A Leaf Recognition Algorithm for Plant Classification Using Probabilistic Neural Network

In this paper, we employ Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN) with image and data processing techniques to implement a general purpose automated leaf recognition algorithm. 12 leaf features are extracted and orthogonalized into 5 principal variables which consist the input vector of the PNN. The PNN is trained by 1800 leaves to classify 32 kinds of plants with an accuracy greater than 90%. Compared with other approaches, our algorithm is an accurate artificial intelligence approach which is fast in execution and easy in implementation.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, 2 table

Radiation-induced Assembly of Rad51 and Rad52 Recombination Complex Requires ATM and c-Abl

Cells from individuals with the recessive cancer-prone disorder ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) are hypersensitive to ionizing radiation (I-R). ATM (mutated in A-T) is a protein kinase whose activity is stimulated by I-R. c-Abl, a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, interacts with ATM and is activated by ATM following I-R. Rad51 is a homologue of bacterial RecA protein required for DNA recombination and repair. Here we demonstrate that there is an I-R-induced Rad51 tyrosine phosphorylation, and this induction is dependent on both ATM and c-Abl. ATM, c-Abl, and Rad51 can be co-immunoprecipitated from cell extracts. Consistent with the physical interaction, c-Abl phosphorylates Rad51 in vitro and in vivo. In assays using purified components, phosphorylation of Rad51 by c-Abl enhances complex formation between Rad51 and Rad52, which cooperates with Rad51 in recombination and repair. After I-R, an increase in association between Rad51 and Rad52 occurs in wild-type cells but not in cells with mutations that compromise ATM or c-Abl. Our data suggest signaling mediated through ATM, and c-Abl is required for the correct post-translational modification of Rad51, which is critical for the assembly of Rad51 repair protein complex following I-R

Manipulation of ionized impurity scattering for achieving high thermoelectric performance in n-type Mg

Achieving higher carrier mobility plays a pivotal role for obtaining potentially high thermoelectric performance. In principle, the carrier mobility is governed by the band structure as well as by the carrier scattering mechanism. Here, we demonstrate that by manipulating the carrier scattering mechanism in n-type Mg[subscript 3]Sb[subscript 2 ]-based materials, a substantial improvement in carrier mobility, and hence the power factor, can be achieved. In this work, Fe, Co, Hf, and Ta are doped on the Mg site of Mg[subscript 3.2]Sb[subscript 1.5]Bi[subscript 0.49]Te [subscript 0.01], where the ionized impurity scattering crosses over to mixed ionized impurity and acoustic phonon scattering. A significant improvement in Hall mobility from ∼16 to ∼81 cm 2 ·V[superscript −1]·s[superscript − 1] is obtained, thus leading to a notably enhanced power factor of ∼13 μW·cm [superscript −1]·K [superscript −2] from ∼5 μW·cm[superscript −1]·K[superscript −2]. A simultaneous reduction in thermal conductivity is also achieved. Collectively, a figure of merit (ZT) of ∼1.7 is obtained at 773 K in Mg[subscript 3.1]Co[subscript 0.1]Sb[subscript 1.5]Bi[subscript 0.49]Te [subscript 0.01]. The concept of manipulating the carrier scattering mechanism to improve the mobility should also be applicable to other material systems. Keywords: thermoelectric; carrier scattering mechanism; ionized impurity scattering; n-type; Mg[subscript 3]Sb[subscript 2]; defect

Multiple light scattering in anisotropic random media

In the last decade Diffusing Wave Spectroscopy (DWS) has emerged as a powerful tool to study turbid media. In this article we develop the formalism to describe light diffusion in general anisotropic turbid media. We give explicit formulas to calculate the diffusion tensor and the dynamic absorption coefficient, measured in DWS experiments. We apply our theory to uniaxial systems, namely nematic liquid crystals, where light is scattered from thermal fluctuations of the local optical axis, called director. We perform a detailed analysis of the two essential diffusion constants, parallel and perpendicular to the director, in terms of Frank elastic constants, dielectric anisotropy, and applied magnetic field. We also point out the relevance of our results to different liquid crystalline systems, such as discotic nematics, smectic-A phases, and polymer liquid crystals. Finally, we show that the dynamic absorption coefficient is the angular average over the inverse viscosity, which governs the dynamics of director fluctuations.Comment: 23 pages, 12 ps figures, to be published in Phys. Rev.

SGDB: a database of synthetic genes re-designed for optimizing protein over-expression

Here we present the Synthetic Gene Database (SGDB): a relational database that houses sequences and associated experimental information on synthetic (artificially engineered) genes from all peer-reviewed studies published to date. At present, the database comprises information from more than 200 published experiments. This resource not only provides reference material to guide experimentalists in designing new genes that improve protein expression, but also offers a dataset for analysis by bioinformaticians who seek to test ideas regarding the underlying factors that influence gene expression. The SGDB was built under MySQL database management system. We also offer an XML schema for standardized data description of synthetic genes. Users can access the database at , or batch downloads all information through XML files. Moreover, users may visually compare the coding sequences of a synthetic gene and its natural counterpart with an integrated web tool at , and discuss questions, findings and related information on an associated e-forum at

High Quality, Fully Dense Ceramic Components Manufactured Using Fused Deposition of Ceramics (FDC)

Solid Freeform Fabrication (SFF) is a technology that produces physical solid components or parts from computer design models. This technology has the potential of reducing functional ceramic product development cycle time in terms of reducing design iteration and production time, minimizing extra post processing, and therefore reducing cost. A commercially available Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM™) 3D Modeler was altered for use with ceramics. This newly developed method referred to as Fused Deposition of Ceramics (FDC) is capable of fabricating complex shape, functional ceramic components. We have investigated issues related to hardware, software, feed material, and build strategy which are required to achieve high quality, fully dense green ceramic parts. In this paper, we report recent improvements made in the FDC process, including hardware modifications, software improvements, feed material standardization, as well as build strategy/condition control. We also report the current FDC status for making complex functional parts. Our goal is to optimize the FDC condition to ensure its robustness for producing defect free green ceramic parts consistently and without interruption.Mechanical Engineerin

Genetic variants in novel pathways influence blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk.

Blood pressure is a heritable trait influenced by several biological pathways and responsive to environmental stimuli. Over one billion people worldwide have hypertension (≥140 mm Hg systolic blood pressure or  ≥90 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure). Even small increments in blood pressure are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. This genome-wide association study of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which used a multi-stage design in 200,000 individuals of European descent, identified sixteen novel loci: six of these loci contain genes previously known or suspected to regulate blood pressure (GUCY1A3-GUCY1B3, NPR3-C5orf23, ADM, FURIN-FES, GOSR2, GNAS-EDN3); the other ten provide new clues to blood pressure physiology. A genetic risk score based on 29 genome-wide significant variants was associated with hypertension, left ventricular wall thickness, stroke and coronary artery disease, but not kidney disease or kidney function. We also observed associations with blood pressure in East Asian, South Asian and African ancestry individuals. Our findings provide new insights into the genetics and biology of blood pressure, and suggest potential novel therapeutic pathways for cardiovascular disease prevention

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms