Hong Kong Baptist University

About: Hong Kong Baptist University is a education organization based out in Hong Kong, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: China & Population. The organization has 7811 authors who have published 18919 publications receiving 555274 citations. The organization is also known as: Hong Kong Baptist College & HKBU.

Fast Nonconvex Nonsmooth Minimization Methods for Image Restoration and Reconstruction

Abstract: Nonconvex nonsmooth regularization has advantages over convex regularization for restoring images with neat edges. However, its practical interest used to be limited by the difficulty of the computational stage which requires a nonconvex nonsmooth minimization. In this paper, we deal with nonconvex nonsmooth minimization methods for image restoration and reconstruction. Our theoretical results show that the solution of the nonconvex nonsmooth minimization problem is composed of constant regions surrounded by closed contours and neat edges. The main goal of this paper is to develop fast minimization algorithms to solve the nonconvex nonsmooth minimization problem. Our experimental results show that the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithms.

An Alternate Wetting and Moderate Soil Drying Regime Improves Root and Shoot Growth in Rice

Abstract: A major challenge in rice (Oryza sativa L.) production is to achieve the dual goal of increasing food production and saving water. This study aimed to investigate if alternate wetting and drying regimes could improve root and shoot growth and consequently increase grain yield and water use efficiency (WUE). Two rice varieties were field-grown at Yangzhou, China in 2005 and 2006. Three irrigation regimes, alternate wetting and moderate soil drying (WMD, re-watered when soil water potential reached -15 kPa at 15-20 cm depth), alternate wetting and severe soil drying (WSD, re-watered when soil water potential reached -30 kPa), and a conventional irrigation (Cl, continuously flooded), were imposed during the whole growing season. Compared with the Cl, the WMD regime significantly increased, whereas the WSD regime reduced, root oxidation activity, cytokinin concentrations in roots and shoots, leaf photosynthetic rate, and activities of key enzymes involved in sucrose-to-starch conversion in grains. Grain yield of the two varieties, on the average, was increased by 11% under the WMD regime, and was reduced by 32% under the WSD regime when compared with that under the Cl regime. Averaged WUE of the two varieties was increased by 55% under the WMD regime and 36% under the WSD regime. We conclude that a moderate wetting and drying regime can enhance root growth which benefits other physiological processes and result in higher grain yield and WUE.

Materialism and conspicuous consumption in China: a cross-cultural examination

Abstract: With the growing rise in consumer spending and economic power in Asian societies, it is increasingly important to explore the implications of these developments on consumer culture. This cross-cultural study first discusses the rise of materialism and conspicuous consumption in post-revolution China then examines differences in these phenomena between young adult consumers, aged 18–35, living in urban China and the United States. Utilizing survey data from over 600 respondents, significant differences were found in both materialism and conspicuous consumption, with Chinese young adults scoring higher in both variables. The findings show, that compared with past comparative studies, it appears both materialism and conspicuous consumption are on the rise among urban Chinese consumers.