A Prolog Rule-Based System for cartographic Name Placement

Manual name placement is an extremely time consuming task and has been one of the most difficult aspects of the map production process to automate. It is complicated by the large number of rules required for the selection and placement of names. A hybrid Prolog/Fortrau rule-based system is described for placing names on a variety of map types. It uses a set of Prolog primitives for spatial search and name placement operations. The Ordnance Survey's 1:625000 scale digital dataset has been used to illustrate the application of rules for the selection of labels as well as for controlling their size and orientation. The application to other types of maps and diagrams is also briefly described.     

Dislocation structures in deformed CoO and MnO

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and etch-pitting techniques have been used to examine dislocation structures of CoO and MnO single crystals deformed into steady state from 1000 to 1400° C. In this temperature range, studies have shown that there are low- and high-temperature activation energies (Q) and stress exponents (n). No change was observed in the structures of samples deformed within this temperature range. It is concluded, therefore, that any change inQ andn values is due to a change in oxygen diffusion path from the bulk at higher temperatures to along dislocation cores at lower temperatures, rather than being due to a change in the rate-controlling mechanism of deformation     

Observation and analysis of current carrying plasmas in a railgun

Observation of current-carrying plasma arcs driving solid projectiles in round-bore and square-bore railguns have been made with magnetic induction coils. Both free-running precursor arcs as well as projectile armature arcs are observed. Qualitative behavior of the plasmas is inferred from data and compared to basic physical models. The non-uniform nature of the force on the armature is investigated. Experimental details as well as difficulties in calibration and in quantitative analysis of magnetic probe signals are discussed. Evidence suggesting evolution in the structure of free-running arcs is presented.     

NOTE ON THE SOLUBILITY OF ENAMEL FRIT IN MILL WATER1

Methods of determining the solubility of enamel frit in mill water are outlined. Various tests tried show that (1) solution increases as fineness increases, (2) mixing has little or no effect upon solubility, (3) variation of smelter treatment has little or no effect upon solubility, and (4) Na₂O and B₂O₃ will dissolve from dry ground frit proportionately to the fineness thereof.     

Diagnostic accuracy of a rural live video telepathology system

Accuracy of diagnoses rendered using a live video telepathology network was assessed for permanent sections of surgical pathology specimens. To determine accuracy, telepathology diagnoses were compared with those obtained by directly viewing the glass slide using a standard microscope. A total of 294 cases were read via both telepathology and glass slide by attending pathologists at a tertiary care medical center. Overall accuracy was defined as exact concordance between diagnoses. Clinically insignificant differences in diagnoses were excluded to determine clinically significant accuracy. For the 285 cases with complete data, the overall accuracy for telepathology was 0.912 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.872-0.941), whereas the overall accuracy for glass slide readings was 0.968 (95% CI, 0.939-0.985). This difference is statistically significant (p = 0.009). When focusing on clinically significant discrepancies, where the difference in diagnosis might affect therapeutic decisions, the video accuracy was only slightly less than the glass slide accuracy (0.965 [95% CI, 0.934-0.982] vs. 0.982 [95% CI, 0.957-0.994], respectively), but this difference is not statistically significant (p = 0.302). Most of the cases with clinically significant differences involved lesions with inherently high interobserver variation. Certainty of diagnosis did not differ between video and glass slide readings (p = 0.911), but there was an association between certainty of diagnosis and diagnostic accuracy for video (p = 0.003 for clinically significant accuracies). Based on these findings, we recommend when using this telepathology system that only preliminary diagnoses should be given in the following situations: for diagnostic areas with known high interobserver variability; when the consultant has any degree of uncertainty about the presence or absence of the lesion in question; and when there is insufficient experience using telepathology as a diagnostic medium.     

金刚石加工金属基复合材料部件

在轻质、韧性的金属基体中加入硬质、脆弱材料而制成的金属基复合材料，具有高比强度。在加工这类材料时，硬质、脆性相容易带来一系列有关表面粗糙度和快速切削磨损的问题。针对这些问题，从聚晶金刚石和金刚石研磨工具两个方面，说明了超硬工具如何有效而经济地加工多种金属基复合材料部件。     

CLEAVAGE AUTOMATED: A new combinatorial chemistry tool

Liquid handling systems are in common use throughout the research chemistry industry, for a variety of fluid dispensing applications. However, few manual or automatic systems have been specifically designed for dosing highly corrosive acid/solvent mixes. Even fewer can withstand 60% Trifluoroacetic acid mixes - a standard mixture for cleavage of compound from polystyrene beads. A design is presented of such an automated dosing system. The requirements are to reduce human exposure to chemicals, remove potential for repetitive strain injury, and increase reaction plate throughput. Material choice, the use of process valves, equipment protection, and a novel plate detection system are discussed. Modifications resulting from the prototype test are discussed, along with additional improvements to the system and further research.