清代油画家“丽生”及其作品的考证研究

清代油画肖像画家,除林呱、煜呱等少数几位已知中英文姓名或别号、且具有很高知名度的西洋画家外,知其中英文名的画家寥寥无几。因此,对清代这一领域的油画家及其作品的考证鉴定和艺术风格的研究断代,既是一个十分重要的课题,又是一个非同一般的难题。本文以银川当代美术馆收藏的油画《菲利普夫人像》背框上的题字为切入点,运用历史文献资料和摄影史、中西经济交流史等综合研究方法和系统理论,对清代油画家"丽生"与"Lai Sung"的关系进行分析考证,从而鉴定出"丽生"即"Lai Sung",以及其一系列的油画作品。在此基础上剖析并揭示"丽生"的艺术风格和创作特点,实现了中国油画史、中国美术史研究上的突破创新。

Computational analysis of genetic loci required for amphid structure and functions and their possibly corresponding microRNAs in C. elegans

Objective To examine the important roles of microRNAs （miRNAs） in regulating amphid structure and function, we performed a computational analysis for the genetic loci required for the sensory perception and their possibly corresponding miRNAs in C. elegans. Methods Total 55 genetic loci required for the amphid structure and function were selected. Sequence alignment was combined with E value evaluation to investigate and identify the possible corresponding miRNAs. Results Total 30 genes among the 55 genetic loci selected have their possible corresponding regulatory miRNA（s）, and identified genes participate in the regulation of almost all aspects of amphid structure and function. In addition, our data suggest that both the amphid structure and the amphid functions might be regulated by a series of network signaling pathways. Moreover, the distribution of miRNAs along the 3＇ untranslated region （UTR） of these 30 genes exhibits different patterns. Conclusion We present the possible miRNA-mediated signaling pathways involved in the regulation of chemosensation and thermosensation by controlling the corresponding sensory neuron and interneuron functions. Our work will be useful for better understanding of the miRNA-mediated control of the chemotaxis and thermotaxis in C. elegans.

The reproductive biology of a Central American cichlid Neetroplus nematopus in Lake Xiloá ,Nicaragua

This study was conducted to provide a five-year database on the breeding seasonality and breeding biology of a Central American cichlid fish Neetroplus nematopus, a biparental substratum-spawning cichlid that cares for its eggs, wrigglers, and fry for up to six weeks. A total of 503 breeding pairs were monitored for breeding success. Breeding pairs of N. nematopus are sexually dimorphic in size, with females averaging 39% of male body mass. Fry emerged from 85% of nesting cavities. After three weeks, only 30% of the broods were present in the nesting cavity; these broods had a 30% survival rate, giving a 9% overall survival rate. Nineteen percent of the successful parents with three-week-old broods adopted foreign fry. A consistent unimodal breeding peak in December was observed for five years. This breeding peak differed dramatically from the bimodal breeding season 20 years found in the 1970s. The effects of extensive grenade fishing practices during the 1980s might have played a substantial role in the observed change. Grenade fishing stopped in 1991, and the number ofN. nematopus pairs increased by 136% from 1990 to 1995. With increased density of breeding fish, the breeding season for this species also expanded. The balance between divergent selection due to competition for breeding sites and stabilizing selection due to predation pressure on offspring is likely to mold the breeding season for N. nematopus and other cichlids of Lake Xilofi. We suggest that brood adoption and synchrony of breeding is a strategy to reduce predation on the parent＇s own young [Current Zoology 56 （1）： 43-51 2010].

Teaching Philosophy Embedded in The Sound of Music

Maria is the heroine in the movie The Sound of Music. She leaves an Austrian convent to be a governess at Captain Georg von Trapp＇s home. With her kindness, honesty, and teaching wisdom, she wins the seven children＇s trust, respect, and love. This paper analyzes the teaching philosophy embedded in this film, such as how to identify students＇ strengths and weaknesses to develop their potentials, how to encourage students to meet new challenges, how to improve students＇ ability to resist frustration, how to understand students and build a harmonious relationship with them, and how to teach students with effective methods, etc., teachers can benefit a lot from this aesthetically significant film from the perspective of pedagogy and psychology.

Probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditionally fermented Xinjiang cheese

Six lactic acid bacterial （LAB） strains were isolated from traditionally fermented Xinjiang cheese and evaluated for functional and probiotic properties and potentials as starter cultures. The isolated six LAB strains com- prised Lactobacillus rhamnosus （one strain）, Lactobacillus helveticus （one strain）, and Enterococcus hirae （four strains）. All of the six strains were tolerant to acidic and bile salt conditions. Among which, the L. rhamnosus R4 strain showed more desirable antimicrobial, auto-aggregation, and hydrophobic activity. In addition, the strain L. rhamnosus R4 exhibited the highest level of free radical scavenging activity （53.78% of 1,1-dipheny1-2-picrylhydrazyl （DPPH） free radicals and 45.79% of hydroxyl radicals）. L. rhamnosus R4 also demonstrated cholesterol and triglyceride degrada- tion by 50.97% and 28.92%, respectively. To further examine the health-promoting effects of these LAB strains on host lifespan, Caenorhabditis elegans was used as an in vivo model. Worms fed LAB as a food source had significant differences in lifespan compared to those fed Escherichia coil OP50 （as a negative control）. Feeding of L. rhamnosus R4 extended the mean lifespan of C. elegans by up to 36.1% compared to that of the control. The results suggest that the strains isolated from Xinjiang fermented dairy products have high potential as starter cultures in the cheese industry.

The Philosophical Wisdom and Action Implications of “Beautiful China”

On planet earth, the only place so far known that is suited to human life, human beings are the life form with the greatest vitality and ability. Our attitudes and concepts in relation to the world should not stop at understanding and changing it; rather, they should be sublated into a new worldview through which we can scientifically understand and rationally improve the world. Only on the basis of this new worldview can we find a new focus and a new set of values, a new way of living and acting. ＂Beautiful China,＂ as a literary metaphor for the goal of constructing ecological civilization, vividly and fully expresses a completely new vision for socialist modernization with Chinese characteristics. The building of ecological civilization is a social scheme that needs to be based on clear, comprehensive, long-term and scientific ecological values, guided by ideas and regulated by institutions. It calls for the conscious action of all members of society.

Twists and turns—How we stepped into and had fun in the “boring” lipid field

Compared to proteins and RNAs, functional specificities associated with structural variations in fatty acids and lipids have been greatly underexplored. This review describes how our lab naively started to work on lipids 14 years ago, and how we have gradually overcome obstacles to address some interesting biological questions by combining genetics with biochemical methods on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Our studies have revealed lipid variants and their metabolic pathways, in specific tissues, impact development and behaviors by regulating specific signaling events. The review also discusses the general research approach, style of lab management, and funding mechanisms that have facilitated the frequent research direction changes in the lab, including the journey into the lipid field.