鱼类早期资源调查中不同网具采集效率的研究

用网目为0.500和0.776mm的筛绢分别制成长度为1.5、2.0和2.5m的弶网、圆锥网和纺锤形网,采用网箱式、滤过式集苗桶和非滤过式集苗桶3种集苗器,于1998年5-6月在长江九江江段进行了采集仔鱼效果的比较研究。结果显示,弶网采集的数量最少,纺锤形网采集的数量最多。不同长度网具采集的数量没有显著差异,但长度为1.5m的圆锥网所采集仔鱼的规格明显小于长度为2.0和2.5m圆锥网所采集的。用网口面积分别为0.38m~2和0.20m~2的圆锥网组与不同类型集苗器进行比较,所采集仔鱼的数量和规格均没有差异。不同网目网具所采集仔鱼的数量没有显著差异,但网目为0.500mm圆锥网所采集仔鱼的平均规格显著小于网目为0.776mm圆锥网的。综合比较,以网目为0.500mm的纺锤形网的采样误差较小。     

Sequential Designs for Genetic Epidemiological Linkage or Association Studies A Review of the Literature

Objectives. The cost of a genetic linkage or association study is largely determined by the number of individuals to be recruited, phenotyped, and genotyped. The efficiency can be increased by using a sequential procedure that reduces time and cost on average. Two strategies for sequential designs in genetic epidemiological studies can be distinguished: One approach is to increase the sample size sequentially and to conduct multiple significance tests on accumulating data. If significance or futility can be assumed with a certain probability, the study is stopped. Otherwise, it is carried on to the next stage. The second approach is to conduct early linkage analyses on a coarse marker grid, and to increase marker density in later stages. Interim analyses are performed to select interesting genomic areas for follow up. The aim of this article is to give a review on sequential procedures in the context of genetic linkage and association studies. Methods. A systematic literature search was performed in the Medline and the Linkage Bibliography databases. Articles were defined as relevant if a sequential design was proposed or applied in genetic linkage or association studies. Results. The majority of proposed study designs is developed to meet the demands of specific studies and lacks a theoretical foundation. A second group of procedures is based on simulation results and principally restricted to the specific simulated situations. Finally, some theoretically founded procedures have been proposed that are discussed in detail. Conclusions. Although interesting and promising procedures have been suggested, they still lack realizations for practical purposes. In addition, further developments are required to adapt sequential strategies for optimal use in genetic epidemiological studies.     

Intrinsic nature of the three-dimensional structure of proteins as determined by distance geometry with good sampling properties

Summary A protocol for distance geometry calculation is shown to have excellent sampling properties in the determination of three-dimensional structures of proteins from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data. This protocol uses a simulated annealing optimization employing mass-weighted molecular dynamics in four-dimensional space (Havel, T.F. (1991) Prog. Biophys. Mol. Biol., 56, 43–78). It attains an extremely large radius of convergence, allowing a random coil conformation to be used as the initial estimate for the succeeding optimization process. Computations are performed with four systems of simulated distance data as tests of the protocol, using an unconstrained l-alanine 30mer and three different types of proteins, bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, the -amylase inhibitor Tendamistat, and the N-terminal domain of the 434-repressor. The test of the unconstrained polypeptide confirms that the sampled conformational space is that of the statistical random coil. In the larger and more complicated systems of the three proteins, the protocol gives complete convergence of the optimization without any trace of initial structure dependence. As a result of an exhaustive conformational sampling by the protocol, the intrinsic nature of the structures generated with distance restraints derived from NMR data has been revealed. When the sampled structures are compared with the corresponding X-ray structures, we find that the averages of the sampled structures always show a certain pattern of discrepancy from the X-ray structure. This discrepancy is due to the short distance nature of the distance restraints, and correlates with the characteristic shape of the protein molecule.Abbreviations r.m.s.d. root-mean-square deviation - MD molecular dynamics - NMR nuclear magnetic resonance - NOE nuclear Overhauser enhancement - BPTI bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor     

A new method of survey and data analysis in phenology

Abstract. A new, computerized method is presented for the survey and analysis of phenological data on the vegetative cycle of tree species in complex forest structures. It is based on the principles of classical phenology, phytosociological sampling techniques and the main concepts of growth analysis. The method considers the development of phenological phases as a stochastic process, and allows a quantitative and mathematical-statistical comparisonbetweenphenorhythms of trees and crown sections, and correlations with environmental variables.     

