Gravity effects on membrane processes.

Application of the Gouy-Chapman-Debye-Hückel (GCDH) theory to a model membrane in contact with electrolytes of various concentrations and composition predict density variations within an interfacial layer. Assuming that on cellular dimensions hydrodynamics can be applied (the objections are briefly discussed) two types of gravity effects can be defined, 1. convection along the surface of vertically oriented membranes and 2. surface potential variations by layer deformations at horizontally oriented membranes. Both effects should affect transport across the layer to the membrane surface and across the membrane. According to the theoretical predictions first experiments with gramicidin channels incorporated into artificial phosphatidylserine bilayer membranes show a significant difference in single channel currents in vertical and horizontal membranes. The complexity of biological membrane functions requires investigation of isolated membrane surface reactions and transport systems to study the gravisensitivity for each process separately.     

Studies of the interaction of gravity with biological membranes using alamethicin doped planar lipid bilayers as a model system.

Gravity interacts with biological systems on different levels of complexity. For the understanding of the action of gravity on such systems at higher degrees of organisation, the investigation of interactions on the membrane and even on the molecular level is crucial. To do such studies, planar lipid bilayers with incorporated transport mediating molecules, i.e. membranes of defined biochemical composition, are close to perfect model systems. In our experiments we have used painted planar lipid bilayers doped with alamethicin. Alamethicin is especially suitable for such studies because of its high sensitivity to applied external forces, which is a result of its special pore forming mechanism. Additional, different to most other transport mediating molecules, a big amount of data from the literature is available about the dependency of alamethicin pores on physical and chemical membrane parameters. We found that the conductance of alamethicin doped bilayers is dependent on the angle of the bilayer with the gravitational vector and that it furthermore can be reduced significantly under hyper gravity conditions in a centrifuge. The effect of gravity here is not an effect on the pore conductance or the membrane-aqueous solution interface, but it is due to an interaction of gravity with the pore forming mechanism, as can be shown by investigating the dependency of the alamethicin pore kinetics on the applied forces.     

Gravity and the membrane-solution interface: theoretical investigations.

The theory of concentration and potential variations at interfaces is applied to the membrane-solution interface to calculate density variations. The theory is modified to take care of the finite ion volumes in electrolytes. Our model is a phospholipid membrane with a surface charge density of -4.824*10(-6)(As/cm2) in contact with solutions of KCl, NaCl, CaCl2, and mixtures. Maximal density variations of about 4*10(-2)(G/cm3) were found in surface layers between the membrane and the solutions. The extension of the layers is in the range of 1 to 6 nm.     

Liposome formation in microgravity.

Liposomes are artificial vesicles with a phospholipid bilayer membrane. The formation of liposomes is a self-assembly process that is driven by the amphipathic nature of phospholipid molecules and can be observed during the removal of detergent from phospholipids dissolved in detergent micelles. As detergent concentration in the mixed micelles decreases, the non-polar tail regions of phospholipids produce a hydrophobic effect that drives the micelles to fuse and form planar bilayers in which phospholipids orient with tail regions to the center of the bilayer and polar head regions to the external surface. Remaining detergent molecules shield exposed edges of the bilayer sheet from the aqueous environment. Further removal of detergent leads to intramembrane folding and membrane folding and membrane vesiculation, forming liposomes. We have observed that the formation of liposomes is altered in microgravity. Liposomes that were formed at 1-g did not exceed 150 nm in diameter, whereas liposomes that were formed during spaceflight exhibited diameters up to 2000 nm. Using detergent-stabilized planar bilayers, we determined that the stage of liposome formation most influenced by gravity is membrane vesiculation. In addition, we found that small, equipment-induced fluid disturbances increased vesiculation and negated the size-enhancing effects of microgravity. However, these small disturbances had no effect on liposome size at 1-g, likely due to the presence of gravity-induced buoyancy-driven fluid flows (e.g., convection currents). Our results indicate that fluid disturbances, induced by gravity, influence the vesiculation of membranes and limit the diameter of forming liposomes.     

微重力下三角形微通道内冷凝换热分析

采用VOF模型和自定义函数的方法对三角形微通道内冷凝换热特性进行了数值模拟研究.为验证模型的合理性,将计算得到的传热系数与文献中经验关联式的结果进行对比.分析了重力和表面张力对气液界面分布和传热性能的影响.结果表明,重力对微通道内气液界面分布和截面平均传热系数的影响很小.表面张力在非圆形微通道内的冷凝过程中发挥主导作用.在表面张力作用下,更多的冷凝液流向尖角,使壁面附近液膜厚度变薄,传热阻力减小,传热系数增强.      

