9·4 kb fragment and restriction enzyme maps indicated no similarity. Triparental mating with fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. yielded transconjugants that expressed chitinase activity, inhibited growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. redolens germ tubes and reduced disease of radish caused by the same fungus.     

Prevalence and risk factors of mycobacterial infections in farm and trade cattle in southwestern Nigeria

We evaluated the prevalence of mycobacterial infections (i.e., Mycobacterium bovis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria [NTM]) and their associated risk factors among cattle herds and trade cattle in southwestern Nigeria. Through cross-sectional study design, cattle herds from three locations were screened using the single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin test based on two diagnostic standards; more than 4 mm (? 4 mm) and more than 2 mm (? 2 mm) cut-off points. Abattoir study involved screening trade cattle for tuberculous lesions. Overall, 515 cattle from 45 herds were screened. Using >?4 mm, animal level and herd prevalence of 11.7 and 46.7% were recorded, respectively. Applying the ? 2 mm cut-off, animal level and herd prevalence increased to 31.1 and 60.0%, respectively. Significantly, using the ? 2 mm cut-off, cattle in medium size herds/extensive management system (OR?=?1.6; 95% CI 1.1–2.5) and Sokoto Gudali (OR?=?2.3; 95% CI 1.4–3.8) were more at risk of being positive reactors, while Rahaji (OR?=?0.3; 95% CI 0.1–0.7) breeds of cattle and cows in the peri-urban area (OR?=?0.4; 95% CI 0.2–0.9) were less at risk of being positive reactors. Again, M. avium reactor of 21.7% was observed. In the abattoir, 1797 cattle were examined with 126 lesions suggestive of tuberculosis (TB). Culture/molecular analyses confirmed 2.2% M. bovis and 0.9% NTM infections. Risk factors associated with bovine TB among trade cattle were sex (OR?=?4.0; 95% CI 1.2–13.5) and age (OR?=?0.3; 95% CI 0.1–0.9). We confirm 11.7% prevalence of mycobacterial infections among populations of cattle screened with breed and herd size being major risk factors.     

Sexual selection can resolve sex-linked sexual antagonism

Sexual selection is a potent evolutionary force. However, very few models have considered the evolution of female preferences for traits expressed in both sexes. Here we explore how female preferences coevolve with sexually antagonistic traits, which involve alleles that are beneficial to one sex but harmful to the other. We show that with a sexually antagonistic trait on the X chromosome (males XY, females XX), females evolve to prefer mates carrying alleles beneficial to daughters. In contrast, with a Z-linked trait (males ZZ, females ZW), females more often evolve mating preferences for mates carrying alleles beneficial to sons (that is, flashy displays).     

Mutations in U4atac snRNA, a component of the minor spliceosome, in the developmental disorder MOPD I

Small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) are essential factors in messenger RNA splicing. By means of homozygosity mapping and deep sequencing, we show that a gene encoding U4atac snRNA, a component of the minor U12-dependent spliceosome, is mutated in individuals with microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type I (MOPD I), a severe developmental disorder characterized by extreme intrauterine growth retardation and multiple organ abnormalities. Functional assays showed that mutations (30G>A, 51G>A, 55G>A, and 111G>A) associated with MOPD I cause defective U12-dependent splicing. Endogenous U12-dependent but not U2-dependent introns were found to be poorly spliced in MOPD I patient fibroblast cells. The introduction of wild-type U4atac snRNA into MOPD I cells enhanced U12-dependent splicing. These results illustrate the critical role of minor intron splicing in human development.     

Aggregation in a surface layer of a hardsetting and crusting soil as influenced by the application of amendments and grass mulch in a South African semi-arid environment

Hardsetting and crusting are forms of soil structure degradation associated with the collapse of macroaggregates during wetting and are responsible for poor seedling emergence, crop establishment and yields of food crops especially in semi-arid environments. This study investigated the effects of applying of 3.0 t ha⁻¹ phosphogypsum, 1.0 t ha⁻¹ polymer gel, 3.0 t ha⁻¹ grass mulch and 5.0 t ha⁻¹ cattle manure to the topsoil (0–15 cm) of a soil with hardsetting and crusting behavior and observed changes on aggregation under field conditions for two consecutive seasons. There were significant improvements in soil aggregate properties in the amended soil over the control. Both aggregate size distribution and wet aggregate stability showed significant differences between the amendments in the two seasons. The mean weight diameters of aggregates were 4.23 mm (mulch), 3.31 mm (manure), 2.17 mm (polymer gel), 2.23 mm (phosphogypsum) and 1.36 mm (control). The aggregates (2–4 mm) from amended soil were consistently more stable than the control and were in the order polymer gel = manure > mulch > gypsum > control. Tensile strength and bulk density of aggregates, on the other hand, were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the unamended than amended soil.The application of soil amendments, especially mulch, significantly increased the soil water content over the two seasons and this was associated with lower soil penetration resistance in the latter. The reduced soil strength in the amended soils contributed to higher pegging, podding and grain yields of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean). This was confirmed by significantly higher correlations between soil aggregate characteristics, soil water, penetrometer resistance and growth and yield of bambara groundnut. The study concluded that significant improvements in soil aggregation can be obtained over a relatively short period and this can improve the yield of food crops.     

近自然森林经营在德国的应用成效分析

[目的]分析德国推行近自然森林经营20年来的经营效果,总结德国推行近自然森林经营的经验。[方法]在明晰近自然森林经营原则的基础上,基于两期(间隔期10年)资源清查数据对比,对德国大面积推行近自然森林经营20年的经营效果进行分析。[结果]两期资源清查数据表明,德国采用近自然经营20年后,针叶林如挪威云杉和欧洲赤松的面积显著减少,阔叶林和针阔混交林面积持续增加;阔叶树种蓄积平均增长量约为15 m~3·hm~(-2),针叶树种蓄积平均增长4 m~3·hm~(-2),挪威云杉是唯一蓄积下降的树种,下降了5 m~3·hm~(-2);近自然度等级变化表明,人工林面积在减少,而近自然森林的面积在增加,甚至符合原始林等级的森林面积也在增加。[结论]实现近自然森林经营的目标是一个长期的过程,联邦政府促进和保护森林的政策以及林场主所采用的先进的森林经营技术也是德国森林每公顷蓄积达到336 m~3的重要原因;在近自然森林经营的原则下,德国森林中针阔混交林比例显著增加;将近自然程度不高的人工林经营转化为近自然的森林生态系统是德国森林经营所面临的主要问题。