A Novel Technique Based on the Combination of Labeled Co-Occurrence Matrix and Variogram for the Detection of Built-up Areas in High-Resolution SAR Images

Interests in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data analysis is driven by the constantly increased spatial resolutions of the acquired images, where the geometries of scene objects can be better defined than in lower resolution data. This paper addresses the problem of the built-up areas extraction in high-resolution (HR) SAR images, which can provide a wealth of information to characterize urban environments. Strong backscattering behavior is one of the distinct characteristics of built-up areas in a SAR image. However, in practical applications, only a small portion of pixels characterizing the built-up areas appears bright. Thus, specific texture measures should be considered for identifying these areas. This paper presents a novel texture measure by combining the proposed labeled co-occurrence matrix technique with the specific spatial variability structure of the considered land-cover type in the fuzzy set theory. The spatial variability is analyzed by means of variogram, which reflects the spatial correlation or non-similarity associated with a particular terrain surface. The derived parameters from the variograms are used to establish fuzzy functions to characterize the built-up class and non built-up class, separately. The proposed technique was tested on TerraSAR-X images acquired of Nanjing (China) and Barcelona (Spain), and on a COSMO-SkyMed image acquired of Hangzhou (China). The obtained classification accuracies point out the effectiveness of the proposed technique in identifying and detecting built-up areas

A Real-time Target Detection Algorithm for Panorama Infrared Search and Track System

AbstractWith regard to target detection in high resolution panorama images attained by circumferential scan Infrared Search and Tracking system, a rough-to-meticulous real-time target detection algorithm is proposed based on analysis of characteristics of targets and background. In the rough detection phase, it attains initial high rate target detection by quick real-time algorithm, based on the gray high frequency and movement characteristics of the target in the whole panorama image. In the meticulous detection phase, focusing on the detected suspected target sliced images, it has further delicate detection and recognition on the basis of targets’ characteristics to exclude those false jamming. The detection result of the test images shows, the algorithm enables stable detection with low-rate false alarm for distant dim small targets, and has been applied to the development of engineering sample of the Panorama Infrared Search and Tracking system

Synthesis and photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy against multi-drug resistant Proteus mirabilis of ornithine-porphyrin conjugates in vitro and in vivo

For the treatment of bacterial infections, photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) has the advantage of circumventing multi-drug resistance. In this work, new cationic photosensitizers against multi-drug resistant Proteus mirabilis (MRPM) were designed and synthesized by the conjugation of amino phenyl porphyrin with basic amino acid L-ornithine. Their photoinactivation efficacies against MRPM in vitro were reported and include the influence of laser energy, uptake, MIC and MBC, dose-dependent photoinactivation effects, membrane integrity, and fluorescence imaging. The PACT in vivo was evaluated using a wound mouse model infected by MRPM. Photosensitizer 4d displayed high photo inactivation efficacy against MRPM at 7.81 μM under illumination, and it could accelerate wound healing via bactericidal effect. These ornithine-porphyrin conjugates are potential photosensitizers for PACT in the treatment of MRPM infection

Field aging declines the regulatory effects of biochar on cadmium uptake by pepper in the soil

Biochar application is not only being widely promoted as an ideal strategy to mitigate global climate warming, but it also has the advantage of reducing heavy metal bioavailability and migration in the soil. However, studies on the effects of field aging on biochar to reduce heavy metals from the soil are still limited. The present study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of aged biochar added to the soil planted with pepper plants on cadmium (Cd) uptake. To achieve this, un-amended soil (control), soil amended with fresh biochar, and aged biochar (biochar recovered from a long-term field trial after 9 years) were used to investigate the effects of field aging on biochar adsorption efficiency. The results revealed that the amount of Cd in the plant planted in control soil, amended with fresh and aged biochar, accounted for 40 ± 6.10, 17.18 ± 1.19, and 18.68 ± 0.79, respectively. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the amount of Cd that was uptaken by plants among all treatments. However, soil amended with fresh biochar significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the amount of Cd in plants compared with soil amended with aged biochar. This indicates that field aging declines the potential of biochar to lower heavy metal bioavailability and retention in the soil. This study demonstrates that long-term burial lessens the ability of biochar to interact with Cd and suggests that biochar amendment can lower Cd in the soil, depending on the freshness and aging of biochar

Microaerophilic Oxidation of Fe(II) Coupled with Simultaneous Carbon Fixation and As(III) Oxidation and Sequestration in Karstic Paddy Soil

Microaerophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria are often chemolithoautotrophs, and the Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides they form could immobilize arsenic (As). If such microbes are active in karstic paddy soils, their activity would help increase soil organic carbon and mitigate As contamination. We therefore used gel-stabilized gradient systems to cultivate microaerophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria from karstic paddy soil to investigate their capacity for Fe(II) oxidation, carbon fixation, and As sequestration. Stable isotope probing (SIP) demonstrated the assimilation of inorganic carbon at a maximum rate of 8.02 mmol C m-2 d-1. Sequencing revealed that Bradyrhizobium, Cupriavidus, Hyphomicrobium, Kaistobacter, Mesorhizobium, Rhizobium, unclassified Phycisphaerales, and unclassified Opitutaceas, were fixing carbon. Fe(II) oxidation produced Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides, which can absorb and/or co-precipitate As. Adding As(III) decreased the diversity of functional bacteria involved in carbon fixation, the relative abundance of predicted carbon fixation genes, and the amount of carbon fixed. Although the rate of Fe(II) oxidation was also lower in the presence of As(III), over 90% of the As(III) was sequestered after oxidation. The potential for microbially mediated As(III) oxidation was revealed by the presence of arsenite oxidase gene (aioA), denoting the potential of the Fe(II) oxidizing and autotrophic microbial community to also oxidize As(III). The results of this study demonstrate that carbon fixation coupled to Fe(II) oxidation can increase the carbon content in soils by microaerophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria, as well as accelerate As(III) oxidation and sequester it in association with Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides

Localized RPE Removal with a Novel Instrument Aided by Viscoelastics in Rabbits

Citation: Thieltges F, Liu Z, Brinken R, Braun N, Wongsawad W, Somboonthanakij S, Herwig M, Holz FG, Stanzel BV. Localized RPE removal with a novel instrument aided by viscoelastics in rabbits. Trans Vis Sci Tech. 2016;5(3):11, doi:10.1167/tvst. 5.3.11 Purpose: We developed a surgical method for localized and atraumatic removal of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) with a novel instrument. Methods: Bleb retinal detachments (bRD) were raised with balanced salt solution (BSS) following vitrectomy in 27 rabbits. The RPE was scraped with 3 loop variants (polypropylene [PP], 0.1 mm; PP, 0.06 mm; metal, 0.1 mm) of a custom-made instrument. Stabilization of bRDs with BSS or various concentrations (0.1%-0.5%) of hyaluronic acid (HA) was video analyzed. Perfusion-fixed samples of scraped areas and controls were studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. Results: The bRDs were sufficiently stabilized by 0.25% HA. Using the PP 0.1 mm loop with a single forward/backward stroke, an area of ca. 2.5 3 1.5 mm was nearly devoid of RPE, yet did show occasional Bruch&apos;s membrane (BM) defects combined with choriocapillaris hemorrhages in 13% of the bRDs. A single scrape with PP 0.06 mm resulted in unsatisfactory RPE denudement, while repeated scraping maneuvers caused more BM defects and hemorrhages. The metal loop resulted in incomplete RPE removal and massive intraoperative subretinal hemorrhages. Histologically, intact photoreceptor outer segments (POS) were observed above the RPE wounds in bRDs. Controls with bRDs alone showed an intact RPE monolayer with microvilli, with few engulfed remains of POS. Conclusions: Localized removal of RPE in HA stabilized bRD can be achieved by a PP 0.1 mm loop instrument. Translational Relevance: Removal of degenerated RPE may aid RPE cell replacement strategies

Clinical Strategies for Enhancing the Efficacy of CAR T-Cell Therapy for Hematological Malignancies

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have been successfully used for hematological malignancies, especially for relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Patients who have undergone conventional chemo-immunotherapy and have relapsed can achieve complete remission for several months with the infusion of CAR T-cells. However, side effects and short duration of response are still major barriers to further CAR T-cell therapy. To improve the efficacy, multiple targets, the discovery of new target antigens, and CAR T-cell optimization have been extensively studied. Nevertheless, the fact that the determination of the efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy is inseparable from the discussion of clinical application strategies has rarely been discussed. In this review, we will discuss some clinical application strategies, including lymphodepletion regimens, dosing strategies, combination treatment, and side effect management, which are closely related to augmenting and maximizing the efficacy of CAR T-cell therapy

Geogenic Cadmium Pollution and Potential Health Risks, With Emphasis on Black Shale

Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential trace element that is toxic to humans. Previous studies of Cd in the environment have primarily focused on pollution resulted from anthropogenic sources, but little is known on naturally occurring sources of Cd. This paper aims to review the geochemical distribution of geogenic Cd and associated environmental risk. The source, accumulation, mobility, transportation, and health risk of Cd are discussed in a geo-environmental perspective, with an emphasis on black shale soils. Cadmium generally occurs in sulfides in black shale, and is easily released when exposed to oxygen and water. Leaching of these rocks tends to elevate Cd concentrations in aquatic systems, and may pose the potential to produce acid rock drainage (ARD) as well. Weathering of Cd-rich rocks also elevates soil Cd concentrations, and influence the geochemical species of Cd. Crops grown in these soils tend to accumulate higher Cd and threaten the food safety. Local inhabitant exposed to high geogenic Cd via food chains may experience Cd-related health risk. High Cd concentrations are observed in urine, and renal damage is also detected in Cd naturally enriched area based on low molecular weight proteins in urine. Overall, the findings in literature have provided with insights for potential health risk of Cd in areas with high Cd geochemical background levels, particular for the black shale exposed areas, more attentions should be paid on the geogenic Cd pollution, and suitable strategies of remediation and geo-environmental management for geogenic Cd pollution need further research

Effect of Novel Vital Dyes on Outer Blood-Retina Barrier Function in Cultured Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium

10.1159/000353869OPHTHALMOLOGICA230s233-4

Nyquist Zone Index and Chirp Rate Estimation of LFM Signal Intercepted by Nyquist Folding Receiver Based on Random Sample Consensus and Fractional Fourier Transform

The Nyquist folding receiver (NYFR) can achieve a high-probability interception of an ultra-wideband (UWB) signal with fewer devices, while the output of the NYFR is converted into a hybrid modulated signal of the local oscillator (LO) and the received signal, which requires the matching parameter estimation methods. The linear frequency modulation (LFM) signal is a typical low probability of intercept (LPI) radar signal. In this paper, an estimation method of both the Nyquist Zone (NZ) index and the chirp rate for the LFM signal intercepted by NYFR was proposed. First, according to the time-frequency characteristics of the LFM signal, the accurate NZ and the rough chirp rate was estimated based on least squares (LS) and random sample consensus (RANSAC). Then, the information of the LO was removed from the hybrid modulated signal by the known NZ, and the precise chirp rate was obtained by using the fractional Fourier transform (FrFT). Moreover, a fast search method of FrFT optimal order was presented, which could obviously reduce the computational complexity. The simulation demonstrated that the proposed method could precisely estimate the parameters of the hybrid modulated output signal of the NYFR