Organically preserved microbial endoliths from the late Proterozoic of East Greenland

Diverse microorganisms ranging from cyanobacteria to eukaryotic algae and fungi live endolithically within ooids, hardgrounds and invertebrate shells on the present-day sea floor. These organisms are involved in the mechanical destruction of carbonates, and are useful ecological indicators of water depth and pollution. The Phanerozoic history of microbial endoliths has been elucidated through the study of microborings (the trace fossils of endolithic microorganisms) and rare cellularly preserved individuals, but nothing was known of the possible Precambrian evolution of comparable microorganisms until Campbell documented the occurrence of microborings in late Proterozoic ooids from central East Greenland. We now report the discovery of large populations of organically preserved endolithic microorganisms in silicified pisolites from 700-800-Myr-old Limestone-Dolomite Series of East Greenland. This fossil assemblage is significant for three reasons: (1) It confirms the prediction that oolites, pisolites and hardgrounds--the substrates for pre-Phanerozoic endoliths--provide a hitherto poorly explored but rewarding set of environments into which the search for early microfossils must be broadened; (2) the assemblage is diverse, containing about 12 taxa of morphologically distinct and previously unknown endolithic cyanobacteria, plus associated epilithic and interstitial populations; and (3) at least six of the fossil populations are indistinguishable in morphology, pattern of development, reproductive biology and inferred ecology from distinctive cyanobacterial species that bore ooids today in the Bahama Banks.     

Bicuculline and picrotoxin block γ-aminobutryic acid-gated Cl− conductance by different mechanisms

Summary Using isolated, internally perfused bullfrog dorsal root ganglion cells we have studied the dose-response curves for -aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the presence of internally or externally applied GABA antagonists. With external application of antagonists the inhibition of the GABA current by bicuculline was competitive and that by picrotoxin was noncompetitive. Picrotoxin but not bicuculline blocked when internally perfused.To whom reprint requests should be addressed.Acknowledgments. We thank Drs S. Minakami and S. Yasui for helpful discussions and comments.     

A new semisynthetic ergot peptide alkaloid: DCN 203-922

Summary We report the synthesis, stereochemistry and preliminary pharmacological evaluation of DCN 203-922, a novel ergot alkaloid of the cyclol type, which contains in its peptide moiety the uncommon amino acid L-allo-isoleucine.Part of this paper was reported by this author at the Herbstversammlung der Schweizerischen Chemischen Gesellschaft, Bern, in October 1986.     

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。