Multiple-target tracking using spectropolarimetric imagery

Detection and tracking methods are two hot research topics in the field of multiple target tracking. Often change detection and motion tracking are used to detect and track moving vehicles, but in this thesis new approaches are provided to improve these two aspects. In the detection aspect, a combined detection method is presented to improve target detection techniques. The method of combining RX (Reed-Xiaoli) with change detection has demonstrated good performance in highly cluttered, dynamic ground-based scenes. In the tracking aspect, Kalman filter and Global Nearest Neighbor are applied in motion tracking to predict the location and implement data association respectively. Spectral features are extracted for each vehicle to solve the limitation of motion tracking through feature matching. The Bhattacharyya distance is used as a criterion in the feature matching procedure. Our algorithm has been tested using three sets data. One is a set of multispectral polarimetric imagery acquired by the Multispectral Aerial Passive Polarimeter System (MAPPS). Another two data sets are spectropolarimetric imagery generated by the Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Image Generation tool. The tracking performance is analyzed by calculating performance metrics: track purity and (Multiple Object Tracking Accuracy ) MOTA. For MAPPS data, the average MOTA and track purity of feature-aided tracking increase 1 percent and 9 percent over those of motion-only tracking respectively. For DIRSIG data with trees, the average track purity of feature-aided tracking in without noise case increases 2 percent over that of motion-only tracking. In this work, we have demonstrated the capability of detection and tracking methods applied in a complex environment

Open Problems, Research Topics, Recent Results on Numerical and Spiking Neural P Systems (The "Curtea de Arge s 2015 Series")

A series of open problems and research topics are formulated, about numer- ical and spiking neural P systems, initially prepared as a working material for a three months research stage of the second and the third co-author in Curtea de Arge s, Roma- nia, in the fall of 2015. Further problems were added during this period, while certain problems were addressed in this time; some details and references are provided for such cases

MiRNA-200b level in peripheral blood predicts renal interstitial injury in patients with diabetic nephropathy

Background: To uncover the diagnostic potential of peripheral blood microRNA-200b (miRNA-200b) in renal interstitial injury in diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients. Methods: A total of 50 diabetes subjects, 50 mild DN subjects, 50 moderate-severe DN subjects and 50 healthy subjects were included. Peripheral blood level of miRNA-200b in every subject was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Serum levels of renal function indicators were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Meanwhile, relative levels of fibrosis damage indicators were examined by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Diagnostic potentials of miRNA200b in diabetes, mild DN and moderate-severe DN were assessed by depicting receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: Peripheral blood level of miRNA-200b was higher in DN subjects than diabetes subjects without vascular complications, especially moderate-severe DN patients. Peripheral blood level of miRNA-200b in DN subjects was negatively correlated to relative levels of serum creatinine, urinary nitrogen, cystatin, TGF-b, CIV and PCIII. ROC curves demonstrated diagnostic potentials of miRNA-200b in mild and moderate-severe DN. Conclusions: Peripheral blood level of miRNA-200b is closely linked to the degree of renal interstitial injury in DN patients. MiRNA-200b may be a vital indicator in predicting the development of DN

Synthesis and biological activities of novel danshensu amide derivatives as anti-myocardial ischemia agents

A series of novel danshensu amide derivatives were synthesized, and the protective effects of all the compounds on rat myocardial cell lines H9C2 by hypoxia were investigated. The results showed that all the seven compounds could significantly increased cell viability compared with hypoxia group. Among these compounds, 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxy-N-propylpropanamide (6) exhibited good activities, with cell viability reached 94.2 % compared to the normal. The novel danshensu amide derivatives, possessing an additional lipophilic alkyl chain showed a good lipophilicity.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Molecular epidemiological characteristics of Mycobacterium leprae in highly endemic areas of China during the COVID-19 epidemic

