Using Citizen Science Programs to Identify Host Resistance in Pest‐Invaded Forests

Abstract: Threats to native forests from non‐native insects and pathogens (pests) are generally addressed with methods such as quarantine, eradication, biological control, and development of resistant stock through hybridization and breeding. In conjunction with such efforts, it may be useful to have citizen scientists locate rare surviving trees that may be naturally pest resistant or tolerant. The degree of resistance of individual trees identified in this way can be tested under controlled conditions, and the most resistant individuals can be integrated into plant breeding programs aimed at developing pest‐resistant native stock. Involving citizen scientists in programs aimed at identifying rare trees that survive colonization by pests provides a low‐cost means of maximizing search efforts across wide geographic regions and may provide an effective supplement to existing management approaches.     

宏转录组学在环境微生物生态学中的应用

系统总结了宏转录组学实验操作及数据分析流程，概述了宏转录组学在环境微生物生态学的研究策略和最新进展，并指出其应用前景.宏转录组学在解析环境微生物群落功能上具有广阔的前景，为了解微生物群落的动态演化及其与环境因素和生态系统功能的关系提供了强有力的工具.     

Preimplantation genetic diagnostic protocols for α- and β-thalassaemias using multiplex fluorescent PCR

Haemoglobinopathies including α- and β-thalassaemia are the world's most common class of single gene disorder. Prenatal diagnosis (PND) for β-thalassaemia has been proven to be an effective strategy for controlling the incidence of new cases and is widely used in several countries where the disease is common. Successful preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) protocols for β-thalassaemia have been introduced using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). However, contamination and allele dropout (ADO) remain an important concern for all of these strategies. In the present study two PGD protocols for detecting β-thalassaemia mutations (codon 41-42 and IVSI-110) and one for α-thalassaemia (SEA mutation) have been designed and tested. These methods contain failsafe mechanisms to reduce the risk of misdiagnosis due to ADO or contamination and utilise multiplex fluorescent PCR (F-PCR). Interestingly, amplification efficiency and ADO were significantly affected by the choice of DNA polymerase and the freshness of the single cells used. The close similarity between the DNA sequences of β-globin and δ-globin was also found to be an important issue that necessitated careful design of primers for the β-globin gene. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mid–trimester hyperechogenic bowel in a fetus of Japanese origin carrying a new mutation of CFTR gene (L548Q)

We present a case of a fetus with hyperechogenic bowel, in which the L548Q mutation was detected in the mother of Japanese origin and the ΔF508 mutation in the father of Caucasian origin. The fetus proved to be compound heterozygous. Research into cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations in this case was triggered by the fact that the fetus had a characteristic hyperechogenic bowel image with normal karyotype and no indications of intrauterine infections. Hyperechogenic bowel is highly indicative of a CFTR gene mutation. The incidence of cystic fibrosis (CF) in fetuses with mid-trimester hyperechogenic bowel is 5%, but once the most frequent mutations have been accounted for, rarer mutations must be investigated. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A framework for dependability engineering of critical computing systems

This paper presents a development model focused on the production of dependable systems. Three classes of processes are distinguished: (1) the system creation process which builds on the classical development steps (requirements, design, realization, integration); (2) dependability processes (i.e. fault prevention, fault tolerance, fault removal and fault forecasting); and (3) other supporting processes such as quality assurance and certification. The proposed approach relies on the identification of basic activities for the system creation process and for the dependability processes, and then on the analysis of the interactions among the activities of each process and with the other processes. Finally, to support the development of dependable systems, we define for each system creation activity, a checklist that specifies the key issues that need to be addressed with respect to each dependability process.     

CdSe/ZnS量子点对斑马鱼胚胎发育的毒性效应

本研究以模式生物斑马鱼(Danio rerio)为对象,观察在不同浓度Cd Se/Zn S量子点(Cd Se/Zn S QDs)暴露下,斑马鱼胚胎形态发育、氧化应激以及金属硫蛋白MT基因和应激蛋白Hsp70基因表达变化情况.结果表明,Cd Se/Zn S QDs对斑马鱼胚胎72 hpf(hours post fertilization)的半致畸效应浓度(EC50)为316.994 nmol·L-1.QDs暴露影响了斑马鱼胚胎的死亡率、畸形率、孵化率、自主运动频率和体长,以及引起胚胎卵凝集,心包囊肿,脊椎弯曲等多种毒性效应;同时导致斑马鱼体内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性变化以及丙二醛(MDA)含量增加.QDs还诱导斑马鱼MT基因和Hsp70基因表达上调,斑马鱼机体产生一系列自我保护反应来减轻QDs所造成的伤害.这表明:Cd Se/Zn S QDs对斑马鱼胚胎产生了毒性效应,其毒性可能与其核心Cd2+的释放、粒径大小以及氧化应激有关.     

微囊藻毒素降解菌Paucibacter sp. CH菌的分离鉴定及其降解特性

从巢湖沉积物中分离出1株MC高效降解菌,命名为CH菌.根据16S rRNA基因序列分析结果,初步确定该菌为Paucibacter sp..该菌能以MCLR为唯一碳源和能源生长,并且在10 h内可将11.6μg·mL-1的MCLR降解至检测限以下,其一级反应速率常数为0.242 h-1.CH菌降解MCLR的适宜温度为25~30℃,适宜pH为6~9.MCLR降解过程中产生1种含有Adda残基的中间产物,该产物与已报道的ACM-3962菌的降解产物不同,并且反应过程积累终产物Adda.在菌株CH中未检测到mlrA、mlrB、mlrC和mlrD这4个MC降解基因的同源基因.这些结果表明,Paucibacter sp.CH菌降解MC的机制不同于已知的ACM-3962菌的降解机制.     

水稻土团聚体Cu2+吸附过程中铝的溶出及土壤溶液pH变化

采用低能量超声波分散和冷冻机干燥法提取太湖地区水稻土(黄泥土)不同粒径团聚体颗粒,用平衡吸附法研究团聚体对重金属Cu2+吸附过程中铝的溶出及土壤溶液pH变化,以及不同pH的Cu2+溶液中铝的溶出量的变化.结果表明,团聚体对Cu2+的吸附过程,发生铝的溶出和土壤溶液pH下降,溶出量和pH下降幅度随Cu2+吸附量增加而增加,相同条件下铝溶出量和pH下降幅度大小顺序为:粗粉砂级>粉砂级>砂粒级>黏粒级,与氧化铁和有机质含量大小顺序相反.Cu2+溶液pH下降,铝的溶出量增加显著.氧化铁和有机质对Cu2+吸附过程铝的溶出和土壤溶液pH下降具有一定的抑制和缓冲作用.     

CuBr2分解缓释-膜催化对零价汞的氧化性能研究

以置于多孔陶瓷膜中的CuBr2受热分解所释放的Br2为氧化剂,利用膜催化装置对Hg0氧化效率进行研究,并设计反应-就地检测一体化装置,避免下游气体管壁效应对实验结果带来的影响.结果表明,MnO x/α-Al2O3催化膜对CuBr2分解所产生Br2的释放有较好的"缓释"作用.Hg0和Br2在催化膜表面的吸附和反应可用Langmuir-Hinshelwood机制描述.Hg0氧化效率随Br2浓度增大而升高,但在达到一定浓度后,Hg0和Br2的吸附速率及两者在催化膜表面的反应速率成为限速因素.473~573 K时Hg0氧化效率变化较稳定.烟气中SO2对Hg0氧化有一定抑制作用,NO无明显影响.