Bunching of fractionally charged quasiparticles tunnelling through high-potential barriers

Shot noise measurements have been used to measure the charge of quasiparticles in the fractional quantum Hall (FQH) regime. To induce shot noise in an otherwise noiseless current of quasiparticles, a barrier is placed in its path to cause weak backscattering. The measured shot noise is proportional to the charge of the quasiparticles; for example, at filling factor v=1/3, noise corresponding to q=e/3 appears. For increasingly opaque barriers, the measured charge increases monotonically, approaching q=e asymptotically. It was therefore believed that only electrons, or alternatively, three bunched quasiparticles, can tunnel through high-potential barriers encountered by a noiseless current of quasiparticles. Here we investigate the interaction of e/3 quasiparticles with a strong barrier in FQH samples and find that bunching of quasiparticles in the strong backscattering limit depends on the average dilution of the quasiparticle current. For a very dilute current, bunching ceases altogether and the transferred charge approaches q=e/3. This surprising result demonstrates that quasiparticles can tunnel individually through high-potential barriers originally thought to be opaque for them.     

遍历测度的一个定理及其应用

设f是紧度量空间上的连续自映射。本文证明,如果f的所有非渐近周期的非游荡点的集合的基数是可列的,则f的遍历测度是它的周期轨道原子测度,且f的拓扑熵为零。作为推论还得到,逐点周期映射有零拓扑熵。另外,当f没有周期点时,其非游荡点的集合的基数是不可列的。     

New synthesis of amphiphilic copolymers PE-<Emphasis Type="Italic">g</Emphasis>-PEO via esterfication

A new series of high molecular weight amphiphilic graft compolymaers PE-g-PEO has been prepared,The esterifications between PE-p-MS-g-MA and PEO with OH group at the chain end are carried out under different conditions,The compositions of these graft copolymers are studied by NMR and FTIR ,It is found to be a converient and efficient way to prepare high molecular weight PE-g-PEO graft copolymers.     

Spontaneous activity of opsin apoprotein is a cause of Leber congenital amaurosis

Mutations in Rpe65 disrupt synthesis of the opsin chromophore ligand 11-cis-retinal and cause Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a severe, early-onset retinal dystrophy. To test whether light-independent signaling by unliganded opsin causes the degeneration, we used Rpe65-null mice, a model of LCA. Dark-adapted Rpe65-/- mice behaved as if light adapted, exhibiting reduced circulating current, accelerated response turn-off, and diminished intracellular calcium. A genetic block of transducin signaling completely rescued degeneration irrespective of an elevated level of retinyl ester. These studies clearly show that activation of sensory transduction by unliganded opsin, and not the accumulation of retinyl esters, causes light-independent retinal degeneration in LCA. A similar mechanism may also be responsible for degeneration induced by vitamin A deprivation.     

Gas-sensing properties of nanocomplex metal oxide

The development of CuOCeO2 nanocomposites as the sensing material of semiconductor gas sensors is reported. CuOCeO2 nanocomplex oxide is prepared by modified sol-gel method that uses copper nitrate, cerium nitrate and ethylene glycol as precursors. The optimized synthesis parameters and processing condition have been established. The particle size and distribution, phase morphology, specific surface, electronic states of atoms and gas sensing properties have been systematically characterized by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and gas sensitivity measurement. The results show that the sensor sensitivity depends on particle size, CuCe cation ratio and calcination temperature. The effects of calcinations temperature and CuO loading on the gas sensitivity are also examined. The optimum calcination temperature and the CuO content for the highest sensitivity are 600 ℃ and 12%, respectively. The combination of excellent thermal stability and tunable sensing properties through careful control of the processing parameters and selection of material composition gives rise to novel nanocomposites attractive to the sensitive and selective detection of a variety of toxic and combustible gases.     

New ommatids of Ommatinae (Coleoptera: Archostemata: Ommatidae) from the Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, China

Four new fossil species of the family Ommatidae from the Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, China are described. Two of them belong to tribe Brochocoleini: Brochocoleus sulcatus sp. nov. and Brochocoleus angustus sp. nov. The other two refer to tribe Ommatini: Cionocoleus planiusculus sp. nov. and Cionocoleus cervicalis sp. nov. The diagnosis of Brochocoleus and Cionocoleus, respectively, are revised. A preliminary analysis of geographical distribution suggests a possible migration pathway of the genus Brochocoleus. The relationship between the genus Cionocoleus and the extant family Crowsoniellidae is briefly discussed.     

Release of endogenous Zn2+ from brain tissue during activity

The role of divalent transition metal ions in neural function is poorly understood. In excess, these ions are associated with neurological disorders such as Wilson's disease, Pick's disease and epileptic seizures. We suggest that zinc ions, which are contained in nerve terminals, are extruded into the extracellular space during neuronal activity. Excessive levels of zinc may be released during intense neuronal activation, and contribute to the paroxysm and toxic damage observed. Zinc ions are contained in high concentrations in mossy fibres of the hippocampal formation, and it is the postsynaptic neurones of these fibres which are most susceptible to the toxic effects of kainic acid, a potent convulsant, or to chronic exposure to organometallic compounds. Here we demonstrate for the first time that Zn2+ is released into the extracellular space during excitation of hippocampal slices.     

Damage by ozone to the mechanical integrity of the protoplast plasmalemma

Summary Ozone acts on the plasmalemma as to weaken its mechanical properties. This results in the bursting of protoplasts.This work was carried ont with the help of a grant by the FCAC, Ministère de l'Education du Québec, Canada.