Enhanced CNN for image denoising

Owing to flexible architectures of deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs), CNNs are successfully used for image denoising. However, they suffer from the following drawbacks: (i) deep network architecture is very difficult to train. (ii) Deeper networks face the challenge of performance saturation. In this study, the authors propose a novel method called enhanced convolutional neural denoising network (ECNDNet). Specifically, they use residual learning and batch normalisation techniques to address the problem of training difficulties and accelerate the convergence of the network. In addition, dilated convolutions are used in the proposed network to enlarge the context information and reduce the computational cost. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the ECNDNet outperforms the state-of-the-art methods for image denoising.Comment: CAAI Transactions on Intelligence Technology[J], 201

Hexaaqua­nickel(II) 4,4′-(1,2-dihy­droxy­ethane-1,2-di­yl)dibenzoate monohydrate

In the title compound, [Ni(H2O)6](C16H12O6)·H2O, the NiII cation is located on a mirror plane and is coordinated by six water mol­ecules, two of which are also located on the mirror plane, in a distorted octa­hedral geometry. The 4,4′-(1,2-dihy­droxy­ethane-1,2-di­yl)dibenzoate anion is centrosymmetric with the mid-point of the central ethane C—C bond located on an inversion center. The uncoordinated water mol­ecule is located on a mirror plane. Extensive O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding is present in the crystal structure

Disruption of the GABAergic system contributes to the development of perioperative neurocognitive disorders after anesthesia and surgery in aged mice

Aims: Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) are associated with cognitive impairment in the preoperative or postoperative period, and neuroinflammation is thought to be the most important mechanisms especially during the postoperative period. The GABAergic system is easily disrupted by neuroinflammation. This study investigated the impact of the GABAergic system on PND after anesthesia and surgery. Methods: An animal model of laparotomy with inhalation anesthesia in 16-month old mice was addressed. Effects of the GABAergic system were assessed using biochemical analysis. Pharmacological blocking of α5GABAARs or P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was applied to investigate the effect of the GABAergic system. Results: After laparotomy, the hippocampus-dependent memory and long-term potentiation were impaired, the levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α upregulated in the hippocampus, the concentration of GABA decreased, and the protein levels of the surface α5GABAARs up-regulated. Pharmacological blocking of α5GABAARs with L655,708 alleviated laparotomy induced cognitive deficits. A further study found that the P38 MAPK signaling pathway was involved and pharmacological blocking with SB203,580 alleviated memory dysfunction. Conclusions: Anesthesia and surgery caused neuroinflammation in the hippocampus, which consequently disrupted the GABAergic system, increased the expressions of surface α5GABAARs especially through the P38 MAPK signaling pathway, and eventually led to hippocampus-dependent memory dysfunctions

Poly[[[diaqua­sodium]-μ3-5-carb­oxy-2-ethyl-1H-imidazole-4-carboxyl­ato-κ4 N 3,O 4:O 5:O 5] monohydrate]

In the title complex, {[Na(C7H7N2O4)(H2O)2]·H2O}n, the NaI atom exhibits a distorted octa­hedral geometry and is six-coordinated in an NO5 environment. The equatorial plane is defined by three O atoms and one N atom from two distinct 5-carb­oxy-2-ethyl-1H-imidazole-4-carboxyl­ate (H2EIDC) ligands and one coordinated water mol­ecule, and the apical sites are occupied by one carboxyl O atom from one H2EIDC ligand and one O atom from the other coordinated water mol­ecule. The NaI atoms are linked by H2EIDC ligands, generating an infinite double chain along the a axis. These chains are further connected via O—H⋯O and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional supra­molecular network