L-histidine-assisted ultrasound improved physicochemical properties of myofibrillar proteins under reduced-salt condition - Investigation of underlying mechanisms.

The effects of the L-hisdine (L-His)-assisted ultrasound on physicochemical characteristics and conformation of myofibrillar protein (MP) under reduced-salt condition were investigated using spectroscopic analysis, and the binding mechanism between L-His and MP was further elucidated through molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. UV second derivative spectra and intrinsic Try fluorescence spectra revealed that L-His formed a complex with MP and altered the microenvironment of MP. After L-His-assisted ultrasound treatment, MP showed smaller particle size, higher solubility, and more uniform atomic force microscopy image due to the decrease of α-helix content and the subsequent increase in zeta potential, active sulfhydryl content, and surface hydrophobicity. Molecular docking and MD simulations demonstrated the optimal docking pose (minimum binding affinity of -6.78 kcal/mol) and revealed hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds as the main interaction forces between L-His and MP, with several residues (ILE-464, ILE-480, THR-483, ASN-484, GLY-466, ASP-463, PHE-246) identified as binding sites.

Color Conversion of Wide-Color-Gamut Cameras Using Optimal Training Groups.

The colorimetric conversion of wide-color-gamut cameras plays an important role in the field of wide-color-gamut displays. However, it is rather difficult for us to establish the conversion models with desired approximation accuracy in the case of wide color gamut. In this paper, we propose using an optimal method to establish the color conversion models that change the RGB space of cameras to the XYZ space of a CIEXYZ system. The method makes use of the Pearson correlation coefficient to evaluate the linear correlation between the RGB values and the XYZ values in a training group so that a training group with optimal linear correlation can be obtained. By using the training group with optimal linear correlation, the color conversion models can be established, and the desired color conversion accuracy can be obtained in the whole color space. In the experiments, the wide-color-gamut sample groups were designed and then divided into different groups according to their hue angles and chromas in the CIE1976L*a*b* space, with the Pearson correlation coefficient being used to evaluate the linearity between RGB and XYZ space. Particularly, two kinds of color conversion models employing polynomial formulas with different terms and a BP artificial neural network (BP-ANN) were trained and tested with the same sample groups. The experimental results show that the color conversion errors (CIE1976L*a*b* color difference) of the polynomial transforms with the training groups divided by hue angles can be decreased efficiently.

Colorimetric characterization of the wide-color-gamut camera using the multilayer artificial neural network.

In order to realize colorimetric characterization for the wide-color-gamut camera, we propose using the multilayer artificial neural network (ML-ANN) with the error-backpropagation algorithm, to model the color conversion from the RGB space of camera to theX Y Z space of the CIEXYZ standard. In this paper, the architecture model, forward-calculation model, error-backpropagation model, and the training policy of the ML-ANN were introduced. Based on the spectral reflectance curves of the ColorChecker-SG blocks and the spectral sensitivity functions of the RGB channels of typical color cameras, the method of producing the wide-color-gamut samples for the training and testing of the ML-ANN was proposed. Meanwhile, the comparative experiment employing different polynomial transforms with the least-square method was conducted. The experimental results have shown that, with the increase of the hidden layers and the neurons in each hidden layer, the training and testing errors can be decreased obviously. The mean training errors and mean testing errors of the ML-ANN with optimal hidden layers have been decreased to 0.69 and 0.84 (color difference of CIELAB), respectively, which is much better than all the polynomial transforms, including quartic polynomial transform.

The role of GICT and environmental regulation in affecting ecological footprint.

Research studies have recently diverted attention towards the determinant of ecological footprints, but related issues have not provided consistent results. Based on the IPAT model (environmental impact (I) is decomposed into three elements: population (P), affluence (A, economic growth), and technology level (T)), this paper empirically explores the validity of the green information and communication technology (GICT)-induced environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis. The research applies a quantile regression (QR) that tests over 95 countries' panel data for the period 2000-2017 by using six types of ecological footprint (EF) as environmental degradation indicators and environmental regulations (ERs) as interaction variables. We confirm the vital role that GICT plays in lessening cropland, forest area, and grazing land, while increasing its impact on built-up land. Additionally, the findings partially support the existence of an inverted U-shaped GICT-induced environmental EKC hypothesis for a decreasing impact on cropland, forest area, and grazing land via consideration of non-market-based ER as the interaction term. GICT does not notably reduce carbon-absorption land usage; however, improvements of GICT and non-market-based ER in those nations have been accompanied by lower environmental degradation.

