Interaction between single molecules of Mac-1 and ICAM-1 in living cells: An atomic force microscopy study

The interaction between integrin macrophage differentiation antigen associated with complement three receptor function (Mac-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which is controlled tightly by the ligand-binding activity of Mac-1, is central to the regulation of neutrophil adhesion in host defense. Several "inside-out" signals and extracellular metal ions or antibodies have been found to activate Mac-1, resulting in an increased adhesiveness of Mac-1 to its ligands. However, the molecular basis for Mac-1 activation is not well understood yet. In this work, we have carried out a single-molecule study of Mac-1/ICAM-1 interaction force in living cells by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Our results showed that the binding probability and adhesion force of Mac-1 with ICAM-1 increased upon Mac-1 activation. Moreover, by comparing the dynamic force spectra of different Mac-1 mutants, we expected that Mac-1 activation is governed by the downward movement of its alpha 7 helix. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Simultaneous production of low- and high-frequency sounds by neonatal finless porpoises

Phocoenids are generally considered to be nonwhistling species that produce only high-frequency pulsed sounds. Here our results show that neonatal finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) frequently produce clear low-frequency (2-3 kHz) pulsed signals, without distinct high-frequency energy, just after birth and can produce both low- (2-3 kHz) and high-frequency (>100 kHz) pulsed signals simultaneously until about 20 days postnatal. The results indicate that low-frequency signals of neonatal finless porpoises are not an early form of high-frequency signals and suggest that low- and high-frequency signals may be produced by different sound production mechanisms. (C) 2008 Acoustical Society of America.

Expression pattern and developmental behaviour of cellular nucleic acid-binding protein (CNBP) during folliculogenesis and oogenesis in fish

In vertebrates, folliculogeneis establishes an intricate system for somatic cell-oocyte interaction, and ultimately leads to the acquisition of their respective competences. Although the formation process and corresponding interactions are strikingly similar in diverse organisms, knowledge of genes and signaling pathways involved in follicle formation is very incomplete and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain enigmatic. CNBP has been identified for more than ten years, and the highest level of CNBP transcripts has been observed in adult zebrafish ovary, but little is known about its functional significance during folliculogeneis and oogenesis. In this study, we clone CNBP cDNA from gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio), and demonstrate its predominant expression in gibel carp ovary and testis not only by RTPCR but also by Western blot. Its full-length cDNA is 1402 bp, and has an ORF of 489 nt for encoding a peptide of 163 aa. And its complete amino acid sequence shared 68.5%-96.8% identity with CNBPs from other vertebrates. Based on the expression characterization, we further analyze its expression pattern and developmental behaviour during folliculogeneis and oogenesis. Following these studies, we reveal an unexpected discovery that the CagCNBP is associated with follicular cells and oocytes, and significant distribution changes have occurred in degenerating and regenerating follicles. More interestingly, the CagCNBP is more highly expressed in some clusters of interconnected cells within ovarian cysts, no matter whether the cell clusters are formed from the original primordial germ cells or from the newly formed cells from follicular cells that invaded into the atretic oocytes. It is the first time to reveal CNBP relevance to folliculogeneis and oogenesis. Moreover, a similar stage-specific and cell-specific expression pattern has also been observed in the gibel carp testis. Therefore, further studies on CNBP expression pattern and developmental behaviour will be of significance for understanding functional roles of CNBP during gametogenests. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A passive acoustic monitoring method applied to observation and group size estimation of finless porpoises

The present study aimed at determining the detection capabilities of an acoustic observation system to recognize porpoises under local riverine conditions and compare the results with sighting observations. Arrays of three to five acoustic data loggers were stationed across the main channel of the Tian-e-zhou Oxbow of China's Yangtze River at intervals of 100-150 m to record sonar. signals of free-ranging finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides). Acoustic observations, concurrent with visual observations, were conducted at two occasions on 20-22 October 2003 and 17-19 October 2004. During a total of 42 h of observation, 316 finless porpoises were sighted and 7041 sonar signals were recorded by loggers. The acoustic data loggers recorded ultrasonic signals of porpoises clearly, and detected the presence of porpoises with a correct detection level of 77.6% and a false alarm level of 5.8% within an effective distance of 150 m. Results indicated that the stationed passive acoustic observation method was effective in detecting the presence of porpoises and showed potential in estimating the group size. A positive linear correlation between the number of recorded signals and the group size of sighted porpoises was indicated, although it is faced with some uncertainty and requires further investigation. (C) 2005 Acoustical Society of America.

