966 resultados para Transient Calibration
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In this article, we calibrate the Vasicek interest rate model under the risk neutral measure by learning the model parameters using Gaussian processes for machine learning regression. The calibration is done by maximizing the likelihood of zero coupon bond log prices, using mean and covariance functions computed analytically, as well as likelihood derivatives with respect to the parameters. The maximization method used is the conjugate gradients. The only prices needed for calibration are zero coupon bond prices and the parameters are directly obtained in the arbitrage free risk neutral measure.
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Oceans - San Diego, 2013
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This work presents an automatic calibration method for a vision based external underwater ground-truth positioning system. These systems are a relevant tool in benchmarking and assessing the quality of research in underwater robotics applications. A stereo vision system can in suitable environments such as test tanks or in clear water conditions provide accurate position with low cost and flexible operation. In this work we present a two step extrinsic camera parameter calibration procedure in order to reduce the setup time and provide accurate results. The proposed method uses a planar homography decomposition in order to determine the relative camera poses and the determination of vanishing points of detected lines in the image to obtain the global pose of the stereo rig in the reference frame. This method was applied to our external vision based ground-truth at the INESC TEC/Robotics test tank. Results are presented in comparison with an precise calibration performed using points obtained from an accurate 3D LIDAR modelling of the environment.
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BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess whether patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure is superior to medical therapy in preventing recurrence of cryptogenic ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). METHODS: We searched PubMed for randomized trials which compared PFO closure with medical therapy in cryptogenic stroke/TIA using the items: "stroke or cerebrovascular accident or TIA" and "patent foramen ovale or paradoxical embolism" and "trial or study". RESULTS: Among 650 potentially eligible articles, 3 were included including 2303 patients. There was no statistically significant difference between PFO-closure and medical therapy in ischemic stroke recurrence (1.91% vs. 2.94% respectively, OR: 0.64, 95%CI: 0.37-1.10), TIA (2.08% vs. 2.42% respectively, OR: 0.87, 95%CI: 0.50-1.51) and death (0.60% vs. 0.86% respectively, OR: 0.71, 95%CI: 0.28-1.82). In subgroup analysis, there was significant reduction of ischemic strokes in the AMPLATZER PFO Occluder arm vs. medical therapy (1.4% vs. 3.04% respectively, OR: 0.46, 95%CI: 0.21-0.98, relative-risk-reduction: 53.2%, absolute-risk-reduction: 1.6%, number-needed-to-treat: 61.8) but not in the STARFlex device (2.7% vs. 2.8% with medical therapy, OR: 0.93, 95%CI: 0.45-2.11). Compared to medical therapy, the number of patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) was similar in the AMPLATZER PFO Occluder arm (0.72% vs. 1.28% respectively, OR: 1.81, 95%CI: 0.60-5.42) but higher in the STARFlex device (0.64% vs. 5.14% respectively, OR: 8.30, 95%CI: 2.47-27.84). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis does not support PFO closure for secondary prevention with unselected devices in cryptogenic stroke/TIA. In subgroup analysis, selected closure devices may be superior to medical therapy without increasing the risk of new-onset AF, however. This observation should be confirmed in further trials using inclusion criteria for patients with high likelihood of PFO-related stroke recurrence.
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Effects of insulin upon glucose metabolism were investigated in chick embryos explanted in vitro during the first 30 h of incubation. Insulin stimulated the glucose consumption of the chick gastrula (18 h) and neurula (24 h), but had no effect on the late blastula (0 h:laying) and on the stage of six to eight somites (30 h). The increase in glucose consumption concerned both the embryonic area pellucida (AP) and extraembryonic area opaca (AO). AP responded to a greater extent (50%) and at a lower range of concentrations (0.1-1.0 ng/ml) than AO (30%; 1-100 ng/ml). Insulin had no effect on the oxygen consumption of blastoderms, whereas it stimulated the aerobic lactate production (approximately 70% of the additional glucose consumption was converted to lactate). The nanomolar range of stimulating concentrations suggests that insulin has a specific effect in the chick embryo, and that it could modulate glucose metabolism in ovo as well. The transient sensitivity of the embryo to insulin is discussed in relation to behavior of mesodermal cells.