Tone Mapping Operator for High Dynamic Range Images Based on Modified iCAM06.

This study attempted to solve the problem of conventional standard display devices encountering difficulties in displaying high dynamic range (HDR) images by proposing a modified tone-mapping operator (TMO) based on the image color appearance model (iCAM06). The proposed model, called iCAM06-m, combined iCAM06 and a multi-scale enhancement algorithm to correct the chroma of images by compensating for saturation and hue drift. Subsequently, a subjective evaluation experiment was conducted to assess iCAM06-m considering other three TMOs by rating the tone mapped images. Finally, the objective and subjective evaluation results were compared and analyzed. The results confirmed the better performance of the proposed iCAM06-m. Furthermore, the chroma compensation effectively alleviated the problem of saturation reduction and hue drift in iCAM06 for HDR image tone-mapping. In addition, the introduction of multi-scale decomposition enhanced the image details and sharpness. Thus, the proposed algorithm can overcome the shortcomings of other algorithms and is a good candidate for a general purpose TMO.

Development of Neutralization Breadth against Diverse HIV-1 by Increasing Ab-Ag Interface on V2.

Understanding maturation pathways of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) against HIV-1 can be highly informative for HIV-1 vaccine development. A lineage of J038 bnAbs is now obtained from a long-term SHIV-infected macaque. J038 neutralizes 54% of global circulating HIV-1 strains. Its binding induces a unique "up" conformation for one of the V2 loops in the trimeric envelope glycoprotein and is heavily dependent on glycan, which provides nearly half of the binding surface. Their unmutated common ancestor neutralizes the autologous virus. Continuous maturation enhances neutralization potency and breadth of J038 lineage antibodies via expanding antibody-Env contact areas surrounding the core region contacted by germline-encoded residues. Developmental details and recognition features of J038 lineage antibodies revealed here provide a new pathway for elicitation and maturation of V2-targeting bnAbs.

The criticality of tourism development, economic complexity, and country security on ecological footprint.

What kinds of countries are likely to be prosperous and have a sustainable environment at the same time? How might countries reorient their policy setting to be more capable of suppressing environmental degradation? To explore these questions, this research examines data from 99 countries for 2006-2017, takes the six major forms of ecological footprint (EF) as indicators of environmental quality, and probes the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis via quantile regression approach. We find that tourism development leads to greater environmental degradation, with tourism development particularly corresponding to more usage of carbon absorption land and cropland. The lower the country security is, the better is the environmental quality. Economic complexity also worsens environmental quality. However, country security weakens the negative influence of tourism development and economic complexity on environmental quality, specifying that better country security stalls the negative impact of tourism and economic complexity on environmental quality. Results mostly support the tourism- and country security-induced EKC hypotheses in fishing footprint, whereas economic complexity-induced EKC is generally validated in cropland footprint. Finally, we present that tourism arrivals, economic complexity, and country security have varying impacts across diverse ecological footprint quantiles.

Clinical outcomes and patterns of failure of head and neck mucosal melanoma treated with multiple treatment modalities.

