Planogram Compliance Checking Based on Detection of Recurring Patterns

In this paper, a novel method for automatic planogram compliance checking in retail chains is proposed without requiring product template images for training. Product layout is extracted from an input image by means of unsupervised recurring pattern detection and matched via graph matching with the expected product layout specified by a planogram to measure the level of compliance. A divide and conquer strategy is employed to improve the speed. Specifically, the input image is divided into several regions based on the planogram. Recurring patterns are detected in each region respectively and then merged together to estimate the product layout. Experimental results on real data have verified the efficacy of the proposed method. Compared with a template-based method, higher accuracies are achieved by the proposed method over a wide range of products.Comment: Accepted by MM (IEEE Multimedia Magazine) 201

Parametric optimization and heat transfer analysis of a dual loop ORC (organic Rankine cycle) system for CNG engine waste heat recovery

In this study, a dual loop ORC (organic Rankine cycle) system is adopted to recover exhaust energy, waste heat from the coolant system, and intercooler heat rejection of a six-cylinder CNG (compressed natural gas) engine. The thermodynamic, heat transfer, and optimization models for the dual loop ORC system are established. On the basis of the waste heat characteristics of the CNG engine over the whole operating range, a GA (genetic algorithm) is used to solve the Pareto solution for the thermodynamic and heat transfer performances to maximize net power output and minimize heat transfer area. Combined with optimization results, the optimal parameter regions of the dual loop ORC system are determined under various operating conditions. Then, the variation in the heat transfer area with the operating conditions of the CNG engine is analyzed. The results show that the optimal evaporation pressure and superheat degree of the HT (high temperature) cycle are mainly influenced by the operating conditions of the CNG engine. The optimal evaporation pressure and superheat degree of the HT cycle over the whole operating range are within 2.5–2.9 MPa and 0.43–12.35 K, respectively. The optimal condensation temperature of the HT cycle, evaporation and condensation temperatures of the LT (low temperature) cycle, and exhaust temperature at the outlet of evaporator 1 are kept nearly constant under various operating conditions of the CNG engine. The thermal efficiency of the dual loop ORC system is within the range of 8.79%–10.17%. The dual loop ORC system achieves the maximum net power output of 23.62 kW under the engine rated condition. In addition, the operating conditions of the CNG engine and the operating parameters of the dual loop ORC system significantly influence the heat transfer areas for each heat exchanger

Do the Disc Degeneration and Osteophyte Contribute to the Curve Rigidity of Degenerative Scoliosis?

The factors associated with lateral curve flexibility in degenerative scoliosis have not been well documented. Disc degeneration could result in significant change in stiffness and range of motion in lateral bending films. The osteophytes could be commonly observed in degenerative spine but the relationship between osteophyte formation and curve flexibility remains controversial. The aim of the current study is to clarify if the disc degeneration and osteophyte formation were both associated with curve flexibility of degenerative scoliosis

Multi-stage collaborative efficiency measurement of scitech finance: network-DEA analysis and spatial impact research

Sci-tech and finance plays an increasingly important role and have become an important driving force in economic development. In China, the problem of insufficient financial support for sci-tech innovation is important to enterprises. According to the internal relationship between different stages of Sci-tech and the finance system, this paper is aimed at exploring the efficiency measurement method between sci-tech and finance systems. Firstly the multi-stage collaborative structure of sci-tech finance is built, where the system of sci-tech is divided into three stages including the R&D stage, transformation stage of sci-tech achievements and industrialization stage, and the financing channel is the input of the finance system into the sci-tech system at different stages. The measurement method of the multi-stage collaborative efficiency between sci-tech and finance systems is put forward by the framework of network DEA. Then, taking China as an example, we collect the information of 30 provinces and cities from 2009 to 2016 and measure the efficiency of each system and the collaborative efficiency of the both. The efficiency’s spatial correlation is tested by means of Moran index. Finally, the influencing factors of the collaborative efficiency are analyzed based on the spatial econometric regression model, which considers the financing channels and human capital. To sum up, there are significant differences in the sci-tech finance collaborative efficiency among regions in China. Among them, the collaborative efficiency of Beijing, Shanghai and Jiangsu ranks in the top three. Comparing the different stages of the sci-tech system, the commercialization stage is a weak link in many regions of China. Human capital and financing channels of sci-tech finance have different degrees of positive impact on the sci-tech finance collaborative efficiency. Among them, human capital plays a greater role in promoting the sci-tech finance collaborative development

