Poem translation: 'How Many Shady Abodes'. Host publication: 'Il filo della vita-The thread of life-Snáithe na beatha' (ed. A. Gentili)

Poem

Echoes from the pulpit and platform; or, Living truths for head and heart, illustrated by upwards of five hundred thrilling anecdotes and incidents, personal experiences, touching home scenes, and stories of tender pathos, drawn from the bright and shady sides of life, as related by Dwight L. Moody during his forty years' experience as an evangelist. Including the story of Mr. Moody's life and work /

Mode of access: Internet.

Bat habitat requirements : implications for land use planning

Knowledge of the habitat requirements of bat species is needed in decision making in land use planning. Bats' hibernation requirements were studied both in Estonia and in southern Finland. In both countries, the northern bat and the brown long-eared bat hibernated in colder and drier locations, whereas Daubenton's bat and Brandt's/whiskered bats hibernated in warmer and more humid locations. In Estonia, the pond bat hibernated in the warmest and most humid conditions, whereas Natterer's bat hibernated in the coldest and driest conditions. Hibernacula were at their coldest in mid-season and became warmer towards the end of the season. The results suggest that bats made an active choice of colder hibernation temperatures at the seasons end. They minimised the negative effects of hibernation early in the hibernation season by hibernating in warmer locations and energy expenditure late in the hibernation season by hibernating in colder locations. The use of foraging habitats was studied in northern and southern Finland. The northern bat used foraging sites opportunistically. Daubenton's bat foraged mainly in water habitats, whereas Brandt's/whiskered bats and the brown long-eared bat foraged mainly in forest habitats. In northern Finland, Daubenton's bats foraged almost exclusively on rivers and typically together with the northern bat. Daubenton's bats and Brandt's/whiskered bats were found only where there were lower ambient light levels. One of the most important things in the management of foraging areas for them is to keep them shady. Hibernacula in Finland typically housed few bats, suggesting that hibernation sites used by even a small number of bats are important. Bats typically used natural stone for hibernation suggesting that natural underground sites in rocks or cliffs or man-made underground sites built using natural stone are important for them. The results suggest that appropriate timing of surveys may vary according to the species and latitude.

Photolysis of iron–siderophore chelates promotes bacterial–algal mutualism

Marine microalgae support world fisheries production and influence climate through various mechanisms. They are also responsible for harmful blooms that adversely impact coastal ecosystems and economies. Optimal growth and survival of many bloom-forming microalgae, including climatically important dinoflagellates and coccolithophores, requires the close association of specific bacterial species, but the reasons for these associations are unknown. Here, we report that several clades of Marinobacter ubiquitously found in close association with dinoflagellates and coccolithophores produce an unusual lower-affinity dicitrate siderophore, vibrioferrin (VF). Fe-VF chelates undergo photolysis at rates that are 10–20 times higher than siderophores produced by free-living marine bacteria, and unlike the latter, the VF photoproduct has no measurable affinity for iron. While both an algal-associated bacterium and a representative dinoflagellate partner, Scrippsiella trochoidea, used iron from Fe-VF chelates in the dark, in situ photolysis of the chelates in the presence of attenuated sunlight increased bacterial iron uptake by 70% and algal uptake by >20-fold. These results suggest that the bacteria promote algal assimilation of iron by facilitating photochemical redox cycling of this critical nutrient. Also, binary culture experiments and genomic evidence suggest that the algal cells release organic molecules that are used by the bacteria for growth. Such mutualistic sharing of iron and fixed carbon has important implications toward our understanding of the close beneficial interactions between marine bacteria and phytoplankton, and the effect of these interactions on algal blooms and climate.

