Simplifying mooring analysis for deepwater systems using truncation

Over recent years academia and industry have engaged with the challenge of model testing deepwater structures at conventional scales. One approach to the limited depth problem has been to truncate the lines. This concept will be introduced, highlighting the need to better understand line dynamic processes. The type of line truncation developed here models the upper sections of each line in detail, capturing wave action and all coupling effects with the vessel, terminating to an approximate analytical model that aims to simulate the remainder of the line. A rationale for this is that in deep water transverse elastic waves of a line are likely to decay before they are reflected at the seabed because of nonlinear hydrodynamic drag forces. The first part of this paper is centered on verification of this rationale. A simplified model of a mooring line that describes the transverse dynamics in wave frequency is used, adopting the equation of motion of an inextensible taut string. The line is submerged in still water, one end fixed at the bottom the other assumed to follow the vessel response, which can be harmonic or random. A dimensional analysis, supported by exact benchmark numerical solutions, has shown that it is possible to produce a universal curve for the decay of transverse vibrations along the line, which is suitable for any kind of line with any top motion. This has a significant engineering benefit, allowing for a rapid assessment of line dynamics - it can be useful in deciding whether a truncated line model is appropriate, and if so, at which point truncation might be applied. This is followed by developing a truncation mechanism, formulating an end approximation that can reproduce the correct impedance, had the line been continuous to full depth. It has been found that below a certain length criterion, which is also universal, the transverse vibrational characteristics for each line are inertia driven. As such the truncated model can assume a linear damper whose coefficient depends on the line properties and frequency of vibration. Copyright © 2011 by the International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE).

Genome-wide high-resolution mapping and functional analysis of DNA methylation in arabidopsis.

Cytosine methylation is important for transposon silencing and epigenetic regulation of endogenous genes, although the extent to which this DNA modification functions to regulate the genome is still unknown. Here we report the first comprehensive DNA methylation map of an entire genome, at 35 base pair resolution, using the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana as a model. We find that pericentromeric heterochromatin, repetitive sequences, and regions producing small interfering RNAs are heavily methylated. Unexpectedly, over one-third of expressed genes contain methylation within transcribed regions, whereas only approximately 5% of genes show methylation within promoter regions. Interestingly, genes methylated in transcribed regions are highly expressed and constitutively active, whereas promoter-methylated genes show a greater degree of tissue-specific expression. Whole-genome tiling-array transcriptional profiling of DNA methyltransferase null mutants identified hundreds of genes and intergenic noncoding RNAs with altered expression levels, many of which may be epigenetically controlled by DNA methylation.

灵长类泌乳刺激素基因的插曲式进化

采用PCR 方法从4 个灵长目物种中获得了泌乳刺激素(Prolactin, PRL)基因的第2~5 外显子的序 列, 结合GenBank 中已有的序列, 计算了PRL 基因在灵长目中的氨基酸替换速率. 对异义替换速率和 同义替换速率进行比较的结果显示, 在灵长目进化的过程中未发现任何一个枝系有正选择作用的迹象. 此外, 用最大似然(Maximum-Likelihood, ML)法没有检验到任何一个受到正选择作用的位点; 在快速 进化时期内发生的所有32 个氨基酸替换中, 只有2 个位点包含在功能重要的40 个氨基酸之内, 提示所 发生的氨基酸替换主要集中在功能上并不是很重要的位点上. 此外, 在PRL 基因的快速进化过程中, PRL 的部分功能被胎盘泌乳刺激素(placental lactogen, PL)所替代. 基于以上原因, 推测发生在灵长目 PRL 基因的快速进化很可能是选择压力的放松, 而不是正选择作用的结果.

