A system for predicting energy and protein requirements of wild ruminants

Wild ruminants require energy and protein for the normal function. I developed a system for predicting these energy and protein requirements across ruminant species and life stages. This system defines requirements on the basis of net energy (NE), net protein (NP), and ruminally degraded protein (RDP). Total NE and NP requirements are calculated as the sum of NE and NP required for several functions (maintenance, activity, thermoregulation, gain, lactation, and gestation). To estimate the requirements for each function, I collected data predominantly for wild species and then formulated allometric and other equations that predict requirements across species. I estimated RDP requirements using an equation for cattle. I then related NE, NP, and RDP to quantities more practical for diet formulation (e.g. dry matter intake). I tabulated requirements over a range of body mass and life stages (neonate, juvenile, nonproductive adult, lactating adult, and gestating adult). Tabulated requirements suggest that adults at peak lactation require greatest quantities of energy and neonates generally require greatest quantities of protein, agreeing with suggestions that lactation is energetically expensive and protein is most limiting during growth. Equations used in this system were precise (allometric equations had R² generally ≥0.89 and coefficient of variation <31.1%) and expected to reliably predict requirements across species. Results showed that a system for beef cattle would overestimate NE and either over‐ or underestimate NP for gain when applied to wild ruminants, showing that systems for wild ruminants should not extrapolate from requirements for domestic ruminants. One prominent system for wild ruminants predicted at times vastly different protein requirements from those predicted by the proposed system. The proposed system should be further evaluated and expanded to include other nutrients. Zoo Biol 30:165–188, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

一种净化水质的复合生物修复系统

在实验室内利用人工模拟方法,选择水蕹菜(Ipomoea aquatica)、泥鳅(Misgurus anguillicaudatus)、沼泽红假单胞菌(Rhodopseudomonas palustris)为工程物种,构建一套水生经济植物-水生动物-微生物复合生物修复系统进行污水修复,研究该系统中动植物生物量及水质指标的变化。结果表明,在23d的实验周期中,水体铵态氮(NH4+-N)下降96.5%,硝态氮(NO3--N)下降82.2%,总磷(TP)下降53.2%,化学需氧量(CODMn)下降24.5%。水蕹菜平均增重31.2%,泥鳅平均增重6.1%。这种复合的生物修复模式具有较好的经济效益与环境效益。     

A cell-free CENP-A assembly system defines the chromatin requirements for centromere maintenance

Centromeres are defined by the presence of CENP-A nucleosomes in chromatin and are essential for accurate chromosome segregation. Centromeric chromatin epigenetically seeds new CENP-A nucleosome formation, thereby maintaining functional centromeres as cells divide. The features within centromeric chromatin that direct new CENP-A assembly remain unclear. Here, we developed a cell-free CENP-A assembly system that enabled the study of chromatin-bound CENP-A and soluble CENP-A separately. We show that two distinct domains of CENP-A within existing CENP-A nucleosomes are required for new CENP-A assembly and that CENP-A nucleosomes recruit the CENP-A assembly factors CENP-C and M18BP1 independently. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the mechanism of CENP-C recruitment to centromeres is dependent on the density of underlying CENP-A nucleosomes.     

Minimum water activity requirements for the growth of Listeria monocytogenes

The ability of five strains of Listeria monocytogenes to initiate growth at five different temperatures in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth adjusted to various water activity ( a _w) values with either sodium chloride (NaCl), sucrose or glycerol was investigated. Glycerol was the least toxic of the three solutes studied, with three of five strains of L. monocytogenes capable of growing in BHI broth adjusted with glycerol to an a w value of 0.90 at 30 C, compared to a w minima of 0.93 and 0.92 in broth adjusted with sucrose and sodium chloride, respectively. The minimum a w value required for growth generally increased as the incubation temperature decreased. Listeria monocytogenes appeared to tolerate glycerol and NaCl best when growing at 30 and 15°C, respectively, while for sucrose, temperature did not appear to influence growth of the organism. Listeria monocytogenes is one of the few food-borne pathogens that can grow at an a w value below 0.93.     

Diffusion factor calculation for TIP4P model of water

A molecular dynamics study has been undertaken for a model of liquid TIP4P water. Thermal dependencies of water density and radial distribution functions were calculated for model verification. Three methods have been used for calculation of diffusion factor thermal dependencies. Their sensitivity to molecular system size and length of used trajectory has been analyzed. It has been shown that Green-Kubo formula-based approach which associates diffusion factor with speed autocorrelation function integral is preferred in case of short MD simulations. The second approach based on Einstein equation which associates mean square displacement of molecule with time is preferred in case of long simulations. It has been also demonstrated that it is possible to modify the second approach to make it more stable and reliable. This modification is to use a slope of the graph of the mean square displacement on time as the estimation of the diffusion factor instead of the ratio of molecule mean square displacement and time.     

