Molecular cloning,purification and immunogenicity of recombinant Brucella abortus 544 malate dehydrogenase protein

The Brucella mdh gene was successfully cloned and expressed in E. coli. The purified recombinant malate dehydrogenase protein (rMDH) was reactive to Brucella-positive bovine serum in the early stage, but not reactive in the middle or late stage, and was reactive to Brucella-positive mouse serum in the late stage, but not in the early or middle stage of infection. In addition, rMDH did not react with Brucella-negative bovine or mouse sera. These results suggest that rMDH has the potential for use as a specific antigen in serological diagnosis for early detection of bovine brucellosis.     

Observed flow compensation associated with the MOC at 26.5 degrees N in the Atlantic

The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (MOC), which provides one-quarter of the global meridional heat transport, is composed of a number of separate flow components. How changes in the strength of each of those components may affect that of the others has been unclear because of a lack of adequate data. We continuously observed the MOC at 26.5 degrees N for 1 year using end-point measurements of density, bottom pressure, and ocean currents; cable measurements across the Straits of Florida; and wind stress. The different transport components largely compensate for each other, thus confirming the validity of our monitoring approach. The MOC varied over the period of observation by +/-5.7 x 10(6) cubic meters per second, with density-inferred and wind-driven transports contributing equally to it. We find evidence for depth-independent compensation for the wind-driven surface flow.     

Temporal variability of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation at 26.5 degrees N

The vigor of Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (MOC) is thought to be vulnerable to global warming, but its short-term temporal variability is unknown so changes inferred from sparse observations on the decadal time scale of recent climate change are uncertain. We combine continuous measurements of the MOC (beginning in 2004) using the purposefully designed transatlantic Rapid Climate Change array of moored instruments deployed along 26.5 degrees N, with time series of Gulf Stream transport and surface-layer Ekman transport to quantify its intra-annual variability. The year-long average overturning is 18.7 +/- 5.6 sverdrups (Sv) (range: 4.0 to 34.9 Sv, where 1 Sv = a flow of ocean water of 10(6) cubic meters per second). Interannual changes in the overturning can be monitored with a resolution of 1.5 Sv.     

A PathWayDiagram for introduction and prevention of Avian Influenza: Application to the Dutch poultry sector

The introduction of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) viruses is a continuing threat to the poultry sector. In times of increased risk of introduction (e.g. because of HPAI outbreaks in neighbouring countries or trade partners), decision-makers face the question whether they should intensify current preventive measures or establish new ones. To support this, a qualitative decision tool in the form of a PathWayDiagram (PWD) is presented. The PWD includes theoretically possible pathways for introduction of HPAI in the domestic commercial poultry population together with corresponding preventive measures. Hence, the PWD is a systematic checklist focused on (1) possibilities of (increased risk of) introduction and (2) possible preventive measures. It can be used in a high-alert situation, when decision-makers have to act in a relatively short time to decide on and implement a coherent set of preventive measures covering the high-risk pathways involved.     

Multiyear prediction of monthly mean Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation at 26.5°N

Attempts to predict changes in Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) have yielded little success to date. Here, we demonstrate predictability for monthly mean AMOC strength at 26.5°N for up to 4 years in advance. This AMOC predictive skill arises predominantly from the basin-wide upper-mid-ocean geostrophic transport, which in turn can be predicted because we have skill in predicting the upper-ocean zonal density difference. Ensemble forecasts initialized between January 2008 and January 2011 indicate a stable AMOC at 26.5°N until at least 2014, despite a brief wind-induced weakening in 2010. Because AMOC influences many aspects of climate, our results establish AMOC as an important potential carrier of climate predictability.     

