Adaptive Shape Kernel-Based Mean Shift Tracker in Robot Vision System

This paper proposes an adaptive shape kernel-based mean shift tracker using a single static camera for the robot vision system. The question that we address in this paper is how to construct such a kernel shape that is adaptive to the object shape. We perform nonlinear manifold learning technique to obtain the low-dimensional shape space which is trained by training data with the same view as the tracking video. The proposed kernel searches the shape in the low-dimensional shape space obtained by nonlinear manifold learning technique and constructs the adaptive kernel shape in the high-dimensional shape space. It can improve mean shift tracker performance to track object position and object contour and avoid the background clutter. In the experimental part, we take the walking human as example to validate that our method is accurate and robust to track human position and describe human contour

Palm Print Edge Extraction Using Fractional Differential Algorithm

Algorithm based on fractional difference was used for the edge extraction of thenar palm print image. Based on fractional order difference function which was deduced from classical fractional differential G-L definition, three filter templates were constructed to extract thenar palm print edge. The experiment results showed that this algorithm can reduce noise and detect rich edge details and has higher SNR than traditional methods

Effect of regional versus general anaesthesia on postoperative opioid consumption, clinical outcomes and cognitive function in Chinese patients undergoing metastatic cancer surgery

Purpose: To compare postoperative opioid consumption, inflammatory biomarkers, cognitive function and safety profile of regional anesthesia (RA) versus general anesthesia (GA) in Chinese patients undergoing metastatic cancer surgery.Method: Chinese patients undergoing metastatic cancer surgery were enrolled and received either RA or GA) in allocation ratio of 1:1. The following efficacy variables were assessed: 1) pain score was measured on VAS scale; 2) post-operative consumption; 3) inflammatory biomarkers; 4) cognitive function; 5) clinical outcomes. Safety was also assessed.Results: Data for a total of 220 patients were analyzed. Compared to GA alone, the combination of RA and GA demonstrated significantly greater reduction in post-operative pain with decreased postoperative opioid consumption. Also, RA/GA combination inhibited inflammatory response when compared to patients who received GA only, indicating that RA + GA improved immune response in patient undergoing surgical intervention. The severity of signs and symptoms of dementia were similar at baseline visit (p > 0.05). Patients of RA/GA group had significantly greater relief in signs and symptoms of dementia/cognitive impairment, when compared to the GA-treated patients (p < 0.05). However, incidence of complications (including adverse events) was comparable for both groups (p > 0.05). Additionally, RA/GA was also associated with shorter length of hospital stay, compared to GA.Conclusion: RA/GA combination demonstrates significantly greater improvement in the level of clinical outcomes, decreases postoperative opioid consumption, and improves cognitive functions when compared to GA in Chinese patients undergoing metastatic cancer surgery

Clinical features and prognosis of lung cancer in patients with connective tissue diseases: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundStudies have demonstrated a close association between connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and lung cancer (LC). Evidence supports that poor survival may be associated with the presence of CTDs in patients with LC.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study investigated 29 patients with LC with CTDs, and 116 patients with LC without CTDs were enrolled as case-matched control cohorts. Medical records, therapeutic efficacy of cancer, and outcomes were analyzed.ResultsThe median duration from the diagnosis of CTDs to LC was 17 years. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score for LC-CTD patients was worse than that for matched non-CTD LC patients. The median progression-free survival (mPFS) and overall survival (mOS) of first-line chemotherapy did not differ between patients with lung adenocarcinoma (AC) with and without CTDs. A significant difference was observed in mPFS [4 months vs. 17 months; hazard ratio (HR), 9.987; p = 0.004] and mOS (6 months vs. 35 months; HR, 26.009; p < 0.001) of first-line epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) treatment between patients with AC with and without CTDs. The presence of CTD, sex, ECOG performance status, and tumor-node-metastasis clinical stage were the independent prognostic factors in all patients with non–small cell LC (NSCLC). ECOG performance status was determined to be an independent prognostic factor in patients with LC-CTD. In patients with NSCLC with CTD (n = 26), sex (male) and worse ECOG score were the independent poor prognostic factors.ConclusionsCTDs were associated with poor survival in patients with LC. The therapeutic efficacy of first-line EGFR-TKI therapy was significantly worse in patients with lung AC with CTDs than in those without CTDs. ECOG performance status was determined as an independent prognostic factor for patients with LC and CTDs

Trap-Assisted Charge Injection into Large Bandgap Polymer Semiconductors.

