Accuracy improvement of small defect detection for ultrasonic inspection by using scientific visual analysis

When we diagnose the structural integrity of a steel member in service and evaluate its remaining life time, we need to improve analyzing method to get the accurate information of a internal defect of a member. And by the recent demand for high level quality control of welding of steel joint the accuracy improvement of defect detection in the image display became essential in nondestructive evaluation (NDE)[1][2][3]. So far the defect information obtained by an ultrasonic test is displayed in several ways and A-scan and B-scan displays are commonly used in a field inspection and C-scan display is used in laboratory test of the steel structural member[4][5]

Estimating dynamics of fern species richness and assemblages for 30 years in Japan capital and along planning belt of linear motor car from Tokyo to Nagoya

We surveyed species density of ferns in Musashi (Tokyo and Saitama Prefs.), around capital of Japan, and planning belt of Linea express of 250km from Tokyo to Nagoya during 1997-2017, considering with records 30 years (mainly 1960-1980). The species richness (species richness per 10km X 10km) and similarity of species assemblages represented by species overlap were recorded and calculated between them of the past and present. Recent species richness is about half or less and the similarity ranged 0-48% in Musashi and 20-50% in the similarity along the Linea express planning belt.ArticleForestry Research and Engineering: International Journal. 2(2):68-73 (2018)journal articl

Multidisciplinary treatment system for bone metastases for early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of malignant spinal cord compression

Malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC) is a serious complication of cancers. The present study aimed to establish a multidisciplinary treatment system for urgent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and referral to orthopedists in order to prevent neurological deficits caused by MSCC. In the present study, the extent to which this system achieved early diagnosis and treatment and prevented MSCC‑caused neurological deficits was examined. The records from patients with neurological deficits caused by MSCC before (between April 2007 and March 2012; group A) and after (between April 2012 and March 2017; group B) the establishment of the multidisciplinary system at the Shikoku Cancer Center (Ehime, Japan) were retrospectively evaluated. The numbers of patients with neurological deficits were 38 and 7 in groups A and B, respectively. All patients received radiotherapy. The incidence of neurological deficits was 13.2 and 3.4% in groups A and B, respectively (P<0.001). The proportion of patients with improvement in the severity of neurological deficits was 5.3 and 28.6% in groups A and B, respectively (P<0.001). The interval between physicians' recognition of a neurological deficit and MRI and the start of treatment, the number of cases, and the severity of neurological deficits were evaluated in groups A and B. The median interval between recognition of a neurological deficit by physicians and MRI was 3 and 0 days in groups A and B, respectively (P<0.001). The median interval between physicians' recognition of a neurological deficit and the start of treatment was 3 and 0 days in groups A and B, respectively (P<0.001). By using a multidisciplinary treatment system, the incidence and severity of neurological deficits following treatment were significantly improved. Therefore, the multidisciplinary treatment system used in the present study may be useful for early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of MSCC in patients with bone metastases

Phase transformation of mesoporous calcium carbonate by mechanical stirring

We report a simple strategy to synthesize vaterite/calcite mesoporous calcium carbonate through collisions and organization of colloidal particles accelerated by mechanical stirring. Mechanically stirring the precursor colloidal dispersion can control the calcium carbonate polymorphs

局所型前立腺癌に対する3次元原体照射後の晩期消化管障害に関連する臨床因子

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Impact of pathological tumor stage for salvage radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy in patients with prostate-specific antigen < 1.0 ng/ml

