Optimal replacement policies for dairy cows based on daily yield measurements

Markov decision processes (MDP) with finite state and action space have often been used to model sequential decision making over time in dairy herds. However, the length of each stage has been at least 1 mo, resulting in models that do not support decisions on a daily basis. The present paper describes the first step of developing an MDP model that can be integrated into a modern herd management system. A hierarchical MDP was formulated for the dairy cow replacement problem with stage lengths of 1 d. It can be used to assist the farmer in replacement decisions on a daily basis and is based on daily milk yield measurements that are available in modern milking systems. Bayesian updating was used to predict the performance of each cow in the herd and economic decisions were based on the prediction. Moreover, parameters in the model were estimated using data records of the specific herd under consideration. This includes herd-specific lactation curves.     

Novel tubing microreactor for monitoring chemical reactions

There is an expanding interest in small-scale methods to evaluate catalysts and chemical reactions at a variety of conditions, ranging up to 6.9 MPa (1000 psig) and 300 degrees C. Multiwell parallel batch techniques are most commonly applied in high-throughput screening systems. In contrast, we describe here a rapid, serial, highly controllable method based on LC-type steel tubing rated for high pressures. The tube, containing a variety of flowing ingredients, such as carrier solvents, catalyst formulations, and reactants, is self-heated ohmically using electrical current from a power supply monitored and regulated with a precision of 0.01%. An array of voltage taps arranged along its length serves to sense the real-time temperature profile of the tube. Reactions are seen as temperature pulses progressing through the reactor, in zones of 200 microL each, and tracked with a temperature precision of 0.1 degrees C. A unique pressure controller was devised to maintain constant reactor pressures despite effluent viscosity fluctuations due to polymerization. Several chemical reaction systems have been characterized to date, including decomposition reactions of di-tert-butyl peroxide, polymerizations of styrene, formation of polyethylene from ethylene, and copolymerization of ethylene with 1-octene. For ethylene polymerization, the amount of mass of polymer formed is proportional to the responses observed.     

Surround video: a multihead camera approach

We describe algorithms for creating, storing and viewing high-resolution immersive surround videos. Given a set of unit cameras designed to be almost aligned at a common nodal point, we first present a versatile process for stitching seamlessly synchronized streams of videos into a single surround video corresponding to the video of the multihead camera. We devise a general registration process onto raymaps based on minimizing a tailored objective function. We review and introduce new raymaps with good sampling properties. We then give implementation details on the surround video viewer and present experimental results on both real-world acquired and computer-graphics rendered full surround videos. We conclude by mentioning potential applications and discuss ongoing related activities. Video supplements: http://www.csl.sony.co.jp/person/nielsen     

Demonstration of multi-core photonic crystal fibre in an optical interconnect

A novel microstructured fibre has been created for use in an optical interconnection system. The fibre has low crosstalk with a high density of cores corresponding to 1150 channels/mm/sup 2/. A repeating pseudorandom binary sequence has been used to demonstrate a four-channel transmit/receive system using vertical cavity surface emitting lasers as both emitters and detectors.     

Output stabilization and maneuver regulation: A geometric approach

This paper investigates maneuver regulation for single-input control-affine systems from a geometric perspective. The maneuver regulation problem is converted to output stabilization and necessary and sufficient conditions are provided to solve the latter problem by feedback linearizing the dynamics transverse to a suitable embedded submanifold of the state space. When specialized to the linear time invariant setting, this work recovers well-known results on output stabilization.     

On the Expressive Power of Temporal Concurrent Constraint Programming Languages: (invited talk)

The tcc paradigm is a formalism for timed concurrent constraint programming. Several tcc languages differing in their way of expressing infinite behavior have been proposed in the literature. In this work we study the expressive power of some of these languages. In particular, we show that: (1) recursive procedures with parameters can be encoded into parameterless recursive procedures with dynamic scoping, and viceversa. (2) replication can be encoded into parameterless recursive procedures with static scoping, and viceversa. (3) the languages from (1) are strictly more expressive than the languages from (2). Furthermore, we show that behavioral equivalence is undecidable for the languages from (1), but decidable for the languages from (2). The undecidability result holds even if the process variables take values from a fixed finite domain.(Joint work with Mogens Nielsen and Frank D. Valencia)     

Myocardial rupture during exercise ECG

We report a case of heart rupture in connection with a stress test performed nine days after an otherwise uncomplicated myocardial infarction. The Danish Association of Cardiologists recommend stress testing 5-20 days after myocardial infarction. We question whether this timing is appropriate considering the vulnerability of the myocardium at that time.     

