Towards a matrix mechanics framework for dynamic protein network

Protein–protein interaction networks are currently visualized by software generated interaction webs based upon static experimental data. Current state is limited to static, mostly non-compartmental network and non time resolved protein interactions. A satisfactory mathematical foundation for particle interactions within a viscous liquid state (situation within the cytoplasm) does not exist nor do current computer programs enable building dynamic interaction networks for time resolved interactions. Building mathematical foundation for intracellular protein interactions can be achieved in two increments (a) trigger and capture the dynamic molecular changes for a select subset of proteins using several model systems and high throughput time resolved proteomics and, (b) use this information to build the mathematical foundation and computational algorithm for a compartmentalized and dynamic protein interaction network. Such a foundation is expected to provide benefit in at least two spheres: (a) understanding physiology enabling explanation of phenomenon such as incomplete penetrance in genetic disorders and (b) enabling several fold increase in biopharmaceutical production using impure starting materials.     

Epibenthic predators control mobile macrofauna associated with a foundation species in a subarctic subtidal community

Foundation species (FS) are strong facilitators providing habitat for numerous dependent organisms. The communities shaped by FS are commonly structured by interplay of facilitation and consumer control. Predators or grazers often indirectly determine community structure eliminating either FS or their principal competitors. Alternatively, they can prey on the dependent taxa directly, which is generally buffered by FS via forming complex habitats with numerous refuges. The latter case has been never investigated at high latitudes, where consumer control is widely considered weak. We manipulated the presence of common epibenthic crustacean predators to assess their effect on mobile macrofauna of the clusters developed by a FS (barnacle Balanus crenatus and its empty tests) in the White Sea shallow subtidal (65° N). While predation pressure on the FS itself here is low, the direct effects of a spider crab Hyas araneus and a shrimp Spirontocaris phippsii on the associated assemblages were unexpectedly strong. Removing the predators did not change species diversity, but tripled total abundance and altered multivariate community structure specifically increasing the numbers of amphipods, isopods (only affected by shrimp), and bivalves. Consumer control in the communities shaped by FS may not strictly follow the latitudinal predation gradient rule.     

Unbalanced biparental care during colony foundation in two subterranean termites

Parental care is a major component of reproduction in social organisms, particularly during the foundation steps. Because investment into parental care is often costly, each parent is predicted to maximize its fitness by providing less care than its partner. However, this sexual conflict is expected to be low in species with lifelong monogamy, because the fitness of each parent is typically tied to the other's input. Somewhat surprisingly, the outcomes of this tug‐of‐war between maternal and paternal investments have received important attention in vertebrate species, but remain less known in invertebrates. In this study, we investigated how queens and kings share their investment into parental care and other social interactions during colony foundation in two termites with lifelong monogamy: the invasive species Reticulitermes flavipes and the native species R. grassei. Behaviors of royal pairs were recorded during six months using a non‐invasive approach. Our results showed that queens and kings exhibit unbalanced investment in terms of grooming, antennation, trophallaxis, and vibration behavior. Moreover, both parents show behavioral differences toward their partner or their descendants. Our results also revealed differences among species, with R. flavipes exhibiting shorter periods of grooming and antennation toward eggs or partners. They also did more stomodeal trophallaxis and less vibration behavior. Overall, this study emphasizes that despite lifelong monogamy, the two parents are not equally involved in the measured forms of parental care and suggests that kings might be specialized in other tasks. It also indicates that males could play a central, yet poorly studied role in the evolution and maintenance of the eusocial organization.     

Response of foundation macrophytes to near‐natural simulated marine heatwaves

Marine heatwaves have been observed worldwide and are expected to increase in both frequency and intensity due to climate change. Such events may cause ecosystem reconfigurations arising from species range contraction or redistribution, with ecological, economic and social implications. Macrophytes such as the brown seaweed Fucus vesiculosus and the seagrass Zostera marina are foundation species in many coastal ecosystems of the temperate northern hemisphere. Hence, their response to extreme events can potentially determine the fate of associated ecosystems. Macrophyte functioning is intimately linked to the maintenance of photosynthesis, growth and reproduction, and resistance against pathogens, epibionts and grazers. We investigated morphological, physiological, pathological and chemical defence responses of western Baltic Sea F. vesiculosus and Z. marina populations to simulated near‐natural marine heatwaves. Along with (a) the control, which constituted no heatwave but natural stochastic temperature variability (0HW), two treatments were applied: (b) two late‐spring heatwaves (June, July) followed by a summer heatwave (August; 3HW) and (c) a summer heatwave only (1HW). The 3HW treatment was applied to test whether preconditioning events can modulate the potential sensitivity to the summer heatwave. Despite the variety of responses measured in both species, only Z. marina growth was impaired by the accumulative heat stress imposed by the 3HW treatment. Photosynthetic rate, however, remained high after the last heatwave indicating potential for recovery. Only epibacterial abundance was significantly affected in F. vesiculosus. Hence both macrophytes, and in particular F. vesiculosus, seem to be fairly tolerant to short‐term marine heatwaves at least at the intensities applied in this experiment (up to 5°C above mean temperature over a period of 9 days). This may partly be due to the fact that F. vesiculosus grows in a highly variable environment, and may have a high phenotypic plasticity.     

