Evaluation of image analysis techniques as applied to thermographs used in breast cancer detection

Due to the lack of a formal theory for designing image analysis systems it has been necessary to develop and implement a package of computer programs for evaluating image analysis techniques and designing image analysis systems. The package allows the image analysis system designer to experiment with different algorithms and techniques on his data. This package is described and a classification of image analysis techniques is given. Finally the package and a class of image analysis algorithms are applied to a particular problem: the computer assisted interpretation of breast thermograms for use in the early detection of breast cancer'. It is an important problem to due the observation that breast cancer increases surface temperature and that its early detection increases the five year survival rate of sufferers. Thermography is somewhat nonspecific but may be effectively used as a screening technique. An assessment is made of the algorithms applied to breast thermograms and proposals for future research are given

Cereal, pasture legume and water supply prospects at Forrestania : results of experimental work east of Hyden, Western Australia

The agricultural potential of the Forrestania area appears at least equal to that of much of the settled eastern wheatbelt. The scrubplain soils of the Forrestania area have an average yield potential of at least 1 000 kg/ha wheat and carrying capacity of 1.8 to 3.7 sheep per hectare on improved pastures. The use of clover ley rotations would maintain these levels of potential yield. Partial crop failures caused by adverse seasonal conditions could be expected 10 years in every 100

Retractable bicycle fender

A retractable bicycle fender has a bistable Spring strip with an elastomeric grommet at the end. A hole goes through the grommet and the Spring strip to allow mounting on a bicycle seat post. Plastic wings coat the edges of the Spring strip to increase the width of the fender and reduce the noise and rate of recoil. The bicycle fender can be manually extended in wet weather and recoiled in dry weather

The Extended Line Region of 3C 299

We present results of HST observations of the radio galaxy 3C 299. The broad-band F702W (R) and F555W (V) images (WFPC2/PC) show an elliptical galaxy, with a comet-like structure extending to the NE in the radio jet direction. The [OIII]$\lambda$5007 emission line map, shows a bi-conical structure centered on the nucleus, that overlaps the structure found in the broad-band filters. The radio core coincides with the center of the bi-conical structure and the radio axes are aligned with the direction of the cones. These data show clear evidence of a strong interaction between the radio jet and the NE morphology of the galaxy. We show evidence that this NE region is an ENLR; the line-ratio diagnostics show that models involving gas shocked by the radio-jet plus ionization from a precursor HII region, produced itself by the ionizing photons of the postshocked gas on the preshocked gas provide a good match to the observations. We investigate the spatial behavior of the ionizing parameter $U$, by determining the [OIII]/[OII] line ratio which is sensitive to the change of the ionization parameter, and trace its behavior over the ENLR along the radio jet direction. We find that [OIII]/[OII] does not follow a simple dilution model, but rather that it is approximately constant over a large range of distance from the nucleus thus requiring a local source of ionization which seems to be compatible with the shock models driven by the radio jet.Comment: 17 pages, 9 Postscript figures, ApJ accepted, uses aaspp.st

HST NIR Snapshot Survey of 3CR Radio Source Counterparts II: An Atlas and Inventory of the Host Galaxies, Mergers and Companions

We present the second part of an H-band (1.6 microns) atlas of z<0.3 3CR radio galaxies, using the Hubble Space Telescope Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (HST NICMOS2). We present new imaging for 21 recently acquired sources, and host galaxy modeling for the full sample of 101 (including 11 archival) -- an 87% completion rate. Two different modeling techniques are applied, following those adopted by the galaxy morphology and the quasar host galaxy communities. Results are compared, and found to be in excellent agreement, although the former breaks down in the case of strongly nucleated sources. Companion sources are tabulated, and the presence of mergers, tidal features, dust disks and jets are catalogued. The tables form a catalogue for those interested in the structural and morphological dust-free host galaxy properties of the 3CR sample, and for comparison with morphological studies of quiescent galaxies and quasar host galaxies. Host galaxy masses are estimated, and found to typically lie at around 2*10^11 solar masses. In general, the population is found to be consistent with the local population of quiescent elliptical galaxies, but with a longer tail to low Sersic index, mainly consisting of low-redshift (z<0.1) and low-radio-power (FR I) sources. A few unusually disky FR II host galaxies are picked out for further discussion. Nearby external sources are identified in the majority of our images, many of which we argue are likely to be companion galaxies or merger remnants. The reduced NICMOS data are now publicly available from our website (http://archive.stsci.edu/prepds/3cr/)Comment: ApJS, 177, 148: Final version; includes revised figures 1, 15b, and section 7.5 (and other minor changes from editing process. 65 pages, inc. 17 figure

