Establishment, expansion and regeneration of aspen (Populus tremula) in the Torneträsk area, subarctic Sweden

In subarctic Sweden, recent decadal colonization and expansion of aspen (Populus tremula L.) were recorded. Over the past 100 years, aspen became c. 16 times more abundant, mainly as a result of increased sexual regeneration. Moreover, aspen now reach tree-size (>2 m) at the alpine treeline, an ecotone that has been dominated by mountain birch (Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii) for at least the past 4000 years. We found that sexual regeneration in aspen probably occurred seven times or more within the last century. Whereas sexual regeneration occurred during moist years following a year with an exceptionally high June-July temperature, asexual regeneration was favored by warm and dry summers. Disturbance to the birch forest by cyclic moth population outbreaks was critical in aspen establishment in the subalpine area. At the treeline, aspen colonization was less determined by these moth outbreaks, and was mainly restricted by summer temperature. If summer warming persists, aspen spread may continue in subarctic Sweden, particularly at the treeline. However, changing disturbance regimes, future herbivore population dynamics and the responses of aspen's competitors birch and pine to a changing climate may result in different outcomes.

NOx storage and reduction over copper-based catalysts. Part 2: Ce0.8M0.2Oδ supports (M = Zr, La, Ce, Pr or Nd)

5% copper catalysts with Ce0.8M0.2Oδ supports (M = Zr, La, Ce, Pr or Nd) have been studied by rapid-scan operando DRIFTS for NOx Storage and Reduction (NSR) with high frequency (30 s) CO, H2 and 50%CO + 50%H2 micropulses. In the absence of reductant pulses, below 200–250 °C NOx was stored on the catalysts as nitrite and nitro groups, and above this temperature nitrates were the main species identified. The thermal stability of the NOx species stored on the catalysts depended on the acid/basic character of the dopant (M more acidic = NOx stored less stable ⇒ Zr4+ < none < Nd3+ < Pr3+ < La3+ ⇐ M more basic = NOx stored more stable). Catalysts regeneration was more efficient with H2 than with CO, and the CO + H2 mixture presented an intermediate behavior, but with smaller differences among the series of catalyst than observed using CO alone. N2 is the main NOx reduction product upon H2 regeneration. The highest NOx removal in NSR experiments performed at 400 °C with CO + H2 pulses was achieved with the catalyst with the most basic dopant (CuO/Ce0.8La0.2Oδ) while the poorest performing catalyst was that with the most acidic dopant (CuO/Ce0.8Zr0.2Oδ). The poor performance of CuO/Ce0.8Zr0.2Oδ in NSR experiments with CO pulses was attributed to its lower oxidation capacity compared to the other catalysts.

Radiocarbon dating, carbon storage and soil properties of samples from Tulemalu Lake, central Canadian Arctic

We investigated total storage and landscape partitioning of soil organic carbon (SOC) in continuous permafrost terrain, central Canadian Arctic. The study is based on soil chemical analyses of pedons sampled to 1 m depth at 35 individual sites along three transects. Radiocarbon dating of cryoturbated soil pockets, basal peat and fossil wood shows that cryoturbation processes have been occurring since the Middle Holocene and that peat deposits started to accumulate in a forest-tundra environment where spruce was present (~6000 cal yrs BP). Detailed partitioning of SOC into surface organic horizons, cryoturbated soil pockets and non-cryoturbated mineral soil horizons is calculated (with storage in active layer and permafrost calculated separately) and explored using principal component analysis. The detailed partitioning and mean storage of SOC in the landscape are estimated from transect vegetation inventories and a land cover classification based on a Landsat satellite image. Mean SOC storage in the 0-100 cm depth interval is 33.8 kg C/m**2, of which 11.8 kg C/m**2 is in permafrost. Fifty-six per cent of the total SOC mass is stored in peatlands (mainly bogs), but cryoturbated soil pockets in Turbic Cryosols also contribute significantly (17%). Elemental C/N ratios indicate that this cryoturbated soil organic matter (SOM) decomposes more slowly than SOM in surface O-horizons.

