THE EFFECT OF FERTILIZER NITROGEN AND FREQUENCY OF DEFOLIATION ON YIELD OF GRASSLAND HERBAGE

The effects of 4 levels of applied nitrogen, ranging from nil to a maximum of 417 lb N/ acre/annum, in all combinations with 3 frequencies of defoliation, ranging from 2 to a maximum of 10 cuts per annum, on herbage production from a perennial ryegrass/ timothy/meadow fescue/white clover sward were measured. These treatments were operative for 2J years, and in a subsequent year the residual effect of cutting frequency was tested. Dry-matter yields of total herbage and of the clover fraction are quoted, together with N yields of total herbage. Yield response to N was higher than in some other experiments in the U. K. Cutting frequency had a very large effect and, in general, the longer the interval between cuts, the higher was the dry-matter (though not the N) yield. There was a marked interaction between cutting frequency and level of N: at the high cutting frequency, dry-matter yield increased linearly with increasing level of N; at the medium frequency, response tended to fall off at the highest level of N; at the low frequency, yield declined with increasing level of N beyond 139 lb N per acre per anum.     

MAPP对麦秸纤维-聚丙烯复合材料热力学性能的影响

以麦秸纤维为增强材料、聚丙烯为基体物质、马来酸酐接枝聚丙烯（MAPP）为改性剂,制备麦秸纤维-聚丙烯复合材料。利用DMA、DSC、TG和SEM,探讨了MAPP的添加量（质量百分比1%、2%、5%、10%）和麦秸纤维形态（9、9～28、28～35、35目）对麦秸纤维 聚丙烯复合材料的热力学性能和结晶性能的影响。结果表明:①当MAPP的添加量为2%时,麦秸纤维-聚丙烯复合材料的储能弹性模量减小;当MAPP的添加量增加到5%、10%时,复合材料的储能弹性模量增加。②在麦秸纤维-聚丙烯体系内添加MAPP后,麦秸纤维 聚丙烯复合材料的结晶温度提高约1℃,结晶度增加了4%～8%;麦秸纤维以28～35目的形态作为聚丙烯基体的增强材料时,其复合材料的结晶温度为122.7℃,结晶率达到45.8%。③麦秸纤维-聚丙烯复合材料的热分解峰温分别为355和460℃。④麦秸纤维以纤维束的形态分布在基体聚丙烯中起增强作用,在整个体系内,麦秸纤维局部团聚且断裂明显。添加MAPP后,有利于基体物质在麦秸纤维表面的均匀覆盖。      

Cryopreservation of yellow-poplar and sweetgum embryogenic cultures

Cryopreservation has become anessential tool for operational application offorest tree embryogenic cultures, due to thelong evaluation periods needed for treesregenerated from these cultures. Fiveyellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)and seven sweetgum (Liquidambar spp.)embryogenic culture lines werestored in liquid nitrogen for 48 hours, afterwhich they were thawed and tested for regrowthand ability to produce somatic seedlings.Combinations of two sorbitol pretreatments andthree dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) cryoprotectantlevels were evaluated for their impact onrecovery following cryogenic storage. The bestresults were obtained with 0.4 M sorbitol and5% DMSO, which provided 100% recovery.Somatic seedlings were regenerated from allculture lines and treatments, except for atransgenic sweetgum line.     

The inheritance of epigenetic defects

Evidence from many sources shows that the control of gene expression in higher organisms is related to the methylation of cytosine in DNA, and that the pattern of methylation is inherited. Loss of methylation, which can result from DNA damage, will lead to heritable abnormalities in gene expression, and these may be important in oncogenesis and aging. Transformed permanent lines often lose gene activity through de novo methylation. It is proposed that epigenetic defects in germline cells due to loss of methylation can be repaired by recombination at meiosis but that some are transmitted to offspring.     

Spatiotemporally variable area: Mass relationship of Russet Burbank potato leaflets: Implications to potato production models

The relationship between area and mass of fresh Russet Burbank potato leaflets was monitored in two fields throughout two growing seasons in southern Manitoba. A simple ratio was adequate to describe the relationship between leaflet area and mass. The ratio changed non-linearly over the growing season in each field; this time trend differed among fields. During the middle of the growing season, the ratios differed significantly among all trials. In one season, Colorado potato beetles completely defoliated plants in one field; from shortly after plant emergence until no leaves remained, the area:mass ratio in this field was significantly lower than in all other fields. When the area:mass ratio is assumed to be constant or to change linearly over time, estimated leaf area per plant is consistently erroneous. Where models make either assumption, such bias may contribute to site-specificity, or to the inability to accurately simulate the effects of insect attack.     

Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis in horses

Eleven horses (3 mares, 7 stallions, 1 gelding) with clinical and biochemical evidence of hyperkalemic periodic paralysis were studied. Each horse had history of episodic weakness, muscular tremors, or collapse, which lasted for periods of a few minutes to hours. Diagnosis was based on hyperkalemia in association with a spontaneous episode of paralysis or by precipitation of an episode by oral administration of potassium chloride. Clinical and biochemical events were documented during spontaneous and induced episodes of muscular weakness. During episodes, electrocardiographic findings were consistent with hyperkalemia. Electromyography performed between episodes revealed fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves, complex repetitive discharges, and myotonic discharges. Histologic changes in muscle biopsy specimens varied from no overt changes in some horses to vacuolation in type-2B fibers with mild degenerative changes in other horses. Electron microscopy of myofibers revealed dilatations of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Analysis of blood samples taken serially during induced attacks in 5 horses revealed marked hyperkalemia (5.5 to 9.0 mEq/L), with normal acid-base status, hemoconcentration, and modest changes in muscle-derived enzymes. Close correlation (r2 = 0.882) between total plasma protein and plasma potassium concentrations was observed and indicated a shift of fluid out of the extracellular fluid compartment. Treatment of either spontaneous or induced episodes by IV administration of calcium, glucose, or bicarbonate resulted in rapid recovery. Dietary management or daily administration of acetazolamide effectively controlled episodes. An affected mare was bred to an affected stallion, and 3 affected offspring were produced by embryo transfer. Blood samples from another extended family of affected horses were analyzed for identification of a genetic marker.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Serum Levels of Cardiac Markers NT‐proANP and NT‐proBNP in Brachycephalic bitches at Different Gestational Stages

The aim of this study was to determine serum levels of natriuretic peptide precursors (NT‐proANP and NT‐proBNP) during pregnancy in brachycephalic bitches. Fifteen healthy multiparous bitches were selected for this prospective study. Serum levels of NT‐proANP and NT‐proBNP were measured during anoestrous and at 14, 35, 42, 49 and 56 days (2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th weeks) of pregnancy. Fourteen animals had normal gestations, and one bitch developed single foetus syndrome. The natriuretic peptide levels of this animal were not included in this study; however, it is important to report that its NT‐proANP levels were four times greater than those of normal patients. There was no significant difference (p = 0.072) in NT‐proBNP levels between anoestrous (0.20 ± 0.10 ng/ml) and the different pregnancy weeks (0.27 ± 0.12 ng/ml). There was a positive correlation (p < 0.0001) between NT‐proANP and gestational age, and the levels of this marker increased significantly (p < 0.0001) during the 6th (0.26 ± 0.06 ng/ml), 7th (0.28 ± 0.04 ng/ml) and 8th weeks (0.29 ± 0.05 ng/ml) when compared to anoestrous (0.18 ± 0.02 ng/ml). NT‐proANP serum levels are correlated with gestational development and may be indicative of cardiovascular adaptation in canine brachycephalic pregnancy.     

Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the electroencephalogram in normal horses during spontaneous drowsiness and sleep

BACKGROUND: The influence of sleep on the equine electroencephalogram (EEG) has not been well documented. HYPOTHESIS: The objectives were to develop a noninvasive method of electrode placement for recording the EEG in horses and to establish normal EEG parameters for the various states of vigilance. Findings are compared with previously published reports on equine sleep based on electrocorticography (ECoG). ANIMALS: Five neurologically normal horses. METHODS: Overnight EEGs were recorded digitally in association with simultaneous videotaping of the horses' behavior. Data were analyzed by visual inspection, states of vigilance were identified, and representative segments were quantitatively processed. Transient EEG events were examined. RESULTS: Slow wave sleep (SWS) was significantly different (P < .05) in frequency and power from drowsiness and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Second-degree heart block was associated with SWS as were transient events commonly recognized in EEGs of humans. Drowsiness and REM sleep were similar. In both, background activity was low-amplitude beta activity admixed with prominent activity of approximately 4 Hz. Standing REM sleep was associated with numerous partial collapses in 1 horse. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Normative data for several states were described and probable benign variants identified. This information will serve as control data for sedative and anesthetic studies in this species. The sleep patterns observed during this study are those of horses removed from their usual surroundings, and thus may represent those encountered in a clinical environment.