流道弯曲度对微重力膜式水气分离性能的影响

开展微重力膜式水气分离性能仿真研究,对水气分离技术设计与优化具有重要意义。针对微重力入口边界气液界面多尺度问题（入口流型问题）提出了基于界面概率近似方法的欧拉双流体模型,采用动量源项法解决几何多尺度问题（分离膜边界问题）,为仿真研究提供了有效的入口及渗透边界。研究了典型工作参数下流道弯曲度对膜分离性能的影响,并从流动形态和作用力贡献2个方面分析了影响机理。结果表明:膜分离性能随流道弯曲度增大而降低,影响程度与入口含气率相关;直流道适于选作膜式静态水气分离器主要流道形式。      

Physico-chemical characteristics of biomembranes and cell gravisensitivity.

The resistance of living systems to the action of environmental factors is known to be largely determined by molecular organization of biomembranes constituting the basis of the cell per se and of all intracellular organelles. Gravity as one of the environmental factors, plays a definite role in the vital activity of organisms. Therefore, the problem of altered gravity impact on biological objects should be considered in close relation to the functional state of membranes and contractible elements of cytoskeleton. Moreover, the involvement of membrane structures and cytoskeleton in the processes of reception and realization of gravitational stimulus allows us to evaluate the extent of the direct or indirect influence of gravity on cell functioning in the gravitational field. The results of experimental studies having been conducted up to this time on a variety of cells and cell organelles under altered gravity conditions demonstrated noticeable alterations in the molecular organization of the membranes.     

Theory and experimental results on gravitational effects on monocellular algae.

The orientation of a body which has an anisotropic distribution of mass and which is suspended in water is biased by gravitational torque, so that the center of gravity lies below the center of buoyancy. Many species of unicellular swimming algae are gravitationally oriented in this manner. Their axis of propulsion is essentially fixed within their bodies, so that when the cells swim, they swim upwards. Gravitaxis is an exotaxis, which requires no sensory processing. Nevertheless, gravity affects the lives of these cells both individually and collectively. For single cells, gravity intervenes in the execution and mechanism of sense-dependent taxes, such as phototaxis, it provides for fail-safe locomotion toward the upper interface of their habitat, the source of light and air, and it may cause up-accumulation. Populations of single cells, swimming in the presence of gravity, are coupled through fluid-mechanical interactions which cause spatial and temporal patterns of fluid convection and cell concentration. These patterns modify the cell's environmental interactions, by facilitating downward migrations of cell populations, by mixing the embedding fluid and its contents, and by providing a collective mechanism for controlling light intensity at the individual cell level. Summarizing, gravity modulates the interaction of algal cells with each other and with their environment.     

A theory of gravikinesis in Paramecium.

The archaic eukaryote unicellular microorganism, Paramecium, is propelled by thousands of cilia, which are regulated by modulation of the membrane potential. Ciliates can successfully cope with gravity, which is the phylogenetically oldest stimulus for living things. One mechanism for overcoming sedimentation is negative gravitaxis, an orientational response antiparallel to the gravity vector. We have postulated the existence of a negative gravikinesis in Paramecium, i.e. a modulation of swimming speed as a function of cellular orientation in space. With negative gravikinesis, an upward oriented cell actively augments the rate of forward swimming and depresses active locomotion during downward orientation. A brief outline of the gravikinesis hypothesis is given on a quantitative basis and experimental data are presented which have confirmed the major assumptions.     

Gravity, cellular membranes and associated processes: an introduction.

The aim of the session "Gravity: Cellular Membranes and Associated Processes" was to bring together scientists from different biological disciplines concentrated on the same scientific question: What are the basic interactions or influences, respectively, of gravity on cellular, molecular level? Presentations were selected dealing with the interaction of gravity with basic physico-chemical processes of membranes, such as changes of the membrane composition of human erythrocytes up to ultrastructural changes in a fungus and other objects after exposure to the conditions of space flight, clinorotation or increased acceleration by means of centrifugation. Taken together the data presented here and in the other session of the symposium on "Life and Gravity", clearly outline that future basic physico-chemical studies, and studies dealing with the molecular basis of the cellular signal-perception and transduction, have to be pressed forward in order to understand signal-responses on cellular level, but also of a whole organism.     

