κ-Opioid Signaling in the Lateral Hypothalamic Area Modulates Nicotine-Induced Negative Energy Balance

Several studies have reported that nicotine, the main bioactive component of tobacco, exerts a marked negative energy balance. Apart from its anorectic action, nicotine also modulates energy expenditure, by regulating brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis and white adipose tissue (WAT) browning. These effects are mainly controlled at the central level by modulation of hypothalamic neuropeptide systems and energy sensors, such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In this study, we aimed to investigate the kappa opioid receptor (κOR)/dynorphin signaling in the modulation of nicotine’s effects on energy balance. We found that body weight loss after nicotine treatment is associated with a down-regulation of the κOR endogenous ligand dynorphin precursor and with a marked reduction in κOR signaling and the p70 S6 kinase/ribosomal protein S6 (S6K/rpS6) pathway in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA). The inhibition of these pathways by nicotine was completely blunted in κOR deficient mice, after central pharmacological blockade of κOR, and in rodents where κOR was genetically knocked down specifically in the LHA. Moreover, κOR-mediated nicotine effects on body weight do not depend on orexin. These data unravel a new central regulatory pathway modulating nicotine’s effects on energy balance.     

A mineralogical approach to evaluating laboratory scale acid rock drainage characterisation tests

Effective management of the risks associated with acid rock drainage (ARD) requires the ability to identify material with a potential to generate ARD reliably. With the increasing prevalence of quantitative mineralogy (Quantitative XRD, auto-SEM), opportunity exists to use mineralogy at all stages in ARD characterisation and prediction. This study uses a mineralogical approach across the head grade samples and the residues obtained under leach conditions of several common ARD characterisation tests (Acid Neutralising Capacity, Net Acid Generation), as well as the University of Cape Town (UCT) biokinetic test to evaluate the extent to which acid-neutralising minerals react. The results show the contribution of the carbonates to the acid neutralising capacity, as well as the partial dissolution of intermediate weathering silicate minerals such as chlorite and mica.     

大位移井钻柱振动规律研究与应用

在大位移井钻井工程中钻柱受着各种振动，当各种振动共振时，钻柱承受着非常大的动载，很容易受损，同时，钻柱的振动影响着井壁的稳定，严重威胁着井下的作业安全。以大位移井近井底的钻柱为研究对象，分析了钻柱振动行为所遵循的规律。采用线性分析法，获得了大位移井钻柱横向振动和扭转振动的频谱方程。同时获得了钻柱各种共振频率的分布。经分析表明：大位移井钻柱的横向振动和扭转振动的共振频率与实际钻井转速非常接近，应合理选择转速以减小钻柱共振的发生。文章的分析研究为大位移井钻柱动态行为的研究提供了理论依据。     

一种弯曲抽油杆打捞工具

为安全、快速、有效地解决顶部极度弯曲、径向变形尺寸很大的落井抽油杆打捞难题,研制了一种在套管内打捞弯曲抽油杆的工具。该工具把以往从落物顶端引入打捞改为从落物侧面引入打捞,使复杂的井下故障处理简单化,从而缩短修井周期,减少修井费用,及时恢复油井生产。该项技术先后在江苏油田6口油井上应用,成功率100%,验证了工具的独特性和可靠性。     

普通稠油油藏启动压力梯度求解方法与应用

利用微观尺度管流模型,结合普通稠油流变特征,提出了在考虑稠油流变性条件下微观启动压力梯度计算方法.对渤海渤中18块不同渗透率岩心进行室内驱替实验,通过对实验数据的回归分析,得到不同粘度普通稠油油藏启动压力梯度与地层平均渗透率关系,并绘制了启动压力梯度的图版.将研究结果应用于普通稠油油藏,给出了利用启动压力梯度确定极限泄油半径及合理井距的理论计算方法.     

