Semi-automatic Mode Research Articles

Thermostatted dual‐channel portable capillary electrophoresis instrument

A new portable CE instrument is presented. The instrument features the concurrent separation of anions and cations in parallel channels. Each channel has a separate buffer container to allow independent optimization of separation conditions. The microfluidics circuit is based on off-the-shelf parts, and can be easily replicated; only four valves are present in the design. The system employs a miniature automated syringe pump, which can apply both positive and negative pressures (-100 to 800 kPa). The application of negative pressure allows a semi-automatic mode of operation for introducing volume-limited samples. The separations are performed in a thermostatted compartment for improved reproducibility in field conditions. The instrument has a compact design, with all components, save for batteries and power supplies, arranged in a briefcase with dimensions of 52 × 34 × 18 cm and a weight of less than 15 kg. The system runs automatically and is controlled by a purpose-made graphical user interface on a connected computer. For demonstration, the system was successfully employed for the concurrent separation and analysis of inorganic cations and anions in sediment porewater samples from Lake Baldegg in Switzerland and of metal ions in a sample from the tailing pond of an abandoned mine in Argentina.

Advanced Carriers on Legacy CMP Tools - an Intelligent Solution for Flexible Production Environments and R&D Labs

Chemical Mechanical Planarization is more than ever a key technology, not only in advanced CMOS fabrication but also in emerging areas like the “Internet Of Things” (IOT). Whereas lower nm-CMOS-nodes require a perfect process control with nearly zero within-wafer-non-uniformity, “atomic layer CMP”, IOT applications introduce an almost unlimited number of new and partly contradictory process demands. “Crazy” layouts are accompanied by various substrate diameters and thicknesses. The list of materials, which need to be planarized, is almost as long as the periodic table of elements. On the other hand, the requirements on planarity and surface quality are not much less challenging than for advanced CMOS. All that comes along with a modest number of wafers. In conclusion, IOT device fabrication needs highly flexible CMP setups, which ensure a process quality and performance comparable to advanced CMOS fabrication. Actually, this is needed not only for fabrication but also for any process development and research in this field. How to deal with this situation? State of the art CMP equipment will certainly give the desired process quality, however, it is mostly dedicated to high throughput at specific process settings. One advantage of modern equipment is that advanced membrane heads are very forgiving when it comes to wafer thickness variation. The capability to handle substrate sizes with a reasonable conversion effort, however, is limited. Moreover, these machines are tremendously expensive in procurement and operation. Even refurbished equipment of a recent generation will only partially solve this problem. For research facilities like Fraunhofer, and probably for some small and medium IOT device manufactures, such tools are not a viable option financially. Against this background, depreciated legacy tools become an interesting alternative. The market is filled with this type of equipment. Refurbishing companies, often specialized to these machines, are able to give them a second life. The major issue: How to achieve the necessary process performance with reasonable conversion effort? In order to achieve exactly that, the equipment needs to be upgraded with state of the art/advanced options, such as advanced membrane polish heads (carriers). Within this paper we will present process results obtained from a remanufactured IPEC CMP tool, equipped with advanced membrane carriers. The necessary tool modification comprises a complete reconstruction of polish arm inner workings as well as new hardware and software to control the carrier, which will be briefly explained. As a result of this work, the tool is made able to work with 150 mm and 200 mm membrane carriers without tremendous conversion effort. Running the equipment in manual or semi automatic mode, as usually done in research and development environments, requires less than 15 minutes for a diameter change. For CMP of dielectric, Figure 1 shows that the upgraded head produces not only better non-uniformity for 200mm wafers, but also opens up the process parameter window to allow for improved removal rate as well. In addition, a 100mm membrane carrier has been recently developed. This carrier enables for the first time the advanced process capability of CMP for the 100mm non-Si wafers being used for the development of many novel devices. Figure 2 demonstrates that the non-uniformity, removal rate, and profile tunability of advanced carriers is now available for 100mm wafers. The main objective of this paper is to work out important process characteristics, such as within wafer non-uniformity and reproducibility. To that, a series of experiments was carried out and will be explained in detail.Based on the result we will discuss opportunities and limitations of such a tool modification. Finally, we will give selected application examples. Figure 1

