Voluntary progression order in captive rhesus macaques

The sequence in which 14 laboratory rhesus macaques left their home enclosure during a routine catching procedure was recorded on 30 occasions during 6 weeks. The animals were trained to voluntarily exit one by one and enter a transport cage for weighing and/or treatment. Mean weekly exit orders cross-correlated significantly, and individuals retained their exit positions with remarkable consistency throughout the study period. An animal's position did not depend on its sex, age, or dominance rank. The oldest female never failed to enter the transport cage as number 1. When she was prevented from taking the lead, the group was hesitant but eventually proceeded in the usual order. Food was a strong, yet not absolute, incentive for the monkeys to cooperate. If they could not expect a reward, they took more time before proceeding, but did so in the habitual order. The predictability of the exit sequence has practical managerial value because it makes it possible for a single person to quickly catch a selected group member when necessary.     

Direct enantiomeric separation of beta-blockers on ChyRoSine-A by supercritical fluid chromatography: supercritical carbon dioxide as transient in situ derivatizing agent.

The direct enantiomeric separation of a series of beta-blockers has been carried out on two chiral stationary phases (CSPs) derived from 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl tyrosine: the commercially available ChyRoSine-A and a recent improved version of this CSP. Using supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), facile separations are achieved (1.1 less than Rs less than 7) within short analysis times. The parameters affecting the enantioselectivity (temperature, pressure, mobile phase nature, solute structure) have been investigated. The optimal mobile phase consists in a mixture of carbon dioxide-methanol-propylamine at 25 degrees C. The solute structure has a great influence on the enantioselectivity. For instance, both amine and hydroxyl protons are necessary for chiral discrimination to occur. Furthermore, the steroselectivity value is directly connected to the amine substituent steric bulkiness. Surprisingly, these solutes are poorly resolved using normal phase liquid chromatography (NPLC). Accordingly, the specific influence of carbon dioxide on the enantiomeric separation of 1,2-amino-alcohols have been investigated using various techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or molecular modelisation. It has been shown that carbon dioxide acts as a complexing agent toward the amino-alcohol by setting up of a bridge with the hydroxyl and the amine protons of the solute. In that way, the resulting complex possesses lower acido-basic properties and a higher conformational rigidity, responsible for chiral discrimination.     

Effect of incorporated green manure crops on subsequent oat production in an acid,infertile silt loam

A field-size experiment was initiated in 1982 on an acid, low fertility Springhill silt loam to determine the effect of five unfertilized green manure crops (alsike clover, sweet clover, single- and double-cut red clover, and buckwheat) on subsequent oat production and soil fertility. The field was limed in 1982 and green manures were seeded (without fertilizer) in spring, 1983 in 1400 m² strips randomly assigned within three treatment blocks. Plant tissue samples were taken from different locations in each plot in the fall of 1983 and all crops were incorporated. In 1984 the field was separated into an upper and lower section and each section received three rates of NPK fertilizer (0; 30-36-36; 60-72-72 kg ha^-1) spread across the previous strips. Gary oats were seeded and at harvest were divided into grain and straw. The results indicated significant effects of field sample location, green manure type and fertilizer level on oat yields. Buckwheat significantly reduced oat production compared to the four clovers, while the highest fertilizer rate improved oat yields compared with the other levels of fertilizers. Elemental analysis of the green manure crops and soil fertility was compared with data of the same crops grown in more fertile, neutral soils.     

Responses of stomata of senescing and nonsenescing leaves of Nicotians glauca to changes in intercellular concentrations of leaf carbon dioxide

Abstract. Gas exchange measurements were performed to test the hypothesis that failure of stomata to open in senescing leaves of Nicotiana glauca is caused by elevated concentrations of carbon dioxide in the intercellular spaces of leaf mesophyll tissue (c_i). Senescing leaves selected for experiments were completely chlorotic and lacked positive rates of photosynthesis. When stomata in detached epidermis from senescing leaves were illuminated in CO2-free air, they opened to similar apertures as those in detached epidermis from nonsenescing leaves. To compare the effects of changes in c_i on stomatal responses of the two leaf types, leaf 'flags' of either nonsenescing or senescing leaves were illuminated at a photosynthetic photon flux density of 500 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ in a gas exchange cuvette. Leaf temperatures were maintained at 23.5 ± 0.5°C, and vapour pressure differences between leaves and the air were maintained between 0.70 and 0.75kPa. C_i was adjusted by changing external concentrations of carbon dioxide in air circulating through the cuvette. Conductances and photosynthetic rates of nonsenescing leaves changed in response to changes in c_i, but neither the conductances nor the photosynthetic rates of senescing leaves were affected significantly by changes in q. We conclude that guard cells of senescing leaves of Nicotiana glauca do not lose the capacity to respond to changes in carbon dioxide concentration and that increases in c_i resulting from declining rates of mesophyll photosynthesis are not the sole cause of maintenance of stomatal closure during leaf senescence. The data suggest that factors external to guard cells may prevent them from responding to changes in carbon dioxide concentrations in intact senescing leaves.     

Respiration in a future, higher-CO2 world

Abstract. Apart from its impact on global warming, the annually increasing atmospheric [CO₂] is of interest to plant scientists primarily because of its direct influence on photosynthesis and photorespiration in C₃ species. But in addition, 'dark' respiration, another major component of the carbon budget of higher plants, may be affected by a change in [CO₂] independent of an increase in temperature. Literature pertaining to an impact of [CO₂] on respiration rate is reviewed. With an increase in [CO₂], respiration rate is increased in some cases, but decreased in others. The effects of [CO₂] on respiration rate may be direct or indirect. Mechanisms responsible for various observations are proposed. These proposed mechanisms relate to changes in: (1) levels of nonstructural carbohydrates, (2) growth rate and structural phytomass accumulation, (3) composition of phytomass, (4) direct chemical interactions between CO₂ and respiratory enzymes, (5) direct chemical interactions between CO₂ and other cellular components, (6) dark CO₂ fixation rate, and (7) ethylene biosynthesis rate. Because a range-of (possibly interactive) effects exist, and present knowledge is limited, the impact of future [CO₂] on respiration rate cannot be predicted. Theoretical considerations and types of experiments that can lead to an increase in the understanding of this issue are outlined.     