黄土丘陵区不同坡向及坡位草本群落生物量及多样性研究

以黄土丘陵区纸坊沟流域内的大范家沟阴阳坡和拐沟阴坡坡面主要草本群落为研究对象,分析不同坡向及坡位的草本群落盖度、地上生物量及物种多样性关系。结果表明,阴坡草本群落的物种20多种,较阳坡高30%。阴阳坡面上草本群落生物量和盖度从坡下至坡上逐渐减小。在水分和养分条件好的地段均有灌木入侵。阳坡Margalef和Menhinick丰富度指数均随坡位升高而降低;而阴坡Mafgalef指数随坡位升高而降低,Menhinick指数却随坡位升高而增大;3个均匀度指数和多样性指数在阴阳坡均随坡位的升高而减小。不同坡位引起的植被盖度、Margalef丰富度指数和Alatalo均匀度指数存在显著差异(P<0.05)。坡位与Margalef丰富度指数和Alatalo均匀度指数呈显著相关(P<0.05),与Shannon-wiener多样性指数呈极显著相关(P<0.01)。描述或评价群落多样性、丰富度及均匀度时,应多选几个指标参数,避免单一指标带来的片面性。掌握草本群落自身喜阴阳特性、生境特征、植被组成及多样性特征,充分认识植被演替条件和演替规律,对指导该区植被和生态系统恢复与重建具有重要意义。

子午岭60年辽东栎林种子质量与森林更新

辽东栎是我国暖温带落叶阔叶林地带的优势乔木树种之一。通过26年的定位监测,对子午岭辽东栎林种子质量消减、种子萌发与环境条件、实生苗时空分布动态以及对其森林更新的影响等方面进行了初步探讨。结果表明:辽东栎林在子午岭半阳坡、半阴坡和阴坡3种类型中,平均完好种子占种子总数的26.65%;霉变种子占18.72%;动物取食虫蛀种子在阴坡远高于半阴坡和半阳坡,占到种子总数的26.32%;已发芽的种子占其总数的28.31%,且半阴坡>半阳坡>阴坡。每年均有大量种子生产,但在生境与动物的共同作用下,种子数量和质量受到很大影响,多达73.35%的种子失去生命力,直接影响实生苗的形成;地表覆盖物虽能促进种子的快速发芽,但对成苗却是一个物理障碍,影响是负作用的,主要影响因子是地表覆盖物的厚度和含水量;在辽东栎林下虽有一定的实生幼苗分布,但数量极少,平均密度仅为140~120株/hm2,且不同立地条件差异显著,严重影响森林的天然更新。

