Estimation of the auto frequency response function at unexcited points using dummy masses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hosoya, Naoki; Yaginuma, Shinji; Onodera, Hiroshi; Yoshimura, Takuya

2015-02-01

If structures with complex shapes have space limitations, vibration tests using an exciter or impact hammer for the excitation are difficult. Although measuring the auto frequency response function at an unexcited point may not be practical via a vibration test, it can be obtained by assuming that the inertia acting on a dummy mass is an external force on the target structure upon exciting a different excitation point. We propose a method to estimate the auto frequency response functions at unexcited points by attaching a small mass (dummy mass), which is comparable to the accelerometer mass. The validity of the proposed method is demonstrated by comparing the auto frequency response functions estimated at unexcited points in a beam structure to those obtained from numerical simulations. We also consider random measurement errors by finite element analysis and vibration tests, but not bias errors. Additionally, the applicability of the proposed method is demonstrated by applying it to estimate the auto frequency response function of the lower arm in a car suspension.

Time-Frequency Based Instantaneous Frequency Estimation of Sparse Signals from an Incomplete Set of Samples

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-17

100 0 2 4 Wigner distribution 0 50 100 0 0.5 1 Auto-correlation function 0 50 100 0 2 4 L- Wigner distribution 0 50 100 0 0.5 1 Auto-correlation function ...bilinear or higher order autocorrelation functions will increase the number of missing samples, the analysis shows that accurate instantaneous...frequency estimation can be achieved even if we deal with only few samples, as long as the auto-correlation function is properly chosen to coincide with

Automatic Assembly of Combined Checkingfixture for Auto-Body Components Based Onfixture Elements Libraries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Jingtao; Sui, Rendong; Shi, Yan; Li, Furong; Hu, Caiqi

In this paper 3-D models of combined fixture elements are designed, classified by their functions, and saved in computer as supporting elements library, jointing elements library, basic elements library, localization elements library, clamping elements library, and adjusting elements library etc. Then automatic assembly of 3-D combined checking fixture for auto-body part is presented based on modularization theory. And in virtual auto-body assembly space, Locating constraint mapping technique and assembly rule-based reasoning technique are used to calculate the position of modular elements according to localization points and clamp points of auto-body part. Auto-body part model is transformed from itself coordinate system space to virtual assembly space by homogeneous transformation matrix. Automatic assembly of different functional fixture elements and auto-body part is implemented with API function based on the second development of UG. It is proven in practice that the method in this paper is feasible and high efficiency.

The use of copula functions for predictive analysis of correlations between extreme storm tides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Domino, Krzysztof; Błachowicz, Tomasz; Ciupak, Maurycy

2014-11-01

In this paper we present a method used in quantitative description of weakly predictable hydrological, extreme events at inland sea. Investigations for correlations between variations of individual measuring points, employing combined statistical methods, were carried out. As a main tool for this analysis we used a two-dimensional copula function sensitive for correlated extreme effects. Additionally, a new proposed methodology, based on Detrended Fluctuations Analysis (DFA) and Anomalous Diffusion (AD), was used for the prediction of negative and positive auto-correlations and associated optimum choice of copula functions. As a practical example we analysed maximum storm tides data recorded at five spatially separated places at the Baltic Sea. For the analysis we used Gumbel, Clayton, and Frank copula functions and introduced the reversed Clayton copula. The application of our research model is associated with modelling the risk of high storm tides and possible storm flooding.

Chemotaxis and auto-chemotaxis of self-propelling artificial droplet swimmers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Chenyu; Krueger, Carsten; Maass, Corinna

Chemotaxis and auto-chemotaxis are key mechanisms in the dynamics of micro-organisms, e.g. in the acquisition of nutrients and in the communication between individuals, influencing the collective behavior. However, chemical signalling and the natural environment of biological swimmers are generally complex, making them hard to access analytically. Simple experimental systems showing similar features could provide vital insights. We present such a swimmer system, as well as controlled assays to study chemotactic effects quantitatively and reproducibly. In our experiments, we let auto-chemotactic droplet swimmers pass through bifurcating microfluidic channels and record anticorrelations between the branch choices of consecutive droplets. We present an analytical model based on balancing stochastic forces versus a diffusing chemical gradient matching the experimental data. supported by the DFG SPP 1726 ''Microswimmers'' and the MaxSynBio network.

Recent advances in post autologous transplantation maintenance therapies in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas

PubMed Central

Epperla, Narendranath; Fenske, Timothy S; Hari, Parameswaran N; Hamadani, Mehdi

2015-01-01

Lymphomas constitute the second most common indication for high dose therapy (HDT) followed by autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HCT). The intent of administering HDT in these heterogeneous disorders varies from cure (e.g., in relapsed aggressive lymphomas) to disease control (e.g., most indolent lymphomas). Regardless of the underlying histology or remission status at transplantation, disease relapse remains the number one cause of post auto-HCT therapy failure and mortality. The last decade has seen a proliferation of clinical studies looking at prevention of post auto-HCT therapy failure with various maintenance strategies. The benefit of such therapies is in turn dependent on disease histology and timing of transplantation. In relapsed, chemosensitive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), although post auto-HCT maintenance rituximab seems to be safe and feasible, it does not provide improved survival outcomes and is not recommended. The preliminary results with anti- programmed death -1 (PD-1) antibody therapy as post auto-HCT maintenance in DLBCL is promising but requires randomized validation. Similarly in follicular lymphoma, maintenance therapies including rituximab following auto-HCT should be considered investigational and offered only on a clinical trial. Rituximab maintenance results in improved progression-free survival but has not yet shown to improve overall survival in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), but given the poor prognosis with post auto-HCT failure in MCL, maintenance rituximab can be considered on a case-by-case basis. Ongoing trials evaluating the efficacy of post auto-HCT maintenance with novel compounds (e.g., immunomodulators, PD-1 inhibitors, proteasome inhibitors and bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors) will likely change the practice landscape in the near future for B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas patients following HDT and auto-HCT. PMID:26421260

Experimental Study of Magnetic Field Production and Dielectric Breakdown of Auto-Magnetizing Liners

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shipley, Gabriel; Awe, Thomas; Hutchinson, Trevor; Hutsel, Brian; Slutz, Stephen; Lamppa, Derek

2017-10-01

AutoMag liners premagnetize the fuel in MagLIF targets and provide enhanced x-ray diagnostic access and increased current delivery without requiring external field coils. AutoMag liners are composite liners made with discrete metallic helical conduction paths separated by insulating material. First, a low dI/dt ``foot'' current pulse (1 MA in 100 ns) premagnetizes the fuel. Next, a higher dI/dt pulse with larger induced electric field initiates breakdown on the composite liner's; surface, switching the current from helical to axial to implode the liner. Experiments on MYKONOS have tested the premagnetization and breakdown phases of AutoMag and demonstrate axial magnetic fields above 90 Tesla for a 550 kA peak current pulse. Electric fields of 17 MV/m have been generated before breakdown. AutoMag may enhance MagLIF performance by increasing the premagnetization strength significantly above 30 T, thus reducing thermal-conduction losses and mitigating anomalous diffusion of magnetic field out of hotter fuel regions, by, for example, the Nernst thermoelectric effect. This project was funded in part by Sandia's Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program (Projects No. 200169 and 195306).

Nonlinear Systems.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seider, Warren D.; Ungar, Lyle H.

1987-01-01

Describes a course in nonlinear mathematics courses offered at the University of Pennsylvania which provides an opportunity for students to examine the complex solution spaces that chemical engineers encounter. Topics include modeling many chemical processes, especially those involving reaction and diffusion, auto catalytic reactions, phase…

Direct numerical simulation of turbulent, chemically reacting flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doom, Jeffrey Joseph

This dissertation: (i) develops a novel numerical method for DNS/LES of compressible, turbulent reacting flows, (ii) performs several validation simulations, (iii) studies auto-ignition of a hydrogen vortex ring in air and (iv) studies a hydrogen/air turbulent diffusion flame. The numerical method is spatially non-dissipative, implicit and applicable over a range of Mach numbers. The compressible Navier-Stokes equations are rescaled so that the zero Mach number equations are discretely recovered in the limit of zero Mach number. The dependent variables are co--located in space, and thermodynamic variables are staggered from velocity in time. The algorithm discretely conserves kinetic energy in the incompressible, inviscid, non--reacting limit. The chemical source terms are implicit in time to allow for stiff chemical mechanisms. The algorithm is readily applicable to complex chemical mechanisms. Good results are obtained for validation simulations. The algorithm is used to study auto-ignition in laminar vortex rings. A nine species, nineteen reaction mechanism for H2/air combustion proposed by Mueller et al. [37] is used. Diluted H 2 at ambient temperature (300 K) is injected into hot air. The simulations study the effect of fuel/air ratio, oxidizer temperature, Lewis number and stroke ratio (ratio of piston stroke length to diameter). Results show that auto--ignition occurs in fuel lean, high temperature regions with low scalar dissipation at a 'most reactive' mixture fraction, zeta MR (Mastorakos et al. [32]). Subsequent evolution of the flame is not predicted by zetaMR; a most reactive temperature TMR is defined and shown to predict both the initial auto-ignition as well as subsequent evolution. For stroke ratios less than the formation number, ignition in general occurs behind the vortex ring and propagates into the core. At higher oxidizer temperatures, ignition is almost instantaneous and occurs along the entire interface between fuel and oxidizer. For stroke ratios greater than the formation number, ignition initially occurs behind the leading vortex ring, then occurs along the length of the trailing column and propagates towards the ring. Lewis number is seen to affect both the initial ignition as well as subsequent flame evolution significantly. Non-uniform Lewis number simulations provide faster ignition and burnout time but a lower maximum temperature. The fuel rich reacting vortex ring provides the highest maximum temperature and the higher oxidizer temperature provides the fastest ignition time. The fuel lean reacting vortex ring has little effect on the flow and behaves similar to a non--reacting vortex ring. We then study auto-ignition of turbulent H2/air diffusion flames using the Mueller et al. [37] mechanism. Isotropic turbulence is superimposed on an unstrained diffusion flame where diluted H 2 at ambient temperature interacts with hot air. Both, unity and non-unity Lewis number are studied. The results are contrasted to the homogeneous mixture problem and laminar diffusion flames. Results show that auto-ignition occurs in fuel lean, low vorticity, high temperature regions with low scalar dissipation around a most reactive mixture fraction, zetaMR (Mastorakos et al. [32]). However, unlike the laminar flame where auto-ignition occurs at zetaMR, the turbulent flame auto-ignites over a very broad range of zeta around zetaMR, which cannot completely predict the onset of ignition. The simulations also study the effects of three-dimensionality. Past two--dimensional simulations (Mastorakos et al. [32]) show that when flame fronts collide, extinction occurs. However, our three dimensional results show that when flame fronts collide; they can either increase in intensity, combine without any appreciable change in intensity or extinguish. This behavior is due to the three--dimensionality of the flow.

Research on remote sensing image pixel attribute data acquisition method in AutoCAD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xiaoyang; Sun, Guangtong; Liu, Jun; Liu, Hui

2013-07-01

The remote sensing image has been widely used in AutoCAD, but AutoCAD lack of the function of remote sensing image processing. In the paper, ObjectARX was used for the secondary development tool, combined with the Image Engine SDK to realize remote sensing image pixel attribute data acquisition in AutoCAD, which provides critical technical support for AutoCAD environment remote sensing image processing algorithms.

Long-term outcomes among 2-year survivors of autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation for Hodgkin and diffuse large b-cell lymphoma.

PubMed

Myers, Regina M; Hill, Brian T; Shaw, Bronwen E; Kim, Soyoung; Millard, Heather R; Battiwalla, Minoo; Majhail, Navneet S; Buchbinder, David; Lazarus, Hillard M; Savani, Bipin N; Flowers, Mary E D; D'Souza, Anita; Ehrhardt, Matthew J; Langston, Amelia; Yared, Jean A; Hayashi, Robert J; Daly, Andrew; Olsson, Richard F; Inamoto, Yoshihiro; Malone, Adriana K; DeFilipp, Zachariah; Margossian, Steven P; Warwick, Anne B; Jaglowski, Samantha; Beitinjaneh, Amer; Fung, Henry; Kasow, Kimberly A; Marks, David I; Reynolds, Jana; Stockerl-Goldstein, Keith; Wirk, Baldeep; Wood, William A; Hamadani, Mehdi; Satwani, Prakash

2018-02-15

Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HCT) is a standard therapy for relapsed classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL); however, long-term outcomes are not well described. This study analyzed survival, nonrelapse mortality, late effects, and subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs) in 1617 patients who survived progression-free for ≥2 years after auto-HCT for cHL or DLBCL between 1990 and 2008. The median age at auto-HCT was 40 years; the median follow-up was 10.6 years. The 5-year overall survival rate was 90% (95% confidence interval [CI], 87%-92%) for patients with cHL and 89% (95% CI, 87%-91%) for patients with DLBCL. The risk of late mortality in comparison with the general population was 9.6-fold higher for patients with cHL (standardized mortality ratio [SMR], 9.6) and 3.4-fold higher for patients with DLBCL (SMR, 3.4). Relapse accounted for 44% of late deaths. At least 1 late effect was reported for 9% of the patients. A total of 105 SMNs were confirmed: 44 in the cHL group and 61 in the DLBCL group. According to a multivariate analysis, older age, male sex, a Karnofsky score < 90, total body irradiation (TBI) exposure, and a higher number of lines of chemotherapy before auto-HCT were risk factors for overall mortality in cHL. Risk factors in DLBCL were older age and TBI exposure. A subanalysis of 798 adolescent and young adult patients mirrored the outcomes of the overall study population. Despite generally favorable outcomes, 2-year survivors of auto-HCT for cHL or DLBCL have an excess late-mortality risk in comparison with the general population and experience an assortment of late complications. Cancer 2018;124:816-25. © 2017 American Cancer Society. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Auto-Regulatory RNA Editing Fine-Tunes mRNA Re-Coding and Complex Behaviour in Drosophila

PubMed Central

Savva, Yiannis A.; Jepson, James E.C; Sahin, Asli; Sugden, Arthur U.; Dorsky, Jacquelyn S.; Alpert, Lauren; Lawrence, Charles; Reenan, Robert A.

2014-01-01

Auto-regulatory feedback loops are a common molecular strategy used to optimize protein function. In Drosophila many mRNAs involved in neuro-transmission are re-coded at the RNA level by the RNA editing enzyme dADAR, leading to the incorporation of amino acids that are not directly encoded by the genome. dADAR also re-codes its own transcript, but the consequences of this auto-regulation in vivo are unclear. Here we show that hard-wiring or abolishing endogenous dADAR auto-regulation dramatically remodels the landscape of re-coding events in a site-specific manner. These molecular phenotypes correlate with altered localization of dADAR within the nuclear compartment. Furthermore, auto-editing exhibits sexually dimorphic patterns of spatial regulation and can be modified by abiotic environmental factors. Finally, we demonstrate that modifying dAdar auto-editing affects adaptive complex behaviors. Our results reveal the in vivo relevance of auto-regulatory control over post-transcriptional mRNA re-coding events in fine-tuning brain function and organismal behavior. PMID:22531175

Intrinsic Tau Acetylation Is Coupled to Auto-Proteolytic Tau Fragmentation

PubMed Central

Cohen, Todd J.; Constance, Brian H.; Hwang, Andrew W.; James, Michael; Yuan, Chao-Xing

2016-01-01

Tau proteins are abnormally aggregated in a range of neurodegenerative tauopathies including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recently, tau has emerged as an extensively post-translationally modified protein, among which lysine acetylation is critical for normal tau function and its pathological aggregation. Here, we demonstrate that tau isoforms have different propensities to undergo lysine acetylation, with auto-acetylation occurring more prominently within the lysine-rich microtubule-binding repeats. Unexpectedly, we identified a unique intrinsic property of tau in which auto-acetylation induces proteolytic tau cleavage, thereby generating distinct N- and C-terminal tau fragments. Supporting a catalytic reaction-based mechanism, mapping and mutagenesis studies showed that tau cysteines, which are required for acetyl group transfer, are also essential for auto-proteolytic tau processing. Further mass spectrometry analysis identified the C-terminal 2nd and 4th microtubule binding repeats as potential sites of auto-cleavage. The identification of acetylation-mediated auto-proteolysis provides a new biochemical mechanism for tau self-regulation and warrants further investigation into whether auto-catalytic functions of tau are implicated in AD and other tauopathies. PMID:27383765

Intrinsic Tau Acetylation Is Coupled to Auto-Proteolytic Tau Fragmentation.

PubMed

Cohen, Todd J; Constance, Brian H; Hwang, Andrew W; James, Michael; Yuan, Chao-Xing

2016-01-01

Tau proteins are abnormally aggregated in a range of neurodegenerative tauopathies including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, tau has emerged as an extensively post-translationally modified protein, among which lysine acetylation is critical for normal tau function and its pathological aggregation. Here, we demonstrate that tau isoforms have different propensities to undergo lysine acetylation, with auto-acetylation occurring more prominently within the lysine-rich microtubule-binding repeats. Unexpectedly, we identified a unique intrinsic property of tau in which auto-acetylation induces proteolytic tau cleavage, thereby generating distinct N- and C-terminal tau fragments. Supporting a catalytic reaction-based mechanism, mapping and mutagenesis studies showed that tau cysteines, which are required for acetyl group transfer, are also essential for auto-proteolytic tau processing. Further mass spectrometry analysis identified the C-terminal 2nd and 4th microtubule binding repeats as potential sites of auto-cleavage. The identification of acetylation-mediated auto-proteolysis provides a new biochemical mechanism for tau self-regulation and warrants further investigation into whether auto-catalytic functions of tau are implicated in AD and other tauopathies.

AC resistance measuring instrument

DOEpatents

Hof, P.J.

1983-10-04

An auto-ranging AC resistance measuring instrument for remote measurement of the resistance of an electrical device or circuit connected to the instrument includes a signal generator which generates an AC excitation signal for application to a load, including the device and the transmission line, a monitoring circuit which provides a digitally encoded signal representing the voltage across the load, and a microprocessor which operates under program control to provide an auto-ranging function by which range resistance is connected in circuit with the load to limit the load voltage to an acceptable range for the instrument, and an auto-compensating function by which compensating capacitance is connected in shunt with the range resistance to compensate for the effects of line capacitance. After the auto-ranging and auto-compensation functions are complete, the microprocessor calculates the resistance of the load from the selected range resistance, the excitation signal, and the load voltage signal, and displays of the measured resistance on a digital display of the instrument. 8 figs.

AC Resistance measuring instrument

DOEpatents

Hof, Peter J.

1983-01-01

An auto-ranging AC resistance measuring instrument for remote measurement of the resistance of an electrical device or circuit connected to the instrument includes a signal generator which generates an AC excitation signal for application to a load, including the device and the transmission line, a monitoring circuit which provides a digitally encoded signal representing the voltage across the load, and a microprocessor which operates under program control to provide an auto-ranging function by which range resistance is connected in circuit with the load to limit the load voltage to an acceptable range for the instrument, and an auto-compensating function by which compensating capacitance is connected in shunt with the range resistance to compensate for the effects of line capacitance. After the auto-ranging and auto-compensation functions are complete, the microprocessor calculates the resistance of the load from the selected range resistance, the excitation signal, and the load voltage signal, and displays of the measured resistance on a digital display of the instrument.

Long-term outcome of patients with multiple [corrected] myeloma-related advanced renal failure following auto-SCT.

PubMed

Glavey, S V; Gertz, M A; Dispenzieri, A; Kumar, S; Buadi, F; Lacy, M; Hayman, S R; Kapoor, P; Dingli, D; McCurdy, A; Hogan, W J; Gastineau, D A; Leung, N

2013-11-01

Renal failure commonly complicates multiple myeloma (MM) and is associated with reduced survival. It is not clear whether auto-SCT results in improved renal function or attainment of independence from dialysis in patients with advanced renal impairment due to MM. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients who underwent auto-SCT for MM complicated by advanced renal failure at our institution over a 10-year period (2000-2010). We aimed to assess the association between auto-SCT and renal outcome in patients with serum creatinine (SCr) over 3 mg/dL, attributable to MM, including those who were dialysis dependent. Thirty patients (2.8% of all auto-SCT patients) met inclusion criteria. Fourteen of 15 patients who were dialysis dependent before auto-SCT remained dialysis dependent in the long term despite hematological response (HR). Of the remaining 15 patients with SCr >3 mg/dL, an improvement in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from 15 to 19.4 mL/min/1.73 m(2) was noted post auto-SCT (P=0.035); however, neither HR post auto-SCT or pre-existing renal function were independently associated with renal outcome. Auto-SCT was not associated with independence from dialysis in patients with renal failure due to MM at our institution. Although auto-SCT was associated with an improvement in GFR in patients with SCr >3 mg/dL, this improvement was not related to HR.

Influence of Plastic Deformation on Martensitic Transformation During Hot Stamping of Complex Structure Auto Parts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Yuhan; Song, Yanli; Hua, Lin; Lu, Jue

2017-04-01

The ultra-high strength steel auto parts manufactured by hot stamping are widely applied for weight reduction and safety improvement. During the hot stamping process, hot forming and quenching are performed in one step wherein plastic deformation and phase transformation simultaneously take place and affect each other. Thereinto, the influence of deformation on martensitic transformation is of great importance. In the present paper, the influence of plastic deformation on martensitic transformation during hot stamping of complex structure auto parts was investigated. For this purpose, a B-pillar reinforced panel in B1500HS steel was manufactured by hot stamping, and the process was simulated by finite element software based on a thermo-mechanical-metallurgical coupled model. Considering various deformation degrees, the microstructures and mechanical properties at four typical locations of the hot stamped B-pillar reinforced panel were detected. The results show that the martensitic content and the microhardness increase with the increase in the deformation amount. There are two reasons causing this phenomenon: (1) the increase in mechanical driving force and (2) the increased probability of the martensitic nucleation at crystal defects. The x-ray diffraction analysis indicates the carbon enrichment in retained austenite which results from the carbon diffusion during the low-carbon martensite formation. Furthermore, the carbon content decreases with the increase in the deformation amount, because the deformation of austenite suppresses the carbon diffusion.

Clinical heterogeneity of diffuse large B cell lymphoma following failure of front-line immunochemotherapy.

PubMed

Farooq, Umar; Maurer, Matthew J; Thompson, Carrie A; Thanarajasingam, Gita; Inwards, David J; Micallef, Ivana; Macon, William; Syrbu, Sergei; Lin, Tasha; Lin, Yi; Ansell, Stephen M; Nowakowski, Grzegorz S; Habermann, Thomas M; Cerhan, James R; Link, Brian K

2017-10-01

This study aimed to describe the patterns of care and outcomes of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) after failure of front line anthracycline-based immunochemotherapy (IC). Patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma were prospectively enrolled in Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER) of the University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic Lymphoma Specialized Program of Research Excellzence. All DLBCL and primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBL) patients treated with front-line anthracycline-based IC were followed for relapse. Patients with relapse on follow-up and subsequently retreated were included in this analysis. 1039 patients received anthracycline-based IC between 2002 and 2012, of which 244 relapsed and were subsequently retreated. Across all therapies, overall survival at 4 years (OS4) from relapse was 28% and 103 patients ultimately underwent autologous haematopoietic cell transplant (autoHCT) with OS4 from autoHCT of 51%. Patients relapsing after 12 months from initial diagnosis had OS4 of 47% but those with a transient or no response to initial therapy had OS4 of only 13%. Outcomes of relapsed or refractory DLBCL differ substantially when categorized by response to initial therapy, timing of relapse and opportunity to undergo autoHCT. The design and interpretation of uncontrolled trials should account for this heterogeneity in patients with relapsed DLBCL. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Relevance of Flow Cytometric Auto-Crossmatch to the Post-transplant Course of Kidney Transplant Recipients.

PubMed

Demir, E; Yeğit, O; Erol, A; Akgül, S U; Çalışkan, B; Bayraktar, A; Çalışkan, Y; Türkmen, A; Savran, F O; Sever, M S

2017-04-01

The crossmatch test is essential prior to kidney transplantation (tx) to confirm compatibility between the donor and the recipient. However, its results can be misleading due to "undetectable antibodies" in the recipient's serum. To establish if undetectable autoantibodies are responsible for a positive result, an auto-crossmatch test can be performed. In this study, we aim to determine the long-term prognostic value of auto-flow cytometric auto-crossmatch (FCXM) test on kidney survival in kidney tx recipients. The primary outcome variable was reduced renal function. Secondary endpoints were incidence of biopsy-confirmed chronic antibody-mediated rejection (CAMR) and recurrent glomerulonephritis (GN). There were no differences regarding initial serum creatinine levels between the study and control groups (P = .441). Patients who had positive auto-B FCXM had a significantly reduced renal function compared with the control group (P = .016). Four patients developed biopsy-confirmed CAMR in the study group and 1 patient in the control group (P = .047). Five patients had biopsy-confirmed recurrent GN in the GN study group, and only 1 patient had recurrent GN in the GN control group (P = .026). Kidney transplant recipients with positive auto-FCXM test had significantly reduced renal function and a higher incidence of recurrent GN and CAMR compared with the control group. The findings of this study suggest a potential role of auto-antibody causing positive auto-FCXM test result, meanwhile increasing the risk of CAMR, recurrent GN, and new-onset diabetes after tx. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Auto-FPFA: An Automated Microscope for Characterizing Genetically Encoded Biosensors.

PubMed

Nguyen, Tuan A; Puhl, Henry L; Pham, An K; Vogel, Steven S

2018-05-09

Genetically encoded biosensors function by linking structural change in a protein construct, typically tagged with one or more fluorescent proteins, to changes in a biological parameter of interest (such as calcium concentration, pH, phosphorylation-state, etc.). Typically, the structural change triggered by alterations in the bio-parameter is monitored as a change in either fluorescent intensity, or lifetime. Potentially, other photo-physical properties of fluorophores, such as fluorescence anisotropy, molecular brightness, concentration, and lateral and/or rotational diffusion could also be used. Furthermore, while it is likely that multiple photo-physical attributes of a biosensor might be altered as a function of the bio-parameter, standard measurements monitor only a single photo-physical trait. This limits how biosensors are designed, as well as the accuracy and interpretation of biosensor measurements. Here we describe the design and construction of an automated multimodal-microscope. This system can autonomously analyze 96 samples in a micro-titer dish and for each sample simultaneously measure intensity (photon count), fluorescence lifetime, time-resolved anisotropy, molecular brightness, lateral diffusion time, and concentration. We characterize the accuracy and precision of this instrument, and then demonstrate its utility by characterizing three types of genetically encoded calcium sensors as well as a negative control.

Influence of temperature on linear stability in buoyancy-driven fingering of reaction-diffusion fronts.

PubMed

Levitán, D; D'Onofrio, A

2012-09-01

A vertical Hele-Shaw cell was used to study the influence of temperature on Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities on reaction-diffusion fronts. The propagation of the chemical front can thus be observed, and experimental results can be obtained via image treatment. A chemical front produced by the coupling between molecular diffusion and the auto-catalysis of the chlorite-tetrathionate reaction, descends through the cell, consuming the reactants below while the product is formed above. Buoyancy-driven instabilities are formed due to the density difference between reactants and products, and the front takes a fingering pattern, whose growth rate has temperature dependence. In this study, the effect of temperature on the linear regime of the instability (that is, when the effects of such instability start to appear) was analyzed. To measure the instability, Fourier transform analysis is performed, in order to obtain the different wave numbers and their power as a function of time. Thus, the growth rate for each wave number and the most unstable wave number is obtained for each of the temperatures under study. Based on repeated experiments, a decrease in the growth rate for the most unstable wave number can be observed with the increase of temperature.

Research on AutoCAD secondary development and function expansion based on VBA technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Runmei; Gu, Yehuan

2017-06-01

AutoCAD is the most widely used drawing tool among the similar design drawing products. In the process of drawing different types of design drawings of the same product, there are a lot of repetitive and single work contents. The traditional manual method uses a drawing software AutoCAD drawing graphics with low efficiency, high error rate and high input cost shortcomings and many more. In order to solve these problems, the design of the parametric drawing system of the hot-rolled I-beam (steel beam) cross-section is completed by using the VBA secondary development tool and the Access database software with large-capacity storage data, and the analysis of the functional extension of the plane drawing and the parametric drawing design in this paper. For the secondary development of AutoCAD functions, the system drawing work will be simplified and work efficiency also has been greatly improved. This introduction of parametric design of AutoCAD drawing system to promote the industrial mass production and related industries economic growth rate similar to the standard I-beam hot-rolled products.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Quorum-sensing of bacteria and its application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Guoliang; Su, Mingxia

2009-12-01

Quorum sensing, or auto induction, as a cell density dependent signaling mechanism in many microorganisms, is triggered via auto inducers which passively diffuse across the bacterial envelope and therefore intracellulaly accumulate only at higher bacterial densities to regulate specialized processes such as genetic competence, bioluminescence, virulence and sporulation. N-acyl homoserine lactones are the most common type of signal molecules. Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food-producing industries, but disease outbreaks caused by pathogenic bacteria are a significant constraint on the development of the sector worldwide. Many of these pathogens have been found to be controlled by their quorum sensing systems. As there is relevance between the pathogenic bacteria's virulence factor expression and their auto inducers, quorum quenching is a new effective anti-infective strategy to control infections caused by bacterial pathogens in aquaculture. The techniques used to do this mainly include the following: (1) the inhibition of signal molecule biosynthesis, (2) blocking signal transduction, and (3) chemical inactivation and biodegradation of signal molecules. To provide a basis for finding alternative means of controlling aquatic diseases by quorum quenching instead of treatment by antibiotics and disinfectants, we will discuss the examination, purification and identification of auto inducers in this paper.

An asymptotic theory for cross-correlation between auto-correlated sequences and its application on neuroimaging data.

PubMed

Zhou, Yunyi; Tao, Chenyang; Lu, Wenlian; Feng, Jianfeng

2018-04-20

Functional connectivity is among the most important tools to study brain. The correlation coefficient, between time series of different brain areas, is the most popular method to quantify functional connectivity. Correlation coefficient in practical use assumes the data to be temporally independent. However, the time series data of brain can manifest significant temporal auto-correlation. A widely applicable method is proposed for correcting temporal auto-correlation. We considered two types of time series models: (1) auto-regressive-moving-average model, (2) nonlinear dynamical system model with noisy fluctuations, and derived their respective asymptotic distributions of correlation coefficient. These two types of models are most commonly used in neuroscience studies. We show the respective asymptotic distributions share a unified expression. We have verified the validity of our method, and shown our method exhibited sufficient statistical power for detecting true correlation on numerical experiments. Employing our method on real dataset yields more robust functional network and higher classification accuracy than conventional methods. Our method robustly controls the type I error while maintaining sufficient statistical power for detecting true correlation in numerical experiments, where existing methods measuring association (linear and nonlinear) fail. In this work, we proposed a widely applicable approach for correcting the effect of temporal auto-correlation on functional connectivity. Empirical results favor the use of our method in functional network analysis. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Production of functional sperm by subcutaneous auto-grafting of immature testes in rainbow trout.

PubMed

Hayashi, Makoto; Sakuma, Daika; Yoshizaki, Goro

2018-02-01

Sexually mature individuals are indispensable for breeding programs. Salmonids require a long period before reaching sexual maturity, so we aimed to shorten the period required to obtain functional sperm by grafting immature testicular fragments into mature recipients, which we predicted would allow the grafted testicular fragments to skip the long pre-pubertal period. First, we demonstrated successful subcutaneous auto-grafting of testicular fragments in rainbow trout. Unilateral testectomy was performed, and the isolated immature testicular fragment was auto-grafted into the subcutaneous space along the back of recipient fish. The grafted testicular fragments developed synchronously with the recipients' testis remaining in its body cavity, and both eventually produced functional sperm. Next, immature testicular fragments were auto-grafted into the subcutaneous space of sexually mature males. We achieved this, without immune rejection, by isolating and cryopreserving testes from immature fish, and rearing these unilaterally testectomized fish until sexual maturity. The cryopreserved testes were then auto-grafted into the original, now spermiating fish. The grated immature testicular fragments differentiated and produced functional sperm within 5 months after grafting. By combining this grafting method with a technique to avoid immune rejection, we expect to develop a practical method for producing sperm in a shorter period in salmonids. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

75 FR 48395 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, LLC; Notice of Filing and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-10

... Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to adopt changes to its crossing mechanisms to adopt an auto... proposal is to add step-up-and-match functionality (the ``auto-match feature'') to both mechanisms for an...-side order specifies the auction start price. With the auto-match feature, the contra-side order will...

Ion and impurity transport in turbulent, anisotropic magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Negrea, M.; Petrisor, I.; Isliker, H.; Vogiannou, A.; Vlahos, L.; Weyssow, B.

2011-08-01

We investigate ion and impurity transport in turbulent, possibly anisotropic, magnetic fields. The turbulent magnetic field is modeled as a correlated stochastic field, with Gaussian distribution function and prescribed spatial auto-correlation function, superimposed onto a strong background field. The (running) diffusion coefficients of ions are determined in the three-dimensional environment, using two alternative methods, the semi-analytical decorrelation trajectory (DCT) method, and test-particle simulations. In a first step, the results of the test-particle simulations are compared with and used to validate the results obtained from the DCT method. For this purpose, a drift approximation was made in slab geometry, and relatively good qualitative agreement between the DCT method and the test-particle simulations was found. In a second step, the ion species He, Be, Ne and W, all assumed to be fully ionized, are considered under ITER-like conditions, and the scaling of their diffusivities is determined with respect to varying levels of turbulence (varying Kubo number), varying degrees of anisotropy of the turbulent structures and atomic number. In a third step, the test-particle simulations are repeated without drift approximation, directly using the Lorentz force, first in slab geometry, in order to assess the finite Larmor radius effects, and second in toroidal geometry, to account for the geometric effects. It is found that both effects are important, most prominently the effects due to toroidal geometry and the diffusivities are overestimated in slab geometry by an order of magnitude.

Method of development of the program of forming of parametrical drawings of details in the AutoCAD software product

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alshakova, E. L.

2017-01-01

The program in the AutoLISP language allows automatically to form parametrical drawings during the work in the AutoCAD software product. Students study development of programs on AutoLISP language with the use of the methodical complex containing methodical instructions in which real examples of creation of images and drawings are realized. Methodical instructions contain reference information necessary for the performance of the offered tasks. The method of step-by-step development of the program is the basis for training in programming on AutoLISP language: the program draws elements of the drawing of a detail by means of definitely created function which values of arguments register in that sequence in which AutoCAD gives out inquiries when performing the corresponding command in the editor. The process of the program design is reduced to the process of step-by-step formation of functions and sequence of their calls. The author considers the development of the AutoLISP program for the creation of parametrical drawings of details, the defined design, the user enters the dimensions of elements of details. These programs generate variants of tasks of the graphic works performed in educational process of "Engineering graphics", "Engineering and computer graphics" disciplines. Individual tasks allow to develop at students skills of independent work in reading and creation of drawings, as well as 3D modeling.

Allogeneic transplantation provides durable remission in a subset of DLBCL patients relapsing after autologous transplantation.

PubMed

Fenske, Timothy S; Ahn, Kwang W; Graff, Tara M; DiGilio, Alyssa; Bashir, Qaiser; Kamble, Rammurti T; Ayala, Ernesto; Bacher, Ulrike; Brammer, Jonathan E; Cairo, Mitchell; Chen, Andy; Chen, Yi-Bin; Chhabra, Saurabh; D'Souza, Anita; Farooq, Umar; Freytes, Cesar; Ganguly, Siddhartha; Hertzberg, Mark; Inwards, David; Jaglowski, Samantha; Kharfan-Dabaja, Mohamed A; Lazarus, Hillard M; Nathan, Sunita; Pawarode, Attaphol; Perales, Miguel-Angel; Reddy, Nishitha; Seo, Sachiko; Sureda, Anna; Smith, Sonali M; Hamadani, Mehdi

2016-07-01

For diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients progressing after autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation (autoHCT), allogeneic HCT (alloHCT) is often considered, although limited information is available to guide patient selection. Using the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) database, we identified 503 patients who underwent alloHCT after disease progression/relapse following a prior autoHCT. The 3-year probabilities of non-relapse mortality, progression/relapse, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 30, 38, 31 and 37% respectively. Factors associated with inferior PFS on multivariate analysis included Karnofsky performance status (KPS) <80, chemoresistance, autoHCT to alloHCT interval <1-year and myeloablative conditioning. Factors associated with worse OS on multivariate analysis included KPS<80, chemoresistance and myeloablative conditioning. Three adverse prognostic factors were used to construct a prognostic model for PFS, including KPS<80 (4 points), autoHCT to alloHCT interval <1-year (2 points) and chemoresistant disease at alloHCT (5 points). This CIBMTR prognostic model classified patients into four groups: low-risk (0 points), intermediate-risk (2-5 points), high-risk (6-9 points) or very high-risk (11 points), predicting 3-year PFS of 40, 32, 11 and 6%, respectively, with 3-year OS probabilities of 43, 39, 19 and 11% respectively. In conclusion, the CIBMTR prognostic model identifies a subgroup of DLBCL patients experiencing long-term survival with alloHCT after a failed prior autoHCT. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

[Lung is also involved in juvenile dermatomyositis].

PubMed

Pouessel, G; Thumerelle, C; Nève, V; Santangelo, T; Flammarion, S; Pruvot, I; Tillie-Leblond, I; Deschildre, A

2014-07-01

Juvenile dermatomyositis is the leading cause of chronic idiopathic inflammatory myopathy of auto-immune origin in children. Lung involvement in inflammatory myopathies is well described in adults, involving mostly interstitial lung disease, aspiration pneumonia and alveolar hypoventilation. We propose to describe its specificities in children. Pulmonary involvement may be asymptomatic and therefore must be systematically screened for. In case of clinical or functional respiratory abnormality, a chest computed tomographic (CT) scan is necessary. In children, a decrease of respiratory muscle strength seems common and should be systematically and specifically searched for by non-invasive and reproducible tests (sniff test). Interstitial lung disease usually associates restrictive functional defect, impairment of carbon monoxide diffusion and interstitial lung disease on CT scan. As in adults, the first-line treatment of juvenile dermatomyositis is based on corticosteroids. Corticosteroid resistant forms require corticosteroid bolus or adjuvant immunosuppressive drugs (methotrexate or cyclosporine). There is no consensus in pediatrics for the treatment of diffuse interstitial lung disease. Complications of treatment, including prolonged steroid therapy, are frequent and therefore a careful assessment of the treatments risk-benefit ratio is necessary, especially in growing children. Copyright © 2014 Société nationale française de médecine interne (SNFMI). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Statistical analysis of trypanosomes' motility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaburdaev, Vasily; Uppaluri, Sravanti; Pfohl, Thomas; Engstler, Markus; Stark, Holger; Friedrich, Rudolf

2010-03-01

Trypanosome is a parasite causing the sleeping sickness. The way it moves in the blood stream and penetrates various obstacles is the area of active research. Our goal was to investigate a free trypanosomes' motion in the planar geometry. Our analysis of trypanosomes' trajectories reveals that there are two correlation times - one is associated with a fast motion of its body and the second one with a slower rotational diffusion of the trypanosome as a point object. We propose a system of Langevin equations to model such motion. One of its peculiarities is the presence of multiplicative noise predicting higher level of noise for higher velocity of the trypanosome. Theoretical and numerical results give a comprehensive description of the experimental data such as the mean squared displacement, velocity distribution and auto-correlation function.

Glassy Behavior due to Kinetic Constraints: from Topological Foam to Backgammon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sherrington, David

A study is reported of a series of simple model systems with only non-interacting Hamiltonians, and hence simple equilibrium thermodynamics, but with constrained kinetics of a type initially suggested by topological considerations of foams and two-dimensional covalent glasses. It is demonstrated that oscopic dynamical features characteristic of real glasses, such as two-time decays in energy and auto-correlation functions, arise and may be understood in terms of annihilation-diffusion concepts and theory. This recognition leads to a sequence of further models which (i) encapsulate the essense but are more readily simulated and open to easier analytic study, and (ii) allow generalization and extension to higher dimension. Fluctuation-dissipation relations are also considered and show novel aspects. The comparison is with strong glasses.

Total Pancreatectomy and Islet Auto-Transplantation in Children for Chronic Pancreatitis. Indication, Surgical Techniques, Post Operative Management and Long-Term Outcomes

PubMed Central

Chinnakotla, Srinath; Bellin, Melena D.; Schwarzenberg, Sarah J.; Radosevich, David M.; Cook, Marie; Dunn, Ty B.; Beilman, Gregory J.; Freeman, Martin L.; Balamurugan, A.N.; Wilhelm, Josh; Bland, Barbara; Jimenez-Vega, Jose M; Hering, Bernhard J.; Vickers, Selwyn M.; Pruett, Timothy L.; Sutherland, David E.R.

2014-01-01

Objective Describe the surgical technique, complications and long term outcomes of total pancreatectomy and islet auto transplantation (TP-IAT) in a large series of pediatric patients. Summary Background Data Surgical management of childhood pancreatitis is not clear; partial resection or drainage procedures often provide transient pain relief, but long term recurrence is common due to the diffuse involvement of the pancreas. Total pancreatectomy (TP) removes the source of the pain, while islet auto transplantation (IAT) potentially can prevent or minimize TP-related diabetes. Methods Retrospective review of 75 children undergoing TP-IAT for chronic pancreatitis who had failed medical, endoscopic or surgical treatment between 1989–2012. Results Pancreatitis pain and the severity of pain statistically improved in 90% of patients after TP-IAT (p =<0.001). The relief from narcotics was sustained. Of the 75 patients undergoing TP-IAT, 31 (41.3%) achieved insulin independence. Younger age (p=0.032), lack of prior Puestow (p=0.018), lower body surface area (p=0.048), IEQ per Kg Body Weight (p=0.001) and total IEQ (100,000) (0.004) were associated with insulin independence. By multivariate analysis, 3 factors were associated with insulin independence after TP-IAT:(1) male gender, (2) lower body surface area and the (3) higher total IEQ per kilogram body weight. Total IEQ (100,000) was the single factor most strongly associated with insulin independence (OR = 2.62; p value < 0.001). Conclusions TP-IAT provides sustained pain relief and improved quality of life. The β cell function is dependent on islet yield. TP-IAT is an effective therapy for children with painful pancreatitis that fail medical and or endoscopic management PMID:24509206

A novel magnetic resonance imaging segmentation technique for determining diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma tumor volume.

PubMed

Singh, Ranjodh; Zhou, Zhiping; Tisnado, Jamie; Haque, Sofia; Peck, Kyung K; Young, Robert J; Tsiouris, Apostolos John; Thakur, Sunitha B; Souweidane, Mark M

2016-11-01

OBJECTIVE Accurately determining diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) tumor volume is clinically important. The aims of the current study were to 1) measure DIPG volumes using methods that require different degrees of subjective judgment; and 2) evaluate interobserver agreement of measurements made using these methods. METHODS Eight patients from a Phase I clinical trial testing convection-enhanced delivery (CED) of a therapeutic antibody were included in the study. Pre-CED, post-radiation therapy axial T2-weighted images were analyzed using 2 methods requiring high degrees of subjective judgment (picture archiving and communication system [PACS] polygon and Volume Viewer auto-contour methods) and 1 method requiring a low degree of subjective judgment (k-means clustering segmentation) to determine tumor volumes. Lin's concordance correlation coefficients (CCCs) were calculated to assess interobserver agreement. RESULTS The CCCs of measurements made by 2 observers with the PACS polygon and the Volume Viewer auto-contour methods were 0.9465 (lower 1-sided 95% confidence limit 0.8472) and 0.7514 (lower 1-sided 95% confidence limit 0.3143), respectively. Both were considered poor agreement. The CCC of measurements made using k-means clustering segmentation was 0.9938 (lower 1-sided 95% confidence limit 0.9772), which was considered substantial strength of agreement. CONCLUSIONS The poor interobserver agreement of PACS polygon and Volume Viewer auto-contour methods highlighted the difficulty in consistently measuring DIPG tumor volumes using methods requiring high degrees of subjective judgment. k-means clustering segmentation, which requires a low degree of subjective judgment, showed better interobserver agreement and produced tumor volumes with delineated borders.

Principal Components of Recurrence Quantification Analysis of EMG

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-10-25

Springer, 1981, pp. 366-381. 4. M. Fraser and H. L. Swinney, “ Independent coordinates for strange attractors from mutual information ,” Phys. Rev. A...autocorrelation function of s(n), although it has also been argued that the first local minimum of the auto mutual information function is more appropriate [4...recordings from a given subject. T was taken as the lag corresponding to the first minimum of the auto mutual information function, calculated as

WE-G-BRD-07: Automated MR Image Standardization and Auto-Contouring Strategy for MRI-Based Adaptive Brachytherapy for Cervix Cancer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Saleh, H Al; Erickson, B; Paulson, E

Purpose: MRI-based adaptive brachytherapy (ABT) is an emerging treatment modality for patients with gynecological tumors. However, MR image intensity non-uniformities (IINU) can vary from fraction to fraction, complicating image interpretation and auto-contouring accuracy. We demonstrate here an automated MR image standardization and auto-contouring strategy for MRI-based ABT of cervix cancer. Methods: MR image standardization consisted of: 1) IINU correction using the MNI N3 algorithm, 2) noise filtering using anisotropic diffusion, and 3) signal intensity normalization using the volumetric median. This post-processing chain was implemented as a series of custom Matlab and Java extensions in MIM (v6.4.5, MIM Software) and wasmore » applied to 3D T2 SPACE images of six patients undergoing MRI-based ABT at 3T. Coefficients of variation (CV=σ/µ) were calculated for both original and standardized images and compared using Mann-Whitney tests. Patient-specific cumulative MR atlases of bladder, rectum, and sigmoid contours were constructed throughout ABT, using original and standardized MR images from all previous ABT fractions. Auto-contouring was performed in MIM two ways: 1) best-match of one atlas image to the daily MR image, 2) multi-match of all previous fraction atlas images to the daily MR image. Dice’s Similarity Coefficients (DSCs) were calculated for auto-generated contours relative to reference contours for both original and standardized MR images and compared using Mann-Whitney tests. Results: Significant improvements in CV were detected following MR image standardization (p=0.0043), demonstrating an improvement in MR image uniformity. DSCs consistently increased for auto-contoured bladder, rectum, and sigmoid following MR image standardization, with the highest DSCs detected when the combination of MR image standardization and multi-match cumulative atlas-based auto-contouring was utilized. Conclusion: MR image standardization significantly improves MR image uniformity. The combination of MR image standardization and multi-match cumulative atlas-based auto-contouring produced the highest DSCs and is a promising strategy for MRI-based ABT for cervix cancer.« less

A cross-correlation study of the Fermi-LAT γ-ray diffuse extragalactic signal

DOE PAGES

Xia, Jun -Qing; Cuoco, Alessandro; Branchini, Enzo; ...

2011-09-12

In this work, starting from 21 months of data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT), we derive maps of the residual isotropic γ-ray emission, a relevant fraction of which is expected to be contributed by the extragalactic diffuse γ-ray background (EGB). We search for the auto-correlation signals in the above γ-ray maps and for the cross-correlation signal with the angular distribution of different classes of objects that trace the large-scale structure of the Universe. We compute the angular two-point auto-correlation function of the residual Fermi-LAT maps at energies E > 1 GeV, E > 3 GeV and E >more » 30 GeV well above the Galactic plane and find no significant correlation signal. This is, indeed, what is expected if the EGB were contributed by BL Lacertae (BLLacs), Flat Spectrum Radio Quasars (FSRQs) or star-forming galaxies, since, in this case, the predicted signal is very weak. Then, we search for the Integrated Sachs–Wolfe (ISW) signature by cross-correlating the Fermi-LAT maps with the 7-year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe ( WMAP7) cosmic microwave background map. We find a cross-correlation consistent with zero, even though the expected signal is larger than that of the EGB auto-correlation. Lastly, in an attempt to constrain the nature of the γ-ray background, we cross-correlate the Fermi-LAT maps with the angular distributions of objects that may contribute to the EGB: quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 6 (SDSS-DR6) catalogue, NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) galaxies, Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) galaxies and Luminous Red Galaxies (LRGs) in the SDSS catalogue. The cross-correlation is always consistent with zero, in agreement with theoretical expectations, but we find (with low statistical significance) some interesting features that may indicate that some specific classes of objects contribute to the EGB. A χ 2 analysis confirms that the correlation properties of the 21-month data do not provide strong constraints of the EGB origin. However, the results suggest that the situation will significantly improve with the 5- and 10-yr Fermi-LAT data. In future, the EGB analysis will then allow placing significant constraints on the nature of the EGB and might provide, in addition, a detection of the ISW signal.« less

A novel method for intelligent fault diagnosis of rolling bearings using ensemble deep auto-encoders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Haidong; Jiang, Hongkai; Lin, Ying; Li, Xingqiu

2018-03-01

Automatic and accurate identification of rolling bearings fault categories, especially for the fault severities and fault orientations, is still a major challenge in rotating machinery fault diagnosis. In this paper, a novel method called ensemble deep auto-encoders (EDAEs) is proposed for intelligent fault diagnosis of rolling bearings. Firstly, different activation functions are employed as the hidden functions to design a series of auto-encoders (AEs) with different characteristics. Secondly, EDAEs are constructed with various auto-encoders for unsupervised feature learning from the measured vibration signals. Finally, a combination strategy is designed to ensure accurate and stable diagnosis results. The proposed method is applied to analyze the experimental bearing vibration signals. The results confirm that the proposed method can get rid of the dependence on manual feature extraction and overcome the limitations of individual deep learning models, which is more effective than the existing intelligent diagnosis methods.

Temperature dependent structural and dynamical properties of liquid Cu80Si20 binary alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suthar, P. H.; Shah, A. K.; Gajjar, P. N.

2018-05-01

Ashcroft and Langreth binary structure factor have been used to study for pair correlation function and the study of dynamical variable: velocity auto correlation functions, power spectrum and mean square displacement calculated based on the static harmonic well approximation in liquid Cu80Si20 binary alloy at wide temperature range (1140K, 1175K, 1210K, 1250K, 1373K, 1473K.). The effective interaction for the binary alloy is computed by our well established local pseudopotential along with the exchange and correction functions Sarkar et al(S). The negative dip in velocity auto correlation decreases as the various temperature is increases. For power spectrum as temperature increases, the peak of power spectrum shifts toward lower ω. Good agreement with the experiment is observed for the pair correlation functions. Velocity auto correlation showing the transferability of the local pseudopotential used for metallic liquid environment in the case of copper based binary alloys.

Autonomous Formation Flying from Ground to Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chapman, Keith B.; Dell, Gregory T.; Rosenberg, Duane L.; Bristow, John

1999-01-01

The cost of on-orbit operations remains a significant and increasingly visible concern in the support of satellite missions. Headway has been made in automating some ground operations; however, increased mission complexity and more precise orbital constraints have compelled continuing human involvement in mission design and maneuver planning operations. AI Solutions, Inc. in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has tackled these more complex problems through the development of AutoCon as a tool for an automated solution. NASA is using AutoCon to automate the maneuver planning for the Earth Orbiter-1 (EO-1) mission. AutoCon was developed originally as a ground system tool. The EO-1 mission will be using a scaled version of AutoCon on-board the EO-1 satellite to command orbit adjustment maneuvers. The flight version of AutoCon plans maneuvers based on formation flying algorithms developed by GSFC, JPL, and other industry partners. In its fully autonomous mode, an AutoCon planned maneuver will be executed on-board the satellite without intervention from the ground. This paper describes how AutoCon automates maneuver planning for the formation flying constraints of the EO-1 mission. AutoCon was modified in a number of ways to automate the maneuver planning on-board the satellite. This paper describes how the interface and functionality of AutoCon were modified to support the on-board system. A significant component of this modification was the implementation of a data smoother, based on a Kalman filter, that ensures that the spacecraft states estimated by an on-board GPS receiver are as accurate as possible for maneuver planning. This paper also presents the methodology use to scale the AutoCon functionality to fit and execute on the flight hardware. This paper also presents the modes built that allow the incremental phasing in of autonomy. New technologies for autonomous operations are usually received with significant, and probably appropriate trepidation. A number of safeguards have been designed in both AutoCon and the interfacing systems to alleviate the potential of mission-impacting anomalies from the on-board autonomous system. This paper describes the error checking, input data integrity validation and limits set on maneuvers in AutoCon and the on-board system.

Autonomous Formation Flying from the Ground to Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chapman, Keith B.; Dell, Gregory T.; Rosenberg, Duane L.; Bristow, John

1999-01-01

The cost of on-orbit operations remains a significant and increasingly visible concern in the support of satellite missions. Headway has been made in automating some ground operations; however, increased mission complexity and more precise orbital constraints have compelled continuing human involvement in mission design and maneuver planning operations. AI Solutions, Inc. in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has tackled these more complex problems through the development of AutoCon(TM) as a tool for an automated solution. NASA is using AutoCon(TM) to automate the maneuver planning for the Earth Orbiter-1 (EO-1) mission. AutoCon(TM) was developed originally as a ground system tool. The EO-1 mission will be using a scaled version of AutoCon(TM) on-board the EO-1 satellite to command orbit adjustment maneuvers. The flight version of AutoCon(TM) plans maneuvers based on formation flying algorithms developed by GSFC, JPL, and other industry partners. In its fully autonomous mode, an AutoCon(TM) planned maneuver will be executed on-board the satellite without intervention from the ground. This paper describes how AutoCon(TM) automates maneuver planning for the formation flying constraints of the EO-1 mission. AutoCon(TM) was modified in a number of ways to automate the maneuver planning on-board the satellite. This paper describes how the interface and functionality of AutoCon(TM) were modified to support the on-board system. A significant component of this modification was the implementation of a data smoother, based on a Kalman filter, that ensures that the spacecraft states estimated by an on-board GPS receiver are as accurate as possible for maneuver planning. This paper also presents the methodology used to scale the AutoCon(TM) functionality to fit and execute on the flight hardware. This paper also presents the modes built into the system that allow the incremental phasing in of autonomy. New technologies for autonomous operations are usually received with significant, and probably appropriate, trepidation. A number of safeguards have been designed in both AutoCon(TM) and the interfacing systems to alleviate the potential of mission-impacting anomalies from the on-board autonomous system. This paper describes the error checking, input data integrity validation, and limits set on maneuvers in AutoCon(TM) and the on-board system.

Polymer Coatings Degradation Properties

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-02-01

undertaken 124). The Box-Jenkins approach first evaluates the partial auto -correlation function and determines the order of the moving average memory function...78 - Tables 15 and 16 show the resalit- f- a, the partial auto correlation plots. Second order moving .-. "ra ;;th -he appropriate lags were...coated films. Kaempf, Guenter; Papenroth, Wolfgang; Kunststoffe Date: 1982 Volume: 72 Number:7 Pages: 424-429 Parameters influencing the accelerated

Diffusion and ADC-map images detect ongoing demyelination on subcortical white matter in an adult metachromatic leukodystrophy patient with autoimmune Hashimoto thyroiditis

PubMed Central

Miura, Akiko; Kumabe, Yuri; Kimura, En; Yamashita, Satoshi; Ueda, Akihiko; Hirano, Teruyuki; Uchino, Makoto

2010-01-01

Adult-onset metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) often shows schizophrenia- or encephalopathy-like symptoms at an early stage, such as behavioural abnormalities, cognitive impairment, mood disorders and hallucinations. The authors report the case of an adult woman with MLD who had been given antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia. In the differential diagnosis, screening of auto-antibodies was important for ruling out other encephalopathies as she had a euthyroid Hashimoto thyroiditis. Diagnosis was based the results of MRI, nerve conduction velocity, sensory evoked potential, motor evoked potential, lysosomal enzyme activity and gene analysis studies. Brain MRI showed diffuse demyelination spreading from the deep white matter to subcortical area as high signals at the edges of these lesions in diffusion and apparent diffusion coefficient-map images with the U-fibres conserved. The authors diagnosed adult-onset MLD coexisting with euthyroid autoimmune Hashimoto thyroiditis. PMID:22798296

AutoDockFR: Advances in Protein-Ligand Docking with Explicitly Specified Binding Site Flexibility

PubMed Central

Ravindranath, Pradeep Anand; Forli, Stefano; Goodsell, David S.; Olson, Arthur J.; Sanner, Michel F.

2015-01-01

Automated docking of drug-like molecules into receptors is an essential tool in structure-based drug design. While modeling receptor flexibility is important for correctly predicting ligand binding, it still remains challenging. This work focuses on an approach in which receptor flexibility is modeled by explicitly specifying a set of receptor side-chains a-priori. The challenges of this approach include the: 1) exponential growth of the search space, demanding more efficient search methods; and 2) increased number of false positives, calling for scoring functions tailored for flexible receptor docking. We present AutoDockFR–AutoDock for Flexible Receptors (ADFR), a new docking engine based on the AutoDock4 scoring function, which addresses the aforementioned challenges with a new Genetic Algorithm (GA) and customized scoring function. We validate ADFR using the Astex Diverse Set, demonstrating an increase in efficiency and reliability of its GA over the one implemented in AutoDock4. We demonstrate greatly increased success rates when cross-docking ligands into apo receptors that require side-chain conformational changes for ligand binding. These cross-docking experiments are based on two datasets: 1) SEQ17 –a receptor diversity set containing 17 pairs of apo-holo structures; and 2) CDK2 –a ligand diversity set composed of one CDK2 apo structure and 52 known bound inhibitors. We show that, when cross-docking ligands into the apo conformation of the receptors with up to 14 flexible side-chains, ADFR reports more correctly cross-docked ligands than AutoDock Vina on both datasets with solutions found for 70.6% vs. 35.3% systems on SEQ17, and 76.9% vs. 61.5% on CDK2. ADFR also outperforms AutoDock Vina in number of top ranking solutions on both datasets. Furthermore, we show that correctly docked CDK2 complexes re-create on average 79.8% of all pairwise atomic interactions between the ligand and moving receptor atoms in the holo complexes. Finally, we show that down-weighting the receptor internal energy improves the ranking of correctly docked poses and that runtime for AutoDockFR scales linearly when side-chain flexibility is added. PMID:26629955

Auto-fusion and the shaping of neurons and tubes

PubMed Central

Soulavie, Fabien; Sundaram, Meera V.

2016-01-01

Cells adopt specific shapes that are necessary for specific functions. For example, some neurons extend elaborate arborized dendrites that can contact multiple targets. Epithelial and endothelial cells can form tiny seamless unicellular tubes with an intracellular lumen. Recent advances showed that cells can auto-fuse to acquire those specific shapes. During auto-fusion, a cell merges two parts of its own plasma membrane. In contrast to cell-cell fusion or macropinocytic fission, which result in the merging or formation of two separate membrane bound compartments, auto-fusion preserves one compartment, but changes its shape. The discovery of auto-fusion in C. elegans was enabled by identification of specific protein fusogens, EFF-1 and AFF-1, that mediate cell-cell fusion. Phenotypic characterization of eff-1 and aff-1 mutants revealed that fusogen-mediated fusion of two parts of the same cell can be used to sculpt dendritic arbors, reconnect two parts of an axon after injury, or form a hollow unicellular tube. Similar auto-fusion events recently were detected in vertebrate cells, suggesting that auto-fusion could be a widely used mechanism for shaping neurons and tubes. PMID:27436685

Accuracy of two root canal length measurement devices integrated into rotary endodontic motors when removing gutta-percha from root-filled teeth.

PubMed

Uzun, O; Topuz, O; Tinaz, C; Nekoofar, M H; Dummer, P M H

2008-09-01

To evaluate ex vivo the accuracy of the integrated electronic root canal length measurement devices within TCM Endo V and Tri Auto ZX motors whilst removing gutta-percha and sealer from filled root canals. Forty freshly extracted maxillary and mandibular incisor teeth with mature apices were selected. Following access cavity preparation, the length of the root canals were measured visually 0.5 mm short of the major foramen (TL). The canals were prepared using the HERO 642 system and then filled with gutta-percha and AH26 sealer using a lateral compaction technique. After 7 days the coronal temporary filling was removed and the roots mounted in an alginate experimental model. The roots were then randomly divided in two groups. The access cavities were filled with chloroform to soften the gutta-percha and allow its penetration using the Tri Auto ZX and the TCM Endo V devices in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The 'automatic apical reverse function' (ARL) of both devices was set to start at the 0.5 setting and the rotary instrument inserted inside the root canal until a beeping sound was heard and the rotation of the file stopped automatically. Once the auto reverse function had been initiated, the foot pedal of the motor was inactivated and the rubber stop placed against the reference point. The distance between the file tip and rubber stop was measured using a digital calliper to 0.01 mm accuracy (ARL). Then, a size 20, 0.02 taper instrument was attached to each device and inserted into the root canals without rotary motion until the integrated ERCLMDs positioned the instrument tips at the 0.5 setting as suggested by the devices. This length was again measured using a digital calliper (EL). The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to investigate statistical differences between the true canal length and those indicated by the two devices when used in 'automatic ARL and when inserted passively (EL). In the presence of gutta-percha, sealer and chloroform, the auto-reverse function for the Tri Auto ZX and TCM Endo V, set to start at 0.5 level, was initiated beyond the foramen in 60% and 95% of the samples, respectively during active (rotary) penetration of the instruments. There was a statistically significant difference between the devices for the mean discrepancies between the length at which the auto reverse function was initiated and the true length (P < 0.001). Electronic detection of the apical terminus when the instruments were introduced passively (not rotating) was beyond the foramen in 20% and 37% of cases in the Tri Auto ZX group and the TCM Endo V group, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the devices for the mean discrepancies between the electronically determined (passive) length and true length (P < 0.01). The auto reverse function of the Tri Auto ZX and TCM Endo V devices, set to start at 0.5 level, were initiated beyond the foramen in the majority of root-filled teeth during active (rotating) penetration of root filling material. Thus, this automatic function must be used with caution when removing gutta-percha root fillings. There were significant differences between the accuracy of measurements in active (rotating) and passive (not-rotating) modes; both devices were more accurate when used in passive mode. However, the Tri Auto ZX was significantly more accurate in a greater proportion of cases.

C-H Activation and Alkyne Annulation via Automatic or Intrinsic Directing Groups: Towards High Step Economy.

PubMed

Zheng, Liyao; Hua, Ruimao

2018-06-01

Direct transformation of carbon-hydrogen bond (C-H) has emerged to be a trend for construction of molecules from building blocks with no or less prefunctionalization, leading high atom and step economy. Directing group (DG) strategy is widely used to achieve higher reactivity and selectivity, but additional steps are usually needed for installation and/or cleavage of DGs, limiting step economy of the overall transformation. To meet this challenge, we proposed a concept of automatic DG (DG auto ), which is auto-installed and/or auto-cleavable. Multifunctional oxime and hydrazone DG auto were designed for C-H activation and alkyne annulation to furnish diverse nitrogen-containing heterocycles. Imidazole was employed as an intrinsic DG (DG in ) to synthesize ring-fused and π-extended functional molecules. The alkyne group in the substrates can also be served as DG in for ortho-C-H activation to afford carbocycles. In this account, we intend to give a review of our progress in this area and brief introduction of other related advances on C-H functionalization using DG auto or DG in strategies. © 2018 The Chemical Society of Japan & Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Item Response Theory analysis of the Autonomy over Tobacco Scale (AUTOS).

PubMed

Wellman, Robert J; Edelen, Maria Orlando; DiFranza, Joseph R

2015-06-01

The Autonomy over Tobacco Scale (AUTOS) is composed of 12-symptoms of nicotine dependence. While it has demonstrated excellent reliability and validity, several psychometric properties have yet to be investigated. We aimed to determine (1) whether items functioned differently across demographic groups, (2) the likelihood that individual symptoms would be endorsed by smokers at different levels of diminished autonomy, and (3) the degree of information provided by each item and the reliability of the full AUTOS across the range of diminished autonomy. Data for this study come from two convenience samples of American adult current smokers (n=777; 69% female; 88% white; Mage=34 years, range: 18-78), of whom 66% were daily smokers (Mcigarettes/smoking day=10.1, range: <1-70). Participants completed the AUTOS online as part of "a research study about the experiences people have when they smoke." After p value correction, items remained invariant across sex and minority status, while two items functioned differently according to age, with minimal impact on the total AUTOS score. Discriminative power of the items was high. The greatest amount of information is provided at just under one-half SD above the mean and the least at the extremes of diminished autonomy. The AUTOS maintains acceptable reliability (>0.70) across the range of diminished autonomy within which more than 95% of smokers' scores could be anticipated to fall. The AUTOS is a versatile and psychometrically sound instrument for measuring the loss of autonomy over tobacco use. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Female Infertility and Serum Auto-antibodies: a Systematic Review.

PubMed

Deroux, Alban; Dumestre-Perard, Chantal; Dunand-Faure, Camille; Bouillet, Laurence; Hoffmann, Pascale

2017-08-01

On average, 10 % of infertile couples have unexplained infertility. Auto-immune disease (systemic lupus erythematosus, anti-phospholipid syndrome) accounts for a part of these cases. In the last 20 years, aspecific auto-immunity, defined as positivity of auto-antibodies in blood sample without clinical or biological criteria for defined diseases, has been evoked in a subpopulation of infertile women. A systematic review was performed (PUBMED) using the MESH search terms "infertility" and "auto-immunity" or "reproductive technique" or "assisted reproduction" or "in vitro fertilization" and "auto-immunity." We retained clinical and physiopathological studies that were applicable to the clinician in assuming joint management of both infertility associated with serum auto-antibodies in women. Thyroid auto-immunity which affects thyroid function could be a cause of infertility; even in euthyroidia, the presence of anti-thyroperoxydase antibodies and/or thyroglobulin are related to infertility. The presence of anti-phospholipid (APL) and/or anti-nuclear (ANA) antibodies seems to be more frequent in the population of infertile women; serum auto-antibodies are associated with early ovarian failure, itself responsible for fertility disorders. However, there exist few publications on this topic. The methods of dosage, as well as the clinical criteria of unexplained infertility deserve to be standardized to allow a precise response to the question of the role of serum auto-antibodies in these women. The direct pathogenesis of this auto-immunity is unknown, but therapeutic immunomodulators, prescribed on a case-by-case basis, could favor pregnancy even in cases of unexplained primary or secondary infertility.

Effects of Granular Control on Customers’ Perspective and Behavior with Automated Demand Response Systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schetrit, Oren; Kim, Joyce; Yin, Rongxin

2014-08-01

Automated demand response (Auto-DR) is expected to close the loop between buildings and the grid by providing machine-to-machine communications to curtail loads without the need for human intervention. Hence, it can offer more reliable and repeatable demand response results to the grid than the manual approach and make demand response participation a hassle-free experience for customers. However, many building operators misunderstand Auto-DR and are afraid of losing control over their building operation. To ease the transition from manual to Auto-DR, we designed and implemented granular control of Auto-DR systems so that building operators could modify or opt out of individualmore » load-shed strategies whenever they wanted. This paper reports the research findings from this effort demonstrated through a field study in large commercial buildings located in New York City. We focused on (1) understanding how providing granular control affects building operators’ perspective on Auto-DR, and (2) evaluating the usefulness of granular control by examining their interaction with the Auto-DR user interface during test events. Through trend log analysis, interviews, and surveys, we found that: (1) the opt-out capability during Auto-DR events can remove the feeling of being forced into load curtailments and increase their willingness to adopt Auto-DR; (2) being able to modify individual load-shed strategies allows flexible Auto-DR participation that meets the building’s changing operational requirements; (3) a clear display of automation strategies helps building operators easily identify how Auto-DR is functioning and can build trust in Auto-DR systems.« less

A novel magnetic resonance imaging segmentation technique for determining diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma tumor volume

PubMed Central

Singh, Ranjodh; Zhou, Zhiping; Tisnado, Jamie; Haque, Sofia; Peck, Kyung K.; Young, Robert J.; Tsiouris, Apostolos John; Thakur, Sunitha B.; Souweidane, Mark M.

