Simulation of Rapoport's rule for latitudinal species spread

Rapoport's rule claims that latitudinal ranges of plant and animal species are generally smaller at low than at high latitudes. However, doubts as to the generality of the rule have been expressed, because studies providing evidence against the rule are more numerous than those in support of it. In groups for which support has been provided, the trend of increasing latitudinal ranges with latitude is restricted to or at least most distinct at high latitudes, suggesting that the effect may be a local phenomenon, for example the result of glaciations. Here we test the rule using two models, a simple one-dimensional one with a fixed number of animals expanding in a northern or southerly direction only, and the evolutionary/ecological Chowdhury model using birth, ageing, death, mutation, speciation, prey-predator relations and food levels. Simulations with both models gave results contradicting Rapoport's rule. In the first, latitudinal ranges were roughly independent of latitude, in the second, latitudinal ranges were greatest at low latitudes, as also shown empirically for some well-studied groups of animals.     

Spatial Segregation of Congeneric Invaders in Central Pennsylvania, USA

Carduus acanthoides and Carduus nutans (plumeless and musk thistles) are among the most noxious weeds in the United States of America, presenting a serious challenge in cropping and pasture systems. Unfortunately, a lack of detailed spatial distribution information hampers both our ability to understand the factors affecting their invasive success, and the effectiveness of monitoring and management efforts. To examine patterns of distribution and co-occurrence at a local level, we sampled a 5000 km² area of central Pennsylvania that cut a transect across known areas of C. acanthoides and C. nutans infestation. A number of potential environmental explanatory variables were recorded and analyzed to examine whether they correlated with observed species distribution patterns. Patterns of forest density and spatial aggregation of the thistles were the primary covariates that significantly impacted both species’ distributions. The survey established that the frequency of sightings for each species diminished as the ranges converged, with only brief overlap: the two species are strongly negatively correlated in space. Understanding environmental correlates of infestation and the pattern of spatial dissociation of these two invasive species is an important step towards an improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying their invasive potential, and hence towards effective weed control.     

应用性遗传模式选育香菇优良菌株——中香68杂交菌株选育报告

根据香菇四极性异宗配合的性遗传特性,通过亲本的选择,采用孢子单核体的对称杂交育种手段,实现基因重组,从中选育出广温型优良菌株中香68,介绍了中香68菌丝生长和子实体特征及其新菌株的鉴别方法。同时讨论了香菇单孢杂交育种的种质资源和育种工艺。     

Restoration principles applied to cultural landscapes

Restoration models and practise to date have been applied mainly to ecosystems. More recently, there has been a focus on the “landscape perspective” of ecosystem restoration in order to improve nature conservation and management effectiveness.

Here, we clarify some of the differences between ecosystem- and landscape-oriented restoration, and propose four components that should be considered in planning and conceptualising: (a) landscape composition and configuration; (b) traditional land management techniques; (c) linear and point features; and (d) other heritage features. We further discuss the concept of reference landscapes, and the contrasts between restoration and rehabilitation. Spatial approaches to restoration are explored, comparing small areas with complete restoration (“museum landscapes”) from large areas with rehabilitation of landscape physiognomy or point and linear features. The linkages with nature conservation and the sustainable use and management of natural resources are examined in the context of a rapidly changing world.     

体外肿瘤微血管生成模型的建立

本研究以体外微血管培养模型为基础,用鼠尾胶原包埋大鼠动脉环,并将包埋的动脉环转移到种有人肺癌A549细胞单层的培养皿中,用MCDB 131无血清培养液对动脉环和肿瘤细胞进行共培养,从而建立肿瘤微血管体外生成模型。大鼠动脉环于培养后第3天从血管壁长出微血管芽,第6至10天长成微血管丛,两周后新生微血管开始萎缩;没有肿瘤细胞刺激的条件下,大鼠动脉环新生微血管数量明显减少。结果表明人肺癌A549细胞能够促进血管生成。体外大鼠动脉环肿瘤微血管培养模型操作简单、灵敏度高,适合研究肿瘤血管新生及其机制。     

