An early scoring system to predict mechanical ventilation for botulism: a single-center-based study

BACKGROUND: Early identification of patients requiring ventilator support will be beneficial for the outcomes of botulism. The present study aimed to establish a new scoring system to predict mechanical ventilation(MV) for botulism patients.METHODS: A single-center retrospective study was conducted to identify risk factors associated with MV in botulism patients from 2007 to 2022. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to screen out risk factors for constructing a prognostic scoring system. The area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was calculated.RESULTS: A total of 153 patients with botulism(66 males and 87 females, with an average age of 43 years) were included. Of these, 49 patients(32.0%) required MV, including 21(13.7%) with invasive ventilation and 28(18.3%) with non-invasive ventilation. Multivariate analysis revealed that botulinum toxin type, pneumonia, incubation period, degree of hypoxia, and severity of muscle involvement were independent risk factors for MV. These risk factors were incorporated into a multivariate logistic regression analysis to establish a prognostic scoring system. Each risk factor was scored by allocating a weight based on its regression coefficient and rounded to whole numbers for practical utilization([botulinum toxin type A: 1], [pneumonia: 2], [incubation period ≤1 day: 2], [hypoxia <90%: 2], [severity of muscle involvement: grade Ⅱ, 3;gradeⅢ, 7;grade IV, 11]). The scoring system achieved an area under the ROC curve of 0.82(95% CI 0.75–0.89, P<0.001). At the optimal threshold of 9, the scoring system achieved a sensitivity of 83.7% and a specificity of 70.2%.CONCLUSION: Our study identified botulinum toxin type, pneumonia, incubation period, degree of hypoxia, and severity of muscle involvement as independent risk factors for MV in botulism patients. A score ≥9 in our scoring system is associated with a higher likelihood of requiring MV in botulism patients. This scoring system needs to be validated externally before it can be applied in clinical settings.

Clinical validation of the early embryo viability assessment system: Analysis for the blastocyst morphology and pregnancy outcomes

Objective:To determine the relationship between the early embryo viability assessment(EEVA)and blastocyst morphological parameters and pregnancy outcomes.Methods:This retrospective cohort study was conducted on 291 intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles including 2522 embryos with indications of prolonging embryo culture to the blastocyst stage in the Genea embryo review incubator,and 511 single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer cycles from January 2020 to June 2023.The EEVA system produced an EEVA score from E1(best)to E5(worse)for the potential of blastocyst formation.Blastocyst morphology was evaluated.The association between the EEVA score and each type of blastocyst morphology,implantation rate,clinical pregnancy,and ongoing pregnancy were assessed using generalized estimating equations.Results:The inner cell mass A(ICM A),trophectoderm A(TE A),blastocoele expansion degree of 3,4,5,6,7 rates were higher with lower the EEVA score.The adjusted odd ratio(aOR)(E5 vs E1)was 0.3 for ICM A,0.174 for TE A and 0.210 for BL3,4,5,6,7(all P<0.001),suggesting a significant association between lower EEVA scores and improved embryo quality.The implantation,clinical pregnancy,and ongoing pregnancy rate were also higher with lower the EEVA score.The aOR of E5 vs E1 was 0.245 for implantation,0.185 for clinical pregnancy and 0.200 for ongoing pregnancy rate(P<0.001).Conclusions:There were associations between blastocyst morphology,pregnancy outcome and EEVA scores.The good blastocyst morphology and pregnancy outcomes are higher with lower the EEVA score.

The amelioration of degraded larch(Larix olgensis)soil depends on the proportion of Aralia elata litter in larch-A.elata agroforestry systems

Research has indicated that introducing Aralia elata into larch plantations forms an agroforestry system which could provide economic benefi ts for local farmers and improve degraded soils.However,the impact of litter mixtures on soil chemical and microbial properties in this agroforestry system are unclear,which limits effi cient management of the agroforestry system.A 365-d incubation experiment examined the eff ect of litter mixtures of diff erent proportions of larch(L)and A.elata(A)on soil chemical and microbial properties.The results show that levels of mineral N,available P,microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen,cumulative C mineralization,and activities of hydrolases and oxidases increased with an increase of A.elata in the litter mixtures.Concentration of total soil carbon,nitrogen,and phosphorous did not change(except for total nitrogen).Compared with larch litter alone,levels of mineral N,available P,microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen,cumulative C mineralization,and the activities of hydrolases and oxidases increased by 7.6–433.5%.Most chemical and microbial properties were positively correlated with mixed litter proportions and the initial levels of N,P,K,Ca,Mg,Mn,Zn and Cu in the litter,while negatively correlated with the initial concentrations of C,Fe and lignin,C/N and lignin/N ratios.The results indicate that A.elata litter can improve degraded larch soil and the degree depends on the proportion of A.elata litter in the litter mixtures.

