New analytical tools and epidemiological data for the identification of HbA2 borderline subjects in the screening for beta-thalassemia

The increase of HbA(2) is the most important feature in the identification of beta-thalassemia carriers. However, some carriers are difficult to identify, because the level of HbA(2) is not in the typical range. Few data are available concerning the prevalence of such unusual phenotypes, and knowing their expected prevalence could be helpful in detecting systematic drifts in the analytical systems for HbA(2) quantification. In this study we report a retrospective investigation in two centres with high prevalence of beta-thalassemia. The prevalence of borderline subjects was found to be 2.2 and 3.0%, respectively. The genotypes of a subgroup of these subjects were then analyzed and in about 25% of cases a mutation in the globin genes was identified. We conclude that the occurrence of HbA(2) borderline phenotypes is not a rare event. In order to obtain more accurate HbA(2) measurements the development of an international reference measurement system for HbA(2), based on quantitative peptide mapping, has been recently started. We believe that the innovative approach of our method could also be used as a model to develop accurate quantitative methods for other red cell proteins relevant to the biodynamic properties and the surface electrochemistry of erythrocytes.     

Observation and control of transverse energy-transport barrier due to the formation of an energetic-electron layer with sheared ExB flow

Off-axis electron-cyclotron heating in an axisymmetric barrier mirror produces a cylindrical layer with energetic electrons, which flow through the central cell and into the end region. The layer, producing a localized bumped ambipolar potential Phi(C), forms a strong shear of radial electric fields E(r) and peaked vorticity with the direction reversal of E(r)xB sheared flow near the Phi(C) peak. Intermittent vortexlike turbulent structures near the layer are suppressed in the central cell by this actively produced transverse energy-transport barrier; this results in T(e) and T(i) rises surrounded by the layer.     

S波段光纤拉曼放大器中级联受激布里渊散射串扰的实验研究

研究了光纤激光器前向抽运的S波段分布式光纤拉曼放大器中级联的受激布里渊散射(SBS)串扰现象。用窄光谱带宽(<100MHz)的可调谐激光二极管作为信号源,通过S波段分布式光纤拉曼放大器,当被放大的信号功率超过单模光纤受激布里渊散射的阈值时,出现了前向受激布里渊散射,这是传导声波布里渊散射在光纤放大器中放大的现象。随着拉曼放大器抽运功率的提高,在斯托克斯区,出现了两阶受激布里渊散射线,在实验中观测到偶数阶的受激布里渊散射谱线功率大于奇数阶的布里渊一瑞利散射线。当进一步增加拉曼放大器的抽运功率,出现了前向级联的多阶受激布里渊散射现象,拉曼放大器的增益下降,被放大的信号功率转换为受激布里渊散射,噪声变大。受激布里渊散射的串扰破坏了拉曼放大器的特性,使拉曼放大器无法在密集波分复用光纤传输系统中使用,因此需要严格地控制入纤的信号功率和放大器的抽运功率。在实验中还观测到在光纤拉曼放大器中被放大的信号光和受激布里渊散射线两侧的伴线。     

三种氨基酸荧光光谱的量子化学研究

氨基酸荧光光谱的量子化学计算为氨基酸荧光分析方法的设计与选择提供了一定的理论依据。本文采用量子化学半经验方法AM1对三种氨基酸的荧光光谱进行了理论研究。对三种化合物的结构进行优化后 ,从其结构参数可知分子具有刚性平面结构 ,具有大的离域π键。并对优化后的构型作振动分析 ,均未出现虚频率 ,证明该结构是稳定构型。在此基础上 ,采用单激发态组态相互作用 (CIS)方法计算其荧光激发波长及强度 ,并给出了三种化合物荧光光谱的波长与CIS组态数之间的关系。所得计算结果与实验值基本吻合。     

Quasi-variational principles of single flexible body dynamics and their applications