The trap-assisted charge injection in polyfluorene-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) model systems with an Al or Al/LiF cathode is investigated. We find that inserting 1.3 nm LiF increases electron and hole injections simultaneously and the increase of holes is greater than electrons. The evolution of internal interfaces within polymer light-emitting diodes is observed by transmission electron microscopy, which reveals that the introduction of LiF improves the interface stability at both the cathode (cathode/polymer) and the anode (indium tin oxide (ITO)/PEDOT:PSS). Above-mentioned experimental results have been compared to the numerical simulations with a revised Davids model and potential physical mechanisms for the trap-assisted charge injection are discussed

Egy 14. századi új Salamon: V. (Bölcs) Károly francia király

The result of in-hospital all mortality (P < 0.001; RR 3.23; 95% CI 2.28–4.57). (DOCX 54 kb

Clustered Distribution of Natural Product Leads of Drugs in the Chemical Space as Influenced by the Privileged Target-Sites

10.1038/srep09325Scientific Reports

Preservation of Simmental bull sperm at 0°C in Tris dilution: effect of dilution ratio and long-distance transport

Objective This study aimed to assess the impact of the dilution ratio of Tris diluent, storage at 0°C, and long-distance transportation on the spermatozoa of Simmental cattle. It also validated the feasibility of the regional distribution of fresh semen. Methods In experiment 1, semen was diluted at four dilution ratios (1:6, 1:9, 1:12, and 1:15) to determine the optimal dilution ratio of Tris diluent. In experiment 2, we assessed sperm viability, progressive motility (objectively assessed by computer-assisted sperm analyzer), and acrosome intactness in Tris dilutions kept at constant 0°C for 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days. We compared them to Tianshan livestock dilutions (Commercial diluent). In experiment 3, semen was diluted using Tris diluent, and sperm quality was measured before and after long-distance transport. Artificial insemination of 177 Simmental heifers compared to 156 using Tianshan Livestock dilution. Results The outcomes demonstrated that 1:9 was the ideal Tris diluent dilution ratio. The sperm viability, Progressive Motility, and acrosome integrity of both Tris and Tianshan dilutions preserved at 0°C gradually decreased over time. sperm viability was above 50% for both dilutions on d 9, with a flat rate of decline. The decrease in acrosome integrity rate was faster for Tianshan livestock dilutions than for Tris dilutions when stored at 0°C for 1 to 6 days. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in sperm viability between semen preserved in Tris diluent after long-distance transportation and semen preserved in resting condition. The conception rates for Tris dilution and Tianshan livestock dilution were 49.15% and 46.15% respectively, with no significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion This shows that Tris diluent is a good long-term protectant. It has been observed that fresh semen can be successfully preserved for long-distance transport when stored under 0°C conditions. Additionally, it is feasible to distribute semen regionally

Research progress on the role of lncRNA–miRNA networks in regulating adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (OP) is characterized by a decrease in osteoblasts and an increase in adipocytes in the bone marrow compartment, alongside abnormal bone/fat differentiation, which ultimately results in imbalanced bone homeostasis. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes to maintain bone homeostasis. Several studies have shown that lncRNAs are competitive endogenous RNAs that form a lncRNA–miRNA network by targeting miRNA for the regulation of bone/fat differentiation in BMSCs; this mechanism is closely related to the corresponding treatment of OP and is important in the development of novel OP-targeted therapies. However, by reviewing the current literature, it became clear that there are limited summaries discussing the effects of the lncRNA–miRNA network on osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation in BMSCs. Therefore, this article provides a review of the current literature to explore the impact of the lncRNA–miRNA network on the osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs, with the aim of providing a new theoretical basis for the treatment of OP