Measurement of the overall volumetric coefficient of heat transfer of a shaking flask

The overall volumetric coefficient of heat transfer (Ua) of a shaking flask was measured under various shaking conditions using three types of flask. Ua was significantly affected by flask weight (W_F), which could be attributed to the thickness of the flask wall, the rotational speed of the shaker (N), wind velocity (V_W), and the liquid volume in the flask (V_L). The limiting step of heat transfer seemed to be the heat radiation process from the surface of the flask to the surroundings. To predict the value of Ua, the following empirical equations were obtained for each type of flask by the least squares method:

• 1.(1) for deformed creased flask (M-type flask), Ua=17.4 W_F^−0.43V_L^−0.61N^0.12V_W^0.36
• 2.(2) for creased flask (N-type flask), Ua=9.2 W_F^−0.36V_L^−0.57N^0.17V_W^0.27
• 3.(3) for smooth flask (S-type flask), Ua=5.3 W_F^−0.26V_L^−0.62N^0.19V_W^0.25.

     

Relationship of respiration to body weight in the tilapia Oreochromis niloticus under resting and normoxic conditions

• 1.1. The relationships of oxygen consumption (V_o2, ml/min/fish), ventilation volume (V_g, ml/min/fish), stroke volume (V_s, ml/stroke/fish), respiration frequency (RF, stroke/min) and oxygen utilization (U, %) to body weight (W, g) in the tilapia under resting and normoxic conditions were V_o2 = 0.002835W^0.754193, V_g = 0.688965W^0.722786, V_s = 0.002790W^1.017188, RF = 248.58210W^−0.296139, U = 0.000935W + 87.394288, respectively.

     

Allometric equations for maximum filtration rate in blue mussels Mytilus edulis and importance of condition index

The relationship between body dry weight (W) and shell length (L) of blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, can be expressed by the condition index (CI = W/L ³) which varies from population to population and during the year. Here, we examine the influence of CI on the relationships between maximum filtration rate (F, l h^?1), W (g), and L (mm) as described by the equations: F _W  = aW ^b and F _L  = cL ^d , respectively. This is done by using available and new experimental laboratory data on M. edulis obtained by members of the same research team using different methods and controlled diets of cultivated algal cells. For all data, it was found that F _W  = 6.773W ^0.678 and F _L  = 0.00135L ^2.088 which are very similar to equations for mussels with ‘medium condition’ (CI = 4–6 mg cm^?3): F _W  = 6.567W ^0.681 and F _L  = 0.00150L ^2.051, with b- and d-values within a few percent of the theoretically expected of 2/3 and 2, respectively. Further, based on the present data, we propose a correction factor expressed by the empirical relation F _W /F _L  = 0.3562CI^2/3 which implies that F _W tends to underestimate the actual filtration rate (F _L ) when CI < 4.70 and to overestimate the filtration rate when CI > 4.70.     

Leaf conductance and gas exchange through adaxial and abaxial surfaces in water stressed primary bean leaves

Epidermal conductances for water vapour transfer(gep), water vapour efflux(E), and net photosynthetic CO² uptake (P _N ) through adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces were estimated, simultaneously during the development of water stress in primary leaves ofPhaseolus vulgaris L. Hydration level was characterized by water saturation deficit (ΔW _sat ), water potential (Τ _w ), osmotic potential (Τ₈) and pressure potential (Τ_p). The conductance of the abaxial epidermis was consistently greater than that of the adaxial epidermis, but the response of both surfaces to the increase in water stress corresponded: with increasing water stress epidermal conductances slightly increased, reached a plateau and then sharply decreased (at a rate of about 1.10x10^-6 cm s^-1 Pa^-1 and 1.55x10^-6 cm s^-1 Pa^-1 of Τ_w for adaxial and abaxial epidemics, respectively) to very low value. The curves expressing relationship between epidermal conductances and Δ W_sat, Τ_w, Τ_s, as well as Τ_p were of a similar character. E and P_N through adaxial and abaxial surfaces were practically not affected until water stress reached the “critical” value (Τ_w from — 8.2 to — 9.2 x 10⁵ Pa). With further increase in water deficit, however, they sharply decreased. The “critical” value of Τ_w was the same for both leaf surfaces.     

