Relationship between Leaf Micro- and Macro-Nutrients in Top Canopy Trees in a Mixed Forest in the Upper Rio Negro in the Amazon Region

The mixed forests of the upper Rio Negro at the northern of the Amazon basin grow in oxisol soils that are extremely infertile. These areas exhibit deficiencies in several macro-nutrients, and may also be characterized by the shortage or toxic excess of some micronutrients. The overall goal of this research is to collect more comprehensive information regarding the micronutrient composition of the upper Rio Negro forests as well as discern the relationship between leaf micro- and macro-nutrients that may contribute to the homeostasis and balance of the ionome. Firstly, the nutrient composition within the oxisol soil and leaf tissues of two top canopy tree species from the mixed forests was determined. We then analyzed the relationship between leaf micronutrient composition with N and P levels of the two species and that of species inhabiting the Amazon caatinga. Extractable soil Zn, B, Mn and Cu were very low in the mixed forest. In contrast, Fe and Al levels were potentially toxic. The analysis of leaf N/P ratios revealed for the first time the co-limitation of N and P in the mixed forest. This contrasts with species from the adjacent Amazon caatinga toposequence that are characterized by strong N limitation. All micronutrients within leaves of species inhabiting the mixed forest were also found to have low concentrations. Moreover, Fe and Al were detected at concentrations well below those reported for accumulator species. This suggested that leaf ion homeostasis was maintained under potentially toxic soil Fe and Al conditions. Leaf micronutrient (Fe, Zn and B) contents mirrored that of leaf N and P contents, and comparable Fe/N, Fe/P, Zn/N, Zn/P, B/N as well as B/P ratios were found across species and forest types. Therefore, forest species exhibited the capability to maintain leaf nutrient balances under soil conditions with deficient or toxic levels of micronutrients.

The miR-9-5p/CXCL11 pathway is a key target of hydrogen sulfide-mediated inhibition of neuroinflammation in hypoxic ischemic brain injury

We previously showed that hydrogen sulfide(H2S)has a neuroprotective effect in the context of hypoxic ischemic brain injury in neonatal mice.However,the precise mechanism underlying the role of H2S in this situation remains unclear.In this study,we used a neonatal mouse model of hypoxic ischemic brain injury and a lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV2 cell model and found that treatment with L-cysteine,a H2S precursor,attenuated the cerebral infarction and cerebral atrophy induced by hypoxia and ischemia and increased the expression of miR-9-5p and cystathionineβsynthase(a major H2S synthetase in the brain)in the prefrontal cortex.We also found that an miR-9-5p inhibitor blocked the expression of cystathionineβsynthase in the prefrontal cortex in mice with brain injury caused by hypoxia and ischemia.Furthermore,miR-9-5p overexpression increased cystathionine-β-synthase and H2S expression in the injured prefrontal cortex of mice with hypoxic ischemic brain injury.L-cysteine decreased the expression of CXCL11,an miR-9-5p target gene,in the prefrontal cortex of the mouse model and in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV-2 cells and increased the levels of proinflammatory cytokines BNIP3,FSTL1,SOCS2 and SOCS5,while treatment with an miR-9-5p inhibitor reversed these changes.These findings suggest that H2S can reduce neuroinflammation in a neonatal mouse model of hypoxic ischemic brain injury through regulating the miR-9-5p/CXCL11 axis and restoringβ-synthase expression,thereby playing a role in reducing neuroinflammation in hypoxic ischemic brain injury.

Two Cobalt(II) Complexes Derived from the Hydrolysis Product of Di-Schiff Base Ligand N,N'-Bis-(1-benzimidazo-2-yl-ethylidene)-ethane-1,2-diamine:Preparation,Characterization and Crystal Structure of the 6-Coordinate Species [CoL_2]X·H_2O (X = ClO_4^-, N