基于植物功能-结构模型的玉米-大豆条带间作光截获行间差异研究

间作种植形成了异质冠层空间结构,但因此导致的作物生长、表型和光截获的行间差异目前还少有定量化。为解析条带间作生产力的行间差异,本研究基于田间观测数据构建植物功能-结构模型（Functional-Structural Plant Model,FSPM）,量化间作系统中光截获的行间差异。于2017—2018年开展了玉米和大豆单作、2行玉米和2行大豆的2:2 MS间作以及3行玉米和6行大豆的3:6 MS间作田间试验。基于植物生长平台GroIMP开发了玉米-大豆间作的FSPM,模型较好地模拟了叶面积指数（Leaf Area Index,LAI）、株高和光截获系数动态三个指标,均方根误差（Root Mean Square Error,RMSE）分别为0.24～0.70 m²/m²、0.06～0.17 m和0.06～0.10。田间试验结果表明,间作种植显著增加了玉米节间直径。受玉米遮阴影响,大豆节间变长、变细,且随大豆条带变窄差异越明显。模型模拟的2:2 MS间作玉米光截获比单作玉米高35.6%,3:6 MS边行玉米和内行玉米的光截获分别比单作玉米高27.8%和20.3%。2:2 MS与3:6 MS边行大豆的光截获比单作大豆分别少36.0%和28.8%;3:6 MS大豆内I行和内II行比单作大豆的光截获分别少4.1%和1.8%。基于三维FSPM,未来可进行不同生长环境下间作种植模式等的布局优化,以达到最佳系统光截获优势。     

LIGHT INTERCEPTION AND USE EFFICIENCY DIFFER WITH MAIZE PLANT DENSITY IN MAIZE-PEANUT INTERCROPPING

• Intercropping intercepted more light than sole peanut but less than sole maize.• Maize light use efficiency (LUE) increased with plant density in the intercropping.• Intercropping did not affect LUE of maize but increased peanut LUE.Intercropping increases crop yields by optimizing light interception and/or use efficiency. Although intercropping combinations and metrics have been reported, the effects of plant density on light use are not well documented. Here, we examined the light interception and use efficiency in maize-peanut intercropping with different maize plant densities in two row configurations in semiarid dryland agriculture over a two-year period. The field experiment comprised four cropping systems, i.e. monocropped maize, monocropped peanut, maize-peanut intercropping with two rows of maize and four rows of peanut, intercropping with four rows of maize and four rows of peanut, and three maize plant densities (3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 plants m⁻¹ row) in both monocropped and intercropping maize. The mean total light interception in intercropping across years and densities was 779 MJ·m⁻², 5.5% higher than in monocropped peanut (737 MJ·m⁻²) and 7.6% lower than in monocropped maize (843 MJ·m⁻²). Increasing maize density increased light interception in monocropped maize but did not affect the total light interception in the intercrops. Across years the LUE of maize was 2.9 g·MJ⁻¹ and was not affected by cropping system but increased with maize plant density. The LUE of peanut was enhanced in intercropping, especially in a wetter year. The yield advantage of maize-peanut intercropping resulted mainly from the LUE of peanut. These results will help to optimize agronomic management and system design and provide evidence for system level light use efficiency in intercropping.     

Oogenesis and lipids in gonad and liver of daubed shanny (Leptoclinus maculatus) females from Svalbard waters

Oocyte and liver histomorphology of the daubed shanny (Leptoclinus maculatus) from Isfjorden and Kongsfjorden in Svalbard were investigated during three Arctic seasons: summer (July), autumn (October) and winter (April). Three oocyte developmental phases were observed: primary growth phase, secondary growth phase and maturation phase. We observed four different developmental stages: (1) perinucleolus stage with cortical alveolus formation, (2) lipid droplets formation, (3) vitellogenesis stage and (4) maturation. Late maturation stage of oocytes in the ovaries was from the autumn season. Females accumulated lipids in liver (up to 35.2?% dw) and deposited large amounts of lipids into gonads (up to 52.2?% dw) during maturation. Lipid classes in female gonads changed seasonally, with relative increase in cholesterol during summer and depletion of storage lipids (triacylglycerols and wax esters/cholesterol esters) during the winter. Lipid composition in liver changed during oocyte development and spawning, as neutral lipids were transferred to developing oocytes during summer to autumn. During winter, storage lipids were depleted during starvation. Based on the increase in gonadosomatic index (GSI) with length and observed maturation stages, females seem to mature at a length of about 125-130?mm. The GSI and hepatosomatic index of large females sampled in autumn (September-October) were significantly higher than for females in late winter (April) and spring (May). These results indicate that spawning takes place during winter in Isfjorden and that energy reserves stored in the liver are utilized by females during gonadal development and reproduction.