Correlating Visual Grading with NTD Methods for Assessing Timber Condition in Historic Buildings

This paper discusses the issues of determining applicable non-destructive testing methods suitable for the control and methods of determining the characteristics of materials for parts obtained by wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). The overall productivity of the manufacturing process will be increased by increasing the yield of products through reducing scrap, which is achieved through in-process inspection and material characterization. A key barrier for additive manufacturing and equipment is that existing NDT methods and techniques are not optimized for additively manufactured processes, materials, or parts. Such techniques either do not exist or are insufficient for in-situ testing and post-production NDT. The application of traditional NDT methods is a non-trivial task, and the techniques are not yet sufficiently adapted to assess the quality of additively manufactured parts. NDT allows for the detection and evaluation of material defects or differences in their characteristics without affecting the functionality of the parts. The integration of NDT with additive manufacturing faces many challenges, such as complex part geometry, high surface roughness or detection of deep defects. In addition, the implementation of NDT during the process (on-line inspection) as opposed to post-operation is a key aspect in selecting the right NDT methods. For example, if in-line inspection is required, some NDT methods cannot be used due to the high material temperature. On the other hand, this inspection condition can be successfully used in thermographic inspection. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the de-tection capability of potential defects associated with WAAM. Further research objectives are set.

This study aims to introduce a practical, visually based grading system for FDG extravasation in PET/CT imaging and to investigate its impact on semi-quantitative SUV measurements in reference regions. The objective is not only to quantify the effect but also to provide a framework for guiding clinical interpretation and reporting. A total of 235 oncologic PET/CT scans were retrospectively analysed. Patients were categorised into four groups based on extravasation severity: Grade 0 (no extravasation), Grade 1 (minimal), Grade 2 (moderate), and Grade 3 (severe). A visual grading system was developed and applied to classify image quality degradation. Mean SUVmax and SUVmean values were recorded from liver and mediastinal blood pool regions. Statistical comparisons were conducted using ANOVA and post hoc testing. FDG extravasation was observed in 75 patients (31.9%). Among the 75 patients with extravasation, 43 were Grade 1 and 26 were Grade 2. Statistically significant increases were found in both liver and mediastinal SUV values in patients with Grade 1 and 2 extravasation compared to Grade 0 (p < 0.001 for all). For example, Liver SUVmax increased from 3.13 ± 0.44 (Grade 0) to 3.58 ± 0.50 (Grade 1), and MedSUVmean increased from 1.80 ± 0.31 (Grade 0) to 2.17 ± 0.40 (Grade 2), representing up to a 20.6% difference. Grade 3 cases did not show consistent trends. Low-to-moderate FDG extravasation can significantly alter reference SUV values. Incorporating extravasation grading into clinical reporting or normalising reference SUV values may enhance diagnostic consistency and minimise the need for repeat imaging.

BackgroundIn-vivo high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) has high potential in scaphoid bone pathologies’ scientific and clinical fields. The manufacturer’s visual grading scale (VGS) classifies motion artifacts and divides scans into five quality grades ranging from grade 1 (good quality) to grade 5 (poor quality). This prospective study aimed to investigate the feasibility of the VGS and the influence of image quality on bone density and microarchitecture parameters for the scaphoid bone.MethodsWithin one year, twenty-two patients with scaphoid fractures received up to six scans of their fractured and contralateral wrist (each consisting of three stacks) using second-generation HR-pQCT (total 256 scans). Three experienced observers graded each stack following the visual grading system, and inter- and intraobserver variability were assessed. The contralateral uninjured scaphoids were then compared pairwise within each patient to high-quality grade 1 scans to determine the influence of image quality on density and microarchitecture parameters.ResultsInter- and intraobserver variability among the three observers significantly revealed fair to moderate agreement, P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively. Bone volume (BV) fraction tended to increase with poorer image quality but did not exceed four percent. Trabecular bone mineral density (Tb.BMD) decreased with poorer image quality but did not exceed five percent. Trabecular number and trabecular thickness significantly increased by 15.5% and 6.8% at grade five (P<0.001), respectively, and trabecular separation significantly decreased by 13.7% at grade five (P<0.001).ConclusionsThis study revealed a considerable influence of motion on bone morphometry parameters of the scaphoid. Therefore, high image quality must be a central point in studies focusing on the histomorphometry of small objects. The high inter- and intraobserver variability limit the VGS. Future research may focus on other grading systems or automated techniques leading to more consistent and reproducible results. Currently, the use of microarchitectural analysis should be limited to cases without motion artefacts or, at most low graded motion artefacts.

