Sexual conflict and the tragedy of the commons

It is widely understood that the costs and benefits of mating can affect the fecundity and survival of individuals. Sexual conflict may have profound consequences for populations as a result of the negative effects it causes males and females to have on one another's fitness. Here we present a model describing the evolution of sexual conflict, in which males inflict a direct cost on female fitness. We show that these costs can drive the entire population to extinction. To males, females are an essential but finite resource over which they have to compete. Population extinction owing to sexual conflict can therefore be seen as an evolutionary tragedy of the commons. Our model shows that a positive feedback between harassment and the operational sex ratio is responsible for the demise of females and, thus, for population extinction. We further show that the evolution of female resistance to counter harassment can prevent a tragedy of the commons. Our findings not only demonstrate that sexual conflict can drive a population to extinction but also highlight how simple mechanisms, such as harassment costs to males and females and the coevolution between harassment and resistance, can help avert a tragedy of the commons caused by sexual conflict.     

On the origin of the genetic code and the stability of the translation apparatus

An “error theory” is developed which can be applied to determine the stability of a macromolecular translation machinery which reproduces itself. It is shown that the overall effects of a multitude of possible error versions of macromolecules can be treated statistically, and that such a statistical approach is of considerable usefulness in the theoretical treatment of complex macromolecular systems. The theory is developed within the context of a detailed treatment of the “frozen accident” hypothesis for the origin of the genetic code. A model is described which permits some thermodynamic characterization of the components involved in the code nucleation. The model also proves useful in resolving a stability “paradox” described by Orgel, which relates to the translation stability in present-day organisms and mechanisms of ageing. It indicates that any experimentally found decrease in translation accuracy with age is probably not due to an inherent instability in the translation apparatus. Relevant experiments are suggested.     

A Hierarchy of Time-Scales and the Brain

In this paper, we suggest that cortical anatomy recapitulates the temporal hierarchy that is inherent in the dynamics of environmental states. Many aspects of brain function can be understood in terms of a hierarchy of temporal scales at which representations of the environment evolve. The lowest level of this hierarchy corresponds to fast fluctuations associated with sensory processing, whereas the highest levels encode slow contextual changes in the environment, under which faster representations unfold. First, we describe a mathematical model that exploits the temporal structure of fast sensory input to track the slower trajectories of their underlying causes. This model of sensory encoding or perceptual inference establishes a proof of concept that slowly changing neuronal states can encode the paths or trajectories of faster sensory states. We then review empirical evidence that suggests that a temporal hierarchy is recapitulated in the macroscopic organization of the cortex. This anatomic-temporal hierarchy provides a comprehensive framework for understanding cortical function: the specific time-scale that engages a cortical area can be inferred by its location along a rostro-caudal gradient, which reflects the anatomical distance from primary sensory areas. This is most evident in the prefrontal cortex, where complex functions can be explained as operations on representations of the environment that change slowly. The framework provides predictions about, and principled constraints on, cortical structure–function relationships, which can be tested by manipulating the time-scales of sensory input.     

Population viscosity and the evolution of altruism

The term population viscosity refers to limited dispersal, which increases the genetic relatedness of neighbors. This effect both supports the evolution of altruism by focusing the altruists' gifts on relatives of the altruist, and also limits the extent to which altruism may emerge by exposing clusters of altruists to stiffer local competition. Previous analyses have emphasized the way in which these two effects can cancel, limiting the viability of altruism. These papers were based on models in which total population density was held fixed. We present here a class of models in which population density is permitted to fluctuate, so that patches of altruists are supported at a higher density than patches of non-altruists. Under these conditions, population viscosity can support the selection of both weak and strong altruism.     

Replaceability of amino acids and the self-facilitation of evolution

The self-facilitating aspect of evolution is formulated in terms of measures of amino acid replaceability. The incorporation of highly replaceable amino acids into a protein increases the rate at which it can incorporate highly irreplaceable amino acids. The reality of self-facilitation is supported by sequence data which imply that silent mutations which change the replaceability of codons are subject to selection. There are a number of interesting implications for the dependence of evolutionary rate on protein diversity and variability. In general, the incorporation of low information value amino acids into a protein increases the maximum rate at which the value of the information in the protein can increase.     

Effect of actinomycin D and guanidine on the formation of a ribonucleic acid polymerase induced by foot-and-mouth-disease virus and on the replication of virus and viral ribonucleic acid

The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase induced in baby-hamster kidney cells by infection with foot-and-mouth-disease virus can be detected as early as 60min. after infection, which is 60min. before viral RNA synthesis commences. The time at which the polymerase can first be detected coincides with the latest time at which actinomycin D (50mug./10(7) cells) or guanidine (1mg./10(7) cells) inhibits virus replication. However, by increasing the concentration of guanidine, viral replication can be inhibited later in the growth cycle, casting doubt on the validity of the hypothesis that guanidine acts specifically on the formation of the viral RNA polymerase.     

MMP-2及MMP-9与主动脉疾病相关性的研究进展

基质金属蛋白酶是一类可降解细胞外基质的蛋白酶,基质金属蛋白酶-2和-9为明胶酶,可降解细胞外基质中的胶原蛋白及弹性蛋白,其动态平衡对维持细胞外基质的稳定具有重要意义。主动脉的细胞外基质是主动脉中层重要的组成部分,细胞外基质成分的改变可导致主动脉中层结构的损伤,在主动脉疾病的发生、发展过程中起着重要作用。主动脉基质金属蛋白酶-2和-9的表达失衡可引起主动脉中层细胞外基质的降解,导致主动脉中层结构的损伤,从而促进主动脉疾病的发生。同时,主动脉疾病也可导致血浆中MMP-2、MMP-9浓度的升高。本文对近年来基质金属蛋白酶与主动脉疾病相关性的研究及进展作一综述,为心血管疾病发生机制的研究和治疗提供文献依据。     

Kinematics and dynamics of the temporomandibular joint and of the movements of the mandible

In order to analyze the complicated movements of the mandible as the open-closing movement and the protrusio are, it is useful to evaluate the basic kinematic principles and reduce them to simple technical constructions. Both the open-closing movement and the protrusio could be reduced to 4-bar links, which were used to simulate the movements with help of a computer. Besides, the polodes and the curves of points in the muscular attachments could be constructed. The 2 entirely different 4-bar links have 3 things in common: The resting system - cranium, the moving system - mandibula, and 1 of the 2 arms connecting these 2 systems - the ligamentum laterale. As this ligament is taut during movements it can be considered a "guiding ligament" representing 1 of the 3 determining components of the mandibular movements. The other of the 2 arms has no anatomical equivalent; this arm, however, is "replaced" by the 2 other determining components of the mandibular movements: the joint and the muscles. The curves, which the Caput mandibulae describes, are practically identical for the open-closing movement and the protrusio despite of the different 4-bar links and these curves exactly correspond to the Discus articularis, taut by the upper part of the M. pterygoideus lateralis. The muscles do not only just move the mandibula, but they are also the component, which can choose between the different mandibular movements. By means of the curves, which points in the muscular attachments describe, the function of the masticatory muscles could be analyzed exactly.     

Splendours and miseries of the brain

In this speculative essay, I examine two evolutionary developments underlying the enormous success of the human brain: its capacity to acquire knowledge and its variability across individuals. A feature of an efficient knowledge-acquiring system is, I believe, its capacity to abstract and to formulate ideals. Both attributes carry with them a clash between experience of the particular and what the brain has developed from experience of the many. Both therefore can lead to much disappointment in our daily lives. This disappointment is heightened by the fact that both abstraction and ideals are subject to variability in time within an individual and between individuals. Variability, which is a cherished source for evolutionary selection, can also be an isolating and individualizing feature in society. Thus the very features of the human brain which underlie our enormous evolutionary success can also be a major source of our misery.     

Studies on the conformations of sialyloligosaccharides and implications

Theoretical investigations, using semi-empirical potential functions have been carried out to predict the favoured conformations of the terminal dissaccharide fragments of various sialyloligosaccharides. The proposed conformational similarity for these fragments has been correlated to the binding specificity of neuraminidases. These calculations predict that bacterial neuraminidases have a binding site which can accommodate only two sugar residues and virus neuraminidases have a binding site which can accommodate more than two sugar residues.     

