Evolving Subband Structures For Wavelet Packet Based Image Compression Using Genetic Algorithms With Non-Additive Cost Functions

In this work we describe the optimization of wavelet packet subband structures for still image compression with new non-additive information cost functions using genetic methods. We find that the corresponding ratedistortion performance is superior to that obtained by subband structures optimized with the near best basis algorithm. 1. INTRODUCTION In the context of wavelet packet [9] based image compression techniques the question arises how to identify the subband structure suited most for a compression application. The wavelet packet best basis algorithm [2] ("single tree algorithm") performs an adaptive optimization of the frequency resolution of a complete wavelet packet decomposition tree by selecting the most suitable frequency subbands for signal representation by minimizing additive information cost functions. Other methods use fixed bases of subbands for similar signals (e.g. fingerprints [5]) or search for good representations with genetic optimization methods [1]. In this ..

Single defect centers in diamond nanocrystals as quantum probes for plasmonic nanostructures

We present two applications of a single nitrogen vacancy center in a nanodiamond as quantum probe for plasmonic nanostructures. Coupling to the nanostructures is achieved in a highly controlled manner by picking up a pre-characterized nanocrystal with an atomic force microscope and placing it at the desired position. Local launching of single excitations into a nanowire with a spatial control of few nanometers is demonstrated. Further, a two dimensional map of the electromagnetic environment of a plasmonic bowtie antenna was derived, resembling an ultimate limit of fluorescence lifetime nanoscopy

Changes in submicrometer particle distributions and light scattering during haze and fog events in a highly polluted environment

The changes in submicrometer atmospheric particle size distributions measured with a Differential Mobility Particle Sizer (DMPS) system during a polluted fog experiment during November, 1994 are presented in this study. Results reveal three modes commonly evident in the size distribution (3 < DN < 843 nm) measurements; the ultrafine, Aitken and accumulation with respective geometric diameters, (Dgn), of 17, 110 and 400 nm. An additional mode, appears between the ultrafine and Aitken modes (Dgn = 52 nm) in approximately one quarter of the measurements and is linked to several industrial cities upwind of the measurement site. A stabile ultrafine mode appears consistently (84% of measurements) at 16-17 nm throughout the campaign, suggestive of a source, such as a highway in the near vicinity. During fog and haze periods number concentrations for particles less than 25 nm and greater than 400 nm decrease by 78 and 95%, respectively. These changes do not affect the aerosol scattering efficiency significantly. The overall aerosol mass scattering efficiency determined for the Po Valley region is 4.3 ± 0.6 m2 g-1. Closure is achieved for light extinction predicted from droplet distributions and measured with a transmissiometer in 37 of 39 cases during fog periods. Measured and calculated light extinction, bext, covary strongly with an R2 of 0.92

Characteristics of haze, mist and fog

An aerosol and fog data set from a field experiment in November 1994 at San Pietro Capofiume, Northern Italy was analysed. With objective criteria developed from visibility measurements average aerosol characteristics in the dry and wet state were calculated for haze, mist and fog conditions which can be seen as representative for continental air masses in an industrialised region. Dry particle size distributions between three and 800 nm and ambient size distributions between and 50 μm were measured with a system consisting of the three size-segregating particle sensors differential mobility particle sizer, droplet aerosol analyser and FSSP. Systematic changes in particle properties were found for the transition from haze to fog that can be used to derive internally consistent optical aerosol properties. The analysis of the data set demonstrates that atmospheric sensors which have been developed for cloud and fog studies yield useful data for haze conditions

