Effects of Sunflower Artificial Aging on Seed Vigor and Physiological Characteristics

[Objective]The aim was to study the effects of sunflower artificial aging on seed vigor and physiological characteristics.[Method] The varieties of seed germination capacity,vigor of germination,germination index,vigor index,peroxidase（POD） activity,superoxide dismutase（SOD） activity and malondialdehyde（MDA） content for four sunflower germplasms such as＇SunM20＇,＇Deep Purple Minle＇,＇Da San Kui Hua 4＇and＇Ji Kui 24＇were studied under high temperature and high humidity conditions（100% RH,45 ℃） for different days（0 d,2 d,4 d,6 d,8 d,10 d）.[Result]The result showed that the germination capacity,vigor of germination,germination index,vigor index,POD activity,SOD activity declined gradually with the increase of seed aging days,whereas MDA content enhanced by degrees;The diggerences of resistance to artifical aging existed among the four accessions,＇SunM20＇was the most resistant one,and exhibited the strongest seed vigor,highest activities of two protective enzyme（POD,SOD） and lowest content of MDA at the uniform condition,moreover,the seed vigor and protective enzyme activities of＇SunM20＇changed slowest among the four materials during the aging process.[Conclusion]The distinct reduction of POD,SOD activities maybe the main reasons for the decrease of sunflower seed vigor at the artificial aging,and the gradual accumulation of a few MDA accelerated seeds aging.

Physiological Basis of Photosynthetic Tolerance to Photooxidation and Shading in Rice

Thirty genotypes from rice germplasm were identified under photooxidation and shading condition and divided into four basic types : (1) cultivars tolerant to both photooxidation and shading, (2) cultivars tolerant to photooxidation but sensitive to shading, (3) cultivars tolerant to shading but sensitive to photooxidation, and (4) cultivars sensitive to photooxidation and shading. A comparative study of photosynthetic characteristics of a cultivar (cv. Wuyujing 3) that is tolerant and a cultivar (cv. Xiangxian) that is sensitive to both photoinhibition and shading showed that the photochemical efficiency of PSⅡ ( F v/F m ) and the content of PSⅡ_D1 protein in the tolerant cultivar “Wuyujing 3” decreased less under photoinhibition conditions as compared with “Xiangxian”. Under photooxidation conditions, superoxide dismutase was induced rapidly to a higher level and the active oxygen O - built up to a lower level in “Wuyujing 3” than in “Xiangxian”. At the same time, the photosynthetic rate decreased by 23% in “Wuyujing 3” vs. 64% in “Xiangxian”. Shading (20% natural light) during the booting stage caused only small decreases (7%-13%) in RuBisCO activity and the photosynthetic rate in “Wuyujing 3” but showed marked decreases (57%-64%) in “Xiangxian” which corresponded to the decreases in grain yield in the two cultivars (38% and 73%, respectively). The correlation analysis showed that the tolerance to photooxidation is mainly related to PSⅡ_D1 and that to shading is mainly related to RuBisCO activity. This study provided a simple and effective screening method and physiological basis for crop breeding in enhancing tolerance to both high and low radiation.

Physiological Analysis of Two Arabidopsis thaliana Mutants in Response to CO2

[Objective] The 15urpose was to seek for the different phenotypes between wild type and Arabidopsis Mutants in response to CO2. [Method] The epidermis bioassays and seed germination test were carried out to analyze the physiological characteristics of two Arabidopsis mu- tants and their wild type. [Result] There existed distinct differences in stomata apertures, water loss and leaf temperature compared with wild type except for stomata density. In addition, seed germination test on the medium indicated that cdfl was insensitive to ABA, mannitol and NaCI, but cdsl performed contrary to cdil. [ Conclusion] There are some different physiological characteristics between wild type and mutants.

Screening of a Novel Bioflocculant-producing Strain and Research on Its Flocculation

[Objective] This study aimed to screen a bacterial strain capable of producing bioflocculant. [Method] A bacterial strain T-11 capable of producing bioflocculant was isolated from activated sludge. Detailed tests on the morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics were carried out and identification was performed to identify the strain. Finally, the bioflocculant was isolated and purified, and the flocculating activity and chemical characteristics were measured. [Result] It was identified as Serratia plumuthica based on its morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics. This strain secreted flocculant best in a culture medium which included sucrose and NaNO3. The maximal cell growth was achieved within 10 h and the flocculating activity paralleled to it. It was found to be effective for flocculation of kaolin suspension, when added at a final concentration of 0.7 mg/L, over a range of pHs （2-7）, and temperature （approximately 30-80 ℃）. Chemical analysis indicated that the bioflocculant was an acidic polysaccharide consisting of glucose, glucuronic acid and galactose, talose and altrose. Infrared spectrum analysis also revealed typical characteristics of polysaccharides. [Conclusion] The biofloccu- lants produced by strain T-11 can greatly improve the ability of activated sludge to settle.

