Proof of Concept: The Use of Whole-Slide Images (WSI) for Peer Review of Tissues on Routine Regulatory Toxicology Studies

This Proof of Concept (POC) study was to assess whether assessment of whole slide images (WSI) of the 2 target tissues for a contemporaneous peer review can elicit concordant results to the findings generated by the Study Pathologist from the glass slides. Well-focused WSI of liver and spleen from 4 groups of mice, that had previously been diagnosed to be the target tissues by an experienced veterinary toxicologic pathologist examining glass slides, were independently reviewed by 3 veterinary pathologists with varying experience in assessment of WSIs. Diagnostic discrepancies were then reviewed by an experienced adjudicating pathologist. Assessment of microscopic findings using WSI showed concordance with the glass slides, with only slight discrepancy in severity grades noted. None of the lesions recorded by the Study pathologist were “missed” and no lesions were added by the pathologists evaluating WSIs, thus demonstrating equivalence of the WSI to glass slides for this study.

TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS OF THE COSINE DISTRIBUTION OF STRESSES IN THE SHAFT-HOLE CONTACT

One of the most common connection types in mechanical engineering and construction is the shaft-hole connection. The mechanical stresses caused by its loading are distributed in the contact zone of the loaded parts of the joint. In some cases, they can lead to destruction. Therefore, while designing, it is important to analyze the mechanical stresses in the contact zone. Traditionally, calculations assume that the contact stresses are distributed according to the cosine law. However, this is not entirely true, especially with diff erent shaft and hole diameters. The authors examined theoretical studies of the contact zone of the shaft and the hole (including the cases of diff erent diameters) and the stress distribution in the contact zone. Based on the studies, they performed numerical calculations in the APMWinMachine environment to determine the stresses in the volume of the shaft and the plate with a hole when loading the shaft-hole connection. The analyses were performed for the two-dimensional case by the fi nite element method in the APMStructure program. The results show that when the diameters in the connection are equal, the stress distribution is close to the cosine law. In this case, only one stress raiser occurs in the contact zone, which is located on the line of action of the loading force. However, if there is a slight discrepancy in the shaft and hole diameters, there are three stress raisers in which the connection may break – the central zone and two side zones. The angular distance between them can be determined based on the known theoretical formulas. The authors made an experiment with a plexiglass model, which qualitatively confi rmed the correctness of the analysis performed.

Evaluation of rapid descriptive sensory methods with different panels in the characteristics variations of beers packaged in distinct materials

Two new rapid descriptive sensory evaluation methods have been gaining ground in the field sensory evaluation. The Projective Mapping method uses similarities and dissimilarities as a criterion, while Pivot Profile, uses reference criteria. This research aimed to assess panels with 12 and 24 judges, comparing its reproducibility, and evaluate if a non trained panel with a smaller numbers of judges is sufficient for results reliability. Samples of Pilsen beers in different packages were distributed, as well as a reference sample, with different sensorial characteristics. It was possible to observe a slight discrepancy between the results obtained in each of the applied tests. We observed a need for short-term training before the application of the test, aiming for better use of the descriptive terms by the judges. Also, the number of judges influenced the obtained results, being the panels of 24, in both tests, the ones that best described the indicated characteristics.

Profiling with Depth Resolution of Sub-nm for SiO2/ SiC Interface by Dual-Beam TOF-SIMS Combined with Simulation

For precise investigation of distribution for impurity or composition at SiO2/SiC interface, dual-beam Time-of-flight Secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) with low energy sputtering beam was available. In addition to the experimental profiles, simulation using MRI model, in which Mixing, Roughness and Information depth were employed as parameters, enabled to acquire a more authentic distribution at the SiO2/SiC interface. Slight discrepancy on depth profiles between samples with different surface roughness was duplicated on the convoluted profiles in the simulation. Moreover, reconstructed profile of nitrogen indicated a real distribution with less impact of mixing and roughness, although that may contain uncertainty due to incompletion in the simulation model or variation of the distribution owing to detection species in the experiment. From the result of carbon profiles of both experimental and convoluted profiles, the relative discrepancy on the carbon distribution between samples was clarified, which suggested the possibility that a carbon thin layer at the SiO2/SiC interface would be found in the future.

MOOCs as environments for learning spoken academic vocabulary

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are easily accessible for anyone in the world to study any given subject, often for free. However, there is some question as to whether they are comparable to their real-world counterparts. The Academic Spoken Word List (ASWL) created by Dang, Coxhead, and Webb (2017) was designed to create a word list that is more representative of spoken academic English. To contrast the real-world academic context to MOOCs, we created a MOOC academic corpus and compared it with the Michigan Corpus of Academic Spoken English (MICASE). Last, we used both to test the effectiveness of the ASWL. Overall, we found that the ASWL had similar coverage in both the MOOC and MICASE corpora but interestingly saw slightly more coverage in the MICASE dialogic sections. We believe future research should address the slight discrepancy between dialogic and non-dialogic academic situations.

