Accurate and robust image superresolution by neural processing of local image representations

Image superresolution involves the processing of an image sequence to generate a still image with higher resolution. Classical approaches, such as bayesian MAP methods, require iterative minimization procedures, with high computational costs. Recently, the authors proposed a method to tackle this problem, based on the use of a hybrid MLP-PNN architecture. In this paper, we present a novel superresolution method, based on an evolution of this concept, to incorporate the use of local image models. A neural processing stage receives as input the value of model coefficients on local windows. The data dimension-ality is firstly reduced by application of PCA. An MLP, trained on synthetic se-quences with various amounts of noise, estimates the high-resolution image data. The effect of varying the dimension of the network input space is exam-ined, showing a complex, structured behavior. Quantitative results are presented showing the accuracy and robustness of the proposed method

Transduction of a cellular oncogene: The genesis of Rous sarcoma virus

The oncogene of Rous sarcoma virus (v-src) arose by transduction of a cellular gene (c-src). In an effort to explore the mechanism of transduction, we have identified the splice acceptor site used in the genesis of mRNA for v-src, shown that an equivalent site is used in the splicing of mRNA for c-src, and determined the nucleotide sequence from the boundaries of homology between v-src and c-src. Our data indicate that (i) only a portion of c-src is represented within v-src, (ii) the leftward recombination between the genome of the transducing virus and c-src occurred in an intron of the cellular gene, (iii) v-src is in part a spliced version of the corresponding portion of c-src, and (iv) nucleotide sequences represented once in the genome of the transducing virus become duplicated to flank v-src. These findings indicate that the first step in transduction is probably recombination between DNA forms of the transducing viral genome and c-src and otherwise support the prevailing model for transduction by retroviruses. The carboxyl termini of the proteins encoded by v-src and c-src differ appreciably. An unidentified domain of 127 or 128 nucleotides is located at different positions in the genomes of two strains of RSV and gives evidence of being a foreign element that entered the viral genomes by genetic transposition independent of the transduction of src

An interpolation theorem for proper holomorphic embeddings

Given a Stein manifold X of dimension n>1, a discrete sequence a_j in X, and a discrete sequence b_j in C^m where m > [3n/2], there exists a proper holomorphic embedding of X into C^m which sends a_j to b_j for every j=1,2,.... This is the interpolation version of the embedding theorem due to Eliashberg, Gromov and Schurmann. The dimension m cannot be lowered in general due to an example of Forster

Visualisation of the copepod female reproductive system using confocal laser scanning microscopy and two-photon microscopy

We examined mating behaviour in the harpacticoid copepod Tube battagliai Volkmann-Rocco, 1972, in particular the process of delivering spermatophore seminal contents to the female urosome. Labelling using 4′6′ diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) coupled with two-photon confocal laser scanning microscopy successfully visualised the spermatophore and female internal reproductive system. Sections of the female urosome were imaged to examine seminal fluid stores. The female tissues were found to auto-fluoresce as red emission under green excitation, requiring no additional tissue labelling. DAPI-labelled seminal fluid stores were identified within the female reproductive system. The details observed agreed with previous descriptions of copepod reproductive anatomy and of spermatophores. Specimens cultured under pH 8.10 and a simulated ocean acidification scenario (pH 7.67) were compared for changes in reproductive anatomy and spermatophore size and site attachment. No differences were observed in spermatophore attachment or the female reproductive system but spermatophore size was reduced significantly at pH 7.67 compared with pH 8.10. This size reduction was, however, in proportion to an overall reduction in female body size at reduced pH. Confocal microscopy is shown here to be a valuable tool to investigate detailed reproductive processes in copepods

Rapid scalable processing of tin oxide transport layers for perovskite solar cells

The development of scalable deposition methods for perovskite solar cell materials is critical to enable the commercialization of this nascent technology. Herein, we investigate the use and processing of nanoparticle SnO2 films as electron transport layers in perovskite solar cells and develop deposition methods for ultrasonic spray coating and slot-die coating, leading to photovoltaic device efficiencies over 19%. The effects of postprocessing treatments (thermal annealing, UV ozone, and O2 plasma) are then probed using structural and spectroscopic techniques to characterize the nature of the np-SnO2/perovskite interface. We show that a brief “hot air flow” method can be used to replace extended thermal annealing, confirming that this approach is compatible with high-throughput processing. Our results highlight the importance of interface management to minimize nonradiative losses and provide a deeper understanding of the processing requirements for large-area deposition of nanoparticle metal oxides

Optical application and measurement of torque on microparticles of isotropic nonabsorbing material

