Chemical basis of pupal cannibalism in a caterpillar (Utetheisa ornatrix).

The moth Utetheisa ornatrix derives protection against predation from systemic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) that it sequesters as a larva from its foodplants (Leguminosae, Crotalaria spp.). We here show, in laboratory tests, that Utetheisa deficient in body PA can make up for the chemical shortfall by cannibalizing pupae. We present evidence indicating that cannibalism in larvae is elicited not by hunger, but possibly by PA deficiency itself, and that in making cannibalistic choices larvae prefer PA-containing over PA-free pupae. PAs themselves, either in crystalline form or as additives to food items, proved phagostimulatory to larvae. In nature Utetheisa tend to pupate away from their foodplant, essentially out of reach of larval attack. The threat of cannibalism may have contributed to the evolution of this pupation behavior.     

部分充满介质的理想螺线管条件

一般教科书中都提到，理想螺线管（指内部磁场均匀，无漏磁）的条件是无限长（相对而言），绕线蜂蜜。但对绕线是否应该均匀则未做详细论述。本文试图指出，在无介质情况下理想螺线管的绕线都是均匀的，但在部分充满介质的情况下，均匀的绕线反而会破坏“理想”的条件。     

Probing met repressor-operator recognition in solution.

The three-dimensional crystal structure of the Escherichia coli methionine repressor, MetJ, complexed with a DNA operator fragment is described in an accompanying article. The complex exhibits several novel features of DNA-protein interaction. DNA sequence recognition is achieved largely by hydrogen-bond contacts between the bases and amino-acid side chains located on a beta-ribbon, a mode of recognition previously hypothesized on the basis of modelling of idealized beta-strands and DNA, and mutagenesis of the Salmonella phage P22 repressors Arc and Mnt. The complex comprises a pair of MetJ repressor dimers which bind to adjacent met-box sites on the DNA, and contact each other by means of a pair of antiparallel alpha-helices. Here we assess the importance of these contacts, and also of contacts that would be made between the C-helices of the protein and DNA in a previous model of the complex, by studying mutations aimed at disrupting them. The role of the carboxy-terminal helix face in operator binding was unclear, but we demonstrate that recognition of operator sequences occurs through side chains in the beta-strand motif and that dimer-dimer interactions are required for effective repression.     

Overcompensation and population cycles in an ungulate.

Although theoretical studies show that overcompensatory density-dependent mechanisms can potentially generate regular or chaotic fluctuations in animal numbers, the majority of realistic single-species models of invertebrate populations are not overcompensatory enough to cause sustained population cycles. The possibility that overcompensation may generate cycles or chaos in vertebrate populations has seldom been considered. Here we show that highly overcompensatng density-dependent mortality can generate recurrent population crashes consistent with those observed in a naturally limited population of Soay sheep. The observed interval of three or more years between crashes points to sharp 'focusing' of mortality over a narrow range of population density.     

On the limitations of comparing mean square forecast errors

Linear models are invariant under non-singular, scale-preserving linear transformations, whereas mean square forecast errors (MSFEs) are not. Different rankings may result across models or methods from choosing alternative yet isomorphic representations of a process. One approach can dominate others for comparisons in levels, yet lose to another for differences, to a second for cointegrating vectors and to a third for combinations of variables. The potential for switches in ranking is related to criticisms of the inadequacy of MSFE against encompassing criteria, which are invariant under linear transforms and entail MSFE dominance. An invariant evaluation criterion which avoids misleading outcomes is examined in a Monte Carlo study of forecasting methods.     

CMW1型外铲磨机PC控制及应用

研究铲磨机各种运动和控制要求，设计出继电控制与ＰＣ控制相结合的电气控制系统。此系统在电路设计、电气柜安装、调试维修和操作等方面满足了设计要求。铲磨加工过程的ＰＣ控制解决了转轮流道三维表面成形运动的控制难题。ＰＣ控制程序基本满足了铲磨工艺要求。     

电子线路的数值优化设计

研究了电子线路的数值化设计方法.它是一种自动化程度高、通用性强、精度高的电路设计方法。介绍了电子线路数值优化设计软件系统YJX—1.它具有广泛的通用性和快速收敛的特点。