Mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequence diversity in the Korean hare, Lepus coreanus Thomas (Mammalia, Lagomorpha)

Partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of the Korean hare (Lepus coreanus) were analyzed to determine the degree of genetic diversity. Nine haPlotyes were observed, and the maximum Tamura-Nei nucleotide distance among them was 2.8%, indicating that genetic diversity of L. coreanus is moderate. In order to clarify the Korean hare's taxonomic status and relationship with the Manchurian hare (L. mandshuricus) and the Chinese hare (L. sinensis), these nine haplotypes of the Korean hare were compared with 13 haplotypes from five other species of eastern Asian Lepus including L. mandshwicus and L. sinensis. The Korean hare was distinct in its cytochrome b gene, and it is confirmed that L. coreanus is a valid species, as noted by Jones and Johnson (1965, Univ. Kansas Publ. (Mus. Nat. Hist.) 16:357). Further analyses of mtDNA cytochrome b gene with additional specimens of L. coreanus from North Korea and other species of Lepus from eastern Asia are needed to clarify the taxonomic status of the divergent mtDNA clades of L. mandshuricus and L. sinensis.

Synthesis of biodiesel from waste cooking oil using immobilized lipase in fixed bed reactor

Waste cooking oil (WCO) is the residue from the kitchen, restaurants, food factories and even human and animal waste which not only harm people's health but also causes environmental pollution. The production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil to partially substitute petroleum diesel is one of the measures for solving the twin problems of environment pollution and energy shortage. In this project, synthesis of biodiesel was catalyzed by immobilized Candida lipase in a three-step fixed bed reactor. The reaction solution was a mixture of WCO, water, methanol and solvent (hexane). The main product was biodiesel consisted of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), of which methyl oleate was the main component. Effects of lipase, solvent, water, and temperature and flow of the reaction mixture on the synthesis of biodiesel were analyzed. The results indicate that a 91.08% of FAME can be achieved in the end product under optimal conditions. Most of the chemical and physical characters of the biodiesel were superior to the standards for 0(#)diesel (GB/T 19147) and biodiesel (DIN V51606 and ASTM D-6751).

Coherent quantum control of atomic and molecular processes by using the technique of laser pulses

Several schemes for coherent quantum control of atomic and molecular processes have been proposed and investigated by using the techniques of adiabatic passage and ultrashort pulses, respectively. Some interesting results have been found.

Quadratic nonlinear technologies for femtosecond lasers

Quadratic optical nonlinearity chi((2)) can be exploited in femtosecond lasers and regarded as a significant new degree of freedom for the design of short-pulse sources. We will review our recent progress on developing nonlinear quadratic technologies for femtosecond lasers. Our nonlinear laser technology offers new properties for femtosecond lasers, including optical parametric amplifier with novel working regime, efficient second harmonic generation, and time telescope.

