Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Fast and Robust Lane Detection Method Based on Semantic Segmentation and Optical Flow Estimation

Lane detection is a significant technology for autonomous driving. In recent years, a number of lane detection methods have been proposed. However, the performance of fast and slim methods is not satisfactory in sophisticated scenarios and some robust methods are not fast enough. Consequently, we proposed a fast and robust lane detection method by combining a semantic segmentation network and an optical flow estimation network. Specifically, the whole research was divided into three parts: lane segmentation, lane discrimination, and mapping. In terms of lane segmentation, a robust semantic segmentation network was proposed to segment key frames and a fast and slim optical flow estimation network was used to track non-key frames. In the second part, density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) was adopted to discriminate lanes. Ultimately, we proposed a mapping method to map lane pixels from pixel coordinate system to camera coordinate system and fit lane curves in the camera coordinate system that are able to provide feedback for autonomous driving. Experimental results verified that the proposed method can speed up robust semantic segmentation network by three times at most and the accuracy fell 2% at most. In the best of circumstances, the result of the lane curve verified that the feedback error was 3%.
Biochemical characteristics of a diffusible factor that induces gametophyte to sporophyte switching in the brown alga Ectocarpus

The haploid‐diploid life cycle of the filamentous brown alga Ectocarpus involves alternation between two independent and morphologically distinct multicellular generations, the sporophyte and the gametophyte. Deployment of the sporophyte developmental program requires two TALE homeodomain transcription factors OUROBOROS and SAMSARA. In addition, the sporophyte generation has been shown to secrete a diffusible factor that can induce uni‐spores to switch from the gametophyte to the sporophyte developmental program. Here, we determine optimal conditions for production, storage, and detection of this diffusible factor and show that it is a heat‐resistant, high molecular weight molecule. Based on a combined approach involving proteomic analysis of sporophyte‐conditioned medium and the use of biochemical tools to characterize arabinogalactan proteins, we present evidence that sporophyte‐conditioned medium contains AGP epitopes and suggest that the diffusible factor may belong to this family of glycoproteins.
The efficacy and safety of prokinetics in critically ill adults receiving gastric feeding tubes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Intolerance to gastric feeding tubes is common among critically ill adults and may increase morbidity. Administration of prokinetics in the ICU is common. However, the efficacy and safety of prokinetics are unclear in critically ill adults with gastric feeding tubes. We conducted a systematic review to determine the efficacy and safety of prokinetics for improving gastric feeding tube tolerance in critically ill adults. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified by systematically searching the Medline, Cochrane and Embase databases. Two independent reviewers extracted the relevant data and assessed the quality of the studies. We calculated pooled relative risks (RRs) for dichotomous outcomes and the mean differences (MDs) for continuous outcomes with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology to rate the quality of the evidence. Results Fifteen RCTs met the inclusion criteria. A total of 10 RCTs involving 846 participants were eligible for the quantitative analysis. Most studies (10 of 13, 76.92%) showed that prokinetics had beneficial effects on feeding intolerance in critically ill adults. In critically ill adults receiving gastric feeding, prokinetic agents may reduce the ICU length of stay (MD -2.03, 95% CI -3.96, -0.10; P = 0.04; low certainty) and the hospital length of stay (MD -3.21, 95% CI -5.35, -1.06; P = 0.003; low certainty). However, prokinetics failed to improve the outcomes of reported adverse events and all-cause mortality. Conclusion As a class of drugs, prokinetics may improve tolerance to gastric feeding to some extent in critically ill adults. However, the certainty of the evidence suggesting that prokinetics reduce the ICU or hospital length of stay is low. Prokinetics did not significantly decrease the risks of reported adverse events or all-cause mortality among critically ill adults.
Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Isolates: In Vivo Virulence Assessment in Galleria mellonella and Potential Therapeutics by Polycationic Oligoethyleneimine

