Effects of spatial scale and foraging efficiency on the predictions made by spatially-explicit models of fish growth rate potential

Synopsis Spatially-explicit modeling of fish growth rate potential is a relatively new approach that uses physical and biological properties of aquatic habitats to map spatial patterns of fish growth rate potential. Recent applications of spatially-explicit models have used an arbitrary spatial scale and have assumed a fixed foraging efficiency. We evaluated the effects of spatial scale, predator foraging efficiency (combined probabilities of prey recognition, attack, capture, and ingestion), and predator spatial distribution on estimates of mean growth rate potential of chinook salmon,Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. We used actual data on prey densities and water temperatures taken from Lake Ontario during the summer, as well as, simulated data assuming binomial distribution of prey. Results show that a predator can compensate for low foraging efficiency by inhabiting the most profitable environments (regions of high growth rate potential). Differences exist in predictions of growth rate potential across spatial scales of observation and a single scale may not be adequate for interpreting model results across seasons. Continued refinements of this modeling approach must focus on the assumptions of stationary distributions of predator and prey populations and predator foraging tactics.     

气候变化背景下东北三省主要粮食作物产量潜力及资源利用效率比较

以东北地区喜温作物和喜凉作物的潜在种植区为研究区域,基于研究区域内65个气象台站1961—2010年地面气象观测数据,结合作物生育期资料,应用作物产量潜力逐级订正法,分析不同作物各级产量潜力时空分布特征,明确作物各级产量潜力受气候资源限制程度,比较气候资源利用效率差异.结果表明： 1961—2010年,东北三省6种作物（玉米、水稻、春小麦、高粱、谷子和大豆）的光温产量潜力呈明显的西高东低的空间分布特征,作物气候产量潜力除春小麦外其他作物均呈现南高北低的空间分布规律.6种作物受温度限制的产量潜力损失率呈东高西低的空间分布特征,大豆受温度限制引起的产量潜力损失率最高,平均为51%,其他作物为33%～41%;因降水制约引起的潜力损失率分布有明显的区域性差异,在松嫩平原和长白山区各有一个高值区,春小麦因降水亏缺引起的产量潜力损失率最高,平均为50%,其他4种雨养作物集中在8%～10%.东北三省各作物生长季内光能利用效率在0.9%～2.7%,其中玉米>高粱>水稻>谷子>春小麦>大豆;雨养条件下,玉米、高粱、春小麦、谷子和大豆各作物的降水利用效率在8～35 kg·hm^-2·mm^-1,其中玉米>高粱>春小麦>谷子>大豆.在光能利用效率和降水利用效率均较低的长白山区和小兴安岭南部地区,可采取合理密植、选择适宜品种、适时施肥、蓄水保墒耕作以及优化作物布局等措施提高资源利用效率.     

Solid phase bioremediation of pendimethalin in contaminated soil and evaluation of leaching potential

Substrate leaching experiments were performed to study the relative leaching potential of pendimethalin in various types of soil matrices. Pendimethalin leaching showed up to a depth of 30 cm in all the studied soil matrices, irrespective of pH conditions used. The leaching potential of pendimethalin was assessed at various pH conditions. Comparatively higher leaching potential was observed in basic conditions compared to the neutral and acid conditions of soil. Soil phase bioremediation of pendimethalin was also performed on all the soil matrices. Among the studied variations, bioremediation experiments performed in presence of sunlight showed higher efficiency. Bioaugmentation along with sunlight showed higher remediation efficiency in all the studied soil matrices. Biostimulation did not respond positively on the progress of bioremediation.     

Introducing efficiency into the analysis of individual lifetime performance variability: a key to assess herd management

