Face Mask Extraction in Video Sequence

International Journal of Computer Vision - Inspired by the recent development of deep network-based methods in semantic image segmentation, we introduce an end-to-end trainable model for face mask...     

Alcohol dehydrogenase in non‐aqueous media using high‐pressure technologies: reaction set‐up and deactivation determination

BACKGROUND: The demand for enantiomerically pure molecules is growing continuously and biocatalysis is a powerful technique for their production. In this work, the catalyst was an enzyme combined with its coenzyme, NADP. High pressure technology, a second clean technology, was applied as well. Dense gases are promising solvents for biocatalysis. They have been investigated extensively as reaction media for lipase‐catalysed reactions, but seldom for reactions, catalysed with alcohol dehydrogenases, as in this work. RESULT: The production of optically pure R‐1‐phenylethanol from acetophenone was investigated. The NADP‐dependent alcohol dehydrogenase from Lactobacillus brevis (LBADH) was used as a catalyst. The hydrogenation was performed with isopropanol as a co‐substrate in different conditions: dense propane with LBADH and NADP co‐immobilized on glass beads and in the biphasic system water/dense propane. The obtained R‐1‐phenylethanol was enantiopure. The conversions were up to 90%. Deactivation of LBADH was also measured in these media. CONCLUSION: Protocols were successfully developed for the testing of alcohol dehydrogenase activity in dense gases. Enantioselectivity of LBADH is excellent in those media but it deactivated quickly. An LBADH‐catalysed reaction was performed in a dense gas for the first time. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of interpenetrating polymer network based on sodium alginate and methacrylic acid and potential application for immobilization of TiO2 nanoparticles

An interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) based on the sodium alginate (A) and partially neutralized poly(methacrylic acid) (MAA) was prepared by free radical polymerization followed by additional cross‐linking of sodium alginate with calcium ions. Obtained material (A/MAA IPN) was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and rheological measurements. Swelling behavior of synthetized IPN has been also investigated. TiO₂ nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) were immobilized onto A/MAA IPN by dip‐coating method and obtained TiO₂/IPN nanocomposite was used for removal of the methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution. The photodegradation (under illumination) and sorption (in the dark) processes for dye removal were monitored through decrease of dye concentration in the solution by UV/VIS spectrometer. The TiO₂/IPN nanocomposite sorbed approximately 93% of the MB from a 10 mg L^?1 MB solution in the dark, but no degradation occurred. Likewise, more than 93% of dye was removed after 8 h of illumination. However, after 24 h of illumination, the samples were discolored indicating that dye molecules were successfully degraded. Thus, the TiO₂/IPN nanocomposite could be utilized in the photodegradation–sorption process for the abatement of pollutants in water. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:2511–2518, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The origin of high activity of Pt–Au surfaces in the formic acid oxidation

We have investigated the oxidation of HCOOH on Au-modified Pt (Au@Pt) and Pt-modified Au (Pt@Au) electrodes to establish the role of the ensemble and the electronic effect in the catalysis of this reaction. The surfaces were modified by the electrodeposition of sub-monolayers. Cyclic voltammetry in the supporting electrolyte and CO_ads stripping have shown that the electronic Pt–Au interactions are insignificant on Au@Pt, but considerable on Pt@Au. Oxidation of CO_ads on Au@Pt commenced at the same potentials as on bare Pt, whereas on Pt@Au the oxidation was delayed for 0.2 V. Both types of Pt–Au surfaces were found to be more active toward the oxidation of HCOOH compared to bare Pt, exhibiting the maximum activity at Pt fraction between 0.15 and 0.25 with the enhancement factor of more than two orders of magnitude. On bimetallic surfaces the amount of CO_ads formed by HCOOH dehydration was low and decreased with decreasing Pt fraction. It was concluded that the high activity of Pt–Au surfaces is caused by the increased selectivity toward the HCOOH dehydrogenation. Similar behavior of Pt–Au surfaces in the HCOOH oxidation, regardless on the Pt–Au electronic interactions, leads to the conclusion that the ensemble effect plays dominant role in the catalysis of HCOOH oxidation.     

Metabolic Disturbances in Rat Sublines with Constitutionally Altered Serotonin Homeostasis

Central and peripheral serotonin (5HT) have opposing functions in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Both increasing 5HT signaling in the brain and decreasing 5HT signaling in the periphery have been proposed as potential treatments for obesity. This study investigates the relationship between constitutionally high or low 5HT activity and systemic net energy balance. Two sublines of rats with high and low whole-body 5HT tone, obtained by selective breeding for platelet 5HT parameters, were examined for fat accumulation in different white adipose tissue (WAT) depots, glucose/insulin tolerance, blood metabolic parameters, and expression of various metabolic genes. High-5HT animals, unlike their low-5HT counterparts, developed widespread intra-abdominal obesity associated with glucose and insulin intolerance, which worsened with age. They also had elevated blood glucose and lipid parameters but showed no significant changes in circulating leptin, resistin, and adipsin levels. Surprisingly, adiponectin levels were increased in plasma but reduced in the WAT of high-5HT rats. A limited number of metabolic genes belonging to different functional classes showed differential expression in WAT of high-5HT compared to low-5HT rats. Overall, a constitutive increase in 5HT tone is associated with a positive energy balance acting through subtle dysregulation of a broad spectrum of metabolic pathways.     

Writing as thinking.

Writing is analyzed as thinking that uses paper or other media to externalize and manipulate symbolic expressions. Mental operations of natural language can occur somewhat independently, and they communicate well with language that has been written, but for skilled writing these operations need elaborate installation in the mind. We explore four methods to see how expert writers externalize thoughts and interact with them: laboratory comparisons of novices and experts, interviews with accomplished writers (mostly of prose fiction), biographical analysis of Jane Austen's development as a writer, and consideration of Gustave Flaubert's notes and drafts. Writers can use paper to extend their thinking, and to create frameworks of cues that enable readers of a story to construct mental models that they may enter empathetically. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The influence of organic/integrated production on the content of phenolic compounds in apple leaves and fruits in four different varieties over a 2‐year period

BACKGROUND: Phenolics in fruit may be influenced by the fruit type, cultivation conditions of a plant, climatic conditions, growing season, storage conditions, and industrial processing. The aim of this study was to compare single phenolic compounds, total phenolics and antioxidant capacity of four varieties of apple grown under organic and integrated conditions over a 2‐year period. RESULTS: Several different phenolic compounds belonging to the groups of hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols, dihydrochalcones, flavonols and anthocyanins were quantified. The levels of all analysed groups of phenolics were higher (not always significantly) in the organically grown apple leaves and fruit than in the leaves or apples from integrated production. Leaves from organic trees had 10–20% higher content levels of total phenols than the leaves from trees in the integrated growing system. In both years, organic production affected the increase in the antioxidant activity of apple peel. Organic apples have higher total phenolic content than the integrated grown ones. CONCLUSION: Cultivation type had an important influence on the polyphenolic level and antioxidant capacity of the apple fruits and leaves. Apples from organic production showed a higher content of hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols, dihydrochalcones, quercetins and total phenolics than apples from integrated cultivation. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry