Improved real-time imaging spectrometer

An improved AOTF-based imaging spectrometer that offers several advantages over prior art AOTF imaging spectrometers is presented. The ability to electronically set the bandpass wavelength provides observational flexibility. Various improvements in optical architecture provide simplified magnification variability, improved image resolution and light throughput efficiency and reduced sensitivity to ambient light. Two embodiments of the invention are: (1) operation in the visible/near-infrared domain of wavelength range 0.48 to 0.76 microns; and (2) infrared configuration which operates in the wavelength range of 1.2 to 2.5 microns

Robust Affinity Propagation using Preference Estimation

Affinity propagation is a novel unsupervised learning algorithm for exemplar-based clustering without the priori knowledge of the number of clusters (NC). In this article, the influence of the “preference” on the accuracy of AP output is addressed. We present a robust AP clustering method, which estimates what preference value could possibly yield an optimal clustering result. To demonstrate the performance promotion, we apply the robust AP on picture clustering, using local SIFT, global MPEG-7 CLD, and the proposed preference as the input of AP. The experimental results show that over 40% enhancement of ARI accuracy for several image datasets

Opto-electronic morphological processor

The opto-electronic morphological processor of the present invention is capable of receiving optical inputs and emitting optical outputs. The use of optics allows implementation of parallel input/output, thereby overcoming a major bottleneck in prior art image processing systems. The processor consists of three components, namely, detectors, morphological operators and modulators. The detectors and operators are fabricated on a silicon VLSI chip and implement the optical input and morphological operations. A layer of ferro-electric liquid crystals is integrated with a silicon chip to provide the optical modulation. The implementation of the image processing operators in electronics leads to a wide range of applications and the use of optical connections allows cascadability of these parallel opto-electronic image processing components and high speed operation. Such an opto-electronic morphological processor may be used as the pre-processing stage in an image recognition system. In one example disclosed herein, the optical input/optical output morphological processor of the invention is interfaced with a binary phase-only correlator to produce an image recognition system

Mitochondrial targeting of human NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) flavoprotein 2 (NDUFV2) and its association with early-onset hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and encephalopathy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) flavoprotein 2 (NDUFV2), containing one iron sulfur cluster ([2Fe-2S] binuclear cluster N1a), is one of the core nuclear-encoded subunits existing in human mitochondrial complex I. Defects in this subunit have been associated with Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Bipolar disorder, and Schizophrenia. The aim of this study is to examine the mitochondrial targeting of NDUFV2 and dissect the pathogenetic mechanism of one human deletion mutation present in patients with early-onset hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and encephalopathy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A series of deletion and point-mutated constructs with the <it>c-myc </it>epitope tag were generated to identify the location and sequence features of mitochondrial targeting sequence for NDUFV2 in human cells using the confocal microscopy. In addition, various lengths of the NDUFV2 N-terminal and C-terminal fragments were fused with enhanced green fluorescent protein to investigate the minimal region required for correct mitochondrial import. Finally, a deletion construct that mimicked the IVS2+5_+8delGTAA mutation in <it>NDUFV2 </it>gene and would eventually produce a shortened NDUFV2 lacking 19-40 residues was generated to explore the connection between human gene mutation and disease.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We identified that the cleavage site of NDUFV2 was located around amino acid 32 of the precursor protein, and the first 22 residues of NDUFV2 were enough to function as an efficient mitochondrial targeting sequence to carry the passenger protein into mitochondria. A site-directed mutagenesis study showed that none of the single-point mutations derived from basic, hydroxylated and hydrophobic residues in the NDUFV2 presequence had a significant effect on mitochondrial targeting, while increasing number of mutations in basic and hydrophobic residues gradually decreased the mitochondrial import efficacy of the protein. The deletion mutant mimicking the human early-onset hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and encephalopathy lacked 19-40 residues in NDUFV2 and exhibited a significant reduction in its mitochondrial targeting ability.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The mitochondrial targeting sequence of NDUFV2 is located at the N-terminus of the precursor protein. Maintaining a net positive charge and an amphiphilic structure with the overall balance and distribution of basic and hydrophobic amino acids in the N-terminus of NDUFV2 is important for mitochondrial targeting. The results of human disease cell model established that the impairment of mitochondrial localization of NDUFV2 as a mechanistic basis for early-onset hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and encephalopathy.</p

FACTORS AFFECTING THE TRANSFER OF INTER-ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS TO CHINA: A CASE STUDY OF HIGH-TECH ENTERPRISES

Due to the huge market potentiality, profuse production resource such as workforce and land, and low production costs in China, many international high-tech enterprises are moving their production line to China. Accompanying production offshoring is the transfer of Information Technology (IT) to ensure that the production processes remain efficient and effective at home and abroad. Many enterprises however encounter problems in transferring their IT to China, especially when the IT is an inter-organizational system (IOS), which is across organizational boundaries and involves the management of relationships among participants. In order to understand how to successfully transfer IOS to China, we aim to find out key relational factors of IOS performance in China through an observation of a binary relationship built upon an e-procurement system between a Taiwanese PC ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) and its Chinese suppliers. Based on the relational view of the firm, four relational factors are proposed and examined. The results show that IOS specific investments and effective IOS governance most strongly affects the result of IOS transfer to China, whereas complementary resource endowment has least influence

