Determination of local material properties of OSB sample by coupling advanced imaging techniques and morphology-based FEM simulation

This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Walter de Gruyter & Co. and can be found at: http://www.degruyter.com/.The goal was to determine local mechanical properties inside of oriented strand board (OSB) based on a realistic morphology-based finite element (FE) model and data acquired from a physical test performed on the same material. The spatial information and local grayscale intensity from CT-scans obtained from small OSB sample was transformed into a 2D regular morphology-based FE mesh with corresponding material properties. The model was then used to simulate the actual compression test performed on the specimen using simplified boundary conditions. The simulated strain fields from the model were compared with the actual strain field measured on the specimen surface during the compression test by means of a full-field optical method, named digital image correlation (DIC). Finally, the original set of material properties was adjusted by an iterative procedure to minimize the difference between the simulated and the measured strain data. The results show that the developed procedure is useful to find local material properties as well as for morphological modeling without the need of segmentation of the image data. The achieved results serve as a prerequisite for full 3D analyses of the complex materials

ONEST (Observers Needed to Evaluate Subjective Tests) Analysis of Stromal Tumour-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (sTILs) in Breast Cancer and Its Limitations

Simple Summary Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) reflect the host's response against tumours. TILs have a strong prognostic effect in the so-called triple-negative (oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative) subset of breast cancers and predict a better response when primary systemic (neoadjuvant) treatment is administered. Although they are easy to assess, their quantitative assessment is subject to some inter-observer variation. ONEST (Observers Needed to Evaluate Subjective Tests) is a new way of analysing inter-observer variability and helps in estimating the number of observers required for a more reliable estimation of this phenomenon. This aspect of reproducibility for TILs has not been explored previously. Our analysis suggests that between six and nine pathologists can give a good approximation of inter-observer agreement in TIL assessments. Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) reflect antitumour immunity. Their evaluation of histopathology specimens is influenced by several factors and is subject to issues of reproducibility. ONEST (Observers Needed to Evaluate Subjective Tests) helps in determining the number of observers that would be sufficient for the reliable estimation of inter-observer agreement of TIL categorisation. This has not been explored previously in relation to TILs. ONEST analyses, using an open-source software developed by the first author, were performed on TIL quantification in breast cancers taken from two previous studies. These were one reproducibility study involving 49 breast cancers, 23 in the first circulation and 14 pathologists in the second circulation, and one study involving 100 cases and 9 pathologists. In addition to the estimates of the number of observers required, other factors influencing the results of ONEST were examined. The analyses reveal that between six and nine observers (range 2-11) are most commonly needed to give a robust estimate of reproducibility. In addition, the number and experience of observers, the distribution of values around or away from the extremes, and outliers in the classification also influence the results. Due to the simplicity and the potentially relevant information it may give, we propose ONEST to be a part of new reproducibility analyses

Possibilities for the rehabilitation of settlements affected by large scale radioactive contamination

With the support of the IAEA, a decontamination exercise was conducted in the highly contaminated area of Masany, Belarus. The aim of the work was to determine the effectiveness of decontamination methods. On the roof two different methods were used: a special roof-cleaning trolley, that can safely decontaminate asbestos type roofs, and a high pressure hot water jet, using either clean water or water with a detergent added. The decontamination factors, DF's were of the order of 0,2-0,3 for both methods. The walls were decontaminated by high-pressure hot water jet, planing of wooden walls, and industrial vacuum cleaning resulting in DF's 0,1-0,5. The upper layer of the surrounding soil areas was removed to a depth of about 10-cm, giving dose rate reduction factors, DRF's of 0,1-0,3. Inside the house, vacuum cleaning was performed with very little effect. In the kitchen garden three different methods were used: removal of the upper 10-cm soil layer (DRF of 0,25), triple digging (DRF of 0,3), and normal digging (DRF of 0,5). In conclusion, it was demonstrated that it is still possible, more than a decade after the Chernobyl accident, to substantially reduce the external dose rate in and outside a dwelling by forced clean up

Is there a role for Placental Volume, Vasculature and Calcification in monitoring Post-term Pregnancies?

