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This study is concerned with multi-target tracking (MTT). The Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRB) is the basic tool for investigating estimation performance. Though basically defined for estimation of deterministic parameters, it has been extended to stochastic ones in a Bayesian setting. In the target tracking area, we have thus to deal with the estimation of the whole trajectory, itself described by a Markovian model. This leads up to the recursive formulation of the posterior CRB (PCRB). The aim of the work presented here is to extend this calculation of the PCRB to MTT under various assumptions.

Study Question: Could whole-exome sequencing (WES) be useful in clinical practice for men with maturation arrest (MA) after a first testicular sperm extraction (TESE)?Summary Answer: WES in combination with TESE yields substantial additional information and may potentially be added as a test to predict a negative outcome of a recurrent TESE in patients with MA.What Is Known Already: At present, the only definitive contraindications for TESE in men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) are a 46,XX karyotype and microdeletions in the azoospermia factor a (AZFa) and/or AZFb regions. After a first negative TESE with MA, no test currently exists to predict a negative outcome of a recurrent TESE.Study Design, Size, Duration: In a cohort study, we retrospectively included 26 patients with idiopathic NOA caused by complete MA diagnosed after a first TESE.Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: Twenty-six men with MA at the spermatocyte stage in all seminiferous tubules, according to a histopathological analysis performed independently by two expert histologists, and a normal karyotype (i.e. no AZF gene microdeletions on the Y chromosome) were included. Single-nucleotide polymorphism comparative genomic hybridization array and WES were carried out. The results were validated with Sanger sequencing. For all the variants thought to influence spermatogenesis, we used immunohistochemical techniques to analyse the level of the altered protein.Main Results and the Role Of Chance: Deleterious homozygous variants were identified in all seven consanguineous patients and in three of the 19 non-consanguineous patients. Compound heterozygous variants were identified in another 5 of the 19 non-consanguineous patients. No recurrent variants were identified. We found new variants in genes known to be involved in azoospermia or MA [including testis expressed 11 (TEX11), meiotic double-stranded break formation protein 1 (MEI1), proteasome 26s subunit, ATPase 3 interacting protein (PSMC3IP), synaptonemal complex central element protein 1 (SYCE1) and Fanconi anaemia complementation group M (FANCM) and variants in genes not previously linked to human MA (including CCCTC-binding factor like (CTCFL), Mov10 like RISC complex RNA helicase 1 (MOV10L1), chromosome 11 open reading frame 80 (C11ORF80) and exonuclease 1 (EXO1)].Large Scale Data: Data available on request.Limitations, Reasons For Caution: More data are required before WES screening can be used to avoid recurrent TESE, although screening should be recommended for men with a consanguineous family background. WES is still a complex technology and can generate incidental findings.Wider Implications Of the Findings: Our results confirmed the genetic aetiology of MA in most patients: the proportion of individuals with at least one pathologic variant was 50% in the overall study population and 100% in the consanguineous patients. With the exception of MEI1 (compound heterozygous variants of which were identified in two cases), each variant corresponded to a specific gene-confirming the high degree of genetic heterogeneity in men with MA. Our results suggest that WES screening could help to avoid recurrent, futile TESE in men with MA in general and in consanguineous individuals in particular, but these results need to be confirmed in future studies before clinical implementation.Study Funding/competing Interest(s): The study was funded by the Fondation Maladies Rares (Paris, France), Merck (Kenilworth, NJ, USA), IRSF (Montigny le Bretonneux, France) and Agence de la Biomédecine (Saint Denis, France). There are no competing interests.Trial Registration Number: N/A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We address the problem of multitarget tracking (MTT) encountered in many situations in signal or image processing. We consider stochastic dynamic systems detected by observation processes. The difficulty lies in the fact that the estimation of the states requires the assignment of the observations to the multiple targets. We propose an extension of the classical particle filter where the stochastic vector of assignment is estimated by a Gibbs sampler. This algorithm is used to estimate the trajectories of multiple targets from their noisy bearings, thus showing its ability to solve the data association problem. Moreover this algorithm is easily extended to multireceiver observations where the receivers can produce measurements of various nature with different frequencies.

