Conceptual design and implantation of an external fixator with improved mobility for knee rehabilitation

A hinged external fixator is used to allow early knee rehabilitation in case of injury or trauma, as an alternative approach to immobilization. It is mainly adopted for the treatment of dislocations, which involve tearing of the ligaments, and it basically consists of two links connected to each other by a revolute joint. Each link is fixed to the femur and tibia via pin fixation, and the revolute joint is approximately aligned to the knee flexion-extension (FE) axis. The advantage in its implantation is to protect ligament reconstruction, while allowing for an aggressive rehabilitation. Traditional fixators only accommodate the functional flexion movement in a limited range, i.e. where the anatomical movement is closer to a planar circular trajectory. This paper presents the conceptual design and implantation procedure of a double-axis fixator, which accommodates both FE and longitudinal internal-external rotation. The procedure is based on accurate knee kinematics measurements and on computer-aided multibody simulations to assist clinicians in the implantation. An experimental test is presented using an artificial knee, and guidelines are given for in vitro studies. The proposed technique may allow for a better understanding of knee kinematics and have the potential advantage to increase the range of motion in postoperative rehabilitation.     

农田不同种植模式与土壤质量的关系

以山东省黄泛区茌平县为研究区,在对农田土壤理化性状进行全面调查分析和质量评价的基础上,以数理统计方法对小麦/玉米轮作、露天蔬菜、日光温室蔬菜和塑料大棚蔬菜4种种植模式下20种土壤的理化性状和土壤质量的差异性进行分析,探讨了不同种植模式与土壤理化性状和质量的关系.结果表明：不同种植模式下土壤含水量、有机质和氮、磷、钾等大量元素、有效硫、有效锌、土壤pH值和全盐有显著或极显著差异;各模式下有效磷和日光温室蔬菜模式下有效硫具有相对较大的变异性.不同种植模式对土壤质量的影响显著,总的趋势为设施蔬菜高于露天蔬菜,菜田模式高于粮田模式,对化学性状的影响高于物理性状,对有机质和大量元素的影响高于中量元素,对微量元素的影响较小.其原因主要是由于小麦玉米作物秸秆还田、含硫肥料和锌肥的施用及设施蔬菜长期大量施肥的影响.     

The genetic covariance between life cycle stages separated by metamorphosis

Metamorphosis is common in animals, yet the genetic associations between life cycle stages are poorly understood. Given the radical changes that occur at metamorphosis, selection may differ before and after metamorphosis, and the extent that genetic associations between pre- and post-metamorphic traits constrain evolutionary change is a subject of considerable interest. In some instances, metamorphosis may allow the genetic decoupling of life cycle stages, whereas in others, metamorphosis could allow complementary responses to selection across the life cycle. Using a diallel breeding design, we measured viability at four ontogenetic stages (embryo, larval, juvenile and adult viability), in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis and examined the orientation of additive genetic variation with respect to the metamorphic boundary. We found support for one eigenvector of G (g_obsmax), which contrasted larval viability against embryo viability and juvenile viability. Target matrix rotation confirmed that while g_obsmax shows genetic associations can extend beyond metamorphosis, there is still considerable scope for decoupled phenotypic evolution. Therefore, although genetic associations across metamorphosis could limit that range of phenotypes that are attainable, traits on either side of the metamorphic boundary are capable of some independent evolutionary change in response to the divergent conditions encountered during each life cycle stage.     

Energy requirements and environmental impacts associated with the production of short rotation willow (Salix sp.) chip in Ireland

