Automatic grain texture analysis using integral transforms

Tonewood for musical instruments is quarter-sawn and frequently quality-graded based on visual appearance, mechanical and acoustic properties. The assessment uses simple human (subjective) observation, and two &lsquo;&lsquo;experts&rsquo;&rsquo; can rate the same sample differently. This paper describes the application of integral transforms (Fourier and Radon) for automatic (objective) assessment of the visual appearance of 10 Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) sample images. This work considers surface classification on the basis of grain orientation, count, spacing, and evenness or uniformity.<br /

MAU-8 is a Phosducin-like Protein required for G protein signaling in C. elegans

AbstractThe mau-8(qm57) mutation inhibits the function of GPB-2, a heterotrimeric G protein β subunit, and profoundly affects behavior through the Gαq/Gαo signaling network in C. elegans. mau-8 encodes a nematode Phosducin-like Protein (PhLP), and the qm57 mutation leads to the loss of a predicted phosphorylation site in the C-terminal domain of PhLP that binds the Gβγ surface implicated in membrane interactions. In developing embryos, MAU-8/PhLP localizes to the cortical region, concentrates at the centrosomes of mitotic cells and remains associated with the germline blastomere. In adult animals, MAU-8/PhLP is ubiquitously expressed in somatic tissues and germline cells. MAU-8/PhLP interacts with the PAR-5/14.3.3 protein and with the Gβ subunit GPB-1. In mau-8 mutants, the disruption of MAU-8/PhLP stabilizes the association of GPB-1 with the microtubules of centrosomes. Our results indicate that MAU-8/PhLP modulates G protein signaling, stability and subcellular location to regulate various physiological functions, and they suggest that MAU-8 might not be limited to the Gαq/Gαo network

Leveraging prior known vector Green functions in solving perturbed Dirac equation in Clifford algebra

Published online August 14, 2020Solving boundary value problems with boundary element methods requires specific Green functions suited to the boundary conditions of the problem. Using vector algebra, one often needs to use a Green function for the Helmholtz equation whereas it is a solution of the perturbed Dirac equation that is required for solving electromagnetic problems using Clifford algebra. A wealth of different Green functions of the Helmholtz equation are already documented in the literature. However, perturbed Dirac equation is only solved for the generic case and only its fundamental solution is reported. In this paper, we present a simple framework to use known Green functions of Helmholtz equation to construct the corresponding Green functions of perturbed Dirac equation which are essential in finding the appropriate kernels for integral equations of electromagnetic problems. The procedure is further demonstrated in a few examples.Morteza Shahpari and Andrew Seaga

A Comparative Review of Contour and Raster Based Methods for the Prediction of Surface Water Flow from DEM Data

A water management strategy to cope with severe climate change needs an efficient streamline model to play the important role of predicting the direction of flood-water. Generally a model is constructed using various image processing techniques which, depending on the particular area, can be quite complicated. In this paper two conceptually different approaches for determining streamlines from DEM data, in raster and vector forms, are reviewed. The advantages and limitations of both approaches are considered and compared using the numerical results of streamlines for the geometrically complex region containing Khao Luang National Park

Expression of synaptotagmin and syntaxin associated with N-type calcium channels in small cell lung cancer

AbstractThe presence of synaptic proteins involved in excitation/secretion coupling was examined in ten small cell lung cancer lines. N-Type calcium channels (ω)-conotoxin receptors), synaptotagmin (p65) and syntaxin (HPC-1) were detected in eight. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that syntaxin can form a complex with synaptotagmin and calcium channels. The expression of synaptotagmin in small cell lung cancer may elicit an autoimmune response that reduces transmitter release at the nerve terminal

Changing incidence and characteristics of non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections in Scotland and comparison with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex incidence (2011 to 2019)

BACKGROUND: An increase in infections with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has been noted globally, and their incidence has overtaken that of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBc) in many countries. Using data from a national reference laboratory, we aimed to determine if this trend could be observed in Scotland. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective review of all NTM isolates received by the Scottish Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory (SMRL) over 9 years from 2011 to 2019 inclusive. Clinical episodes were defined as per 2017 British Thoracic Society and 2020 American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society/European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases/Infectious Diseases Society of America NTM guidelines. These rates were compared with Scottish tuberculosis rates over the same period. RESULTS: Of 8552 NTM isolates from 4586 patients in 2011 to 2019, 7739 (90.5%) were considered clinically relevant. These represented 2409 episodes of NTM infection, with M. avium, M. intracellulare, and M. abscessus complex being most common. A total of 1953 (81.1%) were pulmonary NTM infection episodes from 1470 patients and 456 extrapulmonary episodes from 370 patients. We estimated a rise in incidence from 3.4 to 6.5 per 100 000 person-years (2011–2019 inclusive), with an increase in NTM incidence over MTBc incidence in Scotland by 2017. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of NTM infection in Scotland has overtaken MTBc incidence. NTM infection leads to a costly health care burden, possibly as much as UK£1.47 million (US$ and €1.73 million) annually. We recommend standardization of isolate referral with clinical surveillance and implementation of agreed standards of care delivered through multidisciplinary teams. This would improve diagnosis and patient management as well as assessment of diagnostics and novel treatments through clinical trials

Binding of Ala-scanning analogs of ω-conotoxin MVIIC to N- and P/Q-type calcium channels

Abstractω-Conotoxin MVIIC binds to P/Q-type calcium channels with high affinity and N-type channels with low affinity. To reveal the residues essential for subtype selectivity, we synthesized Ala-scanning analogs of MVIIC. Binding assays using rat cerebellar P2 membranes suggested that Thr11, Tyr13 and Lys2 are essential for binding to both N- and P/Q-type channels, whereas Lys4 and Arg22 are important for binding to P/Q-type channels. These results suggest that MVIIC interacts with P/Q-type channels via a large surface, in good agreement with previous observations using chimeric analogs

Three Year Evaluation of Xpert MTB/RIF in a Low Prevalence Tuberculosis Setting

Objectives Xpert MTB/RIF (Cepheid) is a rapid molecular assay shown to be sensitive and specific for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in highly endemic countries. We evaluated its diagnostic performance in a low TB prevalence setting, examined rifampicin resistance detection and quantitative capabilities predicting graded auramine microscopy and time to positivity (TTP) of culture. Methods Xpert MTB/RIF was used to test respiratory samples over a 3 year period. Samples underwent graded auramine microscopy, solid/ liquid culture, in-house IS6110 real-time PCR, and GenoType MTBDRplus (HAIN Lifescience) to determine rifampicin and/or isoniazid resistance. Results A total of 2103 Xpert MTB/RIF tests were performed. Compared to culture sensitivity was 95.8%, specificity 99.5%, positive predictive value (PPV) 82.1%, and negative predictive value (NPV) 99.9%. A positive correlation was found between auramine microscopy grade and Xpert MTB/RIF assay load. We found a clear reduction in the median TTP as Xpert MTB/RIF assay load increased. Rifampicin resistance was detected. Conclusions Xpert MTB/RIF was rapid and accurate in diagnosing pulmonary TB in a low prevalence area. Rapid results will influence infection prevention and control and treatment measures. The excellent NPV obtained suggests further work should be carried out to assess its role in replacing microscopy