Mechanisms of Electron Scattering in Uniaxially Deformed Silicon Single Crystals with Radiation Defects

Temperature dependencies for Hall mobility of electrons for the uniaxially deformed n-Si single crystals, irradiated by the flow of electrons Ω=1·1017 el./cm2 with the energy of 12 MeV, are obtained on the basis of piezo-Hall effect measurements. From the analysis of these dependencies it follows that under the uniaxial pressure (0–0.42) GPa and (0–0.37) GPa along crystallographic directions [100] and [111], respectively, the deformation-induced increase of the Hall mobility has been observed. On the basis of the proposed theoretical model of mobility, this increase is explained by the decrease of the amplitude of a large-scale potential with an increase in the magnitude of uniaxial deformation and, accordingly, the probability of electron scattering on this potential. The slight discrepancy between the obtained experimental results and the relevant theoretical calculations at the low temperatures is due to the fact that the electron scattering on the radiation defects, created by the electron radiation, was not taken into account in the calculations. The decrease in Hall mobility of electrons along with an increase in temperature for unirradiated and irradiated silicon single crystals is explained by the growth of the probability of electron scattering on the optical phonons that are responsible for the intervalley scattering in silicon. The obtained results can be used in designing and modelling on the basis of n-Si single crystals of various electronic devices of micro- and nanoelectronics, which can be subject to the extreme conditions of action of the significant radiation and deformation fields.

Polarization dynamics of Pi2 pulsations at midlatitudes during development of substorms in the auroral zone

We examine the changes in the orientation of the major axis of the polarization ellipse of irregular geomagnetic pulsations Pi2, observed at midlatitudes during a substorm disturbance developing in the auroral zone of the Russian Arctic sector. We have found the dependence of the polarization ellipse orientation on the longitude of a corresponding substorm. The results of current studies are compared with earlier results of similar studies using materials on the North American continent. We have concluded that the results are similar in general, with a slight discrepancy which may be due to peculiarities of the geological structure of the earth crust in the Russian Arctic sector.

Polarization dynamics of Pi2 pulsations at midlatitudes during development of substorms in the auroral zone

We examine the changes in the orientation of the major axis of the polarization ellipse of irregular geomagnetic pulsations Pi2, observed at midlatitudes during a substorm disturbance developing in the auroral zone of the Russian Arctic sector. We have found the dependence of the polarization ellipse orientation on the longitude of a corresponding substorm. The results of current studies are compared with earlier results of similar studies using data on the North American continent. We have concluded that the results are similar in general, with a slight discrepancy which may be due to peculiarities of the geological structure of the earth crust in the Russian Arctic sector.

Estimation of erosion-accumulative processes at the Inia River’s mouth near high-rise construction zones.

Our study relevance is due to the increasing man-made impact on water bodies and associated land resources within the urban areas, as a consequence, by a change in the morphology and dynamics of Rivers’ canals. This leads to the need to predict the development of erosion-accumulation processes, especially within the built-up urban areas. Purpose of the study is to develop programs on the assessment of erosion-accumulation processes at a water body, a mouth area of the Inia River, in the of perspective high-rise construction zone of a residential microdistrict, the place, where floodplain-channel complex is intensively expected to develop. Results of the study: Within the velocities of the water flow comparing, full-scale measured conditions, and calculated from the model, a slight discrepancy was recorded. This allows us to say that the numerical model reliably describes the physical processes developing in the River. The carried out calculations to assess the direction and intensity of the channel re-formations, made us possible to conclude, there was an insignificant predominance of erosion processes over the accumulative ones on the undeveloped part of the Inia River (the processes activity is noticeable only in certain areas (by the coasts and the island)). Importance of the study: The study on the erosion-accumulation processes evaluation can be used in design decisions for the future high-rise construction of this territory, which will increase their economic efficiency.

Estimating selection through male fitness: three complementary methods illuminate the nature and causes of selection on flowering time

Our understanding of selection through male fitness is limited by the resource demands and indirect nature of the best available genetic techniques. Applying complementary, independent approaches to this problem can help clarify evolution through male function. We applied three methods to estimate selection on flowering time through male fitness in experimental populations of the annual plant Brassica rapa : (i) an analysis of mating opportunity based on flower production schedules, (ii) genetic paternity analysis, and (iii) a novel approach based on principles of experimental evolution. Selection differentials estimated by the first method disagreed with those estimated by the other two, indicating that mating opportunity was not the principal driver of selection on flowering time. The genetic and experimental evolution methods exhibited striking agreement overall, but a slight discrepancy between the two suggested that negative environmental covariance between age at flowering and male fitness may have contributed to phenotypic selection. Together, the three methods enriched our understanding of selection on flowering time, from mating opportunity to phenotypic selection to evolutionary response. The novel experimental evolution method may provide a means of examining selection through male fitness when genetic paternity analysis is not possible.