scholarly journals Nitrogen-bearing toxins & the environment : food-safety monitoring systems for the quality assurance of vegetable protein products

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence Richard Levinson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Vegetable Protein ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Cyanuric Acid ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Quality Assurance Program ◽  
Amino Acid Profiling ◽  
Food Recalls ◽  
Analytical Tools

The multitude of food recalls in 2007 clearly demonstrated that total nitrogen-content (ΣN) determination by means of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) can be deceived, and should no longer be regarded as a complete quality assurance program for nutritive-protein evaluations. Furthermore, contemporary Canadian-employed analytical tools are precariously limited in their ability to effectively assure a product where there is no a priori knowledge of the environmental toxin(s) involved. In light of these challenges, this study explored a number of new analytical techniques used to assess and furthermore assure the quality of Vegetable Protein Products (VPPs). Using LC/MS/MS/MS technologies, a combination of VPP-based samples were analyzed for the presence of nitrogen-bearing environmental toxins. Of the 117 test-runs, involving an assortment of matrices, Melamine (MEL) and Cyanuric Acid (CYA) were positively identified (> 1 PPM) in 22 and 17, respectively. Subsequent HPLC-UV Amino-Acid-Profiling further confirmed the adulteration of those materials contaminated with Melamine-and-Related-Compounds (MARC).

scholarly journals Nitrogen-bearing toxins & the environment : food-safety monitoring systems for the quality assurance of vegetable protein products

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence Richard Levinson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Vegetable Protein ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Cyanuric Acid ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Quality Assurance Program ◽  
Amino Acid Profiling ◽  
Food Recalls ◽  
Analytical Tools

The multitude of food recalls in 2007 clearly demonstrated that total nitrogen-content (ΣN) determination by means of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) can be deceived, and should no longer be regarded as a complete quality assurance program for nutritive-protein evaluations. Furthermore, contemporary Canadian-employed analytical tools are precariously limited in their ability to effectively assure a product where there is no a priori knowledge of the environmental toxin(s) involved. In light of these challenges, this study explored a number of new analytical techniques used to assess and furthermore assure the quality of Vegetable Protein Products (VPPs). Using LC/MS/MS/MS technologies, a combination of VPP-based samples were analyzed for the presence of nitrogen-bearing environmental toxins. Of the 117 test-runs, involving an assortment of matrices, Melamine (MEL) and Cyanuric Acid (CYA) were positively identified (> 1 PPM) in 22 and 17, respectively. Subsequent HPLC-UV Amino-Acid-Profiling further confirmed the adulteration of those materials contaminated with Melamine-and-Related-Compounds (MARC).

scholarly journals THE MEDICAL PHYSICIST - SCIENTIST BEHIND THE CURTAIN

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 3212-3213
Author(s):  
Anurag A. Luharia
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Radiation Protection ◽  
Medical Physics ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Modern Medicine ◽  
Quality Assurance Program ◽  
Medical Physicist ◽  
Accurate Treatment ◽  
Medical Physicists

Ionizing radiation has validated its existence and effectiveness in modern medicine for both diagnostic and therapeutic use. For the last decade rapid growth in medical radiation application has witnessed in India towards the betterment of mankind, for safe and quality clinical practice, radiation protection and quality assurance. At the end of the 19th century Physics brought paradigm shift in the field of radiation-based medical diagnosis and treatment and giving rise to the modern medical physicist profession and revolutionized the practice of medicine. Medical Physicists are the scientists with Post graduation / PhD degrees, and certified from A.E.R.B as Radiological Safety Officer, deals with utilization of Physics knowledge in developing not only lifesaving tools & technology but also diagnosis and treatments of various medical conditions that help humans live longer and healthier. Medical Physicists are responsible to carry out the commissioning, establishment of entire Radiation facility and get the clearance of statutory compliances form authorities in order to start the clinical practice are also responsible for research, developing and evaluating new analytical techniques, planning and ensuring safe and accurate treatment of patients also provide advice about radiation protection, training and updating healthcare, scientific and technical staff , managing radiotherapy quality assurance program, mathematical modeling ,maintaining equipment ,writing reports, teaching ,laboratory management and administration. Now it’s a time to raise the curtain from the Medical Physics profession and utilize their services up to maximum extent in the field of scientific research, academic, teaching, diagnosis, treatment and safety.

X-Ray Tomography for Electronic Packages

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepak Goyal
Keyword(s):  
3D Imaging ◽  
Development Time ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Electronic Packages ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Imaging Capability ◽  
Imaging Results ◽  
Key Drivers ◽  
Analytical Tools ◽  
Non Destructive

Abstract Next generation assembly/package development challenges are primarily increased interconnect complexity and density with ever shorter development time. The results of this trend present some distinct challenges for the analytical tools/techniques to support this technical roadmap. The key challenge in the analytical tools/techniques is the development of non-destructive imaging for improved time to information. This paper will present the key drivers for the non-destructive imaging, results of literature search and evaluation of key analytical techniques currently available. Based on these studies requirements of a 3D imaging capability will be discussed. Critical breakthroughs required for development of such a capability are also summarized.

