An analysis of muscles from ultrasound image using morphological information of fascia and thoracic vertebra

In this paper, we propose a new fully computerized image analysis method for measuring the thickness of muscles from ultrasound image obtained by muscle endurance test using morphological information of fascia and thoracic vertebra. Firstly, we divide the image into lumbar region and thoracolumbar region by the difference of density in image for measuring the thickness of muscles. In lumbar region, we notice that the intensity of fascia is relatively higher than other parts. Thus, we measure the thickness of muscles surrounding the fascia area. In the process, we apply median filter to candidate fascia areas for extracting candidate muscle layers between fascias. Then, the thickness of muscles we measure is that of the third layer. In thoracolumbar region, we apply region expansion method for classifying the region into subcutaneous fat part and part including thoracic vertebra. Then, we apply counting method and evolutionary computation search model to find the measuring location that is in between subcutaneous fat area and thoracic vertebra. In experiment, the proposed method is effective in measuring the thickness of muscles and avoids failures of previous studies. The performance of this approach is sufficiently comparable to that of medical experts.     

Synthesis and properties of acrylonitrile-CR-methyl methacrylate graft copolymer

Graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto polychloroprene (CR) was carried out using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. The effects of mole ratio of AN to MMA, reaction temperature, reaction time, solvent, and initiator concentration on the graft copolymerization were examined. It was found that the thermal stability and weatherability of the AN—CR—MMA graft copolymer (ACM) were considerably better than those of CR.     

Copolymerizations of ethylene with 1–decene over various ansa–metallocene complexes combined with Al( i-Bu) 3/ [CPh 3] [B(C 6F 5) 4] cocatalyst

Copolymerizations of ethylene with 1-decene were carried out with a series of stereospecific metallocene compounds, rac–(EBI)Zr(NMe₂)₂ [ 1, EBI = ethylene–1,2–bis( 1–indenyl)], rac–(EBI)Hf(NMe₂ (2), rac–Me₂Si( 1–C₅H₂–2–Me–4– ^t Bu)₂Zr(NMe₂)₂ (3), ethylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(9-fluorenyl)ZrMe2 [4, Et(Flu)(Cp)ZrMe2] and isopropylidene(cyclopentadienyl)(9–fluorenyl)ZrMe₂ [5, iPr(Flu)(Cp)ZrMe₂], combined with Al(i–Bu)₃/[CPh₃] [B(C₆F₅)₄] cocatalyst. All catalyst systems showed very high copolymerization rates and the 1–decene reactivity decreased in the order of 2 > 5 > 1 4 > 3. The reactivity product of ethylene and 1–decene (r _E x r _D) was below 1 except 3 catalyst, corresponding to random copolymer structures with an alternating character. The melting point (T_m), crystallinity (X_C), intrinsic viscosity ([] and density of the 1–decene/ethylene copolymers decreased markedly with an increase in the 1–decene content, regardless of the type of catalytic system.     

Syntheses and biological activities of polymers containing methacryloyl‐2‐oxy‐1,2,3‐propanetricarboxylic acid or 5‐fluorouracil

A series of novel copolymers, poly(methacryloyl‐2‐oxy‐1,2,3‐propanetricarboxylic acid‐co‐exo‐3,6‐epoxy‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophthalic acid) [poly(MTCA‐co‐ETAc)], poly(methacryloyl‐2‐oxy‐1,2,3‐propanetricarboxylic acid‐co‐hydrogenethyl‐exo‐3,6‐epoxy‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophthalate) [poly(MTCA‐co‐HEET)], and poly(methacryloyl‐2‐oxy‐1,2,3‐propanetricarboxylic acid‐co‐α‐ethoxy‐exo‐3,6‐epoxy‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophthaloyl‐5‐fluorouracil) [poly(MTCA‐co‐EETFU)], were prepared from corresponding monomers by photopolymerizations at 25°C for 48 h. The polymers were identified by FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopies. The number‐average molecular weights of the fractionated polymers determined by GPC were in the range from 9400 to 14,900 and polydispersity indices were 1.2–1.4. The in vitro IC₅₀ values of polymers against mouse mammary carcinoma (FM3A), mouse leukemia (P388), and human histiocytic lymphoma (U937) as cancer cell lines and mouse liver cells (AC2F) as a normal cell line were much higher compared to that of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU). The in vivo antitumor activities of monomers and polymers against mice bearing sarcoma 180 tumor cell line were better than those of 5‐FU. The inhibition of DNA replication and antiangiogenesis activities of MTCA and copolymers were better compared to those of 5‐FU. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 57–64, 2004     

