VARIATIONS IN THE PHYSIOLOGICAL STATE OF THE COMMON COCKLE (CERASTODERMA EDULE (L.)) IN THE LABORATORY AND IN SOUTHAMPTON WATER

Various physiological indices (i.e. body condition index, scopefor growth and net growth efficiency) have been used to examinethe metabolic state of the common cockle (Cerastoderma eduleL.) at different sites in Southampton Water, U.K. The resultsshow that there is a measurable difference in the conditionindex of cockles collected from different localities. Thesedifferences can be broadly related to the level of contaminationof the site with metals and hydrocarbons. All the indices suggestthat cockles inhabiting the eastern, less polluted side of SouthamptonWater are in a better metabolic state than in those from somesites on the western side close to industrial areas. Growthand longevity also appear to be site related. (Received 25 September 1989; accepted 25 March 1990)     

Separation of triglycerides by gas-liquid chromatography

The parameters affecting the separation and quantification of triglycerides by gas-liquid chromatography have been investigated with the use of QF-1 and SE-30 as stationary phases and a flame ionization detector. The isothermal characteristics of a wide variety of triglycerides (carbon number 6 to 60) on both columns show that long retention volume is directly proportional to carbon number and inversely proportional to absolute temperature. Isothermal retention indices of some triglycerides are given, as are column efficiencies (in terms of theoretical plates and ability to separate closely related triglycerides). When various rates of programmed temperature rise are used, retention indices have been found to be less useful than absolute or relative elution temperatures. The elution temperatures of triglycerides of carbon number 6 to 54 have been determined relative to that of trilaurin. Under optimal separation conditions weight and molar correction factors can be obtained. Triolein and tristearin have been partially separated, as have certain triglycerides that have the same carbon number but widely different fatty acids. The natural triglycerides of human milk fat have been separated.     

In vivo determination of phagocytic indices and candidacidal activities of Candida species by rat peritoneal macrophages

A possible correlation between pathogenesis and phagocytesis is established through comparison of the kinetics of the ingestion of nine Candida species by rat peritoneal macrophages in the early stages of infection.After 3 h of intraperitoneal injection of 6.10⁸ yeasts to Sprague-Dawley rats, the phagocytic indices, candidacidal activity and the fate of the yeasts are assayed. Phagocytic indices allow separation of the species into four groups. Candidacidal activity and phagocytic indices are coincidently smaller in the more pathogenic species.Common events occur with the species assayed. All the yeasts can be isolated from blood, spleen and kidneys from the first h, whilst invasion to liver occurs from the second h post-infection.     

Subjective interpretation,laboratory error and the value of forensic DNA evidence: Three case studies

This article discusses two factors that may profoundly affect the value of DNA evidence for proving that two samples have a common source: uncertainty about the interpretation of test results and the possibility of laboratory error. Three case studies are presented to illustrate the importance of the analyst's subjective judgments in interpreting some RFLP-based forensic DNA tests. In each case, the likelihood ratio describing the value of DNA evidence is shown to be dramatically reduced by uncertainty about the scoring of bands and the possibility of laboratory error. The article concludes that statistical estimates of the frequency of matching genotypes can be a misleading index of the value of DNA evidence, and that more adequate indices are needed. It also argues that forensic laboratoires should comply with the National Research Council's recommendation that forensic test results be scored in a blind or objective manner.Editor's commentsThe author treats the timely and important issue of laboratory error. Readers will need to read the paper by Lempert in this volume for an alternative interpretation of the 1989 proficiency testing of Cellmark diagnostics.     

