希腊莱斯沃斯岛中新世木化石研究进展

希腊莱斯沃斯岛是世界上最为著名的木化石产地之一, 出露有由中新世火山活动而形成的大规模矿化森林, 保存有大量的植物以及部分动物化石。其中大多数木化石横卧或直立原地埋藏, 并保留比较完整的根系, 是目前保存最完整的新生代矿化森林生态系统。本文对莱斯沃斯岛已报道的木化石进行详细梳理分析, 共计8科15属32种, 包括裸子植物6科11属22种, 被子植物2科4属10种, 并着重介绍了发现自莱斯沃斯的代表性木化石特有类群系统古生物学属性。通过木化石反映的植物类群, 初步恢复莱斯沃斯岛中新世属于北半球亚热带气候, 总体比较温暖潮湿, 有着明显的季节性变化特征。最后对莱斯沃斯岛木化石的埋藏环境进行了简要讨论, 并对今后的研究进行了展望。     

Body mass reconstruction on the basis of selected skeletal traits

The objective of this paper is: to estimate the body mass of the skeletons with the mechanical method (femoral head body mass estimation method--FH) and non-mechanical method (stature/living bi-iliac breadth body mass estimation method--ST/LBIB); to compare the reliability and potential use of results obtained with both methods. The material (46 skeletons, 26 males, 20 females) used in the study came from the medieval burial ground in Cedynia, Poland. Body mass reconstruction according to non-mechanical method was made using equations proposed by Ruff et al. (2005). Body mass estimation based on the mechanical method was calculated using formulas proposed by Ruff et al. (1995). In the mechanical body mass reconstruction method, femoral superoinferior breadth was used. Reconstruction of body weight using the non-mechanical method was based on maximum pelvic breadth and reconstructed body height. The correlation between bi-iliac breadth and femoral head measurements and the correlation between femoral head and reconstructed body height were also calculated. The significance of differences between the body mass of male and female individuals was tested with the Mann-Whitney U-test. The significance of differences between body mass values obtained with the mechanical (FH) and the non-mechanical method (ST/ LBIB) was tested using Pearson's correlation. The same test was used for the calculation of the relationship between bi-iliac breadth and femoral head measurements and between femoral head and reconstructed body height. In contrast to females, in males there is no statistically significant correlation between body mass estimated with the mechanical method (FH) and the non-mechanical method (ST/LBIB). In both sexes there was not statistically significant correlation between bi-iliac breadth and femoral head measurements. Only in the females group the correlation between femoral head and reconstructed body height was statistically significant. It is worth to continue the research. The obtained results would be a valuable contribution to the knowledge on body mass reconstruction methods.     

Human body mass estimation: a comparison of "morphometric" and "mechanical" methods

In the past, body mass was reconstructed from hominin skeletal remains using both "mechanical" methods which rely on the support of body mass by weight-bearing skeletal elements, and "morphometric" methods which reconstruct body mass through direct assessment of body size and shape. A previous comparison of two such techniques, using femoral head breadth (mechanical) and stature and bi-iliac breadth (morphometric), indicated a good general correspondence between them (Ruff et al. [1997] Nature 387:173-176). However, the two techniques were never systematically compared across a large group of modern humans of diverse body form. This study incorporates skeletal measures taken from 1,173 Holocene adult individuals, representing diverse geographic origins, body sizes, and body shapes. Femoral head breadth, bi-iliac breadth (after pelvic rearticulation), and long bone lengths were measured on each individual. Statures were estimated from long bone lengths using appropriate reference samples. Body masses were calculated using three available femoral head breadth (FH) formulae and the stature/bi-iliac breadth (STBIB) formula, and compared. All methods yielded similar results. Correlations between FH estimates and STBIB estimates are 0.74-0.81. Slight differences in results between the three FH estimates can be attributed to sampling differences in the original reference samples, and in particular, the body-size ranges included in those samples. There is no evidence for systematic differences in results due to differences in body proportions. Since the STBIB method was validated on other samples, and the FH methods produced similar estimates, this argues that either may be applied to skeletal remains with some confidence.     

