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The work presented in this papers is directed at mechanisms where by 3D surfaces can be represented to support the generation and application of classification techniques. Three different mechanisms are presented to allow for the representation of 3D surfaces in such a way that key features are retained while at the same time ensuring compatibility with prediction (classification) techniques. The three representation techniques are: (i) Local Geometry Matrices (LGMs) founded on the concept of local binary patterns, (ii) Local Distance Measure (LDM) founded on the idea that distances from edges (critical points) may be significant, and (iii) Point Series (PS) whereby local geometries are represented in terms of a linearisation of space. The representations are designed to capture the nature of 3D surfaces in terms of their local geometry and predict class labels associated with such local geometries. To act as a focus for the work the prediction of “springback” within the context of sheet metal forming is considered, where springback is a form of deformation that occurs (in a non-uniform manner) across a manufactured 3D surface as a result of the application of some sheet metal forming process. The evaluation of each of the techniques, and variations thereof, using sheet metal parts that have been manufactured especially for the purpose, is fully described. The paper also reports on a statistical significance test concerning the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study 27 full scale production batches of influenza sub-unit vaccine were evaluated on their stability. The batches varied with respect to the strains they contained and regarding the presence of the preservative thiomersal in the solution. The stability study showed that haemagglutinin content was the most sensitive parameter. An increase in the storage temperature strongly increased the degradation rate of haemagglutinin. The degradation rate of the haemagglutinin differed for the different strains tested. However, statistical evaluation of the data obtained for the most sensitive strain tested showed that even exposure during a 2 week period of the vaccine to room temperature would not adversely affect the shelf life claim of the influenza subunit vaccine of 1 year in the refrigerator. Moreover, this study showed that the presence of thiomersal in the solution has no effect on the stability of the vaccine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The development of a stable influenza subunit vaccine in the dry state was investigated. The influence of various carbohydrates, buffer types and freezing rates on the integrity of haemagglutinin after freeze-thawing or freeze-drying was investigated with a range of analytical and immunological methods. The use of fast freezing, Hepes buffer and carbohydrates (trehalose, inulin or dextran) as cryo- and lyoprotectants resulted in a significant reduction or even absence of conformational changes of HA as revealed by the used methods. The subunit vaccine in the powder was shown to remain immunogenic in an in vivo study in mice, using reconstituted powder. Moreover, the HA potency of the influenza subunit vaccine powder was stable for at least 26 weeks at room temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]