Combination Of Portability Research Articles

Miniaturized NIR Spectroscopy in Food Analysis and Quality Control: Promises, Challenges, and Perspectives.

The ongoing miniaturization of spectrometers creates a perfect synergy with the common advantages of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, which together provide particularly significant benefits in the field of food analysis. The combination of portability and direct onsite application with high throughput and a noninvasive way of analysis is a decisive advantage in the food industry, which features a diverse production and supply chain. A miniaturized NIR analytical framework is readily applicable to combat various food safety risks, where compromised quality may result from an accidental or intentional (i.e., food fraud) origin. In this review, the characteristics of miniaturized NIR sensors are discussed in comparison to benchtop laboratory spectrometers regarding their performance, applicability, and optimization of methodology. Miniaturized NIR spectrometers remarkably increase the flexibility of analysis; however, various factors affect the performance of these devices in different analytical scenarios. Currently, it is a focused research direction to perform systematic evaluation studies of the accuracy and reliability of various miniaturized spectrometers that are based on different technologies; e.g., Fourier transform (FT)-NIR, micro-optoelectro-mechanical system (MOEMS)-based Hadamard mask, or linear variable filter (LVF) coupled with an array detector, among others. Progressing technology has been accompanied by innovative data-analysis methods integrated into the package of a micro-NIR analytical framework to improve its accuracy, reliability, and applicability. Advanced calibration methods (e.g., artificial neural networks (ANN) and nonlinear regression) directly improve the performance of miniaturized instruments in challenging analyses, and balance the accuracy of these instruments toward laboratory spectrometers. The quantum-mechanical simulation of NIR spectra reveals the wavenumber regions where the best-correlated spectral information resides and unveils the interactions of the target analyte with the surrounding matrix, ultimately enhancing the information gathered from the NIR spectra. A data-fusion framework offers a combination of spectral information from sensors that operate in different wavelength regions and enables parallelization of spectral pretreatments. This set of methods enables the intelligent design of future NIR analyses using miniaturized instruments, which is critically important for samples with a complex matrix typical of food raw material and shelf products.

Ultrasound in Radiology: From Anatomic, Functional, Molecular Imaging to Drug Delivery and Image-Guided Therapy.

During the past decade, ultrasound has expanded medical imaging well beyond the "traditional" radiology setting: a combination of portability, low cost, and ease of use makes ultrasound imaging an indispensable tool for radiologists as well as for other medical professionals who need to obtain imaging diagnosis or guide a therapeutic intervention quickly and efficiently. Ultrasound combines excellent ability for deep penetration into soft tissues with very good spatial resolution, with only a few exceptions (ie, those involving overlying bone or gas). Real-time imaging (up to hundreds and thousands of frames per second) enables guidance of therapeutic procedures and biopsies; characterization of the mechanical properties of the tissues greatly aids with the accuracy of the procedures. The ability of ultrasound to deposit energy locally brings about the potential for localized intervention encompassing the following: tissue ablation, enhancing penetration through the natural barriers to drug delivery in the body and triggering drug release from carrier microparticles and nanoparticles. The use of microbubble contrast agents brings the ability to monitor and quantify tissue perfusion, and microbubble targeting with ligand-decorated microbubbles brings the ability to obtain molecular biomarker information, that is, ultrasound molecular imaging. Overall, ultrasound has become the most widely used imaging modality in modern medicine; it will continue to grow and expand.

An integrated PCR microfluidic chip incorporating aseptic electrochemical cell lysis and capillary electrophoresis amperometric DNA detection for rapid and quantitative genetic analysis

A fully integrated microchip for performing cell lysis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative analysis of DNA amplicons in a single step is described herein. The chip was built on glass substrate using an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) microheater and PDMS engraved microchannels, which integrated an electrochemical cell lysis zone, a continuous flow PCR module and capillary electrophoresis amperometric detection (CE-AD) system. The total length of the microchannel was 4625 mm for performing 25 cycles of flow-through PCR and was laid on a handheld form factor of 96 × 96 mm(2) area. The key to the fabrication of such a device lies in the use of a single medium to carry out different kinds of biochemical reactions and hence, a reagentless electrochemical cell lysis protocol was integrated on the microchip which was capable of lysing most cell types, including difficult to lyse gram positive bacteria. The lysate contained genomic DNA from a sample which was proven to be suitable for PCR reactions. Genetic analysis was successfully performed on the microchip with purified lambda phage genomic DNA and various cell types, including non-tumorigenic MCF-10A and tumorigenic MCF-7 human cell lines, gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli O157:H7, and gram positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis, at an optimized flow rate of 5 μl min(-1). For the detection of amplicon DNA, a CE-AD system was used, with semisolid alkaline agarose within the capillary microchannel to minimize interference from cell debris and for efficient resolution of DNA fragments. High signal to noise ratio during amperometric detection and the use of online FFT filtering protocol enhanced the limit of detection of DNA amplicons. Therefore, with a combination of portability, cost-effectiveness and performance, the proposed integrated PCR microchip can be used for one step genetic analysis of most of the cell types and will enable more accessible healthcare.

