秦岭兰科植物地理区系特征

秦岭是中国野生兰科植物最为丰富和区系分化率最高的地区之一,但是有关该地区兰科植物的系统整理尚未见到,本研究为秦岭兰科植物资源保护提供基础数据支持,为今后秦岭国家公园建设和生物的重点区域进行了补充调查和标本采集,形成了秦岭地区兰科植物名录,依据中国种子植物分布区类型的划分方法以及GIS软件,分析它们的属种特征、区系成分以及空间分布格局。秦岭兰科植物有52属149种,其中中国特有种70种,占总种数的47%;生活型有地生型、附生型、半附生型和腐生型,以地生型为主;秦岭兰科植物主要分布在海拔800~3 400 m;热点地区为陇南西南山地、太白-佛坪山地、伏牛山地。同时,在区系分析的基础上,提出秦岭兰科植物的区系特征,发现：（1）种类丰富,温带性质显著;（2）起源古老,新老兼并;（3）特有成分繁多;（4）珍稀濒危保护植物聚集;（5）丰富度随生境的变化而不同。秦岭兰科植物地理区系研究为植物生物多样性的保护提供基础数据支持,在秦岭植物多样性研究方面具有一定的意义。     

First documentation of Llandovery (Silurian) conodont genus Astropentagnathus in China (Langao,Shaanxi Province) and the age of Baiyaya Formation

Age of the Baiyaya Formation in the Ziyang-Langao region of Shaanxi Province remains debatable. Ten samples were taken for conodont biostratigraphical studies from the Tianwancun section. The first discovery of Astropentagnathus in China indicates that the genus has a wider geographical distribution than previously known. Conodont fauna from the Baiyaya Formation suggests that the lower part of the unit corresponds to the Pterospathodus eopennatus Superbiozone, and its upper part to the lower Wenlock (probably mainly to the Kockelella ranuliformis Superbiozone). Diachroneity of the Baiyaya Formation in the region is confirmed by conodont studies from the Tianwancun and Qiaoxi sections. Further studies are required to find out age-variation of the formation more precisely.     

Climate and health: Observation and modeling of malaria in the Ferlo (Senegal)

The aim of this work, undertaken in the framework of QWeCI (Quantifying Weather and Climate Impacts on health in the developing countries) project, is to study how climate variability could influence malaria seasonal incidence. It will also assess the evolution of vector-borne diseases such as malaria by simulation analysis of climate models according to various climate scenarios for the next years. Climate variability seems to be determinant for the risk of malaria development (Freeman and Bradley, 1996 [1], Lindsay and Birley, 1996 [2], Kuhn et al., 2005 [3]). Climate can impact on the epidemiology of malaria by several mechanisms, directly, via the development rates and survival of both pathogens and vectors, and indirectly, through changes in vegetation and land surface characteristics such as the variability of breeding sites like ponds.     

模拟氮沉降对两种竹林不同凋落物组分分解过程养分释放的影响

利用原位分解袋法研究了华西雨屏区苦竹(Pleioblastus amarus)和撑绿杂交竹(Bambusa pervariabilis × Dendrocala mopsi)人工林几种凋落物组分在模拟氮沉降下分解过程中养分释放状态,试验周期为2 a。氮沉降水平分别为对照(CK, 0 g · m^-2 · a^-1)、低氮(5 g · m^-2 · a^-1)、中氮(15 g · m^-2 · a^-1)和高氮(30 g · m^-2 · a^-1),每月下旬定量地对各处理施氮(NH₄NO₃)。结果表明,苦竹林和杂交竹林凋落物主要由凋落叶、凋落箨和凋落枝组成,其中凋落叶约占80%;两个竹种凋落物在分解过程中养分元素释放的种间差异主要与初始养分元素含量有关;凋落物养分元素初始含量对元素释放模式和最终净释放率的大小具有重要的决定作用;目前,这两种竹林生态系统土壤氮输入主要以大气氮沉降(8.24 g · m^-2 · a^-1)为主,同时凋落物氮输入(苦竹和杂交竹林分别为1.93,5.07 g · m^-2 · a^-1)也是一个重要途径;模拟氮沉降对苦竹凋落物碳、磷、钾、钙元素和杂交竹凋落物碳、氮、磷、钾、钙、镁元素释放的抑制作用较弱,处理与对照之间元素总释放率差异一般小于10%;氮沉降显著抑制了苦竹林凋落物氮元素释放,减小幅度为19.0%-27.2%,但由于氮沉降增加对土壤肥力的直接改良作用,氮沉降的增加并不会因为凋落物分解速率的降低造成植物生长所需养分供应的减少;从短期来看,在氮沉降继续增加的情况下,该地区这类竹林生态系统的碳吸存能力仍可能会因为N沉降对植物生长的促进作用而增加。     

