Extracellular breakdown of collagen by mice decidual cells. A cytochemical and ultrastructural study.

The interaction of antimesometrial decidual cells and collagen fibrils was studied by light microscopy and ultrastructural cytochemistry in fed and acutely fasted mice on days 9-11 of pregnancy. Fibrillar elements in the extracellular space consisted of collagen fibrils and filamentous aggregates (disintegrating collagen fibrils). Intracellular vacuoles exhibited typical collagen immersed in electron-translucent material (clear vacuoles) and faint cross-banded collagen immersed in electron-opaque material (dark vacuoles). Fibrillar elements showed extracellular acid phosphatase activity which was stronger in the region of mature decidua than in predecidual cells region in all animals; it was conspicuous in mature decidua of fasted animals. Intracellular acid phosphatase activity was observed in dark vacuoles and lysosomes, and was absent in clear vacuoles in all cells studied. Since acid phosphatase activity reflects the presence of lysosomal hydrolases in general, the results indicate that breakdown of extracellular collagen occurs by release of lysosomal enzymes by decidual cells and also by internalization of collagen for intracellular degradation in fed and fasted mice. Collagen breakdown may be part of the process of tissue remodeling in mature and predecidual regions, however, in mature decidua, collagen breakdown is enhanced and may therefore contribute to nutrition of the fetus, specially in acutely fasted mice.     

Histochemical and ultrahistochemical localization of heavy metals in calf organs

Cadmium, zinc, selenium, and copper were administered, singly or in combination, orally or subcutaneously. Experiment I included 32 calves of both sexes; six received Cd (two groups), Zn, Cd, and Zn, and Cd and Se (two groups) and one group was a control. In Experiment II (21 bulls), three were given Cd, Cd, and Cu, and Cd and Zn, respectively, and one group was a control. For light microscopy, in Experiment I the highest amounts of silver granules were present in the samples of liver, small intestine, and vesicular gland of all the exposed groups; in Experiment II the most affected organs were liver, kidney, and small intestine. For electron microscopy, in Experiment I, after administration of Cd and Zn, the highest amounts of granules were seen in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes and cells of the proximal and distal renal tubules and the lowest amounts were found in glandular cells of the pancreas. Administration of Cd and Se resulted in the presence of large numbers of granules in the nuclei and nucleoli of spermatogonies. In Experiment II, ingestion of Cd and Zn in feed led to the appearance of highest amounts of granules in the nucleoli, nuclei, and cytoplasm of cells in testes, kidneys, and pancreas. Following Cd intake, the highest accumulation of granules was observed in the nucleoli of hepatocytes and cells of the proximal and distal renal tubules. Combined Cd and Cu produced the highest number of granules in cells of the proximal and distal renal tubules and in the nucleoli and nuclei of germinal epithelium.     

Differential expression of CD95, Bcl-2, and Bax in rat gastric chief and parietal cells

Apoptotic cell death is common in the inflamed gastric mucosa, but its role in the regulation of cell homeostasis in normal gastric mucosa is unknown. We investigated the expression of CD95, Bcl-2, and Bax and their roles in the regulation of apoptosis in normal rat gastric mucosa and in cultures of highly enriched rat chief and parietal cells by immunostaining, Western blotting, and FACS. In intact tissue CD95, Bcl-2, and Bax were localized predominantly in the glandular base region in chief cells. In freshly isolated cells, expression of CD95, Bcl-2, and Bax was much more pronounced in chief cells than in parietal cells. A lower intracellular Bcl-2/Bax ratio suggesting a higher susceptibility to apoptosis was noticed in chief rather than in parietal cells. In extended cultures of parietal and chief cells, Bax expression was upregulated and Bcl-2 expression was downregulated. These regulatory changes, presumably caused by in vitro effects, were not associated with an increase in spontaneous apoptosis. Treatment of chief and parietal cells with Fas-ligand induced apoptosis of all CD95 expressing cells. Expression of CD95, Bcl-2, and Bax predominantly in chief cells suggests that in this cell type regulation of apoptosis may differ from that in parietal cells. Binding of FasL with functionally active CD95 receptors on chief and parietal cells may be relevant for induction of apoptosis in inflamed gastric mucosa.     

