Community structure and seasonal dynamics of planktonic ciliates along salinity gradients

The ciliate community structure and seasonal dynamics in a solar saltern of the Yellow Sea were studied based on 4 sampling dates and 8 stations with salinities from 27.7‰ to 311.0‰. The effects of the type and concentration of the fixative used (Lugol's and Bouin's) were tested at the first sampling date. Fixative type and fixative concentration had significant effects on ciliate abundance and biovolume, with 1% Lugol's giving the best results. A detailed investigation using live observations and protargol staining techniques revealed a total of 98 morphospecies from 8 sampling stations. There was obvious seasonal variation in species composition at most of the stations, but this tended to be less distinct with increasing salinity, as the dominant ciliate group shifted from oligotrichs to heterotrichs. Ciliate abundance varied from 4.40×10¹ to 2.11×10⁵ cells l^?1 and biomass ranged between 2.39 and 9.87×10³ μg C l^?1 (at a salinity of 147.6‰). Both abundance and biomass decreased abruptly when salinity exceeded 100–150‰. Statistical analyses suggested that the dynamics of ciliate abundance and biomass were regulated by both salinity and by season, but those of diversity and species richness were mainly controlled by salinity and both significantly decreased with increasing salinity.     

Assessment of clinical competence using objective structured examination.

To avoid many of the disadvantages of the traditional clinical examination we have introduced the structured clinical examination. In this students rotate round a series of stations in the hospital ward. At one station they are asked to carry out a procedure, such as take a history, undertake one aspect of physical examination, or interpret laboratory investigations in the light of a patient''s problem, and at the next station they have to answer questions on the findings at the previous station and their interpretation. As they cannot go back to check on omissions multiple-choice questions have a minimal cueing effect. The students may be observed and scored at some stations by examiners using a check list. In the structured clinical examination the variables and complexity of the examination are more easily controlled, its aims can be more clearly defined, and more of the student''s knowledge can be tested. The examination is more objective and a marking strategy can be decided in advance. The examination results in improved feed-back to students and staff.     

Coal mine drainage effects on a lotic ecosystem in Northwest Colorado,U.S.A.

An aquatic biological survey was conducted in 1979–1980 to determine the effects of drainage from an active coal strip-mine on Trout Creek, in northwest Colorado, U.S.A. Sampling was conducted over four seasons at four stations for periphyton, benthic invertebrates and fish. Periphyton in Trout Creek changed in the relative abundance of algae divisions in no apparent relation to mining. Diatoms were the predominant division at all sites. Golden-brown algae were abundant in spring at the stations upstream and adjacent to the mine. Blue-green algae were relatively important at stations upstream and downstream of the mine in winter. Benthic invertebrates exhibited a progressive increase in density, biomass and number of taxa from the upstream station to the downstream station. Shannon-Wiener diversity index for bethic invertebrates decreased slightly downstream of mine drainage but remained indicative of a clean water community. Aquatic insects (especially Trichoptera) were the predominant invertebrates at all stations. Analysis of functional groups of benthic invertebrates revealed increased importance of collector species at the lower sites while shredders were most important upstream of the mine. Unlike the invertebrates, fish exhibited slightly lower biomass at the station adjacent to the mine. The decrease was due to fewer salmonids. However, salmonid density and biomass increased substantially at the station just downstream of the mine. Non-game species (suckers and minnows) increased in numbers downstream and were most abundant at the lowest station. This coal strip-mine had little discernable adverse effects on the periphyton and invertebrates of Trout Creek. Fish populations did not appear to be significantly affected by the mine. Apparently, the presence of settling ponds and a buffer zone of unmined land between the mine and the stream helped to minimize adverse effects.     

围填海区渔业生态损害的补偿标准定量研究——以舟山近岸海域为例

围绕海洋工程项目建设中渔业资源损害补偿这一关键要素至今尚缺乏一致认可的统一标准这一核心问题,根据2015年11月、2016年5月在舟山近岸海域(29°20′—31°00′N、121°40′—123°00′E)开展80个站位的渔业资源拖网调查数据,结合历史资料和渔民访谈交流等,分别以是否为生产渔场、是否为鱼卵仔稚鱼聚集区以及渔业资源量数量分布状况,赋予不同海域的权重系数,将直接经济损害补偿与渔业生态服务价值补偿结合起来,提出渔业生态损害补偿标准核算思路,建立了围填海工程项目渔业生态损害的补偿补偿模型,并计算得出不同县(区)、乡镇的渔业生态损害补偿金标准。可在舟山近岸不同海域的渔业生态损害补偿金收缴实践中推广应用,也为建立我国海洋生态损害补偿机制提供技术支撑。     

Spectinomycin resistant gonococci.

