GLMB tracker with partial smoothing

In this paper, we introduce a tracking algorithm based on labeled Random Finite Sets (RFS) and Rauch–Tung–Striebel (RTS) smoother via a Generalized Labeled Multi-Bernoulli (GLMB) multi-scan estimator to track multiple objects in a wide range of tracking scenarios. In the forward filtering stage, we use the GLMB filter to generate a set of labels and the association history between labels and the measurements. In the trajectory-estimating stage, we apply a track management strategy to eliminate tracks with short lifespan compared to a threshold value. Subsequently, we apply the information of trajectories captured from the forward GLMB filtering stage to carry out standard forward filtering and RTS backward smoothing on each estimated trajectory. For the experiment, we implement the tracker with standard GLMB filter, the hybrid track-before-detect (TBD) GLMB filter, and the GLMB filter with objects spawning. The results show improvements in tracking performance for all implemented trackers given negligible extra computational effort compared to standard GLMB filters

Nanostructured LiMPO

Nanostructured materials are considered to be strong candidates for fundamental advances in efficient storage and/or conversion. In nanostructured materials transport kinetics and surface processes play determining roles. This work describes recent developments in the synthesis and characterization of composites which consist of lithium metal phosphates (LiMPO4, M = Fe, Mn, Co, Ni) coated on nanostructured carbon supports (unordered nanofibers, foams). The composites have been prepared by coating the carbon structures in aqueous (or polyols) solutions containing lithium, metal ions and phosphates. After drying out, the composites have been thermally treated at different temperatures (between 600-780°C) for 5-12 hours under nitrogen. The formation of the olivine structured phase was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction analysis on powders prepared under very similar conditions. The surface investigation revealed the formation of an homogeneous coating of the olivine phase on the carbon structures. The electrochemical performance on the composites showed a dramatic improvement of the discharge specific capacity (measured at a discharge rate of C/25 and room temperature) compared to the prepared powders. The delivered values were 105 mAhg-1 for M = Fe, 100 mAhg-1 for M = Co, 70 mAhg-1 for M = Mn and 30 mAhg-1 for M = Ni respectively

Detection and identification of phytoplasmas associated with longan witches\u2019 broom in Vietnam

Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) belongs to the family Sapindaceae and is an important fruit tree grown mostly in the Southern part of Vietnam. In January 2010, plants of longan Tieudabo variety showing witches\u2019 broom symptoms were observed at orchards in Dong Nai province, Southeast region. Nested PCR assays with universal phytoplasma primers amplifying 16S rRNA on nucleic acid extracted from symptomatic longan samples allow detecting expected length amplicons. RFLP analyses revealed similarity to the reference strains elm yellows (group 16SrV) and stolbur (group 16SrXII). The presence of a mixture of phytoplasmas was confirmed by nested PCR assays with group-specific primer pairs R16(I)F1/R1 and R16(V)F1/R1 together with sequencing of amplicons. To our knowledge, this is the first report of multiple phytoplasma infection associated with witches\u2019 broom disease in longan in Vietnam

Nanostructured LiMPO4 (M = Fe, Mn, Co, Ni) – carbon composites as cathode materials for Li-ion battery

Nanostructured materials are considered to be strong candidates for fundamental advances in efficient storage and/or conversion. In nanostructured materials transport kinetics and surface processes play determining roles. This work describes recent developments in the synthesis and characterization of composites which consist of lithium metal phosphates (LiMPO4, M = Fe, Mn, Co, Ni) coated on nanostructured carbon supports (unordered nanofibers, foams). The composites have been prepared by coating the carbon structures in aqueous (or polyols) solutions containing lithium, metal ions and phosphates. After drying out, the composites have been thermally treated at different temperatures (between 600-780°C) for 5-12 hours under nitrogen. The formation of the olivine structured phase was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction analysis on powders prepared under very similar conditions. The surface investigation revealed the formation of an homogeneous coating of the olivine phase on the carbon structures. The electrochemical performance on the composites showed a dramatic improvement of the discharge specific capacity (measured at a discharge rate of C/25 and room temperature) compared to the prepared powders. The delivered values were 105 mAhg-1 for M = Fe, 100 mAhg-1 for M = Co, 70 mAhg-1 for M = Mn and 30 mAhg-1 for M = Ni respectively

Tracking Cells and Their Lineages Via Labeled Random Finite Sets

Determining the trajectories of cells and their lineages or ancestries in live-cell experiments are fundamental to the understanding of how cells behave and divide. This paper proposes novel online algorithms for jointly tracking and resolving lineages of an unknown and time-varying number of cells from time-lapse video data. Our approach involves modeling the cell ensemble as a labeled random finite set with labels representing cell identities and lineages. A spawning model is developed to take into account cell lineages and changes in cell appearance prior to division. We then derive analytic filters to propagate multi-object distributions that contain information on the current cell ensemble including their lineages. We also develop numerical implementations of the resulting multi-object filters. Experiments using simulation, synthetic cell migration video, and real time-lapse sequence, are presented to demonstrate the capability of the solutions

Designing groupware that fosters social capital creation: Can Facebook support Global Virtual Team?

