Abstract The objective of this work was to establish and validate the dry matter distribution and yield prediction models based on physiological developmental timing, to compare the differences between the dry mass distribution index model and the dry mass distribution coefficient model, for the simulation of ear dry mass and to improve the accuracy of maize growth models for predicting yield. The experiments were conducted in three tropical sites (Longchuan, Mangshi, and Ruili) in the tropical region of Yunnan Province, China. The NRMS of ear dry mass and yield were generally less than 10. The dry mass distribution index method (NRMS = 5.44% and RMSE = 807.22 kg ha-1 for ear dry mass; and NRMS = 7.32% and RMSE = 707.67 kg ha-1 for grain yield) is better than the dry mass distribution coefficient method (NRMS = 7.52% and RMSE = 1115.31 kg ha-1 for ear dry mass; NRMS = 8.6% and RMSE = 830.76 kgha-1 for grain yield) to simulate maize ear dry mass and grain yield. The distribution index model improves the accuracy of the model, which is valuable for future maize production and management in Yunnan.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer e validar um modelo de previsão de distribuição de massa de matéria seca e de rendimento, com base no tempo de desenvolvimento fisiológico, para comparar as diferenças entre o modelo de índice de distribuição de matéria seca e o modelo de coeficiente de distribuição de matéria seca, para a simulação da massa de matéria seca da espiga e para melhorar a precisão de modelos de crescimento do milho para a previsão de rendimento. Os experimentos foram realizados em três locais (Longchuan, Mangshi e Ruili), na região tropical da província de Yunnan, China. O NRMS da massa de matéria seca e o rendimento da espiga foram geralmente menores que 10. O método do índice de distribuição da massa de matéria seca (NRMS = 5,44% e RMSE = 807,22 kg ha-1 para massa de matéria seca da espiga; e o NRMS = 7,32% e RMSE = 707,67 kg ha-1 para rendimento de grãos) é melhor do que o método do coeficiente de distribuição de massa de matéria seca (NRMS = 7,52% e RMSE = 1115,31 kg ha-1 para massa de matéria seca de espiga; NRMS = 8,6% e RMSE = 830,76 kg ha-1 para rendimento de grãos) para a simulação da massa de matéria seca de espiga e o rendimento de grãos de milho. O modelo do índice de distribuição melhora a precisão do modelo, o que é valioso para o futura produção de milho e seu manejo em Yunnan.

ABSTRACT In order to estimate the adaptability of Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM)-Maize model under the special climate environment in tropic, 10 field experiments were conducted at different seasons in three sites (Longchuan, Mangshi and Ruili) of tropic in Yunnan Province, China. The parameters of APSIM model were calibrated and its adaptability was validated. The results showed that the days from sowing to flowering and sowing to maturity were predicted accurately for all sites with mean errors of 2.0 ± 0.4, and 3.2 ± 0.7 d respectively. The normalized root mean square errors (NRMSE) of the model for yield prediction were 2%, 3% and 5% for each of three sites, respectively, which indicated that the APSIM model had good accuracy and sensitivity in predicting phenological phases and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) grown in different seasons, and the model had good adaptability in the tropic of Southwest China. This study provided the basis and technical support for evaluating maize production potential based on the model.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To explore the role and mechanisms of octreotide in neurofunctional recovery in the traumatic brain injury (TBI) model. Methods: Rats were subjected to midline incision followed by TBI in the prefrontal cortex region. After 72 hours, the behavioural and neurological deficits tests were performed, which included memory testing on Morris water maze for 5 days. Octreotide (15 and 30 mg/kg i.p.) was administered 30 minutes before subjecting to TBI, and its administration was continued for three days. Results: In TBI-subjected rats, administration of octreotide restored on day 4 escape latency time (ELT) and increased the time spent in the target quadrant (TSTQ) on day 5, suggesting the improvement in learning and memory. It also increased the expression of H2S, Nrf2, and cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) in the prefrontal cortex, without any significant effect on cystathionine-β-synthase. Octreotide also decreased the TNF-α levels and neurological severity score. However, co-administration of CSE inhibitor (D,L-propargylglycine) abolished octreotide-mediated neurofunctional recovery, decreased the levels of H2S and Nrf2 and increased the levels of TNF-α. Conclusions: Octreotide improved the neurological functions in TBI-subjected rats, which may be due to up-regulation of H2S biosynthetic enzyme (CSE), levels of H2S and Nrf2 and down-regulation of neuroinflammation.

