Sketch-based 3D Shape Retrieval using Convolutional Neural Networks

Retrieving 3D models from 2D human sketches has received considerable attention in the areas of graphics, image retrieval, and computer vision. Almost always in state of the art approaches a large amount of "best views" are computed for 3D models, with the hope that the query sketch matches one of these 2D projections of 3D models using predefined features. We argue that this two stage approach (view selection -- matching) is pragmatic but also problematic because the "best views" are subjective and ambiguous, which makes the matching inputs obscure. This imprecise nature of matching further makes it challenging to choose features manually. Instead of relying on the elusive concept of "best views" and the hand-crafted features, we propose to define our views using a minimalism approach and learn features for both sketches and views. Specifically, we drastically reduce the number of views to only two predefined directions for the whole dataset. Then, we learn two Siamese Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), one for the views and one for the sketches. The loss function is defined on the within-domain as well as the cross-domain similarities. Our experiments on three benchmark datasets demonstrate that our method is significantly better than state of the art approaches, and outperforms them in all conventional metrics.Comment: CVPR 201

The relationships among Taiwanese youth’s polychronicity, multitasking behavior and perceived learning performance in online learning

BackgroundThe advancement of digital technology implies the importance of polychronic learning. Since polychronicity is not equivalent to multitasking behavior, they need to be considered separately. However, less research has been explored on how polychronicity is related to multitasking behavior in the educational field.ObjectiveTo explore the relationships among polychronicity, multitasking behavior and learning performance (including knowledge acquisition and learning satisfaction) in an online learning environment.MethodsThe relationship among variables was analyzed from 865 responses obtained from a questionnaire survey, and independent sample t tests and SEM analysis were used to examine the research hypotheses.ResultsCollege students showed a higher frequency of multitasking behavior, time tangibility and scheduling preference, and learning satisfaction in multitasking online learning environments than high school students. Additionally, college students were different from high school students on the paths of involvement with people to multitasking behavior (Δ χ2= 5.42, p = 0.02) and scheduling preference to learning satisfaction (Δχ2 = 9.54, p = 0.002).ConclusionThe relationship among polychronicity, multitasking behavior and perceived learning performance in an online learning environment varies by student educational stage

Magnesium Lithospermate B Protects Cardiomyocytes from Ischemic Injury Via Inhibition of TAB1–p38 Apoptosis Signaling

Danshen has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years to treat cardiovascular diseases. However, its precise cardioprotective components and the underlying mechanism are still unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction, the treatment with magnesium lithospermate B (MLB), the representative component of phenolic acids in Danshen, significantly reduced the infarct size and the blood lactate dehydrogenase level. In contrast, tanshinone IIA, the representative component of lipophilic tanshinones in Danshen, had no such protective effects. Moreover, in the simulated ischemia cell model, MLB treatment considerably increased the cell viability and reduced the sub-G1 population and the apoptotic nuclei, indicating its anti-apoptotic effect. Further mechanism study revealed that the ischemia-induced p38 phosphorylation was abolished by MLB treatment. Interestingly, MLB specifically inhibited the TGFβ-activated protein kinase 1-binding protein 1 (TAB1) mediated p38 phosphorylation through disrupting the interaction between TAB1 and p38, but it did not affect the mitogen-activated protein kinase 3/6 mediated p38 phosphorylation. In conclusion, the present study identifies MLB as an active component of Danshen in protecting cardiomyocytes from ischemic injury through specific inhibition of TAB1–p38 apoptosis signaling. These results indicate TAB1–p38 interaction as a putative drug target in treating ischemic heart diseases

Development of an ELISA-array for simultaneous detection of five encephalitis viruses

Japanese encephalitis virus(JEV), tick-borne encephalitis virus(TBEV), and eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) can cause symptoms of encephalitis. Establishment of accurate and easy methods by which to detect these viruses is essential for the prevention and treatment of associated infectious diseases. Currently, there are still no multiple antigen detection methods available clinically. An ELISA-array, which detects multiple antigens, is easy to handle, and inexpensive, has enormous potential in pathogen detection. An ELISA-array method for the simultaneous detection of five encephalitis viruses was developed in this study. Seven monoclonal antibodies against five encephalitis-associated viruses were prepared and used for development of the ELISA-array. The ELISA-array assay is based on a "sandwich" ELISA format and consists of viral antibodies printed directly on 96-well microtiter plates, allowing for direct detection of 5 viruses. The developed ELISA-array proved to have similar specificity and higher sensitivity compared with the conventional ELISAs. This method was validated by different viral cultures and three chicken eggs inoculated with infected patient serum. The results demonstrated that the developed ELISA-array is sensitive and easy to use, which would have potential for clinical use

Application of Multiple Sensors in Monitoring Land Subsidence in Central Taiwan

Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchive

Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Epiphytic and Endophytic Fungi from Marine Organisms: Isolation, Bioassay and Taxonomy

In the search for new marine derived antibiotics, 43 epi- and endophytic fungal strains were isolated from the surface or the inner tissue of different marine plants and invertebrates. Through preliminary and secondary screening, 10 of them were found to be able to produce broad-spectrum antimicrobial metabolites. By morphological and molecular biological methods, three active strains were characterized to be Penicillium glabrum, Fusarium oxysporum, and Alternaria alternata

A visualized dynamic prediction model for survival of patients with geriatric thyroid cancer: A population-based study

ObjectiveThyroid cancer (TC) is a common malignancy with a poor prognosis with aging. However, no accurate predictive survival model exists for patients with geriatric TC.We aimed to establish prediction models of prognosis in elderly TC.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathology characteristics of patients with geriatric TC in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (SEER) from 2004 to 2018. The risk predictors used to build the nomograms were derived from the Cox proportional risk regression. These nomograms were used to predict 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival and cancer-specific survival in elderly patients with TC. The accuracy and discriminability of the new model were evaluated by the consistency index (C-index) and calibration curve. The clinical applicability value of the model was assessed using the decision curve analysis.ResultsWe used the SEER database to include 16475 patients with geriatric TC diagnosed from 2004 to 2018. The patients from 2004 to 2015 were randomly sorted out on a scale of 7:3. They were classified into a training group (n = 8623) and a validation group (n = 3669). Patients with TC diagnosed in 2016–2018 were classified into external validation groups (n = 4183). The overall survival nomogram consisted of 10 variables (age, gender, marital status, histologic type, grade, TNM stage, surgery status, and tumor size). A cancer-specific survival nomogram consisted of eight factors (age, tumor size, grade, histologic type, surgery, and TNM stage). The C-index values for the training, validation, and external validation groups were 0.775 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.785–0.765), 0.776 (95% CI 0.792–0.760), and 0.895(95% CI 0.873–0.917), respectively. The overall survival was consistent with a nomogram based on the calibration curve. Besides, the decision curve analysis showed excellent clinical application value of the nomogram. Additionally, we found that surgery could improve the prognosis of patients with geriatric at high-risk (P < 0.001) but not those at low-risk (P = 0.069).ConclusionThis was the first study to construct predictive survival nomograms for patients with geriatric TC. The well-established nomograms and the actual results could guide follow-up management strategies