原子力显微镜Tapping模式探针动力学与操作方法研究

自从1986年G. Binnig 等发明原子力显微镜(AFM)以来，纳米科技研究得到了快速发展，纳米科技研究的最终目标是从纳米甚至分子与原子尺度上制造功能器件或系统，而实现此目标的手段之一是研制能够在纳米尺度上进行精确可控操作的装置、方法与技术。对此，学者们对基于 AFM 的纳米操作进行了大量研究。基于AFM-Tapping模式的纳米观测与操作具有成本低、易实现性等特点，因而近年来成为纳米技术研究的热点。但基于AFM探针的纳米观测和操作的基本理论仍然很不完善，许多情况下缺乏基于探针观测与操作的纳观作用力的合理解释与描述，因此限制了基于探针的纳米技术发展。为了解决这一问题，本论文在国家自然科学基金项目“基于机器人化的纳米操作方法研究(60575060)”的支持下，广泛收集和查阅国内外相关资料，重点开展了AFM-Tapping模式下探针动力学解释方法与建模研究，并进行了基于AFM-Tapping的纳米操作方法研究。主要研究工作如下： 1)针对探针动力学建模问题，开展了基于Hamilton原理和变分原理的有边界条件的探针一维悬臂梁建模方法研究。利用模态叠加法和模态函数正交性对探针各阶模态进行了解耦分析，得到了解耦的探针动力学方程。 2)开展了纳观尺度下探针-样品作用力研究。分析与阐述了毛细力、接触力和摩擦力等纳观尺度作用力；开展了基于Lennard-Jones势模型的不同形状探针与样品间的相互作用势描述方法研究；并根据势能-力之间的关系，研究了可描述半球形探针与样品间相互作用力的数学表达式。 3)开展了基于弹簧振子模型的纳观非线性力作用下探针振动问题分析研究。首次提出了基于探针弹性力与非线性纳观力平衡关系的探针振动状态区域划分方法。在探针振动能量平衡分析的基础上，研究了AFM-Tapping模式中的双稳态现象，进而得到了描述双稳态现象的解析表达式。最后采用Lyapunov指数分析的方法，证明了探针在非线性振动中确实存在着混沌现象。 4)研究了基于AFM-Tapping模式的纳米操作方法。通过研究探针振幅调节控制和预编程作业轨迹规划策略，提出了一种具有增强探针概念的纳米作业方法。该方法可以在参数设定和预编程条件下自动完成纳米尺度的平移和旋转操作，从而可以大大提高纳米操作的效率和精度。实验结果验证了该方法的有效性。本文的工作为纳米操作方法的研究提供了可以借鉴的理论与实验经验，有助于推动基于AFM的纳米操作与制造技术的发展。

离子色谱-等离子体质谱联用测定热泉水样的砷形态

利用阴离子色谱与六极碰撞等离子体质谱联用的方法, 在线同时测定水样的4 种砷形态(As ( Ⅴ) , As ( Ⅲ) , MMA , DMA) , 并用于实际样品2热泉水中砷形态的测定。使用K2 HPO42KH2 PO4 为淋洗液等度淋洗, 用Hamilton PRP2X100阴离子色谱柱分离, 4 种砷形态在7 min 之内完全分离。调节淋洗液中K2HPO4与KH2 PO4 的比例可以优化峰的分离。地下水(含热泉水) 基质、样品及淋洗液中的Cl - 对砷形态的分离测定没有影响, 淋洗液中的盐份在样品锥和截取锥上的积累对测定的影响很小。检出限分别为As ( Ⅴ) 0123μgPL , As ( Ⅲ) 0130μgPL ,MMA 0126μgPL , DMA 0154μgPL 。

Monitoramento do herbicida diuron em água subterrânea na microbacia do córrego Espraiado, região de Ribeirão Preto, SP.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi o de verificar a possível ocorrência e concentração do diuron em sete poços monitorados no mês de dezembro de 2004 e nos meses de março, junho e setembro de 2005, e propor, se pertinente, alternativas ou manejos mais adequados dos mesmos visando a manutenção da qualidade da água subterrânea da área dentro dos níveis aceitáveis para o padrão de potabilidade, 10 mg L-1, conforme recomendações da EPA (HAMILTON et al., 2003).

