Vegetation maps based on remote sensing are informative predictors of habitat selection of grassland birds across a wetness gradient

Vegetation is a major environmental factor influencing habitat selection in bird species. High resolution mapping of vegetation cover is essential to model the distribution of populations and improve the management of breeding habitats. However, the task is challenging for grassland birds because microhabitat variations relevant at the territory scale cannot be measured continuously over large areas to delineate areas of higher suitability. Remote sensing may help to circumvent this problem. We addressed this issue by using SPOT 5 imagery and phytosociological data. We mapped grassland vegetation in a floodplain using two methods. We (i) mapped the continuous Ellenberg index of moisture and (ii) identified 5 vegetation classes distributed across the wetness gradient. These two methods produced consistent output maps, but they also provided complementary results. Ellenberg index is a valuable proxy for soil moisture while the class approach provided more information about vegetation structure, and possibly trophic resources. In spite of the apparent uniformity of meadows, our data show that birds do not settle randomly along the moisture and vegetation gradients. Overall birds tend to avoid the driest vegetation classes, i.e. the highest grounds. Thus, vegetation maps based on remote sensing could be valuable tools to study habitat selection and niche partition in grassland bird communities. It is also a valuable tool for conservation and habitat management.     

The age-sex structure of the slave population in Harris County, Texas: 1850 and 1860

The effect of the slave system on demography can be revealed by examining the age-sex structure of slave populations. The age-sex structure of slaves in Harris County, Texas is investigated using the 1850 and 1860 slave schedules. Median ages for black and mulatto slaves suggest that the population was young. Population pyramids exhibit a narrow base and top with a broad middle. The high proportion of slaves between 10 and 30 years of age and the increase in population size between 1850 and 1860 were mainly related to the importation of slaves and only partly due to natural increase. The data also show that black slaves were older on small plantations while mulattoes were older on larger farms. It is suggested that differential treatment in terms of purchase practices, assignment of tasks, food allocation, and/or differential susceptibility to infectious diseases may account for this pattern.     

Wheat-yellow pumpkin composite flour: Physico-functional,rheological, antioxidant potential and quality properties of pan and flat bread

The impact of yellow pumpkin powder (YP) substitution (5, 10, and 15%) on wheat flour's physico-functional, pasting, gel texture, and dough rheology was studied. Moreover, the nutritional, organoleptic properties and bioactivity of the composite pan and pita bread were evaluated. An improved water holding capacity was noticed for the blended flour than for control. The pasting parameters were declined significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing YP. Composite flours presented a softer gel texture in the presence of YP. Reduced water absorption, increased dough development time, and lower stability for combined flour dough. The bread with YP depicted increased protein, fat, fiber, and mineral contents, while a reduced volume and specific volume were noticed for pan bread. YP incorporated 5% and did not compromise pan and pita bread's color and overall acceptability. Additionally, composite bread depicted higher total phenolics with enhanced antioxidant activities at the higher substitution of YP.     

Nicotiana tabacum actin-depolymerizing factor 2 is involved in actin-driven,auxin-dependent patterning

Polar transport of auxin has been identified as a central element of pattern formation. To address the underlying cellular mechanisms, we use the tobacco cell line (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Bright Yellow 2; BY-2) as model. We showed previously that cell divisions within a cell file are synchronized by polar auxin flow, linked to the organization of actin filaments (AF) which, in turn, is modified via actin-binding proteins (ABPs). From a preparatory study for disturbed division synchrony in cell lines overexpressing different ABPs, we identified the actin depolymerizing factor 2 (ADF2). A cell line overexpressing GFP-NtADF2 was specifically affected in division synchrony. The cell division pattern could be rescued by addition of Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂) or by phalloidin. These observations allow to draw first conclusions on the pathway linking auxin signalling via actin reorganization to synchronized cell division placing the regulation of cortical actin turnover by ADF2 into the focus.     

