Bias Removal Algorithm for 2-D Equation Error Adaptive IIR Filters

This paper proposes a bias removal algorithm for equation error-based 2-D adaptive cascade IIR filters with separable denominator function. As well known, equation error-based adaptive IIR filtering algorithms have the advantages of fast convergence and unimodal mean-square-error surface. These advantages, however, come along with the drawback of biased parameter estimates in the presence of measurement noise. The adaptive filter structure in the proposed algorithm is based on the concept of backpropagating the desired signal through a cascade of the denominator vertical and horizontal sections. To handle the bias problem, the proposed algorithm uses a scaled value of the output error of each of the cascaded sections as an estimate for the measurement noise embedded in the signal part of the coefficient-update procedure of that section. Thus, while maintaining the advantages of easy stability monitoring, fast convergence, and low computational load, the effect of the measurement noise is suppressed. Input-Output stability analysis is carried out, and the constraints required to maintain stability are derived. Simulation examples are presented to support the effectiveness and the usability of the proposed bias removal algorithm in 2-D system identification and image enhancement applications.     

An ultrastructural study of the relationship between sensory trigeminal nerves and odontoblasts in rat dentin/pulp as demonstrated by the anterograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP)

Because the ultrastructure of the trigeminal sensory nerves in dentin, especially in relation to odontoblasts, remains to be clarified, we investigated the relationship between the trigeminal sensory nerves and the odontoblast processes using the anterograde axonal transport technique by injecting wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) into the rat trigeminal ganglion. Light microscopically, the nerves labeled with WGA-HRP were mainly concentrated at the pulpal horn, forming a nerve plexus at the subodontoblastic region and penetrating the predentin/dentin about 50 to 70 microns. Ultrastructurally, HRP reaction products were observed intra-axonally in the myelinated (A delta) and unmyelinated (C) axons in the subodontoblastic region. Most nerves lost the Schwann sheath and were naked in the predentin/dentin. The labeled varicosities were close to the odontoblast processes in the dentinal tubules. No synaptic structures could be detected between the varicosities and the odontoblasts, but a gap about 20 nm wide was found between them. One type of varicosity was a rich mitochondria-containing varicosity, while the other was a rich vesicle-containing (large dense core vesicles and small clear vesicles) one. The reaction products were also found in the extracellular spaces surrounding the axons. Sometimes the reaction products were seen in the coated pits or the endocytotic vesicles of the odontoblast processes. The present study demonstrated that nerve endings (varicosities) derived from the trigeminal ganglion were present in the dentinal tubules, and that WGA-HRP extracellularly extruded from the sensory nerves in the odontoblastic layer or predentin/dentin. These findings thus suggest that sensory nerves may have some (e.g., trophic) effect on either odontoblasts or the environment around the sensory nerves in the dentin/pulp.     

A measurement of very fast transition durations due to gapdischarge in air using distributed constant line system

Very fast transition durations (rising time in positive polarity and falling time in negative polarity) due to starting of gap discharge were investigated in time domain. The gap space was set very small for voltages below 1500 V as a simulation of the charged device model (CDM) electrostatic discharge (ESD) and the gap discharge of switch devices. The measurement system consists of a distributed constant line system with a tapered coaxial electrode, which has a matched impedance for the characteristic impedance of the distributed constant line system. The insertion loss of the tapered coaxial electrode was within -3 dB in the frequency range below 4.5 GHz. The atmosphere around the electrode is ordinary air. This experimental system enables one to measure the high-speed transients of about 100 ps due to gap discharge in time domain. As a consequence of the experiment, the relationship between the discharge voltage and transition duration was confirmed. The voltage rise time was slowed down gradually in positive polarity, while the voltage fall time was slowed down remarkably in negative polarity for the 0.1-mm needle     

Synthesis and enzymatic degradation of regular network aliphatic polyesters

Regular network aliphatic polyesters were prepared from glycerol (Yg) and a series of various length aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (HOOC-(CH2)_n−2-COOOH, n = 4–10, 12 and 14). Prepolymers prepared by melt polycondensation were cast from dimethylformamide solution and post-polymerized at 230°C for various times to form a network. The resultant films were transparent, flexible and insoluble in organic solvents. The degree of reaction (D_R) estimated from the infrared absorbance of -OH and >CH₂ or >CH groups increased with increasing post-polymerization time and length of methylene chain. The heat distortion temperature also increased with increasing post-polymerization time and was 55, 28, 15, 6, 0, −1, −5, 4 and 32°C for Yg4, Yg5, Yg6, Yg7, Yg8, Yg9, Yg10, Yg12 and Yg14 post-polymerized for 4 h, respectively. Wide angle X-ray scattering patterns showed a distinct single diffraction peak, suggesting some ordered structure due to the establishment of a regular network. Density, water absorption and weight loss by alkali hydrolysis decreased with increasing methylene chain length. The enzymatic degradation was estimated by weight loss of the network films in a buffer solution of lipase at 37°C. The films of Yg4, Yg5, Yg6 and Yg7 showed no weight loss, but the weight loss increased greatly for Yg8, Yg9 and Yg10, and then decreased abruptly for Yg12 and Yg14. This suggests that the enzymatic degradation is affected by network structure, which allows the lipase to penetrate, and by the concentration of the enzymatically degradable ester linkage.     

