Abstract. We propose an image analysis method for quality evaluation of human pluripotent stem cells based on biologically interpretable features. It is important to maintain the undifferentiated state of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) while culturing the cells during propagation. Cell culture experts visually select good quality cells exhibiting the morphological features characteristic of undifferentiated cells. Experts have empirically determined that these features comprise prominent and abundant nucleoli, less intercellular spacing, and fewer differentiating cellular nuclei. We quantified these features based on experts' visual inspection of phase contrast images of iPSCs and found that these features are effective for evaluating iPSC quality. We then developed an iPSC quality evaluation method using an image analysis technique. The method allowed accurate classification, equivalent to visual inspection by experts, of three iPSC cell lines. © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI.

A new technology has been developed to establish a more reliable excavation control protocol than currently used to ensure face stability. The new technology comprises the development of a measuring device, such as flappers, for muck flow inside the chamber and numerical analysis to evaluate the status of plastic muck flow for earth pressure balance shield tunneling. Flappers were installed in the chamber of the shield machine and the torque on the flappers was measured. Then, a numerical analysis was conducted to satisfy the data obtained in the field. Once the numerical analysis had been obtained, the condition of the muck flow in the chamber could be evaluated. The result of the field application verified that this technology was useful to evaluate the status of and to control the muck flow inside the chamber.

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