[en] Full-text: Acoustic Emission (AE) technique, a passive non-destructive testing (NDT) method has been widely used to monitor running state of pressure vessel. One of the factors that affect the performance of AE is the attenuation of AE signal. Attenuation characteristics of AE signals mainly affected by propagation distance. Attenuation refers to the decrease in amplitude that occurs as a wave travels through a medium. The measurement of the wave attenuation shall be performed if no documented data base for the structure. The wave attenuation is important for the maximum sensor distance and the possibility to re-calculate the peak amplitude to the point of origin. The attenuation affects the characteristics of wave propagation in determining the wave velocity used critically for source location computation, for potential numerical adjustment, and for numerical assessment of the computed results. In this project, the two most commonly used AE parameters, energy and amplitude, were studied to reveal the corresponding AE wave attenuation. The behavior of acoustic waves produced and the attenuation of AE signals from pencil lead breaks were studied. (author)

[en] Full text: An anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) monoclonal antibody, KSB6H9CHI, was labelled with Indine-131 using Iodogen method. PD-10 column (Sephadex) was used to purify the free Iodine-131 from Indine-131-Monoclonal antibody. Prior to PD-10 column elution, the radiolabeling yield obtained was 70%. However, the purity of the labeled antibody obtained had improved to more than 95% following with purification with the PD-10 column. In vitro study using instant thin layer chromatography on the labeled antibody indicated that the preparation was stable up to 2 h. No microbial growth was observed on the preparation following 14-day incubation in growth media. This showed the radiolabeled antibody was sterile and suitable for clinical use. A 39-year old patient with a known case of colorectal carcinoma was administered with the radiolabeled CEA, KSB6H9CHI antibody. The study showed accumulation of the radiolabeled antibody at the target site with high target to background ration after 48 h post injection. The image of the target site was still visible until the eight-day post administration of the radiopharmaceutical. (author)

[en] The biodistribution of the radioiodinated monoclonal antibody KS1/4 and of its F(ab) and F(ab')₂ fragments were studied in tumor-bearing nude mice. Intravenous administration of the intact antibody resulted in the highest tumor retention and tumor/blood ratios. No metabolites or antigen-antibody conjugates were detectable, in serum, by HPLC analyses. Reasonable correlations were obtained between the estimated time-course of KS1/4 and experimental biodistribution data using an eight-compartment linear radiopharmacokinetic model, suggesting that such models may be useful in predicting the biodistribution and effective targeting of this monoclonal antibody. (author)

[en] Pyometra is collection of pus within the uterine cavity and is usually associated with underlying gynaecological malignancy or other benign causes. Spontaneous rupture of pyometra is a rare complication. We report a case of a 65-year-old female who presented with acute abdomen and was diagnosed with a ruptured uterus secondary to pyometra and consequent peritonitis on dynamic trans vaginal sonography (TVS) which was later confirmed on contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT). An emergency laparotomy was performed and about 800?cc of pus was drained from the peritoneal cavity. A rent was found in the anterior uterine wall and hence hysterectomy was performed. Histopathology revealed mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate with no evidence of malignancy. There are only 31 cases of ruptured pyometra reported till date, most of which were definitively diagnosed only on laparotomy. In only two of these cases the preoperative diagnosis was made on CECT. We report this case, as the correct and definitive diagnosis was made preoperatively on dynamic TVS. To our knowledge, this is the first case report revealing spontaneous ruptured pyometra being diagnosed preoperatively on dynamic TVS. This report is aimed at giving emphasis on the use of simple dynamic TVS for accurate diagnosis of rare spontaneous ruptured pyometra causing peritonitis

[en] In order to evaluate some of the key factors that may allow the optimization of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies when used as diagnostic and therapeutic tools to detect and treat human neoplasia, we studied three approaches: (a) we compared the biodistribution of the anti-lung-tumor monoclonal antibody KS1/4, labeled with four different radionuclides, in athymic (nu/nu) mice bearing a human lung tumor; (b) we fragmented the MoAb KS1/4, labeled its two antigen-recognizing fragments and compared their biodistribution in the tumor-bearing mice and (c) set-up conditions for performing analyses that have to be considered when deciding which radionuclide should be chosen to label a given MoAb. (author)

[en] The plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings are used on metallic implants to enhance the bonding between the implant and bone in human body. The coating process was implemented at different spraying power for each spraying condition. The coatings formed from a rapid solidification of molten and partly molten particles that impact on the surface of substrate at high velocity and high temperature. The study was concentrated on different spraying power that is between 23 to 31 kW. The effect of different power on the coatings microstructure was investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and phase composition was evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The coatings surface morphology showed distribution of molten, partially melted particles and some micro-cracks. The produced coatings were found to be porous as observed from the cross-sectional morphology. The coatings XRD results indicated the presence of crystalline phase of HA and each of the patterns was similar to the initial powder. Regardless of different spraying power, all the coatings were having similar XRD patterns.