射孔枪+内置式压力计托筒+水力泵新三联作试油(测试)工艺技术在大港油田研制与应用

该工艺技术是在原三联作(TCP+MFE+JET)基础上,根据大港油田勘探试油(测试)的需要,研制开发出的又一新技术,与原三联作相比,一趟管柱不但完成求产、测压、泵排工作,而且还能进行酸化等措施,提高了资料品质,减少了作业成本。经过6井次现场应用,全部达到了设计要求,取得了工艺、资料、成本、速度的较大进步,具有较高推广应用价值。     

Collection Conduits Including Subsurface Drains

Numerous types of pipes and channels with spatially increasing flows in environmental engineering applications are identified by type and function and referred to as collection conduits. An overview of methods for designing and analyzing collection conduits is provided. Full conduits with nonuniform and uniform inflow are first considered. Dimensional analysis is then employed to demonstrate the relationship between variables for open channels; that leads to the identification of possibilities for generalized numerical solutions. Prior collection conduit applications are discussed within the framework of the dimensional analysis (which also pertains to some constant-flow applications). A previously unpublished generalized numerical solution for rectangular collection conduits is presented. Subsurface drains are addressed with particular emphasis, including the use of numerical methods to develop a new generalized chart and relation to other design methods. Among the important conclusions for subsurface drains is that the somewhat common practice of using Manning’s equation alone for such problems is not generally adequate. Examples and practical design suggestions are included, and the use of computer-based numerical methods is discussed more generally.     

底部两层框架-抗震墙砖房抗震能力的分析方法与设计控制

提出了底部两层框架 -抗震墙砖房框剪层和砖混层的极限受剪承载力、侧移刚度、极限剪力系数计算公式 ,并基于设置不同数量抗震墙的底部两层框架 -抗震墙砖房的实例计算和弹塑性时程分析 ,给出了结构砖混过渡层与相邻框剪层的极限剪力系数比和侧移刚度比的合理取值及薄弱楼层位置判别和破坏状态评定的方法和原则。     

Inhibition of acid rock drainage from uranium ore waste using a conventional neutralization and precipitation treatment

Glass columns (length 50 cm, i.d. 4 cm) containing 900 g of uranium ore waste were subjected to a three-step process: (1) acid drainage generation, (2) neutralization and precipitation treatment and, again, (3) acid drainage generation. In the first acid generation step, lasting about one year, different variables (pyrite addition, inoculation and irrigation solution) were tested by measuring effluent pH, redox potential, total iron and sulphate. Conditions of acid generation were satisfactorily reproduced, reaching stable pH values around 2.0 that were determined mainly by pyrite addition and the type of irrigation solution used (distilled water or ferrous sulphate). The neutralization and precipitation treatment consisted of alternating irrigations of a neutralizing solution (CaO saturated plus NaOH) and a precipitating solution (ferric sulphate saturated). This treatment caused accumulation of basic iron sulphate and iron oxide precipitates according to SEM studies. After this treatment, the barrier effect created by the reaction products was checked, using irrigation solutions similar to the first step. The effluents collected showed higher pH and lower redox potential, total iron and sulphate values than those observed before the treatment, evidencing inhibition of acid drainage generation.     

铁路桥梁横向振动模拟及适应快速行车结构型式的研究

针对铁路提速后出现的上承式简支钢板梁桥跨中横向振幅过大的问题,以羊楼司桥(L=32m单跨上承式简支钢板梁桥)为例进行实桥检测和数值模拟,建立车辆、线路、桥梁三者的联合模型,考虑轮轨接触力,应用MSC/DYTRAN大型结构分析程序进行车线桥动力相互作用的仿真分析。研究揭示我国用量最多的C62型货车以70∽80km/h的速度空载通过时,该跨度的钢板梁桥发生横向谐振的机理。此外,用该方法对32m跨长的组合梁结构进行桥梁动力特性及列车走行性分析,表明该结构满足提速货车和高速电动旅客列车走行的要求。研究结果对我国高速铁路桥梁建设和既有桥梁的改造具有积极意义。