A highly manufacturable 32Gb multi-level NAND flash memory with 0.0098 μm ² cell size using 40nm TANOS cell technologies has been successfully developed for the first time. The main key technologies of 40nm 32Gb NAND flash are advanced high N.A immersion photolithography with off-axis illumination system, advanced blocking oxide of the TANOS cell, and PVD tungsten and flowable oxide for bit line

An abrupt scene-transition frame is one that is hardly correlated with the previous frames. In that case, because an intra-coded frame has less distortion than an inter-coded one, almost all macroblocks are encoded in intra mode. This breaks up the rate control flow and increases the number of bits used. Since the reference software for H.264 takes no special action for a scene-transition frame, several studies have been conducted to solve the problem using the quadratic R-D model. However, since this model is more suitable for inter frames, they are unsuitable for computing the QP of the scene-transition intra frame. In this paper, a modified algorithm for detecting scene transitions is presented, and a real-time rate control scheme accounting for the characteristics of intra coding is proposed for scene- transition frames. The proposed scheme was validated using 16 test sequences. The results showed that the proposed scheme performed better than the existing H.264 rate control schemes. The PSNR was improved by an average of 0.4-0.6 dB and a maximum of 1.1-1.6 dB. The PSNR fluctuation was also improved by an average of 18.6 %.1

The Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) profiles obtained during well completion of a CO₂ monitoring well were analyzed to characterize each well completion process in terms of temperature anomalies. Before analysis, we corrected the depth by redistributing the discrepancy, and then explored three temperature calibration methods. Consequently, we confirmed the depth discrepancy could be well corrected with conventional error redistribution techniques. Among three temperature calibration methods, the conventional method shows the best results. However, pointwise methods using heat coil or in-well divers also showed reliable accuracy, which allows them to be alternatives when the conventional method is not affordable. The DTS data revealed that each well completion processes can be characterized by their own distinctive temperature anomaly patterns. During gravel packing, the sand progression was monitorable with clear step-like temperature change due to the thermal bridge effect of sand. The DTS data during the cementing operation, also, clearly showed the progression up of the cement slurry and the exothermic reaction associated with curing of cement. During gas lift operations, we could observe the effect of casing transition as well as typical highly oscillating thermal response to gas lifting.

ObjectivesThis study was designed to evaluate the effect of traditional Korean medical therapy, consisting of needle-embedding therapy and pharmacopuncture therapy, on patients with urinary incontinence.MethodsTwenty-nine patients with urinary incontinence underwent two sessions of traditional Korean medical therapy in a month. The pressure and the duration of pelvic muscle contraction were measured and compared. The primary endpoint of the study was improvement in the strength of pelvic floor muscle contraction. The paired t-test was used for the statistical analysis.ResultsBefore treatment, a maximum pressure of 16.03±6.28mmHg and an average pressure of 9.62±4.98mmHg were measured, and the duration was 11.82±12.08 seconds. After the first treatment, the pressures were 27.41±10.46mmHg (maximum) and 18.62±9.72mmHg (average), and the duration was 40.75±60.02 seconds. After the second treatment, the pressures were 29±14.86mmHg (maximum) and 20.31±11.51mmHg (average), and the duration was 34.62±42.02 seconds. Comparisons between before treatment and first treatment results and between before treatment and second treatment results showed statistically significant changes but the difference between the first treatment result and the second treatment result was not statistically significant.ConclusionsPatients receiving traditional Korean medical therapy showed improved pelvic muscle contraction ability after a single treatment. If strength of pelvic floor muscle contraction is improved, symptoms of urinary incontinence also get better. Traditional Korean medical therapy, with a focus on needle-embedding therapy and pharmacopuncture therapy, may be effective for treating urinary incontinence

Fiber optic sensors are gradually replacing electrical sensors in geotechnical applications owing to their immunity to electrical interference, durability, and cost-effectiveness. However, additional protective measures are required to prevent loss of functionality due to damage to the sensors, cables, or connection parts (splices and/or connectors) during installation and completion processes in borehole applications. We introduce two cases of installing fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensors in 1 km boreholes to monitor the behavior of deep subsurface faults. We present our fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) forming schemes to protect sensors and splices. We also present uniaxial load test and post-completion monitoring results for assessing the effects and performance of the protective measures. The uniaxial load test and post-completion monitoring show that FBG sensors are well protected by FRP forming without significant impact on sensor performance itself and that they are successfully installed in deep boreholes. In addition to summarizing our learning from experiences, we also suggest several points for consideration to improve the applicability of FBG sensors in borehole environment of the geotechnical field.

Exploration Geophysics is published by CSIRO PUBLISHING on behalf of the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists. Papers published report the results of significant case histories and relevant original research in geophysics, with emphasis on the Australian and similar environments.