Application of acoustic Doppler current profiler combined with a scientific echo sounder for krill Euphausia pacifica density estimation

ABSTRACT:   An application of the acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP, 153.6 kHz) in combination with a scientific echo sounder (EK60, 38 and 200 kHz) was investigated to estimate the density of krill Euphausia pacifica . The acoustic backscattering strength from sound scattering layers was compared with biomass estimates from midwater trawls. Euphausia pacifica was targeted among mixed species populations in the sound scattering layer in the offshore Funka Bay area of Hokkaido, Japan. The frequency characteristics of acoustic backscattering by krill were calculated using a distorted wave Born approximation scattering model at three frequencies. Krill aggregations identified from the EK60 data were extracted as the mean volume backscattering strength difference between two frequencies. They were then used to identify similar aggregations in the ADCP data by matching observation times and depths for the two methods, which were applied simultaneously. Results from the comparison of the mean volume backscattering strength and the density calculated from the ADCP and EK60 showed that ADCP can be used to measure density and spatial–temporal distribution of krill aggregations. Current speed and direction at the study site were found to be 16.1 cm/s and 187.0°, respectively, and krill speed and direction (including the current component) were found to be 19.8 cm/s and 172.2°, respectively. Based on the ADCP data, the net speed and direction of the krill aggregations were found to be 5.9 cm/s and 128.0°, respectively.     

Stress parameters and immune response of layers under different cage floor and density conditions

The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effects of cage floor and cage density on stress parameters of laying hens. A total of 162 brown laying hens (Hyline Brown), aged 34 weeks, were used in the experiment. Compact-type battery cages, with three floors, were used. Hens were allocated as one, three or five hens in each of 18 cages to obtain three different cage density groups of 1968, 656 and 393.8 cm² floor area per hen, respectively. The same number of cages with different cage density were allocated to three different battery floors (first floor=top, second=middle, third=bottom) systematically. Values for body weight, mortality rate, egg weight, egg production, egg quality characteristics, egg yolk cholesterol content, the levels of blood plasma corticosterone, serum glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides, the ratio of heterophils to lymphocytes (H-L ratio), antibody titers, claw length score, foot health score, plumage score and throat skin injuries were taken as indicators of stress. The values for egg weight (P<0.01) at the first floor were greater than the other floor levels. The group with five hens per cage had significantly lower mean estimates (P<0.01) than other groups with respects to body weight (P<0.001), egg production (P<0.001), egg weight (P<0.001) and plumage score (P<0.01), while significantly higher mean estimates for egg albumen index (P<0.01), Haugh unit (P<0.01), serum glucose (P<0.001), and H-L ratio (P<0.001). Serum cholesterol was higher in cages with one hen than that with five hens, whereas plasma corticosterone was lower. Antibody titers in cages with one hen was similar to that with three or five hens; however, those with three hens had higher titers than those with five hens. Values for egg breaking strength, yolk index, egg cholesterol content, and foot health score were not affected by cage density or floor. The results suggest that the allocation of three hens per cage had no measurable effect on health and welfare.     

Regulation of‘Tiao Gan Fang Yao’on neuroendocrine-immuno-function of bandage-stressed rats

AIM: To investigate the regulation of ‘Tiao Gan Fang Yao’(TGFY) on neuroendocrine-immuno-function of bandage-stressed rat . METHODS:The stressed rat model was made by bandage. RIA was adopted to measure the function of hypothalamus-pitutary-adrenal gland axis (HPAA) of stressed rat. Meanwhile, the immunity of stressed rat and the regulation of TGFY were observed.RESULTS:Bandage stress increased the contents of serum corticosterone(CORT), and ACTH, and hypothalamus corticotropin releasing hormone (P＜0.01 or 0.05), which suggested that the excitability of HPAA was enhanced. In addition, bandage stress reduced spleen lymphocyte proliferation (P＜0.01) and decreased H₂O₂ releasing from the macrophages significantly (P＜0.01). While TGFY could decrease HPAA excitability of bandage-stressed rat and strengthen its immunity. CONCLUSION:TGFY could regulate disorder of neuroendocrine-immuno-function of bandage-stressed rat.     

