The role of water channel proteins and nitric oxide signaling in rice seed germination

Previous studies have demonstrated the possible role of several aquaporins in seed germination. But systematic investigation of the role ofaquaporin family members in this process is lacking. Here, the developmental regulation of plasma membrane intrinsic protein （PIP） expression throughout germination and post-germination processes in rice embryos was analyzed. The expression patterns of the PIPs suggest these aquaporins play different roles in seed germination and seedling growth. Partial silencing of the water channel genes, OsPIP1;1 and OsPIP1：3, reduced seed germination while over-expression of OsPIP1：3 promoted seed germination under water-stress conditions. Moreover, spatial expression analysis indicates that OsPIP1：3 is expressed predominantly in embryo during seed germination. Our data also revealed that the nitric oxide （NO） donors, sodium nitroprusside （SNP） and S-nitrosoglutathione （GSNO）, promoted seed germination; furthermore, the NO scavenger, 2-（4-carboxyphenyl）-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide, inhibited germination and reduced the stimulative effects of SNP and GSNO on rice germination. Exogenous NO stimulated the transcription of OsPIP1：1, OsPIP1：2, OsPIP1：3 and OsPIP2：8 in germinating seeds. These results suggest that water channels play an important role in seed germination, acting, at least partly, in response to the NO signaling pathway.

Comment on: Cloning and characterization of porcine aquaporin 1 water channel expressed extensively in the gastrointestinal system

TO THE EDITOR Sir, I read with great interest the recently published article in the World Journal of Gastroenterology by Jin and co-workers on the cloning and characterization of porcine aquaporin 1 water channel from the pig liver and studies on its expression in the porcine gastrointestinal system. The authors should be congratulated for making this important and valuable contribution to the field of aquaporin biology and porcine gastrointestinal physiology. However, there are a number of unresolved issues and controversies concerning the expression of aquaporins （especially aquaporin 1） in the gastrointestinal system that are worthy of additional comment and discussion by Jin and co-workers.

Uncertainty Analysis for Ship-Bank Interaction Tests in A Circulating Water Channel

This paper presents a systematic model test program to assess the uncertainty of the ship-bank interaction forces,using the planar motion mechanism(PMM)system in a circulating water channel(CWC).Therefore,the uncertainties due to ship-bank distance and water depth are considered,and they are calculated via the partial differentials of the regression formulae based on the test data.The general part of the uncertainty analysis(UA)is performed according to the ITTC recommended procedure 7.5-02-06.04,while the uncertainty of speed is identified as the bias limit due to the flow velocity maldistribution in the CWC.In each example test for the UA of ship-bank interaction forces,12 repeated measurements were conducted.Results from the UA show that the contribution of water depth error and flow velocity maldistribution to the total uncertainty is noticeable,and the paper explains how they increase with the change of the test conditions.The present study will be useful in understanding the uncertainty regarding the ship-bank interaction force measurement in a CWC.

STUDY ON ANTI-NOISE SCHEME FOR DETECTING PPM INFORMATION IN SHALLOW WATER CHANNELS

Detecting exactly information from pulse position modulation (PPM) is difficult in shallow water channels because of the high noise level there. This paper reports results of analyses of some statistical characteristics of shallow water channel noise and its adverse effect on detecting PPM information; and proposes some efficient countermeasures (the method of statistical decision, use of pulse width discriminator and digital selective-frequency filter) to overcome noise interference. The results have been applied to PPM detection systems and proved to be efficient, and are of reference value for other models of signal detection.

Artificial Water Channel Promoting Depolymerization of Actin Filaments to Trigger Cancer Cell Apoptosis

Actin filaments play important physiological functions,which have become potential targets of antitumor drugs.Using chemicals to intervene their polymerization-depolymerization dynamics would generate new strategies for designing antitumor drugs.In this report,an artificial water channel appending acetazolamide moiety,a ligand that can selectively bind to carbonic anhydrase IX,has been prepared.

