Active Faulting Pattern,Present-day Tectonic Stress Field and Block Kinematics in the East Tibetan Plateau

This paper examines major active faults and the present-day tectonic stress field in the East Tibetan Plateau by integrating available data from published literature and proposes a block kinematics model of the region. It shows that the East Tibetan Plateau is dominated by strike-slip and reverse faulting stress regimes and that the maximum horizontal stress is roughly consistent with the contemporary velocity field, except for the west Qinling range where it parallels the striking of the major strike-slip faults. Active tectonics in the East Tibetan Plateau is characterized by three faulting systems. The left-slip Kunlun-Qinling faulting system combines the east Kunlun fault zone, sinistral oblique reverse faults along the Minshan range and two major NEE-striking faults cutting the west Qinling range, which accommodates eastward motion, at 10--14 mm/a, of the Chuan-Qing block. The left-slip Xianshuihe faulting system accommodated clockwise rotation of the Chuan-Dian block. The Longmenshan thrust faulting system forms the eastern margin of the East Tibetan Plateau and has been propagated to the SW of the Sichuan basin. Crustal shortening across the Longmenshan range seems low （2-4 mm/a） and absorbed only a small part of the eastward motion of the Chuan-Qing block. Most of this eastward motion has been transmitted to South China, which is moving SEE-ward at 7-9 mm/a. It is suggested from geophysical data interpretation that the crust and lithosphere of the East Tibetan Plateau is considerably thickened and theologically layered. The upper crust seems to be decoupled from the lower crust through a decollement zone at a depth of 15-20 kin, which involved the Longmenshan fault belt and propagated eastward to the SW of the Sichuan basin. The Wenchuan earthquake was just formed at the bifurcated point of this decollement system. A rheological boundary should exist beneath the Longmenshan fault belt where the lower crust of the East Tibetan Plateau and the lithospheric mantle of the Yangze block are juxtaposed.

Seed Priming with Beta-Amino Butyric Acid Improves Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Rice Seedlings

We studied the influence of seed priming with beta-amino butyric acid（BABA） on the growth, physiological and biochemical parameters of seedlings with varied abiotic stress tolerance, which were raised and grown under unstressed and stressed（NaCl/PEG-6000） conditions. Under stressed conditions, the growth of rice seedlings was less when compared to control plants. After BABA priming, the seedling growth increased both under unstressed and stressed conditions as compared to the respective controls. BABA priming of rice seeds caused increase in the photosynthetic pigment content of the leaves, modified the chlorophyll a fluorescence related parameters and also enhanced the photosystem activities of seedlings when compared to their respective non-primed controls. BABA priming also caused increased mitochondrial activities of the rice seedlings. Moreover, BABA priming significantly reduced malondialdehyde content in the seedlings and also resulted in accumulation of proline especially in the NaCl tolerant variety Vyttila 6. BABA seed priming also enhanced the activity of nitrate reductase enzyme and activities of antioxidant enzymes like guaiacol peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. The presence of BABA was detected by high performance thin layer chromatography analysis in the rice seeds whereas in the seedlings it was not detected. Thus, it can be inferred that the seed priming effect of BABA mainly occurred within the seeds, which was further carried to the seedlings. It is concluded that BABA priming of seeds improved the drought and salinity stress tolerance of all the three rice varieties and it was significantly evident in the drought tolerant variety Vaisakh and NaCl tolerant variety Vyttila 6, when compared to the stress sensitive variety Neeraja.

Edaravone protects against oxygen-glucose-serum deprivation/restoration-induced apoptosis in spinal cord astrocytes by inhibiting integrated stress response

We previously found that oxygen-glucose-serum deprivation/restoration（OGSD/R） induces apoptosis of spinal cord astrocytes, possibly via caspase-12 and the integrated stress response, which involves protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase（PERK）, eukaryotic initiation factor 2-alpha（eIF2α） and activating transcription factor 4（ATF4）. We hypothesized that edaravone, a low molecular weight, lipophilic free radical scavenger, would reduce OGSD/R-induced apoptosis of spinal cord astrocytes. To test this, we established primary cultures of rat astrocytes, and exposed them to 8 hours/6 hours of OGSD/R with or without edaravone（0.1, 1, 10, 100 μM） treatment. We found that 100 μM of edaravone significantly suppressed astrocyte apoptosis and inhibited the release of reactive oxygen species. It also inhibited the activation of caspase-12 and caspase-3, and reduced the expression of homologous CCAAT/enhancer binding protein, phosphorylated（p）-PERK, p-eIF2α, and ATF4. These results point to a new use of an established drug in the prevention of OGSD/R-mediated spinal cord astrocyte apoptosis via the integrated stress response.

