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• The proposed calibration scheme saves time for signal acquisition. • Only need to collect the output signal to complete the calibration of the device. • High calibration accuracy and controllable error by feedback signal. An air-coil sensor (ACS) is a type of induction magnetometer used to measure the variation of a magnetic field. Due to the limited bandwidth of the coil, its output signal is distorted, a phenomenon known as the transition process. To measure the magnetic field accurately, the relationship must be confirmed by calibration. However, conventional methods require a uniform magnetic field with various frequencies to ensure the induced electromotive force is controllable. The time taken to acquire the signal correlates with the number of test frequencies, and the equipment used to generate the uniform magnetic field must be tailored to the shape of the ACS under test. This paper proposes a time-domain feedback calibration method for ACS to avoid the above constraints. An algorithm is applied to relieve the dependence of the calibration file on the input signal, so that the calibration file will not be affected by the calculation error of the input signal nor be limited by the uniform magnetic field, and the accuracy of the calibration file can be evaluated by the feedback signal. The exponential current, which contains a variety of frequency components, is selected as the calibration signal to shorten the time of data collection. The equipment used to generate the calibration signal is simple, which is suitable for on-site calibration. The scheme can be used for rapid calibration of various air-core coils, and provides a better solution for realizing embedded self-test of ACS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: MixAlco™ consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) employs a mixed culture of terrestrial microorganisms to anaerobically ferment waste streams (e.g., animal manure, agriculture residues) into mixed carboxylate salts that can be further chemically converted to commodity chemicals (e.g., acetic acid, acetone) and liquid transportation fuels (e.g., ethanol, mixed alcohols, bio-gasoline). For countercurrent fermentations of 60% swine manure/40% lime-treated corn stover at 55 °C, the highest acid productivity [1.8 g/(L·d)] and highest conversion (73%) in this study occurred at an acid concentration of 25.1 and 17.0 g/L, respectively. The continuum particle distribution model (CPDM) predicted the experimental total acid concentrations and conversions around 11.1% and 17.2%, respectively. The CPDM prediction "map" for MixAlco™ CBP indicates that both high conversions (>79%) and high total acid concentrations (>35 g/L) are possible at industrial scale. The present study shows continuous co-digestion of corn stove and swine manure in the MixAlco™ process has the potential to produce annually 9.3 billion gallons of alcohol fuels (e.g., ethanol and mixed alcohols) in the United States. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sugarcane trash (ST) was converted to ammonium carboxylates using a novel bioprocessing strategy known as long-term air-lime pretreatment/mixed-culture fermentation. At mild conditions (50°C, 5weeks, 1-atm air, and excess lime loading of 0.4g Ca(OH)2/(g dry biomass)), air-lime pretreatment of ST had moderate delignification (64.4%) with little loss in polysaccharides. Without employing detoxification, sterility, expensive nutrients, or costly enzymes, the feedstock (80% treated ST/20% chicken manure) was fermented to primarily ammonium acetate (>75%) and butyrate by a mixed culture of marine microorganisms at 55°C. In the best four-stage countercurrent fermentation, the product yield was 0.36g total acids/(g VS fed) and the substrate conversion was 64%. Model predictions indicate both high acid concentrations (>47.5g/L) and high substrate conversions (>70%) are possible at industrial scale. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To explore an optimal laser dose of transvaginal ultrasound-guided ovarian interstitial laser coagulation in management of anovulation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Design: Randomized, controlled trial. Setting: A reproductive medical center. Patient(s): Eighty women with PCOS and clomiphene citrate-resistant infertility underwent ultrasound-guided transvaginal ovarian interstitial yttrium aluminum garnet laser treatment. All subjects were divided randomly into four groups of A, B, C, and D. Intervention(s): Group A, one coagulation point per ovary; group B, two points; group C, three points; group D, four to five points. Main Outcome Measure(s): Postoperative ovulation rate, pregnancy rate, and some biochemical parameters. Result(s): The rates of ovulation in groups C (75.00%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 51%-91%) and D (80.00%, 95% CI: 56%-94%) within 6 postoperative months were significantly higher than in groups A (5.00%, 95% CI: 0%-25%) and B (15.00%, 95% CI: 3%-38%). The pregnancy rates in groups C (45.00%, 95% CI: 23%-69%) and D (40.00%, 95% CI: 19%-64%) also were significantly higher than in groups A (5.00%, 