GROWTH RATES OF ANTARCTIC FUR SEALS AS INDICES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The growth rates of Antarctic fur seal ( Arctocephalus gazella ) pups estimated from weighing cross-sections of the population were compared with measured/ inferred changes in the availability of their main prey species, Antarctic krill ( Euphausia superba ) from 1989 to 2000. There was no relationship between growth rate and mass at weaning and there were counter-intuitive indications of higher growth rates in years of low krill availability. Biases reflecting changes in the component of the population available for sampling appear to invalidate the widely held assumption that interannual differences in growth rate can reliably be derived from differences in the slope of a linear relationship based on cross-sectional population samples. A new index was developed, based on the deviation of pup mass at age in each year compared to the multiyear mean, that was not dependent on assumptions of linearity. The indices of growth deviates produced a more logical relationship with other indices of pup development and related more appropriately to variations in prey availability. The potential impact of methodological biases on the interpretation of growth rate suggests that comparisons of growth rates should not rely on assumptions regarding the underlying growth pattern.     

Quantifying plant interactions: Independent reference is critical for standardising the importance indices

Mathematical tools for quantifying plant–plant interactions are continuously improving, for example by attaining desirable statistical properties such as symmetry around zero (positive and negative effects have the same distribution). Standardisation is another such important property, making indices comparable between independent experiments, and can be achieved by standardisation for size. Using simulated data, here we show that an approach to standardisation by size that works well for indices of intensity is not appropriate for those of importance (intensity indices measure the absolute size of interaction effect, whilst importance indices quantify this effect as a proportion of the impact of the environment overall); our analyses also show that importance values can be overestimated in unproductive environments. These issues arise because importance indices use a reference value that is the “maximum growth on the gradient”. This causes problems when comparing the results from studies that examine different sections of an environmental gradient: the maximum growth of plants within these sections is different and so the indices are not easy to compare between different sections of a gradient. Although this may sound like an obvious point, such issues can often be overlooked and a general solution adopted. One such solution is to report raw data from separate studies so that values can be recomputed for combined datasets and thus standardised comparisons. Another solution is to use an off‐gradient reference that is the maximum growth measured under optimal conditions for a model target species (phytometer).     

Continuous beds (monoliths): stationary phases for liquid chromatography formed using the hydrophobic interaction-based phase separation mechanism

The pioneering research work published by Hjertén et al. [J. Chromatogr. 473 (1989) 273] in 1989 dealing with development and application of the continuous bed (monolithic) technique as an attractive alternative for the classical packed columns in chromatography, stimulated further investigations in this direction. The research data published since that time on the development and application of the continuous beds formed using hydrophobic interaction-based phase separation mechanism are reviewed. Some innovative species of the beds, such as polyrotaxane beds or nonparticulate restricted-access materials for direct analysis of the biological fluids in the capillary format are also discussed. Characteristic features and practical details of the continuous bed technique are revealed. Due to many advantages, the continuous bed technique became a competitor with the traditional packings in capillary or chip-based microanalysis. The importance of the continuous bed morphology on the chromatographic characteristics is shown. The applicability of modern microscopic analysis to evaluate the morphology of the continuous beds is demonstrated.     

Physiological considerations about a statement by Gaius Petronius

In my inauguration speech on November 8, 1989 as Rector of the Karl-Franzens-University in Graz (1) I have warned not to split off the Medical Faculty as a separate Medical University "... since such a separation of a part of a University corresponds to an amputation." In spite of this and of other warnings the decision was made by a federal law to permit this separation. The irrevocable and definite step to execute the separation was done by a vote of the Medical Faculty in Graz. The logical consequence is now the development of isolationism, which will lead to a narrowness of Medicine in a kind of "Splendid Isolation." The observation of systems like a University shows, that in such a community time, time course and periods play an important role. It seems interesting to discuss the time course of the development of Universities from the first foundations in Europe and to analyze the effect of sudden changes produced by external influences. In particular the new laws, which came into effect in the last decades and years and changed the function of the Universities markedly, are of interest. From a discussion of the development of Universities until recent events one can conclude, that the splitting of each of the three Austrian Universities, which included Medical Faculties, into a new Medical University and a Rest University will lead to the growth of two "daughter cells" with each growing to a larger size than the former whole University. Another conclusion indicates that even in simpler systems instability can be produced, if new disturbing inputs are effective in a too fast sequence.     

