A Novel Fusion Framework Based on Adaptive PCNN in NSCT Domain for Whole-Body PET and CT Images

The PET and CT fusion images, combining the anatomical and functional information, have important clinical meaning. This paper proposes a novel fusion framework based on adaptive pulse-coupled neural networks (PCNNs) in nonsubsampled contourlet transform (NSCT) domain for fusing whole-body PET and CT images. Firstly, the gradient average of each pixel is chosen as the linking strength of PCNN model to implement self-adaptability. Secondly, to improve the fusion performance, the novel sum-modified Laplacian (NSML) and energy of edge (EOE) are extracted as the external inputs of the PCNN models for low- and high-pass subbands, respectively. Lastly, the rule of max region energy is adopted as the fusion rule and different energy templates are employed in the low- and high-pass subbands. The experimental results on whole-body PET and CT data (239 slices contained by each modality) show that the proposed framework outperforms the other six methods in terms of the seven commonly used fusion performance metrics

A Cooperative Perception System Robust to Localization Errors

Cooperative perception is challenging for safety-critical autonomous driving applications.The errors in the shared position and pose cause an inaccurate relative transform estimation and disrupt the robust mapping of the Ego vehicle. We propose a distributed object-level cooperative perception system called OptiMatch, in which the detected 3D bounding boxes and local state information are shared between the connected vehicles. To correct the noisy relative transform, the local measurements of both connected vehicles (bounding boxes) are utilized, and an optimal transport theory-based algorithm is developed to filter out those objects jointly detected by the vehicles along with their correspondence, constructing an associated co-visible set. A correction transform is estimated from the matched object pairs and further applied to the noisy relative transform, followed by global fusion and dynamic mapping. Experiment results show that robust performance is achieved for different levels of location and heading errors, and the proposed framework outperforms the state-of-the-art benchmark fusion schemes, including early, late, and intermediate fusion, on average precision by a large margin when location and/or heading errors occur.Comment: Accepted by IEEE IV 202

Inconsistent phenomenon of thermoelectric load resistance for photovoltaic–thermoelectric module

Combing PV with Thermoelectric (TE) would be dominant because it can employ the solar fully spectrum to produce electricity. But the TE efficiency is significantly lower than PV efficiency and the coupling effect between them will limit the performance of PV and TE. The analyze and comparison on the different characteristics among the hybrid module, the PV alone and TE alone is significant to obtain the highest the electrical efficiency. In this paper, the attention was paid to the inconsistent phenomenon of thermoelectric load resistance for photo-voltaic–thermoelectric modules. The model of PV-TE was built and verified based on two types of PV cells. The load resistance of TE for the maximum power output was also analyzed under different working conditions for the TE alone, TE in the PV-TE and PV-TE. The results showed that the load resistance of TE for the maximum power output of the TE alone, TE in the PV-TE and PV-TE are all different. For example, the PV-TE module based on the c-Si cell attains its peak value at the load electrical resistance of TE of 0.75 Ω, while the internal electrical resistance of the TE is 0.47 Ω. The PV-TE module based on the GaAs cell shows a maximum efficiency of PV-TE with a load resistance of approximately 1.6 Ω, while the internal electrical resistance of the TE is 2.0 Ω. Referring to the load resistance of TE alone is not suitable for PV-TE maximum power output. In addition, the TE maximum power output does not correspond to the PV-TE maximum power output since the TE load resistances in these two conditions are also different. The study will provide the reference for attaining the correct load resistance for the actual maximum power output of PV-TE module

Comprehensive Utilization of the Water Resources in small Watershed

AbstractThe water problem is a vital question which relates to the sustainable development of the national economy. And the water resource is also a kind of comprehensive natural resources which has a variety of use values and can supply with the water needs for many sections, which involves economy, resource, science and technology, ecosystem and environment. Sustainable utilization is a better form for the water resources. This paper gives a brief introduction about the technology of comprehensive utilization of the water resources in small watershed

Turnover intention and coping strategies among older nursing assistants in China: a qualitative study

