Joint Rain Streaks & Haze Removal Network for Object Detection

In the realm of low-level vision tasks,such as image deraining and dehazing,restoring images distorted by adverse weather conditions remains a significant challenge.The emergence of abundant computational resources has driven the dominance of deep Convolutional Neural Networks(CNNs),supplanting traditional methods reliant on prior knowledge.However,the evolution of CNN architectures has tended towards increasing complexity,utilizing intricate structures to enhance performance,often at the expense of computational efficiency.In response,we propose the Selective Kernel Dense Residual M-shaped Network(SKDRMNet),a flexible solution adept at balancing computational efficiency with network accuracy.A key innovation is the incorporation of an M-shaped hierarchical structure,derived from the U-Net framework as M-Network(M-Net),within which the Selective Kernel Dense Residual Module(SDRM)is introduced to reinforce multi-scale semantic feature maps.Our methodology employs two sampling techniques-bilinear and pixel unshuffled and utilizes a multi-scale feature fusion approach to distil more robust spatial feature map information.During the reconstruction phase,feature maps of varying resolutions are seamlessly integrated,and the extracted features are effectively merged using the Selective Kernel Fusion Module(SKFM).Empirical results demonstrate the comprehensive superiority of SKDRMNet across both synthetic and real rain and haze datasets.

Confinement effect of carbon nanotubes on the product distribution of selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde

The catalytic activity of metal catalysts can be modulated by confinement within the channels of carbon nanotubes(CNTs).Here,we show that the product distribution of cinnamaldehyde hydrogenation can be modified by confinement of Ru nanoparticles in CNTs.A catalyst composed of Ru nanoparticles dispersed on the exterior walls of CNTs gave hydrocinnamaldehyde as product.In contrast,confinement of the Ru nanoparticles within CNT channels facilitated hydrogenation of C=O bonds and complete hydrogenation,and both cinnamyl alcohol and hydrocinnamyl alcohol formed in addition to hydrocinnamaldehyde.High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy,Raman spectroscopy,hydrogen temperature‐programmed reduction,and hydrogen temperature‐programmed desorption were used to investigate the characteristics of the catalysts.The results indicate that the different interactions between the confined Ru nanoparticles and the exterior and interior walls of the CNTs,as well as spatial restriction and enrichment within the narrow channels likely play important roles in modulation of the product distribution.

Tamoxifen:an FDA approved drug with neuroprotective effects for spinal cord injury recovery

Spinal cord injury（SCI） is a condition without a cure,affecting sensory and/or motor functions.The physical trauma to the spinal cord initiates a cascade of molecular and cellular events that generates a non-permissive environment for cell survival and axonal regeneration.Among these complex set of events are damage of the blood-brain barrier,edema formation,inflammation,oxidative stress,demyelination,reactive gliosis and apoptosis.The multiple events activated after SCI require a multi-active drug that could target most of these events and produce a permissive environment for cell survival,regeneration,vascular reorganization and synaptic formation.Tamoxifen,a selective estrogen receptor modulator,is an FDA approved drug with several neuroprotective properties that should be considered for the treatment of this devastating condition.Various investigators using different animal models and injury parameters have demonstrated the beneficial effects of this drug to improve functional locomotor recovery after SCI.Results suggest that the mechanism of action of Tamoxifen administration is to modulate anti-oxidant,anti-inflammatory and anti-gliotic responses.A gap of knowledge exists regarding the sex differences in response to Tamoxifen and the therapeutic window available to administer this treatment.In addition,the effects of Tamoxifen in axonal outgrowth or synapse formation needs to be investigated.This review will address some of the mechanisms activated by Tamoxifen after SCI and the results recently published by investigators in the field.

Selective androgen receptor modulators for the treatment of late onset male hypogonadism

Several testosterone preparations are used in the treatment of hypogonadism in the ageing male. These therapies differ in their convenience, flexibility, regional availability and expense but share their pharmacokinetic basis of approval and dearth of long-term safety data. The brevity and relatively reduced cost of pharmacokinetic based registration trials provides little commercial incentive to develop improved novel therapies for the treatment of late onset male hypogonadism. Selective androgen receptor modulators （SARMs） have been shown to provide anabolic benefit in the absence of androgenic effects on prostate, hair and skin. Current clinical development for SARMs is focused on acute muscle wasting conditions with defined clinical endpoints of physical function and lean body mass. Similar regulatory clarity concerning clinical deficits in men with hypogonadism is required before the beneficial pharmacology and desirable pharmacokinetics of SARMs can be employed in the treatment of late onset male hypogonadism.

