Compatible measurements of volumetric soil water content using a neutron probe and Diviner 2000 after field calibration

Field calibrations for a neutron probe and a capacitance sensor (Diviner 2000) for measuring the soil water content of a shrinking–swelling clay soil were substantially different from commonly used default values. Using our field calibrations, the two instruments estimated similar changes in the cumulative water content of a soil profile (0–1 m depth) over one growing season.     

Quarantine requirements for the importation of black rhinoceros from Zimbabwe into Australia

SUMMARY The proposal by the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales to import 10 southern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) from Zimbabwe as part of an international project for conservation of the species presented the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) with a unique challenge. This importation is, at least in the modern era, the first importation of live herbivores from the African continent. Many of the serious animal diseases in the world are endemic in parts of Africa. Knowledge of which of these diseases infect wild species and may be transmitted from the wild species to domesticated species, is limited. This paper describes the strategies adopted by AQIS to facilitate the importation of rhinoceros while maintaining protection of Australian consumers, rural industries, domestic livestock and fauna against the entry and spread of unwanted pests and diseases.     

Material in the middle ear of dogs having magnetic resonance imaging for investigation of neurologic signs

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and potential significance of finding material in the middle ear of dogs having magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Of 466 MR studies reviewed, an increased signal was identified in the tympanic bulla in 32 (7%) dogs. Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Cocker spaniels, Bulldogs, and Boxers were over-represented compared to the population of dogs having MR imaging. Five (16%) dogs had definite otitis media and one (3%) had a meningioma invading the middle ear. Of the remaining dogs, 13 (41%) had possible otitis media and 13 (41%) had neurologic conditions apparently unrelated to otitis media. The most common appearance of material in the middle ear was isointense in T1-weighted images and hyperintense in T2-weighted images. There was no apparent correlation between the signal characteristics of the material and the diagnosis. Enhanced signal after gadolinium administration was observed affecting the lining of the bulla in dogs with otitis media and in dogs with unrelated neurologic conditions. In dogs without clinical signs of otitis media, finding an increased signal in the middle ear during MR imaging may reflect subclinical otitis media or fluid accumulation unrelated to inflammation. Brachycephalic dogs may be predisposed to this condition.     

纳他霉素处理对火龙果贮藏品质的影响

研究不同浓度的纳他霉素对火龙果采后贮藏保鲜效果的影响。以火龙果为试验材料,研究不同浓度(0、400、800、1200 mg/L)纳他霉素对火龙果贮藏期生理、营养指标及果实表面微生物菌落情况的影响。结果表明:与对照相比,不同浓度的纳他霉素处理均可显著降低火龙果呼吸强度,抑制腐烂指数、鳞片黄化率、质量损失率、丙二醛含量的增加,延缓鳞片叶绿素、可溶性固形物、可滴定酸、维生素C含量的降低,提高果实SOD、POD、CAT等抗氧化相关酶活性,在贮藏末期时仍能保持较低的细菌菌落总数、酵母菌和霉菌总数。综合认为,纳他霉素处理可以明显延缓火龙果果实衰老,有效保持果实的贮藏品质,其中以800 mg/L纳他霉素处理效果最佳。     

羊踯躅嫩叶离体培养和植株高效再生技术研究

【目的】建立羊踯躅嫩叶离体培养及植株高效再生体系。【方法】以羊踯躅新生嫩叶为外植体,筛选嫩叶愈伤组织诱导、再分化及生根培养基,并以再生植株茎节为试材,建立高效植株再生体系。【结果】最适合羊踯躅嫩叶愈伤组织诱导的培养基为1/2 DR+2.40 mg/L 2ip+0.80 mg/L NAA,诱导率为99.5%;愈伤组织再分化的最佳培养基为1/2 DR+2.90 mg/L 2ip+0.01 mg/L NAA+1.75 mg/L KT,分化率为99.7%;适宜生根的培养基为1/4 DR+0.06 mg/L ZT+0.02 mg/L NAA,生根率达99.0%。利用再生植株茎节的快繁结果表明,在28 d的培养周期内,每节段平均增殖达5倍以上。【结论】成功建立了羊踯躅嫩叶愈伤组织诱导、再分化芽苗和植株高效再生体系,可以满足羊踯躅工厂化育苗的需要。     

丹江口库区麦套稻适宜施肥量及养分利用率研究

为探讨丹江口库区麦套稻新型耕作方式的适宜施肥量,采用“3414”肥效试验方案研究了氮、磷、钾施肥对水稻产量、生产效益和养分利用的影响.结果表明,麦套稻系统水稻产量的形成主要决定于单位面积穗数和穗总粒数;氮磷钾合理施肥可显著提高产量,在N、P2O5和K2O施用量分别为168.0、75.0、90.0 kg/hm2时产量最高...     

