Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-supervised Monocular Depth Estimation with Semantic-aware Depth Features

Self-supervised monocular depth estimation has emerged as a promising method because it does not require groundtruth depth maps during training. As an alternative for the groundtruth depth map, the photometric loss enables to provide self-supervision on depth prediction by matching the input image frames. However, the photometric loss causes various problems, resulting in less accurate depth values compared with supervised approaches. In this paper, we propose SAFENet that is designed to leverage semantic information to overcome the limitations of the photometric loss. Our key idea is to exploit semantic-aware depth features that integrate the semantic and geometric knowledge. Therefore, we introduce multi-task learning schemes to incorporate semantic-awareness into the representation of depth features. Experiments on KITTI dataset demonstrate that our methods compete or even outperform the state-of-the-art methods. Furthermore, extensive experiments on different datasets show its better generalization ability and robustness to various conditions, such as low-light or adverse weather.
A Survey on Different Techniques for Biometric Template Protection

Biometric applications are based on the static and non-static biometric characteristics such as voice, palm, and finger vein, gait, DNA, hand geometry, iris, fingerprint etc. This paper presents an overview of the two types of template protection techniques, namely, (i) feature transformation or cancelable biometric, and (ii) bio-cryptosystems. Combining both the techniques, i.e. feature transformation and bio-cryptosystems, provide a set of hybrid template protection schemes. Multimodal biometric templates are also protected using hybrid template protection schemes. This paper mainly focuses on providing a comprehensive overview of the template protection techniques and multimodal biometric systems for user authentication. In addition to this, the paper gives the overview of various attacks, issues and challenges in biometric recognition system.
Description of the tadpole of Telmatobius brevirostris (Anura: Ceratophryidae)

In Peru most tadpoles of the aquatic frogs genus Telmatobius belong to the lentic or lotic benthic guild. Members of this guild have a labial tooth row formula (LTRF) of 2/3, dorsolateral eyes, relative depressed bodies, dorsal fin do not extend beyond tail-body junction and they inhabit non flowing systems or microhabitats of non flowing portions of lotic systems (Altig & Johnson 1989, Aguilar et al. 2007, Aguilar & Lehr 2009). Only one species, T. atahualpai Wiens, is known to have a lotic rheophilous larva because it has a large oral disc, LTRF of more than 2/3, complete marginal papillae, numerous submarginal papillae and it inhabits streams (Altig & Johnson 1989, Aguilar & Lehr 2009). However, of the 25 Telmatobius species present in the Peruvian Andes (Frost 2010), tadpoles of only 11 species (44%) have been described, including the recently described tadpole of Telmatobius mayoloi Salas and Sinsch (Aguilar & Lehr 2009). Telmatobius brevirostris Vellard is endemic to central Peru, Huanuco region, with an altitudinal distribution ranging from 2000 to 3600 m.a.s.l. (Lehr 2005). Data on adult morphology, tadpole habitat, oral cavity and chondrocranium were given by Lehr (2005) and Aguilar & Valencia (2009), but tadpoles were left undescribed. Herein we describe the tadpole of T. brevirostris .
Partially Observable Markov Decision Process Modelling for Assessing Hierarchies

Hierarchical clustering has been shown to be valuable in many scenarios. Despite its usefulness to many situations, there is no agreed methodology on how to properly evaluate the hierarchies produced from different techniques, particularly in the case where ground-truth labels are unavailable. This motivates us to propose a framework for assessing the quality of hierarchical clustering allocations which covers the case of no ground-truth information. This measurement is useful, e.g., to assess the hierarchical structures used by online retailer websites to display their product catalogues. Our framework is one of the few attempts for the hierarchy evaluation from a decision-theoretic perspective. We model the process as a bot searching stochastically for items in the hierarchy and establish a measure representing the degree to which the hierarchy supports this search. We employ Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDP) to model the uncertainty, the decision making, and the cognitive return for searchers in such a scenario.
Effects of controlled release fertilizer on rice yield and N recovery