Effects of estrogen receptor modulators on cytoskeletal proteins in the central nervous system

Estrogen receptor modulators are compounds of interest because of their estrogenic agonistic/antagonistic effects and tissue specificity. These compounds have many clinical applications, particularly for breast cancer treatment and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, as well as for the treatment of climacteric symptoms. Similar to estrogens, neuroprotective effects of estrogen receptor modulators have been described in different models. However, the mechanisms of action of these compounds in the central nervous system have not been fully described. We conducted a systematic search to investigate the effects of estrogen receptor modulators in the central nervous system, focusing on the modulation of cytoskeletal proteins. We found that raloxifene, tamoxifen, and tibolone modulate some cytoskeletal proteins such as tau, microtuble-associated protein 1（MAP1）, MAP2, neurofilament 38（NF38） by different mechanisms of action and at different levels： neuronal microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubule-associated proteins. Finally, we emphasize the importance of the study of these compounds in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases since they present the benefits of estrogens without their side effects.

Androgen effects on skeletal muscle： implications for the development and management of frailty

Androgens have potent anabolic effects on skeletal muscle and decline with age in parallel to losses in muscle mass and strength. This loss of muscle mass and function, known as sarcopenia, is the central event in development of frailty, the vulnerable health status that presages adverse outcomes and rapid functional decline in older adults. The potential role of falling androgen levels in the development of frailty and their utility as function promoting therapies in older men has therefore attracted considerable attention. This review summarizes current concepts and definitions in muscle ageing, sarcopenia and frailty, and evaluates recent developments in the study of androgens and frailty. Current evidence from observational and interventional studies strongly supports an effect of androgens on muscle mass in ageing men, but effects on muscle strength and particularly physical function have been less clear. Androgen treatment has been generally well-tolerated in studies of older men, but concerns remain over higher dose treatments and use in populations with high cardiovascular risk. The first trials of selective androgen receptor modulators （SARMs） suggest similar effects on muscle mass and function to traditional androgen therapies in older adults. Important future directions include the use of these agents in combination with exercise training to promote functional ability across different populations of older adults, as well as more focus on the relationships between concurrent changes in hormone levels, body composition and physical function in observational studies.

Application of Bit Error Rate Information Based on Weighted Error Estimating Code

Error Estimating Code (EEC) is a new channel coding method to estimate the Bit Error Rate (BER) information of the transmitted sequence. However, the estimated BER is not precise enough if the practical value of BER is high. A weighted EEC estimation method is proposed to improve the accuracy performance of BER estimation by classifying the raw estimation results into intervals and multiplying them by different coefficients separately. The applications of weighted EEC in modulation selection scheme and distributed video coding are discussed. Simulation results show that the EEC-based modulation selection method can achieve better performance at a cost of little redundancy and computation, and the EEC-based rate estimation method in distributed video coding can save the decoding time.

Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 2-Aroyl-3-aryl-6,7-dihydro-5H-furo[3,2-g]chromen Derivatives as a Novel Series of Estrogen Receptor Modulators

Based on the principles of the bioisosterism, combination of the active substructures of selective estrogen receptor modulators which are currently therapeutic agents available for the prevention and treatment of various estrogen dependent diseases, and structural optimization, a novel series of 2-aroyl-3-aryl-6,7-dihydro-5H-furo[3,2-g]- chromen derivatives was designed as potent selective estrogen receptor modulators via molecular docking. The target compounds have been synthesized, and characterized by 1R, proton NMR, ESI-MS, elemental analysis and evaluated for their antitumor activity against human osteosarcoma U2OS-EGFP-4FI2G cell line. Some target compounds showed good inhibition effects on U2OS-EGFP-4F12G cell line and the preliminary structure-activity relationships were discussed.

