Heterotic patterns in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) using exotic germplasm for Chinese semi-winter hybrid breeding

Chinese semi-winter rapeseed, genetically differing from winter and spring rapeseed, has been considered to possess strong potential as parent in winter and spring rapeseed hybrid breeding programs. However, no detailed researches have been documented whether winter and spring rapeseed lines have potential for Chinese semi-winter rapeseed hybrid breeding. The objectives of this study are to estimate the potential of winter and spring rapeseed for semi-winter rapeseed hybrid breeding, and to investigate the association of general combining ability (GCA) with adaptation of parental lines by combining with the data in our previous studies (Qian et al. 2007, 2009). Four winter and four spring male sterile lines were crossed with 14 Chinese semi-winter rapeseed lines to develop 112 hybrids, which were evaluated together with their parents for seed yield under three environments in China. The exotic parental lines were not adapted to local environments as demonstrated by late flowering, low seed weight and poor seed yield per se. However, the hybrids, especially derived from winter rapeseed exhibited strong heterosis for seed yield, indicating that winter rapeseed germplasm has a great potential for rapeseed hybrid breeding in China. Our data suggested a strong association of GCA with their adaptation ability of parental lines, since high to middle correlations were found for local parental lines and low correlations for exotic parental lines under spring, winter and semi-winter eco-growth environments. The hybrid breeding program using exotic germplasm in rapeseed was discussed.     

Key technologies for the construction of the Xiluodu high arch dam on the Jinsha River in the development of hydropower in western China

Hydropower development in China is concentrated in the country’s western regions.Among all the rivers in China,the lower course of the Jinsha River contains the richest hydro-energy resource,and therefore,4 mammoth hydropower plants are under construction on this particular section of the river at Wudongde,Baihetan,Xiluodu,and Xiangjiaba.The water-blocking structures of the hydropower facilities at Wudongde,Baihetan and Xiluodu are all arch dams of around 300 m high.In view of changes in the geological conditions at the foundation of the Xiluodu dam on the riverbed after excavation started,the designs of expanding foundation surface excavation and dovetailing the dam body and foundation rock on both upstream and downstream sides were introduced,allowing the arch dam and foundation to fit each other and improving the stress conditions of the dam body and foundation.By dividing the dam body into various concrete sections,the dynamic properties of concrete were adequately adjusted to the distribution of stress in the dam body.In addition,the use of the most optimal concrete material and mixture ratio allowed thermodynamics of concrete to satisfy the requirements of the strength,durability,temperature control and crack prevention of the concrete.Moreover,rigorous temperature control measures were introduced to prevent harmful cracking,thus enhancing the integrity of the arch dam.Furthermore,sophisticated construction machinery,scientific testing methods,and sound construction techniques were employed to ensure the uniformity and reliability of concrete placement.The "Digital Dam" for the Xiluodu project,which is based on the theory of total life cycle,has supplied strong support for construction process control and decision-making.     

Simultaneous polyandry and heteropaternity in tiger (Panthera tigris altaica): Implications for conservation of genetic diversity in captive populations of felids

Male tigers(Panthera tigris altaica) in captivity copulate alternatively with an estrous female,suggesting a potential for heteropaternity as an effective reproductive strategy to maximize genetic diversity of offspring.We analyzed microsatellites to test and compare the genetic output of multiple male mating(simultaneous polyandry) and single male mating(monogamy) with a female in a captive population.Simultaneous polyandry resulted in heteropaternity in 66.7% observed litters.No significant differences between parental populations and between offspring populations were detected in the number of alleles(A),expected heterozygosity(H e),number of effective alleles(N e) per locus and standard individual heterozygosity(SH)(P>0.05 for all 4 indexes).Comparisons showed no significant reduction of A,H o,H e and SH from parental population to offspring population for the two mating modes(P>0.05) except for SH in polyandrous families(P=0.029).However,such reduction was equivalent to single mating families when the influence of relatedness was eliminated using effective SH(E SH)(P>0.05).These results highlight an alternative strategy for managing captive populations of tiger and other wild felids in which animals are combined at one location allowing for copulation by multiple males to encourage heteropaternity in favor of maintained genetic diversity among offspring.     

