Adaptive Wavelet Packet Transform

Two-dimensional over-complete wavelet packet transform can better represent the texture and long oscillatory patterns in natural images

An MM algorithm for estimation of a two component semiparametric density mixture with a known component

We consider a semiparametric mixture of two univariate density functions where one of them is known while the weight and the other function are unknown. We do not assume any additional structure on the unknown density function. For this mixture model, we derive a new sufficient identifiability condition and pinpoint a specific class of distributions describing the unknown component for which this condition is mostly satisfied. We also suggest a novel approach to estimation of this model that is based on an idea of applying a maximum smoothed likelihood to what would otherwise have been an ill-posed problem. We introduce an iterative MM (Majorization-Minimization) algorithm that estimates all of the model parameters. We establish that the algorithm possesses a descent property with respect to a log-likelihood objective functional and prove that the algorithm, indeed, converges. Finally, we also illustrate the performance of our algorithm in a simulation study and apply it to a real dataset

Polymorphisms of the _ENPP1_ gene are not associated with type 2 diabetes or obesity in the Chinese Han population

*Objective:* Type 2 Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and with a major feature of insulin resistance. Genetic association studies have suggested that _ENPP1_ might play a potential role in susceptibility to type 2 diabetes and obesity. Our study aimed to examine the association between _ENPP1_ and type 2 diabetes and obesity.

*Design:* Association study between two SNPs, rs1044498 (K121Q) and rs7754561 of ENPP1 and diabetes and obesity in the Chinese Han population.

*Subjects:* 1912 unrelated patients (785 male and 1127 female with a mean age 63.8 ± 9 years), 236 IFG/IGT subjects (83 male and 153 female with a mean age 64 ± 9 years) and 2041 controls (635 male and 1406 female with a mean age 58 ± 9 years).
 
*Measurements:* Subjects were genotyped for two SNPs using TaqMan technology on an ABI7900 system and tested by regression analysis.

*Results:* By logistic regression analysis, rs1044498 (K121Q) and rs7754561 showed no statistical association with type 2 diabetes, obesity under additive, dominant and recessive models either before or after adjusting for sex and age. Haplotype analysis found a marginal association of haplotype C-G (p=0.05) which was reported in the previous study.

*Conclusion:* Our investigation did not replicated the positive association found previously and suggested that the polymorphisms of _ENPP1_ might not play a major role in the susceptibility to type 2 diabetes or obesity in the Chinese Han population

PlantQTL-GE: a database system for identifying candidate genes in rice and Arabidopsis by gene expression and QTL information

We have designed and implemented a web-based database system, called PlantQTL-GE, to facilitate quantitatine traits locus (QTL) based candidate gene identification and gene function analysis. We collected a large number of genes, gene expression information in microarray data and expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and genetic markers from multiple sources of Oryza sativa and Arabidopsis thaliana. The system integrates these diverse data sources and has a uniform web interface for easy access. It supports QTL queries specifying QTL marker intervals or genomic loci, and displays, on rice or Arabidopsis genome, known genes, microarray data, ESTs and candidate genes and similar putative genes in the other plant. Candidate genes in QTL intervals are further annotated based on matching ESTs, microarray gene expression data and cis-elements in regulatory sequences. The system is freely available at

A robust image registration algorithm used for panoramic image mosaic

The panoramic image has been widely used in social production, and has become an important topic in research on the field of image processing. For complex images with multiple scenes and other elements, the algorithm that is based on Harris cannot make image registration effectively. This paper proposes a method that combines Harris with SIFT, using the Harris algorithm with adaptive threshold to extract the corners and the SIFT descriptor to make the registration. It improved registration efficiency sub-effectively for the image in complex scenes, and generated a 360-degree panoramic image quickly. The experiments showed that the algorithm is adaptable and robust

