ReMarNet: Conjoint Relation and Margin Learning for Small-Sample Image Classification

Despite achieving state-of-the-art performance, deep learning methods generally require a large amount of labeled data during training and may suffer from overfitting when the sample size is small. To ensure good generalizability of deep networks under small sample sizes, learning discriminative features is crucial. To this end, several loss functions have been proposed to encourage large intra-class compactness and inter-class separability. In this paper, we propose to enhance the discriminative power of features from a new perspective by introducing a novel neural network termed Relation-and-Margin learning Network (ReMarNet). Our method assembles two networks of different backbones so as to learn the features that can perform excellently in both of the aforementioned two classification mechanisms. Specifically, a relation network is used to learn the features that can support classification based on the similarity between a sample and a class prototype; at the meantime, a fully connected network with the cross entropy loss is used for classification via the decision boundary. Experiments on four image datasets demonstrate that our approach is effective in learning discriminative features from a small set of labeled samples and achieves competitive performance against state-of-the-art methods. Codes are available at https://github.com/liyunyu08/ReMarNet.Comment: IEEE TCSVT 202

DNA damage and decrease of cellular oxidase activity in piglet sertoli cells exposed to gossypol

The study was designated to explore the toxic effects of gossypol on piglet sertoli cells. Sertoli cells were isolated from piglet testes using a two-step enzyme digestion and followed by differential plating. Piglet sertoli cells were cultured and classified into five groups, that is, group A, the control without gossypol, group B with 2.5 μg/ml gossypol, group C with 5 μg/ml gossypol, group D with 10 μg/ml gossypol and group E with 20 μg/ml gossypol. We found that sertoli cells’ growth was inhibited by gossypol at dose 2.5 μg/ml when compared with the control group. The oxidase activity of sertoli cell also decreased at 2.5 μg/m gossypol. Moreover, DNA damage of sertoli cells was observed at 5 μg/ml gossypol. Putting this into consideration, our study suggests that exposure of gossypol to sertoli cells leads to an inhibition of sertoli cell growth and oxidase activity of sertoli cells at a low concentration, whereas gossypol results in DNA damage of sertoli cells at a higher concentration.Keywords: Gossypol, sertoli cells, oxidase, DNA damag

Extracting lignin-SiO2 composites from Si-rich biomass to prepare Si/C anode materials for lithium ions batteries

The comprehensive utilization of Si-rich biomass is restrained by macromolecular lignin and a large amount of ash. In this study, rice husks (RHs) are treated as a representative by alkali extraction and acid precipitation, and the obtained lignin-SiO2 composite is modified by carbonazation, ball milling, magnesiothermic reduction and additives. Through these processes, a Si/C composite with excellent electrochemical properties is obtained and performs stable cycling performance with high specific capacity retention of 572 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 1000 cycles. This introduced method provides a potential for utilizing Si-rich biomass comprehensively and preparing desirable Si/C anode materials from Si-rich biomass derived lignin-SiO2 composites

The botanical origin and antioxidant, anti-BACE1 and antiproliferative properties of bee pollen from different regions of South Korea

Abstract Background Bee pollen (BP) has been used as a traditional medicine and food diet additive due to its nutritional and biological properties. The potential biological properties of bee pollen vary greatly with the botanical and geographical origin of the pollen grains. This study was conducted to characterize the botanical origin and assess the antioxidant effects of ethanol extracts of 18 different bee pollen (EBP) samples from 16 locations in South Korea and their inhibitory activities on human β-amyloid precursor cleavage enzyme (BACE1), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), human intestinal bacteria, and 5 cancer cell lines. Methods The botanical origin and classification of each BP sample was evaluated using palynological analysis by observing microscope slides. We measured the biological properties, including antioxidant capacity, inhibitory activities against human BACE1, and AChE, and antiproliferative activities toward five cancer cell lines, of the 18 EBPs. In addition, the growth inhibitory activities on four harmful intestinal bacteria, six lactic acid-producing bacteria, two nonpathogenic bacteria, and an acidulating bacterium were also assessed. Results Four samples (BP3, BP4, BP13 and BP15) were found to be monofloral and presented four dominant pollen types: Quercus palustris, Actinidia arguta, Robinia pseudoacacia, and Amygdalus persica. One sample (BP12) was found to be bifloral, and the remaining samples were considered to be heterofloral. Sixteen samples showed potent antioxidant activities with EC50 from 292.0 to 673.9 μg mL− 1. Fourteen samples presented potent inhibitory activity against human BACE1 with EC50 from 236.0 to 881.1 μg mL− 1. All samples showed antiproliferative activity toward the cancer cell lines PC-3, MCF-7, A549, NCI-H727 and AGS with IC50 from 2.7 to 14.4 mg mL− 1, 0.9 to 12.7 mg mL− 1, 5.0 to > 25 mg mL− 1, 2.7 to 17.7 mg mL− 1, and 2.4 to 8.7 mg mL− 1, respectively. In addition, total phenol and flavonoid contents had no direct correlation with antioxidant, anti-human BACE1, or antiproliferative activities. Conclusion Fundamentally, Korean bee pollen-derived preparations could be considered a nutritional addition to food to prevent various diseases related to free radicals, neurodegenerative problems, and cancers. The botanical and geographical origins of pollen grains could help to establish quality control standards for bee pollen consumption and industrial production