Induction of gynogenesis in red crucian carp using spermatozoa of blunt snout bream

Gynogenetic diploid was induced in red crucian carp (RCC) (Carassius auratus Red Variety) eggs using UV-irradiated spermatozoa from blunt snout bream (B) (Megalobrama amblycephala) or from mirror carp (C) (Cyprinus carpio. L). Spermatozoa were genetically inactivated by an appropriate UV dosage, and then the maternal DNA was duplicated with cold shock at 0-4℃. When using the spermatozoa of B, the fertilization rate, hatching rate and survival at first feeding were 52.6±3.0 %, 23.6±4.1 % and 15.7±3.4 %, respectively, and the survival at first feeding was significantly higher than that (11.3±2.2%) when using the spermatozoa of C (Cyprinus carpio. L). According to the morphological characteristics, the chromosome number and the degree of gonadal development, gynogenetic RCC could be distinguished from the control hybrids of RCC♀× B♂. The individuals with red body color, 100 chromosomes and normal gonadal development were successful gynogenetic RCC, while the individuals with 124 or 148 chromosomes and delayed gonadal development were hybrids of (RCC× B). The triploid hybrids (RCC× B) (2 years old) were sterile, but the tetraploid hybrids (RCC× B) were sexually mature age of two. In the present study, compared to the spermatozoa of C, the advantages of spermatozoa of B as the activation source were that could increase the survival at first feeding of gynogenetic individuals and simplify the confirmation of gynogenetic status, which suggested that the sperm of B was an effective activation source for inducing gynogenesis in crucian carp.     

Fluid Flow in Tundish Due to Different Type Arrangement of Weir and Dam

Tundish is an important metallurgical reactor in the continuous casting process. In order to control the fluid flow in tundish and thus take full advantage of the residencetime available for the removal of inclusions from molten steel, the effect of weir and dam on the fluid flow has been studied in a water model based on the characteristic number Froude and Reynold number similarity criteria. The residence time distribution curves of the flow were measured by SG800. The optimum arrangement of darn and weir and the nonstationary flow in tundish were discussed. The results show that the combination of weir and dam is benefit for the flow pattern in tundish, weir can prevent the upper recirculating flow, dam can cut off the bottom flow and turn to upwards, it is advantageous to separate the nonmetallic inclusions. Furthermore, it is important to exceed the critical depth of bath during exchange ladles, not only for the inclusion floatation but also for avoiding tundish slag drainage earlier.     

Grey correlational and SSR analyses of cotton hybrids

Ten upland cotton strains exhibiting 3 fiber quality traits and 8 yield traits, were grown for two years in an investigation of the correlation between grey relational analysis (GRA) and genetic identity in heterosis of cotton hybrid. The aim was to establish the optimal approach for heterosis prediction and parent selection. Plant traits data were collected and analyzed for Grey relational analysise analysis. In addition, 72 SSR markers were examined and 148 polymorphisms were detected. Correlation analysis of Grey relational analysise, genetic identity, F1 fiber quality and yield heterosis was conducted. Significant differences were observed between the two analytic methods, whereas comparable predictions were given for yield heterosis. Grey correlation analysis for yield exhibited slightly higher correlation than genetic identity analysis, with a correlation coefficient of 0.49. Grey relational analysis and genetic analysis exhibited overlapping yet distinct advantages in heterosis prediction. Therefore, these analytical methods should be integrated to achieve the optimal heterosis prediction and parent selection.     

Monitoring dynamic change of land cover based on SVM and satellite images in Hanoi,Vietnam

An integral method,combining support vector ma-chine (SVM) with remote-sensing analysis techniques,was ex-plored to monitor Hanoi’s dynamic change of land cover. The landsat thematic mapper (TM) image in 1993,the enhanced the-matic mapper plus (ETM+) image in 2000,and the image with the charge-coupled device camera (CCD) on the China-Brazil earth resources satellite (CBERS) in 2008 were used. Six land-cover types,including built-up areas,woodland,cropland,sand,water body and unused land,were identified. The detected results showed visually the rapid urban expansion as well as land-cover change of Hanoi from 1993 to 2008. There were 12 637.54 hm2 cropland de-creased between 1993 and 2000,and 8 227.6 hm2 cropland de-creased between 2000 and 2008. Compared with cropland,wood-land firstly decreased and then increased,and the other types did not change significantly. The results indicate that CBERS dataset has the application potential in world resources researches.     

Investigation of the Surface Vortex in a Spillway Tunnel Intake

<正>Introduction The flood discharge of a large hydropower station is always related to orifices in the dam body and the spillway tunnels, as in such facilities as Ertan, Xiaowan, Zipingpu, Xiluodu, and Jinping-I. Most of these hydropower stations were built in narrow valleys     

Enhancement and selective production of avermectin B by recombinants of Streptomyces avermitilis via intraspecific protoplast fusion

Among eight components of avermectin, B1 fractions have the most effective antiparasitic activities and the lowest level of toxic side-effects and are used widely in veterinary and agricultural fields. In-traspecific protoplast fusion between two strains of Streptomyces avermitilis, one an avermectin high producer (strain 76-05) and the other a genetically engineered strain containing the mutations aveDˉ and olmAˉ (strain 73-12) was performed for enhancement and selective production of avermectin B in the absence of oligomycin. Two recombinant strains (F23 and F29) were isolated and characterized with regards to the parental merits. F23 and F29 produced only the four avermectin B components with high yield and produced no oligomycin. The avermectin production of F23 and F29 was about 84.20% and 103.45% of the parental strain 76-05, respectively, and increased about 2.66-fold and 3.50-fold, re-spectively, compared to that of parental strain 73-12. F23 and F29 were genetically stable prototrophic recombinants and F29 was quite tolerant of fermentation conditions compared to avermectin high producer parental strain 76-05. The ability to produce avermectin B with high yield without the produc-tion of other avermectin components and oligomycin will make F23 and F29 useful strains for aver-mectin production. Strain F29's tolerance of fermentation conditions will also make it suitable for in-dustrial applications.     

