Abstract: The cDNA encoding the 326 amino acids of a Class I
basic chitinase gene from Leucaena leucocephala de Wit (KB3,
Genbank accession: AAM49597) was cloned under the control of
CaMV35S promoter in pCAMBIA 1300 and transferred to
Koshihikari. Calli of Koshihikari rice was transformed with
agrobacterium with this construct expressing the chitinase and β-
glucouronidase (GUS). The frequencies of calli 90 % has been
obtained from rice seedlings cultured on NB medium. The high
regeneration frequencies, 74% was obtained from calli cultured on
regeneration medium containing 4 mg/l BAP, and 7 g/l phytagel at
25°C. Various factors were studied in order to establish a procedure
for the transformation of Koshihikari Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
Supplementation of 50 mM acetosyringone to the medium during
coculivation was important to enhance the frequency to transient
transformation. The 4 week-old scutellum-derived calli were
excellent starting materials. Selection medium based on NB medium
supplement with 40 mg/l hygromycin and 400 mg/l cefotaxime were
an optimized medium for selection of transformed rice calli. The
percentage of transformation 70 was obtained. Recombinant calli and
regenerated rice plants were checked the expression of chitinase and
gus by PCR, northern blot gel, southern blot gel, and gus assay.
Chitinase and gus were expressed in all parts of recombinant rice.
The rice line expressing the KB3 chiitnase was more resistant to the
blast fungus Fusarium monoliforme than control line.
Abstract: In this work we evaluate the possibility of predicting
the emotional state of a person based on the EEG. We investigate
the problem of classifying valence from EEG signals during
the presentation of affective pictures, utilizing the "frontal EEG
asymmetry" phenomenon. To distinguish positive and negative
emotions, we applied the Common Spatial Patterns algorithm.
In contrast to our expectations, the affective pictures did not
reliably elicit changes in frontal asymmetry. The classifying task
thereby becomes very hard as reflected by the poor classifier
performance. We suspect that the masking of the source of the
brain activity related to emotions, coming mostly from deeper
structures in the brain, and the insufficient emotional engagement
are among main reasons why it is difficult to predict the emotional
state of a person.
Abstract: The institutions seek to improve their performance
and quality of service, so that their patients are satisfied. This
research project aims, conduct a time study program in the area of
gynecological surgery, to determine the current level of capacity and
optimize the programming time in order to adequately respond to
demand. The system is analyzed by waiting lines and uses the
simulation using ARENA to evaluate proposals for improvement and
optimization programming time each of the surgeries.
Abstract: The Electronic Health Record (EHR) system is very
general and we should pay more attention to a patient-s privacy. The
patient-s consent is one of the elements when dealing with privacy
topics. This study focuses on the creating and managing of patient
consent. The integration of the HL7 standards and the IHE BPPC
profile provides a base for the creation of patient consent. Establishing
the platform offers the patients a way to create, revoke or update their
consents. Through this platform, they can manage their consents in an
easier manner.
Abstract: The development of aid's systems for the medical
diagnosis is not easy thing because of presence of inhomogeneities in
the MRI, the variability of the data from a sequence to the other as
well as of other different source distortions that accentuate this
difficulty. A new automatic, contextual, adaptive and robust
segmentation procedure by MRI brain tissue classification is
described in this article. A first phase consists in estimating the
density of probability of the data by the Parzen-Rozenblatt method.
The classification procedure is completely automatic and doesn't
make any assumptions nor on the clusters number nor on the
prototypes of these clusters since these last are detected in an
automatic manner by an operator of mathematical morphology called
skeleton by influence zones detection (SKIZ). The problem of
initialization of the prototypes as well as their number is transformed
in an optimization problem; in more the procedure is adaptive since it
takes in consideration the contextual information presents in every
voxel by an adaptive and robust non parametric model by the
Markov fields (MF). The number of bad classifications is reduced by
the use of the criteria of MPM minimization (Maximum Posterior
Marginal).
Abstract: The posteroanterior manipulation technique is usually include in the procedure of the lumbar spine to evaluate the intervertebral motion according to mechanical resistance. The mechanical device with visual feedback was proposed that allows one to analysis the lumbar segments mobility “in vivo" facilitating for the therapist to take its treatment evolution. The measuring system uses load cell and displacement sensor to estimate spine stiffness. In this work, the device was tested by 2 therapists, female, applying posteroanterior force techniques to 5 volunteers, female, with frequency of approximately 1.2-1.8 Hz. A test-retest procedure was used for 2 periods of day. The visual feedback results small variation of forces and cycle time during 6 cycles rhythmic application. The stiffness values showed good agreement between test-retest procedures when used same order of maximum forces.
