A Study of China's Bamboo Project Aid to Rwanda

China,as the world's largest developing country,has long combined the common interest of the Chinese people with that of the people of all countries,and under the framework of South-South Cooperation,it has always provided assistance within its capacity to other developing countries. As an important component of aid to Africa,forestry plays an irreplaceable role in foreign aid. Currently,the forestry aid to Africa is gradually changing from the previous trading of resources to sustainable development and utilization of resources. Especially the implementation of Bamboo Planting,Processing and Utilization Project Aid of the Ministry of Commerce to Rwanda undertaken by China National Bamboo Research Center( CBRC),helps Rwanda and the entire east African region to achieve sustainable use of forest resources,improves local employment,provides a new path of development for China's forestry to " go out",and further strengthens the traditional friendship between China and Africa.

Biochar-based organic fertilizer application rates for Tetrastigma hemsleyanum planted under Moso bamboo

The under-forest economy has received increased attention in China.However,little is known about the effects of co-composted biochar on soil and plant biomass in under-forest planting systems.In this study,plant biomass,soil nutrient levels,and bacterial communities were evaluated after application of biochar-based organic fertilizer(BOF,derived from co-composted biochar-compost)at varying rates to soils supporting Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels&Gilg planted under a Moso bamboo(Phyllostachys edulis)forest.BOF treatment increased the biomass of T.hemsleyanum.Compared with the control,BOF application significantly increased soil pH and organic carbon(SOC).The high-throughput sequencing results showed significant differences in the Bacteroidetes,Verrucomicrobia,Chlorofexi,and OD1 phyla among all groups.At the genus level,the control group was characterized by a preponderance of Conexibacter.Rhodanobacter was enriched in soils with a 3%BOF application and Steroidobacter and Spirochaeta were the most prominent phyla in the 5%BOF group.There was no biomarker selected in the 1%BOF group at the genus level.In conclusion,BOF application increased the biomass of T.hemsleyanum when intercropped under a Moso bamboo forest;this effect may be due to changes in the soil physicochemical properties and microbial communities after BOF application.

Extraction,Optical Properties and Bio-Imaging of Fluorescent Composition From Moso Bamboo Shoots

A novel fluorescent composition was firstly isolated from natural winter fresh Moso bamboo shoots,and its optical properties were fully investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy.It could emit strong blue light both in solid and solution state,providing high fluorescence intensity in ethanol.The solution’s concentration and addition of water greatly affected the fluorescence intensity,high concentration and addition of much water could quench fluorescence.Apoptosis results showed that the fluorescent extract(0-25 mg/L)could not induce apoptosis of Hela cells.Confocal fluorescent microscopic imaging in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells(HepG2)was realized using the fluorescent extract,it could dye the whole cell well which was different from 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole(DAPI)only dying cell nucleus.The fluorescent extract may be candidate for future natural fluorescent bio-imaging agent.

Study on Genetic Diversity of Turf Bamboo Based on ISSR Marker

[ Objective ] This study aimed to analyze the genetic diversity of turf bamboo species by using ISSR molecular marker technology. [ Method] Excellent turf bamboo species imported from France and domestic ornamental turf bamboo species were used as experimental materials for ISSR analysis, cluster analysis was conducted on 10 species of turf bamboo materials based on the obtained ISSR molectfiar ma^kers. [ Result] A total of 201 clear bands with good repeatability and high polymorphism were amplified with 21 ISSR primers, with a polymorphism rate of 93.1% ; similarity coefficients between different turf bamboo species ranged from 0.275 to 0.571, with an average similarity coefficient of 0. 357 ; according to the results of ISSR markers, 10 different ornamental turf bamboo species were di- vided into three categories by using UPGMA cluster analysis method. [Conclusion] Turf bamboo with different sources had relatively high genetic diversity, this study had provided theoretical and technical basis for the breeding, cultivation and vromotion of ornamental turf bamboo.

