1,580 research outputs found

    Possibly New Charmed Baryon States from Bˉ0ppˉD0\bar B^0\to p\bar p D^{0} Decay

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    We examine the invariant mass spectrum of D0pD^{0}p in Bˉ0ppˉD0\bar B^0\to p\bar p D^{0} decay measured by BABAR and find that through the 2-step processes of Bˉ0Bc+(D0p)pˉ\bar B^0\to {\bf B_c^+}(\to D^{0} p)\bar p, where Bc{\bf B_c} denotes a charmed baryon state, some of the peaks can be identified with the established Σc(2800)+\Sigma_c(2800)^+, Λc(2880)+\Lambda_c(2880)^+ and Λc(2940)+\Lambda_c(2940)^+. Moreover, in order to account for the measured spectrum, it is necessary to introduce a new charmed baryon resonance with (m,Γ)=(3212±20,167±34)(m,\,\Gamma)=(3212\pm 20,\,167\pm 34) MeV.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure, title changed and discussions updated, version accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

    Scanning Near-shore Intertidal Terrain Using Ground LiDAR

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    Intertidal zone refers to the area under and above the water during high and low tides. Traditionally, this zone is not within the scope of land management authorities. Moreover, in accordance with principals set out by existing plans, intertidal zones are excluded from management zones. Boundaries should therefore be set at the land and sea border. Traditionally, methods in determining this have included the traditional theodolite (total station) method, mapping and aerial photography (photogrammetry). However, existing operational restrictions lower efficiency, in addition to increasing time and operational costs. Therefore this paper explores the practicality of a user- friendly, ground-based high resolution laser scanning technology. This method offers easy operation and high-density characteristics with an instrument platform that can be installed on elevated rooftops. High accuracy and resolution is achieved using a stop-and-go method producing Digital Terrain Model (DTM) data. The range of the completed data is 61km in length, 2.5km in width, and -0.5m depth, with a sampling error of approximately ±2cm. Through the implementation discussed in this research, accurate information about the changes of topography in intertidal areas can be obtained

    Improvement of LiDAR Data Accuracy Using 12 Parameter Affine Transformation

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    LiDAR data in a local coordinate system may need to be georeferenced and converted into a geographic or projected system. In coordinate transformation, the 7-parameter Helmet transformation method is usually used in measurements to eliminate the systematic errors made by a laser scanner. However, 7-parameter coordinate transformation assumes that there is only one scale error in all of the systematic errors. This study used 12 parameter affine transformation for coordinate transformation of airborne LiDAR data and terrestrial LiDAR data. The LiDAR data accuracy results upon 6-parameter similarity transformation, 7-parameter similarity transformation, and 12-parameter affine transformation were compared. The results showed that using 12-parameter affine transformation the airborne LiDAR and terrestrial LiDAR data have 2-3 times greater accuracy than do 7-parameter or 6-parameter transformations

    Lactobacillus acidophilus ameliorates H. pylori-induced gastric inflammation by inactivating the Smad7 and NFκB pathways

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>H. pylori </it>infection may trigger Smad7 and NFκB expression in the stomach, whereas probiotics promote gastrointestinal health and improve intestinal inflammation caused by pathogens. This study examines if probiotics can improve <it>H. pylori</it>-induced gastric inflammation by inactivating the Smad7 and NFκB pathways.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Challenge with <it>H. pylori </it>increased IL-8 and TNF-α expressions but not TGF-β1 in MKN45 cells. The RNA levels of Smad7 in AGS cells increased after <it>H. pylori </it>infection in a dose-dependent manner. A higher dose (MOI 100) of <it>L. acidophilus </it>pre-treatment attenuated the <it>H. pylori</it>-induced IL-8 expressions, but not TGF-β1. Such anti-inflammatory effect was mediated via increased cytoplasmic IκBα and depletion of nuclear NFκB. <it>L. acidophilus </it>also inhibited <it>H. pylori</it>-induced Smad7 transcription by inactivating the Jak1 and Stat1 pathways, which might activate the TGF-β1/Smad pathway. <it>L. acidophilus </it>pre-treatment ameliorated IFN-γ-induced Smad7 translation level and subsequently reduced nuclear NF-κB production, as detected by western blotting.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>H. pylori </it>infection induces Smad7, NFκB, IL-8, and TNF-α production <it>in vitro</it>. Higher doses of <it>L. acidophilus </it>pre-treatment reduce <it>H. pylori</it>-induced inflammation through the inactivation of the Smad7 and NFκB pathways.</p

