Retinex-Based Low Contrast Image Enhancement Using Adaptive Tone-Mapping

Department of Electrical EngineeringIn this paper, we enhance low contrast images using the human visual system based Retinex theory and adaptive tone-mapping. We try to reduce halo artifact and color inconsistency, but also preserve naturalness of images. In the proposed algorithm, we process only the Y channel of the Yuv color space rather than RGB color space to maintain color-constancy. We first apply an adaptive bilateral filtering on the Y channel image to alleviate halo artifact during enhancement. Then we partition the intensity range of probability distribution of filtered Y channel image into low, middle, and high contrast regions according to a cost function. We improve the contrast of filtered Y channel image by using A-law based tone mapping by stretching the low contrast regions and compressing the high contrast regions adaptively. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm enhances the visibility of input low contrast images efficiently.ope

Inverted organic photovoltaic device with a new electron transport layer

We demonstrate that there is a new solution-processed electron transport layer, lithium-doped zinc oxide (LZO), with high-performance inverted organic photovoltaic device. The device exhibits a fill factor of 68.58%, an open circuit voltage of 0.86 V, a short-circuit current density of −9.35 cm/mA(2) along with 5.49% power conversion efficiency. In addition, we studied the performance of blend ratio dependence on inverted organic photovoltaics. Our device also demonstrates a long stability shelf life over 4 weeks in air

Cooperative roles of the suprachiasmatic nucleus central clock and the adrenal clock in controlling circadian glucocorticoid rhythm

The mammalian circadian timing system consists of the central clock in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and subsidiary peripheral clocks in other tissues. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are adrenal steroid hormones with widespread physiological effects that undergo daily oscillations. We previously demonstrated that the adrenal peripheral clock plays a pivotal role in circadian GC rhythm by driving cyclic GC biosynthesis. Here, we show that the daily rhythm in circulating GC levels is controlled by bimodal actions of central and adrenal clockwork. When mice were subjected to daytime restricted feeding to uncouple central and peripheral rhythms, adrenal GC contents and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression peaked around zeitgeber time 00 (ZT00), consistent with shifted adrenal clock gene expression. However, restricted feeding produced two distinct peaks in plasma GC levels: one related to adrenal GC content and the other around ZT12, which required an intact SCN. Light pulse-evoked activation of the SCN increased circulating GC levels in both wild-type and adrenal clock-disrupted mutant mice without marked induction of GC biosynthesis. In conclusion, we demonstrate that adrenal clock-dependent steroidogenesis and a SCN-driven central mechanism regulating GC release cooperate to produce daily circulatory GC rhythm. © The Author(s) 2017.1

Two Cases of Herpes Virus Infection of Nose Mimicking Acute Invasive Fungal Infection in Immunocompromised Hosts

Various invasive fungal infections can occur in immunocompromised hosts, and an acute invasive fungal infection (AIFI) can be fatal. Because of its high mortality rate, AIFI must be quickly diagnosed and treated, such as anti-fungal agents or surgical debridement. In an immunocompromised host, nasal herpes simplex infection, usually caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) type-1, can have various clinical manifestations, some of which can mimic AIFI. However, the management of acute viral infection differs significantly from invasive fungal infections of the nose. A fast and accurate differential diagnosis is mandatory because a delay in the disease-specific treatment of acute invasive infections can lead to mortality. This report describes two immunocompromised patients with mucosal and skin lesions around the nose. We provide clinical clues when mucosal lesions of the nasal cavity and skin lesions around the nose develop in immunocompromised hosts

Efekti korišćenja astaksantina u ishrani na rast, pigmentaciju mišića i antioksidantne aktivnosti mlađi kalifornijske pastrmke (oncorhynchus mykiss)

