Masculine voices signal men's threat potential in forager and industrial societies

Humans and many non-human primates exhibit large sexual dimorphisms in vocalizations and vocal anatomy. In humans, same-sex competitors and potential mates attend to acoustic features of male vocalizations, but vocal masculinity especially increases perceptions of physical prowess. Yet, the information content of male vocalizations remains obscure. We therefore examined relationships between sexually dimorphic acoustic properties and men's threat potential. We first introduce a new measure of the structure of vocal formant frequencies, 'formant position' (Pf), which we show is more sexually dimorphic and more strongly related to height than is the most widely used measure of formant structure, 'formant dispersion', in both a US sample and a sample of Hadza foragers from Tanzania. We also show large sexual dimorphisms in the mean fundamental frequency (F0) and the within-utterance standard deviation in F0 (F0-s.d.) in both samples. We then explore relationships between these acoustic parameters and men's body size, strength, testosterone and physical aggressiveness. Each acoustic parameter was related to at least one measure of male threat potential. The most dimorphic parameters, F0 and Pf, were most strongly related to body size in both samples. In the US sample, F0 predicted testosterone levels, Pf predicted upper body strength and F0-s.d. predicted physical aggressiveness.     

弱背景噪声对大鼠听皮层神经元频率调谐的影响

在自然环境中,人和动物常在一定的背景噪声下感知信号声刺激,然而,关于低强度的弱背景噪声如何影响听皮层神经元对声刺激频率的编码尚不清楚.本研究以大鼠听皮层神经元的频率反应域为研究对象,测定了阈下背景噪声对79个神经元频率反应域的影响.结果表明,弱背景噪声对大鼠初级听皮层神经元的听反应既有抑制性影响、又有易化性影响.一般来说,抑制性影响使神经元的频率调谐范围和最佳频率反应域缩小,易化性影响使神经元的频率调谐范围和最佳频率反应域增大.对于少数神经元,弱背景噪声并未显著改变其频率调谐范围,但却改变了其最佳频率反应域范围.弱背景噪声对63.64%神经元的特征频率和55.84%神经元的最低阈值无显著影响.神经元频率调谐曲线的尖部比中部更容易受到弱背景噪声的影响.该研究结果有助于我们进一步理解复杂声环境下大脑听皮层对听觉信息的编码机制.     

Radiofrequency radiation-induced calcium ion efflux enhancement from human and other neuroblastoma cells in culture

To test the generality of radiofrequency radiation-induced changes in 45Ca2+ efflux from avian and feline brain tissues, human neuroblastoma cells were exposed to electromagnetic radiation at 147 MHz, amplitude-modulated (AM) at 16 Hz, at specific absorption rates (SAR) of 0.1, 0.05, 0.01, 0.005, 0.001, and 0.0005 W/kg. Significant 45Ca2+ efflux was obtained at SAR values of 0.05 and 0.005 W/kg. Enhanced efflux at 0.05 W/kg peaked at the 13-16 Hz and at the 57.5-60 Hz modulation ranges. A Chinese hamster-mouse hybrid neuroblastoma was also shown to exhibit enhanced radiation-induced 45Ca2+ efflux at an SAR of 0.05 W/kg, using 147 MHz, AM at 16 Hz. These results confirm that amplitude-modulated radiofrequency radiation can induce responses in cells of nervous tissue origin from widely different animal species, including humans. The results are also consistent with the reports of similar findings in avian and feline brain tissues and indicate the general nature of the phenomenon.     

