Software System for Neuron Classification Based on Simple Parameters

A software system was produced to digitize neuronal images and to extract a set of simple parameters from the digitized images. The system was designed to classify a large number of neurons based on simple and automatically extracted features. The system was used to characterize catfish retinal ganglion cells. Several examples of parameter extraction and classification are presented.     

Poly(dithiafulvene)s containing alkoxy groups and mesogenic moiety in the side chain: synthesis,properties and their charge-transfer complex

Summary Poly(dithiafulvene)s having alkoxy group and mesogenic moiety in the side chain were prepared by cycloaddition polymerization. The effects of the side chains on the structural and optical properties of poly(dithiafulvene)s in solution were investigated. Furthermore, the film state properties of the polymers and their charge transfer complex with electron acceptor were studied before and after annealing.     

The effect of repellents on penetration into packaging by stored-product insects

Two known repellents of stored-product insects, DEET and neem, were compared to protein-enriched pea flour, defatted protein-enriched pea flour, and pea protein extract for their efficacy at reducing penetration and invasion by several common stored-product insects: Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.). The methods of preparation of pea extract affected the penetration of S. oryzae. Protein-enriched pea flour, DEET and neem reduced the penetration of S. oryzae, but defatted protein-enriched pea flour and pea protein extract did not. The number of S. oryzae, T. castaneum, C. ferrugineus and O. surinamensis entering pierced paper envelopes that contained wheat and were treated with DEET was reduced by 99%, 86%, 97% and 91%, respectively. Neem was less effective than DEET in reducing penetration and invasion of insects. Protein-enriched pea flour did not prevent insects entering pierced envelopes.     

用Fe-Ti合金扩散连接SiC陶瓷

利用Ｆｅ－Ｔｉ合金在１４７３～１７２３Ｋ、０．９～５．４ｋｓ的接合条件下对常压烧结ＳｉＣ陶瓷进行了真空扩散连接,接头中形成ＴｉＣ、ＦｅＳｉ、Ｔｉ５Ｓｉ３反应相。试验结果表明,用Ｆｅ－５０Ｔｉ（ａｔ％）合金,在１６２３Ｋ、２．７ｋｓ的接合条件下,接头的高温（９７３Ｋ）剪切强度达到１３３ＭＰａ。     

Synthesis of Cubic Boron Nitride from Boron Nitride Synthesized by Pressure Pyrolysis of Borazine

Cubic BN was synthesized under high-temperature and -pressure conditions from BN powder formed by pressure pyrolysis of borazine below 700°C and 100 MPa. The conversion of BN powder to cubic BN was strongly influenced by the residual hydrogen identified by the BH/BN ratio of IR absorption band. The activation energy for cubic BN synthesis from BN powder-20 mol% AIN was 46 kJ/mol, when the starting BN was synthesized at 250°C. A mixture of BN powder and cubic BN particles was converted to cubic BN in a 100% yield by heat treatment at 1800°C and 6.5 GPa without any catalyst. The presence of cubic BN particles does enhance the conversion to cubic BN from BN powder. The energy required for the transformation of starting BN to cubic BN in the presence of cubic BN seed was 355 kJ/mol.     

Reaction Phases and Strength of AlN/V Diffusion Couples

Diffusion couples of AlN/V were experimentally examined after annealing in a temperature range of 1373 K1773 K for a bonding time range of 0.9 ks21.6 ks. The interfacial reaction, reaction mechanism, and bond strength of the bonded AlN/V couples have been explained on the basis of phase relations at different bonding conditions, making use of elemental analysis, XRD, and shear testing method. Formation of V(Al) solid solution and V₂N nitride controls the interfacial joining of the AlN/V couples. A complete diffusion path between AlN and V could be predicted at 1573 K before 0.9 ks, following a sequence of AlN/V(Al)/V₂N/V. This sequence can be discussed during the Al-V-N ternary phase diagram. At a high temperature of 1573 K, AlN decomposition at the interface took place. A maximum bond strength could be obtained for a joint bonded at 1573 K after 5.4 ks, having a structure of AlN/V(Al)/V₂N + V.     

Solid-state diffusion bonding of silicon nitride using titanium foils

This article presents an effective way to control the interfacial reaction during solid-state diffusion bonding of silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) using titanium foils. The interfacial structure and its growth kinetics were analyzed in detail with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The actual phase sequence of the joint interfaces bonded at temperatures between 1473 and 1673 K is concluded to be Si₃N₄/Ti₅Si₃(N)/α-Ti(N)+Ti₅Si₃(N), which is different from the phase sequence observed at room temperature after bonding. The joints are very weak due to the formation of a brittle Ti₅Si₃(N) layer at the interface. To suppress the growth of the Ti₅Si₃ layer, a nitrogen-solution treatment of titanium foils prior to each bonding experiment is implemented. Although a perfect prevention of the Ti₅Si₃(N) layer formation is not achieved with this treatment, it is shown that the growth of the layer is effectively suppressed enough to improve the joint strength to a level 3 times higher than the case in which pure titanium is employed.     

Superstructure-based design and operation for biomass utilization networks

This paper is providing a design and evaluation methodology for biomass utilization networks (B-NETs) planning in local areas. The methodology is an effort to integrate various exertions of many researchers as well as stakeholders in the biomass field including process technologies, local area classification and renewable energy mechanisms to design and evaluate B-NETs. The proposed design methodology has three steps: classification, problem formulation and suggesting solution methods. The core part of planning the B-NETs utilization methodology is the superstructure that is a super class model for the processes of biomass utilization networks that has to be built for the local area. The biomass utilization superstructure (BUSS) relates the biomass resources to their products, available processes, and possible future processes of utilization in static manner. Although the local area BUSS is static in nature, it shows the decision makers what kinds of B-NETs are, or can be, available in their area. It is important to note that for each super class process there exists a number of elemental technologies, or what we call unit process (UP), that can perform the job under the same condition with different processing constraint. To support the design and operation process a technological information infrastructure (TII) needs to be built to work as an information pool and simulation tool. With the support of TII and the BUSS different scenarios can be synthesized, analyzed and compared. Scenarios development enables the designer to check processing alternatives as well as biomass promotion mechanisms that fit the concerns of various stakeholders. The results of the methodology application can be given in the form of suggestions of a specific network class(es) or scenarios that can be applied in a class of localities with the same characteristics. Following to methodology configuration, a proposal for optimization methods is discussed and a case study for comparing biomass network scenarios in mountainous city is introduced.