Neural Network Approach for Automatic Landuse Classification of Satellite Images: One-Against-Rest and Multi-Class Classifiers

Neural Network (ANN) is an important Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) method used in various remote sensing applications such as image classification, pattern recognition etc.One of important remote sensing applications is the landuse classification i.e. classification of satellite data into various landuse classes such as forest, waterbody, snowcover etc. Landuse classification from satellite data can take place in manual, semi-automatic or automatic mode. Automatic landuse classification is necessary to reduce manual efforts,which can be achieved by making use of machine learning techniques. This paper uses neural network approach for automatic landuse classification from satellite data by providing two classification approaches using multi layer perceptron (MLP) namely one against rest classification (OARC) and multi class classification (MCC), and then provides the comparison between these two approaches. KeywordsNeural Network (ANN), Multi Layer Perceptron (MLP), Error Back Propagation (EBP), Landuse Classification, One-Against-Rest Classification (ORAC), Multi-Class Classification (MCC), Landuse Classification, Remote Sensing

NEW APPROACH OF QUANTITATIVE NUCLEAR CARDIAC PERFUSION ASSESSMENT IN PATIENTS WITH PULMONARY HYPERTENSION

Objective: to develop and implement a new processing approach of myocardial perfusion images obtained by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Material and methods. 18 patients with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension underwent gated rest-stress perfusion SPECT with 99mTc-MIBI with CT-attenuation correction. Images were processed manually, with separate reorientation and semi-automatic contouring of both ventricles. MIBI intensity ratio in the right and left ventricles (RV/LV) was calculated using novel volumetric method, in comparison with other described approaches. Results. In patients with PH myocardial perfusion SPECT revealed abnormal RV visualization, dilation and reduced contractility, paradoxical motion and typical perfusion defects of interventricular septum. RV contouring in semi-automatic mode was possible in 100% of cases. The average values of RV/LV ratio in PH patients and normal group was 0.6097 ± 0.0090 and 0.2750 ± 0.0355, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion. The new method of quantitative calculation of perfusion impairments allows to reveal the features of myocardial perfusion of the right and left ventricles in patients with pulmonary hypertension, with the potential to assess therapy effectiveness in these patients.> <0.001). Conclusion. The new method of quantitative calculation of perfusion impairments allows to reveal the features of myocardial perfusion of the right and left ventricles in patients with pulmonary hypertension, with the potential to assess therapy effectiveness in these patients.

Equipment for analysis of deformation characteristics of MEMS devices

Equipment on the basis of a CMOS video camera for analyzing deformations of mobile elements of microelectromechanical devices with dimensions ranging from hundreds of microns to several millimeters within a temperature range of 103–423 K in the presence of external perturbing factors in the form of an applied load or electric pulses is described. The possibility of the setup of determining the parameters of the angular displacements of experimental specimens with dimensions of the deformed region of 0.24–9.8 mm with an absolute error of no worse than 0.11° and an applied load with a relative error of up to 2.3% in a range of 10-5-10-2 N is demonstrated. The results of the research consist in direct and inverse dependences: “load—deformation,” “temperature—deformation,” and “signal–deformation,” which characterize the object-motion kinematics in statics and dynamics at a frequency of up to 50 measurements/s. The equipment is used in both the manual mode, when objects of different types are studied, and a semiautomatic mode, if similar objects are studied.

Device for Low-Cost Assembly of Chips in RFID Inlays

Security systems employ the RFID method to protect objects and data and to ensure public safety and the safety of commercial activity, e.g. through the control over technological processes. The research activity aimed at improving the level of safety of electronic and technical protection needs to be verified through the manufacture of prototype IDs with RFID inlays.The authors presents an original experimental device enabling the implementation of individual chips in RFID inlays, which were made on a flexible base to which an RFID antenna is attached. The collection of the chip from the dispenser and an unambiguous orientation of the soldered tips in relation to the antenna are provided by a four-axis vacuum manipulator cooperating with a vision system identifying the location of the chip on the manipulator and its final application area. A computer control system enables the operation in two modes, i.e. a semi-automatic mode in which it is possible to manually control the order and the way in which individual tasks are performed, and an automatic mode conducted according to the designed algorithm. The developed device is intended for research on the ways to improve the manufacturing techniques and electronic document protection by means of RFID technologies.