Selection of Powdery Mildew and Yellow Mosaic-Resistant Greengram Plants Regenerated Through Organogenesis

Several regenerants through organogenesis were obtained in greengram ( Vigna radiata L. wilczek). Cytokinins appear to be important in inducing organogenesis and IAA induces root induction. Heritable variations could be seen among organogenesis regenerants. Some of the regenerants showed resistance to powdery mildew while some others showed resistance to yellow mosaic virus disease. The disease resistant characters were stable also in R 3 and R 4 generations.     

东方大黄蜂的表皮异源移植试验

将东方大黄蜂（胡蜂）蛹或幼蜂的棕色表皮层连同含有黑色素的皮细胞层、黄色表皮层及相连的产生黄嘌呤的皮细胞层割下，换化后植入原来的黄蜂体上（原来是黄色的部分用棕色替代，棕色的用黄色替代）。然后将蛹放回原来的子脾中，幼蜂放入一特殊的培养皿中，让其复原和发育。共对200个不同时期的蛹和50只幼蜂进行了试验。结果显示，存活的最主要是将羽化的蛹（差1—2天就羽化的蛹），早期的蛹和幼蜂均死亡。总共有约5％的蛹存活，幼蛹无一存活。在存活的蛹中，棕色表皮植入黄色区域中的不但成活了，而且还保留了棕色色彩。相反，黄色表皮在植入到棕色区域的几天后，就丢失了黄色及膜片。经过表皮异源移植的大黄蜂寿命极短，一般仅几星期。羽化后较敏感，攻击性强，但行走、飞行都很正常[动物学报51（6）：1146—1150，2005]。     

黄、东海生态系统中鱼卵、仔稚幼鱼种类组成与数量分布

2000年秋季和2001年春季“北斗号”生物资源调查船利用大型浮游生物网采用表层水平拖网的调查方式对黄、东海鱼卵、仔稚幼鱼种类组成与数量分布进行了调查。秋季和春季分别设置66个(黄海26个,东海40个)和98个(黄海46个,东海52个)调查站。每站拖网10min,拖网速度为3.0nmile/h。调查结果表明:秋季和春季所采集到的鱼卵和仔稚幼鱼样品共62种以及鳗鲡目和飞鱼类两大类,鉴定到种的44种,隶属于9目33科40属;还有10种仅能鉴定到属,6种和飞鱼类仅能鉴定到科,1种和鳗鲡目一大类仅能鉴定到目以及1种不能识别。优势种为、鲐、带鱼、棱、黑鳃梅童鱼、绿鳍鱼以及多鳞、鼠、大泷六线鱼、细纹狮子鱼等。2000年秋季,从黄海和东海分别采集到16粒鱼卵、107尾仔稚幼鱼和495粒鱼卵、116尾仔稚幼鱼。鱼卵、仔稚幼鱼的出现频率分别为26.92%、38.46%和65.00%、40.46%,平均密度分别为0.6粒/站、3.6尾/站和12.4粒/站、2.8尾/站。2001年春季,从黄海和东海分别采集到3粒鱼卵、61尾稚幼鱼和17587粒鱼卵和1560尾仔稚幼鱼,鱼卵、仔稚幼鱼的出现频率分别为2.17%、39.13%和57.69%、48.08%,平均密度仅分别为0.07粒/站、1.3尾/站和338.2粒/站、30.0尾/站。秋季,黄海区的硬骨鱼类进入产卵末期,而东海区才刚刚进入产卵末期。春季,黄海区的硬骨鱼类刚刚进入产卵初期,而东海区已进入产卵盛期。此外,对秋季和春季鱼卵和仔稚幼鱼的数量分布以及鼠、、棱、多鳞、少鳞、黑鳃梅童鱼、小黄鱼、鲐、带鱼、绿鳍鱼、大泷六线鱼和细纹狮子鱼等优势种类的鱼卵和仔稚幼鱼数量分布进行了详尽的描述。2000年和2001年黄海区鱼卵、仔稚幼鱼的种类组成与1985年和1986年发生了明显的变化,这与黄海区渔业资源和鱼类群落结构的变化是相符合的。从而说明人类的长期捕捞活动对海洋生态系统中鱼类资源的种群交替和鱼类群落结构的变化产生了较大的影响