Sistema de Integração Lavoura-Pecuária: o modelo implantado na Embrapa Milho e Sorgo.

2007

New instrumentation for micro-imaging X-ray absorption spectroscopy using optical detection methods

Poolton, Nigel; Towlson, B.M.; Hamilton, B.; Evans, D.A., (2006) 'New instrumentation for micro-imaging X-ray absorption spectroscopy using optical detection methods', Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms 246(2) pp.445-451 RAE2008

Synchrotron-laser interactions in hexagonal boron nitride: an examination of charge trapping dynamics at the boron K-edge

Poolton, Nigel; Towlson, B.M.; Hamilton, B.; Evans, D.A., (2006) 'Synchrotron-laser interactions in hexagonal boron nitride: an examination of charge trapping dynamics at the boron K-edge', New Journal of Physics 8 pp.76 RAE2008

Synchrotron-laser pump-probe luminescence spectroscopy: Correlation of electronic defect states with x-ray absorption in wide-gap solids

Poolton, Nigel; Hamilton, B.; Evans, D.A., (2005) 'Synchrotron-laser pump-probe luminescence spectroscopy: Correlation of electronic defect states with x-ray absorption in wide-gap solids', Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics 38 pp.1478-1484 RAE2008

An association mapping approach to identify flowering time genes in natural populations of Lolium perenne (L.)

Sk?t, L., Humphreys, M. O., Armstead, I. P., Heywood, S., Sk?t, K. P., Sanderson, R., Thomas, I. D., Chorlton, K. H., & Sackville Hamilton, N. R. (2005). An association mapping approach to identify flowering time genes in natural populations of Lolium perenne (L.). Molecular Breeding, 15(3), 233-245. Sponsorship: BBSRC RAE2008

PROPAGATION OF SONIC BOOMS THROUGH A REAL, STRATIFIED ATMOSPHERE

Sonic boom propagation in a quiet) stratified) lossy atmosphere is the subject of this dissertation. Two questions are considered in detail: (1) Does waveform freezing occur? (2) Are sonic booms shocks in steady state? Both assumptions have been invoked in the past to predict sonic boom waveforms at the ground. A very general form of the Burgers equation is derived and used as the model for the problem. The derivation begins with the basic conservation equations. The effects of nonlinearity) attenuation and dispersion due to multiple relaxations) viscosity) and heat conduction) geometrical spreading) and stratification of the medium are included. When the absorption and dispersion terms are neglected) an analytical solution is available. The analytical solution is used to answer the first question. Geometrical spreading and stratification of the medium are found to slow down the nonlinear distortion of finite-amplitude waves. In certain cases the distortion reaches an absolute limit) a phenomenon called waveform freezing. Judging by the maturity of the distortion mechanism, sonic booms generated by aircraft at 18 km altitude are not frozen when they reach the ground. On the other hand, judging by the approach of the waveform to its asymptotic shape, N waves generated by aircraft at 18 km altitude are frozen when they reach the ground. To answer the second question we solve the full Burgers equation and for this purpose develop a new computer code, THOR. The code is based on an algorithm by Lee and Hamilton (J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 97, 906-917, 1995) and has the novel feature that all its calculations are done in the time domain, including absorption and dispersion. Results from the code compare very well with analytical solutions. In a NASA exercise to compare sonic boom computer programs, THOR gave results that agree well with those of other participants and ran faster. We show that sonic booms are not steady state waves because they travel through a varying medium, suffer spreading, and fail to approximate step shocks closely enough. Although developed to predict sonic boom propagation, THOR can solve other problems for which the extended Burgers equation is a good propagation model.

