2,106 research outputs found
Fiber Orientation Estimation Guided by a Deep Network
Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) is currently the only tool for
noninvasively imaging the brain's white matter tracts. The fiber orientation
(FO) is a key feature computed from dMRI for fiber tract reconstruction.
Because the number of FOs in a voxel is usually small, dictionary-based sparse
reconstruction has been used to estimate FOs with a relatively small number of
diffusion gradients. However, accurate FO estimation in regions with complex FO
configurations in the presence of noise can still be challenging. In this work
we explore the use of a deep network for FO estimation in a dictionary-based
framework and propose an algorithm named Fiber Orientation Reconstruction
guided by a Deep Network (FORDN). FORDN consists of two steps. First, we use a
smaller dictionary encoding coarse basis FOs to represent the diffusion
signals. To estimate the mixture fractions of the dictionary atoms (and thus
coarse FOs), a deep network is designed specifically for solving the sparse
reconstruction problem. Here, the smaller dictionary is used to reduce the
computational cost of training. Second, the coarse FOs inform the final FO
estimation, where a larger dictionary encoding dense basis FOs is used and a
weighted l1-norm regularized least squares problem is solved to encourage FOs
that are consistent with the network output. FORDN was evaluated and compared
with state-of-the-art algorithms that estimate FOs using sparse reconstruction
on simulated and real dMRI data, and the results demonstrate the benefit of
using a deep network for FO estimation.Comment: A shorter version is accepted by MICCAI 201
MHD models of Pulsar Wind Nebulae
Pulsar Wind Nebulae (PWNe) are bubbles or relativistic plasma that form when
the pulsar wind is confined by the SNR or the ISM. Recent observations have
shown a richness of emission features that has driven a renewed interest in the
theoretical modeling of these objects. In recent years a MHD paradigm has been
developed, capable of reproducing almost all of the observed properties of
PWNe, shedding new light on many old issues. Given that PWNe are perhaps the
nearest systems where processes related to relativistic dynamics can be
investigated with high accuracy, a reliable model of their behavior is
paramount for a correct understanding of high energy astrophysics in general. I
will review the present status of MHD models: what are the key ingredients,
their successes, and open questions that still need further investigation.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figures, Invited Review, Proceedings of the "ICREA
Workshop on The High-Energy Emission from Pulsars and their Systems", Sant
Cugat, Spain, April 12-16, 201
The role of Endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for qualitative diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy: a prospective analysis
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recently EBUS-TBNA, which has a sensitivity of 94.6%, specificity of 100% and diagnostic accuracy rate of 96.3% as previously reported, has been widely used for patients with mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy or suspected lung cancer to get accurate diagnosis. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the usefulness of EBUS-TBNA in obtaining cytological and histological diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes compared to the results obtained with conventional mediastinoscopy as previously reported, and to assess the relationship of diagnostic accuracy and number of passes and size of lymph nodes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>101 patients with mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy or suspected lung cancer in our institution were included in this prospective study. EBUS-TBNA was performed in all cases. The final diagnosis was confirmed by cytology, surgical results, and/or clinical follow-up for at least 6 months. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated using standard formulas.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In 101 patients, EBUS-TBNA was successfully performed to obtain samples from 225 lymph nodes, 7 lung masses, 1 mediastinal mass and 2 esophageal masses. 63 malignant tumors and 38 benign diseases were confirmed. Epidermal growth factor receptor mutation was detected in 10 biopsy samples, and epidermal growth factor receptor mutation was detected in 4 cases. With respect to the correct diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy, EBUS-TBNA had a sensitivity of 95.08%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, negative predictive value of 93.02%, and overall accuracy of 97.02%. The relationship of diagnostic accuracy and number of lymph node passes or size of lymph nodes was both insignificant (p = 0.27; p = 0.23). The procedure was uneventful without complications.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>EBUS-TBNA is an accurate and safe tool in diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. It cannot completely replace mediastinoscopy, it may indeed reduce the number of mediastinoscopy procedures. In some cases, it can necessarily be the first-line procedure before mediastinoscopy.</p
Lepton Acceleration in Pulsar Wind Nebulae
Pulsar Wind Nebulae (PWNe) act as calorimeters for the relativistic pair
winds emanating from within the pulsar light cylinder. Their radiative
dissipation in various wavebands is significantly different from that of their
pulsar central engines: the broadband spectra of PWNe possess characteristics
distinct from those of pulsars, thereby demanding a site of lepton acceleration
remote from the pulsar magnetosphere. A principal candidate for this locale is
the pulsar wind termination shock, a putatively highly-oblique,
ultra-relativistic MHD discontinuity. This paper summarizes key characteristics
of relativistic shock acceleration germane to PWNe, using predominantly Monte
Carlo simulation techniques that compare well with semi-analytic solutions of
the diffusion-convection equation. The array of potential spectral indices for
the pair distribution function is explored, defining how these depend
critically on the parameters of the turbulent plasma in the shock environs.
