Stenotic origin of an aberrant left subclavian artery from a right-sided aortic arch. A case report

OBJECTIVE: To refine the algorithms governing peptide presentation by HLA-B*2705 by analyzing: (i) the specificity of the human transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) for HLA-B27 binding peptides; and (ii) the peptide binding affinity to HLA-B*2705. METHODS: TAP-translocation was measured with a labeled reporter peptide containing an N-linked glycosylation acceptor site in Streptolysin O-permeabilized cells for a panel of HLA-B27 binding peptides. Peptide binding affinity was determined by peptide-induced stabilization of empty HLA-B*2705 expressed by the TAP-deficient cell line T2-B27. RESULTS: Human TAP preferentially translocated analogues with residues leucine, isoleucine, methionine and arginine as the carboxy-terminal amino acids, whereas analogues with aspartic acid and serine were translocated poorly. The binding affinity to HLA-B*2705 of the poorly translocated aspartic acid and serine analogues was about 100-fold less compared to the parent HLA-B27 binding peptide. CONCLUSIONS: Human TAP shows considerable specificity for the C-terminus of potential HLA-B27 ligands. Nonamer peptides with aspartic acid and serine at the C-terminus are poorly translocated by the TAP and have low binding affinity for HLA-B*2705, and are therefore unlikely to become presented by HLA-B*2705.     

A learning algorithm for self-calibration of a voltage calibrator

An algorithm either to extend the calibration period or to reduce the measurement uncertainty of a DC voltage reference module is presented. This module is used either as a transfer, independent, or working standard, or as a reference module incorporated into a larger measuring system. The basic idea is that the deviation history of measured voltage differences of reference elements of a group reference module during the calibration period can be used as a learning period for a neural network. This neural network, when created, can numerically correct particular reference elements later in the working period. Results were obtained by simulation and evaluated on the basis of empirical data and simulated input functions. Hardware solutions to model this algorithm are discussed     

Automated system for evaluation of climatic chambers

In this paper an automated system for the evaluation of climatic chambers is presented. Besides automation, a basic emphasis is given to the reliability of operation, flexibility and the possibility of achieving a minimal uncertainty for the given application. The system is developed to completely satisfy all standards and requirements concerning evaluation and/or calibration of climatic chambers in the laboratory as well as on site     

Evaluation of a Modified ADC-Based Thermometry Bridge

This article presents the modification and testing of an ADC-based thermometry bridge. The instrument under investigation is an Anton Paar MKT 50 Millikelvin Thermometer (developed at the IFE, TU-Graz) based on a precision analog-to-digital converter (ADC). During preliminary testing, it was found that the MKT 50 performs better than its declared uncertainty (1 mK equal to 1 ppm when using a 100 ?? PRT) and is comparable to thermometry resistance ratio bridges typically used in secondary thermometry laboratories (with typical uncertainties from 0.1 mK to 1 mK). The modifications to the original bridge were undertaken by the development team of the MKT 50 at the Graz University of Technology, Austria. Measurements and evaluation of the modified instruments were performed at the MIRS/UL-FE/LMK. For the MKT 50 to be used in thermometry laboratories as a reference unit, measuring parameters of the instrument had to be changed. During the first modification, the upper limit of the instrument range was decreased from 400 ?? to 133 ??, this is a preferred range for standard platinum resistance thermometers (SPRTs). This also meant an increase in the measuring current from 0.5 mA to the more frequently used 1 mA. A modification of the programmable ADC control unit increased the resolution from 24 bit to 27 bit. By adding a switch, the use of an external standard resistor was enabled. After this stage of the modification, the first tests on the instrument were performed. The second stage was aimed at the removal of noise sources. The instrument was prepared in such a way that it only used two input channels, one connected to the SPRT and the other to the standard resistor. Also, the components of the ADC were upgraded to further reduce noise. The elimination of one input channel sped up measurements, making the PC software capable of taking several readings in a shorter time period. All tests were performed in laboratory conditions, where precision AC and DC resistance ratio bridges are typically used. The non-linearity was assessed by the use of an automated resistance bridge calibrator (RBC, Model RBC100), while the noise value was determined both from the standard deviation of RBC measurements as well as from comparison measurements of two standard resistors. All tests were repeated several times to assure confidence in the results. With its lowered range of 133 ?? and an increased resolution of 27 bit, the instrument non-linearity, its value below 2 ???, was comparable to primary resistance ratio bridges such as the ASL F900 or MI 6015T. However, the noise of the instrument remained relatively high at 4 ???. Since the modified MKT-50 is a much faster instrument than AC and DC bridges, averaging was used for true comparison. Measurements done with the modified MKT 50 were also averaged every 15 s (the time a classic resistance ratio bridge takes for one measurement). When measurements with the MKT-50 were averaged, the noise of measurements would be comparable to primary resistance ratio bridges.     

