Anisotropy rock physics model for the Longmaxi shale gas reservoir,Sichuan Basin,China

The preferred orientation of clay minerals dominates the intrinsic anisotropy of shale. We introduce the clay lamination （CL） parameter to the Backus averaging method to describe the intrinsic shale anisotropy induced by the alignment of clay minerals. Then, we perform the inversion of CL and the Thomsen anisotropy parameters. The direct measurement of anisotropy is difficult because of the inability to measure the acoustic velocity in the vertical direction in boreholes and instrument limitations. By introducing the parameter CL, the inversion method provides reasonable estimates of the elastic anisotropy in the Longmaxi shale. The clay content is weakly correlated with the CL parameter. Moreover, the parameter CL is abnormally high at the bottom of the Longmaxi and Wufeng Formations, which are the target reservoirs. Finally, we construct rock physics templates to interpret well logging and reservoir properties.

Bromophenacyl bromide,a phospholipase A_2 inhibitor attenuates chemically induced gastroduodenal ulcers in rats

AIM: To study the effect of bromophenacyl bromide (BPB), a phospholipase A2 inhibitor on gastric secretion and to protect chemically induced gastric and duodenal ulcers in rats. METHODS: Acid secretion studies were undertaken in pylorus-ligated rats with BPB treatment (0, 5, 15 and 45 mg/kg). Gastric and duodenal lesions in the rats were induced by ethanol and cysteamine respectively. The levels of gastric wall mucus, nonprotein sulfhydryls (NP- SH) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were also measured in the glandular stomach of rats following ethanol induced gastric lesions. RESULTS: BPB produced a dose-dependent inhibition of gastric acid secretion and acidity in rats. Pretreatment with BPB significantly attenuated the formation of etha- nol induced gastric lesion. BPB also protected intestinal mucosa against cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers. The antiulcer activity of BPB was associated with signifi- cant inhibition of ethanol-induced depletion of gastric wall mucus, NP-SH and MPO. These findings pointed towards the mediation of sulfhydryls in BPB induced gas- trointestinal cytoprotection. CONCLUSION: BPB possesses significant antiulcer and cytoprotective activity against experimentally induced gastroduodenal lesions.

Interplay between nitric oxide and VIP in CCK-8-induced phasic contractile activity in the rabbit sphincter of Oddi

AIM: The sphincter of Oddi (SO) plays an important role in delivery of bile into the duodenum. To establish whether vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and nitric oxide (NO) were involved in phasic contractile activity of the rabbit SO stimulated by cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8). METHODS: Isolated SO muscle rings were cleaned of fat and mounted horizontally on two small L-shaped hooks one of which was connected to a force transducer for the measurement of isometric tension.The experiments were carried out in a thermostatically controlled (37±0.2℃) organ bath (5 mL) containing Krebs solution.The organ fluid was gassed with 95% O2 and 50 mL/L CO2 to keep the pH at 7.40±0.05. Contractile responses to CCK-8 (1 μmol/L) were evaluated in the presence and absence of NG-nitro-L-arginine (LNNA), an inhibitor of NO synthase (100 μmol/L), and (p-chloro-D-Phe6-Leu17)-VIP (VlPa, 30 μmol/L), a VIP receptor antagonist. RESULTS: CCK-8 stimulated the phasic activity of the SO. NO synthase inhibition increased the frequency and amplitude of contractions with a slight increase in developed tension. Pre-incubation with VlPa also attenuated this CCK-8 effect. The combined application of LNNA and VlPa abolished the phasic activity of the muscle rings with a marked increase in tension in response to CCK-8. CONCLUSION: VIP and NO together contribute to an increase in phasic activity of SO.

A Pragmatic Analysis of Discourse Connectives in the Framework of Relevance Theory

Discourse connectives can be dealt with in relevance-theoretic terms, as indicators of types of relevance. These connectives can be used to constrain the interpretation of an utterance. They are analyzed in a broad classification outlined in discourse connectives which introduce contextual implications, which are concerned with strengthening and which introduce denials. A relevance based approach to discourse is a more adequate framework than a coherence based one for the analysis of discourse connectives.