An inexpensive and portable microchip-based platform for integrated RT–PCR and capillary electrophoresis

We present an inexpensive, portable and integrated microfluidic instrument that is optimized to perform genetic amplification and analysis on a single sample. Biochemical reactions and analytical separations for genetic analysis are performed within tri-layered glass-PDMS microchips. The microchip itself consists of integrated pneumatically-actuated valves and pumps for fluid handling, a thin-film resistive element that acts simultaneously as a heater and a temperature sensor, and channels for capillary electrophoresis (CE). The platform is comprised of high voltage circuitry, an optical assembly consisting of a laser diode and a charged coupled device (CCD) camera, circuitry for thermal control, and mini-pumps to generate vacuum/pressure to operate the on-chip diaphragm-based pumps and valves. Using this microchip and instrument, we demonstrate an integration of reverse transcription (RT), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and capillary electrophoresis (CE). The novelty of this system lies in the cost-effective integration of microfluidics, optics, and electronics to realize a fully portable and inexpensive system (on the order of $1000 in component costs) for performing both genetic amplification and analysis - the basis of many medical diagnostics. We believe that this combination of portability, cost-effectiveness and performance will enable more accessible healthcare.

Streamside assessment of sperm performance for wild charr

Streamside assessment of sperm quality was conducted using wild charr dwelling in mountain stream habitats. Through a portable combination of microscope and video camera, male conspecifics were observed to differ in the parameters of temporal changes in the frequency of active sperm, actual point-to-point distance that a sperm moved, and content of abnormal sperm cells. Frequency of active sperm, measured at 30 s after activation, could be a representative parameter of sperm motility because of its highly significant relatedness with other variables. To allow more rapid assessment, this parameter is proved to be appropriate for the estimation of sperm quality in the field.

Combination cone penetration resistance/water content instrumentation to evaluate cone penetration–water content relationships in tillage research

Cone penetration resistance (PR) is generally regarded as one of the best tools to assess soil strength. However, effects of soil water content (WC) on measured PR can mask or confound interpretations of treatment effects on soil strength. Correction of PR data to common water contents, via empirical PR versus WC relationships, could help reduce such problems. This study used a portable combination PR/WC instrument to evaluate and formalize growing season (multiple year) changes in cultivation zone PR versus WC relationships for different tillage (conventional and no-till), trafficked, and corn ( Zea mays L.) cropping systems on clay loam soils in eastern Ontario, Canada. The results indicated expected negative linear and piecewise linear relationships between PR and WC for no-till soils. There was generally greater potential for higher PR at a specified water content for preferentially trafficked no-till soils, relative to no-till not receiving such a treatment. For tilled soils, negative linear relationships between bulk PR and WC were not as strong. Significant interactions between PR, WC, and days after planting (DAP), however, were uncovered using multivariate adaptive regression spline analyses. For non-preferentially trafficked tilled plots, linear negative relationships between PR and WC changed over the growing season and achieved strength/stability at approximately 90 days after planting; roughly 50 days after bulk density after planting effectively stabilized. For preferentially trafficked tilled plots, there were similar PR versus WC relationships, however, there were stronger interacting positive relationships between PR and DAP. The results from this work are promising for elucidating soil structural evolution over growing seasons for different tillage, trafficked and corn cropping systems on clay loam soils.

THE VELOCI-RAPTOR: A BICYCLE-POWERED MODEL RAPTOR FOR REALISTIC PREDATOR ENCOUNTER EXPERIMENTS

Raptor attacks in the wild can be difficult to observe and impossible to manipulate in a repeatable manner. We have developed a bicycle-driven model raptor (“Veloci-Raptor”) to test prey responses to raptor attacks. Previous researchers have used wind-up toy birds or gravity-driven model raptors, which typically have low maximum velocities and often require cumbersome equipment. Our method's combination of portability, flexibility, and high maximum speed (19.4 m/s) make it superior to previous methods in many field situations.