Use of high-rate envelope speech cues and their perceptually relevant dynamic range for the hearing impaired

The ability of hearing-impaired (HI) listeners to use high-rate envelope information in a competing-talker situation was assessed. In experiment 1, signals were tone vocoded and the cutoff frequency (f(c)) of the envelope extraction filter was either 50?Hz (E filter) or 200?Hz (P filter). The channels for which the P or E filter was used were varied. Intelligibility was higher with the P filter regardless of whether it was used for low or high center frequencies. Performance was best when the P filter was used for all channels. Experiment 2 explored the dynamic range over which HI listeners made use of high-rate cues. In each channel of a vocoder, the envelope extracted using f(c)?=?16?Hz was replaced by the envelope extracted using f(c)?=?300?Hz, either at the peaks or valleys, with a parametrically varied "switching threshold." For a target-to-background ratio of +5?dB, changes in speech intelligibility occurred mainly when the switching threshold was between -8 and +8?dB relative to the channel root-mean-square level. This range is similar in width to, but about 3?dB higher in absolute level than, that found for normal-hearing listeners, despite the reduced dynamic range of the HI listeners.     

Stability of membrane bound reactions

We present a novel approach to the dynamics of reactions of diffusing chemical species with species fixed in space, e.g., by binding to a membrane. The nondiffusing reaction partners are clustered in areas with a diameter smaller than the diffusion length of the diffusing partner. The activated fraction of the fixed species determines the size of an active subregion of the cluster. Linear stability analysis reveals that diffusion is one of the major determinants of the stability of the dynamics. We illustrate the model concept with Ca2+ dynamics in living cells, which has release channels as fixed reaction partners. Our results suggest that spatial and temporal structures in intracellular Ca2+ dynamics are caused by fluctuations due to the small number of channels per cluster.     

Production cross sections of the superheavy nucleus 117 based on the dinuclear system model

Within the framework of the dinuclear system model,the capture of two colliding nuclei,and the formation and de-excitation process of a compound nucleus are described by using an empirical coupled channel model,solving the master equation numerically and the statistical evaporation model,respectively.In the process of heavy-ion capture and fusion to synthesize superheavy nuclei,the barrier distribution func-tion is introduced and averaging collision orientations are considered.Based on this model,the production cross sections of the cold fusion system 76-82Se+209Bi and the hot fusion systems 55Mn+238U,51V-+244Pu,59 Co+232 Th,48 Ca+247-249 Bk and 45 Sc+246-248 Cm are calculated.The isotopic dependence of the largest production cross sections is analyzed briefly,and the optimal projectile-target combination and excitation energy of the ln-4n evaporation channels are proposed.It is shown that the hot fusion systems 48Ca+247 249Bk in the3n evaporation channels and 45Sc+248Cm in the 2n-4n channels are optimal for synthesizing the superheavy element 117.     

A consistent derivation of the real and imaginary parts of the heavy ion potential below and above the Coulomb barrier

In a model including approximately a large set of non-elastic channels, the real and imaginary potentials are consistently derived. The “anomaly” of the real potential which sharply increases in the vicinity of the Coulomb barrier where the imaginary potential is strongly reduced is studied in ¹⁶O + ⁴⁰Ca and ¹⁶O + ²⁰⁸Pb systems. The results on the imaginary potential are discussed and compared to our previous calculation.     

A naturally occurring omega current in a Kv3 family potassium channel from a platyhelminth

Background  

Voltage-gated ion channels are membrane proteins containing a selective pore that allows permeable ions to transit the membrane in response to a change in the transmembrane voltage. The typical selectivity filter in potassium channels is formed by a tetrameric arrangement of the carbonyl groups of the conserved amino-acid sequence Gly-Tyr-Gly. This canonical pore is opened or closed by conformational changes that originate in the voltage sensor (S4), a transmembrane helix with a series of positively charged amino acids. This sensor moves through a gating pore formed by elements of the S1, S2 and S3 helices, across the plane of the membrane, without allowing ions to pass through the membrane at that site. Recently, synthetic mutagenesis studies in the Drosophila melanogaster Shaker channel and analysis of human disease-causing mutations in sodium channels have identified amino acid residues that are integral parts of the gating-pore; when these residues are mutated the proteins allow a non-specific cation current, known as the omega current, to pass through the gating-pore with relatively low selectivity.     

Size selectivity of narrow pores

The selectivity of micropores and ion channels is examined for simple pore topologies within the framework of density functional theory of highly confined fluids. In an infinite cylindrical pore purely steric (excluded volume) effects are shown to lead to strong, nontrivial size selectivity, which is highly sensitive to the pore radius. A crude modeling of electrostatic effects does not alter the relative absorbance of Na+ and K+ ions in a significant way.     

