Denoising magnetic resonance images using collaborative non-local means

Chen, Geng,Zhang, Pei,Wu, Yafeng,Shen, Dinggang,Yap, Pew-Thian Elsevier 2016 Neurocomputing Vol.177 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Noise artifacts in magnetic resonance (MR) images increase the complexity of image processing workflows and decrease the reliability of inferences drawn from the images. It is thus often desirable to remove such artifacts beforehand for more robust and effective quantitative analysis. It is important to preserve the integrity of relevant image information while removing noise in MR images. A variety of approaches have been developed for this purpose, and the non-local means (NLM) filter has been shown to be able to achieve state-of-the-art denoising performance. For effective denoising, NLM relies heavily on the existence of repeating structural patterns, which however might not always be present within a single image. This is especially true when one considers the fact that the human brain is complex and contains a lot of unique structures. In this paper we propose to leverage the repeating structures from <I>multiple</I> images to <I>collaboratively</I> denoise an image. The underlying assumption is that it is more likely to find repeating structures from multiple scans than from a single scan. Specifically, to denoise a target image, multiple images, which may be acquired from different subjects, are spatially aligned to the target image, and an NLM-like block matching is performed on these aligned images with the target image as the reference. This will significantly increase the number of matching structures and thus boost the denoising performance. Experiments on both synthetic and real data show that the proposed approach, collaborative non-local means (CNLM), outperforms the classic NLM and yields results with markedly improved structural details.</P>

Few-Layered MoS2 Nanoparticles Loaded TiO2 Nanosheets with Exposed {001} Facets for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Chujun Chen,Xia Xin,Jinniu Zhang,Gang Li,Yafeng Zhang,Hongbing Lu,Jianzhi Gao,Zhibo Yang,Chunlan Wang,Ze He 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2018 NANO Vol.13 No.11

To improve the high charge carrier recombination rate and low visible light absorption of {001} facets exposed TiO2 [TiO2(001)] nanosheets, few-layered MoS2 nanoparticles were loaded on the surfaces of TiO2(001) nanosheets by a simple photodeposition method. The photocatalytic activities towards Rhodamine B (RhB) were investigated. The results showed that the MoS2–TiO2(001) nanocomposites exhibited much enhanced photocatalytic activities compared with the pure TiO2(001) nanosheets. At an optimal Mo/Ti molar ratio of 25%, the MoS2–TiO2(001) nanocomposites displayed the highest photocatalytic activity, which took only 30 min to degrade 50mL of RhB (50 mg/L). The active species in the degradation reaction were determined to be hþ and OH according to the free radical trapping experiments. The reduced charge carrier recombination rate, enhanced visible light utilization and increased surface areas contributed to the enhanced photocatalytic performances of the 25% MoS2–TiO2(001) nanocomposites.

Feasibility of Three-Dimensional Balanced Steady-State Free Precession Cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging Combined with an Image Denoising Technique to Evaluate Cardiac Function in Children with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot

Peng YaFeng,Su XinYu,Hu LiWei,Wang Qian,Ouyang RongZhen,Sun AiMin,Guo Chen,Yao XiaoFen,Zhang Yong,Wang LiJia,Zhong YuMin 대한영상의학회 2021 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.22 No.9