黄龙世界自然遗产地岷江冷杉原始林群落结构与植物多样性：生境差异性研究

黄龙世界自然遗产地岷江冷杉林(Abies faxoniana)生境类型多样，群落结构复杂，群落植物种类组成多样性丰富。揭示不同生境的生物多样性及其差异是认识生物多样性格局、形成及维持机制的前提和进行多样性保育的基础。本文采用样方法对黄龙钙化滩生境、阴坡非钙化生境及半阳坡非钙化生境的岷江冷杉原始林植物群落结构及植物多样性进行了研究。结果表明： 黄龙岷江冷杉林具有明显的复层异龄结构，垂直结构明显，乔木、灌木、草本、苔藓层次分明。共发现高等植物386 种，其中维管植物46 科103 属163 种，苔藓植38 科83 属物223 种。各层片结构及物种组成如下: (1)钙化滩生境、阴坡非钙化生境、半阳坡非钙化生境分别发现乔木18 种、13种、8 种。乔木层均可分为两个亚层，第一亚层优势种均为岷江冷杉，第二亚层主要为岷江冷杉异龄树或其它大高位芽物种。钙化滩生境第一亚层除优势种岷江冷杉外混生有巴山冷杉(Abies fargesii)、粗枝云杉(Picea asperata)以及阔叶树种白桦(Betula platyphylla)等，第二亚层主要为岷江冷杉异龄树；阴坡非钙化生境第一亚层除优势种岷江冷杉外间有巴山冷杉和白桦，第二亚层物种主要为川滇长尾槭(Acer caudatum var. prattii)；半阳坡非钙化生境第一亚层除优势种岷江冷杉外混生有巴山冷杉，第二亚层主要为岷江冷杉异龄树。依乔木层优势种的差异，钙化滩生境及半阳坡非钙化生境为岷江冷杉纯林，阴坡非钙化生境为岷江冷杉－川滇长尾槭混交林。不同生境乔木层郁闭度、乔木密度、树高结构、直径结构均存在差异。 (2)钙化滩生境发现灌木41 种，平均盖度为18.49±1.72(％)，平均高度为52.12±4.45(cm)，优势种为直穗小檗(Berberis dasystachya)；阴坡非钙化生境发现灌木30 种，平均盖度为29.33±2.56 (％)，平均高度为119.55±8.01 (cm)，优势种为箭竹 (Fargesia spathacea) 、唐古特忍冬(Lonicera tangutica) 和袋花忍冬(Lonicera saccata)；半阳坡非钙化生境发现灌木29 种，平均盖度为31.35±1.93 (％)，平均高度为107.55±4.24 (cm)，优势种为箭竹(Fargesia spathacea)。不同生境灌木层结构和物种组成多样性差异显著，钙化滩生境的灌木盖度、高度总体上较非钙化的坡地生境低, 钙化滩生境灌木以小型叶的落叶灌木为主，沟两侧非钙化的坡地生境上则发育了丰富箭竹。 (3)钙化滩生境发现草本46 种，平均盖度为7.18±0.79 (％)，平均高度为5.04±0.26(cm)，以山酢浆草(Oxalis griffithii)为优势种；阴坡非钙化生境发现草本物种71 种，平均盖度达29.04±2.31(％)，平均高度为9.08±0.52(cm)，以钝叶楼梯草(Elatostema obtusum)、山酢浆草为优势种；半阳坡非钙化生境草本物种50 种，平均盖度为以8.79±0.82(％)，平均高度为7.67±0.43 (cm)，以扇叶铁线蕨(Adiantum flabellulatum)、双花堇菜(Viola biflora)、华中蛾眉蕨(Lunathyrium shennongense)、山酢浆草为优势种。阴坡非钙化生境草本层片发育良好，多样性最为丰富，盖度和物种丰富度均显著高于钙化滩生境和半阳坡非钙化生境。 (4)钙化滩生境发现苔藓物种140 种，平均盖度达84.25±1.30 (％)，以仰叶星塔藓(Hylocomiastrum umbratum) 等大型藓类为优势种；阴坡非钙化生境发现苔藓物种115 种，平均盖度为79.29±1.64 (％)，以刺叶提灯藓(Mnium spinosum)、大羽藓(Thuidium cymbifolium)、毛尖燕尾藓(Bryhnia trichomitra)等个体较小的物种为优势种；半阳坡非钙化生境发现苔藓物种91 种，平均盖度为60.64±1.93 (％)，也以刺叶提灯藓为优势种。 (5)钙化滩生境、阴坡非钙化生境、半阳坡非钙化生境的物种数分别为234 种、221 种、175 种。乔木层的Shannon-Wiener 指数分别为0.75 ±0.12、1.87±0.12、1.78±0.07（灌木层，0.44±0.08、1.71± 0.15、2.49±0.06；草本层，0.33±0.13、1.31±0.15 、2.15±0.08； 苔藓层1.30±0.11、2.08±0.04、1.73±0.11，）；Pielou 均匀度指数分别为0.45±0.05、0.29±0.06、0.28±0.08（灌木层，0.75±0.03、0.68±0.05、0.52±0.06；草本层，0.68±0.02、0.77±0.02、0.74±0.02；苔藓层，0.40±0.03、0.63±0.02、0.52±0.03）；Simpson's 优势度指数分别为0.63±0.06、0.78±0.04、0.83±0.07（灌木层，0.21±0.03、0.28±0.05、0.45±0.06；草本层，0.25±0.02、0.12±0.01、0.17±0.01；苔藓层，0.45±0.04、0.18±0.01、0.31±0.04）。三种生境间乔木层、草本层的Sorenson 群落相似性系数较低, 灌木层、苔藓层的的Sorenson 群落相似性系数较高。 综上所述，黄龙岷江冷杉林的群落结构、植物多样性在三种生境间存在差异性，这将意味着我们在进行黄龙世界自然遗产地的森林经营管理时要较多地关注岷江冷山林群落在不同生境中的差异性。 There were multiplex habitat types, complicated community structure and abundant species composition in the Huanglong World Natural Heritage Site. Uncovering the differences of biodiversity among different habitats was a precondition to understand the distribution, formation and sustaining mechanism of the biodiversity, and the foundation of biodiversity conservation. In the present study, using plenty of quadrants, we investigated the community structure and the biodiversity of the primitive Abies faxoniana forest in different habitats (travertine bottomland, semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat and shady-slope non-calcified habitat) in the Huanglong World Natural Heritage Site. The main results are as follows: All the primitive Abies faxoniana forests in the three habitats were uneven-aged with obvious vertical structure including tree layer, shrub layer, herb layer and bryophyte layer. A total of 386 higher plants including 163 vascular plant species (103 generic, 46 families) and 223 bryophyte species (83 generic, 38 families) were investigated. The structure and species composition of each layer are as follows: (1) There were 18, 13 and 8 tree species in travertine bottomland, shady-slope non-calcified habitat and semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat, respectively. The tree layers in all habitats can be divided into two clear sub-layers. The upper tree layers were dominated by Abies faxoniana, and the lower tree layers were dominated by uneven-aged Abies faxoniana or other phanerophytes species. There were Abies fargesii , Picea asperata and Betula platyphylla besides the dominated species (Abies faxoniana) in the upper tree layer in travertine bottomland, and the lower tree layers were dominated by uneven-aged Abies faxoniana; There were Abies fargesii and Betula platyphylla besides the dominated species (Abies faxoniana) in the upper tree layer in shady-slope non-calcified habitat, and the lower tree layers were dominated by Acer caudatum var. prattii; There was Abies fargesii besides the dominated species (Abies faxoniana) in the upper tree