The extinction of slowly evolving dynamical systems

The time evolution of slowly evolving discrete dynamical systems x _{i + 1} = T(r _i ,x _i ), defined on an interval [0, L], where a parameter r _ichanges slowly with respect to i is considered. For certain transformations T, once r _i reaches a critical value the system faces a non-zero probability of extinction because some x _j [0, L]. Recent ergodic theory results of Ruelle, Pianigiani, and Lasota and Yorke are used to derive a simple expression for the probability of survival of these systems. The extinction process is illustrated with two examples. One is the quadratic map, T(r, x) = rx(1 – x), and the second is a simple model for the growth of a cellular population. The survival statistics for chronic myelogenous leukemia patients are discussed in light of these extinction processes. Two other dynamical processes of biological importance, to which our results are applicable, are mentioned.     

退化高寒草甸关键生态属性对多途径恢复措施的响应特征

高寒草甸是青藏高原的主体植被类型,但退化态势较为严峻,严重威胁青藏高原生态屏障的战略地位。退化高寒草甸的复健是世界性难题,治理效果也因退化状态、恢复措施及气候环境而异。以春季休牧、秋季休牧、畜群结构优化、减畜轮牧、围栏封育及翻耕改建等典型多途径恢复措施下的退化高寒草甸为对象,系统探讨主要生态要素和生态功能的响应特征及潜在过程。结果表明,典型恢复措施下退化高寒草甸的植被生产力、土壤有机碳密度及土壤饱和持水量等生态要素都得到一定程度的提升,而恢复效果与实施年限及恢复措施密切相关。围栏封育和翻耕改建下土壤有机碳密度及饱和持水量随恢复年限均表现为对数饱和型的响应特征,退化高寒草甸固碳持水功能的基本恢复年限约为6—10年。春季休牧、秋季休牧、畜群结构优化、减畜轮牧、围栏封育等放牧管理恢复措施应适用于轻度退化至重度退化的高寒草甸,而翻耕改建则是极度退化高寒草甸的适宜治理措施。由于多途径恢复措施的关注目标不同,今后研究应集中在恢复措施的组合优化和综合评价等方面。     

Specific features of ex‐obese patients significantly influence the functional cell properties of adipose‐derived stromal cells

Adipose‐derived stromal cells (ADSC) are increasingly used in clinical applications due to their regenerative capabilities. However, ADSC therapies show variable results. This study analysed the effects of specific factors of ex‐obese patients on ADSC functions. ADSC were harvested from abdominal tissues (N = 20) after massive weight loss. Patients were grouped according to age, sex, current and maximum body mass index (BMI), BMI difference, weight loss method, smoking and infection at the surgical site. ADSC surface markers, viability, migration, transmigration, sprouting, differentiation potential, cytokine secretion, telomere length and mtDNA copy number were analysed. All ADSC expressed CD73, CD90, CD105, while functional properties differed significantly among patients. A high BMI difference due to massive weight loss was negatively correlated with ADSC proliferation, migration and transmigration, while age, sex or weight loss method had a smaller effect. ADSC from female and younger donors and individuals after weight loss by increase of exercise and diet change had a higher activity. Telomere length, mtDNA copy number, differentiation potential and the secretome did not correlate with patient factors or cell function. Therefore, we suggest that factors such as age, sex, increase of exercise and especially weight loss should be considered for patient selection and planning of regenerative therapies.     

气候变化影响与风险研究的理论范式和方法体系

以全球变暖为主的气候变化将会在本世纪持续,针对气候变化影响与风险而采取适应和减缓措施,得到了国际社会的广泛认同。然而,气候变化影响与风险研究领域理论和方法并不规范,研究结果缺乏可比性。基于科学哲学家库恩提出的理论范式和构造范式概念,梳理、集成气候变化影响与风险研究的"脆弱性-要素分离-不确定性-风险"理论框架,总结相应的方法体系包括实地观测与科学实验、数值模型和统计方法、风险定量化评估框架等。气候变化影响与风险研究应遵循理论范式"四要素"的逻辑关系,综合运用多种分析方法,力求相关研究的整体性和系统化,以利增强气候变化影响与风险研究的科学性及其成果的应用指导意义。     

中国天然林保护、生态恢复与可持续经营的理论与技术

全面总结了近年来中国在天然林保护与生态恢复的理论与技术实践方面所取得的研究进展。高度凝练出了天然林动态干扰与保育技术、典型退化天然林的生态恢复技术和天然林景观恢复与空间经营技术等三方面的创新成果,形成了天然林保护与生态恢复的理论与技术创新体系,对今后天然林保护、生态恢复与可持续经营进行了展望。     

