Instructions for Authors

<正>Aims and scope SCIENCE CHINA Life Sciences(Sci China Life Sci)is a journal supervised by the Chinese Academy of Sciences,and co-sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and National Natural Science Foundation of China.It is published monthly in English by Science China Press and Springer.The journal is indexed/abstracted in SCI,Pub Med,MEDLINE,BIOSIS,CA,etc.     

Notice for Contributors

Aims and ScopeCell Research is a journaI devoted to the publication of the novel results in different areas of animal and plant cell biologyand to the Promotion of the scientific exchanges between China and all other parts of the world. 1t is edited by ShanghaInstitute of Ce11 Biology, Chinese Acadewr of Sciences. The journal is indexed in Index Medicus, MEDLINE on MEDLARSsystem, Science Citation Index Expanded'm (also known as SciSearch'm), and ISI Web of Science on the Intern…     

Instruction for Authors

Genomics, Proteomics ＆ Bioinformatics welcomes submissions from all over the world on the topics of genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics in the following types： ● High-quality research papers presenting novel data and ideas ● Papers describing innovative methods and techniques as well as resources providing primary scientific information to a broad readership ● Comprehensive reviews either as full articles or mini-reviews related with author＇s own research ● Commentaries and opinions about new discoveries, scientific policies, and research proposals     

Genetic Group Index on Multiple Traits for Homogeneous Covariance Structure

A multi-trait index for ranking different genetic groups/populations with homogeneous covariance structure is developed and illustrated with live data.     

A new plan quality index for nasopharyngeal cancer SIB IMRT

A new plan quality index integrating dosimetric and radiobiological indices was proposed to facilitate the evaluation and comparison of simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans for nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients.Ten NPC patients treated by SIB-IMRT were enrolled in the study. Custom software was developed to read dose–volume histogram (DVH) curves from the treatment planning system (TPS). A plan filtering matrix was introduced to filter plans that fail to satisfy treatment protocol. Target plan quality indices and organ at risk (OAR) plan quality indices were calculated for qualified plans. A unique composite plan quality index (CPQI) was proposed based on the relative weight of these indices to evaluate and compare competing plans. Plan ranking results were compared with detailed statistical analysis, radiation oncology quality system (ROQS) scoring results and physician's evaluation results to verify the accuracy of this new plan quality index.The average CPQI values for plans with OAR priority of low, normal, high, and PTV only were 0.22 ± 0.08, 0.49 ± 0.077, 0.71 ± 0.062, and −0.21 ± 0.16, respectively. There were significant differences among these plan quality indices (One-way ANOVA test, p < 0.01). This was consistent with statistical analysis, ROQS results and physician's ranking results in which 90% OAR high plans were selected.Plan filtering matrix was able to speed up the plan evaluation process. The new matrix plan quality index CPQI showed good consistence with physician ranking results. It is a promising index for NPC SIB-IMRT plan evaluation.     

Desirable mathematical properties of indicators for biodiversity change

Numerous indicator approaches are found in the scientific literature to describe changes in biodiversity. It is however far from clear which indicators are most appropriate and which are less suitable to summarize trends in biodiversity. One reason for this lack of clarity is that so far the mathematical properties of indicator approaches have had little attention. In this paper, we derive a number of desirable mathematical properties of indicators from economic price-index theory and apply these in the form of tests to 10 metrics to summarize changes in biodiversity. The metrics species richness, Simpson index, Shannon index, Buckland's modified Shannon index and Sørensen's similarity coefficient violate the monotonicity and proportionality test. The percentage of increasing minus declining species also fails the proportionality test, and in the case where trends are assessed relative to the preceding year, this metric also violates the identity test. Most of these indicators are sensitive to spatial scale. The arithmetic and geometric mean of population indices and the mean abundance have better mathematical performance, but the first two are sensitive to appearing and disappearing species in the system surveyed. The metric mean abundance however can only be applied under particular conditions and has some undesirable properties. Unlike the arithmetic mean, the geometric mean is not sensitive to the base year chosen and has the most favourable mathematical properties of the indicators evaluated. The geometric mean can be straightforwardly extended to take into account unequal values of species if desired.     

