Nutritional homeostasis in carnivorous southern catfish (Silurus meridionalis): is there a mechanism for increased energy expenditure during carbohydrate overfeeding?

In previous growth experiments with carnivorous southern catfish (Silurus meridionalis), the non-fecal energy lose was positively related to dietary. carbohydrate level. To test whether metabolic energy expenditure accounts for such energy loss, an experiment was performed with southern catfish juveniles (33.2-71.9 g) to study the effect of dietary carbohydrate level on fasting metabolic rate and specific dynamic action (SDA) at 27.5 degreesC. The fasting metabolic rate in this catfish was increased with dietary carbohydrate level, and the specific dynamic action (SDA) coefficient (energy expended on SDA as percent of assimilated energy) was not affected by dietary carbohydrate level. The results suggest that in southern catfish, carbohydrate overfeeding increases metabolic rate to oxidize unwanted assimilated carbohydrate. A discussion on the poor capacity of intermediate metabolism for adapting dietary carbohydrate in carnivorous fish and its possible relationship with facultative component of SDA was also documented in this paper. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The investigation on dynamic fracture behavour of materials under compressive-shear combined stress waves

In this paper, an improved plate impact experimental technique is presented for studying dynamic fracture mechanism of materials, under the conditions that the impacting loading is provided by a single pulse and the loading time is in the sub-microsecond range. The impacting tests are carried out on the pressure-shear gas gun. The loading rate achieved is dK/dt similar to 10(8) MPa m(1/2) s(-1). With the elimination of influence of the specimen boundary, the plane strain state of a semi-infinite crack in an infinite elastic plate is used to simulate the deformation fields of crack tip. The single pulses are obtained by using the "momentum trap" technique. Therefore, the one-time actions of the single pulse are achieved by eradicating the stress waves reflected from the specimen boundary or diffracted from the crack surfaces. In the current study, some important phenomena have been observed. The special loading of the single pulse can bring about material damage around crack tip, and affect the material behavior, such as kinking and branching of the crack propagation. Failure mode transitions from mode I to mode II crack are observed under asymmetrical impact conditions. The mechanisms of the dynamic crack propagation are consistent with the damage failure model.

共掺Na^＋的Yb^3＋：CaF2晶体的荧光分析与低阈值激光运转

基于975nm激发的室温下荧光光谱测量，系统地研究了在新型钠、镱共掺的氟化钙晶体中钠离子的作用机理，分析了掺钠离子浓度与激光阈值的关系，获得了具有最低激光阈值的掺杂浓度优化配比．激光实验表明对于2％Yb^3＋离子浓度的氟化钙，掺入3％的钠离子能够获得最低阈值的激光运转，这与理论和荧光分析完全一致．

Interaction between human interleukin-16 and CD4 receptor of HIV-1

AIM: To study the interaction between human interleukin-16 (IL-16) and the receptor CD4 (T-lymphocyte differentiation antigen) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). METHODS: Two structurally con served regions (SCRs) of human IL-16 were built by the SYBYL/Biopolymer module using the corresponding transmembrane (TM) domain of human interleukin-1 (HIL-4) and HIL-2 as the templates. The coordinates for amino-terminal residue sequence, carboxyl-terminal residue sequences, and cytoplasm loops were generated using Biopolymer's LOOP SEARCH algorithm. RESULTS: HIL-16 first formed a homodimer, then contacted with CD4 dimer further forming a dimeric complex. Subsequently, the dimeric complex constructed the tetrameric complex by two disulfide bridges between the cysteines of HIL-16 (Cys31-Cys31). CONCLUSION: The interaction model is useful to propose the action mechanism of HIL-16 and is beneficial for rational designing of novel anti-HIV drugs.

