What life cycle graphs can tell about the evolution of life histories

We analyze long-term evolutionary dynamics in a large class of life history models. The model family is characterized by discrete-time population dynamics and a finite number of individual states such that the life cycle can be described in terms of a population projection matrix. We allow an arbitrary number of demographic parameters to be subject to density-dependent population regulation and two or more demographic parameters to be subject to evolutionary change. Our aim is to identify structural features of life cycles and modes of population regulation that correspond to specific evolutionary dynamics. Our derivations are based on a fitness proxy that is an algebraically simple function of loops within the life cycle. This allows us to phrase the results in terms of properties of such loops which are readily interpreted biologically. The following results could be obtained. First, we give sufficient conditions for the existence of optimisation principles in models with an arbitrary number of evolving traits. These models are then classified with respect to their appropriate optimisation principle. Second, under the assumption of just two evolving traits we identify structural features of the life cycle that determine whether equilibria of the monomorphic adaptive dynamics (evolutionarily singular points) correspond to fitness minima or maxima. Third, for one class of frequency-dependent models, where optimisation is not possible, we present sufficient conditions that allow classifying singular points in terms of the curvature of the trade-off curve. Throughout the article we illustrate the utility of our framework with a variety of examples.     

Demonstration of choleragen-dependent ADP-ribosylation in whole cells and correlation with the activation of adenylate cyclase

3T3C₂ mouse fibroblasts rendered permeable to (α^?32P)NAD⁺ show cholera toxin-dependent labeling of a 45,000 m.w. protein and of a doublet of polypeptides around 52,000 m.w. These same bands are ADP-ribosylated in broken cells. Membranes prepared from pigeon erythrocytes pretreated with choleragen show a decrease in subsequent cholera toxin-specific ADP-ribosylation of a 43,000 m.w. polypeptide. Both whole cell and broken cell adenylate cyclase activation and toxin-specific ADP-ribosylation are reversed specifically by low pH and high concentrations of toxin and nicotinamide in all systems. Thus ADP-ribosylation appears to be relevant to the molecular action of choleragen in whole cells as well as in broken cells.     

Developmental appearance of the Ca2+-binding proteins parvalbumin,calbindin D-28K,S-100 proteins and calmodulin during testicular development in the rat

Summary Calcium and intracellular Ca²⁺-binding proteins are possibly involved in hormone production and spermatogenesis in rat testis. Parvalbumin, calbindin D-28K, S-100 proteins and calmodulin were localized in the Leydig cells, which are sites of testosterone synthesis. Only the appearance of parvalbumin-immunoreactivity is closely correlated to testosterone production during development of the testes. Calbindin D-28K-immunoreactivity persisted in foetal-type Leydig cells and in adult-type Leydig cells at all stages of development. S-100-immunoreactivity was low during all foetal stages, absent between birth and puberty, and increased thereafter. Calmodulin staining is most prominent in the cytoplasm of developing spermatocytes and of maturing spermatids. All four proteins co-exist in the seminiferous tubules. The distinct localization and developmental appearance of these proteins suggests different regulatory roles in Leydig cell function and spermatogenesis.     

Accelerating the convergence of the back-propagation method

The utility of the back-propagation method in establishing suitable weights in a distributed adaptive network has been demonstrated repeatedly. Unfortunately, in many applications, the number of iterations required before convergence can be large. Modifications to the back-propagation algorithm described by Rumelhart et al. (1986) can greatly accelerate convergence. The modifications consist of three changes:1) instead of updating the network weights after each pattern is presented to the network, the network is updated only after the entire repertoire of patterns to be learned has been presented to the network, at which time the algebraic sums of all the weight changes are applied:2) instead of keeping , the learning rate (i.e., the multiplier on the step size) constant, it is varied dynamically so that the algorithm utilizes a near-optimum , as determined by the local optimization topography; and3) the momentum factor is set to zero when, as signified by a failure of a step to reduce the total error, the information inherent in prior steps is more likely to be misleading than beneficial. Only after the network takes a useful step, i.e., one that reduces the total error, does again assume a non-zero value. Considering the selection of weights in neural nets as a problem in classical nonlinear optimization theory, the rationale for algorithms seeking only those weights that produce the globally minimum error is reviewed and rejected.     

Glycine Antagonists Structurally Related to 4,5,6,7-Tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol Inhibit Binding of [3H]Strychnine to Rat Brain Membranes

[3H]Strychnine binding to rat pons + medulla membranes was used as a measure of glycine receptors or glycine receptor-coupled chloride channels in vitro. A series of compounds structurally related to 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol (THIP), which previously were shown to antagonize glycine responses in cat spinal cord, inhibited [3H]strychnine binding in micromolar concentrations. The most potent of these glycine antagonists, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-isoxazolo[3,4-d]azepin-3-ol (iso-THAZ), was also the most potent inhibitor of [3H]strychnine binding, with a Ki of 1,400 nM. The Ki value for strychnine was 7.0 nM, whereas the Ki value for the mixed gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)/glycine antagonist 3 alpha-hydroxy-16-imino-5 beta-17-aza-androstan-11-one (RU 5135) was only 4.6 nM. Sodium chloride (1,000 mM) enhanced the affinity of strychnine, brucine, isostrychnine, and the nonselective GABA antagonist pitrazepin for [3H]strychnine binding sites, whereas the affinities of glycine, beta-alanine, and taurine were reduced. These sodium chloride shifts, however, were not predictive of antagonist or agonist properties, since the sodium chloride shift for the glycine antagonist iso-THAZ and of the other THIP-related antagonists were similar to those of the glycine-like agonists. The various sodium chloride shifts show that different groups of ligands bind to glycine receptor sites in different ways.     