Soil organic carbon storage and soil properties for 50 soil profiles in the Lena River Delta including land form description and map

To project the future development of the soil organic carbon (SOC) storage in permafrost environments, the spatial and vertical distribution of key soil properties and their landscape controls needs to be understood. This article reports findings from the Arctic Lena River Delta where we sampled 50 soil pedons. These were classified according to the U.S.D.A. Soil Taxonomy and fall mostly into the Gelisol soil order used for permafrost-affected soils. Soil profiles have been sampled for the active layer (mean depth 58±10 cm) and the upper permafrost to one meter depth. We analyze SOC stocks and key soil properties, i.e. C%, N%, C/N, bulk density, visible ice and water content. These are compared for different landscape groupings of pedons according to geomorphology, soil and land cover and for different vertical depth increments. High vertical resolution plots are used to understand soil development. These show that SOC storage can be highly variable with depth. We recommend the treatment of permafrost-affected soils according to subdivisions into: the surface organic layer, mineral subsoil in the active layer, organic enriched cryoturbated or buried horizons and the mineral subsoil in the permafrost. The major geomorphological units of a subregion of the Lena River Delta were mapped with a land form classification using a data-fusion approach of optical satellite imagery and digital elevation data to upscale SOC storage. Landscape mean SOC storage is estimated to 19.2±2.0 kg C/m**2. Our results show that the geomorphological setting explains more soil variability than soil taxonomy classes or vegetation cover. The soils from the oldest, Pleistocene aged, unit of the delta store the highest amount of SOC per m**2 followed by the Holocene river terrace. The Pleistocene terrace affected by thermal-degradation, the recent floodplain and bare alluvial sediments store considerably less SOC in descending order.

CLIMATOLOGICAL HYDRIC BALANCE, EFFECTIVE SOIL WATER STORAGE AND TRANSPIRATION IN COFFEE CULTURE

The climatic water balance is one of the most used tools to assess, indirectly the amount of water present in the soil is capable of meeting the water needs of the plant. This study analyzed the climatologic hydric balance, the effective soil water storage and coffee plant transpiration in dry regimen cultivation. Daily climatologic hydric balance was calculated for coffee from January 2003 to May 2006. It was concluded that even in the most rainy months of the year, there is a hydric deficit in coffee plants grown in a dry regimen; effective soil water storage varied greatly through the years evaluated, and September was the most critical month, when this value remained below 30%; relative transpiration can not be taken as the single evaluation method for yield losses of coffee, grown in a dry regimen.

Transport, storage and mobilization of nitrogen by trees and shrubs in the wet/dry tropics of northern Australia

Xylem sap from woody species in the wet/dry tropics of northern Australia was analyzed for N compounds. At the peak of the dry season, arginine was the main N compound in sap of most species of woodlands and deciduous monsoon forest. In the wet season, a marked change occurred with amides becoming the main sap N constituents of most species. Species from an evergreen monsoon forest, with a permanent water source, transported amides in the dry season. In the dry season, nitrate accounted for 7 and 12% of total xylem sap N in species of deciduous and evergreen monsoon forests, respectively In the wet season, the proportion of N present as nitrate increased to 22% in deciduous monsoon forest species. These results suggest that N is taken up and assimilated mainly in the wet season and that this newly assimilated N is mostly transported as amide-N (woodland species, monsoon forest species) and nitrate (monsoon forest species). Arginine is the form in which stored N is remobilized and transported by woodland and deciduous monsoon forest species in the dry season. Several proteins, which may represent bark storage proteins, were detected in inner bark tissue from a range of trees in the dry season, indicating that, although N uptake appears to be limited in the dry season, the many tree and shrub species that produce flowers, fruit or leaves in the dry season use stored N to support growth. Nitrogen characteristics of the studied species are discussed in relation to the tropical environment.

Efficient transformation and regeneration of diverse cultivars of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) by particle bombardment into embryogenic callus produced from mature seeds

Peanut, one of the world's most important oilseed crops, has a narrow germplasm base and lacks sources of resistance to several major diseases. The species is considered recalcitrant to transformation, with few confirmed transgenic plants upon particle bombardment or Agrobacterium treatment. Reported transformation methods are limited by low efficiency, cultivar specificity, chimeric or infertile transformants, or availability of explants. Here we present a method to efficiently transform cultivars in both botanical types of peanut, by (1) particle bombardment into embryogenic callus derived from mature seeds, (2) escape-free (not stepwise) selection for hygromycin B resistance, (3) brief osmotic desiccation followed by sequential incubation on charcoal and cytokinin-containing media; resulting in efficient conversion of transformed somatic embryos into fertile, non-chimeric, transgenic plants. The method produces three to six independent transformants per bombardment of 10 cm(2) embryogenic callus. Potted, transgenic plant lines can be regenerated within 9 months of callus initiation, or 6 months after bombardment. Transgene copy number ranged from one to 20 with multiple integration sites. There was ca. 50% coexpression of hph and luc or uidA genes coprecipitated on separate plasmids. Reporter gene (luc) expression was confirmed in T-1 progeny from each of six tested independent transformants. Insufficient seeds were produced under containment conditions to determine segregation ratios. The practicality of the technique for efficient cotransformation with selected and unselected genes is demonstrated using major commercial peanut varieties in Australia (cv. NC-7, a virginia market type) and Indonesia (cv. Gajah, a spanish market type).

