Does matrix resistance influence Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris L. 1758) distribution in an urban landscape?

In determining isolation effects in fragmented populations, the landscape matrix is not often considered. Usually simple distance measures are used to quantify degree of isolation. We tested the effect of the matrix on the presence of red squirrels in 354 wooded patches in the Brussels Region, by comparing several isolation measures. These were 1) distance to the nearest source patch, 2) the Hanski-measure (a combination of distance to and size of all possible sources), 3) effective distances calculated from different least cost models using the ArcView grid extension ‘Cost Distance’ (a combination of distance and resistance of the landscape, with different resistances for different landscape types) and 4) some combinations of the Hanski-measure and the effective distances. Size and quality of the target patches were always included in the tests of the predictive power of different isolation measures on squirrel presence/absence. All variables examined (patch size, quality and isolation) significantly influenced squirrel presence. Models using the effective distances gave the best results. Models including the Hanski-measure improved significantly when Euclidean distance was replaced by effective distance, showing that parameterisation of matrix resistance added significant additional explanatory power when modelling squirrel presence. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A leakiness index for assessing landscape function using remote sensing

The cover, number, size, shape, spatial arrangement and orientation of vegetation patches are attributes that have been used to indicate how well landscapes function to retain, not ‘leak’, vital system resources such as rainwater and soil. We derived and tested a directional leakiness index (DLI) for this resource retention function. We used simulated landscape maps where resource flows over map surfaces were directional and where landscape patch attributes were known. Although DLI was most strongly related to patch cover, it also logically related to patch number, size, shape, arrangement and orientation. If the direction of resource flow is multi-directional, a variant of DLI, the multi-directional leakiness index (MDLI) can be used. The utility of DLI and MDLI was demonstrated by applying these indices to three Australian savanna landscapes differing in their remotely sensed vegetation patch attributes. These leakiness indices clearly positioned these three landscapes along a function-dysfunction continuum, where dysfunctional landscapes are leaky (poorly retain resources). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Ecotonal changes and altered tree spatial patterns in lower mixed-conifer forests, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, U.S.A.

This research analyzes patch development and determines tree spatial patterns along the lower mixed-conifer ecotone on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona (U.S.A.). Patterns of patch development were interpreted from spatial analyses, based on tree age and size, and past records of disturbance and climate. Five plots in the ecotone between mixed conifer forests and monospecific stands of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) were studied for patterns of patch development. The methods used include: (1) size-structure analyses, to compare species patch development; (2) dendrochronological dating of tree establishment; (3) tree ring master chronology, to determine periods of suppressed growth, compared to a Palmer Drought Severity Index; and (4) spatial analyses by species composition, size and age, with univariate and bivariate analyses of spatial association and spatial autocorrelation. We found an increased density of shade-tolerant and fire-intolerant species namely clusters of pole-sized white fir, and fewer large ponderosa pine. This revised version was published online in May 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Changes of potassium currents in rabbit ventricle with healed myocardial infarction

AIM: To elucidate the mechanism of arrhythmia in healed myocardial infarction (HMI), and to investigate the changes of action potential duration (APD),transient outward potassium current (I_to), delayed rectifier potassium current (I_K) and inward rectifier potassium current (I_K1) of left ventricular myocytes in noninfarcted zone of HMI. METHODS: 12 rabbits were randomly assigned in two groups: HMI group (thoracotomy and ligation of the circumflex coronary); sham-operated group (thoracotomy but no conorary ligation). 3 months after operation, whole cell patch clamp technique was used to record APD, I_to, I_K and I_K1 of ventricular myocytes in non-infarcted zone. RESULTS: Membrane capacitance was larger in HMI group than that in sham-operated group. Action potential duration was lengthened significantly in HMI group and early after depolarization (EAD) appeared in HMI group. The densities of I_to, I_K,tail and I_K1 were reduced significantly in HMI group (P<0.01), from (6.72±0.42) pA/pF, (1.54±0.13) pA/pF and (25.6±2.6) pA/pF in Sham-operated group to (4.03±0.33) pA/pF, (1.14±0.11) pA/pF and (17.6±2.3) pA/pF, respectively. CONCLUSION: The reduced densities of I_to, I_K,tail and I_K1 in ventricular myocytes of non-infarcted zone in HMI are responsible for the prolongation of APD and the presentation of EAD, which play important roles in the malignant arrhythmia of HMI.     

Roles of the Kv1.2, Kv1.5, Kv2.1 potassium channels in hypoxia pulmonary vasoconstriction

AIM: To determine the role of Kv1.2, Kv1.5, Kv2.1 in the hypoxia pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: normoxic group and hypoxic group. The single smooth muscle cell was obtained from pulmonary artery of Wistar rats with acute enzymatic digestion method. The conventional whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to record the resting membrane potential (Em) and the potassium currents of voltage-gated potassium channel (IKv) in rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMC). Intracellular application of Kv1.2/Kv1.5/Kv2.1 antibodies (1∶125) was conducted through the whole-cell patch clamp system. RESULTS: ① Em of PASMC was depolarized after 24 h hypoxia compared with that of control cells . IKv of PASMC was decreased after 24 h hypoxia, . ② The mixture of Kv1.2/Kv1.5/Kv2.1 antibodies depolarized Em and inhibited IKv in PASMC from normoxic rat, whereas the mixture of Kir2.1/Kir2.3/Kir4.1 antibodies had no effects on them. ③ The mixture of Kv1.2/Kv1.5/Kv2.1 antibodies and the mixture of Kir2.1/Kir2.3/Kir4.1 antibodies had no effects on IKv and Em from rats hypoxic for 24 h. CONCLUSION: Kv1.2, Kv1.5, Kv2.1 might be oxygen sensitive potassium channels which mediated HPV.     

