Aims-To set up a network for remote consultation using static imaging telepathology via Internet connection between pathologists in diVerent European countries, and to collect some numerical and subjective impressions on the usefulness of this form of telepathology. Methods-A static image remote consultation network between 11 pathologists in nine European countries was set up; all pathologists were equipped with the same telepathology system. The pathologists formed three subject oriented subgroups concerned with prostate, melanoma, and soft tissue sarcoma pathology. Each pathologist sent and received a small number of cases, and data on each case were collected and analysed. The whole experiment was controlled through a World Wide Web site. Results-A total of 56 case consultations on 34 diVerent cases were exchanged. The average case document contained seven images, and contained 1.97 Mbytes of data. For cases in which data were recorded, average case preparation and remote consultation time was 55 minutes and 9.2 minutes, respectively. Transmission times averaged 3.9 minutes. In subjective impressions, reservations were expressed in several cases regarding the confidence that could be given to the diagnosis from the images presented. Conclusions-Remote consultation by telepathology via the Internet is now technically feasible and reasonably user friendly, but is only suitable as a method of disease diagnosis in some cases. (J Clin Pathol 2001;54:752-757)

It provides rapid documentation of telephone or other inquiries, registering, scheduling screening appointments, reporting results, diagnosis of lung cancer, and treatment, and archives all CT images for integrated access of image and patient information. It has been iteratively updated through user feedback, and supports medical reimbursement requirements and continuous quality improvement to minimize harms of lung screening across International ELCAP (I-ELCAP) sites. Result: More than 81,000 participants in 80 institutions worldwide have contributed their LDCT findings and images. The MS has provided efficient data collection for rigorous assessment of screening outcomes which has resulted in some 300 publications and abstracts for protocol updating, comparisons, and continuous quality improvement. Having anticipated "open science", the ELCAP MS has been translated into an open source MS that offers a reference standard for data elements (1,500 data fields, 267 required) for robust and efficient management of lung screening programs. This first open source translation has been adopted by the United States Veterans Administration (VA) and integrated into its VistA Electronic Healthcare System for deployment at 10 VA medical centers through a grant for VA Partnership to increase Access to Lung Screening (VA-PALS). The software is being certified by the Open Source Electronic Health Record Alliance (OSEHRA); source code is available on GitHub. Automated quantitative tools have been developed for identification and characterization of nodules, emphysema, major airways, calcification scoring of coronary arteries, aortic valve, thoracic aorta, breast tissue, liver, bone, and image quality. These tools are integrated into the ELCAP MS, and in the future will provide automatically-generated quantitative LDCT reports. Conclusion: The ELCAP MS and I-ELCAP protocol have helped define current global standards for lung screening. Its developers have now made the ELCAP MS publicly available through OSEHRA for support of lung screening programs of any scale throughout the world.

Analysis of powder metallurgy powders is an important consideration in designing the appropriate forming and processing parameters for near-net-shape components and additive manufacturing in various industries, including aerospace and electrical connectors. Not only is the size distribution an important factor in determining the packing factor of the components, but also particle shape. Typically, the particles are assumed to be spherical, with no satellites, and sparse particle analysis is conducted. Often, differences in particle size distribution, and possibly the shape of the particles, may lead to differences in the density of the finished product and overall quality. In most cases, the particle size distribution is quantified using a two-dimensional (2D) process, e.g., scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging or optical particle size counter or even just a mechanical sieve. Methods that would provide a more representative characterization of the particles would benefit additive manufacturing component producers in the areas of quality control, product improvement, and computational modeling.