A psychometric study of the McMaster Family Assessment Device in psychiatric, medical, and nonclinical samples.

Investigated the psychometric properties of the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD [N. Epstein et al; see PA, Vol 71:2891]), a multidimensional measure of family functioning, using data from psychiatric (n?=?1,138), nonclinical (n?=?627), and medical (n?=?298) samples. Internal scale reliabilities and factorial validity were assessed for each group, and results were compared across groups. In general, scale reliabilities were favorable and the hypothesized factor structure of the FAD was supported. Results also support the use of the 60-item version over the original 53-item version. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Functional properties of protein preparations from amaranth seeds in model system

The gross chemical composition and functional properties (solubility, emulsifying and foaming properties) of different amaranth protein preparations were studied in model systems and were compared to those of casein and soy protein isolates. Preparations of alkaline-soluble total protein, albumin, globulin, and glutelin-like alkaline-soluble residual protein were produced from two different types of defatted amaranth meals by extraction and fractionation. Although similarity can be shown between protein patterns of legumes (including soy) and amaranth, the emulsifying and foaming properties of amaranth protein preparations are relatively poor in comparison to the reference proteins, except foaming properties of albumin preparations. Nevertheless, taking in mind that these properties depend on interactions with other food components and textural requirements of individual food products, the amaranth protein preparations may be treated as potential protein sources and food ingredients.     

Assessment of edema using STIR+ via 3D cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in patients with suspected myocarditis

Objective

To evaluate three-dimensional T2-weighted fast spin echo triple inversion recovery sequences (STIR+) for the diagnosis of myocardial edema in patients with suspected early myocarditis after respiratory or gastrointestinal tract viral infection and at follow-up.

Materials and methods

We prospectively examined 28 patients with suspected myocarditis and 37 controls matched for gender and age. An ECG-triggered STIR+ was used to cover the entire left ventricle in short-axis images with 10-mm slice thickness and no interslice gap. The global signal intensity ratio (heart muscle in relation to skeletal muscle) was calculated (global STIR+ ratio) to evaluate edema. All patients had repeat examinations at follow-up (mean interval 4.9 months, 1–12 months).

Results

The mean global STIR+ ratio was 2.15 ± 0.4 in the initial examination of patients as compared to 1.78 ± 0.3 in controls (p < 0.0001) and 1.89 ± 0.3 in patients at follow-up (p = 0.0001 vs. first visit). Left ventricular ejection fraction did not differ between patients and controls at baseline and at follow-up.

Conclusion

We could identify a significantly higher global STIR+ ratio in patients with suspected myocarditis compared to controls, and a dynamic change during follow-up. The global STIR+ ratio may, therefore, be useful for the diagnosis of myocarditis and should be further explored.

     

The Vortex Path Model Analysis of the Field Angle Dependence of the Critical Current Density in Nanocomposite YBa2Cu3 O 7−x – BaZrO3 Films Obtained by Low Fluorine Chemical Solution Deposition

In the present paper, we analyze the role of in situ grown BaZrO₃ (BZO) inclusions in YBa₂Cu₃O_7?x (YBCO) thin films prepared by chemical solution deposition using a low fluorine coating solution, on the field angle dependence of the critical current density, J _c (??), data using the vortex path model. In order to form a coherent picture on the BZO doping influence on the pinning properties of the YBCO matrix, detailed structural analyses performed by X-ray diffraction techniques and microstructural evaluation by transmission electron microscopy are also presented. The evaluation of different contributions to the overall, J _c , permitted us to prove the effectiveness of the BZO inclusions acting as isotropic pinning centers, reflected in a uniform component of high relative value with respect to other components. For the studied 10 mol % BZO doping concentration, a threefold increase in the critical current density, J _c , of the YBCO host is measured, in self-field at 77 K, corresponding to a value of J _c =2.9MA/cm², whereas a factor 10 is measured at 1 T (J _c =0.35 MA/cm²).     

CFD models in the development of electrical waste recycling technologies

Nowadays electrical waste (EW) recycling has become a practical way to provide raw material for new devices. Computer parts such as memory, motherboard or other parts contain large amount of metals from which the recovery of precious metals and copper represents the highest economical potential. With a proper chemical treatment these metals can be efficiently extracted and separated from the actual waste. For this task a specially designed leaching reactor, equipped with a perforated rotating drum, was used. This work is aimed at investigating if computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools can be efficiently applied to model the chemical reactor used to dissolve the metals from the EW. First a hybrid CFD-compartment approach was developed to describe the dissolution process in the leaching reactor while the CFD models were used to model the hydrodynamics of the process. Based on the detailed model containing momentum and component mass balance the developed simulator could be used to enhance the performance of the existing reactor system. For the modelling studies COMSOL Multiphysics was used as CFD software.     

In Situ Study of Nanostructure and Electrical Resistance of Nanocluster Films Irradiated with Ion Beams

An in situ study is reported on the structural evolution in nanocluster films under He⁺ ion irradiation using an advanced helium ion microscope. The films consist of loosely interconnected nanoclusters of magnetite or iron‐magnetite (Fe‐Fe₃O₄) core‐shells. The nanostructure is observed to undergo dramatic changes under ion‐beam irradiation, featuring grain growth, phase transition, particle aggregation, and formation of nanowire‐like network and nanopores. Studies based on ion irradiation, thermal annealing and electron irradiation have indicated that the major structural evolution is activated by elastic nuclear collisions, while both electronic and thermal processes can play a significant role once the evolution starts. The electrical resistance of the Fe‐Fe₃O₄ films measured in situ exhibits a super‐exponential decay with dose. The behavior suggests that the nanocluster films possess an intrinsic merit for development of an advanced online monitor for fast neutron radiation with both high detection sensitivity and long‐term applicability, which can enhance safety measures in many nuclear operations.     

Switched-Capacitor Track-and-Hold Amplifiers With Low Sensitivity to Op-Amp Imperfections

This paper describes high-precision switched-capacitor (SC) track-and-hold amplifier (THA) stages. They use a novel continuous-time correlated double sampling (CDS) scheme to desensitize the operation to amplifier imperfections. Unlike earlier predictive-CDS amplifiers, the circuits do not need a sampled-and-held input signal for their operation. During the tracking period, an auxiliary continuous-time signal path is established, which predicts the output voltage during the holding period. This allows accurate operation even for low amplifier gains and large offsets over a wide input frequency range. Extensive simulations were performed to compare the performance of the proposed THAs with earlier circuits utilizing CDS. The results verify that their operation is far more robust than that of any previously described SC amplifiers