Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of Phlomoides(Lamiaceae subfamily Lamioideae)in China:Insights from molecular and morphological data

Phlomoides,with 150-170 species,is the second largest and perhaps most taxonomically challenging genus within the subfamily Lamioideae(Lamiaceae).With about 60 species,China is one of three major biodiversity centers of Phlomoides.Although some Phlomoides species from China have been included in previous molecular phylogenetic studies,a robust and broad phylogeny of this lineage has yet to be completed.Moreover,given the myriad new additions to the genus,the existing infrageneric classification needs to be evaluated and revised.Here,we combine molecular and morphological data to investigate relationships within Phlomoides,with a focus on Chinese species.We observed that plastid DNA sequences can resolve relationships within Phlomoides better than nuclear ribosomal internal and external transcribed spacer regions(nrITS and nrETS).Molecular phylogenetic analyses confirm the monophyly of Phlomoides,but most previously defined infrageneric groups are not monophyletic.In addition,morphological analysis demonstrates the significant taxonomic value of eight characters to the genus.Based on our molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological data,we establish a novel section Notochaete within Phlomoides,and propose three new combinations as well as three new synonyms.This study presents the first molecular phylogenetic analyses of Phlomoides in which taxa representative of the entire genus are included,and highlights the phylogenetic and taxonomic value of several morphological characters from species of Phlomoides from China.Our study suggests that a taxonomic revision and reclassification for the entire genus is necessary in the future.

A Comparative Study of Force Measurements in Solution Using Micron and Nano Size Probe

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a device that is used for not only high-resolution imaging but also used for measuring forces. It is possible to quantify the surface density change for both colloid and nano probe as well as silica surface. By changing the quantity of ions within a potassium chloride solution, it then becomes possible to evaluate the quantity of ions that attach themselves to AFM colloid probe, nano probe and silica samples. In this study, the force was measured between AFM probes and silica surface in different ionic concentrations. Two different types of AFM probe were used: a colloid probe with a radius of 500 nano-meters and a nano probe with a radius of 10 nano-meters. This study is focused on measuring how the force magnitude, especially electrical double layer force, varied between the two types of probes by changing ionic concentrations. For all test trials, the results agreed with the electrical double layer theory. Although the micron probe was almost an exact match for all ranges, the nano probe was closest within its short-range forces. This is attributed to the formula use when analyzing the electrical double layer force. Because the formula was originally calculated for the micron probe, the shape and size of the nano probe created too many variables for an exact match. Along with quantifying the forces, this experiment allowed for an observation of Van der Waals force making it possible to calculate the Hamaker constant. Conclusively, all results show that the obtained surface charge density increases as the ionic concentration increases. In addition, through the comparison of the results obtained from the nano-sized probe and the micron-sized probe, it was concluded that nano size probe mapped higher surface charge density above the silica surface than the micron-sized probe under the same conditions.

Uncertainties in assessing the effect of climate change on agriculture using model simulation and uncertainty processing methods

Model simulation is an important way to study the effects of climate change on agriculture.Such assessment is subject to a range of uncertainties because of either incomplete knowledge or model technical uncertainties,impeding effective decision-making to climate change.On the basis of uncertainties in the impact assessment at different levels,this article systematically summarizes the sources and propagation of uncertainty in the assessment of the effect of climate change on agriculture in terms of the climate projection,the assessment process,and the crop models linking to climate models.Meanwhile,techniques and methods focusing on different levels and sources of uncertainty and uncertainty propagation are introduced,and shortcomings and insufficiencies in uncertainty processing are pointed out.Finally,in terms of how to accurately assess the effect of climate change on agriculture,improvements to further decrease potential uncertainty are suggested.

Determination of the burrow shapes of Cardisoma guanhumi on Vieques,Puerto Rico

Objective:To determine the burrow morphology of Cardisoma guanhumi and to determine if a battery-powered fiber optic camera could be used to investigate these burrows.Methods:A portable fiber optic camera was used to investigate 116 active burrows.All burrows were categorized according to shape.The diameter of each burrow was also recorded and biomass calculations were completed at each study site.Results:Analysis showed that different study sites were more likely to have particular burrow shapes than expected.Three main types of burrows were classified as horizontal slide,short and shallow,and inverted-S.A Pearson Chi-square analysis revealed that burrow shape was not equally distributed across study sites(χ^(2)=61.05,df=18,P<0.0001).Biomass calculations showed that different sized animals inhabited different study sites(ANOVA;df=7,MS=158.3,F=13.9,P<0.0001).The fiber optic camera was useful in determining burrow morphology and occupancy non-destructively.Conclusions:As the locations of juvenile individuals of this species are poorly known,and the species is both ecologically and economically important where it occurs,a greater understanding of burrow morphology and size segregation may help agencies be responsible for managing this natural resource to do so effectively.

网上课程的文字使用：加强你与学生的交流

大学教师们一直致力于不断丰富和扩展他们的网上课程。美中不足的是，很多教师没有考虑到他们为学生准备的文章、讲义和相关文字材料的可读性。诸如像文字过于繁密，缺少对多种字体和色彩的运用以及屏幕布局不合理等问题逐渐呈现出来。本文的目的在于运用相关的技术和策略给上述问题提供合理的解决方案。

Progress in monitoring high-temperature damage to rice through satellite and ground-based optical remote sensing

The occurrence of rice high-temperature damage (HTD) has increased with global warming. Cultivation of rice is seriously affected by the HTD in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, which directly affects food security in this region and in the whole of China. It is important to monitor and assess crop HTD using satellite remote sensing information. This paper reviews the recent development of monitoring rice HTD using optical remote sensing information. It includes the use of optical remote sensing information to obtain the regional spatial distribution of high temperatures, mixed-surface temperature retrieval for rice fields based on mixed decomposition information, the development of field and thermal infrared testing and modeling, and the satellite/ground-based remote sensing coupled method for monitoring rice HTD. Finally, the prospects for monitoring crop HTD based on remote sensing information are summarized.

