Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Map Feature Based Trajectory Prediction with Multi-class Traffic Participants

Reliable prediction for the future trajectories of the surrounding multi-class traffic participants is critical for autonomous vehicles to drive safely and effectively in complex urban traffic. The existing methods based on Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) networks mostly focus on the interactions between the same kind of traffic participants (i.e. homogeneous traffic participants), while ignoring the scene context and the interactions among different kinds of traffic participants (i.e. heterogeneous traffic participants). This paper proposes a novel method to take them all into account, modeling the interactions among heterogeneous traffic participants and utilizing the convolutional neural network (CNN) to extract map features. The results are evaluated on an autonomous driving dataset, Argoverse, and compared with two baseline methods. It is shown that our method has better performance and reduces the prediction error.
On-line Prediction Method of Ferrous Concentration in Iron Removal Process by Goethite

To deal with the problems of detecting the concentration of ferrous ions in iron removal process by goethite for its complexity, long lag and nonlinearity, we propose an LSTM encoder-decoder model with attention to predict the ferrous ions concentration. To increase the robustness of the system and predict the changing trend of the ferrous ions, an error compensation model is designed, and we combine these two models into an integrated model in a parallel way. The industrial experiments in the iron removal process by goethite of zinc hydrometallurgy plant in China demonstrated the good performance of the proposed integration model. The attention values in the attention mechanism also show which input variable should be cared more in the real industrial field, which provides a solid foundation for the optimal control of iron removal process by goethite.
Antimicrobial, Antioxidant Activities in vitro and Polyphenol Contents of the Leaf Extract of a Versatile Medicinal Plant

This study assessed polyphenolic contents, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the solvent fractions obtained from Combretum racemosum leaf extract. Liquid-liquid extraction method was employed to separate the crude aqueous methanolic leaf extract of C. racemosum into n-hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and n-butanol (n-BuOH) fractions. Antibacterial activities were determined using agar- well diffusion and agar dilution methods. In vitro free radical scavenging activity of the fractions was measured by 2, 2-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl dihydrazyl (DPPH), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and nitric oxide (NO) assays. MIC of the EtOAc fraction ranged from 0.63 mg/ml to 1.25 mg/ml while that of n-BuOH and DCM fractions ranged from 0.31mg/ml to 1.25 mg/ml and 0.31 mg/ml to 0.63 mg/ml respectively. The n-BuOH fraction contains highest phenolic compounds (phenol and flavonoids), followed by EtOAc, crude, hexane and DCM. Total antioxidant capacity of the fractions follows the same order as the antioxidant. NO radical scavenging activities of all the fractions showed stronger activity than that of the reference ascorbic acid (AA). The greatest antiradical activity was found in butanol fraction; IC 50 for DPPH, NO and FRAP are 38.39±7. 20μg/ml; 0.11±0.03 μg/ml and 180.5203±0.86mg/ml respectively. Our findings indicate the potentials of C. racemosum leaf extracts as source of antioxidants and antimicrobials of natural origin
Bipartite Tracking Consensus for General Linear Multi-Agent Systems with Asynchronous Communications over Signed Networks

In this paper, the bipartite tracking consensus problem of general linear multi-agent systems over signed networks is investigated, in which an asynchronous communication manner is adopted. The asynchronous setting refers to that the clocks of each agent, at which the agent’s dynamics is updated, are independent of others. Relying on some related properties of the sub-stochastic matrix, the dynamics of the agents under the proposed asynchronous consensus protocol is rigorously checked. It is shown that the bipartite tracking consensus is implemented if the signed digraph contains a spanning tree. A simulation example is provided to verify our theoretical findings.
Context Aware Exemplar-based Image Inpainting using Irregular Patches

We propose a new exemplar-based image inpainting method in this paper. Our method is based on the Criminisi pipeline. We focused on three main stages of the pipeline; calculation of priorities, construction of patches, and the search for the best match. To assign a high priority to patches constructed from the edge pixels, we use the ability of segmentation algorithms to divide an image into different texture blocks. The patches built from pixels located at the border between several texture blocks receive a high priority. Unlike most patch-based image inpainting methods which use regular patches (rectangle, square), the shape and size of our patches depend on the textural composition around the original pixel. The patches are built using a region growing principle in the different texture blocs around the original pixel. The search for the best match is done contextually. We search for the best match of the patch with the highest priority in a similar environment to its neighborhood around the target zone. The method is simple and easy to implement. The experiments show that our method obtains more plausible results than the basic method of Criminisi and its improved version Amoeba in most cases.
Sonication‐Assisted Synthesis of Gallium Oxide Suspensions Featuring Trap State Absorption: Test of Photochemistry