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Taking advantage of homeostatic mechanisms to boost tumor-specific cellular immunity is raising increasing interest in the development of therapeutic strategies in the treatment of melanoma. Here, we have explored the potential of combining homeostatic proliferation, after transient immunosuppression, and antigenic stimulation of Melan-A/Mart-1 specific CD8 T-cells. In an effort to develop protocols that could be readily applicable to the clinic, we have designed a phase I clinical trial, involving lymphodepleting chemotherapy with Busulfan and Fludarabine, reinfusion of Melan-A specific CD8 T-cell containing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (exempt of growth factors), and Melan-A peptide vaccination. Six patients with advanced melanoma were enrolled in this outpatient regimen that demonstrated good feasibility combined with low toxicity. Consistent depletion of lymphocytes with persistent increased CD4/CD8 ratios was induced, although the proportion of circulating CD4 regulatory T-cells remained mostly unchanged. The study of the immune reconstitution period showed a steady recovery of whole T-cell numbers overtime. However, expansion of Melan-A specific CD8 T-cells, as measured in peripheral blood, was mostly inconsistent, accompanied with marginal phenotypic changes, despite vaccination with Melan-A/Mart-1 peptide. On the clinical level, 1 patient presented a partial but objective antitumor response following the beginning of the protocol, even though a direct effect of Busulfan/Fludarabine cannot be completely ruled out. Overall, these data provide further ground for the development of immunotherapeutic approaches to be both effective against melanoma and applicable in clinic.
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BACKGROUND: Cranial nerve schwannomas are radiologically characterized by nodular cranial nerve enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Schwannomas typically present with gradually progressive symptoms, but isolated reports have suggested that schwannomas may cause fluctuating symptoms as well. METHODS: This is a report of ten cases of presumed cranial nerve schwannoma that presented with transient or recurring ocular motor nerve deficits. RESULTS: Schwannomas of the third, fourth, and fifth nerves resulted in fluctuating deficits of all 3 ocular motor nerves. Persistent nodular cranial nerve enhancement was present on sequential MRI studies. Several episodes of transient oculomotor (III) deficts were associated with headaches, mimicking ophthalmoplegic migraine. CONCLUSIONS: Cranial nerve schwannomas may result in relapsing and remitting cranial nerve symptoms.
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A new Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV) reflectance spectrometer was successfully designed, making use of a Janis Industries ST-400 sample cryostat, IR Labs bolometer, and Briiker IFS 66 v/S spectrometer. Two of the noteworthy features include an in situ gold evaporator and internal reference path, both of which allow for the experiment to progress with a completely undisturbed sample position. As tested, the system was designed to operate between 4.2 K and 325 K over a frequency range of 60 - 670 cm~^. This frequency range can easily be extended through the addition of appUcable detectors. Tests were performed on SrTiOa, a highly ionic incipient ferroelectric insulator with a well known reflectance. The presence and temperatmre dependence of the lowest frequency "soft" mode were measured, as was the presence of the other two infrared modes. During the structural phase transition from cubic to tetragonal perovskite, the splitting of the second phonon mode was also observed. All of the collected data indicate good agreement with previous measurements, with a minor discrepency between the actual and recorded sample temperatures.
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Two time-resolved EPR techniques, have been used to study the light induced electron transfer(ET) in Type I photosynthetic reaction centers(RCs). First, pulsed EPR was used to compare PsaA-M688H and PsaB-M668H mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Synechosystis sp. PCC 6803.The out-of-phase echo modulation curves combined with other EPR and optical data show that the effect of the mutations is species dependent. Second, transient and pulsed EPR data are presented which show that PsaA-A660N and PsaB-A640N mutations in C. reinhardtii alter the relative quantum yield of ET in the A- and B-branches of PS I. Third, transient EPR studies on RCs from Heliobacillus mobilis that have been exposed to oxygen show partial inhibition of ET. In the RCs in which ET still occurs, the ET kinetics and EPR spectra show evidence of oxidation of some but not all of the, BChl g and BChl g' to Chl a.