    Etiology and Treatment of Childhood Peptic Ulcer Disease in Taiwan: A Single Center 9-Year Experience

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    Background/PurposePeptic ulcer disease (PUD) in children is relatively rare as compared with adults. This study aimed to assess the etiology, clinical and histological characteristics, and treatment of PUD in children.MethodsAll children aged < 18 years with an endoscopic diagnosis of PUD were enrolled in a tertiary referral center. The demographic data, clinical, endoscopic, and histological findings were compared between patients with different causes of PUD.ResultsFrom 1234 endoscopic examinations, 67 (5.4%) children (median age, 11.4 years) with gastric ulcer (GU; n = 27) or duodenal ulcer (DU; n = 40) were included. Thirty-two (47.7%) of them had Helicobacter pylori infection and 11 (16.5%) had previous use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Non-H. pylori, non-NSAID PUD was found in 24 (35.8%) patients. Children with H. pylori-related PUD had a significantly higher mean age, antral chronic inflammatory score, rate of familial PUD, and presence of DU and nodular gastritis than those with NSAID-related and non-H. pylori, non-NSAID PUD (p < 0.01). In contrast, children with NSAID-related PUD had a higher rate of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, associated with acute febrile disease, than those with H. pylori-related and non-H. pylori, non-NSAID PUD (p < 0.05). All but two patients with non-H. pylori, non-NSAID PUD were disease free after H. pylori eradication and proton pump inhibitor treatment for 1–2 months.ConclusionIn children, H. pylori-related PUD is associated with familial peptic ulcer and the presence of DU. However, short-term NSAID use is correlated highly with GU. The outcome of childhood PUD is good

    Spatiotemporal Landslide Activity Derived from Tree-rings: The Tieliku Mingsui Landslide, Northern Taiwan

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    Spatiotemporal landslide activity records are reconstructed for the Tieliku Mingsui landslide. Periods and the extent of scar activity at the foot of the landslide body are estimated from satellite and aerial photo records. The location of landslide features at the densely forested head of the landslide body are surveyed in the field using a VBS-RTK survey and periods of activity are inferred from growth disturbances recorded in 14 conifer and broadleaf trees growing adjacent to the features. Together, image and growth disturbance records produce a detailed spatiotemporal landslide activity record that spans 34 years and includes 8 years of activity. A comparison of landslide activity records with rainfall data collected near the landslide reveals that years of landslide activity coincide with years of high summer season and event accumulated rainfall

    Examining the Antecedents of Repurchase Intention in Convenience Stores: A Perspective of Expectation-Disconfirmation Theory

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    The density of convenience stores in Taiwan is the highest in the world. In a convenience store context, this study attempts to examine the relationship between service quality, customer satisfaction and repurchase intention, as well as the impact of customer familiarity with employees on customer satisfaction and repurchase intention. The result indicated that expectation had direct effect on service quality. The result also showed that service quality was positively related to disconfirmation. As expected, there were interrelationships among service quality, satisfaction, and repurchase intention. Moreover, customer familiarity with employees had positive, direct influence on both satisfaction and repurchase intentions

    CMOS Image Sensor with a Built-in Lane Detector

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    This work develops a new current-mode mixed signal Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) imager, which can capture images and simultaneously produce vehicle lane maps. The adopted lane detection algorithm, which was modified to be compatible with hardware requirements, can achieve a high recognition rate of up to approximately 96% under various weather conditions. Instead of a Personal Computer (PC) based system or embedded platform system equipped with expensive high performance chip of Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) or Digital Signal Processor (DSP), the proposed imager, without extra Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) circuits to transform signals, is a compact, lower cost key-component chip. It is also an innovative component device that can be integrated into intelligent automotive lane departure systems. The chip size is 2,191.4 × 2,389.8 μm, and the package uses 40 pin Dual-In-Package (DIP). The pixel cell size is 18.45 × 21.8 μm and the core size of photodiode is 12.45 × 9.6 μm; the resulting fill factor is 29.7%
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