Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deep Unsupervised Learning Based Visual Odometry with Multi-scale Matching and Latent Feature Constraint

A novel siamese autoencoder visual odometry system named SAEVO is proposed in this paper. SAEVO can jointly estimate the 6-DoF pose and the depth using deep neural networks trained with monocular clips only. The main idea of the proposed method is an unsupervised deep learning scheme that combines siamese networks with auto-encoder for multi-scale matching to estimate ego-motion. Also, two unsupervised losses are designed to align extracted features from the siamese autoencoder networks. A system overview is shown in Fig. 1. The experiments on KITTI and CityScapes datasets demonstrate the SAEVO achieves good performance in terms of pose and depth accuracy, and competitive performance to state-of-the-art methods.
4D reconstruction of developmental trajectories using spherical harmonics

Although the full embryonic development of species such as Drosophila and zebrafish can be 3D imaged in real time, this is not true for mammalian organs, as normal organogenesis cannot be recapitulated in vitro. Currently available 3D data is therefore ex vivo images which provide only a snap shot of development at discrete moments in time. Here we propose a computer-based approach to recreate the continuous evolution in time and space of developmental stages from 3D volumetric images. Our method uses the mathematical approach of spherical harmonics to re-map discrete shape data into a space in which facilitates a smooth interpolation over time. We tested our approach on mouse limb buds (from E10 to E12.5) and embryonic hearts (from 10 to 29 somites). A key advantage of the method is that the resulting 4D trajectory takes advantage of all the available data (i.e. it is not dominated by the choice of a few “ideal” images), while also being able to interpolate well through time intervals for which there is little or no data. This method not only provides a quantitative basis for validating predictive models, but it also increases our understanding of morphogenetic processes. We believe this is the first data-driven quantitative 4D description of limb morphogenesis.
One of these morphs is not like the others: orange morphs exhibit different escape behavior than other morphs in a color polymorphic lizard

Variation in color morph behavior is an important factor in the maintenance of color polymorphism. Alternative anti-predator behaviors are often associated with morphological traits such as coloration, possibly because predator-mediated viability selection favors certain combinations of anti-predator behavior and color. The Aegean wall lizard, Podarcis erhardii, is color polymorphic and populations can have up to three monochromatic morphs: orange, yellow, and white. We investigated whether escape behaviors differ among coexisting color morphs, and if morph behaviors are repeatable across different populations with the same predator species. Specifically, we assessed color morph flight initiation distance (FID), distance to the nearest refuge (DNR), and distance to chosen refuge (DR) in two populations of Aegean wall lizards from Naxos island. We also analyzed the type of refugia color morphs selected and their re-emergence behavior following a standardized intrusion event. We found that orange morphs have different escape behaviors from white and yellow morphs, and these differences are consistent in both of the populations we sampled. Orange morphs have shorter FIDs, DNRs, and DRs, select different refuge types, and re-emerge less often after an intruder event compared to white and yellow morphs. Observed differences in color morph escape behaviors support the idea that morphs have evolved alternative behavioral strategies that may play a role in population-level morph maintenance and loss.
Combining policies: the best of human expertise and neurocontrol

We consider sequential decision making in the case where a generative model and a parametric policy are available. Such a framework is naturally tackled with Direct Policy Search, i.e. parametric op-timisation over simulations. We propose a simple method that combines this parametric policy with a more generic neural network, where all parameters are trained simultaneously. As such, our approach doesn't require any computational overhead. We show that the resulting policy significantly outperforms both the domain specific policies and the neural network on a unit commitment test problem.
Orchids of Azerbaijani Cemeteries