Comparison between visual and passive acoustic detection of finless porpoises in the Yangtze river, China

Recently, sonar signals and other sounds produced by cetaceans have been used for acoustic detection of individuals and groups in the wild. However, the detection probability ascertained by concomitant visual survey has not been demonstrated extensively. The finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) have narrow band and high-frequency sonar signals, which are distinctive from background noises. Underwater sound monitoring with hydrophones (B&K8103) placed along the sides of a research vessel, concurrent with visual observations was conducted in the Yangtze River from Wuhan to Poyang Lake in 1998 in China. The peak to peak detection threshold was set at 133 dB re 1 mu Pa. With this threshold level, porpoises could be detected reliably within 300 m of the hydrophone. In a total of 774-km cruise, 588 finless porpoises were sighted by visual observation and 44 864 ultrasonic pulses were recorded by the acoustical observation system. The acoustic monitoring system could detect the presence of the finless porpoises 82% of the time. A false alarm in the system occurred with a frequency of 0.9%. The high-frequency acoustical observation is suggested as an effective method for field surveys of small cetaceans, which produce high-frequency sonar signals. (C) 2001 Acoustical Society of America.

NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF A NOVEL 980nm MICROCAVITY SEMICONDUCTOR OPTICAL AMPLIFIER WITH HIGH GAIN AND LOW NOISE

A novel microcavity semiconductor optical amplifier ( MCSOA) was proposed by incorporating top and bottom distributed Bragg reflectors ( DBRs) into the waveguide structure of conventional traveling-wave semiconductor optical amplifiers(TW-SOAs). The incoming( outgoing) light beam incidented onto (escaped from) the waveguide structure at a oblique angle through two optical windows, where the top DBR was etched away, and anti-reflection coating was deposited. The light beams inside the optical cavity were reflected repeatedly between two DBRs and propagated along waveguide in a zigzag optical path. The performance of the MCSOA was systematically investigated by extensive numerical simulation based on a traveling-wave model by taking into account the comprehensive effects of DBRs on both the amplification of signals and the filtering of spontaneous emission( SE). Our results show that the MCSOA is capable of achieving a fiber-to-fiber gain as high as 40dB and a low noise figure is less than 3.5dB.

A novel method of determining semiconductor parameters in EBIC and SEBIV modes of SEM

We present a novel method for determining semiconductor parameters such as diffusion length L, lifetime tau and surface recombination velocity S of minority carriers by employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This new method is applicable to both electron beam induced current (EBIC and surface electron beam induced voltage (SEBIV) modes in SEM. The quantitative descriptions for EBIC and SEBIV signals are derived. The parameters L, S and tau can be directly extracted from the expressions for EBIC or SEBIV signals and their relaxation characteristics in experiment. As an example, the values of L, S and tau for n-p junction and p-Si crystal are determined by using the novel method in EBIC or SEBIV mode. The carrier diffusion length of a p-Si crystal is determined to be 8.74 mum in SEBIV mode. It is very close to the normal diffusion length of 7.41 mum of this sample. The novel method is proved to be very helpful for the quantitative characterization of semiconductor materials and devices. Especially, the SEBIV mode in SEM shows great potential for investigating semiconductor structures nondestructively.

STUDY ON THE NON-STIOCHIOMETRIC SNO2-X NANOCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL BY XRD, XPS AND ESR

Nonstiochiometric SnO2-x nanocrystalline material were successfully prepared through Sol-Gel process using anhydrous stannic chloride and iso-propyl alcohol. TEM observation shows that the mean diameter of the powder sintered at 700 degrees C for 2 hours is about 20 nm. By the investigation of XRD and ESR, we can conclude that the sample sintered at 300 degrees C for 2 hours was amorphous and it grew into nanocrystalline with the oxygen vacancies and defects when sintered at 700 degrees C for 2 hours. Using these conclusion, the ESR signals and the difference between the two SnO2-x samples are explained.