Antisense oligonucleotide targeting CD39 improves anti-tumor T cell immunity

Abstract Background Cancer cells are known to develop mechanisms to circumvent effective anti-tumor immunity. The two ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 are promising drug targets, as they act in concert to convert extracellular immune-stimulating ATP to adenosine. CD39 is expressed by different immune cell populations as well as cancer cells of different tumor types and supports the tumor in escaping immune recognition and destruction. Thus, increasing extracellular ATP and simultaneously reducing adenosine concentrations in the tumor can lead to effective anti-tumor immunity. Methods We designed locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) with specificity for human or mouse CD39 that do not need a transfection reagent or delivery system for efficient target knockdown. Knockdown efficacy of ASOs on mRNA and protein level was investigated in cancer cell lines and in primary human T cells. The effect of CD39 knockdown on ATP-degrading activity was evaluated by measuring levels of ATP in tumor cell supernatants and analysis of T cell proliferation in the presence of extracellular ATP. The in vivo effects of CD39-specific ASOs on target expression, anti-tumor immune responses and on tumor growth were analyzed in syngeneic mouse tumor models using multi-color flow cytometry. Results CD39-specific ASOs suppressed expression of CD39 mRNA and protein in different murine and human cancer cell lines and in primary human T cells. Degradation of extracellular ATP was strongly reduced by CD39-specific ASOs. Strikingly, CD39 knockdown by ASOs was associated with improved CD8+ T cell proliferation. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with CD39-specific ASOs led to dose-dependent reduction of CD39-protein expression in regulatory T cells (Tregs) and tumor-associated macrophages. Moreover, frequency of intratumoral Tregs was substantially reduced in CD39 ASO-treated mice. As a consequence, the ratio of CD8+ T cells to Tregs in tumors was improved, while PD-1 expression was induced in CD39 ASO-treated intratumoral CD8+ T cells. Consequently, CD39 ASO treatment demonstrated potent reduction in tumor growth in combination with anti-PD-1 treatment. Conclusion Targeting of CD39 by ASOs represents a promising state-of-the art therapeutic approach to improve immune responses against tumors

Drop size distribution and LWC in Po valley fog

In this paper results are presented of ground-based fog microphysical measurements obtained during the CHEMDROP experiment in the Po Valley (Northern Italy) in November 1994. Altogether about 85 hours of drop microphysical data are analyzed. At the beginning of the experiment a comparison of some of the different microphysical instruments, operated during the experiment, was performed. It has revealed some differences between the Liquid Water Content LWC measured by Particle Volume Monitors (PVMs), and by several Forward Scattering Spectrometer Probes (FSSPs). Possible explanations for the discrepancies are discussed. The FSSP derived drop size distributions (number and mass) were parameterized in terms of log-normal distributions. The statistical analysis of the fittings has shown that the overwhelming majority of the drop mass size distributions was characterized by a bimodal shape. The most frequent values of the mode parameters (median diameter, geometric standard deviation) are given in Table 3 of this paper. An investigation of the temporal evolution of the drop size distribution revealed two typical phases of fog formation. In the first step both modes of the drop mass size distribution increase more or less uniform, whereas in the second phase the large drop mode drastically rises. Furthermore, the second phase is characterized by quasi-periodic oscillations in nearly all mode parameters of the drop size distribution with a period between ten and 15 minutes. In the last part of the paper the frequent occurrence of drizzle within the fog was studied by comparing the measurements with respective model calculations

Aktive Medienarbeit in einem mediatisierten Umfeld

Aktive Medienarbeit ist eine der zentralen Methoden der Medienpädagogik. Mit der medialen Durchdringung der Gesellschaft und den technischen Entwicklungen des sogenannten „Social Web“ verändern sich die zentralen Bedingungen der Sozialisation und damit einhergehend auch die Rahmenbedingungen aktiver Medienarbeit entscheidend: So ist es heute keine Frage mehr, dass sich Pädagogik mit Medien beschäftigen muss, vielmehr geht es um die Frage, ob diese Beschäftigung die Potenziale von Medien wahrnimmt und nutzt oder ob Medien an sich als problematisch und gefährdend betrachtet werden. Folgt man dem Konzept der aktiven Medienarbeit, steht die Antwort fest: Ziel der aktiven Medienarbeit ist es von jeher, das Interesse Heranwachsender an Medien ernst zu nehmen und sie dabei zu unterstützen, mit Medien ihre Anliegen und Sichtweisen auszudrücken