EST-based identification of genes expressed in the hypothalamus of male orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)

The orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides, is an important marine aquaculture fish, but its large-scale aquaculture has been hindered by the rarity of natural males because it is a protogynous hermaphroditic fish. Hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad is an important endocrine axis in regulating reproduction and sex differentiation. To reveal the molecular mechanism of hypothalamic physiological functions, we performed he studies on identification of genes expressed in the hypothalamus of male orange-spotted grouper using EST and RT-PCR strategy. A total of 1006 ESTs were sequenced, and 402 (39.96%) clones were identified as known genes and 604 (60.04%) as unknown genes. The 402 clones of known gene products represent transcripts of 18 1 genes. Moreover, the expression patterns of 26 unknown genes were analyzed in various tissues, such as liver, kidney, spleen, fat, heart, muscle, pituitary, hypothalamus, telencephalon, cerebellum, midbrain, medulla oblongata, ovary and testes. Five different categories of expression patterns were observed from them. Several unknown ESTs, such as DN551996, DN551998, DN552082, and DN552070, were detected to be hypothalamus-specific, brains-specific, or hypothalamus and gonad-specific genes. Interestingly, DN551996, not only exhibiting expression differences between ovary and testis, but also showing sex-dependent differences in hypothalamus of grouper, might play significant role in grouper reproduction or sex inversion. Further functional studies on these genes will provide more information on molecule regulation mechanism of sex inversion in groupers. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V All fights reserved.

3D numerical analysis of tunnelling induced damage: the influence of the alignment of a masonry building with the tunnel axis.

The development of infrastructure in major cities often involves tunnelling, which can cause damage to existing structures. Therefore, these projects require a careful prediction of the risk of settlement induced damage. The simplified approach of current methods cannot account for three-dimensional structural aspects of buildings, which can result in an inaccurate evaluation of damage. This paper investigates the effect of the building alignment with the tunnel axis on structural damage. A three-dimensional, phased, fully coupled finite element model with non-linear material properties is used as a tool to perform a parametric study. The model includes the simulation of the tunnel construction process, with the tunnel located adjacent to a masonry building. Three different type of settlements are included (sagging, hogging and a combination of them), with seven different increasing angles of the building with respect to the tunnel axis. The alignment parameter is assessed, based on the maximum occurring crack width, measured in the building. Results show a significant dependency of the final damage on the building and tunnel alignment.

Off-axis sonar beam pattern of free-ranging finless porpoises measured by a stereo pulse event data logger

The off-axis sonar beam patterns of eight free-ranging finless porpoises were measured using attached data logger systems. The transmitted sound pressure level at each beam angle was calculated from the animal's body angle, the water surface echo level, and the swimming depth. The beam pattern of the off-axis signals between 45 and 115 (where 0 corresponds to the on-axis direction) was nearly constant. The sound pressure level of the off-axis signals reached 162 dB re 1 mPa peak-to-peak. The surface echo level received at the animal was over 140 dB, much higher than the auditory threshold level of small odontocetes. Finless porpoises are estimated to be able to receive the surface echoes of off-axis signals even at 50-m depth. Shallow water systems (less than 50-m depth) are the dominant habitat of both oceanic and freshwater populations of this species. Surface echoes may provide porpoises not only with diving depth information but also with information about surface direction and location of obstacles (including prey items) outside the on-axis sector of the sonar beam. 2005 Acoustical Society of America.

Easy axis reorientation and magneto-crystalline anisotropic resistance of tensile strained (Ga,Mn)As films

We present a study of magnetic anisotropy by using magneto-transport and direct magnetization measurements on tensile strained (Ga,Mn)As films. The magnetic easy axis of the films is in-plane at low temperatures, while the easy axis flips to out-of-plane when temperature is raised or hole concentration is increased. This easy axis reorientation is explained qualitatively in a simple physical picture by Zeners pd model. In addition, the magneto-crystalline anisotropic resistance was also investigated experimentally and theoretically based on the single magnetic domain model. The dependence of sheet resistance on the angle between the magnetic field and [1 0 0] direction was measured. It is found that the magnetization vector M in the single-domain state deviates from the external magnetic field H direction at low magnetic field, while for high magnetic field, M continuously moves following the field direction, which leads to different resistivity function behaviors.