Effects of source-sink relations on photosynthetic acclimation to elevated CO2

Abstract. While photosynthesis of C₃ plants is stimulated by an increase in the atmospheric CO₂ concentration, photosynthetic capacity is often reduced after long-term exposure to elevated CO₂. This reduction appears to be brought about by end product inhibition, resulting from an imbalance in the supply and demand of carbohydrates. A review of the literature revealed that the reduction of photosynthetic capacity in elevated CO₂ was most pronounced when the increased supply of carbohydrates was combined with small sink size. The volume of pots in which plants were grown affected the sink size by restricting root growth. While plants grown in small pots had a reduced photosynthetic capacity, plants grown in the field showed no reduction or an increase in this capacity. Pot volume also determined the effect of elevated CO₂ on the root/shoot ratio: the root/shoot ratio increased when root growth was not restricted and decreased in plants grown in small pots. The data presented in this paper suggest that plants growing in the field will maintain a high photosynthetic capacity as the atmospheric CO₂ level continues to rise.     

Leaf photosynthetic rate is correlated with biomass and grain production in grain sorghum lines

Significant genetic variation in leaf photosynthetic rate has been reported in grain sorghum [Sorghum biocolor (L.) Moench]. The relationships between leaf photosynthetic rates and total biomass production and grain yield remain to be established and formed the purpose of this experiment. Twenty two grain sorghum parent lines were tested in the field during the 1988 growing season under well-watered and water-limited conditions. Net carbon assimilation rates were measured at mid-day during the 30 day period from panicle initiation to head exertion on upper-most fully expanded leaves using a portable photosynthesis system (LI-6200). Total biomass and grain production were determined at physiological maturity. The lines exhibited significant genetic variation in leaf photosynthetic rate, total biomass production and grain yield. Significant positive correlations existed between leaf photosynthesis and total biomass and grain production under both well-watered and water-limited conditions. The results suggest that leaf photosynthetic rate measured prior to flowering is a good indicator of productivity in grain sorghum.     

Photoautotrophic and photomixotrophic growth of strawberry plantlets in vitro and changes in nutrient composition of the medium

Explants excised from strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) plantlets were cultured in vitro for 21 days on half-strength MS (Murashige & Skoog 1962) basal liquid medium with 20 g l^-1 sucrose and without sugar in the vessels capped with gas permeable microporous polypropylene film. The experiments were conducted under CO₂ nonenriched (350–450 mol mol^-1 in the culture room) and CO₂ enriched (2,000 mol mol^-1 during the photoperiod in the culture room) conditions with a PPF (photosynthetic photon flux) of 200 mol m^-2 s^-1. The CO₂ concentration in the vessels decreased to approximately 200 mol mol^-1 during the photoperiod on day 21 under CO₂ nonenriched conditions. The fresh and dry weight, net photosynthetic rate (NPR) per plantlet, NPR per g leaf fresh weight, NPR per g leaf dry weight, the number of unfolded leaves, and ion uptake of PO₄ ^3-, NO₃ ^-, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and K⁺ on day 21 were the greatest under photoautotrophic (no sugar in the medium) and CO₂ enriched conditions. The residual percent of PO₄ ^3- was 3% on day 21 under photoautotrophic and CO₂ enriched conditions.Abbreviations MS Murashige & Skoog (1962) basal medium composition - NPR net photosynthetic rate - PPF photosynthetic photon flux     

Control of plant growth by nitrogen and phosphorus in mesotrophic fens

A fertilization experiment was carried out in 3 mesotrophic fens to investigate whether plant growth in these systems is controlled by the availability of N, P or K. The fens are located in an area with high N inputs from precipitation. They are annually mown in the summer to prevent succession to woodland. Above-ground plant biomass increased significantly upon N fertilization in the two mid-succession fens studied. In the late-succession fen that had been mown for at least 60 years, however, plant biomass increased significantly upon P fertilization. The mowing regime depletes the P pool in the soil, while it keeps N inputs and outputs in balance. A long-term shift occurs from limitation of plant production by N toward limitation by P. Hence, mowing is a suitable management tool to conserve the mesothrophic character of the fens.     

Variability and transport of suspended sediment,particulate and dissolved organic carbon in the tidal freshwater Hudson River

Measurements of suspended matter, particulate organic carbon and dissolved organic carbon were made over a three year period at stations spanning 150 km of the tidal freshwater Hudson River. Suspended matter concentrations varied from year-to-year and were not related to freshwater discharge. The increase in suspended matter with depth in vertical profiles suggests that, during medium to low flow conditions, resuspension of bottom sediments was as important a source of sediment as loadings from tributaries. Particulate organic carbon showed significant variability among stations, and both autochthonous primary production and detrital organic matter are contributing to POC standing stocks. Dissolved organic carbon represented over half of the total organic carbon in the water column and showed little variation among stations.Examining downstream changes in transport showed that there was significant production of both suspended matter and POC within the study reach during the ice-free season. Tributary loadings within the study reach do not appear to be the cause of these increases in downstream transport. Dissolved organic carbon behaved conservatively in that there was no evidence for net production or net consumption within the river.The spatial/temporal patterns and analyses of transport suggest that suspended matter and POC, but not DOC, were controlled to a significant extent by processes occurring within the river and were not simply related to loadings from outside.