Counting Unit Research Articles

GNSS-Based Statistical Analysis of Ionospheric Anomalies During Typhoon Landings in Taiwan/Japan

Using the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) differenced total electron content (dTEC) series, the traveling ionosphere disturbances (TIDs) of 22 typhoons registered in Taiwan/Japan between 2013 and 2016 were studied. The horizontal speed of the first TID during a typhoon landing can be estimated by a two-station method with the ionosphere anomaly indicator in total electron count units (TECUs) (|dTEC| ≥ 0.15 TECU). The horizontal speed of the TIDs was from 155 to 210 m/s and with an average speed of 168.70 m/s. The estimated TID speeds of Typhoons Soudelor (205.93 m/s) and Megi (158.47 m/s) are not consistent with each other, even though they had very similar trajectories when cross through Taiwan Island. Moreover, the propagation velocity of the typhoon ionospheric anomaly showed a significant positive correlation ( r = 0.78, α = 0.05) with the change rate of the typhoon central air pressure and a negative correlation ( r = -0.52, α = 0.05) with the central pressure before landing. Gravity waves were generated by land friction, terrain blocking, and strong wind shear transport energy into the atmosphere from the near surface to the mesosphere and thermosphere, which is the main cause of ionosphere disturbances during typhoon landing.

Intelligent Traffic Monitoring System as Part of Realizing Smart City-A Case Study: Traffic Engineering in Northern Jakarta’s Mixed-Use Area

Congestion is a source of waste of energy, time, and money. Uncontrolled congestion can trigger chaos in all the aspects of the environment. Therefore, this study seeks to find an IT-based solution in order to improve traffic efficiency and safety. This study used the Project Life Cycle with an Agile Approach to develop an Intelligent Traffic Monitoring System that is effective for preventing and controlling congestions. The software used has included vehicle classification and counting unit, license plate tracking, and illegal parking enforcement. The test area spans around 9 km in the northern region of Jakarta. The results have showed that the system has been capable of monitoring and engineering the traffic. Future studies need to utilize a more precise camera and extensive vehicle database, to consider the risks of the elements to the hardware, and to expand the test area.

Automation, Monitoring, and Standardization of Cell Product Manufacturing.

Although regenerative medicine products are at the forefront of scientific research, technological innovation, and clinical translation, their reproducibility and large-scale production are compromised by automation, monitoring, and standardization issues. To overcome these limitations, new technologies at software (e.g., algorithms and artificial intelligence models, combined with imaging software and machine learning techniques) and hardware (e.g., automated liquid handling, automated cell expansion bioreactor systems, automated colony-forming unit counting and characterization units, and scalable cell culture plates) level are under intense investigation. Automation, monitoring and standardization should be considered at the early stages of the developmental cycle of cell products to deliver more robust and effective therapies and treatment plans to the bedside, reducing healthcare expenditure and improving services and patient care.

Creative Discovery

In his commentary on Euclid, Proclus develops what he takes to be an important Platonic critique of the epistemology of abstraction. As I argue, his argument closely reflects terminology and concepts from Plato’s Philebus. Both emphasize the priority—in reality and in our awareness—of the precise over the imprecise. Specifically, Proclus’s famous notion of the psychical “projection” of intermediate mathematical entities, while having no technically exact precedent in Plato, finds a conceptual neighbor in the Philebus’s suggestion that philosophical arithmeticians “posit” pure units for counting. Likewise, for both our self-engagement in mathematical thinking (which has importance even for non-mathematical inquiries) serves to clarify the independence of the precise sciences—both in their content and in their practice—from perception. Thus, as I argue, Plato and Proclus, with their different terms and nuances, develop a shared conception scientific inquiry in which an activity of “creative discovery” plays a central role.

