1986-2015年瓜州绿洲变化

瓜州县作为丝绸之路的边塞重镇,瓜州绿洲在保持东西段的经济联系中具有重要作用。以遥感影像为数据源,分别提取1986年、1990年、1995年、2000年、2005年、2010年和2015年间的绿洲分布信息,并使用格网化的方法,分析瓜州绿洲变化的时空过程和空间规律。结果表明：过去30年间,瓜州绿洲总体为增长的趋势,面积净增长278.874km²,相比于1986年,绿洲扩张49.6%,其中2000年以前绿洲的扩张速度较慢,2000-2005年为绿洲扩张的巅峰时期,其次为2005-2015年。空间分布上,昌马灌区绿洲不断向冲积平原前缘和向西扩张,主要为移民区域的耕地开发;疏勒河干流灌区的绿洲扩张是以原始绿洲为基础,呈散射状向外发展;疏勒河尾闾的绿洲规模较小、斑块分散,但在近几十年间也得到了较大程度的扩张。对于绿洲退缩而言,主要发生在昌马冲积平原区,面积较少,主要是由于该区域分布的较多天然植被,在受环境因素的影响下变化频繁。总结绿洲的变化过程可以看出,瓜州绿洲的扩张速度较快,扩张特征明显。昌马冲积扇前平原作为一个较典型的扩张区域,绿洲不断向北部细土平原扩张,但由于该区域本身的地下水位较浅,地表盐渍化现象严重,加之大量地表水利工程的建立,盐渍化的防护和治理成为了确保该区域绿洲长期稳定发展需要考虑的重要问题之一。     

Isolation and characterization of a new Mycobacterium austroafricanum strain, IFP 2015, growing on MTBE

A new Mycobacterium austroafricanum strain, IFP 2015, growing on methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) as a sole carbon source was isolated from an MTBE-degrading microcosm inoculated with drain water of an MTBE-supplemented gasoline storage tank. M. austroafricanum IFP 2015 was able to grow on tert-butyl formate, tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) and α-hydroxyisobutyrate. 2-Methyl-1,2-propanediol was identified as the TBA oxidation product in M. austroafricanum IFP 2015 and in the previously isolated M. austroafricanum IFP 2012. M. austroafricanum IFP 2015 also degraded ethyl tert-butyl ether more rapidly than M. austroafricanum IFP 2012. Specific primers designed to monitor the presence of M. austroafricanum strains could be used as molecular tools to detect similar strains in MTBE-contaminated environment.     

Interpreting the flock algorithm: a reply to Anderson & Barry (2015)

Anderson & Barry (Molecular Ecology Resources, 2015, 10, 1020–1030) compared a reprogrammed version of flock (Duchesne & Turgeon , Molecular Ecology Resources, 2009, 9, 1333–1344), flockture , to a particular model of structure (Pritchard , Genetics, 2000, 155, 945–959) that they propose is equivalent to flock , a non‐MCMC, non‐Bayesian algorithm. They conclude that structure performs better than flockture at clustering individuals from simulated populations with very low level of differentiation (F_ST c. 0.008) based on 15 microsatellites or 96 SNPs. We rather consider that both algorithms failed, with proportions of correct allocations lower than 50%. The authors also noted the slightly better performance of flockture with SNPs at intermediate F_ST values (c. 0.02–0.04) but did not comment. Finally, we disagree with the way the processing time of each program was compared. When compared on the basis of a run leading to a clustering solution, the main output of any clustering algorithm, flock , is, as users can readily experience, much faster. In all, we feel that flock performs at least as well as structure as a clustering algorithm. Moreover, flock has two major assets: high speed and clear, well validated, rules to estimate K, the number of populations. It thus provides a valuable addition to the set of tools at the disposal of the many researchers dealing with real empirical data sets.     

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Korea: A multicenter,nationwide study conducted in 2015 and 2016

Background

The Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research has studied Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) prevalence since 1998 and found a dynamic change in its prevalence in Korea. The aim of this study was to determine the recent H. pylori prevalence rate and compare it with that of previous studies according to socioeconomic variables.

