Abstract: A Christmas tree of the invention includes a trunk frame; a plurality of branch supports attached to the trunk frame; and a decorative layer enclosing the branch supports. The branch supports are attached to the trunk frame by a plurality of lock members. The decorative layer comprises a plurality of branches and petals connected with the branches. Each of the branches and the petals comprises an inner body, a color coating formed on the inner body, an adhesive layer formed on the color coating, and a plurality of transparent plastic grains bonded to the adhesive layer. Each of the branches and the petals has glitter powder distributed thereon. A plurality of decorative lamps are provided for enwinding on the branches.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus and method comprises a transducer array, a positioning device for the array, a reflector, a multiplexer, a transmitter/receiver, an image reconstruction and signal processing apparatus, and a monitor. The transducer array and the reflector are located on two sides of an object which are opposite to each other. Every channel of the transducer array can independently transmit and receive signal, and the reflector is used to reflect the transmitted signal from any channel. Thus, the system can collect the echoes from the reflector for all transmit/receive combinations, and then extract from the echoes the time-of-flight data and the attenuation data necessary for estimating the sound velocities and the attenuation coefficients, respectively. When estimating the sound velocities and the attenuation coefficients of different tissues in an object, the B-mode image is applied to provide the segmentation information of the object in order to improve the estimation accuracy.