Experimental investigation of the aquatic propulsion caused by localised flexural wave propagation in immersed wedges and plates

This paper describes the results of the experimental verification of the idea of wave-like aquatic propulsion of autonomous and man-inhabited vessels first published about 10 years ago by one of the present authors (V.V.K.). The idea is based on employing the unique type of localised flexural elastic waves propagating along edges of wedge-like structures immersed in water (wedge elastic waves). Such wedge-like structures supporting localised elastic waves can be attached like fish fins to a body of a small ship or a submarine and used for their propulsion. The proposed principle of employing localised flexural waves as a source of aquatic propulsion has been biologically inspired by the specific swimming mode used in nature by stingrays. To verify the idea experimentally, the first working prototype of a small catamaran using the above-mentioned wave-like propulsion via the attached rubber keel has been build and tested in Loughborough University. The tests have been carried out in two phases, in a water tank and then in open water. The test results have shown that the catamaran was propelled very efficiently and could achieve the speed of 36 cm/s, i.e., about one vehicle length per second, thus demonstrating that the idea of wave-like propulsion of small man-inhabited craft is viable. The reported proof of the viability of this idea may open new opportunities for marine craft propulsion, which can have far reaching implications.     

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用TSC程序模拟了EAST装置等离子体放电的全过程。模拟中考虑了自举电流，并加入了离子回旋共振加热ICRH和快波电流驱动FWCD，得到了中心电子温度4.5keV、中心离子温度3.8keV、中心电子密度1.2×1020m–3的D形截面的等离子体。根据模拟结果对EAST装置进行了伏秒数分析，并研究了不同等离子体电流上升时间、有效电荷数Zeff对放电的影响。     

Planned positron experiments at FRM-II

The new research reactor FRM-II near Munich has a strong positron source, which delivers an intense, nearly monoenergetic positron beam. Our positron systems, the pulsed low energy positron source (PLEPS) and the scanning positron microscope (SPM) will be operated at this beam. Some aspects of matching these systems to the new positron source will be discussed.Considerable improvements are expected, e.g. more than 10⁵ s⁻¹ recorded events at PLEPS and sub-micrometre resolution at SPM. They will enable investigations in so far inaccessible problems like the evaluation of annihilation characteristics and trapping constants of individual defects or studies of fast dynamical processes. In applied materials science complex defect structures will be studied which demand a resolution into many differing lifetimes, e.g. fractured specimens, wear, corrosion, etc. Also large series of measurements at small systematic modifications are planned. There is also the opportunity to analyse in addition the chemical microstructure of the specimens by means of a hydrogen microprobe and other ion beam techniques available close to FRM-II at the Technical University of Munich.     

Matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation processing of triacetate-pullulan polysaccharide thin films for drug delivery systems

We report the first successful deposition of triacetate-pullulan polysaccharide thin films by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation. We used a KrF* excimer laser source (λ = 248 nm, τ ≈ 20 ns) operated at a repetition rate of 10 Hz. We demonstrated by FTIR that our thin films are composed of triacetate-pullulan maintaining its chemical structure and functionality. The dependence on incident laser fluence of the induced surface morphology is analysed.     

程控电流示波计时电位法

使用计算机产生极化电流具有纯度高，稳定性好和波形形状种类多等优点。研究了极化电流的频率，波形和相角对示波图的影响。对Ｃｄ＾２＋的测定的线性范围为２×１０＾－５～２×１０＾－４ｍｏｌ／Ｌ，相关系数为０．９９７，该方法可且希望用于分析测试和动力学方面的研究。     

定位定量检测光电内窥系统

本文分析定位定量窥测系统设计中普遍存在的问题,提出一种检测方案,并预示窥测仪器的发展趋势。     

Recognition of ring pairs in the data analysis of Cherenkov detectors

We present a new algorithm for the identification of ring pairs in Cherenkov detectors. The approach combines linear regression methods for the construction of an appropriate reference quantity, methods from statistics for the evaluation of hypotheses and Monte Carlo simulation runs for the tuning of threshold levels.     