The reactions of Co（C1O4）2·6H2O and Co（NO3）2.6H2O with the di-Schiff base ligand N,N＇-bis-（1-benzimidazo-2-yl-ethylidene）-ethane-1,2-diamine （LA） in ethanol have been investigated. The reactions of LA with excess amount of cobalt salts yield the six-coordinate complexes [CoL2]（ClO4）E·H2O 1 and [CoL2]（NO3）E·H2O 2 as isolatable products （L= N-（1- benzimidazo-2-yl-ethylidene）-ethane-1,2-diamine）, where L is a tri-dentate mono-Schiff base ligand, resulting from the hydrolysis of the precursor di-Schiff base LA. Both complexes were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Crystal data for complex 1： monoclinic, space group P21/c, a = 11.9214（10）, b = 23.5828（17）, c = 14.0387（12）A, β = 135.219（4）°, C22H30Cl2CoN8O9, Mr = 680.37, V = 2780.1（4） A^3 ,Z = 4, Dc = 1.625 g/cm^3,μ（MoKa） = 0.876 mm^-1, F（000） = 1404, the final R = 0.0725 and wR = 0.1530 for 5726 observed reflections （I 〉 2σ（I））. Crystal data for complex 2： monoclinic, space group P21/c, a = 18.2162（16）, b = 10.0610（6）, c = 18.593（2）A, β = 130.099（3）°, C22H30CoN10O7, Mr = 605.49, V = 2606.5（4） A3 Z = 4, Dc = 1.543 g/cm^3,μ（MoKa） = 0.722 mm^-1, F（000） = 1260, the final R = 0.0619 and wR = 0.1429 for 5194 observed reflections （I 〉 2σ（I））. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that each cobalt atom in the two complexes is chelated by six nitrogen atoms from two tridentate iigands L, exhibiting a slightly distorted octahedral coordination sphere. In both complexes, the strong hydrogen-bonding interactions between the lattice waters and N-H groups of the ligands result in 1D chains which are further connected by ClO4^- （or NO3^-） groups to form a 3D framework. In complex 2, the strong π-π interactions increase the stability of the structure.

Silicon and III-V Solar Cells: From Modus Vivendi to Modus Operandi

In the present paper, some novel opportunities for the development of high-efficient Si and III-V-based solar cells are considered: energy-saving environment friendly low-temperature technology of forming p-n junctions in Si (1), elaboration of structurally perfect GaAs/Ge/Si epitaxial substrates (2) and application of protective antireflecting coatings based on cubic zirconia (3). As a result: 1) New technique of forming p-n junctions in silicon has been elaborated. The technique provided easy and comparatively cheap process of production of semiconductor devices such as solar cells. The essence of the technique under the study is comprised in formation p-n junctions in silicon by a change of conductivity in the bulk of the sample occurring as a result of redistribution of the impurities, which already exists in the sample before its processing by ions. It differs from the techniques of diffusion and ion doping where change of conductivity and formation of p-n junction in the sample occur as a result of introduction of atoms of the other dopants from the outside;2) The conditions for synthesis of GaAs/Ge/Si epitaxial substrates with a thin (200 nm) Ge buffer layer featured with (1 - 2) × 105 cm-2 density of the threading dislocation in the GaAs layer. Ge buffer was obtained by chemical vapor deposition with a hot wire and GaAs layer of 1 μm thick was grown by the metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Root mean square surface roughness of GaAs layers of the less than 1 nm and good photoluminescence properties along with their high uniformity were obtained;3) The conditions ensuring the synthesis of uniform functional (buffer, insulating and protective) fianite layers on Si and GaAs substrates by means of magnetron and electron-beam sputtering have been determined. Fianite films have been shown to be suitable for the use as an ideal anti-reflecting material with high protective and anticorrosive properties.

Comparison of the S-, N- or P-Deprivations’ Impacts on Stomatal Conductance, Transpiration and Photosynthetic Rate of Young Maize Leaves

Seven-day-old maize (Zea mays) plants were grown hydroponically for ten days in deprived nutrient solutions against the corresponding control grown under full nutrition;the effects of S-, N- or P-deprivation on laminas’ mean stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E) and photosynthetic rate (A) were monitored, along with the impact on the laminas’ total dry mass (DM), water amount (W), length and surface area (Sa). Furthermore, a time series analysis of each parameter’s response ratios (Rr), i.e. the treatment’s value divided by the corresponding control’s one, was performed. Under S-deprivation, the Rr of laminas’ mean gs, E, and A presented oscillations within a ±15% fluctuation zone, notably the “control” zone, whilst those of laminas’ total DM, water amount, surface area, and length included oscillation during the first days and deviation later on, presenting deviation during d10. Under the N-deprivation conditions all Rr time courses except the A one, included early deviations from the control zone without recovering. The deviation from the control zone appeared at d4. Under P-deprivation, all Rr time courses represented oscillations within the control zone. P-deprivation’s patterns resembled those of S-deprivation. Compared to the one of the S-deprivation, the P-one’s oscillations took place within a broader zone. Linear relationships among the various Rr patterns were found between gs-E, gs-A, E-A, DM-W and DM-Sa. In conclusion, the impact of P-deprivation appeared in an early stage and included an alleviation action, the one of N-deprivation appeared early with no alleviation action, whilst that of S-deprivation appeared later, being rather weaker when compared to the impact of the P-deprivation’s impact.

