Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SRNet: Scale-Aware Representation Learning Network for Dense Crowd Counting

Huge variations in the scales of people in images create an extremely challenging problem in the task of crowd counting. Currently, many researchers apply multi-column structures to solve the scale variation problem. However, multi-column structures usually have complex structures with large numbers of parameters and are difficult to optimize. To this end, we propose a scale-aware representation learning network (SRNet) that uses a commonly used encoder-decoder framework. An image is converted into deep features by the first ten layers of VGG16 in the encoder. Then, the features are regressed to a crowd density map via the decoder. The decoder mainly consists of two modules: the scale-aware feature learning module (SAM) and the pixel-aware upsampling module (PAM). SAM models the multi-scale features of a crowd at each level with different sizes of receptive fields, and PAM enlarges the spatial resolution and enhances the pixel-level semantic information, thereby improving the overall counting accuracy. We conduct extensive crowd counting experiments on ShanghaiTech Part_A, UCF-QNRF, and UCF_CC_50 datasets. Furthermore, to obtain the locations of each person, we conduct crowd localization experiments on UCF-QNRF and NWPU-Crowd datasets. The qualitative and quantitative results prove the effectiveness of the SRNet in dense crowd counting and crowd localization tasks.
Generative design and fabrication of a locust-inspired gliding wing prototype for micro aerial robots

Gliding is generally one of the most efficient modes of flight in natural fliers that can be further emphasized in the aircraft industry to reduce emissions and facilitate endured flights. Natural wings being fundamentally responsible for this phenomenon are developed over millions of years of evolution. Artificial wings, on the other hand, are limited to the human-proposed conceptual design phase often leading to sub-optimal results. However, the novel Generative Design (GD) method claims to produce mechanically improved solutions based on robust and rigorous models of design conditions and performance criteria. This study investigates the potential applications of this Computer-Associated Design (CAsD) technology to generate novel micro aerial vehicle wing concepts that are structurally more stable and efficient. Multiple performance-driven solutions (wings) with high-level goals are generated by an infinite scale cloud computing solution executing a machine learning-based GD algorithm. Ultimately, the highest performing CAsD concepts are numerically analysed, fabricated, and mechanically tested according to our previous study, and the results are compared to the literature for qualitative as well as quantitative analysis and validations. It was concluded that the GD-based tandem wings’ (forewing and hindwing) ability to withstand fracture failure without compromising structural rigidity was optimized by 78% compared to its peer models. However, the weight was slightly increased by 11% with 14% drop in stiffness when compared to our models from previous study.
Simple, Fast Malicious Multiparty Private Set Intersection

We address the problem of multiparty private set intersection against a malicious adversary. First, we show that when one can assume no collusion amongst corrupted parties then there exists an extremely efficient protocol given only symmetric-key primitives. Second, we present a protocol secure against an adversary corrupting any strict subset of the parties. Our protocol is based on the recently introduced primitives: oblivious programmable PRF (OPPRF) and oblivious key-value store (OKVS). Our protocols follow the client-server model where each party is either a client or a server. However, in contrast to previous works where the client has to engage in an expensive interactive cryptographic protocol, our clients need only send a single key to each server and a single message to a pivot party (where message size is in the order of the set size). Our experiments show that the client's load improves by up to 10x (compared to both semi-honest and malicious settings) and that factor increases with the number of parties. We implemented our protocol and conducted an extensive experiment over both LAN and WAN and up to 32 parties with up to $2^20 $ items each. We provide a comparison of the performance of our protocol and the state-of-the-art for both the semi-honest setting (by Chandran et al.) and the malicious setting (by Ben Efraim et al. and Garimella et al.).
Structural, Chemical, and Dynamical Frustration: Origins of Superionic Conductivity in closo-Borate Solid Electrolytes

Li2B12H12, Na2B12H12, and their closo-borate relatives exhibit unusually high ionic conductivity, making them attractive as a new class of candidate electrolytes in solid-state Li- and Na-ion batteries. However, further optimization of these materials requires a deeper understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying ultrafast ion conduction. To this end, we use ab initio molecular dynamics simulations and density-functional calculations to explore the motivations for cation diffusion. We find that superionic behavior in Li2B12H12 and Na2B12H12 results from a combination of key structural, chemical, and dynamical factors that introduce intrinsic frustration and disorder. A statistical metric is used to show that the structures exhibit a high density of accessible interstitial sites and site types, which correlates with the flatness of the energy landscape and the observed cation mobility. Furthermore, cations are found to dock to specific anion sites, leading to a competition between the geometric s.
ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTION OF CHEMICALS 1. IMPROVEMENT OF ENZYMATIC PRODUCTION OF ACETOPHENONE BY DIRECT EXTRACTION

