Sub-laser-cycle electron pulses for probing molecular dynamics

Experience shows that the ability to make measurements in any new time regime opens new areas of science. Currently, experimental probes for the attosecond time regime (10(-18) 10(-15) s) are being established. The leading approach is the generation of attosecond optical pulses by ionizing atoms with intense laser pulses. This nonlinear process leads to the production of high harmonics during collisions between electrons and the ionized atoms. The underlying mechanism implies control of energetic electrons with attosecond precision. We propose that the electrons themselves can be exploited for ultrafast measurements. We use a 'molecular clock', based on a vibrational wave packet in H(2)(+) to show that distinct bunches of electrons appear during electron ion collisions with high current densities, and durations of about 1 femtosecond (10(-15) s). Furthermore, we use the molecular clock to study the dynamics of non-sequential double ionization.     

大跨度钢管混凝土拱桥肋缆索吊装施工技术

茅草街大桥为主跨368 m的自锚中承式钢管混凝土拱桥,在同类型桥型中跨度最大.主拱拱肋采用三跨缆索吊吊装施工,技术含量高,施工难度大,实践表明,茅草街大桥钢管拱肋缆索吊装施工较为成功,其经验值得为同类型桥梁施工借鉴.     

The p66shc adaptor protein controls oxidative stress response and life span in mammals

Gene mutations in invertebrates have been identified that extend life span and enhance resistance to environmental stresses such as ultraviolet light or reactive oxygen species. In mammals, the mechanisms that regulate stress response are poorly understood and no genes are known to increase individual life span. Here we report that targeted mutation of the mouse p66shc gene induces stress resistance and prolongs life span. p66shc is a splice variant of p52shc/p46shc (ref. 2), a cytoplasmic signal transducer involved in the transmission of mitogenic signals from activated receptors to Ras. We show that: (1) p66shc is serine phosphorylated upon treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or irradiation with ultraviolet light; (2) ablation of p66shc enhances cellular resistance to apoptosis induced by H2O2 or ultraviolet light; (3) a serine-phosphorylation defective mutant of p66shc cannot restore the normal stress response in p66shc-/- cells; (4) the p53 and p21 stress response is impaired in p66shc-/- cells; (5) p66shc-/- mice have increased resistance to paraquat and a 30% increase in life span. We propose that p66shc is part of a signal transduction pathway that regulates stress apoptotic responses and life span in mammals.     

端到端推测网络路径上的数据包转发优先级

出于各种考虑,ISP会对不同类型的数据包设置不同的转发优先级. 这会造成不同网络应用出现网络性能上的差异,影响到网络测量结果的代表性,也会增加网络故障排查的难度. 通常情况下,ISP不公布此类信息. 为此提出了一种端到端测量方法,根据路径上不同类型包丢包率的差异来推断它们是否属于不同的转发优先级. 通过在PlanetLab上的测量实验,发现了位于某网络内部的一处优先级设置,结果得到了相关网管的确认.     

一种改善雷达收发隔离的新方法

针对连续波体制雷达的特点,提出了采用光子晶体高阻表面提高雷达收发隔离的新方法.该方法利用光子晶体频率带隙与周期结构尺寸之间的关系,可灵活设计出雷达工作频段的高阻表面.将光子晶体高阻表面加装到某型连续波雷达的天线上,提高雷达收发隔离度达15 dB,证明了该方法的有效性.     

飞行巡线机器人悬停控制系统仿真与设计

针对通讯线路和电力传输线快速发展的趋势,提出使用旋翼直升机作为飞行式巡线机器人的设想。在刚体、非完整假设和飞行原理基础上,建立了巡线机器人以翻滚、俯仰和偏航角为广义坐标的动力学方程。采用线性化方法得到以三个姿态量为输出,以俯仰、翻滚通道输入量、旋翼升力和尾桨配平力为控制输入的悬停状态空间和控制方程。同时,使用极点配置法得到所需的控制输入,并设计了以TMS320F2812DSP为主控芯片的控制系统。Matlab仿真和实验证实了本方法的可行性和易实现性。     

Receiving mixed signals: uncoupling oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination

The development and maturation of an oligodendroglial cell is comprised of three intimately related processes that include proliferation, differentiation, and myelination. Here we review how proliferation and differentiation are controlled by distinct molecular mechanisms and discuss whether differentiation is merely a default of inhibited proliferation. We then address whether differentiation and myelination can be uncoupled in a similar manner. This task is particularly challenging because an oligodendrocyte cannot myelinate without first differentiating, and these processes are therefore not mutually exclusive. Is it solely the presence of the axon that distinguishes a differentiated oligodendrocyte from a myelinating one? Uncoupling these two processes requires identifying specific signals that regulate myelination without affecting the differentiation process. We will review current understanding of the relationship between differentiation and myelination and discuss whether these two processes can truly be uncoupled.     

Alternative exon usage selectively determines both tissue distribution and subcellular localization of the acyl-CoA thioesterase 7 gene products

Acyl-CoA thioesterases (ACOTs) catalyze the hydrolysis of acyl-CoAs to free fatty acids and coenzyme A. Recent studies have demonstrated that one gene named Acot7, reported to be mainly expressed in brain and testis, is transcribed in several different isoforms by alternative usage of first exons. Strongly decreased levels of ACOT7 activity and protein in both mitochondria and cytosol was reported in patients diagnosed with fatty acid oxidation defects, linking ACOT7 function to regulation of fatty acid oxidation in other tissues. In this study, we have identified five possible first exons in mouse Acot7 (Acot7a–e) and show that all five first exons are transcribed in a tissue-specific manner. Taken together, these data show that the Acot7 gene is expressed as multiple isoforms in a tissue-specific manner, and that expression in tissues other than brain and testis is likely to play important roles in fatty acid metabolism. Received 5 February 2007: received after revision 3 April 2007; accepted 19 April 2007     

Telomeres and meiosis in health and disease

Telomeres are important segments of chromosomes that protect chromosome ends from nucleolytic degradation and fusion. At meiosis telomeres display an unprecedented behavior which involves their attachment and motility along the nuclear envelope. The movements become restricted to a limited nuclear sector during the so-called bouquet stage, which is widely conserved among species. Recent observations suggest that telomere clustering involves actin and/or microtubules, and is altered in the presence of impaired recombinogenic and chromosome related functions. This review aims to provide an overview of what is currently known about meiotic telomere attachment, dynamics and regulation in synaptic meiosis.