Recognition of object domain by color distribution

For the image processing of an object in its natural image, it is necessary to extract in advance the object to be processed from its image. To accomplish this the outer shape of an object is extracted through human instructions, which requires a great deal of time and patience. A method involving the setting of a model of color distribution on the surface of an object is described. This method automatically provides color recognition, a piece of knowledge that represents the properties of an object, from its natural image. A method for recognizing and extracting the object in the image according to the color recognized is also described

Characteristics of infants born to mothers with autoimmune disorders

POSTER PRESENTATION21st European Pediatric Rheumatology (PReS) Congress / 17-21 September 2014 / Belgrade, Serbi

Expert consensus on hospitalization for assessment: a survey in Japan for a new forensic mental health system

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In Japan, hospitalization for the assessment of mentally disordered offenders under the Act on Medical Care and Treatment for the Persons Who Had Caused Serious Cases under the Condition of Insanity (the Medical Treatment and Supervision Act, or the MTS Act) has yet to be standardized.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a written survey that included a questionnaire regarding hospitalization for assessment; the questionnaire consisted of 335 options with 9 grades of validity for 60 clinical situations. The survey was mailed to 50 Japanese forensic mental health experts, and 42 responses were received.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>An expert consensus was established for 299 of the options. Regarding subjects requiring hospitalization for assessment, no consensus was reached on the indications for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or for confronting the offenders regarding their offensive behaviors.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The consensus regarding hospitalization for assessment and its associated problems were clarified. The consensus should be widely publicized among practitioners to ensure better management during the hospitalization of mentally disordered offenders for assessment.</p

Spicule Dynamics over Plage Region

We studied spicular jets over a plage area and derived their dynamic characteristics using Hinode Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) high-resolution images. The target plage region was near the west limb of the solar disk. This location permitted us to study the dynamics of spicular jets without the overlapping effect of spicular structures along the line of sight. In this work, to increase the ease with which we can identify spicules on the disk, we applied the image processing method `MadMax' developed by Koutchmy et al. (1989). It enhances fine, slender structures (like jets), over a diffuse background. We identified 169 spicules over the target plage. This sample permits us to derive statistically reliable results regarding spicular dynamics. The properties of plage spicules can be summarized as follows: (1) In a plage area, we clearly identified spicular jet features. (2) They were shorter in length than the quiet region limb spicules, and followed ballistic motion under constant deceleration. (3) The majority (80%) of the plage spicules showed the cycle of rise and retreat, while 10% of them faded out without a complete retreat phase. (4) The deceleration of the spicule was proportional to the velocity of ejection (i.e. the initial velocity).Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in PAS

Protogenin, a new member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is implicated in the development of the mouse lower first molar

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Protogenin (Prtg) </it>has been identified as a gene which is highly expressed in the mouse mandible at embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) by a cDNA subtraction method between mandibles at E10.5 and E12.0. Prtg is a new member of the deleted in colorectal carcinoma (DCC) family, which is composed of DCC, Neogenin, Punc and Nope. Although these members play an important role in the development of the embryonic central nervous system, recent research has also shed on the non-neuronal organization. However, very little is known regarding the fetal requirement of the non-neuronal organization for Prtg and how this may be associated with the tooth germ development. This study examined the functional implications of Prtg in the developing tooth germ of the mouse lower first molar.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Ptrg is preferentially expressed in the early stage of organogenesis. Prtg mRNA and protein were widely expressed in the mesenchymal cells in the mandible at E10.5. The oral epithelial cells were also positive for Prtg. The expression intensity of Prtg after E12.0 was markedly reduced in the mesenchymal cells of the mandible, and was restricted to the area where the tooth bud was likely to be formed. Signals were also observed in the epithelial cells of the tooth germ. Weak signals were observed in the inner enamel epithelial cells at E16.0 and E18.0. An inhibition assay using a hemagglutinating virus of Japan-liposome containing <it>Prtg </it>antisense-phosphorothioated-oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-S-ODN) in cultured mandibles at E10.5 showed a significant growth inhibition in the tooth germ. The relationship between Prtg and the odontogenesis-related genes was examined in mouse E10.5 mandible, and we verified that the Bmp-4 expression had significantly been decreased in the mouse E10.5 mandible 24 hr after treatment with Prtg AS-S-ODN.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results indicated that the <it>Prtg </it>might be related to the initial morphogenesis of the tooth germ leading to the differentiation of the inner enamel epithelial cells in the mouse lower first molar. A better understanding of the Prtg function might thus play a critical role in revealing a precious mechanism in tooth germ development.</p