Do acoustic indices correlate with bird diversity? Insights from two biodiverse regions in Yunnan Province,south China

Human activities are affecting biodiversity to a greater extent than ever. Consequently, tools that can efficiently monitor changes in communities are becoming increasingly important. In the case of birds and other vocalizing animals, it has been suggested that passive acoustic methods can be used for this purpose. Multiple acoustic indices have been developed recently, to be used as proxies for species diversity. Preliminary results have been promising. Yet, before the indices can be applied widely, it is necessary to understand better how well they reflect the communities to be monitored, and how they perform under diverse environmental conditions. Here, we tested seven of the available indices, on sound recordings made in two biodiverse regions in Yunnan Province, south China. We assessed each index’s performance by measuring its correlation to bird species richness and diversity, estimated using point-count surveys. Each survey was conducted by an expert observer, at the same time each recording was made, and for the same duration. We also tested whether the performance of the indices was affected by levels of environmental dissimilarity between the sites sampled. We found that although no index showed a very strong correlation with species richness or diversity, three indices (the acoustic entropy, acoustic diversity and acoustic evenness indices) performed consistently better that the other four, showing moderate correlations. The levels of environmental dissimilarity among the sites did not seem to affect the performance of any of the indices tested, suggesting consistency − an important property for the indices to have. We conclude that although the acoustic indices have the potential to be used for passive acoustic monitoring, perhaps they need to be refined further before they can be applied widely. Meanwhile, they should be tested in more environments to reveal fully their potential and limitations.     

唐家河自然保护区小哺乳动物空间生态位初步研究

1989年4～11月,采用去除取样法,对四川省唐家河自然保护区内小哺乳动物的空间生态位宽度和重叠度进行了研究。共安置ll000铗日,捕获小哺乳动物14种846只。根据香农一威纳多样性指数公式以及Cowell和Futuyma公式分别计算了各小哺乳动物种群的空间生态位宽度和空间生态位重叠指数。在14种小哺乳动物中,社鼠的空间生态位宽度指数最大（1．00）,大足鼠、川I西长尾朐、川朐和灰麝朐的最小,均为0。14种小哺乳动物空间生态位重叠指数最大为1,最小为0,其中大足鼠与川西长尾朐及灰麝朐、针毛鼠与川朐的空间生态位彼此完全重叠;藏鼠兔与针毛鼠、大足鼠、洮洲绒鼠、川西长尾朐、川朐以及灰麝朐的空间生态位完全分离。空间生态位完全重叠的种类,是通过选择不同的食物以及不同的微生境来避免过度竞争。回归分析显示,小哺乳动物种群的空间生态位宽度指数与它们利用空间资源的平均值呈显著的正相关（r=0．8285,P〈0．05）。空间生态位宽度指数的季节变化表明,社鼠种群分布没有明显的季节差异,中华姬鼠和安氏白腹鼠每年可能有一个数量高峰期,高山姬鼠一年则可能有两个数量高峰。     

Involvement of contact sites in phosphatidylserine import into liver mitochondria

The synthesis, translocation, and decarboxylation of phosphatidylserine can occur in a cell-free system (Voelker, D. R. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 8019-8025). We made use of the spatial separation of the site of biosynthesis and the site of decarboxylation of phosphatidylserine to demonstrate that mitochondrial contact sites are intimately involved in the translocation of phosphatidylserine prior to decarboxylation. In that sense, the inhibition of phosphatidylserine decarboxylase leads to an accumulation of this phospholipid in the contact site-enriched fractions without mixing the inner membrane phospholipid pool. On the other hand, newly synthesized phosphatidylethanolamine can be exported very rapidly to the mitochondrial surface in the same way, i.e. via contact sites. These data provide further evidence for the existence of a structural and functional microcompartmentation at the inner mitochondrial membrane surface.     