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To evaluate prognostic factors in salvage radiotherapy (RT) for patients with pre-RT prostate-specific antigen (PSA) < 1.0 ng/ml.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Between January 2000 and December 2009, 102 patients underwent salvage RT for biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy (RP). Re-failure of PSA after salvage RT was defined as a serum PSA value of 0.2 ng/ml or more above the postradiotherapy nadir followed by another higher value, a continued rise in serum PSA despite salvage RT, or initiation of systemic therapy after completion of salvage RT. Biochemical relapse-free survival (bRFS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The median follow-up period was 44 months (range, 11-103 months). Forty-three patients experienced PSA re-failure after salvage RT. The 4-year bRFS was 50.9% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 39.4-62.5%). In the log-rank test, pT3-4 (p < 0.001) and preoperative PSA (p = 0.037) were selected as significant factors. In multivariate analysis, only pT3-4 was a prognostic factor (hazard ratio: 3.512 [95% CI: 1.535-8.037], p = 0.001). The 4-year bRFS rates for pT1-2 and pT3-4 were 79.2% (95% CI: 66.0-92.3%) and 31.7% (95% CI: 17.0-46.4%), respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In patients who have received salvage RT after RP with PSA < 1.0 ng/ml, pT stage and preoperative PSA were prognostic factors of bRFS. In particular, pT3-4 had a high risk for biochemical recurrence after salvage RT.</p

Outcomes after stereotactic body radiotherapy for lung tumors, with emphasis on comparison of primary lung cancer and metastatic lung tumors

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to determine the prognostic factors associated with an improved overall outcome after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for primary lung cancer and metastatic lung tumors. METHODS: A total of 229 lung tumors in 201 patients were included in the study. SBRT of 45 Gy in 3 fractions, 48 Gy in 4 fractions, 60 Gy in 8 fractions or 60 Gy in 15 fractions was typically used to treat 172 primary lungs cancer in 164 patients and 57 metastatic lung tumors in 37 patients between January 2001 and December 2011. Prognostic factors for local control (LC) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The median biologically effective dose was 105.6 Gy based on alpha/beta = 10 (BED10). The median follow-up period was 41.9 months. The 3-year LC and OS rates were 72.5% and 60.9%, and the 5-year LC and OS rates were 67.8% and 38.1%, respectively. Radiation pneumonitis of grades 2, 3 and 5 occurred in 22 petients, 6 patients and 1 patient, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that tumor origin (primary lung cancer or metastatic lung tumor, p < 0.001), tumor diameter (p = 0.005), BED10 (p = 0.029) and date of treatment (p = 0.011) were significant independent predictors for LC and that gender (p = 0.012), tumor origin (p = 0.001) and tumor diameter (p < 0.001) were significant independent predictors for OS. CONCLUSIONS: SBRT resulted in good LC and tolerable treatment-related toxicities. Tumor origin and tumor diameter are significant independent predictors for both overall survival and local control

Magnetic Flux-Based Nondestructive Evaluation Technologies for Assessing Corrosion Damage in External and Internal Post-Tensioned Tendons: Development Efforts and Evaluation Results

DTFH61-14-D-00011This report presents research work related to developing and evaluating magnetic flux-based nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technologies for detecting corrosion damage in external and internal post-tensioned (PT) tendons. For the external tendons, two types of magnetic main flux method (MMFM) systems\u2014a solenoid type and a permanent magnet type\u2014 were developed and validated in the laboratory and in the field. The solenoid-type MMFM system was the most accurate NDE method. Its lowest damage detection limit would be 0.4-percent section loss for the point measurement method and 1.0-percent section loss for the scan measurement method. The permanent-type MMFM system is suitable for locating potential problem areas containing more than 3.0-percent section loss in external PT tendons. It has more versatile applications in the field because of its simpler hardware and speedy operation. Ideally, both MMFM systems can be employed in sequence during the field investigations: the permanent magnet type identifies potentially problematic areas by quickly scanning all suspected tendons, followed by the point measurements in the suspicious areas with the solenoid type. A return flux method prototype was developed for the internal tendons. It reached the immediate goal of detecting relatively small section losses hidden in internal tendons in laboratory environments and proved its concept successfully. It could detect a section loss larger than 15.3-percent in internal mockup tendons surrounded by vertical rebars at 6.0-inch or wider spacing when the clear concrete cover was less than 7.5 inches for metal ducts and 6.5 inches for polyethylene ducts. Without interference from the vertical rebars, as little as 9.0-percent section loss could be identified at the 6.0-inch cover. However, poor results were obtained in the anchorage zone in the box girder specimen. It is recommended that the present prototype be further improved to make it a field-deployable NDE system