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The CONSTANS/CONSTANS-Like (CO/COL) family has been shown to play important roles in flowering, stress tolerance, fruit development and ripening in higher plants. In this study, three COL genes, MiCOL6, MiCOL7A and MiCOL7B, which each contain only one CCT domain, were isolated from mango (Mangifera indica), and their functions were investigated. MiCOL7A and MiCOL7B were expressed mainly at 20 days after flowering (DAF), and all three genes were highly expressed during the flowering induction period. The expression levels of the three genes were affected by light conditions, but only MiCOL6 exhibited a clear circadian rhythm. Overexpression of MiCOL6 promoted earlier flowering, while overexpression of MiCOL7A or MiCOL7B delayed flowering compared to that in the control lines of Arabidopsis thaliana under long-day (LD) and short-day (SD) conditions. Overexpressing MiCOL6, MiCOL7A or MiCOL7B in transgenic plants increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and proline levels, decreased malondialdehyde (MAD) levels, and improved survival under drought and salt stress. In addition, yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) analyses showed that the MiCOL6, MiCOL7A and MiCOL7B proteins interact with several stress- and flower-related proteins. This work demonstrates the functions of MiCOL6, MiCOL7A and MiCOL7B and provides a foundation for further research on the role of mango COL genes in flowering regulation and the abiotic stress response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a multiple-rescue model for an emergency supply chain system under uncertainties in large-scale affected area of disasters. The proposed methodology takes into consideration that the rescue demands caused by a large-scale disaster are scattered in several locations; the servers are arranged in multiple echelons (resource depots, distribution centers, and rescue center sites) located in different places but are coordinated within one emergency supply chain system; depending on the types of rescue demands, one or more distinct servers dispatch emergency resources in different vehicle routes, and emergency rescue services queue in multiple rescue-demand locations. This emergency system is modeled as a minimal queuing response time model of location and allocation. A solution to this complex mathematical problem is developed based on genetic algorithm. Finally, a case study of an emergency supply chain system operating in Shanghai is discussed. The results demonstrate the robustness and applicability of the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of N fertilization rates on the abundance and community composition of NH3-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) are poorly understood, particularly in greenhouse-based high-N-input vegetable soils. The abundance and community composition of AOB from these vegetable soils under five N (urea) rates in eastern China were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denaturing gradient gel dectrophoresis (DGGE). These rates were: the conventional high N rate (N4) as 270 or 300 kg N ha-1 season-1 for cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) or tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), respectively, and 80% (N3), 60% (N2), 40% (N1), and 0% (N0) of the N4 rate. ARer 2 yr of a cucumber-tomato rotation, N fertilization }lad significant effects on the abundance and community com- position of AOB. The abundance ofAOB amo,4 gene was significantly higher under the N2 (2.08 x 1010 kg-1 dry weight soil) than under the NO or N4 (8.74 or 8.75 x 109 kg-1 soil). The DGGE patterns were more diverse under N1 and N2 than under N3 and N4, with the greatest DGGE band numbers (15) under N2. Phylogenetic analyses of amo A gene fragments showed that AOB sequences from different N fertilization rates were affiliated with Nitrosospira species and grouped into Clusters 2, 3, 8, and 12. Our results indicate that a reduction to 40% of the conventional high N rate (N4) is practical to reduce N inputs while maintaining the abundance and community composition of AOB in such greenhouse-based vegetable soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well-crystallized pure perovskite bismuth ferrite (BiFeO) powders with various morphologies have been synthesized by a novel sol-gel-hydrothermal route for the first time, which combined the conventional sol-gel process and the hydrothermal method. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and ferroelectric test system. The results revealed that the compositions, morphological and dimensional changes in bismuth ferrite samples synthesized by sol-gel-hydrothermal method strongly depend on the concentrations of mineralizer. Ferroelectric hysteresis loops are displayed in the BiFeO samples. The bismuth ferrites were hydrothermally synthesized at as low a temperature as 180 °C, which is comparatively lower than that synthesized by the normal sol-gel route. The formation mechanism of the bismuth ferrite crystalline was also discussed. (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consistency is essential in statistical data processing. This paper reports some notable discrepancies in China's GDP accounting, which are unexpectedly found after testing the consistency of GDP accounting and its components. Although these discrepancies are mainly attributed to the revision methodology adopted after the 2004 economic census, the intention to harmonize GDP accounting data, in terms of production and expenditure, also contributes to the discrepancies. Our finding