Objectives: This study aims to assess if three dimensional power Doppler (3DPD) ultrasound of the placenta, evaluating placental volume, vascularisation, and blood flow in post-term pregnancies differs from normal. It also examines whether computer analysis identifies the increased calcification normally present in the placenta after 40 weeks. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study involving 50 women with post-term pregnancies. Gestational age (GA) ranged from 40-41+6 weeks gestation. 3DPD ultrasound was used to evaluate placental volume, vascularisation index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularisation-flow index (VFI). Following each scan the percentage of calcification was also calculated, by computer analysis. Results were compared with previously determined normal values (36-40 weeks gestation) and correlated with Doppler values and placental histology. Results: Results showed that placental volume, VI, FI and VFI are not influenced by GA when the pregnancy has advanced beyond 40 weeks and that values are similar between post-term pregnancies and normal pregnancies between 36 and 40 weeks. Placental volume was seen to decrease in post-term pregnancies as the mean UtA PI increased (P=0.047).  FI was reduced in cases where chorangiosis was found at histology (P=0.033), identifying the increased vessel number associated with these cases. Computer analysis of placental calcification identified the increased calcification expected after 40 weeks, and also showed that calcification continues to increase between 40 and 42 weeks (P=0.029). Conclusion: This study suggests that 3DPD placental assessment may provide additional information, assisting clinicians in decision making in post-term pregnancies

Novel placental ultrasound assessment: Potential role in pre-gestational diabetic pregnancy

Objectives: Management of women with pre-gestational diabetes continues to be challenging for clinicians. This study aims to determine if 3D power Doppler (3DPD) analysis of placental volume and flow, and calculation of placental calcification using a novel software method, differ between pregnancies with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and normal controls, and if there is a relationship between these ultrasound placental parameters and clinical measures in diabetics. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of 50 women with diabetes and 250 controls (12–40 weeks gestation). 3DPD ultrasound was used to evaluate placental volume, vascularisation index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularisation-flow index (VFI). Placental calcification was calculated by computer analysis. Results in diabetics were compared with control values, and correlated with early pregnancy HbA1c, Doppler results and placental histology. Results: Placental calcification and volume increased with advancing gestation in pre-gestational diabetic placentae. Volume was also found to be significantly higher than in normal placentae. VI and VFI were significantly lower in diabetic pregnancies between 35 and 40 weeks gestation. A strong relationship was seen between a larger placental volume and both increasing umbilical artery pulsatility index and decreasing middle cerebral artery pulsatility index. FI was significantly lower in cases which had a booking HbA1c level ≥6.5%. Ultrasound assessed placental calcification was reduced with a histology finding of delayed villous maturation. No other correlation with placental histology was found. Conclusions: This study shows a potential role for 3D placental evaluation, and computer analysis of calcification, in monitoring pre-gestational diabetic pregnancies.Author approved cutting out material that is not written by her - MEL 14/01/201

Improvements in routine internal monitoring— an overview of the IDEA project.

The IDEA project aimed to improve the assessment of incorporated radionuclides through developments of advanced in vivo and bioassay monitoring techniques and making use of such enhancements for improvements in routine monitoring. Many of these findings are not new in the sense that they are being already employed in advanced laboratories or for specialised applications. The primary goal was to categorise those new developments regarding their potential and eligibility for the routine monitoring community. Attention has been given to in vivo monitoring techniques with respect to detector characteristics and measurement geometry to improve measurement efficiency with special attention to low energy gamma emitters. Calibration—specifically supported by or through methods of numerical simulation—have been carefully analysed to reduce overall measurement uncertainties and explore ways to accommodate the individual variability based on characteristic features of a given person. For bioassay measurements at low detection limits, inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy offers significant advantages both in accuracy, speed, and sample preparation. Specifically, the determination of U and Th in urine and the associated models have been investigated. Finally, the scientific achievements have been analysed regarding their potential to offer benefits for routine monitoring. These findings will be presented in greater detail in other papers at this conference, whereas this paper intends to give an overview and put both the scientific achievements as well as the derived benefits into perspective