Singular value decomposition based fusion for super-resolution image reconstruction

In this paper, we address a super-resolution problem of generating a high-resolution image from low-resolution images. The proposed super-resolution method consists of three steps: image registration, singular value decomposition (SVD)-based image fusion and interpolation. The contribution of this work is two-fold. First we customize an image registration approach using Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT), Belief Propagation and Random Sampling Consensus (RANSAC) for super-resolution. Second, we propose SVD-based fusion to integrate the important features from the low-resolution images. The proposed image registration and fusion steps effectively maintain the important features and greatly improve the super-resolution results. Results, for a variety of image examples, show that the proposed method successfully generates high-resolution images from low-resolution images.     

Effect of sex-sorted sperm dosage on conception rates in Holstein heifers and lactating cows

Ejaculates were collected by artificial vagina from 3 Holstein sires and sorted to 90% purity for X-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa (range 88 to 93%) using flow cytometry. Sorted sperm were diluted to 2.1, 3.5, or 5.0 × 10⁶ sperm per dose in an egg yolk (20%), Tris, glycerol (7%) extender. Collections were repeated until >600 straws per sperm dose per sire were obtained. Each sperm dose was loaded into color-coded 0.25-mL French straws, with alternate colors used to define treatments across sires. Within sires, straws were packaged at 9 per cane (3 of each color) and strategically allocated to 75 Holstein herds with targets for 50% use in heifers and 50% in lactating cows. Straw color was recorded in the on-farm record-keeping system at the time of insemination. Data were analyzed separately for cows and heifers. Among heifers, a total of 2,125 usable records were retrieved from 51 herds (238 ± 5.5 services/ sperm dose per sire, range: 218 to 263). Conception rates in heifers were influenced by the sire × sperm dosage interaction. Within sire A, conception rates of heifers were greater for the 5 × 10⁶ (59.5%) than for the 2.1 × 10⁶ (46.4%) sperm dose and intermediate for the 3.5 × 10⁶ sperm dose (52.2%). However, across sires, sperm dosage had no effect on heifer conception rates (46.7, 51.2, and 52.5% for the 2.1, 3.5, and 5.0 × 10⁶ sperm dosages, respectively). Among cows, a total of 2,369 services were retrieved from 56 herds (263 ± 8.8 services/sperm dose per sire, range: 233 to 303). Conception rates of cows (29.4%) were not affected by sire or sperm dosage (27.0, 29.1, and 30.3% for the 2.1, 3.5, and 5.0 × 10⁶ sperm dosages, respectively). In conclusion, these data indicate that an increased sperm dosage may enhance virgin heifer conception rates for some (but not all) sires, whereas neither sire nor sexed-sperm dosage affected conception rates of lactating cows. Additional studies of sexed-sperm dosage across a larger sampling of bulls are warranted to determine whether and how such a practice can be implemented cost effectively for the benefit of the dairy industry.     

Production of a yogurt-like product from plant foodstuffs and whey. Substrate preparation and fermentation

A mixed substrate composed of soya milk, oat flour and dried cheese whey (82, 11 and 7% respectively) had a content of lactose and protein similar to that of milk used for yogurt manufacture. Heat treatment for 20 min at 80°C resulted in a viscosity similar to that of yogurt whilst removing coliform and mesophilic aerobic bacteria, moulds and yeasts. Fermentation with traditional yogurt bacteria did not increase viscosity further, and the final product had similar acidity and texture to yogurt. Acid development, carbohydrate consumption, proteolysis and starters counts were followed during fermentation. The fermentation profile of the mixed substrate was very similar to that of milk.     

Mechanical strength of acrylic bone cements impregnated with antibiotics

Admixing of several antibiotic powders which were insoluble in methyl methacrylate did not decrease the compressive and diametral tensile strengths of two acrylic bone cements when tested after setting for 1 day and after leaching 40 days in water at 37 degrees C. When antibiotics were added as water solutions, the included water resulted in a significant decrease in these bulk mechanical properties. Storage in water for 40 days caused surface irregularities only on specimens of the set antibiotic admixtures. Approximately 0.5% of the admixed dosage of these water-soluble antibiotics could be leached from the set cements. The observed surface channels, presumably left by the loss of antibiotic, suggest further study of surface-sensitive mechanical properties may be needed. The bulk mechanical strengths presented here are conclusive only for the particular combinations of antibiotics and cements investigated, and should not be generalized at this time to any or all antibiotic admixtures or other mechanical properties.     

Infective endocarditis as a complication of heroin use

Infective endocarditis in heroin addicts has been reported to have a mortality as high as 85% and reports have varied widely regarding predominant valvular involvement and infecting microorganisms. A retrspective study was done and 61 cases of heroin-associated infective endocarditis were identified at Freedmen's Hospital and the District of Columbia General Hospital, Washington, DC between January 1969 and January 1973. Our results indicate that staphylococcal infection of the tricuspid valve has a much higher incidence in this population than has generally been believed and that it is the predominant presentation of infective endocarditis in these patients. The outcome of patients in our series compares favorably with previous reports and suggests that early diagnosis and prompt institution of appropriate antimicrobial therapy are important and may lead to improved survival in addicts with tricuspid endocarditis.     

72-hr canine kidney preservation without continuous perfusion

A new flushing solution consisting of electrolytes and mannitol has provided successful 3 day canine kidney preservation evidenced by immediate life-supporting renal function. In our experiments the solutions described by Sacks and Collins have failed to achieve this prolonged renal storage but have been successful in storing canine kidneys for 2 days. This relatively simple new hypertonic solution does not require additives and has been successfully used in clinical renal transplantation.     

Technique of handling neonatal blood samples for zinc analysis

Short segments of Chemfluor flexible Teflon tubing (2.38 mm ID) previously coated with sodium heparin (1,000 units/ml) serve as ideal containers in which blood from neonates can be collected for zinc analysis. The ends of the tube are plugged with Teflon TFE round beading so that the sample comes in contact only with Teflon and the risk of contamination is minimized. The heparin coating facilitates easy collection of the sample and separation of plasma by centrifugation. It does not contribute zinc to the specimen.     

The usefulness of serum protein and erythrocyte enzyme polymorphisms in paternity testing

Pehnotypings of serum proteins and erythrocyte enzyme polymorphisms were used in addition to classic erythrocyte antigens in a study of 281 paternity cases. This group was compared with 877 cases in which only the erythrocyte antigens were tested. In the study group 80 exclusions were found for 52 alleged fathers. The expanded test battery increased the exclusion rate by 62%. In addition to 30 direct exclusions, serum proteins and erythrocyte enzymes corroborated indirect exclusions obtained with erythrocyte antigen tests in eight instances.     

Changes in the ultra-fine structure of capillaries of the embryonic brain in the presence of schizophrenia in the mother

The report is concerned with a study of fine structures of brain capillaries in 9 embryos received during medical abortions from schizophrenic mothers. The authors established some traits in the ultrastructure of endothelial cells in most of the studied cases--an increase of the surface of endothelial cells at the expense of a tortuosity of their plasmatic membranes and a formation of growths, vacuolization of the cytoplasma. There were also some changes in the structure of basal membranes. In 2 cases there were also peculiar pathological changes in the vascular endothelium: granules of an unknown nature in the endothelial cells and a focal lysis of the plasmatic membranes of endothelial cells.