2017-01-01

OBJECTIVE Accurately determining diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) tumor volume is clinically important. The aims of the current study were to 1) measure DIPG volumes using methods that require different degrees of subjective judgment; and 2) evaluate interobserver agreement of measurements made using these methods. METHODS Eight patients from a Phase I clinical trial testing convection-enhanced delivery (CED) of a therapeutic antibody were included in the study. Pre-CED, post–radiation therapy axial T2-weighted images were analyzed using 2 methods requiring high degrees of subjective judgment (picture archiving and communication system [PACS] polygon and Volume Viewer auto-contour methods) and 1 method requiring a low degree of subjective judgment (k-means clustering segmentation) to determine tumor volumes. Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients (CCCs) were calculated to assess interobserver agreement. RESULTS The CCCs of measurements made by 2 observers with the PACS polygon and the Volume Viewer auto-contour methods were 0.9465 (lower 1-sided 95% confidence limit 0.8472) and 0.7514 (lower 1-sided 95% confidence limit 0.3143), respectively. Both were considered poor agreement. The CCC of measurements made using k-means clustering segmentation was 0.9938 (lower 1-sided 95% confidence limit 0.9772), which was considered substantial strength of agreement. CONCLUSIONS The poor interobserver agreement of PACS polygon and Volume Viewer auto-contour methods high-lighted the difficulty in consistently measuring DIPG tumor volumes using methods requiring high degrees of subjective judgment. k-means clustering segmentation, which requires a low degree of subjective judgment, showed better interob-server agreement and produced tumor volumes with delineated borders. PMID:27391980

Fermi-Pasta-Ulam auto recurrence in the description of the electrical activity of the heart.

PubMed

Novopashin, M A; Shmid, A V; Berezin, A A

2017-04-01

The authors proposed and mathematically described model of a new type of the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam recurrence (the FPU auto recurrence) and hypothesized an adequate description of the heart's electrical dynamics within the observed phenomenon. The dynamics of the FPU auto recurrence making appropriate electrical dynamics of the normal functioning of the heart in the form of an electrocardiogram (ECG) was obtained by a computer model study. The model solutions in the form of the FPU auto recurrence - ECG Fourier spectrum were evaluated for resistance to external disturbances in the form of random effects, as well as periodic perturbation at a frequency close to the heart beating rate of about 1Hz. In addition, in order to simulate the dynamics of myocardial infarction model, studied the effect of the surface area of the myocardium on the stability and shape of the auto recurrence - ECG spectrum. It has been found that the intense external disturbing periodic impacts at a frequency of about 1Hz lead to a sharp disturbance spectrum shape FPU auto recurrence - ECG structure. In addition, the decrease in the surface of the myocardium by 50% in the model led to the destruction of structures of the auto recurrence - ECG, which corresponds to the state of atrial myocardium. Research models have revealed a hypothetical basis of coronary heart disease in the form of increasing the energy of high-frequency harmonics spectrum of the auto recurrence by reducing the energy of low-frequency harmonic spectrum of the auto recurrence, which ultimately leads to a sharp decrease in myocardial contractility. In order to test the hypothesis has been studied more than 20,000 ECGs both healthy people and patients with cardiovascular disease. As a result of these studies, it was found that the dynamics of the electrical activity of normal functioning of the heart can be interpreted by the display of the detected by authors the FPU auto recurrence, and coronary heart disease is a violation of the energy ratio between the low and high frequency harmonics of the FPU auto recurrence Fourier spectrum equal to the ECG spectrum. Thus, the hypothesis has been confirmed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

O-desmethylquinine as a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors using AutoDock Vina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Damayanti, Sophi; Mahardhika, Andhika Bintang; Ibrahim, Slamet; Chong, Wei Lim; Lee, Vannajan Sanghiran; Tjahjono, Daryono Hadi

2014-10-01

Computational approach was employed to evaluate the biological activity of novel cyclooxygenase-2 COX-2 inhibitor, O-desmethylquinine, in comparison to quinine as common inhibitor which can also be used an agent of antipyretic, antimalaria, analgesic and antiinflamation. The molecular models of the compound were constructed and optimized with the density function theory with at the B3LYP/6-31G (d,p) level using Gaussian 09 program. Molecular docking studies of the compounds were done to obtain the COX-2 complex structures and their binding energies were analyzed using the AutoDock Vina. The results of docking of the two ligands were comparable and cannot be differentiated from the energy scoring function with AutoDock Vina.

Phenotypic modulation of auto-reactive cells by insertion of tolerogenic molecules via MSC-derived exosomes.

PubMed

Mokarizadeh, Aram; Delirezh, Nowruz; Morshedi, Ahhmad; Mosayebi, Ghasem; Farshid, Amir-Abbas; Dalir-Naghadeh, Bahram

2012-01-01

Auto-reactive cells-mediated immune responses are responsible for the current tissue damages during autoimmunity. Accordingly, functional modulation of auto-reactive cells has been a pivotal aim in many of recent studies. In the current study, we investigated the possibility for insertion of regulatory molecules onto auto-reactive cells through exosomal nano-shuttles as a novel approach for phenotype modification of auto-reactive cells. The exosomes were isolated from supernatant of mesenchymal stem cells culture. Resultant exosomes co-cultured with lymphocytes were harvested from established EAE mice in the presence of antigenic MOG35-55 peptide. After 24 hr, insertion of exosomal tolerogenic molecules (PD-L1, TGF-β, galectin-1) onto auto-reactive cells were explored through flow cytometry. The potency of exosomal inserted membrane molecules to modulate phenotype of auto-reactive lymphocytes was assessed upon ELISA test for their-derived cytokines IFN-γ and IL-17. Incorporation of exosomal molecules into lymohocytes' membrane was confirmed by flow cytometric analyses for surface levels of mentioned molecules. Additionally, the decreased secretion of IFN-γ and IL-17 were detected in exosome pre-treated lymphocytes upon stimulation with MOG peptide. Mesenchymal stem cells -derived exosomes showed to be efficient organelles for insertion of bioactive tolerogenic molecules onto auto-reactive cells and modulation of their phenotypes.

The Cool Flames Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pearlman, Howard; Chapek, Richard; Neville, Donna; Sheredy, William; Wu, Ming-Shin; Tornabene, Robert

2001-01-01

A space-based experiment is currently under development to study diffusion-controlled, gas-phase, low temperature oxidation reactions, cool flames and auto-ignition in an unstirred, static reactor. At Earth's gravity (1g), natural convection due to self-heating during the course of slow reaction dominates diffusive transport and produces spatio-temporal variations in the thermal and thus species concentration profiles via the Arrhenius temperature dependence of the reaction rates. Natural convection is important in all terrestrial cool flame and auto-ignition studies, except for select low pressure, highly dilute (small temperature excess) studies in small vessels (i.e., small Rayleigh number). On Earth, natural convection occurs when the Rayleigh number (Ra) exceeds a critical value of approximately 600. Typical values of the Ra, associated with cool flames and auto-ignitions, range from 104-105 (or larger), a regime where both natural convection and conduction heat transport are important. When natural convection occurs, it alters the temperature, hydrodynamic, and species concentration fields, thus generating a multi-dimensional field that is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to be modeled analytically. This point has been emphasized recently by Kagan and co-workers who have shown that explosion limits can shift depending on the characteristic length scale associated with the natural convection. Moreover, natural convection in unstirred reactors is never "sufficiently strong to generate a spatially uniform temperature distribution throughout the reacting gas." Thus, an unstirred, nonisothermal reaction on Earth does not reduce to that generated in a mechanically, well-stirred system. Interestingly, however, thermal ignition theories and thermokinetic models neglect natural convection and assume a heat transfer correlation of the form: q=h(S/V)(T(bar) - Tw) where q is the heat loss per unit volume, h is the heat transfer coefficient, S/V is the surface to volume ratio, and (T(bar) - Tw ) is the spatially averaged temperature excess. This Newtonian form has been validated in spatially-uniform, well-stirred reactors, provided the effective heat transfer coefficient associated with the unsteady process is properly evaluated. Unfortunately, it is not a valid assumption for spatially-nonuniform temperature distributions induced by natural convection in unstirred reactors. "This is why the analysis of such a system is so difficult." Historically, the complexities associated with natural convection were perhaps recognized as early as 1938 when thermal ignition theory was first developed. In the 1955 text "Diffusion and Heat Exchange in Chemical Kinetics", Frank-Kamenetskii recognized that "the purely conductive theory can be applied at sufficiently low pressure and small dimensions of the vessel when the influence of natural convection can be disregarded." This was reiterated by Tyler in 1966 and further emphasized by Barnard and Harwood in 1974. Specifically, they state: "It is generally assumed that heat losses are purely conductive. While this may be valid for certain low pressure slow combustion regimes, it is unlikely to be true for the cool flame and ignition regimes." While this statement is true for terrestrial experiments, the purely conductive heat transport assumption is valid at microgravity (mu-g). Specifically, buoyant complexities are suppressed at mu-g and the reaction-diffusion structure associated with low temperature oxidation reactions, cool flames and auto-ignitions can be studied. Without natural convection, the system is simpler, does not require determination of the effective heat transfer coefficient, and is a testbed for analytic and numerical models that assume pure diffusive transport. In addition, mu-g experiments will provide baseline data that will improve our understanding of the effects of natural convection on Earth.

Auto-fusion and the shaping of neurons and tubes.

PubMed

Soulavie, Fabien; Sundaram, Meera V

2016-12-01

Cells adopt specific shapes that are necessary for specific functions. For example, some neurons extend elaborate arborized dendrites that can contact multiple targets. Epithelial and endothelial cells can form tiny seamless unicellular tubes with an intracellular lumen. Recent advances showed that cells can auto-fuse to acquire those specific shapes. During auto-fusion, a cell merges two parts of its own plasma membrane. In contrast to cell-cell fusion or macropinocytic fission, which result in the merging or formation of two separate membrane bound compartments, auto-fusion preserves one compartment, but changes its shape. The discovery of auto-fusion in C. elegans was enabled by identification of specific protein fusogens, EFF-1 and AFF-1, that mediate cell-cell fusion. Phenotypic characterization of eff-1 and aff-1 mutants revealed that fusogen-mediated fusion of two parts of the same cell can be used to sculpt dendritic arbors, reconnect two parts of an axon after injury, or form a hollow unicellular tube. Similar auto-fusion events recently were detected in vertebrate cells, suggesting that auto-fusion could be a widely used mechanism for shaping neurons and tubes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Auto Mechanics. Volume II. Instructional Units.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Armstrong, Ivan J.

To assist teachers and students in understanding the latest concepts and functions of the automobile, this curriculum guide treats both the skills and knowledge necessary for auto mechanics. Developed by an advisory committee of instructors and mechanics in the industry, this manual consists of the following four sections: engine rebuilding;…

Auto Mechanics, Volume 1. Instructional Units.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Armstrong, Ivan J.

To assist teachers and students in understanding the latest concepts and functions of the automobile, this curriculum guide treats both the skills and knowledge necessary for auto mechanics. Developed by an advisory committee of instructors and mechanics in the industry, this manual consists of the following five sections: orientation and safety;…

The Auto-Gopher: A Wireline Rotary-Percussive Deep Sampler

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bar-Cohen, Yoseph; Zacny, Kris; Badescu, Mircea; Lee, Hyeong Jae; Sherrit, Stewart; Bao, Xiaoqi; Paulsen, Gale L.; Beegle, Luther

2016-01-01

Accessing regions on planetary bodies that potentially preserved biosignatures or are presently habitable is vital to meeting NASA solar system "Search for Life" exploration objectives. To address these objectives, a wireline deep rotary-percussive corer called Auto-Gopher was developed. The percussive action provides effective material fracturing and the rotation provides effective cuttings removal. To increase the drill's penetration rate, the percussive and rotary motions are operated simultaneously. Initially, the corer was designed as a percussive mechanism for sampling ice and was demonstrated in 2005 in Antarctica reaching about 2 m deep. The lessons learned suggested the need to use a combination of rotation and hammering to maximize the penetration rate. This lesson was implemented into the Auto-Gopher-I deep drill which was demonstrated to reach 3-meter deep in gypsum. The average drilling power that was used has been in the range of 100-150 Watt, while the penetration rate was approximately 2.4 m/hr. Recently, a task has started with the goal to develop Auto-Gopher-II that is equipped to execute all the necessary functions in a single drilling unit. These functions also include core breaking, retention and ejection in addition drilling. In this manuscript, the Auto-Gopher-II, its predecessors and their capability are described and discussed.

Conformation Change in a Self-recognizing Autotransporter Modulates Bacterial Cell-Cell Interaction*

PubMed Central

Girard, Victoria; Côté, Jean-Philippe; Charbonneau, Marie-Ève; Campos, Manuel; Berthiaume, Frédéric; Hancock, Mark A.; Siddiqui, Nadeem; Mourez, Michael

2010-01-01

Bacteria mostly live as multicellular communities, although they are unicellular organisms, yet the mechanisms that tie individual bacteria together are often poorly understood. The adhesin involved in diffuse adherence (AIDA-I) is an adhesin of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli strains. AIDA-I also mediates bacterial auto-aggregation and biofilm formation and thus could be important for the organization of communities of pathogens. Using purified protein and whole bacteria, we provide direct evidence that AIDA-I promotes auto-aggregation by interacting with itself. Using various biophysical and biochemical techniques, we observed a conformational change in the protein during AIDA-AIDA interactions, strengthening the notion that this is a highly specific interaction. The self-association of AIDA-I is of high affinity but can be modulated by sodium chloride. We observe that a bile salt, sodium deoxycholate, also prevents AIDA-I oligomerization and bacterial auto-aggregation. Thus, we propose that AIDA-I, and most likely other similar autotransporters such as antigen 43 (Ag43) and TibA, organize bacterial communities of pathogens through a self-recognition mechanism that is sensitive to the environment. This could permit bacteria to switch between multicellular and unicellular lifestyles to complete their infection. PMID:20123991

Effect of titanium on the structural and optical property of NiO nano powders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amin, Ruhul; Mishra, Prashant; Khatun, Nasima; Ayaz, Saniya; Srivastava, Tulika; Sen, Somaditya

2018-05-01

Nickel Oxide (NiO) and Ti doped NiO nanoparticles were prepared by sol-gel auto combustion method. Powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD) structural studies revealed face centered cubic (FCC) structure of the NiO nanopowders. The crystallite size decreased with Ti incorporation. UV-Vis spectroscopy carried out in diffused reflectance mode revealed decrease in band gap with increment in Urbach energy with doping.

Development of 40-in hybrid hologram screen for auto-stereoscopic video display

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Hyun Ho; Nakashima, Y.; Momonoi, Y.; Honda, Toshio

2004-06-01

Usually in auto stereoscopic display, there are two problems. The first problem is that large image display is difficult, and the second problem is that the view zone (which means the zone in which both eyes are put for stereoscopic or 3-D image observation) is very narrow. We have been developing an auto stereoscopic large video display system (over 100 inches diagonal) which a few people can view simultaneously1,2. Usually in displays that are over 100 inches diagonal, an optical video projection system is used. As one of auto stereoscopic display systems the hologram screen has been proposed3,4,5,6. However, if the hologram screen becomes too large, the view zone (corresponding to the reconstructed diffused object) causes color dispersion and color aberration7. We also proposed the additional Fresnel lens attached to the hologram screen. We call the screen a "hybrid hologram screen", (HHS in short). We made the HHS 866mm(H)×433mm(V) (about 40 inch diagonal)8,9,10,11. By using the lens in the reconstruction step, the angle between object light and reference light can be small, compared to without the lens. So, the spread of the view zone by the color dispersion and color aberration becomes small. And also, the virtual image which is reconstructed from the hologram screen can be transformed to a real image (view zone). So, it is not necessary to use a large lens or concave mirror while making a large hologram screen.

Auto Correlation Analysis of Coda Waves from Local Earthquakes for Detecting Temporal Changes in Shallow Subsurface Structures: the 2011 Tohoku-Oki, Japan Earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakahara, Hisashi

2015-02-01

For monitoring temporal changes in subsurface structures I propose to use auto correlation functions of coda waves from local earthquakes recorded at surface receivers, which probably contain more body waves than surface waves. Use of coda waves requires earthquakes resulting in decreased time resolution for monitoring. Nonetheless, it may be possible to monitor subsurface structures in sufficient time resolutions in regions with high seismicity. In studying the 2011 Tohoku-Oki, Japan earthquake (Mw 9.0), for which velocity changes have been previously reported, I try to validate the method. KiK-net stations in northern Honshu are used in this analysis. For each moderate earthquake normalized auto correlation functions of surface records are stacked with respect to time windows in the S-wave coda. Aligning the stacked, normalized auto correlation functions with time, I search for changes in phases arrival times. The phases at lag times of <1 s are studied because changes at shallow depths are focused. Temporal variations in the arrival times are measured at the stations based on the stretching method. Clear phase delays are found to be associated with the mainshock and to gradually recover with time. The amounts of the phase delays are 10 % on average with the maximum of about 50 % at some stations. The deconvolution analysis using surface and subsurface records at the same stations is conducted for validation. The results show the phase delays from the deconvolution analysis are slightly smaller than those from the auto correlation analysis, which implies that the phases on the auto correlations are caused by larger velocity changes at shallower depths. The auto correlation analysis seems to have an accuracy of about several percent, which is much larger than methods using earthquake doublets and borehole array data. So this analysis might be applicable in detecting larger changes. In spite of these disadvantages, this analysis is still attractive because it can be applied to many records on the surface in regions where no boreholes are available.

Concerted regulation of ISWI by an autoinhibitory domain and the H4 N-terminal tail

PubMed Central

Ludwigsen, Johanna; Pfennig, Sabrina; Singh, Ashish K; Schindler, Christina; Harrer, Nadine; Forné, Ignasi; Zacharias, Martin; Mueller-Planitz, Felix

2017-01-01

ISWI-family nucleosome remodeling enzymes need the histone H4 N-terminal tail to mobilize nucleosomes. Here we mapped the H4-tail binding pocket of ISWI. Surprisingly the binding site was adjacent to but not overlapping with the docking site of an auto-regulatory motif, AutoN, in the N-terminal region (NTR) of ISWI, indicating that AutoN does not act as a simple pseudosubstrate as suggested previously. Rather, AutoN cooperated with a hitherto uncharacterized motif, termed AcidicN, to confer H4-tail sensitivity and discriminate between DNA and nucleosomes. A third motif in the NTR, ppHSA, was functionally required in vivo and provided structural stability by clamping the NTR to Lobe 2 of the ATPase domain. This configuration is reminiscent of Chd1 even though Chd1 contains an unrelated NTR. Our results shed light on the intricate structural and functional regulation of ISWI by the NTR and uncover surprising parallels with Chd1. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.21477.001 PMID:28109157

Impact of single-site axonal GABAergic synaptic events on cerebellar interneuron activity.

PubMed

de San Martin, Javier Zorrilla; Jalil, Abdelali; Trigo, Federico F

2015-12-01

Axonal ionotropic receptors are present in a variety of neuronal types, and their function has largely been associated with the modulation of axonal activity and synaptic release. It is usually assumed that activation of axonal GABA(A)Rs comes from spillover, but in cerebellar molecular layer interneurons (MLIs) the GABA source is different: in these cells, GABA release activates presynaptic GABA(A) autoreceptors (autoRs) together with postsynaptic targets, producing an autoR-mediated synaptic event. The frequency of presynaptic, autoR-mediated miniature currents is twice that of their somatodendritic counterparts, suggesting that autoR-mediated responses have an important effect on interneuron activity. Here, we used local Ca(2+) photolysis in MLI axons of juvenile rats to evoke GABA release from individual varicosities to study the activation of axonal autoRs in single release sites. Our data show that single-site autoR conductances are similar to postsynaptic dendritic conductances. In conditions of high [Cl(-)](i), autoR-mediated conductances range from 1 to 5 nS; this corresponds to ∼30-150 GABA(A) channels per presynaptic varicosity, a value close to the number of channels in postsynaptic densities. Voltage responses produced by the activation of autoRs in single varicosities are amplified by a Na(v)-dependent mechanism and propagate along the axon with a length constant of 91 µm. Immunolabeling determination of synapse location shows that on average, one third of the synapses produce autoR-mediated signals that are large enough to reach the axon initial segment. Finally, we show that single-site activation of presynaptic GABA(A) autoRs leads to an increase in MLI excitability and thus conveys a strong feedback signal that contributes to spiking activity. © 2015 Zorrilla de San Martin et al.

Impact of single-site axonal GABAergic synaptic events on cerebellar interneuron activity

PubMed Central

Zorrilla de San Martin, Javier; Jalil, Abdelali

2015-01-01

Axonal ionotropic receptors are present in a variety of neuronal types, and their function has largely been associated with the modulation of axonal activity and synaptic release. It is usually assumed that activation of axonal GABAARs comes from spillover, but in cerebellar molecular layer interneurons (MLIs) the GABA source is different: in these cells, GABA release activates presynaptic GABAA autoreceptors (autoRs) together with postsynaptic targets, producing an autoR-mediated synaptic event. The frequency of presynaptic, autoR-mediated miniature currents is twice that of their somatodendritic counterparts, suggesting that autoR-mediated responses have an important effect on interneuron activity. Here, we used local Ca2+ photolysis in MLI axons of juvenile rats to evoke GABA release from individual varicosities to study the activation of axonal autoRs in single release sites. Our data show that single-site autoR conductances are similar to postsynaptic dendritic conductances. In conditions of high [Cl−]i, autoR-mediated conductances range from 1 to 5 nS; this corresponds to ∼30–150 GABAA channels per presynaptic varicosity, a value close to the number of channels in postsynaptic densities. Voltage responses produced by the activation of autoRs in single varicosities are amplified by a Nav-dependent mechanism and propagate along the axon with a length constant of 91 µm. Immunolabeling determination of synapse location shows that on average, one third of the synapses produce autoR-mediated signals that are large enough to reach the axon initial segment. Finally, we show that single-site activation of presynaptic GABAA autoRs leads to an increase in MLI excitability and thus conveys a strong feedback signal that contributes to spiking activity. PMID:26621773

Automated Computer Access Request System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Snook, Bryan E.

2010-01-01

The Automated Computer Access Request (AutoCAR) system is a Web-based account provisioning application that replaces the time-consuming paper-based computer-access request process at Johnson Space Center (JSC). Auto- CAR combines rules-based and role-based functionality in one application to provide a centralized system that is easily and widely accessible. The system features a work-flow engine that facilitates request routing, a user registration directory containing contact information and user metadata, an access request submission and tracking process, and a system administrator account management component. This provides full, end-to-end disposition approval chain accountability from the moment a request is submitted. By blending both rules-based and rolebased functionality, AutoCAR has the flexibility to route requests based on a user s nationality, JSC affiliation status, and other export-control requirements, while ensuring a user s request is addressed by either a primary or backup approver. All user accounts that are tracked in AutoCAR are recorded and mapped to the native operating system schema on the target platform where user accounts reside. This allows for future extensibility for supporting creation, deletion, and account management directly on the target platforms by way of AutoCAR. The system s directory-based lookup and day-today change analysis of directory information determines personnel moves, deletions, and additions, and automatically notifies a user via e-mail to revalidate his/her account access as a result of such changes. AutoCAR is a Microsoft classic active server page (ASP) application hosted on a Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS).

Deep Marginalized Sparse Denoising Auto-Encoder for Image Denoising

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Hongqiang; Ma, Shiping; Xu, Yuelei; Zhu, Mingming

2018-01-01

Stacked Sparse Denoising Auto-Encoder (SSDA) has been successfully applied to image denoising. As a deep network, the SSDA network with powerful data feature learning ability is superior to the traditional image denoising algorithms. However, the algorithm has high computational complexity and slow convergence rate in the training. To address this limitation, we present a method of image denoising based on Deep Marginalized Sparse Denoising Auto-Encoder (DMSDA). The loss function of Sparse Denoising Auto-Encoder is marginalized so that it satisfies both sparseness and marginality. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can not only outperform SSDA in the convergence speed and training time, but also has better denoising performance than the current excellent denoising algorithms, including both the subjective and objective evaluation of image denoising.

AutoDock-GIST: Incorporating Thermodynamics of Active-Site Water into Scoring Function for Accurate Protein-Ligand Docking.

PubMed

Uehara, Shota; Tanaka, Shigenori

2016-11-23

Water plays a significant role in the binding process between protein and ligand. However, the thermodynamics of water molecules are often underestimated, or even ignored, in protein-ligand docking. Usually, the free energies of active-site water molecules are substantially different from those of waters in the bulk region. The binding of a ligand to a protein causes a displacement of these waters from an active site to bulk, and this displacement process substantially contributes to the free energy change of protein-ligand binding. The free energy of active-site water molecules can be calculated by grid inhomogeneous solvation theory (GIST), using molecular dynamics (MD) and the trajectory of a target protein and water molecules. Here, we show a case study of the combination of GIST and a docking program and discuss the effectiveness of the displacing gain of unfavorable water in protein-ligand docking. We combined the GIST-based desolvation function with the scoring function of AutoDock4, which is called AutoDock-GIST. The proposed scoring function was assessed employing 51 ligands of coagulation factor Xa (FXa), and results showed that both scoring accuracy and docking success rate were improved. We also evaluated virtual screening performance of AutoDock-GIST using FXa ligands in the directory of useful decoys-enhanced (DUD-E), thus finding that the displacing gain of unfavorable water is effective for a successful docking campaign.

In vivo determination of root canal length: a preliminary report using the Tri Auto ZX apex-locating handpiece.

PubMed

Grimberg, F; Banegas, G; Chiacchio, L; Zmener, O

2002-07-01

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical perfomance of a cordless handpiece with a built-in apex locator - the Tri Auto ZX - designed for root canal preparation with nickel-titanium rotary files. Twenty-five human maxillary incisor and canine teeth scheduled for extraction with mature apices were selected for the study. Informed written consent was obtained from each patient before treatment. After administration of local anaesthesia, the teeth were isolated and the pulp cavities accessed. The Tri Auto ZX along with a size 15 K-file was used in its electronic apex locating function based on the manufacturer's recommendations. A periapical radiograph with the file at the electronically determined constriction was taken, the file removed and the measurement registered as the electronic length (EL). To test the auto reverse function, a size 20 ProFile.04 taper NiTi rotary instrument was mounted in the handpiece. The point for the auto apical reverse function was preset on the panel at the 0.5 mm level. After the file was introduced into the canal and reached the predetermined level, the file automatically stopped and rotated in the opposite direction. A reference point was marked and this measurement was registered as the auto reverse length (ARL). All measurements were made twice by two different investigators. Teeth were then extracted and immersed in a 20% formalin solution for 48 h. After fixation, a size 15 file was inserted into the canal to measure the actual root canal length from the same reference point obtained with the Tri Auto ZX to the apical foramen, as seen in the stereo microscope. When the file tip was visible at the anatomical end of the canal it was withdrawn 0.5 mm and this measurement was registered as the actual length (AL). All measurements were expressed in mm and the measuring accuracy was set to 0.5 mm. The significance of the mean differences between EL and ARL and between EL and AL measurements at the 5% confidence level was evaluated. EL measurements were coincident to ARL in all instances. EL and ARL were coincident to AL in 10 (40%) canals, in the remaining 15 canals (60%) the AL measurements were longer than EL and ARL (+0.5 mm) in 14 instances and shorter (-0.5 mm) in one case. Overall, the AL was longer than the EL or ARL, the mean difference being -0.23 mm +/- 0.32 (P < 0.05). It was concluded that the Tri Auto ZX was useful and reliable. The Tri Auto ZX measurements protected against overpreparation.

IRF5 haplotypes demonstrate diverse serological associations which predict serum interferon alpha activity and explain the majority of the genetic association with systemic lupus erythematosus

PubMed Central

Niewold, Timothy B; Kelly, Jennifer A; Kariuki, Silvia N; Franek, Beverly S; Kumar, Akaash A; Kaufman, Kenneth M; Thomas, Kenaz; Walker, Daniel; Kamp, Stan; Frost, Jacqueline M; Wong, Andrew K; Merrill, Joan T; Alarcón-Riquelme, Marta E; Tikly, Mohammed; Ramsey-Goldman, Rosalind; Reveille, John D; Petri, Michelle A; Edberg, Jeffrey C; Kimberly, Robert P; Alarcón, Graciela S; Kamen, Diane L; Gilkeson, Gary S; Vyse, Timothy J; James, Judith A; Gaffney, Patrick M; Moser, Kathy L; Crow, Mary K; Harley, John B

2012-01-01

Objective High serum interferon α (IFNα) activity is a heritable risk factor for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Auto-antibodies found in SLE form immune complexes which can stimulate IFNα production by activating endosomal Toll-like receptors and interferon regulatory factors (IRFs), including IRF5. Genetic variation in IRF5 is associated with SLE susceptibility; however, it is unclear how IRF5 functional genetic elements contribute to human disease. Methods 1034 patients with SLE and 989 controls of European ancestry, 555 patients with SLE and 679 controls of African–American ancestry, and 73 patients with SLE of South African ancestry were genotyped at IRF5 polymorphisms, which define major haplotypes. Serum IFNα activity was measured using a functional assay. Results In European ancestry subjects, anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and anti-Ro antibodies were each associated with different haplotypes characterised by a different combination of functional genetic elements (OR > 2.56, p >003C; 1.9×10−14 for both). These IRF5 haplotype-auto-antibody associations strongly predicted higher serum IFNα in patients with SLE and explained > 70% of the genetic risk of SLE due to IRF5. In African–American patients with SLE a similar relationship between serology and IFNα was observed, although the previously described European ancestry-risk haplotype was present at admixture proportions in African–American subjects and absent in African patients with SLE. Conclusions The authors define a novel risk haplotype of IRF5 that is associated with anti-dsDNA antibodies and show that risk of SLE due to IRF5 genotype is largely dependent upon particular auto-antibodies. This suggests that auto-antibodies are directly pathogenic in human SLE, resulting in increased IFNα in cooperation with particular combinations of IRF5 functional genetic elements. SLE is a systemic autoimmune disorder affecting multiple organ systems including the skin, musculoskeletal, renal and haematopoietic systems. Humoral autoimmunity is a hallmark of SLE, and patients frequently have circulating auto-antibodies directed against dsDNA, as well as RNA binding proteins (RBP). Anti-RBP autoantibodies include antibodies which recognize Ro, La, Smith (anti-Sm), and ribonucleoprotein (anti-nRNP), collectively referred to as anti-retinol-binding protein). Anti-retinol-binding protein and anti-dsDNA auto-antibodies are rare in the healthy population.1 These auto-antibodies can be present in sera for years preceding the onset of clinical SLE illness2 and are likely pathogenic in SLE.34 PMID:22088620

Synchronous scattering and diffraction from gold nanotextured surfaces with structure factors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Min-Jhong; Lee, Ming-Tsang; Huang, Chien-Hsun; Wu, Chi-Chun; Chen, Yu-Bin

2018-05-01

Synchronous scattering and diffraction were demonstrated using reflectance from gold nanotextured surfaces at oblique (θi = 15° and 60°) incidence of wavelength λ = 405 nm. Two samples of unique auto-correlation functions were cost-effectively fabricated. Multiple structure factors of their profiles were confirmed with Fourier expansions. Bi-directional reflectance function (BRDF) from these samples provided experimental proofs. On the other hand, standard deviation of height and unique auto-correlation function of each sample were used to generate surfaces numerically. Comparing their BRDF with those of totally random rough surfaces further suggested that structure factors in profile could reduce specular reflection more than totally random roughness.

Determination of design and operation parameters for upper atmospheric research instrumentation to yield optimum resolution with deconvolution, appendix 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ioup, George E.; Ioup, Juliette W.

1988-01-01

This thesis reviews the technique established to clear channels in the Power Spectral Estimate by applying linear combinations of well known window functions to the autocorrelation function. The need for windowing the auto correlation function is due to the fact that the true auto correlation is not generally used to obtain the Power Spectral Estimate. When applied, the windows serve to reduce the effect that modifies the auto correlation by truncating the data and possibly the autocorrelation has on the Power Spectral Estimate. It has been shown in previous work that a single channel has been cleared, allowing for the detection of a small peak in the presence of a large peak in the Power Spectral Estimate. The utility of this method is dependent on the robustness of it on different input situations. We extend the analysis in this paper, to include clearing up to three channels. We examine the relative positions of the spikes to each other and also the effect of taking different percentages of lags of the auto correlation in the Power Spectral Estimate. This method could have application wherever the Power Spectrum is used. An example of this is beam forming for source location, where a small target can be located next to a large target. Other possibilities extend into seismic data processing. As the method becomes more automated other applications may present themselves.

COSMIC SHEAR MEASUREMENT USING AUTO-CONVOLVED IMAGES

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Xiangchong; Zhang, Jun, E-mail: betajzhang@sjtu.edu.cn

2016-10-20

We study the possibility of using quadrupole moments of auto-convolved galaxy images to measure cosmic shear. The autoconvolution of an image corresponds to the inverse Fourier transformation of its power spectrum. The new method has the following advantages: the smearing effect due to the point-spread function (PSF) can be corrected by subtracting the quadrupole moments of the auto-convolved PSF; the centroid of the auto-convolved image is trivially identified; the systematic error due to noise can be directly removed in Fourier space; the PSF image can also contain noise, the effect of which can be similarly removed. With a large ensemblemore » of simulated galaxy images, we show that the new method can reach a sub-percent level accuracy under general conditions, albeit with increasingly large stamp size for galaxies of less compact profiles.« less

Counting and behavior of an individual fluorescent molecule without hydrodynamic flow, immobilization, or photon count statistics.

PubMed

Földes-Papp, Zeno; Baumann, Gerd; Demel, Ulrike; Tilz, Gernot P

2004-04-01

Many theoretical models of molecular interactions, biochemical and chemical reactions are described on the single-molecule level, although our knowledge about the biochemical/chemical structure and dynamics primarily originates from the investigation of many-molecule systems. At present, there are four experimental platforms to observe the movement and the behavior of single fluorescent molecules: wide-field epi-illumination, near-field optical scanning, and laser scanning confocal and multiphoton microscopy. The platforms are combined with analytical methods such as fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), fluorescence auto-or two-color cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCS), fluorescence polarizing anisotropy, fluorescence quenching and fluorescence lifetime measurements. The original contribution focuses on counting and characterization of freely diffusing single molecules in a single-phase like a solution or a membrane without hydrodynamic flow, immobilization or burst size analysis of intensity traces. This can be achieved, for example, by Fluorescence auto- or two-color cross-Correlation Spectroscopy as demonstrated in this original article. Three criteria (Földes-Papp (2002) Pteridines, 13, 73-82; Földes-Papp et al. (2004a) J. Immunol. Meth., 286, 1-11; Földes-Papp et al. (2004b) J. Immunol. Meth., 286, 13-20) are discussed for performing continuous measurements with one and the same single (individual) molecule, freely diffusing in a solution or a membrane, from sub-milliseconds up to severals hours. The 'algorithms' developed for single-molecule fluorescence detection are called the 'selfsame single-fluorescent-molecule regime'. An interesting application of the results found is in the field of immunology. The application of the theory to experimental results shows that the theory is consistent with the experiments. The exposition of the novel ideas on Single (Solution)-Phase Single-Molecule Fluorescence auto- or two-color cross-Correlation Spectroscopy (SPSM-FCS) are comprehensively presented. As technology continues to improve, the limits of what FCS/FCCS is being asked to do are concomitantly pushed.

Design of an iterative auto-tuning algorithm for a fuzzy PID controller

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saeed, Bakhtiar I.; Mehrdadi, B.

2012-05-01

Since the first application of fuzzy logic in the field of control engineering, it has been extensively employed in controlling a wide range of applications. The human knowledge on controlling complex and non-linear processes can be incorporated into a controller in the form of linguistic terms. However, with the lack of analytical design study it is becoming more difficult to auto-tune controller parameters. Fuzzy logic controller has several parameters that can be adjusted, such as: membership functions, rule-base and scaling gains. Furthermore, it is not always easy to find the relation between the type of membership functions or rule-base and the controller performance. This study proposes a new systematic auto-tuning algorithm to fine tune fuzzy logic controller gains. A fuzzy PID controller is proposed and applied to several second order systems. The relationship between the closed-loop response and the controller parameters is analysed to devise an auto-tuning method. The results show that the proposed method is highly effective and produces zero overshoot with enhanced transient response. In addition, the robustness of the controller is investigated in the case of parameter changes and the results show a satisfactory performance.

Auto correlation analysis of coda waves from local earthquakes for detecting temporal changes in shallow subsurface structures - The 2011 Tohoku-Oki, Japan, earthquake -

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakahara, H.

2013-12-01

For monitoring temporal changes in subsurface structures, I propose to use auto correlation functions of coda waves from local earthquakes recorded at surface receivers, which probably contain more body waves than surface waves. Because the use of coda waves requires earthquakes, time resolution for monitoring decreases. But at regions with high seismicity, it may be possible to monitor subsurface structures in sufficient time resolutions. Studying the 2011 Tohoku-Oki (Mw 9.0), Japan, earthquake for which velocity changes have been already reported by previous studies, I try to validate the method. KiK-net stations in northern Honshu are used in the analysis. For each moderate earthquake, normalized auto correlation functions of surface records are stacked with respect to time windows in S-wave coda. Aligning the stacked normalized auto correlation functions with time, I search for changes in arrival times of phases. The phases at lag times of less than 1s are studied because changes at shallow depths are focused. Based on the stretching method, temporal variations in the arrival times are measured at the stations. Clear phase delays are found to be associated with the mainshock and to gradually recover with time. Amounts of the phase delays are in the order of 10% on average with the maximum of about 50% at some stations. For validation, the deconvolution analysis using surface and subsurface records at the same stations are conducted. The results show that the phase delays from the deconvolution analysis are slightly smaller than those from the auto correlation analysis, which implies that the phases on the auto correlations are caused by larger velocity changes at shallower depths. The auto correlation analysis seems to have an accuracy of about several percents, which is much larger than methods using earthquake doublets and borehole array data. So this analysis might be applicable to detect larger changes. In spite of these disadvantages, this analysis is still attractive because it can be applied to many records on the surface in regions where no boreholes are available. Acknowledgements: Seismograms recorded by KiK-net managed by National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED) were used in this study. This study was partially supported by JST J-RAPID program and JSPS KAKENHI Grant Numbers 24540449 and 23540449.

Matched unrelated donor allogeneic transplantation provides comparable long-term outcome to HLA-identical sibling transplantation in relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

PubMed

Avivi, I; Canals, C; Vernant, J-P; Wulf, G; Nagler, A; Hermine, O; Petersen, E; Yakoub-Agha, I; Craddock, C; Schattenberg, A; Niederwieser, D; Thomson, K; Blaise, D; Attal, M; Pfreundschuh, M; Passweg, J; Russell, N; Dreger, P; Sureda, A

2014-05-01

The objective of this retrospective analysis was to compare outcomes of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who received either a matched sibling (sib) or an unrelated donor (URD) allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Long-term outcome of 172 DLBCL patients receiving URD-HCT between 2000 and 2007 and reported to the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, was compared with that of 301 subjects, allografted from sib-HCT. With a median follow-up of 45 months, 3-year PFS approached 35% for both groups; overall survival (OS) was 42% for sib-HCT versus 37% for URD (NS). Multivariate analyses confirmed that donor type was not associated with differences in non-relapse mortality (NRM), relapse rate (RR), PFS or OS. Poor performance status (PS) and refractory disease adversely affected PFS and OS. Prior auto-SCT and multiple previous therapies predicted for shorter PFS. NRM was adversely affected by older age (⩾50 years), poor PS and refractory disease, and RR by time from diagnosis to allo-HCT of <36 months, prior auto-SCT, refractory disease, poor PS and in vivo T-cell depletion with alemtuzumab. This large study shows for the first time that URD-HCT is not inferior to sib-HCT, providing a reasonable therapeutic approach for DLBCL patients, having no HLA-identical sibling available.

Meaningful interpretation of subdiffusive measurements in living cells (crowded environment) by fluorescence fluctuation microscopy.

PubMed

Baumann, Gerd; Place, Robert F; Földes-Papp, Zeno

2010-08-01

In living cell or its nucleus, the motions of molecules are complicated due to the large crowding and expected heterogeneity of the intracellular environment. Randomness in cellular systems can be either spatial (anomalous) or temporal (heterogeneous). In order to separate both processes, we introduce anomalous random walks on fractals that represented crowded environments. We report the use of numerical simulation and experimental data of single-molecule detection by fluorescence fluctuation microscopy for detecting resolution limits of different mobile fractions in crowded environment of living cells. We simulate the time scale behavior of diffusion times tau(D)(tau) for one component, e.g. the fast mobile fraction, and a second component, e.g. the slow mobile fraction. The less the anomalous exponent alpha the higher the geometric crowding of the underlying structure of motion that is quantified by the ratio of the Hausdorff dimension and the walk exponent d(f)/d(w) and specific for the type of crowding generator used. The simulated diffusion time decreases for smaller values of alpha # 1 but increases for a larger time scale tau at a given value of alpha # 1. The effect of translational anomalous motion is substantially greater if alpha differs much from 1. An alpha value close to 1 contributes little to the time dependence of subdiffusive motions. Thus, quantitative determination of molecular weights from measured diffusion times and apparent diffusion coefficients, respectively, in temporal auto- and crosscorrelation analyses and from time-dependent fluorescence imaging data are difficult to interpret and biased in crowded environments of living cells and their cellular compartments; anomalous dynamics on different time scales tau must be coupled with the quantitative analysis of how experimental parameters change with predictions from simulated subdiffusive dynamics of molecular motions and mechanistic models. We first demonstrate that the crowding exponent alpha also determines the resolution of differences in diffusion times between two components in addition to photophysical parameters well-known for normal motion in dilute solution. The resolution limit between two different kinds of single molecule species is also analyzed under translational anomalous motion with broken ergodicity. We apply our theoretical predictions of diffusion times and lower limits for the time resolution of two components to fluorescence images in human prostate cancer cells transfected with GFP-Ago2 and GFP-Ago1. In order to mimic heterogeneous behavior in crowded environments of living cells, we need to introduce so-called continuous time random walks (CTRW). CTRWs were originally performed on regular lattice. This purely stochastic molecule behavior leads to subdiffusive motion with broken ergodicity in our simulations. For the first time, we are able to quantitatively differentiate between anomalous motion without broken ergodicity and anomalous motion with broken ergodicity in time-dependent fluorescence microscopy data sets of living cells. Since the experimental conditions to measure a selfsame molecule over an extended period of time, at which biology is taken place, in living cells or even in dilute solution are very restrictive, we need to perform the time average over a subpopulation of different single molecules of the same kind. For time averages over subpopulations of single molecules, the temporal auto- and crosscorrelation functions are first found. Knowing the crowding parameter alpha for the cell type and cellular compartment type, respectively, the heterogeneous parameter gamma can be obtained from the measurements in the presence of the interacting reaction partner, e.g. ligand, with the same alpha value. The product alpha x gamma = gamma is not a simple fitting parameter in the temporal auto- and two-color crosscorrelation functions because it is related to the proper physical models of anomalous (spatial) and heterogeneous (temporal) randomness in cellular systems.We have already derived an analytical solution gamma for in the special case of gamma = 3/2. In the case of two-color crosscorrelation or/and two-color fluorescence imaging (co-localization experiments), the second component is also a two-color species gr, for example a different molecular complex with an additional ligand. Here, we first show that plausible biological mechanisms from FCS/ FCCS and fluorescence imaging in living cells are highly questionable without proper quantitative physical models of subdiffusive motion and temporal randomness. At best, such quantitative FCS/ FCCS and fluorescence imaging data are difficult to interpret under crowding and heterogeneous conditions. It is challenging to translate proper physical models of anomalous (spatial) and heterogeneous (temporal) randomness in living cells and their cellular compartments like the nucleus into biological models of the cell biological process under study testable by single-molecule approaches. Otherwise, quantitative FCS/FCCS and fluorescence imaging measurements in living cells are not well described and cannot be interpreted in a meaningful way.

Auto covariance computer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hepner, T. E.; Meyers, J. F. (Inventor)

1985-01-01

A laser velocimeter covariance processor which calculates the auto covariance and cross covariance functions for a turbulent flow field based on Poisson sampled measurements in time from a laser velocimeter is described. The device will process a block of data that is up to 4096 data points in length and return a 512 point covariance function with 48-bit resolution along with a 512 point histogram of the interarrival times which is used to normalize the covariance function. The device is designed to interface and be controlled by a minicomputer from which the data is received and the results returned. A typical 4096 point computation takes approximately 1.5 seconds to receive the data, compute the covariance function, and return the results to the computer.

Preparation of pentacene thin film deposited using organic material auto-feeding system for the fabrication of organic thin film transistor.

PubMed

Kim, Young Baek; Choi, Bum Ho; Lim, Yong Hwan; Yoo, Ha Na; Lee, Jong Ho; Kim, Jin Hyeok

2011-02-01

In this study, pentacene organic thin film was prepared using newly developed organic material auto-feeding system integrated with linear cell and characterized. The newly developed organic material auto-feeding system consists of 4 major parts: reservoir, micro auto-feeder, vaporizer, and linear cell. The deposition of organic thin film could be precisely controlled by adjusting feeding rate, main tube size, position and size of nozzle. 10 nm thick pentacene thin film prepared on glass substrate exhibited high uniformity of 3.46% which is higher than that of conventional evaporation method using point cell. The continuous deposition without replenishment of organic material can be performed over 144 hours with regulated deposition control. The grain size of pentacene film which affect to mobility of OTFT, was controlled as a function of the temperature.

Neuropsychological correlates of cognitive, emotional-affective and auto-activation apathy in Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Perri, Roberta; Turchetta, Chiara Stella; Caruso, Giulia; Fadda, Lucia; Caltagirone, Carlo; Carlesimo, Augusto Giovanni

2018-01-31

Apathy symptoms include different dimensions: cognitive (C), emotional-affective (E-Aff) and auto-activation; they have been related to dysfunctions of the dorsolateral, orbito-basal prefrontal cortex and the subcortical frontal connections to the basal ganglia, respectively. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), an association has been found between apathy severity and both executive deficits and atrophy of the dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex; however, it is not clear whether these associations concern only the cognitive aspects of apathy. Furthermore, whether there is an association in AD between E-aff apathy and theory of mind (ToM),the cognitive functions subsumed by the orbito-basal prefrontal cortex, has not been investigated. Aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between C, E-Aff and auto-activation apathy and performance on tasks investigating executive and ToM cognitive functions in AD. For this purpose, 20 AD patients with apathy and 20 matched controls were submitted to an executive and ToM neuropsychological assessment. Apathy was assessed with a weekly diary (ApD) created specifically to assist caregivers in quantifying the C, E-Aff and auto-activation symptomatology of apathy. Correlational analyses showed that AD patients' scores on the Modified Card Sorting Test (MCST) and Emotion Attribution tasks were correlated with most ApD scores. However, regression analyses showed that C diary scores were predicted by MCST performance, E-Aff diary scores by performance on the E-Attribution task and ApD scores measuring auto-activation apathy were predicted by both the MCST and the Emotion Attribution scores. These results confirm the co-occurrence of apathy and executive-function deficits in AD and suggest a specific association between AD patients' executive deficits and the cognitive component of apathy. Furthermore, they document, for the first time, an association between poor performance on tests assessing ToM abilities and the emotional-affective component of apathy in AD patients. Finally, these results are in line with the view that auto-activation apathy reflects the sum of emotional and cognitive processing deficits. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Auto-Targeted Neurostimulation Is Not Superior to Placebo in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Fourfold Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

PubMed

Aguilar Ferrándiz, Maria Encarnación; Nijs, Jo; Gidron, Yori; Roussel, Nathalie; Vanderstraeten, Rob; Van Dyck, Dries; Huysmans, Eva; De Kooning, Margot

2016-07-01

Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are common in people with musculoskeletal pain and may play a role in chronic nonspecific low back pain (CLBP). One of the potential treatments of MTrPs is the Nervomatrix Soleve® auto-targeted neurostimulation device, providing targeted transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to MTrPs in the lower back muscles. To date, no controlled studies have evaluated the effectiveness of this device for the pain management of this population. To examine whether the Nervomatrix Soleve® auto-targeted neurostimulation device is superior over placebo for the treatment of CLBP. A fourfold-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted. Brussels University Hospital, health care centers and pharmacies around Belgium. Participants with CLBP for at least 3 months were randomly assigned to the experimental (the Nervomatrix Soleve® auto-targeted neurostimulation device providing TENS-stimulation and mechanical pressure) or placebo group (the Nervomatrix Soleve® auto-targeted neurostimulation device providing mechanical pressure alone without current). The treatment protocol in both groups consisted of 6 treatment sessions per patient. Participants were evaluated at baseline prior to the intervention, immediately following treatment, and at one month follow-up. Pain and pain behavior (steps climbed) were assessed as primary outcome measures. Secondary outcome measures were pain functioning, health beliefs, symptoms of central sensitization, pain catastrophizing, and kinesiophobia. In total, 39 participants were included in the study. Participants in both groups improved significantly for pain and functioning, but no significant differences were observed between groups. These improvements were not clinically meaningful for any of the reported measures. The health beliefs changed significantly in both groups (P < 0.05), with superior results at follow-up in the placebo group. The follow-up period is limited to one month. Treatment of MTrPs with the Nervomatrix Soleve® auto-targeted neurostimulation device in patients with CLBP does not result in a better outcome than placebo-treatment in terms of pain, pain behavior, functioning, central sensitization, pain catastrophizing, and health beliefs.

High Prevalence of Chronic Respiratory Symptoms among Autorickshaw Drivers of Urban Puducherry, South India.

PubMed

Stephen, Peter; Mahalakshmy, Thulasingam; Manju, Rajaram; Laksham, Karthik B; Subramani, Sudalai; Panda, Kanhu; Sarkar, Sonali

2018-01-01

Auto-rickshaw (three wheelers open cabin type of vehicle) drivers are exposed to traffic air pollution. Studies have demonstrated reduced pulmonary function among drivers. However, limited studies have determined the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among drivers. Among auto-rickshaw drivers of urban Puducherry to determine prevalence of (i) chronic respiratory symptoms by using Indian Study on Epidemiology of Asthma, Respiratory Symptoms, and Chronic Bronchitis (INSEARCH) questionnaire and (ii) COPD by measuring peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Cross-sectional, descriptive study. Cluster random sampling was used to select 297 auto-rickshaw drivers. Subjects were interviewed using the INSEARCH questionnaire. PEFR was measured using Wright's peak flow meter. We also assessed exposure to tobacco smoke. Prevalence and 95% confidence interval of chronic respiratory symptoms and COPD were calculated. All the auto-rickshaw drivers were male, and 75% were in the age group of 31-50 years. They spend most of the time on the roadside either driving or waiting at the auto-stand. Prevalence of nonspecific respiratory symptoms among auto-rickshaw drivers was 76% (breathlessness on exertion 68%, cough at night and phlegm in the morning 22%, wheezing 18% assessed for last 12 months). Around 28% of them had PEFR <80%. The prevalence of tobacco smoking was also high (64%), and 100% had exposure to tobacco smoke at the workplace. The nonspecific chronic symptoms were high among auto-rickshaw drivers as compared to the general population noted from a multicentric study done in India. We recommend that auto-rickshaw drivers should use personal protective equipment and would require regular screening and treatment for respiratory impairment.

A novel two-dimensional echocardiographic image analysis system using artificial intelligence-learned pattern recognition for rapid automated ejection fraction.

PubMed

Cannesson, Maxime; Tanabe, Masaki; Suffoletto, Matthew S; McNamara, Dennis M; Madan, Shobhit; Lacomis, Joan M; Gorcsan, John

2007-01-16

We sought to test the hypothesis that a novel 2-dimensional echocardiographic image analysis system using artificial intelligence-learned pattern recognition can rapidly and reproducibly calculate ejection fraction (EF). Echocardiographic EF by manual tracing is time consuming, and visual assessment is inherently subjective. We studied 218 patients (72 female), including 165 with abnormal left ventricular (LV) function. Auto EF incorporated a database trained on >10,000 human EF tracings to automatically locate and track the LV endocardium from routine grayscale digital cineloops and calculate EF in 15 s. Auto EF results were independently compared with manually traced biplane Simpson's rule, visual EF, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a subset. Auto EF was possible in 200 (92%) of consecutive patients, of which 77% were completely automated and 23% required manual editing. Auto EF correlated well with manual EF (r = 0.98; 6% limits of agreement) and required less time per patient (48 +/- 26 s vs. 102 +/- 21 s; p < 0.01). Auto EF correlated well with visual EF by expert readers (r = 0.96; p < 0.001), but interobserver variability was greater (3.4 +/- 2.9% vs. 9.8 +/- 5.7%, respectively; p < 0.001). Visual EF was less accurate by novice readers (r = 0.82; 19% limits of agreement) and improved with trainee-operated Auto EF (r = 0.96; 7% limits of agreement). Auto EF also correlated with MRI EF (n = 21) (r = 0.95; 12% limits of agreement), but underestimated absolute volumes (r = 0.95; bias of -36 +/- 27 ml overall). Auto EF can automatically calculate EF similarly to results by manual biplane Simpson's rule and MRI, with less variability than visual EF, and has clinical potential.

High Prevalence of Chronic Respiratory Symptoms among Autorickshaw Drivers of Urban Puducherry, South India

PubMed Central

Stephen, Peter; Mahalakshmy, Thulasingam; Manju, Rajaram; Laksham, Karthik B.; Subramani, Sudalai; Panda, Kanhu; Sarkar, Sonali

2018-01-01

Context: Auto-rickshaw (three wheelers open cabin type of vehicle) drivers are exposed to traffic air pollution. Studies have demonstrated reduced pulmonary function among drivers. However, limited studies have determined the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among drivers. Aims: Among auto-rickshaw drivers of urban Puducherry to determine prevalence of (i) chronic respiratory symptoms by using Indian Study on Epidemiology of Asthma, Respiratory Symptoms, and Chronic Bronchitis (INSEARCH) questionnaire and (ii) COPD by measuring peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Setting and Designs: Cross-sectional, descriptive study. Subjects and Methods: Cluster random sampling was used to select 297 auto-rickshaw drivers. Subjects were interviewed using the INSEARCH questionnaire. PEFR was measured using Wright's peak flow meter. We also assessed exposure to tobacco smoke. Statistical Analysis Used: Prevalence and 95% confidence interval of chronic respiratory symptoms and COPD were calculated. Results: All the auto-rickshaw drivers were male, and 75% were in the age group of 31–50 years. They spend most of the time on the roadside either driving or waiting at the auto-stand. Prevalence of nonspecific respiratory symptoms among auto-rickshaw drivers was 76% (breathlessness on exertion 68%, cough at night and phlegm in the morning 22%, wheezing 18% assessed for last 12 months). Around 28% of them had PEFR <80%. The prevalence of tobacco smoking was also high (64%), and 100% had exposure to tobacco smoke at the workplace. Conclusion: The nonspecific chronic symptoms were high among auto-rickshaw drivers as compared to the general population noted from a multicentric study done in India. We recommend that auto-rickshaw drivers should use personal protective equipment and would require regular screening and treatment for respiratory impairment. PMID:29743784

Detection of Subtle Hydromechanical Medium Changes Caused By a Small-Magnitude Earthquake Swarm in NE Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Hour, V.; Schimmel, M.; Do Nascimento, A. F.; Ferreira, J. M.; Lima Neto, H. C.

2016-04-01

Ambient noise correlation analyses are largely used in seismology to map heterogeneities and to monitor the temporal evolution of seismic velocity changes associated mostly with stress field variations and/or fluid movements. Here we analyse a small earthquake swarm related to a main mR 3.7 intraplate earthquake in North-East of Brazil to study the corresponding post-seismic effects on the medium. So far, post-seismic effects have been observed mainly for large magnitude events. In our study, we show that we were able to detect localized structural changes even for a small earthquake swarm in an intraplate setting. Different correlation strategies are presented and their performances are also shown. We compare the classical auto-correlation with and without pre-processing, including 1-bit normalization and spectral whitening, and the phase auto-correlation. The worst results were obtained for the pre-processed data due to the loss of waveform details. The best results were achieved with the phase cross-correlation which is amplitude unbiased and sensitive to small amplitude changes as long as there exist waveform coherence superior to other unrelated signals and noise. The analysis of 6 months of data using phase auto-correlation and cross-correlation resulted in the observation of a progressive medium change after the major recorded event. The progressive medium change is likely related to the swarm activity through opening new path ways for pore fluid diffusion. We further observed for the auto-correlations a lag time frequency-dependent change which likely indicates that the medium change is localized in depth. As expected, the main change is observed along the fault.

[Joint correction for motion artifacts and off-resonance artifacts in multi-shot diffusion magnetic resonance imaging].

PubMed

Wu, Wenchuan; Fang, Sheng; Guo, Hua

2014-06-01

Aiming at motion artifacts and off-resonance artifacts in multi-shot diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we proposed a joint correction method in this paper to correct the two kinds of artifacts simultaneously without additional acquisition of navigation data and field map. We utilized the proposed method using multi-shot variable density spiral sequence to acquire MRI data and used auto-focusing technique for image deblurring. We also used direct method or iterative method to correct motion induced phase errors in the process of deblurring. In vivo MRI experiments demonstrated that the proposed method could effectively suppress motion artifacts and off-resonance artifacts and achieve images with fine structures. In addition, the scan time was not increased in applying the proposed method.

Self spectrum window method in wigner-ville distribution.

PubMed

Liu, Zhongguo; Liu, Changchun; Liu, Boqiang; Lv, Yangsheng; Lei, Yinsheng; Yu, Mengsun

2005-01-01

Wigner-Ville distribution (WVD) is an important type of time-frequency analysis in biomedical signal processing. The cross-term interference in WVD has a disadvantageous influence on its application. In this research, the Self Spectrum Window (SSW) method was put forward to suppress the cross-term interference, based on the fact that the cross-term and auto-WVD- terms in integral kernel function are orthogonal. With the Self Spectrum Window (SSW) algorithm, a real auto-WVD function was used as a template to cross-correlate with the integral kernel function, and the Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT) spectrum of the signal was used as window function to process the WVD in time-frequency plane. The SSW method was confirmed by computer simulation with good analysis results. Satisfactory time- frequency distribution was obtained.

Retrospective evaluation of the MEAM regimen as a conditioning regimen before autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for lymphoma in two centers with different dosing schedules of melphalan.

PubMed

Sugimoto, Miyuki; Ito, Shoko; Mashima, Kiyomi; Umino, Kento; Minakata, Daisuke; Nakano, Hirofumi; Yamasaki, Ryoko; Kawasaki, Yasufumi; Ashizawa, Masahiro; Yamamoto, Chihiro; Fujiwara, Shin-Ichiro; Okazuka, Kiyoshi; Hatano, Kaoru; Sato, Kazuya; Oh, Iekuni; Ohmine, Ken; Suzuki, Takahiro; Muroi, Kazuo; Kako, Shinichi; Kanda, Yoshinobu

2016-09-01

The BEAM regimen consisting of carmustine (BCNU), etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan (MEL) is widely used before autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) for lymphoma. However, intravenous BCNU is not available in Japan, and therefore, ranimustine (MCNU) has been used instead of BCNU (the MEAM regimen). We retrospectively analyzed the outcome of 79 adult patients who underwent auto-HSCT for lymphoma using this regimen in two centers, with 1- and 2-day dosing of MEL, respectively. Three-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) probabilities were 77.3 and 56.5 % in the entire population and 71.7 and 58.0 % in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma. These outcomes were at least equivalent to those with the BEAM regimen. There was no regimen-related pulmonary toxicity. In a multivariate analysis, older age was the only factor that was significantly associated with for OS. In a comparison of the two MEL dosing schedules, while there was no significant differences in either OS or PFS, diarrhea was observed more frequently with 1-day dosing of MEL. In conclusion, the MEAM regimen appeared to be a promising conditioning regimen in auto-HSCT for lymphoma. A large prospective study is warranted to confirm the current findings.

Development of a generic auto-calibration package for regional ecological modeling and application in the Central Plains of the United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wu, Yiping; Liu, Shuguang; Li, Zhengpeng; Dahal, Devendra; Young, Claudia J.; Schmidt, Gail L.; Liu, Jinxun; Davis, Brian; Sohl, Terry L.; Werner, Jeremy M.; Oeding, Jennifer

2014-01-01

Process-oriented ecological models are frequently used for predicting potential impacts of global changes such as climate and land-cover changes, which can be useful for policy making. It is critical but challenging to automatically derive optimal parameter values at different scales, especially at regional scale, and validate the model performance. In this study, we developed an automatic calibration (auto-calibration) function for a well-established biogeochemical model—the General Ensemble Biogeochemical Modeling System (GEMS)-Erosion Deposition Carbon Model (EDCM)—using data assimilation technique: the Shuffled Complex Evolution algorithm and a model-inversion R package—Flexible Modeling Environment (FME). The new functionality can support multi-parameter and multi-objective auto-calibration of EDCM at the both pixel and regional levels. We also developed a post-processing procedure for GEMS to provide options to save the pixel-based or aggregated county-land cover specific parameter values for subsequent simulations. In our case study, we successfully applied the updated model (EDCM-Auto) for a single crop pixel with a corn–wheat rotation and a large ecological region (Level II)—Central USA Plains. The evaluation results indicate that EDCM-Auto is applicable at multiple scales and is capable to handle land cover changes (e.g., crop rotations). The model also performs well in capturing the spatial pattern of grain yield production for crops and net primary production (NPP) for other ecosystems across the region, which is a good example for implementing calibration and validation of ecological models with readily available survey data (grain yield) and remote sensing data (NPP) at regional and national levels. The developed platform for auto-calibration can be readily expanded to incorporate other model inversion algorithms and potential R packages, and also be applied to other ecological models.

Local Limit Phenomena, Flow Compression, and Fuel Cracking Effects in High-Speed Turbulent Flames

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-01

e.g. local extinction and re- ignition , interactions between flow compression and fast-reaction induced dilatation (reaction compression ), and to...time as a function of initial temperature in constant-pressure auto - ignition , and (b) the S-curves of perfectly stirred reactors (PSRs), for n...mechanism. The reduction covered auto - ignition and perfectly stirred reactors for equivalence ratio range of 0.5~1.5, initial temperature higher than

Identification and tracking of hairpin vortex auto-generation in turbulent wall-bounded flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Yangzi; Green, Melissa

2016-11-01

Hairpin vortices have been widely accepted as component structures of turbulent boundary layers. Their properties (size, vorticity, energy) and dynamic phenomena (origin, growth, breakdown) have been shown to correlate to the complex, multi-scaled turbulent motions observed in both experiments and simulations. As established in the literature, the passage of a hairpin vortex creates a wall-normal ejection of fluid, which encounters the high-speed freestream resulting in near-wall shear and increased drag. A previously generated simulation of an isolated hairpin vortex is used to study the auto-generation of a secondary vortex structure. Eulerian methods such as the Q criterion and Γ2 function, as well as Lagrangian methods are used to visualize the three-dimensional hairpin vortices and the auto-generation process. The circulation development and wall-normal location of both primary and secondary hairpin heads are studied to determine if there is a correlation between the strength and height of the primary hairpin vortex with the secondary hairpin vortex auto-generation.

AutoSite: an automated approach for pseudo-ligands prediction—from ligand-binding sites identification to predicting key ligand atoms

PubMed Central

Ravindranath, Pradeep Anand; Sanner, Michel F.

2016-01-01

Motivation: The identification of ligand-binding sites from a protein structure facilitates computational drug design and optimization, and protein function assignment. We introduce AutoSite: an efficient software tool for identifying ligand-binding sites and predicting pseudo ligand corresponding to each binding site identified. Binding sites are reported as clusters of 3D points called fills in which every point is labelled as hydrophobic or as hydrogen bond donor or acceptor. From these fills AutoSite derives feature points: a set of putative positions of hydrophobic-, and hydrogen-bond forming ligand atoms. Results: We show that AutoSite identifies ligand-binding sites with higher accuracy than other leading methods, and produces fills that better matches the ligand shape and properties, than the fills obtained with a software program with similar capabilities, AutoLigand. In addition, we demonstrate that for the Astex Diverse Set, the feature points identify 79% of hydrophobic ligand atoms, and 81% and 62% of the hydrogen acceptor and donor hydrogen ligand atoms interacting with the receptor, and predict 81.2% of water molecules mediating interactions between ligand and receptor. Finally, we illustrate potential uses of the predicted feature points in the context of lead optimization in drug discovery projects. Availability and Implementation: http://adfr.scripps.edu/AutoDockFR/autosite.html Contact: sanner@scripps.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. PMID:27354702

An improved maximum power point tracking method for a photovoltaic system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ouoba, David; Fakkar, Abderrahim; El Kouari, Youssef; Dkhichi, Fayrouz; Oukarfi, Benyounes

2016-06-01

In this paper, an improved auto-scaling variable step-size Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) method for photovoltaic (PV) system was proposed. To achieve simultaneously a fast dynamic response and stable steady-state power, a first improvement was made on the step-size scaling function of the duty cycle that controls the converter. An algorithm was secondly proposed to address wrong decision that may be made at an abrupt change of the irradiation. The proposed auto-scaling variable step-size approach was compared to some various other approaches from the literature such as: classical fixed step-size, variable step-size and a recent auto-scaling variable step-size maximum power point tracking approaches. The simulation results obtained by MATLAB/SIMULINK were given and discussed for validation.

[What's new in internal medicine?].

PubMed

Blétry, O; Sene, T; Kahn, J-E; Ackermann, F; Charles, P; Leport, J; Piette, A-M

2009-12-01

Among diagnostic progress over the last three years in internal medicine, Antisynthetase Syndrome is now more easily recognised with the diffusion of laboratory tests for research of antibodies against tRNA synthetases (Anti JO1, anti PL7, Anti PL12). In two third of cases, these antibodies are found despite absence of antinuclear antibodies. Hence, we have to search them specifically in patients with polyarthritis associated with myositis, cutaneous manifestations (Raynaud phenomenom and "mechanic'hands") and interstitial lung disease. Discovery of asymptomatic mutation in the L ferritin coding sequence help us to better understand the "unexplained" hyperferritinemia. Initially described by japonese gastroenterologists, auto immune pancreatitis in fact a part of a systemic sclerosing disease with a biochemical hallmark: in crease of a subclass of immunoglobulins G (IgG4). A new pediatric disease due to a deficiency of the interleukin1 receptor antagonist (multifocal aseptic osteitis, periostitis, stomatitis, disseminated pustulosis) help us to better understand unexplained auto inflammatory diseases. The therapeutic progress is primarily due to an explosion of biological therapies, particularly four of them very useful for internists (in an off label use) : Interleukin 1 inhibitors (anakinra, Canakinumab) to treat some auto inflammatory diseases (cryopirin associated periodic syndromes and deficency of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist), monoclonal antibody against interleukin 5 (mepolizumab) to treat some hypereosinophilic syndromes and Churg and Strauss angiitis, interleukin 6 inhibitiors to treat multifocal Castleman's disease and adult Still disease, a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor (Bevacizumab) to treat hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Autoignition of hydrogen and air using direct numerical simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doom, Jeffrey; Mahesh, Krishnan

2008-11-01

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) is used to study to auto--ignition in laminar vortex rings and turbulent diffusion flames. A novel, all--Mach number algorithm developed by Doom et al (J. Comput. Phys. 2007) is used. The chemical mechanism is a nine species, nineteen reaction mechanism for H2 and Air from Mueller at el (Int. J. Chem. Kinet. 1999). The vortex ring simulations inject diluted H2 at ambient temperature into hot air, and study the effects of stroke ratio, air to fuel ratio and Lewis number. At smaller stroke ratios, ignition occurs in the wake of the vortex ring and propagates into the vortex core. At larger stroke ratios, ignition occurs along the edges of the trailing column before propagating towards the vortex core. The turbulent diffusion flame simulations are three--dimensional and consider the interaction of initially isotropic turbulence with an unstrained diffusion flame. The simulations examine the nature of distinct ignition kernels, the relative roles of chemical reactions, and the relation between the observed behavior and laminar flames and the perfectly stirred reactor problem. These results will be discussed.