The effect of frequency and grounding on whole-body absorption of humans in E-polarized radiofrequency fields

The radiofrequency absorption rates of five male human volunteers have been measured from 3 to 41 MHz. The subjects were exposed at about 10 microW /cm2 inside a very large transverse electromagnetic (TEM) cell and never absorbed more than 1 W. Both the EKH and EHK orientations were employed under both free-space and grounded conditions. Absorption rates for the EKH orientation exceed those of the EHK orientation by 40% in free space, but only by 6% when grounded. The absorption rates for the grounded men vary with frequency, f, as f1.9 from 3 to 25 MHz and then level off at peak. The free-space absorption rates vary as f1.7 from 3 to 18 MHz and as f2.9 from 18 to 41 MHz. The average measured absorption rates at 10 MHz exceed the average of the standard model calculations by a factor of three (for free space) or four (grounded). The average man, when exposed grounded in an EKH orientation to the maximum permitted exposure levels under ANSI standard C95 .1-1982, will absorb 0.58 +/- 0.14 W/kg over most of the 3 to 41-MHz frequency range. This slightly exceeds the whole-body maximum of 0.40 W/kg underlying the standard.     

Allele polymorphism and haplotype diversity of HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 loci in sequence-based typing for Chinese Uyghur ethnic group

HLA haplotype analysis has important application value in human population genetics, anthropological research and HLA matching transplantation. Based on HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1 and -DQB1 genotyping data from 663 families including 663 leukemia patients and 991 related donors, the allele frequency (AF) and haplotype frequency (HF) of two-, three- and five-locus haplotype distribution patterns in the Chinese Han population were determined by family segregation. A total of 38 alleles at A locus, 75 alleles at B locus, 35 alleles at C locus, 53 alleles at DRB1 locus and 22 alleles at DQB1 locus were discovered in this population. The frequencies of these alleles were basically consistent with those of previous reports except for some tiny differences. The study found 11 A-C, 15 C-B, 4 B-DRB1 and 11 DRB1-DQB1 two-locus haplotypes with a frequency over 2%. The number of A-C-B and A-B-DRB1 three-locus haplotype with a frequency over 1% were 11 and 3 respectively. The most common HLA-A-C-B-DRB1-DQB1 haplotype (HF>1%) were A*3001-C*0602-B*1302-DR*0701-DQ*0202 (4.30%), A*0207-C*0102-B*4601-DR*0901-DQ*0303 (3.07%), A*3303-C*0302-B*5801-DR*0301-DQ*0201 (1.49%) and A*1101-C*0102-B*4601-DR*0901-DQ*0303 (1.01%). The results are helpful for finding matching donors for hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients and also contribute to transplant immunology, HLA-related diseases, research of human genetics and other fields.     

Distribution of HLA class Ⅰ and class Ⅱ haplotypes in Chinese Han population based on family segregation

HLA haplotype analysis has important application value in human population genetics, anthropological research and HLA matching transplantation. Based on HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1 and -DQB1 genotyping data from 663 families including 663 leukemia patients and 991 related donors, the allele frequency (AF) and haplotype frequency (HF) of two-, three- and five-locus haplotype distribution patterns in the Chinese Han population were determined by family segregation. A total of 38 alleles at A locus, 75 alleles at B locus, 35 alleles at C locus, 53 alleles at DRB1 locus and 22 alleles at DQB1 locus were discovered in this population. The frequencies of these alleles were basically consistent with those of previous reports except for some tiny differences. The study found 11 A-C, 15 C-B, 4 B-DRB1 and 11 DRB1-DQB1 two-locus haplotypes with a frequency over 2%. The number of A-C-B and A-B-DRB1 three-locus haplotype with a frequency over 1% were 11 and 3 respectively. The most common HLA-A-C-B-DRB1-DQB1 haplotype (HF>1%) were A*3001-C*0602-B*1302-DR*0701-DQ*0202 (4.30%), A*0207-C*0102-B*4601-DR*0901-DQ*0303 (3.07%), A*3303-C*0302-B*5801-DR*0301-DQ*0201 (1.49%) and A*1101-C*0102-B*4601-DR*0901-DQ*0303 (1.01%). The results are helpful for finding matching donors for hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients and also contribute to transplant immunology, HLA-related diseases, research of human genetics and other fields.     

