A new constitutive model for multi-layered collagenous tissues

Collagenous tissues such as the aneurysmal wall or the aorta are multi-layered structures with the mean fibre alignments distinguishing one layer from another. A constitutive representation of the multiple collagen layers is not yet developed, and hence the aim of the present study. The proposed model is based on the constitutive theory of finite elasticity and is characterized by an anisotropic strain-energy function which takes the material structure into account. The passive tissue behaviour is modelled and the related mechanical response is assumed to be dominated by elastin and collagen. While elastin is modelled by the neo-Hookean material the constitutive response of collagen is assumed to be transversely isotropic for each individual layer and based on an exponential function. The proposed constitutive function is polyconvex which ensures material stability. The model has five independent material parameters, each of which has a clear physical interpretation: the initial stiffnesses of the collagen fabric in the two principal directions, the shear modulus pertaining to the non-collagenous matrix material, a parameter describing the level of nonlinearity of the collagen fabric, and the angle between the principal directions of the collagen fabric and the reference coordinate system. An extension-inflation test of the adventitia of a human femoral artery is simulated by means of the finite element method and an error function is minimized by adjusting the material parameters yielding a good agreement between the model and the experimental data.     

Estimation of Thalamocortical and Intracortical Network Models from Joint Thalamic Single-Electrode and Cortical Laminar-Electrode Recordings in the Rat Barrel System

A new method is presented for extraction of population firing-rate models for both thalamocortical and intracortical signal transfer based on stimulus-evoked data from simultaneous thalamic single-electrode and cortical recordings using linear (laminar) multielectrodes in the rat barrel system. Time-dependent population firing rates for granular (layer 4), supragranular (layer 2/3), and infragranular (layer 5) populations in a barrel column and the thalamic population in the homologous barreloid are extracted from the high-frequency portion (multi-unit activity; MUA) of the recorded extracellular signals. These extracted firing rates are in turn used to identify population firing-rate models formulated as integral equations with exponentially decaying coupling kernels, allowing for straightforward transformation to the more common firing-rate formulation in terms of differential equations. Optimal model structures and model parameters are identified by minimizing the deviation between model firing rates and the experimentally extracted population firing rates. For the thalamocortical transfer, the experimental data favor a model with fast feedforward excitation from thalamus to the layer-4 laminar population combined with a slower inhibitory process due to feedforward and/or recurrent connections and mixed linear-parabolic activation functions. The extracted firing rates of the various cortical laminar populations are found to exhibit strong temporal correlations for the present experimental paradigm, and simple feedforward population firing-rate models combined with linear or mixed linear-parabolic activation function are found to provide excellent fits to the data. The identified thalamocortical and intracortical network models are thus found to be qualitatively very different. While the thalamocortical circuit is optimally stimulated by rapid changes in the thalamic firing rate, the intracortical circuits are low-pass and respond most strongly to slowly varying inputs from the cortical layer-4 population.     

第一类鱼抗冻蛋白对冰晶生长界面层结构的影响

根据冰晶在水溶液中生长的基本热力学性质,应用多层界面模型,分别得到了冰晶在纯水及抗冻蛋白溶液中生长界面层的吉布斯自由能.由冰晶生长界面层的吉布斯自由能,分析了冰晶在三种不同第一类鱼抗冻蛋白分子溶液中,热平衡状态下生长界面层的微观平衡结构,发现冰晶在抗冻蛋白溶液中生长与其在纯水中生长相比,界面层结构有明显变化,结合抗冻蛋...     

