Transformer-based Variable-rate Image Compression with Region-of-interest Control

This paper proposes a transformer-based learned image compression system. It is capable of achieving variable-rate compression with a single model while supporting the region-of-interest (ROI) functionality. Inspired by prompt tuning, we introduce prompt generation networks to condition the transformer-based autoencoder of compression. Our prompt generation networks generate content-adaptive tokens according to the input image, an ROI mask, and a rate parameter. The separation of the ROI mask and the rate parameter allows an intuitive way to achieve variable-rate and ROI coding simultaneously. Extensive experiments validate the effectiveness of our proposed method and confirm its superiority over the other competing methods.Comment: Accepted to IEEE ICIP 202

TransTIC: Transferring Transformer-based Image Compression from Human Visualization to Machine Perception

This work aims for transferring a Transformer-based image compression codec from human vision to machine perception without fine-tuning the codec. We propose a transferable Transformer-based image compression framework, termed TransTIC. Inspired by visual prompt tuning, we propose an instance-specific prompt generator to inject instance-specific prompts to the encoder and task-specific prompts to the decoder. Extensive experiments show that our proposed method is capable of transferring the codec to various machine tasks and outshining the competing methods significantly. To our best knowledge, this work is the first attempt to utilize prompting on the low-level image compression task

Ventricular divergence correlates with epicardial wavebreaks and predicts ventricular arrhythmia in isolated rabbit hearts during therapeutic hypothermia

INTRODUCTION: High beat-to-beat morphological variation (divergence) on the ventricular electrogram during programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) is associated with increased risk of ventricular fibrillation (VF), with unclear mechanisms. We hypothesized that ventricular divergence is associated with epicardial wavebreaks during PVS, and that it predicts VF occurrence. METHOD AND RESULTS: Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts (n = 10) underwent 30-min therapeutic hypothermia (TH, 30°C), followed by a 20-min treatment with rotigaptide (300 nM), a gap junction modifier. VF inducibility was tested using burst ventricular pacing at the shortest pacing cycle length achieving 1:1 ventricular capture. Pseudo-ECG (p-ECG) and epicardial activation maps were simultaneously recorded for divergence and wavebreaks analysis, respectively. A total of 112 optical and p-ECG recordings (62 at TH, 50 at TH treated with rotigaptide) were analyzed. Adding rotigaptide reduced ventricular divergence, from 0.13±0.10 at TH to 0.09±0.07 (p = 0.018). Similarly, rotigaptide reduced the number of epicardial wavebreaks, from 0.59±0.73 at TH to 0.30±0.49 (p = 0.036). VF inducibility decreased, from 48±31% at TH to 22±32% after rotigaptide infusion (p = 0.032). Linear regression models showed that ventricular divergence correlated with epicardial wavebreaks during TH (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Ventricular divergence correlated with, and might be predictive of epicardial wavebreaks during PVS at TH. Rotigaptide decreased both the ventricular divergence and epicardial wavebreaks, and reduced the probability of pacing-induced VF during TH

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum

Recent studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of specific probiotics on alleviating obesity-related disorders. Here we aimed to identify probiotics with potential antiobesity activity among 88 lactic acid bacterial strains via in vitro screening assays, and a Lactobacillus plantarum strain K21 was found to harbor abilities required for hydrolyzing bile salt, reducing cholesterol, and inhibiting the accumulation of lipid in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Furthermore, effects of K21 on diet-induced obese (DIO) mice were examined. Male C57Bl/6J mice received a normal diet, high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD with K21 administration (109 CFU in 0.2 mL PBS/day) for eight weeks. Supplementation of K21, but not placebo, appeared to alleviate body weight gain and epididymal fat mass accumulation, reduce plasma leptin levels, decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and mitigate liver damage in DIO mice. Moreover, the hepatic expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) related to adipogenesis was significantly downregulated in DIO mice by K21 intervention. We also found that K21 supplementation strengthens intestinal permeability and modulates the amount of Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., and Clostridium perfringens in the cecal contents of DIO mice. In conclusion, our results suggest that dietary intake of K21 protects against the onset of HFD-induced obesity through multiple mechanisms of action

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 mediates denbinobin-induced apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma cells

In the present study, we explore the role of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) in denbinobin-induced apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells. Denbinobin-induced cell apoptosis was attenuated by an ASK1 dominant-negative mutant (ASK1DN), two antioxidants (N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and glutathione (GSH)), a c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor (SP600125), and an activator protein-1 (AP-1) inhibitor (curcumin). Treatment of A549 cells with denbinobin caused increases in ASK1 activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and these effects were inhibited by NAC and GSH. Stimulation of A549 cells with denbinobin caused JNK activation; this effect was markedly inhibited by NAC, GSH, and ASK1DN. Denbinobin induced c-Jun phosphorylation, the formation of an AP-1-specific DNA-protein complex, and Bim expression. Bim knockdown using a bim short interfering RNA strategy also reduced denbinobin-induced A549 cell apoptosis. The denbinobin-mediated increases in c-Jun phosphorylation and Bim expression were inhibited by NAC, GSH, SP600125, ASK1DN, JNK1DN, and JNK2DN. These results suggest that denbinobin might activate ASK1 through ROS production to cause JNK/AP-1 activation, which in turn induces Bim expression, and ultimately results in A549 cell apoptosis