Utility of a patient-reported outcome in measuring functional impairment during autologous stem cell transplant in patients with multiple myeloma.

PubMed

Shah, Nina; Shi, Qiuling; Giralt, Sergio; Williams, Loretta; Bashir, Qaiser; Qazilbash, Muzaffar; Champlin, Richard E; Cleeland, Charles S; Wang, Xin Shelley

2018-04-01

We aimed to determine the utility of a patient-reported outcome (PRO) as it relates to patient performed testing (PPT) for measuring functional status in multiple myeloma patients after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HCT). Symptom interference on walking (a PRO) was measured by the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI). PPT was assessed via 6-min walk test (6MWT). Mixed effects modeling was used to examine (1) the longitudinal relationship between the MDASI score and 6MWT distance and (2) the MDASI scores between patients who did or did not complete the 6WMT. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to quantify the construct validity of the PRO by differentiating performance status. Seventy-nine patients were included. Mean 6MWT distance significantly correlated with MDASI-walking interference score (PRO) over the first month of auto-HCT (est = 6.09, p = 0.006). There was a significantly higher completion rate for MDASI versus 6MWT at each time point (p < 0.01). Patients who completed the 6MWT reported less interference on walking during the study period (est = 1.61, p < 0.0001). Finally, the PRO demonstrated significant construct validity for measuring functioning status with MDASI-walking against ECOG-PS as the anchor (AUC = 0.77, 95% CI 0.60-0.94, p = 0.003). The PRO of MDASI-walking interference is a valid physical functioning measure, correlating with an objective functional measure (6MWT) in MM patients undergoing auto-HCT. As patients with poorer functional status during therapy are less likely to complete PPT, this PRO may offer a more practical quantitative measure of functioning in patients.

[PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH AUTO-AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR DURING THE FIRST PSYCHOTIC EPISODE].

PubMed

Mudrenko, I; Potapov, A; Sotnikov, D; Kolenko, O; Kmyta, A

2017-09-01

In this article the formation of psychopathological predictors auto-aggressive behavior in patients with a first psychotic episode were identified, which became "targets" in the framework of a comprehensive emergency suicide assistance to conduct the crisis psychotherapy. The work was done on the basis of the Sumy regional psychoneurologic dispensary, where 100 patients with a first psychotic episode were examined: 52 of them (core group) had suicidal symptoms and 48 (control group) had not. According to the test results of severity of auto-aggressive predictors (pre-suicidal syndrome) to clinicopsychopathological predictors of auto-aggressive behavior include: the narrowing of the cognitive function (p≤0,001), the avoidance of interpersonal contact (r≤0,001), the presence of affective (p≤0,001) and vegetative (p≤0,01) violations, the autoaggression of moderate severity (p≤0,001) and impulsivity (p≤0,001). Patients of the core group with the auto-aggressive behavior (n=58) completed a course of a crisis psychotherapy comprising the stages of crisis support, crisis intervention and increase the adaptation layer. After a psychotherapy course levels of aggression (6,45±0,41), auto-aggression (of 9,68±0,67), disorders in the affective sphere (18,58±0,66) and impulsivity (of 4,23±0,30) decreased, which was manifested in increasing tolerance to emotional stress factors, control over their emotions and reduce their affective valence (p≤0,001). The expansion of interpersonal interaction, the increase of patients social activity, the blood relationships establishment (of 9,23±0,40) was observed.

Autologous/Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation versus Tandem Autologous Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma: Comparison of Long-Term Postrelapse Survival.

PubMed

Htut, Myo; D'Souza, Anita; Krishnan, Amrita; Bruno, Benedetto; Zhang, Mei-Jie; Fei, Mingwei; Diaz, Miguel Angel; Copelan, Edward; Ganguly, Siddhartha; Hamadani, Mehdi; Kharfan-Dabaja, Mohamed; Lazarus, Hillard; Lee, Cindy; Meehan, Kenneth; Nishihori, Taiga; Saad, Ayman; Seo, Sachiko; Ramanathan, Muthalagu; Usmani, Saad Z; Gasparetto, Christina; Mark, Tomer M; Nieto, Yago; Hari, Parameswaran

2018-03-01

We compared postrelapse overall survival (OS) after autologous/allogeneic (auto/allo) versus tandem autologous (auto/auto) hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Postrelapse survival of patients receiving an auto/auto or auto/allo HCT for MM and prospectively reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research between 2000 and 2010 were analyzed. Relapse occurred in 404 patients (72.4%) in the auto/auto group and in 178 patients (67.4%) in the auto/allo group after a median follow-up of 8.5 years. Relapse occurred before 6 months after a second HCT in 46% of the auto/allo patients, compared with 26% of the auto/auto patients. The 6-year postrelapse survival was better in the auto/allo group compared with the auto/auto group (44% versus 35%; P = .05). Mortality due to MM was 69% (n = 101) in the auto/allo group and 83% (n = 229) deaths in auto/auto group. In multivariate analysis, both cohorts had a similar risk of death in the first year after relapse (hazard ratio [HR], .72; P = .12); however, for time points beyond 12 months after relapse, overall survival was superior in the auto/allo cohort (HR for death in auto/auto =1.55; P = .005). Other factors associated with superior survival were enrollment in a clinical trial for HCT, male sex, and use of novel agents at induction before HCT. Our findings shown superior survival afterrelapse in auto/allo HCT recipients compared with auto/auto HCT recipients. This likely reflects a better response to salvage therapy, such as immunomodulatory drugs, potentiated by a donor-derived immunologic milieu. Further augmentation of the post-allo-HCT immune system with new immunotherapies, such as monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, and others, merit investigation. Copyright © 2017 The American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

User productivity as a function of AutoCAD interface design.

PubMed

Mitta, D A; Flores, P L

1995-12-01

Increased operator productivity is a desired outcome of user-CAD interaction scenarios. Two objectives of this research were to (1) define a measure of operator productivity and (2) empirically investigate the potential effects of CAD interface design on operator productivity, where productivity is defined as the percentage of a drawing session correctly completed per unit time. Here, AutoCAD provides the CAD environment of interest. Productivity with respect to two AutoCAD interface designs (menu, template) and three task types (draw, dimension, display) was investigated. Analysis of user productivity data revealed significantly higher productivity under the menu interface condition than under the template interface condition. A significant effect of task type was also discovered, where user productivity under display tasks was higher than productivity under the draw and dimension tasks. Implications of these results are presented.

Auto- and Crosscorrelograms for the Spike Response of Leaky Integrate-and-Fire Neurons with Slow Synapses

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moreno-Bote, Ruben; Parga, Nestor; Center for Theoretical Neuroscience, Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University, New York 10032-2695

2006-01-20

An analytical description of the response properties of simple but realistic neuron models in the presence of noise is still lacking. We determine completely up to the second order the firing statistics of a single and a pair of leaky integrate-and-fire neurons receiving some common slowly filtered white noise. In particular, the auto- and cross-correlation functions of the output spike trains of pairs of cells are obtained from an improvement of the adiabatic approximation introduced previously by Moreno-Bote and Parga [Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 028102 (2004)]. These two functions define the firing variability and firing synchronization between neurons, and aremore » of much importance for understanding neuron communication.« less

Coherence and dimensionality of intense spatiospectral twin beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peřina, Jan

2015-07-01

Spatiospectral properties of twin beams at their transition from low to high intensities are analyzed in parametric and paraxial approximations using decomposition into paired spatial and spectral modes. Intensity auto- and cross-correlation functions are determined and compared in the spectral and temporal domains as well as the transverse wave-vector and crystal output planes. Whereas the spectral, temporal, and transverse wave-vector coherence increases with the increasing pump intensity, coherence in the crystal output plane is almost independent of the pump intensity owing to the mode structure in this plane. The corresponding auto- and cross-correlation functions approach each other for larger pump intensities. The entanglement dimensionality of a twin beam is determined with a comparison of several approaches.

Global and Targeted Pathway Impact of Gliomas on White Matter Integrity Based on Lobar Localization.

PubMed

Ormond, David R; D'Souza, Shawn; Thompson, John A

2017-09-07

Primary brain tumors comprise 28% of all tumors and 80% of malignant tumors. Pathophysiology of high-grade gliomas includes significant distortion of white matter architecture, necrosis, the breakdown of the blood brain barrier, and increased intracranial pressure. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a diffusion weighted imaging technique, can be used to assess white matter architecture. Use of DTI as a non-invasive pathophysiological tool to analyze glioma impact on white matter microstructure has yet to be fully explored. Preliminary assessment of DTI tractography was done as a measure of intracranial tumor impact on white matter architecture. Specifically, we addressed three questions: 1) whether glioma differentially affects local white matter structure compared to metastasis, 2) whether glioma affects tract integrity of major white matter bundles, 3) whether glioma lobe localization affects tract integrity of different white matter bundles. In this study, we retrospectively investigated preoperative DTI scans from 24 patients undergoing tumor resection. Fiber tractography was estimated using a deterministic fiber tracking algorithm in DSI (diffusion spectrum imaging) Studio. The automatic anatomical labeling (AAL) atlas was used to define the left and right (L/R)   hemisphere regions of interest (ROI). In addition, the John Hopkins University (JHU) White Matter Atlas was used to auto-segment major white matter bundle ROIs. For all tracts derived from ROI seed targets, we computed the following parameters: tract number, tract length, fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), mean diffusivity (MD), and radial diffusivity (RD). The DTI tractography analysis revealed that white matter integrity in the hemisphere ipsilateral to intracranial tumor was significantly compromised compared to the control contralateral hemisphere. No differences were observed between high vs low-grade gliomas, however, gliomas induced significantly greater white matter degradation than metastases. In addition, targeted analysis of major white matter bundles important for sensory/motor function (i.e., corticospinal tract and superior longitudinal fasciculus) revealed tract-parameter specific susceptibility due to the presence of the tumor. Finally, major tract bundles were differentially affected based on lobar localization of the glioma. These DTI-based tractographic analyses complement findings from gross histopathological examination of glioma impact on neural tissue. Global and focal white matter architecture, ipsilateral to glioma, shows higher rates of degradation or edema - based on DTI tractographic metrics - in comparison to normal brain or metastases. Gliomas, which arise in the parietal lobe, also have a higher negative impact (potentially due to increased edema) on white matter integrity of the superior longitudinal fasciculus(SLF) than those which arise in the frontal lobe. Future studies will focus on using preoperative and postoperative tractography to predict functional deficits following resective surgery.

AutoLens: Automated Modeling of a Strong Lens's Light, Mass and Source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nightingale, J. W.; Dye, S.; Massey, Richard J.

2018-05-01

This work presents AutoLens, the first entirely automated modeling suite for the analysis of galaxy-scale strong gravitational lenses. AutoLens simultaneously models the lens galaxy's light and mass whilst reconstructing the extended source galaxy on an adaptive pixel-grid. The method's approach to source-plane discretization is amorphous, adapting its clustering and regularization to the intrinsic properties of the lensed source. The lens's light is fitted using a superposition of Sersic functions, allowing AutoLens to cleanly deblend its light from the source. Single component mass models representing the lens's total mass density profile are demonstrated, which in conjunction with light modeling can detect central images using a centrally cored profile. Decomposed mass modeling is also shown, which can fully decouple a lens's light and dark matter and determine whether the two component are geometrically aligned. The complexity of the light and mass models are automatically chosen via Bayesian model comparison. These steps form AutoLens's automated analysis pipeline, such that all results in this work are generated without any user-intervention. This is rigorously tested on a large suite of simulated images, assessing its performance on a broad range of lens profiles, source morphologies and lensing geometries. The method's performance is excellent, with accurate light, mass and source profiles inferred for data sets representative of both existing Hubble imaging and future Euclid wide-field observations.

Spatially resolved bimodal spectroscopy for classification/evaluation of mouse skin inflammatory and pre-cancerous stages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Díaz-Ayil, Gilberto; Amouroux, Marine; Clanché, Fabien; Granjon, Yves; Blondel, Walter C. P. M.

2009-07-01

Spatially-resolved bimodal spectroscopy (multiple AutoFluorescence AF excitation and Diffuse Reflectance DR), was used in vivo to discriminate various healthy and precancerous skin stages in a pre-clinical model (UV-irradiated mouse): Compensatory Hyperplasia CH, Atypical Hyperplasia AH and Dysplasia D. A specific data preprocessing scheme was applied to intensity spectra (filtering, spectral correction and intensity normalization), and several sets of spectral characteristics were automatically extracted and selected based on their discrimination power, statistically tested for every pair-wise comparison of histological classes. Data reduction with Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was performed and 3 classification methods were implemented (k-NN, LDA and SVM), in order to compare diagnostic performance of each method. Diagnostic performance was studied and assessed in terms of Sensibility (Se) and Specificity (Sp) as a function of the selected features, of the combinations of 3 different inter-fibres distances and of the numbers of principal components, such that: Se and Sp ~ 100% when discriminating CH vs. others; Sp ~ 100% and Se > 95% when discriminating Healthy vs. AH or D; Sp ~ 74% and Se ~ 63% for AH vs. D.

Cortical processing of speech in individuals with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder.

PubMed

Apeksha, Kumari; Kumar, U Ajith

2018-06-01

Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) is a condition where cochlear amplification function (involving outer hair cells) is normal but neural conduction in the auditory pathway is disordered. This study was done to investigate the cortical representation of speech in individuals with ANSD and to compare it with the individuals with normal hearing. Forty-five participants including 21 individuals with ANSD and 24 individuals with normal hearing were considered for the study. Individuals with ANSD had hearing thresholds ranging from normal hearing to moderate hearing loss. Auditory cortical evoked potentials-through odd ball paradigm-were recorded using 64 electrodes placed on the scalp for /ba/-/da/ stimulus. Onset cortical responses were also recorded in repetitive paradigm using /da/ stimuli. Sensitivity and reaction time required to identify the oddball stimuli were also obtained. Behavioural results indicated that individuals in ANSD group had significantly lower sensitivity and longer reaction times compared to individuals with normal hearing sensitivity. Reliable P300 could be elicited in both the groups. However, a significant difference in scalp topographies was observed between the two groups in both repetitive and oddball paradigms. Source localization using local auto regressive analyses revealed that activations were more diffuses in individuals with ANSD when compared to individuals with normal hearing sensitivity. Results indicated that the brain networks and regions activated in individuals with ANSD during detection and discrimination of speech sounds are different from normal hearing individuals. In general, normal hearing individuals showed more focused activations while in individuals with ANSD activations were diffused.

Robust scoring functions for protein-ligand interactions with quantum chemical charge models.

PubMed

Wang, Jui-Chih; Lin, Jung-Hsin; Chen, Chung-Ming; Perryman, Alex L; Olson, Arthur J

2011-10-24

Ordinary least-squares (OLS) regression has been used widely for constructing the scoring functions for protein-ligand interactions. However, OLS is very sensitive to the existence of outliers, and models constructed using it are easily affected by the outliers or even the choice of the data set. On the other hand, determination of atomic charges is regarded as of central importance, because the electrostatic interaction is known to be a key contributing factor for biomolecular association. In the development of the AutoDock4 scoring function, only OLS was conducted, and the simple Gasteiger method was adopted. It is therefore of considerable interest to see whether more rigorous charge models could improve the statistical performance of the AutoDock4 scoring function. In this study, we have employed two well-established quantum chemical approaches, namely the restrained electrostatic potential (RESP) and the Austin-model 1-bond charge correction (AM1-BCC) methods, to obtain atomic partial charges, and we have compared how different charge models affect the performance of AutoDock4 scoring functions. In combination with robust regression analysis and outlier exclusion, our new protein-ligand free energy regression model with AM1-BCC charges for ligands and Amber99SB charges for proteins achieve lowest root-mean-squared error of 1.637 kcal/mol for the training set of 147 complexes and 2.176 kcal/mol for the external test set of 1427 complexes. The assessment for binding pose prediction with the 100 external decoy sets indicates very high success rate of 87% with the criteria of predicted root-mean-squared deviation of less than 2 Å. The success rates and statistical performance of our robust scoring functions are only weakly class-dependent (hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or mixed).

Biochemical features of the adhesion G protein-coupled receptor CD97 related to its auto-proteolysis and HeLa cell attachment activities

PubMed Central

Yang, Li-yun; Liu, Xiao-fang; Yang, Yang; Yang, Lin-lin; Liu, Kai-wen; Tang, Yu-bo; Zhang, Min; Tan, Min-jia; Cheng, Shan-mei; Xu, Ye-chun; Yang, Huai-yu; Liu, Zhi-jie; Song, Gao-jie; Huang, Wei

2017-01-01

CD97 belongs to the adhesion GPCR family characterized by a long ECD linked to the 7TM via a GPCR proteolytic site (GPS) and plays important roles in modulating cell migration and invasion. CD97 (EGF1-5) is a splicing variant of CD97 that recognizes a specific ligand chondroitin sulfate on cell membranes and the extracellular matrix. The aim of this study was to elucidate the extracellular molecular basis of the CD97 EGF1-5 isoform in protein expression, auto-proteolysis and cell adhesion, including epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain, GPCR autoproteolysis-inducing (GAIN) domain, as well as GPS mutagenesis and N-glycosylation. Both wild-type (WT) CD97-ECD and its truncated, GPS mutated, PNGase F-deglycosylated, and N-glycosylation site mutated forms were expressed and purified. The auto-proteolysis of the proteins was analyzed with Western blotting and SDS-PAGE. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and molecular modeling were used to determine a structural profile of the properly expressed receptor. Potential N-glycosylation sites were identified using MS and were modulated with PNGase F digestion and glyco-site mutations. A flow cytometry-based HeLa cell attachment assay was used for all aforementioned CD97 variants to elucidate the molecular basis of CD97-HeLa interactions. A unique concentration-dependent GPS auto-proteolysis was observed in CD97 EGF1-5 isoform with the highest concentration (4 mg/mL) per sample was self-cleaved much faster than the lower concentration (0.1 mg/mL), supporting an intermolecular mechanism of auto-proteolysis that is distinct to the reported intramolecular mechanism for other CD97 isoforms. N-glycosylation affected the auto-proteolysis of CD97 EGF1-5 isoform in a similar way as the other previously reported CD97 isoforms. SAXS data for WT and deglycosylated CD97ECD revealed a spatula-like shape with GAIN and EGF domains constituting the body and handle, respectively. Structural modeling indicated a potential interaction between the GAIN and EGF5 domains accounting for the absence of expression of the GAIN domain itself, although EGF5-GAIN was expressed similarly in the wild-type protein. For HeLa cell adhesion, the GAIN-truncated forms showed dramatically reduced binding affinity. The PNGase F-deglycosylated and GPS mutated forms also exhibited reduced HeLa attachment compared with WT CD97. However, neither N-glycosylation mutagenesis nor auto-proteolysis inhibition caused by N-glycosylation mutagenesis affected CD97-HeLa cell interactions. A comparison of the HeLa binding affinities of PNGase F-digested, GPS-mutated and N-glycosylation-mutated CD97 samples revealed diverse findings, suggesting that the functions of CD97 ECD were complex, and various technologies for function validation should be utilized to avoid single-approach bias when investigating N-glycosylation and auto-proteolysis of CD97. A unique mechanism of concentration-dependent auto-proteolysis of the CD97 EGF1-5 isoform was characterized, suggesting an intermolecular mechanism that is distinct from that of other previously reported CD97 isoforms. The EGF5 and GAIN domains are likely associated with each other as CD97 expression and SAXS data revealed a potential interaction between the two domains. Finally, the GAIN and EGF domains are also important for CD97-HeLa adhesion, whereas N-glycosylation of the CD97 GAIN domain and GPS auto-proteolysis are not required for HeLa cell attachment. PMID:27641734

Biochemical features of the adhesion G protein-coupled receptor CD97 related to its auto-proteolysis and HeLa cell attachment activities.

PubMed

Yang, Li-Yun; Liu, Xiao-Fang; Yang, Yang; Yang, Lin-Lin; Liu, Kai-Wen; Tang, Yu-Bo; Zhang, Min; Tan, Min-Jia; Cheng, Shan-Mei; Xu, Ye-Chun; Yang, Huai-Yu; Liu, Zhi-Jie; Song, Gao-Jie; Huang, Wei

2017-01-01

CD97 belongs to the adhesion GPCR family characterized by a long ECD linked to the 7TM via a GPCR proteolytic site (GPS) and plays important roles in modulating cell migration and invasion. CD97 (EGF1-5) is a splicing variant of CD97 that recognizes a specific ligand chondroitin sulfate on cell membranes and the extracellular matrix. The aim of this study was to elucidate the extracellular molecular basis of the CD97 EGF1-5 isoform in protein expression, auto-proteolysis and cell adhesion, including epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain, GPCR autoproteolysis-inducing (GAIN) domain, as well as GPS mutagenesis and N-glycosylation. Both wild-type (WT) CD97-ECD and its truncated, GPS mutated, PNGase F-deglycosylated, and N-glycosylation site mutated forms were expressed and purified. The auto-proteolysis of the proteins was analyzed with Western blotting and SDS-PAGE. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and molecular modeling were used to determine a structural profile of the properly expressed receptor. Potential N-glycosylation sites were identified using MS and were modulated with PNGase F digestion and glyco-site mutations. A flow cytometry-based HeLa cell attachment assay was used for all aforementioned CD97 variants to elucidate the molecular basis of CD97-HeLa interactions. A unique concentration-dependent GPS auto-proteolysis was observed in CD97 EGF1-5 isoform with the highest concentration (4 mg/mL) per sample was self-cleaved much faster than the lower concentration (0.1 mg/mL), supporting an intermolecular mechanism of auto-proteolysis that is distinct to the reported intramolecular mechanism for other CD97 isoforms. N-glycosylation affected the auto-proteolysis of CD97 EGF1-5 isoform in a similar way as the other previously reported CD97 isoforms. SAXS data for WT and deglycosylated CD97ECD revealed a spatula-like shape with GAIN and EGF domains constituting the body and handle, respectively. Structural modeling indicated a potential interaction between the GAIN and EGF5 domains accounting for the absence of expression of the GAIN domain itself, although EGF5-GAIN was expressed similarly in the wild-type protein. For HeLa cell adhesion, the GAIN-truncated forms showed dramatically reduced binding affinity. The PNGase F-deglycosylated and GPS mutated forms also exhibited reduced HeLa attachment compared with WT CD97. However, neither N-glycosylation mutagenesis nor auto-proteolysis inhibition caused by N-glycosylation mutagenesis affected CD97-HeLa cell interactions. A comparison of the HeLa binding affinities of PNGase F-digested, GPS-mutated and N-glycosylation-mutated CD97 samples revealed diverse findings, suggesting that the functions of CD97 ECD were complex, and various technologies for function validation should be utilized to avoid single-approach bias when investigating N-glycosylation and auto-proteolysis of CD97. A unique mechanism of concentration-dependent auto-proteolysis of the CD97 EGF1-5 isoform was characterized, suggesting an intermolecular mechanism that is distinct from that of other previously reported CD97 isoforms. The EGF5 and GAIN domains are likely associated with each other as CD97 expression and SAXS data revealed a potential interaction between the two domains. Finally, the GAIN and EGF domains are also important for CD97-HeLa adhesion, whereas N-glycosylation of the CD97 GAIN domain and GPS auto-proteolysis are not required for HeLa cell attachment.

PKA, novel PKC isoforms, and ERK is mediating PACAP auto-regulation via PAC1R in human neuroblastoma NB-1 cells.

PubMed

Georg, Birgitte; Falktoft, Birgitte; Fahrenkrug, Jan

2016-12-01

The neuropeptide PACAP is expressed throughout the central and peripheral nervous system where it modulates diverse physiological functions including neuropeptide gene expression. We here report that in human neuroblastoma NB-1 cells PACAP transiently induces its own expression. Maximal PACAP mRNA expression was found after stimulation with PACAP for 3h. PACAP auto-regulation was found to be mediated by activation of PACAP specific PAC 1 Rs as PACAP had >100-fold higher efficacy than VIP, and the PAC 1 R selective agonist Maxadilan potently induced PACAP gene expression. Experiments with pharmacological kinase inhibitors revealed that both PKA and novel but not conventional PKC isozymes were involved in the PACAP auto-regulation. Inhibition of MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) also impeded the induction, and we found that PKA, novel PKC and ERK acted in parallel and were thus not part of the same pathways. The expression of the transcription factor EGR1 previously ascribed as target of PACAP signalling was found to be transiently induced by PACAP and pharmacological inhibition of either PKC or MEK1/2 abolished PACAP mediated EGR1 induction. In contrast, inhibition of PKA mediated increased PACAP mediated EGR1 induction. Experiments using siRNA against EGR1 to lower the expression did however not affect the PACAP auto-regulation indicating that this immediate early gene product is not part of PACAP auto-regulation in NB-1 cells. We here reveal that in NB-1 neuroblastoma cells, PACAP induces its own expression by activation of PAC 1 R, and that the signalling is different from the PAC 1 R signalling mediating induction of VIP in the same cells. PACAP auto-regulation depends on parallel activation of PKA, novel PKC isoforms, and ERK, while EGR1 does not seem to be part of the PACAP auto-regulation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Supervised machine learning techniques to predict binding affinity. A study for cyclin-dependent kinase 2.

PubMed

de Ávila, Maurício Boff; Xavier, Mariana Morrone; Pintro, Val Oliveira; de Azevedo, Walter Filgueira

2017-12-09

Here we report the development of a machine-learning model to predict binding affinity based on the crystallographic structures of protein-ligand complexes. We used an ensemble of crystallographic structures (resolution better than 1.5 Å resolution) for which half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) data is available. Polynomial scoring functions were built using as explanatory variables the energy terms present in the MolDock and PLANTS scoring functions. Prediction performance was tested and the supervised machine learning models showed improvement in the prediction power, when compared with PLANTS and MolDock scoring functions. In addition, the machine-learning model was applied to predict binding affinity of CDK2, which showed a better performance when compared with AutoDock4, AutoDock Vina, MolDock, and PLANTS scores. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Prototype of an auto-calibrating, context-aware, hybrid brain-computer interface.

PubMed

Faller, J; Torrellas, S; Miralles, F; Holzner, C; Kapeller, C; Guger, C; Bund, J; Müller-Putz, G R; Scherer, R

2012-01-01

We present the prototype of a context-aware framework that allows users to control smart home devices and to access internet services via a Hybrid BCI system of an auto-calibrating sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) based BCI and another assistive device (Integra Mouse mouth joystick). While there is extensive literature that describes the merit of Hybrid BCIs, auto-calibrating and co-adaptive ERD BCI training paradigms, specialized BCI user interfaces, context-awareness and smart home control, there is up to now, no system that includes all these concepts in one integrated easy-to-use framework that can truly benefit individuals with severe functional disabilities by increasing independence and social inclusion. Here we integrate all these technologies in a prototype framework that does not require expert knowledge or excess time for calibration. In a first pilot-study, 3 healthy volunteers successfully operated the system using input signals from an ERD BCI and an Integra Mouse and reached average positive predictive values (PPV) of 72 and 98% respectively. Based on what we learned here we are planning to improve the system for a test with a larger number of healthy volunteers so we can soon bring the system to benefit individuals with severe functional disability.

AUTO-MUTE 2.0: A Portable Framework with Enhanced Capabilities for Predicting Protein Functional Consequences upon Mutation.

PubMed

Masso, Majid; Vaisman, Iosif I

2014-01-01

The AUTO-MUTE 2.0 stand-alone software package includes a collection of programs for predicting functional changes to proteins upon single residue substitutions, developed by combining structure-based features with trained statistical learning models. Three of the predictors evaluate changes to protein stability upon mutation, each complementing a distinct experimental approach. Two additional classifiers are available, one for predicting activity changes due to residue replacements and the other for determining the disease potential of mutations associated with nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) in human proteins. These five command-line driven tools, as well as all the supporting programs, complement those that run our AUTO-MUTE web-based server. Nevertheless, all the codes have been rewritten and substantially altered for the new portable software, and they incorporate several new features based on user feedback. Included among these upgrades is the ability to perform three highly requested tasks: to run "big data" batch jobs; to generate predictions using modified protein data bank (PDB) structures, and unpublished personal models prepared using standard PDB file formatting; and to utilize NMR structure files that contain multiple models.

A python-based docking program utilizing a receptor bound ligand shape: PythDock.

PubMed

Chung, Jae Yoon; Cho, Seung Joo; Hah, Jung-Mi

2011-09-01

PythDock is a heuristic docking program that uses Python programming language with a simple scoring function and a population based search engine. The scoring function considers electrostatic and dispersion/repulsion terms. The search engine utilizes a particle swarm optimization algorithm. A grid potential map is generated using the shape information of a bound ligand within the active site. Therefore, the searching area is more relevant to the ligand binding. To evaluate the docking performance of PythDock, two well-known docking programs (AutoDock and DOCK) were also used with the same data. The accuracy of docked results were measured by the difference of the ligand structure between x-ray structure, and docked pose, i.e., average root mean squared deviation values of the bound ligand were compared for fourteen protein-ligand complexes. Since the number of ligands' rotational flexibility is an important factor affecting the accuracy of a docking, the data set was chosen to have various degrees of flexibility. Although PythDock has a scoring function simpler than those of other programs (AutoDock and DOCK), our results showed that PythDock predicted more accurate poses than both AutoDock4.2 and DOCK6.2. This indicates that PythDock could be a useful tool to study ligand-receptor interactions and could also be beneficial in structure based drug design.

Autoantibody Profiles in Collagen Disease Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD): Antibodies to Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I-Related Chain A (MICA) as Markers of ILD

PubMed Central

Furukawa, Hiroshi; Oka, Shomi; Shimada, Kota; Masuo, Kiyoe; Nakajima, Fumiaki; Funano, Shunichi; Tanaka, Yuki; Komiya, Akiko; Fukui, Naoshi; Sawasaki, Tatsuya; Tadokoro, Kenji; Nose, Masato; Tsuchiya, Naoyuki; Tohma, Shigeto

2015-01-01

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is frequently associated with collagen disease. It is then designated as collagen vascular disease-associated ILD (CVD-ILD), and influences patients’ prognosis. The prognosis of acute-onset diffuse ILD (AoDILD) occurring in patients with collagen disease is quite poor. Here, we report our investigation of auto-antibody (Ab) profiles to determine whether they may be useful in diagnosing CVD-ILD or AoDILD in collagen disease. Auto-Ab profiles were analyzed using the Lambda Array Beads Multi-Analyte System, granulocyte immunofluorescence test, Proto-Array Human Protein Microarray, AlphaScreen assay, and glutathione S-transferase capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 34 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with or without CVD-ILD and in 15 patients with collagen disease with AoDILD. The average anti-major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A (MICA) Ab levels were higher in RA patients with CVD-ILD than in those without (P = 0.0013). The ratio of the average anti-MICA Ab level to the average anti-human leukocyte antigen class I Ab level (ie, MICA/Class I) was significantly higher in RA patients with CVD-ILD compared with those without (P = 4.47 × 10−5). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of auto-Ab profiles in CVD-ILD. The MICA/Class I ratio could be a better marker for diagnosing CVD-ILD than KL-6 (Krebs von den lungen-6). PMID:26327779

Double-excitation fluorescence spectral imaging: eliminating tissue auto-fluorescence from in vivo PPIX measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torosean, Sason; Flynn, Brendan; Samkoe, Kimberley S.; Davis, Scott C.; Gunn, Jason; Axelsson, Johan; Pogue, Brian W.

2012-02-01

An ultrasound coupled handheld-probe-based optical fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) system has been in development for the purpose of quantifying the production of Protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) in aminolevulinic acid treated (ALA), Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) in vivo. The design couples fiber-based spectral sampling of PPIX fluorescence emission with a high frequency ultrasound imaging system, allowing regionally localized fluorescence intensities to be quantified [1]. The optical data are obtained by sequential excitation of the tissue with a 633nm laser, at four source locations and five parallel detections at each of the five interspersed detection locations. This method of acquisition permits fluorescence detection for both superficial and deep locations in ultrasound field. The optical boundary data, tissue layers segmented from ultrasound image and diffusion theory are used to estimate the fluorescence in tissue layers. To improve the recovery of the fluorescence signal of PPIX, eliminating tissue autofluorescence is of great importance. Here the approach was to utilize measurements which straddled the steep Qband excitation peak of PPIX, via the integration of an additional laser source, exciting at 637 nm; a wavelength with a 2 fold lower PPIX excitation value than 633nm.The auto-fluorescence spectrum acquired from the 637 nm laser is then used to spectrally decouple the fluorescence data and produce an accurate fluorescence emission signal, because the two wavelengths have very similar auto-fluorescence but substantially different PPIX excitation levels. The accuracy of this method, using a single source detector pair setup, is verified through animal tumor model experiments, and the result is compared to different methods of fluorescence signal recovery.

[Non-identified antinuclear antibodies in systemic sclerosis].

PubMed

Margot, A; Smet, J; Soyfoo, S

Systemic sclerosis is a rare auto immune disease characterized by a local or diffuse skin condition and a variable visceral impairment. Anti nuclear antibodies (ANA) can be found in 95 % of patients. The most frequent are the anti topoisomerase 1 or anti Scl 70 and the anti-centromeres. Other antibodies have been reported but they are not conventionally sought in clinical practice. They are referred to as " non identified " ANA. To seek the " non identified " antibodies in patients with scleroderma at Erasme Hospital, to assess their prevalence in this cohort and to correlate their presence with the clinical characteristics. 89 patients out of the cohort of Erasme hospital patients with scleroderma have been looked at. Their clinical and biological data have been identified and a detection of antibodies have been performed by first an immonudot technique and second an EliA technique. 17 out of the 89 patients of our cohort had " non identified " ANA. Among them, antibodies in 11 patients have been identified by the immunodot, among which 7 anti-PmScl 75 and/or 100,3 RNA polymerase III and 1 antifibrillarin. The EliA technique identif ied antibodies in 10 patients among which 5 anti- PmScl, 2 anti RNA polymerase, 2 anti-fibrillarin and 1 anti-centromere. Auto antibodies other than the antitopoisomerase and anti-centromere have been found in patients with scleroderma in our cohort. Certain links exist between the presence of a given antibody and clinical features. We still have to define whether there exist other auto antibodies of which we still are unaware since in some patient no antibodies were detected.

AUTO_DERIV: Tool for automatic differentiation of a Fortran code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stamatiadis, S.; Farantos, S. C.

2010-10-01

AUTO_DERIV is a module comprised of a set of FORTRAN 95 procedures which can be used to calculate the first and second partial derivatives (mixed or not) of any continuous function with many independent variables. The mathematical function should be expressed as one or more FORTRAN 77/90/95 procedures. A new type of variables is defined and the overloading mechanism of functions and operators provided by the FORTRAN 95 language is extensively used to define the differentiation rules. Proper (standard complying) handling of floating-point exceptions is provided by using the IEEE_EXCEPTIONS intrinsic module (Technical Report 15580, incorporated in FORTRAN 2003). New version program summaryProgram title: AUTO_DERIV Catalogue identifier: ADLS_v2_0 Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/ADLS_v2_0.html Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions: Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.html No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 2963 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 10 314 Distribution format: tar.gz Programming language: Fortran 95 + (optionally) TR-15580 (Floating-point exception handling) Computer: all platforms with a Fortran 95 compiler Operating system: Linux, Windows, MacOS Classification: 4.12, 6.2 Catalogue identifier of previous version: ADLS_v1_0 Journal reference of previous version: Comput. Phys. Comm. 127 (2000) 343 Does the new version supersede the previous version?: Yes Nature of problem: The need to calculate accurate derivatives of a multivariate function frequently arises in computational physics and chemistry. The most versatile approach to evaluate them by a computer, automatically and to machine precision, is via user-defined types and operator overloading. AUTO_DERIV is a Fortran 95 implementation of them, designed to evaluate the first and second derivatives of a function of many variables. Solution method: The mathematical rules for differentiation of sums, products, quotients, elementary functions in conjunction with the chain rule for compound functions are applied. The function should be expressed as one or more Fortran 77/90/95 procedures. A new type of variables is defined and the overloading mechanism of functions and operators provided by the Fortran 95 language is extensively used to implement the differentiation rules. Reasons for new version: The new version supports Fortran 95, handles properly the floating-point exceptions, and is faster due to internal reorganization. All discovered bugs are fixed. Summary of revisions:The code was rewritten extensively to benefit from features introduced in Fortran 95. Additionally, there was a major internal reorganization of the code, resulting in faster execution. The user interface described in the original paper was not changed. The values that the user must or should specify before compilation (essentially, the number of independent variables) were moved into ad_types module. There were many minor bug fixes. One important bug was found and fixed; the code did not handle correctly the overloading of ∗ in aλ when a=0. The case of division by zero and the discontinuity of the function at the requested point are indicated by standard IEEE exceptions ( IEEE_DIVIDE_BY_ZERO and IEEE_INVALID respectively). If the compiler does not support IEEE exceptions, a module with the appropriate name is provided, imitating the behavior of the 'standard' module in the sense that it raises the corresponding exceptions. It is up to the compiler (through certain flags probably) to detect them. Restrictions: None imposed by the program. There are certain limitations that may appear mostly due to the specific implementation chosen in the user code. They can always be overcome by recoding parts of the routines developed by the user or by modifying AUTO_DERIV according to specific instructions given in [1]. The common restrictions of available memory and the capabilities of the compiler are the same as the original version. Additional comments: The program has been tested using the following compilers: Intel ifort, GNU gfortran, NAGWare f95, g95. Running time: The typical running time for the program depends on the compiler and the complexity of the differentiated function. A rough estimate is that AUTO_DERIV is ten times slower than the evaluation of the analytical ('by hand') function value and derivatives (if they are available). References:S. Stamatiadis, R. Prosmiti, S.C. Farantos, AUTO_DERIV: tool for automatic differentiation of a Fortran code, Comput. Phys. Comm. 127 (2000) 343.

Space imaging infrared optical guidance for autonomous ground vehicle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akiyama, Akira; Kobayashi, Nobuaki; Mutoh, Eiichiro; Kumagai, Hideo; Yamada, Hirofumi; Ishii, Hiromitsu

2008-08-01

We have developed the Space Imaging Infrared Optical Guidance for Autonomous Ground Vehicle based on the uncooled infrared camera and focusing technique to detect the objects to be evaded and to set the drive path. For this purpose we made servomotor drive system to control the focus function of the infrared camera lens. To determine the best focus position we use the auto focus image processing of Daubechies wavelet transform technique with 4 terms. From the determined best focus position we transformed it to the distance of the object. We made the aluminum frame ground vehicle to mount the auto focus infrared unit. Its size is 900mm long and 800mm wide. This vehicle mounted Ackerman front steering system and the rear motor drive system. To confirm the guidance ability of the Space Imaging Infrared Optical Guidance for Autonomous Ground Vehicle we had the experiments for the detection ability of the infrared auto focus unit to the actual car on the road and the roadside wall. As a result the auto focus image processing based on the Daubechies wavelet transform technique detects the best focus image clearly and give the depth of the object from the infrared camera unit.

Certain (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) auto-oxidation products (EAOPs) retain the cytotoxic activities of EGCG.

PubMed

Wei, Yaqing; Chen, Pingping; Ling, Tiejun; Wang, Yijun; Dong, Ruixia; Zhang, Chen; Zhang, Longjie; Han, Manman; Wang, Dongxu; Wan, Xiaochun; Zhang, Jinsong

2016-08-01

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from green tea has anti-cancer effect. The cytotoxic actions of EGCG are associated with its auto-oxidation, leading to the production of hydrogen peroxide and formation of numerous EGCG auto-oxidation products (EAOPs), the structures and bioactivities of them remain largely unclear. In the present study, we compared several fundamental properties of EGCG and EAOPs, which were prepared using 5mg/mL EGCG dissolved in 200mM phosphate buffered saline (pH 8.0 at 37°C) and normal oxygen partial pressure for different periods of time. Despite the complete disappearance of EGCG after the 4-h auto-oxidation, 4-h EAOPs gained an enhanced capacity to deplete cysteine thiol groups, and retained the cytotoxic effects of EGCG as well as the capacity to produce hydrogen peroxide and inhibit thioredoxin reductase, a putative target for cancer prevention and treatment. The results indicate that certain EAOPs possess equivalent cytotoxic activities to EGCG, while exhibiting simultaneously enhanced capacity for cysteine depletion. These results imply that EGCG and EAOPs formed extracellularly function in concert to exhibit cytotoxic effects, which previously have been ascribed to EGCG alone. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemotactic droplet swimmers in complex geometries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Chenyu; Hokmabad, Babak V.; Baldwin, Kyle A.; Maass, Corinna C.

2018-02-01

Chemotaxis1 and auto-chemotaxis are key mechanisms in the dynamics of micro-organisms, e.g. in the acquisition of nutrients and in the communication between individuals, influencing the collective behaviour. However, chemical signalling and the natural environment of biological swimmers are generally complex, making them hard to access analytically. We present a well-controlled, tunable artificial model to study chemotaxis and autochemotaxis in complex geometries, using microfluidic assays of self-propelling oil droplets in an aqueous surfactant solution (Herminghaus et al 2014 Soft Matter 10 7008-22 Krüger et al 2016 Phys. Rev. Lett. 117). Droplets propel via interfacial Marangoni stresses powered by micellar solubilisation. Moreover, filled micelles act as a chemical repellent by diffusive phoretic gradient forces. We have studied these chemotactic effects in a series of microfluidic geometries, as published in Jin et al (2017 Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. 114 5089-94): first, droplets are guided along the shortest path through a maze by surfactant diffusing into the maze from the exit. Second, we let auto-chemotactic droplet swimmers pass through bifurcating microfluidic channels and record anticorrelations between the branch choices of consecutive droplets. We present an analytical Langevin model matching the experimental data. In a previously unpublished experiment, pillar arrays of variable sizes and shapes provide a convex wall interacting with the swimmer and, in the case of attachment, bending its trajectory and forcing it to revert to its own trail. We observe different behaviours based on the interplay of wall curvature and negative autochemotaxis, i.e. no attachment for highly curved interfaces, stable trapping at large pillars, and a narrow transition region where negative autochemotaxis makes the swimmers detach after a single orbit.

Quantitative metrics for evaluating parallel acquisition techniques in diffusion tensor imaging at 3 Tesla.

PubMed

Ardekani, Siamak; Selva, Luis; Sayre, James; Sinha, Usha

2006-11-01

Single-shot echo-planar based diffusion tensor imaging is prone to geometric and intensity distortions. Parallel imaging is a means of reducing these distortions while preserving spatial resolution. A quantitative comparison at 3 T of parallel imaging for diffusion tensor images (DTI) using k-space (generalized auto-calibrating partially parallel acquisitions; GRAPPA) and image domain (sensitivity encoding; SENSE) reconstructions at different acceleration factors, R, is reported here. Images were evaluated using 8 human subjects with repeated scans for 2 subjects to estimate reproducibility. Mutual information (MI) was used to assess the global changes in geometric distortions. The effects of parallel imaging techniques on random noise and reconstruction artifacts were evaluated by placing 26 regions of interest and computing the standard deviation of apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy along with the error of fitting the data to the diffusion model (residual error). The larger positive values in mutual information index with increasing R values confirmed the anticipated decrease in distortions. Further, the MI index of GRAPPA sequences for a given R factor was larger than the corresponding mSENSE images. The residual error was lowest in the images acquired without parallel imaging and among the parallel reconstruction methods, the R = 2 acquisitions had the least error. The standard deviation, accuracy, and reproducibility of the apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy in homogenous tissue regions showed that GRAPPA acquired with R = 2 had the least amount of systematic and random noise and of these, significant differences with mSENSE, R = 2 were found only for the fractional anisotropy index. Evaluation of the current implementation of parallel reconstruction algorithms identified GRAPPA acquired with R = 2 as optimal for diffusion tensor imaging.

Tandem Autologous versus Single Autologous Transplantation Followed by Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Patients with Multiple Myeloma: Results from the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT CTN) 0102 Trial

PubMed Central

Krishnan, Amrita; Pasquini, Marcelo C.; Logan, Brent; Stadtmauer, Edward A.; Vesole, David H.; Alyea, Edwin; Antin, Joseph H.; Comenzo, Raymond; Goodman, Stacey; Hari, Parameswaran; Laport, Ginna; Qazilbash, Muzaffar H.; Rowley, Scott; Sahebi, Firoozeh; Somlo, George; Vogl, Dan T.; Weisdorf, Daniel; Ewell, Marian; Wu, Juan; Geller, Nancy L.; Horowitz, Mary M.; Giralt, Sergio; Maloney, David G.

2012-01-01

Background Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) improves survival in patients with multiple myeloma, but disease progression remains a challenge. Allogeneic HCT (alloHCT) has the potential to reduce disease progression through graft-versus-myeloma effects. The aim of the BMT CTN 0102 trial was to compare outcomes of autologous HCT (autoHCT) followed by alloHCT with non-myeloablative conditioning (auto-allo) to tandem autoHCT (auto-auto) in patients with standard risk myeloma. Patients in the auto-auto arm were randomized to one year of thalidomide and dexamethasone (Thal-Dex) maintenance therapy or observation (Obs). Methods Patients with multiple myeloma within 10 months from initiation of induction therapy were classified as standard (SRD) or high risk (HRD) disease based on cytogenetics and beta-2-microglobulin levels. Assignment to auto-allo HCT was based on availability of an HLA-matched sibling donor. Primary endpoint was three-year progression-free survival (PFS) according to intent-to-treat analysis. Results 710 patients were enrolled completed a minimum of 3-year follow up. Among 625 SRD patients, 189 and 436 were assigned to auto-allo and auto-auto, respectively. Seventeen percent (33/189) of SR patients in the auto-allo arm and 16% (70/436) in the auto-auto arm did not receive a second transplant. Thal-Dex was not completed in 77% (168/217) of assigned patients. PFS and overall survival (OS) did not differ between the Thal-Dex (49%, 80%) and Obs (41%, 81%) cohorts and these two arms were pooled for analysis. Three year PFS was 43% and 46% (p=0·671) and three-year OS was 77% and 80 % (p=0·191) with auto-allo and auto-auto, respectively. Corresponding progression/relapse rates were 46% and 50% (p=0·402); treatment-related mortality rates were 11% and 4% (p<0·001), respectively. Auto/allo patients with chronic graft-vs-host disease had a decreased risk of relapse. Most common grade 3 to 5 adverse events in auto-allo was hypebilirubenemia (21/189) and in the auto-auto was peripheral neuropathy (52/436). Among 85 HRD patients (37 auto-allo), three PFS was 40% and 33% (p=0·743) and three-year OS was 59% and 67% (p=0·460) with auto-allo and auto-auto, respectively. Conclusion Thal-Dex maintenance was associated with poor compliance and did not improve PFS or OS. At three years there was no improvement in PFS or OS with auto-allo compared to auto-auto transplantation in patients with standard risk myeloma. Decisions to proceed with alloHCT after an autoHCT in patients with standard risk myeloma should take into consideration results of the current trial. Future investigation of alloHCT in myeloma should focus to minimize TRM and maximize graft-versus myeloma effects. This trial was registered in Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00075829) and was funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and National Cancer Institute. PMID:21962393

Face detection assisted auto exposure: supporting evidence from a psychophysical study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Elaine W.; Lin, Sheng; Dharumalingam, Dhandapani

2010-01-01

Face detection has been implemented in many digital still cameras and camera phones with the promise of enhancing existing camera functions (e.g. auto exposure) and adding new features to cameras (e.g. blink detection). In this study we examined the use of face detection algorithms in assisting auto exposure (AE). The set of 706 images, used in this study, was captured using Canon Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras and subsequently processed with an image processing pipeline. A psychophysical study was performed to obtain optimal exposure along with the upper and lower bounds of exposure for all 706 images. Three methods of marking faces were utilized: manual marking, face detection algorithm A (FD-A), and face detection algorithm B (FD-B). The manual marking method found 751 faces in 426 images, which served as the ground-truth for face regions of interest. The remaining images do not have any faces or the faces are too small to be considered detectable. The two face detection algorithms are different in resource requirements and in performance. FD-A uses less memory and gate counts compared to FD-B, but FD-B detects more faces and has less false positives. A face detection assisted auto exposure algorithm was developed and tested against the evaluation results from the psychophysical study. The AE test results showed noticeable improvement when faces were detected and used in auto exposure. However, the presence of false positives would negatively impact the added benefit.

Prompting Technology and Persons With Dementia: The Significance of Context and Communication.

PubMed

Braley, Rachel; Fritz, Rochelle; Van Son, Catherine R; Schmitter-Edgecombe, Maureen

2018-06-12

Smart home auto-prompting has the potential to increase the functional independence of persons with dementia (PWDs) and decrease caregiver burden as instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are completed at home. To improve prompting technologies, we sought to inductively understand how PWDs responded to auto-prompting while performing IADL tasks. Fifteen PWDs completed eight IADLs in a smart home testbed and received a hierarchy of verbal auto-prompts (indirect, direct, multimodal) as needed for task completion. Two researchers viewed archived videos and recorded the observed behaviors of the PWDs and their reflections watching the PWDs. Using qualitative descriptive methods, an interdisciplinary analytic team reviewed transcripts and organized data into themes using content analysis. Context and Communication emerged as the major themes, suggesting that positive user experiences will require auto-prompting systems to account for a multitude of contextual factors (individual and environmental) such as level of cognitive impairment, previous exposure to task, and familiarity of environment. Communicating with another human rather than an automated prompting system may be important if individuals begin to exhibit signs of stress while completing activities. Additional work is needed to create auto-prompting systems that provide specific, personalized, and flexible prompts. Holistic conceptualization of "successful task completion" is needed and a positive end-user experience will be key to utility. Such systems will benefit from including positive reinforcement, training, and exploration of how, and whether, direct human involvement can be minimized during the provision of in-home care.

Testing First-Order Logic Axioms in AutoCert

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ahn, Ki Yung; Denney, Ewen

2009-01-01

AutoCert [2] is a formal verification tool for machine generated code in safety critical domains, such as aerospace control code generated from MathWorks Real-Time Workshop. AutoCert uses Automated Theorem Provers (ATPs) [5] based on First-Order Logic (FOL) to formally verify safety and functional correctness properties of the code. These ATPs try to build proofs based on user provided domain-specific axioms, which can be arbitrary First-Order Formulas (FOFs). These axioms are the most crucial part of the trusted base, since proofs can be submitted to a proof checker removing the need to trust the prover and AutoCert itself plays the part of checking the code generator. However, formulating axioms correctly (i.e. precisely as the user had really intended) is non-trivial in practice. The challenge of axiomatization arise from several dimensions. First, the domain knowledge has its own complexity. AutoCert has been used to verify mathematical requirements on navigation software that carries out various geometric coordinate transformations involving matrices and quaternions. Axiomatic theories for such constructs are complex enough that mistakes are not uncommon. Second, adjusting axioms for ATPs can add even more complexity. The axioms frequently need to be modified in order to have them in a form suitable for use with ATPs. Such modifications tend to obscure the axioms further. Thirdly, speculating validity of the axioms from the output of existing ATPs is very hard since theorem provers typically do not give any examples or counterexamples.

[Anti-M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antibodies and Sjögren's syndrome].

PubMed

Tsuboi, Hiroto; Iizuka, Mana; Asashima, Hiromitsu; Sumida, Takayuki

2013-01-01

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease that affects exocrine glands including salivary and lacrimal glands. It is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration into exocrine glands, leading to dry mouth and eyes. A number of auto-antibodies are detected in patients with SS. However, no SS-specific pathologic auto-antibodies have yet been found in this condition. M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3R) plays a crucial role in the secretion of saliva. It is reported that some patients with SS carried inhibitory auto-antibodies against M3R. To clarify the epitopes and function of anti-M3R antibodies in SS, we examined antibodies to the extracellular domains (N terminal region, the first, second, and third extracellular loop) of M3R by ELISA using synthesized peptide antigens encoding these domains in 42 SS and 42 healthy controls (HC). Titers and positivity of anti-M3R antibodies to every extracellular domain of M3R were significantly higher in SS than in HC. Our results indicated the presence of several B cell epitopes on M3R in SS. Moreover, we analyzed the functions of anti-M3R antibodies by Ca(2+)-influx assays using a human salivary gland (HSG) cell line. The functional analysis indicated that the influence of such anti-M3R antibodies on Ca(2+)-influx in HSG cells might differ based on the epitopes to which they bind. Interestingly, both IgG from anti-M3R antibodies to the second extracellular loop positive SS and anti-M3R monoclonal antibodies against the second extracellular loop of M3R, which we generated, suppressed Ca(2+)-influx in the HSG cells induced by cevimeline stimulation. These observations suggested that auto-antibodies against the second extracellular loop of M3R could be involved in salivary dysfunction in patients with SS. These results indicated the presence of several B cell epitopes on M3R in SS and the influence of anti-M3R antibodies on salivary secretion might differ based on these epitopes. Thus, anti-M3R antibodies could be not only potential pathologic auto-antibodies, but also new diagnostic makers and therapeutic targets for SS.

Molecular and functional analyses of a maize autoactive NB-LRR protein identify precise structural requirements for activity.

PubMed

Wang, Guan-Feng; Ji, Jiabing; El-Kasmi, Farid; Dangl, Jeffery L; Johal, Guri; Balint-Kurti, Peter J

2015-02-01

Plant disease resistance is often mediated by nucleotide binding-leucine rich repeat (NLR) proteins which remain auto-inhibited until recognition of specific pathogen-derived molecules causes their activation, triggering a rapid, localized cell death called a hypersensitive response (HR). Three domains are recognized in one of the major classes of NLR proteins: a coiled-coil (CC), a nucleotide binding (NB-ARC) and a leucine rich repeat (LRR) domains. The maize NLR gene Rp1-D21 derives from an intergenic recombination event between two NLR genes, Rp1-D and Rp1-dp2 and confers an autoactive HR. We report systematic structural and functional analyses of Rp1 proteins in maize and N. benthamiana to characterize the molecular mechanism of NLR activation/auto-inhibition. We derive a model comprising the following three main features: Rp1 proteins appear to self-associate to become competent for activity. The CC domain is signaling-competent and is sufficient to induce HR. This can be suppressed by the NB-ARC domain through direct interaction. In autoactive proteins, the interaction of the LRR domain with the NB-ARC domain causes de-repression and thus disrupts the inhibition of HR. Further, we identify specific amino acids and combinations thereof that are important for the auto-inhibition/activity of Rp1 proteins. We also provide evidence for the function of MHD2, a previously uncharacterized, though widely conserved NLR motif. This work reports several novel insights into the precise structural requirement for NLR function and informs efforts towards utilizing these proteins for engineering disease resistance.

Electron Beam Transport in the Ionosphere - Energy Deposition and Optical Emissions Based upon the Combined Effects of Plasma Turbulence and Particle-Particle Interactions.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-02-01

function of both E, and an auto- correlation time :. We choose to replace E, by an expression containing v, the velocity spread of the beam...f’K or eEL ArGC - ’ (5) where E,_ is now the perpendicular component of the turbulent E field and , is the time int-erval for a coherent interaction...the auto-correlation time ). Equation (5) is the basis for our random walk model for wave particle interactions. It can also be derived using the tX

[Spleen autotransplant. Natural history and description of a case].

PubMed

Ceccherini, E; Sereni, P; Ferrari, F; Fagioli Zucchi, A; Croce, F; Di Maggio, G; Vattimo, A; Mancini, S

1989-09-30

After considering the natural history of spleen auto-transplant, a clinical case followed up for seven months with instrumental (echography, scintigraphy) and humoral (Jolly bodies, Heinz bodies, reticulocytes, platelets, complement, immune globulin) examinations has been considered so as to verify "take" and function. One months after reimplantation the patient was again operated on for the onset of an intestinal occlusion due to adherences. On that occasion it was possible to control that the implant had taken. It is concluded that personally used parameters proved to be well correlated and that scintigraphy and echography are two complementary, effective techniques for monitoring auto-transplants.

The Immune System: Basis of so much Health and Disease: 2. Innate Immunity.

PubMed

Scully, Crispian; Georgakopoulou, Eleni A; Hassona, Yazan

2017-03-01

The immune system is the body’s primary defence mechanism against infections, and disturbances in the system can cause disease if the system fails in defence functions (in immunocompromised people), or if the activity is detrimental to the host (as in auto-immune and auto-inflammatory states). A healthy immune system is also essential to normal health of dental and oral tissues. This series presents the basics for the understanding of the immune system, this article covering innate immunity. Clinical relevance: Modern dental clinicians need a basic understanding of the immune system as it underlies health and disease.

The Immune System: Basis of so much Health and Disease: 3. Adaptive Immunity.

PubMed

Scully, Crispian; Georgakopoulou, Eleni A; Hassona, Yazan

2017-04-01

The immune system is the body’s primary defence mechanism against infections, and disturbances in the system can cause disease if the system fails in defence functions (in immunocompromised people), or if the activity is detrimental to the host (as in auto-immune and auto-inflammatory states). A healthy immune system is also essential to normal health of dental and oral tissues. This series presents the basics for the understanding of the immune system; this article covers adaptive immunity. Clinical relevance: Dental clinicians need a basic understanding of the immune system as it underlies health and disease.

Computer-assisted determination of left ventricular endocardial borders reduces variability in the echocardiographic assessment of ejection fraction

PubMed Central

Maret, Eva; Brudin, Lars; Lindstrom, Lena; Nylander, Eva; Ohlsson, Jan L; Engvall, Jan E

2008-01-01

Background Left ventricular size and function are important prognostic factors in heart disease. Their measurement is the most frequent reason for sending patients to the echo lab. These measurements have important implications for therapy but are sensitive to the skill of the operator. Earlier automated echo-based methods have not become widely used. The aim of our study was to evaluate an automatic echocardiographic method (with manual correction if needed) for determining left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) based on an active appearance model of the left ventricle (syngo®AutoEF, Siemens Medical Solutions). Comparisons were made with manual planimetry (manual Simpson), visual assessment and automatically determined LVEF from quantitative myocardial gated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Methods 60 consecutive patients referred for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) were included in the study. Two-dimensional echocardiography was performed within one hour of MPI at rest. Image quality did not constitute an exclusion criterion. Analysis was performed by five experienced observers and by two novices. Results LVEF (%), end-diastolic and end-systolic volume/BSA (ml/m2) were for uncorrected AutoEF 54 ± 10, 51 ± 16, 24 ± 13, for corrected AutoEF 53 ± 10, 53 ± 18, 26 ± 14, for manual Simpson 51 ± 11, 56 ± 20, 28 ± 15, and for MPI 52 ± 12, 67 ± 26, 35 ± 23. The required time for analysis was significantly different for all four echocardiographic methods and was for uncorrected AutoEF 79 ± 5 s, for corrected AutoEF 159 ± 46 s, for manual Simpson 177 ± 66 s, and for visual assessment 33 ± 14 s. Compared with the expert manual Simpson, limits of agreement for novice corrected AutoEF was lower than for novice manual Simpson (0.8 ± 10.5 vs. -3.2 ± 11.4 LVEF percentage points). Calculated for experts and with LVEF (%) categorized into < 30, 30–44, 45–54 and ≥ 55, kappa measure of agreement was moderate (0.44–0.53) for all method comparisons (uncorrected AutoEF not evaluated). Conclusion Corrected AutoEF reduces the variation in measurements compared with manual planimetry, without increasing the time required. The method seems especially suited for unexperienced readers. PMID:19014461

Clinical assessment of auto-positive end-expiratory pressure by diaphragmatic electrical activity during pressure support and neurally adjusted ventilatory assist.

PubMed

Bellani, Giacomo; Coppadoro, Andrea; Patroniti, Nicolò; Turella, Marta; Arrigoni Marocco, Stefano; Grasselli, Giacomo; Mauri, Tommaso; Pesenti, Antonio

2014-09-01

Auto-positive end-expiratory pressure (auto-PEEP) may substantially increase the inspiratory effort during assisted mechanical ventilation. Purpose of this study was to assess whether the electrical activity of the diaphragm (EAdi) signal can be reliably used to estimate auto-PEEP in patients undergoing pressure support ventilation and neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) and whether NAVA was beneficial in comparison with pressure support ventilation in patients affected by auto-PEEP. In 10 patients with a clinical suspicion of auto-PEEP, the authors simultaneously recorded EAdi, airway, esophageal pressure, and flow during pressure support and NAVA, whereas external PEEP was increased from 2 to 14 cm H2O. Tracings were analyzed to measure apparent "dynamic" auto-PEEP (decrease in esophageal pressure to generate inspiratory flow), auto-EAdi (EAdi value at the onset of inspiratory flow), and IDEAdi (inspiratory delay between the onset of EAdi and the inspiratory flow). The pressure necessary to overcome auto-PEEP, auto-EAdi, and IDEAdi was significantly lower in NAVA as compared with pressure support ventilation, decreased with increase in external PEEP, although the effect of external PEEP was less pronounced in NAVA. Both auto-EAdi and IDEAdi were tightly correlated with auto-PEEP (r = 0.94 and r = 0.75, respectively). In the presence of auto-PEEP at lower external PEEP levels, NAVA was characterized by a characteristic shape of the airway pressure. In patients with auto-PEEP, NAVA, compared with pressure support ventilation, led to a decrease in the pressure necessary to overcome auto-PEEP, which could be reliably monitored by the electrical activity of the diaphragm before inspiratory flow onset (auto-EAdi).

The mathematical model of radon-222 accumulation in underground mines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klimshin, A.

2012-04-01

Necessity to control underground mine air radon level arises during building and operating mines as well as auto and railway tunnels including those for metros. Calculation of underground mine air radon level can be fulfilled for estimation of potential radon danger of area for underground structure building. In this work the new mathematical model of radon accumulation in underground mines has been suggested. It takes into consideration underground mine dimensions, air exchange factor and soils ability to emanate radon. The following assumptions have been taken for model development. It is assumed that underground mine is a cylinder of length L and of base area S. Due to ventilation atmosphere air of volume activity Catm, is coming in through one cylinder base and is going out of volume activity Cind from underground mine. Diffusion radon flux is coming in through side surfaces of underground mine. The sources of this flux are radium-226 atoms distributed evenly in rock. For simplification of the task it considered possible to disregard radon emanation by loosened rock and underground waters. As a result of solution of the radon diffusion equation the following expression for calculation of radon volume activity in underground space air has been got: 2·r0 ·λv ·Catm-·l·K0(r0/l)-+D-·K1(r0/l)·C0- Cind = 2·(λ+ λv)·r0 ·l·K0 (r0/l)+ D ·K1(r0/l) . The following designations are used in this expression: Kν(r) - the second genus modified Bessel's function, C0 - equilibrium radon volume activity in soil air, l - diffusion radon length in soil, D - radon diffusion factor, r0 - radius of underground tunnel, λv - factor of air exchange. Expression found may be used for calculation of the minimum factor of necessary air exchange for ensuring safe radon levels in underground spaces. With this worked out model expected levels of radon volume activity were calculated for air in the second metro line underground spaces in the city of Yekaterinburg, Russia.

Data transmission system with distributed microprocessors

DOEpatents

Nambu, Shigeo

1985-01-01

A data transmission system having a common request line and a special request line in addition to a transmission line. The special request line has priority over the common request line. A plurality of node stations are multi-drop connected to the transmission line. Among the node stations, a supervising station is connected to the special request line and takes precedence over other slave stations to become a master station. The master station collects data from the slave stations. The station connected to the common request line can assign a master control function to any station requesting to be assigned the master control function within a short period of time. Each station has an auto response control circuit. The master station automatically collects data by the auto response controlling circuit independently of the microprocessors of the slave stations.

Myocarditis in auto-immune or auto-inflammatory diseases.

PubMed

Comarmond, Cloé; Cacoub, Patrice

2017-08-01

Myocarditis is a major cause of heart disease in young patients and a common precursor of heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy. Some auto-immune and/or auto-inflammatory diseases may be accompanied by myocarditis, such as sarcoidosis, Behçet's disease, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, myositis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. However, data concerning myocarditis in such auto-immune and/or auto-inflammatory diseases are sparse. New therapeutic strategies should better target the modulation of the immune system, depending on the phase of the disease and the type of underlying auto-immune and/or auto-inflammatory disease. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High-frequency sarcomeric auto-oscillations induced by heating in living neonatal cardiomyocytes of the rat

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shintani, Seine A.; Oyama, Kotaro; Fukuda, Norio, E-mail: noriof@jikei.ac.jp

2015-02-06

Highlights: • We tested the effects of infra-red laser irradiation on cardiac sarcomere dynamics. • A rise in temperature (>∼38 °C) induced high-frequency sarcomeric auto-oscillations. • These oscillations occurred with and without blockade of intracellular Ca{sup 2+} stores. • Cardiac sarcomeres can play a role as a temperature-dependent rhythm generator. - Abstract: In the present study, we investigated the effects of infra-red laser irradiation on sarcomere dynamics in living neonatal cardiomyocytes of the rat. A rapid increase in temperature to >∼38 °C induced [Ca{sup 2+}]{sub i}-independent high-frequency (∼5–10 Hz) sarcomeric auto-oscillations (Hyperthermal Sarcomeric Oscillations; HSOs). In myocytes with the intactmore » sarcoplasmic reticular functions, HSOs coexisted with [Ca{sup 2+}]{sub i}-dependent spontaneous beating in the same sarcomeres, with markedly varying frequencies (∼10 and ∼1 Hz for the former and latter, respectively). HSOs likewise occurred following blockade of the sarcoplasmic reticular functions, with the amplitude becoming larger and the frequency lower in a time-dependent manner. The present findings suggest that in the mammalian heart, sarcomeres spontaneously oscillate at higher frequencies than the sinus rhythm at temperatures slightly above the physiologically relevant levels.« less

Evaluation of the auto-refraction function of the Nidek OPD-Scan III.

PubMed

McGinnigle, Samantha; Naroo, Shehzad A; Eperjesi, Frank

2014-03-01

The aim was to evaluate the validity and repeatability of the auto-refraction function of the Nidek OPD-Scan III (Nidek Technologies, Gamagori, Japan) compared with non-cycloplegic subjective refraction. The Nidek OPD-Scan III is a new aberrometer/corneal topographer workstation based on the skiascopy principle. It combines a wavefront aberrometer, topographer, autorefractor, auto keratometer and pupillometer/pupillographer. Objective refraction results obtained using the Nidek OPD-Scan III were compared with non-cycloplegic subjective refraction for 108 eyes of 54 participants (29 female) with a mean age of 23.7 ± 9.5 years. Intra-session and inter-session variability were assessed on 14 subjects (28 eyes). The Nidek OPD-Scan III gave slightly more negative readings than results obtained by subjective refraction (Nidek mean difference -0.19 ± 0.36 DS, p < 0.01 for sphere; -0.19 ± 0.35 DS, p < 0.01 for mean spherical equivalent; -0.002 ± 0.23 DC, p = 0.91 for cylinder; -0.06 ± 0.38 DC, p = 0.30 for J0 and -0.36 ± 0.31 DC for J45, p = 0.29). Auto-refractor results for 74 per cent of spherical readings and 60 per cent of cylindrical powers were within ± 0.25 of subjective refraction. There was high intra-session and inter-session repeatability for all parameters; 90 per cent of inter-session repeatability results were within 0.25 D. The Nidek OPD-Scan III gives valid and repeatable measures of objective refraction when compared with non-cycloplegic subjective refraction. © 2013 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Optometry © 2013 Optometrists Association Australia.

