Adaptive Segmentation Network for Scene Text Detection

Inspired by deep convolution segmentation algorithms, scene text detectors break the performance ceiling of datasets steadily. However, these methods often encounter threshold selection bottlenecks and have poor performance on text instances with extreme aspect ratios. In this paper, we propose to automatically learn the discriminate segmentation threshold, which distinguishes text pixels from background pixels for segmentation-based scene text detectors and then further reduces the time-consuming manual parameter adjustment. Besides, we design a Global-information Enhanced Feature Pyramid Network (GE-FPN) for capturing text instances with macro size and extreme aspect ratios. Following the GE-FPN, we introduce a cascade optimization structure to further refine the text instances. Finally, together with the proposed threshold learning strategy and text detection structure, we design an Adaptive Segmentation Network (ASNet) for scene text detection. Extensive experiments are carried out to demonstrate that the proposed ASNet can achieve the state-of-the-art performance on four text detection benchmarks, i.e., ICDAR 2015, MSRA-TD500, ICDAR 2017 MLT and CTW1500. The ablation experiments also verify the effectiveness of our contributions

End-to-end Remote Sensing Change Detection of Unregistered Bi-temporal Images for Natural Disasters

Change detection based on remote sensing images has been a prominent area of interest in the field of remote sensing. Deep networks have demonstrated significant success in detecting changes in bi-temporal remote sensing images and have found applications in various fields. Given the degradation of natural environments and the frequent occurrence of natural disasters, accurately and swiftly identifying damaged buildings in disaster-stricken areas through remote sensing images holds immense significance. This paper aims to investigate change detection specifically for natural disasters. Considering that existing public datasets used in change detection research are registered, which does not align with the practical scenario where bi-temporal images are not matched, this paper introduces an unregistered end-to-end change detection synthetic dataset called xBD-E2ECD. Furthermore, we propose an end-to-end change detection network named E2ECDNet, which takes an unregistered bi-temporal image pair as input and simultaneously generates the flow field prediction result and the change detection prediction result. It is worth noting that our E2ECDNet also supports change detection for registered image pairs, as registration can be seen as a special case of non-registration. Additionally, this paper redefines the criteria for correctly predicting a positive case and introduces neighborhood-based change detection evaluation metrics. The experimental results have demonstrated significant improvements

The Analysis of Sula’s Eccentricity in Character: Family and Community’s Influence on a Person’s Character

Sula, the heroine in the second novel by Toni Morrison, has attracted the attention of many critics and readers. There are many discussions and reviews on Sula, especially on Sula’s character from every perspective. Based on the previous reviews, this paper mainly analyzes Sula’s eccentricity in character from the family and community’s influence in shaping a person’s character, which is of great help for readers to better understand Sula.  Key words: Sula;  Character;  Eccentricit

microRNA-181a-5p impedes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of retinoblastoma cells by targeting the NRAS proto-oncogene

Objectives: Accumulating research have reported that microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in Retinoblastoma (RB). Nonetheless, the function and underlying mechanism of miR-181a-5p in RB remain ambiguous. Methods: The relative expression levels of miR-181a-5p and NRAS mRNA were detected by quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). RB cell proliferation was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and 5′-Bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assays. Transwell assays and flow cytometry were performed to detect the migration, invasion, and apoptosis of RB cells. The interaction between miR-181a-5p and NRAS was explored using luciferase experiments, western blotting, and qRT-PCR. Results: miR-181a-5p expression was found to be decreased in RB tissues and cell lines, and its expression was correlated with unfavorable pathological features of the patients. In vitro experiments revealed that miR-181a-5p reduced RB cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while enhancing apoptosis. Further research confirmed that NRAS is a direct target of miR-181a-5p. miR-181a-5p inhibited NRAS expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Co-transfection of pcDNA-NRAS or NRAS small interfering RNA (siRNA) reversed the effects of miR-181a-5p mimics or miR-181a-5p inhibitors on RB cells. Conclusion: miR-181a-5p was significantly downregulated during the development of RB, and it suppressed the malignant behaviors of RB cells by targeting NRAS

Targeted Deletion of PTEN in Kisspeptin Cells Results in Brain Region- and Sex-Specific Effects on Kisspeptin Expression and Gonadotropin Release

Kisspeptin-expressing neurons in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) and the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus relay hormonal and metabolic information to gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons, which in turn regulate pituitary and gonadal function. Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) blocks phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), a signaling pathway utilized by peripheral factors to transmit their signals. However, whether PTEN signaling in kisspeptin neurons helps to integrate peripheral hormonal cues to regulate gonadotropin release is unknown. To address this question, we generated mice with a kisspeptin cell-specific deletion of Pten (Kiss-PTEN KO), and first assessed kisspeptin protein expression and gonadotropin release in these animals. Kiss-PTEN KO mice displayed a profound sex and region-specific kisspeptin neuron hyperthrophy. We detected both kisspeptin neuron hyperthrophy as well as increased kisspeptin fiber densities in the AVPV and ARC of Kiss-PTEN KO females and in the ARC of Kiss-PTEN KO males. Moreover, Kiss-PTEN KO mice showed a reduced gonadotropin release in response to gonadectomy. We also found a hyperactivation of mTOR, a downstream PI3K target and central regulator of cell metabolism, in the AVPV and ARC of Kiss-PTEN KO females but not males. Fasting, known to inhibit hypothalamic kisspeptin expression and luteinizing hormone levels, failed to induce these changes in Kiss-PTEN KO females. We conclude that PTEN signaling regulates kisspeptin protein synthesis in both sexes and that its role as a metabolic signaling molecule in kisspeptin neurons is sex-specific

Additive screening and formula optimization of microbial inhibitor having disease prevention and growth promotion effects on Avena sativa

In order to develop environment friendly microbial inhibitor that can also control disease and promote oat (Avena sativa) growth, the growth rate method and response surface methodology were used to screen wetting agents, preservatives and protective agents at optimal concentrations in this study. Antagonistic activity of the tested bacterium and cell-free fermentation liquid against pathogenic fungi was evaluated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) substratum plates by dual culture technique. Oxford cup method was used to measure antagonistic reaction between screened bacteria. According to each screened bacteria with 50 mL were mixed and cultured in Luria-bertani (LB) substratum. Additives of Wetting agents, UV-protectors, and preservatives were screened by single factor test on the growth concentration of screened mixed bacteria. Afterwards, the optimal additives and concentrations were screened by Box-Behnken method. The microbial inhibitor was detected according to national standards GB20287-2006 and tested on oat in a pot experiment. The results showed that: (1) Functional bacteria which including Bacillus velezensis and Brevundimonas faecalis had control effects of 50.00% to 83.29% on three pathogenic fungi, and their cell free-fermentation liquid could inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi from 23.51% to 39.90%; (2) Tween-80 was most suitable as wetting agents for Mix biocontrol bacteria (MBB) with 1.00% mass fraction; Sorbitol was selected as UV protective agents for MBB with 0.50% mass fraction. And methyl paraben was used as a preservative for MBB, with 0.50% mass fraction; (3) The most effective adjuvant contained 14.96 mL/L Tween-80, 5.12 g/L methylparaben and 5.6 g/L sorbitol; and (4) The microbial inhibitor controlled 45.57% of oat root rot and increased plant height, root length and seedling biomass. This study provides a suitable environment for the protection of mixed biocontrol bacteria, and lays a foundation for the prevention and control of oat diseases, the promotion of growth and the improvement of quality