Theoretical study of fusion reactions 32S + 94,96Zr and 40Ca + 94,96Zr and quadrupole deformation of 94Zr

The dynamic coupling effects on fusion cross sections for reactions~(32)S + ~(94,96)Zr and ~(40)Ca + ~(94,96)Zr are studied with the universal fusion function formalism and an empirical coupled channel(ECC) model. An examination of the reduced fusion functions shows that the total effect of couplings to inelastic excitations and neutron transfer channels on fusion in ~(32)S +~(94)Zr(~(40)Ca +~(94)Zr) is almost the same as that in ~(32)S +~(96)Zr(~(40)Ca +~(96)Zr). The enhancements of the fusion cross section at sub-barrier energies due to inelastic channel coupling and neutron transfer channel coupling are evaluated separately by using the ECC model. The results show that effect of couplings to inelastic excitations channels in the reactions with94 Zr as target should be similar as that in the reactions with ~(96) Zr as target. This implies that the quadrupole deformation parameters β_2of ~(94)Zr and~(96) Zr should be similar to each other.However, β_2 's predicted from the finite-range droplet model, which are used in the ECC model, are quite different. Experiments on~(48) Ca +~(94)Zr or~(36) S +~(94)Zr are suggested to solve the puzzling issue concerning β_2for~(94)Zr.     

Auditory filter nonlinearity in mild/moderate hearing impairment

Sensorineural hearing loss has frequently been shown to result in a loss of frequency selectivity. Less is known about its effects on the level dependence of selectivity that is so prominent a feature of normal hearing. The aim of the present study is to characterize such changes in nonlinearity as manifested in the auditory filter shapes of listeners with mild/moderate hearing impairment. Notched-noise masked thresholds at 2 kHz were measured over a range of stimulus levels in hearing-impaired listeners with losses of 20-50 dB. Growth-of-masking functions for different notch widths are more parallel for hearing-impaired than for normal-hearing listeners, indicating a more linear filter. Level-dependent filter shapes estimated from the data show relatively little change in shape across level. The loss of nonlinearity is also evident in the input/output functions derived from the fitted filter shapes. Reductions in nonlinearity are clearly evident even in a listener with only 20-dB hearing loss.     

Scaling properties of coating flows in rectangular channels

We present an experimental study of the aspect-ratio dependence of two-phase displacement flows in channels of rectangular cross section. Above a buoyancy-dependent threshold Ca[over ;]_{t}, we find that the bulk features of the flow depend only on a modified capillary number Ca[over ;]=[1+0.12(alpha-1)+0.018(alpha-1);{2}]Ca, where Ca is the unmodified capillary number and alpha is the aspect ratio. This novel scaling has tremendous practical significance because it implies that the bulk features of the flows in any rectangular channel can be inferred from those in a square channel for Ca[over ;]>Ca[over ;]_{t}.     

18～88 keV Ross滤片谱仪的设计和应用

以带通平响应为优化目标,通过残余响应、带外残余响应相对误差以及残余响应平整度3个参数来优化滤片的厚度,设计了一套共有7个能量通道、连续覆盖18~88keV能谱范围的Ross滤片谱仪。该谱仪能量通道宽度在2~20keV之间。多数能量通道的带外残余响应相对误差低于10%,残余响应平整度优于20%。将该谱仪应用于微聚焦X光机上的高Z金属球壳高能X射线背光照相实验,结果表明:在不同的实验条件下,Ross滤片谱仪测得的能谱形状与理论模型给出的结果符合较好,测得的能谱不仅能够很好地解释背光照相图像,而且可用于根据图像反推客体的面密度。     

一种高选择性的可调0.83~2.15 GHz带通滤波器

设计了一种宽频率调节范围的高选择性可调带通滤波器。宽调节范围由一对简单的加载变容管的平行耦合线谐振器设计实现。由于谐振器之间存在电磁混合耦合以及通过加载变容管引入的源与负载频变耦合,该滤波器最终引入了三个自适应性传输零点。而且,三个传输零点在整个调节范围内能够保持相同的相对位置,因此,设计的滤波器实现了在整个宽频率调节范围内的高选择性和良好的带外抑制。同时,在中心频率调节的过程中,通过选择合适的耦合系数,该滤波器可以实现恒定的相对带宽。最终设计出的可调滤波器的调节范围为0.83~2.15 GHz, 可调范围可达88.6%,并保持9%±0.3%的相对带宽不变。测试结果表明该滤波器具备了高选择性和良好的带外抑制能力。     