Empiric Auto-Titrating CPAP in People with Suspected Obstructive Sleep Apnea

PubMed Central

Drummond, Fitzgerald; Doelken, Peter; Ahmed, Qanta A.; Gilbert, Gregory E.; Strange, Charlie; Herpel, Laura; Frye, Michael D.

2010-01-01

Objective: Efficient diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can be difficult because of time delays imposed by clinic visits and serial overnight polysomnography. In some cases, it may be desirable to initiate treatment for suspected OSA prior to polysomnography. Our objective was to compare the improvement of daytime sleepiness and sleep-related quality of life of patients with high clinical likelihood of having OSA who were randomly assigned to receive empiric auto-titrating continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) while awaiting polysomnogram versus current usual care. Methods: Serial patients referred for overnight polysomnography who had high clinical likelihood of having OSA were randomly assigned to usual care or immediate initiation of auto-titrating CPAP. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores and the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ) scores were obtained at baseline, 1 month after randomization, and again after initiation of fixed CPAP in control subjects and after the sleep study in auto-CPAP patients. Results: One hundred nine patients were randomized. Baseline demographics, daytime sleepiness, and sleep-related quality of life scores were similar between groups. One-month ESS and FOSQ scores were improved in the group empirically treated with auto-titrating CPAP. ESS scores improved in the first month by a mean of −3.2 (confidence interval −1.6 to −4.8, p < 0.001) and FOSQ scores improved by a mean of 1.5, (confidence interval 0.5 to 2.7, p = 0.02), whereas scores in the usual-care group did not change (p = NS). Following therapy directed by overnight polysomnography in the control group, there were no differences in ESS or FOSQ between the groups. No adverse events were observed. Conclusion: Empiric auto-CPAP resulted in symptomatic improvement of daytime sleepiness and sleep-related quality of life in a cohort of patients awaiting polysomnography who had a high pretest probability of having OSA. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the applicability of empiric treatment to other populations. Citation: Drummond F; Doelken P; Ahmed QA; Gilbert GE; Strange C; Herpel L; Frye MD. Empiric auto-titrating CPAP in people with suspected obstructive sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med 2010;6(2):140-145. PMID:20411690

AutoBayes Program Synthesis System System Internals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schumann, Johann Martin

2011-01-01

This lecture combines the theoretical background of schema based program synthesis with the hands-on study of a powerful, open-source program synthesis system (Auto-Bayes). Schema-based program synthesis is a popular approach toward program synthesis. The lecture will provide an introduction into this topic and discuss how this technology can be used to generate customized algorithms. The synthesis of advanced numerical algorithms requires the availability of a powerful symbolic (algebra) system. Its task is to symbolically solve equations, simplify expressions, or to symbolically calculate derivatives (among others) such that the synthesized algorithms become as efficient as possible. We will discuss the use and importance of the symbolic system for synthesis. Any synthesis system is a large and complex piece of code. In this lecture, we will study Autobayes in detail. AutoBayes has been developed at NASA Ames and has been made open source. It takes a compact statistical specification and generates a customized data analysis algorithm (in C/C++) from it. AutoBayes is written in SWI Prolog and many concepts from rewriting, logic, functional, and symbolic programming. We will discuss the system architecture, the schema libary and the extensive support infra-structure. Practical hands-on experiments and exercises will enable the student to get insight into a realistic program synthesis system and provides knowledge to use, modify, and extend Autobayes.

AutoStitcher: An Automated Program for Efficient and Robust Reconstruction of Digitized Whole Histological Sections from Tissue Fragments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Penzias, Gregory; Janowczyk, Andrew; Singanamalli, Asha; Rusu, Mirabela; Shih, Natalie; Feldman, Michael; Stricker, Phillip D.; Delprado, Warick; Tiwari, Sarita; Böhm, Maret; Haynes, Anne-Maree; Ponsky, Lee; Viswanath, Satish; Madabhushi, Anant

2016-07-01

In applications involving large tissue specimens that have been sectioned into smaller tissue fragments, manual reconstruction of a “pseudo whole-mount” histological section (PWMHS) can facilitate (a) pathological disease annotation, and (b) image registration and correlation with radiological images. We have previously presented a program called HistoStitcher, which allows for more efficient manual reconstruction than general purpose image editing tools (such as Photoshop). However HistoStitcher is still manual and hence can be laborious and subjective, especially when doing large cohort studies. In this work we present AutoStitcher, a novel automated algorithm for reconstructing PWMHSs from digitized tissue fragments. AutoStitcher reconstructs (“stitches”) a PWMHS from a set of 4 fragments by optimizing a novel cost function that is domain-inspired to ensure (i) alignment of similar tissue regions, and (ii) contiguity of the prostate boundary. The algorithm achieves computational efficiency by performing reconstruction in a multi-resolution hierarchy. Automated PWMHS reconstruction results (via AutoStitcher) were quantitatively and qualitatively compared to manual reconstructions obtained via HistoStitcher for 113 prostate pathology sections. Distances between corresponding fiducials placed on each of the automated and manual reconstruction results were between 2.7%-3.2%, reflecting their excellent visual similarity.

Statistical properties of a filtered Poisson process with additive random noise: distributions, correlations and moment estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Theodorsen, A.; E Garcia, O.; Rypdal, M.

2017-05-01

Filtered Poisson processes are often used as reference models for intermittent fluctuations in physical systems. Such a process is here extended by adding a noise term, either as a purely additive term to the process or as a dynamical term in a stochastic differential equation. The lowest order moments, probability density function, auto-correlation function and power spectral density are derived and used to identify and compare the effects of the two different noise terms. Monte-Carlo studies of synthetic time series are used to investigate the accuracy of model parameter estimation and to identify methods for distinguishing the noise types. It is shown that the probability density function and the three lowest order moments provide accurate estimations of the model parameters, but are unable to separate the noise types. The auto-correlation function and the power spectral density also provide methods for estimating the model parameters, as well as being capable of identifying the noise type. The number of times the signal crosses a prescribed threshold level in the positive direction also promises to be able to differentiate the noise type.

FRACOR-software toolbox for deterministic mapping of fracture corridors in oil fields on AutoCAD platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozkaya, Sait I.

2018-03-01

Fracture corridors are interconnected large fractures in a narrow sub vertical tabular array, which usually traverse entire reservoir vertically and extended for several hundreds of meters laterally. Fracture corridors with their huge conductivities constitute an important element of many fractured reservoirs. Unlike small diffuse fractures, actual fracture corridors must be mapped deterministically for simulation or field development purposes. Fracture corridors can be identified and quantified definitely with borehole image logs and well testing. However, there are rarely sufficient image logs or well tests, and it is necessary to utilize various fracture corridor indicators with varying degrees of reliability. Integration of data from many different sources, in turn, requires a platform with powerful editing and layering capability. Available commercial reservoir characterization software packages, with layering and editing capabilities, can be cost intensive. CAD packages are far more affordable and may easily acquire the versatility and power of commercial software packages with addition of a small software toolbox. The objective of this communication is to present FRACOR, a software toolbox which enables deterministic 2D fracture corridor mapping and modeling on AutoCAD platform. The FRACOR toolbox is written in AutoLISPand contains several independent routines to import and integrate available fracture corridor data from an oil field, and export results as text files. The resulting fracture corridor maps consists mainly of fracture corridors with different confidence levels from combination of static and dynamic data and exclusion zones where no fracture corridor can exist. The exported text file of fracture corridors from FRACOR can be imported into an upscaling programs to generate fracture grid for dual porosity simulation or used for field development and well planning.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation as curative therapy for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma: increasingly successful application to older patients

PubMed Central

Fenske, Timothy S.; Hamadani, Mehdi; Cohen, Jonathon B.; Costa, Luciano J.; Kahl, Brad; Evens, Andrew M.; Hamlin, Paul A.; Lazarus, Hillard M.; Petersdorf, Effie; Bredeson, Christopher

2016-01-01

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) constitutes a collection of lymphoproliferative disorders with widely varying biologic, histologic and clinical features. For the B-cell NHLs, great progress has been made due to the addition of monoclonal antibodies and, more recently, other novel agents such as B-cell receptor signaling inhibitors, immunomodulatory agents, and proteasome inhibitors. Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HCT) offers the promise of cure or prolonged remission in some NHL patients. For some patients, however, auto-HCT may never be a viable option, while in others their disease may progress despite auto-HCT. In those settings, allogeneic HCT (allo-HCT) offers the potential for cure. Over the past 10–15 years, considerable progress has been made in the implementation of allo-HCT, such that this approach now is a highly effective therapy for patients up to (and even beyond) age 75. Recent advances in conventional lymphoma therapy, peri-transplant supportive care, patient selection, and donor selection (including the use of alternative hematopoietic cell donors), has allowed broader application of allo-HCT to NHL patients. As a result, an ever-increasing number of NHL patients over age 60–65 years stand to benefit from allo-HCT. In this review, we present data in support of the use of allo-HCT for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma. These histologies account for a large majority of allo-HCT performed for patients over 60 in the U.S. Where possible, we highlight available data in older patients. This body of literature strongly supports the concept that allo-HCT should be offered to fit patients well beyond age 65 and, accordingly, that this treatment should therefore be covered by their insurance carriers. PMID:27131863

Benchmark calculations of excess electrons in water cluster cavities: balancing the addition of atom-centered diffuse functions versus floating diffuse functions.

PubMed

Zhang, Changzhe; Bu, Yuxiang

2016-09-14

Diffuse functions have been proved to be especially crucial for the accurate characterization of excess electrons which are usually bound weakly in intermolecular zones far away from the nuclei. To examine the effects of diffuse functions on the nature of the cavity-shaped excess electrons in water cluster surroundings, both the HOMO and LUMO distributions, vertical detachment energies (VDEs) and visible absorption spectra of two selected (H2O)24(-) isomers are investigated in the present work. Two main types of diffuse functions are considered in calculations including the Pople-style atom-centered diffuse functions and the ghost-atom-based floating diffuse functions. It is found that augmentation of atom-centered diffuse functions contributes to a better description of the HOMO (corresponding to the VDE convergence), in agreement with previous studies, but also leads to unreasonable diffuse characters of the LUMO with significant red-shifts in the visible spectra, which is against the conventional point of view that the more the diffuse functions, the better the results. The issue of designing extra floating functions for excess electrons has also been systematically discussed, which indicates that the floating diffuse functions are necessary not only for reducing the computational cost but also for improving both the HOMO and LUMO accuracy. Thus, the basis sets with a combination of partial atom-centered diffuse functions and floating diffuse functions are recommended for a reliable description of the weakly bound electrons. This work presents an efficient way for characterizing the electronic properties of weakly bound electrons accurately by balancing the addition of atom-centered diffuse functions and floating diffuse functions and also by balancing the computational cost and accuracy of the calculated results, and thus is very useful in the relevant calculations of various solvated electron systems and weakly bound anionic systems.

Auto white balance method using a pigmentation separation technique for human skin color

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, Satomi; Kakinuma, Akihiro; Kamijo, Naohiro; Takahashi, Hiroshi; Tsumura, Norimichi

2017-02-01

The human visual system maintains the perception of colors of an object across various light sources. Similarly, current digital cameras feature an auto white balance function, which estimates the illuminant color and corrects the color of a photograph as if the photograph was taken under a certain light source. The main subject in a photograph is often a person's face, which could be used to estimate the illuminant color. However, such estimation is adversely affected by differences in facial colors among individuals. The present paper proposes an auto white balance algorithm based on a pigmentation separation method that separates the human skin color image into the components of melanin, hemoglobin and shading. Pigment densities have a uniform property within the same race that can be calculated from the components of melanin and hemoglobin in the face. We, thus, propose a method that uses the subject's facial color in an image and is unaffected by individual differences in facial color among Japanese people.

Auto-Configuration Protocols in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

PubMed Central

Villalba, Luis Javier García; Matesanz, Julián García; Orozco, Ana Lucila Sandoval; Díaz, José Duván Márquez

2011-01-01

The TCP/IP protocol allows the different nodes in a network to communicate by associating a different IP address to each node. In wired or wireless networks with infrastructure, we have a server or node acting as such which correctly assigns IP addresses, but in mobile ad hoc networks there is no such centralized entity capable of carrying out this function. Therefore, a protocol is needed to perform the network configuration automatically and in a dynamic way, which will use all nodes in the network (or part thereof) as if they were servers that manage IP addresses. This article reviews the major proposed auto-configuration protocols for mobile ad hoc networks, with particular emphasis on one of the most recent: D2HCP. This work also includes a comparison of auto-configuration protocols for mobile ad hoc networks by specifying the most relevant metrics, such as a guarantee of uniqueness, overhead, latency, dependency on the routing protocol and uniformity. PMID:22163814

QuickVina: accelerating AutoDock Vina using gradient-based heuristics for global optimization.

PubMed

Handoko, Stephanus Daniel; Ouyang, Xuchang; Su, Chinh Tran To; Kwoh, Chee Keong; Ong, Yew Soon

2012-01-01

Predicting binding between macromolecule and small molecule is a crucial phase in the field of rational drug design. AutoDock Vina, one of the most widely used docking software released in 2009, uses an empirical scoring function to evaluate the binding affinity between the molecules and employs the iterated local search global optimizer for global optimization, achieving a significantly improved speed and better accuracy of the binding mode prediction compared its predecessor, AutoDock 4. In this paper, we propose further improvement in the local search algorithm of Vina by heuristically preventing some intermediate points from undergoing local search. Our improved version of Vina-dubbed QVina-achieved a maximum acceleration of about 25 times with the average speed-up of 8.34 times compared to the original Vina when tested on a set of 231 protein-ligand complexes while maintaining the optimal scores mostly identical. Using our heuristics, larger number of different ligands can be quickly screened against a given receptor within the same time frame.

Mechanical Property Analysis in the Retracted Pin-Tool (RPT) Region of Friction Stir Welded (FSW) Aluminum Lithium 2195

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ding, R. Jeffrey; Oelgoetz, Peter A.

1999-01-01

The "Auto-Adjustable Pin Tool for Friction Stir Welding", was developed at The Marshall Space Flight Center to address process deficiencies unique to the FSW process. The auto-adjustable pin tool, also called the retractable pin-tool (R.PT) automatically withdraws the welding probe of the pin-tool into the pin-tool's shoulder. The primary function of the auto-adjustable pin-tool is to allow for keyhole closeout, necessary for circumferential welding and localized weld repair, and, automated pin-length adjustment for the welding of tapered material thickness. An overview of the RPT hardware is presented. The paper follows with studies conducted using the RPT. The RPT was used to simulate two capabilities; welding tapered material thickness and closing out the keyhole in a circumferential weld. The retracted pin-tool regions in aluminum- lithium 2195 friction stir weldments were studied through mechanical property testing and metallurgical sectioning. Correlation's can be =de between retractable pin-tool programmed parameters, process parameters, microstructure, and resulting weld quality.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hiyoshi, Masateru; Hashimoto, Michihiro; Yukihara, Mamiko

Highlights: •Many mutations were identified in Fms as a putative genetic cause of HDLS. •All of the mutations tested severely impair the kinase activity. •Most of the mutations also impair the trafficking to the cell surface. •These defects further suggest that HDLS is caused by a loss of Fms function. -- Abstract: The tyrosine kinase Fms, the cell surface receptor for M-CSF and IL-34, is critical for microglial proliferation and differentiation in the brain. Recently, a number of mutations have been identified in Fms as a putative genetic cause of hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with spheroids (HDLS), implying an important rolemore » of microglial dysfunction in HDLS pathogenesis. In this study, we initially confirmed that 11 mutations, which reside within the ATP-binding or major tyrosine kinase domain, caused a severe impairment of ligand-induced Fms auto-phosphorylation. Intriguingly, we found that 10 of the 11 mutants also showed a weak cell surface expression, which was associated with a concomitant increase in the low molecular weight hypo-N-glycosylated immature gp130Fms-like species. Indeed, the mutant proteins heavily accumulated to the Golgi-like perinuclear regions. These results indicate that all of the Fms mutations tested severely impair the kinase activity and most of the mutations also impair the trafficking to the cell surface, further suggesting that HDLS is caused by the loss of Fms function.« less

Eco-Material Selection for Auto Bodies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mayyas, Ahmad T; Omar, Mohammed; Hayajneh, Mohammed T.

In the last decades, majority of automakers started to include lightweight materials in their vehicles to meet hard environmental regulations and to improve fuel efficiency of their vehicles. As a result, eco-material selection for vehicles emerged as a new discipline under design for environment. This chapter will summarize methods of eco-material selections for automotive applications with more emphasis into auto-bodies. A set of metrics for eco-material selection that takes into account all economic, environmental and social factors will be developed using numerical and qualitative methods. These metrics cover products' environmental impact, functionality and manufacturability, in addition to the economic andmore » societal factors.« less

The Immune System: Basis of so much Health and Disease: 4. Immunocytes.

PubMed

Scully, Crispian; Georgakopoulou, Eleni A; Hassona, Yazan

2017-05-01

The immune system is the body’s primary defence mechanism against infections, and disturbances in the system can cause disease if the system fails in defence functions (in immunocompromised people), or if the activity is detrimental to the host (as in auto-immune and auto-inflammatory states). A healthy immune system is also essential to normal health of dental and oral tissues. This series presents the basics for the understanding of the immune system, this article covers cells of the immune system (immunocytes). Clinical relevance: Modern dental clinicians need a basic understanding of the immune system as it underlies health and disease.

Using Neural Networks for Sensor Validation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mattern, Duane L.; Jaw, Link C.; Guo, Ten-Huei; Graham, Ronald; McCoy, William

1998-01-01

This paper presents the results of applying two different types of neural networks in two different approaches to the sensor validation problem. The first approach uses a functional approximation neural network as part of a nonlinear observer in a model-based approach to analytical redundancy. The second approach uses an auto-associative neural network to perform nonlinear principal component analysis on a set of redundant sensors to provide an estimate for a single failed sensor. The approaches are demonstrated using a nonlinear simulation of a turbofan engine. The fault detection and sensor estimation results are presented and the training of the auto-associative neural network to provide sensor estimates is discussed.

Empiric auto-titrating CPAP in people with suspected obstructive sleep apnea.

PubMed

Drummond, Fitzgerald; Doelken, Peter; Ahmed, Qanta A; Gilbert, Gregory E; Strange, Charlie; Herpel, Laura; Frye, Michael D

2010-04-15

Efficient diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can be difficult because of time delays imposed by clinic visits and serial overnight polysomnography. In some cases, it may be desirable to initiate treatment for suspected OSA prior to polysomnography. Our objective was to compare the improvement of daytime sleepiness and sleep-related quality of life of patients with high clinical likelihood of having OSA who were randomly assigned to receive empiric auto-titrating continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) while awaiting polysomnogram versus current usual care. Serial patients referred for overnight polysomnography who had high clinical likelihood of having OSA were randomly assigned to usual care or immediate initiation of auto-titrating CPAP. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores and the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ) scores were obtained at baseline, 1 month after randomization, and again after initiation of fixed CPAP in control subjects and after the sleep study in auto-CPAP patients. One hundred nine patients were randomized. Baseline demographics, daytime sleepiness, and sleep-related quality of life scores were similar between groups. One-month ESS and FOSQ scores were improved in the group empirically treated with auto-titrating CPAP. ESS scores improved in the first month by a mean of -3.2 (confidence interval -1.6 to -4.8, p < 0.001) and FOSQ scores improved by a mean of 1.5, (confidence interval 0.5 to 2.7, p = 0.02), whereas scores in the usual-care group did not change (p = NS). Following therapy directed by overnight polysomnography in the control group, there were no differences in ESS or FOSQ between the groups. No adverse events were observed. Empiric auto-CPAP resulted in symptomatic improvement of daytime sleepiness and sleep-related quality of life in a cohort of patients awaiting polysomnography who had a high pretest probability of having OSA. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the applicability of empiric treatment to other populations.

Balancing Exploration, Uncertainty Representation and Computational Time in Many-Objective Reservoir Policy Optimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zatarain-Salazar, J.; Reed, P. M.; Quinn, J.; Giuliani, M.; Castelletti, A.

2016-12-01

As we confront the challenges of managing river basin systems with a large number of reservoirs and increasingly uncertain tradeoffs impacting their operations (due to, e.g. climate change, changing energy markets, population pressures, ecosystem services, etc.), evolutionary many-objective direct policy search (EMODPS) solution strategies will need to address the computational demands associated with simulating more uncertainties and therefore optimizing over increasingly noisy objective evaluations. Diagnostic assessments of state-of-the-art many-objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) to support EMODPS have highlighted that search time (or number of function evaluations) and auto-adaptive search are key features for successful optimization. Furthermore, auto-adaptive MOEA search operators are themselves sensitive to having a sufficient number of function evaluations to learn successful strategies for exploring complex spaces and for escaping from local optima when stagnation is detected. Fortunately, recent parallel developments allow coordinated runs that enhance auto-adaptive algorithmic learning and can handle scalable and reliable search with limited wall-clock time, but at the expense of the total number of function evaluations. In this study, we analyze this tradeoff between parallel coordination and depth of search using different parallelization schemes of the Multi-Master Borg on a many-objective stochastic control problem. We also consider the tradeoff between better representing uncertainty in the stochastic optimization, and simplifying this representation to shorten the function evaluation time and allow for greater search. Our analysis focuses on the Lower Susquehanna River Basin (LSRB) system where multiple competing objectives for hydropower production, urban water supply, recreation and environmental flows need to be balanced. Our results provide guidance for balancing exploration, uncertainty, and computational demands when using the EMODPS framework to discover key tradeoffs within the LSRB system.

Comparisons of fully automated syphilis tests with conventional VDRL and FTA-ABS tests.

PubMed

Choi, Seung Jun; Park, Yongjung; Lee, Eun Young; Kim, Sinyoung; Kim, Hyon-Suk

2013-06-01

Serologic tests are widely used for the diagnosis of syphilis. However, conventional methods require well-trained technicians to produce reliable results. We compared automated nontreponemal and treponemal tests with conventional methods. The HiSens Auto Rapid Plasma Reagin (AutoRPR) and Treponema Pallidum particle agglutination (AutoTPPA) tests, which utilize latex turbidimetric immunoassay, were assessed. A total of 504 sera were assayed by AutoRPR, AutoTPPA, conventional VDRL and FTA-ABS. Among them, 250 samples were also tested by conventional TPPA. The concordance rate between the results of VDRL and AutoRPR was 67.5%, and 164 discrepant cases were all VDRL reactive but AutoRPR negative. In the 164 cases, 133 showed FTA-ABS reactivity. Medical records of 106 among the 133 cases were reviewed, and 82 among 106 specimens were found to be collected from patients already treated for syphilis. The concordance rate between the results of AutoTPPA and FTA-ABS was 97.8%. The results of conventional TPPA and AutoTPPA for 250 samples were concordant in 241 cases (96.4%). AutoRPR showed higher specificity than that of VDRL, while VDRL demonstrated higher sensitivity than that of AutoRPR regardless of whether the patients had been already treated for syphilis or not. Both FTA-ABS and AutoTPPA showed high sensitivities and specificities greater than 98.0%. Automated RPR and TPPA tests could be alternatives to conventional syphilis tests, and AutoRPR would be particularly suitable in treatment monitoring, since results by AutoRPR in cases after treatment became negative more rapidly than by VDRL. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Criterion-Referenced Test Items for Auto Body.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tannehill, Dana, Ed.

This test item bank on auto body repair contains criterion-referenced test questions based upon competencies found in the Missouri Auto Body Competency Profile. Some test items are keyed for multiple competencies. The tests cover the following 26 competency areas in the auto body curriculum: auto body careers; measuring and mixing; tools and…

Analog computation of auto and cross-correlation functions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

For analysis of the data obtained from the cross beam systems it was deemed desirable to compute the auto- and cross-correlation functions by both digital and analog methods to provide a cross-check of the analysis methods and an indication as to which of the two methods would be most suitable for routine use in the analysis of such data. It is the purpose of this appendix to provide a concise description of the equipment and procedures used for the electronic analog analysis of the cross beam data. A block diagram showing the signal processing and computation set-up used for most of the analog data analysis is provided. The data obtained at the field test sites were recorded on magnetic tape using wide-band FM recording techniques. The data as recorded were band-pass filtered by electronic signal processing in the data acquisition systems.

Quantifying uncertainty in soot volume fraction estimates using Bayesian inference of auto-correlated laser-induced incandescence measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hadwin, Paul J.; Sipkens, T. A.; Thomson, K. A.; Liu, F.; Daun, K. J.

2016-01-01

Auto-correlated laser-induced incandescence (AC-LII) infers the soot volume fraction (SVF) of soot particles by comparing the spectral incandescence from laser-energized particles to the pyrometrically inferred peak soot temperature. This calculation requires detailed knowledge of model parameters such as the absorption function of soot, which may vary with combustion chemistry, soot age, and the internal structure of the soot. This work presents a Bayesian methodology to quantify such uncertainties. This technique treats the additional "nuisance" model parameters, including the soot absorption function, as stochastic variables and incorporates the current state of knowledge of these parameters into the inference process through maximum entropy priors. While standard AC-LII analysis provides a point estimate of the SVF, Bayesian techniques infer the posterior probability density, which will allow scientists and engineers to better assess the reliability of AC-LII inferred SVFs in the context of environmental regulations and competing diagnostics.

Momentum conserving Brownian dynamics propagator for complex soft matter fluids

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Padding, J. T.; Briels, W. J.

2014-12-28

We present a Galilean invariant, momentum conserving first order Brownian dynamics scheme for coarse-grained simulations of highly frictional soft matter systems. Friction forces are taken to be with respect to moving background material. The motion of the background material is described by locally averaged velocities in the neighborhood of the dissolved coarse coordinates. The velocity variables are updated by a momentum conserving scheme. The properties of the stochastic updates are derived through the Chapman-Kolmogorov and Fokker-Planck equations for the evolution of the probability distribution of coarse-grained position and velocity variables, by requiring the equilibrium distribution to be a stationary solution.more » We test our new scheme on concentrated star polymer solutions and find that the transverse current and velocity time auto-correlation functions behave as expected from hydrodynamics. In particular, the velocity auto-correlation functions display a long time tail in complete agreement with hydrodynamics.« less

SToRM: A Model for Unsteady Surface Hydraulics Over Complex Terrain

USGS Publications Warehouse

Simoes, Francisco J.

2014-01-01

A two-dimensional (depth-averaged) finite volume Godunov-type shallow water model developed for flow over complex topography is presented. The model is based on an unstructured cellcentered finite volume formulation and a nonlinear strong stability preserving Runge-Kutta time stepping scheme. The numerical discretization is founded on the classical and well established shallow water equations in hyperbolic conservative form, but the convective fluxes are calculated using auto-switching Riemann and diffusive numerical fluxes. The model’s implementation within a graphical user interface is discussed. Field application of the model is illustrated by utilizing it to estimate peak flow discharges in a flooding event of historic significance in Colorado, U.S.A., in 2013.

Technical Note: Preliminary investigations into the use of a functionalised polymer to reduce diffusion in Fricke gel dosimeters

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Smith, S. T., E-mail: s164.smith@qut.edu.au; Masters, K.-S.; Hosokawa, K.

2015-12-15

Purpose: A modification of the existing PVA-FX hydrogel has been made to investigate the use of a functionalised polymer in a Fricke gel dosimetry system to decrease Fe{sup 3+} diffusion. Methods: The chelating agent, xylenol orange, was chemically bonded to the gelling agent, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to create xylenol orange functionalised PVA (XO-PVA). A gel was created from the XO-PVA (20% w/v) with ferrous sulfate (0.4 mM) and sulfuric acid (50 mM). Results: This resulted in an optical density dose sensitivity of 0.014 Gy{sup −1}, an auto-oxidation rate of 0.0005 h{sup −1}, and a diffusion rate of 0.129 mm{sup 2}more » h{sup −1}; an 8% reduction compared to the original PVA-FX gel, which in practical terms adds approximately 1 h to the time span between irradiation and accurate read-out. Conclusions: Because this initial method of chemically bonding xylenol orange to polyvinyl alcohol has inherently low conversion, the improvement on existing gel systems is minimal when compared to the drawbacks. More efficient methods of functionalising polyvinyl alcohol with xylenol orange must be developed for this system to gain clinical relevance.« less

Automotive Mechanics as Applied to Auto Body; Auto Body Repair and Refinishing 3: 9037.02.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dade County Public Schools, Miami, FL.

This is a course in which the student will receive the general information, technical knowledge, basic skills, attitudes, and values required for job entry level as an auto body repair helper. Course content includes general and specific goals, orientation, instruction in service tools and bench skills, and auto mechanics as applied to auto body.…

Mechanically assisted liquid lens zoom system for mobile phone cameras

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wippermann, F. C.; Schreiber, P.; Bräuer, A.; Berge, B.

2006-08-01

Camera systems with small form factor are an integral part of today's mobile phones which recently feature auto focus functionality. Ready to market solutions without moving parts have been developed by using the electrowetting technology. Besides virtually no deterioration, easy control electronics and simple and therefore cost-effective fabrication, this type of liquid lenses enables extremely fast settling times compared to mechanical approaches. As a next evolutionary step mobile phone cameras will be equipped with zoom functionality. We present first order considerations for the optical design of a miniaturized zoom system based on liquid-lenses and compare it to its mechanical counterpart. We propose a design of a zoom lens with a zoom factor of 2.5 considering state-of-the-art commercially available liquid lens products. The lens possesses auto focus capability and is based on liquid lenses and one additional mechanical actuator. The combination of liquid lenses and a single mechanical actuator enables extremely short settling times of about 20ms for the auto focus and a simplified mechanical system design leading to lower production cost and longer life time. The camera system has a mechanical outline of 24mm in length and 8mm in diameter. The lens with f/# 3.5 provides market relevant optical performance and is designed for an image circle of 6.25mm (1/2.8" format sensor).

The performance of two automatic servo-ventilation devices in the treatment of central sleep apnea.

PubMed

Javaheri, Shahrokh; Goetting, Mark G; Khayat, Rami; Wylie, Paul E; Goodwin, James L; Parthasarathy, Sairam

2011-12-01

This study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic performance of a new auto Servo Ventilation device (Philips Respironics autoSV Advanced) for the treatment of complex central sleep apnea (CompSA). The features of autoSV Advanced include an automatic expiratory pressure (EPAP) adjustment, an advanced algorithm for distinguishing open versus obstructed airway apnea, a modified auto backup rate which is proportional to subject's baseline breathing rate, and a variable inspiratory support. Our primary aim was to compare the performance of the advanced servo-ventilator (BiPAP autoSV Advanced) with conventional servo-ventilator (BiPAP autoSV) in treating central sleep apnea (CSA). A prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. Five sleep laboratories in the United States. Thirty-seven participants were included. All subjects had full night polysomnography (PSG) followed by a second night continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) titration. All had a central apnea index ≥ 5 per hour of sleep on CPAP. Subjects were randomly assigned to 2 full-night PSGs while treated with either the previously marketed autoSV, or the new autoSV Advanced device. The 2 randomized sleep studies were blindly scored centrally. Across the 4 nights (PSG, CPAP, autoSV, and autoSV Advanced), the mean ± 1 SD apnea hypopnea indices were 53 ± 23, 35 ± 20, 10 ± 10, and 6 ± 6, respectively; indices for CSA were 16 ± 19, 19 ± 18, 3 ± 4, and 0.6 ± 1. AutoSV Advanced was more effective than other modes in correcting sleep related breathing disorders. BiPAP autoSV Advanced was more effective than conventional BiPAP autoSV in the treatment of sleep disordered breathing in patients with CSA.

Chemotherapy ± cetuximab modulates peripheral immune responses in metastatic colorectal cancer.

PubMed

Xynos, Ioannis D; Karadima, Maria L; Voutsas, Ioannis F; Amptoulach, Sousana; Skopelitis, Elias; Kosmas, Christos; Gritzapis, Angelos D; Tsavaris, Nikolas

2013-01-01

To identify changes in peripheral immune responses in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with irinotecan/5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (IFL) alone or in combination with cetuximab (C-IFL). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from healthy donors (n = 20) and patients with mCRC receiving treatment with either IFL (n = 30) or C-IFL (n = 30) were tested for cytokine production upon polyclonal stimulation with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, T cell proliferation in the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (auto-MLR) and T regulatory cell (Treg) frequency. The respective results were evaluated over two treatment cycles and further assessed in relation to response to treatment. PBMCs prior to treatment exhibited significantly lower production of IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-18 cytokines and lower auto-MLR responses, whereas Treg frequency, IL-4, IL-10 cytokines were increased compared to healthy donors. During treatment, IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-18 and auto-MLR responses increased, while Treg frequency and IL-10 secretion decreased significantly compared to the baseline. Responders to treatment exhibited a significantly higher increase in IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-18 production and auto-MLR responses, and higher decrease in IL-4, IL-10 secretion and Treg frequency. Among all patient subgroups analysed, responders to C-IFL demonstrated significantly higher increase in auto-MLR responses, IL-12 and IL-18 secretion and higher decrease in Treg frequency. The disturbed immune parameters observed in patients with mCRC at presentation can be significantly improved during treatment with IFL and this effect can be potentiated by the addition of cetuximab. Monitoring of the peripheral immune system function could be used as surrogate marker in predicting treatment-related outcome. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Acceleration of atmospheric Cherenkov telescope signal processing to real-time speed with the Auto-Pipe design system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tyson, Eric J.; Buckley, James; Franklin, Mark A.; Chamberlain, Roger D.

2008-10-01

The imaging atmospheric Cherenkov technique for high-energy gamma-ray astronomy is emerging as an important new technique for studying the high energy universe. Current experiments have data rates of ≈20TB/year and duty cycles of about 10%. In the future, more sensitive experiments may produce up to 1000 TB/year. The data analysis task for these experiments requires keeping up with this data rate in close to real-time. Such data analysis is a classic example of a streaming application with very high performance requirements. This class of application often benefits greatly from the use of non-traditional approaches for computation including using special purpose hardware (FPGAs and ASICs), or sophisticated parallel processing techniques. However, designing, debugging, and deploying to these architectures is difficult and thus they are not widely used by the astrophysics community. This paper presents the Auto-Pipe design toolset that has been developed to address many of the difficulties in taking advantage of complex streaming computer architectures for such applications. Auto-Pipe incorporates a high-level coordination language, functional and performance simulation tools, and the ability to deploy applications to sophisticated architectures. Using the Auto-Pipe toolset, we have implemented the front-end portion of an imaging Cherenkov data analysis application, suitable for real-time or offline analysis. The application operates on data from the VERITAS experiment, and shows how Auto-Pipe can greatly ease performance optimization and application deployment of a wide variety of platforms. We demonstrate a performance improvement over a traditional software approach of 32x using an FPGA solution and 3.6x using a multiprocessor based solution.

3D printed auto-mixing chip enables rapid smartphone diagnosis of anemia

PubMed Central

Plevniak, Kimberly; Campbell, Matthew; Hodges, Abby; He, Mei

2016-01-01

Clinical diagnosis requiring central facilities and site visits can be burdensome for patients in resource-limited or rural areas. Therefore, development of a low-cost test that utilizes smartphone data collection and transmission would beneficially enable disease self-management and point-of-care (POC) diagnosis. In this paper, we introduce a low-cost iPOC3D diagnostic strategy which integrates 3D design and printing of microfluidic POC device with smartphone-based disease diagnosis in one process as a stand-alone system, offering strong adaptability for establishing diagnostic capacity in resource-limited areas and low-income countries. We employ smartphone output (AutoCAD 360 app) and readout (color-scale analytical app written in-house) functionalities for rapid 3D printing of microfluidic auto-mixers and colorimetric detection of blood hemoglobin levels. The auto-mixing of reagents with blood via capillary force has been demonstrated in 1 second without the requirement of external pumps. We employed this iPOC3D system for point-of-care diagnosis of anemia using a training set of patients (nanemia = 16 and nhealthy = 6), which showed consistent measurements of blood hemoglobin levels (a.u.c. = 0.97) and comparable diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, compared with standard clinical hematology analyzer. Capable of 3D fabrication flexibility and smartphone compatibility, this work presents a novel diagnostic strategy for advancing personalized medicine and mobile healthcare. PMID:27733894

A non-local structural derivative model for characterization of ultraslow diffusion in dense colloids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Yingjie; Chen, Wen

2018-03-01

Ultraslow diffusion has been observed in numerous complicated systems. Its mean squared displacement (MSD) is not a power law function of time, but instead a logarithmic function, and in some cases grows even more slowly than the logarithmic rate. The distributed-order fractional diffusion equation model simply does not work for the general ultraslow diffusion. Recent study has used the local structural derivative to describe ultraslow diffusion dynamics by using the inverse Mittag-Leffler function as the structural function, in which the MSD is a function of inverse Mittag-Leffler function. In this study, a new stretched logarithmic diffusion law and its underlying non-local structural derivative diffusion model are proposed to characterize the ultraslow diffusion in aging dense colloidal glass at both the short and long waiting times. It is observed that the aging dynamics of dense colloids is a class of the stretched logarithmic ultraslow diffusion processes. Compared with the power, the logarithmic, and the inverse Mittag-Leffler diffusion laws, the stretched logarithmic diffusion law has better precision in fitting the MSD of the colloidal particles at high densities. The corresponding non-local structural derivative diffusion equation manifests clear physical mechanism, and its structural function is equivalent to the first-order derivative of the MSD.

Cyber-intrusion Auto-response and Policy Management System (CAPMS)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lusk, Steve; Lawrence, David; Suvana, Prakash

The Cyber-intrusion Auto-response and Policy Management System (CAPMS) project was funded by a grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE) Cybersecurity for Energy Delivery Systems (CEDS) program with contributions from two partner electric utilities: Southern California Edison (SCE) and Duke Energy. The goal of the project was to demonstrate protecting smart grid assets from a cyber attack in a way that “does not impede critical energy delivery functions.” This report summarizes project goals and activities for the CAPMS project and explores what did and did not work as expected. It concludes with an assessment of possible benefits and valuemore » of the system for the future.« less

Understanding and Auto-Control of Cognitive Functions: Implications for the Relationship Between Cognition and Behavior.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lefebre-Pinard, Monique

1983-01-01

Presents an integrated view of contributions made by various sections within cognitive psychology in which problems of consciousness are addressed. Implications concerning the relationship between cognition and behavior are pointed out. (Author/RH)

[Human skull development and voice disorders].

PubMed

Piron, A; Roch, J B

2006-01-01

The hominisation of the skull comes with the bipedic posture, due to a network of muscular and aponevrotic forces applied to the cranio-facial skeleton. A brief sight of the morphogenetic origine and issues of these forces help to understand more clearly the postural statement of the larynx, his functions, and his many extrinsic biomechanical bounds; then further his most frequently dysfunctions. The larynx is surrounded by several effective systems of protection: active, activo-passive, passive. The architectural features of the components of the laryngeal system allows us to consider the laryngeal function as an auto-balanced system. All the forces engaged are auto-balanced in a continuum of tension. This lead us to the concept of tensegrity system, neologism coming from tensional integrity described by Buckminster Fuller. The laryngeal employement by extrinsic system is pathological in case of chronicity. Any osteopathic treatment, which aims to restore the losses of laryngeal mobility, has to release first the peripherical structures involved in the laryngeal defense, before normalising the larynx itself Finally, the larynx recovers his functions in a tensegrity system.

Sequential monitoring and stability of ex vivo-expanded autologous and non-autologous regulatory T cells following infusion in non-human primates

PubMed Central

Zhang, H.; Guo, H.; Lu, L.; Zahorchak, A. F.; Wiseman, R. W.; Raimondi, G.; Cooper, D. K. C.; Ezzelarab, M. B.; Thomson, A. W.

2016-01-01

Ex vivo-expanded cynomolgus monkey CD4+CD25+CD127− regulatory T cells (Treg) maintained Foxp3 demethylation status at the Treg-Specific Demethylation Region (TSDR), and potently suppressed T cell proliferation through 3 rounds of expansion. When CFSE- or VPD450-labeled autologous (auto) and non-autologous (non-auto) expanded Treg were infused into monkeys, the number of labeled auto-Treg in peripheral blood declined rapidly during the first week, but persisted at low levels in both normal and anti-thymocyte globulin plus rapamycin-treated (immunosuppressed; IS) animals for at least 3 weeks. By contrast, MHC-mismatched non-auto-Treg could not be detected in normal monkey blood or in blood of two out of the three IS monkeys by day 6 post-infusion. They were also more difficult to detect than auto-Treg in peripheral lymphoid tissue. Both auto- and non-auto-Treg maintained Ki67 expression early after infusion. Sequential monitoring revealed that adoptively-transferred auto-Treg maintained similarly high levels of Foxp3 and CD25 and low CD127 compared with endogenous Treg, although Foxp3 staining diminished over time in these non-transplanted recipients. Thus, infused ex vivo-expanded auto-Treg persist longer than MHC-mismatched non-auto-Treg in blood of non-human primates and can be detected in secondary lymphoid tissue. Host lymphodepletion and rapamycin administration did not consistently prolong the persistence of non-auto-Treg in these sites. PMID:25783759

What Does Industry Really Want in a Knowledge Management System? A Longitudinal Study of Taiwanese Case

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Liang-Chih; Lu, Hsi-Peng

This paper depicts a longitudinal investigation of knowledge management system development from industrial perspectives. Snapshots on three surveys (2002, 2006, and 2010) of Taiwanese companies were conducted and compared, which is to explore the perceived understandings and requirements for the applications of a knowledge management system.From the surveys, it was found that the most useful applications were document management, knowledge search and retrieval, and knowledge repository and map. The emerging applications were expert management, document security, and knowledge automation such as auto-classification, auto-abstract and auto-keyword generation. The most wanted services along with KMS were consulting service, success story-sharing, and modularization while deploying knowledge management system in the enterprises. The trends and transformation of a KM system were also collected and analyzed. We suggest that a company should use different knowledge management approach according to its corporate main business function. Combing intellectual capital theories proposed by other researchers, we categorize knowledge management focus as staff-centric, system-centric, and customer-centric knowledge from industrial perspectives.

Economic evaluation of epinephrine auto-injectors for peanut allergy.

PubMed

Shaker, Marcus; Bean, Katherine; Verdi, Marylee

2017-08-01

Three commercial epinephrine auto-injectors were available in the United States in the summer of 2016: EpiPen, Adrenaclick, and epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector. To describe the variation in pharmacy costs among epinephrine auto-injector devices in New England and evaluate the additional expense associated with incremental auto-injector costs. Decision analysis software was used to evaluate costs of the most and least expensive epinephrine auto-injector devices for children with peanut allergy. To evaluate regional variation in epinephrine auto-injector costs, a random sample of New England national and corporate pharmacies was compared with a convenience sample of pharmacies from 10 Canadian provinces. Assuming prescriptions written for 2 double epinephrine packs each year (home and school), the mean costs of food allergy over the 20-year model horizon totaled $58,667 (95% confidence interval [CI] $57,745-$59,588) when EpiPen was prescribed and $45,588 (95% CI $44,873-$46,304) when epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector was prescribed. No effectiveness differences were evident between groups, with 17.19 (95% CI 17.11-17.27) quality-adjusted life years accruing for each subject. The incremental cost per episode of anaphylaxis treated with epinephrine over the model horizon was $12,576 for EpiPen vs epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector. EpiPen costs were lowest at Canadian pharmacies ($96, 95% CI $85-$107). There was price consistency between corporate and independent pharmacies throughout New England by device brand, with the epinephrine injection, USP auto-injector being the most affordable device. Cost differences among epinephrine auto-injectors were significant. More expensive auto-injector brands did not appear to provide incremental benefit. Copyright © 2017 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Unintentional Epinephrine Auto-injector Injuries: A National Poison Center Observational Study.

PubMed

Anshien, Marco; Rose, S Rutherfoord; Wills, Brandon K

2016-11-24

Epinephrine is the only first-line therapeutic agent used to treat life-threatening anaphylaxis. Epinephrine auto-injectors are commonly carried by patients at risk for anaphylaxis, and reported cases of unintentional auto-injector injury have increased over the last decade. Modifications of existing designs and release of a new style of auto-injector are intended to reduce epinephrine auto-injector misuse. The aim of the study was to characterize reported cases of unintentional epinephrine auto-injector exposures from 2013 to 2014 and compare demographics, auto-injector model, and anatomical site of such exposures. The American Association of Poison Control Center's National Poison Data System was searched from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2014, for cases of unintentional epinephrine auto-injector exposures. Anatomical site data were obtained from all cases reported to the Virginia Poison Center and participating regional poison center for Auvi-Q cases. A total of 6806 cases of unintentional epinephrine auto-injector exposures were reported to US Poison Centers in 2013 and 2014. Of these cases, 3933 occurred with EpiPen, 2829 with EpiPen Jr, 44 with Auvi-Q, and no case reported of Adrenaclick. The most common site of unintentional injection for traditional epinephrine auto-injectors was the digit or thumb, with 58% of cases for EpiPen and 39% of cases with EpiPen Jr. With Auvi-Q, the most common site was the leg (78% of cases). The number of unintentional epinephrine auto-injector cases reported to American Poison Centers in 2013-2014 has increased compared with previous data. Most EpiPen exposures were in the digits, whereas Auvi-Q was most frequently in the leg. Because of the limitations of Poison Center data, more research is needed to identify incidence of unintentional exposures and the effectiveness of epinephrine auto-injector redesign.

Monogenic Auto-inflammatory Syndromes: A Review of the Literature.

PubMed

Azizi, Gholamreza; Khadem Azarian, Shahin; Nazeri, Sepideh; Mosayebian, Ali; Ghiasy, Saleh; Sadri, Ghazal; Mohebi, Ali; Khan Nazer, Nikoo Hossein; Afraei, Sanaz; Mirshafiey, Abbas

2016-12-01

Auto-inflammatory syndromes are a new group of distinct hereditable disorders characterized by episodes of seemingly unprovoked inflammation (most commonly in skin, joints, gut, and eye), the absence of a high titer of auto-antibodies or auto-reactive T cells, and an inborn error of innate immunity. A narrative literature review was carried out of studies related to auto-inflammatory syndromes to discuss the pathogenesis and clinical manifestation of these syndromes. This review showed that the main monogenic auto-inflammatory syndromes are familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD), Blau syndrome, TNF receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS), and pyogenic arthritis with pyoderma gangrenosum and acne (PAPA). The data suggest that correct diagnosis and treatment of monogenic auto-inflammatory diseases relies on the physicians' awareness. Therefore, understanding of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of auto-inflammatory syndromes, and especially the fact that these disorders are mediated by IL-1 secretion stimulated by monocytes and macrophages, facilitated significant progress in patient management.

Assessment of left ventricular size and function by 3-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography: Impact of the echocardiography platform and analysis software.

PubMed

Castel, Anne Laure; Toledano, Manuel; Tribouilloy, Christophe; Delelis, François; Mailliet, Amandine; Marotte, Nathalie; Guerbaai, Raphaëlle A; Levy, Franck; Graux, Pierre; Ennezat, Pierre-Vladimir; Maréchaux, Sylvestre

2018-05-27

Whether echocardiography platform and analysis software impact left ventricular (LV) volumes, ejection fraction (EF), and stroke volume (SV) by transthoracic tridimensional echocardiography (3DE) has not yet been assessed. Hence, our aim was to compare 3DE LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes (EDV and ESV), LVEF, and SV obtained with echocardiography platform from 2 different manufacturers. 3DE was performed in 84 patients (65% of screened consecutive patients), with equipment from 2 different manufacturers, with subsequent off-line postprocessing to obtain parameters of LV function and size (Philips QLAB 3DQ and General Electric EchoPAC 4D autoLVQ). Twenty-five patients with clinical indication for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging served as a validation subgroup. LVEDV and LVESV from 2 vendors were highly correlated (r = 0.93), but compared with 4D autoLVQ, the use of Qlab 3DQ resulted in lower LVEDV and LVESV (bias: 11 mL, limits of agreement: -25 to +47 and bias: 6 mL, limits of agreement: -22 to +34, respectively). The agreement between LVEF values of each software was poor (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.62) despite no or minimal bias. SVs were also lower with Qlab 3DQ advanced compared with 4D autoLVQ, and both were poorly correlated (r = 0.66). Consistently, the underestimation of LVEDV, LVESV, and SV by 3DE compared with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was more pronounced with Philips QLAB 3DQ advanced than with 4D autoLVQ. The echocardiography platform and analysis software significantly affect the values of LV parameters obtained by 3DE. Intervendor standardization and improvements in 3DE modalities are needed to broaden the use of LV parameters obtained by 3DE in clinical practice. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Structure of the North Anatolian Fault Zone from the Auto-Correlation of Ambient Seismic Noise Recorded at a Dense Seismometer Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taylor, D. G.; Rost, S.; Houseman, G.

2015-12-01

In recent years the technique of cross-correlating the ambient seismic noise wavefield at two seismometers to reconstruct empirical Green's Functions for the determination of Earth structure has been a powerful tool to study the Earth's interior without earthquake or man-made sources. However, far less attention has been paid to using auto-correlations of seismic noise to reveal body wave reflections from interfaces in the subsurface. In principle, the Green's functions thus derived should be comparable to the Earth's impulse response to a co-located source and receiver. We use data from a dense seismic array (Dense Array for Northern Anatolia - DANA) deployed across the northern branch of the North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ) in the region of the 1999 magnitude 7.6 Izmit earthquake in western Turkey. The NAFZ is a major strike-slip system that extends ~1200 km across northern Turkey and continues to pose a high level of seismic hazard, in particular to the mega-city of Istanbul. We construct reflection images for the entire crust and upper mantle over the ~35 km by 70 km footprint of the 70-station DANA array. Using auto-correlations of vertical and horizontal components of ground motion, both P- and S-wave velocity information can be retrieved from the wavefield to constrain crustal structure further to established methods. We show that clear P-wave reflections from the crust-mantle boundary (Moho) can be retrieved using the autocorrelation technique, indicating topography on the Moho on horizontal scales of less than 10 km. Offsets in crustal structure can be identified that seem to be correlated with the surface expression of the fault zone in the region. The combined analysis of auto-correlations using vertical and horizontal components will lead to further insight into the fault zone structure throughout the crust and upper mantle.

Feedback circuit design of an auto-gating power supply for low-light-level image intensifier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Ye; Yan, Bo; Zhi, Qiang; Ni, Xiao-bing; Li, Jun-guo; Wang, Yu; Yao, Ze

2015-11-01

This paper introduces the basic principle of auto-gating power supply which using a hybrid automatic brightness control scheme. By the analysis of current as image intensifier to special requirements of auto-gating power supply, a feedback circuit of the auto-gating power supply is analyzed. Find out the reason of the screen flash after the auto-gating power supply assembled image intensifier. This paper designed a feedback circuit which can shorten the response time of auto-gating power supply and improve screen slight flicker phenomenon which the human eye can distinguish under the high intensity of illumination.

47 CFR 80.307 - Compulsory use of radiotelegraph auto alarm.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Compulsory use of radiotelegraph auto alarm. 80.307 Section 80.307 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL... Safety Watches § 80.307 Compulsory use of radiotelegraph auto alarm. The radiotelegraph auto alarm...

47 CFR 80.307 - Compulsory use of radiotelegraph auto alarm.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Compulsory use of radiotelegraph auto alarm. 80.307 Section 80.307 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL... Safety Watches § 80.307 Compulsory use of radiotelegraph auto alarm. The radiotelegraph auto alarm...

47 CFR 80.307 - Compulsory use of radiotelegraph auto alarm.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Compulsory use of radiotelegraph auto alarm. 80.307 Section 80.307 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL... Safety Watches § 80.307 Compulsory use of radiotelegraph auto alarm. The radiotelegraph auto alarm...

47 CFR 80.307 - Compulsory use of radiotelegraph auto alarm.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Compulsory use of radiotelegraph auto alarm. 80.307 Section 80.307 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL... Safety Watches § 80.307 Compulsory use of radiotelegraph auto alarm. The radiotelegraph auto alarm...

47 CFR 80.307 - Compulsory use of radiotelegraph auto alarm.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Compulsory use of radiotelegraph auto alarm. 80.307 Section 80.307 Telecommunication FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (CONTINUED) SAFETY AND SPECIAL... Safety Watches § 80.307 Compulsory use of radiotelegraph auto alarm. The radiotelegraph auto alarm...

On the accuracy of the interdiffusion coefficient measurements of high-temperature binary mixtures under ISS conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saez, Núria; Ruiz, Xavier; Pallarés, Jordi; Shevtsova, Valentina

2013-04-01

An accelerometric record from the IVIDIL experiment (ESA Columbus module) has exhaustively been studied. The analysis involved the determination of basic statistical properties as, for instance, the auto-correlation and the power spectrum (second-order statistical analyses). Also, and taking into account the shape of the associated histograms, we address another important question, the non-Gaussian nature of the time series using the bispectrum and the bicoherence of the signals. Extrapolating the above-mentioned results, a computational model of a high-temperature shear cell has been performed. A scalar indicator has been used to quantify the accuracy of the diffusion coefficient measurements in the case of binary mixtures involving photovoltaic silicon or liquid Al-Cu binary alloys. Three different initial arrangements have been considered, the so-called interdiffusion, centred thick layer and the lateral thick layer. Results allow us to conclude that, under the conditions of the present work, the diffusion coefficient is insensitive to the environmental conditions, that is to say, accelerometric disturbances and initial shear cell arrangement.

Enhancing Price Response Programs through Auto-DR: California's 2007 Implementation Experience

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kiliccote, Sila; Wikler, Greg; Chiu, Albert

2007-12-18

This paper describes automated demand response (Auto-DR) activities, an innovative effort in California to ensure that DR programs produce effective and sustainable impacts. Through the application of automation and communication technologies coupled with well-designed incentives and DR programs such as Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) and Demand Bidding (DBP), Auto-DR is opening up the opportunity for many different types of buildings to effectively participate in DR programs. We present the results of Auto-DR implementation efforts by the three California investor-owned utilities for the Summer of 2007. The presentation emphasizes Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) Auto-DR efforts, which represents the largestmore » in the state. PG&E's goal was to recruit, install, test and operate 15 megawatts of Auto-DR system capability. We describe the unique delivery approaches, including optimizing the utility incentive structures designed to foster an Auto-DR service provider community. We also show how PG&E's Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) and Demand Bidding (DBP) options were called and executed under the automation platform. Finally, we show the results of the Auto-DR systems installed and operational during 2007, which surpassed PG&E's Auto-DR goals. Auto-DR is being implemented by a multi-disciplinary team including the California Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs), energy consultants, energy management control system vendors, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), and the California Energy Commission (CEC).« less

Predicting and analyzing DNA-binding domains using a systematic approach to identifying a set of informative physicochemical and biochemical properties

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Existing methods of predicting DNA-binding proteins used valuable features of physicochemical properties to design support vector machine (SVM) based classifiers. Generally, selection of physicochemical properties and determination of their corresponding feature vectors rely mainly on known properties of binding mechanism and experience of designers. However, there exists a troublesome problem for designers that some different physicochemical properties have similar vectors of representing 20 amino acids and some closely related physicochemical properties have dissimilar vectors. Results This study proposes a systematic approach (named Auto-IDPCPs) to automatically identify a set of physicochemical and biochemical properties in the AAindex database to design SVM-based classifiers for predicting and analyzing DNA-binding domains/proteins. Auto-IDPCPs consists of 1) clustering 531 amino acid indices in AAindex into 20 clusters using a fuzzy c-means algorithm, 2) utilizing an efficient genetic algorithm based optimization method IBCGA to select an informative feature set of size m to represent sequences, and 3) analyzing the selected features to identify related physicochemical properties which may affect the binding mechanism of DNA-binding domains/proteins. The proposed Auto-IDPCPs identified m=22 features of properties belonging to five clusters for predicting DNA-binding domains with a five-fold cross-validation accuracy of 87.12%, which is promising compared with the accuracy of 86.62% of the existing method PSSM-400. For predicting DNA-binding sequences, the accuracy of 75.50% was obtained using m=28 features, where PSSM-400 has an accuracy of 74.22%. Auto-IDPCPs and PSSM-400 have accuracies of 80.73% and 82.81%, respectively, applied to an independent test data set of DNA-binding domains. Some typical physicochemical properties discovered are hydrophobicity, secondary structure, charge, solvent accessibility, polarity, flexibility, normalized Van Der Waals volume, pK (pK-C, pK-N, pK-COOH and pK-a(RCOOH)), etc. Conclusions The proposed approach Auto-IDPCPs would help designers to investigate informative physicochemical and biochemical properties by considering both prediction accuracy and analysis of binding mechanism simultaneously. The approach Auto-IDPCPs can be also applicable to predict and analyze other protein functions from sequences. PMID:21342579

Administration of the adrenaline auto-injector at the nursery/kindergarten/school in Western Japan.

PubMed

Korematsu, Seigo; Fujitaka, Michiko; Ogata, Mika; Zaitsu, Masafumi; Motomura, Chikako; Kuzume, Kazuyo; Toku, Yuchiro; Ikeda, Masanori; Odajima, Hiroshi

2017-01-01

In view of the increasing prevalence of food allergies, there has been an associated increase in frequency of situations requiring an emergency response for anaphylaxis at the home, childcare facilities and educational institutions. To clarify the situation of adrenaline auto-injector administration in nursery/kindergarten/school, we carried out a questionnaire survey on pediatric physicians in Western Japan. In 2015, self-reported questionnaires were mailed to 421 physicians who are members of the West Japan Research Society Pediatric Clinical Allergy and Shikoku Research Society Pediatric Clinical Allergy. The response rate was 44% (185 physicians) where 160 physicians had a prescription registration for the adrenaline auto-injector. In the past year, 1,330 patients were prescribed the adrenaline auto-injector where 83 patients (6% of the prescribed patients) actually administered the adrenaline auto-injector, of which 14 patients (17% of the administered patients) self-administered the adrenaline auto-injector. "Guardians" at the nursery/kindergarten and elementary school were found to have administered the adrenaline auto-injector the most. Among 117 adrenaline auto-injector prescription-registered physicians, 79% had experienced nonadministration of adrenaline auto-injector at nursery/kindergarten/school when anaphylaxis has occurred. The most frequent reason cited for not administering the adrenaline auto-injector was "hesitation about the timing of administration." If the adrenaline auto-injector was administered after the guardian arrived at the nursery/kindergarten/school, it may lead to delayed treatment of anaphylaxis in which symptoms develop in minutes. Education and cooperation among physicians and nursery/kindergarten/school staff will reduce the number of children suffering unfortunate outcomes due to anaphylaxis.

V-TECS Guide for Auto Body Repair.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gregory, Margaret R.; Benson, Robert T.

This curriculum guide consists of materials for teaching a course in auto body repair. Addressed in the individual units of the guide are the following topics: the nature and scope of auto body repair; safety; tools; auto body construction; simple metal straightening; welding; painting and refinishing; refinishing complete lacquer; refinishing…

Conversations with AutoTutor Help Students Learn

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Graesser, Arthur C.

2016-01-01

AutoTutor helps students learn by holding a conversation in natural language. AutoTutor is adaptive to the learners' actions, verbal contributions, and in some systems their emotions. Many of AutoTutor's conversation patterns simulate human tutoring, but other patterns implement ideal pedagogies that open the door to computer tutors eclipsing…

Activity-Dependent Subcellular Cotrafficking of the Small GTPase Rem2 and Ca2+/CaM-Dependent Protein Kinase IIα

PubMed Central

Flynn, Robyn; Labrie-Dion, Etienne; Bernier, Nikolas; Colicos, Michael A.; De Koninck, Paul; Zamponi, Gerald W.

2012-01-01

Background Rem2 is a small monomeric GTP-binding protein of the RGK family, whose known functions are modulation of calcium channel currents and alterations of cytoskeletal architecture. Rem2 is the only RGK protein found predominantly in the brain, where it has been linked to synaptic development. We wished to determine the effect of neuronal activity on the subcellular distribution of Rem2 and its interacting partners. Results We show that Rem2 undergoes activity-and N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDAR)-dependent translocation in rat hippocampal neurons. This redistribution of Rem2, from a diffuse pattern to one that is highly punctate, is dependent on Ca2+ influx, on binding to calmodulin (CaM), and also involves an auto-inhibitory domain within the Rem2 distal C-terminus region. We found that Rem2 can bind to Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase IIα (CaMKII) a in Ca2+/CaM-dependent manner. Furthermore, our data reveal a spatial and temporal correlation between NMDAR-dependent clustering of Rem2 and CaMKII in neurons, indicating co-assembly and co-trafficking in neurons. Finally, we show that inhibiting CaMKII aggregation in neurons and HEK cells reduces Rem2 clustering, and that Rem2 affects the baseline distribution of CaMKII in HEK cells. Conclusions Our data suggest a novel function for Rem2 in co-trafficking with CaMKII, and thus potentially expose a role in neuronal plasticity. PMID:22815963

A Kepler study of starspot lifetimes with respect to light-curve amplitude and spectral type

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giles, Helen A. C.; Collier Cameron, Andrew; Haywood, Raphaëlle D.

2017-12-01

Wide-field high-precision photometric surveys such as Kepler have produced reams of data suitable for investigating stellar magnetic activity of cooler stars. Starspot activity produces quasi-sinusoidal light curves whose phase and amplitude vary as active regions grow and decay over time. Here we investigate, first, whether there is a correlation between the size of starspots - assumed to be related to the amplitude of the sinusoid - and their decay time-scale and, secondly, whether any such correlation depends on the stellar effective temperature. To determine this, we computed the auto-correlation functions of the light curves of samples of stars from Kepler and fitted them with apodised periodic functions. The light-curve amplitudes, representing spot size, were measured from the root-mean-squared scatter of the normalized light curves. We used a Monte Carlo Markov Chain to measure the periods and decay time-scales of the light curves. The results show a correlation between the decay time of starspots and their inferred size. The decay time also depends strongly on the temperature of the star. Cooler stars have spots that last much longer, in particular for stars with longer rotational periods. This is consistent with current theories of diffusive mechanisms causing starspot decay. We also find that the Sun is not unusually quiet for its spectral type - stars with solar-type rotation periods and temperatures tend to have (comparatively) smaller starspots than stars with mid-G or later spectral types.

The influence of irrigating solutions on the accuracy of the electronic apex locator facility in the Tri Auto ZX handpiece.

PubMed

Erdemir, A; Eldeniz, A U; Ari, H; Belli, S; Esener, T

2007-05-01

To determine the influence of various irrigating solutions on the accuracy of the electronic apex locator facility in the Tri Auto ZX handpiece. One hundred and forty teeth with single canals and mature apices, scheduled for extraction for either periodontal or prosthetic reasons in 76 patients were used. Following informed written consent local anaesthesia was administered, access cavities were prepared and pulp tissue removed. The teeth were then randomly divided into seven groups according to the irrigating solutions used. The root canal length measurements were completed using the Tri Auto ZX handpiece with automatic reverse function in the presence of one or other of the following solutions: 0.9% saline, 2.5% NaOCl, 3% H(2)O(2), 0.2% chlorhexidine, 17% EDTA, Ultracaine D-S or in the absence of an irrigating solution (control). Files were immobilized in the access cavity with composite resin. After extraction, the apical regions of the teeth were exposed and the file tips examined under a stereomicroscope. Distances between the file tips and the apical constriction were measured (mm) and analysed using a one-way anova and post hoc Tukey test. Mean distances from the apical constriction to the file tip were longer in the 0.9% saline group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference on file tip position between the other solutions. Tri Auto ZX gave reliable results with all irrigating solutions apart from in the presence of 0.9% saline.

3D printed auto-mixing chip enables rapid smartphone diagnosis of anemia.

PubMed

Plevniak, Kimberly; Campbell, Matthew; Myers, Timothy; Hodges, Abby; He, Mei

2016-09-01

Clinical diagnosis requiring central facilities and site visits can be burdensome for patients in resource-limited or rural areas. Therefore, development of a low-cost test that utilizes smartphone data collection and transmission would beneficially enable disease self-management and point-of-care (POC) diagnosis. In this paper, we introduce a low-cost i POC 3D diagnostic strategy which integrates 3D design and printing of microfluidic POC device with smartphone-based disease diagnosis in one process as a stand-alone system, offering strong adaptability for establishing diagnostic capacity in resource-limited areas and low-income countries. We employ smartphone output (AutoCAD 360 app) and readout (color-scale analytical app written in-house) functionalities for rapid 3D printing of microfluidic auto-mixers and colorimetric detection of blood hemoglobin levels. The auto-mixing of reagents with blood via capillary force has been demonstrated in 1 second without the requirement of external pumps. We employed this i POC 3D system for point-of-care diagnosis of anemia using a training set of patients (n anemia  = 16 and n healthy  = 6), which showed consistent measurements of blood hemoglobin levels (a.u.c. = 0.97) and comparable diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, compared with standard clinical hematology analyzer. Capable of 3D fabrication flexibility and smartphone compatibility, this work presents a novel diagnostic strategy for advancing personalized medicine and mobile healthcare.

A Post-Transcriptional Feedback Mechanism for Noise Suppression and Fate Stabilization

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hansen, Maike M. K.; Wen, Winnie Y.; Ingerman, Elena

Diverse biological systems utilize fluctuations (“noise”) in gene expression to drive lineage-commitment decisions. However, once a commitment is made, noise becomes detrimental to reliable function, and the mechanisms enabling post-commitment noise suppression are unclear. Here, we find that architectural constraints on noise suppression are overcome to stabilize fate commitment. Using single-molecule and time-lapse imaging, we find that—after a noise-driven event—human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) strongly attenuates expression noise through a non-transcriptional negative-feedback circuit. Feedback is established through a serial cascade of post-transcriptional splicing, whereby proteins generated from spliced mRNAs auto-deplete their own precursor unspliced mRNAs. Strikingly, this auto-depletion circuitry minimizes noisemore » to stabilize HIV’s commitment decision, and a noise-suppression molecule promotes stabilization. Lastly, this feedback mechanism for noise suppression suggests a functional role for delayed splicing in other systems and may represent a generalizable architecture of diverse homeostatic signaling circuits.« less

A Post-Transcriptional Feedback Mechanism for Noise Suppression and Fate Stabilization

DOE PAGES

Hansen, Maike M. K.; Wen, Winnie Y.; Ingerman, Elena; ...

2018-05-10

Diverse biological systems utilize fluctuations (“noise”) in gene expression to drive lineage-commitment decisions. However, once a commitment is made, noise becomes detrimental to reliable function, and the mechanisms enabling post-commitment noise suppression are unclear. Here, we find that architectural constraints on noise suppression are overcome to stabilize fate commitment. Using single-molecule and time-lapse imaging, we find that—after a noise-driven event—human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) strongly attenuates expression noise through a non-transcriptional negative-feedback circuit. Feedback is established through a serial cascade of post-transcriptional splicing, whereby proteins generated from spliced mRNAs auto-deplete their own precursor unspliced mRNAs. Strikingly, this auto-depletion circuitry minimizes noisemore » to stabilize HIV’s commitment decision, and a noise-suppression molecule promotes stabilization. Lastly, this feedback mechanism for noise suppression suggests a functional role for delayed splicing in other systems and may represent a generalizable architecture of diverse homeostatic signaling circuits.« less

CAD/CAM interface design of excimer laser micro-processing system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jing, Liang; Chen, Tao; Zuo, Tiechuan

2005-12-01

Recently CAD/CAM technology has been gradually used in the field of laser processing. The excimer laser micro-processing system just identified G instruction before CAD/CAM interface was designed. However the course of designing a part with G instruction for users is too hard. The efficiency is low and probability of making errors is high. By secondary development technology of AutoCAD with Visual Basic, an application was developed to pick-up each entity's information in graph and convert them to each entity's processing parameters. Also an additional function was added into former controlling software to identify these processing parameters of each entity and realize continue processing of graphic. Based on the above CAD/CAM interface, Users can design a part in AutoCAD instead of using G instruction. The period of designing a part is sharply shortened. This new way of design greatly guarantees the processing parameters of the part is right and exclusive. The processing of complex novel bio-chip has been realized by this new function.