A study was conducted examining the properties of 10 clinical isolates of spectinomycin resistant gonococci from patients attending clinics at St Mary''s and St Thomas''s Hospitals, London. All of the isolates produced beta-lactamase and contained plasmids of 2.6, 4.4, and 24.5 megadaltons and required proline for growth. None produced aminoglycoside modifying enzymes. Resistance to spectinomycin was transferred from some of the isolates by transformation but at a much lower frequency than resistance to streptomycin. The isolates from St Mary''s Hospital were detected after therapy with spectinomycin, whereas those from St Thomas''s Hospital were not. Four recent non-beta-lactamase producing gonococci isolated at St Mary''s Hospital and two isolated at St Thomas''s Hospital also were not related to use of spectinomycin.     

A Highlights from MBoC Selection: MgcRacGAP restricts active RhoA at the cytokinetic furrow and both RhoA and Rac1 at cell–cell junctions in epithelial cells

Localized activation of Rho GTPases is essential for multiple cellular functions, including cytokinesis and formation and maintenance of cell–cell junctions. Although MgcRacGAP (Mgc) is required for spatially confined RhoA-GTP at the equatorial cortex of dividing cells, both the target specificity of Mgc''s GAP activity and the involvement of phosphorylation of Mgc at Ser-386 are controversial. In addition, Mgc''s function at cell–cell junctions remains unclear. Here, using gastrula-stage Xenopus laevis embryos as a model system, we examine Mgc''s role in regulating localized RhoA-GTP and Rac1-GTP in the intact vertebrate epithelium. We show that Mgc''s GAP activity spatially restricts accumulation of both RhoA-GTP and Rac1-GTP in epithelial cells—RhoA at the cleavage furrow and RhoA and Rac1 at cell–cell junctions. Phosphorylation at Ser-386 does not switch the specificity of Mgc''s GAP activity and is not required for successful cytokinesis. Furthermore, Mgc regulates adherens junction but not tight junction structure, and the ability to regulate adherens junctions is dependent on GAP activity and signaling via the RhoA pathway. Together these results indicate that Mgc''s GAP activity down-regulates the active populations of RhoA and Rac1 at localized regions of epithelial cells and is necessary for successful cytokinesis and cell–cell junction structure.     

Host Differences among Florida Populations of Belonolaimus longicaudatus Rau

Three populations of Belonolaimus longicaudatus from Gainesville, Fuller''s Crossing, and Sanford, all in Florida, were tested for parasitism on Citrus jambhiri (rough lemon), Arachis hypogaea (''Early Runner'' peanut), Fragaria sp. (''Florida 90'' hybrid strawberry), and Lycopersicon esculentum (''Rutgers'' tomato). The three populations were found to be three different physiological races because: (i) the Fuller''s Crossing population reproduced well on and caused injury to rough lemon and tomato but not strawberry; (ii) the Gainesville population reproduced well on and caused injury to peanut, strawberry and tomato but not on rough lemon; (iii) the Sanford population reproduced well on and caused injury to peanut, reproduced well on tomato, but neither reproduced upon nor caused injury to strawberry or rough lemon. Morphologically, females of the Sanford population have a lower "c" value and a greater number of tail annules than those of the Gainesville and Fuller''s Crossing populations. Females and males of the Fuller''s Crossing population had higher "a" values than those of the other two populations.     

中国北方气候干湿变化及干旱演变特征

利用中国北方15个省(区、市)320个气象站1960—2014年逐月降水量资料,运用标准化降水指数(SPI)、标准差和相关分析等方法,基于不同时间尺度,对近55年来中国北方及不同干湿区气候干湿时空变化特征进行分析,并从干旱站次比、干旱强度等方面分析了年际干旱的时空变化特征。结果表明:(1)1960—2014年中国北方地区整体呈变干趋势,年际干旱站次比和干旱强度在同步波动中均呈下降趋势。(2)1960—2014年北方地区春季和冬季呈湿润化趋势,冬季湿润化趋势最明显,夏季和秋季呈干旱化趋势,夏季干旱化趋势最显著,夏季降水对年干湿状况的变化起决定性作用。(3)湿润区和半湿润区有干旱化趋势,而干旱区和半干旱区均呈湿润化趋势发展;湿润区和半湿润区年际干旱站次比、干旱强度呈上升趋势,而干旱区和半干旱区则相反。(4)中国北方东部季风区的湿润区和半湿润区以及处于季风区和非季风区分界线两侧的半湿润区和半干旱区气候干湿变化均呈显著同步波动变化趋势,而中国北方东部季风区的湿润区和半湿润区与中国北方西部非季风区的干旱区气候干湿变化呈显著反向波动变化趋势,夏季具有同样的规律,而冬季和春季四大干湿区干湿变化具有较好的同步一致性。     

The death of Sarah Lovell and the constrained feminism of Emily Stowe.