Exploration on ecological regulation of the reservoirs

Reservoir regulation process in the Yangtze River basin is mainly divided into two types of flood regulation and initiating benefit regulation. The present reservoir management system and operation mode are mainly for dealing with or coordinating of flood control and benefit initiation as well as benefit distribution among various beneficial functions. From the view point of river ecosystem protection, the current regulation mode has two kinds of problems ： firstly, most of the reservoir regulation plans do not consider ecosystem protection at downstream of dams and needs of environment protection in reservoir areas; secondly, integrated regulation or management of water resources is ignored. It is very necessary to improve reservoir regulation mode, bearing problems faced by regulation of the Three Gorges reservoir and issues related to cascade development and regulation in Tuojiang and Minjiang River basins in mind. In accordance with the concept of scientific development, and the philosophy of ＂ensuring a healthy Yangtze River and promoting the harmony between human and water＂, taking flood control, benefit initiation and eco-system as a whole, this paper put forward the basic consideration to improve reservoir regulation as follows ： on the basis of requirements of ecosystem protection at downstream of dams and needs of environment protection in reservoir areas, we should bring the functions of reservoir such as flood control and benefit initiation into full play, control the negative influence to the ecosystem at downstream of dams and the environment in reservoir areas in an endurable scope, and restore the ecosystem and the environment step by step. This paper put forward the relevant regulation process aiming at the idiographic problems such as protection of ecosystem at downstream of dams and environment in reservoir areas, protection of aquatic wildlife species and fish species, regulation of sediment and protection of wetland.     

Simulated change in the near-surface soil freeze/thaw cycle on the Tibetan Plateau from 1981 to 2010

The near-surface freeze/thaw cycle in cold regions plays a major role in the surface energy budget,hydrological activity,and terrestrial ecosystems.In this study,the Community Land Model,Version 4 and a suite of high-resolution atmospheric data were used to investigate the changes in the near-surface soil freeze/thaw cycle in response to the warming on the Tibetan Plateau from1981 to 2010.The in situ observations-based validation showed that,considering the cause of scale mismatch in the comparison,the simulated soil temperature,freeze start and end dates,and freeze duration at the near-surface were reasonable.In response to the warming of the Tibetan Plateau at a rate of approximately 0.44°C decade-1,the freeze start-date became delayed at an area-mean rate of1.7 days decade-1,while the freeze end-date became advanced at an area-mean rate of 4.7 days decade-1.The delaying of the freeze start-date,which was combined with the advancing of the freeze end-date,resulted in a statistically significant shortening trend with respect to the freeze duration,at an area-mean rate of 6.4 days decade-1.Such changes would strongly affect the surface energy flux,hydrological processes,and vegetation dynamics.We also found that the rate of freeze-duration shortening at the near-surface soil layer was approximately 3.0 days decade-1lower than that at a depth of 1 m.This implied that the changes in soil freeze/thaw cycles at the near surface cannot be assumed to reflect the situation in deeper soil layers.The significant correlations between freeze duration and air temperature indicated that the shortening of the near-surface freeze duration was caused by the rise in air temperature,which occurred especially in spring,followed by autumn.These results can be used to reveal the laws governing the response of the near-surface freeze/thaw cycle to climate change and indicate related changes in permafrost.     

Mycelial fermentation and medicinal properties of a valuable medicinal fungus Cordyceps sinensis Cs-HK1

Cordyceps sinensis （Cs） or Dongchongxiacao in Chinese is a rare and precious medicinal mushroom. In this work, a Tolypocladium sp. fungus named Cs-HK1 was isolated from a natural Cs fruiting body, and its ultraviolet （UV）, infrared （IR） and high-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） spectra all exhibited high degrees of matching to those of natural Cs, indicating the similarity of chemical composition. A crude polysaccharide （PS） fraction isolated from Cs-HKI fungal mycelium showed significant antitumor activity, inhibiting melanoma tumor growth in mice. The PS-treated mice showed significantly higher serum interferon-y （IFN-y） level and higher proliferation rate of lymphocytes ex vivo than the control animals, suggestive of the immunomodulatory activity of the PS fraction. In cell cultures, the PS fraction caused a significant and dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of two cancer cell lines, B16/neu mouse melanoma and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, but not on normal spleen lymphocytes in vitro. Most of these bioactivities of the Cs- HK1 fungus were comparable to or even greater than those of natural Cs. The results showed that Cs-HK1 fungus may be a functional substitute for the natural Cs in health food and herbal medicine.     