Effects on soil quality of biochar and straw amendment in conjunction with chemical fertilizers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects on chemical and microbiological properties of paddy soil of short-term biochar,straw,and chemical fertilizers compared with chemical fertilization alone.Five soil fertilization treatments were evaluated：regular chemical fertilizers（RF）,straw＋regular chemical fertilizers（SRF）,straw biochar＋regular chemical fertilizers（SCRF）,bamboo biochar（BC）＋regular chemical fertilizers（BCRF）,and straw biochar＋70%regular chemical fertilizers（SC＋70%RF）.Their effects were investigated after approximately 1.5 years.The soil p H and cation exchange capacity（CEC）were significantly higher in biochar-treated soils.The soil phosphorous（P）and potassium（K）contents increased with biochar application.The soil Colwell P content was significantly increased with the addition of straw biochar in the treatments of SCRF and SC＋70%RF.The oxygen（O）：carbon（C）ratio doubled in BC picked from the soil.This indicated that BC underwent a significant oxidation process in the soil.The denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis（DGGE）fingerprints of microbial communities differed among the treatments.Soils with added biochar had higher Shannon diversity and species richness indices than soils without biochars.The results suggest that biochar can improve soil fertility.

Effects of key growth conditions on endogenous hormone content in tillering stem bases,germination of lateral buds,and biomass allocation in Indocalamus decorus

Physiological responses and changes in growth of Indocalamus decorus Q.H.Dai under different ecological conditions are essential for further understanding growth regulation and adaptive mechanisms and establishing an evidence-based management system for optimal growth. In this study, the endogenous hormone content in tillering stem bases, germination of lateral buds, and biomass allocation of this bamboo species in different growth environments were investigated. Among the endogenous hormones in the basal stems of tillers, indole-3-pyruvic acid and zeatin riboside were highly correlated with lateral buds that germinated to form shoots, while gibberellic acid was highly correlated with lateral buds that germinated to form rhizomes. The best lateral bud germination characteristics were achieved with full sun, a density of six plantlets per pot, and watering every 6 days. I. decorus plantlets used different resource allocation strategies depending on treatment. Different ecological factors influenced endogenous hormones in the bamboo stem base,which affected lateral bud germination and biomass allocation.

Acid-activated and WO_x-loaded montmorillonite catalysts and their catalytic behaviors in glycerol dehydration

The use of H2SO4‐,HCl‐,H3PO4‐,and CH3COOH‐activated montmorillonite(Mt)and WOx/H3PO4‐activated Mt as catalysts for the gas‐phase dehydration of glycerol was investigated.The WOx/H3PO4‐activated Mt catalysts were prepared by an impregnation method using H3PO4‐activated Mt(Mt‐P)as the support.The catalysts were characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction,Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy,N2adsorption‐desorption,diffuse reflectance ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy,temperature‐programmed desorption of NH3,and thermogravimetric analysis.The acid activation of Mt and WOx loaded on Mt‐P affected the strength and number of acid sites arising from H+exchange,the leaching of octahedral Al3+cations from Mt octahedral sheets,and the types of WOx(2.7≤x≤3)species(i.e.,isolated WO4/WO6‐containing clusters,two‐dimensional[WO6]polytungstates,or three‐dimensional WO3crystals).The strong acid sites were weakened,and the weak and medium acid sites were strengthened when the W loading on Mt‐P was12wt%(12%W/Mt‐P).The12%W/Mt‐P catalyst showed the highest catalytic activity.It gave a glycerol conversion of89.6%and an acrolein selectivity of81.8%at320°C.Coke deposition on the surface of the catalyst led to deactivation.

Systematic Analysis on Quick Development of Bamboo Industry in Zhejiang Province:A Case Study for Successful Development Approach of China's Booming Bamboo Industry

China is globally acknowledged as ＂Kingdom of Bamboo＂, and Zhejiang Province is nationally recognized as the first province of bamboo in China. Systematic and overall analysis is made by the approach of case study on why Zhejiang can get such a marvelous achievement so as to provide significant references and instructions for bamboo development for other countries who desire to learn technologies and know-how from China. The main contributions are concluded as below： 1） Quick progress of bamboo technology provides a strong back-up for bamboo industry development; 2） Governmental supports promote the balanced development of bamboo industry, including favorable policy, financial support; 3） Good relation of bamboo cultivation and processing; 4） Special soci-economic and humanitarian advantages for bamboo development, including good export environment, dynamic private economy, bamboo industry zone, excellent talents of bamboo; and 5） Quick expansion of international and domestic bamboo market stimulates and drives the development of bamboo industry

Impacts of competition and nitrogen addition on plant stoichiometry and non-structural carbohydrates in two larch species