Optimization of the spectra optia for leukapheresis of very small subjects

![Graphic][1] Leukapheresis procedures in very small volume subjects require procedure modifications related to anticoagulant, venous access, and volume. Historically, we accomplished this procedure in 4-5 kg rhesus macaques using a modified CS3000Plus cell separator, but this instrument is no longer available. The Spectra Optia apheresis system and its mononuclear cell (MNC) collection set were evaluated to develop leukapheresis procedures for such subjects. Five rhesus macaques, weight 7-9 kg, blood volume 60 mL/kg, were studied. They pre-donated 100-120 mL of autologous blood (25-30 mL/wk x 4 wks). Aspirin 81 mg was given daily for 3 days prior to 5 of 8 procedures. AMD3100 1 mg/kg SQ 2-3 hours prior to leukapheresis was given as a mobilizing agent. Autologous blood was pooled, diluted 1:1 with saline, and washed to remove citrate and plasma. The Optia was primed first with saline, and then with a customized albumin option in which 30-35 mL of the 40-50 mL of packed RBCs were pumped into the disposable apheresis kit at 10 mL/min. The albumin option shortens procedure ramp-up time. A closed circuit was created between the return line and the packed RBC bag and the flow rate increased to 40 mL/min until 400 mL was processed. To minimize citrate toxicity and avoid volume overload, animals received heparin 50 U/kg bolus IV followed by an ACDA solution containing heparin 5U/mL at an inlet:AC ratio of 25:1. A Collection Preference (CP) setting of 20 was selected using the automatic interface management mode. In the last procedure a semi-automatic mode was utilized so that collection deeper than CP of 20 was possible. Procedures were terminated at 120 min. Animals were anesthetized and catheters placed in the saphenous and cephalic as draw and return lines. Blood counts, chemistries, and ionized calcium (iCa) levels were monitored every 30 min. The elutriation chamber, which concentrates MNCs and allows platelets to return to the donor, was filled 1-2 times per procedure resulting in a product volume of 17-34 mL. A total of eight leukapheresis procedures were performed. Inlet flow rates were typically 10.5 mL/min. In one animal, an inlet rate of 12.0 mL/min was achieved; however, at 120 minutes severe citrate toxicity developed with bradycardia and an iCa level of 0.62 mmol/L, requiring IV calcium gluconate. Excluding this case, a mean(SD) baseline iCa value of 1.17(0.2) dropped to 0.84(0.03) mmol/L at120 min. Mean hematocrit (HCT) decreased from 40.4(1.7)% to a nadir of 36.8(2.6)% at 90 min. Mean platelets declined to a greater degree, from 342(42) x103/mcL to 109(33) x103/mcL at 60 min and 121(43) x103/mcL at 120 min (p<0.001). This drop was reflected in the large number of platelets in the product, 2.49(1.09)x1010 total. Occasional platelet aggregate formation was observed in animals both receiving and not receiving aspirin. Product WBC differential was 65.5(11.1)% MNC and 34.5(10)% granulocytes. Total product MNC content was 1.95(0.54)x109 . MNC collection efficiency (CE) was 26.2(8.5)% using CP=20 and improved to 38.1% using the semi-automatic mode. Product MNC composition consisted of 5.1(2.0)x108 CD4+ , 5.6(2.1)x108 CD8+, and 3.0(2.0)x108 CD20+ lymphocytes, and 9.8(7.0)x108 CD14+ monocytes. As a measure of product contamination, the CE for granulocytes was 5.8(3.0)% and for platelets 11.2(4.4)%. In 3 procedures, two-chamber collections were obtained, the remaining 5 procedures had one-chamber collections (all within 120 min). The HCT of the product was low, 3.7(1.2)%. The product also was enriched for reticulocytes (10.57(2.44)%) and CD4+CD8+ cells(3.4(2.2)x107). Relatively low numbers of CD34+ cells were collected, 5.2(1.9)x106; however, the mobilization protocol was not optimized for CD34+ collection in that AMD3100 alone and older monkeys were used. We are currently optimizing the procedure for even smaller rhesus and combination cytokine mobilization. MNC collections through the process of leukapheresis have proven to be effective in isolating cells for transplantation and cellular therapeutics. The use of leukapheresis in a pediatric setting is difficult due to small blood volumes and a high risk of adverse events. Here we have identified a novel means to perform leukapheresis procedures safely and effectively in small volume subjects. This methodology will have numerous therapeutic applications in both human and veterinary medicine. Disclosures Parker: Terumo BCT, Inc.: Employment. Lienesch: Terumo BCT, Inc.: Employment. [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif

RULE-BASED ANNOTATION OF LITHUANIAN TEXT CORPORA

In this paper we present an algorithm that automatically recognizes and annotates person and place names, contractions, acronyms, foreign language phrases, dates and sentence boundaries in Lithuanian texts. The algorithm is based on a set of manually developed template matching rules and a few specialized lexicons. The algorithm performs annotation by making several passes over the text. It can operate in automatic and semi-automatic annotation modes. In the semi-automatic annotation mode, the user is allowed to intervene in cases where automatic decision is uncertain. Users’ feedback is memorized and stored in the lexicons. Rules and lexicons were developed after a careful examination of the text corpus of 600 thousand words. The algorithm was evaluated on a separate corpus of 400 thousand words and achieved ~93% annotation accuracy.

QUESTIONS OF AUTOMATICAL DIGITIZATION FOR WELL LOGS

Automatic digitization of well logs is a very relevant and important problem, because there are many paper well-logging diagrams in oil companies obtained before the computer age and though having no digital analogs. Such data need to be presented in the digital form for their computer analysis and further interpretation. Existing software for well logs processing digitizes well logs in semi-automatic mode, and this is not effective because of influence of the human factor and a large amount of information, which need to be processed. The authors have designed a program that implements automatic digitization of well logs with filled well passport containing information about border changes for every log and depth intervals. Testing of developed program revealed obtaining required accuracy withal increase of calculation speed in comparison with used software for semi-automatic digitization. At the moment identification of an artificial neural network for solving the problem of pattern recognition, which implements the problem of automatic digitization for diagrams headers and depth intervals, without filling well’s passport, is being held. It is planned further to use developed software for digitizing logs from paper and re-digitizing logs having been processed earlier in semiautomatic mode, i.e., microprobes readings. And this will allow increasing accuracy of geological model construction and hydrocarbon reserves estimation.

