Studies on the Fluorescence of Saké

By spectrofluorophotometric investigation on various kinds of Saké it was found that they have at least two kinds of fluorescent colors, the one is blue, the other yellowish green. The former is always more dominant than the latter, but is unstable although the intensities of both color decrease remarkably by treatment of active charcoal. Ferulic acid and harman as the blue fluorescent components are isolated, the former from Saké in young, the latter from Saké kept for a long time under direct sun light.     

Studies on the Flavors in Saké

A very small amount of vanillin was found in Saké, but the mechanism of its formation during Saké brewing has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, shaking culture of a Saké yeast (Kyokai No. 7 strain) was carried out in the Hayduck’s solution containing ferulic acid which was considered to be a precursor of vanillin. By the analysis of the fermentation products, formation of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and vanillic acid was elucidated. On the other hand, in the similar experiment using vanillin in place of ferulic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and vanillic acid were identified.

On these results, it was suggested that vanillin might be formed as an intermediate of the degradation reaction of ferulic acid, and also, the demethoxylation of vanillin might be occurred in the fermentation of yeast.     

Biodiversity and land use change on the Causse Méjan, France

This paper argues that due to the co-evolution of biological and cultural diversity, a meaningful study of biodiversity must be positioned within complex social-ecological systems. A complex systems framework is proposed for conceptualising the study of social-ecological systems. A case study approach is adopted whereby changes in biodiversity on the Causse Méjan, France, are linked with changes in society, land use, agricultural practices and policies. We argue that ecological and social resilience is linked through the dependence on ecosystems of communities, and in turn by the influence of institutional structures, including market forces, on the use of natural resources. Within a non-equilibrium evolutionary perspective, we highlight the difficulty of choosing a landscape and biodiversity of reference and postulating that it is in equilibrium with a type of social organisation. We conclude by exploring an ‘adaptive management’ approach to the management of the biodiverse landscape studied.     

Helminth parasites of the blue-footed booby on Isla Isabel, México

A survey of the helminth fauna of the blue-footed booby, Sula nebouxii, on Isla Isabel, off the Pacific coast of México, is presented. Eight parasite species were found: 4 digeneans (Galactosomum puffini , Mesostephanus microbursa, Opisthometra planicollis, and Renicola thapari), 3 nematodes (Contracaecum sp., Porrocaecum sp., and Tetrameres sp.), and 1 cestode (Tetrabothrius sp). All these species are reported for the first time in the blue-footed booby, and they represent 8 new locality records as well. Species accumulation curves suggest these 8 parasite species comprise the total helminth fauna of this population of boobies. The most frequent and abundant parasite was R. thapari, inhabiting the kidney of its host. In male boobies, a significant negative correlation was found between abundance of R. thapari and host body condition.     

Household-Level Expenditure on Protective Measures Against Mosquitoes on the Island of La Réunion,France

Background

For decades La Réunion has experienced a number of epidemics that have resulted in efforts to control the density of Aedes species on this Island. This study was conducted to assess household-level expenditure on protective measures against mosquito nuisance on the Island of La Réunion in 2012.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Data was collected during a cross-sectional survey of 1024 households and used to determine the relationship between the use of chemically-based protective measures and subjective and objective indicators of the density of Aedes albopictus. The average household expenditure in July 2012 was USD 9.86 and the total household-level expenditure over a one-year period was extrapolated to USD 28.05million (range: USD 25.58 million to USD 30.76 million). Much of this money was spent on measures thought to be relatively ineffective against Aedes mosquitoes. Expenditure on protective measures was not influenced by the level of knowledge on mosquitoes or by the visual nuisance they generated at home, but rather by the perception of risk related to a future epidemic of chikungunya and socioeconomic factors. Most importantly, household spending on protective measures was found to be influenced by a measure of zone-level mosquito density (the Breteau index), but not by objective indicators of the presence of mosquitoes within or around the house.

Conclusions/Significance

Household-level expenditure on chemically-based protective measures is high when compared to the investment made by public entities to achieve vector control, and it is differentially influenced by subjective and objective measures of mosquito density. The current situation could be improved, firstly by ensuring that the public is well-informed about mosquitoes and the effectiveness of various protective measures, and secondly by implementing interventions that could either complement current vector-control strategies and improve their effectiveness on a country-level, or that would steer the population toward the appropriate behaviours.     

