Search

Erythroid function and development is intimately linked to macrophages. The primary function of erythrocytes is oxygen delivery, which is mediated by iron-containing hemoglobin. The major source of this iron is a recycling pathway where macrophages scavenge old and damaged erythrocytes to release iron contained within the heme moiety. Macrophages also promote erythropoiesis by providing a supportive niche in the bone marrow as an integral component of “erythorblastic islands.” Importantly, inflammation leads to alterations in iron handling by macrophages with significant impact on iron homeostasis and erythropoiesis. The importance of macrophages in erythropoiesis and iron homeostasis is well established and has been extensively reviewed. However, this developmental relationship is not one way, and erythrocytes can also regulate macrophage development and function. Erythrocyte-derived heme can induce the development of iron-recycling macrophages from monocytes, engage pattern recognition receptors to activate macrophages, and act as ligand for specific nuclear receptors to modulate macrophage function. Here, we discuss the role of heme as a signaling molecule impacting macrophage homeostasis. We will review these actions of heme within the framework of our current understanding of the role of micro-environmental factors in macrophage development and function.

Pathogenesis of Salmonella depends upon a large number of factors controlled by an array of genes that synergise into actual virulence. The goal of this study was to detectSalmonella invA, spiC and sipC directly from clinical specimens, using the dot blot hybridization assay. We detected invA, spiC and sipC as a one combination from 4.5% (95% CI: 2.21 to 8.64) human feacal and 35.2% (95% CI: 26.4 to 45.0) poultry samples after enrichment. Furthermore the dot blot method had a higher sensitivity than routine culture, before and after enrichment. These results indicate that dot blot hybridization may be used to directly detect Salmonella invA, spiC and sipC in clinical samples. Key words: Salmonella, dot-blot hybridization, spiC, sipC, invA, clinical-samples.

Palm region of interest (ROI) extraction is an indispensable procedure in palmprint recognition. Prior works generally perform well on palm ROI extraction because of dedicated devices and well-controlled environment. To make hand placement less-constrained and improve usability, mobile palmprint recognition has attracted a wide attention in recent years. For mobile phone images captured in complex natural environment, palm ROI extraction is a challenging work due to varying illumination, complex background and contactless acquisition mode. In this paper, a mobile palmprint dataset (SPIC) is at first established with five smartphones, comprising 4000 images collected from 128 persons in two separate sessions. Furthermore, a novel pre-processing approach is proposed to achieve ROI extraction in mobile scenarios, which include colour component selection, learning-based fast hand segmentation and geometry-driven valley point location. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can achieve high extraction accuracy and computational efficiency on PolyU1.0, HA-BJTU and SPIC palmprint databases.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an analytical drain current model for output characteristics of strained‐Si/SiGe bulk MOSFET.Design/methodology/approachA physics‐based model for current output characteristics and transconductance of strained‐Si/SiGe bulk devices has been developed incorporating the impact of strain (in terms of equivalent Ge mole fraction), strained silicon thin film thickness, gate work function, channel length and other device parameters. The accuracy of the results obtained using this model is verified by comparing them with 2D device simulations.FindingsThis model correctly predicts the output characteristics, IDS−VGS characteristics, transconductance and output conductance of the strained‐Si/SiGe MOSFET and demonstrates a significant enhancement in the drain current of the MOSFET with increasing strain in the strained‐Si thin film, i.e. with increasing equivalent Ge concentration in the SiGe bulk.Research limitations/implicationsCan be implemented in a SPICE like simulator for studying circuit behaviour containing strained‐Si/SiGe bulk MOSFETs.Practical implicationsThe model discussed in this paper can be easily implemented in a circuit simulator and used for the characterization of strained silicon devices. This complements the recent trend of investigation of new materials and device structures to maintain the rate of advancement in VLSI technology.Originality/valueThis paper presents, for the first time, a compact surface potential‐based analytical model for strained‐Si/SiGe MOSFETs which predicts the device characteristics reasonably well over their range of operation.

