We report on the development of a handheld three-dimensional (3D) terahertz scanning system with an aspherical telecentric 3D-printed f-θ lens using selective laser sintering. The lens covers a ...broader scan line of 50 mm with its larger aperture, compared to the 20 mm range in our initial work, which was presented at the European Microwave Week 2021. In order to evaluate the adaptability of the optomechanical components with different sensor units, two different integrated frequency-modulated continuous wave radar modules based on monolithic microwave integrated circuit technology, operating in W- and D-bands are tested within the measurement scheme. The optomechanical part consists of a galvanometer scanner mirror and the f-θ lens. The optical system enables B-scans perpendicular to the manual translational movement of the sensor unit by its user. An integrated guiding wheel system with rotary encoder makes it possible to correlate the measurement points to their respective locations, enabling complete 3D volumetric inspection of the corresponding structures, which is particularly useful for the inspection along cracks and welds.
Radar Solutions for Harsh Environmental Conditions Fischer, Bettina; Krauthäuser, Horst; Krebs, Christian ...
BHM. Berg- und hüttenmännische Monatshefte,
2018/3, Letnik:
163, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
IMS Messsysteme GmbH, in cooperation with the Fraunhofer FHR, has developed the first width measurement system based on radar technology for hot rolling mills. In contrast to laser radiation or ...light, radar waves are insensitive to steam and dust. Therefore, the system allows for width measurements under harsh environmental conditions, where the use of other measurement technologies is difficult or not possible at all. As the radiation intensity is low, no safety precautions are required.
After the first tests with a 30 GHz prototype, a 60 GHz system operating in a license-free frequency band was developed and optimized. The completely industrialized version of the width gauge was integrated at the roughing stand of the hot rolling mill of Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH, where it has been running continuously and stably since early 2017.
In this paper, measurement results obtained in the testing field and in the hot rolling mill are presented. The results demonstrate the high measurement accuracy and long-term stability of the system. Further advantages are the high robustness and low maintenance requirements. The small size of the radar components enables an integration even in confined spaces.
Purpose
Besides classical colorectal adenocarcinomas (AC), mucinous adenocarcinomas (MAC) and signet-ring cell carcinomas (SC) occur. Controversy remains regarding their prognostic role. Aim of this ...study was to define prognostic and histopathological specifications of mucinous and signet-ring cell colorectal cancer.
Methods
A total of 28,056 patients with AC, MAC, and SC between 1998 and 2012 in the catchment area of the Munich Cancer Registry were analyzed. Time to locoregional recurrence and distant recurrence was calculated by cumulative incidence. Survival was analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier method, calculation of relative survival, and Cox proportional hazards regression.
Results
AC occurred in 25,172 patients (90 %), MAC in 2724 (9.7 %), and SC in 160 (0.6 %). AC were less frequently localized in the proximal colon (34 %) compared to MAC (57 %,
p
< 0.001) and SC (76 %,
p
< 0.001). Both, MAC and SC had higher T, N, and M categories, lymphatic invasion, and worse grading (
p
< 0.001 for each). There were significant differences regarding the 10-year cumulative incidence of locoregional recurrence (
p
< 0.001), and distant recurrence (
p
< 0.001). For AC, the 5-year overall survival was 59 % (95 % confidence interval 58.0; 59.3), for MAC 52 % (50.2; 54.2), and for SC 40 % (32.1; 48.5;
p
< 0.001). However, MAC or SC did not remain independent prognostic factors for overall survival compared to AC upon multivariable analysis (
p
= 0.981).
Conclusion
This large cohort reveals specific histopathological and recurrence patterns for patients with colorectal AC, MAC, and SC. MAC and SC are diagnosed at more advanced tumor stages and therefore entail reduced survival rates.
Several immunotherapeutic approaches rely on antigen-specific T-cells. Restrictions in the T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire were reported as indicator of anti-tumor cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) ...response in various tumor entities. It is unclear yet whether a TCR restriction in peripheral blood mirrors the tumor compartment. We compared the expression of TCR Vbeta-families for the quantification of TCR repertoire alterations in blood and tissue samples from patients with colorectal carcinoma. Blood samples from patients with colorectal carcinoma and healthy volunteers and tissue samples of normal colonic mucosa and colorectal carcinoma were analyzed. Relative Vbeta-family quantification was performed based on quantitative reverse transcribed PCR. Standard deviation and average mean of the single families were determined. Two variables describing the degree of Vbeta-repertoire restriction were defined. Forty-eight blood samples and 37 tissue samples were analyzed. TCR repertoire restriction was higher in blood of tumor patients than in blood of healthy controls (p < 0.05). No difference in the degree of TCR repertoire restriction was found between carcinoma and unaffected colon tissue. We found no corresponding elevated TCR families among the different compartments blood, normal colon, and carcinoma tissue of the same patient. In conclusion, we observed a repertoire restriction in peripheral blood as well as in tumor tissue of cancer patients. However, in tumor tissue, repertoire alterations were comparable to normal mucosa, suggesting compartment-specific TCR distribution rather than alterations due to tumor-T-cell interaction questioning the presence of highly restricted clonal T-cell expansions in colorectal cancer as they have been described in other, assumingly more immunogenic tumor entities.
Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a major factor for morbidity and mortality after pancreatic resection. Risk stratification for POPF is important for adjustment of treatment, selection of ...target groups in trials and quality assessment in pancreatic surgery. In this study, we built a risk-prediction model for POPF based on a large number of predictor variables from the German pancreatic surgery registry StuDoQ|Pancreas.
StuDoQ|Pancreas was searched for patients, who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy from 2014 to 2016. A multivariable logistic regression model with elastic net regularization was built including 66 preoperative und intraoperative parameters. Cross-validation was used to select the optimal model. The model was assessed via area under the ROC curve (AUC) and calibration slope and intercept.
A total of N = 2488 patients were included. In the optimal model the predictors selected were texture of the pancreatic parenchyma (soft versus hard), body mass index, histological diagnosis pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and operation time. The AUC was 0.70 (95% CI 0.69–0.70), the calibration slope 1.67 and intercept 1.12. In the validation set the AUC was 0.65 (95% CI 0.64–0.66), calibration slope and intercept were 1.22 and 0.42, respectively.
The model we present is a valid measurement instrument for POPF risk based on four predictor variables. It can be applied in clinical practice as well as for risk-adjustment in research studies and quality assurance in surgery.
PDF