Gallium is a near room temperature liquid metal with extraordinary properties that partly originate from the self‐limiting oxide layer formed on its surface. Taking advantage of the surface gallium oxide (Ga2O3), this work introduces a novel technique to synthesize gallium oxide nanoflakes at high yield by harvesting the self‐limiting native surface oxide of gallium. The synthesis process follows a facile two‐step method comprising liquid gallium metal sonication in DI water and subsequent annealing. In order to explore the functionalities of the product, the obtained hexagonal α‐Ga2O3 nanoflakes are used as a photocatalytic material to decompose organic model dyes. Excellent photocatalytic activity is observed under solar light irradiation. To elucidate the origin of these enhanced catalytic properties, the electronic band structure of the synthesized α‐Ga2O3 is carefully assessed. Consequently, this excellent photocatalytic performance is associated with an energy bandgap reduction, due to the presence of trap states, which are located at ≈1.65 eV under the conduction band minimum. This work presents a novel route for synthesizing oxide nanostructures that can be extended to other low melting temperature metals and their alloys, with great prospects for scaling up and high yield synthesis.
Reinforcement Learning for Pick and Place Operations in Robotics: A Survey

The field of robotics has been rapidly developing in recent years, and the work related to training robotic agents with reinforcement learning has been a major focus of research. This survey reviews the application of reinforcement learning for pick-and-place operations, a task that a logistics robot can be trained to complete without support from a robotics engineer. To introduce this topic, we first review the fundamentals of reinforcement learning and various methods of policy optimization, such as value iteration and policy search. Next, factors which have an impact on the pick-and-place task, such as reward shaping, imitation learning, pose estimation, and simulation environment are examined. Following the review of the fundamentals and key factors for reinforcement learning, we present an extensive review of all methods implemented by researchers in the field to date. The strengths and weaknesses of each method from literature are discussed, and details about the contribution of each manuscript to the field are reviewed. The concluding critical discussion of the available literature, and the summary of open problems indicates that experiment validation, model generalization, and grasp pose selection are topics that require additional research.
Improving Urban Land Cover Classification with Combined Use of Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-1 Imagery

Accurate land cover mapping is important for urban planning and management. Remote sensing data have been widely applied for urban land cover mapping. However, obtaining land cover classification via optical remote sensing data alone is difficult due to spectral confusion. To reduce the confusion between dark impervious surface and water, the Sentinel-1A Synthetic Aperture Rader (SAR) data are synergistically combined with the Sentinel-2B Multispectral Instrument (MSI) data. The novel support vector machine with composite kernels (SVM-CK) approach, which can exploit the spatial information, is proposed to process the combination of Sentinel-2B MSI and Sentinel-1A SAR data. The classification based on the fusion of Sentinel-2B and Sentinel-1A data yields an overall accuracy (OA) of 92.12% with a kappa coefficient (KA) of 0.89, superior to the classification results using Sentinel-2B MSI imagery and Sentinel-1A SAR imagery separately. The results indicate that the inclusion of Sentinel-1A SAR data to Sentinel-2B MSI data can improve the classification performance by reducing the confusion between built-up area and water. This study shows that the land cover classification can be improved by fusing Sentinel-2B and Sentinel-1A imagery.
B-cell depletion with obinutuzumab for the treatment of proliferative lupus nephritis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Objective Randomised trials of type I anti-CD20 antibodies rituximab and ocrelizumab failed to show benefit in proliferative lupus nephritis (LN). We compared obinutuzumab, a humanised type II anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that induces potent B-cell depletion, with placebo for the treatment of LN in combination with standard therapies. Methods Patients with LN receiving mycophenolate and corticosteroids were randomised to obinutuzumab 1000 mg or placebo on day 1 and weeks 2, 24 and 26, and followed through week 104. The primary endpoint was complete renal response (CRR) at week 52. Exploratory analyses through week 104 were conducted. The prespecified alpha level was 0.2. Results A total of 125 patients were randomised and received blinded infusions. Achievement of CRR was greater with obinutuzumab at week 52 (primary endpoint, 22 (35%) vs 14 (23%) with placebo; percentage difference, 12% (95% CI −3.4% to 28%), p=0.115) and at week 104 (26 (41%) vs 14 (23%); percentage difference, 19% (95% CI 2.7% to 35%), p=0.026). Improvements in other renal response measures, serologies, estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria were greater with obinutuzumab. Obinutuzumab was not associated with increases in serious adverse events, serious infections or deaths. Non-serious infusion-related reactions occurred more frequently with obinutuzumab. Conclusions Improved renal responses through week 104 were observed in patients with LN who received obinutuzumab plus standard therapies compared with standard therapies alone. Obinutuzumab was well tolerated and no new safety signals were identified. Trial registration number NCT02550652.
Incidence and risk factors for herpes zoster in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving upadacitinib: a pooled analysis of six phase III clinical trials