Abstract: The measurement of anesthetic depth is necessary in
anesthesiology. NN10 is very simple method among the RR intervals
analysis methods. NN10 parameter means the numbers of above the 10
ms intervals of the normal to normal RR intervals.
Bispectrum analysis is defined as 2D FFT. EEG signal reflected the
non-linear peristalsis phenomena according to the change brain
function. After analyzing the bispectrum of the 2 dimension, the most
significant power spectrum density peaks appeared abundantly at the
specific area in awakening and anesthesia state. These points are
utilized to create the new index since many peaks appeared at the
specific area in the frequency coordinate. The measured range of an
index was 0-100. An index is 20-50 at an anesthesia, while the index is
90-60 at the awake.
In this paper, the relation between NN10 parameter using ECG and
bisepctrum index using EEG is observed to estimate the depth of
anesthesia during anesthesia and then we estimated the utility of the
anesthetic.
Abstract: In an effort to understand the preliminary effects of aerodynamic stress on alveolar epithelial cells, we developed a multifluidic cell culture platform capable of supporting alveolar cultures at an air-liquid interface under constant air flow and exposure to varying pressure stimuli on the apical side while providing nourishment on the basolateral plane. Our current study involved utilizing the platform to study the effect of basement membrane coating and addition of dexamethasone on cellular response to pressure in A549 and H441 alveolar epithelial cells.
Abstract: The PRAF family of proteins is a plant specific family of proteins with distinct domain architecture and various unique sequence/structure traits. We have carried out an extensive search of the Arabidopsis genome using an automated pipeline and manual methods to verify previously known and identify unknown instances of PRAF proteins, characterize their sequence and build 3D structures of their individual domains. Integrating the sequence, structure and whatever little known experimental details for each of these proteins and their domains, we present a comprehensive characterization of the different domains in these proteins and their variant properties.
Abstract: Noise contamination in a magnetic resonance (MR)
image could occur during acquisition, storage, and transmission in
which effective filtering is required to avoid repeating the MR
procedure. In this paper, an iterative asymmetrical triangle fuzzy
filter with moving average center (ATMAVi filter) is used to reduce
different levels of salt and pepper noise in a brain MR image. Besides
visual inspection on filtered images, the mean squared error (MSE) is
used as an objective measurement. When compared with the median
filter, simulation results indicate that the ATMAVi filter is effective
especially for filtering a higher level noise (such as noise density =
0.45) using a smaller window size (such as 3x3) when operated
iteratively or using a larger window size (such as 5x5) when operated
non-iteratively.
Abstract: In this paper we present the modeling, design, and
experimental testing of a nerve cuff multi-electrode system for
diameter-selective vagus nerve stimulation.
The multi-electrode system contained ninety-nine platinum
electrodes embedded within a self-curling spiral silicone sheet. The
electrodes were organized in a matrix having nine parallel groups,
each containing eleven electrodes.
Preliminary testing of the nerve cuff was performed in an isolated
segment of a swinish left cervical vagus nerve. For selective vagus
nerve stimulation, precisely defined current quasitrapezoidal,
asymmetric and biphasic stimulating pulses were applied to
preselected locations along the left vagus segment via appointed
group of three electrodes within the cuff. Selective stimulation was
obtained by anodal block. However, these pulses may not be safe for
a long-term application because of a frequently used high imbalance
between the cathodic and anodic part of the stimulating pulse.
Preliminary results show that the cuff was capable of exciting A
and B-fibres, and, that for a certain range of parameters used in
stimulating pulses, the contribution of A-fibres to the CAP was
slightly reduced and the contribution of B-fibres was slightly larger.
Results also showed that measured CAPs are not greatly
influenced by the imbalance between a charge Qc injected in cathodic
and Qa in anodic phase of quasitrapezoidal, asymmetric and biphasic
pulses.
Abstract: In this study, fuzzy rule-based classifier is used for the
diagnosis of congenital heart disease. Congenital heart diseases are
defined as structural or functional heart disease. Medical data sets
were obtained from Pediatric Cardiology Department at Selcuk
University, from years 2000 to 2003. Firstly, fuzzy rules were
generated by using medical data. Then the weights of fuzzy rules
were calculated. Two different reasoning methods as “weighted vote
method" and “singles winner method" were used in this study. The
results of fuzzy classifiers were compared.
