A mathematical model for wing dimorphism in maleCardiocondyla ants

Several species ofCardiocondyla ants have dimorphic males: wingless (ergatoid) and winged (alate) males, while otherCardiocondyla species includingC. nuda have only wingless males. We made an evolutionarily stable strategy model for explaning the male polymorphism and the ratios of wingless males in the genusCardiocondyla. Wingless males emerge earlier than winged males in each reproductive season. Females (F ₁) which have emerged before winged males copulate only with wingless males, and females (F ₂) which emerge after winged males copulate with both wingless and winged males. Wingless males have a lower copulation ability (b _n) than winged males (b _w). The reproductive success of females which copulate at the early stage (v ₁) is assumed to be larger than that of females which copulate at the late stage (v ₂). The model predicts that there are 3 different evolutionarily stable states: 2 monomorphic states of wingless and winged males, and a dimorphism of the 2 types of males. In the dimorphic state, the rate of wingless males increases as the survival rate of wingless males (s) increases,v ₁/v ₂ increases,F ₁/F ₂ increases andb _n/b _w increases. For dimorphism to exist,s b _n/b _w<1 must be satisfied, and this condition corresponds to the value of observed data. The value ofv ₁/v ₂ would be difficult to be obtained by actual data, but we can estimate this value with the model.     

Dynamics of Competition in Populations of Carrot (Daucus carota)

Populations of carrot (Daucus carota) were raised over a widerange of densities (79–5763 plants m^-2) to examine thedynamics of competition in terms of yield–density relationshipsand size variability, and to investigate the effects of nutrientsupply on competition. While the relationship between shootyield and density was asymptotic, the relationship between rootand total yield and density tended to be parabolic. For a giventime and density series the relationship between yield per unitarea and density could best be described by the model: y=w_mD_(1+aD)^b wherey is the yield per unit area,D is density,w_m, a andb arefitted parameters. The parametersw_m anda increased over timebut nutrient availability affected onlyw_m. An extension of thebasic yield-density model is proposed to describe the dynamicsof the yield–density relationship over time: y=kD_{[1+cexp(-rt)]{1+}     

Theory of transport in linear biological systems: I. Fundamental integral equation

The conditions under which the output,γ _b (t), of a biological system is related to the input,γ _a (t), by an integral equation of the typeγ _b (t) = ∫ ₀ ^t γ _a (ω)w(t−ω)dω, where ω(t) is a transport functioncharacteristic of the system, are analyzed in detail. Methods of solving this type of integral equation are briefly discussed. The theory is then applied to problems in tracer kinetics in which input and output are sums of exponentials, and explicit formulae, which are applicable whether or not the pool is uniformly mixed, are derived for “turnover time” and “pool” size.     

Performance criteria for optimization of cardiac assistance

A performance criterion and weighting factors for the optimal cardiac assistance are investigated by applying Tellegen's network theorem and tolerance analysis on animal experimental data for left ventricular (LV) bypass on the failing heart. Two major factors with respect to cardiac assistance (total power delivered to the peripheral circulatory system, and changes in temporal pattern of ventricular contraction) are represented by two performance criteria,J ₁ andJ ₂ whereJ ₁ relates to the sum of LV and pump power, andJ ₂ relates to the “peakedness” factor of LV power. The total performance index (J) is determined as the weighted sum ofJ ₁ andJ ₂;J=w ₁J₁+w₂J₂. The weighting factors,w ₁ andw ₂, are computed as inverses of the tolerance in the performance contours with respect to improvement of stroke work per minute from pre- to post-bypass condition.     

