MOSAIC: An integrated ultrasonic 2-D array system

An investigation into the development of an ultrasound imaging system capable of customization for multiple applications via the tessellation of in-system programmable scalable modules, or tiles, is presented here. Each tile contains an individual ultrasonic array, operating at +/-3.3V, which can be assembled into a larger ‘mosaic’ of multiple tiles to create arrays of any size or shape. The ability to form an imaging system from generic building blocks which are physically identical for manufacturing purposes yet functionally unique via programming to suit the application has many potential benefits in the field of ultrasonics. The system is primarily targeted at underwater sonar and non-destructive testing, as defined by the current excitation frequency, but the concept is equally applicable to applications in biomedical ultrasound

A modular FPGA-based ultrasonic array system for applications including non-destructive testing

This paper reports work aimed at the development of an ultrasonic imaging system comprising modular, reprogrammable building blocks, or tiles, which can be customised for multiple applications, including and within non-destructive testing (NDT), by the user. The key component is an autonomous module containing the ultrasonic array and all the electronics necessary to operate it. This contrasts with most previous research on system integration which has focused only on the transducer and front-end electronics.<p></p> In the present work, a 4 4 element 2D piezoelectric array with a 16 mm 16 mm aperture has been produced, with the entire transmission and reception electronics within the same footprint. The proximity of the transducer array and electronics removes the need for cabling, reducing signal degradation due to cross talk and interference. In addition, it avoids the problem of electrical impedance matching of cable between the array elements and the electronics. <p></p> Pulse-echo insertion loss of 48 dB has been measured from back-wall reflections in 73 mm-thick aluminium without decoding, and results with decoded signals show adequate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with 3.3 V excitation at an operating frequency of 1.2 MHz, within the range required for deep penetration in nuclear power plant. <p></p> Crucially, the ability to construct 2D arrays of any size and shape from generic building blocks represents a departure from almost all previous work in ultrasound, which has traditionally been highly application specific. This may allow ultrasonic NDT to be used in applications for which the investment in customised devices could not previously be justified. <p></p&gt

MOSAIC: A Scalable reconfigurable 2D array system for NDT

This paper documents the development of a scalable 2D array system, or Mosaic that can be targeted at a wide range of NDT applications by way of a reconfigurable tile that can be tessellated to form arrays of any size and shape. Close coupling permits utilization of excitation voltages as low as +/-3.3V with insertion loss of 48dB on reflection from an aluminum back wall at 73mm achieved using 2D arrays without decoding

“A Jewish And Democratic State:” Reflections on the Fragility of Israeli Secularism

An essay is presented in which the author explores fragility of Israeli secularism related to Jewish religion. Topics discussed are the impact of religious monopoly over personal status in Israel on Israeli secularism, the origination of religious monopoly over personal status during the Ottoman Empire\u27s rule over Palestine, and dispute resolution of domestic cases in communities\u27 and tribes\u27 religious tribunals under their religious laws

The Darker Side of Overparenting

In response to David Pimentel’s article, Criminal Child Neglect and the “Free Range Kid”: Is Overprotective Parenting the New Standard of Care?, 2012 Utah Law Review 947

On the Static Dielectric Permittivity for Coulomb System in the Long Wavelength Limit

On the basis of the exact relations the general formula for the static dielectric permittivity for Coulomb system is found in the region of small wave vectors. The obtained formula describes the dielectric function of the Coulomb system in both limits: in the "metallic" state and in the "dielectric" one. On this basis the determinations of the "apparent" dielectric and the "apparent" radius of screening are introduced. In the random phase approximation (RPA) the exact relations for the function dielectric function of the electron gas in the long-wavelength region of the wave vectors are found for an arbitrary degeneration of the particles.Comment: 5 pages, no figure

Battling Against Interfaith Relations in Israel: Religion, Therapy, and Social Services

One of the less studied aspects of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is its demography. On the Jewish side, active steps are taken by the state to encourage Jewish immigration and Jewish births and discourage Jewish assimilation. As part of these efforts, the “problematic relationships” between Arab men and Jewish women from low socioeconomic background have become a high agenda item in public discussions in Israel during the last decade. I will examine here how the diagnostic category “girls at risk” and a therapeutic intervention employed by social services dealing with these couples helps maintaining the delicate balance between Jewish and democratic values. I will analyze these practices as a solution to a structural problem of the Jewish enclave in Israel

Hvordan påvirker forebyggende trening forekomsten av primære ikke-kontakt ACL-skader blant unge kvinnelige idrettsutøvere?

