Was it worth the wait? Yes!

A review of the book, "Verification Methodology Manual for SystemVerilog," by Janick Bergeron et al.     

Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM): part II

This paper discusses the recursive Bayesian formulation of the simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) problem in which probability distributions or estimates of absolute or relative locations of landmarks and vehicle pose are obtained. The paper focuses on three key areas: computational complexity; data association; and environment representation.     

Separation and detection of explosives on a microchip using micellar electrokinetic chromatography and indirect laser-induced fluorescence

A new approach for sensitive detection on a microfabricated chip is presented. Indirect laser-induced-fluorescence (IDLIF) was used to detect explosive compounds after separation by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC). The detection setup was used in an epifluorescence configuration with excitation provided by a near-IR diode laser operating at 750 nm. To achieve indirect detection, a low concentration of a dye (5 microM Cy7) was added to the running buffer as a visualizing agent. Using this methodology, a sample containing 14 explosives (EPA 8330 mixture) was examined. Concentrations of 1 ppm of trinitrobenzene (TNB), trinitrotoluene (TNT), dinitrobenzene (DNB), tetryl, and 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) could be detected with S/N ratios between 3 and 10. Analyses showing 10 peaks, with plate numbers on the order of 60000, were completed within 60 s using a 65 mm long separation channel. The three isomers of nitrotoluene (2-, 3-, and 4-nitrotoluene) were not resolved. Additionally, the two nitramines (HMX and RDX) could only be detected at much higher concentrations, likely due to the low fluorescence quenching efficiencies of these compounds. The analysis method was also used to separate and detect nitroaromatic compounds in extracts from spiked soil samples. The presence of 1 ppm (1 microg of analyte/1 g of soil) of TNB, DNB, TNT, tetryl, 2,4-DNT, 2,6-DNT, 2-NH2-4,6-DNT, and 4-NH2-2,6-DNT could readily be detected. In the interest of increasing the sensitivity of the analysis, various on-chip injection schemes were evaluated. It was found that a 250 microm double-T injector gave a 35% increase in peak signal compared to a straight-cross injector, which is less than expected based on injected volume.     

Mucosal competitive exclusion to reduce Salmonella in swine

A mucosal competitive exclusion culture has been shown to reduce or eliminate Salmonella spp. in poultry. Using similar techniques, a mucosal competitive exclusion culture from swine (MCES) was produced from the cecum of a 6-week-old pig. Suckling pigs were inoculated with 5 ml of MCES by oral gavage within 6 h postfarrowing (PF) and again at 24 h PE All pigs were challenged with 10(3) CFU of Salmonella Choleraesuis at 48 h PF by intranasal instillation, including pigs from two sows that had not been given MCES. Clinical signs and rectal swabs were monitored daily, and pigs were allowed to suckle throughout the experiment. All pigs underwent necropsy on day 7 PF, and presence of Salmonella was determined in both qualitative (10 tissues) and quantitative (two tissues) samples. Clinical signs were inapparent in all pigs throughout the experiment. Recovery of Salmonella from rectal swabs was variable. However, 28% of the gut tissues were positive from the MCES-treated pigs versus 79% from the control pigs. A 2- to 5-log10 reduction of Salmonella in the cecal contents or ileocolic junction was observed in the MCES-treated pigs when compared with the controls. These data indicate that use of MCES may be a useful approach for control of Salmonella.     

Molecular regulation of cell-cycle progression and apoptosis in mammalian cells: implications for biotechnology

Regulation of the cell cycle and of programmed cell death (apoptosis) is essential for mammalian development and homeostasis. Furthermore, this regulation is fundamental to successful cell culture technology and tissue engineering. Therefore the molecular networks which regulate these processes are critical targets for drug development, gene therapy, and metabolic engineering. This review summarizes the genes, proteins, and interactions presently known to control apoptosis and cell-cycle progression. Knowledge of the networks summarized here and access to the component genes and proteins have already been applied successfully to guide research and development in bioprocess technology and medical treatment.     

Computerized documentation for a rural nursing intervention project

Complex traits are generally taken to be under the influence of multiple genes, which may interact with each other to confer susceptibility to disease. Statistical methods in current use for localizing such genes essentially work under single-gene models, either implicitly or explicitly. In genomic screens for complex disease genes, some of the marker loci must be in tight linkage with disease susceptibility genes. We developed a general multi-locus approach to identify sets of such marker loci. Our approach focuses on affected sib pair data and employs a nonparametric pattern recognition technique using artificial neural networks. This technique analyzes all markers simultaneously in order to detect patterns of locus interactions. When applied to previously published sib pair data on type I diabetes, our approach finds the same genes as in the published report in addition to some new loci. For a specific two-locus model of inheritance, the power of our approach is higher than that of the currently used analysis standard.     

Traumatic brain injury and memory: The role of hippocampal atrophy.

In traumatically brain-injured (TBI) patients (n?=?83), memory performance was examined on the Warrington Recognition Memory Test, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure, and the Logical Memory and Visual Reproduction subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised in relationship to time postinjury and structural changes based on MRI volumetry, including hippocampus volume. Significant trauma-induced changes were observed, including hippocampal atrophy. Structure-function relationships generally became significant only after 90 days postinjury. Memory tended to relate more to the degree of hippocampal atrophy, particularly left hippocampus, than to nonspecific indicators such as the temporal horns or the ventricle-to-brain ratio. A stronger relationship with left versus right hippocampus was evident for measures of verbal and supposedly nonverbal memory. These results are discussed with regard to the role the hippocampus may play in a neural system of memory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Providing patients with their diagnostic test results. A vignette study in general practice

The communication of results of HIV tests and chest-X-rays because of persistent coughing are of particular interest because potential life-threatening disease may be disclosed. For HIV tests it is recommended that the result is communicated to the patient in the doctor's office face to face. In this questionnaire study based on two simulated case-stories with a 63 year-old man referred to chest-X-rays because of persistent coughing, and a 27 year-old man, who had been living in Africa for some time, now wanting a HIV test performed, we found that only half (53%) of the general practitioners (GP) did communicate HIV test results in the consultation office. X-ray test results were only communicated in the consultation office by 18% of the GPs. Communication of test results which might have serious implications to the patient should preferably not be done by telephone. Patients should be told of potentially serious results in person by their own physician.