Biogeographical Interpretation of Elevational Patterns of Genus Diversity of Seed Plants in Nepal

<div><p>This study tests if the biogeographical affinities of genera are relevant for explaining elevational plant diversity patterns in Nepal. We used simultaneous autoregressive (SAR) models to investigate the explanatory power of several predictors in explaining the diversity-elevation relationships shown in genera with different biogeographical affinities. Delta akaike information criterion (ΔAIC) was used for multi-model inferences and selections. Our results showed that both the total and tropical genus diversity peaked below the mid-point of the elevational gradient, whereas that of temperate genera had a nearly symmetrical, unimodal relationship with elevation. The proportion of temperate genera increased markedly with elevation, while that of tropical genera declined. Compared to tropical genera, temperate genera had wider elevational ranges and were observed at higher elevations. Water-related variables, rather than mid-domain effects (MDE), were the most significant predictors of elevational patterns of tropical genus diversity. The temperate genus diversity was influenced by energy availability, but only in quadratic terms of the models. Though climatic factors and mid-domain effects jointly explained most of the variation in the diversity of temperate genera with elevation, the former played stronger roles. Total genus diversity was most strongly influenced by climate and the floristic overlap of tropical and temperate floras, while the influences of mid-domain effects were relatively weak. The influences of water-related and energy-related variables may vary with biogeographical affinities. The elevational patterns may be most closely related to climatic factors, while MDE may somewhat modify the patterns. Caution is needed when investigating the causal factors underlying diversity patterns for large taxonomic groups composed of taxa of different biogeographical affinities. Right-skewed diversity-elevation patterns may be produced by the differential response of taxa with varying biogeographical affinities to climatic factors and MDE.</p></div

Comparing the effects of climatic and the mid-domain effects on temperate genus diversity by partial regression.

<p>A shows the mid-domain effects; B shows climatic effects. Total variance explained by {A} = 0.963; Total variance explained by {B} = 0.976; Total variance explained by {A+B} = 0.996. [A.B] variance explained by {A} only = 0.019; [A:B] Variance Sharely explained = 0.944; [B.A] Variance explained by {B} only = 0.032; [1-(A+B)] Unexplained variance = 0.004. Moran′s index of residuals in the model was 0.017 at first class.</p

The relationship between genus diversity and elevation.

<p>The relationship between genus diversity and elevation.</p

The index of floristic overlap with elevation.

<p>The index of floristic overlap with elevation.</p

The proportion of tropical and temperate genera along the elevation gradients.

<p>The proportion of tropical and temperate genera along the elevation gradients.</p

Coefficients of determination (<i>R</i>^<i>2</i>) and Akaike information criterions (AIC) of the best SAR models.

<p>There were 8, 16 and 32 possible SAR models for tropical, temperate and total genus diversity, respectively (see <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0140992#pone.0140992.s005" target="_blank">S5 Table</a>). For each biogeographical group, the ΔAICc compares the best model (ΔAICc = 0) with all of models generated, and any models with a ΔAICc of less than two in comparison with the best model were considered an equally good fit to the data.</p

Optical Injection of Gold Nanoparticles into Living Cells

The controlled injection of nanoscopic objects into living cells with light offers promising prospects for the development of novel molecular delivery strategies or intracellular biosensor applications. Here, we show that single gold nanoparticles from solution can be patterned on the surface of living cells with a continuous wave laser beam. In a second step, we demonstrate how the same particles can then be injected into the cells through a combination of plasmonic heating and optical force. We find that short exposure times are sufficient to perforate the cell membrane and inject the particles into cells with a survival rate of >70%

Drug-Loaded PLGA Electrospraying Porous Microspheres for the Local Therapy of Primary Lung Cancer via Pulmonary Delivery

Nonsmall-cell lung cancer is a severe disease with high morbidity and mortality. However, the systemic administration of anticancer drugs generally leads to serious toxicity and low anti-lung cancer efficiency because of very limited drug distribution in the lung. In our previous research, we have confirmed the high anti-lung cancer effect of inhalable oridonin microparticles in spite of their long and complicated preparation process. Here, we develop a novel, simple, and quick method for preparing inhalable oridonin-loaded poly­(d,l-lactic-<i>co</i>-glycolic)­acid (PLGA) porous microspheres using the electrospraying technique. The formulation and preparation processes were screened. The electrospraying porous microspheres (EPMs) were rough, porous, and suitable for pulmonary delivery. Most of the oridonin was released from the EPMs within 20 h based on drug diffusion and via PLGA erosion. The EPMs exhibited efficient lung deposition in vitro and in vivo because of their ideal aerodynamic diameters. Chemical carcinogens were used to prepare primary lung cancer rat models by direct pulmonary delivery. The EPMs showed high anti-lung cancer effect after pulmonary delivery according to CT images and pathology. Inhibition of angiogenesis and enhancement of lung cancer cell apoptosis could be the major anticancer mechanism. Electrospraying is an efficient method for the preparation of inhalable drug-loaded porous microspheres. The oridonin-loaded EPMs are promising dry powder inhalers for the local therapy of primary lung cancer

A simple illustration of the influence of on the evolution of cooperation in PDG.

<p>Here, pink nodes denote cooperators and blue nodes denote defectors. All the two top nodes’ friends overlap, therefore the tie strength between them equals one. All other relations have a tie strength equals . We set the two mutual best friends as cooperators initially. (a) When , the game is a classical PDG. The two cooperators get a payoff of and all the defectors get . Therefore, cooperators will imitate the strategy of defectors and defection becomes prevalent; (b) When , the two cooperators will invest all their investments to each other. Both cooperators get and all defectors get 0. Therefore, in the next round, all defectors will adopt C and cooperation becomes prevalent.</p

Experimental Study on the Strength of Original Samples of Wax Deposits from Pipelines in the Field

The yield stress of the wax deposit, characterizing its mechanical strength, provides critical design basis for pigging. The deposits naturally formed in a pipeline (hereafter, “natural wax deposits”) and those artificially generated from model wax–oil mixtures (hereafter, “model wax deposits”) usually present different yield stress due to structural variations. Investigations on the distinctive yielding characteristics between natural and model deposits are limited in the literature. In this research, we present a comprehensive comparative mechanical and structural analysis of natural and model wax deposits, based on which representative laboratory tests can be designed to guide pigging operations. A rheometer with the vane geometry was enhanced to preserve the microstructure of the deposit sample collected from the field prior to the yielding test. Field wax deposits from different radial positions of the pipe were analyzed. It was discovered that the yield stress of the natural wax deposits increases exponentially with solid paraffin content. Moreover, the deposit layer closer to the center has lower solid paraffin content and lower resulting yield stress than the layer in the vicinity of the inner pipe wall. The original sample of natural wax deposits (called “original sample” for short following) was heated until completely melted and cooled again for the reformed solid sample similar to the model wax deposits in common use. The tested yield stress for the newly formed deposits can be 5–13 times that of the original sample at the same temperature due to the compact microstructure. Consequently, the required pressure to remove the wax deposits in the pipeline could be relatively high estimated based on the yield stress of model wax deposits. On the other hand, the natural wax deposits and model wax deposits formed on the coldfinger or in the flow loop are more alike in structure. So model deposits obtained in these ways should be used in the studies relative to pig motion, rather than the wax–oil gel which is currently very popular