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Ce mmoire s'intresse la vision par ordinateur applique des projets d'art technologique. Le sujet trait est la calibration de systmes de camras et de projecteurs dans des applications de suivi et de reconstruction 3D en arts visuels et en art performatif. Le mmoire s'articule autour de deux collaborations avec les artistes qubcois Daniel Danis et Nicolas Reeves. La gomtrie projective et les mthodes de calibration classiques telles que la calibration planaire et la calibration par gomtrie pipolaire sont prsentes pour introduire les techniques utilises dans ces deux projets. La collaboration avec Nicolas Reeves consiste calibrer un systme camra-projecteur sur tte robotise pour projeter des vidos en temps rel sur des crans cubiques mobiles. En plus d'appliquer des mthodes de calibration classiques, nous proposons une nouvelle technique de calibration de la pose d'une camra sur tte robotise. Cette technique utilise des plans elliptiques gnrs par l'observation d'un seul point dans le monde pour dterminer la pose de la camra par rapport au centre de rotation de la tte robotise. Le projet avec le metteur en scne Daniel Danis aborde les techniques de calibration de systmes multi-camras. Pour son projet de thtre, nous avons dvelopp un algorithme de calibration d'un rseau de camras wiimotes. Cette technique base sur la gomtrie pipolaire permet de faire de la reconstruction 3D d'une trajectoire dans un grand volume un cot minime. Les rsultats des techniques de calibration dveloppes sont prsents, de mme que leur utilisation dans des contextes rels de performance devant public.
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Thse numrise par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Universit de Montral
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UNE EXPOSITION NONATALE LOXYGNE MNE DES MODIFICATIONS DE LA FONCTION MITOCHONDRIALE CHEZ LE RAT ADULTE Introduction: Lexposition loxygne (O2) des ratons nouveau-ns a des consquences lge adulte dont une hypertension artrielle (HTA), une dysfonction vasculaire, une nphropnie et des indices de stress oxydant. En considrant que les reins sont encore en dveloppement actif lors des premiers jours aprs la naissance chez les rats, jouent un rle cl dans le dveloppement de lhypertension et quune dysfonction mitochondriale est associ une augmentation du stress oxydant, nous postulons que les conditions dltres nonatales peuvent avoir un impact significatif au niveau rnal sur la modulation de lexpression de protines cls du fonctionnement mitochondrial et une production mitochondriale excessive despces ractives de l O2. Mthodes: Des ratons Sprague-Dawley sont exposs 80% dO2 (H) ou 21% O2 (Ctrl) du 3e au 10e jr de vie. En considrant que plusieurs organes des rats sont encore en dveloppement actif la naissance, ces rongeurs sont un modle reconnu pour tudier les complications dune hyperoxie nonatale, comme celles lies une naissance prmature chez lhomme. 4 et 16 semaines, les reins sont prlevs et les mitochondries sont extraites suivant une mthode dextraction standard, avec un tampon contenant du sucrose 0.32 M et diffrentes centrifugations. Lexpression des protines mitochondriales a t mesure par Western blot, tandis que la production d H202 et les activits des enzymes cls du cycle de Krebs ont t values par spectrophotomtrie. Les rsultats sont exprims par la moyenne SD. Rsultats: Les rats mles H de 16 semaines (n=6) prsentent une activit de citrate synthase (considr standard interne de lexpression protique et de labondance mitochondriales) augmente (12.4 8.4 vs 4.1 0.5 mole/mL/min), une diminution de lactivit daconitase (enzyme sensible au redox mitochondrial) (0.11 0.05 vs 0.20 0.04 moles/min/mg mitochondrie), ainsi quune augmentation dans la production de H202 (7.0 1.3 vs 5.4 0.8 moles/mg protines mitochondriales) comparativement au groupe Ctrl (n=6 mles et 4 femelles). Le groupe H (vs Ctrl) prsente galement une diminution dans lexpression de peroxiredoxin-3 (Prx3) (H 0.610.06 vs. Ctrl 0.780.02 unit relative, -23%; p<0.05), une protine implique dans llimination