Advanced underfill for high thermal reliability

The key to the success of flip‐chip technology lies in the availability of sucessful underfill materials. However, the reliability of flip‐chip technology using current underfill materials is generally found to be lower than that of conventional wire‐bond connection packaging materials such as epoxy molding compound (EMC) because of the high coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) and moisture absorption of cured underfill material. In this study desbimide (DBMI), which has a low melting point (about 80°C), was used in the underfill materials as a cohardener. As a result, DBMI‐added underfill can show excellent thermal reliability, which is due to the superior properties of the CTE, the elastic modulus, and water resistance. When the properties of a 2 wt % DBMI‐added underfill were compared with those of a typical underfill (epoxy/anhydride), the CTE value was reduced to less than one‐half at the solder reflow temperature (about 200°C), the elastic modulus was reduced to less than one‐half in the temperature region below the glass‐transition temperature, and the water resistance was improved twofold. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 2617–2624, 2002     

数字化微格教学系统在师范生培养过程中的应用研究

师范生的培养效果如何关乎到未来教师的教学能力,本文通过对当前我国师范生培养现状的分析,探讨如何应用数字化微格教学系统培养师范生的教学能力。     

Preparation Polyelectrolyte Complexes of Chitosan-Polyacrylic Acid-Modified Iron Sand Leachate for Proton Exchange Membranes

ABSTRACT

Polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) of chitosan (Chi) and poly (acrylic acid) (PAA)-modified iron sand leachate were prepared and considered for applicability as a proton exchange membrane in fuel cells. Chi-PAA-hematite blended in different weight ratios and the resulting membranes were treated to enable the formation of the polyelectrolyte. The membranes of Chi-PAA polyblend were treated using iron sand leachate and reveal high ion exchange capacity (IEC), proton conductivity, water uptake, and good mechanical stability. The result of research indicated that the membrane with 40 wt% of Chi and 60 wt% of PAA blend which its conductivity of 6.10 × 10^?2 S cm^?1 was potentially for a proton exchange membrane in fuel cell applications.     

Obesity: Prevalence,Theories, Medical Consequences,Management, and Research Directions

Obesity and its associated disorders are a growing epidemic across the world. Many genetic, physiological, and behavioral factors play a role in the etiology of obesity. Diet and exercise are known to play a valuable role in the treatment and prevention of obesity and associated disorders such as hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to examine the prevalence, etiology, consequences, and treatment of obesity.     

Fully aliphatic polyimides from adamantane‐based diamines for enhanced thermal stability,solubility, transparency,and low dielectric constant

We have synthesized a series of fully aliphatic polyimides (APIs) from bicyclo[2,2,2]oct‐7‐ene‐2,3,5,6‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BOCA) and various aliphatic diamines, including linear aliphatic, flexible alicyclic, and rigid adamantyl diamines. We performed the polymerization reactions using one‐step syntheses in m‐cresol at elevated temperatures without the isolation of poly(amic) acid. The chemical composition and structure of the polymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR) spectrometry. The characterization data are reported from analyses using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WXAD) measurements. The polyimides are also subjected to solubility, solution viscosity, tensile strength, transparency, and dielectric constant measurements. The resultant polyimides possess well‐controlled molecular weight, reasonable intrinsic viscosity, good transparency, enhanced solubility, low dielectric constants, and high glass transition temperature, together with marginal thermal and mechanical stability. These properties were enhanced in copolyimides containing equimolar amounts of rigid and flexible moieties. These rigid‐rod APIs derived from the alicyclic dianhydride and aliphatic diamines are promising candidates as advanced materials for future applications in micro‐ and photoelectronic devices. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3316–3326, 2006     

Power management unit chip design for automobile active-matrix organic light-emitting diode display module

A power management unit (PMU) chip supplying dual panel supply voltage, which has a low electro-magnetic interference (EMI) characteristic and is favorable for miniaturization, is designed. A two-phase charge pump circuit using external pumping capacitor increases its pumping current and works out the charge-loss problem by using bulk-potential biasing circuit. A low-power start-up circuit is also proposed to reduce the power consumption of the band-gap reference voltage generator. And the ring oscillator used in the ELVSS power circuit is designed with logic devices by supplying the logic power supply to reduce the layout area. The PMU chip is designed with MagnaChip’s 0.25 μm high-voltage process. The driving currents of ELVDD and ELVSS are more than 50 mA when a SPICE simulation is done.