Relationship between meteorological conditions and natural reproduction behavior of the four famous Chinese carps

Known as the four famous carps in China, black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) are commercially important fish species with a high production in China. To reveal the relationships between meteorological conditions and the natural spawning behavior of these fishes, we considered six meteorological factors (including wind, rainfall, temperature, air pressure, sunshine hours and humidity) and the weather conditions in 80 spawning events. The results showed that the spawning activities were more likely to be activated in consecutive rainy days or days when weather changed drastically, while the spawning activities showed no tendency for the weather type except consecutive rainy days. Our analyses also showed that the average rainfall in the initial spawning days is higher than that in the spawning time windows (the time from the earliest spawning activity to the latest spawning activity), while other meteorological elements remained at more or less the same values in both time periods; spawning activity tended to happen in days when the average air pressure was going down or the average temperature going up, while the other meteorological elements showed no consistent tendency.     

Insect population quality and meteorological conditions

Recent studies on the rice stem borer,CHILO SUPPRESSALIS Walker,are presented as an example of some results of spatial variation in population quality.Local differences in the seasonal prevalence of this insect are basically related to the alternative occurrence of a short life-cycle strain which has a strong tendency to multivoltinism, and a long life-cycle strain which has a deep intensity of diapause along the climatic line. Qualitative change in a local population is illustrated by some effects of phase polymorphism in the armyworm,LEUCANIA SEPARATA Walker. The active black larvae that appear in crowded populations and the sluggish pale larvae that appear in sparse populations differ in their daily rhythmic activity and in their resistance to starvation at different humidities.

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Zusammenfassung Kürzliche Untersuchungen über den Reisstielbohrer, CHILO SUPPRESSALIS Walker, werden als Beispiel für einige Ergebnisse bei räumlichen Unterschieden in der Qualität einer Population beschrieben.Ortliche Unterschiede in der jahreszeitlichen Verbreitung dieses Insekts werden grundlegend in Beziehung gesetzt zum Vorkommen eines Stammes von kurzer Lebenslänge, der eine starke Tendenz zu Multivoltinismus zeigt und eines Stammes von langer Lebenslänge,der eine besondere Tiefe der Diapause entlang der Klimalinie aufweist.Der qualitative Wechsel in einer lokalen Population wird and einigen Wirkungen des Phasenpolymorphismus beim Heerwurm,LEUCANIA SEPARATA Walker, aufgezeigt. Die aktiven schwarzen Larven, die in dichten Populationen auftreten und die trägen blassen Larven, die in dünnen Populationen auftreten, differieren in ihrer täglichen rhythmischen Aktivität und in ihrem Widerstand gegen Hungern bei verschiedenen Feuchten.

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Resume L'étude récente du mode de vie du charançon du riz, CHILO SUPPRESSALIS Walker, fournit un exemple frappant des variations auxquelles sont soumises les qualités d'une population. Les différences locales constatées dans la répartition saisonnière de cet insecte sont en relation étroite avec l'apparition successive,alternée ou simultanée de populations ayant des caractéristiques propres. L'une est formée d'individus qui ont une courte vie et une forte tendance à produire plusieurs générations en un certain laps de temps, l'autre d'individus ayant un long cycle de développement. Ces derniers présentent en outre une longue diapause le long d'une ligne climatique déterminée. Une modification qualitative à l'intérieur d'une population locale est illustrée par quelques effets de polymorphisme des phases de développement du LEUCANIA SEPARATA Walker (Armyworm).Les larves actives et noires qui se rencontrent dans les populations denses et les larves paresseuses et pâles qui composent les populations peu denses différent dans leur rythme journalier d'activité et dans leur résistance aux privations à diverses humidités.

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Paper presented during the Fourth International Biometeorological Congress, New Brunswick, N.J., 26 August – 2 September 1966.     