layer semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat, and the lower tree layers were dominated by uneven-aged Abies faxoniana. According to composition percentage of dominate species in tree layer, both the forest in travertine bottomland and in semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat could be ranked as pure forest, and the forest in shady-slope non-calcified habitat could be ranked as mingled forest. There were significant differences in crown density, plant density, height structure and diameter structure among the three habitats. (2) A total of 41 shrub species (average coverage 18.49±1.72％; average height 52.12±4.45 ㎝)were found in travertine bottomland, and the dominate species was Berberis dasystachya; A total of 30 shrub species (average coverage 29.33±2.56 ％;average height 119.55±8.01 ㎝)were found in shady-slope non-calcified habitat, and the dominate species was Fargesia spathacea, Lonicera tangutica and Lonicera saccata. A total of 29 shrub species (average coverage 31.35±1.93％; average height 107.55±4.24 ㎝) were found in semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat, and the dominate species was Fargesia spathacea. There were significant differences in structure and species diversity of the shrub layers among the three habitats. The coverage and height of shrub had lower value in travertine bottomland than in two non-calcified habitats. Moreover, travertine bottomland was dominated by deciduous shrub species with microphyll and non-calcified habitats developed abundant Fargesia spathacea species. (3) A total of 46 herb species (average coverage 7.18±0.79％;average height 5.04±0.26 ㎝)were found in travertine bottomland, and the dominate species was Oxalis griffithii; A total of 71 herb species (average coverage 29.04±2.31％;average height 9.08±0.52 ㎝)were found in shady-slope non-calcified habitat, and the dominate species was Elatostema obtusum and Oxalis griffithii. A total of 50 herb species (average coverage 8.79±0.82％;average height 7.67±0.43 ㎝) were found in semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat, and the dominate species was Adiantum flabellulatum, Viola biflora, Lunathyrium shennongense and Oxalis griffithii. Herb layers developed well in shady-slope non-calcified habitat and had the higher species richness and coverage than travertine bottomland and semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat. (4) A total of 140 bryophyte species (average coverage 84.25±1.30％)were found in travertine bottomland, and the dominate species was big bryophyte species such as Hylocomiastrum umbratum and so on; A total of 115 bryophyte species (average coverage 79.29±1.64％)were found in shady-slope non-calcified habitat, and the dominate species was small bryophyte species such as Mnium spinosum, Thuidium cymbifolium, Bryhnia trichomitra and so on. A total of 91 bryophyte species (average coverage 60.64±1.93％) were found in semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat, and the dominate species was Mnium spinosum. (5) There were 234, 221 and 175 plant species in travertine bottomland, shady-slope non-calcified habitat and semi-sunny-slope non-calcified habitat, respectively. Shannon-Wiener index of the tree layer was 0.75 ±0.12, 1.87±0.12 and 1.78±0.07 (the shrub layer, 0.44±0.08, 1.71± 0.15 and 2.49±0.06; the herb layer, 0.33±0.13, 1.31±0.15 and 2.15±0.08; the bryophyte layer, 1.30±0.11, 2.08±0.04 and 1.73±0.11.) for the three habitats, respectively; Pielou index of the tree layer was 0.45±0.05, 0.29±0.06 and 0.28±0.08 (the shrub layer, 0.75±0.03, 0.68±0.05 and 0.52±0.06; the herb layer, 0.68±0.02, 0.77±0.02 and 0.74±0.02; the bryophyte layer, 0.40±0.03, 0.63±0.02 and 0.52±0.03.) for the three habitats, respectively. Simpson's index of the tree layer was 0.63±0.06, 0.78±0.04 and 0.83±0.07 (the shrub layer, 0.21±0.03、0.28±0.05、0.45±0.06; the herb layer, 0.25±0.02, 0.12±0.01 and 0.17±0.01; the bryophyte layer, 0.45±0.04, 0.18±0.01 and 0.31±0.04.) for the three habitats, respectively. There were low Sorenson index both in the tree layer and in the herb layer among the three habitats, whereas, high Sorenson index occurred both in the shrub layer and in the bryophyte layer. To sum up, there were differences both in community structure and plant diversity among the three different habitats, which means that we should pay more attention to habitats heterogeneities of the primitive Abies faxoniana forest when we take action to manage the forest in the Huanglong World Natural Heritage Site.