Photosynthesis Decrease and Stomatal Control of Gas Exchange in Abies alba Mill. in Response to Vapor Pressure Difference

The responses of steady state CO₂ assimilation rate (A), transpiration rate (E), and stomatal conductance (g_s) to changes in leaf-to-air vapor pressure difference (ΔW) were examined on different dates in shoots from Abies alba trees growing outside. In Ecouves, a provenance representative of wet oceanic conditions in Northern France, both A and g_s decreased when ΔW was increased from 4.6 to 14.5 Pa KPa⁻¹. In Nebias, which represented the dry end of the natural range of A. alba in southern France, A and g_s decreased only after reaching peak levels at 9.0 and 7.0 Pa KPa⁻¹, respectively. The representation of the data in assimilation rate (A) versus intercellular CO₂ partial pressure (C_i) graphs allowed us to determine how stomata and mesophyll photosynthesis interacted when ΔW was increased. Changes in A were primarily due to alterations in mesophyll photosynthesis. At high ΔW, and especially in Ecouves when soil water deficit prevailed, A declined, while C_i remained approximately constant, which may be interpreted as an adjustment of g_s to changes in mesophyll photosynthesis. Such a stomatal control of gas exchange appeared as an alternative to the classical feedforward interpretation of E versus ΔW responses with a peak rate of E. The gas exchange response to ΔW was also characterized by considerable deviations from the optimization theory of IR Cowan and GD Farquhar (1977 Symp Soc Exp Biol 31: 471-505).     

四川柏木人工林林下植被生物量与林分结构的关系

森林结构与林下植被生物量的关系是森林持续经营与森林碳计量监测的科学基础,但一直缺乏必要的研究。以四川柏木(Cupressus funebris)人工林为研究对象,揭示林下植被生物量(Wu)、灌木生物量(Ws)和草本生物量(Wh)与林分结构的关系,并试图构建区域性林下植被生物量估测的混合模型。结果表明:(1)乔、灌、草群体共12个结构因子中,灌木群体的平均基径(Ds)、盖度(Cs)、高度(Hs)、体积(Vs)与林下植被生物量关系更紧密,在林下植被生物量模型构建中更有效;(2)多模型拟合与比较表明,柏木林Ws最佳估算模型为Ws=0.0005V1.0411s(R2a=0.762,P0.001,n=40),而Wu的最佳估算模型为ln Wu=0.0158Hs+0.0111Cs-0.5358(R2a=0.695,P0.001,n=40),但对于Wh未能获得较为理想的估算模型(R2a0.410,P0.01,n=40);(3)林分密度(Du)整合进入多元线性模型提高了林下植被生物量的估测精度,ln Wu=a+b Du+c Hs+d Cs(R2a=0.721,P0.001,n=40)。研究为区域性林下生物量估测模型构建提供了新论据。     

Temporal and spatial variability in nitrogen uptake kinetics during harmful dinoflagellate blooms in the East China Sea

Temporal and spatial variability in the kinetic parameters of uptake of nitrate (NO₃⁻), ammonium (NH₄⁺), urea, and glycine was measured during dinoflagellate blooms in Changjiang River estuary and East China Sea coast, 2005. Karenia mikimotoi was the dominant species in the early stage of the blooms and was succeeded by Prorocentrum donghaiense. The uptake of nitrogen (N) was determined using ¹⁵N tracer techniques. The results of comparison kinetic parameters with ambient nutrients confirmed that different N forms were preferentially taken up during different stages of the bloom. NO₃⁻ (V_max 0.044 h⁻¹; K_s 60.8 μM-N) was an important N source before it was depleted. NH₄⁺ (V_max 0.049 h⁻¹; K_s 2.15 μM-N) was generally the preferred N. Between the 2 organic N sources, urea was more preferred when K. mikimotoi dominated the bloom (V_max 0.020 h⁻¹; K_s 1.35 μM-N) and glycine, considered as a dominant amino acid, was more preferred when P. donghaiense dominated the bloom (V_max 0.025 h⁻¹; K_s 1.76 μM-N). The change of N uptake preference by the bloom-forming algae was also related to the variation in ambient N concentrations.     