Although meiotic arrest in males is observed in about 25% of azoospermic patients, pure homogeneous arrest in all seminiferous tubules is less frequent, and may be due to mutation of a single gene. However, given the large number of genes involved in meiosis, this gives rises to extensive genetic heterogeneity. Only two genetic abnormalities have been reported on a regular basis: the X-linked exonic TEX11 deletion, and the AZFb microdeletion on the Y chromosome. Other single gene defects were private and found in consanguineous families. Here, we report on a homozygous missense mutation in the gene coding for meiotic double-stranded break formation protein 1 (MEI1; c.C3307T:p.R1103W) observed in two brothers (from a consanguineous Tunisian family) with non-obstructive azoospermia and meiotic arrest. A fertile brother was heterozygous for the mutation. All the queried databases predicted that this mutation is damaging, and it has previously been reported that Mei1 knock-out is associated with meiotic arrest in a murine model. Hence, meiotic arrest in the two brothers was probably caused by an alteration in a gene known to be fundamental for chromosome synapsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tangential filtration technique was used to separate and quantify three different fractions of nitrogenous compounds depending on their molecular size, during cocoa fermentation. On every phenotype and origin analyzed, protein profile of non-fermented samples was similar. During fermentation course, proteins get degraded with a concomitant increase in amino acids content. Peptides between 3 and 10 kDa were observed at low levels. A strong correlation between amino acids and ammonia nitrogen, a fermentation marker was found. Attention was drawn on each fraction, and enabled to point out other phenomenon occurring during fermentation. The migration of some nitrogenous compounds towards the bean shell during fermentation was demonstrated. Acetone treatment of cocoa powder prior to SDS–PAGE led to losses of nitrogenous compounds. This result gives clues on the tanning phenomenon carried out by polyphenols on nitrogenous compounds, phenomenon which increases during fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We confirm that NH3 content of cocoa beans is dependent on fermentation level. [•] We reported an effect of geographical origin on the kinetic of NH3 formation. [•] NIRS is proposed as an alternative and efficient tool for NH3 quantification. [•] The sum of temperature during fermentation is a good indicator of the process. [•] NH3 content estimation is a good marker of cocoa fermentation level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A rotational seismometer capable of in situ measurements of rotational oscillations and tilts has been developed and calibrated. Its sensitivity to rotations and tilts at frequencies above 10 mHz is ∼ 10-7 rad∙s-1 Hz-0.5, and this meets the recom- mendations of the International Working Group on Rotational Seismology (IWGoRS) for instrumental sensitivities for rotational seismology in the near field and for engineering applications. The design and calibration of this instrument and its frequency- response function are presented, along with the signals initiated by an earthquake at a distance of ∼120 km. Finally, the steps we are taking to build a field instrument based on the experience gained with this engineering model are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Up-to-date regional and local assessments of changing climate extremes are important to allow countries to make informed decisions on mitigation and adaptation strategies, and to put these changes into a global context. A workshop for countries from the Indo-Pacific region has brought together daily observations from 13 countries for an analysis of climate extremes between 1971 and 2005. This paper makes use of the workshop outcomes and post-workshop analyses to build on previous work in Southeast Asia to update the assessment of changing climate extremes using newly available station data. We utilise a consistent and widely tested methodology to allow a direct comparison of the results with those from other parts of the world. The relationship of inter-annual variability in the climate extremes indices with sea surface temperature (SST) patterns has been investigated with a focus on the influence of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation phenomenon. The results support findings from elsewhere around the globe that warm extremes, particularly at night, are increasing and cold extremes are decreasing. Trends in precipitation extremes are less spatially consistent across the region. © Royal Meteorological Society and Crown Copyright 2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a detailed study of several hydrogen-based plasma cleans prior to plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of silicon carbonitride cap films, and it finds a tradeoff between improved electromigration and increased copper resistivity. Previously proposed mechanisms do not explain this tradeoff, and we propose an alternative mechanism for the cap/copper interface modification. Electromigration is improved by forming a copper silicide interfacial layer, but the copper resistivity is also increased by silicon diffusion into the copper from the cap/copper interface. Hydrogen-based plasmas generate silicon by reacting with the silicon nitride seasoning layer on the chamber surfaces and transporting the silicon to the copper surface. The transport of silicon can be prevented by adding nitrogen to the plasma or removing the seasoning layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observes subjective ratings of action-sequence strength and scene structure for the 30 scripts documented by Galambos (1983). Subjects largely agreed on the location of the major scene boundaries; Ratings of action sequences; Methods; Results; Implications and importance of the results.

Proposes an ion implantation profile modeling of nitrocellulose thin film coated substrates. Concentration enhancement at the surface of materials; Dependence of the model on the diffusion mechanism of the implanted ions in the substrate; Comparison between simulated and preliminary experimental implantation profiles.

Introduction: Les défauts structuraux et fonctionnels des cellules beta pancréatiques, éléments clés dans le développement du diabète, peuvent être médiés par des signaux extra-pancréatiques. Des études physiologiques chez plusieurs souches de souris ont identifié des adaptations souches-spécifiques de profils de sécrétion d’insuline après un régime gras. Nos objectifs sont d’identifier et de valider des biomarqueurs métaboliques associés aux variations de sécrétion d’insuline après régime gras chez la souris. Matériels et méthodes: Les profils métabolomiques (1H RMN) plasmatiques et urinaires ont été obtenus chez des souris C57BL6/J, DBA2, 129S6, BALB/c et C3H en régime gras (40%) ou contrôle. L’impact du trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) sur la sécrétion d’insuline en réponse au glucose (GSIS) a été étudié in vitro sur des îlots isolés de souris C57BL6/J et in vivo après 10 jours de traitement (injection quotidienne s.c.) par un test de tolérance au glucose par voie orale (OGTT). Résultats: L’analyse des profils métabolomiques a identifié des métabolites de la flore bactérienne intestinale, parmi lesquels le TMAO, caractéristiques des variations de sécrétion d’insuline entre souches de souris en régime gras. In vitro, le TMAO (10–3M) augmente la sécrétion d’insuline basale (x3,7 ; p<0,001) et stimulée par le glucose (x2,8 ; p<0,001). L’addition de TMAO abolit la stimulation de GSIS. In vivo, les souris traitées avec du TMAO (10–3M) sont normoglycémiques et hypoinsulinémiques à jeûn. Après gavage de glucose, les souris traitées par le TMAO sont hyperglycémiques et normoinsulinémiques. Pendant l’OGTT la pente KG est similaire chez les souris sous TMAO comparativement aux contrôles. Conclusion: Par profilage métabolomique, nous avons identifié la voie du TMAO, déjà impliquée dans les maladies cardiovasculaires et la stéatose hépatique, comme biomarqueur de défaut insulino-sécrétoire. Ces résultats apportent des éléments nouveaux dans notre connaissance du rôle de la flore bactérienne intestinale dans les régulations physiopathologiques de l’hôte. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]