基于生态水文学原理的湖泊最小生态需水量计算

近几十年来,由于人类活动的加剧以及全球气候的变化,湖泊普遍出现了萎缩、水位下降、水量锐减、湖水盐化、水质污染、富营养化、甚至干涸消亡等状况。确保湖泊生态系统必需的最小水量是解决可能出现的湖泊严重水资源和生态系统危机的区域问题之一。从生态水文学原理出发,对湖泊最小生态需水量的概念进行了探讨,并提出了计算最小生态需水量的3种方法:1曲线相关法;2功能法;3最低生态水位法。在最低生态水位法中,其方法有最低年平均水位法和年保证率设定法。一旦湖泊最小生态需水量得以确定,将为水资源管理部门的水资源合理配置和湖泊管理提供综合性、权威性及可操作性决策依据,为退化湖泊生态系统的恢复与重建提供科学基础。     

Cardiovascular system simulation requirements.

Circulatory system characteristics are considered with respect to specifying model design parameters for simulators and pulse duplicators. The requirements are investigated to determine what characteristics and parameters are important in design and construction. The specific design depends on the functions of the device to be investigated. The single most important quantity is the modeled proximal capacitance or compliance of the large vessels. More detailed study specifications require more detailed models.     

Nucleotide requirements for the bone marrow heme oxygenase system

Rat bone marrow microsomal heme oxygenase activity has been studied and optimal condition for the measurement of this activity are described. The activity of bone marrow heme oxygenase was linear with time and protein concentration as measured under these assay conditions. Bilirubin formation by the heme oxygenase complex system was observed with either a NADPH generating system or with NADH as electron donor. The enzyme activity for heme degradation supported by NADH proceeds at a comparable rate to that observed with NADPH as reducing equivalent. It thus appears that this oxidation reaction must be more complex than simply involving NADPH as the sole election donor as has been previously proposed.     

Using water plant functional groups to investigate environmental water requirements

1. Analysis of the distribution and abundance of water plants can be a useful tool for determining the ecological water requirements of sites in a catchment. 2. Seed‐bank and vegetation surveys of wetland and riparian sites were undertaken in the Angas River catchment in South Australia to determine the distribution and abundance of plants associated with riparian habitats. Plant species were allocated to water plant functional groups (WPFGs sensu Brock and Casanova, Frontiers in Ecology; Building the Links, 1997, Elsevier Science). In addition to the seven functional groups already recognised, three new groups containing submerged and woody growth forms were included in this study. 3. Cluster analysis of sites on the basis of species presence/absence was compared with site clustering obtained from analysis of representation of WPFGs. Functional group analysis provided a similar segregation of species‐poor sites to that resulting from analysis of species presence/absence, but provided better resolution of clusters for species‐rich sites. Three clusters of species‐rich sites were delineated: riparian sites that require year‐round permanent water but have fluctuating water levels, spatially and temporally variable riparian sites with shrubs and trees and temporary wetlands that dry annually. 4. Segregation of sites on the basis of functional group representation can provide information to managers about the water requirements of suites of species in different parts of the catchment. Knowledge of the environmental water requirements of sites within a catchment can help managers to prioritise water management options and delivery within that catchment.     

Meeting water requirements of an expanding world population

Water availability in the root zone (green water) is a critical component of plant production, but is often deficient in many Third World regions. When deficient, runoff water (blue water) can be added. Focusing on ten physiographic regions in Africa and Asia, characterized by mainly or partly dry climates and rapid population growth, this study analyses whether in a 30-years'' perspective enough blue water could be provided to allow food self-sufficiency. It is assumed that for food self-sufficiency some 900 cubic metres of water per person per year has to be provided. In judging the realism it is assumed that a maximum 25 per cent increase in water mobilization rate would be manageable in a 30-year period. The study suggests that by 2025, water scarcity will make regions populated by some 55 per cent of the world''s population dependent on food imports. For water-wasting regions in Central Asia, water saving might, however, free the water needed. The paper closes by proposing some urgent measures. <br>     