Trichromacy, opponent colours coding and optimum colour information transmission in the retina

This paper presents a systematic analysis of the role of opponent type processing in colour vision and the relation between opponent type colour transformations and the initial three colour mechanisms. It is shown that efficient information transmission is achieved by a transformation of the initial three colour mechanisms into an achromatic and two opponent chromatic channels. The derivation of the transformation is dependent solely on criteria from information theory. Thus it provides a logical rationale reconciling opponent type processing as an optimal necessary step after the initial three colour mechanisms, unifying respectively the Hering and Young-Helmholtz approaches to colour vision. The effects of chromatic adaptation on the spectral response of the achromatic and two chromatic channels are discussed from the point of view of information theory. It is argued that adaptation serves as a dynamic readjustment of these responses, necessary to meet criteria of efficient colour information transmission. The results are confronted with empirical observations to test the principles of the theory and the relation to other theories is discussed. Within the same framework the issue of trichromacy is discussed. It is argued that a broad class of typical colour spectra can effectively be represented by three significant degrees of freedom that make up a trichromatic system.     

Morphological manipulation of bolaamphiphilic polydiacetylene assemblies by controlled lipid doping

Morphological transformations of bolaamphiphilic polydiacetylene (L-Glu-Bis-3) lipid assemblies from helical ribbons to vesicles and flat sheets through controlled doping are described, and the role of specific lipid dopants in these processes is discussed. Upon doping with cell surface receptor G(M1) ganglioside, fluid vesicular structures start to emerge, coexisting with the micro-crystalline helical ribbons. The vesicle formation is further facilitated and stabilized by the introduction of cholesterol into the system, presumably through surface curvature variation induced by inhomogeneous distribution and dynamic clustering of G(M1) and cholesterol within the doped assemblies. Extended helical ribbons are "truncated" into patches of flat sheets when a sufficient amount of Bis-1, a structurally compatible symmetric bolaamphiphilic diacetylene lipid, is doped. The results reaffirm the important roles of packing geometry and headgroup chirality in the formation of extended helical ribbon structures. The doped assemblies of bolaamphiphiles allow for capture of intermediate structures of morphological transformation using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A vesicle-to-ribbon transformation mechanism via lateral reorganization within relatively fluid vesicular microstructures has been suggested. Understanding of the doping-induced transformation process provides useful information for the design of advanced materials where the microscopic morphology of material is crucial to its function.     

传统光学相干断层成像:软骨双折射特性的研究

传统光学相干断层成像可实现无损伤在体检测,具有较高的分辨率和灵敏度。获取生物组织的双折射信息可望是其应用之一。本文用传统光学相干断层成像系统以动物模型对关节软骨进行了研究,对软骨组织的传统光学相干断层图像的层结构随脱水和机械作用的变化进行了分析。结果表明,传统光学相干断层成像系统在一定程度上可用于监测由其胶原质纤维排列决定的软骨组织的双折射和密度。     

Sealing the live part of the skin: the integrated meshwork of desmosomes, tight junctions and curvilinear ridge structures in the cells of the uppermost granular layer of the human epidermis

In the literature the question of whether a system structurally and functionally related to the barrier function of the tight junctions (TJs) of polarized epithelia exists in the epidermis has been and still is controversially discussed. We have systematically addressed this question in a study of the granular layer of fetal and adult human epidermis, combining different light and electron microscopic methods. We show that the lateral membranes of the cells of the stratum granulosum are connected by an extended subapical complex system integrating desmosomes and TJ structures identified as sites of close membrane-membrane contact and as regions of membrane-to-membrane apposition that in immunoelectron microscopy are positive for TJ marker proteins, notably occludin, indicative of an extended, probably continuous TJ barrier. In addition, we have noted in freeze-fractures of the apical membrane attaching this layer to the basalmost membrane of the stratum corneum an extended system integrating desmosomes with intramembraneous ridge configurations that appear as strands, circles, lariats or complex meshworks showing numerous continuities with the desmosomes. In some regions this system interconnecting desmosomes with curvilinear ridge structures occupies the major part of the plasma membrane. The molecular organizations and possible functional contributions of both structural systems positioned at the border between the living portion of the epidermis and the corneal layer are discussed, in particular in relation to the formation of a stable association between the two layers and of a barrier to the paracellular flow of molecules and particles. It is also discussed whether similar structures occur in other keratinizing stratified squamous epithelia, in squamous metaplasias and in tumors derived from such tissues.     