陀螺仪运动的复杂性

建立了外环轴水平放置的重力对称陀螺仪的运动方程.并将陀螺仪转子的质心位置作为扰动, 在一定条件下, 首先研究了自由陀螺仪的运动, 并给出力学意义解释; 然后利用Melnikov方法和KAM理论研究了非自由陀螺仪的运动.研究结果表明: 在陀螺仪转子的质心与支架中心不重合且充分接近, 或陀螺仪能量充分大时, 陀螺仪的运动出现Smale马蹄意义下的混沌; 同时它的Hamiltonian流存在KAM不变环面和不变闭曲线.      

面向对象的飞机概念设计系统中的重心估算

为了在飞机概念设计阶段有效而便捷地评估方案重量和静稳定裕度等特性,研究了在一个按照面向对象方式进行数据组织的计算机辅助飞机概念设计系统中进行重心及相应重量估算的措施.着重论述了重心估算部分的面向对象结构和采用的方法,尤其是根据相关部件的设计与造型特点估算燃油及起落架重心的方法.通过在设计方案的动态调整过程中估算其重量和重心,验证了该部分的适应性和可靠性,以及设计者交互地对估算的方法和结果加以控制的灵活性.      

微重力水电解槽两相热流动与水量分配数值模拟

建立了固体聚合物电解槽单体的三维两相流动模型和电解槽系统供水过程模型，对电解槽的供水、两相流动和温度场特性进行模拟仿真，分析放置方式和微重力环境等因素对其工作性能的影响.电解槽单体的数值模拟结果表明，在微重力条件下或者水平放置时，其内部速度场和温度场都分布均匀.但是采用竖直放置且水平供水方式时，电解生成的氧气在电解槽上部聚集，出现局部缺水现象.对电解槽系统供水过程的数值模拟结果表明，无论在地面还是微重力条件下，电解槽系统的水量分配都是不均匀的.水平放置时，电解槽系统内的电解槽单体进出口水量从底部至顶部先减少后增加；在竖直放置或微重力条件下，水量从其底部至顶部持续增加.      

Paramecium--a model system for studying cellular graviperception.

Experiments under varied gravitational accelerations as well as in density-adjusted media showed that sensation of gravity in protists may be linked to the known principles of mechanosensation. Paramecium, a ciliate with clear graviresponses (gravitaxis and gravikinesis) is an ideal model system to prove this hypothesis since the ciliary activity and thus the swimming behaviour is controlled by the membrane potential. It has also been assumed that the cytoplasmic mass causes a distinct stimulation of the bipolarly distributed mechano-sensitive K+ and Ca2+ ion channels in the plasma membrane in dependence of the spatial orientation of the cell. In order to prove this hypothesis, different channel blockers are currently under investigation. Gadolinium did not inhibit gravitaxis in Paramecium, showing that it does not specifically block gravireceptors. Further studies concentrated on the question of whether second messengers are involved in the gravity signal transduction chain. Exposure to 5 g for up to 10 min led to a significant increase in cAMP.     

重力对R134a在矩形小通道内冷凝过程的影响

为研究重力对小通道冷凝过程的影响,采用VOF模型对制冷剂R134a在水平放置的边长1mm方形截面小通道内的冷凝换热过程进行数值模拟.模拟过程考虑重力、表面张力和界面剪切力的综合作用,表面张力采用CSF模型.结果表明:重力对矩形小通道冷凝换热的影响不明显,蒸气在通道横截面上呈近似圆形分布;通道较短时重力对液膜的汇聚作用不明显,达到一定长度后重力作用凸显.研究结果为天舟一号货运飞船搭载的蒸发与冷凝科学实验研究项目冷凝空间实验方案设计提供了理论依据.      