Interactions of Elevated CO2 Concentration and Drought Stress on Photosynthesis in Eucalyptus Cladocalyx F. Muell

Response of net photosynthetic rate (P _N), stomatal conductance (g _s), intercellular CO₂ concentration (c _i), and photosynthetic efficiency (F_v/F_m) of photosystem 2 (PS2) was assessed in Eucalyptus cladocalyx grown for long duration at 800 (C₈₀₀) or 380 (C₃₈₀) µmol mol^-1 CO₂ concentration under sufficient water supply or under water stress. The well-watered plants at C₈₀₀ showed a 2.2 fold enhancement of P _N without any change in g _s. Under both C₈₀₀ and C₃₈₀, water stress decreased P _N and g _s significantly without any substantial reduction of c _i, suggesting that both stomatal and non-stomatal factors regulated P _N. However, the photosynthetic efficiency of PS2 was not altered.     

Partitioning of latent heat flux at a northern peatland

The partitioning of latent heat flux (Q_E) to vascular plant and moss surface components was assessed for a Sphagnum-dominated bog with a hummock–hollow surface having a sparse canopy of low shrubs. Results from porometry and eddy covariance measurements of Q_E showed evaporation from the moss surface ranged from greater than 50% of total Q_E early in the growing season to less than 20% after a dry period toward the end of the growing season. Both soil moisture and vapour pressure deficit (D_a) affected this partitioning with drier moss and peat, lower water table, and smaller D_a all reducing moss Q_E. Daily maximum moss Q_E ranged from greater than 200 W m⁻² early in the growing season to less than 100 W m⁻² during a dry period. In contrast, vascular contribution to total Q_E increased over the season from a daily maximum of about 150 W m⁻² to 250 W m⁻² due to increase in leaf area by leaf replacement and emergence and to drying of the moss surface. Porometry results showed average daily maximum conductance from bog shrubs was near 8 mm s⁻¹. These conductance values were smaller than those reported for vascular plants from more nutrient-rich wetlands. The effect of increases in D_a on vascular Q_E were moderated by decreases in stomatal conductance. At constant available energy, vascular leaf conductance was reduced by as much as 2 mm s⁻¹ and moss surface conductance was enhanced by up to 3 mm s⁻¹ by large D_a. Considering vascular and non-vascular water transport characteristics and frequency of water table position and given the observed variations of Q_E partitioning with water table location and moss and peat water content, it is suggested that modelling efforts focus on how dry hummocks and wet hollows each contribute to Q_E, especially as related to D_a and soil moisture dynamics.     

Does elevated CO2 protect photosynthesis from damage by high temperature via modifying leaf water status in maize seedlings?

We hypothesized that decreased stomatal conductance (g _s) at elevated CO₂ might decrease transpiration (E), increase leaf water potential (Ψ_W), and thereby protect net photosynthesis rate (P _N) from heat damage in maize (Zea mays L) seedlings. To separate long-term effects of elevated CO₂, plants grew at either ambient CO₂ or elevated CO₂. During high-temperature treatment (HT) at 45°C for 15 min, leaves were exposed either to ambient CO₂ (380 μmol mol^?1) or to elevated CO₂ (560 μmol mol^?1). HT reduced P _N by 25 to 38% across four CO₂ combinations. However, the g _s and E did not differ among all CO₂ treatments during HT. After returning the leaf temperature to 35°C within 30 min, g _s and E were the same or higher than the initial values. Leaf water potential (Ψ_W) was slightly lower at ambient CO₂, but not at elevated CO₂. This study highlighted that elevated CO₂ failed in protecting P _N from 45°C via decreasing g _s and Ψ_W.     