Klebsiella pneumoniae, one of the most common pathogens found in hospital-acquired infections, is often resistant to multiple antibiotics. In fact, multidrug-resistant (MDR) K. pneumoniae producing KPC or OXA-48-like carbapenemases are recognized as a serious global health threat. In this sense, we evaluated the virulence of K. pneumoniae KPC(+) or OXA-48(+) aiming at potential antimicrobial therapeutics. K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) and the expanded-spectrum oxacillinase OXA-48 isolates were obtained from patients treated in medical care units in Lisbon, Portugal. The virulence potential of the K. pneumonia clinical isolates was tested using the Galleria mellonella model. For that, G. mellonella larvae were inoculated using patients KPC(+) and OXA-48(+) isolates. Using this in vivo model, the KPC(+) K. pneumoniae isolates showed to be, on average, more virulent than OXA-48(+). Virulence was found attenuated when a low bacterial inoculum (one magnitude lower) was tested. In addition, we also report the use of a synthetic polycationic oligomer (L-OEI-h) as a potential antimicrobial agent to fight infectious diseases caused by MDR bacteria. L-OEI-h has a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and exerts a significantly bactericidal activity within the first 5-30 min treatment, causing lysis of the cytoplasmic membrane. Importantly, the polycationic oligomer showed low toxicity against in vitro models and no visible cytotoxicity (measured by survival and health index) was noted on the in vivo model (G. mellonella), thus L-OEI-h is foreseen as a promising polymer therapeutic for the treatment of MDR K. pneumoniae infections.
Plant-Based Nutritional Supplementation Attenuates LPS-Induced Low-Grade Systemic Activation

Plant-based nutritional supplementation has been shown to attenuate and reduce mortality in the processes of both acute and chronic disorders, including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, inflammatory diseases, and neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. Low-level systemic inflammation is an important contributor to these afflictions and diets enriched in phytochemicals can slow the progression. The goal of this study was to determine the impact of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation on changes in glucose and insulin tolerance, performance enhancement, levels of urinary neopterin and concentrations of neurotransmitters in the striatum in mouse models. Both acute and chronic injections of LPS (2 mg/kg or 0.33 mg/kg/day, respectively) reduced glucose and insulin tolerance and elevated neopterin levels, which are indicative of systemic inflammatory responses. In addition, there were significant decreases in striatal neurotransmitter levels (dopamine and DOPAC), while serotonin (5-HT) levels were essentially unchanged. LPS resulted in impaired execution in the incremental loading test, which was reversed in mice on a supplemental plant-based diet, improving their immune function and maintaining skeletal muscle mitochondrial activity. In conclusion, plant-based nutritional supplementation attenuated the metabolic changes elicited by LPS injections, causing systemic inflammatory activity that contributed to both systemic and neurological alterations.
Olive Pomace-Derived Biomasses Fractionation through a Two-Step Extraction Based on the Use of Ultrasounds: Chemical Characteristics

Olive-derived biomass is not only a renewable bioenergy resource but also it can be a source of bioproducts, including antioxidants. In this study, the antioxidant composition of extracted olive pomace (EOP) and a new byproduct, the residual fraction from olive pit cleaning (RFOPC or residual pulp) was characterized and compared to olive leafy biomass, which have been extensively studied as a source of antioxidants and other bioactive compounds with pharmacological properties. The chemical characterization showed that these byproducts contain a high amount of extractives; in the case of EOP, it was even higher (52.9%) than in olive leaves (OL) and olive mill leaves (OML) (35.8–45.1%). Then, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was applied to recover antioxidants from the extractive fraction of these biomasses. The solubilization of antioxidants was much higher for EOP, correlating well with the extractives content and the total extraction yield. Accordingly, this also affected the phenolic richness of the extracts and the differences between all biomasses were diminished. In any case, the phenolic profile and the hydroxytyrosol cluster were different. While OL, OML, and EOP contained mainly hydroxytyrosol derivatives and flavones, RFOPC presented novel trilignols. Other compounds were also characterized, including secoiridoids, hydroxylated fatty acids, triterpenoids, among others, depending on the bioresource. Moreover, after the UAE extraction step, alkaline extraction was applied recovering a liquid and a solid fraction. While the solid fraction could of interest for further valorization as a biofuel, the liquid fraction contained proteins, sugars, and soluble lignin, which conferred antioxidant properties to these extracts, and whose content depended on the biomass and conditions applied.
Performance Change in Treating Tobacco Addiction: An Online, Interprofessional, Facilitated Continuing Education Course (TEACH) Evaluation at Moore's Level 5.