Correlations and stoichiometric characteristics of C,N,and P contents in Juniperus saltuaria plants,litter,and soil in the Sygera Mountains,southeastern Xizang,China

Research on the multicomponent synergistic relationships between plants,litter,and soil from the perspective of ecological stoichiometry helps to understand nutrient cycling and distribution mechanisms within ecosystems.This study focused on Juniperus saltuaria,the dominant tree species in the forestline ecotone of Sygera Mountains,southeastern Xizang,China.We systematically measured and analyzed the Carbon(C),nitrogen(N),and phosphorus(P)contents and their relationships in plants(leaves,branches,trunks,fine roots),litter(undecomposed layer,partially decomposed layer,fully decomposed layer),and soil(0-10 cm,10-20 cm,20-40 cm)at different slope positions.The results showed significant differences in the C,N,and P contents and stoichiometry of plants and soil at different slope positions,while no significant differences were observed among litter layers.At the same slope position,the C,N,and P contents in leaves and surface soil were the highest,with soil nutrients significantly decreasing with increasing depth.For litter,the C content in the undecomposed layer was significantly higher than that in the partially and fully decomposed layers while the P content showed the opposite trend.Surface soil(0-20 cm)exhibited a decoupled relationship with plants but a coupled relationship with litter while deep soil(20-40 cm)showed a coupled relationship with plants.J.saltuaria showed faster growth rates on uphill slope.In this study area,J.saltuaria exhibited consistent trends of N,P,and N:P ratios homeostasis across different slope positions and organs,with leaves and fine roots both limited by N.Significant interactive effects between plants,litter,and soil nutrients were observed across different slope positions.Positive correlations were found between leaf and litter,and between fine root and leaf while the relationships between litter and soil,and between soil and fine root,varied.This study helps improve our understanding of the nutrient interactions between plants,litter,and soil in dominant species of alpine forest ecosystems,as well as their ecological adaptation mechanisms.

Effects of Vegetation Restoration Age on Soil C:N:P Stoichiometry in Yellow River Delta Coastal Wetland of China

Vegetation restoration can alter carbon(C),nitrogen(N),and phosphorus(P)cycles in coastal wetlands affecting C:N:P stoichiometry.However,the effects of restoration age on soil C:N:P stoichiometry are unclear.In this study,we examined the re-sponses of soil C,N,and P contents and their stoichiometric ratios to vegetation restoration age,focusing on below-ground processes and their relationships to aboveground vegetation community characteristics.We conducted an analysis of temporal gradients based on the'space for time'method to synthesize the effects of restoration age on soil C:N:P stoichiometry in the Yellow River Delta wetland of China.The findings suggest that the combined effects of restoration age and soil depth create complex patterns of shifting soil C:N:P stoichiometry.Specifically,restoration age significantly increased all topsoil C:N:P stoichiometries,except for soil total phosphorus(TP)and the C:N ratio,and slightly affected subsoil C:N:P stoichiometry.The effects of restoration age on the soil C:N ratio was well constrained owing to the coupled relationship between soil organic carbon(SOC)and total nitrogen(TN)contents,while soil TP con-tent was closely related to changes in plant species diversity.Importantly,we found that the topsoil C:N:P stoichiometry was signific-antly affected by plant species diversity,whereas the subsoil C:N:P stoichiometry was more easily regulated by pH and electric con-ductivity(EC).Overall,this study shows that vegetation restoration age elevated SOC and N contents and alleviated N limitation,which is useful for further assessing soil C:N:P stoichiometry in coastal restoration wetlands.

Influence of Deformation on CVC p-n-Junction in a Strong Microwave Field

This paper investigates the current-voltage characteristics (CVC) strain of p-n-junction in a strong microwave (MW) field and shows that the deformation increases the current generated in the p-n-junction. We analyze the current-voltage characteristics of p-n-junction in which three-dimensional space (I,U,e) gives more complete information than the two-dimensional.