Treatment of hypogonadotropic male hypogonadism: Case-based scenarios

The aim of this study is to review four case-based scenarios regarding the treatment of symptomatic hypogonadism in men. The article is designed as a review of published literature. We conducted a PubMed literature search for the time period of 1989-2014, concentrating on 26 studies investigating the effcacy of various therapeutic options on semen analysis, pregnancy outcomes, time to recovery of spermatogenesis, as well as serum and intratesticular testosterone levels. Our results demonstrated thatexogenous testosterone suppresses intratesticular testosterone production, which is an absolute prerequisite for normal spermatogenesis. Cessation of exogenous testosterone should be recommended for men desiring to maintain their fertility. Therapies that protect the testis involve human chorionic gonadotropin （hCG） therapy or selective estrogen receptor modulators （SERMs）, but may also include low dose hCG with exogenous testosterone. Off-label use of SERMs, such as clomiphene citrate, are effective for maintaining testosterone production long-term and offer the convenience of representing a safe, oral therapy. At present, routine use of aromatase inhibitors is not recommended based on a lack of long-term data. We concluded that exogenous testosterone supplementation decreases sperm production. It was determined that clomiphene citrate is a safe and effective therapy for men who desire to maintain fertility. Although less frequently used in the general population, hCG therapy with or without testosterone supplementation represents an alternative treatment.

Modulating the Selectivity of Photocatalytic CO_(2)Reduction in Barium Titanate by Introducing Oxygen Vacancies

Artifi cial photosynthetic reduction of CO_(2) into valuable chemicals is one of the most promising approaches to solve the energy crisis and decreasing atmospheric CO_(2) emissions.However,the poor selectivity accompanied by the low activity of photocatalysts limits the development of photocatalytic CO_(2) reduction.Herein,inspired by the use of oxygen vacancy engi-neering to promote the adsorption and activation of CO_(2) molecules,we introduced oxygen vacancies in the representative barium titanate(BaTiO 3)photocatalyst for photocatalytic CO_(2) reduction.We found that oxygen vacancies brought signifi cant diff erences in the CO_(2) photoreduction activity and selectivity of BaTiO 3.The intrinsic BaTiO 3 showed a low photocatalytic activity with the dominant product of CO,whereas BaTiO 3 with oxygen vacancies exhibited a tenfold improvement in photocatalytic activity,with a high selectivity of~90%to CH 4.We propose that the presence of oxygen vacancies promotes CO_(2) and H 2 O adsorption onto the BaTiO 3 surface and also improves the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers,thereby boosting the photocatalytic CO_(2) reduction to CH 4.This work highlights the essential role of oxygen vacancies in tuning the selectivity of photocatalytic reduction of CO_(2) into valuable chemicals.

Fabrication of 32 Gb/s Electroabsorption Modulated Distributed Feedback Lasers by Selective Area Growth Technology

A 32 Gb/s monolithically integrated electroabsorption modulated laser is fabricated by selective area growth technology. The threshold current of the device is below 13mA. The output power exceeds 10mW at 0V bias when the injection current of the distributed feedback laser is 100mA at 25℃. The side mode suppression ratio is over 50 dB. A 32Gb/s eye diagram is measured with a 3.SVpp nonreturn-to-zero pseudorandom modulation signal at -2.3 V bias. A clearly opening eyediagram with a dynamic extinction ratio of 8.01 dB is obtained.

Identification of neuron selective androgen receptor inhibitors

AIM To identify neuron-selective androgen receptor(AR) signaling inhibitors, which could be useful in the treatment of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy(SBMA), or Kennedy's disease, a neuromuscular disorder in which deterioration of motor neurons leads to progressive muscle weakness. METHODS Cell lines representing prostate, kidney, neuron, adipose, and muscle tissue were developed that stably expressed the CFP-AR-YFP FRET reporter. We used these cells to screen a library of small molecules for cell typeselective AR inhibitors. Secondary screening in luciferase assays was used to identify the best cell-type specific AR inhibitors. The mechanism of action of a neuronselective AR inhibitor was examined in vitro using luciferase reporter assays, immunofluorescence microscopy, and immunoprecipitations. Rats were treated with the most potent compound and tissue-selective AR inhibition was examined using RT-q PCR of AR-regulated genes and immunohistochemistry.RESULTS We identified the thiazole class of antibiotics as com-pounds able to inhibit AR signaling in a neuronal cell line but not a muscle cell line. One of these antibiotics, thiostrepton is able to inhibit the activity of both wild type and polyglutamine expanded AR in neuronal GT1-7 cells with nanomolar potency. The thiazole antibiotics are known to inhibit FOXM1 activity and accordingly, a novel FOXM1 inhibitor FDI-6 also inhibited AR activity in a neuron-selective fashion. The selective inhibition of AR is likely indirect as the varied structures of these compounds would not suggest that they are competitive antagonists. Indeed, we found that FOXM1 expression correlates with cell-type selectivity, FOXM1 co-localizes with AR in the nucleus, and that sh RNA-mediated knock down of FOXM1 reduces AR activity and thiostrepton sensitivity in a neuronal cell line. Thiostrepton treatment reduces FOXM1 levels and the nuclear localization of beta-catenin, a known co-activator of both FOXM1 and AR, and reduces the association between beta-catenin and AR. Treatment of rats with thiostrepton demonstrated AR signaling inhibition in neurons, but not muscles. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that thiazole antibiotics, or other inhibitors of the AR-FOXM1 axis, can inhibit AR signaling selectively in motor neurons and may be useful in the treatment or prevention of SBMA symptoms.

