Salient region detection using background priors

In this paper, we introduce a novel salient region detection algorithm by using background priors. Because of the fact that superpixel is perceptually more meaningful than pixel, and which can reduce the complexity of image processing, we use the superpixel algorithm to reprocess original images. In addition, we hold the point that the colors in the image boundary could mainly represent all background colors, hence we compute the color contrast between the intern colors and the boundary colors. Since the nearer the patches are close to center, the more they affect other patches, we propose a new distribution-based model. Finally, experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms the state-of-the-art approaches.     

Phase segregation of metastable quenched liquid mixtures and the effect of the quenching rate

The effect of the quenching rate on the phase separation of partially miscible liquid mixtures is studied, showing that it may influence the growth rate of single-phase domains. In particular, the phase separation of metastable binary mixtures in the presence of strong emulsifiers appears to be heavily retarded. These effects constitute an important limitation to the phase transition extraction process introduced by the authors in previous works, which is based on the fact that phase separation of unstable mixtures is rapid, even in the presence of surface active compounds.     

联保贷款中的策略性违约规避机制设计

针对联保贷款的策略性违约问题,通过对其产生原因的分析以及对现有文献中解决措施的探讨,设计了一个弹性联保贷款合约。该合约的特点在于,随着企业愿意承担的连带责任的增加,企业可获得的期望收益也随之增加,旨在从正面激励企业主动为同伴承担还款责任,达到规避策略性违约的目的。通过数值分析验证了该弹性合约的特性以及适用范围。并进一步在两企业模式基础上进行拓展,讨论了多于两企业的情况下该弹性合约的适用条件。     

基于变结构理论的中制导律设计方法研究

对于采用复合制导的空地导弹,中末制导交接班问题是影响命中概率的关键因素。针对这一问题,采用变结构理论设计中制导律。首先建立滑模面,保证滑模面上速度矢量与视线重合,且零化视线角速率,然后设计到达函数,使到达条件得到满足,可以保证交班时刻导弹可靠捕获目标,并为末制导提供最优初始条件。建立了导弹六自由度数学模型和目标捕获模型,进行全系统数字仿真,实验结果表明：在中末制导交接时刻,弹目视线与导弹速度矢量基本重合,误差为0.12°,视线角速度为-0.02°/s,在±20°视场下满足捕获需求,并且为末制导提供最优初始条件。该方法可以满足中末制导交接班要求,具有较强鲁棒性,且中制导段弹道平滑,需用过载小。     

MRI相关定量参数在肩峰下撞击综合征诊断中的价值及与肩关节功能、治疗效果的关系

为分析MRI相关定量参数对肩峰下撞击综合征(SIS)的诊断价值,本研究将56例SIS患者设为SIS组,同期56例健康体检者设为对照组,对比了两组对象的一般资料、肩关节功能评分(Constant评分)及MRI相关定量参数水平,探讨了MRI定量参数与Constant评分、SIS发病相关影响因素、治疗效果的关系及对SIS的诊断价值。结果显示SIS组Constant评分、最短肩肱间距低于对照组,肩峰指数、肩锁关节骨赘高度高于对照组,且SIS组治疗有效患者肩峰指数、肩锁关节骨赘高度低于无效患者,最短肩肱间距高于无效患者(P<0.05);SIS患者肩峰指数、肩锁关节骨赘高度与Constant评分呈负相关,而最短肩肱间距与其呈正相关(P<0.05);各MRI相关定量参数均为SIS发病的重要影响因素(P<0.05)。应用各MRI相关定量参数联合诊断SIS特异度为87.50%,敏感度为80.36%。由此可知MRI相关定量参数对SIS诊断价值较高,且与肩关节功能和治疗效果有关。     

Kaempferia parviflora Extract Alleviated Rat Arthritis,Exerted Chondroprotective Properties In Vitro,and Reduced Expression of Genes Associated with Inflammatory Arthritis

Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker (KP) has been reported to attenuate cartilage destruction in rat model of osteoarthritis. Previously, we demonstrated that KP rhizome extract and its active components effectively suppressed mechanisms associated with RA in SW982 cells. Here, we further evaluated the anti-arthritis potential of KP extract by using multi-level models, including a complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis and a cartilage explant culture model, and to investigate the effects of KP extract and its major components on related gene expressions and underlying mechanisms within cells. In arthritis rats, the KP extract reduced arthritis indexes, with no significant changes in biological parameters. In the cartilage explant model, the KP extract exerted chondroprotective potential by suppressing sulfated glycosaminoglycans release while preserving high accumulation of proteoglycans. In human chondrocyte cell line, a mixture of the major components equal to their amounts in KP extract showed strong suppression the expression of genes-associated inflammatory joint disease similar to that of the extract. Additionally, KP extract significantly suppressed NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. The suppressing expression of necroptosis genes and promoted anti-apoptosis were also found. Collectively, these results provided supportive evidence of the anti-arthritis properties of KP extract, which are associated with its three major components.     

A Theoretical Model for Release Dynamics of an Antifungal Agent Covalently Bonded to the Chitosan

The aim of the study was to create a mathematical model useful for monitoring the release of bioactive aldehydes covalently bonded to the chitosan by reversible imine linkage, considered as a polymer–drug system. For this purpose, two hydrogels were prepared by the acid condensation reaction of chitosan with the antifungal 2-formyl-phenyl-boronic acid and their particularities; influencing the release of the antifungal aldehyde by shifting the imination equilibrium to the reagents was considered, i.e., the supramolecular nature of the hydrogels was highlighted by polarized light microscopy, while scanning electron microscopy showed their microporous morphology. Furthermore, the in vitro fungicidal activity was investigated on two fungal strains and the in vitro release curves of the antifungal aldehyde triggered by the pH stimulus were drawn. The theoretical model was developed starting from the hypothesis that the imine-chitosan system, both structurally and functionally, can be assimilated, from a mathematical point of view, with a multifractal object, and its dynamics were analyzed in the framework of the Scale Relativity Theory. Thus, through Riccati-type gauges, two synchronous dynamics, one in the scale space, associated with the fungicidal activity, and the other in the usual space, associated with the antifungal aldehyde release, become operational. Their synchronicity, reducible to the isomorphism of two SL(2R)-type groups, implies, by means of its joint invariant functions, bioactive aldehyde compound release dynamics in the form of “kink–antikink pairs” dynamics of a multifractal type. Finally, the theoretical model was validated through the experimental data.     

UHPLC-DAD Characterization of Origanum vulgare L. from Atacama Desert Andean Region and Antioxidant,Antibacterial and Enzyme Inhibition Activities

The Lamiaceae family is an important source of species among medicinal plants highly valued for their biological properties and numerous uses in folk medicine. Origanum is one of the main genera that belong to this family. The purpose of the study was to determine the phenolic composition of the Origanum vulgare extract and evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and inhibitory activities of this species that grows in the Andean region of the Atacama Desert. High-performance liquid chromatography was performed to determine the main phenols. Rosmarinic acid was identified as the predominant phenolic compound in this species (76.01 mg/100 g DW), followed by protocatechuic acid, which to our knowledge, no previous study reported similar concentrations in O. vulgare. The oregano extract exhibited a content of total phenolic (3948 mg GAE/100 g DW) and total flavonoid (593 mg QE/100 g DW) with a higher DPPH antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 40.58 µg/mL), compared to the same species grown under other conditions. Furthermore, it was found to inhibit α-glucosidase activity with an IC₅₀ value (7.11 mg/mL) lower than acarbose (129.32 mg/mL). Pseudomonas syringae and Pantoea agglomerans (both MIC 0.313 mg/mL and MBC 1.25 mg/mL) were the bacteria most susceptible to oregano extract with the lowest concentration necessary to inhibit bacterial growth. These results open the door for the potential use of this plant to manage chronic diseases, and they expand the knowledge of the species cultivated in arid environmental conditions.