Time reversal for obstacle location in elastodynamics from acoustic recording

The Note is concerned with a feasibility study of time reversal in a non-homogeneous elastic medium, from data recorded in an acoustic medium. Our aim here is to determine the presence and some physical properties of elastic “inclusions” (unknown, not observable solid objects, characterized by their elastic properties) from partial observations of acoustic waves scattered by these inclusions. A finite element numerical method, based on a variational acousto-elastodynamics formulation, is derived and used to solve the forward, and then, the time-reversed problem. A criterion, derived from the reverse time migration framework, is introduced, to help construct images of the inclusions to be determined. Numerical illustrations on configurations that mimic the breast cancer configuration are proposed, and show that one can differentiate between two inclusions, even with different properties.     

Propagation of a decentered astigmatic partially coherent beam in a turbulent atmosphere

Propagation properties of a decentered general astigmatic partially coherent beam (i.e., decentered twisted anisotropic Gaussian Schell-model beam) in a turbulent atmosphere are investigated. Analytical formulas for the cross-spectral density and decentered parameter of a decentered astigmatic partially coherent beam propagating in a turbulent atmosphere are derived. Irradiance properties of a decentered astigmatic partially coherent beam in a turbulent atmosphere are studied graphically, and are found to be quite different from its properties in free space.     

Total error and uncertainty: Friends or foes?

Guidelines ISO 17025 and ISO 15189 aim to improve the quality-assurance scheme of laboratories. Reliable analytical results are of central importance due to the critical decisions that are taken with them. ISO 17025 and ISO 15189 therefore require that analytical methods be validated and that laboratories can routinely provide the measurement uncertainty of the results of measurements. To evaluate the fitness of purpose of analytical methods, total error is increasingly applied to assess the reliability of results generated by analytical methods. However, the ISO requirement to estimate measurement uncertainty seems opposed to the concept of total error, leading to delays in laboratories implementing ISO 17025 and ISO 15189 and confusion for the analysts. This article therefore aims to clarify the divergences between total error and measurement uncertainty, but also to discuss their main similarities and emphasize their implementation.     

Traceable measurements in clinical laboratories

 Reliable, traceable and comparable measurements provide the rational basis for evaluation of the quality of a result and the starting point for recognized laboratory accreditation in any national area. Modern medical diagnostics and treatment involve rapidly rising numbers and types of clinical laboratory measurements, that are reliable. Therefore, the basic principles to be followed to assure the traceability of clinical measurements as required by the Romanian Laws of Metrology are reviewed. Main sources affecting the quality of the unbroken chain of calibrations that relate the measurements back to appropriate measurement standards are discussed. Examples of how to achieve traceable measurements in clinical laboratories are presented. Details of specific uses of reference materials, measuring instruments and standard measurement methods are also discussed. Received: 8 January 1998 · Accepted: 21 April 1998     

Volumetric and Viscometric Studies on Some Inorganic Electrolytes in Water and in Water-SDS Solution Systems

The apparent molal volumes (φ _v ) of NaCl, NaNO₃, NH₄Cl, CuCl₂, CuSO₄, CoSO₄ and MgSO₄ in water and in water-SDS (Sodium dodecyl sulphate) solutions were determined from density measurements at 308.15, 313.15 and 323.15 K respectively. The limiting apparent molal volume at infinite dilution φ ^o _v which is practically equal to the partial molal volume V ^o ₂) of these electrolytes were found to be higher in water-SDS solution systems than those in water solutions. Viscosity coefficients (A and B) for these systems were also determined by Jones-Dole equation. All these electrolytes, except NH₄Cl exhibit structure making behaviour in water and in water-SDS solutions. Ammonium chloride showed structure breaking properties in water and in 0.01 molar water-SDS solutions. In 0.1 molar SDS solution, it showed structure making behaviour at the temperature range studied. The properties of these electrolytes in water and in water-SDS solution systems have been discussed in terms of the charge, size and hydrogen bonding effect.     

Uncertainty of measurement and legislative limits

 The uncertainty affecting analytical measurements has to be taken into account when evaluating compliance of suspect matrices to legislative limits. To this aim Type 1 and 2 errors must be considered. This necessarily leads to the evaluation of the minimum detectable inadmissible signal, from which the minimum detectable inadmissible concentration can be obtained. The signal of suspect matrices thus has to be compared with the minimum detectable inadmissible signal. This paper aims to discuss practical problems involved in the comparison.     

石墨炉原子吸收光谱法测定土壤中铅量的测量不确定度评定

通过石墨炉原子吸收光谱法对土壤中的铅量进行了测定,对影响测量结果的不确定度分量进行了量化的计算.从而得出影响铅量测量不确定度的主要因素是测量样品消解液中的铅的质量浓度引起的不确定度.     

Comments on the editorial "On quality of a measurement result"

A recent editorial reviewed several definitions of quality. The limitations of these definitions are discussed here, with a simple suggestion to define quality as meeting a specified error rate whereby the required elements for an error rate are listed. Papers published in this section do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Editors, the Editorial Board and the Publisher.     

The application of the measurement uncertainty concept to in-process control in pharmaceutical development

 Any analytical data is used to provide information about a sample. The "possible error" of the measurement can be of extreme importance in order to have complete information. The measurement uncertainty concept is a way to achieve quantitative information about this "possible error" using an estimation procedure. On the basis of the analytical result, the chemist makes a decision on the next step of the development process. If the uncertainty is unknown, the information is not complete; therefore this decision might be impossible. The major problem for the in-process control (IPC) procedure is that not only the repeatability but also the intermediate precision (which expresses the variations within laboratories related to different days, different analysts, different equipment, etc.) has to be good enough to make a decision. Unfortunately, the statistical information achieved from one single analytical run only gives information about the repeatability. This paper shows that the estimation of the measurement uncertainty for IPC is a way to solve the problem and gives the necessary information about the quality of the procedure. An example demonstrates that an estimate of uncertainty based on the standard deviations of an analytical method gives a value similar to one based on the standard deviations obtained from a control chart. Therefore, the estimation is both a very useful and also a very cost-effective tool. Though measurement uncertainty cannot replace validation in general, it is a viable alternative to validation for all methods that will never be used routinely. Received: 24 May 1996 Accepted: 10 August 1996     

Estimating a general function of a quadratic function

Let be an observation from a spherically symmetric distribution with unknown location parameter . For a general non-negative function c, we consider the problem of estimating c(||x − θ||²) under the usual quadratic loss. For p ≥ 5, we give sufficient conditions for improving on the unbiased estimator γ₀ of c(||x − θ||²) by competing estimators γ _s = γ₀ + s correcting γ₀ with a suitable function s. The main condition relies on a partial differential inequality of the form k Δs + s ² ≤ 0 for a certain constant k ≠ 0. Our approach unifies, in particular, the two problems of quadratic loss estimation and confidence statement estimation and allows to derive new results for these two specific cases. Note that we formally establish our domination results (that is, with no recourse to simulation).