Objective Quality Control Research Articles

Hyperspectral imaging and chemometric modeling of echinacea - a novel approach in the quality control of herbal medicines.

Echinacea species are popularly included in various formulations to treat upper respiratory tract infections. These products are of commercial importance, with a collective sales figure of $132 million in 2009. Due to their close taxonomic alliance it is difficult to distinguish between the three Echinacea species and incidences of incorrectly labeled commercial products have been reported. The potential of hyperspectral imaging as a rapid quality control method for raw material and products containing Echinacea species was investigated. Hyperspectral images of root and leaf material of authentic Echinacea species (E. angustifolia, E. pallida and E. purpurea) were acquired using a sisuChema shortwave infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral pushbroom imaging system with a spectral range of 920–2514 nm. Principal component analysis (PCA) plots showed a clear distinction between the root and leaf samples of the three Echinacea species and further differentiated the roots of different species. A classification model with a high coefficient of determination was constructed to predict the identity of the species included in commercial products. The majority of products (12 out of 20) were convincingly predicted as containing E. purpurea, E. angustifolia or both. The use of ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) in the differentiation of the species presented a challenge due to chemical similarities between the solvent extracts. The results show that hyperspectral imaging is an objective and non-destructive quality control method for authenticating raw material.

Metabolic discrimination of Swertia mussotii and Swertia chirayita known as “Zangyinchen” in traditional Tibetan medicine by 1H NMR-based metabolomics

Swertia mussotii Franch. and Swertia chirayita Buch.–Ham. have been commonly used under the same name “Zangyinchen” for the treatment of liver and gallbladder diseases in traditional Tibetan medicine. Detailed characterization and comparison of the complete set of metabolites of these two species are critical for their objective identification and quality control. In this study, a rapid, simple and comprehensive 1H NMR-based metabolomics method was first developed to differentiate the two species. A broad range of metabolites, including iridoid glycosides, xanthones, triterpenoids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, and amino acids, were identified. Statistical analysis showed evident differences between the two species, and the major markers responsible for the differences were screened. In addition, quantitative 1H NMR method (qHNMR) was used for the target analysis of the discriminating metabolites. The results showed that S. mussotii had significantly higher contents of gentiopicrin, isoorientin, glucose, loganic acid, and choline, whereas S. chirayita exhibited higher levels of swertiamarin, oleanolic acid, valine, and fatty acids. These findings indicate that 1H NMR-based metabolomics is a reliable and effective method for the metabolic profiling and discrimination of the two Swertia species, and can be used to verify the genuine origin of Zangyinchen.

Measuring Black Hole Spin Using X-Ray Reflection Spectroscopy

I review the current status of X-ray reflection (a.k.a. broad iron line) based black hole spin measurements. This is a powerful technique that allows us to measure robust black hole spins across the mass range, from the stellar-mass black holes in X-ray binaries to the supermassive black holes in active galactic nuclei. After describing the basic assumptions of this approach, I lay out the detailed methodology focusing on “best practices” that have been found necessary to obtain robust results. Reflecting my own biases, this review is slanted towards a discussion of supermassive black hole (SMBH) spin in active galactic nuclei (AGN). Pulling together all of the available XMM-Newton and Suzaku results from the literature that satisfy objective quality control criteria, it is clear that a large fraction of SMBHs are rapidly-spinning, although there are tentative hints of a more slowly spinning population at high (M>5×107 M ⊙) and low (M<2×106 M ⊙) mass. I also engage in a brief review of the spins of stellar-mass black holes in X-ray binaries. In general, reflection-based and continuum-fitting based spin measures are in agreement, although there remain two objects (GRO J1655–40 and 4U 1543–475) for which that is not true. I end this review by discussing the exciting frontier of relativistic reverberation, particularly the discovery of broad iron line reverberation in XMM-Newton data for the Seyfert galaxies NGC 4151, NGC 7314 and MCG–5-23-16. As well as confirming the basic paradigm of relativistic disk reflection, this detection of reverberation demonstrates that future large-area X-ray observatories such as LOFT will make tremendous progress in studies of strong gravity using relativistic reverberation in AGN.

