A subband-selective broadband GSC with cosine-modulated blocking matrix

A novel subband-selective generalized sidelobe canceller (GSC) for partially adaptive broadband beamforming is proposed. The columns of the blocking matrix are derived from a prototype vector by cosine modulation, and the broadside constraint is incorporated by imposing zeros on the prototype vector appropriately. These columns constitute a series of bandpass filters, which select signals with specific directions of arrival and frequencies. This results in a high-pass-type bandlimited spectra of the blocking matrix outputs, which is further exploited by subband decomposition and suitably discarding the low-pass subbands prior to running independent unconstrained adaptive filters in each nonredundant subband. By these steps, the computational complexity of a GSC implementation is greatly reduced compared to fully adaptive GSC schemes, while performance is comparable or even enhanced due to subband decorrelation in both spatial and temporal domains.     

Graph-Based Synthesis for Skin Micro Wrinkles

We present a novel graph-based simulation approach for generating micro wrinkle geometry on human skin, which can easily scale up to the micro-meter range and millions of wrinkles. The simulation first samples pores on the skin and treats them as nodes in a graph. These nodes are then connected and the resulting edges become candidate wrinkles. An iterative optimization inspired by pedestrian trail formation is then used to assign weights to those edges, i.e., to carve out the wrinkles. Finally, we convert the graph to a detailed skin displacement map using novel shape functions implemented in graphics shaders. Our simulation and displacement map creation steps expose fine controls over the appearance at real-time framerates suitable for interactive exploration and design. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the generated wrinkles by enhancing state-of-art 3D reconstructions of real human subjects with simulated micro wrinkles, and furthermore propose an artist-driven design flow for adding micro wrinkles to fictional characters.     

Behead and live long or the tale of cathepsin L

In recent decades Saccharomyces cerevisiae has proven to be one of the most valuable model organisms of aging research. Pathways such as autophagy or the effect of substances like resveratrol and spermidine that prolong the replicative as well as chronological lifespan of cells were described for the first time in S. cerevisiae. In this study we describe the establishment of an aging reporter that allows a reliable and relative quick screening of substances and genes that have an impact on the replicative lifespan. A cDNA library of the flatworm Dugesia tigrina that can be immortalized by beheading was screened using this aging reporter. Of all the flatworm genes, only one could be identified that significantly increased the replicative lifespan of S.cerevisiae. This gene is the cysteine protease cathepsin L that was sequenced for the first time in this study. We were able to show that this protease has the capability to degrade such proteins as the yeast Sup35 protein or the human α‐synuclein protein in yeast cells that are both capable of forming cytosolic toxic aggregates. The degradation of these proteins by cathepsin L prevents the formation of these unfolded protein aggregates and this seems to be responsible for the increase in replicative lifespan.     

Concurrent and carryover effects of feeding blends of protein and amino acids in high-protein diets with different concentrations of forage fiber to fresh cows. 1. Production and blood metabolites

Because of low feed intake during the first weeks of lactation, dietary concentration of metabolizable protein (MP) must be elevated. We evaluated effects of providing additional rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) from a single source or a blend of protein and AA sources during the first 3 wk of lactation. We also evaluated whether replacing forage fiber (fNDF) or nonforage fiber with the blend affected responses. In a randomized block design, at approximately 2 wk prepartum, 40 primigravid (664 ± 44 kg of body weight) and 40 multigravid (797 ± 81 kg of body weight) Holsteins were blocked by calving date and fed a common diet (11.5% crude protein, CP). After calving to 25 d in milk (DIM), cows were fed 1 of 4 diets formulated to be (1) 20% deficient in metabolizable protein (MP) based on predicted milk production (17% CP, 24% fNDF), (2) adequate in MP using primarily RUP from soy to increase MP concentration (AMP; 20% CP, 24% fNDF), (3) adequate in MP using a blend of RUP and rumen-protected AA sources to increase MP concentration (Blend; 20% CP, 24% fNDF), or (4) similar to Blend but substituting fNDF with added RUP rather than nonforage neutral detergent fiber (Blend-fNDF; 20% CP, 19% fNDF). The blend was formulated to have a RUP supply with an AA profile similar to that of casein. A common diet (17% CP) was fed from 26 to 92 DIM, and milk production and composition were measured from 26 to 92 DIM, but individual dry matter intake (DMI) was measured only until 50 DIM. During the treatment period for both parities, AMP and Blend increased energy-corrected milk (ECM) yields compared with the diet deficient in MP based on predicted milk production (40.7 vs. 37.8 kg/d) and reduced concentrations of plasma 3-methyl-His (4.1 vs. 5.3 µmol/L) and growth hormone (9.0 vs. 11.9 ng/mL). Blend had greater DMI than AMP (17.4 vs. 16.1 kg/d), but ECM yields were similar. Blend had greater plasma Met (42.0 vs. 26.4 µmol/L) and altered metabolites associated with antioxidant production and methyl donation compared with AMP. Conversely, the concentration of total essential AA in plasma was less in Blend versus AMP (837 vs. 935 µmol/L). In multiparous cows, Blend-fNDF decreased DMI and ECM yield compared with Blend (19.2 vs. 20.1 kg/d of DMI, 45.3 vs. 51.1 kg/d of ECM), whereas primiparous cows showed the opposite response (15.3 vs. 14.6 kg/d of DMI, 32.9 vs. 31.4 kg/d of ECM). Greater DMI for multiparous cows fed Blend carried over from 26 to 50 DIM and was greater compared with AMP (23.1 vs. 21.2 kg /d) and Blend-fNDF (21.3 kg/d). Blend also increased ECM yield compared with AMP (49.2 vs. 43.5 kg/d) and Blend-fNDF (45.4 kg/d) from 26 to 92 DIM. Few carryover effects of fresh cow treatments on production were found in primiparous cows. Overall, feeding blends of RUP and AA may improve the balance of AA for fresh cows fed high MP diets and improve concurrent and longer-term milk production in multiparous cows. However, with high MP diets, multiparous fresh cows require greater concentrations of fNDF than primiparous cows.     