Overall concordance correlation coefficient for evaluating agreement among multiple observers

Accurate and precise measurement is an important component of any proper study design. As elaborated by Lin (1989, Biometrics 45, 255-268), the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) is more appropriate than other indices for measuring agreement when the variable of interest is continuous. However, this agreement index is defined in the context of comparing two fixed observers. In order to use multiple observers in a study involving large numbers of subjects, there is a need to assess agreement among these multiple observers. In this article, we present an overall CCC (OCCC) in terms of the interobserver variability for assessing agreement among multiple fixed observers. The OCCC turns out to be equivalent to the generalized CCC (King and Chinchilli, 2001, Statistics in Medicine 20, 2131-2147; Lin, 1989; Lin, 2000, Biometrics 56, 324-325) when the squared distance function is used. We evaluated the OCCC through generalized estimating equations (Barnhart and Williamson, 2001, Biometrics 57, 931-940) and U-statistics (King and Chinchilli, 2001) for inference. This article offers the following important points. First, it addresses the precision and accuracy indices as components of the OCCC. Second, it clarifies that the OCCC is the weighted average of all pairwise CCCs. Third, it is intuitively defined in terms of interobserver variability. Fourth, the inference approaches of GEE and the U-statistics are compared via simulations for small samples. Fifth, we illustrate the use of the OCCC by two medical examples with the GEE, U-statistics, and bootstrap approaches.     

近30年来白洋淀湿地景观格局变化及其驱动机制

湿地是水陆相互作用形成的独特生态系统,其景观格局极易受到气候变化和人类活动的影响。利用1984—2014年的11期遥感影像数据,综合运用GIS技术和景观格局指数方法,对白洋淀湿地景观格局变化特征及其驱动力机制进行了分析。结果表明,1984—2014年期间,挺水植物和沉水植物呈减少趋势,农田和居民点持续快速增长,纯水体为"增加—减少—再增加"的趋势,林地和裸土地变化幅度不大。其中挺水植物一直是白洋淀最主要的景观类型,占研究区总面积比例达到37%—61%。农田的平均斑块面积最大,挺水植物的最大斑块指数和分维度指数最高,挺水植物和农田的聚集度指数最大,居民点、林地和裸土地空间分布离散,破碎化程度高,连通性差。1989—2004年白洋淀景观多样性指数呈减少趋势,景观格局趋于不稳定,同期聚集度指数上升,湿地连通性增加;1984—1989年和2004—2014年期间白洋淀多样性指数上涨,聚集度指数逐年下降,景观异质性增加。人口和社会经济发展是影响白洋淀景观格局变化的主要因素。     

Measurement of plumage badges: an evaluation of methods used in the Great Tit Parus major

There is an increasing interest in the variation in plumage coloration and a number of theories have been proposed to explain its evolution (Butcher & Rohwer 1989, Savalli 1995). Birds haye been considered to signal through plumage their dominance status, ability to evade predators, parasite resistance or for example their parental care abilities (reviewed in Butcher & Rohwer 1989, Anderson 1994, Savalli 1995, Johnstone 1997). However, the measuremcnt of plumage badges and its accuracy have received little attention (Savalli 1995). In the case of the Great Tit Parus major, for instance, several studies have analysed the importance of the breast stripe size as an indicator of dominance status in winter flocks (Jarvi & Bakken 1984, Piiysa 1988, Lemel 1989, Wilson 1992) and its importance in mate choice (Norris 1990, 1993), but the badgc has been estimated using very different indices, even in studies performed by the same authors (Norris 1990, 1993). We compare the performance of differvnt indices in estimating Great Tit stripe size, by comparing them with badge surface area obtained from image analysis of digital photographs. We propose that digital photography provides a reliable and inexpensive method to measure plumage badges in birds and we demonstrate its performance in the Great Tit.     

Austinogebia, a new genus in the Upogebiidae and rediagnosis of its close relative, Gebiacantha Ngoc-Ho, 1989 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Thalassinidea)

New material described recently permits the separation of six upogebiid species into the new genus Austinogebia, for which the diagnostic characters and a key are presented. The new taxon is compared to its close relative, Gebiacantha Ngoc-Ho, 1989, and the opportunity is taken to rediagnose the latter.     