Effect of High Temperature on Outcrossing Characteristics at the Fertility Sensitive Period of Photo-thermo Sensitive Genic Male Sterile (PTGMS) Rice Lines

Four sterile lines （Peiai64S, Y58S, Guangzhan 63-2S and H638S） and the restoring line R527 were used as materials. Five temperature gradients （24, 27, 30, 33 and 36 ℃ in artificial climate chamber） and the natural temperature （as control） were treated to the four sterile lines for 6 d in the fertility sensitive period of heading to flowering stage, respectively, to study the effects of temperature on physiological biochemical characteristics of young panicles and outcrossing characteristics. The results showed that the percentages of exerted stigma of Peiai 64S and Y58S were the highest at 27 ℃, which were 86.81% and 86.06%, respectively, while the percentages of exerted stigma of Guangzhan 63-2S and H638S were the highest at 24 ℃, which were 76.24% and 81.76%, respectively; the stigma viability of Peiai 64S, Y58S, Guangzhan 63-2S and H638S were the best at 24 ℃, which were 1.96, 2.12, 1.74 and 1.94, respectively; the outcrossing rates of Peiai 64S, Guangzhan 63-2S and H638S were the highest at 24 ℃, which were 58.87%, 54.22% and 50.50%, respectively, while the outcrossing rate of Y58S was the highest at 27 ℃, which was 58.96%; and the contents of peroxidase （POD） of the four sterile lines increased significantly at 33 ℃ compared with the control, while the contents of malondialdehyde （MDA） and proline increased significantly at 36 ℃ compared with the control. There were differences in temperature sensitivity between the male sterile lines, and the 24 ℃ treatment during the sensitive period was the best for the fertility sensitive period of Peiai 64S, while 27 ℃ was the best temperature for Y58S, Gangzhan 63-2S and H638S.

Isolation and Identification of a Flocculant Producing Strain TS-1

[Objective] The purpose was to select out and identify a flocculant producing strain which could produce high active flocculant.[Method] The strain producing high active flocculant was isolated out and purified through medium culture and the selected strain was identified through observing its culture characters and determining its physiological and biochemical property.[Result] Fourteen strains of bacteria with flocculant producing function were isolated from tested soil samples through isolation,purification and preliminary screening using dilution-spread plate method and plate streaking method.Five strains of flocculant producing bacteria showing higher flocculation activity were selected out after second screening and their flocculation rates were higher than 70%;the flocculation activity of one strain among them was still stable after multiple subculturings,its flocculation rate was always above 90% and it was marked as TS-1.TS-1 was encapsulated Gram-positive bacillus and there was no lipid in it,such as poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid.TS-1 was Bacillus amyloliquefaciens,so it was named Bacillus TS-1.[Conclusion] The strain selected out in this experiment could be used in the flocculation and biochemical treatment of wastewater from starch industry.

Physiological and Biochemical Characteristic of a Stripe Mutant with Abnormal Flower Organs in Rice

[Objective] The experiment aimed to explore physiological and biochemical changes of leaves after plants were mutated. [Method] A rice double mutant with stripes on stems, leaves and spikelets were taken as experimental materials to study the enzyme activity changes in different growth stages and amino acid variation in rice. [ Result] The SOD activity in mutant was higher than that in wild plant at tillering metaphase, but lower than that in wild type before heading stage and late flowering; the POD activity in three stages increased firstly then declined and the activity showed highest maximal activity at before heading stage. However, the POD activity in wild type showed the opposite change trend; the CAT activity presented degression at three stages, especially high at tillering metaphase, but reverse changes in wild type; the MDA activity decreased at three stages, but it was still higher than that in wild type, besides, the soluble sugar content of mutant was lower, but total amino acid content was increased. [ Conclusion] The expression of mutant characteristics was correlated with SOD, POD, CAT and MDA activity Changes and these changes made the mutant survive and rice quality change at last.