Significance of mesophyll conductance for photosynthetic capacity and water-use efficiency in response to alkaline stress in Populus cathayana seedlings

Cuttings of Populus cathayana were exposed to three different alkaline regimes (0, 75, and 150 mM Na₂CO₃) in a semicontrolled environment. The net photosynthesis rate (P _N), mesophyll conductance (g _m), the relative limitations posed by stomatal conductance (L _s) and by mesophyll conductance (L _m), photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency (PNUE), carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C), as well as specific leaf area (SLA) were measured. P _N decreased due to alkaline stress by an average of 25% and g _m decreased by an average of 57%. Alkaline stress caused an increase of L _m but not L _s, with average L _s of 26%, and L _m average of 38% under stress conditions. Our results suggested reduced assimilation rate under alkaline stress through decreased mesophyll conductance in P. cathayana. Moreover, alkaline stress increased significantly δ¹³C and it drew down CO₂ concentration from the substomatal cavities to the sites of carboxylation (C _i-C _c), but decreased PNUE. Furthermore, a relationship was found between PNUE and C _i-C _c. Meanwhile, no correlation was found between δ¹³C and C _i/C _a, but a strong correlation was proved between δ¹³C and C _c/C _a, indicating that mesophyll conductance was also influencing the ¹³C/¹²C ratio of leaf under alkaline stress.     

Synthesis,structures and urease inhibitory activity of cobalt(III) complexes with Schiff bases

A series of new cobalt(III) complexes were prepared. They are [CoL¹(py)₃]·NO₃ (1), [CoL²(bipy)(N₃)]·CH₃OH (2), [CoL³(HL³)(N₃)]·NO₃ (3), and [CoL⁴(MeOH)(N₃)] (4), where L¹, L², L³ and L⁴ are the deprotonated form of N′-(2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzylidene)-3-methylbenzohydrazide, N′-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-3-hydroxylbenzohydrazide, 2-[(2-dimethylaminoethylimino)methyl]-4-methylphenol, and N,N′-bis(5-methylsalicylidene)-o-phenylenediamine, respectively, py is pyridine, and bipy is 2,2′-bipyridine. The complexes were characterized by infrared and UV–Vis spectra, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The Co atoms in the complexes are in octahedral coordination. Complexes 1 and 4 show effective urease inhibitory activities, with IC₅₀ values of 4.27 and 0.35 μmol L⁻¹, respectively. Complex 2 has medium activity against urease, with IC₅₀ value of 68.7 μmol L⁻¹. While complex 3 has no activity against urease. Molecular docking study of the complexes with Helicobacter pylori urease was performed.     

Influence of temperature, light and nutrients on the growth rates of the macroalga Gracilaria domingensis in synthetic seawater using experimental design

In the present study, the daily relative growth rates (DRGR, in percent per day) of the red macroalga Gracilaria domingensis in synthetic seawater was investigated for the combined influence of five factors, i.e., light (L), temperature (T), nitrate (N), phosphate (P), and molybdate (M), using a statistical design method. The ranges of the experimental cultivation conditions were T, 18–26°C; L, 74–162?μmol photons m^?2?s^?1; N, 40–80?μmol?L^?1; P, 8–16?μmol?L^?1; and M, 1–5?nmol?L^?1. The optimal conditions, which resulted in a maximum growth rate of ≥6.4% d^?1 from 7 to 10?days of cultivation, were determined by analysis of variance (ANOVA) multivariate factorial analysis (with a 2⁵ full factorial design) to be L, 74?μmol photons m^?2?s^?1; T, 26°C; N, 80?μmol?L^?1; P, 8?μmol?L^?1; and M, 1?nmol?L^?1. In additional, these growth rate values are close to the growth rate values in natural medium (von Stosch medium), i.e., 6.5–7.0% d^?1. The results analyzed by the ANOVA indicate that the factors N and T are highly significant linear terms, X _L, (α?=?0.05). On the other hand, the only significant quadratic term (X _Q) was that for L. Statistically significant interactions between two different factors were found between T vs. L and N vs. T. Finally, a two-way (linear/quadratic interaction) model provided a quite reasonable correlation between the experimental and predicted DRGR values (R _adjusted ² ?=?0.9540).     

