Learning Segmentation Masks with the Independence Prior

An instance with a bad mask might make a composite image that uses it look fake. This encourages us to learn segmentation by generating realistic composite images. To achieve this, we propose a novel framework that exploits a new proposed prior called the independence prior based on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). The generator produces an image with multiple category-specific instance providers, a layout module and a composition module. Firstly, each provider independently outputs a category-specific instance image with a soft mask. Then the provided instances' poses are corrected by the layout module. Lastly, the composition module combines these instances into a final image. Training with adversarial loss and penalty for mask area, each provider learns a mask that is as small as possible but enough to cover a complete category-specific instance. Weakly supervised semantic segmentation methods widely use grouping cues modeling the association between image parts, which are either artificially designed or learned with costly segmentation labels or only modeled on local pairs. Unlike them, our method automatically models the dependence between any parts and learns instance segmentation. We apply our framework in two cases: (1) Foreground segmentation on category-specific images with box-level annotation. (2) Unsupervised learning of instance appearances and masks with only one image of homogeneous object cluster (HOC). We get appealing results in both tasks, which shows the independence prior is useful for instance segmentation and it is possible to unsupervisedly learn instance masks with only one image.Comment: 7+5 pages, 13 figures, Accepted to AAAI 201

Incentive Decision on Safety Investment of Supply Chain of Agricultural Products in “Agricultural Super-Docking”

Since the “agriculture super-docking” mode was introduced in China in 2007, remarkable success has been made in reducing the transaction cost and improving the quality safety of agricultural products. However, the quality safety issues of agricultural products still occur frequently because both specialized farmers’ cooperatives and supermarkets have insufficient safety investment. In order to study the necessity, goal, and incentive decision schemes of safety investment in “agriculture super-docking” supply chain, three kinds of models, which include noncooperatives distributed decision-making model, centralized decision-making model, and incentive coordination models led by cooperatives and supermarkets, are, respectively, set up in this paper. Conclusions are drawn as follows: when making the uncooperative decentralized decision, both cooperatives and supermarkets have the moral risks to decrease the safety investment, but appropriate measures can achieve the coordination of the supply chain; when achieving the coordination of supply chain, the two contacts under the guidance of cooperatives and supermarkets are the same, and the schemes of distributing profits are also the same. Moreover, a practical case is given to improve the effectiveness and feasibility of the incentive decision schemes

Isolation and Identification of Endophytic Fungi from Actinidia macrosperma and Investigation of Their Bioactivities

Endophytic fungi from the Chinese medicinal plant Actinidia macrosperma were isolated and identified for the first time. This was the first study to evaluate their cytotoxic and antitumour activities against brine shrimp and five types of tumour cells, respectively. In total, 17 fungal isolates were obtained. Five different taxa were represented by 11 isolates, and six isolates were grouped into the species of Ascomycete Incertae sedis with limited morphological and molecular data. Cytotoxic activity has been found in most isolates except AM05, AM06, and AM10. The isolates AM07 (4.86 μg/mL), AM11 (7.71 μg/mL), and AM17 (14.88 μg/mL) exhibited significant toxicity against brine shrimp. The results of the MTT assay to assess antitumour activity revealed that 82.4% of isolate fermentation broths displayed growth inhibition (50% inhibitory concentration IC50< 100 μg/mL). Moreover, AM07, AM11, and AM17 showed strong antitumour activity in all the cell lines examined. These results suggest that endophytic fungi in A. macrosperma are valuable for the isolation and identification of novel cytotoxic and antitumour bioactive agents

