2,280 research outputs found
Investigation of the CD1b lipid antigen presentation pathway In pulmonary COPD
No full textTSANZ Poster Presentations - TP-040Miranda Ween, Charles Jones, Hai Tran, Jonathan Whittall, Sandra Hodg
Relationship between biodistribution of a novel thymidine phosphorylase (TP) imaging probe and TP expression levels in normal mice
No full textObjective: Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is a key enzyme in the pyrimidine nucleoside salvage pathway and its expression is upregulated in a wide variety of solid tumors. In mice, we previously observed high and specific accumulation levels of our TP imaging probe, radioiodinated 5-iodo-6-[(2-iminoimidazolidinyl)methyl]uracil (IIMU) not only in high-TP-expressing tumors, but also in the liver and small intestine. To clarify the reason for the high accumulation levels of radioiodinated IIMU in the liver and small intestine, we investigated the expression levels of TP in mice in comparison with the biodistribution of radioiodinated IIMU (123I-IIMU). Methods: BALB/cCrSlc mice were injected with 123I-IIMU, and the radioactivity levels [%ID/g (normalized to a mouse of 25 g body weight)] in the tissues of interest were determined 0.5, 1, 3 and 24 h after the injection (n = 5, each time point). To determine the expression levels of TP, BALB/cCrSlc and ddy mice (n = 3/each strain) were euthanized, and the heart, liver, lung, spleen, kidney, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and brain were collected. The mRNA and protein expression levels of TP in these organs were examined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses, respectively. Results: In BALB/cCrSlc mice administered 123I-IIMU, markedly high radioactivity levels were observed in the liver [1.568 ± 0.237 (%ID/g)] and small intestine [0.506 ± 0.082 (%ID/g)], whereas those in the other tissues were fairly low [<0.010 ± 0.003 (%ID/g)] 30 min after the injection. The highest expression levels of TP mRNA were also observed in the liver and small intestine among the tissues tested. Immunoblotting showed intense immunoreactive bands of the TP protein for the liver and small intestine, whereas no notable bands were detected for other tissues. Similar expression profiles of TP mRNA and protein were observed in ddy mice. Conclusion: We confirmed TP expression in various tissues of mice at the mRNA and protein levels: high TP expression levels were observed in the liver and small intestine. These high TP expression levels are consistent with the high accumulation levels of 123I-IIMU in these tissues. Our results may provide important information about the physiological accumulation of 123I-IIMU, which may be useful for the clinical diagnostic imaging of TP
Thermal-plasma-assisted renewable hydrogen and solid carbon production from ionic liquid-based biogas upgrading : a process intensification study
No full textConsidering the critical roles of hydrogen in energy transition and the renewable character of biogas, an integrated process linking ionic liquid (IL) based biogas upgrading and thermal plasma (TP) assisted hydrogen production is conceptually proposed and studied from the process intensification point of view. To select a practically suitable IL absorbent for biogas upgrading, an IL screening is first conducted from an experimental database exhaustively collected from the literature. Following the thermodynamic screening and the assessment of important physical properties, the retained IL is evaluated in the conceptual biogas upgrading process. After that, the upgraded biogas with high biomethane purity is fed into a simulated TP reactor for the production of hydrogen by decarbonisation, where solid carbon could be simultaneously obtained as a second product. The improvement of the combined process is further examined by strategies of heat and power integration. The configuration of the whole integrated process is finally presented, showing a promising scenario for energy efficient and sustainable production of hydrogen
TP-model transformation-based-control design frameworks
No full textThis book covers new aspects and frameworks of control, design, and optimization based on the TP model transformation and its various extensions. The author outlines the three main steps of polytopic and LMI based control design: 1) development of the qLPV state-space model, 2) generation of the polytopic model; and 3) application of LMI to derive controller and observer. He goes on to describe why literature has extensively studied LMI design, but has not focused much on the second step, in part because the generation and manipulation of the polytopic form was not tractable in many cases. The author then shows how the TP model transformation facilitates this second step and hence reveals new directions, leading to powerful design procedures and the formulation of new questions. The chapters of this book, and the complex dynamical control tasks which they cover, are organized so as to present and analyze the beneficial aspect of the family of approaches (control, design, and optimization). Additionally, the book aims to convey simple TP modeling; a new convex hull manipulation based possibilities for optimization; a general framework for stability analysis; standardized modeling and system description; relaxed and universal LMI based design framework; and a gateway to time-delayed systems