Seismic retrofitting of a historic building by using an isolation system with a weak restoring force

The European Council of Ministers invited the Commission of the European Communities (CEC) to draw up a policy on conformity assessment involving testing and calibration, quality assurance, certification, and accreditation, aiming to harmonize the existing national regulations in order to eliminate barriers to trade, principally after 1 Jan. 1993 (beginning of the Single Market). The CEC gave mandates to European standardization bodies to draw up European standards for Community purposes. To date, several standardization programs have been mandated under this system; in particular, one of the ongoing works at CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation) level is in the field of nondestructive testing—it covers the pressure vessels area. 1. CEN TC 138 is the technical committee (TC) involved with nondestructive testing. This TC has the scope to set up standards on terminology, equipment, and general principles of methods for the different NDT methods as well as to standardize the principles of qualification and certification of NDE testing personnel. 2. CEN TC 121 is the TC involved with welding. This TC has a working group, 5B, involved with NDT and six subworking groups, the scope of which is to set up standards on general rules, examination techniques, and acceptance criteria for the different NDT techniques when examining welded structures. Participants in the different working groups are experts from the 12 EEC countries and also from the six EFTA countries. These experts are technicians from industry, technical laboratories, or from national standardization bodies. 1. EEC: European Economic Community: Belgium-Denmark-France-Germany-Greece-Ireland-Italy-Luxembourg-Portugal-Spain-The Netherlands-United Kingdom. 2. EFTA: European Free Trade Association: Austria-Finland-Iceland-Norway-Sweden-Switzerland. During these technical meetings, national and international, existing documents (e.g., DIN-AFNOR-BS-ASTM-ISO-IIW) are considered, aiming to create future European NDE standards.

Southern pine is one of the most important softwood resources in the United States, and the majority of southern pine is for lumber production, more specifically for construction. The lumber used for construction is required to meet strength-specifications as a method of ensuring the strength values within different classes. Most of the southern pine lumber is visually graded, which is based on knot, slope of grain, and wane. However, the presence of pith is not included in the visual grading system. The presence of pith indicates presence of juvenile wood, which has a negative effect on mechanical properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pith on rings per inch, percentage of latewood, modulus of elasticity (MOE), and modulus of rupture (MOR) in 292 samples of southern pine No. 2 2 by 8 lumber. Lumber without pith had significantly greater MOE (11.1 vs. 10.0 GPa), MOR (39.7 vs. 36.4 MPa), and specific gravity (12% moisture content [MC]; 0.55 vs. 0.52) than did lumber with pith. The results show that the presence of pith is an important factor that can improve lumber grading, and it could be included in the visual grade system.

TRENDS OF NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTINGS FOR DIAGNOSTICS IN THE STUDY AND CONSERVATION OF WORKS OF ART AFTER PERUGIA 1988 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

Precision detection and identification method for apparent damage in timber components of historic buildings based on portable LiDAR equipment

To evaluate the radiation dose, image quality, and Cobb angle measurements obtained with a digital scanning method of scoliosis radiography. Multiple images were reconstructed into one image at a workstation. A low-dose alternative was to use digital pulsed fluoroscopy. Dose measurements were performed with thermoluminescent dosimeters in an Alderson phantom. At the same time, kerma area-product values were recorded. A Monte Carlo dose calculation also was performed. Image quality was evaluated with a contrast-detail phantom and visual grading system. Angle measurements were evaluated with an angle phantom and measurements obtained on patient images. The effective radiation dose was 0.087 mSv for screen-film imaging, 0.16 mSv for digital exposure imaging, and 0.017 mSv for digital fluoroscopy; the corresponding kerma area-product values were 0.43, 0.87, and 0.097 Gy. cm(2), respectively. The image quality of the digital exposure and screen-film images was about equal at visual grading, whereas fluoroscopy had lower image quality. The angle phantom had lower angle values with digital fluoroscopy, although the difference in measured angles was less than 0.5 degrees. The patient images showed no difference in angles. The described digital scanning method has acceptable image quality and adequate accuracy in angle measurements. The radiation dose required for digital exposure imaging is higher than that required for screen-film imaging, but that required for digital fluoroscopy is much lower.