Innovative development of membrane sparger for carbon dioxide supply in microalgae cultures

The present study was aimed to develop a membrane sparger (MS) integrated into a tubular photobioreactor to promote the increase of the carbon dioxide (CO₂) fixation by Spirulina sp. LEB 18 cultures. The use of MS for the CO₂ supply in Spirulina cultures resulted not only in the increase of DIC concentrations but also in the highest accumulated DIC concentration in the liquid medium (127.4 mg L⁻¹ d⁻¹). The highest values of biomass concentration (1.98 g L⁻¹), biomass productivity (131.8 mg L⁻¹ d⁻¹), carbon in biomass (47.9% w w⁻¹), CO₂ fixation rate (231.6 mg L⁻¹ d⁻¹), and CO₂ use efficiency (80.5% w w⁻¹) by Spirulina were verified with MS, compared to the culture with conventional sparger for CO₂ supply. Spirulina biomass in both culture conditions had high protein contents varying from 64.9 to 69% (w w⁻¹). MS can be considered an innovative system for the supply of carbon for the microalgae cultivation and biomass production. Moreover, the use of membrane system might contribute to increased process efficiency with a reduced cost of biomass production.     

Measurement of the chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics with a 10 µs time resolution and its application in the forest decline research

Summary Measurement methods are described which determine the initial phase of the fluorescence induction kinetics with a maximum time resolution of 10 µs simultaneously for the two fluorescence componentsF ₆₈₅(t) andF ₁₃₀(t) selected by filters at the wavelengths 685 nm and 730 nm, respectively. The excitation light provided by a He-Ne laser (632.8 nm) is switched on within 0.3 µs (maximum intensityI _e=12 mW/cm²).F _o,F _p, andF _s, the initial-, peak-, and steady-state intensity and the initial valueR _o of the ratioR(t)=F ₇₃₀(t)/F ₆₈₅(t) can accurately be determined as well as the initial time derivativeF _o ^* of the fluorescence intensity.F _o andF _o ^* are related to the quantum yield _a of the antenna and to the photochemical quantum yield _pc, respectively. Spruce, oak, birch, poplar, and soy bean show a decline ofR(t) fromR _o to a first minimumR _b at some 10 ms which has a similar value as the second minimumR _p in the time range of seconds. Furthermore, the initial valueR _o and the steady-state valueR _S ofR(t) are also very similar. Measurements on spruce with water deficiency and with varying excitation light intensityI _e show effects on the initial phase of the fluorescence induction kinetics. Further measurements on spruce of different damage classes indicate that for the current year's needles the ratioF _p/F_o, is the most sensitive parameter to differentiate between the damage classes and thatF _o/F_s andR _o/R_b are also affected. As demonstrated by measurements on leaves of soy beans, the initial decrease ofR(t) fromR _o toR _b originates from a change of the fluorescence spectrum because no change of the leaf transmission can be observed in the time range between 10 µs and 1 ms.     

A molecular genetic linkage map of mouse chromosome 18, includingspm,Grl-1, Fim-2/c-fms,andMbp

Restriction endonuclease fragment length variations (RFLV) were detected in mice with DNA probes for myelin basic protein (Mbp), glucocorticoid receptor-1 (Grl-1), and Friend MuLV integration site-2 (Fim-2). RFLV of theMbp gene were found inSacI restriction patterns, RFLV of theGrl-1 gene were found inEcoRV patterns, and RFLV of theFim-2 were found inBglII patterns. A three-point backcross was carried out by the backcross mating (C57BL/KsJ-spm/spm × MOL-MIT)F₁ males × C57BL/KsJ-spm/spm; spm is an autosomal recessive gene causing sphingomyelinosis. From the results,spm, Grl-1, Fim-2, andMbp loci were mapped on chromosome 18, and the following order of genes is proposed, with distances between genes in parentheses: centromere—spm—(7.8 cM)—Grl-1—(7.8 cM)—Fim-2—(39.1 cM)—Mbp—telomere. All laboratory strains and two European subspecies (Mus mus domesticus andM. m. brevirostris) carry theGrl-1 ^a ,Fim-2 ^a , andMbp ^a alleles. In contrast, another wild subspecies from Europe (M. m. musculus) and some Asian subspecies (M. m. molossinus, Chinese mice of wild origin, andM. m. yamashinai) carry theGrl-1 ^b ,Fim-2 ^b , andMbp ^b alleles. Onlycastaneus strains carry the intermediate combination of theGrl-1 ^b ,Fim-2 ^a , andMbp ^b alleles.     

