Relationships between Initial Unloading Slope, Contact Depth, and Mechanical Properties for Spherical Indentation in Linear Viscoelastic Solids

Using analytical and finite element modeling, we examine the relationships between initial unloading slope, contact depth, and mechanical properties for spherical indentation in viscoelastic solids with either displacement or load as the independent variable. We then investigate whether the Oliver-Pharr method for determining the contact depth and contact radius, originally proposed for indentation in elastic and elastic-plastic solids, is applicable to spherical indentation in viscoelastic solids. Finally, the analytical and numerical results are used to answer questions raised in recent literature about measuring viscoelastic properties from instrumented spherical indentation experiments.

Patterns of succession in benthic infaunal communities following dredging and dredged material disposal in Monterey Bay

This report is the final product of a two-year study conducted for the Office, Chief of Engineers, by the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, California, under Contract No. DACW39-74-C-OI51 with the Environmental Effects Laboratory (EEL), U. S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station (WES), Yicksburg, Mississippi. (PDF contains 192 pages)

微尺度压痕实验的数值模拟及相关问题研究

目前国际上占主导地位的纳米压痕技术是由Oliver与Pharr提出并发展,目前的纳米压痕可以给出整个加、卸载过程的载荷—位移曲线以及硬度与弹性模量随压痕深度变化的曲线,从而提供了丰富的、比较精确的信息,为利用它探索材料比较完整的力学特性提供了可能.为达到该目的,就必须对压痕实验的加、卸过程进行较为深入的研究.作为主要的研究工具,有限元方法模拟微压痕过程在探讨通过实验数据得到更多、更准确的材料表层力学性能参数以及解释实验现象等方面发挥着重要作用.基于计算机速度与容量的原因,较早进行微压痕过程有限元模拟的BhattacharyaandNix、LaursenandSino都使用圆锥压头模拟维氏显微硬度标准正四棱锥Vicker压头与纳米压痕仪标准正三棱锥Berkovich压头,因为圆锥压头具有旋转对称性,可用二维旋转对称单元(二维实体单元)进行计算从而降低计算规模.即便如此,以当时大型计算机的水平,对规模为400~2000个四节点矩形单元的有限元模型进行一次完整的加、卸载过程也需要1~2天.到目前为止,微尺度压痕实验的数值模拟沿用二维模型.事实上,由于加工工艺的限制,微尺度压痕仪的压头如Berkovich与Vicker压头均不个旋转对称性;就微观尺度而言,实际的表层材料都是非均匀的.这些特征均不能由二维模拟体现,所以该文首先建立三维有限元模型,模拟带滑动接触的微尺度压痕加、卸载过程.在此基础上重点讨论了压头几何效应的问题,如二维模拟与三维模拟的关系、显微硬度与纳米的压痕硬度的关系、不同压头下材料的应力应变场、压痕间距与压痕边界的效应等,最后针对微尺度压痕实验中出现的压痕硬度随压痕深度减小而升高的现象,讨论了影响不同压痕深度硬度值的因素.

Regulation of mitochondrial division by the Drp1 receptors

Mitochondria can remodel their membranes by fusing or dividing. These processes are required for the proper development and viability of multicellular organisms. At the cellular level, fusion is important for mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis, mitochondrial DNA maintenance, mitochondrial membrane potential, and respiration. Mitochondrial division, which is better known as fission, is important for apoptosis, mitophagy, and for the proper allocation of mitochondria to daughter cells during cellular division.

The functions of proteins involved in fission have been best characterized in the yeast model organism Sarccharomyces cerevisiae. Mitochondrial fission in mammals has some similarities. In both systems, a cytosolic dynamin-like protein, called Dnm1 in yeast and Drp1 in mammals, must be recruited to the mitochondrial surface and polymerized to promote membrane division. Recruitment of yeast Dnm1 requires only one mitochondrial outer membrane protein, named Fis1. Fis1 is conserved in mammals, but its importance for Drp1 recruitment is minor. In mammals, three other receptor proteins—Mff, MiD49, and MiD51—play a major role in recruiting Drp1 to mitochondria. Why mammals require three additional receptors, and whether they function together or separately, are fundamental questions for understanding the mechanism of mitochondrial fission in mammals.

