Image compression sensor based on column parallel architecture

We propose a novel image sensor which has compression function on its sensor plane. The image compression sensor can significantly reduce the amount of pixel data output from the sensor. The proposed sensor is intended to overcome the communication bottle neck for high pixel rate imaging such as high frame rate imaging and high resolution imaging.

The compression algorithm is based on conditional replenishment. It detects motion and encodes only the pixels in moving areas. We have been investigating pixel parallel and column parallel architectures of the image compression sensor. In this paper, we present the column parallel architecture of the proposed sensor. In this architecture, fill factor and power dissipation are comparable to conventional MOS sensors in spite of integration of the processing circuits. We have fabricated a prototype chip based on the column parallel architecture. We describe the circuit and layout design and the results of some experiments using the prototype.     

Klotho protein protects against endothelial dysfunction

Viral respiratory infections cause acute airway abnormalities consisting of inflammation and physiological dysfunction in both animals and humans. It is likely that inflammatory cell products, such as cytokines, contribute substantially to viral-induced airway dysfunction. We hypothesized that imiquimod, an immune response enhancing agent that induces interferon-alpha, would attenuate the development of airway dysfunction during acute viral illness in rats. Adult Brown Norway rats were inoculated with parainfluenza type 1 (Sendai) virus or sterile vehicle, and treated with either imiquimod or water. Respiratory system resistance (Rrs), arterial oxygen tension (Pa,O2), lung viral titres and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) leucocyte counts were measured in anaesthetized, paralysed, ventilated rats. Virus-infected, water-treated rats had a significant decrease in Pa,O2 and had significant increases in leucocyte count and Rrs when compared to both the virus-infected, imiquimod-treated, (Pa,O2, p = 0.03; leucocyte count, p = 0.02; and Rrs, p = 0.009) and noninfected, water-treated rats (Pa,O2, p = 0.007; leucocyte count, p = 0.001; and Rrs, p = 0.01). In addition, imiquimod suppressed BAL eosinophils in both virus-infected (p = 0.02) and noninfected (p = 0.001) groups, and lowered overall virus titres (p = 0.03). Thus, both virus-induced airway inflammation and physiological dysfunction were attenuated significantly by imiquimod treatment in this animal model. By further delineating mechanisms by which infections induce airway dysfunction in animal models, more specific pharmacological interventions can be developed for the treatment of virus-induced asthma.     

Flagellar filament elongation can be impaired by mutations in the hook protein FlgE of Salmonella typhimurium: a possible role of the hook as a passage for the anti-sigma factor FlgM

Among motile revertants isolated from flagellar hook-deficient (flgE) mutants of Salmonella typhimurium, one produced only short flagellar filaments in L broth, despite the fact that flagellin itself has the ability to polymerize into long filaments in vitro. This pseudorevertant has an intragenic suppressor, resulting in a two-amino-acid substitution (Asp-Gln-->Ala-Arg) in the C-terminal region of the hook protein, FlgE. The flagellation of the pseudorevertant was greatly affected by the concentration of NaCl in the culture media: we observed no filaments in the absence of NaCl, short filaments in 1% NaCl and full-length filaments in 2% NaCl. Electron microscopy of osmotically shocked cells showed that the number of hook-basal bodies on cells was constant under various NaCl conditions. Furthermore, we found that the mutant hook was straight rather than curved. We monitored the cellular flagellin level of this pseudorevertant under various NaCl concentrations by immunoblotting. It was revealed that little flagellin was present under NaCl-free conditions in contrast with the ordinary amounts of flagellin present in 2% NaCl. As the expression of flagellin is regulated by competitive interaction of a sigma factor, FliA, and a corresponding anti-sigma factor, FlgM, we also observed the effect of NaCl on the secretion of FlgM. FlgM was secreted into the media in more than 1% NaCl but accumulated inside the cells in the absence of NaCl, indicating that the failure of secretion of FlgM in the absence of salt was the cause of the impaired elongation of filaments.     

Radiofrequency catheter ablation for idiopathic right ventricular tachycardia with special reference to morphological variation and long-term outcome

We have cloned and sequenced a beta subunit of integrin from a cDNA library of crayfish hemocytes. This beta integrin shows great similarity to beta integrin subunits from other animals; the highest is towards beta pat-3 from Caenorhabditis elegans followed by beta PS from Drosophila melanogaster. By immunoblotting with antibodies raised towards a synthetic peptide corresponding to a part of the cytoplasmic region of the deduced protein sequence, it was shown that the integrin is present in the membrane of the hemocytes. This is the first integrin found in hemocytes of an invertebrate animal and this finding opens the door for further investigations on integrins and their role in the invertebrate immune system.     