Acetophenone can be enzymatically produced by conversion of methylbenzylamine using transaminase. The enzymatic process is strongly affected by the product inhibition, thus requiring the acetophenone removal from the media during its synthesis. In this purpose, the individual and selective extraction of acetophenone and methylbenzylamine with the biocompatible solvent nheptane containing 1-octanol, D2EHPA or TOA has been analyzed at three values of pH (5, 7, and 9). Regardless of the solvent used and pH-value, the highest efficiency has been reached for extraction of acetophenone, the difference between the extraction yields of acetophenone and methylbenzylamine being amplified during the separation of these compounds from their mixture. On the basis of the experimental selectivity factors and taking into consideration both the possible loss of substrate from the media and the pH required for enzymatic reaction, pH = 7, it has been concluded that the optimum solvent combination is the mixture between n-heptane and 1-octanol. This solvent mixture allowed reaching high selectivity factor of 315, corresponding to the extraction yield of acetophenone of 94.5 % and of methylbenzylamine of only 0.3 %.
Regenerating Damaged Myocardium: A Review of Stem-Cell Therapies for Heart Failure

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the contributing factors to more than one-third of human mortality and the leading cause of death worldwide. The death of cardiac myocyte is a fundamental pathological process in cardiac pathologies caused by various heart diseases, including myocardial infarction. Thus, strategies for replacing fibrotic tissue in the infarcted region with functional myocardium have long been a goal of cardiovascular research. This review begins by briefly discussing a variety of somatic stem- and progenitor-cell populations that were frequently studied in early investigations of regenerative myocardial therapy and then focuses primarily on pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), especially induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which have emerged as perhaps the most promising source of cardiomyocytes for both therapeutic applications and drug testing. We also describe attempts to generate cardiomyocytes directly from cardiac fibroblasts (i.e., transdifferentiation), which, if successful, may enable the pool of endogenous cardiac fibroblasts to be used as an in-situ source of cardiomyocytes for myocardial repair.
Early-onset delirium after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage

Objective This study aimed at identifying the incidence, predictors, and impact on long-term mortality and dementia of early-onset delirium in a cohort of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods We prospectively recruited consecutive patients in the Prognosis of InTra-Cerebral Hemorrhage (PITCH) cohort and analyzed incidence rate of early-onset delirium (i.e. during the first seven days after intracerebral hemorrhage onset) with a competing risk model. We used a multivariable Fine-Gray model to identify baseline predictors, a Cox regression model to study its impact on the long-term mortality risk, and a Fine-Gray model adjusted for pre-specified confounders to analyze its impact on new-onset dementia. Results The study population consisted of 248 patients (mean age 70 years, 54% males). Early-onset delirium incidence rate was 29.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 24.3–35.6). Multivariate analysis showed that pre-existing dementia (subhazard ratio (SHR) 2.08, 95%CI 1.32–3.32, p = 0.002), heavy alcohol intake (SHR 1.79, 95%CI 1.13–2.82, p = 0.013), and intracerebral hemorrhage lobar location (SHR 1.56, 95%CI 1.01–2.42, p = 0.049) independently predicted early-onset delirium. Median follow-up was 9.5 years. Early-onset delirium was associated with higher mortality rates during the first five years of follow-up (HR 1.52, 95%CI 1.00–2.31, p = 0.049), but did not predict new-onset dementia (SHR 1.31, 95%CI 0.60–2.87). Conclusion Early-onset delirium is a frequent complication after intracerebral hemorrhage; it is associated with markers of pre-existing brain vulnerability and with higher mortality risk, but not with higher dementia rates during long-term follow-up.
Long-Term Dynamic Changes of NMDA Receptors Following an Excitotoxic Challenge

Excitotoxicity is a form of neuronal death characterized by the sustained activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) triggered by the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. NADPH-diaphorase neurons [also known as nNOS (+) neurons] are a subpopulation of aspiny interneurons, largely spared following excitotoxic challenges. Unlike nNOS (-) cells, nNOS (+) neurons fail to generate reactive oxygen species in response to NMDAR activation, a key divergent step in the excitotoxic cascade. However, additional mechanisms underlying the reduced vulnerability of nNOS (+) neurons to NMDAR-driven neuronal death have not been explored. Using functional, genetic, and molecular analysis in striatal cultures, we demonstrate that nNOS (+) neurons possess distinct NMDAR properties. These specific features are primarily driven by the peculiar redox milieu of this subpopulation. In addition, we found that nNOS (+) neurons exposed to a pharmacological maneuver set to mimic chronic excitotoxicity alter their responses to NMDAR-mediated challenges. These findings suggest the presence of mechanisms providing long-term dynamic regulation of NMDARs that can have critical implications in neurotoxic settings.
Redox and Catalytic Properties of RhxCe1–xO2−δ Solid Solution