具HollingⅡ类功能反应的多时滞捕食-食饵系统的全局性质

本文研究了一类具HollingⅡ功能反应的捕食-食饵系统,首先用Cook等人建立的关于超越函数的零点分布定理,研究了一类多时滞捕食-食饵系统的正平衡点的稳定性及局部Hopf分支．进而,再结合吴建宏等人的用等变拓扑度理论建立起的一般泛函微分方程的全局Hopf分支定理,进一步研究了该系统的全局Hopf分支的存在性．     

Compartmental-model response function for dendritic trees

The membrane-potential response function of a dendritic tree is constructed using a compartmental model. It is shown that if certain conditions are imposed on the compartments at branching nodes and terminals of an arbitrary tree, then the response function has a simple matrix solution that may be evaluated explicitly. Moreover, it reduces to the corresponding path-integral expression of cable theory in the continuum limit. The response function in the presence of synaptic inputs with shunting is also constructed. The compartmental approach presented here provides a particularly simple method for exploring the effects of complex geometries on spatio-temporal pattern processing in neurons.     

稳态转换视角下生态系统服务变化过程与作用机制

优化生态系统服务供给是实现人类社会与自然生态系统和谐发展的必然途径。生态系统在平衡与非平衡之间复杂的转化模式使生态系统服务研究备受阻力,如何科学地解析生态系统服务内在调控机制是实现从自然资源利用到生态系统功能优化的关键。从论述生态系统稳态转换驱动机制入手,阐明扰动发生后稳态转换的路径、生态系统功能对扰动的响应模式;基于稳态转换视角深入诠释生态系统服务内涵及变化过程,以"结构-过程-功能-服务-人类福祉-可持续性"为核心架构来发展生态系统服务理论框架,并从生态系统敏感性和恢复力等内在属性探讨生态系统服务对结构和功能变化的响应情况;解析当土地利用变化超过生态系统阈值时,各项生态系统服务间的互馈作用。基于稳态转换视角评述生态系统服务变化过程与作用机制,以期为生态系统服务研究及生态系统管理提供新视角。     

Covalent bound sensing layers on surface acoustic wave (SAW) biosensors

This paper reports on the development of immunosensors based on commercially available surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices working at 380 MHz. Approaches for coating the sensor surface with a sensing layer of receptive biomolecules are presented and discussed. It was found that the sensitivity strongly relates to the immobilization method. Additionally, the sensitivity can be influenced by the density of accessible biomolecules on the active sensing area. Usually, by most of the standard immobilization procedures, two-dimensional layers of receptive biomolecules are obtained. We present a three-dimensional layer, which provides a higher absolute amount of recognition molecules. A dextran layer is photoimmobilized to the sensor surface and the recognition molecules are covalently embedded into the dextran matrix. The feasibility of specific immunosensing is investigated using SAW sensors connected to a fluid handling system.     

农杆菌双组分信号转导系统中VirG蛋白结构与转化功能的分析

农杆菌介导的转化方法在植物、真菌基因转化上有着重要意义,其中VirG蛋白起着重要作用.利用多种序列、结构分析对比软件,对根癌农杆菌和发根农杆菌4种代表性VirG蛋白基本性质、一级结构、二级结构、三级结构和表面静电势进行了预测比较和分析,发现N端差异较大.来自发根农杆菌的VirG蛋白更是在N端缺失了一段氨基酸,这可能是发根农杆菌转化效率低于根癌农杆菌的一个重要原因.结合文献关于定点突变的研究结果,经过总结分析VirG蛋白各位点突变对功能的影响,发现只有诸如N54和I77等少数位点的突变才对功能有促进作用.这些研究结果为提高农杆菌,尤其是发根农杆菌的侵染能力和范围提供了理论依据.     

