Formulation and Implementation of Nonlinear Integral Equations to Model Neural Dynamics Within the Vertebrate Retina.

Existing computational models of the retina often compromise between the biophysical accuracy and a hardware-adaptable methodology of implementation. When compared to the current modes of vision restoration, algorithmic models often contain a greater correlation between stimuli and the affected neural network, but lack physical hardware practicality. Thus, if the present processing methods are adapted to complement very-large-scale circuit design techniques, it is anticipated that it will engender a more feasible approach to the physical construction of the artificial retina. The computational model presented in this research serves to provide a fast and accurate predictive model of the retina, a deeper understanding of neural responses to visual stimulation, and an architecture that can realistically be transformed into a hardware device. Traditionally, implicit (or semi-implicit) ordinary differential equations (OES) have been used for optimal speed and accuracy. We present a novel approach that requires the effective integration of different dynamical time scales within a unified framework of neural responses, where the rod, cone, amacrine, bipolar, and ganglion cells correspond to the implemented pathways. Furthermore, we show that adopting numerical integration can both accelerate retinal pathway simulations by more than 50% when compared with traditional ODE solvers in some cases, and prove to be a more realizable solution for the hardware implementation of predictive retinal models.

Plug-in nanoliter pneumatic liquid dispenser with nozzle design flexibility.

This paper presents a novel plug-in nanoliter liquid dispensing system with a plug-and-play interface for simple and reversible, yet robust integration of the dispenser. A plug-in type dispenser was developed to facilitate assembly and disassembly with an actuating part through efficient modularization. The entire process for assembly and operation of the plug-in dispenser is performed via the plug-and-play interface in less than a minute without loss of dispensing quality. The minimum volume of droplets pneumatically dispensed using the plug-in dispenser was 124 nl with a coefficient of variation of 1.6%. The dispensed volume increased linearly with the nozzle size. Utilizing this linear relationship, two types of multinozzle dispensers consisting of six parallel channels (emerging from an inlet) and six nozzles were developed to demonstrate a novel strategy for volume gradient dispensing at a single operating condition. The droplet volume dispensed from each nozzle also increased linearly with nozzle size, demonstrating that nozzle size is a dominant factor on dispensed volume, even for multinozzle dispensing. Therefore, the proposed plug-in dispenser enables flexible design of nozzles and reversible integration to dispense droplets with different volumes, depending on the application. Furthermore, to demonstrate the practicality of the proposed dispensing system, we developed a pencil-type dispensing system as an alternative to a conventional pipette for rapid and reliable dispensing of minute volume droplets.

Immunomagnetic separation combined with RT-qPCR for determining the efficacy of disinfectants against human noroviruses.

Little is known about the effectiveness of disinfectants against human noroviruses (NoV) partially because human NoV cannot be routinely cultured in laboratory. The objective of this study was to develop a NoV monoclonal antibody-conjugated immunomagnetic separation (IMS) procedure combined with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays to study the in vitro efficacy of disinfectants against human NoV. Monoclonal antibodies against Norwalk virus (NV, GI.1) and NoV GII.4 were produced using unique NoV capsid proteins, and the antibodies were conjugated to magnetic Dynalbeads. The immunomagnetic beads were used to simultaneously capture intact NoV in samples and effectively remove PCR inhibitors. We examined the efficacy of ethanol, sodium hypochlorite, nine commercially available disinfectants, and one prototype disinfectant using the IMS/RT-qPCR. The sensitivity of this procedure was approximately 100 virus particles for both the NV and GII.4 viruses. The average log reductions in in vitro activities varied between disinfectants. The prototype disinfectant produced an average 3.19-log reduction in NV and a 1.38-log reduction in GII.4. The prototype disinfectant is promising of inactivating NoV. This method can be used to evaluate in vitro activity of disinfectants against human NoV. The IMS/RT-qPCR method is promising as an effective method to remove PCR inhibitors in disinfectants and enable the evaluation of the efficacy of disinfectants.

Chlorine treatment to inactivate norovirus on food contact surfaces.

This study was conducted to determine the concentration and optimal treatment time of chlorine for reducing feline calicivirus (FCV) and murine norovirus (MNV) as surrogates of norovirus (NoV) on stainless steel surfaces and to develop a predictive inactivation method using a response surface methodology. The reduction levels of FCV VR-782 and MNV on stainless steel surfaces after treatment with various concentrations of chlorine (0 to 5,000 ppm) for various times (0 to 5 min) were measured. The reduction values of both FCV and MNV on stainless steel surfaces after 5,000 ppm of chlorine treatment for 5 min were 5.20 TCID(50) per coupon. The predictive results obtained by central composite design were analyzed by standard analysis of variance. The application of multiple regression analysis was related to the following polynomial equations: (i) FCV (log TCID(50) per coupon) = -0.3714 + 0.8362x(1) + 0.0011x(2) + 0.0001x(1)x(2) - 0.1143x(2)(1) -0.0001x(2)(2) (x(1), time; x(2), concentration) and (ii) MNV (log TCID(50) per coupon) = + 0.0471 + 0.0807x(1) + 0.0011x(2) + 0.0001x(1)x(2) -0.0910x(2)(1) -0.0001x(2)(2) (x(1), time; x(2), concentration). It was concluded that these polynomial equation models of reduction of FCV and MNV could be used to determine the minimum concentration of chlorine and exposure times to control human NoV on food contact surfaces.

Reduction of Escherichia coli on surfaces of utensils and development of a predictive model as a function of concentration and exposure time of chlorine.

Cross-contamination to fruit and vegetables can readily occur through contaminated surfaces; thus, there is a need to develop methods to inactivate microorganisms on the surfaces of various materials. The aim of this study was to develop methods to reduce the levels of Escherichia coli on the surfaces of various materials and to develop a predictive model as a function of chlorine concentration and exposure time. The reduction of E. coli on the surfaces of stainless steel, plastic, wood, rubber, glass, and ceramic at various chlorine concentrations (0-200 ppm) after a 0-5-min exposure was evaluated. The surface treatment at the maximum chlorine concentration (200 ppm) over a 5-min exposure reduced the E. coli contamination levels to 5.30, 5.18, 3.34, 4.69, 5.05, and 5.53 log CFU/cm(2) on the surfaces of stainless steel, plastic, wood, rubber, glass, and ceramic, respectively. Using these results, predictive models for the reduction of E. coli on surfaces of various materials using chlorine treatment were developed. Each model was significant (p<0.05) and defined as fit by the lack of fit and probability of normal residuals. It has measured the R(2) value to 0.9746. Therefore, the models presented in this study could be used to determine the minimum concentrations of chlorine and exposure times needed to control E. coli on the surfaces of various materials.

Maturation and survival of Cronobacter biofilms on silicone, polycarbonate, and stainless steel after UV light and ethanol immersion treatments.

Cronobacter sakazakii cells in biofilms formed on silicone, polycarbonate, and stainless steel coupons immersed in reconstituted powdered infant milk formula were treated with ethanol (10 to 70%) and UV light (12 to 2,160 mW.s/cm(2)) as antibacterial treatments. Biofilm maturation curves were determined after immersion at 25 degrees C for up to 144 h. Populations increased after subsequent immersion at 25 degrees C for 24 h in reconstituted powdered infant milk formula to the respective maximum levels of 7.96, 7.91, and 6.99 log CFU per coupon. Populations attached to silicone and polycarbonate surfaces to a greater extent than to stainless steel (P < 0.05). Treatment with 10% ethanol did not cause a significant decrease in the level of C. sakazakii, but treatment with 30, 40, and 50% ethanol reduced the levels to approximately 1.73, 3.02, and 4.17 log CFU per coupon, respectively. C. sakazakii was not detected on any coupon after treatment with 70% ethanol or 2,160 mW.s/cm(2) UV light. A synergistic effect of sequential ethanol and UV treatments was not observed.

A response surface model to describe the effect of temperature and pH on the growth of Bacillus cereus in cooked rice.

This study was performed to develop a predictive model for the growth rate of Bacillus cereus in cooked rice. A response surface methodology (RSM) was used with a combination of storage temperature (10 to 40 degrees C) and pH value (5.4 to 6.8). The growth curves generated under different conditions were fitted using a modified Gompertz equation, and the relationship of the growth rate to the growth curves was modeled using an RSM quadratic polynomial equation. The predictive model was significant (P < 0.01), and the predicted values of the growth parameters obtained using the model equations were in close agreement with experimental values (R2 = 0.9864). The RSM evaluation for describing the growth rate of B. cereus involved both a bias factor (Bf) and an accuracy factor (Af). Both the Bf value (1.006) and the Af value (1.011) approached 1.0 and were within acceptable ranges. Therefore, the adequacy of the predictive model for B. cereus in cooked rice was verified by the validation data.