Art, auto-mechanics, and supramolecular chemistry. A merging of hobbies and career.

PubMed

Anslyn, Eric V

2016-01-01

While the strict definition of supramolecular chemistry is "chemistry beyond the molecule", meaning having a focus on non-covalent interactions, the field is primarily associated with the creation of synthetic receptors and self-assembly. For synthetic ease, the receptors and assemblies routinely possess a high degree of symmetry, which lends them an aspect of aesthetic beauty. Pictures of electron orbitals similarly can be seen as akin to works of art. This similarity was an early draw for me to the fields of supramolecular chemistry and molecular orbital theory, because I grew up in a household filled with art. In addition to art, my childhood was filled with repairing and constructing mechanical entities, such as internal combustion motors, where many components work together to achieve a function. Analogously, the field of supramolecular chemistry creates systems of high complexity that achieve functions or perform tasks. Therefore, in retrospect a career in supramolecular chemistry appears to be simply an extension of childhood hobbies involving art and auto-mechanics.

Art, auto-mechanics, and supramolecular chemistry. A merging of hobbies and career

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Summary While the strict definition of supramolecular chemistry is “chemistry beyond the molecule”, meaning having a focus on non-covalent interactions, the field is primarily associated with the creation of synthetic receptors and self-assembly. For synthetic ease, the receptors and assemblies routinely possess a high degree of symmetry, which lends them an aspect of aesthetic beauty. Pictures of electron orbitals similarly can be seen as akin to works of art. This similarity was an early draw for me to the fields of supramolecular chemistry and molecular orbital theory, because I grew up in a household filled with art. In addition to art, my childhood was filled with repairing and constructing mechanical entities, such as internal combustion motors, where many components work together to achieve a function. Analogously, the field of supramolecular chemistry creates systems of high complexity that achieve functions or perform tasks. Therefore, in retrospect a career in supramolecular chemistry appears to be simply an extension of childhood hobbies involving art and auto-mechanics. PMID:26977197

Synthesis of ganglioside epitopes for oligosaccharide specific immunoadsorption therapy of Guillian-Barré syndrome.

PubMed

Andersen, Søren M; Ling, Chang-Chun; Zhang, Ping; Townson, Kate; Willison, Hugh J; Bundle, David R

2004-04-21

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a postinfectious, autoimmune neuropathy resulting in neuromuscular paralysis. Auto-antibodies, often induced by bacterial infection, bind to human gangliosides possessing monosialoside and diasialoside epitopes and impair the function of nerve junctions, where these ganglioside structures are highly enriched. Truncated gangliosides representive of GD3, GQ1b and GM2 epitopes have been synthesized as methyl glycosides and as a glycosides of an eleven carbon tether. The synthetic oligosaccharide ligands are structural mimics of these highly complex ganglioside epitopes and via their ability to neutralize or remove auto-antibodies have the potential for therapy, either as soluble blocking ligands administered systemically, or as immuno-affinity ligands for use as extracorporeal immunoadsorbents.

Automatic Scaling of Digisonde Ionograms Test and Evaluation Report.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-09-01

Labrador 30 21 IManual MUF - Auto MUFj/Manual MUF April 1980 Goose Bay, Labrador 31 22 IManual MUF - Auto MUFI /Manual MUF July 1980 Goose Bay...Labrador 32 23 IManual MUF - Auto MUFI /Manual MUF September 1980 Goose Bay, Labrador 33 24 !Manual M(3000) - Auto M(3000)1 January 1980 Goose Bay, Labrador

--No Title--

Science.gov Websites

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Clinical utility of anti-p53 auto-antibody: systematic review and focus on colorectal cancer.

PubMed

Suppiah, Aravind; Greenman, John

2013-08-07

Mutation of the p53 gene is a key event in the carcinogenesis of many different types of tumours. These can occur throughout the length of the p53 gene. Anti-p53 auto-antibodies are commonly produced in response to these p53 mutations. This review firstly describes the various mechanisms of p53 dysfunction and their association with subsequent carcinogenesis. Following this, the mechanisms of induction of anti-p53 auto-antibody production are shown, with various hypotheses for the discrepancies between the presence of p53 mutation and the presence/absence of anti-p53 auto-antibodies. A systematic review was performed with a descriptive summary of key findings of each anti-p53 auto-antibody study in all cancers published in the last 30 years. Using this, the cumulative frequency of anti-p53 auto-antibody in each cancer type is calculated and then compared with the incidence of p53 mutation in each cancer to provide the largest sample calculation and correlation between mutation and anti-p53 auto-antibody published to date. Finally, the review focuses on the data of anti-p53 auto-antibody in colorectal cancer studies, and discusses future strategies including the potentially promising role using anti-p53 auto-antibody presence in screening and surveillance.

Auto-SCT improves survival in systemic light chain amyloidosis: a retrospective analysis with 14-year follow-up.

PubMed

Parmar, S; Kongtim, P; Champlin, R; Dinh, Y; Elgharably, Y; Wang, M; Bashir, Q; Shah, J J; Shah, N; Popat, U; Giralt, S A; Orlowski, R Z; Qazilbash, M H

2014-08-01

Optimal treatment approach continues to remain a challenge for systemic light chain amyloidosis (AL). So far, Auto-SCT is the only modality associated with long-term survival. However, failure to show survival benefit in randomized study raises questions regarding its efficacy. We present a comparative outcome analysis of Auto-SCT to conventional therapies (CTR) in AL patients treated over a 14-year period at our institution. Out of the 145 AL amyloidosis patients, Auto-SCT was performed in 80 patients with 1-year non-relapse mortality rate of 12.5%. Novel agents were used as part of induction therapy in 56% of transplant recipients vs 46% of CTR patients. Hematological and organ responses were seen in 74.6% and 39% in the Auto-SCT arm vs 53% and 12% in the CTR arm, respectively. The projected 5-year survival for Auto-SCT vs CTR was 63% vs 38%, respectively. Landmark analysis of patients alive at 1-year after diagnosis showed improved 5-year OS of 72% with Auto-SCT vs 65% in the CTR arm. In the multivariate analysis, age <60 years, induction therapy with novel agents, kidney only involvement and Auto-SCT were associated with improved survival. In conclusion, Auto-SCT is associated with long-term survival for patients with AL amyloidosis.

[Psychosocial vulnerability and substance use screening during pregnancy: Evaluation of a composite auto-questionnaire versus usual medical questioning].

PubMed

Fline-Barthes, M-H; Vandendriessche, D; Gaugue, J; Urso, L; Therby, D; Subtil, D

2015-05-01

To evaluate auto-questionnaire use for psychosocial vulnerability and substance use (smoking, alcohol consumption, depression, intimate violence) screening during pregnancy versus usual medical report. An auto-questionnaire based on validated tests (Fagerström/HSI, T-ACE, EPDS, SSQ6) was proposed to 1977 pregnant patients at their first obstetrical consultation. We compared results of auto-questionnaire and usual medical questioning. The auto-questionnaire was filled by 1676 pregnant patients (89.4 %). The two Fagerström/HIS questions showed that 20.7 % smoked during pregnancy. T-ACE score was better than usual medical questioning to detect excessive alcohol consumption (4.0 % vs 0.1 %, P<0.05). Drug use before pregnancy was reported by 9.8 % patients in auto-questionnaire, but was only found in 4.9 % of medical files (P<0.001). Seven percent patients reported at least 3 depressive symptoms on 4 purposed in auto-questionnaire. Intimate violence, physical or psychological, was reported in 9.4 %. All of these vulnerability factors were linked together, in auto-questionnaire or in usual medical reports. Using auto-questionnaire based on standardized screening tests could help medical practioneers to detect psychosocial vulnerability and/or substance use during pregnancy. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Studies of the Solar Radiations' Influence About Geomembranes Used in Ecological Landfill

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasiluta, Petre; Cofaru, Ileana Ioana; Cofaru, Nicolae Florin; Popa, Dragos Laurentiu

2017-12-01

The study shown in this paper presents the behavior of geomembranes used at the ecological landfills. The influences of the solar radiations has a great importance regarding the correct mounting of the geomembranes. The mathematical model developed for the determination anytime and anywhere in the world for the next values and parameters: apparent solar time, solar declination, solar altitude, solar azimuth and incidence angle, zone angle, angle of sun elevation, solar declination, solar constant, solar flux density, diffuse solar radiation, global radiation, soil albedo, total radiant flux density and relational links of these values. The results of this model was used for creations an AutoCAD subroutines useful for choosing the correct time for correct mounting anywhere of the geomembranes

Infectious Complications during Tandem High-Dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Children with High-Risk or Recurrent Solid Tumors

PubMed Central

Kang, Ji-Man; Lee, Ji Won; Yoo, Keon Hee; Kim, Yae-Jean; Sung, Ki Woong; Koo, Hong Hoe

2016-01-01

We retrospectively analyzed infectious complications during tandem high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDCT/auto-SCT) in children and adolescents with high-risk or recurrent solid tumors. A total of 324 patients underwent their first HDCT/auto-SCT between October 2004 and September 2014, and 283 of them proceeded to their second HDCT/auto-SCT (a total of 607 HDCT/auto-SCTs). During the early transplant period of 607 HDCT/auto-SCTs (from the beginning of HDCT to day 30 post-transplant), bacteremia, urinary tract infection (UTI), respiratory virus infection, and varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation occurred in 7.1%, 2.3%, 13.0%, and 2.5% of HDCT/auto-SCTs, respectively. The early transplant period of the second HDCT/auto-SCT had infectious complications similar to the first HDCT/auto-SCT. During the late transplant period of HDCT/auto-SCT (from day 31 to 1 year post-transplant), bacteremia, UTI, and VZV reactivation occurred in 7.5%, 2.5%, and 3.9% of patients, respectively. Most infectious complications in the late transplant period occurred during the first 6 months post-transplant. There were no invasive fungal infections during the study period. Six patients died from infectious complications (4 from bacterial sepsis and 2 from respiratory virus infection). Our study suggests that infectious complications are similar following second and first HDCT/auto-SCT in children. PMID:27627440

Influence Function Learning in Information Diffusion Networks.

PubMed

Du, Nan; Liang, Yingyu; Balcan, Maria-Florina; Song, Le

2014-06-01

Can we learn the influence of a set of people in a social network from cascades of information diffusion? This question is often addressed by a two-stage approach: first learn a diffusion model, and then calculate the influence based on the learned model. Thus, the success of this approach relies heavily on the correctness of the diffusion model which is hard to verify for real world data. In this paper, we exploit the insight that the influence functions in many diffusion models are coverage functions, and propose a novel parameterization of such functions using a convex combination of random basis functions. Moreover, we propose an efficient maximum likelihood based algorithm to learn such functions directly from cascade data, and hence bypass the need to specify a particular diffusion model in advance. We provide both theoretical and empirical analysis for our approach, showing that the proposed approach can provably learn the influence function with low sample complexity, be robust to the unknown diffusion models, and significantly outperform existing approaches in both synthetic and real world data.

Strong Clustering of Lyman Break Galaxies around Luminous Quasars at Z ˜ 4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

García-Vergara, Cristina; Hennawi, Joseph F.; Barrientos, L. Felipe; Rix, Hans-Walter

2017-10-01

In the standard picture of structure formation, the first massive galaxies are expected to form at the highest peaks of the density field, which constitute the cores of massive proto-clusters. Luminous quasars (QSOs) at z ˜ 4 are the most strongly clustered population known, and should thus reside in massive dark matter halos surrounded by large overdensities of galaxies, implying a strong QSO-galaxy cross-correlation function. We observed six z ˜ 4 QSO fields with VLT/FORS, exploiting a novel set of narrow-band filters custom designed to select Lyman Break Galaxies (LBGs) in a thin redshift slice of {{Δ }}z˜ 0.3, mitigating the projection effects that have limited the sensitivity of previous searches for galaxies around z≳ 4 QSOs. We find that LBGs are strongly clustered around QSOs, and present the first measurement of the QSO-LBG cross-correlation function at z ˜ 4, on scales of 0.1≲ R≲ 9 {h}-1 {Mpc} (comoving). Assuming a power-law form for the cross-correlation function ξ ={(r/{r}0{QG})}γ , we measure {r}0{QG}={8.83}-1.51+1.39 {h}-1 {Mpc} for a fixed slope of γ =2.0. This result is in agreement with the expected cross-correlation length deduced from measurements of the QSO and LBG auto-correlation function, and assuming a deterministic bias model. We also measure a strong auto-correlation of LBGs in our QSO fields, finding {r}0{GG}={21.59}-1.69+1.72 {h}-1 {Mpc} for a fixed slope of γ =1.5, which is ˜4 times larger than the LBG auto-correlation length in blank fields, providing further evidence that QSOs reside in overdensities of LBGs. Our results qualitatively support a picture where luminous QSOs inhabit exceptionally massive ({M}{halo}> {10}12 {M}⊙ ) dark matter halos at z ˜ 4.

Assessment of Factors Related to Auto-PEEP.

PubMed

Natalini, Giuseppe; Tuzzo, Daniele; Rosano, Antonio; Testa, Marco; Grazioli, Michele; Pennestrì, Vincenzo; Amodeo, Guido; Marsilia, Paolo F; Tinnirello, Andrea; Berruto, Francesco; Fiorillo, Marialinda; Filippini, Matteo; Peratoner, Alberto; Minelli, Cosetta; Bernardini, Achille

2016-02-01

Previous physiological studies have identified factors that are involved in auto-PEEP generation. In our study, we examined how much auto-PEEP is generated from factors that are involved in its development. One hundred eighty-six subjects undergoing controlled mechanical ventilation with persistent expiratory flow at the beginning of each inspiration were enrolled in the study. Volume-controlled continuous mandatory ventilation with PEEP of 0 cm H2O was applied while maintaining the ventilator setting as chosen by the attending physician. End-expiratory and end-inspiratory airway occlusion maneuvers were performed to calculate respiratory mechanics, and tidal flow limitation was assessed by a maneuver of manual compression of the abdomen. The variable with the strongest effect on auto-PEEP was flow limitation, which was associated with an increase of 2.4 cm H2O in auto-PEEP values. Moreover, auto-PEEP values were directly related to resistance of the respiratory system and body mass index and inversely related to expiratory time/time constant. Variables that were associated with the breathing pattern (tidal volume, frequency minute ventilation, and expiratory time) did not show any relationship with auto-PEEP values. The risk of auto-PEEP ≥5 cm H2O was increased by flow limitation (adjusted odds ratio 17; 95% CI: 6-56.2), expiratory time/time constant ratio <1.85 (12.6; 4.7-39.6), respiratory system resistance >15 cm H2O/L s (3; 1.3-6.9), age >65 y (2.8; 1.2-6.5), and body mass index >26 kg/m(2) (2.6; 1.1-6.1). Flow limitation, expiratory time/time constant, resistance of the respiratory system, and obesity are the most important variables that affect auto-PEEP values. Frequency expiratory time, tidal volume, and minute ventilation were not independently associated with auto-PEEP. Therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing auto-PEEP and its adverse effects should be primarily oriented to the variables that mainly affect auto-PEEP values. Copyright © 2016 by Daedalus Enterprises.

Measurements of auto-antibodies to α-synuclein in the serum and cerebral spinal fluids of patients with Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Akhtar, Rizwan S; Licata, Joseph P; Luk, Kelvin C; Shaw, Leslie M; Trojanowski, John Q; Lee, Virginia M-Y

2018-03-03

Biomarkers for α-synuclein are needed for diagnosis and prognosis in Parkinson's disease (PD). Endogenous auto-antibodies to α-synuclein could serve as biomarkers for underlying synucleinopathy, but previous assessments of auto-antibodies have shown variability and inconsistent clinical correlations. We hypothesized that auto-antibodies to α-synuclein could be diagnostic for PD and explain its clinical heterogeneity. To test this hypothesis, we developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measuring α-synuclein auto-antibodies in human samples. We evaluated 69 serum samples (16 healthy controls (HC) and 53 PD patients) and 145 CSF samples (52 HC and 93 PD patients) from our Institution. Both serum and CSF were available for 24 participants. Males had higher auto-antibody levels than females in both fluids. CSF auto-antibody levels were significantly higher in PD patients as compared to HC, whereas serum levels were not significantly different. CSF auto-antibody levels did not associate with amyloid-β 1-42 , total tau, or phosphorylated tau. CSF auto-antibody levels correlated with performance on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, even when controlled for CSF amyloidβ 1-42 . CSF hemoglobin levels, as a proxy for contamination of CSF by blood during lumbar puncture, did not influence these observations. Using recombinant α-synuclein with N- and C-terminal truncations, we found that CSF auto-antibodies target amino acids 100 through 120 of α-synuclein. We conclude that endogenous CSF auto-antibodies are significantly higher in PD patients as compared to HC, suggesting that they could indicate the presence of underlying synucleinopathy. These auto-antibodies associate with poor cognition, independently of CSF amyloidβ 1-42 ., and target a select C-terminal region of α-synuclein. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Autologous Transplantation in Follicular Lymphoma with Early Therapy Failure: A National LymphoCare Study and Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research Analysis.

PubMed

Casulo, Carla; Friedberg, Jonathan W; Ahn, Kwang W; Flowers, Christopher; DiGilio, Alyssa; Smith, Sonali M; Ahmed, Sairah; Inwards, David; Aljurf, Mahmoud; Chen, Andy I; Choe, Hannah; Cohen, Jonathon; Copelan, Edward; Farooq, Umar; Fenske, Timothy S; Freytes, Cesar; Gaballa, Sameh; Ganguly, Siddhartha; Jethava, Yogesh; Kamble, Rammurti T; Kenkre, Vaishalee P; Lazarus, Hillard; Lazaryan, Aleksandr; Olsson, Richard F; Rezvani, Andrew R; Rizzieri, David; Seo, Sachiko; Shah, Gunjan L; Shah, Nina; Solh, Melham; Sureda, Anna; William, Basem; Cumpston, Aaron; Zelenetz, Andrew D; Link, Brian K; Hamadani, Mehdi

2018-06-01

Patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) experiencing early therapy failure (ETF) within 2 years of frontline chemoimmunotherapy have poor overall survival (OS). We analyzed data from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) and the National LymphoCare Study (NLCS) to determine whether autologous hematopoietic cell transplant (autoHCT) can improve outcomes in this high-risk FL subgroup. ETF was defined as failure to achieve at least partial response after frontline chemoimmunotherapy or lymphoma progression within 2 years of frontline chemoimmunotherapy. We identified 2 groups: the non-autoHCT cohort (patients from the NLCS with ETF not undergoing autoHCT) and the autoHCT cohort (CIBMTR patients with ETF undergoing autoHCT). All patients received rituximab-based chemotherapy as frontline treatment; 174 non-autoHCT patients and 175 autoHCT patients were identified and analyzed. There was no difference in 5-year OS between the 2 groups (60% versus 67%, respectively; P = .16). A planned subgroup analysis showed that patients with ETF receiving autoHCT soon after treatment failure (≤1 year of ETF; n = 123) had higher 5-year OS than those without autoHCT (73% versus 60%, P = .05). On multivariate analysis, early use of autoHCT was associated with significantly reduced mortality (hazard ratio, .63; 95% confidence interval, .42 to .94; P = .02). Patients with FL experiencing ETF after frontline chemoimmunotherapy lack optimal therapy. We demonstrate improved OS when receiving autoHCT within 1 year of treatment failure. Results from this unique collaboration between the NLCS and CIBMTR support consideration of early consolidation with autoHCT in select FL patients experiencing ETF. Copyright © 2017 The American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Identification of the regulatory autophosphorylation site of autophosphorylation-dependent protein kinase (auto-kinase). Evidence that auto-kinase belongs to a member of the p21-activated kinase family.

PubMed

Yu, J S; Chen, W J; Ni, M H; Chan, W H; Yang, S D

1998-08-15

Autophosphorylation-dependent protein kinase (auto-kinase) was identified from pig brain and liver on the basis of its unique autophosphorylation/activation property [Yang, Fong, Yu and Liu (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 7034-7040; Yang, Chang and Soderling (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 9421-9427]. Its substrate consensus sequence motif was determined as being -R-X-(X)-S*/T*-X3-S/T-. To characterize auto-kinase further, we partly sequenced the kinase purified from pig liver. The N-terminal sequence (VDGGAKTSDKQKKKAXMTDE) and two internal peptide sequences (EKLRTIV and LQNPEK/ILTP/FI) of auto-kinase were obtained. These sequences identify auto-kinase as a C-terminal catalytic fragment of p21-activated protein kinase 2 (PAK2 or gamma-PAK) lacking its N-terminal regulatory region. Auto-kinase can be recognized by an antibody raised against the C-terminal peptide of human PAK2 by immunoblotting. Furthermore the autophosphorylation site sequence of auto-kinase was successfully predicted on the basis of its substrate consensus sequence motif and the known PAK2 sequence, and was further demonstrated to be RST(P)MVGTPYWMAPEVVTR by phosphoamino acid analysis, manual Edman degradation and phosphopeptide mapping via the help of phosphorylation site analysis of a synthetic peptide corresponding to the sequence of PAK2 from residues 396 to 418. During the activation process, auto-kinase autophosphorylates mainly on a single threonine residue Thr402 (according to the sequence numbering of human PAK2). In addition, a phospho-specific antibody against a synthetic phosphopeptide containing this identified sequence was generated and shown to be able to differentially recognize the activated auto-kinase autophosphorylated at Thr402 but not the non-phosphorylated/inactive auto-kinase. Immunoblot analysis with this phospho-specific antibody further revealed that the change in phosphorylation level of Thr402 of auto-kinase was well correlated with the activity change of the kinase during both autophosphorylation/activation and protein phosphatase-mediated dephosphorylation/inactivation processes. Taken together, our results identify Thr402 as the regulatory autophosphorylation site of auto-kinase, which is a C-terminal catalytic fragment of PAK2.

Identification of the regulatory autophosphorylation site of autophosphorylation-dependent protein kinase (auto-kinase). Evidence that auto-kinase belongs to a member of the p21-activated kinase family.

PubMed Central

Yu, J S; Chen, W J; Ni, M H; Chan, W H; Yang, S D

1998-01-01

Autophosphorylation-dependent protein kinase (auto-kinase) was identified from pig brain and liver on the basis of its unique autophosphorylation/activation property [Yang, Fong, Yu and Liu (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 7034-7040; Yang, Chang and Soderling (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 9421-9427]. Its substrate consensus sequence motif was determined as being -R-X-(X)-S*/T*-X3-S/T-. To characterize auto-kinase further, we partly sequenced the kinase purified from pig liver. The N-terminal sequence (VDGGAKTSDKQKKKAXMTDE) and two internal peptide sequences (EKLRTIV and LQNPEK/ILTP/FI) of auto-kinase were obtained. These sequences identify auto-kinase as a C-terminal catalytic fragment of p21-activated protein kinase 2 (PAK2 or gamma-PAK) lacking its N-terminal regulatory region. Auto-kinase can be recognized by an antibody raised against the C-terminal peptide of human PAK2 by immunoblotting. Furthermore the autophosphorylation site sequence of auto-kinase was successfully predicted on the basis of its substrate consensus sequence motif and the known PAK2 sequence, and was further demonstrated to be RST(P)MVGTPYWMAPEVVTR by phosphoamino acid analysis, manual Edman degradation and phosphopeptide mapping via the help of phosphorylation site analysis of a synthetic peptide corresponding to the sequence of PAK2 from residues 396 to 418. During the activation process, auto-kinase autophosphorylates mainly on a single threonine residue Thr402 (according to the sequence numbering of human PAK2). In addition, a phospho-specific antibody against a synthetic phosphopeptide containing this identified sequence was generated and shown to be able to differentially recognize the activated auto-kinase autophosphorylated at Thr402 but not the non-phosphorylated/inactive auto-kinase. Immunoblot analysis with this phospho-specific antibody further revealed that the change in phosphorylation level of Thr402 of auto-kinase was well correlated with the activity change of the kinase during both autophosphorylation/activation and protein phosphatase-mediated dephosphorylation/inactivation processes. Taken together, our results identify Thr402 as the regulatory autophosphorylation site of auto-kinase, which is a C-terminal catalytic fragment of PAK2. PMID:9693111

The Relationship between Affective States and Dialog Patterns during Interactions with AutoTutor

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Graesser, Arthur C.; D'Mello, Sidney K.; Craig, Scotty D.; Witherspoon, Amy; Sullins, Jeremiah; McDaniel, Bethany; Gholson, Barry

2008-01-01

Relations between emotions (affect states) and learning have recently been explored in the context of AutoTutor. AutoTutor is a tutoring system on the Internet that helps learners construct answers to difficult questions by interacting with them in natural language. AutoTutor has an animated conversation agent and a dialog management facility that…

46 CFR 97.16-1 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 97.16-1 Section 97.16-1 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) CARGO AND MISCELLANEOUS VESSELS OPERATIONS Auto Pilot § 97.16-1 Use of auto pilot. Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when the automatic pilot is used...

46 CFR 97.16-1 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 97.16-1 Section 97.16-1 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) CARGO AND MISCELLANEOUS VESSELS OPERATIONS Auto Pilot § 97.16-1 Use of auto pilot. Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when the automatic pilot is used...

46 CFR 78.19-1 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 46 Shipping 3 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 78.19-1 Section 78.19-1 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) PASSENGER VESSELS OPERATIONS Auto Pilot § 78.19-1 Use of auto pilot. Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when the automatic pilot is used in— (a...

46 CFR 97.16-1 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 97.16-1 Section 97.16-1 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) CARGO AND MISCELLANEOUS VESSELS OPERATIONS Auto Pilot § 97.16-1 Use of auto pilot. Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when the automatic pilot is used...

46 CFR 78.19-1 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 46 Shipping 3 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 78.19-1 Section 78.19-1 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) PASSENGER VESSELS OPERATIONS Auto Pilot § 78.19-1 Use of auto pilot. Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when the automatic pilot is used in— (a...

46 CFR 78.19-1 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 46 Shipping 3 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 78.19-1 Section 78.19-1 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) PASSENGER VESSELS OPERATIONS Auto Pilot § 78.19-1 Use of auto pilot. Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when the automatic pilot is used in— (a...

AutoTutor and Family: A Review of 17 Years of Natural Language Tutoring

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nye, Benjamin D.; Graesser, Arthur C.; Hu, Xiangen

2014-01-01

AutoTutor is a natural language tutoring system that has produced learning gains across multiple domains (e.g., computer literacy, physics, critical thinking). In this paper, we review the development, key research findings, and systems that have evolved from AutoTutor. First, the rationale for developing AutoTutor is outlined and the advantages…

Electrical Systems. Auto Mechanics Curriculum Guide Module 2. Instructor's Guide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hevel, David; Donovan, Roger

This document is one of a series of modules in the Missouri Auto Mechanics Curriculum Guide, which is based on 144 basic auto mechanics competencies identified on the Missouri Auto Mechanics Competency Profile. The instructor's materials in this document are for a 14-unit secondary education course. The following units are included: (1) principles…

Manual Drive Train and Axles. Auto Mechanics Curriculum Guide Module 7. Instructor's Guide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Colesworthy, Robert; Donovan, Roger

This document is one of a series of modules in the Missouri Auto Mechanics Curriculum Guide, which is based on 144 basic auto mechanics competencies identified on the Missouri Auto Mechanics Competency Profile. The instructor's materials in this document are for a 13-unit secondary education course. The following units are included: (1)…

46 CFR 97.16-1 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 97.16-1 Section 97.16-1 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) CARGO AND MISCELLANEOUS VESSELS OPERATIONS Auto Pilot § 97.16-1 Use of auto pilot. Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when the automatic pilot is used...

46 CFR 78.19-1 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 78.19-1 Section 78.19-1 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) PASSENGER VESSELS OPERATIONS Auto Pilot § 78.19-1 Use of auto pilot. Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when the automatic pilot is used in— (a...

77 FR 16227 - Frank Myers AutoMaxx, LLC; Analysis of Proposed Consent Order To Aid Public Comment

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-20

... FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION [File No. 112 3206] Frank Myers AutoMaxx, LLC; Analysis of Proposed... ``Frank Myers AutoMaxx, File No. 112 3206'' on your comment, and file your comment online at https... April 16, 2012. Write ``Frank Myers AutoMaxx, File No. 112 3206'' on your comment. Your comment...

75 FR 65524 - United Auto Workers Local 1999, Oklahoma City, OK; Notice of Negative Determination Regarding...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-25

... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration [TA-W-71,863] United Auto Workers Local... workers and former workers of United Auto Workers Local 1999, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (the subject firm... Auto Workers Local 1999, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was based on the findings that the workers at the...

46 CFR 78.19-1 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 46 Shipping 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 78.19-1 Section 78.19-1 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) PASSENGER VESSELS OPERATIONS Auto Pilot § 78.19-1 Use of auto pilot. Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when the automatic pilot is used in— (a...

46 CFR 97.16-1 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 97.16-1 Section 97.16-1 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) CARGO AND MISCELLANEOUS VESSELS OPERATIONS Auto Pilot § 97.16-1 Use of auto pilot. Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when the automatic pilot is used...

Cool Flames in Propane-Oxygen Premixtures at Low and Intermediate Temperatures at Reduced-Gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pearlman, Howard; Foster, Michael; Karabacak, Devrez

2003-01-01

The Cool Flame Experiment aims to address the role of diffusive transport on the structure and the stability of gas-phase, non-isothermal, hydrocarbon oxidation reactions, cool flames and auto-ignition fronts in an unstirred, static reactor. These reactions cannot be studied on Earth where natural convection due to self-heating during the course of slow reaction dominates diffusive transport and produces spatio-temporal variations in the thermal and thus species concentration profiles. On Earth, reactions with associated Rayleigh numbers (Ra) less than the critical Ra for onset of convection (Ra(sub cr) approx. 600) cannot be achieved in laboratory-scale vessels for conditions representative of nearly all low-temperature reactions. In fact, the Ra at 1g ranges from 10(exp 4) - 10(exp 5) (or larger), while at reduced-gravity, these values can be reduced two to six orders of magnitude (below Ra(sub cr)), depending on the reduced-gravity test facility. Currently, laboratory (1g) and NASA s KC-135 reduced-gravity (g) aircraft studies are being conducted in parallel with the development of a detailed chemical kinetic model that includes thermal and species diffusion. Select experiments have also been conducted at partial gravity (Martian, 0.3gearth) aboard the KC-135 aircraft. This paper discusses these preliminary results for propane-oxygen premixtures in the low to intermediate temperature range (310- 350 C) at reduced-gravity.

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation as Curative Therapy for Patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Increasingly Successful Application to Older Patients.

PubMed

Fenske, Timothy S; Hamadani, Mehdi; Cohen, Jonathon B; Costa, Luciano J; Kahl, Brad S; Evens, Andrew M; Hamlin, Paul A; Lazarus, Hillard M; Petersdorf, Effie; Bredeson, Christopher

2016-09-01

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) constitutes a collection of lymphoproliferative disorders with widely varying biological, histological, and clinical features. For the B cell NHLs, great progress has been made due to the addition of monoclonal antibodies and, more recently, other novel agents including B cell receptor signaling inhibitors, immunomodulatory agents, and proteasome inhibitors. Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HCT) offers the promise of cure or prolonged remission in some NHL patients. For some patients, however, auto-HCT may never be a viable option, whereas in others, the disease may progress despite auto-HCT. In those settings, allogeneic HCT (allo-HCT) offers the potential for cure. Over the past 10 to 15 years, considerable progress has been made in the implementation of allo-HCT, such that this approach now is a highly effective therapy for patients up to (and even beyond) age 75 years. Recent advances in conventional lymphoma therapy, peritransplantation supportive care, patient selection, and donor selection (including the use of alternative hematopoietic cell donors), has allowed broader application of allo-HCT to patients with NHL. As a result, an ever-increasing number of NHL patients over age 60 to 65 years stand to benefit from allo-HCT. In this review, we present data in support of the use of allo-HCT for patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma. These histologies account for a large majority of allo-HCTs performed for patients over age 60 in the United States. Where possible, we highlight available data in older patients. This body of literature strongly supports the concept that allo-HCT should be offered to fit patients well beyond age 65 and, accordingly, that this treatment should be covered by their insurance carriers. Copyright © 2016 American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

--No Title--

Science.gov Websites

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Clinical utility of anti-p53 auto-antibody: Systematic review and focus on colorectal cancer

PubMed Central

Suppiah, Aravind; Greenman, John

2013-01-01

Mutation of the p53 gene is a key event in the carcinogenesis of many different types of tumours. These can occur throughout the length of the p53 gene. Anti-p53 auto-antibodies are commonly produced in response to these p53 mutations. This review firstly describes the various mechanisms of p53 dysfunction and their association with subsequent carcinogenesis. Following this, the mechanisms of induction of anti-p53 auto-antibody production are shown, with various hypotheses for the discrepancies between the presence of p53 mutation and the presence/absence of anti-p53 auto-antibodies. A systematic review was performed with a descriptive summary of key findings of each anti-p53 auto-antibody study in all cancers published in the last 30 years. Using this, the cumulative frequency of anti-p53 auto-antibody in each cancer type is calculated and then compared with the incidence of p53 mutation in each cancer to provide the largest sample calculation and correlation between mutation and anti-p53 auto-antibody published to date. Finally, the review focuses on the data of anti-p53 auto-antibody in colorectal cancer studies, and discusses future strategies including the potentially promising role using anti-p53 auto-antibody presence in screening and surveillance. PMID:23922463

Auto Body Welding 2 (Course Outline), Automotive Body Repair and Refinishing 1: 9033.04.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dade County Public Schools, Miami, FL.

The 90-hour course is a foundation quinmester course in welding for the auto body repairman. The outline consists of seven blocks of instruction (orientation, 6 hours; auto body oxyacetylene welding, 10 hours; electric arc welding equipment, 6 hours; auto body electric arc welding, 8 hours; position welding, 40 hours; electric spot welders, 16…

76 FR 1065 - Security Zone; 23rd Annual North American International Auto Show, Detroit River, Detroit, MI

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-07

...-AA87 Security Zone; 23rd Annual North American International Auto Show, Detroit River, Detroit, MI... officials at the 23rd Annual North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) being held at Cobo Hall in... 23rd Annual North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) being held at Cobo Hall in downtown Detroit...

A phase II study of V-BEAM as conditioning regimen before second auto-SCT for multiple myeloma.

PubMed

Wang, T-F; Fiala, M A; Cashen, A F; Uy, G L; Abboud, C N; Fletcher, T; Wu, N; Westervelt, P; DiPersio, J F; Stockerl-Goldstein, K E; Vij, R

2014-11-01

High-dose melphalan has been the standard conditioning regimen for auto-SCT in multiple myeloma (MM) for decades. A more effective conditioning regimen may induce deeper responses and longer remission duration. It is especially needed in the setting of second auto-SCT, which rarely achieves comparable results with the first auto-SCT using the same conditioning regimen. Here we conducted a phase II study to investigate the efficacy and safety of a conditioning regimen V-BEAM (bortezomib-BEAM) before second auto-SCT for multiple myeloma. Ten patients were enrolled from September 2012 to May 2013. The CR rate at day +100 after auto-SCT was 75%; all except for one patient remained in remission after a median follow-up of 6 months. Three patients developed Clostridium difficile infection. Two patients died within the first 30 days of auto-SCT from neutropenic colitis and overwhelming sepsis, respectively. Due to the high rate of morbidity and mortality, the study was terminated after 10 patients. In summary, although the conditioning regimen V-BEAM before second auto-SCT for MM provided promising responses, it was associated with unexpected treatment-related toxicity and should not be investigated further without modifications.

What factors affect the carriage of epinephrine auto-injectors by teenagers?

PubMed

Macadam, Clare; Barnett, Julie; Roberts, Graham; Stiefel, Gary; King, Rosemary; Erlewyn-Lajeunesse, Michel; Holloway, Judith A; Lucas, Jane S

2012-02-02

Teenagers with allergies are at particular risk of severe and fatal reactions, but epinephrine auto-injectors are not always carried as prescribed. We investigated barriers to carriage. Patients aged 12-18 years old under a specialist allergy clinic, who had previously been prescribed an auto-injector were invited to participate. Semi-structured interviews explored the factors that positively or negatively impacted on carriage. Twenty teenagers with food or venom allergies were interviewed. Only two patients had used their auto-injector in the community, although several had been treated for severe reactions in hospital. Most teenagers made complex risk assessments to determine whether to carry the auto-injector. Most but not all decisions were rational and were at least partially informed by knowledge. Factors affecting carriage included location, who else would be present, the attitudes of others and physical features of the auto-injector. Teenagers made frequent risk assessments when deciding whether to carry their auto-injectors, and generally wanted to remain safe. Their decisions were complex, multi-faceted and highly individualised. Rather than aiming for 100% carriage of auto-injectors, which remains an ambitious ideal, personalised education packages should aim to empower teenagers to make and act upon informed risk assessments.

Auto-immune hepatitis following delivery.

PubMed

Saini, Vandana; Gupta, Mamta; Mishra, S K

2013-05-01

Auto-immune hepatitis first presenting in the early postpartum period is rare. Immunosuppressive effects of pregnancy result in delayed manifestation of auto-immune hepatitis, and in established cases, the spontaneous improvements are there. Auto-immune hepatitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of liver dysfunction first presenting in the early postpartum period. A case of postpartum hepatitis of auto-immune aetiology is being presented here. It is disease of unknown aetiology, characterised by inflammation of liver (as evidenced by raised serum transaminases, presence of interface hepatitis on histological examination), hypergammaglobulinaemia (> 1.5 times normal), presence of auto-antibodies [(antinuclear antibodies (ANA)], smooth muscle antibody (SMA) and antibody to liver-kidney microsome type 1 (LKM1) in the absence of viral markers ie, hepatitis B (HBsAg) and C (AntiHCV) and excellent response to corticosteroid therapy.

Regulation of voltage-gated sodium channel expression in cancer: hormones, growth factors and auto-regulation

PubMed Central

Fraser, Scott P.; Ozerlat-Gunduz, Iley; Brackenbury, William J.; Fitzgerald, Elizabeth M.; Campbell, Thomas M.; Coombes, R. Charles; Djamgoz, Mustafa B. A.

2014-01-01

Although ion channels are increasingly being discovered in cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, and shown to contribute to different aspects and stages of the cancer process, much less is known about the mechanisms controlling their expression. Here, we focus on voltage-gated Na+ channels (VGSCs) which are upregulated in many types of carcinomas where their activity potentiates cell behaviours integral to the metastatic cascade. Regulation of VGSCs occurs at a hierarchy of levels from transcription to post-translation. Importantly, mainstream cancer mechanisms, especially hormones and growth factors, play a significant role in the regulation. On the whole, in major hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast and prostate cancer, there is a negative association between genomic steroid hormone sensitivity and functional VGSC expression. Activity-dependent regulation by positive feedback has been demonstrated in strongly metastatic cells whereby the VGSC is self-sustaining, with its activity promoting further functional channel expression. Such auto-regulation is unlike normal cells in which activity-dependent regulation occurs mostly via negative feedback. Throughout, we highlight the possible clinical implications of functional VGSC expression and regulation in cancer. PMID:24493753

Influence Function Learning in Information Diffusion Networks

PubMed Central

Du, Nan; Liang, Yingyu; Balcan, Maria-Florina; Song, Le

2015-01-01

Can we learn the influence of a set of people in a social network from cascades of information diffusion? This question is often addressed by a two-stage approach: first learn a diffusion model, and then calculate the influence based on the learned model. Thus, the success of this approach relies heavily on the correctness of the diffusion model which is hard to verify for real world data. In this paper, we exploit the insight that the influence functions in many diffusion models are coverage functions, and propose a novel parameterization of such functions using a convex combination of random basis functions. Moreover, we propose an efficient maximum likelihood based algorithm to learn such functions directly from cascade data, and hence bypass the need to specify a particular diffusion model in advance. We provide both theoretical and empirical analysis for our approach, showing that the proposed approach can provably learn the influence function with low sample complexity, be robust to the unknown diffusion models, and significantly outperform existing approaches in both synthetic and real world data. PMID:25973445

Variable-order fractional MSD function to describe the evolution of protein lateral diffusion ability in cell membranes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, Deshun; Qu, Pengfei

2018-02-01

Protein lateral diffusion is considered anomalous in the plasma membrane. And this diffusion is related to membrane microstructure. In order to better describe the property of protein lateral diffusion and find out the inner relationship between protein lateral diffusion and membrane microstructure, this article applies variable-order fractional mean square displacement (f-MSD) function for characterizing the anomalous diffusion. It is found that the variable order can reflect the evolution of diffusion ability. The results of numerical simulation demonstrate variable-order f-MSD function can predict the tendency of anomalous diffusion during the process of confined diffusion. It is also noted that protein lateral diffusion ability during the processes of confined and hop diffusion can be split into three parts. In addition, the comparative analyses reveal that the variable order is related to the confinement-domain size and microstructure of compartment boundary too.

Insight from uncertainty: bootstrap-derived diffusion metrics differentially predict memory function among older adults.

PubMed

Vorburger, Robert S; Habeck, Christian G; Narkhede, Atul; Guzman, Vanessa A; Manly, Jennifer J; Brickman, Adam M

2016-01-01

Diffusion tensor imaging suffers from an intrinsic low signal-to-noise ratio. Bootstrap algorithms have been introduced to provide a non-parametric method to estimate the uncertainty of the measured diffusion parameters. To quantify the variability of the principal diffusion direction, bootstrap-derived metrics such as the cone of uncertainty have been proposed. However, bootstrap-derived metrics are not independent of the underlying diffusion profile. A higher mean diffusivity causes a smaller signal-to-noise ratio and, thus, increases the measurement uncertainty. Moreover, the goodness of the tensor model, which relies strongly on the complexity of the underlying diffusion profile, influences bootstrap-derived metrics as well. The presented simulations clearly depict the cone of uncertainty as a function of the underlying diffusion profile. Since the relationship of the cone of uncertainty and common diffusion parameters, such as the mean diffusivity and the fractional anisotropy, is not linear, the cone of uncertainty has a different sensitivity. In vivo analysis of the fornix reveals the cone of uncertainty to be a predictor of memory function among older adults. No significant correlation occurs with the common diffusion parameters. The present work not only demonstrates the cone of uncertainty as a function of the actual diffusion profile, but also discloses the cone of uncertainty as a sensitive predictor of memory function. Future studies should incorporate bootstrap-derived metrics to provide more comprehensive analysis.

Outcomes on the Line. Auto Manufacturer Explains Why Businesses Demand Student Performance.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hayes, William

1994-01-01

An administrator of Honda of America suggests that the ability to function as part of a team and to communicate effectively are crucial skills needed in today's workplace. Indicates that employers' primary concern is that new workers meet customer expectations through the mastery of skills. (JOW)

Uses of Computer Simulation Models in Ag-Research and Everyday Life

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

When the news media talks about models they could be talking about role models, fashion models, conceptual models like the auto industry uses, or computer simulation models. A computer simulation model is a computer code that attempts to imitate the processes and functions of certain systems. There ...

Technology and the Three R's.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Caldwell, Philip

Educational revitalization is crucial for a nation facing a 20 percent functional illiteracy rate, as well as increasing foreign industrial challenges. Like America's auto manufacturers who returned to business basics and thus achieved a $10 billion reversal of fortunes in just 3 years, educators in a technical society must define their own…

A Needs Assessment of Entry-Level Competencies for Modification of an Auto Body Repair Curriculum.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Borremans, Robert T.

A needs assessment was conducted to determine job tasks relevant for entry-level auto body repairers as a basis for updating the Auto Body Program at Blackhawk Technical Institute (BTI). A survey was mailed to 86 local auto body shops, asking employers to rank 149 tasks in 11 duty areas in terms of importance and frequency performed. Study…

77 FR 39767 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-05

... has executed on average per trading day (excluding partial trading days) in AutoEx or Order Delivery... (``AutoEx'') shall mean only those executed shares of the ETP Holder that are submitted in AutoEx mode... period, a combined ADV in both AutoEx and Order Delivery of at least 11.5 million shares, of which at...

Incidence of auto-immune pemphigus in the Midi-Pyrénées region in 2002-2006.

PubMed

Thomas, M; Paul, C; Berard, E; Fortenfant, F; Mazereeuw-Hautier, J; Livideanu, C; Viraben, R; Meyer, N

2010-01-01

Auto-immune pemphigus is an organ-specific immune disorder due to pathogenic auto-antibodies. Both genetic and environmental factors have been associated with the occurrence of auto-immune pemphigus. Little is known about the epidemiology of auto-immune pemphigus in western Europe. To evaluate the incidence of auto-immune pemphigus in south-western France (namely the Midi-Pyrénées region) in a 5-year period between 2002 and 2006. We performed a retrospective study of the annual incidence of auto-immune pemphigus diagnosed in the Midi-Pyrénées region, between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2006. Possible cases of pemphigus were initially selected using skin direct immunofluorescence (DIF) databases from all laboratories in the Midi-Pyrénées region. Systematic validation of all cases was performed by two of the authors (N.M., M.T.). To qualify as a case of auto-immune pemphigus, patients had to fulfil the following criteria: history of clinical signs of pemphigus as assessed by a dermatologist and a positive DIF. To be included in the study, validated cases of auto-immune pemphigus had to fulfil the following criteria: the date of first positive skin DIF between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2006, and patient living in the Midi-Pyrénées region at the time of the first positive skin DIF. Between 2002 and 2006, 91 patients with positive DIF were identified. Fifty-four patients with positive DIF did not meet the validation criteria for the study. Thirty-seven cases were included in the analysis. The crude annual mean incidence of auto-immune pemphigus between 2002 and 2006 was 2.7 cases/10(6) inhabitants/year (95% CI: 1.87-3.69). The world-population-standardized annual mean incidence of auto-immune pemphigus was 1.55 (95% CI: 0.99-2.11). We report a 1.55/10(6) inhabitants/year world-population-standardized incidence of auto-immune pemphigus in the south-west of France. A nationwide epidemiological study of pemphigus should be performed in France.

Stitching-aware in-design DPT auto fixing for sub-20nm logic devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Soo-Han; Sai Krishna, K. V. V. S.; Pemberton-Smith, David

2017-03-01

As the technology continues to shrink below 20nm, Double Patterning Technology (DPT) becomes one of the mandatory solutions for routing metal layers. From the view point of Place and Route (P&R), the major concerns are how to prevent DPT odd-cycles automatically without sacrificing chip area. Even though the leading-edge P&R tools have advanced algorithms to prevent DPT odd-cycles, it is very hard to prevent the localized DPT odd-cycles, especially in Engineering Change Order (ECO) routing. In the last several years, we developed In-design DPT Auto Fixing method in order to reduce localized DPT odd-cycles significantly during ECO and could achieve remarkable design Turn-Around Times (TATs). But subsequently, as the design complexity continued increasing and chip size continued decreasing, we needed a new In-design DPT Auto Fixing approach to improve the auto. fixing rate. In this paper, we present the Stitching-Aware In-design DPT Auto Fixing method for better fixing rates and smaller chip design. The previous In-design DPT Auto Fixing method detected all DPT odd-cycles and tried to remove oddcycles by increasing the adjacent space. As the metal congestions increase in the newer technology nodes, the older Auto Fixing method has limitations to increase the adjacent space between routing metals. Consequently, the auto fixing rate of older method gets worse with the introduction of the smaller design rules. With DPT stitching enablement at In-design DRC checking procedure, the new Stitching-Aware DPT Auto Fixing method detects the most critical odd-cycles and revolve the odd-cycles automatically. The accuracy of new flow ensures better usage of space in the congested areas, and helps design more smaller chips. By applying the Stitching-Aware DPT Auto Fixing method to sub-20nm logic devices, we can confirm that the auto fixing rate is improved by 2X compared with auto fixing without stitching. Additionally, by developing the better heuristic algorithm and flow for DPT stitching, we can get DPT compliant layout with the acceptable design TATs.

Double-lumen tubes and auto-PEEP during one-lung ventilation.

PubMed

Spaeth, J; Ott, M; Karzai, W; Grimm, A; Wirth, S; Schumann, S; Loop, T

2016-01-01

Double-lumen tubes (DLT) are routinely used to enable one-lung-ventilation (OLV) during thoracic anaesthesia. The flow-dependent resistance of the DLT's bronchial limb may be high as a result of its narrow inner diameter and length, and thus potentially contribute to an unintended increase in positive end-expiratory pressure (auto-PEEP). We therefore studied the impact of adult sized DLTs on the dynamic auto-PEEP during OLV. In this prospective clinical study, dynamic auto-PEEP was determined in 72 patients undergoing thoracic surgery, with right- and left-sided DLTs of various sizes. During OLV, air trapping was provoked by increasing inspiration to expiration ratio from 1:2 to 2:1 (five steps). Based on measured flow rate, airway pressure (Paw) and bronchial pressure (Pbronch), the pressure gradient across the DLT (ΔPDLT) and the total auto-PEEP in the respiratory system (i.e. the lungs, the DLT and the ventilator circuit) were determined. Subsequently the DLT's share in total auto-PEEP was calculated. ΔPDLT was 2.3 (0.7) cm H2O over the entire breathing cycle. At the shortest expiratory time the mean total auto-PEEP was 2.9 (1.5) cm H2O (range 0-5.9 cm H2O). The DLT caused 27 to 31% of the total auto-PEEP. Size and side of the DLT's bronchial limb did not impact auto-PEEP significantly. Although the DLT contributes to the overall auto-PEEP, its contribution is small and independent of size and side of the DLT's bronchial limb. The choice of DLT does not influence the risk of auto-PEEP during OLV to a clinically relevant extent. DRKS00005648. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Journal of Anaesthesia. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Accuracy of a novel auto-CPAP device to evaluate the residual apnea-hypopnea index in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

PubMed

Nigro, Carlos Alberto; González, Sergio; Arce, Anabella; Aragone, María Rosario; Nigro, Luciana

2015-05-01

Patients under treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may have residual sleep apnea (RSA). The main objective of our study was to evaluate a novel auto-CPAP for the diagnosis of RSA. All patients referred to the sleep laboratory to undergo CPAP polysomnography were evaluated. Patients treated with oxygen or noninvasive ventilation and split-night polysomnography (PSG), PSG with artifacts, or total sleep time less than 180 min were excluded. The PSG was manually analyzed before generating the automatic report from auto-CPAP. PSG variables (respiratory disturbance index (RDI), obstructive apnea index, hypopnea index, and central apnea index) were compared with their counterparts from auto-CPAP through Bland-Altman plots and intraclass correlation coefficient. The diagnostic accuracy of autoscoring from auto-CPAP using different cutoff points of RDI (≥5 and 10) was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) curve. The study included 114 patients (24 women; mean age and BMI, 59 years old and 33 kg/m(2); RDI and apnea/hypopnea index (AHI)-auto median, 5 and 2, respectively). The average difference between the AHI-auto and the RDI was -3.5 ± 3.9. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the total number of central apneas, obstructive, and hypopneas between the PSG and the auto-CPAP were 0.69, 0.16, and 0.15, respectively. An AHI-auto >2 (RDI ≥ 5) or >4 (RDI ≥ 10) had an area under the ROC curve, sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative for diagnosis of residual sleep apnea of 0.84/0.89, 84/81%, 82/91%, 4.5/9.5, and 0.22/0.2, respectively. The automatic analysis from auto-CPAP (S9 Autoset) showed a good diagnostic accuracy to identify residual sleep apnea. The absolute agreement between PSG and auto-CPAP to classify the respiratory events correctly varied from very low (obstructive apneas, hypopneas) to moderate (central apneas).

Anti-pentraxin 3 auto-antibodies might be protective in lupus nephritis: a large cohort study.

PubMed

Yuan, Mo; Tan, Ying; Pang, Yun; Li, Yong-Zhe; Song, Yan; Yu, Feng; Zhao, Ming-Hui

2017-11-01

Anti-pentraxin 3 (PTX3) auto-antibodies were found to be associated with the absence of renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study is to investigate the prevalence of anti-PTX3 auto-antibodies and their clinical significance based on a large Chinese lupus nephritis cohort. One hundred and ninety-six active lupus nephritis patients, 150 SLE patients without clinical renal involvement, and 100 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum anti-PTX3 auto-antibodies and PTX3 levels were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The associations between anti-PTX3 auto-antibodies and clinicopathological parameters in lupus nephritis were further analyzed. Anti-PTX3 auto-antibodies were less prevalent in active lupus nephritis patients compared with SLE without renal involvement (19.4% (38/196) versus 40.7% (61/150), p < .001). The serum levels of anti-PTX3 auto-antibodies were negatively correlated with proteinuria in lupus nephritis (r = -.143, p = .047). The levels of proteinuria, serum creatinine, and the prevalence of thrombotic microangiopathy were significantly higher in patients with higher PTX3 levels (≥3.207 ng/ml) and without anti-PTX3 auto-antibodies compared with patients with lower PTX3 levels (<3.207 ng/ml) and with anti-PTX3 auto-antibodies (4.79 (3.39-8.28) versus 3.95 (1.78-7.0), p = .03; 168.84 ± 153.63 versus 101.44 ± 47.36, p = .01; 34.1% (14/41) versus 0% (0/9), p = .04; respectively). Anti-PTX3 auto-antibodies were less prevalent in active lupus nephritis patients compared with SLE without renal involvement and associated with less severe renal damage, especially with the combined evaluation of serum PTX3 levels.

Metabolic syndrome and occupation: Any association? Prevalence among auto technicians and school teachers in South West Nigeria.

PubMed

Akintunde, Adeseye A; Oloyede, Taiwo W

2017-11-01

To determine occupational association with metabolic syndrome among auto technicians and school teachers. One hundred and sixty six subjects were selected for this study. Clinical data was obtained while laboratory investigations including plasma glucose and lipid profile were performed. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS 20.0. P<0.05 was taken as statistically significant. School teachers had significantly higher mean total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol compared to auto technicians. Mean serum triglycerides was significantly higher among auto-technicians compared to school teachers in this study. The prevalence of some conventional cardiovascular risk factors was significantly higher among auto-technicians compared to school teachers: Impaired blood glucose (9.6% vs. 1.2%, p<0.05), hypertriglyceridaemia (18.1% vs. 7.2%, p<0.05) and low HDL-Cholesterol (47.0% vs. 37.3%, p<0.05) respectively. However elevated LDL-cholesterol (56.6% vs. 32.5%, p<0.05) was significantly more common among school teachers compared to auto-technicians. Based on the WHO and the Harmonized criteria, metabolic syndrome was more frequent among auto-technicians compared to school teachers. (8.4% vs. 1.2% and 19.3% vs. 7.2% respectively, p<0.05) CONCLUSION: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome appears to be significantly higher among auto technicians despite their high level of physical activity, exertion and education compared to teachers. This may be related to the increased occupational exposure to organic and inorganic materials from dust particles, oil and oil related matter and particulate matter among auto technicians. Prompt definitive evaluation of this concept and appropriate health education to encourage safety mechanism can reduce this burden of metabolic syndrome among auto technicians in Nigeria. Copyright © 2016 Diabetes India. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tandem High-Dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for High-Grade Gliomas in Children and Adolescents

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

With the aim to investigate the outcome of tandem high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDCT/auto-SCT) for high-grade gliomas (HGGs), we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 30 patients with HGGs (16 glioblastomas, 7 anaplastic astrocytomas, and 7 other HGGs) between 2006 and 2015. Gross or near total resection was possible in 11 patients. Front-line treatment after surgery was radiotherapy (RT) in 14 patients and chemotherapy in the remaining 16 patients including 3 patients less than 3 years of age. Eight of 12 patients who remained progression free and 5 of the remaining 18 patients who experienced progression during induction treatment underwent the first HDCT/auto-SCT with carboplatin + thiotepa + etoposide (CTE) regimen and 11 of them proceeded to the second HDCT/auto-SCT with cyclophosphamide + melphalan (CyM) regimen. One patient died from hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) during the second HDCT/auto-SCT; otherwise, toxicities were manageable. Four patients in complete response (CR) and 3 of 7 patients in partial response (PR) or second PR at the first HDCT/auto-SCT remained event free: however, 2 patients with progressive tumor experienced progression again. The probabilities of 3-year overall survival (OS) after the first HDCT/auto-SCT in 11 patients in CR, PR, or second PR was 58.2% ± 16.9%. Tumor status at the first HDCT/auto-SCT was the only significant factor for outcome after HDCT/auto-SCT. There was no difference in survival between glioblastoma and other HGGs. This study suggests that the outcome of HGGs in children and adolescents after HDCT/auto-SCT is encouraging if the patient could achieve CR or PR before HDCT/auto-SCT. PMID:28049229

Flotation of algae for water reuse and biomass production: role of zeta potential and surfactant to separate algal particles.

PubMed

Kwak, Dong-Heui; Kim, Mi-Sug

2015-01-01

The effect of chemical coagulation and biological auto-flocculation relative to zeta potential was examined to compare flotation and sedimentation separation processes for algae harvesting. Experiments revealed that microalgae separation is related to auto-flocculation of Anabaena spp. and requires chemical coagulation for the whole period of microalgae cultivation. In addition, microalgae separation characteristics which are associated with surfactants demonstrated optimal microalgae cultivation time and separation efficiency of dissolved CO2 flotation (DCF) as an alternative to dissolved air flotation (DAF). Microalgae were significantly separated in response to anionic surfactant rather than cationic surfactant as a function of bubble size and zeta potential. DAF and DCF both showed slightly efficient flotation; however, application of anionic surfactant was required when using DCF.

Microstructural and optical properties of Co doped NiO nanoparticles synthesized by auto combustion using NaOH as fuel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parveen, Azra; Agrawal, Shraddha; Azam, Ameer

2018-05-01

The nanoparticles of 5% Co doped NiO were synthesized by auto-combustion method in aqueous medium using NaOH as a fuel. The obtained particles were characterized using X-ray diffraction studies XRD. The results of structural characterization shows the formation of Co doped Nickel oxide nanoparticles in single phase without any impurity. The optical absorption spectra of Co doped NiO sample recorded by UV-VIS spectrophotometer in the range of 200 to 800 nm have been presented. The variation of dielectric constant and dielectric loss has been studied as function of frequency. Co doping affects the optical properties and band gap. NiO can potentially be used in optical, electronic, catalytic materials, antimicrobial agent and super-paramagnetic devices.

Health needs and concerns of male adolescents.

PubMed

Pinch, W J; Heck, M; Vinal, D

1986-01-01

Lifestyle factors established within the family help determine health-care functioning. Adolescents first may be challenged to meet their own health needs as freshmen in college. A 153-item questionnaire was utilized to examine concerns in the areas of alcohol and other drug use, auto safety, weight and dieting, smoking, sexuality, coping and stress, and selection and utilization of health-care services. One hundred fifty-nine male college students responded. Major problems with alcohol use, auto safety, weight control, stress and sexuality were identified. Positive lifestyle factors that were strongly supported included regular exercise, nonsmoking, regular medical and dental checkups, and the development of some support systems to cope with stress. Health-care services designated by respondents to meet their own needs were significantly different from those services they pointed out as needed for their peers.

Auto-oligomerization and hydration of pyrrole revealed by x-ray absorption spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Advanced Light Source; Schwartz, Craig P.; Uejio, Janel S.

Near edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectra have been measured at the carbon and nitrogen K-edges of the prototypical aromatic molecule, pyrrole, both in the gas phase and when solvated in water, and compared with spectra simulated using a combination of classical molecular dynamics and first principles density functional theory in the excited state core hole approximation. The excellent agreement enabled detailed assignments. Pyrrole is highly reactive, particularly in water, and reaction products formed by the auto-oligomerization of pyrrole are identified. The solvated spectra have been measured at two different temperatures, indicating that the final states remain largely unaffectedmore » by both hydration and temperature. This is somewhat unexpected, since the nitrogen in pyrrole can donate a hydrogen bond to water.« less

Auto-oligomerization and hydration of pyrrole revealed by x-ray absorption spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schwartz, Craig P.; Uejio, Janel S.; Duffin, Andrew M.

Near edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectra have been measured at the carbon and nitrogen K-edges of the prototypical aromatic molecule, pyrrole, both in the gas phase and when solvated in water, and compared with spectra simulated using a combination of classical molecular dynamics and first principles density functional theory in the excited state core hole approximation. The excellent agreement enabled detailed assignments. Pyrrole is highly reactive, particularly in water, and reaction products formed by the auto-oligomerization of pyrrole are identified. The solvated spectra have been measured at two different temperatures, indicating that the final states remain largely unaffected bymore » both hydration and temperature. This is somewhat unexpected, since the nitrogen in pyrrole can donate a hydrogen bond to water.« less

Irradiated Hamstring Tendon Allograft Versus Autograft for Anatomic Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Midterm Clinical Outcomes.

PubMed

Tian, Shaoqi; Wang, Bin; Liu, Lun; Wang, Yuanhe; Ha, Chengzhi; Li, Qicai; Yang, Xu; Sun, Kang

2016-10-01

Most studies on grafts for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) have been of autografts or nonirradiated allografts with a single-bundle (SB) technique. Outcome reports evaluating anatomic double-bundle (DB) ACLR with a hamstring tendon autograft versus irradiated allograft are rare. To compare the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic anatomic DB ACLR with a hamstring tendon autograft versus irradiated allograft. Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2. Between 2008 and 2009, a total of 107 patients undergoing arthroscopic DB ACLR were prospectively randomized consecutively into 1 of 2 groups (autograft [Auto] group and irradiated allograft [Ir-Allo] group). All the surgical procedures were performed by the same senior surgeon using the DB reconstruction technique. All irradiated hamstring tendon allografts were sterilized with 2.5 Mrad of irradiation before distribution and were obtained from a single certified tissue bank. Graft fixation on the femoral side was by an Endobutton, and on the tibial side by a bioabsorbable interference screw augmented with a staple. The same rehabilitation protocol was applied to all patients. Before surgery and at a mean of 6.9 years of follow-up, patients were evaluated by the same observer according to objective and subjective clinical evaluations including detailed history, physical examination, radiography, functional knee ligament testing, KT-2000 arthrometer testing, Harner vertical jump and Daniel 1-legged hop tests, Lysholm score, Tegner score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) standard evaluation form, and Cincinnati knee score. A total of 83 patients (Auto: n = 40 [mean age, 29.2 ± 6.9 years]; Ir-Allo: n = 43 [mean age, 28.6 ± 7.2 years]) fulfilled follow-up and clinical evaluations. No significant differences were found between the 2 groups according to the overall IKDC functional and subjective evaluations as well as testing of activity levels. Significant between-group differences were found when comparing the results at final follow-up according to the Lachman test, anterior drawer test, pivot-shift test, and KT-2000 arthrometer measurements (P < .001). Most importantly, 87.5% of patients in the Auto group and 34.9% in the Ir-Allo group had a side-to-side difference <3 mm. The rate of laxity (side-to-side difference >5 mm) with an irradiated allograft (30.2%) was higher than that with an autograft (7.5%) (P < .001). The failure rate in the Ir-Allo group (30.2%) was higher than that in the Auto group (7.5%) (P < .001). Anterior and rotational stability decreased significantly in the Ir-Allo group; patients in the Ir-Allo group also had a shorter operation time. There were 10.0% (4/40) of patients in the Auto group and 32.6% (19/43) of patients in the Ir-Allo group who had arthritic progression (P < .05). There were no significant differences in postoperative activity levels and functional outcomes between the Auto and Ir-Allo groups. However, a significant increase in anterior and rotational laxity in the Ir-Allo group was found according to evaluations. We do not advocate an irradiated hamstring tendon allograft for DB ACLR. Clinical Trial Register System of The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University (qdfy-ky2008-12). © 2016 The Author(s).

[Auto-immune disorders as a possible cause of neuropsychiatric syndromes].

PubMed

Martinez-Martinez, P; Molenaar, P C; Losen, M; Hoffmann, C; Stevens, J; de Witte, L D; van Amelsvoort, T; van Os, J; Rutten, B P F

2015-01-01

Changes that occur in the behaviour of voltage-gated ion channels and ligand-gated receptor channels due to gene mutations or auto-immune attack are the cause of channelopathies in the central and peripheral nervous system. Although the relation between molecular channel defects and clinical symptoms has been explained in the case of many neuromuscular channelopathies, the pathophysiology of auto-immunity in neuropsychiatric syndromes is still unclear. To review recent findings regarding neuronal auto-immune reactions in severe neuropsychiatric syndromes. Using PubMed, we consulted the literature published between 1990 and August 2014 relating to the occurrence of auto-immune antibodies in severe and persistent neuropsychiatric syndromes. Auto-antibodies have only limited access to the central nervous system, but if they do enter the system they can, in some cases, cause disease. We discuss recent findings regarding the occurrence of auto-antibodies against ligand-activated receptor channels and potassium channels in neuropsychiatric and neurological syndromes, including schizophrenia and limbic encephalitis. Although the occurrence of several auto-antibodies in schizophrenia has been confirmed, there is still no proof of a causal relationship in the syndrome. We still have no evidence of the prevalence of auto-immunity in neuropsychiatric syndromes. The discovery that an antibody against an ion channel is associated with some neuropsychiatric disorders may mean that in future it will be possible to treat patients by means of immunosuppression, which could lead to an improvement in a patient's cognitive abilities.

Threshold-driven optimization for reference-based auto-planning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Long, Troy; Chen, Mingli; Jiang, Steve; Lu, Weiguo

2018-02-01

We study threshold-driven optimization methodology for automatically generating a treatment plan that is motivated by a reference DVH for IMRT treatment planning. We present a framework for threshold-driven optimization for reference-based auto-planning (TORA). Commonly used voxel-based quadratic penalties have two components for penalizing under- and over-dosing of voxels: a reference dose threshold and associated penalty weight. Conventional manual- and auto-planning using such a function involves iteratively updating the preference weights while keeping the thresholds constant, an unintuitive and often inconsistent method for planning toward some reference DVH. However, driving a dose distribution by threshold values instead of preference weights can achieve similar plans with less computational effort. The proposed methodology spatially assigns reference DVH information to threshold values, and iteratively improves the quality of that assignment. The methodology effectively handles both sub-optimal and infeasible DVHs. TORA was applied to a prostate case and a liver case as a proof-of-concept. Reference DVHs were generated using a conventional voxel-based objective, then altered to be either infeasible or easy-to-achieve. TORA was able to closely recreate reference DVHs in 5-15 iterations of solving a simple convex sub-problem. TORA has the potential to be effective for auto-planning based on reference DVHs. As dose prediction and knowledge-based planning becomes more prevalent in the clinical setting, incorporating such data into the treatment planning model in a clear, efficient way will be crucial for automated planning. A threshold-focused objective tuning should be explored over conventional methods of updating preference weights for DVH-guided treatment planning.

Estimates of Average Glandular Dose with Auto-modes of X-ray Exposures in Digital Breast Tomosynthesis.

