Effective Volumetric Feature Modeling and Coarse Correspondence via Improved 3DSIFT and Spectral Matching

This paper presents a nonrigid coarse correspondence computation algorithm for volumetric images. Our matching algorithm first extracts then correlates image features based on a revised and improved 3DSIFT (I3DSIFT) algorithm. With a scale-related keypoint reorientation and descriptor construction, this feature correlation is less sensitive to image rotation and scaling. Then, we present an improved spectral matching (ISM) algorithm on correlated features to obtain a one-to-one mapping between corresponded features. One can effectively extend this feature correspondence to dense correspondence between volume images. Our algorithm can benefit nonrigid volumetric image registration in many tasks such as motion modeling in medical image analysis and processing

Online Level Generation in Super Mario Bros via Learning Constructive Primitives

n procedural content generation (PCG), how to assure the quality of procedural games and how to provide effective control for designers are two major challenges. To tackle these issues, this paper exploits the synergy between rule-based and learning-based methods to produce quality yet controllable game segments in Super Mario Bros (SMB), hereinafter named constructive primitives (CPs). Easy-to-design rules are employed for removal of apparently unappealing game segments, and subsequent data-driven quality evaluation function is learned based on designer's annotations to deal with more complicated quality issues. The learned CPs provide not only quality game segments but also an effective control manner at a local level for designers. As a result, a complete quality game level can be generated online by integrating relevant constructive primitives via controllable parameters. Extensive simulation results demonstrate that the proposed approach efficiently generates controllable yet quality game levels in terms of different quality measures

Gate-controlled reversible rectifying behaviour in tunnel contacted atomically-thin MoS2_{2} transistor

Atomically-thin 2D semiconducting materials integrated into van der Waals heterostructures have enabled architectures that hold great promise for next generation nanoelectronics. However, challenges still remain to enable their full acceptance as compliant materials for integration in logic devices. Two key-components to master are the barriers at metal/semiconductor interfaces and the mobility of the semiconducting channel, which endow the building-blocks of ${pn}$ diode and field effect transistor. Here, we have devised a reverted stacking technique to intercalate a wrinkle-free h-BN tunnel layer between MoS$_{2}$ channel and contacting electrodes. Vertical tunnelling of electrons therefore makes it possible to suppress the Schottky barriers and Fermi level pinning, leading to homogeneous gate-control of the channel chemical potential across the bandgap edges. The observed unprecedented features of ambipolar ${pn}$ to ${np}$ diode, which can be reversibly gate tuned, paves the way for future logic applications and high performance switches based on atomically thin semiconducting channel.Comment: 23 pages, 5 main figures + 9 SI figure

Are screen devices soothing children or soothing parents?Investigating the relationships among children’s exposure to different types of screen media, parental efficacy and home literacy practices

Abstract: Use of screen devices has become a standard practice in modern parenting. Research has shown that screen devices can be strategically used as tools, either for babysitting or for educational support. We surveyed 4,907 parents of preschool children from China to investigate how different devices (including TV, tablet, computer and paper-based books) may channel parental efficacy (or the lack of it) to home literacy practices. We found that parents with low parental efficacy were more likely to give their children all three kinds of screen devices, among which TV and tablet were detrimental to home literacy practices whereas computers, like books, were complementary to home literacy practices. Latent profile analysis showed that parents who allowed their children a high frequency of TV or tablet use had the poorest home literacy practices. In comparison, parents who provided fewer books but allowed high frequency of computer use while restricting TV or tablet use came from the lowest SES backgrounds in the sample, but they reported average levels of parenting efficacy and an average amount of home literacy practices. Only parents who felt efficacious about their parenting capabilities provided more paper-based picture books, thus generating optimal home literacy practices. Given the evidence from our finding that parents’ lack of efficacy is a predictor of increased child TV and tablet viewing time and decreased home literacy practices, we need to consider whether such practices arise from a chronic sense of anxiety about parenting effectively rather than efforts to temporarily soothe or entertain the children. More effort is needed to help parents manage their anxiety and to teach parents how to realize and exploit the educational values afforded by the advancing media technology

Impact of citalopram combined with mindfulness-based stress reduction on symptoms, cognitive functions and self-confidence in patients with depression

Purpose: To investigate the impact of the combination of citalopram and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on the symptoms, cognitive functions and self-confidence of patients with depression.Methods: A total of 98 patients with depression were selected as study subjects and divided into combination therapy group (CT, n = 51) and conventional group (C, n = 47. The conventional group was treated with citalopram, while the combined group was treated with a combination of citalopram and MBSR. Depressive symptoms and self-confidence were evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) and General Self-efficacy Scale (GSES). Cognitive functions were assessed by Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and Trail Making Test (TMT). Changes in depressive symptoms, cognitive functions, self-confidence and clinical efficacies between the two groups were compared.Results: At weeks 1, 4 and 8 after treatment, CT group had lower HAMD-17 scores but higher GSES scores when compared with the conventional group (p < 0.05). In addition, CT group was superior to the conventional group in efficacy and overall response rate (100.00 vs. 85.11 %, p < 0.05). Also, CT group showed a shorter time of perseverative and non-perseverative errors on WCST and a shorter time for TMT-A and TMT-B, compared with the conventional group (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The combination therapy of citalopram and MBSR is effective in ameliorating depressive symptoms, and enhancing cognitive functions and self-confidence in patients with depression. These findings will increase the understanding of this combination therapy, and provide a clinical reference for the treatment of depression

An N-terminal splice variant of human Stat5a that interacts with different transcription factors is the dominant form expressed in invasive ductal carcinoma

AbstractWe have identified a new variant of human Stat5a, found at higher ratios to full-length Stat5a in invasive ductal carcinoma versus contiguous normal tissue. The variant, missing exon 5, inhibits p21 and Bax production and increases cell number. After prolactin stimulation, only full-length Stat5a interacts with the vitamin D and retinoid X receptors, whereas only Δ5 Stat5a interacts with activating protein 1–2 and specificity protein 1. Prolactin also oppositely regulates interaction of the two Stat5a forms with β-catenin. We propose that a change in splicing leading to upregulation of this new isoform is a pathogenic aspect of invasive ductal carcinoma

Femoral–tibial contact stresses on fixed rotational femur models

ObjectivesThis study aims to quantitatively evaluate the femoral–tibial contact pressure on the knee under certain malrotaional degrees.MethodsFemoral–tibial contact pressure was carried out on 14 fixed rotational knee models under 200/400/600 N vertical load using ultra-low-pressure sensitive film technology, rotation angles including neutral position (0°, anatomically reduced), 5°, 10°, and 15° internally and externally. Data were collected and analyzed with SPSS software.ResultsThere are significant statistical differences between the medial contact pressure among rotational deformities (including neutral position) (P < 0.01), the increase in the degree of fixed internal malrotation of the femur resulted in a linear increase in the medial femoral–tibial contact pressures (P < 0.05) under 200/400/600 N vertical load, while increase in the degree of fixed external malrotation resulted in a linear decrease (P < 0.05). Except the 200 N compression, we can't find significant differences in lateral contact pressures (P > 0.05). In the comparison of medial to lateral contact pressures, no statistically significant differences were found in neutral and 5° internal rotation under 200/400 N, neutral, 5° internal rotation, and 15° external rotation under 600 N. In contrast, medial contact pressures were higher than lateral at other angles (P < 0.05).ConclusionObvious contact pressure changes were observed in rotatory femur. Doctors should detect rotational deformity as much as possible during operation and perform anatomical reduction. For patients with residual rotational deformities, indication of osteotomy should not be too broad