15th Americas Conference on Information Systems 2009, AMCIS 200963900-391

Aspirin-loaded nanoexosomes as cancer therapeutics

The long history of discovery and recently encouraging studies of the anti-cancer effect of aspirin promise a closer step to widely used aspirin-based medication in cancer therapy. To resolve the poor water-solubility of aspirin and low encapsulation efficiency of exosomes for further developing a new delivery of aspirin as anti-cancer treatment, our nanoamorphous exosomal delivery platform was established. In this study, the anti-tumour effects of nanoamorphous aspirin-loaded exosomes with exosomes derived from breast and colorectal cancer cells, were comprehensively studied using both in vitro and in vivo models. These exosomes displayed enhanced cellular uptake via both clathrin-dependent and -independent endocytosis pathways, and significantly improved cytotoxicity of aspirin to breast and colorectal cancer cells, accompanied by the enhanced apoptosis and autophagy. Remarkably, this nanoamorphous exosomal platform endowed aspirin with the unprecedented cancer stem cell eradication capacity. Further animal study demonstrated that this developed exosomal system was able to efficiently deliver aspirin to in vivo tumours. The active targeting of these exosomes to tumour was further improved by conjugating an aptamer specifically targeting EpCAM protein. Hence, this nanoamorphous structured exosome system effectively transformed aspirin into a potential cancer stem cell killer with distinguished properties for clinical translation

Positive parental attitudes to participating in research involving newborn screened infants with CF

Background: Information regarding recruitment of infants to research studies following the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF) via newborn screening (NBS) is not currently available. This study aimed to assess parental attitudes and the feasibility of recruiting and retaining both NBS infants with CF and healthy control infants to a longitudinal, observational study. Methods: All infants underwent pulmonary function tests (PFTs) at ~. 3 and ~. 12. months of age. Infants with CF had additional combined chest high resolution computed tomography (HRCT), bronchoscopy and broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) at ~. 12. months of age. Parental attitude questionnaires (PAQs) were administered to all parents following the ~. 3. month PFTs and to parents of infants with CF after completion of all tests at ~. 12. months. Results: 86% (92/107) of families whose infant had CF consented to participate, of whom 92% had PFTs at ~. 3. months of age with 99% of these having PFTs at ~. 12. months of age. Recruitment of healthy controls was feasible but more challenging; 29% of those contacted agreed to participate; 73% of these had PFTs at ~. 3. months of age; of whom 83% had repeated PFTs at ~. 12. months of age. Completed PAQs were received from 71% of parents, (both of CF and healthy infants) at ~. 3. months and from 58% parents of infants with CF at ~. 12. months. Responses from the PAQs were generally positive, 95% of parents indicated they would recommend participation in such studies to other families. Discrepancies between responses at 3 and 12. months suggested that parental understanding of what the research entailed developed during the course of the study. Conclusions: The high recruitment and retention rates for newly diagnosed CF NBS infants to this observational study are encouraging. These findings will help inform future study design both in the field of CF and other conditions diagnosed by NBS. © 2012 European Cystic Fibrosis Society

Evolution of Lung Function during the First Year of Life in Newborn Screened Cystic Fibrosis Infants

RATIONALE: Newborn screening (NBS) for cystic fibrosis (CF) allows early intervention. Design of randomised controlled trials (RCT) is currently impeded by uncertainty regarding evolution of lung function, an important trial end point in such infants. OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in pulmonary function during the first year of life in CF NBS infants. METHODS: Observational longitudinal study. CF NBS infants and healthy controls were recruited between 2009 and 2011. Lung Clearance Index (LCI), plethysmographic lung volume (plethysmographic functional residual capacity (FRC(pleth))) and forced expired volume (FEV(0.5)) were measured at 3 months and 1 year of age. MAIN RESULTS: Paired measurements were obtained from 72 CF infants and 44 controls. At 3 months, CF infants had significantly worse lung function for all tests. FEV(0.5) improved significantly (0.59 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.99) z-scores; p<0.01) in CF infants between 3 months and 1 year, and by 1 year, FEV(0.5) was only 0.52 (0.89 to 0.15) z-scores less than in controls. LCI and FRC(pleth) remained stable throughout the first year of life, being on average 0.8 z-scores higher in infants with CF. Pulmonary function at 1 year was predicted by that at 3 months. Among the 45 CF infants with entirely normal LCI and FEV(0.5) at 3 months, 80% remained so at 1 year, while 74% of those with early abnormalities remained abnormal at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study reporting improvements in FEV(0.5) over time in stable NBS CF infants treated with standard therapy. Milder changes in lung function occurred by 1 year than previously reported. Lung function at 3 months predicts a high-risk group, who should be considered for intensification of treatment and enrolment into RCTs