蒙古枥红松动态及生物多样性主题信息标准的研究

（一）蒙古栎红松林动态的研究 本文综述了森林动态模型的基本概念和发展历史，把模型分为生长和演替模型两类，并比较了两类模型的特点和适用条件，详细论述了演替模型的基本原理，分析了早期和最新林窗模型的特点，给出了林窗模型的最新进展，指出森林动态模型的发展趋势为：①、为满足不同用户对模型的要求，模型应向综合总体方向发展;②、随着生理生态学的发展、试验仪器及分析方法的进步，和为了进一步认识森林动态变化的机理，建立树木生长机制过程模型成为另一个必然的发展方向。 随后综合分析了广泛应用于林窗模型中作为描述树高和直径关系的数学函数，通过理论分析和实际观测数据拟合及预测精度检验，表明理查德方程和单分子方程是森林动态林窗模型中描述树高和直径关系的最佳方程。 通过对蒙古栎红松林三个年龄阶段物种和结构动态实际观测数据分析表明，该类型森林的早期阶段以蒙古栎等阳性树种占优势，中期形成红松和阔叶树占优势的混交林，后期以红松占绝对优势。对该类型森林直径分布变化的研究得出：林分发育的早期，阔叶树中大径级木较多，针叶树中小径级木多;在林分发育的后期呈相反分布。用理论概率模型拟合直径分布表明，韦布尔概率分布模型是描述蒙古栎红松林直径分布的最合适函数。 在以上研究结果的基础上，以森林动态斑块理论为基础建立了蒙古栎红松林动态变化的林窗模型FOROAK，该模型包括对树木生长的生物学过程和影响树木生长的环境因子模拟两部分。运行模型用两种不同面积大小的样地分析森林动态，确定蒙古栎红松林林窗面积为0.05ha。以实际调查数据检验模型，证明所得模型能合理预测森林变化过程，在预测树种组成上精度很高。对裸地上森林的模拟表明蒙古栎红松林动态过程复杂，蒙古栎和白桦在林分发育开始占优势后期渐被红松取代。对现实原始林预测显示，森林未来300年变化稳定，红松株数和生物量变化很小。 最后，应用建立的林窗模型研究了同龄纯林林分密度动态，模拟了林分密度、断面积、生物量、叶面积指数和生产力150年的变化，用林分密度效应的3/2法则和产量恒定法则检验模拟结果表明，模拟的林分密度发展与理论预测相符合，通过本文的研究既检验了林窗动态模型又印证了林分密度效应理论。 （二）生物多样性主题信息标准的研究 中国是世界上生物多样性最丰富的国家之一，在多年的调查、研究和保护工作中，已积累了大量的数据资料，因此，被联合国环境规划署挑选参加“发展中国家生物多样性数据管理能力建设及信息系统网络化”项目，该项目的主要内容之一就是了解与生物多样性有关领域的主题信息标准。 主题信息标准部分讨论了生物多样性信息的收集、管理和转换标准，系统而全面地概述了生物多样性有关领域应用的数据分类系统、核心数据集以及与数据获得有关的术语、定义和数据模型，并讨论了各部门在研究和促进生物多样性信息标准化方面的成果和正在开展的工作。涉及的领域有自然和人工生境中的陆地植被、农业、林业、湿地、海岸和海洋，还有保护区、物种和对生物多样性有威胁的因子等专题。 文中讲述了与陆地植被分类有关的土地利用方式和土地覆盖分类等问题，并给出了国际国内应用广泛的植被分类系统。讨论了农业中与生物多样性有直接关系的分类系统，包括土地分类系统、土壤分类系统等。从森林生态系统和土地利用、林权和林政、森林资源调查、评价和监测、森林利用和经营实践、森林环境和可持续发展等几方面讨论了这些主题的概念、术语和数量划分标准。 讨论了湿地分类系统的发展，列举了国内外应用广泛的分类系统。论述了海岸和海洋生境及保护区的分类系统和标准，给出了数据定义和模型。列举了国内外广泛应用的物种命名标准和其发展过程。分遗传多样性、物种多样性和生态系统多样性三个层次讨论了它们受威胁的特点和评价现状，最后分别不同的威胁因子，如：生境丧失和片断化、全球气候变化、酸雨、臭氧层破坏和有毒污染物讨论了它们对生物多样性的威胁特点和评价现状。

Mitochondrial DNA sequence polymorphisms of five ethnic populations from northern China

To study the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphisms in a total of 232 individuals from five ethnic populations (Daur, n=45; Ewenki, n=47; Korean, n=48; Mongolian, n=48; Oroqen, n=44) in northern China, we analyzed the control region sequences and typed for a number of characteristic mutations in coding regions (especially the region 14576-16047), by direct sequencing or restriction-fragment-length-polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. With the exception of 14 individuals belonging to the European-specific haplogroups R2, H, J, and T, the mtDNAs considered could be assigned into the East Asian-specific haplogroups described recently. The polymorphisms in cytochrome b sequence were found to be very informative for defining or supporting the haplogroups status of East Asian mtDNAs in addition to the reported regions 10171-10659 and 14055-14590 in our previous study. The haplogroup distribution frequencies varied in the five ethnic populations, but in general they all harbored a large amount of north-prevalent haplogroups, such as D, G, C, and Z, and thus were in agreement with their ethnohistory of northern origin. The two populations (Ewenki and Oroqen) with small population census also show concordant features in their matrilineal genetic structures, with lower genetic diversities observed.

Phylogeny of fireflies (Coleoptera : Lampyridae) inferred from mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA, with references to morphological and ethological traits

We sequenced partial mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) of 18 firefly species from Southwest of China. Combined with homologous sequences previously reported, phylogenetic trees including Japanese, Korean and Chinese species were reconstructed by

Population genetic structure of an endemic cyprinid fish, Ancherythroculter nigrocauda, in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and its implication for conservation

Ancherythroculter nigrocauda is a cyprinid fish endemic to the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, which has been reported to have 2 or 3 chambers to its air bladder. Morphological studies showed no differences between individuals with different types of air bladder, but did demonstrate geographical differences from different sources. After the completion of the Three Gorges Dam, it was expected that the population of this species would decrease, but artificial breeding and stocking is under consideration to protect this species from extinction. In the present study, mtDNA cytochrome b gene sequences were determined and analyzed for A. nigrocauda samples of different morphotypes and sources to identify their genetic differentiations, and thereby guide plans for the artificial propagation and conservation of this species. Haplotype diversity index values (h) and nucleotide diversity values (pi) for all the populations were found to be high indicating their high level genetic diversity. An analysis of molecular variance identified no differentiation among the studied populations. Therefore, we suggested that the individuals of different morphological types and geographical sources belong to the same species. To maintain its high level genetic diversity, it mill he necessary to use large and diverse sources of parental fish for artificial reproduction.