Combining Population Viability Analysis with Decision Analysis

Management of endangered species requires methods to assess the effects of strategies, providing a basis for deciding on a best course of action. An important component of assessment is population viability analysis (PVA). The latter may be formally implemented through decision analysis (DA). These methods are most useful for conservation when used in conjunction. In this paper we outline the objectives and the potential of both frameworks and their overlaps. Both are particularly helpful when dealing with uncertainty. A major problem for conservation decision-making is the interpretation of observations and scientific measurements. This paper considers probabilistic and non-probabilistic approaches to assessment and decision-making and recommends appropriate contexts for alternative approaches.     

Immunoblot Analysis

Immunoblotting (western blotting) is a rapid and sensitive assay for the detection and characterization of proteins that works by exploiting the specificity inherent in antigen-antibody recognition. It involves the solubilization and electrophoretic separation of proteins, glycoproteins, or lipopolysaccharides by gel electrophoresis, followed by quantitative transfer and irreversible binding to nitrocellulose, PVDF, or nylon. The immunoblotting technique has been useful in identifying specific antigens recognized by polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies and is highly sensitive (1 ng of antigen can be detected). This unit provides protocols for protein separation, blotting proteins onto membranes, immunoprobing, and visualization using chromogenic or chemiluminescent substrates.Download video file.^{(92M, mov)}     

Canonical Analysis

Several fundamental properties of canonical variates are developed. In addition, the equivalence of the redundancy coefficient and the composite coefficient of determination is demonstrated; the latter is used in evaluating the prediction of input variables by canonical variates.     

Phosphoproteome Analysis

Protein phosphorylation is directly or indirectly involved in all important cellular events. The understanding of its regulatory role requires the discovery of the proteins involved in these processes and how, where and when protein phosphorylation takes place. Investigation of the phosphoproteome of a cell is becoming feasible today although it still represents a very difficult task especially if quantitative comparisons have to be made. Several different experimental strategies can be employed to explore phosphoproteomes and this review will cover the most important ones such as incorporation of radiolabeled phosphate into proteins, application of specific antibodies against phosphorylated residues and direct staining of phosphorylated proteins in polyacrylamide gels. Moreover, methods to enrich phosphorylated proteins such as affinity chromatography (IMAC) and immunoprecipitation as well as mass spectrometry for identification of phosphorylated peptides and phosphorylation sites are also described.     

Phylogenetic Analysis of Burkholderia Species by Multilocus Sequence Analysis

Burkholderia comprises more than 60 species of environmental, clinical, and agro-biotechnological relevance. Previous phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA, recA, gyrB, rpoB, and acdS gene sequences as well as genome sequence comparisons of different Burkholderia species have revealed two major species clusters. In this study, we undertook a multilocus sequence analysis of 77 type and reference strains of Burkholderia using atpD, gltB, lepA, and recA genes in combination with the 16S rRNA gene sequence and employed maximum likelihood and neighbor-joining criteria to test this further. The phylogenetic analysis revealed, with high supporting values, distinct lineages within the genus Burkholderia. The two large groups were named A and B, whereas the B. rhizoxinica/B. endofungorum, and B. andropogonis groups consisted of two and one species, respectively. The group A encompasses several plant-associated and saprophytic bacterial species. The group B comprises the B. cepacia complex (opportunistic human pathogens), the B. pseudomallei subgroup, which includes both human and animal pathogens, and an assemblage of plant pathogenic species. The distinct lineages present in Burkholderia suggest that each group might represent a different genus. However, it will be necessary to analyze the full set of Burkholderia species and explore whether enough phenotypic features exist among the different clusters to propose that these groups should be considered separate genera.     

蒲洼生态系统的规划与分析

蒲洼生态系统的规划与分析徐明（北京市气象局农气中心,１０００８１）ＰｒｏｇｒａｍｍｉｎｇａｎｄＡｎａｌｙｓｉｓａｎｄＡｎａｌｙｓｉｓｏｆＰｕｗａＥｃｏｓｙｓｔｅｎ．￥ＸｕＭｉｎｇ（ＢｅｉｊｉｎｇＭｅｔｅｏｒｏｌｏｇｉｃａｌＢｕｒｅａｕ,１０００８１）...     

谱分析在DNA序列分析中的应用

目的：谱分析是信号处理的常用方法,其中的统计相关分析、傅里叶变换、小波变换和数字滤波等手段已逐渐应用到DNA序列的分析中,这些应用包括DNA序列的周期性分析、基因识别和同源性分析等方面。本文对谱分析方法在DNA序列分析中的应用情况进行简单的综述。     

Gene Expression Analysis

The response of cells to extracellular signals usually requires altered expression of many genes, possibly including several distinct metabolic pathways. In some cases, only a subset of genes involved in such responses are known, which requires techniques to analyze changes in the expression of multiple genes, both known and unknown. Three techniques, two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis, differential display, and gene discovery arrays, provide opportunities for measuring changes in gene expression levels, as well as for identifying novel gene products.     

Mail-Order Chromosome Analysis

A simple but reliable technique has been developed for the mailing of plasma to chromosome laboratories for cytogenetic analysis. Cultures have been grown successfully from plasma which has been as long as four days in transit. Plasma is removed after heparinized whole blood has been left standing at room temperature for at least three hours. Phytohemagglutinin (0.1 ml. PHA/ml. plasma) and two to three drops of red cells are added to the plasma, and the specimen is immediately transmitted by air mail to the nearest cytogenetic laboratory. Sterile technique is used throughout.