Delicate System Research Articles

Derivative-based scale invariant image feature detector with error resilience.

We present a novel scale-invariant image feature detection algorithm (D-SIFER) using a newly proposed scale-space optimal 10th-order Gaussian derivative (GDO-10) filter, which reaches the jointly optimal Heisenberg's uncertainty of its impulse response in scale and space simultaneously (i.e., we minimize the maximum of the two moments). The D-SIFER algorithm using this filter leads to an outstanding quality of image feature detection, with a factor of three quality improvement over state-of-the-art scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) and speeded up robust features (SURF) methods that use the second-order Gaussian derivative filters. To reach low computational complexity, we also present a technique approximating the GDO-10 filters with a fixed-length implementation, which is independent of the scale. The final approximation error remains far below the noise margin, providing constant time, low cost, but nevertheless high-quality feature detection and registration capabilities. D-SIFER is validated on a real-life hyperspectral image registration application, precisely aligning up to hundreds of successive narrowband color images, despite their strong artifacts (blurring, low-light noise) typically occurring in such delicate optical system setups.

A Potential Link between Environmental Triggers and Autoimmunity.

Autoimmune diseases have registered an alarming rise worldwide in recent years. Accumulated evidence indicates that the immune system's ability to distinguish self from nonself is negatively impacted by genetic factors and environmental triggers. Genetics is certainly a factor, but since it normally takes a very long time for the human genetic pattern to change enough to register on a worldwide scale, increasingly the attention of studies has been focused on the environmental factors of a rapidly changing and evolving civilization. New technology, new industries, new inventions, new chemicals and drugs, and new foods and diets are constantly and rapidly being introduced in this fast-paced ever-changing world. Toxicants, infections, epitope spreading, dysfunctions of immune homeostasis, and dietary components can all have an impact on the body's delicate immune recognition system. Although the precise etiology and pathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases are still unknown, it would appear from the collated studies that there are common mechanisms in the immunopathogenesis of multiple autoimmune reactivities. Of particular interest is the citrullination of host proteins and their conversion to autoantigens by the aforementioned environmental triggers. The identification of these specific triggers of autoimmune reactivity is essential then for the development of new therapies for autoimmune diseases.

기억회상과 지식추론에 따른 감정 상태 변화의 추이

Many studies adopting brain functions to the engineering systems have been made for recent years as the brain Science has developed. If we investigate the parts which take part in memorizing and emotional process, we can know that Hippocampus of memorizing center and Amygdala of Emotional center closely cooperate each other. Actually Knowledge effects on Emotion and Emotion effects on Knowledge. During the human decision making, emotional factor has much important effects on Decision making process. For implementing more delicate intelligent system, the knowledge base coupled to emotional factor should be designed. Accordingly in this paper starting from the idea of cooperating system between Hippocampus and Amygdala,, we design Knowledge Emotion Binding System and propose Emotional changing mechanism by Memory retrieval and knowledge reasoning process.

Continuous Measurement of Particle Depth in a Microchannel Using Chromatic Aberration

Detecting the z-position of moving objects in an embedded microchannel is an important but highly challenging problem in the MEMS field. The present study proposes a new depth measurement system based on the chromatic aberration effect under a dark-field illumination scheme. The microchannel is illuminated by dispersed white light and the light scattered from the moving objects is captured by a low numerical aperture (N.A.) objective lens. Due to chromatic aberration effect, sample in various positions will scatter different wavelengths. The depth of each moving object is then determined by inspecting the intensity ratio of the scattered spectral components with wavelengths of 450 nm (blue light) and 670 nm (red light), respectively. Experimental results show that the proposed system enables the object depth to be measured over a range of ±15 μm while using acrylic lens for light aberration. Alternatively, the developed system is capable to discriminate the depth change of 2 μm micro-beads when a higher Abbe number material of BK7 lens is used for light aberration. The depth measurements are obtained without the need for a delicate optical system or scanning process with the developed system. The use of UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer enables this system to analyze the depths of the samples in flow velocity 500 μm/sec. The proposed system provides a straightforward yet highly effective means of determining the depth of moving objects in microfluidic channels in a continuous manner.