ObjectivesThe present study analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence and incidence of new leprosy cases, as well as the diversity, distribution, and temporal transmission of Mycobacterium leprae strains at the county level in leprae-endemic provinces in Southwest China.MethodsA total of 219 new leprosy cases during two periods, 2018–2019 and 2020–2021, were compared. We genetically characterized 83 clinical isolates of M. leprae in Guizhou using variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The obtained genetic profiles and cluster consequences of M. leprae were compared between the two periods.ResultsThere was an 18.97% decrease in the number of counties and districts reporting cases. Considering the initial months (January–March) of virus emergence, the number of new cases in 2021 increased by 167% compared to 2020. The number of patients with a delay of >12 months before COVID-19 (63.56%) was significantly higher than that during COVID-19 (48.51%). Eighty-one clinical isolates (97.60%) were positive for all 17 VNTR types, whereas two (2.40%) clinical isolates were positive for 16 VNTR types. The (GTA)9, (TA)18, (TTC)21 and (TA)10 loci showed higher polymorphism than the other loci. The VNTR profile of these clinical isolates generated five clusters, among which the counties where the patients were located were adjacent or relatively close to each other. SNP typing revealed that all clinical isolates possessed the single SNP3K.ConclusionCOVID-19 may have a negative/imbalanced impact on the prevention and control measures of leprosy, which could be a considerable fact for official health departments. Isolates formed clusters among counties in Guizhou, indicating that the transmission chain remained during the epidemic and was less influenced by COVID-19 preventative policies

HIS-Based Semiactive Suspension Dual-Frequency-Range Switching Control to Improve Ride Comfort and Antiroll Performance

The parameter sensitivity analysis of a hydraulically interconnected suspension (HIS) system shows that the sensitivity of the vibration responses in the bounce and roll modes to the hydraulic parameters are complementary. A novel HIS-based semiactive control method was thereby proposed to improve ride comfort and antiroll performance. In addition, the classic sky-hook max-min damping switched strategy provides significant benefits around the body resonance, but otherwise performs similarly to, or sometimes even worse than, passive suspension. Therefore, a dual-frequency-range switching strategy, which has optimal max-min damping in both frequency ranges, was developed for improving the ride comfort in a wider frequency bandwidth. In this study, a 9-DOF HIS system dynamics model was established, and the hydraulically interconnected subsystem model was validated experimentally. Subsequently, the elastic and damping characteristics of the hydraulically interconnected subsystem, as well as the parameter sensitivity in bounce mode and roll mode, were analyzed. Next, the sensitive parameters were optimized under sinusoidal excitation at various frequencies, and a frequency-range selector used to determine the excitation frequency range and adjust the shock absorber damping was designed. Finally, simulations in the frequency domain and time domain show that the proposed HIS-based semiactive dual-frequency-range switching control suspension improves the ride comfort in a wider frequency bandwidth and enhances the antiroll performance in the transient and steady steering process

Fabrication of Heparinized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as Multifunctional Drug Carriers

In this study, heparinized multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles were successfully synthesized and characterized. The new material not only maintains intrinsic functions of bare magnetic and fluorescent mesoporous silica materials such as targeting, imaging, and sustained release of drugs, but also generates several novel activities such as the enhancement of biocompatibility, selective loading drugs, and dual loading of anticancer drug and bFGF, rendering it a promising candidate to be used as a multifunctional carrier. The strategy of combination of multifunctional mesoporous silica materials with bioactive molecules could be a new effective approach to improve their capabilities in the drug delivery

Fabrication of Heparinized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as Multifunctional Drug Carriers

In this study, heparinized multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles were successfully synthesized and characterized. The new material not only maintains intrinsic functions of bare magnetic and fluorescent mesoporous silica materials such as targeting, imaging, and sustained release of drugs, but also generates several novel activities such as the enhancement of biocompatibility, selective loading drugs, and dual loading of anticancer drug and bFGF, rendering it a promising candidate to be used as a multifunctional carrier. The strategy of combination of multifunctional mesoporous silica materials with bioactive molecules could be a new effective approach to improve their capabilities in the drug delivery