This study was designed to 1) assess the feasibility, standardization of sentinel lymph node imaging (SLNI) and biopsy in early cervical cancers and also to determine the detection rates. 2) To analyze the SLN uptake pattern and correlate the findings with the histological grades of tumor. 52 early cervical cancer patients underwent same-day Tc sulfur colloid (filtered) SLNI and biopsy with gamma probing. Patients underwent radical hysterectomy, para-aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy irrespective of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) findings. We analyzed the colloid transit times, uptake pattern, lymphatic groups involved and histology. A total of 203 hot nodes (100% detection rate) were detected and harvested. Study showed 100% sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value. Internal iliac nodes were predominantly involved. Lymphatic uptake patterns were graded and correlated with tumor histology (Ki index). Transit time was relatively prolonged in patients with aggressive tumors. SLNI and biopsy in early cervical malignancies are feasible with high detection rate. Scintigraphic patterns of nodal uptake were relevant and found to correlate with the tumor histological grades. We found that nonfocal nodal uptake patterns were mainly encountered in patients with tumors having higher Ki index. Immunohistochemistry further facilitated identification of lymph nodal metastases. The visual grading system, implemented in this study provides a good indication of the degree of impairment of lymphatic drainage. Higher visual scintigraphic grade denotes greater lymphatic tumor burden.

Hong Kong has long been establishing as a multicultural society, where people of different nationalities sharing diverse beliefs gather to pursue their dreams. As a utopian society is yet an ideal, when one uncovers the veil of this ever developing city, the neglect of religious minorities and their culture is still a common phenomenon.\n\n\n\nBeing one of the religious minorities that are overlooked in Hong Kong, Muslims occupy merely about 1.3% of Hong Kong’s population in 2007. Besides Chinese, they include Indians, Indonesians, Malaysians, Pakistanis as well as Muslims from Middle Eastern and African countries. Their presence can best be reflected by the existence of mosques on both the Hong Kong Island and in the Kowloon Peninsula. The majority of Hong Kong people, who are non-Muslims, pay so little or even no attention to the mosques, Muslims’ central focus of religious and social lives, in spite of some of their existence for over half a century.\n\n\n\nFive mosques can be found in Hong Kong. Besides the Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre situated in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, four other mosques are all located on the Hong Kong Island, including Jamia Mosque in Central, Masjid Ammar &amp; Osman Ramju Sadick Islamic Centre in Wan Chai, Cape Collinson Masjid in Chai Wan and Stanley Mosque in Stanley.\n\n\n\nIn this dissertation, Stanley Mosque is particularly selected for study as it is unique in ways which deserves a comprehensive understanding. Not merely is it the only mosque situated inside a prison in Hong Kong which implies a worth knowing story behind, rarity of records about the Mosque also signifies the necessity of an immediate study so as to discover and retain valuable information, especially the primary sources. The recent designation of Stanley Mosque as a proposed Grade I historic building in Hong Kong by the Antiquities Advisory Board on 19th March 2009 constitutes another strong reason for a comprehensive study as the designation indicates a potential change on the community’s attitude towards the recognition of this Islamic built heritage.\n\n\n\nFocus of this dissertation is on the cultural significance of Stanley Mosque, in which all its cultural heritage values are identified. While traditional approach mainly focuses on historical and architectural aspects of mosques in analysis, value-centred management approach is adopted in this dissertation to remedy this inadequacy and cover as well social aspects of Stanley Mosque, since it is a cultural identity for the Muslim community in Hong Kong. In addition to the traditional values including historical and aesthetic / architectural values, contemporary values comprising social, symbolic, spiritual and identity values are also derived from the analysis of Stanley Mosque adopting the value-centred management approach. More important, statement of significance of the Mosque is laid to explain in precise its cultural heritage values and character-defining elements (CDEs).\n\n\n\nAs one of the historic buildings in Hong Kong, Stanley Mosque cannot be detached from the ongoing related policies and measures. Based on the cultural significance as identified, a territory level assessment of Stanley Mosque through the current historic buildings assessment and grading system in Hong Kong is carried out, aiming at a review on the assessment criteria of historic buildings. In addition to the current challenges, future of the Mosque are as well mentioned in the end, since this dissertation is not merely a documentation of the Mosque, but also a way forward, providing guidance for parties to be involved in any future intervention of the Mosque.