VA族元素对阳极铅(Ⅱ)氧化物膜半导体性质的影响(Ⅱ)

用光电化学电流法研究了铅、铅砷、铅锑和铅铋合金在4．5mol·L－1H2SO4溶液（22℃）中，以0．9V（vs．Hg／Hg2SO4）极化7h而形成的阳极膜中的氧化铅的半导体性质，合金添加剂砷、锑和铋对t－PbO（四方氧化铝）和o-PbO（斜方氧化铝）的禁带宽度没有影响，从量子效率和电位的关系可求Pb，Pb－lat％As（at％表示原子百分比，全文同），Pb-lat％Sb和Sb－lat％Bi上膜中t－Pbo的施主密度（ND）分别为9．3×1015，1．0×1016，3．1×1016和1．3×1017cm-3，平带位分别为-0．20，－0．22，－0．28和-0．08V（vs．Hg／Hg2SO4）．比较VA元素砷、锑和铋对上述膜中t－Pbo的ND（从而自由电子密度）和膜中t－Pbo的生长速率的影响，可认为法添加剂砷、锑和铋对阳极膜中t-Pbo的作用符合Hauffe规则．     

Use of participant EQA results to assess sample homogeneity and stability for qualitative analytes

International requirements for PT and EQA state that providers must demonstrate that samples are homogeneous and stable. However, testing for homogeneity and stability can be expensive, use samples that could otherwise serve as quality-control materials, and can also fail to detect significant inhomogeneity and instability. In some situations it may be preferable to use the results from participants to identify problems with sample lots, if historic results follow predictable distributions and a statistical decision rule can be produced. An unusually high proportion of incorrect results may indicate that samples were inhomogeneous or unstable. Conditions under which this can be demonstrated are discussed, and the efficacy of the proposal is demonstrated with two examples. This procedure is especially effective when there are a large number of participants and/or a historic small proportion of incorrect results. Providers who adopt this proposal will need to retain samples for testing and assume the risk of distributing bad samples.Presented at the Eurachem PT Workshop September 2005, Portorož, Slovenia     

Metabolomic-based investigation of Yinlan alleviating hyperlipidemia by inhibiting blood stasis and phlegm turbidity through the PXR-CYP3A4-ABCB1-FXR pathway

Yinlan lipid regulatory capsule (YL) is a composite traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) new drug to alleviate hyperlipidemia, while its therapeutic mechanism in vivo was not clarified with nontargeted metabolomics investigation. An animal model was established in rats fed a high-fat diet, and their body weights, body mass index (BMI) and blood cholesterol levels were measured. Serum, liver and kidney tissue samples were also extracted for PXR-CYP3A4-ABCB1-FXR signaling pathway research using PCR and UHPLC–MS. The obtained plasma samples were analyzed by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS metabolomic investigation, which revealed PXR-CYP3A4-related metabolites and changes induced by YL. Finally, the key metabolites were chosen as index components, and their levels in the serum, liver, small intestine and bile were used for simultaneous UHPLC–MS-MS determination. The results indicated that YL was effective in rebalancing blood TG and TC levels (compared to controls). With respect to the PXR-CYP3A4-ABCB1 pathway, as a result of YL’s effect, gene expression or activity of the two targets decreased significantly in both the liver and kidney. The same trend was observed in the serum samples mentioned above. Metabolomics screening and data revealed that 44 metabolites can be regarded as biomarkers related to hyperlipidemia, fatty acids synthesis, and body energy consumption, as well as synthesis, transportation and exertion of cholesterol. YL’s treatment focused on 26 of them, primarily bile acids, indicating that the antihyperlipidemic effect of this drug lies in its inhibitory activity of cholesterol metabolism. Subsequent analysis of those in vivo components revealed that significant increases (compared to the model group) occurred in the blood, liver, small intestine and bile in groups that received medium and high doses of YL (while the low dose was relatively unchanged). Those target components exhibit a close relationship with PXR and/or CYP3A4. The use of YL repressed PXR expression and subsequently decreased CYP3A4 activity. As a result, synthesis of related bile acids increased, while cholesterol levels decreased, consequently leading to the attenuation of hyperlipidemia. This study comprehensively investigated the antihyperlipidemia mechanism of YL based on its repression of PXR-CYP3A4 activity and related metabolite yield, establishing an accurate method for evaluating the therapeutic effect of YL.