A note on imitative behavior

In a preceding paper (Bull. Math. Biophysics,27, 175–185) the distribution function ofφ=ɛ ₁-ɛ ₂,—the difference of excitations in the two mutually inhibiting centers, has been derived in terms of the distribution functionsf ₁(ɛ ₁) andf ₂(ɛ ₂) of the two excitations. In the present note some properties of the distribution functionf(ϕ) in terms of the propertiesf ₁(ɛ ₁) andf ₂(ɛ ₂) are derived.     

Scattering spectrum properties and their relationship to biogeochemical parameters: a case study in Taihu Lake

The scattering spectrum properties of highly turbid and eutrophic inland case 2 water from Taihu Lake were studied during three cruises from 2006 to 2007. The scattering [b _p(λ)] and backscattering [b _bp(λ)] coefficients and the backscattering probability (B) for Taihu Lake were found to show a clear spectral dependence, and this dependence was well simulated by a power-law function. This dependence, however, became weak when algae dominated the sample points. The mean values of the power-law index for b _p(λ), v, in Oct 2006, Mar 2007 and Nov 2007 were −0.6712, −0.8129 and −0.7600, respectively. To interpret the spectral characteristics and mechanisms of b _p(λ) and b _bp(λ), water samples were collected simultaneously for the biogeochemical characterization of suspended particles. The average values of the specific scattering coefficients for total suspended matter, inorganic suspended matter (ISPM) and organic suspended matter (OSPM) were 0.634 (550 nm), 1.057 (532 nm), and 0.396 g m⁻² (532 nm), respectively. The power-law index of b _bp(λ) (Y) was significantly related to ISPM/OSPM and b _bp(532 nm), but only weakly related to the particle size distribution index. The mean (spatial and wavelength) values of B in Oct 2006, Mar 2007, and Nov 2007 were 0.0108, 0.0138, and 0.0125, respectively. B decreases with increasing ISPM concentration because of the large contribution of ISPM to b _b(λ) and the strong restraint on b _bp(λ) caused by the multi-scattering effect under high-turbidity conditions.     

Gene analysis in rye

A number of recessive characters in rye were studied, seven of which in detail: anthocyanin-less (a); waxless (w); brittle (b); canary (c); yellow-green (yg) and two dwarfs (d ₁ end ₂). All are inherited monofactorially against the normal dominant character.Yellow-green showed a small but significant shortage of homozygous recessives, ascribed mainly to classification difficulties.For the study of the linkage relationships many, though not all combinations were made. Linkage betweend ₁ andyg, although seemingly significant, was considered unproven and improbable. Linkage betweend ₁ and a gene for prostrate growth was found probable. Linkage betweend ₁ andc was established, with a crossover percentage of 31. Here the situation was complicated by apparent absence of double recessives, best explained by cryptomeric masking (recessive epistasy) of the segregationD ₂-d ₂ bycc. If lethality of the double recessive class is assumed, the crossover percentage is 23.7.     

Markov branching processes with varying growth rates

A branching processZ(t) which behaves as Markov branching processesZ ₁(t) andZ ₂(t) during the free and dead times of a counter process is considered. Expression forE[Z(t)] is given.     

Enzymatic asymmetrization of prochiral 2-benzyl-1,3-propanediol through esterification in solvent media

The enzymatic esterification of the prochiral substrate, 2-benzyl-1,3-propanediol, has been studied in solvent media. Among the five tested lipases, Lipozyme and Novozym 435 led to higher reaction rates. Novozym 435 catalyzed faster reactions at low water activity and in solvents having log P above 2. However, the two positions of the diol, pro-(R) and pro-(S), led to the same reaction rate trends and no prochiral selectivity was obtained. When using Lipozyme in toluene, the reaction rates for the formation of both (R) and (S) products presented an optimum at a water activity of 0.22. In this case, the prochiral selectivity increased with the water activity, from a value of 5 at a _w < 0.01, to a value of 8 at a _w = 0.22, at which point it remained constant.     

