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The role of antibody expression and their association with bladder cancer recurrence: a single-centre prospective clinical-pilot study in 35 patients
Get PDFBackground
Bladder cancer (BC) is the 10th most common cancer in the UK, with about 10,000 new cases annually. About 75–85% of BC are non-muscle invasive (NMIBC), which is associated with high recurrence and progression rates (50–60% within 7–10 years). There are no routine biomarkers currently available for identifying BC patients at increased risk of developing recurrence. The focus of this research study was to evaluate antibody expression in BC patients and their association with cancer recurrence.
Methods
35 patients scheduled for TURBT were recruited after written informed consent. Ethical approval for the project was granted via IRAS (REC4: 14/WA/0033). Following surgical procedure, tissues were preserved in 10% buffered formalin and processed within 24 h in FFPE blocks. 7 sections (4 µm each) were cut from each block and stained for CD31, Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2), S100P, Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), VEGFR-3 thrombomodulin and CEACAM-1 using immunohistochemistry. Clinical outcome measures (obtained via cystoscopy) were monitored for up to 6 months following surgical procedure.
Results
There was significantly increased expression of CD31 (p < 0.001), HER-2 (p = 0.032), S100P (p < 0.001), COX-2 (p < 0.001), VEGFR-3 (p < 0.001) and decreased expression of thrombomodulin (p = 0.010) and CEACAM-1 (p < 0.001) in bladder tumours compared to normal bladder tissues. HER-2 expression was also significantly associated with cancer grade (p = 0.003), especially between grade 1 and grade 2 (p = 0.002) and between grade 1 and grade 3 (p = 0.004). There was also a significant association between cancer stage and HER-2 expression (p < 0.001). Although recurrence was significantly associated with cancer grade, there was no association with antibody expression.
Conclusion
Findings from the present study may indicate an alternative approach in the monitoring and management of patients with BC. It is proposed that by allowing urological surgeons access to laboratory markers such as HER-2, Thrombomodulin and CD31 (biomarker profile), potentially, in the future, these biomarkers may be used in addition to, or in combination with, currently used scoring systems to predict cancer recurrence. However, verification and validation of these biomarkers are needed using larger cohorts
Ultra wideband antenna for future 5G
Get PDFAn ultra-wideband miniature antenna based on circular patch with circular slots has been presented for future generation mm-wave indoor wireless applications. The proposed miniature antenna is fed by probe feed and, the maximum realized gain and the total efficiency throughout the three bands are 7.7 dBi in an upper higher band and 97% in the lower band, respectively. This proposed antenna covers the seven bands (five bands are in the existing allocation to mobile, and the other two bands are to be considered for allocation) for 5G higher bands and lower band covers uplink Ku-band (14GHz - 14.5GHz) for satellite communication. The proposed antenna in ultra-wideband has the impedance bandwidth of 31.8 GHz and the fractional bandwidth of 60.61%
Numerical investigation and static structural analysis of deep groove ball bearings using ANSYS FEA
Get PDFThis paper provides a numerical investigation of material configurations for deep groove ball bearing. The static structural analysis was numerically modelled using ANSYS 18.2 FEA for deep groove 6210 ball bearing. Successful validation was achieved with theoretical and ANSYS values resulting in good agreement. The 6210 ball bearing is numerically investigated by implementing 4 different materials for respective components and a fixed radial load of 1 kN. The effects of total deformation, shear stress, equivalent Von-Mises stress, and equivalent stain are assessed theoretically and numerically. The adoption of different materials resulted in a hybrid ball bearing, achieving lowest total deformation of 5.6 µm, when compared with benchmark model. It was concluded that hybrid ball bearing incorporating different materials for key respective components studied in this work exhibited significant benefits for the application of deep groove ball bearings for electric drives
Evaluation of methodology for the carbon fibre recycling
No full textThis paper evaluates recycling methods applied for carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials. Three CFRP laminates are made with four layers of woven carbon fibre (T300) and the epoxy resin (primeTM 20LV) using Resin Infusion Moulding (RIM). One specimen set is used as a baseline, the remaining two specimen sets are fabricated using recovered carbon fibres. The samples of woven quasi-isotropic CFRP laminate have the arrangement of (45°/90°/90°/45°). The RIM method was used to infuse the resin within the fibres for the initial laminate fabrication and also for the re-infusion of the laminate after recycling. Two recycling methods were used in this research, the pyrolysis process and the low-temperature solvolysis process. The samples are tested using a Dynamic Mechanical Analyser (DMA for matrix cure parameters and an Interlaminar Shear Strength (ILSS) and tensile test for mechanical properties. The results have shown that the pyrolysis process usually provides good recycled CFRP (rCFRP) laminate with 72.7% of ILSS in comparison to the reference sample. However, the low-temperature solvolysis is difficult to implement. The resin could not be properly cured after this process due to the residue of Peracetic Acid (PAA) and epoxy on the surface of the laminate. The values of ILSS and tensile strength obtained for the chemically recycled CFRP showed that the properties of the laminate are below that of the baseline laminate sample
Development of a lightweight camera for high altitude platform systems
Get PDFWe describe the development of a lightweight, high-resolution surveillance camera
for deployment on high altitude platform systems. The instrument is designed to operate at an
altitude of ∼20 km and has an expected ground resolution of better than 120 mm with an appropriate
sensor. While designed specifically for imaging at visible wavelengths, it is shown that the
design is capable of diffraction-limited imaging at NIR and SWIR wavelengths up to 2.5 μm. We
have combined a range of materials from aluminum and titanium alloys through to carbon fiber reinforced
plastic to produce an instrument with structural components that match the thermal
expansion of the optical glasses used. The use of these materials has resulted in an instrument
