Local Contrast-Based Pixel Ordering for Exact Histogram Specification.

Histogram equalization is one of the basic image processing tasks for contrast enhancement, and its generalized version is histogram specification, which accepts arbitrary shapes of target histograms including uniform distributions for histogram equalization. It is well known that strictly ordered pixels in an image can be voted to any target histogram to achieve exact histogram specification. This paper proposes a method for ordering pixels in an image on the basis of the local contrast of each pixel, where a Gaussian filter without approximation is used to avoid the duplication of pixel values that disturbs the strict pixel ordering.

Ring-opening cyclization of spirocyclopropanes with stabilized sulfonium ylides for the construction of a chromane skeleton.

Regioselective ring-opening cyclization of cyclohexane-1,3-dione-2-spirocyclopropanes with stabilized sulfonium ylides provided 2,3-trans-disubstituted 2,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-5H-1-benzopyran-5-ones in high yields without the formation of any isomers. The obtained product was readily converted into highly substituted chromane.

An Efficient Method for the Synthesis of 2',3'-Nonsubstituted Cycloalkane-1,3-dione-2-spirocyclopropanes Using (2-Bromoethyl)diphenylsulfonium Trifluoromethanesulfonate.

An efficient and practical synthesis of 2',3'-nonsubstituted cyclohexane-1,3-dione-2-spirocyclopropanes using a sulfonium salt was achieved. The reaction of 1,3-cyclohexanediones and (2-bromoethyl)diphenylsulfonium trifluoromethanesulfonate with powdered KCO in EtOAc at room temperature (r.t.

Microfluidic analysis of pressure drop and flow behavior in hypertensive micro vessels.

The retinal arterial network is the only source of the highly nutrient-consumptive retina, thus any insult on the arteries can impair the retinal oxygen and nutrient supply and affect its normal function. The aim of this work is to study the influences of vascular structure variation on the flow and pressure characteristics via microfluidic devices. Two sets of micro-channel were designed to mimic the stenosed microvessels and dichotomous branching structure in the retinal arteries.

Late functional outcomes after repair of tetralogy of Fallot with atrioventricular septal defect: a double case-match control study.

Objectives: We sought to elucidate late functional outcomes of the right ventricular outflow tract and atrioventricular valves after repair of tetralogy of Fallot with atrioventricular septal defect.

Methods: From 1990 to 2010, the data from 41 patients who underwent repair were retrospectively reviewed. The median age at repair was 22.

Effective collection of hydrophobic organic pollutants in water with aluminum hydroxide and hydrophobically modified polyacrylic acid.

Polyacrylic acid was hydrophobically modified with dodecylamine and used as a coagulant for coprecipitation of hydrophobic organic pollutants from water. The polymer coagulant induced effective aggregation of aluminum hydroxide having hydrophobic regions which are essential for the incorporation of hydrophobic organic pollutants. Recoveries of the organic pollutants increased with increasing the dodecylamine content, which indicated that the dodecylamine moiety played an important role in the formation of hydrophobic area on the precipitate.