Electrochromic display devices of tungstic oxide containing vanadium oxide or cadmium sulphide as a light-sensitive layer

Solid-state electrochromic display devices (ECDs) have been prepared using vacuum deposited tungstic oxide as the primary electrochromic material. Such devices form colour during irradiation from a fluorescent-tube as light source. Initial experiments incorporated (evaporated) CdS films and the proton-conducting poly(ethylene oxide)-phosphoric acid electrolyte (1:1) plasticised with acetonitrile. Successful photoelectrochromic devices were prepared in this way provided the electrolyte was anhydrous, since films of CdS are sensitive to water-attack. Another device to evince photoelectrochromism was one containing layers of WO₃ and V₂O₅. This combination of oxides was the most promising, responding to a 1/20s flash of intense white light. As yet, the colour formed in this way cannot be electro-bleached. These displays may also be used as normal—electrolytically driven—devices in the absence of irradiation.     

Monte Carlo calculation of single-beam dose profiles used in a gamma knife treatment planning system

The accuracy of single-beam dose profiles used in the algorithm of the Gamma Knife treatment planning system (Leksell GammaPlan) is verified. EGS4 Monte Carlo calculation was employed to calculate the dose distributions of single-beams in a spherical water phantom with diameter 160 mm. The beams were directed to the center of the phantom. Collimators of 4, 8, 14, and 18 mm sizes were studied. The single-beam dose profiles provided by Elekta (Manufacturer of Leksell Gamma Knife) were excellently consistent with the results of Monte Carlo for the 4, 14, and 18 mm collimators. The maximum discrepancy was less than 3% at all radial distances. For the 8 mm collimator, the maximum discrepancy was 8% in the relative dose in the radial distance range from 4.3 mm to 5.2 mm. Excellent agreement in dose profiles along x, y, and z axes for all collimator helmets by summing over all 201 sources was observed between the cases using the default single-beam dose profiles and the calculated Monte Carlo results, except for the 8 mm collimator helmet along z axis. Such difference may however be too small to give a clinical significance.     

The applicability of the PTTL dose re-analysis method to the Harshaw LiF:Mg,Cu,P material

The phototransferred thermoluminescence (PTTL) technique is applied to the Harshaw LiF:Mg,Cu,P material. It is demonstrated that using 254-nm UV light, dose levels as low as 0.2 mGy can be re-estimated. The PTTL efficiency was found to be ～ 6 % in the dose range of 0.2 mGy-1 Gy, and it appears to be dose-independent. This implies that a simple calibration factor could be applied to the PTTL data for the re-estimation of dose levels. It was demonstrated that with a proper choice of the TL readout parameters, and the UV-light irradiation conditions, dose levels that are relevant to personal or environmental dosimetry can be re-estimated.     

Extent of microbial contamination in United States pork retail products

To determine the extent of microbiological contamination of U.S. pork, 384 samples of retail pork were collected from 24 stores in six cities, including (i) whole-muscle, store-packaged pork; (ii) fresh, store-packaged ground pork and/or pork sausage; (iii) prepackaged ground pork and/or pork sausage; and (iv) whole-muscle, enhanced (injected or marinated; 60% store-packaged, 40% prepackaged) pork. Additional samples (n = 120) of freshly ground pork and/or pork sausage were collected from two hot-boning sow/boar sausage plants, two slaughter and fabrication plants, and two further-processing plants. Samples were analyzed for aerobic plate counts (APC), total coliform counts (TCC), Escherichia coli counts (ECC), and incidences of Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Yersinia enterocolitica. Mean log APC and TCC were highest (P < 0.05) for store-ground pork, while whole-muscle, enhanced products and prepackaged ground products had the lowest (P < 0.05) APC. Mean log APC and TCC were higher (P < 0.05) in samples from the slaughter and fabrication plants than in samples from hot-boning and further processing plants. Mean log ECC were lower (P < 0.05) in samples from further-processing plants compared to slaughter and fabrication plants and hot-boning, sow and boar sausage plants. L. monocytogenes was detected in 26.7% of plant samples and 19.8% of retail samples and was present more frequently in ground products. Y. enterocolitica was detected most often in whole-muscle, store-packaged cuts (19.8%) and in store-ground product (11.5%). Salmonella spp. were found in 9.6% of retail samples and 5.8% of plant samples, while C. jejuni and C. coli were found in 1.3% of retail samples and 6.7% of plant samples. Pork products exposed to the most handling and processing appeared to be of the poorest microbiological quality. These results should be useful in risk assessments that are directed at the identification of actions that could enhance food safety.     