河北夏蝗大发生与气象条件的关系

利用合成分析和秩相关系数2种方法,分析了河北2种生态类型蝗区中夏蝗LocustamigratoriaL.发生程度与气象条件的关系,以确定影响夏蝗大发生的关键气象因子。结果表明:2个类型蝗区大发生年以前一年5月至当年夏蝗出土以前的气温偏高、降水偏少为主;前一年6月下旬、7月上旬、8月上旬、8月中旬气温、6月上旬降水、当年3月下旬降水、4月下旬气温为沿海蝗区关键影响因子,前一年7月上旬和8月下旬气温、5月中旬降水及当年2月中、下旬气温、4月下旬和5月上旬气温为洼淀蝗区的关键影响因子。     

Correlation between meteorological conditions and Parietaria pollen concentration in Alassio,north-west Italy

The pollen grains in the atmosphere in different geographical areas differ according to the species present, the pollination seasons and pollen grain concentrations, but possibly the greatest contributors to this variability are the meteorological conditions. The aim of our research is to establish a possible correlation between Parietaria pollen concentration and meteorological conditions during the period from 1991 to 1995 in the town of Alassio (north–west Italy). As far as vegetation is concerned, the Mediterranean climatic conditions support the blooming of extensive grasslands in the environment surrounding the town; these grasslands mainly comprise Urticaceae and shrubs. The study demonstrates that the most influential parameters affecting the Urticaceae grain concentration upsurge are the absence of rainfall, a maximum daily temperature of about 21 °C, and a diurnal temperature range of about 5 °C. Moreover, our aeropalinological study indicates that this last parameter has the greatest influence on Urticaceae pollination. In fact, an increase in diurnal temperature range could be responsible for a dehydration of pollens resulting in a loss in mass. This grain lightness and volatility would ultimately permit atmospheric dispersion if there is a significant wind speed. On the other hand, days with rain or high relative humidity make pollens heavier, preventing them from flying long distances and therefore partially explaining the decline in airbone pollen concentration.     

Nucleotide requirements ofLactobacillus acidophilus variants isolated from the crops of chicks

A population ofLactobacillus acidophilus variants that had partly or completely lost its nucleotide-synthesizing ability was isolated from the crops of chicks. The majority of these strains had a specific nutritional requirement for exogenous deoxycytidine or deoxycytidylic acid. Deoxycytidine at 0.5 µg/ml supported half-maximum growth. Deoxyadenosine and deoxyguanosine or their nucleotides could be substituted for deoxycytidine only in the presence of an excess of cytidylic acid. AnotherL. acidophilus variant, strain 42/8, had an identical need for these deoxycompounds but, in addition, required a high concentration of ribonucleotides. Any ribonucleotide was active, the requirement for half-maximal growth being 20–25 µg/ml.     

Effects of meteorological conditions on spore plumes

Fungal spores are an ever-present component of the atmosphere, and have long been known to trigger asthma and hay fever symptoms in sensitive individuals. The atmosphere around Tulsa has been monitored for airborne spores and pollen with Burkard spore traps at several sampling stations. This study involved the examination of the hourly spore concentrations on days that had average daily concentrations near 50,000 spores/m(3) or greater. Hourly concentrations of Cladosporium, Alternaria, Epicoccum, Curvularia, Pithomyces, Drechslera, smut spores, ascospores, basidiospores, other, and total spores were determined on 4 days at three sites and then correlated with hourly meteorological data including temperature, rainfall, wind speed, dew point, air pressure, and wind direction. On each of these days there was a spore plume, a phenomenon in which spore concentrations increased dramatically over a very short period of time. Spore plumes generally occurred near midday, and concentrations were seen to increase from lows around 20,000 total spores/m(3) to highs over 170,000 total spores/m(3) in 2 h. Multiple regression analysis of the data indicated that increases in temperature, dew point, and air pressure correlated with the increase in spore concentrations, but no single weather variable predicted the appearance of a spore plume. The proper combination of changes in these meteorological parameters that result in a spore plume may be due to the changing weather conditions associated with thunderstorms, as on 3 of the 4 days when spore plumes occurred there were thunderstorms later that evening. The occurrence of spore plumes may have clinical significance, because other studies have shown that sensitization to certain spore types can occur during exposure to high spore concentrations.     

