Dynamic “Molecular Portraits” of Biomembranes Drawn by Their Lateral Nanoscale Inhomogeneities

To date, it has been reliably shown that the lipid bilayer/water interface can be thoroughly characterized by a sophisticated so-called “dynamic molecular portrait”. The latter reflects a combination of time-dependent surface distributions of various physicochemical properties, inherent in both model lipid bilayers and natural multi-component cell membranes. One of the most important features of biomembranes is their mosaicity, which is expressed in the constant presence of lateral inhomogeneities, the sizes and lifetimes of which vary in a wide range—from 1 to 10³ nm and from 0.1 ns to milliseconds. In addition to the relatively well-studied macroscopic domains (so-called “rafts”), the analysis of micro- and nanoclusters (or domains) that form an instantaneous picture of the distribution of structural, dynamic, hydrophobic, electrical, etc., properties at the membrane-water interface is attracting increasing interest. This is because such nanodomains (NDs) have been proven to be crucial for the proper membrane functioning in cells. Therefore, an understanding with atomistic details the phenomena associated with NDs is required. The present mini-review describes the recent results of experimental and in silico studies of spontaneously formed NDs in lipid membranes. The main attention is paid to the methods of ND detection, characterization of their spatiotemporal parameters, the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of their formation. Biological role of NDs in cell membranes is briefly discussed. Understanding such effects creates the basis for rational design of new prospective drugs, therapeutic approaches, and artificial membrane materials with specified properties.     

NUMERICAL SIMULATION STUDY ON DEFORMATION UNIFORMITY OF EQUAL CROSS SECTION LATERAL EXTRUSION

Equal cross section lateral extrusion (ECSLE) is an effective method realizing pure shear deformation.The influence of friction factor on the deformation uniformity of ECSLE was investigated with rigid plastic finite element method.The result shows that the non-uniform deformation in extrusion is caused mainly by the friction between workpiece and die.The higher the friction factor is.the more uneven plastic deformation resulted in extruded workpiece.The relation curve of deformation uniformity vs. friction factor was drawn based on the analysis result. The curve can be used as a basis of ECSLE process design.     

Developmental, Gustatory, and Behavioral Responses of Leafroller Larvae, Choristoneura rosaceana, to Tannic Acid and Glucose

Soluble sugars are essential nutrients generally perceived as phagostimulants to most insects studied. However, tannins are known as digestibility reducers, hence deleterious to caterpillar development, and as deterrents as well. Previous work demonstrated that larvae of the polyphagous oblique-banded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana, performed better when reared on a control + 0.5% tannic acid diet than on the standard control diet and that larvae reared on a control + 5% glucose diet had slower development and reduced survival. This study was designed to elucidate the behavioral and neurophysiological components of the larval responses to tannic acid and glucose. C. rosaceana larvae were reared individually from the first to the sixth instar on one of four different artificial diets: (1) control; (2) control + 5% glucose; (3) control + 0.5% tannic acid; (4) control + 5% glucose + 0.5% tannic acid. After 14 days, larvae reared on the control + 5% glucose diet had not developed past the fourth instar, whereas a considerable proportion of larvae reared on the control + 0.5% tannic acid diet had already attained the pupal stage. Insects reared on the control or the control + 5% glucose + 0.5% tannic acid diet had intermediate development, with most larvae in the fifth instar. In addition, once the mid-sixth instar was reached, the feeding preferences to 25 and 300 mM glucose, 25 mM tannic acid, and 25 mM glucose + 25 mM tannic acid over water were assessed in two-choice tests. Feeding affected preference. Control-reared insects preferred feeding on treatments containing glucose and were not deterred by tannic acid. However, larvae that had been exposed to tannic acid during their development were deterred by tannic acid and their glucose discrimination was impaired. The sensitivity to glucose was also examined from neurophysiological recordings by stimulating the sugar-sensitive cell (cell 1) on the lateral styloconic sensillum of the maxillary galea with increasing concentrations of glucose (1, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, and 500 mM). We also determined whether tannic acid was phagostimulatory, since insects develop relatively quickly on a diet containing this compound, by testing 1 mM tannic acid, 1 mM tannic acid + 300 mM glucose, and 300 mM glucose on the lateral styloconic sensilla. The traces indicated that 1 mM tannic acid was not detected by any of the four chemosensory cells in these sensilla. The combination of tannic acid and glucose produced no spikes from the sugar-sensitive cell, whereas a prominent spike activity resulted with 300 mM glucose. We concluded that, although C. rosaceana larvae develop faster on a tannic acid diet, this compound is not a phagostimulant. The converse is true for glucose; i.e., it stimulates the sugar-sensitive cell in the lateral styloconica in a concentration-dependent fashion. Previous dietary experience changes the sensory and behavioral responses of C. rosaceana to glucose. Our findings imply that not all compounds that are phagostimulatory are necessarily beneficial to an insect's fitness. Therefore, developmental studies should be interpreted in conjunction with behavioral and physiological data.     

