Influence of background and surround on image color matching

In this article, the corresponding‐color data for complex images reproduced on different media were obtained by simultaneous matching using an adjustment method. In our experiment printed color images and images displayed on a monitor were compared in different viewing conditions. The viewing condition varied in surround relative luminance and background. The experimental data show that surround relative luminance has little influence on color matching between printed and monitor images while changes in background modify color appearance. These results were used to evaluate different chromatic adaptation transforms (CAT). We found that for the same viewing conditions the SHARP transform shows the best agreement between the experimental and predicted data. SHARP transform can not predict accurately corresponding colors for blue and black regions. Therefore, we proposed new CAT that shows better characteristics than other transforms for cyan, green, and black colors and similar characteristics for other colors. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 17, 244–251, 2007     

Comparison of HDTV formats using objective video quality measures

In this paper we compare some of the objective quality measures with subjective, in several HDTV formats, to be able to grade the quality of the objective measures. Also, comparison of objective and subjective measures between progressive and interlaced video signal will be presented to determine which scanning emission format is better, even if it has different resolution format. Several objective quality measures will be tested, to examine the correlation with the subjective test, using various performance measures.     

Power system optimization

Long-term gas purchase contracts usually determine delivery and payment for gas on the regular hourly basis, independently of demand side consumption. In order to use fuel gas in an economically viable way, optimization of gas distribution for covering consumption must be introduced. In this paper, a mathematical model of the electric utility system which is used for optimization of gas distribution over electric generators is presented. The utility system comprises installed capacity of 1500 MW of thermal power plants, 400 MW of combined heat and power plants, 330 MW of a nuclear power plant and 1600 MW of hydro power plants. Based on known demand curve the optimization model selects plants according to the prescribed criteria. Firstly it engages run-of-river hydro plants, then the public cogeneration plants, the nuclear plant and thermal power plants. Storage hydro plants are used for covering peak load consumption. In case of shortage of installed capacity, the cross-border purchase is allowed. Usage of dual fuel equipment (gas–oil), which is available in some thermal plants, is also controlled by the optimization procedure. It is shown that by using such a model it is possible to properly plan the amount of fuel gas which will be contracted. The contracted amount can easily be distributed over generators efficiently and without losses (no breaks in delivery). The model helps in optimizing of fuel gas–oil ratio for plants with combined burners and enables planning of power plants overhauls over a year in a viable and efficient way.     

CTLA4-Linked Autoimmunity in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis and Related Infertility: A Systematic Review

Several studies, although with conflicting results, have sought to determine the concentration of soluble CTLA4 antigens in peripheral blood plasma and peritoneal fluid in patients with endometriosis-related infertility. A systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) through a search of the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, The Cochrane Library, Health Technology Assessment Database and Web of Science, and Clinical Trials research register. We included observational or prospective human and animal studies with any features related to endometriosis and/or infertility studies involving CTLA4-related pathogenesis published in English. The results of studies in which the size and characteristics of the observed groups were not stated were excluded. From the initial pool of 73 publications identified and screened, we finally included 5 articles to summarize the most recent knowledge about CTLA4-linked autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and related infertility. Evidence from clinical studies shows that CTLA4-based autoimmunity is involved in the maintenance of chronic inflammation in the peritoneal environment, with pre-clinical evidence of anti-CTLA antibodies as a potential novel target therapy for endometriosis. However, CTLA4 gene analyses do not support findings of CTLA4-linked autoimmunity as a primary determinant of the pathogenesis of endometriosis. These findings underlie the role of complex interactions within the family of immune checkpoint molecules involved. Further studies are needed to investigate the clinical relevance of anti-CTLA target therapy, taking into account the potential adverse events and repercussions of novel immunologic therapy modalities. However, with the general scarcity of studies investigating this topic, the clinical importance of CTLA4 autoimmunity still remains unclear.     

Evaluation of isotopic boron (11B) for the fabrication of low activation Mg11B2 superconductor for next generation fusion magnets

In this study, we analyze the properties of boron isotope (¹¹B)-rich powders from three different sources, that is, American, Cambridge, and Pavezyum, to fabricate the bulk Mg¹¹B₂ superconductors and evaluate their superconducting properties. While ¹¹B-rich powder is an essential precursor to fabricate Mg¹¹B₂ superconductors for fusion magnet applications, the properties of the ¹¹B powder turned out to be critical to determine the quality of the final superconducting product. Therefore, appropriate control of processing conditions is needed to comply with the requirements of the nuclear fusion application. Analysis of the B isotope ratio by accelerator mass spectroscopy and neutron transmission revealed that all three types of powder are enriched with ¹¹B to better than 99 at % quality. In addition, Pavezyum's ¹¹B shows the lowest crystallinity and smallest crystalline domain size as evidenced by the high-resolution X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscopy. The chemical states of the boron isotope investigated with near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy also reveals that Pavezyum boron has amorphous structure. Mg¹¹B₂ bulks and multi-filamentary (12-filament) wires have been manufactured, sintered at different temperatures and characterized via the transport critical current density. The wire with Pavezyum ¹¹B shows three times higher current carrying capacity at a particular magnetic field compared to the wire using Cambridge ¹¹B and hence, Pavezyum ¹¹B boron has the potential for manufacturing fusion grade Mg¹¹B₂ based magnets. The results of this study demonstrated that Boron powders with higher purity, smaller grain size and lower crystallinity are critical for improving the superconducting and electronic properties of Mg¹¹B₂ samples fabricated from the powder. Thus, the low-neutron-activation Mg¹¹B₂ is possibly an affordable and technically viable candidate to replace NbTi superconductors in the low field poloidal field and correction coils for the next-generation fusion reactors.     

Distinct Longitudinal Changes in Immunoglobulin G N-Glycosylation Associate with Therapy Response in Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

Immunosuppressants and biologicals are widely used therapeutics for various chronic inflammatory diseases (CID). To gain more detailed insight into their downstream effects, we examined their impact on serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) glycosylation. We analyzed IgG subclass-specific fragment crystallizable (Fc) N-glycosylation in patients suffering from various CID using the LC-MS approach. Firstly, we compared IgG Fc N-glycosylation between 128 CID patients and 204 healthy controls. Our results replicated previously observed CID-related decrease in IgG Fc galactosylation (adjusted p-value range 1.70 × 10⁻²–5.95 × 10⁻²²) and sialylation (adjusted p-value range 1.85 × 10⁻²–1.71 × 10⁻¹⁸). Secondly, to assess changes in IgG Fc N-glycosylation associated with therapy and remission status, we compared 139 CID patients receiving either azathioprine, infliximab, or vedolizumab therapy. We observed an increase in IgG Fc galactosylation (adjusted p-value range 1.98 × 10⁻²–1.30 × 10⁻¹⁵) and sialylation (adjusted p-value range 3.28 × 10⁻⁶–4.34 × 10⁻¹⁸) during the treatment. Furthermore, patients who reached remission displayed increased Fc galactosylation levels (p-value range 2.25 × 10⁻²–5.44 × 10⁻³) in comparison to patients with active disease. In conclusion, the alterations in IgG Fc glycosylation and the fact these changes are even more pronounced in patients who achieved remission, suggest modulation of IgG inflammatory potential associated with CID therapy.