Diurnal variability of gene arrangement frequencies in Drosophila subobscura populations from two habitats*

The rich inversion polymorphism of chromosomes of Drosophila subobscura varies in association with environmental changes at spatial and temporal level. Due to random factors this might become less regular and this might be the reason that there is little evidence of altitudinal and seasonal, microgeographic and habitat‐related variability. The variability of gene arrangement frequencies over daytime period was investigated in populations of D. subobscura from two ecologically different habitats. According to gene arrangement frequencies and inversion polymorphism parameters populations fit into the existing patterns of regional polymorphism. Even though populations display daytime variability for the frequencies of arrangements of chromosomes U and J, the nonsignificant differences in other arrangement frequencies, as well as data obtained from genetic distances between samples from different times of day, rule out the existence of subpopulations distinguished from each other by diurnal activity within two habitats. Some particular arrangement frequencies vary according to temperature and humidity and some changes appear for different karyotypic combinations between beech and oak habitat, which suggests different adaptive advantages and selective mechanisms. Cluster analysis of gene arrangement frequencies indicates some importance of A chromosome arrangements for diurnal activity and show in dependence to other ecological data that internally fixed daily activity rhythm might exists in D. subobscura. Analysis of light, temperature and humidity factors in relation to the frequency data obtained indicate a choice of different ecological niche in a temporally structured habitat due to behavioural genetic information.     

Shoot inversion-induced ethylene in pharbitis nil induces the release of apical dominance by restricting shoot elongation

Shoot inversion induces outgrowth of the highest lateral bud (HLB) adjacent to the bend in the stem in Pharbitis nil. In order to determine whether or not ethylene produced by shoot inversion plays a direct role in promoting or inhibiting bud outgrowth, comparisons were made of endogenous levels of ethylene in the HLB and HLB node of plants with and without inverted shoots. That no changes were found suggests that the control of apical dominance does not involve the direct action of ethylene. This conclusion is further supported by evidence that the direct application of ethylene inhibitors or ethrel to inactive or induced lateral buds has no significant effect on bud outgrowth. The hypothesis that ethylene evolved during shoot inversion indirectly promotes the outgrowth of the highest lateral bud (HLB) by restricting terminal bud (TB) growth is found to be supported by the following observations: (1) the restriction of TB growth appears to occur before the beginning of HLB outgrowth; (2) the treatment of the inverted portion of the shoot with AgNO₃, an inhibitor of ethylene action, dramatically eliminates both the restriction of TB growth and the promotion of HLB outgrowth which usually accompany shoot inversion; and (3) the treatment of the upper shoot of an upright plant with ethrel mimics shoot inversion by retarding upper shoot growth and inducing outgrowth of the lateral bud basipetal to the treated region.     

FLUXNET and modelling the global carbon cycle

Measurements of the net CO₂ flux between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere using the eddy covariance technique have the potential to underpin our interpretation of regional CO₂ source–sink patterns, CO₂ flux responses to forcings, and predictions of the future terrestrial C balance. Information contained in FLUXNET eddy covariance data has multiple uses for the development and application of global carbon models, including evaluation/validation, calibration, process parameterization, and data assimilation. This paper reviews examples of these uses, compares global estimates of the dynamics of the global carbon cycle, and suggests ways of improving the utility of such data for global carbon modelling. Net ecosystem exchange of CO₂ (NEE) predicted by different terrestrial biosphere models compares favourably with FLUXNET observations at diurnal and seasonal timescales. However, complete model validation, particularly over the full annual cycle, requires information on the balance between assimilation and decomposition processes, information not readily available for most FLUXNET sites. Site history, when known, can greatly help constrain the model‐data comparison. Flux measurements made over four vegetation types were used to calibrate the land‐surface scheme of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies global climate model, significantly improving simulated climate and demonstrating the utility of diurnal FLUXNET data for climate modelling. Land‐surface temperatures in many regions cool due to higher canopy conductances and latent heat fluxes, and the spatial distribution of CO₂ uptake provides a significant additional constraint on the realism of simulated surface fluxes. FLUXNET data are used to calibrate a global production efficiency model (PEM). This model is forced by satellite‐measured absorbed radiation and suggests that global net primary production (NPP) increased 6.2% over 1982–1999. Good agreement is found between global trends in NPP estimated by the PEM and a dynamic global vegetation model (DGVM), and between the DGVM and estimates of global NEE derived from a global inversion of atmospheric CO₂ measurements. Combining the PEM, DGVM, and inversion results suggests that CO₂ fertilization is playing a major role in current increases in NPP, with lesser impacts from increasing N deposition and growing season length. Both the PEM and the inversion identify the Amazon basin as a key region for the current net terrestrial CO₂ uptake (i.e. 33% of global NEE), as well as its interannual variability. The inversion's global NEE estimate of −1.2 Pg [C] yr⁻¹ for 1982–1995 is compatible with the PEM‐ and DGVM‐predicted trends in NPP. There is, thus, a convergence in understanding derived from process‐based models, remote‐sensing‐based observations, and inversion of atmospheric data. Future advances in field measurement techniques, including eddy covariance (particularly concerning the problem of night‐time fluxes in dense canopies and of advection or flow distortion over complex terrain), will result in improved constraints on land‐atmosphere CO₂ fluxes and the rigorous attribution of mechanisms to the current terrestrial net CO₂ uptake and its spatial and temporal heterogeneity. Global ecosystem models play a fundamental role in linking information derived from FLUXNET measurements to atmospheric CO₂ variability. A number of recommendations concerning FLUXNET data are made, including a request for more comprehensive site data (particularly historical information), more measurements in undisturbed ecosystems, and the systematic provision of error estimates. The greatest value of current FLUXNET data for global carbon cycle modelling is in evaluating process representations, rather than in providing an unbiased estimate of net CO₂ exchange.     