A new framework of spatial targeting for single-species conservation planning

Context

Organisations acting to conserve and protect species across large spatial scales prioritise to optimise use of resources. Spatial conservation prioritization tools typically focus on identifying areas containing species groups of interest, with few tools used to identify the best areas for single-species conservation, in particular, to conserve currently widespread but declining species.

Objective

A single-species prioritization framework, based on temporal and spatial patterns of occupancy and abundance, was developed to spatially prioritize conservation action for widespread species by identifying smaller areas to work within to achieve predefined conservation objectives.

Methods

We demonstrate our approach for 29 widespread bird species in the UK, using breeding bird atlas data from two periods to define distribution, relative abundance and change in relative abundance. We selected occupied 10-km squares with abundance trends that matched species conservation objectives relating to maintaining or increasing population size or range, and then identified spatial clusters of squares for each objective using a Getis-Ord-Gi* or near neighbour analysis.

Results

For each species, the framework identified clusters of 20-km squares that enabled us to identify small areas in which species recovery action could be prioritized.

Conclusions

Our approach identified a proportion of species’ ranges to prioritize for species recovery. This approach is a relatively quick process that can be used to inform single-species conservation for any taxa if sufficiently fine-scale occupancy and abundance information is available for two or more time periods. This is a relatively simple first step for planning single-species focussed conservation to help optimise resource use.

     

Mouse melanoma cell exosomes promote expression of Rac1 protein in fibroblasts

AIM To investigate the effect of exosomes secreted by mouse melanoma cells on the expression of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) protein in fibroblasts. METHODS Ultracentrifugation was adopted to separete exosomes secreted by mouse melanoma B16-F10 cells. The morphological structure of exosomes was observed by negative-staining electron microscopy. The size distribution of exosomes was determined by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). The exosomal markers, tumor susceptibility gene 101 (Tsg101) and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (Tyrp2), were identified by Western blot. Laser confocal microscopy was used to observe the process that mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) took in exosomes during co-culture. Immunocytochemical staining and Western blot were used to detect the expression of Rac1 protein in MEF. RESULTS B16-F10 cell exosomes showed a typical tea tray-like structure, with a size range of 141~255 nm, and expressed protein markers Tsg101 and Tyrp2. The results of laser confocal microscopy showed that compared with co-culture at 0 h, a small number of exosomes appeared in the MEF at 12 h, and a large number of exosomes accumulated in the MEF after co-cultured for 24 and 36 h. Western blot analysis showed that compared with co-culture at 0 h, the expression of Rac1 protein in the MEF was significantly increased at 24 h and 36 h of co-culture (P<0.01). The results of immunocytochemical staining showed that compared with co-culture at 0 h, the positive expression level of Rac1 in the MEF cells was significantly increased at 12 h, 24 h and 36 h of co-culture (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION Intake of exosomes secreted by mouse melanoma cells promotes the expression of Rac1 protein in fibroblasts.     

冬春温度变化对小麦温敏雄性不育系BNS的育性转换影响

BNS是一个主体受温度控制的新型小麦雄性不育系,表现为花粉发育在低温下(8℃)不育,高温下(12℃)可育。BNS不育性稳定,但年份间常有波动,一些年份自交结实率上升显著。为了弄清楚BNS育性波动的原因,连续3a观察不同播期的BNS穗分化过程,分析连续6a调查的BNS自交结实率与对应年份的冬春温度变化,结果发现,冬季和春季温度的改变显著影响BNS的自交结实率。一般规律是,暖冬年份自交结实率低,寒冬较高,暖春年份自交结实率高,寒春较低。该现象的形成主要是BNS冬季生长发育速度所致,暖冬年份BNS冬季仍保持生长,到春季时完成温度敏感期前的发育,较早进入温度敏感期,此时的春季温度较低,因此BNS不育;然而在寒冬年份,BNS停止生长,春季需生长一定时间才进入温度敏感期,进入时气温已较高,因此诱导育性转换,自交结实率增高。BNS冬季生长发育速度在穗分化观察中得到验证。该机理解释了不同年份BNS自交结实率的波动,并根据冬春温度可预测BNS的育性转换。     

自发气调包装对蜂糖李采后生理及贮藏品质的影响

以蜂糖李为试验材料,采后通过4种不同的自发气调包装处理(PE40、PE30、PE20和微孔),对蜂糖李采后生理和贮藏期品质进行定期测定,研究不同的自发气调包装对蜂糖李采后生理及贮藏期品质的影响。通过对呼吸强度、乙烯释放率、总酚含量、PPO活性、贮藏期的微环境气体成分、果实硬度、可溶性固形物、可滴定酸、褐变指数、腐烂指数、含水率等指标的分析,发现自发气调包装袋的保鲜效果依次为PE40>PE30>PE20>微孔。在0℃条件下,采后用PE40自发气调包装处理对蜂糖李保鲜效果最好。