花椒水浸液及酚酸类化感物质对作物种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响效应

花椒（Zanthoxylum piperitum）是川西干旱河谷地区的重要经济作物，化感作用是花椒连作障碍的原因之一。系统研究花椒化感作用有助于深入理解并最终解决花椒连作障碍。本文通过研究花椒叶、林下土壤浸提液及单一纯化感物质对花椒幼苗生长、苜蓿种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响作用，从生理生化角度揭示浸提液及纯化感物质的作用方式。通过室外和室内模拟实验，对浸提液及纯化感物质的化感效应进行比较，为花椒连作障碍的解决和化感作用机制的深入理解提供依据。主要结果如下： 1.花椒叶及林下土壤浸提液对地下生物量影响作用强与对地上生物量的化感效应，两种浸提液的化感效应强度不同，叶浸提液作用表现更显著。其中在Y6、Y8 、T6和T8处理时，花椒幼苗地下生物量分别降低了31.2%、32.1%、31.6%和31.7%。 2.两种浸提液均能显著影响花椒幼苗体内的保护性酶活性，总体说来，在高浓度下抑制各种抗氧化物酶活性，幼苗体内丙二醛含量增加，幼苗受害严重；在较低浓度下，各种保护性酶活性有所增加，丙二醛含量减少，幼苗伤害减轻。同时，不同月份里，各种酶的活性高低显著不同，9月份的活性显著低于7月份的酶活性。对于养分含量的影响，Y8、T8的影响强度最大，分别使碳元素含量降低了27.8%和30.8%，使钾元素含量降低了34.7%和25.6%。 3.花椒叶及林下土壤浸提液对苜蓿种子萌发及幼苗生长有化感作用，表现在最终萌发率、不同物质代谢及保护性酶活性的差异上。两种浸提液对苜蓿种子萌发过程中蛋白质的含量均无显著性影响，对淀粉和可溶性糖的影响作用类似，高浓度处理无明显化感效应，较低浓度处理显著降低二者在萌发苜蓿种子中的含量。Y2、Y4与T4处理分别使可溶性糖含量减少了32.3%、29.1%和18.8%，Y2与T2处理分别使淀粉含量降低了29.3%和26.8%。 4.苜蓿种子在4种单一化感物质最高浓度即10-3 mol•L-1处理下，萌发率显著降低，半数萌发时间推迟，随着处理浓度降低，抑制作用逐渐减弱，当降低到10-6 mol•L-1时，又能够表现出对苜蓿种子萌发的促进作用。 5.纯化感物质在10-6 mol•L-1时使苜蓿幼苗叶片的保护性酶活性显著升高，丙二醛含量显著降低；在10-3 mol•L-1时使苜蓿叶片中保护性酶活性显著降低，丙二醛含量增加，膜脂过氧化程度加重。 Zanthoxylum piperitum is one of the most important cash crops and has been extensively cultivated in Eastern Tibetan Plateau, especially in the fragile dry valley areas. Allelopathic effects could be a reason for Z. piperitum’s continuous cropping impediment. Systemmatically research of the effect of Z. piperitum allelopathy could help to comprehend the continuous cropping impediment. The allelopathic effects on seedlings growth and seed germination of aqueous extracts of Zanthoxylum piperitum and phenolic allelochemicals were studied, and the action mechanism of the two substances was also discussed from physiology. Indoor and outdoor experiments were set to compare the difference between aqueous extracts and pure allelochemicals. The main results showed that: 1. The aqueous extracts of leaf and soil had significant allelopathic effects on aboveground and underground biomass, but the effect on underground biomass was stronger than the effect on underground evidently. Treated with Y6、Y8 、T6 and T8, the underground biomass was reduced 31.2%、32.1%、31.6% and 31.7% respectively. 2. The activity of activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase were significantly reduced, while the content of MDA was increased and the seedlings were suffered stronger, when treated by the high concentration; but at the low concentration, these were reversed. And then, at the different month, the activities of antioxidant enzyme were significantly distinct. As for the contents of nutrient element, Y8、T8 had the more intensive effects than other treatments. 3. The results showed that the two types of aqueous extracts had significant allelopathic effects on seed germination, substances metabolize and the activity of antioxidant enzyme. But the aqueous extracts had no effects on the content of protein, while had the similar effects on the content of starch and soluble sugar. At Y2、Y4 and T4, the content of soluble sugar decreased 32.3%、29.1% and 18.8% respectively. 4. Treated with 10-3 mol•L-1 of the four allelochemicals, the seed germination of alfalfa was significantly inhibited. Ferulic acid, coumarin and vanillic acid at 10-3 mol•L-1 significantly reduced the activities of antioxidant enzyme, while the content of MDA in alfalfa seedling was significantly increased. The restrain effects became weakened with the treat concentration falled. However, ferulic acid, coumarin and vanillic acid could increase the activities of antioxidant enzyme at 10-6mol•L-1.