油草混播种类对油菜生产和草地生产性能的影响

为筛选与门源油菜混播效益最高的牧草种类,解决油菜连作障碍问题,提高青藏高原高海拔区土地的生产能力,本研究采用油菜混播箭筈豌豆、青稞和燕麦的方式,分时段取样,探究了油菜混播不同牧草对在不同时段牧草自身生产能力的影响,并通过土地当量比判断各混播组合的优劣。研究表明油菜-燕麦混播处理在7月6日时表现干重最高,单位面积达174.48 g；在7月21日表现为鲜重和鲜干比最高,在8月15日时表现为株高显著高于单作油菜(p＜0.05),较单作油菜高97.02%；鲜重最高,达2817.00 g。在9月11日,油菜-青稞和油菜-燕麦混播处理的株高显著高于单作油菜(p＜0.05),分别较单作油菜高64.33%和99.68%,以油菜-青稞混播处理的干重最高,达589.00 g,较单作油菜处理高147.51%。油菜-箭筈豌豆混播和油菜-燕麦混播有产量优势,油菜-燕麦混播的土地当量比最高,为1.11,土地利用效果最好。     

基于ArcGIS的彭水县烟区土壤有效态微量元素丰缺评价

研究基于AreGIS技术，应用地统计学方法对彭水县烟区土壤微量元素丰缺状况进行了评价。结果表明：研究区域土壤微量元素中，有效铜、有效铁及有效锰的样本呈正态分布，其他微量元素为偏态分布，其变异系数在29．47％（有效钼）～51．76％（有效铁）之间变化；土壤有效铜、有效硼、有效铁和有效锰的样本数据最佳拟合模型为球状模型，有效钼和有效锌为指数模型；土壤微量元素的随机变异均小于结构性变异，有效铜、有效硼、有效钼及有效锌的空间自相关性相对较弱，有效铁及有效锰则具有较强的空间自相关性；有效铜、有效锰、有效硼含量偏低，有效钼、有效铁及有效锌含量丰富。     

种植方式对文冠果幼苗生长及土壤理化性质的影响

探讨不同种植方式对文冠果生长发育及土壤理化性质的影响,为科学栽培文冠果提供理论依据。以平作为对照,研究垄作种植对文冠果幼苗生长状况、土壤容重、土壤含水量、pH和土壤养分含量的影响。结果表明：（1）与平作相比,垄作显著降低0~20、20~40 cm土层土壤容重和含水量,显著增加土壤总孔隙度和通气孔隙度。（2）垄作增加2个土层土壤养分含量,且20~40 cm土层增幅明显,其中土壤有机质、碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾含量较平作分别提高了117.05%、53.06%、28.31%和23.40%。（3）垄作种植显著增加根长,促进分枝和侧枝生长,提高叶面积,其地上生物量、根干重和冠根比显著高于平作121.20%、46.15%和51.19%。可见,垄作能改善土壤结构,增强土壤供肥能力,更利于文冠果幼苗生长,是较好的种植方式。     

利用析因法测定产蛋鸡必需氨基酸需要量、模式及模型

本研究是3期饲养试验内容的概括和总结，目的是使所建立的估测产蛋鸡必需氨基酸（EAA）需要模型具有广泛的适应性和准确性。对394只罗曼蛋鸡的试验数据进行多元回归分析。根据食入的每个EAA（主要包括赖氨酸、蛋氨酸、色氨酸、苏氨酸、亮氨酸、异亮氨酸、苯丙氨酸、缬氨酸、组氨酸、精氨酸、胱氨酸、酪氨酸）与产蛋、维持和增量所需的相应EAA的回归关系，测定相应的回归系数，建立了估测每个EAA需要的数学模型，可估测产蛋鸡在任何生产条件下每个EAA的需要量及模式。另外．本试验还建立了指数曲线模型（R2为0．71），唐它来描述食入EAA与产蛋量间的关系比较恰当，不过，用来估测产蛋鸡EAA需要量时，其估测值与实测值的吻合度没有桥因法好（R2为0．80）。     

中国乡村社区参与旅游开发研究

为了更好的促进乡村旅游的可持续发展,促进农村剩余劳动力就业问题的解决,促进“三农问题”的解决,社区参与乡村旅游的问题亟待研究。笔者通过对中国社区参与乡村旅游的现状进行分析,和对国内外社区参与乡村旅游的成功模式进行总结的基础上,提出了中国在加强社区参与乡村旅游方面的几点建议。建议主要包括加强认识社区参与乡村旅游的必要性,并深刻挖掘其内涵,大力提倡社区参与,扩大专题交流,因地制宜,与时俱进,加强社区居民的培训,在把握可持续发展原则的基础上实现规范化、制度化和高效化。