158-μJ pulses from a single-transverse-mode, large-mode-area erbium-doped fiber amplifier

We report the amplification of 10-100-pJ semiconductor diode pulses to an energy of 158 μJ and peak powers >100 kW in a multistage fiber amplifier chain based on a single-mode, large-mode-area erbium-doped amplifier design. To our knowledge these results represent the highest single-mode pulse energy extracted from any doped-fiber system. © 1997 Optical Society of America.

Observation on the urinogenital papilla and sexual dimorphism in some Indian gobiids (Gobiidae: Teleostei)

A thorough comparative study on the urinogenital papilla and sexual dimorphism has been made for the first time in both the sexes of twelve Indian gobiids: Glassogobius giuris (Hamilton); Acentrogobius cyanomos (Bleeker); Eleotriodes muralis (Valenciennes); Parapocryptes serperaster (Richardson); Apocryptes bato (Hamilton); Scartclaos viridis (Hamilton); Boleophthalmus boddarti (Pallas), Periophthalmus schlosseri (Pallas); P. koelreuteri (Pallas); Taenioides anguillaris (Linnaeus); T. buchanani (Day); Odontamblyopus rubicundus (Hamilton). The urinogenital papilla, originating as a free muscular organ from the ventral surface of the body-wall and shortly behind anus, is present in both the sexes. It is an important organ of primary sex recognition in all species. In case of male the papilla is conical, broad at the base and in female it is either flattened, distally truncated or bluntly rounded. The presence of permanent colour mark over the specific region of the body surface is another secondary sexual character in a few species. Besides, colouration may also be a nuptial secondary sex character developed in some during peak breeding season. The enlargement and colouration of the organ is subject to seasonal variations parallel to the seasonal gonadal cycle. The histological architecture of the papilla shows a high degree of cellular specialization and an interrelationship to the urinary and genital ducts. The functional efficacy and significance of the papilla in the breeding biology of these fishes has been discussed.

Towards topology-free optimization - An application to turbine internal cooling geometries

The application of automated design optimization to real-world, complex geometry problems is a significant challenge - especially if the topology is not known a priori like in turbine internal cooling. The long term goal of our work is to focus on an end-to-end integration of the whole CFD Process, from solid model through meshing, solving and post-processing to enable this type of design optimization to become viable & practical. In recent papers we have reported the integration of a Level Set based geometry kernel with an octree-based cut- Cartesian mesh generator, RANS flow solver, post-processing & geometry editing all within a single piece of software - and all implemented in parallel with commodity PC clusters as the target. The cut-cells which characterize the approach are eliminated by exporting a body-conformal mesh guided by the underpinning Level Set. This paper extends this work still further with a simple scoping study showing how the basic functionality can be scripted & automated and then used as the basis for automated optimization of a generic gas turbine cooling geometry. Copyright © 2008 by W.N.Dawes.

Natural selection on EPAS1 (HIF2 alpha) associated with low hemoglobin concentration in Tibetan highlanders

By impairing both function and survival, the severe reduction in oxygen availability associated with high-altitude environments is likely to act as an agent of natural selection. We used genomic and candidate gene approaches to search for evidence of such genetic selection. First, a genome-wide allelic differentiation scan (GWADS) comparing indigenous highlanders of the Tibetan Plateau (3,200 3,500 m) with closely related lowland Han revealed a genome-wide significant divergence across eight SNPs located near EPAS1. This gene encodes the transcription factor HIF2 alpha, which stimulates production of red blood cells and thus increases the concentration of hemoglobin in blood. Second, in a separate cohort of Tibetans residing at 4,200 m, we identified 31 EPAS1 SNPs in high linkage disequilibrium that correlated significantly with hemoglobin concentration. The sex-adjusted hemoglobin concentration was, on average, 0.8 g/dL lower in the major allele homozygotes compared with the heterozygotes. These findings were replicated in a third cohort of Tibetans residing at 4,300 m. The alleles associating with lower hemoglobin concentrations were correlated with the signal from the GWADS study and were observed at greatly elevated frequencies in the Tibetan cohorts compared with the Han. High hemoglobin concentrations are a cardinal feature of chronic mountain sickness offering one plausible mechanism for selection. Alternatively, as EPAS1 is pleiotropic in its effects, selection may have operated on some other aspect of the phenotype. Whichever of these explanations is correct, the evidence for genetic selection at the EPAS1 locus from the GWADS study is supported by the replicated studies associating function with the allelic variants.