In 1879 a coroner''s inquest was held on the body of Sarah Lovell, a young, unmarried woman who was thought to have died of an attempt at procuring an abortion. Suspicion fell on Emily Stowe, Toronto''s first woman doctor. Stowe had graduated 12 years earlier from a US medical college but had not yet been granted a licence to practise in Ontario. She admitted to having seen and spoken to Lovell but denied any involvement in an abortion. Less than a year later she obtained the long-desired licence. The author has used newspapers, journals and other archival sources to explore the nature of Stowe''s testimony and its relation to her acceptance by the profession.     

Spatial distribution, biomass and population dynamics of Mysis relicta in Lake Michigan

The abundance, biomass, and life history traits of Mysis relicta were evaluated in the spring, summer, and autumn of 2000 at 8 nearshore (45 m) and 8 offshore (75–110 m) stations throughout central and southern Lake Michigan. Abundance was also evaluated on a smaller scale during June 2000 at 4 nearshore and 4 offshore stations in southeastern Lake Michigan. For large-scale sampling, the abundance of M. relicta did not differ among locations in the spring. In the summer and autumn the abundance of M. relicta was similar among offshore stations with the exception of one station each season; for nearshore stations, abundance was generally highest off Pentwater, Michigan. The abundance of mysids was not consistently high for central or southern basin sites, although overall biomass was higher in the southern basin each season. Abundance of Mysis was positively correlated with bottom depth, but not with bottom water temperature, surface water temperature, or mean chlorophyll concentration. Within the smaller region in southeast Lake Michigan, the abundance of M. relicta differed among locations for both nearshore and offshore stations. Brood size and size of reproductive females did not differ among lake wide locations, but the proportion of females with broods and the size distribution of M. relicta did.     

Response of endemic Clarias species’ life-history biometrics to land use around the papyrus-dominated Mpologoma riverine wetland,Uganda

Climate change may threaten the fisheries of Lake Victoria by increasing density differentials in the water column, thereby strengthening stratification and increasing the intensity and duration of deoxygenation in the deeper waters. Between 1927 and 2008 the lake's temperature increased by 0.99 °C at the surface and by 1.34 °C at depths >50 m, with the rate of warming increasing most rapidly between 2000 and 2008. In February 2000 there were marked thermal discontinuities in the water column at a number of deep stations, with marked oxyclines at depths ranging from 30–50 m, and with all stations being anoxic from 50 m downwards. In contrast, in February 2007 the lake's temperature had risen, especially at the bottom, and both the thermal discontinuities and oxyclines were much reduced, only one station recording a dissolved oxygen concentration of <2.0 mg l^–1 at 50 m. This may reflect the fact that deeper waters were warming faster, and the reasons for this are discussed. These data suggest that the impacts of warming on the thermal regime of African lakes may be highly variable and unpredictable and, in this case, may have reduced its threat to the fisheries.     

Periphyton growth and diatom community structure in a cooling water pond

Periphyton (Aufwuchs) accumulation was measured on artificial substrates in a pond in central Finland which receives warm cooling-water effluent from a power plant. The growth of periphyton was generally more rapid on the substrates during the first two weeks of colonization near the inflow of the warm water effluent than in the middle of the pond. The maximum accumulation of periphyton was in spring and autumn (dry weight maximum at warm effluent was in spring 3.5 mg DW cm⁻²,2.65 mg AFDW cm⁻²; chlorophyll a maximum 3.96 μg cm⁻² was found in autumn at pond-middle station). During mid-winter months the growth was strongly limited by solar radiation, but the growth was also slow at both stations in the summer months, when the power plant was out of operation. The periphyton accumulation rate was fastest near the water surface and decreased rapidly with increasing depth. A total of 167 diatom species were found in periphyton samples. However, most species were rare; many of the dominants were common to both plankton and periphyton. Species similarity analyses (Jaccard's similarity) between 10 different diatom communities (including periphyton from 9 different types of substrates and phytoplankton) indicated low similarity index values although differences between communities were not significant.     