Predictive Mathematical and Statistical Modeling of the Dynamic Poverty Problem in Burundi: Case of an Innovative Economic Optimization System

The mathematical and statistical modeling of the problem of poverty is a major challenge given Burundi’s economic development. Innovative economic optimization systems are widely needed to face the problem of the dynamic of the poverty in Burundi. The Burundian economy shows an inflation rate of -1.5% in 2018 for the Gross Domestic Product growth real rate of 2.8% in 2016. In this research, the aim is to find a model that contributes to solving the problem of poverty in Burundi. The results of this research fill the knowledge gap in the modeling and optimization of the Burundian economic system. The aim of this model is to solve an optimization problem combining the variables of production, consumption, budget, human resources and available raw materials. Scientific modeling and optimal solving of the poverty problem show the tools for measuring poverty rate and determining various countries’ poverty levels when considering advanced knowledge. In addition, investigating the aspects of poverty will properly orient development aid to developing countries and thus, achieve their objectives of growth and the fight against poverty. This paper provides a new and innovative framework for global scientific research regarding the multiple facets of this problem. An estimate of the poverty rate allows good progress with the theory and optimization methods in measuring the poverty rate and achieving sustainable development goals. By comparing the annual food production and the required annual consumption, there is an imbalance between different types of food. Proteins, minerals and vitamins produced in Burundi are sufficient when considering their consumption as required by the entire Burundian population. This positive contribution for the latter comes from the fact that some cows, goats, fishes, ···, slaughtered in Burundi come from neighboring countries. Real production remains in deficit. The lipids, acids, calcium, fibers and carbohydrates produced in Burundi are insufficient for consumption. This negative contribution proves a Burundian food deficit. It is a decision-making indicator for the design and updating of agricultural policy and implementation programs as well as projects. Investment and economic growth are only possible when food security is mastered. The capital allocated to food investment must be revised upwards. Demographic control is also a relevant indicator to push forward Burundi among the emerging countries in 2040. Meanwhile, better understanding of the determinants of poverty by taking cultural and organizational aspects into account guides managers for poverty reduction projects and programs.

Incubation temperature induced developmental plasticity of cold responsive physiological phenotypes in Japanese Quails

Embryonic development is a critical period for phenotype formation.Environmental variation during embryonic development can induce changes in postnatal phenotypes of animals.The thyroxine secretion and aerobic metabolic activity of small birds are important phenotypes closely related to their winter survival.In the context of climate change,it is necessary to determine whether temperature variation during incubation in birds leads to developmental plasticity of these cold responsive phenotypes.We incubated Japanese Quail(Coturnix japonica)eggs at 36.8℃,37.8℃,and 38.8℃,and raised the chicks to 35-day old at 22℃with same raising conditions,then all the quails were exposed to gradually temperature dropping environment(from 15℃to 0℃).After cold treatment,serum T3 level,resting metabolic rate,skeletal muscle and liver metabolomes of the birds were measured.The serum T3 levels were significantly lower in the 38.8℃group and significantly higher in the 36.8℃group compared to the 37.8℃group.The metabolic rate in the 38.8℃group was significantly lower compared to the 37.8℃group.Compared with the 37.8℃group,metabolites involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle in the liver were significantly lower in the 38.8℃group,and metabolites related to lipid oxidation metabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis were significantly lower in the skeletal muscles in the 38.8℃group but significantly higher in the 36.8℃group.These results indicate that incubation temperature variation can lead to developmental plasticity in cold responsive physiological phenotypes.Higher incubation temperature may impair the capacity of birds coping with cold challenge.