Chemical and thermal properties of pea protein isolates (laboratory prepared or native; PPIn and commercial; PPIc) and textural properties of heat-set gels obtained from pea protein isolates were compared with homologous soy protein isolates (laboratory prepared, or native; SPIn and commercial; SPIc). The protein banding pattern resulting from electrophoresis separation confirmed the presence of predominant storage proteins of pea and soy seeds in the respective protein products. PPIc and SPIc had lower nitrogen solubility than their native counterparts, likely due to their denaturated state which was further confirmed by the absence of distinct endotherms in these commercial materials compared to the laboratory prepared ones. Addition of NaCl at 1.0–2.0% (w/w) to PPIn and SPIn slurries increased thermal transition temperatures for both proteins. The optimal conditions for formation of strong heat-induced gels from PPIc were 19.6% (w/w) protein content, pH 7.1, 2.0% (w/w) NaCl, and heating at 93 °C. SPIc gels prepared under the same conditions were stronger and more elastic than PPIc gels as denoted by texture indictors.

A main function of splenic red pulp macrophages is the degradation of damaged or aged erythrocytes. Here we show that these macrophages accumulate ferrimagnetic iron oxides that render them intrinsically superparamagnetic. Consequently, these cells routinely contaminate splenic cell isolates obtained with the use of MCS, a technique that has been widely used in immunological research for decades. These contaminations can profoundly alter experimental results. In mice deficient for the transcription factor SpiC, which lack red pulp macrophages, liver Kupffer cells take over the task of erythrocyte degradation and become superparamagnetic. We describe a simple additional magnetic separation step that avoids this problem and substantially improves purity of magnetic cell isolates from the spleen.

With an aim to develop a safe, immunogenic fowl typhoid (FT) vaccine, the safety and efficacy of 1009ΔspiCΔcrp, a spiC and crp deletion mutant of Salmonella gallinarum, were evaluated in chickens. Three-day-old chickens were intramuscularly immunized with 1009ΔspiCΔcrp (1×10(7)CFU) and boosted 7days later (at 10-days old) with the same dose and via the same route (vaccinated group). The vaccinated group showed no clinical symptoms and no differences in body weight compared to the unvaccinated control group. 1009ΔspiCΔcrp bacteria colonized and persisted in the liver and spleen of vaccinated chickens for >14days, and significant specific humoral and cellular immune responses were induced. Vaccinated chickens were challenged with S. gallinarum strain SG9 at 21days post-immunization (24-day-old chickens), and efficient protection was observed based on the mortality and clinical symptoms, as compared to those in the control group. These results demonstrate that 1009ΔspiCΔcrp can be used as a live attenuated vaccine.

Spi-C is an E26 transformation-specific family transcription factor that is highly related to PU.1 and Spi-B. Spi-C is expressed in developing B cells, but its function in B cell development and function is not well characterized. To determine whether Spi-C functions as a negative regulator of Spi-B (encoded by Spib), mice were generated that were germline knockout for Spib and heterozygous for Spic (Spib−/−Spic+/−). Interestingly, loss of one Spic allele substantially rescued B cell frequencies and absolute numbers in Spib−/− mouse spleens. Spib−/−Spic+/− B cells had restored proliferation compared with Spib−/− B cells in response to anti-IgM or LPS stimulation. Investigation of a potential mechanism for the Spib−/−Spic+/− phenotype revealed that steady-state levels of Nfkb1, encoding p50, were elevated in Spib−/−Spic+/− B cells compared with Spib−/− B cells. Spi-B was shown to directly activate the Nfkb1 gene, whereas Spi-C was shown to repress this gene. These results indicate a novel role for Spi-C as a negative regulator of B cell development and function.

Surface polyion complex (sPIC) gels were prepared with a nonionic hydrogel interior core, composed of poly(N-vinylformamide and poly(N-vinylacetamide), and a chemically bounded polyion complex layer on the outer surface, composed of poly(vinylamine) and poly(acrylic acid). The gels were investigated as controlled drug release models based on electrostatic interactions depending on pH. Methylene blue and allura red were employed as cationic and anionic drug models, respectively, and resulted in the selective adsorption depending on pH conditions. Monovalent and multivalent anionic drug models, allura red and 1,3,6-naphthalenetrisulfonate were observed for their releasing behavior from the sPIC gel. The results indicated that the multivalent anionic drug effectively controlled release depending on pH conditions. We further investigated sPIC gels regarding their ability to control the release of ionic molecules as a function of pH-driven changes in electrostatic interactions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42081.