INTRODUCTION Continuing education is essential to build capacity among health care providers (HCPs) to treat people with tobacco addiction. Online, interprofessional training programs are valuable; however, interpretation and comparison of outcomes remain challenging because of inconsistent use of evaluation frameworks. In this study, we used level 5 of Moore's evaluation framework to examine whether an online training program in intensive tobacco cessation counseling achieved sustained performance change among HCPs across multiple health disciplines. METHODS The evaluation sample included 62 HCPs with direct clinical duties, who completed the online Training Enhancement in Applied Counseling and Health (TEACH) Core Course in 2015 and 2016. We compared self-reported changes in cessation counseling and clinical practices across eight core competencies from baseline to 6-month follow-up using McNemar's tests and descriptive analyses. RESULTS Compared with baseline, significantly more HCPs reported providing cessation counseling at 6-month follow-up (44% versus 81%, P < .001). HCPs also reported significant increases in engagement in six of the eight core competencies. DISCUSSION Online training in intensive tobacco cessation treatment can result in sustained performance improvement at 6 months. However, availability of resources and clinical context may influence the extent to which HCPs are able to implement their learned skills. Furthermore, continuing education programs should consider the use of consistent evaluation frameworks to promote cross program comparisons.
Fearful face scrambles increase early visual sensory processing in the absence of face information

Emotional facial expressions elicit distinct increased early electrophysiological responses. Many studies report even emotional modulations of very early sensory processing at about 80 and 100 ms after stimulus presentation, indexed by the P1. These early effects are often interpreted to index differential responses to biologically relevant expressions. Since specific spatial frequencies differ between fearful and neutral expressions, it has recently been suggested that these early modulations are substantially driven by such low‐level visual differences. However, it remains unclear whether similar P1 effects are also observed in experiments in which no recognizable face information is presented at all. This study investigated this question and explored also whether any effects depend on colour information and attentional conditions. Participants (N = 20) performed a continuous perceptual task of low or high difficultly and were presented with task‐irrelevant black/white and colour images of fearful and neutral faces, rendered unrecognizable by doing Fourier phase transformation. ERP findings revealed increased P1 amplitudes for fearful scrambles regardless of experimental conditions. Taken together, our findings show early emotional effects in the absence of any facial expression. Specific low‐level frequency information seems to increase P1 amplitudes which thus might have implications for the interpretation of very early sensory emotional expression effects.
Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells’ Paracrine Factors in Conditioned Medium Can Enhance Porcine Oocyte Maturation and Subsequent Embryo Development

An essential requirement for the success of in vitro maturation (IVM) of the oocyte is to provide an optimal microenvironment similar to in vivo conditions. Recently, somatic cell-based coculture or supplementation of a conditioned medium during IVM has been performed to obtain better quality of oocytes, because they mimic the in vivo reproductive tract by secreting paracrine factors. In this study, human adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) and their conditioned medium (ASC-CM) were applied to IVM of porcine oocytes to evaluate the effectiveness of ASC on oocyte development and subsequent embryo development. In results, both ASC and ASC-CM positively influence on oocyte maturation and embryo development by regulating growth factor receptors (VEGF, FGFR, and IGFR), apoptosis (BCL2), cumulus expansion (PTGS2, HAS2, and TNFAIP6), and oocyte maturation-related genes (GDF9 and BMP15). In particular, the fluorescence intensity of GDF9 and BMP15 was markedly upregulated in the oocytes from the ASC-CM group. Furthermore, significantly high levels of growth factors/cytokine including VEGF, bFGF, IGF-1, IL-10, and EGF were observed in ASC-CM. Additionally, the ASC-CM showed active scavenging activity by reducing the ROS production in a culture medium. Consequently, for the first time, this study demonstrated the effect of human ASC-CM on porcine oocyte development and the alteration of mRNA transcript levels in cumulus–oocyte complexes.
Chemical Factors Affecting Preparation of Carboxymethyl Starch

