Model of noise-grating selectivity in volume holographic recording materials by use of Monte Carlo simulations

A model describing the angular selectivity of noise gratings in volume holographic recording materials is presented. The noise grating is treated as an ensemble of superimposed, statistically distributed planar gratings. Rigorous coupled-wave analysis is used to treat reconstruction with various polarization states. The model accounts for material properties such as thickness change, absorption, and the angular distribution of scattered light within the recording medium. Results show good agreement with noise gratings that are experimentally formed in a thick cationic ring-opening photopolymer material.     

Do work technique and musculoskeletal symptoms differ between men and women performing the same type of work tasks?

Musculoskeletal disorders are more common among women than among men. When comparing the difference between men and women in the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, methodological problems arise as men and women seldom perform the same type of activities, neither at work nor at home.

The main objective of this cross-sectional case study was to compare work technique and self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms between men and women performing the same type of work tasks within a metal industry. Other factors, such as leisure activities, were also taken into consideration. Three data collection methods were used; questionnaire, interviews and systematic observations. The results from the observations revealed that women worked more frequently and during longer times with their hands above shoulder height than men. Working with hands above shoulder height is considered a risk factor for neck and shoulder disorders according to previous studies. Workplace design factors were probably a reason for differences in working technique between men and women. A higher proportion of women than men reported shoulder symptoms. Women spent more time on household activities than men, which indicates a higher total workload in paid and unpaid work.     

Design and processing of high-density single-mode fiber arrays for imaging and parallel interferometer applications

The design and fabrication procedures for implementing a high-density (16-microm center spacing) single-mode fiber (SMF) array are described. The specific application for this array is a parallel optical coherence tomography system for endoscopic imaging. We obtained fiber elements by etching standard single-mode SMF-28 fibers to a diameter of 14-15 microm. We equalized 1-m lengths of fiber to within 1 mm by using a fiber interferometer setup, and we describe a method for packaging arrays with as many as 100 fibers.     

High-transfer-rate high-capacity holographic disk data-storage system

We describe the design and implementation of a high-data-rate high-capacity digital holographic storage disk system. Various system design trade-offs that affect density and data-rate performance are described and analyzed. In the demonstration system that we describe, high-density holographic recording is achieved by use of high-resolution short-focal-length optics and correlation shift multiplexing in photopolymer disk media. Holographic channel decoding at a 1-Gbit/s data rate is performed by custom-built electronic hardware. A benchmark sustained optical data-transfer rate of 10 Gbits/s has been successfully demonstrated.     

Social class, treatment attitudes, and expectations.

Administered the Mental Health Attitude Survey (MHAS) to 90 white outpatient psychotherapy clinic applicants from middle, working, and unskilled socioeconomic status (SES) levels. Findings suggest that prior assumptions about differences in help-seeking attitudes and treatment expectations among SES groups must be carefully reevaluated, since no significant effects for sex, SES, or interactions were found on any MHAS dimension. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A picture integration task for measuring iconic memory in schizophrenics.

Two previous studies by the 1st author et al (1977) and G. Sperling (1960) using different techniques (partial report and backward masking) have found at least some subgroups of schizophrenics deficient in iconic memory. Both hypothesized that the icon in some schizophrenics might be either weakly formed, limited in capacity, or abnormal in duration, but neither study was able to test the qualities of the icon independent of possible transfer difficulties. The present study with 50 male 18–55 yr old psychiatric patients (35 schizophrenics and 15 nonpsychotics) developed a picture integration task that was analogous to C. W. Eriksen and J. F. Collins's (1973) random dot integration. With this task, the capacity and decay of the icon independent of transfer to short-term store was assessed. The icon itself was found intact in all schizophrenics. Other explanations are suggested for schizophrenics' inadequate partial report and backward masking performance. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The significance of thermal contact resistance in two-layer thermal-barrier-coated turbine vanes

A study was conducted to determine whether the thermal contact resistance (TCR) between layers is important in heat transfer through two-layer plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) applied to turbine vanes. The results obtained with a TBC system of an NiCrAlY bond and an yttria-stabilized zirconia ceramic showed that the TCR between the layers was negligible. This result also verified other results obtained with a different coating system of an NiCr bond and a calcia-stabilized zirconia ceramic.     

Family characteristics, childhood symptoms, and adult outcome in schizophrenia.

Assessed childhood symptom factors for 43 male children (average age 10.9 yrs), initially diagnosed as schizophrenic, in terms of their relationship to parental factors. The parental factors, in addition to family variables not derived by factor analysis, were evaluated as predictors of outcome over a 22-yr period extending from early to middle adulthood. Two maternal factors, Mother Anxious and Mother Neglect, were significantly related to adult outcome. The maternal factors were differentially associated with paternal factors, global judgments of severity of family disturbance and childhood symptoms. Path analysis indicated that the measure of severity of family disturbance had substantial, direct effects on adult measures with minimal mediation by childhood symptoms. (35 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hop maturation and resin formation. Effects of extended harvestings on subsequent hop crops

Commercial harvestings of hops (Humulus lupuhlus L, var., Pride of Ringwood) were conducted over a 5 week period encompassing normal harvest time. The effect on yield and α-acid content of the crop was determined, as was the effect on the subsequent crop. Although the yields of hops and α-acid from the first crop were found to plateau for at least 4 weeks, beginning 2 weeks prior to normal harvest, the time of harvesting exercised a significant effect on the yield for the following season. The magnitude of the effect was generally found to correlate with the length of time between training and harvesting of the initial crop, i.e. the shorter the time, the lower the yield of the subsequent crop.