Microbial Contamination of Tooth Paste Tube Orifice

Introduction: Tooth brushes are a vital component of routine oral hygiene aids used in promotion of oral health and prevention of oral diseases. Unfortunately, they are often stored in unsanitary conditions such as bathrooms. These unsanitary conditions are the settings that harbour millions of different pathogenic microbes. Objective: To determine the microbial contamination of used toothpaste tube orifice. Method: Sealed tooth brush and tooth paste tube were given to individual participants and to the families. Toothpaste tubes were collected from each family and from individuals after 30 days of usage. Microbiological samples were collected from the toothpaste orifice using sterile cotton swab. Organisms from swabs were cultured on selective media (nutrient agar) for the identification of certain groups of microorganisms. Colony Forming Units (CFU) was calculated using CFU counting unit. Gram staining was done to find out the nature and character of the organisms. Results: A Clinical In-vitro study, the mean number of colony forming units was 246.6 ± 305.73 among single user and 709.5 ± 492.61 among multiple users as shown in Table 1. The distribution of microorganism CFU (Colony Forming Units) among single user and multiple users was found to be statistically significant (p=0.021). Conclusion: In the present study, it was found that toothpaste tube can also be the possible source for potential pathogens that can compromise not only the health of the individual but also the individuals using the same toothpaste tube.

Mixed-Unit Lattice Approach for Area Determination of Cellular and Subcellular Structures

Even small changes in the dimensions of cellular and subcellular structures can inform an ongoing disease. An increase in glomerular dimensions is associated with kidney disease and can predict glomerulosclerosis, whereas an increase in the size of fluid-filled renal cysts is predictive of end-stage polycystic kidney disease. In the absence of set formulae to define the area of curvilinear irregular regions, such as glomeruli and cysts, the method of counting unit squares is used. Nonetheless, as infinitesimally small as the unit square may be, this 2D space-filling method still underestimates the area of a curvilinear region. Developed herein is a mixed-unit lattice approach that represents an improvement over the existing method for estimating the areas of cellular and subcellular structures. In test cases comprising images of glomeruli and renal cysts, this method outperformed the conventional unit-squares method, and may form the foundation for refining the current method used by most types of software for estimating the area of irregular curvilinear regions.

Design and Validation of a Holographic Particle Counter.

An in-line holographic particle counter concept is presented and validated where multiple micrometer sized particles are detected in a three dimensional sampling volume, all at once. The proposed Particle Imaging Unit is capable of detecting holograms of particles which sizes are in the lower m- range. The detection and counting principle is based on common image processing techniques using a customized Hough Transform with a result directly relating to the particle number concentration in the recorded sampling volume. The proposed counting unit is mounted ontop of a Condensation Nucleus Magnifier for comparison with a commercial TSI-3775 Condensation Particle Counter (CPC). The concept does not only allow for a precise in-situ determination of low particle number concentrations but also enables easy upscaling to higher particle densities (e.g., ) through its linear expandability and option of cascading. The impact of coincidence at higher particle densities is shown and two coincidence correction approaches are presented where, at last, its analogy to the coincidence correction methods used in state-of-the-art CPCs is identified.

Étendue du vocabulaire et compréhension écrite – le français à l'université en Suède

This paper investigates the amount of French vocabulary needed to read (with reasonable comprehension) three authentic novels used in a first semester course of French at a Swedish university. The analysis applies the concept of lexical coverage and uses the frequency lists of Lonsdale & Le Bras (2009). The counting unit is the lemma. This study also examines the common French word list used in all Swedish universities offering French degrees. The results show that 7 000 to 9 000 lemmas will provide the 98 % coverage needed for reasonable comprehension. This is at least twice the 4 000 lemmas contained in the university list. The results therefore point to the necessity of including a vocabulary component also in higher-level French courses.

Wearable SiPM-Based NIRS Interface Integrated With Pulsed Laser Source.

We present the design of a miniaturized probe integrating silicon photomultiplier and light-pulsing electronics in a single 2 × 2mm2 complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) chip which includes functional blocks such as a fast pulse-laser driver and synchronized single-photon detection circuit. The photon pulses can be either counted on-chip or processed by an external high-speed electronic module such as time-corelated single photon counting (TCSPC) unit. The integrated circuit was assembled on a printed circuit board (PCB) and also on a 2.5D silicon interposer platform of size 1 cm and interfaced with a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM), vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) and other ancillary components such as capacitors and resistors. Our approach of integrating an optical interface to optimize light collection on the small active area and light emission from the vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VSCEL) will facilitate clinical adoption in many applications and change the landscape of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) hardware commercially due to significant optode-size reduction and the elimination of optical fibers.

