176 research outputs found
3D Capture and 3D Contents Generation for Holographic Imaging
The intrinsic properties of holograms make 3D holographic imaging the best candidate for a 3D display. The holographic display is an autostereoscopic display which provides highly realistic images with unique perspective for an arbitrary number of viewers, motion parallax both vertically and horizontally, and focusing at different depths. The 3D content generation for this display is carried out by means of digital holography. Digital holography implements the classic holographic principle as a two‐step process of wavefront capture in the form of a 2D interference pattern and wavefront reconstruction by applying numerically or optically a reference wave. The chapter follows the two main tendencies in forming the 3D holographic content—direct feeding of optically recorded digital holograms to a holographic display and computer generation of interference fringes from directional, depth and colour information about the 3D objects. The focus is set on important issues that comprise encoding of 3D information for holographic imaging starting from conversion of optically captured holographic data to the display data format, going through different approaches for forming the content for computer generation of holograms from coherently or incoherently captured 3D data and finishing with methods for the accelerated computing of these holograms
Isolated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension-Janus' Faces of Hyperthyroidism
We describe a 54-year-old woman with isolated pulmonary arterial hypertension accompanied by hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease. Her pulmonary artery hypertension resolved spontaneously after restoration of euthyroidism. This case suggests that hyperthyroidism should be considered a reversible cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension
Myocardial atrophy in children with mitochondrial disease and Duchenne muscular dystrophy
PurposeMitochondrial disease (MD) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are often associated with cardiomyopathy, but the myocardial variability has not been isolated to a specific characteristic. We evaluated the left ventricular (LV) mass by echocardiography to identify the general distribution and functional changes of the myocardium in patients with MD or DMD.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated the echocardiographic data of 90 children with MD and 42 with DMD. Using two-dimensional echocardiography, including time-motion (M) mode and Doppler measurements, we estimated the LV mass, ratio of early to late mitral filling velocities (E/A), ratio of early mitral filling velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/Ea), stroke volume, and cardiac output. A "z score" was generated using the lambda-mu-sigma method to standardize the LV mass with respect to body size.ResultsThe LV mass-for-height z scores were significantly below normal in children with MD (-1.02±1.52, P<0.001) or DMD (-0.82±1.61, P=0.002), as were the LV mass-for-lean body-mass z scores. The body mass index (BMI)-for-age z scores were far below normal and were directly proportional to the LV mass-for-height z scores in both patients with MD (R=0.377, P<0.001) and those with DMD (R=0.330, P=0.033). The LV mass-for-height z score correlated positively with the stroke volume index (R=0.462, P<0.001) and cardiac index (R=0.358, P<0.001).ConclusionLV myocardial atrophy is present in patients with MD and those with DMD and may be closely associated with low BMI. The insufficient LV mass for body size might indicate deterioration of systolic function in these patients
Spermidine-induced recovery of human dermal structure and barrier function by skin microbiome.
An unbalanced microbial ecosystem on the human skin is closely related to skin diseases and has been associated with inflammation and immune responses. However, little is known about the role of the skin microbiome on skin aging. Here, we report that the Streptococcus species improved the skin structure and barrier function, thereby contributing to anti-aging. Metagenomic analyses showed the abundance of Streptococcus in younger individuals or those having more elastic skin. Particularly, we isolated Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus infantis, and Streptococcus thermophilus from face of young individuals. Treatment with secretions of S. pneumoniae and S. infantis induced the expression of genes associated with the formation of skin structure and the skin barrier function in human skin cells. The application of culture supernatant including Streptococcal secretions on human skin showed marked improvements on skin phenotypes such as elasticity, hydration, and desquamation. Gene Ontology analysis revealed overlaps in spermidine biosynthetic and glycogen biosynthetic processes. Streptococcus-secreted spermidine contributed to the recovery of skin structure and barrier function through the upregulation of collagen and lipid synthesis in aged cells. Overall, our data suggest the role of skin microbiome into anti-aging and clinical applications
Molecular Approaches For Characterization Of Biodegradation Genes Expressed During Microbial Colonization On Decay-Resistant And Non-Resistant Woods In Forest Soil