원격조종 콘크리트 표면절삭 장비를 위한 머신비전 기반 품질관리 시스템

콘크리트 표면절삭 작업은 포장면의 노화 또는 파손으로 인한 보수작업과 그루빙(Grooving) 시공을 통한 포장면의 배수능력을 강화하거나 평탄성을 확보를 위하여 자주 적용되는 공법이다. 그러나 그 작업특성이 노동집약적이고 분진, 슬러지, 소음 등으로 인한 유해한 작업환경을 보유하고 있으며 장비를 다루는 기능공의 숙련도에 따라 생산성 및 절삭품질의 편차가 큰 경향이 있다. 따라서 장비 조종자가 각종 위험에 노출되지 않도록 하기 위한 원격조종 콘크리트 표면절삭 장비 개발이 필요하다. 원격 조종 환경에서는 조종자가 객관적인 절삭 품질을 확인함과 동시에 장비가 계획 경로에 따라 작업이 올바르게 수행되고 있는지를 확인할 수 있도록 하는 지원시스템이 필요케되는 바, 본 연구에서는 머신비전 시스템(Machine Vision System)과 GPS를 적용하여 네트워크 카메라로 촬영한 절삭면의 이미지를 디지털 영상처리(Image Processing)과정을 거쳐 객관적이며 품질관리 프로세스가 자동화된 시스템을 구축하였다. 또한 장비의 현재 위치와 방향, 속도, 계획된 경로와의 오차정보 그리고 작업의 진척도 등을 종합적으로 산출하여 워크 스테이션에 표시함과 동시에 머신 비전 시스템에 의한 작업 품질 정보와의 통합을 위한 프로그램을 개발하였으며, 현장 적용 테스트를 통해 본 기술을 검증하였다. Concrete surface grinding is frequently used for flatness of concrete surface, concrete pavement rehabilitation, and adhesiveness in pavement construction. The procedure is, however, labor intensive and has a hazardous work condition. Also, the productivity and the quality of concrete surface grinding highly depend on the skills of worker. Thus, the development of remote controlled concrete surface grinding equipment is necessary to prevent the environmental pollution and to protect the workers from hazardous work condition. However, it is difficult to evaluate the grinded surface objectively in a remote controlled system. Also, The machine vision system developed in this study takes the images of grinded surface with the network camera for image processing. Then, by representing the quality test results to the integrated program of the remote control station, the quality control system is constructed. The machine vision algorithm means the image processing algorithm of grinded concrete surface and this paper presents the objective quality control standard of grinded concrete surface through the application of the suggested algorithm.

Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy reveals unique phenotypes for human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cell lines and their progeny

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy was employed to elucidate the macromolecular phenotype of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and their differentiated progeny. Undifferentiated hESCs and hiPSC lines were found to be not clearly distinguishable from each other. However, although both hESC and hiPSC variants appeared to undergo similar changes during differentiation in terms of cell surface antigens, the derived cell types from all cell lines could be discriminated using FTIR spectroscopy. We foresee a possible future role for FTIR microspectroscopy as a powerful and objective investigative and quality control tool in regenerative medicine.

Hyperspectral Imaging as a Visual Quality Assessment Method for South African Herbal Teas

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and Honeybush (Cyclopia species) are teas indigenous to South Africa that are popularly consumed locally as well as internationally for its purported health benefits. Studies have confirmed anti-oxidant, antimutagenic and anticancer activity mainly due to the presence of polyphenols. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) integrates conventional spectroscopy and imaging to obtain spectral and spatial information from a sample. The potential of short wave infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral imaging in combination with chemometric data analysis as a rapid quality control method for commercially important herbal teas was investigated. Images were acquired with the sisuChema short wave infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral pushbroom imaging system at a spectral range of 920 – 2514nm. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed to remove background pixels and to visualize the data. Classes (i.e. Rooibos or Honeybush) were interactively assigned using the score images and plots. Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) classification models developed were subsequently used to accurately predict the species identity of commercially available herbal tea samples introduced as an external dataset, producing a visually interpretable result. The results showed that the labeling information is correct but that Honeybush tea is in most cases present in very low amounts. It is evident that hyperspectral imaging is an objective and non-destructive quality control method that can be successfully used to determine the botanical species included in herbal teas in addition to giving an indication of the abundance of each species in polyherbal tea mixtures.

