Metal-related oxidative stress in birds

Metals can cause oxidative stress by increasing the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which render antioxidants incapable of defence against growing amounts of free radicals. Metal toxicity is related to their oxidative state and reactivity with other compounds. Our aim is to review the mechanisms on how metals cause oxidative stress and what is known about metal-induced oxidative stress in wildlife. Taking birds as model organisms, we summarize the mechanisms responsible for antioxidant depletion and give a view of how to detect metal-induced oxidative stress in birds by using different biomarkers. The mechanisms producing the harmful effects of oxidative stress are complex with different biomolecular mechanisms associated with ecotoxicological and ecological aspects. The majority of the studies concerning metals and ROS related to oxidative stress have focused on the biomolecular level, but little is known about the effects at the cellular level or at the level of individuals or populations.     

水下连接器试压帽结构动态仿真及密封性分析

为解决水下连接器现有力学模型过于简化，预紧力加载不够合理，密封性能分析结果不够准确的问题，基于ABAQUS有限元模拟提出了新的动态接触分析方法，针对水下连接器试压帽双头螺柱结构，探究了安装和试压工况中该结构形式的密封特性及其与等效拧紧力矩的非线性关联。研究结果表明:在塑性失效设计准则范围内，2种工况下密封环的Mises值最大为399.4 MPa；安装工况下，随预紧力的增加，密封环上、下锥面最大接触应力先增大后略微减小；1 145 Nm螺栓拧紧力矩可完成安装工况，并能在试压工况中保证各部件不被弹开；试压工况下，随试验内压的增加，密封环上锥面最大应力缓慢增加，下锥面最大接触应力几乎不变，最终2值近似相等约为850 MPa，密封宽度合理。     

Container vs. dacha: The psychological effects of temporary housing characteristics on earthquake survivors

This research investigated whether the psychological wellbeing of earthquake survivors two years after the traumatic event would vary as a function of type of temporary housing. A comparison of people assigned to containers, converted into mobile homes, vs. wooden dachas vs. a control group, that had not lost their homes in the earthquake, revealed reliable effects of housing type. Compared to those in containers, earthquake victims assigned to dachas were more satisfied with and more attached to their temporary homes and reported greater psychological wellbeing (fewer psychological stress symptoms, less discomfort and a lesser feeling of being dominated by the situation). Also, home attachment and satisfaction with one's home mediated the psychological wellbeing, suggesting that the attitudes towards different types of temporary housing play a causal role in post-traumatic stress reactions. Practical implications for emergency interventions following natural disasters are discussed.     

Lethal and sublethal effects of the pyrethroid,bifenthrin, on grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) and sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus)

This study investigated the lethal and sublethal effects of the pyrethroid insecticide bifenthrin on adult and larval grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, and adult sheepshead minnows, Cyprinodon variegatus. The effects were determined by conducting 96-h aqueous static renewal tests and 24-h static tests with sediment. Oxidative stress biomarkers, lipid peroxidation, glutathione, and catalase were also assessed. The 96-h aqueous LC₅₀ value for adult shrimp was 0.020 μ g/L (95% CI: 0.015–0.025 μ g/L) and for larval shrimp was 0.013 μ g/L (95% CI: 0.011–0.016 μ g/L). The 96-h aqueous LC₅₀ for adult sheepshead minnow was 19.806 μ g/L (95% CI: 11.886–47.250 μ g/L). The 24-h sediment LC₅₀ for adult shrimp was 0.339 μ g/L (95% CI: 0.291–0.381 μ g/L) and for larval shrimp was 0.210 μ g/L (95% CI: 0.096–0.393 μ g/L). The oxidative stress assays showed some increasing trends toward physiological stress with increased bifenthrin concentrations but they were largely inconclusive. Given the sensitivity of grass shrimp to this compound in laboratory bioassays, additional work will be needed to determine if these exposure levels are environmentally relevant.     

油气管道盗孔接管修复结构强度分析

管道打孔现象作为第三方破坏的主要形式威胁着油气输送管道的安全运行。焊接接管是一种常见的管道盗孔修复补强方法,但焊接接管导致管道几何形状突变,破坏了原有的应力分布。建立管道盗孔接管修复结构的有限元模型,运用非线性有限元方法对管道在内压载荷作用下的应力分布进行了计算。研究结果表明:焊接接管导致了管道开孔附近区域局部应力集中,且随内压增加应力集中面积逐渐加大;最大应力点出现在管道开孔0o处(管道开孔内壁轴向位置);在保证焊接工艺的情况下,较小的接管管径、与管道主体壁厚相近的接管壁厚具有更好的修复效果。     

废石-尾砂高浓度料浆的流变特性及屈服应力预测模型

为了研究矿山粗骨料(废石)充填的新模式,达到矿山绿色生产的需求.首先在大量试验的基础上给出了粗骨料料浆的高浓度特征.其次对大红山铜矿的废石与尾砂进行级配分析,选用最优配比m(废石)∶m(尾砂)为6∶4进行流变试验,分析其流变特性.最后应用双因素方差法分析了水泥添加量与质量浓度对屈服应力的影响.结果表明,废石-尾砂高浓度料浆属屈服-假塑性体,水泥添加量对屈服应力的影响更显著,屈服应力与水灰比及骨料体积分数存在定量的关系.在此基础上,建立了屈服应力的预测模型,预测结果的误差在5％以内.     