Dorsoventral axis inversion: Enteropneust anatomy links invertebrates to chordates turned upside down

The relationships between chordates with their dorsal nerve cord and other animal groups remain unclear. The hemichordata, specifically the enteropneusta (acorn worms), have been considered a sister group to the chordata. Enteropneusts combine various chordate features (e.g. lateral gill openings, dorsal nerve cord) with features that are usually associated with gastroneuralian invertebrates (e.g. dorsal heart, circumenteric nerve ring, ventral nerve cord). Here we analyse various morphological and functional characteristics that enteropneusts share with either invertebrates or chordates in the light of our recent proposal that the chordata may derive – by bodily dorsoventral inversion – from a gastroneuralian ancestor. We show that many seemingly non-chordate features of enteropneusts will align with similar features in the chordates – provided that we compare the ventral side of an enteropneust to the dorsal side of a chordate. This inversion proposes several interesting and new putative homologies between enteropneusts and acranian chordates, such as between their epibranchial ridge/endostyle (later thyroid gland), their postanal tails, atrial walls, and also between the chordates' dorsal notochord and the enteropneusts' posteroventral pygochord. Significantly, positional homology between notochord and pygochord is also supported by the expression domains of Brachyury orthologs in vertebrates and invertebrates: a Brachyury ortholog is active in the postero ventral mesoderm in Drosophila and in the dorsal mesoderm in chordates. In conclusion, we propose that the anatomy of enteropneusts may serve as a conceptual 'missing link' between gastroneuralian invertebrates and notoneuralian chordates. We discuss whether the enteropneust's dorsoanterior nervous centre plus their ventral trunk cord then corresponds to brain and dorsal nerve cord in the chordata.     

A mechanistic investigation of the microbial chiral inversion of 2-phenylpropionic acid by Verticillium lecanii

Previous investigations have described the development of nongrowing suspension of Verticillium lecanii as a microbial model of the mammalian chiral inversion of the 2-arylpropionic acids (2-APAs). Mechanistic studies in mammals have shown that inversion involves loss of the α-methine proton but retention of the original atoms at the β-methyl position, and a mechanism has been proposed involving enzymatic epimerisation of acyl-CoA thioester derivatives of the substrate. Inversion of the 2-APAs by V. lecanii exhibits extensive intersubstrate variation in the presence, rate, extent, and direction of inversion, which are different from those observed in mammalian systems, possibly indicating differences in the mechanism of inversion between mammalian and microbial cells. This study involved the investigation of proton/deuterium exchange by ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance following incubation of deuterated derivatives of 2-phenylpropionic acid (2-PPA), a model compound, in cell suspensions of V. lecanii and incubation of undeuterated 2-PPA in cell suspensions containing D₂O. The results indicated that the inversion of 2-PPA by V. lecanii also involved exchange of the α-methine proton but complete retention on the original atoms at the β-methyl position. No kinetic deuterium isotope effect was observed, indicating that loss of the α-methine proton is not the rate-limiting step of the inversion process. This suggests that the observed differences between microbial and mammalian systems probably involve the stereoselective acyl-CoA thioester formation step and not the subsequent epimerisation of the resultant diastereomers. Chirality 9:254–260, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

