A functionally graded material model for the transmural stress distribution of the aortic valve leaflet

Heterogeneities in structure and stress within heart valve leaflets are of significant concern to their functional physiology, as they affect how the tissue constituents remodel in response to pathological and non-pathological (e.g. exercise, pregnancy) alterations in cardiac function. Indeed, valve interstitial cells (VICs) are known to synthesize and degrade leaflet extracellular matrix (ECM) components in a manner specific to their local micromechanical environment. Quantifying local variations in ECM structure and stress is thus necessary to understand homeostatic valve maintenance as well as to develop predictive models of disease progression and post-surgical outcomes. In the aortic valve (AV), transmural variations in stress have previously been investigated by modeling the leaflet as a composite of contiguous but mechanically distinct layers. Based on previous findings about the bonded nature of these layers (Buchanan and Sacks, BMMB, 2014), we developed a more generalized structural constitutive model by treating the leaflet as a functionally graded material (FGM), whose properties vary continuously over the thickness. We informed the FGM model using high-resolution morphological measurements, which demonstrated that the composition and fiber structure change gradually over the thickness of the AV leaflet. For validation, we fit the model against an extensive database of whole-leaflet and individual-layer mechanical responses. The FGM model predicted large stress variations both between and within the leaflet layers at end-diastole, with low-collagen regions bearing significant radial stress. These novel results suggest that the continually varying structure of the AV leaflet has an important purpose with regard to valve function and tissue homeostasis.     

阐释、自治和互设：景观设计与理论之间的3种关系

本文写作的初始动力来源于现实的问题意识。在过去几十年的风景园林领域内，景观设计与理论的关系始终存在着某种模糊和混乱的状态，在一定程度上，这种境况同时干扰着行业的实践与学术的研究。鉴于此，为了一定程度上回应上述困境，本文假设景观设计与理论之间存在着3种关系：阐释、自治和互设，并且以此33种关系分述每一种关系中相对应的功能、价值和生产机制等内容。本文期待的效应如下：首先，尽可能地避免景观设计与理论之间的错位带来的迷惑。其次，3种关系的界定不仅能够通过特定的理论形式激发特定设计实践的创造力，还可以进一步促进风景园林的智识性探索。最后，在设计与理论的思辨框架中，甚至能够进一步促进和发展精细化、具体化和导向性的设计批评。     

Hydraulic lift of Medicago sativa and Astragalus laxmannii and its effect on their neighborhood plants

为探讨紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)及斜茎黄耆(沙打旺, Astragalus laxmannii)与禾本科牧草混播后的水力提升现象, 揭示深、浅根性牧草的种间关系, 为混播草地的建植提供理论依据, 该研究开展了室外“上下盆”分根盆栽试验、采用土壤水分测定及“重水” (D₂O, 氘(D)含量>99.9%)标记法估算了苜蓿及斜茎黄耆分别与‘冬牧70’黑麦(Secale cereal ‘Dongmu 70’)不同混播比例(豆科:禾本科分别为3:7、5:5、7:3)条件下水力提升的发生情况及其对伴生牧草生长生理性状的影响。结果表明: ‘冬牧70’黑麦与斜茎黄耆混播后的产量显著高于其与紫花苜蓿混播后的产量, 同一种禾豆牧草混播组合不同混播比例中, 以AC2 (紫花苜蓿:‘冬牧70’黑麦为5:5)和BC3 (斜茎黄耆:‘冬牧70’黑麦为7:3)混播组合的总产量最高。不同单混播组合的单株整个生育期内日均提水量存在显著差异, 两种豆科牧草在混播时日均提水量均高于单播时, 斜茎黄耆单混播时的日均提水量显著高于紫花苜蓿, BC2组合(斜茎黄耆:‘冬牧70’黑麦为5:5)的日均提水量高于其他混播组合。在用标记水处理下盆土壤后, 各组合上下盆土壤水氢稳定同位素比率(δD)值显著升高。不同禾豆牧草组合上盆土壤水δD及禾本科牧草茎秆水δD、整株碳同位素分辨率(Δ¹³C)和产量数据表明, 在斜茎黄耆与‘冬牧70’黑麦混播比例为3:7、紫花苜蓿与‘冬牧70’黑麦混播比例为5:5时, 禾本科牧草水分状况或产量好于其他混播比例。以上结果表明, 两种深浅根豆科牧草与浅根性禾本科牧草混播种植时发生了水力提升现象, 两种豆科牧草提升的水分可以被伴生的禾本科牧草所吸收利用。     

The distribution of xylem hydraulic resistance in the fruiting truss of tomato

The distribution of hydraulic resistances in xylem throughout the pathway leading to the tomato fruit was investigated. Previous work had indicated that there were large resistances within the supporting sections of this pathway (the peduncle and pedicel), perhaps associated with interruptions in the xylem. These high resistances are believed to impede calcium flux into the fruit and thus impair fruit development. It is shown here that fruit on intact plants do not shrink detectably during drought, even when the drought is sufficient to cause marked shrinkage of leaves and visible wilting of the shoot. In explants, it is possible to induce back‐flow from the fruit into the stem (probably via the xylem) but this flow is small and very slow. These observations support the view that there is a large hydraulic resistance in the pathway between fruit and stem. When pulses of water were made available within explants, by scorching of one leaflet, there was a rapid swelling of leaves and sepals. Such rapid fluxes indicate the presence of strong hydraulic (xylem) connections throughout the pathway between leaf and calyx. This shows that there are no significant hydraulic constrictions in the xylem proximal to the calyx. This finding is contrary to some previous conclusions but it is supported by experiments with dyes which showed continuous, functional xylem throughout the peduncle and pedicel. Calculations show that over 90% of the hydraulic resistance between stem and fruit must reside within the fruit pericarp. Implications for calcium nutrition are discussed.     

Intraspecific variation and evolutionary trends in Capparis spinosa L. (Capparaceae)

 In order to investigate the variability of the polymorphic Capparis spinosa L., a comparative study was carried out in Sicily on subsp. spinosa and subsp. rupestris. Autecology, phenology, quantitative morphology, plant architecture and leaf development of several populations were examined. These data reveal a parapatric distribution of the two subspecies and support their present taxonomic treatment. Subsp. spinosa is widespread on clay soils and shows remarkable intrapopulational variation. It is characterized by shortened reproductive and vegetative periods, high shoot growth rate, winter-desiccating shoot system and stipular thorns. Subsp. rupestris, less variable and linked with carbonatic and volcanic outcrops, shows prolonged phenological patterns, slow growth rate, woody habit and caducous stipules. A noteworthy phenotypic convergence with subsp. rupestris was observed in individuals of subsp. spinosa growing in rocky habitats. The evolutionary trends of Capparis spinosa in the Mediterranean region are discussed. Received March 29, 2000 Accepted April 6, 2001     

Regulation of cellular actin architecture by S100A10

Actin structures are involved in several biological processes and the disruption of actin polymerisation induces impaired motility of eukaryotic cells. Different factors are involved in regulation and maintenance of the cytoskeletal actin architecture. Here we show that S100A10 participates in the particular organisation of actin filaments. Down-regulation of S100A10 by specific siRNA triggered a disorganisation of filamentous actin structures without a reduction of the total cellular actin concentration. In contrast, the formation of cytoskeleton structures containing tubulin was unhindered in S100A10 depleted cells. Interestingly, the cellular distribution of annexin A2, an interaction partner of S100A10, was unaffected in S100A10 depleted cells. Cells lacking S100A10 showed an impaired migration activity and were unable to close a scratched wound. Our data provide first insights of S100A10 function as a regulator of the filamentous actin network.