Clinico-pathological features of bladder carcinoma in women in Pakistan and smokeless tobacco as a possible risk factor

BACKGROUND: Bladder carcinoma is one of the common urological malignancies occurring worldwide in both sexes. Use of smokeless tobacco by women is common in rural areas of Pakistan. The clinico-pathological features of bladder carcinoma in women and association of smokeless tobacco as a possible risk factor for bladder carcinoma has not been well described in the literature. The objective of the study was to determine the clinico-pathological features of histologically confirmed bladder carcinoma in women and to investigate the role of smokeless tobacco use as a possible risk factor for its development. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of the 204 patients (160 male and 44 female M:F ratio 3.6:1) of newly diagnosed bladder carcinoma treated at Nishtar Medical College Hospital Multan from January 1998 to December 2004, the 44 female patients were evaluated with respect to age, clinical presentation, cystoscopic findings, histopathological reports and possible etiological factors. Data were collected and prospectively updated at the time of discharge from hospital and during follow-up in urology out-patient clinic. RESULTS: Transitional cell carcinoma accounted for all of the bladder carcinoma in women. Median age of the patients was 55 years and 68% patients were under 60 years of age. Majority of patients (88%) presented with hematuria. Eleven (25%) patients had superficial (pTa/pT1) while 33 (75%) patients had muscle invasive (T2–T4) bladder carcinoma. Most (81%) superficial tumors were papillary while muscle invasive tumors had solid configuration at cystoscopy. Of these, 21 (47%) patients had long history of smokeless tobacco use (chewable or moist snuff). CONCLUSION: Transitional cell carcinoma is the most common bladder malignancy in women in Pakistan. Many women with bladder carcinoma had long history of use of smokeless tobacco. Majority of patients presented with hematuria and were under 60 years of age. At the time of diagnosis 75% women had muscle invasive bladder carcinoma. In women using smokeless tobacco, the correlation between stage of bladder carcinoma and duration of smokeless tobacco use was significant (p = 0.03). Further studies are needed to clarify the role of smokeless tobacco in the development of bladder carcinoma

Weakly Supervised Learning for Multi-Image Synthesis

Machine learning-based approaches have been achieving state-of-the-art results on many computer vision tasks. While deep learning and convolutional networks have been incredibly popular, these approaches come at the expense of huge amounts of labeled data required for training. Manually annotating large amounts of data, often millions of images in a single dataset, is costly and time consuming. To deal with the problem of data annotation, the research community has been exploring approaches that require less amount of labelled data. The central problem that we consider in this research is image synthesis without any manual labeling. Image synthesis is a classic computer vision task that requires understanding of image contents and their semantic and geometric properties. We propose that we can train image synthesis models by relying on sequences of videos and using weakly supervised learning. Large amounts of unlabeled data are freely available on the internet. We propose to set up the training in a multi-image setting so that we can use one of the images as the target - this allows us to rely only on images for training and removes the need for manual annotations. We demonstrate three main contributions in this work. First, we present a method of fusing multiple noisy overhead images to make a single, artifact-free image. We present a weakly supervised method that relies on crowd-sourced labels from online maps and a completely unsupervised variant that only requires a series of satellite images as inputs. Second, we propose a single-image novel view synthesis method for complex, outdoor scenes. We propose a learning-based method that uses pairs of nearby images captured on urban roads and their respective GPS coordinates as supervision. We show that a model trained with this automatically captured data can render a new view of a scene that can be as far as 10 meters from the input image. Third, we consider the problem of synthesizing new images of a scene under different conditions, such as time of day and season, based on a single input image. As opposed to existing methods, we do not need manual annotations for transient attributes, such as fog or snow, for training. We train our model by using streams of images captured from outdoor webcams and time-lapse videos. Through these applications, we show several settings where we can train state-of-the-art deep learning methods without manual annotations. This work focuses on three image synthesis tasks. We propose weakly supervised learning and remove requirements for manual annotations by relying on sequences of images. Our approach is in line with the research efforts that aim to minimize the labels required for training machine learning methods

