Quantitative real-time imaging of myocardium based on ultrasonic integrated backscatter

The integrated backscatter calculation over the full, two-dimensional echocardiographic sector is implemented to produce images from closed-chest dogs. This new real-time integrated backscatter measurement system allows a continuous determination of integrated backscatter from all myocardial regions in the ultrasonic view. By replacing the conventional video processor in a commercial two-dimensional echocardiographic imager with this new real-time backscatter measurement system, it is possible to produce real-time two-dimensional images based on integrated backscatter.     

Microwatt shot-noise measurement

We report a simple scheme for sensitive measurements of optical-noise spectra. Optical noise is separated from electronic noise when the output of an analog spectrum analyzer is real-time squared and then lock-in detected. This method directly yields the desired mean-square noise voltage, i.e., the power spectrum of the optical noise on a linear scale. To demonstrate this technique, the mean-square shot noise of a laser beam is measured and found to vary linearly with the laser power from several milliwatts down to one microwatt, in excellent quantitative agreement with predictions.     

The time required for recovery from mixing stress in young bulls and the prevention of dark cutting beef

Two trials were conducted in which a total of twenty-eight Friesian bulls (12 months old) were slaughtered 0, 1, 2, 4, 7, 9 or 10 days after they had been mixed with unfamiliar animals overnight. The resulting behavioural interactions and associated physical activity led to large rises in plasma creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity and free fatty acid (FFA) concentration and a decrease in plasma lactate. In the second trial the relative number of interactions engaged in by each animal was estimated. Bulls which exhibited the most interactions had the highest levels of plasma CPK and FFA after mixing. Liver and muscle glycogen were depleted by mixing. Animals killed on days 0 and 1 after mixing had low concentrations of liver glycogen compared with animals allowed longer to recover. Concentrations of glycogen in the M. longissimus dorsi (LD) had recovered by day 4 and in the M. psoas by day 2. Muscle glycogen concentrations were reflected in the ultimate pH (pHu) of the meat. All animals killed immediately after mixing produced carcasses with pHu>6. in the LD. By the second day of recovery muscle glycogen stores had been repleted sufficiently so that all animals had muscles with pHu<6. However, the LD from these animals was still very slightly darker than those killed after 7 or more days of recovery although this was probably not commercially significant. It was concluded that, if young bulls from separate rearing groups are mixed before slaughter, either on the farm or during lairage, then they require resting with food for at least 48 h before being killed to ensure that no carcasses are produced with high pHu in the musculature.     

The usability of digestate in organic farming

As organic farming prohibits the use of synthetic fertilisers, animal slurries and manures must be used. Digestate offers an alternative to these and this study reports on three experiments conducted to determine its usability in terms of: (1) the effect on earthworm populations, (2) its fertilising effects on Italian Ryegrass and wild Creeping Thistle, and (3) the suppression effects digestate has on weed emergence. The results for digestate application to field plots were intermediate between slurry and no treatment for earthworm attraction and wild thistle suppression. In glasshouse trials it led to increased ryegrass growth compared with undigested slurry. Analysis showed that the digestate had improved nitrogen availability, leading to increased plant growth, but a reduced organic matter content compared with the slurry, leading to a positive though less beneficial impact on the earthworms. Digestate therefore provides a suitable fertiliser for organic farming. This suitability could be improved by drying or separation to increase the OM content making its properties closer to those of slurry whilst still retaining the higher content of plant available nitrogen.     

Modelling imaging based on core-loss spectroscopy in scanning transmission electron microscopy

Recent experimental realizations of atomic column resolution core-loss spectroscopy in the scanning transmission electron microscope have increased the importance of routinely modelling core-loss images. We discuss different approaches to wave function simulation and how they may be used in conjunction with the mixed dynamic form factor model to simulate images resulting from such inelastic scattering events. It is shown that, as resolution improves and in situations where the degree of thermal scattering is high, detailed quantitative comparisons will require the thermal scattering of electrons to be adequately modelled. Indeed, for sufficiently strong thermal scattering even qualitative interpretation may be affected: we give an example where this leads to a contrast reversal. We describe two methods suited to this purpose, the frozen lattice model and the scattering factor model, and explain how they may be combined with the mixed dynamic form factor approach.     

High-sensitivity and wide-directivity ultrasound detection using high Q polymer microring resonators

Small size ultrahigh Q polymer microrings working at near visible wavelength have been experimentally demonstrated as ultralow noise ultrasound detectors with wide directivity at high frequencies (>20 MHz). By combining a resist reflow and a low bias continuous etching and passivation process in mold fabrication, imprinted polymer microrings with drastically improved sidewall smoothness were obtained. An ultralow noise-equivalent pressure of 21.4 Pa over 1-75 MHz range has been achieved using a fabricated detector of 60 μm diameter. The device's wide acceptance angle with high sensitivity considerably benefits ultrasound-related imaging.