Results of the study of selected head measurements of Jena children]

Secular changes of head measurements (frontal breadth, bizygomatic breadth, bigonial breadth, auricular height, morphological facial height, lower face height) are analysed. The data are based on the Jena anthropological investigations of school children from 1975 and 1985. The inclusion of the data of the Jena longitudinal study carried out since 1985 allows an analysis of the further secular trend. Noticeable changes are proved in most of the analysed traits (frontal breadth, bigonial breadth, auricular height, morphological facial height, lower face height) between 1975 and 1985. The vertical measurements show greater percentage differences than the horizontal measurements, which, among other things, results in a relative narrowing of the face. In some head measurements (frontal breadth, bigonial breadth, auricular height) the trends continue after 1985. The secular trends show no obvious connection with the temporal acceleration of the dentition in the probands of the longitudinal study. However, a connection seems to be possible between the accelerated puberal growth spurt of the body height and the puberal growth spurt in some head dimensions.     

Vestibular input to brain monoamine neurons--a review

Yates et al. reported that serotonergic RN neurons are associated with vestibulo-sympathetic responses and may control BP changes during body repositioning (Yates et al., 1992; 1993). Pompeiano et al. demonstrated that LC-NA neurons participate in the postural control and modify the vestibulo-spinal reflex (Pompeiano et al., 1990; 1991a; 2001). Nishiike et al. (1996a) examined the effects of caloric vestibular stimulation on the neuronal activity of LC-NA neurons in rats. The predominant effect of CA with both hot- and cold-water on the electrical activity of LC neurons is inhibitory and persists for several minutes. GABAA receptors located on the postsynaptic membrane of LC neurons are responsible for these inhibitory responses. The VLM may inhibit LC neuronal activity in response to the CA via GABAA receptors (Nishiike et al., 1997). It is suggested that LC-NA inhibition is involved in the development of motion sickness (Nishiike et al., 2001).     

Diurnal variation in stature - Is it more in children or adults?

Stature is the most often used anthropometric measure in the nutritional, growth and development, anthropological and forensic oriented studies. Its estimate is considered to be an important assessment in the identification of unknown human remains and its medico-legal significance is obvious in forensic examinations. Diurnal variation in stature is a biological norm in the human body and its effects can be reflected in the reliability of height data in these studies. We hypothesize that the extent of diurnal variation is more in children as compared to adults in a population.     

Do southern elephant seals show density dependence in fecundity?

Here we provide an alternative interpretation to that of Pistorius et al. (2001), concerning density-dependent increases in fecundity resulting in population regulation of the southern elephant seal population at Marion Island. We do not contradict the findings of Pistorius et al. (2001), because it does appear: (1) that a change in fecundity has been observed, and (2) that some factor related to food supply is the most likely cause for an observed population decline and increase in reproductive performance. The main observation leading to the interpretation of density-dependent feedback in the population of southern elephant seals at Marion Island (one of the Prince Edward Islands) is that there has been a reduction in the population's rate of decline in recent years (reported by Pistorius et al. (1999b)), and that this could have resulted from a per capita increase in food availability. However, because rates of population change are rarely linearly constant, changes in population size should be expressed on a logarithmic, rather than a linear scale, as used by Pistorius et al. (1999b). Re-plotting the linear values of Pistorius et al. (1999b) on the natural logarithmic scale gave no clear change in the rate of population decline; therefore, we conclude that the rate of population change (decline) has remained constant from 1986 to 1997 (r=-0.0439). The Marion Island population is part of the larger Kerguelen population, and there might be considerable overlap in the foraging areas, and possibly prey, exploited by elephant seals from all sub-populations within this larger population. Changes in the number of intra-specific resource competitors at Marion Island are therefore unlikely to alter per capita food availability since the Marion population constitutes approximately 1% of the total Kerguelen population. We propose an alternative hypothesis that the present data support a mechanism driving the proposed increase in per capita food supply through changes in either: (1) inter-specific food competition, (2) rates of predation, (3) changes in weather pattern or (4) disease.     