In this paper, a novel double RESURF LDMOS with multiple rings in non-uniform drift region is proposed and successfully fabricated. The proposed device maximizes the benefits of the double RESURF technique by optimizes key process and device geometrical parameters in order to achieve the lowest on-resistance with the desired breakdown voltage. In addition, a versatile JFET device is firstly developed. The JFET device cannot only be used as the current detector, but also be used as the internal power supply for SPIC. Besides, it is compatible with Bipolar-CMOS technology, without any additional processes required.

The Salmonella SpiC protein is secreted into the cytosol of macrophages via a unique type III secretion system that functions intracellularly to translocate proteins across the phagosomal membrane. The SpiC protein is required for survival within macrophages and inhibition of phagosome-lysosome fusion in vivo, and it is sufficient to inhibit endosome-endosome fusion in vitro. Here, we establish that SpiC targets the function of Hook3, a mammalian protein implicated in cellular trafficking. Purified GST-SpiC pulled down Hook3 from murine macrophages, and anti-Hook3 antibodies precipitated SpiC from the cytosol of Salmonella-infected macrophages. Expression of the spiC gene disrupted Golgi morphology in Vero cells and altered the distribution of lysosomes in macrophages, mimicking the phenotype of cells expressing a hook3 dominant-negative mutant. By inactivating Hook3 function, the SpiC protein may alter the lysosome network and prevent phagosome-lysosome fusion.

The Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 (SPI2) type III secretion system (TTSS) promotes Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium virulence for mice and increased survival and replication within eukaryotic cells. After phagocytosis, Salmonella serovar Typhimurium assembles the SPI2 TTSS to translocate over a dozen effector proteins across the phagosome membrane. SpiC has been previously shown to be a translocated effector with a large contribution to virulence (K. Uchiya, M. A. Barbieri, K. Funato, A. H. Shah, P. D. Stahl, and E. A. Groisman, EMBO J. 18:3924-3933, 1999). This report demonstrates by competitive index that the virulence phenotype of a spiC mutant is equivalent to that of a secretion component mutant. In addition, translocation of SPI2 effector proteins was shown to require SpiC. Thus, the severe virulence phenotype resulting from deletion of spiC is likely due to the inability to translocate all SPI2 effectors. SpiC was also required to secrete translocon proteins SseB and SseC but not translocated effector SseJ, indicating that lack of assembly of the translocon explains the spiC mutant phenotype.

Summary Replication of Salmonella typhimurium in host cells depends in part on the action of the Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 2 (SPI-2) type III secretion system (TTSS), which translocates bacterial effector proteins across the membrane of the Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV). We have shown previously that one activity of the SPI-2 TTSS is the assembly of a coat of F-actin in the vicinity of bacterial microcolonies. To identify proteins involved in SPI-2 dependent actin polymerization, we tested strains carrying mutations in each of several genes whose products are proposed to be secreted through the SPI-2 TTSS, for their ability to assemble F-actin around intracellular bacteria. We found that strains carrying mutations in either sseB, sseC, sseD or spiC were deficient in actin assembly. The phenotypes of the sseB-, sseC- and sseD– mutants can be attributed to their requirement for translocation of SPI-2 effectors. SpiC was investigated further in view of its proposed role as an effector. Transient expression of a myc::SpiC fusion protein in Hela cells did not induce any significant alterations to the host cell cytoskeleton, and failed to restore actin polymerization around intracellular spiC– mutant bacteria. However, the same protein did complement the mutant phenotype when expressed from a plasmid within bacteria. Furthermore, spiC was found to be required for SPI-2 mediated secretion of SseB, SseC and SseD in vitro. An antibody against SpiC detected the protein on immunoblots from total cell lysates of S. typhimurium expressing SpiC from a plasmid, but it was not detected in secreted fractions after exposure of cells to conditions that result in secretion of other SPI-2 effector proteins. Investigation of the trafficking of SCVs containing a spiC– mutant in macrophages revealed only a low level of association with the lysosomal marker cathepsin D, similar to that of wild-type bacteria. Together, these results show that SpiC is involved in the process of SPI-2 secretion and indicate that phenotypes associated with a spiC- mutant are caused by the inability of this strain to translocate effector proteins, thus calling for further investigation into the function(s) of this protein.

Salmonella enterica requires a type III secretion system, designated Spi/Ssa, to survive and proliferate within macrophages. The Spi/Ssa system is encoded within the SPI-2 pathogenicity island and appears to function intracellularly. Here, we establish that the SPI-2-encoded SpiC protein is exported by the Spi/Ssa type III secretion system into the host cell cytosol where it interferes with intracellular trafficking. In J774 macrophages, wild-type Salmonella inhibited fusion of Salmonella-containing phagosomes with lysosomes and endosomes, and interfered with trafficking of vesicles devoid of the microorganism. These inhibitory activities required living Salmonella and a functional spiC gene. Purified SpiC protein inhibited endosome-endosome fusion in vitro. A Sindbis virus expressing the SpiC protein interfered with normal trafficking of the transferrin receptor in vivo. A spiC mutant was attenuated for virulence, suggesting that the ability to interfere with intracellular trafficking is essential for Salmonella pathogenesis.

A semi-insulation structure was proposed for high block voltage for vertical DMOS power devices. A smart power integrated circuit (SPIC) was designed and fabricated. The tested result of D-S block voltage of vertical DMOS is about 120V. The breakdown voltage of the isolation structure is about 129V.

High speed detection of breast masses from mammography images at an affordable cost is a problem of practical significance in large volume real-time processing and diagnostic assessments. In this paper, we present a new approach to real-time detection of breast masses by introducing the concept of cognitive cells that has a fully parallel high speed computing architecture realised in a low cost hardware. The prototype system was tested using the Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) that achieved an average speed of 6 ms for processing a single 1024x1024 pixels mammography image. Initial results shows feasibility of using cognitive cells for suspicious breast cancer mass detection in mammograms with superior performances in speed in comparison to other standard methods. We report specificity of 95.25% and the cancer false positives per image as 2.275 for MISC, ASYM, CIRC and SPIC cases, while a relatively lower specificity of 70% and the false positives per image as 2.25 is reported for CALC and ARCH cases of abnormalities.

A novel low-side structure based on the optimum variation lateral doping (OPTVLD) technique, which is formed by many inner VDMOS cells combining an outermost LDMOS, is realized in the 0.8μm BiCMOS-compatible technology. With the benefit of the additional vertical cells, it presents a low specific on-resistance with high breakdown voltage, which significantly advances the prior art. Furthermore, since this low-side structure is capable of being integrated with high-side structure and circuits on a single chip, through the low-cost self-isolation (SI) technology, it is very attractive for fabricating the smart power IC (SPIC) better and cheaper.

Purpose Effects of viewing time on the recognition of red/green and blue/green pseudoisochromatic plates were evaluated to improve clinical application. Methods Special pseudoisochromatic “C” or “E” plates (in following referred to as “spic-plates”) allow repeated exams with identical demands on color vision. The study included 5 daltonian subjects with a best corrected visual acuity BCVA of 1.0, 5 diabetic patients with non proliferative diabetic retinopathy NPDR, BCVA 0.8 or better, and 10 normal observers. Under standard illumination and viewing distance, the viewing time was 1 s, 3 s, or unrestricted until the subject had arrived at his or her final estimate. Results Daltonian subjects were unable to recognize the red / green spic-plates during a viewing time of 1 s or 3 s. Under unrestricted observation, 3 of 5 daltonian subjects deciphered the red/ green spic plates. Blue/green spic-plate results in the daltonian subjects matched those of normal observers. 3 of 5 diabetic patients failed in the blue/green spic plate at 1 s, one at 3 s of viewing time. With one exception at 1 s, the diabetic patients passed the red/green spic plates, as normal observers did. Conclusion Besides the angle of observation and the level and spectral composition of illumination, the viewing time has an influnence on the results of color vision testing by pseudoisochromatic plates. In clinical application, viewing time should be considered e.g. following Ishihara’s advice of 3 s Commercial interest

A novel p-type DP-OPTVLD (Double-Paths & OPTimum-Variational-Lateral-Doping) LDMOS is proposed. It features the double hole-conductive paths formed by a top and a buried p-layer in the drift region using OPTVLD technique, which significantly contribute to reducing device specific on-resistance. The design principle and electrical characteristics of the proposed structure are investigated theoretically and experimentally. Simulation results show that the specific on-resistances are 155/689 mΩ·cm2 with breakdown voltages of 300/800 V for the proposed structure, respectively, which are less than 60% of that with corresponding breakdown voltages for the conventional structure. This structure used as high-side can apply to SPIC with a low integration difficulty and a low fabrication cost.