Design of separable-denominator 2-D digital filters using the reduced-dimensional decomposition model

A separable-denominator 2-D digital filter (SD-2DDF) can be decomposed into the cascade form of a pair of 1-D digital filters (1DDFs) with different delay elements. Based on this reduced-dimensional decomposition, in this paper, we propose a new technique for designing SD-2DDFs in the spatial domain. The technique determines the coefficient matrices of 1DDFs by nonlinear optimization techniques first, and then a SD-2DDF can be easily synthesized. In addition, since the existent 1-D linear system realization techniques can be used to choose a good starting point for the optimization, extremely accurate design results can be easily achieved.     

Relationships between the number of small follicles prior to superovulatory treatment and superovulatory response in Holstein cows

In order to determine relationships between the number of small follicles prior to superovulatory treatment and superovulatory response, a total of 55 superovulations were induced in Holstein cows. The ovaries were examined ultrasonographically once 0-1.5 days before the initiation of superovulatory treatment. The number of small follicles 3-6 mm in diameter on both ovaries before superovulatory treatment was found to be significantly correlated with the numbers of corpora lutea after superovulation (r = 0.440, P < 0.001), total ova recovered (r = 0.503, P < 0.001) and transferable embryos recovered (r = 0.482, P < 0.001). These results indicate that a single ultrasonographic examination of follicles 3-6 mm in diameter prior to superovulatory treatment can be utilized to predict superovulatory response.     

Balanced realisations and model reduction of periodicallytime-varying state-space digital filters

The authors discuss balanced realisations and model reduction of periodically time-varying (PTV) state-space digital filters. Controllability and observability Grammians of PTV state-space digital filters are discussed. It is extremely interesting to notice that although PTV state-space digital filters can be implemented by using a group of time-invariant coefficient sets, controllability and observability Grammians cannot be evaluated independently by using any one set of these time-invariant coefficients. Also, important physical interpretations of controllability and observability Grammians are considered. Based on these analysis results, balanced realisations of PTV state-space digital filters are defined and a synthesis method for balanced realisations is proposed. As one application of balanced realisations, a reduced-order model of a PTV state-space digital filter can be obtained by taking a subsystem of balanced realisation of the PTV state-space digital filter. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the balanced model reduction procedure     

A case of primary HIV-1 infection

Effects of oleic acid or triolein on lymphatic recovery of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) given as an ethyl ester were examined in rats with cannulated thoracic ducts. Lymphatic recovery of ethyl DHA given with oleic acid or triolein was significantly higher than in rats given ethyl DHA alone. DHA distributed almost exclusively at the 1- and 3-position of triglyceride in lymph collected at 0-3 h after the administration, when it was given with oleic acid or triolein. A small part of DHA distributed at the 2-position when ethyl DHA was the sole fatty acid given. Oleic acid given as free acid or triolein with ethyl DHA was a major fatty acid at the 2-position. Intramolecular distribution of DHA and oleic acid in lymph triglyceride was similar when ethyl DHA was given with oleic acid or triolein.     

Comparison between celiac plexus block and morphine treatment on quality of life in patients with pancreatic cancer pain

Twenty-one patients with pancreatic cancer pain were studied to evaluate the effectiveness of celiac plexus block (CPB) on pain relief and quality of life (QOL), compared to the traditional NSAID-morphine treatment. The criteria were morphine consumption, visual analogue pain scale (VAS), performance status (PS) determined by medical and nursing staffs, and answers to QOL questionnaires. Morphine consumption, VAS, PS, and self-assessed QOL scores were taken when the administration of morphine was necessary for pain relief and those scores were used as control. Morphine consumption and the VAS score were recorded at regular weekly intervals and the PS and QOL scores were measured every 2 weeks thereafter. CPB was performed within 2-3 days after the control measurement. The VAS scores of the patients receiving CPB (n = 10) were statistically lower for the first 4 weeks after the procedure than those of the patients receiving the standard NSAID-morphine treatment (n = 11) during the same time period after the control measurement. Morphine consumption was significantly lower in weeks 4-7 (inclusive) following the procedure in the CPB group and continued to be lower thereafter, though not significantly so. Although the PS score slightly improved at the 2nd week after CPB, it was not improved by the start of the NSAID-morphine treatment. Self-assessed QOL scores did not ameliorate statistically after CPB; however, they did deteriorate remarkably in the patients treated only with morphine-NSAID during their survival periods, while they deteriorated only slightly in the CPB group. There were fewer side effects after CPB. These results indicate CPB does not directly improve QOL in patients with pancreatic cancer pain, but it may prevent deterioration in QOL by the long-lasting analgesic effect, limitation of side effects and the reduction of morphine consumption, compared to treatment only with NSAID-morphine.     

Use of a gastric juice-based PCR assay to detect Helicobacter pylori infection in culture-negative patients

A gastric juice-based PCR assay was compared with culture, microscopy, and a rapid urease test with specimens from 114 subjects. The PCR and conventional tests were positive for 76 and 62% of the subjects, respectively. The prevalence of gastroduodenal disease and seropositivity for anti-Helicobacter pylori immunoglobulin G were similarly high among conventional-test-positive and PCR-only-positive subjects compared to all-negative ones. The PCR assay is recommended to confirm the H. pylori status of culture-negative peptic-ulcer patients.