A simplified design strategy for mapping image processing algorithms on a SIMD torus

It is proposed to enhance and simplify the programming of a two dimensional (2-D) torus (and mesh) connected SIMD array of simple processing elements (PEs) by introducing two dedicated communication registers in each PE. A new SIMD algorithm to transpose a matrix using only two buffers at each PE is described. A method is proposed to effectively realize large number of arbitrary, one-to-one, personalized, and concurrent communication between the PEs, by suitably repeating the matrix transpose algorithm. Implementation of several image processing tasks of shift-variant nature, such as hough transform, histogram, median filters, which involve such communication, is enhanced by this approach. The dynamic behavior of such a SIMD implementation is data independent, unlike the ones that employ greedy methods for handling the overall communication. This feature facilitates coordinated use of several independently operating SIMD meshes in a newly emerging computer vision paradigm known as multiview image-sequence analysis (MVISA) for 3-D perception of unstructured dynamic scenes.     

Tocotrienol-rich fraction from palm oil affects gene expression in tumors resulting from MCF-7 cell inoculation in athymic mice

It has recently been shown that tocotrienols are the components of vitamin E responsible for inhibiting the growth of human breast cancer cells in vitro, through an estrogen-independent mechanism. Although tocotrienols act on cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and can induce programmed cell death, no specific gene regulation has yet been identified. To investigate the molecular basis of the effect of tocotrienols, we injected MCF-7 breast cancer cells into athymic nude mice. Mice were fed orally with 1 mg/d of tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) for 20 wk. At end of the 20 wk, there was a significant delay in the onset, incidence, and size of the tumors in nude mice supplemented with TRF compared with the controls. At autopsy, the tumor tissue was excised and analyzed for gene expression by means of a cDNA array technique. Thirty out of 1176 genes were significantly affected. Ten genes were down-regulated and 20 genes up-regulated with respect to untreated animals, and some genes in particular were involved in regulating the immune system and its function. The expression of the interferon-inducible transmembrane protein-1 gene was significantly up-regulated in tumors excised from TRF-treated animals compared with control mice. Within the group of genes related to the immune system, we also found that the CD59 glycoprotein precursor gene was up-regulated. Among the functional class of intracellular transducers/effectors/modulators, the c-myc gene was significantly down-regulated in tumors by TRF treatment. Our observations indicate that TRF supplementation significantly and specifically affects MCF-7 cell response after tumor formation in vivo and therefore the host immune function. The observed effect on gene expression is possibly exerted independently from the antioxidant activity typical of this family of molecules.     

Integrated irrigation development planning by multi‐objective optimization

A multi‐objective linear‐programming‐based planning model for irrigation development, incorporating the integrated use of surface and groundwater resources, is presented. Applicability of the model is illustrated by a case study of the Bagmati River Basin, Nepal. Alternative plans for irrigation development are identified by analysing trade‐offs between the specified objectives of maximizing total net economic benefits from agriculture (economic efficiency) and total irrigated cropped area (balanced regional development). Evaluation of the alternatives by compromise programming is carried out in order to indicate the optimal scale of development, cropping plans, system design capacities and water allocation policies.     

Operation of a groundwater reservoir in conjunction with surface water

A planning level analysis for the operation of a groundwater reservoir in conjunction with available streamflow is presented. A mini‐max type objective function is used for a mixed integer programming problem. The analytical tool is useful in knowing when and by how much the underground aquifer should be recharged artificially so that the given water demands of a region are met conjunctively by surface and groundwater resources. A case study is presented to illustrate the use of. the method.     

Tandem ion trap design with enhanced mass analysis capabilities for large populations of ions

A new arrangement consisting of two separate radio frequency (rf) quadrupole ion traps is used to analyze large populations of ions over a wide mass-to-charge (m/z) range. The setup consists of an "accumulation" trap that is maintained at a higher pressure than the second high-performance "analyzer" trap. The two traps are scanned simultaneously, with a mass difference between that determines the residence time and mass range of ions in the analytical trap. Initially, all ions are trapped in the accumulation trap and then mass-selectively ejected into the analyzer trap. As ions arrive in the analyzer trap, they cool through collisions with the buffer gas and then are mass selectively ejected toward the detector. This concurrent linked mass scanning reduces the total number of ions present in the analyzer trap during mass analysis, thereby reducing space charge effects and leading to improved resolution and mass accuracy of analytical spectra.     

