A Bulk Acoustic Wave Viscosity Sensor for Determination of Lysozyme Based on Lysis of Micrococcus Lysodeikeicus

 A method for determination of lysozyme with a Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) viscosity sensor is presented. It is based on the bacteriolytic action of lysozyme on Micrococcus lysodeikeicus (M. lysodeikeicus) and the response of the sensor to the viscosity and density change of this process. There was a good correlation between the frequency shift and the concentration of lysozyme in the range 10–100 μg/ml. The content of lysozyme in human saliva was determined by this method and the results obtained were in good agreement with those from the conventional turbidimetric method. This method has an advantage over the conventional turbidimetric method in that the amount of sample needed is smaller, the procedure is simpler and the concentration range of the bacterium suspension which can be used in the detection was extended. Received September 11, 1998. Revision March 15, 1999.     

Effect of impinging plate geometry on the self-excitation of subsonic impinging jets

In the generation of discrete tones by subsonic impinging jets, there exists a difference of opinion as how the feedback is achieved, i.e., the path of the feedback acoustic waves is whether inside the jet or outside the jet? The only available model (Tam and Ahuja model) for the prediction of an average subsonic jet impingement tone frequency assumes that the upstream part of the feedback loop is closed by an upstream propagating neutral wave of the jet. But, there is no information about the plate geometry in the model. The present study aims at understanding the effect of the plate geometry (size and co-axial hole in the plate) on the self-excitation process of subsonic impinging jets and the path of the acoustic feedback to the nozzle exit. The present results show that there is no effect of plate diameter on the frequency of the self-excitation. A new type of tones is generated for plates with co-axial hole (hole diameter is equal to nozzle exit diameter) for Mach numbers 0.9 and 0.95, in addition to the axisymmetric and helical mode tones observed for plates without co-axial hole. The stability results show that the Strouhal number of the least dispersive upstream propagating neutral waves match with the average Strouhal number of the new tones observed in the present experiments. The present study extends the validity of the model of Tam and Ahuja to a plate with co-axial hole (annular plate) and by doing so, we indirectly confirmed that the major acoustic feedback path to the nozzle exit is inside the jet.     

SITE GAINS AND ITS ESTIMATION METHOD OF A LIGHTNING LOCATION SYSTEM

We discuss a new concept in lightning location system (LLS). Specitically,it is anoptimum method of lightning signal strength and a parameterization method of the site gaincurve estimation in LLS. Site gain correction curves for all DFs for 1989 were found byusing the data observed in an LLS of three direction finders (DFs) in Beijing region. Theresult shows that the curves, as a function of measured bearing, only include the one- andtwo-cycle sinusoidal components. It also indicates that the larger the site errors which DFhas, the larger the amplitude of the site gain curve. In this LLS, the ranges of site gainare 0.9--1.2, 0.85--1.05, 0.9--1.1 for DF1, DF2 and DF3 respectively. For discussion, we suggested a model for site gains due to dipole radiation. This modelcan be used to reasonably explain the characteristics of structure of site gain curves.     

Scattering of plane acoustic waves by a transversely isotropic cylindrical shell—application to material characterization

Scattering of obliquely incident plane acoustic wave by an air-filled, transversely isotropic cylindrical shell immersed in water is investigated theoretically and experimentally. The normal mode expansion technique is employed for analyzing the scattering field, and then resonance modes of the shell appearing in modal scattering form functions are identified performing the resonance scattering analysis. Dispersion curves for Sholte-Stoneley, SH and Lamb waves are obtained and their characteristics are interpreted. Calculated backscattering and resonance spectra as well as dispersion curves are compared with those from ultrasonic experiments for two composite samples having the same nominal composition but fabricated under different conditions. Sensitive change of the dispersion curves is observed for both normal and oblique incidences, which demonstrates the feasibility of systematic inverse evaluation of damage or elastic constants of the composite shell using data from the acoustic scattering measurements.     

Precession and Interference in the Aharonov–Casher and Scalar Aharonov–Bohm Effects

The ideal scalar Aharonov–Bohm (SAB) and Aharonov–Casher (AC) effect involve a magnetic dipole pointing in a certain fixed direction: along a purely time dependent magnetic field in the SAB case and perpendicular to a planar static electric field in the AC case. We extend these effects to arbitrary direction of the magnetic dipole. The precise conditions for having nondispersive precession and interference effects in these generalized set ups are delineated both classically and quantally. Under these conditions the dipole is affected by a nonvanishing torque that causes pure precession around the directions defined by the ideal set ups. It is shown that the precession angles are in the quantal case linearly related to the ideal phase differences, and that the nonideal phase differences are nonlinearly related to the ideal phase differences. It is argued that the latter nonlinearity is due to the appearance of a geometric phase associated with the nontrivial spin path. It is further demonstrated that the spatial force vanishes in all cases except in the classical treatment of the nonideal AC set up, where the occurring force has to be compensated by the experimental arrangement. Finally, for a closed space-time loop the local precession effects can be inferred from the interference pattern characterized by the nonideal phase differences and the visibilities. It is argued that this makes it natural to regard SAB and AC as essentially local and nontopological effects.     

Noise effects of reducing traffic flow through a Spanish city

Towards the end of 1999, the building of one of the main communication routes in Spain was finished, the A-3 motorway, which connects Madrid and Valencia. So far, this road was running through the town Motilla de Palancar, province of Cuenca. The opening of the last section of the motorway on 3 December 1999, re-routes all the traffic passing through the town. This study makes a comparative of the noise levels before and after the opening of the motorway that goes through Motilla de Palancar.     

五象限法声源自动跟踪器

介绍由两同心圆组成的等投影面积五象限声－电测量装置的工作原理。当声波与声－电转换器的主要测象限垂直时，其声波在主要测象限内产生的声－电电压最强。根据声－电电压的变化大小来确定声源的方向，实现自动跟踪。