各種の性質を改善した直交DTCWTの設計に関する研究

The Dual tree complex wavelet transforms (DTCWTs) have been found to be successful in many applications of signal and image processing. DTCWTs employ two real wavelet transforms, where one wavelet corresponds to the real part of complex wavelet and the other is the imaginary part. Two wavelet bases are required to be a Hilbert transform pair. Thus, DTCWTs are nearly shift invariant and have a good directional selectivity in two or higher dimensions with limited redundancies. In this dissertation, we propose two new classes of DTCWTs with improved properties. In Chapter 2, we review the Fourier transform at first and then introduce the fundamentals of dual tree complex wavelet transform. The wavelet transform has been proved to be a successful tool to express the signal in time and frequency domain simultaneously. To obtain the wavelet coefficients efficiently, the discrete wavelet transform has been introduced since it can be achieved by a tree of two-channel filter banks. Then, we discuss the design conditions of two-channel filter banks, i.e., the perfect reconstruction and orthonormality. Additionally, some properties of scaling and wavelet functions including orthonormality, symmetry and vanishing moments are also given. Moreover, the structure of DTCWT is introduced, where two wavelet bases are required to form a Hilbert transform pair. Thus, the corresponding scaling lowpass filters must satisfy the half-sample delay condition. Finally, the objective measures of quality are given to evaluate the performance of the complex wavelet. In Chapter 3, we propose a new class of DTCWTs with improved analyticity and frequency selectivity by using general IIR filters with numerator and denominator of different degree. In the common-factor technique proposed by Selesnick, the maximally at allpass filter was used to satisfy the halfsample delay condition, resulting in poor analyticity of complex wavelets. Thus, to improve the analyticity of complex wavelets, we present a method for designing allpass filters with the specified degree of flatness and equiripple phase response in the approximation band. Moreover, to improve the frequency selectivity of scaling lowpass filters, we locate the specified number of zeros at z = -1 and minimize the stopband error. The well-known Remez exchange algorithm has been applied to approximate the equiripple response. Therefore, a set of filter coefficients can be easily obtained by solving the eigenvalue problem. Furthermore, we investigate the performance on the proposed DTCWTs and dedicate how to choose the approximation band and stopband properly. It is shown that the conventional DTCWTs proposed by Selesnick are only the special cases of DTCWTs proposed in this dissertation. In Chapter 4, we propose another class of almost symmetric DTCWTs with arbitrary center of symmetry. We specify the degree of flatness of group delay, and the number of vanishing moments, then apply the Remez exchange algorithm to minimize the difference between two scaling lowpass filters in the frequency domain, in order to improve the analyticity of complex wavelets. Therefore, the equiripple behaviour of the error function can be obtained through a few iterations. Moreover, two scaling lowpass filters can be obtained simultaneously. As a result, the complex wavelets are orthogonal and almost symmetric, and have the improved analyticity. Since the group delay of scaling lowpass filters can be arbitrarily specified, the scaling functions have the arbitrary center of symmetry. Finally, several experiments of signal denoising are carried out to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed DTCWTs. It is clear that the proposed DTCWTs can achieve better performance on noise reduction.電気通信大学201

Fabrication of Flexible Piezoelectric PZT/Fabric Composite

Flexible piezoelectric PZT/fabric composite material is pliable and tough in nature which is in a lack of traditional PZT patches. It has great application prospect in improving the sensitivity of sensor/actuator made by piezoelectric materials especially when they are used for curved surfaces or complicated conditions. In this paper, glass fiber cloth was adopted as carrier to grow PZT piezoelectric crystal particles by hydrothermal method, and the optimum conditions were studied. The results showed that the soft glass fiber cloth was an ideal kind of carrier. A large number of cubic-shaped PZT nanocrystallines grew firmly in the carrier with a dense and uniform distribution. The best hydrothermal condition was found to be pH 13, reaction time 24 h, and reaction temperature 200°C

Ambra1 is an essential regulator of autophagy and apoptosis in SW620 cells: Pro-survival role of Ambra1