重金属致植物矿质营养元素代谢异常的生理效应

重金属胁迫会导致植物体细胞的矿质营养元素缺乏、代谢过程紊乱,甚至可引起植物的死亡。综述了重金属导致植物体的某些矿质元素代谢异常的生理效应。     

基于局部综合法的非零正传动弧齿锥齿轮副设计

利用局部综合法对非零正传动弧齿锥齿轮副进行大重合度加工参数设计,克服了非零正传动由于啮合角增大而使得重合度降低的不足。通过实例与常规设计的结果进行仿真与应力分析对比,结果表明,在同样的载荷条件下,新设计比常规设计的小轮最大齿根拉伸应力减小27.6%,最大齿根压缩应力减小23.5%,最大齿面接触应力减小6.5%,同时大轮的齿根应力也有所降低,使得齿轮副具有更高的寿命和可靠性。     

基于激光热应力法的薄膜蠕变性能评估方法

采用单脉冲激光在薄膜表面进行局部加载,对薄膜在受热区域、冷热接合部及与基体连接界面产生的热应力、热应变及应力松弛进行理论分析,研究薄膜的蠕变机制和非弹性变形的热力学响应。分析结果表明,薄膜受高温及冷却退火作用都会产生应力松弛;冷却退火还会形成拉应力,薄膜裂纹由拉应力过大引起,薄膜的蠕变性能是薄膜断裂前的热力学行为,由应力的性质和大小决定,用激光热应力法可以实现对薄膜性能的评估。     

天山地形对新疆大风和降温天气作用的数值模拟研究

2009年5月24日夜间～26日夜间,新疆地区自西向东出现了明显的降水、大风、降温天气过程。为研究此次天气过程中天山地形的作用,文中用WRFV3.1模式对其进行了数值模拟,并通过改变天山山脉的地形高度设计了一组敏感性试验,分析了天山地形对此次强天气过程中大风和降温的影响。结果表明,天山山脉地形对准格尔盆地西北部直至天山山脉北侧的气流有明显的阻挡与减缓作用,对三十里风区、百里风区、汗腾格里峰北坡强风带的形成有直接而重要的作用;地形高度越高,产生垂直运动的地形抬升机制越强,地形强迫抬升作用产生的垂直上升运动越剧烈;天山山脉明显地减轻了寒潮天气过程中南疆塔里木盆地的降温幅度,对准格尔盆地北部的寒潮降温幅度也有一定的减缓作用,对塔里木盆地的"保温"作用较准格尔盆地明显。     

水分胁迫对结球白菜光合特性的影响

以3个结球白菜品种新早56、新乡小包、北京小杂为试材,采用盆栽方式模拟田间试验,人为设置4个土壤相对含水量处理,研究了水分胁迫对大白菜光合特性的影响。结果表明,随着土壤水分胁迫程度的增加,白菜叶片净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度均逐渐下降,光合速率高低顺序表现为新早56>新乡小包>北京小杂,而胞间CO2浓度则品种间无显著差异,表明在水分胁迫下非气孔因素是导致白菜叶片光合速率下降的主要原因,同时说明新早56的抗旱性强于新乡小包和北京小杂。     

基于分段波形的信号瞬时频率计算方法

针对局部均值分解（Local Mean Decomposition，LMD）中乘积函数（Product Function，PF）分量的瞬时频率计算问题，引入了一种新的信号瞬时频率计算方法.该方法基于分段波形，先将信号分成若干个全波段（full wave），然后以一组递增的反正弦函数定义每个全波段的瞬时相位，进而得到信号的瞬时频率.由该方法得到的瞬时频率理论上是正的、稳定的并且能够确保信号局部特征信息的完整.应用该方法计算了仿真信号和实际齿轮故障振动信号的瞬时频率，并与其他方法求得的瞬时频率进行了对比.结果表明，本文方法非常适合求取信号的瞬时频率.     

Urinary catecholamine and metanephrine to creatinine ratios in healthy dogs at home and in a hospital environment and in 2 dogs with pheochromocytoma

BACKGROUND: Measurement of high concentrations of urine catecholamines and metanephrines is useful in diagnosing pheochromocytoma in humans. Stress increases catecholamine excretion in urine. HYPOTHESIS: Stress of a hospital visit increases urinary catecholamine and metanephrine excretion in dogs. ANIMALS: Fourteen clinically normal dogs, 2 dogs with pheochromocytoma. METHODS: Voided urine samples were collected by the owners 7 days before (t-7), during the hospital visit immediately after diagnostic procedures (t0), as well as 1 (t1) and 7 days (t7) after the hospital visit. Urine catecholamine and metanephrine concentrations were measured using high-pressure liquid chromatography and expressed as ratios to urine creatinine concentration. RESULTS: In client-owned dogs epinephrine and norepinephrine ratios at t0 were significantly higher compared with ratios at t7. Metanephrine and normetanephrine ratios at t-7, t0, and t1 did not differ significantly from each other; however, at t7 they were significantly lower compared to values at t-7. In staff-owned dogs no significant differences were detected among the different collecting time points for any variable. Metanephrine and normetanephrine ratios were significantly higher in client-owned dogs compared to staff-owned dogs at t-7, t0, and t1 but not at t7. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Stress associated with a hospital visit and with the sampling procedure causes increases in urine catecholamine and metanephrine excretion. Urine collection for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma probably should take place at home after adaptation to the sampling procedure.