The Pristionchus pacificus genome provides a unique perspective on nematode lifestyle and parasitism

Here we present a draft genome sequence of the nematode Pristionchus pacificus, a species that is associated with beetles and is used as a model system in evolutionary biology. With 169 Mb and 23,500 predicted protein-coding genes, the P. pacificus genome is larger than those of Caenorhabditis elegans and the human parasite Brugia malayi. Compared to C. elegans, the P. pacificus genome has more genes encoding cytochrome P450 enzymes, glucosyltransferases, sulfotransferases and ABC transporters, many of which were experimentally validated. The P. pacificus genome contains genes encoding cellulase and diapausin, and cellulase activity is found in P. pacificus secretions, indicating that cellulases can be found in nematodes beyond plant parasites. The relatively higher number of detoxification and degradation enzymes in P. pacificus is consistent with its necromenic lifestyle and might represent a preadaptation for parasitism. Thus, comparative genomics analysis of three ecologically distinct nematodes offers a unique opportunity to investigate the association between genome structure and lifestyle.     

The nuclear envelope: emerging roles in development and disease

The chromosomes of eukaryotic cells are separated from the cytoplasm by the nuclear envelope. The nuclear envelope includes two riveted membranes, plus embedded pore complexes that mediate nuclear import and export. In this sense, the nuclear envelope is truly a border zone. However, the envelope also links directly to chromosomes, and anchors two major infrastructures--the nuclear lamina and Tpr filaments--to the nuclear perimeter. Proteins of the nuclear envelope mediate a variety of fundamental activities, including DNA replication, gene expression and silencing, chromatin organization, cell division, apoptosis, sperm nuclear remodeling, the behavior of pronuclei, cell fate determination, nuclear migration and cell polarity. Furthermore, mutations in nuclear lamins and lamin-binding proteins cause tissue-specific inherited diseases. This special issue of Cell and Molecular Life Sciences is devoted to recent major advances in the characterization of nuclear envelope proteins and their roles. We offer here an overview of the topics covered in this issue of CMLS, and also discuss the emerging recognition that the nuclear envelope is an organelle critical for a wide range of genetic and developmental activity in multicellular organisms.     

Horses damp the spring in their step.

The muscular work of galloping in horses is halved by storing and returning elastic strain energy in spring-like muscle-tendon units.These make the legs act like a child's pogo stick that is tuned to stretch and recoil at 2.5 strides per second. This mechanism is optimized by unique musculoskeletal adaptations: the digital flexor muscles have extremely short fibres and significant passive properties, whereas the tendons are very long and span several joints. Length change occurs by a stretching of the spring-like digital flexor tendons rather than through energetically expensive length changes in the muscle. Despite being apparently redundant for such a mechanism, the muscle fibres in the digital flexors are well developed. Here we show that the mechanical arrangement of the elastic leg permits it to vibrate at a higher frequency of 30-40 Hz that could cause fatigue damage to tendon and bone. Furthermore, we show that the digital flexor muscles have minimal ability to contribute to or regulate significantly the 2.5-Hz cycle of movement, but are ideally arranged to damp these high-frequency oscillations in the limb.     

Computer system reliability allocation method and supporting tool

This paper presents a computer system reliability allocation method that is based on the theory of statistic and Markovian chain, which can be used to allocate reliability to subsystem, to hybrid system and software modules. A relevant supporting tool built by us is introduced.     

