Projections Onto Convex Sets (POCS) Based Optimization by Lifting

Two new optimization techniques based on projections onto convex space (POCS) framework for solving convex and some non-convex optimization problems are presented. The dimension of the minimization problem is lifted by one and sets corresponding to the cost function are defined. If the cost function is a convex function in R^N the corresponding set is a convex set in R^(N+1). The iterative optimization approach starts with an arbitrary initial estimate in R^(N+1) and an orthogonal projection is performed onto one of the sets in a sequential manner at each step of the optimization problem. The method provides globally optimal solutions in total-variation, filtered variation, l1, and entropic cost functions. It is also experimentally observed that cost functions based on lp, p<1 can be handled by using the supporting hyperplane concept

Novel object recognition is not affected by age despite age-related brain changes

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Age-related memory impairments show a progressive decline across lifespan. Studies have demonstrated equivocal results in biological and behavioral outcomes of aging. Thus, in the present study we examined the novel object recognition task at a delay period that has been shown to be impaired in aged rats of two different strains. Moreover, we used a strain of rats, Fisher 344XBrown Norway, which have published age-related biological changes in the brain. Young (10 month old) and aged (28 month old) rats were tested on a standard novel object recognition task with a 50-minute delay period. The data showed that young and aged rats in the strain we used performed equally well on the novel object recognition task and that both young and old rats demonstrated a righthanded side preference for the novel object. Our data suggested that novel object recognition is not impaired in aged rats although both young and old rats have a demonstrated side preference. Thus, it may be that genetic differences across strains contribute to the equivocal results in behavior, and genetic variance likely influences the course of cognitive aging

Comparison of fluorgestone and medroxyprogesterone intravaginal sponges for oestrus synchronization in Saanen does during the transition period

The efficiency of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) and fluorogestone acetate (FGA) sponges for synchronizing oestrus in lactating Saanen goats was investigated during the transition from non-breeding to natural breeding season. Does were treated for 11 days with 60 mg MAP (n=19) or 40 mg FGA (n=24) sponges. All does received intramuscular injections of 750 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and 125 mg cloprostenol (PGF2a) 48 h prior to sponge removal. Cervical artificial insemination (AI) with fresh diluted semen was performed at a fixed time (36 and 48 h) followed progestagen withdrawal. The two progestagen treatments showed no significant difference in oestrous response (100% both for MAP and FGA groups), time to the onset (15.8+09 and 15.0+06 h for the MAP and FGA groups, respectively), duration (30.5+1.9 and 34.0+1.4 h for MAP and FGA, respectively) and cessation (42.32+1.6 and 43.25+1.3 h for MAP and FGA, respectively) of the induced oestrus period. No significant difference was observed with respect to pregnancy rates determined at the 53rd day after AI (52.6 and 50.0% for MAP and FGA, respectively). These dates indicate that the use of MAP and FGA intravaginal progestagen treatments are equally efficient in synchronizing oestrus in lactating goats during the transition from the non-breeding to the natural breeding season. Key Words: Goat, Oestrus, Synchronization, Medroxyprogesterone acetate, MAP, Fluorogestone acetate, FGA SA Jnl Animal Sci Vol.34(1) 2004: 18-2

Wavelet based flickering flame detector using differential PIR sensors

Cataloged from PDF version of article.A Pyro-electric Infrared (PIR) sensor based flame detection system is proposed using a Markovian decision algorithm. A differential PIR sensor is only sensitive to sudden temperature variations within its viewing range and it produces a time-varying signal. The wavelet transform of the PIR sensor signal is used for feature extraction from sensor signal and wavelet parameters are fed to a set of Markov models corresponding to the flame flicker process of an uncontrolled fire, ordinary activity of human beings and other objects. The final decision is reached based on the model yielding the highest probability among others. Comparative results show that the system can be used for fire detection in large rooms. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

rac-Ethyl 6-hy­droxy-6-methyl-3-oxo-4-phenyl-1,3,4,5,6,7-hexa­hydro­benzo[c][1,2]oxazole-5-carboxyl­ate

In the title compound, C17H19NO5, the cyclo­hexene ring is in a half-chair conformation and the isoxazole ring in an envelope conformation with the N atom as the flap. The C atoms in the 4- and 6-positions are of the same absolute configuration, whereas the C atom in the 5-position is of the opposite configuration, i.e. (4S*,5R*,6S*). The methyl fragment of the eth­oxy­carbonyl group at position 5 is disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.60:0.40 ratio. The crystal packing displays inter­molecular N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds

Medicinal plants grown in soil amended with struvite recovered from anaerobically pretreated poultry manure wastewater