Abstract It is common knowledge that Chinese cuisine is among the best known of the world, and the simple fact of eating is an inseparable part of daily life. That is why Chinese food attracts tourists from different continents, who are interested in the millenary culture of China. However, due to the variety of ingredients and ways of cooking, as well as cultural and linguistic disparities, losses would inevitably arise during the process of translating the names of Chinese dishes. In order to keep the essence of Chinese dishes as real as possible, the translation of these deserves profound studies. This is a subject that we try to analyze translation from the Chinese-Spanish angle. This paper is divided into three parts. Firstly, some general theories of losses and translation compensations would be presented. The name of the Chinese dishes and the possible factors that cause translation losses would be addressed in the second part. The third part is developed around the compensations that could be applied in this process, illustrated with several examples.

Resumen Es del dominio común que la cocina china se cuenta entre las más conocidas del mundo, y que el simple hecho de comer forma parte inseparable de la vida cotidiana. Razón por la cual la comida china supone una atracción para los turistas provenientes de diferentes continentes y los interesados en la cultura milenaria de China. Sin embargo, debido a la variedad de los ingredientes y las formas de cocinar, así como las disparidades culturales y lingüísticas, inevitablemente surgen pérdidas durante el proceso de traducción de los nombres de los platillos chinos. A fin de conservar lo más posible la esencia de los platillos chinos, la traducción de éstos merece profundos estudios, tema que tratamos de analizar desde el ángulo chino-español. El presente estudio se articula en tres partes. En la primera se presentan algunas teorías generales de las pérdidas y la compensación de traducción. Se abordan en la segunda parte la denominación de los platillos chinos y los posibles factores que ocasionan pérdidas en la traducción. La tercera parte se desarrolla en torno a la compensación que se puede aplicar en este proceso, ilustrándose con diversos ejemplos.

The hot deformation behaviours of Ti-6Al-4V-0.1Ru alloy were investigated by isothermal hot compression tests in the temperature range of 1023-1423 K and strain rate range of 0.01-10 s-1. The β transus was determined to be 1198 K by continuous heating method. The values of deformation activation energy Q at the strain of 0.3 were calculated to be 630.01 kJ/mol in dual-phase field and 331.75 kJ/mol in β-phase field. Moreover, the processing maps at the strain of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 were developed based on dynamic materials model (DMM). To deeply understand the microstructure evolution mechanism during hot deformation processes and to verify the processing maps, the microstructures at different deformation conditions were observed. The stable microstructures (i.e. globularization, dynamic recovery (DRV) and β dynamic recrystallization (β-DRX)) and instable microstructures (i.e. lamellae kinking and flow localization) were obtained. To make it useful in the design of industrial hot working schedules for this material, a microstructural mechanism map was constructed on the basis of processing maps and microstructure observation. Deformation conditions in the vicinity of 1150 K & 0.01 s-1 where globularization occurs and in the vicinity of 1323 K & 0.01 s-1 where β-DRX occurs are recommended.

In hot working process, the prediction of material constitutive relationship can improve the optimization design process. Recently, the artificial neural network models are considered as a powerful tool to describe the elevated temperature deformation behavior of materials. Based on the experimental data from the isothermal compressions of 42CrMo high strength steel, an artificial neural network (ANN) was trained with standard back-propagation learning algorithm to predict the elevated temperature deformation behavior of 42CrMo steel. The inputs of the ANN model are strain, strain rate and temperature, whereas flow stress is the output. According to the predicted and experimental results, it indicates that the developed ANN model shows a good capacity of modeling complex hot deformation behavior and can accurately tracks the experimental data in a wide temperature range and strain rate range. In addition, the predicted data outside of experimental conditions were obtained, indicating good prediction potentiality of the developed ANN model. The θ -σ curves outside of experimental conditions indicate that the predicted strain-stress curves exhibit a typical dynamic recrystallization softening characteristic of high temperature deformation behavior. Through the coupling of the ANN model and finite element model, the hot compression simulations at the temperature of 1273 K and strain rates of 0.01~10 s-1 were conducted. The results show that the predicted constitutive data outside the experimental conditions successfully improved the prediction accuracy of forming load during the FEM simulation.