Allelopathic Potential of Rice （Oryza sativa L.） Cultivars on Barnyard Grass （Echinochloa crus-galh~

Laboratory and greenhouse studies were conducted to assess the allelopathic potential of 12 rice cultivars on barnyard grass. Polyethylene glycol （PEG） was used to determine the influence of osmotic potential on the bioassay materials. Effect of different concentrations of stem, root, and leaf extracts of rice cultivars on seed germination, radicle and primary shoot length of barnyard grass seedlings, and rate of respiration of root pieces were investigated in the laboratory experiments. Shoot height and dry weight of weed stands were studied in the greenhouse, Also total peroxidase activity, chlorophyll pigment and mitotic index were determined. Results indicated that, among rice cultivars, Mehr, Tarom-mahali, G3, Nemat, and Shahpasand caused the most inhibition effects on investigated factors. Amol-3 showed the least negative effects on growth of seedlings and stands of barnyard grass. In laboratory, the Mehr cultivar demonstrated the maximum inhibitory effects by reducing barnyard grass seed germination percentage （88%）, radicle length （100%）, primary shoot length （83%）, and root respiration （85%） Cell division, expressed as mitotic index, was significantly reduced in the presence of rice aqueous extracts. Mehr cultivar had higher inhibitory effect on mitosis compared to Amol-3. In greenhouse, the same cultivar showed the maximum inhibitory effect by reducing barnyard grass height （45%） and dry weight （64%）. With increase in extract concentration, the inhibitory effect increased. Leaf extract from rice plants was more effective compared with the root and stem extracts. Comparison of rice cultivars and PEG indicated that any reduction in germination and growth of barnyard grass using rice extract concentrations of 5% and 10% must have been the result of allelochemicals in the extracts. Lower extract concentrations showed a more pronounced inhibitory effect in the laboratory as compared to the greenhouse studies. These results suggest that rice leaf extracts may be a source of natural herbicide.

An integrated biomarker response index for the mussel Mytilus edulis based on laboratory exposure to anthracene and field transplantation experiments

Organic pollution is a serious environmental problem in coastal areas and it is important to establish quantitative methods for monitoring this pollution. This study screened a series of sensitive biomarkers to construct an integrated biomarker response （IBR） index using Mytilus edulis. Mussels were exposed to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon anthracene trader controlled laboratory conditions and the activities of components of the glutathione antioxidant system, and the concentrations of oxidative-damage markers, were measured in the gills and digestive glands. Anthracene exposure resulted in increased levels of malondialdehyde （MDA） and superoxide radicals （O2-·）, indicating that oxidative damage had occurred. Correspondingly, anthracene exposure induced increased activities of glutathione S-transferase （GST）, glutathione peroxidase （GPx） and reduced glutathione （GSH） in digestive glands, and GPx and glutathione reductase （GR） in gills, consistent with stimulation of the antioxidant system. A field experiment was set up, in which mussels from a relatively clean area were transplanted to a contaminated site. One month later, the activities of GST, GPx and GR had increased in several tissues, particularly in the digestive glands. Based on the laboratory experiment, an IBR, which showed a positive relationship with anthracene exposure, was constructed. The IBR is suggested to be a potentially useful tool for assessing anthracene pollution.

Use of Chromium Oxide and Alkane Indicator Methods for Determination of Feed Intake for Grazing Sheep

This experiment was carried out to determine feed intake and digestibility of grazing sheep on pasture. A total of 14 animals randomly divided into two groups with seven animals each group were used in the experiment. Digestibility of pastures was determined using two types of markers-alkane （C32-C36） and chromium oxide. Dry matter intake （DMI） was 717.22 g/d based on chromium oxide method in the experiment, while according to alkane method, DMI was 965.93 g/d and 1,051.07 g/d for C32 and C36, respectively. In conclusion, pastures met 74%-81% of crude protein （CP） and 57%-61% of energy requirements of lambs grazing on Yuzuncu Yil University pasture, who are mid-quality and 4-7 month-old with a 275 g/d expected daily gain. It was calculated that when 628-693 g/d of barley is given, both CP and metabolizable energy （ME） requirements of animals can be met.