Ulipristal Acetate (UPA): An Alternative Option to Surgery for Uterine Fibroids in Reproductive Age: A Review

Uterine fibroids are common in females of reproductive age and substantially affecting fertility and quality of life. Current management strategies mainly involve surgical interventions. For treatment, options available are surgical and non-surgical, but the mode of management leans on several factors, such as severity of symptoms, patient’s age, myoma characteristics, desire to preserve uterus and fertility. Alternative approach to surgery for the treatment of symptomatic females with uterine myomas has been recognized. Ulipristal acetate (UPA) has been the first selective progesterone-receptor modulator (SPRM) approved for the pre-operative and long-term management of uterine fibroids. There are evidences promoting an important role for progesterone pathways in the pathophysiology of uterine fibroids which supports the use of ulipristal acetate. The availability of alternative choices to surgical intervention is very necessary especially for those willing to preserve uterus and fertility. One of the alternatives is with ulipristal acetate, which has been proven to treat fibroid symptoms effectively.

Selective Hydrogenation of Phenylacetylene by Carbon Monoxide and Water

Catalytic selective hydrogenation of alkynes to the corresponding alkenes is an important process in industrial production.Modulating the selective hydrogenation of alkynes to the alkenes requires ingenuity since alkenes can easily be converted into the corresponding alkanes under reductive conditions.Applying different reductive reagents to prevent the direct usage of H_(2)can avoid difficulties in hydrogen storage and transportation.Herein,we demonstrate a tandem process to hydrogenate phenylacetylene by CO and H_(2)Oviathecouplingof thelow-temperaturewater-gas shift reaction and selective hydrogenation of phenylacetylene utilizing theα-MoC catalyst.The reductive reagent,CO,not only produces H_(2)from H_(2)O to drive the reaction forward,but it also regulates the selectivity of styrene by preventing further hydrogenation.

Fast SHEPWM Solution Method for Wind Power Converter Based on State Equations

Selective harmonic elimination pulse width modula-tion(SHEPWM)is a modulation strategy widely used for three-level wind power grid-connected converters.Its purpose is to eliminate specified sub-low frequency harmonics by controlling switching angle.Furthermore,it can reduce fluctuation of the microgrid system and improve system stability.Intelligent al-gorithms have been applied to the SHEPWM solution process to mitigate calculation complexity associated with the algebraic method,as well as the need to set the initial value.However,disorder of the optimization result causes difficulty in satisfying incremental constraint of the three-level NPC switching angles,and affects the success rate of the algorithm.To overcome this limitation,this paper proposes a fast SHEPWM strategy to optimize the result obtained by the intelligent algorithm.The SHEPWM can be realized by solving switching angles through a state equations-based mathematical model,which is constructed by using the initial variables randomly generated by the intelligent algorithm as the disturbance.This mathematical model improves the success rate of calculation by simplifying constraint representation of switching angles and solving the disorder problem of the optimization result.At the same time,a method based on the circle equation and the trigonometric function is applied to the initial variable assignment of the state equation,which further improves the speed and accuracy of the solution,realizes a more thorough filtering effect,and further reduces the impact of sub-low frequency harmonics on a wind power integrated system.Finally,simulation and experiment results have been used to prove the effectiveness of the proposed SHEPWM strategy when combined with intelligent algorithms.Index Terms-Wind power converter,adaptive genetic algorithm,selective harmonic elimination pulse-width modulation(SHEPWM),state equation,success rate.