基于投入产出方法的甘肃省水足迹及虚拟水贸易研究

随着社会化进程的加快,地处西北内陆的甘肃省正面临日益严峻的水资源短缺危机,社会经济发展受到一定程度的制约,水生态环境也呈现出恶化的趋势。水足迹是近年来提出的衡量人类活动对于水生态系统影响的指标,能够帮助决策者制定水资源管理及保护的政策,从而实现地区水资源的可持续利用。运用单区域投入产出方法计算并分析了甘肃省1997、2002和2007年第一产业、第二产业和第三产业部门的虚拟水强度、水足迹以及虚拟水贸易情况。结果显示:(1)甘肃省第一产业的虚拟水强度最高,但呈现出逐年下降的趋势,水足迹也因此有所下降;(2)虚拟水贸易方面,甘肃省以虚拟水净出口为主,尤其是第一产业,每年虚拟水净出口量约全省总水资源量的10%。建议甘肃省继续巩固已有的节水成果,调整产业结构,大力发展节水型产业和高新技术产业。同时建议适当调整贸易格局,合理控制虚拟水出口,以缓解当地水资源短缺危机,保障地区水安全与生态安全。     

林木蒸腾耗水量测算方法的比较与应用

本文简述了林木蒸腾耗水的概念、研究价值和研究进展,从实测法和估测法的角度,综述了林木蒸腾耗水量的主要测算方法,对比了各方法的优缺点、适用性、局限性、应用现状以及适用尺度.本研究认为:实测法可应用于多种空间尺度耗水量的测定,估测法常应用于大空间尺度蒸散量的测算.实测法是估测法的基础,因此应对实测法的测定结果进行合理的质量...     

西南纵向岭谷区河道生态需水计算方法

西南纵向岭谷区流域独特的地理地貌、气候气象、生态水文以及人文社会环境决定了河道生态需水计算的特殊性。时空尺度上的跨越性及梯度效应决定需要从时空以及频度尺度上进行河道生态需水量的界定,在进行区域生态特征分析的基础上提出了生态径流．需水系数综合计算河道生态需水量模型;基于河道生态特征、功能、结构以及社会环境与河道生态需水量间的相互关系,构建了河道生态需水评估指标体系,包含生态需水特征分析指标、需水影响要素分析指标以及需水趋势分析指标3部分,为进行河道生态需水计算提供定量计算与定性分析依据;根据河流水文情势的周期性变化,提出变异系数与生态特征指数综合设定河道生态需水等级系数的方法;考虑到水文情势的自然摆动,提出了生态径流量的频度计算方法;本文并以澜沧江为例就有关的过程进行说明。     

A water activity control system for enzymatic reactions in organic media

A water activity control system for enzymatic synthesis in organic media, for litre-scale reactors has been constructed. Water activity, a(w), is a key factor when using enzymes in non-conventional media and the optimum value varies for different enzymes. The control system consists of a water activity sensor in the headspace of a jacketed glass reactor (equipped with narrow steel tubes to introduce air), gas-washing bottles containing blue silica gel (a(w)=0) and water (a(w)=1), a PC to monitor water activity and a programmable logic controller (PLC) to control the water activity. The system was evaluated by adjusting water activity in the medium, with a deviation from the set point of less than +/-0.05. Synthesis of cetyl palmitate, under controlled water activity and catalysed by two different lipase preparations, namely, Novozym 435 (immobilised Candida antarctica lipase B) and immobilised Candida rugosa lipase, were also performed. Novozym 435 catalyses reactions very well at extremely low water activity while C. rugosa lipase shows low activity for a(w)<0.5.     

Hydrogen bonding requirements for the insulin-sensitive sugar transport system of rat adipocytes