Influence of stress on the expression of bcl-2/bax protein in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Objective To explore the influence of stress induced increased sympathetic nerve activity on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and on the development of congestive heart failure. Methods 45 male, 16 week old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were studied, in which 6 as controls. After the 6 controlled SHRs were examined by echocardiography, they were anesthetized and killed by decapitation. The other 39 were divided into the stress group (n=20) and the control group (n=19), and both groups were observed from 16 week old to 36 week old. In the stress group, binding-stress model was used. Till 36 week, all animals were echocardiographied, weighed and killed as described above. Cardiac bcl 2 and bax protein were quantified by western blot. Circulating catecholamine and angiotensin II (Ang II) were detected by radioimmunoasssy. Results Left ventricular volume (P< 0.05), left ventricular mass (P< 0.05) and the ratio of ventricular mass to body weight were higher in 36 week than those of the 16 week SHRs, whereas the volumes of eject fraction (EF) manifested the trend of decline, P< 0.05, binding stress for 20 weeks made this trend significantly, P< 0.05. With the increase of age, the serum norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E) and Ang II increased, suggesting that the binding-stress triggered the activity of central sympathetic nerve system. The cardiac bcl 2 protein was higher in 36 week than 16 week, P >0.05, whereas the bax protein increased significantly with the increase of age, P< 0.05, and so was the ratio of bax to bcl 2, P< 0.05. Conclusions The model of binding stress can effectively activate central sympathetic system, thus and mimic the neuroendocrine states. From 16 to 36 week, the process of cardiac apoptosis aggravated and the increased sympathetic activity would exacerbate rather than relieve this trend.

Underlying mechanisms of variation in yield asymmetry and strain hardening behavior of extruded pure Mg with Gd addition

Effects of Gd addition on the strain hardening behavior and yield asymmetry of pure Mg are investigated by subjecting extruded pure Mg,Mg–5Gd,and Mg–15Gd(all in wt%)to tension and compression tests along the extrusion direction(ED).As the amount of Gd added to pure Mg increases,the basal texture tilts toward the ED and the distribution of c-axes of grains becomes randomized.Under tension,the strain hardening rates of all the materials decrease until fracture.However,under compression,the strain hardening rate increases in the early stage of deformation in pure Mg and Mg–5Gd,whereas it continuously decreases in Mg–15Gd.Pure Mg exhibits considerably high tension-compression yield asymmetry,with a compressive yield strength(CYS)to tensile yield strength(TYS)ratio of 0.4.In contrast,Mg–5Gd exhibits excellent yield symmetry with CYS/TYS of 0.9 and Mg–15Gd exhibits reversed yield asymmetry with CYS/TYS of 1.2.Underlying mechanisms of these drastically different Gd-addition-induced deformation behaviors of the materials are discussed in terms of the crystallographic distribution of grains and the relative activation stresses of basal slip,prismatic slip,pyramidal slip,and{10–12}twinning under tension and compression.

Effects of selenium and sulfur on antioxidants and physiological parameters of garlic plants during senescence

A hydroponic study was conducted to determine the effects of selenium（Se： 0, 3, 6 μmol L^-1） on senescence-related oxidative stress in garlic plants grown under two sulfur（S） levels. We evaluated the yields of plants harvested at 160 and 200 days after sowing. Plants grown under a low Se dose（0.3 μmol L^-1） at low S level showed higher yields（12.0% increase in fresh weight yield, 13.7% increase in dry weight yield） than the controls, despite a decrease in chlorophyll concentration. Compared with control plants, the Se-treated plants showed lower levels of lipid peroxidation. The Se-treated plants also showed higher activities of glut athione peroxidase and catalase, but lower superoxide dismutase activities. Changes in Fv/Fm values and proline contents were affected more strongly by S than by Se. On the basis of our results, we can conclude that Se plays a key role in the antioxidant systems in garlic seedlings. It delays senescence by alleviating the peroxide stress, but it can be toxic at high levels. A high S level may increase tolerance to high Se concentrations through reducing Se accumulation in plants.