Recent research has revealed a role for Ambra1, an autophagy-related gene-related (ATG) protein, in the autophagic pro-survival response, and Ambra1 has been shown to regulate Beclin1 and Beclin1-dependent autophagy in embryonic stem cells. However, whether Ambra1 plays an important role in the autophagy pathway in colorectal cancer cells is unknown. In this study, we hypothesized that Ambra1 is an important regulator of autophagy and apoptosis in CRC cell lines. To test this hypothesis, we confirmed autophagic activity in serum-starved SW620 CRC cells by assessing endogenous microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) localization, the presence of autophagosomes (transmission electron microscopy) and LC3 protein levels (Western blotting). Ambra1 expression was detected by Western blot in SW620 cells treated with staurosporine or etoposide. Calpain and caspase inhibitors were employed to verify whether calpains and caspases were responsible for Ambra1 cleavage. To examine the role of Ambra1 in apoptosis, Ambra1 knockdown cells were treated with staurosporine and etoposide. Cell apoptosis and viability were measured by annexin-V and PI staining and MTT assays. We determined that serum deprivation-induced autophagy was associated with Ambra1 upregulation in colorectal cancer cell lines. Ambra1 expression decreased during staurosporine- or etoposide-induced apoptosis. Calpains and caspases may be responsible for Ambra1 degradation. When Ambra1 expression was reduced by siRNA, SW620 cells were more sensitive to staurosporine- or etoposide-induced apoptosis. In addition, starvation-induced autophagy decreased. Finally, Co-immunoprecipitation of Ambra1 and Beclin1 demonstrated that Ambra1 and Beclin1 interact in serum-starved or rapamycin-treated SW620 cells, suggesting that Ambra1 regulates autophagy in CRC cells by interacting with Beclin1. In conclusion, Ambra1 is a crucial regulator of autophagy and apoptosis in CRC cells that maintains the balance between autophagy and apoptosis

Test Study on Airtight Capability of Filter Cakes for Slurry Shield and Its Application in a Case

To learn the airproof capacity of filter cakes as opening chambers under air pressure, a series of tests were carried out. The variations of discharged water with air pressure and time were observed, and the relationship between airproof capacity of filter cakes and surrounding air pressure was analysed. The test results indicated that there were three stages as compressed air acting on filter cakes: completely not infiltration, a very small amount of infiltration, and penetration leakage. The certain air pressure between the first and second stages was called the airproofing value of filter cake. And a capillary bundle model was used to explain the mechanism of air tightness of filter cakes. In Nanjing Yangtze River Tunnel, a 5 cm thickness filter cake was formed in gravel sand, and its airproofing value was a little lower than 0.12 MPa. The air pressure used as opening chamber should be equal to the summation of water pressure in sand and airproofing value of filter cake. While the air pressure is larger than the summation, the filter cake would be gas permeable. The slurry formulation and airproofing value of filter cakes obtained in the tests were applied successfully in Nanjing Yangtze River Tunnel

The Market for Organic Chickpeas in Germany and the United States

This market research paper has been prepared under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Veit of TH Köln and Prof. Dr. Carol Scovotti of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the course of the inter-university cross-border collaboration student research project “Export Opportunity Surveys (EOS)”. This study explores organic chickpeas export opportunities to the German and US markets

Linear multivariate evaluation models for spatial perception of soundscape

Soundscape is a sound environment that emphasizes the awareness of auditory perception and social or cultural understandings. The case of spatial perception is significant to soundscape. However, previous studies on the auditory spatial perception of the soundscape environment have been limited. Based on 21 native binaural-recorded soundscape samples and a set of auditory experiments for subjective spatial perception (SSP), a study of the analysis among semantic parameters, the inter-aural-cross-correlation coefficient (IACC), A-weighted-equal sound-pressure-level (Leq), dynamic (D) and SSP is introduced to verify the independent effect of each parameter and to re-determine some of their possible relationships. The results show that the more noisiness the audience perceived, the worse spatial awareness they received, while the closer and more directional the sound source image variations, dynamics and numbers of sound sources in the soundscape are, the better the spatial awareness would be. Thus, the sensations of roughness, sound intensity, transient dynamic and the values of Leq and IACC have a suitable range for better spatial perception. A better spatial awareness seems to promote the preference slightly for the audience. Finally, setting SSPs as functions of the semantic parameters and Leq-D-IACC, two linear multivariate evaluation models of subjective spatial perception are proposed