We have determined that Mff, MiD49, or MiD51 can function independently of one another to recruit Drp1 to mitochondria. Fis1 plays a minor role in Drp1 recruitment, suggesting that the emergence of these additional receptors has replaced the system used by yeast. Additionally, we found that Fis1/Mff and the MiDs regulate Drp1 activity differentially. Fis1 and Mff promote constitutive mitochondrial fission, whereas the MiDs activate recruited Drp1 only during loss of respiration.

To better understand the function of the MiDs, we have determined the atomic structure of the cytoplasmic domain of MiD51, and performed a structure-function analysis of MiD49 based on its homology to MiD51. MiD51 adopts a nucleotidyl transferase fold, and binds ADP as a co-factor that is essential for its function. Both MiDs contain a loop segment that is not present in other nucleotidyl transferase proteins, and this loop is used to interact with Drp1 and to recruit it to mitochondria.

Eigenvalue problems associated with Korn's inequalities in the theory of elasticity

Interest in the possible applications of a priori inequalities in linear elasticity theory motivated the present investigation. Korn's inequality under various side conditions is considered, with emphasis on the Korn's constant. In the "second case" of Korn's inequality, a variational approach leads to an eigenvalue problem; it is shown that, for simply-connected two-dimensional regions, the problem of determining the spectrum of this eigenvalue problem is equivalent to finding the values of Poisson's ratio for which the displacement boundary-value problem of linear homogeneous isotropic elastostatics has a non-unique solution.

Previous work on the uniqueness and non-uniqueness issue for the latter problem is examined and the results applied to the spectrum of the Korn eigenvalue problem. In this way, further information on the Korn constant for general regions is obtained.

A generalization of the "main case" of Korn's inequality is introduced and the associated eigenvalue problem is a gain related to the displacement boundary-value problem of linear elastostatics in two dimensions.

Effects of magnetostriction and superlattice formation in ferromagnetic thin films

The contribution to the magnetic uniaxial perpendicular anisotropy which arises from substrate constraint through magnetostrictive effects has been measured in Ni-Fe and Ni-Co thin films evaporated on substrates at room temperature. This was accomplished by measuring the perpendicular anisotropy before and after removal of the film from the substrate. Data are given for the fcc crystal structure regions of both alloy systems, but data for Ni-Co include compositions with less than 60% Ni which have a small percentage of the hcp phase mixed with the fcc phase. The constraint contribution to the perpendicular anisotropy correlates well with the value of the bulk magnetostriction constant using the equation ∆K_˔=3/2λ_sσ. Measured values of isotropic stress for films thicker than 600 Å were 1.6 x 10¹⁰ dyn/cm². In films less than 600 Å thick the isotropic stress decreased with decreasing thickness. After removal of the films from the substrates, the measured perpendicular anisotropy deviated from the expected geometrical shape anisotropy near pure Ni in both alloys. This indicates that additional significant sources of anisotropy exist at these compositions.

The effect of substrate constraint on the crystalline anisotropy K₁ of Ni-Fe epitaxial films has been studied by use of a film removal technique, which involves the evaporation of an epitaxial layer of LiF on MgO, the epitaxial growth of the metallic film on the LiF, and the stripping of the film with water soluble tape. Films ranging in composition from 50% to 100% Ni have been studied. For compositions below 90% Ni the experimental values agree reasonably well with the first order theoretical prediction, ∆K₁=[-9/4(C₁₁-C₁₂)λ² 100+9/2C₄₄λ²111].

In order to compare the magnetic properties of epitaxial thin films more completely with the properties of bulk single crystals, Ni-Fe films ranging in composition from 60% to 90% Ni, which were evaporated epitaxially on (100) MgO substrates, have been subsequently annealed at 400°C in a vacuum of less than 10^-7 Torr to form the ordered Ni₃Fe structure near the 75% composition. This ordered structure has been confirmed by electron diffraction.