Aerobiological monitoring ofAlternaria fungal spores: a comparison between surveys in 1992 and 1993 and local meteorological conditions

A study of airborneAlternaria spores was carried out over the period from April 1992 to October 1993, in the Rehabilitation Medical Centre of Montescano (PV), using an automatic volumetric spore trap (VPPS 2000 Lanzoni). The evaluation of the air concentration of these spores is becoming ever more important as it is this mycophyte which is the commonest cause of a positive allergy test. In 1993 the concentration ofAlternaria spores was much higher than in the previous year and the period of highest sporulation was different, depending on the different rainfall pattern of the 2 years.     

Differing L-alanine germination requirements of hypochlorite-treated Clostridium botulinum spores from two crops

Similar populations of hypochlorite-treated spores were enumerated from two crops of Clostridium botulinum 12885A produced by the same procedure; however, germination required different L-alanine concentrations. Lactate permitted the germination of spores from both crops with suboptimal L-alanine concentrations. The data suggest that the spores differ slightly in chemical or structural composition.     

Diel flight periodicity of the biting midge Culicoides impunctatus and the effects of meteorological conditions

Abstract The hourly flight periodicity of adults of the biting midge Culicoides impunctatus was sampled at a site in Western Scotland, using suction traps over 18 days in July/August 1994. In addition, meteorological conditions were logged continuously. Female but not male C. impunctatus had a bimodal pattern of activity, with peaks at dawn and dusk. The dawn peak (05.00–07.00 hours) was most distinct. Correlation analysis revealed significantly positive relationships between catches of female midges and both relative humidity and rainfall, and negative relationships with wind velocity. The calculation of partial correlation coefficients reinforced the influence of relative humidity on female activity, and highlighted a further positive relationship with air temperature. Male C.impunctatus activity was negatively correlated with air temperature, although the total male catch was relatively small (15% of total trap catches) and further data would be required to confirm this result. Overall, the results help to clarify previous confusion as to whether C.impunctatus has a circadian rhythm of activity, with the data matching closely predictions of a bimodal pattern. Clearly, this pattern will be damped by meteorological conditions, which may vary greatly on a local scale.     

Correlation of spring spore concentrations and meteorological conditions in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Different spore types are abundant in the atmosphere depending on the weather conditions. Ascospores generally follow precipitation, while spore types such as Alternaria and Cladosporium are abundant in dry conditions. This project attempted to correlate fungal spore concentrations with meteorological data from Tulsa, Oklahoma during May 1998 and May 1999. Air samples were collected and analyzed by the 12-traverse method. The spore types included were Cladosporium, Alternaria, Epicoccum, Curvularia, Pithomyces, Drechslera, smut spores, ascospores, basidiospores, and other spores. Weather variables included precipitation levels, temperature, dew point, air pressure, wind speed, wind direction and wind gusts. There were over 242.57 mm of rainfall in May 1999 and only 64.01 mm in May 1998. The most abundant spore types during May 1998 and May 1999 were Cladosporium, ascospores, and basidiospores. Results showed that there were significant differences in the dry-air spora between May 1998 and May 1999. There were twice as many Cladosporium in May 1998 as in May 1999; both ascospores and basidiospores showed little change. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine which meteorological variables influenced spore concentrations. Results showed that there was no single model for all spore types. Different combinations of factors were predictors of concentration for the various fungi examined; however, temperature and dew point seemed to be the most important meteorological factors. Received: 5 July 2000 / Revised: 20 December 2000 / Accepted: 22 December 2000     

The importance of interactions between meteorological conditions when interpreting their effect on the dispersal of pollen from homogeneously distributed sources

The interaction between different meteorological conditions recorded in Badajoz (SW Spain) over a 13-year period has been studied. The results were used for analysis of the effect of these conditions on atmospheric concentrations of Plantago and Brassicaceae pollen grain. For both types of pollen there was a positive effect of NE winds and a negative effect of SW winds which could not be explained by the location of the sources, because these species are very abundant all around the sampling station. The two effects were interpreted on the basis of the action of these winds on temperatures and relative humidity, because these conditions physically and biologically directly determine the concentrations of these types of pollen. Wind from the west is associated with an increase of wind speed and a decline in calm periods; wind from the south is associated with increased rainfall and humidity; wind from the opposite directions is associated with a decrease in these meteorological conditions. These main associations can explain the variation in pollen concentration, although there are also variations in seasons and years. These types of pollen also behave differently, so wind speed reduces the concentration of pollen from Plantago but increases it from Brassicaceae. Beyond the immediate application of the analysis to this specific case, there is a clear interest in observing the interaction between meteorological factors to gain a broader perspective for interpretation of the results of aerobiological studies aimed at determining the effect of these factors on the release and transport of particles into the air.     

Observations on the influence of meteorological conditions on the height increment of forest trees

The height increment of seven tree species during the vegetation period was correlated with air temperature and rainfall over 3 years. The species were divided into 2 groups according to their growth pattern: a) growth period of 7–12 decades with culmination in the middle (Larix Polonica R., Taxus Baccata L.), b) growth period of 5–9 decades with culmination at the beginning (Abies Alba M., Ulmus Montana H.).The first group was greatly, the second only slightly dependent on air temperature and rainfall. Pseudotsuga Taxifolia B.had a short growth period and the height increment was greatly weather dependent.

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Zusammenfassung Der Zuwachs von einigen Baumarten wÄhrend der Vegetationsperiode wurde mit der Lufttemperatur und Regenmenge wÄhrend 3 Jahren korreliert. Nach dem Zuwachs wurden unterschieden: a) Wachstumsperioden von 7–12 Dekaden und Kulmination in der Mitte (Larix Polonica R., Taxus Baccata L.), b) Wachstumsperioden von 5–9 Dekaden und Kulmination am Anfang (Abies Alba M., Ulmus Montana H.).Die erste Gruppe war stark, die zweite Gruppe wenig abhÄngig von der Lufttemperatur und Regennenge. Pseudotsuga Taxifolia B. hatte eine kurze Wachstumsperiode und der Zuwachs war stark witterungsabhÄngig.

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Résumé La croissance de quelques espèces d'arbres pendant la période de végétation a été mise en correlation avec la température de l'air et avec la quantité de pluie pendant 3 ans. On a distingué deux groupes d'après le mode de croissance: a) Croissance de 7 à 12 décades avec apogée au milieu de cette période (Larix Polonica R., Taxus Baccata L.), b) Croissance de 5 à 9 décades avec apogée au début de la période(Abies alba M., Ulmus Montana H.). La température de l'air et la quantité de pluie influencent considérablement le premier groupe et assez peu le deuxième groupe. La croissance de la Pseudotsuga Taxifolia B. est de courte durée; elle dépend fortement du climat.

     

Coupling heat flux dynamics with meteorological conditions in the green roof ecosystem

Green roofs can notably modify the thermal properties of the building envelope and adjacent air to bring environmental benefits. This study investigates the heat flux dynamics of the tropical green roof ecosystem to provide a scientific basis for design and management. Green roof experimental plots were established to monitor the total solar radiation, net radiation, and micrometeorological parameters. The data permit calculation of sensible and latent heat fluxes using the Bowen ratio energy balance (BREB) method. The results demonstrated the life cycle characteristics of heat flux components. The dynamic changes of sensible (H), latent (λE) and soil (G) heat fluxes were denoted by single-peak quadratic curves. Net radiation (R_n) was largely determined by quantity and variation trends of λE, reaching at 1300 h a maximum λE of 655 W m^?2 and maximum H of 369 W m^?2. Temporal heat-flux fluctuations were strongly correlated with meteorological variables. Extreme values of H and λE correlated well with precipitation and temperature (R² = 0.78). Dynamics of heat-flux magnitude and partitioning demonstrated notable differences by daily and season periods. They displayed considerable variations in flux partitioning, with Bowen ratios strongly correlated with weather conditions and vegetation types. The energy budget of the green roof ecosystem is unbalanced with a heat loss of about 15.5% caused by soil and canopy heat reserve. The passive indoor cooling effect under the green roof is attributed to the unbalanced energy closure.     