Field experiment was conducted at Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan in 1998 15 N trace method was used to test the effects of polyolefin coated urea (controlled release fertilizer) as basal on rice yield, the pattern of N absorption and N recovery rate compared with urea and ammonium sulfate with split application Results indicated that: 1) For transplanting rice, the highest yield was obtained by the blend of urea and LPS 100 in the ratio of 1:1 as basal, and increased by 23 6% and 9 2% compared with urea and ammonium sulfate, respectively For the direct seeding rice the highest yield was obtained by LP 100 as basal, and increased by 9 2% and 4 0% compared with urea and ammonium sulfate, respectively Controlled release fertilizer treatments could give more effective panicles and filled grains of rice than urea and ammonium sulfate treatments 2) No significant difference was observed in total N uptake among fertilizer treatments But the N accumulation from transplanting (or seeding) to panicle initiation in plants treated with controlled fertilizer were much more than conventional fertilization, resulting in the greater number of panicles per unit area and filled grains per panicle 3) 15 N labeled experiment indicated that up to maximum tiller stage N absorption of rice from basal fertilizer of urea and ammonium sulfate accounted for 33%～45% of total N absorption from basal fertilizer only N uptake from basal fertilizer lasted to heading stage in urea or ammonium sulfate plots and to harvesting stage in LP 100 plot While N uptake from topdressing applied at panicle initiation stage completed on 45 days after application 4) The total N recovery rate tested using 15 N method was higher in urea plot than ammonium sulfate and LP 100, while that tested using difference method was higher in the LP 100 than other treatments The N recovery rate of basal fertilizer was in the order of LP 100ammonium sulfate urea Basal application of urea/LPS 100 blend and LP 100 had higher physiological and agronomic efficiency of N than urea and ammonium sulfate, that may be the main reason for getting high yield by controlled fertilizer in the trail
Role of proton-coupled oligopeptide transporters in small peptide absorption and disposition

Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate the transport properties of carnosine in kidney using SKPT cell cultures as a model of proximal tubular transport, and to isolate the functional activities of renal apical and basolateral transporters in this process. Methods. The membrane transport kinetics of 10 μM [ 3 H]carnosine was studied in SKPT cells as a function of time, pH, potential inhibitors and substrate concentration. A cellular compartment model was constructed in which the influx, efflux and transepithelial clearances of carnosine were determined. Peptide transporter expression was probed by RT-PCR. Results. Carnosine uptake was 15-fold greater from the apical than basolateral surface of SKPT cells. However, the apical-to-basolateral transepithelial transport of carnosine was severely rate-limited by its cellular efflux across the basolateral membrane. The highaffinity, proton-dependence, concentration-dependence and inhibitor specificity of carnosine supports the contention that PEPT2 is responsible for its apical uptake. In
Comparison of soil invertebrate communities in organic and conventional production systems in Southern Brazil

Invertebrates play important functional roles in soils, affecting several essential ecosystem services. However, their populations are sensitive to disturbance, and are therefore often used as bioindicators of soil quality. Conservation agriculture covers extensive areas in Brazil, and organic production techniques have been rapidly spreading, but little is known regarding their impacts on belowground invertebrate communities. Thus, the present study evaluated the effects of different land-use and management systems on macro- and mesofauna communities in rural areas near Quitandinha, Southern Brazil. Samples were taken in a native forest (NF), organic (OH) and conventional horticulture farms (CH) and a conventional reduced tillage field (RT). Soil macrofauna and earthworms were collected by hand sorting, using the Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility (TSBF) method, and mesofauna were collected using a modified Berlese funnel apparatus. Enchytraeids were sampled using the standard ISO 23611-3 method. Six earthworm species were found, in the genera Glossoscolex and Amynthas as well as Ocnerodrilidae juveniles and an unidentified species. Four genera of enchytraeids were found, two of them cosmopolitan (Fridericia, Enchytraeus) and two native (Guaranidrilus, Hemienchytraeus). Soil tillage practices (in CH and OH) were associated with lower earthworm populations, while ants, spiders, ecosystem engineers and enchytraeids were more associated with organic fertilization and no pesticide use. Conventional systems (RT and CH) had lower macrofauna, enchytraeid and ant populations than NF and OH, and CH had the lowest richness of both macro- and mesofauna, as well as the lowest abundance of earthworms, spiders, fly larvae and “other” macro and mesofauna. Reduced tillage had higher earthworm and mite populations, while NF had the highest macrofauna and earthworm taxonomic richness and termite abundance. Reducing tillage in OH and CH may improve conditions for soil fauna, but further work is still needed to determine the best suite of management practices that promote soil fauna and their contributions to soil function and ecosystem services in these systems.
Spatial-temporal aspects of continuous EEG-based neurorobotic control