马铃薯吸附干燥特性及模型拟合

在实验的基础上研究了马铃薯的干燥特性,考察了温度、湿度、风速和粒子大小对马铃薯的干燥特性的影响。对马铃薯的干燥特性进行模型拟合结果表明:马铃薯吸附式低温干燥过程分为调整、恒速和降速3个阶段。含水率从76.88%变化到65.44%这段为调整阶段;从65.44%变化到47.34%这段为恒速阶段,主要是去除非结合水;从47.34%降到27.7%为降速阶段,主要脱除非结合水及部分结合水,干燥速度下降。温度是影响干燥的主要因素,温度越高,湿度越小,介质流速快,干燥速度越快。Page模型能够较好地拟合马铃薯干燥过程的特性。     

Evaluation of different models to describe egg and pupal development of Xyleborus fornicatus Eichh, （Coleoptera： Scolytidae）, the shot-hole borer of tea in Sri Lanka

Development data of eggs and pupae ofXyleborusfornicatus Eichh. （Coleoptera： Scolytidae）, the shot-hole borer of tea in Sri Lanka, at constant temperatures were used to evaluate a linear and seven nonlinear models for insect development. Model evaluation was based on fit to data （residual sum of squares and coefficient of determination or coefficient of nonlinear regression）, number of measurable parameters, the biological value of the fitted coefficients and accuracy in the estimation of thresholds. Of the nonlinear models, the Lactin model fitted experimental data well and along with the linear model, can be used to describe the temperature-dependent development of this species.     

Segregation Analysis on Genetic System of Quantitative Traits in Plants

Based on the traditional polygene inheritance model of quantitative traits,the author suggests the major gene and polygene mixed inheritance model.The model was considered as a general one,while the pure major gene and pure polygene inheritance model was a specific case of the general model.Based on the proposed theory,the author established the segregation analysis procedure to study the genetic system of quantitative traits of plants.At present,this procedure can be used to evaluate the genetic effect of individual major genes (up to two to three major genes),the collective genetic effect of polygene,and their heritability value.This paper introduces how to establish the procedure,its main achievements,and its applications.An example is given to illustrate the steps,methods,and effectiveness of the procedure.     

Using the output from global circulation models to predict changes in the distribution and abundance of cereal aphids in Canada: a mechanistic modeling approach

Climate change will alter the abundance and distribution of species. Predicting these shifts is a challenge for ecologists and essential information for the formation of public policy. Here, I use a mechanistic mathematical model of the interaction between grass growth physiology and aphid population dynamics, coupled with the climate change projections from the UK's Hadley Centre HadCM3 global circulation model (GCM) and Canada's Center for Climate Modeling and Analysis CGCM2 GCM to predict the changes in the abundance and distribution of summer cereal aphid populations in wheat-growing regions of Canada. When used with the HadCM3 projections, the model predicts a latitudinal shift northward in abundances but there is longitudinal variation as well. However, when used with the CGCM2 projections the model predicts that continental regions will see a decline while coastal regions will see an increase in summer cereal aphid populations. These effects are stronger under the higher emissions scenarios.     

Inhibition of protein kinase A in murine enteric neurons causes lethal intestinal pseudo‐obstruction

A number of in vitro studies suggest that many important developmental and functional events in the enteric nervous system are regulated by the intracellular signaling enzyme cAMP protein kinase A (PKA). To evaluate the in vivo significance of these observations, a Cre‐inducible, dominant‐negative, mutant regulatory subunit (RIαB) of PKA was activated in enteric neurons by either a Proteolipid protein‐Cre transgene or a Hox11L1‐Cre “knock‐in” allele. In both models, RIαB activation resulted consistently in profound distension of the proximal small intestine within 2 weeks after birth. Intestinal transit of radio‐opaque tracers was severely retarded in the double‐transgenic animals, which died shortly after weaning. In the enteric nervous system, recombination was restricted to neurons as demonstrated by histochemical analysis and confocal microscopic colocalization of a Cre recombinase‐dependent reporter gene with the neuronal marker Hu(C/D), in contrast with the glial marker S100. Histochemical analysis of β‐galactosidase expression and acetylcholinesterase activity, as well as neuronal counts, demonstrated that intestinal dysmotility was not associated with obvious malformation of the myenteric plexus. However, inhibition of PKA activity in enteric neurons disrupted the major motor complexes of isolated intestinal segments in vitro. These results provide strong evidence that PKA activity plays a critical role in enteric neurotransmission in vivo, and highlight neuronal PKA or related signaling molecules as potential therapeutic targets in gastrointestinal motility disorders. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006