Unitary and binary chromatographic fingerprints analysis of Epimedium

Epimedium has a long history as a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and is widely used. With similar morphology, non-official species, some of which have a low efficacy or even side effects, are adulterated into official Epimedium. Quality control of Epimedium is vital to its medical use. In this paper, the unitary and binary chromatographic fingerprints of 48 Epimedium samples were developed on two complementary platforms of high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), by which complex volatile and non-volatile compounds from Epimedium were analyzed and well validated, respectively. Subsequently, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed with the unitary and binary chromatographic fingerprints of the whole chromatographic profile and common peaks. By comparison, the HPLC-DAD fingerprints alone showed a complete separation of all species, while GC-MS just provided a classification for them. Meanwhile, the fused data matrix possessed consistent classification results with HPLC-DAD analysis. Moreover, as a complementary method for conventional unitary HPLC fingerprinting, we proposed the whole fused fingerprints with several characteristic peaks, including peak 34 (n-hexadecanoic acid), 10 (icariin), 8 (epimedin C), 32 (tetradecanoic acid), 7 (epimedin B), 13, 35 (9-octadecenoic acid), 6 (epimedin A) and 11 for the quality control of Epimedium. The proposed method can provide a more comprehensive and objective quality control for Epimedium and other TCMs, and offer the feasibility for characterization and quality control of complex samples in the same genus designated under a single herbal drug entity.

Hyperspectral imaging in the quality control of herbal medicines – The case of neurotoxic Japanese star anise

Illicium verum (Chinese star anise) dried fruit is popularly used as a remedy to treat infant colic. However, instances of life-threatening adverse events in infants have been recorded after use, in some cases due to substitution and/or adulteration of I. verum with Illicium anisatum (Japanese star anise), which is toxic. It is evident that rapid and efficient quality control methods are of utmost importance to prevent re-occurrence of such dire consequences. The potential of short wave infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral imaging and image analysis as a rapid quality control method to distinguish between I. anisatum and I. verum whole dried fruit was investigated. Images were acquired using a sisuChema SWIR hyperspectral pushbroom imaging system with a spectral range of 920–2514nm. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the images to reduce the high dimensionality of the data, remove unwanted background and to visualise the data. A classification model with 4 principal components and an R2X_cum of 0.84 and R2Y_cum of 0.81 was developed for the 2 species using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The model was subsequently used to accurately predict the identity of I. anisatum (98.42%) and I. verum (97.85%) introduced into the model as an external dataset. The results show that SWIR hyperspectral imaging is an objective and non-destructive quality control method that can be successfully used to identify whole dried fruit of I. anisatum and I. verum. In addition, this method has the potential to detect I. anisatum whole dried fruits within large batches of I. verum through upscaling to a conveyor belt system.

Filtered Back Projection, Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction, and a Model-based Iterative Reconstruction in Abdominal CT: An Experimental Clinical Study

To compare objective and subjective image quality parameters of three image reconstruction algorithms of different generations at routine multidetector computed tomographic (CT) examinations of the abdomen. This institutional review board-approved study included 22 consecutive patients (mean age, 56.1 years ± 15.8 [standard deviation]; mean weight, 79.1 kg ± 14.8) who underwent routine CT examinations of the abdomen. A low-contrast phantom was used for objective quality control. Raw data sets were reconstructed by using filtered back projection (FPB), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR), and a model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR). Radiologists used a semiquantitative scale (-3 to +3) to rate subjective image quality and artifacts, comparing both FBP and MBIR images with ASIR images. The Wilcoxon test and the intraclass correlation coefficient were used to evaluate the data. Measurements of objective noise and CT numbers of soft tissue structures were compared with analysis of variance. The phantom study revealed an improved detectability of low-contrast targets for MBIR compared with ASIR or FBP. Subjective ratings showed higher image quality for MBIR, with better resolution (median value, 2; range, 1 to 3), lower noise (2; range, 1 to 3), and finer contours (2; range, 1 to 2) compared with ASIR (all P < .001). FBP performed inferiorly (0, range, -2 to 0]; -1 [range, -3 to 0]; 0 [range, -1 to 0], respectively; all, P < .001). Mean interobserver correlation was 0.9 for image perception and 0.7 for artifacts. Objective noise for FBP was 14%-68% higher and for MBIR was 18%-47% lower than that for ASIR (P < .001). The MBIR algorithm considerably improved objective and subjective image quality parameters of routine abdominal multidetector CT images compared with those of ASIR and FBP.