Alcohol income and health: a complicated but desirable mix

The aim of this thesis is to examine if a difference exists in income for different categories of drinkers in Ireland using the 2007 Slán data set. The possible impact of alcohol consumption on health status and health care utilisation is also examined. Potential endogeneity and selection bias is accounted for throughout. Endogeneity is where an independent variable included in the model is determined within the context of the model (Chenhall and Moers, 2007). An endogenous relationship between income and alcohol and between health and alcohol is accounted for by the use of separate income equations and separate health status equations for each category of drinker similar to what was done in previous studies into the effects of alcohol on earnings (Hamilton and Hamilton, 1997; Barrett, 2002). Sample selection bias arises when a sector selection is non-random due to individuals choosing a particular sector because of their personal characteristics (Heckman, 1979; Zhang, 2004). In relation to alcohol consumption, selection bias may arise as people may select into a particular drinker group due to the fact that they know that by doing so it will not have a negative effect on their income or health (Hamilton and Hamilton, 1997; Di Pietro and Pedace, 2008; Barrett, 2002). Selection bias of alcohol consumption is accounted for by using the Multinomial Logit OLS Two Step Estimate as proposed by Lee (1982), which is an extension of the Heckman Probit OLS Two Step Estimate. Alcohol status as an ordered variable is examined and possible methods of estimation accounting for this ordinality while also accounting for selection bias are looked at. Limited Information Methods and Full Information Methods of estimation of simultaneous equations are assessed and compared. Findings show that in Ireland moderate drinkers have a higher income compared with abstainers or heavy drinkers. Some studies such as Barrett (2002) argue that this is as a consequence of alcohol improving ones health, which in turn can influence ones productivity which may ultimately be reflected in earnings, due to the fact that previous studies have found that moderate levels of alcohol consumption are beneficial towards ones health status. This study goes on to examine the relationship between health status and alcohol consumption and whether the correlation between income and the consumption of alcohol is similar in terms of sign and magnitude to the correlation between health status and the consumption of alcohol. Results indicate that moderate drinkers have a higher income than non or heavy drinkers, with the weekly household income of moderate drinkers being €660.10, non drinkers being €546.75 and heavy drinkers being €449.99. Moderate Drinkers also report having a better health status than non drinkers and a slightly better health status than heavy drinkers. More non-drinkers report poor health than either moderate or heavy drinkers. As part of the analysis into the effect of alcohol consumption on income and on health status, the relationship between other socio economic variables such as gender, age, education among others, with income, health and alcohol status is examined.

Cryptographic coprocessors for embedded systems

In the field of embedded systems design, coprocessors play an important role as a component to increase performance. Many embedded systems are built around a small General Purpose Processor (GPP). If the GPP cannot meet the performance requirements for a certain operation, a coprocessor can be included in the design. The GPP can then offload the computationally intensive operation to the coprocessor; thus increasing the performance of the overall system. A common application of coprocessors is the acceleration of cryptographic algorithms. The work presented in this thesis discusses coprocessor architectures for various cryptographic algorithms that are found in many cryptographic protocols. Their performance is then analysed on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) platform. Firstly, the acceleration of Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) algorithms is investigated through the use of instruction set extension of a GPP. The performance of these algorithms in a full hardware implementation is then investigated, and an architecture for the acceleration the ECC based digital signature algorithm is developed. Hash functions are also an important component of a cryptographic system. The FPGA implementation of recent hash function designs from the SHA-3 competition are discussed and a fair comparison methodology for hash functions presented. Many cryptographic protocols involve the generation of random data, for keys or nonces. This requires a True Random Number Generator (TRNG) to be present in the system. Various TRNG designs are discussed and a secure implementation, including post-processing and failure detection, is introduced. Finally, a coprocessor for the acceleration of operations at the protocol level will be discussed, where, a novel aspect of the design is the secure method in which private-key data is handled

The ecology of the Irish stoat

The Irish stoat, Mustela erminea hibernica (Thomas and Barrett-Hamilton), has been regarded as an intermediate between the British stoat and the weasel. In this study Irish stoats, mainly from road casualties, were collected and studied. A small number were also live-trapped and radio-tracked. Thus information was gathered on the stoat’s ecology, in particular its form (size and coat colours), reproduction, food habits, parasites, habitat utilisation mortality and predation. The Irish stoats studied were clearly not intermediate in size between British stoats and weasels. They showed considerable size overlap with British stoats, and marked size variation within Ireland. It is argued that size of stoats is determined by food supply early in life. The ventral coat pattern of Irish stoats is apparently unique in the Palaearctic, being similar to that of some stoats found on the west coast of North America. It is argued that this is an example of parallel evolution resulting from adaptation to similar climatic conditions. The stoats were reproductively active in spring and summer. Food consisted mainly of rabbits, but rats, birds, shrews mice and voles were also consumed. Mites were the most numerous ectoparasites, followed by lice, ticks and fleas. Damage by the parasitic nematode Skrjabingylus nasicola was found more frequently in female stoat skulls. Stoats were frequently found in a variety of habitats, both open and wooded. Some of the radio-tracked stoats climbed trees. Dens used were often rat holes. Only one home range, that of a breeding female, was considered to have been accurately measured. It was 22 ha. in size. Mortality is known to have been caused by road accidents and domestic carnivores. It is argued that predation by raptorial birds is important to stoat populations. Results of this study are compared with information available from elsewhere.