highlights the need for careful checking of consistency and for testing before formal release of any official statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the Chinese saving rate based on the flow of funds data. It finds that the most widely adopted view of precautionary saving, which is regarded as the top reason for maintaining a high saving rate in China, is misleading because this conclusion is drawn from the household survey data. In fact, the household saving rate has declined dramatically since the mid-1990s, as is observed from the flow of funds framework. The high national saving rate is attributed to the increasing shares of both government and corporation disposable incomes. Insufficient consumption demand is caused by the persistent decrease in percentage share of household to national disposable income. Government- directed income redistribution urgently needs to be improved to accelerate consumption, which in turn would make the Chinese economy less investment-led and help to reduce the current account surplus. (Edited by Zhinan Zhang) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Nitrogen transfer among plants in a California oak woodland was examined in a pulse-labeling study using 15N. The study was designed to examine N movement among plants that were mycorrhizal with ectomycorrhizas (EM), arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM), or both. • Isotopically enriched N (K15NO3−) was applied to gray pine ( Pinus sabiniana) foliage (donor) and traced to neighboring gray pine, blue oak ( Quercus douglasii), buckbrush ( Ceanothus cuneatus) and herbaceous annuals ( Cynosurus echinatus, Torilis arvensis and Trifolium hirtum). • After 2 wk, needles of 15N-treated pines and foliage from nearby annuals were similarly enriched, but little 15N had appeared in nontreated (receiver) pine needles, oak leaves or buckbrush foliage. After 4 wk foliar and root samples from pine, oak, buckbrush and annuals were significantly 15N-enriched, regardless of the type of mycorrhizal association. • The rate of transfer during the first and second 2-wk periods was similar, and suggests that 15N could continue to be mobilized over longer times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• To determine the effects of nitrogen source on rates of net N transfer between plants connected by a common mycorrhizal network, we measured transfer of N supplied as 15NH414NO3 or 14NH415NO3 in three Casuarina/Eucalyptus treatments interconnected by a Pisolithus sp. The treatments were nonnodulated nonmycorrhizal/nonmycorrhizal; nonnodulated mycorrhizal/mycorrhizal; and nodulated mycorrhizal/mycorrhizal. • Mycorrhization was 67% in Eucalyptus and 36% in Casuarina. N2 fixation supplied 38% of the N in Casuarina. Biomass, N and 15N contents were lowest in nonmycorrhizal plants and greatest in plants in the nodulated/mycorrhizal treatment. • Nitrogen transfer was enhanced by mycorrhization and by nodulation, and was greater when N was supplied as 15NH4+ than 15NO3−. Nitrogen transfer rates were lowest in the nonmycorrhizal treatment for either 15N source, and greatest in the nodulated, mycorrhizal treatment. Transfer was greater to Casuarina than to Eucalyptus and where ammonium rather than nitrate was the N source. • Irrespective of 15N source and of whether Casuarina or Eucalyptus was the N sink, net N transfer was low and was similar in both nonnodulated treatments. However, when Casuarina was the N sink in the nodulated, mycorrhizal treatment, net N transfer was much greater with 15NH4+ than with 15NO3−. High N demand by Casuarina resulted in greater net N transfer from the less N-demanding Eucalyptus. Net transfer of N from a non-N2-fixing to an N2-fixing plant may reflect the very high N demand of N2-fixing species. New Phytologist (2005) doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2005.01437.x© New Phytologist (2005) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two-way N transfers mediated by Pisolithus sp. were examined by excluding root contact and supplying 15NH4+ or 15NO3− to 6-month-old Eucalyptus maculata or Casuarina cunninghamiana grown in two-chambered-pots separated by 37 m screens. • Mycorrhizal colonization was 35% in Eucalyptus and 66% in Casuarina ( c. 29% N2-fixation). Using an environmental scanning electron microscope, living hyphae were observed to interconnect Eucalyptus and Casuarina. Biomass and N accumulation was greatest in nodulated mycorrhizal Casuarina/mycorrhizal Eucalyptus pairs, less in nonnodulated mycorrhizal Casuarina/mycorrhizal Eucalyptus pairs, and least in nonnodulated nonmycorrhizal Casuarina/nonmycorrhizal Eucalyptus pairs. • In nonnodulated mycorrhizal pairs, N transfers to Eucalyptus or to Casuarina were similar (2.4–4.1 mg per plant in either direction) and were 2.6–4.0 times greater than in nonnodulated nonmycorrhizal pairs. In nodulated mycorrhizal pairs, N transfers were greater to Eucalyptus (5–7 times) and to Casuarina (12–18 times) than in nonnodulated mycorrhizal pairs. Net transfer to Eucalyptus or to Casuarina was low in both nonnodulated nonmycorrhizal (< 0.7 mg per plant) and nonnodulated mycorrhizal pairs (< 1.1 mg per plant). In nodulated mycorrhizal pairs, net transfer to Casuarina was 26.0 mg per plant. • The amount and direction of two-way mycorrhiza-mediated N transfer was increased by the presence of Pisolithus sp. and Frankia, resulting in a net N transfer from low-N-demanding Eucalyptus to high-N-demanding Casuarina. © New Phytologist (2004) doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2004.01137.x [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]