A new deep convolutional neural network model for classifying breast cancer histopathological images and the hyperparameter optimisation of the proposed model

The Journal of Supercomputing - Deep learning algorithms have yielded remarkable results in medical diagnosis and image analysis, besides their contribution to improvements in a number of fields...     

New method for selectivity enhancement of SiC field effect gas sensors for quantification of NO x

A silicon carbide based enhancement type metal insulator field effect transistor with porous gate metallization has been investigated as a total NO _x sensor operated in a temperature cycling mode. This operating mode is quite new for gas sensors based on the field effect but promising results have been reported earlier. Based on static investigations we have developed a suitable T-cycle optimized for NO _x detection and quantification in a mixture of typical exhaust gases (CO, C₂H₄, and NH₃). Significant features describing the shape of the sensor response have been extracted and evaluated with multivariate statistics (e.g. linear discriminant analysis) allowing quantification of NO _x . Additional cleaning-cycles every 30?min improve the stability of the sensor further. With this kind of advanced signal processing the influence of sensor drift and cross sensitivity to ambient gases can be reduced effectively. Measurements have proven that different concentrations of NO _x can be detected even in a changing mixture of other typical exhaust gases under dry and humid conditions. In addition to that, unknown concentrations of NO _x can be detected based on a small set of training data. It can be concluded that the performance of GasFETs for NO _x determination can be enhanced considerably with temperature cycling and appropriate signal processing.     

Formulation studies for mirtazapine orally disintegrating tablets

Abstract

Objective: Orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) recently have gained much attention to fulfill the needs for pediatric, geriatric, and psychiatric patients with dysphagia. Aim of this study was to develop new ODT formulations containing mirtazapine, an antidepressant drug molecule having bitter taste, by using simple and inexpensive preparation methods such as coacervation, direct compression and to compare their characteristics with those of reference product (Remereon SolTab).

Materials and methods: Coacervation method was chosen for taste masking of mirtazapine. In vitro characterization studies such as diameter and thickness, weight variation, tablet hardness, tablet friability and disintegration time were performed on tablet formulations. Wetting time and in vitro dissolution tests of developed ODTs also studied using 900?mL 0.1?N HCl medium, 900?mL pH 6.8 phosphate buffer or 900?mL pH 4.5 acetate buffer at 37?±?0.2?°C as dissolution medium.

Results: Ratio of Eudragit® E-100 was chosen as 6% (w/w) since the dissolution profile of A1 (6% Eudragit® E-100) was found closer to the reference product than A2 (4% Eudragit® E-100) and A3 (8% Eudragit® E-100). Group D, E and F formulations were presented better results in terms of disintegration time. Dissolution results indicated that Group E and F formulations showed optimum properties in all three dissolution media.

Discussion: Formulations D1, D4, D5, E3, E4, F1 and F5 found suitable as ODT formulations due to their favorable disintegration times and dissolution profiles.

Conclusion: Developed mirtazapine ODTs were found promising in terms of showing the similar characteristics to the original formulation.     

Mass spectrometry of biogenic catecholamine ion pairs by direct liquid introduction

The mass spectrometry of ion pairs of dopamine, noradrenaline and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid with n-octylsulphonate has been investigated by direct liquid introduction in an acidic buffer currently used for their high-performance liquid chromatographic separation. In order to follow the fate of the ion pairs, they were first studied by desorption/chemical ionization as dichloromethane extracts or in the buffer. The results show that characteristic spectra of the solutes can be obtained by direct liquid introduction provided that the interface between the chromatographic system and the mass spectrometer permits the desolvation of the ion pairs from the cluster of solvent molecules.     

