Functional heterogeneity in resources within landscapes and herbivore population dynamics

Large mammalian herbivores are notorious for their propensity towards population irruptions and crashes, yet many herbivore populations remain relatively stable. I explore how resource heterogeneity within landscapes dampens population instability, using a metaphysiological modelling approach considering patch state distributions. Resource heterogeneity is functionally stabilizing through spreading consumption away from preferred resources before these become critically depleted. Lower-quality resources act as a buffer against starvation during critical periods of the seasonal cycle. Enriching resource quality is destabilizing, even if patch diversity is maintained, because food quantity then becomes the limitation. The potential consequences of landscape fragmentation are explored using the Serengeti ecosystem, characterised by broadscale resource gradients, as a hypothetical example. Further insights provided by the model are illustrated with specific examples concerning the effects of patch scales and waterpoint distribution. A metaphysiological modelling approach enables the basic consequences of landscape heterogeneity to be distinguished from further effects that may arise from specific patch scales and configurations, without the distracting detail of spatially explicit models.     

Using traffic flow theory to model traffic mortality in mammals

Traffic has a considerable effect on population and community dynamics through the disruption and fragmentation of habitat and traffic mortality. This paper deals with a systematic way to acquire knowledge about the probabilities of successful road crossing by mammals and what characteristics affect this traversability. We derive a model from traffic flow theory to estimate traffic mortality in mammals related to relevant road, traffic and species characteristics. The probability of successful road crossing is determined by the pavement width of the road, traffic volume, traversing speed of the mammals and their body length. We include the traversability model in a simple two-patch population model to explore the effects of these road, traffic and species characteristics on population dynamics. Analysis of the models show that, for our parameter ranges, traffic volume and traversing speed have the largest effect on traffic mortality. The population size is especially negatively affected when roads have to be crossed during the daily movements. These predictions could be useful to determine the expected effectiveness of mitigating measures relative to the current situation. Mitigating measures might alter the road and traffic characteristics. The effects of these changes on traffic mortality and population dynamics could be analysed by calculating the number of traffic victims before and after the mitigating measures. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The effect of non-inversion tillage and light availability on dispersal and spatial growth of Cynodon dactylon

The invasive ability of Cynodon dactylon is dependent on self dispersal and on cultivation practices. Tillage can seriously change patch biomass and spatial structure, spreading vegetative propagules of the weed. The objectives of this study were: (i) to quantify the effect on non‐inversion tillage on dispersal, establishment and colonization of C. dactylon and (ii) to propose a simple model considering soil cultivation effects and light availability on spatial growth of weed patches. Two experiments were carried out, exploring different soils and environmental conditions. Spatial distribution of vegetative units differed when tillage was conducted with different non‐inversion implements and could be described by simple functions. A minimum patch biomass seems necessary before vegetative structures are vulnerable to movement by cultivation. Only a small proportion of the biomass dispersed from original patches was able to establish. However, simulation showed that the area colonized by C. dactylon mostly increased by means of tillage dispersal, both with and without crop competition, in one growing cycle. It appears sensible to consider changing cultivation practices to reduce weed dispersal and to use crop competition for light to create unsuitable habitats limiting weed colonization.     

Body weight growth Model of Datong Yak in Qinghai

Summary:This study was conducted to develop a suitable model for describing the growth pattern of the yak. The data used consisted of body weight records of 76 growing yak aged between 5 to 37 months. Three mathematical models were applied to describe the growth curves during this development period:①Y1=20.105 + 11. 250x-0. 526x2 ;used for describing the growth curve of yak aged 5 to 13 months;②Y2 = -359.687 + 49. 977x - 1. 249x2 ;used for animals aged 13 to 25 months;and ③Y3 = -833. 339 + 63. 772x - 1. 019x2 ;used for animals aged 25 to 37 months.     