This study was designed to test the effects of dietary astaxanthin on growth, muscle pigmentation, antioxidant activity and biochemical composition of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Experimental diets were formulated to contain 50, 75 and 100 ppm astaxanthin (designed as AS50, AS75 and AS100). The diet without supplementation of astaxanthin was considered as the control diet. Each experimental diet was fed to three replicate groups of fish (18.5 g/fish) to visual satiation two times a day for 10 weeks. Growth performance and proximate composition of muscle of fish were not affected by dietary AS levels (P> 0.05). Total carotenoid concentration in the muscle of fish fed the AS50 diet was higher than that of fish fed the control diet, but no different to that of fish fed the AS75 and AS100 diets. The astaxanthin concentration in the muscle of fish fed AS50, AS75 and AS100 diets were higher than that of control diet. The redness (a*) of the muscle of fish fed AS50, AS75 and AS100 diets were higher than that of fish fed the control diet (P 0.05) nije uticao na performansu rasta i hemijski sastav mišića ribe. Ukupna koncentracija karotenoida u mišiću ribe koja je hranjena AS50 hranom bila je viša nego kod riba hranjenih kontrolnom hranom, ali nije bila drugačija od riba hranjenih AS75 i AS100 hranom. Koncentracija astaksantina u mišiću riba hranjenih AS50, AS75 i AS100 hranom bila je viša nego kod riba hranjenih kontrolnom hranom. Crvena boja (a*) mišića ribe koja je hranjena AS50, AS75 i AS100 hranom bila je jača nego kod ribe hranjene kontrolnom hranom (P< 0.05). Antioksidantna aktivnost DPPH, radikala hidroksila i alkila u plazmi i jetri riba nisu zavisili od nivoa astaksantina osim kod plazme koja je imala antioksidantnu aktivnost alkilnih radikala. Rezultati ove studije nagoveštavaju da se hrana koja sadrži 50 ppm astaksantina može koristiti da bi se poboljšala crvena boja mišične pigmentacije kod mlađi kalifornijske pastrmke

Angiolipoma of the Posterior Mediastinum with Extension into the Spinal Canal: A Case Report

Angiolipoma is a rare benign soft tissue tumor, an unusual variant of lipoma, consisting of fatty and vascular components and located in the subcutis, usually in the trunk and extremities. We report a case of posterior mediastinal angiolipoma extending into the spinal canal and showing both fat and angiomatous features on CT scan

Effect of stopper-rod misalignment on fluid flow in continuous casting of steel

Misalignment of metal-delivery systems can cause asymmetric fluid flow in the mold region of continuous casters, leading to abnormal surface turbulence, insufficient superheat transport to the meniscus, slag entrainment, inclusion entrapment, and other quality problems. This work investigates the effect of stopper-rod misalignment on nozzle and mold flow velocities in a conventional continuous casting process using both a water model and a computational model. Three stopper-rod configurations are studied (aligned, front misaligned by 2 mm, and left misaligned by 2 mm). The 3-D steady k-e finite-volume model matched well with impeller probe measurements of both velocity and its fluctuations. Negligible asymmetry was found near the narrow faces. Asymmetry close to submerged entry nozzle is the main cause of vortex formation observed in all cases. The left-misaligned stopper-rod produces a shallower jet with a higher flow rate from the right port, leading to higher surface velocities on the right surface. This produced substantially more large vortices on the left side. The asymmetry produced by the nozzle length bore diameter ratio of~21 in this work is consistent with the theoretical critical entrance length of~24 for turbulent pipe flow

The occurrence of coronary artery lesions in Kawasaki disease based on C-reactive protein levels: a retrospective cohort study

Background This study aimed to assess the occurrence of coronary artery lesions (CAL) in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) according to serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Methods This retrospective analysis was based on the nationwide survey of KD conducted in the Republic of Korea between 2015 and 2017. We enrolled 9131 patients and defined low (< 3 mg/dL) and high (≥3 mg/dL) CRP groups. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, z-scores, and scores based on the Japanese criteria for CAL were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify CAL risk factors. Results The low CRP group accounted for 23% of patients. The mean age at diagnosis was higher in high CRP group compared to the low CRP group (34.4 ± 24.9 vs 31.7 ± 24.8 months, p < 0.001). Fever duration before treatment was not significantly different between the two groups (5.1 ± 1.7 days vs. 5.2 ± 2.1 days; p = 0.206). A non-response to intravenous immunoglobulin treatment was found in 1377 patients (20.1%) and 225 patients (11.7%) in the high and low CRP groups, respectively (p < 0.001). CAL were found in 12.9 and 18.3% of the high and low CRP patients, respectively (p < 0.001), based on z-scores; and in 9.9 and 12.5%, respectively (p = 0.001), based on the Japanese criteria in the acute phase. The giant coronary artery aneurysm occurrence ratio was similar between groups (p = 1.0). Conclusions CAL occurred in patients with both high and low CRP. Therefore, patients with KD should be carefully monitored regardless of their CRP levels