The Kangding earthquake swarm of November, 2014

There was an earthquake swarm of two major events of MS6.3 and MS5.8 on the Xianshuihe fault in November, 2014. The two major earthquakes are both strike-slip events with aftershock zone along NW direction.We have analyzed the characteristics of this earthquake sequence. The b value and the h value show the significant variations in different periods before and after the MS5.8earthquake. Based on the data of historical earthquakes, we also illustrated the moderate-strong seismic activity on the Xianshuihe fault. The Kangding earthquake swarm manifests the seismic activity on Xianshuihe fault may be in the late seismic active period. The occurrence of the Kangding earthquake may be an adjustment of the strong earthquakes on the Xianshuihe fault. The Coulomb failure stress changes caused by the historical earthquakes were also given in this article. The results indicate that the earthquake swarm was encouraged by the historical earthquakes since1893, especially by the MS7.5 Kangding earthquake in1955. The Coulomb failure stress changes also shows the subsequent MS5.8 earthquake was triggered by the MS6.3earthquake.

Analysis of insidious fault activation and water inrush from the mining floor

Based on the stress field distribution rule of the mining floor under abutment pressure, we have established a simplified mechanical model, which contains multiple factors relating to activation and evolution of insidious water-conductive faults. The influence of normal and shear stresses on fault activation and effective shear stress distribution in the fault plane was acquired under mining conditions.Using fracture mechanics theory to calculate the stress intensity factor of an insidious fault front, we have derived the criterion for main fault activation. Results indicate that during the whole working face advance, transpressions are exerted on fault planes twice successively in opposite directions. In most cases, the second transpression is more likely to lead to fault activation. Activation is influenced by many factors, predominant among which are: burial depth of the insidious fault, friction angle of the fault plane, face advance direction and pore water pressure. Steep fault planes are more easily activated to induce a sustained water inrush in the face.

Effects of chilling tolerance induced by spermidine pretreatment on antioxidative activity,endogenous hormones and ultrastructure of indica-japonica hybrid rice seedlings

Spermidine（Spd） is known to be involved in the regulation of plant responses to chilling stress and counteract the adverse effect of stress conditions.Antioxidant activities,endogenous hormones and ultrastructure change under chilling stress were investigated in indica-japonica hybrid rice seedlings.12-d-old seedlings were subjected to exogenous Spd（1 mmol L^（-1）） and then a chilling stress（6℃,4 d） was induced,followed by a subsequent recovery（25℃,4 d）.Results showed that malondialdehyde（MDA） and proline content were enhanced significantly,whereas shoot fresh and dry weights decreased during chilling stress and after recovery;chlorophyll content of chilling-stressed seedlings increased slightly but declined after recovery;additionally,total soluble sugar,sucrose,fructose and starch contents increased significantly during chilling stress,and only soluble sugar and fructose contents were observed in increase after recovery;chilling stress-induced increases in superoxide dismutase（SOD）,peroxidase（POD） and catalase（CAT） activities,but declined after recovery,and the level of ascorbate peroxidase was lower during chilling stress and after recovery;however,endogenous indole-3-acetic acid（IAA）,zeatin riboside（ZR）,gibberellic acid（GA_3）,and abscisic acid（ABA） levels were induced decreased compared with Spd pretreatment.The microscopic analysis revealed that chilling stress-induced destruction of the chloroplast envelope during chilling stress and increased the number of plastoglobuli along with aberrations in thylakoid membranes after recovery.In contrast,exogenous Spd protected rice seedlings from chilling-induced injuries in terms of lower malondialdehyde,proline and carbohydrates accumulation coupled with increased endogenous hormones metabolism.After recovery,Spd pretreatment chilling-exposed seedlings showed higher activities of antioxidant enzymes and normal physiological function of chloroplasts.These results suggest that Spd could promote effectively chilling tolerance which might be largely attributable to the integrity of cell structure and normal metabolism of endogenous hormones in indica-japonica hybrid rice seedlings.