中国湿地生态站现状、发展趋势及空间布局

湿地调查与监测是全面了解和掌握湿地变化,开展湿地保护和修复的前提和基础。湿地生态站是开展湿地长期监测和野外试验的平台,对研究湿地生态系统过程与功能,揭示湿地变化机理具有重要作用。系统梳理了我国现有的湿地生态站,分析了当前湿地生态站建设中面临的问题,指出：与国际主要生态观测网络相比,我国综合性湿地生态站数量较少、比例偏低,导致在湿地生态系统监测和评估上存在较大空缺;现有生态站存在层级结构不合理、监测指标体系不规范等问题,制约了国家尺度湿地生态系统监测评估的需求。研究基于中国湿地生态站的现状,提出综合性湿地生态站布局原则,认为：应反映湿地生态系统类型代表性及湿地的空间分布特征,体现综合站-区域站-卫星站的层级结构特点,服务国家湿地保护和生态修复的战略需求。按照上述布局原则,对今后综合性湿地生态站的空间布局提出建议。同时,对湿地站发展定位、聚焦的前沿科学问题、湿地联网研究及国际合作方面提出了展望。     

Oxytocin shapes parental motion during father–infant interaction

An infant-oriented parental repertoire contributes to an infant''s development and well-being. The role of oxytocin (OT) in promoting affiliative bonds and parenting has been established in numerous animal and human studies. Recently, acute administration of OT to a parent was found to enhance the carer''s, but at the same time also the infant''s, physiological and behavioural readiness for dyadic social engagement. Yet, the exact cues that are involved in this affiliative transmission process remain unclear. The existing literature suggests that motion and vocalization are key social signals for the offspring that facilitates social participation, and that distance and motion perception are modulated by OT in humans. Here, we employed a computational method on video vignettes of human parent–infant interaction including 32 fathers that were administered OT or a placebo in a crossover experimental design. Results indicate that OT modulates parental proximity to the infant, as well as the father''s head speed and head acceleration but not the father''s vocalization during dyadic interaction. Similarly, the infant''s OT reactivity is positively correlated with father''s head acceleration. The current findings are the first to report a relationship between the OT system and parental motion characteristics, further suggesting that the cross-generation transmission of parenting in humans might be underlaid by nuanced, infant-oriented, gestures relating to the carer''s proximity, speed and acceleration within the dyadic context.     

Improving our ability to diagnose infections associated with central venous catheters: value of Gram's staining and culture of entry site swabs.

We prospectively studied 45 central venous catheters to determine whether Gram''s staining and culture of skin swabs from the entry site could be used to predict catheter-related infection. Data were collected from insertion site swabs, intracutaneous and intravascular catheter segments, and blood cultures. Surveillance site cultures at the time of dressing changes showed that bacterial growth, once established, persisted until removal of the catheter but that the time of onset of infection was not predictable. Gram''s staining alone and Gram''s staining combined with culture were tested for their ability to predict catheter colonization and catheter-related infection. Bacteria seen with Gram''s staining invariably denoted catheter colonization. When bacteria were not seen with Gram''s staining, positive results of culture did not change the pretest probabilities of colonization or infection; however, negative results of culture reduced the probability of colonization to low levels (likelihood ratio less than 0.06). We conclude that Gram''s staining and culture of skin swabs from the entry site provide, without line removal, a simple, inexpensive and practical test for the diagnosis of catheter-related infection.     

Comparison of therapeutic effects and mortality data of levodopa and levodopa combined with selegiline in patients with early,mild Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's Disease Research Group of the United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVE: To compare effectiveness of levodopa and levodopa combined with selegiline in treating early, mild Parkinson''s disease. DESIGN: Open, long term, prospective randomised trial. SETTING: 93 hospitals throughout United Kingdom. SUBJECTS: 520 patients with early Parkinson''s disease who were not receiving dopaminergic treatment. INTERVENTIONS: Treatment with levodopa and dopa decarboxylase inhibitor (arm 1) or levodopa and decarboxylase inhibitor in combination with selegiline (arm 2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessments of serial disability, frequency and severity of adverse events, and deaths from all causes. RESULTS: After average of 5-6 years'' follow up, mortality ratio in arm 2 compared with arm 1 was 1.57 (95% confidence interval 1.09 to 2.30), and difference in survival between the two arms was significant (log rank test, P = 0.015). Hazard ratio adjusted for age and sex was 1.49 (1.02 to 2.16), and after adjustment for other baseline factors it increased to 1.57 (1.07 to 2.31). Patients in arm 1 had slightly worse disability scores than those in arm 2, but differences were not significant. Functionally disabling peak dose dyskinesias and on/off fluctuations were more frequent in arm 2 than arm 1. During the trial the dose of levodopa required to produce optimum motor control steadily increased in arm 1 (median daily dose 375 mg at 1 year and 625 mg at 4 years), but median dose in arm 2 did not change (375 mg). CONCLUSIONS: Levodopa in combination with selegiline seemed to confer no clinical benefit over levodopa alone in treating early, mild Parkinson''s disease. Moreover mortality was significantly higher with combination treatment, casting doubts on its chronic use in Parkinson''s disease.     