In order to investigate the compressive deformation behavior of 3Cr20Ni10W2 alloy, a series of isothermal upsetting experiments were carried out in the temperature range of 1203-1403 K and strain rate range of 0.01-10 s-1 on a Gleeble-1500 thermo-mechanical simulator. The results indicate that the flow stress initially increases to a peak value and then decreases gradually to a steady state. The characteristics of the curves are determined by the interaction of work hardening (WH), dynamic recovery (DRV) and dynamic recrystallization (DRX). The flow stress decreases with increasing temperature and decreasing strain rate. The relationship between microstructure and processing parameters is discussed to give an insight into the hot deformation behavior of 3Cr20Ni10W2 alloy. Then, by regression analysis for constitutive equation, material constants (n, α, β, A and Q) were calculated for the peak stress. Further, the constitutive equation along the flow curve was developed by utilizing an eighth order polynomial of strain for variable coefficients (including n, α, A and Q). The validity of the developed constitutive equation incorporating the influence of strain was verified through comparing the experimental and predicted data by using standard statistical parameters such as correlation coefficient (R) and average absolute relative error (AARE) that are 0.995 and 4.08% respectively.

In order to study the hot working behaviour of as-cast AZ80 magnesium alloy, a series of isothermal upsetting tests with height reduction of 60% were performed at the temperature range of 523-673 K and the strain rate range of 0.01-10 s-1 on a servo-hydraulic Gleeble-1500 machine simulator. Based on the regression analysis for Arrhenius type equation of flow stress, the activation energy of deformation was determined to be Q = 168.6606 KJ·mol-1, and material constants , n and α in the equation also were calculated respectively to predict the peak stress during hot deformation. A 7th order polynomial was used to represent the influence of strain on these parameters (i.e Q, ln, n and α). The Arrhenius equation was further developed by taking account of the effect of strain on the flow stress to describe the flow behavior during the whole experimental temperature and strain rate range. Then comparison between the predicted results and test results shows that the correlation coefficient and average absolute relative error is 0.99 and 6.63%, respectively. The flow stress predicted by developed equation can give an accurate and precise description of the flow behaviour for AZ80 magnesium alloy.

A gene encoding NAD+-dependent sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) in peach fruit was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Recombinant SDH protein with 6×His-tagged was localized exclusively in the cytoplasmic soluble fraction of E. coli when the strains were grown for 4-5 h at 37 ºC. Highly pure protein was isolated by Ni2+-resin chromatography with 150 mM imidazole in 50 mM Tris, pH 8.0, by elution. In order to ensure that the recombinant SDH could be used for further study, the fluorescence and ultraviolet spectrum of the recombinant SDH were detected. Recombinant SDH was confirmed to be capable of oxidizing sorbitol by enzymatic activity assay. The activity of the recombinant SDH was 2.73 U mg-1min-1, which was similar with that directly extracted from peach fruits. The activities of SDH extracted from the fruits in different periods (30, 60, 90 days after flowing) were 7.75, 5.95, 3.26 U mg-1min-1, respectively.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma japonicum infection and associated morbidity, and to estimate the infected human and buffalo populations in the Dongting Lake region, Hunan province, China. METHODS: We used data from the third national schistosomiasis periodic epidemiological survey (PES) of 2004. These included 47 144 human serological and 7205 stool examinations, 3893 clinical examinations and questionnaire surveys, and 874 buffalo stool examinations, carried out in 47 villages in Hunan province. Serological examinations were performed using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technique and human stool samples were examined by the Kato-Katz method. Stools from buffaloes and other domestic animals were examined for schistosome infection by the miracidial hatching test. FINDINGS: Sero-prevalence was 11.9% (range: 1.3-34.9% at the village level), and the rate of egg-positive stools was estimated at 1.9% (0-10.9%) for the same population. The prevalence of infection among buffaloes was 9.5% (0-66.7%). Extrapolating to the entire population of the Dongting Lake region, an estimated 73 225 people and 13 973 buffaloes were infected. Most frequently reported symptoms were abdominal pain (6.2%) and bloody stools (2.7%). More than half of the clinically examined people reported having had at least one prior antischistosomal treatment. CONCLUSION: There was a significant reduction in the number of humans infected with S. japonicum since the previous national PES carried out in 1995, partially explained by large-scale chemotherapy campaigns. However, a near-stable number of buffalo infections suggest continuing human re-infection, which may lead to future increases in human prevalence.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia e intensidad de la infección por Schistosoma japonicum y la morbilidad a ella asociada, y estimar las poblaciones humanas y de búfalos infectadas en la región del lago Dongting, en la provincia china de Hunan. MÉTODOS: Usamos datos del tercer estudio epidemiológico nacional periódico sobre la esquistosomiasis de 2004. Como parte del mismo se hicieron 47 144 pruebas serológicas y 7205 análisis de heces en personas, 3893 exploraciones clínicas y encuestas a base de cuestionarios, y 874 análisis de heces en búfalos, en un total de 47 aldeas de la provincia de Hunan. Los análisis serológicos se realizaron mediante una técnica de inmunosorción enzimática, y las muestras de heces humanas fueron examinadas mediante el método de Kato-Katz. La presencia de infección por esquistosoma en las heces de búfalos y otros animales domésticos se analizó mediante la prueba de incubación de miracidia. RESULTADOS: La seroprevalencia fue del 11,9% (intervalo: 1,3%-34,9% a nivel de aldea), y la tasa de resultados positivos para la presencia de huevos en las heces fue del 1,9% (0%-10,9%) para la misma población. La prevalencia de infección entre los búfalos fue del 9,5% (0%-66,7%). Extrapolando a la totalidad de la población de la región del lago Dongting, se estimó que estaban infectadas unas 73 225 personas y 13 973 búfalos. Los síntomas notificados con más frecuencia fueron el dolor abdominal (6,2%) y las heces sanguinolentas (2,7%). Más de la mitad de los participantes explorados clínicamente declararon haber sido sometidos antes a tratamiento antiesquistosómico por lo menos una vez. CONCLUSIÓN: Se observó una reducción importante del número de personas infectadas por S. japonicum desde el estudio nacional realizado en 1995, lo que puede atribuirse en parte a las campañas de antibioticoterapia emprendidas a gran escala. Sin embargo, el número prácticamente inalterado de infecciones detectadas en la población de búfalos lleva a pensar que persisten las reinfecciones humanas, y ello podría traducirse en un futuro aumento de la prevalencia en el hombre.

