Improving variational autoencoder with deep feature consistent and generative adversarial training

We present a new method for improving the performances of variational autoencoder (VAE). In addition to enforcing the deep feature consistent principle thus ensuring the VAE output and its corresponding input images to have similar deep features, we also implement a generative adversarial training mechanism to force the VAE to output realistic and natural images. We present experimental results to show that the VAE trained with our new method outperforms state of the art in generating face images with much clearer and more natural noses, eyes, teeth, hair textures as well as reasonable backgrounds. We also show that our method can learn powerful embeddings of input face images, which can be used to achieve facial attribute manipulation. Moreover we propose a multi-view feature extraction strategy to extract effective image representations, which can be used to achieve state of the art performance in facial attribute prediction

mRNA/microRNA Profile at the Metamorphic Stage of Olive Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

Flatfish is famous for the asymmetric transformation during metamorphosis. The molecular mechanism behind the asymmetric development has been speculated over a century and is still not well understood. To date, none of the metamorphosis-related genes has been identified in flatfish. As the first step to screen metamorphosis-related gene, we constructed a whole-body cDNA library and a whole-body miRNA library in this study and identified 1051 unique ESTs, 23 unique miRNAs, and 4 snoRNAs in premetamorphosing and prometamorphosing Paralichthys olivaceus. 1005 of the ESTs were novel, suggesting that there was a special gene expression profile at metamorphic stage. Four miRNAs (pol-miR-20c, pol-miR-23c, pol-miR-130d, and pol-miR-181e) were novel to P. olivaceus; they were characterized as highly preserved homologies of published miRNAs but with at least one nucleotide differed. Representative 24 mRNAs and 23 miRNAs were quantified during metamorphosis of P. olivaceus by using quantitative RT PCR or stem-loop qRT PCR. Our results showed that 20 of mRNAs might be associated with early metamorphic events, 10 of mRNAs might be related with later metamorphic events, and 16 of miRNAs might be involved in the regulation of metamorphosis. The data provided in this study would be helpful for further identifying metamorphosis-related gene in P. olivaceus

Hyperglycemia Altered the Fate of Cardiac Stem Cells to Adipogenesis through Inhibiting the β-Catenin/TCF-4 Pathway

Background/Aims: Hyperglycemia is an important risk factor for the most severe cardiovascular diseases in patients with diabetes. It has been demonstrated that cardiac stem cells (CSCs) play a pivotal role in the maintenance of cardiac homeostasis and regeneration. However, the mechanism underlying the influence of diabetes on CSCs remains unclear. This study demonstrated that hyperglycemia might promote adipogenesis in CSCs, which induces a decline in myocardial regeneration capability in diabetes. Methods: CSCs were isolated and cultured in high-glucose medium. The levels of β-catenin and TCF-4 in CSCs were determined by immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis. Adipogenic transcriptional factors and CSCs markers were also examined by flow cytometry and western blot analysis after adipogenesis induction. In addition, Oil Red O staining was performed to investigate lipid droplet formation during adipogenesis induction with or without LiCl, a potent activator of TCF/β-catenin-dependent transcription. Results: High-glucose conditions inhibited nuclear translocation of β-catenin/TCF-4 and promoted adipogenesis in CSCs. After adipogenesis induction, expression of adipogenic transcriptional factors (PPARγ, ADD1, and C/EBPα) were increased (P < 0.01) and that of CSCs markers (c-Kit, Sca-1, MDR-1, and isl-1) were decreased (P< 0.01) in CSCs in the high-glucose group. Furthermore, lipid droplet formation was increased in CSCs cultured with high glucose, while LiCl attenuated lipid droplet formation in these CSCs (P < 0.01). Conclusion: These results demonstrated that hyperglycemia inhibited the β-catenin/TCF-4 pathway and promoted CSCs adipogenesis. Our findings suggest a new opportunity for future interventional strategie for abnormal myocardial regeneration and epicardial fat in patients with diabetes

Biocompatible microcapsules with a water core templated from single emulsions

Biocompatible microcapsules with a water core are widely used to encapsulate hydrophilic actives. Here, a facile method to fabricate monodisperse biocompatible microcapsules with a water core in large quantity is reported. Microfluidic technology is utilized to emulsify the inner aqueous phase containing the shell polymer into monodisperse drops in the outer oil phase. As the cosolvent in the inner aqueous phase diffuses into the outer oil phase, the solubility of the shell polymer decreases, which eventually precipitates. Since the shell polymer, shellac, contains both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups, it tends to wet both the inner aqueous phase and the outer oil phase, thus forming a solid shell at the periphery of the drop. We show that the diffusion rate of hydrophilic molecules encapsulated in the water core decreases as their molecular weight increases and the property of the microcapsules could further be modified by polyelectrolyte multilayer coating. These microcapsules are fabricated using FDA-approved polymer and non-toxic solvents and are of great use in drugs, cosmetics and foods