高压管汇材料疲劳性能测试及P-S-N模型曲线的拟合

高压管汇作为压裂设备中的主要易损件之一,其失效危害较大。它的失效原因主要是疲劳、冲蚀、腐蚀或者材料缺陷引起的刺漏和爆裂,其中尤以疲劳失效最不可预估。目前,对于高压管汇材料的疲劳性能研究不够深入,为解决高压管汇材料疲劳寿命的准确描述问题,以某国产高压管汇材料为例,进行了一系列疲劳试验,并基于试验数据,采用多种分布模型和不同S-N模型进行拟合分析,得出综合评价拟合能力最强的P-S-N模型。结果表明,该材料在中长疲劳寿命区,Weibull三参数模型在7级应力水平下综合评价能力最好;在存活率分别为50%、90%、99%、99.9%时,指数S-N模型的拟合系数均大于0.98,拟合能力最好。得出的P-S-N模型曲线可以为高压管汇的疲劳寿命以及安全设计提供依据。

Field Soil Respiration Rate on a Sub-Antarctic Island: Its Relation to Site Characteristics and Response to Added C, N and P

Botanical, soil chemistry and soil microbiology variables were tested as predictors of in situ soil respiration rate in the various terrestrial habitats on sub-Antarctic Marion Island (47oS, 38oE). Inorganic P and total N concentration were the best predictors amongst the chemistry variables and bacteria plate count the best of the microbiology variables. However, while these chemistry and microbiology variables could accurately predict soil respiration rate for particular habitats, they proved inadequate predictors across the whole range of habitats. The best suite of predictors comprised only botanical variables (relative covers of five plant guilds) and accounted for 94% of the total across-habitat variation in soil respiration rate. Mean field soil respiration rates (2.1 - 15.5 mmol CO2 m-2 h-1) for habitats not influenced by seabirds or seals are similar to rates in comparable Northern Hemisphere tundra habitats. Seabird and seal manuring enhances soil respiration rates to values (up to 27.6 mmol CO2 m-2 h-1) higher than found at any tundra site. Glucose, N, P or N plus P were added to three habitats with contrasting soil types;a fellfield with mineral, nutrient-poor soil, a mire with organic, nutrient-poor soil and a shore-zone herbfield heavily manured by penguins and with organic, nutrient-rich soil. Glucose addition stimulated soil respiration in the fellfield and mire (especially the former) but not in the coastal herbfield soil. N and P, alone or together, did not stimulate respiration at any of the habitats, but adding glucose to fellfield soils that had previously been fortified with P or NP caused a similar increase in respiration rate, which was greater than the increase when adding glucose to soils fortified only with N. This suggests that fellfield soil respiration is limited by P rather than N, and that there is no synergism between the two nutrients. For the mire and coastal herbfield, adding glucose to soils previously fortified with N, P or NP did not enhance rates more than adding glucose to soils that had received no nutrient pre-treatment.

The Effect of Light on the CVC of Strained p-n-Junction in a Strong Microwave Field

For the first time the effect of light on the CVC of strained p-n-junction in a strong microwave field is examined. It is shown that the deformation and the microwave field increase the current through p-n-junction, and the light decreases it. The mechanism of this phenomenon is explained by the fact that under heating of the charge carriers by microwave field the recombination current arises, and under the action of light the generation current arises which are directed oppositely. And under the influence of the deformation the band gap of the semiconductor will be changed.

Random Subspace Learning Approach to High-Dimensional Outliers Detection

We introduce and develop a novel approach to outlier detection based on adaptation of random subspace learning. Our proposed method handles both high-dimension low-sample size and traditional low-dimensional high-sample size datasets. Essentially, we avoid the computational bottleneck of techniques like Minimum Covariance Determinant (MCD) by computing the needed determinants and associated measures in much lower dimensional subspaces. Both theoretical and computational development of our approach reveal that it is computationally more efficient than the regularized methods in high-dimensional low-sample size, and often competes favorably with existing methods as far as the percentage of correct outlier detection are concerned.

GENERALIZED FORELLI-RUDIN TYPE OPERATORS BETWEEN SEVERAL FUNCTION SPACES ON THE UNIT BALL OF C^(N)

In this paper,we investigate sufficient and necessary conditions such that generalized Forelli-Rudin type operators T_(λ,τ,k),S_(λ,τ,k),Q_(λ,τ,k)and R_(λ,τ,k)are bounded between Lebesgue type spaces.In order to prove the main results,we first give some bidirectional estimates for several typical integrals.