Effects of Water Deficit and Increased Nitrogen Application in the Late Growth Stage on Physiological Characters of Anti-aging of Leaves in Different Hybrid Rice Varieties

[Objective] This study aimed to explore the effects of water and fertilizer regulation on the function of leaves in the filling stage. [Method] Six hybrid rice vari- eties including prematurely aged types and non-prematurely aged ones were selected as experimental materials. Limiting water treatment （with soil water potential of about -25 kpa） and increasing nitrogen treatment （additional 10% of granular nitrogen fertiliz- er in addition to limiting water treatment） were applied after heading to analyse the rates of aging and physiological responses of anti-aging in different hybrid rice vari- eties under water deficit and increased nitrogen conditions taking regular water and fertilizer as control. [Result] The results showed that water deficit accelerated the leaf senescence, and prematurely aged types-＇Zhongyou838＇, ＇Tianyou998＇ and ＇Long- ping601 ＇-were more markedly affected by water deficit, of which the rates of chloro- phyll degradation were 6%-8% higher compared to that in another three hybrids. In- creasing nitrogen treatment raised chlorophyll content and slowed down its degrada- tion. Water deficit caused the increase of abscisic acid （ABA） content to obviously varying degrees in leaves of six hybried rice varieties. Responses of ABA content in six hybried rice varieties to increased nitrogen fertilizer were not consistent. Except in ＇Zhongyou838＇, ABA content in the other five hybrids had varying degrees of in- crease. The responses of the activity of antioxidant enzymes in different hybried rice varieties were inconsistent. In response to increased nitrogen fertilizer in combination with water deficit, the activity of each antioxidant enzyme changed differently. Water deficit enhanced the accumulation of malondialdehyde （MDA） in leaves of each hybrid rice. The correlation analysis showed that chlorophyll content was extremely signifi- cantly positively correlated to the resistance of each antioxidant enzyme; SOD activity in leaves also positively related to ABA content. [Conclusion] The rate of leaf aging, physiological activity of anti-aging, and response to water deficit varied in different hy- bried rice varieties. The activity of antioxidant enzymes were not all induced to improve by ABA. SOD activity can be an indicator of resistance to stress. Increasing nitrogen ap- plication significantly postponed leave senescence in the late growth stage of rice.

Differences of Physiological and Biochemical Indexes of Upper Fresh Leaves and Post-growth Roots in Different Quality Stages

In order to explore the physiological and biochemical characteristics of fresh upper leaves and roots of different qualities of tobacco, the malonaldehyde （MDA）, superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity, chlorophyllase activity, amylase activity, medium trace element content, chemical component content, root fresh weight, dry weight and activity in the normal tobacco leaves, tobacco leaves rich in nutrients and premature grey tobacco leaves were studied. The results showed that compared with the normal tobacco leaves, the root fresh weight, dry weight and activity in the premature grey tobacco leaves decreased by 41.22%, 14.44% and 60.29% respectively, while malonaldehyde content increased by 34.82%, and chlorophyllase, α-amylase, β-amylase and SOD activity declined by 89.55%, 65.71%, 71.26% and 37.25% respectively. Chlorophyllase, co-amylase and 13-amylase activity in the tobacco leaves rich in nutrients decreased by 58.76%, 36.19% and 41.93% respectively. The content of medium trace elements in the tobacco leaves rich in nutrients and premature grey tobacco leaves was lower than that of the normal tobacco leaves. Starch, total sugar, reducing sugar and potassium content in the normal tobacco leaves were higher than that of the tobacco leaves rich in nutrients and premature grey tobacco leaves.

Physiological and Biochemical Response of Artificial Wetland Plant under Electric Field

By measuring wetland plants chlorophyll content,malondialdehyde(MDA) content and superoxide dismutase(SOD) enzyme activity,the changes of wetland plant physiological characeristics under different power strength were studied,and the mechanism of electric field on plant physiological characteristics was analyzed to provide a theoretical basis for the pollutant removal ability strengthening of artificial wetland under electricfield.The results showed that compared with the control plants,low-intensity-voltage(1 V and 3 V) had no significant effect on the normal physiological and biochemical indexes of the plants,and the growth trend was better than the control group;with the voltage increasing,plant chlorophyll content,MDA content and SOD activity were greatly affected,indicating that plants were under strong oxidative stress,and the growth was damaged.Therefore,a suitable electric field could enhance the sewage treatment effect of constructed wetland.