Lifetime performance variability is a powerful tool for evaluating herd management. Although efficiency is a key aspect of performance, it has not been integrated into existing studies on the variability of lifetime performance. The goal of the present article is to analyse the effects of various herd management options on the variability of lifetime performance by integrating criteria relative to feed efficiency. A herd model developed for dairy goat systems was used in three virtual experiments to test the effects of the diet energy level, the segmentation of the feeding plan and the mean production potential of the herd on the variability of lifetime performance. Principal component analysis showed that the variability of lifetime performance was structured around the first axis related to longevity and production and the second related to the variables used in feed efficiency calculation. The intra-management variability was expressed on the first axis (longevity and production), whereas the inter-management variability was expressed on the second axis (feed efficiency) and was mainly influenced by the combination of the diet energy level and the mean production potential. Similar feed efficiencies were attained with different management options. Still, such combinations relied on different biological bases and, at the level of the individual, contrasting results were observed in the relationship between the obtained pattern of performance (in response to diet energy) and the reference pattern of performance (defined by the production potential). Indeed, our results showed that over-feeding interacted with the feeding plan segmentation: a high level of feeding plan segmentation generated a low proportion of individuals at equilibrium with their production potential, whereas a single ration generated a larger proportion. At the herd level, the diet energy level and the herd production potential had marked effects on production and efficiency due to dilution of fixed production costs (i.e. maintenance requirements). Management options led to similar production and feed efficiencies at the herd level while giving large contrasts in the proportions of individuals at equilibrium with their production potential. These results suggested that analysing individual variability on the basis of criteria related to production processes could improve the assessment of herd management. The herd model opens promising perspectives in studying whether individual variability represents an advantage for herd performance.     

水稻化感生物测试方法的比较及应用

选用8个化感作用潜力各异的水稻品种(系)：PI312777、Lemont、Moroberekan、IAC25、IACA7、IAC120、Batatais、Iguape Cateto为供试材料,以田间伴生稗草为受体材料,比较分析了目前较为通用的3种生物测试方法：琼脂迟播共培法(RSA)、石英砂迟播共培法(RSS)和根系分泌物培养法(SRE)对水稻化感潜力的测试效果．结果表明,RSA法应用于测试水稻化感作用潜力的效果最好,RSS法和SRE法的测试结果虽较为一致,但两者都存在不足．据此,运用RSA法对57个水稻材料进行了化感抗草种质资源的初步筛选,从中获得5个强化感作用潜力的水稻材料：Iguape Cateto、PI312777、Azucena、Taichung Native 1和IAC25．     

Dichloroacetate improves cardiac efficiency after ischemia independent of changes in mitochondrial proton leak

Dichloroacetate (DCA) is a pyruvate dehydrogenase activator that increases cardiac efficiency during reperfusion of ischemic hearts. We determined whether DCA increases efficiency of mitochondrial ATP production by measuring proton leak in mitochondria from isolated working rat hearts subjected to 30 min of ischemia and 60 min of reperfusion. In untreated hearts, cardiac work and efficiency decreased during reperfusion to 26% and 40% of preischemic values, respectively. Membrane potential was significantly lower in mitochondria from reperfused (175.6 +/- 2.2 mV) versus aerobic (185.8 +/- 3.1 mV) hearts. DCA (1 mM added at reperfusion) improved recovery of cardiac work (1.9-fold) and efficiency (1.5-fold) but had no effect on mitochondrial membrane potential (170.6 +/- 2.9 mV). At the maximal attainable membrane potential, O(2) consumption (nmol O(2) x mg(-1) x min(-1)) did not differ between untreated or DCA-treated hearts (128.3 +/- 7.5 and 120.6 +/- 7.6, respectively) but was significantly greater than aerobic hearts (76.6 +/- 7.6). During reperfusion, DCA increased glucose oxidation 2.5-fold and decreased H(+) production from glucose metabolism to 53% of untreated hearts. Because H(+) production decreases cardiac efficiency, we suggest that DCA increases cardiac efficiency during reperfusion of ischemic hearts by increasing the efficiency of ATP use and not by increasing the efficiency of ATP production.     

江西省油茶综合生产潜力与资源利用效率评估

江西适合油茶生长,但开发利用程度不高,分析评估其生产潜力与资源利用效率,可为进一步优化油茶种植分区、提高产量、合理利用国土资源等提供依据。以江西省油茶综合生产潜力为研究对象,基于潜力衰减法逐级修订得到自然生产潜力,结合社会有效系数得到综合生产潜力,并进行资源利用效率评估。结果表明: 1)江西省油茶各级生产潜力平均值在10229～17724 kg·km^-2,从赣南向赣西北递减,平均综合生产潜力为12550 kg·km^-2,分级后具有较高潜力和高潜力类可利用土地面积达51656 km²,占全省面积的31.1%;市级生产潜力中,赣州最高。2)江西省油茶生产潜力变幅为2223～3857 kg·km^-2,各级潜力变化量的区域差异较小;油茶资源满足率为69.3%～122.7%,各级资源满足率区域差异较小;油茶资源组合利用效率为49.1%～85%,各级生产潜力利用率的区域差异较大。3)综合生产潜力评估结果与江西油茶实际产量较符合,资源利用效率评估结果与江西自然和社会条件相符,可以作为相关研究与政策制定的参考。     