PubMed

Kamal, Izdihar; Chelliah, Kanaga K; Mustafa, Nawal

2015-05-01

The aim of this research was to examine the average glandular dose (AGD) of radiation among different breast compositions of glandular and adipose tissue with auto-modes of exposure factor selection in digital breast tomosynthesis. This experimental study was carried out in the National Cancer Society, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, between February 2012 and February 2013 using a tomosynthesis digital mammography X-ray machine. The entrance surface air kerma and the half-value layer were determined using a 100H thermoluminescent dosimeter on 50% glandular and 50% adipose tissue (50/50) and 20% glandular and 80% adipose tissue (20/80) commercially available breast phantoms (Computerized Imaging Reference Systems, Inc., Norfolk, Virginia, USA) with auto-time, auto-filter and auto-kilovolt modes. The lowest AGD for the 20/80 phantom with auto-time was 2.28 milliGray (mGy) for two dimension (2D) and 2.48 mGy for three dimensional (3D) images. The lowest AGD for the 50/50 phantom with auto-time was 0.97 mGy for 2D and 1.0 mGy for 3D. The AGD values for both phantoms were lower against a high kilovolt peak and the use of auto-filter mode was more practical for quick acquisition while limiting the probability of operator error.

What factors affect the carriage of epinephrine auto-injectors by teenagers?

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Teenagers with allergies are at particular risk of severe and fatal reactions, but epinephrine auto-injectors are not always carried as prescribed. We investigated barriers to carriage. Methods Patients aged 12-18 years old under a specialist allergy clinic, who had previously been prescribed an auto-injector were invited to participate. Semi-structured interviews explored the factors that positively or negatively impacted on carriage. Results Twenty teenagers with food or venom allergies were interviewed. Only two patients had used their auto-injector in the community, although several had been treated for severe reactions in hospital. Most teenagers made complex risk assessments to determine whether to carry the auto-injector. Most but not all decisions were rational and were at least partially informed by knowledge. Factors affecting carriage included location, who else would be present, the attitudes of others and physical features of the auto-injector. Teenagers made frequent risk assessments when deciding whether to carry their auto-injectors, and generally wanted to remain safe. Their decisions were complex, multi-faceted and highly individualised. Conclusions Rather than aiming for 100% carriage of auto-injectors, which remains an ambitious ideal, personalised education packages should aim to empower teenagers to make and act upon informed risk assessments. PMID:22409884

Statistical Approach To Extraction Of Texture In SAR

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rignot, Eric J.; Kwok, Ronald

1992-01-01

Improved statistical method of extraction of textural features in synthetic-aperture-radar (SAR) images takes account of effects of scheme used to sample raw SAR data, system noise, resolution of radar equipment, and speckle. Treatment of speckle incorporated into overall statistical treatment of speckle, system noise, and natural variations in texture. One computes speckle auto-correlation function from system transfer function that expresses effect of radar aperature and incorporates range and azimuth resolutions.

Downtown Crossing: Auto Restricted Zone in Boston

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1982-07-01

The Downtown Crossing auto restricted zone, implemented in 1978, involved the : elimination of all auto traffic froma zone of twelve blocks encompassing six : different streets in Bostn's central business district. Some of the blocks were : pedestria...

Auto-phosphorylation Represses Protein Kinase R Activity.

PubMed

Wang, Die; de Weerd, Nicole A; Willard, Belinda; Polekhina, Galina; Williams, Bryan R G; Sadler, Anthony J

2017-03-10

The central role of protein kinases in controlling disease processes has spurred efforts to develop pharmaceutical regulators of their activity. A rational strategy to achieve this end is to determine intrinsic auto-regulatory processes, then selectively target these different states of kinases to repress their activation. Here we investigate auto-regulation of the innate immune effector protein kinase R, which phosphorylates the eukaryotic initiation factor 2α to inhibit global protein translation. We demonstrate that protein kinase R activity is controlled by auto-inhibition via an intra-molecular interaction. Part of this mechanism of control had previously been reported, but was then controverted. We account for the discrepancy and extend our understanding of the auto-inhibitory mechanism by identifying that auto-inhibition is paradoxically instigated by incipient auto-phosphorylation. Phosphor-residues at the amino-terminus instigate an intra-molecular interaction that enlists both of the N-terminal RNA-binding motifs of the protein with separate surfaces of the C-terminal kinase domain, to co-operatively inhibit kinase activation. These findings identify an innovative mechanism to control kinase activity, providing insight for strategies to better regulate kinase activity.

The Green's functions for peridynamic non-local diffusion.

PubMed

Wang, L J; Xu, J F; Wang, J X

2016-09-01

In this work, we develop the Green's function method for the solution of the peridynamic non-local diffusion model in which the spatial gradient of the generalized potential in the classical theory is replaced by an integral of a generalized response function in a horizon. We first show that the general solutions of the peridynamic non-local diffusion model can be expressed as functionals of the corresponding Green's functions for point sources, along with volume constraints for non-local diffusion. Then, we obtain the Green's functions by the Fourier transform method for unsteady and steady diffusions in infinite domains. We also demonstrate that the peridynamic non-local solutions converge to the classical differential solutions when the non-local length approaches zero. Finally, the peridynamic analytical solutions are applied to an infinite plate heated by a Gauss source, and the predicted variations of temperature are compared with the classical local solutions. The peridynamic non-local diffusion model predicts a lower rate of variation of the field quantities than that of the classical theory, which is consistent with experimental observations. The developed method is applicable to general diffusion-type problems.

The Implementation of Downtown Auto-Restricted Projects

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1984-06-01

In 1975 UMTA's Office of Service and Methods Demonstration launched a demonstration program of Auto Restricted Zones (ARZs) which went beyond the traditional scope of linear pedestrian malls. ARZs involve auto restriction in a large geographic area w...

Sensitivity to external signals and synchronization properties of a non-isochronous auto-oscillator with delayed feedback

PubMed Central

Tiberkevich, Vasil S.; Khymyn, Roman S.; Tang, Hong X.; Slavin, Andrei N.

2014-01-01

For auto-oscillators of different nature (e.g. active cells in a human heart under the action of a pacemaker, neurons in brain, spin-torque nano-oscillators, micro and nano-mechanical oscillators, or generating Josephson junctions) a critically important property is their ability to synchronize with each other. The synchronization properties of an auto oscillator are directly related to its sensitivity to external signals. Here we demonstrate that a non-isochronous (having generation frequency dependent on the amplitude) auto-oscillator with delayed feedback can have an extremely high sensitivity to external signals and unusually large width of the phase-locking band near the boundary of the stable auto-oscillation regime. This property could be used for the development of synchronized arrays of non-isochronous auto-oscillators in physics and engineering, and, for instance, might bring a better fundamental understanding of ways to control a heart arrythmia in medicine. PMID:24464086

AutoLock: a semiautomated system for radiotherapy treatment plan quality control

PubMed Central

Lowe, Matthew; Hardy, Mark J.; Boylan, Christopher J.; Whitehurst, Philip; Rowbottom, Carl G.

2015-01-01

A semiautomated system for radiotherapy treatment plan quality control (QC), named AutoLock, is presented. AutoLock is designed to augment treatment plan QC by automatically checking aspects of treatment plans that are well suited to computational evaluation, whilst summarizing more subjective aspects in the form of a checklist. The treatment plan must pass all automated checks and all checklist items must be acknowledged by the planner as correct before the plan is finalized. Thus AutoLock uniquely integrates automated treatment plan QC, an electronic checklist, and plan finalization. In addition to reducing the potential for the propagation of errors, the integration of AutoLock into the plan finalization workflow has improved efficiency at our center. Detailed audit data are presented, demonstrating that the treatment plan QC rejection rate fell by around a third following the clinical introduction of AutoLock. PACS number: 87.55.Qr PMID:26103498

AutoLock: a semiautomated system for radiotherapy treatment plan quality control.

PubMed

Dewhurst, Joseph M; Lowe, Matthew; Hardy, Mark J; Boylan, Christopher J; Whitehurst, Philip; Rowbottom, Carl G

2015-05-08

A semiautomated system for radiotherapy treatment plan quality control (QC), named AutoLock, is presented. AutoLock is designed to augment treatment plan QC by automatically checking aspects of treatment plans that are well suited to computational evaluation, whilst summarizing more subjective aspects in the form of a checklist. The treatment plan must pass all automated checks and all checklist items must be acknowledged by the planner as correct before the plan is finalized. Thus AutoLock uniquely integrates automated treatment plan QC, an electronic checklist, and plan finalization. In addition to reducing the potential for the propagation of errors, the integration of AutoLock into the plan finalization workflow has improved efficiency at our center. Detailed audit data are presented, demonstrating that the treatment plan QC rejection rate fell by around a third following the clinical introduction of AutoLock.

Numerical Analysis of the Interaction between Thermo-Fluid Dynamics and Auto-Ignition Reaction in Spark Ignition Engines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saijyo, Katsuya; Nishiwaki, Kazuie; Yoshihara, Yoshinobu

The CFD simulations were performed integrating the low-temperature oxidation reaction. Analyses were made with respect to the first auto-ignition location in the case of a premixed-charge compression auto-ignition in a laminar flow field and in the case of the auto-ignition in an end gas during an S. I. Engine combustion process. In the latter simulation, the spatially-filtered transport equations were solved to express fluctuating temperatures in a turbulent flow in consideration of strong non-linearity to temperature in the reaction equations. It is suggested that the first auto-ignition location does not always occur at higher-temperature locations and that the difference in the locations of the first auto-ignition depends on the time period during which the local end gas temperature passes through the region of shorter ignition delay, including the NTC region.

H- photodetachment and radiative attachment for astrophysical applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McLaughlin, B. M.; Stancil, P. C.; Sadeghpour, H. R.; Forrey, R. C.

2017-06-01

We combine R-matrix calculations, asymptotic relations, and comparison to available experimental data to construct an H- photodetachment cross section reliable over a large range of photon energies and take into account the series of auto-detaching shape and Feshbach resonances between 10.92 and 14.35 eV. The accuracy of the cross section is controlled by ensuring that it satisfies all known oscillator strength sum rules, including contributions from the resonances and single-photon double-electron photodetachment. From the resulting recommended cross section, spontaneous and stimulated radiative attachment rate coefficients are obtained. Photodetachment rates are also computed for the standard interstellar radiation field, in diffuse and dense interstellar clouds, for blackbody radiation, and for high redshift distortion photons in the recombination epoch. Implications are investigated for these astrophysical radiation fields and epochs.

Modern aspects of homogeneous-heterogeneous reactions and variable thickness in nanofluids through carbon nanotubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayat, Tasawar; Ahmed, Sohail; Muhammad, Taseer; Alsaedi, Ahmed

2017-10-01

This article examines homogeneous-heterogeneous reactions and internal heat generation in Darcy-Forchheimer flow of nanofluids with different base fluids. Flow is generated due to a nonlinear stretchable surface of variable thickness. The characteristics of nanofluid are explored using CNTs (single and multi walled carbon nanotubes). Equal diffusion coefficients are considered for both reactants and auto catalyst. The conversion of partial differential equations (PDEs) to ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is done via appropriate transformations. Optimal homotopy approach is implemented for solutions development of governing problems. Averaged square residual errors are computed. The optimal solution expressions of velocity, temperature and concentration are explored through plots by using several values of physical parameters. Further the coefficient of skin friction and local Nusselt number are examined through graphs.

Alcohol drinking increases the dopamine-stimulating effects of ethanol and reduces D2 auto-receptor and group II metabotropic glutamate receptor function within the posterior ventral tegmental area of alcohol preferring (P) rats.

PubMed

Ding, Zheng-Ming; Ingraham, Cynthia M; Rodd, Zachary A; McBride, William J

2016-10-01

Repeated local administration of ethanol (EtOH) sensitized the posterior ventral tegmental area (pVTA) to the local dopamine (DA)-stimulating effects of EtOH. Chronic alcohol drinking increased nucleus accumbens (NAC) DA transmission and pVTA glutamate transmission in alcohol-preferring (P) rats. The objectives of the present study were to determine the effects of chronic alcohol drinking by P rats on the (a) sensitivity and response of the pVTA DA neurons to the DA-stimulating actions of EtOH, and (b) negative feedback control of DA (via D2 auto-receptors) and glutamate (via group II mGlu auto-receptors) release in the pVTA. EtOH (50 or 150 mg%) or the D2/3 receptor antagonist sulpiride (100 or 200 μM) was microinjected into the pVTA while DA was sampled with microdialysis in the NAC shell (NACsh). The mGluR2/3 antagonist LY341495 (1 or 10 μM) was perfused through the pVTA via reverse microdialysis and local extracellular glutamate and DA levels were measured. EtOH produced a more robust increase of NACsh DA in the 'EtOH' than 'Water' groups (e.g., 150 mg% EtOH: to ∼ 210 vs 150% of baseline). In contrast, sulpiride increased DA release in the NACsh more in the 'Water' than 'EtOH' groups (e.g., 200 μM sulpiride: to ∼ 190-240 vs 150-160% of baseline). LY341495 (at 10 μM) increased extracellular glutamate and DA levels in the 'Water' (to ∼ 150-180% and 180-230% of baseline, respectively) but not the 'EtOH' groups. These results indicate that alcohol drinking enhanced the DA-stimulating effects of EtOH, and attenuated the functional activities of D2 auto-receptors and group II mGluRs within the pVTA. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

AutoGen Version 5.0

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gladden, Roy E.; Khanampornpan, Teerapat; Fisher, Forest W.

2010-01-01

Version 5.0 of the AutoGen software has been released. Previous versions, variously denoted Autogen and autogen, were reported in two articles: Automated Sequence Generation Process and Software (NPO-30746), Software Tech Briefs (Special Supplement to NASA Tech Briefs), September 2007, page 30, and Autogen Version 2.0 (NPO- 41501), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 31, No. 10 (October 2007), page 58. To recapitulate: AutoGen (now signifying automatic sequence generation ) automates the generation of sequences of commands in a standard format for uplink to spacecraft. AutoGen requires fewer workers than are needed for older manual sequence-generation processes, and greatly reduces sequence-generation times. The sequences are embodied in spacecraft activity sequence files (SASFs). AutoGen automates generation of SASFs by use of another previously reported program called APGEN. AutoGen encodes knowledge of different mission phases and of how the resultant commands must differ among the phases. AutoGen also provides means for customizing sequences through use of configuration files. The approach followed in developing AutoGen has involved encoding the behaviors of a system into a model and encoding algorithms for context-sensitive customizations of the modeled behaviors. This version of AutoGen addressed the MRO (Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter) primary science phase (PSP) mission phase. On previous Mars missions this phase has more commonly been referred to as mapping phase. This version addressed the unique aspects of sequencing orbital operations and specifically the mission specific adaptation of orbital operations for MRO. This version also includes capabilities for MRO s role in Mars relay support for UHF relay communications with the MER rovers and the Phoenix lander.

Next-Generation Autoantibody Testing by Combination of Screening and Confirmation-the CytoBead® Technology.

PubMed

Sowa, Mandy; Hiemann, Rico; Schierack, Peter; Reinhold, Dirk; Conrad, Karsten; Roggenbuck, Dirk

2017-08-01

Occurrence of autoantibodies (autoAbs) is a hallmark of autoimmune diseases, and the analysis thereof is an essential part in the diagnosis of organ-specific autoimmune and systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD), especially connective tissue diseases (CTDs). Due to the appearance of autoAb profiles in SARD patients and the complexity of the corresponding serological diagnosis, different diagnostic strategies have been suggested for appropriate autoAb testing. Thus, evolving assay techniques and the continuous discovery of novel autoantigens have greatly influenced the development of these strategies. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) analysis by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on tissue and later cellular substrates was one of the first tests introduced into clinical routine and is still an indispensable tool for CTD serology. Thus, screening for ANA by IIF is recommended to be followed by confirmatory testing of positive findings employing different assay techniques. Given the continuous growth in the demand for autoAb testing, IIF has been challenged as the standard method for ANA and other autoAb analyses due to lacking automation, standardization, modern data management, and human bias in IIF pattern interpretation. To address these limitations of autoAb testing, the CytoBead® technique has been introduced recently which enables automated interpretation of cell-based IIF and quantitative autoAb multiplexing by addressable microbead immunoassays in one reaction environment. Thus, autoAb screening and confirmatory testing can be combined for the first time. The present review discusses the history of autoAb assay techniques in this context and gives an overview and outlook of the recent progress in emerging technologies.

49 CFR Appendix A to Part 544 - Issuers of Motor Vehicle Insurance Policies Subject to the Reporting Requirements in Each State...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Group Auto Club Enterprise Insurance Group Auto-Owners Insurance Group Berkshire Hathaway/GEICO... Insurance Companies Metropolitan Life Auto & Home Group Mercury General Group Nationwide Group Progressive...

49 CFR Appendix A to Part 544 - Issuers of Motor Vehicle Insurance Policies Subject to the Reporting Requirements in Each State...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Group Auto Club Enterprise Insurance Group Auto-Owners Insurance Group Berkshire Hathaway/GEICO... Insurance Companies Metropolitan Life Auto & Home Group Mercury General Group Nationwide Group Progressive...

[Evaluation of selected endocrine complications in patients treated with auto- and allo-haematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

PubMed

Niedzielska, Ewa; Wójcik, Dorota; Barg, Ewa; Pietras, Wojciech; Sega-Pondel, Dorota; Doroszko, Adrian; Niedzielska, Małgorzata; Skarzyńska, Małgorzata; Chybicka, Alicja

2008-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the endocrine complications, in particular disorders of growth and thyroid function and glucose metabolism dysfunctions in patients treated with allo- and auto-haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The investigated group consisted of: I. 16 patients after auto-HSCT (6 girls, 10 boys) aged 3-20 years (average 10,8+/-) because of acute myelogenous leukaemia (n=5), non Hodgkin lymphoma (n=3), neuroblastoma (n=3), embryonal cancer (n=2), medulloblastoma (n=1), Ewing's sarcoma/PNET (n=1), hyper eosinophilic syndrome (n=1). High dose chemiotherapy (HDC/T) included: BU/MEL (busulfan/melfalan) (n=7), BEAM (carmustine, eteposide, cytosine arabinose, melfalan) (n=3). II. 30 patients after allo-HSCT (20 girls, 10 boys) aged 3-17 years (average 9,56). Indication for HSCT was acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (n=11), acute myelogenous leukaemia (n=5), chronic myeloid leukaemia-CML (n=6), myelodysplastic syndromes (n=2), non Hodgkin lymphoma (n=1), juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (n=1), severe aplastic anaemia (n=1), Blackfan-Diamond anaemia (n=1), severe combined immune deficiency (n=1), rhabdomyosarcoma (n=1). The patients underwent the following types of transplantation: HSCT of matched sibling donor (n=13), HSCT of matched unrelated donor (n=11) and HLA-mismatched related donor (n=6). The preparative regimens consisted of HDC/T usually BU/MEL (n=3); BU/CY/VP (busulfan, cyclophosphamide, etoposide) (6); BU/CY/ATG (anti-thymocyte globulin) (n=5), VP/ATG/TBI (total body irradiation) (n=3). 19 children received CI (cranial irradiation) prior to grafting: auto-HSCT (n=6) and allo-HSCT (n=13) and 6 patients underwent TBI. 18 children received high steroid doses at least 28 days before transplant, 4 patients in the auto-HSCT group, and in the allo-HSCT group 14 patients before and 20 after HSCT procedure. The analysis of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), prolactine (PRL), oral glucose tolerance test, growth hormone (GH test) and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) test was performed in each case. Hypothyroidism was found in 5 patients (3 after allo-HSCT, 2 after auto-HSCT). Thyroid hormone substitution was applied. No case of hyperthyroidism was diagnosed. Growth deficit was found in 8 patients (6 girls, 2 boys) between 13 to 70 months after allo-transplantation (average 36 months). Three children from the above group received CI. Growth hormone substitution was applied in 1 girl (ALL, HLA MM REL, CI). An impaired excretion of GH after stimulation was diagnosed in 14 pts (10 after allo-HSCT, 4 after auto-HSCT). The growth process should still be observed in this subgroup. Glucose intolerance was found in 7 patients: in 4 treated with auto-HSCT and in 3 after allo-HSCT. Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in none of them. An impaired glucose tolerance curve with increased excretion of insulin was diagnosed in 12 children. Early endocrinological care is necessary in patients treated both with auto-HSCT and allo-HSCT due to high risk of hormonal disorders.

Accuracy of autotitrating CPAP to estimate the residual Apnea-Hypopnea Index in patients with obstructive sleep apnea on treatment with autotitrating CPAP.

PubMed

Desai, Himanshu; Patel, Anil; Patel, Pinal; Grant, Brydon J B; Mador, M Jeffery

2009-11-01

Autotitrating continuous positive airway pressure (auto-CPAP) devices now have a smart card (a pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits which records data from the CPAP machine such as CPAP usage, CPAP pressure, large leak, etc.) which can estimate the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) on therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of auto-CPAP in estimating the residual AHI in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who were treated with auto-CPAP without a CPAP titration study. We studied 99 patients with OSA from April 2005 to May 2007 who underwent a repeat sleep study using auto-CPAP. The estimated AHI from auto-CPAP was compared with the AHI from an overnight polysomnogram (PSG) on auto-CPAP using Bland-Altman plot and likelihood ratio analyses. A PSG AHI cutoff of five events per hour was used to differentiate patients optimally treated with auto-CPAP from those with residual OSA on therapy. Bland and Altman analysis showed good agreement between auto-CPAP AHI and PSG AHI. There was no significant bias when smart card estimates of AHI at home were compared to smart card estimates obtained in the sleep laboratory. An auto-CPAP cutoff for the AHI of six events per hour was shown to be optimal for differentiating patients with and without residual OSA with a sensitivity of 0.92 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76 to 0.98) and specificity of 0.90 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.95) with a positive likelihood ratio (LR) of 9.6 (95% CI 5.1 to 21.5) and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.085 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.25). Auto-CPAP AHI of eight events per hour yielded the optimal sensitivity (0.94, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.99) and specificity (0.90, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.95) with a positive LR of 9.6 (95% CI 5.23 to 20.31) and a negative LR of 0.065 (95% CI 0.004 to 0.279) to identify patients with a PSG AHI of > or = 10 events per hour. Auto-CPAP estimate of AHI may be used to estimate residual AHI in patients with OSA of varying severity treated with auto-CPAP.

Hemodynamic responses to external counterbalancing of auto-positive end-expiratory pressure in mechanically ventilated patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PubMed

Baigorri, F; de Monte, A; Blanch, L; Fernández, R; Vallés, J; Mestre, J; Saura, P; Artigas, A

1994-11-01

To study the effect of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on right ventricular hemodynamics and ejection fraction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and positive alveolar pressure throughout expiration by dynamic hyperinflation (auto-PEEP). Open, prospective, controlled trial. General intensive care unit of a community hospital. Ten patients sedated and paralyzed with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing mechanical ventilation. Insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter modified with a rapid response thermistor and a radial arterial catheter. PEEP was then increased from 0 (PEEP 0) to auto-PEEP level (PEEP = auto-PEEP) and 5 cm H2O above that (PEEP = auto-PEEP +5). At each level of PEEP, airway pressures, flow and volume, hemodynamic variables (including right ventricular ejection fraction by thermodilution technique), and blood gas analyses were recorded. The mean auto-PEEP was 6.6 +/- 2.8 cm H2O and the total PEEP reached was 12.2 +/- 2.4 cm H2O. The degree of lung inflation induced by PEEP averaged 145 +/- 87 mL with PEEP = auto-PEEP and 495 +/- 133 mL with PEEP = auto-PEEP + 5. The PEEP = auto-PEEP caused a right ventricular end-diastolic pressure increase, but there was no other significant hemodynamic change. With PEEP = auto-PEEP + 5, there was a significant increase in intravascular pressures; this amount of PEEP reduced cardiac output (from 4.40 +/- 1.38 L/min at PEEP 0 to 4.13 +/- 1.48 L/min; p < .05). The cardiac output reduction induced by PEEP = auto-PEEP + 5 was > 10% in only five cases and this group of patients had significantly lower right ventricular volumes than the group with less cardiac output variation (right ventricular end-diastolic volume: 64 +/- 9 vs. 96 +/- 26 mL/m2; right ventricular end-systolic volume: 38 +/- 6 vs. 65 +/- 21 mL/m2; p < .05) without significant difference in the other variables that were measured. Neither right ventricular ejection fraction nor right ventricle volumes changed as PEEP increased, but there were marked interpatient differences and also pronounced changes in volume between stages in individual patients. In the study conditions, PEEP application up to values approaching auto-PEEP did not result in the impairment of right ventricular hemodynamics, while higher levels reduced cardiac output in selected patients.

Language Alternation and Language Norm in Vocational Content and Language Integrated Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kontio, Janne; Sylvén, Liss Kerstin

2015-01-01

The present article deals with language choice as communicative strategies in the language learning environment of an English-medium content and language integrated learning (CLIL) workshop at an auto mechanics class in a Swedish upper secondary school. The article presents the organisation and functions of language alternations (LAs) which are…

Droplet swimmers in complex geometries: Autochemotaxis and trapping at pillars.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maass, Corinna; Jin, Chenyu; Krueger, Carsten; Vajdi Hokmabad, Babak

Autochemotaxis is a key feature of communication between microorganisms, via their emission of a slowly diffusing chemoattractant or repellent. We present a well-controlled, tunable artificial model to study autochemotaxis in complex geometries, using microfluidic assays of self-propelling liquid crystal droplets in an aqueous surfactant solution. Droplets gain propulsion energy by micellar solubilisation, with filled micelles acting as a chemical repellent by diffusive phoretic gradient forces. We can tune the key parameters swimmer size, velocity and persistence length. If a swimming droplet approaches a wall, it will provide a boundary to both the hydrodynamic flow field and the spread of phoretic gradients, determining the interaction between swimmer and wall. Pillar arrays of variable sizes and shapes provide a convex wall interacting with the swimmer and in the case of attachment bending its trajectory and forcing it to revert to its own trail. We observe different behavior based on the interplay of wall curvature and negative auto-chemotaxis, i. e., no attachment for highly curved interfaces, stable trapping at large pillars, and a narrow transition region where negative autochemotaxis makes the swimmers detach after a single orbit. Work funded by the DFG SPP 1726 ''Microswimmers''.

In-vehicle carbon dioxide concentration in commuting cars in Bangkok, Thailand.

PubMed

Luangprasert, Maytat; Vasithamrong, Chainarin; Pongratananukul, Suphasit; Chantranuwathana, Sunhapos; Pumrin, Suree; De Silva, I P D

2017-05-01

It is known that in-vehicle carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentration tends to increase due to occupant exhalation when the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) air is in recirculation mode. Field experiments were conducted to measure CO 2 concentration during typical commute in Bangkok, Thailand. The measured concentrations agreed with the concentration predicted using first-order mass balance equation, in both recirculating and outside air modes. The long-term transient decay of the concentration when the vehicle was parked and the HVAC system was turned off was also studied. This decay was found to follow Fickian diffusion process. The paper also provides useful operational details of the automotive HVAC system and fresh air ventilation exchange between cabin interior and exterior. Drivers in tropical Asian countries typically use HVAC recirculation mode in their automobiles. This behavior leads to excessive buildup of cabin CO 2 concentration levels. The paper describes the CO 2 buildup in a typical commute in Bangkok, Thailand. Auto manufacturers can potentially take measures to alleviate such high concentration levels. The paper also discusses the diffusion of CO 2 through the vehicle envelope, an area that has never been investigated before.

Structure of Dimeric and Tetrameric Complexes of the BAR Domain Protein PICK1 Determined by Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering.

PubMed

Karlsen, Morten L; Thorsen, Thor S; Johner, Niklaus; Ammendrup-Johnsen, Ina; Erlendsson, Simon; Tian, Xinsheng; Simonsen, Jens B; Høiberg-Nielsen, Rasmus; Christensen, Nikolaj M; Khelashvili, George; Streicher, Werner; Teilum, Kaare; Vestergaard, Bente; Weinstein, Harel; Gether, Ulrik; Arleth, Lise; Madsen, Kenneth L

2015-07-07

PICK1 is a neuronal scaffolding protein containing a PDZ domain and an auto-inhibited BAR domain. BAR domains are membrane-sculpting protein modules generating membrane curvature and promoting membrane fission. Previous data suggest that BAR domains are organized in lattice-like arrangements when stabilizing membranes but little is known about structural organization of BAR domains in solution. Through a small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis, we determine the structure of dimeric and tetrameric complexes of PICK1 in solution. SAXS and biochemical data reveal a strong propensity of PICK1 to form higher-order structures, and SAXS analysis suggests an offset, parallel mode of BAR-BAR oligomerization. Furthermore, unlike accessory domains in other BAR domain proteins, the positioning of the PDZ domains is flexible, enabling PICK1 to perform long-range, dynamic scaffolding of membrane-associated proteins. Together with functional data, these structural findings are compatible with a model in which oligomerization governs auto-inhibition of BAR domain function. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Optimization of an auto-thermal ammonia synthesis reactor using cyclic coordinate method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

A-N Nguyen, T.; Nguyen, T.-A.; Vu, T.-D.; Nguyen, K.-T.; K-T Dao, T.; P-H Huynh, K.

2017-06-01

The ammonia synthesis system is an important chemical process used in the manufacture of fertilizers, chemicals, explosives, fibers, plastics, refrigeration. In the literature, many works approaching the modeling, simulation and optimization of an auto-thermal ammonia synthesis reactor can be found. However, they just focus on the optimization of the reactor length while keeping the others parameters constant. In this study, the other parameters are also considered in the optimization problem such as the temperature of feed gas enters the catalyst zone, the initial nitrogen proportion. The optimal problem requires the maximization of an objective function which is multivariable function and subject to a number of equality constraints involving the solution of coupled differential equations and also inequality constraint. The cyclic coordinate search was applied to solve the multivariable-optimization problem. In each coordinate, the golden section method was applied to find the maximum value. The inequality constraints were treated using penalty method. The coupled differential equations system was solved using Runge-Kutta 4th order method. The results obtained from this study are also compared to the results from the literature.

Dose Estimating Application Software Modification: Additional Function of a Size-Specific Effective Dose Calculator and Auto Exposure Control.

PubMed

Kobayashi, Masanao; Asada, Yasuki; Matsubara, Kosuke; Suzuki, Shouichi; Matsunaga, Yuta; Haba, Tomonobu; Kawaguchi, Ai; Daioku, Tomihiko; Toyama, Hiroshi; Kato, Ryoichi

2017-05-01

Adequate dose management during computed tomography is important. In the present study, the dosimetric application software ImPACT was added to a functional calculator of the size-specific dose estimate and was part of the scan settings for the auto exposure control (AEC) technique. This study aimed to assess the practicality and accuracy of the modified ImPACT software for dose estimation. We compared the conversion factors identified by the software with the values reported by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 204, and we noted similar results. Moreover, doses were calculated with the AEC technique and a fixed-tube current of 200 mA for the chest-pelvis region. The modified ImPACT software could estimate each organ dose, which was based on the modulated tube current. The ability to perform beneficial modifications indicates the flexibility of the ImPACT software. The ImPACT software can be further modified for estimation of other doses. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

A New Local Bipolar Autoassociative Memory Based on External Inputs of Discrete Recurrent Neural Networks With Time Delay.

PubMed

Zhou, Caigen; Zeng, Xiaoqin; Luo, Chaomin; Zhang, Huaguang

In this paper, local bipolar auto-associative memories are presented based on discrete recurrent neural networks with a class of gain type activation function. The weight parameters of neural networks are acquired by a set of inequalities without the learning procedure. The global exponential stability criteria are established to ensure the accuracy of the restored patterns by considering time delays and external inputs. The proposed methodology is capable of effectively overcoming spurious memory patterns and achieving memory capacity. The effectiveness, robustness, and fault-tolerant capability are validated by simulated experiments.In this paper, local bipolar auto-associative memories are presented based on discrete recurrent neural networks with a class of gain type activation function. The weight parameters of neural networks are acquired by a set of inequalities without the learning procedure. The global exponential stability criteria are established to ensure the accuracy of the restored patterns by considering time delays and external inputs. The proposed methodology is capable of effectively overcoming spurious memory patterns and achieving memory capacity. The effectiveness, robustness, and fault-tolerant capability are validated by simulated experiments.

[DNA Extraction from Old Bones by AutoMate Express™ System].

PubMed

Li, B; Lü, Z

2017-08-01

To establish a method for extracting DNA from old bones by AutoMate Express™ system. Bones were grinded into powder by freeze-mill. After extraction by AutoMate Express™, DNA were amplified and genotyped by Identifiler®Plus and MinFiler™ kits. DNA were extracted from 10 old bone samples, which kept in different environments with the postmortem interval from 10 to 20 years, in 3 hours by AutoMate Express™ system. Complete STR typing results were obtained from 8 samples. AutoMate Express™ system can quickly and efficiently extract DNA from old bones, which can be applied in forensic practice. Copyright© by the Editorial Department of Journal of Forensic Medicine

Contactin-1 and Neurofascin-155/-186 Are Not Targets of Auto-Antibodies in Multifocal Motor Neuropathy.

PubMed

Doppler, Kathrin; Appeltshauser, Luise; Krämer, Heidrun H; Ng, Judy King Man; Meinl, Edgar; Villmann, Carmen; Brophy, Peter; Dib-Hajj, Sulayman D; Waxman, Stephen G; Weishaupt, Andreas; Sommer, Claudia

2015-01-01

Multifocal motor neuropathy is an immune mediated disease presenting with multifocal muscle weakness and conduction block. IgM auto-antibodies against the ganglioside GM1 are detectable in about 50% of the patients. Auto-antibodies against the paranodal proteins contactin-1 and neurofascin-155 and the nodal protein neurofascin-186 have been detected in subgroups of patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Recently, auto-antibodies against neurofascin-186 and gliomedin were described in more than 60% of patients with multifocal motor neuropathy. In the current study, we aimed to validate this finding, using a combination of different assays for auto-antibody detection. In addition we intended to detect further auto-antibodies against paranodal proteins, specifically contactin-1 and neurofascin-155 in multifocal motor neuropathy patients' sera. We analyzed sera of 33 patients with well-characterized multifocal motor neuropathy for IgM or IgG anti-contactin-1, anti-neurofascin-155 or -186 antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, binding assays with transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells and murine teased fibers. We did not detect any IgM or IgG auto-antibodies against contactin-1, neurofascin-155 or -186 in any of our multifocal motor neuropathy patients. We conclude that auto-antibodies against contactin-1, neurofascin-155 and -186 do not play a relevant role in the pathogenesis in this cohort with multifocal motor neuropathy.

NMR binding and crystal structure reveal that intrinsically-unstructured regulatory domain auto-inhibits PAK4 by a mechanism different from that of PAK1.

PubMed

Wang, Wei; Lim, Liangzhong; Baskaran, Yohendran; Manser, Ed; Song, Jianxing

2013-08-16

Six human PAK members are classified into groups I (PAKs 1-3) and II (PAK4-6). Previously, only group I PAKs were thought to be auto-inhibited but very recently PAK4, the prototype of group II PAKs, has also been shown to be auto-inhibited by its N-terminal regulatory domain. However, the complete auto-inhibitory domain (AID) sequence remains undefined and the mechanism underlying its auto-inhibition is largely elusive. Here, the N-terminal regulatory domain of PAK4 sufficient for auto-inhibiting and binding Cdc42/Rac was characterized to be intrinsically unstructured, but nevertheless we identified the entire AID sequence by NMR. Strikingly, an AID peptide was derived by deleting the binding-unnecessary residues, which has a Kd of 320 nM to the PAK4 catalytic domain. Consequently, the PAK4 crystal structure complexed with the entire AID has been determined, which reveals that the complete kinase cleft is occupied by 20 AID residuescomposed of an N-terminal α-helix and a previously-identified pseudosubstrate motif, thus achieving auto-inhibition. Our study reveals that PAK4 is auto-inhibited by a novel mechanism which is completely different from that for PAK1, thus bearing critical implications for design of inhibitors specific for group II PAKs. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Development of emission factors for motorcycles and shared auto-rickshaws using real-world driving cycle for a typical Indian city.

PubMed

Adak, Prasenjit; Sahu, Ravi; Elumalai, Suresh Pandian

2016-02-15

Vehicular emission is one of the most important contributors of urban air pollution. To quantify the impact of traffic on urban air quality, it is necessary to quantify vehicular emission. In many cities of India, such as Dhanbad, shared auto-rickshaw is the pre-dominant mode of transportation. Indian Driving Cycle (IDC) and Modified Indian Driving Cycle (MIDC) are used for emission testing of motorcycles, shared auto-rickshaws and passenger cars in India for regulatory purposes. IDC used for motorcycles and shared auto-rickshaws does not recognize the difference in two vehicle classes in terms of driving pattern. In real world, shared auto-rickshaws, behave differently than motorcycles. To quantify the impact of shared auto-rickshaws on urban air quality accurately, emission factors (EFs) are required to derive from real-world driving cycles (DCs). In heterogeneous traffic, vehicles of one class affect the behavior of vehicles of other classes. To estimate the emissions from different vehicle classes accurately, EFs for motorcycles and passenger cars are also required to be revised. In this study, real-world DCs were developed for motorcycles, shared auto-rickshaws and passenger cars in Dhanbad. Developed DCs were used to calculate EFs for respective classes. Shared auto-rickshaws were found to have the highest deviation from EFs derived using IDC. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

SU-F-J-156: The Feasibility of MR-Only IMRT Planning for Prostate Anatomy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vaitheeswaran, R; Sivaramakrishnan, KR; Kumar, Prashant

Purpose: For prostate anatomy, previous investigations have shown that simulated CT (sCT) generated from MR images can be used for accurate dose computation. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of MR-only IMRT planning for prostate case. Methods: Regular CT (rCT) and MR images of the same patient were acquired for prostate anatomy. Regions-of-interest (ROIs) i.e. target and risk structures are delineated on the rCT. A simulated CT (sCT) is generated from the MR image using the method described by Schadewaldt N et al. Their work establishes the clinical acceptability of dose calculation results on the sCT when compared tomore » rCT. rCT and sCT are rigidly registered to ensure proper alignment between the two images. rCT and sCT are overlaid on each other and slice-wise visual inspection confirms excellent agreement between the two images. ROIs on the rCT are copied over to sCT. Philips AutoPlanning solution is used for generating treatment plans. The same treatment technique protocol (plan parameters and clinical goals) is used to generate AutoPlan-rCT and AutoPlan-sCT respectively for rCT and and sCT. DVH comparison on ROIs and slice-wise evaluation of dose is performed between AutoPlan-rCT and AutoPlan-sCT. Delivery parameters i.e. beam and corresponding segments from the AutoPlan-sCT are copied over to rCT and dose is computed to get AutoPlan-sCT-on-rCT. Results: Plan evaluation is done based on Dose Volume Histogram (DVH) of ROIs and manual slice-wise inspection of dose distribution. Both AutoPlan-rCT and AutoPlan-sCT provide a clinically acceptable plan. Also, AutoPlan-sCT-on-rCT shows excellent agreement with AutoPlan-sCT. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that it is feasible to do IMRT planning on the simulated CT image obtained from MR image for prostate anatomy. The research is supported by Philips India Ltd.« less

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Science.gov Websites

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Operations Manual for the National Center for Physical Acoustics Infrasound Microphone

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-02-01

thumbdrive.) There are three sections of the configuration file that can be edited: sensorConfig, adcConfig and autoControl . Modifying any other...for autoControl autoControl = { options = ( { doSchedule = 0; if nonzero, hourly scheduler is enabled

Discovery of novel inhibitors for Leishmania nucleoside diphosphatase kinase (NDK) based on its structural and functional characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishra, Arjun K.; Singh, Nidhi; Agnihotri, Pragati; Mishra, Shikha; Singh, Saurabh P.; Kolli, Bala K.; Chang, Kwang Poo; Sahasrabuddhe, Amogh A.; Siddiqi, M. I.; Pratap, J. Venkatesh

2017-06-01

Nucleoside diphosphate kinases (NDKs) are ubiquitous enzymes that catalyze the transfer of the γ-phosphate moiety from an NTP donor to an NDP acceptor, crucial for maintaining the cellular level of nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs). The inability of trypanosomatids to synthesize purines de novo and their dependence on the salvage pathway makes NDK an attractive target to develop drugs for the diseases they cause. Here we report the discovery of novel inhibitors for Leishmania NDK based on the structural and functional characterization of purified recombinant NDK from Leishmania amazonensis. Recombinant LaNDK possesses auto-phosphorylation, phosphotransferase and kinase activities with Histidine 117 playing an essential role. LaNDK crystals were grown by hanging drop vapour diffusion method in a solution containing 18% PEG-MME 500, 100 mM Bis-Tris propane pH 6.0 and 50 mM MgCl2. It belongs to the hexagonal space group P6322 with unit cell parameters a = b = 115.18, c = 62.18 Å and α = β = 90°, γ = 120°. The structure solved by molecular replacement methods was refined to crystallographic R-factor and Rfree values of 22.54 and 26.52%, respectively. Molecular docking and dynamics simulation -based virtual screening identified putative binding compounds. Protein inhibition studies of selected hits identified five inhibitors effective at micromolar concentrations. One of the compounds showed 45% inhibition of Leishmania promastigotes proliferation. Analysis of inhibitor-NDK complexes reveals the mode of their binding, facilitating design of new compounds for optimization of activities as drugs against leishmaniasis.

Automatic image fusion of real-time ultrasound with computed tomography images: a prospective comparison between two auto-registration methods.

PubMed

Cha, Dong Ik; Lee, Min Woo; Kim, Ah Yeong; Kang, Tae Wook; Oh, Young-Taek; Jeong, Ja-Yeon; Chang, Jung-Woo; Ryu, Jiwon; Lee, Kyong Joon; Kim, Jaeil; Bang, Won-Chul; Shin, Dong Kuk; Choi, Sung Jin; Koh, Dalkwon; Seo, Bong Koo; Kim, Kyunga

2017-11-01

Background A major drawback of conventional manual image fusion is that the process may be complex, especially for less-experienced operators. Recently, two automatic image fusion techniques called Positioning and Sweeping auto-registration have been developed. Purpose To compare the accuracy and required time for image fusion of real-time ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) images between Positioning and Sweeping auto-registration. Material and Methods Eighteen consecutive patients referred for planning US for radiofrequency ablation or biopsy for focal hepatic lesions were enrolled. Image fusion using both auto-registration methods was performed for each patient. Registration error, time required for image fusion, and number of point locks used were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results Image fusion was successful in all patients. Positioning auto-registration was significantly faster than Sweeping auto-registration for both initial (median, 11 s [range, 3-16 s] vs. 32 s [range, 21-38 s]; P < 0.001] and complete (median, 34.0 s [range, 26-66 s] vs. 47.5 s [range, 32-90]; P = 0.001] image fusion. Registration error of Positioning auto-registration was significantly higher for initial image fusion (median, 38.8 mm [range, 16.0-84.6 mm] vs. 18.2 mm [6.7-73.4 mm]; P = 0.029), but not for complete image fusion (median, 4.75 mm [range, 1.7-9.9 mm] vs. 5.8 mm [range, 2.0-13.0 mm]; P = 0.338]. Number of point locks required to refine the initially fused images was significantly higher with Positioning auto-registration (median, 2 [range, 2-3] vs. 1 [range, 1-2]; P = 0.012]. Conclusion Positioning auto-registration offers faster image fusion between real-time US and pre-procedural CT images than Sweeping auto-registration. The final registration error is similar between the two methods.

AutoNR: an automated system that measures ECAP thresholds with the Nucleus Freedom cochlear implant via machine intelligence.

PubMed

Botros, Andrew; van Dijk, Bas; Killian, Matthijs

2007-05-01

AutoNRT is an automated system that measures electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) thresholds from the auditory nerve with the Nucleus Freedom cochlear implant. ECAP thresholds along the electrode array are useful in objectively fitting cochlear implant systems for individual use. This paper provides the first detailed description of the AutoNRT algorithm and its expert systems, and reports the clinical success of AutoNRT to date. AutoNRT determines thresholds by visual detection, using two decision tree expert systems that automatically recognise ECAPs. The expert systems are guided by a dataset of 5393 neural response measurements. The algorithm approaches threshold from lower stimulus levels, ensuring recipient safety during postoperative measurements. Intraoperative measurements use the same algorithm but proceed faster by beginning at stimulus levels much closer to threshold. When searching for ECAPs, AutoNRT uses a highly specific expert system (specificity of 99% during training, 96% during testing; sensitivity of 91% during training, 89% during testing). Once ECAPs are established, AutoNRT uses an unbiased expert system to determine an accurate threshold. Throughout the execution of the algorithm, recording parameters (such as implant amplifier gain) are automatically optimised when needed. In a study that included 29 intraoperative and 29 postoperative subjects (a total of 418 electrodes), AutoNRT determined a threshold in 93% of cases where a human expert also determined a threshold. When compared to the median threshold of multiple human observers on 77 randomly selected electrodes, AutoNRT performed as accurately as the 'average' clinician. AutoNRT has demonstrated a high success rate and a level of performance that is comparable with human experts. It has been used in many clinics worldwide throughout the clinical trial and commercial launch of Nucleus Custom Sound Suite, significantly streamlining the clinical procedures associated with cochlear implant use.

Family factors associated with auto-aggressiveness in adolescents in Croatia.

PubMed

Tripković, Mara; Francisković, Tanja; Grgić, Neda; Ercegović, Nela; Graovac, Mirjana; Zecević, Iva

2013-12-01

The aim of this research is to look into the roles of families' social situation and cohesion in adolescent auto-aggressiveness in Croatia. The research was conducted on a sample of Zagreb high school students which encompassed 701 pupils of both genders aged 14-19. The basic demographic data were obtained using the Structured Demographic and Family Data Questionnaire. Auto-aggressiveness was tested using a section of the Report on Youth Aged 11-18 and the Scale of Auto-destructiveness--SAD, whereas the family cohesion was tested with the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales FACES III. The obtained results show differences according to the gender: girls are more prone to auto-aggressiveness than boys (t = -3.385, df = 565, p = 0.001) and girls more often show symptoms of destructiveness (t = -3.809, df = 637, p < 0.001) and anxiety (t = -6.562, df = 640, p < 0.001), while boys show pronounced aggressiveness (t = 2.655, df = 653, p = 0.008). Significant family factors associated with auto-aggressiveness are parents' marital status (chi2 = 18.039, df = 4, p = 0.001), their financial situation (F(2.548) = 4.604, p = 0.010), alcoholic father (chi2 = 9.270, df = 2, p = 0.010), mentally ill mother (t = 5.264, df = 541, p < 0.001), as well as mentally ill father (t = 4.744, df = 529, p < 0.001), and corporal punishment by mother (F(2.542) = 8.132, p < 0.001) or father (F(2.530) = 5.341, p = 0.005). Adolescents from split families show more auto-aggressiveness. Family cohesion appears to be considerably associated with auto-aggressiveness and the adolescents that see their families as less cohesive have more mental problems (chi2 = 29.98, df = 2, p < 0.001). There is a connection between auto-destructive behavior in adolescents and family factors. Knowledge of family's social situation and cohesion may help understand, prevent and treat auto-aggressiveness in adolescents.

[Oral diseases in auto-immune polyendocrine syndrome type 1].

PubMed

Proust-Lemoine, Emmanuelle; Guyot, Sylvie

2017-09-01

Auto-immune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS1) also called Auto-immune Polyendocrinopathy Candidiasis Ectodermal Dystrophy (APECED) is a rare monogenic childhood-onset auto-immune disease. This autosomal recessive disorder is caused by mutations in the auto-immune regulator (AIRE) gene, and leads to autoimmunity targeting peripheral tissues. There is a wide variability in clinical phenotypes in patients with APSI, with auto-immune endocrine and non-endocrine disorders, and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. These patients suffer from oral diseases such as dental enamel hypoplasia and candidiasis. Both are frequently described, and in recent series, enamel hypoplasia and candidiasis are even the most frequent components of APS1 together with hypoparathyroidism. Both often occur during childhood (before 5 years old for canrdidiasis, and before 15 years old for enamel hypoplasia). Oral candidiasis is recurrent all life long, could become resistant to azole antifungal after years of treatment, and be carcinogenic, leading to severe oral squamous cell carcinoma. Oral components of APS1 should be diagnosed and rigorously treated. Dental enamel hypoplasia and/or recurrent oral candidiasis in association with auto-immune diseases in a young child should prompt APS1 diagnosis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Patterns of synchrony for feed-forward and auto-regulation feed-forward neural networks.

PubMed

Aguiar, Manuela A D; Dias, Ana Paula S; Ferreira, Flora

2017-01-01

We consider feed-forward and auto-regulation feed-forward neural (weighted) coupled cell networks. In feed-forward neural networks, cells are arranged in layers such that the cells of the first layer have empty input set and cells of each other layer receive only inputs from cells of the previous layer. An auto-regulation feed-forward neural coupled cell network is a feed-forward neural network where additionally some cells of the first layer have auto-regulation, that is, they have a self-loop. Given a network structure, a robust pattern of synchrony is a space defined in terms of equalities of cell coordinates that is flow-invariant for any coupled cell system (with additive input structure) associated with the network. In this paper, we describe the robust patterns of synchrony for feed-forward and auto-regulation feed-forward neural networks. Regarding feed-forward neural networks, we show that only cells in the same layer can synchronize. On the other hand, in the presence of auto-regulation, we prove that cells in different layers can synchronize in a robust way and we give a characterization of the possible patterns of synchrony that can occur for auto-regulation feed-forward neural networks.

Genotoxic damage in auto body shop workers.

PubMed

Siebel, Anna Maria; Basso da Silva, Luciano

2010-10-01

Some studies have shown increased DNA damage among car painters, but other professionals working in auto body and paint shops have not been extensively assessed. The aim of this study was to assess DNA damage in different types of auto body shop workers by measuring micronucleus (MN) levels in exfoliated buccal cells. The mean number of cells with MN per 2000 exfoliated buccal cells was analyzed in three groups of male workers: auto body repair technicians, painters, and office workers (control group). All participants answered a questionnaire inquiring about age, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, work practices, occupational exposure time, job activities, and use of protective equipment. The mean number of cells with MN was 3.50 ± 1.50 in auto body painters, 3.91 ± 2.10 in auto body repair technicians, and 0.80 ± 0.78 in office workers, with a significant difference between the control group and the two other groups (p = 0.0001). Age, occupational exposure time, use of protective masks, alcohol consumption, and smoking habit did not affect MN results. The findings indicate that technicians and painters working in auto body shops are at risk for genotoxic damage, while office workers seem to be protected.

The Green’s functions for peridynamic non-local diffusion

PubMed Central

Wang, L. J.; Xu, J. F.

2016-01-01

In this work, we develop the Green’s function method for the solution of the peridynamic non-local diffusion model in which the spatial gradient of the generalized potential in the classical theory is replaced by an integral of a generalized response function in a horizon. We first show that the general solutions of the peridynamic non-local diffusion model can be expressed as functionals of the corresponding Green’s functions for point sources, along with volume constraints for non-local diffusion. Then, we obtain the Green’s functions by the Fourier transform method for unsteady and steady diffusions in infinite domains. We also demonstrate that the peridynamic non-local solutions converge to the classical differential solutions when the non-local length approaches zero. Finally, the peridynamic analytical solutions are applied to an infinite plate heated by a Gauss source, and the predicted variations of temperature are compared with the classical local solutions. The peridynamic non-local diffusion model predicts a lower rate of variation of the field quantities than that of the classical theory, which is consistent with experimental observations. The developed method is applicable to general diffusion-type problems. PMID:27713658

Telemetry Standards, IRIG Standard 106-17, Chapter 22, Network Based Protocol Suite

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-07-01

ER Fiber media connections using 10 Gigabit Ethernet shall comply with IEEE 802.3-2012, Section 5, Clause 52. 22.2.1.1.4 Auto- Negotiation ...22.2.1.1.4.1 Copper Auto- Negotiation Copper media connections, as described in the preceding sections, shall support auto- negotiation of speed, duplex, and...flow control in the manner specified in IEEE 802.3-2012, Section 2, Clause 28. 22.2.1.1.4.2 Fiber Auto- Negotiation Gigabit and 10 Gigabit fiber

A Code Generation Approach for Auto-Vectorization in the Spade Compiler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Huayong; Andrade, Henrique; Gedik, Buğra; Wu, Kun-Lung

We describe an auto-vectorization approach for the Spade stream processing programming language, comprising two ideas. First, we provide support for vectors as a primitive data type. Second, we provide a C++ library with architecture-specific implementations of a large number of pre-vectorized operations as the means to support language extensions. We evaluate our approach with several stream processing operators, contrasting Spade's auto-vectorization with the native auto-vectorization provided by the GNU gcc and Intel icc compilers.

Early relapse after single auto-SCT for multiple myeloma is a major predictor of survival in the era of novel agents.

PubMed

Jimenez-Zepeda, V H; Reece, D E; Trudel, S; Chen, C; Tiedemann, R; Kukreti, V

2015-02-01

The role of auto-SCT in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) in the era of novel agents continues to evolve. It is now clear that the depth of response and clinical outcomes have significantly improved as a result of the combination of these strategies. However, not all patients with MM who undergo auto-SCT are able to sustain a meaningful response and 20% of patients relapse shortly after auto-SCT. In this study, we aimed to assess the impact of early relapse (ER) after auto-SCT on OS for MM patients undergoing single auto-SCT who had received novel agent-based induction regimens. All consecutive patients with MM undergoing single auto-SCT from January 2002 to September 2012 who had novel induction therapy were evaluated. A total of 184 patients were identified. The median OS and PFS for the group of transplanted patients were 93 and 25.4 months, respectively. Median time to relapse was 17.2 months with 40% having relapsed at the time of analysis. ER (<12 months post auto-SCT) was seen in 27 (36%) out of 75 patients who had relapsed, and median OS was significantly shorter than in those with non-ER. Multivariate analysis showed ER as the major independent prognostic factor for OS. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that not only attainment of a good response, but sustainability of it, appears to be a major prognostic variable in MM in the era of novel therapy. Patients with ER post auto-SCT should biologically be characterized in prospective studies to better understand the mechanisms of resistance associated with this particular entity.

Efficacy of Bilevel-auto Treatment in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Not Responsive to or Intolerant of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Ventilation

PubMed Central

Carlucci, Annalisa; Ceriana, Piero; Mancini, Marco; Cirio, Serena; Pierucci, Paola; D'Artavilla Lupo, Nadia; Gadaleta, Felice; Morrone, Elisa; Fanfulla, Francesco

2015-01-01

Background: Ventilation with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, it was recently suggested that a novel mode of ventilation, Bilevel-auto, could be equally effective in treating patients unable to tolerate CPAP. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of Bilevel-auto to treat OSA patients whose nocturnal ventilatory disturbances are not completely corrected by CPAP. Methods: We enrolled 66 consecutive OSA patients, not responsive to (group A) or intolerant of (group B) CPAP treatment, after a full night of manual CPAP titration in a laboratory. Full polysomnography data and daytime sleepiness score were compared for each group in the three different conditions: basal, during CPAP, and during Bilevel-auto. Results: The apnea-hypopnea index decreased significantly during CPAP in both groups; however, in the group A, there was a further significant improvement during Bilevel-auto. The same trend was observed for oxygenation indices, while the distribution and the efficiency of sleep did not differ following the switch from CPAP to Bilevel-auto. Conclusions: This study confirmed the role of Bilevel-auto as an effective therapeutic alternative to CPAP in patients intolerant of this latter mode of ventilation. Moreover, extending the use of Bilevel-auto to those OSA patients not responsive to CPAP, we showed a significantly better correction of nocturnal respiratory disturbances. Citation: Carlucci A, Ceriana P, Mancini M, Cirio S, Pierucci P, D'Artavilla Lupo N, Gadaleta F, Morrone E, Fanfulla F. Efficacy of Bilevel-auto treatment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea not responsive to or intolerant of continuous positive airway pressure ventilation. J Clin Sleep Med 2015;11(9):981–985. PMID:25902825

Anti-neuropeptide Y plasma immunoglobulins in relation to mood and appetite in depressive disorder.

PubMed

Garcia, Frederico D; Coquerel, Quentin; do Rego, Jean-Claude; Cravezic, Aurore; Bole-Feysot, Christine; Kiive, Evelyn; Déchelotte, Pierre; Harro, Jaanus; Fetissov, Sergueï O

2012-09-01

Depression and eating disorders are frequently associated, but the molecular pathways responsible for co-occurrence of altered mood, appetite and body weight are not yet fully understood. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has potent antidepressant and orexigenic properties and low central NPY levels have been reported in major depression. In the present study, we hypothesized that in patients with major depression alteration of mood, appetite and body weight may be related to NPY-reactive autoantibodies (autoAbs). To test this hypothesis, we compared plasma levels and affinities of NPY-reactive autoAbs between patients with major depression and healthy controls. Then, to evaluate if changes of NPY autoAb properties can be causally related to altered mood and appetite, we developed central and peripheral passive transfer models of human autoAbs in mice and studied depressive-like behavior in forced-swim test and food intake. We found that plasma levels of NPY IgG autoAbs were lower in patients with moderate but not with mild depression correlating negatively with the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale scores and with immobility time of the forced-swim test in mice after peripheral injection of autoAbs. No significant differences in NPY IgG autoAb affinities between patients with depression and controls were found, but higher affinity of IgG autoAbs for NPY was associated with lower body mass index and prevented NPY-induced orexigenic response in mice after their central injection. These data suggest that changes of plasma levels of anti-NPY autoAbs are relevant to altered mood, while changes of their affinity may participate in altered appetite and body weight in patients with depressive disorder. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Complement deposition induced by binding of anti-contactin-1 auto-antibodies is modified by immunoglobulins.

PubMed

Appeltshauser, Luise; Weishaupt, Andreas; Sommer, Claudia; Doppler, Kathrin

2017-01-01

Inflammatory neuropathies associated with auto-antibodies against paranodal proteins like contactin-1 are reported to respond poorly to treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG). A reason might be that IVIG interacts with the complement pathway and these auto-antibodies often belong to the IgG4 subclass that does not activate complement. However, some patients do show a response to IVIG, especially at the beginning of the disease. This corresponds with the finding of coexisting IgG subclasses IgG1, IgG2 and IgG3. We therefore aimed to investigate complement deposition and activation by samples of three patients with anti-contactin-1 IgG auto-antibodies of different subclasses as a potential predictor for response to IVIG. Complement deposition and activation was measured by cell binding and ELISA based assays, and the effect of IVIG on complement deposition was assessed by addition of different concentrations of IVIG. Binding of anti-contactin-1 auto-antibodies of all three patients induced complement deposition and activation with the strongest effect shown by the serum of a patient with predominance of IgG3 auto-antibodies. IVIG led to a reduction of complement deposition in a dose-dependent manner, but did not reduce binding of auto-antibodies to contactin-1. We conclude that complement deposition may contribute to the pathophysiology of anti-contactin-1 associated neuropathy, particularly in patients with predominance of the IgG3 subclass. The proportion of different auto-antibody subclasses may be a predictor for the response to IVIG in patients with auto-antibodies against paranodal proteins. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

EMISSIONS FROM COATINGS USED IN THE AUTO REFINISHING INDUSTRY

EPA Science Inventory

The report presents results of EPA Methods 24 and 311 analyses of the volatile organic compound (VOC) content of selected auto refinishing coatings and their components that are sold by the five major auto coating manufacturers. These analyses were undertaken to determine the acc...

40 CFR 49.144 - Control equipment requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... remote notification system if the pilot flame fails. (B) An electronically controlled auto-ignition... emissions; (iv) The pit flare is equipped with an electronically controlled auto-ignition system with a... electronically controlled auto-ignition system must be repaired or replaced before the pit flare is utilized...

40 CFR 49.144 - Control equipment requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... remote notification system if the pilot flame fails. (B) An electronically controlled auto-ignition... emissions; (iv) The pit flare is equipped with an electronically controlled auto-ignition system with a... electronically controlled auto-ignition system must be repaired or replaced before the pit flare is utilized...

Enhancing the usability and performance of structured association mapping algorithms using automation, parallelization, and visualization in the GenAMap software system

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Structured association mapping is proving to be a powerful strategy to find genetic polymorphisms associated with disease. However, these algorithms are often distributed as command line implementations that require expertise and effort to customize and put into practice. Because of the difficulty required to use these cutting-edge techniques, geneticists often revert to simpler, less powerful methods. Results To make structured association mapping more accessible to geneticists, we have developed an automatic processing system called Auto-SAM. Auto-SAM enables geneticists to run structured association mapping algorithms automatically, using parallelization. Auto-SAM includes algorithms to discover gene-networks and find population structure. Auto-SAM can also run popular association mapping algorithms, in addition to five structured association mapping algorithms. Conclusions Auto-SAM is available through GenAMap, a front-end desktop visualization tool. GenAMap and Auto-SAM are implemented in JAVA; binaries for GenAMap can be downloaded from http://sailing.cs.cmu.edu/genamap. PMID:22471660

A Real-Time Non-invasive Auto-bioluminescent Urinary Bladder Cancer Xenograft Model.

PubMed

John, Bincy Anu; Xu, Tingting; Ripp, Steven; Wang, Hwa-Chain Robert

2017-02-01

The study was to develop an auto-bioluminescent urinary bladder cancer (UBC) xenograft animal model for pre-clinical research. The study used a humanized, bacteria-originated lux reporter system consisting of six (luxCDABEfrp) genes to express components required for producing bioluminescent signals in human UBC J82, J82-Ras, and SW780 cells without exogenous substrates. Immune-deficient nude mice were inoculated with Lux-expressing UBC cells to develop auto-bioluminescent xenograft tumors that were monitored by imaging and physical examination. Lux-expressing auto-bioluminescent J82-Lux, J82-Ras-Lux, and SW780-Lux cell lines were established. Xenograft tumors derived from tumorigenic Lux-expressing auto-bioluminescent J82-Ras-Lux cells allowed a serial, non-invasive, real-time monitoring by imaging of tumor development prior to the presence of palpable tumors in animals. Using Lux-expressing auto-bioluminescent tumorigenic cells enabled us to monitor the entire course of xenograft tumor development through tumor cell implantation, adaptation, and growth to visible/palpable tumors in animals.

Large signal-to-noise ratio quantification in MLE for ARARMAX models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Yiqun; Tang, Xiafei

2014-06-01

It has been shown that closed-loop linear system identification by indirect method can be generally transferred to open-loop ARARMAX (AutoRegressive AutoRegressive Moving Average with eXogenous input) estimation. For such models, the gradient-related optimisation with large enough signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can avoid the potential local convergence in maximum likelihood estimation. To ease the application of this condition, the threshold SNR needs to be quantified. In this paper, we build the amplitude coefficient which is an equivalence to the SNR and prove the finiteness of the threshold amplitude coefficient within the stability region. The quantification of threshold is achieved by the minimisation of an elaborately designed multi-variable cost function which unifies all the restrictions on the amplitude coefficient. The corresponding algorithm based on two sets of physically realisable system input-output data details the minimisation and also points out how to use the gradient-related method to estimate ARARMAX parameters when local minimum is present as the SNR is small. Then, the algorithm is tested on a theoretical AutoRegressive Moving Average with eXogenous input model for the derivation of the threshold and a gas turbine engine real system for model identification, respectively. Finally, the graphical validation of threshold on a two-dimensional plot is discussed.

DOVIS: an implementation for high-throughput virtual screening using AutoDock.

PubMed

Zhang, Shuxing; Kumar, Kamal; Jiang, Xiaohui; Wallqvist, Anders; Reifman, Jaques

2008-02-27

Molecular-docking-based virtual screening is an important tool in drug discovery that is used to significantly reduce the number of possible chemical compounds to be investigated. In addition to the selection of a sound docking strategy with appropriate scoring functions, another technical challenge is to in silico screen millions of compounds in a reasonable time. To meet this challenge, it is necessary to use high performance computing (HPC) platforms and techniques. However, the development of an integrated HPC system that makes efficient use of its elements is not trivial. We have developed an application termed DOVIS that uses AutoDock (version 3) as the docking engine and runs in parallel on a Linux cluster. DOVIS can efficiently dock large numbers (millions) of small molecules (ligands) to a receptor, screening 500 to 1,000 compounds per processor per day. Furthermore, in DOVIS, the docking session is fully integrated and automated in that the inputs are specified via a graphical user interface, the calculations are fully integrated with a Linux cluster queuing system for parallel processing, and the results can be visualized and queried. DOVIS removes most of the complexities and organizational problems associated with large-scale high-throughput virtual screening, and provides a convenient and efficient solution for AutoDock users to use this software in a Linux cluster platform.

Rapid analysis of protein backbone resonance assignments using cryogenic probes, a distributed Linux-based computing architecture, and an integrated set of spectral analysis tools.

PubMed

Monleón, Daniel; Colson, Kimberly; Moseley, Hunter N B; Anklin, Clemens; Oswald, Robert; Szyperski, Thomas; Montelione, Gaetano T

2002-01-01

Rapid data collection, spectral referencing, processing by time domain deconvolution, peak picking and editing, and assignment of NMR spectra are necessary components of any efficient integrated system for protein NMR structure analysis. We have developed a set of software tools designated AutoProc, AutoPeak, and AutoAssign, which function together with the data processing and peak-picking programs NMRPipe and Sparky, to provide an integrated software system for rapid analysis of protein backbone resonance assignments. In this paper we demonstrate that these tools, together with high-sensitivity triple resonance NMR cryoprobes for data collection and a Linux-based computer cluster architecture, can be combined to provide nearly complete backbone resonance assignments and secondary structures (based on chemical shift data) for a 59-residue protein in less than 30 hours of data collection and processing time. In this optimum case of a small protein providing excellent spectra, extensive backbone resonance assignments could also be obtained using less than 6 hours of data collection and processing time. These results demonstrate the feasibility of high throughput triple resonance NMR for determining resonance assignments and secondary structures of small proteins, and the potential for applying NMR in large scale structural proteomics projects.

MetMSLine: an automated and fully integrated pipeline for rapid processing of high-resolution LC-MS metabolomic datasets.

PubMed

Edmands, William M B; Barupal, Dinesh K; Scalbert, Augustin

2015-03-01

MetMSLine represents a complete collection of functions in the R programming language as an accessible GUI for biomarker discovery in large-scale liquid-chromatography high-resolution mass spectral datasets from acquisition through to final metabolite identification forming a backend to output from any peak-picking software such as XCMS. MetMSLine automatically creates subdirectories, data tables and relevant figures at the following steps: (i) signal smoothing, normalization, filtration and noise transformation (PreProc.QC.LSC.R); (ii) PCA and automatic outlier removal (Auto.PCA.R); (iii) automatic regression, biomarker selection, hierarchical clustering and cluster ion/artefact identification (Auto.MV.Regress.R); (iv) Biomarker-MS/MS fragmentation spectra matching and fragment/neutral loss annotation (Auto.MS.MS.match.R) and (v) semi-targeted metabolite identification based on a list of theoretical masses obtained from public databases (DBAnnotate.R). All source code and suggested parameters are available in an un-encapsulated layout on http://wmbedmands.github.io/MetMSLine/. Readme files and a synthetic dataset of both X-variables (simulated LC-MS data), Y-variables (simulated continuous variables) and metabolite theoretical masses are also available on our GitHub repository. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press.

MetMSLine: an automated and fully integrated pipeline for rapid processing of high-resolution LC–MS metabolomic datasets

PubMed Central

Edmands, William M. B.; Barupal, Dinesh K.; Scalbert, Augustin

2015-01-01

Summary: MetMSLine represents a complete collection of functions in the R programming language as an accessible GUI for biomarker discovery in large-scale liquid-chromatography high-resolution mass spectral datasets from acquisition through to final metabolite identification forming a backend to output from any peak-picking software such as XCMS. MetMSLine automatically creates subdirectories, data tables and relevant figures at the following steps: (i) signal smoothing, normalization, filtration and noise transformation (PreProc.QC.LSC.R); (ii) PCA and automatic outlier removal (Auto.PCA.R); (iii) automatic regression, biomarker selection, hierarchical clustering and cluster ion/artefact identification (Auto.MV.Regress.R); (iv) Biomarker—MS/MS fragmentation spectra matching and fragment/neutral loss annotation (Auto.MS.MS.match.R) and (v) semi-targeted metabolite identification based on a list of theoretical masses obtained from public databases (DBAnnotate.R). Availability and implementation: All source code and suggested parameters are available in an un-encapsulated layout on http://wmbedmands.github.io/MetMSLine/. Readme files and a synthetic dataset of both X-variables (simulated LC–MS data), Y-variables (simulated continuous variables) and metabolite theoretical masses are also available on our GitHub repository. Contact: ScalbertA@iarc.fr PMID:25348215

Selective activators of protein phosphatase 5 target the auto-inhibitory mechanism.