We show how it is possible to controllably rotate or align microscopic particles of isotropic nonabsorbing material in a TEM00 Gaussian beam trap, with simultaneous measurement of the applied torque using purely optical means. This is a simple and general method of rotation, requiring only that the particle is elongated along one direction. Thus, this method can be used to rotate or align a wide range of naturally occurring particles. The ability to measure the applied torque enables the use of this method as a quantitative tool--the rotational equivalent of optical tweezers based force measurement. As well as being of particular value for the rotation of biological specimens, this method is also suitable for the development of optically-driven micromachines.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure

Stein structures and holomorphic mappings

We prove that every continuous map from a Stein manifold X to a complex manifold Y can be made holomorphic by a homotopic deformation of both the map and the Stein structure on X. In the absence of topological obstructions the holomorphic map may be chosen to have pointwise maximal rank. The analogous result holds for any compact Hausdorff family of maps, but it fails in general for a noncompact family. Our main results are actually proved for smooth almost complex source manifolds (X,J) with the correct handlebody structure. The paper contains another proof of Eliashberg's (Int J Math 1:29--46, 1990) homotopy characterization of Stein manifolds and a slightly different explanation of the construction of exotic Stein surfaces due to Gompf (Ann Math 148 (2):619--693, 1998; J Symplectic Geom 3:565--587, 2005). (See also the related preprint math/0509419).Comment: The original publication is available at http://www.springerlink.co

Characterizing the Aqueous Geochemical History at Tyrrhena Terra, Mars

Tyrrhena Terra is an intriguing region of Mars extending from the southern part of Isidis Basin at the Libya Montes southward to Hellas Basin. Noachian and Hesperian basement rocks are covered by Syrtis lavas, especially in the northwestern part of Tyrrhena Terra and the surface is carved by craters and fluvial features. The central region is marked by the craters Jarry-Desloges, Owen, and Briault, and contains abundant Fe/Mg-rich phyllosilicates and olivine-bearing outcrops in Noachian-Hesperian terrain [1,2]. Many of the phyllosilicates in this region are located in crater ejecta and in central crater mounds, consistent with uplift of ancient materials, but some are present in dissected terrains. We are investigating the mineralogy and geology of this region through a coordinated study using TES, THEMIS, CRISM multispectral strips, CTX and HRSC imagery, and HRSC digital elevation models at a regional scale, as well as CRISM targeted images and HiRISE views of the surface at a closer scale. The phyllosilicate spectra across the central Tyrrhena Terra region (see attached figure) are most consistent with chlorite, Fe/Mg-smectite, and mixed smectite-chlorite. A few hydrated silica and zeolite outcrops are also present. This mineralogy is consistent with higher temperature processes than the primarily Fe/Mg-smectite and carbonate spectra observed in the Libya Montes region [3,4]. A few sites towards the east of our study site contain more Fe/Mg-smectite than chlorite and additional hydrated phases including sulfates, which likely represent a different formation environment. Ongoing investigations of the targeted CRISM images at the eastern part of this area are characterizing the stratigraphy of these aqueous units and their association with higher temperature units towards the west and smectite-carbonate units towards the north

Novel PLS3 variants in X-linked osteoporosis: Exploring bone material properties

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic Juvenile Osteoporosis (IJO) refers to significantly lower than expected bone mass manifesting in childhood with no identifiable aetiology. IJO classically presents in early pubertal period with multiple fractures including metaphyseal and vertebral crush fractures, and low bone-mass. METHODS: Here we describe two patients and provide information on their clinical phenotype, genotype and bone material analysis in one of the patients. RESULTS: Patient 1: 40-year old adult male diagnosed with IJO in childhood who re-presented with a hip fracture as an adult. Genetic analysis identified a pathogenic PLS3 hemizygous variant, c.1765del in exon 16. Patient 2: 15-year old boy with multiple vertebral fractures and bone biopsy findings suggestive of IJO who also has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Genetic analysis identified a maternally inherited PLS3 pathogenic c.1295T>A variant in exon 12. Analyses of the transiliac bone sample revealed severe reduction of trabecular volume and bone turnover indices and elevated bone matrix mineralisation. DISCUSSION: We propose that genetic testing for PLS3 should be undertaken in patients presenting with a current or previous history of IJO as this has implications for genetic counselling and cascade screening. The extensive evaluation of the transiliac biopsy sample of Patient 2 revealed a novel bone phenotype. CONCLUSION: This report includes a review of IJO and genetic causes of osteoporosis, and suggests that existing cases of IJO should be screened for PLS3. Through analysis of bone material properties in Patient 2, we can conclude that PLS3 does have a role in bone mineralisation