634 research outputs found
Sparse and Constrained Stochastic Predictive Control for Networked Systems
This article presents a novel class of control policies for networked control
of Lyapunov-stable linear systems with bounded inputs. The control channel is
assumed to have i.i.d. Bernoulli packet dropouts and the system is assumed to
be affected by additive stochastic noise. Our proposed class of policies is
affine in the past dropouts and saturated values of the past disturbances. We
further consider a regularization term in a quadratic performance index to
promote sparsity in control. We demonstrate how to augment the underlying
optimization problem with a constant negative drift constraint to ensure
mean-square boundedness of the closed-loop states, yielding a convex quadratic
program to be solved periodically online. The states of the closed-loop plant
under the receding horizon implementation of the proposed class of policies are
mean square bounded for any positive bound on the control and any non-zero
probability of successful transmission
A Foundation Model for Cell Segmentation
Cells are the fundamental unit of biological organization, and identifying
them in imaging data - cell segmentation - is a critical task for various
cellular imaging experiments. While deep learning methods have led to
substantial progress on this problem, models that have seen wide use are
specialist models that work well for specific domains. Methods that have
learned the general notion of "what is a cell" and can identify them across
different domains of cellular imaging data have proven elusive. In this work,
we present CellSAM, a foundation model for cell segmentation that generalizes
across diverse cellular imaging data. CellSAM builds on top of the Segment
Anything Model (SAM) by developing a prompt engineering approach to mask
generation. We train an object detector, CellFinder, to automatically detect
cells and prompt SAM to generate segmentations. We show that this approach
allows a single model to achieve state-of-the-art performance for segmenting
images of mammalian cells (in tissues and cell culture), yeast, and bacteria
collected with various imaging modalities. To enable accessibility, we
integrate CellSAM into DeepCell Label to further accelerate human-in-the-loop
labeling strategies for cellular imaging data. A deployed version of CellSAM is
available at https://label-dev.deepcell.org/
Neuroimaging of the dopamine transporter in Parkinson s disease: first study using [99mTc]-TRODAT-1 and SPECT in Brazil
BACKGROUND: Dopamine transporter (DAT) neuroimaging radiotracers were developed to estimate dopamine neuronal loss in vivo in Parkinson s disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate DAT density in vivo using [99mTc]-TRODAT-1 and single photon computerized tomography (SPECT) in a population of Brazilian PD. METHOD: Fifteen PD patients and 15 matched healthy controls scanned with [99mTc]-TRODAT-1 (INER-Taiwan) and SPECT. Estimates of striatum DAT density were calculated using binding potential (BP). Patients were assessed with PD scales. RESULTS: PD patients had significantly lower striatal DAT-BP (mean±SD) (0.38±0.12) compared to controls (BP=0.84±0.16; p<0.01). A 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity was obtained to discriminate PD cases from controls. Negative correlations between striatal DAT-BP and PD severity (rho= -0.7, p<0.001) and motor scales (rho= -0.80, p<0.001) were found. CONCLUSION: [99mTc]TRODAT-1 SPECTs scanning was able to discriminate PD patients from controls. The technique is a powerful instrument to measure DAT density that can be used in clinical and research settings in Brazil.INTRODUĂĂO: Radiotraçadores para neuroimagem de transportador de dopamina (TDA) foram desenvolvidos para estimar a perda de neurĂŽnios dopaminĂ©rgicos in vivo na doença de Parkinson (DP). OBJETIVO: Avaliar a densidade de TDA in vivo utilizando [99mTc]-TRODAT-1 (INER-Taiwan) e SPECT em uma população de pacientes brasileiros com DP. MĂTODO: Quinze pacientes com DP e 15 controles saudĂĄveis pareados realizaram exames de SPECT com [99mTc]-TRODAT-1 (INER-Taiwan). Estimativas da densidade de TDA estriatal foram calculadas usando potencial de ligação (PL). Pacientes foram avaliados com escalas para PD. RESULTADOS: Pacientes com DP apresentaram redução significativa do PL-TDA (0,38±0,12) comparado aos controles (0,84±0,16, p<0,01). Foi possĂvel discriminar casos de DP de controles com uma sensibilidade de 100% e especificidade de 100%. Foram obtidas correlaçÔes negativas entre PL-TDA e escalas de severidade da DP (rho= -0,7, p<0,001) e disfunção motora (rho= -0,8, p<0,001). CONCLUSĂO: Exames de SPECT com [99mTc]-TRODAT-1 foram capazes de discriminar pacientes com DP de controles. Esta tĂ©cnica Ă© um instrumento Ăștil para medir a densidade de TDA e pode ser utilizado para clĂnica e pesquisa no Brasil.Universidade Federal de SĂŁo Paulo (UNIFESP) LaboratĂłrio Interdiciplinar de Neuroimagem e CogniçãoHIAE Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert EinsteinHospital Israelita Albert Einstein Departamento de ImagemInstitute of Nuclear Energy Research TaiwanUNIFESP Departamento de NeurologiaUNIFESP Departamento de PsicobiologiaUNIFESP Departamento de PsiquiatriaUNIFESP, LaboratĂłrio Interdiciplinar de Neuroimagem e CogniçãoUNIFESP, Depto. de NeurologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de PsicobiologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de PsiquiatriaSciEL