International audience; Minimalist grammars (MGs) constitute a mildly context-sensitive formalism when being equipped with a particular locality condition (LC), the shortest move condition. In this format MGs define the same class of derivable string languages as multiple context-free grammars (MCFGs). Adding another LC to MGs, the specifier island condition (SPIC), results in a proper subclass of derivable languages. It is rather straightforward to see this class is embedded within the class of languages derivable by some well-nested MCFG (MCFG wn ). In this paper we show that the embedding is even proper. We partially do so adapting the methods used in [13] to characterize the separation of MCFG wn -languages from MCFG-languages by means of a "simple copying" theorem. The separation of strict derivational minimalism from well-nested MCFGs is then characterized by means of a "simple reverse copying" theorem. Since for MGs, well-nestedness seems to be a rather ad hoc restriction, whereas for MCFGs, this holds regarding the SPIC, our result may suggest we are concerned here with a structural difference between MGs and MCFGs which cannot immediately be overcome in a non-stipulated manner.

Here we show that theSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium PhoQ sensor kinase lessens the cytotoxicity of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) generated by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the innate response of mononuclear phagocytic cells. This observation is consistent with the expression patterns of PhoP-activated genes during moderate nitrosative stress in the innate host response. In contrast, RNS synthesized during high-NO fluxes of gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-activated macrophages repress PhoP-activatedlpxO,pagP, andphoPgene transcription. Because PhoP-regulatedSalmonellapathogenicity island 2 (SPI2) genes are also repressed by high-order RNS (39), we investigated whether the NO-mediated inhibition of PhoPQ underlies the repression of SPI2. Our studies indicate that a third of the expression of the SPI2spiCgene recorded in nonactivated macrophages depends on PhoQ. Transcription ofspiCis repressed in IFN-γ-primed macrophages in an iNOS-dependent manner, irrespective of thephoQstatus of the bacteria. Transcription ofspiCis restored in IFN-γ-treated, iNOS-deficient macrophages to levels sustained by aphoQmutant in nonactivated phagocytes, suggesting that most NO-dependent repression ofspiCis due to the inhibition of PhoPQ-independent targets. Comparison of the intracellular fitness ofspiC,phoQ, andspiC phoQmutants revealed that PhoPQ and SPI2 have codependent and independent effects onS. Typhimurium survival during innate nitrosative stress. However, the intracellular survival of mostS.Typhimurium bacteria is conferred by the PhoPQ two-component regulator, and the SPI2 type III secretion system is repressed by high-order RNS of IFN-γ-activated macrophages.

Background SpiC encoded within Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 on the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium chromosome is required for survival within macrophages and systemic infection in mice. Additionally, SpiC contributes to Salmonella-induced activation of the signal transduction pathways in macrophages by affecting the expression of FliC, a component of flagella filaments. Here, we show the contribution of SpiC in flagellum synthesis. Results Quantitative RT-PCR shows that the expression levels of the class 3 fliD and motA genes that encode for the flagella cap and motor torque proteins, respectively, were lower for a spiC mutant strain than for the wild-type Salmonella. Further, this mutant had lower expression levels of the class 2 genes including the fliA gene encoding the flagellar-specific alternative sigma factor. We also found differences in flagella assembly between the wild-type strain and the spiC mutant. Many flagella filaments were observed on the bacterial surface of the wild-type strain, whereas the spiC mutant had only few flagella. The absence of spiC led to reduced expression of the FlhD protein, which functions as the master regulator in flagella gene expression, although no significant difference at the transcription level of the flhDC operon was observed between the wild-type strain and the spiC mutant. Conclusion The data show that SpiC is involved in flagella assembly by affecting the post-transcription expression of flhDC.

