Towards professionally user-adaptive large medical image transmission processing in mobile telemedicine systems

To effectively and efficiently reduce the transmission costs of large medical image in (mobile) telemedicine systems, we design and implement a professionally user-adaptive large medical image transmission method called UMIT. Before transmission, a preprocessing step is first conducted to obtain the optimal image block (IB) replicas based on the users’ professional preference model and the network bandwidth at a master node. After that, the candidate IBs are transmitted via slave nodes according to the transmission priorities. Finally, the IBs can be reconstructed and displayed at the users’ devices. The proposed method includes three enabling techniques: (1) user’s preference degree derivation of the medically useful areas, (2) an optimal IB replica storage scheme, and (3) an adaptive and robust multi-resolution-based IB replica selection and transmission method. The experimental results show that the performance of our proposed UMIT method is both efficient and effective, minimizing the response time by decreasing the network transmission cost.     

High-resolution optical imaging of magnetic-domain structures

High-resolution optical techniques for imaging magnetic domains in ferromagnetic materials such as confocal microscopy and scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) are reviewed. The imaging capabilities of different techniques and image formation are discussed in the case of in-plane as well as out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy in different illumination configurations. It is shown that the magnetooptical resolution of near-field measurements depends on the film thickness and is limited by the diffraction on magnetic domains throughout the film. For thin magnetic films, subwavelength resolution can be attained. In addition to well-known near-field magnetooptical effects (out-of plane magnetization sensitivity of linear near-field microscopy and in-plane magnetization sensitivity of nonlinear near-field measurements), linear SNOM imaging of in-plane magnetization in thin magnetic films as well as nonlinear imaging of out-of-plane domains has been demonstrated. Thus, linear and second-harmonic near-field imaging of both in-plane and out-of-plane oriented magnetic domains can be achieved in transparent and opaque specimens. This enables applications of SNOM for studies of all kinds of magnetic materials. High-resolution optical imaging is required for characterization of the micro-magnetic and magnetooptical properties of novel magnetic structures in order to adopt a bottom-up approach in the search for new materials with improved characteristics.     

单元化柔性制造系统集成开发的模块化方法

提出一套用于单元化柔性制造系统（CFMS）开发的结构化方法。主要强调和突出了建筑块（Building Block)概念以及集成开发与控制环境。建筑块是一种迷你型自治单元,它可以执行规划功能、计划执行和执行监控。在开发建筑块的过程中,用到了面向对象的软件工程方法论。基于这种方法论,通过一个集成CFMS开发与运作环境,一系列的FMS（CFMS）可由事先定义好的软件建筑块类库中产生。     

A learning-based methodology for dynamic scheduling in distributed manufacturing systems

To enhance productivity in a distributed manufacturing system under hierarchical control, we develop a framework of dynamic scheduling scheme that explores routeing flexibility and handles uncertainties. We propose a learning-based methodology to extract scheduling knowledge for dispatching parts to machines. The proposed methodology includes three modules: discrete-event simulation, instance generation, and incremental induction. First, a sophisticated simulation module is developed to implement a dynamic scheduling scheme, to generate training examples, and to evaluate the methodology. Second, the search for training examples (good schedules) is successfully fulfilled by the genetic algorithm. Finally, we propose a tolerance-based learning algorithm that does not only acquire general scheduling rules from the training examples, but also adapts to any newly observed examples and thus facilitates knowledge modification. The experimental results show that the dynamic scheduling scheme significantly outperforms the static scheduling scheme with a single dispatching rule in a distributed manufacturing system.     

Mechanical behavior of injection-molded polystyrene/polyethylene blends: Fracture toughness vs. fatigue crack propagation

Blends of polystyrene and polyethylene (PS/PE), including belnds in which a styrene/ethylene-butylene/styrene (SEBS) terpolymer was employed as a compatibilizer, were studied. Their rheology showed that the effect of the addition of SEBS to PS/PE blends was strongly affected by the blend composition and the shear rates involved in the blending and post-forming processes. The addition of PE to PS led to a reduction of fracture toughness compared with that of PS. This effect was attributed to the fine minor phase morphology of the blends obtained after extrusion blending and injection molding. The fatigue crack propagation (FCP) results showed that the fatigue crack growth rates were significantly reduced at low and moderate range of stress intensity factor (ΔK) by the presence of PE. Performance was enhanced when SEBS was present. The results also showed that both the fracture toughness and the FCP behavior of the blends were strongly dependent on the loading direction, the minor phase morphology, the composition of the blend, and, to a lesser degree, the presence of a compatibilizer. This study demonstrates that the fracture toughness and the FCP performance of such polymer blends can vary inversely.     

Inactivation of feline calicivirus as a surrogate for norovirus on lettuce by electron beam irradiation

Caliciviridae, including norovirus, are considered important sources of human gastroenteritis. As leafy green vegetables are commonly consumed without additional processing, it is important to evaluate interventions to reduce the presence of human pathogens in these products. Feline calicivirus was used as a model for small round structured viruses on lettuce. The lettuce was inoculated by immersion to simulate contamination from irrigation or wash water. The inoculated lettuce was then exposed to electron beam irradiation at various dose levels to determine survival. The D??-value of the calicivirus on lettuce was determined to be 2.95 kGy. Irradiation to reduce bacterial pathogens on cut lettuce could also reduce the risk associated with small round structured viruses on lettuce.     

