Pixel selection for near-infrared chemical imaging (NIR-CI) discrimination between fish and terrestrial animal species in animal protein by-product meals

This paper proposes a method based on near-infrared hyperspectral imaging for discriminating between terrestrial and fish species in animal protein by-products used in livestock feed. Four algorithms (Mahalanobis distance, Kennard-Stone, spatial interpolation, and binning) were compared in order to select an appropriate subset of pixels for further partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The method was applied to a set of 50 terrestrial and 40 fish meals analyzed in the 1000-1700 nm range. Models were then tested using an external validation set comprising 45 samples (25 fish and 20 terrestrial). The PLS-DA models obtained using the four subset-selection algorithms yielded a classification accuracy of 99.80%, 99.79%, 99.85%, and 99.61%, respectively. The results represent a first step for the analysis of mixtures of species and suggest that NIR-CI, providing valuable information on the origin of animal components in processed animal proteins, is a promising method that could be used as part of the EU feed control program aimed at eradicating and preventing bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and related diseases.     

Polymer Fiber Probes Enable Optical Control of Spinal Cord and Muscle Function In Vivo

Restoration of motor and sensory functions in paralyzed patients requires the development of tools for simultaneous recording and stimulation of neural activity in the spinal cord. In addition to its complex neurophysiology, the spinal cord presents technical challenges stemming from its flexible fibrous structure and repeated elastic deformation during normal motion. To address these engineering constraints, we developed highly flexible fiber probes, consisting entirely of polymers, for combined optical stimulation and recording of neural activity. The fabricated fiber probes exhibit low‐loss light transmission even under repeated extreme bending deformations. Using our fiber probes, we demonstrate simultaneous recording and optogenetic stimulation of neural activity in the spinal cord of transgenic mice expressing the light sensitive protein channelrhodopsin 2 (ChR2). Furthermore, optical stimulation of the spinal cord with the polymer fiber probes induces on‐demand limb movements that correlate with electromyographical (EMG) activity.     

Investigation of the electronic structure of the new quaternary hydride PdSr2LiH5

We have investigated the band structure of the new tetragonal quaternary mixed alkali-alkaline earth transition metal hydride PdSr₂LiH₅ by means of the ab initio augmented plane wave method. We find this material to be metallic. The total density of states as well as its partial wave analysis have been used to investigate the origin of the electronic states. In this hydride, like in superconducting PdH, the palladium d bands are essentially filled and the H-s states have a non-negligible contribution at the Fermi energy. We find the electronic contribution to the electron-optical phonon coupling constant to be sizeable, although smaller than in PdH.     

Subband decomposition strategies for object‐based image coding

In order to attain perfect reconstruction, subband decomposition of arbitrarily shaped objects requires special strategies to deal with the decimation problem. One of the two strategies described in this paper (scheme 1) inserts pixels with amplitudes equal to the mean values of the neighboring ones belonging to the object. The requirement of transmitting (coding) these pixels reduces the coding gain and is avoided by the second strategy (scheme 2) examined in this paper. This strategy determines specific values of the pixels added to the object in such a way that they result in predefined amplitudes after decimation. For this reason, this method outperforms scheme 1. PSNR versus bit rate are presented for two objects. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 13, 179–187, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.10054     

“Key” sectors in final energy consumption: an input–output application to the Spanish case

In this paper we analyze the determination of “key” sectors in the final energy consumption. We approach this issue from an input–output perspective and we design a methodology based on the elasticities of the demands of final energy consumption. As an exercise, we apply the proposed methodology to the Spanish economy. The analysis allows us to indicate the greater or lesser relevance of the different sectors in the consumption of final energy, pointing out which sectors deserve greater attention in the Spanish case and showing the implications for energy policy.     

Optical sensing of cyanide using hybrid biomolecular films

The selective sensing of cyanide anions in water has been studied using a hybrid biomaterial composed of a mesoporous TiO₂ film of crystalline nanoparticles and the protein hemoglobin. The mesoporous structure of the film prevents protein unfolding and also stabilizes the oxidized form of the prosthetic groups. Low-levels of cyanide anions (<0.2 ppm (0.2 mgr/L)) can be detected by monitoring the changes in the optical properties of the hybrid biomolecular films upon cyanide binding to the heme groups.     

Radiation-grafting of N,N-dimethylaminoethylmetacrylate onto polyethylene film by preirradiation method

Radiation-induced graft polymerization of N,N-dimethylaminoethyl-metacrylate onto low density polyethylene (LDPE) film by the preirradiation method in presence of air was investigated. The appropriate reaction conditions at which the graft polymerization was carried out are reported. Received: 4 December 1996/Revised: 5 March 1997/Accepted: 10 March 1997     

A millimeter-wave monolithic grid amplifier

A 36-element monolithic grid amplifier has been fabricated. The peak gain is 5 dB at 40.8 GHz with a 3-dB bandwidth of 1.4 GHz. The active elements are pairs of heterojunction-bipolar-transistor's (HBT's). The individual transistors in the grid have a maximum oscillation frequency,f _max , of 100 GHz. The grid includes base stabilizing capacitors which result in a highly stable grid. This is the first report of a successful monolithic grid amplifier.     

The esterified plasma fatty acid profile is altered in early HIV-1 infection

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