Transcriptional Activation of OsDERF1 in OsERF3 and OsAP2-39 Negatively Modulates Ethylene Synthesis and Drought Tolerance in Rice

The phytohormone ethylene is a key signaling molecule that regulates a variety of developmental processes and stress responses in plants. Transcriptional modulation is a pivotal process controlling ethylene synthesis, which further triggers the expression of stress-related genes and plant adaptation to stresses; however, it is unclear how this process is transcriptionally modulated in rice. In the present research, we report the transcriptional regulation of a novel rice ethylene response factor (ERF) in ethylene synthesis and drought tolerance. Through analysis of transcriptional data, one of the drought-responsive ERF genes, OsDERF1, was identified for its activation in response to drought, ethylene and abscisic acid. Transgenic plants overexpressing OsDERF1 (OE) led to reduced tolerance to drought stress in rice at seedling stage, while knockdown of OsDERF1 (RI) expression conferred enhanced tolerance at seedling and tillering stages. This regulation was supported by negative modulation in osmotic adjustment response. To elucidate the molecular basis of drought tolerance, we identified the target genes of OsDERF1 using the Affymetrix GeneChip, including the activation of cluster stress-related negative regulators such as ERF repressors. Biochemical and molecular approaches showed that OsDERF1 at least directly interacted with the GCC box in the promoters of ERF repressors OsERF3 and OsAP2-39. Further investigations showed that OE seedlings had reduced expression (while RI lines showed enhanced expression) of ethylene synthesis genes, thereby resulting in changes in ethylene production. Moreover, overexpression of OsERF3/OsAP2-39 suppressed ethylene synthesis. In addition, application of ACC recovered the drought-sensitive phenotype in the lines overexpressing OsERF3, showing that ethylene production contributed to drought response in rice. Thus our data reveal that a novel ERF transcriptional cascade modulates drought response through controlling the ethylene synthesis, deepening our understanding of the regulation of ERF proteins in ethylene related drought response

Anemia of School-Age Children in Primary Schools in Southern China Should Be Paid More Attention despite the Significant Improvement at National Level: Based on Chinese Nutrition and Health Surveillance Data (2016–2017)

Globally, anemia among school-age children (SAC) remains a serious public health problem, impacting their growth, development, educational attainment and future learning potential. National and subnational anemia prevalence among SAC in China has not been assessed recently. Based on data from Chinese Nutrition and Health Surveillance (2016–2017), the current anemia status of SAC in primary schools in China was investigated. Anemia prevalence of SAC in primary schools in China was 4.4%, dropping 63.6% compared with that in 2002. Even though anemia was no longer a significant public health problem at the national level, there were significant spatial disparities of anemia prevalence in different areas: anemia prevalence in 63% of provinces of northern and eastern China has lowered to below 5%, while in provinces of southern China, it was still ranging from 5% to 11.0%, about 3 times of other areas. For those children in southern China, mother’s education level (OR = 1.24, p = 0.04) and father’s education level (OR = 1.27, p = 0.01) below senior high school, eating meat less than 3 times per week (OR = 1.18, p = 0.01) were risk factors of anemia. Older age (OR = 0.35–0.72, p < 0.01) was a protective factor. Targeted interventions should be taken to improve SAC anemia in Southern China, despite anemia of SAC in primary schools no longer being a significant public health problem

Wear Characteristics of the Material Specimen and Method of Predicting Wear in Floating Spline Couplings of Aero-Engine

In order to reduce wear and design high-performance spline coupling, the friction coefficient, wear coefficient, and wear depth of 14 groups of material specimens were tested using multifunctional friction and wear tester. The effect of materials, loads, rotation speed, and surface treatment on friction coefficient, wear coefficient, and wear depth was investigated. A method using an Archard’s equation based on the finite element method to calculate the wear depth of 14 groups of material specimens was proposed, and the results were consistent with the experimental results. Then, the wear of a floating involute spline coupling of aero-engine was predicted using this method. It can be concluded that carburizing and silvering can decrease the friction coefficient. The wear and wear coefficient decreased after carburizing. So, it is necessary to take 18CrNi4A with carburization and 32Cr3MoVA with nitridation as the material of the spline coupling in aero-engine to minimize wear. Furthermore, the method presented to predicate the wear of spline coupling in this work provided a good fundament for the fatigue prediction methodology of spline coupling

An Optical Acoustic Detection System Based on Fabry Pérot Etalon Stability Structure