Research progress on the water vapor channel within the Yarlung Zsangbo Grand Canyon, China

The Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program tasked a research team with the“Investigation of the water vapor channel of the Yarlung Zsangbo Grand Canyon(INVC)”in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau(TP).This paper summarizes the scientific achievements obtained from the data collected by the INVC observation network and highlights the progress in investigating the development of heavy rainfall events associated with water vapor changes.The rain gauge network of the INVC can represent the impacts of the Yarlung Zsangbo Grand Canyon(YGC)topography on precipitation at the hourly scale.The microphysical characteristics of the precipitation in the YGC are different than those in the lowland area.The GPM-IMERG(Integrated MultisatellitE Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement)satellite precipitation data for the YGC region should be calibrated before they are used.The meridional water vapor flux through the YGC is more important than the zonal flux for the precipitation over the southeastern TP.The decreased precipitation around the YGC region is partly due to the decreased meridional water vapor flux passing through the YGC.High-resolution numerical models can benefit precipitation forecasting in this region by using a combination of specific schemes that capture the valley wind and water vapor flux along the valley floor.

Artificial Water Channel that Couples with Cell Protrusion Formation

In natural systems,water transport across the cellular plasma membranes is mainly mediated by naturally occurring channel protein aquaporins(AQPs),which lead to a series of important physiological functions including cell migration.The construction of artificial analogs of the natural AQPs would generate a new strategy for treating AQP-related diseases.In this report,an artificial water channel has been developed from a unimolecular tubular molecule,which featured structural encapsulation of a single-file water wire composed of oppositely orientated dipolar water molecules.This AQP-like structure endowed the artificial channel in living cells with AQP-like water permeability and selectivity.Interestingly,the artificial channel coupled with cell protrusion formation by mediating water transmembrane transport,leading to cell shape change and migration acceleration.The artificial channel-facilitated cell migration showed application in enhancing in vivo healing of traumatic injury.

Artificial Water Channels—Progress Innovations and Prospects

The design of artificialwater channels(AWCs)aims to mimic natural proteins that effectively mediate the selective transport of water across the bilayer and artificial polymeric membranes.Currently,impressive progress on synthetic backbones,including selfassembled channels,helical unimolecular,and other functional organic molecules,has been made to provide artificial alternatives and applications in real systems for promising product development.In this review,several synthetic channels exploited during the last fewyears are summarized according to their backbone architecture for water transport and ion transport respectively,showing their potential as natural transporter analogs and the importance of AWCs for industrial,environmental,and medical applications.

Urinary excretion of aquaporin-2 water channel protein in chronic heart failure rats

Objective To study the urinary excretion of aquaporin-2 (AQP2) water channel protein, and the relationship between urine AQP2 concentration and renal AQP2 gene expression in chronic heart failure (CHF) rats. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats (200?g-250?g) underwent either a left coronary artery ligation, a model of CHF, or a sham-operation. Nine weeks after surgery, urinary AQP2 concentrations and renal AQP2 protein levels were measured by Western blot. Results The urinary concentration of AQP2 water channel protein increased significantly in CHF rats as compared with sham-operated rats (365.6%±102.9% vs 98.5%±47.6%, P<0.01). There was positive correlation between urinary AQP2 concentration and renal AQP2 protein expression (r=0.89, P<0.01). Conclusion The urinary concentration of AQP2 water channel protein increases significantly in chronic heart failure rats.

Distribution of 26 Metals in the Waters of the Aquatic Ecosystems of the Cotonou Channel and Lake Nokoué, Benin