Solar energy conversion efficiencies in photosynthesis: Minimizing the chlorophyll antennae to maximize efficiency

The theoretical maxima of solar energy conversion efficiencies and productivities in oxygenic photosynthesis are evaluated. These are contrasted with actual measurements in a variety of photosynthetic organisms, including green microalgae, cyanobacteria, C4 and C3 plants. Minimizing, or truncating, the chlorophyll antenna size of the photosystems can improve photosynthetic solar energy conversion efficiency and productivity up to 3-fold. Generation of truncated light-harvesting chlorophyll antenna size (tla) strains, in all classes of photosynthetic organisms would help to alleviate excess absorption of sunlight and the ensuing wasteful dissipation of excitation energy, and to maximize solar-to-product energy conversion efficiency and photosynthetic productivity in high-density mass cultivations. The tla concept may find application in the commercial exploitation of microalgae and plants for the generation of biomass, biofuels, chemical feedstocks, as well as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.     

Seasonal dynamics of micro- and mesoplankton of the Temryuk estuarial pelagic ecosystem of the Sea of Azov

The variability in the composition and dynamics of microplankton (ciliate) and mesoplankton in the Temryuk estuarial pelagic ecosystem has been studied at different stages of succession of the pelagic communities. Invertebrates of 54 taxa, including ciliates of 24 taxa, have been identified. Among the ciliates, Myrionecta rubra, Mesodinium pulex, Halteria grandinella, Strombidium conicoides, S. sp. 1, S. sp. 2, Strobilidium sp., Loxmaniella oviformis, and Tintinnopsis minuta were dominant. The share of mesoplankton in the total biomass of zooplankton reached 70% (1.3 g/m³) and was estimated as the maximal value for mesoplankton of the Sea of Azov. Marine and brackish-water rotifers of the genus Synchaeta and Asplanchna priodonta constituted 55% of the biomass. The most abundant meroplanktonic larvae of Amphibalanus improvisus amounted to 30% of the total mesoplankton biomass. In the seasonal dynamics of microplankton development, two peaks of the biomass were revealed: spring (0.45 g/m³) and more expressed summer (0.9 g/m³); in mesoplankton there was one spring peak (3.7 g/m³). Superdense communities of ciliates and detritophages in some periods of the vegetative season are typical for the hypereutrophic ecosystem and can testify to the catastrophic character of its transformation.     

Temporal dynamics and growth of Actinophrys sol (Sarcodina: Heliozoa), the top predator in an extremely acidic lake

