Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VME-Transformer: Enhancing Visual Memory Encoding for Navigation in Interactive Environments

The efficiency of a robotic system is primarily determined by its ability to navigate complex and interactive environments. In real-world scenarios, cluttered surroundings are common, requiring a robot to navigate diverse spaces and displace objects to pave a path towards its objective. Consequently, “Visual Interactive Navigation” presents several challenges, including how to retain historical exploration information from partially observable visual signals, and how to utilize sparse rewards in reinforcement learning to simultaneously learn a latent representation and a control policy. Addressing these challenges, we introduce a Transformer-based Visual Memory Encoder (VME-Transformer), capable of embedding both recent and long-term exploration information into memory. Additionally, we explicitly estimate the robot's next pose, conditioned on the impending action, to bootstrap the learning process of the high-capacity VME-Transformer. We further regularize the value function by introducing input perturbations, thereby enhancing its generalization capabilities in previously unseen environments. In the Visual Interactive Navigation tasks within the iGibson environment, the VME-Transformer demonstrates superior performance compared to state-of-the-art methods, underlining its effectiveness.
Impacts of invasive alien species on riparian plant communities in South African savanna

Abstract Biological invasions are a threat to protected areas globally; however, the relative lack of studies quantifying the ecological impacts impairs informed decision-making. We selected three annual alien plants, widespread in the riparian habitats of the Kruger National Park, South Africa: Datura innoxia, Parthenium hysterophorus, and Xanthium strumarium, to examine their potential impacts on riparian plant communities. We identified 12–13 populations for each and placed a pair of invaded and uninvaded plots in each population. Species richness, Shannon diversity, and Pielou evenness were compared between the invaded and uninvaded plots using LMM models, and species composition was compared using ordination. The invaded vegetation showed lower species richness compared to the uninvaded, with the strongest effect observed for P. hysterophorus. The invaded plots also showed lower Shannon diversity and Pielou evenness due to the presence of alien dominants. For all three invaders, the invasion resulted in changes in the composition of native vegetation. Some native plants were more frequent and abundant in the invaded vegetation, possibly due to the habitats created in sandy river beds. The native species richness decreased with increasing invader cover, but the species richness of aliens accompanying the invasive dominants was not negatively affected by their cover. Our results confirmed the negative impact of invasive aliens on native plant diversity, with the most pronounced effect by Parthenium hysterophorus invasions.
Gene Cloning and Characterization of Transcription Factor FtNAC10 in Tartary Buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.)

NAC transcription factors play a significant role in plant stress responses. In this study, an NAC transcription factor, with a CDS of 792 bp encoding 263 amino acids, was cloned from Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn. (F. tataricum), a minor cereal crop, which is rich in flavonoids and highly stress resistant. The transcription factor was named FtNAC10 (NCBI accession number: MK614506.1) and characterized as a member of the NAP subgroup of NAC transcriptions factors. The gene exhibited a highly conserved N-terminal, encoding about 150 amino acids, and a highly specific C-terminal. The resulting protein was revealed to be hydrophilic, with strong transcriptional activation activity. FtNAC10 expression occurred in various F. tataricum tissues, most noticeably in the root, and was regulated differently under various stress treatments. The over-expression of FtNAC10 in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana) seeds inhibited germination, and the presence of FtNAC10 enhanced root elongation under saline and drought stress. According to phylogenetic analysis and previous reports, our experiments indicate that FtNAC10 may regulate the stress response or development of F. tataricum through ABA-signaling pathway, although the mechanism is not yet known. This study provides a reference for further analysis of the regulatory function of FtNAC10 and the mechanism that underlies stress responses in Tartary buckwheat.
Sensitivity of cloud-phase distribution to cloud microphysics and thermodynamics in simulated deep convective clouds and SEVIRI retrievals