Distribution of sex steroid hormone receptors in the avian brain: functional implications for neural sex differences and sexual behaviors

Developmental and seasonal changes in the production of androgens, estrogens, and progestins seem to control sex-specific differentiation and seasonal changes in appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviors of birds. This results in profound sex differences in the quality (sex-specific) or quantity (sex-typical) of behaviors such as courtship, territoriality, or copulation. Steroids affect the brain by binding to intracellularly located receptors. The same brain areas express androgen, estrogen, and progesterone receptors in male and female brains. Sex differences in these genetically determined patterns occur in the size of neuron populations that intrinsically express sex steroid receptors. Further permanent sex differences are subsequent to degenerative fates of receptor expressing neuron populations during ontogeny. Transient sex differences in receptor expression appear to be due to area-specific up- and down-regulation of receptor levels, reflecting transient changes in the level of circulating steroids, changes in environmental conditions, or in the physiological status of the individuals. In particular, intrinsic sex differences in the expression pattern of sex steroid receptors and steroid-independent regulation of the expression level of these receptors in the brain are limiting mechanisms for gonad-dependent sexual development and activities.     

Immunohistochemistry of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and protein nitration in the striatum of the aged rat

To ascertain the possible implications of the nitric oxide (NO*) producing system in striatal senescence, and by using immunohistochemistry and image-processing approaches, we describe the presence of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS), the NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemical marker, and nitrotyrosine-derived complexes (N-Tyr) in the striatum of adult and aged rats. The results showed neuronal NOS immunoreactive (nNOS-IR) aspiny medium-sized neurons and nervous fibres in both age groups, with no variation in the percentage of immunoreactive area but a significant decrease in the intensity and in the number of somata with age, which were not related to the observed increase with age of the striatal bundles of the white matter. In addition, NADPH-d activity was detected in neurons with morphology similar to that of the nNOS-IR cells; a decrease in the percentage of area per field and in the number of cells, but an increase in the intensity of staining for the NADPH-d histochemical marker, were detected with age. The number of neuronal NADPH-d somata was higher than for the nNOS-IR ones in both age groups. Moreover, N-Tyr-IR complexes were observed in cells (neurons and glia) and fibres, with a significant increase in the percentage of the area of immunoreaction, related to the increase of white matter, but a decrease in intensity for the aged group. On the other hand, we did not detect the inducible isoform (iNOS) either in adult or in aged rats. Taken together, these results support the contention that NADPH-d staining is not such an unambiguous marker for nNOS, and that increased protein nitration may participate in striatal aging.     

Gender-related changes in the avian vasotocin system during ontogeny

The arginine vasotocin (AVT) system of the avian brain includes a sexually dimorphic part that extends from the caudal part of preoptic region through the medial part of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BSTm) to the lateral septum. It is composed of the parvocellular neurons located in the BSTm and the dense innervation of the medial preoptic region and lateral septum. In this part of the brain, AVT expression is stronger in males than in females in a few bird species investigated to date. This review focuses on the ontogeny of sexual differences in the vasotocinergic system of two gallinaceous species, domestic chicken and Japanese quail, and on the role of gonadal hormones in organizing during development and maintaining in adulthood these differences. Parvocellular AVT neurons become discernible in the BSTm of males and females during the second half of embryonic development. These cells undergo a profound and irreversible sexual differentiation during ontogenetic development. Recent findings demonstrate a dual role of estrogens in the organization and activation of sex differences in the AVT system. During the embryonic period of ontogeny, estrogens differentiate the AVT system in a sexually dimorphic manner in parallel with the differentiation of sexual behavior, while in adulthood estrogens, locally produced from testosterone in the male brain, activate AVT synthesis in the BSTm. The sexually dimorphic part of the AVT system is sensitive to a number of abiotic factors such as light, temperature, and water availability. It is suggested that sex dimorphic vasotocinergic systems could be implicated in processes of social recognition in various behavioral contexts.     