Pivotal role of long non-coding ribonucleic acid-X-inactive specific transcript in regulating immune checkpoint programmed death ligand 1 through a shared pathway between miR-194-5p and miR-155-5p in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Anti-programmed death therapy has thrust immunotherapy into the spotlight.However,such therapy has a modest response in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Epigenetic immunomodulation is a suggestive combinatorial therapy with immune checkpoint blockade.Non-coding ribonucleic acid(ncRNA)driven regulation is a major mechanism of epigenetic modulation.Given the wide range of ncRNAs that co-opt in programmed cell-death protein 1(PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1(PD-L1)regulation,and based on the literature,we hypothesized that miR-155-5p,miR-194-5p and long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)X-inactive specific transcript(XIST)and MALAT-1 are involved in a regulatory upstream pathway for PD-1/PD-L1.Recently,nutraceutical therapeutics in cancers have received increasing attention.Thus,it is interesting to study the impact of oleuropein on the respective study key players.AIM To explore potential upstream regulatory ncRNAs for the immune checkpoint PD-1/PD-L1.METHODS Bioinformatics tools including microrna.org and lnCeDB software were adopted to detect targeting of miR-155-5p,miR-194-5p and lncRNAs XIST and MALAT-1 to PD-L1 mRNA,respectively.In addition,Diana tool was used to predict targeting of both aforementioned miRNAs to lncRNAs XIST and MALAT-1.HCC and normal tissue samples were collected for scanning of PD-L1,XIST and MALAT-1 expression.To study the interaction among miR-155-5p,miR-194-5p,lncRNAs XIST and MALAT-1,as well as PD-L1 mRNA,a series of transfections of the Huh-7 cell line was carried out.RESULTS Bioinformatics software predicted that miR-155-5p and miR-194-5p can target PDL1,MALAT-1 and XIST.MALAT-1 and XIST were predicted to target PD-L1 mRNA.PD-L1 and XIST were significantly upregulated in 23 HCC biopsies compared to healthy controls;however,MALAT-1 was barely detected.MiR-194 induced expression elevated the expression of PD-L1,XIST and MALAT-1.However,overexpression of miR-155-5p induced the upregulation of PD-L1 and XIST,while it had a negative impact on MALAT-1 expression.Knockdown of XIST did have an impact on PD-L1 expression;however,following knockdown of the negative regulator of X-inactive specific transcript(TSIX),PD-L1 expression was elevated,and abolished MALAT-1 activity.Upon co-transfection of miR-194-5p with siMALAT-1,PD-L1 expression was elevated.Co-transfection of miR-194-5p with siXIST did not have an impact on PD-L1 expression.Upon co-transfection of miR-194 with siTSIX,PD-L1 expression was upregulated.Interestingly,the same PD-L1 expression pattern was observed following miR-155-5p cotransfections.Oleuropein treatment of Huh-7 cells reduced the expression profile of PD-L1,XIST,and miR-155-5p,upregulated the expression of miR-194-5p and had no significant impact on the MALAT-1 expression profile.CONCLUSION This study reported a novel finding revealing that opposing acting miRNAs in HCC,have the same impact on PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint by sharing a common signaling pathway.

Atmospheric nitrogen deposition affects forest plant and soil system carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus stoichiometric flexibility:A meta-analysis

Background:Nitrogen(N)deposition affects forest stoichiometric flexibility through changing soil nutrient availability to influence plant uptake.However,the effect of N deposition on the flexibility of carbon(C),N,and phosphorus(P)in forest plant-soil-microbe systems remains unclear.Methods:We conducted a meta-analysis based on 751 pairs of observations to evaluate the responses of plant,soil and microbial biomass C,N and P nutrients and stoichiometry to N addition in different N intensity(050,50–100,>100 kg·ha^(-1)·year^(-1)of N),duration(0–5,>5 year),method(understory,canopy),and matter(ammonium N,nitrate N,organic N,mixed N).Results:N addition significantly increased plant N:P(leaf:14.98%,root:13.29%),plant C:P(leaf:6.8%,root:25.44%),soil N:P(13.94%),soil C:P(10.86%),microbial biomass N:P(23.58%),microbial biomass C:P(12.62%),but reduced plant C:N(leaf:6.49%,root:9.02%).Furthermore,plant C:N:P stoichiometry changed significantly under short-term N inputs,while soil and microorganisms changed drastically under high N addition.Canopy N addition primarily affected plant C:N:P stoichiometry through altering plant N content,while understory N inputs altered more by influencing soil C and P content.Organic N significantly influenced plant and soil C:N and C:P,while ammonia N changed plant N:P.Plant C:P and soil C:N were strongly correlated with mean annual precipitation(MAT),and the C:N:P stoichiometric flexibility in soil and plant under N addition connected with soil depth.Besides,N addition decoupled the correlations between soil microorganisms and the plant.Conclusions:N addition significantly increased the C:P and N:P in soil,plant,and microbial biomass,reducing plant C:N,and aggravated forest P limitations.Significantly,these impacts were contingent on climate types,soil layers,and N input forms.The findings enhance our comprehension of the plant-soil system nutrient cycling mechanisms in forest ecosystems and plant strategy responses to N deposition.