Literature based species occurrence data of birds of northeast India

The northeast region of India is one of the world's most significant biodiversity hotspots. One of the richest bird areas in India, it is an important route for migratory birds and home to many endemic bird species. This paper describes a literature-based dataset of species occurrences of birds of northeast India. The occurrence records documented in the dataset are distributed across eleven states of India, viz.: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The geospatial scope of the dataset represents 24 to 29 degree North latitude and 78 to 94 degree East longitude, and it comprises over 2400 occurrence records. These records have been collated from scholarly literature published between1915 and 2008, especially from the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society (JBNHS). The temporal scale of the dataset represents bird observations recorded between 1909 and 2007. The dataset has been developed by employing MS Excel. The key elements in the database are scientific name, taxonomic classification, temporal and geospatial details including geo-coordinate precision, data collector, basis of record and primary source of the data record. The temporal and geospatial quality of more than 50% of the data records has been enhanced retrospectively. Where possible, data records are annotated with geospatial coordinate precision to the nearest minute. This dataset is being constantly updated with the addition of new data records, and quality enhancement of documented occurrences. The dataset can be used in species distribution and niche modeling studies. It is planned to expand the scope of the dataset to collate bird species occurrences across the Indian peninsula.     

Forward to the past: race,the colour scale and Michael Banton

This study examined differences in religious participation and spirituality among African Americans, Caribbean blacks (black Caribbeans) and non-Hispanic whites. Data are taken from the National Survey of American Life, a nationally representative study of African Americans, black Caribbeans and non-Hispanic whites. Selected measures of organizational, non-organizational and subjective religious participation were examined. African American and Caribbean blacks were largely similar in their reports of religious involvement; both groups generally indicated higher levels of religious participation than non-Hispanic whites. African Americans were more likely than black Caribbeans to be official members of their places of worship, engage in activities (choirs, church clubs) at their place of worship and request prayer from others. Black Caribbeans reported reading religious materials more frequently than African Americans. The discussion notes the importance of examining ethnic differences within the black American population of the United States.     

A FRET-based assay for the discovery of West Nile Virus NS2B-NS3 protease inhibitors

The West Nile Virus (WNV) has been a worldwide epidemic since the early 1990s. Currently there are no therapeutic treatments for WNV infections. One particular avenue of treatment is inhibition of the NS2B-NS3 protease, an enzyme that is crucial for WNV replication. In our effort to increase the number of NS2B-NS3 protease inhibitors, we report a novel FRET-based high throughput assay for the discovery of WNV NS2B-NS3 protease inhibitors. For this assay, a FRET-based peptide substrate was synthesized and kinetically characterized with the NS2B-NS3 protease. The new substrate exhibits a K_m of 3.35 ± 0.31 μM, a k_cat of 0.0717 ± 0.0016 s^?1 and a k_cat/K_m of 21,400 ± 2000 M^?1 s^?1.     

Burmese amber: evidence of Gondwanan origin and Cretaceous dispersion

Abstract

Burmese amber is an extremely important source of mid-Cretaceous plant and animal remains with over 870 species of organisms, ranging from protozoa to vertebrates, described from this source. The amber mines are located on the West Burma Block that according to geologists was originally part of Gondwana. The present study introduces some angiosperms and insects in Burmese amber whose closest extant relatives have a Gondwanan distribution and there is no previous evidence of a Laurasian distribution. Based on this evidence, it is proposed that organisms in Burmese amber represent a selection of tropical to subtropical life forms that inhabited the interconnected continents of Gondwana in the Early Cretaceous. Based on the fossil record of angiosperms and their diversity in Burmese amber, the West Burma Block could not have rafted from Gondwana to SE Asia before the Early Cretaceous.     

秦岭南北近地面水汽时空变化特征

利用秦岭南北地区47个气象站1960-2011年的观测资料,借助Spline空间插值、Pettitt突变点检验、Morlet小波分析等方法对水汽的空间分布、时空演变、突变特征和周期特征及其可能影响因素进行分析.结果表明:①秦岭南北近地面水汽呈南高北低、东高西低的空间分布格局,各子区水汽由南向北递减,季节分布规律与年尺度基本一致,以夏季最大,冬季最小.②近52年平均水汽压呈上升趋势,秦岭南坡和汉水流域上升速率较快,巴巫谷地呈下降趋势;③53％的站点冬季水汽压发生突变,集中分布于秦岭以南的部分地区,突变集中发生在1985-1988年间,与冬季气温突变时间一致,其余季节突变现象不明显.④水汽在21a时间尺度下经历了4次干湿交替变化,各季节水汽变化规律与年尺度基本一致,未来一段时间该地区仍然处于相对干旱状态.⑤水汽压受到包括气温、风速、日照在内的多种气象因素的综合作用,影响力大小排序为气温＞降水量＞日照时数＞相对湿度.