IntroductionWith the increasing aging population, older nursing assistants have made significant contributions to institutional eldercare. However, there is a high turnover rate among these workers, and it is crucial to address this issue and find ways to stabilize the workforce. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing turnover intention and coping strategies among older nursing assistants, in order to provide targeted assistance and guidance to reduce their intention to resign and ultimately lower the turnover rate.MethodsQualitative research methods were employed to conduct semi-structured interviews with older nursing assistants in Changsha. The data obtained from these interviews were then analyzed using a phenomenological analysis approach and NVIVO (QSR International, Doncaster, Australia) software version 11.0.ResultsIt is found that several factors influence turnover intention among older nursing assistants. Which include work pay, work environment, professional identity, external motivation, and work pressure. Additionally, the coping strategies employed by these individuals in relation to their intention to resign include self-regulation, seeking support, self-improvement, and exploring motivation.DiscussionIt is also evident from our study that reducing the turnover intention of older nursing assistants requires a collaborative effort from older adult care institutions, functional departments, and eldercare nursing assistants themselves. By addressing the factors influencing turnover intention and providing support and resources for coping strategies, we can work towards stabilizing the workforce and improving institutional eldercare

New Open Cluster Candidates Discovered in the XSTPS-GAC Survey

The Xuyi Schmidt Telescope Photometric Survey of the Galactic Anti-center (XSTPS-GAC) is a photometric sky survey that covers nearly 6 000 deg^2 towards Galactic anti-center in g r i bands. Half of its survey field locates on the Galactic Anti-center disk, which makes XSTPS-GAC highly suitable for searching new open clusters in the GAC region. In this paper, we report new open cluster candidates discovered in this survey, as well as properties of these open cluster candidates, such as age, distance and reddening, derived by isochrone fitting in the color-magnitude diagram (CMD). These open cluster candidates are stellar density peaks detected in the star density maps by applying the method from Koposov et al. (2008). Each candidate is inspected on its true color image composed from XSTPS-GAC three band images. Then its CMD is checked, in order to identify whether the central region stars have a clear isochrone-like trend differing from the background stars. The parameters derived from isochrone fitting for these candidates are mainly based on three band photometry of XSTPS-GAC. Meanwhile, when these new candidates are able to be seen clearly on 2MASS, their parameters are also derived based on 2MASS (J-H, J) CMD. Finally, there are 320 known open clusters rediscovered and 24 new open cluster candidates discovered in this work. Further more, the parameters of these new candidates, as well as another 11 known recovered open clusters, are properly determined for the first time.Comment: 19 pages, 11 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in Research in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Insight-HXMT on-orbit thermal control status and thermal deformation impact analysis

Purpose: The Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope is China's first X-ray astronomy satellite launched on June 15th, 2017, dubbed Insight-HXMT. Active and passive thermal control measures are employed to keep devices at suitable temperatures. In this paper, we analyzed the on-orbit thermal monitoring data of the first 5 years and investigated the effect of thermal deformation on the point spread function (PSF) of the telescopes. Methods: We examined the data of the on-orbit temperatures measured using 157 thermistors placed on the collimators, detectors and their support structures and compared the results with the thermal control requirements. The thermal deformation was evaluated by the relative orientation of the two star sensors installed on the main support structure. its effect was estimated with evolution of the PSF obtained with calibration scanning observations of the Crab nebula. Conclusion: The on-orbit temperatures met the thermal control requirements thus far, and the effect of thermal deformation on the PSF was negligible after the on-orbit pointing calibration.Comment: 25 pages, 35 figures, submitte

Genome sequence of the cultivated cotton <i>Gossypium arboreum</i>

The complex allotetraploid nature of the cotton genome (AADD; 2n = 52) makes genetic, genomic and functional analyses extremely challenging. Here we sequenced and assembled the Gossypium arboreum (AA; 2n = 26) genome, a putative contributor of the A subgenome. A total of 193.6 Gb of clean sequence covering the genome by 112.6-fold was obtained by paired-end sequencing. We further anchored and oriented 90.4% of the assembly on 13 pseudochromosomes and found that 68.5% of the genome is occupied by repetitive DNA sequences. We predicted 41,330 protein-coding genes in G. arboreum. Two whole-genome duplications were shared by G. arboreum and Gossypium raimondii before speciation. Insertions of long terminal repeats in the past 5 million years are responsible for the twofold difference in the sizes of these genomes. Comparative transcriptome studies showed the key role of the nucleotide binding site (NBS)-encoding gene family in resistance to Verticillium dahliae and the involvement of ethylene in the development of cotton fiber cells.Genetics &amp; HereditySCI(E)[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]