酵母基因中转录正调控内含子序列特征的统计分析

大量实验研究显示,真核基因的许多内含子具有调控转录的功能,但是对此问题尚缺乏全面的研究.观察一些酵母基因的转录频率与基因的内含子序列后,发现一个值得注意的现象：转录频率高的基因内含子序列一般都比较长,而转录频率低的基因内含子一般都比较短.这提示高效转录基因的较长内含子中可能含有某些增强基因转录的特征性结构.于是选取两组酵母基因的内含子进行详细研究,第一组的基因具有较高的转录频率（>30）,第二组的基因转录频率较低（≤10）.对寡核苷酸（主要是四核苷酸、五核苷酸）的出现频率进行统计比较分析,探测到一批寡核苷酸,它们在第一组内含子中出现的频率显著高于在第二组内含子中出现的频率,同时也显著高于与第一组内含子相邻的外显子中的出现频率.其中一些寡核苷酸与实验研究得到的转录调控元件相同.从这批寡核苷酸在内含子和外显子序列中的分布看,高效转录基因内含子的序列结构确实有利于基因的转录.     

Bioacoustics of the Neotropical Eneopterinae (Orthoptera,Grylloidea, Gryllidae)

In members of the cricket subfamily Eneopterinae (Orthoptera, Grylloidea), songs with powerful high-frequency (HF) harmonics have evolved, which likely represents a distinctive acoustic adaptation. In this study, we analysed or reanalysed the songs of the three eneopterine genera present in the Neotropics to evaluate whether they also possess high-amplitude HF components. We present new data and combine several lines of evidence to interpret or reinterpret the calling signals of a representative species for each genus. We used new recordings in order to detect and analyse potential HF components of the songs. Stridulatory files were measured, and stridulation was studied using high-speed video recordings. The results suggest that all eneopterine genera from the Neotropics use HFs to communicate, based on the rich harmonic content of their songs. Strikingly, the Neotropical eneopterines possess high dominant frequencies, recalling the patterns observed in the tribe Lebinthini, the most speciose tribe of the subfamily distributed in the Western Pacific region and in Southeast Asia: Ligypterus and Ponca show dominant harmonic peaks, whereas Eneoptera possesses unique features. The three species under study, however, deal differently with HFs.     

Intercorrelations and sources of variability in three mutagenicity assays: a population-based study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intercorrelation between three genetic assays in 112 subjects. The group was pooled from two originally separate but homogeneous subgroups of 56 persons each. Procedures included assays for hprt mutant frequencies, micronuclei in human lymphocytes, and mutations at the glycophorin A (gpa) loci. We found no statistically significant or biologically important intercorrelations among the three biomarkers. We did, however, observe significant correlations between log_e hprt mutant frequency and cloning efficiency (inverse correlation for these 2 variables), age and log_e hprt mutant frequency, an inverse relationship between cloning efficiency and age, and an important differential sex effect favoring a greater micronuclei frequency in females than males. No significant correlations between the covariates of interest and glycophorin A variant frequencies NN or NO were observed. Using multivariable linear regression, age was found to account for the majority of the variability in hprt mutant frequency (greater than sex and/or smoking); for micronuclei data, only sex contributed a statistically significant and biologically important proportion to the total variation. We conclude that despite observing no significant intercorrelations between the three assays performed simultaneously from the same individuals in a large population database, a significant correlation between age and hprt mutant frequency and an inverse association between cloning efficiency and hprt do exist; furthermore, we verified the strong differential sex-specific effect on micronucleus frequencies.     