In order to explore their orchid flora, we performed surveys of 96 Azerbaijani burial places in 2018 and 2019. Altogether, 28 orchid taxa were found in 37 visited cemeteries. In the orchid diversity a remarkable pattern was observed: geographic latitude was significantly and positively related to the number of taxa and number of individuals. The most widespread and abundant orchids in Azerbaijani graveyards were Anacamptis pyramidalis and A. papilionacea (found in 23 and 8 cemeteries, respectively). Azerbaijani cemeteries can be important refuges for rare and threatened orchids, e.g., Himantoglossum formosum (three cemeteries), Ophrys sphegodes subsp. mammosa (eight), Orchis adenocheila (two), O. punctulata (three), O. stevenii (one) and Steveniella satyrioides (one). Epipactis turcica, detected in a single locality, was previously unknown to the flora of Azerbaijan. Additionally, we documented orchid tuber (salep) collection in two cemeteries.
Human-wildlife conflicts and drought in the greater Calakmul Region, Mexico: implications for tapir conservation

Wildlife conservation efforts in the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor have focused on reducing negative interactions between humans and charismatic species. In recent years, droughts have increased in frequency and intensity in southeastern Mexico exacerbating conflicts with wildlife as they compete with humans for limited water. In the Yucatan Peninsula, Greater Calakmul Region of southeastern Mexico, Baird’s tapirs (Tapirus bairdii) are increasingly encroaching into local villages (ejidos) in search of water. This behavior could increase tapir mortality from hunting by Calakmul ejidos residents. We evaluated the trends between annual precipitation and tapir sightings near or within Calakmul ejidos from 2008 to 2019 to determine if the frequency of reported conflicts increased relative to decreased precipitation. In addition, with community participation, from 2016 to 2018 we monitored one of the ejidos where human-tapir conflicts were reported to be increasing to better describe the nature of conflicts. We did not find any relationship between the number of tapir sightings reported and annual precipitation. However, more tapirs were documented near ejidos in 2019, which is one of the years with the lowest rainfall (626.6 mm) in the last decade. Tapirs were reported as the most common wildlife species observed at waterholes (35.4%) and apiaries (32.1%). Our findings suggested that water scarcity has increased tapirs’ incursions into human-populated areas and subsequently the potential for human-tapir conflicts. We recommend that managers consider developing alternative water sources that could mitigate human-tapir conflicts and contribute to the long-term viability of other wildlife species that inhabit the Greater Calakmul Region of southeastern Mexico.
An Expert Solution to Assess an Industrially Situated, Computer‐Enabled Design Project

Process development is a common and critical task for industrial chemical engineers; however, it is difficult to create activities to give students such practice in their university education. Using a computer‐based simulation, we have created an authentic, industrially situated process development task that students can complete by applying their foundational knowledge and skills. We present a case study of an expert's solution to this task, which is compared with those of higher‐ and lower‐performing student teams.
Exploring the Role of Norms and Habit in Explaining Pro-Environmental Behavior Intentions in Situations of Use Robots and AI Agents as Providers in Tourism Sector

In a pandemic situation, with climate change around the world, studies analyzing changes in travel patterns are welcome. This study combines three theories to propose a model on pro-environmental behavior intentions, namely, the theory of planned behavior, value–belief–norm theory and habit theory. This study aims to examine the role of social norms, personal norms and habit strength to explain pro-environmental behavior intentions. The authors collected 316 usable questionnaires from tourists in the well-known touristic Belem location in Lisbon. Personal norms were revealed to have the strongest association with pro-environmental behavior intentions, followed by habit strength. The study also identified different broad challenges to encouraging sustainable behaviors and use these to develop novel theoretical propositions and directions for future research. Finally, the authors outlined how practitioners aiming to encourage sustainable consumer behaviors can use this framework to achieve better results.
Nanoindentation of Porous Die Attach Materials as a Means of Determining Mechanical Attributes