Previous research has shown that competition between plants can have differential effects on leaf stoichiometry and non-structural carbohydrate(NSC)in different environments.However,little attention has been given to understanding these effects on non-photosynthetic organs,particularly of deciduous tree species.Here we assess the impact of competition on below and aboveground biomass,stoichiometry,nutrient composition and NSC in pure and mixed forests of two Larch species,Larix kaempferi and L.olgensis under nitrogen(N)addition.Nitrogen enrichment did not result in stronger intraspecific competition for both species and L.olgensis benefited from the presence of L.kaempferi under different N levels.Stems kept relatively stable C/N compared to roots and branches in response to competition,while N addition imposed stronger impacts on N/P of different organs rather than competition.In contrast to stable C concentrations,starch and soluble sugar concentrations were more easily impacted by competition and the addition of nitrogen.Competition forced L.kaempferi and L.olgensis to allocate more carbon into storage by increasing their starch concentration and starch/soluble sugar of stems under competition.However,no significant differences in stoichiometry and NSC concentration between intra-and interspecific competition were found.NSC and nutrient pools of L.kaempferi stems,branches and coarse roots consistently declined due to competition regardless of N addition.Coarse and fine roots of L.kaempferi accumulated more N when in competition with L.olgensis than with a conspecific neighbor under N addition.Our results show that NSC was more sensitive to competition relative to stoichiometric traits(N and P)of non-photosynthetic organs.

Microwave Drying of Scots Pine Lumber:Structure Changes,Its Effect on Liquid Permeability

Microwave(MW)drying method was adopted to enhance the liquid permeability of Scots pine lumber.Structure changes were characterized by stereoscope microscope,scanned electron microscope(SEM)and transmission electron microscope(TEM)examination.Pore parameters before and after MW treatment were detected by mercury intrusion porosimetry(MIP)method,and the effect of structure changes on liquid permeability were analyzed.As stereoscope microscope,SEM and TEM examination results showed,macro and micro checks mainly developed at intercellcular of tracheids,intercellular of ray parenchyma and tracheid,while these checks extend main along the radial-longitudinal plane.Pit border destruction,aspirated pits’orus translocation and micro-checks in tracheid cell wall were also observed.MIP test shown that pore volume and pore area increased as macro and micro checks generated to form new cavities.Microstructure changes would increase the quantity of pores or enlarge the pore diameter.Liquid flow pathways increased as macro and micro checks generated,aspirated pits reopened to form new pathways;liquid flow efficiency improved as porosity,pore volume and pore diameter increased which facilitated the liquid flow.

Effect of Nanocomposites Coatings on Exterior Performance of Bamboo during Aging

Bamboo deterioration caused by light becomes a significant problem as application of bamboo extends from indoor to outdoor.The color and roughness of bamboo are two important exterior performances.This study focused on UV resistant nano composites coatings for exterior use and what aimed to find a formulation which could enhance the durability of bamboo.Four kinds of film-forming materials and four kinds of nano particles were used to improve bamboo exterior performance.The color and roughness of nano composites coatings were measured during accelerated weathering.Artificial aging time was 174 h at the temperature of 50 ℃.The experiment showed nanocomposites coatings had significant improvement in UV-shielding and nearly all the samples presented a darkening tendency in ΔL* and increasing tendency in Δa*,ΔE* and ΔRa.The orthogonal experiment obtained the least change in color and Ra which could be achieved with nano composites coating made by melamine resin and TiO2 when a* was considered as an important index.Film-forming material was the only factor which had significant influence on color and roughness when a* was not considered as important index,then melamine resin was the best choice.

Oral administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG to newborn piglets augments gut barrier function in pre-weaning piglets

To understand the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG(ATCC 53103)on intestinal barrier function in pre-weaning piglets under normal conditions,twenty-four newborn littermate piglets were randomly divided into two groups.Piglets in the control group were orally administered with 2 mL 0.1 g/mL sterilized skim milk while the treatment group was administered the same volume of sterilized skim milk with the addition of viable L.rhamnosus at the 1st,3rd,and 5th days after birth.The feeding trial was conducted for 25 d.Results showed that piglets in the L.rhamnosus group exhibited increased weaning weight and average daily weight gain,whereas diarrhea incidence was decreased.The bacterial abundance and composition of cecal contents,especially Firmicutes,Bacteroidetes,and Fusobacteria,were altered by probiotic treatment.In addition,L.rhamnosus increased the jejunal permeability and promoted the immunologic barrier through regulating antimicrobial peptides,cytokines,and chemokines via Toll-like receptors.Our findings indicate that oral administration of L.rhamnosus GG to newborn piglets is beneficial for intestinal health of pre-weaning piglets by improving the biological,physical,and immunologic barriers of intestinal mucosa.