(1) The $\text{t}\text{1}\text{2}$ for 1.3 mM D-allose uptake and efflux in insulin-stimulated adipocytes is 1.7 ± 0.1 min. In the absence of insulin mediated uptake of D-allose is virtually eliminated and the uptake rate ($\text{t}\text{1}\text{2}\text{= 75.8 ± 4.99}\text{min}$) is near that calculated for nonmediated transport. The kinetic parameters for D-allose zero-trans uptake in insulin-treated cells are K_zt^oi = 271.3 ± 34.2 mM, V_zt^oi = 1.15 ± 0.12 mM · s^?1. (2) A kinetic analysis of the single-gate transporter (carrier) model interacting with two substrates (or substrate plus inhibitor) is presented. The analysis shows that the heteroexchange rates for two substrates interacting with the transporter are not unique and can be calculated from the kinetic parameters for each sugar acting alone with the transporter. This means that the equations for substrate analogue inhibition of the transport of a low affinity substrate such as D-allose can be simplified. It is shown that for the single gate transporter the K_i for a substrate analogue inhibitor should equal the equilibrium exchange K_m for this analogue. (3) Analogues substituted at C-1 show a fused pyranose ring is accepted by the transporter. 1-Deoxy-D-glucose is transported but has low affinity for the transporter. High affinity can be restored by replacing a fluorine in the β-position at C-1. The K_i for $\text{d}\text{-glucose}\text{= 8.62}\text{mM}$; the K_i for $\text{β-}\text{fluoro-}\text{d}\text{-glucose}\text{= 6.87}\text{mM}$. Replacing the ring oxygen also results in a marked reduction in affinity. The K_i for $\text{5-}\text{thio-}\text{d}\text{-glucose}\text{= 42.1}\text{mM}$. (4) A hydroxyl in the gluco configuration at C-2 is not required as 2-deoxy-d-galactose (K_i = 20.75 mM) has a slightly higher affinity than d-galactose (K_i = 24.49 mM). A hydroxyl in the manno configuration at C-2 interferes with transport as d-talose (K_i = 35.4 mM) has a lower affinity than d-galactose. (5) d-Allose (K_m = 271.3 mM) and 3-deoxy-d-glucose (K_i = 40.31 mM) have low affinity but high affinity is restored by substituting a fluorine in the gluco configuration at C-3. The K_i for $\text{3-}\text{fluoro-}\text{d}\text{-glucose}\text{= 7.97}\text{mM}$. (6) Analogues modified at C-4 and C-6 do not show large losses in affinity. However, 6-deoxy-d-glucose (K_i = 11.08 mM) has lower affinity than d-glucose and 6-deoxy-d-galactose K_i = 33.97 mM) has lower affinity than d-galactose. Fluorine substitution at C-6 of d-galactose restores high affinity. The K_i for $\text{6-}\text{fluoro-}\text{d}\text{-galactose}\text{= 6.67}\text{mM}$. Removal of the C-5 hydroxymethyl group results in a large affinity loss. The K_i$\text{d}\text{-xylose}\text{= 45.5}\text{mM}$. The K_i for $\text{l}\text{-arabinose}\text{= 49.69}\text{mM}$. (7) These results indicate that the important hydrogen bonding positions involved in sugar interaction with the insulin-stimulated adipocytes transporter are the ring oxygen, C-1 and C-3. There may be a weaker hydrogen bond to C-6. Sugar hydroxyls in non-gluco configurations may sterically hinder transport.     

Structural requirements for binding to the sugar-transport system of the human erythrocyte

The structural requirements for binding to the glucose/sorbose-transport system in the human erythrocyte were explored by measuring the inhibition constants, K(i), for specifically substituted analogues of d-glucose when l-sorbose was the penetrating sugar. Derivatives in which a hydroxyl group in the d-gluco configuration was inverted, or replaced by a hydrogen atom, at C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4 or C-6 of the d-glucose molecule, all bound to the carrier, confirming that no single hydroxyl group is essential for binding to the carrier. The binding and transport of 1-deoxy-d-glucose confirmed that the sugars bind in the pyranose form. The relative inhibition constants of d-glucose and its deoxy, epimeric and fluorinated analogues are consistent with the combination of beta-d-glucopyranose with the carrier by hydrogen bonds at C-1, C-3, probably C-4, and possibly C-6 of the sugar. Both polar and non-polar substituents at C-6 enhance the affinity of d-glucose derivatives relative to d-xylose, and d-galactose derivatives relative to l-arabinose, and it is suggested that the carrier region around C-6 of the sugar may contain both hydrophobic and polar binding groups. The spatial requirements at C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4 and C-6 were explored by comparing the relative binding of d-glucose and its halogeno and O-alkyl substituents. The carrier protein closely approaches the sugar except at C-3 in the d-gluco configuration, C-4 and C-6. d-Glucal was a good inhibitor, showing that a strict chair form is not essential for binding. 3-O-(2',3'-Epoxypropyl)-d-glucose, a potential substrate-directed alkylating agent, bound to the carrier, but did not inactivate it.     

Assessing visual requirements for social context-dependent activation of the songbird song system

Social context has been shown to have a profound influence on brain activation in a wide range of vertebrate species. Best studied in songbirds, when males sing undirected song, the level of neural activity and expression of immediate early genes (IEGs) in several song nuclei is dramatically higher or lower than when they sing directed song to other birds, particularly females. This differential social context-dependent activation is independent of auditory input and is not simply dependent on the motor act of singing. These findings suggested that the critical sensory modality driving social context-dependent differences in the brain could be visual cues. Here, we tested this hypothesis by examining IEG activation in song nuclei in hemispheres to which visual input was normal or blocked. We found that covering one eye blocked visually induced IEG expression throughout both contralateral visual pathways of the brain, and reduced activation of the contralateral ventral tegmental area, a non-visual midbrain motivation-related area affected by social context. However, blocking visual input had no effect on the social context-dependent activation of the contralateral song nuclei during female-directed singing. Our findings suggest that individual sensory modalities are not direct driving forces for the social context differences in song nuclei during singing. Rather, these social context differences in brain activation appear to depend more on the general sense that another individual is present.