Hatching and development of maize cyst nematode Heterodera zeae infecting different plant hosts

The occurrence, distribution, and rapid molecular detection technology of Heterodera zeae Koshy et al. 1971, have been reported in China. We explored the biological characteristics of H. zeae sampled in Henan Province, China to understand its interaction with plants. Cysts and second-stage juveniles(J2s) were identified under an optical and scanning electron microscope, internal transcribed spacer(ITS) phylogenetic tree, and sequence characterized amplified region(SCAR)-PCR analyses. The optimum hatching temperatures of H. zeae were 30°C and 28°C, with cumulative hatching rates of 16.5 and 16.1%, respectively, at 30 days post-hatching(dph). The hatching rate of H. zeae eggs was improved by 20-and 50-time maize soil leachate and root juice, and 10-time root exudates. The hatching rate in 10-time root exudates was the highest(25.9%). The 10-time root exudates of maize and millet produced the highest hatching rate at 30 dph(25.9 and 22.9%, respectively), followed by wheat(19.9%), barley(18.3%), and rice(17.6%). Heterodera zeae developed faster in maize than in other crops. Fourth-stage juveniles(J4s) were detected in maize roots 8 days post-inoculation(dpi) at 28°C but not in other crops. Combined with hatching tests, the Huang–Huai–Hai summer maize region and the south and central-southwest mountainous maize areas are highly suitable for H. zeae in China. This is the first systematically study of the hatching and infection characteristics on different plant hosts of corn cyst nematode H. zeae in temperate regions. This study laid a theoretical foundation for the rapid spread and high environmental adaptability of corn cyst nematode.

The clutch size,incubation behavior of Reeves’s Pheasant(Syrmaticus reevesii) and their responses to ambient temperature and precipitation

Weather conditions play a pivotal role in embryo development and parental incubation costs,potentially impacting the clutch size and incubation behavior of birds.Understanding these effects is crucial for bird conservation.Reeves’ s Pheasant(Syrmaticus reevesii) is a threatened species endemic to China,which is characterized by female-only incubation.However,there is a lack of information regarding the impact of weather conditions on clutch size and incubation behavior in this species.Using satellite tracking,we tracked 27 wild female Reeves’ s Pheasants from 2020 to 2023 in Hubei Province,China.We explored their clutch size and incubation behavior,as well as their responses to ambient temperature and precipitation.Clutch size averaged 7.75 ±1.36,had an association with average ambient temperature and average daily precipitation during the egglaying period,and was potentially linked to female breeding attempts.Throughout the incubation period,females took an average of 0.73 ±0.46 recesses every 24 h,with an average recess duration of 100.80 ±73.37 min and an average nest attendance of 92.98 ±5.27%.They showed a unimodal recess pattern in which nest departures peaked primarily between 13:00 and 16:00.Furthermore,females rarely left nests when daily precipitation was high.Recess duration and nest attendance were influenced by the interaction between daily mean ambient temperature and daily precipitation,as well as day of incubation.Additionally,there was a positive correlation between clutch size and recess duration.These results contribute valuable insights into the lifehistory features of this endangered species.

Evaluation of the Reproduction Parameters of “Lohmann Brown” Strain Chickens Fed with Cajanus cajan Leaf Meal in the Republic of Congo

The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive parameters of “Lohmann Brown” strain chickens fed on Cajanus cajan leaves and to assess the viability of the chicks after hatching. 40 hens of the “Lohmann Brown” strain fed on Cajanus cajan leaf flour laid 219 eggs divided into four batches depending on the rate of incorporation of Cajanus cajan leaf flour in the rations (0%, 5%, 10% and 15%) were trained and introduced into the incubator. Results: the incubator indicates a hatching temperature of 38˚C to 37.2˚C and relative humidity of 60% to 70%. Hatching performance shows that: The 15% batch recorded the highest fertility rate 86.95% compared to 26.88% of the control batch. The CC 15% batch recorded the highest hatching rate 36.87. The lowest rate (17.18%) was recorded in the control batch (CC 0%). The highest embryonic mortality rate was recorded in the CC 15% batch. The lowest rate in the CC 10% batch. Concerning unfertilized eggs, the highest rate is 72.20% (CC 0%), and the lowest are (12.03%;57.42% and 66.66%) recorded in CC batches. 15%, CC 5% and CC 10% respectively. For the shell mortality rate, the highest is 18.58% recorded in the CC 15% batch. The lowest shell mortality rate is 2.07%, obtained in the control batch (CC 0%);the dust mortality rate was 0% for all chicks. The study seems to indicate that the incorporation of Cajanus cajan leaf meal up to 15% into the reproduction type ration in hens does not cause any harmful effects on the reproduction performance of laying hens.