Application of a multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay for the simultaneous confirmation of Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria species in turkey sample surveillance

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction was developed to simultaneously identify Listeria monocytogenes and species of the genus Listeria. Two sets of primers were used, with the first amplifying a 938-bp region of the 16S rRNA gene that is highly conserved in all Listeria species and the second amplifying a 174-bp region of the listeriolysin (hlyA) gene of L. monocytogenes. Thus, isolates of Listeria spp. yield a single 938-bp product, whereas L. monocytogenes isolates yield both the 938-bp product and a 174-bp product. The specificity of the assay was verified with all six Listeria species and 11 serotypes of L. monocytogenes, as well as nonrelated bacteria. The multiplex PCR assay was used to determine the incidence of Listeria spp., especially L. monocytogenes, in mechanically separated turkey samples (n = 150 samples). L. monocytogenes strains were selected by using the University of Vermont two-step enrichment protocol and plating to selective Palcam agar. The multiplex PCR assay was used for verification of presumptive Listeria colonies. Approximately 38% of mechanically separated turkey samples (57 of 150) yielded L. monocytogenes; an additional 18% of these samples (27 of 150) harbored other Listeria spp. Fifty-one percent (29 of 57) of the L. monocytogenes isolates were of serogroup 1, 44% (25 of 57) were of serogroup 4, and 2% (1 of 57) were assigned to serogroups other than 1 and 4.     

Reduction and survival of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meats after irradiation

A five-strain Listeria monocytogenes culture was inoculated onto six different types of ready-to-eat (RTE) meats (frankfurters, ham, roast beef, bologna, smoked turkey with lactate, and smoked turkey without lactate). The meats were vacuum packed and stored at 4 degrees C for 24 h prior to irradiation. Populations of L. monocytogenes were recovered by surface plating on nonselective and selective media. The margins of safety studied include 3-log (3D) and 5-log (5D) reduction of pathogenic bacteria to achieve an optimal level of reduction while retaining organoleptic qualities of the meats. A 3-log reduction of L. monocytogenes was obtained at 1.5 kGy when nonselective plating medium was used. The dosages for 3-log reduction were 1.5 kGy for bologna, roast beef, and both types of turkey and 2.0 kGy for frankfurters and ham on the basis of use of selective medium. The D10-values ranged from 0.42 to 0.44 kGy. A 5-log reduction of L. monocytogenes was obtained at 2.5 kGy with nonselective medium. With selective medium, the dosages were 2.5 kGy for bologna, roast beef, and both types of turkey and 3.0 kGy for frankfurters and ham. Survival of L. monocytogenes in the same RTE meat types after irradiation was also studied. Meats were inoculated with 5 log L. monocytogenes per g and irradiated at doses of 2.0 and 4.0 kGy. Recovery of the surviving organisms was observed during storage at temperatures of 4 and 10 degrees C for 12 weeks. Preliminary results showed no growth in meats irradiated at 4.0 kGy. Survivors were observed for irradiated meats at 2.0 kGy stored at 10 degrees C after the second week. No growth was observed in samples irradiated at 2.0 kGy stored at 4 degrees C until the fifth week.     

Performance of a sequential reactive barrier for bioremediation of coal tar contaminated groundwater

Following a thorough site investigation, a biological Sequential Reactive Barrier (SEREBAR), designed to remove Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and BTEX compounds, was installed at a Former Manufactured Gas Plant (FMGP) site. The novel design of the barrier comprises, in series, an interceptor and six reactive chambers. The first four chambers (2 nonaerated-2 aerated) were filled with sand to encourage microbial colonization. Sorbant Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) was present in the final two chambers in order to remove any recalcitrant compounds. The SEREBAR has been in continuous operation for 2 years at different operational flow rates (ranging from 320 L/d to 4000 L/d, with corresponding residence times in each chamber of 19 days and 1.5 days, respectively). Under low flow rate conditions (320-520 L/d) the majority of contaminant removal (>93%) occurred biotically within the interceptor and the aerated chambers. Under high flow rates (1000-4000 L/d) and following the installation of a new interceptor to prevent passive aeration, the majority of contaminant removal (>80%) again occurred biotically within the aerated chambers. The sorption zone (GAC) proved to be an effective polishing step, removing any remaining contaminants to acceptable concentrations before discharge down-gradient of the SEREBAR (overall removals >95%).     

Combining pediocin with postpackaging irradiation for control of Listeria monocytogenes on frankfurters

Frankfurters, in 1-link, 5-link, or 10-link packages, were surface inoculated with a five-strain mixture of Listeria monocytogenes (3.40 or 5.20 log CFU/g) after treatment with 3,000 arbitrary units (AU) or 6,000 AU of pediocin (in ALTA 2341) per link. The frankfurters were vacuum packaged, after which the 1-link and 5-link packages were irradiated at 1.2 or 2.3 kGy and the 10-link packages were irradiated at 1.4 or 3.5 kGy. L. monocytogenes was enumerated following the treatments. Selected treatments were subsequently evaluated during storage at 4, 10, and 25 degrees C for up to 12 weeks. Combination of pediocin with postpackaging irradiation at 1.2 kGy or more was necessary to achieve a 50% reduction of L. monocytogenes on frankfurters in 1-link or 5-link packages. The combination of 6,000 AU of pediocin and irradiation at 2.3 kGy or more was effective in all package sizes for inhibition of the pathogen for 12 weeks at 4 or 10 degrees C. There was a synergistic effect between pediocin and irradiation for inhibition of L. monocytogenes. Storage at 4 degrees C enhanced the antilisterial effects of the treatment combinations, with little or no growth of the pathogen in 1-link or 5-link packages during 12 weeks of storage. In general, these treatments did not affect the sensory quality of frankfurters.