Altering surface fluctuations by blending tethered and untethered chains

DOE PAGES

Lee, J. K.; Akgun, B.; Jiang, Z.; ...

2017-10-16

"Partially tethering" a thin film of a polymer melt by covalently attaching to the substrate a fraction of the chains in an unentangled melt dramatically increases the relaxation time of the surface height fluctuations. This phenomenon is observed even when the film thickness, h, is 20 times the unperturbed chain radius, R g,tethered, of the tethered chains, indicating that partial tethering is more influential than any physical attraction with the substrate. Furthermore, a partially tethered layer of a low average molecular weight of 5k showed much slower surface fluctuations than did a reference layer of pure untethered chains of muchmore » greater molecular weight (48k), so the partial tethering effect is stronger than the effects of entanglement and increase in glass transition temperature, Tg, with molecular weight. Partial tethering offers a means of tailoring these fluctuations which influence wetting, adhesion, and tribology of the surface.« less

The Evolution of Untethered Communications.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council, Washington, DC.

In response to a request from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board (CSTB) of the National Research Council initiated a one-year study on untethered communications in July 1996. To carry out the study, the CSTB appointed a committee of 15 wireless-technology experts, including…

Body position and direction preferences in horses during road transport.

PubMed

Smith, B L; Jones, J H; Carlson, G P; Pascoe, J R

1994-09-01

It has been hypothesised that horses have a preference for facing backward in a trailer during road transport in order to minimise shifts of body weight due to accelerations and decelerations. To determine if horses have preferences for facing forward vs. backward in a horse trailer, the authors analysed the percentages of time horses spent in different body positions and directions while standing in a moving or parked horse trailer. Body positions and directions of 8 Thoroughbred geldings were videotaped while horses were transported singly and untethered in a 4-horse stock trailer over a 32 km route of country roads; or while the same horses were untethered in the same trailer stationary in a parking lot. Analysis of the logit-transformed percentages of time horses spent in different directions indicated that they spent significantly more time facing backward when the trailer was in motion, but not when it was parked. Several horses displayed strong individual preferences for the directions they faced during road transport.

MRI-based dynamic tracking of an untethered ferromagnetic microcapsule navigating in liquid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dahmen, Christian; Belharet, Karim; Folio, David; Ferreira, Antoine; Fatikow, Sergej

2016-04-01

The propulsion of ferromagnetic objects by means of MRI gradients is a promising approach to enable new forms of therapy. In this work, necessary techniques are presented to make this approach work. This includes path planning algorithms working on MRI data, ferromagnetic artifact imaging and a tracking algorithm which delivers position feedback for the ferromagnetic objects, and a propulsion sequence to enable interleaved magnetic propulsion and imaging. Using a dedicated software environment, integrating path-planning methods and real-time tracking, a clinical MRI system is adapted to provide this new functionality for controlled interventional targeted therapeutic applications. Through MRI-based sensing analysis, this article aims to propose a framework to plan a robust pathway to enhance the navigation ability to reach deep locations in the human body. The proposed approaches are validated with different experiments.

Fully implantable, battery-free wireless optoelectronic devices for spinal optogenetics.

PubMed

Samineni, Vijay K; Yoon, Jangyeol; Crawford, Kaitlyn E; Jeong, Yu Ra; McKenzie, Kajanna C; Shin, Gunchul; Xie, Zhaoqian; Sundaram, Saranya S; Li, Yuhang; Yang, Min Young; Kim, Jeonghyun; Wu, Di; Xue, Yeguang; Feng, Xue; Huang, Yonggang; Mickle, Aaron D; Banks, Anthony; Ha, Jeong Sook; Golden, Judith P; Rogers, John A; Gereau, Robert W

2017-11-01

The advent of optogenetic tools has allowed unprecedented insights into the organization of neuronal networks. Although recently developed technologies have enabled implementation of optogenetics for studies of brain function in freely moving, untethered animals, wireless powering and device durability pose challenges in studies of spinal cord circuits where dynamic, multidimensional motions against hard and soft surrounding tissues can lead to device degradation. We demonstrate here a fully implantable optoelectronic device powered by near-field wireless communication technology, with a thin and flexible open architecture that provides excellent mechanical durability, robust sealing against biofluid penetration and fidelity in wireless activation, thereby allowing for long-term optical stimulation of the spinal cord without constraint on the natural behaviors of the animals. The system consists of a double-layer, rectangular-shaped magnetic coil antenna connected to a microscale inorganic light-emitting diode (μ-ILED) on a thin, flexible probe that can be implanted just above the dura of the mouse spinal cord for effective stimulation of light-sensitive proteins expressed in neurons in the dorsal horn. Wireless optogenetic activation of TRPV1-ChR2 afferents with spinal μ-ILEDs causes nocifensive behaviors and robust real-time place aversion with sustained operation in animals over periods of several weeks to months. The relatively low-cost electronics required for control of the systems, together with the biocompatibility and robust operation of these devices will allow broad application of optogenetics in future studies of spinal circuits, as well as various peripheral targets, in awake, freely moving and untethered animals, where existing approaches have limited utility.

Space Shuttle Projects

NASA Image and Video Library

1994-09-16

Astronaut Mark Lee floats freely as he tests the new backpack called the Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER) system. SAFER is designed for use in the event a crew member becomes untethered while conducting an EVA. The STS-64 mission marked the first untethered U.S. EVA in 10 years, and was launched on September 9, 1994, aboard the Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery.

Biomedical Applications of Untethered Mobile Milli/Microrobots

PubMed Central

Sitti, Metin; Ceylan, Hakan; Hu, Wenqi; Giltinan, Joshua; Turan, Mehmet; Yim, Sehyuk; Diller, Eric

2016-01-01

Untethered robots miniaturized to the length scale of millimeter and below attract growing attention for the prospect of transforming many aspects of health care and bioengineering. As the robot size goes down to the order of a single cell, previously inaccessible body sites would become available for high-resolution in situ and in vivo manipulations. This unprecedented direct access would enable an extensive range of minimally invasive medical operations. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the current advances in biome dical untethered mobile milli/microrobots. We put a special emphasis on the potential impacts of biomedical microrobots in the near future. Finally, we discuss the existing challenges and emerging concepts associated with designing such a miniaturized robot for operation inside a biological environment for biomedical applications. PMID:27746484

Rodent wearable ultrasound system for wireless neural recording.

PubMed

Piech, David K; Kay, Joshua E; Boser, Bernhard E; Maharbiz, Michel M

2017-07-01

Advances in minimally-invasive, distributed biological interface nodes enable possibilities for networks of sensors and actuators to connect the brain with external devices. The recent development of the neural dust sensor mote has shown that utilizing ultrasound backscatter communication enables untethered sub-mm neural recording devices. These implanted sensor motes require a wearable external ultrasound interrogation device to enable in-vivo, freely-behaving neural interface experiments. However, minimizing the complexity and size of the implanted sensors shifts the power and processing burden to the external interrogator. In this paper, we present an ultrasound backscatter interrogator that supports real-time backscatter processing in a rodent-wearable, completely wireless device. We demonstrate a generic digital encoding scheme which is intended for transmitting neural information. The system integrates a front-end ultrasonic interface ASIC with off-the-shelf components to enable a highly compact ultrasound interrogation device intended for rodent neural interface experiments but applicable to other model systems.

Localized viscoelasticity measurements with untethered intravitreal microrobots.

PubMed

Pokki, Juho; Ergeneman, Olgaç; Bergeles, Christos; Torun, Hamdi; Nelson, Bradley J

2012-01-01

Microrobots are a promising tool for medical interventions and micromanipulation. In this paper, we explore the concept of using microrobots for microrheology. Untethered magnetically actuated microrobots were used to characterize one of the most complex biofluids, the vitreous humor. In this work we began by experimentally characterizing the viscoelastic properties of an artificial vitreous humor. For comparison, its properties were also measured using special microcantilevers in an atomic force microscope (AFM) setup. Subsequently, an untethered device was used to study the vitreous humor of a porcine eye, which is a valid ex-vivo model of a human eye. Its viscoelasticity model was extracted, which was in agreement with the model of the artificial vitreous. The existing characterization methodology requires eye and vitreous humor dissection for the microrheology measurements. We envision that the method proposed here can be used in in vivo.

Conduction Electrohydrodynamics with Mobile Electrodes: A Novel Actuation System for Untethered Robots.

PubMed

Cacucciolo, Vito; Shigemune, Hiroki; Cianchetti, Matteo; Laschi, Cecilia; Maeda, Shingo

2017-09-01

Electrohydrodynamics (EHD) refers to the direct conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy of a fluid. Through the use of mobile electrodes, this principle is exploited in a novel fashion for designing and testing a millimeter-scale untethered robot, which is powered harvesting the energy from an external electric field. The robot is designed as an inverted sail-boat, with the thrust generated on the sail submerged in the liquid. The diffusion constant of the robot is experimentally computed, proving that its movement is not driven by thermal fluctuations, and then its kinematic and dynamic responses are characterized for different applied voltages. The results show the feasibility of using EHD with mobile electrodes for powering untethered robots and provide new evidences for the further development of this actuation system for both mobile robots and compliant actuators in soft robotics.

Exploring Mobile Learning in the Third Space

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schuck, Sandy; Kearney, Matthew; Burden, Kevin

2017-01-01

Mobile learning is enabling educators and students to learn in ways not previously possible. The ways that portable, multi-functional mobile devices can untether the learner from formal institutional learning give scope for learning to be conceptualised in an expanded variety of places, times and ways. In this conceptual article the authors…

Conduction Electrohydrodynamics with Mobile Electrodes: A Novel Actuation System for Untethered Robots

PubMed Central

Shigemune, Hiroki; Cianchetti, Matteo; Laschi, Cecilia

2017-01-01

Electrohydrodynamics (EHD) refers to the direct conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy of a fluid. Through the use of mobile electrodes, this principle is exploited in a novel fashion for designing and testing a millimeter‐scale untethered robot, which is powered harvesting the energy from an external electric field. The robot is designed as an inverted sail‐boat, with the thrust generated on the sail submerged in the liquid. The diffusion constant of the robot is experimentally computed, proving that its movement is not driven by thermal fluctuations, and then its kinematic and dynamic responses are characterized for different applied voltages. The results show the feasibility of using EHD with mobile electrodes for powering untethered robots and provide new evidences for the further development of this actuation system for both mobile robots and compliant actuators in soft robotics. PMID:28932659

Tethered cord release: a long-term study in 114 patients.

PubMed

Bowman, Robin M; Mohan, Avinash; Ito, Joy; Seibly, Jason M; McLone, David G

2009-03-01

All children born with a myelomeningocele at the authors' institution undergo aggressive treatment to maintain or improve functional outcome. Consequently, when any neurological, orthopedic, and/or urological changes are noted, a search for the cause is initiated. The most common cause of decline in a child born with a myelomeningocele is shunt malfunction. The second most common cause is tethering of the distal spinal cord at the site of the original back closure. In this report, the authors review the indicators of symptomatic spinal cord tethering and discuss the surgical interventions and outcomes in the children with myelomeningocele who underwent treatment at Children's Memorial Hospital from 1975 to 2008. Among the 502 children who underwent original closure at Children's Memorial Hospital, a symptomatic tethered spinal cord developed in 114 (23%). Eighty-one patients (71%) have undergone 1 untethering procedure, and 33 patients (29%) have undergone multiple untetherings, for a total of 163 total surgeries. The indicators of symptomatic spinal cord tethering include scoliosis, decline in lower-extremity (LE) motor strength, LE contractures, LE spasticity, gait change, urinary changes, and pain. Pain has shown the best response to surgical untethering, with 100% of children experiencing postoperative improvement. The results of long-term follow-up (average 12 years, range 1 month-23.3 years) in this cohort demonstrated scoliosis progression after surgical untethering in 52% of patients, with 28% requiring spinal fusion. On the 3-month postoperative manual muscle test, 70% of patients showed improved LE muscle strength compared to preoperatively. Gait was also similarly improved after untethering as evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon. Spasticity improved in two-thirds of the cohort, and as expected, LE contractures were stable (78%) postoperatively, as assessed by orthopedic and rehabilitation medicine specialists. Urologically, 64% of patients showed improvements on postoperative bladder evaluation. Although this is a clinical outcome study with no control group, the authors' experience has been that tethered cord release is beneficial in maintaining neurological, urological, and orthopedic functioning in children born with a myelomeningocele.

Real-time Fatigue and Free-Living Physical Activity in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Cancer Survivors and Healthy Controls: A Preliminary Examination of the Temporal, Dynamic Relationship.

PubMed

Hacker, Eileen Danaher; Kim, Inah; Park, Chang; Peters, Tara

Fatigue and physical inactivity, critical problems facing cancer survivors, impact overall health and functioning. Our group designed a novel methodology to evaluate the temporal, dynamic patterns in real-world settings. Using real-time technology, the temporal, dynamic relationship between real-time fatigue and free-living is described and compared in cancer survivors who were treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (n = 25) and age- and gender-matched healthy controls (n = 25). Subjects wore wrist actigraphs on their nondominant hand to assess free-living physical activity, measured in 1-minute epochs, over 7 days. Subjects entered real-time fatigue assessments directly into the subjective event marker of the actigraph 5 times per day. Running averages of mean 1-minute activity counts 30, 60, and 120 minutes before and after each real-time fatigue score were correlated with real-time fatigue using generalized estimating equations, RESULTS:: A strong inverse relationship exists between real-time fatigue and subsequent free-living physical activity. This inverse relationship suggests that increasing real-time fatigue limits subsequent physical activity (B range= -0.002 to -0.004; P < .001). No significant differences in the dynamic patterns of real-time fatigue and free-living physical activity were found between groups. To our knowledge, this is the first study to document the temporal and potentially causal relationship between real-time fatigue and free-living physical activity in real-world setting. These findings suggest that fatigue drives the subsequent physical activity and the relationship may not be bidirectional. Understanding the temporal, dynamic relationship may have important health implications for developing interventions to address fatigue in cancer survivors.

Synthetic biology devices for in vitro and in vivo diagnostics.

PubMed

Slomovic, Shimyn; Pardee, Keith; Collins, James J

2015-11-24

There is a growing need to enhance our capabilities in medical and environmental diagnostics. Synthetic biologists have begun to focus their biomolecular engineering approaches toward this goal, offering promising results that could lead to the development of new classes of inexpensive, rapidly deployable diagnostics. Many conventional diagnostics rely on antibody-based platforms that, although exquisitely sensitive, are slow and costly to generate and cannot readily confront rapidly emerging pathogens or be applied to orphan diseases. Synthetic biology, with its rational and short design-to-production cycles, has the potential to overcome many of these limitations. Synthetic biology devices, such as engineered gene circuits, bring new capabilities to molecular diagnostics, expanding the molecular detection palette, creating dynamic sensors, and untethering reactions from laboratory equipment. The field is also beginning to move toward in vivo diagnostics, which could provide near real-time surveillance of multiple pathological conditions. Here, we describe current efforts in synthetic biology, focusing on the translation of promising technologies into pragmatic diagnostic tools and platforms.

Synthetic biology devices for in vitro and in vivo diagnostics

PubMed Central

Slomovic, Shimyn; Pardee, Keith; Collins, James J.

2015-01-01

There is a growing need to enhance our capabilities in medical and environmental diagnostics. Synthetic biologists have begun to focus their biomolecular engineering approaches toward this goal, offering promising results that could lead to the development of new classes of inexpensive, rapidly deployable diagnostics. Many conventional diagnostics rely on antibody-based platforms that, although exquisitely sensitive, are slow and costly to generate and cannot readily confront rapidly emerging pathogens or be applied to orphan diseases. Synthetic biology, with its rational and short design-to-production cycles, has the potential to overcome many of these limitations. Synthetic biology devices, such as engineered gene circuits, bring new capabilities to molecular diagnostics, expanding the molecular detection palette, creating dynamic sensors, and untethering reactions from laboratory equipment. The field is also beginning to move toward in vivo diagnostics, which could provide near real-time surveillance of multiple pathological conditions. Here, we describe current efforts in synthetic biology, focusing on the translation of promising technologies into pragmatic diagnostic tools and platforms. PMID:26598662

Autonomous stair-climbing with miniature jumping robots.

PubMed

Stoeter, Sascha A; Papanikolopoulos, Nikolaos

2005-04-01

The problem of vision-guided control of miniature mobile robots is investigated. Untethered mobile robots with small physical dimensions of around 10 cm or less do not permit powerful onboard computers because of size and power constraints. These challenges have, in the past, reduced the functionality of such devices to that of a complex remote control vehicle with fancy sensors. With the help of a computationally more powerful entity such as a larger companion robot, the control loop can be closed. Using the miniature robot's video transmission or that of an observer to localize it in the world, control commands can be computed and relayed to the inept robot. The result is a system that exhibits autonomous capabilities. The framework presented here solves the problem of climbing stairs with the miniature Scout robot. The robot's unique locomotion mode, the jump, is employed to hop one step at a time. Methods for externally tracking the Scout are developed. A large number of real-world experiments are conducted and the results discussed.

Precharged Pneumatic Soft Actuators and Their Applications to Untethered Soft Robots.

PubMed

Li, Yunquan; Chen, Yonghua; Ren, Tao; Li, Yingtian; Choi, Shiu Hong

2018-06-20

The past decade has witnessed tremendous progress in soft robotics. Unlike most pneumatic-based methods, we present a new approach to soft robot design based on precharged pneumatics (PCP). We propose a PCP soft bending actuator, which is actuated by precharged air pressure and retracted by inextensible tendons. By pulling or releasing the tendons, the air pressure in the soft actuator is modulated, and hence, its bending angle. The tendons serve in a way similar to pressure-regulating valves that are used in typical pneumatic systems. The linear motion of tendons is transduced into complex motion via the prepressurized bent soft actuator. Furthermore, since a PCP actuator does not need any gas supply, complicated pneumatic control systems used in traditional soft robotics are eliminated. This facilitates the development of compact untethered autonomous soft robots for various applications. Both theoretical modeling and experimental validation have been conducted on a sample PCP soft actuator design. A fully untethered autonomous quadrupedal soft robot and a soft gripper have been developed to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed approach over traditional pneumatic-driven soft robots.

Real-Time Confocal Imaging Of The Living Eye

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jester, James V.; Cavanagh, H. Dwight; Essepian, John; Shields, William J.; Lemp, Michael A.

1989-12-01

In 1986, we adapted the Tandem Scanning Reflected Light Microscope of Petran and Hadraysky to permit non-invasive, confocal imaging of the living eye in real-time. We were first to obtain stable, confocal optical sections in vivo, from human and animal eyes. Using confocal imaging systems we have now studied living, normal volunteers, rabbits, cats and primates sequentially, non-invasively, and in real-time. The continued development of real-time confocal imaging systems will unlock the door to a new field of cell biology involving for the first time the study of dynamic cellular processes in living organ systems. Towards this end we have concentrated our initial studies on three areas (1) evaluation of confocal microscope systems for real-time image acquisition, (2) studies of the living normal cornea (epithelium, stroma, endothelium) in human and other species; and (3) sequential wound-healing responses in the cornea in single animals to lamellar-keratectomy injury (cellular migration, inflammation, scarring). We believe that this instrument represents an important, new paradigm for research in cell biology and pathology and that it will fundamentally alter all experimental and clinical approaches in future years.

Far-field photostable optical nanoscopy (PHOTON) for real-time super-resolution single-molecular imaging of signaling pathways of single live cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Tao; Browning, Lauren M.; Xu, Xiao-Hong Nancy

2012-04-01

Cellular signaling pathways play crucial roles in cellular functions and design of effective therapies. Unfortunately, study of cellular signaling pathways remains formidably challenging because sophisticated cascades are involved, and a few molecules are sufficient to trigger signaling responses of a single cell. Here we report the development of far-field photostable-optical-nanoscopy (PHOTON) with photostable single-molecule-nanoparticle-optical-biosensors (SMNOBS) for mapping dynamic cascades of apoptotic signaling pathways of single live cells in real-time at single-molecule (SM) and nanometer (nm) resolutions. We have quantitatively imaged single ligand molecules (tumor necrosis factor α, TNFα) and their binding kinetics with their receptors (TNFR1) on single live cells; tracked formation and internalization of their clusters and their initiation of intracellular signaling pathways in real-time; and studied apoptotic signaling dynamics and mechanisms of single live cells with sufficient temporal and spatial resolutions. This study provides new insights into complex real-time dynamic cascades and molecular mechanisms of apoptotic signaling pathways of single live cells. PHOTON provides superior imaging and sensing capabilities and SMNOBS offer unrivaled biocompatibility and photostability, which enable probing of signaling pathways of single live cells in real-time at SM and nm resolutions.Cellular signaling pathways play crucial roles in cellular functions and design of effective therapies. Unfortunately, study of cellular signaling pathways remains formidably challenging because sophisticated cascades are involved, and a few molecules are sufficient to trigger signaling responses of a single cell. Here we report the development of far-field photostable-optical-nanoscopy (PHOTON) with photostable single-molecule-nanoparticle-optical-biosensors (SMNOBS) for mapping dynamic cascades of apoptotic signaling pathways of single live cells in real-time at single-molecule (SM) and nanometer (nm) resolutions. We have quantitatively imaged single ligand molecules (tumor necrosis factor α, TNFα) and their binding kinetics with their receptors (TNFR1) on single live cells; tracked formation and internalization of their clusters and their initiation of intracellular signaling pathways in real-time; and studied apoptotic signaling dynamics and mechanisms of single live cells with sufficient temporal and spatial resolutions. This study provides new insights into complex real-time dynamic cascades and molecular mechanisms of apoptotic signaling pathways of single live cells. PHOTON provides superior imaging and sensing capabilities and SMNOBS offer unrivaled biocompatibility and photostability, which enable probing of signaling pathways of single live cells in real-time at SM and nm resolutions. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c2nr11739h

Advanced Visualization of Experimental Data in Real Time Using LiveView3D

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwartz, Richard J.; Fleming, Gary A.

2006-01-01

LiveView3D is a software application that imports and displays a variety of wind tunnel derived data in an interactive virtual environment in real time. LiveView3D combines the use of streaming video fed into a three-dimensional virtual representation of the test configuration with networked communications to the test facility Data Acquisition System (DAS). This unified approach to real time data visualization provides a unique opportunity to comprehend very large sets of diverse forms of data in a real time situation, as well as in post-test analysis. This paper describes how LiveView3D has been implemented to visualize diverse forms of aerodynamic data gathered during wind tunnel experiments, most notably at the NASA Langley Research Center Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT). Planned future developments of the LiveView3D system are also addressed.

Improving actuation efficiency through variable recruitment hydraulic McKibben muscles: modeling, orderly recruitment control, and experiments.

PubMed

Meller, Michael; Chipka, Jordan; Volkov, Alexander; Bryant, Matthew; Garcia, Ephrahim

2016-11-03

Hydraulic control systems have become increasingly popular as the means of actuation for human-scale legged robots and assistive devices. One of the biggest limitations to these systems is their run time untethered from a power source. One way to increase endurance is by improving actuation efficiency. We investigate reducing servovalve throttling losses by using a selective recruitment artificial muscle bundle comprised of three motor units. Each motor unit is made up of a pair of hydraulic McKibben muscles connected to one servovalve. The pressure and recruitment state of the artificial muscle bundle can be adjusted to match the load in an efficient manner, much like the firing rate and total number of recruited motor units is adjusted in skeletal muscle. A volume-based effective initial braid angle is used in the model of each recruitment level. This semi-empirical model is utilized to predict the efficiency gains of the proposed variable recruitment actuation scheme versus a throttling-only approach. A real-time orderly recruitment controller with pressure-based thresholds is developed. This controller is used to experimentally validate the model-predicted efficiency gains of recruitment on a robot arm. The results show that utilizing variable recruitment allows for much higher efficiencies over a broader operating envelope.

Real-time investigation of cytochrome c release profiles in living neuronal cells undergoing amyloid beta oligomer-induced apoptosis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Jae Young; Park, Younggeun; Pun, San; Lee, Sung Sik; Lo, Joe F.; Lee, Luke P.

2015-06-01

Intracellular Cyt c release profiles in living human neuroblastoma undergoing amyloid β oligomer (AβO)-induced apoptosis, as a model Alzheimer's disease-associated pathogenic molecule, were analysed in a real-time manner using plasmon resonance energy transfer (PRET)-based spectroscopy.Intracellular Cyt c release profiles in living human neuroblastoma undergoing amyloid β oligomer (AβO)-induced apoptosis, as a model Alzheimer's disease-associated pathogenic molecule, were analysed in a real-time manner using plasmon resonance energy transfer (PRET)-based spectroscopy. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr02390d

Gait mode recognition and control for a portable-powered ankle-foot orthosis.

PubMed

David Li, Yifan; Hsiao-Wecksler, Elizabeth T

2013-06-01

Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are widely used as assistive/rehabilitation devices to correct the gait of people with lower leg neuromuscular dysfunction and muscle weakness. We have developed a portable powered ankle-foot orthosis (PPAFO), which uses a pneumatic bi-directional rotary actuator powered by compressed CO2 to provide untethered dorsiflexor and plantarflexor assistance at the ankle joint. Since portability is a key to the success of the PPAFO as an assist device, it is critical to recognize and control for gait modes (i.e. level walking, stair ascent/descent). While manual mode switching is implemented in most powered orthotic/prosthetic device control algorithms, we propose an automatic gait mode recognition scheme by tracking the 3D position of the PPAFO from an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The control scheme was designed to match the torque profile of physiological gait data during different gait modes. Experimental results indicate that, with an optimized threshold, the controller was able to identify the position, orientation and gait mode in real time, and properly control the actuation. It was also illustrated that during stair descent, a mode-specific actuation control scheme could better restore gait kinematic and kinetic patterns, compared to using the level ground controller.

System, device, and methods for real-time screening of live cells, biomarkers, and chemical signatures

DOEpatents

Sundaram, S Kamakshi [Richland, WA; Riley, Brian J [West Richland, WA; Weber, Thomas J [Richland, WA; Sacksteder, Colette A [West Richland, WA; Addleman, R Shane [Benton City, WA

2011-06-07

An ATR-FTIR device and system are described that defect live-cell responses to stimuli and perturbations in real-time. The system and device can monitor perturbations resulting from exposures to various physical, chemical, and biological materials in real-time, as well as those sustained over a long period of time, including those associated with stimuli having unknown modes-of-action (e.g. nanoparticles). The device and system can also be used to identify specific chemical species or substances that profile cellular responses to these perturbations.

Living Color Frame System: PC graphics tool for data visualization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Truong, Long V.

1993-01-01

Living Color Frame System (LCFS) is a personal computer software tool for generating real-time graphics applications. It is highly applicable for a wide range of data visualization in virtual environment applications. Engineers often use computer graphics to enhance the interpretation of data under observation. These graphics become more complicated when 'run time' animations are required, such as found in many typical modern artificial intelligence and expert systems. Living Color Frame System solves many of these real-time graphics problems.

System Design and Locomotion of Superball, an Untethered Tensegrity Robot

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sabelhaus, Andrew P.; Bruce, Jonathan; Caluwaerts, Ken; Manovi, Pavlo; Firoozi, Roya Fallah; Dobi, Sarah; Agogino, Alice M.; Sunspiral, Vytas

2015-01-01

The Spherical Underactuated Planetary Exploration Robot ball (SUPERball) is an ongoing project within NASA Ames Research Center's Intelligent Robotics Group and the Dynamic Tensegrity Robotics Lab (DTRL). The current SUPERball is the first full prototype of this tensegrity robot platform, eventually destined for space exploration missions. This work, building on prior published discussions of individual components, presents the fully-constructed robot. Various design improvements are discussed, as well as testing results of the sensors and actuators that illustrate system performance. Basic low-level motor position controls are implemented and validated against sensor data, which show SUPERball to be uniquely suited for highly dynamic state trajectory tracking. Finally, SUPERball is shown in a simple example of locomotion. This implementation of a basic motion primitive shows SUPERball in untethered control.

Rolling and aging in temperature-ramp soft adhesion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boniello, Giuseppe; Tribet, Christophe; Marie, Emmanuelle; Croquette, Vincent; Zanchi, Dražen

2018-01-01

Immediately before adsorption to a horizontal substrate, sinking polymer-coated colloids can undergo a complex sequence of landing, jumping, crawling, and rolling events. Using video tracking, we studied the soft adhesion to a horizontal flat plate of micron-size colloids coated by a controlled molar fraction f of the poly(lysine)-grafted-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PLL-g-PNIPAM) which is a temperature-sensitive polymer. We ramp the temperature from below to above Tc=32 ±1∘C , at which the PNIPAM polymer undergoes a transition, triggering attractive interaction between microparticles and surface. The adsorption rate, the effective in-plane (x -y ) diffusion constant, and the average residence time distribution over z were extracted from the Brownian motion records during last seconds before immobilization. Experimental data are understood within a rate-equations-based model that includes aging effects and includes three populations: the untethered, the rolling, and the arrested colloids. We show that preadsorption dynamics casts a characteristic scaling function α (f ) proportional to the number of available PNIPAM patches met by soft contact during Brownian rolling. In particular, the increase of in-plane diffusivity with increasing f is understood: The stickiest particles have the shortest rolling regime prior to arrest, so that their motion is dominated by the untethered phase.

Non-interferometric quantitative phase imaging of yeast cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poola, Praveen K.; Pandiyan, Vimal Prabhu; John, Renu

2015-12-01

Real-time imaging of live cells is quite difficult without the addition of external contrast agents. Various methods for quantitative phase imaging of living cells have been proposed like digital holographic microscopy and diffraction phase microscopy. In this paper, we report theoretical and experimental results of quantitative phase imaging of live yeast cells with nanometric precision using transport of intensity equations (TIE). We demonstrate nanometric depth sensitivity in imaging live yeast cells using this technique. This technique being noninterferometric, does not need any coherent light sources and images can be captured through a regular bright-field microscope. This real-time imaging technique would deliver the depth or 3-D volume information of cells and is highly promising in real-time digital pathology applications, screening of pathogens and staging of diseases like malaria as it does not need any preprocessing of samples.

Imaging multicellular specimens with real-time optimized tiling light-sheet selective plane illumination microscopy

PubMed Central

Fu, Qinyi; Martin, Benjamin L.; Matus, David Q.; Gao, Liang

2016-01-01

Despite the progress made in selective plane illumination microscopy, high-resolution 3D live imaging of multicellular specimens remains challenging. Tiling light-sheet selective plane illumination microscopy (TLS-SPIM) with real-time light-sheet optimization was developed to respond to the challenge. It improves the 3D imaging ability of SPIM in resolving complex structures and optimizes SPIM live imaging performance by using a real-time adjustable tiling light sheet and creating a flexible compromise between spatial and temporal resolution. We demonstrate the 3D live imaging ability of TLS-SPIM by imaging cellular and subcellular behaviours in live C. elegans and zebrafish embryos, and show how TLS-SPIM can facilitate cell biology research in multicellular specimens by studying left-right symmetry breaking behaviour of C. elegans embryos. PMID:27004937

Real-time Molecular Study of Bystander Effects of Low dose Low LET radiation Using Living Cell Imaging and Nanoparticale Optics

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

Natarajan, Mohan; Xu, Nancy R; Mohan, Sumathy

2013-06-03

In this study two novel approaches are proposed to investigate precisely the low dose low LET radiation damage and its effect on bystander cells in real time. First, a flow shear model system, which would provide us a near in vivo situation where endothelial cells in the presence of extra cellular matrix experiencing continuous flow shear stress, will be used. Endothelial cells on matri-gel (simulated extra cellular matrix) will be subjected to physiological flow shear (that occurs in normal blood vessels). Second, a unique tool (Single nano particle/single live cell/single molecule microscopy and spectroscopy; Figure A) will be used tomore » track the molecular trafficking by single live cell imaging. Single molecule chemical microscopy allows one to single out and study rare events that otherwise might be lost in assembled average measurement, and monitor many target single molecules simultaneously in real-time. Multi color single novel metal nanoparticle probes allow one to prepare multicolor probes (Figure B) to monitor many single components (events) simultaneously and perform multi-complex analysis in real-time. These nano-particles resist to photo bleaching and hence serve as probes for unlimited timeframe of analysis. Single live cell microscopy allows one to image many single cells simultaneously in real-time. With the combination of these unique tools, we will be able to study under near-physiological conditions the cellular and sub-cellular responses (even subtle changes at one molecule level) to low and very low doses of low LET radiation in real time (milli-second or nano-second) at sub-10 nanometer spatial resolution. This would allow us to precisely identify, at least in part, the molecular mediators that are responsible of radiation damage in the irradiated cells and the mediators that are responsible for initiating the signaling in the neighboring cells. Endothelial cells subjected to flow shear (2 dynes/cm2 or 16 dynes/cm2) and exposed to 0.1, 1 and 10 cGy on coverslips will be examined for (a) low LET radiation-induced alterations of cellular function and its physiological relevance in real time; and (b) radiation damage triggered bystander effect on the neighboring unirradiated cells. First, to determine the low LET radiation induced alteration of cellular function we will examine: (i) the real time transformation of single membrane transporters in single living cells; (ii) the pump efficiency of membrane efflux pump of live cells in real time at the molecular level; (iii) the kinetics of single-ligand receptor interaction on single live cell surface (Figure C); and (iv) alteration in chromosome replication in living cell. Second, to study the radiation triggered bystander responses, we will examine one of the key signaling pathway i.e. TNF- alpha/NF-kappa B mediated signaling. TNF-alpha specific nano particle sensors (green) will be developed to detect the releasing dynamics, transport mechanisms and ligand-receptor binding on live cell surface in real time. A second sensor (blue) will be developed to simultaneously monitor the track of NF-kB inside the cell. The proposed nano-particle optics approach would complement our DOE funded study on biochemical mechanisms of TNF-alpha- NF-kappa B-mediated bystander effect.« less

Real-time digital signal processing for live electro-optic imaging.

PubMed

Sasagawa, Kiyotaka; Kanno, Atsushi; Tsuchiya, Masahiro

2009-08-31

We present an imaging system that enables real-time magnitude and phase detection of modulated signals and its application to a Live Electro-optic Imaging (LEI) system, which realizes instantaneous visualization of RF electric fields. The real-time acquisition of magnitude and phase images of a modulated optical signal at 5 kHz is demonstrated by imaging with a Si-based high-speed CMOS image sensor and real-time signal processing with a digital signal processor. In the LEI system, RF electric fields are probed with light via an electro-optic crystal plate and downconverted to an intermediate frequency by parallel optical heterodyning, which can be detected with the image sensor. The artifacts caused by the optics and the image sensor characteristics are corrected by image processing. As examples, we demonstrate real-time visualization of electric fields from RF circuits.

Incremental value of live/real time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography over the two-dimensional technique in assessing carcinoid heart disease involving the aortic valve.

PubMed

Bulur, Serkan; Hsiung, Ming C; Nanda, Navin C; Hardas, Shalaka; Mohamed, Ahmed; ElKaryoni, Ahmed; Srialluri, Swetha; Barssoum, Kirolos; Elsayed, Mahmoud; Wei, Jeng; Yin, Wei-Hsian

2016-11-01

We present a case of an adult with metastatic carcinoid heart disease, in whom live/real time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography provided incremental value over two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography in assessing involvement of the aortic valve. © 2016, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Development of a soft untethered robot using artificial muscle actuators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Jiawei; Qin, Lei; Lee, Heow Pueh; Zhu, Jian

2017-04-01

Soft robots have attracted much interest recently, due to their potential capability to work effectively in unstructured environment. Soft actuators are key components in soft robots. Dielectric elastomer actuators are one class of soft actuators, which can deform in response to voltage. Dielectric elastomer actuators exhibit interesting attributes including large voltage-induced deformation and high energy density. These attributes make dielectric elastomer actuators capable of functioning as artificial muscles for soft robots. It is significant to develop untethered robots, since connecting the cables to external power sources greatly limits the robots' functionalities, especially autonomous movements. In this paper we develop a soft untethered robot based on dielectric elastomer actuators. This robot mainly consists of a deformable robotic body and two paper-based feet. The robotic body is essentially a dielectric elastomer actuator, which can expand or shrink at voltage on or off. In addition, the two feet can achieve adhesion or detachment based on the mechanism of electroadhesion. In general, the entire robotic system can be controlled by electricity or voltage. By optimizing the mechanical design of the robot (the size and weight of electric circuits), we put all these components (such as batteries, voltage amplifiers, control circuits, etc.) onto the robotic feet, and the robot is capable of realizing autonomous movements. Experiments are conducted to study the robot's locomotion. Finite element method is employed to interpret the deformation of dielectric elastomer actuators, and the simulations are qualitatively consistent with the experimental observations.

Real-Time linux dynamic clamp: a fast and flexible way to construct virtual ion channels in living cells.

PubMed

Dorval, A D; Christini, D J; White, J A

2001-10-01

We describe a system for real-time control of biological and other experiments. This device, based around the Real-Time Linux operating system, was tested specifically in the context of dynamic clamping, a demanding real-time task in which a computational system mimics the effects of nonlinear membrane conductances in living cells. The system is fast enough to represent dozens of nonlinear conductances in real time at clock rates well above 10 kHz. Conductances can be represented in deterministic form, or more accurately as discrete collections of stochastically gating ion channels. Tests were performed using a variety of complex models of nonlinear membrane mechanisms in excitable cells, including simulations of spatially extended excitable structures, and multiple interacting cells. Only in extreme cases does the computational load interfere with high-speed "hard" real-time processing (i.e., real-time processing that never falters). Freely available on the worldwide web, this experimental control system combines good performance. immense flexibility, low cost, and reasonable ease of use. It is easily adapted to any task involving real-time control, and excels in particular for applications requiring complex control algorithms that must operate at speeds over 1 kHz.

The tethering of chromatin to the nuclear envelope supports nuclear mechanics

PubMed Central

Schreiner, Sarah M.; Koo, Peter K.; Zhao, Yao; Mochrie, Simon G. J.; King, Megan C.

2015-01-01

The nuclear lamina is thought to be the primary mechanical defence of the nucleus. However, the lamina is integrated within a network of lipids, proteins and chromatin; the interdependence of this network poses a challenge to defining the individual mechanical contributions of these components. Here, we isolate the role of chromatin in nuclear mechanics by using a system lacking lamins. Using novel imaging analyses, we observe that untethering chromatin from the inner nuclear membrane results in highly deformable nuclei in vivo, particularly in response to cytoskeletal forces. Using optical tweezers, we find that isolated nuclei lacking inner nuclear membrane tethers are less stiff than wild-type nuclei and exhibit increased chromatin flow, particularly in frequency ranges that recapitulate the kinetics of cytoskeletal dynamics. We suggest that modulating chromatin flow can define both transient and long-lived changes in nuclear shape that are biologically important and may be altered in disease. PMID:26074052

Real-Time Closed-Captioned Television as an Educational Tool.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Block, Martin H.; Okrand, Marc

1983-01-01

Procedures used in real-time (live) television captioning are reviewed, and aspects of the captioning process, such as time delay, use of verbatim captions, targeted reading rates, ways to indicate changes in speakers, and accuracy are considered. Use of real-time captioning in closed-caption television in the classroom is noted. (CL)

Rate limit of protein elastic response is tether dependent.

PubMed

Berkovich, Ronen; Hermans, Rodolfo I; Popa, Ionel; Stirnemann, Guillaume; Garcia-Manyes, Sergi; Berne, Bruce J; Fernandez, Julio M

2012-09-04

The elastic restoring force of tissues must be able to operate over the very wide range of loading rates experienced by living organisms. It is surprising that even the fastest events involving animal muscle tissues do not surpass a few hundred hertz. We propose that this limit is set in part by the elastic dynamics of tethered proteins extending and relaxing under a changing load. Here we study the elastic dynamics of tethered proteins using a fast force spectrometer with sub-millisecond time resolution, combined with Brownian and Molecular Dynamics simulations. We show that the act of tethering a polypeptide to an object, an inseparable part of protein elasticity in vivo and in experimental setups, greatly reduces the attempt frequency with which the protein samples its free energy. Indeed, our data shows that a tethered polypeptide can traverse its free-energy landscape with a surprisingly low effective diffusion coefficient D(eff) ~ 1,200 nm(2)/s. By contrast, our Molecular Dynamics simulations show that diffusion of an isolated protein under force occurs at D(eff) ~ 10(8) nm(2)/s. This discrepancy is attributed to the drag force caused by the tethering object. From the physiological time scales of tissue elasticity, we calculate that tethered elastic proteins equilibrate in vivo with D(eff) ~ 10(4)-10(6) nm(2)/s which is two to four orders magnitude smaller than the values measured for untethered proteins in bulk.

Precision measurement of electric organ discharge timing from freely moving weakly electric fish.

PubMed

Jun, James J; Longtin, André; Maler, Leonard

2012-04-01

Physiological measurements from an unrestrained, untethered, and freely moving animal permit analyses of neural states correlated to naturalistic behaviors of interest. Precise and reliable remote measurements remain technically challenging due to animal movement, which perturbs the relative geometries between the animal and sensors. Pulse-type electric fish generate a train of discrete and stereotyped electric organ discharges (EOD) to sense their surroundings actively, and rapid modulation of the discharge rate occurs while free swimming in Gymnotus sp. The modulation of EOD rates is a useful indicator of the fish's central state such as resting, alertness, and learning associated with exploration. However, the EOD pulse waveforms remotely observed at a pair of dipole electrodes continuously vary as the fish swims relative to the electrodes, which biases the judgment of the actual pulse timing. To measure the EOD pulse timing more accurately, reliably, and noninvasively from a free-swimming fish, we propose a novel method based on the principles of waveform reshaping and spatial averaging. Our method is implemented using envelope extraction and multichannel summation, which is more precise and reliable compared with other widely used threshold- or peak-based methods according to the tests performed under various source-detector geometries. Using the same method, we constructed a real-time electronic pulse detector performing an additional online pulse discrimination routine to enhance further the detection reliability. Our stand-alone pulse detector performed with high temporal precision (<10 μs) and reliability (error <1 per 10(6) pulses) and permits longer recording duration by storing only event time stamps (4 bytes/pulse).

Quantitative real-time imaging of glutathione

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Glutathione plays many important roles in biological processes; however, the dynamic changes of glutathione concentrations in living cells remain largely unknown. Here, we report a reversible reaction-based fluorescent probe—designated as RealThiol (RT)—that can quantitatively monitor the real-time ...

In Vivo and Real-time Monitoring of Secondary Metabolites of Living Organisms by Mass Spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Bin; Wang, Lei; Ye, Wen-Cai; Yao, Zhong-Ping

2013-07-01

Secondary metabolites are compounds that are important for the survival and propagation of animals and plants. Our current understanding on the roles and secretion mechanism of secondary metabolites is limited by the existing techniques that typically cannot provide transient and dynamic information about the metabolic processes. In this manuscript, by detecting venoms secreted by living scorpion and toad upon attack and variation of alkaloids in living Catharanthus roseus upon stimulation, which represent three different sampling methods for living organisms, we demonstrated that in vivo and real-time monitoring of secondary metabolites released from living animals and plants could be readily achieved by using field-induced direct ionization mass spectrometry.

A muscle-driven approach to restore stepping with an exoskeleton for individuals with paraplegia.

PubMed

Chang, Sarah R; Nandor, Mark J; Li, Lu; Kobetic, Rudi; Foglyano, Kevin M; Schnellenberger, John R; Audu, Musa L; Pinault, Gilles; Quinn, Roger D; Triolo, Ronald J

2017-05-30

Functional neuromuscular stimulation, lower limb orthosis, powered lower limb exoskeleton, and hybrid neuroprosthesis (HNP) technologies can restore stepping in individuals with paraplegia due to spinal cord injury (SCI). However, a self-contained muscle-driven controllable exoskeleton approach based on an implanted neural stimulator to restore walking has not been previously demonstrated, which could potentially result in system use outside the laboratory and viable for long term use or clinical testing. In this work, we designed and evaluated an untethered muscle-driven controllable exoskeleton to restore stepping in three individuals with paralysis from SCI. The self-contained HNP combined neural stimulation to activate the paralyzed muscles and generate joint torques for limb movements with a controllable lower limb exoskeleton to stabilize and support the user. An onboard controller processed exoskeleton sensor signals, determined appropriate exoskeletal constraints and stimulation commands for a finite state machine (FSM), and transmitted data over Bluetooth to an off-board computer for real-time monitoring and data recording. The FSM coordinated stimulation and exoskeletal constraints to enable functions, selected with a wireless finger switch user interface, for standing up, standing, stepping, or sitting down. In the stepping function, the FSM used a sensor-based gait event detector to determine transitions between gait phases of double stance, early swing, late swing, and weight acceptance. The HNP restored stepping in three individuals with motor complete paralysis due to SCI. The controller appropriately coordinated stimulation and exoskeletal constraints using the sensor-based FSM for subjects with different stimulation systems. The average range of motion at hip and knee joints during walking were 8.5°-20.8° and 14.0°-43.6°, respectively. Walking speeds varied from 0.03 to 0.06 m/s, and cadences from 10 to 20 steps/min. A self-contained muscle-driven exoskeleton was a feasible intervention to restore stepping in individuals with paraplegia due to SCI. The untethered hybrid system was capable of adjusting to different individuals' needs to appropriately coordinate exoskeletal constraints with muscle activation using a sensor-driven FSM for stepping. Further improvements for out-of-the-laboratory use should include implantation of plantar flexor muscles to improve walking speed and power assist as needed at the hips and knees to maintain walking as muscles fatigue.

Harnessing bistability for directional propulsion of soft, untethered robots.

PubMed

Chen, Tian; Bilal, Osama R; Shea, Kristina; Daraio, Chiara

2018-05-29

In most macroscale robotic systems, propulsion and controls are enabled through a physical tether or complex onboard electronics and batteries. A tether simplifies the design process but limits the range of motion of the robot, while onboard controls and power supplies are heavy and complicate the design process. Here, we present a simple design principle for an untethered, soft swimming robot with preprogrammed, directional propulsion without a battery or onboard electronics. Locomotion is achieved by using actuators that harness the large displacements of bistable elements triggered by surrounding temperature changes. Powered by shape memory polymer (SMP) muscles, the bistable elements in turn actuate the robot's fins. Our robots are fabricated using a commercially available 3D printer in a single print. As a proof of concept, we show the ability to program a vessel, which can autonomously deliver a cargo and navigate back to the deployment point.

Optical architecture of HoloLens mixed reality headset

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kress, Bernard C.; Cummings, William J.

2017-06-01

HoloLens by Microsoft Corp. is the world's first untethered Mixed Reality (MR) Head Mounted Display (HMD) system, released to developers in March 2016 as a Development Kit. We review in this paper the various display requirements and subsequent optical hardware choices we made for HoloLens. Its main achievements go along performance and comfort for the user: it is the first fully untethered MR headset, with the highest angular resolution and the industry's largest eyebox. It has the first inside-out global sensor fusion system including precise head tracking and 3D mapping all controlled by a fully custom on-board GPU. Based on such achievements, HoloLens came out as the most advanced MR system today. Additional features may be implemented in next generations MR headsets, leading to the ultimate experience for the user, and securing the upcoming fabulous AR/MR market predicted by most analysts.

QUANTITATION OF INTRACELLULAR NAD(P)H IN LIVING CELLS CAN MONITOR AN IMBALANCE OF DNA SINGLE STRAND BREAK REPAIR IN REAL TIME

EPA Science Inventory

Quantitation of intracellular NAD(P)H in living cells can monitor an imbalance of DNA single strand break repair in real time.

ABSTRACT

DNA single strand breaks (SSBs) are one of the most frequent DNA lesions in genomic DNA generated either by oxidative stress or du...

Live Aircraft Encounter Visualization at FutureFlight Central

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murphy, James R.; Chinn, Fay; Monheim, Spencer; Otto, Neil; Kato, Kenji; Archdeacon, John

2018-01-01

Researchers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have developed an aircraft data streaming capability that can be used to visualize live aircraft in near real-time. During a joint Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)/NASA Airborne Collision Avoidance System flight series, test sorties between unmanned aircraft and manned intruder aircraft were shown in real-time at NASA Ames' FutureFlight Central tower facility as a virtual representation of the encounter. This capability leveraged existing live surveillance, video, and audio data streams distributed through a Live, Virtual, Constructive test environment, then depicted the encounter from the point of view of any aircraft in the system showing the proximity of the other aircraft. For the demonstration, position report data were sent to the ground from on-board sensors on the unmanned aircraft. The point of view can be change dynamically, allowing encounters from all angles to be observed. Visualizing the encounters in real-time provides a safe and effective method for observation of live flight testing and a strong alternative to travel to the remote test range.

Incremental value of live/real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography over the two-dimensional technique in the assessment of a tuberculoma involving the left atrium and appendage.

PubMed

Kemaloğlu Öz, Tuğba; Elsayed, Mahmoud; Nanda, Navin C; Kalenderoğlu, Koray; Akyüz, Şükrü; Atasoy, Işıl; Ösken, Altuğ; Onuk, Tolga; Eren, Mehmet

2016-09-01

Intracardiac tuberculomas are extremely rare, and cardiac involvement in tuberculosis accounts for only 0.5% of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. We report for the first time incremental value of live/real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography over two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of a tuberculoma involving the left atrium and left atrial appendage. © 2016, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

LiveView3D: Real Time Data Visualization for the Aerospace Testing Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwartz, Richard J.; Fleming, Gary A.

2006-01-01

This paper addresses LiveView3D, a software package and associated data visualization system for use in the aerospace testing environment. The LiveView3D system allows researchers to graphically view data from numerous wind tunnel instruments in real time in an interactive virtual environment. The graphical nature of the LiveView3D display provides researchers with an intuitive view of the measurement data, making it easier to interpret the aerodynamic phenomenon under investigation. LiveView3D has been developed at the NASA Langley Research Center and has been applied in the Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT). This paper discusses the capabilities of the LiveView3D system, provides example results from its application in the UPWT, and outlines features planned for future implementation.

Real-time Data Streams from ``e-RemoteCtrl'' to Central VLBI Network Status Monitoring Services Like IVS Live

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neidhardt, Alexander; Collioud, Arnaud

2014-12-01

A central VLBI network status monitoring can be realized by using online status information about current VLBI sessions, real-time, and status data directly from each radio telescope. Such monitoring helps to organize sessions or to get immediate feedback from the active telescopes. Therefore the remote control software for VLBI radio telescopes ``e-RemoteCtrl'' (http://www.econtrol-software.de), which enables remote access as extension to the NASA Field System, realizes real-time data streams to dedicated data centers. The software has direct access to the status information about the current observation (e.g., schedule, scan, source) and the telescope (e.g., current state, temperature, pressure) in real-time. This information are directly sent to ``IVS Live''. ``IVS Live'' (http://ivslive.obs.u-bordeaux1.fr/) is a Web tool that can be used to follow the observing sessions, organized by the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS), navigate through past or upcoming sessions, or search and display specific information about sessions, sources (like VLBI images), and stations, by using an Internet browser.

Hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon dots with real-time live-cell imaging and blood-brain barrier penetration capabilities.

PubMed

Lu, Shousi; Guo, Shanshan; Xu, Pingxiang; Li, Xiaorong; Zhao, Yuming; Gu, Wei; Xue, Ming

Nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) were synthesized using a one-pot hydrothermal treatment with citric acid in the presence of polyethylenimine. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that the N-CDs were monodispersed and quasi-spherical with an average size of ~2.6 nm. Under ultraviolet irradiation the N-CDs emitted a strong blue luminescence with a quantum yield as high as 51%. Moreover, the N-CDs exhibited a negligible cytotoxicity and could be applied as efficient nanoprobes for real-time imaging of live cells. In addition, the ability of the N-CDs to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in a concentration-dependent manner was demonstrated using an in vitro BBB model. Therefore, these PEI-passivated N-CDs with real-time live-cell imaging and BBB-penetration capabilities hold promise for traceable drug delivery to the brain.

Hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon dots with real-time live-cell imaging and blood–brain barrier penetration capabilities

PubMed Central

Lu, Shousi; Guo, Shanshan; Xu, Pingxiang; Li, Xiaorong; Zhao, Yuming; Gu, Wei; Xue, Ming

2016-01-01

Nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) were synthesized using a one-pot hydrothermal treatment with citric acid in the presence of polyethylenimine. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that the N-CDs were monodispersed and quasi-spherical with an average size of ~2.6 nm. Under ultraviolet irradiation the N-CDs emitted a strong blue luminescence with a quantum yield as high as 51%. Moreover, the N-CDs exhibited a negligible cytotoxicity and could be applied as efficient nanoprobes for real-time imaging of live cells. In addition, the ability of the N-CDs to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in a concentration-dependent manner was demonstrated using an in vitro BBB model. Therefore, these PEI-passivated N-CDs with real-time live-cell imaging and BBB-penetration capabilities hold promise for traceable drug delivery to the brain. PMID:27932880

Real-time monitoring of endogenous cysteine levels in living cells using a CD-based ratiometric fluorescent nanoprobe.

PubMed

Wang, Hong; Zhang, Peisheng; Tian, Yong; Zhang, Yuan; Yang, Heping; Chen, Shu; Zeng, Rongjin; Long, Yunfei; Chen, Jian

2018-04-30

A simple and readily available fluorescent probe is needed for the real-time monitoring of endogenous cysteine (Cys) levels in living cells, as such a probe could be used to study the role of Cys in related diseases. Herein, we report the first fluorescent probe based on carbon dots (CDs-FITA) for the selective and ratiometric imaging of endogenous Cys in live cells. In this ratiometric fluorescent probe, a fluorescein derivative (FITA) that recognizes Cys is covalently linked to the surfaces of carbon dots (CDs); employing CDs greatly improves the water solubility of the probe. Acrylate on FITA is selectively cleaved by Cys in aqueous solution under mild conditions, leading to a dramatic increase in the fluorescence from fluorescein. The probe therefore allows the highly selective ratiometric fluorescent detection of Cys even in the presence of various interferents. The as-prepared CDs-FITA showed excellent performance when applied to detect Cys in blood serum. In addition, due to its negligible cytotoxicity, the CDs-FITA can also be utilized for the real-time monitoring of endogenous cysteine (Cys) levels in living cells. Graphical abstract Illustration of the CD-based probe for Cys imaging in living cells.

Real-time implementation of an interactive jazz accompaniment system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deshpande, Nikhil

Modern computational algorithms and digital signal processing (DSP) are able to combine with human performers without forced or predetermined structure in order to create dynamic and real-time accompaniment systems. With modern computing power and intelligent algorithm layout and design, it is possible to achieve more detailed auditory analysis of live music. Using this information, computer code can follow and predict how a human's musical performance evolves, and use this to react in a musical manner. This project builds a real-time accompaniment system to perform together with live musicians, with a focus on live jazz performance and improvisation. The system utilizes a new polyphonic pitch detector and embeds it in an Ableton Live system - combined with Max for Live - to perform elements of audio analysis, generation, and triggering. The system also relies on tension curves and information rate calculations from the Creative Artificially Intuitive and Reasoning Agent (CAIRA) system to help understand and predict human improvisation. These metrics are vital to the core system and allow for extrapolated audio analysis. The system is able to react dynamically to a human performer, and can successfully accompany the human as an entire rhythm section.

Quantitative measurement of permeabilization of living cells by terahertz attenuated total reflection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grognot, Marianne; Gallot, Guilhem

2015-09-01

Using Attenuated Total Reflection imaging technique in the terahertz domain, we demonstrate non-invasive, non-staining real time measurements of cytoplasm leakage during permeabilization of epithelial cells by saponin. The terahertz signal is mostly sensitive to the intracellular protein concentration in the cells, in a very good agreement with standard bicinchoninic acid protein measurements. It opens the way to in situ real time dynamics of protein content and permeabilization in live cells.

Rate limit of protein elastic response is tether dependent

PubMed Central

Berkovich, Ronen; Hermans, Rodolfo I.; Popa, Ionel; Stirnemann, Guillaume; Garcia-Manyes, Sergi; Berne, Bruce J.; Fernandez, Julio M.

2012-01-01

The elastic restoring force of tissues must be able to operate over the very wide range of loading rates experienced by living organisms. It is surprising that even the fastest events involving animal muscle tissues do not surpass a few hundred hertz. We propose that this limit is set in part by the elastic dynamics of tethered proteins extending and relaxing under a changing load. Here we study the elastic dynamics of tethered proteins using a fast force spectrometer with sub-millisecond time resolution, combined with Brownian and Molecular Dynamics simulations. We show that the act of tethering a polypeptide to an object, an inseparable part of protein elasticity in vivo and in experimental setups, greatly reduces the attempt frequency with which the protein samples its free energy. Indeed, our data shows that a tethered polypeptide can traverse its free-energy landscape with a surprisingly low effective diffusion coefficient Deff ∼ 1,200 nm2/s. By contrast, our Molecular Dynamics simulations show that diffusion of an isolated protein under force occurs at Deff ∼ 108 nm2/s. This discrepancy is attributed to the drag force caused by the tethering object. From the physiological time scales of tissue elasticity, we calculate that tethered elastic proteins equilibrate in vivo with Deff ∼ 104–106 nm2/s which is two to four orders magnitude smaller than the values measured for untethered proteins in bulk. PMID:22895787

Domestic embedded reporter program: saving lives and securing tactical operations

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-01

estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instruction, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the...13. ABSTRACT (maximum 200 words) Advances in technology have provided journalists the tools to obtain and share real- time information during domestic...terrorist and mass-shooting incidents. This real- time information-sharing compromises the safety of first responders, victims, and reporters. Real

Hardware Design and Testing of SUPERball, A Modular Tensegrity Robot

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sabelhaus, Andrew P.; Bruce, Jonathan; Caluwaerts, Ken; Chen, Yangxin; Lu, Dizhou; Liu, Yuejia; Agogino, Adrian K.; SunSpiral, Vytas; Agogino, Alice M.

2014-01-01

We are developing a system of modular, autonomous "tensegrity end-caps" to enable the rapid exploration of untethered tensegrity robot morphologies and functions. By adopting a self-contained modular approach, different end-caps with various capabilities (such as peak torques, or motor speeds), can be easily combined into new tensegrity robots composed of rods, cables, and actuators of different scale (such as in length, mass, peak loads, etc). As a first step in developing this concept, we are in the process of designing and testing the end-caps for SUPERball (Spherical Underactuated Planetary Exploration Robot), a project at the Dynamic Tensegrity Robotics Lab (DTRL) within NASA Ames's Intelligent Robotics Group. This work discusses the evolving design concepts and test results that have gone into the structural, mechanical, and sensing aspects of SUPERball. This representative tensegrity end-cap design supports robust and repeatable untethered mobility tests of the SUPERball, while providing high force, high displacement actuation, with a low-friction, compliant cabling system.

Real-time Raman spectroscopy of optically trapped living cells and organelles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Changan; Goodman, Charles; Dinno, Mumtaz A.; Li, Yong-Qing

2004-12-01

We report on real-time Raman spectroscopic studies of optically trapped living cells and organelles using an inverted confocal laser-tweezers-Raman-spectroscopy (LTRS) system. The LTRS system was used to hold a single living cell in a physiological solution or to hold a functional organelle within a living cell and consequently measured its Raman spectra. We have measured the changes in Raman spectra of a trapped yeast cell as the function of the temperature of the bathing solution and studied the irreversible cell degeneration during the heat denaturation. In addition, we measured the in-vitro Raman spectra of the nuclei within living pine cells and B. sporeformer, Strep. salivarius, and E. coli bacteria suspended in solution and showed the possibility of using LTRS system as a sensor for rapid identification of microbes in a fluid.

Incremental value of live/real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography over the two-dimensional technique in the assessment of primary cardiac malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

PubMed

Gok, Gulay; Elsayed, Mahmoud; Thind, Munveer; Uygur, Begum; Abtahi, Firoozeh; Chahwala, Jugal R; Yıldırımtürk, Özlem; Kayacıoğlu, İlyas; Pehlivanoğlu, Seçkin; Nanda, Navin C

2015-07-01

We describe a case of primary cardiac malignant fibrous histiocytoma where live/real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography added incremental value to the two-dimensional modalities. Specifically, the three-dimensional technique allowed us to delineate the true extent and infiltration of the tumor, to identify characteristics of the tumor mass suggestive of its malignant nature, and to quantitatively assess the total tumor burden. © 2015, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Imagine Yourself in This Calculus Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bryan, Luajean

2007-01-01

The efforts to attract students to precalculus, trigonometry, and calculus classes became more successful at the author's school when projects-based classes were offered. Data collection from an untethered hot air balloon flight for calculus students was planned to maximize enrollment. The data were analyzed numerically, graphically, and…

More preoperative flexibility implies adequate neural pliability for curve correction without prophylactic untethering in scoliosis patients with asymptomatic tethered spinal cord, a retrospective study.

PubMed

Zhou, Zhenhai; Zhang, Hongqi; Guo, Chaofeng; Yu, Honggui; Wang, Longjie; Guo, Qiang

2017-06-15

Tethered spinal cord is frequently associated with scoliosis. It is still controversial whether a prophylactic untethering is necessary before correction procedure in scoliosis patients with tethered spinal cord. In this study we determined the clinical outcome of a one-stage posterior scoliosis correction without a prophylactic untethering for treating scoliosis with an asymptomatic tethered spinal cord. Seventeen (5 males and 12 females) scoliosis patients with tethered spinal cords were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent a one-stage posterior scoliosis correction without preventive untethering. Parameters of radiograph were used to assess correction result. The Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22 questionnaire was analyzed pre- and post-operatively to evaluate the clinical outcomes. The modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) score was used to assess the pre- and post-operative spinal cord function. The post-operative coronal Cobb angle was significantly decreased compared with preoperative. (23.8 ± 6.4° vs. 58.4 ± 12.6°, P < 0.01). The coronal Cobb angle was 22.4 ± 6.8° at the final follow-up evaluation. The apical vertebral translation (AVT) was also decreased significantly. (27.5 mm vs. 60.9 mm, P < 0.01). The SRS-22 total score was improved at the 1-year follow-up evaluation compared with the pre-operative SRS-22 total score (87 ± 4 vs. 70 ± 5, p < 0.05). The functional activities, pain, self-image, mental health, and surgery satisfactory scores at the final follow-up evaluation were all improved compared with the corresponding pre-operative scores, especially the self-image and mental health scores (p < 0.05). The spinal cord function was stable and there was no new neurological symptoms after scoliosis correction. No difference existed between the pre- and post-operative total mJOA score (26 ± 2 vs. 27 ± 2, p = 0.39), which including subjective symptom (p = 0.07), clinical symptom (p = 0.33), daily activities (p = 0.44) and bladder function (p = 0.67). One-stage posterior scoliosis correction is a safe and effective surgical procedure for scoliosis patients combined with asymptomatic tethered spinal cord who have adequate spinal cord function reserve.

Conducting Real-Time Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study via Telepractice: A Preliminary Feasibility and Reliability Study.