Methods

We planned to enroll 4920 asymptomatic Korean adults from 21 centers according to the population distribution of seven geographic areas (Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungcheong, Kyungsang, Cholla, and Jeju). We centrally collected serum and tested H. pylori serum IgG using a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay.

Results

We analyzed 4917 samples (4917/4920 = 99.9%) from January 2015 to December 2016. After excluding equivocal serologic results, the H. pylori seropositivity rate was 51.0% (2414/4734). We verified a decrease in H. pylori seroprevalence compared with previous studies performed in 1998, 2005, and 2011 (P < .0001). The H. pylori seroprevalence rate differed by area: Cholla (59.5%), Chungcheong (59.2%), Kyungsang (55.1%), Jeju (54.4%), Gangwon (49.1%), Seoul (47.4%), and Gyeonggi (44.6%). The rate was higher in those older than 40 years (38.1% in those aged 30‐39 years and 57.7% in those aged 40‐49 years) and was lower in city residents than in noncity residents at all ages.

Conclusions

Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in Korea is decreasing and may vary according to population characteristics. This trend should be considered to inform H. pylori‐related policies.     

Evidence of anthropogenic trauma in marine mammals stranded along the central California coast, 2003–2015

A total of 11,162 stranded marine mammals was admitted to a rehabilitation center on the central California coast between January 2003 and September 2015. Six hundred seventeen animals (6%) had evidence of anthropogenic trauma (AT). California sea lions comprised the majority (83%) of AT cases, particularly by entanglement in marine debris (n = 277) and gunshot injuries (n = 165). Guadalupe fur seals had the highest prevalence of entanglement in marine debris. Cetaceans were primarily affected by boat collisions (n = 19). The highest numbers of overall strandings were recorded in 2009 (n = 1,690) and 2015 (n = 1,666); 2009 also had the highest total number (n = 137) and prevalence (8%) of AT cases. Prevalence of fishing tackle cases increased compared to similar data from 1986 to 1998 while prevalence of gunshot cases decreased, and other causes remained static. Cases of fisheries interactions were further examined and characterized, and when direct fisheries interactions were separated from other causes of AT, fisheries interactions accounted for 50% (n = 310) of all AT cases during the study period. Direct fisheries interactions were the most common type of AT observed among stranded marine mammals in central California. Tracking AT trends is important to further understand possible causes and inform mitigation efforts.     

Ichnologic note: in defence of Thatchtelithichnus Zonneveld,Bartels, Gunnell and McHugh, 2015

Abstract

The validity of the monotypic ichnogenus Thatchtelithichnus has been called into question due to an inference that it is a bioclaustration. Close analysis of the Thatchtelithichnus holmani holotype reveals that no part of this ichnotaxon involves a bioclaustration, and thus it remains a valid ichnotaxon. Thatchtelithichnus holmani has been observed on the bottom shell (plastron) of cryptodiran and pleurodiran turtles in North America and Egypt where it is interpreted to represent an attachment trace of aquatic ectoparasites. It has also been observed on dinosaur long bones where it may represent the activity of beetle larvae.     

Recent brachiopods collected during the ZhongSha 2015 expedition to the South China Sea,West Pacific

Fourteen species of Recent brachiopods belonging to the genera Novocrania, Basiliola, Acanthobasiliola, Gryphus, Zygonaria, Terebratulina, Eucalathis, Laqueus, Frenulina, Annuloplatidia, Phaneropora, Dallina and Campages have been identified in the samples collected during the French–Taiwanese ZhongSha 2015 expedition to the South China Sea, West Pacific. Five species were already described from this region. The remaining species represent first records for the South China Sea, among them two species, Annuloplatidia curiosa and Phaneropora galatheae are recorded for the first time in the northern hemisphere.     