PubMed

Haslbeck, Veronika; Drazic, Adrian; Eckl, Julia M; Alte, Ferdinand; Helmuth, Martin; Popowicz, Grzegorz; Schmidt, Werner; Braun, Frank; Weiwad, Matthias; Fischer, Gunter; Gemmecker, Gerd; Sattler, Michael; Striggow, Frank; Groll, Michael; Richter, Klaus

2015-04-20

Protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) is an evolutionary conserved serine/threonine phosphatase. Its dephosphorylation activity modulates a diverse set of cellular factors including protein kinases and the microtubule-associated tau protein involved in neurodegenerative disorders. It is auto-regulated by its heat-shock protein (Hsp90)-interacting tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain and its C-terminal α-helix. In the present study, we report the identification of five specific PP5 activators [PP5 small-molecule activators (P5SAs)] that enhance the phosphatase activity up to 8-fold. The compounds are allosteric modulators accelerating efficiently the turnover rate of PP5, but do barely affect substrate binding or the interaction between PP5 and the chaperone Hsp90. Enzymatic studies imply that the compounds bind to the phosphatase domain of PP5. For the most promising compound crystallographic comparisons of the apo PP5 and the PP5-P5SA-2 complex indicate a relaxation of the auto-inhibited state of PP5. Residual electron density and mutation analyses in PP5 suggest activator binding to a pocket in the phosphatase/TPR domain interface, which may exert regulatory functions. These compounds thus may expose regulatory mechanisms in the PP5 enzyme and serve to develop optimized activators based on these scaffolds. © 2015 Authors.

A young patient with atypical type-B Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome accompanied by left ventricular dysfunction

PubMed Central

Takeuchi, Takahiro; Tomita, Takeshi; Kasai, Hiroki; Kashiwagi, Daisuke; Yoshie, Koji; Yaguchi, Tomonori; Oguchi, Yasutaka; Kozuka, Ayako; Gautam, Milan; Motoki, Hirohiko; Okada, Ayako; Shiba, Yuji; Aizawa, Kazunori; Izawa, Atsushi; Miyashita, Yusuke; Koyama, Jun; Hongo, Minoru; Ikeda, Uichi

2014-01-01

A 15-year-old asymptomatic male patient presented with an electrocardiographic abnormality and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (left ventricle ejection fraction of 40%) in a physical examination performed 2 years previously. LV dysfunction did not improve despite optimal medical therapy for dilated cardiomyopathy. Twelve-lead electrocardiography revealed a normal PR interval (138 ms) with a small delta-like wave in V2, but not a typical diagnostic wave that could be diagnosed as Wolff–Parkinson–White (WPW) syndrome by an electrocardiogram auto-analysis. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a remarkable asynchronous septal motion. An electrophysiological study was performed to exclude WPW syndrome. An accessory pathway (AP) was revealed on the lateral wall of the right ventricle, and radiofrequency catheter ablation was successfully performed to disconnect the AP. Thereafter, the dyssynchrony disappeared, and LV function improved. The intrinsic atrioventricular nodal conduction was very slow (A-H, 237 ms). The results of electrocardiogram auto-analysis could not be used to confirm the diagnosis of WPW syndrome because of the atypical delta wave. Conduction via the right lateral AP caused electrical dyssynchrony in the LV. This case suggests that atypical delta waves should be evaluated without depending on electrocardiographic auto-analyses in patients with LV dysfunction accompanied by dyssynchrony. PMID:26336525

Determinants of isocyanate exposures in auto body repair and refinishing shops.

PubMed

Woskie, S R; Sparer, J; Gore, R J; Stowe, M; Bello, D; Liu, Y; Youngs, F; Redlich, C; Eisen, E; Cullen, M

2004-07-01

As part of the Survey of Painters and Repairers of Auto bodies by Yale (SPRAY), the determinants of isocyanate exposure in auto body repair shops were evaluated. Measurements (n = 380) of hexamethylene diisocyanate-based monomer and polyisocyanate and isophorone diisocyanate-based polyisocyanate were collected from 33 auto body shops. The median total reactive isocyanate concentrations expressed as mass concentration of the NCO functional group were: 206 microg NCO/m3 for spray operations; 0.93 microg NCO/m3 for samples collected in the vicinity of spray operations done on the shop floor (near spray); 0.05 microg NCO/m3 for office or other shop areas adjacent to spray areas (workplace background); 0.17 microg NCO/m3 for paint mixing and gun cleaning operations (mixing); 0.27 microg NCO/m3 for sanding operations. Exposure determinants for the sample NCO mass load were identified using linear regression, tobit regression and logistic regression models. For spray samples in a spray booth the significant determinants were the number of milliliters of NCO applied, the gallons of clear coat used by the shop each month and the type of spray booth used (custom built crossdraft, prefabricated crossdraft or downdraft/semi-downdraft). For near spray (bystander) samples, outdoor temperature >65 degrees F (18 degrees C) and shop size >5000 feet2 (465 m2) were significant determinants of exposure levels. For workplace background samples the shop annual income was the most important determinant. For sanding samples, the shop annual income and outdoor temperature >65 degrees F (18 degrees C) were the most significant determinants. Identification of these key exposure determinants will be useful in targeting exposure evaluation and control efforts to reduce isocyanate exposures.

On time-dependent diffusion coefficients arising from stochastic processes with memory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carpio-Bernido, M. Victoria; Barredo, Wilson I.; Bernido, Christopher C.

2017-08-01

Time-dependent diffusion coefficients arise from anomalous diffusion encountered in many physical systems such as protein transport in cells. We compare these coefficients with those arising from analysis of stochastic processes with memory that go beyond fractional Brownian motion. Facilitated by the Hida white noise functional integral approach, diffusion propagators or probability density functions (pdf) are obtained and shown to be solutions of modified diffusion equations with time-dependent diffusion coefficients. This should be useful in the study of complex transport processes.

The accuracy of autotitrating CPAP-determined residual apnea-hypopnea index.

PubMed

Cilli, Aykut; Uzun, Rusen; Bilge, Ugur

2013-03-01

Autotitrating continuous positive airway pressure (auto-CPAP) devices not only titrate CPAP pressures but also measure residual respiratory events. The aim of the present study was to determine the accuracy of auto-CPAP-derived residual apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). We studied 137 consecutive patients (72.3% men) with obstructive sleep apnea from January 2008 to December 2010 who underwent in-laboratory overnight polysomnography (PSG) using auto-CPAP. We excluded patients with comorbidities like congestive heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or hypoventilation syndromes and patients with central sleep apnea. Residual AHI obtained from the auto-CPAP device by smart card (CPAP-AHI) was compared simultaneously with AHI from an overnight PSG on auto-CPAP (PSG-AHI) using Bland-Altman analysis and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The mean AHI on the diagnostic study was 45.08 ± 1.8. During the titration, auto-CPAP markedly suppressed the respiratory events (PSG-AHI, 3.40 ± 0.20). On the other hand, CPAP-AHI was 3.35 ± 0.17. Bland-Altman analysis showed good agreement between auto-CPAP-AHI and PSG-AHI (AHI mean difference of 0.05, and the limits of agreement for the AHI were from +4.9 to -4.8). Two methods have also been compared with paired samples t test and no statistically significant difference was found (p > 0.05). Auto-CPAP can identify residual respiratory events equivalent to the use of PSG in a selected population.

Efficacy of Bilevel-auto Treatment in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Not Responsive to or Intolerant of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Ventilation.

PubMed

Carlucci, Annalisa; Ceriana, Piero; Mancini, Marco; Cirio, Serena; Pierucci, Paola; D'Artavilla Lupo, Nadia; Gadaleta, Felice; Morrone, Elisa; Fanfulla, Francesco

2015-09-15

Ventilation with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, it was recently suggested that a novel mode of ventilation, Bilevel-auto, could be equally effective in treating patients unable to tolerate CPAP. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of Bilevel-auto to treat OSA patients whose nocturnal ventilatory disturbances are not completely corrected by CPAP. We enrolled 66 consecutive OSA patients, not responsive to (group A) or intolerant of (group B) CPAP treatment, after a full night of manual CPAP titration in a laboratory. Full polysomnography data and daytime sleepiness score were compared for each group in the three different conditions: basal, during CPAP, and during Bilevel-auto. The apnea-hypopnea index decreased significantly during CPAP in both groups; however, in the group A, there was a further significant improvement during Bilevel-auto. The same trend was observed for oxygenation indices, while the distribution and the efficiency of sleep did not differ following the switch from CPAP to Bilevel-auto. This study confirmed the role of Bilevel-auto as an effective therapeutic alternative to CPAP in patients intolerant of this latter mode of ventilation. Moreover, extending the use of Bilevel-auto to those OSA patients not responsive to CPAP, we showed a significantly better correction of nocturnal respiratory disturbances. © 2015 American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Prevalence of menstrual cycles and outcome of 50 pregnancies after high-dose chemotherapy and auto-SCT in non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma patients younger than 40 years.

PubMed

Akhtar, S; Youssef, I; Soudy, H; Elhassan, T A M; Rauf, S M; Maghfoor, I

2015-12-01

Data are limited regarding the prevalence of menstrual cycles and pregnancies after high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) and auto-stem cell transplantation (SCT). Female patients who underwent HDC auto-SCT for non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma (1997-2012) were reviewed. The selection criteria were as follows: (1) alive without disease 12 and 24 months after auto-SCT for menstrual cycles and pregnancy, respectively, (2) age <40 years at auto-SCT, and (3) no primary infertility. One-hundred and seventy-six females underwent single auto-SCT. Eighty-nine were eligible for menstrual cycles and pregnancy analysis. Median age at auto-SCT was 25 years (14-40 years), at pregnancy 27 years (20-37 years), median follow-up 65 months (range 24-190). Regular menstrual-cycles resumed in 56/89 patients (63%). Increasing age (P=0.02) and number of prior chemotherapy cycles (P=0.02) are associated with higher risk of amenorrhea. Forty patients tried to get pregnant, 26 (65%) became pregnant 50 times: 43 (86%) live birth, 7 (14%) miscarriage and 2/50 had birth defects. Twenty-four patients practiced breastfeeding (median duration 4 months (1-24 months)). Enough breast milk production was reported 62.5% vs 100% in those patients who did or did not receive above the diaphragm radiation therapy, respectively, (P=0.066). Our data highlights significantly higher than perceived incidence of menstrual cycle resumption, successful pregnancies and breastfeeding after HDC auto-SCT.

Development of a computer-based automated pure tone hearing screening device: a preliminary clinical trial.

PubMed

Gan, Kok Beng; Azeez, Dhifaf; Umat, Cila; Ali, Mohd Alauddin Mohd; Wahab, Noor Alaudin Abdul; Mukari, Siti Zamratol Mai-Sarah

2012-10-01

Hearing screening is important for the early detection of hearing loss. The requirements of specialized equipment, skilled personnel, and quiet environments for valid screening results limit its application in schools and health clinics. This study aimed to develop an automated hearing screening kit (auto-kit) with the capability of realtime noise level monitoring to ensure that the screening is performed in an environment that conforms to the standard. The auto-kit consists of a laptop, a 24-bit resolution sound card, headphones, a microphone, and a graphical user interface, which is calibrated according to the American National Standards Institute S3.6-2004 standard. The auto-kit can present four test tones (500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz) at 25 or 40 dB HL screening cut-off level. The clinical results at 40 dB HL screening cut-off level showed that the auto-kit has a sensitivity of 92.5% and a specificity of 75.0%. Because the 500 Hz test tone is not included in the standard hearing screening procedure, it can be excluded from the auto-kit test procedure. The exclusion of 500 Hz test tone improved the specificity of the auto-kit from 75.0% to 92.3%, which suggests that the auto-kit could be a valid hearing screening device. In conclusion, the auto-kit may be a valuable hearing screening tool, especially in countries where resources are limited.

Optimisation of an idealised primitive equation ocean model using stochastic parameterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cooper, Fenwick C.

2017-05-01

Using a simple parameterization, an idealised low resolution (biharmonic viscosity coefficient of 5 × 1012 m4s-1 , 128 × 128 grid) primitive equation baroclinic ocean gyre model is optimised to have a much more accurate climatological mean, variance and response to forcing, in all model variables, with respect to a high resolution (biharmonic viscosity coefficient of 8 × 1010 m4s-1 , 512 × 512 grid) equivalent. For example, the change in the climatological mean due to a small change in the boundary conditions is more accurate in the model with parameterization. Both the low resolution and high resolution models are strongly chaotic. We also find that long timescales in the model temperature auto-correlation at depth are controlled by the vertical temperature diffusion parameter and time mean vertical advection and are caused by short timescale random forcing near the surface. This paper extends earlier work that considered a shallow water barotropic gyre. Here the analysis is extended to a more turbulent multi-layer primitive equation model that includes temperature as a prognostic variable. The parameterization consists of a constant forcing, applied to the velocity and temperature equations at each grid point, which is optimised to obtain a model with an accurate climatological mean, and a linear stochastic forcing, that is optimised to also obtain an accurate climatological variance and 5 day lag auto-covariance. A linear relaxation (nudging) is not used. Conservation of energy and momentum is discussed in an appendix.

14 CFR 61.67 - Category II pilot authorization requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... and runway lighting system; (ix) Characteristics and limitations of the flight director system, auto approach coupler (including split axis type if equipped), auto throttle system (if equipped), and other... be made with the use of an approved flight control guidance system, except if an approved auto...

An Automated Strategy for Binding-Pose Selection and Docking Assessment in Structure-Based Drug Design.

PubMed

Ballante, Flavio; Marshall, Garland R

2016-01-25

Molecular docking is a widely used technique in drug design to predict the binding pose of a candidate compound in a defined therapeutic target. Numerous docking protocols are available, each characterized by different search methods and scoring functions, thus providing variable predictive capability on a same ligand-protein system. To validate a docking protocol, it is necessary to determine a priori the ability to reproduce the experimental binding pose (i.e., by determining the docking accuracy (DA)) in order to select the most appropriate docking procedure and thus estimate the rate of success in docking novel compounds. As common docking programs use generally different root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) formulas, scoring functions, and format results, it is both difficult and time-consuming to consistently determine and compare their predictive capabilities in order to identify the best protocol to use for the target of interest and to extrapolate the binding poses (i.e., best-docked (BD), best-cluster (BC), and best-fit (BF) poses) when applying a given docking program over thousands/millions of molecules during virtual screening. To reduce this difficulty, two new procedures called Clusterizer and DockAccessor have been developed and implemented for use with some common and "free-for-academics" programs such as AutoDock4, AutoDock4(Zn), AutoDock Vina, DOCK, MpSDockZn, PLANTS, and Surflex-Dock to automatically extrapolate BD, BC, and BF poses as well as to perform consistent cluster and DA analyses. Clusterizer and DockAccessor (code available over the Internet) represent two novel tools to collect computationally determined poses and detect the most predictive docking approach. Herein an application to human lysine deacetylase (hKDAC) inhibitors is illustrated.

Cytokine/Antibody complexes: an emerging class of immunostimulants.

PubMed

Mostböck, Sven

2009-01-01

In recent years, complexes formed from a cytokine and antibodies against that respective cytokine (cytokine/Ab complex) have been shown to induce remarkable powerful changes in the immune system. Strong interest exists especially for complexes formed with Interleukin (IL)-2 and anti-IL-2-antibody (IL-2/Ab complex). IL-2/Ab complex activates maturation and proliferation in CD8(+) T cells and natural killer (NK) cells to a much higher degree than conventional IL-2 therapy. In addition, IL-2/Ab complex does not stimulate regulatory T cells as much as IL-2 alone. This suggests the possibility to replace the conventional IL-2 therapy with a therapy using low-dose IL-2/Ab complex. Further synthetic cytokine/Ab complexes are studied currently, including IL-3/Ab complex for its effects on the mast cell population, and IL-4/Ab complex and IL-7/Ab complex for inducing B and T cell expansion and maturation. Cytokine complexes can also be made from a cytokine and its soluble receptor. Pre-association of IL-15 with soluble IL-15 receptor alpha produces a complex with strong agonistic functions that lead to an expansion of CD8(+) T cells and NK cells. However, cytokine/Ab complexes also occur naturally in humans. A multitude of auto-antibodies to cytokines are found in human sera, and many of these auto-antibodies build cytokine/Ab complexes. This review presents naturally occurring auto-antibodies to cytokines and cytokine/Ab complexes in health and disease. It further summarizes recent research on synthetic cytokine/Ab complexes with a focus on the basic mechanisms behind the function of cytokine/Ab complexes.

An Instructional Exercise in Cost-Raising Strategies, and Perfect Complements Production

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weisman, Dennis L.

2007-01-01

The author presents an account of the 1993 contract negotiations between the United Auto Workers (UAW) and Ford Motor Company to assist students in developing facility with perfect complements production and cost functions and cost-raising strategies. The author seeks an answer to why the UAW targeted Ford for contract negotiations to establish a…

HOW DO WE BREAK THE LOCKSTEP. VARIATIONS IN CLASS SIZE AS APPLIED TO LANGUAGE TEACHING.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

VALDMAN, ALBERT

A MULTI-FACETED SCHEME FOR LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION PROPOSES (1) LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS, (2) AUTO-TUTORIAL ACQUISITION OF MOTOR SKILLS, AND (3) TEACHER-GUIDED USE OF LANGUAGE IN A SIMULATED NATURAL CONTEXT. THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN ADJUSTING TO THIS NEW FUNCTION OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING WERE STUDIED FOR THREE…

Impact of functional focal versus diffuse coronary artery disease on bypass graft patency.

PubMed

Shiono, Yasutsugu; Kubo, Takashi; Honda, Kentaro; Katayama, Yosuke; Aoki, Hiroshi; Satogami, Keisuke; Kashiyama, Kuninobu; Taruya, Akira; Nishiguchi, Tsuyoshi; Kuroi, Akio; Orii, Makoto; Kameyama, Takeyoshi; Yamano, Takashi; Yamaguchi, Tomoyuki; Matsuo, Yoshiki; Ino, Yasushi; Tanaka, Atsushi; Hozumi, Takeshi; Nishimura, Yoshiharu; Okamura, Yoshitaka; Akasaka, Takashi

2016-11-01

Pressure guidewire pullback recording can differentiate between functional focal and diffuse disease types in coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patency between patients with functional focal versus diffuse disease types in recipient coronary arteries. We investigated 89 patients who underwent pressure guidewire pullback in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery before CABG using internal mammary artery (IMA). Based on the pressure guidewire pullback data, the LAD lesions were classified into functional focal disease (abrupt pressure step-up; n=58) or functional diffuse disease (gradual pressure increase; n=31). Follow-up computed tomography (CT) angiography was conducted within 1year after CABG to assess the bypass graft patency. Pre CABG, LAD angiographic percent diameter stenosis (57±10% vs. 54±12%, p=0.228) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) (0.68±0.07 vs. 0.69±0.07, p=0.244) were not different between the functional focal and diffuse disease groups. The CABG procedure characteristics were similarly comparable between the two groups. In the follow-up CT angiography after CABG, occlusion or string sign of the IMA graft to LAD was more frequently observed in the functional diffuse disease group than in the functional focal disease group (26% vs. 7%, p=0.021). In CABG, functional diffuse disease in the recipient coronary artery was associated with an increased risk of the graft failure in comparison with functional focal disease. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A survey of biofilms on wastewater aeration diffusers suggests bacterial community composition and function vary by substrate type and time.

PubMed

Noble, Peter A; Park, Hee-Deung; Olson, Betty H; Asvapathanagul, Pitiporn; Hunter, M Colby; Garrido-Baserba, Manel; Lee, Sang-Hoon; Rosso, Diego

2016-07-01

Aeration diffusers in wastewater treatment plants generate air bubbles that promote mixing, distribution of dissolved oxygen, and microbial processing of dissolved and suspended matter in bulk solution. Biofouling of diffusers represents a significant problem to wastewater treatment plants because biofilms decrease oxygen transfer efficiency and increase backpressure on the blower. To better understand biofouling, we conducted a pilot study to survey the bacterial community composition and function of biofilms on different diffuser substrates and compare them to those in the bulk solution. DNA was extracted from the surface of ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM), polyurethane, and silicone diffusers operated for 15 months in a municipal treatment plant and sampled at 3 and 9 months. The bacterial community composition and function of the biofilms and bulk solution were determined by amplifying the 16S rRNA genes and pyrosequencing the amplicons and raw metagenomic DNA. The ordination plots and dendrograms of the 16S rRNA and functional genes showed that while the bacterial community composition and function of the bulk solution was independent of sampling time, the composition and function of the biofilms differed by diffuser type and testing time. For the EPDM and silicone diffusers, the biofilm communities were more similar in composition to the bulk solution at 3 months than 9 months. In contrast, the bacteria on the polyurethane diffusers were more dissimilar to the bulk solution at 3 months than 9 months. Taken together, the survey showed that the community composition and function of bacterial biofilms depend on the diffuser substrate and testing time, which warrants further elucidation.

Auto Body Repair. Supplementary Units. Instructor Key and Student Units.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Daniel, Linda; Muench, James F., Ed.

These supplementary units are designed to help students with special needs learn and apply auto body repair skills. The material specifically supplements the Auto Body Repair Curriculum Guide (University of Missouri-Columbia 1988), and is intended for instructors serving the occupational needs of various categories of disadvantaged and handicapped…

46 CFR 28.875 - Radar, depth sounding, and auto-pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 46 Shipping 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Radar, depth sounding, and auto-pilot. 28.875 Section 28.875 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY UNINSPECTED VESSELS REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY VESSELS Aleutian Trade Act Vessels § 28.875 Radar, depth sounding, and auto-pilot...

46 CFR 28.875 - Radar, depth sounding, and auto-pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 46 Shipping 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Radar, depth sounding, and auto-pilot. 28.875 Section 28.875 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY UNINSPECTED VESSELS REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY VESSELS Aleutian Trade Act Vessels § 28.875 Radar, depth sounding, and auto-pilot...

12 CFR 222.75 - Rules of construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... of an automobile. If the auto dealer is the person to whom the loan obligation is initially payable, such as where the auto dealer is the original creditor under a retail installment sales contract, the auto dealer must provide the risk-based pricing notice to the consumer (or satisfy the requirements for...

12 CFR 222.75 - Rules of construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... of an automobile. If the auto dealer is the person to whom the loan obligation is initially payable, such as where the auto dealer is the original creditor under a retail installment sales contract, the auto dealer must provide the risk-based pricing notice to the consumer (or satisfy the requirements for...

12 CFR 222.75 - Rules of construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... of an automobile. If the auto dealer is the person to whom the loan obligation is initially payable, such as where the auto dealer is the original creditor under a retail installment sales contract, the auto dealer must provide the risk-based pricing notice to the consumer (or satisfy the requirements for...

46 CFR 185.360 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 46 Shipping 7 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 185.360 Section 185.360 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS (UNDER 100 GROSS TONS) OPERATIONS Miscellaneous Operating Requirements § 185.360 Use of auto pilot. Whenever an automatic pilot is...

46 CFR 131.960 - Use of auto-pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Use of auto-pilot. 131.960 Section 131.960 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSELS OPERATIONS Miscellaneous § 131.960 Use of auto-pilot. When the automatic pilot is used in areas of high traffic density...

46 CFR 185.360 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 46 Shipping 7 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 185.360 Section 185.360 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS (UNDER 100 GROSS TONS) OPERATIONS Miscellaneous Operating Requirements § 185.360 Use of auto pilot. Whenever an automatic pilot is...

46 CFR 131.960 - Use of auto-pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Use of auto-pilot. 131.960 Section 131.960 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSELS OPERATIONS Miscellaneous § 131.960 Use of auto-pilot. When the automatic pilot is used in areas of high traffic density...

46 CFR 28.875 - Radar, depth sounding, and auto-pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 46 Shipping 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Radar, depth sounding, and auto-pilot. 28.875 Section 28.875 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY UNINSPECTED VESSELS REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY VESSELS Aleutian Trade Act Vessels § 28.875 Radar, depth sounding, and auto-pilot...

46 CFR 131.960 - Use of auto-pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Use of auto-pilot. 131.960 Section 131.960 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSELS OPERATIONS Miscellaneous § 131.960 Use of auto-pilot. When the automatic pilot is used in areas of high traffic density...

12 CFR 222.75 - Rules of construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... of an automobile. If the auto dealer is the person to whom the loan obligation is initially payable, such as where the auto dealer is the original creditor under a retail installment sales contract, the auto dealer must provide the risk-based pricing notice to the consumer (or satisfy the requirements for...

46 CFR 185.360 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 46 Shipping 7 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 185.360 Section 185.360 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS (UNDER 100 GROSS TONS) OPERATIONS Miscellaneous Operating Requirements § 185.360 Use of auto pilot. Whenever an automatic pilot is...

An Instructional Method for the AutoCAD Modeling Environment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mohler, James L.

1997-01-01

Presents a command organizer for AutoCAD to aid new uses in operating within the 3-D modeling environment. Addresses analyzing the problem, visualization skills, nonlinear tools, a static view of a dynamic model, the AutoCAD organizer, environment attributes, and control of the environment. Contains 11 references. (JRH)

Programmable Applications: Interpreter Meets Interface

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-10-01

ics program written for professional architects and designers, and including a huge library of files written in AutoLisp , a "design-enriched" Lisp... AutoLisp procedures). The choice of Lisp as a base language is a happy one for AutoCAD; the application has clearly benefitted from the contribution

46 CFR 28.875 - Radar, depth sounding, and auto-pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Radar, depth sounding, and auto-pilot. 28.875 Section 28.875 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY UNINSPECTED VESSELS REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY VESSELS Aleutian Trade Act Vessels § 28.875 Radar, depth sounding, and auto-pilot...

78 FR 23688 - Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Inc. Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-22

... would require replacing certain part-numbered engine auto-relight kit control boxes. This proposed AD is... range requirements, which could cause the control box to malfunction, disabling the engine auto-relight... helicopters with an engine auto-relight kit control box assembly (control box assembly) part number 206-375...

46 CFR 131.960 - Use of auto-pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Use of auto-pilot. 131.960 Section 131.960 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSELS OPERATIONS Miscellaneous § 131.960 Use of auto-pilot. When the automatic pilot is used in areas of high traffic density...

46 CFR 185.360 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 7 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 185.360 Section 185.360 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS (UNDER 100 GROSS TONS) OPERATIONS Miscellaneous Operating Requirements § 185.360 Use of auto pilot. Whenever an automatic pilot is...

Auto Collision Technician: An Instructional Guide for Teachers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ohio State Univ., Columbus. Vocational Instructional Materials Lab.

This guide is designed to help teachers in auto collision technician programs for grades 11 and 12 teach the critical competencies of the program. The critical competencies covered are the High Priority-Individual (HP-I) competencies in Ohio's Occupational Competency Assessment Profile (OCAP) for Auto Collision Technician. HP-I competencies are…

New Technologies, New Curricula.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Speidel, Gisela E.

1995-01-01

This article describes the AutoCAD Laboratory at Hawaii's Kamehameha Secondary Schools, offering the perspective of the AutoCAD instructor and Technology Department Head, looking at a day in the AutoCAD Laboratory, and explaining how teaching students about computer-assisted design and drafting can prepare them for college or careers. (SM)

46 CFR 185.360 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 46 Shipping 7 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 185.360 Section 185.360 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS (UNDER 100 GROSS TONS) OPERATIONS Miscellaneous Operating Requirements § 185.360 Use of auto pilot. Whenever an automatic pilot is...

46 CFR 131.960 - Use of auto-pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Use of auto-pilot. 131.960 Section 131.960 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSELS OPERATIONS Miscellaneous § 131.960 Use of auto-pilot. When the automatic pilot is used in areas of high traffic density...

Computer-Aided-Design of the Hydraulic System of Three-Dimensional Cartridge Valve Blocks (Selected Articles)

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-03-21

sectional representation of the spatial figure can be correctly determined. 6 The AutoLisp language system in the AutoCAD software provides the most...softwares are developed on the 32-bit machines and little progress has been reported for the 16-bit machines. Even the AutoCAD is a two-ard-a-half... AutoCAD software as the basis, developed the design package of 3-D cartridge valve blocks on IM PC/AT. To realize the 3-D displaying of cartridge valves

Analysis on the workspace of palletizing robot based on AutoCAD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jin-quan; Zhang, Rui; Guan, Qi; Cui, Fang; Chen, Kuan

2017-10-01

In this paper, a four-degree-of-freedom articulated palletizing robot is used as the object of research. Based on the analysis of the overall configuration of the robot, the kinematic mathematical model is established by D-H method to figure out the workspace of the robot. In order to meet the needs of design and analysis, using AutoCAD secondary development technology and AutoLisp language to develop AutoCAD-based 2D and 3D workspace simulation interface program of palletizing robot. At last, using AutoCAD plugin, the influence of structural parameters on the shape and position of the working space is analyzed when the structure parameters of the robot are changed separately. This study laid the foundation for the design, control and planning of palletizing robots.

Atlas-based segmentation technique incorporating inter-observer delineation uncertainty for whole breast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bell, L. R.; Dowling, J. A.; Pogson, E. M.; Metcalfe, P.; Holloway, L.

2017-01-01

Accurate, efficient auto-segmentation methods are essential for the clinical efficacy of adaptive radiotherapy delivered with highly conformal techniques. Current atlas based auto-segmentation techniques are adequate in this respect, however fail to account for inter-observer variation. An atlas-based segmentation method that incorporates inter-observer variation is proposed. This method is validated for a whole breast radiotherapy cohort containing 28 CT datasets with CTVs delineated by eight observers. To optimise atlas accuracy, the cohort was divided into categories by mean body mass index and laterality, with atlas’ generated for each in a leave-one-out approach. Observer CTVs were merged and thresholded to generate an auto-segmentation model representing both inter-observer and inter-patient differences. For each category, the atlas was registered to the left-out dataset to enable propagation of the auto-segmentation from atlas space. Auto-segmentation time was recorded. The segmentation was compared to the gold-standard contour using the dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and mean absolute surface distance (MASD). Comparison with the smallest and largest CTV was also made. This atlas-based auto-segmentation method incorporating inter-observer variation was shown to be efficient (<4min) and accurate for whole breast radiotherapy, with good agreement (DSC>0.7, MASD <9.3mm) between the auto-segmented contours and CTV volumes.

Co-autodisplay of Z-domains and bovine caseins on the outer membrane of E. coli.

PubMed

Yoo, Gu; Saenger, Thorsten; Bong, Ji-Hong; Jose, Joachim; Kang, Min-Jung; Pyun, Jae-Chul

2015-12-01

In this work, two proteins, Z-domains and bovine casein, were auto-displayed on the outer membrane of the same Escherichia coli cells by co-transformation of two different auto-display vectors. On the basis of SDS-PAGE densitometry, Z-domains and bovine casein were expressed at 3.12 × 10⁵ and 1.55 × 10⁵ proteins/E. coli cell, respectively. The co-auto-displayed Z-domains had antibody-binding activity and the bovine casein had adhesive properties. E. coli with co-auto-displayed proteins were analyzed by fluorescence assisted cell sorting (FACS). E. coli with co-auto-displayed Z-domains and bovine casein aggregated due to hydrophobic interaction. For application to immunoassays, the Z-domain activity was estimated after (1) immobilizing the E. coli and (2) forming an OM layer. E. coli with co-auto-displayed two proteins that were immobilized on a polystyrene microplate had the same antibody-binding activity as did E. coli with auto-displayed Z-domains only. The OM layer from the co-transformed E. coli had Z-domains and bovine casein expressed at a 1:2 ratio from antibody-binding activity measurements. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The auto-amputated adnexa: a review of findings in a pediatric population.

PubMed

Focseneanu, Mariel A; Omurtag, Kenan; Ratts, Valerie S; Merritt, Diane F

2013-12-01

To quantify our experience and that of the literature with diagnosis and management of the auto-amputated adnexa in a pediatric population. Case series and literature review. Tertiary care medical center. Case series of pediatric patients (<18 years of age) with surgically documented adnexal auto-amputation collected from our medical center and the literature. None. Auto-amputated adnexa. In addition to the 3 cases discussed from our institution, 91 cases of auto-amputated adnexa were identified in the literature dating back to 1943, for a total of 94 cases. Forty-nine percent (46/94) of the cases involved girls in a pediatric population (<18 years of age). Of these, the majority (n = 26) were identified in a subgroup of girls who were diagnosed with an adnexal cyst by antenatal ultrasound. Most of these neonates were asymptomatic at birth or had a palpable abdominal mass (n = 6) and at the time of surgical exploration were found to have an auto-amputated adnexa. 34 out of 46 cases were analyzed in detail. The right adnexa were involved in 56% of the cases. The most common presenting complaint verbalized by the older girls was pain; however, 8 cases were identified in asymptomatic girls undergoing unrelated diagnostic testing. The auto-amputated adnexa is a rare finding in the pediatric population, but it must be considered as a possible explanation for the incidental finding of absence of the fallopian tube or ovary in the subgroup of patients who undergo surgery for any reason. Patients with an antecedent history of pelvic pain either chronic or intermittent in nature may be diagnosed with torsion or less frequently auto-amputation of the adnexa. A fetal "pelvic mass" or "ovarian cyst" may predispose the adnexa to torsion and subsequent auto-amputation either in-utero or post-delivery. Many of these antenatally diagnosed cysts and even subsequent auto-amputations are completely asymptomatic, however, and do not compromise fertility assuming the contralateral adnexa are normal. Thus expectant management is appropriate for small (less than 4 cm), asymptomatic simple cysts and even suspected auto-amputated adnexa in an asymptomatic patient. Copyright © 2013 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Analyzing spatial coherence using a single mobile field sensor.

PubMed

Fridman, Peter

2007-04-01

According to the Van Cittert-Zernike theorem, the intensity distribution of a spatially incoherent source and the mutual coherence function of the light impinging on two wave sensors are related. It is the comparable relationship using a single mobile sensor moving at a certain velocity relative to the source that is calculated in this paper. The auto-corelation function of the electric field at the sensor contains information about the intensity distribution. This expression could be employed in aperture synthesis.

Bimodal spectroscopic evaluation of ultra violet-irradiated mouse skin inflammatory and precancerous stages: instrumentation, spectral feature extraction/selection and classification (k-NN, LDA and SVM)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Díaz-Ayil, G.; Amouroux, M.; Blondel, W. C. P. M.; Bourg-Heckly, G.; Leroux, A.; Guillemin, F.; Granjon, Y.

2009-07-01

This paper deals with the development and application of in vivo spatially-resolved bimodal spectroscopy (AutoFluorescence AF and Diffuse Reflectance DR), to discriminate various stages of skin precancer in a preclinical model (UV-irradiated mouse): Compensatory Hyperplasia CH, Atypical Hyperplasia AH and Dysplasia D. A programmable instrumentation was developed for acquiring AF emission spectra using 7 excitation wavelengths: 360, 368, 390, 400, 410, 420 and 430 nm, and DR spectra in the 390-720 nm wavelength range. After various steps of intensity spectra preprocessing (filtering, spectral correction and intensity normalization), several sets of spectral characteristics were extracted and selected based on their discrimination power statistically tested for every pair-wise comparison of histological classes. Data reduction with Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was performed and 3 classification methods were implemented (k-NN, LDA and SVM), in order to compare diagnostic performance of each method. Diagnostic performance was studied and assessed in terms of sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) as a function of the selected features, of the combinations of 3 different inter-fibers distances and of the numbers of principal components, such that: Se and Sp ≈ 100% when discriminating CH vs. others; Sp ≈ 100% and Se > 95% when discriminating Healthy vs. AH or D; Sp ≈ 74% and Se ≈ 63%for AH vs. D.

Validation of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based Auto-contouring Software Tool for Gross Tumour Delineation in Head and Neck Cancer Radiotherapy Planning.

PubMed

Doshi, T; Wilson, C; Paterson, C; Lamb, C; James, A; MacKenzie, K; Soraghan, J; Petropoulakis, L; Di Caterina, G; Grose, D

2017-01-01

To carry out statistical validation of a newly developed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) auto-contouring software tool for gross tumour volume (GTV) delineation in head and neck tumours to assist in radiotherapy planning. Axial MRI baseline scans were obtained for 10 oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer patients. GTV was present on 102 axial slices and auto-contoured using the modified fuzzy c-means clustering integrated with the level set method (FCLSM). Peer-reviewed (C-gold) manual contours were used as the reference standard to validate auto-contoured GTVs (C-auto) and mean manual contours (C-manual) from two expert clinicians (C1 and C2). Multiple geometric metrics, including the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), were used for quantitative validation. A DSC≥0.7 was deemed acceptable. Inter- and intra-variabilities among the manual contours were also validated. The two-dimensional contours were then reconstructed in three dimensions for GTV volume calculation, comparison and three-dimensional visualisation. The mean DSC between C-gold and C-auto was 0.79. The mean DSC between C-gold and C-manual was 0.79 and that between C1 and C2 was 0.80. The average time for GTV auto-contouring per patient was 8 min (range 6-13 min; mean 45 s per axial slice) compared with 15 min (range 6-23 min; mean 88 s per axial slice) for C1. The average volume concordance between C-gold and C-auto volumes was 86.51% compared with 74.16% between C-gold and C-manual. The average volume concordance between C1 and C2 volumes was 86.82%. This newly designed MRI-based auto-contouring software tool shows initial acceptable results in GTV delineation of oropharyngeal and laryngeal tumours using FCLSM. This auto-contouring software tool may help reduce inter- and intra-variability and can assist clinical oncologists with time-consuming, complex radiotherapy planning. Copyright © 2016 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Correlation Structure of Fractional Pearson Diffusions.

PubMed

Leonenko, Nikolai N; Meerschaert, Mark M; Sikorskii, Alla

2013-09-01

The stochastic solution to a diffusion equations with polynomial coefficients is called a Pearson diffusion. If the first time derivative is replaced by a Caputo fractional derivative of order less than one, the stochastic solution is called a fractional Pearson diffusion. This paper develops an explicit formula for the covariance function of a fractional Pearson diffusion in steady state, in terms of Mittag-Leffler functions. That formula shows that fractional Pearson diffusions are long range dependent, with a correlation that falls off like a power law, whose exponent equals the order of the fractional derivative.

Continuous time random walk model with asymptotical probability density of waiting times via inverse Mittag-Leffler function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Yingjie; Chen, Wen

2018-04-01

The mean squared displacement (MSD) of the traditional ultraslow diffusion is a logarithmic function of time. Recently, the continuous time random walk model is employed to characterize this ultraslow diffusion dynamics by connecting the heavy-tailed logarithmic function and its variation as the asymptotical waiting time density. In this study we investigate the limiting waiting time density of a general ultraslow diffusion model via the inverse Mittag-Leffler function, whose special case includes the traditional logarithmic ultraslow diffusion model. The MSD of the general ultraslow diffusion model is analytically derived as an inverse Mittag-Leffler function, and is observed to increase even more slowly than that of the logarithmic function model. The occurrence of very long waiting time in the case of the inverse Mittag-Leffler function has the largest probability compared with the power law model and the logarithmic function model. The Monte Carlo simulations of one dimensional sample path of a single particle are also performed. The results show that the inverse Mittag-Leffler waiting time density is effective in depicting the general ultraslow random motion.

Use of G-CSF to hasten neutrophil recovery after auto-SCT for AML is not associated with increased relapse incidence: a report from the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the EBMT.

PubMed

Czerw, T; Labopin, M; Gorin, N-C; Giebel, S; Blaise, D; Dumas, P-Y; Foa, R; Attal, M; Schaap, N; Michallet, M; Bonmati, C; Veelken, H; Mohty, M

2014-07-01

Application of G-CSF in AML is controversial as leukemic blasts may express receptors interacting with the cytokine, which may stimulate leukemia growth. We retrospectively analyzed the impact of G-CSF use to accelerate neutrophil recovery after auto-SCT on outcome. Adults with AML in first CR autografted between 1994 and 2010 were included. Nine hundred and seventy two patients were treated with G-CSF after auto-SCT whereas 1121 were not. BM and PB were used as a source of stem cells in 454 (22%) and 1639 (78%) cases, respectively. The incidence of relapse at 5 years in the BM-auto-SCT group was 38% for patients receiving post-transplant G-CSF and 43% for those not treated with G-CSF, P=0.46. In the PB-auto-SCT cohort, respective probabilities were 48% and 49%, P=0.49. No impact of the use of G-CSF could be demonstrated with respect to the probability of leukemia-free survival: in the BM-auto-SCT group, 51% for G-CSF(+) and 48% for G-CSF(-), P=0.73; in PB-auto-SCT group, 42% for G-CSF(+) and 43% for G-CSF(-), P=0.83. Although G-CSF administration significantly shortened the neutropenic phase, no beneficial effect was observed with regard to non-relapse mortality. In patients with AML, the use of G-CSF after auto-SCT is not associated with increased risk of relapse irrespective of the source of stem cells used.

A comparison of the autonomy over tobacco scale and the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence.

PubMed

Difranza, Joseph R; Savageau, Judith A; Wellman, Robert J

2012-07-01

The autonomy over tobacco scale (AUTOS) is a 12-item theory-based instrument used to measure tobacco dependence in smokers. It provides separate measures of three factors that make smoking cessation more difficult: withdrawal symptoms, psychological dependence, and cue-induced urges to use tobacco. We compared the internal reliability and concurrent validity of the AUTOS to those of the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND). Adult current smokers (n=422; 62% female; 86.8% white; mean age 33.3 years, SD=13.7; 57% daily smokers) completed an anonymous web-based survey that included the AUTOS, the FTND and 11 smoking-related behavioral measures. Cronbach's α was .94 for the AUTOS and α>.75 for each of the 3 subscales; α=.73 for the FTND. The AUTOS and its subscales correlated with all measures of concurrent validity (r=.70 between AUTOS & FTND). The AUTOS correlated better than the FTND with the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist, the longest period of abstinence, latency to wanting, percentage of time a person smokes because of momentary need, pleasure from smoking, days smoked per month, and concern about deprivation. The measures showed similar correlations with the latencies to craving and needing. The FTND correlated better with the duration of smoking and cigarettes smoked per day. Based on these results and those from prior studies, we conclude that the AUTOS offers researchers a valid and highly reliable, theory-based measure that is more versatile in its applications than the FTND. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Myocardial function and perfusion in the CREST syndrome variant of progressive systemic sclerosis. Exercise radionuclide evaluation and comparison with diffuse scleroderma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Follansbee, W.P.; Curtiss, E.I.; Medsger, T.A. Jr.

1984-09-01

Myocardial function and perfusion were evaluated in 22 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis with the CREST syndrome using exercise and radionuclide techniques, pulmonary function testing, and chest roentgenography. The results were compared with a similar study of 26 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis with diffuse scleroderma. The prevalence of thallium perfusion abnormalities was similar in the groups with CREST syndrome and diffuse scleroderma, (64 percent versus 77 percent), but the defects were significantly smaller in the CREST syndrome (p less than 0.01). Reperfusion thallium defects in the absence of extramural coronary artery disease were seen in 38 percent of patientsmore » with diffuse scleroderma. This finding was not seen in any of the patients with the CREST syndrome. In diffuse scleroderma, abnormalities of both right and left ventricular function were related to larger thallium perfusion defects. In the CREST syndrome, abnormalities of left ventricular function were minor, were seen only during exercise, and were unrelated to thallium perfusion defects. Abnormal resting right ventricular function was seen in 36 percent of the patients with the CREST syndrome and was associated with an isolated decrease in diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide. It is concluded that the cardiac manifestations of the CREST syndrome are distinct from those found in diffuse scleroderma. Unlike diffuse scleroderma, abnormalities of left ventricular function in the CREST syndrome are minor and are unrelated to abnormalities of coronary perfusion. Right ventricular dysfunction in the CREST syndrome appears to be primarily related to pulmonary vascular disease.« less

Diffuse Optics for Tissue Monitoring and Tomography

PubMed Central

Durduran, T; Choe, R; Baker, W B; Yodh, A G

2015-01-01

This review describes the diffusion model for light transport in tissues and the medical applications of diffuse light. Diffuse optics is particularly useful for measurement of tissue hemodynamics, wherein quantitative assessment of oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin concentrations and blood flow are desired. The theoretical basis for near-infrared or diffuse optical spectroscopy (NIRS or DOS, respectively) is developed, and the basic elements of diffuse optical tomography (DOT) are outlined. We also discuss diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS), a technique whereby temporal correlation functions of diffusing light are transported through tissue and are used to measure blood flow. Essential instrumentation is described, and representative brain and breast functional imaging and monitoring results illustrate the workings of these new tissue diagnostics. PMID:26120204

46 CFR 109.585 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 109.585 Section 109.585 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) A-MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITS OPERATIONS Miscellaneous § 109.585 Use of auto pilot. Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when the automatic pilot is used...

46 CFR 109.585 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 109.585 Section 109.585 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) A-MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITS OPERATIONS Miscellaneous § 109.585 Use of auto pilot. Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when the automatic pilot is used...

46 CFR 109.585 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 109.585 Section 109.585 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) A-MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITS OPERATIONS Miscellaneous § 109.585 Use of auto pilot. Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when the automatic pilot is used...

46 CFR 109.585 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 109.585 Section 109.585 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) A-MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITS OPERATIONS Miscellaneous § 109.585 Use of auto pilot. Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when the automatic pilot is used...

46 CFR 109.585 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 109.585 Section 109.585 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) A-MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITS OPERATIONS Miscellaneous § 109.585 Use of auto pilot. Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when the automatic pilot is used...

16 CFR 640.6 - Rules of construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... credit to finance the purchase of an automobile. If the auto dealer is the person to whom the loan obligation is initially payable, such as where the auto dealer is the original creditor under a retail installment sales contract, the auto dealer must provide the risk-based pricing notice to the consumer (or...

16 CFR 640.6 - Rules of construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... credit to finance the purchase of an automobile. If the auto dealer is the person to whom the loan obligation is initially payable, such as where the auto dealer is the original creditor under a retail installment sales contract, the auto dealer must provide the risk-based pricing notice to the consumer (or...

46 CFR 122.360 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 122.360 Section 122.360 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS CARRYING MORE THAN 150... Requirements § 122.360 Use of auto pilot. Whenever an automatic pilot is used the master shall ensure that: (a...

46 CFR 122.360 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 122.360 Section 122.360 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS CARRYING MORE THAN 150... Requirements § 122.360 Use of auto pilot. Whenever an automatic pilot is used the master shall ensure that: (a...

16 CFR 640.6 - Rules of construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... credit to finance the purchase of an automobile. If the auto dealer is the person to whom the loan obligation is initially payable, such as where the auto dealer is the original creditor under a retail installment sales contract, the auto dealer must provide the risk-based pricing notice to the consumer (or...

46 CFR 122.360 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 122.360 Section 122.360 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS CARRYING MORE THAN 150... Requirements § 122.360 Use of auto pilot. Whenever an automatic pilot is used the master shall ensure that: (a...

16 CFR 640.6 - Rules of construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... credit to finance the purchase of an automobile. If the auto dealer is the person to whom the loan obligation is initially payable, such as where the auto dealer is the original creditor under a retail installment sales contract, the auto dealer must provide the risk-based pricing notice to the consumer (or...

Cool-and Unusual-CAD Applications

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Calhoun, Ken

2004-01-01

This article describes several very useful applications of AutoCAD that may lie outside the normal scope of application. AutoCAD commands used in this article are based on AutoCAD 2000I. The author and his students used a Hewlett Packard 750C DesignJet plotter for plotting. (Contains 5 figures and 5 photos.)

46 CFR 122.360 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 122.360 Section 122.360 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS CARRYING MORE THAN 150... Requirements § 122.360 Use of auto pilot. Whenever an automatic pilot is used the master shall ensure that: (a...

Some Thermophysical Properties of Blood Components and Coolants for Frozen Blood Shipping Containers

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-09-01

SP number by sending a DP reading. Subroutine : AutoControl Automatic control to set temperature. : Autodisplay Get ilL Thermocouple readings and...RETURN 133 AutoControl : Auto control Mode ON TIMER(ReportTime) GOSUB Autodisplay Update Screen in constant interval TIMER ON WHILE Success a 0 Turn off

46 CFR 122.360 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 122.360 Section 122.360 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS CARRYING MORE THAN 150... Requirements § 122.360 Use of auto pilot. Whenever an automatic pilot is used the master shall ensure that: (a...

The effectiveness of stationary automobiles as shelters in accidental releases of toxic materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Engelmann, Rudolf J.; Pendergrass, William R.; White, J. Randy; Hall, Mark E.

The protection offered occupants of stationary automobiles against airborne gases and respirable particles, such as might result from an accidental release, was measured and found to be substantial. For the four autos tested with the air conditioning (AC) system on and in recirculate position, the equilibrium ratios of inside/outside concentrations ( I/ O) for 2-μm diameter particles were less than 0.2, and some ratios were as small as 0.014. With both the AC compressor and the system fan off, the I/ O for five autos ranged from 0.04 to 0.18. These low ratios are primarily a result of deposition within the autos. However, three of the five autos had substantially higher I/ O ratios when the AC fan was on than when off, indicating that for some autos the AC caused significant added intake of outside air. Air exchange rates for the five stationary autos were on the order of 0.5h -1 with AC off, and 2.5 h -1 with AC on.

Sensor-based auto-focusing system using multi-scale feature extraction and phase correlation matching.

PubMed

Jang, Jinbeum; Yoo, Yoonjong; Kim, Jongheon; Paik, Joonki

2015-03-10

This paper presents a novel auto-focusing system based on a CMOS sensor containing pixels with different phases. Robust extraction of features in a severely defocused image is the fundamental problem of a phase-difference auto-focusing system. In order to solve this problem, a multi-resolution feature extraction algorithm is proposed. Given the extracted features, the proposed auto-focusing system can provide the ideal focusing position using phase correlation matching. The proposed auto-focusing (AF) algorithm consists of four steps: (i) acquisition of left and right images using AF points in the region-of-interest; (ii) feature extraction in the left image under low illumination and out-of-focus blur; (iii) the generation of two feature images using the phase difference between the left and right images; and (iv) estimation of the phase shifting vector using phase correlation matching. Since the proposed system accurately estimates the phase difference in the out-of-focus blurred image under low illumination, it can provide faster, more robust auto focusing than existing systems.

Sensor-Based Auto-Focusing System Using Multi-Scale Feature Extraction and Phase Correlation Matching

PubMed Central

Jang, Jinbeum; Yoo, Yoonjong; Kim, Jongheon; Paik, Joonki

2015-01-01

This paper presents a novel auto-focusing system based on a CMOS sensor containing pixels with different phases. Robust extraction of features in a severely defocused image is the fundamental problem of a phase-difference auto-focusing system. In order to solve this problem, a multi-resolution feature extraction algorithm is proposed. Given the extracted features, the proposed auto-focusing system can provide the ideal focusing position using phase correlation matching. The proposed auto-focusing (AF) algorithm consists of four steps: (i) acquisition of left and right images using AF points in the region-of-interest; (ii) feature extraction in the left image under low illumination and out-of-focus blur; (iii) the generation of two feature images using the phase difference between the left and right images; and (iv) estimation of the phase shifting vector using phase correlation matching. Since the proposed system accurately estimates the phase difference in the out-of-focus blurred image under low illumination, it can provide faster, more robust auto focusing than existing systems. PMID:25763645

Functional imaging and assessment of the glucose diffusion rate in epithelial tissues in optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larin, K. V.; Tuchin, V. V.

2008-06-01

Functional imaging, monitoring and quantitative description of glucose diffusion in epithelial and underlying stromal tissues in vivo and controlling of the optical properties of tissues are extremely important for many biomedical applications including the development of noninvasive or minimally invasive glucose sensors as well as for therapy and diagnostics of various diseases, such as cancer, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Recent progress in the development of a noninvasive molecular diffusion biosensor based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) is described. The diffusion of glucose was studied in several epithelial tissues both in vitro and in vivo. Because OCT provides depth-resolved imaging of tissues with high in-depth resolution, the glucose diffusion is described not only as a function of time but also as a function of depth.

Multimodal Diffuse Optical Imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Intes, Xavier; Venugopal, Vivek; Chen, Jin; Azar, Fred S.

Diffuse optical imaging, particularly diffuse optical tomography (DOT), is an emerging clinical modality capable of providing unique functional information, at a relatively low cost, and with nonionizing radiation. Multimodal diffuse optical imaging has enabled a synergistic combination of functional and anatomical information: the quality of DOT reconstructions has been significantly improved by incorporating the structural information derived by the combined anatomical modality. In this chapter, we will review the basic principles of diffuse optical imaging, including instrumentation and reconstruction algorithm design. We will also discuss the approaches for multimodal imaging strategies that integrate DOI with clinically established modalities. The merit of the multimodal imaging approaches is demonstrated in the context of optical mammography, but the techniques described herein can be translated to other clinical scenarios such as brain functional imaging or muscle functional imaging.

[The use of auto mode switching in patients with sick sinus syndrome].

PubMed

Vlasínová, J

2005-01-01

At present the dual chamber pacing, originally developed for patients with AV blockades, is widely used also for patients with Sick sinus syndrome (tachycardic-bradycardic type). But these patients often cause therapeutical problems to their physicians. In these cases either antiarrhythmic therapy is necessary to prevent recurrent supraventricular tachycardias (which are cause of rapid ventricular pacing) or in the case of failure of AA therapy the pacing mode has to be changed to DDI/R, which excludes physiological VAT pacing. The Auto Mode Switching (AMS) function ensures adequate ventricular pacing rate in the time of SV arrhythmias. Effects of dual chamber pacemakers equipped with AMS were studied in a group of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrilation and/or atrial flutter. Therapy brings effects in lower of expenses due to less frequent visits at the physician, lower rate of rehospitalizations and lower need for powerful AA therapy.

Alveolar ridge preservation of an extraction socket using autogenous tooth bone graft material for implant site development: prospective case series

PubMed Central

Yun, Pil-Young; Um, In-Woong; Lee, Hyo-Jung; Yi, Yang-Jin; Bae, Ji-Hyun; Lee, Junho

2014-01-01

This case series evaluated the clinical efficacy of autogenous tooth bone graft material (AutoBT) in alveolar ridge preservation of an extraction socket. Thirteen patients who received extraction socket graft using AutoBT followed by delayed implant placements from Nov. 2008 to Aug. 2010 were evaluated. A total of fifteen implants were placed. The primary and secondary stability of the placed implants were an average of 58 ISQ and 77.9 ISQ, respectively. The average amount of crestal bone loss around the implant was 0.05 mm during an average of 22.5 months (from 12 to 34 months) of functional loading. Newly formed tissues were evident from the 3-month specimen. Within the limitations of this case, autogenous tooth bone graft material can be a favorable bone substitute for extraction socket graft due to its good bone remodeling and osteoconductivity. PMID:25551013

Time-frequency approach to underdetermined blind source separation.

PubMed

Xie, Shengli; Yang, Liu; Yang, Jun-Mei; Zhou, Guoxu; Xiang, Yong

2012-02-01

This paper presents a new time-frequency (TF) underdetermined blind source separation approach based on Wigner-Ville distribution (WVD) and Khatri-Rao product to separate N non-stationary sources from M(M <; N) mixtures. First, an improved method is proposed for estimating the mixing matrix, where the negative value of the auto WVD of the sources is fully considered. Then after extracting all the auto-term TF points, the auto WVD value of the sources at every auto-term TF point can be found out exactly with the proposed approach no matter how many active sources there are as long as N ≤ 2M-1. Further discussion about the extraction of auto-term TF points is made and finally the numerical simulation results are presented to show the superiority of the proposed algorithm by comparing it with the existing ones.

Depression May Reduce Adherence during CPAP Titration Trial

PubMed Central

Law, Mandy; Naughton, Matthew; Ho, Sally; Roebuck, Teanau; Dabscheck, Eli

2014-01-01

Study Objectives: Depression is a risk factor for medication non-compliance. We aimed to identify if depression is associated with poorer adherence during home-based autotitrating continuous positive airway pressure (autoPAP) titration. Design: Mixed retrospective-observational study. Setting: Academic center. Participants: Two-hundred forty continuous positive airway pressure-naïve obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. Measurements: Patients underwent approximately 1 week of home-based autoPAP titration with adherence data downloaded from the device. Electronic hospital records were reviewed in a consecutive manner for inclusion. Three areas of potential predictors were examined: (i) demographics and clinical factors, (ii) disease severity, and (iii) device-related variables. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Scores on the subscales were categorized as normal or clinical diagnoses of depression (≥ 8) and anxiety (≥ 11). The primary outcome variable was the mean hours of autoPAP used per night. Results: Patients were diagnosed with OSA by either attended polysomnography (n = 73, AHI 25.5[15.1-41.5]) or unattended home oximetry (n = 167, ODI3 34.0[22.4-57.4]) and had home-based autoPAP titration over 6.2 ± 1.2 nights. Mean autoPAP use was 4.5 ± 2.4 hours per night. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that depression and lower 95th percentile pressures significantly predicted lesser hours of autoPAP use (R2 = 0.19, p < 0.001). Significantly milder OSA in those requiring lower pressures may have confounded the relationship between 95th percentile pressure and autoPAP use. Conclusion: Depression was independently associated with poorer adherence during home-based autoPAP titration. Depression may be a potential target for clinicians and future research aimed at enhancing adherence to autoPAP therapy. Citation: Law M; Naughton M; Ho S; Roebuck T; Dabscheck E. Depression may reduce adherence during CPAP titration trial. J Clin Sleep Med 2014;10(2):163-169. PMID:24532999

The History of the Data Systems AutoChemist® (ACH) and AutoChemist- PRISMA (PRISMA®): from 1964 to 1986.

PubMed

Ohlsén, L; Jungner, I; Peterson, H E

2014-05-22

This paper presents the history of data system development steps (1964 - 1986) for the clinical analyzers AutoChemist®, and its successor AutoChemist PRISMA® (PRogrammable Individually Selective Modular Analyzer). The paper also partly recounts the history of development steps of the minicomputer PDP 8 from Digital Equipment. The first PDP 8 had 4 core memory boards of 1 K each and was large as a typical oven baking sheet and about 10 years later, PDP 8 was a "one chip microcomputer" with a 32 K memory chip. The fast developments of PDP 8 come to have a strong influence on the development of the data system for AutoChemist. Five major releases of the software were made during this period (1-5 MIACH). The most important aims were not only to calculate the results, but also be able to monitor their quality and automatically manage the orders, store the results in digital form for later statistical analysis and distribute the results to the physician in charge of the patient using thesame computer as the analyzer. Another result of the data system was the ability to customize AutoChemist to handle sample identification by using bar codes and the presentation of results to different types of laboratories. Digital Equipment launched the PDP 8 just as a new minicomputer was desperately needed. No other known alternatives were available at the time. This was to become a key success factor for AutoChemist. That the AutoChemist with such a high capacity required a computer for data collection was obvious already in the early 1960s. That computer development would be so rapid and that one would be able to accomplish so much with a data system was even suspicious at the time. In total, 75; AutoChemist (31) and PRISMA (44) were delivered Worldwide. The last PRISMA was delivered in 1987 to the Veteran Hospital Houston, TX USA.

Evaluation of a commercial automatic treatment planning system for prostate cancers.

PubMed

Nawa, Kanabu; Haga, Akihiro; Nomoto, Akihiro; Sarmiento, Raniel A; Shiraishi, Kenshiro; Yamashita, Hideomi; Nakagawa, Keiichi

2017-01-01

Recent developments in Radiation Oncology treatment planning have led to the development of software packages that facilitate automated intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) planning. Such solutions include site-specific modules, plan library methods, and algorithm-based methods. In this study, the plan quality for prostate cancer generated by the Auto-Planning module of the Pinnacle 3 radiation therapy treatment planning system (v9.10, Fitchburg, WI) is retrospectively evaluated. The Auto-Planning module of Pinnacle 3 uses a progressive optimization algorithm. Twenty-three prostate cancer cases, which had previously been planned and treated without lymph node irradiation, were replanned using the Auto-Planning module. Dose distributions were statistically compared with those of manual planning by the paired t-test at 5% significance level. Auto-Planning was performed without any manual intervention. Planning target volume (PTV) dose and dose to rectum were comparable between Auto-Planning and manual planning. The former, however, significantly reduced the dose to the bladder and femurs. Regression analysis was performed to examine the correlation between volume overlap between bladder and PTV divided by the total bladder volume and resultant V70. The findings showed that manual planning typically exhibits a logistic way for dose constraint, whereas Auto-Planning shows a more linear tendency. By calculating the Akaike information criterion (AIC) to validate the statistical model, a reduction of interoperator variation in Auto-Planning was shown. We showed that, for prostate cancer, the Auto-Planning module provided plans that are better than or comparable with those of manual planning. By comparing our results with those previously reported for head and neck cancer treatment, we recommend the homogeneous plan quality generated by the Auto-Planning module, which exhibits less dependence on anatomic complexity. Copyright © 2017 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Directly auto-transplanted mesenchymal stem cells induce bone formation in a ceramic bone substitute in an ectopic sheep model

PubMed Central

Boos, Anja M; Loew, Johanna S; Deschler, Gloria; Arkudas, Andreas; Bleiziffer, Oliver; Gulle, Heinz; Dragu, Adrian; Kneser, Ulrich; Horch, Raymund E; Beier, Justus P

2011-01-01

Abstract Bone tissue engineering approaches increasingly focus on the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). In most animal transplantation models MSC are isolated and expanded before auto cell transplantation which might be critical for clinical application in the future. Hence this study compares the potential of directly auto-transplanted versus in vitro expanded MSC with or without bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) to induce bone formation in a large volume ceramic bone substitute in the sheep model. MSC were isolated from bone marrow aspirates and directly auto-transplanted or expanded in vitro and characterized using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and RT-PCR analysis before subcutaneous implantation in combination with BMP-2 and β-tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite (β-TCP/HA) granules. Constructs were explanted after 1 to 12 weeks followed by histological and RT-PCR evaluation. Sheep MSC were CD29+, CD44+ and CD166+ after selection by Ficoll gradient centrifugation, while directly auto-transplanted MSC-populations expressed CD29 and CD166 at lower levels. Both, directly auto-transplanted and expanded MSC, were constantly proliferating and had a decreasing apoptosis over time in vivo. Directly auto-transplanted MSC led to de novo bone formation in a heterotopic sheep model using a β-TCP/HA matrix comparable to the application of 60 μg/ml BMP-2 only or implantation of expanded MSC. Bone matrix proteins were up-regulated in constructs following direct auto-transplantation and in expanded MSC as well as in BMP-2 constructs. Up-regulation was detected using immunohistology methods and RT-PCR. Dense vascularization was demonstrated by CD31 immunohistology staining in all three groups. Ectopic bone could be generated using directly auto-transplanted or expanded MSC with β-TCP/HA granules alone. Hence BMP-2 stimulation might become dispensable in the future, thus providing an attractive, clinically feasible approach to bone tissue engineering. PMID:20636333

System for monitoring an industrial process and determining sensor status

DOEpatents

Gross, K.C.; Hoyer, K.K.; Humenik, K.E.

1995-10-17

A method and system for monitoring an industrial process and a sensor are disclosed. The method and system include generating a first and second signal characteristic of an industrial process variable. One of the signals can be an artificial signal generated by an auto regressive moving average technique. After obtaining two signals associated with one physical variable, a difference function is obtained by determining the arithmetic difference between the two pairs of signals over time. A frequency domain transformation is made of the difference function to obtain Fourier modes describing a composite function. A residual function is obtained by subtracting the composite function from the difference function and the residual function (free of nonwhite noise) is analyzed by a statistical probability ratio test. 17 figs.

System for monitoring an industrial process and determining sensor status

DOEpatents

Gross, K.C.; Hoyer, K.K.; Humenik, K.E.

1997-05-13

A method and system are disclosed for monitoring an industrial process and a sensor. The method and system include generating a first and second signal characteristic of an industrial process variable. One of the signals can be an artificial signal generated by an auto regressive moving average technique. After obtaining two signals associated with one physical variable, a difference function is obtained by determining the arithmetic difference between the two pairs of signals over time. A frequency domain transformation is made of the difference function to obtain Fourier modes describing a composite function. A residual function is obtained by subtracting the composite function from the difference function and the residual function (free of nonwhite noise) is analyzed by a statistical probability ratio test. 17 figs.

System for monitoring an industrial process and determining sensor status

DOEpatents

Gross, Kenneth C.; Hoyer, Kristin K.; Humenik, Keith E.

1995-01-01

A method and system for monitoring an industrial process and a sensor. The method and system include generating a first and second signal characteristic of an industrial process variable. One of the signals can be an artificial signal generated by an auto regressive moving average technique. After obtaining two signals associated with one physical variable, a difference function is obtained by determining the arithmetic difference between the two pairs of signals over time. A frequency domain transformation is made of the difference function to obtain Fourier modes describing a composite function. A residual function is obtained by subtracting the composite function from the difference function and the residual function (free of nonwhite noise) is analyzed by a statistical probability ratio test.

System for monitoring an industrial process and determining sensor status

DOEpatents

Gross, Kenneth C.; Hoyer, Kristin K.; Humenik, Keith E.

1997-01-01

A method and system for monitoring an industrial process and a sensor. The method and system include generating a first and second signal characteristic of an industrial process variable. One of the signals can be an artificial signal generated by an auto regressive moving average technique. After obtaining two signals associated with one physical variable, a difference function is obtained by determining the arithmetic difference between the two pairs of signals over time. A frequency domain transformation is made of the difference function to obtain Fourier modes describing a composite function. A residual function is obtained by subtracting the composite function from the difference function and the residual function (free of nonwhite noise) is analyzed by a statistical probability ratio test.

New auto-tuning technique for the hydrogen maser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sydnor, R. L.; Maleki, L.

1983-01-01

Auto-tuning of the maser cavity compensates for cavity pulling effect, and other sources of contribution to the long term frequency drift. Schemes previously proposed for the maser cavity auto-tuning can have adverse effects on the performance of the maser. A new scheme is proposed based on the phase relationship between the electric and the magnetic fields inside the cavity. This technique has the desired feature of auto-tuning the cavity with a very high sensitivity and without disturbing the maser performance. Some approaches for the implementation of this scheme and possible areas of difficulty are examined.

Adrenaline auto-injectors for the treatment of anaphylaxis with and without cardiovascular collapse in the community.