PubMed

Burns, Clare L; Ward, Elizabeth C; Hill, Anne J; Phillips, Nick; Porter, Linda

2016-06-01

A small number of studies have examined the feasibility of conducting videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) via telepractice. While the results have confirmed this potential, the systems tested to date have either reported issues that impacted the ability to analyze/interpret the VFSS recordings in real time, or they were not designed to enable real-time interpretation. Further system design is needed to establish a telepractice model that enables the VFSS assessment to be both guided and interpreted live in real time. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and reliability of using a telepractice system to enable live VFSS assessment. Twenty adult patients underwent a VFSS assessment directed by a telepractice SLP with competency in VFSS located in another room of the hospital. The telepractice clinician led the sessions using a C20 Cisco TelePresence System. This was linked in real time via a secure telehealth network (at 4 megabits per second (Mbit/s)) to a C60 Cisco TelePresence System located in a fluoroscopy suite, connected to the digital fluoroscopy system. Levels of agreement were calculated between the telepractice clinician and a face-to-face clinician who simultaneously rated the VFSS in real time. High levels of agreement for swallowing parameters (range = 75-100 %; k = -0.34 to 1.0) and management decisions (range = 70-100 %, k = 0.64-1.0) were found. A post-session questionnaire revealed clinicians agreed that the telepractice system enabled successful remote assessment of VFSS. The findings support the potential to conduct live VFSS assessment via a telepractice model.

Real Talk, Real Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nichols, Maria

2014-01-01

What happens in classrooms when we create the time and space for authentic talk about texts? Extended, collaborative conversations that allow understanding to unfold over time can be messy and dynamic. As students wrestle with complex texts and ideas, talk can become lively--and predictable problems can arise. In this article, Marie Nichols uses…

Reshaping the "Pillow Angel": Plastic Bodies and the Rhetoric of Normal Surgical Solutions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jordan, John W.

2009-01-01

This essay uses the controversial "Ashley Treatment" to argue that normative body rhetorics have become untethered from and more influential than traditional medical perspectives in determinations about surgical intervention. While disagreeing greatly over the ethics of the "Treatment," both its supporters and critics construct rhetorics of a…

Performance of an untethered micro-optical pressure sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ioppolo, Tindaro; Manzo, Maurizio; Krueger, Paul

2012-11-01

We present analytical and computational studies of the performance of a novel untethered micro-optical pressure sensor for fluid dynamics measurements. In particular, resolution and dynamic range will be presented. The sensor concept is based on the whispering galley mode (WGM) shifts that are observed in micro-scale dielectric optical cavities. A micro-spherical optical cavity (liquid or solid) is embedded in a thin polymeric sheet. The applied external pressure perturbs the morphology of the optical cavity leading to a shift in its optical resonances. The optical sensors are interrogated remotely, by embedding quantum dots or fluorescent dye in the micro-optical cavity. This allows a free space coupling of excitation and monitoring of the optical modes without the need of optical fibers or other cabling. With appropriate excitation and monitoring equipment, the micro-scale sensors can be distributed over a surface (e.g., including flexible biological surfaces) to monitor the local pressure field. We acknowledge the financial support from the National Science Foundation through grant CBET-1133876 with Dr. Horst Henning Winter as the program director.

"Affective Encounters": Live Intermedial Spaces in Sites of Trauma

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scott, Jo

2016-01-01

This article addresses live intermediality as a tool for creative learning in the context of workshops carried out with young people in the town of Terezin, in the Czech Republic, site of the Nazi concentration camp, Theresienstadt. Live intermediality, as a mode of live media practice, involves the real time mixing and merging of sound, image,…

High-Sensitivity Real-Time Imaging of Dual Protein-Protein Interactions in Living Subjects Using Multicolor Luciferases

PubMed Central

Hida, Naoki; Awais, Muhammad; Takeuchi, Masaki; Ueno, Naoto; Tashiro, Mayuri; Takagi, Chiyo; Singh, Tanuja; Hayashi, Makoto; Ohmiya, Yoshihiro; Ozawa, Takeaki

2009-01-01

Networks of protein-protein interactions play key roles in numerous important biological processes in living subjects. An effective methodology to assess protein-protein interactions in living cells of interest is protein-fragment complement assay (PCA). Particularly the assays using fluorescent proteins are powerful techniques, but they do not directly track interactions because of its irreversibility or the time for chromophore formation. By contrast, PCAs using bioluminescent proteins can overcome these drawbacks. We herein describe an imaging method for real-time analysis of protein-protein interactions using multicolor luciferases with different spectral characteristics. The sensitivity and signal-to-background ratio were improved considerably by developing a carboxy-terminal fragment engineered from a click beetle luciferase. We demonstrate its utility in spatiotemporal characterization of Smad1–Smad4 and Smad2–Smad4 interactions in early developing stages of a single living Xenopus laevis embryo. We also describe the value of this method by application of specific protein-protein interactions in cell cultures and living mice. This technique supports quantitative analyses and imaging of versatile protein-protein interactions with a selective luminescence wavelength in opaque or strongly auto-fluorescent living subjects. PMID:19536355

New Technologies: Real-time Telepathology Systems-Novel Cost-effective Tools for Real-time Consultation and Data Sharing.

PubMed

Siegel, Gabriel; Regelman, Dan; Maronpot, Robert; Rosenstock, Moti; Nyska, Abraham

2017-12-01

Real-time telepathology for use in investigative and regulated preclinical toxicology studies is now feasible. Newly developed microscope-integrated telepathology systems enable geographically remote stakeholders to view the live histopathology slide as seen by the study pathologist within the microscope. Simultaneous online viewing and dialog between study pathologist and remote colleagues is an efficient and cost-effective means for consultation, pathology working groups, and peer review, facilitating good science and economic benefits by enabling more timely and informed clinical decisions.

Real-time optical imaging of the interaction of epidermal growth factor and its receptor in living cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Qiaoya; Wang, Liang; Zeng, Shaoqun; Zhang, Zhihong; Zheng, Gang

2009-02-01

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) has been widely used in biology in recent years, and permits high spatial resolution assays of protein-protein interactions in living cells. Here, we first use the FRET technique to real-time observe the binding of EGF to EGFR on the surface of A549 cells and EGFR-GFP-ldlA7 cells, and continuously monitor this reaction for 1 hour. In addition, this is the first direct evidence that FRET occurred between different proteins which are in the intramembrane and extramembrane, respectively.

Monitoring activities of satellite data processing services in real-time with SDDS Live Monitor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duc Nguyen, Minh

2017-10-01

This work describes Live Monitor, the monitoring subsystem of SDDS - an automated system for space experiment data processing, storage, and distribution created at SINP MSU. Live Monitor allows operators and developers of satellite data centers to identify errors occurred in data processing quickly and to prevent further consequences caused by the errors. All activities of the whole data processing cycle are illustrated via a web interface in real-time. Notification messages are delivered to responsible people via emails and Telegram messenger service. The flexible monitoring mechanism implemented in Live Monitor allows us to dynamically change and control events being shown on the web interface on our demands. Physicists, whose space weather analysis models are functioning upon satellite data provided by SDDS, can use the developed RESTful API to monitor their own events and deliver customized notification messages by their needs.

Tracking the Dynamic Folding and Unfolding of RNA G-Quadruplexes in Live Cells.

PubMed

Chen, Xiu-Cai; Chen, Shuo-Bin; Dai, Jing; Yuan, Jia-Hao; Ou, Tian-Miao; Huang, Zhi-Shu; Tan, Jia-Heng

2018-04-16

Because of the absence of methods for tracking RNA G-quadruplex dynamics, especially the folding and unfolding of this attractive structure in live cells, understanding of the biological roles of RNA G-quadruplexes is so far limited. Herein, we report a new red-emitting fluorescent probe, QUMA-1, for the selective, continuous, and real-time visualization of RNA G-quadruplexes in live cells. The applications of QUMA-1 in several previously intractable applications, including live-cell imaging of the dynamic folding, unfolding, and movement of RNA G-quadruplexes and the visualization of the unwinding of RNA G-quadruplexes by RNA helicase have been demonstrated. Notably, our real-time results revealed the complexity of the dynamics of RNA G-quadruplexes in live cells. We anticipate that the further application of QUMA-1 in combination with appropriate biological and imaging methods to explore the dynamics of RNA G-quadruplexes will uncover more information about the biological roles of RNA G-quadruplexes. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Untethering Education: Creating a Pilot Hybrid Class to Enhance Learning in Intercultural Communication

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lawton, Bessie; Foeman, Anita; Thompsen, Philip

2014-01-01

Improvements in educational technology in the past couple of decades have led institutions of higher learning to encourage and implement various types of distance education courses. This article reports on the conversion process of a face-to-face Intercultural Communication class at a mid-Atlantic university in the USA. First, the impetus for its…

Untethered Operations: Rapid Mobility and Forward Basing Are Keys to Airpower’s Success in the Antiaccess/Area-Denial Environment

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-01

modern airfield damage repair capability is currently targeted for the Pacific theater. Given the urgency of the resurgent Russian threat, additional...DC, where he worked with the US Sen - ate on Air Force priorities and programs. General Spacy is a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Marine Corps

Enabling National Security Through Dual-Use Technology

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-04-30

Aersopace, 2014) Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC) The Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC) is an exoskeleton developed by Lockheed Martin for dismounted...HULC (Army-Technology.com, 2014). HULC is an un-tethered, hydraulic-powered, anthropomorphic exoskeleton designed specifically to fit around the...currently designed for military use, exoskeleton technology development will eventually provide civilian capabilities by enhancing firefighting

Bioluminescent pathogens as a tool to monitor infection in live animals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brovko, Lubov Y.

2002-05-01

The study of pathogenic processes is mostly limited to in vitro assays, cell-culture techniques and post mortem examination of infected animals. A better understanding of the infectious process, efficiency of antimicrobial and antibiotic treatment as well as immunomodulatory effects of different food supplements could be achieved by in vivo real-time monitoring of bacterial colonization in live animals. It was proposed recently to use bacterial pathogens with luminescent or fluorescent phenotypes for photonic detection of bacterial cells in living hosts. 14 It was shown that both bacteria transformed with full cassette of luminescent genes from Xenorhabdus luminescens and with Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) could be visualized in animal using whole-body luminescent or fluorescent imaging techniques with high sensitivity and in real time. We used this approach to investigate the effect of diet on the time-course of infection in mice orally infected with bioluminescent strain of Salmonella enteritidis.

In Situ Live-Cell Nucleus Fluorescence Labeling with Bioinspired Fluorescent Probes.

PubMed

Ding, Pan; Wang, Houyu; Song, Bin; Ji, Xiaoyuan; Su, Yuanyuan; He, Yao

2017-08-01

Fluorescent imaging techniques for visualization of nuclear structure and function in live cells are fundamentally important for exploring major cellular events. The ideal cellular labeling method is capable of realizing label-free, in situ, real-time, and long-term nucleus labeling in live cells, which can fully obtain the nucleus-relative information and effectively alleviate negative effects of alien probes on cellular metabolism. However, current established fluorescent probes-based strategies (e.g., fluorescent proteins-, organic dyes-, fluorescent organic/inorganic nanoparticles-based imaging techniques) are unable to simultaneously realize label-free, in situ, long-term, and real-time nucleus labeling, resulting in inevitable difficulties in fully visualizing nuclear structure and function in live cells. To this end, we present a type of bioinspired fluorescent probes, which are highly efficacious for in situ and label-free tracking of nucleus in long-term and real-time manners. Typically, the bioinspired polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles, served as fluorescent probes, can be readily synthesized in situ within live cell nucleus without any further modifications under physiological conditions (37 °C, pH ∼7.4). Compared with other conventional nuclear dyes (e.g., propidium iodide (PI), Hoechst), superior spectroscopic properties (e.g., quantum yield of ∼35.8% and high photostability) and low cytotoxicity of PDA-based probes enable long-term (e.g., 3 h) fluorescence tracking of nucleus. We also demonstrate the generality of this type of bioinspired fluorescent probes in different cell lines and complex biological samples.

Real-Time Data as an Instructional Tool: Examining Engagement and Comprehension

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blanton, Eric Glenn

2017-01-01

The integration of technology within the lives of all people has continued to expand and also impacts the education systems around the world. The purpose of this study was to study how real-time data impacted the educational achievement of students in a senior level economics class who participated in game-based learning through the Marketwatch…

Live broadcast lectures on complete denture prosthodontics at Tokyo Medical and Dental University: comparison of two years.

PubMed

Iwaki, Maiko; Kanazawa, Manabu; Sunaga, Masayo; Kinoshita, Atsuhiro; Minakuchi, Shunsuke

2013-03-01

A live broadcasting system was developed as part of dental education with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at Tokyo Medical and Dental University. The purpose of this study was to utilize this system in complete denture prosthodontics, especially for the procedure of making a definitive impression with custom tray border molding in edentulous patients, and to evaluate its effectiveness. Live broadcast lectures on complete denture prosthodontics were given to fourth-year students in 2009 (fifty-nine students) and in 2010 (sixty-five students). To evaluate this lecture, a questionnaire was distributed to the students and faculty members after the lecture. Almost all the students and faculty members rated the lecture as good. Students commented that the lecture was "intelligible," "inspiring," "improved understanding," "good because they could ask questions in real time," "helped to know the actual time," "good for all the students to see the same case," and "close to real experience and induced a sense of tension." The results of this study suggested that a live broadcast lecture would help students experience the real clinical situation and aid in teaching complete denture prosthodontics.

Real time quantitative phase microscopy based on single-shot transport of intensity equation (ssTIE) method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Wei; Tian, Xiaolin; He, Xiaoliang; Song, Xiaojun; Xue, Liang; Liu, Cheng; Wang, Shouyu

2016-08-01

Microscopy based on transport of intensity equation provides quantitative phase distributions which opens another perspective for cellular observations. However, it requires multi-focal image capturing while mechanical and electrical scanning limits its real time capacity in sample detections. Here, in order to break through this restriction, real time quantitative phase microscopy based on single-shot transport of the intensity equation method is proposed. A programmed phase mask is designed to realize simultaneous multi-focal image recording without any scanning; thus, phase distributions can be quantitatively retrieved in real time. It is believed the proposed method can be potentially applied in various biological and medical applications, especially for live cell imaging.

Real-time Experiment Interface for Biological Control Applications

PubMed Central

Lin, Risa J.; Bettencourt, Jonathan; White, John A.; Christini, David J.; Butera, Robert J.

2013-01-01

The Real-time Experiment Interface (RTXI) is a fast and versatile real-time biological experimentation system based on Real-Time Linux. RTXI is open source and free, can be used with an extensive range of experimentation hardware, and can be run on Linux or Windows computers (when using the Live CD). RTXI is currently used extensively for two experiment types: dynamic patch clamp and closed-loop stimulation pattern control in neural and cardiac single cell electrophysiology. RTXI includes standard plug-ins for implementing commonly used electrophysiology protocols with synchronized stimulation, event detection, and online analysis. These and other user-contributed plug-ins can be found on the website (http://www.rtxi.org). PMID:21096883

Real-time, aptamer-based tracking of circulating therapeutic agents in living animals

PubMed Central

Ferguson, B. Scott; Hoggarth, David A.; Maliniak, Dan; Ploense, Kyle; White, Ryan J.; Woodward, Nick; Hsieh, Kuangwen; Bonham, Andrew J.; Eisenstein, Michael; Kippin, Tod; Plaxco, Kevin W.; Soh, H. Tom

2014-01-01

A sensor capable of continuously measuring specific molecules in the bloodstream in vivo would give clinicians a valuable window into patients’ health and their response to therapeutics. Such technology would enable truly personalized medicine, wherein therapeutic agents could be tailored with optimal doses for each patient to maximize efficacy and minimize side effects. Unfortunately, continuous, real-time measurement is currently only possible for a handful of targets, such as glucose, lactose, and oxygen, and the few existing platforms for continuous measurement are not generalizable for the monitoring of other analytes, such as small-molecule therapeutics. In response, we have developed a real-time biosensor capable of continuously tracking a wide range of circulating drugs in living subjects. Our microfluidic electrochemical detector for in vivo continuous monitoring (MEDIC) requires no exogenous reagents, operates at room temperature, and can be reconfigured to measure different target molecules by exchanging probes in a modular manner. To demonstrate the system's versatility, we measured therapeutic in vivo concentrations of doxorubicin (a chemotherapeutic) and kanamycin (an antibiotic) in live rats and in human whole blood for several hours with high sensitivity and specificity at sub-minute temporal resolution. Importantly, we show that MEDIC can also obtain pharmacokineticparameters for individual animals in real-time. Accordingly, just as continuous glucose monitoring technology is currently revolutionizing diabetes care, we believe MEDIC could be a powerful enabler for personalized medicine by ensuring delivery of optimal drug doses for individual patients based on direct detection of physiological parameters. PMID:24285484

A real-time 3D end-to-end augmented reality system (and its representation transformations)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tytgat, Donny; Aerts, Maarten; De Busser, Jeroen; Lievens, Sammy; Rondao Alface, Patrice; Macq, Jean-Francois

2016-09-01

The new generation of HMDs coming to the market is expected to enable many new applications that allow free viewpoint experiences with captured video objects. Current applications usually rely on 3D content that is manually created or captured in an offline manner. In contrast, this paper focuses on augmented reality applications that use live captured 3D objects while maintaining free viewpoint interaction. We present a system that allows live dynamic 3D objects (e.g. a person who is talking) to be captured in real-time. Real-time performance is achieved by traversing a number of representation formats and exploiting their specific benefits. For instance, depth images are maintained for fast neighborhood retrieval and occlusion determination, while implicit surfaces are used to facilitate multi-source aggregation for both geometry and texture. The result is a 3D reconstruction system that outputs multi-textured triangle meshes at real-time rates. An end-to-end system is presented that captures and reconstructs live 3D data and allows for this data to be used on a networked (AR) device. For allocating the different functional blocks onto the available physical devices, a number of alternatives are proposed considering the available computational power and bandwidth for each of the components. As we will show, the representation format can play an important role in this functional allocation and allows for a flexible system that can support a highly heterogeneous infrastructure.

Observation of rat's colon polyps in real time by mini-endoscopy and raman spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andriana, Bibin Bintang; Mahardika, Anggara; Taketani, Akihiro; Sato, Hidetoshi

2018-02-01

Colorectal adenoma (CA) is a disease caused by various factors (such as genetic factors or environmental exposures). The appearance of colon polyp (CP) within colorectal might indicate the hint of CA development. Ball-lens hollow fiber Raman probe (BHRP) may has a high capability for detection of CA in living experimental animal and have already tested to rat's CP in this study, which was designed to collaborate between BHRP with mini-endoscopy to observe the biochemical alteration within normal colon tissue and rat's colon polyps in real time. BHRP and mini-endoscopy can distinguish the differences in their finger print spectra and make pictures the control and CP in the real time. At the first step, the real situation of normal colon and Rat's CP were washed by saline and observed with mini-endoscopy. BHRP was introduced to Dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced Rat's CP to detect some of biochemical alteration. The main purpose of this study was to introduce mini-endoscopy to guide the BHRP for diagnosing of CP in real time and to compare it with spectra of normal colon (control group) in living rat. As the result, BHRP can provide the differences in band of control and CP group, which can inform that the biochemical of normal and CP has changed. As a major parameter to distinct normal and CP tissue were phosphatidylinositol, phosphodiester group, lipid, and collagen. Mini endoscopy and BHRP is very sensitive devices for diagnosing of CP in real time.

Real-time Raman and SRS imaging of living human macrophages reveals cell-to-cell heterogeneity and dynamics of lipid uptake.

PubMed

Stiebing, Clara; Meyer, Tobias; Rimke, Ingo; Matthäus, Christian; Schmitt, Michael; Lorkowski, Stefan; Popp, Jürgen

2017-09-01

Monitoring living cells in real-time is important in order to unravel complex dynamic processes in life sciences. In particular the dynamics of initiation and progression of degenerative diseases is intensely studied. In atherosclerosis the thickening of arterial walls is related to high lipid levels in the blood stream, which trigger the lipid uptake and formation of droplets as neutral lipid reservoirs in macrophages in the arterial wall. Unregulated lipid uptake finally results in foam cell formation, which is a hallmark of atherosclerosis. In previous studies, the uptake and storage of different fatty acids was monitored by measuring fixed cells. Commonly employed fluorescence staining protocols are often error prone because of cytotoxicity and unspecific fluorescence backgrounds. By following living cells with Raman spectroscopic imaging, lipid uptake of macrophages was studied with real-time data acquisition. Isotopic labeling using deuterated palmitic acid has been combined with spontaneous and stimulated Raman imaging to investigate the dynamic process of fatty acid storage in human macrophages for incubation times from 45 min to 37 h. Striking heterogeneity in the uptake rate and the total concentration of deuterated palmitic acid covering two orders of magnitude is detected in single as well as ensembles of cultured human macrophages. SRS signal of deuterated palmitic acid measured at the CD vibration band after incorporation into living macrophages. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

LVC interaction within a mixed-reality training system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pollock, Brice; Winer, Eliot; Gilbert, Stephen; de la Cruz, Julio

2012-03-01

The United States military is increasingly pursuing advanced live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) training systems for reduced cost, greater training flexibility, and decreased training times. Combining the advantages of realistic training environments and virtual worlds, mixed reality LVC training systems can enable live and virtual trainee interaction as if co-located. However, LVC interaction in these systems often requires constructing immersive environments, developing hardware for live-virtual interaction, tracking in occluded environments, and an architecture that supports real-time transfer of entity information across many systems. This paper discusses a system that overcomes these challenges to empower LVC interaction in a reconfigurable, mixed reality environment. This system was developed and tested in an immersive, reconfigurable, and mixed reality LVC training system for the dismounted warfighter at ISU, known as the Veldt, to overcome LVC interaction challenges and as a test bed for cuttingedge technology to meet future U.S. Army battlefield requirements. Trainees interact physically in the Veldt and virtually through commercial and developed game engines. Evaluation involving military trained personnel found this system to be effective, immersive, and useful for developing the critical decision-making skills necessary for the battlefield. Procedural terrain modeling, model-matching database techniques, and a central communication server process all live and virtual entity data from system components to create a cohesive virtual world across all distributed simulators and game engines in real-time. This system achieves rare LVC interaction within multiple physical and virtual immersive environments for training in real-time across many distributed systems.

Real-Time Evaluation of Live Cancer Cells by an in Situ Surface Plasmon Resonance and Electrochemical Study.

PubMed

Wu, Changyu; Rehman, Fawad Ur; Li, Jingyuan; Ye, Jing; Zhang, Yuanyuan; Su, Meina; Jiang, Hui; Wang, Xuemei

2015-11-11

This work presents a new strategy of the combination of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and electrochemical study for real-time evaluation of live cancer cells treated with daunorubicin (DNR) at the interface of the SPR chip and living cancer cells. The observations demonstrate that the SPR signal changes could be closely related to the morphology and mass changes of adsorbed cancer cells and the variation of the refractive index of the medium solution. The results of light microscopy images and 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide studies also illustrate the release or desorption of HepG2 cancer cells, which were due to their apoptosis after treatment with DNR. It is evident that the extracellular concentration of DNR residue can be readily determined through electrochemical measurements. The decreases in the magnitudes of SPR signals were linearly related to cell survival rates, and the combination of SPR with electrochemical study could be utilized to evaluate the potential therapeutic efficiency of bioactive agents to cells. Thus, this label-free, real-time SPR-electrochemical detection technique has great promise in bioanalysis or monitoring of relevant treatment processes in clinical applications.

Virtual Diagnostics Interface: Real Time Comparison of Experimental Data and CFD Predictions for a NASA Ares I-Like Vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwartz, Richard J.; Fleming, Gary A.

2007-01-01

Virtual Diagnostics Interface technology, or ViDI, is a suite of techniques utilizing image processing, data handling and three-dimensional computer graphics. These techniques aid in the design, implementation, and analysis of complex aerospace experiments. LiveView3D is a software application component of ViDI used to display experimental wind tunnel data in real-time within an interactive, three-dimensional virtual environment. The LiveView3D software application was under development at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) for nearly three years. LiveView3D recently was upgraded to perform real-time (as well as post-test) comparisons of experimental data with pre-computed Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) predictions. This capability was utilized to compare experimental measurements with CFD predictions of the surface pressure distribution of the NASA Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) - like vehicle when tested in the NASA LaRC Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT) in December 2006 - January 2007 timeframe. The wind tunnel tests were conducted to develop a database of experimentally-measured aerodynamic performance of the CLV-like configuration for validation of CFD predictive codes.

ADAPT.DCU at TREC LiveQA: A Sentence Retrieval based Approach to Live Question Answering

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-11-20

list of conceptually similar questions from an index of previously asked on “ Yahoo ! An- swers”. We then extract the best matching sentences from the...answer Japanese why questions. The work in Surdeanu et al. (2011) address the problem of ranking answers to non-factoid how questions from Yahoo ...answering real questions from Yahoo ! Answers in real time. each participant needed to submit a web service application that on receiving a question responds

The Nereus Hybrid Underwater Robotic Vehicle for Global Ocean Science Operations to 11,000m Depth

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-09-01

B. Butler. Field trials of the Theseus AUV. Proc. Int. Symp. on Unmanned Untethered Submersible Technology, page 615, 1995. [9] R. M. Eustice, L. L...pages 4257–4264, Apr. 2007. [10] J. Ferguson, A. Pope, B. Butler, and R. Verrall. Theseus AUV-two record breaking missions. Sea Technology, 40(2):65

Views of the extravehicular activity during STS 41-B

NASA Image and Video Library

1984-02-12

S84-27031 (7 Feb 1984) --- Astronaut Bruce McCandless II, 41-B mission specialist, reaches a maximum distance from the Challenger before reversing direction his manned maneuvering unit (MMU) and returning to the Challenger. A fellow crewmember inside the vehicle's cabin took this photograph with a 70mm camera. The untethered EVA marked the first such experience for astronauts.

On-chip enucleation of an oocyte by untethered microrobots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ichikawa, Akihiko; Sakuma, Shinya; Sugita, Masakuni; Shoda, Tatsuro; Tamakoshi, Takahiro; Akagi, Satoshi; Arai, Fumihito

2014-09-01

We propose a novel on-chip enucleation of an oocyte with zona pellucida by using a combination of untethered microrobots. To achieve enucleation within the closed space of a microfluidic chip, two microrobots, a microknife and a microgripper were integrated into the microfluidic chip. These microrobots were actuated by an external magnetic force produced by permanent magnets placed on the robotic stage. The tip of the microknife was designed by considering the biological geometric feature of an oocyte, i.e. the oocyte has a polar body in maturation stage II. Moreover, the microknife was fabricated by using grayscale lithography, which allows fabrication of three-dimensional microstructures. The microgripper has a gripping function that is independent of the driving mechanism. On-chip enucleation was demonstrated, and the enucleated oocytes are spherical, indicating that the cell membrane of the oocytes remained intact. To confirm successful enucleation using this method, we investigated the viability of oocytes after enucleation. The results show that the production rate, i.e. the ratio between the number of oocytes that reach the blastocyst stage and the number of bovine oocytes after nucleus transfer, is 100%. The technique will contribute to complex cell manipulation such as cell surgery in lab-on-a-chip devices.

Subcellular real-time in vivo imaging of intralymphatic and intravascular cancer-cell trafficking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McElroy, M.; Hayashi, K.; Kaushal, S.; Bouvet, M.; Hoffman, Robert M.

2008-02-01

With the use of fluorescent cells labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the nucleus and red fluorescent protein (RFP) in the cytoplasm and a highly sensitive small animal imaging system with both macro-optics and micro-optics, we have developed subcellular real-time imaging of cancer cell trafficking in live mice. Dual-color cancer cells were injected by a vascular route in an abdominal skin flap in nude mice. The mice were imaged with an Olympus OV100 small animal imaging system with a sensitive CCD camera and four objective lenses, parcentered and parfocal, enabling imaging from macrocellular to subcellular. We observed the nuclear and cytoplasmic behavior of cancer cells in real time in blood vessels as they moved by various means or adhered to the vessel surface in the abdominal skin flap. During extravasation, real-time dual-color imaging showed that cytoplasmic processes of the cancer cells exited the vessels first, with nuclei following along the cytoplasmic projections. Both cytoplasm and nuclei underwent deformation during extravasation. Different cancer cell lines seemed to strongly vary in their ability to extravasate. We have also developed real-time imaging of cancer cell trafficking in lymphatic vessels. Cancer cells labeled with GFP and/or RFP were injected into the inguinal lymph node of nude mice. The labeled cancer cells trafficked through lymphatic vessels where they were imaged via a skin flap in real-time at the cellular level until they entered the axillary lymph node. The bright dual-color fluorescence of the cancer cells and the real-time microscopic imaging capability of the Olympus OV100 enabled imaging the trafficking cancer cells in both blood vessels and lymphatics. With the dual-color cancer cells and the highly sensitive imaging system described here, the subcellular dynamics of cancer metastasis can now be observed in live mice in real time.

A New View of Civil War Photography

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Percoco, James A.

2014-01-01

Students today are used to a rich visual dimension of living. Students carry with them to school each day devices that allow them to capture their lives in real time. This is possible because of the hard labor of men who toiled for hours to capture for time immemorial images that have become engrained in the American narrative. When teaching the…

Freshwater Mussels as Biological Sensors and Cyclers of Aquatic Nitrogen Constituents: An Experimental Investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kruger, A.; Just, C. L.; Mudumbai, R.; Dasgupta, S.; Newton, T. J.; Durst, J.; Boddicker, M. D.; Diken, M. B.; Bril, J.; Baidoo-Williams, H. E.

2011-12-01

One of the most extensive manifestations of anthropogenic mismanagement of nitrogen is eutrophication of the Gulf of Mexico. Leaching and runoff transport nitrate compounds-excess agricultural fertilizer and animal waste-via the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. Phytoplankton then multiplies exponentially, and consumes most of the dissolved oxygen. This hypoxia kills fish and other organisms, leading to so-called dead zones in the Gulf that can cover 6,000-7,000 square miles. Dead zone mitigation plans call for coupling management actions with enhanced monitoring, modeling, and research on nitrogen delivery to, as well as processing within, the Mississippi River. Our vision is to create a biosensor network of native freshwater mussels in a major river to monitor, comprehend, and ultimately model key components of the nitrogen cycle. Native freshwater mussels are a guild of long-lived, suspension feeding bivalves that perform important ecological functions in aquatic systems. Mussels can influence nutrient cycling by transferring nutrients from the water column to the riverbed. A major problem for environmental scientists is that relatively little is known about the diurnal behaviors of freshwater mussels or the impacts these behaviors may have on the aquatic nitrogen cycle. Our multidisciplinary team is performing a series of laboratory experiments exploring the feasibility of using freshwater mussels as sensors of and capacitors for nitrates. For sensing, we place Hall-effect sensors on mussels to monitor the rhythmic opening and closing of their valves (gape). One shortcoming of previous work is that mussels were monitored in artificial conditions: glued fast in laboratory flumes, or tethered in constrained settings. To overcome this shortcoming, our team has built a mussel microhabitat with a constant river water feed stock, solar simulator, and a variety of water chemistry sensor. A main thrust of our work is to develop the technology to monitor mussel gape untethered/wirelessly using inexpensive radios and wireless sensor network concepts. If successful, this will enable us to monitor mussels untethered in their natural environment. We designed a series of experiments to test the following hypotheses. (1) The attachment of Hall-effect gape sensors and a small "backpack" containing wireless communicators and sensing electronics will have little impact on mussel mobility and survival. (2) One can build robust underwater communication networks using inexpensive wireless hardware. (3) The flow regime around mussels allows for sufficient energy harvest to power sensing electronics and radios. Preliminary results suggest that hypothesis (2) is true. However, our results also suggest hypothesis (3) is false, indicating that we should pay particular attention to the power consumption of the sensors and communication electronics to realize a long-lived wireless network.

Real-time quantitation of internal metabolic activity of three-dimensional engineered tissues using an oxygen microelectrode and optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Kagawa, Yuki; Haraguchi, Yuji; Tsuneda, Satoshi; Shimizu, Tatsuya

2017-05-01

Recent progress in tissue engineering technology has enabled us to develop thick tissue constructs that can then be transplanted in regenerative therapies. In clinical situations, it is vital that the engineered tissues to be implanted are safe and functional before use. However, there is currently a limited number of studies on real-time quality evaluation of thick living tissue constructs. Here we developed a system for quantifying the internal activities of engineered tissues, from which we can evaluate its quality in real-time. The evaluation was achieved by measuring oxygen concentration profiles made along the vertical axis and the thickness of the tissues estimated from cross-sectional images obtained noninvasively by an optical coherence tomography system. Using our novel system, we obtained (i) oxygen concentration just above the tissues, (ii) gradient of oxygen along vertical axis formed above the tissues within culture medium, and (iii) gradient of oxygen formed within the tissues in real-time. Investigating whether these three parameters could be used to evaluate engineered tissues during culturing, we found that only the third parameter was a good candidate. This implies that the activity of living engineered tissues can be monitored in real-time by measuring the oxygen gradient within the tissues. The proposed measuring strategy can be applied to developing more efficient culturing methods to support the fabrication of engineered thick tissues, as well as providing methods to confirm the quality in real-time. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 855-864, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

LCFM - LIVING COLOR FRAME MAKER: PC GRAPHICS GENERATION AND MANAGEMENT TOOL FOR REAL-TIME APPLICATIONS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Truong, L. V.

1994-01-01

Computer graphics are often applied for better understanding and interpretation of data under observation. These graphics become more complicated when animation is required during "run-time", as found in many typical modern artificial intelligence and expert systems. Living Color Frame Maker is a solution to many of these real-time graphics problems. Living Color Frame Maker (LCFM) is a graphics generation and management tool for IBM or IBM compatible personal computers. To eliminate graphics programming, the graphic designer can use LCFM to generate computer graphics frames. The graphical frames are then saved as text files, in a readable and disclosed format, which can be easily accessed and manipulated by user programs for a wide range of "real-time" visual information applications. For example, LCFM can be implemented in a frame-based expert system for visual aids in management of systems. For monitoring, diagnosis, and/or controlling purposes, circuit or systems diagrams can be brought to "life" by using designated video colors and intensities to symbolize the status of hardware components (via real-time feedback from sensors). Thus status of the system itself can be displayed. The Living Color Frame Maker is user friendly with graphical interfaces, and provides on-line help instructions. All options are executed using mouse commands and are displayed on a single menu for fast and easy operation. LCFM is written in C++ using the Borland C++ 2.0 compiler for IBM PC series computers and compatible computers running MS-DOS. The program requires a mouse and an EGA/VGA display. A minimum of 77K of RAM is also required for execution. The documentation is provided in electronic form on the distribution medium in WordPerfect format. A sample MS-DOS executable is provided on the distribution medium. The standard distribution medium for this program is one 5.25 inch 360K MS-DOS format diskette. The contents of the diskette are compressed using the PKWARE archiving tools. The utility to unarchive the files, PKUNZIP.EXE, is included. The Living Color Frame Maker tool was developed in 1992.

Fatigue-test acceleration with flight-by-flight loading and heating to simulate supersonic-transport operation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Imig, L. A.; Garrett, L. E.

1973-01-01

Possibilities for reducing fatigue-test time for supersonic-transport materials and structures were studied in tests with simulated flight-by-flight loading. In order to determine whether short-time tests were feasible, the results of accelerated tests (2 sec per flight) were compared with the results of real-time tests (96 min per flight). The effects of design mean stress, the stress range for ground-air-ground cycles, simulated thermal stress, the number of stress cycles in each flight, and salt corrosion were studied. The flight-by-flight stress sequences were applied to notched sheet specimens of Ti-8Al-1Mo-1V and Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloys. A linear cumulative-damage analysis accounted for large changes in stress range of the simulated flights but did not account for the differences between real-time and accelerated tests. The fatigue lives from accelerated tests were generally within a factor of two of the lives from real-time tests; thus, within the scope of the investigation, accelerated testing seems feasible.

Visualisation and quantitative analysis of the rodent malaria liver stage by real time imaging.

PubMed

Ploemen, Ivo H J; Prudêncio, Miguel; Douradinha, Bruno G; Ramesar, Jai; Fonager, Jannik; van Gemert, Geert-Jan; Luty, Adrian J F; Hermsen, Cornelus C; Sauerwein, Robert W; Baptista, Fernanda G; Mota, Maria M; Waters, Andrew P; Que, Ivo; Lowik, Clemens W G M; Khan, Shahid M; Janse, Chris J; Franke-Fayard, Blandine M D

2009-11-18

The quantitative analysis of Plasmodium development in the liver in laboratory animals in cultured cells is hampered by low parasite infection rates and the complicated methods required to monitor intracellular development. As a consequence, this important phase of the parasite's life cycle has been poorly studied compared to blood stages, for example in screening anti-malarial drugs. Here we report the use of a transgenic P. berghei parasite, PbGFP-Luc(con), expressing the bioluminescent reporter protein luciferase to visualize and quantify parasite development in liver cells both in culture and in live mice using real-time luminescence imaging. The reporter-parasite based quantification in cultured hepatocytes by real-time imaging or using a microplate reader correlates very well with established quantitative RT-PCR methods. For the first time the liver stage of Plasmodium is visualized in whole bodies of live mice and we were able to discriminate as few as 1-5 infected hepatocytes per liver in mice using 2D-imaging and to identify individual infected hepatocytes by 3D-imaging. The analysis of liver infections by whole body imaging shows a good correlation with quantitative RT-PCR analysis of extracted livers. The luminescence-based analysis of the effects of various drugs on in vitro hepatocyte infection shows that this method can effectively be used for in vitro screening of compounds targeting Plasmodium liver stages. Furthermore, by analysing the effect of primaquine and tafenoquine in vivo we demonstrate the applicability of real time imaging to assess parasite drug sensitivity in the liver. The simplicity and speed of quantitative analysis of liver-stage development by real-time imaging compared to the PCR methodologies, as well as the possibility to analyse liver development in live mice without surgery, opens up new possibilities for research on Plasmodium liver infections and for validating the effect of drugs and vaccines on the liver stage of Plasmodium.

Visualisation and Quantitative Analysis of the Rodent Malaria Liver Stage by Real Time Imaging

PubMed Central

Douradinha, Bruno G.; Ramesar, Jai; Fonager, Jannik; van Gemert, Geert-Jan; Luty, Adrian J. F.; Hermsen, Cornelus C.; Sauerwein, Robert W.; Baptista, Fernanda G.; Mota, Maria M.; Waters, Andrew P.; Que, Ivo; Lowik, Clemens W. G. M.; Khan, Shahid M.; Janse, Chris J.; Franke-Fayard, Blandine M. D.

2009-01-01

The quantitative analysis of Plasmodium development in the liver in laboratory animals in cultured cells is hampered by low parasite infection rates and the complicated methods required to monitor intracellular development. As a consequence, this important phase of the parasite's life cycle has been poorly studied compared to blood stages, for example in screening anti-malarial drugs. Here we report the use of a transgenic P. berghei parasite, PbGFP-Luccon, expressing the bioluminescent reporter protein luciferase to visualize and quantify parasite development in liver cells both in culture and in live mice using real-time luminescence imaging. The reporter-parasite based quantification in cultured hepatocytes by real-time imaging or using a microplate reader correlates very well with established quantitative RT-PCR methods. For the first time the liver stage of Plasmodium is visualized in whole bodies of live mice and we were able to discriminate as few as 1–5 infected hepatocytes per liver in mice using 2D-imaging and to identify individual infected hepatocytes by 3D-imaging. The analysis of liver infections by whole body imaging shows a good correlation with quantitative RT-PCR analysis of extracted livers. The luminescence-based analysis of the effects of various drugs on in vitro hepatocyte infection shows that this method can effectively be used for in vitro screening of compounds targeting Plasmodium liver stages. Furthermore, by analysing the effect of primaquine and tafenoquine in vivo we demonstrate the applicability of real time imaging to assess parasite drug sensitivity in the liver. The simplicity and speed of quantitative analysis of liver-stage development by real-time imaging compared to the PCR methodologies, as well as the possibility to analyse liver development in live mice without surgery, opens up new possibilities for research on Plasmodium liver infections and for validating the effect of drugs and vaccines on the liver stage of Plasmodium. PMID:19924309

Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method for detection of Canine distemper virus modified live vaccine shedding for differentiation from infection with wild-type strains.

PubMed

Wilkes, Rebecca P; Sanchez, Elena; Riley, Matthew C; Kennedy, Melissa A

2014-01-01

Canine distemper virus (CDV) remains a common cause of infectious disease in dogs, particularly in high-density housing situations such as shelters. Vaccination of all dogs against CDV is recommended at the time of admission to animal shelters and many use a modified live virus (MLV) vaccine. From a diagnostic standpoint for dogs with suspected CDV infection, this is problematic because highly sensitive diagnostic real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests are able to detect MLV virus in clinical samples. Real-time PCR can be used to quantitate amount of virus shedding and can differentiate vaccine strains from wild-type strains when shedding is high. However, differentiation by quantitation is not possible in vaccinated animals during acute infection, when shedding is low and could be mistaken for low level vaccine virus shedding. While there are gel-based RT-PCR assays for differentiation of vaccine strains from field strains based on sequence differences, the sensitivity of these assays is unable to match that of the real-time RT-PCR assay currently used in the authors' laboratory. Therefore, a real-time RT-PCR assay was developed that detects CDV MLV vaccine strains and distinguishes them from wild-type strains based on nucleotide sequence differences, rather than the amount of viral RNA in the sample. The test is highly sensitive, with detection of as few as 5 virus genomic copies (corresponding to 10(-1) TCID(50)). Sequencing of the DNA real-time products also allows phylogenetic differentiation of the wild-type strains. This test will aid diagnosis during outbreaks of CDV in recently vaccinated animals.

Grayscale image segmentation for real-time traffic sign recognition: the hardware point of view

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Tam P.; Deng, Guang; Elton, Darrell

2009-02-01

In this paper, we study several grayscale-based image segmentation methods for real-time road sign recognition applications on an FPGA hardware platform. The performance of different image segmentation algorithms in different lighting conditions are initially compared using PC simulation. Based on these results and analysis, suitable algorithms are implemented and tested on a real-time FPGA speed sign detection system. Experimental results show that the system using segmented images uses significantly less hardware resources on an FPGA while maintaining comparable system's performance. The system is capable of processing 60 live video frames per second.

Multichannel series piezoelectric quartz crystal cell sensor for real time and quantitative monitoring of the living cell and assessment of cytotoxicity.

PubMed

Tong, Feifei; Lian, Yan; Zhou, Huang; Shi, Xiaohong; He, Fengjiao

2014-10-21

A new multichannel series piezoelectric quartz crystal (MSPQC) cell sensor for real time monitoring of living cells in vitro was reported in this paper. The constructed sensor was used successfully to monitor adhesion, spreading, proliferation, and apoptosis of MG63 osteosarcoma cells and investigate the effects of different concentrations of cobalt chloride on MG63 cells. Quantitative real time and dynamic cell analyses data were conducted using the MSPQC cell sensor. Compared with methods such as fluorescence staining and morphology observation by microscopy, the MSPQC cell sensor is noninvasive, label free, simple, cheap, and capable of online monitoring. It can automatically record the growth status of cells and quantitatively evaluate cell proliferation and the apoptotic response to drugs. It will be a valuable detection and analysis tool for the acquisition of cellular level information and is anticipated to have application in the field of cell biology research or cytotoxicity testing in the future.

FPGA-based real-time swept-source OCT systems for B-scan live-streaming or volumetric imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bandi, Vinzenz; Goette, Josef; Jacomet, Marcel; von Niederhäusern, Tim; Bachmann, Adrian H.; Duelk, Marcus

2013-03-01

We have developed a Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography (Ss-OCT) system with high-speed, real-time signal processing on a commercially available Data-Acquisition (DAQ) board with a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The Ss-OCT system simultaneously acquires OCT and k-clock reference signals at 500MS/s. From the k-clock signal of each A-scan we extract a remap vector for the k-space linearization of the OCT signal. The linear but oversampled interpolation is followed by a 2048-point FFT, additional auxiliary computations, and a data transfer to a host computer for real-time, live-streaming of B-scan or volumetric C-scan OCT visualization. We achieve a 100 kHz A-scan rate by parallelization of our hardware algorithms, which run on standard and affordable, commercially available DAQ boards. Our main development tool for signal analysis as well as for hardware synthesis is MATLAB® with add-on toolboxes and 3rd-party tools.

Real-time mapping of the corneal sub-basal nerve plexus by in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guthoff, Rudolf F.; Zhivov, Andrey; Stachs, Oliver

2010-02-01

The aim of the study was to produce two-dimensional reconstruction maps of the living corneal sub-basal nerve plexus by in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy in real time. CLSM source data (frame rate 30Hz, 384x384 pixel) were used to create large-scale maps of the scanned area by selecting the Automatic Real Time (ART) composite mode. The mapping algorithm is based on an affine transformation. Microscopy of the sub-basal nerve plexus was performed on normal and LASIK eyes as well as on rabbit eyes. Real-time mapping of the sub-basal nerve plexus was performed in large-scale up to a size of 3.2mm x 3.2mm. The developed method enables a real-time in vivo mapping of the sub-basal nerve plexus which is stringently necessary for statistically firmed conclusions about morphometric plexus alterations.

A reversible fluorescent probe for real-time live-cell imaging and quantification of endogenous hydropolysulfides.

PubMed

Umezawa, Keitaro; Kamiya, Mako; Urano, Yasuteru

2018-05-23

The chemical biology of reactive sulfur species, including hydropolysulfides, has been a subject undergoing intense study in recent years, but further understanding of their 'intact' function in living cells has been limited due to a lack of appropriate analytical tools. In order to overcome this limitation, we developed a new type of fluorescent probe which reversibly and selectively reacts to hydropolysulfides. The probe enables live-cell visualization and quantification of endogenous hydropolysulfides without interference from intrinsic thiol species such as glutathione. Additionally, real-time reversible monitoring of oxidative-stress-induced fluctuation of intrinsic hydropolysulfides has been achieved with a temporal resolution in the order of seconds, a result which has not yet been realized using conventional methods. These results reveal the probe's versatility as a new fluorescence imaging tool to understand the function of intracellular hydropolysulfides. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Asymmetric Nanopore Electrode-Based Amplification for Electron Transfer Imaging in Live Cells.

PubMed

Ying, Yi-Lun; Hu, Yong-Xu; Gao, Rui; Yu, Ru-Jia; Gu, Zhen; Lee, Luke P; Long, Yi-Tao

2018-04-25

Capturing real-time electron transfer, enzyme activity, molecular dynamics, and biochemical messengers in living cells is essential for understanding the signaling pathways and cellular communications. However, there is no generalizable method for characterizing a broad range of redox-active species in a single living cell at the resolution of cellular compartments. Although nanoelectrodes have been applied in the intracellular detection of redox-active species, the fabrication of nanoelectrodes to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio of the probe remains challenging because of the stringent requirements of 3D fabrication. Here, we report an asymmetric nanopore electrode-based amplification mechanism for the real-time monitoring of NADH in a living cell. We used a two-step 3D fabrication process to develop a modified asymmetric nanopore electrode with a diameter down to 90 nm, which allowed for the detection of redox metabolism in living cells. Taking advantage of the asymmetric geometry, the above 90% potential drop at the two terminals of the nanopore electrode converts the faradaic current response into an easily distinguishable bubble-induced transient ionic current pattern. Therefore, the current signal was amplified by at least 3 orders of magnitude, which was dynamically linked to the presence of trace redox-active species. Compared to traditional wire electrodes, this wireless asymmetric nanopore electrode exhibits a high signal-to-noise ratio by increasing the current resolution from nanoamperes to picoamperes. The asymmetric nanopore electrode achieves the highly sensitive and selective probing of NADH concentrations as low as 1 pM. Moreover, it enables the real-time nanopore monitoring of the respiration chain (i.e., NADH) in a living cell and the evaluation of the effects of anticancer drugs in an MCF-7 cell. We believe that this integrated wireless asymmetric nanopore electrode provides promising building blocks for the future imaging of electron transfer dynamics in live cells.

Confrontation of the cybernetic definition of a living individual with the real world.

PubMed

Korzeniewski, Bernard

2005-01-01

The cybernetic definition of a living individual proposed previously (Korzeniewski, 2001) is very abstract and therefore describes the essence of life in a very formal and general way. In the present article this definition is reformulated in order to determine clearly the relation between life in general and a living individual in particular, and it is further explained and defended. Next, the cybernetic definition of a living individual is confronted with the real world. It is demonstrated that numerous restrictions imposed on the cybernetic definition of life by physical reality imply a number of particular properties of life that characterize present life on Earth, namely: (1) a living individual must be a dissipative structure (and therefore a low-entropy thermodynamic system out of the state of equilibrium); (2) spontaneously-originated life must be based on organic compounds; (3) evolutionarily stable self-dependent, free-living individuals must have some minimal level of complexity of structure and function; (4) a living individual must have a record of identity separated from an executive machinery; (5) the identity of living individuals must mutate and may evolve; (6) living individuals may collect and accumulate information in subsequent generations over very long periods of time; (7) the degree of complexity of a living individual reflects the degree of complexity of its environment (ecological niche) and (8) living individuals are capable of supple adaptation to varying environmental conditions. Thus, the cybernetic definition of a living individual, when confronted with the real physical world, generates most of the general properties of the present life on Earth.

Real-Time Reliability Verification for UAV Flight Control System Supporting Airworthiness Certification.

PubMed

Xu, Haiyang; Wang, Ping

2016-01-01

In order to verify the real-time reliability of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight control system and comply with the airworthiness certification standard, we proposed a model-based integration framework for modeling and verification of time property. Combining with the advantages of MARTE, this framework uses class diagram to create the static model of software system, and utilizes state chart to create the dynamic model. In term of the defined transformation rules, the MARTE model could be transformed to formal integrated model, and the different part of the model could also be verified by using existing formal tools. For the real-time specifications of software system, we also proposed a generating algorithm for temporal logic formula, which could automatically extract real-time property from time-sensitive live sequence chart (TLSC). Finally, we modeled the simplified flight control system of UAV to check its real-time property. The results showed that the framework could be used to create the system model, as well as precisely analyze and verify the real-time reliability of UAV flight control system.

Real-Time Reliability Verification for UAV Flight Control System Supporting Airworthiness Certification

PubMed Central

Xu, Haiyang; Wang, Ping

2016-01-01

In order to verify the real-time reliability of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight control system and comply with the airworthiness certification standard, we proposed a model-based integration framework for modeling and verification of time property. Combining with the advantages of MARTE, this framework uses class diagram to create the static model of software system, and utilizes state chart to create the dynamic model. In term of the defined transformation rules, the MARTE model could be transformed to formal integrated model, and the different part of the model could also be verified by using existing formal tools. For the real-time specifications of software system, we also proposed a generating algorithm for temporal logic formula, which could automatically extract real-time property from time-sensitive live sequence chart (TLSC). Finally, we modeled the simplified flight control system of UAV to check its real-time property. The results showed that the framework could be used to create the system model, as well as precisely analyze and verify the real-time reliability of UAV flight control system. PMID:27918594

Collaborative Estimation in Distributed Sensor Networks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kar, Swarnendu

2013-01-01

Networks of smart ultra-portable devices are already indispensable in our lives, augmenting our senses and connecting our lives through real time processing and communication of sensory (e.g., audio, video, location) inputs. Though usually hidden from the user's sight, the engineering of these devices involves fierce tradeoffs between energy…

High definition live 3D-OCT in vivo: design and evaluation of a 4D OCT engine with 1 GVoxel/s.

PubMed

Wieser, Wolfgang; Draxinger, Wolfgang; Klein, Thomas; Karpf, Sebastian; Pfeiffer, Tom; Huber, Robert

2014-09-01

We present a 1300 nm OCT system for volumetric real-time live OCT acquisition and visualization at 1 billion volume elements per second. All technological challenges and problems associated with such high scanning speed are discussed in detail as well as the solutions. In one configuration, the system acquires, processes and visualizes 26 volumes per second where each volume consists of 320 x 320 depth scans and each depth scan has 400 usable pixels. This is the fastest real-time OCT to date in terms of voxel rate. A 51 Hz volume rate is realized with half the frame number. In both configurations the speed can be sustained indefinitely. The OCT system uses a 1310 nm Fourier domain mode locked (FDML) laser operated at 3.2 MHz sweep rate. Data acquisition is performed with two dedicated digitizer cards, each running at 2.5 GS/s, hosted in a single desktop computer. Live real-time data processing and visualization are realized with custom developed software on an NVidia GTX 690 dual graphics processing unit (GPU) card. To evaluate potential future applications of such a system, we present volumetric videos captured at 26 and 51 Hz of planktonic crustaceans and skin.

Sensing of Vascular Permeability in Inflamed Vessel of Live Animal.

PubMed

Park, Sang A; Jeong, Soi; Choe, Young Ho; Hyun, Young-Min

2018-01-01

Increase in vascular permeability is a conclusive response in the progress of inflammation. Under controlled conditions, leukocytes are known to migrate across the vascular barriers to the sites of inflammation without severe vascular rupture. However, when inflammatory state becomes excessive, the leakage of blood components may occur and can be lethal. Basically, vascular permeability can be analyzed based on the intensity of blood outflow. To evaluate the amount and rate of leakage in live mice, we performed cremaster muscle exteriorization to visualize blood flow and neutrophil migration. Using two-photon intravital microscopy of the exteriorized cremaster muscle venules, we found that vascular barrier function is transiently and locally disrupted in the early stage of inflammatory condition induced by N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). Measurement of the concentration of intravenously (i.v.) injected Texas Red dextran inside and outside the vessels resulted in clear visualization of real-time increases in transient and local vascular permeability increase in real-time manner. We successfully demonstrated repeated leakage from a target site on a blood vessel in association with increasing severity of inflammation. Therefore, compared to other methods, two-photon intravital microscopy more accurately visualizes and quantifies vascular permeability even in a small part of blood vessels in live animals in real time.

High definition live 3D-OCT in vivo: design and evaluation of a 4D OCT engine with 1 GVoxel/s

PubMed Central

Wieser, Wolfgang; Draxinger, Wolfgang; Klein, Thomas; Karpf, Sebastian; Pfeiffer, Tom; Huber, Robert

2014-01-01

We present a 1300 nm OCT system for volumetric real-time live OCT acquisition and visualization at 1 billion volume elements per second. All technological challenges and problems associated with such high scanning speed are discussed in detail as well as the solutions. In one configuration, the system acquires, processes and visualizes 26 volumes per second where each volume consists of 320 x 320 depth scans and each depth scan has 400 usable pixels. This is the fastest real-time OCT to date in terms of voxel rate. A 51 Hz volume rate is realized with half the frame number. In both configurations the speed can be sustained indefinitely. The OCT system uses a 1310 nm Fourier domain mode locked (FDML) laser operated at 3.2 MHz sweep rate. Data acquisition is performed with two dedicated digitizer cards, each running at 2.5 GS/s, hosted in a single desktop computer. Live real-time data processing and visualization are realized with custom developed software on an NVidia GTX 690 dual graphics processing unit (GPU) card. To evaluate potential future applications of such a system, we present volumetric videos captured at 26 and 51 Hz of planktonic crustaceans and skin. PMID:25401010

A device for real-time live-cell microscopy during dynamic dual-modal mechanostimulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lorusso, D.; Nikolov, H. N.; Chmiel, T.; Beach, R. J.; Sims, S. M.; Dixon, S. J.; Holdsworth, D. W.

2017-03-01

Mechanotransduction - the process by which cells sense and respond to mechanical stimuli - is essential for several physiological processes including skeletal homeostasis. Mammalian cells are thought to be sensitive to different modes of mechanical stimuli, including vibration and fluid shear. To better understand the mechanisms underlying the early stages of mechanotransduction, we describe the development of devices for mechanostimulation (by vibration and fluid shear) of live cells that can be integrated with real-time optical microscopy. The integrated system can deliver up to 3 Pa of fluid shear simultaneous with high-frequency sinusoidal vibrations up to 1 g. Stimuli can be applied simultaneously or independently to cells during real-time microscopic imaging. A custom microfluidic chamber was prepared from polydimethylsiloxane on a glass-bottom cell culture dish. Fluid flow was applied with a syringe pump to induce shear stress. This device is compatible with a custom-designed motion control vibration system. A voice coil actuates the system that is suspended on linear air bushings. Accelerations produced by the system were monitored with an on-board accelerometer. Displacement was validated optically using particle tracking digital high-speed imaging (1200 frames per second). During operation at nominally 45 Hz and 0.3 g, displacements were observed to be within 3.56% of the expected value. MC3T3-E1 osteoblast like cells were seeded into the microfluidic device and loaded with the calcium sensitive fluorescent probe fura-2, then mounted onto the dual-modal mechanostimulation platform. Cells were then imaged and monitored for fluorescence emission. In summary, we have developed a system to deliver physiologically relevant vibrations and fluid shear to live cells during real-time imaging and photometry. Monitoring the behavior of live cells loaded with appropriate fluorescent probes will enable characterization of the signals activated during the initial stages of mechanotransduction.

A Journey through Time: From the Present Value to the Future Value and Back Or: Retirement Planning: A Comprehensible Application of the Time Value of Money Concept

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schmidt, Carolin E.

2016-01-01

Real-life applications of financial concepts are a valuable method to get students engaged in financial topics. While especially non-finance majors often struggle to understand the importance of financial topics for their personal lives, applying these theories to real-life examples can significantly improve their learning experience and increase…

Use of a novel virus inactivation method for a multicenter avian influenza real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction proficiency study.

PubMed

Spackman, Erica; Suarez, David L

2005-01-01

Proficiency assessments are important elements in quality control for diagnostic laboratories. Traditionally, proficiency testing for polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays has involved the use of clinical samples, samples "spiked" with live agents or DNA plasmids. Because of government regulations and biosecurity concerns, distribution of live high-consequence pathogens of livestock and poultry, such as avian influenza, is not possible, and DNA plasmids are not technically suitable for evaluating RNA virus detection. Therefore, a proficiency testing panel using whole avian influenza in a diluent containing a phenolic disinfectant that inactivates the virus while preserving the RNA for at least 8 weeks at -70 C was developed and used in a multicenter proficiency assessment for a type A influenza real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR test. The test, which was highly standardized, except for variation in the real-time RT-PCR equipment used, was shown to be highly reproducible by proficiency testing in 12 laboratories in the United States, Canada, and Hong Kong. Variation in cycle threshold values among 35 data sets and 490 samples was minimal (CV = 5.19%), and sample identifications were highly accurate (96.7% correct identifications) regardless of real-time PCR instrumentation.

Continuous real-time water information: an important Kansas resource

USGS Publications Warehouse

Loving, Brian L.; Putnam, James E.; Turk, Donita M.

2014-01-01

Continuous real-time information on streams, lakes, and groundwater is an important Kansas resource that can safeguard lives and property, and ensure adequate water resources for a healthy State economy. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operates approximately 230 water-monitoring stations at Kansas streams, lakes, and groundwater sites. Most of these stations are funded cooperatively in partnerships with local, tribal, State, or other Federal agencies. The USGS real-time water-monitoring network provides long-term, accurate, and objective information that meets the needs of many customers. Whether the customer is a water-management or water-quality agency, an emergency planner, a power or navigational official, a farmer, a canoeist, or a fisherman, all can benefit from the continuous real-time water information gathered by the USGS.

Using real-time syndromic surveillance systems to help explore the acute impact of the air pollution incident of March/April 2014 in England.

PubMed

Smith, Gillian E; Bawa, Zharain; Macklin, Yolande; Morbey, Roger; Dobney, Alec; Vardoulakis, Sotiris; Elliot, Alex J

2015-01-01

During March and early April 2014 there was widespread poor air quality across the United Kingdom. Public Health England used existing syndromic surveillance systems to monitor community health during the period. Short lived statistically significant rises in a variety of respiratory conditions, including asthma and wheeze, were detected. This incident has demonstrated the value of real-time syndromic surveillance systems, during an air pollution episode, for helping to explore the impact of poor air quality on community health in real-time. Crown Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Graphene-enhanced imaging of microRNA with enzyme-free signal amplification of catalyzed hairpin assembly in living cells.

PubMed

Liu, Haiyun; Tian, Tian; Ji, Dandan; Ren, Na; Ge, Shenguang; Yan, Mei; Yu, Jinghua

2016-11-15

In situ imaging of miRNA in living cells could help us to monitor the miRNA expression in real time and obtain accurate information for studying miRNA related bioprocesses and disease. Given the low-level expression of miRNA, amplification strategies for intracellular miRNA are imperative. Here, we propose an amplification strategy with a non-destructive enzyme-free manner in living cells using catalyzed hairpin assembly (CHA) based on graphene oxide (GO) for cellular miRNA imaging. The enzyme-free CHA exhibits stringent recognition and excellent signal amplification of miRNA in the living cells. GO is a good candidate as a fluorescence quencher and cellular carrier. Taking the advantages of the CHA and GO, we can monitor the miRNA at low level in living cells with a simple, sensitive and real-time manner. Finally, imaging of miRNAs in the different expression cells is realized. The novel method could supply an effective tool to visualize intracellular low-level miRNAs and help us to further understand the role of miRNAs in cellular processes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Simplified Model of ARIS for Optimal Controller Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beech, Geoffrey S.; Hampton, R. David; Kross, Denny (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Many space-science experiments require active vibration isolation. Boeing's Active Rack Isolation System (ARIS) isolates experiments at the rack (vs. experiment or sub-experiment) level, with multi e experiments per rack. An ARIS-isolated rack typically employs eight actuators and thirteen umbilicals; the umbilicals provide services such as power, data transmission, and cooling. Hampton, et al., used "Kane's method" to develop an analytical, nonlinear, rigid-body model of ARIS that includes full actuator dynamics (inertias). This model, less the umbilicals, was first implemented for simulation by Beech and Hampton; they developed and tested their model using two commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software packages. Rupert, et al., added umbilical-transmitted disturbances to this nonlinear model. Because the nonlinear model, even for the untethered system, is both exceedingly complex and "encapsulated" inside these COTS tools, it is largely inaccessible to ARIS controller designers. This paper shows that ISPR rattle-space constraints and small ARIS actuator masses permit considerable model simplification, without significant loss of fidelity. First, for various loading conditions, comparisons are made between the dynamic responses of the nonlinear model (untethered) and a truth model. Then comparisons are made among nonlinear, linearized, and linearized reduced-mass models. It is concluded that these three models all capture the significant system rigid-body dynamics, with the third being preferred due to its relative simplicity.

Development of Bioluminescent Cronobacter sakazakii ATCC 29544 in a Mouse Model.

PubMed

Wang, Xiwen; Li, Zhiping; Dong, Xiaolin; Chi, Hang; Wang, Guannan; Li, Jiakuan; Sun, Rui; Chen, Man; Zhang, Xinying; Wang, Yuanyuan; Qu, Han; Sun, Yu; Xia, Zhiping; Li, Qianxue

2015-05-01

Cronobacter sakazakii is an emerging pathogen that causes severe and life-threatening conditions including meningitis, bacteremia, and necrotizing enterocolitis. An animal model study for extrapolation of C. sakazakii infection can provide a better understanding of pathogenesis. However, methods for real-time monitoring of the course of C. sakazakii infection in living animals have been lacking. We developed a bioluminescent C. sakazakii strain (ATCC 29544) that can be used for real-time monitoring of C. sakazakii infection in BALB/c mice. C. sakazakii ATCC 29544 mainly colonized brain, liver, spleen, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract, as indicated by bioluminescence imaging. This work provides a novel approach for studying the progression of C. sakazakii infection and evaluating therapeutics in a living mouse model.

A multiplexed fluorescent assay for independent second-messenger systems: decoding GPCR activation in living cells.

