Best environmental predictors of breeding phenology differ with elevation in a common woodland bird species

Temperatures in mountain areas are increasing at a higher rate than the Northern Hemisphere land average, but how fauna may respond, in particular in terms of phenology, remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to assess how elevation could modify the relationships between climate variability (air temperature and snow melt‐out date), the timing of plant phenology and egg‐laying date of the coal tit (Periparus ater). We collected 9 years (2011–2019) of data on egg‐laying date, spring air temperature, snow melt‐out date, and larch budburst date at two elevations (~1,300 m and ~1,900 m asl) on a slope located in the Mont‐Blanc Massif in the French Alps. We found that at low elevation, larch budburst date had a direct influence on egg‐laying date, while at high‐altitude snow melt‐out date was the limiting factor. At both elevations, air temperature had a similar effect on egg‐laying date, but was a poorer predictor than larch budburst or snowmelt date. Our results shed light on proximate drivers of breeding phenology responses to interannual climate variability in mountain areas and suggest that factors directly influencing species phenology vary at different elevations. Predicting the future responses of species in a climate change context will require testing the transferability of models and accounting for nonstationary relationships between environmental predictors and the timing of phenological events.     

Gel‐free species identification using melt‐curve analysis

DNA‐based identification of organisms is an important tool in biosecurity, ecological monitoring and wildlife forensics. Current methods usually involve post‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR) manipulations (e.g. restriction digest, gel electrophoresis), which add to the expense and time required for processing samples, and may introduce error. We developed a method of species identification that uses species‐specific primers and melt‐curve analysis, and avoids post‐PCR manipulation of samples. The method was highly accurate when trialled on DNA from six large carnivore species from Tasmania, Australia. Because of its flexibility and cost‐effectiveness, this method should find wide use in many areas of applied biological science.     

变蛋袋料液配方的研究

变蛋袋浸渍料液中NaOH浓度是决定变蛋凝固性的关键因子。在一定范围内 ,其浓度每增减 0 .65% ,始凝日期可增减一天。其中料液重 1 1 g、NaOH浓度 7.76%、始凝日期 1 1天组为最适配比。     

春季—冻融交替时期9种落叶及半常绿小灌木抗寒性综合评价

在春季—冻融交替时期,以北京地区迎春、金叶女贞、小花溲疏等9种落叶及半常绿小灌木一年生枝条为试材,通过人工模拟降温,测定其在4~-20℃低温胁迫下的6个生理响应指标,并对各指标进行相关性分析。结果表明,相对电导率、半致死温度、游离-脯氨酸含量和相对含水量这4个生理指标可作为9种小灌木抗寒性的评价指标。利用主成分分析、隶属函数法进行抗寒性综合评价,发现9种小灌木的抗寒性强弱顺序为:小花溲疏紫叶小檗太平花红王子锦带迎春连翘金叶女贞棣棠金山绣线菊。通过聚类分析可将9种小灌木分为3类,小花溲疏和紫叶小檗归为一类,其抗寒性相对较好;太平花、红王子锦带、迎春和连翘聚成一组,抗寒性一般;金叶女贞、棣棠和金山绣线菊聚在一起,抗寒性相对较差。     

Preparation and characterization of flurbiprofen beads by melt solidification technique

Amelt solidification technique has been developed to obtain sustained-release waxy beads of flurbiprofen. Low glass transition temperature (t _g) and shear-induced crystallization of flurbiprofen made it a suitable candidate for melt solidification technique. The process involved emulsification and solidification of flurbiprofen-cetyl alcohol melt at significantly low temperature (5°C). The effect of variables, namely, the amount of cetyl alcohol and the speed of agitation, was studied using 3² factorial design. The technique and the beads were evaluated on the basis of process and desired yield, surface topography, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), particle size distribution, crushing strength, and drug release. Average values for process and desired yields were 97% wt/wt and 26% wt/wt, respectively. No interaction was observed between drug and excipient. Multiple regression analysis was carried out, and response surfaces were obtained. A curvilinear relationship was observed between percentage of desired yield and the amount of cetyl alcohol. Linear decrease in crushing strength was observed with increase in the amount of cetyl alcohol. Drug released from the beads followed zero order kinetics. Burst release was shown to a greater extent in beads containing a lower amount of cetyl alcohol. Response surfaces of time required for certain percentage of drug (t _D%) showed that after critical concentration of about 20% of cetyl alcohol (400 mg/batch), no significant release retardant effect was observed.     

Optical resolution by crystallization from melt using enantiomer derivatives as resolving agents: nonlinear behavior of resolving agent mixtures

Substituted racemic 1-phenylethylamine derivatives were reacted in molten phase with chiral N-substituted 1-phenylethylamine dicarboxylic acid derivatives (4-9), and their mixtures (e.g., 4+6, 7+8, etc.) in different ratios, and the crystalline quasi-racemic diastereomers so formed were separated. Nonlinear behavior of the mixtures of resolving agents having related structure and considerable positive and negative chiral-chiral interactions were observed.