Tomorrow's cities - a framework for building resilience

Urbanisation is the great driving force of the twenty-first century. Cities are associated with both productivity and creativity, and the benefits offered by closely connected and high density living and working contribute to sustainability. At the same time, cities need extensive infrastructure – like water, power, sanitation and transportation systems – to operate effectively. Cities therefore comprise multiple components, forming both static and dynamic systems that are interconnected directly and indirectly on a number of levels, all forming the backdrop for the interaction of people and processes. Bringing together large numbers of people and complex products in rich interactions can lead to vulnerability from hazards, threats and even trends, whether natural hazards, epidemics, political upheaval, demographic changes, economic instability and/or mechanical failures; The key to countering vulnerability is the identification of critical systems and clear understanding of their interactions and dependencies. Critical systems can be assessed methodically to determine the implications of their failure and their interconnectivities with other systems to identify options. The overriding need is to support resilience – defined here as the degree to which a system or systems can continue to function effectively in a changing environment. Cities need to recognise the significance of devising adaptation strategies and processes to address a multitude of uncertainties relating to climate, economy, growth and demography. In this paper we put forward a framework to support cities in understanding the hazards, threats and trends that can make them vulnerable to unexpected changes and unpredictable shocks. The framework draws on an asset model of the city, in which components that contribute to resilience include social capital, economic assets, manufactured assets, and governance. The paper reviews the field, and draws together an overarching framework intended to help cities plan a robust trajectory towards increased resilience through flexibility, resourcefulness and responsiveness. It presents some brief case studies demonstrating the applicability of the proposed framework to a wide variety of circumstances.

黄颡鱼鳃部寄生单殖吸虫和鳋类的空间分布特点

研究了黄颡鱼Pelteobagrusfulvidraco (Richardson)鳃部的寄生单殖吸虫 (Monogeneans)和鳋类 (Copepods)的空间分布特点。寄生于黄颡鱼鳃部的单殖吸虫和鳋类在两侧鳃上的感染强度及其差异表明 ,两种寄生虫对于鳃片的左右位置没有明显的选择性 ;在黄颡鱼四鳃间的分布存在极显著的差异 (P <0 .0 5 ,P <0 .0 1) ;在鳃片的各区均存在选择性 ;对鳃丝的各分段也均有极显著的选择性。

黄颡鱼种类及其生物学特性

<正> 黄颡鱼 Pelteobagrus fulvidraco(Richardson),俗名黄腊丁、黄鳍鱼、缺丝、缺嘎呀子等,古称鲿。黄颡鱼具有分布广、产量大,且肉质嫩、少细刺、含脂肪多的特点,深受群众喜爱。鉴于目前国内有关水产刊物对黄颡鱼的报道甚少,笔者将黄颡鱼的种类及其生物学特性概述如后,以餮读者。种类:本属鱼其种类有瓦氏黄颡鱼(广东)、岔尾黄颡鱼(上海)、盎塘黄颡鱼(浙

Aerodynamic noise from a poroelastic trailing edge with implications for the silent flight of owls

The interaction of a turbulent eddy with a semi-infinite, poroelastic edge is examined with respect to the effects of both elasticity and porosity on the efficiency of scattered aerodynamic noise. The scattering problem is solved using the Wiener-Hopf technique for constant plate properties to identify their scaling dependence on the resulting aerodynamic noise, including the dependence on flight velocity, where special attention is paid to the limiting cases of rigid, porous and elastic, impermeable plate conditions. Results from these analyses attempt to address how trailing edge noise may be mitigated by porosity and seek to deepen the understanding of how owls hunt in acoustic stealth. © 2012 by Justin W. Jaworski and Nigel Peake. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.

马口鱼类分类的重新整理

<正> 马口鱼类包括马口鱼属Opsariichthys Bleeker、(鱼巤)属Zacco Jordan et Evermann、须(鱼巤)属Candidia Jordan et Richardson和异(鱼巤)属Parazacco, gen.nov.等4个属,以性成熟个体臀鳍条特别延长和具有发达的追星为共同特征,组成鲤科鱼类中的一个自然类群。这个类群分布于黑龙江以南、红河以北的东亚地区,是我国溪河中的常见鱼类。1964年杨

鳡鱼的颅骨结构及其对掠食生态的适应性

<正> 鳡鱼Elopichthys bambusa(Richardson)是我国特有的一种鲤科鱼类,生活于江河、湖泊的中上层,游泳非常迅速,经常袭击和追捕其他鱼类,是一种咬捕掠食型的凶猛鱼类。由于这种习性,使它的形态,特别是颅骨的结构产生了某些相应变化。为此,(1912)曾据其上颔骨与前上颌骨相愈合等特征,建立了一个与鲤科其他亚科并列的一个类群——Elopichthyini。但至今未见到鳡鱼颅骨结构的系统描述。作者以两尾性成熟个体(标准长分别为930毫米和890毫米)为材料,对鳡鱼的颅骨结构进行了比较观察