Grassland managements can affect carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) storage in grassland ecosystems with consequent feedbacks to climate change. We investigated the impacts of compound fertilization and clipping on grass biomass, plant and soil (0-20 cm depth) C, N storage, plant and soil C: N ratios, soil microbial activity and diversity, and C, N sequestration rates in grassland in situ in the Natio...

The present study was conducted to investigate the influence of initial sucrose concentration, pH and aeration rate on biomass and inulinase production by Kluyveromyces marxianus var. bulgaricus in a stirred batch reactor. Maximum inulinase activity (15.29 UmL) was obtained at a sucrose concentration of 10 g L, pH 5.0 and aeration rate of 1 vvm. The 20 g L sucrose concentration was suitable for...

Aspergillus niger F7 isolated from soil was found to be the potent producer of cellulase and xylanase. The residue of forest species Toona ciliata, Celtris australis, Cedrus deodara and Pinus roxburghii was selected as substrate for biodegradation study due to its easy availability and wide use in industry. It was subjected to alkali (sodium hydroxide) treatment for enhancing its degradation. B...

In the present study, the effect of exogenous silver nitrate (Ag+) and copper sulfate (Cu2+) applications on production of artemisinin and phenolic compounds as well as oxidative stress in the shoot cultures of Artemisia annua was investigated. A significant decrease in the shoot biomass and the total chlorophyll was observed in the shoots exposed to increased Ag concentration. Additionally, a ...

Size-selective mortality inevitably leads to a decrease in population density and exerts a direct negative effect on targeted size classes. But density and population size structure are also shaped by food-dependent processes, such as individual growth, maturation, and reproduction. Mortality relaxes competition and thereby alters the dynamic interplay among these processes. As shown by the rec...

Urban grasslands not only provide a recreational venue for urban residents, but also sequester organic carbon in vegetation and soils through photosynthesis, and release carbon dioxide through respiration, which largely contribute to carbon storage and fluxes at regional and global scales. We investigated organic carbon and nitrogen pools in subtropical turfs and found that dissolved organic ca...

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis affects 1% of the world population, and up to 73% of patients present respiratory disorders. In Colombia, there are no studies evaluating the relationship between the presence of pulmonary disorders and rheumatoid arthritis. Objective: To determine the factors associated with respiratory diseases in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Case-control stu...

effects of different carbon sources on growth and production of antifungal agent(s) by gymnopilus spectabilis were investigated. different carbon sources including; glucose, fructose, lactose, maltose, manitol and sucrose at the concentration of 10 g/l and slow releasing carbon sources including malt extract and soluble starch at the concentration of 2g/l were used. inhibition of spore germinat...

Introduction The reciprocating biomass conversion reactor (RBCR) is a novel means of converting biomass to bio-oil. The RBCR is a repurposed highcompression 4-stroke internal combustion engine into which a fluidizing gas and a small volume fraction of pulverized biomass are introduced, and the crankshaft is cycled by an external energy source to supply the process heat for thermo-chemical conve...