一种新型荧光探针的合成及其对Cu~(2+)的选择性识别

设计并合成能用于识别铜离子的荧光探针N′-(喹啉-2-亚甲基)-7-二乙胺基-3-甲酰肼-香豆素(FKBA),通过质谱、红外光谱、元素分析、~1 H NMR、~(13) C NMR等方法对该荧光探针FKBA进行表征;采用荧光光谱法和紫外-可见光谱法对FKBA与金属离子的相互作用进行了研究。结果表明FKBA对Cu~(2+)有良好的选择性和灵敏度。向含有FKBA的溶液中加入Cu~(2+),其吸收峰发生红移,且强度增大。而向该溶液中,加入Al ~(3+),Ag~+,Ba~(2+),Cd~(2+),Ca~(2+),Co~(3+),Fe~(3+),Cr~(3+),Hg~(2+),Mg~(2+),K~+,Mn~(2+),Ni ~(2+),Na~+,Zn~(2+)和Pb~(2+)等其他16种金属离子时,FKBA的紫外吸收仅发生细微的变化。FKBA作为化学传感器对Cu~(2+)的选择性是通过与一系列与环保和生物功能相关的金属离子相互作用得到验证。FKBA中加入Cu~(2+)时,FKBA的荧光强度明显猝灭,其他16种金属离子对FKBA的荧光强度几乎没有影响。不同的金属离子分别与Cu~(2+)共存时FKBA的荧光光谱猝灭程度相同,说明FKBA具有良好的抗干扰能力。向FKBA中加入EDTA,FKBA的荧光强度得到恢复。FKBA中加入Cu~(2+),溶液颜色变成棕色,加入EDTA后又恢复到初始颜色。说明FKBA的荧光减弱不是Cu~(2+)催化FKBA分解而是FKBA与Cu~(2+)络合。在酸性环境中,FKBA的希夫碱结构不稳定,部分FKBA分解成其他的荧光物质。据IUPAC(cDL=3Sb/m)测得检测限为0.13μmol·L~(-1)。对实际样品中的Cu~(2+)浓度进行分析,表明FKBA可作为荧光传感器用于实际样品的Cu~(2+)检测。     

Resource block Filtered-OFDM for future spectrally agile and power efficient systems

Spectrum sharing is a common paradigm in future communication systems and a spectrally agile baseband waveform with minimal out-of-band emissions is a critical component. In this paper, we propose a new multicarrier modulation technique, called resource block Filtered-OFDM (RB-F-OFDM) and present the transceiver design. This waveform can be used over channels with non-contiguous spectrum fragments and exhibits very low adjacent channel interference, which is required for cognitive radio systems with multi channel carrier aggregation capabilities. As such, regulatory based very stringent adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) and adjacent channel selectivity (ACS) requirements can be met. We show that the transceiver complexity may be reduced by utilizing an efficient polyphase implementation that is commonly used in the filter bank multicarrier (FBMC) modulation. In addition, some efficient peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) reduction techniques can be naturally applied. The new design is backwards compatible with legacy OFDM based systems. Simulation results to evaluate the performance, including measured bit error rate (BER) in multipath channels, are provided.     

Frequency selectivity of single cochlear-nerve fibers based on the temporal response pattern to two-tone signals

The physiological basis of auditory frequency selectivity was investigated by recording the temporal response patterns of single cochlear-nerve fibers in the cat. The characteristic frequency and sharpness of tuning was determined for low-frequency cochlear-nerve fibers with two-tone signals whose frequency components were of equal amplitude and starting phase. The measures were compared with those obtained with sinusoidal signals. The two-tone characteristic frequency (2TCF) is defined as the arithmetic-center frequency at which the fiber is synchronized to both signal frequencies in equal measure. The 2TCF closely corresponds to the characteristic frequency as determined by the frequency threshold curve. Moreover, the 2TCF changes relatively little (2%-12%) over a 60-dB intensity range. The 2TCF generally shifts upward with increasing intensity for cochlear-nerve fibers tuned to frequencies below 1 kHz and shifts downward as a function of intensity for units with characteristic frequencies (CF's) above 1 kHz. The shifts in the 2TCF are considerably smaller than those observed with sinusoidal signals. Filter functions were derived from the synchronization pattern to the two-tone signal by varying the frequency of one of the components over the fiber's response area while maintaining the other component at the 2TCF. The frequency selectivity of the two-tone filter function was determined by dividing the vector strength to the variable frequency signal by the vector strength to the CF tone. The filter function was measured 10 dB down from the peak (2T Q 10 dB) and compared with the Q 10 dB of the frequency threshold curve. The correlation between the two measures of frequency selectivity was 0.72. The 2T Q 10 dB does change as a function of intensity. The magnitude and direction of the change is dependent on the sharpness of tuning at low and moderate sound-pressure levels (SPL's). The selectivity of the more sharply tuned fibers (2T Q 10 dB greater than 3) diminishes at intensities above 60 dB SPL. However, the broadening of selectivity is relatively small in comparison to discharge rate-based measures of selectivity. The selectivity of the more broadly tuned units remains unchanged or improves slightly at similar intensity levels. The present data indicate that the frequency selectivity and tuning of low-frequency cochlear-nerve fibers are relatively stable over a 60-dB range of SPL's when measured in terms of their temporal discharge properties.     