Flaviviral disease mosquito vector surveillance in Incheon Metropolitan City and the Hwaseong area,Gyeonggi‐Do,Republic of Korea,in 2015

Owing to global climate change, the global resurgence of vector‐borne infectious diseases and their potential to inflict widespread casualties among human populations has emerged as a pivotal burden on public health systems. In this study, the prevalence of flaviviral diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, and their target vector diversity, abundance, and distribution was investigated to enable the mapping of hotspots for these diseases. For the surveillance of the vector mosquitoes carrying flaviviruses during April to November 2015, female mosquitoes were collected to study whether they carried pathogens from abroad at seven locations in Incheon Metropolitan City (Incheon) as a typical urban area and Hwaseong‐si (= city, Hwaseong) of Gyeonggi‐do (= province) as a rural area. A total of 15 species belonging to seven genera (29,102 female mosquitoes) were collected with black‐light and BG‐Sentinel? traps at a collection rate of 260 per trap/night from whole collection locations. The most collected mosquito species in Incheon were Aedes vexans nipponii (species ratio (SR), 29.9%) and the Culex pipiens complex (SR, 28.8%), followed by Anopheles sinensis s.l. (SR, 27.9%) and Ochlerotatus koreicus (SR, 7.1%). From the results of viral RNA detection, five flaviviruses were found in 20,981 individuals (excluding An. sinensis; 696 pools) in the Cx. pipiens complex and Ae. vexans nipponii. Three Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)‐positive pools were from the Cx. pipiens complex, a Chaoyang virus pool was found from Ae. vexans nipponii, and the remaining unidentified flavivirus pool was from Cx. pipiens. The three JEV‐positive pools were phylogenetically grouped as genotype V. The results of our study demonstrate that enhanced monitoring and long‐term surveillance of these vector viruses are of great public health importance.     

2000-2015年中国陆地生态系统蒸散时空变化及其影响因素

准确量化区域蒸散时空格局及其影响因素对理解陆地生态系统碳水循环具有十分重要的意义。近年来中国经历了严重的空气污染及气候波动,亟须探讨蒸散的时空变化及其影响因素。基于PT-JPL（Priestly-Taylor Jet Propulsion Laboratory）模型,集成遥感数据和气象数据模拟了中国陆地生态系统2000-2015年蒸散,并分析其时空变化及影响因素。结果表明：1）参数优化后PT-JPL模型可解释蒸散年际变化的68%,优于原始模型及MODIS蒸散产品;2）中国地区多年平均蒸散为440.16 mm/a,呈东南沿海到西北内陆逐渐递减的空间格局;3）2000-2015年蒸散整体呈轻微下降趋势（slope=6.48 Gt/a,P=0.17）,但具有年代际差异,2000-2010年中国地区蒸散呈显著下降趋势（slope=21.05,P < 0.01）,占全国蒸散总量45.05%的内蒙古地区、甘新地区、黄土高原地区及青藏地区解释了61.88%的年际变化;2010-2015年呈轻微上升趋势（slope=10.48,P=0.71）,各地区均无显著变化趋势;4）辐射主导了蒸散的年代际差异,分别解释了2010年前后蒸散下降及上升趋势的51.45%、85.26%。蒸散呈显著变化趋势的内蒙古地区、黄土高原地区及青藏地区主要受辐射控制,甘新地区主要受降水和温度的影响。     

Patterns of permit requests and issuance for regulated alien and invasive species in South Africa for the period 2015-2018

Invasive species typically establish in areas outside their natural distribution through accidental introduction and accidental release or escape. Some species are introduced legally for economic and social benefits such as recreational hunting, the pet trade and research through established permitting processes driven by appropriate laws and regulations. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a trend in demand for regulated alien taxa based on permit requests and to ascertain the activities for which permits requested in order to infer the drivers of alien taxa demand in South Africa. We examined the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) species permitting application database records from October 2015 to February 2018. From the total of 1,390 permit applications during this period, 79.2% of the permits were issued for various economic and social activities associated with the following species: Red lechwe (Kobus leche leche, Gray), fallow deer (Dama dama Linnaeus), Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Valenciennes), Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus) and rose-ring parakeet (Psittacula krameri Scopoli). Our results suggest that economic activities such as hunting and sport fishing are driving the demand for some regulated species. We suggest reinforced monitoring and inspection for permit compliance for species sought to minimise potential escape.     

