Passive transfer of antibodies to Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O26, O111 and O157 antigens in neonatal calves by feeding colostrum

To study whether or not passive immunity of neonatal calves against Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O26, O111, and O157 was obtained by colostrum administration, serum antibodies in calves after the feeding were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in comparison with antibodies in colostrum and sera from donor dams. The highest antibody titers to STEC in colostrum from dams were detected soon after parturition. The antibody titers were found to be elevated in sera of neonatal calves (4-9 hr after birth) orally administered with colostrum with high antibody titers, suggesting that passive immunity of neonatal calves to STEC infection may be obtained by feeding colostrum. These results suggest that colostrum administration to neonatal calves may play an important role in elevating serum antibodies against STEC in neonatal calves.     

Allometric equations based on a fractal branching model for estimating aboveground biomass of four native tree species in the Philippines

Fractal branching models can provide a non-destructive and generic tool for estimating tree shoot and root length and biomass, but field validation is rarely described in the literature. We compared estimates of above ground tree biomass for four indigenous tree used on farm in the Philippines based on the WanFBA model tree architecture with data from destructive sampling. Allometric equations for the four species varied in the constant (biomass at virtual stem diameter 1) and power of the scaling rule (b in Y = aD ^b ), deviating from the value of 8/3 that is claimed to be universal. Allometric equations for aboveground biomass were 0.035 D ^2.87 for Shorea contorta, 0.133 D ^2.36 for Vitex parviflora, 0.063 D ^2.54 for Pterocarpus indicus and 0.065 D ^2.28 for Artocarpus heterophyllus, respectively. Allometric equations for branch biomass had a higher b factor than those for total biomass (except in Artocarpus); allometric equations for the leave + twig fraction a lower b. The performance of the WanFBA model was significantly improved by introduction of a tapering factor “τ“ for decrease of branch diameter within a single link. All statistical tests performed on measured biomass versus biomass predicted from the WanFBA results confirm the viability of the WanFBA model as a non-destructive tool for predicting above-ground biomass equations for total biomass, branch biomass and the leaf + twig fraction.     

Soil ecosystem engineering by the train millipede Parafontaria laminata in a Japanese larch forest

Periodic swarming by adult train millipedes Parafontaria laminata (Attems, 1909) occurs in central Japan on an 8-year cycle, and the emergence of new adults is highly predictable. Millipede biomass reaches a maximum and feeding habits change upon the emergence of adults. Larvae are geophagous while adults feed on both litter and soil. We hypothesized that the shift in the developmental stages of P. laminata influenced the carbon dynamics in the soil and conducted a field mesocosm experiment in a larch plantation forest over 2 years (1999 and 2000) using three developmental stages: sixth- and seventh-instar larvae and adults. By experimentally manipulating millipede density at four levels, we obtained the following results: larvae were geophagous, while adults consumed both litter and soil (mixed-feeding) and consequently showed stronger density effects on litter decomposition rates than larvae; adult activities in the high-density treatment increased soil microbial biomass but not at low adult densities or at the larval stages; and adults increased the carbon accumulation in soil layers especially at high densities due to their mixed-feeding on litter and soil. We determined that due to synchronized postembryonic development with high densities and changes in feeding habits, the train millipede periodically sequestered carbon in this forest.     

基于GIS的印度尼西亚Parung Panjang林场的森林资源信息管理系统开发

结合可持续发展森林计划开发一个森林资源管理工具,并应用于印度尼西亚西爪哇省Bogor地区的Parung Pan-jang林场。在Visual Basic6.0的平台上,运用了地理信息系统（GIS,由环境系统研究院开发）的组件式对象模型（COM）和MapObjects的嵌入式GIS ActiveX控件。该系统的基础功能包括数据录入,图形和属性数据处理查询,输出数据的统计分析和数据管理等,如图层操作、地图缩放、地图属性管理、数据查询、数据编辑和统计地图的显示等。有了这项新的地理信息系统程序,Parung Pajang林场森林的新数据及以前的统计数据都将被纳入一个系统,可以协助组织者、管理者、相关研究人员及其他相关人员,改善决策,评估和监测森林资源。     

Acceleration of Anthraquinone-Type Dye Removal by White-Rot Fungus Under Optimized Environmental Conditions

The decolorization of the recalcitrant dye Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) by the culture filtrate of Polyporus sp. S133 and the effect of various environmental factors were investigated. Both biodegradation and biosorption were playing an important role in bioremoval mechanisms. The highest biosorption of RBBR in Polyporus sp. S133 was shown by all carbon sources such as sucrose, glucose, fructose, and starch. No biosorption was shown by the addition of aromatic compounds and metal ions; 97.1?% RBBR decolorization was achieved in 120-rpm culture for 96?h, as compared to 49.5?% decolorization in stationary culture. Increasing the shaking rotation of the culture to more than 120?rpm was proven to give a negative effect on decolorization. The highest production of laccase was shown at pH 4 and constantly decreases when the pH level increases. The addition of glucose, ammonium tartrate, Cu²⁺, and protocatechuic acid was the suitable environmental condition for RBBR decolorization. There was a positive relationship between all environmental conditions and laccase production in the decolorization of RBBR.     

紫云英青贮研究

就不同含水量及添加物种类对紫去英青贮的影响进行研究。结果表明：紫云英青贮含水量以７０％左右为宜，品质好，干物质和精蛋白质损失亦少；米糠、禾本科牧草、稻草粉、甲酸、甲醛等作青贮添加物，可降低青贮料ＰＨ值，减少干物质和粗蛋白质的损失。     

Faunal stage-dependent altering of soil nitrogen availability in a temperate forest

Functional traits of organisms often depend on their developmental stages during growth. However, whether the ecological functions of organisms change at different developmental stages remains poorly understood, especially for soil animals. The train millipede, Parafontaria laminata, which has a synchronised life cycle, often dominates in soil invertebrate communities in central Japan. Because adults of this species are litter-feeders and larvae are soil-feeders, we hypothesised that the train millipede assumes a different role in of the cycling of nitrogen (N) depending on its developmental stage. To determine the effects of P. laminata on N retention or loss in temperate forest soil, millipede density was manipulated in two mesocosm experiments using adult and larval millipedes. We found strong evidence that the effects of P. laminata on N dynamics differ between millipede developmental stages. Larvae enhanced N leaching, which was significantly higher in the high-density treatment than in treatments without millipedes (control). In contrast, adults did not affect N leaching, although high and intermediate adult density significantly increased soil N content compared to control and low-density treatments. Our results suggest that soil-feeding larvae promote soil N mineralisation, whereas litter-feeding adults inhibit N mineralisation, potentially sustaining N levels in the soil for at least the duration of our experimental period. Because natural populations of P. laminata exhibit high abundance and a synchronised life cycle at the landscape level, the soil-to-litter feeding shift that depends on P. laminata's developmental stage-of may cause large temporal variation in N dynamics in forest ecosystems compared to macrofauna-free systems.