Floristic variation within kerangas (heath) forest: re-evaluation of data from Sarawak and Brunei

The variation in species composition of trees 7.6 cm gbh in thirty-eight plots (mostly c. 0.2 ha in extent) from physiognomically-defined kerangas forest were re-analyzed by principal components analysis ordination (species centering and standardization by sample norm). Analyses were performed separately on basal area abundances, on the densities of trees in three size classes (7.6, 30.5 and 61.0 cm gbh) and on the density of small and large trees (7.6-<30.5 and 30.5-<61.0 cm gbh). A total of 636 taxa were reduced to 381 for analysis, removing those of very low density and plot frequency.Three groups of plots were identified: forest at low elevation, and generally coastal, on deep humus podzols; forest at intermediate elevation on mostly red-yellow podzols with affinities to dipterocarp forest; and forest at high elevation on mostly peaty podzols. The first group was divisible into five subgroups along a drainage gradient, while the more poorly drained plots showing affinities to peatswamp forest. Forty to eighty of the taxa, depending on the criteria for selection, were sufficient to define a stable, reduced spatial structure of the data matrix. Two subgroups, both coastal on deep podzols, represent the extreme form of kerangas forest per se. A comparison of Agathis borneensis- and Shorea albida-dominated plots revealed few other associated and differentiating taxa.Patterns were clearest from analyses of basal area data and of densities of all and small trees. Ordinations and grouping of plots for small, but not large, tree densities were similar to those for basal area. Different species were differentiated on the basis of the abundance measure, leading to group (tabular) definition of associations in a dual manner. A new system of summarization is presented which combines basal area, density and frequency in a graded hierarchical approach.The association between vegetation and soil type was difficult to unravel because of the limited environmental space sampled. Soil type was confounded with elevation, rainfall and geographical location. A major factor is clay content probably affecting nutrient status and water holding properties. Modal analysis of small tree densities showed clearest patterns in this respect. There were no patterns at the family or genus level, nor in leaf size spectra within kerangas.Problems in the treatment, analysis and summarization of tropical forest data sets are discussed. These problems centre on the scale and intensity of field sampling and the advantages of measuring small trees leading to a dual basal area and density approach. All published studies, including this one, within kerangas forest have used inadequate sampling for the purposes of revealing species changes with respect to soil type and composition.     

Precision and accuracy of visual census technique for fish assemblages on coral patch reefs

Synopsis A visual census technique is described in which the results of three separate enumerations of fish at a site are combined to produce a best estimate of the fish fauna present. Its precision and accuracy are examined, and compared to those of censuses obtained by modifications of the technique. Visual censuses can display high repeatability, but they seldom (if ever) completely sample the fish present at a site. Accuracy varies with technique used. In our tests, the preferred method yielded 82% of species and 75% of individuals known to be present and potentially censurable at the time the observations were made. Visual censuses are of comparable accuracy to ichthyocide collections of unenclosed sites, but the two methods sample different components of the total fish fauna. It is important when using visual censuses to remember that their accuracy is not 100%.     

A new method of sequential sampling to classify populations relative to a critical density

A method of sequential sampling for grading population level in relation to a critical density is proposed. The method is based on the relationship and can be used without restrictions on the distribution patterns. The formulae for simple random sampling as well as for two-stage sampling are given.     

Statistical characteristics of the density-independent population fluctuation and the evaluation of density-dependence and regulation in animal populations

In this study it was proved that the “density-independent population” shows the following characteristics if the analysis is made using time-series samples:

1. The slope b in the density-on-density regression between successive developmental stages has a general tendency to become smaller than 1, though the bias approaches zero if one or more of the following three conditions are satisfied: (a) the data cover a large number of generations, (b) the variance of the rate of population change for the period concerned is small relative to that for the residual period in a whole generation, and (c) the population has a distinct trend to either increase or decrease over generations.
2. The variance for the generation-to-generation population fluctuation increases continually as the number of generations is increased, even if the population has no inherent trend to increase or decrease. For a fixed number of generations, however, the variance remains constant among different developmental stages.

On the basis of these theoretical results, a modified method for detecting density-dependence from time-series samples was presented, together with a new, tentative technique of variance analysis to evaluate the regulation of numbers directly. The results of applying these methods to some sets of data from both hypothetical and actual populations illustrated their validity for use in population studies.     

Isozymes,plant population genetic structure and genetic conservation

Summary The exploration, conservation and use of the genetic resources of plants is a contemporary issue which requires a multidisciplinary approach. Here the role of population genetic data, particularly those derived from electrophoretic analysis of protein variation, is reviewed. Measures of the geographic structure of genetic variation are used to check on sampling theory. Current estimates justify the contention that alleles which have a highly localised distribution, yet are in high frequency in some neighbourhoods, represent a substantial fraction of the variation. This class, which is the most important class in the framing of sampling strategies, accounts for about 20–30% of variants found in 12 plant species. The importance of documenting possible coadapted complexes and gene-environment relationships is discussed. Furthermore, the genetic structure of natural populations of crop relatives might suggest the best structure to use in the breeding of crops for reduced vulnerability to pest and disease attack, or for adaptation to inferior environments. The studies reported to date show that whilst monomorphic natural populations do occur, particularly in inbreeding colonisers, or at the extreme margins of the distribution, polymorphism seems to be the more common mode. It is stressed here that the genetic resources of the wild relatives of crop plants should be systematically evaluated. These sources will supplement, and might even rival, the primitive land races in their effectiveness in breeding programmes. We may look forward to a wider application of gel electrophoresis in the evaluation of plant genetic resources because this technique is currently the best available for detecting genetic differences close to the DNA level on samples of reasonable size.