Deployment of a cloud pipeline for real-time visual inspection using fast streaming high-definition images

We investigate the challenges of building an end-to-end cloud pipeline for real-time intelligent visual inspection system for use in automotive manufacturing. Current methods of visual detection in automotive assembly are highly labor intensive, and thus prone to errors. An automated process is sought that can operate within the real-time constraints of the assembly line and can reduce errors. Components of the cloud pipeline include capture of a large set of high-definition images from a camera setup at the assembly location, transfer and storage of the images as needed, execution of object detection, and notification to a human operator when a fault is detected. The end-to-end execution must complete within a fixed time frame before the next car arrives in the assembly line. In this article, we report the design, development, and experimental evaluation of the tradeoffs of performance, accuracy, and scalability for a cloud system.     

Spin probe study of semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks based on polyurethane and polymethacrylate functional prepolymers

The motional transition and heterogeneity of semi‐interpenetrating networks (SIPNs) based on polyurethane (PU) with carboxylic groups and methacrylic copolymer (PM) with tertiary amine groups were studied by the electron spin resonance (ESR) spin probe method. The concentration of functional groups in both prepolymers varied from 0 to 0.45 mmol g^?1. Spin‐probed SIPNs show that the temperature‐dependent spectra are sensitive to polymer interactions imposed by functional groups. These interactions determine the free volume distribution in the matrix and temperature at which motional transition takes place. The fraction of free volume increases with functional group concentration and reaches its maximum at 0.25 mmol g^?1. Further increases in the functional group concentration reduce the free volume. The results of the networks with strong interactions are discussed in terms of the interference of the plasticizing effect of the PU component and the formation of possible cluster cross‐links, which restricts segmental motions. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Batch cultures of Penicillium camembertii on glucose and amino acids—model for growth and ammonium production

BACKGROUND: Three groups of amino acids were previously characterized based on their ability to be assimilated as carbon source by Penicillium camembertii. To describe the diauxic growth recorded on glucose and amino acids from the second group, such as arginine, an unstructured model was previously developed, based on the sequential consumption of both carbon substrates, glucose, followed after its exhaustion, by arginine. The model was modified to describe also the behaviour recorded during growth on other amino acids. RESULTS: The growth model involved the carbon substrate consumption (Verlhust model) and the biomass on carbon substrate yield. Glucose was therefore considered during P. camembertii growth on nitrogen source amino acids (lysine—first group); and amino acid consumption was considered during growth on carbon source amino acids (glutamate—third group), with glucose being dissimilated only for energy supply. The excess nitrogen from amino acids was released as ammonium; the linking of this production to growth was found to increase with the ability of the amino acid to be assimilated as carbon source by P. camembertii. CONCLUSION: The various metabolic behaviours recorded during P. camembertii growth on amino acids, in the presence of a primary carbon source such as glucose, were proved to be satisfactorily described by the model, showing the robustness of the model. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of phenolic and amino resins based on α, β-unsaturated aldehydes

Phenolic and amino resins on the basis of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes were synthesized in bulk or solution. Catalysts were HCl, H₃PO₄, or formic acid, and in some cases NaOH. The course of the reactions was followed by GPC and NMR while the structure of the reaction products was determined by one- and two-dimensional NMR. The course of the reactions is influenced by experimental conditions: the type of monomers, their molar ratio, the type and quantity of the catalyst, the reaction time and temperature, and the reaction medium. At the beginning of the reaction the addition of a nucleophile to an aldehyde takes place through parallel 1,2-addition to and 1,4-addition to group. Oligomers with ? OH, , and ? CHO functional groups are able to add new monomer units or to react mutually to form higher molecular weight addition and condensation products. The overall rate constants for the beginning of the reactions were between 10^?3 L/mol s for the high reactive mixtures and 10^?7 L/mol s for the less reactive mixtures. The resins were cured by heating at temperatures above 135°C with the addition of hexamethylenetetramine.     

