Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Measurement Accuracy (measurement + accuracy)
Selected AbstractsOptic disc biomorphometry with the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph at different reference levelsACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 1 2002Kyösti Vihanninjoki ABSTRACT. Purpose: The Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT) is a confocal scanning laser tomograph that produces high resolution optical section images of the optic disc and central retina. Measurement accuracy and reproducibility is good. Several of the stereometric variables depend on the definition of a reference plane level. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the four different reference levels in terms of their advantages and disadvantages in clinical work. Methods: Sixty-seven randomly chosen eyes belonging to 67 subjects were included in this study. Forty of the eyes were healthy and 27 had glaucoma. The HRT with software versions 1.09 and 1.11 was used to acquire and evaluate topographic measurements of the optic disc. Image analysis was performed at four different reference levels: 320 µm fixed offset reference level (REFd) (version 1.09), an individually determined reference level (REFi), a papillo-macular reference level (REFm) and a flexible reference level (REFf) (version 1.11). ANOVA was used to determine differences in the topographic parameters between the reference levels. Results: In terms of the healthy eyes, all the variables using different reference levels give rather similar results. However, with advanced glaucoma the measurement values provided with REFd are clearly different to those of the other reference levels. The measurement values using REFm and REFf provide fairly similar results in all clinical groups. REFf indicates the lowest point in the segment between 350° and 356° along the contour line and thus provides the most stable and clinically useful reference level at present. Conclusion: At present, the flexible reference level REFf gives the most reliable and adequate HRT measurement values, both in normal and in glaucomatous eyes. [source] The utility of ultra-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry for multi-residue determination of pesticides in strawberryRAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 17 2008Michael J. Taylor The utility of ultra-performance liquid chromatography/orthogonal-acceleration time-of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/TOFMS) for the rapid qualitative and quantitative analysis of 100 pesticides targeted in strawberry was assessed by comparing results with those obtained using a validated in-house UPLC tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) multi-residue method. Crude extracts from retail strawberry samples received as part of the 2007 annual UK pesticide residues in food surveillance programme were screened for the presence of pesticide residues using UPLC/TOFMS. Accurate mass measurement of positive and negative ions allowed their extraction following ,full mass range data acquisition' with negligible interference from background or co-eluting species observed during UPLC gradient separation (in a cycle time of just 6.5,min per run). Extracted ion data was used to construct calibration curves and to detect and identify any incurred residues (i.e. pesticides incorporated in or on the test material following application during cultivation, harvest and storage). Calibration using matrix-matched standards was performed over a narrow concentration range of 0.005,0.04,mg,kg,1 with determination coefficients (r2) ,0.99 for all analytes with the exception of malathion/fenarimol/fludioxanil (r2,=,0.98), quassia/pymetrazine (r2,=,0.97) and fenthion sulfone (r2,=,0.95). Residues found in selected samples ranged from 0.025,0.28,mg,kg,1 and were in excellent agreement with results obtained using UPLC/MS/MS. Mass measurement accuracies of ,5,ppm were achieved consistently throughout the separation, mass range and concentration range of interest thus providing the opportunity to obtain discrete elemental compositions of target ions. © Crown copyright 2008. Reproduced with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Mass measurement accuracy comparisons between a double-focusing magnetic sector and a time-of-flight mass analyzerRAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 10 2008Michael S. Bereman We report a direct comparison of the mass measurement accuracies (MMAs) obtained on different mass spectrometry instrument types; a magnetic sector as the ,gold standard' and an electrospray ionization time-of-flight (ESI-TOF) instrument. Sixty samples, obtained from the Department of Chemistry at North Carolina State University, were analyzed on each instrument. Data are presented and compared between the different instruments. The average absolute MMAs achieved for the magnetic sector and Agilent ESI-TOF mass spectrometers were 3.0 and 1.1,ppm, respectively. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Automated Volumetric Flow Quantification Using Angle-Corrected Color Doppler ImageECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 5 2004Beomjin Kim Ph.D. We have developed a fully automated method for measuring volumetric blood flow with angle-corrected blood velocity from a color Doppler image. By computing the blood flow vector through a conduit, the angle of incidence between the direction of ultrasound beam and the direction of blood flow can be measured to correct the underestimated blood velocity. This correction immediately contributes to the improvement of measurement accuracy. The developed method also enhances the conduit identification procedure that is one of the most important factors affecting the accuracy of volumetric measurement. To evaluate the validity of the developed algorithm, experimental studies had been applied to 21 healthy subjects and 10 patients. Volumetric flows were measured from a color Doppler image of the left ventricular outflow track, which were compared with blood volumes that were measured by traditional pulsed-wave (PW)-Doppler technique. The mean stroke volume difference between two methods was ,0.45 ± 11.7 (mean ± SD). The proposed algorithm is a viable method for determining blood flow volume in an automated fashion. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 21, July 2004) [source] A practical 3D measurement system based on projection pattern control techniquesELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATIONS IN JAPAN, Issue 11 2009Genki Cho Abstract Most of the recent 3D image measurement methods have employed certain pattern projection techniques because of their higher reliabilities. Especially, the intensity-modulated technique can detect more stripe addresses by a single projection and therefore is very much expected for its practical use in the near future. The traditional techniques of this type, however, have encountered several serious problems where 3D measurements are difficult in sensitivity, speed and accuracy or fatally impossible for unknown objects. In order to solve these problems, we propose an automatic control technique of angle and space frequency of projection pattern. Furthermore, for security of measurement accuracy and measurement speed, projection pattern intensity control technique and optimal intensity-modulation projection technique are adopted in the proposal measurement system. By using the proposed technique the automatic 3D measurement intended for the geostationary objects and the swaying objects were realized in experimental results. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 92(11): 34,41, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10147 [source] Influence of moisture content on measurement accuracy of porous media thermal conductivityHEAT TRANSFER - ASIAN RESEARCH (FORMERLY HEAT TRANSFER-JAPANESE RESEARCH), Issue 8 2009Mingzhi Yu Abstract The thermal conductivity measurement accuracy of sand was experimentally studied with a hot disk thermal constant analyzer and water morphologies, distribution, and evolution at the pore scale were observed with a charge coupled device (CCD) combined with a microscope. It was found that thermal conductivities of samples with low moisture content (<25%) could not be accurately measured. For samples with low moisture content, the analysis showed that the water in the region adjacent to the analyzer sensor mainly existed as isolated liquid bridges between/among sand particles and would evaporate and diffuse to relatively far regions because of being heated by the sensor during measurement. Water evaporation and diffusion caused the sample constitution in the region adjacent to the sensor to vary throughout the whole measurement process, and accordingly induced low accuracy of the obtained thermal conductivities. Due to high water connectivity in pores, the rate of water evaporation and diffusion in porous media of high moisture content was relatively slow when compared with that of low moisture content. Meanwhile, water in the relatively far regions flowed back to the region adjacent to the sensor by capillary force. Therefore, samples consisting of the region adjacent to the sensor maintained the constant and thermal conductivities of porous media with relatively high moisture content and could be measured with high accuracy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20272 [source] An investigation into the relationship between apical root Impedance and canal anatomyINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 9 2008S. M. Ardeshna Aim, To investigate a possible relationship between apical root impedance and canal anatomy. Methodology, Twenty-three roots from human extracted teeth (mostly single rooted but also from molars) with different apical anatomy were selected. The apical anatomy was initially classified by staining the root tip to identify number of canal exits; after impedance measurements, the anatomy was confirmed by staining and clearing the dentine. The roots were divided into two groups; 12 had simple (S) anatomy (Vertucci type 1 with a single exit) and 11 had complex (C) anatomy (various Vertucci canal types with multiple exist). Impedance measurements were taken using a frequency response analyser at seven levels in the root (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 mm short of the apical terminus) at 14 frequencies ranging from 1120 to 100 000 Hz. Care was taken to control the temperature and other variables that could confound measurement accuracy. The impedance characteristics of individual roots were compared with 37 equivalent circuits (based on a pool created from a previous study); the best fitting equivalent circuit was selected. The equivalent circuits were used as the single outcome measure describing the impedance characteristics and correlated with the canal anatomy (S/C). Generalized estimating equations were used to perform logistic regression to analyse the data. Results, Canal