A major metabolite of Δ1-tetrahydrocannabinol reduces its cataleptic effect in mice

Summary The results described here demonstrate that THC-induced catalepsy in mice can be substantially inhibited by the prior administration of ¹-THC-7-oic acid, the major metabolite of THC in most species including humans. This raises the possibility that the intensity and duration of action of THC may depend to a large degree on the levels of this metabolite at the sites of action.We thank the National Institute on Drug Abuse for supporting this project by grants DA-02043 and DA-02052 and for supplying all of the cannabinoids. One of us (S.B.) is also the recipient of a Research Scientist Award from NIDA. We are grateful to Kristen Carlson and Thomas Honeyman for helpful suggestions in preparing this report.     

Binding of 11-cis retinaldehyde to the partially purified cellular retinaldehyde binding protein from bovine retinal pigment epithelium

Summary 11-cis retinaldehyde binding analysis was performed on a bovine retinal pigment epithelium preparation of cellular retinaldehyde binding protein (CRALBP), whose purity degree was estimated as 75%. Equilibrium binding studies were carried out measuring the replacement of tritium-labeled with unlabeled 11-cis retinaldehyde at 25°C. Analysis of the experimental data both by a direct curve-fitting procedure utilizing a non linear least square regression analysis and by a conventional Scatchard plot revealed a single non-interacting binding site with an apparent equilibrium constant of 0.9×10^–7 M.A binding stoichiometry of approximately 1 mol of 11-cis retinaldehyde/mol of binding protein can be calculated from the experimental data. Competition studies carried out in the presence of unlabeled trans and cis isomers of Vitamin A derivatives confirm the high degree of specificity of the 11-cis retinaldehyde binding.     

Earthshaker: A mobile rescue robot for emergencies and disasters through teleoperation and autonomous navigation

To deal with emergencies and disasters without rescue workers being exposed to dangerous environments, this paper presents a mobile rescue robot, Earthshaker. As a combination of a tracked chassis and a six-degree-of-freedom robotic arm, as well as miscellaneous sensors and controllers, Earthshaker is capable of traversing diverse terrains and fulfilling dexterous manipulation. Specifically, Earthshaker has a unique swing arm—dozer blade structure that can help clear up cumbersome obstacles and stabilize the robot on stairs, a multimodal teleoperation system that can adapt to different transmission conditions, a depth camera-aided robotic arm and gripper that can realize semiautonomous manipulation and a LiDAR aided base that can achieve autonomous navigation in unknown areas. It was these special systems that supported Earthshaker to win the first Advanced Technology & Engineering Challenge (A-TEC) championships, standing out of 40 robots from the world and showing the efficacy of system integration and the advanced control philosophy behind it.     

鄂尔多斯盆地长7储层致密油水平井CO2补充能量与吞吐参数优化

长7储层是鄂尔多斯盆地主要的致密区块,近一半的致密油分布其中。针对长7储层开采渗透率低、开采难度大、依靠弹性开采产能较低、能量衰竭较快等问题,通过数值模拟的方法,构建水平井分段压裂数值模拟模型,首先对比不同吞吐方式对油田产能的影响,优选出CO₂吞吐为首选的补充能量方式。其次对井网形式、井网参数及吞吐参数进行优化研究。最终优选出合适的吞吐方案,达到提高生产效率的目的。结果表明,该储层的最优注采吞吐参数为：周期注入量为2 673 t、注入压力为21 MPa、注入速度为90 t/d、焖井时间为10 d。研究对鄂尔多斯盆地长7储层提高采收率具有一定的参考意义。     

竹集成材钉节点抗剪性能试验研究

为研究铁钉直径和夹角对节点的破坏模式及承载力、滞回特性、刚度退化、耗能能力等性能的影响,对50个竹集成材（laminated bamboo lumber,LBL）钉节点进行单调和低周反复荷载试验. 结果表明：不同加载模式下的节点破坏模式存在明显区别. 单调荷载作用下,节点的破坏模式主要表现为铁钉“双铰”模式和钉杆下部的纤维压碎破坏. 而在低周反复荷载作用下,大部分的铁钉发生了由于反复弯曲变形所致的疲劳断裂破坏,这种破坏现象却极少发生在振动台试验和实际的地震中. 铁钉直径是影响钉节点受力性能的主要因素,节点的承载能力和刚度随铁钉直径的增加而显著提高,而夹角对节点的力学性能影响较小. LBL钉节点单调加载试件的承载力和刚度均比低周反复荷载加载试件高. 加载初期试件的荷载-位移滞回曲线形状不饱满,具有明显的“捏缩”现象. 试件的累积耗能随铁钉直径增大而增加,并随加载角度增大而减小. 研究成果可为LBL钉节点的设计提供理论依据,并加速其在土木工程领域的应用.