Improving photosynthesis for algal biofuels: toward a green revolution

Biofuels derived from marine algae are a potential source of sustainable energy that can contribute to future global demands. The realisation of this potential will require manipulation of the fundamental biology of algal physiology to increase the efficiency with which solar energy is ultimately converted into usable biomass. This 'photosynthetic solar energy conversion efficiency' sets an upper limit on the potential of algal-derived biofuels. In this review, we outline photosynthetic molecular targets that could be manipulated to increase the efficiency and yield of algal biofuel production. We also highlight modern 'omic' and high-throughput technologies that might enable identification, selection and improvement of algal cell lines on timescales relevant for achieving significant contributions to future energy solutions.     

基于遗传算法预测2D三向的蛋白质结构

本文基于范德华力势能预测2D三向的蛋白质结构。首先,将蛋白质结构预测这一生物问题转化为数学问题,并建立基于范德华力势能函数的数学模型。其次,使用遗传算法对数学模型进行求解,为了提高蛋白质结构预测效率,我们在标准遗传算法的基础上引入了调整算子这一概念,改进了遗传算法。最后,进行数值模拟实验。实验的结果表明范德华力势能函数模型是可行的,同时,和规范遗传算法相比,改进后的遗传算法能够较大幅度提高算法的搜索效率,并且遗传算法在蛋白质结构预测问题上有巨大潜力。     

Photophysiology of Surface Phytoplankton Communities in a Transect from the Mouth of the Peene‐Strom to the Arkona Sea (Baltic)

The potential of surface phytoplankton to withstand photostress was investigated in August 1998 along a transect from the mouth of the Peene‐Strom (Pomeranian Bight) to the open Arkona Sea (Baltic). Photosynthetic efficiency, algal class composition and pigment pattern were determined. Algae were photoinhibited by artificial illumination and the kinetics of recovery were recorded. Under photoinhibitory treatment, algae from the estuary showed a low effective quantum yield but a high potential to recover their maximum photosynthetic efficiency. Contrary to this, the relatively high effective quantum yield of open sea algae under photoinhibitory treatment is accompanied by a low final recovery of maximum photosynthetic efficiency. These phenomena are discussed with respect to nutrient supply, algal class composition and to different strategies of algae to react to light stress. Literature data of summer primary productivity of open sea and coastal algae are compared with our data on electron transport rates. This revealed a low influence of photoinhibitory effects on productivity.     

洛阳旱地夏玉米生产潜力长周期定量模拟与评价

以洛阳孟津地区气象数据库、土壤数据库、作物数据库和多年田间试验数据库为基础,应用DSSAT作物生长模型估算了当地夏玉米光温生产潜力和光温水生产潜力,并对节水潜力开发现状及途径进行了分析.结果表明,洛阳孟津地区47a夏玉米光温生产潜力为6900.00～15805.00 kg · hm-2,均值为12039.96 kg · hm-2,可作为补灌区平均最高产量的上限参考值;光温水生产潜力为1529.31～13742.00 kg · hm-2,均值为8894.42 kg · hm-2,仅占光温生产潜力82%左右,可作为雨养夏玉米平均最高产量的上限参考值.夏玉米生育期内平均降水量为356.22mm,年际间波动幅度较大,平均水分满足率为71.9%,不同土壤类型及不同降雨年型夏玉米潜在水分利用效率变幅较大,波动范围为8.04～37.46 kg · hm-2 · mm-1,47a均值为26.424 kg · hm-2 · mm-1.近8a旱作夏玉米现实水分利用效率仅占潜在水分利用效率的45.87%,平均光温水生产潜力开发度为47.55%.夏玉米节水潜力非常大,采用合理的节水农业措施,加强农田建设,改善地力状况,增强土壤储水蓄水稳定能力,高效利用降水资源,提高水分利用效率是今后提高夏玉米产量的重要途径.     