The increasing amount of available Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) data enables scalable methods for the protein complex prediction. A protein complex is a group of two or more proteins formed by interactions that are stable over time, and it generally corresponds to a dense sub-graph in PPI Network (PPIN). However, dense sub-graphs correspond not only to stable protein complexes but also to sets of proteins including dynamic interactions. As a result, conventional simple PPIN based graph-theoretic clustering methods have high false positive rates in protein complex prediction. In this paper, we propose an approach to predict protein complexes based on the integration of PPI data and mutually exclusive interaction information drawn from structural interface data of protein domains. The extraction of Simultaneous Protein Interaction Cluster (SPIC) is the essence of our approach, which excludes interaction conflicts in network clusters by achieving mutually exclusion among interactions. The concept of SPIC was applied to conventional graph-theoretic clustering algorithms, MCODE and LCMA, to evaluate the density of clusters for protein complex prediction. The comparison with original graph-theoretic clustering algorithms verified the effectiveness of our approach; SPIC based methods refined false positives of original methods to be true positive complexes, without any loss of true positive predictions yielded by original methods.

SpiC is a virulence factor encoded within Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 (SPI-2). We have previously reported that infection of macrophages with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium results in the SPI-2-dependent activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways, leading to the expression of suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS)-3, which is involved in the inhibition of cytokine signalling. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which SpiC mediates the activation of signal transduction pathways in macrophages. Proteomic analysis showed that the level of FliC protein, a component of the flagellar filaments, was lower in the culture supernatant of a spiC mutant than in the supernatant from wild-type Salmonella. Furthermore, quantitative real-time RT-PCR showed that this mutant had a much lower level of fliC mRNA, indicating that SpiC regulates the transcription of FliC. We also found that the level of SOCS-3 in J774 macrophages was lower when they were infected with the fliC mutant than with wild-type Salmonella. FliC participated in the activation of MAPK pathways in Salmonella-infected macrophages, leading to the upregulation of SOCS-3 expression. Collectively, these results indicate that SpiC is involved in the expression of FliC, which plays a significant role in the SPI-2-dependent activation of MAPK pathways in Salmonella-infected macrophages.

We demonstrate a general framework for extending the pi-calculus with data terms. In this we generalise and improve on several related efforts such as the spic calculus and the pi-calculus, also including pattern matching and polyadic channels. Our framework uses a single untyped notion of agent, name and scope, an operational semantics without structural equivalence and a simple definition of bisimilarity. We provide general criteria on the semantic equivalence of data terms; with these we prove algebraic laws and that bisimulation is preserved by the operators in the usual way. The definitions are simple enough that an implementation in an automated proof assistant is feasible.

This paper describes a probabilistic sonar Altering technique dealing with sonar cross-talking and multiple reflections. The filtered sonar data is then used to feed the probabilistic scan matching algorithm spIC, which is also described. This scan matching algorithm deals with sonar range and angular errors. Experimental results demonstrate the utility of the combined use of probabilistic filtering and scan matching by evaluating the robustness, accuracy and computational cost. Also, the results obtained with spIC are compared with those provided by well known scan matching algorithms such as ICP and IDC.

A SPIC (Smart Power IC) process with a wide range of devices up to 700 V has been designed and optimized. An important feature is that all the devices have been realized by using a fully implanted triple-well technology in a P-type single crystal without epitaxial layer or buried layer. The results of this process are the low fabrication cost, simple process and small chip area. In addition to high voltage lateral DMOS (HV-LDMOS) transistor with the breakdown voltage (BV) 700 V as well as JFET device and low voltage CMOS (LV-CMOS) transistors have been fabricated using this process, a NPN type bipolar transistor is also realized and optimized by a additional implantation and drive-in. The major features of this process for SPIC fabrication have been clearly demonstrated.

Sequence pattern mining is one of important problems in data mining. Many algorithms have been proposed to solve this problem. But most of them consider little about time that is the main feature of sequential data. In this paper we present a fast algorithm SPIC (sequential pattern mining with constraints) based on SPADE. It utilizes time and attribute-relative features to lead the sequential mining process. And it uses key attribute to prune useless or misleading sequential rules. Finally, experiments on a real-world audit dataset show SPIC outperforms SPADE, especially when the number of attributes is far less than the average number of attribute values