Preparation of carboxymethyl starch using chloroacetic acid and sodium hydroxide was investigated under different conditions. The carboxymethylation reaction was studied with respect to the degree of substitution (D. S.) of the carboxymethyl starch and the reaction efficiency (R. E.) of carboxymethylation variables studied included concentration of reactants and liquor ratio as well as reaction time and temperature. D. S. and R. E. were greatly enhanced by decreasing the liquor ratio. D. S. and R. E. increased also by increasing the reaction time. On the other hand, increasing the monochloroacetic acid concentration was accompanied by enhancement in the D. S. and decrement in the R. E. , while both the D. S. and R. E. exhibited maximum values at 4N sodium hydroxide. The combined effect of increasing both monochloroacetic acid and sodium hydroxide concentrations was to bring about increased D. S. and decreased R. E. irrespective of the reaction temperature. Of particular interest were the results obtained at 100°C for 1 h; carboxymethyl starch of D. S. 0.436 with R. E. of ca. 79% could be achieved using solid reactants/liquor ratio of 1: 1. Die Darstellung von Carboxymethylstarke beeinflussende chemische Faktoren Die Darstellung von Carboxymethylstaarke unter Verwendung von Chloressigsaure und Natriumhydroxid wurde unter verschiedenen Bedingungen untersucht. Die Carboxymethylierungs-Reaktion wurde hinsichtlich des Substitutionsgrades (D. S.) der Carboxymethylstarke und des Reaktions-Wirkungsgrades (R. E.) der Variablen der Carboxymethylierung, einschlieslich der Konzentration der Reaktanten, des Flussigkeitsverhaltnisses sowie der Reaktionszeit und -temperatur, untersucht. D. S. und R. E. wurden durch Verringerung des Flussigkeitsverhaltnisses erheblich erhoht; ebenso wirkte sich die Verlangerung der Reaktionszeit aus. Andererseits war die Erhohung der Monochloressigsaure-Konzentration von einer Steigerung des D. S. und einer Minderung der R. E. begleitet, wahrend sowohl D. S. als auch R. E. in 4N Natriumhydroxid-Losung Maximalwerte zeigten. Die kombinierte Wirkung der Erhohung der Monochloressigsaure- und der Natriumhydroxid-Konzentration fuhrte zu erhohtem D. S. und erniedrigtem R. E. , unabhangig von der Reaktionstemperatur. Von besonderem Interesse waren die innerhalb von 1 h bei 100°C erreichten Ergebnisse: Carboxymethylstarke mit einem D. S. von 0,436 und einem R. E. von ca. 79% wurde unter Anwendung eines Feststoff/Flussigkeits-Verhaltnisses von 1: 1 erhalten.
Effect of dexamethasone intravitreal implant for refractory and treatment-naïve diabetic macular edema in Taiwanese patients.

BACKGROUND Dexamethasone (DEX) implant has been shown to improve visual and anatomic function in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of DEX implant between refractory and naïve eyes with DME. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed data from pseudophakic patients with center-involved DME who received DEX implant (1 + as needed retreatment) from May 2015 to May 2017. Baseline clinical characteristics, changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT) were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Adverse events were recorded. RESULTS Thirty-four eyes of 31 patients refractory to anti-VEGF agents and 41 eyes of 38 treatment-naïve patients were reviewed. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups (p > 0.05). In the refractory eyes, significant improvements in both BCVA and CFT were observed at 1 month post-DEX implant and sustained throughout 6 months. Mean change from baseline in BCVA at 6 months was -0.17 ± 0.35 logMAR (7.29 ± 16.22 letters) and 155.44 ± 112.67 μm in CFT. Similar trends of improvement were seen in treatment-naïve eyes, however, the visual improvement (-0.30 ± 0.29 logMAR [16.42 ± 14.38 letters]) was significantly better than the refractory group, with significantly less injections (1.54 ± 0.49 versus 1.82 ± 0.38, p = 0.007). Between-group changes in CFT were comparable. No serious ocular complications occurred, and about a quarter of the patients had elevated intraocular pressures that were manageable with topical medications. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this was the first study comparing DEX implant between treatment-naïve and refractory Asian patients with DME. Intravitreal DEX implant can effectively treat refractory and treatment-naïve patients with DME. In addition, superior visual outcomes were observed in the naive group comparing to the refractory group following DEX implant treatment in Taiwanese pseudophakic eyes with DME.
Effects of Boron Carbide on Coking Behavior and Chemical Structure of High Volatile Coking Coal during Carbonization