Entanglement-enhanced probing of a delicate material system

Quantum metrology1 uses entanglement2,3,4,5 and other quantum effects6 to improve the sensitivity of demanding measurements7,8,9. Probing of delicate systems demands high sensitivity from limited probe energy and has motivated the field's key benchmark—the standard quantum limit10. Here we report the first entanglement-enhanced measurement of a delicate material system. We non-destructively probe an atomic spin ensemble by means of near-resonant Faraday rotation, a measurement that is limited by probe-induced scattering in quantum-memory and spin-squeezing applications6,11,12,13. We use narrowband, atom-resonant NOON states to beat the standard quantum limit of sensitivity by more than five standard deviations, both on a per-photon and per-damage basis. This demonstrates quantum enhancement with fully realistic loss and noise, including variable-loss effects14,15,16. The experiment opens the way to ultra-gentle probing of single atoms17, single molecules18, quantum gases19 and living cells20.

Components and Tools for Polarization‐maintaining Fiber Optics

AbstractFiber cables open up new vistas for the design of modular devices and compact setups for industrial and scientific applications. Special fibers, such as polarization‐maintaining singlemode fibers, are predestined for use in complex, selfcontained setups, increasing laser safety by reducing the laser safety classification. Most importantly, a sensitive and delicate measurement system can still enjoy the benefits of a laser beam, with the desirable features of polarization state and coherence, but be physically separated from the laser source. The measurement setup and the laser source are decoupled mechanically and thermally in order to avoid any mutual negative impacts.

Processes Underlying the Nutritional Programming of Embryonic Development by Iron Deficiency in the Rat

Poor iron status is a global health issue, affecting two thirds of the world population to some degree. It is a particular problem among pregnant women, in both developed and developing countries. Feeding pregnant rats a diet deficient in iron is associated with both hypertension and reduced nephron endowment in adult male offspring. However, the mechanistic pathway leading from iron deficiency to fetal kidney development remains elusive. This study aimed to establish the underlying processes associated with iron deficiency by assessing gene and protein expression changes in the rat embryo, focussing on the responses occurring at the time of the nutritional insult. Analysis of microarray data showed that iron deficiency in utero resulted in the significant up-regulation of 979 genes and down-regulation of 1545 genes in male rat embryos (d13). Affected processes associated with these genes included the initiation of mitosis, BAD-mediated apoptosis, the assembly of RNA polymerase II preinitiation complexes and WNT signalling. Proteomic analyses highlighted 7 proteins demonstrating significant up-regulation with iron deficiency and the down-regulation of 11 proteins. The main functions of these key proteins included cell proliferation, protein transport and folding, cytoskeletal remodelling and the proteasome complex. In line with our recent work, which identified the perturbation of the proteasome complex as a generalised response to in utero malnutrition, we propose that iron deficiency alone leads to a more specific failure in correct protein folding and transport. Such an imbalance in this delicate quality-control system can lead to cellular dysfunction and apoptosis. Therefore these findings offer an insight into the underlying mechanisms associated with the development of the embryo during conditions of poor iron status, and its health in adult life.

Laboratory hemostasis: milestones in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine

Hemostasis is a delicate, dynamic and intricate system, in which pro- and anti-coagulant forces cooperate for either maintaining blood fluidity under normal conditions, or else will prompt blood clot generation to limit the bleeding when the integrity of blood vessels is jeopardized. Excessive prevalence of anticoagulant forces leads to hemorrhage, whereas excessive activation of procoagulant forces triggers excessive coagulation and thrombosis. The hemostasis laboratory performs a variety of first, second and third line tests, and plays a pivotal role in diagnostic and monitoring of most hemostasis disturbances. Since the leading targets of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine include promotion of progress in fundamental and applied research, along with publication of guidelines and recommendations in laboratory diagnostics, this journal is an ideal source of information on current developments in the laboratory technology of hemostasis, and this article is aimed to celebrate some of the most important and popular articles ever published by the journal in the filed of laboratory hemostasis.

