Broadband excitation pulses for high‐field solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

In nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, experimental limits due to the radiofrequency transmitter and/or coil means that conventional radiofrequency pulses (“hard pulses”) are sometimes not sufficiently powerful to excite magnetization uniformly over a desired range of frequencies. Effects due to nonuniform excitation are most frequently encountered at high magnetic fields for nuclei with a large range of chemical shifts. Using optimal control theory, we have designed broadband excitation pulses that are suitable for solid‐state samples under magic‐angle‐spinning conditions. These pulses are easy to implement, robust to spinning frequency variations, and radiofrequency inhomogeneities, and only four times as long as a corresponding hard pulse. The utility of these pulses for uniformly exciting ¹³C nuclei is demonstrated on a 900 MHz (21.1 T) spectrometer. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coexistence and harvesting control policy in a food chain model with mutual defense of prey

A model is proposed to understand the dynamics in a food chain (one predator‐two prey). Unlike many approaches, we consider mutualism (for defense against predators) between the two groups of prey. We investigate the conditions for coexistence and exclusion. Unlike Elettreby's (2009) results, we show that prey can coexist in the absence of predators (as expected since there is no competition between prey). We also show the existence of Hopf bifurcation and limit cycle in the model, and numerically present bifurcation diagrams in terms of mutualism and harvesting. When the harvest is practiced for profit making, we provide the threshold effort value that determines the profitability of the harvest. We show that there is zero profit when the constant effort is applied. Below (resp. above) , there will always be gain (resp. loss). In the case of gain, we provide the optimal effort and optimal steady states that produce maximum profit and ensure coexistence. Recommendations for resource managers As a result of our investigation, we bring the following to the attention of management:

• 1. In the absence of predators, different groups of prey can coexist if they mutually help each other (no competition among them).
• 2. There is a maximal effort to invest in order to gain profit from the harvest. Above , the investment will result in a loss.
• 3. In the case of profit from harvest, policy makers should recommend the optimal effort to be applied and the optimal stock to harvest. This will guarantee maximum profit while ensuring sustainability of all species.

     

Plasma generation in silicon-based inductive grid arrays

Selective illumination of a silicon wafer can be used for the construction of non-permanent inductive grids. A numerical model is used for the calculation of plasma density distribution in silicon as a function of time. Some indicative results on the microwave properties of the device are presented.     

Probing defect species on real surfaces from the analysis of the spectral profile of admolecules

The analysis of changes in the vibrational spectrum of infrared active molecules adsorbed on a ionic surface containing point or extended defects can be an efficient method to determine the nature and density of surface defects. We study the infrared response of ammonia molecules deposited on a ionic surface of MgO containing charge vacancies and dipolar defects in various concentrations and distributions and show significant changes assigned to the defects signature. A Monte Carlo approach is used to randomly deposit the probe molecules on the surface displaying random or regularly arranged defects at low temperature.     

Practical synthesis of C1–8 fragment of autolytimycin via a chelation-controlled diastereoselective addition of diisopropenylzinc to α-methoxy aldehyde

The C1–8 fragment of autolytimycin was synthesized via a reliable 10-step route capable of delivering 41% overall yield at multi-gram scale. As a key step, a chelation-controlled isopropenylation of α-oxygenated aldehydes was established with a reagent combination of diisopropenylzinc, magnesium halide, and a dichloromethane/toluene mixed solvent. Cram-chelate isopropenylation products dominated for aldehydes with a small α-substituents, such as –OMe and –OBn groups, while the Felkin product could be obtained with a bulky –OTBS group.     

Direct Blue 71 staining as a destaining‐free alternative loading control method for Western blotting

In Western blotting, a suitable loading control is indispensable for correcting errors in the total amount of loaded protein. Immunodetection of housekeeping proteins and total protein staining have traditionally been used as loading control methods. Direct Blue 71 (DB71) staining—a novel, sensitive, dye‐binding staining method compatible with immunodetection—may offer advantages over these traditional loading control methods. Three common neuroscientific samples (human plasma, human oligodendrocytes, and rat brain) were employed to assess DB71 staining as a loading control method for Western blotting. DB71, CBB, one traditional housekeeping protein, and one protein of interest were comparatively assessed for reliability and repeatability and linear dynamic range over 2.5–40 μg of protein loaded. DB71's effect on the reliability and repeatability and linear dynamic range of immunoreaction were also assessed. Across all three sample types, DB71 was either equivalent or superior to CBB and housekeeping protein‐based methods in terms of reliability and repeatability and linear dynamic range. Across all three sample types, DB71 staining did not impair the reliability and repeatability or linear dynamic range of immunoreaction. Our results demonstrate that the DB71 staining can be used as a destaining‐free alternative loading control method for Western blotting.     

系留气球差压数据的三余度设计

鉴于气囊差压数据对系留气球压力调节的至关重要性,提出了一种差压数据的余度设计方法。在分析差压传感器组成特点的基础上,采用硬件双余度差压传感器配置实现了气囊差压数据的三余度设计,并给出了基于互比监控的故障判定逻辑和故障处置方法,以较低的成本大幅提高了系留气球差压测量的容错能力。     

室内环境中脑控轮椅的路径跟踪控制

为了实现室内环境中脑控轮椅的自主导航,提出了一种简单有效的路径跟踪控制方法。给定的路径通常被表示为一系列离散点,根据这一特点,提出了分段直线路径跟踪方法,即依次跟踪由前后两个路径点构成的直线路径到达目标点。基于预瞄点技术并结合模糊算法和传统的PID控制方法设计控制器,完成各分段直线路径的跟踪,并给出了有效的切换条件。实验结果表明,本文提出的路径跟踪控制方法能够使脑控轮椅在室内环境中精确地跟踪给定路径。     

液压四足机器人的实时分散解耦控制

针对液压驱动四足机器人单腿协调性难以保证的问题,开发了一种实时分散解耦控制系统：基于PC-Based控制系统架构,在RTX环境下模块化了实时控制子任务,并对多任务的处理进行了实时调度,搭建出了机器人的实时分散控制系统框架;针对单腿系统设计了基于PID神经元网络的广义解耦控制算法,并将其嵌入到整体程序框架中,实现了多腿联动的分散解耦控制。物理样机实验表明开发的控制系统能够满足分散解耦控制算法的实时性要求,提高了四足机器人运动的协调性,进而保证其连续稳定地行走,具有一定的独创性与实用价值。     

航天相机热实验测试系统设计

为了检测航天相机在高低温环境中的电子学性能及可靠性,针对某型号航天相机地面热实验测试需求,设计开发出了一种热实验测试系统,详细介绍了系统的软硬件设计方案及控温策略。系统使用人机交互界面实现热控策略,能实时完成最高80个测试点(160个温度传感器及80路加热器)的控温任务,可以在－30℃～＋50℃范围内对航天相机进行全方位的温度监控,最高控温精度达到0.5℃。经过实际测试验证,系统具有很好的稳定性,能满足航天相机地面热实验的测试需求,工程应用价值高。