An Efficient Fitness Function in Genetic Algorithm Classifier for Landuse Recognition on Satellite Images

Genetic algorithm (GA) is designed to search the optimal solution via weeding out the worse gene strings based on a fitness function. GA had demonstrated effectiveness in solving the problems of unsupervised image classification, one of the optimization problems in a large domain. Many indices or hybrid algorithms as a fitness function in a GA classifier are built to improve the classification accuracy. This paper proposes a new index, DBFCMI, by integrating two common indices, DBI and FCMI, in a GA classifier to improve the accuracy and robustness of classification. For the purpose of testing and verifying DBFCMI, well-known indices such as DBI, FCMI, and PASI are employed as well for comparison. A SPOT-5 satellite image in a partial watershed of Shihmen reservoir is adopted as the examined material for landuse classification. As a result, DBFCMI acquires higher overall accuracy and robustness than the rest indices in unsupervised classification

Seabed gas emissions and submarine landslides off SW Taiwan

Methane emissions out of the seabed could seriously affect Earthâs climate and are usually associated with the dissociation of gas hydrates stored in marine sediments on the continental margins. Spatially, gas emissions out of the seafloor are not evenly distributed in continental margins. Gas emissions out of the seabed generally occur through submarine mud volcanoes and gas seeps. To understand the seabed gas emissions off SW Taiwan, we investigate the distributions of active submarine mud volcanoes, gas seeps, and gas plumes off SW Taiwan. We examine all of the available sub-bottom profiler and EK echo sounder data. We identified 19 submarine mud volcanoes, 220 gas seeps, and 295 gas plumes. The gas emissions are generally distributed at the crests of mud diapiric ridges. Most of the active mud volcanoes and gas seeps cluster at the KASMVG (Kaoping submarine mud volcanoes group) area. We speculate that the intensive mud volcanism and gas seepage at the KASMVG area are ascribed to submarine channel erosion along the continental slope base. The erosion causes a deep V-shaped channel and a steep BSR (Bottom-Simulating Reflector) slope curve across the continental margin. The upward migration rate of free gas beneath the BSR is thus increased and intensifies mud volcanism and gas seepage at the KASMVG area. The gas seeps can reduce the slope stability and generate small-scale slides. The development of mud volcanoes in an area could effectively disturb the seabed morphology so that large-scale submarine landslides cannot easily happen

Serotonin receptor HTR6-mediated mTORC1 signaling regulates dietary restriction-induced memory enhancement

Dietary restriction (DR; sometimes called calorie restriction) has profound beneficial effects on physiological, psychological, and behavioral outcomes in animals and in humans. We have explored the molecular mechanism of DR-induced memory enhancement and demonstrate that dietary tryptophan-a precursor amino acid for serotonin biosynthesis in the brain-and serotonin receptor 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 6 (HTR6) are crucial in mediating this process. We show that HTR6 inactivation diminishes DR-induced neurological alterations, including reduced dendritic complexity, increased spine density, and enhanced long-term potentiation (LTP) in hippocampal neurons. Moreover, we find that HTR6-mediated mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling is involved in DR-induced memory improvement. Our results suggest that the HTR6-mediated mTORC1 pathway may function as a nutrient sensor in hippocampal neurons to couple memory performance to dietary intake

Effect of home telehealth care on blood pressure control: A public healthcare centre model

[[abstract]]Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of home telehealth care combined with case management by public health nurses, in improving blood pressure control in patients with hypertension. Methods This cohort study examined the data of patients with hypertension obtained from a telehealth service centre database, between July 2011– June 2012. Eligible patients were adults (≥40 years old) with both prehypertension and hypertension, living alone or in the remote suburbs of metropolitan areas. Demographic data were collected from 12 district public health centre in Taipei, Taiwan. Following enrolment, patients received an appropriate and validated home telehealth device kit for automatic blood pressure monitoring and automated modem via a telephone line or a desktop computer with Internet connection to enable data transmission between the patient’s home and telehealth service centre. Patients were instructed to upload the measured data immediately every day. The study outcomes included blood pressure and home telehealth service utilisation. Results Of the 432 patients recruited, 408 (94%) completed data collection. Linear regression analysis found an average 22.1 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure after one year. The mean slope of systolic blood pressure was classified as decreased or non-decreased. An systolic blood pressure decreasing trend was observed in 52.2% patients, while 47.8% patients showed an increasing systolic blood pressure trend. Patients in the decreased systolic blood pressure group tended to be older (p = 0. 0001), with a greater proportion of hypertension alarms (p = 0. 001), improved self-blood pressure monitoring behaviour (p = 0.009) and higher self-measured blood pressure monitoring frequency (p = 0. 010). Patients in the decreased systolic blood pressure group had a higher self-measured blood pressure monitoring frequency (odds ratio = 0.95, 95% confidence interval, 0.91–0.99, p = 0. 013) than their counterparts. Conclusions Home telehealth care combined with care management by public health nurses based in public health care centre was feasible and effective for improving blood pressure control among patients with hypertension. Further studies should conduct a thorough analysis of the cost-effectiveness of this intervention. A randomised controlled trial with a longer follow-up period is required to examine the effects of the improved home telehealth device kit on the care of patients with hypertension

