Decision theory approach to the problem of polygraph interrogation.

To counter the prevailing unsystematic approach to the use of polygraph data, a generalized decision theory approach applicable to a variety of polygraph uses is discussed. Examples of applications of decision theoretic tools to the polygraph interrogation problem are then presented, and typical misuses of the polygraph as a basis for decisions are described. A computed example based on accumulated experimental validity data for 399 Ss was constructed to show how decision analyses should be used in polygraph interrogation. These analyses supplied first approximations for the limits within which a polygraph interrogation system might be used as a sole decision tool. Recommendations for polygraph users are also discussed. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Polarization-based vision through haze

We present an approach for easily removing the effects of haze from passively acquired images. Our approach is based on the fact that usually the natural illuminating light scattered by atmospheric particles (airlight) is partially polarized. Optical filtering alone cannot remove the haze effects, except in restricted situations. Our method, however, stems from physics-based analysis that works under a wide range of atmospheric and viewing conditions, even if the polarization is low. The approach does not rely on specific scattering models such as Rayleigh scattering and does not rely on the knowledge of illumination directions. It can be used with as few as two images taken through a polarizer at different orientations. As a byproduct, the method yields a range map of the scene, which enables scene rendering as if imaged from different viewpoints. It also yields information about the atmospheric particles. We present experimental results of complete dehazing of outdoor scenes, in far-from-ideal conditions for polarization filtering. We obtain a great improvement of scene contrast and correction of color.     

创业国家中心

正创业国家中心(SNC)坐落于特拉维夫市中心,为以色列科技基金会而建。这里原有的六层独立大楼,改造为共用空间、办公室、会议室和展览区。办公区位于两处正式活动空间之间,打造休闲舒适的工作氛围。作为针对科技和计算机领域人员的建筑,设计上追求精确性和实     

Nutraceuticals Synergistically Promote Osteogenesis in Cultured 7F2 Osteoblasts and Mitigate Inhibition of Differentiation and Maturation in Simulated Microgravity

Microgravity is known to impact bone health, similar to mechanical unloading on Earth. In the absence of countermeasures, bone formation and mineral deposition are strongly inhibited in Space. There is an unmet need to identify nutritional countermeasures. Curcumin and carnosic acid are phytonutrients with anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative effects and may exhibit osteogenic properties. Zinc is a trace element essential for bone formation. We hypothesized that these nutraceuticals could counteract the microgravity-induced inhibition of osteogenic differentiation and function. To test this hypothesis, we cultured 7F2 murine osteoblasts in simulated microgravity (SMG) in a Random Positioning Machine in the presence and absence of curcumin, carnosic acid, and zinc and evaluated cell proliferation, function, and differentiation. SMG enhanced cell proliferation in osteogenic medium. The nutraceuticals partially reversed the inhibitory effects of SMG on alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and did not alter the SMG-induced reduction in the expression of osteogenic marker genes in osteogenic medium, while they promoted osteoblast proliferation and ALP activity in the absence of traditional osteogenic media. We further observed a synergistic effect of the intermix of the phytonutrients on ALP activity. Intermixes of phytonutrients may serve as convenient and effective nutritional countermeasures against bone loss in space.     

A Zebrafish Model for a Rare Genetic Disease Reveals a Conserved Role for FBXL3 in the Circadian Clock System

The circadian clock, which drives a wide range of bodily rhythms in synchrony with the day–night cycle, is based on a molecular oscillator that ticks with a period of approximately 24 h. Timed proteasomal degradation of clock components is central to the fine-tuning of the oscillator’s period. FBXL3 is a protein that functions as a substrate-recognition factor in the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, and was originally shown in mice to mediate degradation of CRY proteins and thus contribute to the mammalian circadian clock mechanism. By exome sequencing, we have identified a FBXL3 mutation in patients with syndromic developmental delay accompanied by morphological abnormalities and intellectual disability, albeit with a normal sleep pattern. We have investigated the function of FBXL3 in the zebrafish, an excellent model to study both vertebrate development and circadian clock function and, like humans, a diurnal species. Loss of fbxl3a function in zebrafish led to disruption of circadian rhythms of promoter activity and mRNA expression as well as locomotor activity and sleep–wake cycles. However, unlike humans, no morphological effects were evident. These findings point to an evolutionary conserved role for FBXL3 in the circadian clock system across vertebrates and to the acquisition of developmental roles in humans.     

