Augmented semi-supervised learning for salient object detection with edge computing

[EN] Salient object detection (SOD) from raw sensor images in the edge networks can effectively speed up the decision-making process in the complex environments, because it simulates the mechanism of human attention to identify salient objects from images. The success of supervised deep learning approaches have been widely proved SOD field. However, the imbalanced and limited training data at each edge device pose a huge challenge for us to deploy deep learning methods in the edge computing environments. In this article, we propose a cloud-edge distributed augmented semi-supervised learning architecture for SOD over the edge networks. The framework consists of two components: the base classification networks are employed in different edge nodes, and the reverse augmented network is employed in cloud. First, the base classification networks are trained with data from edge nodes while the reverse augmented network is trained with the whole data. Then, we concatenate each base classification network with reverse augmented network, thus the latter network can help the training of former network. Finally, we integrate the outputs of all base classification network to generate the pseudo-labels, which are used for semi-supervised learning of the augment network. We demonstrated a convincing performance of our semi-supervised learning framework on four bench-marked data-sets. These results show that our augmented semi-supervised learning framework can outperform other optimization strategies on deep learning for the edge computing.Yu, C.; Zhang, Y.; Mukherjee, M.; Lloret, J. (2022). Augmented semi-supervised learning for salient object detection with edge computing. IEEE Wireless Communications. 29(3):109-114. https://doi.org/10.1109/MWC.2020.200035110911429

Cerebral Falx Mature Teratoma with Rare Imaging in an Adult

Intracranial mature teratoma is a rare lesion in adults. Despite several intracranial mature teratomas had been reported not to be located at the midline region, no one was found to be within cerebral falx. Herein, we reported a 37-year-old female patient with an intracranial mature teratoma confined within frontal cerebral falx. Her main complaint was intermitted headache, which could not be relieved recently by taking painkiller. Excepting for mild papilledema, we did not find positive neurological signs on physical examination. CT scanning showed it was a round homogenously hypodense lesion with hyperdense signal at its rim. MRI revealed the lesion was 3.5cm×3.6cm×4.5cm in volume, with uniformed hypointensity on T1WI, hyperintensity on T2WI and enhancement in the capsule. It was totally removed via inter-hemispheric approach, and we found the lesion was confined within the frontal cerebral falx. Postoperatively, it was proved histologically to be a mature teratoma. At three years of fellow up, neither neurological deficits nor recurrent sings on MRI was found. To our best knowledge, this is the first case of intracranial mature teratoma within cerebral falx

Circ_0000284 facilitates the growth, metastasis and glycolysis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma through miR-152-3p-mediated PDK1 expression

Background. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are key molecules in the regulation of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) progression. The purpose of this study was to analyze the function and underlying molecular mechanism of circ_0000284 in ICC. Methods. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to analyze the circ_0000284, microRNA (miR)-152-3p and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) expression. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration were executed by cell counting kit 8 assay, EdU assay, flow cytometry, transwell assay and wound healing assay, respectively. All protein expression levels were examined using western blot analysis. Cell glycolysis was analyzed by detecting glucose consumption, lactate production and ATP/ADP ratios. Target relationship was estimated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The effect of circ_0000284 on ICC tumor growth in vivo was evaluated by constructing xenograft mice model. Results. We detected high expression of circ_0000284 in ICC tumor tissues and cells. Downregulated circ_0000284 inhibited ICC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, glycolysis, and accelerated apoptosis. MiR-152-3p was sponged by circ_0000284, and its inhibitor revoked the effect of circ_0000284 knockdown on ICC cell progression. PDK1 was a target of miR-152-3p, and its expression was suppressed by circ_0000284 knockdown. PDK1 overexpression reversed the inhibition effect of miR-152-3p on ICC cell growth, metastasis and glycolysis. In animal experiments, circ_0000284 downregulation also inhibited ICC tumor growth. Conclusion. Circ_0000284 promoted the growth, metastasis and glycolysis of ICC by miR-152-3p/PDK1 pathway, showing that circ_0000284 was a potential therapeutic target for ICC

Operational performance of a novel heat pump coupled with mini-channel PV/T and thermal panel in low solar radiation

Here we describe a heat pump system coupled with novel PV/T and thermal panels for space heating in low solar radiation conditions. Existing solar indirect-expansion systems connect the solar panels and evaporator of the heat pump in parallel with the heat storage tank. For our system these three components are instead connected in series, which can stabilize the temperature at the inlet of the evaporator and decrease the inlet temperature of the solar panels, leading to improved energy efficiency and the production of much more thermal energy. The experimental results of this system show that the average electrical, thermal and overall efficiency of the PV/T panels are 15.9%, 33.4% and 49.3%, respectively. The average thermal efficiency of the thermal panels is 60.4%, the COP of heat pump is 4.7 and the room temperature is constantly over 18 °C. Based on the experimental results, some improvements are analyzed. We conclude that this operating model can meet the requirement of space heating in low solar radiation environments

Controllable terahertz radiation from a linear-dipole-array formed by a two-color laser filament in air

We have demonstrated the effective control on carrier-envelope phase, angular distribution as well as peak intensity of a nearly single-cycle terahertz pulse emitted from a laser filament formed by two-color, the fundamental and the corresponding second harmonics, femtosecond laser pulses propagating in air. Experimentally, such control has been performed by varying the filament length and the initial phase difference between the two-color laser components. A linear-dipole-array model, including the descriptions of the both generation (via laser field ionization) and propagation of the emitted terahertz pulse, is proposed to present a quantitative interpretation of the observations. Our results contribute to the understanding of terahertz generation in a femtosecond laser filament and suggest a practical way to control the electric field of terahertz pulse for potential applications

Expression, Purification, and Characterization of Ras Protein (BmRas1) from Bombyx mori

The Ras subfamily is the member of small G proteins superfamily involved in cellular signal transduction. Activation of Ras signaling causes cell growth, differentiation, and survival. Bombyx mori Ras-like protein (BmRas1) may belong to the Ras subfamily. It contained an H-N-K-Ras-like domain. The BmRas1 mRNA consisted of 1459 bp. The open reading frame contained 579 bp, encoding 192 amino acids. The protein had such secondary structures as α-helices, extended strand, and random coil. BmRas1 was expressed successfully in E. coli BL21. The recombinant protein was purified with metal-chelating affinity chromatography. The GTPase activity of purified protein was determined by FeSO4-(NH4)2MoO4 assay. The results showed that purified recombinant protein had intrinsic activity of GTPase. High titer polyclonal antibodies were generated by New Zealand rabbit immunized with purified protein. The gene expression features of BmRas1 at different stages and in different organs of the fifth instar larvae were analyzed by Western blot. The results showed that BmRas1 was expressed highly in three development stages including egg, pupae, and adult, but low expression in larva. BmRas1 was expressed in these tissues including head, malpighian tubule, genital gland, and silk gland. The purified recombinant protein would be utilized to further function studies of BmRas1