TP-GMOT: Tracking Generic Multiple Object by Textual Prompt with Motion-Appearance Cost (MAC) SORT
No full textWhile Multi-Object Tracking (MOT) has made substantial advancements, it is limited by heavy reliance on prior knowledge and limited to predefined categories. In contrast, Generic Multiple Object Tracking (GMOT), tracking multiple objects with similar appearance, requires less prior information about the targets but faces challenges with variants like viewpoint, lighting, occlusion, and resolution. Our contributions commence with the introduction of the \textbf{\text{Refer-GMOT dataset}} a collection of videos, each accompanied by fine-grained textual descriptions of their attributes. Subsequently, we introduce a novel text prompt-based open-vocabulary GMOT framework, called \textbf{\text{TP-GMOT}}, which can track never-seen object categories with zero training examples. Within \text{TP-GMOT} framework, we introduce two novel components: (i) {\textbf{\text{TP-OD}}, an object detection by a textual prompt}, for accurately detecting unseen objects with specific characteristics. (ii) Motion-Appearance Cost SORT \textbf{\text{MAC-SORT}}, a novel object association approach that adeptly integrates motion and appearance-based matching strategies to tackle the complex task of tracking multiple generic objects with high similarity. Our contributions are benchmarked on the \text{Refer-GMOT} dataset for GMOT task. Additionally, to assess the generalizability of the proposed \text{TP-GMOT} framework and the effectiveness of \text{MAC-SORT} tracker, we conduct ablation studies on the DanceTrack and MOT20 datasets for the MOT task. Our dataset, code, and models will be publicly available at: https://fsoft-aic.github.io/TP-GMO
Nesorthomorpha montana Nguyen & Tran & Le 2018
No full textNeSOrthOMOrpha MOntana n. sp. (Figs 1–3) Material examined. Holotype: male (IEBR-453H) Kon Tum Province, Ngoc Linh Mts. (15°00'¯ 15°18'N, 107°41'¯ 08°01'E), primary forest, 1,900 m a.s.l, 31 March 2004, coll. Anh D. Nguyen. Paratypes: 1 female (IEBR-453P) same date as holotype; 1 male (IEBR-458) same locality, secondary forest, 1,700 m a.s.l., 21 March–9 April 2006, coll. Anh D. Nguyen. Non-types: 3 females (IEBR-Myr 561) Gia Lai Province, Chu Mon Ray National Park, natural forests, 500–750 m a.s.l., 5 Oct. 2005, coll. Mai Phu Quy; 1 male, 1 female (IEBR-Myr 596) Gia Lai Province, Chu Mom Ray National Park (14°18′¯ 14°38′N, 107°29′¯ 107°47′ E), natural forests, 1,200 m a.s.l., 31 March 2015, leg. Le Xuan Son; 1 male, 1 female (IEBR-Myr 633) Gia Lai Province, Kon Ka Kinh National Park (14°09′– 14°30′N, 108°16′– 108°28′E), near head office, natural forests, 890 m a.s.l., 21–24 May 2017, coll. Anh D. Nguyen. Diagnosis. The species differs from its congeners in the following combination of characters. Sternum 5 with two elevated, small, and rounded processes between coxae 4. Both lamina medialis and lamina lateralis of gonopod solenophore unfolded. Lamina medialis with a long spiniform process d in the middle. Tip of gonopod trifid: terminal and subterminal prongs lobed (tp and stp, respectively), middle prong (mp) a tiny denticle. Description. Based on Holotype (male) IEBR-453H. Measurements: Holotype ca. 31.2 mm in length; width of midbody pro- and metazonites 2.0 mm and 3.2 mm, respectively. Coloration (Fig. 1): Whole body reddish brown except lateral area of paranota. Calluses, marginal posterior area of metaterga, waist between pro- and metazonite whitish yellow. Sterna, legs, antennae yellowish brown. Distal part of antennomere 6 and whole antennomere 7 blackish brown. Head: (Figs 1B–C) Slightly smaller than collum. Clypeolabral region modestly setose. Frons weakly convex, divided in 2 parts by distinct, thin epicranial suture. Antennae (Figs 1B–C) long, claviform, reaching body ring 4 laterally. Most antennomeres subequal in length except for the shortest antennomeres, 7 and 1. Tergites: Collum slightly narrower than body ring 2; surface shining and almost smooth, only faintly rugulose on medioposterior area. Collum with 3 rows of setae: 3+ 3 in anterior, 1+ 1 in middle, 1+ 1 in posterior. Body rings 4<3<2=5¯ 17 in width, posteriorly gradually tapering towards telson. Prozonites shining and smooth. Metatergites shining; anterior half faintly rugulose, and posterior half considerably rugose. Metatergites with a row of 2+2 setae on anterior half and another row of 3+3 setiferous knobs near posterior margin. Transverse sulcus present on metaterga 5¯19, reaching base of paranota. Waist between pro- and metaterga narrow, posterior margin beaded. Pleura with dense covering of microgranules. Pleurosternal carinae present as a full crest with a small caudal tooth on body rings 2¯4, thereafter (moving posteriorly) reduced to a small caudal tooth