Integrating distance sampling with minimum counts to improve monitoring

ABSTRACTMinimum counts are commonly used to estimate population size and trend for wildlife conservation and management; however, the scope of inference based on such data is limited by untestable assumptions regarding the detection process. Alternative approaches, such as distance sampling, occupancy surveys, and repeated counts, can be employed to produce detection‐corrected estimates of population parameters. Unfortunately, these approaches can be more complicated and costly to implement, potentially limiting their use. We explored a conceptual framework linking datasets collected at different spatial scales under different survey designs, with the goal of improving inference. Specifically, we link landscape‐scale distance sampling surveys with local‐scale minimum counts in an integrated modeling framework to estimate mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) abundance at both the local and regional scale in south‐central Alaska, USA, and provide an estimate of detection probability (i.e., sightability) for the minimum counts. Estimated sightability for the minimum count surveys was 0.67 (95% credible interval [CrI] = 0.52–0.83) and abundance for the entire area was 5,600 goats (CV = 9%), both in broad agreement with estimates from previous studies. Abundance estimates at the local scale (i.e., individual min. count unit) were reasonably precise ( = 18%), suggesting the integrated approach can increase the amount of information produced at both spatial scales by linking minimum count approaches with more rigorous survey designs. We propose that our integrated approach may be implemented in the context of a modified split‐panel monitoring design by altering survey protocols to include frequent minimum counts within local count units and intermittent but more rigorous survey designs with inference to the entire study area or population of interest. Doing so would provide estimates of abundance with appropriate measures of uncertainty at multiple spatial scales, thereby improving inference for population monitoring and management. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.

The efficiency of a new automated mosquito larval counter and its impact on larval survival

To achieve consistent and standardized rearing for mosquito immature stages, it is crucial to control the initial number of larvae present in each larval tray. In addition, maintaining an optimal and synchronized development rate of larvae is essential to maximize the pupal production and optimize male sorting in a mass-rearing setting. Manual counting is labor intensive, time consuming and error prone. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the use of a customized automated counter for the quantification of mosquito larvae. The present prototype of the mosquito larval counter uses a single counting channel consisting of three parts: a larvae dispenser, an electronic counting unit and computer control software. After the separation of the larvae from eggs and debris, batches of different numbers of Aedes aegypti first instar larvae were manually counted and introduced into the counter through the upper loading funnel and channeled out from the bottom of the counter by gravitational flow. The accuracy and repeatability of the mosquito larval counter were determined in relation to larval density and water quality. We also investigated its impact on larval survival. Results showed an impact of larval density and water quality on the accuracy of the device. A −6% error and a repeatability of +/− 2.56% average value were achieved with larval densities up to 10 larvae/mL of clean water. Moreover, the use of the mosquito larval counter did not have any effect on larval survival or development. Under recommended conditions, the mosquito larval counter can be used to enumerate the number of mosquito larvae at a given density. However, future developments involving the use of multiple channels or larger input larvae container would help to expand its use in large-scale facilities.

Peripheral neuropathy in patients with human immunodeficiency viral infection at a tertiary hospital in Ghana

