An essay on the evolution of cognition: Constructing a theoretical conceptual framework

In this essay we provide an interdisciplinary approach to the problem of the evolution of human cognition and suggest the theoretical framework of genetic system theory (GST) for organizing the relevant content of several disciplines. This bio-social-cultural theory is based on the assumption that organisms are dynamic systems which interact with one another and their environment and are themselves composed of dynamic internal relations at several levels. Special emphasis will be placed upon these internal cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the physiological mechanisms of learning and memory. The human individual organism is emphasized because in its experiential activity over time it is the site of integration for social, and cultural stimuli and because of its unique properties among living things. The primary disciplines for our discussion are drawn from the biological, social, and humanistic sciences and several concrete examples are given from each science.     

基于德尔菲法的广东省医师多点执业实施框架构建

目的 构建符合广东省医疗卫生现状和特点的医师多点执业实施基本框架。方法 采用Delphi法对备选指标进行3轮专家咨询。结果 预调查和2轮咨询专家积极性系数分别为100%、96.67%、100%;专家的权威系数为0.70;正式两轮咨询一级指标权重权重比例接近,P＜0.005 ;正式两轮咨询专家一致性系数分别为0.161、0.191。结合专家对指标评价总分的排序和各指标重要性、可操作性变异系数,最终筛选25个指标。结论 从公立医院的角度,构建了一个较为科学、合理的医师多点执业实施框架。     

Heritability of short-scale natal dispersal in a large-scale foraging bird, the wandering albatross

Natal dispersal is a key life history trait for the evolution and adaptation of wild populations. Although its evolution has repeatedly been related to the social and environmental context faced by individuals, parent-offspring regressions have also highlighted a possible heritable component. In this study, we explore heritability of natal dispersal, at the scale of the sub-Antarctic Possession Island, for a large-scale foraging seabird, the Wandering albatross Diomedea exulans, exploiting a pedigree spanning over four decades and a maximum of four generations. The comparison of three different methods shows that heritability on the liability scale can vary drastically depending on the type of model (heritability from 6% to 86%), with a notable underestimation by restricted maximum likelihood animal models (6%) compared to Bayesian animal models (36%). In all cases, however, our results point to significant additive genetic variance in the individual propensity to disperse, after controlling for substantial effects of sex and natal colony. These results reveal promising evolutionary potential for short-scale natal dispersal, which could play a critical role for the long-term persistence of this species on the long run.     

Optimal foraging for multiple nutrients in an unpredictable environment

Foraging theory has typically been concerned with the acquisition of a single resource even though organisms from mammals to protozoa are capable of balancing their requirements for multiple resources. Existing theory concerning multiple nutrients from multiple foods does not predict the sequence of food selection. We constructed an optimisation model of the simplest case of two foods containing differing amounts of two nutrients. We begin with the well-supported assumption that reproductive value declines with the distance from target nutrient intake. We show that nutrient space divides into two distinct areas where the animal should exclusively consume one food or the other. The organism thus initially concentrates on one food type until the border between the areas is reached and then moves as closely as possible along the border to approach the target. This strategy is commonly observed in a range of organisms, suggesting that the assumed fitness function is common.     

Nutritional geometry: gorillas prioritize non-protein energy while consuming surplus protein

It is widely assumed that terrestrial food webs are built on a nitrogen-limited base and consequently herbivores must compensate through selection of high-protein foods and efficient nitrogen retention. Like many folivorous primates, gorillas' diet selection supports this assumption, as they apparently prefer protein-rich foods. Our study of mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei) in Uganda revealed that, in some periods, carbohydrate-rich fruits displace a large portion of protein-rich leaves in their diet. We show that non-protein energy (NPE) intake was invariant throughout the year, whereas protein intake was substantially higher when leaves were the major portion of the diet. This pattern of macronutrient intake suggests that gorillas prioritize NPE and, to achieve this when leaves are the major dietary item, they over-eat protein. The concentrations of protein consumed in relation to energy when leaves were the major portion of the diet were close to the maximum recommended for humans and similar to high-protein human weight-loss diets. By contrast, the concentrations of protein in relation to energy when gorillas ate fruit-dominated diets were similar to those recommended for humans. Our results question the generality of nitrogen limitation in terrestrial herbivores and provide a fascinating contrast with human macronutrient intake.     

