Robust object representation by boosting-like deep learning architecture

This paper presents a new deep learning architecture for robust object representation, aiming at efficiently combining the proposed synchronized multi-stage feature (SMF) and a boosting-like algorithm. The SMF structure can capture a variety of characteristics from the inputting object based on the fusion of the handcraft features and deep learned features. With the proposed boosting-like algorithm, we can obtain more convergence stability on training multi-layer network by using the boosted samples. We show the generalization of our object representation architecture by applying it to undertake various tasks, i.e. pedestrian detection and action recognition. Our approach achieves 15.89% and 3.85% reduction in the average miss rate compared with ACF and JointDeep on the largest Caltech dataset, and acquires competitive results on the MSRAction3D dataset

Effect of intraoperative use of low-dose dexmedetomidine on the prognosis of patients undergoing breast cancer surgery

Objective·To investigate the influence of intraoperative dexmedetomidine infusion on the recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rate of patients undergoing breast cancer surgery.Methods·A retrospective analysis was performed on patients who underwent breast cancer surgery at the Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from July 2013 to June 2014. Patients were divided into dexmedetomidine group and control group according to whether dexmedetomidine was injected intraoperatively at 0.7‒0.8 ìg/kg. After correcting the confounding factors between the two groups by using the propensity score matching method, the factors affecting the prognosis and survival of patients undertaking breast cancer surgery were investigated by univariate and multivariate analysis, and the Kaplan-Meier survival curve was further used to analyze the effect of intraoperative dexmedetomidine on RFS and OS after five years of breast cancer surgery.Results·There were significant differences in age, progesterone receptor (PR) positive ratio, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (Ki67) expression score, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, and anesthesia duration between the two groups before propensity score matching. After propensity score matching, a total of 239 pairs were successfully matched, and there was no significant difference in baseline data and perioperative data between the two groups (P>0.05). Univariate analysis showed that age (P=0.032), postoperative radiotherapy (P=0.041), Ki67 score (P=0.021), and tumor TMN stage (P=0.029) were significantly correlated with postoperative five-year OS. The results of multivariate analysis showed that postoperative radiotherapy, Ki67 score, and tumor TMN stage were significantly correlated with postoperative five-year OS (P0.05). Compared with the control group, the five-year postoperative RFS and OS in dexmedetomidine group did not decrease significantly (P>0.05).Conclusion·Intraoperative use of low dosage of dexmedetomidine (0.7‒0.8 μg/kg) has no significant effect on RFS and OS in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery at five years postoperatively, providing theoretical reference for the rational selection of anesthetics for tumor patients. The effect of higher dosage of dexmedetomidine needs to be further confirmed by prospective multicenter randomized controlled studies

Design and operational parameters optimisation of a citrus substrate filling and transporting machine

Aiming to address the problem of low mechanisation of filling and transporting citrus seedling pots in China, a new type of pot filling and transporting machine with 120 pots at a time was designed. Based on the study of flow characteristics of the seedling substrate, key components of the filling and transporting machines, such as the hopper component, transmission mechanism, flip mechanism, and steering mechanism, were designed. The effects of the opening width of the hopper, the rotating speed of the stirring shaft, the moisture content of the seedling substrate, and the forward speed of the transporting device on the filling effect of the seedling pot were studied by the experimental method, and the optimal operation parameters were determined. The prototype tests were repeated 3 times with the best combination of parameters. The test results indicate that the machine was in good condition for loading and unloading. The number of filling pots was 120 once, and the average filling time was 40 s. The average filling mass was 1.881 kg, 0.006 kg different from the predicted value of 1.887 kg, and the relative error was 0.32%. The coefficient of variation of the mass was 2.97%, which was 0.12% different from the predicted value of 2.85%, and the relative error was 4.0%. This designed machine can provide a reference for developing and optimising the citrus substrate filling and transporting machine

Establishment and assessments of a new model for the postoperative fatigue syndrome by major small intestinal resection in rats

Objective. Postoperative fatigue syndrome (POFS) is a general and main complication after surgery. However, there is no stable and standardized animal model for POFS. The aim of the present study was to establish a rodent model of POFS by small intestinal resection, with POFS evaluated by acknowledged physical and behavioral methods. Material and Methods. Forty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups according to the length of a "middle" small intestinal resection: 0% (sham group; i.e., laparotomy alone), 10%, 40% and 70% groups, with corresponding lengths of small intestinal resections. Following surgery, the general state of health was evaluated. Tail suspension test, open field test and Morris water maze test were used to evaluate the degree of POFS. Serum albumin, transferrin, prealbumin and fibronectin were measured to assess the nutritional status, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were also measured. Results. As compared with the other three groups, the 70% small intestinal resection group showed the worst general state of health, decreased strength of the tail suspension test and decreased score of Morris water maze test (p < 0.05) after operation. All rats in whom the small intestinal resection was done demonstrated a certain degree of malnutrition and behavior of depression, and the 70% resection group had the lowest levels of transferrin, prealbumin and fibronectin as compared with the other groups (p < 0.05), as well as decreased SOD and increased MDA in serum (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Resection of 70% of the small intestine resulted in typical characteristics of POFS. As this procedure is simple, stable and easily reproducible, it may serve as a model for research on POFS

Efficacy of adjunctive azithromycin versus single-dose cephalosporin prophylaxis for caesarean scar defect : Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Was the first industrial revolution a conjuncture in the history of the world economy?

Quantitative analysis of flavonoids in flower petals of Nymphaea ‘King of Siam’. (DOCX 18 kb