基于FPGA的大视场图像实时拼接技术的研究与实现

As a general rule, the software method is used to obtain large field images, which is not timely and convenient. In order to tackle the disadvantage of this method, based on FPGA, a kind of programmable technologies, a large field of view imaging system had put forward and achieved, which can fulfill the real time stitching of the data from multiple cameras. Through the APTINA's color CMOS image sensor MT9M034, the original image information had gained and then the real time data collection, data cache, stitching and transmission had accomplished centering on the Xilinx's Virtex-5 FPGA. Firstly, the automatic adjustment of brightness differences of the original images was preprocessed in order to improve the overall mosaic effect. Secondly, information detection of relative shift amount was completed by the use of phase correlation method to register the original images. Finally, the two adjacent images' overlap area was fused by the use of linear weighted fusion algorithm to make the mosaic image achieve a smoothly fading in and out transitional effect. Experimental results show that the imaging system is simple and reliable, and can effectively increase the field of view of observation. The stitched large field images are of high-definition and real time, with a certain degree of representativeness and practicality. ©, 2015, Chinese Society of Astronautics. All right reserved

A novel real-time method for high dynamic range image tone mapping

Tone-mapping technique which can convert high dynamic range (HDR) to low dynamic range (LDR) images provides accurately visualization of HDR images on standard LDR displays. Most of the existing tone-mapping method could not realize real time processing while preserving good visualization. Utilizing an adaptive three-section lookup table, this paper proposes an effective, high quality, real time technique to convert 12-bit images to 8-bit image which can preserve abundant details and high contrast simultaneously. Experiment results show that this method can improve the weak signals of the image greatly, and the low luminance details can be observed distinctly on an 8-bit monitor

The Application of a Pavement Distress Detection Method Based on FS-Net

In order to solve the problem of difficulties in pavement distress detection in the field of pavement maintenance, a pavement distress detection algorithm based on a new deep learning method is proposed. Firstly, an image data set of pavement distress is constructed, including large-scale image acquisition, expansion and distress labeling; secondly, the FReLU structure is used to replace the leaky ReLU activation function to improve the ability of two-dimensional spatial feature capture; finally, in order to improve the detection ability of this model for long strip pavement distress, the strip pooling method is used to replace the maximum pooling method commonly used in the existing network, and a new method is formed which integrates the FReLU structure and the strip pooling method, named FS-Net in this paper. The results show that the average accuracy of the proposed method is 4.96% and 3.67% higher than that of the faster R-CNN and YOLOv3 networks, respectively. The detection speed of 4 K images can reach about 12 FPS. The accuracy and computational efficiency can meet the actual needs in the field of road detection. A set of lightweight detection equipment for highway pavement was formed in this paper by purchasing hardware, developing software, designing brackets and packaging shells, and the FS-Net was burned into the equipment. The recognition rate of pavement distress is more than 90%, and the measurement error of the crack width is within ±0.5 mm through application testing. The lightweight detection equipment for highway pavement with burning of the pavement distress detection algorithm based on FS-Net can detect pavement conditions quickly and identify the distress and calculate the distress parameters, which provide a large amount of data support for the pavement maintenance department to make maintenance decisions

Swimming exercise ameliorates insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver by negatively regulating PPARγ transcriptional network in mice fed high fat diet

Abstract Background Recent findings elucidated hepatic PPARγ functions as a steatogenic-inducer gene that activates de novo lipogenesis, and is involved in regulation of glucose homeostasis, lipid accumulation, and inflammation response. This study delved into a comprehensive analysis of how PPARγ signaling affects the exercise-induced improvement of insulin resistance (IR) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), along with its underlying mechanism. Methods Chronic and acute swimming exercise intervention were conducted in each group mice. IR status was assessed by GTT and ITT assays. Serum inflammatory cytokines were detected by Elisa assays. PPARγ and its target genes expression were detected by qPCR assay. Relative protein levels were quantified via Western blotting. ChIP-qPCR assays were used to detect the enrichment of PPARγ on its target genes promoter. Results Through an exploration of a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced IR and NAFLD model, both chronic and acute swimming exercise training led to significant reductions in body weight and visceral fat mass, as well as hepatic lipid accumulation. The exercise interventions also demonstrated a significant amelioration in IR and the inflammatory response. Meanwhile, swimming exercise significantly inhibited PPARγ and its target genes expression induced by HFD, containing CD36, SCD1 and PLIN2. Furthermore, swimming exercise presented significant modulation on regulatory factors of PPARγ expression and transcriptional activity. Conclusion The findings suggest that swimming exercise can improve lipid metabolism in IR and NAFLD, possibly through PPARγ signaling in the liver of mice