An Algorithm for Calculating Perimeter Length

The present paper proposes an algorithm for calculating accurately the perimeter length of a picture. The outline of the algorithm is as follows: for each cell or picture element (i,j) on the perimeter, a coefficient which corresponds to the minute perimeter length at the cell is assigned as a function of the situation of neighbor cells (i,j-l), (i-l,j) and (i-l,j-l), and the number of same situation connected along the perimeter. Then, the total perimeter length can be given as the sum of these coefficientso According to this methods, approximation accurate to 002 percent could be obtained in the blob patterns

Destruxin E Decreases Beta-Amyloid Generation by Reducing Colocalization of Beta-Amyloid-Cleaving Enzyme 1 and Beta-Amyloid Protein Precursor

Alzheimer-disease-associated beta-amyloid (A beta) is produced by sequential endoproteolysis of beta-amyloid protein precursor (beta APP): the extracellular portion is shed by cleavage in the juxtamembrane region by beta-amyloid-cleaving enzyme (BACE)/beta-secretase, after which it is cleaved by presenilin (PS)/gamma-secretase near the middle of the transmembrane domain. Thus, inhibition of either of the secretases reduces A beta generation and is a fundamental strategy for the development of drugs to prevent Alzheimer disease. However, it is not clear how small compounds reduce A beta production without inhibition of the secretases. Such compounds are expected to avoid some of the side effects of secretase inhibitors. Here, we report that destruxin E (Dx-E), a natural cyclic hexadepsipeptide, reduces A beta generation without affecting BACE or PS/gamma-secretase activity. In agreement with this, Dx-E did not inhibit Notch signaling. We found that Dx-E decreases colocalization of BACE1 and beta APP, which reduces beta-cleavage of beta APP. Therefore, the data demonstrate that Dx-E represents a novel A beta-reducing process which could have fewer side effects than secretase inhibitors. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Base

Design of High Speed Analog-tかDigitalConverters

In order toalleviate the effect of the settling time of an operational amplifier used in a serial A-D converter， the following two methods are proposed : 1. The m most significant bits are obtained by a parallel converter， the remaining bits being obtained by a serial converter. 2. The m most significant bits are obtaned by direct use of a high speed comparator instead of the operational amplifier. Conversion errors incurred due to the poor gain of the comparator are corrected for during the succeeding conversion process using the operational amplifier

Randomized, crossover questionnaire survey of acceptabilities of controlled-release mesalazine tablets and granules in ulcerative colitis patients

Background/Aims Oral mesalazine is an important treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC), and non-adherence to mesalazine increases the risk of relapse. Controlled-release (CR) mesalazine has 2 formulations: tablets and granules. The relative acceptabilities of these formulations may influence patient adherence; however, they have not been compared to date. This study aimed to evaluate the acceptabilities of the 2 formulations of CR mesalazine in relation to patient adherence using a crossover questionnaire survey. Methods UC patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups in a 1:1 ratio. Patients in each group took either 4 g of CR mesalazine tablets or granules for 6 to 9 weeks, and then switched to 4 g of the other formulation for a further 6 to 9 weeks. The acceptability and efficacy were evaluated by questionnaires, and adherence was assessed using a visual analog scale. The difference in acceptabilities between the 2 formulations and its impact on adherence were assessed. Results A total of 49 patients were prospectively enrolled and 33 patients were included in the analysis. Significantly more patients found the tablets to be less acceptable than the granules (76% vs. 33%, P=0.0005). The granules were preferable to the tablets when the 2 formulations were compared directly (73% vs. 21%, P=0.004), for their portability, size, and numbers of pills. The adherence rate was slightly better among patients taking the granules (94% vs. 91%) during the observation period, but the difference was not significant (P=0.139). Conclusions CR mesalazine granules are more acceptable than tablets, and may therefore be a better option for long-term medication

Transport anomaly in the low energy regime of spin chains

The anomalous thermal conductivity in spin chains observed in experiments is studied for the low temperature regime. In the effective dynamics with most realistic perturbations, the so-called Umklapp terms is irrelevant to reduce mean free path in the energy transport at even finite temperatures. This is consistent with large conductivities found in recent experiments. The Drude weight which is the prefactor in the divergent conductivity is calculated, and the temperature dependence is discussed.Comment: 4 pages, no figure. PRB, in pres