Experimental Study of a Solar Thermal Incubator Using a Phase-Change Material for Off-Grid Use

The aim of this study was to provide a simple, easy-to-use incubation system for small-scale rural poultry farmers far from the electricity grid. To this end, a naturally ventilated solar thermal incubator was built and experimentally tested. A U-shaped evacuated tube collector and a wooden crate holding 50 eggs were used to build the solar thermal incubator. Water was used as the heat transfer fluid, and an EPCM was integrated into the incubation chamber for operation at night or when the sun was hidden. The heat generated by the solar collector and stored in the heat transfer fluid is transported to the incubation chamber by thermosiphon to heat the chamber. Temperature and humidity probes powered by a solar panel were placed at various locations to monitor the thermo-hygrometric efficiency of the incubation system. The incubator, heated by natural convection, proved to function normally, and the incubation chamber was maintained throughout the incubation period within a temperature range of 35.53˚C to 39.53˚C and relative humidity averaging 49.4% to 68.5%. The experiment was carried out by introducing 30 eggs and the results of the experimental study showed that the incubator’s efficiency was 87%. The performance tests gave a fertility rate of 93% and a hatching rate of 93%, i.e. 28 fertile eggs and 26 hatched eggs, respectively.

Experimental Study of Temperature and Humidity Variations in an Incubator Fitted with a Flat-Plate Collector

In Burkina Faso, where livestock farming is widely practiced, particularly in rural areas without access to electricity, solar energy offers a viable alternative due to the country’s abundant sunshine. To support poultry farmers in increasing their production, we developed a solar-powered incubator equipped with a flat-plate collector, requiring no grid electricity. This is a new approach that we want to experiment with because the incubators on the global market operate either with the electricity grid, photovoltaic, gas or oil and not a solar thermal concentrator. This solar concentrator represents the heat source of the device during the day. We plan to look for rocks with high thermal inertia in order to heat them during the day using another flat solar concentrator and then introduce them into the incubator at night to continue the incubation process. In 2022, we conducted a simulation to study temperature variation inside the incubator. In this work, we built a prototype to experimentally evaluate key hydrothermal properties such as air temperature and humidity. Furthermore, we will not introduce rocks into the incubator overnight but will let the system run overnight to see how the hygrothermal properties vary. The findings revealed temperature fluctuations from 25˚C to 65˚C, instead of the desired 36˚C to 38˚C, and humidity levels ranging from 15% to 57%, instead of the target 55% to 75%. Solutions have been proposed to enhance the system’s performance.

Artificial incubation and growth observation for the nestlings of Great Bustard (Otis tarda)

Growth indicators including weight, body length, wings length, tail length, tarsus, gape, the third toe and head width of 21 nestlings of Great Bustard (Otis tarda) were measured and investigated in Harbin Zoo, Harbin, China during 1999-2002, and methods on successfully fostering nestlings of the bird were also summarized in this article. The results showed: the Great Bustard is a kind of premature bird and its birth weight was 86.31?.56g (N=21); environmental temperature for the neonatal nestlings should be controlled at 36C; the feeding principle having many meals but little food at each for the nestlings should be followed; since six weeks after birth, nestlings of both gender began to show significant difference in body weight, the weight of male was 1.8 times of that of the female after fourteenth week, and by weight and body figure sexual identity could be easily discerned when 3 or 4 months old; There is no significant difference in growth and development of all organs between male and female nestlings and organ growth curves were fit into Logistic equation.

Effects of Temperature on Determination of Protein Concentration with Coomassie Brilliant Blue Method

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of temperature on determination of protein concentration with Coomassie Brilliant Blue method,thus proving advice and guidance for accurate determination of protein concentration.[Method] With Coomassie Brilliant Blue method,the concentrations of different bovine serum albumin samples were determined under different temperatures and incubation time.[Result] According to the standard curve,when the determination range of protein concentration was 0-100 mg/ml,the determined protein concentration was relatively stable after incubation at 20 ℃ for 20-30 min.Furthermore,the determination result of higher protein concentration with Coomassie Brilliant Blue method was less affected by various factors.[Conclusion] In determination of protein concentration with Coomassie Brilliant Blue method,temperature,sample concentration and incubation time were important factors affecting the accuracy of experimental results.

