Automatic detection and quantification of tree-in-bud (TIB) opacities from CT scans

This study presents a novel computer-assisted detection (CAD) system for automatically detecting and precisely quantifying abnormal nodular branching opacities in chest computed tomography (CT), termed tree-in-bud (TIB) opacities by radiology literature. The developed CAD system in this study is based on 1) fast localization of candidate imaging patterns using local scale information of the images, and 2) M?bius invariant feature extraction method based on learned local shape and texture properties of TIB patterns. For fast localization of candidate imaging patterns, we use ball-scale filtering and, based on the observation of the pattern of interest, a suitable scale selection is used to retain only small size patterns. Once candidate abnormality patterns are identified, we extract proposed shape features from regions where at least one candidate pattern occupies. The comparative evaluation of the proposed method with commonly used CAD methods is presented with a dataset of 60 chest CTs (laboratory confirmed 39 viral bronchiolitis human parainfluenza CTs and 21 normal chest CTs). The quantitative results are presented as the area under the receiver operator characteristics curves and a computer score (volume affected by TIB) provided as an output of the CAD system. In addition, a visual grading scheme is applied to the patient data by three well-trained radiologists. Interobserver and observer-computer agreements are obtained by the relevant statistical methods over different lung zones. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed CAD system can achieve high detection rates with an overall accuracy of 90.96%. Moreover, correlations of observer-observer (R(2)=0.8848, and observer-CAD agreements (R(2)=0.824, validate the feasibility of the use of the proposed CAD system in detecting and quantifying TIB patterns.     

Fatty acid composition in some selected marine fish species living in Turkish waters

The muscle fatty acid (FA) composition of 12 selected marine fish species living in Turkish waters was determined. FA profiles of muscle were compared in terms of total and individual saturated (SFAs) and unsaturated fatty acids. Total SFA, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n‐3 PUFA) and n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n‐6 PUFA) contents as well as n‐3/n‐6 FA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ratios differed (P < 0.01) in all fish species. Palmitic acid (16:0) among total SFAs, oleic acid (18:1n‐9) among MUFAs, DHA (22:6n‐3) among n‐3 PUFAs and 18:2n‐6 and 20:4n‐6 among n‐6 PUFAs were the most abundant FAs. The ratio of n‐3/n‐6 PUFA contents, indicating the availability of n‐3 PUFAs that are beneficial for human health, ranged from 2.67 to 12.61. The EPA/DHA ratio was between 0.17 and 0.83 in the marine fish species studied. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Exergy Analysis of Drying Process: An Experimental Study in Solar Greenhouse

This article examines the exergy variation during drying in solar greenhouses. Exergy efficiencies were derived as functions of drying time and temperature of the drying air. An illustrative example is considered to verify Dincer and Sahin's model and to show the applicability of the model to actual drying processes at different drying air temperatures. This work is intended not only to demonstrate the usefulness of exergy analysis in thermodynamic assessments of drying processes but to provide insights into their performances and efficiencies. In this study, the drying performance of the passively heated solar greenhouse has been investigated. Experimental results under the meteorological conditions of Izmir, Turkey (latitude 38.24 N, longitude 27.50 E), are presented.     

Intelligent process monitoring by interfacing knowledge-based systems and multivariate statistical monitoring

An intelligent process monitoring and fault diagnosis environment has been developed by interfacing multivariate statistical process monitoring (MSPM) techniques and knowledge-based systems (KBS) for monitoring multivariable process operation. The real-time KBS developed in G2 is used with multivariate SPM methods based on canonical variate state space (CVSS) process models. Fault detection is based on T ² charts of state variables. Contribution plots in G2 are used for determining the process variables that have contributed to the out-of-control signal indicated by large T ² values, and G2 Diagnostic Assistant (GDA) is used to diagnose the source causes of abnormal process behavior. The MSPM modules developed in Matlab are linked with G2. This intelligent monitoring and diagnosis system can be used to monitor multivariable processes with autocorrelated, crosscorrelated, and collinear data. The structure of the integrated system is described and its performance is illustrated by simulation studies.     

Compatibilization of Poly(2,6-dimethyl-l,4-phenylene oxide) and Poly(2,6-dichloro-l,4-phenylene oxide) with Sulfonated Polystyrene and its Na and Zn-neutralized Ionomers

Compatibility of acidic (H), Na, and Zn neutralized sulfonated polystyrene ionomer blends with Poly(2,6-dimethyl- 1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) and Poly(2,6-dichloro- 1,4-phenylene oxide) (PDCIPO) was investigated by Dilute Solution Viscometry (DSV) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The intrinsic viscosities of the blends, are measured in suitable solvents. The degree of compatibility of the blends is characterized by Δb parameter. According to the results, PPO is completely miscible, except for Na-neutralized 1.7 mol% sulfonated polystyrene (Na1.7SPS) which is completely immiscible with PPO and PDClPO. PDClPO is completely miscible with Zn-neutralized sulfonated polystyrene (Zn4.8SPS) and partially miscible with acid sulfonated polystyrene (4.8SPS). Received: 12 August 2001/Revised version: 21 January 2002/Accepted: 11 March 2003 Correspondence to Leyla Aras     

Electron Microscopy Imaging Applications of Room Temperature Ionic Liquids in the Biological Field: A Review

For biological imaging using electron microscopy (EM), the use of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) has been proposed as an alternative to traditional lengthy preparation methods. With their low vapor pressures and conductivity, RTILs can be applied onto hard-to-image soft and/or wet samples without dehydration – allowing for a more representative, hydrated state of material and opening the possibility for visualization of in situ physiological processes using conventional EM systems. However, RTILs have yet to be utilized to their full potential by microscopists and microbiologists alike. To this end, this review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of biological applications of RTILs for EM to bridge the RTIL, in situ microscopy, and biological communities. We outline future research avenues for the use of RTILs for the EM observation of biological samples, notably i) RTIL selection and optimization, ii) applications for live cell processes and iii) electron beam and ionic liquid interaction studies.     