Secular trends in some Russian populations

Secular changes of body measurements in children have been the subject of studies in many different countries. In recent years, there has been an increase in BMI associated with a significant trend towards obesity in both Europe and the US. The aim of the present study was to analyze trends in body measurements and BMI in Russia from the 1960's to the beginning of the 21st century. This was done at three locations of the Russian Federation: the city of Moscow, the cities of Saratov and Naberezhnye Chelny in the Volga-river area. In addition, data on secular changes of Abkhazian children were analyzed. A large number of anthropometric measurements were taken on each individual including height, weight, arm, leg and trunk lengths (estimated), body diameters and circumferences, skinfold thickness, head and face dimensions. Stages of secondary sex characteristics also were evaluated; data on menarcheal age were collected by status-quo and retrospective methods. Changes in hand grip strength have been evaluated in some of the samples. While stature was increasing during these years, weight, chest circumference and BMI were characterized by negative changes, which became more obvious in elder girls. Changes in handgrip strength also showed negative trends. There were noticeable changes in head and face measurements, which were expressed in more elongated head and face forms, i.e. the head became longer and narrower with narrower and higher faces. Secular changes in head and facial morphology may be considered part of the general trend.     

What can we Learn from Oxygen and Hydrogen Isotope Compositions of Tree-ring Cellulose in Higher Plants (英文)

Stable isotope ratios in tree-ring cellulose have been shown to be reliable recorders of changes in the ambient climate (Leuenberger et al., 1998). Thus, isotopic fractionations associated with both physical and biochemical processes during cellulose synthesis in higher plants (Epstein & Krishnaumurthy, 1990; Roden et al., 2000; Saurer et al., 1997a; 1997b; 2000) can be used as archives for past climatic indicators. Superimposed on the climatic induced isotopic signal are the long-term responses of plant physiological processes to past changes in environmental conditions including CO2 enrichment.     

中国14个特殊旁系族群的头面部特征比较

头面部特征是人类学各人种进行分类的重要依据,在人类学的研究中被用作亲缘关系的证据。2006-2016年在四川、云南、西藏、贵州、海南、新疆、内蒙古共调查14个族群成人2989人(男性1434人,女性1555人)的16项头面部指标,比较这些族群头面部特征差异。研究结果如下:1)在男性族群中木雅人、尔苏人、临高人、白马人的面宽、头宽均较大。图瓦人、布里亚特人、摩梭人的面宽、头宽、形态面高、鼻高值均较大。僜人、革家人、莽人的面宽、头宽较小,而形态面高、鼻高值较大。空格人的面宽、头宽、形态面高、鼻高值均较小。2)在女性族群中图瓦人、布里亚特人的头宽、面宽、鼻高、耳上头高均较大。革家人、空格人的头宽、面宽、鼻高、耳上头高均较小。木雅人、尔苏人、八甲人、白马人、夏尔巴人的头宽、面宽较大,鼻高、耳上头高较小。僜人、克木人、莽人的头宽、面宽较小,而鼻高、耳上头高较大。3)头宽、容貌耳长跟纬度、年平均气温、年降雨量等环境因子相关性较高。4)通过聚类分析和主成分分析木雅人、尔苏人、白马人与羌族头面部特征比较接近。克木人与佤族头面部特征最为接近。革家人、僜人、莽人头面部特征比较接近。图瓦人、布里亚特人头面部...     

ChAnge, Stress, Sustainability and Aquatic ecosystem Resilience In North African wetland lakes during the 20th century: an introduction to integrated biodiversity studies within the CASSARINA Project

