Feature extraction for license plate location based on L0-norm smoothing

We propose a simple feature extraction algorithm for license plate location, which can reduce the occurrence of pseudo-licenses significantly. Our scheme arises from a novel L-0 -norm image smoothing, in which the multiple local textures in the complex backgrounds can be suppressed remarkably without changing the structures and edges of the license objects. Due to this "edgeaware" property, we then combine a feature filtering with an efficient binarized image, a simple multi-scale image analysis algorithm, to remove the potential false license plates. Finally, we extract license plates with a projection method. Experimental results show the proposed method provides a flexible and powerful way to the license plate location in complex backgrounds

21 cm foreground removal using AI and frequency-difference technique

The deep learning technique has been employed in removing foreground contaminants from 21 cm intensity mapping, but its effectiveness is limited by the large dynamic range of the foreground amplitude. In this study, we develop a novel foreground removal technique grounded in U-Net networks. The essence of this technique lies in introducing an innovative data preprocessing step specifically, utilizing the temperature difference between neighboring frequency bands as input, which can substantially reduce the dynamic range of foreground amplitudes by approximately two orders of magnitude. This reduction proves to be highly advantageous for the U-Net foreground removal. We observe that the HI signal can be reliably recovered, as indicated by the cross-correlation power spectra showing unity agreement at the scale of $k < 0.3 h^{-1}$Mpc in the absence of instrumental effects. Moreover, accounting for the systematic beam effects, our reconstruction displays consistent auto-correlation and cross-correlation power spectrum ratios at the $1\sigma$ level across scales $k \lesssim 0.1 h^{-1}$Mpc, with only a 10% reduction observed in the cross-correlation power spectrum at $k\simeq0.2 h^{-1}$Mpc. The effects of redshift-space distortion are also reconstructed successfully, as evidenced by the quadrupole power spectra matching. In comparison, our method outperforms the traditional Principal Component Analysis method, which derived cross-correlation ratios are underestimated by around 75%. We simulated various white noise levels in the map and found that the mean cross-correlation ratio $\bar{R}_\mathrm{cross} \gtrsim 0.75$ when the level of the thermal noise is smaller than or equal to that of the HI signal. We conclude that the proposed frequency-difference technique can significantly enhance network performance by reducing the amplitude range of foregrounds and aiding in the prevention of HI loss.Comment: 18 pages, 16 figure

Observation of Topological Surface State in High Temperature Superconductor MgB2

The hunt for the benchmark topological superconductor (TSc) has been an extremely active research subject in condensed matter research, with quite a few candidates identified or proposed. However, low transition temperatures (Tc) and/or strong sensitivity to disorder and dopant levels in known TSc candidates have greatly hampered progress in this field. Here, we use Angle-resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy (ARPES) to show the presence of Dirac Nodal Lines (DNLs) and the corresponding topological surface states (TSS's) on the [010] faces of the Tc=39K s-wave BCS superconductor MgB2. Not only is this nearly triple the current record of superconducting Tc among all candidate TSc's, but the nature of these DNL states should make them highly tolerant against disorder and inadvertent doping variations. This makes MgB2 a promising high temperature platform for the study of topological superconductivity

