Cu-Zn binary phase diagram and diffusion couples

The objectives of this paper are to learn: (1) what information a binary phase diagram can yield; (2) how to construct and heat treat a simple diffusion couple; (3) how to prepare a metallographic sample; (4) how to operate a metallograph; (5) how to correlate phases found in the diffusion couple with phases predicted by the phase diagram; (6) how diffusion couples held at various temperatures could be used to construct a phase diagram; (7) the relation between the thickness of an intermetallic phase layer and the diffusion time; and (8) the effect of one species of atoms diffusing faster than another species in a diffusion couple

Managing contradictory evidence

The paper draws on the theory of mass assignment to refine the underlying semantics of intuitionistic fuzzy sets. Inconsistency can arise from several sources and it is dealt with in different ways. All the representations of inconsistency and contradiction in this paper arise from considering restricting and positive evidence lattices. In particular this paper formally addresses the operators, intersection and conjunction in detail. Because union and disjunction are required to compute the values for intersection and conjunction these are also covered as part of the analysis

Semantic transfer and contradictory evidence in intuitionistic fuzzy sets

The relationship between object level intuitionistic fuzzy sets and predicate based intuitionistic fuzzy sets is explored. Mass assignment uses a process called semantic unification to evaluate the degree to which one set supports another, the inverse function is semantic separation. Intuitionistic fuzzy sets are mapped onto a mass assignment framework and the semantic unification operator is generalised to support both mass assignment and intuitionistic fuzzy sets, as is semantic separation. Transfer of inconsistent and contradictory evidence are also dealt with

Understanding participation of children with cerebral palsy in family and recreational activities.

AIMS: The primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of age, sex, gross motor, manual ability, and communication functions on the frequency and enjoyment of children\u27s participation in family and recreational activities. The secondary aim was to determine the relationships between motor and communication functions and participation. METHODS: Participants were 694 children, 1.5-12 years old, with cerebral palsy (CP) and their parents across the US and Canada. Parents rated children\u27s frequency and enjoyment of participation using the Child Engagement in Daily Life measure. Parents and therapists identified children\u27s level of function using Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and Communication Function Classification System (CFCS). RESULTS: Differences in frequency and enjoyment of participation were found based on children\u27s GMFCS, MACS, and CFCS levels but not age or sex. Children with higher gross motor, manual, and communication functions had higher frequency and enjoyment of participation, compared to children with lower functions. Frequency of participation was associated with GMFCS and CFCS levels whereas enjoyment of participation was only associated with CFCS level. IMPLICATIONS: Knowledge of child\u27s gross motor, manual ability, and communication functions of children with CP is important when setting goals and planning interventions for participation

Reasoning consistently about inconsistency

Patching et al. and Hinde et al. in their work on truth-space mass assignments, presented a semantic unification function and a semantic separation function for mass assignment logic that dealt with inconsistency. This paper takes these two functions and while preserving the outside inconsistencies shows how inconsistency can be reasoned about in a consistent manner. This means that inconsistency that arises outside the system need not enter the system, but needs to be represented within the system, and can therefore be extracted appropriately as output from the system to emerge as inconsistency on the outside. The internal reasoning system need therefore only concern itself with belief in truth, falsity and uncertainty

Longitudinal Changes in Physical Caregiving for Parents of Children with Cerebral Palsy.

Aims: To determine changes in physical caregiving for parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP) over a two-year period based on children’s gross motor function level and age. Methods: 153 parents of children with CP rated their physical caregiving using the Ease of Caregiving for Children three times over two years. Parents and assessors classified children’s gross motor function using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Physical caregiving was compared at three test times among parents of children grouped by GMFCS level (I, II–III, and IV–V) and age (1.7–5.9 and 6–11 years) using a three-way mixed ANOVA. Results: Among all analyses, a two-way interaction was found between children’s GMFCS level and test time on ease of caregiving, p \u3c 0.01. Change over two-year period was found for parents of children in level I and II–III, p \u3c 0.01, but not parents of children in levels IV–V. At each test time, parents of children in level I reported the greatest ease of caregiving followed by parents of children in levels II–III, and levels IV–V, who reported the lowest ease of caregiving, p \u3c 0.001. Conclusions: Findings support evaluation and monitoring of physical caregiving for parents of children with CP over time