Strength properties of polymer mortar panels using methyl methacrylate solution of waste expanded polystyrene as binder

The present study examines the applicability of polymermortarpanels using a methylmethacrylate (MMA) solution of wasteexpandedpolystyrene (EPS) to develop effective recycling processes for the EPS, referring to the strengthproperties of a polymer-impregnated mortarpanel with almost the same performance as commercial products. An MMA solution of EPS is prepared by dissolving EPS in MMA, and unreinforced and steel fiber-reinforced polymermortars are mixed using the EPS-MMA-based solution as a liquid resin or binder. Polymermortarpanels (PMPs) using the EPS-MMA-based polymermortars without and with steel fiber and crimped wire cloth reinforcements and steel fiber-reinforced polymer-impregnated mortarpanel (PIMP) are prepared on trial, and tested for flexural behavior under four-point loading. The EPS-MMA-based PMPs are more ductile than the PIMP, and have a high load-bearing capacity. Consequently, they can replace PIMP in practical applications

Monitoring, diagnostics and improvement of process performance

The data generated in a chemical industry is a reflection of the process. With the modern computer control systems and data logging facilities, there is an increasing ability to collect large amounts of data. As there are many underlying aspects of the process in that data, with its proper utilization, it is possible to obtain useful information for process monitoring and fault diagnosis in addition to many other decision making activities. The purpose of this research is to utilize the data driven multivariate techniques of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Independent Component Analysis (ICA) for the estimation of process parameters. This research also includes analysis and comparison of these techniques for fault detection and diagnosis along with introduction, explanation and results from a new methodology developed in this research work namely Hybrid Independent Component Analysis (HICA).The first part of this research is the utilization of models of PCA and ICA for estimation of process parameters. The individual techniques of PCA and ICA are applied separately to the original data set of a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) and the process parameters for the unknown conditions of the process are calculated. For each of the techniques (PCA and ICA), the validation of the calculated parameters is carried out by construction of Decision Trees on WWTP dataset using inductive data mining and See 5.0. Both individual techniques were able to estimate all parameters successfully. The minor limitation in the validation of all results may be due to the strict application of these techniques to Gaussian and non-Gaussian data sets respectively. Using statistical analysis it was shown that the data set used in this work exhibits Gaussian and non-Gaussian behaviour.In the second part of this work multivariate techniques of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Independent Component Analysis (ICA) have been used for fault detection and diagnosis of a process along with introduction of the new technique, Hybrid Independent Component Analysis (HICA). The techniques are applied to two case studies, the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) and an Air pollution data set. As reported in literature, PCA and ICA proved to be useful tools for process monitoring on both data set, but a comparison of PCA and ICA along with the newly developed technique (HICA) illustrated the superiority of HICA over PCA and ICA. It is evident from the fact that PCA detected 74% and 67% of the faults in the WWTP data and Air pollution data set respectively. ICA successfully detected 61.3% and 62% of the faults from these datasets. Finally HICA showed improved results by the detection of 90% and 81% of the faults in both case studies. This showed that the new developed algorithm is more effective than the individual techniques of PCA and ICA. For fault diagnosis using PCA, ICA and HICA, contribution plots are constructed leading to the identification of responsible variable/s for a particular fault. This part also includes the work done for the estimation of process parameters using HICA technique as was done with PCA and ICA in the first part of the research. As expected HICA technique was more successful in estimation of parameters than PCA and ICA in line with its working for process monitoring

Fruit Pigment Biogenesis in Raspberry Cultivars: Characterisation of Anthocyanin and Carotenoid Biosynthesis

Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) is a nutrient-rich fruit crop containing high yields of natural bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and carotenoids, which are known to have potential health benefits in humans. Various colored raspberry fruits offer a unique possibility to study the genetics of pigment biosynthesis in this important soft fruit. Anthocyanidin synthase (Ans) catalyzes the conversion of colorless leucoanthocyanidins to colored anthocyanidins, a key step in biosynthesis of anthocyanins. The current study revealed that reduced anthocyanins in yellow raspberry (“Anne”) were due to loss of function mutation or inactive ans allele. A 5-bp insertion (ans+5) in the coding region creates a premature stop codon resulting in a truncated protein of 264 amino acids, compared to 414 amino acids of wild type ANS of red raspberry “Tulameen”. Apparently, the mutated ans gene transcripts are suppressed as a secondary effect because of nonsense-mRNA mediated decay (NMD). Functional characterization and complementation of Ans/ans alleles in planta provide strong proof of inactive ANS protein of “Anne” as compared to the functional protein of “Tulameen”. Further, molecular screening of various colored raspberries for Ans/ans alleles indicated that most of the yellow and orange fruiting raspberries contain various types of ans mutations that cause frameshifts and initiate premature stop codons leading to loss of function of the ANS proteins. In anthocyanin-free varieties, yellow/orange fruit pigmentation seems to exist as a net result of accumulation/degradation of specific carotenoids at ripe stage. The putative carotenoid pathway genes from Rubus “Anne” inserted in standard expression cassettes along with plasmids capable of generating different carotenoid precursors resulted in the successful characterization of the pathway genes via complementation in a bacterial host. It suggests that accumulation of β-branch carotenoids like β-carotene and xanthophylls (lutein) are the principal components that provide yellow coloration to anthocyanin-free raspberry fruits. Taken together, molecular and functional characterization of the carotenoid pathway genes helped to predict a preliminary pathway map for pigmentation in non-red (yellow, orange) fruiting raspberries

Pigment Ink Formulation, Tests and Test Methods for Pigmented Textile Inks

Cotton, polyester, and cotton polyester blended woven fabrics were printed using an ink jet print using by means of a prepared pigment ink. Literature indicated that the development of insoluble pigment-based inks presents enormous challenges to the ink formulator. Meanwhile, pigments face several application problems in terms of their dispersion stability within the ink formulation, and consequently blocking the nozzles within the inkjet print head.The study was done on route bases: Formation of pigment ink for textile, Tests and test methods for pigmented textile inks, Limitations and Approaches in Development of Pigment Based Inks Keywords: Binder system, Dispersing agent, Tests and test methods, Ink formulation, pre-and post-treatments

Electron emission characterization of laser-induced gaseous plasma

Laser induced hydrogen plasma has been investigated as a source of electrons. The energy, temperature and flux of the electrons have been determined by using two different temporal detectors; Faraday cup and Rogowski coil. The energy, temperature and flux were measured from the electrons extracted from laser induced hydrogen plasma. The Rogowski coil has been used for measurement of flux and current whereas Faraday cup has been used to determine the current density in laser induced plasma. The energy and temperature of the electrons are measured by the time of flight method in the range of 1.23 - 5.04 keV and 2516.26 eV, respectively. The flux of the electrons has been measured ≈ 1015 by Rogowski coil and the maximum current has been measured to be 39.6 kA. The current density has been measured by the Faraday cup ranges from 20 Am-2 to 23 Am-2

Xanthogranulomatous prostatitis: a mimic of carcinoma of prostate

BACKGROUND: Xanthogranulomatous prostatitis is an unusual benign inflammatory process of prostate. Clinically it mimics prostatic carcinoma, requiring pathological examination for diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old patient presented with 6 months history of increasing difficulty in micturition. On digital rectal examination prostate was hard and nodular and estimated weight was 50-gram. His serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) was 150 ng/ml. Clinically a locally advanced carcinoma of prostate was suspected. In view of severe obstructive urinary symptoms and significant post-micturition residual urine, transurethral resection of prostate was carried out. Histopathological examination of resected prostatic tissue revealed xanthogranulomatous prostatitis with no evidence of malignancy. Patient remains symptom free at 16 months follow-up and serum PSA has decreased to 6 ng/ml. CONCLUSION: Xanthogranulomatous prostatitis is a benign inflammatory disorder of prostate that can clinically and even biochemically mimic prostatic carcinoma. A high degree of suspecion and close co-operation with pathologist is necessary for the diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous prostatitis

Flow characteristics and phase interactions of evaporating sprays in gas-solid suspensions