on body rings 5¯9, to a minute denticle on body rings 10¯16, and missing on subsequent body rings. Paranota (Figs 1A, C, D, E, G) well developed, subhorizontal: lying about equal to metatergal surface. Caudal corner beak-like and pointed, more protuberant on posterior-most paranota, surpassing posterior contour of metaterga. Calluses thin on poreless paranota, but thicker on pore-bearing paranota. Epiproct (Figs 1F, H) long, broadly truncated, dorsoventrally flattened, with two tiny apicolateral tubercles. Epiproct apex with four spinnerets. Hypoproct (Fig. 1H) triangular with two distolateral, well-separated, setiferous knobs. Sterna sparsely setose, without modifications except for fifth sternum with two small, broadly rounded, highly elevated ventrad processes between coxae 4 (Fig. 1I). Legs: Long and slender, about 1.6X (male), 1.4X (female) longer than midbody height. Tarsal brushes present on leg pairs 1¯27, absent on other legs. Prefemora not swollen. Femora without modifications. Gonopod (Figs 2–3): Coxae cylindrical, half as long as the telopodite; distoventral part sparsely setose. Prefemur densely setose, set off from acropodite by an oblique sulcus laterally. Acropodite long, slender, slightly curved posteroventrad, with an oblique sulcus laterally. Prostatic groove ending in a flagelliform solenomere apically. Both lamina medialis and lamina lateralis unfolded. Lamina medialis with a spiniform process d in the middle. Tip of gonopod trifid: terminal and subterminal prongs lobate (tp and stp, respectively), middle prong (mp) a tiny denticle. Variation. Measurements. Body length 29.2¯ 31.2 mm (males), 33.1 mm (female); width of midbody pro- and metazona 2.0 mm (male), 2.5 mm (female) and 2.8¯ 3.2 mm (male), 3.8 mm (female), respectively. Coloration: Specimens from Kon Ka Kinh National Park are slightly different from others in coloration: they are almost black except the paranotal calluses and legs are castaneous brown. Etymology. a Latin word “ montana ”, which means “mountain”, is an adjective to emphasize the mountainous habitats where the types were found. Genetic distance and phylogenetic relationship. K2P distance between the new species and Orthomorpha species range from 0.143 to 0.163; between the new species and Antheromorpha festiva is 0.261. The distance between Nesorthomorpha montana n. sp. and other species varies from 0.148 to 0.317. Both ML and BI trees recover a clade that consisted of Orthomorpha species and Nesorthomorpha montana n. sp. with strong ML and BI values (100% bootstrap value and 0.98 posterior probability) (Fig. 4). The genus Antheromorpha is a weakly supported sister species (ML 54%; BI 0.89) to these two genera. Desmoxytes species formed a well-supported clade, and the genera Piccola and Orthomorphoides are sister to the ingroup taxa.Published as part of Nguyen, Anh D., Tran, Binh T. T. & Le, Minh D., 2018, First record of the millipede genus Nesorthomorpha Jeekel, 1980 in Vietnam with description of a new species (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae), pp. 426-434 in Zootaxa 4462 (3) on pages 428-431, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4462.3.8, http://zenodo.org/record/144172
The prediction theory of stationary random fields. III. Fourfold Wold decompositions
No full textAbstractIn this paper, we investigate various fourfold Wold-type decompositions of stationary random fields under different hypotheses of commutation properties. Spectral characterizations of the three multiplicities of the innovation subspaces are obtained. The equivalence relations between the weak commutation property, fourfold Wold-type decomposition, and quarter-plane moving average representation are proved. A complete spectral characterization of the weak commutation property is also given
IGD-TP Competence Maintenance, Education and Training Strategy and Action Plan for 2013-2016: DELIVERABLE (D-N°:3.2) Work Package 3
No full textThe purpose of this document is to define how the working group on Competence Maintenance, Education and Training (CMET) can support the IGD-TP Vision "2025". Also it was and it is still intended for outlining the activities of this working group and Joint Activity (no 14) during 2013-2016. In connection with its Vision statement (IGD-TP 2009 Vision Report) the IGD-TP committed to among its other goals to "Facilitate access to expertise and technology and maintain competences in the field of geological disposal for the benefit of Member States". The CMET working group was established in 2012 when its first Terms of Reference (ToR) version was approved by the IGD-TP Executive Group (EG). During 2013-2015 resourcing to support the group was received under SecIGD2 project with the EURATOM FP7 grant and with a direct contribution from the IGD-TP Executive Group members. This document was planned for production already during the first SecIGD2 project year. It was to be based on the needs of the IGD-TP's Joint Activities that were already deployed or planned to start in 2012, and on the needs of the CMET group members. The role of CMET group was