scholarly journals Chi.Bio: An open-source automated experimental platform for biological science research

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harrison Steel ◽  
Robert Habgood ◽  
Ciarán Kelly ◽  
Antonis Papachristodoulou
Keyword(s):  
Cell Growth ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Novel Studies ◽  
And Control ◽  
Measurement And Control

The precise characterisation and manipulation of in vivo biological systems is critical to their study.1 However, in many experimental frameworks this is made challenging by non-static environments during cell growth,2, 3 as well as variability introduced by manual sampling and measurement protocols.4 To address these challenges we present Chi.Bio, a parallelised open-source platform that offers a new experimental paradigm in which all measurement and control actions can be applied to a bulk culture in situ. In addition to continuous-culturing capabilities (turbidostat functionality, heating, stirring) it incorporates tunable light outputs of varying wavelengths and spectrometry. We demonstrate its application to studies of cell growth and biofilm formation, automated in silico control of optogenetic systems, and readout of multiple orthogonal fluorescent proteins. By combining capabilities from many laboratory tools into a single low-cost platform, Chi.Bio facilitates novel studies in synthetic, systems, and evolutionary biology, and broadens access to cutting-edge research capabilities.

scholarly journals Induction of Neural Plasticity Using a Low-Cost Open Source Brain-Computer Interface and a 3D-Printed Wrist Exoskeleton

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 572
Author(s):  
Mads Jochumsen ◽  
Taha Al Muhammadee Janjua ◽  
Juan Carlos Arceo ◽  
Jimmy Lauber ◽  
Emilie Simoneau Buessinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Motor Evoked Potentials ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
True Positive Rate ◽  
Positive Rate ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
And Control ◽  
Bci System

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have been proven to be useful for stroke rehabilitation, but there are a number of factors that impede the use of this technology in rehabilitation clinics and in home-use, the major factors including the usability and costs of the BCI system. The aims of this study were to develop a cheap 3D-printed wrist exoskeleton that can be controlled by a cheap open source BCI (OpenViBE), and to determine if training with such a setup could induce neural plasticity. Eleven healthy volunteers imagined wrist extensions, which were detected from single-trial electroencephalography (EEG), and in response to this, the wrist exoskeleton replicated the intended movement. Motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited using transcranial magnetic stimulation were measured before, immediately after, and 30 min after BCI training with the exoskeleton. The BCI system had a true positive rate of 86 ± 12% with 1.20 ± 0.57 false detections per minute. Compared to the measurement before the BCI training, the MEPs increased by 35 ± 60% immediately after and 67 ± 60% 30 min after the BCI training. There was no association between the BCI performance and the induction of plasticity. In conclusion, it is possible to detect imaginary movements using an open-source BCI setup and control a cheap 3D-printed exoskeleton that when combined with the BCI can induce neural plasticity. These findings may promote the availability of BCI technology for rehabilitation clinics and home-use. However, the usability must be improved, and further tests are needed with stroke patients.

scholarly journals Proanthocyanidins against Oxidative Stress: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Applications

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingyu Yang ◽  
Dehai Xian ◽  
Xia Xiong ◽  
Rui Lai ◽  
Jing Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Natural Agents ◽  
Molecular Damage ◽  
And Control

Proanthocyanidins (PCs) are naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds abundant in many vegetables, plant skins (rind/bark), seeds, flowers, fruits, and nuts. Numerousin vitroandin vivostudies have demonstrated myriad effects potentially beneficial to human health, such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation, immunomodulation, DNA repair, and antitumor activity. Accumulation of prooxidants such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) exceeding cellular antioxidant capacity results in oxidative stress (OS), which can damage macromolecules (DNA, lipids, and proteins), organelles (membranes and mitochondria), and whole tissues. OS is implicated in the pathogenesis and exacerbation of many cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, dermatological, and metabolic diseases, both through direct molecular damage and secondary activation of stress-associated signaling pathways. PCs are promising natural agents to safely prevent acute damage and control chronic diseases at relatively low cost. In this review, we summarize the molecules and signaling pathways involved in OS and the corresponding therapeutic mechanisms of PCs.

scholarly journals Systematic Evaluation of Arduino Open Source for Automation and Control of Chemical Processes

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 2258-2271
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Chemical Process ◽  
Ph Value ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Ph Sensor ◽  
Chemical Processes ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
Feedback Signal ◽  
Automation And Control ◽  
And Control

Inceptions for chemical process automation are presented in this study. A chemical process demonstrated by neutralization reaction was designed, built, and tested experimentally towards evaluating automation and control algorithms through the Arduino Mega platform. The main objective parameter in this work was selected to be the product pH value, which was evaluated based on several scenarios that targeted various changes in direct and indirect effects. Two main branched ideas were investigated in this study; the first was dealt with the application of Arduino board in the automation of chemical process; the second was dedicated to studying integration of Arduino board in controlling the targeted pH parameter in the product side. Upon examining different automation scenarios, an algorithm was developed to approach the product quality of specific pH and temperature efficiently. The automation algorithm was further developed by integrating the process dynamics and control concepts towards speeding up the pH set point's reach. To make this happen, the pump's speed was corrected and tuned based on the feedback signal from the pH sensor. Consequently, the setpoint was reached in shorter periods, attaining considerable savings in time (≈ 35%). Based on the study outcomes, it is believed that Arduino open source is a challenging and promising low-cost platform, proved useful for mimicking control and automation of chemical processes.

scholarly journals An Automated Chamber System for Measurements of Whole-vine Gas Exchange

HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Poni ◽  
E. Magnanini ◽  
B. Rebucci
Keyword(s):  
Gas Exchange ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Absolute Humidity ◽  
Gas Analyzer ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
Automated Measurements ◽  
System Interfaces ◽  
And Control ◽  
Measurement And Control ◽  
Infrared Gas Analyzer

The reported system interfaces a commercially available portable infrared gas analyzer with a measurement and control module for continuous and automated measurements of whole-canopy gas exchange. Readings were taken for several days, under mostly sunny or partly cloudy conditions, on two potted vines (total leaf area per vine of ≈1.3 m2) enclosed in inflated polyethylene chambers. The air flow rate through the chambers was provided by a centrifugal blower and set at 5 L·s-1 by a butterfly valve. It prevented ΔCO2 from dropping below –40 mL·L-1. Switching of the two CO2 analysis channels to the infrared gas analyzer (operated in a differential mode) was achieved by solenoid valves, whereas wet and dry-bulb temperatures at chambers' inlet and outlet were measured by low-cost, custom-made thermocouple psychrometers. Whole-vine assimilation rate (WVA) and whole-vine transpiration rate were calculated from the inlet—outlet differences in CO2 and absolute humidity. When compared to assimilation measured on single leaves (SLA) under saturating light at equivalent times, the WVA reduction (area basis) was ≈50%, suggesting that whole-canopy photosynthetic efficiency based on SLA readings can be greatly overestimated.

scholarly journals In Vivo Biosensing Using Resonance Energy Transfer

Biosensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shashi Bhuckory ◽  
Joshua C. Kays ◽  
Allison M. Dennis
Keyword(s):  
Energy Transfer ◽  
Fluorescent Proteins ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Resonance Energy Transfer ◽  
Resonance Energy ◽  
Optical Methods ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Molecular Processes

Solution-phase and intracellular biosensing has substantially enhanced our understanding of molecular processes foundational to biology and pathology. Optical methods are favored because of the low cost of probes and instrumentation. While chromatographic methods are helpful, fluorescent biosensing further increases sensitivity and can be more effective in complex media. Resonance energy transfer (RET)-based sensors have been developed to use fluorescence, bioluminescence, or chemiluminescence (FRET, BRET, or CRET, respectively) as an energy donor, yielding changes in emission spectra, lifetime, or intensity in response to a molecular or environmental change. These methods hold great promise for expanding our understanding of molecular processes not just in solution and in vitro studies, but also in vivo, generating information about complex activities in a natural, organismal setting. In this review, we focus on dyes, fluorescent proteins, and nanoparticles used as energy transfer-based optical transducers in vivo in mice; there are examples of optical sensing using FRET, BRET, and in this mammalian model system. After a description of the energy transfer mechanisms and their contribution to in vivo imaging, we give a short perspective of RET-based in vivo sensors and the importance of imaging in the infrared for reduced tissue autofluorescence and improved sensitivity.

Design of Full-Digital Measurement and Control System on Grain Situation

2013 ◽  
Vol 765-767 ◽  
pp. 1849-1853
Author(s):  
Xiao Fan Li ◽  
Hui Yuan Li
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Network Measurement ◽  
Host Computer ◽  
Digital Measurement ◽  
Measurement And Control System ◽  
Computer Measurement ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
And Control ◽  
Measurement And Control

A scheme for measurement and control system on grain situation is presented in this paper. This system is mainly composed of sensor network, measurement and control extension, communication host and host computer. Measurement and control extension centres on microcontroller C8051 to accomplish the measurement of grain temperature and humidity in granary. Instruction is transferred to measurement and control extension by communication host, at the same time, transferring the data measured by extension to host computer. Host computer achieves the regimentation of whole system by applying PC. Compared with traditional ones, this measurement system is much more simple, low-cost, efficient and responsive, with profoundly immediate significance and wide prospect.

Communications in Process Control (Part 1)

1982 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 427-432
Author(s):  
P. R. Matthews
Keyword(s):  
Process Control ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Transmission Efficiency ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Communication Techniques ◽  
Arduous Task ◽  
And Control ◽  
Measurement And Control ◽  
Effective Transmission

The last decade has seen many new measurement and control techniques developed. This has been principally due to the development of low cost electronic circuits and, more recently, the microprocessor. As a result of this rapid development the instrument and process control engineer is faced with the arduous task of interfacing new and old equipment with differing transmission and communication requirements. The situation is further complicated by the numerous transmission and communication techniques that are available and the usual dogma of finding differing communication interfaces at either end of the connecting cable. This paper provides an insight to the array of transmission and communication techniques currently in use and looks at new techniques which are being developed. The application of the transmission and communication techniques to process control systems is a subject which is now under careful scrutiny as the establishment of an effective transmission and communication configuration can result in an appreciable cost advantage and increased transmission efficiency. A number of these configurations (networks) are discussed.

scholarly journals A low cost, open source Turbidostat design for in-vivo control experiments in Synthetic Biology

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agostino Guarino ◽  
Barbara Shannon ◽  
Lucia Marucci ◽  
Claire Grierson ◽  
Nigel Savery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Continuous Culture ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Optical Density ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Control Design ◽  
Engineered Systems

AbstractTo characterise the dynamics of new engineered systems in Synthetic biology, continuous culture platforms are required. In this paper, after a brief review of the existing machines present in literature, we describe the design and the implementation of a new flexible and low cost turbidostat for in-vivo control experiments. Then, the results of a 3 hours long experiment of control of the Optical Density is reported. Since the foundation of our design is flexibility, in this work we also discuss some possible extensions of our design, with particular attention to their application to validate in-vivo multicellular control design.

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