In this work, a detailed study of the redox properties of solid solution RhxCe1–xO2−δ in correlation with its catalytic activity in CO oxidation reaction was carried out. The ex situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy technique was applied to follow the charging states of the elements on the surface during the redox treatments at a temperature range of 25–450 °C. The results were compared with the data of temperature-programmed reduction by CO. The dissolution of rhodium in the ceria bulk considerably increased the mobility of CeO2 lattice oxygen, with redox transitions Ce4+ ↔ Ce3+ and Rh3+ ↔ Rhnδ+ observed already at low temperatures (below 150 °C). The reduced rhodium clusters (Rhnδ+) formed during the reduction treatment significantly improved the catalytic activity of the RhxCe1–xO2−δ solid solution. The small size of the rhodium clusters (Rhnδ+) and high defectiveness of the fluorite phase provided the reversibility of Rhnδ+/CeO2 ↔ RhxCe1–xO2−δ transitions upon redox treatment, resulting in the high re.
Optimum Fertilizer Phosphorus Requirement for Maximum Productivity under Rice–Rice and Rice–Sunflower Systems in Semi-Arid Alfisols

ABSTRACT A study was conducted at Hyderabad during 2009–11 to determine phosphorus (P) dose for rice–rice and rice–sunflower. Available P increased when 100% recommended P dose (RDP) was applied. P applied to rice gave at par yield under 100 or 75% RDP. In rice–rice, grain yield of 5668 and 5775 kg ha−1 in kharif (5654 and 5760 kg ha−1 in rabi) were attained with P@75 and 100% RDP. Kharif P residual effect in rabi affected rice yield. P@100/75% RDP in kharif and rabi gave grain of 5916/5973 and straw 6230/6673 kg ha−1. P applied to sunflower revealed that yield was similar with 100 or 75% RDP. Sunflower yield was at par with P@100 or 75% RDP. 25% RDP in rice and sunflower may be reduced to attain similar yield of 100% RDP. In rice–rice, grain yield attained by 100% RDP in both seasons was 11.42t ha−1 yr−1, while 75% RDP gave yield of 11.45t ha−1yr−1.
Short-term Spectroscopic Variability of the Early Post-AGB Stage Star IRAS 22272+5435

High-resolution spectra gathered during an extensive monitoring of IRAS 22272+5435 are inspected to search for spectroscopic variability in the time span of less than 2 weeks. Significant variation are found both in the intensity and position of CN(1, 0) red system lines near the light maximum, when the star is the hottest. The intensity of variable CN lines correlates with their Doppler redshift—an increase in the radial velocity leads to a decrease of its equivalent width. The inward flow of increasing velocity from ≃14.4–21.6 km s−1 was confirmed in the atmosphere, propagating ∼25 R ☉ toward the mass center of the star in 11 days. The variability of CN(1, 0) lines are accompanied by changes in the red wings of strong low-excitation lines. The observed short-term variations are attributed to large-scale convective flows and shock waves in the extended atmosphere of a cool pulsating post-AGB star.
Collisionless losses of fast ions in the divertor tokamak test due to toroidal field ripple

In this paper we analyze fast ion motion in the divertor tokamak test (DTT) device (Albanese et al 2017 Nucl. Fusion 57 016010). It is planned that DTT will be heated through a mix of 45 MW heating power, including 15 MW negative-ion-based neutral beam heating (NNBI) which is currently being developed by Consorzio RFX in Padova, Italy (Agostinetti et al 2019 Fusion Eng. Design 146 441–446). An issue for DTT is that a toroidal field (TF) ripple with a maximum value of about ∼0.42% (with respect to the on-axis magnetic field B 0) is expected on the low-field side, and this ripple interacts with fast ions through the rather well-known phenomena of ripple-precession resonances, in addition to prompt losses of ions which do not complete a full orbit in the poloidal plane. We will show that, with the planned geometry of NNBI, prompt losses are negligible, and ripple-precession losses amount to a maximum of 0.15%. The calculations are performed with the guiding center code Orbit using two different equilibria, and a beam with an energy of 400 keV and the injection angle α inj = 40° (measured w.r.t. the first wall), which corresponds to a pitch of injected particles λ = v ∥/v ≈ sin α inj = 0.65. The main resonances are of the form ω b − nNω d = 0, ω b and ω d being the bounce and precession frequency, respectively, N = 18 the ripple periodicity and 3 ⩽ n ⩽ 6 are the toroidal wavenumbers of the resonances. Although collisionless interaction with the TF ripple does not pose a serious threat to the NNBI project, an open question remains as to whether the presence of these resonances will interact with fast particles accelerated by Alfvén eigenmodes, and if stochastization of the resonances is possible in DTT, as was observed in the past in TORE SUPRA.
Multi-scale interactions between turbulence and magnetohydrodynamic instability driven by energetic particles

In order to realize high performance burning plasmas in magnetic-confinement fusion devices, such as tokamaks, both bulk plasma transport and that of energetic fusion alpha-particles, which result from different scale fluctuations with different free energy sources, have to be reduced simultaneously. Utilizing the advantage of global toroidal non-linear simulations covering a whole torus, here, we found a new coupling mechanism between the low-frequency micro-scale electromagnetic drift-wave fluctuations regulating the former, while the high-frequency macro-scale toroidal Alfven eigenmode (TAE) regulates the latter. This results from the dual spread of micro-scale turbulence due to the macro-scale TAE not only in wavenumber space representing local eddy size but also in configuration space with global profile variations. Consequently, a new class of turbulent state is found to be established, where the turbulence is homogenized on the poloidal cross-section with exhibiting large-scale structure, which increases fluctuation levels and then both transports, leading to deterioration in the fusion performance.
Solar Anti-Hale Bipolar Magnetic Regions: A Distinct Population with Systematic Properties

Besides their causal connection with long and short-term magnetic variability, solar bipolar magnetic regions are our chief source of insight into the location, size, and properties of large-scale toroidal magnetic structures in the solar interior. The great majority of these regions (≈95%) follow a systematic east–west polarity orientation (Hale’s law) that reverses in opposite hemispheres and across even and odd cycles. These regions also present a systematic north–south polarity orientation (Joy’s law) that helps build the poloidal field that seeds the new cycle. Exceptions to Hale’s law are rare and difficult to study due to their low numbers. Here, we present a statistical analysis of the inclination (tilt) with respect to the equator of Hale versus anti-Hale regions spanning four solar cycles, considering two complementary tilt definitions adopted in previous studies. Our results show that anti-Hale regions belong to a separate population than Hale regions, suggesting a different originating mechanism. However, we find that anti-Hale region tilts present similar systematic tilt properties and similar latitudinal distributions to Hale regions, implying a strong connection between the two. We see this as evidence that they belong to a common toroidal flux system. We speculate that anti-Hale regions originate from poloidal field sheared and strengthened on the spot after the emergence of Hale regions with very strong poloidal contribution. Thus, they are not in contradiction with the idea of largely coherent toroidal flux systems inside the solar interior.
Generating T centres in photonic silicon-on-insulator material by ion implantation

Global quantum networks will benefit from the reliable fabrication and control of high-performance solid-state telecom photon-spin interfaces. T radiation damage centres in silicon provide a promising photon-spin interface due to their narrow O-band optical transition near 1326 nm and long-lived electron and nuclear spin lifetimes. To date, these defect centres have only been studied as ensembles in bulk silicon. Here, we fabricate high concentration T centre ensembles in the 220 nm device layer of silicon-on-insulator wafers by ion implantation and subsequent annealing. We then develop a method that uses spin-dependent optical transitions to benchmark the characteristic optical spectral diffusion within these T centre ensembles. Using this new technique, we show that with minimal optimization to the fabrication process high densities of implanted T centres localized ≲100 nm from an interface display ∼1 GHz characteristic levels of total spectral diffusion.
Oxidative stress-induced textural and biochemical changes of scallop Patinopecten yessoensis adductor muscle under heat treatment

ABSTRACT In this study, the effects of heat treatment (45°C and 65°C, respectively) on the quality of Patinopecten yessoensis adductor muscle (PYAM) were investigated. Water mobility in PYAM samples was analyzed using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance. The texture of treated PYAM was analyzed using texture profile analysis. Protein degradation was characterized using SDS-PAGE. Activities of cathepsin L (CL), superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) were determined using chemical analysis methods. The production of free radicals was measured using electron spin resonance. It was revealed that water mobility in PYAM samples increased with the extension of heated time. Cohesiveness of PYAM was higher in samples heated at 65°C than at 45°C, while hardness showed an opposite trend, higher in the samples heated at 45°C than at 65°C. The degradation of structural proteins was more severe in the samples heated at 65°C than at 45°C, with the greater CL activity being observed. It was also found that heating caused elevation in T-SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT enzyme activities. Considering the chemical changes in the PYAM samples, contents of carbonyl and malonaldehyde increased, but sulfhydryl content decreased with heating. Level of free radicals increased significantly from 6 h on after heat treatment, with higher level at 65°C than at 45°C. These results suggested that oxidative stress is directly involved in quality changes during heat treatment of PYAM.