Dynamic structural changes of synaptic contacts in the visual system of insects

The visual system of insects provides an excellent model to study processes of transduction and transmission of photic information, synaptogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and wiring between photoreceptors and their visual interneurons in the optic lobe. This review describes synaptic contacts between photoreceptors and other neurons in the visual system of insects, especially in the fly's first optic neuropile (the lamina), and summarizes changes observed in the synapses of visual cells that have been reported both in phylogeny and ontogeny, and also examples of synaptic plasticity in adult insects that have been evoked by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Plasticity observed in synapses of the insect's visual system seems to exemplify not only synaptic contacts in insects but, given that similar examples of plasticity have been found in other animal groups, may also be a general phenomenon in the nervous system.     

Effect of Deviation from Coaxiality between the Directions of Magnetization and Mechanical Strain on the Results of Magnetic Testing of Elastic Strain in Steels

The magnetoelastic effect in steels that are in the states of coercive force and residual magnetization in the saturation hysteresis loop is studied. The regularities of changes in the residual magnetization and coercive force under uniaxial tensioning and compression of specimens of 30KhGSA steel magnetized along the direction of strain application are established. It is shown that a variation in the direction of magnetization and complication of the strain pattern result in considerable deviations in the character of changes in the magnetic forces determined by a ferroprobe-type coercive force meter for elastically strained plates from St3 and R6M5 steels and for an St3 beam.     

五自由度机器人的结构设计及其控制

介绍了串联五自由度机器人的机械结构和机器人控制系统的设计.文中设计的五自由度机器人既可以用于实际生产,也可以用于教学和科研.用于实际生产既可以执行点位控制下的操作,也可以执行连续轨迹控制下的操作;用于教学和科研时,该机器人可用于机器人结构分析、机构运动学分析及机器人控制系统的教学演示和实验操作.它具有结构简单、操控方便等特点,而且可以做进一步的研发.     

The intracellular distribution of ions and water in rat liver and heart muscle

Local dry mass concentrations of intracellular compartments in rat heart muscle and liver cells were estimated by quantitative electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis of ultrathin frozen-dried cryosections. The results were used to calculate elemental concentrations per litre of compartment water from the X-ray microanalytical data. Water fractions were between 80.3 ± 1.3% of wet weight in the decondensed chromatin and only 45.1 ± 1.7% in mitochondria of liver cells. The lowest water fraction in heart muscle cells was also found in mitochondria. The ionic concentrations found in the cytoplasm of liver cells and in the myofibrils are in accord with the electroneutrality rule and in osmotic equilibrium with the extracellular concentrations. The concentrations of Na, K, Cl and P both in the cytoplasm and in the regions of decondensed chromatin within the nuclei were found to be equal. However, in regions of condensed chromatin K⁺ concentrations were found to be much higher than expected for a Donnan distribution of ions free in solution. Most probably the activity coefficient for K⁺ is lower in the condensed chromatin than in the decondensed or in the cytoplasm. The same holds true for the A-band as compared to the I-band in heart muscle cells. A sequestration of K⁺ was measured also in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) of hepatocytes. The Cl^? concentration in mitochondria both in heart muscle and liver cells has been measured far in excess of what might be expected from a Nernstian distribution. A coupled inward Cl^? transport in mitochondria must, therefore, be assumed.     

The compression and expansion waves of the forward and backward flows: an in-vitro arterial model