SRPK1/2 and PP1α exert opposite functions by modulating SRSF1-guided MKNK2 alternative splicing in colon adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The Mnk2 kinase, encoded by MKNK2 gene, plays critical roles in MAPK signaling and was involved in oncogenesis. Human MKNK2 pre-mRNA can be alternatively spliced into two splicing isoforms, the MKNK2a and MKNK2b, thus yielding Mnk2a and Mnk2b proteins with different domains. The involvement of Mnk2 alternative splicing in colon cancer has been implicated based on RNA-sequencing data from TCGA database. This study aimed at investigating the upstream modulators and clinical relevance of Mnk2 alternative splicing in colon adenocarcinoma (CAC). METHODS: PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed to assess the expression of Mnk2 and upstream proteins in CAC. The function of Mnk2 and its regulators were demonstrated in different CAC cell lines as well as in xenograft models. Two independent cohorts of CAC patients were used to reveal the clinical significance of MKNK2 alternative splicing. RESULTS: Comparing with adjacent nontumorous tissue, CAC specimen showed a decreased MKNK2a level and an increased MKNK2b level, which were correlated with KRAS mutation and tumor size. The SRSF1 (serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1) was further confirmed to be the major splicing factor targeting MKNK2 in CAC cells. Higher expression of SRPK1/2 or decreased activity of PP1α were responsible for enhancing SRSF1 phosphorylation and nucleus translocation, subsequently resulted in a switch of MKNK2 alternative splicing. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that phosphorylation and subcellular localization of SRSF1 were balanced by SRPK1/2 and PP1α in CAC cells. High nucleus SRSF1 promoted MKNK2 splicing into MKNK2b instead of MNK2a, consequently enhanced tumor proliferation

Comparison of antigenicity and conformational changes to β-lactoglobulin following kestose glycation reaction with and without dynamic high-pressure microfluidization treatment

Previous work indicated that conformational changes of β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) induced by dynamic high pressure microfluidization (DHPM) was related to the increase of antigenicity. In this study, β-LG glycated with 1-kestose and combined with DHPM decreased the antigenicity of β-LG. The antigenicity of control, β-LG-kestose (0.1 MPa) and β-LG-kestose (80 MPa) were 100, 79 and 42 μg/mL respectively. The molecular weight of β-LG conjugated to kestose increased from 18.4 to 19.6 kDa and its conformation scarcely changed. Conversely, combined with DHPM treatment (80 MPa), β-LG conjugated to kestose formed two conjugates with molecular weight of 18.8 and 19.8 kDa, respectively. Furthermore, the unfolding of β-LG as a result of the treatments is reflected by a decrease of intrinsic and synchronous fluorescence intensity and changes to the secondary structure. The conformational changes induced by DHPM and glycation treatments synergistically decrease the antigenicity of β-LG due to more masked or disrupted epitopes

Micro-Porosity and gas emission characteristics of thermally contacted metamorphic coal by igneous intrusion

In order to quantitatively characterize the pore structure of thermally contacted metamorphic coal by igneous intrusion and investigate the intrinsic connection between the pore and dispersion properties of coal, the samples of metamorphic coal from different locations of Daxing Coal Mine were collected and processed. The correlative analysis on pore characteristics, including pore area, perimeter, shape factor and fractal dimension of pores with different sizes, were carried out by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and pore-fracture analysis system (PCAS). The results show that the porosity of macro- and meso-pores and the number of pores in the metamorphic coal are larger than those of the normal coal. The total length of pores per unit area and the average shape factor increase, and the connectivity of pore is raised, resulting in an enhanced gas release capacity (increased V1) within the first one second. The proportion of gas emission in the first one second of metamorphic coal is much higher than that of other coals. The decrease of pore volume and specific surface area of micropores makes the adsorption capacity weaker, which results in a decrease in the total amount of emission - smaller Δp value, and earlier inflection point and faster attenuation on the emission curve, namely an increased α value. In addition, the V1, α value and volatile content satisfy the quadratic nonlinear and linear relationships, respectively. In the prediction of outburst risk of thermally contacted metamorphic coal, it is more reasonable to use the V1 index to characterize the gas release rate