自交作物群体的遗传组成分析

用数学方法推导出了自交作物群体遗传组成的分析公式。根据所推出的公式,可以计算出任何自交世代群体的基因型频率和同一表现型中各基因型的频率。对自交群体遗传组成的分析可用于质量性状的选择,确定选择时需要的有效群体大小和选出有效群体的大小,亦有助于确定选择的最佳世代。     

Orthogonal Prediction Configural Frequency Analysis by Chi-Square Partitioning

Prediction Configural Frequency Analysis is reconceptualized in terms of orthogonal Chi-Square decomposition. The predictor-criterion contingency table is subdivided into fourfold tables. The chisquare components of these tables, calculated using Kimball's shortcut formulas, sum up to the total chi-square of the r × c table. As a result of this decomposition, the number of r × c prediction tests of classical Prediction CFA is reduced to R = (r - 1) (c - 1) biprediction types. The resulting version of Prediction CFA is termed orthogonal Prediction CFA. Orthogonal Prediction CFA is illustrated using data describing pupils' performance in German language as predicted from performance in two verbal tests.     

家畜近亲繁殖群体连锁不平衡的分析

本文分析了家畜近亲繁殖群体连锁位点基因遗传平衡的实现,推导出了配子型频率及基因型频率通用递推公式．研究证明,近交群体不同于随机交配大群体,其连锁不平衡值d（绝对值）随世代的下降速率不仅取决于重组率,而且也依赖于近交速率．近交越剧烈,则d下降越慢;达平衡态时,近交群体d值并不一定等于0．连锁越紧密,近交越剧烈,则平衡d值越大．最后讨论了研究结果在家畜育种中的应用．     

Interspawning interval of wild female three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus in Alaska

The interspawning interval, or spawning frequency, of wild three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus , was estimated using histological examination of postovulatory follicles (POF). Females in Alaskan lakes appeared to have as much as a 48 h delay between ovulation and ovoposition, yet the POF method could still be used to estimate the interspawning interval. In two Alaskan lakes the interspawning interval was estimated to range from 2·2 to 7·8 days among individual female G. aculeatus . These estimates were consistent with the range (2·5 to 5 days) of previous estimates among individual females from laboratory observations of spawning G. aculeatus , as well as anecdotal accounts of spawning intervals reported from wild populations in Canada (5–10 days). The interspawning interval of females increased during the course of the spawning season in Alaska, showing that the majority of female spawning activity occurred during the earliest portion of the approximate 6-week reproductive season. The increased interspawning interval appears to be related to a previously reported decrease in body condition in reproductive females during the breeding season. Thus, female G. aculeatus may be unable to sustain the initial rate of reproduction as energy stores that support the rapid growth of vitellogenic oocytes are depleted.     

正常人体RR间期频谱分析及其在冷刺激时的变化

测定了96名健康人安静状态及冷刺激时的ECG,通过微机处理描出RR间期(RRI)变化的频谱曲线。计算和比较不同性别、年龄的被试者在安静及冷刺激时的RRI总变异性(TV)、低频成分(LF)、高频成分(HF)以及LF/HF比值。结果显示安静时男性总变异性为1312.33±170.97(ms)~2,LF/HF为1.52±0.18;女性分别为1653.33±197.29(ms)~2及1.17±0.21。男女之间无明显差异。≥40岁组与≤39岁组比较则可见前者TV较小、LF较高、HF较低及LF/HF比值较大。冷刺激后男性TV增加,P<0.01;LF/HF比值增大,P<0.001。女性冷刺激后TV也增加,但P>0.05;LF/HF比值增大,P<0.05。作者认为RRI频谱测定可作为植物神经功能评估的指标,可用于临床疾病的研究。     

Hardy-Weinberg定律在专科教学中的课堂设计

Hardy-Weinberg定律是群体遗传学的第一理论基石,也是现代进化论、现代优生学和群体育种的理论基础,是遗传学教学中的重难点内容,但通过合理的教学设计可帮助学生全面理解、掌握并应用该定律,为后续学习奠定基础。     