Genome Variation in Cryptococcus gattii, an Emerging Pathogen of Immunocompetent Hosts
Cryptococcus gattii recently emerged as the causative agent of cryptococcosis in healthy individuals in western North America, despite previous characterization of the fungus as a pathogen in tropical or subtropical regions. As a foundation to study the genetics of virulence in this pathogen, we sequenced the genomes of a strain (WM276) representing the predominant global molecular type (VGI) and a clinical strain (R265) of the major genotype (VGIIa) causing disease in North America. We compared these C. gattii genomes with each other and with the genomes of representative strains of the two varieties of Cryptococcus neoformans that generally cause disease in immunocompromised people. Our comparisons included chromosome alignments, analysis of gene content and gene family evolution, and comparative genome hybridization (CGH). These studies revealed that the genomes of the two representative C. gattii strains (genotypes VGI and VGIIa) are colinear for the majority of chromosomes, with some minor rearrangements. However, multiortholog phylogenetic analysis and an evaluation of gene/sequence conservation support the existence of speciation within the C. gattii complex. More extensive chromosome rearrangements were observed upon comparison of the C. gattii and the C. neoformans genomes. Finally, CGH revealed considerable variation in clinical and environmental isolates as well as changes in chromosome copy numbers in C. gattii isolates displaying fluconazole heteroresistance
The impact of firmsâ social media initiatives on operational efficiency and innovativeness
Social media have been increasingly adopted for organizational purposes but their operational implications are not well understood. Firmsâ social media initiatives might facilitate information flow and knowledge sharing within and across organizations, strengthening firmâcustomer interaction, and improving internal and external collaboration. In this research we empirically examine the impact of social media initiatives on firmsâ operational efficiency and innovativeness. Taking the resourceâbased view of firmsâ information capability, we consider firmsâ social media initiatives as strategic resources for operational improvement. We posit that firmsâ social media initiatives enhance dynamic knowledgeâsharing routines through an informationârich social network, leading to both operational efficiency and innovativeness. Collecting secondary data in a longitudinal setting from multiple sources, we construct dynamic panel data (DPD) models. Based on system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation, we show that firmsâ social media initiatives improve operational efficiency and innovativeness. We identify the importance of an informationârich social network to the creation of knowledgeâbased advantage through firmsâ social media initiatives, and discuss the theoretical and managerial implications from the perspective of operations management
Steam sauna and mother roasting in Lao PDR: practices and chemical constituents of essential oils of plant species used in postpartum recovery
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Fundamental in traditional postpartum recovery in Lao PDR is the use of hotbeds, mother roasting, steam sauna and steam baths. During these treatments medicinal plants play a crucial role, but little has been published about how the treatments are carried out precisely, which species are used, the medicinal properties of these species, and the medicinal efficacy of their chemical constituents.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty-five interviews, in 15 rural villages, with women of 4 different ethnic groups were conducted to survey confinement rituals, and postpartum plant use and salience. Essential oils from the main species used were extracted using steam distillation and the main chemical constituents characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 10 different species were used by three or more of the ethnic groups included in this study. All species were used in steam sauna and bath, but only 3 species were used in hotbed and mother roasting. Essential oils of <it>Amomum villosum, Amomum microcarpum </it>and <it>Blumea balsamifera </it>were found to contain significant amounts of the following terpenes: ÎČ-pinene, camphor, bornyl acetate, borneol, linalool, D-limonene, fenchone, terpinen-4-ol and α-terpinene.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Many of these terpenes have documented antimicrobial and analgesic properties, and some have also synergistic interactions with other terpenes. The mode of application in hotbed and mother roasting differs from the documented mechanisms of action of these terpenes. Plants in these two practices are likely to serve mainly hygienic purposes, by segregating the mother from infection sources such as beds, mats, stools, cloth and towels. Steam sauna medicinal plant use through inhalation of essential oils vapors can possibly have medicinal efficacy, but is unlikely to alleviate the ailments commonly encountered during postpartum convalescence. Steam sauna medicinal plant use through dermal condensation of essential oils, and steam bath cleansing of the perineal area is possibly a pragmatic use of the reported medicinal plants, as terpene constituents have documented antimicrobial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.</p
