Ethological approach in the study of aggressive behavior in monkeys

The aggressive behavior of 7 species of monkeys has been investigated. The definition of aggressive behavior has been suggested. The elements have been classified into three groups: warning, conflicting, contacting. The qualitative and quantitative characteristics of behavior permitting to determine the level of its development in representatives of different species have been proposed. The general principles of development of aggression such as the prevalence of the warning elements and its frequency, the curtailment of aggressive behavior etc. have been revealed. The differences in the aggressive behavioral characteristics are found to be specific and may be used in primate Taxonomy.     

反硝化菌功能基因及其分子生态学研究进展

由微生物推动的反硝化作用是地球氮素循环的重要分支,尽管已被发现广泛存在于细菌、真菌和古生菌中,其功能基因的研究仍仅限于很少几个物种。现代分子生物学的发展为研究环境微生物提供了行之有效的方法,以反硝化功能基因作为分子标记的分子生态学研究迅猛发展。综述近年来国内外微生物反硝化功能基因研究及以其为标记的分子生态学研究进展。     

On Pseudorabies in Carnivores in Denmark

From January 1968 through February 1970 Pseudorabies was demonstrated in 12 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from different parts of Denmark. Eleven of them were free-living, while one had been kept in captivity. In nine foxes signs of intense local pruritus were found. Two of the remaining three foxes, which did not show such signs, had been killed in an acute phase of disease, while the last one had been found dead. The finding of remains of pigs in the digestive tract in some of the foxes, and the demonstration of Pseudorabies in piglets on a nearby farm in several cases, indicated that the foxes had caught the infection by eating dead piglets. The fox that had been kept in captivity had been fed with dead piglets which had shown signs of pseudorabies. The medulla oblongata and pons of these foxes were found to be the most suitable material for demonstration of psudorabies virus.     

Prevalences of hereditary diseases in various populations in Russia

The geographic distribution of hereditary diseases (HDs) in different populations and ethnic groups of Russia has been studied. The main patterns of the formation of the prevalence and spectrum of HDs in five ethnic groups (Russians from six regions, Mari, Chuvashes, Udmurts, and Adygeans) from a total of ten regions of Russia have been analyzed. Analysis of correlations suggests that genetic drift is the main factor of the genetic differentiation of populations with respect to the prevalence of HDs. Accumulation of HDs in individual populations and ethnic groups has been analyzed. Hereditary diseases characterized by locally high prevalence rates in individual populations or ethnic groups have been detected. The main patterns of the accumulation of individual diseases and differences between populations and ethnic groups in this respect have been studied with the use of principal component analysis, which describes these patterns more graphically. It has been demonstrated that the genes of HDs are a promising tool for characterizing ethnogenetic processes in populations.     

Comparison of lipase-catalysed esterification in supercritical carbon dioxide and in n-hexane

Summary Oleic acid esterification by ethanol has been performed by an immobilized lipase fromMucor miehei in supercritical carbon dioxide and in n-hexane as solvents. In both media, determination of apparent kinetic constants has been achieved and influence of water content has been shown to be different due to various rates of water solubilities. Stability of the lipase has been proved to be correct and similar in both solvents. Inhibition by ethanol excess has been found but is greater in n-hexane. That can explain the higher initial velocities obtained in supercritical carbon dioxide for the highest ethanol concentrations.     

Current topics in clinical FES in Japan

This paper reviews recent topics of clinical application of functional electrical stimulation (FES) for the paralyzed extremities in Japan. Transcutaneous and percutaneous FES systems have been clinically used in Japan. Candidates of extremity FES arer mostly stroke and spinal cord injury patients. By using percutaneous FES system, all of the joints of the upper extremity including the shoulder have been controlled for activities of daily living in the hemiplegic patient. Simultaneous FES control of the hand and wrist and the bilateral hands have also been achieved in C5 and C6 quadriplegics, respectively. Hybrid FES systems using percutaneous and surface electrodes, where FES is used in combination with orthoses, have been applied to the paraplegics because they are highly practical for assisting their locomotive activities. Percutaneous FES have been also provided the amyotropic lateral sclerosis patients with standing up motion. A total implant FES system with 16 output channels is currently developing as a next generation FES system.     