Metallic elements have various origins: natural and anthropogenic sources as geochemical, marine and atmospheric sources resulting from the fallout of pollutants emitted or dust raised and which are transported by water and air currents. Thus marine, brackish and fresh continental waters may have high metal concentrations. In addition, some essential metals can become toxic above certain concentration values in aquatic environments. The aquatic ecosystems of Cotonou channel and lake Nokoué receive the pollutants charges from the town cities of Cotonou, Abomey-Calavi and town hall of So Ava. The aim of this study is to analyze waters from Eighteen (18) stations identified in the two ecosystems (nine by ecosystem). The concentrations of magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd), beryllium (Be), aluminum (Al), strontium (Sr), molybdenum (Mo), silver (Ag), tin (Sn), barium (Ba), platinum (Pt), mercury (Hg), thallium (Tl), lead (Pb), thorium (Th) and uranium (U) were measured after acid digestion of the water samples using the inductively coupled plasma source mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The results of the analyses indicate an unequal distribution of metals in the different ecosystems. However, atypical concentrations were observed at some stations of the lake and the channel. Magnesium, calcium and manganese have very high values in Lake Nokoué respectively at Ganvié market station GAN_M (2990 ± 105 mg/L), Ganvié center, station GAN_C (4991 ± 177 mg/L) and Lake middle station MLak4 (10662 ± 17.03 μg/L). On the other hand, iron, aluminum and strontium have very high concentrations in the Cotonou Channel respectively at Agbato station AGB (5236 ± 103 and 8289 ± 519 μg/L) and at the estuary station EST (6118 ± 68 μg/L). The concentrations were compared to wells and cborehole waters in sixth neighborhood of Cotonou. We have used statistical analyzers such as MANOVA which have made it possible to classify the waters and metals in the ecosystems studied compared to groundwater and Well water waters. We use hierarchical clustering on principal components to identify similarities between stations based on metal concentration with R software packages “FactoMineR” and “factoextra”. In general, we can conclude that most of the metals have an anthropogenic source except strontium and major elements (Ca and Mg) which could respectively provide from marine waters and geochemical sources.

Water Channels Are Involved in Stomatal Oscillations Encoded by Parameter-Specific Cytosolic Calcium Oscillations

Earlier studies have shown that various stimuli can induce specific cytosolic calcium （[Ca^2＋]cyt） oscillations in guard cells and various oscillations in stomatal apertures. Exactly how [Ca^2＋]cyt oscillation signaling functions in stomatal oscillation is not known. In the present study, the epidermis of broad bean （Vicia faba L.） was used and a rapid ion-exchange treatment with two shifting buffers differing in K^＋ and Ca^2＋ concentrations was applied. The treatment for fivetransients at a 10-min transient period induced clear and regular stomatal oscillation. However, for other transient numbers and periods, the treatments induced some Irregular oscillations or even no obvious oscillations in stomatal aperture. The results indicate that stomatal oscillation Is encoded by parameter-specific [Ca^2＋]cyt oscillation： the parameters of [Ca^2＋]cyt oscillation affected the occurrence rate and the parameters of stomatal oscillation. The water channel inhibitor HgCl2 completely Inhibited stomatal oscillation and the inhibitory effect could be partially reversed by β-mercaptoethanol （an agent capable of reversing water channel inhibition by HgCl2）. Other Inhibitory treatments against Ion transport （i.e. the application of LaCIs, EGTA, or tetraethylammonlum chloride （TEACI）） weakly impaired stomatal oscillation when the compounds were added after rapid ion-exchange treatment. If these compounds were added before rapid-ion exchange treatment, the inhibitory effect was much more apparent （except In the case of TEACI）. The results of the present study suggest that water channels are involved In stomatal oscillation as a downstream element of [Ca^2＋]cyt oscillation signaling.

3-D TURBULENT FLOW SIMULATION FOR THE TAIL WATER CHANNEL

The simulation of 3-D turbulent flow with free surface in the tail water channel is presented. The governing equations are the 3-D incompressible N-S equations and k-Ε turbulent model equations, which are discretized by control volume method to predict the mean flow and turbulent flow. The concept of a fractional volume of fluid (VOF) is also used to predict the free surface profile. The turbulent flow field in the tail water channel of the Fengman Hydropower Plant in China has been simulated by this model.

Distribution of chlorophyU a and estimation of primary productivity in the eastern waters of Balingtang Channel in summer

Oceanographical features on both sides of Balingtang Channel (17°55′-20°06′N, 122°55′-126°57′E) were comprehensively investigated on board of R/V "Experiment 3" in June. 1984. The pre-sent paper reports the chlorophyll data collected and primary productivity estimated there. Water sam-ples were taken with a glass bottle of Model HQMat the depth of 0, 10. 25, 50, 75, 100 and 150m, separately. Chlorophyll was determined according to the spectrophotometry proposed by UNESCO(1966) and calculated with the trichromatic equations of Jeffrey-Humphrey(1975). Estimations ofprimary productivity were carried out using a simplified equation (Q = 1.5) given by Cadee(1975).