In Situ Photoreduced Silver Nanoparticles on Cysteine: An Insight into the Origin of Chirality

A delicate system, that is, in situ photoreduced silver metal nanoparticles (NPs) formed from a combination of Ag(+) complexes with L- or D-cysteine, enables the introduction of chirality. This chirality is essentially programmed by a synergetic interplay between the CO(2)(-) and NH(3)(+) groups on cysteine, rather than the formation of a chiral metal core (see figure).

Unique Cell Type-Specific Junctional Complexes in Vascular Endothelium of Human and Rat Liver Sinusoids

Liver sinusoidal endothelium is strategically positioned to control access of fluids, macromolecules and cells to the liver parenchyma and to serve clearance functions upstream of the hepatocytes. While clearance of macromolecular debris from the peripheral blood is performed by liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) using a delicate endocytic receptor system featuring stabilin-1 and -2, the mannose receptor and CD32b, vascular permeability and cell trafficking are controlled by transcellular pores, i.e. the fenestrae, and by intercellular junctional complexes. In contrast to blood vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells in other organs, the junctional complexes of LSECs have not yet been consistently characterized in molecular terms. In a comprehensive analysis, we here show that LSECs express the typical proteins found in endothelial adherens junctions (AJ), i.e. VE-cadherin as well as α-, β-, p120-catenin and plakoglobin. Tight junction (TJ) transmembrane proteins typical of endothelial cells, i.e. claudin-5 and occludin, were not expressed by rat LSECs while heterogenous immunreactivity for claudin-5 was detected in human LSECs. In contrast, junctional molecules preferentially associating with TJ such as JAM-A, B and C and zonula occludens proteins ZO-1 and ZO-2 were readily detected in LSECs. Remarkably, among the JAMs JAM-C was considerably over-expressed in LSECs as compared to lung microvascular endothelial cells. In conclusion, we show here that LSECs form a special kind of mixed-type intercellular junctions characterized by co-occurrence of endothelial AJ proteins, and of ZO-1 and -2, and JAMs. The distinct molecular architecture of the intercellular junctional complexes of LSECs corroborates previous ultrastructural findings and provides the molecular basis for further analyses of the endothelial barrier function of liver sinusoids under pathologic conditions ranging from hepatic inflammation to formation of liver metastasis.

A simple physiologically relevant double-agar-layer method for post-germination treatment of seedlings

Arabidopsis thaliana is frequently grown on semisolid medium in Petri dishes, for various experiments that usually consist of two stages on two distinct growth media. Seedlings are germinated under favorable conditions followed by their transfer to another medium containing the given treatment(s). This often causes secondary effects on seedlings due to root shock, or direct and unavoidable contact of the shoot with the second medium. We have developed a simple and efficient method for the transfer of seedlings grown on semisolid medium with minimal damage. In this double-agar-layer method, seeds are germinated on a thin growth-medium-containing agar layer. Subsequently, medium blocks containing the embedded seedlings are excised and placed on the second semisolid medium supplemented with the treatment agent. Differential agar concentrations allow easy penetration of the roots into the second medium, but do not allow the shoots to come into contact with it. This unique method offers several advantages over others that are in common use, in which the seedlings are individually transferred to the second medium or alternatively grown on transfer-carrier matrices, such as filter paper, mesh and cellophane. In the presented method, the entire root system faces the growth medium, the shoots are surrounded by air at all growth stages and transfer of the seedlings is much easier. In addition, a large number of seedlings can be transferred in a single step, without stressing the plants or damaging the delicate root system. This method can also be applied to other plant species grown on semisolid media.

Ultrastructure and distribution of the taste buds in the buccal cavity in relation to the food and feeding habit of a herbivorous fish: Oreochromis niloticus

The buccal cavity of an herbivorous fish Oreochromis niloticus was investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy. The buccal cavity distinguished into the roof and the floor. Three different types of taste buds (type I, II and III) are distributed in the buccal cavity. The proximal part of the buccal cavity bears relatively high epidermal papillae in which type I TBs was found. The middle region of the buccal cavity is mostly occupied by low epidermal papillae containing type II TBs. Type III TBs which are present within the metabranchial buccal cavity; never rise above the normal level of the epithelium.The different types of TBs are useful for ensuring full utilization of the gustatory ability of the fish. It is postulated that the TBs serve different functions: TBs type I and II may act as chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors. TBs type III acts predominantly as a chemoreceptors. TBs of each type show two kinds of receptor villi within their receptor areas: tall villi and small villi. The surface of the lining epithelial cells shows a delicate microridge system. These structures protect against physical abrasion potentially caused during food maneuvering and swallowing. Furthermore, protection of the epithelium from abrasion is enhanced with goblet cells secretion.