d H202, de lexpression du cytochrome C oxidase (Complexe IV) (H 1.020.04 vs. Ctrl 1.200.02 unit relative, -15%; p<0.05), une protine de la chaine de respiration mitochondriale, tandis que lexpression de la protine de dcouplage (uncoupling protein)-2 (UCP2), implique dans la dispersion du gradient proton, est significativement augmente (H 1.050.02 vs. Ctrl 0.900.03 unit relative, +17%; p<0.05). Les femelles H (n=6) (vs Ctrl, n=6) de 16 semaines dmontrent une augmentation significative de lactivit de laconitase (0.330.03 vs 0.170.02 moles/min/mg mitochondrie), de lexpression de lATP synthase sous unit (H 0.730.02 vs. Ctrl 0.590.02 unit relative, +25%; p<0.05) et de lexpression de MnSOD (H 0.890.02 vs. Ctrl 0.740.03 unit relative, +20%; p<0.05) (superoxide dismutase mitochondriale, important antioxidant), tandis que lexpression de Prx3 est significativement rduite (H 1.10.07 vs. Ctrl 0.850.01 unit relative, -24%; p<0.05). 4 semaines, les mles H (vs Ctrl) prsentent une augmentation significative de lexpression de Prx3 (H 0.720.03 vs. Ctrl 0.560.04 unit relative, +31%; p<0.05) et les femelles prsentent une augmentation significative de lexpression dUCP2 (H 1.220.05 vs. Ctrl 1.030.04 unit relative, +18%; p<0.05) et de lexpression de MnSOD (H 1.360.01 vs. 1.190.06 unit relative, +14%; p<0.05). Conclusions: Une exposition nonatale lO2 chez le rat adulte mne des indices de dysfonction mitochondriale dans les reins adultes, associe une augmentation dans la production despces ractives de loxygne, suggrant que ces modifications mitochondriales pourraient jouer un rle dans lhypertension artrielle et dun stress oxydant, et par consquent, tre un facteur possible dans la progression vers des maladies cardiovasculaires. Mots-cls: Mitochondries, Reins, Hypertension, Oxygne, Stress Oxydant, Programmation
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Cette thse prsente des reconstructions de l'irradiance totale et spectrale durant les 400 dernires annes l'aide des modles pour l'irradiance totale et l'irradiance spectrale dans l'ultraviolet dvelopps l'Universit de Montral. Tous deux sont bass sur la simulation de l'mergence, de la fragmentation et de l'rosion des taches solaires, qui permet d'obtenir une distribution de l'aire des taches sombres et des facules brillantes en fonction du temps. Ces deux composantes sont principalement responsables de la variation de l'irradiance sur l'chelle de temps de la dcennie, qui peut tre calcule en sommant leur missivit celle de la photosphre inactive. La version amliore du modle d'irradiance solaire spectrale MOCASSIM inclut une extension de son domaine spectral entre 150 et 400 nm ainsi que de son domaine temporel, dbutant originalement en 1874 et couvrant maintenant la priode dbutant en 1610 jusqu'au prsent. Cela permet de reconstruire le spectre ultraviolet durant le minimum de Maunder et de le comparer celui du minimum de 2009. Les conclusions tires de cette tude spcifient que l'missivit dans l'ultraviolet tait plus leve en 2009 que durant le minimum de Maunder, que le niveau de base de la photosphre non magntise contribuait pour environ les deux tiers de cette diffrence et que les structures magntiques restantes taient responsables pour le tiers restant. Le modle d'irradiance totale a vu son domaine temporel tendu sur la mme priode et une composante reprsentant le rseau magntique de faon raliste y a t ajoute. Il a t dmontr que les observations des 30 dernires annes ne sont bien reproduites qu'en incluant la composante du Soleil non magntis variable long terme. Le processus d'optimisation des paramtres libres du modle a t effectu en minimisant le carr de la somme de l'cart journalier entre les rsultats des calculs et les donnes observes. Les trois composites disponibles, soit celui du PMOD (Physikalisch Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos), d'ACRIM (ACtive Radiometer Irradiance Monitor) et du IRMB (Institut Royal Mtorologique de Belgique), ne sont pas en accord entre eux, en particulier au niveau des minima du cycle d'activit, et le modle permet seulement de reproduire celui du PMOD avec exactitude