Valence parity to distinguish c' and z• ions from electron capture dissociation/electron transfer dissociation of peptides: effects of isomers, isobars, and proteolysis specificity

Valence parity provides a way to distinguish between N-terminal and C-terminal electron capture dissociation/electron transfer dissociation (ECD/ETD) product ions based on their number of hydrogen plus nitrogen atoms determined by accurate mass measurement and forms a basis for de novo peptide sequencing. The effect of mass accuracy (0.1-1 ppm error) on c'/z(?) overlap and unique elemental composition overlap is evaluated for a database of c'/z(?) product ions each based on all possible amino acid combinations and four subset databases containing the same c' ions but with z(?) ions determined by in silico digestion with trypsin, Glu-C, Lys-C, or chymotrypsin. High mass accuracy reduces both c'/z(?) overlap and unique elemental composition overlap. Of the four proteases, trypsin offers slightly better discrimination between N- and C-terminal ECD/ETD peptides. Interestingly, unique elemental composition overlap curves for c'/c' and z(?)/z(?) peptide ions exhibit discontinuities at certain nominal masses for 0.1-1.0 ppm mass error. Also, as noted in the companion article (Polfer et al. Anal. Chem.2011, DOI: 10.1021/ac201624t), the number of ECD/ETD product ion amino acid compositions as a function of nominal mass increases exponentially with mass but with a superimposed modulation due to higher prevalence of certain elemental compositions.     

Enhancing sensitivity and selectivity of long-period grating sensors using structure-switching aptamers bound to gold-doped macroporous silica coatings

High surface area, sol-gel derived macroporous silica films doped with gold nanoparticles (AuNP) are used as a platform for high-density affinity-based immobilization of functional structure-switching DNA aptamer molecules onto Michelson interferometer long-period grating (LPG) fiber sensors, allowing for label-free detection of small molecular weight analytes such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The high surface area afforded by the sol-gel derived material allowed high loading of DNA aptamers, while the inclusion of gold nanoparticles within the silica film provided a high refractive index (RI) overlay, which is required to enhance the sensitivity of the LPG sensor according to our numerical simulations. By using a structure-switching aptamer construct that could release an oligonucleotide upon binding of ATP, the effective change in RI was both enhanced and inverted (i.e., binding of ATP caused a net reduction in molecular weight and refractive index), resulting in a system that prevented signals originating from nonspecific binding. This is the first report on the coupling of aptamers to LPG fiber sensors and the first use of high RI AuNP/silica films as supports to immobilize biomolecules onto the LPG sensor surface. The dual functionality of such films to both improve binding density and LPG sensor cladding refractive index results in a substantial enhancement in the sensitivity of such sensors for small molecule detection.     

Compensation for time fluctuations of phase modulation in a liquid-crystal-on-silicon display by process synchronization in laser materials processing

We demonstrate the adverse influence of temporal fluctuations of the phase modulation of a spatial light modulator (SLM) display device on nanosecond laser micromachining. We show that active cooling of the display reduces the amplitude of these fluctuations, and we demonstrate a process synchronization technique developed to compensate for these fluctuations when applying the SLM to laser materials processing. For alternative SLM devices developed specifically for laser wavefront control (which do not exhibit such flickering problems), we show that our process synchronization approach is also beneficial to avoid machining glitches when switching quickly between different phase profiles (and hence beam patterns).     

Characterization and optimization of Yb-doped photonic-crystal fiber rod amplifiers using spatially resolved spectral interferometry

Spatially resolved spectral interferometry is used to measure the mode content of a Yb-doped photonic-crystal fiber rod amplifier with a 2300 μm(2) mode area. The technique, known as S(2) imaging, was adapted for the short fiber amplifier at full power and revealed a small amount of a copolarized LP(11) mode. Simulations illustrate the potential for weak mode suppression in this fiber and agree qualitatively with the measurements of S(2) and M(2). Higher-order-mode content depends on the alignment of the input signal at injection and ranged from -18 dB for optimized alignment to -13 dB when the injection alignment was offset along the LP(11) axis by 30% of the 55 μm mode-field diameter.     