In-Water Bridge Construction Effects on Manatees with Implications for Marine Megafauna Species

Globally, increasing coastal development requires construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructure that affects terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Construction of bridges as part of transportation networks introduces a series of risks to aquatic species near construction zones. We reviewed relevant literature and obtained exemplary case studies to synthesize potential effects of bridge construction on the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), a nearshore megafauna species vulnerable to human activities. Stages of bridge construction including dredging, pile driving, and installation and assembly of bridge components each involve potential direct and indirect effects on manatees. Direct effects such as vessel interactions, entanglement or ingestion, and entrainment may result in acute physical injury or mortality. Indirect effects from construction such as habitat obstruction or degradation and increased noise from construction activities can alter behavior and intraspecies communication and reduce access to essential resources. Some effects of construction may be immediately difficult to quantify, but cumulative effects through time can result in major habitat and species loss. To prevent large-scale negative effects of construction on manatees and other aquatic species, use and evaluation of mitigation strategies should be implemented pre-, during, and post-construction. As the global human population increasingly occupies coastal zones, effective planning of coastal development, including bridge and other in-water construction, will be essential to support conservation and recovery efforts for manatees and other species at risk in these areas. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.     

Queen size dimorphism in the ant Tetramorium moravicum (Hymenoptera, Formicidae): Morphometric, molecular genetic and experimental evidence

Summary. By combining different methods we evaluate whether the ant Tetramorium rhenanum is specifically separated from T. moravicum or whether it is a conspecific microgyne form. High-precision morphometry shows a clear difference in queen size. Sequence comparison of 1031 bp of COI reveals that T. rhenanum falls into a clade with T. moravicum, which is significantly separated from T. forte and T. chefketi. T. rhenanum shares at least two haplotypes with T. moravicum and is considered as a junior synonym. Sexual behaviour and colony foundation experiments corroborate conspecificity. The queen dimorphism is discussed in the context of social parameters such as queen number and reproductive strategy.Received 10 June 2004; revised 28 October 2004; accepted 12 November 2004.     

2006年度预防医学国家自然科学基金结题情况简介

为了解预防医学学科资助项目的完成情况和学科研究进展,客观公正地做好结题项目的绩效评估,进一步加强基金项目的管理,本文从结题项目概况、结题情况分析、新理论和新技术在结题项目中的应用、连续性支持、国家需求型研究等几方面对2006年度预防医学学科结题情况作一总结和分析。     

鼓风对城市污泥好氧堆肥温度变化的影响

采用强制通风静态垛和温度反馈自动测控堆肥工艺,研究了鼓风过程对城市污泥好氧堆肥温度的影响。当城市污泥和调理剂比例为1：1时（体积比）,处于鼓风口远端（风向远点）各个层次的堆体温度基本上不会随鼓风过程而变化,处于鼓风方向中部（风向中点）、鼓风口近端（风向近点）的堆体,其中层、上层的温度将会下降,平均下降速度分别为0.05℃/min、0.04℃/min,但是温度下降的速率在整个鼓风过程中并不均匀,温度下降速度在0－10min较快,在10－40min较慢;当混合堆料中调理剂含量较低时（3：2）,堆体上层温度在鼓风过程中将会上升,上升速率约为0.022-0.05℃/min,中层温度下降,在鼓风开始阶段（0－10min）,下降速率较快,约为0.12℃/min,随后变化速率较小,约为0.01℃/min。对于不同调理剂比例的堆体,处于风向远点、中点的下层温度基本不受鼓风作用的影响;处于风向近点的堆体,其下层温度会随着鼓风过程而下降,平均下降速率约为0.025-0.03℃/min。     

Vegetation Recovery in Slash‐Pile Scars Following Conifer Removal in a Grassland‐Restoration Experiment

A principal challenge to restoring tree‐invaded grasslands is the removal of woody biomass. Burning of slash piles to reduce woody residues from forest restoration practices generates intense, prolonged heating, with adverse effects on soils and vegetation. In this study, we examined vegetation responses to pile burning following tree removal from conifer‐invaded grasslands of the Oregon Cascades. We quantified the longevity and magnitude of fire effects by comparing ground conditions and the cover and richness of plant species in burn‐scar centers (higher‐intensity fire) and edges (lower‐intensity fire) with adjacent unburned vegetation 7 years after treatment. We interpreted patterns of recovery through the responses of species with differing growth forms, habitat affinities, and clonality. Cover of bare ground remained elevated at the centers, but not at the edges of scars; however, much of this effect was due to gopher disturbance. Total plant cover, consisting entirely of native species, was comparable in and adjacent to scars. However, richness remained depressed at the scar centers. Cover of grass, meadow, and non‐clonal species was comparable in and adjacent to scars, but cover of forb, sedge, residual forest, and clonal species was reduced at the centers. Although scar centers had a simpler community structure (fewer but more abundant species) than the adjacent vegetation, they remained free of exotics and recovered quickly, aided by the soil‐disturbing activities of gophers and the regenerative traits of native, disturbance‐adapted species. Pile burning can be a viable and efficient approach to fuel reduction in the absence of exotics.     

The biogeography of trophic cascades on US oyster reefs

Predators can indirectly benefit prey populations by suppressing mid‐trophic level consumers, but often the strength and outcome of trophic cascades are uncertain. We manipulated oyster reef communities to test the generality of potential causal factors across a 1000‐km region. Densities of oyster consumers were weakly influenced by predators at all sites. In contrast, consumer foraging behaviour in the presence of predators varied considerably, and these behavioural effects altered the trophic cascade across space. Variability in the behavioural cascade was linked to regional gradients in oyster recruitment to and sediment accumulation on reefs. Specifically, asynchronous gradients in these factors influenced whether the benefits of suppressed consumer foraging on oyster recruits exceeded costs of sediment accumulation resulting from decreased consumer activity. Thus, although predation on consumers remains consistent, predator influences on behaviour do not; rather, they interact with environmental gradients to cause biogeographic variability in the net strength of trophic cascades.