Synchronous dynamic focusing for ultrasound imaging

An approach to dynamic focusing of ultrasound linear array scanners is presented, leading to the unique capability of implementing a focus that continuously tracks the return signal along the penetration depth. An electronically variable lens is obtained by a heterodyning process, in which the phases of echo signals at the array elements are equalized by mixing with suitable reference oscillations. These are generated by control of a single voltage-controlled oscillator, whose frequency is properly varied in synchronism with the delay of signal from different depths. The technique has been experimentally demonstrated by modifying the focusing processor of a conventional echographic linear scanner. Superior performances have been obtained with respect to fixed-focus operation mode. The image quality results are comparable with those of multizone-focus operation mode, in which the focus is varied over more transmit/receive cycles at the expense of lower frame rate.     

Effects of aqueous washings on colour and nutrient quality of mechanically deboned chicken meat

Mechanically deboned chicken meat (MDCM) was washed with water, 0·5% NaCl or 0·5% NaHCO(3) solutions. Approximately 75·5% of the total hemoprotein pigments were removed by washing of MDCM with a sodium bicarbonate solution which resulted in the best colour improvements in the samples. Approximately 18·7% of total lipids were removed as a result of aqueous washing. The yield of proteins ranged from 56·5% after one washing with water to 43·4% after washing with water and then with a sodium bicarbonate solution. The Hunter L and a colour parameters of the samples correlated well with the total hemoproteins (correlation coefficients -0·984 and +0·947, respectively); corresponding correlation coefficient with the Hunter b value was only +0·693.     

High-speed techniques for estimating t1, t2, and density images

This work presents methods for estimating relaxation times T1 and T2 and proton density using a real time digital video processor. This device performs each mathematical step of the fitting algorithms in one video frame interval (1/30 s). Two-point fits of T1 and T2 may be generated in approximately 15 video frame intervals or about 0.5 s; generation of a T2 image from four acquired images requires about 30 video frame intervals or about 1 s. The hardware is common to many commercial MR scanners and requires no array processor. Such high-speed techniques can expedite the clinical use of computed images and facilitate the implementation of image synthesis.     

Modified quadratic discriminant functions and the application to chinese character recognition

Issues in the quadratic discriminant functions (QDF) are discussed and two types of modified quadratic disriminant functions (MQDF1, MQDF2) which are less sensitive to the estimation error of the covariance matrices are proposed. The MQDF1 is a function which employs a kind of a (pseudo) Bayesian estimate of the covariance matrix instead of the maximum likelihood estimate ordinarily used in the QDF. The MQDF2 is a variation of the MQDF1 to save the required computation time and storage. Two discriminant functions were applied to Chinese character recognition to evaluate their effectiveness, and remarkable improvement was observed in their performance.     

STUDY ON THE VARIATION MECHANISM OF CARBON CONTENT OF LIQUID IRON IN MELTING GASIFIER

This paper studied the changing principles of carbon content in direct reduction iron (DRI) and liquid iron in the COREX melting gasifier. Under the normal working conditions of experimental equipment, liquid nitrogen was poured into the melting gasifier from its tuyere to cool down quickly. And then seven cross sections were made to study the carburization reaction and its characteristics of the solid iron and the liquid iron, and also the reaction of carbon between the slag and the metal. According to the results, the influences of the thickness of the semi-coke layer and the temperature on the carbon content of liquid iron in the COREX melting gasifier were confirmed.     

AN EXPERIMENTAL-NUMERICAL METHOD FOR MEASURING CRACK PROPAGATING VELOCITIES UNDER STRESS WAVE LOADING

An experimental-numerical method for measuring dynamic crack propagating velocities under stress wave loading is established in this paper. The experiments of the three-point bend specimen are done on the improved Hopkinson bar. Deflection of loading point, dynamic load and instantaneous crack length are measured, then crack propagating velocities are calculated. Experiments on 40Cr steel show that the results given by this method have a good agreement with that obtained by the resistance fracture gage method. Therefore this method is feasible for measuring crack propagating velocities under high loading rate and will have wide application.