N-Glycosylation of Human R-Spondin 1 Is Required for Efficient Secretion and Stability but Not for Its Heparin Binding Ability

[[abstract]]R-spondin 1 (Rspo1) plays an essential role in stem cell biology by potentiating Wnt signaling activity. Despite the fact that Rspo1 holds therapeutic potential for a number of diseases, its biogenesis is not fully elucidated. All Rspo proteins feature two amino-terminal furin-like repeats, which are responsible for Wnt signal potentiation, and a thrombospondin type 1 (TSR1) domain that can provide affinity towards heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Using chemical inhibitors, deglycosylase and site-directed mutagenesis, we found that human Rspo1 and Rspo3 are both N-glycosylated at N137, a site near the C-terminus of the furin repeat 2 domain, and Rspo2 is N-glycosylated at N160, a position near the N-terminus of TSR1 domain. Elimination of N-glycosylation at these sites affects their accumulation in media but have no effect on the ability towards heparin. Introduction of the N-glycosylation site to Rspo2 mutant at the position homologous to N137 in Rspo1 restored full glycosylation and rescued the accumulation defect of nonglycosylated Rspo2 mutant in media. Similar effect can be observed in the N137 Rspo1 or Rspo3 mutant engineered with Rspo2 N-glycosylation site. The results highlight the importance of N-glycosylation at these two positions in efficient folding and secretion of Rspo family. Finally, we further showed that human Rspo1 is subjected to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) quality control in N-glycan-dependent manner. While N-glycan of Rspo1 plays a role in its intracellular stability, it had little effect on secreted Rspo1. Our findings provide evidence for the critical role of N-glycosylation in the biogenesis of Rspo1.[[notice]]補正完

Antimicrobial Activity of Lactobacillus Species Against Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae

ObjectiveThis study aims to identify suitable lactobacilli that have anti-carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) activity with in vitro tolerance to pepsin and bile salts.MethodsFifty-seven Lactobacillus spp. strains encompassing nine species were collected for investigation. Their viabilities in the presence of pepsin and bile salts were tested using tolerance tests. Their anti-CRE effects were assessed by agar well diffusion and broth microdilution assay, as well as time-kill test.ResultsOf the 57 Lactobacillus isolates collected, 31 had a less than 2-log reduction in their viability in both pepsin and bile salt tolerance tests. Of these 31 isolates, 5 (LUC0180, LUC0219, LYC0289, LYC0413, and LYC1031) displayed the greatest anti-CRE activity with a CRE zone of inhibition greater than 15 mm in agar well diffusion assays. The minimal inhibitory percentages of supernatants from these five strains against CREs ranged from 10 to 30%. With the exception of LUC0180, which had a minimal bactericidal percentage ≥ 40%, the bactericidal percentage of all the strains ranged from 20 to 40%. The inhibitory effect of the cell-free culture supernatants from these Lactobacillus strains did not change after heating but was abolished as the pH changed to 7.0. After a 24-h incubation, five of the Lactobacillus strains at a concentration of 108 CFU/ml totally inhibited the growth of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CRE316) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRE632). After a 48-h incubation, the growth of CRE316 was completely inhibited under each concentration of lactobacilli based on time-kill test. Furthermore, when the concentration of lactobacilli was at 108 CFU/ml, the decline in pH was faster than at other concentrations.ConclusionSome Lactobacillus strains exhibit anti-CRE activity, which suggests potential applications for controlling or preventing CRE colonization or infection

Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocrystalline Magnetite Powders

