Recruitment of fleshy-fruited species under different shrub species: Control by under-canopy environment

Seedling densities and the mortality of fleshy-fruited species under 10 European tall-shrub species and the tree Sorbus aria were analyzed in 10-year-old experimental scrub for one growing season. The mean total densities of seedlings of 18 fleshy-fruited species differed under the different hosts, being highest under Crataegus monogyna, Viburnum opulus and Rosa canina (24–20 m^–2); intermediate under Sorbus aria, Rhamnus catharticus, Cornus sanguinea, Ligustrum vulgare and Juniperus communis (17–12 m^–2); and lowest under Euonymus europaeus, Viburnum lantana and Prunus spinosa (10–9 m^–2). This ranking was similar for the 11 planted species and for nine bird-dispersed, non-planted species which invaded the site, notably Hedera helix and Solanum dulcamara. Within the experimental scrub as a whole mortality of seedlings differed significantly among species, being highest in those with the smallest number of recruits. Mortality ranged from 94% and 89% for Solanum dulcamara and Viburnum opulus to 26% for Hedera helix and Ligustrum vulgare. The mean mortality across all species of seedlings did not differ significantly between host species, although it was slightly higher under Juniperus and Cornus (56%, 53%) and lower under Viburnum lantana and Rhamnus (42%, 41%). In four species, the mortality of seedlings was significantly higher under conspecific adults. Mean topsoil water content after a dry spell was negatively correlated with the diffuse site factor (DSF). The mean density of accumulated seedlings of the most abundant seedling species (Hedera) was positively correlated with the topsoil water content. Densities of other species showed no strong correlations with either topsoil water content or DSF. The probable factors controlling recruitment are discussed.     

Spatiotemporal patterns of shoots within an isolated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Miscanthus sinensis</Emphasis> patch in the warm-temperate region of Japan

The shoot configuration of each monoclonal patch of phalanx-forming tallgrass, Miscanthus sinensis, is characterized by the formation of a fairy ring, which forms as the result of developing vacant inner areas. One large-sized M.sinensis patch (patch L), observed over a 9-year survey period, underwent lateral expansion in almost all directions as a result of peripheral shoot births. In the year after the shoots in each part of patch L reached a maximum density (D_max), the number of shoots decreased by approximately 20% per year. However, the overall number of within-patch shoots was stable during the survey because the patch area increased at the periphery. Twelve patches (>900cm² in area) with orthotropic shoots were selected to observe the distribution pattern of within-patch shoots, and the patch areas were divided into three parts: the exterior, intermediate and interior areas. In 10 of these 12 patches, shoot densities were lowest in the interior areas and highest in the exterior areas, which led to ring formation. The shoot density of each subarea was inversely related to the age of the subarea. This raises the possibility that in any part of these patches, shoot densities decrease annually from D_max in a similar way.     

Relaxation of risk-sensitive behaviour of prey following disease-induced decline of an apex predator,the Tasmanian devil

Apex predators structure ecosystems through lethal and non-lethal interactions with prey, and their global decline is causing loss of ecological function. Behavioural changes of prey are some of the most rapid responses to predator decline and may act as an early indicator of cascading effects. The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), an apex predator, is undergoing progressive and extensive population decline, of more than 90% in long-diseased areas, caused by a novel disease. Time since local disease outbreak correlates with devil population declines and thus predation risk. We used hair traps and giving-up densities (GUDs) in food patches to test whether a major prey species of devils, the arboreal common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), is responsive to the changing risk of predation when they forage on the ground. Possums spend more time on the ground, discover food patches faster and forage more to a lower GUD with increasing years since disease outbreak and greater devil population decline. Loss of top–down effects of devils with respect to predation risk was evident at 90% devil population decline, with possum behaviour indistinguishable from a devil-free island. Alternative predators may help to maintain risk-sensitive anti-predator behaviours in possums while devil populations remain low.     