Kinetic measurements of cell surface E-selectin/carbohydrate ligand interactions

Selectin/ligand interactions initiate the multistep adhesion and signaling cascades in the recruitment of leukocytes from circulation to inflamed tissues and may also play a role in tumor metastasis. Kinetic properties of these interactions are essential determinants governing blood-borne cells' tethering to and rolling on the vessel wall. Extending our recently developed micropipette method, we have measured the kinetic rates of E-selectin/ligand interactions. Red cells coated with an E-selectin construct were allowed to bind HL-60 or Colo-205 cells bearing carbohydrate ligands. Specific adhesions were observed to occur at isolated points, the frequency of which followed a Poisson distribution. These point attachments were formed at the same rate with both the HL-60 and Colo-205 cells (0.14 +/- 0.04 and 0.13 +/- 0.03 mum(2) s(-1) per unit density of E-selectin, respectively) but dissociated from the former at a rate twice as fast as did from the latter (0.92 +/- 0.23 and 0.44 +/- 0.10 s(-1), respectively). The reverse rates agree well with those measured by the flow chamber. The forward rates are orders of magnitude higher than those of Fc gamma receptors interacting with IgG measured under similar conditions, consistent with the rapid kinetics requirement for the function of E-selectin/ligand binding, which is to capture leukocytes on endothelial surfaces from flow.

Numerical exploration of new features on three-dimensional transition of a cylinder wake

The three-dimensional transition of the wake flow behind a circular cylinder is studied in detail by direct numerical simulations using 3D incompressible N-S equations for Reynolds number ranging from 200 to 300. New features and vortex dynamics of the 3D transition of the wake are found and investigated. At Re = 200, the flow pattern is characterized by mode A instability. However, the spanwise characteristic length of the cylinder determines the transition features. Particularly for the specific spanwise characteristic length linear stable mode may dominate the wake in place of mode A and determine the spanwise phase difference of the primary vortices shedding. At Re = 250 and 300 it is found that the streamwise vortices evolve into a new type of mode - "dual vortex pair mode" downstream. The streamwise vortex structures switch among mode A, mode B and dual vortex pair mode from near wake to downstream wake. At Re = 250, an independent low frequency f(m) in addition to the vortex shedding frequency f(s) is identified. Frequency coupling between f(m) and f(s) occurs. These result in the irregularity of the temporal signals and become a key feature in the transition of the wake. Based on the formation analysis of the streamwise vorticity in the vicinity of cylinder, it is suggested that mode A is caused by the emergence of the spanwise velocity due to three dimensionality of the incoming flow past the cylinder. Energy distribution on various wave numbers and the frequency variation in the wake are also described.

The gated integration technique for the accurate measurement of the autocorrelation function of speckle intensities scattered from random phase screens

A new approach based on the gated integration technique is proposed for the accurate measurement of the autocorrelation function of speckle intensities scattered from a random phase screen. The Boxcar used for this technique in the acquisition of the speckle intensity data integrates the photoelectric signal during its sampling gate open, and it repeats the sampling by a preset number, in. The average analog of the in samplings output by the Boxcar enhances the signal-to-noise ratio by root m, because the repeated sampling and the average make the useful speckle signals stable, while the randomly varied photoelectric noise is suppressed by 1/ root m. In the experiment, we use an analog-to-digital converter module to synchronize all the actions such as the stepped movement of the phase screen, the repeated sampling, the readout of the averaged output of the Boxcar, etc. The experimental results show that speckle signals are better recovered from contaminated signals, and the autocorrelation function with the secondary maximum is obtained, indicating that the accuracy of the measurement of the autocorrelation function is greatly improved by the gated integration technique. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

基于低速面阵CCD的正弦相位调制干涉测量

正弦相位调制(SPM)干涉测量技术用于表面形貌测量时, 需要帧速高于300 frame/s的图像传感器, 同时要求调制信号频率与图像传感器帧速成确定的整数倍关系。提出一种基于低速CCD(30 frame/s)的帧速可调的高速图像传感技术, 通过控制每帧像素总数提高CCD帧速, 研制出一种高帧速图像传感器, 帧速可达300～1600 frame/s, 且每帧大小连续可调。将该CCD传感器用于正弦相位调制干涉泰曼-格林干涉仪, 测量镀膜玻璃板表面形貌, 当CCD图像传感器的帧速与调制信号频率呈16, 8, 4

