Generalized solutions of initial-boundary value problems for second-order hyperbolic systems

The method of boundary integral equations is developed as applied to initial-boundary value problems for strictly hyperbolic systems of second-order equations characteristic of anisotropic media dynamics. Based on the theory of distributions (generalized functions), solutions are constructed in the space of generalized functions followed by passing to integral representations and classical solutions. Solutions are considered in the class of singular functions with discontinuous derivatives, which are typical of physical problems describing shock waves. The uniqueness of the solutions to the initial-boundary value problems is proved under certain smoothness conditions imposed on the boundary functions. The Green’s matrix of the system and new fundamental matrices based on it are used to derive integral analogues of the Gauss, Kirchhoff, and Green formulas for solutions and solving singular boundary integral equations.     

How do aminoadamantanes block the influenza M2 channel, and how does resistance develop?

The interactions between channels and their cognate blockers are at the heart of numerous biomedical phenomena. Herein, we unravel one particularly important example bearing direct pharmaceutical relevance: the blockage mechanism of the influenza M2 channel by the anti-flu amino-adamantyls (amantadine and rimantadine) and how the channel and, consequently, the virus develop resistance against them. Using both computational analyses and experimental verification, we find that amino-adamantyls inhibit M2's H(+) channel activity by electrostatic hindrance due to their positively charged amino group. In contrast, the hydrophobic adamantyl moiety on its own does not impact conductivity. Additionally, we were able to uncover how mutations in M2 are capable of retaining drug binding on the one hand yet rendering the protein and the mutated virus resistant to amino-adamantyls on the other hand. We show that the mutated, drug-resistant protein has a larger binding pocket for the drug. Hence, despite binding the channel, the drug remains sufficiently mobile so as not to exert a H(+)-blocking positive electrostatic hindrance. Such insight into the blocking mechanism of amino-adamantyls, and resistance thereof, may aid in the design of next-generation anti-flu agents.     

ContributionsGraph partitions with minimum degree constraints

Given a graph with n nodes and minimum degree δ, we give a polynomial time algorithm that constructs a partition of the nodes of the graph into two sets X and Y such that the sum of the minimum degrees in X and in Y is at least δ and the cardinalities of X and Y differ by at most δ(δ + 1 if n ≠ δ(mod 2)). The existence of such a partition was shown by Sheehan (1988).     

Discrete breathers in the Peyrard-Bishop model of DNA

The Peyrard-Bishop model, which describes the dynamics of a DNA molecule, is considered. The solutions that represent discrete breathers are derived in the framework of the model. The dynamic stability of the stationary discrete breathers with respect to small perturbations is studied. The solutions can be interpreted as the experimentally observed opening of the base pairs in the DNA double strand at the initial stages of denaturation. It is also demonstrated that the model allows the existence of mobile breathers that move in the absence of perturbations in the environment. The interaction of the mobile breathers is numerically simulated. The Peierls-Nabarro barrier and the effective mass and velocity of the breather are estimated.     

基于mcnp5程序研究60Co γ射线的剂量增强效应

用蒙特卡罗方法研究了金和硅交界时60Coγ射线入射产生的剂量梯度分布,并且通过mcnp5程序建立了一个三维的金硅界面结构模型,进而计算了剂量增强因子.计算结果表明:界面附近硅一侧具有明显的剂量梯度分布,界面剂量增强因子为1.76.     

Immunoassay utilizing imaging surface plasmon resonance for the detection of cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) in maize and cheese

α-Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) is a tremorgenic mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium fungal species, commonly found on agricultural commodities or fermented food products. A sensitive and rapid imaging surface plasmon resonance (iSPR) assay was developed to detect CPA in maize and cheese by combining an indirect competitive immunoassay and signal amplification based upon a secondary antibody (Ab₂) conjugated with gold nanoparticles. Matrix-matched calibration curves were used to determine CPA content in maize and cheese samples. Recoveries, at two spiking levels in maize and cheese, were 89 to 126%, with standard deviations of repeatability (RSDr) of less than 16%. The limits of detection were 17 and 6 μg/kg in maize and cheese, respectively. To separate the CPA-contaminated samples from uncontaminated samples, a cutoff validation level of 40 μg/kg was introduced. The assay was applied to samples of naturally contaminated maize and was compared with competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CI-ELISA). This is the first report to detect CPA using an immuno-biosensor iSPR format.

     

规则和统计相结合的非汉语母语者声调分析*

汉语普通话教学已经在我国各少数民族地区的教育工作中占据越来越重要的地位,然而从这些地区的相关教育实践来看,汉语普通话正面临着语音素质和教学质量较低的严峻问题。该文采用实验语音学,对比分析、偏误分析的理论及方法,考察并分析了维吾尔族学生习得汉语单字调声调的情况。主要是对初级、中级和高级阶段的50名维吾尔族学生声调的五度值曲线和声调之间相似度与标准普通话者进行对比并分析,得出维吾尔族学生对汉语声调的偏误情况以及MHK成绩的关系。通过实验结果可以发现,三组的维吾尔人学习普通话的声调都有困难。两种语言的音系、语调和重音等特性影响了第二语言中的声调特性。这种声调系统的差异导致了维吾尔族人学习普通话声调产出的困难。通过这项实验揭示了目前维吾尔学生对汉语普通话中声调发音的掌握情况,同时有助于进一步了解维吾尔族普通话学习者汉语声调的偏误。     

光纤化学传感同步吸收-荧光法的建立

建立一种光纤化学传感同步测定吸收光谱和荧光光谱的新方法。自制同步吸收-荧光比色皿,结合光纤化学传感技术,建立同步吸收-荧光光谱法检测仪器,分别测定罗丹明B,维生素B₂,维生素B₆等溶液的同步吸收-荧光光谱,且与传统的紫外-可见吸光光度法和荧光法进行对比。同步吸收-荧光光谱法测得罗丹明B,维生素B₂,维生素B₆与传统吸光光度法和荧光光谱法检测的吸收光谱图和荧光光谱的图谱大体一致。最大荧光强度波长与传统的荧光方法比较准确度高,但最大吸收波长略有偏差。同步吸收-荧光光谱法等同于同步测定荧光物质的吸收光谱和荧光光谱,实现二光谱合二为一,测定最大发射波长时准确度高,但最大吸收波长略有偏差,值得深一步研究。     

Separation of trace amounts of rhodium(III) with tri-n-butyl phosphate from nitric acid and sodium trichloroacetate media

A new method for the quantitative extraction and separation of trace amounts of rhodium from nitric acid and sodium trichloroacetate media has been established based on the formation of an ion-association complex of hexahydrated rhodium cation Rh(H₂O)₆ ³⁺ and the trichloroacetate (TCA) anion in tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP). The effect of various factors (solvent, pH, sodium trichloroacetate, shaking time, phase volume ratio, composition of the extracted species, foreign ions, transformation of rhodium chlorocomplexes into hexahydrated cation, etc.) on the extraction and back-extraction of rhodium has been investigated. The method can be combined with subsequent FAAS determination of rhodium. The procedure was applied to determine rhodium traces in chloroplatinic acid and palladium chloride. Received: 17 March 2000 / Revised: 15 May 2000 / Accepted: 19 May 2000