Direct Tensile Tests of Red Sandstone Under Different Loading Rates with the Self-developed Centering Device

To study the tensile strength of rock under different loading rates, direct tensile test is the most accurate method. However, the eccentric tension in the process of rock direct tensile test has a significant influence on the test results. In this paper, firstly, a self-developed centering device for rock direct tensile test is introduced, which can effectively eliminate the eccentric tension in the process of rock direct tensile test. Then, with the aid of the self-developed centering device, the direct tensile tests of red sandstone under the loading rates of 0.001 mm/s, 0.01 mm/s and 0.1 mm/s are successfully carried out. After tests, both the macro failure characteristics and the scanning electron microscope micrograph show that the fracture pattern of the rock is caused by pure tensile loading. The stress-strain curves of the direct tensile test of the red sandstone show that the process of the direct tensile test can be roughly divided into four stages. With the increase of loading rate, both of the tensile strength and the peak tensile strain of the rock increase obviously. The direct tensile test of the red sandstone shows obvious loading rate effect.

     

Molecular ecological responses of dinoflagellate, Karenia mikimotoi to environmental nitrate stress

Karenia mikimotoi is one of the most important harmful algal species in the Chinese coastal waters, and which produce hemolytic toxins and ichthyotoxins, resulting in devastating economic losses. Previous studies demonstrated that the increase of nitrate concentration could promote the growth and reproduction of K. mikimotoi. However, the intrinsic mechanisms regarding the effects of nitrate on the K. mikimotoi photosynthesis, nucleic acid replication and differential protein expression remain to be elucidated. Our study demonstrated that nitrate stress inhibited growth of K. mikimotoi (p < 0.01). Algal chlorophyll fluorescence intensity varied slightly while algal cell cycle succession was significantly retarded by nitrate stress (p < 0.05). Sixteen proteins were detected only in nitrate-limited cultures which related to nitrate transport, signal transduction, amino acid metabolism, DNA repair and hemolysin manufacture. Eleven proteins were detected only in nitrate-replete sample and were related to photorespiration, reproduction and growth, assistance of protein modification, cytoskeleton stability and signal transduction. Based on analysis of differential proteomic functional annotations, we hypothesized a proteomic response mechanism of K. mikimotoi to environmental nitrate stress.