The CASSARINA Project is a co-ordinated joint study of recent environmental change in North African wetland lakes. Nine primary sites were selected for detailed study comprising three sites in each of Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Multi-disciplinary studies were undertaken by scientists from each of these countries working in co-operation with colleagues in the UK and Norway. The detailed results are presented in a consecutive suite of papers that describe both modern ecosystem attributes and the recent environmental histories of each site. This paper presents an overview of the aims, structure and initial results of the project.Modern site attributes measured were water quality and phytoplankton (Fathi et al., 2001), zooplankton (Ramdani et al., 2001b), fish (Kraïem et al., 2001) and littoral vegetation (Ramdani et al., 2001a). Baseline water quality data showed that one site (Megene Chitane) was acid with low salinity but the others had high alkalinities with varying degrees of brackishness. All the sites tended to be eutrophic and the phytoplankton was mainly dominated by green or blue-green algae. Where fish were present, growth rates were high with marginally highest rates in the Egyptian Delta lakes (Kraïem et al., 2001). Marginal vegetation surveys showed that emergent macrophytes were still extensive only in the Delta lakes (Ramdani et al., 2001a) where they form important refuges and restrict water pollution. In 1998, one Moroccan wetland lake (Merja Bokka) was drained completely for cultivation.Site specific environmental change records for the 20th century period were obtained using palaeolimnological techniques. Sediment core chronologies (Appleby et al., 2001) were based mainly on radio-isotopes (²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs). Sedimentary remains of aquatic biota, diatoms, zooplankton, higher plants and benthic animals (Flower et al., 2001; Ramdani et al., 2001c; Birks et al., 2001a) and pollen (Peglar et al., 2001) were investigated (Birks et al., 2001b). Major differences in past species abundances were found and were interpreted in terms relevant to biodiversity and water quality/availability change. Metals and pesticide residues in sediment cores indicated that lake contamination was generally lower than in some European sites but some DDE profiles showed a close correspondence with known usage histories (Peters et al., 2001).Hydrological changes affecting water quality and availability mainly arose from land-use intensification during the 20th century and are shown to be the main driver of biodiversity disturbance at all nine CASSARINA sites. Summarizing floristic and faunistic changes using species richness values indicated that freshening of the Delta lakes during this century generally increased aquatic diversity. Species richness also increased during the final drainage of Bokka but tended to decline in acid Chitane. Modern sampling showed that phytoplankton and epiphytic diatom diversity was higher in the Delta lakes but this was not so for zooplankton. Each biological group reacted differently to environmental disturbance and this lack of concordance makes overall diversity changes difficult to predict.     

A system analysis of the general human constitution

The correlations between three systems of signs have been studied using the results of a complex anthropological examination of 669 young men and girls from 16 to 23 years old, including the measurement of 40 body, head, and face parameters, fingerprinting, and the determination of personal psychophysiologic characteristics based on Eysenck, Spielberger, Strelau and Cattell tests using different methods of the multivariate statistics. The author has suggested the original model of correlations between somatic, dermatoglyphic, and psychological signs in the structure of the general human constitution based on the statistically significant canonical correlations (obtained by the author) and taking into consideration the degree of influence exerted by a genetic and socio-economic complex of factors (according to the literature data) on the development and formation of the investigated systems of signs. The evidences of the concept stipulating the relative autonomy of morphofunctional systems as necessary for the integrity of an organism as a whole are presented according to the results of the work with the anthropologic material.     

中国森林生物量的估算：对Fang et al.

 Science杂志于2001年发表了方精云等人关于中国森林植被碳库及其变化的论文(Fang et al., 2001, 291: 2320～2322)。该文利用大量的生物量实测数据,结合使用中国50年来的森林资源清查资料及相关的统计资料,基于生物量换算因子连续函数法,研究了中国森林植被碳库及其时空变化。这是一个大时空尺度的工作,涉及一些大尺度生态学研究的原理、方法以及尺度转换问题。由于篇幅所限,论文并未详细说明这些问题。为了帮助理解大尺度生态学研究的方法和思路,本文给出了论文中涉及生物量计算的理论基础,对     

Preparation, reconstruction and interpretation of seven human skeletons from the late Bronze age (urn-field-culture) found at a storage pit in Stillfried/March, lower Austria.

In the first published paper "Stillfried-Arch?ologie-Anthropologie" (Felgenhauer, Szilvássy, Kritscher & Hauser 1988) emphasis of study was laid on morphological, metric and radiological analyses of the 7 skeletons from the late Bronze age (urn-field-culture) found at a storage pit in Stillfried/March in Lower Austria. The present publication deals with the methods of reconstruction of this spectacular discovery. When the skeletal material was disinterred in 1976 it was decided to make appropriate arrangements for an in-situ-presentation at a later stage. After the preparatory work and the scientific investigations were concluded, an in-situ presentation of the 7 skeletons was placed as a key-exhibit in the anthropological displays in the Natural History Museum in Vienna. The 7 skeletons represent three grown-ups and four children i.e. a man about thirty years of age, a woman of forty and one of forty five years of age, as well as a girl of nine and three boys eight, six and three years of age. The reconstruction of this outstanding discovery demanded not only an answer to the genealogical question but also an interpretation of the circumstances of death making use of forensic evidence. Additionally, the personal state of the seven individuals, their physical shape, state of health, and their racial attachment were discussed.     