China’s bioenergy industry development roadmap

Positive development of renewable energy, saving and substitution of fossil energy, promotion of the energy structure adjustment are the inevitable strategy choices of China＇ s sustainable development. This paper discussed the China＇ s bioenergy resources status, development targets and technology development roadmaps. China has 136. 140 million hm^2 of marginal land, which distribute mainly in western and northern regions. There are 1 billion t of crop residues and forestry waste annually, and 300 million t can be used to produce different kinds of bioenergies. And organic waste and manure can generate 50 billion m3 of biogas. The discussed development target indicated that it can construct a biomass oilfield with the capacity of 100 million t/year and reduce 200 million t of CO2 emission by 2020. The bioenergy technology development roadmap indicated that the bioethanol mainly uses non grain starch and hemicellulose products as raw materials in the near-term （2006 -2010）. The biodiesel technology will focus on the advanced production technology, FT diesel, liquefaction of biomass and raw material production technology.     

Study on complexity of Sutong Bridge＇ s objectives system and its meta-synthesis management

Objectives define the boundaries of complex engineering system. It is a hard work to identify the specific objectives of a complex engineering system. The objectives system development needs a complicated process, from nix to prototype, and to final definition. The total process will cover the following course： from chaos to well-ordered; from qualitativeness to combination of quantitativeness and qualitativenss, then from qualitativeness to quantitativeness （ a recurrent process）, expert experience and theoretical science, rationality and sensibility, synthesis analysis and meta-synthesis, routinization and non-routinization. Such process is explicit in phase development yet overlapped ; mutually confined yet mutually independent ; permeated conflicts yet pregnant in harmony. This article explores the complexity of Sutong Bridge＇ s objectives development and the process of meta-synthesis in the Sutong Bridge engineering.     

Building mechanism exploration of new deepwater terminal in Hengsha

To promote the construction of Shanghai international shipping center, the planneu new acepwatcr terminal construction in Hengsha pushes forward the innovation and breakthroughs of the existing port manage- ment system and building mechanisms. Through reviewing, analyzing, comparing and summarizing the suc- cessful experience of the major ports at home and abroad, market-oriented recommendations will be proposed in terms of effectiveness and feasibility, as well as the idea of＂Shanghai Freeport＂.     

A simple spectroscopic method for the quantification of gold nanoparticle number concentration in water and fetal bovine serum solutions

In this work,we developed a facile and low-cost method with sufficient sensitivity for the quantitative determination of gold nanoparticles(GNPs)number concentration in water and fetal bovine serum solutions.The Au(III)digested from GNPs was reduced to Au(I)presumably by the thiol group of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole,then the Au(I)–thiolate complex was formed,the concentration of which is determined by absorbance at 300 nm.The number concentration of GNPs can be converted using microscopic images and simple calculations.The interference of serum can be avoided in this method.The limit of detection(LOD)of GNPs was calculated as 2.1 910-12mol/L in water solution and 1.3 9 10-11mol/L in fetal bovine serum(FBS)solution.This method provides a simple and fast way to determine the concentration of GNPs,which can be in carried out in the routine laboratory practice.     

The impacts of biofuels on food security and supply in China

Biofuels are the current promising alternative to fossil fuels. However, the fluctuating food prices caused by oil price led to critics to biofuels. The paper surveyed biofuels production and grain production and consumption demand, and come to the conclusion that there was a little impact of corn ethanol on international food price, and there was no impact on China＇ s food prices. China has launched non-food biofuels development strategy to use marginal lands for growing hard crops, such as sweet sorghum, tuber crops, and switchgrass etc. to produce biofuels without any impact on food security in the future.     

Fabrication Research and Property of Enhanced Petaling Cold Cathode with Carbon Nanotube

With high effective screen-printing technique, a new triode field emission display (FED)with enhanced petaling cold cathode was fabricated. For enhancing the field emission performance,a series of improved measures was adopted in the fabrication course. Seen from the fabrication structure of enhanced petaling cold cathode,the bar conducting electrode and the petaling bottom electrode were fabricated with the sintered silver slurry on cathode glass faceplate. The luminescence image with green phosphor was displayed for the sealed enhanced petaling cold cathode FED. The measured results showed that the enhanced petaling cold cathode had good field emission performance. The enhanced petaling cold cathode FED possessed low turn-on electric-field of 1. 95 V /μm,large emission current of 1 389. 6 μA,and high luminance brightness of 1 520 cd /m2 .