Adenosine Receptor Agonist HE-NECA Enhances Antithrombotic Activities of Cangrelor and Prasugrel in vivo by Decreasing of Fibrinogen Density in Thrombus

Blood platelets’ adenosine receptors (AR) are considered to be a new target for the anti-platelet therapy. This idea is based on in vitro studies which show that signaling mediated by these receptors leads to a decreased platelet response to activating stimuli. In vivo evidence for the antithrombotic activity of AR agonists published to date were limited, however, to the usage of relatively high doses given in bolus. The present study was aimed at verifying if these substances used in lower doses in combination with inhibitors of P2Y₁₂ could serve as components of dual anti-platelet therapy. We have found that a selective A_2A agonist 2-hexynyl-5’-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (HE-NECA) improved the anti-thrombotic properties of either cangrelor or prasugrel in the model of ferric chloride-induced experimental thrombosis in mice. Importantly, HE-NECA was effective not only when applied in bolus as other AR agonists in the up-to-date published studies, but also when given chronically. In vitro thrombus formation under flow conditions revealed that HE-NECA enhanced the ability of P2Y₁₂ inhibitors to decrease fibrinogen content in thrombi, possibly resulting in their lower stability. Adenosine receptor agonists possess a certain hypotensive effect and an ability to increase the blood–brain barrier permeability. Therefore, the effects of anti-thrombotic doses of HE-NECA on blood pressure and the blood–brain barrier permeability in mice were tested. HE-NECA applied in bolus caused a significant hypotension in mice, but the effect was much lower when the substance was given in doses corresponding to that obtained by chronic administration. At the same time, no significant effect of HE-NECA was observed on the blood–brain barrier. We conclude that chronic administration of the A_2A agonist can be considered a potential component of a dual antithrombotic therapy. However, due to the hypotensive effect of the substances, dosage and administration must be elaborated to minimize the side-effects. The total number of animals used in the experiments was 146.     

Poly(chitosan-ester-ether-urethane) Hydrogels as Highly Controlled Genistein Release Systems

Polymeric hydrogels play an increasingly important role in medicine, pharmacy and cosmetology. They appear to be one of the most promising groups of biomaterials due to their favorable physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. The objective of the presented study was to synthesize new poly(chitosan-ester-ether-urethane) hydrogels and to study the kinetic release of genistein (GEN) from these biomaterials. In view of the above, six non-toxic hydrogels were synthesized via the Ring-Opening Polymerization (ROP) and polyaddition processes. The poly(ester-ether) components of the hydrogels have been produced in the presence of the enzyme as a biocatalyst. In some cases, the in vitro release rate of GEN from the obtained hydrogels was characterized by near-zero-order kinetics, without “burst release” and with non-Fickian transport. It is important to note that developed hydrogels have been shown to possess the desired safety profile due to lack of cytotoxicity to skin cells (keratinocytes and fibroblasts). Taking into account the non-toxicity of hydrogels and the relatively highly controlled release profile of GEN, these results may provide fresh insight into polymeric hydrogels as an effective dermatological and/or cosmetological tool.     

Current Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Cutaneous Adnexal Neoplasms with Follicular Differentiation

Neoplasms derived from follicular tissue are extremely rare. Clinically, they are reported as non-symptomatic, slow-growing nodules. These lesions are mainly benign, but the malignant type can occur. Mainly middle-aged people (50–60 years of age) are affected. These carcinomas are mainly localized on the head and neck or torso. They can be locally aggressive and infiltrate surrounding tissue and metastasize to regional lymph nodes. In the minority of cases, distant metastases are diagnosed. Quick and relevant diagnosis is the basis of a treatment for all types of tumors. The patient’s life expectancy depends on multiple prognostic factors, including the primary tumor size and its mitotic count. Patients should be referred to a specialized skin cancer center to receive optimal multidisciplinary treatment. This article tries to summarize all the information that is currently available about pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment methods of follicular tumors.     

The Co-Culture of Staphylococcal Biofilm and Fibroblast Cell Line: The Correlation of Biological Phenomena with Metabolic NMR1 Footprint

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most prevalent pathogens associated with several types of biofilm-based infections, including infections of chronic wounds. Mature staphylococcal biofilm is extremely hard to eradicate from a wound and displays a high tendency to induce recurring infections. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to investigate in vitro the interaction between S. aureus biofilm and fibroblast cells searching for metabolites that could be considered as potential biomarkers of critical colonization and infection. Utilizing advanced microscopy and microbiological methods to examine biofilm formation and the staphylococcal infection process, we were able to distinguish 4 phases of biofilm development. The analysis of staphylococcal biofilm influence on the viability of fibroblasts allowed us to pinpoint the moment of critical colonization—12 h post contamination. Based on the obtained model we performed a metabolomics analysis by ¹H NMR spectroscopy to provide new insights into the pathophysiology of infection. We identified a set of metabolites related to the switch to anaerobic metabolism that was characteristic for staphylococcal biofilm co-cultured with fibroblast cells. The data presented in this study may be thus considered a noteworthy but preliminary step in the direction of developing a new, NMR-based tool for rapid diagnosing of infection in a chronic wound.