Injection efficiencies into the acceleration process are also addressed.
Informative constraints on the frequency of particle scattering and the level
of field turbulence are identified using the multiwavelength observations of
selected PWNe. These suggest that the termination shock can be comfortably
invoked as a principal injector of energetic leptons into PWNe without
resorting to unrealistic properties for the shock layer turbulence or MHD
structure.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figures, invited review to appear in Proc. of the
inaugural ICREA Workshop on "The High-Energy Emission from Pulsars and their
Systems" (2010), eds. N. Rea and D. Torres, (Springer Astrophysics and Space
Science series
An empirical approach towards the efficient and optimal production of influenza-neutralizing ovine polyclonal antibodies demonstrates that the novel adjuvant CoVaccine HT(TM) is functionally superior to Freund's adjuvant
Passive immunotherapies utilising polyclonal antibodies could have a valuable role in preventing and treating infectious diseases such as influenza, particularly in pandemic situations but also in immunocompromised populations such as the elderly, the chronically immunosuppressed, pregnant women, infants and those with chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to optimise current methods used to generate ovine polyclonal antibodies. Polyclonal antibodies to baculovirus-expressed recombinant influenza haemagglutinin from A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 H1N1 (PR8) were elicited in sheep using various immunisation regimens designed to investigate the priming immunisation route, adjuvant formulation, sheep age, and antigen dose, and to empirically ascertain which combination maximised antibody output. The novel adjuvant CoVaccine HT™ was compared to Freund’s adjuvant which is currently the adjuvant of choice for commercial production of ovine polyclonal Fab therapies. CoVaccine HT™ induced significantly higher titres of functional ovine anti-haemagglutinin IgG than Freund’s adjuvant but with fewer side effects, including reduced site reactions. Polyclonal hyperimmune sheep sera effectively neutralised influenza virus in vitro and, when given before or after influenza virus challenge, prevented the death of infected mice. Neither the age of the sheep nor the route of antigen administration appeared to influence antibody titre. Moreover, reducing the administrated dose of haemagglutinin antigen minimally affected antibody titre. Together, these results suggest a cost effective way of producing high and sustained yields of functional ovine polyclonal antibodies specifically for the prevention and treatment of globally significant diseases.Natalie E. Stevens, Cara K. Fraser, Mohammed Alsharifi, Michael P. Brown, Kerrilyn R. Diener, John D. Haybal
Extensive Copy-Number Variation of Young Genes across Stickleback Populations
MM received funding from the Max Planck innovation funds for this project. PGDF was supported by a Marie Curie European Reintegration Grant (proposal nr 270891). CE was supported by German Science Foundation grants (DFG, EI 841/4-1 and EI 841/6-1). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
Ubiquitin transfer by a RING E3 ligase occurs from a closed E2~ubiquitin conformation
Funding: Investigator Award from the Wellcome Trust (098391/Z/12/Z) and (217196/Z/19/Z) and a Programme grant from Cancer Research UK (C434/A21747) to R.T.H.; J.C.P. thanks the University of St Andrews for financial support.Based on extensive structural analysis it was proposed that RING E3 ligases prime the E2~ubiquitin conjugate (E2~Ub) for catalysis by locking it into a closed conformation, where ubiquitin is folded back onto the E2 exposing the restrained thioester bond to attack by substrate nucleophile. However the proposal that the RING dependent closed conformation of E2~Ub represents the active form that mediates ubiquitin transfer has yet to be experimentally tested. To test this hypothesis we use single molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET) to measure the conformation of a FRET labelled E2~Ub conjugate, which distinguishes between closed and alternative conformations. We describe a real-time FRET assay with a thioester linked E2~Ub conjugate to monitor single ubiquitination events and demonstrate that ubiquitin is transferred to substrate from the closed conformation. These findings are likely to be relevant to all RING E3 catalysed reactions ligating ubiquitin and other ubiquitin-like proteins (Ubls) to substrates.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe
Development and evaluation of robust molecular markers linked to disease resistance in tomato for distinctness, uniformity and stability testing
Molecular markers linked to phenotypically important traits are of great interest especially when traits are difficult and/or costly to be observed. In tomato where a strong focus on resistance breeding has led to the introgression of several resistance genes, resistance traits have become important characteristics in distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS) testing for Plant Breeders Rights (PBR) applications. Evaluation of disease traits in biological assays is not always straightforward because assays are often influenced by environmental factors, and difficulties in scoring exist. In this study, we describe the development and/or evaluation of molecular marker assays for the Verticillium genes Ve1 and Ve2, the tomato mosaic virusTm1 (linked marker), the tomato mosaic virus Tm2 and Tm22 genes, the Meloidogyne incognita Mi1-2 gene, the Fusarium I (linked marker) and I2 loci, which are obligatory traits in PBR testing. The marker assays were evaluated for their robustness in a ring test and then evaluated in a set of varieties. Although in general, results between biological assays and marker assays gave highly correlated results, marker assays showed an advantage over biological tests in that the results were clearer, i.e., homozygote/heterozygote presence of the resistance gene can be detected and heterogeneity in seed lots can be identified readily. Within the UPOV framework for granting of PBR, the markers have the potential to fulfil the requirements needed for implementation in DUS testing of candidate varieties and could complement or may be an alternative to the pathogenesis tests that are carried out at present
Observation of superconductivity at 30 K~46 K in AxFe2Se2 (A = Li, Na, Ba, Sr, Ca, Yb, and Eu)
New iron selenide superconductors by intercalating smaller-sized alkali
metals (Li, Na) and alkaline earths using high-temperature routes have been
pursued ever since the discovery of superconductivity at about 30 K in KFe2Se2,
but all have failed so far. Here we demonstrate that a series of
superconductors with enhanced Tc=30~46 K can be obtained by intercalating
metals, Li, Na, Ba, Sr, Ca, Yb, and Eu in between FeSe layers by the
ammonothermal method at room temperature. Analysis on their powder X-ray
diffraction patterns reveals that all the main phases can be indexed based on
body-centered tetragonal lattices with a~3.755-3.831 {\AA} while c~15.99-20.54
{\AA}. Resistivities show the corresponding sharp transitions at 45 K and 39 K
for NaFe2Se2 and Ba0.8Fe2Se2, respectively, confirming their bulk
superconductivity. These findings provide a new starting point for studying the
properties of these superconductors and an effective synthetic route for the
exploration of new superconductors as well.Comment: 22 pages, 5 figure
Observation of a ppb mass threshoud enhancement in \psi^\prime\to\pi^+\pi^-J/\psi(J/\psi\to\gamma p\bar{p}) decay
The decay channel
is studied using a sample of events collected
by the BESIII experiment at BEPCII. A strong enhancement at threshold is
observed in the invariant mass spectrum. The enhancement can be fit
with an -wave Breit-Wigner resonance function with a resulting peak mass of
and a
narrow width that is at the 90% confidence level.
These results are consistent with published BESII results. These mass and width
values do not match with those of any known meson resonance.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Chinese Physics
- …