Enhancing a Convolutional Autoencoder with a Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm for Image Noise Reduction

Image denoising is essential for removing noise in images caused by electric device malfunctions or other factors during image acquisition. It helps preserve image quality and interpretation. Many convolutional autoencoder algorithms have proven effective in image denoising. Owing to their promising efficiency, quantum computers have gained popularity. This study introduces a quantum convolutional autoencoder (QCAE) method for improved image denoising. This method was developed by substituting the representative latent space of the autoencoder with a quantum circuit. To enhance efficiency, we leveraged the advantages of the quantum approximate optimization algorithm (QAOA)-incorporated parameter-shift rule to identify an optimized cost function, facilitating effective learning from data and gradient computation on an actual quantum computer. The proposed QCAE method outperformed its classical counterpart as it exhibited lower training loss and a higher structural similarity index (SSIM) value. QCAE also outperformed its classical counterpart in denoising the MNIST dataset by up to 40% in terms of SSIM value, confirming its enhanced capabilities in real-world applications. Evaluation of QAOA performance across different circuit configurations and layer variations showed that our technique outperformed other circuit designs by 25% on average.Comment: 11 pages, 12 figures and 1 tabl

c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation has a prognostic implication and is negatively associated with FOXO1 activation in gastric cancer

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.Abstract Background Since the biological function of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in gastric cancer remains unclear, we investigated the clinical significance of JNK activation and its association with FOXO1 activation. Methods Immunohistochemical tissue array analysis of 483 human gastric cancer specimens was performed, and the results of the immunostaining were quantified. The correlation between JNK activation (nuclear staining for pJNK) and clinicopathological features, the proliferation index, prognosis or FOXO1 inactivation (cytoplasmic staining for pFOXO1) was analyzed. The SNU-638 gastric cancer cell line was used for in vitro analysis. Results Nuclear staining of pJNK was found in 38 % of the gastric carcinomas and was higher in the early stages of pTNM (P < 0.001). pJNK staining negatively correlated with lymphatic invasion (P = 0.034) and positively correlated with intestinal type by Laurens classification (P = 0.037), Ki-67-labeling index (P < 0.001), cyclin D1 (P = 0.045), cyclin E (P < 0.001) and pFOXO1 (P < 0.001). JNK activation correlated with a longer patients survival (P =0.008) and patients with a JNK-active and FOXO1-inactive tumor had a higher survival rate than the remainder of the population (P = 0.004). In vitro analysis showed that JNK inhibition by SP600125 in SNU-638 cells decreased cyclin D1 protein expression and increased FOXO1 activation. Further, JNK inhibition markedly suppressed colony formation, which was partially restored by FOXO1 shRNA expression. Conclusions Our results indicate that JNK activation may serve as a valuable prognostic factor in gastric cancer, and that it is implicated in gastric tumorigenesis, at least in part, through FOXO1 inhibition

c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation has a prognostic implication and is negatively associated with FOXO1 activation in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: Since the biological function of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in gastric cancer remains unclear, we investigated the clinical significance of JNK activation and its association with FOXO1 activation. METHODS: Immunohistochemical tissue array analysis of 483 human gastric cancer specimens was performed, and the results of the immunostaining were quantified. The correlation between JNK activation (nuclear staining for pJNK) and clinicopathological features, the proliferation index, prognosis or FOXO1 inactivation (cytoplasmic staining for pFOXO1) was analyzed. The SNU-638 gastric cancer cell line was used for in vitro analysis. RESULTS: Nuclear staining of pJNK was found in 38 % of the gastric carcinomas and was higher in the early stages of pTNM (P < 0.001). pJNK staining negatively correlated with lymphatic invasion (P = 0.034) and positively correlated with intestinal type by Lauren’s classification (P = 0.037), Ki-67-labeling index (P < 0.001), cyclin D1 (P = 0.045), cyclin E (P < 0.001) and pFOXO1 (P < 0.001). JNK activation correlated with a longer patients survival (P =0.008) and patients with a JNK-active and FOXO1-inactive tumor had a higher survival rate than the remainder of the population (P = 0.004). In vitro analysis showed that JNK inhibition by SP600125 in SNU-638 cells decreased cyclin D1 protein expression and increased FOXO1 activation. Further, JNK inhibition markedly suppressed colony formation, which was partially restored by FOXO1 shRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that JNK activation may serve as a valuable prognostic factor in gastric cancer, and that it is implicated in gastric tumorigenesis, at least in part, through FOXO1 inhibition

Enhancing Swallowing Quality of Life in Older Individuals after the Oropharyngeal Strengthening Exercise