玉米对铅胁迫的响应及体内铅化学形态研究

通过砂培试验,研究了铅(Pb)胁迫下不同品种玉米根、茎叶中Pb的化学形态变化,进一步探讨玉米耐Pb机制.结果表明,本试验中对Pb胁迫耐性最强的玉米品种为郑单958和隆平206,耐性最差的为联创5号.不同浓度Pb胁迫下玉米根、茎叶中Pb主要以无毒的醋酸提取态和盐酸提取态为主,比例高达60%~87%,这一比例根部略高于茎叶;而活性较强的乙醇提取态和水提取态Pb含量两者合计所占比例为6%~20%.100 mg·L-1Pb胁迫下隆平206茎叶中Pb的乙醇和水提取态合计值最低(0.52 mg·kg-1),其次是郑单958(0.93 mg·kg-1),最高的为联创5号(2.78 mg·kg-1);800 mg·L-1Pb胁迫下,郑单958茎叶中Pb的乙醇提取态和水提取态合计值最低,为2.41 mg·kg-1,因此郑单958耐Pb,可能与体内有毒形态Pb向无毒形态Pb的转换有关.     

Sometimes less is more: Directed coping with interpersonal stressors at work

Within the coping literature, researchers have long been interested in identifying ways in which individuals can improve their coping efforts, making them more effective and thereby reducing the harmful effects of stressful encounters. Although Lazarus and Folkman's transactional model has greatly advanced understanding of the coping process, there continues to be methodological and conceptual challenges that have hindered understanding of the mechanisms behind effective coping. Addressing these issues in the use of a novel approach of analyzing variation in coping (i.e., directed coping) at both the coping event and person coping levels, the current study examined the process of coping with work stress and the beneficial coping outcomes associated with using a directed coping strategy. A total of 143 nurses completed up to 12 weekly surveys online, reporting on weekly stressful interpersonal conflicts and how they coped with them. Results from multilevel analyses supported predictions that greater directed coping at both the level of the coping event and person is associated with improvements in occupational health outcomes even after controlling for other coping factors. Implications of these results are discussed in relation to future research on coping effectiveness and workplace applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A process perspective on psychological contract change: Making sense of,and repairing,psychological contract breach and violation through employee coping actions

Psychological contracts are dynamic, but few studies explore the processes driving change and how employees influence them. By adopting a process approach with a teleological change lens, and drawing upon the sensemaking and coping literatures, this study positions individuals as active and adaptive agents driving contract change. Employing a mixed methodology, with a four‐wave longitudinal survey (n = 107 graduate newcomers) and qualitative interviews (n = 26 graduate newcomers), the study focuses on unfolding events and develops an “adaptive remediation” process model aimed at unraveling contract dynamics. The model demonstrates how breach or violation events trigger sensemaking, resulting in initially negative employee reactions and a “withdrawal” of perceived contributions, before individuals exercise their agency and enact coping strategies to make sense of, and adapt and respond to, these discrepancies. A process of contract “repair” could then occur if the coping actions (termed “remediation effects”) were effective, with individuals returning to positive exchange perceptions. These actions either directly addressed the breach and repaired both it and the psychological contract (termed “remedies”) or involved cognitive reappraisal of the broader work environment and repaired the contract but not the breach (termed “buffers”). The results highlight the unfolding, processual nature of psychological contracting. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of developmental toxicity and apoptotic induction of the aqueous extract of Millettia pachycarpa using zebrafish as model organism

Extensive and indiscriminate use of synthetic compounds and natural compounds obtained from plant sources have resulted in serious threats to the aquatic ecosystem and human health. Aqueous extract of the root of the plant, Milletia pachycarpa Benth, is currently used for killing fish in the state of Manipur, India. Moreover, this plant is also used as traditional medicine in this region. Although it is widely used in traditional medicine, there is limited information available regarding the adverse effects and mechanism underlying its toxicity. This study examined the effects of exposure to aqueous extract of M. pachycarpa (AEMP) on early embryonic development of zebrafish embryos and mechanisms underlying toxicity. Zebrafish embryos treated with different concentrations of the AEMP produced embryonic lethality and developmental defects. The 96-hr-LC₅₀ of AEMP was found to be 4.276 µg/mL. Further, multiple developmental abnormalities such as pericardial edema, yolk sac edema, spinal curvature, swim bladder deflation, decreased heart rate, and delayed hatching were also observed in a dose-dependent manner. Zebrafish embryo showing moderate-to-severe developmental defects following AEMP exposure cannot swim properly. Further, this study examined oxidative stress and apoptosis in embryos exposed to AEMP. Enhanced production of ROS and apoptosis was found in brain, trunk, and tail of zebrafish embryos treated with AEMP. Data suggest that oxidative stress and apoptosis are associated with AEMP-induced embryonic lethality and developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos.