Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LWOSNet: A Lightweight One-Shot Network Framework for Object Pose Estimation

The 6-D pose estimation of objects is a crucial task for robotic manipulation. The currently popular methods, that is, deep learning–based methods, usually have high requirements on the training dataset and the network architecture, which is likely to increase the cost of data annotation and training time. In this article, we propose a lightweight one-shot network (LWOSNet) to estimate the 6-D poses of multiple objects in real time and provide two feasible routes to generate synthetic training data with the objects at hand. The input of LWOSNet is a red-green-blue (RGB) image, and the output is the objects’ semantic labels and 6-D poses. The whole process is divided into three stages: the image pre-processing stage, the keypoints extraction stage, and the 6-D pose inference stage. Firstly, we leverage the first eight layers of visual geometry group 19 (VGG-19) and two convolutional layers to downscale the dimensionality of the image feature, which effectively reduces the parameters of the network. Then, the processed features are input into two different network branches to identify the categories of the objects and generate the 3-D bounding boxes. Finally, the LWOSNet outputs the semantic labels and the 6-D poses calculated by the perspective-n-point (PnP) algorithm. Additionally, we conducted a series of detection experiments and robot grasping experiments. The experimental results indicate that the LWOSNet accurately detects the categories and 6-D poses of multiple objects, and the robot successfully grasps the target objects based on this information.
Use of Semivariances for Studies of Landsat TM Image Textural Properties of Loblolly Pine Forests

We evaluate the applicability of Landsat TM imagery for analyzing textural information of pine forest images by exploring the spatial correlation between pixels measured by semivariances and cross-semivariances calculated from transects of the Landsat TM images. Then, we explore differences in semivariances associated with images of young, middle-aged, and old, and natural versus planted stands. Finally, we compare semivariances for loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) with those of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) in Georgia, U.S.A. The results show that, in spite of the low Landsat TM resolution, the semivariances and cross-semivariances may provide useful additional information.
Exploring nanodynamics with optical and dielectrophoretic trapping

It has been observed that a nanoparticle can exhibit underdamped motion while moving toward the focal point of an optical trap. It is unclear whether this motion is caused by laser or fluid forces. Dielectrophoretic forces can trap nanoparticles as an alternate approach to optical trapping. The electrical trap uses no laser, so we can determine which force causes the underdamped motion. A microchannel with a quad-electrode arrangement on its ceiling and floor was designed to explore this question. Supplying an oscillating voltage to these electrodes generates an oscillating electric field resulting in the dielectrophoretic force that traps the particle. However, matching common characteristics, such as trap stiffness, is difficult between the two methods. This paper compares the two approaches for a 2 μm diameter particle. Instead of matching the trapping characteristics, the next step in this work is to use the dielectrophoretic device to explore the effect of the particle’s momentum on its motion, which can explain the underdamped motion. Combining optical and dielectrophoretic trapping will offer new insights into the dynamic behavior of small particles in a fluid medium.
Rare-earth distributions in some rocks and associated minerals of the batholith of southern California

The rare-earth and yttrium abundances in four whole-rock samples and eight associated mineral fractions from the batholith of southern California have been determined by means of neutron activation and partition chromatography. It is shown that, on a whole-rock basis, an increase in total rare-earth content in the sequence gabbro-tonalite-grandiorite-quartz monzonite is paralleled by an increase in relative fractionation favoring the lighter rare earths. In the same sequence, there is an apparently systematic, increased relative removal of Eu which is attributed to the existence of Eu(II). Analyses of feldspar, pyroxene, amphibole, mica, and apatite mineral fractions also indicate that divalent Eu was an important constituent during the evolution of the rocks studied. The feldspar mineral fractions were invariably enriched in Eu relative to the adjacent rare earths, whereas the ferromagnesian minerals were relatively depleted.
Income Leakage Regional Effects: Supply and Demand Shocks during the Pandemic in Brazil and Chile

During the COVID-19 pandemic, regions were affected by a combination of economic crises: weak demand and constrained supply. Several studies have sought to analyse the heterogeneous effects of supply and demand shocks on the labour market, economic growth, and the environment. This study has a different focus, estimating both direct and indirect effects of demand and supply shocks adopted during the pandemic in Brazil and Chile. Afterwards, the paper compares the degree of regional absorption (leakage) of income resulting from each of these shocks, applying an interregional input–output model for each country. The results of this study show that income absorption by the poorest regions is relatively greater in the case of a supply shock. It can be said, therefore, that this type of shock improves the retention of income generated in the poorest regions, favouring the development of these localities and the reduction in regional inequalities. The main reason for this result is that supply policies have restricted essential sectors to a lesser extent, and these sectors are generally less concentrated in large urban centres in both Brazil and Chile. In other words, much of the interregional leakage is driven by the demand for non-essential products, mainly in the richest urban economy centres. Finally, the geographical dimension of regional inequalities leads to the economic benefit of prosperous areas in the country when shocks occur in vulnerable regions, highlighting the centre–periphery pattern in both countries.
SPT-CPT Correlation and Its Application for Liquefaction Evaluation in China

