Inline Quality Monitoring of Reverse Extruded Aluminum Parts with Cathodic Dip-Paint Coating (KTL).

Perfectly coated surfaces are an essential quality feature in the automotive and consumer goods industries. They are the result of an optimized, controlled coating process. Because entire assemblies could be rejected if Out-of-Specification (OOS) parts are installed, this has a severe economic impact. This paper presents a novel, line-integrated multi-camera system with intelligent algorithms for anomaly detection on small KTL-coated aluminum parts. The system also aims to automatize the previously used human inspection to a sophisticated and automated vision system that efficiently detects defects and anomalies on coated parts.

[Neurolytic blocks for cancer pain--still a useful therapeutic strategy]. / Nevrolytisk blokade hos kreftpasienter--fortsatt en nyttig behandling.

BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced cancer may present complex sets of symptoms, of which pain is the most prevalent. In addition to systemic pharmacological therapy for pain management, neurolytic blocks are also effective in controlling cancer pain in selected patients. METHOD: Various neurolytic blocks used in the treatment of cancer pain are reviewed. RESULTS: Several studies have documented the efficacy of neurolytic blocks in reducing pain intensity and opioid consumption, although good prospective, randomized controlled trials are scarce. The narrow risk-benefit ratio associated with neurolysis techniques requires knowledge of the complications associated with the different neurolytic blocks in order to minimise undesirable effects. INTERPRETATION: Interventional techniques continue to play an important role in the management of cancer pain. The quality of the neurolytic blocks improves when they are performed image-guided in collaboration with an interventional radiologist. These blocks should never be considered an isolated treatment, but as a component of a comprehensive therapeutic strategy.

Asymptomatic liver segment herniation through a postoperative defect in the right hemidiaphragm following aortic bypass graft surgery.

We present a 16-year-old girl with asymptomatic liver segment herniation following aortic graft surgery for atypical coarctation of the aorta. The defect in the right hemidiaphragm was caused by the implantation of an ascending thoracic aorta to upper abdominal aortic bypass graft. The differential diagnosis of diaphragmatic defects as well as the role of various imaging modalities in establishing the diagnosis are discussed.

Tolerance of liver transplant patients to strenuous physical activity in high-altitude.

Physical functioning is improved after liver transplantation but studies comparing liver transplant recipients with normal healthy people are lacking. How liver (and other organ) transplant recipients tolerate strenuous physical activities is unknown. There are no data on the tolerance of transplant patients at high altitude. Six liver transplant subjects were selected to participate in a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro 5895 m, Tanzania. Physical performance and susceptibility to acute mountain sickness were prospectively compared with fifteen control subjects with similar profiles and matched for age and body mass index. The Borg-scale (a rating of perceived exertion) and cardiopulmonary parameters at rest were prospectively compared with six control subjects also matched for gender and VO2max. Immunosuppression in transplant subjects was based on tacrolimus. No difference was seen in physical performance, Borg-scales and acute mountain sickness scores between transplant and control subjects. Eight-three percent of transplant subjects and 84.6% of control subjects reached the summit (p=0.7). Oxygen saturation decreased whereas arterial blood pressure and heart rate increased with altitude in both groups. The only difference was the development of arterial hypertension in transplant subjects at 3950 m (p=0.036). Selected and well-prepared liver transplant recipients can perform strenuous physical activities and tolerate exposure to high altitude similar to normal healthy people.