On the nature of canopy illumination due to differences in elemental orientation and aggregation for radiative transfer

The nature of canopy radiative transfer mechanism (CRTM) describes the amount of beam penetration through a canopy and governs the nature of canopy illumination, i.e. the abundance of sunlit and shaded portions. Realistic representation of canopy illumination is critical for simulating various canopy biophysical processes associated with vegetated land surfaces. The adequate representation of CRTM can be attributed to the parameterizations of the two main canopy characteristics: the foliage projection (G-function) and the clumping effect (Ω function). Herein, using various types of G and Ω functions developed in a previous study, I tested 15 CRTM scenarios that combine different types of G and Ω functions to predict the dynamics of sunlit fraction (ε) of canopies having a wide range of plant area index (P_total) at various solar zenith angles (SZAs). It was observed that, for a given P_total, ε decreases as the SZA increases. However, ε significantly changed in accordance with the type of G and Ω functions used. Scenarios that employed random distribution of elements in space (S-4, S-9, and S-14) consistently returned larger ε values even at lower SZAs. This means that ignoring the clumping behavior of canopies could result in greater proportion of sunlit elements thereby reducing the beam penetration deeper into the canopy as opposed to those canopies where the elements are more aggregated. Beyond 70° SZA, almost all the scenarios returned similar ε values for a given P_total, which implied that the methods used is less sensitive at higher SZAs. The values of ε calculated by all the scenarios were significantly different from the S-6 (the ideal case). This observation highlights the importance of explicitly describing the G and Ω functions to adequately depict canopy illumination conditions.     

Acceleration of hepatic sterol synthesis after a single dose of the porphyrogenic chemical allylisopropylacetamide

Hepatic sterol synthesis is accelerated in animals after a single dose of allylisopropylacetamide, a chemical known to be porphyrogenic. Evidence is provided to show that enhanced sterol biosynthesis is due to an increased formation of mevalonic acid, indicating that the primary site of action of the chemical is on one or more steps in the pathway from acetate to mevalonate.     

Complete mitogenome of Kashmir musk deer (Moschus cupreus) and its comparative phylogenetic relationships

Molecular Biology Reports - Kashmir musk deer, Moschus cupreus (KMD) is one the most threatened species endemic to the Himalayan region of Kashmir, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Herein, we have...     

Effect of cobalt and nickel on growth and carboxymethyl cellulase activity ofCellulomonas spp

ACellulomonas spp isolated from soil produced carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) and xylanase enzymes. Cobalt (0.1mm) and nickel (0.1mm) decreased the growth rate ofCellulomonas spp. These metal ions activated CMCase activity but not xylanase activity; cobalt being the greater stimulatory ion than nickel. A predominant long lag phase was observed in adapted cells when compared with the non-adapted cells. However, the growth level of control cells was never obtained by the adapted cells.