Identification and Metabolic Mechanism of Non-fermentative Short-cut Denitrifying Phosphorus-removing Bacteria

To investigate the characteristics and metabolic mechanism of short-cut denitrifying phospho- rus-removing bacteria （SDPB） that are capable of enhanced biological phosphorus removal （EBPR） using nitrite as an electron acceptor, an aerobic/anoxic sequencing batch reactor was operated under three phases. An SDPB-strain YC was screened after the sludge enrichment and was identified by morphological, physiological, biochemical properties and 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. Denitrifying phosphorus-removing experiments were conducted to study anaerobic and anoxic metabolic mechanisms by analyzing the changes of chemical oxygen demand （COD）, phosphate, nitrite, poly-fl-hydroxybutyrate （PHB）, and glycogen. The results show that strain YC is a non-fermentative SDPB similar to Paracoccus denitrificans. As a kind of non-fermentative bacteria, the energy of strain YC was mainly generated from phosphorus release （96.2%） under anaerobic conditions with 0.32 mg P per mg synthesized PHB. Under anoxic conditions, strain YC accumulated 0.45 mg P per mg degraded PHB, which produced most of energy for phosphate accumulation （91.3%） and a little for glycogen synthesis （8.7%）. This metabolic mechanism of strain YC is different from that of traditional phosphorus-accumulating organisms （PAOs）. It is also found that PHB, a kind of intracellular polymer, plays a very important role in denitrifying and accumulating phosphorus by supplying sufficient energy for phosphorous accumulation and carbon sources for denitrification. Therefore, monitoring AP/APHB and ANO2 -N/APHB is more necessary than monitoring AP/ACOD, ANO2 -N/ACOD, or AP / ANO2 -N.

Effects of Phosphine on Germination and Physiological Characteristics of Rice Seeds

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of phosphine on germination and physiological characteristics of rice seeds. [Method] Simulation envi- ronments were conducted to study the effects of high-level phosphine on germination status and physiological characteristics of rice seeds and explore the early environ- mental and ecological effects of phosphine on rice growth in phosphorus cycle of paddy field. [Result] Experimental results showed that the increase of phosphine con- centration in the environment resulted in the decrease of germination rate and ger- mination potential by 11.11% and 19.71%, respectively. In addition, the activities of catalase （CAT） and peroxidase （POD） were reduced to 94.35% and 92.61%, respec- tively; the content of malondialdehyde （MDA） was maximally increased by 29.11%, indicating that both germination potential and growth condition of rice seeds were in- hibited under conditions of high-level phosphine. [Conclusion] This study provided theoretical basis for investigating the effects of phosphine on germination of rice seeds under natural environment.

Isolation and Characterization of a Methomyl-Degrading Paracoccus sp.mdw-1

Methomyl, an extremely toxic pesticide, is widely used in agriculture. A strain named mdw-1 capable of degrading methomyl rapidly was successfully isolated from activated sludge in this study. It could utilize methomyl as the sole carbon or nitrogen source. The optimal temperature and medium pH for its growth and methomyl biodegradation were 30℃ and 7.0, respectively. It was identified as a Paracoccus sp. according to its morphological features, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and phylogenetic analysis based on the sequence of 16S rDNA. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS） analysis showed that methomyl could be completely transformed to S-methyl-N-hydroxythioacetamidate in 10 h of incubation with the isolate mdw-1.

Effects of silver nanoparticles on resistance characteristics of the wetland plant Typha orientalis in a hydroponic system

To probe the influence and the adverse-resistance characteristics of wetland plants in presence of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), the changes in the physiological and biochemical characteristics (including the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, catalase (CAT) activity, peroxidase (POD) activity, soluble protein content, and chlorophyll content) of Typha orientalis exposed to different concentrations of AgNPs solutions (0, 0.1, 1, 20 and 40 mg/L) were explored. Meantime, the accumulation of silver content in these plants was revealed. The results show that under low concentrations of AgNPs, the SOD and POD activities in the leaves of Typha orientalis are strengthened to different degrees. However, high concentrations of AgNPs inhibit the activities of SOD and POD. Under the stress of different concentrations of AgNPs, the CAT activities are inhibited initially and later recovered to some extent. Under the stress of low concentrations of AgNPs, the soluble protein content in the leaves of Typha orientalis increases significantly, but decreases more significantly with increasing concentrations of AgNPs. Low concentrations of AgNPs promote chlorophyll synthesis in the leaves of Typha orientalis , but the chlorophyll content subsequently falls to pre-stress levels. In contrast, high concentrations of AgNPs cause a certain inhibition to generate chlorophyll. Meanwhile, the results show that the silver concentrations of plant tissues increase with the exposure of concentrations of AgNPs and they have a positive relationship with the exposure of concentrations of AgNPs.

Predisposing factors for atrial fibrillation in the elderly

Atrial fibrillation （AF） in the elderly occurs as a consequence of cardiovascular aging and an age related increase of comorbidity. Several predisposing factors for AF have been identified for the overall AF population. Most of them, cardiovascular disease in particular, play a role in younger and older patients. The longer time period during which these risk factors can cause structural changes that ultimately lead to AF may, at least in part, explain the association between age and AF. In addition, less well defined age-related changes in cellular electrophysi- ologic properties and structure predispose to AF in the elderly.

