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In recent years, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been used in many fields. Nowadays, CNNs have a high learning capability, and this learning capability is accompanied by a more complex model architecture. Complex model architectures allow CNNs to learn more data features, but such a learning process tends to reduce the training model's ability to generalize to unknown data, and may be associated with problems of overfitting. Although many regularization methods have been proposed, such as data augmentation, batch normalization, and Dropout, research on improving generalization performance is still a common concern in the training process of robust CNNs. In this paper, we propose a dynamically controllable adjustment method, which we call LossDA, that embeds a disturbance variable in the fully-connected layer. The trend of this variable is kept consistent with the training loss, while the magnitude of the variable can be preset to adapt to the training process of different models. Through this dynamic adjustment, the training process of CNNs can be adaptively adjusted. The whole regularization process can improve the generalization performance of CNNs while helping to suppress overfitting. To evaluate this method, this paper conducts comparative experiments on MNIST, FashionMNIST, CIFAR-10, Cats_vs_Dogs, and miniImagenet datasets. The experimental results show that the method can improve the model performance of Light CNNs and Transfer CNNs (InceptionResNet, VGG19, ResNet50, and InceptionV3). The average maximum improvement in accuracy of Light CNNs is 4.62%, F1 is 3.99%, and Recall is 4.69%. The average maximum improvement accuracy of Transfer CNNs is 4.17%, F1 is 5.64%, and Recall is 4.05%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a fast image blending approach for combining a set of registered images into a composite mosaic with no visible seams and minimal texture distortion on mobile phones. A unique seam image is generated using two-pass nearest distance transform, which is independent on the order of input images and has good scalability. Each individual mask can be extracted from this seam image quickly. To promote blending speed and reduce memory usage in building high resolution image mosaics on mobile phones, the seam image and mask images are compressed using run-length encoding, and all the following mask operations are built on run-length encoding scheme. Moreover, single instruction multiple data instruction set is used in Gaussian and Laplacian pyramids construction to improve the blending speed further. The use of run-length encoding for masks processing leads to reduced memory requirements and a compact storage of the mask data, and the use of single instruction multiple data instruction set achieves better parallelism and faster execution speed on mobile phones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GPS buoy methodology is one of the main calibration methodologies for altimeter sea surface height calibration. This study introduces the results of the Qinglan calibration campaign for the HY-2A and Jason-2 altimeters. It took place in two time slices; one was from August to September 2014, and the other was in July 2015. One GPS buoy and two GPS reference stations were used in this campaign. The GPS data were processed using the real-time kinematic (RTK) technique. The final error budget estimate when measuring the sea surface height (SSH) with a GPS buoy was better than 3.5 cm. Using the GPS buoy, the altimeter bias estimate was about −2.3 cm for the Jason-2 Geophysical Data Record (GDR) Version 'D' and from −53.5 cm to −75.6 cm for the HY-2A Interim Geophysical Data Record (IGDR). The bias estimates for Jason-2 GDR-D are similar to the estimates from dedicated calibration sites such as the Harvest Platform, the Crete Site and the Bass Strait site. The bias estimates for HY-2A IGDR agree well with the results from the Crete calibration site. The results for the HY-2A altimeter bias estimated by the GPS buoy were verified by cross-calibration, and they agreed well with the results from the global analysis method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HY-2A is the first one of the Chinese HY-2 ocean satellite series carrying a microwave radiometer (RM) to measure sea surface temperature, sea surface wind speed, atmospheric water vapor, cloud liquid water content, and rain rate. We verified the RM level 1B brightness temperature (TB) to retrieve environmental parameters. In the verification, TB that simulated using the ocean-atmosphere radiative transfer model (RTM) was used as a reference. The total bias and total standard deviation (SD) of the RM level 1B TB, with reference to the RTM simulation, ranged −20.6–4.38 K and 0.7–2.93 K, respectively. We found that both the total bias and the total SD depend on the frequency and polarization, although the values for ascending and descending passes are different. In addition, substantial seasonal variation of the bias was found at all channels. The verification results indicate the RM has some problems regarding calibration, e.g., correction of antenna spillover and antenna physical emission, especially for the 18.7-GHz channel. Based on error analyses, a statistical recalibration algorithm was designed and recalibration was performed for the RM level 1B TB. Validation of the recalibrated TB indicated that the quality of the recalibrated RM level 1B TB was improved significantly. The bias of the recalibrated TB at all channels was reduced to <0.4 K, seasonal variation was almost eradicated, and SD was diminished (i.e., the SD of the 18.7-GHz channel was reduced by more than 0.5 K). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) functions as a downstream regulatory target in the Hippo signaling pathway that plays various roles. We previously developed a cell-based assay and identified the TAZ activator IBS008738 as a potential therapeutic target for glucocorticoid-induced atrophy. To further explore the application of IBS008738 in various muscle-related diseases, we examined the function of IBS008738 in inflammatory cytokine-mediated mouse muscle responses after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Preliminary screening suggested that IBS008738 treatments increased the levels of IL-10 in C2C12 cells. In TBI and sham control mice, we compared the effect of IBS008738 treatments on TNF α, IL-6, and IL-10 mRNA levels, muscle morphologic changes, and macrophage phenotype changes. Our findings support that the TAZ activator IBS008738 decreases muscle wasting by upregulating IL-10 and inhibiting TNF α and IL-6, and this process is implemented by changing the macrophage phenotypes. These results indicate a new mechanism of the TAZ activator as a potential therapy for atrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HY-2 satellite is the first satellite for dynamic environmental parameters measurement of China, which was launched on 16th August 2011. A scanning microwave radiometer (RM) is carried for sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface wind speed, columnar water vapor and columnar cloud liquid water detection. In this paper, the initial SST product of RM was validated with in-situ data of National Data of Buoy Center (NDBC) mooring and Argo buoy. The validation results indicate the accuracy of RMSST is better than 1.7°C. The comparison of RM SST and WindSat SST shows the former is warmer than the latter at high sea surface wind speed and the difference between these SSTs is depend on the sea surface wind speed. Then, the relationship between the errors of RM SST and sea surface wind speed was analyzed using NDBC mooring measurements. Based on the results of assessment and errors analysis, the suggestions of taking account of the affection of sea surface wind speed and using sea surface wind speed and direction derived from the microwave scatteromter aboard on HY-2 for SST product calibration were given for retrieval algorithm improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A scanning microwave radiometer (RM) was launched on August 16, 2011, on board HY-2 satellite. The six-month long global sea surface wind speeds observed by the HY-2 scanning microwave radiometer are preliminarily validated using in-situ measurements and WindSat observations, respectively, from January to June 2012. The wind speed root-mean-square (RMS) difference of the comparisons with in-situ data is 1.89 m/s for themeasurements of NDBC and 1.72 m/s for the recent four-month data measured by PY30-1 oil platform, respectively. On a global scale, the wind speeds of HY-2 RM are compared with the sea surface wind speeds derived from WindSat, the RMS difference of 1.85 m/s for HY-2 RM collocated observations data set is calculated in the same period as above. With analyzing the global map of a mean difference between HY-2 RM and WindSat, it appears that the bias of the sea surface wind speed is obviously higher in the inshore regions. In the open sea, there is a relatively higher positive bias in the mid-latitude regions due to the overestimation of wind speed observations, while the wind speeds are underestimated in the Southern Ocean by HY-2 RM relative to WindSat observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pneumonia is a major cause of childhood morbidity in China. Many studies of rural areas have found an association between pneumonia and air pollution from burning of bio-mass. The present study is of children living in urban, modern homes without burning of bio-mass. In order to investigate potential home risk factors associated with children’s pneumonia, China Child Home Health (CCHH) questionnaires were randomly distributed to parents of 6461 children in 23 kindergartens in all 11 districts of Nanjing, covering urban, suburban, and industrial areas. The 4014 valid questionnaires (response rate 65.7%) were returned and have been analyzed. The lifetime incidence of pneumonia in Nanjing children 1–8 years old is 26.7%. The incidence of croup, asthma and frequent common colds was strongly associated with pneumonia, as was a history of allergies in the family, and persons other than parents (for example grandparents or nanny) taking care of the child. Several home environmental factors, namely, dampness, lack of ventilation, using coal or natural gas (electricity as reference) for cooking, new furniture, and “modern” floor and wall covering materials were also significantly associated with pneumonia. The indoor environment typical of modern apartments in China was a risk factor for pneumonia among children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first Chinese microwave ocean environment satellite HY-2A, carrying a Ku-band scatteromenter (SCAT), was successfully launched in August 2011. The first quality assessment of HY-2A SCAT wind products is presented through the comparison of the first 6 months operationally released SCAT products with in situ data. The in situ winds from the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) buoys, R/V Polarstern, Aurora Australis, Roger Revelle and PY30-1 oil platform, were converted to the 10 m equivalent neutral winds. The temporal and spatial differences between the HY-2A SCAT and