Modified cokes with improved resistance to CO2 reaction were produced from a high volatile coking coal (HVC) and different concentrations of boron carbide (B4C) in a laboratory scale coking furnace. This paper focuses on modification mechanism about the influence of B4C on coking behavior and chemical structure during HVC carbonization. The former was studied by using a thermo-gravimetric analyzer. For the latter, four semi-cokes prepared from carbonization tests for HVC with or without B4C at 450 °C and 750 °C, respectively, were analyzed by using Fourier transform infrared spectrum and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy technologies. It was found that B4C will retard extensive condensation and crosslinking reactions by reducing the amount of active oxygen obtained from thermally produced free radicals and increase secondary cracking reactions, resulting in increasing size of aromatic layer and anisotropic degree in coke structure, which eventually improves the coke quality.
Detection of Medication Errors Through Medication History Assessment During Admission at General Medical Wards

Introduction: Medication history assessment during hospital admissions is an important element in the medication reconciliation process. It ensures continuity of care and reduces medication errors. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the incidence of unintentional discrepancies (medication errors), types of medication errors with its potential severity of patient harm and acceptance rate of pharmaceutical care interventions. Methods: A four-month cross-sectional study was conducted in the general medical wards of a tertiary hospital. All newly admitted patients with at least one prescription medication were recruited via purposive sampling. Medication history assessments were done by clinical pharmacists within 24 hours or as soon as possible after admission. Pharmacist-acquired medication histories were then compared with in-patient medication charts to detect discrepancies. Verification of the discrepancies, interventions, and assessment of the potential severity of patient harm resulting from medication errors were collaboratively carried out with the treating doctors. Results: There were 990 medication discrepancies detected among 390 patients recruited in this study. One hundred and thirty-five (13.6%) medication errors were detected in 93 (23.8%) patients (1.45 errors per patient). These were mostly contributed by medication omissions (79.3%), followed by dosing errors (9.6%). Among these errors, 88.2% were considered “significant” or “serious” but none were “life-threatening. ” Most (83%) of the pharmaceutical interventions were accepted by the doctors. Conclusion: Medication history assessment by pharmacists proved vital in detecting medication errors, mostly medication omissions. Majority of the errors intervened by pharmacists were accepted by the doctors which prevented potential significant or serious patient harm.
Avian mud nest architecture by self-secreted saliva

Significance We provide a biomechanical explanation of how swallows and phoebes can construct strong nests of incohesive mud granules using saliva as a paste. The analysis leads to a hypothesis for why only 57 small light-weighted bird species (of approximately 10,000 species worldwide) can build mud nests on walls by utilizing their saliva. Our comprehensive study, combining experiments on natural and artificial mud nests and mathematical models on granular cohesion, not only elucidates the physical mechanism of this extraordinary animal architecture, but also provides inspiration to three-dimensional printing technology based on environmentally benign granular materials. Mud nests built by swallows (Hirundinidae) and phoebes (Sayornis) are stable granular piles attached to cliffs, walls, or ceilings. Although these birds have been observed to mix saliva with incohesive mud granules, how such biopolymer solutions provide the nest with sufficient strength to support the weight of the residents as well as its own remains elusive. Here, we elucidate the mechanism of strong granular cohesion by the viscoelastic paste of bird saliva through a combination of theoretical analysis and experimental measurements in both natural and artificial nests. Our mathematical model considering the mechanics of mud nest construction allows us to explain the biological observation that all mud-nesting bird species should be lightweight.