Enhanced inhibition of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by lysozyme and chelators

This study examined the effects of three chelating agents (EDTA, disodium pyrophosphate [DSPP], and pentasodium tripolyphosphate [PSTPP]) on the inhibition of the growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by lysozyme. The objective of this study was to identify replacement chelators that exhibit synergistic properties similar to those of EDTA. The inhibitory effects of EDTA at 300 to 1,500 microg/ml and of DSPP and PSTPP at 3,000 to 15,000 microg/ml in combination with lysozyme at 200 to 600 microg/ml for up to 48 h at pHs of 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0 on four strains of E. coli O157:H7 was studied with the use of a microbroth dilution assay. The addition of EDTA enhanced lysozyme's inhibitory effect on strains of E. coli O157:H7. EDTA at > or = 300 microg/ml combined with lysozyme at 200 to 600 microg/ml was sufficient to inhibit the growth of the strains at pHs of 6.0 and 8.0. At pH 7.0, lysozyme at 200 to 600 microg/ml and EDTA concentrations of > or = 1,000 microg/ml were effective in inhibiting three of the four strains. DSPP at pH 6.0 was inhibitory at > or = 10,000 microg/ml when combined with lysozyme at 200 to 300 microg/ml. In contrast, PSTPP increased the inhibitory activity of lysozyme more effectively at pH 8.0. Lysozyme at 200 to 600 microg/ml was effective against two strains of E. coli O157:H7 when used in conjunction with PSTPP at > or = 5,000 microg/ml. The remaining strains were inhibited by PSTPP at > or = 10,000 microg/ml. Our results indicate that inhibition occurred with each lysozyme-chelator combination, but the concentrations of phosphates required to increase the antimicrobial spectrum of lysozyme against E. coli O157:H7 were higher than the EDTA concentrations required to achieve the same effect.     

Effects of feeding diets composed of corn silage and a corn milling product with and without supplemental lysine and methionine to dairy cows

Formulating diets with high inclusion rates of a feed that provides necessary nutrients at lower-than-market prices for those nutrients should increase income over feed costs if the feed is not detrimental to yields of milk and milk components. The objective of this study was to determine whether cows fed a diet composed of approximately 53% corn silage, 44% corn milling product (68% dry matter, 21% crude protein, 37% neutral detergent fiber, and 9% starch) and 3% minerals (CMP) would have similar productivity as cows fed a control diet of predominantly corn silage, alfalfa silage, corn grain, and soybean meal. Based on the National Research Council (2001) dairy model, the CMP diet was inadequate in metabolizable methionine and extremely low in metabolizable lysine. A third treatment (CMP+AA) was the same as the CMP diet but was supplemented with rumen-protected lysine and methionine. Twenty-one Holstein cows were used in a replicated Latin square (28-d periods) design to evaluate production responses to the 3 diets. Diets were formulated to contain the same concentration of net energy for lactation and metabolizable protein (MP) based on the National Research Council model, but diets with CMP contained more neutral detergent fiber (38.3 vs. 31.4%) and less starch (21.6 vs. 30.5%) than the control diet. Lysine as a percent of MP was 6.5, 6.0, and 6.8 for the control, CMP, and CMP+AA diets, respectively, and methionine was 1.8, 1.8, and 2.3% of MP, respectively. Dry matter intake was not affected by diet (24.3 kg/d), but milk yield was lower for cows fed either CMP diet than for those fed control (36.0 vs 38.1 kg/d). Milk fat concentrations were normal and not affected by diet (3.7%). Milk protein concentration was greater for cows fed CMP+AA than for cows fed the other 2 treatments (3.19 vs. 3.11%); however, milk protein yield was greatest for cows fed the conventional diet. The concentration of methionine in plasma was significantly greater for cows fed CMP+AA than for cows fed the other diets. Plasma lysine concentrations were greater for cows fed the conventional diet than for those fed the other 2 diets. Plasma concentrations of several essential AA were lower for cows fed either CMP diet. Based on calculated energy balance, diets contained similar concentrations of net energy for lactation, but cows fed CMP diets partitioned more energy toward body energy reserves than did control cows, perhaps because supply of specific AA limited milk synthesis.     

The effectiveness of traditional child psychotherapy.

This study used a randomized design to evaluate the effectiveness of child psychotherapy as typically delivered in outpatient settings. Overall, results were similar to the results of nonrandomized studies of traditional child psychotherapy: Little support was found for its effectiveness, with treatment producing an overall effect size of –.08. Despite the lack of significant differences between treatment and control groups in regard to changes in child functioning, parents of children who received treatment reported higher levels of satisfaction with services than control group parents whose children received academic tutoring. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of developing, validating, and transporting effective treatments to clinical settings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)