Bacterioneuston community structure in the southern Baltic sea and its dependence on meteorological conditions

The bacterial community in the sea surface microlayer (SML) (bacterioneuston) is exposed to unique physicochemical properties and stronger meteorological influences than the bacterial community in the underlying water (ULW) (bacterioplankton). Despite extensive research, however, the structuring factors of the bacterioneuston remain enigmatic. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of meteorological conditions on bacterioneuston and bacterioplankton community structures and to identify distinct, abundant, active bacterioneuston members. Nineteen bacterial assemblages from the SML and ULW of the southern Baltic Sea, sampled from 2006 to 2008, were compared. Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) fingerprints were analyzed to distinguish total (based on the 16S rRNA gene) and active (based on 16S rRNA) as well as nonattached and particle-attached bacterial assemblages. The nonattached communities of the SML and ULW were very similar overall (similarity: 47 to 99%; mean: 88%). As an exception, during low wind speeds and high radiation levels, the active bacterioneuston community increasingly differed from the active bacterioplankton community. In contrast, the particle-attached assemblages in the two compartments were generally less similar (similarity: 8 to 98%; mean: 62%), with a strong variability in the active communities that was solely related to wind speed. Both nonattached and particle-attached active members of the bacterioneuston, which were found exclusively in the SML, were related to environmental clones belonging to the Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaproteobacteria originally found in diverse habitats, but especially in water columns. These results suggest that bacterioneuston communities are strongly influenced by the ULW but that specific meteorological conditions favor the development of distinctive populations in the air-water interface.     

A statistical investigation into the relationship between meteorological parameters and suicide

Many previous studies of relationships between weather and suicides have been inconclusive and contradictory. This study investigated the relationship between suicide frequency and meteorological conditions in people who are psychologically predisposed to commit suicide. Linear regressions of diurnal temperature change, departure of temperature from the climatic norm, mean daytime sky cover, and the number of hours of precipitation for each day were performed on daily suicide totals using standard computer methods. Statistical analyses of suicide data for days with and without frontal passages were also performed. Days with five or more suicides (clusterdays) were isolated, and their weather parameters compared with those of nonclusterdays. Results show that neither suicide totals nor clusterday occurrence can be predicted using these meteorological parameters, since statistically significant relationships were not found. Although the data hinted that frontal passages and large daily temperature changes may occur on days with above average suicide totals, it was concluded that the influence of the weather parameters used, on the suicide rate, is a minor one, if indeed one exists.     

Relations between the ectosomatic and the entosomatic organs

A.N. Severtsov, when introduced the concepts of ecto- and entosomatic organs, illustrated them by three examples of adaptations, namely by the blindness of some subterranean vertebrates, by the "suckers" on the geckos' fingers and toes, and by the flattened body shape of skates and rays. Morphology of the pterygoideus muscle in some song-birds, which is one of the most complicated jaw muscles, is considered here in the framework of those concepts. This muscle displays mosaic variation among bird taxa while the arrangement of skeletal and ligamentous components is rather monotonous. The ventromedial portion of the muscle predominates in the Vietnamese babblers (Garrulax leucolophus, Alcippe peracensis, and Yuhina zantholeuca; fam. Timaliidae), in the leafbird Aegithina lafresnayei (fam. Chloropsidae), and in the drongo Dicrurus aeneus (fam. Dicruridae). One part of this portion, m. retractor palatini, is relatively big in the starling, Gracula religiosa (fam. Sturnidae), and in the dipper, Cinclus cinclus (fam. Trogloditidae). Both muscular bulks (entosomatic organs after Severtsov) affect clearly and directly properties of the bill (ectosomatic organ) without any visible differences in its construction. They provide the upper jaw with additional force (directed downward while grasping a prey) and so fasten it against the passive deviation during tearing or pulling off the food item (the mandible does not accept those forces). These two versions of the muscle morphology are parallel in the functional sense and are independent in respect to their evolutionary origin. The ventromedial portion, judging by its attachment to the mandible close to the center of the quadrato-mandibular joint, is neutral in respect to its adduction, and the m. retractor palatini is not connected to it. Thus, muscular portions under consideration, in spite of their position deep in the feeding apparatus, behave as ectosomatic organs. Deviations in their morphology are not the answer to any antecedent modification of the bill shape or of arrangement of the skeleto-ligamentous apparatus components. Instead, they appear to be primary results due to immediate action of the natural selection to provide a direct functional effects.