Modulation of cell growth and apoptosis response in human prostate cancer cells supplemented with tocotrienols

Previous studies have shown that tocotrienols are powerful growth inhibitors and potent inducers of apoptosis in human breast cancer cells. The objective of the current study was to examine effects of tocotrienols on apoptotic signals in androgen‐independent PC‐3 human prostate cancer cells. We investigated the effects of the tocotrienol‐rich fraction (TRF) from palm oil, α‐tocopherol (αT), α‐tocotrienol (αT₃), γ‐tocotrienol (γT₃) and δ‐tocotrienol (δT₃) on PC‐3 cell growth. TRF inhibited PC‐3 growth with a nonlinear response, with complete growth suppression at 10 µg/mL. δT₃ and γT₃ showed complete cell inhibition at 8 µg/mL whilst αT had no effect. δT₃ and γT₃ showed the most promise in the cell growth assays, and all subsequent experiments were performed with δT₃, TRF and αT. TRF and δT₃ at 8 µg/mL induced apoptosis in PC‐3 cells after 48 h of treatment. In addition, TRF and δT₃ treatments were able to affect the cell cycle, with accumulation in the S phase, G2 phase block and increases in SubG1 by 72 h. We then proceeded to investigate the expression levels of Fas receptor and Fas ligand, caspase 8, caspase 3 and bax in PC‐3 cells following treatment with tocotrienols using real‐time PCR and Western blot methods. TRF and δT₃ at 8 µg/mL increased Fas ligand expression levels by 368 and 456%, respectively, after 24 h and Fas receptor expression levels by 210% and 356%, respectively, after 48 h. TRF‐ and δT₃‐treated PC‐3 cells overexpressed caspase 8 and bax protein after 24 h, and caspase 3 after 48 h. In conclusion, tocotrienols are able to induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in PC‐3 cells, with increased expression of Fas receptor, Fas ligand, caspase 8, caspase 3 and bax, suggesting a potential role in chemoprevention of prostate cancer.     

Application of multi-criteria decision-making methods to identification of soil moisture monitoring sites in an urban catchment in South Australia

When choosing sites for monitoring of soil moisture for hydrological purposes, a suitable process that considers the factors influencing soil moisture level should be followed. In this study, two multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, the multi-influencing factor (MIF) method and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method, were used to identify the optimal soil moisture monitoring (SMM) sites in the Dry Creek Catchment in South Australia. The most representative areas for nine SMM sites were obtained using the MIF method, considering the factors of rainfall, soil type, land use, catchment slope, elevation, and upslope accumulated area (UAA). The AHP method was used to select the optimal sites using the site-specific criteria. 30.3% of the catchment area in the Australian Water Resources Assessment Landscape (AWRA-L) Grid_DC2 can be considered acceptable as representative area with the MIF method. Four potential sites were evaluated for each AWRA-L grid using the relative weights of the site-specific criteria with the AHP method. The Grid_DC2 required two sites that had the highest overall weight chosen with the AHP analysis. The procedure was repeated for the remaining four AWRA-L grids within the study area to select the required SMM sites.     

Industrial x-ray inspection system with improved image characterization using blind deblurring based on compressed-sensing scheme

An industrial x-ray inspection system has recently established by our group to examine large and dense objects available in industry. It consists of an industrial x-ray generator having a tube voltage of 450?kV and a focal spot size of 1?mm, a flat-panel detector having a pixel size of 200?µm and a pixel dimension of 2048?×?2048, and a mechanical support for object’s installation. For improving the image characteristics of the system, an effective blind deblurring method based on compressed-sensing scheme is reported. Blind deblurring is the image restoration by estimating the original image and the degradation mechanism using partial information on both. Compressed-sensing is a relatively new mathematical theory for solving the inverse problems. Systematic measurements were performed and the image characteristics of the restored images were quantitatively evaluated using several image-quality indicators. The results demonstrate that the deblurring method is effective for industrial x-ray inspection systems.