A survey of problems in the care and support of infants born at very low birth weight

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Clodomiro Unsihuay-VilaCoorientadora: Prof.a Dr. a Thelma Solange P. FernandesDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Tecnologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Elétrica. Defesa : Curitiba, 29/08/2019Inclui referências: p. 127-133Área de concentração: Sistema de energiaResumo: A frota de veículo elétrico (VE) cresce rapidamente no mundo, em 2018 já superou a marca de 5,1 milhões. A inserção de VE nas redes ativas de distribuição significa uma evolução nos sistemas de energia elétrica, mas essa evolução requer avanços no planejamento da operação, de maneira a considerar o aumento da complexidade que esses novos elementos podem causar na rede. Por isso, se faz necessário ferramentas computacionais que permitam analisar os impactos que o VE causa na operação de redes ativas de distribuição, de maneira a auxiliar na definição de estratégias operativas apropriadas e garantir a otimização de todos os recursos energéticos do sistema. Dessa forma, nesta dissertação foi desenvolvido um modelo computacional, formulado como um problema de otimização capaz de determinar a programação diária da operação de redes ativas de distribuição, considerando a inserção do VE na rede. O problema foi abordado através de um Fluxo de Potência Ótimo (FPO) multiperíodo. A intertemporalidade do problema é formulada através da introdução de uma função de acoplamento representada pela energia armazenada pelas baterias do VE. A resolução do FPO foi através do Métodos dos Pontos Interiores versão Primal-Dual. O horizonte de planejamento é de 24 períodos, divididos em horas. Também é considerado a geração distribuída fotovoltaica e um sistema de tarifação horária de energia. O veículo elétrico é incorporado no problema por meio da adição de uma variável de otimização à função objetivo que além de alterar as restrições de balanço de potência também é usada para monitorar a energia armazenada nas baterias. Como resultado, têm-se um FPO multiperíodo que busca, além da minimização dos custos operativos e perdas de transmissão, também a maximização da energia armazenada nas baterias dos veículos elétricos conectados à rede visando a injeção ótima de energia à rede ativa. Nas simulações realizadas, foram utilizados cenários determinísticos de conexão do VE para avaliar seus impactos nas perdas, custos operacionais e perfil de tensão do sistema elétrico. Os resultados de simulações demonstraram que, no cenário de perfil residencial, que possibilitam o carregamento/descarregamento, é perceptível uma melhora no perfil de tensão do sistema. Isso mostra que a apropriada operação dos VEs com possibilidade de injeção de energia à rede podem ser uma boa alternativa para deslocar picos de carga e reduzir custos operacionais da rede ativa de distribuição. Para o perfil comercial, é perceptível uma redução do perfil de tensão para o seu instante de conexão. Entretanto, esse comportamento pode ser complementado através de uma geração fotovoltaica, que apresenta seus picos de geração nos mesmos instantes em que o VE carrega. Para os cenários que consideram uma alta inserção de VE na rede, os impactos no perfil de tensão do sistema são bastante significativos, demonstrando que para que a rede seja capaz de atender uma grande frota de VEs devem ser feitos investimentos na infraestrutura da rede de distribuição. O impacto da inserção do VE à rede pode aumentar em até 40% as perdas do sistema. Os impactos no custo de operação são significativos, podendo aumentar em até 19%, para cenários de alta penetração de VE. Palavras-chave: Planejamento da Operação. Redes Ativas de Distribuição. Veículo Elétrico. Fluxo de Potência Ótimo. Método dos Pontos Interiores versão Primal-Dual. Armazenamento de energia em baterias.Abstract: The electric vehicle (EV) fleet is growing rapidly in the world, by 2018, it has already surpassed the 5.1 million mark. The insertion of EV into active distribution grids means an evolution in power systems, but this evolution requires advances in operation planning in order to consider the increased complexity