Digital enhancement and analysis of TEM plates

The techniques of digital image analysis and enhancement have been applied to TEM micrographs. Digitized micrographs of irradiated A1 and Mo containing cavities were enhanced by applying digital unsharp masking and thresholding techniques. These techniques produce enhanced images that allow for more effective analysis of image features using conventional analysis methods as well as computer methods. For the Mo data, a template-matching algorithm was applied to thresholded data and a computer-generated void histogram was obtained. The computer analysis gives results that are in agreement with conventional analysis of the same data. It is concluded that computer methods for cavity/void analysis can be successfully developed.     

Ward climate and community stay of psychiatric patients.

Administered a Ward Climate Inventory to 173 staff and 254 patients on 7 male wards of a neuropsychiatric hospital. 3 factors emerged from analyses: Factor I-personnel concern for patients; Factor II-patient concern for patients; and Factor III-ward morale. Elopement rate was significantly correlated with staff scores on Factors I and III and with magnitude of patient-staff differences on Factors I and III. Higher elopement rates were associated with lower personnel concern for patients, lower ward morale, and smaller patient-staff discrepancies in perceived personnel concern and ward morale. Release rates and community stay of unmarried schizophrenics were positively correlated with the patient-staff discrepancy score for Factor I. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recent discoveries of Dryopithecus shed new light on evolution of great apes

The origin and early evolution of the great ape/human clade (Hominidae) is currently a subject of debate. The controversy is fuelled by the fragmentary nature of the fossils which renders it difficult to determine clearly derived features that permit the recognition of fossil members of this clade. We report here the recent discovery of a facial skeleton and a temporal fragment with the petrosal bone of Dryopithecus laietanus, which provides a way out of an impasse. The lack of the fossa subarcuata is a great ape and human clade synapomorphy, and proves unequivocally that Dryopithecus belongs to this clade. The zygomatic possesses derived characters which reveal that Dryopithecus is related to the Ponginae and not to the African apes/humans, as recently suggested. The remaining morphological features are plesiomorphic and thus provide a good model of a common ancestor of all Hominidae.     

Smoke reduction for flexible PVC-high surface area: Alumina trihydrate vs. magnesium hydroxide

This paper reviews three flexible PVC formulations using various types of alumina trihydrate (ATH) and magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)₂]. Smoke values are compared. In two of the formulations, Mg(OH)₂ has better smoke values than ATH; in a third formulation, ATH has better smoke values than Mg(OH)₂. However, the third formulation uses an ATH with a very high surface area, which may indicate that smoke suppression may be a function of not only the type of flame retardants used but also surface area.     

Preferential orienting to faces in newborns: A temporal–nasal asymmetry.

It has been proposed that newborns' preferential orienting to faces is primarily controlled by a subcortical mechanism. As an index of subcortical, extrageniculate mediation, the asymmetry between the temporal and nasal hemifields was exploited. In Experiment 1, under monocular viewing conditions, newborns were presented with a pattern that had 3 blobs in the appropriate locations for the eyes and the mouth or a pattern that had an inverted position of the blobs. Results showed that newborns preferentially oriented to the facelike pattern only when it was presented in the temporal hemifield. In Experiment 2, both patterns had the blobs in the inverted position. For one pattern the blobs were black, and for the other they were striped. Newborns preferentially oriented to the striped blobs in either hemifield. The results support the hypothesis that in newborns, preference for facelike patterns reflects the activity of a subcortical mechanism. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A COMPREHENSIVE BIOMECHANICAL MODEL USING STRENGTH, STABILITY, AND COF CONSTRAINTS TO PREDICT HAND FORCE EXERTION CAPABILITY UNDER SAGITTALLY SYMMETRIC STATIC CONDITIONS

A new mathematical biomechanics] model has been developed to comprehensively estimate feasible hand force exertion capability under sagittally symmetric static conditions. In the model, a set of 15 linear constraint equations has been developed in three constraint classes: coefficient of friction, stability, and strength. This set of constraints defines a feasible solution space for combinations of horizontal and vertical forces exerted by the hands. Inputs to the model include posture, anthropometry, strength capability, coefficient of static friction, and gender. Examples of lifting and pushing demonstrate some features and advantages of the model. The most promising aspect of this model appears to be its ability to comprehensively combine multiple factors that can affect hand force exertion capability.     

Formation of γ-ketols from 13- and 9-hydroperoxides of linolenic acid by flaxseed hydroperoxide isomerase

A reexamination of the flaxseed hydroperoxide isomerase reaction showed that a minor enzymic product (ca. 5%), identified as a γ-ketol, was present. The substrates were the 13- or 9-hydroperoxides of linolenic acid, which were converted to 9-hydroxy-12-oxo-cis-15-trans-11-octadecadienoic acid, respectively. These compounds were formed in addition to the major products reported earlier: a 12,13-α-ketol and 12-oxo-cis-10,15-phytodienoic acid from the 13-isomer, and a 9,10-α-ketol from the 9-isomer.     

Preparation and surface characterization of nonsupported ruthenium catalysts

A study of the preparation of ruthenium powder catalysts, starting from ruthenium compounds from various sources, has been made. In many cases it is found that the extent of the chemisorbed hydrogen monolayer is lower than expected on the grounds of the BET surface area of the powder. From TGA, XPS, and EM observations it is concluded that this is caused by the presence of tightly bound chlorine and oxygen on the surface. These poisoning substances can be removed by reduction in hydrogen at room temperature, but above 700 K the metal surface is repoisoned by chlorine and oxygen originating from the bulk of the metal and diffusing to the surface. Methods are indicated to circumvent this difficulty and to prepare very pure samples.     

无线医疗新世代

科技已改变全球医疗照护的模式.用于诊断、监控及治疗疾病的医疗器材与装置不断改进.在已开发及正开发中地区拯救无数的生命.现今,无线通信正对医疗界运作产生重大影响,也为全球数百万病人的未来带来改变.