Phytoplankton composition and spatial distribution of copper and zinc in the Fal Estuary (Cornwall,UK)

In the estuaries near Falmouth (Cornwall, UK) levels of dissolved copper and zinc are high, due to drainage of copper and tin mines. Phytoplankton species composition in the autumn of 1989 deviated in the metal-contaminated Restronguet Creek from that in other estuarine branches,viz. Fal, Tresillian and Percuil. In the riverine part of Restronguet Creek (Carnon River)Euglena mutabilis, known as an acidophilic (pH 3) metal-resistant flagellate, occurred at micromolar Cu and Zn, whereas in the clean riversChlamydomonas sp. andOocystis sp. occurred at nanomolar Cu and Zn. An ordination analysis revealed the following patterns in Cu, Zn and phytoplankton species composition in the poly- and euhaline waters. Seston-bound Zn and dissolved Zn were in equilibrium,Katodinium rotundatum is Zn-tolerant, andSkeletonema costatum occurred in water with high contents of Cu in seston. However, none of the variables in these patterns correlated at a significant level (p>0.05). The results show that algae-metal interactions are complicated, and that statistical correlations foundin situ need experimental verification.Communication no. 542 of the Delta Institute for Hydrobiological Research.     

Pollination ofDianthus gratianopolitanus (Caryophyllaceae)

Pollination ofDianthus gratianopolitanus was studied in a population of the Swiss Jura mountains. Pollinators of this plant species are reported here for the first time. The flowers were not only visited by butterflies as postulated in the literature, but also by diurnal hawkmoths (Macroglossum stellatarum) and by diurnal and nocturnal noctuid moths. — Nectar is sucrose-dominant, the sugar concentration is moderate but the amino acid concentration is high. Nectar characteristics correspond well with the syndrome ofLepidoptera-pollinated flowers. — Field observations and flower characters (colour, range of the calyx length) suggest thatDianthus gratianopolitanus is an intermediate species in the transition of butterfly to moth pollination. — Lack of reproductive success inDianthus gratianopolitanus can not be attributed to lack of suitable pollinators.     

药物组合物封闭式权利要求的解读与侵权判定 ——由最高人民法院（2012)民提字第10号判决案例谈起

从最高人民法院的一个典型案例出发，探讨药物组合物封闭式权利要求保护范围的解读及其专利侵权判定标准，比较其他国家 的相关规定和判例，并对药物组合物封闭式权利要求的专利授权、确权审查、侵权判定以及申请文件撰写技巧提出见解，以供借鉴和参考。     

华北地区针叶林下凋落物层化学性质的研究

森林凋落物中贮积了大量的有机、无机养分物质,它是森林土壤自然肥力的重要来源之一。在森林生态系统中,养分物质的内部循环主要是通过凋落物来实现的。在分解、转化过     

Sensing cellular biochemistry with fluorescent chemical–genetic hybrids

Fluorescent biosensors are powerful tools for the detection of biochemical events inside cells with high spatiotemporal resolution. Biosensors based on fluorescent proteins often suffer from issues with photostability and brightness. On the other hand, hybrid, chemical–genetic systems present unique opportunities to combine the strengths of synthetic, organic chemistry with biological macromolecules to generate exquisitely tailored semisynthetic sensors.     

Laboratory evaluation of desiccants and insecticidal soap applied to various substrates to control the deer tick Ixodes scapularis

Abstract. Desiccant and soap pest control products were tested against Ixodes scapularis nymphs on sod, pachysandra, landscaping stones and pinebark wood-chips in a laboratory study. High mortality (91–100%) was obtained with the silica-based desiccant Drione and Safer's insecticidal soap (SIS) treatments except for SIS treated woodchips. SIS and Drione contain 0.2 and 1% pyrethrins, respectively. SIS may be absorbed by the woodchips and not picked up by the nymphs as mortality decreased to 78%. Diatomaceous earth and Dri-die reduced nymphs by only 10–41%; neither desiccant contains insecticides. Nymphal mortality increased 15–17% after 20 or 100 ml of water was sprayed over sod plugs treated with SIS or Drione. The addition of isopropyl alcohol (ROH) to SIS increased the efficacy of SIS against nymphal I. scapularis on treated sod plugs but not on treated landscaping substrates. Drione, SIS, SIS-ROH and chlorpyrifos 50WP treated landscaping stones and pinebark woodchips resulted in 88–95% and 72–96% nymphal mortality, respectively. Unexpectedly, these substrates and treatments affected tick movement as well. Effective pest control products applied to xeric landscaping substrates present in maintained beds and borders near wooded areas could deter tick movement and provide significant levels of tick control.     