Kesesakan Dan Agresivitas Pada Remaja Di Kawasan Tambak Lorok Semarang

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara kesesakan dengan agresivitas pada remaja yang tinggal di Kawasan Tambak Lorok Semarang. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah remaja yang tinggal di Kawasan Tambak Lorok Semarang. Pengumpulan data menggunakan dua buah skala yaitu, Skala Agresivitas (22 aitem; α=0,864) dan Skala Kesesakan (16 aitem; α=0,828). Subjek penelitian berjumlah 230 remaja yang tinggal di Kawasan Tambak Lorok Semarang yang dipilih melalui teknik simple random sampling. Hasil analisis data menggunakan teknik analisis regresi sederhana menunjukkan terdapat hubungan positif antara kesesakan dengan agresivitas pada remaja yang tinggal Kawasan Tambak Lorok Semarang (r=0,578; p=0,000). Semakin tinggi kesesakan yang dirasakan subjek maka semakin tinggi agresivitas. Kesesakan memberikan sumbangan efektif sebesar 33,4% pada agresivitas dan sisanya sebesar 66,6% dipengaruhi oleh faktor lain yang tidak diteliti dalam penelitian ini

One-year weight losses in the Tianjin Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Prevention Programme : A randomized clinical trial

Aims: To report the weight loss findings after the first year of a lifestyle intervention trial among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: A total of 1180 women with GDM were randomly assigned (1: 1) to receive a 4-year lifestyle intervention (intervention group, n = 586) or standard care (control group, n = 594) between August 2009 and July 2011. Major elements of the intervention included 6 face-to-face sessions with study dieticians and two telephone calls in the first year, and two individual sessions and two telephone calls in each subsequent year. Results: Among 79% of participants who completed the year 1 trial, mean weight loss was 0.82 kg (1.12% of initial weight) in the intervention group and 0.09 kg (0.03% of initial weight) in the control group (P=.001). In a prespecified subgroup analysis of people who completed the trial, weight loss was more pronounced in women who were overweight (body mass index = 24 kg/m(2)) at baseline: mean weight loss 2.01 kg (2.87% of initial weight) in the intervention group and 0.44 kg (0.52% of initial weight) in the control group (P Conclusion: The 1-year lifestyle intervention led to significant weight losses after delivery in women who had GDM, and the effect was more pronounced in women who were overweight at baseline.Peer reviewe

High risk of metabolic syndrome after delivery in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes

Aims: To investigate the risk of postpartum metabolic syndrome in women with GDM compared with those without GDM in a Chinese population. Methods: Tianjin GDM observational study included 1263 women with a history of GDM and 705 women without GDM. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess risks of postpartum metabolic syndrome between women with and without GDM. Postpartum metabolic syndrome was diagnosed by two commonly used criteria. Results: During a mean 3.53 years of follow up, 256 cases of metabolic syndrome were identified by using the NCEPATPIII criteria and 244 cases by using the IDF criteria. Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios of metabolic syndrome in women with GDM compared with those without GDM were 3.66 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.02-6.63) for NCEP ATPIII criteria and 3.90 (95% CI 2.13-7.14) for IDF criteria. Women with GDM had higher multivariable-adjusted odds ratios of central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and high blood pressure than women without GDM. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios of low HDL cholesterol and hyperglycemia were not significant between women with and without GDM, however, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio of hyperglycemia became significant when we used the modified criteria. Conclusions: The present study indicated that women with prior GDM had significantly higher risks for postpartum metabolic syndrome, as well as its individual components. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Effect of Different Cultivars of Broad Bean on the Quality of Pixian Broad Bean Chili Paste

To elucidate the influence of various broad bean raw materials on the quality of Pixian broad bean chili paste (PBCP), an investigation was undertaken utilizing five distinct cultivars of broad beans to prepare PBCP and physicochemical indices, free amino acids and volatile profiles were analyzed. The results revealed notable disparities (P1, a total of 11 key flavor substances were screened, with most of these substances being relatively abundant in PBCPs fermented by CH23 and YD. Overall, qualities of PBCPs fermented by CH18, CH23, and TCX were better than that fermented by SCZG and YD. However, defect was observed in the physical appearance of PBCP fermented by TCX. Consequently, CH18 and CH23 were more appropriate for the processing of PBCP. This research underscores the significance of broad bean cultivar as an instrumental factor driving the variances in physicochemical and sensory attributes of PBCP, and it thereby advocates the selection of raw material to improve the quality of final products

