Wave-separation in complex systems. Application to brain-signals

A departure from single-system dynamics, that may arise in characterizing self-organized dynamics of complex systems, is dealt with by using the Karhunen-Loève expansion of the trajectory matrix to decompose an experimental signal in a sum of spectral features. For an electroencephalographic -signal, a separation of waves and extraction of additive sub-signals are achieved, each sub-signal covering a well-bounded and physiologically meaningful frequency range. From the subsignals, an attractor that vanishes on phase-randomizing the data is characterized, under conditions where none was found for the recorded signal.     

The interaction of the vanadyl(IV) cation with phytic acid

The interactions of VO²⁺ with phytate to form both soluble and insoluble complexes, have been studied by electronic absorption spectroscopy. A soluble 1∶1 VO²⁺: phytate complex is formed at pH <1. At higher pH-values insoluble complexes are produced. Two different solid complexes, obtained respectively at pH=2 and 4, were isolated and characterized. The maximal bonding ratio of VO²⁺: phytate was found to be 4, on the basis of a pH binding profile.     

藻－菌生态系统代谢功能的生态学研究

在室内模拟条件下,研究了一些生态因子对藻－菌（Ａ＋Ｂ）生态系统代谢有机碳（Ｃ６Ｈ１２Ｏ６）、ＮＨ３－Ｎ和无机磷（ＩＰ）的影响．研究结果表明,当藻－菌生态系统中藻（Ａ）或菌（Ｂ）的起始数量一定时,其代谢Ｃ６Ｈ１２Ｏ６的速率,随与之组合的Ｂ或Ａ的起始数量增加（数量比则相应降低）而增加．在光照和黑暗条件下,Ａ＋Ｂ系统代谢上述３种营养物质的速率均有一定的差异．黑暗下Ｃ６Ｈ１２Ｏ６的平均代谢速率较光照下高１２．３％（Ｐ＜０．０５）,ＩＰ和ＮＨ３－Ｎ的平均代谢速率则分别较光照下低１４．４％（Ｐ＜０．０５）和１６．２％（Ｐ＜０．００１）．在Ａ＋Ｂ系统和Ａ、Ｂ单培养物中,３种营养物质的代谢速率均随有机负荷量增加而增加,而且Ａ＋Ｂ系统的代谢速率分别高于单培养的Ａ和Ｂ,其中ＮＨ３－Ｎ代谢尤为显著．文章还就生态系统结构与功能的关系问题进行了讨论．     

高寒草甸生态系统中牦牛体重和采食量动态模型的研究

高寒草甸生态系统中牦牛体重和采食量动态模型的研究黄大明（清华大学生物科学与技术系,北京１０００８４）赵松岭（兰州大学,兰州７３００００）Ｄｙｎａｍｉｃｍｏｄｅｌｓｏｆｙａｋｌｉｖｅｗｅｉｇｈｔａｎｄｉｔｓｉｎｔａｋｅｉｎａｌｐｉｎｅｍｅａｄｏｗｅｃｏ...     

新生儿接种小剂量乙肝疫苗后3-5年随访观察

本文对９３８例初生婴儿接种小剂量（１０ｕｇ×３）乙肝疫苗后３－５年的预防效果进行了随访观察,并以２５３例初生儿未接种疫苗者作为对照,结果表明,接种组３－５年后抗－ＨＢｓ阳性率显著高于对照组,ＨＢｓＡｇ阳性率则较对照组显著为低。感染保护率８６．７％。结果还表明,接种乙肝疫苗３年后加强１次,比不加强者Ｐ／Ｎ均值显著增高。文章认为初生儿接种小剂量乙肝疫苗有长期免疫效果;接种后３年加强接种１次,可保持较高免疫力。     

The Value of a hoard: not just energy

We present a stochastic dynamic programming model of the contributionof stored food to winter survival. Using the acorn woodpecker(Melanerpes formtcivorus) as a model organism, we demonstratethat a hoard of small energetic value can impart considerableimprovement in the probability of surviving the winter and soimprove fitness. With this model we hope to resolve Koenig andMumme's paradox, that acorn woodpeckers expend much time andeffort to create and maintain hoards of acorns which provideno more that 16% of their energetic needs over the period inwhich they are used. We further demonstrate that the contributionof hoarded acorns to survival depends on the variability inforaging outcome, independently of the energetic value of thehoard in absolute terms. We point out that the results applyin principle to all hoarding animals and suggest a number offurther elaborations of the model.     

Storage-protein variation in wild emmer (Triticum turgidum ssp.dicoccoides) from Jordan and Turkey.

