Population-level genotyping of coat colour polymorphism in woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius)

Patterns in the spatial or temporal distribution of genotypes may be indicative of natural selection. Previous work on the woolly mammoth melanocortin-1 receptor (Mc1r) gene identified three polymorphic positions that suggest Pleistocene populations may have harboured both light- and dark-haired mammoths (Rompler et al., 2006, 313: 62). Here, we extend this work and present the first population-level analysis of a functional gene in an extinct species. We genotyped the Mc1r gene in 47 woolly mammoth samples excavated from sites across the central portion of the woolly mammoths’ former range to examine the extent of variation of this polymorphism through time and across space. Only one individual was found to be heterozygous, indicating that the frequency of the ‘light’ mutant allele was very low. We conclude that light-coloured woolly mammoths would have been very rare, and may even have been non-existent if the ‘light’ mutant allele was strongly selected against in its homozygotic form. With the increasing availability of large-scale sequencing technologies, population-level datasets capable of identifying local adaptation will become increasingly attainable.     

Numerical treatment of the kinematic dynamo model

Summary Since the initial equations are complicated, the treatment of the kinematic dynamo model requires the use of numerical methods. In applying them to the given problem difficulties are encountered, which are not easy to overcome. This paper deals with the analysis of the experience acquired in treating the model of a nearly symmetric dynamo. Three different methods were employed (stationary, oscillatory and general non-stationary), because a combination of several solutions will yield more comprehensive information about the model being studied. Although the results are based on the study of a single particular model, similar problems also occur in other excercises and, therefore, the conclusions have a more general validity.     

Integrated satellite observations of the 2001 eruption of Mt. Cleveland, Alaska

Satellite data were the primary source of information for the eruption of Mt. Cleveland, Alaska on 19 February, and 11 and 19 March 2001. Multiple data sets were used pre-, syn- and post-eruption to mitigate the hazard and determine an eruption chronology. The 19 February eruption was the largest of the three, resulting in a volcanic cloud that formed an arc over 1000 km long, moved to the NE across Alaska and was tracked using satellite data over more than a 50-h period. The volcanic cloud was “concurrently” detected on the GOES, AVHRR and MODIS data at various times and their respective signals compared. All three sensors detected a cloud that had a very similar shape and position but there were differences in their areal extent and internal structural detail. GOES data showed the largest volcanic cloud in terms of area, probably due to its oblique geometry. MODIS bands 31 and 32, which are comparable to GOES and AVHRR thermal infrared wavelengths, were the least effective single channels at detecting the volcanic cloud of those investigated (MODIS bands 28, 29, 31 and 32). MODIS bands 28 and 29 detected the largest volcanic clouds that could easily be distinguished from weather clouds. Of the split-window data, MODIS bands 29 minus band 32 detected the largest cloud, but the band 31 minus band 32 data showed the volcanic cloud with the most internal structural detail. The Puff tracking model accurately tracked the movement, and predicted the extent and shape of this complex cloud even into areas beyond satellite detection. Numerous thermal anomalies were also observed during the eruption on the twice-daily AVHRR data and the high spatial-resolution Landsat data. The high-resolution Radarsat data showed that the AVHRR thermal anomalies were due to lava and debris flow features and a newly formed fan along the west coast of the island. Field observations and images from a hand-held Forward Looking Infrared Radiometer (FLIR) showed that the flow features were ′a′a lava, debris flows and a warm debris fan along the west coast. Real-time satellite data were the primary tool used to monitor the eruption, track changes and to mitigate hazards. High-resolution data, even though coverage is infrequent, were critical in helping to identify volcanic processes and to compile an eruption chronology.     