PubMed

Tewson, Paul H; Quinn, Anne Marie; Hughes, Thomas E

2013-08-01

There is a growing need in drug discovery and basic research to measure multiple second-messenger components of cell signaling pathways in real time and in relevant tissues and cell types. Many G-protein-coupled receptors activate the heterotrimeric protein, Gq, which in turn activates phospholipase C (PLC). PLC cleaves phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to produce two second messengers: diacylglycerol (DAG), which remains in the plasma membrane, and inositol triphosphate (IP3), which diffuses through the cytosol to release stores of intracellular calcium ions (Ca(2+)). Our goal was to create a series of multiplex sensors that would make it possible to simultaneously measure two different components of the Gq pathway in living cells. Here we describe new fluorescent sensors for DAG and PIP2 that produce robust changes in green or red fluorescence and can be combined with one another, or with existing Ca(2+) sensors, in a live-cell assay. These assays can detect multiple components of Gq signaling, simultaneously in real time, on standard fluorescent plate readers or live-cell imaging systems.

Application of propidium monoazide quantitative real-time PCR to quantify the viability of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus.

PubMed

Shao, Yuyu; Wang, Zhaoxia; Bao, Qiuhua; Zhang, Heping

2016-12-01

In this study, a combination of propidium monoazide (PMA) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to develop a method to determine the viability of cells of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus ND02 (L. bulgaricus) that may have entered into a viable but nonculturable state. This can happen due to its susceptibility to cold shock during lyophilization and storage. Propidium monoazide concentration, PMA incubation time, and light exposure time were optimized to fully exploit the PMA-qPCR approach to accurately assess the total number of living L. bulgaricus ND02. Although PMA has little influence on living cells, when concentrations of PMA were higher than 30μg/mL the number of PCR-positive living bacteria decreased from 10 6 to 10 5 cfu/mL in comparison with qPCR enumeration. Mixtures of living and dead cells were used as method verification samples for enumeration by PMA-qPCR, demonstrating that this method was feasible and effective for distinguishing living cells of L. bulgaricus when mixed with a known number of dead cells. We suggest that several conditions need to be studied further before PMA-qPCR methods can be accurately used to distinguish living from dead cells for enumeration under more realistic sampling situations. However, this research provides a rapid way to enumerate living cells of L. bulgaricus and could be used to optimize selection of cryoprotectants in the lyophilization process and develop technologies for high cell density cultivation and optimal freeze-drying processes. Copyright © 2016 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Remote magnetic actuation using a clinical scale system

PubMed Central

Stehning, Christian; Gleich, Bernhard

2018-01-01

Remote magnetic manipulation is a powerful technique for controlling devices inside the human body. It enables actuation and locomotion of tethered and untethered objects without the need for a local power supply. In clinical applications, it is used for active steering of catheters in medical interventions such as cardiac ablation for arrhythmia treatment and for steering of camera pills in the gastro-intestinal tract for diagnostic video acquisition. For these applications, specialized clinical-scale field applicators have been developed, which are rather limited in terms of field strength and flexibility of field application. For a general-purpose field applicator, flexible field generation is required at high field strengths as well as high field gradients to enable the generation of both torques and forces on magnetic devices. To date, this requirement has only been met by small-scale experimental systems. We have built a highly versatile clinical-scale field applicator that enables the generation of strong magnetic fields as well as strong field gradients over a large workspace. We demonstrate the capabilities of this coil-based system by remote steering of magnetic drills through gel and tissue samples with high torques on well-defined curved trajectories. We also give initial proof that, when equipped with high frequency transmit-receive coils, the machine is capable of real-time magnetic particle imaging while retaining a clinical-scale bore size. Our findings open the door for image-guided radiation-free remote magnetic control of devices at the clinical scale, which may be useful in minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic medical interventions. PMID:29494647

Design of a New Near-Infrared Ratiometric Fluorescent Nanoprobe for Real-Time Imaging of Superoxide Anions and Hydroxyl Radicals in Live Cells and in Situ Tracing of the Inflammation Process in Vivo.

PubMed

Liu, Rongjun; Zhang, Liangliang; Chen, Yunyun; Huang, Zirong; Huang, Yong; Zhao, Shulin

2018-04-03

The superoxide anion (O 2 •- ) and hydroxyl radical ( • OH) are important reactive oxygen species (ROS) used as biomarkers in physiological and pathological processes. ROS generation is closely related to the development of a variety of inflammatory diseases. However, the changes of ROS are difficult to ascertain with in situ tracing of the inflammation process by real-time monitoring, owing to the short half-lives of ROS and high tissue autofluorescence in vivo. Here we developed a new near-infrared (NIR) ratiometric fluorescence imaging approach by using a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based ratiometric fluorescent nanoprobe for real-time monitoring of O 2 •- and • OH generation and also by using in situ tracing of the inflammation process in vivo. The proposed nanoprobe was composed of PEG functionalized GQDs as the energy donor connecting to hydroIR783, serving as both the O 2 •- / • OH recognizing ligand and the energy acceptor. The nanoprobe not only exhibited a fast response to O 2 •- and • OH but also presented good biocomapatibility as well as a high photostability and signal-to-noise ratio. We have demonstrated that the proposed NIR ratiometric fluorescent nanoprobe can monitor the changes of O 2 •- and • OH in living RAW 264.7 cells via a drug mediating inflammation model and further realized visual monitoring of the change of O 2 •- and • OH in mice for in situ tracing of the inflammation process. Our design may provide a new paradigm for long-term and real-time imaging applications for in vivo tracing of the pathological process related to the inflammatory diseases.

Nano metal-organic framework (NMOF)-based strategies for multiplexed microRNA detection in solution and living cancer cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yafeng; Han, Jianyu; Xue, Peng; Xu, Rong; Kang, Yuejun

2015-01-01

MiRNAs are an emerging type of biomarker for diagnostics and prognostics. A reliable sensing strategy that can monitor miRNA expression in living cancer cells would be critical in view of its extensive advantages for fundamental research related to miRNA-associated bioprocesses and biomedical applications. Conventional miRNA sensing methods include northern blot, microarrays and real-time quantitative PCR. However, none of them is able to monitor miRNA levels expressed in living cancer cells in a real-time fashion. Some fluorescennt biosensors developed recently from carbon nanomaterials, such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), graphene oxide (GO), and carbon nanoparticles, have been successfully used for assaying miRNA in vitro; however the preparation processes are often expensive, complicated and time-consuming, which have motivated the research on other substitute and novel materials. Herein we present a novel sensing strategy based on peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes labeled with fluorophores and conjugated with an NMOF vehicle to monitor multiplexed miRNAs in living cancer cells. The NMOF works as a fluorescence quencher of the labelled PNA that is firmly bound with the metal center. In the presence of a target miRNA, PNA is hybridized and released from the NMOF leading to the recovery of fluorescence. This miRNA sensor not only enables the quantitative and highly specific detection of multiplexed miRNAs in living cancer cells, but it also allows the precise and in situ monitoring of the spatiotemporal changes of miRNA expression.MiRNAs are an emerging type of biomarker for diagnostics and prognostics. A reliable sensing strategy that can monitor miRNA expression in living cancer cells would be critical in view of its extensive advantages for fundamental research related to miRNA-associated bioprocesses and biomedical applications. Conventional miRNA sensing methods include northern blot, microarrays and real-time quantitative PCR. However, none of them is able to monitor miRNA levels expressed in living cancer cells in a real-time fashion. Some fluorescennt biosensors developed recently from carbon nanomaterials, such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), graphene oxide (GO), and carbon nanoparticles, have been successfully used for assaying miRNA in vitro; however the preparation processes are often expensive, complicated and time-consuming, which have motivated the research on other substitute and novel materials. Herein we present a novel sensing strategy based on peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes labeled with fluorophores and conjugated with an NMOF vehicle to monitor multiplexed miRNAs in living cancer cells. The NMOF works as a fluorescence quencher of the labelled PNA that is firmly bound with the metal center. In the presence of a target miRNA, PNA is hybridized and released from the NMOF leading to the recovery of fluorescence. This miRNA sensor not only enables the quantitative and highly specific detection of multiplexed miRNAs in living cancer cells, but it also allows the precise and in situ monitoring of the spatiotemporal changes of miRNA expression. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Extra figures and tables. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr05447d

A Real-Time Cardiac Arrhythmia Classification System with Wearable Sensor Networks

PubMed Central

Hu, Sheng; Wei, Hongxing; Chen, Youdong; Tan, Jindong

2012-01-01

Long term continuous monitoring of electrocardiogram (ECG) in a free living environment provides valuable information for prevention on the heart attack and other high risk diseases. This paper presents the design of a real-time wearable ECG monitoring system with associated cardiac arrhythmia classification algorithms. One of the striking advantages is that ECG analog front-end and on-node digital processing are designed to remove most of the noise and bias. In addition, the wearable sensor node is able to monitor the patient's ECG and motion signal in an unobstructive way. To realize the real-time medical analysis, the ECG is digitalized and transmitted to a smart phone via Bluetooth. On the smart phone, the ECG waveform is visualized and a novel layered hidden Markov model is seamlessly integrated to classify multiple cardiac arrhythmias in real time. Experimental results demonstrate that the clean and reliable ECG waveform can be captured in multiple stressed conditions and the real-time classification on cardiac arrhythmia is competent to other workbenches. PMID:23112746

Security warning method and system for worker safety during live-line working

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Chilong; Zou, Dehua; Long, Chenhai; Yang, Miao; Zhang, Zhanlong; Mei, Daojun

2017-09-01

Live-line working is an essential part in the operations in an electric power system. Live-line workers are required to wear shielding clothing. Shielding clothing, however, acts as a closed environment for the human body. Working in a closed environment for a long time can change the physiological responses of the body and even endanger personal safety. According to the typical conditions of live-line working, this study synthesizes environmental factors related to shielding clothing and the physiological factors of the body to establish the heart rate variability index RMSSD and the comprehensive security warning index SWI. On the basis of both indices, this paper proposes a security warning method and system for the safety live-line workers. The system can monitor the real-time status of workers during live-line working to provide security warning and facilitate the effective safety supervision by the live operation center during actual live-line working.

Discovery of a New Cellular Motion and Its Relevance to Breast Cancer and Involution

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-02-01

motion (CAMo), live cell imaging , confocal microscopy Overall Project Summary: During this first year of funding we have concentrated our work to...cell types in 3D cultures and in vivo. Subtask 1.1a: Real time live cell imaging using confocal microscopy will be used to image cellular movement...exciting as they are important steps in understanding behavior of normal myoepithelial cells using live cell imaging in physiologically

Electrochemical latent redox ratiometric probes for real-time tracking and quantification of endogenous hydrogen sulfide production in living cells.

PubMed

Manibalan, Kesavan; Mani, Veerappan; Chang, Pu-Chieh; Huang, Chih-Hung; Huang, Sheng-Tung; Marchlewicz, Kasper; Neethirajan, Suresh

2017-10-15

Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) was discovered as a third gasotransmitter in biological systems and recent years have seen a growing interest to understand its physiological and pathological functions. However, one major limiting factor is the lack of robust sensors to quantitatively track its production in real-time. We described a facile electrochemical assay based on latent redox probe approach for highly specific and sensitive quantification in living cells. Two chemical probes, Azido Benzyl ferrocene carbamate (ABFC) and N-alkyl Azido Benzyl ferrocene carbamate (NABFC) composed of azide trigger group were designed. H 2 S molecules specifically triggered the release of reporters from probes and the current response was monitored using graphene oxide film modified electrode as transducer. The detection limits are 0.32µM (ABFC) and 0.076µM (NABFC) which are comparable to those of current sensitive methods. The probes are successful in the determination of H 2 S spiked in whole human blood, fetal bovine serum, and E. coli. The continuous monitoring and quantification of endogenous H 2 S production in E. coli were successfully accomplished. This work lays first step stone towards real-time electrochemical quantification of endogenous H 2 S in living cells, thus hold great promise in the analytical aspects of H 2 S. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Environmental Sampling for Avian Influenza A(H7N9) in Live-Poultry Markets in Guangdong, China.

PubMed

Kang, Min; He, Jianfeng; Song, Tie; Rutherford, Shannon; Wu, Jie; Lin, Jinyan; Huang, Guofeng; Tan, Xiaohua; Zhong, Haojie

2015-01-01

To provide an increased understanding of avian influenza A(H7N9) activity in live-poultry market in space and time and hence improve H7N9 epidemic control, an ongoing environmental sampling program in multiple live-poultry markets across Guangdong, China was conducted during March 2013-June 2014. A total of 625 live-poultry markets throughout 21 prefecture areas took part in the study. A total of 10 environmental sites in markets for sampling were identified to represent 4 different poultry-related activity areas. At least 10 environmental samples were collected from each market every month. The real time RT-PCR was performed to detect the avian influenza A(H7N9) virus. Field survey was conducted to investigate the sanitation status of live-poultry markets. There were 109 human infections with H7N9 avian influenza in Guangdong, of which 37 (34%) died. A total of 18741 environmental swabs were collected and subjected to real-time RT-PCR test, of which 905(4.83%) were found positive for H7N9 virus. There were 201 (32.16%) markets affected by H7N9 in 16 prefecture areas. The detection of H7N9 virus in markets spiked in winter months. 63.33% markets (38/60) had no physical segregation for poultry holding, slaughter or sale zones. Closing live-poultry market significantly decreased the H7N9 detection rate from 14.83% (112/755) to 1.67% (5/300). This study indicates the importance of live-poultry market surveillance based on environmental sampling for H7N9 Avian Influenza control. Improving live-poultry market management and sanitation and changing consumer practices are critical to reduce the risk of H7N9 infection.

Computer-Assisted Culture Learning in an Online Augmented Reality Environment Based on Free-Hand Gesture Interaction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yang, Mau-Tsuen; Liao, Wan-Che

2014-01-01

The physical-virtual immersion and real-time interaction play an essential role in cultural and language learning. Augmented reality (AR) technology can be used to seamlessly merge virtual objects with real-world images to realize immersions. Additionally, computer vision (CV) technology can recognize free-hand gestures from live images to enable…

Real-Time Aerodynamic Flow and Data Visualization in an Interactive Virtual Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schwartz, Richard J.; Fleming, Gary A.

2005-01-01

Significant advances have been made to non-intrusive flow field diagnostics in the past decade. Camera based techniques are now capable of determining physical qualities such as surface deformation, surface pressure and temperature, flow velocities, and molecular species concentration. In each case, extracting the pertinent information from the large volume of acquired data requires powerful and efficient data visualization tools. The additional requirement for real time visualization is fueled by an increased emphasis on minimizing test time in expensive facilities. This paper will address a capability titled LiveView3D, which is the first step in the development phase of an in depth, real time data visualization and analysis tool for use in aerospace testing facilities.

Chip-Based Dynamic Real-Time Quantification of Drug-Induced Cytotoxicity in Human Tumor Cells

PubMed Central

Wlodkowic, Donald; Skommer, Joanna; McGuinness, Dagmara; Faley, Shannon; Kolch, Walter; Darzynkiewicz, Zbigniew; Cooper, Jonathan M.

2013-01-01

Cell cytotoxicity tests are among the most common bioassays using flow cytometry and fluorescence imaging analysis. The permeability of plasma membranes to charged fluorescent probes serves, in these assays, as a marker distinguishing live from dead cells. Since it is generally assumed that probes, such as propidium iodide (PI) or 7-amino-actinomycin D (7-AAD), are themselves cytotoxic, they are currently generally used only as the end-point markers of assays for live versus dead cells. In the current study, we provide novel insights into potential applications of these classical plasma membrane integrity markers in the dynamic tracking of drug-induced cytotoxicity. We show that treatment of a number of different human tumor cell lines in cultures for up to 72 h with the PI, 7-AAD, SYTOX Green (SY-G), SYTOX Red (SYR), TO-PRO, and YO-PRO had no effect on cell viability assessed by the integrity of plasma membrane, cell cycle progression, and rate of proliferation. We subsequently explore the potential of dynamic labeling with these markers in real-time analysis, by comparing results from both conventional cytometry and microfluidic chips. Considering the simplicity of the staining protocols and their low cost combined with the potential for real-time data collection, we show how that real-time fluorescent imaging and Lab-on-a-Chip platforms have the potential to be used for automated drug screening routines. PMID:19572560

Vision-based overlay of a virtual object into real scene for designing room interior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harasaki, Shunsuke; Saito, Hideo

2001-10-01

In this paper, we introduce a geometric registration method for augmented reality (AR) and an application system, interior simulator, in which a virtual (CG) object can be overlaid into a real world space. Interior simulator is developed as an example of an AR application of the proposed method. Using interior simulator, users can visually simulate the location of virtual furniture and articles in the living room so that they can easily design the living room interior without placing real furniture and articles, by viewing from many different locations and orientations in real-time. In our system, two base images of a real world space are captured from two different views for defining a projective coordinate of object 3D space. Then each projective view of a virtual object in the base images are registered interactively. After such coordinate determination, an image sequence of a real world space is captured by hand-held camera with tracking non-metric measured feature points for overlaying a virtual object. Virtual objects can be overlaid onto the image sequence by taking each relationship between the images. With the proposed system, 3D position tracking device, such as magnetic trackers, are not required for the overlay of virtual objects. Experimental results demonstrate that 3D virtual furniture can be overlaid into an image sequence of the scene of a living room nearly at video rate (20 frames per second).

External optical imaging of freely moving mice with green fluorescent protein-expressing metastatic tumors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Meng; Baranov, Eugene; Shimada, Hiroshi; Moossa, A. R.; Hoffman, Robert M.

2000-04-01

We report here a new approach to genetically engineering tumors to become fluorescence such that they can be imaged externally in freely-moving animals. We describe here external high-resolution real-time fluorescent optical imaging of metastatic tumors in live mice. Stable high-level green flourescent protein (GFP)-expressing human and rodent cell lines enable tumors and metastasis is formed from them to be externally imaged from freely-moving mice. Real-time tumor and metastatic growth were quantitated from whole-body real-time imaging in GFP-expressing melanoma and colon carcinoma models. This GFP optical imaging system is highly appropriate for high throughput in vivo drug screening.

Multi-Mission Simulation and Visualization for Real-Time Telemetry Display, Playback and EDL Event Reconstruction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pomerantz, M. I.; Lim, C.; Myint, S.; Woodward, G.; Balaram, J.; Kuo, C.

2012-01-01

he Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL) Reconstruction Task has developed a software system that provides mission operations personnel and analysts with a real time telemetry-based live display, playback and post-EDL reconstruction capability that leverages the existing high-fidelity, physics-based simulation framework and modern game engine-derived 3D visualization system developed in the JPL Dynamics and Real Time Simulation (DARTS) Lab. Developed as a multi-mission solution, the EDL Telemetry Visualization (ETV) system has been used for a variety of projects including NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), NASA'S Low Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) and JPL's MoonRise Lunar sample return proposal.

Real-Time Intracellular Measurements of ROS and RNS in Living Cells with Single Core-Shell Nanowire Electrodes.

PubMed

Zhang, Xin-Wei; Qiu, Quan-Fa; Jiang, Hong; Zhang, Fu-Li; Liu, Yan-Lin; Amatore, Christian; Huang, Wei-Hua

2017-10-09

Nanoelectrodes allow precise and quantitative measurements of important biological processes at the single living-cell level in real time. Cylindrical nanowire electrodes (NWEs) required for intracellular measurements create a great challenge for achieving excellent electrochemical and mechanical performances. Herein, we present a facile and robust solution to this problem based on a unique SiC-core-shell design to produce cylindrical NWEs with superior mechanical toughness provided by the SiC nano-core and an excellent electrochemical performance provided by the ultrathin carbon shell that can be used as such or platinized. The use of such NWEs for biological applications is illustrated by the first quantitative measurements of ROS/RNS in individual phagolysosomes of living macrophages. As the shell material can be varied to meet any specific detection purpose, this work opens up new opportunities to monitor quantitatively biological functions occurring inside cells and their organelles. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Rational design of reversible fluorescent probes for live-cell imaging and quantification of fast glutathione dynamics.

PubMed

Umezawa, Keitaro; Yoshida, Masafumi; Kamiya, Mako; Yamasoba, Tatsuya; Urano, Yasuteru

2017-03-01

Alterations in glutathione (GSH) homeostasis are associated with a variety of diseases and cellular functions, and therefore, real-time live-cell imaging and quantification of GSH dynamics are important for understanding pathophysiological processes. However, existing fluorescent probes are unsuitable for these purposes due to their irreversible fluorogenic mechanisms or slow reaction rates. In this work, we have successfully overcome these problems by establishing a design strategy inspired by Mayr's work on nucleophilic reaction kinetics. The synthesized probes exhibit concentration-dependent, reversible and rapid absorption/fluorescence changes (t 1/2  = 620 ms at [GSH] = 1 mM), as well as appropriate K d values (1-10 mM: within the range of intracellular GSH concentrations). We also developed FRET-based ratiometric probes, and demonstrated that they are useful for quantifying GSH concentration in various cell types and also for real-time live-cell imaging of GSH dynamics with temporal resolution of seconds.

Rational design of reversible fluorescent probes for live-cell imaging and quantification of fast glutathione dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Umezawa, Keitaro; Yoshida, Masafumi; Kamiya, Mako; Yamasoba, Tatsuya; Urano, Yasuteru

2017-03-01

Alterations in glutathione (GSH) homeostasis are associated with a variety of diseases and cellular functions, and therefore, real-time live-cell imaging and quantification of GSH dynamics are important for understanding pathophysiological processes. However, existing fluorescent probes are unsuitable for these purposes due to their irreversible fluorogenic mechanisms or slow reaction rates. In this work, we have successfully overcome these problems by establishing a design strategy inspired by Mayr's work on nucleophilic reaction kinetics. The synthesized probes exhibit concentration-dependent, reversible and rapid absorption/fluorescence changes (t1/2 = 620 ms at [GSH] = 1 mM), as well as appropriate Kd values (1-10 mM: within the range of intracellular GSH concentrations). We also developed FRET-based ratiometric probes, and demonstrated that they are useful for quantifying GSH concentration in various cell types and also for real-time live-cell imaging of GSH dynamics with temporal resolution of seconds.

Intracellular chromobody delivery by mesoporous silica nanoparticles for antigen targeting and visualization in real time

PubMed Central

Chiu, Hsin-Yi; Deng, Wen; Engelke, Hanna; Helma, Jonas; Leonhardt, Heinrich; Bein, Thomas

2016-01-01

Chromobodies have recently drawn great attention as bioimaging nanotools. They offer high antigen binding specificity and affinity comparable to conventional antibodies, but much smaller size and higher stability. Chromobodies can be used in live cell imaging for specific spatio-temporal visualization of cellular processes. To date, functional application of chromobodies requires lengthy genetic manipulation of the target cell. Here, we develop multifunctional large-pore mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) as nanocarriers to directly transport chromobodies into living cells for antigen-visualization in real time. The multifunctional large-pore MSNs feature high loading capacity for chromobodies, and are efficiently taken up by cells. By functionalizing the internal MSN surface with nitrilotriacetic acid-metal ion complexes, we can control the release of His6-tagged chromobodies from MSNs in acidified endosomes and observe successful chromobody-antigen binding in the cytosol. Hence, by combining the two nanotools, chromobodies and MSNs, we establish a new powerful approach for chromobody applications in living cells. PMID:27173765

Real-time intravital microscopy of individual nanoparticle dynamics in liver and tumors of live mice

PubMed Central

van de Ven, Anne L; Kim, Pilhan; Ferrari, Mauro; Yun, Seok Hyun

2013-01-01

Intravital microscopy is emerging as an important experimental tool for the research and development of multi-functional therapeutic nanoconstructs. The direct visualization of nanoparticle dynamics within live animals provides invaluable insights into the mechanisms that regulate nanotherapeutics transport and cell-particle interactions. Here we present a protocol to image the dynamics of nanoparticles within the liver and tumors of live mice immediately following systemic injection using a high-speed (30-400 fps) confocal or multi-photon laser-scanning fluorescence microscope. Techniques for quantifying the real-time accumulation and cellular association of individual particles with a size ranging from several tens of nanometers to micrometers are described, as well as an experimental strategy for labeling Kupffer cells in the liver in vivo. Experimental design considerations and controls are provided, as well as minimum equipment requirements. The entire protocol takes approximately 4-8 hours and yields quantitative information. These techniques can serve to study a wide range of kinetic parameters that drive nanotherapeutics delivery, uptake, and treatment response. PMID:25383179

Incremental value of live/real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography over the two-dimensional technique in the assessment of aortic atherosclerotic thrombi and ulcers.

PubMed

Elsayed, Mahmoud; Bulur, Serkan; Kalla, Aditi; Ahmed, Mustafa I; Hsiung, Ming C; Uygur, Begum; Alagic, Nermina; Sungur, Aylin; Singh, Satinder; Nanda, Navin C

2016-08-01

We present two cases in whom live/real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) provided incremental value in the assessment of atherosclerotic disease in the aorta. In one patient, it identified additional atherosclerotic ulcers as well as thrombi within them which were missed by two-dimensional (2D) TEE. In both cases, the size of the large mobile atherosclerotic plaque was underestimated by 2DTEE as compared with 3DTEE. Furthermore, 3DTEE provided volume quantification of the thrombi and ulcers which is not possible by 2DTEE. The echocardiographic findings of atherosclerotic plaques were confirmed by computed tomography in one patient and by surgery in the other. © 2016, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Nanoparticle PEBBLE sensors in live cells and in vivo

PubMed Central

Smith, Ron

2009-01-01

Nanoparticle sensors have been developed for imaging and dynamic monitoring, in live cells and in vivo, of the molecular or ionic components, constructs, forces and dynamics, all in real time, during biological/chemical/physical processes. With their biocompatible small size and inert matrix, nanoparticle sensors have been successfully applied for non-invasive real-time measurements of analytes and fields in cells and rodents, with spatial, temporal, physical and chemical resolution. This review describes the diverse designs of nanoparticle sensors for ions and small molecules, physical fields and biological features, as well as the characterization, properties, and applications of these nanosensors to in vitro and in vivo measurements. Their floating as well as localization ability in biological media is captured by the acronym PEBBLE: photonic explorer for bioanalysis with biologically localized embedding. PMID:20098636

4-D photoacoustic tomography.

PubMed

Xiang, Liangzhong; Wang, Bo; Ji, Lijun; Jiang, Huabei

2013-01-01

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) offers three-dimensional (3D) structural and functional imaging of living biological tissue with label-free, optical absorption contrast. These attributes lend PAT imaging to a wide variety of applications in clinical medicine and preclinical research. Despite advances in live animal imaging with PAT, there is still a need for 3D imaging at centimeter depths in real-time. We report the development of four dimensional (4D) PAT, which integrates time resolutions with 3D spatial resolution, obtained using spherical arrays of ultrasonic detectors. The 4D PAT technique generates motion pictures of imaged tissue, enabling real time tracking of dynamic physiological and pathological processes at hundred micrometer-millisecond resolutions. The 4D PAT technique is used here to image needle-based drug delivery and pharmacokinetics. We also use this technique to monitor 1) fast hemodynamic changes during inter-ictal epileptic seizures and 2) temperature variations during tumor thermal therapy.

Stretchable Electrochemical Sensor for Real-Time Monitoring of Cells and Tissues.

PubMed

Liu, Yan-Ling; Jin, Zi-He; Liu, Yan-Hong; Hu, Xue-Bo; Qin, Yu; Xu, Jia-Quan; Fan, Cui-Fang; Huang, Wei-Hua

2016-03-24

Stretchable electrochemical sensors are conceivably a powerful technique that provides important chemical information to unravel elastic and curvilinear living body. However, no breakthrough was made in stretchable electrochemical device for biological detection. Herein, we synthesized Au nanotubes (NTs) with large aspect ratio to construct an effective stretchable electrochemical sensor. Interlacing network of Au NTs endows the sensor with desirable stability against mechanical deformation, and Au nanostructure provides excellent electrochemical performance and biocompatibility. This allows for the first time, real-time electrochemical monitoring of mechanically sensitive cells on the sensor both in their stretching-free and stretching states as well as sensing of the inner lining of blood vessels. The results demonstrate the great potential of this sensor in electrochemical detection of living body, opening a new window for stretchable electrochemical sensor in biological exploration. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Boronate probes as diagnostic tools for real time monitoring of peroxynitrite and hydroperoxides

PubMed Central

Zielonka, Jacek; Sikora, Adam; Hardy, Micael; Joseph, Joy; Dranka, Brian P.; Kalyanaraman, Balaraman

2012-01-01

Boronates, a group of organic compounds, are emerging as one of the most effective probes for detecting and quantifying peroxynitrite, hypochlorous acid and hydrogen peroxide. Boronates react with peroxynitrite nearly a million times faster than with hydrogen peroxide. Boronate-containing fluorogenic compounds have been used to monitor real time generation of peroxynitrite in cells and for imaging hydrogen peroxide in living animals. This Perspective highlights potential applications of boronates and other fluorescent probes to high-throughput analyses of peroxynitrite and hydroperoxides in toxicological studies. PMID:22731669

A coupled duration-focused architecture for real-time music-to-score alignment.

PubMed

Cont, Arshia

2010-06-01

The capacity for real-time synchronization and coordination is a common ability among trained musicians performing a music score that presents an interesting challenge for machine intelligence. Compared to speech recognition, which has influenced many music information retrieval systems, music's temporal dynamics and complexity pose challenging problems to common approximations regarding time modeling of data streams. In this paper, we propose a design for a real-time music-to-score alignment system. Given a live recording of a musician playing a music score, the system is capable of following the musician in real time within the score and decoding the tempo (or pace) of its performance. The proposed design features two coupled audio and tempo agents within a unique probabilistic inference framework that adaptively updates its parameters based on the real-time context. Online decoding is achieved through the collaboration of the coupled agents in a Hidden Hybrid Markov/semi-Markov framework, where prediction feedback of one agent affects the behavior of the other. We perform evaluations for both real-time alignment and the proposed temporal model. An implementation of the presented system has been widely used in real concert situations worldwide and the readers are encouraged to access the actual system and experiment the results.

Multidrug-resistant organisms in a community living facility: tracking patient interactions and time spent in common areas.

PubMed

Bowen, Mary Elizabeth; Craighead, Jeffrey D; Klanchar, S Angelina; Nieves-Garcia, Veronica

2012-09-01

Contact precautions in community living facilities (CLF) are used to reduce the transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO). However, this policy does not address the contamination of shared spaces, devices (eg, wheelchairs), and interactions with other patients. Using a real-time surveillance system, this study examines the time MDRO-positive patients spend interacting with others in communal areas. The findings from this study may be used to tailor MDRO policies and practices to the specific needs of CLF. Published by Mosby, Inc.

Real-Time Single Molecule Visualization of SH2 Domain Membrane Recruitment in Growth Factor Stimulated Cells.

PubMed

Oh, Dongmyung

2017-01-01

In the last decade, single molecule tracking (SMT) techniques have emerged as a versatile tool for molecular cell biology research. This approach allows researchers to monitor the real-time behavior of individual molecules in living cells with nanometer and millisecond resolution. As a result, it is possible to visualize biological processes as they occur at a molecular level in real time. Here we describe a method for the real-time visualization of SH2 domain membrane recruitment from the cytoplasm to epidermal growth factor (EGF) induced phosphotyrosine sites on the EGF receptor. Further, we describe methods that utilize SMT data to define SH2 domain membrane dynamics parameters such as binding (τ), dissociation (k d ), and diffusion (D) rates. Together these methods may allow us to gain greater understanding of signal transduction dynamics and the molecular basis of disease-related aberrant pathways.

Space station propulsion requirements study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilkinson, C. L.; Brennan, S. M.

1985-01-01

Propulsion system requirements to support Low Earth Orbit (LEO) manned space station development and evolution over a wide range of potential capabilities and for a variety of STS servicing and space station operating strategies are described. The term space station and the overall space station configuration refers, for the purpose of this report, to a group of potential LEO spacecraft that support the overall space station mission. The group consisted of the central space station at 28.5 deg or 90 deg inclinations, unmanned free-flying spacecraft that are both tethered and untethered, a short-range servicing vehicle, and a longer range servicing vehicle capable of GEO payload transfer. The time phasing for preferred propulsion technology approaches is also investigated, as well as the high-leverage, state-of-the-art advancements needed, and the qualitative and quantitative benefits of these advancements on STS/space station operations. The time frame of propulsion technologies applicable to this study is the early 1990's to approximately the year 2000.

Are Herniated Cerebellar Tonsils the Main Culprit of Chiari Malformation Type I Symptoms? The Brainstem Compression Hypothesis seems to be Re-Elucidated and Revised.

PubMed

Selcuki, Mehmet; Mete, Mesut; Selcuki, Deniz

2018-01-01

The Chiari Malformation I (CM I) and the tethered cord syndrome (TCS) are both congenital abnormalities whose mechanisms are still not fully understood. The association of CM I and TCS has been reported only a few times previously. This retrospective study included 7 patients who were diagnosed with CM I and TCS, managed by cutting of the filum terminale. The mean follow-up period was 21 months and 28 days. Although all patients underwent an untethering surgical procedure by cutting the filum terminale only, all patients reported significant early postsurgical resolution of CM I symptoms and symptoms related to TCS as well. Patients with symptomatic CM I, even if lumbar MRI is normal and the patient asymptomatic for TCS, may have tethered spinal cord at the same time. It seems it would be worthwhile to investigate CM I patients for occult TCS with spinal somatosensory evoked potentials.

Estimating long-run equilibrium real exchange rates: short-lived shocks with long-lived impacts on Pakistan.

PubMed

Zardad, Asma; Mohsin, Asma; Zaman, Khalid

2013-12-01

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that affect real exchange rate volatility for Pakistan through the co-integration and error correction model over a 30-year time period, i.e. between 1980 and 2010. The study employed the autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (ARCH), generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) and Vector Error Correction model (VECM) to estimate the changes in the volatility of real exchange rate series, while an error correction model was used to determine the short-run dynamics of the system. The study is limited to a few variables i.e., productivity differential (i.e., real GDP per capita relative to main trading partner); terms of trade; trade openness and government expenditures in order to manage robust data. The result indicates that real effective exchange rate (REER) has been volatile around its equilibrium level; while, the speed of adjustment is relatively slow. VECM results confirm long run convergence of real exchange rate towards its equilibrium level. Results from ARCH and GARCH estimation shows that real shocks volatility persists, so that shocks die out rather slowly, and lasting misalignment seems to have occurred.

Real Time Text Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senthilkumar, K.; Ruchika Mehra Vijayan, E.

2017-11-01

This paper aims to illustrate real time analysis of large scale data. For practical implementation we are performing sentiment analysis on live Twitter feeds for each individual tweet. To analyze sentiments we will train our data model on sentiWordNet, a polarity assigned wordNet sample by Princeton University. Our main objective will be to efficiency analyze large scale data on the fly using distributed computation. Apache Spark and Apache Hadoop eco system is used as distributed computation platform with Java as development language

A High Speed Mobile Courier Data Access System That Processes Database Queries in Real-Time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gatsheni, Barnabas Ndlovu; Mabizela, Zwelakhe

A secure high-speed query processing mobile courier data access (MCDA) system for a Courier Company has been developed. This system uses the wireless networks in combination with wired networks for updating a live database at the courier centre in real-time by an offsite worker (the Courier). The system is protected by VPN based on IPsec. There is no system that we know of to date that performs the task for the courier as proposed in this paper.

Target-locking acquisition with real-time confocal (TARC) microscopy.

PubMed

Lu, Peter J; Sims, Peter A; Oki, Hidekazu; Macarthur, James B; Weitz, David A

2007-07-09

We present a real-time target-locking confocal microscope that follows an object moving along an arbitrary path, even as it simultaneously changes its shape, size and orientation. This Target-locking Acquisition with Realtime Confocal (TARC) microscopy system integrates fast image processing and rapid image acquisition using a Nipkow spinning-disk confocal microscope. The system acquires a 3D stack of images, performs a full structural analysis to locate a feature of interest, moves the sample in response, and then collects the next 3D image stack. In this way, data collection is dynamically adjusted to keep a moving object centered in the field of view. We demonstrate the system's capabilities by target-locking freely-diffusing clusters of attractive colloidal particles, and activelytransported quantum dots (QDs) endocytosed into live cells free to move in three dimensions, for several hours. During this time, both the colloidal clusters and live cells move distances several times the length of the imaging volume.

Integrin Alpha-v and HER2 in Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-01

ZOOM live cell imaging machine (ESSEN Bioscience; Figure 2). c. Interactions of αv integrin and HER2 in breast cancer brain metastases. We found...HCC1954 breast cancer cells. C) Real time live cell imaging of MM2BH cells treated with cilengitide (0, .3, 1, 3, and 10 µg/mL) using IncuCyte ZOOM

A Study of African American Males and Their Response to Online Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCoy, Kecia L.

2012-01-01

This was a phenomenological study. There were 6 co-researchers used for this study. Two LiveLesson interviews were used for the data collection. LiveLesson is an interactive web environment which allows the researchers to conduct real-time discussions in an online setting. The participants can type, speaking into a microphone, and/or use a webcam…

Essential Living Skills: Welcome to the Real World.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Needham, Dorothy L.

Designed for use in the classroom, by counselors, or as a self-study unit, this curriculum guide is for the fifteen- to twenty-year-old considering moving from home for the first time who is considered a slow learner. It explores eight units of study for essential living skills, each in the form of an instructional unit. Each unit is divided into…

The Living Textbook: A Demonstration of Information on Demand Technologies in Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mills, Kim; And Others

A growing concern is that our nation is failing to provide a technology infrastructure for K-12 education that will enable graduates to compete in the information-based economy of the 21st century. The Living Textbook project is designed to deliver real-time, multimedia information on demand for use in classroom instruction. Three pilot schools in…

LiveWall Operational Evaluation: Seattle Law Enforcement Pilot

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

Barr, Jonathan L.; Burtner, Edwin R.; Stein, Steven L.

2013-10-01

The LiveWall concept envisioned as an outgrowth of the Precision Information Environment (PIE) project allows communications between separate groups using interactive video, audio, and a shared desktop environment; this allows everyone to participate and collaborate in real time, regardless of location. The LiveWall concept provides a virtual window to other locations, where all parties can interact and collaboratively work with each other. This functionality is intended to improve multi-site coordination amongst emergency operations centers (EOC), field operations sites and across organizations and jurisdictions to accommodate communications during routine and emergency events. For the initial LiveWall operational evaluation PNNL partnered withmore » the Seattle Police Department (SPD). This partnership allowed for the creation of an excellent LiveWall test bed specific to law enforcement. This partnership made it possible to test the LiveWall concept with scenarios involving the many facets of the law enforcement work done by SPD. PNNL and SPD agreed that integrating the systems into operations for a real event would be the best test of the technology and give SPD staff greater visibility into the functionality and benefits offered by the LiveWall concept.« less

A ground moving target emergency tracking method for catastrophe rescue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, X.; Li, D.; Li, G.

2014-11-01

In recent years, great disasters happen now and then. Disaster management test the emergency operation ability of the government and society all over the world. Immediately after the occurrence of a great disaster (e.g., earthquake), a massive nationwide rescue and relief operation need to be kicked off instantly. In order to improve the organizations efficiency of the emergency rescue, the organizers need to take charge of the information of the rescuer teams, including the real time location, the equipment with the team, the technical skills of the rescuers, and so on. One of the key factors for the success of emergency operations is the real time location of the rescuers dynamically. Real time tracking methods are used to track the professional rescuer teams now. But volunteers' participation play more and more important roles in great disasters. However, real time tracking of the volunteers will cause many problems, e.g., privacy leakage, expensive data consumption, etc. These problems may reduce the enthusiasm of volunteers' participation for catastrophe rescue. In fact, the great disaster is just small probability event, it is not necessary to track the volunteers (even rescuer teams) every time every day. In order to solve this problem, a ground moving target emergency tracking method for catastrophe rescue is presented in this paper. In this method, the handheld devices using GPS technology to provide the location of the users, e.g., smart phone, is used as the positioning equipment; an emergency tracking information database including the ID of the ground moving target (including the rescuer teams and volunteers), the communication number of the handheld devices with the moving target, and the usually living region, etc., is built in advance by registration; when catastrophe happens, the ground moving targets that living close to the disaster area will be filtered by the usually living region; then the activation short message will be sent to the selected ground moving target through the communication number of the handheld devices. The handheld devices receive and identify the activation short message, and send the current location information to the server. Therefore, the emergency tracking mode is triggered. The real time location of the filtered target can be shown on the organizer's screen, and the organizer can assign the rescue tasks to the rescuer teams and volunteers based on their real time location. The ground moving target emergency tracking prototype system is implemented using Oracle 11g, Visual Studio 2010 C#, Android, SMS Modem, and Google Maps API.

A real-time KLT implementation for radio-SETI applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melis, Andrea; Concu, Raimondo; Pari, Pierpaolo; Maccone, Claudio; Montebugnoli, Stelio; Possenti, Andrea; Valente, Giuseppe; Antonietti, Nicoló; Perrodin, Delphine; Migoni, Carlo; Murgia, Matteo; Trois, Alessio; Barbaro, Massimo; Bocchinu, Alessandro; Casu, Silvia; Lunesu, Maria Ilaria; Monari, Jader; Navarrini, Alessandro; Pisanu, Tonino; Schilliró, Francesco; Vacca, Valentina

2016-07-01

SETI, the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence, is the search for radio signals emitted by alien civilizations living in the Galaxy. Narrow-band FFT-based approaches have been preferred in SETI, since their computation time only grows like N*lnN, where N is the number of time samples. On the contrary, a wide-band approach based on the Kahrunen-Lo`eve Transform (KLT) algorithm would be preferable, but it would scale like N*N. In this paper, we describe a hardware-software infrastructure based on FPGA boards and GPU-based PCs that circumvents this computation-time problem allowing for a real-time KLT.

Localized intraoperative virtual endoscopy (LIVE) for surgical guidance in 16 skull base patients.

PubMed

Haerle, Stephan K; Daly, Michael J; Chan, Harley; Vescan, Allan; Witterick, Ian; Gentili, Fred; Zadeh, Gelareh; Kucharczyk, Walter; Irish, Jonathan C

2015-01-01

Previous preclinical studies of localized intraoperative virtual endoscopy-image-guided surgery (LIVE-IGS) for skull base surgery suggest a potential clinical benefit. The first aim was to evaluate the registration accuracy of virtual endoscopy based on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging under clinical conditions. The second aim was to implement and assess real-time proximity alerts for critical structures during skull base drilling. Patients consecutively referred for sinus and skull base surgery were enrolled in this prospective case series. Five patients were used to check registration accuracy and feasibility with the subsequent 11 patients being treated under LIVE-IGS conditions with presentation to the operating surgeon (phase 2). Sixteen skull base patients were endoscopically operated on by using image-based navigation while LIVE-IGS was tested in a clinical setting. Workload was quantitatively assessed using the validated National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) questionnaire. Real-time localization of the surgical drill was accurate to ~1 to 2 mm in all cases. The use of 3-mm proximity alert zones around the carotid arteries and optic nerve found regular clinical use, as the median minimum distance between the tracked drill and these structures was 1 mm (0.2-3.1 mm) and 0.6 mm (0.2-2.5 mm), respectively. No statistical differences were found in the NASA-TLX indicators for this experienced surgical cohort. Real-time proximity alerts with virtual endoscopic guidance was sufficiently accurate under clinical conditions. Further clinical evaluation is required to evaluate the potential surgical benefits, particularly for less experienced surgeons or for teaching purposes. © American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation 2014.

Dual turn-on fluorescence signal-based controlled release system for real-time monitoring of drug release dynamics in living cells and tumor tissues.

PubMed

Kong, Xiuqi; Dong, Baoli; Song, Xuezhen; Wang, Chao; Zhang, Nan; Lin, Weiying

2018-01-01

Controlled release systems with capabilities for direct and real-time monitoring of the release and dynamics of drugs in living systems are of great value for cancer chemotherapy. Herein, we describe a novel dual turn-on fluorescence signal-based controlled release system ( CDox ), in which the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin ( Dox ) and the fluorescent dye ( CH ) are conjugated by a hydrazone moiety, a pH-responsive cleavable linker. CDox itself shows nearly no fluorescence as the fluorescence of CH and Dox is essentially quenched by the C=N isomerization and N-N free rotation. However, when activated under acidic conditions, CDox could be hydrolyzed to afford Dox and CH , resulting in dual turn-on signals with emission peaks at 595 nm and 488 nm, respectively. Notably, CDox exhibits a desirable controlled release feature as the hydrolysis rate is limited by the steric hindrance effect from both the Dox and CH moieties. Cytotoxicity assays indicate that CDox shows much lower cytotoxicity relative to Dox , and displays higher cell inhibition rate to cancer than normal cells. With the aid of the dual turn-on fluorescence at different wavelengths, the drug release dynamics of CDox in living HepG2 and 4T-1 cells was monitored in double channels in a real-time fashion. Importantly, two-photon fluorescence imaging of CDox in living tumor tissues was also successfully performed by high-definition 3D imaging. We expect that the unique controlled release system illustrated herein could provide a powerful means to investigate modes of action of drugs, which is critical for development of much more robust and effective chemotherapy drugs.

Free LittleDog!: Towards Completely Untethered Operation of the LittleDog Quadruped

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-08-01

helpful Intel Open Source Computer Vision ( OpenCV ) library [4] wherever possible rather than reimplementing many of the standard algorithms, however...correspondences between image points and world points, and feeding these to a camera calibration function, such as that provided by OpenCV , allows one to solve... OpenCV calibration function to that used for intrinsic calibration solves for Tboard→camerai . The position of the camera 37 Figure 5.3: Snapshot of

CUTTING THE CORD: SUSTAINING UNTETHERED AIR SUPERIORITY OPERATIONS IN THE PACIFIC

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-01

designed to provide logistics support in an A2/AD environment. In the past the USAF has used sea-based sustainment effectively and could very well... pavement classification number that represents how much weight the runway can support.14 Once suitable airfields are identified, they will need to be...Anti-Access and Area Denial (A2/AD) Anti-access capabilities are designed to prevent an adversary from accessing specific target areas such as

First use of an untethered, vented electric left ventricular assist device for long-term support.

PubMed

Frazier, O H

1994-06-01

This report describes the first long-term (505-day) application of the vented electric (VE) HeartMate left ventricular assist device (LVAD) (Thermo Cardiosystems, Inc). The device consists of an abdominally placed, battery-powered titanium blood pump that, in contrast to earlier pneumatically powered systems, allows patients untethered freedom of movement. The batteries last 5 to 8 hours and can be changed on a rotating basis indefinitely. The patient, a 33-year-old man (90 kg, blood type O) with idiopathic cardiomyopathy, experienced end-organ heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class IV) while he was awaiting heart transplantation. When his hemodynamic criteria met those outlined in the protocol, we implanted the VE-LVAD as a bridge to transplantation. The patient was supported by the device for more than 16 months. His cardiac status returned to NYHA class I, and he was eventually allowed to take day trips outside the hospital as he awaited transplantation. The VE-LVAD enabled the patient to participate in activities such as eating in restaurants, going to movies, and practicing basketball shots. Unfortunately, the patient died suddenly due to a neurological thromboembolic event that occurred on day 503 of VE-LVAD support. The VE-LVAD improved native left ventricular function by chronic unloading, and ventricular remodeling resulted in a more normal configuration anatomically, physiologically, and ultimately, histologically and pathologically.

Small, Untethered, Mobile Robots for Inspecting Gas Pipes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilcox, Brian

2003-01-01

Small, untethered mobile robots denoted gas-pipe explorers (GPEXs) have been proposed for inspecting the interiors of pipes used in the local distribution natural gas. The United States has network of gas-distribution pipes with a total length of approximately 109 m. These pipes are often made of iron and steel and some are more than 100 years old. As this network ages, there is a need to locate weaknesses that necessitate repair and/or preventive maintenance. The most common weaknesses are leaks and reductions in thickness, which are caused mostly by chemical reactions between the iron in the pipes and various substances in soil and groundwater. At present, mobile robots called pigs are used to inspect and clean the interiors of gas-transmission pipelines. Some carry magnetic-flux-leakage (MFL) sensors for measuring average wall thicknesses, some capture images, and some measure sizes and physical conditions. The operating ranges of pigs are limited to fairly straight sections of wide transmission- type (as distinguished from distribution- type) pipes: pigs are too large to negotiate such obstacles as bends with radii comparable to or smaller than pipe diameters, intrusions of other pipes at branch connections, and reductions in diameter at valves and meters. The GPEXs would be smaller and would be able to negotiate sharp bends and other obstacles that typically occur in gas-distribution pipes.

Live-cell imaging for the assessment of the dynamics of autophagosome formation: focus on early steps.

PubMed

Karanasios, Eleftherios; Ktistakis, Nicholas T

2015-03-01

Autophagy is a cytosolic degradative pathway, which through a series of complicated membrane rearrangements leads to the formation of a unique double membrane vesicle, the autophagosome. The use of fluorescent proteins has allowed visualizing the autophagosome formation in live cells and in real time, almost 40 years after electron microscopy studies observed these structures for the first time. In the last decade, live-cell imaging has been extensively used to study the dynamics of autophagosome formation in cultured mammalian cells. Hereby we will discuss how the live-cell imaging studies have tried to settle the debate about the origin of the autophagosome membrane and how they have described the way different autophagy proteins coordinate in space and time in order to drive autophagosome formation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Teacher Directed Design: Content Knowledge, Pedagogy and Assessment under the Nevada K-12 Real-Time Seismic Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cantrell, P.; Ewing-Taylor, J.; Crippen, K. J.; Smith, K. D.; Snelson, C. M.

2004-12-01

Education professionals and seismologists under the emerging SUN (Shaking Up Nevada) program are leveraging the existing infrastructure of the real-time Nevada K-12 Seismic Network to provide a unique inquiry based science experience for teachers. The concept and effort are driven by teacher needs and emphasize rigorous content knowledge acquisition coupled with the translation of that knowledge into an integrated seismology based earth sciences curriculum development process. We are developing a pedagogical framework, graduate level coursework, and materials to initiate the SUN model for teacher professional development in an effort to integrate the research benefits of real-time seismic data with science education needs in Nevada. A component of SUN is to evaluate teacher acquisition of qualified seismological and earth science information and pedagogy both in workshops and in the classroom and to assess the impact on student achievement. SUN's mission is to positively impact earth science education practices. With the upcoming EarthScope initiative, the program is timely and will incorporate EarthScope real-time seismic data (USArray) and educational materials in graduate course materials and teacher development programs. A number of schools in Nevada are contributing real-time data from both inexpensive and high-quality seismographs that are integrated with Nevada regional seismic network operations as well as the IRIS DMC. A powerful and unique component of the Nevada technology model is that schools can receive "stable" continuous live data feeds from 100's seismograph stations in Nevada, California and world (including live data from Earthworm systems and the IRIS DMC BUD - Buffer of Uniform Data). Students and teachers see their own networked seismograph station within a global context, as participants in regional and global monitoring. The robust real-time Internet communications protocols invoked in the Nevada network provide for local data acquisition, remote multi-channel data access, local time-series data management, interactive multi-window waveform display and time-series analysis with centralized meta-data control. Formally integrating educational seismology into the K-12 science curriculum with an overall "positive" impact to science education practices necessarily requires a collaborative effort between professional educators and seismologists yet driven exclusively by teacher needs.

Label-free imaging of the native, living cellular nanoarchitecture using partial-wave spectroscopic microscopy

PubMed Central

Almassalha, Luay M.; Bauer, Greta M.; Chandler, John E.; Gladstein, Scott; Cherkezyan, Lusik; Stypula-Cyrus, Yolanda; Weinberg, Samuel; Zhang, Di; Thusgaard Ruhoff, Peder; Roy, Hemant K.; Subramanian, Hariharan; Chandel, Navdeep S.; Szleifer, Igal; Backman, Vadim

2016-01-01

The organization of chromatin is a regulator of molecular processes including transcription, replication, and DNA repair. The structures within chromatin that regulate these processes span from the nucleosomal (10-nm) to the chromosomal (>200-nm) levels, with little known about the dynamics of chromatin structure between these scales due to a lack of quantitative imaging technique in live cells. Previous work using partial-wave spectroscopic (PWS) microscopy, a quantitative imaging technique with sensitivity to macromolecular organization between 20 and 200 nm, has shown that transformation of chromatin at these length scales is a fundamental event during carcinogenesis. As the dynamics of chromatin likely play a critical regulatory role in cellular function, it is critical to develop live-cell imaging techniques that can probe the real-time temporal behavior of the chromatin nanoarchitecture. Therefore, we developed a live-cell PWS technique that allows high-throughput, label-free study of the causal relationship between nanoscale organization and molecular function in real time. In this work, we use live-cell PWS to study the change in chromatin structure due to DNA damage and expand on the link between metabolic function and the structure of higher-order chromatin. In particular, we studied the temporal changes to chromatin during UV light exposure, show that live-cell DNA-binding dyes induce damage to chromatin within seconds, and demonstrate a direct link between higher-order chromatin structure and mitochondrial membrane potential. Because biological function is tightly paired with structure, live-cell PWS is a powerful tool to study the nanoscale structure–function relationship in live cells. PMID:27702891

Development of fluorescent glucose bioprobes and their application on real-time and quantitative monitoring of glucose uptake in living cells.

PubMed

Lee, Hyang Yeon; Lee, Jae Jeong; Park, Jongmin; Park, Seung Bum

2011-01-03

We developed a novel fluorescent glucose bioprobe, GB2-Cy3, for the real-time and quantitative monitoring of glucose uptake in living cells. We synthesized a series of fluorescent glucose analogues by adding Cy3 fluorophores to the α-anomeric position of D-glucose through various linkers. Systematic and quantitative analysis of these Cy3-labeled glucose analogues revealed that GB2-Cy3 was the ideal fluorescent glucose bioprobe. The cellular uptake of this probe competed with the cellular uptake of D-glucose in the media and was mediated by a glucose-specific transport system, and not by passive diffusion. Flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy analyses revealed that GB2-Cy3 is ten times more sensitive than 2-NBDG, a leading fluorescent glucose bioprobe. GB2-Cy3 can also be utilized for the quantitative flow cytometry monitoring of glucose uptake in metabolically active C2C12 myocytes under various treatment conditions. As opposed to a glucose uptake assay performed by using radioisotope-labeled deoxy-D-glucose and a scintillation counter, GB2-Cy3 allows the real-time monitoring of glucose uptake in living cells under various experimental conditions by using fluorescence microscopy or confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Therefore, we believe that GB2-Cy3 can be utilized in high-content screening (HCS) for the discovery of novel therapeutic agents and for making significant advances in biomedical studies and diagnosis of various diseases, especially metabolic diseases. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Catch the live show: Visualizing damaged DNA in vivo.

PubMed

Oshidari, Roxanne; Mekhail, Karim

2018-06-01

The health of an organism is intimately linked to its ability to repair damaged DNA. Importantly, DNA repair processes are highly dynamic. This highlights the necessity of characterizing DNA repair in live cells. Advanced genome editing and imaging approaches allow us to visualize damaged DNA and its associated factors in real time. Here, we summarize both established and recent methods that are used to induce DNA damage and visualize damaged DNA and its repair in live cells. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Ship-To-Shore In Real Time: Data Transmission, Distribution, Management, Processing, And Archiving Using Telepresence Technologies And The Inner Space Center

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coleman, D. F.

2012-12-01

Most research vessels are equipped with satellite Internet services with bandwidths capable of being upgraded to support telepresence technologies and live shore-based participation. This capability can be used for real-time data transmission to shore, where it can be distributed, managed, processed, and archived. The University of Rhode Island Inner Space Center utilizes telepresence technologies and a growing network of command centers on Internet2 to participate live with a variety of research vessels and their ocean observing and sampling systems. High-bandwidth video streaming, voice-over-IP telecommunications, and real-time data feeds and file transfers enable users on shore to take part in the oceanographic expeditions as if they were present on the ship, working in the lab. Telepresence-enabled systematic ocean exploration and similar programs represent a significant and growing paradigm shift that can change the future of seagoing ocean observations using research vessels. The required platform is the ship itself, and users of the technology rely on the ship-based technical teams, but remote and distributed shore-based science users, students, educators, and the general public can now take part by being aboard virtually.

Real-time capture and reconstruction system with multiple GPUs for a 3D live scene by a generation from 4K IP images to 8K holograms.

PubMed

Ichihashi, Yasuyuki; Oi, Ryutaro; Senoh, Takanori; Yamamoto, Kenji; Kurita, Taiichiro

2012-09-10

We developed a real-time capture and reconstruction system for three-dimensional (3D) live scenes. In previous research, we used integral photography (IP) to capture 3D images and then generated holograms from the IP images to implement a real-time reconstruction system. In this paper, we use a 4K (3,840 × 2,160) camera to capture IP images and 8K (7,680 × 4,320) liquid crystal display (LCD) panels for the reconstruction of holograms. We investigate two methods for enlarging the 4K images that were captured by integral photography to 8K images. One of the methods increases the number of pixels of each elemental image. The other increases the number of elemental images. In addition, we developed a personal computer (PC) cluster system with graphics processing units (GPUs) for the enlargement of IP images and the generation of holograms from the IP images using fast Fourier transform (FFT). We used the Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) as the development environment for the GPUs. The Fast Fourier transform is performed using the CUFFT (CUDA FFT) library. As a result, we developed an integrated system for performing all processing from the capture to the reconstruction of 3D images by using these components and successfully used this system to reconstruct a 3D live scene at 12 frames per second.

Monitoring in real-time focal adhesion protein dynamics in response to a discrete mechanical stimulus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

von Bilderling, Catalina; Caldarola, Martín; Masip, Martín E.; Bragas, Andrea V.; Pietrasanta, Lía I.

2017-01-01

The adhesion of cells to the extracellular matrix is a hierarchical, force-dependent, multistage process that evolves at several temporal scales. An understanding of this complex process requires a precise measurement of forces and its correlation with protein responses in living cells. We present a method to quantitatively assess live cell responses to a local and specific mechanical stimulus. Our approach combines atomic force microscopy with fluorescence imaging. Using this approach, we evaluated the recruitment of adhesion proteins such as vinculin, focal adhesion kinase, paxillin, and zyxin triggered by applying forces in the nN regime to live cells. We observed in real time the development of nascent adhesion sites, evident from the accumulation of early adhesion proteins at the position where the force was applied. We show that the method can be used to quantify the recruitment characteristic times for adhesion proteins in the formation of focal complexes. We also found a spatial remodeling of the mature focal adhesion protein zyxin as a function of the applied force. Our approach allows the study of a variety of complex biological processes involved in cellular mechanotransduction.

Monitoring in real-time focal adhesion protein dynamics in response to a discrete mechanical stimulus.

PubMed

von Bilderling, Catalina; Caldarola, Martín; Masip, Martín E; Bragas, Andrea V; Pietrasanta, Lía I

2017-01-01

The adhesion of cells to the extracellular matrix is a hierarchical, force-dependent, multistage process that evolves at several temporal scales. An understanding of this complex process requires a precise measurement of forces and its correlation with protein responses in living cells. We present a method to quantitatively assess live cell responses to a local and specific mechanical stimulus. Our approach combines atomic force microscopy with fluorescence imaging. Using this approach, we evaluated the recruitment of adhesion proteins such as vinculin, focal adhesion kinase, paxillin, and zyxin triggered by applying forces in the nN regime to live cells. We observed in real time the development of nascent adhesion sites, evident from the accumulation of early adhesion proteins at the position where the force was applied. We show that the method can be used to quantify the recruitment characteristic times for adhesion proteins in the formation of focal complexes. We also found a spatial remodeling of the mature focal adhesion protein zyxin as a function of the applied force. Our approach allows the study of a variety of complex biological processes involved in cellular mechanotransduction.

ISS Live!

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Price, Jennifer; Harris, Philip; Hochstetler, Bruce; Guerra, Mark; Mendez, Israel; Healy, Matthew; Khan, Ahmed

2013-01-01

International Space Station Live! (ISSLive!) is a Web application that uses a proprietary commercial technology called Lightstreamer to push data across the Internet using the standard http port (port 80). ISSLive! uses the push technology to display real-time telemetry and mission timeline data from the space station in any common Web browser or Internet- enabled mobile device. ISSLive! is designed to fill a unique niche in the education and outreach areas by providing access to real-time space station data without a physical presence in the mission control center. The technology conforms to Internet standards, supports the throughput needed for real-time space station data, and is flexible enough to work on a large number of Internet-enabled devices. ISSLive! consists of two custom components: (1) a series of data adapters that resides server-side in the mission control center at Johnson Space Center, and (2) a set of public html that renders the data pushed from the data adapters. A third component, the Lightstreamer server, is commercially available from a third party and acts as an intermediary between custom components (1) and (2). Lightstreamer also provides proprietary software libraries that are required to use the custom components. At the time of this reporting, this is the first usage of Web-based, push streaming technology in the aerospace industry.

Characterization and application of droplet spray ionization for real-time reaction monitoring.

PubMed

Zhang, Hong; Li, Na; Li, Xiao-di; Jiang, Jie; Zhao, Dan-Dan; You, Hong

2016-08-01

The ionization source for real-time reaction monitoring has attracted tremendous interest in recent years. We have previously reported a reliable approach in which droplet spray ionization (DSI) was used for monitoring chemical reactions in real-time. Herein, we systematically investigated the characterization and application of DSI for real-time reaction monitoring. Analyte ions are generated by loading a sample solution onto a corner of a microscope cover glass positioned in front of the MS inlet and applying a high voltage to the sample. The tolerance to positioning, solvent effect, spray angle and spray time were investigated. Extension to real-time monitoring of macromolecule reactions was also demonstrated by the charge state change of cytochrome c in the presence of acetic acid. The corner could be positioned within an area of approximately 10 × 6 × 5 mm (x, y, z) in front of the MS inlet. The broad polarities of solvents from methanol to PhF were suitable for DSI. It featured monitoring real-time changes in reactions on the time scale of seconds to minutes. A real-time charge state change of cytochrome c was captured. DSI-MS features ease of use, durability of the spray platform and reusability of the ion source. Eliminating the need for a sample transport capillary, DSI opens a new avenue for the in situ analysis and real-time monitoring of short-lived key reaction intermediates even at subsecond dead times. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Live-Cell Imaging of Filoviruses.

PubMed

Schudt, Gordian; Dolnik, Olga; Becker, Stephan

2017-01-01

Observation of molecular processes inside living cells is fundamental to a deeper understanding of virus-host interactions in filoviral-infected cells. These observations can provide spatiotemporal insights into protein synthesis, protein-protein interaction dynamics, and transport processes of these highly pathogenic viruses. Thus, live-cell imaging provides the possibility for antiviral screening in real time and gives mechanistic insights into understanding filovirus assembly steps that are dependent on cellular factors, which then represent potential targets against this highly fatal disease. Here we describe analysis of living filovirus-infected cells under maximum biosafety (i.e., BSL4) conditions using plasmid-driven expression of fluorescently labeled viral and cellular proteins and/or viral genome-encoded expression of fluorescently labeled proteins. Such multiple-color and multidimensional time-lapse live-cell imaging analyses are a powerful method to gain a better understanding of the filovirus infection cycle.

Does social presence or the potential for interaction reduce social gaze in online social scenarios? Introducing the "live lab" paradigm.