Genetic diversity in the seed storage-proteins encoded at theGlu-A1,Glu-B1 andGli-B1/Glu-B3 loci was studied electrophoretically in 315 individuals belonging to nine populations ofT. dicoccoides from Jordan and three from Turkey. The inter- and intra-population distribution of seed storage-protein alleles at the considered loci and its link with geographical factors were investigated. Population differentiation in seed storage-proteins was in some cases very high with very weak correlations with geographic distance. Greater gene differentiation was found within and between populations which were geographically very close in Jordan than between those from Jordan and Turkey. However the distribution of alleles appeared to be non random. Samples collected from populations at locations over 900 m above sea level were less polymorphic than those collected at lower altitudes (500–700 m), whereas the relative genetic differentiation between populations was greater between those collected at higher altitudes. Seed storage-protein differentiation was significantly correlated with the altitude of the collecting sites. Although it is difficult to point out the selective pressure of altitude per se, altitude can reflect an integration of several environmental parameters. The possible adaptive value of seed storage-proteins is discussed.     

Seagrass ecosystem multifunctionality under the rise of a flagship marine megaherbivore

Large grazers (megaherbivores) have a profound impact on ecosystem functioning. However, how ecosystem multifunctionality is affected by changes in megaherbivore populations remains poorly understood. Understanding the total impact on ecosystem multifunctionality requires an integrative ecosystem approach, which is especially challenging to obtain in marine systems. We assessed the effects of experimentally simulated grazing intensity scenarios on ecosystem functions and multifunctionality in a tropical Caribbean seagrass ecosystem. As a model, we selected a key marine megaherbivore, the green turtle, whose ecological role is rapidly unfolding in numerous foraging areas where populations are recovering through conservation after centuries of decline, with an increase in recorded overgrazing episodes. To quantify the effects, we employed a novel integrated index of seagrass ecosystem multifunctionality based upon multiple, well-recognized measures of seagrass ecosystem functions that reflect ecosystem services. Experiments revealed that intermediate turtle grazing resulted in the highest rates of nutrient cycling and carbon storage, while sediment stabilization, decomposition rates, epifauna richness, and fish biomass are highest in the absence of turtle grazing. In contrast, intense grazing resulted in disproportionally large effects on ecosystem functions and a collapse of multifunctionality. These results imply that (i) the return of a megaherbivore can exert strong effects on coastal ecosystem functions and multifunctionality, (ii) conservation efforts that are skewed toward megaherbivores, but ignore their key drivers like predators or habitat, will likely result in overgrazing-induced loss of multifunctionality, and (iii) the multifunctionality index shows great potential as a quantitative tool to assess ecosystem performance. Considerable and rapid alterations in megaherbivore abundance (both through extinction and conservation) cause an imbalance in ecosystem functioning and substantially alter or even compromise ecosystem services that help to negate global change effects. An integrative ecosystem approach in environmental management is urgently required to protect and enhance ecosystem multifunctionality.     

Hyposensitive canopy conductance renders ecosystems vulnerable to meteorological droughts

Increased meteorological drought intensity with rising atmospheric demand for water (hereafter vapor pressure deficit [VPD]) increases the risk of tree mortality and ecosystem dysfunction worldwide. Ecosystem-scale water-use strategy is increasingly recognized as a key factor in regulating drought-related ecosystem responses. However, the link between water-use strategy and ecosystem vulnerability to meteorological droughts is poorly established. Using the global flux observations, historic hydroclimatic data, remote-sensing products, and plant functional-trait archive, we identified potentially vulnerable ecosystems, examining how ecosystem water-use strategy, quantified by the percentage bias (δ) of the empirical canopy conductance sensitivity to VPD relative to the theoretical value, mediated ecosystem responses to droughts. We found that prevailing soil water availability substantially impacted δ in dryland regions where ecosystems with insufficient soil moisture usually showed conservative water-use strategy, while ecosystems in humid regions exhibited more pronounced climatic adaptability. Hyposensitive and hypersensitive ecosystems, classified based on δ falling below or above the theoretical sensitivity, respectively, achieved similar net ecosystem productivity during droughts, employing different structural and functional strategies. However, hyposensitive ecosystems, risking their hydraulic system with a permissive water-use strategy, were unable to recover from droughts as quickly as hypersensitive ones. Our findings highlight that processed-based models predicting current functions and future performance of vegetation should account for the greater vulnerability of hyposensitive ecosystems to intensifying atmospheric and soil droughts.