The standard penetration test (SPT) and cone penetration test (CPT) are the two most commonly used in-situ tests. In this paper, SPT-CPT correlation is investigated using statistical and regression method based on a database of in-situ tests. Two correlation equations of the SPT N-value and the CPT cone tip resistance qc are proposed. The equations are applied for the liquefaction potential evaluation. Three effect factors including the soil type, mean particle size, and fine content are investigated for SPT-CPT correlation. The simple correlation can be used for the preliminary site investigation with least data and information. The comprehensive one can give more accurate result with detailed data. These two correlation equations are useful for different purposes with different accuracies. The liquefaction evaluations using the proposed correlation method are compared with those from the Chinese code method. It is shown that the proposed correlation can be helpful for site investigation and geotechnical design in practice.
Multiquadric equations of topography and other irregular surfaces

A new analytical method of representing irregular surfaces that involves the summation of equations of quadric surfaces having unknown coefficients is described. The quadric surfaces are located at significant points throughout the region to be mapped. Procedures are given for solving multiquadric equations of topography that are based on coordinate data. Contoured multiquadric surfaces are compared with topography and other irregular surfaces from which the multiquadric equation was derived.
Dimethyl Fumarate Protects against Lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) Induced Sepsis through Inhibition of NF-κB Pathway in Mice

Sepsis is one of the most severe complications and causes of mortality in the clinic. It remains a great challenge with no effective treatment for clinicians worldwide. Inhibiting the release of proinflammatory cytokines during sepsis is considered as an important strategy for treating sepsis and improving survival. In the present study, we have observed the effect of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) on lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced sepsis and investigated the possible mechanism. By screening a subset of the Johns Hopkins Drug Library, we identified DMF as a novel inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, suggesting that DMF could be a potential drug to treat sepsis. To further characterize the effect of DMF on LPS signaling, TNF-α, MCP-1, G-CMF, and IL-6 expression levels were determined by using cytokine array panels. In addition, an endotoxemia model with C57BL/6 mice was used to assess the in vivo efficacy of DMF on sepsis. The survival rate was assessed, and HE staining was performed to investigate histopathological damage to the organs. DMF was found to increase the survival of septic mice by 50% and attenuate organ damage, consistent with the reduction in IL-10, IL-6, and TNF-α (inflammatory cytokines) in serum. In vitro experiments revealed DMF's inhibitory effect on the phosphorylation of p65, IκB, and IKK, suggesting that the primary inhibitory effects of DMF can be attributed, at least in part, to the inhibition of phosphorylation of IκBα, IKK as well as nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) upon LPS stimulation. The findings demonstrate that DMF dramatically inhibits NO and proinflammatory cytokine production in response to LPS and improves survival in septic mice, raising the possibility that DMF has the potential to be repurposed as a new treatment of sepsis.
Perception and Mental Health Status Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination Among Taiwanese Adolescents and Their Caregivers

Background Vaccinating adolescents is a vital strategy to enhance population protection without imposing overly restrictive measures on our daily lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. As teenagers gain more independence, their willingness to get vaccinated may depend on their own understanding of the pandemic, vaccines, and mental well-being, as well as that of their caregivers. Our study aimed to examine how Taiwanese adolescents and their caregivers perceive COVID-19 vaccination and assess their mental health status. Methods We invited a total of 138 vaccinated adolescents and their caregivers to complete several questionnaires, including the Drivers of COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance Scale (DrVac-COVID19S), Impact of Event Scale (IES), and Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ). Results Among the adolescents, 76.8% considered the BNT162b2 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) as the ideal option for COVID-19 vaccination, while 27.5% of caregivers expressed acceptance of any available vaccine. Adolescents scored higher than caregivers in terms of vaccine value (p<0.001) and autonomy (p<0.001), but lower in knowledge (p<0.001), as assessed by the DrVac-COVID19S subscales. The adolescents’ intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 (DrVac-COVID19S total score) showed a positive correlation with their perception of the pandemic’s impact (IES scores, r=0.214, p=0.012) and their caregivers’ vaccination intention (r=0.371, p<0.001). Furthermore, adolescents’ mental health demonstrated a positive association with the mental health of their caregiver (CHQ total scores, r=0.481, p<0.001). Conclusion During the COVID-19 outbreak, caregivers have encountered heightened levels of mental stress, and this stress has been found to be positively correlated with the mental stress experienced by adolescents and their intentions regarding vaccination. These findings can serve as crucial references for healthcare providers and governments when formulating vaccination policies for adolescents in the future.
“To Be the Best Teacher Possible”: Stories of Teachers of Color with Disabilities