Stomatal,biochemical and morphological factors limiting photosynthetic gas exchange in the mangrove associate Hibiscus tiliaceus under saline and arid environment

The effect of salinity on leaf area and the relative accumulation of Na⁺ and K⁺ in leaves of the mangrove associate Hibiscus tiliaceus were investigated. Photosynthetic gas exchange characteristics were also examined under arid and non-arid leaf conditions at 0, 10, 20 and 30‰ substrate salinity. At salinities ≥ 40‰, plants showed complete defoliation followed by 100% mortality within 1 week. Salinities ≤ 30‰ were negatively correlated with the total leaf area per plant (r² = 0.94). The reduction in the total plant leaf area is attributed to the reduction in the area of individual leaves (r² = 0.94). Selective uptake of K⁺ over Na⁺ declined sharply with increasing salinity, where K⁺/Na⁺ ratio was reduced from 6.37 to 0.69 in plants treated with 0 and 30‰, respectively. Under non-arid leaf condition, increasing salinity from 0 to 30‰ has significantly reduced the values of the intrinsic components of photosynthesis V_c,max (from 50.4 to 18.4 μmol m⁻² s^-1), J_max (from 118.0 to 33.8 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹), and V_TPU (from 6.90 to 2.30 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), while stomatal limitation to gas phase conductance (S_L) increased from 14.6 to 38.4%. Water use efficiency (WUE) has subsequently doubled from 3.20 for the control plants to 8.93 for 30‰ treatment. Under arid leaf conditions, the stomatal factor (S_L) was more limiting to photosynthesis than its biochemical components (73.4 to 26.6%, respectively, at 30‰). It is concluded that salinity causes a drastic decline in photosynthetic gas exchange in H. tiliaceus leaves through its intrinsic and stomatal components, and that the apparent phenotypic plasticity represented by the leaf area modulation is unlikely to be the mechanism by which H. tiliaceus avoids salt stress.     

Nitrogen uptake kinetics in field populations and cultured strains of Karenia brevis

This study represents the most comprehensive assessment of kinetic parameters for Karenia brevis to date as it encompasses natural populations sampled during three different bloom years in addition to cultured strains under controlled conditions. Nitrogen (N) uptake kinetics for ammonium (NH₄⁺), nitrate (NO₃⁻), urea, an amino acid mixture, individual amino acids (glutamate and alanine), and humic substrates were examined for the toxic red tide dinoflagellate, K. brevis, during short term incubations (0.5–1 h) using ¹⁵N tracer techniques. Experiments were conducted using natural populations collected during extensive blooms along the West Florida Shelf in October 2001, 2002, and 2007, and in cultured strains (CCFWC 251 and CCFWC 267) obtained from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Institute culture collection. Kinetic parameters for the maximum uptake velocity (V_max), half-saturation concentration (K_s), and the affinity constant (α) were determined. The affinity constant is considered a more accurate indicator of substrate affinity at low concentrations. K. brevis took up all organic substrates tested, including N derived from humic substances. Uptake rates of the amino acid mixture and some NO₃⁻ incubations did not saturate even at the highest substrate additions (50–200 μmol N L⁻¹). Based upon the calculated α values, the greatest substrate preference was for NH₄⁺ followed by NO₃⁻ ≥ urea, humic compounds and amino acids. The ability of K. brevis to utilize a variety of inorganic and organic substrates likely helps it flourish under a wide range of nutrient conditions from bloom initiation in oligotrophic waters offshore to bloom maintenance near shore where ambient nutrient concentrations may be orders of magnitude greater.     