OBJECTIVES: The study aims to analyze the clinical characteristics of head and neck mucosal melanoma (MMHN) and the effects of multiple treatment modalities on distant metastasis, recurrence and survival rates to provide a reference for the individualized treatment of MMHN. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 262 patients with stage III-IVb MMHN treated from March 1986 to November 2018 at our cancer center. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 34.0 months (range 1-262 months). The 5-year overall survival (OS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and disease-free survival (DFS) probabilities were 37.7%, 30.2%, and 20.3%, respectively. The 5-year OS rates for patients with stage III, stage IVA, and stage IVB MMHN were 67.0%, 24.1% and 8.3%, respectively (P < 0.001). A total of 246 (93.9%) patients received surgery, 149 (56.9%) patients received chemotherapy, and 69 (26.3%) patients received immunologic/targeted therapy. A total of 106 (40.5%) patients were treated with radiotherapy: 9 were treated with preoperative radiotherapy, 93 were treated with postoperative radiotherapy, and 4 were treated with radiotherapy alone. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, primary tumor site, T stage, and immunologic/targeted therapy were independent factors for OS (all P < 0.05). Irradiation technique, T stage, and N stage were independent prognostic factors for DMFS (all P < 0.05). T stage, N stage, and surgery were independent prognostic factors for DFS (all P < 0.05). Distant metastasis was observed in 107 of 262 patients (40.8%), followed by local [74 (28.2%)] and regional [52 (19.8%)] recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The main reason for treatment failure in MMHN is distant metastasis. Immunologic/targeted therapy and surgery are recommended to improve the survival of MMHN. The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition staging system for MMHN does stage this disease effectively.

The impact of COVID-19 on freight transport: Evidence from China.

Using a monthly panel data of 13 Chinese provinces (cities) over the period from December 2019 to August 2020, this research investigates the impact of COVID-19 on the freight transport. We find that COVID-19 has a positive impact on the road freight transport turnover. This effect is pronounced under the higher numbers of COVID-19 confirmed cases and the lower level of gasoline production, and vice versa. In brief,•This study finds that COVID-19 has a positive impact on the road freight transport turnover.•This effect is pronounced under the higher numbers of COVID-19 confirmed cases and the lower level of gasoline production, and vice versa.

The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on Chinese-listed tourism stocks.

This research explored the effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak on stock price movements of China's tourism industry by using an event study method. The results showed that the crisis negatively impacted tourism sector stocks. Further quantile regression analyses supported the non-linear relationship between the government's responses and stock returns. The results present that the resurgence of the virus in Beijing did bring about a short-term negative impact on the tourism industry. The empirical results can be used for future researchers to conduct a comparative study of cultural differences concerning government responses to the COVID-19.

Color reproduction method based on neural networks and visual matching.

A new method is proposed to build up a color reproduction model based on neural networks and visual matching. Training data were obtained from a visual matching experiment and the commonly used CIECAM02 model to set up a link between the device parameters and human color perception. The process of training neural networks is presented. An experiment simulating an office environment was conducted, together with a user study, to verify the performance of the proposed method in identifying and reproducing color.

Spectral sensitivity estimation of trichromatic camera based on orthogonal test and window filtering.

The three-channel spectral sensitivity of a trichromatic camera represents the characteristics of system color space. It is a mapping bridge from the spectral information of a scene to the response value of a camera. In this paper, we propose an estimation method for three-channel spectral sensitivity of a trichromatic camera. It includes calibration experiment by orthogonal test design and the data processing by window filtering. The calibration experiment was first designed by an orthogonal table of the 9-level and 3-factor. A rough estimation model of spectral sensitivity is established on the data pairs of the system input and output in calibration experiments. The data of rough estimation is then modulated by two window filters on frequency and spatial domain. The Luther-Ives condition and the smoothness condition are introduced to design the window, and help to achieve the optimal estimation of the system spectral sensitivity. Finally, the proposed method is verified by some comparison experiments. The results show that the estimated spectral sensitivity is basically consistent with the measured results of the monochromator experiments, the relative full-scale errors of the RGB three-channel is obviously lower than the Wiener filtering method and the Fourier band-limitedness method. The proposed method can estimate the spectral sensitivity of the trichromatic digital camera very well, which is of great significance for the colorimetric characterization and evaluation of imaging systems.

Assessment of Camouflage Effectiveness Based on Perceived Color Difference and Gradient Magnitude.