Seasonal patterns of body temperature daily rhythms in group-living cape ground squirrels Xerus inauris

Organisms respond to cyclical environmental conditions by entraining their endogenous biological rhythms. Such physiological responses are expected to be substantial for species inhabiting arid environments which incur large variations in daily and seasonal ambient temperature (T). We measured core body temperature (T) daily rhythms of Cape ground squirrels Xerus inauris inhabiting an area of Kalahari grassland for six months from the Austral winter through to the summer. Squirrels inhabited two different areas: an exposed flood plain and a nearby wooded, shady area, and occurred in different social group sizes, defined by the number of individuals that shared a sleeping burrow. Of a suite of environmental variables measured, maximal daily T provided the greatest explanatory power for mean T whereas sunrise had greatest power for T acrophase. There were significant changes in mean T and T acrophase over time with mean T increasing and T acrophase becoming earlier as the season progressed. Squirrels also emerged from their burrows earlier and returned to them later over the measurement period. Greater increases in T, sometimes in excess of 5°C, were noted during the first hour post emergence, after which T remained relatively constant. This is consistent with observations that squirrels entered their burrows during the day to 'offload' heat. In addition, greater T amplitude values were noted in individuals inhabiting the flood plain compared with the woodland suggesting that squirrels dealt with increased environmental variability by attempting to reduce their T-T gradient. Finally, there were significant effects of age and group size on T with a lower and less variable T in younger individuals and those from larger group sizes. These data indicate that Cape ground squirrels have a labile T which is sensitive to a number of abiotic and biotic factors and which enables them to be active in a harsh and variable environment.