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is the most frequent neurological complication in people living with HIV/AIDS. Neurological damage was identified to not only be caused by the viral infection itself but also through neurotoxic antiretroviral therapy (ART). PN is associated with a variety of risk factors; however, detailed knowledge is scarce for sub-Saharan African populations, bearing among the highest HIV/AIDS infection burden.In a cross-sectional study, we assessed the prevalence of PN in 525 adult outpatients suffering from HIV/AIDS and admitted to the largest tertiary hospital in Ghana. Through a detailed questionnaire and clinical examination including neurologic assessment and laboratory blood sample testing, this study investigated associations of PN with demographic and health determinants and identified risk factors associated with sensory neuropathy.The prevalence of PN in the Ghanaian cohort was 17.7% and increased odd ratios (OR) when patients were taller (> 1.57 m; OR = 3.84; 95% CI 1.38–10.66) or reached the age > 34 years (p = 0.124). Respondents with longer education duration had significantly less PN (≥ 9 years of education; OR = 0.49; 95% CI 0.26–0.92). The study also identified significant association of PN to both waist and hip girth and neutrophil counts. Curiously, higher adjusted odd ratios (aOR) of PN of patients under ART treatment were observed when CD4 lymphocytes were elevated (aOR = 0.81; 95% CI 0.36–1.83 and aOR = 2.17; 95% CI 0.93–5.05, for 300 and 600 counts, respectively). For patients on ART, an increase of 10 CD4 cell count units increased their chance of developing PN by 1% (aOR = 1.01; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.03).Despite current drug application regulations, prevalence of PN is still unacceptably high in sub-Saharan African populations. Reduction in chronic morbidity through a health system with routine monitoring, early diagnosis and prompt intervention, and effective case management can improve people living with HIV/AIDS’ quality of life.

The Number of Distinct Elements: Extending a landmark-based counting unit to other taxa

Quantification of skeletal remains in faunal assemblages is often central to the study of human behavior at archaeological sites. Recently, we introduced the Number of Distinct Elements (NDE) as a simpler, experimentally robust alternative to the Minimum Number of Elements (MNE). The MNE is a widely used counting method that has been shown to inflate the representation of rare elements and is affected by the issue of aggregation, among other problems (Morin et al., 2017, Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory 24, 938–973). The NDE approach avoids both of these issues because it focuses on a specific suite of constant landmarks, which means that counts are independent of sample size. The present paper discusses how the NDE differs from MNE and zone-based recording methods and expands its use to equids, suiformes, camelids, tapirids, proboscideans, rhinocerotids and carnivores. A list of NDE landmarks is also presented for typically smaller animals, such as glires (rodents and lagomorphs), birds and turtles/tortoises.

Six-year follow-up study on the association between white blood cell count and fasting blood glucose level in Chinese adults: A community-based health examination survey.

BackgroundPre‐diabetes is considered to be an important reversible stage of type 2 diabetes (T2DM); thus, early identification of pre‐diabetes may help in the prevention of T2DM. This study aimed to explore the relationship between white blood cell (WBC) counts and the cumulative risk of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) regulation at 6 years.MethodsA community‐based health examination survey was conducted among individuals who were randomly selected from 1300 residents living in China in 2010 to 2016. The participants were divided into four groups according to WBC baseline level. This study initially conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of the population who underwent physical examination to explore the relationship between WBC count and FBG levels. Then, a follow‐up study was conducted on the population who underwent IFG normal physical examination to explore the relationship between baseline WBC count and changes in FBG levels and the cumulative risk of 6‐year IFG.ResultsDuring the 6‐year cohort follow‐up, 17.2% of the participants developed IFG, and the cumulative incidence rates of IFG in the four groups were 14.7%, 16.3%, 15.8%, and 22.2%. By Cox multiple regression equation the hazard ratio (HR) of the IFG increased by 18.7% for each additional unit of baseline WBC count with no adjustment of any factor. After adjusting factors, HR increased by 8.4%.ConclusionIncreased WBC counts are associated with risk of IFG, suggesting chronic inflammation may be involved in the development and progression of IFG.