An EORTC-IDBBC phase I study of gemcitabine and continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil in patients with metastatic breast cancer resistant to anthracyclines or pre-treated with both anthracyclines and taxanes.

The aim of this study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicities (DLT), and potential activity of combined gemcitabine and continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients that are resistant to anthracyclines or have been pretreated with both anthracyclines and taxanes. 15 patients with MBC were studied at three European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer centres. 13 patients had received both anthracylines and taxanes. Gemcitabine was given intravenously (i.v.) on days 1 and 8, and 5-FU as a continuous i.v. infusion on days 1 through to 14, both drugs given in a 21-day schedule at four different dose levels. Both were given at doses commonly used for the single agents for the last dose level (dose level 4). One of 6 patients at level 4 (gemcitabine 1200 mg/m2 and 5-FU 250 mg/m2/day) had a DLT, a grade 3 stomatitis and skin toxicity. One DLT, a grade 3 transaminase rise and thrombosis, occurred in a patient at level 2 (gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 and 5-FU 200 mg/m2/day). Thus, the MTD was not reached. One partial response and four disease stabilisations were observed. Only 1 patient withdrew from the treatment due to toxicity. The MTD was not reached in the phase I study. The combination of gemcitabine and 5-FU is well tolerated at doses up to 1200 mg/m2 given on days 1 and 8 and 250 mg/m2/day given on days 1 through to 14, respectively, every 21 days. The clinical benefit rate (responses plus no change of at least 6 months) was 33% with one partial response, suggesting that MBC patients with prior anthracycline and taxane therapy may derive significant benefit from this combination with minimal toxicity.

A joined analysis of two European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) studies to evaluate the role of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx) in the treatment of elderly patients with metastatic breast cancer.

We have performed a retrospective analysis to evaluate the impact of age, using a 70 year cutoff, on the safety and efficacy of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx) given at 60 mg/m(2) every 6 weeks (treatment A) or 50 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks (treatment B) to 136 metastatic breast cancer patients in two EORTC trials, of whom 65 were 70 years of age or older. No difference in terms of toxicity was observed between younger and older patients treated with the 4-week schedule, while a higher incidence of hematological toxicity, anorexia, asthenia, and stomatitis was observed in older patients when the 6-week schedule was used. Antitumor activity was not affected by age. In the older cohort of patients, no dependence was found between the incidence of grade 3-4 toxicity or antitumor activity and patients' baseline performance status, number and severity of comorbidities, or number of concomitant medications. The higher therapeutic index of Caelyx 50 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks makes it, of the two dose schedules investigated, the preferred regimen in the elderly.

Mature results of a randomized phase II multicenter study of exemestane versus tamoxifen as first-line hormone therapy for postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Women with hormone-responsive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) may respond to or have stable disease with a number of hormone therapies. We explored the efficacy and safety of the steroidal aromatase inactivator exemestane as first-line hormonal therapy in MBC in postmenopausal women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with measurable disease were eligible if they had received no prior hormone therapy for metastatic disease and had hormone receptor positive disease or hormone receptor unknown disease with a long disease-free interval from adjuvant therapy. They were randomized to tamoxifen 20 mg/day or exemestane 25 mg/day in this open-label study. RESULTS: Blinded independently reviewed response rates for exemestane and tamoxifen were 41% and 17%, respectively. Fifty-seven per cent of exemestane- and 42% of tamoxifen-treated patients experienced clinical benefit, defined as complete or partial response, or disease stabilization lasting at least 6 months. There was a low incidence of severe flushing, sweating, nausea and edema in women who received exemestane. One exemestane-treated patient had a pulmonary embolism with grade 4 dyspnea. CONCLUSIONS: Exemestane is well tolerated and active in the first-line treatment of hormone-responsive MBC. An ongoing EORTC phase III trial is comparing the efficacy, measuring time-to-disease progression, of exemestane and tamoxifen.