Super-resolving Compressed Images via Parallel and Series Integration of Artifact Reduction and Resolution Enhancement

In this paper, we propose a novel compressed image super resolution (CISR) framework based on parallel and series integration of artifact removal and resolution enhancement. Based on maximum a posterior inference for estimating a clean low-resolution (LR) input image and a clean high resolution (HR) output image from down-sampled and compressed observations, we have designed a CISR architecture consisting of two deep neural network modules: the artifact reduction module (ARM) and resolution enhancement module (REM). ARM and REM work in parallel with both taking the compressed LR image as their inputs, while they also work in series with REM taking the output of ARM as one of its inputs and ARM taking the output of REM as its other input. A unique property of our CSIR system is that a single trained model is able to super-resolve LR images compressed by different methods to various qualities. This is achieved by exploiting deep neural net-works capacity for handling image degradations, and the parallel and series connections between ARM and REM to reduce the dependency on specific degradations. ARM and REM are trained simultaneously by the deep unfolding technique. Experiments are conducted on a mixture of JPEG and WebP compressed images without a priori knowledge of the compression type and com-pression factor. Visual and quantitative comparisons demonstrate the superiority of our method over state-of-the-art super resolu-tion methods.Code link: https://github.com/luohongming/CISR_PS

Interval-valued 2-tuple hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set and its application in multiple attribute decision making

[EN] The hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets can retain the completeness of linguistic information elicitation by assigning a set of possible linguistic terms to a qualitative variable. However, sometimes experts cannot make sure that the objects attain these possible linguistic terms but only provide the degrees of confidence to express their hesitant cognition. Given that the interval numbers can denote the possible membership degrees that an object belongs to a set, it is suitable and convenient to provide an interval-valued index to measure the degree of a linguistic variable to a given hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set. Inspired by this idea, we introduce the concept of interval-valued 2-tuple hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set (IV2THFLTS) based on the interval number and the hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set. Then, we define some interval-valued 2-tuple hesitant fuzzy linguistic aggregation operators. Afterwards, to overcome the instability of subjective weights, we propose a method to compute the weights of attributes. For the convenience of application, a method is given to solve the multiple attribute decision making problems with IV2THFLTSs. Finally, a case study is carried out to validate the proposed method, and some comparisons with other methods are given to show the advantages of the proposed method.The work was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 71501135, 71771156), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2016T90863, 2016M602698), the Fundamental Research Funds for the central Universities (No. YJ201535), and the Scientific Research Foundation for Excellent Young Scholars at Sichuan University (No. 2016SCU04A23).Si, G.; Liao, H.; Yu, D.; Llopis Albert, C. (2018). Interval-valued 2-tuple hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set and its application in multiple attribute decision making. Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems. 34(6):4225-4236. https://doi.org/10.3233/JIFS-171967S4225423634

Stereolithographic cutting guide in mandible reconstruction

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Sialendoscopy-based diagnosis and treatment of salivary ductal obstructions.

Salivary gland ductal obstruction is traditionally treated by sialoadenectomy when conservative measures fail. During the last decade, sialendoscopy has become the preferred approach in the management of salivary ductal obstructions. Sialendoscopy can provide direct, accurate and reliable visualisation of the salivary duct lumen and ductal pathologies, and can eliminate pathologies with miniaturised instrumentation. Now, sialendoscopic surgery is a promising option for patients who can be offered a satisfactory clinical outcome while avoiding sialoadenectomy. The present article briefly outlines sialendoscopy-based diagnosis and treatment of salivary ductal obstructions.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Hesitant Fuzzy Linguistic Preference Utility Set and Its Application in Selection of Fire Rescue Plans

Hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set provides an effective tool to represent uncertain decision information. However, the semantics corresponding to the linguistic terms in it cannot accurately reflect the decision-makers’ subjective cognition. In general, different decision-makers’ sensitivities towards the semantics are different. Such sensitivities can be represented by the cumulative prospect theory value function. Inspired by this, we propose a linguistic scale function to transform the semantics corresponding to linguistic terms into the linguistic preference values. Furthermore, we propose the hesitant fuzzy linguistic preference utility set, based on which, the decision-makers can flexibly express their distinct semantics and obtain the decision results that are consistent with their cognition. For calculations and comparisons over the hesitant fuzzy linguistic preference utility sets, we introduce some distance measures and comparison laws. Afterwards, to apply the hesitant fuzzy linguistic preference utility sets in emergency management, we develop a method to obtain objective weights of attributes and then propose a hesitant fuzzy linguistic preference utility-TOPSIS method to select the best fire rescue plan. Finally, the validity of the proposed method is verified by some comparisons of the method with other two representative methods including the hesitant fuzzy linguistic-TOPSIS method and the hesitant fuzzy linguistic-VIKOR method

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy of cisplatin and fluorouracil regimen in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A meta-analysis

Background: The benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) still remains controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the role of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy with the cisplatin and fluororacil (PF) regimen in enhancing the overall survival of and decreasing locoregional relapse and distant metastasis in HNSCC patients. Methods: Medline and manual searches were performed to identify all published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy with the PF regimen. Outcomes assessed by meta-analysis included locoregional relapse, distant metastasis, and overall survival. The odds ratio was the principle measurement of effect, which was calculated as the treatment group (chemotherapy plus locoregional treatment) versus the control group (locoregional treatment alone) and was presented as a point estimate with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Eight RCTs were adopted for analysis. The meta-analysis showed that the odds ratio for the locoregional relapse was 0.92 (0.70-1.22, 95%Cl), which was not statistically significant. The odds ratios for distant metastasis and overall survival were 0.47 (0.33-0.68, 95% Cl) and 1.28 (1.01-1.62, 95% Cl) respectively, which were both statistically significant. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with the PF regimen in HNSCC patients has no effect on locoregional relapse. However, it shows a small but significant benefit in reducing distant metastasis and improving the overall survival.link_to_OA_fulltex

Increased calcium and decreased magnesium and citrate concentrations of submandibular/sublingual saliva in sialolithiasis

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the electrolyte alterations of submandibular/sublingual saliva in submandibular sialolithiasis patients compared with saliva from healthy controls. Design: Submandibular/sublingual saliva was collected from 10 submandibular sialolithiasis patients and from 10 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Ion chromatography was performed to determine the concentrations of inorganic cations (potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium), inorganic anions (chloride, phosphate, nitrate, and sulphate) and organic anions (thiocyanate, lactate, acetate, and citrate). Results: The calcium concentration was significantly higher in sialolithiasis patients than in controls (P < 0.05). In contrast, the levels of magnesium and citrate in the saliva of sialolithiasis patients were significantly reduced compared to the values obtained in controls (P < 0.05). No significant differences were detected among other ions. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that saliva electrolyte composition of sialolithiasis patients is substantially altered with respect to crystallisation mechanisms. Increased calcium ion as a crystallisation substance and decreased magnesium and citrate ions as crystallisation inhibitors may be involved in the etiopathology of calculi formation. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Mandibular reconstruction assisted by preoperative simulation and accurate transferring templates: Preliminary report of clinical application

Purpose: This study investigated the application of a computer-aided design and manufacturing technique of defining tumor resection, fibula cutting, and positioning by surgical templates in mandibular reconstructive surgery. Materials and Methods: Four patients who required mandibulectomy and simultaneous reconstruction were enrolled in this study. Preoperative surgical simulation was performed. The surgical templates that defined tumor resection, fibula cutting, and positioning were designed and fabricated. Results: The surgeries were performed to the preoperative plan. All flaps survived. Superimposition of the postoperative image and the preoperative plan showed a satisfactory surgical accuracy. Conclusions: This method of defining tumor resection, fibula cutting, and positioning by surgical templates was accurate enough for mandibular reconstructive surgery. © 2013 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.link_to_subscribed_fulltex