Soil ingestion estimates for use in site evaluations based on the best tracer method

This paper develops a novel methodology, the Best Tracer method (BTM), that substantially overcomes the principal limitations (intertracer inconsistencies, and poor precision of recovery) of estimating soil ingestion by specific soil‐based tracers in massbalance studies. The BTM incorporates a biological and statistical framework that improves precision of recovery of tracer estimates, markedly reducing input‐output misalignment error resulting from a lack of correspondence between food tracer input and fecal tracer output.

This method is then used to re‐estimate the soil ingestion distribution of previously published soil ingestion estimates from two children studies (Calabrese et al. 1989; Davis et al., 1990) and one adult study (Calabrese et al., 1990). Revised estimates of soil ingestion are provided for each study. In addition, the results from the two children's studies are combined to form a single estimate of the soil ingestion distribution. These collective findings result in more reliable quantitative estimates of soil ingestion than trace element specific estimates, as well as providing improved understanding of current published soil ingestion studies, and improved methods that will enhance the design and interpretation of future soil ingestion studies.

With respect to children, the data indicate that the Calabrese et al. (1989) study provides the most reliable estimates of soil ingestion based on the estimated precision of recovery. However, estimates for the combined data of the Calabrese et al. (1989) and Davis et al. (1990) studies include all available children's data from mass balance studies, and thus provide more robust estimates. The collective data suggest that the median child in these studies ingested 30–40 mg/day of soil, while the upper 95% estimate is approximately 200 mg/day. Current data are insufficient to distinguish the children's soil ingestion distribution from that of adults. The revised and improved estimates of soil ingestion for children and adults have important implications for contaminant exposure estimates used in site evaluation risk assessment procedures.     

基诺族体质特征及35年来体质的变化

对云南西双版纳傣族自治州景洪县基诺山基诺乡的基诺族进行体质调查,测量了600例(男279人,女321人)成人人体测量学指标,与35年前在同一地区测量的基诺族体质数据进行了比较,初步分析了35年来基诺族体质变化的原因,研究表明,基诺族身材较矮,颧部不突出,上眼睑多有皱褶,接近40%成年人具有蒙古褶,眼裂高度多为中等,眼外角多高于眼内角,鼻根高度多为中等,多为直鼻背,多直发。基诺族男性、女性均为圆头型、高头型、中头型、阔面型、中鼻型,中躯干型、中腿型、宽胸型、宽肩型、中骨盆型。这些表明基诺族具有南亚类型体质特征。35年来,基诺族男女的头长、头宽、面宽、下颌角宽、容貌面高、身高、坐高、胸围、肩宽、体重等指标值较1980年指标有所增长。基诺族体质的变化与当地生产力的发展,饮食结构的改善、体力劳动的强度变化都有一定的关系。     

Neural networks in the cockpit of the fly

Flies have been buzzing around on earth for over 300 million years. During this time they have radiated into more than 125,000 different species (Yeates and Wiegmann 1999), so that, by now, roughly every tenth described species is a fly. They thus represent one of the most successful animal groups on our planet. This evolutionary success might, at least in part, be a result of their acrobatic maneuverability, which enables them, for example, to chase mates at turning velocities of more than 3000 degrees s(-1) with delay times of less than 30 ms (Land and Collett 1974; Wagner 1986). It is this fantastic behavior, which has initiated much research during the last decades, both on its sensory control and the biophysical and aerodynamic principles of the flight output (Dickinson et al. 1999, 2000). Here, we review the current state of knowledge about the neural processing of visual motion, which represents one sensory component intimately involved in flight control. Other reviews on this topic have been published with a similar (Hausen 1981, 1984; Hausen and Egelhaaf 1989; Borst 1996) or different emphasis (Frye and Dickinson 2001; Borst and Dickinson 2002). Because of space limitations, we do not review the extensive work that has been done on fly motion-sensitive neurons to advance our understanding of neural coding (Bialek et al. 1991; Rieke et al. 1997; de Ruyter et al. 1997, 2000; Haag and Borst 1997, 1998; Borst and Haag 2001). Unless stated otherwise, all data presented in the following were obtained on the blowfly Calliphora vicina which we will often casually refer to as 'the fly'.     