Multicentre randomised controlled trial: protocol for Plasma-Lyte Usage and Assessment of Kidney Transplant Outcomes in Children (PLUTO)

INTRODUCTION: Acute electrolyte and acid-base imbalance is experienced by many children following kidney transplantation. When severe, this can lead to complications including seizures, cerebral oedema and death. Relatively large volumes of intravenous fluid are administered to children perioperatively in order to establish perfusion to the donor kidney, the majority of which are from living and deceased adult donors. Hypotonic intravenous fluid is commonly used in the post-transplant period due to clinicians' concerns about the sodium, chloride and potassium content of isotonic alternatives when administered in large volumes.Plasma-Lyte 148 is an isotonic, balanced intravenous fluid that contains sodium, chloride, potassium and magnesium with concentrations equivalent to those of plasma. There is a physiological basis to expect that Plasma-Lyte 148 will reduce the incidence of clinically significant electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities in children following kidney transplantation compared with current practice.The aim of the Plasma-Lyte Usage and Assessment of Kidney Transplant Outcomes in Children (PLUTO) trial was to determine whether the incidence of clinically significantly abnormal plasma electrolyte levels in paediatric kidney transplant recipients will be different with the use of Plasma-Lyte 148 compared with intravenous fluid currently administered. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: PLUTO is a pragmatic, open-label, randomised controlled trial comparing Plasma-Lyte 148 to current care in paediatric kidney transplant recipients, conducted in nine UK paediatric kidney transplant centres.A total of 144 children receiving kidney transplants will be randomised to receive either Plasma-Lyte 148 (the intervention) intraoperatively and postoperatively, or current fluid. Apart from intravenous fluid composition, all participants will receive standard clinical transplant care.The primary outcome measure is acute hyponatraemia in the first 72 hours post-transplant, defined as laboratory plasma sodium concentration of <135 mmol/L. Secondary outcomes include symptoms of acute hyponatraemia, other electrolyte and acid-base imbalances and transplant kidney function.The primary outcome will be analysed using a logistic regression model adjusting for donor type (living vs deceased donor), patient weight (<20 kg vs ≥20 kg pretransplant) and transplant centre as a random effect. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The trial received Health Research Authority approval on 20 January 2020. Findings will be presented to academic groups via national and international conferences and peer-reviewed journals. The patient and public involvement group will play an important part in disseminating the study findings to the public domain

Molecular Characterization of the Onset and Progression of Colitis in Inoculated Interleukin-10 Gene-Deficient Mice: A Role for PPARα

The interleukin-10 gene-deficient (Il10−/−) mouse is a model of human inflammatory bowel disease and Ppara has been identified as one of the key genes involved in regulation of colitis in the bacterially inoculated Il10−/− model. The aims were to (1) characterize colitis onset and progression using a histopathological, transcriptomic, and proteomic approach and (2) investigate links between PPARα and IL10 using gene network analysis. Bacterial inoculation resulted in severe colitis in Il10−/− mice from 10 to 12 weeks of age. Innate and adaptive immune responses showed differences in gene expression relating to colitis severity. Actin cytoskeleton dynamics, innate immunity, and apoptosis-linked gene and protein expression data suggested a delayed remodeling process in 12-week-old Il10−/− mice. Gene expression changes in 12-week-old Il10−/− mice were related to PPARα signaling likely to control colitis, but how PPARα activation might regulate intestinal IL10 production remains to be determined