PubMed

Gregory, Nicola J; Antolin, Jastine V

2018-05-01

Research has shown that people's gaze is biased away from faces in the real world but towards them when they are viewed onscreen. Non-equivalent stimulus conditions may have represented a confound in this research, however, as participants viewed onscreen stimuli as pre-recordings where interaction was not possible compared with real-world stimuli which were viewed in real time where interaction was possible. We assessed the independent contributions of online social presence and ability for interaction on social gaze by developing the "live lab" paradigm. Participants in three groups ( N = 132) viewed a confederate as (1) a live webcam stream where interaction was not possible (one-way), (2) a live webcam stream where an interaction was possible (two-way), or (3) a pre-recording. Potential for interaction, rather than online social presence, was the primary influence on gaze behaviour: participants in the pre-recorded and one-way conditions looked more to the face than those in the two-way condition, particularly, when the confederate made "eye contact." Fixation durations to the face were shorter when the scene was viewed live, particularly, during a bid for eye contact. Our findings support the dual function of gaze but suggest that online social presence alone is not sufficient to activate social norms of civil inattention. Implications for the reinterpretation of previous research are discussed.

A framework to monitor activities of satellite data processing in real-time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, M. D.; Kryukov, A. P.

2018-01-01

Space Monitoring Data Center (SMDC) of SINP MSU is one of the several centers in the world that collects data on the radiational conditions in near-Earth orbit from various Russian (Lomonosov, Electro-L1, Electro-L2, Meteor-M1, Meteor-M2, etc.) and foreign (GOES 13, GOES 15, ACE, SDO, etc.) satellites. The primary purposes of SMDC are: aggregating heterogeneous data from different sources; providing a unified interface for data retrieval, visualization, analysis, as well as development and testing new space weather models; and controlling the correctness and completeness of data. Space weather models rely on data provided by SMDC to produce forecasts. Therefore, monitoring the whole data processing cycle is crucial for further success in the modeling of physical processes in near-Earth orbit based on the collected data. To solve the problem described above, we have developed a framework called Live Monitor at SMDC. Live Monitor allows watching all stages and program components involved in each data processing cycle. All activities of each stage are logged by Live Monitor and shown in real-time on a web interface. When an error occurs, a notification message will be sent to satellite operators via email and the Telegram messenger service so that they could take measures in time. The Live Monitor’s API can be used to create a customized monitoring service with minimum coding.

Utilizing Current Commercial-off-the-Shelf Facial Recognition and Public Live Video Streaming to Enhance National Security

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-01

biometrics technologies. 14. SUBJECT TERMS Facial recognition, systems engineering, live video streaming, security cameras, national security ...national security by sharing biometric facial recognition data in real-time utilizing infrastructures currently in place. It should be noted that the...9/11),law enforcement (LE) and Intelligence community (IC)authorities responsible for protecting citizens from threats against national security

Health and Family Living. Teacher Guidebook and Student Activity Book. Adult Basic Education Project REAL: Relevant Education for Adult Learners.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edgar, S. Keith

This packet contains both a teacher's guide and a student activity book designed to help adult students learn about health and family living. Both booklets cover the following topics: health in the home, safety in the home (safety tips concerning children, tips on indoor safety, first aid), helping children with school activities, leisure time and…

Real-time activity monitoring of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 in living bacterial cells by UV-Vis spectroscopy.

PubMed

Yang, Ke-Wu; Zhou, Yajun; Ge, Ying; Zhang, Yuejuan

2017-07-13

We report an UV-Vis method for monitoring the hydrolysis of the β-lactam antibiotics inside living bacterial cells. Cell-based studies demonstrated that the hydrolysis of cefazolin was inhibited by three known NDM-1 inhibitors. This approach can be applied to the monitoring of reactions in a complex biological system, for instance in medical testing.

Transmission of live laparoscopic surgery over the Internet2.

PubMed

Damore, L J; Johnson, J A; Dixon, R S; Iverson, M A; Ellison, E C; Melvin, W S

1999-11-01

Video broadcasting of surgical procedures is an important tool for education, training, and consultation. Current video conferencing systems are expensive and time-consuming and require preplanning. Real-time Internet video is known for its poor quality and relies on the equipment and the speed of the connection. The Internet2, a new high-speed (up to 2,048 Mbps), large bandwidth data network presently connects more than 100 universities and corporations. We have successfully used the Internet2 to broadcast the first real-time, high-quality audio/video program from a live laparoscopic operation to distant points. Video output of the laparoscopic camera and audio from a wireless microphone were broadcast to distant sites using a proprietary, PC-based implementation of H.320 video conferencing over a TCP/IP network connected to the Internet2. The receiving sites participated in two-way, real-time video and audio communications and graded the quality of the signal they received. On August 25, 1998, a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication was transmitted to Internet2 stations in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and to an Internet station in New York. On September 28 and 29, 1998, we broadcast laparoscopic operations throughout both days to the Internet2 Fall Conference in San Francisco, California. Most recently, on February 24, 1999, we transmitted a laparoscopic Heller myotomy to the Abilene Network Launch Event in Washington, DC. The Internet2 is currently able to provide the bandwidth needed for a turn-key video conferencing system with high-resolution, real-time transmission. The system could be used for a variety of teaching and educational programs for experienced surgeons, residents, and medical students.

A Microplate Reader-Based System for Visualizing Transcriptional Activity During in vivo Microbial Interactions in Space and Time.

PubMed

Hennessy, Rosanna C; Stougaard, Peter; Olsson, Stefan

2017-03-21

Here, we report the development of a microplate reader-based system for visualizing gene expression dynamics in living bacterial cells in response to a fungus in space and real-time. A bacterium expressing the red fluorescent protein mCherry fused to the promoter region of a regulator gene nunF indicating activation of an antifungal secondary metabolite gene cluster was used as a reporter system. Time-lapse image recordings of the reporter red signal and a green signal from fluorescent metabolites combined with microbial growth measurements showed that nunF-regulated gene transcription is switched on when the bacterium enters the deceleration growth phase and upon physical encounter with fungal hyphae. This novel technique enables real-time live imaging of samples by time-series multi-channel automatic recordings using a microplate reader as both an incubator and image recorder of general use to researchers. The technique can aid in deciding when to destructively sample for other methods e.g. transcriptomics and mass spectrometry imaging to study gene expression and metabolites exchanged during the interaction.

REAL-TIME PERSONAL NEPHELOMETER AND TIME ACTIVITY DATA FROM THE NERL RTP PM PANEL STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

A longitudinal particulate matter (PM) exposure study was conducted in the Research Triangle Park, NC, area between June 2000 and June 2001. Participants were selected from two groups of potentially susceptible sub-populations: a group of African-Americans living in an environm...

Tech Tonic: Towards a New Literacy of Technology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cordes, Colleen; Miller, Edward

2004-01-01

This report addresses the effect of technology on today's children, advancing three central arguments: (1) Our children face a technological frontier of irreversible changes in human biology and the world's ecology; (2) Children's lives are increasingly filled with screen time rather than real time with nature, caring adults, the arts, and…

Tiramisu: Information from Live Data Streams.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-01-01

The primary source of information for rider safety with respect to dynamic events such as : cancelled buses, detours, traffic conditions and other factors is the transit system website. : Although technological enhancements, such as real-time trackin...

WAKE-Up Exoskeleton to Assist Children With Cerebral Palsy: Design and Preliminary Evaluation in Level Walking.

PubMed

Patane, Fabrizio; Rossi, Stefano; Del Sette, Fausto; Taborri, Juri; Cappa, Paolo

2017-07-01

This paper presents the modular design and control of a novel compliant lower limbmulti-joint exoskeleton for the rehabilitation of ankle kneemobility and locomotion of pediatric patients with neurological diseases, such as Cerebral Palsy (CP). The device consists of an untethered powered knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO), addressed as WAKE-up (Wearable Ankle Knee Exoskeleton), characterized by a position control and capable of operating synchronously and synergistically with the human musculoskeletal system. The WAKE-up mechanical system, control architecture and feature extraction are described. Two test benches were used to mechanically characterize the device. The full system showed a maximum value of hysteresis equal to 8.8% and a maximum torque of 5.6 N m/rad. A pre-clinical use was performed, without body weight support, by four typically developing children and three children with CP. The aims were twofold: 1) to test the structure under weight-bearing conditions and 2) to ascertain its ability to provide appropriate assistance to the ankle and the knee during overground walking in a real environment. Results confirm the effectiveness of the WAKE-up design in providing torque assistance in accordance to the volitionalmovements especially in the recovery of correct foot landing at the start of the gait cycle.

Stimulated penetrating keratoplasty using real-time virtual intraoperative surgical optical coherence tomography

PubMed Central

Lee, Changho; Kim, Kyungun; Han, Seunghoon; Kim, Sehui; Lee, Jun Hoon; Kim, Hong kyun; Kim, Chulhong; Jung, Woonggyu; Kim, Jeehyun

2014-01-01

Abstract. An intraoperative surgical microscope is an essential tool in a neuro- or ophthalmological surgical environment. Yet, it has an inherent limitation to classify subsurface information because it only provides the surface images. To compensate for and assist in this problem, combining the surgical microscope with optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been adapted. We developed a real-time virtual intraoperative surgical OCT (VISOCT) system by adapting a spectral-domain OCT scanner with a commercial surgical microscope. Thanks to our custom-made beam splitting and image display subsystems, the OCT images and microscopic images are simultaneously visualized through an ocular lens or the eyepiece of the microscope. This improvement helps surgeons to focus on the operation without distraction to view OCT images on another separate display. Moreover, displaying the OCT live images on the eyepiece helps surgeon’s depth perception during the surgeries. Finally, we successfully processed stimulated penetrating keratoplasty in live rabbits. We believe that these technical achievements are crucial to enhance the usability of the VISOCT system in a real surgical operating condition. PMID:24604471

Telehealth: seven strategies to successfully implement disruptive technology and transform health care.

PubMed

Schwamm, Lee H

2014-02-01

"Telehealth" refers to the use of electronic services to support a broad range of remote services, such as patient care, education, and monitoring. Telehealth must be integrated into traditional ambulatory and hospital-based practices if it is to achieve its full potential, including addressing the six domains of care quality defined by the Institute of Medicine: safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. Telehealth is a disruptive technology that appears to threaten traditional health care delivery but has the potential to reform and transform the industry by reducing costs and increasing quality and patient satisfaction. This article outlines seven strategies critical to successful telehealth implementation: understanding patients' and providers' expectations, untethering telehealth from traditional revenue expectations, deconstructing the traditional health care encounter, being open to discovery, being mindful of the importance of space, redesigning care to improve value in health care, and being bold and visionary.

Perceived live interaction modulates the developing social brain.

PubMed

Rice, Katherine; Moraczewski, Dustin; Redcay, Elizabeth

2016-09-01

Although children's social development is embedded in social interaction, most developmental neuroscience studies have examined responses to non-interactive social stimuli (e.g. photographs of faces). The neural mechanisms of real-world social behavior are of special interest during middle childhood (roughly ages 7-13), a time of increased social complexity and competence coinciding with structural and functional social brain development. Evidence from adult neuroscience studies suggests that social interaction may alter neural processing, but no neuroimaging studies in children have directly examined the effects of live social-interactive context on social cognition. In the current study of middle childhood, we compare the processing of two types of speech: speech that children believed was presented over a real-time audio-feed by a social partner and speech that they believed was recorded. Although in reality all speech was prerecorded, perceived live speech resulted in significantly greater neural activation in regions associated with social cognitive processing. These findings underscore the importance of using ecologically-valid and interactive methods to understand the developing social brain. © The Author (2016). Published by Oxford University Press. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Space Shuttle Projects

NASA Image and Video Library

1983-11-08

The crew assigned to the STS-41B (STS-11) mission included (seated left to right) Vance D. Brand, commander; and Robert L. Gibson, pilot. Standing left to right are mission specialists Robert L. Stewart, Ronald E. McNair, and Bruce McCandless. Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger on February 3, 1984 at 8:00:00 am (EST), the STS-41B mission marked the first untethered space walks which were performed by McCandless and Stewart. The crew deployed the WESTAR-VI and PALAPA-B2 satellites.

Tracking Activities in Complex Settings Using Smart Environment Technologies.

PubMed

Singla, Geetika; Cook, Diane J; Schmitter-Edgecombe, Maureen

2009-01-01

The pervasive sensing technologies found in smart homes offer unprecedented opportunities for providing health monitoring and assistance to individuals experiencing difficulties living independently at home. A primary challenge that needs to be tackled to meet this need is the ability to recognize and track functional activities that people perform in their own homes and everyday settings. In this paper we look at approaches to perform real-time recognition of Activities of Daily Living. We enhance other related research efforts to develop approaches that are effective when activities are interrupted and interleaved. To evaluate the accuracy of our recognition algorithms we assess them using real data collected from participants performing activities in our on-campus smart apartment testbed.

One- and Two-Photon Uncaging: Carbazole Fused o-Hydroxycinnamate Platform for Dual Release of Alcohols (Same or Different) with Real-Time Monitoring.

PubMed

Venkatesh, Yarra; Srivastava, Hemant Kumar; Bhattacharya, S; Mehra, Muneshwar; Datta, P K; Bandyopadhyay, S; Singh, N D Pradeep

2018-04-20

A one- and two-photon activated photoremovable protecting group (PRPG) was designed based on a carbazole fused o-hydroxycinnamate platform for the dual (same or different) release of alcohols. The mechanism for the dual release proceeds through a stepwise pathway and also monitors the first and second photorelease in real time by an increase in fluorescence intensity and color change, respectively. Further, its application in staining live neurons and ex vivo imaging with two-photon excitation is shown.

Environmental Sampling for Avian Influenza A(H7N9) in Live-Poultry Markets in Guangdong, China

PubMed Central

Kang, Min; He, Jianfeng; Song, Tie; Rutherford, Shannon; Wu, Jie; Lin, Jinyan; Huang, Guofeng; Tan, Xiaohua; Zhong, Haojie

2015-01-01

Background To provide an increased understanding of avian influenza A(H7N9) activity in live-poultry market in space and time and hence improve H7N9 epidemic control, an ongoing environmental sampling program in multiple live-poultry markets across Guangdong, China was conducted during March 2013–June 2014. Methods A total of 625 live-poultry markets throughout 21 prefecture areas took part in the study. A total of 10 environmental sites in markets for sampling were identified to represent 4 different poultry-related activity areas. At least 10 environmental samples were collected from each market every month. The real time RT-PCR was performed to detect the avian influenza A(H7N9) virus. Field survey was conducted to investigate the sanitation status of live-poultry markets. Results There were 109 human infections with H7N9 avian influenza in Guangdong, of which 37 (34%) died. A total of 18741 environmental swabs were collected and subjected to real-time RT-PCR test, of which 905(4.83%) were found positive for H7N9 virus. There were 201 (32.16%) markets affected by H7N9 in 16 prefecture areas. The detection of H7N9 virus in markets spiked in winter months. 63.33% markets (38/60) had no physical segregation for poultry holding, slaughter or sale zones. Closing live-poultry market significantly decreased the H7N9 detection rate from 14.83% (112/755) to 1.67% (5/300). Conclusions This study indicates the importance of live-poultry market surveillance based on environmental sampling for H7N9 Avian Influenza control. Improving live-poultry market management and sanitation and changing consumer practices are critical to reduce the risk of H7N9 infection. PMID:25933138

Real-time WebRTC-based design for a telepresence wheelchair.

PubMed

Van Kha Ly Ha; Rifai Chai; Nguyen, Hung T

2017-07-01

This paper presents a novel approach to the telepresence wheelchair system which is capable of real-time video communication and remote interaction. The investigation of this emerging technology aims at providing a low-cost and efficient way for assisted-living of people with disabilities. The proposed system has been designed and developed by deploying the JavaScript with Hyper Text Markup Language 5 (HTML5) and Web Real-time Communication (WebRTC) in which the adaptive rate control algorithm for video transmission is invoked. We conducted experiments in real-world environments, and the wheelchair was controlled from a distance using the Internet browser to compare with existing methods. The results show that the adaptively encoded video streaming rate matches the available bandwidth. The video streaming is high-quality with approximately 30 frames per second (fps) and round trip time less than 20 milliseconds (ms). These performance results confirm that the WebRTC approach is a potential method for developing a telepresence wheelchair system.

Real-time ECG monitoring and arrhythmia detection using Android-based mobile devices.

PubMed

Gradl, Stefan; Kugler, Patrick; Lohmuller, Clemens; Eskofier, Bjoern

2012-01-01

We developed an application for Android™-based mobile devices that allows real-time electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring and automated arrhythmia detection by analyzing ECG parameters. ECG data provided by pre-recorded files or acquired live by accessing a Shimmer™ sensor node via Bluetooth™ can be processed and evaluated. The application is based on the Pan-Tompkins algorithm for QRS-detection and contains further algorithm blocks to detect abnormal heartbeats. The algorithm was validated using the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia and MIT-BIH Supraventricular Arrhythmia databases. More than 99% of all QRS complexes were detected correctly by the algorithm. Overall sensitivity for abnormal beat detection was 89.5% with a specificity of 80.6%. The application is available for download and may be used for real-time ECG-monitoring on mobile devices.

Dynamic subcellular imaging of cancer cell mitosis in the brain of live mice.

PubMed

Momiyama, Masashi; Suetsugu, Atsushi; Kimura, Hiroaki; Chishima, Takashi; Bouvet, Michael; Endo, Itaru; Hoffman, Robert M

2013-04-01

The ability to visualize cancer cell mitosis and apoptosis in the brain in real time would be of great utility in testing novel therapies. In order to achieve this goal, the cancer cells were labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the nucleus and red fluorescent protein (RFP) in the cytoplasm, such that mitosis and apoptosis could be clearly imaged. A craniotomy open window was made in athymic nude mice for real-time fluorescence imaging of implanted cancer cells growing in the brain. The craniotomy window was reversibly closed with a skin flap. Mitosis of the individual cancer cells were imaged dynamically in real time through the craniotomy-open window. This model can be used to evaluate brain metastasis and brain cancer at the subcellular level.

Label-free monitoring of cell death induced by oxidative stress in living human cells using terahertz ATR spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Zou, Yi; Liu, Qiao; Yang, Xia; Huang, Hua-Chuan; Li, Jiang; Du, Liang-Hui; Li, Ze-Ren; Zhao, Jian-Heng; Zhu, Li-Guo

2017-01-01

We demonstrated that attenuated total reflectance terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (ATR THz-TDS) is able to monitor oxidative stress response of living human cells, which is proven in this work that it is an efficient non-invasive, label-free, real-time and in situ monitoring of cell death. Furthermore, the dielectric constant and dielectric loss of cultured living human breast epithelial cells, and along with their evolution under oxidative stress response induced by high concentration of H2O2, were quantitatively determined in the work. Our observation and results were finally confirmed using standard fluorescence-labeled flow cytometry measurements and visible fluorescence imaging. PMID:29359084

Real time sound analysis for medical remote monitoring.

PubMed

Istrate, Dan; Binet, Morgan; Cheng, Sreng

2008-01-01

The increase of aging population in Europe involves more people living alone at home with an increased risk of home accidents or falls. In order to prevent or detect a distress situation in the case of an elderly people living alone, a remote monitoring system based on the sound environment analysis can be used. We have already proposed a system which monitors the sound environment, identifies everyday life sounds and distress expressions in order to participate to an alarm decision. This first system uses a classical sound card on a PC or embedded PC allowing only one channel monitor. In this paper, we propose a new architecture of the remote monitoring system, which relies on a real time multichannel implementation based on an USB acquisition card. This structure allows monitoring eight channels in order to cover all the rooms of an apartment. More than that, the SNR estimation leads currently to the adaptation of the recognition models to environment.

Real-time analysis of endosomal lipid transport by live cell scintillation proximity assay

PubMed Central

Stockinger, Walter; Castoreno, Adam B.; Wang, Yan; Pagnon, Joanne C.; Nohturfft, Axel

2007-01-01

A scintillation proximity assay has been developed to study the endosomal trafficking of radiolabeled cholesterol in living cells. Mouse macrophages were cultured in the presence of tritiated cholesterol and scintillant microspheres. Microspheres were taken up by phagocytosis and stored in phagolysosomes. Absorption of tritium β particles by the scintillant produces light signals that can be measured in standard scintillation counters. Because of the short range of tritium β particles and for geometric reasons, scintillant microspheres detect only that fraction of tritiated cholesterol localized inside phagolysosomes or within a distance of ~600 nm. By incubating cultures in a temperature-controlled microplate reader, the kinetics of phagocytosis and cholesterol transport could be analyzed in near-real time. Scintillation signals were significantly increased in response to inhibitors of lysosomal cholesterol export. This method should prove a useful new tool for the study of endosomal trafficking of lipids and other molecules. PMID:15314094

Integration of Wearable Solutions in AAL Environments with Mobility Support.

PubMed

Costa, Susana E P; Rodrigues, Joel J P C; Silva, Bruno M C; Isento, João N; Corchado, Juan M

2015-12-01

The overall demographic profile of current societies point to a significant growth of the elderly people. Associated with the increase of the average hope of life and consequent increase in chronic diseases, there is the need for protection and daily care. Increasing investments in technology, such as Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) solutions, promote the quality of live extending the time people can live in their desired environment. This paper proposes the design, deployment, and real testbed of an e-health wearable monitoring system based on the integration of several AAL tools and platforms for elderly's bio-signals monitoring. This solution includes electrocardiography (ECG), respiration rate, beats per minute, body temperature, and falls detention and notification. The paper also describes, in detail, the real pilot and analyzes some early results concerning the users quality of experience, and the found results are very promising.

Weight Measurements and Standards for Soldiers

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-10-01

Dr. Corby Martin has expanded on this technology and has developed the Remote Food Photography Method (RFPM) for use in free-living conditions...Allen HR, Champagne CM, Anton SD. A novel method to remotely measure food intake of free-living individuals in real time: the remote food ... photography method. Br J Nutr. 2009 Feb;101:446-56. 5. Martin CK, Kaya S, Gunturk BK. Quantification of food intake using food image analysis. Conference

In vitro and in vivo documentation of quantum dots labeled Trypanosoma cruzi--Rhodnius prolixus interaction using confocal microscopy.

PubMed

Feder, Denise; Gomes, Suzete A O; de Thomaz, André A; Almeida, Diogo B; Faustino, Wagner M; Fontes, Adriana; Stahl, Cecília V; Santos-Mallet, Jacenir R; Cesar, Carlos L

2009-12-01

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are highly fluorescent nanocrystals markers that allow long photobleaching and do not destroy the parasites. In this paper, we used fluorescent core shell quantum dots to perform studies of live parasite-vector interaction processes without any observable effect on the vitality of parasites. These nanocrystals were synthesized in aqueous medium and physiological pH, which is very important for monitoring live cells activities, and conjugated with molecules such as lectins to label specific carbohydrates involved on the parasite-vector interaction. These QDs were successfully used for the study of in vitro and in vivo interaction of Trypanosoma cruzi and the triatomine Rhodnius prolixus. These QDs allowed us to acquire real time confocal images sequences of live T. cruzi-R. prolixus interactions for an extended period, causing no damage to the cells. By zooming to the region of interest, we have been able to acquire confocal images at the three to four frames per second rate. Our results show that QDs are physiological fluorescent markers capable to label living parasites and insect vector cells. QDs can be functionalized with lectins to specifically mark surface carbohydrates on perimicrovillar membrane of R. prolixus to follow, visualize, and understand interaction between vectors and its parasites in real-time.

Nanoscale Label-free Bioprobes to Detect Intracellular Proteins in Single Living Cells

PubMed Central

Hong, Wooyoung; Liang, Feng; Schaak, Diane; Loncar, Marko; Quan, Qimin

2014-01-01

Fluorescent labeling techniques have been widely used in live cell studies; however, the labeling processes can be laborious and challenging for use in non-transfectable cells, and labels can interfere with protein functions. While label-free biosensors have been realized by nanofabrication, a method to track intracellular protein dynamics in real-time, in situ and in living cells has not been found. Here we present the first demonstration of label-free detection of intracellular p53 protein dynamics through a nanoscale surface plasmon-polariton fiber-tip-probe (FTP). PMID:25154394

Development of a system for real-time measurements of metabolite transport in plants using short-lived positron-emitting radiotracers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiser, Matthew R.

Over the past 200 years, the Earth's atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2) concentration has increased by more than 35%, and climate experts predict that CO2 levels may double by the end of this century. Understanding the mechanisms of resource management in plants is fundamental for predicting how plants will respond to the increase in atmospheric CO 2. Plant productivity sustains life on Earth and is a principal component of the planet's system that regulates atmospheric CO2 concentration. As such, one of the central goals of plant science is to understand the regulatory mechanisms of plant growth in a changing environment. Short-lived positron-emitting radiotracer techniques provide time-dependent data that are critical for developing models of metabolite transport and resource distribution in plants and their microenvironments. To better understand the effects of environmental changes on resource transport and allocation in plants, we have developed a system for real-time measurements of rnetabolite transport in plants using short-lived positron-emitting radio-tracers. This thesis project includes the design, construction, and demonstration of the capabilities of this system for performing real-time measurements of metabolite transport in plants. The short-lived radiotracer system described in this dissertation takes advantage of the combined capabilities and close proximity of two research facilities at. Duke University: the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL) and the Duke University Phytotron, which are separated by approximately 100 meters. The short-lived positron-emitting radioisotopes are generated using the 10-MV tandem Van de Graaff accelerator located in the main TUNL building, which provides the capability of producing short-lived positron-emitting isotopes such as carbon-11 (11C: 20 minute half-life), nitrogen-13 (13N; 10 minute half-life), fluorine-18 (18F; 110 minute half-life), and oxygen-15 (15O; 2 minute half-life). The radioisotopes may be introduced to plants as biologically active molecules such as 11CO2, N13O-3, 18F--[H2O], and H152O . Plants for these studies are grown in controlled-environment chambers at the Phytotron. The chambers offer an array of control for temperature, humidity, atmospheric CO2 concentration, and light intensity. Additionally, the Phytotron houses one large reach-in growth chamber that is dedicated to this project for radioisotope labeling measurements. There are several important properties of short-lived positron-emitting radio-tracers that make them well suited for use in investigating metabolite transport in plants. First, because the molecular mass of a radioisotope-tagged compound is only minutely different from the corresponding stable compound, radiotracer substances should be metabolized and transported in plants the same as their non-radioactive counterparts. Second, because the relatively high energy gamma rays emitted from electron-positron annihilation are attenuated very little by plant tissue, the real-time distribution of a radiotracer can be measured in vivo in plants. Finally, the short radioactive half-lives of these isotopes allow for repeat measurements on the same plant in a short period of time. For example, in studies of short-term environmental changes on plant metabolite dynamics, a single plant can be labeled multiple times to measure its responses to different, environmental conditions. Also, different short-lived radiotracers can be applied to the same plant over a short period of time to investigate the transport and allocation of various metabolites. This newly developed system provides the capabilities for production of 11CO2 at TUNL, transfer of the 11CO 2 gas from the target area at TUNL to a radiation-shielded cryogenic trap at the Phytotron, labeling of photoassimilates with 11C, and in vivo gamma-ray detection for real-time measurements of the radiotracer distribution in small plants. The experimental techniques and instrumentation that enabled the quantitative biological studies reported in this thesis were developed through a series of experiments made at TUNL and the Phytotron. Collimated single detectors and coincidence counting techniques were used to monitor the radiotracer distribution on a coarse spatial scale. Additionally, a prototype Versatile Imager for Positron Emitting Radiotracers (VIPER) was built to provide the capability of measuring radiotracer distributions in plants with high spatial resolution (˜2.5 mm). This device enables detailed quantification of real-time metabolite dynamics on fine spatial scales. The full capabilities of this radiotracer system were utilized in an investigation of the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration and root nutrient availability on the transport and allocation of recently fixed carbon, including that released from the roots via exudation or respiration, in two grass species. The 11CO2 gas was introduced to a leaf on the plants grown at either ambient or elevated atmospheric CO 2. Two sequential measurements were performed per day on each plant: a control nutrient solution labeling immediately followed by labeling with a 10-fold increase or decrease in nutrient concentration. The real-time distribution of 11C-labeled photoassimilate was measured in vivo throughout the plant and root environment. This measurement resulted in the first observation of a rapid plant response to short-term changes in nutrient availability via correlated changes in the photoassimilate allocation to root exudates. Our data indicated that root exudation was consistently enhanced at lower nutrient concentrations. Also, we found that elevated atmospheric CO2 increased the velocity of photoassimilate transport throughout the plant, enhanced root exudation in an annual crop grass, and reduced root exudation in a perennial native grass.

Development of a model-based flood emergency management system in Yujiang River Basin, South China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Yong; Cai, Yanpeng; Jia, Peng; Mao, Jiansu

2014-06-01

Flooding is the most frequent disaster in China. It affects people's lives and properties, causing considerable economic loss. Flood forecast and operation of reservoirs are important in flood emergency management. Although great progress has been achieved in flood forecast and reservoir operation through using computer, network technology, and geographic information system technology in China, the prediction accuracy of models are not satisfactory due to the unavailability of real-time monitoring data. Also, real-time flood control scenario analysis is not effective in many regions and can seldom provide online decision support function. In this research, a decision support system for real-time flood forecasting in Yujiang River Basin, South China (DSS-YRB) is introduced in this paper. This system is based on hydrological and hydraulic mathematical models. The conceptual framework and detailed components of the proposed DSS-YRB is illustrated, which employs real-time rainfall data conversion, model-driven hydrologic forecasting, model calibration, data assimilation methods, and reservoir operational scenario analysis. Multi-tiered architecture offers great flexibility, portability, reusability, and reliability. The applied case study results show the development and application of a decision support system for real-time flood forecasting and operation is beneficial for flood control.

Real-Time Processing of Continuous Physiological Signals in a Neurocritical Care Unit on a Stream Data Analytics Platform.

PubMed

Bai, Yong; Sow, Daby; Vespa, Paul; Hu, Xiao

2016-01-01

Continuous high-volume and high-frequency brain signals such as intracranial pressure (ICP) and electroencephalographic (EEG) waveforms are commonly collected by bedside monitors in neurocritical care. While such signals often carry early signs of neurological deterioration, detecting these signs in real time with conventional data processing methods mainly designed for retrospective analysis has been extremely challenging. Such methods are not designed to handle the large volumes of waveform data produced by bedside monitors. In this pilot study, we address this challenge by building a prototype system using the IBM InfoSphere Streams platform, a scalable stream computing platform, to detect unstable ICP dynamics in real time. The system continuously receives electrocardiographic and ICP signals and analyzes ICP pulse morphology looking for deviations from a steady state. We also designed a Web interface to display in real time the result of this analysis in a Web browser. With this interface, physicians are able to ubiquitously check on the status of their patients and gain direct insight into and interpretation of the patient's state in real time. The prototype system has been successfully tested prospectively on live hospitalized patients.

Real-time electrochemical detection of hydrogen peroxide secretion in live cells by Pt nanoparticles decorated graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid paper electrode.

PubMed

Sun, Yimin; He, Kui; Zhang, Zefen; Zhou, Aijun; Duan, Hongwei

2015-06-15

In this work, we develop a new type of flexible and lightweight electrode based on highly dense Pt nanoparticles decorated free-standing graphene-carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid paper (Pt/graphene-CNT paper), and explore its practical application as flexible electrochemical biosensor for the real-time tracking hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) secretion by live cells. For the fabrication of flexible nanohybrid electrode, the incorporation of CNT in graphene paper not only improves the electrical conductivity and the mechanical strength of graphene paper, but also increases its surface roughness and provides more nucleation sites for metal nanoparticles. Ultrafine Pt nanoparticles are further decorated on graphene-CNT paper by well controlled sputter deposition method, which offers several advantages such as defined particle size and dispersion, high loading density and strong adhesion between the nanoparticles and the substrate. Consequently, the resultant flexible Pt/graphene-CNT paper electrode demonstrates a variety of desirable electrochemical properties including large electrochemical active surface area, excellent electrocatalytic activity, high stability and exceptional flexibility. When used for nonenzymatic detection of H2O2, Pt/graphene-CNT paper exhibits outstanding sensing performance such as high sensitivity, selectivity, stability and reproducibility. The sensitivity is 1.41 µA µM(-1) cm(-2) with a linear range up to 25 µM and a low detection limit of 10 nM (S/N=3), which enables the resultant biosensor for the real-time tracking H2O2 secretion by live cells macrophages. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Fluorescent Microscope System to Monitor Real-Time Interactions between Focused Ultrasound, Echogenic Drug Delivery Vehicles, and Live Cell Membranes

PubMed Central

Ibsen, Stuart; Benchimol, Michael; Esener, Sadik

2012-01-01

Rapid development in the field of ultrasound triggered drug delivery has made it essential to study the real-time interaction between the membranes of live cells and the membranes of echogenic delivery vehicles under exposure to focused ultrasound. The objective of this work was to design an analysis system that combined fluorescent imagining, high speed videography, and definable pulse sequences of focused ultrasound to allow for real time observations of both cell and vehicle membranes. Documenting the behavior of the membranes themselves has not previously been possible due to limitations with existing optical systems used to understand the basic physics of microbubble/ultrasound interaction and the basic interaction between microbubbles and cells. The performance of this new system to monitor membrane behavior was demonstrated by documenting the modes of vehicle fragmentation at different ultrasound intensity levels. At 1.5 MPa the membranes were shown to completely fragment while at intensities below 1 MPa there is a popping and slow unfolding. The interaction between these vehicles and cell membranes was also documented by the removal of fluorescent particles from the surfaces of live cells out to 20 μm from the microbubble location. The fluid flow created by microstreaming around ensonated microbubbles was documented at video recording speeds from 60 to 18,000 frames per second. This information about membrane behavior allows the chemical and physical properties of the drug delivery vehicle to be designed along with the ultrasound pulse sequence to cause the most efficient drug delivery. PMID:22749476

Fluorescent microscope system to monitor real-time interactions between focused ultrasound, echogenic drug delivery vehicles, and live cell membranes.

PubMed

Ibsen, Stuart; Benchimol, Michael; Esener, Sadik

2013-01-01

Rapid development in the field of ultrasound triggered drug delivery has made it essential to study the real-time interaction between the membranes of live cells and the membranes of echogenic delivery vehicles under exposure to focused ultrasound. The objective of this work was to design an analysis system that combined fluorescent imagining, high speed videography, and definable pulse sequences of focused ultrasound to allow for real time observations of both cell and vehicle membranes. Documenting the behavior of the membranes themselves has not previously been possible due to limitations with existing optical systems used to understand the basic physics of microbubble/ultrasound interaction and the basic interaction between microbubbles and cells. The performance of this new system to monitor membrane behavior was demonstrated by documenting the modes of vehicle fragmentation at different ultrasound intensity levels. At 1.5MPa the membranes were shown to completely fragment while at intensities below 1MPa the membranes pop open and slowly unfold. The interaction between these vehicles and cell membranes was also documented by the removal of fluorescent particles from the surfaces of live cells out to 20μm from the microbubble location. The fluid flow created by microstreaming around ensonated microbubbles was documented at video recording speeds from 60 to 18,000 frames per second. This information about membrane behavior allows the chemical and physical properties of the drug delivery vehicle to be designed along with the ultrasound pulse sequence to cause the most efficient drug delivery. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Real-Time and Near Real-Time Data for Space Weather Applications and Services

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singer, H. J.; Balch, C. C.; Biesecker, D. A.; Matsuo, T.; Onsager, T. G.

2015-12-01

Space weather can be defined as conditions in the vicinity of Earth and in the interplanetary environment that are caused primarily by solar processes and influenced by conditions on Earth and its atmosphere. Examples of space weather are the conditions that result from geomagnetic storms, solar particle events, and bursts of intense solar flare radiation. These conditions can have impacts on modern-day technologies such as GPS or electric power grids and on human activities such as astronauts living on the International Space Station or explorers traveling to the moon or Mars. While the ultimate space weather goal is accurate prediction of future space weather conditions, for many applications and services, we rely on real-time and near-real time observations and model results for the specification of current conditions. In this presentation, we will describe the space weather system and the need for real-time and near-real time data that drive the system, characterize conditions in the space environment, and are used by models for assimilation and validation. Currently available data will be assessed and a vision for future needs will be given. The challenges for establishing real-time data requirements, as well as acquiring, processing, and disseminating the data will be described, including national and international collaborations. In addition to describing how the data are used for official government products, we will also give examples of how these data are used by both the public and private sector for new applications that serve the public.

Entropic benefit of a cross-link in protein association.

PubMed

Zaman, Muhammad H; Berry, R Stephen; Sosnick, Tobin R

2002-08-01

We introduce a method to estimate the loss of configurational entropy upon insertion of a cross-link to a dimeric system. First, a clear distinction is established between the loss of entropy upon tethering and binding, two quantities that are often considered to be equivalent. By comparing the probability distribution of the center-to-center distances for untethered and cross-linked versions, we are able to calculate the loss of translational entropy upon cross-linking. The distribution function for the untethered helices is calculated from the probability that a given helix is closer to its partner than to all other helices, the "Nearest Neighbor" method. This method requires no assumptions about the nature of the solvent, and hence resolves difficulties normally associated with calculations for systems in liquids. Analysis of the restriction of angular freedom upon tethering indicates that the loss of rotational entropy is negligible. The method is applied in the context of the folding of a ten turn helical coiled coil with the tether modeled as a Gaussian chain or a flexible amino acid chain. After correcting for loop closure entropy in the docked state, we estimate the introduction of a six-residue tether in the coiled coil results in an effective concentration of the chain to be about 4 or 100 mM, depending upon whether the helices are denatured or pre-folded prior to their association. Thus, tethering results in significant stabilization for systems with millimolar or stronger dissociation constants. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Fluoro-luminometric real-time measurement of bacterial viability and killing.

PubMed

Lehtinen, Janne; Virta, Marko; Lilius, Esa Matti

2003-10-01

The viability and killing of Escherichia coli was measured on a real-time basis using a fluoro-luminometric device, which allows successive measurements of fluorescence and bioluminescence without user intervention. Bacteria were made fluorescent and bioluminescent by expression of gfp and insect luciferase (lucFF) genes. The green fluorescent protein (GFP) is a highly fluorescent, extremely stable protein, which accumulates in cells during growth, and therefore the measured fluorescence signal was proportional to the total number of cells. The luciferase reaction is dependent of ATP produced by living cells, so that the bioluminescence level was a direct measure of the viable cells. In contrast to the bacterial luciferase, the insect luciferase uses a water-soluble and nonvolatile substrate, which makes automated multi-well microplate assay possible. For the validation of the assay, the proportion of living and dead cell populations was experimentally modified by incubating E. coli cells in the presence of various ethanol concentrations. Bacterial viability and killing measured by a fluoro-luminometric assay correlated fairly well with the reference methods: conventional plate counting, optical density measurement and various flow cytometric analyses. The real-time assay described here allows following the changes in bacterial cultures and assessing the bactericidal and other effects of various chemical, immunological and physical agents simultaneously in large numbers of samples.

Correlative atomic force microscopy quantitative imaging-laser scanning confocal microscopy quantifies the impact of stressors on live cells in real-time.

PubMed

Bhat, Supriya V; Sultana, Taranum; Körnig, André; McGrath, Seamus; Shahina, Zinnat; Dahms, Tanya E S

2018-05-29

There is an urgent need to assess the effect of anthropogenic chemicals on model cells prior to their release, helping to predict their potential impact on the environment and human health. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have each provided an abundance of information on cell physiology. In addition to determining surface architecture, AFM in quantitative imaging (QI) mode probes surface biochemistry and cellular mechanics using minimal applied force, while LSCM offers a window into the cell for imaging fluorescently tagged macromolecules. Correlative AFM-LSCM produces complimentary information on different cellular characteristics for a comprehensive picture of cellular behaviour. We present a correlative AFM-QI-LSCM assay for the simultaneous real-time imaging of living cells in situ, producing multiplexed data on cell morphology and mechanics, surface adhesion and ultrastructure, and real-time localization of multiple fluorescently tagged macromolecules. To demonstrate the broad applicability of this method for disparate cell types, we show altered surface properties, internal molecular arrangement and oxidative stress in model bacterial, fungal and human cells exposed to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. AFM-QI-LSCM is broadly applicable to a variety of cell types and can be used to assess the impact of any multitude of contaminants, alone or in combination.

Real-time measurement of UV-inactivated Escherichia coli bacterial particles by electrospray-assisted UVAPS spectrometry.

PubMed

Jung, Jae Hee; Lee, Jung Eun; Bae, Gwi Nam

2011-08-01

The ultraviolet aerodynamic particle sizer (UVAPS) is a novel commercially available aerosol spectrometer for real-time continuous monitoring of viable bioaerosols, based on fluorescence from living microorganisms. In a previous study, we developed an electrospray-assisted UVAPS using biological electrospray techniques, which have the advantage of generating non-agglomerated single particles by the repulsive electrical forces. With this electrospraying of suspensions containing microorganisms, the analytical system can supply more accurate and quantitative information about living microorganisms than with conventional aerosolization. Using electrospray-assisted UVAPS, we investigated the characteristics of bacterial particles with various viabilities in real-time. Escherichia coli was used as the test microorganism, and its initial viability was controlled by the degree of exposure to UV irradiation. In the stable cone-jet domain, the particle size distributions of test bacterial particles remained almost uniform regardless of the degree of UV inactivation. However, the fluorescence spectra of the bacterial particles changed with the degree of UV inactivation. The fluorescence characteristics of UV-inactivated bacterial particles tended to show a similar decline with viability, determined by the sampling and culture method, although the percentage showing fluorescence was higher than that showing viability. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Advanced visualization platform for surgical operating room coordination: distributed video board system.

PubMed

Hu, Peter F; Xiao, Yan; Ho, Danny; Mackenzie, Colin F; Hu, Hao; Voigt, Roger; Martz, Douglas

2006-06-01

One of the major challenges for day-of-surgery operating room coordination is accurate and timely situation awareness. Distributed and secure real-time status information is key to addressing these challenges. This article reports on the design and implementation of a passive status monitoring system in a 19-room surgical suite of a major academic medical center. Key design requirements considered included integrated real-time operating room status display, access control, security, and network impact. The system used live operating room video images and patient vital signs obtained through monitors to automatically update events and operating room status. Images were presented on a "need-to-know" basis, and access was controlled by identification badge authorization. The system delivered reliable real-time operating room images and status with acceptable network impact. Operating room status was visualized at 4 separate locations and was used continuously by clinicians and operating room service providers to coordinate operating room activities.

Biochip for Real-Time Monitoring of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) by Combined Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification and Solution-Phase Electrochemical Detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tien, Bui Quang; Ngoc, Nguyen Thy; Loc, Nguyen Thai; Thu, Vu Thi; Lam, Tran Dai

2017-06-01

Accurate in situ diagnostic tests play a key role in patient management and control of most infectious diseases. To achieve this, use of handheld biochips that implement sample handling, sample analysis, and result readout together is an ideal approach. We present herein a fluid-handling biochip for real-time electrochemical monitoring of nucleic acid amplification based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification and real-time electrochemical detection on a microfluidic platform. Intercalation between amplifying DNA and free redox probe in solution phase was used to monitor the number of DNA copies. The whole diagnostic process is completed within 70 min. Our platform offers a fast and easy tool for quantification of viral pathogens in shorter time and with limited risk of all potential forms of cross-contamination. Such diagnostic tools have potential to make a huge difference to the lives of millions of people worldwide.

Real-time earthquake data feasible

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bush, Susan

Scientists agree that early warning devices and monitoring of both Hurricane Hugo and the Mt. Pinatubo volcanic eruption saved thousands of lives. What would it take to develop this sort of early warning and monitoring system for earthquake activity?Not all that much, claims a panel assigned to study the feasibility, costs, and technology needed to establish a real-time earthquake monitoring (RTEM) system. The panel, drafted by the National Academy of Science's Committee on Seismology, has presented its findings in Real-Time Earthquake Monitoring. The recently released report states that “present technology is entirely capable of recording and processing data so as to provide real-time information, enabling people to mitigate somewhat the earthquake disaster.” RTEM systems would consist of two parts—an early warning system that would give a few seconds warning before severe shaking, and immediate postquake information within minutes of the quake that would give actual measurements of the magnitude. At this time, however, this type of warning system has not been addressed at the national level for the United States and is not included in the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program, according to the report.

ECNU at TREC 2015: LiveQA Track

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-11-20

user questions, extracted from the stream of most recent questions submitted on the Yahoo Answers (YA) site that have not yet been answered by humans...extracting answers for real- user questions in real time. Since many questions submitted on these CQA sites like Yahoo Answers, have been asked by...Framework pages on Yahoo Answers as the candidates. Then, we utilize our question selection module to find out the most similar question and choose the best

A real-time PCR diagnostic method for detection of Naegleria fowleri.

PubMed

Madarová, Lucia; Trnková, Katarína; Feiková, Sona; Klement, Cyril; Obernauerová, Margita

2010-09-01

Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba that can cause primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). While, traditional methods for diagnosing PAM still rely on culture, more current laboratory diagnoses exist based on conventional PCR methods; however, only a few real-time PCR processes have been described as yet. Here, we describe a real-time PCR-based diagnostic method using hybridization fluorescent labelled probes, with a LightCycler instrument and accompanying software (Roche), targeting the Naegleria fowleriMp2Cl5 gene sequence. Using this method, no cross reactivity with other tested epidemiologically relevant prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms was found. The reaction detection limit was 1 copy of the Mp2Cl5 DNA sequence. This assay could become useful in the rapid laboratory diagnostic assessment of the presence or absence of Naegleria fowleri. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An immersive surgery training system with live streaming capability.

PubMed

Yang, Yang; Guo, Xinqing; Yu, Zhan; Steiner, Karl V; Barner, Kenneth E; Bauer, Thomas L; Yu, Jingyi

2014-01-01

Providing real-time, interactive immersive surgical training has been a key research area in telemedicine. Earlier approaches have mainly adopted videotaped training that can only show imagery from a fixed view point. Recent advances on commodity 3D imaging have enabled a new paradigm for immersive surgical training by acquiring nearly complete 3D reconstructions of actual surgical procedures. However, unlike 2D videotaping that can easily stream data in real-time, by far 3D imaging based solutions require pre-capturing and processing the data; surgical trainings using the data have to be conducted offline after the acquisition. In this paper, we present a new real-time immersive 3D surgical training system. Our solution builds upon the recent multi-Kinect based surgical training system [1] that can acquire and display high delity 3D surgical procedures using only a small number of Microsoft Kinect sensors. We build on top of the system a client-server model for real-time streaming. On the server front, we efficiently fuse multiple Kinect data acquired from different viewpoints and compress and then stream the data to the client. On the client front, we build an interactive space-time navigator to allow remote users (e.g., trainees) to witness the surgical procedure in real-time as if they were present in the room.

Detection of Only Viable Bacterial Spores Using a Live/Dead Indicator in Mixed Populations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Behar, Alberto E.; Stam, Christina N.; Smiley, Ronald

2013-01-01

This method uses a photoaffinity label that recognizes DNA and can be used to distinguish populations of bacterial cells from bacterial spores without the use of heat shocking during conventional culture, and live from dead bacterial spores using molecular-based methods. Biological validation of commercial sterility using traditional and alternative technologies remains challenging. Recovery of viable spores is cumbersome, as the process requires substantial incubation time, and the extended time to results limits the ability to quickly evaluate the efficacy of existing technologies. Nucleic acid amplification approaches such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) have shown promise for improving time to detection for a wide range of applications. Recent real-time PCR methods are particularly promising, as these methods can be made at least semi-quantitative by correspondence to a standard curve. Nonetheless, PCR-based methods are rarely used for process validation, largely because the DNA from dead bacterial cells is highly stable and hence, DNA-based amplification methods fail to discriminate between live and inactivated microorganisms. Currently, no published method has been shown to effectively distinguish between live and dead bacterial spores. This technology uses a DNA binding photoaffinity label that can be used to distinguish between live and dead bacterial spores with detection limits ranging from 109 to 102 spores/mL. An environmental sample suspected of containing a mixture of live and dead vegetative cells and bacterial endospores is treated with a photoaffinity label. This step will eliminate any vegetative cells (live or dead) and dead endospores present in the sample. To further determine the bacterial spore viability, DNA is extracted from the spores and total population is quantified by real-time PCR. The current NASA standard assay takes 72 hours for results. Part of this procedure requires a heat shock step at 80 degC for 15 minutes before the sample can be plated. Using a photoaffinity label would remove this step from the current assay as the label readily penetrates both live and dead bacterial cells. Secondly, the photoaffinity label can only penetrate dead bacterial spores, leaving behind the viable spore population. This would allow for rapid bacterial spore detection in a matter of hours compared to the several days that it takes for the NASA standard assay.

Go_LIVE! - Global Near-real-time Land Ice Velocity data from Landsat 8 at NSIDC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klinger, M. J.; Fahnestock, M. A.; Scambos, T. A.; Gardner, A. S.; Haran, T. M.; Moon, T. A.; Hulbe, C. L.; Berthier, E.

2016-12-01

The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) is developing a processing and staging system under NASA funding for near-real-time global ice velocity data derived from Landsat 8 panchromatic imagery: Global Land Ice Velocity Extraction from Landsat (Go_LIVE). The system performs repeat image feature tracking using newly developed Python Correlation (PyCorr) software applied to image pairs covering all glaciers > 5km2 as well as both ice sheets. We correlate each Landsat 8 path-row image with matching path-row images acquired within the previous 400 days. Real-Time (RT) panchromatic Landsat 8 L1T images have geolocation accuracy of 5 meters and high radiometric sensitivity (12-bit), allowing for feature matching over low-contrast snow and ice surfaces. High-pass filters are applied to the imagery to enhance local surface texture and improve correlation returns. Despite the excellent geolocation accuracy of Landsat 8, the remaining error introduces an artificial offset in the velocity returns. To correct this error, we apply a shift to the x and y grids to bring the displacement field to zero over known stationary features such as bedrock. For ice sheet interiors where stationary features do not exist, we use near-zero (<10 ma-1) or slow-moving ice areas (10-25 ma-1) to refine velocities. Go_LIVE will eventually include Landsat 7, 5 and 4 imagery as well. Go_LIVE runs on the University of Colorado's supercomputer and Peta Library storage system to process 10,000 image pairs per hour. We are currently developing a web-based data access site at NSIDC. The data are provided in NetCDF (Network Common Data Format) as geolocated grids of x and y velocity components at 300 m spacing with accompanying error and quality parameters. Extensive data sets currently exist for Alaskan, Antarctic, and Greenlandic ice areas, and are available upon request to NSIDC. Go_LIVE's goal for 2017 is a system that updates global ice velocity at few-day or shorter latency.

Real-time stereo generation for surgical vision during minimal invasive robotic surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laddi, Amit; Bhardwaj, Vijay; Mahapatra, Prasant; Pankaj, Dinesh; Kumar, Amod

2016-03-01

This paper proposes a framework for 3D surgical vision for minimal invasive robotic surgery. It presents an approach for generating the three dimensional view of the in-vivo live surgical procedures from two images captured by very small sized, full resolution camera sensor rig. A pre-processing scheme is employed to enhance the image quality and equalizing the color profile of two images. Polarized Projection using interlacing two images give a smooth and strain free three dimensional view. The algorithm runs in real time with good speed at full HD resolution.

Nanoparticles for multimodal in vivo imaging in nanomedicine

PubMed Central

Key, Jaehong; Leary, James F

2014-01-01

While nanoparticles are usually designed for targeted drug delivery, they can also simultaneously provide diagnostic information by a variety of in vivo imaging methods. These diagnostic capabilities make use of specific properties of nanoparticle core materials. Near-infrared fluorescent probes provide optical detection of cells targeted by real-time nanoparticle-distribution studies within the organ compartments of live, anesthetized animals. By combining different imaging modalities, we can start with deep-body imaging by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography, and by using optical imaging, get down to the resolution required for real-time fluorescence-guided surgery. PMID:24511229

Real-time elucidation of catalytic pathways in CO hydrogenation on Ru

DOE PAGES

LaRue, Jerry; Krejci, Ondrej; Yu, Liang; ...

2017-07-31

Here, the direct elucidation of the reaction pathways in heterogeneous catalysis has been challenging due the short-lived nature of reaction intermediates. Here, we directly measured on ultrafast timescales the initial hydrogenation steps of adsorbed CO on a Ru catalyst surface, which is known as the bottleneck reaction in syngas and CO 2 reforming processes. We initiated the hydrogenation of CO with an ultrafast laser temperature jump and probed transient changes in the electronic structure using real-time x-ray spectroscopy. In combination with theoretical simulations, we verified the formation of CHO during CO hydrogenation.

Applying a multi-replication framework to support dynamic situation assessment and predictive capabilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lammers, Craig; McGraw, Robert M.; Steinman, Jeffrey S.

2005-05-01

Technological advances and emerging threats reduce the time between target detection and action to an order of a few minutes. To effectively assist with the decision-making process, C4I decision support tools must quickly and dynamically predict and assess alternative Courses Of Action (COAs) to assist Commanders in anticipating potential outcomes. These capabilities can be provided through the faster-than-real-time predictive simulation of plans that are continuously re-calibrating with the real-time picture. This capability allows decision-makers to assess the effects of re-tasking opportunities, providing the decision-maker with tremendous freedom to make time-critical, mid-course decisions. This paper presents an overview and demonstrates the use of a software infrastructure that supports DSAP capabilities. These DSAP capabilities are demonstrated through the use of a Multi-Replication Framework that supports (1) predictivie simulations using JSAF (Joint Semi-Automated Forces); (2) real-time simulation, also using JSAF, as a state estimation mechanism; and, (3) real-time C4I data updates through TBMCS (Theater Battle Management Core Systems). This infrastructure allows multiple replications of a simulation to be executed simultaneously over a grid faster-than-real-time, calibrated with live data feeds. A cost evaluator mechanism analyzes potential outcomes and prunes simulations that diverge from the real-time picture. In particular, this paper primarily serves to walk a user through the process for using the Multi-Replication Framework providing an enhanced decision aid.

Subnanosecond polarized microfluorimetry in the time domain: An instrument for studying receptor trafficking in live cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin-Fernandez, M. L.; Tobin, M. J.; Clarke, D. T.; Gregory, C. M.; Jones, G. R.

1998-02-01

We describe an instrument designed to monitor molecular motions in multiphasic, weakly fluorescent microscopic systems. It combines synchrotron radiation, a low irradiance polarized microfluorimeter, and an automated, multiframing, single-photon-counting data acquisition system, and is capable of continually accumulating subnanosecond resolved anisotropy decays with a real-time resolution of about 60 s. The instrument has initially been built to monitor ligand-receptor interactions in living cells, but can equally be applied to the continual measurement of any dynamic process involving fluorescent molecules, that occurs over a time scale from a few minutes to several hours. As a particularly demanding demonstration of its capabilities, we have used it to monitor the environmental constraints imposed on the peptide hormone epidermal growth factor during its endocytosis and recycling to the cell surface in live cells.

Rapid-viability PCR method for detection of live, virulent Bacillus anthracis in environmental samples.

PubMed

Létant, Sonia E; Murphy, Gloria A; Alfaro, Teneile M; Avila, Julie R; Kane, Staci R; Raber, Ellen; Bunt, Thomas M; Shah, Sanjiv R

2011-09-01

In the event of a biothreat agent release, hundreds of samples would need to be rapidly processed to characterize the extent of contamination and determine the efficacy of remediation activities. Current biological agent identification and viability determination methods are both labor- and time-intensive such that turnaround time for confirmed results is typically several days. In order to alleviate this issue, automated, high-throughput sample processing methods were developed in which real-time PCR analysis is conducted on samples before and after incubation. The method, referred to as rapid-viability (RV)-PCR, uses the change in cycle threshold after incubation to detect the presence of live organisms. In this article, we report a novel RV-PCR method for detection of live, virulent Bacillus anthracis, in which the incubation time was reduced from 14 h to 9 h, bringing the total turnaround time for results below 15 h. The method incorporates a magnetic bead-based DNA extraction and purification step prior to PCR analysis, as well as specific real-time PCR assays for the B. anthracis chromosome and pXO1 and pXO2 plasmids. A single laboratory verification of the optimized method applied to the detection of virulent B. anthracis in environmental samples was conducted and showed a detection level of 10 to 99 CFU/sample with both manual and automated RV-PCR methods in the presence of various challenges. Experiments exploring the relationship between the incubation time and the limit of detection suggest that the method could be further shortened by an additional 2 to 3 h for relatively clean samples.

A High-Speed, Real-Time Visualization and State Estimation Platform for Monitoring and Control of Electric Distribution Systems: Implementation and Field Results

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

Lundstrom, Blake; Gotseff, Peter; Giraldez, Julieta

Continued deployment of renewable and distributed energy resources is fundamentally changing the way that electric distribution systems are controlled and operated; more sophisticated active system control and greater situational awareness are needed. Real-time measurements and distribution system state estimation (DSSE) techniques enable more sophisticated system control and, when combined with visualization applications, greater situational awareness. This paper presents a novel demonstration of a high-speed, real-time DSSE platform and related control and visualization functionalities, implemented using existing open-source software and distribution system monitoring hardware. Live scrolling strip charts of meter data and intuitive annotated map visualizations of the entire state (obtainedmore » via DSSE) of a real-world distribution circuit are shown. The DSSE implementation is validated to demonstrate provision of accurate voltage data. This platform allows for enhanced control and situational awareness using only a minimum quantity of distribution system measurement units and modest data and software infrastructure.« less

TRAFFIC AND METEOROLOGICAL IMPACTS ON NEAR-ROAD AIR QUALITY: SUMMARY OF METHODS AND TRENDS FROM THE RALEIGH NEAR-ROAD STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

There are adverse health effects in populations living, working or going to school near major roadways. A study was designed to assess traffic emissions impacts on air quality and particle toxicity near a heavily-traveled highway. Several real-time and time-integrated sampling d...

Mechanical dynamics in live cells and fluorescence-based force/tension sensors

PubMed Central

Yang, Chao; Zhang, Xiaohan; Guo, Yichen; Meng, Fanjie; Sachs, Frederick; Guo, Jun

2016-01-01

Three signaling systems play the fundamental roles in modulating cell activities: chemical, electrical, and mechanical. While the former two are well studied, the mechanical signaling system is still elusive because of the lack of methods to measure structural forces in real time at cellular and subcellular levels. Indeed, almost all biological processes are responsive to modulation by mechanical forces that trigger dispersive downstream electrical and biochemical pathways. Communication among the three systems is essential to make cells and tissues receptive to environmental changes. Cells have evolved many sophisticated mechanisms for the generation, perception and transduction of mechanical forces, including motor proteins and mechanosensors. In this review, we introduce some background information about mechanical dynamics in live cells, including the ubiquitous mechanical activity, various types of mechanical stimuli exerted on cells and the different mechanosensors. We also summarize recent results obtained using genetically encoded FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer)-based force/tension sensors; a new technique used to measure mechanical forces in structural proteins. The sensors have been incorporated into many specific structural proteins and have measured the force gradients in real time within live cells, tissues, and animals. PMID:25958335

A TinyOS-based wireless neural interface.

PubMed

Farshchi, Shahin; Mody, Istvan; Judy, Jack W

2004-01-01

The overlay of a neural interface upon a TinyOS-based sensing and communication platform is described. The system amplifies, digitally encodes, and transmits two EEG channels of neural signals from an un-tethered subject to a remote gateway, which routes the signals to a client PC. This work demonstrates the viability of the TinyOS-based sensor technology as a foundation for chronic remote biological monitoring applications, and thus provides an opportunity to create a system that can leverage from the frequent networking and communications advancements being made by the global TinyOS-development community.

Sequential treatment with intradermal incision (intracision) and 2,940-nm Er:YAG laser for chicken pox scars.

PubMed

Lee, Sang Ju; Kim, Young Koo; Choi, Sun Young; Park, Kui Young; Seo, Seong Jun

2014-01-01

Boxcar scars, such as chicken pox scars, are round to oval depressions with sharply defined vertical edges. Subcision is a simple and safe procedure for treatment of atrophic and depressed scars, but boxcar scars are generally not eliminated by subcision. Intradermal incision technique (intracision) can treat chicken pox scars by untethering fibrotic strands, raising collagen synthesis, and having additional intradermal blood pocket formation. We have found that chicken pox scars further improve when intracision is followed by laser skin resurfacing. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Special Relativity Derived from Spacetime Magma

PubMed Central

Greensite, Fred

2014-01-01

We present a derivation of relativistic spacetime largely untethered from specific physical considerations, in constrast to the many physically-based derivations that have appeared in the last few decades. The argument proceeds from the inherent magma (groupoid) existing on the union of spacetime frame components and Euclidean which is consistent with an “inversion symmetry” constraint from which the Minkowski norm results. In this context, the latter is also characterized as one member of a class of “inverse norms” which play major roles with respect to various unital -algebras more generally. PMID:24959889

Spatially coordinated dynamic gene transcription in living pituitary tissue

PubMed Central

Featherstone, Karen; Hey, Kirsty; Momiji, Hiroshi; McNamara, Anne V; Patist, Amanda L; Woodburn, Joanna; Spiller, David G; Christian, Helen C; McNeilly, Alan S; Mullins, John J; Finkenstädt, Bärbel F; Rand, David A; White, Michael RH; Davis, Julian RE

2016-01-01

Transcription at individual genes in single cells is often pulsatile and stochastic. A key question emerges regarding how this behaviour contributes to tissue phenotype, but it has been a challenge to quantitatively analyse this in living cells over time, as opposed to studying snap-shots of gene expression state. We have used imaging of reporter gene expression to track transcription in living pituitary tissue. We integrated live-cell imaging data with statistical modelling for quantitative real-time estimation of the timing of switching between transcriptional states across a whole tissue. Multiple levels of transcription rate were identified, indicating that gene expression is not a simple binary ‘on-off’ process. Immature tissue displayed shorter durations of high-expressing states than the adult. In adult pituitary tissue, direct cell contacts involving gap junctions allowed local spatial coordination of prolactin gene expression. Our findings identify how heterogeneous transcriptional dynamics of single cells may contribute to overall tissue behaviour. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.08494.001 PMID:26828110

Monitoring intracellular oxidative events using dynamic spectral unmixing microscopy

EPA Science Inventory

There is increasing interest in using live-cell imaging to monitor not just individual intracellular endpoints, but to investigate the interplay between multiple molecular events as they unfold in real time within the cell. A major impediment to simultaneous acquisition of multip...

“Reality Surgery” — A Research Ethics Perspective on the Live Broadcast of Surgical Procedures

PubMed Central

Williams, Judson B.; Mathews, Robin; D'Amico, Thomas A.

2013-01-01

In recent years, the live broadcasting of medical and surgical procedures has gained worldwide popularity. While the practice has appropriately been met with concerns for patient safety and privacy, many physicians tout the merits of real time viewing as a form of investigation, accelerating the process leading to adoption or abolition of newer techniques or technologies. This view introduces a new series of ethical considerations that need to be addressed. As such, this article considers, from a research ethics perspective, the use of live surgical procedure broadcast for investigative purposes. PMID:21292217

Label-free evanescent microscopy for membrane nano-tomography in living cells.