PubMed

Sheikh, Aziz; Simons, F Estelle R; Barbour, Victoria; Worth, Allison

2012-08-15

Anaphylaxis is a serious hypersensitivity reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death. Adrenaline (epinephrine) auto-injectors are recommended as the initial, potentially life-saving treatment of choice for anaphylaxis in the community, but they are not universally available and have limitations in their use. To assess the effectiveness of adrenaline (epinephrine) auto-injectors in relieving respiratory, cardiovascular, and other symptoms during episodes of anaphylaxis that occur in the community. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 1), MEDLINE (Ovid SP) (1950 to January 2012), EMBASE (Ovid SP) (1980 to January 2012 ), CINAHL (EBSCO host) (1982 to January 2012 ), AMED (EBSCO host) (1985 to January 2012 ), LILACS, (BIREME) (1980 to January 2012 ), ISI Web of Science (1950 to January 2012 ). We adapted our search terms for other databases. We also searched websites listing on-going trials: the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, the UK Clinical Research Network Study Portfolio, and the meta Register of Controlled Trials; and contacted pharmaceutical companies who manufacture adrenaline auto-injectors in an attempt to locate unpublished material. Randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing auto-injector administration of adrenaline with any control including no intervention, placebo, or other adrenergic agonists were eligible for inclusion. Two authors independently assessed articles for inclusion. None of the 1328 studies that were identified satisfied the inclusion criteria. Based on this review, we cannot make any new recommendations on the effectiveness of adrenaline auto-injectors for the treatment of anaphylaxis. Although randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials of high methodological quality are necessary to define the true extent of benefits from the administration of adrenaline in anaphylaxis via an auto-injector, such trials are unlikely to be performed in individuals experiencing anaphylaxis because of ethical concerns associated with randomization to placebo. There is, however, a need to consider trials in which, for example, auto-injectors of different doses of adrenaline and differing devices are compared in order to provide greater clarity on the dose and device of choice. Such trials would be practically challenging to conduct. In the absence of appropriate trials, we recommend that adrenaline administration by auto-injector should still be regarded as the most effective first-line treatment for the management of anaphylaxis in the community. In countries where auto-injectors are not commonly used, it may be possible to conduct trials to compare administration of adrenaline via auto-injector with adrenaline administered by syringe and ampoule, or comparing the effectiveness of two different types of auto-injector.

Should we systematically test patients with clinically isolated syndrome for auto-antibodies?

PubMed

Negrotto, Laura; Tur, Carmen; Tintoré, Mar; Arrambide, Georgina; Sastre-Garriga, Jaume; Río, Jordi; Comabella, Manuel; Nos, Carlos; Galán, Ingrid; Vidal-Jordana, Angela; Simon, Eva; Castilló, Joaquín; Palavra, Filipe; Mitjana, Raquel; Auger, Cristina; Rovira, Àlex; Montalban, Xavier

2015-12-01

Several autoimmune diseases (ADs) can mimic multiple sclerosis (MS). For this reason, testing for auto-antibodies (auto-Abs) is often included in the diagnostic work-up of patients with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). The purpose was to study how useful it was to systematically determine antinuclear-antibodies, anti-SSA and anti-SSB in a non-selected cohort of CIS patients, regarding the identification of other ADs that could represent an alternative diagnosis. From a prospective CIS cohort, we selected 772 patients in which auto-Ab levels were tested within the first year from CIS. Baseline characteristics of auto-Ab positive and negative patients were compared. A retrospective revision of clinical records was then performed in the auto-Ab positive patients to identify those who developed ADs during follow-up. One or more auto-Ab were present in 29.4% of patients. Only 1.8% of patients developed other ADs during a mean follow-up of 6.6 years. In none of these cases the concurrent AD was considered the cause of the CIS. In all cases the diagnosis of the AD resulted from the development of signs and/or symptoms suggestive of each disease. Antinuclear-antibodies, anti-SSA and anti-SSB should not be routinely determined in CIS patients but only in those presenting symptoms suggestive of other ADs. © The Author(s), 2015.

Evaluation of autoCPAP devices in home treatment of sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.

PubMed

Meurice, J C; Cornette, A; Philip-Joet, F; Pepin, J L; Escourrou, P; Ingrand, P; Veale, D

2007-11-01

Quality of life (QOL) and sleepiness for patients with sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) might improve with continuous positive airway pressure devices working in auto-adjust mode (autoCPAP) by allowing pressure modulations following patient needs. Clinical comparisons between devices driven by different algorithms are needed. We compared the clinical effectiveness of fixed pressure CPAP and four different autoCPAP devices by assessing compliance and QOL (36-item short-form health survey [SF-36]). SAHS patients were randomly allocated to five groups. Polysomnography (PSG) was performed to titrate the effective pressure in the constant CPAP group and evaluate residual apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) under autoCPAP. Follow-up consisted of clinical visits at three and six months by homecare technicians who assessed compliance, symptom scores and SF-36 scores. A laboratory-based PSG using the same CPAP/autoCPAP device as at home was performed at six months. Eighty-three patients (mean age 56+/-10 yrs) with mean body mass index (BMI) 30.8+/-5.3 kg/m(2) and severe SAHS (mean AHI: 52.3+/-17.8/h) were included. There were no differences in clinical symptoms or QOL scores, and similar clinical and PSG improvements were seen in all groups. CPAP use was >5 h per night, without any significant difference between groups. AutoCPAP is equally as effective as fixed CPAP for long-term home treatment in severe SAHS patients.

Psychometric properties of the Autonomy over Tobacco Scale in German.

PubMed

Wellman, R J; Di Franza, J R; Morgenstern, M; Hanewinkel, R; Isensee, B; Sabiston, C M

2012-01-01

We investigated the psychometric properties of a German translation of the 12-item Autonomy over Tobacco Scale (AUTOS) among 1,195 eighth-grade students. Data for this study were collected as part of the fourth wave of data collection of the Smokefree Class Competition intervention in the Saxony-Anhalt region of Germany. Students from the control arm of the Smokefree Class Competition study who indicated that they had ever smoked 'at least a few puffs' on a cigarette were classified as ever-smokers. They self-completed questionnaires distributed by teachers. AUTOS scores ranged from 0 to 36 with a distribution highly skewed toward lower-response categories. Inter-item correlations ranged from 0.65 to 0.89 (mean = 0.79, SD = 0.06). Composite reliability for the AUTOS was high (Ω = 0.96) and 3 lower-order factors were also reliable (withdrawal: 0.89, psychological dependence: 0.91, cue-induced cravings: 0.87). Concurrent validity was supported by strong relationships between the AUTOS and both lifetime cigarette consumption and current smoking frequency. Youths were 18 times more likely to be current smokers (95% CI = 11.9-27.2, p < 0.001) if they endorsed any AUTOS item. The German AUTOS is reliable and valid, and the results are consistent with the English AUTOS for use with adolescents. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Autoantibody Signaling in Pemphigus Vulgaris: Development of an Integrated Model

PubMed Central

Sajda, Thomas; Sinha, Animesh A.

2018-01-01

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune skin blistering disease effecting both cutaneous and mucosal epithelia. Blister formation in PV is known to result from the binding of autoantibodies (autoAbs) to keratinocyte antigens. The primary antigenic targets of pathogenic autoAbs are known to be desmoglein 3, and to a lesser extent, desmoglein 1, cadherin family proteins that partially comprise the desmosome, a protein structure responsible for maintaining cell adhesion, although additional autoAbs, whose role in blister formation is still unclear, are also known to be present in PV patients. Nevertheless, there remain large gaps in knowledge concerning the precise mechanisms through which autoAb binding induces blister formation. Consequently, the primary therapeutic interventions for PV focus on systemic immunosuppression, whose side effects represent a significant health risk to patients. In an effort to identify novel, disease-specific therapeutic targets, a multitude of studies attempting to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms downstream of autoAb binding, have led to significant advancements in the understanding of autoAb-mediated blister formation. Despite this enhanced characterization of disease processes, a satisfactory explanation of autoAb-induced acantholysis still does not exist. Here, we carefully review the literature investigating the pathogenic disease mechanisms in PV and, taking into account the full scope of results from these studies, provide a novel, comprehensive theory of blister formation in PV. PMID:29755451

Effectiveness of autologous fibrin tissue adhesive in reducing postoperative blood loss during total hip arthroplasty: a prospective randomised study of 100 cases.

PubMed

Mawatari, M; Higo, T; Tsutsumi, Y; Shigematsu, M; Hotokebuchi, T

2006-08-01

To evaluate the effectiveness of autologous fibrin tissue adhesive (auto-FTA) in reducing blood loss during cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA). From September 2000 to August 2001, 100 patients who predonated 400 ml of autologous blood were randomised to undergo either standard treatment with auto-FTA (auto-FTA group) or standard treatment alone (control group). The volume of postoperative blood loss and the decrease in haemoglobin level were measured. All patients were followed up for 3 years to evaluate the rate of bone ingrowth and heterotopic ossification. The mean postoperative blood loss was 580 ml (standard deviation [SD], 240 ml) in the auto-FTA group and 810 ml (SD, 341 ml) in the control group; the difference was significant (230 ml, p<0.001). The decrease in haemoglobin concentration was 17 g/l (SD, 11 g/l) in the auto-FTA group and 22 g/l (SD, 12 g/l) in the control group. The difference was significant (5 g/l, p=0.03). The percentage of total blood loss of >1200 ml in any single patient was significantly lower in the auto-FTA group (4%) than in the control group (20%) [p=0.01]. Auto-FTA is a safe and effective means of reducing perioperative blood loss in THA.

What are the 'ideal' features of an adrenaline (epinephrine) auto-injector in the treatment of anaphylaxis?

PubMed

Frew, A J

2011-01-01

Anaphylaxis is a systemic allergic reaction that often involves respiratory symptoms and cardiovascular collapse, which are potentially life-threatening if not treated promptly with intramuscular adrenaline. Owing to the unpredictable nature of anaphylaxis and accidental exposure to allergens (such as peanuts and shellfish), patients should be prescribed intramuscular adrenaline auto-injectors and carry these with them at all times. Patients also need to be able to use their auto-injectors correctly while under high stress, when an anaphylactic attack occurs. Despite this, an alarming number of patients fail to carry their auto-injectors and many patients, carers of children with known anaphylaxis and healthcare professionals do not know how to use the device correctly, despite having had training. Currently available auto-injector devices have various limitations that may impede their use in the management of anaphylaxis. There is also a lack of validated assessment criteria and regulatory requirements for new devices. This review describes the different delivery systems used in currently available auto-injectors and discusses the key barriers to the use of adrenaline auto-injectors, with the goal of identifying the 'ideal' features/characteristics of such devices in the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis that will ensure ease of use, portability and accurate delivery of a life-saving drug. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Method for improving catalyst function in auto-thermal and partial oxidation reformer-based processors

DOEpatents

Ahmed, Shabbir; Papadias, Dionissios D.; Lee, Sheldon H.D.; Ahluwalia, Rajesh K.

2014-08-26

The invention provides a method for reforming fuel, the method comprising contacting the fuel to an oxidation catalyst so as to partially oxidize the fuel and generate heat; warming incoming fuel with the heat while simultaneously warming a reforming catalyst with the heat; and reacting the partially oxidized fuel with steam using the reforming catalyst.

'Intelligent' system's cost-cutting power.

PubMed

Dodge, Jeremy

2010-05-01

Jeremy Dodge, business manager at Marshall Tufflex Energy Management, explains how a voltage optimisation system that, in a claimed industry first, uses "auto-transformers" to reduce incoming mains electricity voltage so that electrical equipment receives precisely the "outgoing feed" it needs to function optimally and no more, thus significantly reducing wastage, can help major electricity users cut their bills "by as much as 25%".

Apprentissage auto-dirige: Quand les chiffres parlent (Self-Directed Learning: Figures Speak for Themselves).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abe, Daniele; Gremmo, Marie-Jose

The functioning of the semi-autonomous learning system (SAAS) at the Centre de Recherches et d'Applications Pedagogiques en Langues (CRAPEL) was surveyed for the academic year 1980-81. Detailed data were collected about learners' aims, language level, and their assessment of the SAAS, as well as about the way they actually used the system. This…

Assessing the efficacy of the SWAT auto-irrigation function to simulate Irrigation, evapotranspiration and crop response to irrigation management strategies of the Texas High Plains

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model is widely used for simulation of hydrologic processes at various temporal and spatial scales. Less common are long-term simulation analyses of water balance components including agricultural management practices such as irrigation management. In the se...

General Urban Warfare Amphibious Logistics Applications. Volume 1. Technical Report.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-06-23

Support V-192 Dental V-194 Food Service V-196 Postal, Administration , and Band V-198 Exchange Service V-199 Special Service Clubs V-200 Ecclesiastical...AUTO DATA PROCESFING MILITARY POLICE LANDING SUPPORT FOOD SERVICE COMMUNICATIONS POSTAL MAINTENANCE ADMINISTRATION GRAVES REGISTRATION ECCLESIASTICAL...Impact * The CSS functions of Financial Management, Automated Data Processing, Food Service , Postal, Administration , Ecclesiastical Services , and

12 CFR 222.73 - Content, form, and timing of risk-based pricing notices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... financing the purchase of an automobile from an auto dealer or other party that is not affiliated with the...)(4), as applicable; or (ii) Arranges to have the auto dealer or other party provide a notice... maintains reasonable policies and procedures to verify that the auto dealer or other party provides such...

Auto Trade Policy and the Press: Auto Elite as a Source of the Media Agenda.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chang, Kuang-Kuo

1999-01-01

Contributes to scholarship on agenda setting and news reporting of international-trade issues. Uses content analysis to show that the auto elite set the agenda for the "New York Times" and the "Detroit News." Shows that the "Detroit News" was more likely than the "New York Times" to be more biased,…

77 FR 27108 - Order of Suspension of Trading; In the Matter of Anthracite Capital, Inc., Auto Data Network Inc...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-08

... of Anthracite Capital, Inc., Auto Data Network Inc., Avenue Group, Inc., Ckrush, Inc., Clickable... securities of Auto Data Network Inc. because it has not filed any periodic reports since the period ended... accurate information concerning the securities of Avenue Group, Inc. because it has not filed any periodic...

46 CFR 28.875 - Radar, depth sounding, and auto-pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 46 Shipping 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Radar, depth sounding, and auto-pilot. 28.875 Section 28... COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY VESSELS Aleutian Trade Act Vessels § 28.875 Radar, depth sounding, and auto-pilot. (a) Each vessel must be fitted with a general marine radar system for surface navigation with a radar...

My Story in a Profession of Stories: Auto Ethnography-- An Empowering Methodology for Educators

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dyson, Michael

2007-01-01

This paper highlights a distinctive way to research and present issues within education using metaphor and the qualitative narrative methodology known as auto ethnography. Auto ethnographic writing links the personal to the cultural and is recognised as a methodology that combines the method with the writing of the text, which in turn explicates…

46 CFR 167.65-35 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 7 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 167.65-35 Section 167.65-35 Shipping COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) NAUTICAL SCHOOLS PUBLIC NAUTICAL SCHOOL SHIPS Special Operating Requirements § 167.65-35 Use of auto pilot. Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when...

The Role of Cultural Context in Continuing Vocational Training: A Study on Auto Repairmen in Turkey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Akbas, Oktay

2011-01-01

This study analysed how auto repairmen working in micro-enterprises undertake continuing vocational training in relation to cultural context. The study was conducted in Kirikkale, a city in central Anatolia in Turkey. To this end, the descriptive research technique of structured interview was used. Interviews with 33 auto repairmen were recorded…

46 CFR 167.65-35 - Use of auto pilot.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 46 Shipping 7 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Use of auto pilot. 167.65-35 Section 167.65-35 Shipping... Special Operating Requirements § 167.65-35 Use of auto pilot. Except as provided in 33 CFR 164.15, when the automatic pilot is used in— (a) Areas of high traffic density; (b) Conditions of restricted...

Redacting with Confidence: How to Safely Publish Sanitized Reports Converted from Word to PDF

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-02-02

select Insert->Picture-> Autoshapes from the top menu bar (this opens the AutoShapes toolbar). Select the rectangle from the Autoshapes toolbar as in... AutoShape from the menu as in Figure 6 (this opens the Format AutoShape dialog box), select the Size tab, enter the desired height and width of the

Development of a real-time wave field reconstruction TEM system (II): correction of coma aberration and 3-fold astigmatism, and real-time correction of 2-fold astigmatism.

PubMed

Tamura, Takahiro; Kimura, Yoshihide; Takai, Yoshizo

2018-02-01

In this study, a function for the correction of coma aberration, 3-fold astigmatism and real-time correction of 2-fold astigmatism was newly incorporated into a recently developed real-time wave field reconstruction TEM system. The aberration correction function was developed by modifying the image-processing software previously designed for auto focus tracking, as described in the first article of this series. Using the newly developed system, the coma aberration and 3-fold astigmatism were corrected using the aberration coefficients obtained experimentally before the processing was carried out. In this study, these aberration coefficients were estimated from an apparent 2-fold astigmatism induced under tilted-illumination conditions. In contrast, 2-fold astigmatism could be measured and corrected in real time from the reconstructed wave field. Here, the measurement precision for 2-fold astigmatism was found to be ±0.4 nm and ±2°. All of these aberration corrections, as well as auto focus tracking, were performed at a video frame rate of 1/30 s. Thus, the proposed novel system is promising for quantitative and reliable in situ observations, particularly in environmental TEM applications.

Mechanisms underlying autoimmune synaptic encephalitis leading to disorders of memory, behavior and cognition: insights from molecular, cellular and synaptic studies

PubMed Central

Moscato, Emilia H.; Jain, Ankit; Peng, Xiaoyu; Hughes, Ethan G.; Dalmau, Josep; Balice-Gordon, Rita J.

2010-01-01

Recently, several novel, potentially lethal, and treatment-responsive syndromes that affect hippocampal and cortical function have been shown to be associated with auto-antibodies against synaptic antigens, notably glutamate or GABA-B receptors. Patients with these auto-antibodies, sometimes associated with teratomas and other neoplasms, present with psychiatric symptoms, seizures, memory deficits, and decreased level of consciousness. These symptoms often improve dramatically after immunotherapy or tumor resection. Here we discuss studies of the cellular and synaptic effects of these antibodies in hippocampal neurons in vitro and preliminary work in rodent models. Our work suggests that patient antibodies lead to rapid and reversible removal of neurotransmitter receptors from synaptic sites, leading to changes in synaptic and circuit function that in turn are likely to lead to behavioral deficits. We also discuss several of the many questions raised by these and related disorders. Determining the mechanisms underlying these novel anti-neurotransmitter receptor encephalopathies will provide insights into the cellular and synaptic bases of the memory and cognitive deficits that are hallmarks of these disorders, and potentially suggest avenues for therapeutic intervention. PMID:20646055

Diffusion in different models of active Brownian motion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindner, B.; Nicola, E. M.

2008-04-01

Active Brownian particles (ABP) have served as phenomenological models of self-propelled motion in biology. We study the effective diffusion coefficient of two one-dimensional ABP models (simplified depot model and Rayleigh-Helmholtz model) differing in their nonlinear friction functions. Depending on the choice of the friction function the diffusion coefficient does or does not attain a minimum as a function of noise intensity. We furthermore discuss the case of an additional bias breaking the left-right symmetry of the system. We show that this bias induces a drift and that it generally reduces the diffusion coefficient. For a finite range of values of the bias, both models can exhibit a maximum in the diffusion coefficient vs. noise intensity.

A proposed framework for consensus-based lung tumour volume auto-segmentation in 4D computed tomography imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Spencer; Brophy, Mark; Palma, David; Louie, Alexander V.; Yu, Edward; Yaremko, Brian; Ahmad, Belal; Barron, John L.; Beauchemin, Steven S.; Rodrigues, George; Gaede, Stewart

2015-02-01

This work aims to propose and validate a framework for tumour volume auto-segmentation based on ground-truth estimates derived from multi-physician input contours to expedite 4D-CT based lung tumour volume delineation. 4D-CT datasets of ten non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients were manually segmented by 6 physicians. Multi-expert ground truth (GT) estimates were constructed using the STAPLE algorithm for the gross tumour volume (GTV) on all respiratory phases. Next, using a deformable model-based method, multi-expert GT on each individual phase of the 4D-CT dataset was propagated to all other phases providing auto-segmented GTVs and motion encompassing internal gross target volumes (IGTVs) based on GT estimates (STAPLE) from each respiratory phase of the 4D-CT dataset. Accuracy assessment of auto-segmentation employed graph cuts for 3D-shape reconstruction and point-set registration-based analysis yielding volumetric and distance-based measures. STAPLE-based auto-segmented GTV accuracy ranged from (81.51  ±  1.92) to (97.27  ±  0.28)% volumetric overlap of the estimated ground truth. IGTV auto-segmentation showed significantly improved accuracies with reduced variance for all patients ranging from 90.87 to 98.57% volumetric overlap of the ground truth volume. Additional metrics supported these observations with statistical significance. Accuracy of auto-segmentation was shown to be largely independent of selection of the initial propagation phase. IGTV construction based on auto-segmented GTVs within the 4D-CT dataset provided accurate and reliable target volumes compared to manual segmentation-based GT estimates. While inter-/intra-observer effects were largely mitigated, the proposed segmentation workflow is more complex than that of current clinical practice and requires further development.

A proposed framework for consensus-based lung tumour volume auto-segmentation in 4D computed tomography imaging.

PubMed

Martin, Spencer; Brophy, Mark; Palma, David; Louie, Alexander V; Yu, Edward; Yaremko, Brian; Ahmad, Belal; Barron, John L; Beauchemin, Steven S; Rodrigues, George; Gaede, Stewart

2015-02-21

This work aims to propose and validate a framework for tumour volume auto-segmentation based on ground-truth estimates derived from multi-physician input contours to expedite 4D-CT based lung tumour volume delineation. 4D-CT datasets of ten non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients were manually segmented by 6 physicians. Multi-expert ground truth (GT) estimates were constructed using the STAPLE algorithm for the gross tumour volume (GTV) on all respiratory phases. Next, using a deformable model-based method, multi-expert GT on each individual phase of the 4D-CT dataset was propagated to all other phases providing auto-segmented GTVs and motion encompassing internal gross target volumes (IGTVs) based on GT estimates (STAPLE) from each respiratory phase of the 4D-CT dataset. Accuracy assessment of auto-segmentation employed graph cuts for 3D-shape reconstruction and point-set registration-based analysis yielding volumetric and distance-based measures. STAPLE-based auto-segmented GTV accuracy ranged from (81.51  ±  1.92) to (97.27  ±  0.28)% volumetric overlap of the estimated ground truth. IGTV auto-segmentation showed significantly improved accuracies with reduced variance for all patients ranging from 90.87 to 98.57% volumetric overlap of the ground truth volume. Additional metrics supported these observations with statistical significance. Accuracy of auto-segmentation was shown to be largely independent of selection of the initial propagation phase. IGTV construction based on auto-segmented GTVs within the 4D-CT dataset provided accurate and reliable target volumes compared to manual segmentation-based GT estimates. While inter-/intra-observer effects were largely mitigated, the proposed segmentation workflow is more complex than that of current clinical practice and requires further development.

Outpatient Utilization by Infants Auto-assigned to Medicaid Managed Care Plans

PubMed Central

Cohn, Lisa M.; Clark, Sarah J.

2013-01-01

To test the hypothesis that infants auto-assigned to a Medicaid managed care plan would have lower primary care and higher emergency department (ED) utilization compared to infants with a chosen plan. Retrospective cohort study. Medicaid administrative data were used to identify all children 0–3 months of age at enrollment in Michigan Medicaid managed care in 2005–2008 with 18-months of subsequent enrollment. Medicaid encounter and state immunization registry data were then acquired. Auto-assigned infants were compared versus chosen plan infants on: (1) well-child visits (WCVs); (2) immunizations; (3) acute office visits; and (4) ED visits. Chi squared and rank-sum tests and logistic and negative binomial regression were used in bivariate and multivariable analyses for dichotomous and count data, respectively. 18 % of infants were auto-assigned. Auto-assigned infants were less likely to meet goal number of WCVs in 18-months of managed care enrollment (32 vs. 53 %, p < 0.001) and to be up-to-date on immunizations at 12 months of age (75 vs. 85 %, p < 0.001). Auto-assigned infants had fewer acute office visits (median: 4 vs. 5, p < 0.001) but were only slightly more likely to have 2 or more ED visits (51 vs. 46 %, p < 0.001) in 18-months of enrollment. All results were significant in multivariable analyses. Auto-assigned infants were less likely to use preventive and acute primary care but only slightly more likely to use emergency care. Future work is needed to understand mechanisms of differences in utilization, but auto-assigned children may represent a target group for efforts to promote pediatric preventive care in Medicaid. PMID:23775252

[Comparison analysis of outcomes in primary light chain amyloidosis patients treated by auto peripheral blood stem cell transplantation or bortezomib plus dexamethasone].

PubMed

Zhao, Qian; Wang, Liping; Song, Ping; Li, Feng; Zhou, Xiaogang; Yu, Yaping; An, Zhiming; Wang, Xuli; Zhai, Yongping

2016-04-01

To explore the feature of primary light chain amyloidosis patients treated with high-dose melphalan with auto peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) and bortezomib plus dexamethasone (VD). Thirty-eight patients diagnosed from September 2004 to September 2012 were analyzed retrospectively, including 15 cases received auto-PBSCT, 23 cases exposed with VD. The median follow-up duration for the patients was 34 months (range, 1-112 months), including auto-PBSCT group of 38 months (range, 5-112 months) and VD group of 31 months (range, 1-108 months). The organ response rate in all the patients was 39.5% (15/38), and the organ response rate between these two groups has no significant difference [33.3% (5/15) vs 43.5% (10/23), P=0.532]. However, the median time of organ response was significant difference [6 (3-10) months vs 3 (1-6) months, respectively (P=0.032)]. The 3-year overall survival (OS) rates in the two groups were 72.0% and 66.9%, and their average survival were 84.7 months and 75.9 months, respectively (P=0.683). In the patients with auto-PBSCT, the occurrence of III-IV grade of bone marrow suppression (P<0.001), fever (P<0.001), nausea and infection (P=0.006) were obviously higher than those with VD, but there was no statistically significant difference in pulmonary infection (P=0.069) and bloodstream infection (P=0.059). The preliminary results have presented that primary light chain amyloidosis patients treated with auto-PBSCT or VD had similar organ response rate and survival. However, more adverse events occurred in the group of auto-PBSCT.

Outpatient utilization by infants auto-assigned to Medicaid managed care plans.

PubMed

Zickafoose, Joseph S; Cohn, Lisa M; Clark, Sarah J

2014-04-01

To test the hypothesis that infants auto-assigned to a Medicaid managed care plan would have lower primary care and higher emergency department (ED) utilization compared to infants with a chosen plan. Retrospective cohort study. Medicaid administrative data were used to identify all children 0-3 months of age at enrollment in Michigan Medicaid managed care in 2005-2008 with 18-months of subsequent enrollment. Medicaid encounter and state immunization registry data were then acquired. Auto-assigned infants were compared versus chosen plan infants on: (1) well-child visits (WCVs); (2) immunizations; (3) acute office visits; and (4) ED visits. Chi squared and rank-sum tests and logistic and negative binomial regression were used in bivariate and multivariable analyses for dichotomous and count data, respectively. 18% of infants were auto-assigned. Auto-assigned infants were less likely to meet goal number of WCVs in 18-months of managed care enrollment (32 vs. 53%, p < 0.001) and to be up-to-date on immunizations at 12 months of age (75 vs. 85%, p < 0.001). Auto-assigned infants had fewer acute office visits (median: 4 vs. 5, p < 0.001) but were only slightly more likely to have 2 or more ED visits (51 vs. 46%, p < 0.001) in 18-months of enrollment. All results were significant in multivariable analyses. Auto-assigned infants were less likely to use preventive and acute primary care but only slightly more likely to use emergency care. Future work is needed to understand mechanisms of differences in utilization, but auto-assigned children may represent a target group for efforts to promote pediatric preventive care in Medicaid.

Tuba-ovarian auto-amputation caused by ovarian teratoma in an adolescent girl.

PubMed

Atıcı, Ahmet; Yılmaz, Engin; Karaman, Ayşe; Apaydın, Sema; Afşarlar, Çağatay Evrim

2017-01-01

Atıcı A, Yılmaz E, Karaman A, Apaydın S, Afşarlar ÇE. Tuba-ovarian auto-amputation caused by ovarian teratoma in an adolescent girl. Turk J Pediatr 2017; 59: 90-92. Ovarian auto-amputation is an extremely rare condition commonly encountered in the perinatal period. Spontaneous or secondary torsion of the ovary caused by an ovarian lesion may result in infarction and subsequent auto-amputation of the ovary. This paper demonstrates a case that underwent laparoscopic appendectomy with an incidental calcified auto-amputated right ovary. A 16-year-old adolescent girl was admitted to our department with a history of one-day abdominal pain. Physical examination of the patient revealed abdominal tenderness and rigidity on right lower quadrant. Her white blood cell count was 11x103/mL, and C-reactive protein was 69 mg/L. The patient underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy with a provisional diagnosis of acute appendicitis, and further exploration revealed a 2x2 cm white ovoid mass floating freely in the pelvis. The left ovary was clearly identified in its usual localization, but the right tuba was blindly ending without any fimbria or ovary. Postoperative course of the patient was uneventful, and she was discharged on postoperative day 2. The histopathological examination revealed a necrotic calcified ovarian teratoma. Auto-amputated ovary is a rare occasion mostly encountered during perinatal period, and it may be unilateral or bilateral. An auto-amputated ovarian mass may rarely be a teratoma although the most common cause of auto-amputation during perinatal and adolescent period is ovarian torsion due to an ovarian cyst.

A lack of association between hyperserotonemia and the increased frequency of serum anti-myelin basic protein auto-antibodies in autistic children.

PubMed

Mostafa, Gehan Ahmed; Al-Ayadhi, Laila Yousef

2011-06-22

One of the most consistent biological findings in autism is the elevated blood serotonin levels. Immune abnormalities, including autoimmunity with production of brain specific auto-antibodies, are also commonly observed in this disorder. Hyperserotonemia may be one of the contributing factors to autoimmunity in some patients with autism through the reduction of T-helper (Th) 1-type cytokines. We are the first to investigate the possible role of hyperserotonemia in the induction of autoimmunity, as indicated by serum anti-myelin-basic protein (anti-MBP) auto-antibodies, in autism. Serum levels of serotonin and anti-MBP auto-antibodies were measured, by ELISA, in 50 autistic patients, aged between 5 and 12 years, and 30 healthy-matched children. Autistic children had significantly higher serum levels of serotonin and anti-MBP auto-antibodies than healthy children (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Increased serum levels of serotonin and anti-MBP auto-antibodies were found in 92% and 80%, respectively of autistic patients. Patients with severe autism had significantly higher serum serotonin levels than children with mild to moderate autism (P < 0.001). Serum serotonin levels had no significant correlations with serum levels of anti-MBP auto-antibodies in autistic patients (P = 0.39). Hyperserotonemia may not be one of the contributing factors to the increased frequency of serum anti-MBP auto-antibodies in some autistic children. These data should be treated with caution until further investigations are performed. However, inclusion of serum serotonin levels as a correlate may be useful in other future immune studies in autism to help unravel the long-standing mystery of hyperserotonemia and its possible role in the pathophysiology of this disorder.

A lack of association between hyperserotonemia and the increased frequency of serum anti-myelin basic protein auto-antibodies in autistic children

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background One of the most consistent biological findings in autism is the elevated blood serotonin levels. Immune abnormalities, including autoimmunity with production of brain specific auto-antibodies, are also commonly observed in this disorder. Hyperserotonemia may be one of the contributing factors to autoimmunity in some patients with autism through the reduction of T-helper (Th) 1-type cytokines. We are the first to investigate the possible role of hyperserotonemia in the induction of autoimmunity, as indicated by serum anti-myelin-basic protein (anti-MBP) auto-antibodies, in autism. Methods Serum levels of serotonin and anti-MBP auto-antibodies were measured, by ELISA, in 50 autistic patients, aged between 5 and 12 years, and 30 healthy-matched children. Results Autistic children had significantly higher serum levels of serotonin and anti-MBP auto-antibodies than healthy children (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Increased serum levels of serotonin and anti-MBP auto-antibodies were found in 92% and 80%, respectively of autistic patients. Patients with severe autism had significantly higher serum serotonin levels than children with mild to moderate autism (P < 0.001). Serum serotonin levels had no significant correlations with serum levels of anti-MBP auto-antibodies in autistic patients (P = 0.39). Conclusions Hyperserotonemia may not be one of the contributing factors to the increased frequency of serum anti-MBP auto-antibodies in some autistic children. These data should be treated with caution until further investigations are performed. However, inclusion of serum serotonin levels as a correlate may be useful in other future immune studies in autism to help unravel the long-standing mystery of hyperserotonemia and its possible role in the pathophysiology of this disorder. PMID:21696608

Auto-induction for high level production of biologically active reteplase in Escherichia coli.

PubMed

Fathi-Roudsari, Mehrnoosh; Maghsoudi, Nader; Maghsoudi, Amirhossein; Niazi, Sepideh; Soleiman, Morvarid

2018-06-07

Reteplase is a third generation tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) with a modified structure and prolonged half-life in comparison to native tPA. As a non-glycosylated protein, reteplase is expressed in Escherichia coli. Due to presence of several disulfide bonds, high level production of reteplase is complicated and needs extra steps for conversion to biologically active form. Auto-induction represents a method for high-yield growth of bacterial cells and higher expression of recombinant proteins. Here we have tried to optimize the auto-induction procedure for soluble and active expression of reteplase in E. coli. Results showed that using auto-induction strategy at 37 °C, Rosetta-gami (DE3) had the highest level of active and soluble reteplase production in comparison to E. coli strains BL21 (DE3), and Shuffel T7. Temperature dominantly affected the level of active reteplase production. Decreasing the temperature to 25 and 18 °C increased the level of active reteplase by 20 and 60%, respectively. The composition of auto-induction medium also dramatically changed the active production of reteplase in cytoplasm. Using higher enriched auto-induction medium, super broth base including trace elements, significantly increased biologically active reteplase by 30%. It is demonstrated here that auto-induction is a powerful method for expression of biologically active reteplase in oxidative cytoplasm of Rosetta-gami. Optimizing expression condition by decreasing temperature and using an enriched auto-induction medium resulted in at least three times higher level of active reteplase production. Production of correctly folded and active reteplase in spite of its complex structure helps for removal of inefficient and cumbersome step of refolding. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Autologous or Reduced-Intensity Conditioning Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Chemotherapy-Sensitive Mantle-Cell Lymphoma: Analysis of Transplantation Timing and Modality

PubMed Central

Fenske, Timothy S.; Zhang, Mei-Jie; Carreras, Jeanette; Ayala, Ernesto; Burns, Linda J.; Cashen, Amanda; Costa, Luciano J.; Freytes, César O.; Gale, Robert P.; Hamadani, Mehdi; Holmberg, Leona A.; Inwards, David J.; Lazarus, Hillard M.; Maziarz, Richard T.; Munker, Reinhold; Perales, Miguel-Angel; Rizzieri, David A.; Schouten, Harry C.; Smith, Sonali M.; Waller, Edmund K.; Wirk, Baldeep M.; Laport, Ginna G.; Maloney, David G.; Montoto, Silvia; Hari, Parameswaran N.

2014-01-01

Purpose To examine the outcomes of patients with chemotherapy-sensitive mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL) following a first hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HCT), comparing outcomes with autologous (auto) versus reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic (RIC allo) HCT and with transplantation applied at different times in the disease course. Patients and Methods In all, 519 patients who received transplantations between 1996 and 2007 and were reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research were analyzed. The early transplantation cohort was defined as those patients in first partial or complete remission with no more than two lines of chemotherapy. The late transplantation cohort was defined as all the remaining patients. Results Auto-HCT and RIC allo-HCT resulted in similar overall survival from transplantation for both the early (at 5 years: 61% auto-HCT v 62% RIC allo-HCT; P = .951) and late cohorts (at 5 years: 44% auto-HCT v 31% RIC allo-HCT; P = .202). In both early and late transplantation cohorts, progression/relapse was lower and nonrelapse mortality was higher in the allo-HCT group. Overall survival and progression-free survival were highest in patients who underwent auto-HCT in first complete response. Multivariate analysis of survival from diagnosis identified a survival benefit favoring early HCT for both auto-HCT and RIC allo-HCT. Conclusion For patients with chemotherapy-sensitive MCL, the optimal timing for HCT is early in the disease course. Outcomes are particularly favorable for patients undergoing auto-HCT in first complete remission. For those unable to achieve complete remission after two lines of chemotherapy or those with relapsed disease, either auto-HCT or RIC allo-HCT may be effective, although the chance for long-term remission and survival is lower. PMID:24344210

Autologous or reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for chemotherapy-sensitive mantle-cell lymphoma: analysis of transplantation timing and modality.

PubMed

Fenske, Timothy S; Zhang, Mei-Jie; Carreras, Jeanette; Ayala, Ernesto; Burns, Linda J; Cashen, Amanda; Costa, Luciano J; Freytes, César O; Gale, Robert P; Hamadani, Mehdi; Holmberg, Leona A; Inwards, David J; Lazarus, Hillard M; Maziarz, Richard T; Munker, Reinhold; Perales, Miguel-Angel; Rizzieri, David A; Schouten, Harry C; Smith, Sonali M; Waller, Edmund K; Wirk, Baldeep M; Laport, Ginna G; Maloney, David G; Montoto, Silvia; Hari, Parameswaran N

2014-02-01

To examine the outcomes of patients with chemotherapy-sensitive mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL) following a first hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HCT), comparing outcomes with autologous (auto) versus reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic (RIC allo) HCT and with transplantation applied at different times in the disease course. In all, 519 patients who received transplantations between 1996 and 2007 and were reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research were analyzed. The early transplantation cohort was defined as those patients in first partial or complete remission with no more than two lines of chemotherapy. The late transplantation cohort was defined as all the remaining patients. Auto-HCT and RIC allo-HCT resulted in similar overall survival from transplantation for both the early (at 5 years: 61% auto-HCT v 62% RIC allo-HCT; P = .951) and late cohorts (at 5 years: 44% auto-HCT v 31% RIC allo-HCT; P = .202). In both early and late transplantation cohorts, progression/relapse was lower and nonrelapse mortality was higher in the allo-HCT group. Overall survival and progression-free survival were highest in patients who underwent auto-HCT in first complete response. Multivariate analysis of survival from diagnosis identified a survival benefit favoring early HCT for both auto-HCT and RIC allo-HCT. For patients with chemotherapy-sensitive MCL, the optimal timing for HCT is early in the disease course. Outcomes are particularly favorable for patients undergoing auto-HCT in first complete remission. For those unable to achieve complete remission after two lines of chemotherapy or those with relapsed disease, either auto-HCT or RIC allo-HCT may be effective, although the chance for long-term remission and survival is lower.

Development and validation of an automated delirium risk assessment system (Auto-DelRAS) implemented in the electronic health record system.

PubMed

Moon, Kyoung-Ja; Jin, Yinji; Jin, Taixian; Lee, Sun-Mi

2018-01-01

A key component of the delirium management is prevention and early detection. To develop an automated delirium risk assessment system (Auto-DelRAS) that automatically alerts health care providers of an intensive care unit (ICU) patient's delirium risk based only on data collected in an electronic health record (EHR) system, and to evaluate the clinical validity of this system. Cohort and system development designs were used. Medical and surgical ICUs in two university hospitals in Seoul, Korea. A total of 3284 patients for the development of Auto-DelRAS, 325 for external validation, 694 for validation after clinical applications. The 4211 data items were extracted from the EHR system and delirium was measured using CAM-ICU (Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit). The potential predictors were selected and a logistic regression model was established to create a delirium risk scoring algorithm to construct the Auto-DelRAS. The Auto-DelRAS was evaluated at three months and one year after its application to clinical practice to establish the predictive validity of the system. Eleven predictors were finally included in the logistic regression model. The results of the Auto-DelRAS risk assessment were shown as high/moderate/low risk on a Kardex screen. The predictive validity, analyzed after the clinical application of Auto-DelRAS after one year, showed a sensitivity of 0.88, specificity of 0.72, positive predictive value of 0.53, negative predictive value of 0.94, and a Youden index of 0.59. A relatively high level of predictive validity was maintained with the Auto-DelRAS system, even one year after it was applied to clinical practice. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Autologous transplantation versus allogeneic transplantation in patients with follicular lymphoma experiencing early treatment failure.

PubMed

Smith, Sonali M; Godfrey, James; Ahn, Kwang Woo; DiGilio, Alyssa; Ahmed, Sairah; Agrawal, Vaibhav; Bachanova, Veronika; Bacher, Ulrike; Bashey, Asad; Bolaños-Meade, Javier; Cairo, Mitchell; Chen, Andy; Chhabra, Saurabh; Copelan, Edward; Dahi, Parastoo B; Aljurf, Mahmoud; Farooq, Umar; Ganguly, Siddhartha; Hertzberg, Mark; Holmberg, Leona; Inwards, David; Kanate, Abraham S; Karmali, Reem; Kenkre, Vaishalee P; Kharfan-Dabaja, Mohamed A; Klein, Andreas; Lazarus, Hillard M; Mei, Matthew; Mussetti, Alberto; Nishihori, Taiga; Ramakrishnan Geethakumari, Praveen; Saad, Ayman; Savani, Bipin N; Schouten, Harry C; Shah, Nirav; Urbano-Ispizua, Alvaro; Vij, Ravi; Vose, Julie; Sureda, Anna; Hamadani, Mehdi

2018-06-15

Early treatment failure (ETF) in follicular lymphoma (FL), defined as relapse or progression within 2 years of frontline chemoimmunotherapy, is a newly recognized marker of poor survival and identifies a high-risk group of patients with an expected 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of approximately 50%. Transplantation is an established option for relapsed FL, but its efficacy in this specific ETF FL population has not been previously evaluated. This study compared autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HCT) with either matched sibling donor (MSD) or matched unrelated donor (MUD) allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) as the first transplantation approach for patients with ETF FL (age ≥ 18 years) undergoing auto-HCT or allo-HCT between 2002 and 2014. The primary endpoint was OS. The secondary endpoints were progression-free survival, relapse, and nonrelapse mortality (NRM). Four hundred forty FL patients had ETF (auto-HCT, 240; MSD hematopoietic stem cell transplantation [HCT], 105; and MUD HCT, 95). With a median follow-up of 69 to 73 months, the adjusted probability of 5-year OS was significantly higher after auto-HCT (70%) or MSD HCT (73%) versus MUD HCT (49%; P = .0008). The 5-year adjusted probability of NRM was significantly lower for auto-HCT (5%) versus MSD (17%) or MUD HCT (33%; P < .0001). The 5-year adjusted probability of disease relapse was lower with MSD (31%) or MUD HCT (23%) versus auto-HCT (58%; P < .0001). Patients with high-risk FL, as defined by ETF, undergoing auto-HCT for FL have low NRM and a promising 5-year OS rate (70%). MSD HCT has lower relapse rates than auto-HCT but similar OS. Cancer 2018;124:2541-51. © 2018 American Cancer Society. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Clinical utility of automated assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction using artificial intelligence-assisted border detection.

PubMed

Rahmouni, Hind W; Ky, Bonnie; Plappert, Ted; Duffy, Kevin; Wiegers, Susan E; Ferrari, Victor A; Keane, Martin G; Kirkpatrick, James N; Silvestry, Frank E; St John Sutton, Martin

2008-03-01

Ejection fraction (EF) calculated from 2-dimensional echocardiography provides important prognostic and therapeutic information in patients with heart disease. However, quantification of EF requires planimetry and is time-consuming. As a result, visual assessment is frequently used but is subjective and requires extensive experience. New computer software to assess EF automatically is now available and could be used routinely in busy digital laboratories (>15,000 studies per year) and in core laboratories running large clinical trials. We tested Siemens AutoEF software (Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) to determine whether it correlated with visual estimates of EF, manual planimetry, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Siemens AutoEF is based on learned patterns and artificial intelligence. An expert and a novice reader assessed EF visually by reviewing transthoracic echocardiograms from consecutive patients. An experienced sonographer quantified EF in all studies using Simpson's method of disks. AutoEF results were compared to CMR. Ninety-two echocardiograms were analyzed. Visual assessment by the expert (R = 0.86) and the novice reader (R = 0.80) correlated more closely with manual planimetry using Simpson's method than did AutoEF (R = 0.64). The correlation between AutoEF and CMR was 0.63, 0.28, and 0.51 for EF, end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, respectively. The discrepancies in EF estimates between AutoEF and manual tracing using Simpson's method and between AutoEF and CMR preclude routine clinical use of AutoEF until it has been validated in a number of large, busy echocardiographic laboratories. Visual assessment of EF, with its strong correlation with quantitative EF, underscores its continued clinical utility.

A framework for feature extraction from hospital medical data with applications in risk prediction.

PubMed

Tran, Truyen; Luo, Wei; Phung, Dinh; Gupta, Sunil; Rana, Santu; Kennedy, Richard Lee; Larkins, Ann; Venkatesh, Svetha

2014-12-30

Feature engineering is a time consuming component of predictive modeling. We propose a versatile platform to automatically extract features for risk prediction, based on a pre-defined and extensible entity schema. The extraction is independent of disease type or risk prediction task. We contrast auto-extracted features to baselines generated from the Elixhauser comorbidities. Hospital medical records was transformed to event sequences, to which filters were applied to extract feature sets capturing diversity in temporal scales and data types. The features were evaluated on a readmission prediction task, comparing with baseline feature sets generated from the Elixhauser comorbidities. The prediction model was through logistic regression with elastic net regularization. Predictions horizons of 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 months were considered for four diverse diseases: diabetes, COPD, mental disorders and pneumonia, with derivation and validation cohorts defined on non-overlapping data-collection periods. For unplanned readmissions, auto-extracted feature set using socio-demographic information and medical records, outperformed baselines derived from the socio-demographic information and Elixhauser comorbidities, over 20 settings (5 prediction horizons over 4 diseases). In particular over 30-day prediction, the AUCs are: COPD-baseline: 0.60 (95% CI: 0.57, 0.63), auto-extracted: 0.67 (0.64, 0.70); diabetes-baseline: 0.60 (0.58, 0.63), auto-extracted: 0.67 (0.64, 0.69); mental disorders-baseline: 0.57 (0.54, 0.60), auto-extracted: 0.69 (0.64,0.70); pneumonia-baseline: 0.61 (0.59, 0.63), auto-extracted: 0.70 (0.67, 0.72). The advantages of auto-extracted standard features from complex medical records, in a disease and task agnostic manner were demonstrated. Auto-extracted features have good predictive power over multiple time horizons. Such feature sets have potential to form the foundation of complex automated analytic tasks.

Asymptotic neutron scattering laws for anomalously diffusing quantum particles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kneller, Gerald R.; Université d’Orléans, Chateau de la Source-Ave. du Parc Floral, 45067 Orléans; Synchrotron-SOLEIL, L’Orme de Merisiers, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette

2016-07-28

The paper deals with a model-free approach to the analysis of quasielastic neutron scattering intensities from anomalously diffusing quantum particles. All quantities are inferred from the asymptotic form of their time-dependent mean square displacements which grow ∝t{sup α}, with 0 ≤ α < 2. Confined diffusion (α = 0) is here explicitly included. We discuss in particular the intermediate scattering function for long times and the Fourier spectrum of the velocity autocorrelation function for small frequencies. Quantum effects enter in both cases through the general symmetry properties of quantum time correlation functions. It is shown that the fractional diffusion constantmore » can be expressed by a Green-Kubo type relation involving the real part of the velocity autocorrelation function. The theory is exact in the diffusive regime and at moderate momentum transfers.« less

Fast auto-focus scheme based on optical defocus fitting model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yeru; Feng, Huajun; Xu, Zhihai; Li, Qi; Chen, Yueting; Cen, Min

2018-04-01

An optical defocus fitting model-based (ODFM) auto-focus scheme is proposed. Considering the basic optical defocus principle, the optical defocus fitting model is derived to approximate the potential-focus position. By this accurate modelling, the proposed auto-focus scheme can make the stepping motor approach the focal plane more accurately and rapidly. Two fitting positions are first determined for an arbitrary initial stepping motor position. Three images (initial image and two fitting images) at these positions are then collected to estimate the potential-focus position based on the proposed ODFM method. Around the estimated potential-focus position, two reference images are recorded. The auto-focus procedure is then completed by processing these two reference images and the potential-focus image to confirm the in-focus position using a contrast based method. Experimental results prove that the proposed scheme can complete auto-focus within only 5 to 7 steps with good performance even under low-light condition.

Crashworthiness Assessment of Auto-body Members Considering the Fabrication Histories

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Huh, Hoon; Song, Jung-Han; Kim, Kee-Poong

2005-08-05

This paper is concerned with crashworthiness of auto-body members considering the effect of fabrication. Most auto-body members are fabricated with sheet metal forming process and welding process that induce fabrication histories such as the plastic work hardening, non-uniform thickness distribution and residual stress. Crash simulation is carried out for auto-body members with LS-DYNA3D in order to identify the fabrication effect on the crashworthiness. The analysis calculated crash mode, the reaction force and the energy absorption for crashworthiness assessment with the forming effect. The result shows that the crash analysis with considering the forming history leads to a different result frommore » that without considering the forming effect. The analysis results demonstrate that the design of auto-body members should be carried out considering the forming history for accurate assessment of the crashworthiness.« less

Gene-Auto: Automatic Software Code Generation for Real-Time Embedded Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rugina, A.-E.; Thomas, D.; Olive, X.; Veran, G.

2008-08-01

This paper gives an overview of the Gene-Auto ITEA European project, which aims at building a qualified C code generator from mathematical models under Matlab-Simulink and Scilab-Scicos. The project is driven by major European industry partners, active in the real-time embedded systems domains. The Gene- Auto code generator will significantly improve the current development processes in such domains by shortening the time to market and by guaranteeing the quality of the generated code through the use of formal methods. The first version of the Gene-Auto code generator has already been released and has gone thought a validation phase on real-life case studies defined by each project partner. The validation results are taken into account in the implementation of the second version of the code generator. The partners aim at introducing the Gene-Auto results into industrial development by 2010.

Iterative model building, structure refinement and density modification with the PHENIX AutoBuild wizard.

PubMed

Terwilliger, Thomas C; Grosse-Kunstleve, Ralf W; Afonine, Pavel V; Moriarty, Nigel W; Zwart, Peter H; Hung, Li Wei; Read, Randy J; Adams, Paul D

2008-01-01

The PHENIX AutoBuild wizard is a highly automated tool for iterative model building, structure refinement and density modification using RESOLVE model building, RESOLVE statistical density modification and phenix.refine structure refinement. Recent advances in the AutoBuild wizard and phenix.refine include automated detection and application of NCS from models as they are built, extensive model-completion algorithms and automated solvent-molecule picking. Model-completion algorithms in the AutoBuild wizard include loop building, crossovers between chains in different models of a structure and side-chain optimization. The AutoBuild wizard has been applied to a set of 48 structures at resolutions ranging from 1.1 to 3.2 A, resulting in a mean R factor of 0.24 and a mean free R factor of 0.29. The R factor of the final model is dependent on the quality of the starting electron density and is relatively independent of resolution.

Auto-recognition of surfaces and auto-generation of material removal volume for finishing process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kataraki, Pramod S.; Salman Abu Mansor, Mohd

2018-03-01

Auto-recognition of a surface and auto-generation of material removal volumes for the so recognised surfaces has become a need to achieve successful downstream manufacturing activities like automated process planning and scheduling. Few researchers have contributed to generation of material removal volume for a product but resulted in material removal volume discontinuity between two adjacent material removal volumes generated from two adjacent faces that form convex geometry. The need for limitation free material removal volume generation was attempted and an algorithm that automatically recognises computer aided design (CAD) model’s surface and also auto-generate material removal volume for finishing process of the recognised surfaces was developed. The surfaces of CAD model are successfully recognised by the developed algorithm and required material removal volume is obtained. The material removal volume discontinuity limitation that occurred in fewer studies is eliminated.

Virtual Screening with AutoDock: Theory and Practice

PubMed Central

Cosconati, Sandro; Forli, Stefano; Perryman, Alex L.; Harris, Rodney; Goodsell, David S.; Olson, Arthur J.

2011-01-01

Importance to the field Virtual screening is a computer-based technique for identifying promising compounds to bind to a target molecule of known structure. Given the rapidly increasing number of protein and nucleic acid structures, virtual screening continues to grow as an effective method for the discovery of new inhibitors and drug molecules. Areas covered in this review We describe virtual screening methods that are available in the AutoDock suite of programs, and several of our successes in using AutoDock virtual screening in pharmaceutical lead discovery. What the reader will gain A general overview of the challenges of virtual screening is presented, along with the tools available in the AutoDock suite of programs for addressing these challenges. Take home message Virtual screening is an effective tool for the discovery of compounds for use as leads in drug discovery, and the free, open source program AutoDock is an effective tool for virtual screening. PMID:21532931

Model of bidirectional reflectance distribution function for metallic materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Kai; Zhu, Jing-Ping; Liu, Hong; Hou, Xun

2016-09-01

Based on the three-component assumption that the reflection is divided into specular reflection, directional diffuse reflection, and ideal diffuse reflection, a bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) model of metallic materials is presented. Compared with the two-component assumption that the reflection is composed of specular reflection and diffuse reflection, the three-component assumption divides the diffuse reflection into directional diffuse and ideal diffuse reflection. This model effectively resolves the problem that constant diffuse reflection leads to considerable error for metallic materials. Simulation and measurement results validate that this three-component BRDF model can improve the modeling accuracy significantly and describe the reflection properties in the hemisphere space precisely for the metallic materials.

iSS-PC: Identifying Splicing Sites via Physical-Chemical Properties Using Deep Sparse Auto-Encoder.

PubMed

Xu, Zhao-Chun; Wang, Peng; Qiu, Wang-Ren; Xiao, Xuan

2017-08-15

Gene splicing is one of the most significant biological processes in eukaryotic gene expression, such as RNA splicing, which can cause a pre-mRNA to produce one or more mature messenger RNAs containing the coded information with multiple biological functions. Thus, identifying splicing sites in DNA/RNA sequences is significant for both the bio-medical research and the discovery of new drugs. However, it is expensive and time consuming based only on experimental technique, so new computational methods are needed. To identify the splice donor sites and splice acceptor sites accurately and quickly, a deep sparse auto-encoder model with two hidden layers, called iSS-PC, was constructed based on minimum error law, in which we incorporated twelve physical-chemical properties of the dinucleotides within DNA into PseDNC to formulate given sequence samples via a battery of cross-covariance and auto-covariance transformations. In this paper, five-fold cross-validation test results based on the same benchmark data-sets indicated that the new predictor remarkably outperformed the existing prediction methods in this field. Furthermore, it is expected that many other related problems can be also studied by this approach. To implement classification accurately and quickly, an easy-to-use web-server for identifying slicing sites has been established for free access at: http://www.jci-bioinfo.cn/iSS-PC.

16 CFR 640.4 - Content, form, and timing of risk-based pricing notices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... credit to a consumer for the purpose of financing the purchase of an automobile from an auto dealer or... section, § 640.5(e)(3), or § 640.5(f)(4), as applicable; or (ii) Arranges to have the auto dealer or other...), as applicable, and maintains reasonable policies and procedures to verify that the auto dealer or...

16 CFR 640.4 - Content, form, and timing of risk-based pricing notices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... credit to a consumer for the purpose of financing the purchase of an automobile from an auto dealer or... section, § 640.5(e)(3), or § 640.5(f)(4), as applicable; or (ii) Arranges to have the auto dealer or other...), as applicable, and maintains reasonable policies and procedures to verify that the auto dealer or...

12 CFR 222.73 - Content, form, and timing of risk-based pricing notices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... for the purpose of financing the purchase of an automobile from an auto dealer or other party that is..., § 222.74(e)(3), or § 222.74(f)(4), as applicable; or (ii) Arranges to have the auto dealer or other...)(4), as applicable, and maintains reasonable policies and procedures to verify that the auto dealer...

12 CFR 222.73 - Content, form, and timing of risk-based pricing notices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... for the purpose of financing the purchase of an automobile from an auto dealer or other party that is..., § 222.74(e)(3), or § 222.74(f)(4), as applicable; or (ii) Arranges to have the auto dealer or other...)(4), as applicable, and maintains reasonable policies and procedures to verify that the auto dealer...

12 CFR 1022.73 - Content, form, and timing of risk-based pricing notices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... an auto dealer or other party that is not affiliated with the person, any requirement to provide a...) Arranges to have the auto dealer or other party provide a notice described in § 1022.72(a), § 1022.74(e... policies and procedures to verify that the auto dealer or other party provides such notice to the consumer...

16 CFR 640.4 - Content, form, and timing of risk-based pricing notices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... credit to a consumer for the purpose of financing the purchase of an automobile from an auto dealer or... section, § 640.5(e)(3), or § 640.5(f)(4), as applicable; or (ii) Arranges to have the auto dealer or other...), as applicable, and maintains reasonable policies and procedures to verify that the auto dealer or...

16 CFR 640.4 - Content, form, and timing of risk-based pricing notices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... credit to a consumer for the purpose of financing the purchase of an automobile from an auto dealer or... section, § 640.5(e)(3), or § 640.5(f)(4), as applicable; or (ii) Arranges to have the auto dealer or other...), as applicable, and maintains reasonable policies and procedures to verify that the auto dealer or...

[Design of blood-pressure parameter auto-acquisition circuit].

PubMed

Chen, Y P; Zhang, D L; Bai, H W; Zhang, D A

2000-02-01

This paper presents the realization and design of a kind of blood-pressure parameter auto-acquisition circuit. The auto-acquisition of blood-pressure parameter controlled by 89C2051 single chip microcomputer is accomplished by collecting and processing the driving signal of LCD. The circuit that is successfully applied in the home unit of telemedicine system has the simple and reliable properties.

75 FR 6423 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-09

... Orders of Securities Priced Under One Dollar in the Auto Execution Mode of Order Interaction to 0.25% of... for liquidity adding displayed orders of securities priced under one dollar in the Auto Execution mode of order interaction (``AutoEx'') \\3\\ to 0.25% of trade value. \\3\\ The Exchange's two modes of order...

75 FR 18562 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; National Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-12

... and higher in the Automatic Execution mode of order interaction (``AutoEx'') \\3\\. In addition, the... Rule 11.13(b). \\4\\ Id. AutoEx Take Fee for Securities Priced One Dollar and Higher For orders in securities priced one dollar and above that take liquidity in AutoEx, the proposed rule change lowers the...

An Art Educator's Journey of Becoming a Researcher: A Self-Reflective Auto-Ethnography of Identity Construction and Personal Growth

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Riedler, Martina

2016-01-01

In this self-reflective auto-ethnographic research, the author shares her experiences of introspection, change and professional growth as an art educator in an international context. Auto-ethnography is an approach to qualitative inquiry in which the researcher employs self-reflection to explore her personal experiences and connect these…

76 FR 4219 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A330-200 Series Airplanes; Model A330-300 Series Airplanes...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-25

... A340 aeroplane will revert to alternate law, the autopilot (AP) and the auto-thrust (A/THR... guidance computers will: --Display FD bars again, and --Enable autopilot and auto-thrust re-engagement... A330 or A340 aeroplane will revert to alternate law, the autopilot (AP) and the auto-thrust (A/THR...

Research with Rawness: The Remembering and Repeating of Auto/Biographical Ethnographic Research Processes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sagan, Olivia

2007-01-01

This paper explores the auto/biographicity of ethnographic research, describing the way in which our research pursuits can be seen as the replaying of past agendas. It looks specifically at the auto/biographic interview as part of the ethnographic data collected, positing it as the site of co-construction of new memory, and the re-enactment of…

The regulon of the RNA chaperone CspA and its auto-regulation in Staphylococcus aureus.

PubMed

Caballero, Carlos J; Menendez-Gil, Pilar; Catalan-Moreno, Arancha; Vergara-Irigaray, Marta; García, Begoña; Segura, Víctor; Irurzun, Naiara; Villanueva, Maite; Ruiz de Los Mozos, Igor; Solano, Cristina; Lasa, Iñigo; Toledo-Arana, Alejandro

2018-02-16

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are essential to fine-tune gene expression. RBPs containing the cold-shock domain are RNA chaperones that have been extensively studied. However, the RNA targets and specific functions for many of them remain elusive. Here, combining comparative proteomics and RBP-immunoprecipitation-microarray profiling, we have determined the regulon of the RNA chaperone CspA of Staphylococcus aureus. Functional analysis revealed that proteins involved in carbohydrate and ribonucleotide metabolism, stress response and virulence gene expression were affected by cspA deletion. Stress-associated phenotypes such as increased bacterial aggregation and diminished resistance to oxidative-stress stood out. Integration of the proteome and targetome showed that CspA post-transcriptionally modulates both positively and negatively the expression of its targets, denoting additional functions to the previously proposed translation enhancement. One of these repressed targets was its own mRNA, indicating the presence of a negative post-transcriptional feedback loop. CspA bound the 5'UTR of its own mRNA disrupting a hairpin, which was previously described as an RNase III target. Thus, deletion of the cspA 5'UTR abrogated mRNA processing and auto-regulation. We propose that CspA interacts through a U-rich motif, which is located at the RNase III cleavage site, portraying CspA as a putative RNase III-antagonist.

Finding of No Significant Impact: Construction, Operation, and Maintenance of a Solar Array United States Air Force Academy, Colorado

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-04-21

2006·EX·L, Leather , Nice! 26k mi $17,977 #B21244A 1~-8556 ACCORD EX 11)01· V6, Auto,lthr, Moon Roof. #6302A $6,988 HEUBERGER MOTORS 475-1920...ns’~fl8~\\!Tv DODGE FIT 2009·Sport Pkg, Auto, Loaded #101399A $15,988 HEUIIEIIGER MOTORS 475-1920 Hyundai • Cars SONATALTD2008· Auto, Leather ...37Sol C <:LASS 󈧌-Every Op· bon, NAV, Black/ Tan . $27,999 #G343 WHY PAY R!TAIU SMART CHOICE AUTO 641·37Sol E3502006 $31),995 #U678 Red

Study of AUTO-LION (Automatic Lighting Rumpon) on Fisheries of Stationary Lift Net in Semarang, Central Java

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chairunnisa, S.; Setiawan, N.; Irkham; Ekawati, K.; Anwar, A.; Fitri, A. DP

2018-02-01

Fish Aggregation Device (FAD) is a fishing tool that serves to collect fish at a place to facilitate fishermen in the process of fishing. The use of light is also proven to help the process of fishing at night. AUTO-LION (Automatic Lighting Rumpon) is a FADs innovation equipped with fish-eating sound and solar-powered lights that can be activated automatically when it is dark or nighttime.The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of AUTO-LION use on fishermen catch. The research method used is experimental fishing.The research was conducted on May 2017 on the stationary lift net in Semarang Waters. The results showed the catch as much as 10.55 kg without the use of AUTO-LION, 15.05 kg on the use of FADs, 19.08 kg on the use of FADs with sound, 27.04 kg on the use of FADs with light, and 40.01 kg on the use of AUTO-LION. Based on these results it can be seen that the use of AUTO-LION can increase the catch of fishermen, especially when the light is activated.

Neuropsychiatric lupus and auto-antibodies against ionotropic glutamate receptor (NMDAR)

PubMed Central

Cohen-Solal, J.F.G.; Diamond, B.

2010-01-01

Almost half of lupus patients will experience neuropsychiatric symptoms during the course of their disease. The etiology of the neuronal damages are still uncertain and probably multiple. Auto-antibodies reactive with brain have been postulated to play a role. The observation of pathogenic auto-antibodies binding the NR2A and NR2B subunits of the ionotropic glutamate receptor (NMDAR) illustrates this hypothesis. First studies showed that 40% of lupus patients possess serum titers of anti-NR2A/B antibody, but the presence of these auto-antibodies is not always associated with the occurrence of neuronal damages or neuropsychiatric symptoms. Nevertheless, their presence is observed in the cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) of one half of the patients suffering from neurolupus. The presence in the serum of these auto-antibodies anti-NR2A/B of the NMDAR is preliminary to their presence in the CSF where their deleterious effect is observable. Their entry into the brain is dependent on a breach of the blood brain barrier (BBB). In conclusion, the serum titer of auto-antibodies against NR2A/B subunits is an indication of the potential for neuro-psychiatric manifestations during the course of the disease. PMID:20605660

Grain boundary grooving induced by the anisotropic surface drift diffusion driven by the capillary and electromigration forces: Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akyildiz, Oncu; Omer Ogurtani, Tarik

2011-08-01

The morphological evolution kinetics of a bicrystal thin film induced by anisotropic surface drift diffusion and driven by the applied electrostatic field is investigated via self consistent dynamical computer simulations. The physico-mathematical model, which is based upon the irreversible thermodynamic treatment of surfaces and interfaces with singularities [T. O. Ogurtani, J. Chem. Phys. 124, 144706 (2006)], provided us with auto-control on the otherwise free-motion of the triple junction at the intersection of the grooving surface and the grain boundary, without having any a priori assumption on the equilibrium dihedral angles. The destruction of the symmetry of the freshly formed grain boundary grooves under the anisotropic surface diffusion driven by the concurrent action of the capillarity and electromigration is observed. After prolonged exposure times the applied electric field above the well defined threshold level modifies Mullins' familiar stationary state time law as, t¯1/4, and causes the premature termination of the groove penetration because of the current crowding at the tips of counteracting grain boundary-grooves initiated on both sides of the test modulus. That finding indicates that the electromigration plays the same role as a healing agent [T. O. Ogurtani, J. Appl. Phys. 106, 053503 (2009)] in arresting the thermal grooving, thereby avoiding the premature interconnect failure as in the case of surface roughening and crack initiation caused by compressive stress gradients. The role of the electromigration and wetting parameter on the ridge/slit formations are thoroughly investigated in this study and the prerequisite conditions are also identified.

Modeling and possible implementation of self-learning equivalence-convolutional neural structures for auto-encoding-decoding and clusterization of images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krasilenko, Vladimir G.; Lazarev, Alexander A.; Nikitovich, Diana V.

2017-08-01

Self-learning equivalent-convolutional neural structures (SLECNS) for auto-coding-decoding and image clustering are discussed. The SLECNS architectures and their spatially invariant equivalent models (SI EMs) using the corresponding matrix-matrix procedures with basic operations of continuous logic and non-linear processing are proposed. These SI EMs have several advantages, such as the ability to recognize image fragments with better efficiency and strong cross correlation. The proposed clustering method of fragments with regard to their structural features is suitable not only for binary, but also color images and combines self-learning and the formation of weight clustered matrix-patterns. Its model is constructed and designed on the basis of recursively processing algorithms and to k-average method. The experimental results confirmed that larger images and 2D binary fragments with a large numbers of elements may be clustered. For the first time the possibility of generalization of these models for space invariant case is shown. The experiment for an image with dimension of 256x256 (a reference array) and fragments with dimensions of 7x7 and 21x21 for clustering is carried out. The experiments, using the software environment Mathcad, showed that the proposed method is universal, has a significant convergence, the small number of iterations is easily, displayed on the matrix structure, and confirmed its prospects. Thus, to understand the mechanisms of self-learning equivalence-convolutional clustering, accompanying her to the competitive processes in neurons, and the neural auto-encoding-decoding and recognition principles with the use of self-learning cluster patterns is very important which used the algorithm and the principles of non-linear processing of two-dimensional spatial functions of images comparison. These SIEMs can simply describe the signals processing during the all training and recognition stages and they are suitable for unipolar-coding multilevel signals. We show that the implementation of SLECNS based on known equivalentors or traditional correlators is possible if they are based on proposed equivalental two-dimensional functions of image similarity. The clustering efficiency in such models and their implementation depends on the discriminant properties of neural elements of hidden layers. Therefore, the main models and architecture parameters and characteristics depends on the applied types of non-linear processing and function used for image comparison or for adaptive-equivalental weighing of input patterns. Real model experiments in Mathcad are demonstrated, which confirm that non-linear processing on equivalent functions allows you to determine the neuron winners and adjust the weight matrix. Experimental results have shown that such models can be successfully used for auto- and hetero-associative recognition. They can also be used to explain some mechanisms known as "focus" and "competing gain-inhibition concept". The SLECNS architecture and hardware implementations of its basic nodes based on multi-channel convolvers and correlators with time integration are proposed. The parameters and performance of such architectures are estimated.