Gastral Drumming in Vespula germanica (Hymenoptera: Vespidae): Vibrational Communication at Night Suggests Additional Roles in Colony Organization

Gastral drumming (GD) is a type of vibrational communication that has been reported in several species of yellowjackets and hornets. Despite early claims that it acts as a hunger signal, a more recent study found evidence that it acts as a nest-based food-recruitment signal, the first reported for eusocial wasps. Early studies also claimed, without supporting data, that it is produced most often in the early morning hours when the sun rises. Here, I recorded drumming continuously in colonies of Vespula germanica (Fabricius) to assess whether production was highest in the morning. Although I found no evidence in support of greater early morning production, I found, surprisingly, that it is produced at night, a time when foraging does not occur. When these results are combined with the results from previous studies on this species and similar findings in honey bees, they suggest that GD may be a modulatory signal, which acts by increasing general activity levels and by increasing the rate that individuals come into contact with social cues.     

近55 a内蒙古极端降水指数时空变化特征

基于内蒙古100个气象站点1960-2014年日降水数据,选取气候变化监测与指数专家组(ETCCDI)推荐的9个极端降水指数,采用Sen’s斜率法和Mann-Kendall非参数统计检验方法以及空间地统计方法,研究了极端降水指数时空演变特征。结果表明:研究区区域平均的全部极端降水指数均呈不同程度的下降趋势,且年际波动显著;分区的年际趋势有所差异,即东部地区潮湿日数(NW)呈增加趋势,其余极端降水指数均呈减少趋势,其中持续干燥指数(CDD)呈显著下降趋势(P<0.05);中部地区所有极端降水指数均呈减少趋势,其中年总降水量(PRCPTOT)减少趋势较明显;西部地区持续湿润指数(CWD)、强降水量(R95)、单日最大降水量(Rx1day)、5日最大降水量(Rx5day)呈减少趋势,其余指数均呈增加趋势。从极端降水指数变化趋势的空间分布特征来看,区域差异显著,总体上呈下降趋势的站点主要分布于内蒙古东部和中部地区,而呈上升趋势的站点主要分布于内蒙古东北部和西部地区。     

雷竹引种栽培试验研究

雷竹引种栽培时,移栽母竹应用3种方法进行处理.其一用黄泥浆溶液进行处理,二是吲哚丁酸溶液处理,三是ABT 3号生根粉溶液处理.栽培后,对母竹3种处理的试验,苗木生根长鞭、成活率、出笋率、生长量进行观察分析.结果表明,用ABT 3号生根粉溶液浸泡的母竹栽培,比吲哚丁酸和黄泥浆溶液处理的生根长鞭分别提高29%、45%,成活率分别提高4%和7%,出笋率分别提高52%、64%.     

两种预测函数在土壤测试分析中应用的比较

介绍了EXCEL软件中的FORECAST和INTERCEPT\SLOPE两种预测函数,举例说明了在土壤养分测试分析中应用这两函数进行数据处理的方法。通过比较,认为二者只是表现形式不同,计算原理完全相同,可根据不同要求选择使用。     

Proximal hindlimb flexion in the horse: Effect on movement symmetry and implications for defining soundness

Reasons for performing the study: Flexion tests are a common tool during the prepurchase and clinical lameness examination, yet studies quantifying the effect of flexion, apart from distal forelimb flexion in sound horses, are sparse. Objectives: To investigate the effect of proximal hindlimb flexion on perceivable and measurable changes in movement symmetry in horses with objective movement symmetry falling within the margins of ‘sound’. Methods: Thirteen horses, selected based on objective movement symmetry, were instrumented with inertial sensors on left and right tuber coxae and over the os sacrum. Vertical movement symmetry was quantified at trot before and after proximal hindlimb flexion, with a repeat of flexion after 5 min. Video recordings of the horses were assessed visually. Results: Proximal hindlimb flexion introduced additive changes in movement symmetry to the individual baseline movement, with a tendency towards smaller effects with increasing stride number. The main systematic effect was a decrease in upward movement of the os sacrum following mid‐stance of the flexed limb and an increase in upward movement following mid‐stance of the nonflexed limb, also manifesting in a ‘hip hike’ of the flexed limb; these findings reflected increased movement asymmetry following flexion. Depending on individual baseline asymmetry, flexion can also increase movement symmetry. Conclusions: Proximal hindlimb flexion can exacerbate subtle asymmetry when performed carefully. Variation in measured symmetry following flexion within and between horses showed that the individual response to flexion is highly variable. Potential relevance: Proximal hindlimb flexion may elevate the asymmetry of a slightly lame limb above the threshold for visibility, thus assisting in the clinical gait examination. Further work is needed to examine the causes for a positive response to flexion and possible differences between sound and lame horses as well as horses of different athletic disciplines.     

