4,170 research outputs found
Automatic cattle identification using graph matching based on local invariant features
Cattle muzzle classification can be considered as a biometric identifier important to animal traceability systems to ensure the integrity of the food chain. This paper presents a muzzle-based classification system that combines local invariant features with graph matching. The proposed approach consists of three phases; namely feature extraction, graph matching, and matching refinement. The experimental results showed that our approach is superior than existing works as ours achieves an all correct identification for the tested images. In addition, the results proved that our proposed method achieved this high accuracy even if the testing images are rotated in various angles.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Spin chirality on a two-dimensional frustrated lattice
The collective behavior of interacting magnetic moments can be strongly
influenced by the topology of the underlying lattice. In geometrically
frustrated spin systems, interesting chiral correlations may develop that are
related to the spin arrangement on triangular plaquettes. We report a study of
the spin chirality on a two-dimensional geometrically frustrated lattice. Our
new chemical synthesis methods allow us to produce large single crystal samples
of KFe3(OH)6(SO4)2, an ideal Kagome lattice antiferromagnet. Combined
thermodynamic and neutron scattering measurements reveal that the phase
transition to the ordered ground-state is unusual. At low temperatures,
application of a magnetic field induces a transition between states with
different non-trivial spin-textures.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure
Synchronized dynamics of cortical neurons with time-delay feedback
The dynamics of three mutually coupled cortical neurons with time delays in
the coupling are explored numerically and analytically. The neurons are coupled
in a line, with the middle neuron sending a somewhat stronger projection to the
outer neurons than the feedback it receives, to model for instance the relay of
a signal from primary to higher cortical areas. For a given coupling
architecture, the delays introduce correlations in the time series at the
time-scale of the delay. It was found that the middle neuron leads the outer
ones by the delay time, while the outer neurons are synchronized with zero lag
times. Synchronization is found to be highly dependent on the synaptic time
constant, with faster synapses increasing both the degree of synchronization
and the firing rate. Analysis shows that presynaptic input during the
interspike interval stabilizes the synchronous state, even for arbitrarily weak
coupling, and independent of the initial phase. The finding may be of
significance to synchronization of large groups of cells in the cortex that are
spatially distanced from each other.Comment: 21 pages, 11 figure
Obtaining Statistics of Turbulent Velocity from Astrophysical Spectral Line Data
Turbulence is a crucial component of dynamics of astrophysical fluids
dynamics, including those of ISM, clusters of galaxies and circumstellar
regions. Doppler shifted spectral lines provide a unique source of information
on turbulent velocities. We discuss Velocity-Channel Analysis (VCA) and its
offspring Velocity Coordinate Spectrum (VCS) that are based on the analytical
description of the spectral line statistics. Those techniques are well suited
for studies of supersonic turbulence. We stress that a great advantage of VCS
is that it does not necessary require good spatial resolution. Addressing the
studies of mildly supersonic and subsonic turbulence we discuss the criterion
that allows to determine whether a traditional tool for such a research,
namely, Velocity Centroids are dominated by density or velocity. We briefly
discuss the use of higher order correlations as the means to study
intermittency of turbulence. We discuss observational data available and
prospects of the field.Comment: 12 pages, Invited Talk, Penetrating Bars Through Masks of Cosmic
Dust, Pilanesberg National Park, South Afrika, 7 June-12 June 200
CD44+ cancer stem-like cells in EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
published_or_final_versio
Effects of hydroxyapatite and PDGF concentrations on osteoblast growth in a nanohydroxyapatite-polylactic acid composite for guided tissue regeneration
The technique of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) has evolved over recent years in an attempt to achieve periodontal tissue regeneration by the use of a barrier membrane. However, there are significant limitations in the currently available membranes and overall outcomes may be limited. A degradable composite material was investigated as a potential GTR membrane material. Polylactic acid (PLA) and nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) composite was analysed, its bioactive potential and suitability as a carrier system for growth factors were assessed. The effect of nHA concentrations and the addition of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation was investigated. The bioactivity was dependent on the nHA concentration in the films, with more apatite deposited on films containing higher nHA content. Osteoblasts proliferated well on samples containing low nHA content and differentiated on films with higher nHA content. The composite films were able to deliver PDGF and cell proliferation increased on samples that were pre absorbed with the growth factor. nHA–PLA composite films are able to deliver active PDGF. In addition the bioactivity and cell differentiation was higher on films containing more nHA. The use of a nHA–PLA composite material containing a high concentration of nHA may be a useful material for GTR membrane as it will not only act as a barrier, but may also be able to enhance bone regeneration by delivery of biologically active molecules
Bisphenol A exposure in Mexico City and risk of prematurity: a pilot nested case control study
Abstract Background Presence of Bisphenol A (BPA) has been documented worldwide in a variety of human biological samples. There is growing evidence that low level BPA exposure may impact placental tissue development and thyroid function in humans. The aim of this present pilot study was to determine urinary concentrations of BPA during the last trimester of pregnancy among a small subset of women in Mexico City, Mexico and relate these concentrations to risk of delivering prematurely. Methods A nested case-control subset of 60 participants in the Early Life Exposure in Mexico to ENvironmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) study in Mexico City, Mexico were selected based on delivering less than or equal to 37 weeks of gestation and greater than 37 weeks of gestation. Third trimester archived spot urine samples were analyzed by online solid phase extraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry. Results BPA was detected in 80.0% (N = 48) of the urine samples; total concentrations ranged from < 0.4 μg/L to 6.7 μg/L; uncorrected geometric mean was 1.52 μg/L. The adjusted odds ratio of delivering less than or equal to 37 weeks in relation to specific gravity adjusted third trimester BPA concentration was 1.91 (95%CI 0.93, 3.91, p-value = 0.08). When cases were further restricted to births occurring prior to the 37th week (n = 12), the odds ratio for specific-gravity adjusted BPA was larger and statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions This is the first study to document measurable levels of BPA in the urine of a population of Mexican women. This study also provides preliminary evidence, based on a single spot urine sample collected during the third trimester, that pregnant women who delivered less than or equal to 37 weeks of gestation and prematurely (< 37 weeks) had higher urinary concentrations of BPA compared to women delivering after 37 weeks.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78251/1/1476-069X-9-62.xmlhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78251/2/1476-069X-9-62.pdfPeer Reviewe
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