The content of fatty acids in leukemic lymphocytes in vitro in cattle

In leukemic lymphocytes in vitro obtained from cattle the fatty acids content has been determined employing the method of gas chromatography of methyl esters. Significant increase of linolic acid (C18 = 2) and of linolenic acid (C18 = 3) in leukemic lymphocytes have been noted, while reduced amounts of eicanoic acid (C20) and arachidonic acid (C20 = 4) have been observed. Fatty acids contribution in destabilization of biological membranes of leukemic cells has been discussed. It is very likely that the destabilization of biological membranes promotes the "induction" of various cancero- and cocancerogenetic changes, as well as enables the penetration of leukemovirus into the cell.     

Current genetic research in cotton in India

Genetic research on cotton in India in recent times is reviewed. Establishment of a gene bank with global accessions of the four cultivated species, as well as wild relatives, has facilitated genetic improvement of cotton in India. Genetic control of the economic traits has been studied by biometrical approaches, particularly the line x tester analysis, diallel cross and generation mean analysis. Both additive and non-additive gene actions have been reported for most of the traits. Heritability estimates are low to high. Studies on G×E interaction and stability parameters indicate availability of lines which are stable in their performance over locations and seasons. Genetic improvement of yield, fibre properties, lint percent, seed oil, earliness and resistance to key pests and diseases has been targeted and considerable success has been achieved. Single cross, three-way cross, multiple cross, back cross, biparental mating, mutation breeding and heterosis breeding are the main procedures employed for improvement of yield. Heterosis breeding has, however, made the most significant contributions in improvement of both yield and fibre quality in recent times. While resistant genotypes have been developed for most of the pests and diseases, resistance against cotton bollworms has not been achieved. Genetic engineering to incorporate the Bt gene in cotton to impart resistance to bollworms is in progress. Keeping in view the increased requirements of cotton in the future, thrust areas in genetic research have been indicated.     

Interactions in a mixed bacterial population growing on methane in continuous culture

The growth of a mixed methane-utilizing culture in a continuous flow fermenter has been studied under both methane and oxygen limitation. Small additions of methanol have been shown to inhibit the methane-utilizing moiety in the culture and it has been shown that the Hyphomicrobium sp. in the mixed culture removes any inhibitory methanol. The interaction between the methane-utilizing Pseudomonas sp., and the Hyphomicrobium sp. has been explained and a model of the continuous mixed culture under oxygen limitation has been formulated. Qualitative predictions of transient phenomena by the model have been verified experimentally.     

Shrubs of Vladivostok: Percentage in green plantings and resistance in urban ecosystems

Many years of study were devoted to fructicose flora of plantings in the city of Vladivostok. Species diversity bearing on the type of planting has been studied. Contribution of each species to the city’s landscaping has been assessed quantitatively. The vitality of shrubs has been diagnosed and their stability in the conditions of urban ecosystems has been estimated.     

Aging features in functioning of skin microvascular bed in humans

The state of skin microcirculation system has been studied in healthy volunteers aged from 20 to 77, using laser Doppler flowmetry. To reveal the reaction of microvascular bed in response to short-term ischemia, occlusive test has been carried out. During experiment the age-induced reduction of microcirculation index has been observed at rest. In response to stopping occlusion the 3.5--4-aliquot increase of microcirculation index has been revealed during reactive post-occlusive hyperemia in all age groups. The data obtained suggest maintenance of high reserve resources of skin microcirculation in ageing in response to ischemia.     

Genetic control system of the differences in duration of vernalization in winter common wheat

Hypotheses of differences in genetic control on duration of vernalization for winter wheat have been considered. It has been shown that differences in this character are controlled by independent Vrd gene system. Monogenic dominant near-isogenic lines have been created. They differ in two non-allelic Vrd1 and Vrd2 genes with unequal expression. The response of created lines to photoperiodic changes and Vrd genes effects on various agronomic traits have been characterized. Vrd genotypes have been identified in a number of winter common wheat cultivars.     

Changes in the haemolymph protein pattern during ovarian maturation in Xylocopa litipes

The haemolymph proteins of a hymenopteran insect Xylocopa litipes have been fractioned by the polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis. The haemolymph protein fractions have been examined histochemically. The changes taking place in the haemolymph protein pattern during vitellogenesis have been studied. Common protein fractions were observed in the haemolymph, fat body, ovary and testis. The role of sex specific protein during the vitellogenesis has been discussed.     