Thermodynamic analysis of the interaction of the xylem water and phloem sugar solution and its significance for the cohesion theory

The cohesion theory explains water transport in trees by the evaporation of water in the leaves (transpiration), which in turn generates the tension required for sap ascent, i.e. the flow of pure water from the soil through the root system and the non-living cells of the tree (xylem tracheids) up to the leaves. Only a small part of this water flow entering the leaves is used in photosynthesis to produce sugar solution, which is transported from the leaves through the living cells (phloem) to everywhere in the tree where it is needed and used. The phloem sieves are connected to the xylem tracheids by water transparent membranes, which means that the upflow of pure water and downflow of sugar solution interact with each other, causing the osmotic pressure in the sugar solution (Münch model). In this paper we analyse this interaction with a thermodynamic approach and we show that some open questions in the cohesion theory can then perhaps be better understood. For example, why under a quite high tension the water can flow in the xylem mostly without any notable cavitation, and how the suction force itself depends on the cavitation. Minimizing Gibbs energy of the system of xylem and phloem, we derive extended vapor pressure and osmotic pressure equations, which include gas bubbles in the xylem conduits as well as the cellulose-air-water interface term. With the aid of the vapor pressure equation derived here, we estimate the suction force that the cavitation controlled by the phloem sugar solution can generate at high moisture contents. We also estimate the suction force that the transpiration can generate by moisture gradient at low moisture contents. From the general osmotic pressure equation we derive an equation for calculating the degree of cavitation with different sugar solution concentrations and we show the conditions under which the cavitation in the xylem is totally avoided. Using recent field measurement results for a Scotch pine, the theory is demonstrated by showing its predictions for possible amounts of cavitation or embolism from morning hours to late afternoon.     

Controlling the geometry and the coupling strength of the oscillator system in plasmodium ofPhysarum polycephalum by microfabricated structure

Summary The plasmodium of the true slime moldPhysarum polycephalum, which shows various oscillatory phenomena, can be regarded as a collective of nonlinear oscillators. Partial bodies in the plasmodium, which are assumed to be nonlinear oscillators, are mutually connected by microscale tubes named plasmodial strand. The interactions among the oscillators can be strongly affected by the geometry and the dimension of the tube network. Investigation of the collective behavior under the condition that the configuration of the network can be manipulated gives significant information on the characteristics of the plasmodium from the viewpoint of nonlinear dynamics. In this study, we have developed a new method to control the geometry and the tube dimension of the plasmodium with a microfabricated structure. It is shown that the geometry of the plasmodium can be manipulated with a microstructure which is fabricated of ultrathick photoresist resin by photolithographic processes. In order to confirm that not only the geometry but also the dimension of the tubes can be controlled with the microstructure, we observed the cross section of the patterned plasmodium with a three-dimensional internal-structure microscope. By observing the oscillatory behavior of the partial bodies of the patterned plasmodium, it was confirmed that the coupling strength between two oscillators, which corresponds to the dimension of the plasmodial strand, can be controlled by the microstructure. It is concluded that the present method is suitable for further studies of the network of Physarum plasmodium as a collective nonlinear oscillator system.     

Effects and analysis of the menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle is much more than a cycle of periods. Menstruation is only one manifestation of the ovarian cycle which is itself associated with more than 200 physical, psychological and behavioural changes. Numerous medical disorders also appear to be modulated by cyclical ovarian activity. Objective assessment of these cyclical changes can be difficult. One approach is by trend analysis, which can be used to provide both qualitative and quantitative information concerning daily menstrual cycle data. The application of this technique to the assessment of menstrual cycle symptoms and the premenstrual syndrome are demonstrated.     