The saturation magnetization at Ni₃Fe increased about 6% with ordering which is in good agreement with previous bulk data. Measurements of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy K₁ for the epitaxial films show the same large changes with ordering as observed in bulk single crystal samples. In the (001) plane the magnetostriction constants ^λ100, ^λ111 are directly related to the induced anisotropy due to a uniform uniaxial strain in the [100] and [110] directions respectively. Assuming that the elastic constants of a film are the same as in bulk material and are unchanged by ordering, the changes in strain sensitivity with ordering for the epitaxial films are found to be in good agreement with values predicted from bulk data. The exchange constant A as measured by ferromagnetic resonance has been measured at the Ni₃Fe composition and found to increase 25% with ordering. This seems to indicate a significant increase in the Curie temperature which has only been inferred indirectly for bulk material.

A global protocol for monitoring of coral bleaching

Coral bleaching and subsequent mortality represent a major threat to the future health and productivity of coral reefs. However a lack of reliable data on occurrence, severity and other characteristics of bleaching events hampers research on the causes and consequences of this important phenomenon. This article describes a global protocol for monitoring coral bleaching events, which addresses this problem and can be used by people with different levels of expertise and resources.

Coral spawning information

Information on reproduction in reef corals is presented. An understanding of its reproductive behaviour is an important factor in helping to preserve the coral reef ecosystems.

Feeding habits of European hake (Merluccius merluccius) in the central Mediterranean Sea

European hake (Merluccius merluccius) is an important predator of deeper shelf-upper slope Mediterranean communities. It is a nectobenthic species distributed over a wide depth range (20−1000 m) throughout the Mediterranean Sea and the north east Atlantic region (Fisher et al., 1987). Notwithstanding the ecological and economic importance (Oliver and Massutí, 1995) of hake in the Mediterranean, many aspects of its biology (e.g., recruitment and reproduction), due to multiple spawning (Sarano, 1986) and the current state of exploitation, are poorly understood (Arneri and Morales-Nin, 2000).

An Economic Analysis of Texas Shrimp Season Closures

Management of the Texas penaeid shrimp fishery is aimed at increasing revenue from brown shrimp, Penaeus aztecus, landings and decreasing the level of discards. Since 1960 Texas has closed its territorial sea for 45-60 days during peak migration of brown shrimp to the Gulf of Mexico. In 1981 the closure was extended to 200 miles to include the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. Simulation modeling is used in this paper to estimate the changes in landings, revenue, costs, and economic rent attributable to the Texas closure. Four additional analyses were conducted to estimate the effects of closing the Gulf 1- to 4-fathom zone for 45 and 60 days, with and without effort redirected to inshore waters. Distributional impacts are analyzed in terms of costs, revenues, and rents, by vessel class, shrimp species, vessel owner, and crew.