Moderne digitale Radiografie der Ganzwirbelsäule bei Skoliose – Dosisreduktion und Qualitätskriterien

To reduce the radiation exposure of plain radiographs of the entire spine depending on specific indications, since these are frequently performed examinations of children and young adults with scoliosis and to determine objective quality control criteria to ensure accurate assessment. In this prospective randomized study 323 patients underwent plain-radiography of the entire spine with standard and 50 % reduced dose. In an experimental pilot-study this target-dose was determined using an Alderson-Phantom. The evaluation of the experimental radiographs, as well as, the randomized plain-radiographs was conducted using the following criteria: endplates (Cobb-angle), spinal process and pedicel (rotation), lateral margin of the vertebral body (lateral alignment), identification of C7 / S1 (perpendicular). Two radiologists evaluated these criteria using a score ranging from 1 (definitely assessable) to 4 (not assessable). If one single criteria was evaluated with a score of 3 or more points or more than 2 criteria with 2 points, the radiograph was scored as "not assessable". The statistical analysis was conducted as a non-inferiority-trial. Seven (2.4 %) of the 290 examined x-rays were scored as not assessable. There was no statistic inferiority between the examinations with standard or reduced dose, while singular assessment of the defined criteria was likewise dose-independent. Plain-radiography of the total spine in patients with scoliosis can be performed with a dose reduction of 50% without a loss of validity. The obtained quality control criteria were clinically applicable.

Wave-front analysis of personal eye protection

Shack-Hartmann wave-front sensing has been successfully applied to many fields of optical testing including the human eye itself. We propose wave-front measurement for testing protective eye wear for production control and investigation of aberrations. Refractive power data is derived from the wave-front data and compared to a subjective measurement technique based on a focimeter. Additional image quality classification was performed with a multivariate model using objective parameters to resample a subjectively determined visual quality. Wave-front measurement advances optical testing of protective eye wear and may be used for objective quality control.

Quality control for bone quality parameters affected by subject motion in high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography

Subject motion during high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) causes image artifacts that affect morphological analysis of bone quality. The aim of our study was to determine effectiveness of techniques for quality control in the presence of motion in vivo including automated and manual approaches. First, repeatability of manual grading was determined within and between laboratories. Given proper training using a standardized scale and training images (provided by the manufacturer), we found that manual grading is suitable for repeatable image quality grading within and across sites (ICC>0.7). Both a new automated technique providing motion measures based on projection moments, and traditional manual grading (1=best, 5=worst) were subsequently used to assess subject data for motion in N=137 image pairs (scan/re-scan) from the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMos) Calgary cohort. High quality image pairs were selected and measurement precision was estimated by calculating the coefficient of variation (CV). Consistent with previous data, density parameters (e.g. total bone mineral density) are more robust than structural (e.g. trabecular number) or finite element parameters (e.g. failure load). To obtain acceptable measurement precision, images should not exceed a manual grading of 3 (on a scale from 1 to 5) or an automatic (εT) grading of 1.2. Automatic and manual grading provide comparable quality control, but the advantage of the automated technique is its ability to provide a motion value at scan time (providing a basis for real time decision regarding re-scan requirements), and the assessment is objective. Notably, automatic motion measurement can be performed retrospectively based on original scan data, and is therefore well suited for multi-center studies as well as any research where objective quality control is paramount.

