Nonlocal self-similarity of images has attracted considerable interest in the field of image processing and has led to several state-of-the-art image denoising algorithms, such as block matching and ...3-D, principal component analysis with local pixel grouping, patch-based locally optimal wiener, and spatially adaptive iterative singular-value thresholding. In this paper, we propose a computationally simple denoising algorithm using the nonlocal self-similarity and the low-rank approximation (LRA). The proposed method consists of three basic steps. First, our method classifies similar image patches by the block-matching technique to form the similar patch groups, which results in the similar patch groups to be low rank. Next, each group of similar patches is factorized by singular value decomposition (SVD) and estimated by taking only a few largest singular values and corresponding singular vectors. Finally, an initial denoised image is generated by aggregating all processed patches. For low-rank matrices, SVD can provide the optimal energy compaction in the least square sense. The proposed method exploits the optimal energy compaction property of SVD to lead an LRA of similar patch groups. Unlike other SVD-based methods, the LRA in SVD domain avoids learning the local basis for representing image patches, which usually is computationally expensive. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively reduce noise and be competitive with the current state-of-the-art denoising algorithms in terms of both quantitative metrics and subjective visual quality.
Rotator cuff injury is one prevalent shoulder condition that often leads to pain and dysfunction. The study explored the clinical effects of sodium hyaluronate combined with platelet-rich plasma ...(PRP) injection on rotator cuff injury in arthroscopic repair.
A total of 92 cases with rotator cuff injury were randomly divided into the control group (n = 46, treated with shoulder arthroscopy repair combined with subacromial space injection of sodium hyaluronate) and the experimental group (n = 46, treated with subacromial space injection of autologous PRP on the basis of the treatment in the control group). Visual analogue scale (VAS), Constant-Murley scale (CMS), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES), and quality of life (QOL) scores, as well as complications were compared in the two groups before surgery and at 3 and 6 months after surgery. Shoulder range of motion (ROM) was measured before and after surgery.
VAS scores of patients in the two groups at 3 and 6 months after surgery were lower than those before surgery, and the VAS scores of patients in the experimental group at 3 and 6 months after surgery were much lower than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). The scores of CMS, UCLA, ASES, and QOL, and shoulder ROM in both groups at 3 and 6 months after surgery were higher than those before surgery, and these shoulder joint function scores, QOL and shoulder ROM in the experimental group at 3 and 6 months after surgery were higher than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference presented in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P > 0.05).
Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and sodium hyaluronate combined with PRP injection can effectively reduce pain symptoms, improve shoulder joint function and shoulder ROM, and improve QOL in patients with rotator cuff injury.
This paper presents a novel single-image super-resolution (SR) procedure, which upscales a given low-resolution (LR) input image to a high-resolution image while preserving the textural and ...structural information. First, we construct a new type of bivariate rational fractal interpolation model and investigate its analytical properties. This model has different forms of expression with various values of the scaling factors and shape parameters; thus, it can be employed to better describe image features than current interpolation schemes. Furthermore, this model combines the advantages of rational interpolation and fractal interpolation, and its effectiveness is validated through theoretical analysis. Second, we develop a single-image SR algorithm based on the proposed model. The LR input image is divided into texture and non-texture regions, and then, the image is interpolated according to the characteristics of the local structure. Specifically, in the texture region, the scaling factor calculation is the critical step. We present a method to accurately calculate scaling factors based on local fractal analysis. Extensive experiments and comparisons with the other state-of-the-art methods show that our algorithm achieves competitive performance, with finer details and sharper edges.
This paper presents a deep learning-based bridge condition rating data modeling approach using selected data from the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) database. The objective of this research is to ...develop a data-driven approach that enables prediction of future conditions of highway bridge components from historical inspection data. The problem is solved by training a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model with online available NBI data. One prominent feature of the CNN model is that if well-trained it can represent the high dimensional data in the dataset abstractions for which conventional mathematical models may be difficult to describe. A case study of Maryland and Delaware highway bridges using historical data (1992-2017) sourced from the NBI database has been performed to demonstrate the proposed method. CNN models for three primary components of these highway bridges including the deck, superstructure, and substructure have been established. Optimization of model parameters is achieved through a parametric study. Research findings suggest that the deep learning model offers a promising tool as a data-driven condition forecasting approach for bridge components with a demonstrated prediction accuracy over 85%.