Optimization of the Spectra Optia for Leukapheresis of Very Small Subjects

▪Leukapheresis procedures in very small volume subjects require procedure modifications related to anticoagulant, venous access, and volume. Historically, we accomplished this procedure in 4-5 kg rhesus macaques using a modified CS3000Plus cell separator, but this instrument is no longer available. The Spectra Optia apheresis system and its mononuclear cell (MNC) collection set were evaluated to develop leukapheresis procedures for such subjects.Five rhesus macaques, weight 7-9 kg, blood volume 60 mL/kg, were studied. They pre-donated 100-120 mL of autologous blood (25-30 mL/wk x 4 wks). Aspirin 81 mg was given daily for 3 days prior to 5 of 8 procedures. AMD3100 1 mg/kg SQ 2-3 hours prior to leukapheresis was given as a mobilizing agent. Autologous blood was pooled, diluted 1:1 with saline, and washed to remove citrate and plasma. The Optia was primed first with saline, and then with a customized albumin option in which 30-35 mL of the 40-50 mL of packed RBCs were pumped into the disposable apheresis kit at 10 mL/min. The albumin option shortens procedure ramp-up time. A closed circuit was created between the return line and the packed RBC bag and the flow rate increased to 40 mL/min until 400 mL was processed. To minimize citrate toxicity and avoid volume overload, animals received heparin 50 U/kg bolus IV followed by an ACDA solution containing heparin 5U/mL at an inlet:AC ratio of 25:1. A Collection Preference (CP) setting of 20 was selected using the automatic interface management mode. In the last procedure a semi-automatic mode was utilized so that collection deeper than CP of 20 was possible. Procedures were terminated at 120 min. Animals were anesthetized and catheters placed in the saphenous and cephalic as draw and return lines. Blood counts, chemistries, and ionized calcium (iCa) levels were monitored every 30 min. The elutriation chamber, which concentrates MNCs and allows platelets to return to the donor, was filled 1-2 times per procedure resulting in a product volume of 17-34 mL.A total of eight leukapheresis procedures were performed. Inlet flow rates were typically 10.5 mL/min. In one animal, an inlet rate of 12.0 mL/min was achieved; however, at 120 minutes severe citrate toxicity developed with bradycardia and an iCa level of 0.62 mmol/L, requiring IV calcium gluconate. Excluding this case, a mean(SD) baseline iCa value of 1.17(0.2) dropped to 0.84(0.03) mmol/L at120 min. Mean hematocrit (HCT) decreased from 40.4(1.7)% to a nadir of 36.8(2.6)% at 90 min. Mean platelets declined to a greater degree, from 342(42) x103/mcL to 109(33) x103/mcL at 60 min and 121(43) x103/mcL at 120 min (p<0.001). This drop was reflected in the large number of platelets in the product, 2.49(1.09)x1010 total. Occasional platelet aggregate formation was observed in animals both receiving and not receiving aspirin. Product WBC differential was 65.5(11.1)% MNC and 34.5(10)% granulocytes. Total product MNC content was 1.95(0.54)x109 . MNC collection efficiency (CE) was 26.2(8.5)% using CP=20 and improved to 38.1% using the semi-automatic mode. Product MNC composition consisted of 5.1(2.0)x108 CD4+ , 5.6(2.1)x108 CD8+, and 3.0(2.0)x108 CD20+ lymphocytes, and 9.8(7.0)x108 CD14+ monocytes. As a measure of product contamination, the CE for granulocytes was 5.8(3.0)% and for platelets 11.2(4.4)%. In 3 procedures, two-chamber collections were obtained, the remaining 5 procedures had one-chamber collections (all within 120 min). The HCT of the product was low, 3.7(1.2)%. The product also was enriched for reticulocytes (10.57(2.44)%) and CD4+CD8+ cells(3.4(2.2)x107). Relatively low numbers of CD34+ cells were collected, 5.2(1.9)x106; however, the mobilization protocol was not optimized for CD34+ collection in that AMD3100 alone and older monkeys were used. We are currently optimizing the procedure for even smaller rhesus and combination cytokine mobilization.MNC collections through the process of leukapheresis have proven to be effective in isolating cells for transplantation and cellular therapeutics. The use of leukapheresis in a pediatric setting is difficult due to small blood volumes and a high risk of adverse events. Here we have identified a novel means to perform leukapheresis procedures safely and effectively in small volume subjects. This methodology will have numerous therapeutic applications in both human and veterinary medicine. DisclosuresParker:Terumo BCT, Inc.: Employment. Lienesch:Terumo BCT, Inc.: Employment.

Клиническое значение показателей деформации миокарда у пациентов ибс (обзор литературы)

2-D echocardiography is currently the first-line imaging modality for assessing global and regional function of left ventricle (LV). Using 2-D echocardiography, LV function is most often evaluated visually, as a result of the quality of the research depends directly on the experience and qualifications of the expert. The new technology of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography allows to assessing the contractile function of the left ventricle quantitative. Over the years, the numerous studies have demonstrated the value of speckle tracking echocardiography in the diagnosis and risk stratification of a wide range of cardiac diseases, including coronary heart disease [14]. During the cardiac cycle the speckle tracking echocardiography allows in semi-automatic mode to evaluate the deformation of the myocardium in the three spatial directions: longitudinal, radial, and circular. In addition, speckle tracking estimates the direction of rotation and speed of motion of the left ventricular myocardium. This technology may have important clinical value for quick and accurate assessment of global and segmental myocardial function. The use of estimates of the deformation of the myocardium and the speed of deformation of the myocardium by means of speckle tracking method may be able to increase the sensitivity and precision of stenosing lesions of the coronary arteries [16].