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of cine three-dimensional (3D) balanced steady-state free precession (b-SSFP) imaging combined with a non-local means (NLM) algorithm for image denoising in evaluating cardiac function in children with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF). Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients with rTOF (mean age, 12 years; range, 7–18 years) were enrolled to undergo cardiac cine image acquisition, including two-dimensional (2D) b-SSFP, 3D b-SSFP, and 3D b-SSFP combined with NLM. End-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), and ejection fraction (EF) of the two ventricles were measured and indexed by body surface index. Acquisition time and image quality were recorded and compared among the three imaging sequences. Results: 3D b-SSFP with denoising vs. 2D b-SSFP had high correlation coefficients for EDV, ESV, SV, and EF of the left (0.959– 0.991; p < 0.001) as well as right (0.755–0.965; p < 0.001) ventricular metrics. The image acquisition time ± standard deviation (SD) was 25.1 ± 2.4 seconds for 3D b-SSFP compared with 277.6 ± 0.7 seconds for 2D b-SSFP, indicating a significantly shorter time with the 3D than the 2D sequence (p < 0.001). Image quality score was better with 3D b-SSFP combined with denoising than with 3D b-SSFP (mean ± SD, 3.8 ± 0.6 vs. 3.5 ± 0.6; p = 0.005). Signal-to-noise ratios for blood and myocardium as well as contrast between blood and myocardium were higher for 3D b-SSFP combined with denoising than for 3D b-SSFP (p < 0.05 for all but septal myocardium). Conclusion: The 3D b-SSFP sequence can significantly reduce acquisition time compared to the 2D b-SSFP sequence for cine imaging in the evaluation of ventricular function in children with rTOF, and its quality can be further improved by combining it with an NLM denoising method.

Feeding regimens affecting carcass and quality attributes of sheep and goat meat — A comprehensive review

Huang Yafeng,Liu Lumeng,Zhao Mengyu,Zhang Xiaoan,Chen Jiahong,Zhang Zi Jun,Cheng Xiao,Ren Chunhuan 아세아·태평양축산학회 2023 Animal Bioscience Vol.36 No.9

Sheep and goats can efficiently convert low quality forage into high-quality meat which contains specific nutrients and quality traits. Carcass traits and quality attributes of sheep and goat meat depend upon several factors and one of most effective strategies amongst these is feeding regimens. In this review, the major aspects of feeding regimens affecting growth rate, carcass traits and quality attributes of sheep and goat meat are thoroughly discussed, with a particular focus on physical-chemical composition, flavor profile, and fatty acid (FA) profile. Grazing lambs and kids receiving concentrate or under stall-feeding systems had greater average daily gain and carcass yield compared with animals reared on pasture only. However, growth rate was higher in lambs/kids grazing on pastures of improved quality. Moreover, the meat of grazing lambs receiving concentrate had more intense flavor, intramuscular fat (IMF) content, and unhealthy FA composition, but comparable color, tenderness, juiciness, and protein content compared to that of lambs grazed on grass only. In contrast, meat of concentrate-fed lambs had more intense color, greater tenderness and juiciness, IMF and protein contents, and lower flavor linked to meat. Additionally, the meat of kids grazed on concentrate supplementation had higher color coordinates, tenderness, IMF content and unhealthy FA composition, whereas juiciness and flavor protein content were similar. In contrast, kids with concentrate supplementation had superior color coordinates, juiciness, IMF content and unhealthy FA composition, but lower tenderness and flavor intensity compared to pasture-grazed kids. Thus, indoor-finished or supplemented grazing sheep/goats had higher growth rate and carcass quality, higher IMF content and unhealthy FA composition compared to animals grazed on grass only. Finally, supplementation with concentrate increased flavor intensity in lamb meat, and improved color and tenderness in kid meat, whereas indoor-fed sheep/goats had improved color and juiciness as well as reduced flavor compared to pasture-grazed animals.

Flow ripple analysis and structural parametric design of a piston pump

Xiaofeng Wu,Chihkeng Chen,Chihwei Hong,Yafeng He 대한기계학회 2017 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.31 No.9

The ripple in the outlet flow from a high-pressure piston pump is caused by pressure pulses in the piston cavity when it rotates through the transition region of the valve plate. We propose a parametric design that optimizes the transition region structure of a piston pump valve plate to reduce the ripple in the outlet flow. For a high- pressure piston pump, a theoretical model of the piston cavity is developed that includes fluid compression properties and leakages. The piston pump parametric model is built using AMESIM software and a simulation is conducted. The results show that the ripple in the outlet flow is affected by the outlet pressure and the pump’s speed and by the structure of the pre-compression region of the valve plate. To minimize the ripple in the outlet flow from the piston pump, the structural parameters in the pre-compression region are optimized as the design variables using the software, ISIGHT, which integrates the piston pump parametric model in AMESIM. After optimization, the ripple in the outlet flow rate is, respectively, reduced by 37.05 %, 38.54 % and 41.04 % for outlet pressures of 200 bar, 300 bar and 400 bar. Finally, a flow ripple test experiment is performed to verify the simulation results.