The optical acoustic detection system based on the Fabry Pérot Etalon (FPE) with high quality–factor (High Q) and stability structure is described and tested. The FPE contains two high–reflectivity Plano–Concave lenses, achieving high fineness and stability. The protective structure of the confocal stabilized FPE is composed of an invar tube, copper sheath, Bakelite sheath and aluminum housing to protect the sensor from the effects of ambient temperature and vibration. The audio signal is injected into the cavity through the sound hole located in the center of the cavity. Acoustic waves induce the vibration of the medium in the cavity, which leads to a simultaneous change in the FPE optical path and a shift of the interference spectrum. The acoustic detection system is built, and the frequency of the laser is locked on the resonant frequency points of the FPE by using phase modulation technology, so as to detect acoustic signals of different frequencies and amplitudes. In addition, the sensitivity of the proposed sensor exceeds 34.49 mV/Pa in the range of 20 Hz–20 kHz. A Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of 37 dB can be achieved at 20 Hz. Acoustic signal detection technology based on the FPE stability model is used to test the theoretical feasibility of the future high sensitivity Fabry Pérot Interferometric (FPI) acoustic sensors

Analysis of the Correlation between Eating Away from Home and BMI in Adults 18 Years and Older in China: Data from the CNNHS 2015

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the frequency of eating away from home (EAFH) and Body mass index (BMI) in adults. The data were collected from 2015 China Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance (CNNHS 2015). Adults aged 18 and above who had complete dietary frequency questionnaire data were recruited as the research objects. The frequency of EAFH among different genders and BMI groups were compared, and multiple linear regression method was used to analyze the correlation between frequency of EAFH and BMI of adults aged 18 years and above with different gender, age, family per capita annual income, education level, marital status, and occupation level. The frequency of EAFH was higher for adults aged 18&ndash;44, eastern region, urban, family per capita annual income of 20,000 RMB or more, highly educated, unmarried, school students, employed people, and obese adults, which were 3.64, 3.30, 3.71, 4.30, 5.92, 5.64, 9.29 and 2.68 times per week, respectively. The highest frequency of EAFH was obese men in urban areas aged 18&ndash;44 years, which was 5.63 times per week. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the frequency of EAFH for breakfast was not associated with BMI (p &gt; 0.05), the frequency of EAFH for lunch was negatively correlated with BMI (&beta; = &minus;0.024, p = 0.008), and the frequency of EAFH for dinner was positively correlated with BMI (&beta; = 0.040, p = 0.004).The frequency of EAFH of male (&beta; = 0.013, p = 0.008), 60 years old and above (&beta; = 0.022, p = 0.021), family per capita annual income less than 10,000 RMB (&beta; = 0.019, p = 0.005), junior high school education or below (&beta; = 0.012, p = 0.009), and unemployed/retired (&beta; = 0.029, p = 0.003) adults were positively correlated with BMI. While for women, the frequency of EAFH (&beta; = &minus;0.019, p = 0.001) was negatively correlated with BMI. In terms of frequency of EAFH for breakfast, female (&beta; = 0.027, p = 0.041), people aged 45&ndash;59 years (&beta; = 0.042, p = 0.002), aged 60 and above (&beta; = 0.047, p = 0.017), eastern China (&beta; = 0.034, p = 0.010), junior high school education or below (&beta; = 0.045, p = 0.001), married/cohabiting (&beta; = 0.024, p = 0.008) adults&rsquo; frequency of EAFH for breakfast of was positively correlated with BMI. In terms of frequency of EAFH for lunch, female (&beta; = 0.056, p = 0.001), people aged 45&ndash;59 years (&beta; = 0.024, p = 0.005), eastern China (&beta; = 0.034, p = 0.004), rural areas (&beta; = 0.035, p = 0.006), moderate and high family per capita annual income (&beta; = 0.043, p = 0.007; &beta; = 0.029, p = 0.039), high education level (&beta; = 0.039, p = 0.034), married/cohabiting (&beta; = 0.028, p = 0.001), on-the-job personnel (&beta; = 0.033, p = 0.001) frequency of EAFH for lunch were negatively correlated with BMI. In terms of the frequency of EAFH for dinner, the frequency of EAFH for dinner had a significant positive influence on the BMI of males (&beta; = 0.061, p = 0.001). The frequency of dinner EAFH for 18&ndash;44 years old (&beta; = 0.042, p = 0.028), central region (&beta; = 1.000, p &lt; 0.001), rural areas (&beta; = 0.055, p = 0.013), married/cohabiting (&beta; = 0.048, p = 0.001), on-the-job personnel (&beta; = 0.037, p = 0.035) adults were positively correlated with BMI. The frequency of EAFH in urban obese men aged 18&ndash;44 was the highest. The frequency of EAFH for breakfast was not correlated with BMI, the frequency of EAFH for lunch was negatively correlated with BMI, and the frequency of EAFH for dinner was positively correlated with BMI. The analysis between EAFH according to the current definition and health-related outcomes is mixed. It is suggested that relevant authorities redefine EAFH from the perspective of health outcomes