The Discuss of the Formula of Flow Loss and Water Using Coefficient on Seepage Proofed Channel

On the basis of the analysis about present water resource situation in China,the disadvantage of the for- mula of flow loss and water using coefficient on anti-seep channel which have been applying in channel de- sign and water saving irrigation administration will be indicated in the paper. The characteristics of that the loss of conveying water is changeable with the now changing have been take into account in the new formula. The formula is validated by the example of middle permeable channel (A=1.90,m=0.40). The calculate re- sult is more precision. Also some formula has been given,they can be referred to the worker of the irrigation administration.

Research on measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution based on an air-water channel

A measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution(MDI-QKD) method with an air-water channel is researched. In this method, the underwater vehicle and satellite are the legitimate parties, and the third party is at the airwater interface in order to simplify the unilateral quantum channel to water or air. Considering the condition that both unilateral transmission distance and transmission loss coefficient are unequal, a perfect model of the asymmetric channel is built. The influence of asymmetric channel on system loss tolerance and secure transmission distance is analyzed. The simulation results show that with the increase of the channel's asymmetric degree, the system loss tolerance will descend, one transmission distance will be reduced while the other will be increased. When the asymmetric coefficient of channel is between 0.068 and 0.171, MDI-QKD can satisfy the demand of QKD with an air-water channel, namely the underwater transmission distance and atmospheric transmission distance are not less than 60 m and 12 km, respectively.

Preparation of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy semisolid slurry through a water-cooled serpentine pouring channel

The semisolid slurry of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy was prepared through a self-designed water-cooled copper serpentine pouring channel(WSPC) machine. Influences of pouring temperature, the number of turns and the cooling water flow rate on the microstructure of the semisolid Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy slurry were investigated. The results show that the semisolid Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy slurry with satisfactory quality can be generated by the WSPC when the pouring temperature is in the range between 680 ℃ and 700 ℃. At a given pouring temperature, the average grain size of primary α-Al decreases and the shape factor increases with the increase of the number of turns. When the cooling water flow rate is 450 L·h^(-1), the obtained semisolid slurry is optimal. During the preparation of the semisolid Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy slurry with low superheat pouring, the alloy melt has mixed inhibition and convection flow characteristics by "self-stirring". When the alloy melt flows through the serpentine channel, the chilling effect of the inner wall of the channel, the convection and mixed inhibition of the alloy melt greatly promote the heterogeneous nucleation and grain segregation. This effect destroys the dendrite growth mode under traditional solidification conditions, and the primary nuclei gradually evolve into spherical or nearspherical grains.

采动岩体损伤与断层冲蚀协同致灾时空演化机制

随着我国煤矿开采向深部延伸,断层突水成为威胁煤矿安全生产的重大灾害之一。基于采动诱发断层突水相关研究成果,笔者提出了采动岩体损伤破裂−破碎岩体(断层)冲蚀协同致灾的突水概念模型,推导了2种介质的渗透性演化方程,系统性构建了工作面采动破坏与断层内部颗粒冲蚀协同致灾力学模型;数值模拟研究了采动岩体变形破坏、断层内颗粒运移以及渗流通道演化特征,系统性阐释了采动诱发断层突水的渗流灾变时空演化机制。研究结果表明:①随着工作面不断推进,底板采动岩体损伤场与断层冲蚀裂隙相连通,形成了含水层—断层—采动裂隙—工作面的渗流路径,并随着冲蚀时间增加,最终发展成为数条优势导水通道,造成工作面涌水量的急剧增大并发生滞后突水。②随着渗流时间增加,断层内部涌水量、裂隙开度均表现为缓变—突增—稳定3个阶段,冲蚀颗粒体积分数则呈现先增大后减小的变化趋势。③在研究矿区地质条件下,为预防发生断层突水,可采取超前注浆或留设防水煤柱等方法,超前注浆时间应在底板裂隙带连通断层之前,若不采取注浆措施则合理防水煤柱的留设宽度不应低于20 m。