线粒体DNA 3243、3316 点突变与2 型糖尿病

　目的　研究2 型糖尿病患者中线粒体tRNAL eu (UUR) 基因3243AöG 突变和NADH 脱氢酶亚 单位1 基因( ND1 ) 基因3316GöA 突变的发生频率及其与2 型糖尿病的相关性。方法　应用聚合酶链反 应及限制性片段长度多态性技术检测225 例中国云南2 型糖尿病患者和195 名无糖尿病家族史的健康对 照者有无3243AöG 突变和3316GöA 突变, 并经DNA 直接测序确证。结果　2 型糖尿病患者中3316GöA 突变者5 例(2. 22% ) , 195 例对照者中突变者2 例(1. 03% ) , 突变发生率在两组间差异无统计学意义(P = 0. 4576) ; 两组中无线粒体3243AöG 突变。结论　线粒体tRNAL eu (UUR) 基因3243AöG 突变在中国云南2 型 糖尿病人群中发生频率低, 可能不是云南人群中2 型糖尿病的常见病因。线粒体ND1 基因3316GöA 突变 可能仅为人群中线粒体基因组的正常多态。其他的遗传、环境及子宫内因素需要进一步研究。

甘蔗细茎野生种(Saccharum spontaneum L.)的遗传多样性和系统演化研究

利用RAPD技术,采用25个随机引物对来自中国不同生态环境的195份甘蔗细茎野生种材料进行了地理群体结构的遗传多样性研究。结果表明:甘蔗细茎野生种的种内遗传变异较大,各地理类群的遗传分化明显,具有丰富的遗传多样性。基于分子聚类分析,推论中国甘蔗细茎野生种的起源演化方式为:起源于云南,然后由云南→四川→贵州→广西→广东→海南→福建→江西;进一步证明了云南为野生甘蔗的起源中心之一的可能性。

Nutritional evaluation of some freshwater fishes

The proximate composition, amino acid composition and the PER values of Rohu (Labeo rohita), Mrigal (Cirrhina mrigala) and Calbasu (Labeo calbasu) are reported. The proximate composition of all the three fishes was similar. However the amino acid composition varied considerably. Protein quality index of the three fish proteins calculated from the amino acid composition are also reported. The nutritional quality of the 3 types of proteins to meet the growth requirements of infants, children and adult human beings is discussed. The possibility of substantial improvement in nutritional quality of the three fish proteins to suit the requirements of infants and children by marginal supplementation with valine/valine-rich food for rohu and valine and isoleucine/food rich in valine and isoleucine for mrigal and calbasu is also discussed. The results indicate that of the three fishes rohu is the best in protein quality followed by mrigal and calbasu. All of them have a better amino acid make up than casein to meet the amino acid requirement of adults.

Introducing tilapia (GIFT) with shrimp (Penaues monodon) in brackishwater rice-shrimp system: impact on water quality and production

Mixed rearing of tilapia (Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia, GIFT) with shrimp (Penaeus monodon) in brackishwater rice-shrimp system was assessed for its impact on dry season's shrimp production. The experiment was conducted in pre-selected farmer's field located at Paikgacha Upazila of Khulna district and designed with three different densities (treatment) of GIFT, viz, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5/m² with a constant stocking density of shrimp at 3/m². Each treatment had three replications. There had a set of control treatment where GIFT was not stocked. Results of the experiment revealed that tilapia did not exert any significant effect (p>0.05) on the water quality variables, even on survival rate of shrimp (p>0.05) under farm level condition in rice-shrimp rotational system, but a density dependent negative effect (P<0.05) on the growth of shrimp led apparently lower production rate of shrimp. Though tilapia provided the major augment of total production (p<0.05) in the respective treatments than in monoculture of shrimp, but not that of the economic return. However, economic loss due to sudden shrimp crop failure might be partially minimized by the tilapia crop.

Effect of alum on the histological changes of silver barb (Barbodes gonionotus)

Studies were conducted to know the effects of alum on the histological changes of silver barb (Barbodes gonionotus) fry in the aquarium. The use of up to 0.5 g/L of alum for 120 hours as means of treatment of fish diseases is safe. At this level, no abnormal behavior and pathological alteration were observed in the organs of experimental fish. As the doses increased to 1.25 g/L and above (1.5 g/L), experimental fishes exhibited abnormal movement and with marked histopathological changes in the various organs. A dose of above 0.5 g/L should be strictly prohibited.