Objective. The goal of this work is to identify the spatio-temporal facets of state-of-the-art electroencephalography (EEG)-based continuous neurorobotics that need to be addressed, prior to deployment in practical applications at home and in the clinic. Approach. Nine healthy human subjects participated in five sessions of one-dimensional (1D) horizontal (LR), 1D vertical (UD) and two-dimensional (2D) neural tracking from EEG. Users controlled a robotic arm and virtual cursor to continuously track a Gaussian random motion target using EEG sensorimotor rhythm modulation via motor imagery (MI) commands. Continuous control quality was analyzed in the temporal and spatial domains separately. Main results. Axis-specific errors during 2D tasks were significantly larger than during 1D counterparts. Fatigue rates were larger for control tasks with higher cognitive demand (LR, left- and right-hand MI) compared to those with lower cognitive demand (UD, both hands MI and rest). Additionally robotic arm and virtual cursor control exhibited equal tracking error during all tasks. However, further spatial error analysis of 2D control revealed a significant reduction in tracking quality that was dependent on the visual interference of the physical device. In fact, robotic arm performance was significantly greater than that of virtual cursor control when the users’ sightlines were not obstructed. Significance. This work emphasizes the need for practical interfaces to be designed around real-world tasks of increased complexity. Here, the dependence of control quality on cognitive task demand emphasizes the need for decoders that facilitate the translation of 1D task mastery to 2D control. When device footprint was accounted for, the introduction of a physical robotic arm improved control quality, likely due to increased user engagement. In general, this work demonstrates the need to consider both the physical footprint of devices, the complexity of training tasks, and the synergy of control strategies during the development of neurorobotic control.
Molecular population structure and the biogeographic history of a regional fauna : a case history with lessons for conservation biology

Mitochondrial (mt) DNA data on the comparative phylogeographic patterns of 19 species of freshwater, coastal, and marine species in the southeastern U.S.A. are reviewed. Nearly all assayed species exhibit extensive mtDNA polymorphism, although still orders-of-magnitude less than predicted under neutrally theory if evolutionary effective population sizes of females are similar to current census sizes. In both the freshwater and marine realms, deep and geographically concordant forks in intraspecific mtDNA phylogenies commonly distinguish regional populations in the Atlantic versus Gulf Coast areas. These concordant phylogeographic patterns among independently evolving species provide evidence of similar vicariant histories of population separation, and can be related tentatively to episodic changes in environmental conditions during the Pleistocene
Salivary Biomarkers for Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Systematic Review

Saliva as a biological fluid has a remarkable potential in the non-invasive diagnostics of several systemic disorders. Inflammatory bowel diseases are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. This systematic review was designed to answer the question “Are salivary biomarkers reliable for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases? ”. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, eleven studies were included (according to PRISMA statement guidelines). Due to their heterogeneity, the potential salivary markers for IBD were divided into four groups: oxidative status markers, inflammatory cytokines, microRNAs and other biomarkers. Active CD patients manifest decreased activity of antioxidants (e.g., glutathione, catalase) and increased lipid peroxidation. Therefore, malondialdehyde seems to be a good diagnostic marker of CD. Moreover, elevated concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines (such as interleukin 1β, interleukin 6 or tumour necrosis factor α) are associated with the activity of IBD. Additionaly, selected miRNAs are altered in saliva (overexpressed miR-101 in CD; overexpressed miR-21, miR-31, miR-142-3p and underexpressed miR-142-5p in UC). Among other salivary biomarkers, exosomal PSMA7, α-amylase and calprotectin are detected. In conclusion, saliva contains several biomarkers which can be used credibly for the early diagnosis and regular monitoring of IBD. However, further investigations are necessary to validate these findings, as well as to identify new reliable salivary biomarkers.
The Use of UVC Irradiation to Sterilize Filtering Facepiece Masks Limiting Airborne Cross-Infection