Early on‐demand drainage or standard management for acute pancreatitis patients with acute necrotic collections and persistent organ failure: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Background/Purpose The current standard care for acute pancreatitis with acute necrotic collections (ANC) is to postpone invasive intervention for four weeks when indicated. However, in patients with persistent organ failure (POF), this delayed approach may prolong organ failure. In this study, we aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of earlier drainage for acute pancreatitis patients with ANC and POF. Methods A single‐center, randomized controlled trial was conducted. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to either the early on‐demand (EOD) group or the standard management(SM) group. Within 21 days of randomization, early drainage was triggered by unremitted or worsening organ failure in the EOD group. The primary endpoint was a composite of major complications/death during 90‐days follow‐up. Results 30 patients were randomized. Within 21 days of randomization, 8/15 patients (53%) in the EOD group underwent percutaneous drainage, while 4/15 patients (27%) in the SM group did so (P=0.26). The primary outcome occurred in 3/15 (20%) patients in the EOD group and 7/15(46.7%) in the controls (p=0.25, relative risk 0.43, 95%CI 0.14 to1.35)

The MC4R genotype is associated with postpartum weight reduction and glycemic changes among women with prior gestational diabetes: longitudinal analysis

The genetic variants near the Melanocortin-4 receptor gene (MC4R), a key protein regulating energy balance and adiposity, have been related to obesity and glucose metabolism. We aimed to assess whether the MC4R genotype affected longitudinal changes in body weight and glucose metabolism biomarkers among women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The MC4R genotype, postpartum weight reduction, and glycemic changes between after delivery and pregnancy were assessed in a cohort of 1208 Chinese women who had experienced GDM. The adiposity-increasing allele (C) of the MC4R variant rs6567160 was associated with greater postpartum increase of HbA1c (β = 0.08%; P = 0.03) and 2-hour OGTT glucose concentrations (β = 0.25 mmol/L; P = 0.02). In addition, we found an interaction between the MC4R genotype and postpartum weight reduction on changes in fasting plasma glucose (P-interaction = 0.03). We found that the MC4R genotype was associated with postpartum glycemic changes; and the association with fasting glucose were significantly modified by postpartum weight reduction in women who had experienced GDM

Joint Associations of Maternal Gestational Diabetes and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy With Overweight in Offspring

Objectives: Either maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) is associated with an increased risk of obesity in the offspring. However, their joint associations with obesity in offspring remain unclear. We investigated the joint associations of maternal GDM and HDP with childhood overweight in offspring.Methods: We performed a large study in 1967 mother-child pairs. Maternal GDM was diagnosed according to the 1999 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. HDP was defined as self-reported doctor-diagnosed hypertension or treatment of hypertension (including gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, sever preeclampsia or eclampsia) after 20 weeks of gestation on the questionnaire. Body mass index (BMI) for age Z-score and childhood overweight were evaluated according to WHO growth reference. We used the general linear models to compare children's Z score for BMI and logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios of childhood overweight according to maternal different status of GDM and HDP.Results: Offspring of mothers with both GDM and HDP had a higher BMI for age Z-score (0.63 vs. 0.03, P <0.001) than children born to normotensive and normoglycemic pregnancy. After adjustment for maternal and children's major confounding factors, joint GDM and HDP were associated with increased odds ratios of offspring's overweight compared with normotensive and normoglycemic pregnancy (2.97, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 1.65–5.34) and GDM alone (2.06, 95% CIs 1.20–3.54), respectively. After additional adjustment for maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain, joint maternal GDM, and HDP was still associated with an increased risk of offspring's overweight compared with the maternal normotensive, and normoglycemic group but became to have a borderline increased risk compared with the maternal GDM alone group.Conclusions: Maternal GDM alone or joint GDM and HDP were associated with increased ratios of offspring's overweight.Peer reviewe