Systematic image quality assessment for sewer inspection

Closed circuit television (CCTV) has been applied in many developing or developed counties for sewer inspection due to its low setup cost and technical requirement. Several automated diagnosis systems of sewer pipe defects had been developed to assist the technicians in interpreting or classifying sewer pipe defects. However, many researchers pointed out that good image quality is the prerequisite for accurate interpretation and diagnosis of CCTV inspection but has not a proper evaluation approach. In this paper, a CCTV image quality index considering both of the luminance distortion and the contrast distortion of a CCTV image compared by reference images is proposed and was applied to assess the image quality of the CCTV images shot for a sewer house-connection project. The experimental result indicates that rather than luminance contrast plays a more important role in the CCTV image quality that can be effectively improved by contrast enhancement. Since CCTV image quality can hardly distinguished by human eyes, the proposed image quality index can provide helpful information to efficiently assist the on-site technicians in precisely shooting better CCTV images for the pipe defection. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis of contrast stretch was implemented to quantify the CCTV image quality improvement. CCTV imaging conditions, such as pipe materials and imager status, are found as the factors affecting the CCTV image quality. In the future, a real-time CCTV image quality assessment will be developed by modifying the CCTV image quality index as an instantaneous reference for imaging adjustment that can be expected to be practicable for the on-site sewer inspection because of the extremely short computation time

Rejuvenation: Turning Back Time by Enhancing CISD2

The aging human population with age-associated diseases has become a problem worldwide. By 2050, the global population of those who are aged 65 years and older will have tripled. In this context, delaying age-associated diseases and increasing the healthy lifespan of the aged population has become an important issue for geriatric medicine. CDGSH iron-sulfur domain 2 (CISD2), the causative gene for Wolfram syndrome 2 (WFS2; MIM 604928), plays a pivotal role in mediating lifespan and healthspan by maintaining mitochondrial function, endoplasmic reticulum integrity, intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, and redox status. Here, we summarize the most up-to-date publications on CISD2 and discuss the crucial role that this gene plays in aging and age-associated diseases. This review mainly focuses on the following topics: (1) CISD2 is one of the few pro-longevity genes identified in mammals. Genetic evidence from loss-of-function (knockout mice) and gain-of-function (transgenic mice) studies have demonstrated that CISD2 is essential to lifespan control. (2) CISD2 alleviates age-associated disorders. A higher level of CISD2 during natural aging, when achieved by transgenic overexpression, improves Alzheimer’s disease, ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis, and maintains corneal epithelial homeostasis. (3) CISD2, the expression of which otherwise decreases during natural aging, can be pharmaceutically activated at a late-life stage of aged mice. As a proof-of-concept, we have provided evidence that hesperetin is a promising CISD2 activator that is able to enhance CISD2 expression, thus slowing down aging and promoting longevity. (4) The anti-aging effect of hesperetin is mainly dependent on CISD2 because transcriptomic analysis of the skeletal muscle reveals that most of the differentially expressed genes linked to hesperetin are regulated by hesperetin in a CISD2-dependent manner. Furthermore, three major metabolic pathways that are affected by hesperetin have been identified in skeletal muscle, namely lipid metabolism, protein homeostasis, and nitrogen and amino acid metabolism. This review highlights the urgent need for CISD2-based pharmaceutical development to be used as a potential therapeutic strategy for aging and age-associated diseases

Acute Onset of Parkinsonism With Reversible Course After H1N1 Vaccination: Insight From a Young Lady

To the Editor: Parkinsonian symptoms can be induced by acute encephalitis, syphilis, malaria, poliomyelitis, and sudden carbon monoxide poisoning.1,2 In this report, a 17-year-old girl had Parkinson's disease (PD) symptoms after a flu shot. So far, this is the first vaccine-related disorder that mimics PD. Our experience has shown that some parkinsonism can be cured with accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment

Gender Differences in the Attitudes of Parents Living with Adult Children with Schizophrenia

Background: This paper explored the gender differences in the attitudes of parents toward taking care of their adult daughters or sons with schizophrenia, and focused on how parents define and think about the roles of their children, and how they cope with fulfilling the expected roles. Methods: Qualitative research design and purpose sampling were used to enroll parents who had adult patients with schizophrenia at a medical center in central Taiwan. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted and content analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: Seven main themes emerged from the data provided by ten parents living with adult children with schizophrenia. Three themes that focused on gender difference are listed: parents continue to expect their sons with schizophrenia to carry on the family name; society as a whole expects males to be the “head of the family”; male family members are supposed to assume the responsibility of caring for siblings with schizophrenia. Conclusions: The results of the study could help clinical professionals to understand and have greater empathy with regard to the difficulties for families and the concerns of parents taking care of their children with schizophrenia in the specific context of Chinese culture, and to provide more efficient and responsive assistance