anatomy had a significant (P = 0.046) effect on the equivalent circuit model. One circuit (model 10) was found to be the commonest and occurred significantly more commonly in the simple canals. The odds of prevalence of circuit model 10 were 2.2 times (odds ratio 2.17, 95% confidence interval 1.01,4.63) higher in canals with simple anatomy compared with canals with complex anatomy. Conclusions, Canal anatomy had a significant effect on the equivalent circuit describing its impedance characteristics. It should be possible to use impedance spectroscopy to clinically predict and image apical canal complexities. [source] A comparison of spatial interpolation methods to estimate continuous wind speed surfaces using irregularly distributed data from England and WalesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 7 2008W. Luo Abstract Seven methods of spatial interpolation were compared to determine their suitability for estimating daily mean wind speed surfaces, from data recorded at nearly 190 locations across England and Wales. The eventual purpose of producing such surfaces is to help estimate the daily spread of pathogens causing crop diseases as they move across regions. The interpolation techniques included four deterministic and three geostatistical methods. Quantitative assessment of the continuous surfaces showed that there was a large difference between the accuracy of the seven interpolation methods and that the geostatistical methods were superior to deterministic methods. Further analyses, testing the reliability of the results, showed that measurement accuracy, density, distribution and spatial variability had a substantial influence on the accuracy of the interpolation methods. Independent wind speed data from ten other dates were used to confirm the robustness of the best interpolation methods. © Crown copyright 2007. Reproduced with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Processing of extended shelf life milk using microfiltrationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DAIRY TECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2006WOLFGANG HOFFMANN Extended shelf life (ESL) milk was processed with integrated microfiltration (pore size 1.4 µm). The germ-enriched retentate was not used for the final whole milk. Microfiltration led only to a negligible change in the content of the main components of the ESL product compared with the source milk. The total protein was only slightly decreased (0.02,0.03%) and the ratio of the protein fractions was unchanged within the measurement accuracy. The furosine content of the isolated fat globuline membrane fraction could be used as a diagnostic to prove cream had been subjected to high-temperature treatment. The shelf life of the ESL milk was distinctly prolonged compared to HTST-pasteurized milk. [source] Parallel imaging of knee cartilage at 3 TeslaJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 4 2007Jin Zuo PhD Abstract Purpose To evaluate the feasibility and reproducibility of quantitative cartilage imaging with parallel imaging at 3T and to determine the impact of the acceleration factor (AF) on morphological and relaxation measurements. Materials and Methods An eight-channel phased-array knee coil was employed for conventional and parallel imaging on a 3T scanner. The imaging protocol consisted of a T2-weighted fast spin echo (FSE), a 3D-spoiled gradient echo (SPGR), a custom 3D-SPGR T1rho, and a 3D-SPGR T2 sequence. Parallel imaging was performed with an array spatial sensitivity technique (ASSET). The left knees of six healthy volunteers were scanned with both conventional and parallel imaging (AF = 2). Results Morphological parameters and relaxation maps from parallel imaging methods (AF = 2) showed comparable results with conventional method. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of the two methods for cartilage volume, mean cartilage thickness, T1rho, and T2 were 0.999, 0.977, 0.964, and 0.969, respectively, while demonstrating excellent reproducibility. No significant measurement differences were found when AF reached 3 despite the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Conclusion The study demonstrated that parallel imaging can be applied to current knee cartilage quantification at AF = 2 without degrading measurement accuracy with good reproducibility while effectively reducing scan time. Shorter imaging times can be achieved with higher AF at the cost of SNR. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007;26:1001,1009. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Field-cycling NMR relaxometry with spatial selectionMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010Kerrin J. Pine Abstract Fast field-cycling MRI offers access to sources of endogenous information not available from conventional fixed-field imagers. One example is the T1 dispersion curve: a plot of T1 versus field strength. We present a pulse sequence that combines saturation-recovery/inversion-recovery T1 determination with field cycling and point-resolved spectroscopy localization, enabling the measurement of dispersion curves from volumes selected from a pilot image. Compared with a nonselective sequence, our method of volume selection does not influence measurement accuracy, even for relatively long echo times and in the presence of radiofrequency field nonuniformity. The measured voxel profile, while not ideal, corresponds with that expected from the image slice profile. On a whole-body fast field-cycling scanner with 59-mT detection, the sensitivity of the experiment is sufficient to reveal distinctive "quadrupole dips" in dispersion curves of protein-rich human tissue in vivo. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Evaluation of a Single-monochromator Diode Array Spectroradiometer for Sunbed UV-radiation Measurements,PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2005Lasse Ylianttila ABSTRACT The suitability of a new technology single-monochromator diode array spectroradiometer for UV-radiation safety measurements, in particular for sunbed measurements, was evaluated. The linearity, cosine response, temperature response, wavelength scale, stray-light and slit function of the spectroradiometer were determined and their effects on the measurement accuracy evaluated. The main error sources were stray-light and nonideal cosine response, for which correction methods are presented. Without correction, the stray-light may reduce the accuracy of the measurement excessively, particularly in the UV-B range. The expanded uncertainty of the corrected UV measurements is estimated to be 14%, which is confirmed with the comparative measurements carried out with a well-characterized double-monochromator spectroradiometer. The measurement accuracy is sufficient for sunbed measurements, provided that all corrections described above have been done and the user of the instrument has a good understanding of the instrument's operating principles and potential error sources. If these requirements are met, the tested spectroradiometer improves and facilitates market surveillance field measurements of sunbeds. [source] Planning and Optimization of a Numerical Control Machine in a Multiple Response CaseQUALITY AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2006Rossella Berni Abstract This paper focuses on a specific case of experimental planning and optimization in a multiresponse case. Particularly, our attention is dedicated to a numerical control machine and our final goal is to improve this machine's measurement accuracy for a general dental implant. This work substantially aims at addressing two issues: the optimization methods in the presence of more response variables and the related problem of weighting according to the actual importance of these variables. About simultaneous optimization, we suggest an improvement by a new function which takes care of location and dispersion effects. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A new high-resolution computed tomography (CT) segmentation method for trabecular bone architectural analysisAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Heike Scherf Abstract In the last decade, high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) have been increasingly used in anthropological studies and as a complement to traditional histological techniques. This is due in large part to the ability of CT techniques to nondestructively extract three-dimensional representations of bone structures. Despite prior studies employing CT techniques, no completely reliable method of bone segmentation has been established. Accurate preprocessing of digital data is crucial for measurement accuracy, especially when subtle structures such as trabecular bone are investigated. The research presented here is a new, reproducible, accurate, and fully automated computerized segmentation method for high-resolution CT datasets of fossil and recent cancellous bone: the Ray Casting Algorithm (RCA). We compare this technique with commonly used methods of image thresholding (i.e., the half-maximum height protocol and the automatic, adaptive iterative thresholding procedure). While the quality of the input images is crucial for conventional image segmentation, the RCA method is robust regarding the signal to noise ratio, beam hardening, ring artifacts, and blurriness. Tests with data of extant and fossil material demonstrate the superior quality of RCA compared with conventional thresholding procedures, and emphasize the need for careful consideration of optimal CT scanning parameters. Am J Phys Anthropol 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Nano-high-performance liquid chromatography in combination with nano-electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion-cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry for proteome analysisRAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 12 2003Christian Ihling Fourier transform ion-cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry offers several advantages for the analysis of biological samples, including excellent mass resolution, ultra-high mass measurement accuracy, high sensitivity, and wide mass range. We report the application of a nano-HPLC system coupled to an FTICR mass spectrometer equipped with nanoelectrospray source (nano-HPLC/nano-ESI-FTICRMS) for proteome analysis. Protein identification in proteomics is usually conducted by accurately determining peptide masses resulting from enzymatic protein digests and comparing them with theoretically digested protein sequences from databases. A tryptic in-solution digest of bovine serum albumin was used to optimize experimental conditions and data processing. Spots from Coomassie Blue and silver-stained two-dimensional (2D) gels of human thyroid tissue were excised, in-gel digested with trypsin, and subsequently analyzed by nano-HPLC/nano-ESI-FTICRMS. Additionally, we analyzed 1D-gel bands of membrane preparations of COS-6 cells from African green monkey kidney as an example of more complex protein mixtures. Nano-HPLC was performed using 1-mm reverse-phase C-18 columns for pre-concentration of the samples and reverse-phase C-18 capillary columns for separation, applying water/acetonitrile gradient elution conditions at flow rates of 200,nL/min. Mass measurement accuracies smaller than 3,ppm were routinely obtained. Different methods for processing the raw data were compared in order to identify a maximum number of peptides with the highest possible degree of automation. Parallel identification of proteins from complex mixtures down to low-femtomole levels makes nano-HPLC/nano-ESI-FTICRMS an attractive approach for proteome analysis. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization ion trap mass spectrometry of sulfonic acid derivatized tryptic peptidesRAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 23 2001T. Keough Atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP-MALDI) and ion trap mass spectrometry have been used to study the fragmentation behavior of native peptides and peptide derivatives prepared for de novo sequencing applications. Sulfonic acid derivatized peptides were observed to fragment more extensively and up to 28 times more efficiently than the corresponding native peptides. Tandem mass spectra of native peptides containing aspartic or glutamic acids are dominated by cleavage on the C-terminal side of the acidic residues. This significantly limits the amount of sequence information that can be derived from those compounds. The MS/MS spectra of native tryptic peptides containing oxidized Met residues show extensive loss of CH3SOH and little sequence-specific fragmentation. On the other hand, the tandem mass spectra of derivatized peptides containing Asp, Glu and oxidized Met show much more uniform fragmentation along the peptide backbone. The AP-MALDI tandem mass spectra of some derivatized peptides were shown to be qualitatively very similar to the corresponding vacuum MALDI postsource decay mass spectra, which were obtained on a reflector time-of-flight instrument. However, the ion trap mass spectrometer offers several advantages for peptide sequencing relative to current reflector time-of-flight instruments including improved product ion mass measurement accuracy, improved precursor ion selection and MSn. These latter capabilities were demonstrated with solution digests of model proteins and with in-gel digests of 2D-gel separated proteins. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Objective Sizing of Upper Airway Stenosis: A Quantitative Endoscopic Approach,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 1 2006MBBChir, S. A. R. Nouraei MA Abstract Objective: In patients with airway stenosis, anatomy of the lesion determines the magnitude of the biomechanical ventilatory disturbance and thus the nature and severity of symptoms. It also gives information about biology, likelihood of response to treatment, and prognosis of laryngotracheal lesions. Accurate airway sizing throughout treatment is therefore central to managing this condition. We developed a method for objective assessment of airway lesions during endoscopy. Methods: We used airway simulations to investigate the effects of endoscope tilt and lens distortions on measurement accuracy, devising and validating clinical rules for quantitative airway endoscopy. A calibrator was designed to assess lesion length, location, and cross-section during tracheoscopy. Results: It proved possible to calculate the length and location of the stenosis using simple mathematics. Cross-section measurements were more than 95% accurate, independent of endoscope tilt and without making assumptions about endoscope optics and visuospatial distortion, for both pediatric and adult airway dimensions. The technique was used to characterize airway lesions in 10 adult patients with an average age of 48 years undergoing therapeutic laryngotracheoscopy. Lesions occurred on average 36 mm below the glottis (range, 21,54 mm) and were 9.3 mm long (5,17 mm). The average pretreatment airway cross-section was 48.3 mm2, increasing to 141.1 mm2 after laser therapy. Two independent observers calculated airway cross-sections, achieving an interobserver concordance of 0.98. Conclusions: This method can be used to objectively and precisely determine the anatomy of airway lesions, allowing accurate documentation of lesion characteristics and surgical results, serial monitoring throughout treatment, and comparison of outcomes between different centers. [source] Einstein Lecture , Passion for precision,ANNALEN DER PHYSIK, Issue 9 2006T.W. Hänsch Abstract Optical frequency combs from mode-locked femtosecond lasers have link optical and microwave frequencies in a single step, and they provide the long missing clockwork for optical atomic clocks. By extending the limits of time and frequency metrology, they enable new tests of fundamental physics laws. Precise comparisons of optical resonance frequencies of atomic hydrogen and other atoms with the microwave frequency of a cesium atomic clock are establishing sensitive limits for possible slow variations of fundamental constants. Optical high harmonic generation is extending frequency comb techniques into the extreme ultraviolet, opening a new spectral territory to precision laser spectroscopy. Frequency comb techniques are also providing a key to attosecond science by offering control of the electric field of ultrafast laser pulses. In our laboratories at Stanford and Garching, the