Modeling control of foot and mouth disease with two time delays

We develop a delay ordinary differential equation model that captures the effects of prophylactic vaccination, reactive vaccination, prophylactic treatment and reactive culling on the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) with time delays. Simulation results from the study suggest that increasing time delay while increasing the control strategies decreases the burden of FMD. Further, the results reveal, that decreasing time delay while decreasing the control strategies increases the burden of FMD. The intermediate scenarios of either (i) increasing time delay while decreasing control or (ii) decreasing time delay while increasing control have intermediate effects on burden reduction. Thus, the implementation of effective control strategies combination can play an important role in mitigating against the FMD burden.     

Bioconvection in Casson nanofluid flow with Gyrotactic microorganisms and variable surface heat flux

This paper presents a two-dimensional unsteady laminar boundary layer mixed convection flow heat and mass transfer along a vertical plate filled with Casson nanofluid located in a porous quiescent medium that contains both nanoparticles and gyrotactic microorganisms. This permeable vertical plate is assumed to be moving in the same direction as the free stream velocity. The flow is subject to a variable heat flux, a zero nanoparticle flux and a constant density of motile microorganisms on the surface. The free stream velocity is time-dependent resulting in a non-similar solution. The transport equations are solved using the bivariate spectral quasilinearization method. A grid independence test for the validity of the result is given. The significance of the inclusion of motile microorganisms to heat transfer processes is discussed. We show, inter alia, that introducing motile microorganisms into the flow reduces the skin friction coefficient and that the random motion of the nanoparticles improves the rate of transfer of the motile microorganisms.     

Stability analysis of drugdynamics model: A mat hematical approach

In this paper, a mathematical model of drug release from polymeric matrix and consequent intracellular drug transport is proposed and analyzed. Modeling of drug release is done through solubilization dynamics of drug particles, diffusion of the solubilized drug through the polymeric matrix in addition to reversible dissociation/recrystallization process. The interaction between drug-receptor, drug-plasma proteins along with other intracellular endosomal events is modeled. This leads to a mixed system of partial and ordinary differential equations with associated pertinent set of initial and boundary conditions. Furthermore, besides the stability of the proposed model, several sub-models are also studied for their stability criteria. Prominence is provided to the reduced model system having requisite relevance to the original system where quasi steady state approximation (QSSA) theory is utilized. For the model to be potent enough to generate appropriate predictive results for drug delivery, the stability properties of equilibrium in the mathematical model are analyzed both analytically and numerically. Numerical simulation in the embodiment of graphical representations speaks about various vital characteristics of the underlying physical phenomena along with the importance and sensitized impact of the model parameters controlling significant biological functions. Probed new therapies and clinical procedures could be assessed considering the present mathematical model and its analysis as the basis framework in order to effectively enhance therapeutic efficacy and improved patient compliance. The present study confirms the necessity of stability analysis study so that advocated mathematical model can effectively complement the real physiological behavior of pharmacokinetics.     

Discontinuous phenomena in bioreactor and membrane reactor systems

In this work, we analyze the existence of discontinuous bifurcation and stability issues in discontinuous flow of bioreactor and membrane reactor models with or without recycle. The reaction is assumed to be governed by certain types of discontinuities in Monod growth kinetics curve leading to discontinuous dynamical system. The criteria for the existence and stability of steady-states of these models are established. More generally, our analysis highlights the presence of several types of bifurcation depending upon the effect of the dilution factor (residence time), biomass concentration and solid-liquid-gas separator efficiency. As well, we present bifurcation conditions defining the dynamics near steady-state branches on the border, providing a possible framework for existing of saddle-node, nonsmooth fold, persistence and grazing-sliding scenarios. It is shown that the critical values of residence time dependence upon recycle ratio, decay rate and existence of discontinuity surface. Further, the performance of the reactor at largest residence times will be discussed. In addition, numerical simulations to illustrate and confirm the results will be carried out.     

变豆菜属15种植物的果实微形态特征及其分类学意义

采用扫描电镜对来自北美和东亚的变豆菜属植物(美国7个种,中国8个种)的果实表面微形态进行观察,结合前人对伞形科其他类群果实微形态特征的研究及近年来分子系统学证据,对变豆菜属的种间分类进行研究。结果显示,变豆菜属植物果实的形态大小、皮刺弯曲程度和果柄蜡质纹饰丰富多样。研究表明变豆菜属是一个自然类群,果实表面钩刺结构有利于该属植物的传播及扩散,果实微形态特征具有分类学价值,可作为种间分类的依据。根据变豆菜属果实表面微形态特征,编制了该属植物分种检索表。     

Some aspects of forest soil and litter ecology in the Dawyck Cryptogamic Sanctuary with a particular reference to fungi

Here we report on ecology and biodiversity of fungi in a unique mycological sanctuary in Britain, where data on species composition have been collected since 1994. To complement the biodiversity data by the information on the fungal ecological interactions and their role in the overall ecosystem functioning, soil properties and the composition of forest litter and field layer, bacterial population numbers and fungal biomass (in terms of ergosterol) were measured in 8 plots covered with different vegetations (beech, birch, birch-oak-beech, grass) over a May–Aug. period, and the results were analysed by correlation analysis and stepwise regression modelling together with data on protozoa and nematodes available from parallel research. The results highlighted the complexity of factors influencing temporal dynamics and spatial variability of fungal biomass in soil and forest litter. Most of the registered interactions appeared to be transient, and this should be taken into account while interpreting environmental observations. Interpretation of the specific relationships is given and implications for further research and overall ecosystem functioning are discussed.     