A VHF PECVD Micro-Crystalline Silicon Bottom Gate TFT with a Thin Incubation Layer

The incubation layer with amorphous structure between the substrate and crystalline layer may obviously affect the performance for a microcrystalline Si thin film transistor (μc-Si TFT),especially for the bottom gate TFT(BG-TFT).It is found that decreasing the ratio of SiH 4/(H 2+SiH 4) is an effective way to decrease the incubation layer thickness of μc-Si directly deposited by VHF PECVD without any further thermal or laser treatment.Based on the μc-Si with a thin incubation layer,the BG-TFT with Al/SiN x/μc-Si/n+-μc-Si/Al structure is fabricated.The ratio of on-state current to off-state current is up to 106,the mobility is around 0.7cm2/(V·s),and the threshold voltage is about 5V.

Simulation of pre-precipitation in Ni_(75)Al_(14)Mo_(11) alloy by microscopic phase-field model

The early precipitation process of Ni（75）Al（14）Mo（11） alloy was simulated by microscopic phase-field model at different temperatures.The microstructure of the alloy,the precipitation time of Llo structure and occupation probability of the three kinds of atoms were investigated.It is indicated that the non-stoichiometric Ll0（Ⅰ/Ⅱ） phases are found in the precipitation process.With the temperature increasing,the appearance time of Ll0 is brought forward.The Ll0（Ⅱ） structure always precipitates earlier than the Ll0（Ⅰ） structure.Compared with lower temperature,higher temperature brings the formation time of Ll0 phase forward and makes Ll0 phase have a higher order degree.But lower temperature shortens the process time of the Ll0 phase to the Ll2 phase.Al and Mo atoms tend to occupy γ site,Ni atom tends to occupy a and β sites.At the same temperature,Al atom has stronger occupation ability than Mo atom in the same site.Ni,Al and Mo collectively form the composited Ll2 structure.

Effects of Varying Temperature and Constant Temperature on Hatching Result of Fertilized Peacock Eggs

In order to investigate the effect of temperature on hatching result of fertilized peacock eggs, they were hatched under conditions of varying temperature and constant temperature respectively. The result shows that the hatching rate in the varying temperature treatment group （Group Ⅰ） is higher than that in the constant temperature treatment group （Group Ⅱ）. It suggests that the varying temperature treatment （high temperature in the early period, medium temperature in the middle period, slightly lower temperature in the late period, and slightly higher temperature in the hulling period） is in line with the optimum temperature variation in the hatching of fertilized peacock eggs, contributing the hatching of fertilized peacock eggs.

Influence of Phosphorus Fertilizer Application on Available Phosphorus and Easy-loss Phosphorus Content in Red Soil

[Objective] This study was to investigate the influence of phosphorus （P） fertilizer application on available P and easy-loss P content in red soil under aerobic incubating condition, with the aim to provide theoretical basis for the management of elemental P and evaluation of elemental P loss potential. [Method] Totally six treat- ments were set to the soil samples. The Olsen-P, Bray-1 P and CaCl2-P contents of each soil sample were measured after indoor aerobic incubation. [Result] In the red soil of different P fertilizer application rates, the Olsen-P content decreased with the increasing of incubation time, while the content of Bray-1 P increased and CaCI2-P content was first increased then decreased. CaCl2-P content was linear correlated with Olsen-P content and Bray-1 P content. About 62% P fertilizers were transformed into Bray-1 P pool, and 14% into Olsen-P pool, but only 0.12% transformed into CaCl2-P pool. [Conclusion] There is little risk of P loss caused by P fertilizer application under aerobic condition, but it would increase with the increasing application dose, and the most serious time is the primeval period after P fertilizer application.

Robot系统测定旱地N_(2)排放的方法优化及其与其他方法的对比研究

反硝化是生态系统氮循环的最后一环同时也是活性氮转化为惰性氮(N2)的最主要过程。由于空气中背景N2浓度高达78%,在如此高的背景浓度N2环境中直接和准确测定反硝化过程产生的微量N2,一直是个巨大的挑战。Robot系统(Robotized incubation and analyzing system)是基于无N2背景(氦环境)的用以研究纯菌或土壤体系N2排放速率的方法,该系统平台搭建简单且测定效率高,目前应用比较广泛。但该系统在运行过程中需要频繁利用微量注射器进行取样和测定,极易造成外界N2的渗漏。为解决这一问题,通过使用预先置于氦环境的橡胶隔垫、采用充氦后的蒸馏水配制溶液及实施破坏性取样的处理,对Robot系统测定旱地N2排放速率的方法进行优化,同时与乙炔抑制法和RoFlow系统(Robotized continuous flow incubation system)的测定结果进行对比。研究结果表明,通过方法优化,可以大幅降低Robot系统的N2渗漏率,方法优化后系统的渗漏率在0~0.78μL·L^(–1)·h^(–1)之间。优化后的Robot系统对碳源和氮源添加后N2排放速率差异的响应较好,并且对旱地土壤N2排放速率的测定误差最小(0.003~0.045 mg·kg^(–1)·d^(–1)),显著优于乙炔抑制法(0.34~3.29 mg·kg^(–1)·d^(–1))和RoFlow系统(0.41~1.02 mg·kg^(–1)·d^(–1))。综上,优化后的Robot系统在测定旱地N2排放速率时具有N2渗漏率低,对外源底物添加响应好及测定结果精确度高的特点,未来在研究旱地土壤背景N2排放及相关机理方面有较好的应用前景。