Intramuscular Exposure to a Lethal Dose of Ricin Toxin Leads to Endothelial Glycocalyx Shedding and Microvascular Flow Abnormality in Mice and Swine

Ricin toxin isolated from the castor bean (Ricinus communis) is one of the most potent and lethal molecules known. While the pathophysiology and clinical consequences of ricin poisoning by the parenteral route, i.e., intramuscular penetration, have been described recently in various animal models, the preceding mechanism underlying the clinical manifestations of systemic ricin poisoning has not been completely defined. Here, we show that following intramuscular administration, ricin bound preferentially to the vasculature in both mice and swine, leading to coagulopathy and widespread hemorrhages. Increased levels of circulating VEGF and decreased expression of vascular VE-cadherin caused blood vessel impairment, thereby promoting hyperpermeability in various organs. Elevated levels of soluble heparan sulfate, hyaluronic acid and syndecan-1 were measured in blood samples following ricin intoxication, indicating that the vascular glycocalyx of both mice and swine underwent extensive damage. Finally, by using side-stream dark field intravital microscopy imaging, we determined that ricin poisoning leads to microvasculature malfunctioning, as manifested by aberrant blood flow and a significant decrease in the number of diffused microvessels. These findings, which suggest that glycocalyx shedding and microcirculation dysfunction play a major role in the pathology of systemic ricin poisoning, may serve for the formulation of specifically tailored therapies for treating parenteral ricin intoxication.     

Maillard-conjugate based core-shell co-assemblies for nanoencapsulation of hydrophobic nutraceuticals in clear beverages

Maillard reaction based protein-polysaccharide conjugates (PPC) are typically better emulsifiers than the proteins used to form them. Such conjugates have been proposed as encapsulation agents, but their potential as nanoencapsulation agents in clear beverages has not yet been proposed. In this research we formed casein-maltodextrin (CN-MD) conjugates and co-assembled them with hydrophobic nutraceuticals to create nanovehicles for the enrichment of clear beverages. Conjugation was validated using gel electrophoresis and by ortho-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) assay. Vitamin D (VD) was nano-entrapped by the conjugates, and compared to controls based on an unconjugated CN-MD mixture and unencapsulated VD. The following advantages of the conjugates were shown: the diameters of conjugate-VD nanoparticles was smaller and their solution was more transparent than that of the vitamin dispersion or the protein-polysaccharide mixture with VD. Conjugates conferred better protection against oxidation to both VD and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) than the CN-MD mixture. Conjugates were more colloidally stable at the CN original pI, allowing the formation of nanoparticles with mean diameter below 30 nm when mixed with VD, even at the original pI of CN. Conjugates provided protection against degradation at low pH and during shelf life. Entrapment efficiency was measured using Nile red (NR), a fluorescent model for a hydrophobic nutraceutical. Protein affinity to the hydrophobic compound was not diminished due to conjugation, and 90% entrapment efficiency was obtained under the conditions tested. During simulated gastric digestion, Nile red was not released from the conjugates, suggesting potential application in enteric delivery.     

Genetic diversity of the human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus: a new phylogroup

The biotype 3 group of the human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus emerged in Israel probably as a result of genome hybridization of two bacterial populations. We performed a genomic and phylogenetic study of V. vulnificus strains isolated from the environmental niche from which this group emerged — fish aquaculture in Israel. The genetic relationships and evolutionary aspects of 188 environmental and clinical isolates of the bacterium were studied by genomic typing. Genetic relations were determined based on variation at 12 variable number tandem repeat (VNTR, also termed SSR) loci. Analysis revealed a new cluster, in addition to the main groups of biotype 1& 2 and biotype 3. Similar grouping results were obtained with three different statistical approaches. Isolates forming this new cluster presented unclear biochemical profile nevertheless were not identified as biotype 1 or biotype 3. Further examination of representative strains by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of 10 housekeeping genes and 5 conserved hypothetical genes supported the identification of this as yet undiscovered phylogroup (phenotypically diverse), termed clade A herein. This new clonal subgroup includes environmental as well as clinical isolates. The results highlight the fish aquaculture environment, and possibly man-made ecological niches as a whole, as a source for the emergence of new pathogenic strains.     

A note on minimising total absolute deviation of job completion times on a two-machine no-wait proportionate flowshop

A popular measure used in service systems is that of total absolute deviation of job completion times (TADC). It is relevant to settings where the objective is to balance the level of service provided to different customers. During the last decade, TADC has been studied in various machine settings, and under various assumptions on the job processing times. In this note, we study TADC on a two-machine no-wait proportionate flow shop, i.e. a flow shop with machine-independent processing times, and with no buffer between the machines. A very surprising and unique result is introduced: a simple index policy (the well-known largest processing time (LPT) first sequence) is shown to be optimal for instances of no more than seven jobs. This property does not hold for larger instances. We show that for instances of eight and nine jobs, there are exactly two schedules which are candidates for optimality. For the 10-job instance, the number of candidates increases. This uncommon behaviour of the optimal solution and, consequently, the complexity of the problem studied here, remain open questions, and are challenging topics for future research.