Objective measurement devices to assess static rotational knee laxity: focus on the Rotameter

The present article summarizes the development of a simple, objective, and non-invasive measurement device for tibiofemoral rotation to assess static rotational knee laxity. The device is based on the dial test with the patient lying prone and the knee flexed to 30°. From measurements of 30 healthy participants, the device achieved high inter- and intra-observer reliability and showed a high correlation of the measured results with the contralateral knees of the participants. Measurements of the device were also performed in a human cadaver study and revealed highly correlated results when compared to the simultaneous measurements of a knee navigation system, which was used as an invasive standard method to assess tibial rotation. In human cadaver specimens, it was shown that a simulated tear of the posterolateral bundle as well as a complete ACL tear led to a significant increase in isolated tibiofemoral rotation compared to the intact ACL. A retrospective case series investigated the clinical results as well as knee laxity measurements after ACL surgery in vivo. Rotational, as well as anteroposterior (AP), knee laxity was objectively assessed in 52 patients at a mean postoperative follow-up of 27months by comparing the measured results with the results of the contralateral unaffected knee in each patient. The clinical results were comparable to the results reported in the literature. Moreover, rotational laxity was successfully restored after ACL reconstruction, whereas AP laxity showed significant differences compared to the contralateral knees although they were defined as clinically successful according to the IKDC classification. A non-invasive and objective knee rotational measurement device has been developed, which offers good potential for objective quality control in knee ligament injuries and their treatment. Review article, Level IV.

MetaQC: objective quality control and inclusion/exclusion criteria for genomic meta-analysis

Genomic meta-analysis to combine relevant and homogeneous studies has been widely applied, but the quality control (QC) and objective inclusion/exclusion criteria have been largely overlooked. Currently, the inclusion/exclusion criteria mostly depend on ad-hoc expert opinion or naïve threshold by sample size or platform. There are pressing needs to develop a systematic QC methodology as the decision of study inclusion greatly impacts the final meta-analysis outcome. In this article, we propose six quantitative quality control measures, covering internal homogeneity of coexpression structure among studies, external consistency of coexpression pattern with pathway database, and accuracy and consistency of differentially expressed gene detection or enriched pathway identification. Each quality control index is defined as the minus log transformed P values from formal hypothesis testing. Principal component analysis biplots and a standardized mean rank are applied to assist visualization and decision. We applied the proposed method to 4 large-scale examples, combining 7 brain cancer, 9 prostate cancer, 8 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and 17 major depressive disorder studies, respectively. The identified problematic studies were further scrutinized for potential technical or biological causes of their lower quality to determine their exclusion from meta-analysis. The application and simulation results concluded a systematic quality assessment framework for genomic meta-analysis.

Continuous Independent Quality Control for Fetal Nuchal Translucency Measurements Provided by the Cumulative Summation Technique

The cumulative summation technique (CUSUM) is an innovative method for the quality control of nuchal translucency (NT) measurements. CUSUM allows immediate corrective intervention as soon as an unacceptable tendency is noted. The aim of this study was to implement an objective and dynamic quality control method based on the CUSUM technique for prompt analysis of fetal NT measurement which would be compatible with different standards in routine clinical practice. The findings were compared to the standard NT quality control methods currently in use. Three sets of fetal NT measurements performed by three experienced examiners (I, II and III) were selected for retrospective evaluation. One additional set of NT measurements performed by examiner IV was prospectively assessed to approve the practicability of the method. NT measurements were conducted according to the recommendations of Fetal Medical Foundation (FMF) Germany and London. NT values were converted to Z-scores. For quality and accuracy evaluation, data were fed into the Digisono CUSUM software to create double CUSUM charts of Z-scores. In addition, histograms were composed from the Z-scores of each set of measurements and plotted against a normal Gaussian distribution. Three different patterns of retrospective performance and one set of NT measurements that was evaluated prospectively are presented. The full alignment of Z-scores using CUSUM curves reflected exact periods of under- and overestimation of NT measurements. The CUSUM chart of the prospective data set reveals that prompt corrective intervention of poor performance resulted in reconstitution of optimal results and provided sufficient control. In contrast, histograms of NT Z-scores only showed a minor positive or negative shift as compared to the expected values on the basis of Gaussian distribution, but could not identify poor performance. Use of the CUSUM technique analysing the quality of sonographic NT measurements provides the possibility to prospectively observe the development of the examiner's skills, to maintain competence and to promptly define the time when inaccurate measurements start to occur.