Late Glacial and Holocene Palaeoenvironmental Changes in the Rostov-Yaroslavl’ Area, West Central Russia

Three lake sediment sequences (lakes Nero, Chashnitsy, Zaozer’e) from the Rostov-Jaroslavl’ region north of Moscow were studied to provide information on palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental changes during the past 15,000 cal yr. The multi-proxy study (i.e., pollen, macrofossils, mineral magnetic measurements, total carbon, nitrogen and sulphur) is chronologically constrained by AMS ¹⁴C measurements. Lake Nero provided the longest sedimentary record back to ca. 15,000 cal yr BP, while sediment accumulation began around ca. 11,000 cal yr BP in the two other lakes, possibly due to melting of permafrost. Limnic plant macrofossil remains suggest increased lake productivity and higher mean summer temperatures after 14,500 cal yr BP. While the late glacial vegetation was dominated by Betula and Salix shrubs and various herbs, it appears that Betula sect. Albae became established as early as 14,000 cal yr BP. Major hydrological changes in the region led to distinctly lower lake levels, starting 13,000 cal yr BP in Lake Nero and ca. 9000 cal yr BP in lakes Chashnitsy and Zaozer’e, which are situated at higher elevations. These changes resulted in sedimentary hiatuses in all three lakes that lasted 3500–4500 cal yr. Mixed broad-leaved – coniferous forests were widespread in the area between 8200 and 6100 cal yr BP and developed into dense, species-rich forests between 6100 and 2500 cal yr BP, during what was likely the warmest interval of the studied sequences. Agricultural activity is documented since 500 cal yr BP, but probably began earlier, since Rostov was a major capital by 862 A.D. This apparent gap may be caused by additional sedimentary hiatuses around 2500 and 500 cal yr BP.     

Contamination of some reservoirs and lakes in Republic of Bulgaria by microcystins

This paper presents the results from analyses of water samples from 15 Bulgarian reservoirs and lakes for detection of microcystins presence by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to a ultraviolet (UV) and photo diode array (PDA) detector. In 3 of the studied drinking water reservoirs cyanobacterial blooms were not detected. Cyanobacterial blooms were observed in 6 of 12 investigated water bodies used for fishing and water sports. Microcystis was the dominant cyanobacterial genus. The concentration of total microcystins in the biomasses ranged from 8 to 1070 μg g^–1 (d.w.). Microcystin‐LR and microcystin‐RR were the predominant microcystins, followed by microcystin‐YR. Presence of dissolved microcystins was obtained in one water sample with concentration of total microcystins 1.64 μg L^–1. Presence of microcystin‐LF and ‐LW or unknown peaks possessing characteristic microcystin‐like UV‐spectra were not detected. Those first results for occurrence of microcystins in some Bulgarian reservoirs and lakes are a contribution to the knowledge on their distribution.     

2005年国家自然科学基金批准项目一览表(地球科学部分)

~~2005年国家自然科学基金批准项目一览表(地球科学部分)~~     

The 1 October 2001 Eruptive Prominence: Observed and Modeled Structures

Using TRACE 171 Å image observations and H spectra and images observed at the Ondejov Observatory, the October 1, 2001, eruptive prominence is studied. The evolution of this prominence is described and velocities of specific parts of the prominence are determined. It was found that, after the rising phase of the cold loop-like prominence, its upper part expanded and below this expanding part, around one of its legs a `ring' structure, visible in the TRACE images, was formed. Then, at the same place, a tearing of the prominence leg was recognized. Simultaneous spectral observations of this structure reveal a very broad H line, which indicates strong turbulent motion at these positions. These processes were accompanied by an expanding H envelope. Due to the similarity of the observed `ring' and tearing structures with those modeled by Lau and Finn (1996), the prominence leg tearing is interpreted as a reconnection process between two parallel magnetic ropes having parallel electric currents, but anti-parallel axial magnetic fields.     

Circularization of Binary Orbits

In a previous paper Mayer and Hanna (1991) discussed the process of binary orbit circularization for detached eclipsing binaries. An agreement of observational data with Tassoul's circularization time formula for binaries with masses greater than 2.5 M was found. In the present paper we also examine orbital circularization in evolved spectroscopic binaries.