退耕地人工植物群落根系生态位及其分布特征

根系生态位研究是全面掌握植物群落特性、种间搭配以及生态功能的重要科学问题。其测度方式、分布特征、影响因素等方面内容,对于合理指导退耕还林还草工程十分必要。将植物群落根系视为“标准地”,分布于每个土体层次的每个径级根系视为“植物种”。根量、根长、根数作为“植物种”的观测变量,仿照群落生态学方法,提出了一种综合计算根系生态位指数的方法。即将整个研究区域作为一个系统．将这一系统中所有植物群落。统一选用指标最大值。在纵向(即相对于指标维的不同指标)用上限效果测度公式统一进行归一化处理,然后在横向(土层、径级间。简称层径级)进行合并运算,得出层径级根系参数,这一参数定义为层径级根系生态位指数;而将某一群落各层径级生态位指数之和,定义为植物群落根系生态位指数。从而使区域内所有植物群落间具有可比性。使用这一方法,对国家退耕还林还草科技试验县——青海省大通县退耕地人工植物群落根系进行了系统研究。研究结果表明,根系生态位垂直空间分布大多数为典型的表层聚积型,表土层0～20cm根系生态位指数明显高于其它层次。植物群落根系比单一种群或纯林根系具有更高的生态位指数。根系生态位径级分布包括J型、反J型、S型和U型。J型多为粗根一深根型植物群落根系,反J型为细根一浅根型植物群落根系,S型和U型为上述2种类型之间的过渡型。根系生态位指数与植物群落地上部分鲜重生物量、根系丰富度呈显著正相关。退耕地植物群落根系的生态位指数较为接近天然植被,明显高于农作物根系。青海云杉 中国沙棘、中国沙棘、青海云杉等3种植物配置模式更有利于退耕地植物根系生态位的恢复。实施退耕还林还草工程是有效增加根系生态位、提高根系多方面功能的重要途径。     

T.H. Huxley's Criticism of German Cell Theory: An Epigenetic and Physiological Interpretation of Cell Structure

In 1853, the young Thomas Henry Huxley published a long review of German cell theory in which he roundly criticized the basic tenets of the Schleiden-Schwann model of the cell. Although historians of cytology have dismissed Huxley’s criticism as based on an erroneous interpretation of cell physiology, the review is better understood as a contribution to embryology. “The Cell-theory” presents Huxley’s “epigenetic” interpretation of histological organization emerging from changes in the protoplasm to replace the “preformationist” cell theory of Schleiden and Schwann (as modified by Albert vonKölliker), which posited the nucleus as the seat of organic vitality. Huxley’s views influenced a number of British biologists, who continued to oppose German cell theory well into the twentieth century. Yet Huxley was pivotal in introducing the new German program of “scientific zoology” to Britain in the early 1850s,championing its empiricist methodology as a means to enact broad disciplinary and institutional reforms in British natural history.     

基于最大熵原理的浙江毛竹胸径分布及测量不确定度评定

应用最大熵原理构造了测树因子概率分布的统一模型,这样构造的模型具有明确的解析表达式,并能克服常用方法无法解释测树因子服从某种概率分布的真正原因,从而为测树因子统计分布建模提供了一种有效方法.使用1-3阶样本矩、1-4阶样本矩与1-5阶样本矩,用所构建的概率分布统一模型分别对浙江省域毛竹胸径分布分别作了仿真试验,结果表明当采用1-4阶样本矩时,仿真效果最好,而且比通过假设检验的Weibull分布仿真结果理想:(1)图形非常相似,对实测数据都能很好的模拟;(2)最大熵法的离差平方和为0.00018,Weibull分布的为0.00045[1].由于各种系统与非系统的原因,都会影响测量结果的准确性,对所构建的模型作了不确定度评定,表明结果具有很大的可靠性,测量结果的估计:7.85100,测量结果的标准不确定度:1.82710,置信概率:0.96020.     

基于RS和GIS的开封市土地覆盖分形

以RS和GIS为技术手段,利用开封市0.61m空间分辨率的QuickBird卫星遥感数据,采用分形几何方法研究了斑块的面积效应和覆盖类型分形的关系,并对覆盖类型的分形特征差异等进行了分析。结果表明,开封市防护林地和农田的平均斑块面积较大,分维数也较大,而水体的分维数较小,说明防护林和农田斑块的边界结构特征比水体更为复杂。斑块的分维值具有尺度依赖性,同一类型中大的斑块往往具有较大的分维值,其原因是大斑块经常出现不同类型的斑块相互嵌套,小斑块则很少出现甚至不出现这种现象。     

Biological soil crusts in ecological restoration: emerging research and perspectives

Drylands encompass over 40% of terrestrial ecosystems and face significant anthropogenic degradation causing a loss of ecosystem integrity, services, and deterioration of social‐ecological systems. To combat this degradation, some dryland restoration efforts have focused on the use of biological soil crusts (biocrusts): complex communities of cyanobacteria, algae, lichens, bryophytes, and other organisms living in association with the top millimeters of soil. Biocrusts are common in many ecosystems and especially drylands. They perform a suite of ecosystem functions: stabilizing soil surfaces to prevent erosion, contributing carbon through photosynthesis, fixing nitrogen, and mediating the hydrological cycle in drylands. Biocrusts have emerged as a potential tool in restoration; developing methods to implement effective biocrust restoration has the potential to return many ecosystem functions and services. Although culture‐based approaches have allowed researchers to learn about the biology, physiology, and cultivation of biocrusts, transferring this knowledge to field implementation has been more challenging. A large amount of research has amassed to improve our understanding of biocrust restoration, leaving us at an opportune time to learn from one another and to join approaches for maximum efficacy. The articles in this special issue improve the state of our current knowledge in biocrust restoration, highlighting efforts to effectively restore biocrusts through a variety of different ecosystems, across scales and utilizing a variety of lab and field methods. This collective work provides a useful resource for the scientific community as well as land managers.