Small-amplitude cycles emerge from stage-structured interactions in Daphnia-algal systems

A long-standing issue in ecology is reconciling the apparent stability of many populations with robust predictions of large-amplitude population cycles from general theory on consumer-resource interactions. Even when consumers are decoupled from dynamic resources, large-amplitude cycles can theoretically emerge from delayed feedback processes found in many consumers. Here we show that resource-dependent mortality and a dynamic developmental delay in consumers produces a new type of small-amplitude cycle that coexists with large-amplitude fluctuations in coupled consumer-resource systems. A distinctive characteristic of the small-amplitude cycles is slow juvenile development for consumers, leading to a developmental delay that is longer than the cycle period. By contrast, the period exceeds the delay in large-amplitude cycles. These theoretical predictions may explain previous empirical results on coexisting attractors found in Daphnia-algal systems. To test this, we used bioassay experiments that measure the growth rates of individuals in populations exhibiting each type of cycle. The results were consistent with predictions. Together, the new theory and experiments establish that two very general features of consumers--a resource-dependent juvenile stage duration and resource-dependent mortality--combine to produce small-amplitude resource-consumer cycles. This phenomenon may contribute to the prevalence of small-amplitude fluctuations in many other consumer-resource populations.     

Upper intestinal lipids trigger a gut-brain-liver axis to regulate glucose production

Energy and glucose homeostasis are regulated by food intake and liver glucose production, respectively. The upper intestine has a critical role in nutrient digestion and absorption. However, studies indicate that upper intestinal lipids inhibit food intake as well in rodents and humans by the activation of an intestine-brain axis. In parallel, a brain-liver axis has recently been proposed to detect blood lipids to inhibit glucose production in rodents. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that upper intestinal lipids activate an intestine-brain-liver neural axis to regulate glucose homeostasis. Here we demonstrate that direct administration of lipids into the upper intestine increased upper intestinal long-chain fatty acyl-coenzyme A (LCFA-CoA) levels and suppressed glucose production. Co-infusion of the acyl-CoA synthase inhibitor triacsin C or the anaesthetic tetracaine with duodenal lipids abolished the inhibition of glucose production, indicating that upper intestinal LCFA-CoAs regulate glucose production in the preabsorptive state. Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy or gut vagal deafferentation interrupts the neural connection between the gut and the brain, and blocks the ability of upper intestinal lipids to inhibit glucose production. Direct administration of the N-methyl-d-aspartate ion channel blocker MK-801 into the fourth ventricle or the nucleus of the solitary tract where gut sensory fibres terminate abolished the upper-intestinal-lipid-induced inhibition of glucose production. Finally, hepatic vagotomy negated the inhibitory effects of upper intestinal lipids on glucose production. These findings indicate that upper intestinal lipids activate an intestine-brain-liver neural axis to inhibit glucose production, and thereby reveal a previously unappreciated pathway that regulates glucose homeostasis.     

Redescription of the Cephalaspidea gastropod Atys jeffreysi (Weinkauff, 1866) (Haminoeidae), with a discussion on the phylogenetic affinities of the Mediterranean species of the genus

Atys jeffreysi is a heterobranch Cephalaspidea gastropod belonging to the family Haminoeidae occurring in the Mediterranean Sea, Madeira and Canary archipelagos. Nearly nothing is known about the internal anatomical features of this species. In this paper we redescribe the species A. jeffreysi based on fine anatomical work and scanning electron microscopy. DNA barcodes are provided for the first time for A. jeffreysi and A. macandrewii, the only two species of the genus native in the Mediterranean Sea. The genetic distance (COI uncorrected p-distance) between them is estimate at 21.6%. A Bayesian molecular phylogeny based on the gene marker cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) including all sequences available of the genera Aliculastrum, Liloa and Atys species did not support a sister relationship between the two Mediterranean species and suggests that they are more closely related to distinct Indo-West Pacific lineages. The complex systematics of the genus Atys is briefly discussed.     

基础矩阵估计综合算法的几何意义及分析

研究了基础矩阵参数的几何意义，提出了新的估计基础矩阵的约束条件，首无用给的约束求出Ｆ阵的４个参数，而这２个参数正好是２个对极点的仿射坐标，然后通过解线方程组获得其余４个参数，而这４个参数表示了对极线束间的对应关系，最后，经过对真实图像和合成数据的测试表明本方法有明显的几何意义，可获得几何特性稳定的Ｆ阵。     

A recurrent 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome associated with mental retardation and seizures

We report a recurrent microdeletion syndrome causing mental retardation, epilepsy and variable facial and digital dysmorphisms. We describe nine affected individuals, including six probands: two with de novo deletions, two who inherited the deletion from an affected parent and two with unknown inheritance. The proximal breakpoint of the largest deletion is contiguous with breakpoint 3 (BP3) of the Prader-Willi and Angelman syndrome region, extending 3.95 Mb distally to BP5. A smaller 1.5-Mb deletion has a proximal breakpoint within the larger deletion (BP4) and shares the same distal BP5. This recurrent 1.5-Mb deletion contains six genes, including a candidate gene for epilepsy (CHRNA7) that is probably responsible for the observed seizure phenotype. The BP4-BP5 region undergoes frequent inversion, suggesting a possible link between this inversion polymorphism and recurrent deletion. The frequency of these microdeletions in mental retardation cases is approximately 0.3% (6/2,082 tested), a prevalence comparable to that of Williams, Angelman and Prader-Willi syndromes.     

The Scientific Interests of Archibald Campbell, 1st Earl of Ilay and 3rd Duke of Argyll (1682-1761)

Amateur scientists were important in the science of the eighteenth century as patrons, investors in talent and new equipment, as the maintainers of gardens and libraries, and, occasionally, as men who could and did make discoveries or significant innovations. The article shows that the 3rd Duke of Argyll was one of these men. He was also much more. Ilay's interests in science, because of his important political position in Scotland, touched not only his immediate friends but helped to reshape Scottish culture itself. This essay looks at his scientific interests, his political career, and his patronage to argue that the results of his long career in politics were to institutionalize a new set of modern values in most Scottish institutions.     

L'acide thymonucléique polymérisé, principe paraissant susceptible de déterminer la spécificité sérologique et l'équipement enzymatique des bactéries. Signification pour la biochimie de l'hérédité

Summary Interactions between two types of bacteria can produce either inhibition of the growth of one of these bacteria or transformation of their biochemical or antigenic properties. Authors have shown and studied one case of induction of a new serological specificity and a new enzymic equipment in aBacterium coli. This induction was produced through a substance liberated, during autolysis, by an otherBacterium coli. Active principle is a thymonucleic acid which, maybe, results from a solubilisation of chromosomes of the inductor bacteria. Hypothesis appears likely.     

生物炭作为无土栽培基质的初步探究

研究柠条深度裂解产生的生物炭作为无土栽培机制的可行性,以探讨柠条的综合开发和利用.试验分析了生物炭和草炭复配基质的理化特性,并对小白菜做育苗期盆栽试验.结果表明:当草炭和柠条炭的质量比为4∶2时达到最佳配比,此时混配基质各项指标均符合理想基质的要求;柠条炭具有强大的吸附能力和丰富的孔隙结构,其作为草炭的混配基质能够较大程度提高基质的透气性和速效钾含量,有贮存和缓释养分的作用.