[en] The authors compared the biodistribution of the anti-lung-tumor monoclonal antibody KS1/4, labeled with four different radionuclides, in athymic (nu/nu) mice bearing human lung adenocarcinoma. Several radiolabeling methods were used: the first involved coupling a suitable bifunctional chelating agent, such as DTPA, to the KS1/4 monoclonal antibody, followed by binding the radiometal, either sup(¹¹³m)In or ¹¹¹In. Radioiodination was carried out by the chloramine-T method with ¹³¹I, and intrinsic labeling by generating the hybridoma in the presence of ⁷⁵Se-methionine. An examination of tumors and major organs of mice injected with one of the above radiolabeled KS1/4 MoAbs, and biodistribution at various time intervals up to 96 h post injection revealed that iodination and intrinsic labeling yield the highest tumor uptake. Because of the relatively high deiodination that occurs in vivo, and the high ⁷⁵Se content in the circulation, preferential uptake (tumor-to-blood ratio) of these radiopharmaceuticals lags behind the equivalent ratios for the In-labeled MoAb. In the latter group, a second consecutive injection of the labeled MoAb resulted in elevated blood level of radioindium, as well as a corresponding decrease in tumor-to-blood ratios. (author)

[en] The quantum effects in a four-mode Kerr nonlinear directional coupler (NLDC) are investigated using the phase-space representation. The four-mode Kerr NLDC device consists of two closely connected Kerr waveguides where the first channel is traversed by one mode while the second channel is traversed by three modes. The cavity effect on the propagation characteristics of the nonclassical light is also examined. The introduction of a cavity supports amplification of the nonlinearities at the expense of losses in the model. The dynamical quantum behaviour of the system is investigated by integrating the Langevin equations derived in both positive P and Wigner representations numerically. The characteristics of the mean fields and quadrature variances are explored by integrating the stochastic equations numerically over many trajectories. In comparison with a conventional two-mode device, we have found that the cavityless model provides better squeezing and the amplitude oscillation is amplified by controlling the initial state of the coherent light in the first channel. Moreover, the range of squeezing is extended as a result of multimode interaction. In addition, confining the system inside an optical cavity with highly reflective mirrors introduces rapid amplification in the oscillation of the field dynamics. (paper)

[en] Response modification factor (R) has a main function in the seismic design of new construction materials and is a seismic design parameter in equivalent static analysis. It determines the nonlinear performance of building structures during strong earthquakes. R is based on experimental test and engineering judgment, and no uniform technique exists to determine such a value for different conditions. The development in the reliability of modern earthquake-resistant buildings requires systematic assessment of building response characteristics that mainly affect the rates allocated to R, which is formulated based on three aspects, namely, strength, ductility, and redundancy factors. Response modification is affected by the height of structures. This review paper aims to summarize relevant information from different experimental and analytical studies on overstrength, ductility, and R. (paper)

[en] Swirl/vortex flow generator is an important form of passive augmentation techniques. Twisted-tape is one of the most important members of this form which is used extensively in different type heat exchangers. This paper reports the effect of twisted tape inserts on heat transfer and friction factor characteristics in circular tube under constant heat flux and laminar flow conditions using CFD simulation. Plain twisted tape inserts with twist ratios (y = 2.93, 3.91) and baffled twisted tape inserts with twist ratio (y = 2.93) have been used for the simulation using Fluent version 6.3.26. The results obtained by simulation matched with the literature correlations for plain tube with the discrepancy of less than ± 8% for Nusselt number and ± 6.25% for friction factor. The results have also revealed that the heat transfer in term of the Nusselt number enhanced with increases of Reynolds number, decreases of twist ratio and baffle insert. Among the various twist ratios, the twisted tape with twist ratio of y=2.93 and baffle is offered a maximum heat transfer enhancement