ABSTRACT 3--P = 1:1:1, pH = 9.0) was tested as a slow release fertilizer on the growth of four medicinal plants including garden rocket (Eruca sativa), dill (Anethum graveolens), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and parsley (Petroselinum crispum) in a series of labscale greenhouse experiment. Pot trial tests indicated that rates of increase in fresh weights, dry weights and fresh heights of plants grown in soil fertilized with the recovered struvite were determined as 405%, 488%, and 51% for garden rocket; 154%, 191%, and 44% for dill; 152%, 379%, and 27% for fennel; 141%, 208%, and 22% for parsley, respectively, compared to the control pot. Results of a static bioassay test proved that the use of plants cultivated in MAP pots as the feeding material did not cause any acute toxicity symptoms or mortality in guppy fish (Lebistes reticulatus), and all survived and exhibited normal visual responses at the end of 170-h exposure. Findings of this study confirmed that the recovered struvite from UASB effluent provided a valuable slow release fertilizer for the agricultural use, resulting an edible multi-nutrient animal feed

Red and Blue Compounds Formed from Copper(II) Bromide and the Ligand 7-Isobutyl-5-methyl-[1,2,4]triazolo [1,5-a]pyrimidine: Synthesis, Spectroscopy and Single-Crystal Structures

Metals in Catalysis, Biomimetics & Inorganic Material

Difficulties in the Differential Diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease

Currently, the main difficulty in the accurate diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with the high prevalence of infectious, allergic and autoimmune diseases leading to intestinal lesions mimicking IBD. In geographical regions where there is endemicity for certain infections, in particular tuberculosis, timely verification of the diagnoses of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) is a serious problem. Some infectious, allergic and autoimmune pathologies can not only imitate the clinical and endoscopic picture of IBD, but also complicate the course of an existing IBD, as a result of which there is resistance to the prescribed basic therapy in patients with UC and CD. Unfortunately, the complexity and limited possibilities of diagnostic methods can often be the reason for the belated establishment of an accurate diagnosis. Thus, in all these diseases, the main fecal markers for verifying the diagnosis of IBD, fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin, often have elevated values

Beautiful Mirrors at the LHC

We explore the "Beautiful Mirrors" model, which aims to explain the measured value of $A^b_{FB}$, discrepant at the $2.9\sigma$ level. This scenario introduces vector-like quarks which mix with the bottom, subtly affecting its coupling to the $Z$. The spectrum of the new particles consists of two bottom-like quarks and a charge -4/3 quark, all of which have electroweak interactions with the third generation. We explore the phenomenology and discovery reach for these new particles at the LHC, exploring single mirror quark production modes whose rates are proportional to the same mixing parameters which resolve the $A_{FB}^b$ anomaly. We find that for mirror quark masses $\lesssim 500 GeV, a 14 TeV LHC with 300 {\rm fb}^{-1}$ is required to reasonably establish the scenario and extract the relevant mixing parameters.Comment: version to be published in JHE

Mutations in 3 genes (MKS3, CC2D2A and RPGRIP1L) cause COACH syndrome (Joubert syndrome with congenital hepatic fibrosis)

OBJECTIVE: To identify genetic causes of COACH syndrome BACKGROUND: COACH syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterised by Cerebellar vermis hypoplasia, Oligophrenia (developmental delay/mental retardation), Ataxia, Coloboma, and Hepatic fibrosis. The vermis hypoplasia falls in a spectrum of mid-hindbrain malformation called the molar tooth sign (MTS), making COACH a Joubert syndrome related disorder (JSRD). METHODS: In a cohort of 251 families with JSRD, 26 subjects in 23 families met criteria for COACH syndrome, defined as JSRD plus clinically apparent liver disease. Diagnostic criteria for JSRD were clinical findings (intellectual impairment, hypotonia, ataxia) plus supportive brain imaging findings (MTS or cerebellar vermis hypoplasia). MKS3/TMEM67 was sequenced in all subjects for whom DNA was available. In COACH subjects without MKS3 mutations, CC2D2A, RPGRIP1L and CEP290 were also sequenced. RESUlTS: 19/23 families (83%) with COACH syndrome carried MKS3 mutations, compared to 2/209 (1%) with JSRD but no liver disease. Two other families with COACH carried CC2D2A mutations, one family carried RPGRIP1L mutations, and one lacked mutations in MKS3, CC2D2A, RPGRIP1L and CEP290. Liver biopsies from three subjects, each with mutations in one of the three genes, revealed changes within the congenital hepatic fibrosis/ductal plate malformation spectrum. In JSRD with and without liver disease, MKS3 mutations account for 21/232 families (9%). CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in MKS3 are responsible for the majority of COACH syndrome, with minor contributions from CC2D2A and RPGRIP1L; therefore, MKS3 should be the first gene tested in patients with JSRD plus liver disease and/or coloboma, followed by CC2D2A and RPGRIP1L