Molecular expression of opsin gene in growing juvenile mackerel (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Scomber japonicus</Emphasis> Houttuyn)

Fish have developed color vision that is closely adapted to their photic environments, where both spectral sensitivity and the number of visual opsins are influenced. The mackerel used in this study is one of the most important fishery stocks in Korea. The opsin gene of the mackerel juveniles after 20 days in hatching was isolated and characterized based on the molecular study of visual photoreceptor. The full-length mackerel opsin gene was obtained by PCR amplification of genomic DNA, as well as cDNA synthesis. Sequence analysis of the opsin gene showed that it contained a 1,080 bp open reading frame encoding 360 amino acids. Based on Schiff’s base formation (S114, K119), glycosylation (E3, F37) and palmitoylation (S281, 282), the deduced amino acid sequence had a typical rod opsin. The mackerel and Gempylus serpens showed 73.7% DNA homology on opsin gene, which was higher than any other of investigated species. In the analysis of phylogenetic relationship, the genetic placement of the mackerel is closer to that of Scombroidei than Labroidei, with supporting somewhat strong bootstrap value. In the analysis of Northern and RT-PCR, the probed products were observed only in rapidly growing juveniles. These findings indicate that in mackerel opsin mRNA expression can be detected in day-20 hatching larvae. It may play an important role in stimulating growth hormone.     

Variations in turbulent energy dissipation and water column stratification at the entrance of a tidally energetic strait

We observed tidal currents, turbulent energy dissipation and water column stratification at the entrance of a narrow strait (Neko Seto) in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan, using a free-falling turbulent microstructure profiler (TurboMAP) and acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP). The variation in turbulent energy dissipation at the entrance of the strait was not at quarter-diurnal frequency but at semi-diurnal frequency; turbulent energy dissipation was enhanced during the ebb tide, although it was moderate during the flood tide. This result is consistent with the results of Takasugi (1993), which showed the asymmetry of tidal energy loss during a semidiurnal tidal cycle using control volume analysis. It is suggested that significant turbulent energy dissipation is generated in the strait, which influences the properties of water outside the strait when tidal currents flow out from the strait.     

Vertical double silicate maxima in the sea-ice reduction region of the western Arctic Ocean: Implications for an enhanced biological pump due to sea-ice reduction

The R/V Mirai conducted hydrographic surveys in the western Arctic Ocean during summer 2004 (Mirai04) over wide east-west ranges from Alaska to eastern Siberia, where sea-ice cover has been greatly reduced in recent summers. The obtained data reveal differences in silicate profiles between shelf slope areas east and west of the Chukchi Plateau, the ridge that divides the Canada Basin into the Alaskan and east Siberian sides. East of the plateau, a single silicate maximum was found in a layer of Pacific-origin winter water, as examined in many previous studies. In contrast, west of the plateau, we found vertical double silicate maxima, which are reported for the first time in this study. The shallower silicate maximum corresponded to an N** minimum, signaling denitrification at the shelf bottom. This suggests that the shallower silicate maximum was caused by the spreading of shelf water. In contrast, the deeper silicate maximum corresponded to an oxygen minimum and a maximum silicate/phosphate ratio (Si/P), suggesting that this deeper maximum resulted from the decomposition of opal-shelled organisms. We also compared a silicate profile from Mirai04 to aprofile from the Arctic Ocean Section 94 (AOS94) expedition of 1994, a heavy ice year. The results suggest that sea-ice loss has enhanced biological activities, likely resulting in the appearance of the deeper silicate maximum.     

Two-dimensional,two-phase granular sediment transport model with applications to scouring downstream of an apron

We present a two-dimensional, two-phase model for non-cohesive sediment transport. This model solves concentration-weighted averaged equations of motion for both fluid and sediment phases. The model accounts for the interphase momentum transfer by considering drag forces. A collisional theory is used to compute the sediment stresses, while a two-equation (k–ε) fluid turbulence closure is implemented. A benchmark sediment transport problem concerning the scouring downstream of an apron is carried out as an example and numerical results agree with existing experimental data.     

Structural, electronic and optical properties of orthorhombic distorted perovskite TbMnO3

This paper calculates the structural parameters, electronic and optical properties of orthorhombic distorted perovskite-type TbMnO₃ by first principles using density functional theory within the generalised gradient approximation. The calculated equilibrium lattice constants are in a reasonable agreement with theoretical and experimental data. The energy band structure, density of states and partial density of states of elements are obtained. Band structures show that TbMnO₃ is an indirect band gap between the O 2p states and Mn 3d states, and the band gap is of 0.48 eV agreeing with experimental result. Furthermore, the optical properties, including the dielectric function, absorption coefficient, optical reflectivity, refractive index and energy loss spectrum are calculated and analysed, showing that the TbMnO₃ is a promising dielectric material.     

非均一相互作用能对超薄膜生长影响的Monte Carlo模拟研究

利用Monte Carlo (MC)模拟技术研究了非均一的吸附原子与基底相互作用能在一定的生长条件下对超薄膜生长过程的影响.非均一相互作用能是由基底表面原子在垂直和水平方向上实际位置与理想晶格原子位置的偏差所造成.本文用高斯分布来表示这种非均一相互作用能.模拟结果表明:非均一相互作用能对超薄膜的生长过程及薄膜的形貌有显著的影响.这种影响同时受到生长条件的限制,在中等温度时相互作用能的非均一性对岛的个数、平均大小的影响最显著;温度的增加在一定程度上可抵御相互作用能的非均一性对薄膜生长的影响.     

On the radiation and diffraction of linear water waves by an infinitely long rectangular structure submerged in oblique seas

The radiation and diffraction of linear water waves by an infinitely long rectangular structure submerged in oblique seas of finite depth is investigated. The analytical expressions for the radiated and diffracted potentials are derived as infinite series by use of the method of separation of variables. The unknown coefficients in the series are determined by the eigenfunction expansion matching method. The expressions for wave forces, hydrodynamic coefficients and reflection and transmission coefficients are given and verified by the boundary element method. Using the present analytical solution, the hydrodynamic influences of the angle of incidence, the submergence, the width and the thickness of the structure on the wave forces, hydrodynamic coefficients, and reflection and transmission coefficients are discussed in detail.     

Remote sensing composite information's trend surface analysis of Nansha Islands coral islets and reefs'top

INTRODUCTIONIntheseaareaofNanshaIslands,therearemanyshoalpatchandrapids.Themajorareaisclassifiedas"dangerouszone".Thereforeitisverydifficulttomakeanormalinvestigationonit.Consideringtheremotesensinginformationfeaturesreflectedbythecontrolfunctionoflocalgeographicstructureandthegrowthofcoralisletsandreefs,wefindthatthemostimportantfeatureofthegeographicsystemofNanshaIslandsisthatitsdistributionisregional.Thetrendsurfaceanalysissystembasedontheremotesensingcompositeinformationistoemulatet…     

Study on topographic compensation model of the Okinawa Trough I. Calculation of theoretical isostatic response function

INTRODUCTIONTo study the compensation model of sea topography and isostatic states by using toPOgraphicand gravity data, is an imPOrtant mean for further researching deep structures as elastic structure,stress state of lithosphere, and so on. Since Airy and Pratt proPOsed local isostatic model in the1850' s, greater development on the theoretical study has been attained. Veining Meinesz (1941 )introduced regional compensation mechanism by considering it as floating crust in elastic fie…