China Science

Three-dimensional (3D) quantitative analysis is indispensable for the unambiguous characterization and objective classification of complex microstructures. Focused ion beam (FIB) nanotomography provides complete information of the spatial arrangement, chemistry and orientation of different phases of real microstructures on scales especially important in materials science (10 nm–100 ?m). Complex graphite particles were analyzed in three-dimensions. Whereas nodular, vermicular and temper graphite particles can be characterized individually, the whole network of flake graphite has to be considered due to the high spatial interconnection of particles. The characterization method was verified in comparison to established two-dimensional stereological methods. The influence of anisotropy and image resolution was discussed. Basic stereological characteristics (volume, surface area, integrals of mean and total curvature) as well as 3D connectivity (Euler number) and shape parameters objectively differentiate these graphite morphologies and contribute to the understanding of their growth mechanisms and the properties of the cast iron.

A. Velichkoa Email:a.velitchko@matsci.uni-sb.de?C. Holzapfela?A. Siefersa?K. Schladitzb?F. Mücklicha
[a]Materials Science Department, Chair of Functional Materials, Saarland University, P.O. Box 151150, D-66041 Saarbrücken, Germany;[b]Fraunhofer-Institut für Techno- und Wirtschaftsmathematik [ITWM], Fraunhofer-Platz 1, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany

The development of Little Cedar Creek field in the eastern Gulf coastal plain of the United States has shown that the current exploration strategy used to find hydrocarbon-productive microbial and high-energy, nearshore carbonate facies in the Upper Jurassic Smackover Formation requires refinement to increase the probability of identifying and delineating these potential reservoir facies. In this field, the petroleum trap is a stratigraphic trap characterized by microbial boundstone and packstone and nearshore grain-stone and packstone reservoirs that are underlain and overlain by lime mudstone and dolomudstone to wackestone and that grade into lime mudstone and dolomudstone near the depositional updip limit of the Smackover Formation. Reservoir rocks trend from southwest to northeast in the field area. The grainstone and packstone reservoir is thickest in the central part of the field. The boundstone reservoir is thickest in local buildups that are composed of thrombolites in the southern part of the field and is absent along the northern margin. These reservoir facies are interpreted to have accumulated in water depths of approximately 3 m (10 ft) and in 5 km (3 mi) of the paleoshoreline. In contrast to most other thrombolites identified in the Gulf coastal plain, these buildups did not grow directly on paleohighs associated with Paleozoic crystalline rocks. The characterization and modeling of the petroleum trap and reservoirs at Little Cedar Creek field provide new information for use in the formulation of strategies for exploration of other Upper Jurassic hydrocarbon productive microbial and related facies associated with stratigraphic traps in the Gulf coastal plain.

Ernest A. Mancini?William C. Parcell?Wayne M. Ahr
Department of Geological Sciences and Center for Sedimentary Basin Studies, P.O. Box 870338, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487; Department of Geology and Geography, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas 67260; Department of Geology, Texas A&M University, 3115 College Station, Texas 77843-3115

In several countries in Europe (among others Germany and Austria) persons who have lost their drivers licence have to undergo a psychological test in order to regain their licence. The article discusses the validity of two test batteries of the Expert System Traffic using standardized driving tests [Schuhfried, G., 2005. Manual Expert System Traffic (XPSV). Schuhfried GmbH, M?dling]. (more…)

The ultrastructure of the spermatozoon of Calliobothrium verticillatum(Cestoda, Tetraphyllidea, Oncobothriidae) parasite of the smoothhound shark, Mustelus mustelus L.(Pisces, Carcharhiniformes), was studied by transmission electron microscopy. (more…)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of 3-D vs. 2-D virtual microscopy asadjuncts to education and assessment in cervical cytology. (more…)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of toluidine blue and brush biopsy inprecancerous oral lesions and squamous cell carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: The study was conducted at MotiLal Nehru Medical College, Allahabad, India. (more…)

Bischof,JC; Mahr,B; Choi,JH; Behling,M; Mewes,D

Abstract The outcome of both cryopreservation and cryosurgical freezing applicationsis influenced by the concentration and type of the cryoprotective agent (CPA) or the cryodestructiveagent (i.e., the chemical adjuvants referred to here as CDA) added prior to freezing. It alsodepends on the amount and type of crystalline, amorphous and/or eutectic phases formed duringfreezing which can differentially affect viability. (more…)