Determinants of gross motor function of young children with cerebral palsy: A prospective cohort study

Aim: The aim of this study was to test a model of determinants of gross motor function of young children with cerebral palsy (CP). Method: Four hundred and twenty-nine children with CP (242 males, 187 females; mean age 3y 2mo, SD 11mo) representing all levels of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) participated. Children in levels I to II and III to V were classified as Groups 1 and 2 respectively. Distribution of CP was quadriplegia, 44%; hemiplegia, 24%; diplegia, 23%; triplegia, 6%; and monoplegia, 2% (data not available for 1%). Impairment and motor function data were collected by reliable assessors; parents completed questionnaires on health conditions and adaptive behavior. Seven months later, parents were interviewed about family life and services received. One year after the study onset, motor function was re-evaluated. Analysis involved structural equation modeling. Results: The well-fitting model explained 58% and 75% of the variance in motor function at study completion for Groups 1 and 2 respectively. Primary impairments (spasticity, quality of movement, postural stability, and distribution of involvement; β=0.52-0.68) and secondary impairments (strength, range of motion limitations, and reduced endurance; β=0.25-0.26) explained the most variance. Adaptive behavior was a significant determinant only for Group 2 (β=0.21) and participation in community programs was significant only in Group 1 (β=0.13). Interpretation: Motor function is supported by optimizing body structures and function for all children and enhancing adaptive behavior for children with greater motor challenges. © 2013 Mac Keith Press

Managing contradictory evidence

The paper draws on the theory of mass assignment to refine the underlying semantics of intuitionistic fuzzy sets. Inconsistency can arise from several sources and it is dealt with in different ways. All the representations of inconsistency and contradiction in this paper arise from considering restricting and positive evidence lattices. In particular this paper formally addresses the operators, intersection and conjunction in detail. Because union and disjunction are required to compute the values for intersection and conjunction these are also covered as part of the analysis

E. coli catheter-associated urinary tract infections are associated with distinctive virulence and biofilm gene determinants

Urinary catheterization facilitates urinary tract colonization by E. coli and increases infection risk. Here, we aimed to identify strain-specific characteristics associated with the transition from colonization to infection in catheterized patients. In a single-site study population, we compared E. coli isolates from patients with catheter-associated asymptomatic bacteriuria (CAASB) to those with catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). CAUTI isolates were dominated by a phylotype B2 subclade containing the multidrug-resistant ST131 lineage relative to CAASB isolates, which were phylogenetically more diverse. A distinctive combination of virulence-associated genes was present in the CAUTI-associated B2 subclade. Catheter-associated biofilm formation was widespread among isolates and did not distinguish CAUTI from CAASB strains. Preincubation with CAASB strains could inhibit catheter colonization by multiple ST131 CAUTI isolates. Comparative genomic analysis identified a group of variable genes associated with high catheter biofilm formation present in both CAUTI and CAASB strains. Among these, ferric citrate transport (Fec) system genes were experimentally associated with enhanced catheter biofilm formation using reporter and fecA deletion strains. These results are consistent with a variable role for catheter biofilm formation in promoting CAUTI by ST131-like strains or resisting CAUTI by lower-risk strains that engage in niche exclusion

The Ecology of a Keystone Seed Disperser, the Ant Rhytidoponera violacea

Rhytidoponera violacea (Forel) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is a keystone seed disperser in Kwongan heathl and habitats of southwestern Australia. Like many myrmecochorous ants, little is known about the basic biology of this species. In this study various aspects of the biology of R. violacea were examined and the researchers evaluated how these characteristics may influence seed dispersal. R. violacea nesting habits (relatively shallow nests), foraging behavior (scramble competitor and lax food selection criteria), and other life history characteristics complement their role as a mutualist that interacts with the seeds of many plant species