that these new elements in the grid may cause. Therefore, computational tools are needed to analyze the impacts that EV has on the operation of active distribution networks, in order to help define appropriate operating strategies and ensuring the optimization of all energy resources in the system. Thus, in this dissertation a computational model was developed, formulated as an optimization problem capable of determining the daily programming of the active distribution networks operation, considering the insertion of the EV in the network. The problem was addressed through a Multi-Period Optimal Power Flow (OPF). The intertemporality of the problem is formulated by introducing a coupling function represented by the energy stored by LV batteries. The resolution of the OPF was through the Primal-Dual Interior Point Method. The planning horizon is 24 periods, divided into hours, under the influence of photovoltaic generation and an hourly energy hourly charging system. The electric vehicle is incorporated into the problem by adding an optimization variable to the objective function which in addition to changing the power balance restrictions is also used to monitor the energy stored in the batteries. As a result, there is a MultiPeriod OPF that seeks, in addition to minimizing operating costs and transmission losses, also maximizing the energy stored in the batteries of electric vehicles connected to the grid for optimal injection of power to the grid at peak hours. In the simulations performed, deterministic EV connection scenarios were used to assess their impacts on losses, operating costs and voltage profile. Simulation results showed that, in the residential profile scenario, which enables loading / unloading, an improvement in the system voltage profile is noticeable. Showing that appropriate EV operation can be a good alternative for shifting power generation from light load moments of the system to high load moments, optimizing the use of system energy resources, reducing operating costs of active distribution. For the commercial profile, a reduction of the voltage profile is noticeable for its connection time. However, this behavior can be complemented by a photovoltaic generation, which presents its generation peaks at the same time that the EV charges. For scenarios that consider a high insertion of EV in the grid, the impacts on the system voltage profile are quite significant, demonstrating that for the grid to be able to serve a large fleet of EVs, investments in the distribution network infrastructure must be made. The impacts of EV insertion into the network can increase system losses by up to 40%. The impacts on operating costs are significant and may increase by up to 19% for high EV penetration scenarios. Keywords: Operation Planning. Active Distribution Networks. Electric Vehicle. Optimal Power Flow. Primal-Dual Interior Point Method. Energy storage in batteries

Structure of Musashi1 in a complex with target RNA: the role of aromatic stacking interactions

Mammalian Musashi1 (Msi1) is an RNA-binding protein that regulates the translation of target mRNAs, and participates in the maintenance of cell ‘stemness’ and tumorigenesis. Msi1 reportedly binds to the 3′-untranslated region of mRNA of Numb, which encodes Notch inhibitor, and impedes initiation of its translation by competing with eIF4G for PABP binding, resulting in triggering of Notch signaling. Here, the mechanism by which Msi1 recognizes the target RNA sequence using its Ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-type RNA-binding domains (RBDs), RBD1 and RBD2 has been revealed on identification of the minimal binding RNA for each RBD and determination of the three-dimensional structure of the RBD1:RNA complex. Unique interactions were found for the recognition of the target sequence by Msi1 RBD1: adenine is sandwiched by two phenylalanines and guanine is stacked on the tryptophan in the loop between β1 and α1. The minimal recognition sequences that we have defined for Msi1 RBD1 and RBD2 have actually been found in many Msi1 target mRNAs reported to date. The present study provides molecular clues for understanding the biology involving Musashi family proteins