Environmental noise alters gastric myoelectrical activity:Effect of age

AIM: To evaluate the effect of age and acoustic stress on gastric myoelectrical activity (GMA) and autonomic nervous system function. METHODS: Twenty-one male subjects (age range 22-71 years, mean 44 years) were recruited and exposed, in random order, to three auditory stimuli (Hospital noise, conversation babble and traffic noise) after a 20-min baseline. All periods lasted 20 min and were interspersed with a 10 min of recovery. GMA was obtained using a Synectics Microdigitrapper. Autonomic nerve function was assessed by monitoring blood pressure and heart rate using an automatic recording device. RESULTS: Dominant power tended to decrease with increase of age (P < 0.05). The overall percentage of three cycle per minute (CPM) activity decreased during exposure to hospital noise (12.0%, P < 0.05), traffic noise (13.9%, P < 0.05), and conversation babble (7.1%). The subjects in the younger group (< 50 years) showed a consistent reduction in the percentage of 3 CPM activity during hospital noise (22.9%, P < 0.05), traffic noise (19.0%, P < 0.05), and conversation babble (15.5%). These observations were accompanied by a significant increase in bradygastria: hospital noise (P < 0.05) and traffic noise (P < 0.05). In contrast, the subjects over 50 years of age did not exhibit a significant decrease in 3 CPM activity. Regardless of age, noise did not alter blood pressure or heart rate. CONCLUSION: GMA changes with age. Loud noise can alter GMA, especially in younger individuals. Our data indicate that even short-term exposure to noise may alter the contractility of the stomach.

Study on seismic numerical model on the Chinese mainland and its vicinity

This paper presents the stress incremental rate of each element by using finite element numerical simulation way.Combined with the practical continent boundary condition and medium parameters, this paper applies the stress increment rate to the more practical modified cell automaton model according to the cell automaton principle. The paper preliminarily gives the more practical seismic space-time repeated evolutive maps, and compares the imitative seismic energy release with the real seismic energy release. It is thought that this model has its advantageover the old one whether in the seismic imitative characteristics or in the comparison with the realsituation and is more practical model.

Theoretical and Numerical Modeling of Nonlinear Electromechanics with applications to Biological Active Media

We present a general theoretical framework for the formulation of the nonlinear electromechanics of polymeric and biological active media.The approach developed here is based on the additive decomposition of the Helmholtz free energy in elastic and inelastic parts and on the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient in passive and active parts.We describe a thermodynamically sound scenario that accounts for geometric and material nonlinearities.In view of numerical applications,we specialize the general approach to a particular material model accounting for the behavior of fiber reinforced tissues.Specifically,we use the model to solve via finite elements a uniaxial electromechanical problem dynamically activated by an electrophysiological stimulus.Implications for nonlinear solid mechanics and computational electrophysiology are finally discussed.

Stress-augmented thermal activation:Tribology feels the force

In stress-augmented thermal activation, the activation energy barrier that controls the rate of atomic and molecular processes is reduced by the application of stress, with the result that the rate of these processes increases exponentially with applied stress. This concept has particular relevance to Tribology, and since its development in the early twentieth century, it has been applied to develop important models of plastic flow, sliding friction, rheology, wear, and tribochemistry. This paper reviews the development of stress-augmented thermal activation and its application to all of these areas of Tribology. The strengths and limitations of the approach are then discussed and future directions considered. From the scientific point of view, the concept of stress-augmented thermal activation is important since it enables the development of models that describe macroscale tribological performance, such as friction coefficient or tribofilm formation, in terms of the structure and behaviour of individual atoms and molecules. This both helps us understand these processes at a fundamental level and also provides tools for the informed design of lubricants and surfaces.

Correct Interpretation of Creep Rates: A Case Study of Cu

Traditionally the deformation resistance in creep is characterized by the minimum creep rate εmin and its sensitivity to stress （stress exponent n） and temperature （activation energy Q）. Various values of constant n have been reported in the literature and interpreted in terms of specific mechanisms. The present case study of coarse-grained Cu at 573 K yields a stress exponent n = 9 for εmin. in tension and a relatively low activation energy. The evolution of the deformation resistance with strain at constant tensile creep load and comparison with creep in compression without fracture indicates that the tensile εmin. result from transition from uniform deformation to strain localization during fracture. This is confirmed by the results of creep in compression where fracture is suppressed. Both the tensile εmin, and the compressive creep rate at strains around 0.3 can be described using existing equations for quasi-stationary deformation containing the subgrain boundary misorientation θ as structure parameter. While in the latter case constant θ leads to monotonic increase of n with stress, the tensile nine-power-law results from variable θ, and has no simple meaning. The result of this case study means that uncritical interpretation of minimum tensile creep rates as stationary ones bears a high risk of systematic errors in the determination of creep parameters and identification of creep mechanisms.