Improved Hybrid Layered Image Compression using Deep Learning and Traditional Codecs

Recently deep learning-based methods have been applied in image compression and achieved many promising results. In this paper, we propose an improved hybrid layered image compression framework by combining deep learning and the traditional image codecs. At the encoder, we first use a convolutional neural network (CNN) to obtain a compact representation of the input image, which is losslessly encoded by the FLIF codec as the base layer of the bit stream. A coarse reconstruction of the input is obtained by another CNN from the reconstructed compact representation. The residual between the input and the coarse reconstruction is then obtained and encoded by the H.265/HEVC-based BPG codec as the enhancement layer of the bit stream. Experimental results using the Kodak and Tecnick datasets show that the proposed scheme outperforms the state-of-the-art deep learning-based layered coding scheme and traditional codecs including BPG in both PSNR and MS-SSIM metrics across a wide range of bit rates, when the images are coded in the RGB444 domain.Comment: Submitted to Signal Processing: Image Communicatio

Research on Fracture Toughness of C120 Ultra-High-Performance Concrete in Kingkey Financial Center Project

By adding polypropylene fiber, fracture toughness of C120 ultra-high-performance concrete in Kingkey Financial Center project has been enhanced. The tests conducted by the Building Material Lab of the Civil and Water Conservancy Institute of Tsinghua University provided satisfactory results of mechanical property and fracture toughness of C120 ultra-high-performance concrete

Comparison of Blue Light-Filtering IOLs and UV Light-Filtering IOLs for Cataract Surgery: A Meta-Analysis

Background: A number of published randomized controlled trials have been conducted to evaluate visual performance of blue light-filtering intraocular lenses (IOL) and UV light-filtering intraocular lenses (IOL) after cataract phacoemulsification surgery. However, results have not always been consistent. Therefore, we carried out a meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness of blue light-filtering IOLs versus UV light-filtering IOLs in cataract surgery. Methods and Findings: Comprehensive searches of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and the Chinese BioMedical literature databases were performed using web-based search engines. Fifteen trials (1690 eyes) were included for systematic review, and 11 of 15 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that there were no significant differences in postoperative mean best corrected visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, overall color vision, or in the blue light spectrum under photopic light conditions between blue light-filtering IOLs and UV light-filtering IOLs [WMD = 20.01, 95%CI (20.03, 0.01), P = 0.46; WMD = 0.07, 95%CI (20.04, 0.19), P = 0.20; SMD = 0.14, 95%CI (20.33, 0.60), P = 0.566; SMD = 0.20, 95%CI (20.04, 0.43), P = 0.099]. However, color vision with blue light-filtering IOLs was significantly reduced in the blue light spectrum under mesopic light conditions [SMD = 0.74, 95%CI (0.29, 1.18), P = 0.001]. Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrates that postoperative visual performance with blue light-filtering IOLs is approximately equal to that of UV light-filtering IOLs after cataract surgery, but color vision with blue light-filtering IOL

Influence of Chloride-Ion Adsorption Agent on Chloride Ions in Concrete and Mortar

The influence of a chloride-ion adsorption agent (Cl agent in short), composed of zeolite, calcium aluminate hydrate and calcium nitrite, on the ingress of chloride ions into concrete and mortar has been experimentally studied. The permeability of concrete was measured, and the chloride ion content in mortar was tested. The experimental results reveal that the Cl agent could adsorb chloride ions effectively, which had penetrated into concrete and mortar. When the Cl agent was used at a dosage of 6% by mass of cementitious materials in mortar, the resistance to the penetration of chloride ions could be improved greatly, which was more pronounced when a combination of the Cl agent and fly ash or slag was employed. Such an effect is not the result of the low permeability of the mortar, but might be a result of the interaction between the Cl agent and the chloride ions penetrated into the mortar. There are two possible mechanisms for the interaction between the Cl agent and chloride ion ingress. One is the reaction between calcium aluminate hydrate in the Cl agent and chloride ions to form Friedel’s salt, and the other one is that calcium aluminate hydrate reacts with calcium nitrite to form AFm during the early-age hydration of mortar and later the NO2− in AFm is replaced by chloride ions, which then penetrate into the mortar, also forming Friedel’s salt. More research is needed to confirm the mechanisms

Electric stimulation enhances recovery of motor function in spinal cord contused rats

Objective To investigate the effect of nerve electric stimulation on spinal cord contused rats and to explore the appropriate mechanism. Methods Rats were divided into sham group, control group and experimental group. T9 rat spinal cord contusion(SCC) model was developed by Allen's method. Experimental group was treated with nerve electric stimulation. After neurobehavioral score assessment, immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect nerve growth factor and nestin. Results After spinal cord injury, score of rats gradually increased,and compared with control group, the experimental group significant increased(P＜0.05) at d 7. The nerve growth factor and nestin expression of experimental group, up-regulated significantly (P＜0.05). Conclusions Nerve electric stimulation may create a microenvironment conducive to neural survival and differentiation, which facilites the recovery of hindlimb motor function in rats

A novel compound modified from tanshinone inhibits tumor growth in vivo via activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway

A novel compound, acetyltanshinone IIA (ATA) was obtained from chemical modifications of tanshinone TIIA (TIIA) isolated from a medicinal plant, Salvia miltiorrhiza. ATA exhibited increased water solubility and stronger apoptotic activity on multiple cancer cell lines than TIIA. ATA displayed a higher growth inhibition ability on breast cancer especially HER2 positive cells than normal cells and it inhibited xenografted tumor growth in mice. Mechanistic studies showed that ATA could induce significant reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, Bax translocation to mitochondria, resulting in mitochondria damage, cytochrome c release, caspase-3 activation and apoptotic cell death. ATA-mediated ROS production and its downstream apoptotic events could be blocked by an antioxidant agent, propyl gallate, indicating the prominent role of ROS in ATA-induced apoptosis. Overexpression of Bcl-2 protein reduced ATA-induced cell death. In conclusion, ATA is a novel anticancer agent with potent in vitro and in vivo anticancer ability. ROS-mediated Bax activation should be the mechanism by which ATA induces apoptosis and inhibits tumor growth. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Research on Fire Resistance of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete

Fire resistance of ultrahigh-performance concrete was measured under different temperatures and loadings. C120 concrete was prepared with 1 kg/m3 organic fiber and C120 concrete with 2 kg/m3 organic fiber and tested under loading at 30% ultimate strength when exposed to high temperatures of 200°C, 300°C, and 400°C, respectively

Process of study selection of RCTs.

<p>Process of study selection of RCTs.</p

Meta-analysis of postoperative overall color vision.

<p>Meta-analysis of postoperative overall color vision.</p