Preparation and characterization of interpenetrating phased TCP/HA/PLGA composites

The purpose of this study was to fabricate composites consisting of three interpenetrating networks: tricalcium phosphate (TCP), hydroxyapatite (HA), and poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA). The porous TCP network was first produced by coating a polyurethane (PU) foam with hydrolysable alpha-TCP slurry. The HA network was derived from a calcium phosphate cement (CPC) filled in the porous TCP network. The remaining open pore network in the HA/TCP composite was further infiltrated with a PLGA network. The three sets of spatially continuous networks would have different biodegradation rates and thus bone tissue would grow towards the fastest biodegrading network while the remaining networks still maintaining their geometrical shape and carrying the physiological load for the tissue ingrowth

Edge detection based on morphological amoebas

Detecting the edges of objects within images is critical for quality image processing. We present an edge-detecting technique that uses morphological amoebas that adjust their shape based on variation in image contours. We evaluate the method both quantitatively and qualitatively for edge detection of images, and compare it to classic morphological methods. Our amoeba-based edge-detection system performed better than the classic edge detectors.Comment: To appear in The Imaging Science Journa

Bayesian modeling of the nuclear equation of state for neutron star tidal deformabilities and GW170817

We present predictions for neutron star tidal deformabilities obtained from a Bayesian analysis of the nuclear equation of state, assuming a minimal model at high-density that neglects the possibility of phase transitions. The Bayesian posterior probability distribution is constructed from priors obtained from microscopic many-body theory based on realistic two- and three-body nuclear forces, while the likelihood functions incorporate empirical information about the equation of state from nuclear experiments. The neutron star crust equation of state is constructed from the liquid drop model, and the core-crust transition density is found by comparing the energy per baryon in inhomogeneous matter and uniform nuclear matter. From the cold $\beta$-equilibrated neutron star equation of state, we then compute neutron star tidal deformabilities as well as the mass-radius relationship. Finally, we investigate correlations between the neutron star tidal deformability and properties of finite nuclei.Comment: 15 pages, 17 figures. Invited contribution to the EPJA Topical Issue "First joint gravitational wave and electromagnetic observations: Implications for nuclear and particle physics

Diversity and Adaptation in Large Population Games

We consider a version of large population games whose players compete for resources using strategies with adaptable preferences. The system efficiency is measured by the variance of the decisions. In the regime where the system can be plagued by the maladaptive behavior of the players, we find that diversity among the players improves the system efficiency, though it slows the convergence to the steady state. Diversity causes a mild spread of resources at the transient state, but reduces the uneven distribution of resources in the steady state.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figure

THE EFFECT OF KOREAN FOLK DANCE EXERCISE TO THE KINEMATIC PARAMETERS FOR DOWN STAIRCASE WALKING OF ELDERLY PEOPLE

According to the Statistics department of Korea in 1991, population aged over 65 years in 1970 was 991,000 people (3.1% of whole population) and it has increased to 3,370,000 people (10.7% of whole population) in 2000. By 2010 Korea will become a full-scale aged society with an estimated population of about 7.53 million, 13.7% of those being the elderly. This phenomenon was occurred primarily due to the fertility reduction by the family planning project which was held since 1962 and extension of average life expectancy. Compared to the foreign countries which manage the aging population over long periods of time, the growth of the elderly population in Korea was faster than any other country in the world. Thus, the preparation for this is very urgent matter. Aging changes their movements and activities of people. Physical and functional degradation due to the aging process affect muscle atrophy, muscle loss, and loss of muscle function (Schlicht, Camaione & Owen, 2001). Muscle weakness affects the balance keeping which is an important factor to cause a falling. Falling is the most common injury of elderly people and even a light fall seriously hurts the elderly and can often lead to death (Leibson, Toteson, Gabriel, Ransom & Melton, 2002). Elderly’s falling occured more often to elderly women than men and 60% of this accident happens during daily activities. Startzell et al. (2000) also indicated that stair decending falls occured three times more often than for stair ascending. Walking downstairs is not only an essential motion but also is the most fearful action for elderly’s daily life process. However, most previous research on the characteristics of stair walking were targeted to normal young people. Thus, in this study, Korean folk dance program as part of rhythmic movement exercise was applied to the elderly women for increasing dynamic balance, stalility and range of motion, and the determined effect of it will be analyzed selected kinematic parameters