本實驗利用電凝聚法製造奈米晶體氧化鐵，此氧化物的微結構成長過程可大略分成三階段: 缺陷粒子的成核與成長，聚集，粗粒化。其反應機制牽涉到了在自由粒子的成核與成長和骨架的粗化之間的競爭。此競爭造成了晶粒大小在成長過程中的成長平台。另外,利用改良的電凝聚法亦合成了超微氧化鐵粒子(直徑小於10 nm) 。此粒子展現了超順磁特性，其飽和磁化率為64.5 emu/g。此晶體特性由XRD， TEM， DLS， SQUID鑑定分析。接著，利用電解液中添加聚乙烯醇製造出磁流體。聚乙烯醇會抑制晶體的成長使晶粒大小降至5 nm。此磁流體亦顯現出超順磁特性，由於聚乙烯醇的包覆及晶體些微氧化，其飽和磁化率降至4.57 emu/g。Nanocrystalline magnetite powders were synthesized by an electrocoagulation technique and the microstructure of the oxide powder was found to evolve in roughly three stages: formation and growth of severely defective colloidal crystallites, agglomeration, and coarsening. A mechanism involving competition between nucleation and growth of free colloids and coarsening of the skeletal framework was proposed to explain the temporary level-off in crystallite size during the synthesis. A modified method was developed to synthesize ultrafine magnetite (less than 10 nm) revealing superparamagnetism with saturation magnetization of 64.5 emu/g. The crystallites were characterized by XRD, TEM, DLS, and SQUID. The ferrofluid was also synthesized in the presence of PVA. The PVA will inhibit the growth of magnetite and the magnetite crystallite size reduced to 5 nm. The particles also show a superparamagnetic behavior with saturation magnetization of 64.5 emu/g. to 4.57 emu/g due to the PVA-coated layer and the oxidation.摘要 I Abstract II Table of Contents III List of Figures VI List of Tables X Chapter 1. Introduction and Background 1 1.1 Introduction to Magnetite 2 1.1-1 The Physical Properties and Crystal Structure of Magnetite 2 1.1-2 Applications of Magnetite 5 1.1-3 Methods to Synthesize Magnetite 6 1.2 Introduction to Electrocoagulation 10 1.2-1 Electrocoagulation Process in Wastewater Treatment 10 1.2-2 Using Electrocoagulation to Synthesize Magnetite Particles 12 1.3 Introduction to Superparamagnetism 15 1.3-1 Basic Concept 15 1.3-2 Size Effect 16 1.3-3 Blocking Temperature 18 1.3-4 Applied Field Effect 19 1.3-5 Applications 19 1.4 Magnetite Ferrofluid with Superparamagnetic Behavior 24 1.4-1 The Development of Ferrofluid 24 1.4-2 PVA as the Surfactant 25 1.5 Summary 26 Chapter 2. Experimental 28 2.1 Synthesis of Magnetite Particles 28 2.1-1 Electrocoagulation 28 2.1-2 A modified EC method 31 2.1-3 A modified EC Method in the Presence of PVA 34 2.2 Reagents 35 2.3 Analysis 36 2.3-1 Phase Identification 36 2.3-2 Morphology 37 2.3-3 Surface Area and Pore Characteristics 39 2.3-4 Size Distribution 41 2.3-5 Magnetic Properties 42 Chapter 3. Results and Discussion 44 3.1 Magnetite Powders Synthesized by EC 44 3.1-1 Structural Characterization 44 3.1-2 Morphology 49 3.1-3 Surface Area and Pore Characterization 52 3.1-4 Magnetic Properties 54 3.1-5 Mechanism 56 3.1-6 Summary 59 3.2 Magnetite particle/film by a modified EC method 60 3.2-1 Structural Characterization 61 3.2-2 Morphology 63 3.2-3 Size Distribution 68 3.2-4 Magnetic Properties 70 3.2-5 Summary 75 3.3 The Effect of Adding PVA 76 3.3-1 Structural Characterization 76 3.3-2 Surface Morphology 80 3.3-3 Size Distribution 80 3.3-4 Magnetic Properties 83 3.3-5 Summary 87 Chapter 4. Conclusion 88 References 9

Default Events of China Public Offering Corporate Bonds: An Empirical Study on Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd

中國公開發行公司債的違約事件中，佳兆業違約為中國首次美元債務違約案例，對於境外投資人而言意義重大。本篇論文主要探討，佳兆業違約事件是否有策略性違約的可能，以及是否有適當措施可加強對於債權人的保障。實證研究包含財務危機預測、債務重組方案分析、估算違約門檻三個部分。結果顯示，佳兆業財務狀況長期惡化，並且債務重組方案將使得境內及境外債權人產生重大損失， 因此股東具有策略性違約的疑慮；經本研究估算的違約門檻檢驗，亦顯示股東具有策略性違約的誘因。因此本文認為，佳兆業違約事件中，股東具有策略性違約的誘因。關於債權人的保障措施，本文認為，在中國市場針對個別公司發行信用違約交換，可有效加強債權人的保護。Among the default events of China public offering corporate bonds, Kaisa Group is the first Chinese company that defaults on US dollar corporate bonds, therefore has an important meaning to offshore investors. This paper discusses that if there is any possibility of strategic default in Kaisa’s default event, and if there are any measures to enhance the protection of debt holders. In the empirical study, there are three parts: financial distress prediction, debt restructuring plan analysis, and default boundary calculations. The results of empirical study show that the financial situation of Kaisa has a long-term deterioration, and the debt restructuring plan will result in big loss for both onshore and offshore debt holders, therefore the shareholders have the possibility of strategic default. Moreover, the default boundary calculations show that the shareholders have the incentive of strategic default. Therefore, this paper considers that in the Kaisa’s default event, there are incentives for shareholders to choose to strategically default. About the protection measures of debt holders, this paper regards the introduction of credit default swaps for individual companies as an effective measure to enhance the protection of debt holders