基于MATLAB与LabVIEW的信号处理分析与研究

针对MATLAB与LabVIEW软件的不同特性,提出利用编程实现和虚拟实验相结合的方式对信号进行处理,并以快速傅里叶变换FFT、信号的滤波,频谱分析为例,说明了这两种软件在信号处理中的特点及优劣性。通过实例表明采用MATLAB与LabVIEW两种软件可以实现动态演示和仿真分析的有机结合,从而可以提高信号处理的快捷性,直观性与可靠性。     

高压微雾在蒸发冷却空调机组中的应用

为了得到填料-高压微雾对组合式空调机组的降温效果,测试1台55 000m3/h风量的填料-高压微雾组合式空调机组.采用对比方法,将5种不同的测试的降温效果进行对比.实验数据表明,高压微雾和填料上采用三维布水相结合对空调机组的降温最为显著.从研究结果上看,高压微雾不仅是人们传统认识上的加湿器,还是一台良好的冷却器,能够对空气进行降温,满足一些场所降温的需要,具有广泛的应用范围.     

A Systems Theoretical Approach to Interoperability of Information

A rapid process of hybridisation of man and technology, organisation and technology and society and technology is currently sweeping the world. This process requires a way of (scientific) thinking that takes hybrid systems as the starting point. Such an approach makes it increasingly important for hybrid systems to be interlinked, enabling them to exchange and share information through these links. This linking of (hybrid) systems to enable them to exchange and share information can also be denoted as the realisation of interoperability between (hybrid) systems. Five principles from Luhmann’s systems theory can help us understand interoperability. Interoperability enables (hybrid) systems to join random coalitions and networks. The network centric warfare concept is currently the basis for international efforts aimed at the development and application of interoperability that would enable armed forces to act effectively and efficiently. This paper demonstrates what we can learn from Luhmann’s system’s theory.     

几种腌薰食品中亚硝酸盐及其含量的调查分析

本文报导了吉首市5种传统腌熏食品中亚硝酸盐含量的调查结果。结果表明，这类食品中都含有亚硝酸盐。其亚硝酸盐含量的均值（24.5mg/kg）高于其鲜类食品。通过比较分析，亚硝酸盐的形成及含量与腌熏类食品的制作技术及环境有关。     

鄱阳湖产太湖短吻银鱼摄食的初步观察

鄱阳湖产太湖短吻银鱼以枝角类、桡足类等浮游动物为主要食料.它们天亮开始摄食,夜间停止,白天连续摄食,其援食速度和消化速度都很快.晴天摄食多,雨天摄食少.周年内,在6、10—11、3月份三次出现摄食高峰.正在产卵的雌鱼停止摄食,产卵后,摄食量又大增.     

龙门山茂汶─汶川变质带构造特征研究

龙门山中段茂汶─汶川韧性剪切带中可见到绿片岩相到角闪岩相的古生界。该地的巴罗型中压变质相相当于松潘—甘孜褶皱带中地壳的绿泥石带，构成了北东—南西向的茂汶—汶川变质带。雪隆包花岗岩体正位于该变质带的中心部位。三次韧性变形作用（Ｄ１～Ｄ３）造就了印支褶皱带，并在三叠纪末末形成了松潘—甘孜褶皱带。Ｄ１变形作用为北东—南西向的挤压作用和冲断作用，形成了大型的等斜褶皱，使古生界缩短和加厚。在持续的Ｄ２北京—南西向挤压作用下，松潘—甘孜褶皱带和稳定的扬子克拉通之间的差异应变由茂汶—汶川剪切带中非同轴左旋剪切作用所容纳。雪隆包花岗岩体是在Ｄ２变形作用的晚期侵入到剪切带的。产生蓝晶石的变质条件也是在Ｄ２或Ｄ２变形作用后出现的。Ｄ３变形作用为北西—南东向挤压，在局部地方形成糜棱岩状的道冲剪切带。这些特征与绿泥石退变质作用有关，揭示出在Ｄ３变形期间茂汶—汶川变质带有较大幅度的隆升。尽管雪隆包岩体在空间上与茂汶—汶川变质带有关，但作者认为其变质作用是岩层加厚引起的热作用重新达到平衡的产物，而不是由侵入作用引起的热接触变质作用。然而，与岩浆作用伴生的高温和活动性流体仍是产生Ｄ３局部变形和雪隆包岩体隆升的原因，这也是局部出现角闪告相