Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
YOLO V4 with hybrid dilated convolution attention module for object detection in the aerial dataset

ABSTRACT Object detection is an important part of computer vision. Besides, small object detection is a challenging task in object detection. Most existing methods have difficulty locating small objects and classification. In this paper, we propose a new method to solve the problem. On the one hand, we improve the YOLO V4 network with ASPP. On the other hand, we propose a Hybrid Dilated Convolution Attention (HDCA) module to focus on the important position in images. The Hybrid Dilated Convolution (HDC) module is redesigned for parameter-efficient in the HDCA module. We also design a Translational Dilated Convolution (TDC) to solve the ‘gridding issueʻ of the HDC and enlarge the receptive field at the same time. The experiments are based on the DOTA dataset, and our method achieves 2.31% mAP improvement compared with the original YOLO V4. Besides, our method achieves the best improvement in the class of basketball court, which reaches 81.03% of AP. Compared with the state-of-the-art method, our method achieves a 3.99% improvement on the mAP criterion. We put other attention modules in the YOLO V4 architecture at the same place as our method. And our method achieves 0.78% mAP improvement compared with the BAM module, which is the second place in the competition.
Sodium-Iodate Injection Can Replicate Retinal Degenerative Disease Stages in Pigmented Mice and Rats: Non-Invasive Follow-Up Using OCT and ERG

Purpose: The lack of suitable animal models for (dry) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has hampered therapeutic research into the disease, so far. In this study, pigmented rats and mice were systematically injected with various doses of sodium iodate (SI). After injection, the retinal structure and visual function were non-invasively characterized over time to obtain in-depth data on the suitability of these models for studying experimental therapies for retinal degenerative diseases, such as dry AMD. Methods: SI was injected into the tail vein (i.v.) using a series of doses (0–70 mg/kg) in adolescent C57BL/6J mice and Brown Norway rats. The retinal structure and function were assessed non-invasively at baseline (day 1) and at several time points (1–3, 5, and 10-weeks) post-injection by scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and electroretinography (ERG). Results: After the SI injection, retinal degeneration in mice and rats yielded similar results. The lowest dose (10 mg/kg) resulted in non-detectable structural or functional effects. An injection with 20 mg/kg SI did not result in an evident retinal degeneration as judged from the OCT data. In contrast, the ERG responses were temporarily decreased but returned to baseline within two-weeks. Higher doses (30, 40, 50, and 70 mg/kg) resulted in moderate to severe structural RPE and retinal injury and decreased the ERG amplitudes, indicating visual impairment in both mice and rat strains. Conclusions: After the SI injections, we observed dose-dependent structural and functional pathological effects on the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and retina in the pigmented mouse and rat strains that were used in this study. Similar effects were observed in both species. In particular, a dose of 30 mg/kg seems to be suitable for future studies on developing experimental therapies. These relatively easily induced non-inherited models may serve as useful tools for evaluating novel therapies for RPE-related retinal degenerations, such as AMD.
Heat Stress Impairs Maternal Endometrial Integrity and Results in Embryo Implantation Failure by Regulating Transport-Related Gene Expression in Tongcheng Pigs

Heat stress (HS) poses a significant threat to production and survival in the global swine industry. However, the molecular regulatory effects of heat stress on maternal endometrial cells are poorly understood in pigs during early embryo implantation. In this study, we systematically examined morphological changes in the endometrium and the corresponding regulation mechanism in response to HS by combining scanning electron microscopy (SEM), hematoxylin/eosin (H&E) staining, western blot, and RNA-seq analyses. Our results showed that HS led to porcine endometrium damage and endometrial thinness during embryo implantation. The expression levels of cell adhesion-related proteins, including N-cadherin and E-cadherin, in the uterus were significantly lower in the heat stress group (39 ± 1 °C, n = 3) than in the control group (28 ± 1 °C, n = 3). A total of 338 up-regulated genes and 378 down-regulated genes were identified in porcine endometrium under HS. The down-regulated genes were found to be mainly enriched in the pathways related to the microtubule complex, immune system process, and metalloendopeptidase activity, whereas the up-regulated genes were mainly involved in calcium ion binding, the extracellular region, and molecular function regulation. S100A9 was found to be one of the most significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the endometrium under HS, and this gene could promote proliferation of endometrial cells and inhibit their apoptosis. Meanwhile, HS caused endometrial epithelial cell (EEC) damage and inhibited its proliferation. Overall, our results demonstrated that HS induced uterine morphological change and tissue damage by regulating the expression of genes associated with calcium ions and amino acid transport. These findings may provide novel molecular insights into endometrial damage under HS during embryo implantation.
Correlation between biochemical features and outcomes of preoperative imaging (SPECT-CT and Ultrasound) in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Background Primary hyperparathyroidism is the third most common endocrine disorder, diagnosed by elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) in hypercalcaemia. Several biochemical factors have been described to suggest severity of disease and may be correlated with preoperative imaging. Methods This was a retrospective study of patients who underwent parathyroidectomy over a 3-year period. Preoperative calcium, PTH, vitamin D levels, ALP (alkaline phosphatase), vitamin D, serum phosphate and US and SPECT-CT positivity was noted. Results 176 patients underwent parathyroidectomy and these were divided into 4 groups based on preoperative calcium. Overall, 61% of patients showed concordance between imaging and operative findings. Severe hypercalcaemia was associated with higher PTH levels, lower vitamin D levels, an increased rate of abnormal ALP levels, lower phosphate, male gender and highest rate of imaging concordance. Imaging positivity was associated with severe hypercalcaemia and elevated PTH levels. Level of PTH >125 pmol/L and hypercalcaemia >2.8 mmol/L are the most accurate cut-off levels for scan positivity. Conclusion Biochemical factors associated with severity of the disease are directly correlated with positivity of preoperative imaging while ALP and vitamin D did not influence the preoperative imaging positivity but are associated with disease adversity. Serum phosphate level independently predicted results of parathyroid US.
New insight into pattern divergence of the Indian summer monsoon during the Holocene

As one of the paramount components of Asian monsoon and global atmospheric circulation system, the ISM (Indian summer monsoon) plays a vitally important role in the natural environment, ecological balance, and cultural development. Moreover, understanding the ISM could provide valuable insights into global hydrological, atmospheric, and carbon cycles. In recent decades, many ISM records based on different archives have been established within the Holocene, however, issues still remain: the TP (Tibetan Plateau) and the Indian subcontinent are often analyzed separately, despite the both are strongly influenced by the ISM, impeding comprehensive understanding of the monsoon and its object relationship with the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). Here, covering the both regions, 65 published paleoclimate records within the Holocene have been collected, and conclusions are drawn as follow: (1) There are two evolution patterns of the ISM during the Holocene. The first pattern with the Holocene Optimum (HO) at ~10–6 ka BP, mainly distributing in the Arabian Sea and its surrounding areas, the Indian subcontinent, western central TP, northern TP, and southern China. The second pattern with the HO at ~8–3 ka BP, mainly distributing in the Bay of Bengal and its surrounding areas and southern TP. (2) The delay between the optimum of the second pattern and insolation maximum may be caused by the variation of high-latitude ice cover, although the underlying mechanism concerning the spatial distribution of the two patterns is still unclear. (3) The ISM and the EASM evolve synchronously, and share similar pattern divergence. Arguments over this issue mainly owe to the selected records originating from different patterns. This study makes up the gap in the pattern divergence of monsoon evolution, deepening the understanding of the ISM, even entire Asian monsoon system, and therefore is of great significance for future climate prediction.
Microtubules as Regulators of Neural Network Shape and Function: Focus on Excitability, Plasticity and Memory

Neuronal microtubules (MTs) are complex cytoskeletal protein arrays that undergo activity-dependent changes in their structure and function as a response to physiological demands throughout the lifespan of neurons. Many factors shape the allostatic dynamics of MTs and tubulin dimers in the cytosolic microenvironment, such as protein–protein interactions and activity-dependent shifts in these interactions that are responsible for their plastic capabilities. Recently, several findings have reinforced the role of MTs in behavioral and cognitive processes in normal and pathological conditions. In this review, we summarize the bidirectional relationships between MTs dynamics, neuronal processes, and brain and behavioral states. The outcomes of manipulating the dynamicity of MTs by genetic or pharmacological approaches on neuronal morphology, intrinsic and synaptic excitability, the state of the network, and behaviors are heterogeneous. We discuss the critical position of MTs as responders and adaptative elements of basic neuronal function whose impact on brain function is not fully understood, and we highlight the dilemma of artificially modulating MT dynamics for therapeutic purposes.
PbI2 Nanocrystal Growth by Atomic Layer Deposition from Pb(tmhd)2 and HI

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) allows for a great level of control over the thickness and stoichiometry of materials. ALD provides a suitable route to deposit lead halides, which can further be converted to perovskite for photovoltaics, photoemission, and photodetection, among other applications. Deposition of lead halides by ALD has already begun to be explored; however, the precursors used in published processes are highly hazardous, require expensive fabrication processes, or contain impurities that can jeopardize the optoelectronic properties of metal halide perovskites after conversion. We sought to deposit lead iodide (PbI 2 ) by a facile ALD process involving only two readily accessible, low-cost precursors and without involving any unwanted impurities that could act as recombination centers once the PbI 2 is later converted to perovskite. Crystalline PbI 2 nanocrystals were grown on soda-lime glass (SLG), silicon dioxide support grids, and silicon wafer substrates and provide the groundwork for further investigation into developing lead halide perovskite processes by ALD. The ALD-grown PbI 2 was characterized by annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF-STEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), among other methods. This work presents the first step to synthesize lead halide perovskites with atomic control for applications such as interfacial layers in photovoltaics and for deposition in microcavities for lasing.
Fault Localization Scheme for Missing Gate Faults in Reversible Circuits