Temperature-dependent stomatal movement in tulip petals controls water transpiration during flower opening and closing

Temperature‐dependent tulip petal opening and closing movement was previously suggested to be regulated by reversible phosphorylation of a plasma membrane aquaporin ( Azad et al., 2004a ). Stomatal apertures of petals were investigated during petal opening at 20°C and closing at 5°C. In completely open petals, the proportion of open stomata in outer and inner surfaces of the same petal was 27 ± 6% and 65 ± 3%, respectively. During the course of petal closing, stomatal apertures in both surfaces reversed, and in completely closed petals, the proportion of open stomata in outer and inner surfaces of the same petal was 74 ± 3% and 29 ± 6%, respectively, indicating an inverse relationship between stomatal aperture in outer and inner surfaces of the petal during petal opening and closing. Both petal opening and stomatal closure in the outer surface of the petal was inhibited by a Ca²⁺ channel blocker and a Ca²⁺ chelator, whereas the inner surface stomata remained unaffected. On the other hand, sodium nitroprusside, a nitric oxide donor, had no effect on stomatal aperture of the outer surface but influenced the inner surface stomatal aperture during petal opening and closing, suggesting different signalling pathways for regulation of temperature‐dependent stomatal changes in the two surfaces of tulip petals. Stomata were found to be differentially distributed in the bottom, middle and upper parts of tulip petals. During petal closing, water transpiration was observed by measuring the loss of ³H₂O. Transpiration of ³H₂O by petals was fivefold greater in the first 10 min than that found after 30 min, and the transpiration rate was shown to be associated with stomatal distribution and aperture. Thus, the stomata of outer and inner surfaces of the petal are involved in the accumulation and transpiration of water during petal opening.     

Achieving Ultrahigh Energy Densities of Supercapacitors with Porous Titanium Carbide/Boron‐Doped Diamond Composite Electrodes

The energy densities of most supercapacitors (SCs) are low, hindering their practical applications. To construct SCs with ultrahigh energy densities, a porous titanium carbide (TiC)/boron‐doped diamond (BDD) composite electrode is synthesized on a titanium plate that is pretreated using a plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) technique. The porous and nanometer‐thick TiO₂ layer formed during PEO process prevents the formation of brittle titanium hydride and enhances the BDD growth during chemical vapor deposition processes. Meanwhile, the in situ conversion of TiO₂ into TiC is achieved. Combination of this capacitor electrode with soluble redox electrolytes leads to the fabrication of high‐performance SCs in both aqueous and organic solutions. In 0.05 m Fe(CN)₆^3?/4? + 1 m Na₂SO₄ aqueous solution, the capacitance is as high as 46.3 mF cm^?2 at a current density of 1 mA cm^?2; this capacitance remains 92% of its initial value even after 10 000 charge/discharge cycles; the energy density is up to 47.4 Wh kg^?1 at a power density of 2236 W kg^?1. The performance of constructed SCs is superior to most available SCs and some electrochemical energy storage devices like batteries. Such a porous capacitor electrode is thus promising for the construction of high‐performance SCs for practical applications.     

持续治理飞蝗灾害的新对策

该文通过对飞蝗Locusta migratoria为害特性的描述以及本世纪我国飞蝗防治历史的回顾,对各个时期的飞蝗治理策略的特点及不足进行了分析,并在总结我国近几年飞蝗生物治理理论研究与实践的基础上,提出了21世纪我国飞蝗生物治理的对策,即逐步扩大采用生物防治措施,增强如蝗虫微孢子虫生物防治制剂及天敌的控制作用,在飞蝗虫口密度中等或较低时,采用生物防治制剂为主,阻止或延缓中、低密度的飞蝗向高密度群居型的发展进程;在飞蝗虫口密度高时,可采用化防(昆虫生长调节剂等)与生防(如微孢子虫)配合使用,以迅速压低虫口密度,防治其迁飞为害,同时也可使蝗虫微孢子虫疾病长期流行于蝗群中,抑制飞蝗种群数量的增长。并积极探讨信息化合物对飞蝗行为的调控作用。     