Requirements on Models and Models of Active Transport of Ions in Biomembranes

Requirements on models of the active transport of ions in biomembranes have been formulated. The basic requirements include an explicit dependence of the resting potential and intracellular concentrations of ions on the difference of ATP-ADP chemical potentials, a consideration of the reversibility of the ionic pump operation, a correlation between theoretical and experimental data on the resting potential and intracellular concentrations of ions for different types of cells, the pump efficiency approaching 100%, and a tendency of the resting potential to the Donnan potential if the active transport is blocked. A model satisfying the aforementioned requirements has been proposed by the authors as an example.     

Effects of solar ultraviolet radiation on the potential efficiency of photosystem II in leaves of tropical plants

The effects of solar ultraviolet (UV)-B and UV-A radiation on the potential efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) in leaves of tropical plants were investigated in Panama (9°N). Shade-grown tree seedlings or detached sun leaves from the outer crown of mature trees were exposed for short periods (up to 75 min) to direct sunlight filtered through plastic or glass filters that absorbed either UV-B or UV-A+B radiation, or transmitted the complete solar spectrum. Persistent changes in potential PSII efficiency were monitored by means of the dark-adapted ratio of variable to maximum chlorophyll a fluorescence. In leaves of shade-grown tree seedlings, exposure to the complete solar spectrum resulted in a strong decrease in potential PSII efficiency, probably involving protein damage. A substantially smaller decline in the dark-adapted ratio of variable to maximum chlorophyll a fluorescence was observed when UV-B irradiation was excluded. The loss in PSII efficiency was further reduced by excluding both UV-B and UV-A light. The photoinactivation of PSII was reversible under shade conditions, but restoration of nearly full activity required at least 10 d. Repeated exposure to direct sunlight induced an increase in the pool size of xanthophyll cycle pigments and in the content of UV-absorbing vacuolar compounds. In sun leaves of mature trees, which contained high levels of UV-absorbing compounds, effects of UV-B on PSII efficiency were observed in several cases and varied with developmental age and acclimation state of the leaves. The results show that natural UV-B and UV-A radiation in the tropics may significantly contribute to photoinhibition of PSII during sun exposure in situ, particularly in shade leaves exposed to full sunlight.     

马达蛋白定向运动及能量转换效率的研究

通过建立非平衡涨落下的随机跃迁的两态模型,并利用非对称的周期势和Fokker-Planck方程及其本征值法计算两态模型的几率流和稳态几率流密。结果表明马达蛋白的定向运动与有效势的整体倾斜斜率有关,定性讨论了系统能量转换效率与负载有关。     

Oral insulin delivery by means of solid lipid nanoparticles

The aim of this work was to produce and characterize cetyl palmitate-based solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) containing insulin, and to evaluate the potential of these colloidal carriers for oral administration. SLN were prepared by a modified solvent emulsification-evaporation method based on a w/o/w double emulsion. The particle size, zeta potential and association efficiency of unloaded and insulin-loaded SLN were determined and were found to be around 350 nm, negatively charged and the insulin association efficiency was over 43%. After oral administration of insulin-loaded SLN to diabetic rats, a considerable hypoglycemic effect was observed during 24 hours. These results demonstrated that SLN promote the oral absorption of insulin.     

Correlation of codon biases and potential secondary structures with mRNA translation efficiency in unicellular organisms

Gene expression is known to correlate with degree of codon bias in many unicellular organisms. However, such correlation is absent in some organisms. Recently we demonstrated that inverted complementary repeats within coding DNA sequence must be considered for proper estimation of translation efficiency, since they may form secondary structures that obstruct ribosome movement. We have developed a program for estimation of potential coding DNA sequence expression in defined unicellular organism using its genome sequence. The program computes elongation efficiency index. Computation is based on estimation of coding DNA sequence elongation efficiency, taking into account three key factors: codon bias, average number of inverted complementary repeats, and free energy of potential stem-loop structures formed by the repeats. The influence of these factors on translation is numerically estimated. An optimal proportion of these factors is computed for each organism individually. Quantitative translational characteristics of 384 unicellular organisms (351 bacteria, 28 archaea, 5 eukaryota) have been computed using their annotated genomes from NCBI GenBank. Five potential evolutionary strategies of translational optimization have been determined among studied organisms. A considerable difference of preferred translational strategies between Bacteria and Archaea has been revealed. Significant correlations between elongation efficiency index and gene expression levels have been shown for two organisms (S. cerevisiae and H. pylori) using available microarray data. The proposed method allows to estimate numerically the coding DNA sequence translation efficiency and to optimize nucleotide composition of heterologous genes in unicellular organisms. Availability: http://www.mgs.bionet.nsc.ru/mgs/programs/eei-calculator/.     