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to describe the lived experiences of teachers of color with disabilities. We anchored our study in the construct of funds of identity and the theory of intersectionality to explore how their lived experiences and multilayered identities transformed into resources and strengths for teaching children of color with disabilities. We collected our data using the model of phenomenological interviewing. Our findings demonstrate how the women’s intersecting funds of identity have positively impacted their aspirations of becoming and being special education teachers and the unique ways they perform teaching. Implications for teacher training are discussed.
The Clinical Frailty Scale as a Predictor of Trial of Void Outcomes in Men
 Undergoing Transurethral Resection of Prostate Surgery

BackgroundWith the growing elderly population, there is an increasing prevalence of frail patients undergoing surgeries. A common operation in this group is the transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Whilst there is a demonstrable link between frailty and general adverse postoperative outcomes, there is limited research on frailty and trial of void (TOV) outcomes post TURP.This study aims to investigate possible associations between frailty, TOV outcomes, and postoperative complications following a TURP.MethodsA retrospective review was conducted of adult patients treated with TURP at 2 hospitals from January 2018 to December 2019, inclusive. Patient demographic data, preoperative Clinical Frailty Scale scores, trial of void outcomes, and complications were recorded and analysed. Clinical frailty scores (CFS) were recorded in accordance with the Dalhousie University Clinical Frailty Scale, ranging from 1 (very fit) to 9 (terminally ill). ResultsA total of 226 patients (median age 70.5 years) were identified for this study. Of these patients, 59 were identified as having a CFS of 1 to 2 (Group A), 140 patients had a CFS of 3 to 4 (Group B), and 27 patients had a CFS of 5 to 7 (Group C). Within the initial TOV, Group C had a statistically significant difference in failure rates compared with the other 2 groups, with Group C having the highest failure rate of 33.3% (9/27), followed by Group B with 14.3% (20/140), and then Group A with 13.6 % (8/59) (P = 0.04). ConclusionIn conclusion, greater preoperative frailty is associated with higher rates of initial TOV failure in post-TURP patients. Early objective identification of elderly patients with increased frailty is useful to help preoperative counselling and decision-making, to manage patient postoperative expectations, and to optimise patient care.
A new Early Devonian lungfish from Guangxi, China, and its palaeogeographic significance

Qiao, T. & Zhu, M. , 13.4. 2015. A new Early Devonian lungfish from Guangxi, China, and its palaeogeographic significance. Alcheringa 39, xxx–xxx. ISSN 0311-5518 A new species of Cathlorhynchus (Dipnorhynchidae, Dipnoi) is described based on a mandible from the marine Yukiang Formation (early Emsian, Early Devonian) of Guangxi, southern China. It resembles the type species of Cathlorhynchus, C. trismodipterus, in that the anterior portion of the internal median septum terminates abruptly and does not contact dermal bones ventrally. The new Chinese form, together with Erikia jarviki from the Emsian of Yunnan, southern China, confirms the occurrence of the Dipnorhynchus lineage outside Australia. Coupled with the distribution of Westollrhynchus, Ichnomylax and Jessenia, we propose that the Dipnorhynchus lineage was dispersed widely during the early Emsian, corroborating the trans-Panthalassic distribution of early sarcopterygians. Tuo Qiao [qiaotuo@ivpp.ac. cn] and Min Zhu [zhumin@ivpp.ac. cn], Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, PO Box 643, Beijing 100044, PR China.
Striatal response to negative feedback in a stop signal task operates as a multi-value learning signal