Components and tools for polarization‐maintaining fiber optics

AbstractFiber cables open up new vistas for the design of modular devices and compact setups for industrial and scientific applications. Special fibers, such as polarization‐maintaining singlemode fibers, are predestined for use in complex, self‐contained setups, increasing laser safety by reducing the laser safety classification. Most importantly, a sensitive and delicate measurement system can still enjoy the benefits of a laser beam, with the desirable features of polarization state and coherence, but be physically separated from the laser source. The measurement setup and the laser source are decoupled mechanically and thermally in order to avoid any mutual negative impacts.

Safety Requirements against EMI due to External Fault Current on the Delicate Control System

Safety Requirements against EMI due to External Fault Current on the Delicate Control System

Macroscopic aspects of Saimiri sciureus dura mater

Saimiri sciureus is a small New World primate (NHP) commonly called macaco-de-cheiro that inhabits the tropical forests of the Amazon basin. Anatomical features are not well studied in most primates, and the encephalic morphology and related structures are still quite unknown. Comparative anatomy of the meninges in South American primates is still scarce. Dura mater, arachnoid and pia mater are a group of stratified layers that surrounds and promotes protection to the medulla spinalis. This study aimed to shed light on the anatomy of dura mater in Samiri sciureus in order to contribute to the neuroscience in primates. We investigated three young females and two males of S. sciureus. Specimens were fixed through perfusion with a 10% formaldehyde aqueous solution. In S. sciureus encephalus few gyrus and circunvolutions, and a very delicate system consisting of eight sinus venosus was found between the dura mater layers. Based on our findings, we can conclude that the Saimiri sciureus dura mater is quite similar to other mammals, however we detected a new sinus venosus formation at the level of parietal bone, named sinus parietalis, what appears to be its first description.

A Microbridge Method in Tensile Testing of Substrate for Fracture Toughness of Thin Films

A new microbridge method is introduced in this paper in tensile testing of substrate for fracture toughness of thin films. Measurement of fracture toughness for bulk materials is a routine but extremely difficult and still not standardized for thin films (or coatings). The difficulties in clamping a freestanding thin film and the requirement of a critical delicate loading system are the main obstacles. In this paper, the film to be tested is deposited on a rectangular silicon wafer on which an edge crack is fabricated beforehand. The film is patterned and made into microbridges perpendicular to and ahead of the initial substrate crack. A displacement controlled tensile force is applied to propagate the substrate crack and fracture the microbridges. The critical fracture strain of the microbridge is measured through measuring that of the substrate at the respective location of the bridge. The fracture toughness of the film is thus obtained. This method successfully turned the tensile testing of the film into tensile loading of the substrate, avoided the delicate clamping and loading on the film itself. Two case studies are also presented.

A new species of symbiotic flatworms, Paracatenula galateia sp. nov. (Platyhelminthes: Catenulida: Retronectidae) from Belize (Central America)

Paracatenula galateia sp. nov. is a mouthless marine catenulid platyhelminth with bacterial intracellular endosymbionts. The worms live in shallow back-reef sands in the Belize Barrier Reef system and are distinguished from the four previously described members of the genus by their large size combined with a ribbon-shaped body and characteristic bipartite inclusions in cells, which are interpreted as sperm. The bacteria are presumed to be sulphur-oxidizing chemoautotrophs. They are found in bacteriocytes which fill the body region (‘trophosome region’) posterior to the brain, whereas the anterior part of the worm (rostrum) is bacteria-free. Phalloidin staining reveals a delicate system of subepitheliar circular and longitudinal muscles and dorsoventral fibres. The serotonergic nervous system consists of a brain at the base of the rostrum and longitudinal fibres extending both anteriorly and posteriorly, the latter being concentrated in a structure called the ‘dorsal cord’.

