Perennial N2 supersaturation in an Antarctic lake

The dry valleys of southern Victoria Land in Antarctica contain several closed basins in which perennially ice-covered lakes are found. One of the most unusual features of these lakes is the occurrence of high O2 concentrations in the water column; values ranging from slightly more than saturation to more than four times saturation have been reported. Recently, we considered a bulk O2 budget for Lake Hoare, Antarctica, which led us to suggest that biological processes alone were not sufficient to explain the observed elevated oxygen levels. Consequently, there must be a non-biological source of O2. We suggested that this source results from the exclusion of O2 during the freezing of aerated meltstream water at the bottom of the ice cover, and predicted that this physical mechanism should also enhance the other atmospheric gases. Here we report the results of a study which, for the first time, documents the supersaturation of N2 in a lake. Dissolved N2 levels of 145% and 163% were determined from samples taken just below the ice cover and at a depth of 12 m, respectively. The relatively importance of biological and abiological sources is reflected in the ratio of N2 concentration to O2 concentration. In Lake Hoare this ratio was 1.20 at ice/water interface and 1.05 at 12 m; considerably different from the ratio in equilibrium with air (approximately 1.8). Based on these results, we have determined that about half of the net O2 production in the lake is the result of biological processes.     

Photoperiodic summation is temperature-dependent inPyrrhocoris apterus (L.) (Heteroptera)

Summary InPyrrhocoris apterus, a low temperature, 15°C, prevented the termination of diapause by long days and, unexpectedly, also the induction of diapause by short days. Both responses were enabled at a higher temperature, 26°C. In contrast to current concepts, it was proved that the summation of photoperiodic signals was temperature-dependent, since the morphogenetic development was prevented by starvation.     

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.     

冷再生泡沫沥青混合料水稳定性研究分析

通过控制新集料掺加比例、泡沫沥青用量、水泥剂量、集料温度和抗剥落剂等,研究各因素对冷再生泡沫沥青混合料的路用性能和水稳定的影响,并揭示其微观机理.结果表明,旧料利用率、泡沫沥青用量、水泥剂量和抗剥落剂宜分别控制在50%～75%、 2.5%～3.0%、 1.0%～1.5%和0.5%左右.此外,适当提高集料温度,有助于提高泡沫沥青分散均匀性,从而提升冷再生泡沫沥青混合料的水稳定性.泡沫沥青用量和水泥剂量是冷再生泡沫沥青混合料水稳定的关键因素.尽量使泡沫沥青分散均匀,避免产生结团现象,是保证冷再生泡沫沥青混合料水稳定性的基础,进一步通过水泥补强作用,可获得良好的水稳定性.     

一种磁流变弹性体执行器的联合优化方法研究

磁流变弹性体（magnetorheological elastomer, MRE）执行器作为智能减振应用系统的核心元件,其结构的优化是决定执行器性能上限及系统控制成效的关键。针对目前MRE执行器优化方法及理论研究欠缺的问题,文中面向一款横向隔振的MRE执行器,基于其机械结构和有效磁路,以优越磁控性能、低功耗和快速响应时间为优化目标,提出了一种新的MRE执行器联合参数优化方法。首先,基于MATLAB和COMSOL的联合仿真,将遗传优化算法和电磁有限元分析方法进行有效结合,实现对MRE执行器的优化编程;其次,完成对器件的全局尺寸结构优化设计,使得器件具备优越磁控性能（526.21 mT）、低功耗（44.05 W）及快速响应（5.43 ms）;最后,通过搭建测试系统对优化后装配的MRE执行器进行测试和评估,验证了文中优化方法的可行性和有效性。提出的联合优化方法不仅适用于MRE执行器结构,还可为多领域减/隔振应用的共性MRE器件优化设计提供理论参考。