Static rotational and sagittal knee laxity measurements after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament

The goal of the present study was to evaluate static anteroposterior and rotational knee laxity after ACL reconstructions with two noninvasive measurement devices by comparing the measured results of the operated with the contralateral healthy knees of the patients. Fifty-two consecutive patients were reviewed after isolated single-bundle transtibial ACL reconstruction using a BPTB graft. At a mean follow-up of 27 months, sagittal AP laxity was tested using a noninvasive knee measurement system (Genourob) with an applied pressure of 67 N, 89 N and 134 N. Rotational laxity was measured using a noninvasive rotational knee laxity device (Rotameter) with an applied torque of 5, 8 and 10 Nm. The results were compared with the measurements of the patients' healthy contralateral knees. Tegner, Lysholm and IKDC score were used in order to evaluate the clinical outcome. Pivot shift was negative (33) or glide (16) in 49 patients with 12 of 16 (75%) patients having also a pivot glide on the healthy contralateral side; Lachman tests were negative in 50 cases. Subjective assessment of the IKDC score was classified according to category A in 44 patients, B in 5 patients and C in 3 patients. Mean Lysholm score was 94.5 ± 9.5, median Tegner score was 7 (3-9) preoperative and 6 (3-9) at follow-up (n.s.). Anteroposterior knee laxity measurements revealed mean side-to-side differences of 0.6-1.3 mm (P < 0.0001). Rotational laxity measurements revealed no statistical significant differences between the operated and the contralateral knee (n.s.). The measured differences in the entire rotational range varied from 0.2° to 1° depending on the applied torque. In those 3 patients with a positive pivot shift, differences in the entire rotational range of 4.5° at 5 N, 4.6° at 8 N and 4.1° at 10 N were found. Static knee laxity was quantified after ACL surgery using the introduced noninvasive measurement systems by comparing the measured results of the operated with the contralateral healthy knees. Significant differences were found in AP laxity although they were defined as clinically successful according to the IKDC classification. No significant differences were found in rotational knee laxity measurements. Therefore, the used noninvasive masurement devices might offer a high potential for objective quality control in knee ligament injuries and their treatment. Retrospective case series, Level IV.

A strategy for automated analysis of passive microseismic data to image seismic anisotropy and fracture characteristics

ABSTRACTMonitoring of induced seismicity is gaining importance in a broad range of industrial operations from hydrocarbon reservoirs to mining to geothermal fields. Such passive seismic monitoring mainly aims at identifying fractures, which is of special interest for safety and productivity reasons. By analysing shear‐wave splitting it is possible to determine the anisotropy of the rock, which may be caused by sedimentary layering and/or aligned fractures, which in turn offers insight into the state of stress in the reservoir. We present a workflow strategy for automatic and effective processing of passive microseismic data sets, which are ever increasing in size. The automation provides an objective quality control of the shear‐wave splitting measurements and is based on characteristic differences between the two independent eigenvalue and cross‐correlation splitting techniques. These differences are summarized in a quality index for each measurement, allowing identification of an appropriate quality threshold. Measurements above this threshold are considered to be of good quality and are used in further interpretation. We suggest an automated inversion scheme using rock physics theory to test for best correlation of the data with various combinations of fracture density, its strike and the background anisotropy. This fully automatic workflow is then tested on a synthetic and a real microseismic data set.

Quality Control of Food Products using Image Analysis and Multivariate Statistical Tools