A QSAR of the toxicity of amino-benzenes and their structures

The quantum chemical parameters and the topological indices have been calculated for the prediction of the toxicity of amino-benzenes in the environment, and work has been done on the multiple regression and neural networks. The combination of CoMFA with formation heat yields greatly improved results. A good model has been obtained which provides a basis for the studies of the toxic action mechanism.

Evaluation of estrogenic activities and mechanism of action of perfluorinated chemicals determined by vitellogenin induction in primary cultured tilapia hepatocytes

Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) are emerging persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and are widely present in the environment, wildlife and humans. Recently, reports have suggested that PFCs may have endocrine-disrupting activities. In the present study, we have developed a non-competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method to investigate estrogenic activities of selected PFCs using vitellogenin (VTG) induction in primary cultured hepatocytes of freshwater male tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Cultured hepatocytes were exposed to various concentrations of perfluorooctanyl sulfonate (PFOS), pentadecafluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-nonafluoro-1-hexanol (4:2 FTOH), 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctanol (6:2 FTOH) and 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluoro-1-decanol (8:2 FTOH) for 48h, while 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) were used as positive controls. A dose-dependent induction of VTG was observed in E2-, 4-NP-, PFOS-, PFOA- and 6:2 FrOH-treated cells, whereas VTG levels remained unchanged in the 4:2 FTOH and 8:2 FTOH exposure groups at the concentrations tested. The estimated 48-h EC50 values for E2,4-NP, PFOS, PFOA and 6:2 FTOH were 4.7 x 10(-7), 7.1 x 10(-6), 1.5 x 10(-5), 2.9 x 10(-5) and 2.8 x 10(-5) M, respectively. In the time-course study, significant VTG induction took place at 24 h (E2), 6 It (4-NP), 48 It (PFOS), 48 It (PFOA), 72 It (4:2 FTOH), 12 h (6:2 FTOH), 72 h (8:2 FTOH), and increased further after 96 It of exposure. Co-exposure to binary mixtures of individual PFCs and E2 for 48 It significantly inhibited E2-induced hepatocellular VTG production in a dose-dependent manner except for 4:2 FTOH. The estimated 48-h IC50 (concentration of a compound that elicits 50% inhibition of maximally E2-induced VTG) values for PFOS, PFOA, 6:2 FTOH and 8:2 FTOH were 3.1 x 10(-7), 5.1 X 10(-7), 1.1 X 10(-6) and 7.5 x 10(-7) M, respectively. In order to further investigate the estrogenic mechanism of PFCs, the hepatocytes were co-exposed to binary mixtures of individual chemicals (E2,4-NP, PFOS, PFOA and 6:2 FTOH) and the known estrogen receptor inhibitor tamoxifen for 48 h; tamoxifen significantly inhibited the ability of these chemicals to stimulate vitellogenesis. The overall results demonstrated that PFOS, PFOA and FTOHs have estrogenic activities and that exposure to a combination of E2 and PFCs produced anti-estrogenic effects. The results of the estrogen receptor inhibition assay further suggested that the estrogenic effect of PFCs may be mediated by the estrogen receptor pathway in primary cultured tilapia hepatocytes. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Material response and failure mechanism of unidirectional metal matrix composites under impulsive shear loading

The material response and failure mechanism of unidirectional metal matrix composite under impulsive shear loading are investigated in this paper. Both experimental and analytical studies were performed. The shear strength of unidirectional C-f/A356.0 composite and A356.0 aluminum alloy at high strain rate were measured with a modified split Hopkinson torsional bar technique. The results indicated that the carbon fibers did not improve the shear strength of aluminum matrix if the fiber orientation aligned with the shear loading axis. The microscopic inspection of the fractured surface showed a multi-scale zigzag feature which implied a complicated shear failure mechanism in the composite. In addition to testing, the micromechanical stress field in the composite was analyzed by the generalized Eshelby equivalent method (GEEM). The influence of cracking in matrix on the micromechanical stress field was investigated as well. The results showed that the stress distribution in the composite is quite nonhomogeneous and very high shear stress concentrations are found in some regions in the matrix. The high shear stress concentration in the matrix induces tensile cracking at 45 degrees to the shear direction. This in turn aggravates the stress concentration at the fiber/matrix interface and finally leads to a catastrophic failure in the composite. From the correlation between the analysis and experimental results, the shear failure mechanism of unidirectional C-f/A356.0 composite can be elucidated qualitatively.