A computer-based image analysis system was developed for assessing the malignancy of urinary bladder carcinomas in a more objective manner. Tumours characterized in accordance with the WHO grading system were classified into low-risk (grades I and II) and high-risk (grades III and IV). Images from 92 haematoxylin-eosin stained sections of urinary bladder carcinomas were digitized and analysed. An adequate number of nuclei were segmented from each image for morphologic and textural analysis. Image segmentation was performed by an efficient algorithm, which used pattern recognition methods to automatically characterize image pixels as nucleus or background. Image classification into low-risk or high-risk tumours was performed by means of the quadratic non-linear Bayesian classifier, which was designed employing 36 textural and morphological features of the nucleus. Automatic segmentation of nuclei on all images was about 90% on average. Overall system accuracy in correctly classifying tumours into low-risk or high-risk was 88%, employing the leave-one-out method and the best combination of three textural and one morphological feature. Classification accuracy for low-risk tumours was 88.8% and for high-risk tumours 86.2%. The proposed image analysis system may be of value to the objective assessment of the malignancy of urine bladder carcinomas, since it relies on nuclear parameters that are employed in visual grading and their prognostic value has been proved.

The detection of aeronautical defects in situ on composite structures using Non Destructive Testing

Objective To investigate the feasibility and clinical effect of Kocher-Langebeck(K-L)approach without cutting the short external rotator muscles of hip for treatment of cetabular posterior column fractures. Methods A retrospective case series study was performed on 28 patients with acetabular fractures admitted from June 2015 to February 2017.There were 23 males and 5 females, averagely aged 43.6 years (range, 26-71 years). According to the Letournel classification, there were 9 patients with simple fractures, 14 back wall and back pillar fractures and 5 cross fractures. All patients were combined with posterior dislocation. The patients were given tibial tubercle traction after hip joint reduction in the hospital. During the surgery, K-L approach was adopted without cutting the short external rotator muscles of hip. Operation duration and intraoperative bleeding were recorded. Visual analogue score (VAS) was recorded before and after operation. The X-ray at 1 day, 6 weeks, 3 months and 1 year after operation were reviewed to evaluate fracture healing time. Matta criteria were used to assess the surface flatness of joint. The modified Merle d'Aubigne-Postel scoring system was applied to evaluate the function of hip joint. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Results The operation duration was 76-120 min (mean, 94 min), and the intraoperative blood loss was 120-320 ml (mean, 265 ml). All patients were followed up for average 16 months (range, 10-24 months). Preoperative VAS was 5-10 points[(7.5±1.3)points], and 0-3 points[(0.9±0.8)points] 6 months after operation (P<0.01). All fractures healed and the average healing duration was 10.1 weeks (range, 6-12 weeks). According to the Matta criteria, 24 patients were graded excellent and 4 good, with excellence rate of 100%. According to the modified Merle d'Aubigne-Postel grading system, clinical results were graded excellent in 23 patients, good in 5, with excellence rate of 100%. Transient sciatic nerve injury occurred in 3 patients after surgery, and the nerve function of these patients fully recovered within 3 months after operation. There were no infection, heterotopic ossification and other complications. The wound healing was good, without liquefaction or cracking. Sciatic nerve injury was found in five patients, three of whom were performed with a transient lesion and recovered within 3 months. Conclusion In the posterior pathway surgery for acetabular posterior column fractures, the K-L approach without cutting the short external rotator muscles of hip can be used to complete the internal fixation with a high rate of fracture healing, sound reduction outcome, satisfactory functional recovery and few complications. Key words: Acetabulum; Hip fractures; Fracture fixation, internal

Distal airway secretions can be sampled by bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (B-BAL), blind protected BAL (BP-BAL), and tracheal aspiration (TA). We quantitatively compared the cultures of distal airway secretions from BP-BAL, B-BAL, and TA specimens, and assessed the efficacy of the three above methods in diagnosing bronchitis in tracheostomized children. Twenty children with tracheostomies underwent BP-BAL, B-BAL, and TA. Samples were sent for quantitative bacterial cultures. The diagnosis of bronchitis was made based on a validated visual grading system as well as on positive quantitative cultures from the BAL fluid. Diagnostic agreement between cultures obtained by the three methods and the visual grading scores was determined by kappa statistics. The diagnosis of bronchitis by visual grading score had substantial agreement with BP-BAL, moderate agreement with B-BAL, and fair agreement with TA results. BP-BAL specimens had significantly lower pathogenic colonies (P < .05) than either B-BAL or TA specimens. BP-BAL allows for more accurate sampling of lower airway secretions in tracheostomized children and is more accurate in the diagnosis of bronchitis in this group.