Abstract Background and aim: We examined error-driven learning in fMRI activity of 217 subjects in a stop signal task to obtain a more robust characterization of the relation between behavioral measures of learning and corresponding neural learning signals than previously possible. Methods: The stop signal task is a two-alternative forced choice in which participants respond to an arrow by pressing a left or right button but must inhibit that response on 1 in 7 trials when cued by an auditory “stop signal. ” We examined post-error learning by comparing brain activity (BOLD signal) and behavioral responses on trials preceded by successful (correct stop) vs. failed (failed stop) inhibition. Results: There was strong evidence of greater bilateral striatal activity in the period immediately following correct (vs. failed) stop trials (most evident in the putamen; peak MNI coordinates [-26 8 -2], 430 voxels, p < 0.001; [24 14 0], 527 voxels, p < 0.001). We measured median activity in the bilateral striatal cluster following every failed stop and correct stop trial and correlated it with learning signals for (a) probability and (b) latency of the stop signal. In a mixed-effects model predicting activity 5-10 s after the stop signal, both reaction time (RT) change (B = -0.05, t = 3.0, χ2 = 11.3, p < 0.001) and probability of stop trial change (B = 1.53, t = 6.0, χ2 = 43.0, p < 0.001) had significant within-subjects effects on median activity. In a similar mixed model predicting activity 1-5 s after the stop signal, only probability of stop trial change was predictive. Conclusions: A mixed-effects model indicates the striatal activity might be a learning signal that encodes reaction time change and the current expected probability of a stop trial occuring. This extends existing evidence that the striatum encodes a reward prediction error signal for learning within the stop signal task, and demonstrates for the first time that this signal seems to encode both change in stop signal probability and in stop signal delay.
Association of tea and its extracts with colorectal adenomas: meta-analysis and systematic review

Background There are many studies on the association of tea and its extracts with colorectal adenomas, but the results have varied. The study aims to investigate the effect of tea and its extracts on colorectal adenomas using meta analysis and systematic review. Methods Literature was obtained through PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Chinese BioMedical Literature Service System since the establishment of the database until April 31, 2023. Search terms include adenomas, polyps, colorectal, rectal, rectum, tea, epigallocatechin, drinking and beverages. Meta-regression analysis was used to infer the source of heterogeneity. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics and Q test. The effect measures were odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Stata17.0 software was used for data processing. Results The findings indicated that study design (t = 0.78, P = 0.454), types of tea intake (t = 1.35, P = 0.205), occurrences (t = -0.19, P = 0.852), regions (t = 1.13, P = 0.281) and grades of adenomas (t = 0.06, P = 0.952) were statistical homogeneity. Tea and its extracts were negatively correlated with the risk of colorectal adenomas (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.66–0.98). No publication bias was found in this study (t = -0.22, P = 0.828) and the results are robust. Conclusion This study suggests that tea and its extracts have a certain protective effect on colorectal adenomas, which provides scientific evidence for preventive strategies for colorectal adenomas. As for the causal relationship between tea and its extracts on colorectal adenomas, further prospective studies are needed.
A Software Platform for Quadruped Robots with Advanced Manipulation Capabilities

Recently, a diverse range of robots with various functionalities have become a part of our daily lives. However, these robots either lack an arm or have less capable arms, mainly used for gestures. Another characteristic of the robots is that they are wheeled-type robots, restricting their operation to even surfaces. Several software platforms proposed in prior research have often focused on quadrupedal robots equipped with manipulators. However, many of these platforms lacked a comprehensive system combining perception, navigation, locomotion, and manipulation. This research introduces a software framework for clearing household objects with a quadrupedal robot. The proposed software framework utilizes the perception of the robot’s environment through sensor inputs and organizes household objects to their designated locations. The proposed framework was verified by experiments within a simulation environment resembling the conditions of the RoboCup@Home 2021-virtual competition involving variations in objects and poses, where outcomes demonstrate promising performance.
Estimation of turbulence intensity and shear factor for diurnal and nocturnal periods with an URANS flow solver coupled with WRF

Mesoscale results using the WRF model were downscaled from 3 km to 250 m resolution in a one-way coupling with VENTOS®/M. The results were compared against field measurements at one site comprising 4 meteorological masts, each with two sets of cup anemometers and wind vanes. The results showed that the addition of VENTOS®/M to the model chain improved the wind speed RMSE. Regarding the prediction of wind direction ambivalent results were obtained. Special attention was given to the prediction of turbulence intensity, particularly in reproducing its inverse proportionality with increasing wind speed (cf. IEC 61400-1 standard). The typical use of computational models in wind resource assessment, i.e., relying on decoupled methodologies and neutrally-stratified regimes, does not allow the representation of turbulence intensity for all wind speeds. The results obtained with VENTOS®/M were in agreement with the measured turbulence characteristics at both high and low wind speeds. Such was achieved without the coupling of any turbulence related field, relying solely on the turbulence model embedded in VENTOS®/M and its respective wall boundary conditions, based on Monin-Obukhov similarity theory. The behaviour under different stratification regimes was verified by analysing diurnal and nocturnal events separately.