Dynamic properties and asymmetry of tension and compression of metal matrix composites under impact loading

The mechanical behaviors of 2124, Al-5Cu, Al-Li and 6061 alloys reinforced by silicon carbide particulates, together with 15%SiCw/6061 alloy, were studied under the quasi-static and impact loading conditions, using the split Hopkinson tension/compression bars and Instron universal testing machine. The effect of strain rate on the ultra tensile strength (UTS), the hardening modulus and the failure strain was investigated. At the same time, the SEM observations of dynamic fracture surfaces of various MMC materials showed some distinguished microstructures and patterns. Some new characteristics of asymmetry of mechanical behaviors of MMCs under tension and compression loading were also presented and explained in details, and they could be considered as marks to indicate, to some degree, the mechanism of controlling damage and failure of MMCs under impact loading. The development of new constitutive laws about MMCs under impact loading should benefit from these experimental results and theoretical analysis.

Experimental Study on Dynamic Properties of High Strength Fiber Clusters

In this paper, the dynamic behaviors of several kinds of high strength fibers, including Kevlar, UHMPE, glass fibers, carbon fibers etc., are investigated experimentally, with a Split Hopkinson Tension Bar (SHTB). The effect of strain rate on the modulus, strength, failure strain and failure characteristics of fibers, under impact loading, is analyzed with the relative stress vs. strain curves. At the same time, the mechanism about the rate dependence of mechanical behaviors of various fibers is discussed based on the understanding on the microstructures and deformation models of materials. Some comments are also presented on the decentralization of experimental results, and a new method called traveling wave method is presented to increase the experimental accuracy. Research results obtained in this paper will benefit to understand the energy absorption and to build up the constitutive law of protective materials reinforced by high strength fibers.

Experimental investigation of the shear strength of a unidirectional carbon/aluminum composite under dynamic torsional loading

In this paper, the dynamic shear strength of a unidirectional C/A356.0 composite and A356.0 alloy, respectively, are measured with a split Hopkinson torsional bar (SHTB) technique. The results indicate that the carbon fibers make very little contribution to the enhancement of the shear strength of the matrix material. The microscopic inspections on the fracture surface of the composite show a multi-scale zigzag feature. This implies that there is a complicated shear failure mechanism in the unidirectional carbon/aluminum composite.

Research on Dynamic Micro-Deformation under Laser Point Source

The dynamic micro-deformation of the specimen under laser point source is measured using a laser beam reflex amplifier system and numerically simulated by Msc.Marc software. Compared with experimental result and calculated result, the final deformation direction of the specimen depends on the result of the thermal strain and the phase transformation strain cooperation, away from the laser beam or towards the laser beam, the final deformation angle depends on temperature gradient in the thickness direction and the geometry constraint of the specimen. The conclusion lays the foundation for further research on the mechanism of laser bending. At the same time, it is proposed that the model of calculation based on classical Fourier heat transfer theory cannot be enough to simulate the dynamic micro-deformation of the specimen under laser point source, the model of calculation should be modified in the future.

Dynamic function of damage and its implications

Dynamic function of damage is the key to the problem of damage evolution of solids. In order to understand it, one must understand its mesoscopic mechanisms and macroscopic formulation. In terms of evolution equation of microdamage and damage moment, a dynamic function of damage is strictly defined. The mesoscopic mechanism underlying self-closed damage evolution law is investigated by means of double damage moments. Numerical results of damage evolution demonstrate some common features for various microdamage dynamics. Then, the dynamic function of damage is applied to inhomogeneous damage field. In this case, damage evolution rate is no longer equal to the dynamic function of damage. It is found that the criterion for damage localization is closely related to compound damage. Finally, an inversion of damage evolution to the dynamic function of damage is proposed.

Study of Growth Mechanism of Lysozyme Crystal by Batch Crystallization Method

The lysozyme crystals were made by batch crystallization method and the distribution of aggregate in solution were measured by dynamic light scattering. The results showed that the dimension of aggregate increased with the increase of the concentration of lysozyme and NaCl, lysozyme molecules aggregated gradually in solution and finally arrived at balance each other. The higher the concentrations of lysozyme and NaCl were, the faster the growth rate of (I 10) face was. The growth rates of lysozyme crystal were obtained by a Zeiss microscope, and the effective surface energy (a) of growing steps were calculated about 4.01 X 10(-8) J.cm(-2) according to the model of multiple two-dimensional nucleation mechanism.