NeuroNet: collaborative intraoperative guidance and control

Neurophysiological monitoring assesses CNS structure function relationships during surgery. NeuroNet supports remote performance of this task through real time multimodal data processing and multimedia network communication. The system is fully integrated, transparently combining the collection, processing, and presentation of real time data sources, including all physiological monitoring functions, with non real time functions and extensive online database information. Workstations are mounted in instrumentation racks and configured with appropriate electronics to support various data acquisition tasks including electroencephalograms (EEGs), electromyograms (EMGs), and multimodality evoked potentials. Multiple racks can be used in parallel on the same case if the number of variables to be monitored exceeds the capacity of a single tack. The data acquired on these systems is transparently accessible, in real time, across the network for both review and analysis     

Multimedia MedNet: a medical collaboration and consultation system

MedNet and its predecessor, NeuroNet, have been in use since 1985. The current system provides real-time monitoring and multiparty consultation during 1,600 brain surgeries per year     

Micro-cantilevers for optical sensing of biogenic amines

Microsystem Technologies - This paper discusses the functionalization of micro-cantilevers in order to bind and sense specific biogenic amines related to meat degradation (cadaverine). The...     

Long-time stability of a low-energy electron diffraction spin polarization analyzer for magnetic imaging

The time stability of a polarization analyzer that is used for imaging of magnetic structures in a scanning electron microscope with spin polarization analysis (spin-SEM or SEMPA) is investigated. The detector is based on the diffraction of low-energy electrons at a W(100) crystal at 104.5 eV (LEED detector). Due to the adsorption of hydrogen from residual gas, a change of the scattering conditions is found that causes an angular shift of the LEED beams as well as changes of intensity. The quality factor, which describes the efficiency of the detector in SEMPA application, however, is found to be almost constant up to a hydrogen coverage of θ ≈ 0.25. This gives stable working conditions within roughly 1 h at vacuum conditions of 10(-10) mbar.     

Neuronet: implementation of an integrated clinical neurophysiology system

A distributed computing facility that subserves a wide variety of clinical and research neurophysiology functions is described. The backbone of the system is an Ethernet local area network to which are attached a number of "sub"-networks defined by functional requirements. A variety of computer systems are attached to the network, many of which are mounted in portable racks. The capabilities of the overall system are described along with the functions it serves.     

Meat and fish freshness evaluation by functionalized cantilever-based biosensors

Meat spoilage is a result of an increase in the number of microorganisms and increased levels of biogenic amines (e.g. cadaverine). Destruction of non-spoiled meat products results in substantial waste of resources each year. Currently, the expiration date of meat-products is determined by either subjective sensory and/or expensive and time-consuming microbiological analysis. Cadaverine levels have been demonstrated to be related to the product freshness; however current sensing methods require bulky and expensive chromatography techniques. In this work, the cadaverine binding to a functionalization layer of cyclam (1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) is demonstrated by a systematic study of cyclam/solvent solution influence on morphology and binding. The degradation of the functionalization layer due to storage conditions has also been investigated, and the optimum solvent for the functionalization solution is found to be ethoxyethanol. Functionalized surfaces and cantilevers have been exposed to different types of meat (beef, fish, chicken or pork) and the cadaverine binding has been demonstrated, either by morphology changes (surfaces) or by changes on cantilever resonance frequency due to mass increase (cantilever). The results show a higher cadaverine emission rate for fish, followed by chicken, beef and finally pork.

     

Coal Handling for the Utility Industry

The history of coal handling in power plants, the changes in design requirements, and the future of bulk handling equipment for the utility industry are reviewed. Examples of coal handling systems are presented that point towards the changing, design criteria required by the ever increasing size of today's power plants. The concluding section is devoted to the evaluation of the systems and equipment available to the power industry for the transporting and storage of coal.