当归不同生长时期根际丛枝真菌分布及土壤养分和酶活性的动态变化

【目的】探讨当归不同生长时期丛枝菌根真菌(Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)的分布及土壤养分和土壤酶活的变化,以期了解当归不同生长时期AMF与土壤养分和土壤酶活的关系,为AMF在当归种植的应用提供理论依据。【方法】在当归不同生长时期分别采集根际土壤样品,测定其土壤养分、土壤酶活、AMF孢子密度和球囊霉素等因子,分析当归不同生长时期根际土壤AMF孢子密度、土壤养分和土壤酶活等指标的动态变化和相关性。【结果】随着当归生育期的完成,根际土壤AMF孢子密度先降低后持续升高;易提取球囊霉素(Easily extractable glomalin,EEG)和总球囊霉素(Total glomalin,TG)平稳增加,而且EET与TG和脲酶活性呈显著正相关(P0.01),EET和TG与根际土壤有机质和全氮含量以及酸性和中性磷酸酶活性均显著正相关(P0.05);根际土壤有机质和全氮表现为增加的总趋势;有效磷含量呈现为生长前期保持不变、中期显著降低、后期逐渐升高的趋势,而有效钾含量先逐渐增加,生长中后期显著降低的趋势;根际土壤酸性和中性磷酸酶活性均呈现逐渐增加趋势,而脲酶活性表现为生长前期逐渐增加,中后期显著降低;p H值在当归不同生长时期有所波动。相关性分析结果表明,AMF孢子密度与土壤酸性磷酸酶酶活性呈显著正相关,而酸性磷酸酶酶活性与根际土壤全氮、有机质、易提取球囊霉素和总球囊霉素呈显著正相关,与有效磷和有效钾含量呈显著负相关,表明AMF对根际土壤养分和酶活性具有一定的调节作用;主成分分析结果表明,不同生长时期是影响当归根际土壤理化指标的主要因素。【结论】AMF孢子密度在当归根际的动态变化一定程度上反映出了AMF分泌球囊霉素的能力,以及球囊霉素对增加根际土壤碳氮储存的贡献,同时表明球囊霉素影响了当归根际土壤酶活性和其它养分的代谢循环,对改良土壤和促进当归生长发挥重要的作用。     

Evaluation of the effects of different stocking densities on growth and stress responses of juvenile hybrid grouper ♀ Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂ Epinephelus lanceolatus in recirculating aquaculture systems

This study was aimed at evaluating the physiological and metabolic responses of juvenile hybrid grouper ♀ Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂ Epinephelus lanceolatus to stocking density. Hybrid grouper juveniles (mean ± SE = 25.43 ± 2.36 g live mass) were stocked for 22 weeks in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) under four different densities: low stocking density (LD; 1.03 kg m⁻³), medium stocking density (MD; 2.06 kg m⁻³), high stocking density (HD; 3.09 kg m⁻³) and extra-high stocking density (EHD; 4.11 kg m⁻³). Biometric variables were recorded and plasma, liver, intestine and stomach samples were taken for biochemical analysis at the end of the experimental period. Final stocking densities were 6.27, 16.04, 23.77 and 28.32 kg m⁻³, respectively, with significant differences in growth performance. Our results showed that the best growth rates and feed utilisation occurred in the MD group. Higher plasma cortisol and glucose levels and lower triglyceride levels reflected the stress responses in the EHD group. Moreover, the activity of aspartate and alanine transaminases was elevated in the HD and EHD groups due to enhanced gluconeogenesis. The activity of the digestive enzyme pepsin significantly increased in the MD group. We found that 2.06–3.09 kg m⁻³ is the most suitable starting density for culturing juvenile hybrid grouper in recirculating aquaculture systems.     

Bayesian semiparametric copula estimation with application to psychiatric genetics

This paper proposes a semiparametric methodology for modeling multivariate and conditional distributions. We first build a multivariate distribution whose dependence structure is induced by a Gaussian copula and whose marginal distributions are estimated nonparametrically via mixtures of B‐spline densities. The conditional distribution of a given variable is obtained in closed form from this multivariate distribution. We take a Bayesian approach, using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods for inference. We study the frequentist properties of the proposed methodology via simulation and apply the method to estimation of conditional densities of summary statistics, used for computing conditional local false discovery rates, from genetic association studies of schizophrenia and cardiovascular disease risk factors.     

Population dynamics of the rice root nematode Hirschmanniella oryzae on monsoon rice in Myanmar

Soil and root samples of the short crop cycle duration rice variety Yadanartoe were collected at 10-days intervals, starting at 20 days after transplanting until 20 days after harvest, from September 2008 until January 2009, to study the population dynamics of Hirschmanniella oryzae on (rainfed) monsoon rice. Plant growth stages, the ambient air and soil temperature, rainfall and relative humidity during the sampling period were noted. The soil type is clay and has a pH of 5.1. In the roots, three nematode population density peaks were observed during the sampling period: at the maximum tillering stage, at the milky grain stage, and between harvest and 10 days after harvest. The highest peak (483 H. oryzae/g roots) was observed at the milky grain stage. The lowest root population density (46 H. oryzae/g roots) was found at harvesting. Population densities in the soil followed more or less the same trend as in the roots. After harvesting, the soil population density increased. During our observation, we did not find any effects of environmental conditions on the population densities of H. oryzae. However, it was found that the population dynamics of H. oryzae were influenced by the plant growth stage.