An effective trajectory-based algorithm for ball detection and tracking with application to the analysis of broadcast sports video

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Novel free paclitaxel-loaded poly(L-γ-glutamylglutamine)–paclitaxel nanoparticles

The purpose of this study was to develop a novel formulation of paclitaxel (PTX) that would improve its therapeutic index. Here, we combined a concept of polymer–PTX drug conjugate with a concept of polymeric micelle drug delivery to form novel free PTX-loaded poly(L-γ-glutamylglutamine) (PGG)–PTX conjugate nanoparticles. The significance of this drug formulation emphasizes the simplicity, novelty, and flexibility of the method of forming nanoparticles that contain free PTX and conjugated PTX in the same drug delivery system. The results of effectively inhibiting tumor growth in mouse models demonstrated the feasibility of the nanoparticle formulation. The versatility and potential of this dual PTX drug delivery system can be explored with different drugs for different indications. Novel and simple formulations of PTX-loaded PGG–PTX nanoparticles could have important implications in translational medicines

Accurate and Stable Camera Calibration of Broadcast Tennis Video

Abstract: This paper presents an original algorithm for accurate and stable camera calibration of broadcast tennis video (BTV). That frame-data of BTV is often erroneous results in wildly fluctuating camera parameters. To meet this challenge, we propose a frame grouping technique, which groups frames together according to camera viewpoint. We then use a group-wise data analysis to obtain more stable parameters. Recognizing the fact that some of these parameters do vary somewhat even if they have a similar camera viewpoint, we further employ a Hough-like search to tune them, maximizing the reprojection similarity. This twotiered process gains stability of the camera parameters, and yet ensures large reprojection similarity via the tuning step. The experimental results show that our algorithm is able to acquire accurate camera matrix

Bimodal transit design with heterogeneous demand elasticity under different fare structures

The study develops a new optimisation model to design a bimodal transit system from a microeconomic view to maximise the profit of a transit agency considering heterogeneous demand elasticity and different fare structures. Bimodal transit network parameters are optimized to better serve passenger demand. An elastic demand function is devised to include various time components and incorporate flat, distance-based, and hybrid fares. A nested iterative procedure is developed to find a near-optimal solution. Numerical experiments reveal the following interesting findings. First, the increase in elasticity parameters has a knock-on effect on the financial performance, consequently leading to a net profit reduction. Second, a distance-based fare scheme brings in the least actual demand but makes the most profit, compared with the flat and hybrid fare schemes. Third, passengers prefer using a rail-bus system to a BRT-bus system, especially at a higher demand level

Tunable Interband Transitions in Twisted h-BN/Graphene Heterostructures

In twisted h-BN/graphene heterostructures, the complex electronic properties of the fast-traveling electron gas in graphene are usually considered to be fully revealed. However, the randomly twisted heterostructures may also have unexpected transition behaviors, which may influence the device performance. Here, we study the twist angle-dependent coupling effects of h-BN/graphene heterostructures using monochromatic electron energy loss spectroscopy. We find that the moir\'e potentials alter the band structure of graphene, resulting in a redshift of the intralayer transition at the M-point, which becomes more pronounced up to 0.25 eV with increasing twist angle. Furthermore, the twisting of the Brillouin zone of h-BN relative to the graphene M-point leads to tunable vertical transition energies in the range of 5.1-5.6 eV. Our findings indicate that twist-coupling effects of van der Waals heterostructures should be carefully considered in device fabrications, and the continuously tunable interband transitions through the twist angle can serve as a new degree of freedom to design optoelectrical devices

Comparative metatranscriptomic profiling and microRNA sequencing to reveal active metabolic pathways associated with a dinoflagellate bloom.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have increased as a result of global climate and environmental changes, exerting increasing impacts on the aquatic ecosystem, coastal economy, and human health. Despite great research efforts, our understanding on the drivers of HABs is still limited in part because HAB species’ physiology is difficult to probe in situ. Here, we used molecular ecological analyses to characterize a dinoflagellate bloom at Xiamen Harbor, China. Prorocentrum donghaiense was identified as the culprit, which nutrient bioassays showed were not nutrient-limited. Metatranscriptome profiling revealed that P. donghaiense highly expressed genes related to N- and P-nutrient uptake, phagotrophy, energy metabolism (photosynthesis, oxidative phophorylation, and rhodopsin) and carbohydrate metabolism (glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, TCA cycle and pentose phosphate) during the bloom. Many genes in P. donghaiense were up-regulated at night, including phagotrophy and environmental communication genes, and showed active expression in mitosis. Eight microbial defense genes were up-regulated in the bloom compared with previously analyzed laboratory cultures. Furthermore, 76 P. donghaiense microRNA were identified from the bloom, and their target genes exhibited marked differences in amino acid metabolism between the bloom and cultures and the potential of up-regulated antibiotic and cell communication capabilities. These findings, consistent with and complementary to recent reports, reveal major metabolic processes in P. donghaiense potentially important for bloom formation and provide a gene repertoire for developing bloom markers in future research