Arrangement and possible function of actin filament bundles in ectoplasmic specializations of ground squirrel Sertoli cells

We have investigated the arrangement and function of actin filament bundles in Sertoli cell ectoplasmic specializations found adjacent to junctional networks and in areas of adhesion to spermatogenic cells. Tissue was collected, from ground squirrel (Spermophilus spp.) testes, in three ways: seminiferous tubules were fragmented mechanically; segments of intact epithelium and denuded tubule walls were isolated by using EDTA in a phosphate-buffered salt solution; and isolated epithelia and denuded tubule walls were extracted in glycerol. To determine the arrangement of actin bundles, the tissue was fixed, mounted on slides, treated with cold acetone (-20 degrees C), and then exposed to nitrobenzoxadiazole-phallacidin. Myosin was localized using immunofluorescence. To investigate the hypothesis that ectoplasmic specializations are contractile, glycerinated models were exposed to exogenous ATP and Ca++; then contraction was assessed qualitatively by using nitrobenzoxadiazole-phallacidin as a marker. Actin bundles in ectoplasmic specializations adjacent to junctional networks circumscribe the bases of Sertoli cells. When intact epithelia are viewed from an angle perpendicular to the epithelial base, honeycomb staining patterns are observed. Filament bundles in Sertoli cell regions adjacent to spermatogenic cells dramatically change organization during spermatogenesis. Initially, the bundles circle the region of contact between the developing acrosome and nucleus. They then expand to cover the entire head. As the spermatid flattens, filaments on one side of the now saucer-shaped head orient themselves parallel to the germ cell axis while those on the other align perpendicularly to it. Before sperm release, all filaments course parallel to the rim of the head. Contrary to the results we obtained with myoid cells, we could not convincingly demonstrate myosin in ectoplasmic specializations or induce contraction of glycerinated models. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that actin in ectoplasmic specializations of Sertoli cells may be more skeletal than contractile.     

In vivo synthesis of stigmasterol in Nicotiana tabacum

Six-day-old tobacco seedlings rapidly incorporated and metabolized exogenously supplied [4-¹⁴C]-sitosterol, but none of the radioactivity was recovered from stigmasterol. However, exogenously supplied [2-¹⁴C]-mevalonic acid was incorporated into both sitosterol and stigmasterol. Based on these results it is suggested that the biosynthetic pathway of stigmasterol is not via sitosterol but that both sterols have a common precursor.     

Der Sperlingskauz (Glaucidium passerinum) im Schwarzwald

Summary After a decrease and extinction due to deforestation the population has been reestablished by releasing captive-bred owls. Now about 40 territories are occupied with an average density of 0,8–1,0 territories/10 km². Highest density: 17 territories/80 km².     

The sugar phosphate specificity of rat hepatic 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase

The sugar phosphate specificity of the active site of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase and of the inhibitory site of fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase was investigated. The Michaelis constants and relative Vmax values of the sugar phosphates for the 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase were: D-fructose 6-phosphate, Km = 0.035 mM, Vmax = 1; L-sorbose 6-phosphate, Km = 0.175 mM, Vmax = 1.1; D-tagatose 6-phosphate, Km = 15 mM, Vmax = 0.15; and D-psicose 6-phosphate, Km = 7.4 mM, Vmax = 0.42. The enzyme did not catalyze the phosphorylation of 1-O-methyl-D-fructose 6-phosphate, alpha- and beta-methyl-D-fructofuranoside 6-phosphate, 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol 6-phosphate, D-ribose 5-phosphate, or D-arabinose 5-phosphate. These results indicate that the hydroxyl group at C-3 of the tetrahydrofuran ring must be cis to the beta-anomeric hydroxyl group and that the hydroxyl group at C-4 must be trans. The presence of a hydroxymethyl group at C-2 is required; however, the orientation of the phosphonoxymethyl group at C-5 has little effect on activity. Of all the sugar monophosphates tested, only 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol 6-phosphate was an effective inhibitor of the kinase with a Ki = 95 microM. The sugar phosphate specificity for the inhibition of the fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase was similar to the substrate specificity for the kinase. The apparent I0.5 values for inhibition were: D-fructose 6-phosphate, 0.01 mM; L-sorbose 6-phosphate, 0.05 mM; D-psicose 6-phosphate, 1 mM; D-tagatose 6-phosphate, greater than 2 mM; 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol 6-phosphate, 0.5 mM. 1-O-Methyl-D-fructose 6-phosphate, alpha- and beta-methyl-D-fructofuranoside 6-phosphate, and D-arabinose 5-phosphate did not inhibit. Treatment of the enzyme with iodoacetamide decreased sugar phosphate affinity in the kinase reaction but had no effect on the sensitivity of fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase to sugar phosphate inhibition. The results suggest a high degree of homology between two separate sugar phosphate binding sites for the bifunctional enzyme.     

Ultrastructural localization of the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin in neurons of the song system of the zebra finch,Poephila guttata

Summary The distribution of parvalbumin (PV) within neurons of the vocal motor nucleus hyperstriatum ventralepars caudalis (HVc) was investigated in the forebrain of adult male zebra finches by means of light and electron microscopy using the indirect immunoperoxidase technique. Parvalbumin-reaction product was located in the amorphous material of perikarya, dendrites and nuclei, and associated to microtubuli, postsynaptic densities and intracellular membranes; it was found in some axons and Gray type-2 boutons, but rarely in type-1 boutons and never in the Golgi apparatus. These observations suggest that parvalbumin may regulate calcium-dependent processes at the postsynaptic membrane and in the cytosol. Furthermore, the partial association of parvalbumin to microtubuli points to an involvement in calcium-dependent tubular functions. Calcium currents and microtubular assembly or transport may be relevant for the known functions of HVc in song learning.