NEW FRONTIERS OF ANTARCTIC SUBGLACIAL LAKES EXPLORATION

Antarctic subglacial aquatic environment have become of great interest to the science community because they may provide unique information about microbial evolution, the past climate of the Earth, and the formation of the Antarctic ice sheet. Nowadays it is generally recognized that a vast network of lakes, rivers, and streams exists thousands of meters beneath Antarctic Ice Sheets. Up to date only four boreholes accessed subglacial aquatic system but three of them were filled with high-toxic drilling fluid, and the subglacial water was contaminated. Two recent exploration programs proposed by UK and USA science communities anticipate direct access down to the lakes Ellsworth and Whillans, respectively, in the 2012/2013 Antarctic season. A team of British scientists and engineers engage in the first attempt to drill into Lake Ellsworth but failed. US research team has successfully drilled through 800 m of Antarctic ice to reach a subglacial lake Whillans and retrieve water and sediment samples. Both activities used hot-water drilling technology to access lakes. The main troublesome of the implemented and planned projects for accessing of Antarctic subglacial lakes is connected with the hydrostatic unbalance resulted in the upwelling of water into the hole with subsequent difficulties. The proposed RECoverable Autonomous Sonde “RECAS” would measure and sample subglacial water while subglacial lake is reliably isolated from surface environment, and at the same time the sonde is able to measure geochemical signals in situ throughout the depth of ice sheet on the way to the bed. All process is going on in semi-automatic mode, and the estimated duration of subglacial lake exploration at the depth of 3500 m is 8–9 months. The general concept of the sonde as well as proposed power-supply and performance are given.

Mean glandular dose for different angles of the X-ray tube using different glandularity phantoms

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is a three-dimensional radiographic technique that is beginning to be used as part of an imaging diagnostic program in some of Brazilian clinical practices. Studies are needed to evaluate the performance and to determine the radiation dose of patients that are undergoing this new procedure. The aim of this work is to present results of the mean glandular dose (DG) for different angles of the X-ray tube using a computed radiography (CR) mammography unit and different glandularity standard breast phantoms. DG values were derived from measurements of the incident air kerma (Ki) and tabulated conversion coefficients that are dependent on the half-value layer (HVL) of the X-ray spectrum. Irradiations were done in a 3000 Nova model Siemens MAMMOMAT mammography unit with the X-ray tube angle ranging from −30° to 30°. The protocol with 28kV was used for Mo/Mo combination. The distance between focus and the 90×5–6M model Radcal ionization chamber was 60.5cm and the tube loading (PIt) used was 50mAs. Exposures were done for DG determination using the semi-automatic exposure control mode and the 45mm Computerized Imaging Reference Systems, Inc phantoms which approximately simulate a standard breast with glandularities of 0, 30, 50, 70 and 100%. DG values ranged from 1.3±0.1 to 7.6±0.7mGy. The results are in according to the reference level of 3mGy established by the International Basic Safety Standards (BSS115) to breast with 45mm of thickness, 50% of glandularity and for the X-ray tube positioned in 0°. The results showed that DG increases with the glandularity and with the rotation of the X-ray tube. This work contributes to begin in Brazil the dosimetry in DBT equipments using different protocols and target/filter combinations.

