Quantitative statistical assessment of conditional models for synthetic aperture radar

Many applications of object recognition in the presence of pose uncertainty rely on statistical models-conditioned on pose-for observations. The image statistics of three-dimensional (3-D) objects are often assumed to belong to a family of distributions with unknown model parameters that vary with one or more continuous-valued pose parameters. Many methods for statistical model assessment, for example the tests of Kolmogorov-Smirnov and K. Pearson, require that all model parameters be fully specified or that sample sizes be large. Assessing pose-dependent models from a finite number of observations over a variety of poses can violate these requirements. However, a large number of small samples, corresponding to unique combinations of object, pose, and pixel location, are often available. We develop methods for model testing which assume a large number of small samples and apply them to the comparison of three models for synthetic aperture radar images of 3-D objects with varying pose. Each model is directly related to the Gaussian distribution and is assessed both in terms of goodness-of-fit and underlying model assumptions, such as independence, known mean, and homoscedasticity. Test results are presented in terms of the functional relationship between a given significance level and the percentage of samples that wold fail a test at that level.     

Comparison of the sedative and amnesic effects of midazolam and propofol

OBJECTIVE: To determine normal serum bone-related biochemical variables in older African-Americans. DESIGN: A convenience sample of older African-Americans who had a health screening and blood testing for calciotropic hormones was compared with white Americans who were recruited at the end of the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP) study and were not on a thiazide diuretic. SETTING: Community-dwelling African-Americans who participated in SHEP or who attended one of two mass health screenings. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-two African-Americans aged 68-93 years and 43 white Americans aged 70-89 years. MEASUREMENTS: Twenty-five hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin, and calcitonin. RESULTS: Serum 25OHD levels in 38% of the African-American men and 38% of African-American women were less than 8 ng/mL compared with 22% of Caucasian men and 40% of Caucasian women. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) was above the normal range in 25% of men and 33% of women of African-American descent and 14% of Caucasian men and 30% of Caucasian women. Serum 25OHD was lower (P < 0.05) in individuals with a previous history of fracture. Serum albumin (P < 0.05), calcitonin (P < 0.05), and osteocalcin (P < 0.05), but not 25OHD, were lower in African-Americans (men and women) when compared with Caucasians (P < 0.05). Serum calcium corrected for albumin was higher in the African-Americans than in the Caucasians (P < 0.05). As previously reported in Caucasians, PTH was inversely related to log 25OHD in African-Americans. Serum osteocalcin was positively correlated to PTH in African-Americans, as previously reported in Caucasians. Log 25OHD correlated inversely with osteocalcin in African-Americans, but this was not seen in Caucasians. CONCLUSIONS: In this limited sample, hypovitaminosis D (as assessed by 25OHD level) with secondary hyperparathyroidism occurred frequently in elderly African-Americans. Osteocalcin, a measure of osteoblast activity, correlated with 25OHD and parathyroid hormone. Osteocalcin serum levels were lower in African-Americans than Caucasians, but serum calcium corrected for albumin was higher in the former compared to the latter.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of the Plasmodium falciparum cytidine triphosphate synthetase gene

6-Anilino-5,8-quinolinedione (LY83583) has been widely used as an agent to reduce levels of nitric oxide (NO)-dependent cGMP in tissues. We report here that suppression of NO formation and production of superoxide during enzymatic reduction of LY83583 by neuronal NO synthase appeared to be potentially involved in the pharmacological action caused by LY83583. LY83583 suppressed neuronal NO synthase activity of 20,000 x g rat cerebellar supernatant preparation in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 value = 12.9 microM). A kinetic study revealed that LY83583 is a competitive inhibitor with respect to NADPH, with a Ki value of 2.57 microM. With purified neuronal NO synthase it was found that LY83583 was a potent inhibitor of NO formation by the enzyme and served as efficient substrate for reduction with a specific activity of 173 nmol of NADPH oxidized per mg of protein per minute. The reductase activity was stimulated about 19.8-fold by addition of CaCl2/calmodulin, indicating that the presence of CaCl2/calmodulin is essential to express maximal activity of LY83583 reduction. Although LY83583 was a good substrate for both NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (P450 reductase) and DT-diaphorase, these flavin enzymes-catalyzed reductions of LY83583 were less than the neuronal NO synthase-mediated reduction in the presence of CaCl2/calmodulin. Enzymatic generation of superoxide during reduction of LY83583 by neuronal NO synthase, P450 reductase or DT-diaphorase was confirmed by electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments. Thus the present results indicate that a benzoquinone derivative LY83583 appears to interact with the P450 reductase domain on neuronal NO synthase, resulting in inhibition of NO formation and superoxide generation, which is involved in suppression of intracellular cGMP content.     

A study of self-care among Irish doctors

Little is known about the self care employed by Irish doctors, though studies in other countries suggest this is likely to be less than ideal. In this study 76 doctors; general practitioner trainees, general practitioners and hospital consultants, completed a questionnaire on their self management of illness. High levels of self-prescribing and referral were discovered. The implications for the health of doctors in Ireland and the need for an occupational health service for doctors are discussed.     