Effect of Saccharomyces boulardii and Bacillus subtilis B10 on gut microbiota modulation in broilers

The gut microbiota plays important roles in animal overall health and productiveness. Balancing host gut microbiota by probiotics has been documented. Our previous study showed that Saccharomyces boulardii(Sb) and Bacillus subtilis B10(Bs) significantly improve growth performance and modulate the intestinal histomorphology in broilers. To increase the knowledge regarding Sb and Bs, this study investigated the effects of these 2 probiotic strains on the gut microbiota in broilers. Three hundred 1-day-old Sanhuang broilers(Chinese cross breed) were randomly divided into 3 groups, each group with 5 replications(n = 20). The control group(CK) was fed a basal diet containing an antibiotic(virginiamycin, 20 mg/kg) and the other 2 groups received Sb and Bs(1 × 10~8cfu/kg of feed) in addition to the basal diet. After 72 d of treatment, pyrosequencing revealed that the bacterial communities varied along the section of intestinal tract in the control and Bs groups, but not in the Sb group. No difference in microbial diversity was observed among 3 groups. The major phyla observed along the GI tract of broilers(particularly in the duodenum and cecum) were Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia, which were considered potentially growth performance-related. Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia were observed at a much higher abundance in the jejunums and ileums of the Sb group(P < 0.05). In addition, the jejunal microbial communities formed 3 different clusters at either the genus level or the category of metabolism among the groups, based on the principal component analyses. These data indicated that Sb and Bs can modulate the microbial ecosystem, and subsequently enhance the health status of broilers.

Application of finite element analysis in properties test of finger-jointed lumber

Finger-jointed lumber production has now become the most extensively used method for spliced lumbers jointing together endwise.The properties of finger-jointed lumber are affected by many different factors such as the end-pressure.The main mechanical properties to be tested for struc-tural use finger-jointed lumber include the modulus of elasticity in static bending and the bending strength.The most commonly used method for testing these properties at present is the experi-mental test.In this study,we used finite element method to investigate the end-pressure range,the modulus of elasticity in static bending and the bending strength for Pinus sylvistriv var.finger-jointed lumber under three different fitness ratios(0 mm,0.1 mm,0.3 mm).With finite element analysis(FEA)modelling results compared with the experimental test results,it is possible to find the relationship between these two kinds of results and use the FEA to predict the properties of finger-jointed lumber.The FEA applied in the end pressure tests showed a narrower range com-pared with the modelling results.It indicated that the FEA could be used in the prediction of the end pressure for finger-jointed lumber.The modelling results for modulus of elasticity(MOE)test and bending strength(MOR)test showed about 20%discrepancies compared with the experimen-tal results.Moreover,the MOE modelling results showed the same trend as experimental results under three different fitness levels while the MOR modelling results showed the different trend.It can be concluded that the FEA is a feasible way in analysing the properties of finger-jointed lumber if the errors could be eliminated properly.Some modifications should be made in order to realize the prediction of the properties of finger-jointed lumber more accurately.

Assumption of Phyto-Hormone Regulation and Gene Activation of Phyllostachys praecox Flowering

By determination of the change of endogenous hormone Zr,iPA,GA3,IAA and ABA during different flower bud differentiation stages of Phyllostachys praecox,which is identified through both field observation and lab analysis,and with the reference to the previous research achievements on bamboo flowering,the flowering mechanism assumption of Phyto-Hormone Regulation and Gene Activation of Ph.praecox is induced in this article:Bamboo flower bud differentiation can be divided into 3 stages,i.e.flower bud induction,flower bud initiation and flower bud development;Bamboo leaves sense and receive flowering signals from environments to change its hormone level,esp.ratios of iPA/ABA and iPA/GA3;Flowering gene is activated once the ratios of iPA/ABA and iPA/GA3 reach a proper threshold,and it produces DNA and RNA carrying flowering code and transports them to top or side buds nearby,and then protein necessary for flower bud differentiation comes out,as a result of which the flower bud induction is trigged and started,followed by flower bud initiation and development.In the induction stage,ratio of C/N is nearly constant,but increases in the initiation stage.Therefore it clarifies that the rising of C/N ratio does not bring about bamboo flowering initially,and it is a follow-up reactions of process initiation of bamboo flowering.It proves that bamboo rhizome is directly involved in the flower bud differentiation.This assumption can well explain mysterious phenomena of bamboo flowering,and by integrating the current several assumptions,answer the difficult and perplexing questions regarding bamboo flowering which have not been answered by the present assumptions.