Abstract. The formation of ice in clouds is an important process in mixed-phase clouds, and the radiative properties and dynamical developments of clouds strongly depend on their partitioning between the liquid and ice phases. In this study, we investigated the sensitivities of the cloud phase to the ice-nucleating particle (INP) concentration and thermodynamics. Moreover, passive satellite retrieval algorithms and cloud products were evaluated to identify whether they could detect cloud microphysical and thermodynamical perturbations. Experiments were conducted using the ICOsahedral Nonhydrostatic (ICON) model at the convection-permitting resolution of about 1.2 km on a domain covering significant parts of central Europe, and they were compared to two different retrieval products based on Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI) measurements. We selected a day with multiple isolated deep convective clouds, reaching a homogeneous freezing temperature at the cloud top. The simulated cloud liquid pixel fractions were found to decrease with increasing INP concentration, both within clouds and at the cloud top. The decrease in the cloud liquid pixel fraction was not monotonic and was stronger in high-INP cases. Cloud-top glaciation temperatures shifted toward warmer temperatures with an increasing INP concentration by as much as 8 ∘C. Moreover, the impact of the INP concentration on cloud-phase partitioning was more pronounced at the cloud top than within the cloud. Furthermore, initial and lateral boundary temperature fields were perturbed with increasing and decreasing temperature increments from 0 to ±3 and ±5 K between 3 and 12 km, respectively. Perturbing the initial thermodynamic state was also found to systematically affect the cloud-phase distribution. However, the simulated cloud-top liquid pixel fraction, diagnosed using radiative transfer simulations as input to a satellite forward operator and two different satellite remote-sensing retrieval algorithms, deviated from one of the satellite products regardless of perturbations in the INP concentration or the initial thermodynamic state for warmer subzero temperatures while agreeing with the other retrieval scheme much better, in particular for the high-INP and high-CAPE (convective available potential energy) scenarios. Perturbing the initial thermodynamic state, which artificially increases the instability of the mid- and upper-troposphere, brought the simulated cloud-top liquid pixel fraction closer to the satellite observations, especially in the warmer mixed-phase temperature range.
Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) in Pediatrics: Factors That Impact Symptom Severity and Referral to Treatment

The post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) is a complex condition. While there are emerging studies on its effects in adults, there is scarce research regarding the long-term effects of COVID-19 infection among youth. Several researchers have likened long-haul COVID-19 to chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). In adults, the prognosis for these diagnoses is less promising than that in youth; however, there is currently very little information available on the presentation of youth with PASC. A better understanding of the specific symptom presentation for youth diagnosed with PASC is necessary. Retrospective chart reviews were conducted collecting demographic data, COVID-19 symptoms and disease progression, and vaccination status. Additional data on referrals to a PASC treatment program and appointments attended were collected. Overall, data suggested that youth present with less severe PASC symptoms than adults, and the role of vaccination is unclear. These youth are often not referred to treatment programs. More exploration is necessary to continue to build an understanding of how best to aid youth diagnosed with PASC.
Towards a global land subsidence map

Abstract. Land subsidence is a global problem, but a global land subsidence map is not available yet. Such map is crucial to raise global awareness of land subsidence, as land subsidence causes extensive damage (probably in the order of billions of dollars annually). With the global land subsidence map relative sea level rise predictions may be improved, contributing to global flood risk calculations. In this paper, we discuss the approach and progress we have made so far in making a global land subsidence map. Initial results will be presented and discussed, and we give an outlook on the work needed to derive a global land subsidence map.
Toward a federation of broadband seismic networks

Seismologists from many parts of the world are convinced that this is the time to undertake a major initiative in instrumenting the surface of the earth with a network of high-quality modern seismographs. Realization of the compatibility of the efforts that arose nearly simultaneously in several countries led to a meeting in Karlsruhe, Federal Republic of Germany, April 10–11, 1986. The meeting was organized as part of a symposium of the International Lithosphere Program and was convened during the Annual Meeting of the German Geophysical Society. A proposal was made at the meeting to form an organization that would aid in the coordination of national programs by establishing common instrumentation standards and a mechanism for the timely exchange of data.
Incremental residual polarization caused by aging in human skin

Abstract. Significance The study of the effect of aging on the optical properties of biological tissues, in particular polarization, is important in the development of new diagnostic approaches. Aim This work aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors and mechanisms that contribute to the alteration of skin polarization properties caused by aging, using polarization-sensitive hyperspectral imaging measurements and Monte Carlo simulation. Approach Our investigation involved both experimental studies of in vivo human skin of volunteers of different ages and computational modeling that accounted for changes in the absorption and scattering properties of the skin model. Specifically, we analyzed alterations in the degree of linear polarization (DOLP) to better understand the impact of aging on skin polarization properties. Results A statistically significant increase in the DOLP was found for the elderly group. At the same time, there was no correlation between changes in polarization and the calculated blood volume fraction parameter for different ages. According to the simulation results, it was also found that a change in the scattering properties of biological tissues has a more significant effect on the change in polarizing light compared to the change in absorption. Conclusions The results of the work prove that the sensitivity of polarization imaging to age- or pathological-related skin changes may be primarily due to changes in scattering, which in turn is associated with changes in the collagen fibers of the dermis. The proposed technique shows promise for in vivo non-invasive real-time assessment of age-associated skin changes and can also be extended to monitor changes associated with the development of age-related pathologies.
Impact of phosphate addition on PFAS treatment performance for drinking water