development of new instruments and techniques for precision laser spectroscopy has long been motivated by the goal of ever higher resolution and measurement accuracy in optical spectroscopy of the simple hydrogen atom which permits unique confrontations between experiment and fundamental theory. This lecture recounts these adventures and the evolution of laser frequency comb techniques from my personal perspective. [source] AN AFM PROBE CONTROLLER DESIGN BASED ON ,-SYNTHESISASIAN JOURNAL OF CONTROL, Issue 1 2005Kuo-Jung Lan ABSTRACT The atomic force microscope (AFM) is one of the most important tools for measuring atomic resolution. The AFM system maintains constant force between a tip and the sample in order to track the sample topography. The controller that maintains the constant interaction force plays a significant role in measurement accuracy. This paper presents a ,-synthesis controller design to deal with model uncertainty and establish a measurement error bound. The system's nonlinearity and the set-point drift are lumped into a multiplicative uncertainty. The performance bound allows specification of the error magnitude over the frequency range. Simulation results show that the proposed control can tolerate uncertainties. The error spectrum from the experiments shows consistency with the design specifications. Images were taken to compare ,-synthesis control with a well-tuned PID control at a 480,m/s scan rate. The results verify the outstanding performance of the ,-controller. [source] Bestimmung der Tunnelinnenschalendicke mit zerstörungsfreien PrüfverfahrenBETON- UND STAHLBETONBAU, Issue 8 2006Dietmar Mähner Prof. Dr.-Ing. Der vorliegende Beitrag befaßt sich mit dem Einfluß von zerstörungsfreien Prüfmethoden zur Bestimmung der Tunnelinnenschalendicke und der Auswertung eines auf einer Baustelle durchgeführten Untersuchungsprogramms. Die Bandbreite der Untersuchungen bilden dabei an drei Tunnelblöcken unterschiedlich eingesetzte Meßverfahren und ihre jeweilige spezifische Eignung, verschiedene Meßteams sowie unterschiedliche Meßraster, die jeweils vor und nach der Firstspaltverpressung zum Einsatz kamen und analysiert wurden. Als wichtiger Parameter zum Einfluß der Meßqualität ist hierbei die durchzuführende Kalibrierung der Meßgeräte am Einsatzort zu nennen, die die Grundlage der Meßgenauigkeit bildet. Weiterhin konnte die Qualität bzw. der Erfolg der durchgeführten Firstspaltverpressung mittels eines Injektionsgutes in den Messungen nicht zweifelsfrei bestätigt werden und wurde daher zusätzlich durch Kernbohrungen und endoskopische Aufnahmen überprüft. Mit den daraus gewonnen Erkenntnissen werden wesentliche Aspekte und Empfehlungen aufgeführt, die im Umgang mit den zerstörungsfreien Prüfmethoden zur Dickenbestimmung einer Tunnelschale zu beachten sind und in zukünftige Projekte einfließen sollten. Determining the thickness of tunnel internal shell with non-destructive testing methods This report deals with the influence of non-destructive testing methods for determining the thickness of internal tunnel shells and evaluates the results of examinations performed on a construction site. The investigations cover different measurement techniques performed on three tunnel blocks; also analyzed were the specific advantages of these techniques, the employment measurement personnel and different measurement grids used before and after ridge-gap grouting. An essential parameter influencing the measurement accuracy is the calibration needed by the measurement devices at the site of deployment. Because the measurements were not able to unmistakably confirm the quality or success of ridge-gap grouting through injection, these results had to be examined additionally using drill cores and endoscopy. Permitting a crystallization of essential aspects and recommendations as regards the conduction of non-destructive tests for determining the thickness of tunnel shells, the obtained findings are to be incorporated into future projects. [source] Optimized protocol of a frequency domain fluorescence lifetime imaging microscope for FRET measurementsMICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 5 2009Aymeric Leray Abstract Frequency-domain fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) has become a commonly used technique to measure lifetimes in biological systems. However, lifetime measurements are strongly dependent on numerous experimental parameters. Here, we describe a complete calibration and characterization of a FLIM system and suggest parameter optimization for minimizing measurement errors during acquisition. We used standard fluorescent molecules and reference biological samples, exhibiting both single and multiple lifetime components, to calibrate and evaluate our frequency domain FLIM system. We identify several sources of lifetime precision degradation that may occur in FLIM measurements. Following a rigorous calibration of the system and a careful optimization of the acquisition parameters, we demonstrate fluorescence lifetime measurements accuracy and reliability. In addition, we show its potential on living cells by visualizing FRET in CHO cells. The proposed calibration and optimization protocol is suitable for the measurement of multiple lifetime components sample and is applicable to any frequency domain FLIM system. Using this method on our FLIM microscope enabled us to obtain the best fluorescence lifetime precision accessible with such a system. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||