Seasonal abundance of Pyrodinium bahamense(order Peridiniales,family Gonyaulacaceae)in Mosquito Bay,Vieques,Puerto Rico

Objective:To determine the presence of consistent spatial or temporal patterns to the abundance of Pyrodinium bahamense(P.bahamense)in Mosquito Bay,Vieques,Puerto Rico.Methods:Measurements of dissolved oxygen,pH,salinity,water temperature,tide level,wind speed,and density counts of P.bahamense were taken at six sites in the bay over approximately one year.The data were analyzed statistically to determine if spatial or temporal patterns were present.Results:There were statistically significant patterns of P.bahamense seasonally,which was similar to other studies done in other subtropical locations with phytoplankton.Also,trends were seen that rain events caused short-term increases in abundance and shallow areas of the bay had lower abundance than that of deeper areas.The average number of organisms from 736 samples was 26.8 per mL.The average water temperature was 29.0℃,the average salinity was 36.8 ppt,the average pH was 8.11,and the average dissolved oxygen level was 4.27 mg/L.Conclusions:The abundance of P.bahamense varies seasonally over shorter time periods.The abundance also varies over a few meters in small coastal bays.This information indicates that economically important bioluminescent bays are vulnerable to changes in freshwater input,water temperature,water circulation patterns and possibly the nutrient inputs from the land surrounding such bays.

基于模型模拟气候变化对农业影响评估的不确定性及处理方法

模型模拟是研究气候波动对作物影响的重要手段,也是评估未来气候变化对农业可能影响的主要途径.由于科学认识和模拟技术上的不确定性,当前的气候变化对农业潜在影响评估结果一致性很差,为农业应对气候变化的决策制定带来了极大困难.基于不同层次的影响评估中不确定性,本文从气候预估、影响评估建模过程及气候模式与作物模型的连接3个方面,系统总结了气候变化对农业影响评估中不确定性的来源及传播过程;并介绍了针对多层次、多样化的不确定性源及不确定性传播的处理技术与方法,指出了当前不确定性处理中的缺陷与不足.最后对如何准确地实施气候变化对农业影响的评估,进一步减小气候变化对农业影响评估潜在的不确定性也提出了改进的建议.

中国作物低温冷害监测与模拟预报研究进展

低温冷害是影响中国粮食生产的重要灾害之一,气候变化使中国特别是东北地区的低温冷害时有发生,东北中部冷害每8年发生一次,开展作物低温冷害研究对于中国粮食安全具有重要意义。从冷害形成机理上可以分为延迟型冷害、障碍型冷害及混合型冷害3类,其冷害指标主要针对不同作物有所差别。基于站点的冷害监测小尺度,GIS等新技术提供的精确温度指标可进行区域监测。遥感技术通过监测下垫面温度(LST)和植被指数(如NDVI)可监测障碍型冷害。基于数理统计、气候模式和作物模型耦合、天气预报的发育期和产量预报的低温冷害预报方法已得到应用。作物模型可依据作物发育进程和产量损失等对冷害损失评估,同时与遥感信息等结合可进行区域灾害评估。最后讨论了中国低温冷害监测和预报新技术的发展方向。

星-地光学遥感信息监测水稻高温热害研究进展

随着全球气候持续变暖,水稻高温热害的发生频率已经显著加大,这已引起科学家的广泛重视.长江中下游地区水稻生长季受到高温热害的严重影响,直接影响到该区乃至全国的粮食安全,基于卫星遥感信息开展作物高温热害监测和评估具有重要意义.本文重点论述了近年来基于光学遥感信息对水稻高温热害的监测研究进展,包括采用光学卫星遥感信息对稻作区域气温的空间分布研究、基于混合象元分解信息的水稻田混合下垫面温度提取信息、发展野外高光谱和热红外观测试验和模型,以及构建卫星-地面遥感耦合的水稻高温热害监测模型等,最后探讨了基于遥感信息开展水稻高温热害监测的前景和进一步方向.

华北地区夏季旱涝的大气环流特征诊断

利用1960—2009年华北地区17个站点的月平均降水资料以及NCEP/NCAR再分析资料中的月平均位势高度场、风场等资料,研究近50 a中国华北地区夏季旱涝对应的大气环流的异常。华北地区夏季旱、涝年份对应的大气环流存在显著差异。其中,夏季华北旱年的环流特征表现为:中层乌拉尔山附近为低槽区,贝加尔湖地区则为高压脊区,朝鲜半岛附近为槽区,华北地区处于高压控制下且西太平洋副热带高压偏南;低层蒙古反气旋很强,中国东部地区出现了明显的偏北风距平,阻挡了南方暖湿水汽向华北的输送。在涝年,中层乌拉尔山附近以及朝鲜半岛附近为高压脊,贝加尔湖地区则为很深的槽区,华北地区位于贝加尔湖至蒙古的低压槽前,西太平洋副高偏北;低层蒙古附近多低压槽活动,在我国东部地区出现了南风距平,有利于南方暖湿水汽向华北输送。华北旱、涝年前期春季的大气环流形势与同期夏季很相似。