that weighs <2 kg, including a sensor package, and is designed to weigh <3 kg once integrated
with an enclosure and actuated gimbal. The successful testing of two prototype systems is
described, including several design outcomes from the program intended for implementation
in advance of flight trials
Artificial intelligence and machine learning for efficient minefield clearance
Get PDFLandmines, particularly anti-personnel mines, are dreadful instruments of war. Mines can remain in the ground for decades and injure or kill long after the original conflict. Clearing mines is a dangerous, time consuming and expensive task. Fortunately, mine clearing already has well established and documented processes. To further support these efforts a new research project has started at Wrexham Glyndŵr University to explore the use of machine learning to create a prediction model able to better suggest the positions of hidden landmines based on locations of those already found. Research in psychology and computer science demonstrates the difficulty for humans and machines to create true randomness in their actions. The project will investigate whether it is possible to discover hidden patterns or sequences in mine deployment that could give hints where to look for more. The advantage of the envisioned technique is a lightweight data set only comprising numerical values and their simple acquisition in the field. The proposed system will support – not replace – conventional technology. Although machine learning and A.I. can discover structures, patterns and sequences in a huge data set, that humans cannot, it remains a form of prediction. The aim is therefore not to declare the ground safe (‘cleared’) but to give suggestions where additional explosives are likely to be found and thus, it is proposed, help to direct mine clearing resources better
Choking on the Splinters: Art, The Body, and Processes of Adaptation in the Work of Tom de Freston
Get PDFTo see the text in motion, as fluid or emergent, from rough-hewn to fully formed, is a process that we as readers or viewers are rarely privy to. The glimpse into those moments of change can be a privilege allowing greater understanding, or curse, demystifying the artefact and its creation.
This paper looks to the work of artist Tom de Freston, in particular his method of using the body as a malleable material reshaped with clay, objects, and scattered ephemera. Here, identity is eclipsed and rewritten, becoming an adaptive prototype. This (textual) body, is then captured in its transformative process by the photographic frame, to be further reworked in artistic renderings. de Freston creates a mode of adaptation which traverses text, physical performativity, photographic display, and the art form itself.
These moments of display see the artist merge with the text - announcing a conjoined identity. It is the nature of this transformation that occupies my focus here
Automatic AI-driven design of mutual coupling reducing topologies for frequency reconfigurable antenna arrays
Get PDFAn automatic artificial intelligence (AI)-driven design procedure for mutual coupling reduction and a novel isolator are proposed for a frequency reconfigurable antenna array. The design process is driven and expedited by the parallel surrogate model-assisted differential evolution for antenna synthesis (PSADEA) method. The reconfigurable array element can switch its operation between the 2.5 GHz ISM band and the 3.4 GHz WiMAX band. By introducing the proposed isolator, the mutual coupling in the higher and lower band is reduced by 8 and 7 dB, respectively. The reconfigurable array was prototyped, and measurements agree well with simulations, verifying the validity of the proposed concept. Although used for a specific antenna in this communication, the proposed AI-driven design strategy is generic and can easily be employed for other array topologies
Criteria of morphometric analysis of a daily load profile
Get PDFAnalysis of electrical loads is crucial for a proper operation and control of electrical energy sources and planning and design of electrical power systems in terms of optimum capacity of the electricity generation. A typical daily load profile significantly varies over the 24‐hour day and requires levelling actions which can be advised from the detailed analysis of the profile. This paper discusses the principles and implementation of morphometric analysis for a daily load profile evaluation using three criteria: roundness, compactness, and elongation. In order to conduct the morphometric analysis, the daily load profile represented as a time series has to be converted into a polygon of a particular form in a radar chart. The criteria for the profile analysis are based on geometrical interpretation of the shape of the polygon. The criterion roundness assesses the maximum and minimum loads of the profile and are related to the ratio of the inner circle of the polygon to the outer circle. The criterion compactness is based on the polygon perimeter and its inner area. The criterion elongation is defined as a relationship between the length of perpendicular to main axis of the polygon and the length of the main axis. The examples of the load profiles represented as a regular polygon and the case study have been used to demonstrate implementation of the analysis using the roundness, compactness, and elongation. It has been shown that the analysis using the morphometric criteria can be effectively applied for the detailed assessment of the load profiles
Digital Engagement in a Contemporary Art Gallery: Transforming Audiences
Get PDFThis paper examines a curatorial approach to digital art that acknowledges the symbiotic relationship between the digital and other more traditional art practices. It considers some of the issues that arise when digital content is delivered within a public gallery and how specialist knowledge, audience expectations and funding impact on current practices. From the perspective of the Digital Curator at MOSTYN, a contemporary gallery and visual arts centre in Llandudno, North Wales, it outlines the practical challenges and approaches taken to define what audiences want from a public art gallery. Human-centred design processes and activity systems analysis were adopted by MOSTYN with a community of practice—the gallery visitors—to explore the challenges of integrating digital technologies effectively within their curatorial programme and keep up with the pace of change needed today. MOSTYN’s aim is to consider digital holistically within their exhibition programme and within the cannon of 21st century contemporary art practice. Digital curation is at the heart of their model of engagement that offers new and existing audience insights into the significance of digital art within contemporary art practice