Controlled Cooling of Hot Rolled Steel Channels by Water Spraying on the Final Cooling Bed

The objective of this research is to design an effective and relatively simple method for controlled cooling of hot rolled steel channels by water spraying on the final cooling bed after continuous cast steel billets passing through reheating furnace and sequential rolls to form channels. The need for this research arose as the channels were being cooled by forced air draft and natural convection which brought the temperature of the channels to about 270°C (518°F) at the shear stand. Steel at this temperature is too hot for convenient handling by the operators. Additional cooling by water spraying would be an acceptable solution but such cooling should be designed to enable an acceptable microstructure to be developed in the channel, as the microstructure of steel is strongly affected by nonequilibrium cooling through the eutectoid range: the mechanical properties of steel are a consequence of the microstructure. The approach followed in this investigation was first to develop a finite element method (FEM) to determine the temperature profiles in the channel subjected to cooling by water spraying and natural convection and arrive at suitable water spray rates to bring the temperature of the channel at the shear stand to levels suitable for convenient handling. PATRAN was used for preprocessing and ABAQUS for processing and post processing. Next, laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the microstructure and hardness of channels at the spray rates found suitable through FEM, to suggest the water spray rate most suitable for providing a temperature convenient for handling and for developing a desirable microstructure.

基于“肺通调水道”理论探究CFTR介导下鞘脂代谢失衡对慢性阻塞性肺疾病的调控机制

目的探讨CFTR调控下鞘脂代谢在COPD中的发病过程及作用途径,进一步阐释肺通调水道理论。方法烟熏法建立COPD小鼠模型,同时烟熏加CFTR激动剂建立CFTR模型,观察肺组织病理变化评估小鼠模型,采用LC-MS质谱检测模型血浆中鞘脂代谢产物Ceramide及sphingosine-1-phosphate表达,采用Western blot方法检测小鼠模型肺组织中Sphks、ASM、CFTR蛋白磷酸化水平,采用荧光定量PCR小鼠模型肺组织中Sphks、Smpd基因(ASM)、CFTRmRNA转录水平。结果COPD组、CFTR干预组中S1p表达均较对照组降低(P<0.05),CFTR干预组较COPD组表达高(P<0.05);CFTR、Sphk1蛋白磷酸化水平在COPD组及CFTR干预组均呈低表达,COPD组表达最低与对照组、CFTR干预组有差异(P<0.05),Sphk2在COPD组与对照组存在差异(P<0.05)。ASM在COPD组、CFTR干预组高于对照组(P<0.05)。CFTR mRNA在COPD组及CFTR干预组均较对照组低,COPD组与对照组存在差异(P<0.05),Sphk1 mRNA在对照组表达最高,且与COPD组、CFTR干预组均存在差异(P<0.05),SMPD1 mRNA在COPD组及CFTR干预组呈高表达,且与对照组有差异(P<0.05)。结论探讨肺通调水道功能失司在COPD疾病中的物质变化基础,揭示CFTR通过参与调控鞘脂代谢,从而影响COPD水液代谢的途径。

循环水槽船模阻力修正方法

在循环水槽中开展船模阻力测量是船型优劣分析的常规试验之一,因此对循环水槽阻力修正方法进行研究是十分必要的。以集装箱船标模(KCS)为研究对象在循环水槽中开展模型阻力和流场测量试验,根据循环水槽自身流动特性并结合拖曳水池已有的修正方法,分析并总结适用于水槽船模阻力与阻塞效应的修正方法。由总结的修正公式与修正流程可知,循环水槽中2.5~3.5 m尺寸模型试验与大模型试验结果阻力换算偏差在1%左右,设计航速点阻力换算偏差小于1%。结果表明,有必要对循环水槽中阻力进行自由面倾斜度修正,采用Tamura公式进行阻塞效应修正能得到更为精确的阻力试验结果。