Disaggregation and Reaggregation of Cells of the Primitive Metazoon Trichoplax adhaerens

Trichoplax cells can be dispersed after the action of colchicine, vinblastine, and sea water free of divalent ions. Since lumicolchicine, which is inactive against microtubules can also cause disaggregation, the plant alkaloids are thought to be bound to components of the cell membrane involved in cellular adhesion. After washing, the cells reaggregate spontaneously forming first irregular lumps capable of fusion and then spherical aggregates in which the different cell types have sorted out. The rebuilding of tissues can, in principle, be understood on the basis of differential cellular adhesion.     

On the evolution of virulence and the relationship between various measures of mortality

Smallpox causes roughly 20% mortality whereas chickenpox causes less than 0.1%. Most 'verbal' (i.e. non-mathematical) discussions using a mortality definition of virulence would therefore label smallpox as more virulent. Indeed, the virulence of many diseases is measured using such case mortalities, chi, or related measures such as expected host lifespan, T, or lethal dose, LD(x). But chi, T and LD(x) are only indirectly related to parasite-induced instantaneous mortality rate, alpha, which is the mortality measure used in much of the theory developed to explain virulence evolution. Here I point out that relatively deadly pathogens can actually have lower values of alpha than benign pathogens, demonstrating that alpha does not, by itself, reflect the extent to which a parasite causes host mortality. I present mathematical relationships between alpha and chi, T and LD(x), and use these to demonstrate that predictions about virulence evolution can be qualitatively altered depending upon which measure is used as the definition of virulence. Two simple examples are presented to illustrate this point, one of which demonstrates that the well-cited prediction that virulence should evolve to be higher when disease-independent host mortality increases need not hold. This prediction has been made in terms of parasite-induced instantaneous mortality, alpha, but if virulence is measured using case mortality (or T or LD(x)) then this prediction can easily be reversed. Theoretical and empirical researchers must use compatible mortality measures before a productive exchange between the two can take place, and it is suggested that case mortality (or lethal dose) is best suited as a single (mortality) measure of parasite virulence.     

中华绒螯蟹（Eriocheir sinensis）肌肉中粗脂肪含量与死亡,产 …

本文报道了中华螯蟹越冬时,越冬后不同性别、不同生活状况肌肉中粗脂肪含量及变化。越冬时、越冬后死亡的♂♀河蟹肌肉中粗脂肪的含量均不到８％,而同时越冬成活的♂♀蟹肌肉中粗脂肪含量均高于１０％。顺利越冬并能产卵的雌蟹肌肉中粗脂肪含量为４．９６％,顺利越冬并交配的♂性肌肉中粗脂肪含量为４．１８％。产卵并抱卵孵化的♀蟹肌肉中粗脂肪含量为５．８５％,产卵但♀蟹中途死亡的其肌肉中粗脂肪的含量为５．４７％。交配不     

Social Control of the Ovarian Cycle and the Function of Estrous Synchrony

SYNOPSIS. The social signals among groups of females can eitherenhance or suppress ovariancyclicity. The ovarian cycle is notunitary, but is instead the integrated product of several differentcomponents which are each affected by social signals of differentmodalities. This interaction between female behavior and ovariancycle components has different manifestations in different species.Depending on its temporal context and the social and physicalenvironment, the same behavior/hormone interaction can takedifferent forms. In some contexts, these interactions can beadaptive for the individual. In others, they can generate astrong epiphenomenon or artifact that may not confer a directadaptive advantage itself, but still be necessary for otheraspects of the coordination between social behavior and reproduction.     

Symbiosis and the origin of life

The paper uses chemical kinetic arguments and illustrations by computer modelling to discuss the origin and evolution of life. Complex self-reproducing chemical systems cannot arise spontaneously, whereas simple auto-catalytic systems can, especially in an irradiated aqueous medium. Self-reproducing chemical particles of any complexity, in an appropriate environment, have a self-regulating property which permits long-term survival. However, loss of materials from the environment can lead to continuing decay which is circumvented by physical union between different kinds of self-reproducing particles. The increasing complexity produced by such unions (symbioses) is irreversible so that the chemical system evolves. It is suggested that evolution by successive symbioses brough about the change from simple, spontaneously arising, auto-catalytic particles to complex prokaryotic cells.