Studies of tetragonal PbTiO3 subjected to uniaxial stress along the c-axis

Tetragonal PbTiO3 under uniaxial stress along the c-axis is investigated from first-principles. The structural parameters, polarization, and squares of the lowest optical phonon frequencies for E(1TO) and A(1)(1TO) modes at Gamma show abrupt changes near a stress sigma(c) of 1.04 GPa, which is related to the dramatic change of elastic constant c(33) resulting from the uniaxial stress applied along the c-axis. We also find that the uniaxial compressive stress could enhance the piezoelectric stress coefficients, whereas the uniaxial tensile stress could enhance the piezoelectric strain coefficients. It is also found that when the magnitude of uniaxial compressive stress sigma(33) is greater than 12 GPa, PbTiO3 is transformed to the paraelectric tetragonal phase.

Criterion of aerodynamic performance of large-scale offshore horizontal axis wind turbines

With the background of offshore wind energy projects, this paper studies aerodynamic performance and geometric characteristics of large capacity wind turbine rotors ( 1 to 10 MW), and the main characteristic parameters such as the rated wind speed, blade tip speed, and rotor solidity. We show that the essential criterion of a high-performance wind turbine is a highest possible annual usable energy pattern factor and a smallest possible dimension, capturing the maximum wind energy and producing the maximum annual power. The influence of the above-mentioned three parameters on the pattern factor and rotor geometry of wind turbine operated in China's offshore meteorological environment is investigated. The variation patterns of aerodynamic and geometric parameters are obtained, analyzed, and compared with each other. The present method for aerodynamic analysis and its results can form a basis for evaluating aerodynamic performance of large-scale offshore wind turbine rotors.

Hydroelastic dynamic characteristics of a slender axis-symmetric body

The slender axis-symmetric submarine body moving in the vertical plane is the object of our investigation. A coupling model is developed where displacements of a solid body as a Euler beam (consisting of rigid motions and elastic deformations) and fluid pressures are employed as basic independent variables, including the interaction between hydrodynamic forces and structure dynamic forces. Firstly the hydrodynamic forces, depending on and conversely influencing body motions, are taken into account as the governing equations. The expressions of fluid pressure are derived based on the potential theory. The characteristics of fluid pressure, including its components, distribution and effect on structure dynamics, are analyzed. Then the coupling model is solved numerically by means of a finite element method (FEM). This avoids the complicacy, combining CFD (fluid) and FEM (structure), of direct numerical simulation, and allows the body with a non-strict ideal shape so as to be more suitable for practical engineering. An illustrative example is given in which the hydroelastic dynamic characteristics, natural frequencies and modes of a submarine body are analyzed and compared with experimental results. Satisfactory agreement is observed and the model presented in this paper is shown to be valid.

Interweaving of single-helical and equal double-helical chains with the same helical axis in a 3D metal-organic framework

A novel metal-organic framework with unprecedented interweaving of coaxial single-helical and equal double-helical chains of opposite chirality, which features a super-connective helix simultaneously tangling with eight helices, was reported.

FROM DIMER TO POLYMER .2. EXTENDED TO SYSTEMS POSSESSING 2-FOLD SCREW AXIS OR GLIDE PLANE

The approach for constructing the qualitative band structure of a polymer from corresponding dimer has been extended to the system possessing two-fold screw axis or. glide plane. The classification of energy levels of the dimer in the present case depends on pseudo-symmetry/antisymmetry instead of psendo-in-phase/out-of-phase property of the orbitals. Several typical conductive polymers are then discussed follow this approach. Among them are cis-polyacetylene, polyparaphenylene with a twist ang...