Photo-induced electron transfer of a chlorophyll—liquid crystal electrode to water

A platinum plate was coated with a thin layer of chlorophyll and liquid crystal in order to make it photo-excitable. The chlorophyll—liquid crystal electrode immersed in water was found to shift its electrode potential to a more positive value on light irradiation. Furthermore light irradiation increased cathodic current. Liquid crystals such as N-(p-methoxybenzylidene)-p′-butylaniline markedly enhanced a photo-response in electrode potential and current. A prominent photo-response of the electrode appeared in an acidic solution around pH 4. A possibility of a direct electron transfer from a photo-excited chlorophyll—liquid crystal electrode to water, ie, photo-decomposition of water, is suggested.     

Comparison of the ability of viral protein-expressing plasmid DNAs to protect against influenza

The ability of plasmid DNA encoding various influenza viral proteins from the A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) virus to protect against influenza was compared in BALB/c mice. The plasmid DNA encoded hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), matrix protein (M1), nucleoprotein (NP) or nonstructural protein (NS1) in a chicken beta-actin-based expression vector (pCAGGS). Each DNA was inoculated twice 3 weeks apart at a dose of 1 microgram per mouse by particle-mediated DNA transfer to the epidermis (gene gun). Seven days after a second immunization, mice were challenged with the homologous virus and the ability of each DNA to protect mice from influenza was evaluated by decreased lung virus titers and increased survival. Mice, given HA- or NA-expressing DNA, induced a high level of specific antibody response and protected well against the challenge virus. On the other hand, mice given M1-, NP-, or NS1-DNA failed to provide protection, although M1- and NP-DNAs did induce detectable antibody responses. These results indicate that both HA- and NA-expressing DNAs for the surface glycoproteins are most protective against influenza from among the various viral protein-expressing DNAs used here.     

Optimization systems in production and distribution of the cementindustry

In the cement industry, many optimization systems have been developed and are currently in operation to reduce total production and delivery costs or to optimize the efficiency of equipment investments. This paper deals with some of these optimization systems, which were designed with mathematical programming. Some effective usage of sensitivity analysis and a systems integration approach are also introduced     

Isolation and structure determination of cassumunarins A,B, and C: New anti-inflammatory antioxidants from a tropical ginger,Zingiber cassumunar

New antioxidants, cassumunarins A, B, and C, were isolated from the rhizomes ofZingiber cassumunar, and the structures were determined by spectroscopic methods to be complex curcuminoids. The antixidant efficiency of cassumunarins was determined by inhibitory activity of autoxidation of linoleic acid in a buffer-ethanol system. The anti-inflammatory effect was measured by inhibition of edema formation on mouse ear induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Both types of activities were stronger for the cassumunarins than for the curcumin. Visiting scholar at University of Texas (October 1992–September 1993).     

Esophageal intramural metastasis from an adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia: report of a case

We report herein the rare case of a 65-year-old man found to have esophageal intramural metastasis from cancer of the gastric cardia. Endoscopic examination initially revealed an infiltrating ulcerative tumor of the gastric cardia involving the esophagogastric junction, as well as a submucosal tumor of the lower esophagus. A total thoracic esophagogastrectomy with lower mediastinal lymphadenectomy was performed, and the resected specimen demonstrated that both the cardia and esophageal tumors were adenocarcinomas with the same cellular differentiation. As lymphatic invasion and metastases to the paracardial and mediastinal lymph nodes were observed, the esophageal submucosal tumor was considered to be an intramural metastasis from the carcinoma of the gastric cardia resulting from extensive lymphatic spread. The patient died of recurrent disease 9 months after the resection. This case report serves to demonstrate that intramural metastasis may be a local indicator of the systemic spread of disease in patients with gastric carcinoma, as it is in esophageal carcinoma.     

Characterization of a functional null cell line derived from NZB x NZW)F1 mice

We attempted to establish a null cell line from NZB x NZW(B/W)F1 mice in order to investigate a regulatory role of null cells during polyclonal B cell activation in autoimmune diseases. NB2.2, a representative subclone of resulting null cell lines, was maintained in long-term tissue culture with 10% mouse ConA supernatant (MCAS). Interestingly, the cell free supernatant of the NB2.2 cells (NB-CFS) showed marked synergistic effects on IgM secretion by B cells induced by IL-5. In addition, NB-CFS had the ability to augment the production of autoantibodies against bromelain-treated mouse red blood cells (BrMRBC) and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) by B cells induced by IL-5. To determine whether NB2.2 cells induce polyclonal B cell activation and autoantibody generation in vivo, BALB/c mice were injected with NB2.2 cells. The results showed that the level of anti-ssDNA antibodies in sera of BALB/c mice injected with NB2.2 cells was significantly higher than that of control BALB/c mice injected with FDC-P2 cells. In addition, splenic B cells from mice injected with NB2.2 cells significantly proliferated in vitro in response to IL-4 and IL-5, and produced anti-ssDNA antibodies in the presence of IL-5. These results suggest that NB2.2, a null cell line established from B/WF1 mice, produces mediators capable of promoting polyclonal B cell activation and inducing autoantibody secretion, and that this kind of null cell may play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.