Relieving Effect of Rosa roxburghii Tratt. Juice Fermented by Lactobacillus paracasei SR10-1 on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of Rosa roxburghii Tratt. juice (RRTJ) fermented by Lactobacillus paracasei SR10-1 against ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. Methods: SR10-1 fermented Rosa roxburghii Tratt. juice was prepared in the laboratory. A mouse model of UC induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was created. The experiments were designed using five groups, i.e., blank control, DSS-induced model, positive control (mesalazine), lactic acid bacteria fermented RRTJ (LAB-RRTJ) and RRTJ. Disease activity index (DAI) score, visceral organ indices, colon length, colon pathological changes, the levels of inflammatory factors including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), the levels of oxidative stress indicators including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH), the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), and the expression levels of gut barrier-related genes (claudin-3, ZO-1 and MUC2) were analyzed in UC mice. Results: Compared with the DSS-induced model group, LAB-RRTJ significantly reduced the DAI score (P < 0.05), and relieved diarrhea, bloody stools, colonic atrophy and pathological changes of mice. In addition, the colon length was significantly increased (P < 0.001), and the spleen and liver indices were significantly decreased (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, TNF-α, and IFN-γ were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while the level of IL-10 was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The levels of MDA and MPO were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), the activities of SOD and GSH were significantly increased (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05), and the expression levels of claudin-3, ZO-1 and MUC2 were significantly increased (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Fermented Rosa roxburghii Tratt. juice with Lactobacillus paracasei SR10-1 could reduce intestinal damage in UC mice by improving inflammatory responses and regulating the level of oxidative stress and intestinal barrier function

Asymmetric Michael Addition of Substituted Rhodanines to α,β-Unsaturated Ketones Catalyzed by Bulky Primary Amines

A bulky group was introduced by design into a diamine catalyst, and a series of robust and tunable bulky chiral primary amine catalysts were developed and successfully applied in the direct conjugate addition of substituted rhodanines to α,β-unsaturated ketones. High yields (up to 99%) and excellent diastereoselectivities (up to 99:1 dr) and enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee) were observed

Physical Exercise and Patients with Chronic Renal Failure: A Meta-Analysis

Chronic renal failure is a severe clinical problem which has some significant socioeconomic impact worldwide and hemodialysis is an important way to maintain patients’ health state, but it seems difficult to get better in short time. Considering these, the aim in our research is to update and evaluate the effects of exercise on the health of patients with chronic renal failure. The databases were used to search for the relevant studies in English or Chinese. And the association between physical exercise and health state of patients with chronic renal failure has been investigated. Random-effect model was used to compare the physical function and capacity in exercise and control groups. Exercise is helpful in ameliorating the situation of blood pressure in patients with renal failure and significantly reduces VO2 in patients with renal failure. The results of subgroup analyses show that, in the age >50, physical activity can significantly reduce blood pressure in patients with renal failure. The activity program containing warm-up, strength, and aerobic exercises has benefits in blood pressure among sick people and improves their maximal oxygen consumption level. These can help patients in physical function and aerobic capacity and may give them further benefits

Biomechanical evaluation of different sizes of 3D printed cage in lumbar interbody fusion-a finite element analysis

Abstract Objective To study the biomechanical characteristics of various tissue structures of different sizes of 3D printed Cage in lumbar interbody fusion. Methods A finite element model of normal spine was reconstructed and verified. Pedicle screws and Cage of different sizes were implanted in the L4/5 segment to simulate lumbar interbody fusion. The range of motion of the fixed and cephalic adjacent segment, the stress of the screw-rod system, the stress at the interface between cage and L5 endplate, and intervertebral disc pressure of the adjacent segment were calculated and analyzed. Results The range of motion and intervertebral disc pressure of the adjacent segment of each postoperative model were larger than those of the intact model, but there was not much difference between them. The stress of cage-endplate interface was also larger than that of the intact model. However, the difference is that the stress of the endplate and the screw-rod system has a tendency to decrease with the increase of the axial area of cage. Conclusions Cage with larger axial area in lumbar interbody fusion can reduce the stress of internal fixation system and endplate, but will not increase the range of motion and intervertebral disc pressure of adjacent segment. It has a certain effect in preventing the cage subsidence, internal fixation system failure and screw rod fracture

Asymmetric Michael Addition of Substituted Rhodanines to α,β-Unsaturated Ketones Catalyzed by Bulky Primary Amines

A bulky group was introduced by design into a diamine catalyst, and a series of robust and tunable bulky chiral primary amine catalysts were developed and successfully applied in the direct conjugate addition of substituted rhodanines to α,β-unsaturated ketones. High yields (up to 99%) and excellent diastereoselectivities (up to 99:1 dr) and enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee) were observed