Ultrastructural and histochemical studies of the egg capsules of Perla marginata (Panzer, 1799) and Dinocras cephalotes (Curtis, 1827) (Plecoptera : Perlidae)

Eggshells of stone flies P. marginata and D. cephalotes (Plecoptera : Perlidae), inhabiting mountain streams, were examined using scanning and transmission electron microscopes, a phase-contrast light microscope and histochemical methods to detect proteins, lipids and polysaccharides.The eggshells of the species investigated consist of a vitelline envelope, chorion and gelatinous sheet decorated on its outer surface with mushroom-like structures. An anchoring structure (attachment disc) is situated on the posterior pole of the egg. The structure and function of the attachment disc, as well as the possible taxonomic applications, are discussed. The morphology and histochemical composition of all these elements of the shell clearly demonstrate good adaptation to land and aquatic habitats; the chorion consists of 2 layers, the internal layer being finely perforated by numerous aeropyles. The external layer, with fewer, regularly placed aeropyles, protects the egg interior against dehydration in the land habitat. The gelatinous sheet seems to provide additional protection. Mushroom-like structures, situated on its surface, correspond with the positions of aeropylar openings. These and other interrelations between chorion structure and function are discussed.     

Understanding Molecular Structures of Buried Interfaces in Halide Perovskite Photovoltaic Devices Nondestructively with Sub‐Monolayer Sensitivity Using Sum Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy

As performance of halide perovskite devices progresses, the device structure becomes more complex with more layers. Molecular interfacial structures between different layers play an increasingly important role in determining the overall performance in a halide perovskite device. However, current understanding of such interfacial structures at a molecular level nondestructively is limited, partially due to a lack of appropriate analytical tools to probe buried interfacial molecular structures in situ. Here, sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy, a state‐of‐the‐art nonlinear interface sensitive spectroscopy, is introduced to the halide perovskite research community and is presented as a powerful tool to understand molecule behavior at buried halide perovskite interfaces in situ. It is found that interfacial molecular orientations revealed by SFG can be directly correlated to halide perovskite device performance. Here how SFG can examine molecular structures (e.g., orientations) at the perovskite/hole transporting layer and perovskite/electron transporting layer interfaces is discussed. This will promote the use of SFG to investigate molecular structures of buried interfaces in various halide perovskite materials and devices in situ nondestructively with a sub‐monolayer interface sensitivity. Such research will help to elucidate structure–function relationships of buried interfaces, aiding in the rational design/development of halide perovskite materials/devices with improved performance.     

Surface waves and space charge layers in a spatially inhomogeneous plasma

A theory of surface waves in a layer of a spatially inhomogeneous cold electron plasma is presented. Four types of surface waves are revealed, and the conditions under which they can exist are determined. Complex frequency spectra are obtained, and the mechanisms for wave damping by plasma inhomogeneity are discussed.     

A hierarchical neural network model for associative memory

A hierarchical neural network model with feedback interconnections, which has the function of associative memory and the ability to recognize patterns, is proposed. The model consists of a hierarchical multi-layered network to which efferent connections are added, so as to make positive feedback loops in pairs with afferent connections. The cell-layer at the initial stage of the network is the input layer which receives the stimulus input and at the same time works as an output layer for associative recall. The deepest layer is the output layer for pattern-recognition. Pattern-recognition is performed hierarchically by integrating information by converging afferent paths in the network. For the purpose of associative recall, the integrated information is again distributed to lower-order cells by diverging efferent paths. These two operations progress simultaneously in the network. If a fragment of a training pattern is presented to the network which has completed its self-organization, the entire pattern will gradually be recalled in the initial layer. If a stimulus consisting of a number of training patterns superposed is presented, one pattern gradually becomes predominant in the recalled output after competition between the patterns, and the others disappear. At about the same time when the recalled pattern reaches a steady state in he initial layer, in the deepest layer of the network, a response is elicited from the cell corresponding to the category of the finally-recalled pattern. Once a steady state has been reached, the response of the network is automatically extinguished by inhibitory signals from a steadiness-detecting cell. If the same stimulus is still presented after inhibition, a response for another pattern, formerly suppressed, will now appear, because the cells of the network have adaptation characteristics which makes the same response unlikely to recur. Since inhibition occurs repeatedly, the superposed input patterns are recalled one by one in turn.     

