THE HUPO Human Plasma Proteome Project

The Human Proteomics Organization (HUPO) Human Plasma Proteome Project (PPP) is a prominent example of the inherently collaborative nature of the overall community effort to characterize the proteome of humans in health and disease. The PPP Pilot Phase, called "Exploring the Human Plasma Proteome", engaged 55 laboratories, four technical committees, and vendors and sponsors on an international scale. Among other outcomes, the PPP generated a Core Dataset of 3020 proteins identified with two or more peptides, fully accessible at EBI/PRIDE, ISB/PeptideAtlas, and University of Michigan websites, a rich resource for follow-on analyses. The PPP provided extensive annotation, correlation of number of peptides with protein concentrations measured by immunoassay, an algorithm for choice of a representative protein for multiple proteins matching a given peptide, and independent analyses from the raw spectra. The next phase of the PPP will emphasize standardized procedures for specimen handling, potent new technology platforms for discovery and for targeted proteomics, and robust informatics efforts, including comparative analyses of other biofluids.     

A real-time video tracking system

Object identification and tracking applications of pattern recognition at video rates is a problem of wide interest, with previous attempts limited to very simple threshold or correlation (restricted window) methods. New high-speed algorithms together with fast digital hardware have produced a system for missile and aircraft identification and tracking that possesses a degree of ``intelligence' not previously implemented in a real-time tracking system. Adaptive statistical clustering and projection-based classification algorithms are applied in real time to identify and track objects that change in appearance through complex and nonstationary background/foreground situations. Fast estimation and prediction algorithms combine linear and quadratic estimators to provide speed and sensitivity. Weights are determined to provide a measure of confidence in the data and resulting decisions. Strategies based on maximizing the probability of maintaining track are developed. This paper emphasizes the theoretical aspects of the system and discusses the techniques used to achieve real-time implementation.     

Finding edges in noisy scenes

Edge detection in the presence of noise is a well-known problem. This paper examines an applications-motivated approach for solving the problem using novel techniques and presents a method developed by the authors that performs well on a large class of targets. ROC curves are used to compare this method with other well-known edge detection operators, with favorable results. A theoretical argument is presented that favors LMMSE filtering over median filtering in extremely noisy scenes. Simulated results of the research are presented.     

Perforating pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Its distinction from elastosis perforans serpiginosa

It is not generally appreciated that pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) can be associated with epidermal perforation by elastic fibers. We report an example of this phenomenon. The term "perforating PXE" is suggested and a distinction is made from elastosis perforans serpiginosa (EPS). We believe that most reported cases of coexistence of PXE and EPS are perforating PXE and that the coexistence of EPS has not been clearly demonstrated.     

Practical implementation of possibilistic probability mass functions

 Probability assessments of events are often linguistic in nature. We model them by means of possibilistic probabilities (a version of Zadeh's fuzzy probabilities with a behavioural interpretation) with a suitable shape for practical implementation (on a computer). Employing the tools of interval analysis and the theory of imprecise probabilities we argue that the verification of coherence for these possibilistic probabilities, the corrections of non-coherent to coherent possibilistic probabilities and their extension to other events and gambles can be performed by finite and exact algorithms. The model can furthermore be transformed into an imprecise first-order model, useful for decision making and statistical inference.     

Integrating CAD tools for MEMS design

Microelectromechanical systems, or MEMS, is the generic name for a new class of microsystems. Typically, MEMS are: micron- to millimeter-scale devices with moving parts or containing fluids; parts that are batch fabricated using techniques derived from the semiconductor industry; used as sensors or actuators; and are often directly connected or integrated with ICs. The first MEMS design system, MEMCAD, was built in the Senturia Lab at MIT. Now at least three companies market commercial CAD systems for MEMS. The author discusses MEMCAD system's capabilities     

Physical and Sexual Intimate Partner Violence Among Women in Methadone Maintenance Treatment.

Although several studies have examined the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and drug use among women in drug treatment programs, more information is needed to delineate differences, as a function of the specific drug used. Data from a random sample of 416 women attending methadone programs were analyzed to elucidate the differential associations between IPV and use of the following: marijuana only, cocaine only, heroin only, or cocaine and heroin. Prevalence of IPV among this sample far exceeded estimates from the general population. After adjusting for sociodemographic variables, use of cocaine only was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing IPV compared with no drug use. Similar results were found for women using both cocaine and heroin. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Environmentally friendly methods of water disinfection: The chemistry of alternative disinfectants

The risk of disease from microbiological organisms far surpasses any chemical risk associated with water treatment by chemical oxidation. Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum, common microbiological contaminants, sometimes have fatal consequences to individuals with weak immune systems. Because effective environmentally friendly oxidants are available and accessible for treating drinking water, utilities throughout the industrialized world are investigasting alternative disinfection/oxidation practices. Chlorine dioxide and ozone are frequently used to remove taste and odor problems, color and to inactive problem microbiological species. To understand the unique value of ozone and chlorine dioxide in water treatment, one must start with the chemistry.     

Migration testing of plastics and microwave-active materials for high-temperature food-use applications

Temperatures have been measured using a fluoro-optic probe at the food/container or food/packaging interfaces as appropriate, for a range of foods heated in either a microwave or a conventional oven. Reheating ready-prepared foods packaged in plastics pouches, trays or dishes in the microwave oven, according to the manufacturers' instructions, resulted in temperatures in the range 61-121 degrees C. Microwave-active materials (susceptors) in contact with ready-prepared foods frequently reached local spot temperatures above 200 degrees C. For foods cooked in a microwave oven according to published recipes, temperatures from 91 degrees C to 200 degrees C were recorded, whilst similar temperatures (92-194 degrees C) were attained in a conventional oven, but over longer periods of time. These measurements form the basis for examining compliance with specific and overall migration limits for plastics materials. The testing conditions proposed depend on the intended use of the plastic - for microwave oven use for aqueous foods, for all lidding materials, and for reheating of foods, testing would only be required with aqueous simulants for 1 h at 100 degrees C; for unspecified microwave oven use, testing with olive oil would be required for 30 min at 150 degrees C; and for unspecified use in a conventional oven testing with olive oil would be required for 2 h at 175 degrees C. For microwave-active materials, it is proposed that testing is carried out in the microwave oven using a novel semi-solid simulant comprising olive oil and water absorbed onto an inert support of diatomaceous earth. The testing in this instance is carried out with the simulant instead of food in a package and heating in the microwave oven at 600 W for 4 min for every 100 g of simulant employed. There is an option in every case to test for migration using real foods rather than simulants if it can be demonstrated that results using simulants are unrepresentative of those for foods. The proposed testing conditions were validated as being realistic by measurement of the specific migration of various components from different plastics into foods under actual conditions of use and comparing with migration into simulants. Migration of plasticizers from PVC and VC/VDC copolymer films was monitored for both microwave reheating and cooking of foods. Total oligomer concentrations were measured from poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) trays, and volatile aromatics from thermoset polyester trays, using both types of container in microwave and conventional ovens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)