靶向肿瘤新生血管纳米粒的构建和质量控制

目的：制备F56多肽修饰的长春新碱纳米粒（F56-VCR-NP）,并建立其质量控制方法。方法：乳化－溶剂挥发法优化制备F56．VCR-NP：HPLC法测定其载药量、包封率,透射电镜下观察其形态,激光粒度分析仪测定其粒径和Zeta电位,CBQCA试剂盒测定纳米粒表面多肽密度,XPS进行表面元素分析。结果：优化制备的F56－VCR-NP粒径约为153nm,Zeta电位为－20．8mv,包封率为21．4％,载药量为1．9％,多肽连接效率为26．3％。结论：以聚乙二醇－聚乳酸（PEG-PLA）为原料,长春新碱为模型药物,成功制备出纳米粒子,并建立起有效的质量控制方法,对该实验样品进行了表征。结果表明此类纳米粒子尺寸均匀,表面多价连接F56多肽,载药量和包封率稳定可控,工艺成熟。     

嗜菌紫膜表面电位和质子泵效率间的关系

本文研究了中性红与紫膜结合,并用直接滴定法和测定结合量法,求得了结合于膜上之中性红本征PK和在不同离子强度时的表观PKa值.从它们的差值中计算得到紫膜表面电位.并得不同盐浓度的表面电位和质子泵效率作了比较.结果说明.阳离子对质子泵效率的影响不能完全用表面电位的变化来说明.这一结果暗示了一定的阳离子对于紫膜质子泵功能的完成有着特殊作用.     

PEG修饰的聚阳离子基因载体PEG-Polycarbam-SP在COS-7细胞中转染和毒性的研究

目的：寻找一种转染效率高,细胞毒性低的非病毒基因载体,研究以人体内源性精胺为单体,以乙二醇二氯甲酸酯作为连接剂,以聚乙二醇（PEG）作为亲水基团连接剂合成亲水修饰聚阳离子载体PEG-Polycarbam-SP的基因担载效率,以及对非洲绿猴肾癌细胞COS-7的转染活性和细胞毒性的影响。方法：琼脂糖凝胶电泳方法考察复合物的基因担载效率,检测基因复合物的粒径和电位,以荧光素酶质粒为报告基因,研究PEG-Polycarbam-SP/DNA的复合物在COS-7细胞的转染活性,用MTT方法研究PEG-Polycarbam-SP对COS-7细胞的毒性。结果：聚合物与质粒在质量比5以后形成的复合物粒径稳定在50nm左右,Zate电位在20mV左右。COS-7细胞实验显示PEG-Polycarbam-SP具有低于PEI 25kDa的细胞毒性,同时也具有高效输送DNA的能力。结论：PEG-Polycarbam-SP是一种新型的高效、低毒,在基因治疗领域有潜在应用价值的非病毒基因输送载体。     

Components of lifetime mating success and body size in males of a scrambling damselfly

Sexual selection is hypothesized to favour small body size in males of scrambling species, that is, those in which males obtain matings by actively searching for females. I tested this hypothesis in a natural population of the scrambling emerald damselfly, Lestes sponsa. Mating efficiency (matings/visit to the pond) was the most important factor explaining variation in male lifetime mating success (LMS; 71%). This suggests a large potential for sexual selection. Path analysis of male LMS suggested a quality factor that positively affected both mating efficiency and life span. In contrast with the small-male mating advantage hypothesis, part of this potential for sexual selection was realized as stabilizing selection on male body size, indicating that there may also be a lower limit to body size for mating efficiency. This also illustrates that the constancy of body size may be explained by sexual selection alone. Survival explained about 20% of the variation in LMS and random processes were potentially important for determining LMS. My results show the problems of using mating efficiency as a measure for the intensity of sexual selection and the need to distinguish between potential and realized selection pressures, especially when comparing the importance of natural and sexual selection. I discuss mechanisms that may have caused the intermediate-male mating advantage in this scrambling species. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.