Perceptually lossless medical image coding

A novel perceptually lossless coder is presented for the compression of medical images. Built on the JPEG 2000 coding framework, the heart of the proposed coder is a visual pruning function, embedded with an advanced human vision model to identify and to remove visually insignificant/irrelevant information. The proposed coder offers the advantages of simplicity and modularity with bit-stream compliance. Current results have shown superior compression ratio gains over that of its information lossless counterparts without any visible distortion. In addition, a case study consisting of 31 medical experts has shown that no perceivable difference of statistical significance exists between the original images and the images compressed by the proposed coder.     

Novel Positive Allosteric Modulators of µ Opioid Receptor—Insight from In Silico and In Vivo Studies

Opioids are the drugs of choice in severe pain management. Unfortunately, their use involves serious, potentially lethal side effects. Therefore, efforts in opioid drug design turn toward safer and more effective mechanisms, including allosteric modulation. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations in silico and ‘writhing’ tests in vivo were used to characterize potential allosteric mechanism of two previously reported compounds. The results suggest that investigated compounds bind to μ opioid receptor in an allosteric site, augmenting action of morphine at subeffective doses, and exerting antinociceptive effect alone at higher doses. Detailed analysis of in silico calculations suggests that first of the compounds behaves more like allosteric agonist, while the second compound acts mainly as a positive allosteric modulator.     

Using shear force,sarcomere length,particle size,collagen content,and protein solubility metrics to predict consumer acceptance of aged beef tenderness

In this study, the relationship between sensory evaluation and several objective metrics of beef tenderness was tested. Objective metrics included shear force, sarcomere length, collagen content, myofibrillar, and sarcoplasmic protein solubility and particle size analysis. These results were compared to consumer panel scores of tenderness for the same aged beef striploin (longissimus lumborum muscle) samples. There was found to be a significant relationship between sarcomere length, shear force, and particle size with tenderness scores. Collagen content and protein solubilities were not associated to tenderness scores (p > 0.05). Sarcomere length contributions for explaining tenderness variation were overlapped by the contributions of shear force (collinearity). Independent models demonstrated that the lower 95% confidence interval of the fitted regression line exceeded 50% acceptance of tenderness when shear force values <42.6 N and when particle size values <198 μm. We can recommend these as thresholds for consumer acceptance of beef tenderness, although considerations of sample type, analytical methodology, and consumer demographics should be made prior to their adoption. This provision was based on the variation in tenderness scores evident between individual panelists and experimental striploins.     

Using hydroacoustics to relate fluctuations in fish abundance to river restoration efforts and environmental conditions in the Penobscot River,Maine

Quantifying change after large habitat restoration efforts is critical to assessing the effort's success. After river restoration activities, fish abundance is expected to increase and also fluctuates naturally by season and with environmental conditions. A side‐looking hydroacoustic system was used to estimate fish abundance in the Penobscot River, ME, from 2010 to 2016 during predam (2010–2013) and postdam (2014–2016) removal years during nonice periods. Automated data processing enabled continuous abundance estimates from fish tracks. A threefold increase in mean fish abundance was recorded after dam removal. A fourfold increase in median fish abundance occurred in the fall relative to spring and summer of the same year, regardless of dam presence. Interannual fish abundance in every season monitored increased at least twofold after dam removal. We related variability in fish abundance to tide, discharge, temperature, diurnal cycle, daylength, moon phase, and restoration activities (focusing on dam presence). Daylength corresponding to the fall and summer was the most important indicator for higher fish abundance. Fish abundance was generally greatest in the fall during outgoing tides at night, with lesser peaks occurring during the month of June at night. Before dam removal, fish abundance peaked when water temperature was less than 9.25°C, at night, during outgoing tides. After dam removal, fish abundance peaked when daylength was less than 11.3 hr, at night, during outgoing tides, when water temperature was above 4.56°C and no full moon was present. Peak fish abundance occurred during only 0.02–2.3% of the total time sampled. The threefold increase in fish abundance recorded after dam removal was observed despite yearly stocking efforts of adult alewife increasing 24% in postdam removal years. Finally, parallel studies of fish presence in the Penobscot River were used to compare the utility of this method as an indicator of fish abundance in response to dam removal.     

X-ray diffraction from shock-loaded polycrystals

X-ray diffraction was demonstrated from shock-compressed polycrystalline metals on nanosecond time scales. Laser ablation was used to induce shock waves in polycrystalline foils of Be, 25-125 microm thick. A second laser pulse was used to generate a plasma x-ray source by irradiation of a Ti foil. The x-ray source was collimated to produce a beam of controllable diameter, which was directed at the Be sample. X-rays were diffracted from the sample, and detected using films and x-ray streak cameras. The diffraction angle was observed to change with shock pressure. The diffraction angles were consistent with the uniaxial (elastic) and isotropic (plastic) compressions expected for the loading conditions used. Polycrystalline diffraction will be used to measure the response of the crystal lattice to high shock pressures and through phase changes.     

