Effect of processing conditions on the characteristics of pores in hot isostatically pressed alumina

Effect of processing conditions on the characteristics of residual pores was studied with an optical microscope in hot isostatically pressed translucent alumina ceramics. Green bodies formed by isostatic pressing were sintered at 1300, 1400 and 1600°C and then hot isostatically pressed at a temperature 50°C below the respective sintering temperature for 1 h at 100 MPa. All specimens were fully dense within experimental accuracy (±0.1%), and the grain size increased with increasing sintering/hot isostatic pressing temperatures. A variety of pores were found in all specimens. The distribution of pores was uniform at various locations within the specimen. The pore population decreased with increasing pore size, but was finite in the size range exceeding 84 m. The pores in this range increased with increasing sintering/hot isostatic pressing temperature. Except for these large pores, the pore population was similar under all processing conditions.     

Digital/analog hybrid system for filing of endoscopic images.

A new system was developed for filing all the endoscopic images generated in our hospital. The system is composed of an on-line network for analog images supplied from the endoscopy stations and stored on 300 mm optical disks, on the one hand, and an off-line PACS for digital images recorded on a 130 mm magneto-optical disk (MOD) at each endoscopy station, on the other. For close examination of the images digital images are displayed from the MOD on a high-resolution computer graphic monitor, and for quick review of a large number of images, analog images are retrieved from the 300-mm optical disks. This system has been in clinical use at our university hospital for the past year and has proven useful for education of endoscopy, for the quality control of the endoscopy practice, and for the management of the patients.     

Comparative studies of circulating KL-6, type III procollagen N-terminal peptide and type IV collagen 7S in patients with interstitial pneumonitis and alveolar pneumonia

KL-6, a MUC1 mucin preferentially expressed in regenerating type 2 pneumocytes, has been reported to be a sensitive serum marker for evaluating the disease activity of interstitial pneumonitis (IP). Type III procollagen N-terminal peptide (PIIIP) and type IV collagen 7S (7S collagen) have also been reported to be useful in the serological evaluation of the activity. Their levels were measured and their serodiagnostic values were compared simultaneously in patients with IP and alveolar pneumonia. The study population was 45 patients with IP and 12 patients with alveolar pneumonia. Serum KL-6 levels were measured by a specific enzyme immunoassay, and both serum PIIIP and 7S collagen concentrations by their correspondent radioimmunoassay kits. There were no significant difference of serum C-reactive protein level, which was evaluated as an indicator of inflammatory process, between IP and alveolar pneumonia patients. In IP, the abnormally elevated rate of KL-6 [80% (36/45)] was significantly higher than those of PIIIP [40% (18/45)] and 7S collagen [40% (18/45)]. In alveolar pneumonia, the rate of KL-6 [0% (0/12)] was significantly lower than those of PIIIP [33% (4/12)] and 7S collagen [25% (3/12)]. There were no significant correlations among serum levels of the markers. These observations indicate that the serodiagnostic value of KL-6 for IP is superior to that of PIIIP and 7S collagen, and that KL-6 has a characteristic to discriminate IP from alveolar pneumonia.     

环境振动响应下悬索桥的系统识别

对环境振动响应下悬索桥系统识别的应用进行研究和评估。为获得桥的动力特征,采用只有两个输出时间域的系统识别方法,即与Ibrahim时域方法相结合的随机衰减法,与特征系统实现算法相结合的自然励磁技术。研究两种方法的精度和效果并与有限元方法结果进行了比较。两种方法论证的系统识别的结果表明,环境振动测量可以提供桥动态特征的可靠信息。