An effective fingerprint orientation field estimation method using differential values of grayscale intensity.

Fingerprint orientation field (OF) estimation is important for basic fingerprint image processing and impacts the accuracy of fingerprint image enhancements, such as Gabor filters. In this article, we introduce an OF estimation algorithm based on differential values of grayscale intensity and examine the accuracy and reliability of the proposed algorithm by applying it to fingerprint images processed using Gaussian blurring and the Gaussian white noise process. The experimental results indicate that the OF estimation reliability of the proposed algorithm is higher than the gradient-based method and the power spectral density (PSD) based method in low quality fingerprints.

The Enhanced Thermal Stability of (MgNi)TiO Dielectric Ceramics Modified by a Multi-Phase Method.

The thermal stability of (MgNi)TiO dielectric ceramics has been improved by mixing with CaTiO phases owing to higher positive temperature coefficients. The pure (MgNi)TiO and the mixture phase systems of CaTiO-modified (MgNi)TiO were verified by XRD diffraction patterns to ensure the crystallite of different phases. The microstructures of the CaTiO-modified (MgNi)TiO were observed by SEM and EDS to investigate the relation between element ratios and grains.

Experimental results and mathematical formulation of non-spinning stone-skipping process.

Following a previously published paper in studying stone-skipping processes, detailed experimental figures are revealed in this paper. A mathematical model is also provided to explain the observed phenomena and measured data. The model separates the skipping process into several stages.

Association between magnetic resonance imaging of carotid artery and coronary stenosis detected by computed tomography angiography.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between carotid artery stenosis (CAS) measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the coronary stenosis (CS) determined by computed tomography angiography (CTA).

Methods: In this prospective study, 42 subjects diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent MRI and CTA examinations. The severity degree and number of CAS, the score, detection rate and type of carotid plaque, and also the severity degree and number of CS were assessed.

Left and right ventricular function detection and myocardial deformation analysis in heart transplant patients with long-time follow-ups.

Objective: We try to investigate whether the values of longitudinal strain present differences between the left and right ventricles in long-time follow-ups after heart transplantation (HTx) with dynamic changes in function.

Methods And Results: Follow-up transthoracic echocardiography was performed in 1- and 3-month and 1- and 5-year follow-ups in 50 "healthy" HTx patients and compared with 26 control subjects. The left ventricle with preserved ejection fraction evaluated by biplane Simpson (control group [CG] vs HT; P > .

Half-Metallic Property Induced by Double Exchange Interaction in the Double Perovskite BiO ( = Transitional Metal) via First-Principles Calculations.

In this paper, we identify three possible candidate series of half-metals (HM) from Bi-based double perovskites Bi'O (' = transition metal ions) through calculations utilizing the density functional theory (DFT) and full-structural optimization, in which the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and the strong correlation effect (GGA + ) are considered. After observing the candidate materials under four types of magnetic states, i.e.

Assessment of Left Ventricular Myocardial Viability by 3-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Patients With Myocardial Infarction.

Objectives: To determine whether 3-dimensional (3D) speckle-tracking echocardiography could provide a new way to assess myocardial viability in patients with myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: Forty-five patients with MI underwent routine echocardiography, 2-dimensional (2D) speckle-tracking echocardiography, and 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography. Radionuclide myocardial perfusion/metabolic imaging was used as a reference standard to define viable and nonviable myocardia.

Constructing an effective prevention mechanism for MSW lifecycle using failure mode and effects analysis.

Municipal solid waste in Taiwan is a valuable source of renewable energy. Phases of municipal solid waste lifecycle (classification, disposal, storage, collection and transportation) before incineration or landfilled face various potential failures. Applying a proper technique to eliminate or decrease potential failures is desirable and needed.

[Viable myocardium evaluation by two dimensional speckle tracking imaging combined with adenosine stress echocardiography].

Objective: Regional left ventricular (LV) function could be detected by measuring peak-systolic strain by speckle tracking imaging (STI). We evaluated the value of STI combined with adenosine stress echocardiography on assessing myocardial viability in patients with myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: Two dimensional echocardiography was performed at rest and after adenosine stress echocardiography (infused at 140 µg×kg(-1)×min(-1) over a period of 6 min) in 39 stable patients with previous MI.