Studies on the Chemical Components of the Tacca chanteraeri André

A steroidal saponin has been isolated from the roots of Taccachanteraeri Andre', a folk medicine in Yunnan, which identified as diosgenin 3β-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)- O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-( 1 → 3 )-O-β-D-glucopyranoside ( 1 ) with stigmasterol (2) and daucosterin (3). Our studies support I. H. Burkill and A. Takhtajan's idea according to which Taccaceae would be the closest to Dioscoreaceae and be included in Liliales.     

Kelvin-Helmholtz instability on the magnetopause, magnetohydrodynamic waveguide in the outer magnetosphere, and Alfvén resonance deep in the magnetosphere

Oscillations of the “magnetosphere-solar wind” system are studied analytically in the framework of a plane-stratified model of the medium. The properties of oscillations are determined by three phenomena: Kelvin-Helmholtz instability on the tangential discontinuity (magnetopause) separating the magnetosphere and the solar wind, the presence of a waveguide for fast magnetosonic waves in the magnetosphere, and the Alfvén resonance—a sharp increase in the amplitude of oscillations having the properties of Alfvén waves—in the inner magnetosphere. The oscillations of the system form a discrete spectrum of eigenmodes. Analytical expressions are obtained for the frequency and growth rate of instability of each mode, as well as for the functions describing the spatial structure of these modes. All these characteristics of the eigenmodes are shown to depend on the velocity of the solar wind as a parameter. The dependences of the main mode characteristics (such as the instability thresholds, the points of the maximum and minimum growth rate, and the spatial distributions of the oscillation energy) on this parameter are determined for each eigenmode.     

Studies on the Clausena dunniana Lévl Rutaceae,A New Resource of Isoanethole

The plant Clausena dunniana Levl. With leaves of anethole fragrance is growing in limestone area of north Guangdong, The essential oils in leaves of anethole fragrance were extracted by steam distillation with a yield of 0.7%. The oils contained isoanethole (methyl chavcol) 93.10% and may be used in the synthesis of anethole and for medicinal purpose. Isoanethole and other 15 chemical constituents were identified by GC,GC/MS/DS, IR and NMR.     

New data on the composition and distribution of the genus Leptomona Bechyné, 1958 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae)

The leaf-beetle Leptomona russica (Gmelin, 1790) known from the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, and Middle Asia was found in Orenburg Province for the first time. It is the first record of this species from Europe and the first record of the genus Leptomona from European Russia. The diagnostic characters of the two Russian Leptomona species are included.     

The conservation significance of the proposed Mbaéré-Bodingué national park,Central African Republic,with special emphasis on its primate community

The proposed Mbaéré-Bodingué National Park (872km²) is located in the southwestern part of the Central African Republic and consists of terra firma rain forests and seasonally flooded forests. We assessed the conservation significance of this site using data on wildlife and habitat conditions collected during a comprehensive primate survey. Scores were attributed to a system of variables and sub-variables to assess the conservation value of the proposed park at the national level. We identified a total of 10 diurnal primate species (eight monkeys, two apes) and flooded forests were considered as a key habitat for primates as they hold a greater number of species than terra firma forests. We recorded the presence of 12 mammal species listed under the 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, including four classified as Endangered (two Primates, one Proboscidae and one Insectivora). We found that the conservation value of the proposed park ranked second out of the 15 existing protected areas of the country. Primate abundance was found to be generally higher than in the nearby Dzanga-Ndoki National Park (the sole other park located in the same vegetation unit), in particular for the species occurring in flooded forests. This highlights the fact that the proposed Mbaéré-Bodingué National Park is an important area for the conservation of species associated with flooded forests, a habitat which is currently under-represented in the national protected area system. Poaching pressure was identified as the main current threat to the integrity of the proposed park.     