Temperature gradients in the channels of a single‐screw extruder

We used a temperature‐sensitive fluorescent dye, perylene, to monitor the true resin temperature during extrusion of polycarbonate. The measurement involved doping polycarbonate with perylene and detecting fluorescence with an optical sensor that accesses a standard instrumentation port on a barrel of a single‐screw extruder. The sensor's confocal optics design permits fluorescence intensity measurements as a function of position. Using a previously established calibration function, temperature and temperature gradients were obtained from the measured fluorescence. Because the origin of the measurement is the fluorescent dye molecule that is soluble in the resin, this method allows temperature measurement of the polymer without interference from the surrounding metal parts. With the sensor looking over the screw, temperature profiles from the barrel wall to the core of the screw were obtained as a function of screw speed, screw design and resin melt flow rate. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:2148–2157, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.

1 This paper is a contribution from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and, thus, is not subject to copyright in the United States.

     

Influence of a biopolymer admixture on corrosion behaviour of steel rebars in concrete

Among the multitude of concrete structure pathologies, corrosion of rebars is one of the most important problems of concrete durability. In the context of sustainable development, it appears of primary importance to develop new means to protect the rebars against corrosion. This study aims to develop a new eco‐friendly and corrosion‐inhibiting admixture based on EPS 180 exopolysaccharides, biopolymers used in coatings already studied for the corrosion inhibition on steel in seawater. C15 rebars embedded in CEMI and CEMV cement paste containing EPS 180 were immersed in natural seawater and their electrochemical behaviour was studied using open circuit potential measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. These tests highlight the decrease of the cathodic reaction kinetics due to the EPS 180 action at the rebars surface, and the absence of effect on the passive layer. Capillary imbibition tests carried out on cement paste and mortars showed that although limiting the imbibition kinetics for cement pastes, the EPS 180 did not influence the water imbibition of mortars. Tests comparing capillary imbibition of soaked cement pastes and mortars with EPS 180 solution and the same samples containing the EPS 180 admixture highlight that the corrosion inhibition induced by EPS 180 admixture is more due to the modification of the cement – rebars interface than to the clogging of the cement porous network.     

Elastic-plastic thermal stress analysis of an aluminum composite disc under parabolic thermal load distribution

An elastic-plastic thermal stress analysis was carried out on an orthotropic aluminum metal matrix composite disc with a hole by using an analytical solution. The thermal load distribution was chosen to vary parabolically from inner surface to outer surface. An aluminum composite disc reinforced curvilinearly by steel fibers was produced under hydraulic press. The mechanical properties of the composite disc were obtained from experiments by using strain gauges. A computer program was developed to calculate the thermal stresses under a parabolic temperature from inner surface to outer surface. The material was assumed to be non-linear hardening. The elastic-plastic solution was performed for the plastic region expanded around the inner surface by an analytical method. The magnitude of the tangential stress component for elastic and elastic-plastic was higher than the magnitude of the radial stress component. Besides, the tangential stress component was compressive on the inner surface and tensile on the outer surface. The magnitude of the tangential residual stress component was the highest on the inner surface of the composite disc. The plastic region began at the inner surface of disc. This paper was recommended for publication in revised form by Associate Editor Joo Ho Choi Gürkan Altan is a Research Assistant of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Pamukkale, Denizli, Turkey. Gürkan Altan received the B.E. degree (1999) in mechanical engineering from Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, and the M.S. degree (2004) in mechanical engineering from Pamukkale University, Denizli. Gürkan Altan is interested in production and applications of composite materials. Currently he is involved in the development and application of joints of composite structures.     

Optical characterization of diamond-like carbon thin films non-uniform in thickness using spectroscopic reflectometry

Two formulae expressing the reflectance of non-uniform thin films are presented. The first of them corresponds to the arbitrary shapes of this non-uniformity and illuminated light spot under the assumption that this non-uniformity is sufficiently slight. The second formula corresponds to the wedge-shaped non-uniformity of arbitrary magnitude within the circular light spot. It is shown that both the formulae are suitable for the successful optical characterization of non-uniform diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films in contrast to the usually used reflectance formula for the uniform thin films. Within the optical characterization the values of the standard deviation of non-uniformity is determined together with the correct values of the mean thickness and material parameters corresponding to the dispersion model based on the parametrization of the density of electronic states. On the basis of the material parameters determined the correct spectral dependences of the optical constants of the DLC films studied are calculated.