A die attach nanopaste for high temperature use on silicon carbide (SiC) based power semiconductor devices was developed utilizing silver (Ag) and aluminium (Al) nanoparticles as well as organic additives. Total nanoparticle content was varied at 84.7, 85.5, 86.2 and 87 wt%, while the Ag to Al ratio was fixed to 80:20. The die attach nanopaste was sintered in open air at 380 °C for 30 minutes to create an Ag-Al inter-metallic compound between the SiC die and substrate. To determine the mechanical attributes of the post-sintered die attach interlayer, nanoindentation was performed on the samples. It was found that, a low Young modulus of elasticity, E, between 9.3-9.8 GPa was obtained. This was followed by a reduction in hardness as well as stiffness for the post-sintered Ag80-Al20 die attach material when compared against that of solder alloys or bulk metals. The formation of pores in the die attach material as it underwent sintering is believed to have contributed to this decrease in mechanical properties. The findings of this research enables the possibility of introducing a much cheaper die attach material for high temperature devices, which also has excellent mechanical properties to alleviate thermal mismatch issues between the semiconductor die and substrate.
Reconfigurable Surface Micropatterns Based on the Magnetic Field-Induced Shape Memory Effect in Magnetoactive Elastomers

A surface relief grating with a period of 30 µm is embossed onto the surface of magnetoactive elastomer (MAE) samples in the presence of a moderate magnetic field of about 180 mT. The grating, which is represented as a set of parallel stripes with two different amplitude reflectivity coefficients, is detected via diffraction of a laser beam in the reflection configuration. Due to the magnetic-field-induced plasticity effect, the grating persists on the MAE surface for at least 90 h if the magnetic field remains present. When the magnetic field is removed, the diffraction efficiency vanishes in a few minutes. The described effect is much more pronounced in MAE samples with larger content of iron filler (80 wt%) than in the samples with lower content of iron filler (70 wt%). A simple theoretical model is proposed to describe the observed dependence of the diffraction efficiency on the applied magnetic field. Possible applications of MAEs as magnetically reconfigurable diffractive optical elements are discussed. It is proposed that the described experimental method can be used as a convenient tool for investigations of the dynamics of magnetically induced plasticity of MAEs on the micrometer scale.
Framing Migration in Southern European Media: Perceptions of Spanish, Italian, and Greek Specialized Journalists

ABSTRACT Greece, Italy, and Spain are the Southern European borders and the main entrances for migrants and refugees to Europe, a movement that was particularly visible after the 2015 “refugee crisis of the Mediterranean. ” In this context, immigration is used as a political tool, and the object of major media coverage. However, previous studies have shown that this coverage tends to be partial and prejudiced. This study, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, uses the frame building theory to study the perceptions of journalists covering migration issues regarding ways to improve the representation of migrants in the media of these three countries. For that, in-depth interviews were conducted with 94 Greek, Italian, and Spanish journalists. The precarity of the profession, the focus on conflictive approaches, and discrimination based on national origin or religion are mentioned as the biggest challenges. Professionals covering this information demand more individualized and deeper coverage, giving the migrants’ condition greater visibility, and giving voice to the migrants themselves, as they are the protagonists of the stories. Greater attention to journalistic ethics and the defense of vulnerable groups is considered essential to achieve this.
Identifying the Key Residues Regulating the Binding between Antibody Avelumab and PD-L1 VIA Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Avelumab, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma in adults and paediatric patients in 2017, is an investigational fully human anti–PD-L1 IgG1 antibody that inhibits PD-1/PD-L1 interactions. Although the crystal structure of the avelumab/PD-L1 complex was reported in 2017, which provided us the interface information at atom level, the dynamics information of the complex is missed, and some key residues could not be detected in that static crystal structure. Here, molecular dynamics simulations were performed for the avelumab/PD-L1 complex to map the epitope to paratope residues. The results showed that the epitope residues locating on the C strand (PD-L1TYR56 and PD-L1GLU58), CC’ loop (PD-L1GLU60, PD-L1ASP61 and PD-L1LYS62), C’ strand (PD-L1ASN63), and C'D loop (PD-L1HIS69) of PD-L1 mainly form the interface with avelumab. The paratope residues on avelumab include TYR52H, SER54H, GLY102H, THR105H, TYR34L, ASP52L and ARG99L. The C’ strand of PD-L1 is also a binding region for PD-1. Thus, antibody avelumab block PD-1/PD-L1 interaction through direct competitive binding of the C’ strand of PD-L1.
Cervical cancer and precancerous cervical lesions detected using visual inspection with acetic acid at Livingstone Teaching Hospital