The nesting biology of Ceratina (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the Niagara Region : new species, nest site selection and parasitism

One of the most common bee genera in the Niagara Region, the genus Ceratina (Hymenoptera: Apidae) is composed of four species, C. dupla, C. calcarata, the very rare C. strenua, and a previously unknown species provisionally named C. near dupla. The primary goal of this thesis was to investigate how these closely related species coexist with one another in the Niagara ~ee community. The first necessary step was to describe and compare the nesting biologies and life histories of the three most common species, C. dupla, C. calcarata and the new C. near dupla, which was conducted in 2008 via nest collections and pan trapping. Ceratina dupla and C. calcarata were common, each comprising 49% of the population, while C. near dupla was rare, comprising only 2% of the population. Ceratina dupla and C. near dupla both nested more commonly in teasel (Dipsacus sp.) in the sun, occasionally in raspberry (Rubus sp.) in the shade, and never in shady sumac (Rhus sp.), while C. calcarata nested most commonly in raspberry and sumac (shaded) and occasionally in teasel (sunny). Ceratina near dupla differed from both C. dupla and C. calcarata in that it appeared to be partially bivoltine, with some females founding nests very early and then again very late in the season. To examine the interactions and possible competition for nests that may be taking place between C. dupla and C. calcarata, a nest choice experiment was conducted in 2009. This experiment allowed both species to choose among twigs from all three substrates in the sun and in the shade. I then compared the results from 2008 (where bees chose from what was available), to where they nested when given all options (2009 experiment). Both C. dupla and C. calcarata had the same preferences for microhabitat and nest substrate in 2009, that being raspberry and sumac twigs in the sun. As that microhabitat and nest substrate combination is extremely rare in nature, both species must make a choice. In nature Ceratina dupla nests more often in the preferred microhabitat (sun), while C. calcarata nests in the preferred substrate (raspberry). Nesting in the shade also leads to smaller clutch sizes, higher parasitism and lower numbers of live brood in C. calcarata, suggesting that C. dupla may be outcompeting C. calcarata for the sunny nesting sites. The development and host preferences of Ceratina parasitoids were also examined. Ceratina species in Niagara were parasitized by no less than eight species of arthropod. Six of these were wasps from the superfamily Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera), one was a wasp from the family Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) and one was a physogastric mite from the family Pyemotidae (Acari). Parasites shared a wide range of developmental strategies, from ichneumonid larvae that needed to consume multiple Ceratina immatures to complete development, to the species from the Eulophidae (Baryscapus) and Encyrtidae (Coelopencyrtus), in which multiple individuals completed development inside a single Ceratina host. Biological data on parasitoids is scarce in the scientific literature, and this Chapter documents these interactions for future research.

Seguimiento de áreas cruentas cubiertas con queratinocitos autólogos cultivados en suero autólogo: Estudio multicéntrico en Bogotá

