The effect of the EAAEAE insert on the property of human metallothionein-3

MT3 shows apparently different properties and function fromMT1 even though they have 70% sequence homology. Possibly thetwo inserts, Thr5 and a negatively charged hexapeptide at position-55in MT3, play important roles. A series of MT3 variants aroundthe EAAEAE hexapeptide have been prepared by site-directed mutagenesisand their properties and reactivity towards pH, EDTA and DTNBhave been studied. Our detailed studies revealed that the EAAEAEinsert is essential to the property of MT3. It is the hexapeptideinsert, to some extent, making the MT3     

Possibilities and problems with the use of models as a communication tool in water resource management

Politicians and policy-makers, as well as modellers, often nurses an expectation that model derived results is an objective source of information that can be used to support decisions. However, several prerequisites have to be dealt with in order to ensure that models can be used as legitimate and efficient tools in water resource management. Based on empirical material from recent studies on the use of models in stakeholder dialogues, mainly focusing on catchment nutrient transport, two central problems are identified: (a) Models are laden with choices and thus depend on assumptions and priorities of modellers. (b) There are several factors that influence ability and willingness of stakeholders (as information recovers) to criticize or accept results of the modelling exercise. Recognized factors likely to influence stakeholders' acceptance of model derived results include issues at stake, stakeholders' ability to criticize model derived information, and their trust in the institutions that have developed or applied the used models. Identified prerequisites for successful use of models in integrated water resource management include: consideration of user relevance, awareness of and preparedness to handle constraints linked to communication of model-based results, transparency of used models and data and of involved uncertainties, mutual respect between experts and stakeholders and between involved stakeholder groups, a robust institutional network, and sufficient time for dialogues. Development and use of strategies for participatory modelling, based on a continuous dialogue between experts and stakeholders is recommended as a way to facilitate that the prerequisites for a successful use of models in water resource management are fulfilled.     

低渗透压敏油藏油井流入动态方程及其应用

注水开发的低渗透油藏存在启动压力和压力敏感性,使开发难度加大。当流压低于饱和压力以后,流入动态指示曲线凹向压力轴,会出现一个产量最大点。在前人研究的基础上,从平面径向拟稳态渗流规律出发,考虑启动压力梯度和压力敏感效应对油藏渗流的影响,与油相和液相相对流动能力方程相结合,建立了具有最大产量点的低渗透压力敏感油藏直井流入动态方程,据此可对油藏产能进行评价预测,确定出油井最低允许流动压力和油井的合理工作制度。在龙南、新站油田的应用表明,预测值与实测值比较吻合,满足矿场工程精度要求,说明所建立的流入动态方程能有效评价预测油井产能和确定油井允许的最小流压界限,为充分发挥油井生产能力、合理高效开发低渗透压力敏感油藏提供了理论依据。     

An analytical study on the thermal characteristics of flat-plate and evacuated solar collectors

In this study, we highlighted differences in the standards used in performance tests of solar collectors. We analyzed testing results for different types of solar collectors to determine the effects of the collector area and mass flow rate, which were not necessarily consistent across all tests. Our analysis showed that the factor,F′ (τα), including collector efficiency factor (F′), could be correlated with the flow rate or area regardless of the collector type. Moreover, the collector loss coefficient (F′U _L ) per flow rate or area for an evacuated collector was less that of a flat-plate collector; this was also correlated with the flow rate or area, regardless of the type of evacuated collector. As a result of this analysis, we propose a modified heat loss coefficient that includes the effects of all parameters that can be considered in a performance test and show that this coefficient could better describe the thermal characteristics of various types of solar collectors.     

A Class of POCA Distributions For rapid fading variations

Polydorou and Capsalis [1] pioneered the concept of POCA distribution to study the statistical behavior of the fast fading characteristics in an indoor environment under the assumption of finite number of scatters. In this note, we derive a comprehensive class of formulas for the POCA distribution to help better statistical modeling of the fast fading characteristics. The calculations involve use of several special functions and their properties.     

The biology of prothrombin

Prothrombin and thrombin are involved in diverse biological functions. The structure of prothrombin has been studied extensively and its cDNA has been cloned from several species. The tissue-specific expression of this protein has been studied, as well as the developmental expression pattern. The structure of the human gene coding for prothrombin has been determined, and gene regulation studies have been performed that indicate that HNF-1 might be responsible for the liver-specific expression of this protein. Other regulatory elements have been identified. In order to further study the biological properties of prothrombin, prothrombin-deficient mice have been generated using gene targeting technology. Prothrombin deficiency in mice results in partial embryonic lethality. The mice that survive to birth die from bleeding events. The embryonic lethality occurs between embryonic days 9.5 and 11.5 and appears to be due to the loss of integrity of the vasculature due to a failure in blood coagulation. These results indicate that prothrombin plays not only a key role in hemostasis but suggests that it may be important for mouse development.