Length–weight relationships and condition factors of two fish species from the southern Caspian Sea basin: Alburnoides samiii Mousavi‐Sabet,Vatandoust & Doadrio, 2015 and Ponticola iranicus Vasil′eva,Mousavi‐Sabet & Vasil′ev, 2015

The present study describes the length–weight relationships (LWRs) and condition factors (K) of Alburnoides samiii and Ponticola iranicus in the Sefidroud River from the southern Caspian Sea basin, September 2013 to August 2014. This study presents the first known reference in the FishBase database regarding the LWRs and condition factors for these two indigenous species.     

Occurrence rates of wild rodent hosts and chigger mites and the infection rate of Orientia tsutsugamushi in the central region of South Korea from 2015 to 2018

Outbreaks of vector‐borne diseases are dramatically increasing because of climate change, consequently increasing the importance of surveillance of endemic disease vectors. In this study, we surveyed chigger mites, vectors for Orientia tsutsugamushi—the bacteria that causes Tsutsugamushi disease—, and their rodent hosts in Gimcheon, central South Korea, in 2015–2018. A total of 225 rodents were collected, with trap rate and percentage of rodents infected by chigger mites of 9.8 and 72.4%, respectively. Six species of rodents from five genera were collected, the most common rodent being Apodemus agrarius (n = 153, infection rate = 90.8%). The highest number of rodents was collected in spring (trap rate = 10.3), but the rate of infected rodents was higher in fall (81.5%) than in spring (61.3%). Trap rate was highest for bank near waterway (17.9), but the chigger index (CI) was highest in hill (224.1). A total of 20,534 (CI 126.0) chigger mite individuals from 10 species and three genera were found on the collected rodents. The most common species was Leptotrombidium pallidum (n = 7,982, 83.6%, CI 49.0), followed by L. palpale and L. scutellare. Chigger mites were most frequent at banks near waterway (n = 11,093, CI 152.0) and hill (n = 2,017, CI 224.1). To detect O. tsutsugamushi in chigger mites, 450 pools of chigger mites (n = 10,991) were analyzed; 24 pools were positive—23 of A. agrarius, the most frequently collected species in South Korea, 1 of Micromys minutus—and the minimum positive rate (MPR) was 0.22. The detected strain types included Boryong (dominant in all years, seasons, and habitats), Jecheon, 07–489, and IIOC1202.     

Brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens was concentrated at the rear of the typhoon Soudelor in Eastern China in August 2015

Sometimes, extreme weather is vital for the population survival of migratory insects by causing sudden population collapse or outbreak. Several studies have shown that rice planthopper migration was significantly influenced by typhoons in eastern Asia. Most typhoons occur in the summer, especially in August. In August, brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) migrates northward or southward depending on wind direction, and thus typhoons can potentially influence its migration process and population distribution. However, this has not yet been studied. This paper reported a case study on the effects of Typhoon Soudelor on the summer migration of N. lugens in eastern China in 2015. The migration pathways of N. lugens were reconstructed for the period under the influence of a typhoon by calculating the trajectories and migration events in eight counties of the Yangtze River Valley region with ancillary information. Trajectory modelling showed that most migrants took short distance migrations (less than 200 km) under the influence of the Typhoon Soudelor. Numerous N. lugens migrants were concentrated and deposited at the rear of the typhoon during the last 5 days of Typhoon Soudelor on August 9–13 due to horizontal convergence, and this led to an outbreak population. These results indicated that the N. lugens population was redistributed by the typhoon in the summer and that the population dynamics at the rear of a typhoon should be kept under close surveillance. This study provided insight into migratory organisms adapting to atmospheric features.     