Effect of dasatinib in a xenograft mouse model of canine histiocytic sarcoma and in vitro expression status of its potential target EPHA2

Canine histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is an aggressive and highly metastatic tumor. Previously, the kinase inhibitor dasatinib was shown to have potent growth inhibitory activity against HS cells in vitro, possibly via targeting the EPHA2 receptor. Here, the in vivo effect of dasatinib in HS cells was investigated using a xenograft mouse model. Moreover, the expression status of EPHA2 was examined in six HS cell lines, ranging from insensitive to highly sensitive to dasatinib. In the HS xenograft mouse model, dasatinib significantly suppressed tumor growth, as illustrated by a decrease in mitotic and Ki67 indices and an increase in apoptotic index in tumor tissues. On Western blot analysis, EPHA2 was only weakly detected in all HS cell lines, regardless of sensitivity to dasatinib. Dasatinib likely results in the inhibition of xenograft tumor growth via a mechanism other than targeting EPHA2. The findings of this study suggest that dasatinib is a targeted therapy drug worthy of further exploration for the treatment of canine HS.     

The construction and application of a population physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for methadone in Beagles and Greyhounds

Methadone is an opioid analgesic in veterinary and human medicine. To help develop appropriate pain management practices and to develop a quantitative model for predicting methadone dosimetry, a flow‐limited multiroute physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for methadone in dogs constructed with Berkeley Madonna? was developed. The model accounts for intravenous (IV), subcutaneous (SC), and oral administrations, and compartmentalizes the body into different components. This model was calibrated from plasma pharmacokinetic data after IV administration of methadone in Beagles and Greyhounds. The calibrated model was evaluated with independent data in both breeds of dogs. One advantage of this model is that most physiological parameter values for Greyhounds were taken directly from the original literature. The developed model simulates available pharmacokinetic data for plasma concentrations well for both breeds. After conducting regression analysis, all simulated datasets produced an R ² > 0.80 when compared to the measured plasma concentrations. Comparative analysis of the dosimetry of methadone between the breeds suggested that Greyhounds had ~50% lower 24‐hr area under the curve (AUC) of plasma or brain concentrations than in Beagles. Furthermore, population analysis was conducted with this study. This model can be used to predict methadone concentrations in multiple dog breeds using breed‐specific parameters.     

基于纵向传导的蔬菜批零价格关系研究——以北京市果类蔬菜为例

从蔬菜产业的纵向看,批发和零售是两个重要环节,蔬菜批发价格和零售价格的走势以及它们之间的关系是各界关注的焦点。本文以北京市场为例,以番茄和黄瓜两种果类蔬菜的按日批零价格为对象,运用有限分布滞后模型和误差修正模型进行实证分析,研究蔬菜批零价格间的传导关系,并在此基础上揭示蔬菜批发价格在蔬菜价格形成中的作用。研究发现:蔬菜批零价格走势基本一致,相关系数很高;批零价格间存在批发价格向零售价格单向传导的因果关系;批零价格的传导是顺畅的,但不同种蔬菜传导的时间效应有所不同;批发价格在蔬菜价格形成中占据主导作用,当蔬菜价格受到冲击时,若零售价格过高则其会向着批发价格下调,若批发价格过高则零售价格会随之走高。     

高校心理健康教育网络课程模式的构建与实例分析

计算机多媒体技术和网络技术日新月异的发展,教育信息化的推进,为努力实现高校心理健康教育课程教学内容、教学手段和教学方法的全面创新,本文以《心理健康教育》网络课程为例,尝试剖析其在模式构建、教学设计、交互安排、教学应用等方面的特征,以期为开辟高校心理健康教育课程的新模式提供思路。     

小兴安岭天然林不同树种的树高曲线模型

选用10种树高曲线模型作为候选模型,以决定系数(R~2)、残差平方和(S_(se))和均方差(M_(se))作为模型优劣的评价指标,对小兴安岭天然林中的云杉(Picea asperata)、红松(Pinus koraiensis)、水曲柳(Fraxinus mandschurica)、椴树(Tilia tuan)4种树种的树高曲线模型进行优选。结果表明:云杉、红松和椴树的最优模型均为Logistic模型,水曲柳的最优模型为抛物线模型;云杉和红松两种针叶树种,最优模型的优势不明显,水曲柳和椴树两种阔叶树种最优模型的优势较明显;比较R~2的大小,得出较适合小兴安岭云杉和红松两种针叶树种的树高曲线模型(R~20.8),对小兴安岭阔叶树种的适用程度不具有普遍性,对椴树的适用性好(R~2最大达0.94),对水曲柳的适用性较差(R~20.8)。对水曲柳的树高进行分段研究得出:水曲柳在树高低于9 m时,树高曲线模型较适宜(R~20.8),其中抛物线模型为最优模型;树高较高时,没有适用的树高曲线模型。