the in situ observations were limited to less than 5 min and 12.5 km. For HY-2A SCAT wind speed products, the comparison and analysis using the NDBC buoys yield a bias of −0.49 m/s, a root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.3 m/s and an increase negative bias with increasing wind speed observation above 3m/s. Although less accurate of HY-2A SCAT wind direction at low winds, the RMSE of 19.19° with a bias of 0.92° is found for wind speeds higher than 3 m/s. These results are found consistent with those from R/Vs and oil platform comparisons. Moreover, the NDBC buoy comparison results also suggest that the accuracy of HY-2A SCAT winds is consistent over the first half year of 2012. The encouraging assessment results over the first 6 months show that wind products from HY-2A SCAT will be useful for scientific community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The HY-2 satellite was successfully launched on 16 August 2011. The HY-2 significant wave height (SWH) is validated by the data from the South China Sea (SCS) field experiment, National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) buoys and Jason-1/2 altimeters, and is corrected using a linear regression with in-situ measurements. Compared with NDBC SWH, the HY-2 SWH show a RMS of 0.36 m, which is similar to Jason-1 and Jason-2 SWH with the RMS of 0.35mand 0.37mrespectively; the RMS of corrected HY-2 SWH is 0.27 m, similar to 0.27 m and 0.23 m of corrected Jason-1 and Jason-2 SWH. Therefore the accuracy of HY-2 SWH products is close to that of Jason-1/2 SWH, and the linear regression function derived can improve the accuracy of HY-2 SWH products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WindSat/Coriolis is the first satellite-borne polarimetric microwave radiometer, which aims to improve the potential of polarimetric microwave radiometry for measuring sea surface wind vectors from space. In this paper, a wind vector retrieval algorithm based on a novel and simple forward model was developed for WindSat. The retrieval algorithm of sea surface wind speed was developed using multiple linear regression based on the simulation dataset of the novel forward model. Sea surface wind directions that minimize the difference between simulated and measured values of the third and fourth Stokes parameters were found using maximum likelihood estimation, by which a group of ambiguous wind directions was obtained. A median filter was then used to remove ambiguity of wind direction. Evaluated with sea surface wind speed and direction data from the U.S. National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), root mean square errors are 1.2 m/s and 30° for retrieved wind speed and wind direction, respectively. The evaluation results suggest that the simple forward model and the retrieval algorithm are practicable for near-real time applications, without reducing accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide useful information for diagnosing and predicting fetal intraabdominal extralobar pulmonary sequestration (IEPS), a retrospective review of diagnostic approaches was conducted. Ultrasonography was performed serially in 21 fetuses with IEPS from 2005 to 2017. Prenatal sonographic features, treatment, and outcomes of each case were evaluated and collected. These cases of IEPS were also compared to 43 cases previously reported by other researchers from 1986 to 2017. Of the 21 sonographic features, 14 (67%) were hyperechoic, 21 (100%) were well circumscribed, and 17 (81%) depicted a mass that shifted with fetal breaths/hiccups non-synchronized with adjacent organs (sliding sign). Feeding arteries were detected prenatally in 18 patients (86%). The lesion volume was 10.17 ± 4.66 cm3, the congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation volume ratio and cardiothoracic ratio were in normal range. The gestational age at diagnosis, location and echotexture of the lesion, and rate of surgical treatment were similar to previous studies, but with a significantly higher rate of detected feeding arteries (P < 0.01), and associated anomalies (P < 0.01). All infants who underwent surgery after birth had satisfactory outcomes. The sliding sign and feeding artery are essential features of IEPS in prenatal diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to investigate the impact of maternal hyperoxygenation (HO) on cardiac dimensions in fetuses with isolated Coarctation (CoA). Fetal echocardiography was performed serially in 48 fetuses with CoA and gestation age matched normal fetues. The Z-scores for the mitral valve (MV), tricuspid valve (TV), aortic valve (AV), ascending aorta (AAo), isthmus, pulmonary valve (PV), main pulmonary artery (MPA), and descending aorta (DAo) were measured and compared among normal fetuses, CoA fetuses with oxygen and CoA fetuses with air. In the group with oxygen, 6 L/min oxygen was administered to the mother using a face mask. Regression analyses were performed to identify potential factors for HO outcome. The left heart dimension Z-scores increased gradually during HO therapy periods, especially at 4 weeks after oxygen therapy (P < 0.05). As for the case group with air, the left heart dimension remained unchanged. The duration of HO was associated with aortic arch Z-scores (adjusted R2 = 0.199, 0.60 for AAO and isthmus, respectively). Sustained maternal middle-flow oxygenation can be safely used to improve left heart dimensions in fetuses with isolated CoA. The duration of HO were associated with treatment outcome. These findings may provide useful information for developing novel treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]