PubMed

Bon, Pierre; Barroca, Thomas; Lévèque-Fort, Sandrine; Fort, Emmanuel

2014-11-01

We show that through-the-objective evanescent microscopy (epi-EM) is a powerful technique to image membranes in living cells. Readily implementable on a standard inverted microscope, this technique enables full-field and real-time tracking of membrane processes without labeling and thus signal fading. In addition, we demonstrate that the membrane/interface distance can be retrieved with 10 nm precision using a multilayer Fresnel model. We apply this nano-axial tomography of living cell membranes to retrieve quantitative information on membrane invagination dynamics. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Shelf Life of Food Products: From Open Labeling to Real-Time Measurements.

PubMed

Corradini, Maria G

2018-03-25

The labels currently used on food and beverage products only provide consumers with a rough guide to their expected shelf lives because they assume that a product only experiences a limited range of predefined handling and storage conditions. These static labels do not take into consideration conditions that might shorten a product's shelf life (such as temperature abuse), which can lead to problems associated with food safety and waste. Advances in shelf-life estimation have the potential to improve the safety, reliability, and sustainability of the food supply. Selection of appropriate kinetic models and data-analysis techniques is essential to predict shelf life, to account for variability in environmental conditions, and to allow real-time monitoring. Novel analytical tools to determine safety and quality attributes in situ coupled with modern tracking technologies and appropriate predictive tools have the potential to provide accurate estimations of the remaining shelf life of a food product in real time. This review summarizes the necessary steps to attain a transition from open labeling to real-time shelf-life measurements.

Development of wireless brain computer interface with embedded multitask scheduling and its application on real-time driver's drowsiness detection and warning.

PubMed

Lin, Chin-Teng; Chen, Yu-Chieh; Huang, Teng-Yi; Chiu, Tien-Ting; Ko, Li-Wei; Liang, Sheng-Fu; Hsieh, Hung-Yi; Hsu, Shang-Hwa; Duann, Jeng-Ren

2008-05-01

Biomedical signal monitoring systems have been rapidly advanced with electronic and information technologies in recent years. However, most of the existing physiological signal monitoring systems can only record the signals without the capability of automatic analysis. In this paper, we proposed a novel brain-computer interface (BCI) system that can acquire and analyze electroencephalogram (EEG) signals in real-time to monitor human physiological as well as cognitive states, and, in turn, provide warning signals to the users when needed. The BCI system consists of a four-channel biosignal acquisition/amplification module, a wireless transmission module, a dual-core signal processing unit, and a host system for display and storage. The embedded dual-core processing system with multitask scheduling capability was proposed to acquire and process the input EEG signals in real time. In addition, the wireless transmission module, which eliminates the inconvenience of wiring, can be switched between radio frequency (RF) and Bluetooth according to the transmission distance. Finally, the real-time EEG-based drowsiness monitoring and warning algorithms were implemented and integrated into the system to close the loop of the BCI system. The practical online testing demonstrates the feasibility of using the proposed system with the ability of real-time processing, automatic analysis, and online warning feedback in real-world operation and living environments.

RNA imaging: tracking in real-time RNA transport in neurons using molecular beacons and confocal microscopy.

PubMed

Zepeda, Angélica; Arias, Clorinda; Flores-Jasso, Fabian; Vaca, Luis

2013-01-01

RNAs are present within eukaryotic cells and are involved in several biological processes. RNA transport within cell compartments is important for proper cell function. To understand in depth the cellular processes in which RNA is involved requires a method that reveals RNA localization in real time in a sub-cellular context in living cells. In this protocol we describe a method for imaging RNA in living cells and in particular in neuronal cultures based on cell microinjection of molecular beacons in conjunction with confocal microscopy. This methodology overcomes some of the main obstacles for imaging RNA in live cells since microinjection allows the delivery of the probe to a desired cellular compartment and MBs bind with high specificity to its target RNA without inhibiting its function. The proper design of the MBs is essential to obtain RNA-MB association at the temperature of the cell cytosol. MBs design with other purposes in mind (such as PCR experiments) have a design that facilitates association to its target at high temperatures, rendering them unsuitable for live cell imaging. Using the methodology described in this chapter allows the study of RNA transport to different regions of neurons and may be combined with the tagging of proteins of interest to measure co-transport of the protein and the RNA to different cellular regions. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Combining Satellite Measurements and Numerical Flood Prediction Models to Save Lives and Property from Flooding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saleh, F.; Garambois, P. A.; Biancamaria, S.

2017-12-01

Floods are considered the major natural threats to human societies across all continents. Consequences of floods in highly populated areas are more dramatic with losses of human lives and substantial property damage. This risk is projected to increase with the effects of climate change, particularly sea-level rise, increasing storm frequencies and intensities and increasing population and economic assets in such urban watersheds. Despite the advances in computational resources and modeling techniques, significant gaps exist in predicting complex processes and accurately representing the initial state of the system. Improving flood prediction models and data assimilation chains through satellite has become an absolute priority to produce accurate flood forecasts with sufficient lead times. The overarching goal of this work is to assess the benefits of the Surface Water Ocean Topography SWOT satellite data from a flood prediction perspective. The near real time methodology is based on combining satellite data from a simulator that mimics the future SWOT data, numerical models, high resolution elevation data and real-time local measurement in the New York/New Jersey area.

Single-cell imaging techniques for the real-time detection of IP₃ in live cells.

PubMed

Nelson, Carl P

2013-01-01

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) is a ubiquitous second messenger, derived from the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)) by enzymes of the phospholipase C (PLC) family. Binding of IP(3) to its cognate receptor in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane leads to release of Ca(2+) into the cytoplasm, which is involved in the regulation of an array of cellular functions. Traditional techniques for the detection of IP(3) have required the extraction of a large number of cells, with limitations in the time resolution of changes in IP(3) and an inability to obtain detailed information on the dynamics of this second messenger in single cells. Recent progress in this field has led to the development of a number of genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors, which upon recombinant expression are able selectively to detect real-time changes in IP(3) in single live cells. In this chapter, I detail protocols for the expression, visualization (by confocol or fluorescence microscopy), and interpretation of data obtained with such biosensors expressed in mammalian cells.

Use of a microscope stage-mounted Nickel-63 microirradiator for real-time observation of the DNA double-strand break response.

PubMed

Cao, Zhen; Kuhne, Wendy W; Steeb, Jennifer; Merkley, Mark A; Zhou, Yunfeng; Janata, Jiri; Dynan, William S

2010-08-01

Eukaryotic cells begin to assemble discrete, nucleoplasmic repair foci within seconds after the onset of exposure to ionizing radiation. Real-time imaging of this assembly has the potential to further our understanding of the effects of medical and environmental radiation exposure. Here, we describe a microirradiation system for targeted delivery of ionizing radiation to individual cells without the need for specialized facilities. The system consists of a 25-micron diameter electroplated Nickel-63 electrode, enveloped in a glass capillary and mounted in a micromanipulator. Because of the low energy of the beta radiation and the minute total amount of isotope present on the tip, the device can be safely handled with minimum precautions. We demonstrate the use of this system for tracking assembly of individual repair foci in real time in live U2OS human osteosarcoma cells. Results indicate that there is a subset of foci that appear and disappear rapidly, before a plateau level is reached approximately 30 min post-exposure. This subset of foci would not have been evident without real-time observation. The development of a microirradiation system that is compatible with a standard biomedical laboratory expands the potential for real-time investigation of the biological effects of ionizing radiation.

Quantitative Detection of the Free-Living Amoeba Hartmannella vermiformis in Surface Water by Using Real-Time PCR†

PubMed Central

Kuiper, Melanie W.; Valster, Rinske M.; Wullings, Bart A.; Boonstra, Harry; Smidt, Hauke; van der Kooij, Dick

2006-01-01

A real-time PCR-based method targeting the 18S rRNA gene was developed for the quantitative detection of Hartmannella vermiformis, a free-living amoeba which is a potential host for Legionella pneumophila in warm water systems and cooling towers. The detection specificity was validated using genomic DNA of the closely related amoeba Hartmannella abertawensis as a negative control and sequence analysis of amplified products from environmental samples. Real-time PCR detection of serially diluted DNA extracted from H. vermiformis was linear for microscopic cell counts between 1.14 × 10−1 and 1.14 × 104 cells per PCR. The genome of H. vermiformis harbors multiple copies of the 18S rRNA gene, and an average number (with standard error) of 1,330 ± 127 copies per cell was derived from real-time PCR calibration curves for cell suspensions and plasmid DNA. No significant differences were observed between the 18S rRNA gene copy numbers for trophozoites and cysts of strain ATCC 50237 or between the copy numbers for this strain and strain KWR-1. The developed method was applied to water samples (200 ml) collected from a variety of lakes and rivers serving as sources for drinking water production in The Netherlands. Detectable populations were found in 21 of the 28 samples, with concentrations ranging from 5 to 75 cells/liter. A high degree of similarity (≥98%) was observed between sequences of clones originating from the different surface waters and between these clones and the reference strains. Hence, H. vermiformis, which is highly similar to strains serving as hosts for L. pneumophila, is a common component of the microbial community in fresh surface water. PMID:16957190

In Situ Electrochemical Sensing and Real-Time Monitoring Live Cells Based on Freestanding Nanohybrid Paper Electrode Assembled from 3D Functionalized Graphene Framework.

PubMed

Zhang, Yan; Xiao, Jian; Lv, Qiying; Wang, Lu; Dong, Xulin; Asif, Muhammad; Ren, Jinghua; He, Wenshan; Sun, Yimin; Xiao, Fei; Wang, Shuai

2017-11-08

In this work, we develop a new type of freestanding nanohybrid paper electrode assembled from 3D ionic liquid (IL) functionalized graphene framework (GF) decorated by gold nanoflowers (AuNFs), and explore its practical application in in situ electrochemical sensing of live breast cell samples by real-time tracking biomarker H 2 O 2 released from cells. The AuNFs modified IL functionalized GF (AuNFs/IL-GF) was synthesized via a facile and efficient dopamine-assisted one-pot self-assembly strategy. The as-obtained nanohybrid assembly exhibits a typical 3D hierarchical porous structure, where the highly active electrocatalyst AuNFs are well dispersed on IL-GF scaffold. And the graft of hydrophilic IL molecules (i.e., 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, BMIMBF 4 ) on graphene nanosheets not only avoids their agglomeration and disorder stacking during the self-assembly but also endows the integrated IL-GF monolithic material with unique hydrophilic properties, which enables it to be readily dispersed in aqueous solution and processed into freestanding paperlike material. Because of the unique structural properties and the combinational advantages of different components in the AuNFs/IL-GF composite, the resultant nanohybrid paper electrode exhibits good nonenzymatic electrochemical sensing performance toward H 2 O 2 . When used in real-time tracking H 2 O 2 secreted from different breast cells attached to the paper electrode without or with radiotherapy treatment, the proposed electrochemical sensor based on freestanding AuNFs/IL-GF paper electrode can distinguish the normal breast cell HBL-100 from the cancer breast cells MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, and assess the radiotherapy effects to different breast cancer cells, which opens a new horizon in real-time monitoring cancer cells by electrochemical sensing platform.

Personal attitudes toward time: The relationship between temporal focus, space-time mappings and real life experiences.

PubMed

Li, Heng; Cao, Yu

2017-06-01

What influences how people implicitly associate "past" and "future" with "front" and "back?" Whereas previous research has shown that cultural attitudes toward time play a role in modulating space-time mappings in people's mental models (de la Fuente, Santiago, Román, Dumitrache & Casasanto, 2014), we investigated real life experiences as potential additional influences on these implicit associations. Participants within the same single culture, who are engaged in different intermediate-term educational experiences (Study 1), long-term living experiences (Study 2), and short-term visiting experiences (Study 3), showed their distinct differences in temporal focus, thereby influencing their implicit spatializations of time. Results across samples suggest that personal attitudes toward time related to real life experiences may influence people's space-time mappings. The findings we report on shed further light on the high flexibility of human conceptualization system. While culture may exert an important influence on temporal focus, a person's conceptualization of time may be attributed to a culmination of factors. © 2017 Scandinavian Psychological Associations and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Stretchable and Photocatalytically Renewable Electrochemical Sensor Based on Sandwich Nanonetworks for Real-Time Monitoring of Cells.

PubMed

Wang, Ya-Wen; Liu, Yan-Ling; Xu, Jia-Quan; Qin, Yu; Huang, Wei-Hua

2018-05-15

Stretchable electrochemical (EC) sensors have broad prospects in real-time monitoring of living cells and tissues owing to their excellent elasticity and deformability. However, the redox reaction products and cell secretions are easily adsorbed on the electrode, resulting in sensor fouling and passivation. Herein, we developed a stretchable and photocatalytically renewable EC sensor based on Au nanotubes (NTs) and TiO 2 nanowires (NWs) sandwich nanonetworks. The external Au NTs are used for EC sensing, and internal TiO 2 NWs provide photocatalytic performance to degrade contaminants, which endows the sensor with excellent EC performance, high photocatalytic activity, and favorable mechanical tensile property. This allows highly sensitive recycling monitoring of NO released from endothelial cells and 5-HT released from mast cells under their stretching states in real time, therefore providing a promising tool to unravel elastic and mechanically sensitive cells, tissues, and organs.

Red-Emitting Fluorescent Probe for Detection of γ-Glutamyltranspeptidase and Its Application of Real-Time Imaging under Oxidative Stress in Cells and in Vivo.

PubMed

Liu, Feiyan; Wang, Zhen; Wang, Wenli; Luo, Jian-Guang; Kong, Lingyi

2018-06-19

γ-Glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) plays critical roles in regulating various physiological/pathophysiological processes including the intracellular redox homeostasis. However, an effective fluorescent probe for dissecting the relationships between GGT and oxidative stress in vivo remains largely unexplored. Herein, we present a light-up fluorescent probe (DCDHF-Glu) with long wavelength emission (613 nm) for the highly sensitive and selective detection of GGT using dicyanomethylenedihydrofuran derivative as the fluorescent reporter and γ-glutamyl group as the enzyme-active trigger. DCDHF-Glu is competent to real-time image endogenous GGT in live cells and mice. In particular, DCDHF-Glu enables the direct real-time visualization of the upregulation of GGT under drug-induced oxidative stress in the HepG2 cells and the LO2 cells, as well as in vivo, vividly implying its excellent capacity in elucidation of GGT function in GGT-related biological events.

Detection of the free living amoeba Naegleria fowleri by using conventional and real-time PCR based on a single copy DNA sequence.

PubMed

Régoudis, Estelle; Pélandakis, Michel

2016-02-01

The amoeba-flagellate Naegleria fowleri is a causative agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). This thermophilic species occurs worldwide and tends to proliferate in warm aquatic environment. The PAM cases remain rare but this infection is mostly fatal. Here, we describe a single copy region which has been cloned and sequenced, and was used for both conventional and real-time PCR. Targeting a single-copy DNA sequence allows to directly quantify the N. fowleri cells. The real-time PCR results give a detection limit of 1 copy per reaction with high reproducibility without the need of a Taqman probe. This procedure is of interest as compared to other procedures which are mostly based on the detection of multi-copy DNA associated with a Taqman probe. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Software design of a remote real-time ECG monitoring system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Chengbo; Tao, Hongyan

2005-12-01

Heart disease is one of the main diseases that threaten the health and lives of human beings. At present, the normal remote ECG monitoring system has the disadvantages of a short testing distance and limitation of monitoring lines. Because of accident and paroxysmal disease, ECG monitoring has extended from the hospital to the family. Therefore, remote ECG monitoring through the Internet has the actual value and significance. The principle and design method of software of the remote dynamic ECG monitor was presented and discussed. The monitoring software is programmed with Delphi software based on client-sever interactive mode. The application program of the system, which makes use of multithreading technology, is shown to perform in an excellent manner. The program includes remote link users and ECG processing, i.e. ECG data's receiving, real-time displaying, recording and replaying. The system can connect many clients simultaneously and perform real-time monitoring to patients.

LivePhantom: Retrieving Virtual World Light Data to Real Environments.

PubMed

Kolivand, Hoshang; Billinghurst, Mark; Sunar, Mohd Shahrizal

2016-01-01

To achieve realistic Augmented Reality (AR), shadows play an important role in creating a 3D impression of a scene. Casting virtual shadows on real and virtual objects is one of the topics of research being conducted in this area. In this paper, we propose a new method for creating complex AR indoor scenes using real time depth detection to exert virtual shadows on virtual and real environments. A Kinect camera was used to produce a depth map for the physical scene mixing into a single real-time transparent tacit surface. Once this is created, the camera's position can be tracked from the reconstructed 3D scene. Real objects are represented by virtual object phantoms in the AR scene enabling users holding a webcam and a standard Kinect camera to capture and reconstruct environments simultaneously. The tracking capability of the algorithm is shown and the findings are assessed drawing upon qualitative and quantitative methods making comparisons with previous AR phantom generation applications. The results demonstrate the robustness of the technique for realistic indoor rendering in AR systems.

LivePhantom: Retrieving Virtual World Light Data to Real Environments

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

To achieve realistic Augmented Reality (AR), shadows play an important role in creating a 3D impression of a scene. Casting virtual shadows on real and virtual objects is one of the topics of research being conducted in this area. In this paper, we propose a new method for creating complex AR indoor scenes using real time depth detection to exert virtual shadows on virtual and real environments. A Kinect camera was used to produce a depth map for the physical scene mixing into a single real-time transparent tacit surface. Once this is created, the camera’s position can be tracked from the reconstructed 3D scene. Real objects are represented by virtual object phantoms in the AR scene enabling users holding a webcam and a standard Kinect camera to capture and reconstruct environments simultaneously. The tracking capability of the algorithm is shown and the findings are assessed drawing upon qualitative and quantitative methods making comparisons with previous AR phantom generation applications. The results demonstrate the robustness of the technique for realistic indoor rendering in AR systems. PMID:27930663

Sensing and Virtual Worlds - A Survey of Research Opportunities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, Dana

2012-01-01

Virtual Worlds (VWs) have been used effectively in live and constructive military training. An area that remains fertile ground for exploration and a new vision involves integrating various traditional and now non-traditional sensors into virtual worlds. In this paper, we will assert that the benefits of this integration are several. First, we maintain that virtual worlds offer improved sensor deployment planning through improved visualization and stimulation of the model, using geo-specific terrain and structure. Secondly, we assert that VWs enhance the mission rehearsal process, and that using a mix of live avatars, non-player characters, and live sensor feeds (e.g. real time meteorology) can help visualization of the area of operations. Finally, tactical operations are improved via better collaboration and integration of real world sensing capabilities, and in most situations, 30 VWs improve the state of the art over current "dots on a map" 20 geospatial visualization. However, several capability gaps preclude a fuller realization of this vision. In this paper, we identify many of these gaps and suggest research directions

Nanohybrids with Magnetic and Persistent Luminescence Properties for Cell Labeling, Tracking, In Vivo Real-Time Imaging, and Magnetic Vectorization.

PubMed

Teston, Eliott; Maldiney, Thomas; Marangon, Iris; Volatron, Jeanne; Lalatonne, Yoann; Motte, Laurence; Boisson-Vidal, Catherine; Autret, Gwennhael; Clément, Olivier; Scherman, Daniel; Gazeau, Florence; Richard, Cyrille

2018-04-01

Once injected into a living organism, cells diffuse or migrate around the initial injection point and become impossible to be visualized and tracked in vivo. The present work concerns the development of a new technique for therapeutic cell labeling and subsequent in vivo visualization and magnetic retention. It is hypothesized and subsequently demonstrated that nanohybrids made of persistent luminescence nanoparticles and ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles incorporated into a silica matrix can be used as an effective nanoplatform to label therapeutic cells in a nontoxic way in order to dynamically track them in real-time in vitro and in living mice. As a proof-of-concept, it is shown that once injected, these labeled cells can be visualized and attracted in vivo using a magnet. This first step suggests that these nanohybrids represent efficient multifunctional nanoprobes for further imaging guided cell therapies development. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A Perspective on Studying G-Protein–Coupled Receptor Signaling with Resonance Energy Transfer Biosensors in Living Organisms

PubMed Central

van Unen, Jakobus; Woolard, Jeanette; Rinken, Ago; Hoffmann, Carsten; Hill, Stephen J.; Goedhart, Joachim; Bruchas, Michael R.; Bouvier, Michel

2015-01-01

The last frontier for a complete understanding of G-protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) biology is to be able to assess GPCR activity, interactions, and signaling in vivo, in real time within biologically intact systems. This includes the ability to detect GPCR activity, trafficking, dimerization, protein-protein interactions, second messenger production, and downstream signaling events with high spatial resolution and fast kinetic readouts. Resonance energy transfer (RET)–based biosensors allow for all of these possibilities in vitro and in cell-based assays, but moving RET into intact animals has proven difficult. Here, we provide perspectives on the optimization of biosensor design, of signal detection in living organisms, and the multidisciplinary development of in vitro and cell-based assays that more appropriately reflect the physiologic situation. In short, further development of RET-based probes, optical microscopy techniques, and mouse genome editing hold great potential over the next decade to bring real-time in vivo GPCR imaging to the forefront of pharmacology. PMID:25972446

Message Brokering Evaluation for Live Spacecraft Telemetry Monitoring, Recorded Playback, and Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Daren; Pomerantz, Marc

2015-01-01

Live monitoring and post-flight analysis of telemetry data play a vital role in the development, diagnosis, and deployment of components of a space flight mission. Requirements for such a system include low end-to-end latency between data producers and visualizers, preserved ordering of messages, data stream archiving with random access playback, and real-time creation of derived data streams. We evaluate the RabbitMQ and Kafka message brokering systems, on how well they can enable a real-time, scalable, and robust telemetry framework that delivers telemetry data to multiple clients across heterogeneous platforms and flight projects. In our experiments using an actively developed robotic arm testbed, Kafka yielded a much higher message throughput rate and a consistent publishing rate across the number of topics and consumers. Consumer message rates were consistent across the number of topics but can exhibit bursty behavior with an increase in the contention for a single topic partition with increasing number of consumers.

The Social Field(s) of Arts Education Today: Living Vulnerability in Neo-Liberal Times

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dimitriadis, Greg; Cole, Emily; Costello, Adrienne

2009-01-01

The arts are often seen as peripheral to the "real business" of school and schooling. While this has been the case for some time now, the increasing pressures of high-stakes testing and ever-more draconian public funding schemes (particularly in the wake of 9/11) have created something of a "perfect storm" for those working in…

Multicolor fluorescent intravital live microscopy (FILM) for surgical tumor resection in a mouse xenograft model.

PubMed

Thurber, Greg M; Figueiredo, Jose L; Weissleder, Ralph

2009-11-30

Complete surgical resection of neoplasia remains one of the most efficient tumor therapies. However, malignant cell clusters are often left behind during surgery due to the inability to visualize and differentiate them against host tissue. Here we establish the feasibility of multicolor fluorescent intravital live microscopy (FILM) where multiple cellular and/or unique tissue compartments are stained simultaneously and imaged in real time. Theoretical simulations of imaging probe localization were carried out for three agents with specificity for cancer cells, stromal host response, or vascular perfusion. This transport analysis gave insight into the probe pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution, facilitating the experimental design and allowing predictions to be made about the localization of the probes in other animal models and in the clinic. The imaging probes were administered systemically at optimal time points based on the simulations, and the multicolor FILM images obtained in vivo were then compared to conventional pathological sections. Our data show the feasibility of real time in vivo pathology at cellular resolution and molecular specificity with excellent agreement between intravital and traditional in vitro immunohistochemistry. Multicolor FILM is an accurate method for identifying malignant tissue and cells in vivo. The imaging probes distributed in a manner similar to predictions based on transport principles, and these models can be used to design future probes and experiments. FILM can provide critical real time feedback and should be a useful tool for more effective and complete cancer resection.

A secure mobile crowdsensing (MCS) location tracker for elderly in smart city

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shien, Lau Khai; Singh, Manmeet Mahinderjit

2017-10-01

According to the UN's (United Nations) projection, Malaysia will achieve ageing population status by 2030. The challenge of the growing ageing population is health and social care services. As the population lives longer, the costs of institutional care rises and elderly who not able live independently in their own homes without caregivers. Moreover, it restricted their activity area, safety and freedom in their daily life. Hence, a tracking system is worthy for their caregivers to track their real-time location with efficient. Currently tracking and monitoring systems are unable to satisfy the needs of the community. Hence, Indoor-Outdoor Elderly Secure and Tracking care system (IOET) proposed to track and monitor elderly. This Mobile Crowdsensing type of system is using indoor and outdoor positioning system to locate elder which utilizes the RFID, NFC, biometric system and GPS aim to secure the safety of elderly within indoors and outdoors environment. A mobile application and web-based application to be designed for this system. This system able to real-time tracking by combining GPS and NFC for outdoor coverage where ideally in smart city. In indoor coverage, the system utilizes active RFID tracking elderly movement. The system will prompt caregiver wherever elderly movement or request by using the notification service which provided the real-time notify. Caregiver also can review the place that visited by elderly and trace back elderly movement.

MiRAR-miRNA Activity Reporter for Living Cells.

PubMed

Turk, Matthew A; Chung, Christina Z; Manni, Emad; Zukowski, Stephanie A; Engineer, Anish; Badakhshi, Yasaman; Bi, Yumin; Heinemann, Ilka U

2018-06-19

microRNA (miRNA) activity and regulation are of increasing interest as new therapeutic targets. Traditional approaches to assess miRNA levels in cells rely on RNA sequencing or quantitative PCR. While useful, these approaches are based on RNA extraction and cannot be applied in real-time to observe miRNA activity with single-cell resolution. We developed a green fluorescence protein (GFP)-based reporter system that allows for a direct, real-time readout of changes in miRNA activity in live cells. The miRNA activity reporter (MiRAR) consists of GFP fused to a 3′ untranslated region containing specific miRNA binding sites, resulting in miRNA activity-dependent GFP expression. Using qPCR, we verified the inverse relationship of GFP fluorescence and miRNA levels. We demonstrated that this novel optogenetic reporter system quantifies cellular levels of the tumor suppressor miRNA let-7 in real-time in single Human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells. Our data shows that the MiRAR can be applied to detect changes in miRNA levels upon disruption of miRNA degradation pathways. We further show that the reporter could be adapted to monitor another disease-relevant miRNA, miR-122. With trivial modifications, this approach could be applied across the miRNome for quantification of many specific miRNA in cell cultures, tissues, or transgenic animal models.

Fluorescence particle detector for real-time quantification of viable organisms in air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luoma, Greg; Cherrier, Pierre P.; Piccioni, Marc; Tanton, Carol; Herz, Steve; DeFreez, Richard K.; Potter, Michael; Girvin, Kenneth L.; Whitney, Ronald

2002-02-01

The ability to detect viable organisms in air in real time is important in a number of applications. Detecting high levels of airborne organisms in hospitals can prevent post-operative infections and the spread of diseases. Monitoring levels of airborne viable organisms in pharmaceutical facilities can ensure safe production of drugs or vaccines. Monitoring airborne bacterial levels in meat processing plants can help to prevent contamination of food products. Monitoring the level of airborne organisms in bio-containment facilities can ensure that proper procedures are being followed. Finally, detecting viable organisms in real time is a key to defending against biological agent attacks. This presentation describes the development and performance of a detector, based on fluorescence particle counting technology, where an ultraviolet laser is used to count particles by light scattering and elicit fluorescence from specific biomolecules found only in living organisms. The resulting detector can specifically detect airborne particles containing living organisms from among the large majority of other particles normally present in air. Efforts to develop the core sensor technology, focusing on integrating an UV laser with a specially designed particle-counting cell will be highlighted. The hardware/software used to capture the information from the sensor, provide an alarm in the presence of an unusual biological aerosol content will also be described. Finally, results from experiments to test the performance of the detector will be presented.

Real-time fusion of coronary CT angiography with x-ray fluoroscopy during chronic total occlusion PCI.

PubMed

Ghoshhajra, Brian B; Takx, Richard A P; Stone, Luke L; Girard, Erin E; Brilakis, Emmanouil S; Lombardi, William L; Yeh, Robert W; Jaffer, Farouc A

2017-06-01

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of real-time fusion of coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) centreline and arterial wall calcification with x-ray fluoroscopy during chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients undergoing CTO PCI were prospectively enrolled. Pre-procedural CT scans were integrated with conventional coronary fluoroscopy using prototype software. We enrolled 24 patients who underwent CTO PCI using the prototype CT fusion software, and 24 consecutive CTO PCI patients without CT guidance served as a control group. Mean age was 66 ± 11 years, and 43/48 patients were men. Real-time CTA fusion during CTO PCI provided additional information regarding coronary arterial calcification and tortuosity that generated new insights into antegrade wiring, antegrade dissection/reentry, and retrograde wiring during CTO PCI. Overall CTO success rates and procedural outcomes remained similar between the two groups, despite a trend toward higher complexity in the fusion CTA group. This study demonstrates that real-time automated co-registration of coronary CTA centreline and calcification onto live fluoroscopic images is feasible and provides new insights into CTO PCI, and in particular, antegrade dissection reentry-based CTO PCI. • Real-time semi-automated fusion of CTA/fluoroscopy is feasible during CTO PCI. • CTA fusion data can be toggled on/off as desired during CTO PCI • Real-time CT calcium and centreline overlay could benefit antegrade dissection/reentry-based CTO PCI.

MATtrack: A MATLAB-Based Quantitative Image Analysis Platform for Investigating Real-Time Photo-Converted Fluorescent Signals in Live Cells.

PubMed

Courtney, Jane; Woods, Elena; Scholz, Dimitri; Hall, William W; Gautier, Virginie W

2015-01-01

We introduce here MATtrack, an open source MATLAB-based computational platform developed to process multi-Tiff files produced by a photo-conversion time lapse protocol for live cell fluorescent microscopy. MATtrack automatically performs a series of steps required for image processing, including extraction and import of numerical values from Multi-Tiff files, red/green image classification using gating parameters, noise filtering, background extraction, contrast stretching and temporal smoothing. MATtrack also integrates a series of algorithms for quantitative image analysis enabling the construction of mean and standard deviation images, clustering and classification of subcellular regions and injection point approximation. In addition, MATtrack features a simple user interface, which enables monitoring of Fluorescent Signal Intensity in multiple Regions of Interest, over time. The latter encapsulates a region growing method to automatically delineate the contours of Regions of Interest selected by the user, and performs background and regional Average Fluorescence Tracking, and automatic plotting. Finally, MATtrack computes convenient visualization and exploration tools including a migration map, which provides an overview of the protein intracellular trajectories and accumulation areas. In conclusion, MATtrack is an open source MATLAB-based software package tailored to facilitate the analysis and visualization of large data files derived from real-time live cell fluorescent microscopy using photoconvertible proteins. It is flexible, user friendly, compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, and a wide range of data acquisition software. MATtrack is freely available for download at eleceng.dit.ie/courtney/MATtrack.zip.

MATtrack: A MATLAB-Based Quantitative Image Analysis Platform for Investigating Real-Time Photo-Converted Fluorescent Signals in Live Cells

PubMed Central

Courtney, Jane; Woods, Elena; Scholz, Dimitri; Hall, William W.; Gautier, Virginie W.

2015-01-01

We introduce here MATtrack, an open source MATLAB-based computational platform developed to process multi-Tiff files produced by a photo-conversion time lapse protocol for live cell fluorescent microscopy. MATtrack automatically performs a series of steps required for image processing, including extraction and import of numerical values from Multi-Tiff files, red/green image classification using gating parameters, noise filtering, background extraction, contrast stretching and temporal smoothing. MATtrack also integrates a series of algorithms for quantitative image analysis enabling the construction of mean and standard deviation images, clustering and classification of subcellular regions and injection point approximation. In addition, MATtrack features a simple user interface, which enables monitoring of Fluorescent Signal Intensity in multiple Regions of Interest, over time. The latter encapsulates a region growing method to automatically delineate the contours of Regions of Interest selected by the user, and performs background and regional Average Fluorescence Tracking, and automatic plotting. Finally, MATtrack computes convenient visualization and exploration tools including a migration map, which provides an overview of the protein intracellular trajectories and accumulation areas. In conclusion, MATtrack is an open source MATLAB-based software package tailored to facilitate the analysis and visualization of large data files derived from real-time live cell fluorescent microscopy using photoconvertible proteins. It is flexible, user friendly, compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, and a wide range of data acquisition software. MATtrack is freely available for download at eleceng.dit.ie/courtney/MATtrack.zip. PMID:26485569

Living Labs: overview of ecological approaches for health promotion and rehabilitation.

PubMed

Korman, M; Weiss, P L; Kizony, R

2016-01-01

The term "Living Lab" was coined to reflect the use of sensors to monitor human behavior in real life environments. Until recently such measurements had been feasible only within experimental laboratory settings. The objective of this paper is to highlight research on health care sensing and monitoring devices that enable direct, objective and accurate capture of real-world functioning. Selected articles exemplifying the key technologies that allow monitoring of the motor-cognitive activity of persons with disabilities during naturally occurring daily experiences in real-life settings are discussed in terms of (1) the ways in which the Living Lab approach has been used to date, (2) limitations related to clinical assessment in rehabilitation settings and (3) three categories of the instruments most commonly used for this purpose: personal technologies, ambient technologies and external assistive systems. Technology's most important influences on clinical practice and rehabilitation are in a shift from laboratory-based to field-centered research and a transition between in-clinic performance to daily life activities. Numerous applications show its potential for real-time clinical assessment. Current technological solutions that may provide clinicians with objective, unobtrusive measurements of health and function, as well as tools that support rehabilitation on an individual basis in natural environments provide an important asset to standard clinical measures. Until recently objective clinical assessment could not be readily performed in a client's daily functional environment. Novel technologies enable health care sensing and monitoring devices that enable direct, objective and accurate capture of real-world functioning. Such technologies are referred to as a "Living Lab" approach since they enable the capture of objective and non-obtrusive data that clinicians can use to assess performance. Research and development in this field help clinicians support maintain independence and quality of life for people who have disabilities or who are aging, and to promote more effective methods of long-term rehabilitation and maintenance of a healthy life style.

EPICS as a MARTe Configuration Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valcarcel, Daniel F.; Barbalace, Antonio; Neto, André; Duarte, André S.; Alves, Diogo; Carvalho, Bernardo B.; Carvalho, Pedro J.; Sousa, Jorge; Fernandes, Horácio; Goncalves, Bruno; Sartori, Filippo; Manduchi, Gabriele

2011-08-01

The Multithreaded Application Real-Time executor (MARTe) software provides an environment for the hard real-time execution of codes while leveraging a standardized algorithm development process. The Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS) software allows the deployment and remote monitoring of networked control systems. Channel Access (CA) is the protocol that enables the communication between EPICS distributed components. It allows to set and monitor process variables across the network belonging to different systems. The COntrol and Data Acquisition and Communication (CODAC) system for the ITER Tokamak will be EPICS based and will be used to monitor and live configure the plant controllers. The reconfiguration capability in a hard real-time system requires strict latencies from the request to the actuation and it is a key element in the design of the distributed control algorithm. Presently, MARTe and its objects are configured using a well-defined structured language. After each configuration, all objects are destroyed and the system rebuilt, following the strong hard real-time rule that a real-time system in online mode must behave in a strictly deterministic fashion. This paper presents the design and considerations to use MARTe as a plant controller and enable it to be EPICS monitorable and configurable without disturbing the execution at any time, in particular during a plasma discharge. The solutions designed for this will be presented and discussed.

Mrs. Squandertime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anstey, Josephine; Pape, Dave

2013-03-01

In this paper we discuss Mrs. Squandertime, a real-time, persistent simulation of a virtual character, her living room, and the view from her window, designed to be a wall-size, projected art installation. Through her large picture window, the eponymous Mrs. Squandertime watches the sea: boats, clouds, gulls, the tide going in and out, people on the sea wall. The hundreds of images that compose the view are drawn from historical printed sources. The program that assembles and animates these images is driven by weather, time, and tide data constantly updated from a real physical location. The character herself is rendered photographically in a series of slowly dissolving stills which correspond to the character's current behavior.

Program Helps Generate And Manage Graphics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Truong, L. V.

1994-01-01

Living Color Frame Maker (LCFM) computer program generates computer-graphics frames. Graphical frames saved as text files, in readable and disclosed format, easily retrieved and manipulated by user programs for wide range of real-time visual information applications. LCFM implemented in frame-based expert system for visual aids in management of systems. Monitoring, diagnosis, and/or control, diagrams of circuits or systems brought to "life" by use of designated video colors and intensities to symbolize status of hardware components (via real-time feedback from sensors). Status of systems can be displayed. Written in C++ using Borland C++ 2.0 compiler for IBM PC-series computers and compatible computers running MS-DOS.

Monitoring Cellular Events in Living Mast Cells Stimulated with an Extremely Small Amount of Fluid on a Microchip

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Munaka, Tatsuya; Abe, Hirohisa; Kanai, Masaki; Sakamoto, Takashi; Nakanishi, Hiroaki; Yamaoka, Tetsuji; Shoji, Shuichi; Murakami, Akira

2006-07-01

We successfully developed a measurement system for real-time analysis of cellular function using a newly designed microchip. This microchip was equipped with a micro cell incubation chamber (240 nl) and was stimulated by a very small amount of stimuli (as small as 24 nl). Using the microchip system, cultivation of mast cells was successfully carried out. Monitoring of the cellular events after stimulation with an extremely small amount of fluid on a microchip was performed. This system could be applicable for various types of cellular analysis including real-time monitoring of cellular response by stimulation.

Biological Applications Of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Or Bloody FTIR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jakobsen, R. J.; Winters, S.; Gendreau, R. M.

1981-10-01

An ex vivo FT-IR/ATR experiment for studying blood protein adsorption at the molecular level is described. This experiment involves the use of live dogs pumping the blood through a arterial-veinal shunt to the ATR cell and back into the animal. The results from these live dog experiments are compared to results obtained using donated whole blood. These experiments demonstrate that FT-IR can be used to study aqueous, physiological, flowing solutions in real time with the sensitivity necessary to detect minor changes.

cGMP Signaling in the Cardiovascular System—The Role of Compartmentation and Its Live Cell Imaging

PubMed Central

Bork, Nadja I.; Nikolaev, Viacheslav O.

2018-01-01

The ubiquitous second messenger 3′,5′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) regulates multiple physiologic processes in the cardiovascular system. Its intracellular effects are mediated by stringently controlled subcellular microdomains. In this review, we will illustrate the current techniques available for real-time cGMP measurements with a specific focus on live cell imaging methods. We will also discuss currently accepted and emerging mechanisms of cGMP compartmentation in the cardiovascular system. PMID:29534460

Unmanned Warfare: Second and Third Order Effects Stemming from the Afghan Operational Environment between 2001 and 2010

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-10

the very nature of warfare took a dramatic step into the future. With new assets capable of remaining airborne for nearly 24 hours and live video ...warfare took a dramatic step into the future. With new assets capable of remaining airborne for nearly 24 hours and live video feeds streaming to...shape the battlefield during protracted combat operations. From the real time video feeds, to the 24 hour coverage of an area of interest, tangible

Rapid-Viability PCR Method for Detection of Live, Virulent Bacillus anthracis in Environmental Samples ▿

PubMed Central

Létant, Sonia E.; Murphy, Gloria A.; Alfaro, Teneile M.; Avila, Julie R.; Kane, Staci R.; Raber, Ellen; Bunt, Thomas M.; Shah, Sanjiv R.

2011-01-01

In the event of a biothreat agent release, hundreds of samples would need to be rapidly processed to characterize the extent of contamination and determine the efficacy of remediation activities. Current biological agent identification and viability determination methods are both labor- and time-intensive such that turnaround time for confirmed results is typically several days. In order to alleviate this issue, automated, high-throughput sample processing methods were developed in which real-time PCR analysis is conducted on samples before and after incubation. The method, referred to as rapid-viability (RV)-PCR, uses the change in cycle threshold after incubation to detect the presence of live organisms. In this article, we report a novel RV-PCR method for detection of live, virulent Bacillus anthracis, in which the incubation time was reduced from 14 h to 9 h, bringing the total turnaround time for results below 15 h. The method incorporates a magnetic bead-based DNA extraction and purification step prior to PCR analysis, as well as specific real-time PCR assays for the B. anthracis chromosome and pXO1 and pXO2 plasmids. A single laboratory verification of the optimized method applied to the detection of virulent B. anthracis in environmental samples was conducted and showed a detection level of 10 to 99 CFU/sample with both manual and automated RV-PCR methods in the presence of various challenges. Experiments exploring the relationship between the incubation time and the limit of detection suggest that the method could be further shortened by an additional 2 to 3 h for relatively clean samples. PMID:21764960

Insect-machine Hybrid System: Remote Radio Control of a Freely Flying Beetle (Mercynorrhina torquata).

PubMed

Vo Doan, T Thang; Sato, Hirotaka

2016-09-02

The rise of radio-enabled digital electronic devices has prompted the use of small wireless neuromuscular recorders and stimulators for studying in-flight insect behavior. This technology enables the development of an insect-machine hybrid system using a living insect platform described in this protocol. Moreover, this protocol presents the system configuration and free flight experimental procedures for evaluating the function of the flight muscles in an untethered insect. For demonstration, we targeted the third axillary sclerite (3Ax) muscle to control and achieve left or right turning of a flying beetle. A thin silver wire electrode was implanted on the 3Ax muscle on each side of the beetle. These were connected to the outputs of a wireless backpack (i.e., a neuromuscular electrical stimulator) mounted on the pronotum of the beetle. The muscle was stimulated in free flight by alternating the stimulation side (left or right) or varying the stimulation frequency. The beetle turned to the ipsilateral side when the muscle was stimulated and exhibited a graded response to an increasing frequency. The implantation process and volume calibration of the 3 dimensional motion capture camera system need to be carried out with care to avoid damaging the muscle and losing track of the marker, respectively. This method is highly beneficial to study insect flight, as it helps to reveal the functions of the flight muscle of interest in free flight.

Advantages of Live Microscope Video for Laboratory and Teaching Applications

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Michels, Kristin K.; Michels, Zachary D.; Hotchkiss, Sara C.

2016-01-01

Although spatial reasoning and penetrative thinking skills are essential for many disciplines, these concepts are difficult for students to comprehend. In microscopy, traditional educational materials (i.e., photographs) are static. Conversely, video-based training methods convey dimensionality. We implemented a real-time digital video imaging…

Single Molecule Analysis of Serotonin Transporter Regulation Using Antagonist-Conjugated Quantum Dots Reveals Restricted, p38 MAPK-Dependent Mobilization Underlying Uptake Activation

PubMed Central

Chang, Jerry C.; Tomlinson, Ian D.; Warnement, Michael R.; Ustione, Alessandro; Carneiro, Ana M. D.; Piston, David W.; Blakely, Randy D.; Rosenthal, Sandra J.

2012-01-01

The presynaptic serotonin (5-HT) transporter (SERT) is targeted by widely prescribed antidepressant medications. Altered SERT expression or regulation has been implicated in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders, including anxiety, depression and autism. Here, we implement a generalizable strategy that exploits antagonist-conjugated quantum dots (Qdots) to monitor, for the first time, single SERT proteins on the surface of serotonergic cells. We document two pools of SERT proteins defined by lateral mobility, one that exhibits relatively free diffusion, and a second, localized to cholesterol and GM1 ganglioside-enriched microdomains, that displays restricted mobility. Receptor-linked signalling pathways that enhance SERT activity mobilize transporters that, nonetheless, remain confined to membrane microdomains. Mobilization of transporters arise from a p38 MAPK-dependent untethering of the SERT C-terminus from the juxtamembrane actin cytoskeleton. Our studies establish the utility of ligand-conjugated Qdots for analysis of the behaviour of single membrane proteins and reveal a physical basis for signaling-mediated SERT regulation. PMID:22745492

Biocompatibility of candidate materials for the realization of medical microdevices.

PubMed

Pouponneau, Pierre; Yahia, L'Hocine; Merhi, Yahye; Epure, Laura Mery; Martel, Sylvain

2006-01-01

The propulsion of ferromagnetic micro-carriers in the blood vessels by magnetic gradients generated from a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system is of special interest for targeted interventions such as chemotherapy or chemo-embolization. As such, Fe-Co alloys for its highest magnetization saturation, and single crystal Ni-Mn-Ga powder and Terfenol-D for their deformation in magnetic field are evaluated for their biocompatibility. The toxicity of these materials is evaluated with MTT cell viability tests. The tests show that Fe-Co (Permendur and Vacoflux 17) alloys are toxic within 24 hours while the single crystal Ni-Mn-Ga powder becomes toxic after 48 hours. The Terfenol-D, despite its high degradation, has 90% cell viability after 72 hours. These results indicate that such candidate materials to be considered in untethered micro-carriers or devices in the blood vessels would require, depending upon the time spent in the blood vessels, further processes to be viable for such applications.

Real-time metabolome profiling of the metabolic switch between starvation and growth.

PubMed

Link, Hannes; Fuhrer, Tobias; Gerosa, Luca; Zamboni, Nicola; Sauer, Uwe

2015-11-01

Metabolic systems are often the first networks to respond to environmental changes, and the ability to monitor metabolite dynamics is key for understanding these cellular responses. Because monitoring metabolome changes is experimentally tedious and demanding, dynamic data on time scales from seconds to hours are scarce. Here we describe real-time metabolome profiling by direct injection of living bacteria, yeast or mammalian cells into a high-resolution mass spectrometer, which enables automated monitoring of about 300 compounds in 15-30-s cycles over several hours. We observed accumulation of energetically costly biomass metabolites in Escherichia coli in carbon starvation-induced stationary phase, as well as the rapid use of these metabolites upon growth resumption. By combining real-time metabolome profiling with modeling and inhibitor experiments, we obtained evidence for switch-like feedback inhibition in amino acid biosynthesis and for control of substrate availability through the preferential use of the metabolically cheaper one-step salvaging pathway over costly ten-step de novo purine biosynthesis during growth resumption.

Cyclometalated Iridium(III) Complexes as AIE Phosphorescent Probes for Real-Time Monitoring of Mitophagy in Living Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Chengzhi; Liu, Jiangping; Chen, Yu; Guan, Ruilin; Ouyang, Cheng; Zhu, Yanjiao; Ji, Liangnian; Chao, Hui

2016-02-01

Mitophagy, which is a special autophagy that removes damaging mitochondria to maintain sufficient healthy mitochondria, provides an alternative path for addressing dysfunctional mitochondria and avoiding cellular death. In the present study, by coupling the triphenylamine group with 2-phenylimidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline derivatives, we synthesized five Ir(III) complexes with an AIE property that are expected to fulfill requirements for real-time monitoring of mitophagy. Ir1-Ir5 were exploited to image mitochondria with a short incubation time by confocal microscopy and inductive coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Due to aggregation-induced emission (AIE), Ir1-Ir5 exhibited excellent photostability compared to MitoTracker Green (MTG). Moreover, Ir1-Ir5 manifested satisfactory photostability in the mitochondrial physiological pH range. In addition, the uptake mechanism of Ir1 was investigated using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry analysis. Finally, using both Ir1 and LysoTracker Green, we were able to achieve real-time monitoring of mitophagy.

[Public and private in times of the pest].

PubMed

Caponi, S

1999-01-01

The paper explores how Hannah Arendt's oppositions public-private and intimate-social can be used as an analytical tool to better understand a very concrete, extreme situation: the state of emergency triggered when an epidemiological outbreak hits a city, totally altering its inhabitants lives. Studied observation of what specific individuals (be they imagined or real) feel and think during times of epidemic is an underutilized tool that may prove helpful in studying epidemics themselves. Focusing on Camus' "The pest" and events in the city of Oran, the article looks at how victims of the plague felt about their public or private lives and their intimate and social ties.

Investigation of Legionella Contamination in Bath Water Samples by Culture, Amoebic Co-Culture, and Real-Time Quantitative PCR Methods.

PubMed

Edagawa, Akiko; Kimura, Akio; Kawabuchi-Kurata, Takako; Adachi, Shinichi; Furuhata, Katsunori; Miyamoto, Hiroshi

2015-10-19

We investigated Legionella contamination in bath water samples, collected from 68 bathing facilities in Japan, by culture, culture with amoebic co-culture, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), and real-time qPCR with amoebic co-culture. Using the conventional culture method, Legionella pneumophila was detected in 11 samples (11/68, 16.2%). Contrary to our expectation, the culture method with the amoebic co-culture technique did not increase the detection rate of Legionella (4/68, 5.9%). In contrast, a combination of the amoebic co-culture technique followed by qPCR successfully increased the detection rate (57/68, 83.8%) compared with real-time qPCR alone (46/68, 67.6%). Using real-time qPCR after culture with amoebic co-culture, more than 10-fold higher bacterial numbers were observed in 30 samples (30/68, 44.1%) compared with the same samples without co-culture. On the other hand, higher bacterial numbers were not observed after propagation by amoebae in 32 samples (32/68, 47.1%). Legionella was not detected in the remaining six samples (6/68, 8.8%), irrespective of the method. These results suggest that application of the amoebic co-culture technique prior to real-time qPCR may be useful for the sensitive detection of Legionella from bath water samples. Furthermore, a combination of amoebic co-culture and real-time qPCR might be useful to detect viable and virulent Legionella because their ability to invade and multiply within free-living amoebae is considered to correlate with their pathogenicity for humans. This is the first report evaluating the efficacy of the amoebic co-culture technique for detecting Legionella in bath water samples.

Investigation of Legionella Contamination in Bath Water Samples by Culture, Amoebic Co-Culture, and Real-Time Quantitative PCR Methods

PubMed Central

Edagawa, Akiko; Kimura, Akio; Kawabuchi-Kurata, Takako; Adachi, Shinichi; Furuhata, Katsunori; Miyamoto, Hiroshi

2015-01-01

We investigated Legionella contamination in bath water samples, collected from 68 bathing facilities in Japan, by culture, culture with amoebic co-culture, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), and real-time qPCR with amoebic co-culture. Using the conventional culture method, Legionella pneumophila was detected in 11 samples (11/68, 16.2%). Contrary to our expectation, the culture method with the amoebic co-culture technique did not increase the detection rate of Legionella (4/68, 5.9%). In contrast, a combination of the amoebic co-culture technique followed by qPCR successfully increased the detection rate (57/68, 83.8%) compared with real-time qPCR alone (46/68, 67.6%). Using real-time qPCR after culture with amoebic co-culture, more than 10-fold higher bacterial numbers were observed in 30 samples (30/68, 44.1%) compared with the same samples without co-culture. On the other hand, higher bacterial numbers were not observed after propagation by amoebae in 32 samples (32/68, 47.1%). Legionella was not detected in the remaining six samples (6/68, 8.8%), irrespective of the method. These results suggest that application of the amoebic co-culture technique prior to real-time qPCR may be useful for the sensitive detection of Legionella from bath water samples. Furthermore, a combination of amoebic co-culture and real-time qPCR might be useful to detect viable and virulent Legionella because their ability to invade and multiply within free-living amoebae is considered to correlate with their pathogenicity for humans. This is the first report evaluating the efficacy of the amoebic co-culture technique for detecting Legionella in bath water samples. PMID:26492259

Real-time Internet connections: implications for surgical decision making in laparoscopy.

PubMed

Broderick, T J; Harnett, B M; Doarn, C R; Rodas, E B; Merrell, R C

2001-08-01

To determine whether a low-bandwidth Internet connection can provide adequate image quality to support remote real-time surgical consultation. Telemedicine has been used to support care at a distance through the use of expensive equipment and broadband communication links. In the past, the operating room has been an isolated environment that has been relatively inaccessible for real-time consultation. Recent technological advances have permitted videoconferencing over low-bandwidth, inexpensive Internet connections. If these connections are shown to provide adequate video quality for surgical applications, low-bandwidth telemedicine will open the operating room environment to remote real-time surgical consultation. Surgeons performing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Ecuador or the Dominican Republic shared real-time laparoscopic images with a panel of surgeons at the parent university through a dial-up Internet account. The connection permitted video and audio teleconferencing to support real-time consultation as well as the transmission of real-time images and store-and-forward images for observation by the consultant panel. A total of six live consultations were analyzed. In addition, paired local and remote images were "grabbed" from the video feed during these laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Nine of these paired images were then placed into a Web-based tool designed to evaluate the effect of transmission on image quality. The authors showed for the first time the ability to identify critical anatomic structures in laparoscopy over a low-bandwidth connection via the Internet. The consultant panel of surgeons correctly remotely identified biliary and arterial anatomy during six laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Within the Web-based questionnaire, 15 surgeons could not blindly distinguish the quality of local and remote laparoscopic images. Low-bandwidth, Internet-based telemedicine is inexpensive, effective, and almost ubiquitous. Use of these inexpensive, portable technologies will allow sharing of surgical procedures and decisions regardless of location. Internet telemedicine consistently supported real-time intraoperative consultation in laparoscopic surgery. The implications are broad with respect to quality improvement and diffusion of knowledge as well as for basic consultation.

In situ targeting TEM8 via immune response and polypeptide recognition by wavelength-modulated surface plasmon resonance biosensor

PubMed Central

Wang, Yimin; Luo, Zewei; Liu, Kunping; Wang, Jie; Duan, Yixiang

2016-01-01

There is an increasing interest in real-time and in situ monitoring of living cell activities in life science and medicine. This paper reports a whole cell sensing protocol over the interface of Au film coupled in a wavelength-modulated surface plasmon resonance (WMSPR) biosensor. With dual parabolic mirrors integrated in the sensor, the compact and miniaturized instrument shows satisfactory refractive index sensitivity (2220 nm/RIU) and a high resolution of resonance wavelength shift of 0.3 nm to liquid samples. The affinity interactions between the biomarker of human tumor endothelial marker 8 (TEM8) and antibody (Ab) or specific polypeptide (PEP) were firstly introduced to WMSPR biosensor analysis. Both the interaction events of Ab-cell and PEP-cell over the Au film interface can be recognized by the sensor and the balance time of interactions is about 20 min. The concentration range of Ab for quantitative monitoring of the TEM8 expression on human colon carcinoma SW620 cells was investigated. The present low-cost and time-saving method provides a time resolution of binding specificity between Ab/PEP and TEM8 for real-time analysis of antigen on living tumor cell surface. PMID:26822761

An openstack-based flexible video transcoding framework in live

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Qisen; Song, Jianxin

2017-08-01

With the rapid development of mobile live business, transcoding HD video is often a challenge for mobile devices due to their limited processing capability and bandwidth-constrained network connection. For live service providers, it's wasteful for resources to delay lots of transcoding server because some of them are free to work sometimes. To deal with this issue, this paper proposed an Openstack-based flexible transcoding framework to achieve real-time video adaption for mobile device and make computing resources used efficiently. To this end, we introduced a special method of video stream splitting and VMs resource scheduling based on access pressure prediction,which is forecasted by an AR model.

'Round-table' ethical debate: is a suicide note an authoritative 'living will'?

PubMed

Chalfin, D B; Crippen, D; Franklin, C; Kelly, D F; Kilcullen, J K; Streat, S; Truog, R D; Whetstine, L M

2001-01-01

Living wills are often considered by physicians who are faced with a dying patient. Although popular with the general public, they remain problems of authenticity and authority. It is difficult for the examining physician to know whether the patient understood the terms of the advance directive when they signed it, and whether they still consider it authoritative at the time that it is produced. Also, there is little consensus on what spectrum of instruments constitutes a binding advance directive in real life. Does a 'suicide note' constitute an authentic and authoritative 'living will'? Our panel of authorities considers this problem in a round-table discussion.

Live surgery at conferences - Clinical benefits and ethical dilemmas.

PubMed

Philip-Watson, Joanna; Khan, Shahid A A; Hadjipavlou, Marios; Rane, Abhay; Knoll, Thomas

2014-09-01

Live surgical broadcasts (LSBs) are becoming increasingly popular in urological conferences. These activities can provide excellent training opportunities, as they allow the audience to view an operation conducted by world-renowned surgeons, and have the ability to interact with them in real time. However, several ethical considerations have been raised with this practice, which the participating surgeons and conference organisers must appreciate and address carefully. In this article we highlight the ethical considerations related to LSBs and advise on how these should be addressed. We also present the latest recommendations made by the European Association of Urology Live Surgery Committee and discuss alternatives to LSB.

Unraveling fabrication and calibration of wearable gas monitor for use under free-living conditions.

PubMed

Yue Deng; Cheng Chen; Tsow, Francis; Xiaojun Xian; Forzani, Erica

2016-08-01

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are organic chemicals that have high vapor pressure at regular conditions. Some VOC could be dangerous to human health, therefore it is important to determine real-time indoor and outdoor personal exposures to VOC. To achieve this goal, our group has developed a wearable gas monitor with a complete sensor fabrication and calibration protocol for free-living conditions. Correction factors for calibrating the sensors, including sensitivity, aging effect, and temperature effect are implemented into a Quick Response Code (QR code), so that the pre-calibrated quartz tuning fork (QTF) sensor can be used with the wearable monitor under free-living conditions.

"Reality surgery"--a research ethics perspective on the live broadcast of surgical procedures.

PubMed

Williams, Judson B; Mathews, Robin; D'Amico, Thomas A

2011-01-01

In recent years, the live broadcasting of medical and surgical procedures has gained worldwide popularity. While the practice has appropriately been met with concerns for patient safety and privacy, many physicians tout the merits of real time viewing as a form of investigation, accelerating the process leading to adoption or abolition of newer techniques or technologies. This view introduces a new series of ethical considerations that need to be addressed. As such, this article considers, from a research ethics perspective, the use of live surgical procedure broadcast for investigative purposes. Copyright © 2011 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Understanding subcellular function on the nanometer scale in real time: Single-molecule imaging in living bacteria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biteen, Julie

It has long been recognized that microorganisms play a central role in our lives. By beating the diffraction limit that restricts traditional light microscopy, single-molecule fluorescence imaging is a precise, noninvasive way to sensitively probe position and dynamics, even in living cells. We are pioneering this super-resolution imaging method for unraveling important biological processes in live bacteria, and I will discuss how we infer function from subcellular dynamics (Tuson and Biteen, Analytical Chemistry 2015). In particular, we have understood the mechanism of membrane-bound transcription regulation in the pathogenic Vibrio cholerae, revealed an intimate and dynamic coupling between DNA mismatch recognition and DNA replication, and measured starch utilization in an important member of the human gut microbiome.

Using photographs to study animal social cognition and behaviour: Do capuchins' responses to photos reflect reality?

PubMed

Morton, F Blake; Brosnan, Sarah F; Prétôt, Laurent; Buchanan-Smith, Hannah M; O'Sullivan, Eoin; Stocker, Martina; D'Mello, Daniel; Wilson, Vanessa A D

2016-03-01

Behavioural responses to photos are often used to infer what animals understand about their social environment, but are rarely validated against the same stimuli in real life. If subjects' responses to photos do not reflect responses to the same live stimuli, it is difficult to conclude what happens in reality based on photo responses alone. We compared capuchins' responses to photos versus live stimuli in an identical scenario within research cubicles. Subjects had the opportunity to approach food placed in front of an alpha group member and, in a separate condition, photos depicting the same individual. Subjects' latencies to approach food when placed in front of the real alpha negatively correlated with time subjects spent in close proximity to the alpha in their main enclosure. We therefore predicted subjects' latencies to approach food in the presence of photos would positively correlate with their latencies to approach food in the presence of the real alpha inside the cubicles, but negatively correlate with time they spent in proximity to the alpha in their enclosure. Neither prediction was supported. While not necessarily surprising, we explain why these results should be an important reminder that care is needed when interpreting results from photo studies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Smart Classroom: Bringing Pervasive Computing into Distance Learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Yuanchun; Qin, Weijun; Suo, Yue; Xiao, Xin

In recent years, distance learning has increasingly become one of themost important applications on the internet and is being discussed and studied by various universities, institutes and companies. The Web/Internet provides relatively easy ways to publish hyper-linked multimedia content for more audiences. Yet, we find that most of the courseware are simply shifted from textbook to HTML files. However, in ost cases the teacher's live instruction is very important for catching the attention and interest of the students. That's why Real-Time Interactive Virtual Classroom (RTIVC) always plays an indispensable role in distance learning, where teachers nd students located in different places can take part in the class synchronously through certain multimedia communication systems and obtain real-time and mediarich interactions using Pervasive Computing technologies [1]. The Classroom 2000 project [2] at GIT has been devoted to the automated capturing of the classroom experience. Likewise, the Smart Classroom project [3] at our institute is focused on Tele-education. Most currently deployed real-time Tele-education systems are desktop-based, in which the teacher's experience is totally different from teaching in a real classroom.

The Visible Classroom: Evaluation Report and Executive Summary

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Skipp, Amy; Tanner, Emily

2015-01-01

The Visible Classroom project aimed to use lesson transcripts to promote effective teaching practice and improve the attainment of pupils in primary school. The approach used "real-time captioning" technology to generate a live transcript of teachers' speech in lessons and was developed by the University of Melbourne and technology…

Living in the Real World--Places for Childhoods: How Institutional Are YOU?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Greenman, Jim

1992-01-01

Discusses the institutionalization of children in child care centers. Describes characteristics of institutions that tend to dehumanize individuals. Characteristics relate to (1) space allotment; (2) the use of time; (3) privacy; (4) personal property; (5) meaning and responsibility; (6) spontaneity; (7) security and safety; (8) individuals…

NASA/MSFC/NSSTC Science Communication Roundtable

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adams, Mitzi L.; Gallagher, D. L.; Koczor, R. J.; Whitaker, Ann F. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

For the last several years the Science Directorate at Marshall Space Flight Center has carried out a diverse program of Internet-based science communication. The Directorate's Science Roundtable includes active researchers, NASA public relations, educators, and administrators. The Science@NASA award-winning family of Web sites features science, mathematics, and space news. The program includes extended stories about NASA science, a curriculum resource for teachers tied to national education standards, on-line activities for students, and webcasts of real-time events. Science stories cover a variety of space-related subjects and are expressed in simple terms everyone can understand. The sites address such questions as: what is space weather, what's in the heart of a hurricane, can humans live on Mars, and what is it like to live aboard the International Space Station? Along with a new look, the new format now offers articles organized by subject matter, such as astronomy, living in space, earth science or biology. The focus of sharing real-time science related events has been to involve and excite students and the public about science. Events have involved meteor showers, solar eclipses, natural very low frequency radio emissions, and amateur balloon flights. In some cases broadcasts accommodate active feedback and questions from Internet participants. Information will be provided about each member of the Science@NASA web sites.

Breaking the color barrier - a multi-selective antibody reporter offers innovative strategies of fluorescence detection.