Influence of gravity on the photomorphism of secondary moss protonemata

In dark-grown plantlets of the moss, Pottia intermedia, negatively gravitropic secondary protonemata differentiate from the superficial cells of leafy shoots. When transferred to the light, distal parts of the protonemata nearest to the apical cells begin to ramify and the apical cells of the side branches as well as of the main protonemal filaments often differentiate as buds. Dark-grown protonemata were oriented horizontally and illuminated from below with white light of different intensities. Only light with an intensity of 4.5 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ was sufficient to induce: (a) phototropism in the apical cells, (b) light-directed initiation of branch primordia, and (c) directed growth of side branches and bud differentiation. Apical cells illuminated with light of lower (0.03–0.37 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) intensity grew upwards (i.e., away from the light). It was shown that this upward growth was determined by the action of gravity. Although initiation of branch primordia was only slightly affected, their growth was strongly stimulated on the upper side of the protonemata.     

Study on dependence of hydrodynamic characteristics on gravity in a vertical upward channel bubbly flow

Since the bubbly flow has extensive applications in the space field, it is very necessary to comprehend the dependence of hydrodynamic characteristics on gravity. In this paper, the dependence of the microbubble distribution and the liquid turbulence modulation by the microbubbles on gravity was investigated in detail with the Euler–Lagrange method. The liquid Navier–Stokes equation was solved using direct numerical simulations (DNS), and the microbubble motion was tracked with Newtonian motion equation considering drag force, shear lift force, added mass force, pressure gradient force, and wall lift force. The coupling between the gas and the liquid phases regarded the interphase force as a momentum source term in the momentum equation of the liquid. The results showed that the phase profile and the turbulence modulation by the microbubbles strongly depend on the magnitude of gravity. When the influence of gravity is relatively weak, the microbubbles approximately uniformly disperse in the wide central region of the channel, and the average statistics of the liquid turbulence are almost not influenced due to the addition of the microbubbles. However, when the influence of gravity is comparatively important, the majority of the microbubbles accumulate near the wall of the channel, and the injection of the microbubbles modifies the profiles of the liquid average statistics.     

航天器贮箱气液自由界面追踪数值模拟

主要讨论了航天器贮箱在轨道航行时的微重力状态下其液体推进剂在贮箱内的形态分布及控制.文中采用VOF方法,加入了表面张力的效应,追踪气液两相流的自由界面,对液面在微重力条件下的位形变化进行了数值模拟.通过比较不同重力加速度及接触角下的两相流的相图,分析了影响贮箱中液体推进剂位形变化的主要因素及对其有效的控制方法.      

Red light-induced suppression of gravitropism in moss protonemata.

Moss protonemata are among the few cell types known that both sense and respond to gravity and light. Apical cells of Ceratodon protonemata grow by oriented tip growth which is negatively gravitropic in the dark or positively phototropic in unilateral red light. Phototropism is phytochrome-mediated. To determine whether any gravitropism persists during irradiation, cultures were turned at various angles with respect to gravity and illuminated so that the light and gravity vectors acted either in the same or in different directions. Red light for 24h (> or = l40nmol m-2 s-1) caused the protonemata to be oriented directly towards the light. Similarly, protonemata grew directly towards the light regardless of light position with respect to gravity indicating that all growth is oriented strictly by phototropism, not gravitropism. At light intensities < or = l00nmol m-2 s-1, no phototropism occurs and the mean protonemal tip angle remains above the horizontal, which is the criterion for negative gravitropism. But those protonemata are not as uniformly upright as they would be in the dark indicating that low intensity red light permits gravitropism but also modulates the response. Protonemata of the aphototropic mutant ptr1 that lacks a functional Pfr chromophore, exhibit gravitropism regardless of red light intensity. This indicates that red light acts via Pfr to modulate gravitropism at low intensities and to suppress gravitropism at intensities < or = 140nmol m-2 s-1.     

不同重力条件下单气泡池沸腾现象的数值研究

对不同重力条件下常压饱和水中单气泡池沸腾现象的气泡生长过程及传热特性进行了数值模拟. 采用简化的润滑流模型计算生长气泡底部微液膜的贡献, 而其他宏观区域的气液两相介质则用连续界面模型统一处理. 气液界面形状和加热面上接触线的运动分别采用Level Set方法和固定的表观接触角来近似刻画. 计算结果表明, 气泡生长过程中, 当量直径近似与生长时间的1/3～1/2次方成正比, 重力对相关趋势的影响不大, 但强烈影响着气泡脱落直径和生长时间, 其中脱落直径反比于重力的1/3次方, 生长时间反比于重力的4/5次方. 在固定的核化点数密度条件下, 加热面平均热流密度近似与壁面过热度的3/2次方成正比, 该趋势并不随重力的减弱而改变.