This article introduces a fault localization method to extract the exact location of single and multiple missing gate faults in reversible \( k \) -CNOT -based circuits. The primary target of the proposed method is to obtain the complete test set for localizing faults in \( k \) -CNOT circuits. We propose a fault localization algorithm to construct a fault localization tree that can be used to find equivalent and non-equivalent faults. For the non-equivalent faults, the test sequences can be obtained from the fault localization tree that uniquely localizes the non-equivalent faults. Finally, this article presents the experimental results and comparative analysis with existing works.
Integrating Online Corpus and Online Dictionary to Expand Student's English Vocabulary for Tourism

This study was aimed to know the contribution of online corpus integrated with an online dictionary to take part in learning English vocabulary for tourism. An experimental research was conducted toward the fourth semester of Diploma III students at STIPARY Tourism Academy majoring in Hospitality. The population consists of 118 students and they were divided into 4 classes in which class A and B were randomly chosen as the samples. 100 words from the corpus created from articles in the tourism field were listed through the corpus data and the level of familiarity rated by the students. Based on the analysis result, it could be seen that Asymp. Sig (2-tailed) value was 0,000, which was less than the probability value of 0,05. It means that integrating online corpus and online dictionary could be significantly expand the students' English Vocabulary for tourism.
A Spatial Time-Varying Coupling Model for Dynamic Analysis of High Speed Railway Subgrade

According to the working condition of high speed railway, a spatial time varying model of subgrade/track/vehicle coupling system is established for dynamic analysis of subgrade. In the spatial model, the railway structure and vehicle are dispersed into different elements, the dynamic equation of the coupling system is founded with the energy theory, and the vibration equation made up of the coupled matrixes of the system is also established. Under the continued harmonic irregularity, dynamic analyses are performed and used as the verification of the model. The dynamic responses such as the acceleration of the car, the dynamic wheel load, the subgrade dynamic stresses, the subgrade dynamic deformation, etc. , are analyzed during the running of a vehicle. The results show that the calculation model presented in this paper is rational.
Influence of grain size on distribution of temperature and thermal stress in ZnO varistor ceramics

The nonuniformity of temperature distribution within ZnO varistor ceramics would decrease its energy absorption capability. In this paper, the distributions of current, temperature and thermal stress within the microstructures of ZnO varistor ceramics are simulated using Voronoi diagram models. The results show that the current concentrates through a few paths in ZnO varistor due to the nonuniformity of ZnO grain size and the variety of electrical characteristics of grain boundaries, which induces local high temperature and great thermal stress when injecting impulse current into ZnO varistor, and leads to melting puncture or cracking failure. The influence of the ZnO grain size on the distributions of temperature and thermal stress within ZnO varistor ceramics is analyzed in detail. The energy absorption capability of ZnO varistor ceramics can be greatly improved by increasing the uniformity of ZnO grain size or decreasing the average size of ZnO grains.
Bacterial and eukaryotic intact polar lipids point to in situ production as a key source of labile organic matter in hadal surface sediment of the Atacama Trench

Abstract. Elevated organic matter (OM) concentrations are found in hadal surface sediments relative to the surrounding abyssal seabed. However, the origin of this biological material remains elusive. Here, we report on the composition and distribution of cellular membrane intact polar lipids (IPLs) extracted from surface sediments around the deepest points of the Atacama Trench and adjacent bathyal margin to assess and constrain the sources of labile OM in the hadal seabed. Multiscale bootstrap resampling of IPLs' structural diversity and abundance indicates distinct lipid signatures in the sediments of the Atacama Trench that are more closely related to those found in bathyal sediments than to those previously reported for the upper ocean water column in the region. Whereas the overall number of unique IPL structures in hadal sediments contributes a small fraction of the total IPL pool, we also report a high contribution of phospholipids with mono- and di-unsaturated fatty acids that are not associated with photoautotrophic sources and that resemble traits of physiological adaptation to high pressure and low temperature. Our results indicate that IPLs in hadal sediments of the Atacama Trench predominantly derive from in situ microbial production and biomass, whereas the export of the most labile lipid component of the OM pool from the euphotic zone and the overlying oxygen minimum zone is neglectable. While other OM sources such as the downslope and/or lateral transport of labile OM cannot be ruled out and remain to be studied, they are likely less important in view of the lability of ester-bond IPLs. Our results contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms that control the delivery of labile OM to this extreme deep-sea ecosystem. Furthermore, they provide insights into some potential physiological adaptation of the in situ microbial community to high pressure and low temperature through lipid remodeling.
Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Smartwatch ECG for Heart Failure-Reduced Ejection Fraction Detection by Generating 12-Lead ECG