A novel super-junction (SJ) LDMOS (SJ-LDMOS) with partial N-buried layer is proposed which allows high breakdown voltage (BV) and low on-resistance (Ron). The proposed structure overcomes the substrate-assisted-depletion effect thus achieving the charge compensation between the n and p pillars as well as a uniform electric field distribution in the drift region in the off-state. The N-buried layer also provides a low current path in the on-state. In addition, the proposed device is compatible with smart power technology

We describe the design and implementation and discrete validation of a high-voltage BCD-technology based smart power integrated circuit (SPIC) design, which is an "one-chip solution" to control, drive, and protect a two-stage distributed power system (DPS). As such, the proposed SPIC achieves higher power density, reduced design-cycle time, and enhanced system reliability. The DPS comprises a front-end AC-DC single-switch power-factor-correction (PFC) converter, which is cascaded with a back-end DC-DC four-switch full-bridge zero-voltage-switching (FBZVS) converter. The current-and the voltage-mode controllers for the PFC and the FBZVS converters, respectively, are integrated into the SPIC. The SPIC can "directly" fire the 2 high-side and 3 low-side devices in the power system. A combination of bootstrap and charge-pump techniques is used to power the gate-drive circuits for the high-side power devices; hence, the duty cycle for a high-side power device is 100% and independent of the turn-on time of the low-side power device in the same leg of the FBZVS converter. Additionally, a more reliable two-stage fault protection scheme is implemented in the SPIC including protection features such as under-voltage lockout, over-current protection, adaptive shoot-through protection, and soft-start capability. This paper illustrates several key experimental results obtained by controlling the DPS using the discrete SPIC to validate the functionalities of the latter and its satisfactory performance.

An operational amplifier BiCMOS design technique is implemented to improve overall CMOS characteristics. An analysis is performed of the architecture operational amplifier for 1- mu m BiCMOS technology. A comparison between a CMOS and BiCMOS operational amplifier is performed and verified by the circuit-level simulator SPIC. It is shown that in order to improve BiCMOS operational amplifier deficiencies better design techniques and a more complex operational amplifier architecture could be used. >

The novel structure for surface voltage sustaining region makes power (or high-voltage) devices capable of implementation on conventional CMOS or BiCMOS ICs without demanding additional processes. The electrical performances of this kind of power devices are much better than that made by the BCD techniques. Different kinds of devices using both the low-side and high-side can be made.

Among all cancer types, breast cancer is the one with the second highest incidence rate for women. Mammography is the most used method for breast cancer detection, as it reveals abnormalities such as masses, calcifications, asymmetries and architectural distortions. In this paper, we propose a classification method for breast cancer that has been tested for six different cancer types: CALC, CIRC, SPIC, MISC, ARCH, ASYM. The proposed approach is composed of a SVM classifier trained with LBP features. The MIAS image database was used in the experiments and ROC curves were generated. To the best of our knowledge, our approach is the first to handle those six different cancer types using the same technique. One important result of the proposed approach is that it was tested over six different breast cancer types proving to be generic enough to obtain high classification results in all cases.

Research on Symbolic Probabilistic Inference (SPI) [2, 3] has provided an algorithm for resolving general queries in Bayesian networks. SPI applies the concept of dependency directed backward search to probabilistic inference, and is incremental with respect to both queries and observations. Unlike traditional Bayesian network inferencing algorithms, SPI algorithm is goal directed, performing only those calculations that are required to respond to queries. Research to date on SPI applies to Bayesian networks with discrete-valued variables and does not address variables with continuous values. In this papers, we extend the SPI algorithm to handle Bayesian networks made up of continuous variables where the relationships between the variables are restricted to be "linear gaussian". We call this variation of the SPI algorithm, SPI Continuous (SPIC). SPIC modifies the three basic SPI operations: multiplication, summation, and substitution. However, SPIC retains the framework of the SPI algorithm, namely building the search tree and recursive query mechanism and therefore retains the goal-directed and incrementality features of SPI.

In the 15 July EMBO Journal, microbiologists report on a surprising new weapon that may help explain Salmonella9s virulence: At least one species can create an intracellular traffic jam within certain of the host9s immune cells. The researchers found that Salmonella enterica, which causes food poisoning, shoots a protein called SpiC into the host cell9s cytoplasm, somehow clogging an intracellular transport system that would normally dump the organism into a toxic cellular chamber called the lysosome.