Multiple transmitter performance with appropriate amplitude modulation for free-space optical communication

The propagation of a free-space optical communications signal through atmospheric turbulence experiences random fluctuations in intensity, including signal fades, which negatively impact the performance of the communications link. The gamma-gamma probability density function is commonly used to model the scintillation of a single beam. One proposed method to reduce the occurrence of scintillation-induced fades at the receiver plane involves the use of multiple beams propagating through independent paths, resulting in a sum of independent gamma-gamma random variables. Recently an analytical model for the probability distribution of irradiance from the sum of multiple independent beams was developed. Because truly independent beams are practically impossible to create, we present here a more general but approximate model for the distribution of beams traveling through partially correlated paths. This model compares favorably with wave-optics simulations and highlights the reduced scintillation as the number of transmitted beams is increased. Additionally, a pulse-position modulation scheme is used to reduce the impact of signal fades when they occur. Analytical and simulated results showed significantly improved performance when compared to fixed threshold on/off keying.     

MHz-rate nitric oxide planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging in a Mach 10 hypersonic wind tunnel

Nitric oxide planar laser-induced fluorescence (NO PLIF) imaging at repetition rates as high as 1 MHz is demonstrated in the NASA Langley 31 in. Mach 10 hypersonic wind tunnel. Approximately 200 time-correlated image sequences of between 10 and 20 individual frames were obtained over eight days of wind tunnel testing spanning two entries in March and September of 2009. The image sequences presented were obtained from the boundary layer of a 20° flat plate model, in which transition was induced using a variety of different shaped protuberances, including a cylinder and a triangle. The high-speed image sequences captured a variety of laminar and transitional flow phenomena, ranging from mostly laminar flow, typically at a lower Reynolds number and/or in the near wall region of the model, to highly transitional flow in which the temporal evolution and progression of characteristic streak instabilities and/or corkscrew-shaped vortices could be clearly identified.     

物体打击事故分析与应对策略

结合具体物体打击事故,分析了研究脚手架、预留洞口和拆除落物打击安全事故发生的根本原因,总结脚手架、预留洞口和拆除落物打击事故的经验教训,指出应不断加强施工人员的安全教育培训,切实提高建筑从业人员的安全意识,以减少或避免施工过程中物体打击事故的发生。     

A biomonitoring framework to support exposure and risk assessments

Background

Biomonitoring is used in exposure and risk assessments to reduce uncertainties along the source-to-outcome continuum. Specifically, biomarkers can help identify exposure sources, routes, and distributions, and reflect kinetic and dynamic processes following exposure events. A variety of computational models now utilize biomarkers to better understand exposures at the population, individual, and sub-individual (target) levels. However, guidance is needed to clarify biomonitoring use given available measurements and models.

Objective

This article presents a biomonitoring research framework designed to improve biomarker use and interpretation in support of exposure and risk assessments.

Discussion

The biomonitoring research framework is based on a modified source-to-outcome continuum. Five tiers of biomonitoring analyses are included in the framework, beginning with simple cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, and ending with complex analyses using various empirical and mechanistic models. Measurements and model requirements of each tier are given, as well as considerations to enhance analyses. Simple theoretical examples are also given to demonstrate applications of the framework for observational exposure studies.

Conclusion

This biomonitoring framework can be used as a guide for interpreting existing biomarker data, designing new studies to answer specific exposure- and risk-based questions, and integrating knowledge across scientific disciplines to better address human health risks.     

锤式破碎机可重用的建模仿真优化方法研究

为了解决锤式破碎机的设计分析问题,同时在满足性能要求的前提下得到关键件的优化尺寸,提出了以分析元和分析树为支撑的构件化分析方法。在开发建模仿真优化算法的软件框架基础上,充分考虑多学科协同优化和刚柔耦合模型特点,对典型产品PCM400、PCM250、PCM160型锤式破碎机进行了一体化的建模仿真,并对轴进行了优化。研究结果表明,该方法有效可行,对工程实践具有重要的指导作用。     

如何加强交通工程造价管理

交通工程造价管理的重点工作就是控制好工程造价,控制工程造价主要是以设计阶段为重点的全过程控制,加强招投标阶段、施工阶段、竣工结算阶段等阶段的造价管理与控制。