Unclear about prophylaxis against Rh-immunization. Much is missing from the guidelines of the National Board of Health and Welfare

A 39-year-old female visited our hospital because of morning stiffness, arthralgia, skin rash of the extremities and general fatigue. On examination, she also had a malar rash and an oral ulcer. Laboratory findings revealed that antinuclear antibodies were positive and complement component levels (C3, C4, CH50) were all low. Serology for human parvovirus B19 (HPV-B19) was positive for both immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG. Gradually, her symptoms improved and laboratory data returned to normal range without medications. This case suggests that HPV-B19 infection may be attributed to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.     

Pain after groin hernia repair

Depression is one of the most common psychiatric illnesses. Its influence on brain perfusion has been demonstrated, but conflicting data exist on follow-up after drug treatment. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of antidepressant drugs on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in patients with depression after 3 weeks and 6 months of drug therapy. Clinical criteria for depression without psychosis were met according to psychiatric evaluation. Severity of depression was evaluated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) before every scintigraphic study. rCBF was assessed using technetium-99m bicisate (Neurolite) brain single-photon emission tomography in nine patients with severe depression before the beginning of antidepressant drug therapy and 3 weeks and six months after initiation of therapy. Only patients with no change in antidepressant medication during the study were included. No antipsychotic drugs were used. Cerebellum was used as the reference region. rCBF was evaluated for eight regions in each study in three consecutive transversal slices. Follow-up studies were compared with the baseline study. The mean HAMD score was 25.5 points initially, 16 at the second examination and 8.8 after 6 months. Global CBF was decreased compared with the reference region in drug-free patients. Perfusion of left frontal and temporal regions was significantly lower (P < 0.005) in comparison with the contralateral side. After therapy, a moderate decrease in perfusion was seen in the right frontal region (P < 0.05). Perfusion decreased further after 6 months in the right frontal (P < 0.005) and temporal regions (P < 0.01). The highly significant asymmetry in perfusion between the left and right frontal and temporal lobes almost disappeared during treatment. Our findings implicate dysfunction of the frontal and temporal cortex in clinically depressed patients before specific drug treatment. Clinical improvement and decreases in HAMD score after 3 weeks and after 6 months reflect the treatment effect on mood-related rCBF changes.     

Expression of E-selectin, sialyl Lewis X, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha by colonic epithelial cells in ulcerative colitis

The pathogenic significance of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) in ulcerative colitis (UC) is largely unknown. Colonic expression of E-selectin, sialyl Lewis X (sLe(x)), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1x (MIP-1alpha) as well as serum concentrations of E-selectin and MIP-1alpha in UC were studied. Thirty patients with UC, 10 patients with irritable bowel syndrome, and 10 healthy subjects were included. Colonic biopsies were stained immunohistochemically, and blood concentrations were measured with an ELISA technique. Soluble E-selectin did not correlate with diagnosis or disease activity. MIP-1alpha was below the detection limit. Epithelial cells expressed all three molecules, both on surface membranes and intracellularly. sLe(x) staining was weaker (P = 0.0002) and MIP-1alpha staining stronger (P = 0.014) in UC patients than in controls. Leukocyte MIP-alpha staining correlated with diagnosis (P = 0.021), sLe(x) staining (P = 0.023), and colonoscopy (P = 0.018). It is shown that E-selectin, sLe(x), and MIP-1alpha are synthesized and expressed by epithelial cells, indicating that CAMs are not only involved in leukocyte extravasation and migration, but also in the interaction between leukocytes and colonic epithelium. This knowledge might contribute to the development of improved treatments in UC.