Visual appearance is an important feature in the quality assessment of food products, since it plays a key role in the decisions made by consumers. Frequently, its evaluation is carried out by a panel of experts from the quality department who analyze, by visual inspection, samples of product taken from the process. It is well-known that such methodologies of assessment suffer from several drawbacks, such as subjectivity, limited precision, and lack of stability over time, even for well-trained personnel, although extensive training programs can improve assessment performance. In this context, we present in this paper results regarding the development of an automated methodology for assessing the visual appearance of cereal flakes, in what concerns a particular quality feature, relative to the existence of regions where cereal coating is inadequate. The proposed procedure is able to extract the necessary information from images taken from product samples, leading to an objective, stable, and quantitative quality control measurement system for this property. The developed algorithm essentially consists of implementing a supervised classification methodology, based on the estimated Mahalanobis distance for assessing proximity in the color space, while incorporating the natural variability and color correlations found in cereal flakes. This procedure also integrates fuzzy logic reasoning for samples falling under regions closer to the classes’ boundaries. Results obtained from a real industrial plant indicate that it is indeed possible to classify different samples of flakes according to classes previously defined. They also provide a sound basis for further developments, in particular regarding the generation of metrics for quality assessment and the implementation of a similar procedure online and in situ.

Precipitation simulation of synoptic scale systems over western Himalayan region using Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) model

Operational weather prediction over western Himalayan region is a challenging job due to scarcity of data and complex topography that interacts with approaching weather system. Accurate prediction of complex weather phenomena requires dense data network which is difficult to establish in mountain due to complex terrain and hostile weather conditions over Himalaya. The alternate method to overcome this problem is by ingesting three-dimensional meteorological variables from global model’s analysis and forecast values as initial and lateral boundary conditions in meso-scale numerical models. Simultaneously, data assimilation is a potential tool in which non-conventional [satellite, radar and Automatic Weather Station (AWS)] and conventional (surface and upper air observations) data are ingested in the numerical models to generate high resolution and accurate initial fields for the initialization of the mesoscale model. In the present study, Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) model has been used for the prediction of synoptic weather system known as Western Disturbance (WD) that affects the weather of western and central Himalaya during winter period (November – April).The ARPS model has been selected for this study because the model has its own objective analysis and quality control system. It has the capacity to ingest the satellite, Doppler weather radar data and other types of observations. Its assimilation system can also be used to overcome the problem of data scarcity in Himalayan region. In this study, initial and lateral boundary fields are taken from the T-80 spectral global model operationally used at National Centre for Medium Range Prediction (NCMRWF), Noida (UP), India. The global model’s analysis was taken as the initial condition and 24 hour’s interval forecasts as lateral boundary conditions. The model has been used for the simulation of few WDs for 96 hours (Four days). The comparison of ARPS simulation with T-80 forecast shows that the ARPS model could produce better results in respect of the circulation of WDs and hence it can be utilized for the operational weather prediction over the Indian region.&#x0D;

Automated Video Capture for Quality Control during Colonoscopy: Real-Time Recognition of “Inside-the-Patient” Status

Purpose: Automated, objective quality control during colonoscopy requires three key components: (1) automated digitial video file generation, (2) automated metric extraction, and (3) automated report generation. Here we report on a novel, real-time image analysis technique that in completely automated fashion creates multiple digital video files each representing a single endoscopic procedure. Methods: Two endoscopy rooms were equiped with video digitizers and PC-compatible workstations. Endoscopy image streams were digitized and forwarded to the workstations where during four days algorithms in real-time (analysis rate: 30 frames per sec) determined whether an image was “outside-the-patient” (OTP) or “inside-the-patient” (ITP; see figure). The algorithms are based on presence of specific color features and movement. If an ITP signal was detected, a digitized video file was created consisting of the first moment the endoscope was determined to be ITP until a status was reached of several minutes OTP. This approach allows for temporal removal of the endoscope for cleaning, polyp retrieval or combined procedures consisting of rectal stump and ileostomy inspection. Results: Sixty-nine procedures were performed during the four days (see figure); all started with perianal or peristomal images and ended with several minutes of OTP or no signal (equipment turned off). A few procedures were short (flexible sigmoidoscopy, ileoscopy or an aborted colonoscopy). A combined ileoscopy and rectal stump inspection was represented as a single procedure. Three additional small files were recorded: two test files in which the colon was simulated on purpose by introducting the endoscope into an enclosed fist and one (1/70; 1%) false positive result when the endoscope was left on in proximity of a material with skin color. Conclusion: We successfully developed automated, real-time recognition of “inside-the-patient” endoscopy; our results form a first, important step towards real-time quality controlduringcolonoscopy.[figure1]Figure