Rehabilitation of Barbarine cull ewes using rosemary residues and linseed: effect on weight gain,carcass characteristics and meat quality

The cull ewes represent an important part of sheep flock. However, this category of animal is often submitted to under nutrition leading to poor BW and skeletal carcasses. Their rehabilitation using a high energy diet can be an alternative to improve their body condition. The objective of this experiment was to study the BW gain and carcass characteristics of Barbarine cull ewes using rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) distillation residues (RR) and extruded linseed. For this, 28 ewes above 6 years old and 33±0.5 kg of BW were divided into four groups: CCC was fed 500 g of barley-straw with concentrate, RCC received 300 g of straw and 200 g of RR as basal diet with concentrate; whereas two other groups received the experimental concentrate, containing 10% of linseed, with 500 g of straw for CLC and 300 g of straw plus 200 g of RR for RLC group. At the end of experiment (90 days), all animals were slaughtered. For all ewes, the daily concentrate intake averaged 700 g; the average daily gain was 131 g and the slaughter BW 43.4 kg without significant difference between groups. Neither basal diet nor concentrate type did affect the carcass’ weight, yield and composition. In addition, the organ’s proportions were similar for all groups. The RR intake slightly improved muscle’s protein content (P=0.03) and tended to decrease initial pH (P=0.06) and to increase meat redness (P=0.06), whereas linseed concentrate had no effect on meat color and its chemical composition. The subcutaneous fat color and firmness score relived a good quality trade for carcasses from all diets, in spite of higher yellowness and lower firmness recorded for linseed diet (P<0.05), which were moderately improved by rosemary combination with linseed. To conclude, the Barbarine cull ewes could gain up to 120 g/day in BW. The used diets permitted this BW gain without undesirable effects on carcass characteristics and meat quality. However, the study of meat fatty acid profile and antioxidant status should continue.     

Dietary boron does not affect tooth strength,micro-hardness,and density,but affects tooth mineral composition and alveolar bone mineral density in rabbits fed a high-energy diet

The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary boron (B) affects the strength, density and mineral composition of teeth and mineral density of alveolar bone in rabbits with apparent obesity induced by a high-energy diet. Sixty female, 8-month-old, New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned for 7 months into five groups as follows: (1) control 1, fed alfalfa hay only (5.91 MJ/kg and 57.5 mg B/kg); (2) control 2, high energy diet (11.76 MJ and 3.88 mg B/kg); (3) B10, high energy diet + 10 mg B gavage/kg body weight/96 h; (4) B30, high energy diet + 30 mg B gavage/kg body weight/96 h; (5) B50, high energy diet + 50 mg B gavage/kg body weight/96 h. Maxillary incisor teeth of the rabbits were evaluated for compression strength, mineral composition, and micro-hardness. Enamel, dentin, cementum and pulp tissue were examined histologically. Mineral densities of the incisor teeth and surrounding alveolar bone were determined by using micro-CT. When compared to controls, the different boron treatments did not significantly affect compression strength, and micro-hardness of the teeth, although the B content of teeth increased in a dose-dependent manner. Compared to control 1, B50 teeth had decreased phosphorus (P) concentrations. Histological examination revealed that teeth structure (shape and thickness of the enamel, dentin, cementum and pulp) was similar in the B-treated and control rabbits. Micro CT evaluation revealed greater alveolar bone mineral density in B10 and B30 groups than in controls. Alveolar bone density of the B50 group was not different than the controls. Although the B treatments did not affect teeth structure, strength, mineral density and micro-hardness, increasing B intake altered the mineral composition of teeth, and, in moderate amounts, had beneficial effects on surrounding alveolar bone.