Willow Salix sp. is currently cultivated as a short rotation forestry crop in Ireland as a source of biomass to contribute to renewable energy goals. The aim of this study is to evaluate the energy requirements and environmental impacts associated with willow (Salix sp.) cultivation, harvest, and transport using life cycle assessment (LCA). In this study, only emissions from the production of the willow chip are included, end‐use emissions from combustion are not considered. In this LCA study, three impact categories are considered; acidification potential, eutrophication potential and global warming potential. In addition, the cumulative energy demand and energy ratio of the system are evaluated. The results identify three key processes in the production chain which contribute most to all impact categories considered; maintenance, harvest and transportation of the crop. Sensitivity analysis on the type of fertilizers used, harvesting technologies and transport distances highlights the effects of these management techniques on overall system performance. Replacement of synthetic fertilizer with biosolids results in a reduction in overall energy demand, but raises acidification potential, eutrophication potential and global warming potential. Rod harvesting compares unfavourably in comparison with direct chip harvesting in each of the impact categories considered due to the additional chipping step required. The results show that dedicated truck transport is preferable to tractor‐trailer transport in terms of energy demand and environmental impacts. Finally, willow chip production compares favourably with coal provision in terms of energy ratio and global warming potential, while achieving a higher energy ratio than peat provision but also a higher global warming potential.     

桔梗水浸提液对小麦幼苗的化感作用

采用培养皿滤纸法研究了不同浓度桔梗水浸提液对小麦的幼苗生长及生理生化指标的影响,探讨桔梗植株水浸提液对小麦的化感作用,推测其可能的生理机制。结果表明：桔梗植株水浸提液对小麦幼苗的地上部生长表现为低浓度（≤1mg／mL）促进、高浓度（5—20mg／mL）抑制作用;对根部生长为抑制作用,且抑制强度大于地上部。随处理浓度的升高,小麦幼苗体内POD活性、脯氨酸含量、MDA含量逐渐升高;CAT活性、根系活力、光合色素含量先升高后降低;可溶性蛋白含量和伤害率先降低后升高。桔梗植株水浸提液对小麦总体的化感效应表现为低促高抑,小麦可作为桔梗的轮作作物种植。     

半干旱黄土区苜蓿草地轮作农田土壤氮、磷和有机质变化

大田试验研究了多年生苜蓿草地轮作农田2年内的耕层土壤氮、磷养分和有机质变化.结果表明,与苜蓿连作相比,苜蓿草地轮作成农田后,土壤N和有机质消耗增加,2年中耕层土壤全氮含量平均分别下降了5.4%和19.5%、有机质下降了46.8%和28.2%,土壤全磷无显著变化;轮作提高了土壤氮、磷养分有效性及其活化率,土壤硝态氮含量2年分别提高了15.5%和159.1%、速效磷含量提高了44.5%和48.0%,差异显著.不同轮作方式对土壤养分变化有显著影响.苜蓿草地轮作后第2年,种植春小麦与种植玉米相比差异显著,种植马铃薯和休闲处理土壤养分变化幅度处于二者之间.种植春小麦能够维持农田土壤肥力生长季平衡,种植玉米增加了对土壤全氮、有机质和速效磷的消耗,土壤养分含量出现季节性下降,C/N和C/P降低.在半干旱地区多年生苜蓿草地向农田转变过程中,以轮作春小麦为宜,应避免种植玉米作物,以维持农田肥力平衡.     

不同轮作制对农田生态系统中土壤硫攫取与归还途径的研究

研究了我国北方地区主要轮作制度下,土壤一植物生态系统中硫的主要输入(归还)与输出(攫取)途径．结果表明,在我国北方普遍推行的小麦-玉米轮作制中,作物收获物从土壤中攫取的硫素总量为每年26．4kg·hm^-2,由根系和植物其它残留物归还给土壤的硫素为每年6．8kg·hm^-2;在小麦．大豆轮作制中。作物收获物从土壤中攫取的硫素总量为每年24．4kg·hm^-2,对土壤的归还量为每年7．2kg·hm^-2;而在玉米-油菜轮作制中,收获物从土壤中攫取的硫量为每年45．4kg·hm^-2,归还给土壤的硫量为每年8．7kg·hm^-2;其它作物如棉花、高粱、花生、水稻种植一季通过收获物从土壤中带走的硫量分别为每年7．9、6．4、6．7和18．9kg·hm^-2。对土壤的归还量分别为每年2．6、1．8、4．3和5．6kg·hm^-2．通过对系统主要输入输出通量的估算,几种主要农田生态系统硫盈亏的状况计算结果说明,供试作物皆存在硫亏缺状况：小麦每年6kg·hm^-2、玉米8．5kg·hm^-2、油菜24kg·hm^-2、水稻7．1kg·hm^-2．     