Introduction: cervical cancer (CaCx) is the second most common malignancy in women world-wide. Precancer screening aided by visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) is an early diagnosis method used to detect the lesions that are high indicators of cancer in women. cervical cancer is more prevalent in the developing world affecting mainly women in the reproductive age group and is the commonest cancer among Zambian women. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with a positive VIA at Livingstone Teaching Hospital (LTH). Methods: this was a cross-sectional study conducted at LTH among 329 women from Livingstone district aged 18 and above, who were coming for routine cervical cancer screening using VIA between 2019 and 2020. Demographic and clinical data were collected from the CaCx clinic. A positive VIA (precancerous cervical lesions) and cervical cancer were the primary and secondary outcome variables. A positive VIA was defined by presence of a dense ulcerative acetowhite area in the transformation zone of the cervix. Cervical cancer diagnosis was defined by presence of cancerous cells on histological examination by a qualified pathologist. Data were analyzed using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney and logistic regression were the statistical methods used. Results: the participants had a median (interquartile range) age of 37 (29, 44) years. Prevalence of CaCx and positive VIA were 6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 4, 9) and 19% (95% CI: 15, 24) respectively. At multivariable analysis, the factors associated with a positive VIA were alcohol consumption [odds ratio (OR) 0.30 (95% CI: 0.12, 0.74)] and HIV infection [OR 0.37 (95% CI: 0.19, 0.70)]. Conclusion: the study showed that precancerous cervical lesions are common among our study participants and it was influenced by alcohol consumption and HIV status. There is therefore need to enhance the screening programs using VIA in order to identify cancerous lesions at an early stage for early intervention in resource limited settings.
Analysis of the Nordel power grid disturbance of January 1, 1997 using trajectory sensitivities

This paper uses trajectory sensitivity analysis to investigate a major disturbance of the Nordel power system which occurred on January 1, 1997. The Nordel system is described, and the details of the disturbance are presented. Background to trajectory sensitivity analysis is also provided. Results of the investigation indicate the usefulness of trajectory sensitivities for exploring the influence of various system parameters on the large disturbance behaviour of the system. The trajectory sensitivities provide a way of judging the relative importance of various factors which affected behaviour.
A Novel LysR Family Factor STM0859 is Associated with The Responses of Salmonella Typhimurium to Environmental Stress and Biofilm Formation