DNA repair and the evolution of transformation IV. DNA damage increases transformation

Natural genetic transformation in the bacterium Bacillus subtilis provides a model system to explore the evolutionary function of sexual recombination. In the present work, we study the response of transformation to UV irradiation using donor DNAs that differ in sequence homology to the recipient's chromosome and in the mechanism of transformation. The four donor DNAs used include homologous-chromosomal-DNA, two plasmids containing a fragment of B. subtilis trp⁺ operon DNA and a plasmid with no sequence homology to the recipient cell's DNA. Transformation frequencies for these DNA molecules increase with increasing levels of DNA damage (UV radiation) to recipient cells, only if their transformation requires homologous recombination (i.e. is recA⁺-dependent). Transformation with non-homologous DNA is independent of the recipient's recombination system and transformation frequencies for it do not respond to increases in UV radiation. The transformation frequency for a selectable marker increases in response to DNA damage more dramatically when the locus is present on small, plasmid-borne, homologous fragments than if it is carried on high molecular weight chromosomal fragments. We also study the kinetics of transformation for the different donor DNAs. Different kinetics are observed for homologous transformation depending on whether the homologous locus is carried on a plasmid or on chromosomal fragments. Chromosomal DNA- and non-homologous-plasmid-DNA-mediated transformation is complete (maximal) within several minutes, while transformation with a plasmid containing homologous DNA is still occurring after an hour. The results indicate that DNA damage directly increases rates of homologous recombination and transformation in B. subtilis. The relevance of these results and recent results of other labs to the evolution of transformation are discussed.     

Statistical Analysis of Motor Unit Firing Patterns in a Human Skeletal Muscle

A statistical analysis of the firing pattern of single motor units in the human brachial biceps muscle is presented. Single motor unit spike trains are recorded and analyzed. The statistical treatment of these spike trains is as stochastic point processes, the theory of which is briefly discussed. Evidence is presented that motor unit spike trains may be modelled by a renewal process with an underlying gaussian probability density. Statistical independence of successive interspike intervals is shown using scatter diagrams; the hypothesis of a gaussian distribution is accepted at the 99th percentile confidence limit, chi-square test, in 90% of the units tested. A functional relationship between the mean and standard deviation is shown and discussed; its implications in obtaining sample size are presented in an appendix.The results of higher order analysis in the form of autocorrelograms and grouped interval histograms are presented. Grouped interval histograms are discussed in the context of motor unit data, and used to confirm the hypothesis that a stable probability density function does not represent a good model of the data at this level of analysis.     

A stochastic model for a closed biochemical system at equilibrium

This paper presents a stochastic model, a theoretical multi-variate probability function describing concentrations of reactants in a closed biochemical system at equilibrium. The theory applies to the complete range of biochemical systems from single enzyme reactions to combinations of reactions to complete pathways. Prior to examining the general system, probability functions are derived for the following systems as examples: a reaction with a competitive inhibitor, a bisubstrate reaction using the ping-pong mechanism and a series of two mono-substrate reactions. The theory of Markov processes is used to derive the probability functions for each of the example systems and then for the general system which includes the example systems as special cases. The probability function for any appropriate biochemical system proves to be the product of independent Poisson probabilities conditioned on the conservation equations. Finally, the implications of the theory are briefly discussed and possible extensions proposed.     

Heat Transfer Analysis for Stationary Boundary Layer Slip Flow of a Power-Law Fluid in a Darcy Porous Medium with Plate Suction/Injection

In this paper, we investigate the slip effects on the boundary layer flow and heat transfer characteristics of a power-law fluid past a porous flat plate embedded in the Darcy type porous medium. The nonlinear coupled system of partial differential equations governing the flow and heat transfer of a power-law fluid is transformed into a system of nonlinear coupled ordinary differential equations by applying a suitable similarity transformation. The resulting system of ordinary differential equations is solved numerically using Matlab bvp4c solver. Numerical results are presented in the form of graphs and the effects of the power-law index, velocity and thermal slip parameters, permeability parameter, suction/injection parameter on the velocity and temperature profiles are examined.