The reasons for studying single flexible body dynamics are that on one hand, it is the basis of flexible multi-body dynamics. If the theory of the single flexible body dynamics has been deeply studied, the theory of flexible multi-body dynamics will be researched easily. On the other hand, it has its unique and important applications. Quasi-variational principle of non-conservative single flexible body dynamics is established under the cross-link of particle rigid body mechanics and deformable body mechanics. Taking the interceptor as an example, this paper has explained the physical meaning of the quasi-stationary value condition of the quasi-variational principle in non-conservative single flexible body dynamics. Taking the launch of rocket as an example, it has illustrated the features of “one force for two effects” in a single flexible body dynamics. With an example of the extending flexible beam coupled with the spacecraft attitude, it has shown the transition from the single flexible body dynamics to the flexible multi-body dynamics. Finally, a number of related problems are discussed. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 10272034), the Doctoral Education Foundation (Grant No. 20060217020), and the Natural Science Foundation of Harbin Engineering University (Grant No. HEUF04003)     

高校光电工程创新人才的培养路径选择

社会的发展对光电工程师能力提出新的要求,高校必须探索新的人才培养路径。通过对华中科技大学光电学院应届毕业生的问卷调查,了解本科生创新能力发展状况,分析创新环境、主动学习以及实践环节三者对创新能力的影响,提出了大学培养光电专业本科生工程创新能力的多种路径选择。     

Cyclic homology of algebras with one generator

We compute the cyclic homology of A = k[X]/X ⁿ for an arbitrary commutative ring k, and we apply this result to compute the cyclic homology of k[X]/f, when k is a field and f is an arbitrary polynomial.This work was presented at the IX-ELAM, Santigo de Chile, July 1988, and was partially supported by CONICET.The following pepole participated in this research: Jorge A. Guccione, juan José guccione, Maria Julia Redondo, Andrea Solotar, and Orlando E. Villamayor.     

An evaluation of methods for contact angle measurement

A systematic comparison of Wilhelmy-balance tensiometry (WBT), tilting-plate goniometry (TPG) and captive-drop goniometry (CDG), using a variety of silane-treated glass surfaces of variable wetting characteristics is reported. WBT was assumed to be the benchmark of comparison (gold standard). Advancing angles measured by TPG and CDG were in statistical agreement with corresponding WBT measurements. In contrast, receding angles from both goniometric techniques were systematically higher than WBT.     

Effects of ocean thermocline variability on noncoherent underwater acoustic communications

The performance of acoustic modems in the ocean is strongly affected by the ocean environment. A storm can drive up the ambient noise levels, eliminate a thermocline by wind mixing, and whip up violent waves and thereby break up the acoustic mirror formed by the ocean surface. The combined effects of these and other processes on modem performance are not well understood. The authors have been conducting experiments to study these environmental effects on various modulation schemes. Here the focus is on the role of the thermocline on a widely used modulation scheme (frequency-shift keying). Using data from a recent experiment conducted in 100-m-deep water off the coast of Kauai, HI, frequency-shift-key modulation performance is shown to be strongly affected by diurnal cycles in the thermocline. There is dramatic variation in performance (measured by bit error rates) between receivers in the surface duct and receivers in the thermocline. To interpret the performance variations in a quantitative way, a precise metric is introduced based on a signal-to-interference-noise ratio that encompasses both the ambient noise and intersymbol interference. Further, it will be shown that differences in the fading statistics for receivers in and out of the thermocline explain the differences in modem performance.     

Occupational UV Exposure of Environmental Agents in Valencia,Spain

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is considered the most important environmental risk factor in the development of melanoma and skin cancer. Outdoor workers are among those with the highest risk from exposure to solar UVR, as their daily activities constantly expose them to this radiation source. A study was carried out in Valencia, Spain, in summer 2012 and involved a group of 11 workers for a period of six 2‐day recordings. Sensitive spore‐film filter‐type personal dosimeters (VioSpor) were used to measure erythemal UVR received by environmental agents in the course of their daily work. Median 2‐day UV exposure was 6.2 standard erythema dose (SED), with 1 SED defined as effective 100 J m^?2 when weighted with the Commission Internationale de L′Eclairage's (CIE) erythemal response function. These workers were found to receive a median of 8.3% total daily ambient ultraviolet erythemal radiation. Comparison with the occupational UV exposure limit showed that the subjects had received an erythemal UV dose in excess of occupational guidelines, indicating that protective measures against this risk are highly advisable.