光弹性法和焦散线法研究联结零件接触应力

采用经典的三维光弹性实验技术和新兴的焦散线实验方法，分别研究了螺栓联结件的三维接触应力及其接触影响区域。所得实验结果为汽缸盖接触联结系统的设计、机械螺栓联结零件的有限元计算及其可靠性分析，提供了实验依据，并开拓了焦散线法实验的应用范围。     

大坝变形信息判据与分析

应用概率统计原理，对水库大坝变形观测中的变形值与随机因素干扰建立了变形数学模型。为排除干扰，提取真正变形信息，正确判据和分析大坝变形状态与规律提供理论依据。该数学模型在水库的实际应用中获得良好效果。     

求解k阶线性递归方程组的一种更有效的并行算法

将求解ｋ（ｋ≥２）阶线性递归方程组问题转化为求矩阵序列部分积问题，在ＳＩＭＤ共享存储模型上提出了求解ｋ阶线性递归方程组的一种新的有效并行算法．研究表明，本算法的加速和效率比现有算法均有较大的改善．     

使过半数规则具有传递性的偏好断面的规模

证明了当ｎ＞３时，使过半数投票表决的结果具有传递性的个人偏好序的最大数目大于２￣（ｎ－），从而否定了Ｃｒａｖｅｎ猜想。文中给出了最大偏好序的递推公式以及确定相应约束集的三条规则。     

GM-CSF induces human neutrophil IgA-mediated phagocytosis by an IgA Fc receptor activation mechanism

Immunoglobulin A is the primary immunoglobulin isotype in tears, saliva, breast milk and other mucosal secretions, constituting between 6% and 15% of the total serum immunoglobulins. Human peripheral blood neutrophils have IgA receptors, but these cells do not normally participate in IgA-mediated phagocytosis. The haematopoietic factors granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) prime neutrophils to be more responsive to a variety of stimuli. We therefore studied their effect on IgA-mediated phagocytosis. GM-CSF and G-CSF both induce a change from low to high-affinity neutrophil IgA Fc crystallizable fragment receptors within 30 min; a change which is associated with the development of IgA-mediated phagocytosis. Human IL-3, which does not affect neutrophil function, is inactive in this system. These results define a new mechanism for CSF-augmented host defence whereby neutrophil function can be modulated by CSF-mediated IgA Fc receptor activation.     

Novel precursor of Alzheimer's disease amyloid protein shows protease inhibitory activity

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by cerebral deposits of amyloid beta-protein (AP) as senile plaque core and vascular amyloid, and a complementary DNA encoding a precursor of this protein (APP) has been cloned from human brain. From a cDNA library of a human glioblastoma cell line, we have isolated a cDNA identical to that previously reported, together with a new cDNA which contains a 225-nucleotide insert. The sequence of the 56 amino acids at the N-terminal of the protein deduced from this insert is highly homologous to the basic trypsin inhibitor family, and the lysate from COS-1 cells transfected with the longer APP cDNA showed an increased inhibition of trypsin activity. Partial sequencing of the genomic DNA encoding APP showed that the 225 nucleotides are located in two exons. At least three messenger RNA species, apparently transcribed from a single APP gene by alternative splicing, were found in human brain. We suggest that protease inhibition by the longer APP(s) could be related to aberrant APP catabolism.     

Resolution of quantitative traits into Mendelian factors by using a complete linkage map of restriction fragment length polymorphisms

The conflict between the Mendelian theory of particulate inheritance and the observation of continuous variation for most traits in nature was resolved in the early 1900s by the concept that quantitative traits can result from segregation of multiple genes, modified by environmental effects. Although pioneering experiments showed that linkage could occasionally be detected to such quantitative trait loci (QTLs), accurate and systematic mapping of QTLs has not been possible because the inheritance of an entire genome could not be studied with genetic markers. The use of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) has made such investigations possible, at least in principle. Here, we report the first use of a complete RFLP linkage map to resolve quantitative traits into discrete Mendelian factors, in an interspecific back-cross of tomato. Applying new analytical methods, we mapped at least six QTLs controlling fruit mass, four QTLs for the concentration of soluble solids and five QTLs for fruit pH. This approach is broadly applicable to the genetic dissection of quantitative inheritance of physiological, morphological and behavioural traits in any higher plant or animal.     

Positive selection of CD4+ thymocytes controlled by MHC class II gene products

The mature T-cell antigen receptor repertoire is characterized by lack of reactivity to self-components as well as by preferential reactivity to foreign antigens in the context of polymorphic self-proteins encoded within the major histocompatibility complex. Whereas the former characteristic (referred to as negative selection or tolerance) is associated with intrathymic deletion of T cells expressing T-cell antigen receptor beta-chain variable (V beta) domains, which confer a preferential reactivity to self antigens, the existence of the latter (referred to as positive selection or MHC restriction) has so far only been inferred indirectly from functional studies. We show here that intrathymic deletion of V+beta 6 T cells (reactive with a self-antigen encoded by the Mlsa locus) is controlled by polymorphic MHC class II determinants. Furthermore, in mice lacking expression of Mlsa, the same class II MHC loci control the frequency of occurrence of V+beta 6 cells among mature CD4+ T lymphocytes. These data are direct evidence for positive selection by MHC determinants in the thymus in unmanipulated animals.     

Chronic ethanol causes heterologous desensitization of receptors by reducing alpha s messenger RNA

One of the biochemical results of ethanol exposure is a change in the amount of the intracellular second messenger cyclic AMP (cAMP) produced in response to receptor stimulation. In general, acute ethanol exposure increases the amount of cAMP produced on stimulation of receptors coupled to the enzyme adenylyl cyclase via the GTP-binding protein Gs, whereas chronic ethanol exposure has the opposite effect (results for receptors coupled via Gi have been more variable). We previously reported that adaptation to continuous ethanol exposure reduces receptor-stimulated cAMP production by 25-35% in a neuroblastoma cell line (NG108-15), and an even greater reduction of 75% was observed in lymphocytes taken from actively-drinking alcoholics. This reduction in receptor-stimulated cAMP levels was recently confirmed in platelets from alcoholics. None of these studies, however, determined whether more than one receptor coupled to adenylyl cyclase activity was affected in the same cell. Here we report that chronic ethanol exposure causes desensitization of heterologous receptors coupled to Gs as cAMP production mediated by prostaglandin E1 as well as by adenosine is reduced by approximately 30% in NG108-15 cells. We show that, after chronic ethanol exposure, the activity of the alpha subunit of Gs is decreased by 29%, the amount of alpha s protein is decreased by 38.5%, and alpha s messenger RNA is decreased by 30%. Thus, cellular adaptation to ethanol involves a reduction in alpha s mRNA and, as a consequence, reduced cAMP production by heterologous receptors coupled to Gs. Such changes in cAMP production may account for the tolerance and physical dependence on ethanol in alcoholism.