Adaptive Enhancement Algorithm of High-Resolution Satellite Image Based on Feature Fusion

Since the traditional adaptive enhancement algorithm of high-resolution satellite images has the problems of poor enhancement effect and long enhancement time, an adaptive enhancement algorithm of high-resolution satellite images based on feature fusion is proposed. The noise removal and quality enhancement areas of high-resolution satellite images are determined by collecting a priori information. On this basis, the histogram is used to equalize the high-resolution satellite images, and the local texture features of the images are extracted in combination with the local variance theory. According to the extracted features, the illumination components are estimated by Gaussian low-pass filtering. The illumination components are fused to complete the adaptive enhancement of high-resolution satellite images. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has a better adaptive enhancement effect, higher image definition, and shorter enhancement time.

An Electrochemiluminescence Biosensor for the Detection of Alzheimer’s Tau Protein Based on Gold Nanostar Decorated Carbon Nitride Nanosheets

Human Tau protein is the most reliable biomarker for the prediction of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the assay to detect low concentrations of tau protein in serum is a great challenge for the early diagnosis of AD. This paper reports an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor for Tau protein in serum samples. Gold nanostars (AuNSs) decorated on carbon nitride nanosheets (AuNS@g-CN nanostructure) show highly strong and stable ECL activity compared to pristine CN nanosheets due to the electrocatalytic and surface plasmon effects of AuNSs. As a result of the strong electromagnetic field at branches, AuNSs showed a better ECL enhancement effect than their spherical counterpart. For the fabrication of a specific immunosensor, immobilized AuNSs were functionalized with a monoclonal antibody specific for Tau protein. In the presence of Tau protein, the ECL intensity of the immunosensor decreased considerably. Under the optimal conditions, this ECL based immunosensor exhibits a dynamic linear range from 0.1 to 100 ng mL−1 with a low limit of detection of 0.034 ng mL−1. The LOD is less than the Tau level in human serum; thus, this study provides a useful method for the determination of Tau. The fabricated ECL immunosensor was successfully applied to the detection of Tau, the biomarker in serum samples. Therefore, the present approach is very promising for application in diagnosing AD within the early stages of the disease.

Electromagnetic Field Enhancement of Nanostructured TiN Electrodes Probed with Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

We present a facile approach for the determination of the electromagnetic field enhancement of nanostructured TiN electrodes. As model system, TiN with partially collapsed nanotube structure obtained from nitridation of TiO2 nanotube arrays was used. Using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy, the electromagnetic field enhancement factors (EFs) of the substrate across the optical region were determined. The non-surface binding SERS reporter group azidobenzene was chosen, for which contributions from the chemical enhancement effect can be minimized. Derived EFs correlated with the electronic absorption profile and reached 3.9 at 786 nm excitation. Near-field enhancement and far-field absorption simulated with rigorous coupled wave analysis showed good agreement with the experimental observations. The major optical activity of TiN was concluded to originate from collective localized plasmonic modes at ca. 700 nm arising from the specific nanostructure.

Noninformative Vision of Body Movements can Enhance Tactile Discrimination

Vision of the body without task cues enhances tactile discrimination performance. This effect has been investigated only with static visual information, although our body usually moves, and dynamic visual and bodily information provides ownership (SoO) and agency (SoA) sensations to body parts. We investigated whether vision of body movements could enhance tactile discrimination performance. Participants observed white dots without any textural information showing lateral hand movements (dynamic condition) or static hands (static condition). For participants experiencing the dynamic condition first, it induced a lower tactile discrimination threshold, as well as a stronger SoO and SoA, compared to the static condition. For participants observing the static condition first, the magnitudes of the enhancement effect in the dynamic condition were positively correlated between the tactile discrimination and SoO/SoA. The enhancement of the dynamic visual information was not observed when the hand shape was not maintained in the scrambled white dot images. Our results suggest that dynamic visual information without task cues can enhance tactile discrimination performance by feeling SoO and SoA only when it maintains bodily information.

The ϕ meson production in small collision systems observed by PHENIX

The measurements of light hadron production in small collision systems (such as p+Al, p+Au, d+Au, 3He+Au) may allow to explore the quarkgluon plasma formation and to determine the main hadronization mechanism in the considered collisions. Such research has become particularly crucial with the observation of the light hadrons collective behavior in p/d/3He+Au collisions at √SNN = 200 GeV and in p+Al collisions at the same energy at forward and backward rapidities. Among the large variety of light hadrons, ϕ meson is of particular interest since its production is sensitive to the presence of the quark-gluon plasma. The paper presents the comparison of the obtained experimental results on ϕ meson production to different light hadron production in p+Al and 3He+Au at √SNN = 200 GeV at midrapidity. The comparisons of ϕ meson production in p+Al, p+Au, d+Au, and 3He+Au collisions at √SNN = 200 GeV at midrapidity to theoretical models predictions (PYTHIA model and default and string melting versions of the AMPT model) are also provided. The results suggest that the QGP can be formed in p/d/3He+Au collisions, but the volume and lifetime of the produced medium might be insufficient for observation of strangeness enhancement effect. Conceivably, the main hadronization mechanism of ϕ meson production in p+Al collisions is fragmentation, while in p/d/3He+Au collisions this process occurs via coalescence.

Enhancement of Selected Health Benefits in Fermented Cow and Soy Milk Supplemented with Water Soluble Curcumin

Different formulates of fermented cow and soy milk by Lactobacillus plantarum EMCC 1027 with 50, 100, and 150 mg/100 mL curcumin were investigated for antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-colonic cancer, and anti-inflammation activities. Also, the viability of L. plantarum was monitored during cold storage period. Our results showed that values of antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-colonic cancer, and anti-inflammation activities in crude extracts of fermented soy milk were significantly increased in comparison with crude extracts of fermented cow milk. The addition of different concentrations (100 and 150 mg/100 mL) of curcumin had a significant enhancement effect for all selected health benefits properties. The increase in antioxidant capacity of different crude extracts was in a good correlation with their polyphenols content. Addition of water soluble curcumin did not have any adverse effect on the viability of L. plantarum during fifteen days of cold storage. Therefore, the synergistic effect between fermented cow/soy milk and water soluble curcumin could be recommended. Indeed, extensive research is still needed in order to investigate the molecular mechanisms of health a benefit of different formulates of fermented cow/soy milk and water soluble curcumin.

Performance Analysis of a Kretschmann-Based Ag-ITO-Au Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor through Numerical Simulations

Variations of a Kretschmann-structure-based Ag-indium tin oxide- (ITO-) Au surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor were explored to improve its sensitivity. The sensor structure was optimised, and its characteristics were studied through numerical simulations. The chip structure that comprised 20 nm Ag/30 nm ITO/10 nm Au yielded the best sensing performance, wherein the angular sensitivity could reach 197.6° RIU−1 and the figure of merit was 43.4 RIU−1. These performance parameters are nearly three times higher than those of Ag/Au bimetallic resonance sensors. Furthermore, an adhesive Cr layer and two-dimensional graphene were incorporated into this sensor structure to explore their impact on the performance. The results demonstrated that the Cr layer significantly weakened the sensor performance, whereas graphene did not produce the expected enhancement effect on this structure. If simply adding a layer to a Au/Ag sensor can produce a three-fold improvement in its performance, then its economic and scientific benefits are potentially significant and widespread.