Bakgrunn: Fremre korsbåndsskader (ACL-skader) har store konsekvenser og er vanlig i den idrettsaktive delen av befolkningen. Man ser en økning av denne skaden blant barn og unge, og forskning viser at kvinner kan ha åtte ganger så stor risiko som menn. Problemstilling: Hvordan påvirker forebyggende trening forekomsten av primære ikke-kontakt ACL-skader blant unge kvinnelige idrettsutøvere? Metode: Søkene ble gjort i databasene PubMed, MEDLINE og SPORTDiscuss. Søkeordene «anterior cruciate ligament injury» or «ACL injury» and prevention and training and female and intervention and physiotherpy and neuromuscular ble kombinert på forskjellige måter i de ulike basene. Fem longitudinelle studier publisert etter år 2000 ble inkludert. Resultat: Fire av fem studier viste en statistisk signifikant nedgang av ikke-kontakt ACL-skader etter en lengre intervensjonsperiode med skadeforebyggende trening. Den siste studien hadde også færre ikke-kontakt ACL-skader, men resultatet var ikke statistisk signifikant. Konklusjon: Forebyggende trening kan redusere forekomsten av primære ikke-kontakt ACL-skader, men det er viktig at treningen rettes mot de modifiserbare risikofaktorene med en hensiktsmessig dosering. Fysioterapeuter kan bidra til å øke compliance, individualisere treningen og motivere utøvere, og derfor bør yrkesgruppen i økende grad involveres i dette arbeidet.Background: Anterior cruciate ligament injuries (ACL injuries) are a common injury in sports and has major consequences. An increased number of children and youngsters experience this injury. Studies show that women can be at eight times higher risk of getting an ACL injury than men. Research question: How does preventive training affect the incidence of primary non-contact ACL injuries among young female athletes? Method: We used PubMed, MEDLINE and SPORTDiscuss. The following search words were combined in the databases: «anterior cruciate ligament injury» or «ACL injury» and prevention and training and female and intervention and physiotherapy and neuromuscular. Five longitudinal studies published after year 2000 were included. Results: Four of the five included studies showed a statistically significant decrease of non-contact ACL injuries after the intervention period. The last study also showed fewer non-contact ACL injuries, but the result was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Preventive training can reduce the incidence of primary non-contact ACL injuries. It is important that the training is based on the modifiable risk factors and executed with a suitable dosage. Physiotherapists can contribute to an increased compliance, individualize the training and motivate the athletes. The profession should therefore be more involved in the preventive work

Scientific Publications on Primary Biliary Cirrhosis from 2000 through 2010: An 11-Year Survey of the Literature

BACKGROUND: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic liver disease characterized by intrahepatic bile-duct destruction, cholestasis, and fibrosis. It can lead to cirrhosis and eventually liver failure. PBC also shows some regional differences with respect to incidence and prevalence that are becoming more pronounced each year. Recently, researchers have paid more attention to PBC. To evaluate the development of PBC research during the past 11 years, we determined the quantity and quality of articles on this subject. We also compared the contributions of scientists from the US, UK, Japan, Italy, Germany, and China. METHODS: The English-language papers covering PBC published in journals from 2000 through 2010 were retrieved from the PubMed database. We recorded the number of papers published each year, analyzed the publication type, and calculated the accumulated, average impact factors (IFs) and citations from every country. The quantity and quality of articles on PBC were compared by country. We also contrasted the level of PBC research in China and other countries. RESULTS: The total number of articles did not significantly increase during the past 11 years. The number of articles from the US exceeded those from any other country; the publications from the US also had the highest IFs and the most citations. Four other countries showed complex trends with respect to the quantity and quality of articles about PBC. CONCLUSION: The researchers from the US have contributed the most to the development of PBC research. They currently represent the highest level of research. Some high-level studies, such as RCTs, meta-analyses, and in-depth basic studies should be launched. The gap between China and the advanced level is still enormous. Chinese investigators still have a long way to go