Toward a hybrid model for usability resource allocation in industrial software product development

The organizational aspects of user‐centered software development in a financial services company are presented. The financial services industry sector is one of the industrial sectors to embark on the development of computer software as a consumer product. The nature of business in the service sector predisposes it to encounter difficulties in developing software aimed at meeting customer demands. Lack of familiarity and experience with the product design and implementation processes, as well as reliance on usability for acceptance, are major obstacles encountered. Difficulties, insights, and lessons learned regarding organizational ergonomics issues faced by a user‐centered design group are provided, and a hybrid resource distribution model is proposed to guide other service sector companies in their future software development efforts. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 17: 245–262, 2007.     

Investigation of the mechanical and thermal fatigue properties of hybrid sol–gel coatings applied to AA2024 substrates

This research article reports on the response of various hybrid sol–gel materials when applied as coatings to pre-treated bare AA2024 substrates, to mechanical indentation and cyclic thermal stimuli, in order to determine their usefulness in aeronautical applications. Three groups of hybrid sol–gel-coated samples were prepared using various organosilanes and transition metal oxides. The characterization of the materials revealed that the presence of the organic functionalities, especially the methacrylate group, has a noticeable effect on the mechanical response of the hybrid coatings, in particular their flexibility. The presence of methacrylate group in the cured material gives it ability to flex which influenced the thermal fatigue characteristics of the coatings which are able to withstand the cyclic temperature regimes of 82 ± 3 to ?37 ± 3°C over 25 2 h cycles. This capability to maintain substrate protection is reflected in the corrosion resistance of the coatings as measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and accelerated exposure testing. This result is important, as it shows that hybrid sol–gel materials can be used in applications where protecting a metal or ally substrate is paramount, especially in thermally volatile environments.     

A Dynamic Analysis of a Spatial Manipulator to Determine Payload Weight

This paper presents a methodology whereby the payload weight of a serial manipulator can be determined from a minimum set of sensor data, i.e., joint angle and joint torque measurements. The particular manipulator geometry that is analyzed is a four degree‐of‐freedom serial chain that is commonly used in excavator systems. It was quite remarkable that a relatively simple solution was obtained for the payload weight considering that there are a total of nine unknown moments and cross moments of inertia of the payload together with the unknown location of the center of mass. Example calculations are presented. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Hair analysis in sled dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) illustrates a linkage of mercury exposure along the Yukon River with human subsistence food systems

The dog has been an important biomedical research model and hair samples from sled dogs could be used as a biomarker of exposure to metals. Hair samples were used as a non-invasive indicator of mercury exposure in sled dogs fed commercial food and traditional village diets. Sled dog populations living in rural New York and Alaska were sampled in 2005 and 2006. Total mercury (THg) content was determined on the entire hair sample in sled dogs from reference sites in North Creek, New York and Salcha Alaska. Both sites fed a commercial feed for high performance dogs and had mean THg levels of 36.6 ng/g for New York sled dogs while Alaskan sled dogs, occasionally supplemented with fish oil showed THg mean of 58.2 ng/g. These THg levels are below levels that are suggested to cause adverse effects and should be considered baseline levels. Yukon River sled dogs had higher THg, ranging from 139 to 15,800 ng/g and showed decreasing mean levels from the delta area to upriver. There were significant differences between THg in the dogs from Russian Mission (10,908.3+/-3028 ng/g), the farthest west village, and Ft. Yukon (1822.4+/-1747 ng/g), the farthest east village. All village dogs along the Yukon had higher THg levels than the THg mean level (657+/-273 ng/g) of hair from ancient dogs of the Seward Peninsula.     

Attitude, knowledge, and skill competencies for practice in professional geropsychology: Implications for training and building a geropsychology workforce.

Professional geropsychology is a growing area of practice and training. To meet the mental health needs of an aging population, increasing numbers of psychologists need to develop competence to work with older adults, their families, and related care systems. The Pikes Peak model for geropsychology training (Knight, Karel, Hinrichsen, Qualls, & Duffy, 2009) delineates attitude, knowledge, and skill competencies for professional geropsychology practice and makes recommendations for training. In this paper, we define and illustrate the Pikes Peak geropsychology practice competencies through a case example. In the case, an older man with complex needs seeks care through a generalist psychologist in an outpatient setting. The attitudes, knowledge, and skills that the psychologist needs to consider, and implications for training, are reviewed. Training recommendations and resources are provided, with a focus on the training needs of psychologists who wish to expand their practices to include older adults. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)