Adding new unit operations to drinking water treatment systems requires consideration of not only efficacy for its design purpose but also costs, water quality characteristics, impact on overall regulatory compliance, and impact of other treatment unit operations. Here, pilot study results for ion exchange (IX) and granular activated carbon (GAC) are presented for a utility with both per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and volatile organic contaminant removal needs. Specifically, the impact of upstream air stripping and phosphate addition on PFAS treatment performance was evaluated. Modeling was used to fit the IX and GAC pilot data and predict performance under different scenarios. GAC performance was generally consistent for treating water before or after the air stripper, but the addition of phosphate prior to air‐stripping resulted in a loss of 15%–25% capacity for some PFAS on IX media, demonstrating the need to consider the entire treatment train before implementing PFAS removal unit operations.
Ultrasound continuous erector spinae catheter versus paravertebral catheter for pain management in modified radical mastectomy for cancer patients: A randomized double-blind

ABSTRACT Background Regional analgesia provides adequate management of pain during mastectomies and early postoperative period. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a promising regional technique. This study compared the efficacy of ESPB versus paravertebral block (PVB) catheters for pain management in modified radical mastectomy (MRM). Methods This randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority study recruited 70 adult female cases planned for MRM. The patients were equally randomized into two groups: group ESPB and group PVB. The blocks were performed before general anesthesia induction with 20 ml bupivacaine 0.25%, then 0.1 ml/kg/hr continuous infusion through a catheter. Results The duration of block performance was significantly lower in the group ESPB than in the group PVB (P < 0.001). The total morphine consumption in 48 h postoperative was 1.54 ± 3.74 mg in group ESPB and 1.68 ± 3.48 mg in group PVB (P = 0.878). Patients required fentanyl and postoperative morphine in the 1st 48 h, time to 1st request analgesia insignificantly differed between groups. Intraoperative and postoperative heart rate, mean arterial pressure and oxygen saturation, and visual analog scale at rest and movement insignificantly differed between groups. Postoperative pneumothorax occurred in one case in group PVB and did not occur in group ESPB. Conclusions In MRM, analgesic efficacy of preoperative ultrasound-guided ESPB and PVB is comparable, and ESPB is an easier technique and more safer to perform when compared to PVB.
Effect of Angiotensin 1-7 Peptide Agonist AVE 0991 on Diabetic Endothelial Dysfunction in an Experimental Animal Model: A Possible Tool to Treat Diabetic Erectile Dysfunction

Background The renin-angiotensin system and its metabolites are crucial in the pathogenesis and progression of complications of diabetes. Aim In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of angiotensin 1-7 non-peptide agonist AVE 0991 (576 ug/kg/day i.p.) on diabetic endothelial dysfunction. Materials and methods In this experimental animal study, we investigated the effects of angiotensin 1-7 non-peptide agonist AVE 0991 (576 ug/kg/day i.p.) treatment in male Wistar rats. Diabetes was created via injecting streptozotocin (55 mg/kg/i.p., single dose). Following the cavernous tissue submaximal phenylephrine contraction, relaxation responses were obtained by applying electrical field stimulation (0.5 ms, 40 V) for 15 seconds at 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 Hz, with two-minute intervals, respectively. To evaluate the effect of nitric oxide, the responses were compared by incubating with 100 mM N(gamma)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) for 20 minutes. Additionally, Y-27632 and sodium nitroprusside responses were evaluated in tissues contracted with submaximal doses of phenylephrine. Results Following a submaximal contraction of phenylephrine in the aorta rings, relaxation responses obtained with acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside, and Y-27632 were impaired in diabetic rats; however, significant results were obtained with treatment. Although there was no significance between the groups in the electrical field stimulation responses, there was a significant dose-dependent difference in the treatment group in this parameter after L-NAME, sodium nitroprusside, and Y-27632 relaxation. Conclusions We determined that treatment with a non-peptide receptor antagonist of angiotensin 1-7, an enzyme detected in the aortic and cavernosum endothelium, may be a promising alternative for treating the complications of diabetes.
Diagenesis and quartz cement distribution of low-permeability Upper Triassic–Middle Jurassic reservoir sandstones, Longyearbyen CO2 lab well site in Svalbard, Norway