Reconstruction of Three Dimensional City Model Based on LIDAR

The research of Three Dimensional City Model (3DCM) has become a hot topic in GIS field in recent years, and it also has played an important role in traffic, land, mining, surveying and mapping, and other fields, especially in urban planning. However, the difficulty to acquire 3D data is the key obstacle to the further development of 3DCM. Airborne LIDAR, integrating GPS, INS and scanning laser rangefinder, can rapidly acquire the 3D position of ground by airplane, which is very economical, efficient and convenient to acquire 3D data. Because traditional three-dimensional data acquisition method can’t meet the need of the city’s fast development, airborne LIDAR technology is regarded as a convenient, swift, high-efficient three-dimensional data acquisition method. Compared with traditional methods, the airborne LIDAR technology has the following characteristics: 1) High efficiency: in 12 hours, the airborne LIDAR can scan 1000 square kilometers, next, with the help of the related post-processing software, LIDAR cloud data can transform them into GIS format or other receivable format in certain automatic or semiautomatic mode. 2) High precision: because the pulse of laser light isn’t easily subject to shadow and solar angle, it greatly improves the data quality. The flight height limit has no influence on its elevation data precision, which is superior to the conventional photogrammetry. The plane precision may achieve 0.15 to 1 meter, the elevation precision may achieve 10 centimeters. 3) All-weather feature: airborne LIDAR is active remote sensing without considering the digital aerial photogrammetry. 4) Rich information: with the aid of airborne LIDAR ,we can obtains not only the three dimensional coordinate of ground point, but also the three dimensional coordinate of terrain details, such as trees, buildings, roads. If it is integrated with CCD, it could gains image information. We acquired the airborne LIDAR data of 20 square kilometers in the central area of Shanghai using ALTM3100 airborne LIDAR system of the Optech company in 2006.This paper introduces the data processing procedure of the airborne LIDAR data, LIDAR system uses random commercial software to process plane GPS tracking data、plane attitude data、 laser ranging data and the swinging angle data of laser scanning mirror, finally, obtaining the three-dimensional coordinates(X,Y,Z) data of various surveying points. Which three-dimensional discrete dot matrix data is without attribute suspending in the air namely LIDAR original data, named “point cloud”. LIDAR data performs pre-processing to obtain digital surface model (DSM), which is classified and extracted, we acquire topography and object related to modeling, preparing for three-dimensional city model. Data pre-processing includes abnormal point deletion, coordinate transformation and flight strip combination. At present, we used famous business software TerraSolid, developed by Company of Finland to realize the classification and extraction from the LIDAR data TerraSolid depends on MicroStation platform, on the basis of classification and extraction algorithms presented by Axelsson, et al. of Swedish, including a lot of module such as TerraScan, TerraModeler and TerraPhoto. TerraScan is used in the field of LIDAR data classification and extraction, TerraModeler is used for producing and dealing with various planes, TerraPhoto is used for dealing with the primitive image, topography model and building model are got by using this software, complicated artificial building (Oriental Pearl, Jin Mao mansion etc.) need artificial repair and disposal, data processing of 20 sq. km. takes more than one month, efficiency has been improved greatly on the premise of guaranteeing the precision. Topography model and building model can be obtained by using TerraSolid and combining a few manual intervention based on DSM, The topography model is expressed with the triangulated irregular network (TIN), the building model is expressed with 3ds format, three dimensional model of non - texture of Lujiazui region of Shanghai was gained by LIDAR data. In order to achieving better visualization effect, the topography model overlaps orthophoto, and stuck true texture to building model, true city landscape of Lujiazui region of Shanghai is established. This paper has introduce post-processing procedure of airborne LIDAR data systematically, has realized the fast reconstruction of three-dimension urban model based on LIDAR data, enable this technology to serve the information construction of the city better.

Influence of Reconstruction Parameters During Filtered Backprojection and Ordered-Subset Expectation Maximization in the Measurement of the Left-Ventricular Volumes and Function During Gated SPECT

A crucial method for investigating patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is the calculation of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). It is, consequently, imperative to precisely estimate the value of LVEF--a process that can be done with myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Therefore, the present study aimed to establish and compare the estimation performance of the quantitative parameters of the reconstruction methods filtered backprojection (FBP) and ordered-subset expectation maximization (OSEM). A beating-heart phantom with known values of end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, and LVEF was used. Quantitative gated SPECT/quantitative perfusion SPECT software was used to obtain these quantitative parameters in a semiautomatic mode. The Butterworth filter was used in FBP, with the cutoff frequencies between 0.2 and 0.8 cycles per pixel combined with the orders of 5, 10, 15, and 20. Sixty-three reconstructions were performed using 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 16 OSEM subsets, combined with several iterations: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 32, and 64. With FBP, the values of end-diastolic, end-systolic, and the stroke volumes rise as the cutoff frequency increases, whereas the value of LVEF diminishes. This same pattern is verified with the OSEM reconstruction. However, with OSEM there is a more precise estimation of the quantitative parameters, especially with the combinations 2 iterations × 10 subsets and 2 iterations × 12 subsets. The OSEM reconstruction presents better estimations of the quantitative parameters than does FBP. This study recommends the use of 2 iterations with 10 or 12 subsets for OSEM and a cutoff frequency of 0.5 cycles per pixel with the orders 5, 10, or 15 for FBP as the best estimations for the left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction quantification in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

A hyperbaric oxygen chamber for animal experimental purposes

Facilities for hyperbaric oxygen therapy that are suitable for animal experimental research are scarce. In this paper, the authors introduce a hyperbaric oxygen chamber that was developed specifically for animal experimental purposes. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber was designed to meet a number of criteria regarding safety and ease of use. The hyperbaric oxygen chamber conforms to 97/23/EC (Pressure Equipment Directive), Conformity Assessment Module G Product Group 1. It provides easy access, and can be run in manual mode, semi-automatic mode and full-automatic mode. Sensors for pressure level, oxygen level, temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide level allow full control. This state-of-the-art hyperbaric oxygen chamber for animal experimental purposes permits the investigation of the biological mechanisms through which hyperbaric oxygen therapy acts at a fundamental level.