光栅位移测量系统的误差自修正方法研究

文中介绍的误差自修正方法是通过光栅位移测量系统中单片机对光栅传感器的多个零位信号进行计数,并根据测量值和系统设定值得到的误差函数自动进行误差修正。实验结果表明,该方法对光栅位移测量系统的误差既可自动进行有效的修正,又可提高系统的测量精度。

Ontogeny of IgM-producing cells in the mandarin fish Siniperca chuatsi identified by in situ hybridisation

The ontogeny of IgM-producing cells was studied in juvenile mandarin fish Simperca chuatsi, an important fish in China's aquaculture sector. The IgM-producing cells were localised through in situ hybridisation with a probe complementary to the Ig mu-chain in lymphoid-related tissues, including head kidney, spleen, thymus, intestine and gills. In head kidney, transcripts of Ig mu were first detected at 20 days post-hatching (dph) with a few positive signals. and the number of IgM-producing cells increased obviously from 39 dph onwards. At 136 dph, a large amount of positive cells were observed in the entire organ with clusters of these cells located around the blood vessels. In spleen, IgM-producing cells were found from 26 dph onwards, followed by an increase until 67 dph: clusters of positive cells were also detected around blood vessels at 102 dph. In thymus, IgM-producing cells were first observed at 39 dph; thereafter, no obvious increase was detected until 78 dph. The positive cells in thymus were distributed mainly in the outer zone of thymus. A few IgM-producing cells were still observed in thymus of 1-year-old mandarin fish. IgM-producing cells were not detected in the intestine until 87 dph, with several discrete positively stained cells distributed in the lamina propria. IgM-producing cells, scattered mainly in primary gill filaments around blood vessels, were detected in gills from 90 dph. As in other teleosts, these results indicated that the head kidney appears to be the primary organ for IgM production in mandarin fish, and IgM-producing cells exist in all organs examined in the present study, implying their lymphoid role in fish. In addition, it is suggested that vaccination after 20 dph may be much more effective in mandarin fish. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

八单元一维位置灵敏雪崩室

In the experiment of nuclear reaction, it is important to measure the mass, charge, energy and emitted direction of particles. For multiparameter measurement, we must use a detector or a group of detectors which can give the time, energy, and position information. The Large Area position sensitive Ionization Chamber(LAIC) is one of the eight experiment terminals of HIRFL. It is built for researching nuclear reactions from low energy to intermediate energy. It is an excellent equipment for energy measurements and atomic number identification of emitted fragments in this energy region. It is also designed to give the time and position information of the emitted fragments by itself. Obviously, an IC can not supply a good timing signal. Moreover, the mechanical installation is different from the original design by some other reasons. In this case, it is not enough to obtain the correct direction information of the emitted fragments. To obtain good timing signals and the correct direction information, some modifications must be made. It is well known that a PPAC can give us excellent timing signals. It also can be easily built as a position sensitive detector. For this reason, a specially designed PPAC is installed in the entrance of the LAIC. For the different purposes, two types of PPACs were designed and tested. Both are OCTPSACs (OCTunit one dimension Position Sensitive Avalanche Counter). In this paper, both OCTPSACs will be introduced. Based on the requirements of the LAIC, the OCTPSACs consist of eight position sensitive PPACs. Each PPAC has an anode and a cathode. In both cases, the sizes are same. But different type of cathodes are used. In one type of OCTPSAC, its cathode is made of wire plane. It consists of gold-plated tungsten wires with the diameter of 20μm, spaced 0.5 mm apart from each other. The anode is a mylar foil which was evaporated by gold layer with the thickness of 50μg/cm~2 mounted on a printed plate in the shape of rectangle. the thickness of mylar foil is 1.5μm. The gap between anode and cathode is 3mm. The performance of the OCTPSAC has been tested by using a ~(252)Cf source in flowing isobutylene gas at the pressure of 3.4mb. The intrinsic time resolution of 289ps and position resolution of 2 mm have been obtained. In another type of OCTPSAC, the cathode is made of mylar foil, which is composed of gold strip by vacuume evaporation method with a special mask on the mylar foil. The thickness and the width of the gold strip is 50μg/cm~2 and 1.7mm. The strips are spaced 0.3 mm apart from each other. The anode is the same as the former type. We have obtained the time resolution of 296ps and position resolution of 2mm by using ~(241)Am-a source when the gas pressure is 6 mb and high voltage is 600V. The working gas is heptane