PubMed

Gallo, Eugenio; Jarvik, Jonathan W

2017-08-01

A novel bi-partite fluorescence platform exploits the high affinity and selectivity of antibody scaffolds to capture and activate small-molecule fluorogens. In this report, we investigated the property of multi-selectivity activation by a single antibody against diverse cyanine family fluorogens. Our fluorescence screen identified three cell-impermeant fluorogens, each with unique emission spectra (blue, green and red) and nanomolar affinities. Most importantly, as a protein fusion tag to G-protein-coupled receptors, the antibody biosensor retained full activity - displaying bright fluorogen signals with minimal background on live cells. Because fluorogen-activating antibodies interact with their target ligands via non-covalent interactions, we were able to perform advanced multi-color detection strategies on live cells, previously difficult or impossible with conventional reporters. We found that by fine-tuning the concentrations of the different color fluorogen molecules in solution, a user may interchange the fluorescence signal (onset versus offset), execute real-time signal exchange via fluorogen competition, measure multi-channel fluorescence via co-labeling, and assess real-time cell surface receptor traffic via pulse-chase experiments. Thus, here we inform of an innovative reporter technology based on tri-color signal that allows user-defined fluorescence tuning in live-cell applications. © 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Real-time dynamics of RNA Polymerase II clustering in live human cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cisse, Ibrahim

2014-03-01

Transcription is the first step in the central dogma of molecular biology, when genetic information encoded on DNA is made into messenger RNA. How this fundamental process occurs within living cells (in vivo) is poorly understood,[1] despite extensive biochemical characterizations with isolated biomolecules (in vitro). For high-order organisms, like humans, transcription is reported to be spatially compartmentalized in nuclear foci consisting of clusters of RNA Polymerase II, the enzyme responsible for synthesizing all messenger RNAs. However, little is known of when these foci assemble or their relative stability. We developed an approach based on photo-activation localization microscopy (PALM) combined with a temporal correlation analysis, which we refer to as tcPALM. The tcPALM method enables the real-time characterization of biomolecular spatiotemporal organization, with single-molecule sensitivity, directly in living cells.[2] Using tcPALM, we observed that RNA Polymerase II clusters form transiently, with an average lifetime of 5.1 (+/- 0.4) seconds. Stimuli affecting transcription regulation yielded orders of magnitude changes in the dynamics of the polymerase clusters, implying that clustering is regulated and plays a role in the cells ability to effect rapid response to external signals. Our results suggest that the transient crowding of enzymes may aid in rate-limiting steps of genome regulation.

My Story: Real Stories of People Living with Thalassemia

MedlinePlus

... My Story Recommend on Facebook Tweet Share Compartir Real Stories from People living with Thalassemia On this ... blood diseases. Eventually, I would really like to travel the world and treat patients in places where ...

Special relativity derived from spacetime magma.

PubMed

Greensite, Fred

2014-01-01

We present a derivation of relativistic spacetime largely untethered from specific physical considerations, in constrast to the many physically-based derivations that have appeared in the last few decades. The argument proceeds from the inherent magma (groupoid) existing on the union of spacetime frame components [Formula: see text] and Euclidean [Formula: see text] which is consistent with an "inversion symmetry" constraint from which the Minkowski norm results. In this context, the latter is also characterized as one member of a class of "inverse norms" which play major roles with respect to various unital [Formula: see text]-algebras more generally.

Beamforming approaches for untethered, ultrasonic neural dust motes for cortical recording: a simulation study.

PubMed

Bertrand, Alexander; Seo, Dongjin; Maksimovic, Filip; Carmena, Jose M; Maharbiz, Michel M; Alon, Elad; Rabaey, Jan M

2014-01-01

In this paper, we examine the use of beamforming techniques to interrogate a multitude of neural implants in a distributed, ultrasound-based intra-cortical recording platform known as Neural Dust. We propose a general framework to analyze system design tradeoffs in the ultrasonic beamformer that extracts neural signals from modulated ultrasound waves that are backscattered by free-floating neural dust (ND) motes. Simulations indicate that high-resolution linearly-constrained minimum variance beamforming sufficiently suppresses interference from unselected ND motes and can be incorporated into the ND-based cortical recording system.

Making Real-Time Data "Real" for General Interest Users

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hotaling, L.

2003-04-01

Helping educators realize the benefits of integrating technology into curricula to effectively engage student learning and improve student achievement, particularly in science and mathematics, is the core mission of the Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education (CIESE). To achieve our mission, we focus on projects utilizing real-time data available from the Internet, and collaborative projects utilizing the Internet's potential to reach peers and experts around the world. As a member of the Mid-Atlantic Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE), the Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education (CIESE), is committed to delivering relevant ocean science education to diverse audiences, including K-12 teachers, students, coastal managers, families and tourists. The highest priority of the Mid-Atlantic COSEE is to involve scientists and educators in the translation of data and information from the coastal observatories into instructional materials and products usable by educators and the public. A combination of three regional observing systems, the New Jersey Shelf Observing System (NJSOS), Chesapeake Bay Observing System (CBOS), and the York River observing system will provide the scientific backbone for an integrated program of science and education that improves user access to, and understanding of, modern ocean science and how it affects our daily lives. At present, the Mid-Atlantic COSEE offers three projects that enable users to apply and validate scientific concepts to real world situations. (1) The Gulf Stream Voyage is an online multidisciplinary project that utilizes both real-time data and primary source materials to help guide students to discover the science and history of the Gulf Stream current. (2) C.O.O.L. Classroom is an online project that utilizes concepts and real-time data collected through the NJSOS. The C.O.O.L. Classroom is based on the concept of the Rutgers-IMCS Coastal Ocean Observation Laboratory, a real place where ocean scientists from various disciplines study the coastal ocean collaboratively. (3) Oceans Connecting the Nation is an online collaborative project currently in development. The core activities will involve the study of Nonpoint Source Pollution (NPS). Students will conduct water quality (nutrient) testing and share that data, along with climate data and local characteristics with other participants. This will promote discussions about how NPS affects local communities as well as the oceans, and allow users to develop an understanding of how the oceans affect their daily lives.

Real-Time Operation of the International Space Station

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suffredini, M. T.

2002-01-01

The International Space Station is on orbit and real-time operations are well underway. Along with the assembly challenges of building and operating the International Space Station , scientific activities are also underway. Flight control teams in three countries are working together as a team to plan, coordinate and command the systems on the International Space Station.Preparations are being made to add the additional International Partner elements including their operations teams and facilities. By October 2002, six Expedition crews will have lived on the International Space Station. Management of real-time operations has been key to these achievements. This includes the activities of ground teams in control centers around the world as well as the crew on orbit. Real-time planning is constantly challenged with balancing the requirements and setting the priorities for the assembly, maintenance, science and crew health functions on the International Space Station. It requires integrating the Shuttle, Soyuz and Progress requirements with the Station. It is also necessary to be able to respond in case of on-orbit anomalies and to set plans and commands in place to ensure the continues safe operation of the Station. Bringing together the International Partner operations teams has been challenging and intensely rewarding. Utilization of the assets of each partner has resulted in efficient solutions to problems. This paper will describe the management of the major real-time operations processes, significant achievements, and future challenges.

Portable Health Algorithms Test System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melcher, Kevin J.; Wong, Edmond; Fulton, Christopher E.; Sowers, Thomas S.; Maul, William A.

2010-01-01

A document discusses the Portable Health Algorithms Test (PHALT) System, which has been designed as a means for evolving the maturity and credibility of algorithms developed to assess the health of aerospace systems. Comprising an integrated hardware-software environment, the PHALT system allows systems health management algorithms to be developed in a graphical programming environment, to be tested and refined using system simulation or test data playback, and to be evaluated in a real-time hardware-in-the-loop mode with a live test article. The integrated hardware and software development environment provides a seamless transition from algorithm development to real-time implementation. The portability of the hardware makes it quick and easy to transport between test facilities. This hard ware/software architecture is flexible enough to support a variety of diagnostic applications and test hardware, and the GUI-based rapid prototyping capability is sufficient to support development execution, and testing of custom diagnostic algorithms. The PHALT operating system supports execution of diagnostic algorithms under real-time constraints. PHALT can perform real-time capture and playback of test rig data with the ability to augment/ modify the data stream (e.g. inject simulated faults). It performs algorithm testing using a variety of data input sources, including real-time data acquisition, test data playback, and system simulations, and also provides system feedback to evaluate closed-loop diagnostic response and mitigation control.

MonoSLAM: real-time single camera SLAM.

PubMed

Davison, Andrew J; Reid, Ian D; Molton, Nicholas D; Stasse, Olivier

2007-06-01

We present a real-time algorithm which can recover the 3D trajectory of a monocular camera, moving rapidly through a previously unknown scene. Our system, which we dub MonoSLAM, is the first successful application of the SLAM methodology from mobile robotics to the "pure vision" domain of a single uncontrolled camera, achieving real time but drift-free performance inaccessible to Structure from Motion approaches. The core of the approach is the online creation of a sparse but persistent map of natural landmarks within a probabilistic framework. Our key novel contributions include an active approach to mapping and measurement, the use of a general motion model for smooth camera movement, and solutions for monocular feature initialization and feature orientation estimation. Together, these add up to an extremely efficient and robust algorithm which runs at 30 Hz with standard PC and camera hardware. This work extends the range of robotic systems in which SLAM can be usefully applied, but also opens up new areas. We present applications of MonoSLAM to real-time 3D localization and mapping for a high-performance full-size humanoid robot and live augmented reality with a hand-held camera.

Which Observatories have the Clearest Skies? A Comparative Analysis of 2004 as Seen by the Night Sky Live Global Network of CONCAMs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pereira, W. E.; Muzzin, V.; Merlo, M.; Shamir, L.; Nemiroff, R. J.; Night Sky Live Collaboration

2004-12-01

Nearly identical fisheye CONCAMs are now deployed at many major observatories as part of the Night Sky Live (NSL) global network and return real-time data to http://NightSkyLive.net . Combined, these images create a unique ability to assess and compare the relative ground-truth clarity of the skies above these observatories every few minutes. To this end, data and images from CONCAMs are used to estimate the fraction of time that stars are detectable in at least half the sky for each month of 2004. This preliminary comparison was done by visual inspection of on-line archived CONCAM images. Sites involved include Mauna Kea (Hawaii), Haleakala (Hawaii), Siding Spring (Australia), Canary Islands (Spain), Kitt Peak (Arizona), Cerro Pachon (Chile), Wise (Israel), and Sutherland (South Africa).

[Progress in imaging techniques].

PubMed

Mishima, Kazuaki; Otsuka, Tsukasa

2013-05-01

Today it is common to perform real-time diagnosis and treatment via live broadcast as a method of education and to spread new technology for diagnosis and therapy in medical fields. Live medical broadcasts have developed along with broadcast technology. In the early days, live video feeds were sent from operating rooms to classrooms and lecture halls in universities and hospitals. However, the development of imaging techniques and communication networks enabled live broadcasts that bi-directionally link operating rooms and meeting halls during scientific meetings and live demonstration courses. Live broadcasts therefore became an important method for education and the dissemination of new medical technologies. The development of imaging techniques has contributed to more realistic live broadcasts through such innovative techniques as three-dimensional viewing and higher-definition 4K technology. In the future, live broadcasts will be transmitted on personal computers using regular Internet connections. In addition to the enhancement of image delivery technology, it will also be necessary to examine the entire image delivery environment carefully, including issues of security and privacy of personal information.

Trends in female labor force participation in Sweden.

PubMed

Gustafsson, S; Jacobsson, R

1985-01-01

The labor force participation of Swedish married women increased form 49.1% to 83.5% in the past 2 decades. Results from cross section analyses carried out on micro data from 3 standard of living investigations, done in 1968, 1974, and 1981, are used to predict changes over time. Women's real wages have increased over time more than men's real wages; in combination with estimated positve own wages elasticities, this change is the most important determinant of the increase in female labor supply. The labor force participation of married women ages 20-59 has increased from 49.1% in 1963 to 83.5% in 1982; the increase is especially large for women with children under 7. Over the decades 1920-1965, when real wages of woman increased more than real incomes of men, the labor force participation rates of married women increased even faster. From 1963-1981 a dramatic narrowing of the male-female wage gap occurred; most of the decrease is a result of factors other than the human capital variables accumulated at school and on the job. The effect of centralized collective bargaining and a strong union policy to increase low wages may be important explanatory factors. Generous parental leaves and subsidized day care may have an increasing effect on fertility; but instead, fertility has decreased, perhaps less than it might have done in the absence of such policies. By using individual cross section data from the 3 standard of living investigations, estimates of participation are performed. The own wage effects of the participation equation are positive and significant but decreasing over time. Important institutional changes between the sample periods are the extended parental leaves and the increased supply of government subsidized day care.

Ultrahigh field magnetic resonance and colour Doppler real-time fusion imaging of the orbit--a hybrid tool for assessment of choroidal melanoma.

PubMed

Walter, Uwe; Niendorf, Thoralf; Graessl, Andreas; Rieger, Jan; Krüger, Paul-Christian; Langner, Sönke; Guthoff, Rudolf F; Stachs, Oliver

2014-05-01

A combination of magnetic resonance images with real-time high-resolution ultrasound known as fusion imaging may improve ophthalmologic examination. This study was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of orbital high-field magnetic resonance and real-time colour Doppler ultrasound image fusion and navigation. This case study, performed between April and June 2013, included one healthy man (age, 47 years) and two patients (one woman, 57 years; one man, 67 years) with choroidal melanomas. All cases underwent 7.0-T magnetic resonance imaging using a custom-made ocular imaging surface coil. The Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine volume data set was then loaded into the ultrasound system for manual registration of the live ultrasound image and fusion imaging examination. Data registration, matching and then volume navigation were feasible in all cases. Fusion imaging provided real-time imaging capabilities and high tissue contrast of choroidal tumour and optic nerve. It also allowed adding a real-time colour Doppler signal on magnetic resonance images for assessment of vasculature of tumour and retrobulbar structures. The combination of orbital high-field magnetic resonance and colour Doppler ultrasound image fusion and navigation is feasible. Multimodal fusion imaging promises to foster assessment and monitoring of choroidal melanoma and optic nerve disorders. • Orbital magnetic resonance and colour Doppler ultrasound real-time fusion imaging is feasible • Fusion imaging combines the spatial and temporal resolution advantages of each modality • Magnetic resonance and ultrasound fusion imaging improves assessment of choroidal melanoma vascularisation.

Unprocessed real-time imaging of vitreoretinal surgical maneuvers using a microscope-integrated spectral-domain optical coherence tomography system.

PubMed

Hahn, Paul; Migacz, Justin; O'Connell, Rachelle; Izatt, Joseph A; Toth, Cynthia A

2013-01-01

We have recently developed a microscope-integrated spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (MIOCT) device towards intrasurgical cross-sectional imaging of surgical maneuvers. In this report, we explore the capability of MIOCT to acquire real-time video imaging of vitreoretinal surgical maneuvers without post-processing modifications. Standard 3-port vitrectomy was performed in human during scheduled surgery as well as in cadaveric porcine eyes. MIOCT imaging of human subjects was performed in healthy normal volunteers and intraoperatively at a normal pause immediately following surgical manipulations, under an Institutional Review Board-approved protocol, with informed consent from all subjects. Video MIOCT imaging of live surgical manipulations was performed in cadaveric porcine eyes by carefully aligning B-scans with instrument orientation and movement. Inverted imaging was performed by lengthening of the reference arm to a position beyond the choroid. Unprocessed MIOCT imaging was successfully obtained in healthy human volunteers and in human patients undergoing surgery, with visualization of post-surgical changes in unprocessed single B-scans. Real-time, unprocessed MIOCT video imaging was successfully obtained in cadaveric porcine eyes during brushing of the retina with the Tano scraper, peeling of superficial retinal tissue with intraocular forceps, and separation of the posterior hyaloid face. Real-time inverted imaging enabled imaging without complex conjugate artifacts. MIOCT is capable of unprocessed imaging of the macula in human patients undergoing surgery and of unprocessed, real-time, video imaging of surgical maneuvers in model eyes. These capabilities represent an important step towards development of MIOCT for efficient, real-time imaging of manipulations during human surgery.

Real-Time Discrimination and Versatile Profiling of Spontaneous Reactive Oxygen Species in Living Organisms with a Single Fluorescent Probe.

PubMed

Zhang, Ruilong; Zhao, Jun; Han, Guangmei; Liu, Zhengjie; Liu, Cui; Zhang, Cheng; Liu, Bianhua; Jiang, Changlong; Liu, Renyong; Zhao, Tingting; Han, Ming-Yong; Zhang, Zhongping

2016-03-23

Fluorescent probes are powerful tools for the investigations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in living organisms by visualization and imaging. However, the multiparallel assays of several ROS with multiple probes are often limited by the available number of spectrally nonoverlapping chromophores together with large invasive effects and discrepant biological locations. Meanwhile, the spontaneous ROS profilings in various living organs/tissues are also limited by the penetration capability of probes across different biological barriers and the stability in reactive in vivo environments. Here, we report a single fluorescent probe to achieve the effective discrimination and profiling of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and hypochlorous acid (HClO) in living organisms. The probe is constructed by chemically grafting an additional five-membered heterocyclic ring and a lateral triethylene glycol chain to a fluorescein mother, which does not only turn off the fluorescence of fluorescein, but also create the dual reactive sites to ROS and the penetration capability in passing through various biological barriers. The reactions of probe with •OH and HClO simultaneously result in cyan and green emissions, respectively, providing the real-time discrimination and quantitative analysis of the two ROS in cellular mitochondria. Surprisingly, the accumulation of probes in the intestine and liver of a normal-state zebrafish and the transfer pathway from intestine-to-blood-to-organ/tissue-to-kidney-to-excretion clearly present the profiling of spontaneous •OH and HClO in these metabolic organs. In particular, the stress generation of •OH at the fresh wound of zebrafish is successfully visualized for the first time, in spite of its extremely short lifetime.

Chloroplast to chromoplast transition in tomato fruit: spectral confocal microscopy analyses of carotenoids and chlorophylls in isolated plastids and time-lapse recording on intact live tissue.

PubMed

Egea, Isabel; Bian, Wanping; Barsan, Cristina; Jauneau, Alain; Pech, Jean-Claude; Latché, Alain; Li, Zhengguo; Chervin, Christian

2011-08-01

There are several studies suggesting that tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) chromoplasts arise from chloroplasts, but there is still no report showing the fluorescence of both chlorophylls and carotenoids in an intermediate plastid, and no video showing this transition phase. Pigment fluorescence within individual plastids, isolated from tomato fruit using sucrose gradients, was observed at different ripening stages, and an in situ real-time recording of pigment fluorescence was performed on live tomato fruit slices. At the mature green and red stages, homogenous fractions of chloroplasts and chromoplasts were obtained, respectively. At the breaker stage, spectral confocal microscopy showed that intermediate plastids contained both chlorophylls and carotenoids. Furthermore, an in situ real-time recording (a) showed that the chloroplast to chromoplast transition was synchronous for all plastids of a single cell; and (b) confirmed that all chromoplasts derived from pre-existing chloroplasts. These results give details of the early steps of tomato chromoplast biogenesis from chloroplasts, with the formation of intermediate plastids containing both carotenoids and chlorophylls. They provide information at the sub-cellular level on the synchronism of plastid transition and pigment changes.

Method for detection of a few pathogenic bacteria and determination of live versus dead cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horikawa, Shin; Chen, I.-Hsuan; Du, Songtao; Liu, Yuzhe; Wikle, Howard C.; Suh, Sang-Jin; Barbaree, James M.; Chin, Bryan A.

2016-05-01

This paper presents a method for detection of a few pathogenic bacteria and determination of live versus dead cells. The method combines wireless phage-coated magnetoelastic (ME) biosensors and a surface-scanning dectector, enabling real-time monitoring of the growth of specific bacteria in a nutrient broth. The ME biosensor used in this investigation is composed of a strip-shaped ME resonator upon which an engineered bacteriophage is coated to capture a pathogen of interest. E2 phage with high binding affinity for Salmonella Typhimurium was used as a model study. The specificity of E2 phage has been reported to be 1 in 105 background bacteria. The phage-coated ME biosensors were first exposed to a low-concentration Salmonella suspension to capture roughly 300 cells on the sensor surface. When the growth of Salmonella in the broth occurs, the mass of the biosensor increases, which results in a decrease in the biosensor's resonant frequency. Monitoring of this mass- induced resonant frequency change allows for real-time detection of the presence of Salmonella. Detection of a few bacteria is also possible by growing them to a sufficient number. The surface-scanning detector was used to measure resonant frequency changes of 25 biosensors sequentially in an automated manner as a function of time. This methodology offers direct, real-time detection, quantification, and viability determination of specific bacteria. The rate of the sensor's resonant frequency change was found to be largely dependent on the number of initially bound cells and the efficiency of cell growth.

Acceptability and Feasibility of Real-Time Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Interventions in Rural Uganda: Mixed-Method Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Atukunda, Esther C; Tumuhimbise, Wilson; Pisarski, Emily E; Tam, Melanie; Wyatt, Monique A; Ware, Norma C; Haberer, Jessica E

2018-01-01

Background Wireless electronic adherence monitors can detect antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence lapses and trigger interventions in real time, thus potentially avoiding unnecessary HIV viremia. Evidence about the acceptability and feasibility of these monitors and associated interventions, however, is limited. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability and feasibility of real-time adherence monitoring linked to text messaging (short message service, SMS) reminders and notifications to support adherence among individuals living with HIV who are taking ART in rural southwestern Uganda. Methods Individuals living with HIV who were initiating ART were enrolled in a pilot randomized controlled trial and followed up for 9 months. Participants received a real-time adherence monitor and were randomized to one of the following study arms: (1) scheduled SMS, (2) SMS triggered by missed or delayed doses, or (3) no SMS. SMS notifications were also sent to 45 patient-identified social supporters for sustained adherence lapses in the scheduled SMS and triggered SMS arms. Study participants and social supporters participated in qualitative semistructured in-depth interviews on acceptability and feasibility of this technology. An inductive, content analytic approach, framed by the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model, was used to analyze qualitative data. Quantitative feasibility data, including device functionality and SMS tracking data, were recorded based upon device metrics collected electronically and summarized descriptively. Results A total of 63 participants participated in the study. Participants reported that real-time monitoring intervention linked to SMS reminders and notifications are generally acceptable; the predominant feedback was perceived utility—the intervention was beneficial in motivating and reminding patients to take medication, as well as enabling provision of social support. The intervention was found to be technically feasible, as data were obtained from most participants as expected most of the time. Potential challenges included the impact of the technology on confidentiality, shared phone ownership, usability skills, and availability of electricity. Conclusions Real-time adherence monitoring integrated with SMS reminders and social support notifications is a generally acceptable (based primarily on perceived utility) and feasible intervention in a resource-limited country. Future efforts should focus on optimized device design, user training to overcome the challenges we encountered, cost effectiveness studies, as well as studying the monitoring aspect of the device without accompanying interventions. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01957865; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01957865 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6zFiDlXDa) PMID:29773527

The Virtual Telescope Project: Enjoy the Universe from your desktop

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masi, G.

2008-06-01

The Virtual Telescope is a new robotic facility that makes possible for people worldwide to participate in real-time observations of the sky. Complete scientific instruments are made available, matching the needs of researchers, students and amateur astronomers. Instruments are controlled live and in real time by the remote user while qualified assistance is made available from a professional astronomer, to assist and address the observing experience. The project consists of several remote controlled and independent telescopes, including solar scopes for daytime observations. Their diameters range from 40-360 mm. The project and the technology involved are presented here, as well as the peculiar benefits for students and other users.

Label-free real-time imaging of myelination in the Xenopus laevis tadpole by in vivo stimulated Raman scattering microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Chun-Rui; Zhang, Delong; Slipchenko, Mikhail N.; Cheng, Ji-Xin; Hu, Bing

2014-08-01

The myelin sheath plays an important role as the axon in the functioning of the neural system, and myelin degradation is a hallmark pathology of multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. Electron microscopy, fluorescent microscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging are three major techniques used for myelin visualization. However, microscopic observation of myelin in living organisms remains a challenge. Using a newly developed stimulated Raman scattering microscopy approach, we report noninvasive, label-free, real-time in vivo imaging of myelination by a single-Schwann cell, maturation of a single node of Ranvier, and myelin degradation in the transparent body of the Xenopus laevis tadpole.

Real-time imaging of specific genomic loci in eukaryotic cells using the ANCHOR DNA labelling system.

PubMed

Germier, Thomas; Sylvain, Audibert; Silvia, Kocanova; David, Lane; Kerstin, Bystricky

2018-06-01

Spatio-temporal organization of the cell nucleus adapts to and regulates genomic processes. Microscopy approaches that enable direct monitoring of specific chromatin sites in single cells and in real time are needed to better understand the dynamics involved. In this chapter, we describe the principle and development of ANCHOR, a novel tool for DNA labelling in eukaryotic cells. Protocols for use of ANCHOR to visualize a single genomic locus in eukaryotic cells are presented. We describe an approach for live cell imaging of a DNA locus during the entire cell cycle in human breast cancer cells. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Fluorescent Antibiotics: New Research Tools to Fight Antibiotic Resistance.

PubMed

Stone, M Rhia L; Butler, Mark S; Phetsang, Wanida; Cooper, Matthew A; Blaskovich, Mark A T

2018-05-01

Better understanding how multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria can evade current and novel antibiotics requires a better understanding of the chemical biology of antibiotic action. This necessitates using new tools and techniques to advance our knowledge of bacterial responses to antibiotics, ideally in live cells in real time, to selectively investigate bacterial growth, division, metabolism, and resistance in response to antibiotic challenge. In this review, we discuss the preparation and biological evaluation of fluorescent antibiotics, focussing on how these reporters and assay methods can help elucidate resistance mechanisms. We also examine the potential utility of such probes for real-time in vivo diagnosis of infections. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Exploring dynamics of molybdate in living animal cells by a genetically encoded FRET nanosensor.

PubMed

Nakanishi, Yoichi; Iida, Syuntaro; Ueoka-Nakanishi, Hanayo; Niimi, Tomoaki; Tomioka, Rie; Maeshima, Masayoshi

2013-01-01

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential trace element for almost all living organisms including animals. Mo is used as a catalytic center of molybdo-enzymes for oxidation/reduction reactions of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur metabolism. Whilst living cells are known to import inorganic molybdate oxyanion from the surrounding environment, the in vivo dynamics of cytosolic molybdate remain poorly understood as no appropriate indicator is available for this trace anion. We here describe a genetically encoded Förester-resonance-energy-transfer (FRET)-based nanosensor composed of CFP, YFP and the bacterial molybdate-sensor protein ModE. The nanosensor MolyProbe containing an optimized peptide-linker responded to nanomolar-range molybdate selectively, and increased YFP:CFP fluorescence intensity ratio by up to 109%. By introduction of the nanosensor, we have been able to successfully demonstrate the real-time dynamics of molybdate in living animal cells. Furthermore, time course analyses of the dynamics suggest that novel oxalate-sensitive- and sulfate-resistant- transporter(s) uptake molybdate in a model culture cell.

A Novel, Real-Time, In Vivo Mouse Retinal Imaging System.

PubMed

Butler, Mark C; Sullivan, Jack M

2015-11-01

To develop an efficient, low-cost instrument for robust real-time imaging of the mouse retina in vivo, and assess system capabilities by evaluating various animal models. Following multiple disappointing attempts to visualize the mouse retina during a subretinal injection using commercially available systems, we identified the key limitation to be inadequate illumination due to off axis illumination and poor optical train optimization. Therefore, we designed a paraxial illumination system for Greenough-type stereo dissecting microscope incorporating an optimized optical launch and an efficiently coupled fiber optic delivery system. Excitation and emission filters control spectral bandwidth. A color coupled-charged device (CCD) camera is coupled to the microscope for image capture. Although, field of view (FOV) is constrained by the small pupil aperture, the high optical power of the mouse eye, and the long working distance (needed for surgical manipulations), these limitations can be compensated by eye positioning in order to observe the entire retina. The retinal imaging system delivers an adjustable narrow beam to the dilated pupil with minimal vignetting. The optic nerve, vasculature, and posterior pole are crisply visualized and the entire retina can be observed through eye positioning. Normal and degenerative retinal phenotypes can be followed over time. Subretinal or intraocular injection procedures are followed in real time. Real-time, intravenous fluorescein angiography for the live mouse has been achieved. A novel device is established for real-time viewing and image capture of the small animal retina during subretinal injections for preclinical gene therapy studies.

A transfer-rate epidemiological model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Lin; Hu, Hailong; Li, Yantao; Qu, Zehui

2018-05-01

Everywhere in the world, thousands of lives are taken by infectious viruses every year. It is very meaningful to study the communication model to help medical workers to formulate timely and effective interventions. In this paper, we proposed a model with considering the different influences to the virus's spreading, which are from the different kinds of connects between people. What's more, the infection and curation rates in our model are more in line with real life. We simulate the real spreading of B-Yamagata from 2014 to 2017 and find the trends of infection rate during one year.

Near-Real-Time Earth Observation Data Supporting Wildfire Management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ambrosia, V. G.; Zajkowski, T.; Quayle, B.

2013-12-01

During disaster events, the most critical element needed by responding personnel and management teams is situational intelligence / awareness. During rapidly-evolving events such as wildfires, the need for timely information is critical to save lives, property and resources. The wildfire management agencies in the US rely heavily on remote sensing information both from airborne platforms as well as from orbital assets. The ability to readily have information from those systems, not just data, is critical to effective control and damage mitigation. NASA has been collaborating with the USFS to mature and operationalize various asset-information capabilities to effect improved knowledge of fire-prone areas, monitor wildfire events in real-time, assess effectiveness of fire management strategies, and provide rapid, post-fire assessment for recovery operations. Specific examples of near-real-time remote sensing asset utility include daily MODIS data employed to assess fire potential / wildfire hazard areas, and national-scale hot-spot detection, airborne thermal sensor collected during wildfire events to effect management strategies, EO-1 ALI 'pointable' satellite sensor data to assess fire-retardant application effectiveness, and Landsat 8 and other sensor data to derive burn severity indices for post-fire remediation work. These cases of where near-real-time data is used operationally during the previous few fire seasons will be presented.

Accurate estimation of influenza epidemics using Google search data via ARGO.

PubMed

Yang, Shihao; Santillana, Mauricio; Kou, S C

2015-11-24

Accurate real-time tracking of influenza outbreaks helps public health officials make timely and meaningful decisions that could save lives. We propose an influenza tracking model, ARGO (AutoRegression with GOogle search data), that uses publicly available online search data. In addition to having a rigorous statistical foundation, ARGO outperforms all previously available Google-search-based tracking models, including the latest version of Google Flu Trends, even though it uses only low-quality search data as input from publicly available Google Trends and Google Correlate websites. ARGO not only incorporates the seasonality in influenza epidemics but also captures changes in people's online search behavior over time. ARGO is also flexible, self-correcting, robust, and scalable, making it a potentially powerful tool that can be used for real-time tracking of other social events at multiple temporal and spatial resolutions.

A Context-Aware Method for Authentically Simulating Outdoors Shadows for Mobile Augmented Reality.

PubMed

Barreira, Joao; Bessa, Maximino; Barbosa, Luis; Magalhaes, Luis

2018-03-01

Visual coherence between virtual and real objects is a major issue in creating convincing augmented reality (AR) applications. To achieve this seamless integration, actual light conditions must be determined in real time to ensure that virtual objects are correctly illuminated and cast consistent shadows. In this paper, we propose a novel method to estimate daylight illumination and use this information in outdoor AR applications to render virtual objects with coherent shadows. The illumination parameters are acquired in real time from context-aware live sensor data. The method works under unprepared natural conditions. We also present a novel and rapid implementation of a state-of-the-art skylight model, from which the illumination parameters are derived. The Sun's position is calculated based on the user location and time of day, with the relative rotational differences estimated from a gyroscope, compass and accelerometer. The results illustrated that our method can generate visually credible AR scenes with consistent shadows rendered from recovered illumination.

BMI cyberworkstation: enabling dynamic data-driven brain-machine interface research through cyberinfrastructure.

PubMed

Zhao, Ming; Rattanatamrong, Prapaporn; DiGiovanna, Jack; Mahmoudi, Babak; Figueiredo, Renato J; Sanchez, Justin C; Príncipe, José C; Fortes, José A B

2008-01-01

Dynamic data-driven brain-machine interfaces (DDDBMI) have great potential to advance the understanding of neural systems and improve the design of brain-inspired rehabilitative systems. This paper presents a novel cyberinfrastructure that couples in vivo neurophysiology experimentation with massive computational resources to provide seamless and efficient support of DDDBMI research. Closed-loop experiments can be conducted with in vivo data acquisition, reliable network transfer, parallel model computation, and real-time robot control. Behavioral experiments with live animals are supported with real-time guarantees. Offline studies can be performed with various configurations for extensive analysis and training. A Web-based portal is also provided to allow users to conveniently interact with the cyberinfrastructure, conducting both experimentation and analysis. New motor control models are developed based on this approach, which include recursive least square based (RLS) and reinforcement learning based (RLBMI) algorithms. The results from an online RLBMI experiment shows that the cyberinfrastructure can successfully support DDDBMI experiments and meet the desired real-time requirements.

Comparison of real-time PCR methods for the detection of Naegleria fowleri in surface water and sediment.

PubMed

Streby, Ashleigh; Mull, Bonnie J; Levy, Karen; Hill, Vincent R

2015-05-01

Naegleria fowleri is a thermophilic free-living ameba found in freshwater environments worldwide. It is the cause of a rare but potentially fatal disease in humans known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis. Established N. fowleri detection methods rely on conventional culture techniques and morphological examination followed by molecular testing. Multiple alternative real-time PCR assays have been published for rapid detection of Naegleria spp. and N. fowleri. Foursuch assays were evaluated for the detection of N. fowleri from surface water and sediment. The assays were compared for thermodynamic stability, analytical sensitivity and specificity, detection limits, humic acid inhibition effects, and performance with seeded environmental matrices. Twenty-one ameba isolates were included in the DNA panel used for analytical sensitivity and specificity analyses. N. fowleri genotypes I and III were used for method performance testing. Two of the real-time PCR assays were determined to yield similar performance data for specificity and sensitivity for detecting N. fowleri in environmental matrices.

Comparison of real-time PCR methods for the detection of Naegleria fowleri in surface water and sediment

PubMed Central

Streby, Ashleigh; Mull, Bonnie J.; Levy, Karen

2015-01-01

Naegleria fowleri is a thermophilic free-living ameba found in freshwater environments worldwide. It is the cause of a rare but potentially fatal disease in humans known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis. Established N. fowleri detection methods rely on conventional culture techniques and morphological examination followed by molecular testing. Multiple alternative real-time PCR assays have been published for rapid detection of Naegleria spp. and N. fowleri. Four such assays were evaluated for the detection of N. fowleri from surface water and sediment. The assays were compared for thermodynamic stability, analytical sensitivity and specificity, detection limits, humic acid inhibition effects, and performance with seeded environmental matrices. Twenty-one ameba isolates were included in the DNA panel used for analytical sensitivity and specificity analyses. N. fowleri genotypes I and III were used for method performance testing. Two of the real-time PCR assays were determined to yield similar performance data for specificity and sensitivity for detecting N. fowleri in environmental matrices. PMID:25855343

Aurorasaurus Database of Real-Time, Soft-Sensor Sourced Aurora Data for Space Weather Research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosar, B.; MacDonald, E.; Heavner, M.

2017-12-01

Aurorasaurus is an innovative citizen science project focused on two fundamental objectives i.e., collecting real-time, ground-based signals of auroral visibility from citizen scientists (soft-sensors) and incorporating this new type of data into scientific investigations pertaining to aurora. The project has been live since the Fall of 2014, and as of Summer 2017, the database compiled approximately 12,000 observations (5295 direct reports and 6413 verified tweets). In this presentation, we will focus on demonstrating the utility of this robust science quality data for space weather research needs. These data scale with the size of the event and are well-suited to capture the largest, rarest events. Emerging state-of-the-art computational methods based on statistical inference such as machine learning frameworks and data-model integration methods can offer new insights that could potentially lead to better real-time assessment and space weather prediction when citizen science data are combined with traditional sources.

Rapid and sensitive detection of canine distemper virus by real-time reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification.

PubMed

Wang, Jianchang; Wang, Jinfeng; Li, Ruiwen; Liu, Libing; Yuan, Wanzhe

2017-08-15

Canine distemper, caused by Canine distemper virus (CDV), is a highly contagious and fatal systemic disease in free-living and captive carnivores worldwide. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), as an isothermal gene amplification technique, has been explored for the molecular detection of diverse pathogens. A real-time reverse transcription RPA (RT-RPA) assay for the detection of canine distemper virus (CDV) using primers and exo probe targeting the CDV nucleocapsid protein gene was developed. A series of other viruses were tested by the RT-RPA.Thirty-two field samples were further tested by RT-RPA, and the resuts were compared with those obtained by the real-time RT-PCR. The RT-RPA assay was performed successfully at 40 °C, and the results were obtained within 3 min-12 min. The assay could detect CDV, but did not show cross-detection of canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2), canine coronavirus (CCoV), canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV), pseudorabies virus (PRV) or Newcastle disease virus (NDV), demonstrating high specificity. The analytical sensitivity of RT-RPA was 31.8 copies in vitro transcribed CDV RNA, which is 10 times lower than the real-time RT-PCR. The assay performance was validated by testing 32 field samples and compared to real-time RT-PCR. The results indicated an excellent correlation between RT-RPA and a reference real-time RT-PCR method. Both assays provided the same results, and R 2 value of the positive results was 0.947. The results demonstrated that the RT-RPA assay offers an alternative tool for simple, rapid, and reliable detection of CDV both in the laboratory and point-of-care facility, especially in the resource-limited settings.

Persistence and retention of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in stable flies (Diptera: Muscidae)

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The acquisition of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSV) by the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans L.) was assessed through a bloodmeal, and virus persistence in the digestive organs of the fly using virus isolation and real-time PCR. Stable flies were fed blood containing live vi...

Navigating the Challenges of Delivering Secondary School Courses by Videoconference

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rehn, Nicole; Maor, Dorit; McConney, Andrew

2017-01-01

The purpose of this research is to unpack and learn from the experiences of teachers who deliver courses to remote secondary school students by videoconference. School districts are using videoconferencing to connect students and teachers who are separated geographically through regular live, real-time conferences. Previous studies have shown the…

78 FR 10695 - Mortgage Servicing Rules Under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (Regulation X)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-14

... Delinquency and Foreclosure Rates: 1990 to 2010, in The 2012 Statistical Abstract of the United States, (2012..., information regarding delinquencies. These statements must meet the timing, form, and content requirements... faith efforts to establish live contact with borrowers by the 36th day of their delinquency and promptly...

Looks Count for Communities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schumaker-Chadde, Joan; Klipp, Jennifer; Crouch, Andy

2004-01-01

The potential for explosive urban sprawl is what motivated these authors to create a unit on community planning and the visual environment. They thought this unit would be an excellent way to engage students in a real-world issue that was relevant to their lives, while at the same time addressing social studies, language arts, and science content…

AMOEBA: Designing for Collaboration in Computer Science Classrooms through Live Learning Analytics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berland, Matthew; Davis, Don; Smith, Carmen Petrick

2015-01-01

AMOEBA is a unique tool to support teachers' orchestration of collaboration among novice programmers in a non-traditional programming environment. The AMOEBA tool was designed and utilized to facilitate collaboration in a classroom setting in real time among novice middle school and high school programmers utilizing the IPRO programming…

An instrument for rapid, accurate, determination of fuel moisture content

Treesearch

Stephen S. Sackett

1980-01-01

Moisture contents of dead and living fuels are key variables in fire behavior. Accurate, real-time fuel moisture data are required for prescribed burning and wildfire behavior predictions. The convection oven method has become the standard for direct fuel moisture content determination. Efforts to quantify fuel moisture through indirect methods have not been...

Live Animal Ultrasound Information as a Decision Tool in Replacement Beef Heifer Programs

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Data from a two-year heifer development program at Mississippi State University were used along with historic stocker heifer, feeder heifer, and bred heifer prices to estimate the value of real-time ultrasound (RTU) data used to sort heifers into groups for sale or for heifer development. Ultrasound...

A Water-Soluble, Two-Photon Probe for Imaging Endogenous Hypochlorous Acid in Live Tissue.

PubMed

Xing, Panfei; Feng, Yanxian; Niu, Yiming; Li, Qiu; Zhang, Zhe; Dong, Lei; Wang, Chunming

2018-04-17

Detection of hypochlorous acid (HClO) in the living system may help to uncover its essential biological functions. However, current imaging agents suffer from poor water solubility that limit their live-tissue applications. Here, a water-soluble probe (NNH) is devised through innovative hydrazone modification of 1,8-naphthalimide at 3' position. NNH was successfully applied to tracking endogenous HClO in both cultured macrophages and a liver injury model in mice. NNH demonstrated remarkably increased water solubility and multiple desirable features including two-photon absorbance, anti-bleaching capability, rapid cellular uptake, and low cytotoxicity. NNH is the first hydrazone-based probe for real-time imaging of HClO in live tissue. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Optimization of un-tethered, low voltage, 20-100kHz flexural transducers for biomedical ultrasonics applications.

PubMed

Sunny, Youhan; Bawiec, Christopher R; Nguyen, An T; Samuels, Joshua A; Weingarten, Michael S; Zubkov, Leonid A; Lewin, Peter A

2012-09-01

This paper describes optimization of un-tethered, low voltage, 20-100kHz flexural transducers for biomedical ultrasonics applications. The goal of this work was to design a fully wearable, low weight (<100g), battery operated, piezoelectric ultrasound applicator providing maximum output pressure amplitude at the minimum excitation voltage. Such implementation of ultrasound applicators that can operate at the excitation voltages on the order of only 10-25V is needed in view of the emerging evidence that spatial-peak temporal-peak ultrasound intensity (I(SPTP)) on the order of 100mW/cm(2) delivered at frequencies below 100kHz can have beneficial therapeutic effects. The beneficial therapeutic applications include wound management of chronic ulcers and non-invasive transdermal delivery of insulin and liposome encapsulated drugs. The early prototypes of the 20 and 100kHz applicators were optimized using the maximum electrical power transfer theorem, which required a punctilious analysis of the complex impedance of the piezoelectric disks mounted in appropriately shaped metal housings. In the implementation tested, the optimized ultrasound transducer applicators were driven by portable, customized electronics, which controlled the excitation voltage amplitude and facilitated operation in continuous wave (CW) or pulsed mode with adjustable (10-90%) duty cycle. The driver unit was powered by remotely located rechargeable lithium (Li) polymer batteries. This was done to further minimize the weight of the applicator unit making it wearable. With DC voltage of approximately 15V the prototypes were capable of delivering pressure amplitudes of about 55kPa or 100mW/cm(2) (I(SPTP)). This level of acoustic output was chosen as it is considered safe and side effects free, even at prolonged exposure. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V.

A Perspective on Studying G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling with Resonance Energy Transfer Biosensors in Living Organisms.

PubMed

van Unen, Jakobus; Woolard, Jeanette; Rinken, Ago; Hoffmann, Carsten; Hill, Stephen J; Goedhart, Joachim; Bruchas, Michael R; Bouvier, Michel; Adjobo-Hermans, Merel J W

2015-09-01

The last frontier for a complete understanding of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) biology is to be able to assess GPCR activity, interactions, and signaling in vivo, in real time within biologically intact systems. This includes the ability to detect GPCR activity, trafficking, dimerization, protein-protein interactions, second messenger production, and downstream signaling events with high spatial resolution and fast kinetic readouts. Resonance energy transfer (RET)-based biosensors allow for all of these possibilities in vitro and in cell-based assays, but moving RET into intact animals has proven difficult. Here, we provide perspectives on the optimization of biosensor design, of signal detection in living organisms, and the multidisciplinary development of in vitro and cell-based assays that more appropriately reflect the physiologic situation. In short, further development of RET-based probes, optical microscopy techniques, and mouse genome editing hold great potential over the next decade to bring real-time in vivo GPCR imaging to the forefront of pharmacology. Copyright © 2015 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

Sensing Home: A Cost-Effective Design for Smart Home via Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

PubMed Central

Fan, Xiaohu; Huang, Hao; Qi, Shipeng; Luo, Xincheng; Zeng, Jing; Xie, Qubo; Xie, Changsheng

2015-01-01

The aging population has inspired the marketing of advanced real time devices for home health care, more and more wearable devices and mobile applications, which have emerged in this field. However, to properly collect behavior information, accurately recognize human activities, and deploy the whole system in a real living environment is a challenging task. In this paper, we propose a feasible wireless-based solution to deploy a data collection scheme, activity recognition model, feedback control and mobile integration via heterogeneous networks. We compared and found a suitable algorithm that can be run on cost-efficient embedded devices. Specifically, we use the Super Set Transformation method to map the raw data into a sparse binary matrix. Furthermore, designed front-end devices of low power consumption gather the living data of the habitant via ZigBee to reduce the burden of wiring work. Finally, we evaluated our approach and show it can achieve a theoretical time-slice accuracy of 98%. The mapping solution we propose is compatible with more wearable devices and mobile apps. PMID:26633424

Sensing Home: A Cost-Effective Design for Smart Home via Heterogeneous Wireless Networks.

PubMed

Fan, Xiaohu; Huang, Hao; Qi, Shipeng; Luo, Xincheng; Zeng, Jing; Xie, Qubo; Xie, Changsheng

2015-12-03

The aging population has inspired the marketing of advanced real time devices for home health care, more and more wearable devices and mobile applications, which have emerged in this field. However, to properly collect behavior information, accurately recognize human activities, and deploy the whole system in a real living environment is a challenging task. In this paper, we propose a feasible wireless-based solution to deploy a data collection scheme, activity recognition model, feedback control and mobile integration via heterogeneous networks. We compared and found a suitable algorithm that can be run on cost-efficient embedded devices. Specifically, we use the Super Set Transformation method to map the raw data into a sparse binary matrix. Furthermore, designed front-end devices of low power consumption gather the living data of the habitant via ZigBee to reduce the burden of wiring work. Finally, we evaluated our approach and show it can achieve a theoretical time-slice accuracy of 98%. The mapping solution we propose is compatible with more wearable devices and mobile apps.

Low Cost Embedded Stereo System for Underwater Surveys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nawaf, M. M.; Boï, J.-M.; Merad, D.; Royer, J.-P.; Drap, P.

2017-11-01

This paper provides details of both hardware and software conception and realization of a hand-held stereo embedded system for underwater imaging. The designed system can run most image processing techniques smoothly in real-time. The developed functions provide direct visual feedback on the quality of the taken images which helps taking appropriate actions accordingly in terms of movement speed and lighting conditions. The proposed functionalities can be easily customized or upgraded whereas new functions can be easily added thanks to the available supported libraries. Furthermore, by connecting the designed system to a more powerful computer, a real-time visual odometry can run on the captured images to have live navigation and site coverage map. We use a visual odometry method adapted to low computational resources systems and long autonomy. The system is tested in a real context and showed its robustness and promising further perspectives.

Clinical experience with real-time ultrasound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chimiak, William J.; Wolfman, Neil T.; Covitz, Wesley

1995-05-01

After testing the extended multimedia interface (EMMI) product which is an asynchronous transmission mode (ATM) user to network interface (UNI) of AT&T at the Society for Computer Applications in Radiology conference in Winston-Salem, the Department of Radiology together with AT&T are implementing a tele-ultrasound system to combine real- time ultrasound with the static imaging features of more traditional digital ultrasound systems. Our current ultrasound system archives digital images to an optical disk system. Static images are sent using our digital radiology systems. This could be transferring images from one digital imaging and communications (DICOM)-compliant machine to another, or the current image transfer methodologies. The prototype of a live ultrasound system using the EMMI demonstrated the feasibility of doing live ultrasound. We now are developing the scenarios using a mix of the two methodologies. Utilizing EMMI technology, radiologists at the BGSM review at a workstation both static images and real-time scanning done by a technologist on patients at a remote site in order to render on-line primary diagnosis. Our goal is to test the feasibility of operating an ultrasound laboratory at a remote site utilizing a trained technologist without the necessity of having a full-time radiologist at that site. Initial plans are for a radiologist to review an initial set of static images on a patient taken by the technologist. If further scanning is required, the EMMI is used to transmit real-time imaging and audio using the audio input of a standard microphone system and the National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) output of the ultrasound equipment from the remote site to the radiologist in the department review station. The EMMI digitally encodes this data and places it in an ATM format. This ATM data stream goes to the GCNS2000 and then to the other EMMI where the ATM data stream is decoded into the live studies and voice communication which are then received on a television and audio monitor. We also test live transmission of pediatric echocardiograms using the EMMI from a remote hospital to the Bowman Gray School of Medicine (BGSM) via a GCNS2000 ATM switch. This replaces the current method of having these studies transferred to a VHS tape and then mailed overnight to our pediatric cardiologist for review. This test should provide valuable insight into the staffing and operational requirements of a tele-ultrasound unit with pediatric echocardiogram capabilities. The EMMI thus provides a means for the radiologist to be in constant communication with the technologist to guide the scanning of areas in question and enable general problem solving. Live scans are sent from one EMMI at the remote site to the other EMMI at the review station in the radiology department via the GCNS2000 switch. This arrangement allows us to test the use of public ATM services for this application as this switch is a wide area, central office ATM switch. Static images are sent using the DICOM standard when available, otherwise the established institutional digital radiology methods are used.

Real-Time IRI driven by GIRO data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galkin, Ivan; Huang, Xueqin; Reinisch, Bodo; Bilitza, Dieter; Vesnin, Artem

Real-time extensions of the empirical International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model are based on assimilative techniques that preserve the IRI formalism which is optimized for the description of climatological ionospheric features. The Global Ionosphere Radio Observatory (GIRO) team has developed critical parts of an IRI Real Time Assimilative Model (IRTAM) for the global ionospheric plasma distribution using measured data available in real time from ~50 ionosondes of the GIRO network, The current assimilation results present global assimilative maps of foF2 and hmF2 that reproduce available data at the sensor sites and smoothly return to the climatological specifications when and where the data are missing, and are free from artificial sharp gradients and short-lived artifacts when viewed in time progression. Animated real-time maps of foF2 and hmF2 are published with a few minutes latency at http://giro.uml.edu/IRTAM/. Our real-time IRI modeling uses morphing, a technique that transforms the climatological ionospheric specifications to match the observations by iteratively computing corrections to the original coefficients of the diurnal/spatial expansions, used in IRI to map the key ionospheric characteristics, while keeping the IRI expansion basis formalism intact. Computation of the updated coefficient set for a given point in time includes analysis of the latest 24-hour history of observations, which allows the morphing technique to sense evolving ionospheric dynamics even with a sparse sensor network. A Non-linear Error Compensation Technique for Associative Restoration (NECTAR), one of the features in our morphing approach, has been in operation at the Lowell GIRO Data Center since 2013. The cornerstone of NECTAR is a recurrent neural network optimizer that is responsible for smoothing the transitions between the grid cells where observations are available. NECTAR has proved suitable for real-time operations that require the assimilation code to be considerate of data uncertainties (noise) and immune to data errors. Future IRTAM work is directed toward accepting a greater diversity of near-real-time sensor data, and the paper discusses potential new data sources and challenges associated with their assimilation.

Cancer cells mimic in vivo spatial-temporal cell-cycle phase distribution and chemosensitivity in 3-dimensional Gelfoam® histoculture but not 2-dimensional culture as visualized with real-time FUCCI imaging.

PubMed

Yano, Shuya; Miwa, Shinji; Mii, Sumiyuki; Hiroshima, Yukihiko; Uehara, Fuminaru; Kishimoto, Hiroyuki; Tazawa, Hiroshi; Zhao, Ming; Bouvet, Michael; Fujiwara, Toshiyoshi; Hoffman, Robert M

2015-01-01

The phase of the cell cycle can determine whether a cancer cell can respond to a given drug. We previously reported monitoring of real-time cell cycle dynamics of cancer cells throughout a live tumor, intravitally in live mice, using a fluorescence ubiquitination-based cell-cycle indicator (FUCCI). Approximately 90% of cancer cells in the center and 80% of total cells of an established tumor are in G0/G1 phase. Longitudinal real-time imaging demonstrated that cytotoxic agents killed only proliferating cancer cells at the surface and, in contrast, had little effect on quiescent cancer cells, which are the vast majority of an established tumor. Moreover, resistant quiescent cancer cells restarted cycling after cessation of chemotherapy. These results suggested why most drugs currently in clinical use, which target cancer cells in S/G2/M, are mostly ineffective on solid tumors. In the present report, we used FUCCI imaging and Gelfoam® collagen-sponge-gel histoculture, to demonstrate in real time, that the cell-cycle phase distribution of cancer cells in Gelfoam® and in vivo tumors is highly similar, whereby only the surface cells proliferate and interior cells are quiescent in G0/G1. This is in contrast to 2D culture where most cancer cells cycle. Similarly, the cancer cells responded similarly to toxic chemotherapy in Gelfoam® culture as in vivo, and very differently than cancer cells in 2D culture which were much more chemosensitive. Gelfoam® culture of FUCCI-expressing cancer cells offers the opportunity to image the cell cycle of cancer cells continuously and to screen for novel effective therapies to target quiescent cells, which are the majority in a tumor and which would have a strong probability to be effective in vivo.

Electrospray-assisted ultraviolet aerodynamic particle sizer spectrometer for real-time characterization of bacterial particles.

PubMed

Jung, Jae Hee; Lee, Jung Eun; Hwang, Gi Byoung; Lee, Byung Uk; Lee, Seung Bok; Jurng, Jong Soo; Bae, Gwi Nam

2010-01-15

The ultraviolet aerodynamic particle sizer (UVAPS) spectrometer is a novel, commercially available aerosol counter for real-time, continuous monitoring of viable bioaerosols based on the fluorescence induced from living microorganisms. For aerosolization of liquid-based microorganisms, general aerosolization methods such as atomization or nebulization may not be adequate for an accurate and quantitative characterization of the microorganisms because of the formation of agglomerated particles. In such cases, biological electrospray techniques have an advantage because they generate nonagglomerated particles, attributable to the repulsive electrical forces among particles with unipolar charges. Biological electrosprays are quickly gaining potential for the detection and control of living organisms in applications ranging from mass spectrometry to developmental microbiology. In this study, we investigated the size distribution, total concentration, and fluorescence percentage of bacterial particles in a real-time manner by electrospray-assisted UVAPS. A suspension containing Escherichia coli as a test microorganism was sprayed in a steady cone-jet mode using a specially designed electrospray system with a point-to-orifice-plate configuration based on charge-reduced electrospray size spectrometry. With the electrospray process, 98% of the total E. coli particle number concentration had a size of <1 mum and the geometric mean diameter was 0.779 mum, as compared with the respective values of 78% and 0.907 mum after nebulization. The fractions of fluorescence responsive particles and of particles that contained viable organisms in culture were 12% and 7%, respectively, from the electrospray process and 34% and 24% from nebulization. These results demonstrate that (1) the presence of agglomerated particles can lead to markedly overestimated fluorescence and culturability percentages compared with the values obtained from nonagglomerated particles, and (2) electrospray-assisted UVAPS can provide more accurate and quantitative real-time characterization of liquid-based microorganisms, owing to the generation of nonagglomerated particles.

Nonlinear dynamic phase contrast microscopy for microfluidic and microbiological applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denz, C.; Holtmann, F.; Woerdemann, M.; Oevermann, M.

2008-08-01

In live sciences, the observation and analysis of moving living cells, molecular motors or motion of micro- and nano-objects is a current field of research. At the same time, microfluidic innovations are needed for biological and medical applications on a micro- and nano-scale. Conventional microscopy techniques are reaching considerable limits with respect to these issues. A promising approach for this challenge is nonlinear dynamic phase contrast microscopy. It is an alternative full field approach that allows to detect motion as well as phase changes of living unstained micro-objects in real-time, thereby being marker free, without contact and non destructive, i.e. fully biocompatible. The generality of this system allows it to be combined with several other microscope techniques such as conventional bright field or fluorescence microscopy. In this article we will present the dynamic phase contrast technique and its applications in analysis of micro organismic dynamics, micro flow velocimetry and micro-mixing analysis.

A system architecture for online data interpretation and reduction in fluorescence microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Röder, Thorsten; Geisbauer, Matthias; Chen, Yang; Knoll, Alois; Uhl, Rainer

2010-01-01

In this paper we present a high-throughput sample screening system that enables real-time data analysis and reduction for live cell analysis using fluorescence microscopy. We propose a novel system architecture capable of analyzing a large amount of samples during the experiment and thus greatly minimizing the post-analysis phase that is the common practice today. By utilizing data reduction algorithms, relevant information of the target cells is extracted from the online collected data stream, and then used to adjust the experiment parameters in real-time, allowing the system to dynamically react on changing sample properties and to control the microscope setup accordingly. The proposed system consists of an integrated DSP-FPGA hybrid solution to ensure the required real-time constraints, to execute efficiently the underlying computer vision algorithms and to close the perception-action loop. We demonstrate our approach by addressing the selective imaging of cells with a particular combination of markers. With this novel closed-loop system the amount of superfluous collected data is minimized, while at the same time the information entropy increases.

Sequential processing of quantitative phase images for the study of cell behaviour in real-time digital holographic microscopy.

PubMed

Zikmund, T; Kvasnica, L; Týč, M; Křížová, A; Colláková, J; Chmelík, R

2014-11-01

Transmitted light holographic microscopy is particularly used for quantitative phase imaging of transparent microscopic objects such as living cells. The study of the cell is based on extraction of the dynamic data on cell behaviour from the time-lapse sequence of the phase images. However, the phase images are affected by the phase aberrations that make the analysis particularly difficult. This is because the phase deformation is prone to change during long-term experiments. Here, we present a novel algorithm for sequential processing of living cells phase images in a time-lapse sequence. The algorithm compensates for the deformation of a phase image using weighted least-squares surface fitting. Moreover, it identifies and segments the individual cells in the phase image. All these procedures are performed automatically and applied immediately after obtaining every single phase image. This property of the algorithm is important for real-time cell quantitative phase imaging and instantaneous control of the course of the experiment by playback of the recorded sequence up to actual time. Such operator's intervention is a forerunner of process automation derived from image analysis. The efficiency of the propounded algorithm is demonstrated on images of rat fibrosarcoma cells using an off-axis holographic microscope. © 2014 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2014 Royal Microscopical Society.

Steel reinforcement corrosion detection with coaxial cable sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muchaidze, Iana; Pommerenke, David; Chen, Genda

2011-04-01

Corrosion processes in the steel reinforced structures can result in structural deficiency and with time create a threat to human lives. Millions of dollars are lost each year because of corrosion. According to the U. S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) the average annual cost of corrosion in the infrastructure sector by the end of 2002 was estimated to be $22.6 billion. Timely remediation/retrofit and effective maintenance can extend the structure's live span for much less expense. Thus the considerable effort should be done to deploy corrosion monitoring techniques to have realistic information on the location and the severity of damage. Nowadays commercially available techniques for corrosion monitoring require costly equipment and certain interpretational skills. In addition, none of them is designed for the real time quality assessment. In this study the crack sensor developed at Missouri University of Science and Technology is proposed as a distributed sensor for real time corrosion monitoring. Implementation of this technology may ease the pressure on the bridge owners restrained with the federal budget by allowing the timely remediation with the minimal financial and labor expenses. The sensor is instrumented in such a way that the location of any discontinuity developed along its length can be easily detected. When the sensor is placed in immediate vicinity to the steel reinforcement it is subjected to the same chemical process as the steel reinforcement. And corrosion pitting is expected to develop on the sensor exactly at the same location as in the rebar. Thus it is expected to be an effective tool for active corrosion zones detection within reinforced concrete (RC) members. A series of laboratory tests were conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. Nine sensors were manufactured and placed in the artificially created corrosive environment and observed over the time. To induce accelerated corrosion 3% and 5% NaCL solutions were used. Based on the test results, the proposed/corrosion distributed sensor is capable of delivering fairly accurate information on the location of a discontinuity along the sensor caused by corrosion pitting. Forensic study was also conducted to validate the concept. In order to test the sensors in real live condition, 27 sensors were prepared to be placed into RC beams. The beams will be subjected to corrosive environment. After that the sensors will be monitored over the time for signs of corrosion.

Design and implementation of a 3D ocean virtual reality and visualization engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Ge; Li, Bo; Tian, Fenglin; Ji, Pengbo; Li, Wenqing

2012-12-01

In this study, a 3D virtual reality and visualization engine for rendering the ocean, named VV-Ocean, is designed for marine applications. The design goals of VV-Ocean aim at high fidelity simulation of ocean environment, visualization of massive and multidimensional marine data, and imitation of marine lives. VV-Ocean is composed of five modules, i.e. memory management module, resources management module, scene management module, rendering process management module and interaction management module. There are three core functions in VV-Ocean: reconstructing vivid virtual ocean scenes, visualizing real data dynamically in real time, imitating and simulating marine lives intuitively. Based on VV-Ocean, we establish a sea-land integration platform which can reproduce drifting and diffusion processes of oil spilling from sea bottom to surface. Environment factors such as ocean current and wind field have been considered in this simulation. On this platform oil spilling process can be abstracted as movements of abundant oil particles. The result shows that oil particles blend with water well and the platform meets the requirement for real-time and interactive rendering. VV-Ocean can be widely used in ocean applications such as demonstrating marine operations, facilitating maritime communications, developing ocean games, reducing marine hazards, forecasting the weather over oceans, serving marine tourism, and so on. Finally, further technological improvements of VV-Ocean are discussed.

Guilt by Association-Based Discovery of Botnet Footprints

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-11-01

our fast flux database using our Fast Flux Monitor ( FFM ); a Web service application designed to detect whether a domain exhibits fast flux (FF) or...double flux (DF) behaviour. The primary technical components of FFM include: (1) sensors which perform real-time detection of FF service networks...sensors for our FFM active sensors: (1) FF Activity Index, (2) Footprint Index, and (3) Time To Live (TTL), and (4) Guilt by Association Score. In

Program Aids Visualization Of Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Truong, L. V.

1995-01-01

Living Color Frame System (LCFS) computer program developed to solve some problems that arise in connection with generation of real-time graphical displays of numerical data and of statuses of systems. Need for program like LCFS arises because computer graphics often applied for better understanding and interpretation of data under observation and these graphics become more complicated when animation required during run time. Eliminates need for custom graphical-display software for application programs. Written in Turbo C++.

Real-time and quantitative fluorescent live-cell imaging with quadruplex-specific red-edge probe (G4-REP).

PubMed

Yang, Sunny Y; Amor, Souheila; Laguerre, Aurélien; Wong, Judy M Y; Monchaud, David

2017-05-01

The development of quadruplex-directed molecular diagnostic and therapy rely on mechanistic insights gained at both cellular and tissue levels by fluorescence imaging. This technique is based on fluorescent reporters that label cellular DNA and RNA quadruplexes to spatiotemporally address their complex cell biology. The photophysical characteristics of quadruplex probes usually dictate the modality of cell imaging by governing the selection of the light source (lamp, LED, laser), the optical light filters and the detection modality. Here, we report the characterizations of prototype from a new generation of quadruplex dye termed G4-REP (for quadruplex-specific red-edge probe) that provides fluorescence responses regardless of the excitation wavelength and modality (owing to the versatility gained through the red-edge effect), thus allowing for diverse applications and most imaging facilities. This is demonstrated by cell images (and associated quantifications) collected through confocal and multiphoton microscopy as well as through real-time live-cell imaging system over extended period, monitoring both non-cancerous and cancerous human cell lines. Our results promote a new way of designing versatile, efficient and convenient quadruplex-reporting dyes for tracking these higher-order nucleic acid structures in living human cells. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "G-quadruplex" Guest Editor: Dr. Concetta Giancola and Dr. Daniela Montesarchio. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Real-time quantification of subcellular H2O2 and glutathione redox potential in living cardiovascular tissues.