Comparisons of Effectiveness and Safety between On-label Dosing, Off-label Underdosing and Off-label Overdosing in Asian and Non-Asian Atrial Fibrillation Patients Treated with Rivaroxaban: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

AIMS: Limited real-world data show that rivaroxaban following dosage criteria from either ROCKET AF [20 mg/day or 15 mg/day if creatinine clearance (CrCl) &lt; 50 mL/min] or J-ROCKET AF (15 mg/day or 10 mg/day if CrCl &lt; 50 mL/min) is associated with comparable risks of thromboembolism and bleeding with each other in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). We are aimed to study whether these observations differ between Asian and non-Asian subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS: A systematic review and meta-analysis with random effects was conducted to estimate the aggregate hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using PubMed and MEDLINE databases from 8 September 2011 to 31 December 2022 searched for adjusted observational studies that reported relevant clinical outcomes of NVAF patients receiving rivaroxaban 10 mg/day if CrCl &gt; 50 mL/min, on-label dose rivaroxaban eligible for ROCKET AF or J-ROCKET AF, and rivaroxaban 20 mg/day if CrCl &lt; 50 mL/min. Effectiveness and safety endpoints were compared between ROCKET AF and J-ROCKET AF dosing regimen in Asian and non-Asian subjects, separately. Also, risks of events of rivaroxaban 10 mg/day despite of CrCl &gt; 50 mL/min and rivaroxaban 20 mg/day despite of CrCl &lt; 50 mL/min were compared to that of 'ROCKET AF/J-ROCKET AF dosing'. Sensitivity analyses were performed by sequential elimination of each study from the pool. The meta-regression analysis was performed to explore the influence of potential factors on the effectiveness and safety outcomes. Eighteen studies involving 67 571 Asian and 54 882 non-Asian patients were included. Rivaroxaban following J-ROCKET AF criteria was associated with comparable risks of thromboembolism in the Asian subgroup, whereas rivaroxaban following J-ROCKET AF criteria was associated with higher risks of all-cause mortality (HR:1.30; 95% CI:1.05-1.60) compared with that of ROCKET AF criteria in the non-Asian population. There were no differences in risks of major bleeding between rivaroxaban following J-ROCKET AF vs. ROCKET AF criteria either in the Asian or non-Asian population. The use of rivaroxaban 10 mg despite of CrCl &gt; 50 mL/min was associated with a higher risk of thromboembolism (HR:1.64; 95% CI:1.28-2.11) but lower risk of major bleeding (HR:0.72; 95% CI:0.57-0.90) compared with eligible dosage criteria. The use of rivaroxaban 20 mg despite of CrCl &lt; 50 mL/min was associated with worse clinical outcomes in the risks of thromboembolism (HR:1.32; 95% CI:1.09-1.59), mortality (HR:1.33; 95% CI:1.10-1.59), and major bleeding (HR:1.26; 95% CI:1.03-1.53) compared with eligible dosage criteria. The pooled results were generally in line with the primary effectiveness and safety outcomes by removing a single study at one time. Meta-regression analyses failed to detect the bias in most potential patient characteristics associated with the clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Rivaroxaban dosing regimen following J-ROCKET criteria may serve as an alternative to ROCKET AF criteria for the Asian population with NVAF, whereas the dosing regimen following ROCKET AF criteria was more favourable for the non-Asian population. The use of rivaroxaban 10 mg despite of CrCl &gt; 50 mL/min was associated with a higher risk of thromboembolism but a lower risk of major bleeding, while use of rivaroxaban 20 mg despite of CrCl &lt; 50 mL/min was associated with worse outcome in most clinical events.</p

Splint therapy for disc displacement with reduction of the temporomandibular joint. Part I: Modified mandibular splint therapy

AbstractThe aims of this preliminary study were to present a modified mandibular splint together with a treatment regimen and to evaluate their effects on the treatment of reciprocal joint sounds of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The study participants were recruited from 312 consecutive patients in the temporomandibular disorder clinic of a medical center in Taiwan from January 2003 to December 2003. From among these, 59 cases with typical reciprocal clicking were selected for this study. All participants were treated with a modified mandibular splint and then followed up for 6 months. Successful treatment was defined as leading to the disappearance of the joint sounds of TMJ, as described by patients. Based on clinical evaluation, the overall success rate was 71.2% (42/59) with minimal temporary complications. Patients with clicking at less than 3.5cm of interincisal opening had a success rate of 92.5%, which was higher than the success rate of patients with clicking at a mouth opening of 3.5cm or more. This study showed that a modified mandibular splint can be used to treat reciprocal clicking of the TMJ effectively and encouraged us to conduct further study on the efficacy of this splint to treat disc displacement with reduction of TMJ using magnetic resonance imaging examination