Too hot for comfort: The heatwaves in Greece in 1987 and 1988

The heatwaves that affected Greece in July 1987 and July 1988 are considered in terms of (i) the relative strain index. For different types of activity, and (ii) the discomfort index. Hourly values of air temperature and humidity for Thessaloniki and Athens were used as the data base. Both indices show that in terms of physiological strain and general discomfort, Thessaloniki suffered a little more and a little longer than Athens. We conclude that the relative strain index is probably a useful tool in studies of the adverse effects of humid heatwaves on different sections of a population.     

Selection indices for non-linear profit functions

Summary Conventional selection index theory assumes that the total merit or profitability of animals is a linear function of measurable traits. However, in many cases merit may be a non-linear function of these traits. A linear selection index can still be used in this situation but the optimum index depends on the selection intensity to be used and on the number of generation over which the selection response is to be maximized. Nonlinear selection indices have been suggested but these result in a lower selection response than the best linear index. Linear selection indices suggested in the past are shown to correspond to the optimum linear index for either a very small selection response or, in the case of restricted indices, a very large selection response. The economic value of a trait may depend on management decisions taken by the farmer. In this situation the economic values should be calculated assuming that the management decisions taken maximize profit given the present genetic value of the animals.     

中国自然保护区区域评价模型的建立与应用

在综合分析中国自然保护区现状的基础上,提取数量、面积、生境破碎化、人口压力、经济开发压力5个要素建立中国自然保护区区域评价模型.模型由胁迫指数(IP)、状态指数(IS)、保护需求指数(CI)3个指数构成指标体系.提出了自然保护区有效性权重系数,用以将不同级别不同管理水平的自然保护区统一纳入到评价模型中,在一定程度上消除了自然保护区间保护水平差异对区域评价准确性的影响.应用该模型对中国大陆各省及各行政区间保护区发展水平进行了评价.结果表明,中国西部各省保护区(例如ISNorthwest China =10.82)建设状况良好,而东部经济发达省份,特别是华东地区的保护区当前状态(ISEast China =4.82)低于全国整体水平(ISNation wide =6.50).同时,东部各省面临更大的潜在保护压力(例如IPEast China =10.99,IPNation wide=9.21).应首先调整华东、华中、华南省份的保护区建设规划,同时加大投入、加强管理,加强西部省份经济活动对保护区管理和功能的影响的监测.     

Conventional digital cameras as a tool for assessing leaf area index and biomass for cereal breeding

Affordable and easy-to-use methods for assessing biomass and leaf area index （LAI） would be of interest in most breeding programs. Here, we describe the evaluation of a protocol for photographic sampling and image analysis aimed at providing low-labor yet robust indicators of biomass and LAI. In this trial, two genotypes of triticale, two of bread wheat, and four of tritordeum were studied. At six dates during the growing cycle, biomass and LAI were measured destructively, and digital photography was taken on the same dates. Several vegetation indices were calculated from each image. The results showed that repeatable and consistent values of the indices were obtained in consecutive photographic samplings on the same plots. The photographic indices were highly correlated with the destructive measure-ments, though the magnitude of the correlation was lower after anthesis. This work shows that photographic assess-ment of biomass and LAI can be fast, affordable, have good repeatability, and can be used under bright and overcast skies. A practical vegetation index derived from pictures is the fraction of green pixels over the total pixels of the image, and as it shows good correlations with all biomass variables, is the most robust to lighting conditions and has easy interpretation.     

临安市雷竹林土壤重金属污染特征及生态风险评价

为了解临安市雷竹林土壤重金属污染特征,采集并测定了160个土壤样品的Hg、As、Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、Ni、Co、Mn等重金属含量,采用单因子污染指数和内梅罗综合污染指数对雷竹林土壤重金属污染程度进行分析,并应用Hankanson潜在生态风险指数法对雷竹林土壤重金属潜在生态风险进行评价.结果表明:雷竹林土壤重金属Hg、As、Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、Ni、Co、Mn的平均含量分别为0.16、7.41、34.36、87.98、103.98、0.26、59.12、29.56、11.44、350.26mg·kg-1,Pb、Cd、Zn和Cu平均值超过浙江省土壤背景值,分别是对应背景值的2.89、1.70、1.12、1.12倍.经单因子污染指数评价,不同重金属元素的平均污染程度大小依次为Pb＞Cd＞Cu=Zn＞Hg＞As＞Ni＞Co＞Cr＞Mn,其中Pb有中度污染,Cd、Cu和Zn有轻度污染.经内梅罗综合污染指数评价,160个样点都受到不同程度的重金属污染,轻度污染、中度污染和重度污染水平所占比率分别为55.6％、29.4％和15.0％.各重金属单因子潜在生态风险指数平均值评价结果显示,只有Cd污染达到中等生态风险,其他重金属均为轻微生态风险,而局部采样点Cd和Hg单因子潜在生态风险指数最大值分别达到256.82和187.33,存在很强生态风险.重金属综合因子潜在生态风险指数评价结果表明,临安市雷竹林土壤整体上存在轻微生态风险.     