En 2009 se presento la estandarización de cultivos de queratinocitos autólogos cultivados en suero autólogo. En este estudio los autores describen la efectividad de estos parches de regeneración de piel, para la cobertura de áreas cruentas con indicación de injerto de piel parcial. El porcentaje de epitelización del área cruenta fue el punto principal. Métodos: 47 pacientes fueron incluidos consecutivamente, equivalentes a 78 áreas cruentas. Las áreas fueron estratificadas según la profundidad: grupo 1:IIA (n=8) grupo 2: IIB (n=39); grupo 3,III (n=24) y grupo 4, etiología diferente: Otras (n=7). Todas las áreas fueron tratadas con injertos de queratinocitos autólogos cultivados en suero autólogo y se realizo registro fotográfico y del porcentaje de epitelización al día 5, 7, 15 y 30. Resultados: La efectividad de los injertos de queratinocitos autólogos es de 53.16% ± 46.46%. El porcentaje de epitelización es mayor para el grupo 1 (100%) y grupo 2 (62.79%) que para el grupo 3 (27.57%) y el grupo 4 (33.86%). Se encontró relación entre la interacción de las medianas del porcentaje de epitelización entre área corporal y grado de quemadura (p<0.001 KW) siendo mayor para el grupo 1 en todas las áreas, grupo 2 en cara, grupo 3 en tronco y grupo 4 en cara; y el menor porcentaje de epitelización en el grupo 3 y grupo 4 de las áreas ubicadas tronco. Conclusión: Los injertos de queratinocitos autólogos cultivados en suero autólogo son un método de cobertura eficaz para áreas cruentas producidas por quemaduras IIA y IIB independientemente del tamaño y la localización , y para las áreas cruentas pequeñas (<9cm2) de etiología diferente o grado III de profundidad. Palabras Clave: Cultivo queratinocitos, cobertura áreas cruentas, efectividad.

Desiccation tolerance in Pleurostima purpurea (Velloziaceae)

Previous works suggested that Pleurostima purpurea (Velloziaceae-Barbacenioideae) shows a remarkable capacity to endure desiccation of its vegetative tissues. P. purpurea occurs in monocotyledons mats on soil islands in the Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf) one of the most recognizable rock outcrops of the world, in Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Mats of P. purpurea occur in cliffs by the sea some meters above the tidal zone. Although living in rock outcrops almost devoid of any soil cover, P. purpurea seems to occur preferably on less exposed rock faces and slightly shady sites. Usually, less extreme adaptations to drought would be expected in plants with the habitat preference of P. purpurea. Relying on this observation, we argue if a combination of different strategies of dealing with low water availability can be found in P. purpurea as on other desiccation tolerant angiosperms. This study aims to examine the occurrence of desiccation tolerant behavior in P. purpurea together with the expression of drought avoidance mechanisms during dehydration progression. For this, it was analyzed the gas exchanges, leaf pigments and relative leaf water content during desiccation and rehydration of cultivated mature individuals. P. purpurea behaved like typical drought avoiders under moderated drought condition with stomatal closure occurring around a relative leaf water content up to 90%. During this process, it was observed a delay in the leaf relative water content (RWC(leaf)) decrease comparing to the plant-soil relative water content (RWC(plant-soil)). As soil dehydration worsened, gas exchanges restrictions progressed until a lack of activity which characterizes anabiosis. The loss of chlorophyll occurs before the end of total dehydration, characterizing the presence of poikilochlorophylly. The chlorophyll degradation follows the RWC(leaf) decrease, which achieved the minimum average value of 17% without incurring in leaf abscission. The chlorophyll re-synthesis seems to start well after the full rehydration of the leaf. During all of this process, carotenoid content remained stable. These results are coherent with a combination of drought avoidance and desiccation tolerance in P. purpurea which seems to be coherent with the amplitude of water availability in the rock outcrop habitat where it occurs, suggesting that the periods of water availability are sufficiently long for the success of the costly desiccation tolerant behavior but too short to make a typical drought avoider species win the competition for exploring the rock outcrop substrate where P. purpurea occurs.

Optimal multisensor data fusion for linear systems with missing measurements

Multisensor data fusion has attracted a lot of research in recent years. It has been widely used in many applications especially military applications for target tracking and identification. In this paper, we will handle the multisensor data fusion problem for systems suffering from the possibility of missing measurements. We present the optimal recursive fusion filter for measurements obtained from two sensors subject to random intermittent measurements. The noise covariance in the observation process is allowed to be singular which requires the use of generalized inverse. Illustration example shows the effectiveness of the proposed filter in the measurements loss case compared to the available optimal linear fusion methods.