An image processing system using Image Signal Multiprocessors (ISMPs)

This paper describes an image processing system using Image Signal Multiprocessors (ISMPs) adapted to gray-level image preprocessing for image analysis and image enhancement. It is composed of four ISMPs, five 1H-delay-lines, two 512×512×8-bit frame memories, a video timing controller (VTC), two 256-word ×8-bit ×8-table Look Up Tables (LUTs) and 80 nsec/sampling A/D and D/A converters. This multiprocessor system performs convolution operations such as spatial filters, contrast enhancement, and binarization for gray-level images, thinning, thickening, pattern matching etc. for binary images, and image quality improvement for moving images such as T.V. images. Otherwise, it performs feature extraction operations such as area calculations, fillet coordination, and moment calculations for objective image data. Moreover, this system is capable of applying color image processing by using a multiboard system.     

Aerobic Exercise Ameliorates Cancer Cachexia-Induced Muscle Wasting through Adiponectin Signaling

Cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by muscle loss that cannot be reversed by conventional nutritional support. To uncover the molecular basis underlying the onset of cancer cachectic muscle wasting and establish an effective intervention against muscle loss, we used a cancer cachectic mouse model and examined the effects of aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise successfully suppressed muscle atrophy and activated adiponectin signaling. Next, a cellular model for cancer cachectic muscle atrophy using C2C12 myotubes was prepared by treating myotubes with a conditioned medium from a culture of colon-26 cancer cells. Treatment of the atrophic myotubes with recombinant adiponectin was protective against the thinning of cells through the increased production of p-mTOR and suppression of LC3-II. Altogether, these findings suggest that the activation of adiponectin signaling could be part of the molecular mechanisms by which aerobic exercise ameliorates cancer cachexia-induced muscle wasting.     

Graph extension with constant connectivity

In the field of the scaling-up of communication networks, numbers of communication stations (nodes) and the corresponding communication links (edges) are increasing rapidly. The reliability of the networks then becomes important. To keep the reliability of the networks, the connectivity (invulnerability) of the networks should not decrease. In this article, a method of increasing the nodes of a graph with a constant connectivity is proposed, and some examples of graph extension are shown to realize the extended networks. This work was presented in part at the 11th International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, January 23–25, 2006     

Promotive effect of isopentane on cyclohexane isomerization catalyzed by sulfated zirconia

Cyclohexane isomerization to methylcyclopentane over sulfated zirconia is markedly enhanced in the presence of isopentane which acts as a hydride transfer agent to facilitate the slow step of hydride transfer from cyclohexane to isopropyl cation. This was revealed by deuterium tracer studies. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A Nifedipine Coground Mixture with Sodium Deoxycholate. II. Dissolution Characteristics and Stability

Nifedipine is a poorly water soluble drug that demonstrates low bioavailability. In a previous study, a coground mixture of nifedipine with sodium deoxycholate (DCNa), a bile salt, immediately produced colloidal particles when dispersed in water. In this study, the effect of the weight fraction of DCNa, grinding time, dissolution media, and storage conditions on colloidal particle formation in solution was investigated. The coground mixture was prepared with a vibration rod mill, and its solid state was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction. A laser diffraction particle size analyzer was used to determine the particle size distribution curve in water. The size of particles formed in solution decreased with an increase in the weight fraction of DCNa and grinding time. A nifedipine-DCNa (1 : 2 w/w) mixture coground for 30 min was used in the experiments. Colloidal particle formation from the coground mixture was also observed in dissolution media of water and a pH 6.8 buffer solution at 37°C. Most precipitates passed through a filter with a pore size of 0.8 μm, but the particle size distribution in water was different from that in the pH 6.8 buffer solution. DCNa exhibited not only micellar solubilization for drug crystals, but also a retarding effect on drug crystal growth in a supersaturated solution. The latter effect could serve to form colloidal particles in solution. When stored under 75% relative humidity at 40°C for 1 month, the amorphous coground mixture crystallized, and the particle size in water markedly increased. Therefore, the weight fraction of DCNa, grinding time, dissolution media, and humidity during storage influence the dissolution characteristics of nifedipine from a coground mixture.     

Observation of the solid-state formation of a TTF–CA complex by terahertz spectroscopy

The solid-state synthesis of a tetrathiafulvalene–chloranil (TTF–CA) complex was demonstrated, and progress in the formation of the complex was monitored using a GaP Raman terahertz (THz) spectrometer. Clear transitions in the THz absorption spectra indicated that the mixture of TTF and CA became the black phase TTF–CA complex. The results of X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering, and FTIR spectra are presented as supporting evidence.     

Batch foam separation of a soluble protein

Removal of protein dissolved in water by batch foam separation was conducted with using ovalbumin (OA) as a model protein in the light of wastewater treatment reducing organic loading. The removal efficiency had a maximum value near the i.e.p. of OA (pH 4.6); thus, most experiments were conducted at pH 4.6. Typical experimental conditions; superficial gas velocity, U(g): 1.97 x 10(-2)-5.37 x 10(-2)cm/s; initial bulk concentration of OA, C(i): ca. 0.05-0.25 g/L; liquid volume, V: 600 cm(3). A model estimating bulk concentration profile was proposed by taking into account a mass balance of the present system. The model predicted that OA could be removed perfectly, however, was not all removed experimentally. The residual OA concentration of the bulk liquid within the column reached plateau value, which correspond to ca. 18% of the initial OA concentration. The plateau value of the bulk concentration was attained for ca. 100-500 min with U(g)=1.97 x 10(-2)-5.37 x 10(-2)cm/s. Foaming ability test revealed that the foaming limit concentration of OA at pH 4.6 was 9.72 x 10(-3)g/L. These results suggested that OA molecules could be damaged by interaction of bubble surface in the dispersed phase, since there were the residual OA concentrations over the limit concentration. To take account of this phenomena and correct the model, average surface density, X(d), which should convert protein molecule into the denatured protein molecule, was introduced. The corrected model could explain well the time profile of OA bulk concentration.     

Biosynthesis of p-anisaldehyde by the white-rot basidiomycete Pleurotus ostreatus

The white-rot basidiomycete Pleurotus ostreatus produced sweet flavor compounds on a liquid medium. The major and minor compounds identified by GC-MS analysis were p-anisaldehyde (4-methoxybenzaldehyde) and 3-chloro-p-anisaldehyde (3-chloro-4-methoxybenzaldehyde), respectively. p-Anisaldehyde was only produced under static culture conditions. Differences in the type and quantity of flavor compounds produced among wild strains of P. ostreatus were observed. Aryl alcohol oxidase and manganese peroxidase activities increased parallel to the production of p-anisaldehyde. These results indicated that the biosynthesis of p-anisaldehyde is concerned in generating H2O2-activated peroxidase in the lignin-degradation system. Addition of L-tyrosine to the culture led to higher production of p-anisaldehyde. The flavor extract, which contains p-anisaldehyde, exhibited antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium oxysporum.