Background: We developed and validated an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled smartwatch ECG to detect heart failure-reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods: This was a cohort study involving two hospitals (A and B). We developed the AI in two steps. First, we developed an AI model (ECGT2T) to synthesize ten-lead ECG from the asynchronized 2-lead ECG (Lead I and II). ECGT2T is a deep learning model based on a generative adversarial network, which translates source ECGs to reference ECGs by learning styles of the reference ECGs. For this, we included adult patients aged ≥18 years from hospital A with at least one digitally stored 12-lead ECG. Second, we developed an AI model to detect HFrEF using a 10 s 12-lead ECG. The AI model was based on convolutional neural network. For this, we included adult patients who underwent ECG and echocardiography within 14 days. To validate the AI, we included adult patients from hospital B who underwent two-lead smartwatch ECG and echocardiography on the same day. The AI model generates a 10 s 12-lead ECG from a two-lead smartwatch ECG using ECGT2T and detects HFrEF using the generated 12-lead ECG. Results: We included 137,673 patients with 458,745 ECGs and 38,643 patients with 88,900 ECGs from hospital A for developing the ECGT2T and HFrEF detection models, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of AI for detecting HFrEF using smartwatch ECG was 0.934 (95% confidence interval 0.913–0.955) with 755 patients from hospital B. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of AI were 0.897, 0.860, 0.258, and 0.994, respectively. Conclusions: An AI-enabled smartwatch 2-lead ECG could detect HFrEF with reasonable performance.
Twitterido: designing for transitions in communicating through doing

Twitterido is a set of early design exploration on the idea of twittering by doing. Twitterido offers an alternative way of microblogging enabling us to twitter about the things we do by simply doing them. The overall aim is to stimulate social interaction by making peoples' activities visible to their community. We position Twitterido as an alternate avenue of research with respect to the Internet of Things, stressing on human-to-human communication mediated by electronically augmented everyday artefacts.
Gasdermin D Inhibitor Necrosulfonamide Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced Acute Liver Failure in Mice

Background and Aims Acute liver failure (ALF) is associated with high mortality. Gasdermin D (GSDMD) is the executioner of pyroptosis and is involved in the pathophysiology of immune dysregulation This study investigated the role of the GSDMD inhibitor necrosulfonamide (NSA) in ALF. Methods An ALF model was established by lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine challenge in C57BL/6J mice. Mice were divided into four groups: normal controls (control group), ALF group (ALF group), dimethyl sulfoxide group (DMSO group), and NSA intervention group (NSA group). Survival was monitored, liver damage was determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Underlying mechanisms were explored by quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results Pyroptosis was activated in ALF model mice. Mice treated with GSDMD inhibitor NSA developed less severe liver failure. NSA reduced the expression of GSDMD, NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, cleaved caspase-11, and secretion of interleukin-1 beta in ALF mice model. Conclusions Pyroptosis was activated in ALF. NSA alleviated ALF via the pyroptosis pathway.
The Experience of Shiatsu for Care Partners and Persons Living With Dementia: a Qualitative Pilot Study

Background: Dementia is a progressive neurological condition that affects over 50 million people. It impacts quality of life for those diagnosed, their care partners, and the relationship between the two. Strategies to enhance quality of life and relationships are needed. Shiatsu may improve care partners’ well-being. Using touch through shiatsu may offer a meaningful way for care partners to interact with their partners living with dementia. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore care partners’ experience of using both self-shiatsu and shiatsu with their partner, as well as to explore care partners’ perceptions of the impact of shiatsu on the quality of their relationship. Setting: This study took place at a centre providing programs for persons living with dementia and their care partners. Participants: Participants were current and former attendees of the centre’s programs. Research Design: This was a qualitative study with an interpretive/descriptive approach. Care partners were taught self-shiatsu to manage stress and a simplified, short shiatsu routine to use with their partner. Semi-structured interviews were con-ducted to elicit care partners’ experiences and explore their ongoing use of shiatsu at two and six weeks post-workshop. Findings: Four care partners completed the study. A wide range of experiences with shiatsu were described, representing four key themes: Enhanced Awareness, Integrating Shiatsu into the Relationship, Barriers and Facilitators, and Potential and Possibility. Two found self-shiatsu beneficial. Using shiatsu with their partner was a favourable experience for only one, who found it a pleasant way to connect and interact. None of the participants felt using shiatsu with their partners affected their relationship quality. Conclusions: The findings of this study are inconclusive. Self-shiatsu may be a helpful self-management approach for some care partners, but not for others. Shiatsu for persons living with dementia may not fit into the routines of many care partners. For others, however, it may offer a means to connect.