95% CI: 0-25%) and B (10.00%, 95% CI: 1%-32%). The mean serum T levels were significantly lower in groups C (2.08 +/- 0.62 nmol/L) and D (2.07 +/- 0.42 nmol/L) compared with groups A (3.10 +/- 0.63 nmol/L) and B (2.95 +/- 0.63 nmol/L). Conclusion(s): One and two intraovarian laser coagulation points per ovary are associated with poor outcomes. Three points per ovary seem to represent the plateau of effective dose for the ovarian interstitial laser treatment in PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The MixAlco process, an example of consolidated bioprocessing (CBP), was utilized for anaerobic fermentation of 80% lime-treated sugarcane bagasse/20% chicken manure at 55°C by a mixed culture of marine microorganisms. NH4HCO3 was recommended by this study to replace CaCO3 buffer to neutralize the produced carboxylic acids. The resulting ammonium carboxylates can be converted to gasoline or mixed alcohol fuels by downstream processing. Four-stage countercurrent fermentations at various volatile solids loading rates (VSLR) and liquid residence times (LRT) showed the highest acid productivity (1.27g/(L·day)) and highest conversion (76%) occurred at a total acid concentration of 24.4 and 31.3g/L, respectively. The Continuum Particle Distribution Model (CPDM) predicted the experimental total acid concentrations and conversions within 9.05% and 14.39%, respectively. The CPDM “map” indicates that both high acid concentrations (>50g/L) and high conversions (>72%) are possible with 300g substrate/(L liquid) concentration, 30 days liquid residence time, 5.4g/(L·day) solid loading rate, and NH4HCO3 buffer. The present study suggests that mixed culture biotechnology in the MixAlco process provides an alternative “carboxylate platform” for biomass conversion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Economic commercial-scale production of biofuels from lignocellulose depends, in part, on the development of a suitable pretreatment. In pursuit of that goal, this study assesses the repeatability and effectiveness of submerged lime pretreatment (SLP) of two batches of corn stover designated "Field" and "Module." SLP was performed with 0.15 g Ca(OH) 2 g−1 biomass and 10 g H 2 O g−1 biomass at 50 °C for 4 weeks while purging with air. SLP was repeated 14 times and the results of the mass balances, closures, and compositions of raw and SLP corn stover are presented. The glucan content of corn stover prior to pretreatment was determined to be 36.1 ± 0.7% (Module washed), 37.5 ± 0.4% (Field washed), and 32.6 ± 1.4% (Field unwashed). For washed corn stover (Module and Field), the standard deviation and coefficient of variation were <1%, demonstrating that the measurements were repeatable. For unwashed Field corn stover, because of its higher content of water-soluble components, the variability was slightly higher. The mass closures were above 96% with less than 2% standard deviation. The glucan content of SLP corn stover was 44.3 ± 0.8% (Module washed), 41.5 ± 0.5% (Field washed), and 42.9 ± 2.2% (Field unwashed). This study also presents a reliable analytical method for assessing the enzymatic digestibility of high-solids (15%) lignocellulose. Inositol is used as an internal standard to determine the final reactant volume, which is difficult in high-solids saccharification. After SLP, the overall glucan digestibility was ~80% (standard deviation < 4%, coefficient of variation < 5%), supporting the potential of SLP as a reproducible, cost-effective, and scalable pretreatment. • Oxidative submerged lime pretreatment (SLP) of corn stover repeated 14 times to assess repeatability. • Inositol used as an internal standard to estimate final volume of reactants for high-solids saccharification (15% solids). • SLP is a highly repeatable process which increases the glucan content and enzymatic digestibility of corn stover (~80%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the receptivity of the homogeneous endometrium in the late follicular phase in infertile women with natural cycles. Study Design: Twenty-eight infertile women with ultrasonographically homogeneous (group 1) or trilaminar (group 2) endometria in the late follicular phase underwent endometrial biopsies. Some molecular markers and development of pinopodes were evaluated. Results: In the late follicular phase, the mean level of vascular endothelial growth factor was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (0.96 ± 0.37 marks vs 1.39 ± 0.46 marks; P = .010). In the mid luteal phase, a decreased leukemia inhibitory factor and integrin alpha v beta 3 levels were found in group 1 (1.58 ± 0.99 marks vs 2.59 ± 0.61 marks; 1.85 ± 0.72 marks vs 2.60 ± 0.73 marks; 1.92 ± 0.91 marks vs 2.83 ± 0.57 marks; P = .003; P = .011; P = .004). The rate of fully developed pinopodes in the mid luteal phase was significantly decreased in group 1 (P = .018). Conclusion: An ultrasonographically homogeneous endometrium in the late follicular phase was associated with poor receptivity in infertile women with natural cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We sought to investigate the effectiveness of repeated transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration of endometriomas in infertile women with endometriosis. Study Design: A retrospective study was performed in our department of reproductive health on 129 infertile women who underwent monthly repeated transvaginal aspiration of endometriomas. The recurrence and pregnancy were monitored during a follow-up period of 24 months. Results: Recurrences of cysts were found in 118 (91.5%) patients in the first postaspirate month and 86 (66.7%) in the second, 60 (46.5%) in the third, 28 (21.7%) in the fourth, 12 (9.3%) in the fifth, 7 (5.4%) in the sixth, and 36 (27.9%) in the 24th postaspiration month. Mean 3.1 ± 2.8 times of aspirations per patient were performed without any adverse effect. There was a linear regression relationship between the change of times of aspirations and the chance of recurrence of cysts. Overall pregnancy rate of 43.4% (56/129) was obtained. Conclusion: The repetitive aspiration of endometriomas is an effective therapeutic option in patients with endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To assess the effectiveness of repeated transvaginal ultrasound-guided ovarian interstitial laser treatment in the management of anovulatory patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Study design: A retrospective study was performed in our department on 27 anovulatory PCOS women who failed to respond to the first ultrasound-guided transvaginal ovarian interstitial laser treatment. Each woman received a repeat procedure and postoperative rates of ovulation and pregnancy were monitored. Results: Of 27 patients, 18 (66.67%) ovulated spontaneously following the repeated ultrasound-guided transvaginal ovarian interstitial laser treatment Ten women became pregnant within six postoperative months and a cumulative pregnancy rate of 37.04% was achieved. There were no significant operative complications. Conclusion: Repeated ultrasound-guided transvaginal ovarian interstitial laser treatment is an effective and safe management in anovulatory PCOS patients who fail to respond or have a transient response to the first transvaginal ovarian interstitial laser treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of uterine cavity injection of day 2 embryo culture supernatant before day 3 embryo transfer in patients who are undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: A reproductive medical centre. Patient(s): A total of 90 infertile women, 45 of them in the study group and 45 in the control group. Intervention(s): Uterine cavity infection of day 2 embryo culture supernatant before day 3 embryo transfer. Main Outcome Measure(s): Embryo implantation rate and pregnancy rate. Result(s): The pregnancy versus implantation rates in the study group and control group were 48.9% versus 44.4% and 27.3% versus 22.1%, respectively. Although both pregnancy and implantation rates in the study group were higher than those in the control group, no statistically significant differences were found in these two parameters. Conclusion(s): Injection of day 2 embryo culture supernatant into the uterine cavity cannot improve the implantation and pregnancy rates of day 3 embryo transfer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, improvement in the method for purifying glycoprotein from green tea (Camellia sinensis) was described; some properties and chemical compositions of tea glycoprotein (TGP) were determined by HPGPC, FT-IR, GC–MS technologies. Compared to existing methods, a more compatible method for purifying TGP was proposed. This method was faster, simpler, more effective and easier to be extended to the industrial production than the method that used in our previous work. The molecular weight of TGP was 126,513Da using HPGPC. GC–MS analysis of TGP showed that TGP was composed of seven kinds of monosaccharides, namely ribose, rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, glucose, galactose in molar ratios of 1.71:5.88:13.70:1.99:1.00:1.84:33.75. Eighteen amino acids were identified in TGP by amino acid analysis. The FT-IR spectrum of the TGP revealed also typical characteristics of polysaccharides, protein and uronic acid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To report the successful conservative management of two patients with acute adnexal torsion by ultrasound-guided transvaginal ovarian cystic aspiration. Design: Case report. Setting: A reproductive medical center. Patients: Two women with OHSS who had acute lower abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, and were found to have acute adnexal torsion. Intervention(s): An ultrasound-guided transvaginal ovarian cystic aspiration was performed promptly. Main Outcome Measure(s): The clinical symptoms of acute adnexal torsion after the procedure. Result(s): After the cystic aspiration, acute lower abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting were relieved immediately. The postoperative course was normal. Neither of the patients had clinical signs of pelvic or systemic thromboembolism. Conclusion(s): Ultrasound-guided transvaginal ovarian cystic aspiration is a simple, safe, and effective method for the conservative management of adnexal torsion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]