Harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) abundance within the Firth of Tay and Eden Estuary,Scotland: recent trends and extrapolation to extinction

1. Aerial surveys have detected alarming declines in counts of harbour seals in several regions across Scotland.
2. Demographic data and simple models were used to examine the recent decline in the numbers of harbour seals counted in one population within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) on the east coast of Scotland. The models suggest that the continuation of current trends would result in the species effectively disappearing from this area within the next 20 years.
3. While the cause of the decline is unknown, it must be reducing adult survival because the high rate of decline cannot be wholly accounted for by changes in other demographic parameters.
4. Recovery of the population to the abundance recorded at the time the SAC was designated (2005) is likely to take at least 40 years, even if the cause of the decline is immediately identified and removed.
5. The models suggest that partial removal of the cause can have only limited benefits to population recovery, and there are unlikely to be any long‐term benefits from introducing or reintroducing additional individuals while the underlying problem persists. Therefore, if the population of harbour seals in this area is to recover it is essential that the sources of the increased mortality are identified and measures are put in place to manage these.

Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于Zigbee和GPRS的水质监测系统节能设计

针对无线化的水产养殖水质监测系统耗能大、电池寿命短的问题,设计了基于Zigbee和GPRS的节能型水质监测系统。通过采用低功耗器件,在电源与传感器、信号调理电路之间添加选通芯片ADG1414控制各模块分时分区工作,减少各模块的供电时间来降低硬件能耗;通过设置阈值对采集的数据进行判断,对阈值范围内的数据不发送,减少数据发送量,从而减少系统数据发送能耗。以CC2530为核心构建无线传感网络,将传感器采集到的温度、p H、溶氧等水质参数传输至监测中心,构建实时监测平台,并在此基础上建立数据管理系统,实现对水产养殖水质环境的实时监测。系统测试与实验结果表明,该系统节能效果显著,能有效延长无线水质监测系统电池的工作时间。     

Enhancing capacity for freshwater conservation at the genetic level: a demonstration using three stream macroinvertebrates

1. Species diversity is declining more rapidly in freshwater ecosystems than in any other, but the consequences for genetic diversity, and hence evolutionary potential, are poorly understood. In part this reflects limited use and development of modern molecular tools and genetic approaches to address conservation questions in rivers, lakes and wetlands. As widespread, diverse and functionally important organisms, freshwater macroinvertebrates are ideal candidates for genetic approaches to reveal, for example, the conservation consequences of demographic histories and past disturbances. However, the availability of microsatellite markers for this group is very limited.
2. Using next generation sequencing, microsatellite markers were developed for Isoperla grammatica (Poda, 1761), Amphinemura sulcicollis (Stephens, 1836) and Baetis rhodani (Pictet, 1843) to enable conservation genetic investigations of these widespread invertebrate species. Fifty‐two robust microsatellite loci were developed (18, 21 and 13 per species), all with high levels of allelic diversity (7–27, 3–16, 5–13 alleles per loci, respectively).
3. These tools will allow assessment of genetic structure, dispersal and demographic resilience in these model species as a function of environmental change and variation, thereby aiding freshwater monitoring and conservation. The authors urge further capacity building to support genetic applications to the conservation biology of other aquatic organisms.

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Disulphide structure of high-molecular-weight (HMW-) gliadins as affected by terminators

This study aimed at elucidating SS-bonds of HMW-gliadins (HGL) from wheat with the focus on terminators of glutenin polymerisation. HGL from wheat flour extracts non-treated or treated with the S-alkylation reagent N-ethylmaleinimide (NEMI) were compared. HGL from wheat flour Akteur were isolated, hydrolysed with thermolysin and the resulting peptides pre-separated by gel permeation chromatography and analysed by liquid chromatography/mass-spectrometry using alternating electron transfer dissociation/collision-induced dissociation. Altogether, 22 and 28 SS-peptides from samples without and with NEMI treatment, respectively, were identified. Twenty-six peptides included standard SS-bonds of α- and γ-gliadins, high-molecular-weight and low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits. Eleven SS-bonds were identified for the first time. Fifteen peptides unique to HGL contained cysteine residues from gliadins with an odd number of cysteines (ω5-, α- and γ-gliadins). Thus, gliadins with an odd number of cysteines, glutathione and cysteine had acted as terminators of glutenin polymerisation. Decisive differences between samples without and with NEMI treatment were not obvious showing that the termination of polymerisation was already completed in the flour. The two HGL samples, however, were different in the majority of ten peptides that included disulphide-linked low-molecular-weight (LMW) thiols such as glutathione and cysteine with the former being enriched in the non-treated HGL-sample.     

Conservation needs for the endangered New Zealand sea lion,Phocarctos hookeri

1. Understanding population size and trend is critical information in species management and conservation. To enable accurate population trend estimates, consistent robust monitoring of a species is essential, particularly for a species such as the New Zealand (NZ) sea lion, Phocarctos hookeri , which has experienced an almost continuous decline in pup production since the late 1990s.
2. This research examines the pup production estimates for all known breeding sites for this species, and using a stage‐structured matrix population model, estimates population size and trend between 1995 and 2015.
3. Overall, it is estimated that 2,316 pups were born in 2015, a decrease of 13% since 1995 and a 27% decline since the highest pup production estimate in 1998. This decline has been driven by the significant decline of 48% at the main breeding area, the Auckland Islands since 1998.
4. Using the stage‐structured matrix population model a total species population size of 11,767 sea lions (95% CrI: 10,790–12,923) was estimated. This is the lowest population size of any sea lion species. Trend data for the Auckland Islands indicated that pup and population numbers have decreased at 1.9% yr^?1 in the last 20 yr, while total species population decline is 0.6% yr^?1.
5. Estimates of population trends for this species have been hindered by inconsistent monitoring at most breeding sites. This study strengthens the growing field of research highlighting the need for consistent long‐term monitoring for the conservation management of endangered species.