We propose a new model to assess the effectiveness of camouflage in terms of perceived color difference and gradient magnitude. The "image color similarity index" (ICSI) and gradient magnitude similarity deviation (GMSD) were employed to analyze color and texture differences, respectively, between background and camouflage images. Information entropy theory was used to calculate weights for each metric, yielding an overall camouflage effectiveness metric. During the analysis process, both spatial and color perceptions of the human visual system (HVS) were considered, to mimic real-world observations. Subjective tests were used to compare our proposed method with previous methods, and our results confirmed the validity of assessing camouflage effectiveness based on perceived color difference and gradient magnitude.

Preparation process optimization of pig bone collagen peptide-calcium chelate using response surface methodology and its structural characterization and stability analysis.

In this study, alcalase and neutrase were used in combination to prepare collagen peptides with high calcium binding ability. The optimal conditions for the preparation of peptide-calcium chelate (mass ratio of peptide/calcium of 4.5:1 for 40 min at 50 °C and pH 9) were determined by response surface methodology (RSM), under which a calcium chelating rate of 78.38% was obtained. The results of Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis), fluorescence and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra synthetically indicated that calcium could be chelated by carboxyl oxygen and amino nitrogen atoms of collagen peptides, thus forming peptide-calcium chelate. The chelate was stable at various temperatures and pH values, and exhibited excellent stability in the gastrointestinal environment, which could promote calcium absorption in human gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, Caco-2 cell monolayer model was used to investigate the effect of peptide-calcium chelate on promoting calcium absorption. Results showed that peptide-calcium chelate could significantly improve calcium transport in Caco-2 cell monolayer and reverse the inhibition of calcium absorption by phosphate and phytate. The findings provide a scientific basis for developing new calcium supplements and the high-value utilization of pig bone.

Emulsifying properties development of pork myofibrillar and sacroplasmic protein irradiated at different dose: A combined FT-IR spectroscopy and low-field NMR study.

The present study investigated the effect of different irradiation dose (0, 3, 5 and 7 kGy) on the emulsifying properties development of pork myofibrillar protein (MP) and sacroplasmic protein (SP). The results showed that emulsifying activities of SP was significantly impaired by the increasing irradiation dose, while that of MP were only observed to be significantly improved at 3 kGy irradiation (P < .05). The increasing irradiation dose caused the increase of SP carbonyl groups and the decrease of its sulfhydryl groups (P < .05), while 3 kGy irradiation decreased the carbonyl groups of MP and increased ζ-potential significantly (P < .05). LF-NMR results revealed that the water hydration in MP structure was dose-dependent. FT-IR data displayed that irradiation caused minor change of SP in the amide I region from 1700 to 1600 cm-1, while ≥5 kGy irradiation significantly contributed to the denatured aggregated ß-sheet components of MP.

Effect of different irradiation dose treatment on the lipid oxidation, instrumental color and volatiles of fresh pork and their changes during storage.

This study mainly investigated the effect of different doses irradiation (0, 3, 5 or 7kGy) on the quality changes of pork during 4°C storage by determining the irradiation off-odor intensity, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs), fatty acid composition, volatiles and color of the samples during whole storage. The results showed that ≥7kGy irradiation could make the samples produce obvious irradiation off-odor. However, after 7days storage irradiation off-odor was reduced. Lipid oxidation was also promoted by irradiation. Benzyl methyl sulfide was produced newly and significantly increased (P<0.05) by irradiation. Fatty acids in pork samples decreased significantly with irradiation dose increase within the range of <7kGy, but significantly increased (P<0.05) in samples of 7kGy. Irradiation significantly increased the a* values regardless of storage time but had little effects on b* and L* values, and the increase of a* values was dose-dependent.

Spectral Reflectance Reconstruction with Nonlinear Composite Model of the Metameric Black.