White and brown-rot fungi damage wood by production of enzymes that attack the structural components. The objective of this study was to characterize decay related genes and proteins that are expressed on three different wood types undergoing decay over 18 months. Variation in gene expression, presence of decay enzymes and proteins were determined for untreated pine (non-resistant), western red cedar (naturally durable), and alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) treated pine (chemically resistant) exposed in a soil decay bed test. Decay was assessed by visual decay ratings, dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOE), and microscopy. There were no significant differences in decay between cedar and ACQ-treated pine over the 18 month period. However, there were significant differences in decay between pine and cedar and between pine and ACQtreated pine. The fungal mycelia penetrated the cell walls of pine and were continually observed over 18 months, but were not observed in cedar or ACQ-treated pine. Basidiomycetes containing decay genes lignin peroxidase (Lip), manganese peroxidase (Mnp), and laccase (Lcc) were detected on pine and ACQ-treated pine which also a greater diversity of fungi had compared to cedar. Phlebia radiata specific-lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase genes were expressed approximately equally on pine and ACQ-treated pine at most sampling times. The expression of P. radiata specific Lcc was higher on ACQ-treated pine than untreated pine. No basidiomycete genes were expressed and only a few basidiomycetes were identified on cedar, which also showed little decay. ACQ-treated pine also showed little decay, however basidiomycetes were present and active. Proteins were first detected on pine and ACQ-treated pine at 6 months and continued to increase through 18 months, but were not detected on cedar until 14 months exposure. There were greater numbers of total proteins on pine than on cedar and ACQ-treated pine at each time period. Decay genes were only found on pine but not on cedar and ACQ-treated pine. Additionally, the types of proteins and their score were different among the three wood types. From these results, the natural durability of cedar reduced the wood decay community and its activities. It appears that ACQ-treated wood did not stop the production of the decay enzymes but the chemical treatment did inhibit the effectiveness of the wood decay genes
A Study on the Relationship between Mental Well-Being and Cultural Tourism Guides Based on the Interview Methodology
The purpose of this study was to find a way for modern tourists to enjoy increased well-being while being provided with high-quality information about cultural assets. In order for tourists to enjoy well-being, cultural tourism guides must provide quality services while using various storytelling techniques. As the number of tourists who are interested in cultural assets and use their leisure time for this purpose increases, quality cultural tourism commentary can be directly connected to the well-being of tourists. Modern tourists can experience richness of life and emotional stability while being provided with cultural tourism commentary services through various storytelling techniques rather than professional knowledge. In order for tourists to effectively experience well-being through cultural tourism commentary, cultural tourism guides need to implement the following effective commentary. First, culture tourism guides should try to have sense of unity with visitors. Second, they should encourage humanistic imagination through related information. Third, they should provide customized explanations for tourists’ understanding because tourists consist of various classes and ages. Cultural tourism guides who attract tourists’ interest, have appropriate wit, skillful responses to cope with unexpected situations, cheerful laughter, and a loud voice gained satisfaction from many tourists. In modern society, cultural tourism commentators are not limited to simply explaining tourist destinations, but play an important role in satisfying the well-being of modern tourists who seek leisure and emotional stability. The external environment that refers to outdoor atmospherics is also crucial as it influences visitor experiences. In museums, external physical environment factors such as architectural style, positioning of entrances, and exterior décor and signage can be a crucial facet of external ambiance affecting visitor experiences. The external environment (e.g., spacious design, pretty landscape design, outdoor natural surroundings) is a constituent of the tangibility aspect of museum performances. These external environment factors and internal factors together create perceived physical environments that visitors and staff cognitively/emotionally/physiologically respond to. The significance of this study is that various cultural storytelling activities performed by tour guides are examining the possibility of experiencing increased psychological well-being while making tourists as well as themselves aware of the happiness and joy of life
Intra-gate length biasing for leakage optimization in 45nm technology node
Due to the increasing need for low-power circuits in mobile applications, numerous leakage and performance optimization techniques are being used in modern ICs. In the present paper, we propose a novel transistor-level technique to reduce leakage current while maintaining drive current. By slightly increasing the channel length at the edge of a device that exploits the edge effect, a leakage-optimized transistor can be produced. By using TCAD simulations, we analyze edge-length-biased transistors and then propose the optimal transistor shape for minimizing Ioff with the same or higher Ion current. Results show that by replacing all standard cells with their leakage-optimized counterparts, we can save up to 17% of the leakage in average for a set of benchmark circuits.open
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