Geometrical accuracy of the Novalis stereotactic radiosurgery system for trigeminal neuralgia

2004 ◽  
Vol 101 (Supplement3) ◽  
pp. 351-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javad Rahimian ◽  
Joseph C. Chen ◽  
Ajay A. Rao ◽  
Michael R. Girvigian ◽  
Michael J. Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Image Fusion ◽  
Stereotactic Radiosurgery ◽  
Ct Images ◽  
Radiochromic Film ◽  
Quality Assurance Program ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Geometrical Accuracy ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Stringent geometrical accuracy and precision are required in the stereotactic radiosurgical treatment of patients. Accurate targeting is especially important when treating a patient in a single fraction of a very high radiation dose (90 Gy) to a small target such as that used in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (3 to 4—mm diameter). The purpose of this study was to determine the inaccuracies in each step of the procedure including imaging, fusion, treatment planning, and finally the treatment. The authors implemented a detailed quality-assurance program. Methods. Overall geometrical accuracy of the Novalis stereotactic system was evaluated using a Radionics Geometric Phantom Chamber. The phantom has several magnetic resonance (MR) and computerized tomography (CT) imaging—friendly objects of various shapes and sizes. Axial 1-mm-thick MR and CT images of the phantom were acquired using a T1-weighted three-dimensional spoiled gradient recalled pulse sequence and the CT scanning protocols used clinically in patients. The absolute errors due to MR image distortion, CT scan resolution, and the image fusion inaccuracies were measured knowing the exact physical dimensions of the objects in the phantom. The isocentric accuracy of the Novalis gantry and the patient support system was measured using the Winston—Lutz test. Because inaccuracies are cumulative, to calculate the system's overall spatial accuracy, the root mean square (RMS) of all the errors was calculated. To validate the accuracy of the technique, a 1.5-mm-diameter spherical marker taped on top of a radiochromic film was fixed parallel to the x–z plane of the stereotactic coordinate system inside the phantom. The marker was defined as a target on the CT images, and seven noncoplanar circular arcs were used to treat the target on the film. The calculated system RMS value was then correlated with the position of the target and the highest density on the radiochromic film. The mean spatial errors due to image fusion and MR imaging were 0.41 ± 0.3 and 0.22 ± 0.1 mm, respectively. Gantry and couch isocentricities were 0.3 ± 0.1 and 0.6 ± 0.15 mm, respectively. The system overall RMS values were 0.9 and 0.6 mm with and without the couch errors included, respectively (isocenter variations due to couch rotation are microadjusted between couch positions). The positional verification of the marker was within 0.7 ± 0.1 mm of the highest optical density on the radiochromic film, correlating well with the system's overall RMS value. The overall mean system deviation was 0.32 ± 0.42 mm. Conclusions. The highest spatial errors were caused by image fusion and gantry rotation. A comprehensive quality-assurance program was developed for the authors' stereotactic radiosurgery program that includes medical imaging, linear accelerator mechanical isocentricity, and treatment delivery. For a successful treatment of trigeminal neuralgia with a 4-mm cone, the overall RMS value of equal to or less than 1 mm must be guaranteed.

scholarly journals Multimodal Autoencoder Predicts fNIRS Resting State From EEG Signals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parikshat Sirpal ◽  
Rafat Damseh ◽  
Ke Peng ◽  
Dang Khoa Nguyen ◽  
Frédéric Lesage
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Neural Data ◽  
Frequency Bands ◽  
Epileptic Patients ◽  
Brain Hemodynamics ◽  
Long Short Term Memory ◽  
Trained Neural Network

AbstractIn this work, we introduce a deep learning architecture for evaluation on multimodal electroencephalographic (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) recordings from 40 epileptic patients. Long short-term memory units and convolutional neural networks are integrated within a multimodal sequence-to-sequence autoencoder. The trained neural network predicts fNIRS signals from EEG, sans a priori, by hierarchically extracting deep features from EEG full spectra and specific EEG frequency bands. Results show that higher frequency EEG ranges are predictive of fNIRS signals with the gamma band inputs dominating fNIRS prediction as compared to other frequency envelopes. Seed based functional connectivity validates similar patterns between experimental fNIRS and our model’s fNIRS reconstructions. This is the first study that shows it is possible to predict brain hemodynamics (fNIRS) from encoded neural data (EEG) in the resting human epileptic brain based on power spectrum amplitude modulation of frequency oscillations in the context of specific hypotheses about how EEG frequency bands decode fNIRS signals.

scholarly journals Characterization and Identification of Varnishes on Copper Alloys by Means of UV Imaging and FTIR

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 298
Author(s):  
Miriam Truffa Giachet ◽  
Julie Schröter ◽  
Laura Brambilla
Keyword(s):  
Copper Alloys ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Experimental Methodology ◽  
Artificial Ageing ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Uv Imaging ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Comparative Study ◽  
The 19Th Century ◽  
Analytical Tools

The application of varnishes on the surface of metal objects has been a very common practice since antiquity, both for protective and aesthetic purposes. One specific case concerns the use of tinted varnishes on copper alloys in order to mimic gilding. This practice, especially flourishing in the 19th century for scientific instruments, decorative objects, and liturgical items, results in large museum collections of varnished copper alloys that need to be preserved. One of the main challenges for conservators and restorers deals with the identification of the varnishes through non-invasive and affordable analytical techniques. We hereby present the experimental methodology developed in the framework of the LacCA and VERILOR projects at the Haute École ARC of Neuchâtel for the identification of gold varnishes on brass. After extensive documentary research and analytical campaigns on varnished museum objects, various historic shellac-based varnishes were created and applied by different methods on a range of brass substrates with different finishes. The samples were then characterized by UV imaging and infrared spectroscopy before and after artificial ageing. The comparative study of these two techniques was performed for different thicknesses of the same varnish and for different shellac grades in order to implement an identification methodology based on simple non-invasive examination and analytical tools, which are accessible to conservators.

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