Abstract: Raman spectroscopy are used to characterize the
chemical changes in normoxic polyhydroxyethylacrylate gel
dosimeter (PHEA) induced by radiation. Irradiations in the low dose
region are performed and the polymerizations of PHEA gels are
monitored by the observing the changes of Raman shift intensity of
the carbon covalent bond of PHEA originated from both monomer
and the cross-linker. The variation in peak intensities with absorbed
dose was observed. As the dose increase, the peak intensities of
covalent bond of carbon in the polymer gels decrease. This point out
that the amount of absorbed dose affect the polymerization of
polymer gels. As the absorbed dose increase, the polymerizations
also increase. Results verify that PHEA gel dosimeters are sensitive
even in lower dose region.
Abstract: This paper presents the control performance of a high-precision positioning device using the hybrid actuator composed of a piezoelectric (PZT) actuator and a voice-coil motor (VCM). The combined piezo-VCM actuator features two main characteristics: a large operation range due to long stroke of the VCM, and high precision and heavy load positioning ability due to PZT impact force. A one-degree-of-freedom (DOF) experimental setup was configured to examine the fundamental characteristics, and the control performance was effectively demonstrated by using a switching controller. In rough positioning state, an integral variable structure controller (IVSC) was used for the VCM to conduct long range of operation; in precision positioning state, an impact force controller (IFC) for the PZT actuator coupled with presliding states of the sliding table was used to obtain high-precision position control and achieve both forward and backward actuations. The experimental results showed that the sliding table having a mass of 881g and with a preload of 10 N was successfully positioned within the positioning accuracy of 10 nm in both forward and backward position controls.
Abstract: Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles which can convert near-infrared lights to visible lights have attracted growing interest because of their great potentials in fluorescence imaging. Upconversion fluorescence imaging technique with excitation in the near-infrared (NIR) region has been used for imaging of biological cells and tissues. However, improving the detection sensitivity and decreasing the absorption and scattering in biological tissues are as yet unresolved problems. In this present study, a novel NIR-reflected multispectral imaging system was developed for upconversion fluorescent imaging in small animals. Based on this system, we have obtained the high contrast images without the autofluorescence when biocompatible UCPs were injected near the body surface or deeply into the tissue. Furthermore, we have extracted respective spectra of the upconversion fluorescence and relatively quantify the fluorescence intensity with the multispectral analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first time to analyze and quantify the upconversion fluorescence in the small animal imaging.
Abstract: Vermiculite was used to develop inorganic
carrier-based formulations of fluorescent pseudomonad strains
R62 and R81. The effect of bio-inoculation of fluorescent
pseudomonad strains R62 and R81 (plant growth promoting
and biocontrol agent) on growth responses of Vigna-mungo
under field condition was enumerated. The combined bioinoculation
of these two organisms in a formuation increased
the pods yield by 300% in comparison to the control crop.
There was also significant increment in the other plant growth
responses such as dry root weight, dry shoot weight, shoot
length and number of branches per plant.
Abstract: In this paper, a novel and fast algorithm for segmental
and subsegmental lung vessel segmentation is introduced using
Computed Tomography Angiography images. This process is quite
important especially at the detection of pulmonary embolism, lung
nodule, and interstitial lung disease. The applied method has been
realized at five steps. At the first step, lung segmentation is achieved.
At the second one, images are threshold and differences between the
images are detected. At the third one, left and right lungs are gathered
with the differences which are attained in the second step and Exact
Lung Image (ELI) is achieved. At the fourth one, image, which is
threshold for vessel, is gathered with the ELI. Lastly, identifying and
segmentation of segmental and subsegmental lung vessel have been
carried out thanks to image which is obtained in the fourth step. The
performance of the applied method is found quite well for
radiologists and it gives enough results to the surgeries medically.
Abstract: A four element prototype phased array surface probe
has been designed and constructed to improve clinical human
prostate spectroscopic data. The probe consists of two pairs of
adjacent rectangular coils with an optimum overlap to reduce the
mutual inductance. The two pairs are positioned on the anterior and
the posterior pelvic region and two couples of varactors at the input
of each coil undertake the procedures of tuning and matching. The
probe switches off and on automatically during the consecutive
phases of the MR experiment with the use of an analog switch that is
triggered by a microcontroller. Experimental tests that were carried
out resulted in high levels of tuning accuracy. Also, the switching
mechanism functions properly for various applied loads and pulse
sequence characteristics, producing only 10 μs of latency.
Abstract: Total liquid ventilation can support gas exchange in animal models of lung injury. Clinical application awaits further technical improvements and performance verification. Our aim was to develop a liquid ventilator, able to deliver accurate tidal volumes, and a computerized system for measuring lung mechanics. The computer-assisted, piston-driven respirator controlled ventilatory parameters that were displayed and modified on a real-time basis. Pressure and temperature transducers along with a lineal displacement controller provided the necessary signals to calculate lung mechanics. Ten newborn lambs (