PubMed

Panieri, Emiliano; Millia, Carlo; Santoro, Massimo M

2017-08-01

Detecting and measuring the dynamic redox events that occur in vivo is a prerequisite for understanding the impact of oxidants and redox events in normal and pathological conditions. These aspects are particularly relevant in cardiovascular tissues wherein alterations of the redox balance are associated with stroke, aging, and pharmacological intervention. An ambiguous aspect of redox biology is how redox events occur in subcellular organelles including mitochondria, and nuclei. Genetically-encoded Rogfp2 fluorescent probes have become powerful tools for real-time detection of redox events. These probes detect hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) levels and glutathione redox potential (E GSH ), both with high spatiotemporal resolution. By generating novel transgenic (Tg) zebrafish lines that express compartment-specific Rogfp2-Orp1 and Grx1-Rogfp2 sensors we analyzed cytosolic, mitochondrial, and the nuclear redox state of endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes of living zebrafish embryos. We provide evidence for the usefulness of these Tg lines for pharmacological compounds screening by addressing the blocking of pentose phosphate pathways (PPP) and glutathione synthesis, thus altering subcellular redox state in vivo. Rogfp2-based transgenic zebrafish lines represent valuable tools to characterize the impact of redox changes in living tissues and offer new opportunities for studying metabolic driven antioxidant response in biomedical research. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Direct measurement of catalase activity in living cells and tissue biopsies.

PubMed

Scaglione, Christine N; Xu, Qijin; Ramanujan, V Krishnan

2016-01-29

Spatiotemporal regulation of enzyme-substrate interactions governs the decision-making steps in biological systems. Enzymes, being functional units of every living cell, contribute to the macromolecular stability of cell survival, proliferation and hence are vital windows to unraveling the biological complexity. Experimental measurements capturing this dynamics of enzyme-substrate interactions in real time add value to this understanding. Furthermore these measurements, upon validation in realistic biological specimens such as clinical biopsies - can further improve our capability in disease diagnostics and treatment monitoring. Towards this direction, we describe here a novel, high-sensitive measurement system for measuring diffusion-limited enzyme-substrate kinetics in real time. Using catalase (enzyme) and hydrogen peroxide (substrate) as the example pair, we demonstrate that this system is capable of direct measurement of catalase activity in vitro and the measured kinetics follows the classical Michaelis-Menten reaction kinetics. We further demonstrate the system performance by measuring catalase activity in living cells and in very small amounts of liver biopsies (down to 1 μg total protein). Catalase-specific enzyme activity is demonstrated by genetic and pharmacological tools. Finally we show the clinically-relevant diagnostic capability of our system by comparing the catalase activities in liver biopsies from young and old mouse (liver and serum) samples. We discuss the potential applicability of this system in clinical diagnostics as well as in intraoperative surgical settings. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Direct Measurement of Catalase Activity in Living Cells and Tissue Biopsies

PubMed Central

Scaglione, Christine N; Xu, Qijin; Ramanujan, V. Krishnan

2016-01-01

Spatiotemporal regulation of enzyme-substrate interactions governs the decision-making steps in biological systems. Enzymes, being functional units of every living cell, contribute to the macromolecular stability of cell survival, proliferation and hence are vital windows to unraveling the biological complexity. Experimental measurements capturing this dynamics of enzyme-substrate interactions in real time add value to this understanding. Furthermore these measurements, upon validation in realistic biological specimens such as clinical biopsies – can further improve our capability in disease diagnostics and treatment monitoring. Towards this direction, we describe here a novel, high-sensitive measurement system for measuring diffusion-limited enzyme-substrate kinetics in real time. Using catalase (enzyme) and hydrogen peroxide (substrate) as the example pair, we demonstrate that this system is capable of direct measurement of catalase activity in vitro and the measured kinetics follows the classical Michaelis-Menten reaction kinetics. We further demonstrate the system performance by measuring catalase activity in living cells and in very small amounts of liver biopsies (down to 1μg total protein). Catalase-specific enzyme activity is demonstrated by genetic and pharamacological tools. Finally we show the clinically-relevant diagnostic capability of our system by comparing the catalase activities in liver biopsies from young and old mouse (liver and serum) samples. We discuss the potential applicability of this system in clinical diagnostics as well as in intraoperative surgical settings. PMID:26772884

Real-Time Internet Connections: Implications for Surgical Decision Making in Laparoscopy

PubMed Central

Broderick, Timothy J.; Harnett, Brett M.; Doarn, Charles R.; Rodas, Edgar B.; Merrell, Ronald C.

2001-01-01

Objective To determine whether a low-bandwidth Internet connection can provide adequate image quality to support remote real-time surgical consultation. Summary Background Data Telemedicine has been used to support care at a distance through the use of expensive equipment and broadband communication links. In the past, the operating room has been an isolated environment that has been relatively inaccessible for real-time consultation. Recent technological advances have permitted videoconferencing over low-bandwidth, inexpensive Internet connections. If these connections are shown to provide adequate video quality for surgical applications, low-bandwidth telemedicine will open the operating room environment to remote real-time surgical consultation. Methods Surgeons performing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Ecuador or the Dominican Republic shared real-time laparoscopic images with a panel of surgeons at the parent university through a dial-up Internet account. The connection permitted video and audio teleconferencing to support real-time consultation as well as the transmission of real-time images and store-and-forward images for observation by the consultant panel. A total of six live consultations were analyzed. In addition, paired local and remote images were “grabbed” from the video feed during these laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Nine of these paired images were then placed into a Web-based tool designed to evaluate the effect of transmission on image quality. Results The authors showed for the first time the ability to identify critical anatomic structures in laparoscopy over a low-bandwidth connection via the Internet. The consultant panel of surgeons correctly remotely identified biliary and arterial anatomy during six laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Within the Web-based questionnaire, 15 surgeons could not blindly distinguish the quality of local and remote laparoscopic images. Conclusions Low-bandwidth, Internet-based telemedicine is inexpensive, effective, and almost ubiquitous. Use of these inexpensive, portable technologies will allow sharing of surgical procedures and decisions regardless of location. Internet telemedicine consistently supported real-time intraoperative consultation in laparoscopic surgery. The implications are broad with respect to quality improvement and diffusion of knowledge as well as for basic consultation. PMID:11505061

Computational Modeling and Real-Time Control of Patient-Specific Laser Treatment of Cancer

PubMed Central

Fuentes, D.; Oden, J. T.; Diller, K. R.; Hazle, J. D.; Elliott, A.; Shetty, A.; Stafford, R. J.

2014-01-01

An adaptive feedback control system is presented which employs a computational model of bioheat transfer in living tissue to guide, in real-time, laser treatments of prostate cancer monitored by magnetic resonance thermal imaging (MRTI). The system is built on what can be referred to as cyberinfrastructure - a complex structure of high-speed network, large-scale parallel computing devices, laser optics, imaging, visualizations, inverse-analysis algorithms, mesh generation, and control systems that guide laser therapy to optimally control the ablation of cancerous tissue. The computational system has been successfully tested on in-vivo, canine prostate. Over the course of an 18 minute laser induced thermal therapy (LITT) performed at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) in Houston, Texas, the computational models were calibrated to intra-operative real time thermal imaging treatment data and the calibrated models controlled the bioheat transfer to within 5°C of the predetermined treatment plan. The computational arena is in Austin, Texas and managed at the Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences (ICES). The system is designed to control the bioheat transfer remotely while simultaneously providing real-time remote visualization of the on-going treatment. Post operative histology of the canine prostate reveal that the damage region was within the targeted 1.2cm diameter treatment objective. PMID:19148754

Computational modeling and real-time control of patient-specific laser treatment of cancer.

PubMed

Fuentes, D; Oden, J T; Diller, K R; Hazle, J D; Elliott, A; Shetty, A; Stafford, R J

2009-04-01

An adaptive feedback control system is presented which employs a computational model of bioheat transfer in living tissue to guide, in real-time, laser treatments of prostate cancer monitored by magnetic resonance thermal imaging. The system is built on what can be referred to as cyberinfrastructure-a complex structure of high-speed network, large-scale parallel computing devices, laser optics, imaging, visualizations, inverse-analysis algorithms, mesh generation, and control systems that guide laser therapy to optimally control the ablation of cancerous tissue. The computational system has been successfully tested on in vivo, canine prostate. Over the course of an 18 min laser-induced thermal therapy performed at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) in Houston, Texas, the computational models were calibrated to intra-operative real-time thermal imaging treatment data and the calibrated models controlled the bioheat transfer to within 5 degrees C of the predetermined treatment plan. The computational arena is in Austin, Texas and managed at the Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences (ICES). The system is designed to control the bioheat transfer remotely while simultaneously providing real-time remote visualization of the on-going treatment. Post-operative histology of the canine prostate reveal that the damage region was within the targeted 1.2 cm diameter treatment objective.

An FPGA Platform for Real-Time Simulation of Spiking Neuronal Networks

PubMed Central

Pani, Danilo; Meloni, Paolo; Tuveri, Giuseppe; Palumbo, Francesca; Massobrio, Paolo; Raffo, Luigi

2017-01-01

In the last years, the idea to dynamically interface biological neurons with artificial ones has become more and more urgent. The reason is essentially due to the design of innovative neuroprostheses where biological cell assemblies of the brain can be substituted by artificial ones. For closed-loop experiments with biological neuronal networks interfaced with in silico modeled networks, several technological challenges need to be faced, from the low-level interfacing between the living tissue and the computational model to the implementation of the latter in a suitable form for real-time processing. Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) can improve flexibility when simple neuronal models are required, obtaining good accuracy, real-time performance, and the possibility to create a hybrid system without any custom hardware, just programming the hardware to achieve the required functionality. In this paper, this possibility is explored presenting a modular and efficient FPGA design of an in silico spiking neural network exploiting the Izhikevich model. The proposed system, prototypically implemented on a Xilinx Virtex 6 device, is able to simulate a fully connected network counting up to 1,440 neurons, in real-time, at a sampling rate of 10 kHz, which is reasonable for small to medium scale extra-cellular closed-loop experiments. PMID:28293163

Real-Time Analysis of Magnetic Hyperthermia Experiments on Living Cells under a Confocal Microscope.

PubMed

Connord, Vincent; Clerc, Pascal; Hallali, Nicolas; El Hajj Diab, Darine; Fourmy, Daniel; Gigoux, Véronique; Carrey, Julian

2015-05-01

Combining high-frequency alternating magnetic fields (AMF) and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is an efficient way to induce biological responses through several approaches: magnetic hyperthermia, drug release, controls of gene expression and neurons, or activation of chemical reactions. So far, these experiments cannot be analyzed in real-time during the AMF application. A miniaturized electromagnet fitting under a confocal microscope is built, which produces an AMF of frequency and amplitude similar to the ones used in magnetic hyperthermia. AMF application induces massive damages to tumoral cells having incorporated nanoparticles into their lysosomes without affecting the others. Using this setup, real-time analyses of molecular events occurring during AMF application are performed. Lysosome membrane permeabilization and reactive oxygen species production are detected after only 30 min of AMF application, demonstrating they occur at an early stage in the cascade of events leading eventually to cell death. Additionally, lysosomes self-assembling into needle-shaped organization under the influence of AMF is observed in real-time. This experimental approach will permit to get a deeper insight into the physical, molecular, and biological process occurring in several innovative techniques used in nanomedecine based on the combined use of MNPs and high-frequency magnetic fields. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

SU-G-JeP3-08: Robotic System for Ultrasound Tracking in Radiation Therapy

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

Kuhlemann, I; Graduate School for Computing in Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Luebeck; Jauer, P

Purpose: For safe and accurate real-time tracking of tumors for IGRT using 4D ultrasound, it is necessary to make use of novel, high-end force-sensitive lightweight robots designed for human-machine interaction. Such a robot will be integrated into an existing robotized ultrasound system for non-invasive 4D live tracking, using a newly developed real-time control and communication framework. Methods: The new KUKA LWR iiwa robot is used for robotized ultrasound real-time tumor tracking. Besides more precise probe contact pressure detection, this robot provides an additional 7th link, enhancing the dexterity of the kinematic and the mounted transducer. Several integrated, certified safety featuresmore » create a safe environment for the patients during treatment. However, to remotely control the robot for the ultrasound application, a real-time control and communication framework has to be developed. Based on a client/server concept, client-side control commands are received and processed by a central server unit and are implemented by a client module running directly on the robot’s controller. Several special functionalities for robotized ultrasound applications are integrated and the robot can now be used for real-time control of the image quality by adjusting the transducer position, and contact pressure. The framework was evaluated looking at overall real-time capability for communication and processing of three different standard commands. Results: Due to inherent, certified safety modules, the new robot ensures a safe environment for patients during tumor tracking. Furthermore, the developed framework shows overall real-time capability with a maximum average latency of 3.6 ms (Minimum 2.5 ms; 5000 trials). Conclusion: The novel KUKA LBR iiwa robot will advance the current robotized ultrasound tracking system with important features. With the developed framework, it is now possible to remotely control this robot and use it for robotized ultrasound tracking applications, including image quality control and target tracking.« less

Continuously distributed magnetization profile for millimeter-scale elastomeric undulatory swimming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diller, Eric; Zhuang, Jiang; Zhan Lum, Guo; Edwards, Matthew R.; Sitti, Metin

2014-04-01

We have developed a millimeter-scale magnetically driven swimming robot for untethered motion at mid to low Reynolds numbers. The robot is propelled by continuous undulatory deformation, which is enabled by the distributed magnetization profile of a flexible sheet. We demonstrate control of a prototype device and measure deformation and speed as a function of magnetic field strength and frequency. Experimental results are compared with simple magnetoelastic and fluid propulsion models. The presented mechanism provides an efficient remote actuation method at the millimeter scale that may be suitable for further scaling down in size for micro-robotics applications in biotechnology and healthcare.

Role of arterial baroreceptors in mediating cardiovascular response to exercise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcritchie, R. J.; Vatner, S. F.; Patrick, T. A.; Braunwald, E.; Boettcher, D.; Heyndrickx, G. R.

1976-01-01

Experiments were conducted to define the role of the major arterial baroreceptors during moderately severe exercise by comparing the responses of untethered conscious dogs instrumented for the measurement of aortic pressure and cardiac output with those of dogs with total arterial baroreceptor denervation. The reflex heart rate responses to intravenous bolus doses of methoxamine were also examined in intact animals, both at rest and during exercise. Methoxamine is found to cause striking bradycardia at rest, but little bradycardia during exercise. Experimental findings suggest that the arterial baroreceptor reflex is normally inhibited during severe exercise and therefore plays little role in modulating the cardiovascular response to exercise.

A rolling locomotion method for untethered magnetic microrobots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, Max T.; Shen, Hui-Mei; Jiang, Guan-Lin; Lu, Chiang-Ni; Hsu, I.-Jen; Yeh, J. Andrew

2010-01-01

It is a challenge to achieve free and efficient motion of microrobots on arbitrary surfaces. We report a rolling locomotion method for a magnetic microrobot with a rectangular body (300×200×50 μm3); this method is based on an external rotating magnetic field. The magnetic force, accompanied by normal and friction forces, enables the successive rotations of the microrobot. A magnetic field with a rotational speed of 2 rps rolls the microrobot, giving it a translation speed of 1.4 mm/s. With this locomotion ability, microrobots can move along a line or curve and can climb slopes or stairs.

Arithmetic in Daily Life and Literacy. Literacy Lessons.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dalbera, Claude

In order not to waste the time of the people working hard and sacrificing to become literate, literacy must offer them a real opportunity to change their life situation. Although many literacy programs are designed to fit the everyday lives and situations of their students, the same is not true for programs that teach arithmetic. Most adults…

Use of the Webinar Tool (Elluminate) to Support Training: The Effects of Webinar-Learning Implementation from Student-Trainers' Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Shiang-Kwei; Hsu, Hui-Yin

2008-01-01

Recently, webinar (web seminar) tools (e.g., Elluminate, Adobe Acrobat Connect, Live Meeting) have been attracting more and more attention with the advancement of online learning technologies because webinar tools facilitate real-time communication and enrich the interactivity in an online learning environment. Corporations have long adopted…

Web-Based Virtual Environments for Facilitating Assessment of L2 Oral Communication Ability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ockey, Gary J.; Gu, Lin; Keehner, Madeleine

2017-01-01

A growing number of stakeholders argue for the use of second language (L2) speaking assessments that measure the ability to orally communicate in real time. A Web-based virtual environment (VE) that allows live voice communication among individuals may have potential for aiding in delivering such assessments. While off-the-shelf voice…

The Use of Lecture Capture and Student Performance in Physiology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hadgu, Rim Mekonnen; Huynh, Sophia; Gopalan, Chaya

2016-01-01

Lecture capture technology is fairly new and has gained interest among higher institutions, faculty and students alike. Live-lecture (LL) is captured in real-time and this recording, LC, is made available for students to access for later use, whether it be for review purpose or to replace a missed class. Student performance was compared between…

Harnessing Students' Interest in Physics with Their Own Video Games

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Like, Christopher

2011-01-01

Many physics teachers assign projects where students are asked to measure real-world motion. One purpose of this student-centered activity is to cultivate the relevance of physics in their lives. Typical project topics may include measuring the speed of a student's fastball and calculating how much reaction time batters are given. Another student…

Supramolecular delivery of photoactivatable fluorophores in developing embryos

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yang; Tang, Sicheng; Sansalone, Lorenzo; Thapaliya, Ek Raj; Baker, James D.; Raymo, Françisco M.

2017-02-01

The identification of noninvasive strategies to monitor dynamics within living organisms in real time is essential to elucidate the fundamental factors governing a diversity of biological processes. This study demonstrates that the supramolecular delivery of photoactivatable fluorophores in Drosophila melanogaster embryos allows the real-time tracking of translocating molecules. The designed photoactivatable fluorophores switch from an emissive reactant to an emissive product with spectrally-resolved fluorescence, under moderate blue-light irradiation conditions. These hydrophobic fluorescent probes can be encapsulated within supramolecular hosts and delivered to the cellular blastoderm of the embryos. Thus, the combination of supramolecular delivery and fluorescence photoactivation translates into a noninvasive method to monitor dynamics in vivo and can evolve into a general chemical tool to track motion in biological specimens.

Optical tweezers force measurements to study parasites chemotaxis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Thomaz, A. A.; Pozzo, L. Y.; Fontes, A.; Almeida, D. B.; Stahl, C. V.; Santos-Mallet, J. R.; Gomes, S. A. O.; Feder, D.; Ayres, D. C.; Giorgio, S.; Cesar, C. L.

2009-07-01

In this work, we propose a methodology to study microorganisms chemotaxis in real time using an Optical Tweezers system. Optical Tweezers allowed real time measurements of the force vectors, strength and direction, of living parasites under chemical or other kinds of gradients. This seems to be the ideal tool to perform observations of taxis response of cells and microorganisms with high sensitivity to capture instantaneous responses to a given stimulus. Forces involved in the movement of unicellular parasites are very small, in the femto-pico-Newton range, about the same order of magnitude of the forces generated in an Optical Tweezers. We applied this methodology to investigate the Leishmania amazonensis (L. amazonensis) and Trypanossoma cruzi (T. cruzi) under distinct situations.

Classification of Astrocytomas and Oligodendrogliomas from Mass Spectrometry Data Using Sparse Kernel Machines

PubMed Central

Huang, Jacob; Gholami, Behnood; Agar, Nathalie Y. R.; Norton, Isaiah; Haddad, Wassim M.; Tannenbaum, Allen R.

2013-01-01

Glioma histologies are the primary factor in prognostic estimates and are used in determining the proper course of treatment. Furthermore, due to the sensitivity of cranial environments, real-time tumor-cell classification and boundary detection can aid in the precision and completeness of tumor resection. A recent improvement to mass spectrometry known as desorption electrospray ionization operates in an ambient environment without the application of a preparation compound. This allows for a real-time acquisition of mass spectra during surgeries and other live operations. In this paper, we present a framework using sparse kernel machines to determine a glioma sample’s histopathological subtype by analyzing its chemical composition acquired by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. PMID:22256188

Dual-emissive nanoarchitecture of lanthanide-complex-modified silica particles for in vivo ratiometric time-gated luminescence imaging of hypochlorous acid† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Characterization of the new compounds, Fig. S1–S12 and a video showing the real-time uptake and accumulation of HClO in living Daphnia magna using the RTLNP as a probe. See DOI: 10.1039/c6sc02243j Click here for additional data file. Click here for additional data file.

PubMed Central

Ma, Hua; Wang, Yuanxiu; Cong, Deyuan; Jiang, Yufei

2017-01-01

We have developed a ratiometric time-gated luminescence sensory system for in vivo imaging of hypochlorous acid (HClO) by preparing a dual-emissive nanoarchitecture of europium- and terbium-complex-modified silica nanoparticles. The design of this nanoarchitecture is based on our new finding that the strong, long-lived luminescence of the β-diketonate–Eu3+ complex can be rapidly and selectively quenched by HClO. Therefore, the β-diketonate–Eu3+ complex was decorated on the surface of the silica nanoparticles for responding to HClO, while a HClO-insensitive luminescent terbium complex was immobilized in the inner solid core of the nanoparticles to serve as an internal standard. This nanosensing probe combines the advantages of both ratiometric and time-gated detection modes to afford high accuracy and sensitivity. Upon exposure to HClO, the nanoprobe displayed a remarkable luminescence color change from red to green, and the intensity ratio of the green over the red luminescence (I 539/I 607) showed a rapid, sensitive and selective response to HClO. Additionally, the feasibility of using the nanoprobe for intracellular detection of exogenous and endogenous HClO and for real-time mapping of HClO in small laboratory animals has been demonstrated via ratiometric time-gated luminescence imaging microscopy. The results reveal that the constructed nanoarchitecture cloud is a favorable and useful sensing probe for the real-time imaging of HClO in vivo with high specificity and contrast. PMID:28451159

Accurate estimation of influenza epidemics using Google search data via ARGO

PubMed Central

Yang, Shihao; Santillana, Mauricio; Kou, S. C.

2015-01-01

Accurate real-time tracking of influenza outbreaks helps public health officials make timely and meaningful decisions that could save lives. We propose an influenza tracking model, ARGO (AutoRegression with GOogle search data), that uses publicly available online search data. In addition to having a rigorous statistical foundation, ARGO outperforms all previously available Google-search–based tracking models, including the latest version of Google Flu Trends, even though it uses only low-quality search data as input from publicly available Google Trends and Google Correlate websites. ARGO not only incorporates the seasonality in influenza epidemics but also captures changes in people’s online search behavior over time. ARGO is also flexible, self-correcting, robust, and scalable, making it a potentially powerful tool that can be used for real-time tracking of other social events at multiple temporal and spatial resolutions. PMID:26553980

A Novel, Real-Time, In Vivo Mouse Retinal Imaging System

PubMed Central

Butler, Mark C.; Sullivan, Jack M.

2015-01-01

Purpose To develop an efficient, low-cost instrument for robust real-time imaging of the mouse retina in vivo, and assess system capabilities by evaluating various animal models. Methods Following multiple disappointing attempts to visualize the mouse retina during a subretinal injection using commercially available systems, we identified the key limitation to be inadequate illumination due to off axis illumination and poor optical train optimization. Therefore, we designed a paraxial illumination system for Greenough-type stereo dissecting microscope incorporating an optimized optical launch and an efficiently coupled fiber optic delivery system. Excitation and emission filters control spectral bandwidth. A color coupled-charged device (CCD) camera is coupled to the microscope for image capture. Although, field of view (FOV) is constrained by the small pupil aperture, the high optical power of the mouse eye, and the long working distance (needed for surgical manipulations), these limitations can be compensated by eye positioning in order to observe the entire retina. Results The retinal imaging system delivers an adjustable narrow beam to the dilated pupil with minimal vignetting. The optic nerve, vasculature, and posterior pole are crisply visualized and the entire retina can be observed through eye positioning. Normal and degenerative retinal phenotypes can be followed over time. Subretinal or intraocular injection procedures are followed in real time. Real-time, intravenous fluorescein angiography for the live mouse has been achieved. Conclusions A novel device is established for real-time viewing and image capture of the small animal retina during subretinal injections for preclinical gene therapy studies. PMID:26551329

Surgical evaluation of a novel tethered robotic capsule endoscope using micro-patterned treads.

PubMed

Sliker, Levin J; Kern, Madalyn D; Schoen, Jonathan A; Rentschler, Mark E

2012-10-01

The state-of-the-art technology for gastrointestinal (GI) tract exploration is a capsule endoscope (CE). Capsule endoscopes are pill-sized devices that provide visual feedback of the GI tract as they move passively through the patient. These passive devices could benefit from a mobility system enabling maneuverability and controllability. Potential benefits of a tethered robotic capsule endoscope (tRCE) include faster travel speeds, reaction force generation for biopsy, and decreased capsule retention. In this work, a tethered CE is developed with an active locomotion system for mobility within a collapsed lumen. Micro-patterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) treads are implemented onto a custom capsule housing as a mobility method. The tRCE housing contains a direct current (DC) motor and gear train to drive the treads, a video camera for visual feedback, and two light sources (infrared and visible) for illumination. The device was placed within the insufflated abdomen of a live anesthetized pig to evaluate mobility performance on a planar tissue surface, as well as within the cecum to evaluate mobility performance in a collapsed lumen. The tRCE was capable of forward and reverse mobility for both planar and collapsed lumen tissue environments. Also, using an onboard visual system, the tRCE was capable of demonstrating visual feedback within an insufflated, anesthetized porcine abdomen. Proof-of-concept in vivo tRCE mobility using micro-patterned PDMS treads was shown. This suggests that a similar method could be implemented in future smaller, faster, and untethered RCEs.

Bioluminescence imaging of c-fos gene expression accompanying filial imprinting in the newly hatched chick brain.

PubMed

Yamaguchi, Shinji; Iikubo, Eiji; Hirose, Naoki; Kitajima, Takaaki; Katagiri, Sachiko; Kawamori, Ai; Fujii-Taira, Ikuko; Matsushima, Toshiya; Homma, Koichi J

2010-06-01

Bioluminescence imaging is a powerful tool for examining gene expression in living animals. Previously, we reported that exogenous DNA could be successfully delivered into neurons in the newly hatched chick brain using electroporation. Here, we show the in vivo bioluminescence imaging of c-fos promoter activity and its upregulation, which is associated with filial imprinting. The upregulation of c-fos gene expression correlated with both the strength of the chicks' approach activity to the training object and the acquisition of memory. The present technique should be a powerful tool for analyzing the time changes in neural activity of certain brain areas in real-time during memory formation, using brains of living animals.

Three-dimensional reconstruction and display of the heart, lungs and circulation by multiplanar X-ray scanning videodensitometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robb, R. A.; Ritman, E. L.; Wood, E. H.

1975-01-01

A device was developed which makes possible the dynamic reconstruction of the heart and lungs within the intact thorax of a living dog or human and which can record approximately 30 multiplanar X-ray images of the thorax practically instantaneously, and at frequent enough intervals of time and with sufficient density and spatial resolution to capture and resolve the most rapid changes in cardiac structural detail throughout each cardiac cycle. It can be installed in a clinical diagnostic setting as well as in a research environment and its construction and application for determination and display in real-time modes of cross sections of the functioning thorax and its contents of living animals and man is technologically feasible.

Induction of Oxidation in Living Cells by Time-Varying Electromagnetic Fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stolc, Viktor

2015-01-01

We are studying how biological systems can harness quantum effects of time varying electromagnetic (EM) waves as the time-setting basis for universal biochemical organization via the redox cycle. The effects of extremely weak EM field on the biochemical redox cycle can be monitored through real-time detection of oxidation-induced light emissions of reporter molecules in living cells. It has been shown that EM fields can also induce changes in fluid transport rates through capillaries (approximately 300 microns inner diameter) by generating annular proton gradients. This effect may be relevant to understanding cardiovascular dis-function in spaceflight, beyond the ionosphere. Importantly, we show that these EM effects can be attenuated using an active EM field cancellation device. Central for NASA's Human Research Program is the fact that the absence of ambient EM field in spaceflight can also have a detrimental influence, namely via increased oxidative damage, on DNA replication, which controls heredity.

Lynx: Automatic Elderly Behavior Prediction in Home Telecare

PubMed Central

Lopez-Guede, Jose Manuel; Moreno-Fernandez-de-Leceta, Aitor; Martinez-Garcia, Alexeiw; Graña, Manuel

2015-01-01

This paper introduces Lynx, an intelligent system for personal safety at home environments, oriented to elderly people living independently, which encompasses a decision support machine for automatic home risk prevention, tested in real-life environments to respond to real time situations. The automatic system described in this paper prevents such risks by an advanced analytic methods supported by an expert knowledge system. It is minimally intrusive, using plug-and-play sensors and machine learning algorithms to learn the elder's daily activity taking into account even his health records. If the system detects that something unusual happens (in a wide sense) or if something is wrong relative to the user's health habits or medical recommendations, it sends at real-time alarm to the family, care center, or medical agents, without human intervention. The system feeds on information from sensors deployed in the home and knowledge of subject physical activities, which can be collected by mobile applications and enriched by personalized health information from clinical reports encoded in the system. The system usability and reliability have been tested in real-life conditions, with an accuracy larger than 81%. PMID:26783514

Lynx: Automatic Elderly Behavior Prediction in Home Telecare.

PubMed

Lopez-Guede, Jose Manuel; Moreno-Fernandez-de-Leceta, Aitor; Martinez-Garcia, Alexeiw; Graña, Manuel

2015-01-01

This paper introduces Lynx, an intelligent system for personal safety at home environments, oriented to elderly people living independently, which encompasses a decision support machine for automatic home risk prevention, tested in real-life environments to respond to real time situations. The automatic system described in this paper prevents such risks by an advanced analytic methods supported by an expert knowledge system. It is minimally intrusive, using plug-and-play sensors and machine learning algorithms to learn the elder's daily activity taking into account even his health records. If the system detects that something unusual happens (in a wide sense) or if something is wrong relative to the user's health habits or medical recommendations, it sends at real-time alarm to the family, care center, or medical agents, without human intervention. The system feeds on information from sensors deployed in the home and knowledge of subject physical activities, which can be collected by mobile applications and enriched by personalized health information from clinical reports encoded in the system. The system usability and reliability have been tested in real-life conditions, with an accuracy larger than 81%.

Chloroplast to chromoplast transition in tomato fruit: spectral confocal microscopy analyses of carotenoids and chlorophylls in isolated plastids and time-lapse recording on intact live tissue

PubMed Central

Egea, Isabel; Bian, Wanping; Barsan, Cristina; Jauneau, Alain; Pech, Jean-Claude; Latché, Alain; Li, Zhengguo; Chervin, Christian

2011-01-01

Background and Aims There are several studies suggesting that tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) chromoplasts arise from chloroplasts, but there is still no report showing the fluorescence of both chlorophylls and carotenoids in an intermediate plastid, and no video showing this transition phase. Methods Pigment fluorescence within individual plastids, isolated from tomato fruit using sucrose gradients, was observed at different ripening stages, and an in situ real-time recording of pigment fluorescence was performed on live tomato fruit slices. Key results At the mature green and red stages, homogenous fractions of chloroplasts and chromoplasts were obtained, respectively. At the breaker stage, spectral confocal microscopy showed that intermediate plastids contained both chlorophylls and carotenoids. Furthermore, an in situ real-time recording (a) showed that the chloroplast to chromoplast transition was synchronous for all plastids of a single cell; and (b) confirmed that all chromoplasts derived from pre-existing chloroplasts. Conclusions These results give details of the early steps of tomato chromoplast biogenesis from chloroplasts, with the formation of intermediate plastids containing both carotenoids and chlorophylls. They provide information at the sub-cellular level on the synchronism of plastid transition and pigment changes. PMID:21788376

Detection of Mitochondrial Caspase Activity in Real Time In Situ in Live Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yingpei; Haskins, Catherine; Lopez-Cruzan, Marisa; Zhang, Jianhua; Centonze, Victoria E.; Herman, Brian

2004-08-01

Apoptosis plays an important role in many physiological and pathological processes. The initiation and execution of the cell death program requires activation of multiple caspases in a stringently temporal order. Here we describe a method that allows real-time observation of caspase activation in situ in live cells based on fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurement using the prism and reflector imaging spectroscopy system (PARISS). When a fusion protein consisting of CFP connected to YFP via an intervening caspase substrate that has been targeted to a specific subcellular location is excited with a light source whose wavelength matches the cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) excitation peak, the energy absorbed by the CFP fluorophore is not emitted as fluorescence. Instead, the excitation energy is absorbed by the nearby yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) fluorophore that is covalently linked to CFP through a short peptide containing the caspase substrate. Cleavage of the linker peptide by caspases results in loss of FRET due to the separation of CFP and YFP fluorophores. Using a mitochondrially targeted CFP caspase 3 substrate YFP construct (mC3Y), we demonstrate for the first time that there is caspase-3-like activity in the mitochondrial matrix of some cells at very late stage of apoptosis.

Live-cell Imaging of Pol II Promoter Activity to Monitor Gene expression with RNA IMAGEtag reporters

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

Shin, Ilchung; Ray, Judhajeet; Gupta, Vinayak

2014-04-20

We describe a ribonucleic acid (RNA) reporter system for live-cell imaging of gene expression to detect changes in polymerase II activity on individual promoters in individual cells. The reporters use strings of RNA aptamers that constitute IMAGEtags (Intracellular MultiAptamer GEnetic tags) that can be expressed from a promoter of choice. For imaging, the cells are incubated with their ligands that are separately conjugated with one of the FRET pair, Cy3 and Cy5. The IMAGEtags were expressed in yeast from the GAL1, ADH1 or ACT1 promoters. Transcription from all three promoters was imaged in live cells and transcriptional increases from themore » GAL1 promoter were observed with time after adding galactose. Expression of the IMAGEtags did not affect cell proliferation or endogenous gene expression. Advantages of this method are that no foreign proteins are produced in the cells that could be toxic or otherwise influence the cellular response as they accumulate, the IMAGEtags are short lived and oxygen is not required to generate their signals. The IMAGEtag RNA reporter system provides a means of tracking changes in transcriptional activity in live cells and in real time.« less

#InSituPathologists: how the #USCAP2015 meeting went viral on Twitter and founded the social media movement for the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology.

PubMed

Cohen, David; Allen, Timothy Craig; Balci, Serdar; Cagle, Philip T; Teruya-Feldstein, Julie; Fine, Samson W; Gondim, Dibson D; Hunt, Jennifer L; Jacob, Jack; Jewett, Kimberly; Jiang, Xiaoyin 'Sara'; Kaplan, Keith J; Kulac, Ibrahim; Meunier, Rashna; Riddle, Nicole D; Rush, Patrick S; Stall, Jennifer; Stuart, Lauren N; Terrano, David; Uthman, Ed; Wasco, Matthew J; Williamson, Sean R; Wu, Roseann I; Gardner, Jerad M

2017-02-01

Professional medical conferences over the past five years have seen an enormous increase in the use of Twitter in real-time, also known as "live-tweeting". At the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) 2015 annual meeting, 24 attendees (the authors) volunteered to participate in a live-tweet group, the #InSituPathologists. This group, along with other attendees, kept the world updated via Twitter about the happenings at the annual meeting. There were 6,524 #USCAP2015 tweets made by 662 individual Twitter users; these generated 5,869,323 unique impressions (potential tweet-views) over a 13-day time span encompassing the dates of the annual meeting. Herein we document the successful implementation of the first official USCAP annual meeting live-tweet group, including the pros/cons of live-tweeting and other experiences of the original #InSituPathologists group members. No prior peer-reviewed publications to our knowledge have described in depth the use of an organized group to "live-tweet" a pathology meeting. We believe our group to be the first of its kind in the field of pathology.

High density diffusion-free nanowell arrays.

PubMed

Takulapalli, Bharath R; Qiu, Ji; Magee, D Mitchell; Kahn, Peter; Brunner, Al; Barker, Kristi; Means, Steven; Miersch, Shane; Bian, Xiaofang; Mendoza, Alex; Festa, Fernanda; Syal, Karan; Park, Jin G; LaBaer, Joshua; Wiktor, Peter

2012-08-03

Proteomics aspires to elucidate the functions of all proteins. Protein microarrays provide an important step by enabling high-throughput studies of displayed proteins. However, many functional assays of proteins include untethered intermediates or products, which could frustrate the use of planar arrays at very high densities because of diffusion to neighboring features. The nucleic acid programmable protein array (NAPPA) is a robust in situ synthesis method for producing functional proteins just-in-time, which includes steps with diffusible intermediates. We determined that diffusion of expressed proteins led to cross-binding at neighboring spots at very high densities with reduced interspot spacing. To address this limitation, we have developed an innovative platform using photolithographically etched discrete silicon nanowells and used NAPPA as a test case. This arrested protein diffusion and cross-binding. We present confined high density protein expression and display, as well as functional protein-protein interactions, in 8000 nanowell arrays. This is the highest density of individual proteins in nanovessels demonstrated on a single slide. We further present proof of principle results on ultrahigh density protein arrays capable of up to 24000 nanowells on a single slide.

Long-term stability of morphine, codeine, and 6-acetylmorphine in real-life whole blood samples, stored at -20°C.

PubMed

Høiseth, Gudrun; Fjeld, Bente; Burns, Margrete Larsen; Strand, Dag Helge; Vindenes, Vigdis

2014-06-01

Stability of drugs during storage is important in forensic toxicology. For the analytes detected after intake of heroin (6-acetylmorphine (6-AM), morphine and codeine), long-time stability in real life whole blood samples are studied in only a small number of cases. Whole blood post mortem (n=37) and whole blood samples from living persons (n=22) containing morphine and codeine as well as 6-AM in blood or urine were selected. All cases represented intake of heroin. All samples contained fluoride and were initially analysed and stored in normal conditions (-20°C) for 4-9 years. All samples were then reanalysed using the same analytical methods and the results were compared. For samples from living persons, the median change in concentration was -3.7% for morphine and -5.3% for codeine. For post mortem samples, the median change in concentration was -12% for morphine and -11% for codeine. Both for samples from living persons and post mortem samples, the decrease in the concentrations from the original analysis to reanalysis were statistically significant for morphine and codeine. Regarding 6-AM, all living samples were negative at reanalysis. For post mortem samples, four cases still tested positive for 6-AM at reanalysis with a median change in the concentrations of -81%. There was no significant change in the morphine to codeine concentration ratios neither for living nor post mortem samples. This study showed that in real life whole blood samples, the concentrations of morphine and codeine are relatively stable during long-term storage at -20°C. 6-AM on the other hand, shows a considerable decrease in concentrations that is important to consider when interpreting results from reanalyses of forensic cases. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The correlation between preoperative volumetry and real graft weight: comparison of two volumetry programs.

PubMed

Mussin, Nadiar; Sumo, Marco; Lee, Kwang-Woong; Choi, YoungRok; Choi, Jin Yong; Ahn, Sung-Woo; Yoon, Kyung Chul; Kim, Hyo-Sin; Hong, Suk Kyun; Yi, Nam-Joon; Suh, Kyung-Suk

2017-04-01

Liver volumetry is a vital component in living donor liver transplantation to determine an adequate graft volume that meets the metabolic demands of the recipient and at the same time ensures donor safety. Most institutions use preoperative contrast-enhanced CT image-based software programs to estimate graft volume. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of 2 liver volumetry programs (Rapidia vs . Dr. Liver) in preoperative right liver graft estimation compared with real graft weight. Data from 215 consecutive right lobe living donors between October 2013 and August 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred seven patients were enrolled in Rapidia group and 108 patients were included in the Dr. Liver group. Estimated graft volumes generated by both software programs were compared with real graft weight measured during surgery, and further classified into minimal difference (≤15%) and big difference (>15%). Correlation coefficients and degree of difference were determined. Linear regressions were calculated and results depicted as scatterplots. Minimal difference was observed in 69.4% of cases from Dr. Liver group and big difference was seen in 44.9% of cases from Rapidia group (P = 0.035). Linear regression analysis showed positive correlation in both groups (P < 0.01). However, the correlation coefficient was better for the Dr. Liver group (R 2 = 0.719), than for the Rapidia group (R 2 = 0.688). Dr. Liver can accurately predict right liver graft size better and faster than Rapidia, and can facilitate preoperative planning in living donor liver transplantation.

Real-time lens distortion correction: speed, accuracy and efficiency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bax, Michael R.; Shahidi, Ramin

2014-11-01

Optical lens systems suffer from nonlinear geometrical distortion. Optical imaging applications such as image-enhanced endoscopy and image-based bronchoscope tracking require correction of this distortion for accurate localization, tracking, registration, and measurement of image features. Real-time capability is desirable for interactive systems and live video. The use of a texture-mapping graphics accelerator, which is standard hardware on current motherboard chipsets and add-in video graphics cards, to perform distortion correction is proposed. Mesh generation for image tessellation, an error analysis, and performance results are presented. It is shown that distortion correction using commodity graphics hardware is substantially faster than using the main processor and can be performed at video frame rates (faster than 30 frames per second), and that the polar-based method of mesh generation proposed here is more accurate than a conventional grid-based approach. Using graphics hardware to perform distortion correction is not only fast and accurate but also efficient as it frees the main processor for other tasks, which is an important issue in some real-time applications.

Cell Phone-Based and Adherence Device Technologies for HIV Care and Treatment in Resource-Limited Settings: Recent Advances.

PubMed

Campbell, Jeffrey I; Haberer, Jessica E

2015-12-01

Numerous cell phone-based and adherence monitoring technologies have been developed to address barriers to effective HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. Because most people living with HIV and AIDS reside in resource-limited settings (RLS), it is important to understand the development and use of these technologies in RLS. Recent research on cell phone-based technologies has focused on HIV education, linkage to and retention in care, disease tracking, and antiretroviral therapy adherence reminders. Advances in adherence devices have focused on real-time adherence monitors, which have been used for both antiretroviral therapy and pre-exposure prophylaxis. Real-time monitoring has recently been combined with cell phone-based technologies to create real-time adherence interventions using short message service (SMS). New developments in adherence technologies are exploring ingestion monitoring and metabolite detection to confirm adherence. This article provides an overview of recent advances in these two families of technologies and includes research on their acceptability and cost-effectiveness when available. It additionally outlines key challenges and needed research as use of these technologies continues to expand and evolve.

Enactive cinema paves way for understanding complex real-time social interaction in neuroimaging experiments

PubMed Central

Tikka, Pia; Väljamäe, Aleksander; de Borst, Aline W.; Pugliese, Roberto; Ravaja, Niklas; Kaipainen, Mauri; Takala, Tapio

2012-01-01

We outline general theoretical and practical implications of what we promote as enactive cinema for the neuroscientific study of online socio-emotional interaction. In a real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) setting, participants are immersed in cinematic experiences that simulate social situations. While viewing, their physiological reactions—including brain responses—are tracked, representing implicit and unconscious experiences of the on-going social situations. These reactions, in turn, are analyzed in real-time and fed back to modify the cinematic sequences they are viewing while being scanned. Due to the engaging cinematic content, the proposed setting focuses on living-by in terms of shared psycho-physiological epiphenomena of experience rather than active coping in terms of goal-oriented motor actions. It constitutes a means to parametrically modify stimuli that depict social situations and their broader environmental contexts. As an alternative to studying the variation of brain responses as a function of a priori fixed stimuli, this method can be applied to survey the range of stimuli that evoke similar responses across participants at particular brain regions of interest. PMID:23125829

Development and Application of a Portable Health Algorithms Test System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melcher, Kevin J.; Fulton, Christopher E.; Maul, William A.; Sowers, T. Shane

2007-01-01

This paper describes the development and initial demonstration of a Portable Health Algorithms Test (PHALT) System that is being developed by researchers at the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC). The PHALT System was conceived as a means of evolving the maturity and credibility of algorithms developed to assess the health of aerospace systems. Comprising an integrated hardware-software environment, the PHALT System allows systems health management algorithms to be developed in a graphical programming environment; to be tested and refined using system simulation or test data playback; and finally, to be evaluated in a real-time hardware-in-the-loop mode with a live test article. In this paper, PHALT System development is described through the presentation of a functional architecture, followed by the selection and integration of hardware and software. Also described is an initial real-time hardware-in-the-loop demonstration that used sensor data qualification algorithms to diagnose and isolate simulated sensor failures in a prototype Power Distribution Unit test-bed. Success of the initial demonstration is highlighted by the correct detection of all sensor failures and the absence of any real-time constraint violations.

Musculoskeletal-see-through mirror: computational modeling and algorithm for whole-body muscle activity visualization in real time.

PubMed

Murai, Akihiko; Kurosaki, Kosuke; Yamane, Katsu; Nakamura, Yoshihiko

2010-12-01

In this paper, we present a system that estimates and visualizes muscle tensions in real time using optical motion capture and electromyography (EMG). The system overlays rendered musculoskeletal human model on top of a live video image of the subject. The subject therefore has an impression that he/she sees the muscles with tension information through the cloth and skin. The main technical challenge lies in real-time estimation of muscle tension. Since existing algorithms using mathematical optimization to distribute joint torques to muscle tensions are too slow for our purpose, we develop a new algorithm that computes a reasonable approximation of muscle tensions based on the internal connections between muscles known as neuronal binding. The algorithm can estimate the tensions of 274 muscles in only 16 ms, and the whole visualization system runs at about 15 fps. The developed system is applied to assisting sport training, and the user case studies show its usefulness. Possible applications include interfaces for assisting rehabilitation. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Real-time Measurement of Epithelial Barrier Permeability in Human Intestinal Organoids.

PubMed

Hill, David R; Huang, Sha; Tsai, Yu-Hwai; Spence, Jason R; Young, Vincent B

2017-12-18

Advances in 3D culture of intestinal tissues obtained through biopsy or generated from pluripotent stem cells via directed differentiation, have resulted in sophisticated in vitro models of the intestinal mucosa. Leveraging these emerging model systems will require adaptation of tools and techniques developed for 2D culture systems and animals. Here, we describe a technique for measuring epithelial barrier permeability in human intestinal organoids in real-time. This is accomplished by microinjection of fluorescently-labeled dextran and imaging on an inverted microscope fitted with epifluorescent filters. Real-time measurement of the barrier permeability in intestinal organoids facilitates the generation of high-resolution temporal data in human intestinal epithelial tissue, although this technique can also be applied to fixed timepoint imaging approaches. This protocol is readily adaptable for the measurement of epithelial barrier permeability following exposure to pharmacologic agents, bacterial products or toxins, or live microorganisms. With minor modifications, this protocol can also serve as a general primer on microinjection of intestinal organoids and users may choose to supplement this protocol with additional or alternative downstream applications following microinjection.

A Low-Cost Digital Microscope with Real-Time Fluorescent Imaging Capability.

PubMed

Hasan, Md Mehedi; Alam, Mohammad Wajih; Wahid, Khan A; Miah, Sayem; Lukong, Kiven Erique

2016-01-01

This paper describes the development of a prototype of a low-cost digital fluorescent microscope built from commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The prototype was tested to detect malignant tumor cells taken from a living organism in a preclinical setting. This experiment was accomplished by using Alexa Fluor 488 conjugate dye attached to the cancer cells. Our prototype utilizes a torch along with an excitation filter as a light source for fluorophore excitation, a dichroic mirror to reflect the excitation and pass the emitted green light from the sample under test and a barrier filter to permit only appropriate wavelength. The system is designed out of a microscope using its optical zooming property and an assembly of exciter filter, dichroic mirror and transmitter filter. The microscope is connected to a computer or laptop through universal serial bus (USB) that allows real-time transmission of captured florescence images; this also offers real-time control of the microscope. The designed system has comparable features of high-end commercial fluorescent microscopes while reducing cost, power, weight and size.

A Low-Cost Digital Microscope with Real-Time Fluorescent Imaging Capability

PubMed Central

Hasan, Md. Mehedi; Wahid, Khan A.; Miah, Sayem; Lukong, Kiven Erique

2016-01-01

This paper describes the development of a prototype of a low-cost digital fluorescent microscope built from commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The prototype was tested to detect malignant tumor cells taken from a living organism in a preclinical setting. This experiment was accomplished by using Alexa Fluor 488 conjugate dye attached to the cancer cells. Our prototype utilizes a torch along with an excitation filter as a light source for fluorophore excitation, a dichroic mirror to reflect the excitation and pass the emitted green light from the sample under test and a barrier filter to permit only appropriate wavelength. The system is designed out of a microscope using its optical zooming property and an assembly of exciter filter, dichroic mirror and transmitter filter. The microscope is connected to a computer or laptop through universal serial bus (USB) that allows real-time transmission of captured florescence images; this also offers real-time control of the microscope. The designed system has comparable features of high-end commercial fluorescent microscopes while reducing cost, power, weight and size. PMID:27977709

Confined phase in the real time formalism and the fate of the world behind the horizon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Furuuchi, Kazuyuki

2006-02-01

In the real time formulation of finite temperature field theories, one introduces an additional set of fields (type-2 fields) associated to each field in the original theory (type-1 field). In [J. M. Maldacena, J. High Energy Phys., JHEPFG, 1029-8479 04 (2003) 021., 10.1088/1126-6708/2003/04/021], in the context of the anti-de Sitter (AdS)-conformal field theories (CFT) correspondence, Maldacena interpreted type-2 fields as living on a boundary behind the black hole horizon. However, below the Hawking-Page transition temperature, the thermodynamically preferred configuration is the thermal AdS without a black hole, and hence there are no horizon and boundary behind it. This means that when the dual gauge theory is in confined phase, the type-2 fields cannot be associated with the degrees of freedom behind the black hole horizon. I argue that in this case the role of the type-2 fields is to make up bulk type-2 fields of classical closed string field theory on AdS at finite temperature in the real time formalism.

Combining Whispering-Gallery Mode Optical Biosensors with Microfluidics for Real-Time Detection of Protein Secretion from Living Cells in Complex Media.

PubMed

Chen, Ying-Jen; Schoeler, Ulrike; Huang, Chung-Hsuan Benjamin; Vollmer, Frank

2018-05-01

The noninvasive monitoring of protein secretion of cells responding to drug treatment is an effective and essential tool in latest drug development and for cytotoxicity assays. In this work, a surface functionalization method is demonstrated for specific detection of protein released from cells and a platform that integrates highly sensitive optical devices, called whispering-gallery mode biosensors, with precise microfluidics control to achieve label-free and real-time detection. Cell biomarker release is measured in real time and with nanomolar sensitivity. The surface functionalization method allows for antibodies to be immobilized on the surface for specific detection, while the microfluidics system enables detection in a continuous flow with a negligible compromise between sensitivity and flow control over stabilization and mixing. Cytochrome c detection is used to illustrate the merits of the system. Jurkat cells are treated with the toxin staurosporine to trigger cell apoptosis and cytochrome c released into the cell culture medium is monitored via the newly invented optical microfluidic platform. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Imaging the Directed Transport of Single Engineered RNA Transcripts in Real-Time Using Ratiometric Bimolecular Beacons

PubMed Central

Zhang, Xuemei; Zajac, Allison L.; Huang, Lingyan; Behlke, Mark A.; Tsourkas, Andrew

2014-01-01

The relationship between RNA expression and cell function can often be difficult to decipher due to the presence of both temporal and sub-cellular processing of RNA. These intricacies of RNA regulation can often be overlooked when only acquiring global measurements of RNA expression. This has led to development of several tools that allow for the real-time imaging of individual engineered RNA transcripts in living cells. Here, we describe a new technique that utilizes an oligonucleotide-based probe, ratiometric bimolecular beacon (RBMB), to image RNA transcripts that were engineered to contain 96-tandem repeats of the RBMB target sequence in the 3′-untranslated region. Binding of RBMBs to the target RNA resulted in discrete bright fluorescent spots, representing individual transcripts, that could be imaged in real-time. Since RBMBs are a synthetic probe, the use of photostable, bright, and red-shifted fluorophores led to a high signal-to-background. RNA motion was readily characterized by both mean squared displacement and moment scaling spectrum analyses. These analyses revealed clear examples of directed, Brownian, and subdiffusive movements. PMID:24454933

Enactive cinema paves way for understanding complex real-time social interaction in neuroimaging experiments.

PubMed

Tikka, Pia; Väljamäe, Aleksander; de Borst, Aline W; Pugliese, Roberto; Ravaja, Niklas; Kaipainen, Mauri; Takala, Tapio

2012-01-01

We outline general theoretical and practical implications of what we promote as enactive cinema for the neuroscientific study of online socio-emotional interaction. In a real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rt-fMRI) setting, participants are immersed in cinematic experiences that simulate social situations. While viewing, their physiological reactions-including brain responses-are tracked, representing implicit and unconscious experiences of the on-going social situations. These reactions, in turn, are analyzed in real-time and fed back to modify the cinematic sequences they are viewing while being scanned. Due to the engaging cinematic content, the proposed setting focuses on living-by in terms of shared psycho-physiological epiphenomena of experience rather than active coping in terms of goal-oriented motor actions. It constitutes a means to parametrically modify stimuli that depict social situations and their broader environmental contexts. As an alternative to studying the variation of brain responses as a function of a priori fixed stimuli, this method can be applied to survey the range of stimuli that evoke similar responses across participants at particular brain regions of interest.

Towards the Future "Earthquake" School in the Cloud: Near-real Time Earthquake Games Competition in Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, K. H.; Liang, W. T.; Wu, Y. F.; Yen, E.

2014-12-01

To prevent the future threats of natural disaster, it is important to understand how the disaster happened, why lives were lost, and what lessons have been learned. By that, the attitude of society toward natural disaster can be transformed from training to learning. The citizen-seismologists-in-Taiwan project is designed to elevate the quality of earthquake science education by means of incorporating earthquake/tsunami stories and near-real time earthquake games competition into the traditional curricula in schools. Through pilot of courses and professional development workshops, we have worked closely with teachers from elementary, junior high, and senior high schools, to design workable teaching plans through a practical operation of seismic monitoring at home or school. We will introduce how the 9-years-old do P- and S-wave picking and measure seismic intensity through interactive learning platform, how do scientists and school teachers work together, and how do we create an environment to facilitate continuous learning (i.e., near-real time earthquake games competition), to make earthquake science fun.

Based Real Time Remote Health Monitoring Systems: A Review on Patients Prioritization and Related "Big Data" Using Body Sensors information and Communication Technology.

PubMed

Kalid, Naser; Zaidan, A A; Zaidan, B B; Salman, Omar H; Hashim, M; Muzammil, H

2017-12-29

The growing worldwide population has increased the need for technologies, computerised software algorithms and smart devices that can monitor and assist patients anytime and anywhere and thus enable them to lead independent lives. The real-time remote monitoring of patients is an important issue in telemedicine. In the provision of healthcare services, patient prioritisation poses a significant challenge because of the complex decision-making process it involves when patients are considered 'big data'. To our knowledge, no study has highlighted the link between 'big data' characteristics and real-time remote healthcare monitoring in the patient prioritisation process, as well as the inherent challenges involved. Thus, we present comprehensive insights into the elements of big data characteristics according to the six 'Vs': volume, velocity, variety, veracity, value and variability. Each of these elements is presented and connected to a related part in the study of the connection between patient prioritisation and real-time remote healthcare monitoring systems. Then, we determine the weak points and recommend solutions as potential future work. This study makes the following contributions. (1) The link between big data characteristics and real-time remote healthcare monitoring in the patient prioritisation process is described. (2) The open issues and challenges for big data used in the patient prioritisation process are emphasised. (3) As a recommended solution, decision making using multiple criteria, such as vital signs and chief complaints, is utilised to prioritise the big data of patients with chronic diseases on the basis of the most urgent cases.

Real-Time Earthquake Monitoring with Spatio-Temporal Fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whittier, J. C.; Nittel, S.; Subasinghe, I.

2017-10-01

With live streaming sensors and sensor networks, increasingly large numbers of individual sensors are deployed in physical space. Sensor data streams are a fundamentally novel mechanism to deliver observations to information systems. They enable us to represent spatio-temporal continuous phenomena such as radiation accidents, toxic plumes, or earthquakes almost as instantaneously as they happen in the real world. Sensor data streams discretely sample an earthquake, while the earthquake is continuous over space and time. Programmers attempting to integrate many streams to analyze earthquake activity and scope need to write code to integrate potentially very large sets of asynchronously sampled, concurrent streams in tedious application code. In previous work, we proposed the field stream data model (Liang et al., 2016) for data stream engines. Abstracting the stream of an individual sensor as a temporal field, the field represents the Earth's movement at the sensor position as continuous. This simplifies analysis across many sensors significantly. In this paper, we undertake a feasibility study of using the field stream model and the open source Data Stream Engine (DSE) Apache Spark(Apache Spark, 2017) to implement a real-time earthquake event detection with a subset of the 250 GPS sensor data streams of the Southern California Integrated GPS Network (SCIGN). The field-based real-time stream queries compute maximum displacement values over the latest query window of each stream, and related spatially neighboring streams to identify earthquake events and their extent. Further, we correlated the detected events with an USGS earthquake event feed. The query results are visualized in real-time.

Real-time CT-video registration for continuous endoscopic guidance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merritt, Scott A.; Rai, Lav; Higgins, William E.

2006-03-01

Previous research has shown that CT-image-based guidance could be useful for the bronchoscopic assessment of lung cancer. This research drew upon the registration of bronchoscopic video images to CT-based endoluminal renderings of the airway tree. The proposed methods either were restricted to discrete single-frame registration, which took several seconds to complete, or required non-real-time buffering and processing of video sequences. We have devised a fast 2D/3D image registration method that performs single-frame CT-Video registration in under 1/15th of a second. This allows the method to be used for real-time registration at full video frame rates without significantly altering the physician's behavior. The method achieves its speed through a gradient-based optimization method that allows most of the computation to be performed off-line. During live registration, the optimization iteratively steps toward the locally optimal viewpoint at which a CT-based endoluminal view is most similar to a current bronchoscopic video frame. After an initial registration to begin the process (generally done in the trachea for bronchoscopy), subsequent registrations are performed in real-time on each incoming video frame. As each new bronchoscopic video frame becomes available, the current optimization is initialized using the previous frame's optimization result, allowing continuous guidance to proceed without manual re-initialization. Tests were performed using both synthetic and pre-recorded bronchoscopic video. The results show that the method is robust to initialization errors, that registration accuracy is high, and that continuous registration can proceed on real-time video at >15 frames per sec. with minimal user-intervention.

Message Received How to Bridge the Communication Gap and Save Lives

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-03-01

safety during an emergency depend on the ability of first responders to talk via radio, directly, without dispatch and in real time. Many technologies are...Words interoperability Coast Guard first responders procedures interagency communications policies 18...communication interoperability for public safety first responders entails far more than finding and emplacing a technology and training the operators. The

A Study of English Mobile Learning Applications at National Chengchi University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Che, Pei-Chun; Lin, Han-Yi; Jang, Hung-Chin; Lien, Yao-Nan; Tsai, Tzu-Chieh

2009-01-01

The pervasive popularity of the Internet in the past decade has changed the way many students live and learn, in part, because modern technology has made it possible for learners to access Real-Time Multimedia information on the Internet, or research any topic of interest to them from virtually any computer anywhere in the world. Students can also…

Quick Facts about Financial Aid and Community Colleges, 2007-08

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Institute for College Access & Success, 2009

2009-01-01

Community colleges are usually considered a low-cost college option, but the sticker price is only part of the real story--students often struggle to cover a range of related costs and living expenses. Financial aid can be a big help, but many community college students have a harder time paying for college than their peers at four-year schools.…

Attending a Presentation at a Distance in Real-Time via Skype

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Michels, Barbara J.; Chang, Ching-Wen

2010-01-01

"Necessity is the mother of invention," as the saying goes, and in this case, it surely was. A telecommuting faculty for a Midwest public university wanted to see a graduate student's presentation as a guest speaker in an instructional technology course on campus. However, this faculty lives in another state, so that was impossible. As a daily…

Open Source Initiative Powers Real-Time Data Streams

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2014-01-01

Under an SBIR contract with Dryden Flight Research Center, Creare Inc. developed a data collection tool called the Ring Buffered Network Bus. The technology has now been released under an open source license and is hosted by the Open Source DataTurbine Initiative. DataTurbine allows anyone to stream live data from sensors, labs, cameras, ocean buoys, cell phones, and more.

The Consequences of the Consequences: The Impact of the Environment on People with Aphasia over Time

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Halloran, Robyn; Carragher, Marcella; Foster, Abby

2017-01-01

Understanding the impact of the environment on the participation of people with aphasia depends on one's perspective. A long-term perspective provides a unique insight into the myriad of ways in which the environment can influence the participation of people living with aphasia over decades. In this article, the authors present the real-life story…

Label-free hyperspectral nonlinear optical microscopy of the biofuel micro-algae Haematococcus Pluvialis

PubMed Central

Barlow, Aaron M.; Slepkov, Aaron D.; Ridsdale, Andrew; McGinn, Patrick J.; Stolow, Albert

2014-01-01

We consider multi-modal four-wave mixing microscopies to be ideal tools for the in vivo study of carotenoid distributions within the important biofuel microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis. We show that hyperspectral coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy generates non-invasive, quantitative real-time concentrations maps of intracellular carotenoid distributions in live algae. PMID:25360358

Photothermal confocal multicolor microscopy of nanoparticles and nanodrugs in live cells

PubMed Central

Nedosekin, Dmitry A.; Foster, Stephen; Nima, Zeid A.; Biris, Alexandru S.; Galanzha, Ekaterina I.; Zharov, Vladimir P.

2018-01-01

Growing biomedical applications of non-fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs) for molecular imaging, disease diagnosis, drug delivery, and theranostics require new tools for real-time detection of nanomaterials, drug nano-carriers and NP-drug conjugates (nanodrugs) in complex biological environments without additional labeling. Photothermal (PT) microscopy (PTM) has an enormous potential for absorption-based identification and quantification of non-fluorescent molecules and NPs at a single molecule and 1.4 nm gold NP level. Recently, we have developed confocal PTM providing three-dimensional (3-D) mapping and spectral identification of multiple chromophores and fluorophores in live cells. Here, we summarize recent advances in the application of confocal multicolor PTM for 3-D visualization of single and clustered NPs, alone and in individual cells. In particular, we demonstrate identification of functionalized magnetic and gold-silver NPs, as well as graphene and carbon nanotubes in cancer cells and among blood cells. The potentials to use PTM for super-resolution imaging (down to 50nm), real-time NP tracking, guidance of PT nanotherapy and multiplex cancer markers targeting, as well as analysis of nonlinear PT phenomena and amplification of nanodrug efficacy through NP clustering and nanobubble formation are also discussed. PMID:26133539

Visualization of Nicotine Adenine Dinucleotide Redox Homeostasis with Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Sensors.

PubMed

Zhao, Yuzheng; Zhang, Zhuo; Zou, Yejun; Yang, Yi

2018-01-20

Beyond their roles as redox currency in living organisms, pyridine dinucleotides (NAD + /NADH and NADP + /NADPH) are also precursors or cosubstrates of great significance in various physiologic and pathologic processes. Recent Advances: For many years, it was challenging to develop methodologies for monitoring pyridine dinucleotides in situ or in vivo. Recent advances in fluorescent protein-based sensors provide a rapid, sensitive, specific, and real-time readout of pyridine dinucleotide dynamics in single cells or in vivo, thereby opening a new era of pyridine dinucleotide bioimaging. In this article, we summarize the developments in genetically encoded fluorescent sensors for NAD + /NADH and NADP + /NADPH redox states, as well as their applications in life sciences and drug discovery. The strengths and weaknesses of individual sensors are also discussed. These sensors have the advantages of being specific and organelle targetable, enabling real-time monitoring and subcellular-level quantification of targeted molecules in living cells and in vivo. NAD + /NADH and NADP + /NADPH have distinct functions in metabolic and redox regulation, and thus, a comprehensive evaluation of metabolic and redox states must be multiplexed with a combination of various metabolite sensors in a single cell. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 28, 213-229.

