旅客列车德国小蠊Blattella germanica （L．）的防治现状与对策

旅客列车德国小蠊Ｂｌａｔｔｅｌｌａｇｅｒｍａｎｉｃａ（Ｌ．）的防治现状与对策邹钦德国小蠊Ｂｌａｔｔｅｌｌａｇｅｒｍａｎｉｃａ（Ｌ．）是当前我国旅客列车上的一种重要卫生害虫．根据全路防疫部门监测结果，近年来其种群密度不断上升，为害也逐渐加大，不仅影响旅...

Acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase modulates lipogenesis and sugar homeostasis in Blattella germanica

Lipid and sugar homeostasis is critical for insect development and survival.In this study,we characterized an acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase gene in Blattella germanica(BgACC)that is involved in both lipogenesis and sugar homeostasis.We found that BgACC was dominantly expressed in the fat body and integument,and was significantly upregulated after molting.Knockdown of BgACC in 5th-instar nymphs did not affect their normal molting to the next nymphal stage,but it caused a lethal phenotype during adult emergence.BgACC-RNA interference(RNAi)significantly downregulated total free fatty acid(FFA)and triacylglycerol(TAG)levels,and also caused a significant decrease of cuticular hydrocarbons(CHCs).Repression of BgACC in adult females affected the development of oocytes and resulted in sterile females,but BgACC-RNAi did not affect the reproductive ability of males.Interestingly,knockdown of BgACC also changed the expression of insulin-like peptide genes(BglLPs),which mimicked a physiological state of high sugar uptake.In addition,BgACC was upregulated when B.germanica were fed on a high sucrose diet,and repression of BgACC upregulated the expression of the glycogen synthase gene(BgGlyS).Moreover,BgACC-RNAi increased the circulating sugar levels and glycogen storage,and a longevity assay suggested that BgACC was important for the survival of B.germanica under conditions of high sucrose uptake.Our results confirm that BgACC is involved in multiple lipid biogenesis and sugar homeostasis processes,which further modulates insect reproduction and sugar tolerance.This study benefits our understanding of the crosstalk between lipid and sugar metabolism.

Ambroxol,the cough expectorant with neuroprotective effects

Ambroxol hydrochloride(2-amino-3,5-dibromo-N-methylbenzylamine hydrochloride)has been used as a mucolytic agent in the treatment of respiratory diseases since the late 1970s.Its effects on mucus membranes such as mucus disruption,increased mucus production,and low toxicity profile were addressed in its original German patent in 1966.These first described properties have kept Ambroxol available worldwide and over the counter in the pharmaceutical market to this day.

German Überzeugt in China

In this exclusive interview,Michael Schumann,chairman of the Board of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade,discusses Sino-German trade relations and the“out-of-proportion”debate on Xinjiang.

Triassic (Anisian and Rhaetian) palaeomagnetic poles from the Germanic Basin (Winterswijk, the Netherlands)

In this paper,we provide two new Triassic palaeomagnetic poles from Winterswijk,the Netherlands,in the stable interior of the Eurasian plate.They were respectively collected from the Anisian(~247–242 Ma)red marly limestones of the sedimentary transition of the Buntsandstein Formation to the dark grey limestones of the basal Muschelkalk Formation,and from the Rhaetian(~208–201 Ma)shallow marine claystones that unconformably overlie the Muschelkalk Formation.The magnetization is carried by hematite or magnetite in the Anisian limestones,and iron sulfides and magnetite in the Rhaetian sedimentary rocks,revealing for both a large normal polarity overprint with a recent(geocentric axial dipole field)direction at the present latitude of the locality.Alternating field and thermal demagnetization occasionally reveal a stable magnetization decaying towards the origin,interpreted as the Characteristic Remanent Magnetization.Where we find a pervasive(normal polarity)overprint,we can often still determine well-defined great-circle solutions.Our interpreted palaeomagnetic poles include the great-circle solutions.The Anisian magnetic pole has declination D±ΔDx=210.8±3.0°,inclination I±ΔIx=-26.7±4.9°,with a latitude,longitude of 45.0°,142.0°respectively,K=43.9,A95=2.9°,N=56.The Rhaetian magnetic pole has declination D±ΔDx=32.0±8.7°,inclination I±ΔIx=50.9±8.1°,with a latitude,longitude of 60.6°,123.9°respectively,K=19.3,A95=7.4°,N=21.The poles plot close to the predicted location of global apparent polar wander paths(GAPWa Ps)in Eurasian coordinates and are feasible for future apparent polar wander path construction.They confirm that the intracontinental,shallow-marine Germanic Basin,in which the Muschelkalk Formation was deposited,existed at a palaeolatitude of 14.1°[11.3,17.1]N,in a palaeo-environment reminding of the Persian Gulf today.In Rhaetian times,palaeolatitudes of 31.6°[24.8,39.8]N were reached,on its way to the modern latitude of 52°N.