Characterization of tricalcium phosphate solubilization by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia YC isolated from phosphate mines

The phosphate solubilizing characteristics of a strain YC, which was isolated from phosphate mines (Hubei, China), were studied in National Botanical Research Institute’s phosphate (NBRIP) growth medium containing tricalcium phosphate (TCP) as sole phosphorus (P) source. The strain YC is identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) based upon the results of morphologic, physiological and biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA sequences analysis. The results show that the strain S. maltophilia YC can solubilize TCP and release soluble P in NBRIP growth medium. A positive correlation between concentration of soluble P and population of the isolate and a negative correlation between concentration of soluble P and pH in the culture medium are observed from statistical analysis results. Moreover, gluconic acid is detected in the culture medium by HPLC analysis. It indicates that the isolate can release gluconic acid during the solubilizing experiment, which causes acidification of the culture medium and then TCP solubilization. S. maltophilia YC has a maximal TCP solubilizing capability when using maltose as carbon source and ammonium nitrate as nitrogen source, respectively, in NBRIP growth medium.

Coal mining in northeast India： an overview of environmental issues and treatment approaches

Northeast India has a good deposit of sub-bituminous tertiary coal. The northeast Indian coals have unusual physico-chemical characteristics such as high sulfur, volatile matter and vitrinite content, and low ash content. In addition, many environmental sensitive organic and mineral bound elements such as Fe, Mg, Bi, AI, V, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Mn etc. remain enriched in these coals. Such characteristics are associated with more severe environmental impacts due to mining and its utilization in coal based industries. Environmental challenges include large scale landscape damage, soil erosion, loss of forest ecosystem and wildlife habitat, air, water and soil pollution. Several physical and chemical methods are reported in literature for the removal of mineral matter, total sulfur and different forms of sulfur from high sulfur coal in northeast India. This paper may help different researchers and stakeholders to understand current state of research in the field. Initiatives may be taken towards sustainable use of coal resources by adopting innovative clean technologies and by implementing effective control measures and regulatory policies.

The Cyborg Entity in Gibson＇s Neuromancer： An Idealistic ＂Cyborg Manifesto？＂

The idea of Cyborg initiates the blurring of frontiers between traditional gender roles in the post-modem era, transforming itself into a politicized entity. William Gibson＇s Neuromancer as an early introducer of the Cyborg characters tries to dissolve the boundaries through his female characters by balancing the power quota with the help of the non-gendered entity of the Cyborg. According to Donna Haraway, there will be a dawn of new cyborg era causing a gender role reversal. The objective of this paper is to find whether such role reversal is at all possible.

Distinction between short-segment Barrett's esophageal and cardiac intestinal metaplasia

AIM： To investigate the roles of mucin histochemistry, cytokeratin 7/20 （CK7/20） immunoreactivity, clinical characteristics and endoscopy to distinguish short- segment Barrett＇s esophageal （SSBE） from cardiac intestinal metaplasia （CIM）. METHODS： High iron diamine/Alcian blue （HID/AB） mucin-histochemical staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to classify intestinal metaplasia （IN） and to determine CK7/20 immunoreactivity pattern in SSBE and CIM, respectively, and these results were compared with endoscopical diagnosis and the positive rate of gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD） symptoms and H pylori infection. Long-segment Barrett＇ s esophageal and IM of gastric antrum were designed as control. RESULTS： The prevalence of type III IM was significantly higher in SSBE than in CIM （63.33% vs 23.08%, P〈0.005）. The CK7/20 immunoreactivity in SSBE showed mainly Barrett＇s pattern （76.66%）, and the GERD symptoms in most cases which showed Barrett＇ s pattern were positive, whereas H pylori infection was negative. However, the CK7/20 immunoreactivity in CIM was gastric pattern preponderantly （61.54%）, but there were 23.08% cases that showed Barrett＇s pattern. H pylori infection in all cases which showed gastric pattern was significantly higher than those which showed Barrett＇ s pattern （63.83% vs 19.30%, P〈0.005）, whereas the GERD symptoms in gastric pattern were significantly lower than that in Barrett＇s pattern （21.28% vs 85.96%,P〈O.O05）. CONCLUSION： Distinction of SSBE from CIM should not be based on a single method; however, the combination of clinical characteristics, histology, mucin histochemistry, CK7/20 immunoreactivity, and endoscopic biopsy should be applied. Type III IM, presence of GERD symptoms, and Barrett＇s CK7/20 immunoreactivity pattern may support the diagnosis of SSBE, whereas non-type III IM, positive H pylori infection, and gastric CK7/20 immunoreactivity pattern may imply CIM.