Topsoil organic carbon mineralization and CO_2 evolution of three paddy soils from South China and the temperature dependence

Carbon mineralization and its response to climatic warming have been receiving global attention for the last decade. Although the virtual influence of temperature effect is still in great debate, little is known on the mineralization of organic carbon （SOC） of paddy soils of China under warming. SOC mineralization of three major types of China＇s paddy soils is studied through laboratory incubation for 114 d under soil moisture regime of 70% water holding capacity at 20℃ and 25℃ respectively. The carbon that mineralized as CO2 evolved was measured every day in the first 32 d and every two days in the following days. Carbon mineralized during the 114 d incubation ranged from 3.51 to 9.22 mg CO2-C/gC at 20℃ and from 4.24 to 11.35 mg CO2-C/gC at 25℃ respectively; and a mineralizable C pool in the range of 0.24 to 0.59 gC/kg, varying with different soils. The whole course of C mineralization in the 114 d incubation could be divided into three stages of varying rates, representing the three subpools of the total mineralizable C： very actively mineralized C at 1-23 d, actively tnineralized C at 24--74 d and a slowly mineralized pool with low and more or less stabilized C mineralization rate at 75-114 d. The calculated Q10 values ranged from 1.0 to 2.4, varying with the soil types and N status. Neither the total SOC pool nor the labile C pool could account for the total mineralization potential of the soils studied, despite a well correlation of labile C with the shortly and actively mineralized C, which were shown in sensitive response to soil warming. However, the portion of microbial C pool and the soil C/N ratio controlled the C mineralization and the temperature dependence. Therefore, C sequestration may not result in an increase of C mineralization proportionally. The relative control of C bioavailability and microbial metabolic activity on C mineralization with respect to stabilization of sequestered C in the paddy soils of China is to be further studied.

N Mineralization as Affected by Long-Term N Fertilization and Its Relationship with Crop N Uptake

A field experiment established in 1997 was conducted to study the effect of long-term N fertilizer application on N mineralization in a paddy soil determined using a laboratory anaerobic incubation followed with a field incubation and to measure the relationship between in situ N mineralization and crop N uptake. To estimate N mineralization in the laboratory, soil samples were collected from plots with N application at different rates for six years and were incubated. Soils treated with fertilizer N mineralized more N than unfertilized soils and mineralization increased with N application rates. Also, the fraction of total N mineralized increased with increasing N fertilizer application. These findings meant that a substantial portion of previously applied N could be recovered slowly over time in subsequent crops. The field incubation of the plot receiving no fertilizer N showed that the NH4^＋-N concentration varied greatly during the rice-growing season and seasonal changes of N mineralization were due more to accumulation of NH4^＋-N than NO3^-N. Hice N uptake increased up to a maximum of 82 kg N ha^-1 during the season. The close agreement found between in situ N mineralization and rice N uptake suggested that the measurement of in situ N mineralization could provide useful recommendations for adequate fertilizer N application.

Dissimilatory Fe(Ⅲ) reduction characteristics of paddy soil extract cultures treated with glucose or fatty acids

Dissimilatory Fe(Ⅲ) reduction is a universal process with irreplaceable biological and environmental importance in anoxic environments. Our knowledge about Fe(Ⅲ) reduction predominantly comes from pure cultures of dissimilatory Fe(Ⅲ) reducing bacteria (DFRB). The objective of this study was to compare the effects of glucose and a selection of short organic acids (citrate, succinate, pyruvate, propionate, acetate, and formate) on Fe(Ⅲ) reduction via the anaerobic culture of three paddy soil solutions with Fe...