悬浮态上皮细胞粘附的力学-化学耦合模型及数值模拟

上皮细胞通过局部募集上皮性钙粘附蛋白(E-cadherin)建立胞间粘着连接,实验证实该过程受到肌球蛋白皮层张力的调控.为了从系统层面阐明粘着连接形成动力学过程,本文考察皮层张力调控肌动蛋白(F-actin)解聚从而参与E-cadherin级联转导,同时以马达-离合器机制模拟两细胞相互作用,据此构建可反映悬浮态细胞粘附的力学-化学耦合数学模型;对整体包含随机点源的非线性反应-扩散方程组与平衡微分方程耦合系统采取了自行发展的格子Boltzmann-粒子法与蒙特-卡洛法数值求解.数值模拟表明,由收缩性肌球蛋白(myosin-II)拉动胞间E-cadherin成键可提升皮层张力,进而降低F-actin解聚速率﹑锚定更多的E-cadherin;所构成的力学反馈回路展现出时空效应,可帮助E-cadherin在接触区建立初始极性; E-cadherin形成顺式二聚体则将初始极性放大,导致接触区E-cadherin展现起始、快速增长及慢速增长的积聚动力学特征.皮层呈松散结构时刚度较小,可通过延长胞间E-cadherin成键寿命提升张力,而接触区弧度适中时(≈1.2 rad) E-cadherin峰值最高;两者可分别作为启动力学反馈回路及调控粘着连接成熟度的有效手段.     

肌球蛋白Ⅱ缺失细胞胞质分裂机制研究

哺乳动物细胞胞质分裂过程中伴随着一系列形态学改变,随着分裂沟不断收缩,形成连接两个子细胞的细胞间桥.间桥不断拉长、变细,直至断裂、生成两个子细胞.采用细胞力学和形态学测量及分析方法,通过施加肌球蛋白Ⅱ抑制剂,定量研究了NRK细胞间桥变细动力学;采用细胞免疫荧光技术,检测了早期胞质分裂肌动蛋白的分布,揭示肌球蛋白Ⅱ缺失细胞胞质分裂可能的机制.结果表明:施加肌球蛋白Ⅱ抑制剂的NRK细胞,其整体形态学和细胞间桥形态学曲线明显不同于0.3%DMSO组.根据流体力学特性和所测量的力学参数对曲线进行模拟发现,表面张力对肌球蛋白Ⅱ抑制组细胞的间桥动力学曲线轨迹影响很大.研究结果提示由细胞力学特性决定的拉普拉斯压力和细胞运动共同参与了肌球蛋白Ⅱ缺失细胞胞质分裂的调节.     

基于InSAR的西安地面沉降与地裂缝发育特征研究

哺乳动物细胞胞质分裂过程中伴随着一系列形态学改变,随着分裂沟不断收缩,形成连接两 个子细胞的细胞间桥. 间桥不断拉长、变细,直至断裂、生成两个子细胞. 采用细胞力学 和形态学测量及分析方法,通过施加肌球蛋白II抑制剂,定量研究了NRK细胞间桥变细动力 学; 采用细胞免疫荧光技术, 检测了早期胞质分裂肌动蛋白的分布,揭示肌球蛋白II缺失细 胞胞质分裂可能的机制. 结果表明：施加肌球蛋白II抑制剂的NRK细胞, 其整体形态学和细胞 间桥形态学曲线明显不同于0.3%DMSO组. 根据流体力学特性和所测量的力学参数对曲线 进行模拟发现,表面张力对肌球蛋白II抑制组细胞的间桥动力学曲线轨迹影响很大. 研究结 果提示由细胞力学特性决定的拉普拉斯压力和细胞运动共同参与了肌球蛋白II缺失细胞胞 质分裂的调节.     

CD44-配体相互作用的生物力学与功能调控

作为一种广谱表达的细胞粘附分子, I型跨膜糖蛋白CD44(cluster of differentiation 44)参与细胞增殖、分化、迁移, 血管生成等生物学过程,对于介导细胞信号转导, 调节组织稳态等功能具有关键作用. 特别地,CD44-选择素、CD44 -透明质酸相互作用介导的细胞粘附动力学在经典炎症反应、肿瘤转移或组织特异的肝脏免疫中具有重要作用.该综述分别从细胞层次粘附动力学、二维与三维条件下的分子层次反应动力学、原子层次微观结构以及胞内信号转导通路等方面综述了CD44 -选择素、CD44 -透明质酸相互作用的研究进展及尚待回答的生物力学问题.力学、物理因素对生命活动的不可或缺性逐渐被研究者们接受,力学医学、力学免疫学、力学组学等新概念相继提出. 生理、病理条件下,CD44 -配体相互作用介导的细胞粘附必将受到血流剪切、基底硬度等力学、物理微环境的调控,但是其调控机制还远不清楚. 基于此,本文就CD44 -配体相互作用相关的未来研究方向做出展望, 主要包括:力学、物理因素如何调控CD44 -配体相互作用介导的细胞粘附动力学及其内在机制;CD44 -配体相互作用反应动力学的力学调控规律及结构基础是什么;以及力学作用下CD44 -配体相互作用原子层次的微观结构如何发生动态演化.本文可为深入理解CD44 -配体相互作用的生物学功能及其结构功能关系提供线索.      

基于信号分子双向输运的运动细胞极性反转模拟

为解释运动细胞极性反转实验所发生的现象, 依据调控细胞极化的信号级联转导关系, 构建了包含一对非稳态二维反应—扩散方程的数学模型, 并采用格子Boltzmann 方法数值求解. 数值实验显示, 当反向信号使胞内Rac 的活化梯度值达到和超过初始正向极化梯度的1.5 倍时, 负责细胞极化的Rac-PIs 反馈回路产生时空调控效应, 可驱动伪足标识信号分子(如磷酸激酶(PI3K) 和磷脂酰肌醇-3, 4, 5- 三磷酸(PIP₃)) 和尾部标识信号分子(如磷酸酶(PTEN) 和磷脂酰肌醇-4, 5- 双磷酸(PIP₂)) 发生双向输运, 并最终重新积聚于对极. 模拟得到的极性反转时程曲线与已有实验吻合. 此外, 针对实验观测到的新伪足开始形成与原先伪足完全消失之间存在着延滞时间(~30 s), 该文证实这是由于细胞两极对游离态激活酶(例如, PI3K) 展开竞争所致, 无需引入前人所设想的全局性抑制因子的作用.      

包带连接特性及星-箭-包带连接结构耦合动力学的研究进展

包带连接结构是目前航天领域应用最广泛的星箭连接和分离机构. 包带连接结构通过组件间的接触、摩擦传递载荷, 在预紧力作用下实现星箭连接. 各组件间的接触、摩擦力学行为随外载荷的变化而改变, 从而导致包带连接刚度具有明显的非线性特征, 影响火箭的运载能力以及星箭系统的动力学特性. 本文对包带连接结构的局部连接特性及其对星箭整体系统动力学特性的影响进行了综述. 首先介绍了国内外针对包带连接特性开展的研究工作, 重点评述了有关包带连接结构的承载能力和连接刚度等问题的研究进展; 随后, 围绕包带连接结构在星箭系统模型中的表征及其对星箭系统动特性的影响等问题, 对星-箭-包带耦合动力学进行了论述; 最后, 指出了这一领域需要进一步研究的若干问题.      

生物神经网络系统动力学与功能研究

生物神经系统是由数量极其巨大的神经元相互联结的信息网络系统,在生物体的感觉、认知和运动控制中发挥关键性的作用.首先介绍神经元、大脑和一些生物神经网络的生理结构和理论模型,然后分别介绍其放电活动和网络动态特性的一些重要问题,包括神经元的复杂放电模式、耦合神经元网络系统的同步活动和时空动力学、大脑联合皮层神经微回路的网络结构特征,以及工作记忆和抉择过程的动力学机制等. 最后对今后研究给出一些展望.      

多稳态串联折纸结构的非线性动力学特性

折纸结构和折纸力学超材料由于其无穷的设计空间、出色的变形能力、超常规力学特性和广泛的应用前景,最近受到了学术界和工程界的 广泛关注.特别地,某些折纸结构单胞由于具有独特的双稳态特性而获得深入研究.注意到折纸结构和折纸超材料通常由多胞构成,但多胞 结构的多稳态特性及其诱发的动力学行为尚不清晰,相关的研究还较少.本文在双稳态Miura-ori堆叠结构单胞的基础上,研究由两个异构 双稳态单胞基于力平衡串联而成的结构.静力学分析指出,双胞串联结构具有4个定性不同的稳定构型,呈现出多稳态特征.动力学分析指 出,双胞串联结构在4个稳定构型处具有显著不同的固有频率特征. 逐渐增大激励幅值,双胞串联结构的多稳态特性诱发出类型丰富的复杂 非线性动力学响应,包括亚谐、超谐甚至混沌的阱内和阱间振动. 根据幅值特征,我们将稳态动力学响应分为九类,并开展了动力学响应的 吸引盆和吸引盆稳定性分析.结果表明,不同类型动力学响应的吸引盆稳定性(即出现概率)显著不同,且与激励幅值密切相关.本文得到的 多稳态双胞串联结构的静力学特性、动力学响应的分类,以及吸引盆稳定性相对于激励幅值的演化规律,对深入认识多稳态折纸结构的非 线性动力学特性,调控非线性动力学响应具有参考价值和指导意义.      

自振荡凝胶的力-化耦合行为调控及其应用研究

自振荡凝胶是一类由特殊振荡化学反应驱动而产生周期性变形的新型智能软材料.自振荡凝胶内部存在复杂的力学与化学的非线性耦合效应,其动力学行为特征受试样的边界约束情况、外部作用力大小与形式等力学因素和反应物浓度、催化剂类型等化学因素的显著影响,亦受试样的几何形状、外界光照强度、环境温度等其他物理因素的调控.自振荡凝胶已在力学与化学信号传播、材料结构自组装、微量物质运输、微型作动器、新型力学传感器等基础和应用领域取得众多突破性研究进展.基于相关研究,系统论述了自振荡凝胶的力-化耦合行为调控及其主要应用现状,为进一步深入研究新型智能软材料及其应用提供参考.     

飞行器非线性气动伺服弹性力学

现代飞行器日益呈现结构轻质化、控制系统宽通带和高权限的发展趋势. 因此, 非定常气动力、柔性结构和主动控制系统三者间的耦合力学成为重要的研究领域. 自20世纪80年代起, 航空界开始关注受控飞行器的气动弹性稳定性以及主动控制问题, 但对气动/结构的非线性效应、控制回路时滞对受控飞行器动力学行为的影响规律研究尚不充分. 研究这些影响规律不仅涉及非线性、高维数、多变参数和时滞效应等难题, 而且必须面对空气动力、飞行器结构、驱动机构、控制系统之间的强耦合问题. 其中的前沿难题是: 发展非线性气动伺服弹性动力学建模理论, 揭示上述因素诱发受控气动弹性振动的动力学机理, 开展气动伺服弹性控制风洞实验. 本文针对非线性气动伺服弹性力学所涉及的非线性非定常气动力建模、非线性结构动力学、气动伺服弹性控制律设计、气动伺服弹性实验, 总结相关研究现状和最新进展, 特别是近年来作者学术团队的研究成果, 并对进一步研究给出若干建议.      

三维DIC在铸铁拉伸试验中的应变测量精度研究

基于三维数字图像相关方法(3D-DIC)的拉伸实验研究了铸铁的拉伸力学性能,分别得到了应力-应变曲线、弹性模量、抗拉强度、延伸率等拉伸力学性能参数．将3D-DIC应力-应变的测试结果与目前实验中使用广泛的接触式引伸计方法的实验结果作了对比,得到两者的应力-应变曲线基本重合,弹性模量相差不超过4%．此外,还对3D-DIC和机械引伸计的应变绝对误差和相对误差作了详细比较,实验表明3D-DIC在铸铁拉伸力学性能测试中具有足够的应变测量精度,完全可以取代传统引伸计成为一种有效的非接触式变形测量手段．     

Correlation of powder flow properties to interparticle interactions at ambient and high temperatures

A combination of a continuum approach and a particle–particle approach to describe the multi-scale nature of the mechanical properties of bulk solids may be beneficial to scientific and engineering applications. In this paper, a procedure is proposed to estimate the interparticle forces beginning with the bulk flow properties as measured with standardized techniques. In particular, the relationship between interparticle forces and bulk solid tensile strength is adopted based on the microscale approaches of Rumpf (1970) and Molerus (1975). The flow properties of fluid cracking catalyst (FCC), corundum and glass bead powders were all characterized with a modified Schulze ring shear cell capable of operating at temperatures up to 500 °C. The powder test conditions were selected such that the van der Waals forces were the most significant particle–particle interactions. The model equations describe two cases, in which either elastic or plastic deformation of the contact points is assumed. The results indicate that the model provides the correct order of magnitude for the values of the tensile strength when proper values for the mean curvature radius at the contact points are taken into account. A sensitivity analysis for the main parameters in the model was performed. This analysis indicated that the assumption of plastic deformation at contact surfaces coupled with a decrease in porosity justified an increase of the tensile strength with consolidation stress. Furthermore, the effect of temperature on the measured flow behavior can be explained as a change in the strength of the material.     

The elastic response of a cohesive aggregate—a discrete element model with coupled particle interaction

A model is presented for the deformation of a cohesive aggregate of elastic particles that incorporates two important effects of large-sized inter-particle junctions. A finite element model is used to derive a particle response rule, for both normal and tangential relative deformations between pairs of particles. This model agrees with the Hertzian contact theory for small junctions, and is valid for junctions as large as half the nominal particle size. Further, the aggregate model uses elastic superposition to account for the coupled force–displacement response due to the simultaneous displacement of all of the neighbors of each particle in the aggregate. A particle stiffness matrix is developed, relating the forces at each junction to the three displacement degrees of freedom at all of the neighboring-particle junctions. The particle response satisfies force and moment equilibrium, so that the model is properly posed to allow for rigid rotation of the particle without introducing rotational degrees of freedom. A computer-simulated sintering algorithm is used to generate a random particle packing, and the stiffness matrix is derived for each particle. The effective elastic response is then estimated using a mean field or affine displacement calculation, and is also found exactly by a discrete element model, solving for the equilibrium response of the aggregate to uniform-strain boundary conditions. Both the estimate and the exact solution compare favorably with experimental data for the bulk modulus of sintered alumina, whereas Hertzian contact-based models underestimate the modulus significantly. Poisson's ratio is, however, accurately determined only by the full equilibrium discrete element solution, and shown to depend significantly on whether or not rigid particle rotation is permitted in the model. Moreover, this discrete element model is sufficiently robust, so it can be applied to problems involving non-homogeneous deformations in such cohesive aggregates.     

Morphological Responses of Vascular Endothelial Cells Induced by Local Stretch Transmitted Through Intercellular Junctions

It has been well established that mechanical stimuli including fluid shear stress and cyclic stretch play a key role in endothelial cell (EC) remodeling. However, in contrast to global remodeling to these mechanical stimuli, little is known of how local mechanical forces are transmitted through cells to induce cell remodeling leading to alteration in cell functions. In this study, we demonstrated that EC remodeling can be exerted by local tension generated in a neighboring EC. In this technique, a glass microneedle was used to apply local stretch in an EC in confluent monolayer and the resulting tension is transmitted to a neighboring EC across intercellular junctions. Local stretch induced reorientation and elongation of ECs parallel to the direction of stretch associated with reorganization of stress fibers. In addition, recruitment of Src homology 2-containing tyrosine phosphatase-2, binding to intercellular adhesion molecules platelet-endothelial cellular adhesion molecules-1, was selectively observed at the force-transmitted intercellular junctions after application of local stretch. These findings suggest that intercellular junctions can not only transmit but also sense local forces, and are potentially involved in EC mechanotransduction pathways.     

Boundary film shear elastic modulus effect in hydrodynamic contact. Part II: influence of operational parameters

The present paper is the subsequent research of the first part (Theor Comput Fluid Dyn, 2009). It investigates the boundary film shear elastic modulus effect in a hydrodynamic contact in different operating conditions. The hydrodynamic contact is one-dimensional, composed of two parallel plane surfaces, which are respectively rough rigid with rectangular micro projections in profile periodically distributed on the surface and ideally smooth rigid. The whole contact consists of cavitated area and hydrodynamic area. The hydrodynamic area consists of many micro Raleigh bearings which are discontinuously and periodically distributed in the contact. The hydrodynamic contact in a micro Raleigh bearing consists of boundary film area and fluid film area which, respectively, occur in the outlet and inlet zones. In boundary film area, the film slips at the upper contact surface due to the limited shear stress capacity of the film–contact interface, while the film does not slip at the lower contact surface due to the shear stress capacity of the film–contact interface large enough. In boundary film area, the viscosity, density, and shear elastic modulus of the film are varied across the film thickness due to the film–contact interactions, and their effective values are used in modeling which depends on the film thickness. In fluid film area, the film does not slip at either of the contact surfaces, and the shear elastic modulus of the film is neglected. It is found from the simulation results that the boundary film shear elastic modulus influences are normally negligible on the mass flow through the contact, the carried load of the contact and the overall film thickness of the contact, and the boundary film shear elastic modulus would normally influence the local film thickness in an elastic contact when the local film thickness is on the film molecule diameter scale. It is also found that the boundary film shear elastic modulus effect has the tendency of being increased with the reduction of the width of a micro contact. It is increased with the reduction of the boundary film–contact interfacial shear strength or with the increase of the critical boundary film thickness, while it is strongest at certain values of the contact surface roughness, the width ratio of fluid film area to boundary film area, and the lubricant film shear elastic modulus.

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Dynamic coupling of fluid and structural mechanics for simulating particle motion and interaction in high speed compressible gas particle laden flow

In this work, structural finite element analyses of particles moving and interacting within high speed compressible flow are directly coupled to computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer analyses to provide more detailed and improved simulations of particle laden flow under these operating conditions. For a given solid material model, stresses and displacements throughout the solid body are determined with the particle–particle contact following an element to element local spring force model and local fluid induced forces directly calculated from the finite volume flow solution. Plasticity and particle deformation common in such a flow regime can be incorporated in a more rigorous manner than typical discrete element models where structural conditions are not directly modeled. Using the developed techniques, simulations of normal collisions between two 1 mm radius particles with initial particle velocities of 50–150 m/s are conducted with different levels of pressure driven gas flow moving normal to the initial particle motion for elastic and elastic–plastic with strain hardening based solid material models. In this manner, the relationships between the collision velocity, the material behavior models, and the fluid flow and the particle motion and deformation can be investigated. The elastic–plastic material behavior results in post collision velocities 16–50% of their pre-collision values while the elastic-based particle collisions nearly regained their initial velocity upon rebound. The elastic–plastic material models produce contact forces less than half of those for elastic collisions, longer contact times, and greater particle deformation. Fluid flow forces affect the particle motion even at high collision speeds regardless of the solid material behavior model. With the elastic models, the collision force varied little with the strength of the gas flow driver. For the elastic–plastic models, the larger particle deformation and the resulting increasingly asymmetric loading lead to growing differences in the collision force magnitudes and directions as the gas flow strength increased. The coupled finite volume flow and finite element structural analyses provide a capability to capture the interdependencies between the interaction of the particles, the particle deformation, the fluid flow and the particle motion.     

Boundary film shear elastic modulus effect in hydrodynamic contact. Part I: theoretical analysis and typical solution

Boundary film shear elastic modulus effect is analyzed in a hydrodynamic contact. The contact is one-dimensional composed of two parallel plane surfaces, which are, respectively, rough rigid with rectangular micro projections in profile periodically distributed on the surface and ideally smooth rigid. The whole contact is consisted of cavitated area and hydrodynamic area. The hydrodynamic area consists of many micro Raleigh bearings which are discontinuously and periodically distributed in the contact. Analysis is thus carried out for a micro Raleigh bearing in this contact. The hydrodynamic contact in this micro Raleigh bearing consists of boundary film area and fluid film area which, respectively, occur in the outlet and inlet zones. In boundary film area, the film slips at the upper contact surface due to the limited shear stress capacity of the film–contact interface, while the film does not slip at the lower contact surface due to the shear stress capacity large enough at the film–contact interface. In boundary film area, the viscosity, density and shear elastic modulus of the film are varied across the film thickness due to the film–contact interactions, and their effective values are used in modeling, which depend on the film thickness. The analytical approach proposed by Zhang (J Mol Liq 128:60–64, 2006) and Zhang et al. (Int J Fluid Mech Res 30:542–557, 2003) is used for boundary film area. In fluid film area, the film does not slip at either of the contact surfaces, and the shear elastic modulus of the film is neglected. Conventional hydrodynamic analysis is used for fluid film area. The present paper presents the theoretical analysis and a typical solution. It is found that for the simulated case the boundary film shear elastic modulus effects on the mass flow through the contact, the overall film thickness of the contact and the carried load of the contact are negligible but the boundary film shear elastic modulus effect on the local film thickness of the contact may be significant when the boundary film thickness is on the 1 nm scale and the contact surfaces are elastic. In Part II will be presented detailed results showing boundary film shear elastic modulus effects in different operating conditions.

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A Simplified Treatise of the Scott Bond Testing Method

The Scott bond test method has been used extensively in the paper industry over the years as a means to assess the bond strength of paper. The method has been a subject of some controversy lately since it does not always correlate to the sensitivity of the material to fracture by delamination. To gain some further insight into which parameters govern the fracture process in a Scott bond test a simplified approach has been chosen in order to formulate an analytical mathematical/mechanical model of the test. The model is dynamic in the sense that inertia effects are included. The material model utilised is a simple cohesive theory that assumes a linear behaviour between stress and crack opening when the material has started to degrade. This choice of material model makes the mathematical model very nonlinear. In fact, a system of three coupled nonlinear second order partial differential equations have to be solved and adjusted to the correct initial conditions. The material parameters needed for the model are the elastic modulus in the thickness direction, the transverse shear (elastic) modulus, the tensile strength (in the thickness direction) and the fracture work (per unit area) for a delamination crack. To investigate the ability of the model, a Scott bond testing apparatus have been equipped with a piezoelectric load sensor. The load cell was mounted on the apparatus’ pendulum so that the load acting on the sample holder could be recorded during the whole impact stage. This was done for a number of different initial velocities of the pendulum and it is found that the model gives a fair prediction of the contact load.     

An investigation of grain size and nitrogen-doping effects on the mechanical properties of ultrananocrystalline diamond films

Due to the lack of thorough understanding of the ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) growth mechanism, a simple procedure is proposed to form a polycrystalline UNCD block with an artificial grain boundary (GB). The mechanical responses of the resulting UNCD films with various grain sizes are investigated by applying displacement-controlled tensile loading in the molecular dynamics simulations. By randomly adding different numbers of nitrogen (N) atoms into the GBs of these polycrystalline UNCD films, the effects of N atom number density and GB width on the mechanical properties of UNCD are also studied. It appears that the initial elastic moduli of pure and N-doped UNCD films are size-insensitive, although their tensile strengths decrease with the specimen size. The initial elastic modulus of N-doped UNCD is insensitive to the GB width, while the tensile strength decreases with both the N atom number density and the GB width.     

Non-slipping adhesive contact between mismatched elastic spheres: A model of adhesion mediated deformation sensor

A generalized JKR model is established for non-slipping adhesive contact between two dissimilar elastic spheres subjected to a pair of pulling forces and a mismatch strain. We discuss the full elastic solution to the problem as well as the so-called non-oscillatory solution in which tension and shear tractions along the contact interface is decoupled from each other. The model indicates that the mismatch strain has significant effect on the contact area and the pull-off process. Under a finite pulling force, a pair of adhering spheres is predicted to break apart spontaneously at a critical mismatch strain. This study suggests an adhesion mediated deformation sensing mechanism by which cells and molecules can detect mechanical signals in the environment via adhesive interactions.