While experimental analyses of steady rectilinear locomotion in fishes are common, unsteady movement involving time-dependent variation in heading, speed and acceleration probably accounts for the greatest portion of the locomotor time budget. Turning maneuvers, in particular, are key elements of the unsteady locomotor repertoire of fishes and, by many species, are accomplished by generating as...

The burgeoning and largely unregulated trade in shark fins represents one of the most serious threats to shark populations worldwide. In Hong Kong, the world's largest shark fin market, fins are classified by traders into Chinese-name categories on the basis of market value, but the relationship between market category and shark species is unclear preventing identification of species that are t...

BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested that fat mass-and obesity-associated (FTO) gene is associated with body mass index (BMI) and the risk of obesity. This study aims to assess the association of five FTO polymorphisms (rs9939609, rs8050136, rs1558902, rs3751812 and rs6499640) with obesity and relative parameters in Han Chinese adolescents. METHODS We examined a total of 401 adolescents...

SYNOPSIS. Despite enormous progress during the last twenty years in understanding the mechanistic basis of aquatic animal propulsion—a task involving the construction of a substantial data base on patterns of fin and body kinematics and locomotor muscle function—there remains a key area in which biologists have little information: the relationship between propulsor activity and water movement i...

Despite enormous progress during the last twenty years in understanding the mechanistic basis of aquatic animal propulsion-a task involving the construction of a substantial data base on patterns of fin and body kinematics and locomotor muscle function-there remains a key area in which biologists have little information: the relationship between propulsor activity and water movement in the wake...

A full understanding of the mechanics of locomotion can be achieved by incorporating descriptions of (1) three-dimensional kinematics of propulsor movement, (2) material properties of the propulsor, (3) power input and control and (4) the fluid dynamics effects of propulsor motion into (5) a three-dimensional computational framework that models the complexity of propulsors that deform and chang...

This study aims to assess the effect of adding twisted fins in a triple-tube heat exchanger used for latent storage compared with using straight and no fins. In proposed exchanger, phase change material (PCM) is placed between middle annulus while hot water passed inner tube outer counter-current direction, as superior method melt PCM store thermal energy. The behavior system was assessed regar...

In this study, thermal performance across straight convecting- radiating fin with temperature dependent thermal conductivity is considered. The variation of parameters (VPM) is adopted to analyze the nonlinear higher order differential equations arising due to thermal conductivity and heat transfer coefficient on temperature distribution. Pertinent parameters such as thermo geometric and radiat...

Cottus gratzianowi, a new cottid species, is described from material collected in the Ukhtomitsa River in the Onega River drainage, White Sea basin. It differs from its congeners in Europe east of the Meuse except C. koshewnikowi by having no transverse dark bands on the pelvic fin, a single chin canal pore, an incomplete lateral line not reaching behind the anal-fin insertion, and the position...

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of berberine on the pancreatic 13 cell apoptosis in rats with insulin resistance (IR). METHODS IR Wistar rat model was established by feeding with high fructose diet. After 6-week treatment of berberine, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. Then fasting insulin level (Fins) was detected and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) calculated. The islet was...