Although the propagation of arterial waves of forward flows has been studied before, that of backward flows has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this research is to investigate the propagation of the compression and expansion waves of backward flows in terms of wave speed and dissipation, in flexible tubes. The aim is also to compare the propagation of these waves with those of forward flows. A piston pump generated a flow waveform in the shape of approximately half-sinusoid, in flexible tubes (12 mm and 16 mm diameter). The pump produced flow in either the forward or the backward direction by moving the piston forward, in a 'pushing action' or backward, in a 'pulling action', using a graphite brushes d.c. motor. Pressure and flow were measured at intervals of 5 cm along each tube and wave speed was determined using the PU-loop method. The simultaneous measurements of diameter were also taken at the same position of the pressure and flow in the 16 mm tube. Wave intensity analysis was used to determine the magnitude of the pressure and velocity waveforms and wave intensity in the forward and backward directions. Under the same initial experimental conditions, wave speed was higher during the pulling action (backward flow) than during the pushing action (forward flow). The amplitudes of pressure and velocity in the pulling action were significantly higher than those in the pushing action. The tube diameter was approximately 20 per cent smaller in the pulling action than in the pushing action in the 16 mm tube. The compression and expansion waves resulting from the pushing and pulling actions dissipated exponentially along the travelling distance, and their dissipation was greater in the smaller than in the larger tubes. Local wave speed in flexible tubes is flow direction- and wave nature-dependent and is greater with expansion than with compression waves. Wave dissipation has an inverse relationship with the vessel diameter, and dissipation of the expansion wave of the pulling action was greater than that of the pushing action.     

高校学业考试作弊现象的社会学探析

从学生、学校、社会以及文化传统四个层面探微,认为高校学业考试作弊是学校场域中处于弱势地位的学生以追求分数为表象,以追逐位置和争夺资本为目的的主动“求生”策略,他们用异常的方式表达了对教育教学公平的渴望。而唯分数论的教育评价体系及僵化的考试形式对学生“超越”和偏离学校规章制度负有责任,反映了高校在教育理念、教学质量观、人才观、学生观等方面的迷失。当然,学历社会、考试社会中考试功能的畸变以及文化传统中重视考试的教育价值取向也隐含了高校教育逐渐由知识到标签的异化之路。对其防治乃是一个系统性的工程和长期性的过程。     

The effect of different pollutants exposure on the pigment content of pigmented macrophage aggregates in the spleen of Vardar chub (Squalius vardarensis Karaman, 1928)

Pigmented macrophage aggregates (MAs) are known to change under influence of various factors, such as aging, season, starvation, and/or pollution. In this study, changes in the pigment content of the MAs in the spleen of Vardar chub (Squalius vardarensis, Karaman) (n = 129) collected in spring and autumn, from three rivers with different pollution impact was examined: Zletovska River (metals), Kriva River (metals and municipal wastewater), and Bregalnica River (municipal wastewater). Collected data revealed increased relative volume and number of MAs containing hemosiderin under the influence of metals, significant in autumn (p < .05). In chub exposed to metals combined with municipal wastewater, significant increase of lipochrome accumulation in MAs in autumn, melanin in MAs in fish captured in the spring season, and number of splenic MAs containing combination of melanin and lipochrome was noted. Volumes and number of MAs containing combination of hemosiderin and lipochrome increased in spleen of fish captured in autumn from both Zletovska River and Kriva River, most likely due to the contribution of hemosiderin and lipochrome, respectively. Values measured for the various pigments in splenic MAs in fish captured from Bregalnica River, were overall closer to the values measured for fish captured from Kriva River. Notably, melanin and lipochrome are more likely to be found in fish from waters influenced by municipal wastewater (organic pollution) and hemosiderin in fish spleen from water influenced by mining activity (heavy metals pollution).     

中国部分典型地区气溶胶光学特性观测

利用DTF型太阳光度计在我国几个典型城市地区较长期观测得到的资料,分析了不同地区气溶胶光学厚度日变化和季节变化特征,得到了各地区观测期间日均值、月均值和季节值的变化.结果显示,观测期间丽江地区气溶胶光学厚度最小,大气较洁净,大气中以细粒子为主;其次是张北;喀什和合肥地区气溶胶光学厚度都较大,但喀什、张北多以粗粒子为主,合肥多以细粒子为主.各地区都在春季气溶胶光学厚度较大,冬季最小.喀什的气溶胶光学厚度值多集中在0.15到0.7之间,张北多集中在0.08到0.4之间,合肥多集中在0.2到0.75之间,丽江多集中在0.01到0.1之间.各地区气溶胶光学厚度和(A)ngstr(o)m波长指数频率分布基本呈高斯分布,气溶胶光学厚度峰值分布由高到低依次为合肥、喀什、张北、丽江,(A)ngstr(o)m波长指数由高到低依次为丽江、合肥、张北、喀什.     