Mesophyll conductance variations in response to diurnal environmental factors in Myrcia paivae and Minquartia guianensis in Central Amazonia

Mesophyll conductance (g _m) is essential to determine accurate physiological parameters used to model photosynthesis in forest ecosystems. This study aimed to determine the effects of time of day on photosynthetic parameters, and to assess the effect of using either intercellular CO₂ concentration (C _i) or chloroplast CO₂ concentration (C _c), on maximum carboxylation velocity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), V _cmax. We used Amazonian saplings of Myrcia paivae and Minquartia guianensis. Photosynthetic parameters were measured using an infrared gas analyzer (IRGA); g _m was determined using both gas exchange and chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence and gas-exchange data alone. Leaf thickness (L _T) and specific leaf area (SLA) were also measured. Air temperature, relative humidity or understory light did not correlate with g _m and on average daily IRGA-fluorometer-determined g _m was 0.04 mol(CO₂) m^?2 s^?1 for M. paivae and 0.05 mol(CO₂) m^?2 s^?1 for M. guianensis. Stomatal conductance (g _s), g _m, electron transport rate (J _F), and light-saturated net photosynthetic rate (P _Nmax) were lower in the afternoon than in the morning. However, no effect of time of day was observed on V _cmax. L _T and SLA did not affect any of the examined parameters. IRGA-determined g _m was almost the double of the value obtained using the IRGA-fluorescence method. V _cmax values determined using C _c were about 25% higher than those obtained using C _i, which highlighted the importance of using C _c in V _cmax calculation. Decline in P _Nmax at the end of the afternoon reflected variations in g _s and g _m rather than changes in V _cmax. Diurnal variation in g _m appeared to be associated more with endogenous than with atmospheric factors.     

Stomatal,biochemical and morphological factors limiting photosynthetic gas exchange in the mangrove associate Hibiscus tiliaceus under saline and arid environment

The effect of salinity on leaf area and the relative accumulation of Na⁺ and K⁺ in leaves of the mangrove associate Hibiscus tiliaceus were investigated. Photosynthetic gas exchange characteristics were also examined under arid and non-arid leaf conditions at 0, 10, 20 and 30‰ substrate salinity. At salinities ≥ 40‰, plants showed complete defoliation followed by 100% mortality within 1 week. Salinities ≤ 30‰ were negatively correlated with the total leaf area per plant (r² = 0.94). The reduction in the total plant leaf area is attributed to the reduction in the area of individual leaves (r² = 0.94). Selective uptake of K⁺ over Na⁺ declined sharply with increasing salinity, where K⁺/Na⁺ ratio was reduced from 6.37 to 0.69 in plants treated with 0 and 30‰, respectively. Under non-arid leaf condition, increasing salinity from 0 to 30‰ has significantly reduced the values of the intrinsic components of photosynthesis V_c,max (from 50.4 to 18.4 μmol m⁻² s^-1), J_max (from 118.0 to 33.8 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹), and V_TPU (from 6.90 to 2.30 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), while stomatal limitation to gas phase conductance (S_L) increased from 14.6 to 38.4%. Water use efficiency (WUE) has subsequently doubled from 3.20 for the control plants to 8.93 for 30‰ treatment. Under arid leaf conditions, the stomatal factor (S_L) was more limiting to photosynthesis than its biochemical components (73.4 to 26.6%, respectively, at 30‰). It is concluded that salinity causes a drastic decline in photosynthetic gas exchange in H. tiliaceus leaves through its intrinsic and stomatal components, and that the apparent phenotypic plasticity represented by the leaf area modulation is unlikely to be the mechanism by which H. tiliaceus avoids salt stress.     