to address Competence Maintenance, Education and Training needs from the demand side. However, at the early stage of deployment, it was somewhat difficult to express or the identify competence gaps in the activities or they had already been identified and resourced at the beginning of the joint activity. Thus there was not adequate amount of input for the first CMET working group meeting as a direct basis for a strategy formulation beyond the action plan, which had been prepared for the SecIGD2 project proposal. The SecIGD2 project's Work Package 3 in the project's description of work (DoW) that was originally prepared in alignment with the CMET Terms of Reference included the main action plan for the CMET group. With the exception of this document, the actions foreseen to be carried out by the CMET in the action plan have been implemented according to the original timetable. The actions are described in this report and two other public project documents, which are included in this report's references. The CMET working group members have contributed to the content of this report either directly via email commenting or by participating in the work group meeting discussion providing input to this report. The editors mentioned on this report's front page have been the persons who have produced this report document itself. The document represents the views of the authors and of the CMET working group. This document does not represent the views of the IGD-TP Executive Group.Geo-engineerin
The design and validation of a low-cost trans perineal (TP) prostate biopsy simulator for training: improving trainees' confidence and cognitive targeting skills.
No full textThe aim of this research was to create a novel and low-cost TP prostate biopsy simulator that has face, content and construct validity with high educational value. This research developed a trans perineal prostate (TP) biopsy simulator using 3D-printed moulds and tissue-mimicking materials. Important regions (anterior, mid, and posterior zones) were coded with different colours. Ultrasound visible abnormal lesions were embedded in the prostate phantom. Expert and novice participants in TP biopsies were recruited. Essential skills were identified through the consensus of six experts. These skills were assessed through tasks performed by participants. This included the accuracy and timing of systematic and target biopsies. Immediate feedback was determined by the colour of the biopsy cores taken. A survey was distributed to evaluate its realism and educational value. The material cost of one simulator was £7.50. This simulator was proven to have face, content, and construct validity. There was a significant difference (p = 0.02) in the accuracy of systematic biopsies between both experts and novices. Significant difference was also observed (p = 0.01), in accurately identifying target lesion on ultrasound between both groups. Participants rated the overall realism of the simulator 4.57/5 (range 3-5). 100% of the experts agreed that introducing this simulator to training will be beneficial. 85.7% of the participants strongly agree that the simulator improved their confidence in TP biopsies. There is value in integrating this proof-of-concept TP prostate biopsy simulator into training. It has highly rated educational value and has face, content, and construct validity. [Abstract copyright: © 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
Biogas upgrading using ionic liquid [Bmim][PF6] followed by thermal-plasma-assisted renewable hydrogen and solid carbon production
No full textThe use of hydrogen as clean energy has attracted significant attention because conventional industrial hydrogen production processes show negative environmental impact, require intensive energy, and/or are dependent on natural gas. The main objective of this study is to develop an innovative and environment-friendly hydrogen production process utilizing biogas as an alternative to natural gas. Ionic liquid [Bmim][PF6] shows high potential for the replacement of aqueous amine solutions for CO2 absorption and are employed for biogas upgrading, while thermal plasma (TP), which is beneficial for converting electrical energy to chemical energy, is employed for the simultaneous production of clean “turquoise” hydrogen and solid carbon. In addition, an intercooler is used to improve CO2 removal in the absorber. Heat and power integration are employed to enhance the performance of the upgrading process and thermal-plasma-assisted hydrogen production. All simulations were conducted using Aspen Plus V10.0 software. The simulated results show that the solid carbon production from biomethane increases compared to that in the proposed base case. The savings in both the heater used to preheat the TP reactor and the third flash drum are 100%, while the saving in power consumption in the compression section is 62.0%. Furthermore, sensitivity is investigated to determine the effect of biomethane composition on the performance of the proposed configuration
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