Toxicity of pesticides to the citrus leafminer and its parasitoid Ageniaspis citricola evaluated to assess their suitability for an IPM program in citrus nurseries

The relative toxicity of pesticides to Phyllocnistis citrella and its parasitoid Ageniaspis citricola was compared by several bioassay methods. A clip-cage bioassay measured survival of adults exposed to fresh residues at 0.25-times (0.25×), 0.5×, 1×, and 2× the lowest recommended rate of each pesticide, a water control (0×), and 24- and 48-h aged residues of oil at 1.5% (1×) rate. A one-species cylinder bioassay determined the effects of pesticides on immature stages of the citrus leafminer after treating young citrus trees with the same rates of pesticides (except for avermectin, tested at 0×, 0.01×, 0.025×, 0.05×, 0.1×, and 0.25× rates). A sublethal rate of petroleum oil (0.4%) was added as an adjuvant in some treatments. The effect of pesticides on immature stages of A. citricola was determined with a two-species cylinder bioassay after treating young citrus trees with the same rates as above. An index of IPM compatibility was developed based on the efficacy of the pesticide as a control agent of the leafminer (or other pests) and its selectivity to the parasitoid at the lowest recommended field rate (0.25× the field rate for avermectin). Azadirachtin (Neemix) + oil, diflubenzuron (Micromite) + oil, fenoxycarb (Eclipse) + oil, and oil alone (FC 435-66) were classified as IPM-compatible insecticides. Sprays of azadirachtin (Align) + oil, neem oil (Neemgard), and drenched imidacloprid (Admire) were ranked as a semi-compatible insecticides. The fungicide copper hydroxide (Kocide 101) and a fish oil-based foliar fertilizer (Zapata HFE) were considered compatible. Avermectin (Agri-Mek) + oil, ethion (Ethion), and imidacloprid (Provado) applied as a spray were IPM-incompatible insecticides. These products should be tested under field conditions to confirm these ratings.     

Application of indicators for identifying climate change vulnerable areas in semi-arid regions of India

This paper aims at assess district-wise vulnerability index of the state of Karnataka State, which is predominantly is rainfed and is highly susceptible to climatic variability. Secondary data on relevant indicators were collected to prepare indices viz., crop production losses, exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. Following normalization and using appropriate weights for indicators, these four indices were used for constructing vulnerability index, which can be used a rapid assessment method for prioritizing districts that need measures to moderate the detrimental impact of climate change. It has been observed that Climatic variability caused higher production losses in cereals, pulses and oilseeds in Davangere, Gulbarga and Raichur districts, respectively. Districts like Koppal, Raichur, Bijapur Gulbarga, Gadag, Bagalkote and Bellary were placed under extreme degree of exposure. As per the sensitivity index scores, Kolar district is the most sensitive. Further, Bengaluru (Urban), Dakshin Kannada and Kodagu are ranked first, second and third in terms of adaptive capacity in the state. Overall, vulnerability index scores indicate that Gulbarga, Koppal, Raichur, Bellary, Bagalkote, Bijapur and Belgaum are extremely vulnerable districts in the state. It was also estimated that around 70% of the cultivated area, which supports 60% and 67% of livestock and rural population of the state, respectively are facing ‘extreme to high’ level of vulnerability. The ranking based prioritization of the vulnerable areas calls for a holistic approach for each district or a group of districts to reduce their sensitivity, minimize exposure to rainfall variability through implementation of site-specific and leverage adaptive capacity through better health and education facilities, expansion of employment opportunities in other sectors or reducing over dependence on agriculture.