lorsque la composante variable long terme est proportionnelle au flux radio 10.7 cm. Toutefois, en utilisant des polynmes de Lagrange pour reprsenter la variation du Soleil inactif, l'accord est amlior pour les trois composites durant les minima, bien que les relations entre le niveau minimal de l'irradiance et la longueur du cycle prcdent varient d'un cas l'autre. Les rsultats obtenus avec le modle d'irradiance spectrale ont t utiliss dans une tude d'intercomparaison de la rponse de la photochimie stratosphrique diffrentes reprsentations du spectre solaire. Les simulations en mode transitoire d'une dure de 10 jours ont t effectues avec un spectre solaire constant correspondant soit une priode d'activit minimale ou une priode d'activit maximale. Ceci a permis d'valuer la rponse de la concentration d'ozone la variabilit solaire au cours d'un cycle et la diffrence entre deux minima. En plus de ceux de MOCASSIM, les spectres produits par deux modles ont t utiliss (NRLSSI et MGNM) ainsi que les donnes de SIM et SOLSTICE/SORCE. La variabilit spectrale de chacun a t extraite et multiplie un spectre de base reprsentant le minimum d'activit afin de simuler le spectre au maximum d'activit. Cela a t effectu dans le but d'isoler l'effet de la variabilit seule et d'exclure celui de la valeur absolue du spectre. La variabilit spectrale d'amplitude relativement leve des observations de SORCE n'a pas provoqu l'inversion de la rponse de l'ozone hautes altitudes obtenues par d'autres tudes, ce qui peut tre expliqu par la nature mme du modle utilis ainsi que par sa limite suprieure en altitude. Finalement, la rponse de l'ozone semble tre peu prs proportionnelle la variabilit de l'intgrale du flux pour lambda<241 nm. La comparaison des concentrations d'ozone obtenues avec les spectres originaux au minimum d'activit dmontre que leur diffrence est du mme ordre de grandeur que la variabilit entre le minimum et le maximum d'un cycle typique. Le problme du choix de la reconstruction de l'irradiance utiliser pour les simulations climatiques dans le pass demeure non rsolu.
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Mammalian reoviruses exhibit a large host range and infected cells are generally killed; however, most studies examined only a few cell types and host species, and are probably not representative of all possible interactions between virus and host cell. Many questions thus remain concerning the nature of cellular factors that affect viral replication and cell death. In the present work, it was observed that replication of the classical mammalian reovirus serotype 3 Dearing in a bat epithelial cell line, Tb1.Lu, does not result in cell lysis and is rapidly reduced to very low levels. Prior uncoating of virions by chymotrypsin treatment, to generate infectious subviral particles, increased the initial level of infection but without any significant effect on further viral replication or cell survival. Infected cells remain resistant to virus reinfection and secrete an antiviral factor, most likely interferon, that is protective against the unrelated encephalomyocarditis virus. Although, the transformed status of a cell is believed to promote reovirus replication and viral oncolysis, resistant Tb1.Lu cells exhibit a classical phenotype of transformed cells by forming colonies in semisolid soft agar medium. Further transduction of Tb.Lu cells with a constitutively-active Ras oncogene does not seem cell growth or reovirus effect on these cells. Infected Tb1.Lu cells can produce low-level of infectious virus for a long time without any apparent effect, although these cells are resistant to reinfection. The results suggest that Tb1.Lu cells can mount an unusual antiviral response. Specific properties of bat cells may thus be in part responsible for the ability of the animals to act as reservoirs for viruses in general and for novel reoviruses in particular. Their peculiar resistance to cell lysis also makes Tb1.Lu cells an attractive model to study the cellular and viral factors that determine the ability of reovirus to replicate and destroy infected cells.