A Novel Approach for Mitigating Power Quality Issues in a PV Integrated Microgrid System Using an Improved Jelly Fish Algorithm

A two-step methodology was used to address and improve the power quality concerns for the PV-integrated microgrid system. First, partial shading was included to deal with the real-time issues. The Improved Jelly Fish Algorithm integrated Perturb and Obserb (IJFA-PO) has been proposed to track the Global Maximum Power Point (GMPP). Second, the main unit-powered via DC–AC converter is synchronised with the grid. To cope with the wide voltage variation and harmonic mitigation, an auxiliary unit undergoes a novel series compensation technique. Out of various switching approaches, IJFA-based Selective Harmonic Elimination (SHE) in 120° conduction gives the optimal solution. Three switching angles were obtained using IJFA, whose performance was equivalent to that of nine switching angles. Thus, the system is efficient with minimised higher-order harmonics and lower switching losses. The proposed system outperformed in terms of efficiency, metaheuristics, and convergence. The Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) obtained was 1.32%, which is within the IEEE 1547 and IEC tolerable limits. The model was developed in MATLAB/Simulink 2016b and verified with an experimental prototype of grid-synchronised PV capacity of 260 W tested under various loading conditions. The present model is reliable and features a simple controller that provides more convenient and adequate performance.

Preserving fertility in the hypogonadal patient： an update

An increasing number of young and middle-aged men are seeking treatment for symptoms related to deficient levels of androgens （hypogonadism） including depression, loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, and fatigue. The increase in prevalence of testosterone supplementation in general and anabolic steroid-induced hypogonadism specifically among younger athletes is creating a population of young men who are uniquely impacted by the testicular end-organ negative consequences of exogenous steroid use. Exogenous testosterone therapy can alter the natural regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis leading to impaired spermatoganesis with azoospermia being a serious possible result, thus rendering the individual infertile. For men of reproductive age who suffer from hypogonadal symptoms, preservation of fertility is an important aspect of their treatment paradigm. Treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin （hCG） has shown the ability not only to reverse azoospermia brought on by testosterone supplementation therapy but also to help maintain elevated intratesticular testosterone levels. In addition, selective estrogen receptor modulators, often used with hCG have been shown both to elevate total testosterone levels and to maintain spermatogenesis in hypogonadal men.

Measurement of the wavelength modulation indices with selective reflection spectroscopy

The wavelength modulation indices are measured based on harmonic amplitude ratio of 4famp/6famp (4famp and 6famp are the 4- and 6-th harmonic central peak amplitudes correspondingly) with the Doppler-free selective reflection modulation spectroscopy. The experiments for the 6S1/2(F = 4) → 6P3/2(F' = 5) transition of cesium D2 line with 30-MHz linewidth were carried out. The 4f- and 6f-harmonic signals were detected with two digital lock-in amplifiers separately. The maximum error for modulation indices measurement was ±0.1 within the range of m from 3 to 6. The non-linear modulation behaviour of an external cavity diode laser induced by voltage tuning was studied with this method. The method for modulation indices measurement does not require a solid etalon as usual for measuring the wavelength modulation depth and the absorption linewidth correspondingly.

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator: Raloxifene

Selective estrogen receptor modulators （SERMs） are structurally different com- pounds that interact with intracellular estrogen receptors in target organs as estrogen receptor agonists and antagonists. Raloxifene is the only SERM approved worldwide for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Raloxifene, which has estrogen-like actions on bone, lipids and the coagulation system, and estrogen antagonist effects on the breast and uterus, has undergone very extensive prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized trial evaluation.

Sidelobes suppression in angular filtering with volume Bragg gratings combination

A method for beam diffraction sidelobe suppression based on the combination of volume Bragg gratings（VBGs）with different thicknesses or periods for angular filtering is proposed and performed. Simulated and experimental results show that the beam diffraction sidelobe is reduced from 12% to less than 1% with the non-sidelobe angular filter. The non-sidelobe angular filtering based on VBGs with thicknesses of 2.5 and 2.9 mm is simulated and demonstrated. The near-field distribution of filtered beams through the non-sidelobe angular filter is obviously smoother than that of the single VBG. The near-field modulation and contrast ratio（C） of filtered beams are found to be improved 1.17 and 1.66 times that of the single VBG. The far-field C of the filtered beam is improved to about 100∶1 and the power spectral density analysis shows that the cutoff frequency of the angular filter is greatly optimized with the VBG combination.