Melodic Phrase Segmentation By Deep Neural Networks

Automated melodic phrase detection and segmentation is a classical task in content-based music information retrieval and also the key towards automated music structure analysis. However, traditional methods still cannot satisfy practical requirements. In this paper, we explore and adapt various neural network architectures to see if they can be generalized to work with the symbolic representation of music and produce satisfactory melodic phrase segmentation. The main issue of applying deep-learning methods to phrase detection is the sparse labeling problem of training sets. We proposed two tailored label engineering with corresponding training techniques for different neural networks in order to make decisions at a sequential level. Experiment results show that the CNN-CRF architecture performs the best, being able to offer finer segmentation and faster to train, while CNN, Bi-LSTM-CNN and Bi-LSTM-CRF are acceptable alternatives

Saliency Driven Vasculature Segmentation with Infinite Perimeter Active Contour Model

Automated detection of retinal blood vessels plays an important role in advancing the understanding of the mechanism, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease and many systemic diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Here, we propose a new framework for precisely segmenting retinal vasculatures. The proposed framework consists of three steps. A non-local total variation model is adapted to the Retinex theory, which aims to address challenges presented by intensity inhomogeneities, and the relatively low contrast of thin vessels compared to the background. The image is then divided into superpixels, and a compactness-based saliency detection method is proposed to locate the object of interest. For better general segmentation performance, we then make use of a new infinite active contour model to segment the vessels in each superpixel. The proposed framework has wide applications, and the results show that our model outperforms its competitors

Surgical excision promotes tumor growth and metastasis by promoting expression of MMP-9 and VEGF in a breast cancer model

Surgery is still the main curative therapeutic modality for breast cancer. Although surgery often results in the successful removal of the primary tumor, its process could increase the risk of metastases of residual cancer cells. Understanding of the connection between breast cancer metastasis and surgical wound will lead to the establishment of a proper treatment strategy for postoperative cancer patient. Aim: To study the influence of surgical procedure on the metastasis of primary breast cancer. Methods: We established MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer xenograft model. Levels of Pro-matrix metalloproteinase 9 (Pro-MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in host serum and tumors were tested at different time points with ELISA and zymography and correlated to tumor growth and postoperative metastasis. Results: Our study demonstrated surgical wound had promoting effect on tumor growth and pulmonary metastasis of human breast cells, if tumor cells remain in bodies. This effect might be related to the postoperative interaction of cancer and host cells, which resulted in expression of Pro-MMP-9. Surgical process could also increase the VEGF expression in tumor tissues. Conclusions: Surgical wound-produced host Pro-MMP-9 and tumor cell VEGF might be important mediators leading to metastasis of residual breast cancer after surgery.Хирургическое лечение до сих пор остается главным терапевтическим подходом при лечении больных раком молочной железы. Хотя хирургическое удаление опухоли в большинстве случаев достаточно эффективно, в то же время оно может увеличить риск метастазирования остаточных опухолевых клеток. Понимание связи между метастазированием при раке молочной железы и операционной раной позволит выбрать наилучшую стратегию постоперационного лечения. Цель: определить влияние хирургического вмешательства на метастазирование опухоли. Методы: была создана модель рака молочной железы человека в виде ксенотрансплантата MDA-MB-435. Уровень Pro-матричной металлопротеиназы 9 (Pro-MMP-9) и фактора роста эндотелия сосудов (VEGF) в сыворотке реципиента и опухолях оценивались в разные временные промежутки методом ELISA и зимографии. При этом определяли наличие корелляции между этими показа- и зимографии. При этом определяли наличие корелляции между этими показа и зимографии. При этом определяли наличие корелляции между этими показателями, ростом опухоли и постоперационными метастазами. Результаты: было показано, что операционная рана способствует росту опухоли молочной железы и ее метастазированию в легкие в случае, когда при удалении опухоли в ране остаются опухолевые клетки. Это может быть связано с постоперационным взаимодействием опухолевых и окружающих их нормальных клеток, которое приводит к экспрессии Pro-MMP-9. Удаление опухоли может также способствовать увеличению экспрессии VEGF опухолевыми клетками. Выводы: Pro-MMP-9, экспрессируемый нормальными клетками, окружающими постоперационную рану, а также VEGF, продуцируемый опухолевыми клетками, могут быть важными медиаторами метастазирования остаточных опухолевых клеток после хирургического вмешательства

1-[(6-Chloro-3-pyrid­yl)meth­yl]-N-(4-ethoxy­phen­yl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide

In the title compound, C24H21ClN4O2, the pyrazole ring makes dihedral angles of 7.70 (11), 89.17 (11) and 40.68 (11)° with the phenyl, pyridine and ethoxy­phenyl rings, respectively. There are some intra­molecular C—H⋯O and C—H⋯π bonds giving rigidity to the mol­ecule, while weak inter­molecular N—H⋯N and C—H⋯π hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into a two-dimensional structure

Microscopic Investigation of a Copper Molten Mark by Optical Microscopy (OM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

AbstractA wide variety of physical and chemical detecting methods have been proposed for discriminating between and electric arc bead that caused a fire, versus one that was caused by the fire itself. The simplest proposed method claims that examination of the molten marks in a bead under a microscope will suffice to make the distinction. Generally, copper molten marks of the bead are examined by using optical (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In this paper, OM and AFM were employed to investigate a molten mark formed in laboratory. AFM observation reveals that AFM could be an auxiliary method to investigate the copper molten mark formed in the fire in order to confirm the reasons of the fire

Phylogeny Best Explains Latitudinal Patterns of Xylem Tissue Fractions for Woody Angiosperm Species Across China

Investigating space allocation patterns of plant secondary xylem along a latitudinal gradient is useful to evaluate structure-function tradeoffs in woody angiosperm xylem. An anatomical dataset including 700 woody angiosperm species across China was compiled together with latitudinal and climate data for each species. The relative tissue fractions of vessels, fibers, and parenchyma (including ray and axial parenchyma) in xylem were analyzed to determine the effect of latitudinal differences and phylogeny on anatomical variation. The analyses revealed a trade-off between vessel and non-vessel fraction across latitude, with tissue fraction trade-offs mainly occurring between vessels and fibers, and between fibers and total parenchyma. Among 13 climate variables, thermal indices generally had greater explanatory power than moisture indices in bi-variate models for all cell types, while mean annual temperature, mean temperature of the coldest month, and annual actual evapotranspiration were included in the top multi-variate models explaining variance of different tissue fractions. Phylogeny and climate together explained 57–73% of the total variation in xylem space occupancy, with phylogeny alone accounting for over 50% of the variation. These results contribute to our knowledge of wood structure-function and are relevant to better understand forest response to climate change

Bis(μ-3-hydroxy­benzoato-κ3 O,O′:O)bis­[aqua­(3-hydroxy­benzoato-κ2 O,O′)(1,10-phenanthroline-κ2 N,N′)lead(II)] monohydrate

In the centrosymmetric binuclear title complex, [Pb2(C7H5O3)4(C12H8N2)2(H2O)2]·H2O, each Pb atom is eight-coordinated in a PbO6N2 environment by two N atoms from the 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligand, five carboxylate O atoms from four 3-hydroxy­benzoate anions and one O atom from the coordinated water mol­ecule in a distorted bicapped trigonal-prismatic geometry. The benzoate groups coordinate each PbII atom in two different ways. Two benzoate ions behave as bidentate ligands to the Pb atom, and another benzoate ion bridges the Pb atoms, forming a binuclear structure. The dimeric units are packed via O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and π–π inter­actions between the aromatic rings of neighboring mol­ecules, with centroid–centroid distances of 3.552 (2) and 3.641 (2) Å

Polymethylhydrosiloxane-modified gas-diffusion cathode for more efficient and durable H2O2 electrosynthesis in the context of water treatment

On-site H2O2 electrosynthesis via two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is attracting great interest forwater treatment. The use of carbon black-based gas-diffusion electrodes (GDEs) is especially appealing, but theiractivity, selectivity and long-term stability must be improved. Here, a facile GDEs modification strategy usingtrace polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) allowed reaching a outstanding H2O2 production, outperforming theconventional polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-GDE (1874.8 vs 1087.4 mg L-1 at 360 min). The superhydrophobicityconferred by PMHS endowed the catalytic layer with high faradaic efficiencies (76.2%-89.7%)during long-term operation for 60 h. The electrochemical tests confirmed the high activity and selectivity of thePMHS-modified GDE. Moreover, the efficient degradation of several micropollutants by the electro-Fentonprocess demonstrated the great potential of the new GDE. An in-depth understanding of the roles of PMHSfunctional groups is provided from DFT calculations: the -CH3 groups contribute to form a superhydrophobicinterface, whereas Si-H and as-formed Si-O-C sites modulate the coordination environment of active carboncenters