Electro-assisted photocatalytic reduction of CO_(2) in ambient air using Ag/TNTAs at the gas-solid interface

The direct conversion of atmospheric CO_(2) into fuel via photocatalysis exhibits significant practical application value in advancing the carbon cycle.In this study,we established an electro-assisted photocatalytic system with dual compartments and interfaces,and coated Ag nanoparticles on the titanium nanotube arrays(TNTAs)by polydopamine modification.In the absence of sacrificial agent and alkali absorption liquid conditions,the stable,efficient and highly selective conversion of CO_(2) to CO at the gas-solid interface in ambient air was realized by photoelectric synergy.Specifically,with the assistance of potential,the CO formation rates reached 194.9μmol h^(−1) m^(−2) and 103.9μmol h^(−1) m^(−2) under ultraviolet and visible light irradiation,respectively;the corresponding CO_(2) conversion rates in ambient air were 30%and 16%,respectively.The excellent catalytic effect is mainly attributed to the formation of P–N heterojunction during the catalytic process and the surface plasmon resonance effect.Additionally,the introduction of solid agar electrolytes effectively inhibits the hydrogen evolution reaction and improves the electron utilization rate.This system promotes the development of photocatalytic technology for practical applications and provides new insights and support for the carbon cycle.

Cycling of Carbon and Other Elements in a Beech Forest Hestehave, Jutland, Denmark, in the Past 50 Years

Plant biomass, primary production and mineral cycling in the beech forest (Fagus sylvatica L.), Hestehave in Jutland, Denmark were studied over a 50-year period. The role of the forest as a carbon sink was also assessed. Aboveground tree biomass was 226 t·ha-1 in 1970 and after a 50-year 539 t·ha-1 in 2014, an unexpected increase with 313 t·ha-1. Annual production at those two points in time was 13.4 and 20.5 t·ha-1, respectively. It was apparent that the tree biomass was still acting as a sink for carbon, which was the dominant element in the aboveground parts. The concentration of other elements (N > K > Mg > P > S > Na > Mn > Zn > Fe > Cu) ranged from 495 to 0.4 kg·ha-1. Annual litterfall restored 3.2 t·ha-1 to the soil as organic matter or 1.6 t·ha-1 as carbon. Over the year 53% of the litterfall was decomposed. A pH decrease of 0.95 units in the soil was observed between 1968 and 1993. This was attributed to fallout from a neighbouring thermal heating station affecting sulfur deposition and increasing soil acidification. After 1993, when filters were fitted in the heating station, the pH decrease in the soil was smaller, only 0.09 pH-units up to 2011. The increased tree growth is an additional, likely explanation for the observed soil acidification. Deposition of the growth-limiting element nitrogen increased during later years and is now, most likely around 20 kg·ha-1 per annum, which may partly contribute to the increased production.

Effects of tree size and organ age on variations in carbon,nitrogen,and phosphorus stoichiometry in Pinus koraiensis