In addition to looking for effective drugs and a vaccine, which are necessary to save and protect human health, it is also important to limit, or at least to slow, the spread of coronavirus. One important element in this action is the use of individual protective devices such as filtering facepiece masks. Currently, masks that use a mechanical filter, such as a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, are often used. In some countries that do not have a well-developed healthcare system or in exceptional situations, there is a real and pressing need to restore filters for reuse. This article presents technical details for a very simple device for sterilization, including of HEPA polymer filters. The results of biological and microscopic tests confirming the effectiveness of the sterilization performed in the device are presented. The compact and portable design of the device also allows its use to disinfect other small surfaces, for example a small fragment of a floor, table, or bed.
Hazardous alcohol use, antiretroviral therapy receipt and viral suppression in people living with HIV who inject drugs in the U.S., India, Russia and Vietnam.

OBJECTIVES In high-income countries (HIC), hazardous alcohol use is associated with reduced receipt of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and viral suppression among people living with HIV (PLHIV) who inject drugs. These associations are less understood in lower and upper middle-income countries (LMIC and UMIC). DESIGN We examined associations between hazardous alcohol use, ART receipt and viral suppression among PLHIV who reported current or former injection drug use. Participants were from nine studies in the U.S. (HIC), India (LMIC), Russia (UMIC), and Vietnam (LMIC). METHODS Hazardous alcohol use was measured via AUDIT. Outcomes were HIV viral suppression (viral load of < 1,000 RNA copies/ml) and self-reported ART receipt. Logistic regression assessed associations between hazardous alcohol use and both outcome variables, controlling for age and gender, among participants with current and former injection drug use. RESULTS Among 2,790 participants, 16% were women, mean age was 37.1 ± 9.5 years. Mean AUDIT scores were 4.6 ± 8.1 (women) and 6.2 ± 8.3 (men); 42% reported ART receipt; 40% had viral suppression. Hazardous alcohol use was significantly associated with reduced ART receipt in India (aOR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.45-0.77, p < 0.001); and lower rates of viral suppression in Vietnam (aOR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.31-0.82, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Associations between hazardous alcohol use, ART receipt and viral suppression varied across settings and were strongest in lower middle-income countries. Addressing hazardous alcohol use holds promise for improving HIV continuum of care outcomes among PLHIV who inject drugs. Specific impact and intervention needs may differ by setting.
Preoperative molecular testing in thyroid nodules with Bethesda VI cytology: Clinical experience and review of the literature

Risk assessment is critical to determine the timing of elective surgeries and preserve valuable resources in time of pandemic. This study was undertaken to better understand the potential value of molecular testing to risk‐stratify thyroid nodules with malignant cytology (Bethesda VI). Systematic review of the literature contributed 21 studies representing 2036 preoperative specimens. The BRAF p.V600E substitution was detected in 46% to 90% of cases with a pooled positivity rate of 70% (95% confidence intervals: 64%‐76%). None of the studies used comprehensive oncogene panels. Retrospective analysis of 531 clinical specimens evaluated with the next‐generation sequencing ThyGeNEXT Thyroid Oncogene Panel identified a total of 436 gene alterations. BRAF mutation rate was 64% in specimens tested as part of standard clinical care and 75% in specimens from cross‐sectional research studies (P = .022). Testing for additional actionable gene alterations such as TERT promoter mutations or RET and NTRK gene rearrangements further increased the diagnostic yield to 78%‐85% and up to 95% when including the ThyraMIR Thyroid miRNA Classifier. These data support the role of molecular cytopathology in surgical and therapeutic decision‐making and warrant additional studies.
Sleep quality and its predictors among waiters in upscale restaurants: A descriptive study in the Accra Metropolis

