Evaluation of the performance and feasability of the fluorescein diacetate (FTA) vital staining method for follow up of Tuberculosis (TB) treatment

IUATLD Conference, Paris, 200

Assessment of algorithms for mitosis detection in breast cancer histopathology images

The proliferative activity of breast tumors, which is routinely estimated by counting of mitotic figures in hematoxylin and eosin stained histology sections, is considered to be one of the most important prognostic markers. However, mitosis counting is laborious, subjective and may suffer from low inter-observer agreement. With the wider acceptance of whole slide images in pathology labs, automatic image analysis has been proposed as a potential solution for these issues. In this paper, the results from the Assessment of Mitosis Detection Algorithms 2013 (AMIDA13) challenge are described. The challenge was based on a data set consisting of 12 training and 11 testing subjects, with more than one thousand annotated mitotic figures by multiple observers. Short descriptions and results from the evaluation of eleven methods are presented. The top performing method has an error rate that is comparable to the inter-observer agreement among pathologists

Liquid rocket booster integration study. Volume 1: Executive summary

The impacts of introducing liquid rocket booster engines (LRB) into the Space Transportation System (STS)/Kennedy Space Center (KSC) launch environment are identified and evaluated. Proposed ground systems configurations are presented along with a launch site requirements summary. Prelaunch processing scenarios are described and the required facility modifications and new facility requirements are analyzed. Flight vehicle design recommendations to enhance launch processing are discussed. Processing approaches to integrate LRB with existing STS launch operations are evaluated. The key features and significance of launch site transition to a new STS configuration in parallel with ongoing launch activities are enumerated. This volume is the executive summary of the five volume series

Comparison of different optimization criteria for optimal sizing of hybrid active power filters parameters

Praise Worthy Prize granted a permission for Brunel University London to archive this article in BURA.Harmonic distortion in power systems has increased considerably due to the increasing use of nonlinear loads in industrial firms and elsewhere. This distortion can give rise to overheating in all sectors of the power system, leading to reduced efficiency, reliability, operational life and sometimes failure. This article seeks to propose a new methodology for the optimal sizing of hybrid active power filter (HPF) parameters in order to overcome the difficulties in hybrid power filters design when estimating the preliminary feasible values of the parameters. Sequential Quadratic Programming based on FORTRAN subroutines is used to find out the planned filter size in two different optimization criteria depending on design concerns. The first criterion is to minimize the total voltage harmonic distortion. The second one is to maximize the load power factor, while taking into account compliance with IEEE standard 519-1992 limits for the total voltage harmonic distortion and the power factor.The effectiveness of the proposed filter is discussed using four exemplary case

Fish and amphibians as test organisms for evaluation of effects caused by chemicals

A large number of chemicals can contaminate aquatic environments and therefore be exposed to fish and amphibians during their sensitive stages of development. This raises the need for robust methods to identify chemicals that disturb the developmental process. In this thesis, methods for toxicity testing and biomonitoring were developed for zebrafish (Danio rerio) and West-African clawed frog (Xenopus tropicalis). Using these methods, two groups of substances that have achieved attention during recent years were tested, synthetic musks and brominated flame retardants, as well as substances with known mechanism of action. Moreover, zebrafish embryos were used to evaluate chemically complex extracts prepared of effluent water from oil/gas production platforms. Exposure was performed on the embryo stages, to reveal embryo toxic endpoints and in connection to the metamorphosis process in frogs, to evaluate disturbances of the thyroid hormone system. Both methods were able to detect adverse effects in exposed animals. The studies showed that some musk substances had toxic effects on embryos in environmentally relevant concentrations. Embryo toxic responses of musk ketone (MK) and tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA) were recorded in zebrafish as well as in Xenopus tropicalis and moor frog (Rana arvalis) at comparable concentrations. Zebrafish embryos were adequate for monitoring the toxic impact of effluent water from oil/gas production platforms. Effects on X. tropicalis tadpoles due to exposure to propylthiouracil were reduced development and decreased hind limb length, which can be explained by thyroid disruption. Increased sensitivity of the method was achieved by measurements on histological preparations of the thyroid glands. Exposure to polybrominated diphenylethers resulted in signs of thyroid disrupting properties of one tested congener, BDE-99. Moreover, distribution of BDE-99 in tadpole and juvenile X. tropicalis showed long-term retention and accumulation in adipose tissue

Spleen histology in children with sickle cell disease and hereditary spherocytosis: Hints on the disease pathophysiology

open2Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) and sickle cell disease (SCD) are associated with splenomegaly and spleen dysfunction in pediatric patients. Scant data exist on possible correlations between spleen morphology and function in HS and SCD. This study aimed to assess the histological and morphometric features of HS and SCD spleens, in order to get possible correlations with disease pathophysiology. In a large series of spleens from SCD, HS and control patients the following parameters were considered: (i) macroscopic features; (ii) lymphoid follicle (LF) density; (iii) presence of peri-follicular marginal zones (MZs); (iv) presence of Gamna-Gandy bodies; (v) density of CD8-positive sinusoids; (vi) density of CD34-positive microvessels; (vii) presence/distribution of fibrosis and SMA-positive myoid cells; (viii) density of CD68-positive macrophages. SCD and HS spleens have similar macroscopic features. SCD spleens had lower LF density and fewer MZs than HS spleens and controls. SCD also showed lower CD8-positive sinusoid density, increased CD34-positive microvessel density and SMA-positive myoid cells, and higher prevalence of fibrosis and Gamna-Gandy bodies. HS had lower LF and CD8-positive sinusoid density than controls. No significant differences were noted in red pulp macrophages. By multivariate analysis, the majority of HS spleens clustered with controls, while SCD grouped separately. A multi-parametric score could predict the degree of spleen changes irrespective of the underlying disease. In conclusion, SCD spleens display greater histologic effacement than HS and SCD-related changes suggest impaired function due to vascular damage. These observations may contribute to guide the clinical management of patients.embargoed_20161128Alaggio, RitaAlaggio, Rita; Gamba, Piergiorgi

A high pressure, high temperature combustor and turbine-cooling test facility

A new test facility is being constructed for developing turbine-cooling and combustor technology for future generation aircraft gas turbine engines. Prototype engine hardware will be investigated in this new facility at gas stream conditions up to 2480 K average turbine inlet temperature and 4.14 x 10 to the 6th power n sq m turbine inlet pressure. The facility will have the unique feature of fully automated control and data acquisition through the use of an integrated system of mini-computers and programmable controllers which will result in more effective use of operating time, will limit the number of operators required, and will provide built in self protection safety systems. The facility and the planning and design considerations are described