Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Synthesis and characterization of some vic-dioxime and its mononuclear complexes

WOS: 000247004300007In this study, acetophenone is used as a basis substance. omega-Isonitrosoacetophenone has been synthesized from nitrosyl with amyl nitrite of acetophenone in the presence of sodium ethoxide. Subsequently, anti-phenylglyoxime has been prepared by reacting omega-isonitrosoacetophenone with hydroxylamine and sodium acetate in a ethanolic media. Chlorophenylglyoxime has been obtained from reaction with chlorine gases. Then, three aminophenylglyoxime (ligands) have been prepared by the reaction of chlorophenylglyoxime and the corresponding amines. The Ni(II), Co(II), and Cu(II) complexes with BF2+-bridge of anilinophenylglyoxime and 2,4-dimethylanilinophenylglyoxime were prepared. Then polymeric metal complexes with BF2+-bridge of dopamiophenylglyoxime were prepared. Their structures were identified by FT-IR, H-1 NMR, and ICP-AES spectral data, elemental analysis and magnetic measurements

The Mooring Pattern Study for Q-Flex Type LNG Carriers Scheduled for Berthing at Ege Gaz Aliaga LNG Terminal

Ever growing energy industry requires larger quantities of LNG to be transported by bigger ships between terminals. Every day, new kind of large vessels created by new technologies, and these are used to trade around the globe. This is the dynamic change in shipping industry. But on the other hand these new vessels need to safely berth to existing terminals which we may accept as more static part of the trade. Thus this study born by the request of Ege Gaz Aliaga LNG Terminal management to determine if it is safe to berth to the terminal by a new breed of large LNG carrier type named as Q-Flex and Q-Max. Transas Bridge Simulator NTPRO 5000 series was used in this study for extensive experiments which had been simulated by the use of hook function. During the study, every force applied to mooring hooks and dolphins by the ship lines were divided into 3 dimensions and then measured by simulation experiments. With analysis of the data, required hook and dolphins strengths were determined for the safe mooring arrangements. Upon the completion of the study Ege Gaz Aliaga LNG Terminal became the first safe berth for Q-Flex type vessels in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. And finally all experiments were confirmed with real life experience when the first Q-Flex type LNG carrier berthed to the Ege Gaz Aliaga LNG Terminal

Synthesis and characterization of some vic-dioxime and its mononuclear complexes (vol 33, pg 351, 2007)

WOS: 000249630300015

Modified Limberg flap reconstruction compares favourably with primary repair for pilonidal sinus surgery

Background: The present study analyses the results of wide excision with primary closure (PC), wide excision with classical Limberg flap reconstruction (LF) and wide excision with modified Limberg flap reconstruction (MLF) in the surgical treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease. Methods: One hundred and sixty-two well-documented patients who were operated on for pilonidal disease and followed for more than 1 year were analysed retrospectively. Group 1 was composed of patients with excision plus PC (n = 78) while group 2 included those with excision plus a LF reconstruction (n = 40), and group 3 included those with excision plus a MLF reconstruction (n = 44). Results: There were no significant differences among the three groups with respect to age, sex distribution, frequency of recurrent disease, or follow-up periods (P > 0.05 for all comparisons). Significant disadvantages regarding postoperative infection rate, mobilization time, discharge from hospital, and time off work were noted for primary closure, compared with both LF and MLF reconstructions. Following a median follow-up period of 4.2 years, 14 recurrences (17.9%) developed in the PC group, three (7.5%) in the LF group, and none (0%) in the MLF group. The zero recurrence rate in the MLF group was significantly lower than that in the PC group (P = 0.003). On the other hand, the recurrence rate in the LF was not found to differ significantly from that in the PC group (P = 0.126). Comparing the LF and MLF groups, none of the surgical end points reached a statistically significant difference (P > 0.05 for all comparisons). Conclusions: For the surgical treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease, excision plus a classical or modified Limberg flap reconstruction proved to be superior to excision plus primary closure in terms of infection, mobilization time, discharge from hospital and time off work. Additionally, MLF reconstruction resulted in a statistically lower recurrence rate when compared with PC

Effects of systemic zoledronic acid administration on osseointegration of hydroxyapatite-coated and resorbable blast material surface implants in rabbit models

PubMedID: 23189295Purpose: It is unknown whether zoledronic acid (ZA) interferes with initial bone healing at implant sites. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of systemic zoledronic acid administration on osseintegration of hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated and resorbable blast material surface (RBM) implants in rabbit models. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight male New Zealand rabbits (aged 6 to 12 months) were used in this study. Rabbits were randomly assigned to four groups. In group A, HA-coated implants were placed in the right tibia of seven rabbits. In group B, RBM-surface implants were placed in the right tibia of seven rabbits. In group C, HA-coated implants were placed in seven rabbits with intravenous (IV) administration of ZA. Finally, in group D, RBM-surface implants were placed in seven rabbits with IV administration of ZA. For groups C and D, IV zoledronic acid (0.1 mg/kg) was performed monthly during the entire osseointegration period. All of the rabbits were sacrificed 12 weeks after the implantation, and tibial specimens were harvested. Histomorphometric boneto- implant contact (BIC) analysis and the data were statistically analyzed. Results: The highest BIC percentage was detected in group D, with a mean value of 56.73% ± 1.85%, as compared with 45.80% ± 3.77% in group C, 35.11% ± 0.76% in group B, and 31.14% ± 1.04% in group A. Conclusions: Histomorphometric analyses showed significant improvement in the osseointegration of implants in the RBM-surface ZA group compared with the HA-coated ZA group. The results of this study suggest that systemic ZA administration may improve osseointegration of titanium implants in bone. © 2012 by Quintessence Publishing Co Inc

Computer simulation of explosive demolition of structures by using nerual network

There are several methods for demolition of structures but most of them depend mostly on conventional ways of using machines for breaking and crushing structural elements. However the need for lots of work force, expense and extreme amount of time for demolition, made most of these methods non-popular nowadays. Therefore, trials to accomplish a more economic and less time taking method lasted with the use of blasting. By applying controlled blasting on a suitable structure, the structure can collapse and break down to pieces in very short period of time, with no extra work force and cost. In spite of advantages of explosive demolition, the potential danger of explosives and the damage that the blasting may cause to surrondings, if not controlled properly, made people timid to the method especially in urban areas. Therefore, the pre-assumption by computational analysis has become an essential matter in the process

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis: review of Turkish reports.

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a rare disorder, only 173 cases having been reported worldwide. Fifty two cases from Turkey are reported, 49 of which have previously been described only in Turkish publications. The mean age of the patients was 27 (SD 12) years, 34 were male, and 10 were symptomless. In 40 of the 52 cases diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically. Nineteen cases were diagnosed in siblings. This high rate suggests that pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a familial disease, which, though rare, is for unknown reasons most common in Turkey