两种高羊茅的比较试验

2000～2002年阳坪种牛场开展了长江一号与fawn高羊茅(美国引进品种)的比较试验,试验结果表明,长江一号高羊茅适应性好,植株分蘖数多,生长速度快,再生能力强,耐刈割,四季青绿,适口性较好,是四川省盆地和丘陵地区理想的禾本科栽培牧草品种。     

母鼠孕期和哺乳期连续染毒双酚A对子代雄鼠睾丸发育的影响

旨在探究双酚A (BPA)对子代雄鼠睾丸发育的影响。本研究将8周龄体重18～22 g的SPF级母鼠随机分为7组,每组4个重复,每个重复5只,A组每天给予普通蒸馏水,B组每天饮水给予0.05 mg·kg^-1 BPA,C组每天饮水给予0.5 mg·kg^-1 BPA组,D组每天饮水给予5 mg·kg^-1 BPA,E组每天饮水给予10 mg·kg^-1 BPA,F组每天饮水给予20 mg·kg^-1 BPA,G组每天饮水给予50 mg·kg^-1 BPA。F0代母鼠自怀孕起直至F1代子鼠断奶止饮水染毒BPA,F1代雄鼠于断奶(21日龄)处死。ELISA结果显示,母鼠染毒BPA剂量5 mg·kg^-1以上时,子代血清和睾丸组织BPA含量显著增加(P<0.05)。睾丸器官指数测定结果证明,染毒BPA剂量大于等于20 mg·kg^-1可导致子代雄鼠睾丸指数显著增大(P<0.05)。H&E染色显示,母鼠染毒BPA剂量大于等于10 mg·kg^-1可导致睾丸生精小管萎缩,小管间隙变大。彗星试验结果证明,染毒BPA大于等于5 mg·kg^-1可使子代睾丸细胞核DNA损伤显著上升(P<0.05)。免疫组化结果显示,母鼠染毒BPA剂量大于等于20 mg·kg^-1时子代睾丸雄激素受体(AR)表达量显著减少(P<0.05)。转录组测序结果显示,母鼠染毒50 mg·kg^-1BPA后子代雄鼠睾丸剪切体代谢通路U5 snRNA亚基编码基因Snrnp40上调,剪切体通用蛋白组件编码基因Hnrnpu下调,导致mRNA转录后修饰第一步受阻,荧光定量PCR结果与转录组测序结果一致,证实了转录组结果。结果表明,母鼠暴露于低剂量BPA可以引起子代睾丸发育异常,其分子机制可能与剪切体进行mRNA转录后修饰第一步反应受阻有关。     

Using the Idexx SediVue Dx to predict the need for urine bacteriologic culture in cats

We analyzed urine samples from 191 cats for bacteriuria with an automated urine sediment analyzer (Idexx SediVue Dx), combined with image review by an observer, and compared to bacteriologic culture results. Sixty-nine samples were unambiguously assigned to be free of bacteria by the instrument and the observer, and no bacterial growth was detected. Twenty-seven samples were unambiguously assigned to have bacteriuria; 24 of these 27 samples were culture-positive. For these samples, bacteriuria was predicted with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 96%. A clear assignment was not possible for 95 samples, 81 of which were culture-negative. Specificity dropped to 45% when all samples were considered. Using the automated leukocyte count to predict bacteriuria, sensitivity was 82% and specificity was 75%. Automated sediment analysis is faster and less observer-dependent than sediment analysis under a microscope, but accurate detection of bacteriuria remains difficult in a large proportion of samples. Bacteriuria was significantly associated with leukocyte count; the leukocyte count was >5/high power field in 82% of culture-positive samples.     

In vitro studies on feline panleucopaenia virus. Standardisation of haemagglutination-inhibition test for feline panleucopaenia virus antibody

Standardised procedure for obtaining reproducible haemagglutination-inhibition results for FPV antibody which correlate with serum-neutralization titres was described. Optimal conditions were found to be Alsevers anticoagulant, PBS/0.05% BSA (pH 6.8) as buffer, especially washed round bottom microplates, determination of maximally sensitive porcine erythrocytes, use of reproducible erythrocyte concentrations, inactivation of serum samples at 56 degrees C for 30 min and serum treatment with koalin pH 9.0. The concentration of erythrocyte used for estimation of haemagglutination units in H1 test should not differ from that used as indicator in the test. Predilution of serum beyond 1:4 associated with false results. Reproducible method for removing natural agglutinins in serum by adsorption with erythrocytes was described.     

双腔气制动阀动静特性的微机测控系统

介绍了汽车制动阀性能的测试方法及其技术实施。该制动阀微机集散检测系统是工业环境下的机、电、液（气）一体化的机构组合，可满足在线生产的工艺检测要求，测量精度可达０．５％。