     

Potential application of baited remote underwater video to survey abundance of west coast rock lobster Jasus lalandii

The first assessment of the baited remote underwater video system (BRUVs) for monitoring rock lobster Jasus lalandii (Milne‐Edwards) in South Africa was compared to annual ring net and trap survey data. Count data from 58 BRUVs, 36 ring net and 95 trap samples were fitted with generalised additive models using depth, habitat, time and spatial gradient as independent variables. A power analysis was used to determine the number of samples needed per annum to detect a 5 and 10% increase and decrease in population size. The BRUVs outperformed the nets and traps in terms of sampling effort and were better at detecting changes in abundance of lobster than abundance of three fish species. Considering factors such as cost, analysis time, additional data and environmental impact, traps are the most feasible method in deeper waters but BRUVs could replace nets and traps in depths less than 60 m, low‐density areas and marine reserves.     

Soil protection for a sustainable future: options for a soil monitoring network for Ireland

The increased recognition of the importance of soil is reflected in the UN Post‐2015 Development Agenda with sustainable development goals that directly and indirectly relate to soil quality and protection. Despite a lack of legally binding legislation for soil protection, the European Commission remains committed to the objective of soil protection. However, the achievement of a legally binding framework for soil protection relies on the implementation of a soil monitoring network (SMN) that can detect changes to soil quality over time. As beneficiaries do not pay for the provision of soil information, the options for soil monitoring are limited. The use of existing data sets should be considered first. Using Ireland as an example, this research explored the opportunities for a SMN for Ireland considering three existing national data sets. The options for a SMN are considered in terms of their spatial and stratified distribution, the parameters to be measured and an economic analysis of the options proposed. This research finds that for Ireland, either a 10 or a 16 km² grid interval stratified by land use and drainage class offers the best potential in relation to the spatial distribution of existing data sets to reflect local data at a national level. With existing data, the stratified SIS data using the 16 km² grid offers the best value for money, with baseline costs for analysis, excluding field costs, of between €706 481 and €2.8 million. Acknowledging the impossibility of measuring all parameters with ideal frequency, this study proposes a two‐tier system for optimized monitoring frequency. Parameters must anticipate future policy requirements. Finally, the implementation of a SMN must be accompanied by standardized methods, defined thresholds and action mandates to maintain soil quality within allowable limits.     

小麦赤霉病自动监测预警系统应用效果评价

2018年在江苏、陕西、河南、湖北、安徽共18个县(市)安装了小麦赤霉病预报器,在周边设置未防治麦田进行赤霉病调查,并与预警软件平台预测结果相比较,评价小麦赤霉自动监测预警系统的准确性。评价结果表明,2018年该系统预测的准确性达71.8%。结合陕西省植保总站、西安市植保站、渭南华州区植保站、商洛洛南县植保站、安徽凤台县植保站2016年-2018年对该系统的评价结果,证实该系统预测准确性较高,系统工作稳定,自动化程度高,可为小麦赤霉病的科学防控提供重要的参考依据,具有一定的应用前景。     

行星变速机构换挡变胞与其构态属性自动识别

针对数学表征行星变速机构换挡变胞过程及自动识别各挡位构态属性较难的问题，首先，解析了行星变速机构变胞理论，基于机构转换法定义相对转速意义下行星排构件间运动副约束函数的转换规则，构建以约束函数为元素的行星变速机构构件和关联关系的邻接矩阵；然后，根据换挡逻辑分析了操纵离合器和制动器的换挡变胞过程，基于邻接矩阵分别推导这两种换挡构态演变的变胞方程，建立包含行星排空转和整体回转等特殊构态的判别准则，结合实例分析揭示换挡变胞机理；最后，通过建立相对转速方程和行星变速机构特性参数识别，结合行星变速机构等效拓扑模型的约束条件，提出了基于构态变胞方程的行星变速机构传动比和转矩自动建模和求解方法，实现了行星变速机构各挡位构态属性的自动识别。以某拖拉机行星变速器为例进行了分析，验证了该方法的可行性和有效性。     

基于多反应监测质谱技术的水稻叶片蛋白绝对定量方法

【目的】建立水稻叶片蛋白的多反应监测(MRM)质谱绝对定量方法。【方法】水稻叶片蛋白经含1.0%十二烷基硫酸钠(SDS)的磷酸盐(PBS)缓冲液提取,丙酮沉淀除杂纯化、胰蛋白酶消化,酶解液经液相色谱分离,MRM质谱监测,外标法定量。【结果】向提取缓冲液中加入1.0%SDS可增强水稻叶片中16种靶蛋白和总蛋白质的提取效果;不同有机试剂处理,总蛋白质沉淀量存在显著差异(P<0.05),沉淀能力从强到弱依次为乙腈>丙酮>异丙醇>甲醇>乙醇;对于16种目标蛋白,总体以丙酮沉淀效果最好,其次是异丙醇和乙腈,甲醇和乙醇效果较差。该方法线性范围均达到3个数量级,定量限为0.1~2.5 nmol/L,灌浆期16种水稻叶片蛋白质含量为6.0~2818.1μg/g,相对标准偏差均小于14%。【结论】SDS可显著提高水稻叶片蛋白提取效果,采用丙酮或乙腈可获得较好的蛋白沉淀效果,但不同蛋白质略有差异。结合MRM质谱监测技术可实现水稻叶片蛋白的绝对定量,方法线性范围宽、敏度高、重复性好。