Two putative fatty acid synthetic genes of BgFas3 and BgElo1 are responsible for respiratory waterproofing in Blattella germanica

Water retention is critical for physiological homeostasis and survival in terrestrial insects. While deposition of hydrocarbons on insect cuticles as a key measure for water conservation has been extensively investigated, we know little about other mechanisms for preventing water loss in insects. Here, we report two fatty acid synthetic genes that are independent of hydrocarbon production but crucial for water retention in the German cockroach Blattella germanica (L.). First, an integument enriched fatty acid elongase gene (BgElo1) was identified as a critical gene for desiccation resistance in B. germanica;however, knockdown of BgElo1 surprisingly failed to cause a decline in cuticular lipids. In addition, RNA interference (RNAi)-knockdown of an upstream fatty acid synthase gene (BgFas3) showed a similar phenotype, and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that BgFas3- or BgElo1-RNAi did not affect cuticle architecture. Bodyweight loss test showed that repression of BgFas3 and BgElo1 significantly increased the weight loss rate, but the difference disappeared when the respiration was closed by freeze killing the cockroaches. A water immersion test was performed, and we found that BgFas3- and BgElo1-RNAi made it difficult for cockroaches to recover from drowning, which was supported by the upregulation of hypoxia-related genes after a 10-h recovery from drowning. Moreover, a dyeing assay with water-soluble Eosin Y showed that this was caused by the entry of water into the respiratory system. Our research suggests that BgFas3 and BgElo1 are required for both inward and outward waterproofing of the respiratory system. This study benefits the understanding of water retention mechanisms in insects.

Dispersal behavior of yellowjacket （Vespula germanica） queens

Understanding the factors that affect animal dispersal behavior is important from both fi.mdamental and applied perspectives. Dispersal can have clear evolutionary and ecological consequences, but for normative insect pests, dispersal capacity can also help to explain invasion success. Vespula germanica is a social wasp that, in the last century, has successfully invaded several regions of the world, showing one of the highest spread rates reported for a nonnative insect. In contrast with nonsocial wasps, in social species, queens are responsible for population redistribution and spread, as workers are sterile. For V. germanica, it has been observed that queen flight is limited to 2 distinct periods： early autumn, when new queens leave the nest to mate and find sheltered places in which to hibernate, and spring when new colonies are founded. Our aim was to study the flight behavior of V. germanica queens by focusing on the different periods in which dispersal occurs, characterizing as well the potential contribution of queen flight （i.e., distance） to the observed geographical spread. Our results suggest that the distances flown by nonover- wintered queens is greater than that flown by overwintered individuals, suggesting that the main queen dispersal events would occur before queens enter hibernation. This could relate to a behavioral trait of the queens to avoid the inbreeding with related drones. Additionally, given the short distances flown and remarkable geographical spread observed, we provide evidence showing that queen dispersal by flight is likely to contribute proportionately less to population spread than human-aided factors.

Melanin synthesis genes BgTH and BgDdc affect body color and cuticle permeability in Blattella germanica

Melanin is involved in cuticle pigmentation and sclerotization of insects,which is critical for maintaining structural integrity and functional completeness of insect cuti-cle.The 2 key enzymes of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)and dopa decarboxylase(DDC)predicted in melanin biosynthesis are usually conserved in insects.However,it is unclear whether their function is related to epidermal permeability.In this study,we identified and cloned the gene sequences of BgTH and BgDdc from Blattella germanica,and revealed that they both showed a high expression at the molting,and BgTH was abundant in the head and integument while BgDdc was expressed highest in the fat body.Using RNA in-terference(RNAi),we found that knockdown of BgTH caused molting obstacles in some cockroaches,with the survivors showing pale color and softer integuments,while knock-down of BgDdc was viable and generated an abnormal light brown body color.Desiccation assay showed that the dsBgTH-injected adults died earlier than control groups under a dry atmosphere,but dsBgDdc-injected cockroaches did not.In contrast,when dsRNA-treated cockroaches were reared under a high humidity condition,almost no cockroaches died in all treatments.Furthermore,with eosin Y staining assay,we found that BgTH-RNAi resulted in a higher cuticular permeability,and BgDdc-RNAi also caused slight dye pen-etration.These results demonstrate that BgTH and BgDdc function in body pigmentation and affect the waterproofing ability of the cuticle,and the reduction of cuticular perme-ability may be achieved through cuticle melanization.