Postoperative serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen predict overall survival in surgical patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BackgroundTumor markers are routinely used in clinical practice. However, for resectable patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), they are applied infrequently as their prognostic significance is incompletely understood.MethodsThis historical cohort study included 2769 patients with resected ESCC from 2011 to 2018 in a high-risk area in northern China. Their clinical data were extracted from the Electronic Medical Record. Survival analysis of eight common tumor markers was performed with multivariable Cox proportional hazards regressions.ResultsWith a median follow-up of 39.5 months, 901 deaths occurred. Among the eight target markers, elevated postoperative serum SCC (Squamous cell carcinoma antigen) and CEA (Carcinoembryonic antigen) predicted poor overall survival (SCC HRadjusted: 2.67, 95% CI: 1.70-4.17; CEA HRadjusted: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.14-4.86). In contrast, preoperative levels were not significantly associated with survival. Stratified analysis also demonstrated poorer survival in seropositive groups of postoperative SCC and CEA within each TNM stage. The above associations were generally robust using different quantiles of concentrations above the upper limit of the clinical normal range as alternative cutoffs. Regarding temporal trends of serum levels, SCC and CEA were similar. Their concentrations fell rapidly after surgery and thereafter remained relatively stable.ConclusionPostoperative serum SCC and CEA levels predict the overall survival of ESCC surgical patients. More importance should be attached to the use of these markers in clinical applications

Effects of Reproductive Status, Social Rank, Sex and Group Size on Vigilance Patterns in Przewalski's Gazelle

Quantifying vigilance and exploring the underlying mechanisms has been the subject of numerous studies. Less attention has focused on the complex interplay between contributing factors such as reproductive status, social rank, sex and group size. Reproductive status and social rank are of particular interest due to their association with mating behavior. Mating activities in rutting season may interfere with typical patterns of vigilance and possibly interact with social rank. In addition, balancing the tradeoff between vigilance and life maintenance may represent a challenge for gregarious ungulate species rutting under harsh winter conditions. We studied vigilance patterns in the endangered Przewalski's gazelle (Procapra przewalskii) during both the rutting and non-rutting seasons to examine these issues.Field observations were carried out with focal sampling during rutting and non-rutting season in 2008-2009. Results indicated a complex interplay between reproductive status, social rank, sex and group size in determining vigilance in this species. Vigilance decreased with group size in female but not in male gazelles. Males scanned more frequently and thus spent more time vigilant than females. Compared to non-rutting season, gazelles increased time spent scanning at the expense of bedding in rutting season. During the rutting season, territorial males spent a large proportion of time on rutting activities and were less vigilant than non-territorial males. Although territorial males may share collective risk detection with harem females, we suggest that they are probably more vulnerable to predation because they seemed reluctant to leave rut stands under threats.Vigilance behavior in Przewalski's gazelle was significantly affected by reproductive status, social rank, sex, group size and their complex interactions. These findings shed light on the mechanisms underlying vigilance patterns and the tradeoff between vigilance and other crucial activities

Design of a Forensic Overlay Model for Application Development

Forensics capability is becoming increasingly important for the enterprise/network environment. Therefore, businesses need to find an optimised forensics solution that suits the high level business/forensics requirements. However, most businesses are still staying with the conventional method of digital investigation, which means using forensics tools to retrieve evidential data from the target system. Many businesses lack a comprehensive model to help understand the forensics requirements on different levels. Also, businesses lack a method to integrate and manage forensics knowledge into daily operation. In this research, a forensics overlay is being developed on an existing business framework – SABSA model. The overlay helps different business roles to understand and apply forensics knowledge into their daily tasks. With help of the overlay, businesses are able to reduce the overreliance on the third party forensics tools through developing their own forensically sound applications. To test the theory of forensically sound application development, and evaluate the usability of the overlay, a forensically sound email client is designed and developed accordingly

Cluster Analysis on Per Capita Net Income of Rural Households in China

We summarize the status of rural areas in China, and introduce the principle of Cluster Analysis. According to related statistical data, per capita net income of rural households in various regions of China is analyzed by adopting the method of Cluster Analysis. The results showed that 31 cities, autonomous regions and provinces in China can be divided into 4 types. The first type includes Beijing and Shanghai. Comprehensive economic strengths of these regions, as well as per capita net income of rural households, are in the forefront. The second type includes Tianjin, Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces of China, which have superior conditions of agricultural production with excellent foundation of agriculture and stable income sources. The third type includes Liaoning, Shandong, Fujian and Guangdong. The 4 provinces are located in eastern coastal area which have abundant marine resources and relatively higher living level of rural residents, and are suitable for the growth of crops. The rest regions can be classified into the fourth type, which have lower agricultural output and per capita net income of rural households due to the impacts of location and climate condition