我国石化工业联锁系统应用现状及功能安全评估

基于近年来开展的石化工业功能安全评估研究及实践,分析了我国石化装置中安全联锁系统的应用现状及功能安全评估进展。研究了我国石化工业典型的联锁功能及其特点,探讨了我国石化工业联锁系统应用中存在的问题及其解决方法,对提高我国石化工业联锁系统应用水平具有指导作用。     

NSFC机械工程学科2015年度管理工作综述

综述了国家自然科学基金委员会（NSFC）机械工程学科2015年度科学基金项目的申请、评审和资助情况,以及2014年度科学基金项目的结题/进展情况,总结了项目执行过程中存在的问题。回顾了NSFC机械工程学科在重大研究计划立项论证、学术交流与合作、人才培养与团队建设和鼓励创新等方面的管理举措。综述了2015年度NSFC机械工程学科资助下我国机械工程领域取得的最新进展和典型成果;同时,对2016年度的相关工作进行了展望。     

压缩空气中水分的来源、危害与对策

压缩空气中的水分主要来源于空压机工作时从进气口吸入的大气中所含的水分。单位时间内进入压缩空气系统的水量与空压机排量、进气环境温度、湿空气的相对湿度有关。压缩空气管路中冷凝水的多少，与压缩空气压力和管道中压缩空气的温度有关。随着压力升高、温度降低、饱和湿空气中含水量减少，析出的冷凝水增加。通过计算给出了不同温度、不同压力下压缩空气中含水量的计算方法和典型数据以及具体系统中冷凝水量的计算方法。结合某大型露天矿设备压缩空气系统应用实例，分析了压缩空气中水分危害的具体形式，不同除水方法的应用及效果，提出了不同工况下选取空气后处理设备的原则，可以为类似应用环境的气路设计和维护提供参考。     

大气气溶胶碳组分测量误差与北京有机气溶胶特征研究

大气气溶胶碳组分存在形式多样,其化学和光学特征明显不同;因此基于不同的热和光行为的假设和分析步骤的碳组分分析方法导致碳组分测量结果的差异。本文基于文献调研与实验室分析介绍气溶胶碳组分分析仪器的基本性能指标,分析不同分析方法导致气溶胶碳组分的差异和成因。为了了解北京有机气溶胶特征,本文描述北京PM2.5中有机碳（OC）和元素碳（EC）变化特征并对北京秋、冬季PM,（大气中空气动力学直径≤1μm的颗粒物）中有机气溶胶进行了来源解析。结果表明,北京OC和EC在秋冬季呈现出较高的水平,采暖期OC浓度是非采暖期的1．2—1．8倍,EC浓度是非采暖期的1．1倍左右;秋季北京PM,中有机气溶胶（OA）主要来源于二次转化产生的氧化性有机气溶胶（OOA）,机动车排放的烃类有机气溶胶（HOA）和餐饮排放有机气溶胶（COA）;而冬季北京PM1中有机气溶胶主要来源于高度氧化的低挥发性的OOA,“新鲜”氧化的半挥发性的OOA,燃煤源有机气溶胶（CCOA）、烹饪源排放的COA和机动车排放的HOA。     

Effects of humidity on nanometer scale wear of a carbon film

Influence of environmental humidity on scanning-scratched wear tests of a carbon film deposited by electron cyclotron resonance plasma sputtering are evaluated in both air and nitrogen with an atomic force microscope and a diamond tip. Wear depth is larger in higher humidity and also larger in air than in nitrogen. Effect of humidity on scratch load dependence and repeated scanning-scratch tests are larger in nitrogen than in air. Effect of humidity on wear is clearer in the repeated scanning-scratch test than in the scratch load dependence test especially in air, and also clearer at larger scratch load. In scratch velocity dependence test, there is a tendency that wear depth decreases with increase in logarithm of scratch velocity both in air and nitrogen. Wear models to explain the experimental results are discussed.