Peak bordering for ultrafast single particle analysis using ICP-MS

The characterisation of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) by single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy is possible only if the spectrometer is capable of measurement with high time-signal resolution. The latest generation of spectrometers allow for measurements with dwell times (dt) shorter than the 100 μs gold standard, i.e. as low as 10 μs. The statistical behaviours of signals obtained with dt values of 10, 20, 50, and 100 μs were tested for 40, 60, and 100 nm silver NPs. Very low measured signals (units of counts) led to the occurrence of zero signal values inside the peaks corresponding to individual NPs. The probability of the occurrence of a zero signal inside the peak increased with decreasing dt and decreasing NP size. The standard approach to the bordering of the beginning and end of the peak by one zero signal point failed here and lead to the false detection of a larger number of smaller peaks. For example, in the case of 40 nm NPs a quadruple number of peaks were detected for a dt value of 10 μs compared to the 100 μs dt value; the mean peak width at 10 μs dt was approximately 220 μs, while at 100 μs dt it was 550 μs. The results tended to be less distorted when dt was longer and the NP size was larger. Low dt values also led to a distortion of the peak area distribution. For 40 nm NPs and 10 μs, the most frequent peak area and the width of the peak area distribution were not evaluated due to a non-Gaussian course; 20 μs dt caused (compared to 100 μs) a decrease in the most frequent peak area by approximately 35% (33 counts for 100 μs dt vs. 22 counts for 20 μs dt) and an increase in the width of the peak area distribution by 70% (10 counts for 100 μs dt vs. 17 counts for 20 μs dt). Therefore, new approaches to bordering peaks were tested, which consisted of searching for an uninterrupted zero signal point sequence with a total length of 50 μs or 100 μs. Only the criterion of a 100 μs delay between the two adjacent peaks resulted in values of the number of detected peaks, the most frequent peak areas, and the width of peak area distribution virtually independent of dt.

Simulation and analysis of micro-droplet optical detection and counting unit with optical fiber

为实现微流控芯片上微液滴的检测与计数，设计了光纤式检测与计数单元，使用TracePro软件进行建模仿真以便为检测信号处理提供依据。根据液滴通过检测区域时引起的光强变化来实现计数，分析了照明光束准直性、液滴尺寸、液滴相对溶液折射率以及接收光纤相距芯片距离对光强变化的影响。仿真实验结果表明，照明光束准直性越差，液滴半径越大，相对溶液折射率越低，接收光纤距离越近，相对光强变化越明显，并且液滴大小决定着光强变化曲线中是否会出现双波谷现象，液滴半径小于13 μm时，液滴检测信号为明显的单波谷，半径大于17 μm时，液滴信号为明显双波谷。根据仿真结果提出了检测信号的处理方法，表明该单元可以实现微流控芯片上微液滴的检测与计数功能。

Time-tagged coincidence counting unit for large-scale photonic quantum computing.

Real-time analysis of single-photon coincidence is critical in photonic quantum computing. The large channel number and high counting rate foreseen in such experiments pose a big challenge for the conventional time tagged method and coincidence instruments. Here we propose a real-time time-tagged coincidence method and a data filtering solution, demonstrated by a 32-channel coincidence counting unit that has been implemented successfully on a field-programmable gate array system. The unit provides high counting rates, a tunable coincidence window, and a timing resolution of 390 ps. Beyond that, it is feasible to be scaled up to 104 channels and is thus ideally suited for channel consuming applications such as boson sampling. Based on the versatility and scalability the unit has shown, we believe that it is the turn-key solution for many single-photon coincidence counting applications in photonic quantum computing.

Metallic Payment Tokens from the Dayhan Counting Room in the Murghab Regal Estate

The article deals with rare and little-known money substitutes, i.e. coin-like uniface bronze and brass payment tokens issued by the so-called Dayhan (Peasants') Counting Room of Murghab Regal Estate, once the property of Tzar Alexander II (in Bayram Ali, nowadays in Mary Velayat, Turkmenistan). The article provides a survey of the information accessible, as well as an attempt of its attribution and dating. The Appendix comprises a type catalogue, which lists all kinds of the described metallic counting units (tokens) known to date.

Stem Cells Combined With Platelet-rich Plasma Effectively Treat Corticosteroid-induced Osteonecrosis of the Hip: A Prospective Study.