Effects of semen storage and separation techniques on sperm DNA fragmentation

Objective: To determine the effect of semen storage and separation techniques on sperm DNA fragmentation. Design: Controlled clinical study. Setting: An assisted reproductive technology laboratory. Patient(s): Thirty normoozospermic semen samples obtained from patients undergoing infertility evaluation. Intervention(s): One aliquot from each sample was immediately prepared (control) for the sperm chromatin dispersion assay (SCD). Aliquots used to assess storage techniques were treated in the following ways: snap frozen by liquid nitrogen immersion, slow frozen with Tris-yolk buffer and glycerol, kept on ice for 24 hours or maintained at room temperature for 4 and 24 hours. Aliquots used to assess separation techniques were processed by the following methods: washed and centrifuged in media, swim-up from washed sperm pellet, density gradient separation, density gradient followed by swim-up. DNA integrity was then measured by SCD. Main Outcome Measure(s): DNA fragmentation as measured by SCD. Result(s): There was no significant difference in fragmentation among the snap frozen, slow frozen, and wet-ice groups. Compared to other storage methods short-term storage at room temperature did not impact DNA fragmentation yet 24 hours storage significantly increased fragmentation. Swim-up, density gradient and density gradient/swim-up had significantly reduced DNA fragmentation levels compared with washed semen. Postincubation, density gradient/swim-up showed the lowest fragmentation levels. Conclusion(s): The effect of sperm processing methods on DNA fragmentation should be considered when selecting storage or separation techniques for clinical use. (Fertil Steril (R) 2010;94:2626-30. (C) 2010 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)

Microhardness of resin cements in the intraradicular environment: Effects of water storage and softening treament

Objectives. To analyze the microhardness of four dual-cure resin cements used for cementing fiber-reinforced posts under the following conditions: after 7 days of storage in water, after additional 24 h of immersion in 75% ethanol, and after 3 months of storage in water. Hardness measurements were taken at the cervical, middle and apical thirds along the cement line. Methods. Root canals of 40 bovine incisors were prepared for post space. Fibrekor (R) glass fiber-reinforced posts (Jeneric/Pentron) of 1 mm in diameter were cemented using Panavia F 2.0 (Kuraray), Variolink (Ivoclar-Vivadent), Rely X Unicem (3M ESPE) or Duolink (Bisco) (N = 10). After 7 days of water storage at 37 degrees C, half the sample (N = 5) was longitudinally sectioned and the initial microhardness measured along the cement line from cervical to apex. These same samples were further immersed in 75% ethanol for 24 h and reassessed. The remaining half (N = 5) was kept unsectioned in deionized water at 37 degrees C for 3 months, followed by sectioning and measuring. Data were analyzed by a series of two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests at alpha = 5%. Results. Statistically significant differences were identified among the cements, thirds and conditions. Significant interactions were also observed between cements and thirds and between cements and conditions. Panavia F exhibited significantly higher initial microhardness than the other three cements, which showed no statistical difference among themselves. Variolink and Duolink showed significantly higher microhardness values in the cervical third, without significant difference among the thirds for the other cements. Immersion in ethanol significantly reduced the hardness values for all cements, regardless of the thirds. Storage in water for 3 months had no influence on the hardness of most of the cements, with the exception of Unicem that showed a significant increase in the hardness values after this period. Results showed heterogeneity in the microhardness of the cements inside the canal. All cements presented some degree of softening after ethanol treatment, which suggests instability of the polymer. The quality of curing of resin cements in the root canal environment seems unpredictable and highly material dependent. (C) 2009 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Patterns of lipid storage and mobilisation in the female green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Reproductive data from southern Queensland indicate that vitellogenesis in female Chelonia mydas takes approximately 8 months and is followed by a migration to a breeding area. At Heron Island, females lay multiple clutches over approximately 3 months. To investigate how females mobilise and store lipid during the breeding season we collected plasma, yolk, and fat tissue samples from females at a variety of stages during the nesting season. In breeding females, concentrations of plasma triglyceride increased seasonally. They reached peak concentrations during vitellogenesis and courtship, remained high throughout the nesting season, and then declined to a nadir after the last clutch. Plasma protein concentration increased throughout the breeding season, peaking following the last clutch for the season. Yolk lipids were highest during courtship and were similar throughout the nesting season, suggesting that uptake of lipid by ovarian follicles is completed prior to the beginning of the nesting season. Plasma triglyceride decreases in females with prolonged periods of unsuccessful nesting, and total lipid levels in adipose tissue and follicle yolks were significantly lower in atretic females. It appears that: (1) endogenous energy reserves can be reduced by stochastic environmental events (such as those reducing nesting success), and (2) a metabolic shift signalling the end of the nesting season is characterised by a drop in plasma triglycerides and slight increase in total plasma protein.