Cancer mortality and incidence in Hungary in relation to international data

In Hungary mortality caused by malignant tumour diseases is very high. It is the second cause of death showing approximately 25% frequency. Statistics on disability has revealed that during the past 25 years the number of patients become invalid because of cancer has nearly doubled.In comparative international statistics cancer mortality and incidence of the Hungarian male population take the first and that of the female population the second place. The alarming public health problems caused by cancer in Hungary have prompted the authors to identify the causes and search for points of outbreak to stop and reverse these unfavourable tendencies. When analysing the current state of this country authors primarily rely on the studies of the European Cancer Centre, Lyon and those of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) and National Cancer Registry. By years 2000-2001 the National Cancer Registry has become a reliable well functioning system. Its activities include the registration of all new cancer patients announced in the previous calendar year. Data processing requires information such as: year of diagnosis, tumour localisation and extension, morphological code and therapeutic interventions. It is a promising sign that the first time over the past 25 years cancer mortality decreased in year 2000. The unfavourable cancer mortality and incidence status in Hungary might be improved by the consistent accomplishment of the project "For a Healthy Nation, A Public Health Project for years 2001-2010".     

Craniofacial characteristics of Croatian and Syrian populations

Craniofacial area is apart of the human body which undergoes the greatest changes during development and is characterized by uneven growth. External and internal factors affect the growth and development of craniofacial structures. They are responsible for the occurrence of specific craniofacial characteristics in different races or populations within the same race. The present study investigates the possible differences of the basic head and face shapes between the Croatian and Syrian populations. The sample included 400 subjects of both sexes aged 18-24 years and was divided into a Croatian and a Syrian group with 200 subjects each. Six variables defined according to Martin and Saller were measured by standard anthropometric instruments. The results of the study demonstrated statistically significant differences between our subjects in all variables except face width. The dolichocephalic head type and the mesoprosopic face type were predominant in the Croatian population, while the brachycephalic head type and the euryprosopic face type dominated in the Syrian population.     

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of chromosome 9-derived material in a human thyroid cancer cell line

The incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) increases significantly after exposure of the head and neck region to ionizing radiation, yet we know neither the steps involved in malignant transformation of thyroid epithelium nor the specific carcinogenic mode of action of radiation. Such increased tumor frequency became most evident in children after the 1986 nuclear accident in Chernobyl, Ukraine. In the eight years following the accident, the average incidence of childhood PTCs (chPTC) increased 70-fold in Belarus, 200-fold in Gomel, 10-fold in the Ukraine and 50-fold in Tschnigov, Kiev, Rovno, Shitomyr and Tscherkassy compared to the rate of about 1 tumor incidence per 106 children per year prior to 1986 (Likhtarev et al., 1995; Sobolev et al., 1997; Jacob et al., 1998). To study the etiology of radiation-induced thyroid cancer, we formed an international consortium to investigate chromosomal changes and altered gene expression in cases of post-Chernobyl chPTC. Our approach is based on karyotyping of primary cultures established from chPTC specimens, establishment of cell lines and studies of genotype-phenotype relationships through high resolution chromosome analysis, DNA/cDNA micro-array studies, and mouse xenografts that test for tumorigenicity. Here, we report the application of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)-based techniques for the molecular cytogenetic characterization of a highly tumorigenic chPTC cell line, S48TK, and its subclones. Using chromosome 9 rearrangements as an example, we describe a new approach termed 'BAC-FISH' to rapidly delineate chromosomal breakpoints, an important step towards a better understanding of the formation of translocations and their functional consequences.