SHARC: Silicon Highly-segmented Array for Reactions and Coulex used in conjunction with the TIGRESS gamma-ray spectrometer

The combination of gamma-ray spectroscopy and charged-particle spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the study of nuclear reactions with beams of nuclei far from stability. This paper presents a new silicon detector array, SHARC, the Silicon Highly-segmented Array for Reactions and Coulex. The array is used at the radioactive-ion-beam facility at TRIUMF (Canada), in conjunction with the TIGRESS gamma-ray spectrometer, and is built from custom Si-strip detectors utilising a fully digital readout. SHARC has more than 50% efficiency, approximately 1000-strip segmentation, angular resolutions of Delta theta approximate to 1 : 3 deg and Delta phi approximate to 3.5 deg, 25-30 keV energy resolution, and thresholds of 200 keV for up to 25 MeV particles. SHARC is now complete, and the experimental program in nuclear astrophysics and nuclear structure has commenced

Minimum Information about a Cardiac Electrophysiology Experiment (MICEE): Standardised reporting for model reproducibility, interoperability, and data sharing

Cardiac experimental electrophysiology is in need of a well-defined Minimum Information Standard for recording, annotating, and reporting experimental data. As a step towards establishing this, we present a draft standard, called Minimum Information about a Cardiac Electrophysiology Experiment (MICEE). The ultimate goal is to develop a useful tool for cardiac electrophysiologists which facilitates and improves dissemination of the minimum information necessary for reproduction of cardiac electrophysiology research, allowing for easier comparison and utilisation of findings by others. It is hoped that this will enhance the integration of individual results into experimental, computational, and conceptual models. In its present form, this draft is intended for assessment and development by the research community. We invite the reader to join this effort, and, if deemed productive, implement the Minimum Information about a Cardiac Electrophysiology Experiment standard in their own work.T.A. Quinn... D.A. Saint... et al

Casting Metals in Dentistry: Past - Present - Future

This article deals mainly with the development of dental casting techniques and formulation of the different groups of alloys used in the fabrication of ceramo-metal restorations. It is recognized that in order for the quality of dental cast restorations to be improved, having alloys with the proper composition is not enough. Biocompatibility, good mechanical and physical properties, longevity of the restoration, compatibility with porcelain, and a simple manipulative technique are as important. Researchers have contributed to different aspects of dental castings and have made cast restorations what they are today. Unfortunately, much of the original basic research has been overlooked by present investigators, who have duplicated studies conducted in the past without realizing that the study had already been performed and the research had been published. The main reason for this is that abstracts of articles published prior to 1975 are not available through a library computer-search system. To obtain copies of articles published prior to 1975, one has to search the literature to know where they were published. This article provides references for much of the past work in this area. Also, dental libraries do not carry copies of U.S. patents. This places the majority of researchers located at dental schools at a disadvantage. They are not familiar with what the patents claim, what is taught, and why certain elements are added or eliminated from alloys and investment materials. This article also provides the numbers of many U.S. patents. By having the patent number, one can obtain the text of the patent from the U.S. Patent Office in Washington, DC. Since esthetics plays an important role in today's society, emphasis will be given only to alloys designed for fabrication of ceramo-metal restorations. Many ceramo-metal alloys are available today, and they are classified differently by different individuals. In this article, classification will be based on the major components of these alloys, as well as on a chronological introduction of one group leading to the development of the next group. Based on this, one can classify these alloys into six major groups. Chemical composition, properties, and the developers of these alloys, along with their U.S. patents, are given. Recently, two types of all-ceramic restorations have been introduced. The main advantage of the all-ceramic restoration is its superior esthetic quality compared with that of ceramo-metal restorations. Their main disadvantages are low strength and ductility. Their strength, however, is sufficient for single-unit restorations, but not for bridgework. The use of titanium for dental restorations has also been studied, and it has been found to be suitable. Future Studies - Future work should be devoted to the following: (1) the development of stronger and more ductile ceramic materials: (2) further study of the promising palladium alloys from the noble metal group and titanium alloys from the base metal group; (3) the development of easier and less-time-consuming techniques for the fabrication of dental appliances; (4) the development of a powder technique rather than a cast technique for future fabrication methods; and (5) the development of new laboratory equipment, e.g., a single sintering oven capable of sintering both ceramic and metallic particles, which would be accepted if the powder technique is developed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/67759/2/10.1177_08959374880020011701.pd