Phenotypic and transcriptomic characterization of canine myeloid-derived suppressor cells
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are key players in immune evasion, tumor progression and metastasis. MDSCs accumulate under various pathological states and fall into two functionally and phenotypically distinct subsets that have been identified in humans and mice: polymorphonuclear (PMN)-MDSCs and monocytic (M)-MDSCs. As dogs are an excellent model for human tumor development and progression, we set out to identify PMN-MDSCs and M-MDSCs in clinical canine oncology patients. Canine hypodense MHC class II-CD5-CD21-CD11b+ cells can be subdivided into polymorphonuclear (CADO48A+CD14-) and monocytic (CADO48A-CD14+) MDSC subsets. The transcriptomic signatures of PMN-MDSCs and M-MDSCs are distinct, and moreover reveal a statistically significant similarity between canine and previously published human PMN-MDSC gene expression patterns. As in humans, peripheral blood frequencies of canine PMN-MDSCs and M-MDSCs are significantly higher in dogs with cancer compared to healthy control dogs (PMN-MDSCs: pâ<â0.001; M-MDSCs: pâ<â0.01). By leveraging the power of evolution, we also identified additional conserved genes in PMN-MDSCs of multiple species that may play a role in MDSC function. Our findings therefore validate the dog as a model for studying MDSCs in the context of cancer
A synthesis approach for output feedback robust model predictive control based-on inputâoutput model
ChitosanâStarchâKeratin composites: Improving thermo-mechanical and degradation properties through chemical modification
The lysozyme test shows an improved in the degradability rate, the weight loss of the ïŹlms at 21 days is reduced from 73 % for chitosan-starch matrix up to 16 % for the composites with 5wt% of quill; but all ïŹlms show a biodegradable character depending on keratin type and chemical modiïŹcation. The outstanding properties related to the addition of treated keratin materials show that these natural composites are a remarkable alternative to potentiat-ing chitosanâstarch ïŹlms with sustainable featuresChitosanâstarch polymers are reinforced with diïŹerent keratin materials obtained from chicken feather. Keratin materials are treated with sodium hydroxide; the modiïŹed surfaces are rougher in comparison with untreated surfaces, observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy. The results obtained by DiïŹerential Scanning Calorimetry show an increase in the endothermic peak related to water evaporation of the ïŹlms from 92 °C (matrix) up to 102â114 °C (reinforced composites). Glass transition temperature increases from 126 °C in the polymer matrix up to 170â200 °C for the composites. Additionally, the storage modulus in the composites is enhanced up to 1614 % for the composites with modiïŹed ground quill, 2522 % for composites with modiïŹed long ïŹber and 3206 % for the composites with modiïŹed short ïŹber. The lysozyme test shows an improved in the degradability rate, the weight loss of the ïŹlms at 21 days is reduced from 73 % for chitosan-starch matrix up to 16 % for the composites with 5wt% of quill; but all ïŹlms show a biodegradable character depending on keratin type and chemical modiïŹcation. The outstanding properties related to the addition of treated keratin materials show that these natural composites are a remarkable alternative to potentiat-ing chitosanâstarch ïŹlms with sustainable featuresUniversidad AutĂłnoma del Estado de MĂ©xico TecnolĂłgico Nacional de MĂ©xico, Instituto TecnolĂłgico de QuerĂ©taro Universidad Nacional AutĂłnoma de MĂ©xico TecnolĂłgico Nacional de MĂ©xico, Instituto TecnolĂłgico de Celaya Universidad AutĂłnoma de Cd. JuĂĄre
100 Years of Scientific Evolution of Work and Organizational Psychology: A Bibliometric Network Analysis From 1919 to 2019
In this study, we explore a 100 years of Work and Organizational Psychology (WOP). To do this, we carry out a bibliometric performance and network analysis (BPNA) to understand the evolution structure and the most important themes in the field of study. To perform the BNPA, 8,966 documents published since 1919 were exported from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The SciMAT software was used to process data and to create the evolution structure, the strategic diagram, and the thematic network structure of the strategic themes of the field of WOP. We identified 29 strategic clusters and discuss the most important themes (motor themes) and their relationship with other clusters. This research presents the complete evolution of the field of study, identifying emerging themes and others with a high degree of development. We hope that this work will support researchers and future research in the field of WOP
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