遥感技术在鸟类生态学研究中的应用

获取鸟类活动及生境信息是鸟类生态学研究的基础, 而遥感技术弥补了传统野外调查方法的缺陷, 提供了获取多种信息的新途径。应用遥感技术的鸟类生态学研究热点从最初的种群行为观察, 到栖息地选择, 再到生境适宜性、破碎化及人为干扰探究等, 随着技术的不断发展也在扩展和变化。不同波段或组合下的遥感技术各有所长。光学遥感应用广泛, 尤其是信息量较大的红外波段图像和作为野外鸟巢及物种活动监测常用工具的红外相机; 多光谱图像常用于栖息地制图以及地物识别, 高空间分辨率的数据甚至可对鸟类种群进行直接计数; 高光谱数据则可对光谱特征相似的地物进行更为精确的区分和反演; 激光雷达遥感主要用于栖息地植被结构的三维探测, 为了解鸟类栖息地选择提供更好的依据。微波遥感在飞鸟探测上应用颇多, 近年来多极化数据在复杂栖息地精确制图上也具有优势, 但成本较高、解译复杂且推广度较低。在实际应用中, 遥感数据时空尺度的选择会影响研究结果, 部分遥感反演参数也缺乏生态学意义。多源遥感数据的结合应用能够提升制图分类的精度, 实现数据的时空分辨率互补, 优化鸟类生态研究所需参数。未来的遥感技术在鸟类生态学中的应用应致力于提供更加明确的光谱信息、相对简便的解译方法, 以及更为合理的多源数据组合方式等。     

Complete topology inversion can be part of normal membrane protein biogenesis

The topology of helical membrane proteins is generally defined during insertion of the transmembrane helices, yet it is now clear that it is possible for topology to change under unusual circumstances. It remains unclear, however, if topology reorientation is part of normal biogenesis. For dual topology dimer proteins such as the multidrug transporter EmrE, there may be evolutionary pressure to allow topology flipping so that the populations of both orientations can be equalized. We previously demonstrated that when EmrE is forced to insert in a distorted topology, topology flipping of the first transmembrane helix can occur during translation. Here, we show that topological malleability also extends to the C‐terminal helix and that even complete topology inversion of the entire EmrE protein can occur after the full protein is translated and inserted. Thus, topology rearrangements are possible during normal biogenesis. Wholesale topology flipping is remarkable given the physical constraints of the membrane and expands the range of possible membrane protein folding pathways, both productive and detrimental.     

Chromosome arm‐specific patterns of polymorphism associated with chromosomal inversions in the major African malaria vector,Anopheles funestus

Chromosomal inversions facilitate local adaptation of beneficial mutations and modulate genetic polymorphism, but the extent of their effects within the genome is still insufficiently understood. The genome of Anopheles funestus, a malaria mosquito endemic to sub‐Saharan Africa, contains an impressive number of paracentric polymorphic inversions, which are unevenly distributed among chromosomes and provide an excellent framework for investigating the genomic impacts of chromosomal rearrangements. Here, we present results of a fine‐scale analysis of genetic variation within the genome of two weakly differentiated populations of Anopheles funestus inhabiting contrasting moisture conditions in Cameroon. Using population genomic analyses, we found that genetic divergence between the two populations is centred on regions of the genome corresponding to three inversions, which are characterized by high values of F_ST, absolute sequence divergence and fixed differences. Importantly, in contrast to the 2L chromosome arm, which is collinear, nucleotide diversity is significantly reduced along the entire length of three autosome arms bearing multiple overlapping chromosomal rearrangements. These findings support the idea that interactions between reduced recombination and natural selection within inversions contribute to sculpt nucleotide polymorphism across chromosomes in An. funestus.     

遥感反演植被含氮量研究进展

植被含氮量表征植被氮素状态。它作为植被生长状况的重要指标,在生态系统健康状况检测、生态系统生产估测、精准农业、生态系统干扰评估等方面均有重要意义。遥感监测植被含氮量主要基于高光谱和多光谱数据,采用的算法包括经验方法(波谱指数与回归分析)及物理方法(辐射传输模型法)。但受数据源和研究方法的局限,目前植被氮含量遥感监测局限于区域范围较小且内部植被类型与环境条件(气候、地形等)基本一致的情形,而对复杂生态系统的监测能力不足。未来的研究需针对氮沉降和人类活动的生态系统响应这一重大研究需求,发展和改进现有植被含氮量遥感反演方法。可考虑开展对不同环境条件下、不同类型植被光谱曲线进行标准化的研究,以形成普适的植被含氮量反演方法。并考虑综合运用多种数据(如微波遥感、无人机遥感),形成多尺度同步监测,以提高遥感对区域乃至全球范围内植被氮含量常规监测的能力。     

Helical screw sense bias in chiral polyfluorene stimulated by solvent

Conjugated homopolymer poly(9,9‐bis(3‐((S )‐2‐methylbutylpropanoate))fluorene) (PSF) with chiral pendants was synthesized and characterized. Dissolution experiments show that PSF is well dissolved in racemic limonene at high temperature and begins aggregating upon sequential cooling treatment. The corresponding assemblies were transferred to quartz plate by the spin‐coating method. Comparably, film casting from chloroform solution was also prepared. Upon annealing thermal treatments, these PSF films exhibited perfect mirror circular dichroism (CD) Cotton effects and dissymmetry ratios. Optical absorption spectroscopy (UV‐vis), CD, and fluorescence spectroscopy results reveal that chiral side chains successfully induced M ‐ and P ‐helical structures in aggregates and films, and this significant difference was ascribed to their differential supramolecular conformations.