闽江口琅岐岛土地利用的时空动态

基于RS和GIS技术,采用与土地利用动态度相关的一系列时空特征指数,研究了1989、1996和2005年闽江口琅岐岛土地利用的时空动态特征.结果表明：1989—2005年间,闽江口琅岐岛各土地利用类型均有所变化,但始终以农业景观为主;期间,该区水域的单一土地利用动态度最大（7.85%）;琅岐岛综合土地利用年变率为1.90%,土地垦殖率呈快速下降趋势,林地覆盖率和建设用地利用率呈增加趋势;研究区土地利用程度综合指数呈下降趋势,表明该区土地利用类型趋于多样化.     

A guide through a family of phylogenetic dissimilarity measures among sites

Ecological studies have now gone beyond measures of species turnover towards measures of phylogenetic and functional dissimilarity. This change of perspective has a main objective: disentangling the processes that drive species distributions from local to broad scales. A fundamental difference between phylogenetic and functional analyses is that phylogeny is intrinsically dependent on a tree‐like structure whereas functional data can, most of time, only be forced to adhere a tree structure, not without some loss of information. When the branches of a phylogenetic tree have lengths, then each evolutionary unit on these branches can be considered as a basic entity on which dissimilarities among sites should be measured. Several of the recent measures of phylogenetic dissimilarities among sites thus are traditional dissimilarity indices where species are replaced by evolutionary units. The resulting indices were named PD‐dissimilarity indices, in reference to early work on the phylogenetic diversity (PD) measure. Here I review and compare indices and ordination approaches that, although first developed to analyse the differences in the species compositions of sites, can be adapted to describe PD‐dissimilarities among sites. Using simulations of species distributions along environmental gradients, I compare indices, associated with permutation tests and null models, in their ability to reveal existing phylogenetic patterns along the gradients. As an illustration, I show that the amount of bat PD‐dissimilarities along a disturbance gradient in Selva Lacandona of Chiapas, Mexico is dependent on whether species' abundance is considered, and on the PD‐dissimilarity index used. Overall, the family of PD‐dissimilarity indices has a critical potential for future analyses of phylogenetic diversity as it benefits from decades of research on the measure of species dissimilarity. I provide clues to help to choose among many potential indices, identifying which indices satisfy minimal basic properties, and analysing their sensitivity to abundance, size, diversity and joint absences.     

Air quality indices: a review

National directives on air quality oblige nations to monitor and report on their air quality, allowing the public to be informed on the ambient pollution levels. The last is the reason for the always increasing interest, demonstrated by the number of publications on this topic in recent years, in air quality/pollution indices: since the concentration of individual pollutants can be confusing, concentration measurements are conveniently transformed in terms of an air quality index. In this way, complex situations are summarized in a single figure, letting comparisons in time and space be possible. In this paper we will give an overview about the Air Quality/Pollution Indices proposed in literature and/or adopted by countries, trying also to categorize them into homogeneous groups. For the classification different approaches can be followed. Since in real life exposure to mixtures of chemicals occurs, with additive, synergistic or antagonistic effects, here we will distinguish between indices that consider the conjoint effect of pollutants and indices only based on the actual most dangerous pollutant. This brief review on air pollution indices shows, on one side, the wide interest in the problem, on the other, the lack of a common strategy which allows to compare the state of the air for cities that follow different directives. The main differences between the indices will be also described.     

毛细管电泳在细菌分离分析中的应用

介绍了近年来毛细管电泳技术在细菌分离分析方面的研究进展。毛细管电泳以细菌表面的特征信息为分离的基础,可以快速鉴定相应的菌株,可以对微生物进行快速定量,可以反映细菌特殊时期的生理特征,也可以研究微生物与分子之间的相互作用。同时应用该技术可分离分析自然界不能纯培养的微生物。因而毛细管电泳分离与检测细菌方法的建立及其应用在分离科学和微生物学方面都有很大的实际意义。