Assessing the Suitability of Various Physiological Traits to Screen Wheat Genotypes for Salt Tolerance

Success of improving the salt tolerance of genotypes requires effective and reliable screening traits in breeding programs. The objective was to assess the suitability of various physiological traits to screen wheat genotypes for salt tolerance. Thirteen wheat genotypes from Egypt, Germany, Australia and India were grown in soil with two salinity levels （control and 150 mmol/L NaCI） in a greenhouse. The physiological traits （ion contents in leaves and stems, i.e. Na^＋, Cl^-, K^＋, Ca^2＋）, the ratios of K^＋/Na^＋ and Ca^＋/Na^＋ in the leaves and stems, net photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, chlorophyll content （SPAD value）, and leaf water relations, were measured at different growth stages. The physiological traits except for Na^＋ and Cl^- in stems and the leaf transpiration rate at 150 mmol/L NaCI showed a significant genotypic variation, indicating that the traits that have a significant genotypic variation may be possibly used as screening criteria. According to the analysis of linear regression of the scores of the physiological traits against those of grain yield, however, the physiological traits of Ca^2＋ and Ca2^＋/Na^＋ at 45 d and final harvest with the greatest genotypic variation were ranked at the top. From a practical and economic point of view, SPAD value should be considered to be used as screening criteria and/or there is a need to develop a quick and practical approach to determine Ca^2＋ in plant tissues.     

Primary Cell Wall Structure in the Evolution of Land Plants

Investigation of the primary cell walls of lower plants improves our understanding of the cell biology of these organisms but also has the potential to improve our understanding of cell wall structure and function in angiosperms that evolved from lower plants. Cell walls were prepared from eight species, ranging from a moss to advanced gymnosperms, and subjected to sequential chemical extraction to separate the main polysaccharide fractions. The glycosyl compositions of these fractions were then determined by gas chromatography. The results were compared among the eight plants and among data from related studies reported in the existing published reports to identify structural features that have been either highly conserved or clearly modified during evolution. Among the highly conserved features are the presence of a cellulose framework, the presence of certain hemicelluloses such as xyloglucan, and the presence of rhamnogalacturonan II, a domain in pectic polysaccharides. Among the modified features are the abundance of mannosyl-containing hemicelluloses and the presence of methylated sugars.     

Oxylipin Pathway in Rice and Arabidopsis

Plants have evolved complex signaling pathways to coordinate responses to developmental and environmental Information. The oxylipin pathway Is one pivotal lipid-based signaling network, composed of several competing branch pathways, that determines the plant＇s ability to adapt to various stimuli. Activation of the oxyllpln pathway Induces the de novo synthesis of biologically active metabolltes called ＂oxyllplns＂. The relative levels of these metabolltes are a distinct indicator of each plant species and determine the ability of plants to adapt to different stimuli. The two major branches of the oxyllpln pathway, allene oxide synthase （AOS） and hydroperoxlde lyase （HPL） are responsible for production of the signaling compounds, jasmonates and aldehydes respectively. Here, we compare and contrast the regulation of AOS and HPL branch pathways In rice and Arabidopsis as model monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous systems. These analyses provide new Insights Into the evolution of JAs and aldehydes signaling pathways, and the complex network of processes responsible for stress adaptations In monocots and dicots.     

Photosynthetic and Respiratory Acclimation to Experimental Warming for Four Species in a Tallgrass Prairie Ecosystem

Global temperature has been Increased by 0.6 ℃ over the past century and is predicted to Increase by 1.4-5.8 ℃ by the end of this century. It is unclear what impacts global warming will have on tallgrass species. In the present study, we examined leaf net photosynthetic rate （P.） and leaf respiration rate in darkness （Rd） of Aster erlcoldes （L.） Nesom, Ambrosia psllostachya DC., Helianthus mollis Lam., and Sorghastrum nutans （L.） Nash In response to experimental warming in a tallgrass prairie ecosystem of the Great Plains, USA, in the autumn （fall） of 2000 and through 2001. Warming has been Implemented with infrared heaters since 21 November 1999. The P. increased significantly In spring, decreased in early fall, and did not change in summer and late fall in the four species under warming compared with control. The Rd of the four species increased significantly until mid-summer and then did not change under warming. Measured temperature-response curves of P. showed that warming Increased the optimum temperature of P. （Topt） by 2.32 and 4.59 ℃ for H. mollis and S. nutans, respectively, in August, whereas there were no changes in May and September, and A. ericoldes and A. psllostachya also showed no changes in any of the 3 months. However, P. at optimum temperature （Popt） showed downregulation in September and no regulation in May and August for all four species. The temperature-response curves of Rd Illustrate that the temperature sensitivity of Rd, Q10, was lower in the warmed plots compared with the control plots, except for A. ericoides in August, whereas there were no changes In May and September for all four species. The results of the present study indicate that photosynthetic and respiratory acclimation varies with species and among seasons, occurring In the mid-growing season and not in the early and late growing seasons.