A New MCMC Sampling Based Segment Model for Radar Target Recognition

One of the main tools in radar target recognition is high resolution range profile (HRRP)‎. ‎However‎, ‎it is very sensitive to the aspect angle‎. ‎One solution to this problem is to assume the consecutive samples of HRRP identically independently distributed (IID) in small frames of aspect angles‎, ‎an assumption which is not true in reality‎. ‎However, b‎‎ased on this assumption‎, ‎some models have been developed to characterize the sequential information contained in the multi-aspect radar echoes‎. ‎Therefore‎, ‎they only consider the short dependency between consecutive samples‎. ‎Here‎, ‎we propose an alternative model‎, ‎the segment model‎, ‎to address the shortcomings of these assumptions‎. ‎In addition‎, ‎using a Markov chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC) based Gibbs sampler as an iterative approach to estimate the parameters of the segment model‎, ‎we will show that the proposed method is able to estimate the parameters with quite satisfying accuracy and computational load‎

Radar HRRP Modeling using Dynamic System for Radar Target Recognition

High resolution range profile (HRRP) is being known as one of the most powerful tools for radar target recognition. The main problem with range profile for radar target recognition is its sensitivity to aspect angle. To overcome this problem, consecutive samples of HRRP were assumed to be identically independently distributed (IID) in small frames of aspect angles in most of the related works. Here, considering the physical circumstances of maneuver of an aerial target, we have proposed dynamic system which models the short dependency between consecutive samples of HRRP in segments of the whole HRRP sequence. Dynamic system (DS) is used to model the sequence of PCA (principal component analysis) coefficients extracted from the sequence of HRRPs. Considering this we have proposed a model called PCA+DS. We have also proposed a segmentation algorithm which segments the HRRP sequence reliably. Akaike information criterion (AIC) used to evaluate the quality of data modeling showed that our PCA+DS model outperforms factor analysis (FA) model. In addition, target recognition results using simulated data showed that our method based on PCA+DS achieves better recognition rates compared to the method based on FA

Effects of zeolite levels on growth indexes of juvenile freshwater crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus)

To decrease cost of the commercial formulated food in culture of freshwater crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus), inexpensive additives like Zeolite can be incorporated into food. An eight week experiment was conducted on juvenile freshwater crayfish to determine the suitable level of Zeolite in food of the fish. Four levels of Zeolite 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 percent with three replications each and a digestible energy (DE) of 3500Kcal/kg diet were formulated. Five hundred and forty juvenile crayfish weighing 2 plus or minus 0.8 grams each were randomly distributed between twelve aquariums of 250 liter capacity. Juveniles were fed on pellet foods at 8 percent of body weight four times a day. Different nutritional responses in terms of weight gain (WG), Relative growth rate (RGR), food conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and survival rate (SR) were calculated and compared. WG, RGR and SR in treatments (1, 2, 3, 4) were not significant statistically (P>0.05) as compared to the control group

Causes of bimodal melting curve:Asymmetric guaninecytosine (GC) distribution causing two peaks in melting curve and affecting their shapes

The aim of this study was to present a new situation in which a relatively single short PCR-product might show two separate peaks with sequence specific shapes at the dissociation curve. SYBR-Green I real-time RT-PCR was performed on Lhcgr-gene transcripts in rats. Different programs were used for melting curve simulation and estimating Tm. Statistical tests were performed to determine whether two peaks at the dissociation curve were belonging to a single template. A bimodal melting curve was observed in real-time RT-PCR on a short segment (169 bp) of Lhcgr gene with a single band in gel electrophoresis. Sequencing of the Cloned PCR-product was compatible with template sequence. Realtime PCR using the vector conveying interested sequence, showed again two peaks at dissociation curve. The GC-content of first 100 bases (75%) and last 69 bases (42%) were significantly different. DNA melting simulation programs also confirmed the bimodal pattern, although, their height and wideness were different to actual peaks. Due to the asymmetric GC distribution effect on dissociation curve in short sequences, it is highly recommended to use DNA melting simulation programs to predict the number of peaks in the melting curve when designating primers; however, predicted peak shapes are not always accurate.Key words: Asymmetric GC distribution, bimodal melting curve, DNA melting simulation, SYBR-green I realtime PCR

Particulate emissions from a 350 kW wood pellet heater

The particulate mass and size distribution was investigated for a biomass wood-pellet air heater with a direct comparison with an equivalent oil-fired burner using the same cross-flow air heater system. Five wood pellet fuels were investigated from different sources and the influence on particle mass and size distribution was determined. The influence of burner excess air on gaseous and particulate emissions was determined. The optimum excess air for minimum emissions and maximum thermal efficiency for the pellet burner was higher at 42% than for the oil burner at 23%. The thermal efficiency of the pellet heater was determined to be slightly less than that of the oil heater. The main reason for this was operation of the heater at higher excess air levels with pellets. The hydrocarbon and particulate carbon fraction emissions were lower for the pellet burner but the CO and NOx emissions were higher. Composition differences between different pellet manufacturers, due to the use of different wood sources, were significant and this produced significant variation in the stoichiometric A/F, which without oxygen feedback control, resulted in different excess air levels for the same pellet feed rate. This resulted in a significant influence of pellet composition on emissions due to excess air variations. Particulate mass and number emissions were low for the biomass pellet burner and similar to the oil burner, provided both burners were at their optimum excess air operational condition. Particulate emissions increased dramatically if the excess air was reduced to 23%

Nestin, a neuroectodermal stem cell marker, is expressed by bovine sertoli cells

Nestin, an intermediate filament protein is expressed by neuroectodermal stem cells and tumors originating from cells of neuroectodermal and mesenchymal lineages. Nestin expression is prominent in embryos and remains upregulated until 3-6 weeks after birth but is downregulated afterward. Sertoli cells are nucleated somatic cells that are spanned in the seminiferous epithelium and play a critical role in supporting and controlling germ-cell development. In this context, we employed immunocytochemical, Western blot, and Flow cytometric analyses to demonstrate nestin expression in bovine sertoli cells. Immunostaining clearly showed that setoli cells express high levels of nestin, a result which was confirmed by Western blot analysis of purified cells. Intracellular staining of sertoli cells by flow cytometry revealed that around 74 of the cells express this marker. Given the high expression of vimentin by sertoli cells, it is proposed that the expression of nestin in these cells might be required for the formation of stable vimentin/nestin intermediate filament network. In light of these findings, it seems that sertoli cells of mature bull have potentiality of proliferation. © 2010 Springer-Verlag London Limited

Hypertension in Acromegaly in Relationship to Biochemical Control and Mortality: Global ACROSTUDY Outcomes

Context: Hypertension is a major cardiovascular risk factor related to increased mortality in acromegaly. Surgical cure of acromegaly is associated with improvement in blood pressure levels, however little is known about the effect of pegvisomant (PEGV) treatment in patients with hypertension. This analysis evaluates outcomes in patients with hypertension and acromegaly included in ACROSTUDY. Methods: ACROSTUDY is a global non-interventional surveillance study of long-term treatment with PEGV, monitoring its safety and efficacy. The cohort was retrospectively divided in two subgroups: patients with and without hypertension. Stepwise logistic regression and Kaplan-Meyer analyses were performed for testing predictors of mortality. Results: The tota