Randomized trials have shown the benefits of injecting bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BmMSCs) after standard hip decompression in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head. However, the combination of BmMSCs and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injected into the femoral head after decompression has not been reported previously. This study reports the results in a preliminary series of patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head treated with BmMSCs plus PRP. (1) What is the survivorship free from reoperation, hip arthroplasty, and femoral head collapse in a preliminary series of patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head treated with BmMSCs plus PRP? (2) Is there a change in the degree of femoral head involvement based on modified Kerboul angle? (3) What were the scores observed for pain and function at last followup? (4) Was there a difference in survivorship free from reoperation as a function of in vitro MSC count and viability? Twenty-two consecutive patients (35 hips; 11 men and 11 women) with corticosteroid-induced osteonecrosis who met study inclusion criteria were enrolled; none declined participation, and none was lost to followup, although one patient (two hips) died within a year of the procedure for reasons unrelated to it, and five patients (seven hips) did not undergo MRI at the 1-year followup. All patients had precollapse osteonecrosis, rated either University of Pennsylvania Stage 1 (n = 4) or Stage 2 (n = 31 hips). Mean age and body mass index were 43 years and 31 kg/m, respectively. Patients underwent pre- and postoperative radiographs and MRI to assess femoral head involvement using the modified Kerboul angle. Absolute cell count and colony-forming unit (CFU) assays were used to assess MSC abundance and viability of the bone marrow obtained at the time of surgery. Patients were followed at regular intervals to assess clinical response to treatment with a mean followup of 3 years (range, 2-4 years). The change in femoral head involvement was assessed with the modified Kerboul angle; the Harris hip score was used to assess clinical outcome; and conversion to THA, reoperation, and survivorship free from femoral head collapse were analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method on a per-hip basis. Survivorship free from THA, any procedure, and femoral head collapse was 84% (95% confidence interval [CI], 75%-93%), 67% (95% CI, 55%-79%), and 93% (95% CI, 76%-98%), respectively, at 3 years postoperatively; two patients (four hips) underwent a second decompression and MSC injection for persistent pain without signs of radiographic collapse. All patients with collapse underwent THA. The mean modified Kerboul angle improved from 205° ± 47° to 172° ± 48° postoperatively (mean change -30° ± 6°, p = 0.01). A greater proportion of patients who underwent an additional procedure had a modified Kerboul grade of 3 or 4 preoperatively (80% [four of five] versus 13% [four of 30 Grade 1 or 2; odds ratio, 26; 95% CI, 2-296; p = 0.005). Preoperatively the mean Harris hip score was 57 ± 12, which improved to 85 ± 15 (mean change 28 ± 3, p < 0.001) at most recent followup. Patients undergoing a reoperation or THA had a lower mean concentration of nucleated cells/mL (5.5 x 10 ± 2.8 x 10 cells/mL versus 2.3 x 10 ± 2.2 x 10 cells/mL, p = 0.02) and lower mean CFUs (13 ± 6 versus 19 ± 7, p = 0.04) compared with those who did not. Core hip decompression with injection of concentrated bone marrow plus PRP improved pain and function; > 90% of hips in this series were without collapse at a minimum of 2 years. In this preliminary study, successful results were seen when nucleated cell count was high and modified Kerboul grade was low. Further randomized studies are needed to determine this procedure's efficacy versus core decompression or nonoperative treatment alone. Level II, therapeutic study.

Influence of Adding Inulin as a Fat Replacer on the Characteristics of Yoghurt

The effects of substituting milk fat with different levels of inulin as a fat replacer on the chemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics of yoghurt were examined.Samples of yoghurt were kept in refrigerator at(5± 2Co), and examined when fresh, and after 2, 3 and 7 days of storage. Chemical composition, microbiological contents and sensory characteristics were examined. The obtained results indicated that addition of inulin resulted in a significant increase in the total solids, moisture contents, and the development of titratable acidity. On the other hand, less whey syneresis was observed during the storage of the yoghurt samples. On the other hand, replacing of milk fat by inulin was of no significant effect on the fat content.Addition of inulin stimulated the growth of lactic acid bacteria. The colony forming units of total bacterial counts, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus increased up to the 3rd day of storage period, followed by decrease up to the end of the storage period. Sensory evaluations were almost stable during the first 7th days of storage, then decreased slightly until the end of storage the period. Yoghurt samples containing 1.2% of inulin showed minor difference in the sensory characteristics, compared with control, and of the most acceptable sample. In conclusion, inulin could be successfully used as a fat replacer in making of low fat yoghurt with additional nutritional benefits without affecting the physico-chemical properties of yoghurt.