Preparation of magnetic metal-organic frameworks with high binding capacity for removal of two fungicides from aqueous environments

Jiping Ma,Shuang Li,Gege Wu,Maryam Arabi,Feng Tan,Yafeng Guan,Jinhua Li,Lingxin Chen 한국공업화학회 2020 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.90 No.-

A novel kind of Zr-based magnetic metal-organic frameworks (MMOFs) was prepared by immobilizationof UiO-66 onto Fe3O4@SiO2 particles via an efficient one-pot solvothermal method. Subsequently, it wasused for adsorptive removal of triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) fungicides from aqueousenvironments by magnetic solid phase separation. Morphology and physical/chemical features of theMMOFs were fully characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, and VSM etc., showing high specific surfacearea, appropriate functionality, and desirable magnetic property. Several main factors affecting theadsorption performances of TCS and TCC on the MMOFs were systematically investigated and optimized,such as pH value of water sample, amounts/types of adsorbent and salinity. Under the optimizedconditions, short adsorption equilibrium time (only 25 min) and outstanding saturated adsorptioncapacities (476.27 and 602.40 mg g 1 for TCS and TCC, respectively) were the remarkable superiorities ofthe MMOFs compared with that of most reported adsorbents. The MMOFs demonstrated excellentadsorption selectivity for TCS and TCC and anti-interference ability. Also, the reusability for at least 11cycles was another major profit of the MMOFs that saved cost and prevented waste. Moreover, theMMOFs demonstrated satisfactory removal/purification ability for actual environmental water samples. These benefits propounded a promising outlook of employing the MMOFs for influential removal ofpollutants with considerable reliability in thefield of wastewater treatment.

MiR-204 acts as a potential therapeutic target in acute myeloid leukemia by increasing BIRC6-mediated apoptosis

( Zhiguo Wang ),( Hong Luo ),( Zehui Fang ),( Yanling Fan ),( Xiaojuan Liu ),( Yujing Zhang ),( Shuping Rui ),( Yafeng Chen ),( Luojia Hong ),( Jincheng Gao ),( Mei Zhang ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2018 BMB Reports Vol.51 No.9

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most common hematological malignancies all around the world. MicroRNAs have been determined to contribute various cancers initiation and progression, including AML. Although microRNA-204 (miR-204) exerts anti-tumor effects in several kinds of cancers, its function in AML remains unknown. In the present study, we assessed miR-204 expression in AML blood samples and cell lines. We also investigated the effects of miR-204 on cellular function of AML cells and the underlying mechanisms of the action of miR-204. Our results showed that miR-204 expression was significantly downregulated in AML tissues and cell lines. In addition, overexpression of miR-204 induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in AML cells, including AML5, HL-60, Kasumi-1 and U937 cells. Cell cycle analysis further confirmed an augmentation in theapoptotic subG1 population by miR-204 overexpression. Mechanistically, baculoviral inhibition of apoptosis protein repeat containing 6 (BIRC6) was identified as a direct target of miR-204. Enforcing miR-204 expression increased the luciferase activity and expression of BIRC6, as well as p53 and Bax expression. Moreover, restoration of BIRC6 reversed the pro-apoptotic effects of miR-204 overexpression in AML cells. Taken together, this study demonstrates that miR-204 causes AML cell apoptosis by targeting BIRC6, suggesting miR-204 may play an anti-carcinogenic role in AML and function as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for the treatment of this disease. [BMB Reports 2018; 51(9): 444-449]