Establishing the ecological restoration network in Argentina: from Rio1992 to SIACRE2015

The development of the science and practice of restoration ecology in Argentina can be divided into three periods. The first was 1992–2004, characterized by isolated restoration efforts, mostly in arid and dry ecosystems, and engaging specific people in the academic, agro‐technological, and private sectors as partially required by national regulations, but also inspired by the 1992 Earth Summit, the 1994 Amendments of the Constitutional Law, and environmental guidelines from investment entities. The second period of 2005–2010 showed significantly greater involvement in international networking and conference contributions. The current period from 2011‐present has witnessed rapid advances and national integration. The country's network Red de Restauración Ecológica de Argentina (REA) was founded in 2012, with seven subnational nodes. In 2014, the 2nd REA symposium was held to determine priority areas for restoration and to generate a National Plan. Public agencies, NGOs and volunteer groups are now actively engaged stakeholders. In 2013 Argentina became a founder member of SIACRE (Sociedad Ibero‐Americana y del Caribe para la Restauración Ecológica) and is organizing SIACRE's 4th international conference (April 2015; Buenos Aires). Restoration ecology in Argentina is ascendant because of long‐term efforts related to strengthening democracy, people initiatives, and strong support from SIACRE, SER (Society for Ecological Restoration), SER‐Europe, and the national networks of Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, and Chile. Moreover, Argentina is now the first country to have updated its Civil Code by integrating the environment as a “legal good,” which reinforces the citizens' rights to demand the implementation of degradation prevention and/or ecosystem restoration measures.     

Possible domestic dispersal of Bactrocera dorsalis during 2015 occurrence on the small islands of south‐western Japan

Although Japan has maintained the state of eradication of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel complex (Diptera: Tephritidae) since 1986, B. dorsalis complex are occasionally trapped within a limited area and short time period on Japan's small south‐western islands. Trapping events occurred on Amamioshima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, in 2015, and male adults were also caught in surveillance traps on neighbouring Tokunoshima (south of Amamioshima) and Yakushima (north of Amamioshima) islands as well as on several islands in Okinawa Prefecture (south of Amamioshima). To investigate possible domestic dispersal of the pest from Amamioshima Island, a trajectory analysis was performed to reveal the timing and flight distance of possible dispersal. Surveillance data indicated that the first trappings on Tokunoshima and Yakushima islands occurred in November, which was after the number of trapped male adults on Amamioshima Island peaked in late October. Backward trajectories from Tokunoshima Island beginning 14 days prior to the first trapping passed over Amamioshima Island, which suggested possible dispersal between the islands. Several backward trajectories from the islands in Okinawa Prefecture also passed Amamioshima Island. Moreover, forward trajectories from Amamioshima Island beginning during peak occurrence, from mid‐October to early November, arrived over Tokunoshima, Iheya and Okinawa islands where the flies were caught. Such circumstantial evidence suggests that domestic dispersal of B. dorsalis complex occurred on Amamioshima Island. A situation similar to that on Tokunoshima Island also occurred on Yakushima Island. However, since the number of traps has been limited until the first capture, it was not clear when and from where the immigrants arrived on the island.     

Implementation of the 2015 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the management of infective endocarditis in the Netherlands

Because the occurrence of infective endocarditis (IE) continues to be associated with high mortality, a working group was created by the Dutch Society of Cardiology to examine how the most recent European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for IE management could be implemented most effectively in the Netherlands. In order to investigate current Dutch IE practices, the working group conducted a country-wide survey. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that most ESC recommendations could be endorsed, albeit with some adjustments. For instance, the suggested pre-operative screening and treatment of nasal carriers of Staphylococcus aureus as formulated in the ESC guideline was found to be dissimilar to current Dutch practice, and was therefore made less restrictive. The recently adapted ESC diagnostic criteria for IE were endorsed, while the practical employment of the relevant diagnostic techniques was simplified in an adapted flowchart. In addition, the presence of a multidisciplinary, so-called ‘endocarditis team’ in tertiary centres was proposed as a quality indicator. An adapted flowchart specifically tailored to Dutch practice for microbiological diagnostic purposes was constructed. Lastly, the working group recommended the Stichting Werkgroep Antibioticabeleid (SWAB; Dutch Working Party on Antibiotic Policy) guidelines for IE treatment instead of the antibiotic regimens proposed by the ESC.