Relation between pristinamycins production by Streptomyces pristinaespiralis,power dissipation and volumetric gas–liquid mass transfer coefficient,kLa

During bioreactor cultures, microorganisms are submitted to non-optimal conditions such as nutritional and hydrodynamic stresses which may lead to modifications of the physiological cell response; this is especially true for filamentous microorganisms like Streptomycetes also subjected to significant morphological changes. In the present work, growth and production of pristinamycins by Streptomyces pristinaespiralis in shaking flasks have been related to power dissipation. The filamentous bacteria were grown in different flask conditions with various total and working volumes and at two agitation rates, to test the influence of power dissipation and gas–liquid mass transfer coefficient on growth and antibiotics production. As a first step, computational fluid dynamics–volume of fluid (CFD–VOF) calculations were shown to be able to predict power dissipations for the various operating conditions in Newtonian flow conditions. Then, in non-Newtonian flow conditions (biomass concentration superior to 14 g L⁻¹), the rheological model of Sisko was implemented in CFD simulations for the calculation of the fluid viscosity and then of power dissipation. Whereas microbial growth was correlated to k_La, the antibiotics production onset was linked to the volume mean power dissipation. Once a minimal cell concentration of 15 g L⁻¹ was reached, the concentration of antibiotics was correlated to power dissipation with an optimal range of production, between 5.5 and 8.5 kW m⁻³. Higher power dissipation entailed a drop in production which could be explained by hydrodynamic cell damages.     

Relating Doses of Contrast Agent Administered to TIC and Semi-Quantitative Parameters on DCE-MRI: Based on a Murine Breast Tumor Model

Objective

To explore the changes in the time-signal intensity curve(TIC) type and semi-quantitative parameters of dynamic contrast-enhanced(DCE)imaging in relation to variations in the contrast agent(CA) dosage in the Walker 256 murine breast tumor model, and to determine the appropriate parameters for the evaluation ofneoadjuvantchemotherapy(NAC)response.

Materials and Methods

Walker 256 breast tumor models were established in 21 rats, which were randomly divided into three groups of7rats each. Routine scanning and DCE-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the rats were performed using a 7T MR scanner. The three groups of rats were administered different dosages of the CA0.2mmol/kg, 0.3mmol/kg, and 0.5mmol/kg, respectively; and the corresponding TICs the semi-quantitative parameters were calculated and compared among the three groups.

Results

The TICs were not influenced by the CA dosage and presented a washout pattern in all of the tumors evaluated and weren’t influenced by the CA dose. The values of the initial enhancement percentage(E_first), initial enhancement velocity(V_first), maximum signal(S_max), maximum enhancement percentage(E_max), washout percentage(E_wash), and signal enhancement ratio(SER) showed statistically significant differences among the three groups (F = 16.952, p = 0.001; F = 69.483, p<0.001; F = 54.838, p<0.001; F = 12.510, p = 0.003; F = 5.248, p = 0.031; F = 9.733, p = 0.006, respectively). However, the values of the time to peak(T_peak), maximum enhancement velocity(V_max), and washout velocity(V_wash)did not differ significantly among the three dosage groups (F = 0.065, p = 0.937; F = 1.505, p = 0.273; χ2 = 1.423, p = 0.319, respectively); the washout slope(Slope_wash), too, was uninfluenced by the dosage(F = 1.654, p = 0.244).

Conclusion

The CA dosage didn’t affect the TIC type, T_peak, V_max, V_wash or Slope_wash. These dose-independent parameters as well as the TIC type might be more useful for monitoring the NAC response because they allow the comparisons of the DCE data obtained using different CA dosages.     

Seasonal relationships between leaf nitrogen content (photosynthetic capacity) and leaf canopy light exposure in peach (Prunus persica)

Abstract Field gas exchange measurements on intact peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) leaves indicate that leaf nitrogen content (N_L) and leaf weight per unit leaf area (W_a) are highly correlated with CO₂ assimilation rate (A) and mesophyll conductance (g_m). Therefore, N_L and W_a were used to study seasonal relationships between leaf carboxylation capacity and natural light exposure in tree canopies. From mid-season onwards, N_L and W_a were linearly correlated with light exposure expressed as the amount of time during a clear day that a leaf was exposed to a photosynthetic photon flux density (Q) of ≥ 100 μmol m^?2 s^?1. The data support the hypothesis that whole-tree photosynthesis is optimized by partitioning of photosynthetic capacity among leaves in deciduous tree canopies with respect to natural light exposure.