1. The in situ abundance, biomass and mean cell volume of Actinophrys sol (Sarcodina: Heliozoa), the top predator in an extremely acidic German mining lake (Lake 111; pH 2.65), were determined over three consecutive years (spring to autumn, 2001–03). 2. Actinophrys sol exhibited pronounced temporal and vertical patterns in abundance, biomass and mean cell volume. Increasing from very low spring densities, maxima in abundance and biomass were observed in late June/early July and September. The highest mean abundance recorded during the study was 7 × 10³ Heliozoa L^?1. Heliozoan abundance and biomass were higher in the epilimnion than in the hypolimnion. Actinophrys sol cells from this acidic lake were smaller than individuals of the same species found in other aquatic systems. 3. We determined the growth rate of A. sol using all potential prey items available in, and isolated and cultured from, Lake 111. Prey items included: single‐celled and filamentous bacteria of unknown taxonomic affinity, the mixotrophic flagellates Chlamydomonas acidophila and Ochromonas sp., the ciliate Oxytricha sp. and the rotifers Elosa worallii and Cephalodella hoodi. Actinophrys sol fed over a wide‐size spectrum from bacteria to metazoans. Positive growth was not supported by all naturally available prey. Actinophrys sol neither increased in cell number (k) nor biomass (k_b) when starved, with low concentrations of single‐celled bacteria or with the alga Ochromonas sp. Positive growth was achieved with single‐celled bacteria (k = 0.22 ± 0.02 d^?1; k_b = ?0.06 ± 0.02 d^?1) and filamentous bacteria (k = 0.52 ± <0.01 d^?1; k_b = 0.66 d^?1) at concentrations greater than observed in situ, and the alga C. acidophila (up to k = 0.43 ± 0.03 d^?1; k_b = 0.44 ± 0.04 d^?1), the ciliate Oxytricha sp. (k = 0.34 ± 0.01 d^?1) and in mixed cultures containing rotifers and C. acidophila (k = 0.23 ± 0.02–0.32 ± 0.02 d^?1; maximum k_b = 0.42 ± 0.05 d^?1). The individual‐ and biomass‐based growth of A. sol was highest when filamentous bacteria were provided. 4. Existing quantitative carbon flux models for the Lake 111 food web can be updated in light of our results. Actinophrys sol are omnivorous predators supported by a mixed diet of filamentous bacteria and C. acidophila in the epilimnion. Heliozoa are important components in the planktonic food webs of ‘extreme’ environments.     

Relationship between specific leaf area of aCryptomeria japonica foliage shoot segment and its diameter

Dependency of specific leaf area (SLA) on shoot diameter (x) was studied forCryptomeria japonica foliage shoot segments about 5 cm in length taken from 18 branches at different height levels on 3 trees in August 1987. The leaf area of a shoot segment (S) was defined as half the sum of the needle area (s) estimated by the allometric relationship betweens and needle length. The dry weight of woody tissue (W _w) and needles (W _n) of a segment and itsS were divided by the segment length (L) to give linear densities asW _w/L,W _n/L andS/L, respectively. The densities were related tox by power-form equations.S/L values tended to be constant around 1.2 [cm² cm⁻¹] within the discussed range ofx, whileW _w/L andW _n/L values clearly increased withx. The approximately reciprocal relationship between average needle area (s) and linear density of the number of needles supported the fact thatS/L values were roughly constant regardless ofx.SLA andSNA were defined asS/(W _w+W _n) andS/W _n, respectively. TheSLA-x relationship expected from the average value ofS/L and theW _w/L-x and theW _n/L-x relationships was well fitted to the observed decrease inSLA with increasingx. SNA also decreased asx increased. Variations inSLA andSNA among the shoot segments with similarx were not systematically related to their height levels. An empirical equation with a maximum value ofx (Xmax) was also proposed in order to formulate theSLA-x relationship.     

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas boliviensis</Emphasis> in fed-batch culture

High poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) content and volumetric productivity were achieved by fed-batch culture of Halomonas boliviensis using a defined medium. Initial shake flask cultivations in a minimal medium revealed that the growth of H. boliviensis was supported only when the medium was supplemented with aspartic acid, glycine, or glutamine. Addition of 0.1% (w/v) glutamine in the medium resulted in the highest cell dry weight (CDW; 3.9 g l⁻¹). Glutamine was replaced by the less expensive monosodium glutamate (MSG) in the medium without any notable change in the final cell density. Effect of initial concentrations of NH₄Cl and K₂HPO₄ on cell growth and PHB accumulation by H. boliviensis was then analyzed using a fed-batch fermentation system. The best conditions for PHB production by H. boliviensis were attained using 0.4% (w/v) NH₄Cl and 0.22% (w/v) K₂HPO₄ and adding MSG intermittently to the fermentor. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) content and CDW reached 90 wt.% and 23 g l⁻¹, respectively, after 18 h of cultivation. In order to increase CDW and PHB content, MSG, NH₄Cl, and K₂HPO₄ were initially fed to the fermentor to maintain their concentrations at 2%, 0.4%, and 0.22% (w/v), respectively, and subsequently their feed was suppressed. This resulted in a CDW of 44 g l⁻¹, PHB content of 81 wt.%, and PHB volumetric productivity of 1.1 g l⁻¹ h⁻¹.     