Qualitative Study of Status of Indigenous Arc Welding Equipments in India

Energy contributes to less than 2% of arc welding process cost. However, the way energy is controlled dynamically in the weld gap, its role becomes catalytic in nature to the whole process, beyond weld gap. In open or close loop, manual, semi-automatic or automatic mode of operation, power source is lone actuating element in the whole arc welding process influencing not only output characteristics, but also on other input elements. Welding equipment together with efficient method converts arc welding process load as efficient in electrical energy domain. Matching of power source and equipment is essential. However, in many developing countries in the world the matching is yet to take place causing a lot of all round concerns, wastage and productivity are a few of them. Concern is, India being a large size large growing country, also falls in that category. Indian process is heavily inclined to SMAW process using old fashioned equipments. Among population of arc welding equipments, CC power sources are dominant. This makes, ironically enough, data generation and its analysis easy. As it is difficult to have direct and correct statistical data, this article takes the route of qualitative analysis on the status of arc welding equipments in India.

Applicability of Geo-spatial Processing Open Sources to Geographic Object-based Image Analysis (GEOBIA)

At present, GEOBIA (Geographic Object-based Image Analysis), heir of OBIA (Object-based Image Analysis), is regarded as an important methodology by object-oriented paradigm for remote sensing, dealing with geo-objects related to image segmentation and classification in the different view point of pixel-based processing. This also helps to directly link to GIS applications. Thus, GEOBIA software is on the booming. The main theme of this study is to look into the applicability of geo-spatial processing open source to GEOBIA. However, there is no few fully featured open source for GEOBIA which needs complicated schemes and algorithms, till It was carried out to implement a preliminary system for GEOBIA running an integrated and user-oriented environment. This work was performed by using various open sources such as OTB or PostgreSQL/PostGIS. Some points are different from the widely-used proprietary GEOBIA software. In this system, geo-objects are not file-based ones, but tightly linked with GIS layers in spatial database management system. The mean shift algorithm with parameters associated with spatial similarities or homogeneities is used for image segmentation. For classification process in this work, tree-based model of hierarchical network composing parent and child nodes is implemented by attribute join in the semi-automatic mode, unlike traditional image-based classification. Of course, this integrated GEOBIA system is on the progressing stage, and further works are necessary. It is expected that this approach helps to develop and to extend new applications such as urban mapping or change detection linked to GIS data sets using GEOBIA.

MWTmat—application of multiscale wavelet tomography on potential fields

Wavelet analysis is a well-known technique in the sciences to extract essential information from measured signals. Based on the theory developed by previous studies on the Poisson kernel family, this study presents an open source code, which allows for the determination of the depth of the source responsible for the measured potential field. MWTmat, based on the Matlab platform, does not require the wavelet tool box, is easy to use, and allows the user to select the analyzing wavelets and parameters. The program offers a panel of 10 different wavelets based on the Poisson kernel family and the choice between a fully manual and a semiautomatic mode for selection of lines of extrema. The general equations for both horizontal and vertical derivative wavelets are presented in this study, allowing the user to add new wavelets. Continuous wavelet analyses can be used to efficiently analyze electrical, magnetic, and gravity signals; examples are presented here. The MWTmat code and the multiscale wavelet tomography approach are an efficient method for investigating spatial and temporal changes of sources generating potential field signals.

Simulation and Training Platform for Self-Propelled Gun Based on Semi-Physical Simulation

Aiming at the teaching and training requirements of new equipments, a new kind of military teaching and training paltform for follow-up system of Self-Propelled Gun is put forward. The demand analysis, development program, design of software system and hardware sytem are discussed in detail. The data flows and control processes indicate that this simulation and training platform simulates the mechnical and electrical procedures under semiautomatic and fully-automatic mode completely and vividly. Through operating board, various circumstances and targets can be setted according to training receiver and sujects. Fault setting, detection and maintenance are convenient and easy to observe. This platform has been used in new equipment’s teaching and training and shows good effectiveness.