This paper presents a new model, MUSCLE (Multidirectional Scanning for Line Extraction), for automatic vectorization of raster images with straight lines. The algorithm of the model implements the line thinning and the simple neighborhood methods to perform vectorization. The model allows users to define specified criteria which are crucial for acquiring the vectorization process. In this model...

Botulinum toxin is a highly potent oral and inhalation poison, which means that the toxin must have an efficient mechanism for penetration of epithelial barriers. To date, three models for toxin passage across epithelial barriers have been proposed: (i) the toxin itself undergoes binding and transcytosis; (ii) an auxiliary protein, HA35, transports toxin from the apical to the basal side of epi...

Microperoxidase (MP) is an ultrastructural tracer of small molecular weight (1,900) derived from horse heart cytochrome c. Within the central nervous system, it is capable of entering the periaxonal space which is not open to horseradish peroxidase (HPR). Because of its small size and unique behavior, MP was used to probe ocular vascular and epithelial barriers. MP did not enter any ocular spac...

Rates of intestinal absorption and surface hydrolysis are determined by the interaction of two barriers: poorly stirred fluid adjacent to the mucosa, and the epithelial cell. These two barriers commonly are modeled as a fixed, flat layer of epithelium covered by a fixed thickness of unstirred fluid. To more accurately simulate these barriers in a villous mucosa, maltase activity (measured in vi...

construction plans are regarded as the basis of the economy in the society. any delays in the utilization of projects can cause to waste the investments and the loss of technical and economic justifications. in this paper, the barriers of on-time delivery in water projects will be scrutinized in mazandaran regional water company. so, the independent variables such as management obstacles, cultu...

Background The intestine is inhabited by a tremendous number of microorganisms, which provide many benefits to nutrition, metabolism and immunity. Mucosal barriers by intestinal epithelial cells make it possible to maintain the symbiotic relationship between the gut microbiota and the host by separating them. Recent evidence indicates that mucosal barrier dysfunction contributes to the developm...

A feature shared by many inflammatory lung diseases is excessive neutrophilic infiltration. Neutrophil homing to airspaces involve multiple factors produced by several distinct cell types. Hepoxilin A(3) is a neutrophil chemoattractant produced by pathogen-infected epithelial cells that is hypothesized to facilitate neutrophil breach of mucosal barriers. Using a Transwell model of lung epitheli...