Description and quantification of field attack rates by predatory mites: An example using an electrophoresis method with a species of Antarctic mite

Summary The main features of the size distribution of pelagic and benthic organisms are described, with particular reference to comprehensive studies at a single station, CS2, in the Celtic Sea. These are: 1. A more or less even distribution of biomass in all size classes of pelagic autotrophs. 2. Five size groups of pelagic heterotrophs separated from each other by roughly 10³ differences in individual weight, with three well-defined gaps in the size spectrum between the four smallest size modes. 3. Benthic organisms with three size modes, the microbial peak between the two smallest pelagic modes, the meiofaunal peak between the size of pelagic ciliates and herbivorous macrozooplankton, and the macrobenthic peak at about the same size as the carnivorous macrozooplankton. Differences in the positions of the microbial peaks are thought to be associated with the different nutritional environments of free-living and surface-attached bacteria. Other features of the pelagic heterotroph spectrum are explicable in terms of the known limits to size ratios between prey and predator for suspension feeders. These limits do not apply to the benthos, the size distribution of which is largely determined by physical constraints of the sedimentary environment and the optimisation of size-related life history characteristics. Thus, constraints on body size are entirely different in the two systems, and we see little evidence for coupling between the pelagos and benthos which might result in complementary patterns of size distribution, except perhaps for interactions between the pelagic larvae of macrobenthos and the permanent macrozooplankton at the upper end of the size spectrum.     

Electric‐induced mortality of newly transformed juvenile fishes in waters of different conductivity

In three experiments, each with three species of newly transformed juvenile fishes, the immediate mortality was determined after electrical exposure to 60 Hz pulsed DC in waters of different conductivity (C_w). With a constant applied power density (D_a; 1·0–4·9 mW cm^?3 depending on species) over a range of C_w(10–1020 μS cm^?1), the results predicted that the highest fish mortality would occur at C_w of 65 μS cm^?1 for bluegill Lepomis macrochirus, 74 μS cm^?1 for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides and at 140–175 μS cm^?1 for channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. In experiment 2, the voltage gradient (E) was maintained constant (2·5–8·0 peak V cm^?1 depending on species) over the same range of C_w, and fish mortality increased with current density (J) or D_a, which are directly related to C_w. In experiment 3, fish mortality did not differ when peak E(3 or 8 V cm^?1 depending on species) and mean J(0·09 or 0·24 mA cm^?2 depending on species) were held constant by changing pulse width in waters with different C_w(99, 165 or 495 μS cm^?1). Fish mortality in this experiment was not significantly related to peak or mean transferred power density, and the ‘power transfer theory for electrofishing’ was not useful for predicting electrofishing mortality. Overall, the results of the present study indicated that mortality caused by exposure to electricity can be predicted more accurately with the variables peak E and mean J than with models requiring determination of effective conductivity of the fish.     

The role of optimal control in assessing the most cost-effective implementation of a vaccination programme: HPV as a case study

Consider a population that develops over units of time labelled by zero and the negative integers. It is assumed that at any time r ? 0 there are respectively N(m, a) males of age a and N(f, b) of females of age b, where a = 1, … , A_m and b = 1, … , A_f. At time 0 a sample of n copies of a gene are assumed to be observed, where n ? min_ab(N(m, a), N(f, b)). It is assumed that at any particular time r any possible mating is equally probable and that numbers of gametes contributed to offspring of age 1 and sex u by parents of sex v are exchangeable within age groups and independently distributed among age-groups. Coalescent theory is then derived, with time measured in multiples 2N_eC of the effective population size N_eC, which depends on a measure T of the generation interval. Theory is developed for both autosomal and sex-linked loci in two special cases.