Chemical treatment of papaya seeds aiming at long-term storage and control of damping off

Damping off is a nursery disease of great economic importance in papaya and seed treatment may be an effective measure to control. The aim of this work was to evaluate the quality of papaya seeds treated with fungicides and stored under two environmental and packaging conditions. Additionally, the efficiency of fungicide treatments in the control of damping-off caused by Rhizoctonia solani was evaluated. Papaya seeds were treated with the fungicides Captan, Tolylfluanid and the mixture Tolylfluanid + Captan (all commercial wettable powder formulations). Seeds of the control group were not treated. The seeds were stored for nine months in two conditions: packed in aluminum coated paper and kept at 7 ± 1ºC and in permeable kraft paper and kept in non-controlled environment. At the beginning of the storage and every three months the seed quality (germination and vigor tests), emergence rate index, height, dry mass and damping of plants in pre and post-emergence (in contaminated substrate and mycelia-free substrate) were analyzed. Both storage conditions as well as the fungicide treatments preserved the germination and seed vigor. In the infested substrate, seedling emergence was favored by fungicides, but in post-emergence, fungicides alone did not control the damping off caused by R. solani. Symptoms of damping off were not observed in the clean substrate. The results showed that the fungicide treatments may be used to pretreat papaya seed for long-term storage and commercialization.

Integration of an automatic storage and retrieval system (ASRS) in a discrete-part automation system

This technical report describes the work carried out in a project within the ERASMUS programme. The objective of this project was the Integration of an Automatic Warehouse in a Discrete-Part Automation System. The discrete-part automation system located at the LASCRI (Critical Systems) laboratory at ISEP was extended with automatic storage and retrieval of the manufacturing parts, through the integration of an automatic warehouse and an automatic guided vehicle (AGV).

Materials handling in hospitals: An analysis of how the storage and materials handling system can be improved, using the example of Hospital Santa Maria

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Experimental high-throughput adsorption unit for multi-evaluation of adsorbents for gas capture, storage and separation applications

Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Química e Bioquímica

Eokines: synthesis, storage and release from human eosinophils

Eosinophils are prominent inflammatory cells in asthma and other allergic disorders, as well as in helminthic parasite infections. Recently, eosinophils have been reported to synthesize and store a range of regulatory proteins within their secretory granules (eokines). Eokines comprise a group of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors which are elaborated by eosinophils. These proteins, and the messages which encode them, appear to be identical to those produced by lymphocytes and other tissues. Interestingly, immunoreactivity to many of these eokines has been found to co-localize to the eosinophil´s secretory granules. In this review, we have discussed the repertoire of 18 eokines so far identified in eosinophils, and focused on four of these, namely, interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and RANTES. These four eokines co-localize to the crystalloid granules in eosinophils, as shown in studies using subcellular fractionation and immunogold labeling in electron microscopy. During stimulation by physiological triggers, for example, with serum-coated particles, eosinophils release these mediators into the surrounding supernatant. In addition, eokines are likely to be synthesized within eosinophils rather than taken up by endocytosis, as show in detection of mRNA for each of these proteins using in situ hybridization, RT-PCR, and in the case of RANTES, in situ RT-PCR. Eokines synthesis and release from eosinophils challenges the commonly held notion that these cells act downstream of key elements in immune system, and indicate that they may instead belong to the afferent arm of immunity.