[Development of glipizide push-pull osmotic pump controlled release tablets by using expert system and artificial neural network].

The purpose of this study is to develop glipizide push-pull osmotic pump (PPOP) tablets by using a formulation design expert system and an artificial neural network (ANN). Firstly, the expert system for the formulation design of osmotic pump of poor water-soluble drug was employed to design the formulation of glipizide PPOP, taking the dissolution test results of Glucotrol XL as the goal. Then glipizide PPOP was prepared according to the designed formulations and the in vitro dissolution was carried out.

Clinic value of two-dimensional speckle tracking combined with adenosine stress echocardiography for assessment of myocardial viability.

Background: To evaluate whether myocardial strain under adenosine stress calculated from two-dimensional echocardiography by automatic frame-by-frame tracking of natural acoustic markers enables objective description of myocardial viability in clinic.

Methods And Results: Two-dimensional echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D STI) at rest were performed first and once again after adenosine was infused at 140 ug/kg/min over a period of 6 minutes in 36 stable patients with previous myocardial infarction. Then radionuclide myocardial perfusion/metabolic imaging served as the "gold standard" to define myocardial viability was given in all patients within 1 day.

[Improved therapeutic effectiveness by combining recombinant human RhoB with low-dose cisplatin in human lung cancer in nude mice].

Objective: To determine the antitumor effects of the recombinant human RhoB with low-dose cisplatin in lung carcinoma models.

Methods: The pVITRO2-RhoB recombinant was constructed and transfected into A549 cells. Its expression and the inhibition effect to the A549 cells were observed models.

[Design push-pull osmotic pump tablets of famotidine based on an expert system for the formulation design of osmotic pump of poor water-soluble drug].

The purpose of this study is to design push-pull osmotic pump (PPOP) tablets of famotidine using the expert system for the formulation design of osmotic pump of poor water-soluble drug which had been established by the authors. Firstly, the parameters which were requisite of the system input were obtained from literatures and experimental tests. Then the parameters were input into the system, and the program was run.

Development of glycyrrhetinic acid-modified stealth cationic liposomes for gene delivery.

The glycyrrhetinic acid-modified stealth cationic liposomes (GA-PEG-CLs) loaded with pDNA (GA-PEG-CLPs) were developed and found to transfect human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 with high efficiency. GA-PEG-CLs were comprised of DOTAP, cholesterol (Chol) and glycyrrhetinic acid-polyethyleneglycol-cholesterol conjugate (GA-PEG-Chol). Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that 5% GA-PEG-CLs constituted by DOTAP/Chol/GA-PEG-Chol at molar ratio of 50:45:5 could completely entrap pDNA at a lower liposomes/pDNA weight ratios of 4:1 (N/P ratio: 1.

[Association between urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery].

Objective: To test the hypothesis that Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is an early biomarker for acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients after cardiac surgery.

Methods: 33 cases undergoing cardiac surgery were divided into AKI group and Non-AKI group according to the AKI criteria. The concentration of urine NGAL at different time points were measured.

[Survival analysis on liver failure patients treated with an artificial liver support system].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of artificial liver support system (ALSS) in the treatment of liver failure patients.

Methods: This is a prospective, multi-center, controlled, large sample clinic trial. 518 patients with liver failure from 5 hospitals were studied and followed.

[The construction and expression of superantigen SEA and antimelanoma ScFv fusion gene].

Two strategies, direct ligation after enzyme digestion and over-lap PCR technology, were adopted to construct a fusion gene which was composed of the antimelanoma single chain antibody gene and the staphylococcal enterotoxin A gene without N-terminal signal sequence. The fusion gene was subcloned into pET28-a vector and transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3).

[Cloning of staphylococcal enterotoxin B gene and its highly expression in Escherichia coli].

An about 700 bp DNA fragment was amplified from genome DNA of S. aureus TSTw by PCR. This fragment was cloned into pGEM-7Zf(+) and the recombinant plasmid was transformed into E.

[The changes of rare codons increase expression level of SEA].

The rare codons of a fragment in staphylococcal enterotoxin A gene were turned into the most high usage frequency codons in E. coli by overlap PCR technique. Genes of sea and seam were cloned into 7ZTS expression vector and transformed into JM109(DE3), respectively.