云南省三个地方鸡种血液淀粉酶多态性分析

采用垂直平板聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法,测定了版纳斗鸡、武定鸡、尼西鸡的血液淀粉酶(Amy)。发现云南3个地方鸡种Amy-1的AA、BB型纯合子基因型频率很低, 其中尼西鸡为0,而AB型杂合子基因型频率很高,杂合子显著过量,均偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡。在版纳斗鸡少数个体中还发现控制血液淀粉酶的另一位点Amy-2。 Abstract:Blood amylase polymorphism in 3 Yunnan local chicken breeds(Banna ganme chicken,Wuding chicken.Nixi chicken)was determined with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis,It was found that frequen cies of both AA and BB homozygous genotype were very low,while AB heterozyote genotype frequency was very high in 3 Yunnan local chicken breeds and that Amy-1 distribution in these breeds was widely deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium proportion.We have also found that there is another locus Amy-2 which controls the amylase in a few Banna game chickens.     

Circulation,metabolic rate,and body size in mammals

Summary This paper attempts to explain Kleiber's rule, which relates metabolic rate of mammals to their body mass, from the structure and function of the blood circulation system.Abbreviations a scaling factor - fractal dimension - hydrodynamic conductivity - l _n length of an arterial blood vessel at bifurcation level n - M body mass - N maximal number of bifurcation levels - p pressure - Q flow - r size of Bohr effect - r _n radius of an arterial blood vessel at bifurcation level n - V volume - VO ₂ rate of oxygen unloading - Z _n number of arterial blood vessels at bifurcation level n     

圆蟾舌蛙鸣声特征分析

为研究体型较小的蛙类的鸣声特征,2012年7~8月,采用录音机和指向性话筒,在野外录制51只雄性圆蟾舌蛙(Phrynoglossus martensii)鸣声并对应测量了录音个体的体重、体长及头宽等体征数据。雄性圆蟾舌蛙的体重为(1.26±0.55)g,体长为(21.04±2.57)mm,头宽为(6.76±0.75)mm。该种蛙可发出广告鸣声和争斗鸣声。广告鸣声为单音节鸣叫,主频(3 782.25±167.78)Hz,3 100~4 349 Hz;基频(1 519.69±70.60)Hz,1 057~1 765 Hz。广告鸣声主频和基频均与体重、体长、头宽呈显著负相关,而音节间隔与体重和头宽呈正相关(相关性分析)。争斗鸣声主频(3 752.64±174.47)Hz,(3 304~4 081)Hz;基频(1 674.88±79.88)Hz,1 367~1 870 Hz。与广告鸣声相比,争斗鸣声的基频显著增高(t=﹣5.374,df=56,P0.001),音节时长和音节间隔显著降低(P0.05),而主频在两种鸣声类型中无显著差异(t=0.436,df=56,P=0.665)(独立样本T检验)。结果表明,作为体型较小的蛙类,体型影响了圆蟾舌蛙的鸣声结构和类型。     

Different frequency control mechanisms and the exploitation of frequency space in passerines

1. Birdsong is used in reproductive context and, consequently, has been shaped by strong natural and sexual selection. The acoustic performance includes a multitude of acoustic and temporal characteristics that are thought to honestly reveal the quality of the singing individual.
2. One major song feature is frequency and its modulation. Sound frequency can be actively controlled, but the control mechanisms differ between different groups. Two described mechanisms are pressure‐driven frequency changes in suboscines and control by syringeal muscles in oscines.
3. To test to what degree these different control mechanisms enhance or limit the exploitation of frequency space by individual species and families, we compared the use of frequency space by tyrannid suboscines and emberizid/passerellid oscines.
4. We find that despite the different control mechanisms, the songs of species in both groups can contain broad frequency ranges and rapid and sustained frequency modulation (FM). The maximal values for these parameters are slightly higher in oscines.
5. Furthermore, the mean frequency range of song syllables is substantially larger in oscines than suboscines. Species within each family group collectively exploit equally broadly the available frequency space.
6. The narrower individual frequency ranges of suboscines likely indicate morphological specialization for particular frequencies, whereas muscular control of frequency facilitated broader exploitation of frequency space by individual oscine species.