Abstract Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (ST) is an intracellularly parasitic bacterium. This zoonotic pathogen causes food poisoning and thus imposes a severe threat to food safety. Here, to understand the regulatory roles of the novel transcription factor STM0859 on the response of ST to environmental stress and biofilm formation, the STM0859 gene-deficient strain and the complementation strain ΔSTM0859/STM0859 were generated, respectively. Then, its capacity of responding to environmental stresses and biofilm (BF) formation ability under different stresses, including acid, alkali, high salt, cholate, and oxidative stresses was tested. We further analyzed the interaction between the STM0859 protein and the promoter of the acid stress response-related gene rcsB by performing an electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA). The results showed that acid resistance and BF formation capacities of ST-ΔSTM0859 strain were significantly weaker, as compared with those of Salmonella Typhimurium SL1344 (ST-SL1344) wild strain (p < 0.01). Quantitative qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression levels of acid stress and BF formation-related genes, rcsB and rpoS, of ST-ΔSTM0859 strain were significantly reduced at the transcription levels, while the transcription levels of these genes were fully restored in complementation strain ST-ΔSTM0859/STM0859. The results of EMSA showed that STM0859 was capable of binding the promoter DNA fragments of the rcsB gene, suggesting that STM0859 can promote the transcription of the rcsB gene through interaction with its promoter, thereby exerting an indirectly regulatory role on the adaptive responses to acid stress and BF formation of ST. This study provided new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of the LysR family factors on the tolerances of ST under adverse environmental stresses.
Preclinical Investigation in Neuroprotective Effects of the GPR55 Ligand VCE-006.1 in Experimental Models of Parkinson’s Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Cannabinoids act as pleiotropic compounds exerting, among others, a broad-spectrum of neuroprotective effects. These effects have been investigated in the last years in different preclinical models of neurodegeneration, with the cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) and type-2 (CB2) receptors concentrating an important part of this research. However, the issue has also been extended to additional targets that are also active for cannabinoids, such as the orphan G-protein receptor 55 (GPR55). In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective potential of VCE-006.1, a chromenopyrazole derivative with biased orthosteric and positive allosteric modulator activity at GPR55, in murine models of two neurodegenerative diseases. First, we proved that VCE-006.1 alone could induce ERK1/2 activation and calcium mobilization, as well as increase cAMP response but only in the presence of lysophosphatidyl inositol. Next, we investigated this compound administered chronically in two neurotoxin-based models of Parkinson’s disease (PD), as well as in some cell-based models. VCE-006.1 was active in reversing the motor defects caused by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in the pole and the cylinder rearing tests, as well as the losses in tyrosine hydroxylase-containing neurons and the elevated glial reactivity detected in the substantia nigra. Similar cytoprotective effects were found in vitro in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to 6-OHDA. We also investigated VCE-006.1 in LPS-lesioned mice with similar beneficial effects, except against glial reactivity and associated inflammatory events, which remained unaltered, a fact confirmed in BV2 cells treated with LPS and VCE-006.1. We also analyzed GPR55 in these in vivo models with no changes in its gene expression, although GPR55 was down-regulated in BV2 cells treated with LPS, which may explain the lack of efficacy of VCE-006.1 in such an assay. Furthermore, we investigated VCE-006.1 in two genetic models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), mutant SOD1, or TDP-43 transgenic mice. Neither the neurological decline nor the deteriorated rotarod performance were prevented with this compound, and the same happened with the elevated microglial and astroglial reactivities, albeit modest spinal motor neuron preservation was achieved in both models. We also analyzed GPR55 in these in vivo models and found no changes in both TDP-43 transgenic and mSOD1 mice. Therefore, our findings support the view that targeting the GPR55 may afford neuroprotection in experimental PD, but not in ALS, thus stressing the specificities for the development of cannabinoid-based therapies in the different neurodegenerative disorders.
Effect of the SAR Distribution of a Radio Frequency (RF) Coil on the Temperature Field Within a Human Leg: Numerical Studies

This paper presents a three dimensional Finite Element Model for studying the effect of the specific absorption rate (SAR) distribution of a RF coil on the temperature distribution within a human leg due to the energy deposit. The model consists of fat, muscle, and bone, and has 21,158 uniform elements. The 3-D leg model was derived from the tissue maps that are obtained from the 79 sequential MR images of a volunteer’s leg. The specific absorption rate (SAR) data are from the solution to the fundamental Maxwell’s electromagnetic equations of the leg with RF coil in place using finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. The blood perfusion term, which is a function of the local tissue temperature, along with the metabolic heat as well as the SAR term, are treated as one heat source term in the classical bio-heat transfer equation. A commercial FEA code, ANSYS, was used to solve the 3-D heat conduction equation with an additional iteration method to deal with the temperature dependent source term. The 3-D temperature fields without and with the SAR term were computed, as well as the changes in temperature. They predict that the maximum temperature change occurs in approximately the same location as the maximum local SAR. The map of the temperature change clearly shows how the presence of the RF coil affect the temperature distribution within the leg. With 2 watts absorbed in the leg, about 8.8 w/kg of peak SAR value, the maximum change in temperature of the leg is about 1.74° C.