The microflora in suppurative-catarrhal endometritis in cattle

Microflora isolated from cattle with acute postnatal pus-catarrhal endometritis has been studied. It is shown that the given pathology is caused by associations of different bacterial species. 284 strains isolated from the uterus content of 63 sick animals have been identified, their properties being studied. Pathogenic gram-negative bacilli and gram-positive pus-producing cocci are responsible for the studied pathology. Considerable inoculation capacity has been established for conditionally pathogenic microorganisms of different species and genera whose role in pathogenesis is to be found out.     

Enzyme Changes in Relation to Cell Growth in Excised Root Tissues1

Serial sections 10 mm. in length taken from the tip towardsthe base of the bean root have been cultured on 2 per cent,sucrose. At various time-intervals, length, invertase, phosphatase,and protein content of the sections have been determined. Alterationsin the enzyme complement of the sections have been related togrowth and protein content. The relation of changes occurringin excised fragments to those in the intact root have been discussed.     

Recent trends in cesarean section rates in Ontario

To assess the economic impact of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) antibody screening among potential immigrants on Canada''s health care system we estimated the costs and benefits of such screening among the 160 135 immigrants who entered Canada in 1988 using the in-hospital costs of treating AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) over the 10 years after immigration. This economic model was based on current international HIV seroprevalence data, Canadian immigration statistics and estimates of disease progression. Between 343 and 862 of the immigrants were estimated to have been HIV seropositive; with the use of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the Western blot technique 310 to 780 of them would have been correctly identified as being seropositive, and 33 to 82 would have been incorrectly classified as being seronegative. Another 16 would have been falsely classified as being seropositive. There would have been 151 to 379 cases of AIDS from 1988 to 1998 among the immigrants identified as being HIV-positive. The estimated total cost of screening would have been $3.3 to $3.4 million. The in-hospital costs of treating HIV-infected immigrants in whom AIDS developed between 1989 and 1998 would have been $5.0 to $17.1 million. Accordingly, screening would have saved $1.7 to $13.7 million over the 10 years after immigration. However, we do not advocate screening on the basis of economic analysis alone and acknowledge that any policy regarding such screening must also incorporate social, legal and ethical considerations.     

Genetic approaches in research on the role of trehalose in plants

Data concerning the synthesis and functions of trehalose in plants have been analyzed and the contribution of trehalose to tolerance to different types of abiotic stress has been considered. Data on phenotypic changes and stress resistance (including drought resistance) in transgenic plants that expressed genes required for trehalose biosynthesis have been summarized.     

Use of Ranks in Comparisons of Variability in the Non-Normal Populations

A method of analysis for comparing the variability of two samples drawn from two populations has been developed. The method is also suitable for the nonnumeric form of data. A test based on ordered observations for testing the null hypothesis of equality of two variances has been given. The test statistic is a function of the sum of ranks assigned to smaller size sample. Ranking procedure has been modified to depict the variability in the data by the sum of ranks. The null distribution of the test-statistic has been worked out for small samples and it turns out to be chi-square distribution for large samples. The analytical procedure has been explained by a numerical example on the productivity and production of rice and wheat in India from 1950–51 to 1983–84.     

Food specialization in ruminants: the role of endosymbiosis in its formation

Peculiarities of endosymbiosis have been studied in four species of ruminant animals with different food specialization (Cervus elaphus, Moschus moschiferus, Carpa sibirica, ans Gasella subgutturosa) using the methods of macromorphology, light and electron microscopy, and histochemistry. The differences in morphology of bacteria from populations inhabiting rumen epithelium of the studied animals have been revealed. The specificity of connection of bacteria with cornified epithelium has been demonstrated. This connection is reflected on the structure of outer epithelium layers. The functional interpretation of gizzard epithelium macrolandscape peculiarities has been improved. An important part of endosymbiosis in evolutionary-morphological transformations of stomach and intestines, and in formation of food specialization in wild animal species has been underlined.     

Material life cycle assessment in china

From the very beginning, the research of Material Life Cycle Assessment (MLCA) has been an important part of the ecomaterials research in China, and large numbers of researchers have been focusing their efforts on it. From 1998, and supported by the National High-tech Program-863 Projects, the study of some typical materials has been put into practice. Thus far, the first phase of the project has been finished smoothly. The practical MLCA methods have been developed, and the manufacturing technologies and processes of the steel and iron, aluminum, cement, ceramic, polymer and construction coatings have been assessed. The relevant assessment software has been developed. Reference systems are being set up for evaluation by studying typical materials. In this paper, the main achievements are reviewed. Some other developments of MLCA in China are also introduced.