OBJECTIF: Déterminer la prévalence et l’intensité de l’infection à Schistosoma Japonicum et la morbidité associée. Estimer l’importance des populations d’êtres humains et de buffles contaminés dans la région du lac de Dongting, dans la province du Hunan, en Chine. MÉTHODES: Nous avons utilisé des données provenant de la troisième enquête épidémiologique périodique sur la schistosomiase (PES) de 2004. Ces données étaient les résultats de 47 144 examens sérologiques, de 7205 examens de selles et de 3893 examens cliniques et enquêtes par questionnaire pratiqués chez des êtres humains, ainsi que de 874 examens d’excréments de buffles, effectués dans 47 villages du Hunan. Les examens sérologiques ont été réalisés par la méthode immuno-enzymatique en phase solide et les examens de selles humaines par la technique de Kato-Katz. On a recherché la présence d’une infection à schistosomes sur des selles de buffles et d’autres animaux domestiques par le test d’éclosion des miracidia. RÉSULTATS: La séroprévalence était de 11,9 % (plage : 1,3 - 34,9 % au niveau du village) et la proportion de selles positives pour le test d’éclosion a été estimée à 1,9 % (0 - 10,9 %) dans la même population. La prévalence de l’infection parmi les buffles était de 9,5 % (0 - 66,7 %). En extrapolant ces résultat à l’ensemble de la population de la région du Lac Dongting, on a estimé que 73 225 personnes et 13 973 buffles étaient contaminés. Les symptômes les plus fréquemment rapportés étaient des douleurs abdominales (6,2 %) et des selles sanglantes (2,7 %). Plus de la moitié des participants ayant subi un examen clinique ont signalé au moins un traitement antischistosomique antérieur. CONCLUSION: L’étude a permis de constater une réduction notable du nombre d’êtres humains contaminés par S. japonicum depuis la précédente enquête PES de 1995, réduction partiellement explicable par les campagnes de chimiothérapie à grande échelle. Cependant, le nombre relativement stable de buffles contaminés laisse prévoir une recontamination permanente des humains, susceptible de conduire à une recrudescence de la prévalence de la schistosomiase chez l’homme.