Automation of the use of fluorescent microspheres for the determination of blood flow

Fluorescent-labeled microspheres (FM) are a new tool for the determination of organ blood flow. However, the FM-method is labor intensive, because of the necessity to recover the microspheres from the tissue samples. The aim of this study was to automate the FM-method. A Zymate-Robotic System (Zymark, Idstein, Germany) was modified to handle a novel filtration device. The robot is surrounded by 12 different stations which are necessary to process the samples. It performs the sequential steps which are needed to recover the microspheres from the samples. The dyes are finally released from the FM with a solvent and their fluorescent intensity is measured online using a spectrophotometer (Perkin Elmer, Uberlingen, Germany). The robotic system is able to recover the FM through digestion and filtration of the tissue samples using the new filter, to dissolve the FM and to release the dyes so that their fluorescent intensities can be measured for the calculation of organ blood flow.     

A survey of database design transformations based on the Entity-Relationship model

At present, the Entity-Relationship (ER) model is the most important paradigm for conceptual database design. Since the model was introduced in the mid-seventies, a large body of literature has been published on transforming conceptual ER schemas or diagrams into logical data models. The purpose of this paper is to survey this literature. A first focus is on transformation approaches from the ER model to traditional data models, i.e. to the relational, the network, or the hierarchical model; this is then complemented by a discussion of more recent transformations to object-oriented models. A second focus is on considering the process of reverse engineering, i.e. transformations from a logical model back into the ER model; finally, an overview of direct transformations between various logical data models is presented.     

Einfluß von Wasserdampf im Sintergas auf das Verhalten von Metallpulvern mit unter Sinterbedingungen reduzierbaren Oxydschichten

An aus Elektrolyteisen-, Karbonylnickel- und Kupferpulver hergestellten Preßkörpern Untersuchung ihres Sinterverhaltens unter Wasserstoffgas mit Zusätzen von 0,1 und 10 Vol.-% Wasserdampf bei Sintertemperaturen von 870 bis 1200 °C und Sinterdauern von 0 bis 8 h. Messung von Dichte, 0,2-Orenze, Zugfestigkeit und Bruchdehnung der Proben in Abhängigkeit vom Wasserdampfgehalt im Sintergas und dementsprechende thermochemische Deutung der Versuchsergebnisse.     

Effect of beam divergence from the optic axis in an electro-optic experiment to measure an induced Jones birefringence

Certain optical properties can be described in terms of two linear birefringences existing in separate Jones platelets of a medium. One of these, known as Jones birefringence, although occurring naturally in some crystals is too small to be measurable. However, the two birefringences can be induced by an electric field in 4 and 6 crystals for propagation along the optic axis. For an even slightly divergent light beam, natural birefringence may affect accuracy of measurement. Calculations show that in an experiment with a static field the error depends critically on beam divergence, whereas with a modulated field this is not so.     

Energy Globe Award 2002

Mitteilungen

Energy Globe Award 2002     

Random effects models for HIV marker data: practical approaches with currently available software

The analysis of marker data from HIV positive patients has been the motivation for many new developments in applied statistics. As well as reviewing these methods, this paper considers the extent to which programs to implement them are available in current software. Particular areas of development have been the joint modelling of markers and survival outcomes, non-linear random effects models that are of particular relevance for studying the efficacy of treatments and the use of Bayesian computational methods for inference from marker data. The package WinBUGS is recommended as being particularly well suited to the analysis of marker data.     

Academic intrinsic motivation in young elementary school children.

Two studies, 1 longitudinal and 1 cross-sectional, demonstrate that for young elementary school children, academic intrinsic motivation is a reliable, valid, and significant construct. It was positively related to achievement, IQ, and perception of competence, and inversely related to anxiety. Academic intrinsic motivation at age 9 was significantly predicted by motivation measured 1 and 2 years earlier, above and beyond the contribution of IQ and achievement. Children with higher academic intrinsic motivation at ages 7 and 8 were more likely to show higher motivation at age 9. Whereas young children could reliably distinguish between subject areas of academic intrinsic motivation, only math motivation showed consistently specific relations to other math criteria. Findings are discussed with regard to developmental theories of intrinsic motivation and the significance of academic intrinsic motivation for children's education. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)