Carbon(C),nitrogen(N),and phosphorus(P)are of fundamental importance for growth and nutrient dynamics within plant organs and deserve more attention at regional to global scales.However,our knowledge of how these nutrients vary with tree size,organ age,or root order at the individual level remains limited.We determined C,N,and P contents and their stoichiometric ratios(i.e.,nutrient traits)in needles,branches,and fine roots at different organ ages(0-3-year-old needles and branches)and root orders(1st-4th order roots)from 64 Pinus koraiensis of varying size(Diameter at breast height ranged from 0.3 to 100 cm)in northeast China.Soil factors were also measured.The results show that nutrient traits were regulated by tree size,organ age,or root order rather than soil factors.At a whole-plant level,nutrient traits decreased in needles and fine roots but increased in branches with tree size.At the organ level,age or root order had a negative effect on C,N,and P and a positive effect on stoichiometric ratios.Our results demonstrate that nutrient variations are closely related to organ-specific functions and ecophysiological processes at an individual level.It is suggested that the nutrient acquisition strategy by younger trees and organ fractions with higher nutrient content is for survival.Conversely,nutrient storage strategy in older trees and organ fractions are mainly for steady growth.Our results clarified the nutrient utilization strategies during tree and organ ontogeny and suggest that tree size and organ age or root order should be simultaneously considered to understand the complexities of nutrient variations.

Study on the optimal incident proton energy of ^(7)Li(p,n)^(7)Be neutron source for boron neutron capture therapy

Boron neutron capture therapy(BNCT)is recognized as a precise binary targeted radiotherapy technique that effectively eliminates tumors through the^(10)B(n,α)^(7)Li nuclear reaction.Among various neutron sources,accelerator-based sources have emerged as particularly promising for BNCT applications.The^(7)Li(p,n)^(7)Be reaction is highly regarded as a potential neutron source for BNCT,owing to its low threshold energy for the reaction,significant neutron yield,appropriate average neutron energy,and additional benefits.This study utilized Monte Carlo simulations to model the physical interactions within a lithium target subjected to proton bombardment,including neutron moderation by an MgF_(2)moderator and subsequent BNCT dose analysis using a Snyder head phantom.The study focused on calculating the yields of epithermal neutrons for various incident proton energies,finding an optimal energy at 2.7 MeV.Furthermore,the Snyder head phantom was employed in dose simulations to validate the effectiveness of this specific incident energy when utilizing a^(7)Li(p,n)^(7)Be neutron source for BNCT purposes.

Wound Healing Is a First Response in a Cancerous Pathway: Hyperplasia Developments to 4n Cell Cycling in Dysplasia Linked to Rb-Inactivation

In a series of publications, the hypothesis of a special-type of endo-polyploidy, marked by 4-chromatid chromosomes (diplochromosomes), in the initiation of tumorigenesis has been presented from in vitro experiments. This review uses cellular happenings in benign pre-neoplasia to substantiate this idea, which appears to be linked to the wound-healing process of injured tissue. Rarer association between a wound healing process and a cancer occurrence has long been known. The wound healing multi-program-system involved a phase of tetraploidy that showed diplochromosomes. The hypothesis is that the inflammatory phase may not always be sufficient in getting rid of dead and damaged cells (by apoptosis and autophagy), such that cells with genomic damage (DNA breakage) may survive by genomic repair associated with change to diplochromosomal tetraploidy. In vitro data have shown division of these cells to be an orderly, mechanistic two-step, meiotic-like system, resulting in only two types of progeny cells: 4n/4C/G1 and 2n/2C/G1 pseudo-diploid cells with hyperplastic-like growth-morphology. In vivo damage to tissues can be from many sources for example, physical, toxic environment or from a disease as in Barrett’s esophagus (BE) with acid reflux into the esophagus. For this condition, it is acknowledged that damage of the esophagus lining is a pre-condition to hyperplastic lesions of pre-neoplasia. These initial lesions were from “diploid” propagating cells and, 4n cells with G2 genomic content (no mitosis) accumulated in these lesions before a change to dysplasia. Cell cycle kinetics put these 4n cells in G1, which with S-phase entry would lead to asymmetric tetraploid mitoses, characteristic for dysplastic lesions. This change in hyperplasia to dysplasia is the root-essential condition for a potential progression of pre-neoplasia to cancer. In BE the hyperplastic lesion showed increasing gains of cells with inactivated p53 and p16[ink4a] genes, which destroyed the retinoblastoma (Rb) protein-control over S-phase entry from G1. Rb-protein is a key controller of cycling advancement from G1 (also for normal cells), and is frequently inactivated in tumor cells. Thus in BE, 4n/4C/G1 cells with mutated p53 and p16[ink4a] genes gained cycling ability to tetraploid aneuploid cell cycles, which constituted the change from hyperplasia to dysplastic lesions. In general, such lesions have high predictive value for a cancerous change. Proliferation rates of pre-neoplasia and progression have been shown to be increased by a component of the wound healing program.