Background Upadacitinib (UPA) is an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). JAK inhibitors have been associated with an increased risk of herpes zoster (HZ) in patients with RA. Objectives To evaluate the incidence and risk factors for HZ in UPA-treated patients with RA from the UPA phase III clinical trial programme. Methods Exposure-adjusted incidence/event rates for HZ were determined in patients receiving UPA (monotherapy or combination therapy) in six randomised phase III trials (data cut-off on 30 June 2020). HZ incidence and event rates were also determined in patients receiving methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy or adalimumab (ADA) + MTX. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to identify HZ risk factors in UPA-treated patients. Results A total of 5306 patients were included in this analysis. The incidence rate of HZ/100 patient-years (95% CI) was 0.8 (0.3 to 1.9), 1.1 (0.5 to 1.9), 3.0 (2.6 to 3.5) and 5.3 (4.5 to 6.2), in the MTX monotherapy, ADA + MTX, UPA 15 mg and UPA 30 mg groups, respectively. The majority of HZ cases with UPA (71%) involved a single dermatome. Prior history of HZ and Asian region were HZ risk factors in UPA-treated patients. Conclusion In the UPA phase III RA clinical programme, HZ incidence and event rates were higher with UPA versus ADA + MTX or MTX monotherapy, and higher with the 30 mg versus 15 mg dose. Patients from Asia and those with a history of HZ may be at increased risk of HZ while receiving UPA.
Separation of isomers of new psychoactive substances and isotope-labeled amphetamines using UHPSFC-MS/MS and UHPLC-MS/MS

ABSTRACT The use of sub-2 µm particles columns is finding its use in ultrahigh-pressure supercritical fluid chromatography (UHPSFC), opening up for fast analysis and high-resolution separations. The development of new and more robust systems also makes the technique more interesting for bioanalytical analysis, where the need for reproducible and fast analysis with little downtime is great. One area where the use of UHPSFC could become a useful tool is in the separation of structural isomers of new psychoactive substances (NPS). 2-, 3-, and 4- structural isomers of fluoroamphetamine, fluoromethamphetamine, and methylmethcathinone, isomeric pairs of the synthetic cannabinoids UR-144/UR-144 degradant, XLR-11/XLR-11 degradant, JWH-015/JWH-073, and JWH-019/JWH-122, as well as amphetamine and several stable isotope-labeled amphetamine internal standards were separated with UHPSFC-MS/MS and compared with ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) MS/MS. NPS isomers that were difficult to separate with reversed-phase UHPLC-MS/MS were separated by UHPSFC; in most cases with an orthogonal retention order to UHPLC. In contrast to the behavior seen when using reversed-phase UHPLC, the deuterated amphetamines eluted later than amphetamine with UHPSFC. 13C6-labeled amphetamine coeluted with amphetamine for all conditions, making this the best choice of an internal standard. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
The Effect of Landscape on the Diversity in Urban Green Areas

Abstract This article presented the results of a comparative analysis of carabid species compositions (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in urban green areas of the City of Lublin, Eastern Poland. In this study, the occurrence and abundance of ground beetles were analysed according to habitat preference and dispersal ability. A total of 65 carabid species were found in the three green areas. Obviously, the high species richness of ground beetles in the greenery of the Lublin is determined by the mostly undeveloped floodplain of the river Bystrzyca. The species richness of carabids and their relative abundance decrease in the assemblage of green areas under the effect of isolation of green patches and fragmentation of the semi-natural landscape elements in the urban environment. Generalists and open-habitat species significantly prevailed in all green areas. The prevailing of riparian and forest species at floodplain sites of the river Bystrzyca demonstrated the existence of a connection of the carabid assemblage with landscape of river valley. The Saski Park and gully “Rury” are more influenced by urbanization (fragmentation, isolation of green patches) and recreation that is consistent with the significant prevalence of open-habitats species in the carabid beetle assemblage.
Relaxation dynamics in borate glass formers probed by photon correlation at the microscopic and macroscopic length scale

X-ray photon correlation is used to probe the dynamics of the strong glass former boron trioxide and of a series of alkali borate glasses, (M2O)x(B2O3)1-x where M is the alkali modifier (M=Li, Na and K). The decay times τ of the obtained correlation functions in B2O3 are consistent with visible light scattering results and independent of the incoming beam intensity in the undercooled liquid phase; are instead temperature independent and show a definite dependence on the X-ray beam intensity in the glass. We are therefore witnessing an atomic dynamics induced by the X-ray beam. Furthermore, we clearly demonstrate that the value of τ is related to absorption by investigating a series of alkali borate glass with the same molar ratio and as a function of the alkali modifier. Finally, we highlight the role played by the structure in the X-ray induced dynamics by studying a series of lithium borate glasses with different molar ratios, and by investigating the wave vector dependence. Despite the observed dynamics is clearly intensity dependent, we obtain very interesting information on glasses not available with other experimental techniques.
The Effect of Headgear Use on Concussion Injury Rates in Girls' High School Lacrosse