Metamerism phenomenon is an important problem in spectral reflectance reconstruction and color reproduction. In this paper, a 3-primary color CCD camera is used to acquire spectral information in CIE standard illuminant D65 and a nonlinear composite model is established, including principal component analysis and neural network method (PCA-NET) to modify the Matrix R Method based on the Metameric Black theory. The standard Munsell color card is used in spectral reflectance reconstruction experiment and the results are evaluated and discussed. The experimental results verified that the PCA-NET algorithm can accurately fit the nonlinear relationship between the output signal of the camera and the principal component coefficients; and it can be used in the R matrix algorithm instead of the linear algorithm; the new method can serve as a promising technique for building a spectral image database whihc is better than the original Matrix R Method. In the fixed illumination environment, the mean RMS of the test set is 0.76 improved, and the mean STD of the test set is 0.85 improved, which can effectively improve the accuracy of spectral reflectance reconstruction. The modified matrix R method has the advantages of higher accuracy and easy implementation, and it can be used in the field of color reproduction and spectral reflectance reconstruction.

High resolution ultraviolet imaging spectrometer for latent image analysis.

In this work, we present a close-range ultraviolet imaging spectrometer with high spatial resolution, and reasonably high spectral resolution. As the transmissive optical components cause chromatic aberration in the ultraviolet (UV) spectral range, an all-reflective imaging scheme is introduced to promote the image quality. The proposed instrument consists of an oscillating mirror, a Cassegrain objective, a Michelson structure, an Offner relay, and a UV enhanced CCD. The finished spectrometer has a spatial resolution of 29.30µm on the target plane; the spectral scope covers both near and middle UV band; and can obtain approximately 100 wavelength samples over the range of 240~370nm. The control computer coordinates all the components of the instrument and enables capturing a series of images, which can be reconstructed into an interferogram datacube. The datacube can be converted into a spectrum datacube, which contains spectral information of each pixel with many wavelength samples. A spectral calibration is carried out by using a high pressure mercury discharge lamp. A test run demonstrated that this interferometric configuration can obtain high resolution spectrum datacube. The pattern recognition algorithm is introduced to analyze the datacube and distinguish the latent traces from the base materials. This design is particularly good at identifying the latent traces in the application field of forensic imaging.

[A novel spatial modulation Fourier transform spectrometer with adjustable spectral resolution].

In the premise of fulfilling the application requirement, the adjustment of spectral resolution can improve efficiency of data acquisition, data processing and data saving. So, by adjusting the spectral resolution, the performance of spectrometer can be improved, and its application range can be extended. To avoid the problems of the fixed spectral resolution of classical Fourier transform spectrometer, a novel type of spatial modulation Fourier transform spectrometer with adjustable spectral resolution is proposed in this paper. The principle of the novel spectrometer and its interferometer is described. The general expressions of the optical path difference and the lateral shear are induced by a ray tracing procedure. The equivalent model of the novel interferometer is analyzed. Meanwhile, the principle of the adjustment of spectral resolution is analyzed. The result shows that the novel spectrometer has the merits of adjustable spectral resolution, high stability, easy assemblage and adjustment etc. This theoretical study will provide the theoretical basis for the design of the spectrometer with adjustable spectral resolution and expand the application range of Fourier transform spectrometer.

[Impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiation on perineal wound healing after abdominoperineal resection for lower rectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiation on perineal wound healing following abdominoperineal resection(APR) for lower rectal cancer. METHODS: Data of 93 patients who underwent APR for low rectal cancer between January 2005 and January 2009 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were reviewed, including patients who received neoadjuvant chemoradiation (n=29) and those undergoing surgery alone(n=64). Perineal wound healing was the primary outcome measurement. Condition of wound healing was classified as good, moderate, and poor and was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Twenty nine patients in the neoadjuvant group received preoperative regional radiation(50 Gy, 25 fractions/5 weeks) with synchronous FOLFOX4 chemotherapy(fluorouracil and oxaliplatin). In the neoadjuvant group, wound healing after APR was good in 18 patients(62.1%), moderate in 6(20.7%), and poor in 5(17.2%). In patients who had surgery alone, wound healing after APR was good in 41 patients(64.1%), moderate in 15(23.4%), and poor in 8(12.5%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of wound infection(poor wound healing)between the two groups(P=0.773). CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy is not associated with increased perineal wound infection following abdominoperineal resection for low rectal cancer.