This article reports the recent development of a surface fatigue crack detection technique based on the use of surface-mount piezoelectric paint sensor. Polymer-based piezoelectric paints that can be ...directly deposited onto the surface of host structures are being utilized to make the sensor for surface crack detection. Because of its electromechanical coupling properties, voltage signals can be generated by the piezoelectric paint sensor when subjected to mechanical strain in its film plane. Results from recent development of the piezoelectric paint-based surface crack detection technique indicate that piezoelectric paint sensors with a special electrode design can potentially provide an effective method to detect fatigue cracks occurring in structural surfaces. A simple damage index is defined to determine the occurrence of surface cracks in a pre-specified region. However, complex sensor electrode patterns may be necessary in some cases to improve the spatial resolution of surface crack detection. Experiments conducted to validate this surface crack detection technique are also described in this study.
Developments in miniaturized microscopes have enabled visualization of brain activities and structural dynamics in animals engaging in self-determined behaviors. However, it remains a challenge to ...resolve activity at single dendritic spines in freely behaving animals. Here, we report the design and application of a fast high-resolution, miniaturized two-photon microscope (FHIRM-TPM) that accomplishes this goal. With a headpiece weighing 2.15 g and a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber delivering 920-nm femtosecond laser pulses, the FHIRM-TPM is capable of imaging commonly used biosensors (GFP and GCaMP6) at high spatiotemporal resolution (0.64 μm laterally and 3.35 μm axially, 40 Hz at 256 × 256 pixels for raster scanning and 10,000 Hz for free-line scanning). We demonstrate the microscope's robustness with hour-long recordings of neuronal activities at the level of spines in mice experiencing vigorous body movements.
STK1 is one important MAPK gene regulating the conidial development, osmotic stress and pathogenicity of Setosphaeria turcica. At first, the Pichia pastoris GS115 expression vector pPIC3.5K-EGFP ...containing enhanced green fluorescent protein gene (EGFP) was constructed, then STK1 gene was first amplified by PCR with the template of cDNA of S. turcica model isolate 01-23, and then cloned into the vector pPIC3.5K-EGFP with enhanced green fluorescent protein gene (EGFP) to construct the STK1-EGFP fusion gene expression vector pPIC3.5K-STK1-EGFP. The vector was transformed into the susceptible cells of Pichia pastoris GS115 by electric shock process, and the transformants were identified by MD medium screening and PCR determination. The STK1 gene and EGFP gene could be expressed effectively and stably in the transformants as detected by RT-PCR and fluorescence observation. In addition, we also found that the Kozak sequence before the start codon of STK1 gene could increase 4.8 folds expression level of STK1- EGFP
Deposition technology of transparent conducting oxide (TCO) thin films is critical for high performance of optoelectronic devices. Solution-based fabrication methods can result in substantial cost ...reduction and enable broad applicability of the TCO thin films. Here we report a simple and highly effective solution process to fabricate indium–tin oxide (ITO) thin films with high uniformity, reproducibility, and scalability. The ITO films are highly transparent (90.2%) and conductive (ρ = 7.2 × 10–4 Ω·cm) with the highest figure of merit (1.19 × 10–2 Ω–1) among all the solution-processed ITO films reported to date. The high transparency and figure of merit, low sheet resistance (30 Ω/sq), and roughness (1.14 nm) are comparable with the benchmark properties of dc sputtering and can meet the requirements for most practical applications.
The five-level active neutral-point-clamped (5L-ANPC) converter is becoming an attractive topology of multilevel converter family. A novel SVPWM algorithm based on line voltage coordinate was studied ...in this paper to overcome shortcomings of the traditional algorithm. Through coordinate transformation, steps of determining the basic vectors and the solution about the basic vector corresponding action time are simplified. Combining with the characteristics of 5L-ANPC converter and the new control algorithm, a method of controlling the voltage balancing of dc-link capacitors and floating-capacitors is proposed. According to the voltage of dc-link capacitors, the suitable switching sequence which can balance the voltage of dc-link capacitors is chosen. The high common-mode voltage will affect the service life of motor and reduce the reliability of the system especially in high-voltage converter. The common-mode voltage is also reduced by choosing the right switching state in this paper. The validity of the proposed method was proved by the experimental results.
We have developed a miniature two-photon microscope equipped with an axial scanning mechanism and a long-working-distance miniature objective to enable multi-plane imaging over a volume of 420 × 420 ...× 180 μm
at a lateral resolution of ~1 μm. Together with the detachable design that permits long-term recurring imaging, our miniature two-photon microscope can help decipher neuronal mechanisms in freely behaving animals.
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