Objectives: The use of headgear is a controversial issue in girls' lacrosse. We compared concussion rates among high school lacrosse players wearing versus not wearing lacrosse headgear. Methods: Study participants included a sample of convenience of high schools with girls' lacrosse from across the United States. Certified athletic trainers reported athlete exposure and injury data via the National Athletic Treatment, Injury and Outcomes Network during the 2019 through 2021 seasons. The Headgear cohort was inclusive of high schools from the state of Florida, which mandate the use of ASTM standard F3137 headgear, while the Non-Headgear cohort was inclusive of the remaining states, none of which have headgear mandates. Incidence Rate Ratios (IRR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were calculated. IRRs with corresponding CIs that excluded 1.00 were deemed statistically significant. Results: 141 concussions (Headgear: 25; Non-Headgear: 116) and 357,225 Athlete Exposures (AE) were reported (Headgear: 91,074AE; Non-Headgear: 266,151AE) across all games and practices. Overall, the concussion injury rate per 1000AE was significantly higher in the Non-Headgear cohort (0.44) than the Headgear Cohort (0.27) (IRR=1.59, 95% CI:1.03 - 2.45). The IRR was significantly higher for the Non-Headgear cohort during games (1.74, 95% CI: 1.00, 3.02) but not for practices (1.42, 95% CI: 0.71, 2.83). Conclusions: These findings indicate that concussion rates among high school girls' lacrosse players not wearing headgear were 59% higher than those wearing headgear. These data support the use of protective headgear to reduce the risk of concussion among high school female lacrosse athletes.
Seropositivity to Nucleoprotein to detect SARS-CoV-2 infections: a tool to detect breakthrough infections after COVID-19 vaccination

Background With COVID-19 vaccine roll-out ongoing in many countries globally, monitoring of breakthrough infections is of great importance. Antibodies persist in the blood after a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Since COVID-19 vaccines induce immune response to the Spike protein of the virus, which is the main serosurveillance target to date, alternative targets should be explored to distinguish infection from vaccination. Methods Multiplex immunoassay data from 1,513 SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR-tested individuals (352 positive and 1,161 negative) with a primary infection and no vaccination history were used to determine the accuracy of Nucleoprotein-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) in detecting past SARS-CoV-2 infection. We also described Spike S1 and Nucleoprotein-specific IgG responses in 230 COVID-19 vaccinated individuals (Pfizer/BioNTech). Results The sensitivity of Nucleoprotein seropositivity was 85% (95% confidence interval: 80-90%) for mild COVID-19 in the first two months following symptom onset. Sensitivity was lower in asymptomatic individuals (67%, 50-81%). Participants who had experienced a SARS-CoV-2 infection up to 11 months preceding vaccination, as assessed by Spike S1 seropositivity or RT-qPCR, produced 2.7-fold higher median levels of IgG to Spike S1 [≥]14 days after the first dose as compared to those unexposed to SARS-CoV-2 at [≥]7 days after the second dose (p=0.011). Nucleoprotein-specific IgG concentrations were not affected by vaccination in naive participants. Conclusions Serological responses to Nucleoprotein may prove helpful in identifying SARS-CoV-2 infections after vaccination. Furthermore, it can help interpret IgG to Spike S1 after COVID-19 vaccination as particularly high responses shortly after vaccination could be explained by prior exposure history.
Genetic risk factors and Covid-19 severity in Brazil: results from BRACOVID Study

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the paradigms for disease surveillance and rapid deployment of scientific-based evidence for understanding disease biology, susceptibility, and treatment. We have organized a large-scale genome-wide association study in Sars-Cov-2 infected individuals in Sao Paulo, Brazil, one of the most affected areas of the pandemic in the country, itself one of the most affected in the world. Here we present the results of the initial analysis in the first 5,233 participants of the BRACOVID study. We have conducted a GWAS for Covid-19 hospitalization enrolling 3533 cases (hospitalized Covid-19 participants) and 1700 controls (non-hospitalized Covid-19 participants). Models were adjusted by age, sex and the 4 first principal components. A meta-analysis was also conducted merging BRACOVID hospitalization data with the Human Genetic Initiative (HGI) Consortia results. BRACOVID results validated most loci previously identified in the HGI meta-analysis. In addition, no significant heterogeneity according to ancestral group within the Brazilian population was observed for the two most important Covid-19 severity associated loci: 3p21.31 and Chr21 near IFNAR2. Using only data provided by BRACOVID a new genome-wide significant locus was identified on Chr1 near the genes DSTYK and RBBP5. The associated haplotype has also been previously associated with a number of blood cell related traits and might play a role in modulating the immune response in Covid-19 cases.