Reservoir properties of Upper Triassic–Middle Jurassic sandstones, Spitsbergen, are studied as part of a CO2 storage pilot project in Longyearbyen. The reservoir formations show large contrasts in sandstone compositions, with unexpected low permeability despite moderate porosity values. Petrographic analyses were performed to investigate the influence and distribution of diagenesis. It is concluded that, because of various compaction, cementation, and dissolution processes, the sandstone porosity is mainly isolated molds and micropores and associated with fibrous illite and chamosite, explaining the low permeability. Diagenesis and the distribution of quartz cement is influenced by lithofacies and detrital compositions. Mineralogically immature sandstones (De Geerdalen Formation) show a homogeneous distribution of quartz cement overgrowths on quartz grains, distributed interstitial to labile grains and other cements (e.g., late calcite). The main silica source was from the dissolution of adjacent feldspar and labile grains as part of the chemical compaction. In contrast, quartz-dominated sandstones (Knorringfjellet Formation) show a heterogeneous patchy distribution of quartz cement influenced by the sedimentary bioturbation pattern, with silica sourced also from dissolution at clay-rich microstylolites. Phosphatic beds at the base and top of the formation are strongly influenced by marine eogenesis and reworking processes and associated with concentration of iron-rich authigenic minerals. The highest porosity appears in sand-supported conglomerate where moldic clay-mineral ooids contributed to reduce quartz cementation. The stratigraphic change from mineralogical immature (Triassic) to mature (uppermost Triassic–Jurassic) sandstone compositions is detected in wide areas of the Barents Shelf and has considerable implications for the distribution of sandstone reservoir properties.
Integrative bioinformatics analysis of biomarkers and pathways for exploring the mechanisms and molecular targets associated with pyroptosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction Research has shown that pyroptosis contributes greatly to the progression of diabetes and its complications. However, the exact relationship between this particular cell death process and the pathology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains unclear. In this study, we used bioinformatic tools to identify the pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) associated with T2DM and to analyze their roles in the disease pathology. Methods Two microarray datasets, GSE7014 and GSE25724, were obtained from the GEO database and assessed for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The T2DM-associated DEGs that overlapped with differentially expressed PRGs were noted as T2DM-PRGs. Subsequently, 25 T2DM-PRGs were validated and subjected to functional enrichment analysis through Gene Ontology annotation analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The diagnostic and predictive value of the T2DM-PRGs was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC). Additionally, a single-sample GSEA algorithm was applied to study immune infiltration in T2DM and assess immune infiltration levels. Results We identified 25 T2DM-PRGs that were significantly enriched in the nuclear factor-kappa B signaling and prostate cancer pathways. The top five differentially expressed prognostic T2DM-PRGs targeted by miRNAs were PTEN, BRD4, HSP90AB1, VIM, and PKN2. The top five differentially expressed T2DM-PRGs associated with transcription factors were HSP90AB1, VIM, PLCG1, SCAF11, and PTEN. The genes PLCG1, PTEN, TP63, CHI3L1, SDHB, DPP8, BCL2, SERPINB1, ACE2, DRD2, DDX58, and BTK showed excellent diagnostic performance. The immune infiltration analysis revealed notable differences in immune cells between T2DM and normal tissues in both datasets. These findings suggest that T2DM-PRGs play a crucial role in the development and progression of T2DM and could be used as potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Discussion Investigating the mechanisms and biomarkers associated with pyroptosis may offer valuable insights into the pathophysiology of T2DM and lead to novel therapeutic approaches to treat the disease.
WATER QUALITY OF DIFFERENT FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS IN BALKAN CAMPUS OF TRAKYA UNIVERSITY (EDIRNE, TURKEY)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the lotic (Gullapoglu Stream), lentic (Artificial Pond) and groundwater (Gullapoglu Well) quality of Balkan Arboretum Area located in the Balkan Campus of Trakya University. For this purpose, water samples were collected monthly from five stations between the dates of June 2013 – October 2013. Total of 9 water quality parameters including dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, pH, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, sulphate and cyanide were investigated. Results were evaluated according to the criteria of SKKY (Water Pollution Control Regulation in Turkey) and evaluated as drinking water according to the criteria of TS266 (Turkish Standards Institute), EC (European Communities) and WHO (World Health Organization).
A Leadership and Governance Stage Model (LGSM) in Digital Transformation in Data Management

In this era of digital transformation, organisations and individuals have the ability to generate, collect, process, and analyse a vast volume of data to gain benefits and valuable insights. However, despite recognising the competitive advantage of digital transformation in data management, they often face challenges in navigating the transformation process and aligning their existing practices with on-premise technologies. Leadership and governance play a very significant role in digital transformation procedures. The main objectives of this research are 1) to establish a Leadership and Governance Stage Model (LGSM), which provides a standardised, structured, and objective roadmap for organisations to determine their current leadership and data governance maturity stage in digital transformation in data management and 2) to guide organisations in progressing to the next maturity stage by using LGSM as a framework. This research adopts a qualitative approach, utilising a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) conducted over the past ten years, applying Grounded Theory. A total of 14 well-defined Capability Maturity Models (CMMs) of data management were reviewed, summarised, and consolidated. In this way, LGSM is established, comprising six stages: Stages 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, with Stage 5 representing the most developed and mature stage. The holistic view of this stage model has been summarised at the end of this research, which demonstrates the significance of leadership and governance in digital transformation.