Computer-aided diagnosis in chest radiography: a survey

The traditional chest radiograph is still ubiquitous in clinical practice, and will likely remain so for quite some time. Yet, its interpretation is notoriously difficult. This explains the continued interest in computer-aided diagnosis for chest radiography. The purpose of this survey is to categorize and briefly review the literature on computer analysis of chest images, which comprises over 150 papers published in the last 30 years. Remaining challenges are indicated and some directions for future research are given.     

Components of an American Indian Computer Science Transfer Degree Program*

From 1995 to 1997, a culturally relevant transfer degree program was developed at a tribally controlled Community College in Minnesota. Broad traditional values held in common by most indigenous peoples formed the backbone of the project. These values led to the formulation of several significant components of culturally sensitive programs, which were enhanced by classroom practices adopted and distilled during more than two decades of teaching from middle school to the graduate level. Many of these coincided with and reinforced traditional American Indian values. In addition, practical lessons were learned while creating this new model of education. Our conclusion: the core of minority‐centered education should be good teaching strategies applied to a specific population but applicable to and effective for all students.     

Detection of shock-wave-induced internal stresses in Cu-Al-Ni shape memory alloy by means of acoustic technique

1. The present results indicate that the stress-induced β₁→γ₁′ martensitic transformation occurs for an impact duration of 2 × 10⁻⁶ s. This time interval appears to be sufficient also for the subsequent deformation of the γ₁′ martensitic phase to occur.2. A structure memory effect has been found: Cu-Al-Ni austenitic crystals, shock-loaded at room temperature to induce γ₁′–martensite, recall during subsequent temperature-induced martensitic transformation the martensitic variant structure (elastic properties) formed under the shock loading.3. Elastic properties of quenched β₁′ and γ₁′ crystals of the Cu-Al-Ni system are extremely sensitive to the shock-wave loading. Mechanisms of these effects, as well as of the structure memory effect, include the generation of internal stresses due to the high elastic anisotropy of the martensitic phases. These internal stresses either change the distribution of martensitic variants or govern the formation of the martensitic variant structure during the temperature-induced martensitic transformation. The generation of high internal stresses by impact loading of the β₁′ martensitic phase is also detected by several anelastic phenomena.4. In contrast to elastic and anelastic properties, transformation temperatures are insensitive to the impact loading, pointing to the difference of structural elements responsible for the anelastic effects and for the interval and hysteresis of the thermoelastic martensitic transformation.     

Comparative study of the surface oxidation behaviour of amorphous and crystallized Fe67Co18B14Si1 metallic glass

The oxidation of amorphous and crystallized specimens of the metallic glass Fe₆₇Co₁₈B₁₄Si₁ were studied under controlled conditions using Auger electron spectroscopy and X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy. The different oxides were characterized as boron and iron oxide forming in that sequence for both the amorphous and crystalline specimens. No cobalt oxide was detected. A higher oxygen uptake was measured for the amorphous than for the crystalline specimens. Comparison with the literature shows that the difference in oxygen uptake is heavily composition dependent. The oxidation of the amorphous specimens constitutes a driving force for boron to segregate to the surface and causes a boron enriched layer. Segregation of boron and cobalt occurs during annealing and the sequence of the enriched layers is influenced by environmental conditions.     

A functional processor for the relational algebra on a microcomputer

We have built on the U.C.S.D. P-system (running on an IBM Personal Computer) a relational algebra processor, MRDS/FS, which is extremely powerful and which supports a functional syntax for the programmer-user. The relational algebra is provided in the extended operators μ-join, σ-join, project and select. The domain algebra is fully implemented for the first time, giving operations on attributes: arithmetic, logic, comparison and four different categories of aggregation of these. A strictly functional syntax is provided, permitting user-defined functions using the relational and domain algebras as primitive operations. An interactive editor permits the creation, copying and changing of both relations and user-defined functions.     

On the behaviour of a translating vapour bubble under the influence of a pressure step—numerical solutions of implosion and fragmentation

The implosion of a translating, originally spherical, free vapour bubble due to a pressure step is described by numerical solution of the basic equations. The treatment is based on the application of a combination of the mathematical methods of collocation and characteristics. The behaviour of a vapour bubble is a generalization of gas bubble behaviour due to the incorporation of the effect of phase transition at the bubble wall. Contrary to a gas bubble, a vapour bubble diminishes completely during the implosion. The theoretical predictions include bubble shape and fragmentation in qualitative agreement with new experimental results.     

A test reaction for titanium silicalite catalysts

The catalytic hydroxylation of phenol to hydroquinone and catechol can be used for checking the quality of titanium silicate catalysts since the selectivity of these catalysts is strongly affected by the presence of small amounts of non-framework titania. Titanium silicates prepared by modification of [Al]ZSM-5 exhibits the same catalytic properties as hydrothermally synthesized TS-1 of high purity.     

Macrozoobenthos of floodplain waters of the rivers rhine and meuse in the Netherlands: A structural and functional analysis in relation to hydrology

The river systems of the Rhine and Meuse include a large number of floodplain waters showing differences in hydrology and geomorphology. A classification of 100 water bodies based on their macroinvertebrate communities has been worked out as a tool for ecological management. Analyses were performed on structural (species composition) and functional (trophic relations) aspects of macrozoobenthos in relation to hydrological, vegetational, and physicochemical parameters. Based on the classification of macroinvertebrate communities, three major groups of water bodies can be distinguished, which are related to the frequency of inundation. The flood frequency constitutes the major environmental gradient which structures the zoobenthos communities in the Dutch floodplain waters. Faunal composition is mediated by substrate availability, water chemistry, and the availability of nutritional resources. This typology serves as a basis for the prediction of the impact of hydrology changes on the macrozoobenthic communities of floodplain waters of highly eutrophic and polluted rivers.