Distribution of childhood leukaemias and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas near nuclear installations in England and Wales.

OBJECTIVE--To examine the relation between the risk of childhood leukaemia and non-Hodgkin''s lymphoma and proximity of residence to nuclear installations in England and Wales. DESIGN--Observed and expected numbers of cases were calculated and analysed by standard methods based on ratios of observed to expected counts and by a new statistical test, the linear risk score test, based on ranks and designed to be sensitive to excess incidence in close proximity to a putative source of risk. SETTING--Electoral wards within 25 km of 23 nuclear installations and six control sites that had been investigated for suitability for generating stations but never used. SUBJECTS--Children below age 15 in England and Wales, 1966-87. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Registration of any leukaemia or non-Hodgkin''s lymphoma. RESULTS--In none of the 25 km circles around the installations was the incidence ratio significantly greater than 1.0. The only significant results for the linear risk score test were for Sellafield (P = 0.00002) and Burghfield (P = 0.031). The circles for Aldermaston and Burghfield overlap; the incidence ratio was 1.10 in each. One of the control sites gave a significant linear risk score test result (P = 0.020). All the tests carried out were one sided with P values estimated by simulation. CONCLUSION--There is no evidence of a general increase of childhood leukaemia or non-Hodgkin''s lymphoma around nuclear installations. Apart from Sellafield, the evidence for distance related risk is very weak.     

Demersal fish assemblages associated with hard bottom habitat in the South Atlantic Bight of the U.S.A.

Synopsis Demersal fish communities associated with hard bottom habitats in the South Atlantic Bight were investigated in three depth zones (inner, middle and outer shelf) between 30° and 33°N latitudes. Fishes were sampled with trawls and baited fishing gear, and were observed by remotely operated underwater television. Most demersal hard bottom fishes demonstrated seasonal differences in abundance in each depth zone, especially at the inner and outer shelf stations. Diversity values from trawl catches were higher in winter than summer at inner and outer shelf stations, but lower in winter at middle shelf stations. Species richness was higher in summer than in winter at most stations, but H' diversity patterns were more influenced by community evenness. Diversity values were higher than those reported for similar depths in the Middle Atlantic Bight. Mean biomass of demersal teleosts for all stations combined was slightly greater in winter than in summer. There was no significant difference in biomass between stations in summer, however, middle shelf stations had significantly greater biomass than inner or outer shelf stations in winter. Biomass estimates from the hard bottom areas studied were considerably higher than those reported in the literature for sand bottom areas in the South Atlantic Bight, but less than those reported for tropical reefs. Cluster analysis revealed differences in community composition between day and night trawl tows at all stations, and greater seasonal differences in species composition at inner and outer shelf stations than at middle shelf depths. Underwater television provided useful complementary data to trawl catches, documented the presence of large fishes which avoided the trawl, and provided information on the community composition at high relief stations which could not be trawled.     

Scaling in Transportation Networks

Subway systems span most large cities, and railway networks most countries in the world. These networks are fundamental in the development of countries and their cities, and it is therefore crucial to understand their formation and evolution. However, if the topological properties of these networks are fairly well understood, how they relate to population and socio-economical properties remains an open question. We propose here a general coarse-grained approach, based on a cost-benefit analysis that accounts for the scaling properties of the main quantities characterizing these systems (the number of stations, the total length, and the ridership) with the substrate''s population, area and wealth. More precisely, we show that the length, number of stations and ridership of subways and rail networks can be estimated knowing the area, population and wealth of the underlying region. These predictions are in good agreement with data gathered for about subway systems and more than railway networks in the world. We also show that train networks and subway systems can be described within the same framework, but with a fundamental difference: while the interstation distance seems to be constant and determined by the typical walking distance for subways, the interstation distance for railways scales with the number of stations.