Live interaction distinctively shapes social gaze dynamics in rhesus macaques.

PubMed

Dal Monte, Olga; Piva, Matthew; Morris, Jason A; Chang, Steve W C

2016-10-01

The dynamic interaction of gaze between individuals is a hallmark of social cognition. However, very few studies have examined social gaze dynamics after mutual eye contact during real-time interactions. We used a highly quantifiable paradigm to assess social gaze dynamics between pairs of monkeys and modeled these dynamics using an exponential decay function to investigate sustained attention after mutual eye contact. When monkeys were interacting with real partners compared with static images and movies of the same monkeys, we found a significant increase in the proportion of fixations to the eyes and a smaller dispersion of fixations around the eyes, indicating enhanced focal attention to the eye region. Notably, dominance and familiarity between the interacting pairs induced separable components of gaze dynamics that were unique to live interactions. Gaze dynamics of dominant monkeys after mutual eye contact were associated with a greater number of fixations to the eyes, whereas those of familiar pairs were associated with a faster rate of decrease in this eye-directed attention. Our findings endorse the notion that certain key aspects of social cognition are only captured during interactive social contexts and dependent on the elapsed time relative to socially meaningful events. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

Live interaction distinctively shapes social gaze dynamics in rhesus macaques

PubMed Central

Piva, Matthew; Morris, Jason A.; Chang, Steve W. C.

2016-01-01

The dynamic interaction of gaze between individuals is a hallmark of social cognition. However, very few studies have examined social gaze dynamics after mutual eye contact during real-time interactions. We used a highly quantifiable paradigm to assess social gaze dynamics between pairs of monkeys and modeled these dynamics using an exponential decay function to investigate sustained attention after mutual eye contact. When monkeys were interacting with real partners compared with static images and movies of the same monkeys, we found a significant increase in the proportion of fixations to the eyes and a smaller dispersion of fixations around the eyes, indicating enhanced focal attention to the eye region. Notably, dominance and familiarity between the interacting pairs induced separable components of gaze dynamics that were unique to live interactions. Gaze dynamics of dominant monkeys after mutual eye contact were associated with a greater number of fixations to the eyes, whereas those of familiar pairs were associated with a faster rate of decrease in this eye-directed attention. Our findings endorse the notion that certain key aspects of social cognition are only captured during interactive social contexts and dependent on the elapsed time relative to socially meaningful events. PMID:27486105

Dynamic quality of service model for improving performance of multimedia real-time transmission in industrial networks.

PubMed

Gopalakrishnan, Ravichandran C; Karunakaran, Manivannan

2014-01-01

Nowadays, quality of service (QoS) is very popular in various research areas like distributed systems, multimedia real-time applications and networking. The requirements of these systems are to satisfy reliability, uptime, security constraints and throughput as well as application specific requirements. The real-time multimedia applications are commonly distributed over the network and meet various time constraints across networks without creating any intervention over control flows. In particular, video compressors make variable bit-rate streams that mismatch the constant-bit-rate channels typically provided by classical real-time protocols, severely reducing the efficiency of network utilization. Thus, it is necessary to enlarge the communication bandwidth to transfer the compressed multimedia streams using Flexible Time Triggered- Enhanced Switched Ethernet (FTT-ESE) protocol. FTT-ESE provides automation to calculate the compression level and change the bandwidth of the stream. This paper focuses on low-latency multimedia transmission over Ethernet with dynamic quality-of-service (QoS) management. This proposed framework deals with a dynamic QoS for multimedia transmission over Ethernet with FTT-ESE protocol. This paper also presents distinct QoS metrics based both on the image quality and network features. Some experiments with recorded and live video streams show the advantages of the proposed framework. To validate the solution we have designed and implemented a simulator based on the Matlab/Simulink, which is a tool to evaluate different network architecture using Simulink blocks.

On the edge of a deep biosphere: Real animals in extreme environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Childress, James J.; Fisher, Charles F.; Felbeck, Horst; Girguis, Peter

This paper considers the possibility of animals living in a subsurface environment on the global mid-ocean ridge system. It considers the possible environments and looks at the possibilities of animal inhabitants of the subsurface biosphere based on adaptations of animals to other extreme habitats. We conclude that there are known bridging inhabitants of the subsurface biosphere, that part-time inhabitants are extremely likely, and that there could be full-time inhabitants if conditions are stable within the tolerance limits of metazoans for time periods of months.

Fall detection algorithms for real-world falls harvested from lumbar sensors in the elderly population: a machine learning approach.

PubMed

Bourke, Alan K; Klenk, Jochen; Schwickert, Lars; Aminian, Kamiar; Ihlen, Espen A F; Mellone, Sabato; Helbostad, Jorunn L; Chiari, Lorenzo; Becker, Clemens

2016-08-01

Automatic fall detection will promote independent living and reduce the consequences of falls in the elderly by ensuring people can confidently live safely at home for linger. In laboratory studies inertial sensor technology has been shown capable of distinguishing falls from normal activities. However less than 7% of fall-detection algorithm studies have used fall data recorded from elderly people in real life. The FARSEEING project has compiled a database of real life falls from elderly people, to gain new knowledge about fall events and to develop fall detection algorithms to combat the problems associated with falls. We have extracted 12 different kinematic, temporal and kinetic related features from a data-set of 89 real-world falls and 368 activities of daily living. Using the extracted features we applied machine learning techniques and produced a selection of algorithms based on different feature combinations. The best algorithm employs 10 different features and produced a sensitivity of 0.88 and a specificity of 0.87 in classifying falls correctly. This algorithm can be used distinguish real-world falls from normal activities of daily living in a sensor consisting of a tri-axial accelerometer and tri-axial gyroscope located at L5.

Is there more than one circadian clock in humans? Evidence from fractional desynchronization studies.

PubMed Central

Folkard, S; Minors, D S; Waterhouse, J M

1984-01-01

Three groups of four healthy volunteers lived in an isolation unit for 24 days. During this time they lived by a clock which, unknown to themselves, ran progressively faster so that, by real time, the 'day' decreased from 24.0 to 22.0 h in length. Throughout this protocol, the subjects lived a regular regimen of sleep, waking and meals based upon their 'local' time clock. They collected regular urine samples that were analysed for a variety of constituents. Rectal temperature was also recorded automatically throughout. The effects of such a protocol upon circadian rhythmicity in these variables were investigated by a variety of techniques including cosinor analysis. The results showed that the temperature rhythm was less able to adjust to a shortening 'day' than were the urinary variables, with the possible exception of potassium; that is, the protocol forced an internal desynchronization to exist between different variables. These results are discussed in terms of both the possibility that more than one internal circadian clock might exist and the direct effect that sleep exerts upon the expression of circadian rhythms. PMID:6512693

Detection and Quantification of Viable and Nonviable Trypanosoma cruzi Parasites by a Propidium Monoazide Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay

PubMed Central

Cancino-Faure, Beatriz; Fisa, Roser; Alcover, M. Magdalena; Jimenez-Marco, Teresa; Riera, Cristina

2016-01-01

Molecular techniques based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) allow the detection and quantification of DNA but are unable to distinguish between signals from dead or live cells. Because of the lack of simple techniques to differentiate between viable and nonviable cells, the aim of this study was to optimize and evaluate a straightforward test based on propidium monoazide (PMA) dye action combined with a qPCR assay (PMA-qPCR) for the selective quantification of viable/nonviable epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi. PMA has the ability to penetrate the plasma membrane of dead cells and covalently cross-link to the DNA during exposure to bright visible light, thereby inhibiting PCR amplification. Different concentrations of PMA (50–200 μM) and epimastigotes of the Maracay strain of T. cruzi (1 × 105–10 parasites/mL) were assayed; viable and nonviable parasites were tested and quantified by qPCR with a TaqMan probe specific for T. cruzi. In the PMA-qPCR assay optimized at 100 μM PMA, a significant qPCR signal reduction was observed in the nonviable versus viable epimastigotes treated with PMA, with a mean signal reduction of 2.5 logarithm units and a percentage of signal reduction > 98%, in all concentrations of parasites assayed. This signal reduction was also observed when PMA-qPCR was applied to a mixture of live/dead parasites, which allowed the detection of live cells, except when the concentration of live parasites was low (10 parasites/mL). The PMA-qPCR developed allows differentiation between viable and nonviable epimastigotes of T. cruzi and could thus be a potential method of parasite viability assessment and quantification. PMID:27139452

Augmented real-time navigation with critical structure proximity alerts for endoscopic skull base surgery.

PubMed

Dixon, Benjamin J; Daly, Michael J; Chan, Harley; Vescan, Allan; Witterick, Ian J; Irish, Jonathan C

2014-04-01

Image-guided surgery (IGS) systems are frequently utilized during cranial base surgery to aid in orientation and facilitate targeted surgery. We wished to assess the performance of our recently developed localized intraoperative virtual endoscopy (LIVE)-IGS prototype in a preclinical setting prior to deployment in the operating room. This system combines real-time ablative instrument tracking, critical structure proximity alerts, three-dimensional virtual endoscopic views, and intraoperative cone-beam computed tomographic image updates. Randomized-controlled trial plus qualitative analysis. Skull base procedures were performed on 14 cadaver specimens by seven fellowship-trained skull base surgeons. Each subject performed two endoscopic transclival approaches; one with LIVE-IGS and one using a conventional IGS system in random order. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) scores were documented for each dissection, and a semistructured interview was recorded for qualitative assessment. The NASA-TLX scores for mental demand, effort, and frustration were significantly reduced with the LIVE-IGS system in comparison to conventional navigation (P < .05). The system interface was judged to be intuitive and most useful when there was a combination of high spatial demand, reduced or absent surface landmarks, and proximity to critical structures. The development of auditory icons for proximity alerts during the trial better informed the surgeon while limiting distraction. The LIVE-IGS system provided accurate, intuitive, and dynamic feedback to the operating surgeon. Further refinements to proximity alerts and visualization settings will enhance orientation while limiting distraction. The system is currently being deployed in a prospective clinical trial in skull base surgery. © 2013 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Real-time monitoring of pH-dependent intracellular trafficking of ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1 in living leukocytes.

PubMed

Tan, Modong; Yamaguchi, Satoshi; Nakamura, Motonao; Nagamune, Teruyuki

2018-04-11

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in many diseases and important biological phenomena; elucidating the mechanisms underlying regulation of their signal transduction potentially provides both novel targets for drug discovery and insight into living systems. A proton-sensing GPCR, ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1 (OGR1), has been reported to be related to acidosis and diseases that cause tissue acidification, but the mechanism of proton-induced activation of OGR1-mediated signal transduction in acidic conditions remains unclear. Here, pH-dependent intracellular trafficking of OGR1 was visualized in living leukocytes by a real-time fluorescence microscopic method based on sortase A-mediated pulse labeling of OGR1. OGR1 labeled on the cell surface with a small fluorescent dye was clearly observed to remain in the plasma membrane during incubation in mildly acidic medium (pH 6.6) and to be internalized to the intracellular compartments on changing the medium to slightly basic pH (7.7). Quantitative single-cell image analysis showed that most of the internalized OGR1s were then recycled to the plasma membrane for signal transduction if the extracellular pH was returned to the mildly acidic state. However, in a minor population of cells (40%), the internalized OGR1s were retained in endosomes or transported to lysosomes and degraded, leading to low efficiency of their recycling to the plasma membrane. Thus, the present live-cell monitoring strongly suggests that the signal transduction activity of OGR1 is regulated by pH-dependent internalization and recycling to the plasma membrane. Copyright © 2018 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Metabolic Imaging in Multiple Time Scales

PubMed Central

Ramanujan, V Krishnan

2013-01-01

We report here a novel combination of time-resolved imaging methods for probing mitochondrial metabolism multiple time scales at the level of single cells. By exploiting a mitochondrial membrane potential reporter fluorescence we demonstrate the single cell metabolic dynamics in time scales ranging from milliseconds to seconds to minutes in response to glucose metabolism and mitochondrial perturbations in real time. Our results show that in comparison with normal human mammary epithelial cells, the breast cancer cells display significant alterations in metabolic responses at all measured time scales by single cell kinetics, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and by scaling analysis of time-series data obtained from mitochondrial fluorescence fluctuations. Furthermore scaling analysis of time-series data in living cells with distinct mitochondrial dysfunction also revealed significant metabolic differences thereby suggesting the broader applicability (e.g. in mitochondrial myopathies and other metabolic disorders) of the proposed strategies beyond the scope of cancer metabolism. We discuss the scope of these findings in the context of developing portable, real-time metabolic measurement systems that can find applications in preclinical and clinical diagnostics. PMID:24013043

Toward real time detection of the basic living activity in home using a wearable sensor and smart home sensors.

PubMed

Bang, Sunlee; Kim, Minho; Song, Sa-Kwang; Park, Soo-Jun

2008-01-01

As the elderly people living alone are enormously increasing recently, we need the system inferring activities of daily living (ADL) for maintaining healthy life and recognizing emergency. The system should be constructed with sensors, which are used to associate with people's living while remaining as non intrusive views as possible. To do this, the proposed system use a triaxial accelerometer sensor and environment sensors indicating contact with subject in home. Particularly, in order to robustly infer ADLs, we present component ADL, which is decided with conjunction of human motion together, not just only contacted object identification. It is an important component in inferring ADL. In special, component ADL decision firstly refines misclassified initial activities, which improves the accuracy of recognizing ADL. Preliminary experiments results for proposed system provides overall recognition rate of over 97% over 8 component ADLs, which can be effectively applicable to recognize the final ADLs.

Simple and rapid detection of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus from pig whole blood using filter paper.

PubMed

Inoue, Ryo; Tsukahara, Takamitsu; Sunaba, Chinatsu; Itoh, Mitsugi; Ushida, Kazunari

2007-04-01

The combination of Flinders Technology Associates filter papers (FTA cards) and real-time PCR was examined to establish a simple and rapid technique for the detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) from whole pig blood. A modified live PRRS vaccine was diluted with either sterilised saline or pig whole blood, and the suspensions were applied onto the FTA cards. The real-time RT-PCR detection of PRRSV was performed directly with the samples applied to the FTA card without the RNA extraction step. Six whole blood samples from at random selected piglets in the PRRSV infected farm were also assayed in this study. The expected PCR product was successfully amplified from either saline diluted or pig whole blood diluted vaccine. The same PCR ampliocon was detected from all blood samples assayed in this study. This study suggested that the combination of an FTA card and real-time PCR is a rapid and easy technique for the detection of PRRSV. This technique can remarkably shorten the time required for PRRSV detection from whole blood and makes the procedure much easier.

PiCO QL: A software library for runtime interactive queries on program data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fragkoulis, Marios; Spinellis, Diomidis; Louridas, Panos

PiCO QL is an open source C/C++ software whose scientific scope is real-time interactive analysis of in-memory data through SQL queries. It exposes a relational view of a system's or application's data structures, which is queryable through SQL. While the application or system is executing, users can input queries through a web-based interface or issue web service requests. Queries execute on the live data structures through the respective relational views. PiCO QL makes a good candidate for ad-hoc data analysis in applications and for diagnostics in systems settings. Applications of PiCO QL include the Linux kernel, the Valgrind instrumentation framework, a GIS application, a virtual real-time observatory of stellar objects, and a source code analyser.

MULTIPLEX SYBR® GREEN-REAL TIME PCR (qPCR) ASSAY FOR THE DETECTION AND DIFFERENTIATION OF Bartonella henselae AND Bartonella clarridgeiae IN CATS

PubMed Central

Staggemeier, Rodrigo; Pilger, Diogo André; Spilki, Fernando Rosado; Cantarelli, Vlademir Vicente

2014-01-01

A novel SYBR® green-real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was developed to detect two Bartonella species, B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae, directly from blood samples. The test was used in blood samples obtained from cats living in animal shelters in Southern Brazil. Results were compared with those obtained by conventional PCR targeting Bartonella spp. Among the 47 samples analyzed, eight were positive using the conventional PCR and 12 were positive using qPCR. Importantly, the new qPCR detected the presence of both B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae in two samples. The results show that the qPCR described here may be a reliable tool for the screening and differentiation of two important Bartonella species. PMID:24626408

Multiplex SYBR® green-real time PCR (qPCR) assay for the detection and differentiation of Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae in cats.

PubMed

Staggemeier, Rodrigo; Pilger, Diogo André; Spilki, Fernando Rosado; Cantarelli, Vlademir Vicente

2014-01-01

A novel SYBR® green-real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was developed to detect two Bartonella species, B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae, directly from blood samples. The test was used in blood samples obtained from cats living in animal shelters in Southern Brazil. Results were compared with those obtained by conventional PCR targeting Bartonella spp. Among the 47 samples analyzed, eight were positive using the conventional PCR and 12 were positive using qPCR. Importantly, the new qPCR detected the presence of both B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae in two samples. The results show that the qPCR described here may be a reliable tool for the screening and differentiation of two important Bartonella species.

The psychophysiology of real-time financial risk processing.

PubMed

Lo, Andrew W; Repin, Dmitry V

2002-04-01

A longstanding controversy in economics and finance is whether financial markets are governed by rational forces or by emotional responses. We study the importance of emotion in the decision-making process of professional securities traders by measuring their physiological characteristics (e.g., skin conductance, blood volume pulse, etc.) during live trading sessions while simultaneously capturing real-time prices from which market events can be detected. In a sample of 10 traders, we find statistically significant differences in mean electrodermal responses during transient market events relative to no-event control periods, and statistically significant mean changes in cardiovascular variables during periods of heightened market volatility relative to normal-volatility control periods. We also observe significant differences in these physiological responses across the 10 traders that may be systematically related to the traders' levels of experience.

Reversible chemical tuning of charge carriers for enhanced photoelectrochemical conversion and probing of living cells.

PubMed

Wang, Yongcheng; Tang, Jing; Zhou, Tong; Da, Peimei; Li, Jun; Kong, Biao; Yang, Zhongqin; Zheng, Gengfeng

2014-12-10

A facile, solution method for reversible tuning of oxygen vacancies inside TiO2 nanowires, in which the reducing treatment of TiO2 by NaBH4 leads to 2.4-fold increase of photocurrent density, compared to pristine TiO2 nanowires, is reported. Subsequent oxidizing treatment using KMnO4 or annealing in air can reset the photocurrent density to the original values. The incident photo-to-current conversion efficiency measurement exhibits that the reduced TiO2 nanowires present both enhanced photoactivity in both UV and visible regions. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the oxygen vacancies in the reduced TiO2 cause defect states in the band structure and result in enhanced carrier density and conductivity. In addition, the enhanced solar energy-driven photoelectrochemical conversion allows real-time, sensitive chemical probing of living cells that are directly grown on the TiO2 nanowire photoanodes. As proofs-of-concept, after functionalized with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on the surface, the reduced TiO2 NWs demonstrate sensitive, real-time monitoring of the H2O2 levels in several distinctive living cell lines, with the lowest detectable H2O2 concentration of 7.7 nM. This reversible tuning of oxygen vacancies suggests a facile means for transition metal oxides, with enhanced photoconversion activity and electrochemical sensitivity. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Real-time intravital imaging of pH variation associated with osteoclast activity.

PubMed

Maeda, Hiroki; Kowada, Toshiyuki; Kikuta, Junichi; Furuya, Masayuki; Shirazaki, Mai; Mizukami, Shin; Ishii, Masaru; Kikuchi, Kazuya

2016-08-01

Intravital imaging by two-photon excitation microscopy (TPEM) has been widely used to visualize cell functions. However, small molecular probes (SMPs), commonly used for cell imaging, cannot be simply applied to intravital imaging because of the challenge of delivering them into target tissues, as well as their undesirable physicochemical properties for TPEM imaging. Here, we designed and developed a functional SMP with an active-targeting moiety, higher photostability, and a fluorescence switch and then imaged target cell activity by injecting the SMP into living mice. The combination of the rationally designed SMP with a fluorescent protein as a reporter of cell localization enabled quantitation of osteoclast activity and time-lapse imaging of its in vivo function associated with changes in cell deformation and membrane fluctuations. Real-time imaging revealed heterogenic behaviors of osteoclasts in vivo and provided insights into the mechanism of bone resorption.

Real-time mobile phone dialing system based on SSVEP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Dongsheng; Kobayashi, Toshiki; Cui, Gaochao; Watabe, Daishi; Cao, Jianting

2017-03-01

Brain computer interface (BCI) systems based on the steady state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) provide higher information transfer rates and require shorter training time than BCI systems using other brain signals. It has been widely used in brain science, rehabilitation engineering, biomedical engineering and intelligent information processing. In this paper, we present a real-time mobile phone dialing system based on SSVEP, and it is more portable than other dialing system because the flashing dial interface is set on a small tablet. With this online BCI system, we can take advantage of this system based on SSVEP to identify the specific frequency on behalf of a number using canonical correlation analysis (CCA) method and dialed out successfully without using any physical movements such as finger tapping. This phone dialing system will be promising to help disable patients to improve the quality of lives.

Exploring the Leishmania Hydrophilic Acylated Surface Protein B (HASPB) Export Pathway by Live Cell Imaging Methods.

PubMed

MacLean, Lorna; Price, Helen; O'Toole, Peter

2016-01-01

Leishmania major is a human-infective protozoan parasite transmitted by the bite of the female phlebotomine sand fly. The L. major hydrophilic acylated surface protein B (HASPB) is only expressed in infective parasite stages suggesting a role in parasite virulence. HASPB is a "nonclassically" secreted protein that lacks a conventional signal peptide, reaching the cell surface by an alternative route to the classical ER-Golgi pathway. Instead HASPB trafficking to and exposure on the parasite plasma membrane requires dual N-terminal acylation. Here, we use live cell imaging methods to further explore this pathway allowing visualization of key events in real time at the individual cell level. These methods include live cell imaging using fluorescent reporters to determine the subcellular localization of wild type and acylation site mutation HASPB18-GFP fusion proteins, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) to analyze the dynamics of HASPB in live cells, and live antibody staining to detect surface exposure of HASPB by confocal microscopy.

From surface to intracellular non-invasive nanoscale study of living cells impairments

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

Ewald, Dr. Maxime; Tetard, Laurene; Elie-Caille, Dr. Cecile

Among the enduring challenges in nanoscience, subsurface characterization of live cells holds major stakes. Developments in nanometrology for soft matter thriving on the sensitivity and high resolution benefits of atomic force microscopy have enabled detection of subsurface structures at the nanoscale (1,2,3). However, measurements in liquid environments remain complex (4,5,6,7), in particular in the subsurface domain. Here we introduce liquid-Mode Synthesizing Atomic Force Microscopy (l-MSAFM) to study both the inner structures and the chemically induced intracellular impairments of living cells. Specifically, we visualize the intracellular stress effects of glyphosate on living keratinocytes skin cells. This new approach for living cellmore » nanoscale imaging, l-MSAFM, in their physiological environment or in presence of a chemical stress agent confirmed the loss of inner structures induced by glyphosate. The ability to monitor the cell's inner response to external stimuli, non-destructively and in real time, has the potential to unveil critical nanoscale mechanisms of life science.« less

High-speed AFM for scanning the architecture of living cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jing; Deng, Zhifeng; Chen, Daixie; Ao, Zhuo; Sun, Quanmei; Feng, Jiantao; Yin, Bohua; Han, Li; Han, Dong

2013-08-01

We address the modelling of tip-cell membrane interactions under high speed atomic force microscopy. Using a home-made device with a scanning area of 100 × 100 μm2, in situ imaging of living cells is successfully performed under loading rates from 1 to 50 Hz, intending to enable detailed descriptions of physiological processes in living samples.We address the modelling of tip-cell membrane interactions under high speed atomic force microscopy. Using a home-made device with a scanning area of 100 × 100 μm2, in situ imaging of living cells is successfully performed under loading rates from 1 to 50 Hz, intending to enable detailed descriptions of physiological processes in living samples. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Movie of the real-time change of inner surface within fresh blood vessel. The movie was captured at a speed of 30 Hz in the range of 80 μm × 80 μm. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr01464a

Solid-State Multi-Sensor Array System for Real Time Imaging of Magnetic Fields and Ferrous Objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benitez, D.; Gaydecki, P.; Quek, S.; Torres, V.

2008-02-01

In this paper the development of a solid-state sensors based system for real-time imaging of magnetic fields and ferrous objects is described. The system comprises 1089 magneto inductive solid state sensors arranged in a 2D array matrix of 33×33 files and columns, equally spaced in order to cover an approximate area of 300 by 300 mm. The sensor array is located within a large current-carrying coil. Data is sampled from the sensors by several DSP controlling units and finally streamed to a host computer via a USB 2.0 interface and the image generated and displayed at a rate of 20 frames per minute. The development of the instrumentation has been complemented by extensive numerical modeling of field distribution patterns using boundary element methods. The system was originally intended for deployment in the non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of reinforced concrete. Nevertheless, the system is not only capable of producing real-time, live video images of the metal target embedded within any opaque medium, it also allows the real-time visualization and determination of the magnetic field distribution emitted by either permanent magnets or geometries carrying current. Although this system was initially developed for the NDE arena, it could also have many potential applications in many other fields, including medicine, security, manufacturing, quality assurance and design involving magnetic fields.

C. P. A. Youth Motivation through Day Care Demonstration. Final Evaluation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pittman, Audrey; McWhorter, Schelysture

The Real Experiences for Alternatives in Living Program (REAL) employs three components in an attempt to alter positively the lives of inner-city male youths and to provide indigenous role models within a day care setting to school-age children enrolled therein. These components are informal and formal on-the-job inservice training in child…

Project Real World: Economic Living Skills for High School Students. Module I, The Canadian Marketplace and You.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Federal/Provincial Consumer Education and Plain Language Task Force (Canada).

Project Real World, a self-contained, activity-based Canadian consumer science program, provides students with systematic instruction in economic living skills. It gives students in grades 10-12 an orientation to the economic realities and opportunities in society. The program helps students function effectively within the rapidly changing…

Project Real World: Economic Living Skills for High School Students. Module IV, Entrepreneurship and the World of Work.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Federal/Provincial Consumer Education and Plain Language Task Force (Canada).

Project Real World, a self-contained, activity-based Canadian consumer science program, provides students with systematic instruction in economic living skills. It gives students in grades 10-12 an orientation to the economic realities and opportunities in society. The program helps students understand the marketplace; manage resources; apply…

Project Real World: Economic Living Skills for High School Students. Module V, Citizen Participation in Canada's Market-Based Society.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Federal/Provincial Consumer Education and Plain Language Task Force (Canada).

Project Real World, a self-contained, activity-based Canadian consumer science program, provides students with systematic instruction in economic living skills. It gives students in grades 10-12 an orientation to the economic realities and opportunities in society. The program helps students understand the marketplace; manage resources; apply…

Project Real World: Economic Living Skills for High School Students. Module II, Your Economic Decisions and You.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Federal/Provincial Consumer Education and Plain Language Task Force (Canada).

Project Real World, a self-contained, activity-based Canadian consumer science program, provides students with systematic instruction in economic living skills. It gives students in grades 10-12 an orientation to the economic realities and opportunities in society. The program helps students function effectively within the rapidly changing…

Automated live cell screening system based on a 24-well-microplate with integrated micro fluidics.

PubMed

Lob, V; Geisler, T; Brischwein, M; Uhl, R; Wolf, B

2007-11-01

In research, pharmacologic drug-screening and medical diagnostics, the trend towards the utilization of functional assays using living cells is persisting. Research groups working with living cells are confronted with the problem, that common endpoint measurement methods are not able to map dynamic changes. With consideration of time as a further dimension, the dynamic and networked molecular processes of cells in culture can be monitored. These processes can be investigated by measuring several extracellular parameters. This paper describes a high-content system that provides real-time monitoring data of cell parameters (metabolic and morphological alterations), e.g., upon treatment with drug compounds. Accessible are acidification rates, the oxygen consumption and changes in adhesion forces within 24 cell cultures in parallel. Addressing the rising interest in biomedical and pharmacological high-content screening assays, a concept has been developed, which integrates multi-parametric sensor readout, automated imaging and probe handling into a single embedded platform. A life-maintenance system keeps important environmental parameters (gas, humidity, sterility, temperature) constant.

The use of information and communication technology to meet chronically ill patients' needs when living at home.

PubMed

Skär, Lisa; Söderberg, Siv

2011-01-01

The aim of the study was to describe influences, benefits, and limitations in using information and communication technology to meet chronically ill patients' needs when living at home. The study is a descriptive, exploratory designed pilot study and the intervention was performed using an electronic communication program enabling communication between ill persons and the district nurse in real time by web cam pictures and sound. The participant used the programme once or twice a week from February to August 2008. Data were collected by means of repeated interviews and logbook notes, and were subjected to qualitative content analysis. The results showed that all participants appreciated being able to communicate regardless of time and place and their experiences of using information and communication technology revealed that it created feelings of safety and security. The information and communication technology became a tool in their communication and improved nursing care among seriously chronically ill persons living at home.

Visualizing dopamine released from living cells using a nanoplasmonic probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, W. W.; Wang, S. P.; Li, J.; Peng, T. H.; Xu, Y.; Wang, K.; Shi, J. Y.; Fan, C. H.; Li, D.

2015-09-01

We report the development of an ultrasensitive nanoplasmonic probe for discriminative detection and imaging of dopamine released from living cells. The sensing mechanism is based on the dopamine-induced seeded-growth of Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) that leads to the shift of the plasmon band. This platform allows for the detection of dopamine with a detection limit down to 0.25 pM within 1 min. This nanoplasmonic assay is further applied to visualize the release of dopamine from living rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells under ATP-stimulation with dark-field microscopy (DFM). The DFM results together with real time fluorescence imaging of PC12 cells stained with the Fluo calcium indicator, suggested that ATP stimulated-release of dopamine is concomitant with the Ca2+ influx, and the influx of Ca2+ is through ATP-activated channels instead of the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (VGC).We report the development of an ultrasensitive nanoplasmonic probe for discriminative detection and imaging of dopamine released from living cells. The sensing mechanism is based on the dopamine-induced seeded-growth of Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) that leads to the shift of the plasmon band. This platform allows for the detection of dopamine with a detection limit down to 0.25 pM within 1 min. This nanoplasmonic assay is further applied to visualize the release of dopamine from living rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells under ATP-stimulation with dark-field microscopy (DFM). The DFM results together with real time fluorescence imaging of PC12 cells stained with the Fluo calcium indicator, suggested that ATP stimulated-release of dopamine is concomitant with the Ca2+ influx, and the influx of Ca2+ is through ATP-activated channels instead of the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (VGC). Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Fig. S1-S4 and Table S1. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr04433b

FPGA-based multi-channel fluorescence lifetime analysis of Fourier multiplexed frequency-sweeping lifetime imaging

PubMed Central

Zhao, Ming; Li, Yu; Peng, Leilei

2014-01-01

We report a fast non-iterative lifetime data analysis method for the Fourier multiplexed frequency-sweeping confocal FLIM (Fm-FLIM) system [ Opt. Express22, 10221 ( 2014)24921725]. The new method, named R-method, allows fast multi-channel lifetime image analysis in the system’s FPGA data processing board. Experimental tests proved that the performance of the R-method is equivalent to that of single-exponential iterative fitting, and its sensitivity is well suited for time-lapse FLIM-FRET imaging of live cells, for example cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level imaging with GFP-Epac-mCherry sensors. With the R-method and its FPGA implementation, multi-channel lifetime images can now be generated in real time on the multi-channel frequency-sweeping FLIM system, and live readout of FRET sensors can be performed during time-lapse imaging. PMID:25321778

Nano-optomechanics with optically levitated nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neukirch, Levi P.; Vamivakas, A. Nick

2015-01-01

Nano-optomechanics is a vibrant area of research that continues to push the boundary of quantum science and measurement technology. Recently, it has been realised that the optical forces experienced by polarisable nanoparticles can provide a novel platform for nano-optomechanics with untethered mechanical oscillators. Remarkably, these oscillators are expected to exhibit quality factors approaching ?. The pronounced quality factors are a direct result of the mechanical oscillator being freed from a supporting substrate. This review provides an overview of the basic optical physics underpinning optical trapping and optical levitation experiments, it discusses a number of experimental approaches to optical trapping and finally outlines possible applications of this nano-optomechanics modality in hybrid quantum systems and nanoscale optical metrology.

Direct observation of nucleocytoplasmic transport by microinjection of GFP-tagged proteins in living cells.

PubMed

Rosorius, O; Heger, P; Stelz, G; Hirschmann, N; Hauber, J; Stauber, R H

1999-08-01

We established a straightforward experimental system to investigate directly the requirements for nucleocytoplasmic transport in live cells. For this purpose, substrates were created containing nuclear localization signals (NLS) or nuclear export signals (NES) linked to a chimeric protein composed of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP). The combination of GST/GFP-tagging allowed us to control protein expression in bacteria and to monitor protein purification during chromatography. Following microinjection into somatic cells, nuclear export/import of the highly fluorescent substrates could be observed directly by fluorescence microscopy. This system sets the stage to quantitate, in real time, the kinetics of nuclear import/export in living cells and to evaluate qualitative differences in various NLS/NES signals and pathways.

Simultaneous live imaging of the transcription and nuclear position of specific genes

PubMed Central

Ochiai, Hiroshi; Sugawara, Takeshi; Yamamoto, Takashi

2015-01-01

The relationship between genome organization and gene expression has recently been established. However, the relationships between spatial organization, dynamics, and transcriptional regulation of the genome remain unknown. In this study, we developed a live-imaging method for simultaneous measurements of the transcriptional activity and nuclear position of endogenous genes, which we termed the ‘Real-time Observation of Localization and EXpression (ROLEX)’ system. We demonstrated that ROLEX is highly specific and does not affect the expression level of the target gene. ROLEX enabled detection of sub-genome-wide mobility changes that depended on the state of Nanog transactivation in embryonic stem cells. We believe that the ROLEX system will become a powerful tool for exploring the relationship between transcription and nuclear dynamics in living cells. PMID:26092696

An ex vivo laser-induced spinal cord injury model to assess mechanisms of axonal degeneration in real-time.

PubMed

Okada, Starlyn L M; Stivers, Nicole S; Stys, Peter K; Stirling, David P

2014-11-25

Injured CNS axons fail to regenerate and often retract away from the injury site. Axons spared from the initial injury may later undergo secondary axonal degeneration. Lack of growth cone formation, regeneration, and loss of additional myelinated axonal projections within the spinal cord greatly limits neurological recovery following injury. To assess how central myelinated axons of the spinal cord respond to injury, we developed an ex vivo living spinal cord model utilizing transgenic mice that express yellow fluorescent protein in axons and a focal and highly reproducible laser-induced spinal cord injury to document the fate of axons and myelin (lipophilic fluorescent dye Nile Red) over time using two-photon excitation time-lapse microscopy. Dynamic processes such as acute axonal injury, axonal retraction, and myelin degeneration are best studied in real-time. However, the non-focal nature of contusion-based injuries and movement artifacts encountered during in vivo spinal cord imaging make differentiating primary and secondary axonal injury responses using high resolution microscopy challenging. The ex vivo spinal cord model described here mimics several aspects of clinically relevant contusion/compression-induced axonal pathologies including axonal swelling, spheroid formation, axonal transection, and peri-axonal swelling providing a useful model to study these dynamic processes in real-time. Major advantages of this model are excellent spatiotemporal resolution that allows differentiation between the primary insult that directly injures axons and secondary injury mechanisms; controlled infusion of reagents directly to the perfusate bathing the cord; precise alterations of the environmental milieu (e.g., calcium, sodium ions, known contributors to axonal injury, but near impossible to manipulate in vivo); and murine models also offer an advantage as they provide an opportunity to visualize and manipulate genetically identified cell populations and subcellular structures. Here, we describe how to isolate and image the living spinal cord from mice to capture dynamics of acute axonal injury.

Not virtual, but a real, live, online, interactive reference service.

PubMed

Jerant, Lisa Lott; Firestein, Kenneth

2003-01-01

In today's fast-paced environment, traditional medical reference services alone are not adequate to meet users' information needs. Efforts to find new ways to provide comprehensive service to users, where and when needed, have often included the use of new and developing technologies. This paper describes the experience of an academic health science library in developing and providing an online, real-time reference service. Issues discussed include selecting software, training librarians, staffing the service, and considering the future of the service. Use statistics, question type analysis, and feedback from users of the service and librarians who staff the service, are also presented.

Development and evaluation of a novel, real time mobile telesonography system in management of patients with abdominal trauma: study protocol.

PubMed

Ogedegbe, Chinwe; Morchel, Herman; Hazelwood, Vikki; Chaplin, William F; Feldman, Joseph

2012-12-18

Despite the use of e-FAST in management of patients with abdominal trauma, its utility in prehospital setting is not widely adopted. The goal of this study is to develop a novel portable telesonography (TS) system and evaluate the comparability of the quality of images obtained via this system among healthy volunteers who undergo e-FAST abdominal examination in a moving ambulance and at the ED. We hypothesize that: (1) real-time ultrasound images of acute trauma patients in the pre-hospital setting can be obtained and transmitted to the ED via the novel TS system; and (2) Ultrasound images transmitted to the hospital from the real-time TS system will be comparable in quality to those obtained in the ED. Study participants are three healthy volunteers (one each with normal, overweight and obese BMI category). The ultrasound images will be obtained by two ultrasound-trained physicians The TS is a portable sonogram (by Sonosite) interfaced with a portable broadcast unit (by Live-U). Two UTPs will conduct e-FAST examinations on healthy volunteers in moving ambulances and transmit the images via cellular network to the hospital server, where they are stored. Upon arrival in the ED, the same UTPs will obtain another set of images from the volunteers, which are then compared to those obtained in the moving ambulances by another set of blinded UTPs (evaluators) using a validated image quality scale, the Questionnaire for User Interaction Satisfaction (QUIS). Findings from this study will provide needed data on the validity of the novel TS in transmitting live images from moving ambulances to images obtained in the ED thus providing opportunity to facilitate medical care of a patient located in a remote or austere setting.

Stereoscopic augmented reality for laparoscopic surgery.

PubMed

Kang, Xin; Azizian, Mahdi; Wilson, Emmanuel; Wu, Kyle; Martin, Aaron D; Kane, Timothy D; Peters, Craig A; Cleary, Kevin; Shekhar, Raj

2014-07-01

Conventional laparoscopes provide a flat representation of the three-dimensional (3D) operating field and are incapable of visualizing internal structures located beneath visible organ surfaces. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images are difficult to fuse in real time with laparoscopic views due to the deformable nature of soft-tissue organs. Utilizing emerging camera technology, we have developed a real-time stereoscopic augmented-reality (AR) system for laparoscopic surgery by merging live laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS) with stereoscopic video. The system creates two new visual cues: (1) perception of true depth with improved understanding of 3D spatial relationships among anatomical structures, and (2) visualization of critical internal structures along with a more comprehensive visualization of the operating field. The stereoscopic AR system has been designed for near-term clinical translation with seamless integration into the existing surgical workflow. It is composed of a stereoscopic vision system, a LUS system, and an optical tracker. Specialized software processes streams of imaging data from the tracked devices and registers those in real time. The resulting two ultrasound-augmented video streams (one for the left and one for the right eye) give a live stereoscopic AR view of the operating field. The team conducted a series of stereoscopic AR interrogations of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and kidneys in two swine. The preclinical studies demonstrated the feasibility of the stereoscopic AR system during in vivo procedures. Major internal structures could be easily identified. The system exhibited unobservable latency with acceptable image-to-video registration accuracy. We presented the first in vivo use of a complete system with stereoscopic AR visualization capability. This new capability introduces new visual cues and enhances visualization of the surgical anatomy. The system shows promise to improve the precision and expand the capacity of minimally invasive laparoscopic surgeries.

Optoacoustic imaging in five dimensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deán-Ben, X. L.; Gottschalk, Sven; Fehm, Thomas F.; Razansky, Daniel

2015-03-01

We report on an optoacoustic imaging system capable of acquiring volumetric multispectral optoacoustic data in real time. The system is based on simultaneous acquisition of optoacoustic signals from 256 different tomographic projections by means of a spherical matrix array. Thereby, volumetric reconstructions can be done at high frame rate, only limited by the pulse repetition rate of the laser. The developed tomographic approach presents important advantages over previously reported systems that use scanning for attaining volumetric optoacoustic data. First, dynamic processes, such as the biodistribution of optical biomarkers, can be monitored in the entire volume of interest. Second, out-of-plane and motion artifacts that could degrade the image quality when imaging living specimens can be avoided. Finally, real-time 3D performance can obviously save time required for experimental and clinical observations. The feasibility of optoacoustic imaging in five dimensions, i.e. real time acquisition of volumetric datasets at multiple wavelengths, is reported. In this way, volumetric images of spectrally resolved chromophores are rendered in real time, thus offering an unparallel imaging performance among the current bio-imaging modalities. This performance is subsequently showcased by video-rate visualization of in vivo hemodynamic changes in mouse brain and handheld visualization of blood oxygenation in deep human vessels. The newly discovered capacities open new prospects for translating the optoacoustic technology into highly performing imaging modality for biomedical research and clinical practice with multiple applications envisioned, from cardiovascular and cancer diagnostics to neuroimaging and ophthalmology.

Human factor observations of the Biosphere 2, 1991-1993, closed life support human experiment and its application to a long-term manned mission to Mars.

PubMed

Alling, Abigail; Nelson, Mark; Silverstone, Sally; Van Thillo, Mark

2002-01-01

Human factors are a key component to the success of long-term space missions such as those necessitated by the human exploration of Mars and the development of bioregenerative and eventually self-sufficient life support systems for permanent space outposts. Observations by participants living inside the 1991-1993 Biosphere 2 closed system experiment provide the following insights. (1) Crew members should be involved in the design and construction of their life support systems to gain maximum knowledge about the systems. (2) Individuals living in closed life support systems should expect a process of physiological and psychological adaptation to their new environment. (3) Far from simply being a workplace, the participants in such extended missions will discover the importance of creating a cohesive and satisfying life style. (4) The crew will be dependent on the use of varied crops to create satisfying cuisine, a social life with sufficient outlets of expression such as art and music, and to have down-time from purely task-driven work. (5) The success of the Biosphere 2 first 2-year mission suggests that crews with high cultural diversity, high commitment to task, and work democracy principles for individual responsibility may increase the probability of both mission success and personal satisfaction. (6) Remaining challenges are many, including the need for far more comprehensive real-time modeling and information systems (a "cybersphere") operating to provide real-time data necessary for decision-making in a complex life support system. (7) And, the aim will be to create a noosphere, or sphere of intelligence, where the people and their living systems are in sustainable balance.

REVIEWS OF TOPICAL PROBLEMS Molecular energy transducers of the living cell. Proton ATP synthase: a rotating molecular motor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romanovsky, Yurii M.; Tikhonov, Alexander N.

2010-12-01

The free energy released upon the enzymatic hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the main source of energy for the functioning of the living cell and all multicellular organisms. The overwhelming majority of ATP molecules are formed by proton ATP synthases, which are the smallest macromolecular electric motors in Nature. This paper reviews the modern concepts of the molecular structure and functioning of the proton ATP synthase, and real-time biophysical experiments on the rotation of the 'rotor' of this macromolecular motor. Some mathematical models describing the operation of this nanosized macromolecular machine are described.

Imaging in real-time with FRET the redox response of tumorigenic cells to glutathione perturbations in a microscale flow†

PubMed Central

Lin, Chunchen; Kolossov, Vladimir L.; Tsvid, Gene; Trump, Lisa; Henry, Jennifer Jo; Henderson, Jerrod L.; Rund, Laurie A.; Kenis, Paul J.A.; Schook, Lawrence B.; Gaskins, H. Rex; Timp, Gregory

2012-01-01

Despite the potential benefits of selective redox-modulating strategies for cancer therapy, an efficacious methodology for testing therapies remains elusive because of the difficulty in measuring intracellular redox potentials over time. In this report, we have incorporated a new FRET-based biosensor to follow in real time redox-sensitive processes in cells transformed to be tumorigenic and cultured in a microfluidic channel. A microfluidic network was used to control micro-scale flow near the cells and at the same time deliver drugs exogenously. Subsequently, the response of a redox homeostasis circuit was tested, namely reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione(GSSG), to diamide, a thiol oxidant, and two drugs used for cancer therapies: BSO (l-buthionine-[SR]-sulfoximine) and BCNU (carmustine). The main outcome from these experiments is a comparison of the temporal depletion and recovery of GSH in single living cells in real-time. These data demonstrate that mammalian cells are capable of restoring a reduced intracellular redox environment in minutes after an acute oxidative insult is removed. This recovery is significantly delayed by (i) the inhibition of GSH biosynthesis by BSO; (ii) the inactivation of glutathione reductase by BCNU; and (iii) in tumorigenic cells relative to an isogenic non-tumorigenic control cell line. PMID:21183971

Posture and activity recognition and energy expenditure prediction in a wearable platform.

PubMed

Sazonova, Nadezhda; Browning, Raymond; Melanson, Edward; Sazonov, Edward

2014-01-01

The use of wearable sensors coupled with the processing power of mobile phones may be an attractive way to provide real-time feedback about physical activity and energy expenditure (EE). Here we describe use of a shoe-based wearable sensor system (SmartShoe) with a mobile phone for real-time prediction and display of time spent in various postures/physical activities and the resulting EE. To deal with processing power and memory limitations of the phone, we introduce new algorithms that require substantially less computational power. The algorithms were validated using data from 15 subjects who performed up to 15 different activities of daily living during a four-hour stay in a room calorimeter. Use of Multinomial Logistic Discrimination (MLD) for posture and activity classification resulted in an accuracy comparable to that of Support Vector Machines (SVM) (90% vs. 95%-98%) while reducing the running time by a factor of 190 and reducing the memory requirement by a factor of 104. Per minute EE estimation using activity-specific models resulted in an accurate EE prediction (RMSE of 0.53 METs vs. RMSE of 0.69 METs using previously reported SVM-branched models). These results demonstrate successful implementation of real-time physical activity monitoring and EE prediction system on a wearable platform.

Patterns and Principles for Blended Synchronous Learning: Engaging Remote and Face-to-Face Learners in Rich-Media Real-Time Collaborative Activities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bower, Matt; Kenney, Jacqueline; Dalgarno, Barney; Lee, Mark J. W.; Kennedy, Gregor E.

2014-01-01

Blended synchronous learning involves using rich-media technologies to enable remote and face-to-face students to jointly participate in the same live classes. This article presents blended synchronous learning designs from seven case studies that were part of a project funded by the Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching and…

NREL's Kurtz, Tegen Honored for Clean Energy Leadership | News | NREL

Science.gov Websites

Award," Kurtz said. "We live in an exciting time - when the world is moving to adopt renewable energy. It has been a real privilege to work with many passionate people at NREL and around the world toward the goal of a world powered by clean energy. I wish I could list the hundreds of people; it's with

Project Real World: Economic Living Skills for High School Students. Module III, Resource Management Skills--What Money Can't Buy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Federal/Provincial Consumer Education and Plain Language Task Force (Canada).

Project Real World, a self-contained, activity-based Canadian consumer science program, provides students with systematic instruction in economic living skills. It gives students in grades 10-12 an orientation to the economic realities and opportunities in society. The program helps students function effectively within the rapidly changing…

Real-Time Tracking of the Extreme Rainfall of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria using UCI CHRS's iRain System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shearer, E. J.; Nguyen, P.; Ombadi, M.; Palacios, T.; Huynh, P.; Furman, D.; Tran, H.; Braithwaite, D.; Hsu, K. L.; Sorooshian, S.; Logan, W. S.

2017-12-01

During the 2017 hurricane season, three major hurricanes-Harvey, Irma, and Maria-devastated the Atlantic coast of the US and the Caribbean Islands. Harvey set the record for the rainiest storm in continental US history, Irma was the longest-lived powerful hurricane ever observed, and Maria was the costliest storm in Puerto Rican history. The recorded maximum precipitation totals for these storms were 65, 16, and 20 inches respectively. These events provided the Center for Hydrometeorology and Remote Sensing (CHRS) an opportunity to test its global real-time satellite precipitation observation system, iRain, for extreme storm events. The iRain system has been under development through a collaboration between CHRS at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and UNESCO's International Hydrological Program (IHP). iRain provides near real-time high resolution (0.04°, approx. 4km) global (60°N - 60°S) satellite precipitation data estimated by the PERSIANN-Cloud Classification System (PERSIANN-CCS) algorithm developed by the scientists at CHRS. The user-interactive and web-accessible iRain system allows users to visualize and download real-time global satellite precipitation estimates and track the development and path of the current 50 largest storms globally from data generated by the PERSIANN-CCS algorithm. iRain continuously proves to be an effective tool for measuring real-time precipitation amounts of extreme storms-especially in locations that do not have extensive rain gauge or radar coverage. Such areas include large portions of the world's oceans and over continents such as Africa and Asia. CHRS also created a mobile app version of the system named "iRain UCI", available for iOS and Android devices. During these storms, real-time rainfall data generated by PERSIANN-CCS was consistently comparable to radar and rain gauge data. This presentation evaluates iRain's efficiency as a tool for extreme precipitation monitoring and provides an evaluation of the PERSIANN-CCS real-time rainfall estimates during Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria in relation to radar and rain gauge data using continuous (correlation, root mean square error, and bias) and categorical (POD and FAR) indices. These results present the relative skill of PERSIANN-CCS real-time data to radar and rain gauge data.

Como Trabajar y Vivir en la Realidad: Pasos Basicos Para Jovenes con Incapacidades, sus Padres y sus Profesores (How to Work and Live in the Real World: Basic Steps for Youth with Handicaps and Their Parents and Teachers).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Patton, Patricia L.; And Others

This Spanish version of "How to Work and Live in the Real World: Basic Steps for Youth with Handicaps and Their Parents and Teachers" is for young people with handicaps who are getting ready to graduate from high school and begin working and living in the adult world. The booklet places a special focus on individuals with cultural…

Synchrotron x-ray imaging of pulmonary alveoli in respiration in live intact mice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Soeun; Kwon, Namseop; Kim, Jinkyung; Kohmura, Yoshiki; Ishikawa, Tetsuya; Rhee, Chin Kook; Je, Jung Ho; Tsuda, Akira

2015-03-01

Despite nearly a half century of studies, it has not been fully understood how pulmonary alveoli, the elementary gas exchange units in mammalian lungs, inflate and deflate during respiration. Understanding alveolar dynamics is crucial for treating patients with pulmonary diseases. In-vivo, real-time visualization of the alveoli during respiration has been hampered by active lung movement. Previous studies have been therefore limited to alveoli at lung apices or subpleural alveoli under open thorax conditions. Here we report direct and real-time visualization of alveoli of live intact mice during respiration using tracking X-ray microscopy. Our studies, for the first time, determine the alveolar size of normal mice in respiration without positive end expiratory pressure as 58 +/- 14 (mean +/- s.d.) μm on average, accurately measured in the lung bases as well as the apices. Individual alveoli of normal lungs clearly show heterogeneous inflation from zero to ~25% (6.7 +/- 4.7% (mean +/- s.d.)) in size. The degree of inflation is higher in the lung bases (8.7 +/- 4.3% (mean +/- s.d.)) than in the apices (5.7 +/- 3.2% (mean +/- s.d.)). The fraction of the total tidal volume allocated for alveolar inflation is 34 +/- 3.8% (mean +/- s.e.m). This study contributes to the better understanding of alveolar dynamics and helps to develop potential treatment options for pulmonary diseases.

An automatic fall detection framework using data fusion of Doppler radar and motion sensor network.

PubMed

Liu, Liang; Popescu, Mihail; Skubic, Marjorie; Rantz, Marilyn

2014-01-01

This paper describes the ongoing work of detecting falls in independent living senior apartments. We have developed a fall detection system with Doppler radar sensor and implemented ceiling radar in real senior apartments. However, the detection accuracy on real world data is affected by false alarms inherent in the real living environment, such as motions from visitors. To solve this issue, this paper proposes an improved framework by fusing the Doppler radar sensor result with a motion sensor network. As a result, performance is significantly improved after the data fusion by discarding the false alarms generated by visitors. The improvement of this new method is tested on one week of continuous data from an actual elderly person who frequently falls while living in her senior home.

Real-time PCR quantification of six periodontal pathogens in saliva samples from healthy young adults.

PubMed

Zhou, Xiaodong; Liu, Xiaoli; Li, Jing; Aprecio, Raydolfo M; Zhang, Wu; Li, Yiming

2015-05-01

The use of saliva as a diagnostic fluid for the evaluation of periodontal health has gained attention recently. Most published real-time PCR assays focused on quantification of bacteria in subgingival plaque, not in saliva. The aims of this study were to develop a real-time PCR assay for quantification of six periodontal pathogens in saliva and to establish a relationship between the amount of DNA (fg) and colony-forming unit (CFU). TaqMan primers/probe sets were used for the detection of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Eikenella corrodens (Ec), Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Prevotella intermedia (Pi), Tannerella forsythia (Tf), and total bacteria. Six periodontal pathogens and total bacteria in saliva from 24 periodontally healthy individuals were determined. The relationship between the amount of DNA (fg) and CFU was established by measuring the concentrations of extracted bacterial DNA and CFU per milliliter of bacteria on agar plates. Fn, Ec, and Pi were detected in all saliva samples, while 58.5, 45.8, and 33.3% were detected for Tf, Pg, and Aa, respectively. Numbers of Ec and Fn in saliva were highly correlated (R(2) = 0.93, P < 0.01). The values of DNA (fg) per CFU ranged from 64 for Ec to 121 for Pg. The real-time PCR assay in combination with the relationship between DNA (fg) and CFU can be used to quantitate periodontal pathogens in saliva and estimate the number of live bacteria (CFU). This real-time PCR assay in combination with the relationship between DNA (fg) and CFU has the potential to be an adjunct in evaluation of periodontal health status.

The correlation between preoperative volumetry and real graft weight: comparison of two volumetry programs

PubMed Central

Mussin, Nadiar; Sumo, Marco; Choi, YoungRok; Choi, Jin Yong; Ahn, Sung-Woo; Yoon, Kyung Chul; Kim, Hyo-Sin; Hong, Suk Kyun; Yi, Nam-Joon; Suh, Kyung-Suk

2017-01-01

Purpose Liver volumetry is a vital component in living donor liver transplantation to determine an adequate graft volume that meets the metabolic demands of the recipient and at the same time ensures donor safety. Most institutions use preoperative contrast-enhanced CT image-based software programs to estimate graft volume. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of 2 liver volumetry programs (Rapidia vs. Dr. Liver) in preoperative right liver graft estimation compared with real graft weight. Methods Data from 215 consecutive right lobe living donors between October 2013 and August 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred seven patients were enrolled in Rapidia group and 108 patients were included in the Dr. Liver group. Estimated graft volumes generated by both software programs were compared with real graft weight measured during surgery, and further classified into minimal difference (≤15%) and big difference (>15%). Correlation coefficients and degree of difference were determined. Linear regressions were calculated and results depicted as scatterplots. Results Minimal difference was observed in 69.4% of cases from Dr. Liver group and big difference was seen in 44.9% of cases from Rapidia group (P = 0.035). Linear regression analysis showed positive correlation in both groups (P < 0.01). However, the correlation coefficient was better for the Dr. Liver group (R2 = 0.719), than for the Rapidia group (R2 = 0.688). Conclusion Dr. Liver can accurately predict right liver graft size better and faster than Rapidia, and can facilitate preoperative planning in living donor liver transplantation. PMID:28382294

Modulation of hydrogel nanoparticle intracellular trafficking by multivalent surface engineering with tumor targeting peptide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karamchand, Leshern; Kim, Gwangseong; Wang, Shouyan; Hah, Hoe Jin; Ray, Aniruddha; Jiddou, Ruba; Koo Lee, Yong-Eun; Philbert, Martin A.; Kopelman, Raoul

2013-10-01

Surface engineering of a hydrogel nanoparticle (NP) with the tumor-targeting ligand, F3 peptide, enhances both the NP's binding affinity for, and internalization by, nucleolin overexpressing tumor cells. Remarkably, the F3-functionalized NPs consistently exhibited significantly lower trafficking to the degradative lysosomes than the non-functionalized NPs, in the tumor cells, after internalization. This is attributed to the non-functionalized NPs, but not the F3-functionalized NPs, being co-internalized with Lysosome-associated Membrane Protein-1 (LAMP1) from the surface of the tumor cells. Furthermore, it is shown that the intracellular trafficking of the F3-functionalized NPs differs significantly from that of the molecular F3 peptides (untethered to NPs). This has important implications for designing effective, chemically-responsive, controlled-release and multifunctional nanodrugs for multi-drug-resistant cancers.Surface engineering of a hydrogel nanoparticle (NP) with the tumor-targeting ligand, F3 peptide, enhances both the NP's binding affinity for, and internalization by, nucleolin overexpressing tumor cells. Remarkably, the F3-functionalized NPs consistently exhibited significantly lower trafficking to the degradative lysosomes than the non-functionalized NPs, in the tumor cells, after internalization. This is attributed to the non-functionalized NPs, but not the F3-functionalized NPs, being co-internalized with Lysosome-associated Membrane Protein-1 (LAMP1) from the surface of the tumor cells. Furthermore, it is shown that the intracellular trafficking of the F3-functionalized NPs differs significantly from that of the molecular F3 peptides (untethered to NPs). This has important implications for designing effective, chemically-responsive, controlled-release and multifunctional nanodrugs for multi-drug-resistant cancers. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Effect of Potassium depletion on F3 peptide subcellular localization, MTT cytotoxicity data for endocytic inhibitors, size and morphology characterizations of hydrogel PAA nanocarriers, and optimization data for nanocarrier surface functionalization with PEG molecules and F3 peptides. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr00908d

Oxoiron(IV) Tetramethylcyclam Complexes with Axial Carboxylate Ligands: Effect of Tethering the Carboxylate on Reactivity.

PubMed

Bigelow, Jennifer O; England, Jason; Klein, Johannes E M N; Farquhar, Erik R; Frisch, Jonathan R; Martinho, Marlène; Mandal, Debasish; Münck, Eckard; Shaik, Sason; Que, Lawrence

2017-03-20

Oxoiron(IV) species are implicated as reactive intermediates in nonheme monoiron oxygenases, often acting as the agent for hydrogen-atom transfer from substrate. A histidine is the most likely ligand trans to the oxo unit in most enzymes characterized thus far but is replaced by a carboxylate in the case of isopenicillin N synthase. As the effect of a trans carboxylate ligand on the properties of the oxoiron(IV) unit has not been systematically studied, we have synthesized and characterized four oxoiron(IV) complexes supported by the tetramethylcyclam (TMC) macrocycle and having a carboxylate ligand trans to the oxo unit. Two complexes have acetate or propionate axial ligands, while the other two have the carboxylate functionality tethered to the macrocyclic ligand framework by one or two methylene units. Interestingly, these four complexes exhibit substrate oxidation rates that differ by more than 100-fold, despite having E p,c values for the reduction of the Fe═O unit that span a range of only 130 mV. Eyring parameters for 1,4-cyclohexadiene oxidation show that reactivity differences originate from differences in activation enthalpy between complexes with tethered carboxylates and those with untethered carboxylates, in agreement with computational results. As noted previously for the initial subset of four complexes, the logarithms of the oxygen atom transfer rates of 11 complexes of the Fe IV (O)TMC(X) series increase linearly with the observed E p,c values, reflecting the electrophilicity of the Fe═O unit. In contrast, no correlation with E p,c values is observed for the corresponding hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reaction rates; instead, the HAT rates increase as the computed triplet-quintet spin state gap narrows, consistent with Shaik's two-state-reactivity model. In fact, the two complexes with untethered carboxylates are among the most reactive HAT agents in this series, demonstrating that the axial ligand can play a key role in tuning the HAT reactivity in a nonheme iron enzyme active site.

Real-Time Human Ambulation, Activity, and Physiological Monitoring: Taxonomy of Issues, Techniques, Applications, Challenges and Limitations

PubMed Central

Khusainov, Rinat; Azzi, Djamel; Achumba, Ifeyinwa E.; Bersch, Sebastian D.

2013-01-01

Automated methods of real-time, unobtrusive, human ambulation, activity, and wellness monitoring and data analysis using various algorithmic techniques have been subjects of intense research. The general aim is to devise effective means of addressing the demands of assisted living, rehabilitation, and clinical observation and assessment through sensor-based monitoring. The research studies have resulted in a large amount of literature. This paper presents a holistic articulation of the research studies and offers comprehensive insights along four main axes: distribution of existing studies; monitoring device framework and sensor types; data collection, processing and analysis; and applications, limitations and challenges. The aim is to present a systematic and most complete study of literature in the area in order to identify research gaps and prioritize future research directions. PMID:24072027

A Smart Europium-Ruthenium Complex as Anticancer Prodrug: Controllable Drug Release and Real-Time Monitoring under Different Light Excitations.

PubMed

Li, Hongguang; Xie, Chen; Lan, Rongfeng; Zha, Shuai; Chan, Chi-Fai; Wong, Wing-Yan; Ho, Ka-Lok; Chan, Brandon Dow; Luo, Yuxia; Zhang, Jing-Xiang; Law, Ga-Lai; Tai, William C S; Bünzli, Jean-Claude G; Wong, Ka-Leung

2017-11-09

A unique, dual-function, photoactivatable anticancer prodrug, RuEuL, has been tailored that features a ruthenium(II) complex linked to a cyclen-europium chelate via a π-conjugated bridge. Under irradiation at 488 nm, the dark-inactive prodrug undergoes photodissociation, releasing the DNA-damaging ruthenium species. Under evaluation-window irradiation (λ irr = one-photon 350 nm or two-photon 700 nm), the drug delivery process can be quantitatively monitored in real-time because of the long-lived red europium emission. Linear relationships between released drug concentration and ESI-MS or luminescence responses are established. Finally, the efficiency of the new prodrug is demonstrated both in vitro RuEuL anticancer prodrug over some existing ones and open the way for decisive improvements in multipurpose prodrugs.

NASDA technicians test real-time radiation monitoring device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Technicians from the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) test the real-time radiation monitoring device on SPACEHAB at Kennedy Space Center in preparation for the STS-89 mission, slated to be the first Shuttle launch of 1998. STS-89 will be the eighth of nine scheduled Mir dockings and will include a double module of SPACEHAB, used mainly as a large pressurized cargo container for science, logistical equipment and supplies to be exchanged between the orbiter Endeavour and the Russian Space Station Mir. The nine-day flight of STS-89 also is scheduled to include the transfer of the seventh American to live and work aboard the Russian orbiting outpost. Liftoff of Endeavour and its seven-member crew is targeted for Jan. 15, 1998, at 1:03 a.m. EDT from Launch Pad 39A.

NASDA technician test real-time radiation monitoring device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

A technician from the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) tests the real-time radiation monitoring device on SPACEHAB at Kennedy Space Center in preparation for the STS-89 mission, slated to be the first Shuttle launch of 1998. STS-89 will be the eighth of nine scheduled Mir dockings and will include a double module of SPACEHAB, used mainly as a large pressurized cargo container for science, logistical equipment and supplies to be exchanged between the orbiter Endeavour and the Russian Space Station Mir. The nine-day flight of STS-89 also is scheduled to include the transfer of the seventh American to live and work aboard the Russian orbiting outpost. Liftoff of Endeavour and its seven-member crew is targeted for Jan. 15, 1998, at 1:03 a.m. EDT from Launch Pad 39A.