Using a CCD camera for the determination of the target size in radiation thermometry

The objective of this paper is to present the new objective method for the determination of the target size in radiation thermometry using a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera and the custom-made software. The target size is one of the essential components needed for the proper calibration of a radiation thermometer, as well as for everyday measurements. In practice, most of the radiation thermometers have a small black ring engraved on the ocular, and the interior of the ring defines the target area. Usually, manufacturers state how much radiation is gathered from the target area. Typical values stated are from 90% to 99%. The existing method was very subjective. A person determining the target size looked through the radiation thermometer and tried to read the target size of the thermometer from the millimeter grid paper. In our case, three different people in our laboratory, using this existing method, determined different target sizes. The new method uses a predefined mask of known dimensions, printed on millimeter grid paper and positioned in front of the radiation thermometer. Instead of a person looking through the ocular, a CCD camera and the custom-made image processing software are used. This target size can be used as an indication of target size in cases when other information is unavailable or to check manufacturer's data.     

Evaluation of Flat Surface Temperature Probes

The objective of this paper is elaboration of elements related to metrological analysis in the field of surface temperature measurement. Surface temperature measurements are applicable in many fields. As examples, safety testing of electrical appliances and a pharmaceutical production line represent case studies for surface temperature measurements. In both cases correctness of the result of the surface temperature has an influence on final product safety and quality and thus conformity with specifications. This paper deals with the differences of flat surface temperature probes in measuring the surface temperature. For the purpose of safety testing of electrical appliances, surface temperature measurements are very important for safety of the user. General requirements are presented in European standards, which support requirements in European directives, e.g., European Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC and pharmaceutical requirements, which are introduced in official state legislation. This paper introduces a comparison of temperature measurements of an attached thermocouple on the measured surface and measurement with flat surface temperature probes. As a heat generator, a so called temperature artifact is used. It consists of an aluminum plate with an incorporated electrical heating element with very good temperature stability in the central part. The probes and thermocouple were applied with different forces to the surface in horizontal and vertical positions. The reference temperature was measured by a J-type fine-wire (0.2 mm) thermocouple. Two probes were homemade according to requirements in the European standard EN 60335-2-9/A12, one with a fine-wire (0.2 mm) thermocouple and one with 0.5mm of thermocouple wire diameter. Additional commercially available probes were compared. Differences between probes due to thermal conditions caused by application of the probe were found. Therefore, it can happen that measurements are performed with improper equipment or in an improper way for a particular application. Therefore, knowledge and awareness regarding all facts related to the used measuring equipment are essential to avoid the risk of a wrong decision on safety measures.     

Automation of a precision temperature calibration laboratory

The objective of the paper is to discuss the automation of a precision calibration laboratory in the view of achieving maximal quality of metrological performance. Besides automation of measurement equipment for ease of operation, communication and data processing, basic emphasis is given to reliability of operation, flexibility, and possibility of achieving minimal uncertainty for given measurement equipment. Several software design guidelines are discussed in the case of automation of a high-precision temperature calibration laboratory     

Major depression and cardiac autonomic control

We investigated autonomic control of heart rate in patients with major depression, melancholic type. Twenty-three depressed inpatients who were being treated with tricyclic antidepressants and 23 depressed patients who were taking no medications were compared with age- and sex-matched control groups on resting cardiac vagal tone and heart rate. In unmedicated depressed patients, cardiac vagal tone was comparable to that of control subjects, but heart rate was significantly higher. This increase in heart rate may have been due to sympathetic activation caused by anxiety, since the depressed patients were significantly more anxious than the control subjects. Medicated patients exhibited diminished cardiac vagal tone and higher heart rate than unmedicated patients and controls. This was probably due to the anticholinergic effects of the antidepressants. Our findings suggest that cardiac vagal tone is not lower than normal in patients with depression, melancholic type.     

Automation of reading liquid-in-glass thermometers

In this paper, the automation of calibration of liquid-in-glass thermometers (LiGTs) is discussed. Temperature readings are taken automatically with the use of a measuring system that consists of a standard calibration setup, a video camera and illumination, an image acquisition module and a computer that executes the algorithm for image processing and analysis. Once the reading of the temperature is extracted from the acquired image, this value can be passed to any other data processing program, which includes the comparison with the values from the reference thermometer and determination of correction and combined uncertainty. Data achieved in this way can be directly used to prepare the calibration certificate