突扩突跌掺气设施后泄槽底板脉动压力试验研究

有压洞出口后的突扩突跌掺气减蚀设施在水利工程中经常使用。由于水流受边界条件和掺气的影响,其流态和脉动压力往往与普通水槽的情况有很大的不同。通过水工模型试验,对突扩突跌掺气设施后泄槽底板上的脉动压力进行研究,揭示了掺气设施后泄槽底板上不同流动区域的脉动压力特性。从脉动压力的时域过程、均方根值、偏态系数、峰态系数和主频率等多方面得出冲击区、反射区和稳定区脉动压力的特性是不相同的结论。同一流量时,沿流程底板的时均压力都大于脉动压力的均方根值,在冲击区、反射区和稳定区,脉动压力的均方根值分别是同位置时均压力值的约0.5倍、0.6倍和0.7倍。研究成果可为更好地利用突扩突跌掺气设施提供有益的理论和试验依据。     

竖向荷载作用下斜桩承载特性数值分析

近年来,斜桩在桥梁、码头、海上钻井平台及大型输电线路塔架基础等工程中得到广泛应用,研究不同倾角斜桩的荷载传递及承载特性实用意义较大。基于ABAQUS软件,考虑桩土接触特性,模拟分析了不同倾角斜桩的承载特性。结果表明:桩身倾角不大于10°时,倾斜角对单桩的极限承载力影响不大,但会在桩身产生一定弯矩以及桩顶产生一定的水平位移;桩身轴力沿桩长方向的衰减速率随桩身倾角的增大而增大;斜桩桩身弯矩主要分布在桩顶下1/2桩长范围内,其最大值的位置不受桩身倾角以及桩顶竖向荷载的影响;斜桩桩身侧摩阻力沿桩长大致呈"S"型分布,其桩顶以下1/6桩长范围内侧摩阻力远远大于直桩。     

Comparing the revised NIOSH lifting equation to the psychophysical,biomechanical and physiological criteria used in its development

The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic and comprehensive comparison between the recommended weights of lift (RWL) from the revised NIOSH lifting equation, and the specific biomechanical, psychophysical and physiological criteria that were stated to be used in the equation's development. A composite acceptable load (CAL) table was developed for the 216 conditions presented in the female lifting table of Snook and Ciriello (1991). Each CAL value was calculated to correspond to the most conservative load of the three design criteria. The RWLs caused lumbar compression forces close to the biomechanical limit of 3400 N for lifts below knuckle height, but resulted in compression forces that are much lower at higher lifting heights. At moderate lifting frequencies, the average RWL would be acceptable to more than 95% of female workers according to the psychophysical criterion. At the highest frequencies, the RWL was found to be an average of 63% of the CAL values based on the integration of the psychophysical and physiological criteria. It is recommended that ergonomists acknowledge the very conservative nature of the revised NIOSH lifting equation when using it to evaluate occupational lifting tasks.     

螺旋侧板厚度对浮式风力机Spar平台涡激载荷的影响

Spar平台因其特殊的深吃水立柱式结构,在来流影响下极易发生涡激运动。为探究不同厚度螺旋侧板对浮式风力机Spar平台涡激载荷的影响,基于CFD方法,针对不同厚度螺旋侧板,对平台进行了数值模拟并详细分析平台的升阻力系数、压力场及涡量场等流场参数。结果表明:螺旋侧板可有效抑制涡激载荷,且随厚度增加,升力系数幅值先增加后减小,阻力系数逐步减小;在研究范围内,螺旋侧板厚度为0.10 D时,升力系数幅值最小,阻力系数与原型平台在同一范围内,对涡激载荷的抑制效果最好。     

设抗震增强体的桩基础力学特性的原位试验研究

在过去的大地震中,许多桩基础因强烈振动和地基变形而遭受结构性破坏,因而提出一种既可以应用于新建桩基础,也可以应用于现有桩基础的抗震加固方法,即采用地基加固技术在桩基础中设置抗震增强体,以与桩基础的钢筋混凝土承台形成双层抗弯结构。采用等比例模型原位水平载荷试验和振动试验以及开挖检查等方法,对抗震加固的力学特性和构建质量进行加固前后的对比研究,进而证实了该加固方法的有效性和可行性,为同类工程起到了一定的参考意义。     

船舶横向运动鲁棒PID控制及优化

针对船舶横向运动控制特点,为达到航向舵控制航向同时达到减横摇的目的,提出了一种基于闭环增益成形和模糊优化算法的鲁棒PID控制器设计方法。根据具有工程实际意义的横摇和艏摇带宽直接构造出横摇、艏摇鲁棒PID控制器,并基于横摇与艏摇频谱,组合成横向控制器。由于用舵来减摇不可避免地增加了舵机的工作负担造成较大的舵机损耗,为此提出对横摇和艏摇控制器输出加入权重分配,采用模糊算法优化横向控制器权系数的方法,达到系统性能综合最优。仿真结果表明所设计的控制器具有较强的鲁棒性,合理的权系数选择,不但可以达到降低舵机损耗的目的,而且提高了航向控制精度。该控制器设计简单,易于船舶横向运动控制的实际工程应用,具有一定的研究价值。     

基于侧抑制的红外图像自适应预处理

针对复杂海空背景下的红外图像,提出了一种基于侧抑制的红外图像自适应预处理的方法。根据不同背景图像方差加权信息熵的变化,建立了方差加权信息熵与侧抑制网络作用调节因子的对应关系。通过对不同实际场景自适应地调整侧抑制网络作用强度,实现了不同背景条件下实时红外序列图像的自适应处理。仿真实验表明,该方法能有效提高杂波背景下图像的信杂比,具有突出目标特征和适应复杂背景的能力。