Development of a video-rate range finder using dynamic threshold method for characteristic point detection

This study develops a video-rate stereo range finding circuit to obtain the depth of objects in a scene by processing video signals (R, G, B, and brightness signals) from binocular CCD cameras. The electronic circuit implements a dynamic threshold method to decrease the affect of signal noise in characteristic point detection, where a video signal from each CCD camera is compared with multiple thresholds, shifting dynamically by feeding back the previous comparison result. Several object depth measurement experiments for simple indoor scenes show that the dynamic threshold method gives high acquisition and correct rates of depth data compared with those by a fixed threshold method for the video signals and a relative method for R, G, and B signals utilized in the authors' previous range finders

Polymerase arrest at the λP_R promoter during transcription initiation

During transcription initiation by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase, a fraction of the homogeneous enzyme population has been kinetically shown to form two types of nonproductive complexes at some promoters: moribund complexes, which produce only abortive transcripts and fully inactive ternary complexes (Kubori, T., and Shimamoto, N. (1996) J. Mol. Biol. 256, 449–457). Here we report biochemical isolation of the complexes arrested at the λPR promoter and an analysis of their structure by DNA and protein footprintings. We found that the isolated promoter-arrested complexes retain a stoichiometric amount of ζ70 subunit. Exonuclease III footprints of the arrested complexes are backtracked compared with that of the binary complex, and KMnO4 footprinting reveals a decrease in the melting of DNA in the promoter region. Protein footprints of the retained ζ70 have shown a more exposed conformation in region 3, compared with binary complexes. This feature is similar to that of the complexes arrested in inactive state during transcription elongation, indicating the existence of a common inactivating mechanism during transcription initiation and elongation. The possible involvement of the promoter arrest in transcriptional regulation is discussed

Charge Transfer Cross Sections for Multiply Charged Slow Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe Ions on Various Gas Targets : I. Rare Gas Targets

Observed charge transfer cross sections are compiled in an energy region from a few to tens keV for multiply charged Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe ions on rare gas targets, where projectile ions are produced by using an “ion-impact ion source” (IIIS). The values are compared with the results of other research workers

Scandium 45 in meteoritic irons

This report presents the results of determinations of cosmogenic ^Sc and light noble gases in iron meteorites. Sc and REE were simultaneously determined using radiochemical neutron activation method. This method is sensitive enough for detection of as little as lower than 10^gSc/g, compared to the level of cosmic ray effects in irons which are usually in the range of 10^-10^gSc/g. The lowest concentration found in irons was 2×10^gSc/g in the Campo del Cielo and similar contents were observed in the Gibeon, DRP-78008 (and Brenham-metal). Even at these low levels, Sc seems mostly attributable to cosmic ray production. The Sc content in irons is best compared with cosmogenic ^4He. The ratio of Sc to ^4He, approximately 1×10^gSc/1×10^cc ^4He, or an average atomic ratio of 1 : 19±3,was observed independent of shielding. Technical aspects of metal phase separation from ordinary chondrites were studied. In one Peace River metal sample, 0.9 ppbSc was found. This number corresponds to 0.01% of the stone phase in the metal. This level of contamination seems still higher than the cosmogenic level of 0.2 ppbSc expected in the metal phase of this meteorite

Charge Transfer Cross Sections for Multiply Charged Slow Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe Ions on Various Gas Targets : II. Molecular Gas Targets

Observed charge transfer cross sections are compiled, similarly to Part I, for multiply charged Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe ions on several molecular targets in an energy region from a few to tens keV. The projectiles are recoil ions produced by using our “ion-impact ion source” (IIIS). The values are compared with the results of other research workers

コウレイシャ ノ ニチジョウ セイカツ ニオケル ケツアツ オヨビ ミャクハク ヘンドウ ノ ショインシ ニ カンスル ケンキュウ

以上の研究結果を以下のように要約した。1)長期間の血圧測定の結果,健康診断で高血圧傾向と診断された測定値より低い値が得られ,自宅での測定の重要性が示唆できた。2)自宅における血圧測定は,最低3回,理想的には5回測定し,最小値を求める方法を推奨する。3)肉親の看病,勤務などの心理ストレスによる血圧の上昇には有意性が認められている。したがって,健康診断時には心身のストレスのない状態で受診する必要がある。4)ニコチンやアルコールの血圧に対する影響は収縮期血圧で約20mmHgの上昇が認められており,習慣的な喫煙や飲酒は慢性的な高血圧に移行することが推察できる。5)排便前と排便後の血圧は安静時血圧より約10mmHgの高い値を示している,このことから尿意や便意は血圧を変動させるために,測定には不適当であることが分かる。6)運動は血圧を低下させる効果が確かめられた