Suicidal ideation and acts of self-harm among Dublin school children

The way in which breeding families of laboratory-born marmosets used the space provided by their cages, and a small protruding 'veranda', was assessed in order to determine the popularity of the veranda as a form of environmental enrichment, and the extent to which the marmosets confined themselves to only part of the cage. The veranda was found to be of enduring interest to the marmosets whose occupancy of this space was an order of magnitude greater than the rest of the cage. The upper part of the cage was preferred to the bottom half. This preference was greater in larger cages and decreased when larger cages were temporarily reduced in size. It is unlikely, however, that the distribution of the occupancy of different parts of the cage resulted primarily from a fear of people in the holding room. The veranda, which was the most preferred place in the cage, was the nearest part of the cage to people in the room. Occupancy of the lower part of the cage increased when human observers sat on the floor, suggesting that some of the marmosets' behaviour comprised approaching, rather than avoiding, the observers, possibly for reasons of curiosity and social interaction.     

Microbiological and meteorological analysis of two Australian dust storms in April 2009

Dust is an important source of bioaerosols including bacteria. In this study, the microbiology and meteorology of specific dust storms in Australia were investigated. The samples were collected from two dust events in April 2009 that were characterised by intense cold fronts that entrained dust from the highly erodible and drought-stricken Mallee and Riverina regions of Victoria and central NSW. In the first storm, the dust travelled eastward over Canberra and Sydney, and in the second storm, the dust travelled east/southeastward over Canberra and Melbourne. Rain fell on both cities during the second dust storm. Dust and rain samples were collected, cultured, and the composition compared using polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE). Multiple bands were evident on DGGE indicative of a diverse microflora, and identification of several bands confirmed the presence of multiple genera and species representing three phyla. Numerous bands represented Bacillus species, and these were present in multiple dust samples collected from both Canberra and Melbourne. Interestingly, the microflora present in rain samples collected in Canberra during the second dust storm was quite different and the DGGE banding patterns from these samples clustered separately to most dust samples collected at the same time. Identification of several DGGE bands and PCR products from these rain samples indicated the presence of Pseudomonas species. These results indicate that Australian dust and rain have a diverse microflora and highlights the contribution of dust events to the distribution of microbes in the environment.     

Extension of the vase life of cut daffodil flowers by rapid vacuum coolingProlongation de la durée de conservation en vase de jonquilles coupées par refroidissement rapide sous vide

Vacuum cooling has been widely used as a rapid cooling method for vegetables to enhance their quality and shelf life. The extension of vacuum cooling to the floricultural industry has great potential economic advantages. In the current study, vacuum cooling of freshly cut daffodils was carried out and their cooling processes were investigated. The vase life of vacuum cooled flowers with and without cold storage was studied. The results show that vacuum cooling can significantly extend the vase life of the flowers with and without cold storage and it is a very effective pre-cooling technique for cut flowers. Spraying water prior to vacuum cooling cannot only reduce the cooling time without any negative effects on vase life, but also weight loss. The reduction of weight loss is especially beneficial to vacuum cooling of vegetables.     

Kawasaki disease

We analysed the cytoskeletal proteins and extracellular matrix components of in vitro cultured BMSC both in resting state and after activation with IFN gamma and TNF alpha, using an immunoperoxidase procedure. BMSC expressed fibronectin, alpha-actin, beta-tubulin, vimentin and vinculin while cytokeratinpan, GFAP, neurofilament, desmin and laminin were not expressed. This pattern of expression was not affected by addition of TNF alpha and IFN gamma, but differs from human tonsil stromal cells for laminin expression and alpha-actin localization.     

Directly Deposited Antimony on a Copper Silicide Nanowire Array as a High-Performance Potassium-Ion Battery Anode with a Long Cycle Life

Antimony (Sb) is a promising anode material for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) due to its high capacity and moderate working potential. Achieving stable electrochemical performance for Sb is hindered by the enormous volume variation that occurs during cycling, causing a significant loss of the active material and disconnection from conventional current collectors (CCs). Herein, the direct growth of a highly dense copper silicide (Cu₁₅Si₄) nanowire (NW) array from a Cu mesh substrate to form a 3D CC is reported that facilitates the direct deposition of Sb in a core-shell arrangement (Sb@Cu₁₅Si₄ NWs). The 3D Cu₁₅Si₄ NW array provides a strong anchoring effect for Sb, while the spaces between the NWs act as a buffer zone for Sb expansion/contraction during K–cycling. The binder-free Sb@Cu₁₅Si₄ anode displays a stable capacity of 250.2 mAh g⁻¹ at 200 mA g⁻¹ for over 1250 cycles with a capacity drop of ≈0.028% per cycle. Ex situ electron microscopy revealed that the stable performance is due to the complete restructuring of the Sb shell into a porous interconnected network of mechanically robust ligaments. Notably, the 3D Cu₁₅Si₄ NW CC is expected to be widely applicable for the development of alloying-type anodes for next-generation energy storage devices.