ROLE OF CASPASE IN PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH IN MULTICELLULAR ORGANISMS

Apoptosis or programmed cell death is a regulatory process in a multicellular organism that involves aspartate specific cysteine rich protease called caspase are members of the interleukin-1β-converting enzyme family. Apoptosis is induced via two main routes involving either the mitochondria (the intrinsic pathway) or the activation of death receptors (the extrinsic pathway). Both pathways converge to induce the activation of caspases the final executioners of cell death, although, it should be noted that caspase-independent forms of apoptosis have been reported. Ultimately, apoptotic cells are ingested by neighboring cells and phagocytes, preventing inflammation and tissue damage that might ensue upon cell-lysis. The activation and function of caspases, involved in the delicate caspase-cascade system, are regulated by various kinds of molecules, such as the inhibitor of apoptosis protein, Bcl-2 family proteins, calpain and calcium.

An overview of control system for the ITER electron cyclotron system

The ITER electron cyclotron (EC) system having capability of up to 26 MW generated power at 170 GHz is being procured by 5 domestic agencies via 10 procurement arrangements. This implies diverse types of equipment and complex interface management. It also places a challenge on control system architecture to entertain the constraints of procurement slicing and meeting the overall functional requirement. The envisioned architecture is to use the local control units (supplied with each procurement) and a supervisory plant controller (by ITER). This offers a reliable control configuration for such delicate and complex EC plant system. The control system is envisioned to monitor the whole plant and perform automated tasks that are today performed via direct human intervention. For example, the automated gyrotron conditioning and active control of the EC plant to respond to requests from the plasma control system (PCS). This later aspect requires rapid shut down of the gyrotrons and power supplies, deviation of the actuators to direct the power from an equatorial to upper launcher and then restart of the power generation for rapid stabilization of the magneto hydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities that occur in high performance plasma operation. The plant controller will be designed for optimized performance with the PCS and the feedback control system used to actively control the power (with modulation capability up to 5 kHz) and launching direction for MHD stabilization.

The Cdc45·Mcm2–7·GINS Protein Complex in Trypanosomes Regulates DNA Replication and Interacts with Two Orc1-like Proteins in the Origin Recognition Complex

Accurate DNA replication requires a complex interplay of many regulatory proteins at replication origins. The CMG (Cdc45·Mcm2-7·GINS) complex, which is composed of Cdc45, Mcm2-7, and the GINS (Go-Ichi-Ni-San) complex consisting of Sld5 and Psf1 to Psf3, is recruited by Cdc6 and Cdt1 onto origins bound by the heterohexameric origin recognition complex (ORC) and functions as a replicative helicase. Trypanosoma brucei, an early branched microbial eukaryote, appears to express an archaea-like ORC consisting of a single Orc1/Cdc6-like protein. However, unlike archaea, trypanosomes possess components of the eukaryote-like CMG complex, but whether they form an active helicase complex, associate with the ORC, and regulate DNA replication remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated that the CMG complex is formed in vivo in trypanosomes and that Mcm2-7 helicase activity is activated by the association with Cdc45 and the GINS complex in vitro. Mcm2-7 and GINS proteins are confined to the nucleus throughout the cell cycle, whereas Cdc45 is exported out of the nucleus after DNA replication, indicating that nuclear exclusion of Cdc45 constitutes one mechanism for preventing DNA re-replication in trypanosomes. With the exception of Mcm4, Mcm6, and Psf1, knockdown of individual CMG genes inhibits DNA replication and cell proliferation. Finally, we identified a novel Orc1-like protein, Orc1b, as an additional component of the ORC and showed that both Orc1b and Orc1/Cdc6 associate with Mcm2-7 via interactions with Mcm3. All together, we identified the Cdc45·Mcm2-7·GINS complex as the replicative helicase that interacts with two Orc1-like proteins in the unusual origin recognition complex in trypanosomes.