© 2018 The Korean Association of Speech-Language Pathologists. Purpose: Older individuals may be vulnerable to swallowing disorders due to age-related neuromuscular changes. Although older individuals have swallowing difficulties, they can improve swallowing by the preventive exercise of swallowing. The purpose of this investigation was to examine whether the oropharyngeal strengthening exercise (OSE) has effects on swallowing quality of life in older individuals. Methods: Twenty-seven older individuals performed a 4-week OSE using a home-based and self-administered procedure. They completed the Swallowing Quality of Life questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) before and after a 4-week OSE program. Statistical comparisons were made using a matched pairs t-test (p\u3c0.05). Results: The total scores of the swallowing quality of life questionnaire significantly improved after a 4-week OSE. In addition, participants perceived that physical symptoms related to swallowing were significantly improved after a 4-week OSE. Particularly, frequency of choking during eating was significantly reduced after a 4-week OSE. Conclusions: The OSE contributes swallowing quality of life in older individuals. It may also benefit patients with dysphagia in terms of patient perspectives

L1 SFMC SBAS Message for Service Expansion of Multi-Constellation GNSS Support

Currently operating satellite-based augmentation systems (SBASs) provide an augmentation service that improves global positioning system (GPS) performance at 250 bps via the L1 signal. Despite their efficiency, existing SBASs cannot support other global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) owing to their narrow bandwidth, which prevents us from taking advantage of multi-constellation GNSS positioning. This paper proposes the concept of single-frequency multi-constellation (SFMC) SBAS, which enables the L1 legacy SBAS to support up to four or five constellations with minimal changes to existing standards and systems. Since upgrading existing SBAS avionics and changing international standards are not trivial tasks, we propose the SFMC SBAS messages that offer backward compatibility with legacy SBAS users. The transmission of fast corrections along with long-term corrections in message type (MT) 25 allows us to reserve the bandwidth for providing multi-constellation messages by removing MT 2 to 5, while modified MT 6 does not let the service compromise the timely alert requirements. Performance evaluations using the actual broadcast SBAS messages and observation data from GNSS reference stations show that the proposed SFMC SBAS reduces the maximum error of the legacy SBAS by 25&#x0025; to 40&#x0025; and enables Wide-Area Augmentation System (WAAS) to meet high integrity trucking user requirements anywhere in the continental United States (CONUS). Thus, SFMC SBAS is expected to not only improve the navigation performance of existing SBASs practically and effectively but also contribute to the improvements of accuracy and integrity performance. Specifically, we suggest the SFMC SBAS messages that are designed to be compatible with both L1 legacy and upgraded SBAS equipment, allowing for a smooth transition to the new technology

Recovery of Laryngeal Closure in Post-stroke Survivors

© 2017 The Korean Association of Speech- Language Pathologists. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine whether traditional swallowing intervention improves the initiation or duration of laryngeal closure in post-stroke survivors using the initial and follow-up videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). Methods: Twelve post-stroke survivors completed traditional swallowing intervention such as postural changes and swallowing exercises. The initial VFSS was performed at the acute or subacute stage and the follow-up VFSS occurred at 3 to 5 weeks after the initial VFSS. Temporal measurements of laryngeal closure were analyzed for 2 mL and 5 mL thin liquids. Statistical comparisons were made by paired t-test. The significance level was set at p\u3c0.05. Results: The initiation of laryngeal closure of post-stroke survivors was significantly shorter after the traditional swallowing intervention; however, the duration of laryngeal closure did not differ after the intervention. In addition, the post-stroke survivors showed reduced occurrences of penetration or aspiration after the intervention. Conclusions: Shorter initiation of laryngeal closure after the intervention indicates that the traditional swallowing intervention at the acute or subacute stage of stroke may help poststroke survivors protect the airway effectively

Hyoid Excursion During the Swallow in Stroke Survivors

© 2018 The Korean Association of Speech-Language Pathologists. Purpose: The purpose of the investigation was to examine whether duration, distance or velocity of hyoid excursion was associated with aspiration in post-stroke survivors. Methods: Duration, distance and velocity of hyoid excursion were calculated using videofluoroscopic swallowing examinations (VFSEs) of 39 post-stroke survivors. Statistical comparisons were made using a two-way repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) with between subject variable being aspirators and non-aspirators, and within subject variable being bolus volume (5 mL and 10 mL). The significance level was set as p\u3c0.05. Results: The duration of hyoid excursion in aspirators was significantly slower than in nonaspirators. There were no significant differences in hyoid velocity or distance between aspirators and non-aspirators. Conclusions: Slower hyoid excursion duration may put stroke survivors at risk of aspiration. It is necessary for the clinician to design the intervention strategies to compensate for or rehabilitate from slow hyoid excursion in stroke survivors