Flexible foraging decisions made by workers of the social wasp Vespula germanica (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in response to different resources: influence of ontogenetic shifts and colony feedback

Decisions made by foraging animals conform a complex process based on the integration of information from multiple external environmental stimuli and internal physiological signals,which in turn are modulated by individual experience and a detection threshold of each individual.For social insects in which foraging is limited to given age subcastes,individual foraging decisions may also be affected by ontogenetic shifts and colony requirements.We studied the short-term changes in foraging preferences of the generalist wasp Vespula germanica,focusing on whether the individual response to different resources could be influenced by the ontogenetic shifts and/or by social interaction with nestmates.We carried both laboratory and field experiments to confront worker wasps to a short-term resource switch between either protein or carbohydrate-based foods.We tested the response of(1)Preforager workers(no foraging experience nor interaction with other wasps),(2)Forager workers(experience in foraging and no colony feedback),and(3)Wild forager workers(foraging naturally and exposed to free interactions with nestmates).We evaluated the maxilla-labium extension response(MaLER)for laboratory assays or the landing response for field assays.We observed that for wasps deprived of colony feedback(either preforagers or foragers),the protein-rich foods acceptance threshold increased(and thus a lower level of foraging on that item was observed)if they had foraged on carbohydrates previously,whereas carbohydrates were accepted in all assays.However,wasps immersed in a natural foraging context did accept protein foods regardless of their first foraging experience and reduced the carbohydrates collected when trained on protein foods.We provide evidence that short-term changes in foraging preferences depend on the type of resource foraged and on the social interactions,but not on ontogenetic shifts.

Artificial intelligence in ophthalmology

Immediate Past President of International Council of Ophthalmology(ICO);Academician and former Secretary General of Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis(AOI);Former Chairman of the Scientific Program of the World Congress of Ophthalmology(WOC);Member of the German Academy of Sciences,former President of German Society of Ophthalmology(DOG);Former Executive Vice President of University of Leipzig and Director of the Eye Hospital;Member of the Club Jules Gonin Executive Committee(2000-2006)。

Silent Earth:Averting the Insect Apocalypse by Dave Goulson

There is well-documented evidence for an ongoing decline in flying insect biomass.The author briefly summarizes the 26-years of Malaise trap data(Hallmann et al.2017) from German nature reserves.An additional 10-year sweep-net study published by Seibold et al.(2019) found an even greater decline in insects on German forests and grasslands.Additional studies are cited that involve a variety of sampling methods and target butterflies,moths,aphids and other insects.Some studies go back to 1968.The results show declines of 28 to 46 percent.

German Landscape Development and Characteristics Analysis and Study:A Case Study of 20^(th)Century German Garden Landscape Design

Germany has a significant influence on the globe,both economically and culturally,being the center of Europe.Although severely damaged by the Second World War,German landscape architecture gradual y recovered through garden exhibitions,landscape associations,and other means during a period of reflection and repair.Because of their artistry and utility,German gardens from the middle and end of the 20^(th)century had a favorable influence on landscape architecture around the globe.The shift in focus from“post-war restoration”to“enhancing the urban appearance”to“ecological restoration”not only reflects a shift in the design philosophy of the German people but also directly reflects the value orientation of design across all of Europe and even the West.

Wisdom and Geology, the North German Basin, and the Significance of Thrown Dices

For thousands of years, mankind is observing the surrounding nature. Often, they found no obvious clues for inexplicable and complex facts, leading to the belief that their wisdom was limited. This is in the majority of cases still true today, but based on hundreds of years of (geo-) scientific work some older thoughts can now be readjusted by combining newer geological, environmental, historical and philosophical clues. Facts about the development of the North German Basin are used to demonstrate the variability of geological systems and how these can be described by taking dice as a metaphor for ruling geological parameters. This includes all kinds of plate tectonically controlled basin forming processes, especially metamorphism of the lower crust due to a fixed mantle plume, basin filling processes with their galactic and lunar overprints, basin modifying tectonics due to internal (halokinesis, inversion) or external forces (one-sided loads at the surface due to mighty Delta sediments or glacial ice sheets) and geochemical reactions as a result of pressure and temperature changes in course of subsidence. Especially, the Rotliegend (Lower Permian) Gas Play is one of the possible illustrations of the entity of the North German Basin with its more than 70 - 90 independent parameters belonging to a global set of very complex hydrocarbon systems. Processes on Earth like the formation of systems of hydrocarbon fields as well as environmental systems (e.g. river systems, lakes, islands, sedimentary basins) are subordinated to the dices of nature and are steered invisibly by a selection of rules of the game that one understands as natural laws. The facts and remaining uncertainties as well as problems with subsurface-related processes (e.g. manmade tectonics, subsidence and uplift) guide the thoughts of engaged individuals on how to proceed wisely with limited predictability of challenges and dangers of a subsurface system. This work will be a trial to associate once more the natural sciences (geology) and the humanities (philosophy) for the benefit of both.