Distribution and Clinical Significance of Th17 Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment and Peripheral Blood of Pancreatic Cancer Patients

This study was designed to investigate the distribution of Th17 cells in the tumor microenvironment and peripheral blood of pancreatic cancer patients, its clinical significance, and the expression profile of Th17 cell-associated cytokines. The percentage of Th17 cells detected by flow cytometry analysis (FACS) was significantly higher in 46 pancreatic tumor tissues (5.28 ± 1.65%) compared with corresponding adjacent normal tissues (2.57 ± 0.83%) (P = 0.031). In addition, the percentage of Th17 cells was significantly higher in stage III-IV tumors than stage I-II tumors (P = 0.039). The percentage of Th17 cells in peripheral blood of 20 pancreatic cancer patients (3.99 ± 1.15%) was significantly higher than 15 healthy volunteers (1.98 ± 0.57%) (P = 0.027). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to detect IL-17+ cells in 46 pancreatic tumor tissues, as well as expression of CD34 in 24 tumor tissues. IL-17 was shown to mainly locate in cytoplasm, and the frequency of IL-17+ cells in tumor tissues (39/46) was higher than control (29/46). The presence of IL-17+ cells in tumor tissues was associated with tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) stage, and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.012 and P = 0.009) but not with patient sex, age, tumor size, and histological grade (P > 0.05). Interestingly, distribution of Th17 cells in tumor tissues was positively correlated with microvessel density (MVD) (r = 0.86, P = 0.018). Furthermore, the median survival time of patients with high and low level of IL-17+ cells frequency was 14.5 and 18.5 months respectively (P = 0.023). The serum levels of Th17 cell-associated cytokines, IL-17 and IL-23 in 20 pancreatic patients detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were 69.2 ± 28.5 pg/mL and 266.5 ± 98.1 pg/mL, respectively, which were significantly higher than 15 healthy volunteers (P = 0.015 and P = 0.02). Moreover, levels of IL-17 and IL-23 were significantly higher in stage III-IV tumors than stage I-II tumors (P = 0.04 and P = 0.036). This study suggests that increase in Th17 cells frequency and its related cytokines levels in pancreatic tumor tissues may indicate involvement in the invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer, which may thereby affect patient prognosis. Therefore, Th17 cells and related cytokines may be served as important immune indicators for predicting the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients

Myocardial production and release of MCP-1 and SDF-1 following myocardial infarction: differences between mice and man

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Stem cell homing to the heart is mediated by the release of chemo-attractant cytokines. Stromal derived factor -1 alpha (SDF-1a) and monocyte chemotactic factor 1(MCP-1) are detectable in peripheral blood after myocardial infarction (MI). It remains unknown if they are produced by, and released from, the heart in order to attract stem cells to repair the damaged myocardium.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Murine hearts were studied for expression of MCP-1 and SDF-1a at day 3 and day 28 following myocardial infarction to determine whether production is increased following MI. In addition, we studied the coronary artery and coronary sinus (venous) blood from patients with normal coronary arteries, stable coronary artery disease (CAD), unstable angina and MI to determine whether these cytokines are released from the heart into the systemic circulation following MI.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Both MCP-1 and SDF-1a are constitutively produced and released by the heart. MCP-1 mRNA is upregulated following murine experimental MI, but SDF-1a is suppressed. There is less release of SDF-1a into the systemic circulation in patients with all stages of CAD including MI, mimicking the animal model. However MCP-1 release from the human heart following MI is also suppressed, which is the exact opposite of the animal model.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>SDF-1a and MCP-1 release from the human heart are suppressed following MI. In the case of SDF-1a, the animal model appropriately reflects the human situation. However, for MCP-1 the animal model is the exact opposite of the human condition. Human observational studies like this one are paramount in guiding translation from experimental studies to clinical trials.</p