Optimization of Brillouin pump wavelength location on tunable multiwavelength BEFL

Optimization of Brillouin pump (BP) wavelength location on tunable multiwavelength Brillouin-erbium fiber laser (BEFL) with BP pre-amplified technique is experimentally investigated. The tunable multiwavelength BEFL is achieved by utilization a tunable band-pass filter in a laser cavity. The optimum BP power and BP wavelength location within the filter bandwidth is determined in order to obtain the maximum stable output channels. Optimum distance of launching the BP wavelength is found at 0.80 nm shorter from the center wavelength of the filter bandwidth. 15 stable output channels are achieved from the tunable fiber laser system within the optimum range of BP power which is found to be between 5.2 to 5.7 dBm.     

Ion-Exchange selectivity coefficients in the exchange of calcium,strontium, cobalt,nickel, zinc,and cadmium ions with hydrogen ion in variously cross-linked polystyrene sulfonate cation exchangers at 25°C

The ion-exchange selectivity parameters for the exchange of trace calcium, strontium, cobalt, nickel, zinc, and cadmium ions with hydrogen ion in cross-linked polystyrene-sulfonic acid cation exchangers have been determined from equilibrium ionic distribution measurements at 25°C in dilute solutions of perchloric acid and polystyrene-sulfonic acid. The selectivity behavior in perchloric acid solutions shows that the divalent ion is always preferred by the resin phase. The selectivity coefficients are a smooth function of resin phase concentration, increasing with concentration for Sr²⁺ more than for Ca²⁺ and Cd²⁺ and being practically independent of resin phase concentration for Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺. The selectivity coefficients measured in salt-free solutions of polystyrene-sulfonic acid show a marked dependence on the polyelectrolyte concentration, the divalent ion being preferred by the aqueous phase. This preference diminishes with the concentration of polyelectrolyte. These results are interpreted by resort to the Gibbs-Duhem equation. This thermodynamic analysis has been facilitated by the availability of osmotic coefficient data for the pure polyelectrolyte ion forms over a large concentration range. Ion-exchange selectivity predictions by using this approach accurately reflect the observed ion-exchange selectivity behavior.     

A Novel Fluorescent Biosensor for Detection of Silver Ions Based on Upconversion Nanoparticles

In this paper, we report a simple and sensitive fluorescent biosensor for the quantitative analysis of silver ions (Ag⁺) by using NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Tm³⁺ upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). Ag⁺ could oxidize o-phenylenediamine (OPD) to the oxidized OPD (oxOPD) directly. The fluorescence of UCNPs can be significantly quenched by oxOPD through inner filter effects (IFE). Under the optimized conditions, the Ag⁺ concentration is proportional to the changes of the fluorescence intensity of UCNPs. The proposed method shows high selectivity and Ag⁺ could be quantitatively detected in the range of 0 to 0.5 mM with a low detection limit of 33 nM for Ag⁺. The selectivity and sensitivity of the detection can also be satisfactory. More importantly, this method has potential in practical application to detect Ag⁺ in real samples without interference.     

Some aspects of the surface scattering of underwater sound

The mechanism of a sound wave reflection by the sea surface in the general context of the theory of time-variant communication channels theory has been studied. It is shown that the surface scattering can be represented by a constant filter in parallel with a random filter. The acoustic equations allow one to calculate the instantaneous transfer function of the equivalent filter. An experimental study conducted with a reduced scale model in an acoustic tank confirms the theoretical results.     

单组分双分析通道红外气体检测方法研究

基于单分析通道非分散红外(non-dispersive infrared, NDIR)气体分析技术, 提出一种单组分双分析通道气体检测方法. 根据SO₂的红外吸收特征, 采用逐线积分气体吸收模型和方法, 选择洛伦兹展宽线型并考虑温度和气压对积分线强、线型的影响, 确定了两个分析通道的滤波参数.使用7.32 μm和4 μm波段分别反演小于等于 280 ppm与大于280 ppm的SO₂浓度;使用最小二乘法, 以三阶多项式为拟合模型, 获得了两个分析通道的定标曲线.对系统的测量线性度、检测限和测量准确度进行了分析. 两个分析通道的联合可以实现约几ppm至10000 ppm的宽动态范围的SO₂测量, 且系统测量线性度大于0.99, 测量误差小于5%.既克服了NDIR气体分析技术检测灵敏度和宽动态测量范围不能同时兼顾的缺陷, 良好的系统测量线性度还为多组分气体分析的干扰修正提供了非常必要的前提条件.