The change of phase composition in kaolinite- and illite-rich clay-based ceramic bodies

Raw material for ceramics consists mainly of kaolinite, illite, quartz and feldspar. Three representative clays, a high kaolinitic (HB), illitic- and quartz-rich (KW) and naturally mixed kaolinite–illite (P1) clays of Westerwald area, were chosen for this study [Kromer, H., 1980. Tertiary clays in the Westerwald area. Geol. Jb. D. Rhei D Hanover, 69–84]. The largest and oldest clay mining area of Germany is in the Westerwald area. These clays were mixed with each other and also with K, and Ca–Na feldspar. The high temperature phases of the mixed bodies were of three groups: crystalline phase, amorphous/glassy phase and porosity.The aim of this study was to determine: (1) the effect of kaolinite–illite–quartz ratios, (2) the effect of heat treatment and (3) the effect of feldspar on the fired mineralogy of the fired products. The crystalline phases are cristobalite, mullite, quartz, hematite and anatase. The bodies consist of crystalline phases such as quartz, mullite and cristobalite in a composite structure where crystals and pores are often embedded in amorphous/glassy phase. The formation of mullite and cristobalite is very distinctive in kaolinitic clay, and the structure is dominated by the spiky primary mullite. In the illite/sericite-rich mixtures, the high K content causes a large amount of melt superimposed on the mullite formation. The cristobalite formation is completely suppressed in illite/sericite-rich bodies. After dehydroxylation, metakaolinite and illite/sericite anhydride structures are formed. The persistence of illite/sericite anhydride peaks above 950 °C in KW clay indicates the presence of sericite/muscovite mineral. The disappearance temperatures and firing behaviour of K and Ca–Na feldspar observed within the XRD patterns of mixed bodies are different. K feldspar lines disappear earlier in HB bodies than in KW bodies, but Ca–Na feldspar shows a reverse behaviour. While Ca–Na feldspar peak intensity gradually decreases but persists at 1150–1250 °C, K feldspar suddenly disappears at 1150 °C.     

Synthesis and characterization of N‐ and O‐alkylated poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline]

Poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline] was synthesized in an aqueous hydrochloric acid medium with a determined feed ratio by chemical oxidative polymerization. This polymer was used as a functional conducting polymer intermediate because of its side‐group reactivity. To synthesize the alkyl‐substituted copolymer, the initial copolymer was reacted with NaH to obtain the N‐ and O‐anionic copolymer after the reaction with octadecyl bromide to prepare the octadecyl‐substituted polymer. The microstructure of the obtained polymers was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H‐NMR, and X‐ray diffraction. The thermal behavior of the polymers was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The morphology of obtained copolymers was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The cyclic voltammetry investigation showed the electroactivity of poly [aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline] and N and O‐alkylated poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline]. The conductivities of the polymers were 5 × 10^?5 S/cm for poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl) aniline] and 5 ×10^?7 S/cm for the octadecyl‐substituted copolymer. The conductivity measurements were performed with a four‐point probe method. The solubility of the initial copolymer in common organic solvents such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and dimethylformamide was greater than polyaniline. The alkylated copolymer was mainly soluble in nonpolar solvents such as n‐hexane and cyclohexane. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Transport of sodium chloride,urea, and creatinine through membranes derived from methylmethacrylate-co-methacrylic acid and its ionomers

Permeabilities of cast films of methylmethacrylate-co-methacrylic acid (MMA—MAA) and its 5% neutralized Na¹⁺, CS¹⁺, Zn²⁺, Ba²⁺, and Al³⁺ ionomers for urea, sodium chloride, and creatinine were determined using a double (donor and acceptor) compartment cell. Film permeability was increased as the ionic potential decreased and it was more marked with urea as compared with sodium chloride and creatinine. Tensile properties of the above samples were also tested and variations in Young's Moduli were based on the effect of type of aggregates produced by the cations in the matrix of the copolymer. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Thioethyl‐Porphyrazine/Nanocarbon Hybrids for Photoinduced Electron Transfer

A novel pyrene‐substituted thioethyl‐porphyrazine ( PzPy ) and the formation of supramolecular assembly with nanocarbons demonstrating photoinduced electron transfer ability are designed. As revealed by spectroscopic and electrochemical studies, PzPy displays wide spectral absorption in the visible range, charge separation upon photoexcitation, as well as bandgap and highest occupied/lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO/LUMO) energy values, matching the key requirements of organic optoelectronic. Moreover, the presence of a pyrene moiety promotes attractive interactions with π‐conjugated systems. In particular, theoretical calculations show that in the PzPy the HOMO and LUMO are localized on different positions of the molecule, i.e., the HOMO on the pyrene moiety and the LUMO on the macrocycle. Therefore, HOMO–LUMO excitation gives rise to a charge separation, preventing excitons recombination. Two kinds of noncovalent hybrid composites are prepared by mixing the PzPy with single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and graphene nanoflakes (GNFs), respectively, and used for photocurrent generation through charge transfer processes between PzPy and nanocarbons. Photoconduction experiments show photocurrent generation upon visible light irradiation of both PzPy /SWNT and PzPy /GNF composites (0.78 and 0.71 mA W^?1 at 500 nm, respectively), demonstrating their suitability for optoelectronic applications and light harvesting systems.