基于秸秆还田条件下的黄灌区稻旱轮作土壤硝态氮淋失特征研究

宁夏引黄灌区农田面源污染较为严重,区内大部分排水沟水质为劣Ⅴ类,其主要污染物硝态氮与铵态氮。设置常规施肥(CK)、常规施肥条件下施用4500kg/hm~2(T1,半量还田)和9000 kg/hm~2(T2,全量还田)秸秆3个处理。利用树脂芯法吸附10、20、30、60、90cm土层的硝态氮流失量。2009—2013年的试验结果表明:秸秆还田能够减少土壤30cm土层的硝态氮淋失。与对照硝态氮淋失量(15.76 kg/hm~2)相比,T1(13.76 kg/hm~2)与T2(13.74 kg/hm~2)均达到显著差异(P0.05),淋失量分别减少12.71%和12.84%,T1与T2没有达到显著差异。秸秆还田对土壤硝态氮淋失的影响效应主要体现在30cm土层处,10、20、60与90cm土层处的处理与对照都没有达到显著差异。秸秆还田提高了30cm土层的土壤有机质与土壤总氮,与对照(13.78 g/kg)相比,T1与T2土壤有机质分别提高0.89 g/kg和1.24 g/kg;试验结束后,对照、T1和T2的总氮是达到0.64、0.66和0.69 g/kg,与对照相比,处理分别提高了2.76%和6.83%。秸秆还田有助于作物增产,T1与T2的水稻平均增产9.24%和10.37%,小麦增产10.11%和11.51%。     

不同大豆连作年限对黑土细菌群落结构的影响

大豆连作导致作物产量下降、病原微生物富集和土壤退化等问题日趋严重。然而,目前关于大豆连作对土壤细菌群落结构组成及多样性分布的影响及发生机制尚不清楚。采用高通量测序技术,对大豆连作(不同年限)和大豆-玉米轮作下的黑土细菌16S rRNA基因进行测序分析。结果表明:轮作5年(CR5)和13年长期连作(CC13)处理显著增加了土壤pH、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)和速效养分(AN、AP和AK)含量。与短期连作相比,CR5和CC13处理均提高了细菌群落的OTUs数量、PD值、Chao1指数和Shannon指数。聚类分析图谱结果显示细菌群落结构组成受到轮作和连作年限的双重影响,而土壤pH、TN、TP、AN、AP和AK是细菌群落结构发生变化的主要驱动因子(P0.05)。此外,VPA分析发现上述土壤因子中,土壤pH对细菌群落结构变化的贡献度最大。本研究证明大豆长期连作提高了土壤养分含量和细菌群落的丰富度和多样性指数,从分子生物学的角度证实大豆长期连作在一定程度上改善了土壤环境,为大豆连作障碍的研究提供了理论依据。     

成都平原水稻-小麦轮作系统NO排放及其主要影响因素

应用静态暗箱-化学发光氮氧化物分析法对成都平原水稻-小麦轮作系统进行了1.5个轮作周期的NO排放定位观测,分析了NO排放特征及施氮、土壤温度、土壤湿度和作物参与对NO排放的影响。结果表明:成都平原水稻-小麦轮作系统在不施氮情况下,表现为土壤NO负排放(吸收),而施氮(N150kg/hm²)时NO排放通量为(5.5±3.3)μg m^-2 h^-1,施氮能显著增加土壤NO排放量,并且其效应在水热条件较好的水稻季更明显。整个观测期NO排放量有56.1%来自水稻季,而2个小麦季和休闲期NO排放量分别占32.5%和11.4%,由于休闲期NO高排放主要是作物收获后的几次翻地引起的,因此,减少休闲期翻地次数可能会有效减少NO排放。土壤温度是影响NO排放的首要环境因素,并且两者呈线性回归关系,土壤湿度对NO排放的影响因土壤湿度本身状况而异,土壤湿度条件较差时,其增加有利于NO排放,而当土壤湿度较好时会抑制NO排放。此外,土壤水热条件还是造成NO负排放(吸收)和作物参与对水稻季和小麦季NO排放贡献有别的重要原因。