Reproductive barriers to hybridizations between narrow-leaf and broad-leaf Anoectochilus roxburghii

Narrow-leaf and broad-leaf Anoectochilus roxburghii were used as reciprocal parents to explore the reason for low seed setting rate. Pollen-pistil interaction was observed by fluorescence microscopy and hybrid embryo development by paraffin section technology. The results indicated that pollen tube growth could reach the embryo sac, and double fertilization could be completed. These findings showed that a pre-fertilization barrier was not the major factor in the cross of narrow-leaf and broad-leaf A. roxburghii. The endosperm development of the hybrid was abnormal and eventually promoted abortion of the embryos. A post-fertilization barrier appears to be the major factor for low seed setting rate in the cross of narrow-leaf and broad-leaf A. roxburghii. In addition, an efficient protocol of embryo rescue, the development of which is reported elsewhere, was used to compare the time needed for rescue between the reciprocal crosses.     

Drag force and reconfiguration of cultivated Saccharina latissima in current

The design of aquaculture systems requires an understanding of the drag forces on cultivated kelp. This study measured the drag on line segments of cultivated Saccharina latissima in a towing tank. The drag on segments of farm line with full kelp bundles and with stipes alone (fronds removed) was measured at tow speeds of 0.10 to 0.50 m/s. The drag on individual fronds cut from the line was also measured. Video images were collected to evaluate the plant reconfiguration. Both kelp blades and stipes contributed to the total drag force on the line bundle. Within the velocity range of our experiments, the kelp blades were essentially horizontal. However, the pronation of kelp stipes increased as flow velocity increased. The reconfiguration of kelp stipes was observed to decrease the vertical extent of the kelp bundle. Due to this reconfiguration, the measured force, $F$, increased with velocity, $U$, at a rate slower than quadratic, and was consistent with scaling laws derived for reconfiguration. Specifically, $F\sim U^{\alpha }$ with $\alpha =1.35\pm 0.17$.     

Identification of the core motif of the BRCA2 C-terminal RAD51-binding domain by comparing canine and human BRCA2

Mammary tumors are the most common tumors in women and non-spayed female dogs. One of the reasons for mammary tumors is mutations of the tumor suppressor gene, BRCA2. BRCA2 participates in homologous recombination repair by interacting with the RAD51 recombinase. BRCA2 has two RAD51-binding domains, consisting of BRC repeats and the C-terminal RAD51-binding domain, respectively. Although several studies have addressed the function of the C-terminal RAD51-binding domain of human BRCA2, the amino acid sequences required for the RAD51-interaction activity remain unclear. In this study, the C-terminal RAD51-binding domains of canine and human BRCA2 were compared; the canine domain displayed a weaker interaction with RAD51. This difference was attributed to the C-terminal portion of the domain via a comparison between canine and human domains. Furthermore, peptides shorter than those previously reported displayed RAD51-interacting activity, and a core motif of this domain consisting of 25 amino acids was identified. Since a mutation (S3323N) was reported in the core motif of this domain, the effect of this mutation was evaluated. The mutant exhibited similar RAD51-binding activity as that of the wild-type protein, suggesting that the mutation was functionally neutral. These data suggested that the C-terminal portion of the BRCA2 C-terminal RAD51-binding domain influenced its RAD51-interaction activity, and a minimum core motif of 25 amino acids was identified in this domain. These data may help clarify BRCA2 function, as well as the tumorigenic effects of BRCA2 mutation.     

Predicting Acceptability of Jaguars and Pumas in the Atlantic Forest,Brazil

Jaguars and pumas are threatened species in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, especially at the borders of protected areas. This article assessed the influence of emotions, attitudes, existence value, and agency credibility on acceptability of big cats among rural residents living adjacent to two protected areas in this forest. Data from self-administrated questionnaires (n = 326) indicated those with positive attitudes toward big cats (β = .28, p < .001), those who valued the existence of big cats (β = .14, p < .05), those who would feel sorrow if big cats disappeared (β = .21, p < .001), and those who considered the managing agency as credible (β = .16, p = .002) were more accepting of big cats. The model provided theoretical and practical insights into large carnivore conservation. For example, given the significance of agency credibility, a positive relationship between park authorities and residents is crucial for big cat conservation.     

短花针茅荒漠草原物种间关系的多度不对称性对载畜率的响应

目前物种的相对多度与种间关系的内部联系如何影响物种共存仍不清楚。为探讨植物群落物种间关系强度的多度不对称性及其对载畜率的响应,本研究以内蒙古短花针茅(Stipa breviflora)荒漠草原植物群落为对象,分析了对照、轻度、中度及重度放牧下群落物种的多度及其频率。结果表明：随载畜率的增大,物种数呈现出降低的趋势。不同载畜率下同分布指数CO均存在明显的多度依赖性;常见种(如短花针茅、无芒隐子草(Cleistogenes songorica)及刺穗藜(Chenopodum aristatum))对其他物种的作用强度普遍较强。不同载畜率下短花针茅对无芒隐子草及刺穗藜的作用强度均高于其二者对短花针茅的强度,表现出种间强度的不对称性。此外,放牧使得短花针茅对无芒隐子草的作用强度呈现出增大的趋势,使得无芒隐子草对短花针茅的作用强度呈现出降低的趋势。因此,物种间存在多度的不对称性,而放牧进一步造成其物种间作用强度的变化。     

Determination of Pile-Soil Parameters for Steel Pipe Pile Subjected to Lateral Load

In this paper,in terms of the measured data(including the deflection and slope at the ground surface of the pile,the maximum bending moment and its position),the biparameter method is used to analyze the pile-soil parameters.Two examples show that the method in present paper is reasonable and reliable,and it provides the reference value for the engineering design.     

Analysis of Load-bearing Characteristics of Concrete Pile Composite Foundation

Some conclusions were drawn from two groups of in-site tests on concrete pile composite foundations. In the tests, it was found that the pressure under the rigid loading slab is different, in which the pressure under the center of the slab is the less and under the edge of the slab is the biggest. The pile-soil stress ratio is not a constant; it increases with the adding of the load. Most of the pile-soil ratio vary from 9 to 13 in these tests and the load that the piles share can be more than seventy percent of the whole load. It was proved that the bearing capacity of the concrete pile composite foundation is high with a little settlement, so it will be used more and more in the future.     

高压水射流破碎岩石数值模拟

针对高压水射流破碎岩石的特性，结合多物质流固耦合算法与ALE(任意拉格朗日欧拉)算法，利用显示动力学有限元程序对该复杂过程进行数值模拟，得出岩石破碎过程中的流体与固体的相互作用及岩石的破碎动态扩展过程并对连续射流冲击与脉冲射流冲击对岩石的切割效果进行对比。     

灌溉效益分摊系数的数理统计分析方法

传统的灌溉效益分摊系数的计算公式中没有考虑随机因素和交互效应的影响,针对这一问题提出了相应的数理统计分析方法,并利用一组历史数据,计算了某一地区的灌溉效益分摊系数。