Two-dimensional Cu and first Pb coordination polymers based on a flexible 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate ligand displaying different conformations and coordination modes

Two novel metal-organic hybrid coordination polymers {[Cu(bpo)(chdc)(H₂O)](H₂O)_0.5}_n (1) and [Pb(chdc)(H₂O)]_n (2) have been synthesized under different conditions and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique, where H₂chdc refers to a flexible 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid ligand and bpo is 2,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole. Complex 1 has a two-dimensional (2-D) grid-like [11.28 × 13.63 Å²] framework in which the Cu^II centers are extended via bidentate bridging ligands bpo and e,e-trans-chdc along two directions, exhibiting large porous cavities. Coordination polymer 2 represents the first Pb^II complex of H₂chdc in which the larger Pb^II centers are connected by e,a-cis-chdc anions to afford a 2-D close-knit structure.     

Restructuring and Health in Canadian Coastal Communities

Environmental and socioeconomic restructuring has had profound consequences for coastal communities in Canada. The decline of traditional resource-based industries—fisheries, forestry, and mining—and the emergence of new economic activities, such as tourism and aquaculture, compounded by concurrent shifts in social programs, have affected the health of environments, communities, and people. Drawing on research conducted as part of the interdisciplinary major collaborative research initiative Coasts Under Stress, we examined the implications of interactive restructuring for the health of people and communities on Canada’s east and west coasts. The research is guided by a socioecological framework that identifies the pathways from interactive restructuring through health determinants to health risks and health outcomes. The utility of the proposed framework is exemplified by a specific place-based example in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, and a case-based example from coastal communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. A focus on interactive restructuring draws our attention to the many challenges associated with promoting health in a context of rapid and often accelerating environmental and institutional change that is relevant to other areas and contexts.     

Integrated framework of nonlinear prediction and process monitoring for complex biological processes

Bioprocesses and biosystems have nonlinear and multiple operation patterns depending on the influent loads, temperatures, the activity of microorganisms, and other factors. In this paper, an integrated framework of nonlinear modeling and process monitoring methods is developed for a complex biological process. The proposed method is based on modeling by fuzzy partial least squares (FPLS) and on process monitoring by a statistical decomposition, which is suitable for predicting and supervising a nonlinear biological process. Case studies in the bio-simulated process and industrial biological plant show that the proposed method can give superior prediction and monitoring performance in complex biological plants compared to other linear and nonlinear methods, since it can effectively capture the nonlinear causal relationship within the biosystem. This gives us the integrated framework that is able to both model and monitor the nonlinear bioprocess simultaneously.     

Syntheses, structures and magnetic properties of Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) metal-organic frameworks constructed from 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate and formate ligands

Three compounds, [(CH₃)₂NH₂][M₃(BTC)(HCOO)₄(H₂O)]·H₂O (M = Mn (1), Co (2), Ni (3), H₃BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and were characterized by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, IR spectra, elemental analysis, coupled TG-MS and magnetic measurements. Compounds 1-3 are isostructural analogues and crystallize in monoclinic space group P2₁/c. Each metal ion in these compounds connects to six oxygen atoms to form a MO₆ octahedron. Six MO₆ octahedra link to each other to form a corner-shared hexameric M₆ cluster, which is linked by BTC ligands to form two-dimensional layers. The two-dimensional layers are further connected by formic ions to form a three-dimensional network with channels, where (CH₃)₂NH₂⁺ ions and water molecular are located. Magnetic measurements indicate that anti-ferromagnetic ordering occurs at low temperature for these compounds.