Sperm traits of the quacking frog, Crinia georgiana: intra- and interpopulation variation in a species with a high risk of sperm competition

Sperm traits often show extreme variation both between and within species. Between-species variation may often be interpreted in the context of a sperm competition theory, but within-species variation has remained unexplained. Previous studies on intraspecific variation in sperm traits have focused on a limited set of variables and may have failed to explain observed variation because of potential trade-offs between different sperm traits. We report on variation in number, size, motility and longevity of sperm in the frog Crinia georgiana, a species where sperm competition is common. We found intrapopulation variation in sperm size and motility and interpopulation variation in relative sperm number and size. When we combined relative sperm number and size into one variable, and motility and longevity into another, we found significant interpopulation variation in these variables as well. We also detected considerable intra- and significant interpopulation variation in cumulative sperm quality, a combination of all four sperm traits. Furthermore, a significant effect of the interaction between population origin and male size on sperm characteristics indicated interpopulation variation in the strength of selection acting on sperm traits of males adopting different mating strategies. We discuss heterogeneity in the reproductive environment, a complex genetic background in the determination of sperm characteristics and varying levels of developmental noise as potential contributors to the observed variation in sperm traits.     

Demographic Models and Reality in Reintroductions: Persian Fallow Deer in Israel

Abstract:  Because most reintroduced species are rare, data on their dynamics are scarce. Consequently, reintroduction programs often rely on data from other species or captive populations to project the performance of the reintroduced population in the wild. We compared the reproductive success and survival of a Persian fallow deer ( Dama mesopotamica ) population reintroduced in Israel over the first 5 years of the project with the survival and reproduction parameters estimated while planning the reintroduction. In addition, we compared the actual growth of the wild population with the growth originally projected by a computer model in the original reintroduction program. We monitored 74 radio-collared individuals (57 females and 17 males) released semiannually 1996–2001. Survival during the first year after release was lower than later years (0.90 and 0.82 versus 0.95 and 0.88, for females and males, respectively). Such an impact was not anticipated in the original plan, but overall survival was higher than originally projected. As assumed in the reintroduction program, reproductive success improved significantly with time since release and overall, was higher than expected. The mean number of animals released annually was lower than planned. Overall, the growth of the reintroduced population was slower than projected, but the deviation was close to confidence limits and the pattern similar. After 5 years it appears that the original time frame of 8–10 years for project completion can be met or at worst will cause a 1-year delay. Over the short term of 5 years, projection models in reintroduction programs are useful tools for assessing the sustained use of the breeding core, depicting the dynamics of the population in the wild, providing a relatively accurate time frame for the successful completion of the project, and assessing project success.     

青蒿无性系中青蒿素生物合成的相关因素

通过诱导丛生芽的方法得到青蒿高产无性克隆系S1,并用S1进行了青蒿素生物合成相关因素的研究 .发现在Hoagland培养液中添加 0 .4 4mg/L浓度的ZnSO4或者 5 .72mg/L的HBO3 时 ,能有效提高青蒿素的含量 .研究表明 ,青蒿素含量和青蒿各株系间的遗传差异存在很大关系 ,RAPD分析的结果表明 ,用OPA15能够在青蒿高产株系中扩增到OPA15 10 0 0 这一特异性片段 .另外 ,对青蒿素含量和青蒿生殖生长关系的研究表明 ,青蒿素含量最高的发育时期是现蕾期 .图 7表 1参 19     