Exploring Cultural Beauty of China’s Ethnic Groups

The goal of German young man Robert Adolf is to shoot short videos showing the culture of all 56 ethnic groups in China.NOT many know that the huge population of China is made up of 56 ethnic groups.All of these groups have their own customs,architecture,clothing,and festivals,which are so attractive to foreigners like Robert Adolf,a post-90s German young man who came to China after his graduation in 2017.

德国国家标准机构和德国电工委员会发布第2版《德国人工智能标准化路线图》

The German Institute for Standardization(DIN)and the German Commission for Electrical,Electronic&Information Technologies(DKE)of DIN and VDE now published the English versions of the German Standardization Roadmap on AI(2nd edition).

News-Clips(2022. 12-2023. 01)

December 2022Chinese, German experts discuss human rights protection in emergency response A China-Germany forum on human rights development was held on Dec. 1 via video, at which experts from the two countries discussed the balance of public interests and individual rights and interests in emergency response.

Vocational Education from a Cross-national Perspective:Comparative Analysis of China,Germany,and the United States,with a Case Study of Zhaixing

This study delves into the current state and challenges of vocational education through a comparative study of cross-national vocational education and an analysis of the Zhaixing Academy case.The research reveals that vocational education reform can draw on the experiences of the German dual system,American community colleges,and Chinese vocational education reforms,with a focus on informal education pathways,practice-oriented teaching,and flexible training methods.The Zhaixing Academy case demonstrates the application of practice-oriented teaching approaches in the field of vocational education,emphasizing individual student development needs and the advantages of education outside formal institutions,offering new insights and references for the current Chinese education system.The study proposes that governments and education departments should increase investment in vocational education,encourage collaboration between enterprises and vocational education institutions,and support innovative practice-oriented education.In the future,Zhaixing Academy can continue to focus on education reform,expand the realm of practice-oriented education,promote its educational philosophy and methods,and contribute to the diversification and sustainable development of education.

A Study on Cross-Cultural Communication and the Cultivation of Cross-Cultural Competence in German Language Teaching in Universities

In the concept of German,cross-cultural competence is regarded as an important skill,which can help learners to better understand the differences between two cultures and establish mutual cognition.This competence can effectively reduce unnecessary misunderstandings and improve communication efficiency.In college German classes,teachers should realize that cross-cultural communication skills are crucial to the development of students’communicative competence.Therefore,they should strive to improve their teaching methods and make the courses more interesting to help students to communicate better.

Habitat influences on diversity of bacteria found on German cockroach in Beijing

Cockroaches are worldwide indoor pests carrying microorganisms of medical importance. German cockroaches （Blattella germanica） were sampled in five habitats （hospital, restaurant, office home, and market） in Beijing, and the bacteria were isolated from their external surface and alimentary tract and identified using a Biolog identification system. Cockroach densities significantly differed among habitats （market 〉 home 〉 office 〉 restaurant 〉 hospital）. However, no significant differences in bacterial abundance carried by individual German cockroaches （of either sex） were found among habitats. The bacterial abundance in the gut was significantly higher than that on the surface. There were no significant differences in bacterial species richness observed among habitats, sex, carrying position or their interaction. Cluster analysis showed that cockroach densities and bacterial abundance found in the market differed significantly from the other four habitats. The bacterial diversity was not significantly reduced in sensitive facilities such as hospital and restaurant, even though pesticide and bactericide were more frequently applied there. The implications of these findings were discussed in this article.

德国成人教育研究院的研究主题与机构评估

一、机构概况 成立于1957年的德国成人教育研究院暨莱布尼茨终身学习研究中心（German Institute for Adult Education-Leibniz Centre for Lifelong Learning,DIE）,是一家专门从事继续教育理论和实践研究的机构（见图1）。该机构为应用性研究提供数据和信息,为实践部门提供服务,开发富有创新性的方案。