The population density effects on the reproductive biology of the snail Bradybaena similaris (Férussac, 1821) (Mollusca, Gastropoda)

The influence of population density on some aspects of the reproductive biology of the snail Bradybaena similaris was studied. Molluscs were maintained under 0.2 (isolated), 0.3, 0.6, 1.0, 1.3 and 1.7 snail/m(2) densities. The animals maintained under 0.3 and 0.6 snail/m(2) showed the lowest numbers of eggs laid/snail, being the highest value observed to the 1.7 snail/m(2). The hatching of the snails maintained under 0.3 snail/m(2) density, begun at the 21st day after laying, and the maximum time required to the hatching was 36 days was observed to the eggs came from snails maintained under the densities 0.6, 1.0, 1.3 snail/m(2), respectively. The highest percentage hatchability (55.56%) was observed to isolated snails. The galactogen content in the albumen gland did not seem to accompany the alterations occurred in the reproduction of B. similaris in response to the different population densities.     

Measuring the influence of unmanned aerial vehicles on Adélie penguins

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become a useful tool in polar research. While their performance is already proven, little is known about their impact on wildlife. To assess the disturbance caused on the penguins, flights with a UAV were conducted over an Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) colony. Vertical and horizontal flights were performed between 10 and 50 m in altitude. Penguins’ reactions were video-recorded, and the behavioural response was used to indicate the level of disturbance. During any flight mode, disturbance increased immediately after takeoff and remained elevated at all altitudes between 20 and 50 m. When the UAV descended below 20 m, the disturbance increased further with almost all individuals being vigilant. Only at these low altitudes, vertical flights caused an even higher level of disturbance than horizontal ones. Repetitions of horizontal overflights showed no short-term habituation occurring. Since the results are only valid for the specific UAV model used, we recommend a more extensive approach with different UAV specifications. As the highest flight altitudes already caused detectable but not subjectively visible responses, we also recommend to regard subjective impressions of disturbance with caution.     

Report on the Symposium on the Methodology of Plant Eco-Physiology Montpellier,France, 7–12 April 1962

International Journal of Biometeorology -     

Nitrogen deficiency in the york river burn,gaspé, Quebec

Visual symptoms of malnutrition associated with the unsatisfactory development of natural and planted black spruce seedlings in a 20-year-old burn suggested low supply and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and possibly other nutrients as the primarily adverse factors.In order to test the hypothesis, both soil and foliage of the species there and in another climatic region were compared and the diagnosis partly confirmed. Of the elements studied (K, Mg, Ca, P, Mn, Fe, and N) only nitrogen was found to be related to needle colour and poor leader growth.A lichen crustLecidea granulosa rich in nutrients, especially nitrogen, dominates the sites. The crust decomposes very slowly and retains large proportions of available nutrients in its tissues. Incorporation of the crust in the mineral soil is suggested as a means of accelerating nutrient cycling and promoting development of future plantations.

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Sommaire Nous basant sur certains symptômes de déficiences minérales, nous avons émis l'hypothèse que la faible croissance des jeunes épinettes noires et de celles plantées dans le brûlis de 1941 de la rivière York, était surtout attribuable à la carence de l'azote et du phosphore et peut-être aussi à d'autres éléments dans le sol et les tissus. L'hypothèse a été vérifiée et partiellement confirmée. De tous les éléments étudiés (K, Mg, Ca, P, Mn, Fe et N), seul l'azote est relié à la couleur des aiguilles et à la croissance de la flèche terminale. Cette relation cependant est beaucoup plus marquée lorsque la couleur est estimée à l'aide de comparaison avec des semis recueillis sur la place même de l'étude plutôt qu'avec le guide des couleurs de Munsell.Les résultats de cette étude ont été comparés avec d'autres déjà obtenus avec l'épinette noire, ayant le même âge et croissant dans un sol de même texture mais dans des régions climatiques différentes. Même si le contenu minimum en azote d'un sol est susceptible de varier d'une région climatique à l'autre, il semblerait que la disponibilité de l'azote dans le brûlis de la rivière York est nettement insuffisante pour espérer le développement normal d'une plantation d'épinettes noires.A la suite de travaux préliminaires faits en serre, nous avons constaté que le lichenLecidea granulosa, riche en azote et qui recouvre en partie l'aire étudiée, favorisait la croissance des jeunes épinettes quand il était broyé et incorporé au sol minéral. On suggère donc, comme moyen d'amélioration du sol en vue de futures plantations, de broyer sur place ce lichen et de l'incorporer au sol.