Dynamics of Hybridization and Introgression in Red Wolves and Coyotes

Abstract:  Hybridization and introgression are significant causes of endangerment in many taxa and are considered the greatest biological threats to the reintroduced population of red wolves ( Canis rufus ) in North Carolina (U.S.A.). Little is known, however, about these processes in red wolves and coyotes ( C. latrans ). We used individual-based simulations to examine the process of hybridization and introgression between these species. Under the range of circumstances we considered, red wolves in colonizing and established populations were quickly extirpated, persisted near the carrying capacity, or had intermediate outcomes. Sensitivity analyses suggested that the probabilities of quasi extinction and persistence of red wolves near the carrying capacity were most affected by the strength of two reproductive barriers: red wolf challenges and assortative mating between red wolves and coyotes. Because model parameters for these barriers may be difficult to estimate, we also sought to identify other predictors of red wolf population fate. The proportion of pure red wolves in the population was a strong predictor of the future probabilities of red wolf quasi extinction and persistence. Finally, we examined whether sterilization can be effective in minimizing introgression while allowing the reintroduced red wolf population to grow. Our results suggest sterilization can be an effective short-term strategy to reduce the likelihood of extirpation in colonizing populations of red wolves. Whether red wolf numbers are increased by sterilization depends on the level of sterilization effort and the acting reproductive barriers. Our results provide an outline of the conditions likely required for successful reestablishment and long-term maintenance of populations of wild red wolves in the presence of coyotes. Our modeling approach may prove generally useful in providing insight into situations involving complex species interactions when data are few.     

基于可靠度约束的高层建筑结构优化设计

本文以文献中提出的结构体系可靠度分析的最弱失效模式法为基础,充分考虑结构体系的造价和结构的损失期望与结构体系可靠度的关系,以及结构构件的可靠度约束,提出了结构体系目标可靠度的优化决策方法;基于优化决策的结果,提出了结构体系的最优设计准则;最后,依所提出的最优设计准则,实现了高层建筑基于构件和结构可靠度约束的结构优化设计。     

基于模糊评判和RCM的CTCS-3级车地通信子系统维修决策

CTCS-3级车地通信子系统是列控系统的重要组成部分之一,且列控系统需求的列车位置、行车许可、临时限速等安全信息都由其提供,因此,对其进行可靠性分析具有十分重要的意义。采用贝叶斯网络对系统进行可靠性分析,并对维修方式进行了讨论。首先,根据车地通信子系统的功能与结构构建其贝叶斯网络模型。然后,综合考虑维修性、共因失效等因素,对车地通信子系统进行可靠性分析。最后,在可靠性分析的基础上运用模糊综合评判法对其进行维修决策。结果表明:利用贝叶斯网络的双向推理,不仅可以计算出车地通信子系统的可靠度,还可以有效识别系统的薄弱环节;若不考虑车地通信系统冗余结构中的共因失效,则得到的可靠性指标会偏于乐观。地面GSM-R单元失效是引起车地通信子系统失效的关键事件,因此针对此薄弱环节进行状态维修检查能够有效降低事故的发生概率。     

某型滑油温度传感器的可靠性强化试验

针对诱发滑油温度传感器故障模式的主要环境因素进行了分析,确定了影响滑油温度传感器可靠性的敏感环境应力。根据滑油温度传感器结构间的逻辑关系和可靠性框图,建立其故障树,找出了潜在薄弱环节作为可靠性强化试验的主要关注点。依据可靠性强化试验理论设计了试验方案,并制定了试验剖面。     

压缩和劈裂荷载作用下岩石最大伸长应变差异的试验研究

从力学机制上看,岩石破坏可分为剪切破坏和拉伸破坏两种基本形式,它们各自都有不同的破坏准则,其中最大正应变强度准则是一个应用相对比较简单的岩石破坏准则。最大正应变强度准则判据建立的关键是如何标定极限伸长应变Σ_0。岩石在压应力和拉应力作用下都有可能发生符合最大(伸长)正应变准则的破坏。根据弹性理论,岩石在受拉和受压时对应的最大正应变临界值是等价的。然而,由于岩石材料的复杂性,岩石实际受压与受拉导致最大正应变形式的破坏所对应的最大正应变会有较大的差别。通过试验,本文揭示了不同种类的岩石在受拉、受压破坏时最大伸长应变的差异以及受压和受拉条件下岩石最大拉伸应变的理论值和试验值之间的差异。     

战略环境评价研究与实践进展

回顾了战略环境评价的起源，发展历程，尤其是９０年代以来的实践与研究成果；分析了当前研究趋势并提出了今后我国战略环境评价工作的重点，包括加强研究，建立保证体系和进行试点等。