DNA Primer Extension with Cyclopropenylated 7‐Deaza‐2′‐deoxyadenosine and Efficient Bioorthogonal Labeling in Vitro and in Living Cells

A deoxyadenosine triphosphate (dATP) analogue for DNA labeling was synthesized with the 1‐methylcyclopropene (1MCP) group at the 7‐position of 7‐deaza‐2′‐deoxyadenosine and applied for primer extension experiments. The real‐time kinetic data reveals that this 1MCP‐modified dATP analogue is incorporated into DNA much faster than that of the similarly 1MCP‐modified deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) analogue. The postsynthetic fluorescent labeling of these oligonucleotides works efficiently according to PAGE analysis, and can be applied for immobilization of a functional antibody on a surface. Site‐specific labeling at two different positions in DNA was achieved and the bioorthogonality of the postsynthetic fluorescent labeling was demonstrated in living HeLa cells.     

Assessment of contaminant diffusivities in building materials from porosimetry tests

Recent studies have shown that surface and gaseous contaminant interactions may play an important role in indoor air quality. Modeling is an important tool to improve our knowledge about the phenomena involved and define appropriate ventilation strategies. However, data for sorption isotherms and diffusion in building materials remain woefully lacking. This paper deals with the latter point. It aims at investigating a methodology based on an analysis of the material porosity first and then the application of Carniglia's mathematical model to determine the effective diffusivity of gaseous species in building materials. This methodology, whose main principles are presented in the first part of the paper, was applied to seven commonly found materials. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) tests, and the calculations using Carniglia's model, reveal typical total porosities and tortuosity factors for these materials. The analysis of pore size distributions (PSDs) also draws one's attention to the possible differences in the pore structures that may exist between two samples of the same type of material and the differences in the effective diffusivities of contaminants that may result from them. The computed effective diffusivities were subsequently compared to data from experiments carried out in the frame of the EC project MATHIS. An agreement was obtained, thus validating Carniglia's methodology - a methodology that offers many practical advantages compared to diffusion-cell methods.     

A practical study of white‐clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) mitigation during in‐channel construction works,North‐East England

The article provides a unique opportunity to study a large white‐clawed crayfish mitigation exercise on the River Wansbeck, Northumberland in North East England. The translation was necessary to allow the construction of a dam on the river to reduce flood risk to the town of Morpeth. The study provides an assessment of the methodology used for the capture and translocation activities, and provides an insight into the speed of colonisation and population establishment in a 300‐m diversion channel and the structure of translocated populations. Over 3500 + white‐clawed crayfish were caught when the natural channel was dewatered, with 5400 animals removed the following year when the diversion channel was closed. Average density based on the number of white‐clawed crayfish caught was estimated as in excess of 5 per 1 m². The study demonstrates the importance of the River Wansbeck for white‐clawed crayfish.     

The effect of counter anions on corrosion resistance of steel covered by bi-layered polypyrrole film

The bi-layered polypyrrole (PPy) coatings were investigated for corrosion prevention of a carbon steel. The inner layer was doped with the Keggin structure anions of (PMo₁₂) and anions for stabilization of the passive oxide film at the metal-polymer interface, and the outer layer was doped with four organic anions of dihydroxynaphthalenedisulfonate (DHNDS), naphthalenedisulfonate (NDS), anthraquinonedisulfonate (AnqDS) or dodecylsulfate (DoS) for inhibition of the decomposition and release of PMo₁₂. The corrosion tests were performed in 3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous solution. The corrosion resistance of the steels covered by the bi-layered PPy films was found in the following order: PPy-PMo₁₂/PPy-DHNDS < PPy-PMo₁₂/PPy-NDS < PPy-PMo₁₂/AnqDS < PPy-PMo₁₂/PPy-DoS. The performance of corrosion protection related to the oxidized state of the polymer was discussed.     

Novel Inhibitor-Based Therapies for Thyroid Cancer—An Update

Thyroid cancers (TCs) are the most common tumors of the endocrine system and a constant rise in the number of TC cases has been observed for the past few decades. TCs are one of the most frequent tumors in younger adults, especially in women, therefore early diagnosis and effective therapy are especially important. Ultrasonography examination followed by fine needle biopsy have become the gold standard for diagnosis of TCs, as these strategies allow for early-stage detection and aid accurate qualification for further procedures, including surgical treatment. Despite all the advancements in detection and treatment of TCs, constant mortality levels are still observed. Therefore, a novel generation line of targeted treatment strategies is being developed, including personalized therapies with kinase inhibitors. Recent molecular studies on TCs demonstrate that kinase inhibitor-based therapies might be considered as the most promising. In the past decade, new kinase inhibitors with different mechanisms of action have been reported and approved for clinical trials. This review presents an up-to-date picture of new approaches and challenges of inhibitor-based therapies in treatment of TCs, focusing on the latest findings reported over the past two years.