Travel, Sex, and Food: What's Speciation Got to Do with It?

Abstract We discuss the potential interactions among travel (dispersal and gene flow), bacterial "sex" (mainly as horizontal gene transfer), and food (metabolic plasticity and responses to nutrient availability) in shaping microbial communities. With regard to our work at a unique desert oasis, the Cuatro Ciénegas Basin in Coahuila, Mexico, we propose that diversification and low phosphorus availability, in combination with mechanisms for nutrient recycling and community cohesion, result in enhanced speciation through reproductive as well as geographic isolation. We also discuss these mechanisms in the broader sense of ecology and evolution. Of special relevance to astrobiology and central to evolutionary biology, we ask why there are so many species on Earth and provide a working hypothesis and a conceptual framework within which to consider the question. Key Words: Microbial ecology-Microbial mats-Evolution-Horizontal gene transfer-Metabolism. Astrobiology 12, 634-640.     

一种正交跳频信号动态分选方法

针对复杂电磁环境下正交跳频信号分选时效不高问题,提出了一种正交跳频信号动态分选方法。首先基于滑动窗口的数据流模型,采用构造型神经网络对跳频信号频域数据和方位信息动态聚类,减轻噪声等因素影响,解决方位信息和幅度关联模糊性的问题;再在相应的覆盖簇内运用时频关联方法,实现正交跳频信号的动态分选,实验结果表明该方法是有效的。
     

基于模糊PID控制的燃气调压系统设计

针对燃气管道压力难以控制的问题,将常规PID控制和模糊控制相结合,提出一种基于模糊PID控制器的燃气管道压力控制方案。通过与常规PID的压力仿真曲线相比较表明：模糊PID控制性能优越、超调量小、上升时间快、调整时间短。     

Potential of cathodoluminescence microscopy and spectroscopy for the detection of prokaryotic cells on minerals

Detecting mineral-hosted ecosystems to assess the extent and functioning of the biosphere from the surface to deep Earth requires appropriate techniques that provide, beyond the morphological criteria, indubitable clues of the presence of prokaryotic cells. Here, we evaluate the capability of cathodoluminescence microscopy and spectroscopy, implemented on a scanning electron microscope, to identify prokaryotes on mineral surfaces. For this purpose, we used, as a first step, a simple model of either unstained or stained cultivable cells (Escherichia coli, Deinococcus radiodurans) deposited on minerals that are common in the oceanic crust (basaltic glass, amphibole, pyroxene, and magnetite). Our results demonstrate that the detection of cells is possible at the micrometric level on the investigated minerals through the intrinsic fluorescence of their constituting macromolecules (aromatic amino and nucleic acids, coenzymes). This allows us to distinguish biomorph inorganic phases from cells. This easily implemented technique permits an exploration of colonized rock samples. In addition, the range of spectrometric techniques available on a scanning electron microscope can provide additional information on the nature and chemistry of the associated mineral phases, which would lead to a simultaneous characterization of cells, their microhabitats, and a better understanding of their potential relationships.     

一种新型渗透法标准湿度发生器

针对低湿测量领域缺乏充分可靠的现场校准用标准湿度发生器的现状,采用内渗式渗透法原理研制了一种新型标准湿度发生器。该发生器通过采用水平设计多个渗透室,达到了现场校准＂操作简单、快速,便于携带＂的要求。其发生的露点温度范围为-60~-30℃,最大允许误差小于0.5℃。     

Establishment of a rearing system of the extremotolerant tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus: a new model animal for astrobiology

Studies on the ability of multicellular organisms to tolerate specific environmental extremes are relatively rare compared to those of unicellular microorganisms in extreme environments. Tardigrades are extremotolerant animals that can enter an ametabolic dry state called anhydrobiosis and have high tolerance to a variety of extreme environmental conditions, particularly while in anhydrobiosis. Although tardigrades have been expected to be a potential model animal for astrobiological studies due to their excellent anhydrobiotic and extremotolerant abilities, few studies of tolerance with cultured tardigrades have been reported, possibly due to the absence of a model species that can be easily maintained under rearing conditions. We report the successful rearing of the herbivorous tardigrade, Ramazzottius varieornatus, by supplying the green alga Chlorella vulgaris as food. The life span was 35 +/- 16.4 d, deposited eggs required 5.7 +/- 1.1 d to hatch, and animals began to deposit eggs 9 d after hatching. The reared individuals of this species had an anhydrobiotic capacity throughout their life cycle in egg, juvenile, and adult stages. Furthermore, the reared adults in an anhydrobiotic state were tolerant of temperatures of 90 degrees C and -196 degrees C, and exposure to 99.8% acetonitrile or irradiation with 4000 Gy (4)He ions. Based on their life history traits and tolerance to extreme stresses, R. varieornatus may be a suitable model for astrobiological studies of multicellular organisms.     

Control of Lunar and Martian dust--experimental insights from artificial and natural cyanobacterial and algal crusts in the desert of Inner Mongolia, China

Studies on the colonization of environmentally extreme ground surfaces were conducted in a Mars-like desert area of Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China, with microalgae and cyanobacteria. We collected and mass-cultured cyanobacterial strains from these regions and investigated their ability to form desert crusts artificially. These crusts had the capacity to resist sand wind erosion after just 15 days of growth. Similar to the surface of some Chinese deserts, the surface of Mars is characterized by a layer of fine dust, which will challenge future human exploration activities, particularly in confined spaces that will include greenhouses and habitats. We discuss the use of such crusts for the local control of desert sands in enclosed spaces on Mars. These experiments suggest innovative new directions in the applied use of microbe-mineral interactions to advance the human exploration and settlement of space.     

低速航空声学风洞背景噪声测试技术研究

介绍了在国内第一个全新设计的0.55m×0.4m航空声学引导风洞开展风洞背景噪声测量的技术方案和方法,对电容式麦克风、脉动压力传感器、预极化和非预极化传声器、自由场和压力场传声器、传声器安装方式以及声学频谱算法进行了比较实验和分析.在初期实验过程中,根据测试结果优化了风洞降噪方案,达到了较为理想的风洞背景噪声指标.测试结果表明:采用电容式麦克风比采用脉动压力传感器得到的频谱和声压级精度高;在消声部段前后的同一侧洞壁上测量,可以得到消声部段传声损失;压力场和自由场传声器在修正后可以互换使用;为得到重复性较好的背景噪声频谱和有效声压级,采用频谱线性平均算法.实验结果对低速航空声学风洞背景噪声测试具有一定的指导意义.     

1kVA高频软开关三相变流器研制

对新研制的1kVA 270V直流变换成三相四线恒压（115V／200V）恒频（400Hz)交流电的变流器所采用的主电路拓扑构成，工作原理，控制方法进行了介绍，分析，给出了实验数据和波形，并对实验结果进行了分析。该变流器采用了模块化结构，由3个333VA单相DC／AC变换器组合而成，最高开关频率达100kHz，采有了电流电压双闭环DPM滞环控制，结果表明该系统具有高频率，高功率密度，输出波形质量优，三相不对称负载能力强等特点。