Introduction Poor mental and sleep health negatively affects work performance, turnover intention, and information retention. We examined the impact of waiting job in upscale restaurants on the sleep health of waiters. Materials and methods This was a descriptive study which collected cross-sectional data from waiters of upscale restaurants, using PSQI and DASS-21 questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics comprising mean, frequency, percentage, chi-square, and logistic regression were adopted in presenting the results. Results Sleep quality was poor among 74% of the waiters. The predictors of sleep quality were sex (p = 0.002), role at restaurant (p = 0.004), non-prescription drug use (p<0.001), depression (p<0.001), anxiety (p<0.001), and stress (p<0.001). The prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress among the waiters was 52.3%, 38.3%, and 34.4% respectively. Stationed (AOR = 4.72, 95%CI = 1.7–812.53, p = 0.002) and supervising (AOR = 3.08, 95%CI = 1.25–7.57, p = 0.014) waiters were more likely to have good sleep quality than headwaiters. Waiters who had depression, anxiety, and stress were, however, 8% (AOR = 0.92, 95%CI = 0.46–1.85, p = 0.819), 28% (AOR = 0.72, 95%CI = 0.38–1.36, p = 0.315), and 49% (AOR = 0.51, 95%CI = 0.24–1.07, p = 0.073) less likely to have a good sleep quality than those who respectively did not have depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusions Sleep quality was poor among most of the waiters. If this persists, Ghana may not be able to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 target of promoting mental health and wellbeing. To improve sleep quality and accelerate progress towards achievement of the SDG target, there should be increased collaboration among stakeholders in the health and hospitality industries to develop innovative interventions to reduce poor sleep quality among workers.
Effect of Baseline Characteristics and Tumor Burden on Vaspin Expression and Progressive Disease in Operable Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is a highly heterogeneous malignancy in the Asian population, and it is considered an important prognostic factor for baseline characteristics, tumor burden, and tumor markers. This study investigated the effect of baseline characteristics and tumor burden on tumor marker expression and progressive disease in colorectal cancer by using partial least squares variance-based path modeling (PLS-PM). PLS-PM can be used to evaluate the complex relationship between prognostic variables and progressive disease status with a small sample of measurements and structural models. A total of 89 tissue samples of colorectal cancer were analyzed. Our results suggested that the expression of visceral adipose tissue-derived serpin (vaspin) is a potential indicator of colorectal cancer progression and may be affected by baseline characteristics such as age, sex, body mass index, and diabetes mellitus. Moreover, according to the characteristics of tumor burden, the expression of vaspin was generally higher in each progressive disease patient. The overall findings suggest that vaspin is a potential indicator of the progressive disease and may be affected by the baseline characteristics of patients.
Truth and lies in your eyes: Pupil dilation of White participants in truthful and deceptive responses to White and Black partners

In the present study, we examined the pupillary response of White participants who were asked to tell the truth or lie to White or Black partners. Research on cues to deception has assumed that lying is more cognitively demanding that truth telling. In line with this assumption, previous studies have shown that lying is associated with greater pupil dilation, a behavioral cue that typically manifests itself under conditions of stress or cognitive effort. In accordance with these results, we predicted greater pupil dilation when lying than when telling the truth. Furthermore, pupil dilation was expected to be greater when responding to White than Black partners. Finally, we hypothesized that pupil dilation would be greater when lying to White than Black partners. Participants were instructed to answer a set of questions, half truthfully and half deceptively. They were led to believe that White vs. Black partners (one male and one female) would ask the questions via computer connection. Indeed, we used feminine and masculine synthetic voices. Pupil dilation was assessed with a remote eye-tracking system. Results provided support for the first two hypotheses. However, the predicted interaction between race of partners and truth status of message (lying vs. telling the truth) was nonsignificant. Our findings highlight the importance of considering race in the study of truthful and deceptive communications.