The characterization of low energy molecular hydrogen ion—induced defects in synthetic diamond by optical absorption

The results of optical absorption analysis of the synthetic diamonds(type Ib) which were implanted with 40 keV molecular hydrogen ions at doses of 10^15-10^17H/cm^2(at 100K),showed that the increase of optical density(OD) of modified layer(-140nm) in UV-VIS region was dependent upon the damage level caused by ion implantation process.The range of relative optical band gap(Er.opt) around 2.0eV suggested that an amorphous carbon network structure like a-C film,which probably contains some localized subtetrabedral-coordinated clusters embedded in the fourflod(sp^3) sites.was tentatively found in this layer,basing on the optical gap of carbon materials.The evolution of Er,opt with ion fluence indicated that no more hydrogenated carbon compositions were produced in as -implanted samples,while the increase of Er,opt with annealing temperature was very similar to that of hydrogen content dependence of Eopt in hydrogenately amorphous carbon(a-C:H):In addition the optical inhomogeneity of type Ib diamond has been revealed by a 2-dimension topograph in transmission mode at λ=430nm。     

A user model neural network for a personal news service

User modelling has been widely applied to pedantic situations, where we are attempting to infer the user's knowledge. In teaching it is important to know that the user has mastered the elementary concepts before proceeding with the advanced topics. However, the application of user modelling to information retrieval demands a quite different type of user model. Here we construct a user model for browsing, where the user is uncertain of exactly which information he desires. This requires a more inexact and robust user model, that can quickly give guidance to the system. We propose a user model based on neural networks that can be constructed incrementally. Performance of the model shows some promise for this approach. We discuss the advantages and limitations of the approach and its implications for user modelling.     

A highly repetitive sequence isolated from genomic DNA of the medaka (Oryzias latipes)

In order to investigate the relationship between various temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain levels and the detection of high signal intensity (joint effusion) on T2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 19 consecutive patients who complained of unilateral painful TMJ hypomobility (closed locking) were involved in this study. All patients were clinically examined in a routine manner, and all patients rated their pain levels by a visual analogue scale and eight pain questionnaire prior MRI study. T1 and T2 weighted MRI was taken in sagittal section at unilateral affected joint side. The presence or absence of a high signal intensity spot within the TMJ compartment were judged by three examiners. The high signal intensity was detected in 10 joints, but not in 9 joints. In between these two groups, the pain ratio was calculated and compared. The data showed that there was no significant statistical correlation between pain levels and the presence of high signals. This study disclosed that the MRI detection of high signal intensity in the closed locking TMJ did not directly relate to the presence of TMJ pain nor the increased pain level. These indicate the need of further larger studies.     

Immunochemical and biochemical identification of the rice seed protein encoded by cDNA clone A3-12

Previously isolated cDNA clone A3-12 that was expressed in E. coli as the fusion protein with Trp E showed immunoreactivity with the mouse antibody raised against isolated alpha-globulin from rice seed. The N-terminal amino acid sequences determined for the purified alpha-globulin and its tryptic peptides were identical with the deduced amino acid sequence reported, except for two residues at the protein N terminus. An error in the reported sequence was confirmed by re-sequencing the cDNA, the nucleotide sequence for the two N-terminal residues being shown to be CAGCTG and not CACGTG. Thus, the protein encoded by cDNA clone A3-12 was identified to be the major rice seed globulin, alpha-globulin, with an apparent molecular mass of 26kDa.     

Depression among cancer patients

OBJECTIVE: To identify important causes of premature mortality among Aboriginal adults in the Northern Territory (NT), 1979-1991. METHODS: All deaths of NT Aboriginal residents aged 15-64 years which occurred in the NT between 1979 and 1991 and which were recorded by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages were included. Standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) were used to compare the number of deaths observed among Aboriginals in the NT to those expected, based on overall Australian rates. Years of potential life lost before age 65 (YPLL65) were estimated for specific causes of death. RESULTS: Aboriginal women (overall SMR, 5.5) and Aboriginal men (SMR, 4.7) experienced a high burden of excess mortality from almost every cause of death. This excess increased over time, especially for Aboriginal women. Among Aboriginal men, the most important causes of premature death were motor vehicle accidents (11% of excess deaths and 17% of YPLL65), ischaemic heart disease (10% of excess deaths and 10% of YPLL65), pneumonia and influenza (8% of excess deaths and 6% of YPLL65), and homicide (7% of excess deaths and 8% of YPLL65). For Aboriginal women, the most important causes included homicide (7% of excess deaths and 11% of YPLL65), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (10% of excess deaths and 5% of YPLL65), rheumatic heart disease (7% of excess deaths and 8% of YPLL65), and ischaemic heart disease (6% of excess deaths and 5% of YPLL65). CONCLUSIONS: The wide variety of causes of excess mortality will require an equally wide variety of solutions, both medical and non-medical, and a long term commitment will be necessary to achieve reductions in premature mortality among NT Aboriginal adults.     

Dynamic analysis of cracked linear viscoelastic solids by finite element method using singular element

The finite element method for the dynamic problem of cracked linear viscoelastic solids is developed using the singular element where the displacement function is taken from the analytical solution near the crack-tip. The time variation of the dynamic stress intensity factors is determined for a center crack and an oblique crack in standard linear viscoelastic rectangular plates subjected to dynamic loading.

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Résumé La méthode par éléments finis permettant d'aborder le problème dynamique des solides linéaires viscoélastiques fissurés est développée en recourant à un élément singulier pour lequel la fonction de déplacement est prise dans une solution analytique au voisinage del'extrémité de la fissure. La variation dans le temps des facteurs d'intensité de contrainte dynamique est déterminée pour une fissure centrale et pour une fissure oblique dans des plaques rectangulaires standard en matériau linéaire viscoélastique soumises à une sollicitation dynamique.

     

The indirect hemagglutination test for onchocerciasis performed with blood collected on filter paper

In Guatemala, an indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test for onchocerciasis, performed with a crude saline extract of Onchocerca volvulus and blood samples taken on filter paper, showed a high level of sensitivity and specificity. IHA titers of blood samples from the ear lobe taken on filter paper and of sera obtained by venipuncture showed a high correlation.     

Optimal discrete-time control system with cost for observation

The problem of how to select the total number and the spacings of the observations optimally when a constant cost is incurred for each observation taken is discussed. Approximate expressions for the criterion function with a fixed number of observations are obtained and are used to determine the optimal total number of observations. For a class of multidimensional systems with a dominant eigenvalue, the problem is shown to reduce to that for scalar systems. Detailed discussion is then carded out for scalar systems including some sensitivity study.