Indian squid, Uroteuthis duvauceli, is an important commercial marine fauna in the coastal waters of Oman Sea

About 3600 specimens were collected by bottom trawl at 15 sampling stations. 24 biometric characters were measured for each specimens at the laboratory.. Microscopic cross – sections of statolith were used for age determination. Sex determination and fecundity were determined. Population dynamics parameters as well as stock as stock assessment including cohort analysis were estimated using FISAT software. The findings showed that Dorsal Mantle Length (DML) and Body weight (BW) of the Indian squid were 133.9 ± 0.78 mm and 99.61 ± 0.95 g respectively. Strong correlation was found between these 2 variables (R2 = 0.90). The maximum age was 5 years. Relationship between DML and age was highly significantly of p ≤ 0.05. Overall sex ratio (M: F = 0.52) was significantly different from the expected 1:1 ratio (p ≤ 0.05). The ovary weight and nidamental glands weight were 7.72 ± 0.0006 g and 3.07 ± 0.0003g respectively. Absolute and relative fecundity of the Indian squid were found to be 122733 ± 30.87 and 2348 ± 0.4 respectively. GSI were 14.35 in April and 8.63 in July. This squid is therefore a spring spawner. The infinite dorsal mantle length were 258.62 mm for females, 194.72 mm for males and 252.02 for both sexes respectively. For population growth and mortality parameters; K (0.65 per year for both sexes, 0.85 per year for males, 0.65 per year for females); t0 (0.24year for both sexes, 0.22 year in females, 0.26 year in male); φ` (2.30 in both sexes, 2.47 for males, 2.37 for females); Z (1.17 per year for both sexes, 1.10 per year in females, 1.39 per year, in males); M (0.70 per year for both sexes, 0.90 for males, 0.67 for females); F(0.27 per year for both sexes, 0.27 per year in males, 0.195 per year in females). Exploitation coefficient were 0.51 per year for both sexes, 0.57 per year males and 0.51 per year females respectively. The results indicates that since the Indian squid is a short live aquatic organism, therefore, the exploitation coefficient could be raised to 0.7 per year. The analysis showed that total biomass and MSY were 10103.5 ton and 2576.4 ton respectively. These findings are the first study of its sort about the Indian squid in the coastal waters of Oman Sea as well as North-West of Indian Ocean.

中国大陆白腹鼠属的分支系统发育研究

　运用Hennig 的分支系统学原理和方法, 对分布于中国大陆的白腹鼠属7 个种的部分外部及头骨形态学特征 进行性状数据分析, 结合应用Paup 和Hennig 86 两种分支系统学软件对它们之间的系统发育关系进行研究。结果表 明: 安氏白腹鼠N. andersoni 和川西白腹鼠N. excelsior 亲缘关系较近, 二者聚在一起, 组成了Musser (1981) 的安 氏白腹鼠种组N. andersoni2Division ; 另外刺毛鼠N. f ulvescens 和褐尾鼠N. cremoriventer 的亲缘关系最近, 二者先 聚在一起, 再与社鼠N. conf ucianus 聚在一起, 形成了安氏白腹鼠种组的姐妹群; 而梵鼠N. brahma 是上述5 种白 腹鼠组成类群的姐妹群, 灰腹鼠N. eha 则与前6 种白腹鼠组成类群互为姐妹群。

Can a group elicit duets from its neighbours? A field study on the black-crested gibbon (Nomascus concolor jingdongensis) in Central Yunnan, China

We tested the intergroup spacing hypothesis with a 13-month field study of the interaction of singing behaviour between 3 neighbouring groups of black-crested gibbons (Nomascus concolor jingdongensis) at Mt. Wuliang, Central Yunnan, China. Neighbouring gr