Self-Refining Deep Symmetry Enhanced Network for Rain Removal

Rain removal aims to remove the rain streaks on rain images. The state-of-the-art methods are mostly based on Convolutional Neural Network~(CNN). However, as CNN is not equivariant to object rotation, these methods are unsuitable for dealing with the tilted rain streaks. To tackle this problem, we propose Deep Symmetry Enhanced Network~(DSEN) that is able to explicitly extract the rotation equivariant features from rain images. In addition, we design a self-refining mechanism to remove the accumulated rain streaks in a coarse-to-fine manner. This mechanism reuses DSEN with a novel information link which passes the gradient flow to the higher stages. Extensive experiments on both synthetic and real-world rain images show that our self-refining DSEN yields the top performance.Comment: Accepted by ICIP 19. Corresponding and contact author: Hanrong Y

Self-refining deep symmetry enhanced network for rain removal

Rain removal aims to remove the rain streaks on rain images. The state-of-the-art methods are mostly based on Convolutional Neural Network~(CNN). However, as CNN is not equivariant to object rotation, these methods are unsuitable for dealing with the tilted rain streaks. To tackle this problem, we propose Deep Symmetry Enhanced Network~(DSEN) that is able to explicitly extract the rotation equivariant features from rain images. In addition, we design a self-refining mechanism to remove the accumulated rain streaks in a coarse-to-fine manner. This mechanism reuses DSEN with a novel information link which passes the gradient flow to the higher stages. Extensive experiments on both synthetic and real-world rain images show that our self-refining DSEN yields the top performance.Comment: Accepted by ICIP 19. Corresponding author: Hanrong Y

Ligand-engaged TCR is triggered by Lck not associated with CD8 coreceptor

Producción CientíficaThe earliest molecular events in T-cell recognition have not yet been fully described, and the initial T-cell receptor (TCR)-triggering mechanism remains a subject of controversy. Here, using total internal reflection/Forster resonance energy transfer microscopy, we observe a two-stage interaction between TCR, CD8 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-peptide. There is an early (within seconds) interaction between CD3ζ and the coreceptor CD8 that is independent of the binding of CD8 to MHC, but that requires CD8 association with Lck. Later (several minutes) CD3ζ–CD8 interactions require CD8–MHC binding. Lck can be found free or bound to the coreceptor. This work indicates that the initial TCR-triggering event is induced by free Lck. The early signalling events that trigger initial T-cell receptor signalling are not clearly defined. Here the authors show that this occurs in two stages, the first between the CD8 coreceptor and CD3 requiring Lck association to CD8, while the second interaction requires binding of major histocompatibility molecules

Construction and evaluation of a transformant library of Lasiodiplodia theobromae generated through Restriction Enzyme-Mediated Integration

Grapevine dieback, caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae, is an important trunk disease worldwide. Transformants of L. theobromae were generated in an attempt to identify potential pathogenicity-related genes. Lasiodiplodia theobromae strain JZB 0300251, a highly virulent isolate, was selected for the genetic transformation. Based on optimised conditions, the Restriction Enzyme-Mediated Integration (REMI) methodology was established in L. theobromae using pUCATPH (a plasmid carrying a hygromycin B marker). A total of 6,036 transformants were generated with four restriction enzymes, respectively and the transformant library was evaluated based on 200 randomly selected transformants. Mutants that exhibited various degrees of virulence and different growth rates were obtained. The study provides basic results that will lead to increased understanding of the role of the pathogenicity-related genes involved in the infection process of L. theobromae

Study of brain network alternations in non-lesional epilepsy patients by BOLD-fMRI

ObjectiveTo investigate the changes of brain network in epilepsy patients without intracranial lesions under resting conditions.MethodsTwenty-six non-lesional epileptic patients and 42 normal controls were enrolled for BOLD-fMRI examination. The differences in brain network topological characteristics and functional network connectivity between the epilepsy group and the healthy controls were compared using graph theory analysis and independent component analysis.ResultsThe area under the curve for local efficiency was significantly lower in the epilepsy patients compared with healthy controls, while there were no differences in global indicators. Patients with epilepsy had higher functional connectivity in 4 connected components than healthy controls (orbital superior frontal gyrus and medial superior frontal gyrus, medial superior frontal gyrus and angular gyrus, superior parietal gyrus and paracentral lobule, lingual gyrus, and thalamus). In addition, functional connectivity was enhanced in the default mode network, frontoparietal network, dorsal attention network, sensorimotor network, and auditory network in the epilepsy group.ConclusionThe topological characteristics and functional connectivity of brain networks are changed in in non-lesional epilepsy patients. Abnormal functional connectivity may suggest reduced brain efficiency in epilepsy patients and also may be a compensatory response to brain function early at earlier stages of the disease

ROLE OF FREE AND CO-RECEPTOR BOUND LCK IN THYMOCYTES AND PERIPHERAL CD8+ T CELLS

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (SOM

Simulations on arrangements of induced jet-fans as auxiliary ventilation for a mechanical ventilated space with openings

Underground garages, indoor stadiums, or more commonly used seagoing ships, can be used as large multi-purpose spaces, which are suitable for the carriage of a wide range of cargoes, as well as evacuation of people at overseas. The indoor environment in a multi-purpose cabin usually varies, in terms of pollutant emissions, hazardous levels and the corresponding ventilation requirements. A possible solution, in addition to a single regular HVAC system, is to use multiple induced jet fans. However, to pre-determine a universal design of fans, e.g., numbers, locations, directions, angles and flowrates, etc., may not be practical. In this preliminary work, methods to design the auxiliary ventilation system were discussed. The heat sources are located in the four corners on the floor. CFD method is used to further study the effects of six regular and four irregular arrangements of a 2×2 array of fans on local heat dilution with or without natural ventilation (e.g., additional openings in the space). Heat exhaust efficiency is used to evaluate the effects of different arrangements of fans on local heat dilution. The results show that adjustable ventilation using induced fans would be useful to provide various airflow distribution for a large space and the dilution of the heat can be improved and the areas of high temperature inside the space can be reduced. Furthermore, the heat exhaust efficiency would be higher and the induced fans have a more significant effect, especially when additional natural ventilation is available