Evaporating spray jets have a wide range of applications in many industrial processes such as fluidized catalytic cracking of crude oil in petroleum refinery, coal gasification, fluidized coking to make synthetic crude oil, and condensed mode gas polymerization. The rapid evaporation of spray jets significantly affects the gas-solids mixing, solids concentration, gas/solids temperature and gas/solids velocity acceleration. The complex interactions mechanism of phase change, three phase interaction, heat and mass transfer of gas, solids and evaporating droplets dominate the process efficiency and product quality. In such three-phase flows, the phase transport characteristics are influenced by both droplet-gas interaction and droplet-solid interactions. In dense phase flow, the droplet-solid interaction becomes to play a dominant role in the transport of both spray and gas-solid flow. In very hot environments of gas-solid suspensions, the rapid vaporization of sprays results from the droplet-solids collisions. With the preheated temperature of solids beyond the Leidenfrost temperature, the heat transfer into spray droplets and resulted vaporization can be greatly restricted by the film boiling characteristics that are in turn coupled with collision dynamics. So far few studies on these complex yet important interaction mechanisms have been reported. This doctoral dissertation study is aimed to gain an in-depth understanding on characteristic interactions among spray, gas and solids. The study is focused on cases where the rapid vaporization concurs with the spray injection into a gas-solid suspension that is preheated beyond the Leidenfrost temperature. A combined study of experiments, mechanistic modeling and numerical simulations is thus conducted to investigate three fundamental effects or mechanisms: (1) effect of vaporization on gas entrainment in a submerge spray jet; (2) jet characteristics of sprays from rectangular nozzles with a fan angle; and (3) dynamic transport in a type-IT Leidenfrost collision (between a small hot solid particle and a large droplet). In the gas entrainment study, a direct measurement method is developed to study the air entrainment induced by a liquid nitrogen spray jet into an unbounded and stagnant room air. The air entrainment is determined by measurements of local oxygen concentration using an in-situ oxygen concentration analyzer, gas temperature using a thermocouple system, and droplet velocity using a Laser Doppler Velocimeter. The results not only support the approximation of flow similarities in evaporating sprays with round nozzles but also suggest that the evaporation of spray markedly weakens the gas entrainment. In addition, a parametric model is developed to provide a theoretical basis of the data analysis for the cross-section averaged spray evaporation rate within the spray jet region. A three-dimensional simulation study is performed to investigate the hydrodynamic behaviors of a cross-flow liquid nitrogen spray injected into an air-FCC riser of rectangular cross-section. The gas-solid (air-FCC) flow is simulated using the multi-fluid method while the evaporating sprays (liquid nitrogen) are calculated using the Lagrangian trajectory method, with a strong two-way coupling between the two. Two parametric effects are studied in details here: (1) effect of aspect ratio of rectangular nozzles on flow characteristics and (2) effect of nozzle fan angle on spray coverage as well as vapor flux distribution. The study concludes that there exists an optimized value of aspect ratio for which the spray coverage area is maximized. The simulation also shows the formation of a dense layer of solids around the spray from the compression effect of vapor expansion and rigid wall of gas-solids flow chamber. It is also found that the spray coverage is basically dominated by the spray fan angle. The spray vaporization flux per unit area of spray coverage is highly non-linearly distributed along the spray penetration. Interaction mechanism of large spray droplets and small solid particles is the key factor to govern the phase interactions of the spray in gas-solid flows as most of the evaporation of spray occurs in the initial part of spray jet as concluded by the fist two parts of this thesis. A careful analysis of this system reveals that this interaction mechanism is basically different than that of Leidenfrost collision between a small droplet and a large solid particle (defined as Type I Leidenfrost collision here). Portion of this study is thus focused on the heat and mass transfer during the Leidenfrost collisions between large evaporating droplets and small solid particles (defined as Type II Leidenfrost collision). In this study, experiments are conducted first to identify various modes of Type II Leidenfrost collision, and then basic mechanistic models have been developed to describe these modes. Parametric effects of different particle temperatures and velocities on the heat and mass transfer during the collision process have been illustrated using these models