沿阶草族的染色体研究及系统学问题的探讨

本论文对沿阶草族Ophiopogoneae(Endl.)Kunth的研究历史作了回顾，从染色体、形态学和解剖学角度对此族作了研究，并作了数值分类和分支 系统学分析的尝试，在此基础上探讨了这个族的系统学问题． 1)本论文对此族三属37种123居群的染色体数目、基数及核型不对称性作了研究，其中19种的染色体为首次报道．它们是：P．macrostegiaHance， P.yunnanensis Wang et Tang，P.ophiopogonoides Wang et Tang,O. sarmentosus Wang et Dai,O.tienensis Wang et Tang, O.sylvicola Wang et Tang, O.fooningensis Wang et Dai, O.mairei L6vl.，O.szechuanensis Wang et Tang, O.angustiatus (Wang et Tang) S.C.Chen, O.amblyphyllus Wang et Dai,O.clavatus Wright ex Oliver,O.clivioidesD.M.Zhang et Hong, O.longiscaposus D.M.Zhang et Hong,O.umbraticola Hance,O.fuiD.M.Zhang ntHong,O.zingiberaceus Wang et Dai,O.gangxiensisd.M.Zhang et Hong,O. lo fouense L6vl. 2)在此族中首次报道了2n = 2x = 34的异基数二倍体，同时在O.umbraticola，O.japonicus,O.cLarkei中报道了2n=68的异基数二倍体，过核型和减数分裂等证明异基数是在二倍体水平上形成，并发展成倍性系列的． 3)在此族中首次报道了B染色体的存在，已确证了两种(P.macrostegia和D.tienensis)．一种尚需进一步确证(O.Larkei)． 4)通过对随体位置的系统研究，发现在此族中随体位置具有分类价值． 5)通过对8个种内多倍体、4个多倍体种的研究，表明多倍体分布于较北、海拔较高的地方，而亚洲热带地区的种，则无多倍体，同时在具异基数种类和核型较不对称种类上亦有这种分布特征;在确定了分布的多度中心的基础上，提出喜马拉雅_横断山脉到川西、川南一带是沿阶草属和山麦冬属的近代分化中心． 6)通过染色体结构和数目几个角度的研究，表明球子草属与其他两属在。染色体水平上已发生很大分化，但其属内的分化则不表现在染色体上．其他二属内部则有基数、倍性和核型不对称方面的分化．综观此族，染色体具有由核 型对称向不对称、由二倍体向多倍体、由种内多倍体向多倍体种，由单一基数向种内异基数几个方向进化的趋势． 7)通过对此族的形态观察和分析，提出茎或根状茎分枝方式是属下分类的重要依据;认为本族植物的花序是由圆锥花序简化而来，但残留着圆锥花序特征;并提出了本族花、茎、叶、根几个方面的形态演化趋势． 8)通过对此族二属21种的子房解剖，发现三属均有半下位子房，因而认为子房半下位作为分属检索性状是不合适的．此外还观察到子房着生位置在种内亦有变异，对这种变异的意义进行了探讨． 9)通过此族三属46种2变种的数值分类处理，表明本族由球子草群和沿阶草一山麦冬群两大类群组成，山麦冬属仅是与沿阶草属一个组（葶花组）并列的分类单元，其内部分化较小，而沿阶草属则较大． 10)通过46个性状计算了山麦冬属和沿阶草属共6个广布的“群内总体相 似度”(IOS)，表明山麦冬属3个种种内个体之间、种间个体之间的分化很小，且可能有杂交现象，结合染色体资料和分布特征，认为这个属的发生是个相当晚近的事件． 11)本文从形态和染色体角度，认为沿阶草族是一个自然类群;由分支系 统学分析表明，此族由二个单系类群（球子草属和沿阶草属）组成，沿阶草属含两个单系的组，其中各含3个系，山麦冬属为其中一个系．这一结果与数值 分类结果和染色体资料相符． 12)为避免单一分类方法可能导致的不合理结果，本文以自拟的一种综合分类方法，把谱系、进化、分化诸因素均予考虑，得出一个三维图象，以图象 上相对等径的球作为分类依据，得出的结果与分支系统学和数值分类结果基本一致．因此，山麦冬属作为与沿阶草属等阶的分类地位，应予重新考虑． 13）本文最后对这个族的全面修订提出几点建议. 14）此外，本文还描述了沿阶草属4个新种.

人与大猩猩、黑猩猩和猩猩亲缘关系的探讨

有关人猿超科的系统发育仍然存在争议。争论焦点在人与大猩猩和黑猩猩哪个关系更近一点。酪氨酸酶是黑色素合成中的关键酶，酪氨酸酶基因的突变将导致白化病。测定了人猿超科中大猩猩、黑猩猩、猩猩和长臂猿酪氨酸酶基因全部5个外显子的DNA序列。结合已发表人的序列，用简约法构建了基因树。结果表明，人与大猩猩的关系比黑猩猩要近一些。